It is time for me to chime in on dadt: "don't ask, don't tell".
This law forbid gay people from serving openly in the Armed Forces. (Key word: OPENLY)
Anyway, this was not a law during my time of service (1957-1977). I am sure that there were gay servicemen/women during that period, but it wasn't a concern for most troops. I don't recall a persons sexual orientation as being an issue of any kind.
17 years ago, for some reason, it became a political issue. I thought then it was stupid to enact a regulation against men/women because of their sexual preference. At one time, not really too long ago, their was discrimination against blacks serving their country in the military.
I firmly believe that men/women are given the rights to make choices, be it sexual or not.
The Marine Corps is really fighting this repeal.........they say it would be dangerous to have homosexual troops fighting alongside "straight" troops.
My combat experience did not require me to slough thru jungles for days at a time, like many Marines...I am sure they have a perspective I'm unaware of. But I know that if my life depended on my shipmate, I really wasn't too worried about his orientation.....I was concerned that he could do his job as part of the team built to handle tough situations and could be counted on as part of that team.
So, for the Marine Corps I can only say "Lighten up". You and the other services need to continue to focus on what YOU are doing and back-off this "non-issue".
And for the politicians I can only urge them to focus on the important issues of employment, ethics, and put their "personal" houses in order.
Tom
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Blog nr. 26
I was in Naval Communications for 20 years during my military service (1957-1977).
I have read some of the material that Wikileaks has recently published.
If I had released this information, I could have been shot for treason. Why isn't more action against the people who released this info???
There are lots of things that go on in this world that most people do not need to know. And that's okay. This is not a "freedom" when others become endangered....this is careless disregard for human life.
STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I have read some of the material that Wikileaks has recently published.
If I had released this information, I could have been shot for treason. Why isn't more action against the people who released this info???
There are lots of things that go on in this world that most people do not need to know. And that's okay. This is not a "freedom" when others become endangered....this is careless disregard for human life.
STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Friday, November 26, 2010
blog nr. 25
Yesterday, for the first time since 1965, Tokuko and I spent Thanksgiving with just the two of us.
In 1965, the year we were married, she and I were in San Diego, California, living in a 2-br duplex close to the 32nd street Naval Station where my ship, the USS Alamo (LSD-33) was berthed. We lived close because I could not afford a car and walked to the ship each day. I don't remember what we did for Thanksgiving: I may have even had duty that day and had to spend the night aboard.
The next year, 1966, we had a new son, I had a new ship (USS John R. Pierce DD-753) homeported out of Brooklyn, NY. We were living in Navy housing out on Long Island. It was our first "real" Thanksgiving as a family.
Since then, with the exceptions when I was out to sea, we have always had the family together for this holiday. It became my favorite holiday. It had everything I love: food, family, football!
Yesterday it was Tokuko and I. We had phone conversations with all the kids but it wasn't the same.
Sadly, this is the way life is. Children grow up, have their own families/friends. As it should be.
But for this old guy, I liked things better when we were all together for this holiday. Tokuko cooked a great turkey and we had good food (and not so good football) but the family was not here.
It would be nice to have the old days return. But I guess Tokuko and I will have to get by with the memories of holidays past.
Damn shame!
In 1965, the year we were married, she and I were in San Diego, California, living in a 2-br duplex close to the 32nd street Naval Station where my ship, the USS Alamo (LSD-33) was berthed. We lived close because I could not afford a car and walked to the ship each day. I don't remember what we did for Thanksgiving: I may have even had duty that day and had to spend the night aboard.
The next year, 1966, we had a new son, I had a new ship (USS John R. Pierce DD-753) homeported out of Brooklyn, NY. We were living in Navy housing out on Long Island. It was our first "real" Thanksgiving as a family.
Since then, with the exceptions when I was out to sea, we have always had the family together for this holiday. It became my favorite holiday. It had everything I love: food, family, football!
Yesterday it was Tokuko and I. We had phone conversations with all the kids but it wasn't the same.
Sadly, this is the way life is. Children grow up, have their own families/friends. As it should be.
But for this old guy, I liked things better when we were all together for this holiday. Tokuko cooked a great turkey and we had good food (and not so good football) but the family was not here.
It would be nice to have the old days return. But I guess Tokuko and I will have to get by with the memories of holidays past.
Damn shame!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Blog Nr. 24
I have always been concerned about national security. This country has taken steps to provide for our collective security in many ways. And for the most part, they have been successful. But, for the first time, I am speaking out regarding this last step for providing security to the American people.
The complete idiots who have enacted the regulations at our airports have gone completely insane, with these invasive scans and pat-downs.
After 9/11, when they instituted the regulations on what could/could not be carried onto aircraft, it seemed little enough of a bother. I figured better safe than sorry. Then the shoe-bomber. And we started having to remove our shoes. This is a big inconvenience for many older people, myself included, but I figured okay, I can live with it.
What got me a wee bit agitated was when my son, daughter-in-law and two month old grandaughter visited us in Colorado. When I took my daughter-in-law and grandaughter to the airport for their return trip, it took them quite a while to get through the line with the baby's stroller/bed, diaper bag, etc., that all new moms need to carry around. I began to think how ludicrous this was.
Now, people have to be photographed or patted-down like felons. This causes delays, but more importantly it causes embarassment to many people. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!
There are better solutions, and if the idiots running the TSA can't or won't implement these solutions, shame on them. I will mention a word that is politically incorrect in today's world: PROFILING.
Does anyone really think that a 6' blonde woman with a 3-month old baby is going to blow up an airplane?? Does anyone think a 75 year old grandmother is going to blow up an airplane? Does anyone think a disabled person in a wheelchair is going to blow up an airplane? OF COURSE NOT!!!
So, yes we need to begin profiling. There are profiles that could be eliminated from this complete invasion of privacy now being conducted by the TSA. They should not be subjected to this insane, "politically correct" procedure.
Does this mean darker-skinned men would be subjected to a more intensive search? Yes it does. Is that "insensitive" to their rights? Yes it is. Will it stop future terrorist acts? Maybe.
If someone wants to harm another person, there is not a 100% foolproof method to ensure that persons safety. Accept that. It is a fact of life.
Let's get some sanity back into our political system. Let's start using our heads a little.
As for me, if I travel I will try to avoid having to fly to my destinations. I have one BIG problem: if I decide to visit Japan again, does anyone know of a way to drive my car there???????
The complete idiots who have enacted the regulations at our airports have gone completely insane, with these invasive scans and pat-downs.
After 9/11, when they instituted the regulations on what could/could not be carried onto aircraft, it seemed little enough of a bother. I figured better safe than sorry. Then the shoe-bomber. And we started having to remove our shoes. This is a big inconvenience for many older people, myself included, but I figured okay, I can live with it.
What got me a wee bit agitated was when my son, daughter-in-law and two month old grandaughter visited us in Colorado. When I took my daughter-in-law and grandaughter to the airport for their return trip, it took them quite a while to get through the line with the baby's stroller/bed, diaper bag, etc., that all new moms need to carry around. I began to think how ludicrous this was.
Now, people have to be photographed or patted-down like felons. This causes delays, but more importantly it causes embarassment to many people. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!
There are better solutions, and if the idiots running the TSA can't or won't implement these solutions, shame on them. I will mention a word that is politically incorrect in today's world: PROFILING.
Does anyone really think that a 6' blonde woman with a 3-month old baby is going to blow up an airplane?? Does anyone think a 75 year old grandmother is going to blow up an airplane? Does anyone think a disabled person in a wheelchair is going to blow up an airplane? OF COURSE NOT!!!
So, yes we need to begin profiling. There are profiles that could be eliminated from this complete invasion of privacy now being conducted by the TSA. They should not be subjected to this insane, "politically correct" procedure.
Does this mean darker-skinned men would be subjected to a more intensive search? Yes it does. Is that "insensitive" to their rights? Yes it is. Will it stop future terrorist acts? Maybe.
If someone wants to harm another person, there is not a 100% foolproof method to ensure that persons safety. Accept that. It is a fact of life.
Let's get some sanity back into our political system. Let's start using our heads a little.
As for me, if I travel I will try to avoid having to fly to my destinations. I have one BIG problem: if I decide to visit Japan again, does anyone know of a way to drive my car there???????
Monday, October 18, 2010
Blog nr. 23
Today is 18 October 2010. Two years ago on this date I watched my big brother die from cancer. Let me tell you a little about him.
George Francis McLuckie, Jr., was born on 4 November 1931. He was the first son of George Sr., and Doris Cottet McLuckie. Hometown was Syracuse, New York.
For the first 6 years of his life, he had it all: the first child, first grandchild for his grandparents. Life was good.
Then things went downhill.....on 30 July 1937, his parents presented him with a young sister, Mary Jean McLuckie. Now he wasn't the "baby" anymore. He had to "share" toys, time with his parents/grandparents, etc...... He was 6 years old when Mary Jean was born. But, still his life wasn't too bad.....but things were going to get worse.
On 28 December, 1939, his parents had another child, a fat little baby boy named Thomas Anthony McLuckie. George, Jr., was no longer the "baby boy" in the family...young "Tommy" was. As a big brother, he had to curtail his youth somewhat and take care of his younger siblings. No more playing with his friends all the time. He had to babysit his younger siblings. If he wanted to go somewhere with his friends, his sister would stay home, but he had to take the "baby" with him. What a burden for a young lad. He handled it well.....both boys survived, although there were many "adventures" with "the baby". Years later, the boys would have a lot of fond memories (and some not so fond) to recall with each other.
As the children grew older, it was always "two against one".......Mary Jean and Tommy against their big brother.
As an aside, in the Roman Catholic religion, children took a "confirmation" name when they turned 11-12 years old. George chose the name "Joseph". From that moment on, his family and most close friends called him "Joe".
There isn't enough "room" on the internet to tell all the tales of this growing up period. Many friends have heard the tales and they probably find it hard to believe. They did---I was there!
When Joe entered the U.S. Army in 1951, he was a 19-year old "kid". He wrote letters to his Mom in which you can see the "homsickness" come out. But you can also see a young man growing up, overcoming adversity and serving his country during the Korean War. To his younger brother, he was a hero in the true sense of the word.
When Joe returned from his duty as an Army officer, he resigned his commission and began the next stage of his life. He married a beautiful young girl named Regina and had 3 fine children. Life was looking good.
Then tragedy struck. In November 1959, he and his wife were involved in a car accident that injured him and unfortunately took the life of his beloved wife. There he was, injured, with three young children to raise. He told Mom that if she would help raise the kids, she would always be taken care of. Mom agreed.
By this time, the younger son, "Tommy" had joined the U.S. Navy and had started his career. He and Joe would see each other on the average of once every two years or so when Tommy would come home on leave.
Joe spent most of his working life in a steel mill in Syracuse. He loved central New York, even with the harsh winters and sweltering summers.
In 1965 his brother had married a young lady from Japan. Joe got a phone call from Tommy, asking him if it would be possible for Tommy's wife to live with him while Tommy was deployed to a place called "Vietnam ". Oh, by the way, the young wife was pregnant and he would have to care for not just his sister-in-law, but the child that was due while Tommy was overseas. Joe agreed: after all that's what brothers do.
In August 1965 Matthew Patrick McLuckie was born in Syracuse, NY....Tommy was still overseas. Joe continued to care for them until October 1965, when Tommy came home. Tommy and his family continued on with their Naval career.
Joe remarried (unhappily, as it turned out) and his Mom moved to Colorado to be with her younger son and his family. Mom died in Colorado Springs and Joe returned for the funeral and burial.
Fast forward to the fall of 1998. Joe placed a call to Tommy, by now retired from the Navy, and told him he needed help. His second marriage had fallen apart and he was extremely depressed and alone. Tommy responded and returned to Syracuse. The brothers talked for 2-3 days, and Tommy convinced Joe that he should come to Colorado and live with Tommy and his family.
Joe agreed, and in May 1999, Joe became a Colorado resident. For the next 9 1/2 years the two brothers talked every day. They spent a lot of their time remembering the "good old days".
Joe had a series of medical problems: aneurysms, colon cancer, prostrate cancer, mild strokes, and by this time, it was the younger brother who took care of his older brother. The boys talked about what to do if things became "fatal". Joe trusted (and had faith) in Tommy that all Joe's wishes would be carried out.
In late Sept, 2008, Joe was advised by his Doctors that squamous cancer had spread throughout his body and he should be put into a hospice. Joe (and Tommy) agreed it would be best. On 1 October 2008, Joe was placed in Pikes Peak Hospice. Tommy gathered Joe's family from all over the country. We visited him every day in the hospice and watched as the life drained from him.
