Wednesday Morning Thoughts

Man, it's hot! At least here where I live it is. I'm sure somewhere around the world there is some less oppressive weather. Don't get me wrong. I purposely didn't say "bad" weather or "good" weather. That's all relative to where, who, what, how and why. In my condition, it's hot and my activity is limited in as far as exertion outside is concerned. I'll leave it at that.

A couple of weeks ago, I get this e-mail from a guy I served with in Vietnam in 1969.  He saw some photos I posted on the website of the Triple Deuce Vietnam, the army unit we were attached to. In one of the photos, there were five of us standing there. I named four of the five. The one I couldn't remember the name for was him. As soon as I saw his name, I totally recalled our relationship. I wrote him back immediately and we exchanged a few e-mails catching up the last 40 plus years.

This morning, I get an e-mail from him and I was all excited that I had heard from him again. Then, I see it was politically motivated and leaning to the side of the aisle that I don't lean towards. I asked him to keep politics out of our contact and that I would do the same. I didn't care back then and I don't care now what he thinks. We are Brothers, pure and simple. I hope he understands.

So, it's the fourth of July today. Birthday of America, Independence Day. I don't care. Little stands are hawking fireworks, made in China, for us to celebrate our independence. I don't know about others, but I do know that I don't like loud explosions, especially the ones that I don't know are coming. They call it startle response.

Ever see a dog that cowers when there is a gunshot or a car backfire? Maybe it's thunder or the vacuum cleaner? That's how I feel about fireworks. Now I did work in Special Effects in motion picture production and have made loud pyrotechnics displays when blowing up cars and things, but I was the guy pulling the trigger or setting up the gag, so I knew it was coming. Here I'm driving to my home, on the street where I live. The window is down and I see some kids.  BANG! right next to my ear as I pass. Scared the crap out of me. No, I don't care for it at all and will be glad when it's over.

I get a kick out of the people that expect everyone to spend the day loving America. It's funny how others think they know what you're thinking because you did or didn't do this or that. I can love my country any way I want to, or hate it for that matter. Isn't that what freedom really is?

It's like Memorial Day or Veterans Day or any other man-made Day. I think of the men and women who serve and who died and who were wounded every day, not just on these "holidays". It's the loud bombs and explosions that killed the heroes. How about some peace and quiet to honor the dead? Just saying'.

They call me unpatriotic because of my attitude about July 4th. Wasn't going to war, shedding blood, watching destruction and learning how to kill people enough for them? I have to wave the flag and agree that war is good before I can be an American? Sorry folks, but it is none of my business what you think of me.

Andy Griffiths passed away. Mayberry's town sheriff. Mr. Griffiths was a good actor and had a long career in show business. May he rest in peace. My friend Nick was going to a funeral yesterday for a guy that died when he went to the hospital for a simple operation. It wasn't the hospital that caused the death, it just happened when he was in the hospital. Natural causes. May he rest in peace as well as Andy.

Well, I thought I'd write something. I've been up since three freakin' AM. I don't have much to say lately I guess. I see that no one wants to touch the story about smoking' pot. Too racy for the masses. Well, it's part of the blog. "The Truth is Spoken Here". I told the truth. So now you know. Big deal.

Some bitter taste in my mouth this morning. Maybe it's the uneasiness from that dream I had. I should try to get a little more sleep. But it's light out, the birds are singing. Think I'll drink some coffee and go play on Facebook. I'll see who might be up for some useless mundane conversation.

I read a passage on the blog of a friend that had some advice about the times when you're feeling low. Said to think of the blessings we have. I do, once in a while when I remember to do so. I do have a lot of blessings. One of the good things in life is to be able to get rid of the crap like the stuff in this post by writing it out. Like putting it in the proverbial bubble and sending it away. See, now it's gone. I'll begin the day with a prayer.

Grandfather, I thank you for the light of day, another day, this new day.
I thank you for the rest you've given me. I thank you for the warmth that gives me comfort from the cold and the coolness that gives me comfort from the heat.
I thank you for the Sacred Circle that this creates and for bringing my life into this Sacred Circle.
I thank you for listening to the prayers of the people and to my prayers today.
I say my prayers for the Veterans, the Addicts, the Sick, the Elders, the Hungry, the Children, the Families and the Relationships.
I ask that you bring health and happiness to all people, and I pray for the well-being of my friends that are at the Sundance and sacrificing themselves as they pray for the rest of us.
May Peace prevail on the Sacred Earth Mother

Peace to all. No, I mean it. I say it every day.Peace to you and all you hold dear.