Little Drops..... Into the pool of life.

Dinner With The President...

2010-03-20T21:36:00.004-04:00

Politics, n: [Poly "many" + tics "blood-sucking parasites"]~~~~~Larry HardimanIn view of the political shenanigans going on with the campaign to pass into law what is being called 'Obamacare', I thought I'd share this little analogy that one of my friends emailed me. Sadly, it's not just the health care takeover that our government is trying to force upon us, but it seems our Government is out

Not So Funny Friday...

2010-03-19T17:23:00.003-04:00

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.~~~~~William PennI had plans to post a few of the Friday Funnies this morning before I laid the body down to sleep. Alas, after reading this post, I didn't feel inclined to do so.

I'd Rather Be In...

2010-03-18T16:53:00.004-04:00

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.~~~~~Henry BoyeTaken several years ago while visiting Tybee Island, Georgia. I'm thinkin' I need to spend some time on this beach very very soon! Perhaps then, I can ponder the changes and reflect on new solutions to the age old questions of life. Always much easier when staring at the endless cycle of tides and waves. And

Lovin' My Irishman...Happy St.Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T17:53:00.005-04:00

Oh, the music in the air!An' the joy that's ivrywhere -Shure, the whole blue vault of heaven is wan grand triumphal arch,An' the earth below is gayWid its tender green th'-day,Fur the whole world is Irish on the Seventeenth o' March!~Thomas Augustin Daly'Tis a great day to celebrate! The sun is shining, the weather is approaching balmy and I woke up this day for the wearing of the green. All's

A Bit Of Hope...

2010-03-17T16:41:00.007-04:00

Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.~~~~~Lin YutangThe picture below doesn't surprise me any... what it does is make me proud as all get out. There are many Afghan children who are living in orphanages scattered throughout the country. They have a hard life with very little of the extras our children take for

Kapisa Gets New Outpost...

2010-03-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided. It is sometimes better to abandon one's self to destiny.~~~~~Napoleon BonaparteSo....Kapisa has or will have a new outpost. Cool! Go here to read the official news.KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – French Army infantry soldiers from Task Force La Fayette provide security while engineers from the task force build a new combat

Mail Undelivered...

2010-03-15T19:36:00.004-04:00

He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.~~~~~Antoine de Saint-ExuperyThis simply must be read. Fair warning though, take tissues with you. For all those who handled Dillon's undelivered mail...Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know your all's heart and prayers are with the Fox family, as are mine.And so it

Feeding The Masses In Helmand...

2010-03-15T12:36:00.006-04:00

Hunger: One of the few cravings that cannot be appeased with another solution.~~~~~Irwin Van GroveReading the news that came in overnight, there was a series of videos from the Telegraph UK highlighting a 2 week embed by photojournalist; Heathcliff O'Malley. The one that caught my attention was the one below... feeding 10,000 British soldiers.Whew! That's a whole heap of stomachs to fill.I

It's A Small World Afterall...

2010-03-13T12:14:00.007-05:00

One can be a brother only in something. Where there is no tie that binds men, men are not united but merely lined up.~~~~~Antoine de Saint-ExupéryI've heard it be said that "It's a small war." Meaning that it's likely to meet your neighbors or friends from home in the strangest of places. Much like the two National Guardsmen below who met up again in Afghanistan. I know from my own

Changes In Kapisa...

2010-03-11T04:51:00.003-05:00

Every beginning is a consequence - every beginning ends some thing.~~~~~Paul ValeryThere's been another transfer of authority in Kapisa province. Another group of 'Our Guys' will be making their way home after a year's absence. Let me hear those "WOOHOO's! HOOAH's, OOHRAH's and any other expression of joy for the men and women of this team. Written by U.S. Air Force 1st Lt.

Angel Flight...

2010-03-05T21:27:00.002-05:00

Angels descending, bring from above,Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.~~~~~Fanny J. CrosbyOver at Multiply, one of the troop supporters posted a video that is worthy of being shared. It is a song dedicated to the pilots of the planes that bring our fallen warriors home. You can buy the song via iTunes or video on CD where all proceeds benefit the Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation.I

Friday Funnies...

2010-03-05T12:02:00.004-05:00

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.~~~~~Mark TwainAck!! It's been a long time since I've posted a few Friday Funnies. Life is sorta busy right now. But really, would we want it any other way? Nahhh, probably not.So...without any further commentary from the nut gallery, Teh

Looking For Answers In Wardak...Updated

2010-03-04T05:38:00.005-05:00

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.~~~~~Dr SeussStars and Stripes has a great article up from Monday that you should read about some of 'Our Guys', the 173rd, in Wardak, Afghanistan...Time is running short this morning or I would put up an excerpt. Since it is so close to time to leave for the paycheck place, I'll just give you the link to the story and hope that

Three Meals In Afghanistan...