On 18 October 2008, Joe passed away. As per his wishes, he was cremated and placed with the remains of his first wife in Syracuse, New York.
Although Joe is gone for two years now, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. He was the true definition of "big brother" and I miss him terribly.
So on this day of remembrance, I would like to say: "Big Brother, you are missed and loved by many, many people. You are still a Hero to your little brother.
Your "Baby Brother", Tommy
George Francis McLuckie, Jr., was born on 4 November 1931. He was the first son of George Sr., and Doris Cottet McLuckie. Hometown was Syracuse, New York.
For the first 6 years of his life, he had it all: the first child, first grandchild for his grandparents. Life was good.
Then things went downhill.....on 30 July 1937, his parents presented him with a young sister, Mary Jean McLuckie. Now he wasn't the "baby" anymore. He had to "share" toys, time with his parents/grandparents, etc...... He was 6 years old when Mary Jean was born. But, still his life wasn't too bad.....but things were going to get worse.
On 28 December, 1939, his parents had another child, a fat little baby boy named Thomas Anthony McLuckie. George, Jr., was no longer the "baby boy" in the family...young "Tommy" was. As a big brother, he had to curtail his youth somewhat and take care of his younger siblings. No more playing with his friends all the time. He had to babysit his younger siblings. If he wanted to go somewhere with his friends, his sister would stay home, but he had to take the "baby" with him. What a burden for a young lad. He handled it well.....both boys survived, although there were many "adventures" with "the baby". Years later, the boys would have a lot of fond memories (and some not so fond) to recall with each other.
As the children grew older, it was always "two against one".......Mary Jean and Tommy against their big brother.
As an aside, in the Roman Catholic religion, children took a "confirmation" name when they turned 11-12 years old. George chose the name "Joseph". From that moment on, his family and most close friends called him "Joe".
There isn't enough "room" on the internet to tell all the tales of this growing up period. Many friends have heard the tales and they probably find it hard to believe. They did---I was there!
When Joe entered the U.S. Army in 1951, he was a 19-year old "kid". He wrote letters to his Mom in which you can see the "homsickness" come out. But you can also see a young man growing up, overcoming adversity and serving his country during the Korean War. To his younger brother, he was a hero in the true sense of the word.
When Joe returned from his duty as an Army officer, he resigned his commission and began the next stage of his life. He married a beautiful young girl named Regina and had 3 fine children. Life was looking good.
Then tragedy struck. In November 1959, he and his wife were involved in a car accident that injured him and unfortunately took the life of his beloved wife. There he was, injured, with three young children to raise. He told Mom that if she would help raise the kids, she would always be taken care of. Mom agreed.
By this time, the younger son, "Tommy" had joined the U.S. Navy and had started his career. He and Joe would see each other on the average of once every two years or so when Tommy would come home on leave.
Joe spent most of his working life in a steel mill in Syracuse. He loved central New York, even with the harsh winters and sweltering summers.
In 1965 his brother had married a young lady from Japan. Joe got a phone call from Tommy, asking him if it would be possible for Tommy's wife to live with him while Tommy was deployed to a place called "Vietnam ". Oh, by the way, the young wife was pregnant and he would have to care for not just his sister-in-law, but the child that was due while Tommy was overseas. Joe agreed: after all that's what brothers do.
In August 1965 Matthew Patrick McLuckie was born in Syracuse, NY....Tommy was still overseas. Joe continued to care for them until October 1965, when Tommy came home. Tommy and his family continued on with their Naval career.
Joe remarried (unhappily, as it turned out) and his Mom moved to Colorado to be with her younger son and his family. Mom died in Colorado Springs and Joe returned for the funeral and burial.
Fast forward to the fall of 1998. Joe placed a call to Tommy, by now retired from the Navy, and told him he needed help. His second marriage had fallen apart and he was extremely depressed and alone. Tommy responded and returned to Syracuse. The brothers talked for 2-3 days, and Tommy convinced Joe that he should come to Colorado and live with Tommy and his family.
Joe agreed, and in May 1999, Joe became a Colorado resident. For the next 9 1/2 years the two brothers talked every day. They spent a lot of their time remembering the "good old days".
Joe had a series of medical problems: aneurysms, colon cancer, prostrate cancer, mild strokes, and by this time, it was the younger brother who took care of his older brother. The boys talked about what to do if things became "fatal". Joe trusted (and had faith) in Tommy that all Joe's wishes would be carried out.
In late Sept, 2008, Joe was advised by his Doctors that squamous cancer had spread throughout his body and he should be put into a hospice. Joe (and Tommy) agreed it would be best. On 1 October 2008, Joe was placed in Pikes Peak Hospice. Tommy gathered Joe's family from all over the country. We visited him every day in the hospice and watched as the life drained from him.
On 18 October 2008, Joe passed away. As per his wishes, he was cremated and placed with the remains of his first wife in Syracuse, New York.
Although Joe is gone for two years now, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. He was the true definition of "big brother" and I miss him terribly.
So on this day of remembrance, I would like to say: "Big Brother, you are missed and loved by many, many people. You are still a Hero to your little brother.
Your "Baby Brother", Tommy
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Personal Dilemma
My wife and I have found ourselves in a personal dilemma-----we are now considering relocating for the first time in 36 years.
This decision is difficult, at best. I have done a lot of soul-searching, wondering if it is the right thing to do. We have so many things to consider:
(1) Do we want to leave our home for 36 years, our community, our friends we have made, our family (some of whom still reside here), the great weather (except in Jan/Feb/Mar).
(2) Do we want to have the task of (and are we capable of) going through 36 years of "stuff" that we have accumulated?
(3) Can we afford to do this without hurting ourselves financially?
I have done a cost analysis----we can afford to if we want to.
The final decision, Toku and I have decided, is "What is best for her and I".
As she and I get older, we get "frailer" in every kind of way. I will not allow us to become a burden on ANYONE. Yeah, that's stubborn pride, arrogance, etc., speaking but that is the way I am. So be it!
One of the more compelling reasons to stay where we are is obvious-----there is still family here whom we love dearly and want to remain close by them. But what happens if they have to relocate (which may occur).
Another reasons are our friends: some of our friends are getting older/frailer just as we are and we want to be able to help them in any manner. In many ways, I feel that I am "running out on them", and I don't like that feeling. I have never run away from difficult times, and I don't want them to feel that way about our leaving. Some of these friends have been friends for 50 years!
The big advantages to relocating (to California) are:
(1) Weather, YEAR-ROUND!
(2) Nearness to another family member who we have missed for the past 26 years since entering the service. (2 week vacations are not the same thing!)
(3) Reconnecting with old friends who live out that way.
We have lived in an Air Force/Army town for a long, long time. If we relocate to California, (near Navy/Marines) that would be much like going home for us. I have good Army/Air Force friends here, but believe me, we have had "language" problems. Sailor/Marines I fully understand. The shared time we had with this "type" of people are unique, both for Toku and especially ME.
It is impossible for me to put into words my feelings for shipmates/wives who have shared so much of our younger times, both socially and militarily, good and bad.
So, folks, don't be too surprised if we shut down for a while until we get reestablished in California....it could happen and it could happen SOON.
For those that give a crap, I will keep everyone informed. For those that DON'T give a crap, you may disregard.
Tom
This decision is difficult, at best. I have done a lot of soul-searching, wondering if it is the right thing to do. We have so many things to consider:
(1) Do we want to leave our home for 36 years, our community, our friends we have made, our family (some of whom still reside here), the great weather (except in Jan/Feb/Mar).
(2) Do we want to have the task of (and are we capable of) going through 36 years of "stuff" that we have accumulated?
(3) Can we afford to do this without hurting ourselves financially?
I have done a cost analysis----we can afford to if we want to.
The final decision, Toku and I have decided, is "What is best for her and I".
As she and I get older, we get "frailer" in every kind of way. I will not allow us to become a burden on ANYONE. Yeah, that's stubborn pride, arrogance, etc., speaking but that is the way I am. So be it!
One of the more compelling reasons to stay where we are is obvious-----there is still family here whom we love dearly and want to remain close by them. But what happens if they have to relocate (which may occur).
Another reasons are our friends: some of our friends are getting older/frailer just as we are and we want to be able to help them in any manner. In many ways, I feel that I am "running out on them", and I don't like that feeling. I have never run away from difficult times, and I don't want them to feel that way about our leaving. Some of these friends have been friends for 50 years!
The big advantages to relocating (to California) are:
(1) Weather, YEAR-ROUND!
(2) Nearness to another family member who we have missed for the past 26 years since entering the service. (2 week vacations are not the same thing!)
(3) Reconnecting with old friends who live out that way.
We have lived in an Air Force/Army town for a long, long time. If we relocate to California, (near Navy/Marines) that would be much like going home for us. I have good Army/Air Force friends here, but believe me, we have had "language" problems. Sailor/Marines I fully understand. The shared time we had with this "type" of people are unique, both for Toku and especially ME.
It is impossible for me to put into words my feelings for shipmates/wives who have shared so much of our younger times, both socially and militarily, good and bad.
So, folks, don't be too surprised if we shut down for a while until we get reestablished in California....it could happen and it could happen SOON.
For those that give a crap, I will keep everyone informed. For those that DON'T give a crap, you may disregard.
Tom
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Blog Nr. 21
I have purposely not addressed the big news that has been bombarded on every network, cable station, talk shows, etc but I am now going to address two situations that I have varied/mixed feelings on. They are the Mosque near the WTC and the Koran burning in Florida.
This country has always prided itself of diversity throughout our history. I know we were sometimes "hypocritical" in our dealings with different ethnic/religious/immigrant populations but I thought we had come a long way. The constant coverage of the two items in the news today shows how much further we have to go.
The owner of the property near the WTC that wants to allow the mosque to be built SHOULD have every right to do with that property whatever he feels like, as long as no existing laws are broken. Can you imagine if I refused to sell my property to a "black", "Jew" or to a "homosexual"?? The furor would be immense!!!! All that being said, is it insensitive to build the mosque near the WTC? Sure it is. But is it the landowners right to do it? ABSOLUTELY.
The Koran burning is another issue which is top news today. It brings back memories of Nazi book-burning that I saw on TV in my youth. Does this "reverend" have the right to burn the Koran on his property? HE CERTAINLY DOES!!!. From what I have read/heard he will be breaking no local/state/federal ordinances by doing this. Is it insensitive and distasteful? CERTAINLY IT IS!!!
The two examples cited are indicitave of how the world is today-----zealots/extremists from the entire spectrum are getting all the publicity for there views.
Our courts have upheld the ruling that "Flag-burning" is okay. I find that very insensitive/stupid. I have served that flag, along with many millions of men/women for my entire life. It raises my hackles that some clown would do that, and I certainly would have a "Talk" with him about that.
I don't know how to conclude this-----I can only say stupid people do stupid things and if it breaks no existing laws, go ahead....knock yourself out. I firmly believe that the majority of clear thinking people will ignore both acts. At least I hope so.
This country has always prided itself of diversity throughout our history. I know we were sometimes "hypocritical" in our dealings with different ethnic/religious/immigrant populations but I thought we had come a long way. The constant coverage of the two items in the news today shows how much further we have to go.
The owner of the property near the WTC that wants to allow the mosque to be built SHOULD have every right to do with that property whatever he feels like, as long as no existing laws are broken. Can you imagine if I refused to sell my property to a "black", "Jew" or to a "homosexual"?? The furor would be immense!!!! All that being said, is it insensitive to build the mosque near the WTC? Sure it is. But is it the landowners right to do it? ABSOLUTELY.
The Koran burning is another issue which is top news today. It brings back memories of Nazi book-burning that I saw on TV in my youth. Does this "reverend" have the right to burn the Koran on his property? HE CERTAINLY DOES!!!. From what I have read/heard he will be breaking no local/state/federal ordinances by doing this. Is it insensitive and distasteful? CERTAINLY IT IS!!!
The two examples cited are indicitave of how the world is today-----zealots/extremists from the entire spectrum are getting all the publicity for there views.
Our courts have upheld the ruling that "Flag-burning" is okay. I find that very insensitive/stupid. I have served that flag, along with many millions of men/women for my entire life. It raises my hackles that some clown would do that, and I certainly would have a "Talk" with him about that.
