I posted this one over at the Indiana Patriot Guard Riders blog.
Go.
Read.
Bring a tissue.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Touching The Face of Grace
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Riders Anonymous
Hello, my name is DNR
It’s been 21 days since I last rode. *shudders*
Maybe this weekend. I can’t stand it. Missed a couple days with highs in the 40s. Bad part is I come to work just as the sun is coming up, and it’s been about 28 here. Then when I go home it’s dark and back in the low 30s. Even it gets into the 40s during the day, I miss it.
Gonna be in the 30s, high of 35 Saturday.
Yep, I’m gonna ride, even if it is 2 miles. My soul needs it.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thankful - VIII
The 3,000 troops we sent off to Iraq in January are beginning to return home. The first group of 100 returned to the New Indianapolis International terminal. Over about the next 30-45 days, they will all be home. I am thankful that a great majority have returned or are returning safely.
Companionship of a dog(s). I know, seems kind of shallow. This is definitely one of those “if you don’t understand, I can’t explain” kind of things.
40 + years. Yea, the day is near. Another year older. It’s been a good run. Here’s to another 40!
And here’s to another 10, click here to donate to Jim and Flo... and God bless you.
I Rescued A Human Today
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
~Author unknown~
h/t to the missus
Friday, November 14, 2008
Just Funny
I walked in to the office men’s room a moment ago and find Joe bent over one of the sinks, swishing water around in his mouth and spitting in the sink...
Tom is in one of the stalls pulling out miles of TP. From the side I can see he is facing the seat and his hands are above the walls waving what must be half a roll of paper around.
Zip, flush... more paper another zip sound, another flush...
I shudder to think what was going on in there 5 minutes ago.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Damn Dogs
My knees hurt.
About 5 years ago I had that arthroscopic surgery on my right knee. Should only be a 20-40 minute thing the doc says. heh, I was under for an hour and 45 minutes. Lots of damage, including an over stressed patella to quadriceps tendon. In order to alleviate that pressure he did some cutting up the muscle to let it stretch out some and relieve the stress my knee cap is/was placing on my knee joint.
I never did get my strength back and the 6+ weeks on crutches stressed the left knee bad enough that it needed attention then too. I never did get it looked at.
Recently, like over the summer, in fact it was the trip out west, before I met up with DC. I was at a business meeting and the group went bowling. I went bowling. Yea, it was fun but Sweet Mother Mary of God! I twisted something and both knees swelled up to the size of softballs, especially the right one. The stiffness and soreness added a little challenge to the week of riding.
After some weeks of babying it and the swelling was almost back to ‘normal’. Yes, it exists in a constant state of swollenness.
Which bring me to yesterday and the title, Damn Dogs.
About 5 years ago I had that arthroscopic surgery on my right knee. Should only be a 20-40 minute thing the doc says. heh, I was under for an hour and 45 minutes. Lots of damage, including an over stressed patella to quadriceps tendon. In order to alleviate that pressure he did some cutting up the muscle to let it stretch out some and relieve the stress my knee cap is/was placing on my knee joint.
I never did get my strength back and the 6+ weeks on crutches stressed the left knee bad enough that it needed attention then too. I never did get it looked at.
Recently, like over the summer, in fact it was the trip out west, before I met up with DC. I was at a business meeting and the group went bowling. I went bowling. Yea, it was fun but Sweet Mother Mary of God! I twisted something and both knees swelled up to the size of softballs, especially the right one. The stiffness and soreness added a little challenge to the week of riding.
After some weeks of babying it and the swelling was almost back to ‘normal’. Yes, it exists in a constant state of swollenness.
Which bring me to yesterday and the title, Damn Dogs.
(See here for my introductions of OD, ND and me)
OD still goes out with an invisible fence collar. ND still has to be escorted, that is to say, taken out on a leash.
So... yesterday I get home and take the dogs out. ND is fast enough and we get back inside in less than 5 minutes. OD is out back, looking for a leaf. Yea, he has a leaf fetish. He’ll walk around the yard in ever decreasing circles until he comes across the perfect leaf, then he will circle the leaf, half in the ‘crapping dog’ position, half in the ‘sniffing the best leaf in the world’ position until, phfft. He finally craps. This ballet can take 10-15 minutes.
I know this is what he is doing. So I’m waiting by the front door.
ND has a ball fetish. She won’t sit in your lap without holding a ball in her mouth. Even comes to eat carrying the ball and drops it next to her bowl. After she eats, she’ll bring the ball and insist you throw it for her till she throws up her food.
Anyway, back to me waiting at the door. ND bring me a ball. She’s too excited to just let go of it and I won’t tug with her with a ball. After a couple second she gives up and drops the ball at my feet and backs up about 4 feet, crouches down and gives the famous border collie ‘lock eye’ stare on the ball. So I kicked it. This is good. Gives me something to do while waiting on the OD to find the perfect leaf.