2010-03-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other. It is the place of confidence. It is the place where we tear off that mask of guarded and suspicious coldness which the world forces us to wear in self-defense, and where we pour out the unreserved communications of full and confiding hearts. It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without any

Blue Eyes...

2010-02-28T19:46:00.003-05:00

The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said.~~~~~Peter F. DruckerBetween catching up on all the laundry and various household chores, I've been out visiting friends in the blog-o-sphere neighborhood. Stopped in at Pattie's (she's a square peg), delighted to visit for awhile listening to her favorite music. Pattie has a wonderful new pet dog that she adopted from

Missing Bike Week...

2010-02-28T17:25:00.003-05:00

It takes more love to share the saddle than it does to share the bed.~~~~~Author UnknownWhat the heck was I thinking? I've got vacation time. BH wanted me to stay at his place. Even got an invitation to fly. *Sigghh* But did I? Uhm, Noooooooo. Seriously considering getting my head examined. It's not like I haven't been hit upside the head with a couple hundred clue-bats in the months

Must See These 43...

2010-02-26T15:33:00.005-05:00

For without belittling the courage with which men have died, we should not forget those acts of courage with which men have lived.~~~~~John F. KennedyThis morning on my drive to the paycheck place for a few hours of safety training, I passed what looked to be a pretty severe 2-3 car accident. Brake lights were bright red as the drivers in front of me slowed down to gawk at the destruction in the

Year Of The Census...

2010-02-24T22:46:00.005-05:00

Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds.~~~~~John Perry BarlowAre you ready to be counted? And probed for information as to your life, what you do, how you play, even the number of televisions you own? Among many other private matters. Well, get prepared...2010 is the year the U.S. Census is being conducted. I find it

Relationships~ Part 2...

2010-02-21T21:49:00.011-05:00

There is a wisdom of the head, and... a wisdom of the heart.~~~~~Charles DickensAs promised, more snippets of personal wisdom/smartassery from the men and women who live their lives in front of the camera, and have become larger than life to some. Just not to me.I've always kept the perspective that everyone has to put their pants on one leg at a time, just like me. Even those in positions of

Route 605...

2010-02-20T09:30:00.006-05:00

He who finds Fortune on his side should go briskly ahead, for she is wont to favor the bold.~~~~~Baltasar GracianWatch the video below to see how 'Our Guys' search out those IED's (improvised explosive devices) that are planted by the bad guys to kill and maim the unsuspecting. The video was shot by a National Geographic reporter riding along with the Marine Team in Helmand province. Can you

Relationships~ Part 1...

2010-02-19T09:57:00.011-05:00

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.~~~~~Victor HugoIn keeping with the desire to laugh everyday, a email from a friend had me laughing loud and long this morning. Anyone who has had a relationship with the opposite sex know the issues they can bring into your life. I've had my fair share of them,

Ohio River Valley...

2010-02-16T22:23:00.000-05:00

Ol' Man Winter returned this morning for another assault of his cold, wet, and treacherous residue. Final tally at N.Ky/Greater Cincinnat Int'l Airport was 23 inches of snow. Set the record, it did. Not so much fun having to be out driving in it. A.J. Foyt was not alowed to drive, Terry the turtle was given that privilege for the trek to and fro.the paycheck place. I had offers for pick up

Open Letter ~ The Families Also Serve...

2010-02-10T23:03:00.004-05:00

Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted. ~~~~~Paul PearshallEveryone knows how 'Our Guys' willingly answer the call to service. But there are those who stand in the shadows of those men and women in uniform that deserve recognition

Lessons From Afghanistan...

2010-02-09T19:09:00.005-05:00

It is not hard to learn more. What is hard is to unlearn when you discover yourself wrong.~~~~~Martin H. FischerA wise person once told me to always be willing to learn something new everyday. I've tried to keep the mind open enough to do that and still keep what I already know to be true from falling out. A difficult task on some days... Growing up with a father who was a

Calling A Spade A Spade...

2010-02-08T20:55:00.003-05:00

To treat your facts with imagination is one thing, but to imagine your facts is another.~~~~~John BurroughsI read this headline yesterday and couldn't help but shudder with revulsion. Not only for the child, especially for the child but, for the negative projection of the first lead words of that headline. U.S. soldier...U.S. soldier ‘waterboarded his own daughter, 4, because she couldn’t