I don't know how to conclude this-----I can only say stupid people do stupid things and if it breaks no existing laws, go ahead....knock yourself out. I firmly believe that the majority of clear thinking people will ignore both acts. At least I hope so.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Blog nr. 20
Today, August 31st, is a date that remains in this old man's memory bank, for a very good reason. On this date, in 1912, my Mother was born.
My Mom was the first child of Albert Cottet and Helen McCauliffe. Raised as a devout Irish-Catholic, she spent the majority of her life in Syracuse, New York.
Doris (my Mom) married George McLuckie on 3 January,1931 in Syracuse. She had three children: George Jr., Mary Jean and Tom (me). We were raised under very strict rules---number 1 being that if a person isn't Irish-Catholic they are no good.....this is the atmosphere I grew up in. I don't blame my Mom: it was a sign of the times and the way she had been brought up.
For a while, things were okay. But my father ended up leaving Mom, along with Mary Jean and me and filing for divorce. I was 14, Mary Jean was 16 and George was 23, with his own family.
Mom had never worked outside the home, but that ended. She got a job as a teller in a bank in order to support us. She did her best.
When my sister-in-law was tragically killed in a car accident, my brother was left with 3 young children to raise. He told my Mother that if she would help raise his children, she would always have a home and a place to live. (By this time, Mary Jean had married and I had left for the Navy). She agreed, and she took on the task of raising her 3 grand-children.
The grandchildren grew up and when the last one had married, she was quite lost. My brother was going to marry again (a non-Irish-Catholic), whom my Mother detested. She asked me, her youngest son, if she could move in with my family and me in Colorado. I of course said Yes.
Although she had not travelled much during her years, she relocated to Colorado Springs, to reside with me, my wife and 3 small children. But her heart was always in upstate New York.
Although Mom got along with my family and certainly cared for us, she really wanted to be in New York. I did not truely realize this until it was too late.
Mom was always depressed, never leaving the house, no true friends. She had many health problems and basically "gave up". In a coherent moment, she told me she wanted to go to a nursing home. I complied with her wishes, and put her in a nursing home in Colorado Springs.
When we would visit, Mom would tell my daughter she wanted to "go home". I thought home was with us here in Colorado, but it was just recently that I realized that what she wanted was to be in New York. I would bring her from the nursing home back to live with us, but she remained completely unhappy, and without the ability to communicate well, I just didn't realize what it was that she wanted. She said she wanted back in the nursing home.....I again complied.
My Mom died after a few months back in the nursing home. The doctors said it was a fatal heart attack. We buried Mom here in Colorado Springs. She was only 67 years old.......way too young.
Many years later, I finally realized what my Mom wanted---she wanted to be back in New York, where she had been born, raised, grew up, and had her family. Sadly, it was too late.
So this date has special meaning for me......it brings back memories, both good and bad, of my Mom. It is too late for me to say the things I should have said many, many years ago.
I'll say them now.
"Mom, I am so sorry that I didn't realize what was your real issues. I'm sorry for the inattention and frustration that I had with our inability to communicate what was really on our minds. You were always there for your children and with our selfish ideas and our inattention, we neglected you. You raised your family and your oldest son's family to the very best of your ability. We all owe you a debt of gratitude we will never be able to repay. I know you have forgiven us.....that is the way you are. And as long as I have a breath in me, you will be remembered and loved".
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM.
My Mom was the first child of Albert Cottet and Helen McCauliffe. Raised as a devout Irish-Catholic, she spent the majority of her life in Syracuse, New York.
Doris (my Mom) married George McLuckie on 3 January,1931 in Syracuse. She had three children: George Jr., Mary Jean and Tom (me). We were raised under very strict rules---number 1 being that if a person isn't Irish-Catholic they are no good.....this is the atmosphere I grew up in. I don't blame my Mom: it was a sign of the times and the way she had been brought up.
For a while, things were okay. But my father ended up leaving Mom, along with Mary Jean and me and filing for divorce. I was 14, Mary Jean was 16 and George was 23, with his own family.
Mom had never worked outside the home, but that ended. She got a job as a teller in a bank in order to support us. She did her best.
When my sister-in-law was tragically killed in a car accident, my brother was left with 3 young children to raise. He told my Mother that if she would help raise his children, she would always have a home and a place to live. (By this time, Mary Jean had married and I had left for the Navy). She agreed, and she took on the task of raising her 3 grand-children.
The grandchildren grew up and when the last one had married, she was quite lost. My brother was going to marry again (a non-Irish-Catholic), whom my Mother detested. She asked me, her youngest son, if she could move in with my family and me in Colorado. I of course said Yes.
Although she had not travelled much during her years, she relocated to Colorado Springs, to reside with me, my wife and 3 small children. But her heart was always in upstate New York.
Although Mom got along with my family and certainly cared for us, she really wanted to be in New York. I did not truely realize this until it was too late.
Mom was always depressed, never leaving the house, no true friends. She had many health problems and basically "gave up". In a coherent moment, she told me she wanted to go to a nursing home. I complied with her wishes, and put her in a nursing home in Colorado Springs.
When we would visit, Mom would tell my daughter she wanted to "go home". I thought home was with us here in Colorado, but it was just recently that I realized that what she wanted was to be in New York. I would bring her from the nursing home back to live with us, but she remained completely unhappy, and without the ability to communicate well, I just didn't realize what it was that she wanted. She said she wanted back in the nursing home.....I again complied.
My Mom died after a few months back in the nursing home. The doctors said it was a fatal heart attack. We buried Mom here in Colorado Springs. She was only 67 years old.......way too young.
Many years later, I finally realized what my Mom wanted---she wanted to be back in New York, where she had been born, raised, grew up, and had her family. Sadly, it was too late.
So this date has special meaning for me......it brings back memories, both good and bad, of my Mom. It is too late for me to say the things I should have said many, many years ago.
I'll say them now.
"Mom, I am so sorry that I didn't realize what was your real issues. I'm sorry for the inattention and frustration that I had with our inability to communicate what was really on our minds. You were always there for your children and with our selfish ideas and our inattention, we neglected you. You raised your family and your oldest son's family to the very best of your ability. We all owe you a debt of gratitude we will never be able to repay. I know you have forgiven us.....that is the way you are. And as long as I have a breath in me, you will be remembered and loved".
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Blog nr 19-Anniversary
Today, Aug 18th, is an anniversary of sorts for me. It was on this date in 1977 that I officially retired from the U.S. Navy.
I was aboard the USS Horne (CG-30) on this memorable date. I had been serving aboard this vessel for 1 year. We were located in Long Beach, California Naval shipyard, undergoing a scheduled overhaul. My family was residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado while I completed my active service----they were not there for the retirement service; for that I am sad, but with the payscale in place then, I couldn't afford 4 tickets to California for them.
The ceremony was nice---the troops gathered on the fantail, the skipper read a real nice letter thanking me for my service, the Chief's mess presented me with a beautiful plaque which commemmerated my service, everybody stood in line for congratulations/good-bys, etc.
The communications department which I led also gave me a beautiful plaque.
Following Navy tradition, the Boatswain's Mate Petty officer of the watch, piped me ashore, the messanger of the watch rang two bells and the announcing system blared "Senior Chief Petty Officer, departing." I walked down the after-brow and didn't look back: this is Navy tradition at its best. I kept walking until I got to the barracks, where we were berthed, to pick up my gear. A good friend drove me to the airport and I immediately got on a plane and returned to Colorado to be with my family. I had not seen them for 8 months.
Why did I retire when I did? There were many reasons---the Navy was undergoing many, many changes that I was not comfortable with. (1) The Navy was talking about allowing females to serve on warships: EGAD!!!!! Now I don't consider myself "sexist", discrimatory against women, etc., but the thought of females aboard a man-o-war, with all it's isolation, danger, etc., just didn't sit well with me. My number (2) reason was that the word "Leadership" means a lot to me and I saw that the leadership style of many of my superiors was becoming too lax, easy-going and "soft", to put it in simple terms. I was a "child" of the 40's and 50's and discipline meant something to me that was being eroded by this new leadership style. It was time for me to go and let the "new" breed take over. Number (3) reason was the fact that I was in a very tight rating and promotion looked further and further away. I got tired of highly passing my advancement tests and not getting selected for advancement.
But there was one reason that I retired when I did that really did it for me. For many years I had served my country doing what I truly loved to do- serve at sea. But something more important was calling---my family needed me home, living a "normal" life with my wife and children. My oldest was 11 years old and becoming a handful for his mother. My two little girls were 8 and 4 years old and they rarely saw me. So, after 20 years of "duty to my country", I decided it was time for "duty to my family".
So, I got out. You may ask if I miss that part of my life and I will be honest---yes I do. When I visit my son in California and I look at the present-day warships, gaze out at the open Pacific Ocean, I truly miss the life. That feeling usually lasts 15 minutes or so: then I start missing my home, my wife and kids/grandkids and the life I have been leading for the past 33 years.
I remain in contact with many of my shipmates that I have served with during my time in the Navy: it's great talking and reminiscing about the "good old days". But nothing gives me more pleasure than being with members of my family.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, TOM.
I was aboard the USS Horne (CG-30) on this memorable date. I had been serving aboard this vessel for 1 year. We were located in Long Beach, California Naval shipyard, undergoing a scheduled overhaul. My family was residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado while I completed my active service----they were not there for the retirement service; for that I am sad, but with the payscale in place then, I couldn't afford 4 tickets to California for them.
The ceremony was nice---the troops gathered on the fantail, the skipper read a real nice letter thanking me for my service, the Chief's mess presented me with a beautiful plaque which commemmerated my service, everybody stood in line for congratulations/good-bys, etc.
The communications department which I led also gave me a beautiful plaque.
Following Navy tradition, the Boatswain's Mate Petty officer of the watch, piped me ashore, the messanger of the watch rang two bells and the announcing system blared "Senior Chief Petty Officer, departing." I walked down the after-brow and didn't look back: this is Navy tradition at its best. I kept walking until I got to the barracks, where we were berthed, to pick up my gear. A good friend drove me to the airport and I immediately got on a plane and returned to Colorado to be with my family. I had not seen them for 8 months.
Why did I retire when I did? There were many reasons---the Navy was undergoing many, many changes that I was not comfortable with. (1) The Navy was talking about allowing females to serve on warships: EGAD!!!!! Now I don't consider myself "sexist", discrimatory against women, etc., but the thought of females aboard a man-o-war, with all it's isolation, danger, etc., just didn't sit well with me. My number (2) reason was that the word "Leadership" means a lot to me and I saw that the leadership style of many of my superiors was becoming too lax, easy-going and "soft", to put it in simple terms. I was a "child" of the 40's and 50's and discipline meant something to me that was being eroded by this new leadership style. It was time for me to go and let the "new" breed take over. Number (3) reason was the fact that I was in a very tight rating and promotion looked further and further away. I got tired of highly passing my advancement tests and not getting selected for advancement.
But there was one reason that I retired when I did that really did it for me. For many years I had served my country doing what I truly loved to do- serve at sea. But something more important was calling---my family needed me home, living a "normal" life with my wife and children. My oldest was 11 years old and becoming a handful for his mother. My two little girls were 8 and 4 years old and they rarely saw me. So, after 20 years of "duty to my country", I decided it was time for "duty to my family".
So, I got out. You may ask if I miss that part of my life and I will be honest---yes I do. When I visit my son in California and I look at the present-day warships, gaze out at the open Pacific Ocean, I truly miss the life. That feeling usually lasts 15 minutes or so: then I start missing my home, my wife and kids/grandkids and the life I have been leading for the past 33 years.
I remain in contact with many of my shipmates that I have served with during my time in the Navy: it's great talking and reminiscing about the "good old days". But nothing gives me more pleasure than being with members of my family.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, TOM.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Blog nr. 18
I see it has been a while since I added anything significant to my blog. (Some may say that I haven't ever put anything on the blog that was significant!!!!!)
Anyway, here we go. The subject is Aging.
Aging is affecting all of us. You cannot escape it.
Some age gracefully--others age reluctantly.
I always figured that when I aged, that my body could go, but I dreaded the idea that my mind would go-----I have a fear of terrible maladies such as alzheimers, dementia, etc.----that is such a burden on those left behind. I cannot imagine anything worse than that to leave as your legacy.(I know some of you probably think my mind has already gone, but that is your problem!!)