ND is so fast she usually catches the ball before it gets by her. No mater where I aim it or how hard I kick it, she catches it 99% of the time. After about 10 times of this, I’m thinking, “ok, ya little shit, see if you can catch this one”, and I rare back and clobber the ball....
If you have any bad joints and I say to you my knee ‘popped’ you know. If you don’t have bad joints or knees, how can I explain it... It’s kind of a many rice crispies or many bubble packing bubbles all going at once mixed in with a jab from a rusty spike. All of this sound isn’t so much heard as much as it is felt, through your whole skeleton.
When my foot came back to rest on the floor, I about fell over. It was like standing on a wet noodle. I have no photographic evidence but I’d swear it bent completely backwards and sideways before I regained my balance.
ND thinks my hoping around and groans are a call to play so she popping around like a Mexican jumping bean. Dropping the ball then, because I’m bent over, she races to get it so we can tug with the ball.
Quick enough, the spike dissolves and I can walk. OD comes to the door and all is right with the world... no issues. HA, Riiiiight!
Today, every time I get up from my desk, I am reminded...
DAMN Dogs.
OD still goes out with an invisible fence collar. ND still has to be escorted, that is to say, taken out on a leash.
So... yesterday I get home and take the dogs out. ND is fast enough and we get back inside in less than 5 minutes. OD is out back, looking for a leaf. Yea, he has a leaf fetish. He’ll walk around the yard in ever decreasing circles until he comes across the perfect leaf, then he will circle the leaf, half in the ‘crapping dog’ position, half in the ‘sniffing the best leaf in the world’ position until, phfft. He finally craps. This ballet can take 10-15 minutes.
I know this is what he is doing. So I’m waiting by the front door.
ND has a ball fetish. She won’t sit in your lap without holding a ball in her mouth. Even comes to eat carrying the ball and drops it next to her bowl. After she eats, she’ll bring the ball and insist you throw it for her till she throws up her food.
Anyway, back to me waiting at the door. ND bring me a ball. She’s too excited to just let go of it and I won’t tug with her with a ball. After a couple second she gives up and drops the ball at my feet and backs up about 4 feet, crouches down and gives the famous border collie ‘lock eye’ stare on the ball. So I kicked it. This is good. Gives me something to do while waiting on the OD to find the perfect leaf.
ND is so fast she usually catches the ball before it gets by her. No mater where I aim it or how hard I kick it, she catches it 99% of the time. After about 10 times of this, I’m thinking, “ok, ya little shit, see if you can catch this one”, and I rare back and clobber the ball....
If you have any bad joints and I say to you my knee ‘popped’ you know. If you don’t have bad joints or knees, how can I explain it... It’s kind of a many rice crispies or many bubble packing bubbles all going at once mixed in with a jab from a rusty spike. All of this sound isn’t so much heard as much as it is felt, through your whole skeleton.
When my foot came back to rest on the floor, I about fell over. It was like standing on a wet noodle. I have no photographic evidence but I’d swear it bent completely backwards and sideways before I regained my balance.
ND thinks my hoping around and groans are a call to play so she popping around like a Mexican jumping bean. Dropping the ball then, because I’m bent over, she races to get it so we can tug with the ball.
Quick enough, the spike dissolves and I can walk. OD comes to the door and all is right with the world... no issues. HA, Riiiiight!
Today, every time I get up from my desk, I am reminded...
DAMN Dogs.
Olives
This morning finds me with the familiar deep intestinal rumblings of overindulgence.
Flashback to yesterday... Had lunch at a little Greek restaurant near here. They sell bulk black Kalamata olives. I bought a pound. Ate over half by 3 yesterday afternoon.
The first trip to the crapper, which I feel deeply is just the beginning, yielded a black coating on my allotment of paper sprinkled with oddly shinny undigested olives skins.
It’s gonna be a good day.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Road House Café
And Cocktails
A small hole in the wall place in Eagletown, IN.
In the 17 or so years I lived here, I’d bet we driven past this place 1,000 times. DC and I stopped in here on our way home form the Lebanon mission for Harold Hancock October 31st.
When you drive by, it’s a road side dive. Looks like a house that someone has turned into a restaurant. Complete with front porch and a mail box attached to one of the porch posts. I don’t know what I was expecting but again, for 17 years, this place has been here. Somebody eats here often enough that it stays in business and the sign and curb appeal wouldn’t attract the weary traveler.
Inside... not much better. Hardwood floors that look like they could be a hundred years old. One row of 4 or 5 booths against the wall, one row of tables down the center and a bar.