As I age and my body deteriorates, I still believe this. Although my hearing is really shot, that is why they have closed captions on televison. I can live with that, no problem. With reading glasses, I can continue to read books, magazines, etc. (my favorite pastime). I can still walk, talk, think clearly (although my walking is more difficult each day, that's okay--there is no place I want to go or see that requires a lot of walking--as long as I can walk to the bathroom and back to my recliner, I'm good.)
With my poor hearing, I don't go to too many places where there are crowds; this includes restaurants with a lot of background noise...it is embarassing trying to have any type of conversation when there is any kind of background noise around. I make up for this lack by smiling and nodding a lot. But my wife does my hearing for me---it saves embarassment when the waitress asks what I want from the menu. And my two dogs let me know when the doorbell rings. And the rest of my family and close friends are used to having to talk loud if they want me to hear anything. I can live with that.The one thing I miss with my poor hearing is the words a small child says when they are talking with me---their voices are usually at a frequency that I just can't decipher. And I do love children!
There is more I could say about aging, but that is enough for now. We won't go into my night blindness that has curtailed most of my driving after dark---I just stay home.
All in all, I consider myself most fortunate. And for those who think I have developed senility, dementia, etc. and have lost my mind, I can only say patooey to you!!!!!
Tom
Anyway, here we go. The subject is Aging.
Aging is affecting all of us. You cannot escape it.
Some age gracefully--others age reluctantly.
I always figured that when I aged, that my body could go, but I dreaded the idea that my mind would go-----I have a fear of terrible maladies such as alzheimers, dementia, etc.----that is such a burden on those left behind. I cannot imagine anything worse than that to leave as your legacy.(I know some of you probably think my mind has already gone, but that is your problem!!)
As I age and my body deteriorates, I still believe this. Although my hearing is really shot, that is why they have closed captions on televison. I can live with that, no problem. With reading glasses, I can continue to read books, magazines, etc. (my favorite pastime). I can still walk, talk, think clearly (although my walking is more difficult each day, that's okay--there is no place I want to go or see that requires a lot of walking--as long as I can walk to the bathroom and back to my recliner, I'm good.)
With my poor hearing, I don't go to too many places where there are crowds; this includes restaurants with a lot of background noise...it is embarassing trying to have any type of conversation when there is any kind of background noise around. I make up for this lack by smiling and nodding a lot. But my wife does my hearing for me---it saves embarassment when the waitress asks what I want from the menu. And my two dogs let me know when the doorbell rings. And the rest of my family and close friends are used to having to talk loud if they want me to hear anything. I can live with that.The one thing I miss with my poor hearing is the words a small child says when they are talking with me---their voices are usually at a frequency that I just can't decipher. And I do love children!
There is more I could say about aging, but that is enough for now. We won't go into my night blindness that has curtailed most of my driving after dark---I just stay home.
All in all, I consider myself most fortunate. And for those who think I have developed senility, dementia, etc. and have lost my mind, I can only say patooey to you!!!!!
Tom
Friday, July 30, 2010
Blog Nr. 17
Today is another day of rememberance for me. Today would be my older sister's 73rd birthday.
Mary Jean was born two years before me. I was her "Baby Brother". She was my protector and friend for a long time. When we were young, she and I would cause a lot of trouble for our older brother (by 8 years over me). Whenever there was any "conflict" (and there was plenty of that), it was me and Mary Jean against him. We didn't always prevail, but we were always in it together.
After I joined the Navy, we didn't see much of each other except each time I would come home on leave, I made sure to visit with her. She had married and had 5 children by then.....I would visit and roughhouse with the kids. Great memories.
Mary Jean was also there for my wife when I first brought her to Syracuse to meet my family. She was helpful in getting her "Americanized" and used to our ways. She was also present when our son was born. On our son's first birthday, she hosted a Happy Birthday party that is remembered clearly.
Mary Jean died tragically in 1972 at the age of 34. I got home on emergency leave and got to see her before she passed away. She left behind a husband and 5 young children, the oldest being 12-13 years old.
Those children had a hard, hard time growing up without a Mom.
I saw those children last year when I returned to Syracuse to bury our older brother. They are mature adults now, with their own families. Mary Jean would be very proud of them. I know I am.
So, Mary Jean, on this your birthday, just know that you are remembered fondly and missed terribley. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANNIE.
Mary Jean was born two years before me. I was her "Baby Brother". She was my protector and friend for a long time. When we were young, she and I would cause a lot of trouble for our older brother (by 8 years over me). Whenever there was any "conflict" (and there was plenty of that), it was me and Mary Jean against him. We didn't always prevail, but we were always in it together.
After I joined the Navy, we didn't see much of each other except each time I would come home on leave, I made sure to visit with her. She had married and had 5 children by then.....I would visit and roughhouse with the kids. Great memories.
Mary Jean was also there for my wife when I first brought her to Syracuse to meet my family. She was helpful in getting her "Americanized" and used to our ways. She was also present when our son was born. On our son's first birthday, she hosted a Happy Birthday party that is remembered clearly.
Mary Jean died tragically in 1972 at the age of 34. I got home on emergency leave and got to see her before she passed away. She left behind a husband and 5 young children, the oldest being 12-13 years old.
Those children had a hard, hard time growing up without a Mom.
I saw those children last year when I returned to Syracuse to bury our older brother. They are mature adults now, with their own families. Mary Jean would be very proud of them. I know I am.
So, Mary Jean, on this your birthday, just know that you are remembered fondly and missed terribley. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANNIE.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Blog nr. 16
This is just a quick update on my last blog about smoking:
My resolve lasted until my wife left for San Diego to visit son and family. (But I will keep on trying!!!!!)
My resolve lasted until my wife left for San Diego to visit son and family. (But I will keep on trying!!!!!)
Monday, July 5, 2010
Blog Nr. 15
When I was young and growing up, Smoking was the norm. My Dad, Mom, and older siblings smoked. All the Grammas/Grammpas and Aunts/Uncles smoked. Is it any wonder I also got hooked? It was the "cool, adult" thing to do.
It was real easy for me to get started. At the age of 12-13 I started stealing cigarettees from my family members. I had my choice: Dad smoked Camels, Mom smoked Old Golds, my older brother smoked Luckies and my older sister smoked Pall Mall. Just as good as a tobacco shop!!
I am sure I coughed my head off after the first one-----but after a while I stopped coughing and things went along well......Then I got caught! I thought my Dad or Mom would be really be upset.....instead my Dad said "If you are going to smoke, smoke in front of me..What???? Thereafter, I would smoke in front of everyone. No one discouraged or banned me from developing this habit. Even my Nana supplied me with hers (Chesterfields), as I remember. The only one who didn't smoke cigarettes was my Grampa (he smoked Prince Albert tobacco in an old pipe.)
That was the mentality of the day. As I got deeper in my teens, the guys smoked for a variety of reasons. They wanted to appear tough, they wanted to "fit in", they thought it would help attract the girls.....all kinds of excuses.(But they were VALID excuses!!!!!!!)
As I got older I ended up marrying a young girl who also smoked. She smoked during her pregnancies with our three kids. We smoked around them, never giving a thought about the harm we were potentially doing, not just to ourselves but to them. (Sorry, kids)
At the age of 37, I decided to quit. I started with "One step at a time filters", working throught their 12 week program. Did it work? ABSOLUTEY! How did it work? It worked because during that period I was still in the Navy, stationed aboard a cruiser in Long Beach, CA. My wife was in CO with the kids.
I retired from the Navy shortly after quitting and returned home. And I did not have a smoke for 7-8 years. All this time my wife continued smoking. About this time, I got started again. Why/How is unexplainable.
My son was away at the Naval Academy, our two daughters were still home. As predictable, my two daughters started smoking. I did not discourage them-----they had the poor example of two parents smoking their brains out. Ouch!!!!
My son has never smoked, my youngest daughter has stopped smoking (good for her), yet my oldest daughter continues. (I hope she stops!!)
What has smoking done for me? I have lost a good percentage of my ability to smell and taste.
Non-smoking friends have shied away from visiting because of the smell. My clothes, I am sure, smell as if they were stored in a R.J. Reynolds closet. Our house stinks, our color scheme is Nicotine brown.
I have tried to quit many times.....Zyban and Chantix worked for a week until the horrific dreams got the best of me. Patches don't do it.....Nicorette gum won't work (with dentures, chewing gum is most difficult).
My wife and I enable each other. Going without a cigarette makes us both very "touchy", if you get my drift. (And I don't mean "touchy" in the good sense!)
So, why bring this up. MY WIFE AND I ARE GOING TO QUIT SMOKING!!!! You heard right....we are going to quit, together. She started on Chantix a few days ago and is feeling no side effects. It should work for her. I, on the other hand, am going to go "cold turkey".
Are we going to make it this time? My wife is not so sure, but I am pretty bull-headed - besides, we have two beautiful grandaughters we want to enjoy, along with OUR kids, for as long as possible. On the appointed "quit" day, all ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and anything that resembles a cigarette will be removed from our house. The house will be overwhelmed by the air fresheners I intend to purchase. This will be an all-out effort.
What will we gain by quitting? Let me list them:
Our non-smoking friends, some we haven't seen for a while, will, (I hope) come to visit without having to bring gas-masks.
Our breaths, hopefully, will not be so offensive to everyone.
Our house will, with a new paint-job, look somewhat normal.
We will save a heck of a lot of money----average a carton between us every 3 days amounts to about $5700 dollars a year!
We won't have to listen to each other gasp, choke and cough all day/night long.
So, if you smoke, and want to visit, leave them home. Smoking is not welcome here!
But the biggest gain, I think, will be if it gives me one more moment, one more year/month/day or only 30 seconds to look at my family before I make my final voyage, it will be well worth it.
Meant time, before we hit the D-Day, I will now retreat to the patio and light one up.
It was real easy for me to get started. At the age of 12-13 I started stealing cigarettees from my family members. I had my choice: Dad smoked Camels, Mom smoked Old Golds, my older brother smoked Luckies and my older sister smoked Pall Mall. Just as good as a tobacco shop!!
I am sure I coughed my head off after the first one-----but after a while I stopped coughing and things went along well......Then I got caught! I thought my Dad or Mom would be really be upset.....instead my Dad said "If you are going to smoke, smoke in front of me..What???? Thereafter, I would smoke in front of everyone. No one discouraged or banned me from developing this habit. Even my Nana supplied me with hers (Chesterfields), as I remember. The only one who didn't smoke cigarettes was my Grampa (he smoked Prince Albert tobacco in an old pipe.)
That was the mentality of the day. As I got deeper in my teens, the guys smoked for a variety of reasons. They wanted to appear tough, they wanted to "fit in", they thought it would help attract the girls.....all kinds of excuses.(But they were VALID excuses!!!!!!!)
As I got older I ended up marrying a young girl who also smoked. She smoked during her pregnancies with our three kids. We smoked around them, never giving a thought about the harm we were potentially doing, not just to ourselves but to them. (Sorry, kids)
At the age of 37, I decided to quit. I started with "One step at a time filters", working throught their 12 week program. Did it work? ABSOLUTEY! How did it work? It worked because during that period I was still in the Navy, stationed aboard a cruiser in Long Beach, CA. My wife was in CO with the kids.
I retired from the Navy shortly after quitting and returned home. And I did not have a smoke for 7-8 years. All this time my wife continued smoking. About this time, I got started again. Why/How is unexplainable.
My son was away at the Naval Academy, our two daughters were still home. As predictable, my two daughters started smoking. I did not discourage them-----they had the poor example of two parents smoking their brains out. Ouch!!!!
My son has never smoked, my youngest daughter has stopped smoking (good for her), yet my oldest daughter continues. (I hope she stops!!)
What has smoking done for me? I have lost a good percentage of my ability to smell and taste.
Non-smoking friends have shied away from visiting because of the smell. My clothes, I am sure, smell as if they were stored in a R.J. Reynolds closet. Our house stinks, our color scheme is Nicotine brown.
I have tried to quit many times.....Zyban and Chantix worked for a week until the horrific dreams got the best of me. Patches don't do it.....Nicorette gum won't work (with dentures, chewing gum is most difficult).
My wife and I enable each other. Going without a cigarette makes us both very "touchy", if you get my drift. (And I don't mean "touchy" in the good sense!)
So, why bring this up. MY WIFE AND I ARE GOING TO QUIT SMOKING!!!! You heard right....we are going to quit, together. She started on Chantix a few days ago and is feeling no side effects. It should work for her. I, on the other hand, am going to go "cold turkey".
Are we going to make it this time? My wife is not so sure, but I am pretty bull-headed - besides, we have two beautiful grandaughters we want to enjoy, along with OUR kids, for as long as possible. On the appointed "quit" day, all ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and anything that resembles a cigarette will be removed from our house. The house will be overwhelmed by the air fresheners I intend to purchase. This will be an all-out effort.
What will we gain by quitting? Let me list them:
Our non-smoking friends, some we haven't seen for a while, will, (I hope) come to visit without having to bring gas-masks.
Our breaths, hopefully, will not be so offensive to everyone.
Our house will, with a new paint-job, look somewhat normal.
We will save a heck of a lot of money----average a carton between us every 3 days amounts to about $5700 dollars a year!
We won't have to listen to each other gasp, choke and cough all day/night long.
So, if you smoke, and want to visit, leave them home. Smoking is not welcome here!
But the biggest gain, I think, will be if it gives me one more moment, one more year/month/day or only 30 seconds to look at my family before I make my final voyage, it will be well worth it.
Meant time, before we hit the D-Day, I will now retreat to the patio and light one up.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Blog nr.14
This is a few thoughts about animals and especially animal cruelty.
Animals of all kinds have been put on this earth for a variety of reasons. Some are used for food, clothing, work and many other functions.
The ones I really love are DOGS. Yes, I am a dog person. Show me a dog and I want to keep him. I cannot travel to the Humane Society and pick one over the other. If it was up to me I would bring them all home. (I have a big backyard). And I would foster attention, love and all the dog treats I could afford upon them. (And then my wife would leave me!)
Some folks are into Cats (my daughter-in-law and youngest daughter) but for me, I LIKE DOGS.
I have been blessed with a dog since I can remember (and at age 70, that's a long time). I remember each of their names and what happened to them when they left me. (Go ahead...test me...I dare you).
A dear friend of mine for all of my 70 years recently posted on f/b that he had to have his companion, Bogie (a beautiful Rottweiler), put to rest. They had too few years together, but Bogie became ill and my friend had to do his duty. He was devastated......I have known that feeling too many times myself. I truely feel his pain.
I had never met Bogie (he lived in Florida) but I have seen his picture on f/b. What a beautiful companion!!
I have a daughter that works as a Vet Tech........she loves her work. When she first started she would call me and relate sorrowful tales of the treatment that some people tendered to their animals. I too felt a sorrow like no other. She has chosen a lifes work that I could not handle...I admire her immensley for that.
I am not (now) a violent person (I used to be). But if I ever see someone abuse an animal of any kind, they will have an old, beat-up half-crippled 70 year old all over their butt!! No threat..... PROMISE.
Responsible pet ownership should be a law, with REALLY stiff penalties for anyone found abusing an animal. If you have one, GET IT SPAYED/NEUTERED. That is part of responsible ownership. Give it adequate food/water/exercise and all the love you can.
My daughter told me about the poem "Rainbow Bridge" when I had to have a dear dog put to rest. I have a copy of it....I read it when Bogie died. It does ease the pain.
To end this I will say a farewell again to REX, DUFFY, DUCHESS, SANDY, SALTY, SAM, PRINCESS, BRIDGET, FUJI, MAX, MOBLEY, GOLDIE and to others that were not my companions...wait for me. We'll cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Animals of all kinds have been put on this earth for a variety of reasons. Some are used for food, clothing, work and many other functions.
The ones I really love are DOGS. Yes, I am a dog person. Show me a dog and I want to keep him. I cannot travel to the Humane Society and pick one over the other. If it was up to me I would bring them all home. (I have a big backyard). And I would foster attention, love and all the dog treats I could afford upon them. (And then my wife would leave me!)
Some folks are into Cats (my daughter-in-law and youngest daughter) but for me, I LIKE DOGS.
I have been blessed with a dog since I can remember (and at age 70, that's a long time). I remember each of their names and what happened to them when they left me. (Go ahead...test me...I dare you).
A dear friend of mine for all of my 70 years recently posted on f/b that he had to have his companion, Bogie (a beautiful Rottweiler), put to rest. They had too few years together, but Bogie became ill and my friend had to do his duty. He was devastated......I have known that feeling too many times myself. I truely feel his pain.
I had never met Bogie (he lived in Florida) but I have seen his picture on f/b. What a beautiful companion!!
I have a daughter that works as a Vet Tech........she loves her work. When she first started she would call me and relate sorrowful tales of the treatment that some people tendered to their animals. I too felt a sorrow like no other. She has chosen a lifes work that I could not handle...I admire her immensley for that.
I am not (now) a violent person (I used to be). But if I ever see someone abuse an animal of any kind, they will have an old, beat-up half-crippled 70 year old all over their butt!! No threat..... PROMISE.
Responsible pet ownership should be a law, with REALLY stiff penalties for anyone found abusing an animal. If you have one, GET IT SPAYED/NEUTERED. That is part of responsible ownership. Give it adequate food/water/exercise and all the love you can.
My daughter told me about the poem "Rainbow Bridge" when I had to have a dear dog put to rest. I have a copy of it....I read it when Bogie died. It does ease the pain.
To end this I will say a farewell again to REX, DUFFY, DUCHESS, SANDY, SALTY, SAM, PRINCESS, BRIDGET, FUJI, MAX, MOBLEY, GOLDIE and to others that were not my companions...wait for me. We'll cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Blog Nr. 13
We are preparing to celebrate the occassion of this great nation's birth----the 4th of July.
Too many people either don't know why we celebrate or have forgotten the true meaning of what occurred these many years ago. Or worse yet, they just don't care.
This nation was brought into existence because of many reasons. I am not enough of a scholar to understand most of the "whys" but I (as always) have my ideas.
Pre-revolution days were tough--I can't begin to know the hardships that our settlers were undergoing. Can you think of not having the Internet? TV? Air-conditioning? McDonald's?
How did they do it??? What a hard life!! (By the way, do you realize these settlers were the first "illegal immigrants----but that's another story),
One thing these settlers had that we do not have in the USA today was OPPRESSION.
The settlers were taxed beyond belief. Laws prohibited many freedoms we have today. It was a crummy way to live.
So why did a group of Patriots finally say "Enough is enough"?? Was it Divinely inspired? Was it greed? Did these Patriots think the wealth of this great country should be available only to themselves? Who Knows???? But, as always, I have an opinion.
I think these settlers just decided that they could run their own shop. The felt they did not need the strength of this oppressive nation (England) that was ruling them. It took a lot of chutzpah/courage/cajones for these settlers to take on King George and his crew. Tremendous sacrifices had to be undertaken by everyone. Not everyone wanted to undertake this effort--they liked the status quo--they felt a degree of loyalty to Old George and his crowd.Some of them were probably just too lazy to get off their duffs and put in the effort required.
Anyway, history tells us what happened. The settlers (I will now refer to them as PATRIOTS) sacrificed much but they overcame the powerful King George and his crew. The next 200+ years saw the entire world change because of these Patriots.
My family has traced our ancestors back to pre-revolution. Some of my distant relatives were Patriots. To them, I humble myself and say "Thanks".
On the 4th of July we should celebrate the efforts of these Patriots.....we are the Greatest Nation of Earth. Are we perfect??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! But we ARE THE BEST!!
We celebrate by making noise, barbecuing hamburgers and wave flags. While you are doing all that I ask only one thing-----don't set off firecrackers near me..........the sounds of all the fireworks brings to me very bad feelings. And they scare the hell out of my dogs!!!!!!!!
Too many people either don't know why we celebrate or have forgotten the true meaning of what occurred these many years ago. Or worse yet, they just don't care.
This nation was brought into existence because of many reasons. I am not enough of a scholar to understand most of the "whys" but I (as always) have my ideas.
Pre-revolution days were tough--I can't begin to know the hardships that our settlers were undergoing. Can you think of not having the Internet? TV? Air-conditioning? McDonald's?
How did they do it??? What a hard life!! (By the way, do you realize these settlers were the first "illegal immigrants----but that's another story),
One thing these settlers had that we do not have in the USA today was OPPRESSION.
The settlers were taxed beyond belief. Laws prohibited many freedoms we have today. It was a crummy way to live.
So why did a group of Patriots finally say "Enough is enough"?? Was it Divinely inspired? Was it greed? Did these Patriots think the wealth of this great country should be available only to themselves? Who Knows???? But, as always, I have an opinion.
I think these settlers just decided that they could run their own shop. The felt they did not need the strength of this oppressive nation (England) that was ruling them. It took a lot of chutzpah/courage/cajones for these settlers to take on King George and his crew. Tremendous sacrifices had to be undertaken by everyone. Not everyone wanted to undertake this effort--they liked the status quo--they felt a degree of loyalty to Old George and his crowd.Some of them were probably just too lazy to get off their duffs and put in the effort required.
Anyway, history tells us what happened. The settlers (I will now refer to them as PATRIOTS) sacrificed much but they overcame the powerful King George and his crew. The next 200+ years saw the entire world change because of these Patriots.
My family has traced our ancestors back to pre-revolution. Some of my distant relatives were Patriots. To them, I humble myself and say "Thanks".
On the 4th of July we should celebrate the efforts of these Patriots.....we are the Greatest Nation of Earth. Are we perfect??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! But we ARE THE BEST!!
We celebrate by making noise, barbecuing hamburgers and wave flags. While you are doing all that I ask only one thing-----don't set off firecrackers near me..........the sounds of all the fireworks brings to me very bad feelings. And they scare the hell out of my dogs!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Blog Nr. 12
It 2213 now (ooops, for civilians that is 10:13 Pm MST (for Army and Air Force that Mickey's big hand on the 13 and the little hand on the 10) and I should really be in bed. (Old people need lots of rest). Instead, I am going to blog about a subject that raises hackles in me. The subject:
domestic violence.
Violence comes in many forms: verbal, physical, physcological, sexual. Violence of these types are mostly commited by males, but some females also. Men are (in most cases) larger and stronger than women.
Is there an excuse for this domestic violence???? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!! I have heard about cases where "alcohol made me do it", "it was the drugs I was on that made me do it", "she made me angry", "the baby wouldn't stop crying" and my favorite "I have PTSD, and that made me do it."
I want to address the latter excuse: PTSD. A few years ago, I noticed a police car with it's lights flashing sitting outside my front window. When I went out to investigate, a policeman was putting yellow tape that stretched from my next door neighbors front yard down to the nearest corner about 70 yards away. The tape stretched across the road and up the other side to the corner opposite. I couldn't figure what had happened. There were 3-4 squad cars, the CSI truck and a lot of police dept personnel gathered at a house across the street from me and about 40 yards down. I live in almost a "no-crime" area: mostly elderly folks like me, with some working stiffs sprinkled in.
I went outside to find out what in the h--- was going on. A young policeman took the time to tell a few of us that were gathered there.
In the front yard , I could see two bundles with tarps covering them. It seems their was a domestic dispute with the couple that were renting that house. It seems the wife had left, taken their two small children and moved in with another man. The husband had remained in the house. That day she brought the children to see their father; small children, I think 2 and 4 years old. While the children were in the house, the husband-wife got into an argument. It became extremely violent. The wife ran out of the house and into the street. The husband caught up to her and shot and killed her. He then went up to his front porch and put the gun to his own head and committed suicide.
I had not heard a thing------I can't hear for s--- anyway. What was really disgusting was the bodies were found lying in the street and the yard by a 12-13 year old schoolboy on his walk home after classes. What a sight for anyone, much less a child, to see!!!
Local newspapers trolled the neighborhood, interviewing neighbors. They stopped at my house and started asking me questions. They asked if I had known the couple (I did not--they had moved in only a month or so earlier). She mentioned to me that one of my neighbors that she had interviewed had told him what a "great" guy this killer was, and that he was retired military and sufferred from PTSD and that was why the killer did what he did. This "clown" of a neighbor even posted a homemade sign saying how great this killer was and how the killer was going to be missed!!! Can you believe that????
PTSD is real. There are a lot of men and women (your US military) that are exposed to unspeakable horrors in this violent world. How each and every one of them cope with this problem differs from each person involved. But to have this "clown" (who is a civilian, by the way) try to excuse this killer with that excuse sickens me to no end. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE.
This killer destroyed the life of his childrens mother. The children are the ones that will hurt for their entire lives. I pray for them, and so should you.
Just a little background: I am a military man. I did my time in combat areas. So did my brother, so did my son. I am "Pro-military" all the way. I know men who have suffered this terrible horror called PTSD. It has been hard, but they have survived. They did not draw a gun and murder.