As we walk in, the first thing I noticed at a little after one-thirty in the afternoon is that the places was packed. Only one booth was available and the menus were placed on the table, that says to me 'seat yourself' or your gonna loose the only open place to sit down.
The waitress comes over, quick enough and has the usual pleasantries; “how are you guys today”, “Whacha drink’n?”, “Special today is meatloaf, with mashed potatoes and corn for $6.50”.
That was easy, 2 specials.
We look around the place and it see that it’s actually a bar. A good old Indiana, smoking permitted, buy a beer or shot of Jack at 8 AM, bar. They were serous about the ‘and Cocktails’ part of their sign.
The clientele looked and sounded like a group of locals. Yelling across the room, “Hey Joe! How ya been?’, and the reply returned, just as loud. Lunch conversations center around the days work. Someone was discussing brakes and turning rotors, “no body does it right anymore” said one old timer. “All the gawd damned ‘break’ places want to replace the fool rotor.” Says another, emphasizing his disgust with modern day ‘break places’.
Our food arrived fast and hot. Without asking, I’d guess everything was home made and the corn wasn’t canned. It was good. Meatloaf can be dry, this wasn’t, very moist with a good flavor. The rest of the menu had the distinct look of your standard bar fare, burgers, pork-tender-loin and breakfast served anytime.
I’m definitely going back to the Road Side Café and if you ever find yourself west of Westfield on SR-32 in Indiana. Stop in, get the special, tell’m DNR sent ya.
A small hole in the wall place in Eagletown, IN.
In the 17 or so years I lived here, I’d bet we driven past this place 1,000 times. DC and I stopped in here on our way home form the Lebanon mission for Harold Hancock October 31st.
When you drive by, it’s a road side dive. Looks like a house that someone has turned into a restaurant. Complete with front porch and a mail box attached to one of the porch posts. I don’t know what I was expecting but again, for 17 years, this place has been here. Somebody eats here often enough that it stays in business and the sign and curb appeal wouldn’t attract the weary traveler.
Inside... not much better. Hardwood floors that look like they could be a hundred years old. One row of 4 or 5 booths against the wall, one row of tables down the center and a bar.
As we walk in, the first thing I noticed at a little after one-thirty in the afternoon is that the places was packed. Only one booth was available and the menus were placed on the table, that says to me 'seat yourself' or your gonna loose the only open place to sit down.
The waitress comes over, quick enough and has the usual pleasantries; “how are you guys today”, “Whacha drink’n?”, “Special today is meatloaf, with mashed potatoes and corn for $6.50”.
That was easy, 2 specials.
We look around the place and it see that it’s actually a bar. A good old Indiana, smoking permitted, buy a beer or shot of Jack at 8 AM, bar. They were serous about the ‘and Cocktails’ part of their sign.
The clientele looked and sounded like a group of locals. Yelling across the room, “Hey Joe! How ya been?’, and the reply returned, just as loud. Lunch conversations center around the days work. Someone was discussing brakes and turning rotors, “no body does it right anymore” said one old timer. “All the gawd damned ‘break’ places want to replace the fool rotor.” Says another, emphasizing his disgust with modern day ‘break places’.
Our food arrived fast and hot. Without asking, I’d guess everything was home made and the corn wasn’t canned. It was good. Meatloaf can be dry, this wasn’t, very moist with a good flavor. The rest of the menu had the distinct look of your standard bar fare, burgers, pork-tender-loin and breakfast served anytime.
I’m definitely going back to the Road Side Café and if you ever find yourself west of Westfield on SR-32 in Indiana. Stop in, get the special, tell’m DNR sent ya.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thankful - VII
Almost forgot again.
1 - My brain. Which seems to be failing me in it’s capacity to remember things like this. Seriously though, my health. Yeah I know it is a repeat but I’ve seen things in the past week that make me appreciate the good health I have.
2 - luck... I don’t know what else to call it. A friend has had a run in with the law. DUI. Blew a 0.08. That’s right on the line. I’d almost guarantee I’ve crossed it. I’m SO thankful I’ve been lucky. And thankful to Larry for sharing his story and waking me up. I won’t cross that line again.
PSA - If you drink, please don’t drive. - Thanks!
3 - Attitude. Yea, I got one. So do some of my coworkers. The verbal jabbing is a stress reliever. Makes the day pass quicker. Most of my coworkers are fantastic. For that, I am thankful.
Another Birthday
U. S. M. C.
223 years today.
Happy birthday Marines!
223 years today.
Happy birthday Marines!
While I was surfing around looking for something witty to post or link to, I came across this, The Marines’ Prayer. Found it at Marines.mil.
God bless the Marines, God bless my Marines.
Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Thirty Thousand
Miles.
December 2nd will be 2 years that I’ve owned the Road Kind.