I have also commited verbal abuse, directed mostly to my wife and children. I am totally ashamed of those actions. I know I have hurt them all deeply. But I have changed my ways. How did I change? I prayed - and I begged forgiveness, both from my family and from my GOD. I feel good about myself now. I may get angry but I have learned to control that anger/frustration/impatience that made me verbally abusive.
Enough said.
domestic violence.
Violence comes in many forms: verbal, physical, physcological, sexual. Violence of these types are mostly commited by males, but some females also. Men are (in most cases) larger and stronger than women.
Is there an excuse for this domestic violence???? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!! I have heard about cases where "alcohol made me do it", "it was the drugs I was on that made me do it", "she made me angry", "the baby wouldn't stop crying" and my favorite "I have PTSD, and that made me do it."
I want to address the latter excuse: PTSD. A few years ago, I noticed a police car with it's lights flashing sitting outside my front window. When I went out to investigate, a policeman was putting yellow tape that stretched from my next door neighbors front yard down to the nearest corner about 70 yards away. The tape stretched across the road and up the other side to the corner opposite. I couldn't figure what had happened. There were 3-4 squad cars, the CSI truck and a lot of police dept personnel gathered at a house across the street from me and about 40 yards down. I live in almost a "no-crime" area: mostly elderly folks like me, with some working stiffs sprinkled in.
I went outside to find out what in the h--- was going on. A young policeman took the time to tell a few of us that were gathered there.
In the front yard , I could see two bundles with tarps covering them. It seems their was a domestic dispute with the couple that were renting that house. It seems the wife had left, taken their two small children and moved in with another man. The husband had remained in the house. That day she brought the children to see their father; small children, I think 2 and 4 years old. While the children were in the house, the husband-wife got into an argument. It became extremely violent. The wife ran out of the house and into the street. The husband caught up to her and shot and killed her. He then went up to his front porch and put the gun to his own head and committed suicide.
I had not heard a thing------I can't hear for s--- anyway. What was really disgusting was the bodies were found lying in the street and the yard by a 12-13 year old schoolboy on his walk home after classes. What a sight for anyone, much less a child, to see!!!
Local newspapers trolled the neighborhood, interviewing neighbors. They stopped at my house and started asking me questions. They asked if I had known the couple (I did not--they had moved in only a month or so earlier). She mentioned to me that one of my neighbors that she had interviewed had told him what a "great" guy this killer was, and that he was retired military and sufferred from PTSD and that was why the killer did what he did. This "clown" of a neighbor even posted a homemade sign saying how great this killer was and how the killer was going to be missed!!! Can you believe that????
PTSD is real. There are a lot of men and women (your US military) that are exposed to unspeakable horrors in this violent world. How each and every one of them cope with this problem differs from each person involved. But to have this "clown" (who is a civilian, by the way) try to excuse this killer with that excuse sickens me to no end. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE.
This killer destroyed the life of his childrens mother. The children are the ones that will hurt for their entire lives. I pray for them, and so should you.
Just a little background: I am a military man. I did my time in combat areas. So did my brother, so did my son. I am "Pro-military" all the way. I know men who have suffered this terrible horror called PTSD. It has been hard, but they have survived. They did not draw a gun and murder.
I have also commited verbal abuse, directed mostly to my wife and children. I am totally ashamed of those actions. I know I have hurt them all deeply. But I have changed my ways. How did I change? I prayed - and I begged forgiveness, both from my family and from my GOD. I feel good about myself now. I may get angry but I have learned to control that anger/frustration/impatience that made me verbally abusive.
Enough said.
Blog Nr. 11
I don't know if Anyone will care, but I have followed Japanese Sumo for a long, long time. It is an ancient form of wrestling developed in Japan. I became interested in Sumo over 50 years ago, when I did a tour of duty there.
I don't understand Japanese that well, but the objective of Sumo is to overpower your opponent and knock him on his butt.....pretty simple really.
Two large (and I mean LARGE) gentlemen face each other from a distance of about a foot and a half. On signal, they charge. Picture it: two guys, averaging 300-350 lbs each colliding. They slap each other around, grab each other however they can and try to toss each other outside the ring. (I forgot to mention, the ring is quite small). There are methods to their madness: balance, strength, quickness, guile and other tactics fascinate me What impresses me most is the sportsmanship each wrestler shows each other. No tantrums, bad-mouthing etc. are allowed in this sport. (Unlike EVERY American sport I have seen!!)
Oh, yeah, I forgot...these guys are 95% uncovered, with just a large belt and strategically placed straps covering their "boy" parts.
The reason I am talking about this is, there is presently a large scandal surrounding the sport. The Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) have been caught extorting money from some of the wrestlers who have been caught betting on other sports (baseball, soccer, etc.) Some high-ranking champions in the sport are involved. Guys who I have followed reverently over many many years. This scandal may change the face of Sumo forever. And it is a harsh reminder to me that even these large, gentlemanly champions of their sport are suseptible to doing wrong. It is indeed a sad day for Sumo.
Sumo has a governing body deciding now how to handle this shame. It is impacting me......as a subscriber to NHK, (Japanese television that my wife and I have), I would normally cheer my favorites on to victory, same as I do for the Broncos, Rockies and other athletes of whom I am fond.
The Japanese culture is very big on "shame" brought on by themselves. In the old days, someone who brought shame on themselves, their families or their countrymen would be expected to commit Seppuku (Hari-kari). Tough.
Idon't expect that to happen in these modern times, but I think the punishment for this will be severe.
In the meantime, the Sumo tournament in Nagoya, scheduled for this month, may not occurr.
That is what upsets me.........I WILL MISS MY TOURNAMENT!!!!!!!!.
So, to those Sumo wrestlers who were involved, I say SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't understand Japanese that well, but the objective of Sumo is to overpower your opponent and knock him on his butt.....pretty simple really.
Two large (and I mean LARGE) gentlemen face each other from a distance of about a foot and a half. On signal, they charge. Picture it: two guys, averaging 300-350 lbs each colliding. They slap each other around, grab each other however they can and try to toss each other outside the ring. (I forgot to mention, the ring is quite small). There are methods to their madness: balance, strength, quickness, guile and other tactics fascinate me What impresses me most is the sportsmanship each wrestler shows each other. No tantrums, bad-mouthing etc. are allowed in this sport. (Unlike EVERY American sport I have seen!!)
Oh, yeah, I forgot...these guys are 95% uncovered, with just a large belt and strategically placed straps covering their "boy" parts.
The reason I am talking about this is, there is presently a large scandal surrounding the sport. The Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) have been caught extorting money from some of the wrestlers who have been caught betting on other sports (baseball, soccer, etc.) Some high-ranking champions in the sport are involved. Guys who I have followed reverently over many many years. This scandal may change the face of Sumo forever. And it is a harsh reminder to me that even these large, gentlemanly champions of their sport are suseptible to doing wrong. It is indeed a sad day for Sumo.
Sumo has a governing body deciding now how to handle this shame. It is impacting me......as a subscriber to NHK, (Japanese television that my wife and I have), I would normally cheer my favorites on to victory, same as I do for the Broncos, Rockies and other athletes of whom I am fond.
The Japanese culture is very big on "shame" brought on by themselves. In the old days, someone who brought shame on themselves, their families or their countrymen would be expected to commit Seppuku (Hari-kari). Tough.
Idon't expect that to happen in these modern times, but I think the punishment for this will be severe.
In the meantime, the Sumo tournament in Nagoya, scheduled for this month, may not occurr.
That is what upsets me.........I WILL MISS MY TOURNAMENT!!!!!!!!.
So, to those Sumo wrestlers who were involved, I say SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blog Nr. 10
Yak, Yak, Yak; that's all I do. Sorry about that!!!
Her are some things that I have a great (sometimes irrational) fear of.
Snakes----show me a snake and watch the old guy faint. I don't know where this fear comes from: my older brother (by 8 years) used to have to baby-sit me and he would keep me entertained by getting me garter snakes and letting me play with them. (Thanks a lot, Joe!!)
Maybe I'll blame him!
Heights---I have had had many friends/family visit me in CO over the years. They almost all want to do the tourist thing and visit the Royal Gorge. I, being the perfect host that I am, will oblige. I will drive them to the Gorge, park the car and wait in the gift shop drinking coffee while you and my crazy wife walk or drive over that rickety wooden bridge, with a 1200+ foot drop to the river. Would I faint if I went near the bridge? Probably not....I would crap my pants, lose my stomach contents, and fall 1200+ feet to the Colorado river. (After my cardiac arrest!)
So, to Patrick, Yoichiro, and all the others that I have driven to the Gorge, go ahead and laugh!!
Sharks---Being a sailor on all the oceans of the world, I have had the opportunity to see sharks in their own world. Belive me, sharks, it's all yours!!! There is nothing more frightening to me than to be on the fantail of a Navy destroyer and see a shark following in our wake waiting for the messcooks to dump garbage! (For those that don't know what a "fantail" is, it's the rear end of a ship)
I have other fears, but they are nothing compared to the above. I have learned to overcome many fears, but these have really stayed with me. Chicken? Scaredy-cat? Frightened old man?
Call me what you want, laugh at the irrationality. But don't expect me to walk on the bridge, meet you on the faintail or visit you at the snake exhibit at the zoo!!!!!!!
Her are some things that I have a great (sometimes irrational) fear of.
Snakes----show me a snake and watch the old guy faint. I don't know where this fear comes from: my older brother (by 8 years) used to have to baby-sit me and he would keep me entertained by getting me garter snakes and letting me play with them. (Thanks a lot, Joe!!)
Maybe I'll blame him!
Heights---I have had had many friends/family visit me in CO over the years. They almost all want to do the tourist thing and visit the Royal Gorge. I, being the perfect host that I am, will oblige. I will drive them to the Gorge, park the car and wait in the gift shop drinking coffee while you and my crazy wife walk or drive over that rickety wooden bridge, with a 1200+ foot drop to the river. Would I faint if I went near the bridge? Probably not....I would crap my pants, lose my stomach contents, and fall 1200+ feet to the Colorado river. (After my cardiac arrest!)
So, to Patrick, Yoichiro, and all the others that I have driven to the Gorge, go ahead and laugh!!
Sharks---Being a sailor on all the oceans of the world, I have had the opportunity to see sharks in their own world. Belive me, sharks, it's all yours!!! There is nothing more frightening to me than to be on the fantail of a Navy destroyer and see a shark following in our wake waiting for the messcooks to dump garbage! (For those that don't know what a "fantail" is, it's the rear end of a ship)
I have other fears, but they are nothing compared to the above. I have learned to overcome many fears, but these have really stayed with me. Chicken? Scaredy-cat? Frightened old man?
Call me what you want, laugh at the irrationality. But don't expect me to walk on the bridge, meet you on the faintail or visit you at the snake exhibit at the zoo!!!!!!!
Blog Nr. 9
For every item I read in a newspaper, I find I have an opinion and/or a comment. Most of my comments are short-----usually, I just say "Crap". There was an article in the local Gazette and Denver Post (I subscribe to both) that I have to comment on.
The article talked about a 95 year old mailman who has finally retired. This guy was a forklift operator who started with the Post Office in 1973 and did not miss a shift for 37 years!!! I am impressed!! He attributes this feat to a daily diet of watermelon, alkaline water and an onion sandwich with mayo. He NEVER took a sick day. If that doesn't impress you, nothing will.
He liked his job because "one, it's a steady income and, two, they don't hassle you. But he knew when to leave, saying: "The Bible says there's a time for everything. Well, it's time to retire, and that's it."
To this "young" fellow of 95 I say "Good for you my friend. "
The article talked about a 95 year old mailman who has finally retired. This guy was a forklift operator who started with the Post Office in 1973 and did not miss a shift for 37 years!!! I am impressed!! He attributes this feat to a daily diet of watermelon, alkaline water and an onion sandwich with mayo. He NEVER took a sick day. If that doesn't impress you, nothing will.
He liked his job because "one, it's a steady income and, two, they don't hassle you. But he knew when to leave, saying: "The Bible says there's a time for everything. Well, it's time to retire, and that's it."
To this "young" fellow of 95 I say "Good for you my friend. "
Blog Nr. 8
I sincerely hope this blog does not offend anyone, but I have been pondering this for a long time. I have asked myself "Should I start something by putting my beliefs here, or should I leave things alone? Like I mentioned in my first blog, this is a place where I can document my feelings/ideas/thoughts so that my family can see what this old man was about. Here goes:
There is currently a massive debate about "Creationism Vs Evolution". Both "sides" of this debate have put out there their thoughts/beliefs about who/what we (as mankind) are, and why we are here, etc......
I have the capacity of "free will". Was this evolved into me or was it created into me?
I cannot believe that I descended from a monkey/ape/chimp, though science has proven that mankind has 96% of DNA as the chimp. This chimp does not have free will. I do.(Besides, I think I am much prettier that any chimp!!!!)
My free will was a gift for my Creator----you can have a different name for Him but I prefer to call Him GOD. I believe this world that He created was His gift to us, naming us as the predominant species above all the other animals/creatures he also put here. His only requirement for this "gift" was to follow a few rules. I think his words might have been "Here you go, mankind. Follow these simple rules and you will reside here and be happy and there will be no pain/ death/hardships. You, mankind, are also being giving a gift of "free will"....use it wisely." With this gift of "free will", mankind chose to disobey His simple rules (Thanks a lot, Adam and Eve). I think we all know what happened next.
In re-reading the above paragraph, I have over-simplified the actual events that I believe have occurred. There are Bibles, Torahs, Korans, and various other writings that detail mankinds thoughts of the actual events. With my extremely limited capacity, I like the simple explaination.
After seeing how hopeless mankind really was, incapable of following simple rules, I believe our Creator (GOD) decided to give us another chance. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show us the way, to teach us how to live, to prepare us for Salvation; in simple words, giving us another chance to have Paradise here on Earth. Well, mankind, using his "free will" really blew it again. We murdered Jesus Christ---there are no other words to describe it. Again, I over-simplify, but you have to remember--I am a man, extremely limited in his capacity. But I have "free will" (as you can see, this is a term I use often).
People might ask why GOD hasn't destroyed us all and started over. Again, with my "free will" I believe He has a plan for us. Can anyone give detail of this plan??? Absolutely not....we were not provided with the capacity to understand this plan. Way too complex for a human mind. That is why a word like "Faith" exists. GOD, in His infinite wisdom, is the only one who has the mercy, patience, love, understanding, etc., to have put this plan together. But I have Faith in His plan...it will happen...in His time.
I have to veer off-course a bit, to define (in my mind) the word Miracle. Do they exist? Absolutely they do. Miracles are described in various writings. But I have seen miracles. I see them every day. I had the honor of witnessing the birth of my oldest grandaughter. This was not a miracle? Oh, yes it was. My son had the honor of witnessing a miracle....the birth of his first daughter. Not a miracle? Certainly it was. Miracles are proof, to me, of GOD's power and goodness. I look at my children and I see miracles. There are miracles all around us. Just open your eyes and you can see them. Look at the gifts we are given. I could go on and on but my limited capacity stops me.
I could rant and rave about this for eternity, but to sumarrize MY thoughts, I will make it simple----I Believe in GOD----if you do not, that is exercising your "free will". I will not try to convince you that you are wrong.......I am not intelligent enough to do that. But, I will say, do not blame GOD for the ills that we all suffer through. That is Mankind, doing it to ourselves.
I do want to lamely try to explain my Faith. Having been raised by an Irish-Catholic mother, I attended mass regularly. I was an alter boy (some of my former shipmates and drinking partners are saying "WHAT? NEVER!). I was told I had to pray to GOD see if I should become a priest. I did.....my Faith took me another way.(I had discovered girls!). I have talked with many many people of many many faiths: Jew, Christian, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormans, Muslims. I have heard their sentiments and beliefs. I have made my choice. And that choice is personal and between GOD and me. I thank GOD for giving me that free will to make that choice. I pray to HIM each day to help me in my personal quest and to provide help for mankind. Cause we sure need the help!!!!!!
To my many friends that are thinking "What a jerk! that McLuckie is", that is your choice made with the free will that has been given to you.
As I said at the beginning of this rant, if publishing my thoughts upsets you and you have different thoughts, I would love to hear about them. If you are a non-believer, I would like to hear your thoughts. If you are so upset that you want to scream and yell (via this medium), please do so. If you are so mad/upset that you will never respond or speak to me again, I can only say "GOOD-BY".
Tom McLuckie
There is currently a massive debate about "Creationism Vs Evolution". Both "sides" of this debate have put out there their thoughts/beliefs about who/what we (as mankind) are, and why we are here, etc......
I have the capacity of "free will". Was this evolved into me or was it created into me?
I cannot believe that I descended from a monkey/ape/chimp, though science has proven that mankind has 96% of DNA as the chimp. This chimp does not have free will. I do.(Besides, I think I am much prettier that any chimp!!!!)
My free will was a gift for my Creator----you can have a different name for Him but I prefer to call Him GOD. I believe this world that He created was His gift to us, naming us as the predominant species above all the other animals/creatures he also put here. His only requirement for this "gift" was to follow a few rules. I think his words might have been "Here you go, mankind. Follow these simple rules and you will reside here and be happy and there will be no pain/ death/hardships. You, mankind, are also being giving a gift of "free will"....use it wisely." With this gift of "free will", mankind chose to disobey His simple rules (Thanks a lot, Adam and Eve). I think we all know what happened next.
In re-reading the above paragraph, I have over-simplified the actual events that I believe have occurred. There are Bibles, Torahs, Korans, and various other writings that detail mankinds thoughts of the actual events. With my extremely limited capacity, I like the simple explaination.
After seeing how hopeless mankind really was, incapable of following simple rules, I believe our Creator (GOD) decided to give us another chance. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show us the way, to teach us how to live, to prepare us for Salvation; in simple words, giving us another chance to have Paradise here on Earth. Well, mankind, using his "free will" really blew it again. We murdered Jesus Christ---there are no other words to describe it. Again, I over-simplify, but you have to remember--I am a man, extremely limited in his capacity. But I have "free will" (as you can see, this is a term I use often).
People might ask why GOD hasn't destroyed us all and started over. Again, with my "free will" I believe He has a plan for us. Can anyone give detail of this plan??? Absolutely not....we were not provided with the capacity to understand this plan. Way too complex for a human mind. That is why a word like "Faith" exists. GOD, in His infinite wisdom, is the only one who has the mercy, patience, love, understanding, etc., to have put this plan together. But I have Faith in His plan...it will happen...in His time.
I have to veer off-course a bit, to define (in my mind) the word Miracle. Do they exist? Absolutely they do. Miracles are described in various writings. But I have seen miracles. I see them every day. I had the honor of witnessing the birth of my oldest grandaughter. This was not a miracle? Oh, yes it was. My son had the honor of witnessing a miracle....the birth of his first daughter. Not a miracle? Certainly it was. Miracles are proof, to me, of GOD's power and goodness. I look at my children and I see miracles. There are miracles all around us. Just open your eyes and you can see them. Look at the gifts we are given. I could go on and on but my limited capacity stops me.
I could rant and rave about this for eternity, but to sumarrize MY thoughts, I will make it simple----I Believe in GOD----if you do not, that is exercising your "free will". I will not try to convince you that you are wrong.......I am not intelligent enough to do that. But, I will say, do not blame GOD for the ills that we all suffer through. That is Mankind, doing it to ourselves.
I do want to lamely try to explain my Faith. Having been raised by an Irish-Catholic mother, I attended mass regularly. I was an alter boy (some of my former shipmates and drinking partners are saying "WHAT? NEVER!). I was told I had to pray to GOD see if I should become a priest. I did.....my Faith took me another way.(I had discovered girls!). I have talked with many many people of many many faiths: Jew, Christian, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormans, Muslims. I have heard their sentiments and beliefs. I have made my choice. And that choice is personal and between GOD and me. I thank GOD for giving me that free will to make that choice. I pray to HIM each day to help me in my personal quest and to provide help for mankind. Cause we sure need the help!!!!!!
To my many friends that are thinking "What a jerk! that McLuckie is", that is your choice made with the free will that has been given to you.
As I said at the beginning of this rant, if publishing my thoughts upsets you and you have different thoughts, I would love to hear about them. If you are a non-believer, I would like to hear your thoughts. If you are so upset that you want to scream and yell (via this medium), please do so. If you are so mad/upset that you will never respond or speak to me again, I can only say "GOOD-BY".
Tom McLuckie
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Blog nr. 7
I want to tell you a little bit about a conversation I had today. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with a young lad I recently met. What got the conversation going was, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life. (This young lad is 16 years old). Young lads this age are worried about girls, booze, sports((Oh wait, that was ME when I was 16!!). Anyway his response to me was that he wanted to be a U.S. Marine. He was serious as all get out. Being the Dad of a U.S. Marine (recently retired) and having spent 20 years as an enlisted Sailor in the U.S. Navy, with two tours on LSD's used to carry Marine Landing Teams around I could not help myself. I first asked him if his father dropped him on his head too many times when he was a baby! (That's what I used to say when people asked about my son). He politely smiled at my off-beat sense of humor and said "No Sir. My Dad was a Marine -so I want to be one also". That ended the joking-smart mouthing that I had been prepared to pepper him with.
At our dining room table, I asked him about his educational goals. He wants to go to the Citadel, a renowned military training ground for prospective military officers. (I would have been happier if he had said the Naval Academy, but that's just me.) I talked to him a little about physical standards, educational needs etc.....stuff I knew he would have to be up on if he wanted to succeed. Believe me, he knows.
I then went on to brag about my son---something I have been doing for many, many years. I told him about his career in the Marines; Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Marine One (flying Pres. Bush all over the world). I could see it had an impact on him. I then gave him some extra stuff I had around the house, gathering dust in a drawer: pins, decals, stuff like that. I also showed him some pictures of my son with Pres. Bush and flying his helicopter with Marine One. I also gave him my card with this blog, my e-mail and facebook id on it and told him that if there was ever anything he would like to talk to me about, he was certainly free to contact me. (Don't worry----I checked this out with his Mom and Dad before-hand).
I don't know if he'll contact me or not. I certainly hope so.
The bottom line, America, is that you do not have to worry about our military forces as long as there are young men (and young women) like this to carry on the roles that I, my son, his Dad, and many, many others have fulfilled.
I have purposely left his name out of this blog: I would not want to embarass him in any way.
If he allows, I will publish later.
Also, one last shout-out to his Mom and Dad..........you done good.
At our dining room table, I asked him about his educational goals. He wants to go to the Citadel, a renowned military training ground for prospective military officers. (I would have been happier if he had said the Naval Academy, but that's just me.) I talked to him a little about physical standards, educational needs etc.....stuff I knew he would have to be up on if he wanted to succeed. Believe me, he knows.
I then went on to brag about my son---something I have been doing for many, many years. I told him about his career in the Marines; Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Marine One (flying Pres. Bush all over the world). I could see it had an impact on him. I then gave him some extra stuff I had around the house, gathering dust in a drawer: pins, decals, stuff like that. I also showed him some pictures of my son with Pres. Bush and flying his helicopter with Marine One. I also gave him my card with this blog, my e-mail and facebook id on it and told him that if there was ever anything he would like to talk to me about, he was certainly free to contact me. (Don't worry----I checked this out with his Mom and Dad before-hand).
I don't know if he'll contact me or not. I certainly hope so.
The bottom line, America, is that you do not have to worry about our military forces as long as there are young men (and young women) like this to carry on the roles that I, my son, his Dad, and many, many others have fulfilled.
I have purposely left his name out of this blog: I would not want to embarass him in any way.
If he allows, I will publish later.
Also, one last shout-out to his Mom and Dad..........you done good.
Blog nr. 6
Today, 29 June is a Day of Remembrance in our house hold.
On this date, 29 June 1945 our nation was still at war with the Empire of Japan. It was heading toward the end. Germany had surrendered and Japan was reeling from the many battle losses that we had inflicted upon them. Their nation was reeling, both from the battle losses and from the incessant fire-bombing of their cities. Their economy was non-existent; food was scarce.
Although I don't have the historic facts, here is a synopsis of what happened that day that makes it a day WE remember.
Squadrons of bomber aircraft flew over the city of Sasebo, Japan. Why Sasebo? This city on the southern island of Kyushu was a hub of the Imperial Navy with hugh shipyards that were a vital link to the Japanese seapower.
On this day, the B-29's, B-25's and other aircraft dropped thousands of pounds of explosives on the shipyards and the city. Being constructed of mostly wood, it did not take much to turn the structures of this city aflame. I cannot imagine the fear and terror that was felt by the civilian population. Approximately 25,000 civilians died during this fire-bombing.
One 10 year old girl was trying to find an air-raid shelter with her mother, brother and four sisters. As they were running terrified toward the shelter, the fire and explosions engulfed them. This girl's brother pushed this little girl down and tried to protect her from the devastation. Her mother and sisters became seperated from them.