I’ve driven, ridden, put on over 30,000 miles. I got to thinking about that and this is what struck me.
30,000 miles in 2 years is;
41 miles a day, every day
600 hours @ 50 mph
25 hours a month @ 50 mph
5.75 hours a week @ 50 mph
Slightly more than once around the planet
5.5 round trips from LA to DC
12,000 laps around the Indy 500 track
750 gallons of gas @ 40 mpg
$1,875 in gas @ 2.50 per gallon
I’m actually at 31,500ish. With 28 days to go and the entire week of Thanksgiving off maybe I can add a couple more thousand.
I’ll let you know where I end up.
Thankful - VI
Thanks...
I voted today. I cannot express how thankful I am for that right... for that privilege. I am so thankful for the men and women of our Armed Services that daily secure that right for me. Maybe not ‘fighting’ or ‘in the trenches’ but standing ready.
The wife and I made it to see our son in Louisville, KY this weekend. He is doing well. Lives downtown, on the tenth floor of an apartment building.
I’m thankful, and proud of him.
Friday I went to honor a Korean War vet. Harold Hancock
I am thankful for being a member of an organization that can bring comfort to a mourning family.
Another $10.You can join me here.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Turner Brown
Skinny little white guy goes into an elevator, looks up and sees this
HUGE black guy standing next to him.
The big guy sees the little guy staring at him looks down and says, '7 feet tall, 350 pounds, 20 inch private, 3 pound testicles, Turner Brown.'
The white man faints and falls to the floor. The big guy kneels down and brings him to, shaking him. The big guy says, 'What's wrong with you?'
In a weak voice the little guy says, 'What EXACTLY did you say to me?'
The big dude says, 'I saw your curious look and figured I'd just give you the answers to the questions everyone always asks me..... I'm 7 feet tall, I weigh 350 pounds, I have a 20 inch private, my testicles weigh 3 pounds each, and my name is Turner Brown.'
The small guy says: 'Turner Brown?!... Sweet Jesus, I thought you said, 'Turn Around.'
Square Balls
An elderly woman walked into the Bank of Canada one morning with a purse full of money. She wanted to open a savings account and insisted on talking to the president of the Bank because, she said, she had a lot of money.
After many lengthy discussions (after all, the client is always right) an employee took the elderly woman to the president's office.
The president of the Bank asked her how much she wanted to deposit. She placed her purse on his desk and replied, '$165,000'. The president was curious and asked her how she had been able to save so much money. The elderly woman replied that she made bets.
The president was surprised and asked, 'What kind of bets?'
The elderly woman replied, 'Well, I bet you $25,000 that your testicles are square.'
The president started to laugh and told the woman that it was impossible to win a bet like that.
The woman never batted an eye. She just looked at the president and said, 'Would you like to take my bet?'
'Certainly', replied the president. 'I bet you $25,000 that my testicles are not square.'
'Done', the elderly woman answered. 'But given the amount of money involved, if you don't mind I would like to come back at 10 o' clock tomorrow morning with my lawyer as a witness.' 'No problem', said the president of the Bank confidently.
That night, the president became very nervous about the bet and spent a long time in front of the mirror examining his testicles, turning them this way and that, checking them over again and again until he was positive that no one could consider his testicles as square and reassuring himself that there was no way he could lose the bet.
The next morning at exactly 10 o'clock the elderly woman arrived at the president's office with her lawyer and acknowledged the $25,000 bet made the day before that t he president's testicles were square.
The president confirmed that the bet was the same as the one made the day before. Then the elderly woman asked him to drop his pants etc. so that she and her lawyer could see clearly.
The president was happy to oblige.
The elderly woman came closer so she could see better and asked the president if she could touch them. 'Of course', said the president. 'Given the amount of money involved, you should be 100% sure.'
The elderly woman did so with a little smile. Suddenly the president noticed that the lawyer was banging his head against the wall. He asked the elderly woman why he was doing that and she replied, 'Oh, it's probably because I bet him $100,000 that around 10 o'clock in the morning I could be holding the balls of the President of the Bank of Canada!'
City of Sacramento Dishonors Veterans
I received this e-mail over the weekend.
****************************************
I spent many hours on the phone with various agencies within the Sacramento government trying to get an answer to why the city is celebrating Veterans Day by taking the day off, but not planning ANYTHING to honor our troops. Check this out and make it viral. Make Sacramento provide answers!
http://www.soldiersperspective.us/2008/10/31/exclusive-california-capital-ignores-veterans/
--
CJ
A Soldier's Perspective
www.soldiersperspective.us
They Have names
www.theyhavenames.com
You Served
www.youserved.com
You Served Weekly BlogTalkRadio Podcast
www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved
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