After everything was over, rescuers found the Mother and four sisters dead. The brother was also killed, but his sacrifice saved this little girl. She had been slightly wounded. Rescuers took this little girl to relatives that had survived, to stay with them until her Father and 2 older brothers who had survived could find her and care for her. Her Father was distraught over the loss of his wife, son and 4 daughters-------within a year he had died from alcohol poisoning and an untreated abdominal hernia. The little girl was cared for by her two older brothers and a slew of aunts/uncles who had also survived.
So why is this a day of rememberance for this family???? Because that little girl has been my wife for the past 45 1/2 years. She doesn't talk much of this day, but I think of it often.
One of these days, I will share my thoughts about war. Not today. But I thank GOD she survived and entered my life 20 years after that tragedy and became the mother of our three children and is now "Gramma" to two beautiful little girls. And I thank her 12 year old brother who saved her this day, 29 June.
Tom McLuckie
On this date, 29 June 1945 our nation was still at war with the Empire of Japan. It was heading toward the end. Germany had surrendered and Japan was reeling from the many battle losses that we had inflicted upon them. Their nation was reeling, both from the battle losses and from the incessant fire-bombing of their cities. Their economy was non-existent; food was scarce.
Although I don't have the historic facts, here is a synopsis of what happened that day that makes it a day WE remember.
Squadrons of bomber aircraft flew over the city of Sasebo, Japan. Why Sasebo? This city on the southern island of Kyushu was a hub of the Imperial Navy with hugh shipyards that were a vital link to the Japanese seapower.
On this day, the B-29's, B-25's and other aircraft dropped thousands of pounds of explosives on the shipyards and the city. Being constructed of mostly wood, it did not take much to turn the structures of this city aflame. I cannot imagine the fear and terror that was felt by the civilian population. Approximately 25,000 civilians died during this fire-bombing.
One 10 year old girl was trying to find an air-raid shelter with her mother, brother and four sisters. As they were running terrified toward the shelter, the fire and explosions engulfed them. This girl's brother pushed this little girl down and tried to protect her from the devastation. Her mother and sisters became seperated from them.
After everything was over, rescuers found the Mother and four sisters dead. The brother was also killed, but his sacrifice saved this little girl. She had been slightly wounded. Rescuers took this little girl to relatives that had survived, to stay with them until her Father and 2 older brothers who had survived could find her and care for her. Her Father was distraught over the loss of his wife, son and 4 daughters-------within a year he had died from alcohol poisoning and an untreated abdominal hernia. The little girl was cared for by her two older brothers and a slew of aunts/uncles who had also survived.
So why is this a day of rememberance for this family???? Because that little girl has been my wife for the past 45 1/2 years. She doesn't talk much of this day, but I think of it often.
One of these days, I will share my thoughts about war. Not today. But I thank GOD she survived and entered my life 20 years after that tragedy and became the mother of our three children and is now "Gramma" to two beautiful little girls. And I thank her 12 year old brother who saved her this day, 29 June.
Tom McLuckie
Monday, June 28, 2010
Blog nr. 5
I have been called by many names over the past 70 years......some good, some not so good. Here is a list of names that I have been called:
SON BROTHER GRANDSON NEPHEW COUSIN THOMAS
TOMMY "THE BABY" UNCLE TOM MCLUCKIE SEAMAN CHIEF
HEY YOU MAC UNCLE LUCKIE LUCKIE YOU SOB MISTER
BOY A-HOLE BASTARD MEANIE FRIEND SAILOR
SWABBIE SQUID MCGLUCK BOSS ENEMY CRAZY
BLOCKHEAD STUPID ARROGANT DUMB IDIOT NUTS
HYPOCRITE BUM HONEY TOMODACHI OGI-SAN HONCHO
and I am sure there are many more names, but I can't recall them at this time.
There are two names that I are near and dear to me that I am called, that really gladden my heart.
My grandaughter Caitlin calls me "BOMPA". She has since she learned how to talk. She is now 10 years old, and when she says that word, it brings me a sense of love and pride that are indescrible. My youngest grandaughter, Marina, hasn't learned to talk yet (she does say Blah-BlahBlah a lot), but I assume she will call me the same thing.
There is one name that is not on this list, because it stands alone. When my children say that word, my heart bursts with more feelings than I can ever describe. That word?????????
DAD
SON BROTHER GRANDSON NEPHEW COUSIN THOMAS
TOMMY "THE BABY" UNCLE TOM MCLUCKIE SEAMAN CHIEF
HEY YOU MAC UNCLE LUCKIE LUCKIE YOU SOB MISTER
BOY A-HOLE BASTARD MEANIE FRIEND SAILOR
SWABBIE SQUID MCGLUCK BOSS ENEMY CRAZY
BLOCKHEAD STUPID ARROGANT DUMB IDIOT NUTS
HYPOCRITE BUM HONEY TOMODACHI OGI-SAN HONCHO
and I am sure there are many more names, but I can't recall them at this time.
There are two names that I are near and dear to me that I am called, that really gladden my heart.
My grandaughter Caitlin calls me "BOMPA". She has since she learned how to talk. She is now 10 years old, and when she says that word, it brings me a sense of love and pride that are indescrible. My youngest grandaughter, Marina, hasn't learned to talk yet (she does say Blah-BlahBlah a lot), but I assume she will call me the same thing.
There is one name that is not on this list, because it stands alone. When my children say that word, my heart bursts with more feelings than I can ever describe. That word?????????
DAD
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Blog Nr. 4
This is an important item for me.
If we are fortunate in this life, we have "friends". Some are casual acquaintances, some are more long-lasting, some are ended too soon (due to misfortune, distance), some are too-soon forgotten (if they are, they never did become part of my definition of "friends".
I have had the good fortune of having (and still have) many friends. Where did they come from?? Some are from my childhood years, folks that knew me when I was just a punk kid who grew up thinking he was really something else. Some are co-workers who I met when I returned to the "real" (civilian) world after a 20 year career in the greates NAVY in the entire world. Others are friends of friends. Others I have "met" via this marvel of science called the "Internet". Wherever/however we crossed paths, you are what I consider "a friend".
There is a very special (to me) group of friends that I have been blessed with that I have the honor of calling "SHIPMATES". It may just be a matter of semantics but these folks have a special place in my heart and mind.
In my 20 years of service I served aboard many ships/shore stations where the opportunity to befriend these "Shipmates" was provided to me. They were not all sailors----many were military wives, USAF "flyboys", US Army " grunts," USMC "jarheads", and US Coast Guard "shallow-water" sailors. (I have earned the right to call them that----if you have not earned that right, I strongly suggest you not call them by those nicknames....you might end up with a united smack up alongside your head). To all my "Shipmates", this "squid", "swabbie" (or whatever) thanks you for the honor of just knowing you. God bless you all.
If we are fortunate in this life, we have "friends". Some are casual acquaintances, some are more long-lasting, some are ended too soon (due to misfortune, distance), some are too-soon forgotten (if they are, they never did become part of my definition of "friends".
I have had the good fortune of having (and still have) many friends. Where did they come from?? Some are from my childhood years, folks that knew me when I was just a punk kid who grew up thinking he was really something else. Some are co-workers who I met when I returned to the "real" (civilian) world after a 20 year career in the greates NAVY in the entire world. Others are friends of friends. Others I have "met" via this marvel of science called the "Internet". Wherever/however we crossed paths, you are what I consider "a friend".
There is a very special (to me) group of friends that I have been blessed with that I have the honor of calling "SHIPMATES". It may just be a matter of semantics but these folks have a special place in my heart and mind.
In my 20 years of service I served aboard many ships/shore stations where the opportunity to befriend these "Shipmates" was provided to me. They were not all sailors----many were military wives, USAF "flyboys", US Army " grunts," USMC "jarheads", and US Coast Guard "shallow-water" sailors. (I have earned the right to call them that----if you have not earned that right, I strongly suggest you not call them by those nicknames....you might end up with a united smack up alongside your head). To all my "Shipmates", this "squid", "swabbie" (or whatever) thanks you for the honor of just knowing you. God bless you all.
Blog Nr,. 3
Back again.
The subject of this will be one that is near and dear to my heart. The term "Hero" is so overused in our world. We have military heroes, sports heroes, heroes for everything man does. Well, let me single out a group of people that are, in my humble definition, true "Heroes": that group is "MILITARY WIVES".
I have had the honor of "knowing" a military wife for 45 years: as a matter of fact, she is MY wife. But this blog is about Military Wives in general. There is not enough room on the Internet , nor words in the English language to describe my feelings for that particular Military Wife.
What kind of people would put themselves under such hardship by volunteering to be a Military Wife? It is quite simple, but also most complex.
Military wives volunteer for this position for one main reason: they love a Military man. They endure such hardships as the spouse's deployments to far-off places. In many cases, they have children while their spouse is overseas. They have to maintain a household, raise a family, do all household tasks that normally would be done by the spouse, endure long periods of loneliness, often without nearby family for support. They are both Moms and Dads to their children. They have to respond to "crises" of extreme consequences that would be normally handled by the husband. I could go on and on about the tasks they have to handle alone, while all the time they have the worry about their husband's safety. These Ladies are "TRUE HEROES".
In this new age, where women deploy into dangerous areas just like men, there are many husbands that fill this role. I do not have any experience with military husbands in this role, so I am not in the position to comment, but they must do these same things.
I have had the honor to know many military wives. "Thank You" seems like such a lame comment to make, but from THIS military man, let me say that YOU are one of My HEROES.
The subject of this will be one that is near and dear to my heart. The term "Hero" is so overused in our world. We have military heroes, sports heroes, heroes for everything man does. Well, let me single out a group of people that are, in my humble definition, true "Heroes": that group is "MILITARY WIVES".
I have had the honor of "knowing" a military wife for 45 years: as a matter of fact, she is MY wife. But this blog is about Military Wives in general. There is not enough room on the Internet , nor words in the English language to describe my feelings for that particular Military Wife.
What kind of people would put themselves under such hardship by volunteering to be a Military Wife? It is quite simple, but also most complex.
Military wives volunteer for this position for one main reason: they love a Military man. They endure such hardships as the spouse's deployments to far-off places. In many cases, they have children while their spouse is overseas. They have to maintain a household, raise a family, do all household tasks that normally would be done by the spouse, endure long periods of loneliness, often without nearby family for support. They are both Moms and Dads to their children. They have to respond to "crises" of extreme consequences that would be normally handled by the husband. I could go on and on about the tasks they have to handle alone, while all the time they have the worry about their husband's safety. These Ladies are "TRUE HEROES".
In this new age, where women deploy into dangerous areas just like men, there are many husbands that fill this role. I do not have any experience with military husbands in this role, so I am not in the position to comment, but they must do these same things.
I have had the honor to know many military wives. "Thank You" seems like such a lame comment to make, but from THIS military man, let me say that YOU are one of My HEROES.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Blog nr. 2
I told you I would be back!!!!
Since I created this "monster" I have had 3 followers sign up. Welcome aboard!
This rant will be about the Internet...
As with most inventions/progress/whatever, MAN (or woman) has a remarkable capacity to learn, advance, invent some tremendous things that we (and the next generations) will be able to enjoy, ease our existence, and learn from. Along with each "invention", unfortunately MAN will corrupt, despoil, and ruin for many of us the "benefits" of this advancement. The Internet should be used for learning, communicating with others, finding directions, and a multitude of other, what I consider "good things". Along with this good stuff, if you are so inclined you can learn how to build bombs to destroy/maim/kill innocents throughout the world. You can find hookers, various types of pornography. You can join subversive organizations that plot to destroy civilization as we know it. If you are into those things, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT. You make that choice!..As for me, I will try to learn computers (although at 70, learning is a slow, slow process), communicate with family/friends, keep up with world events and enjoy (vicariously) the goings on with those I am connected with electronically.
While on this subject, I have a few things about Facebook I feel a need to say. There are many applications that I think are funny-----the games people play (Farmville, etc), the lists such as "How Sexy do you feel today), so-and-so answered these 5 questions about you, etc.....you get my drift. Anyway, if you enjoy them, GOOD FOR YOU! I enjoy them by thinking "Wow, he/she must be awful bored, with nothing else to do". Not a knock on anyone, just a thought. And for the folks that send me articles, videos, jokes, etc....PLEASE keep them coming. I enjoy each and everyone of them. Mos of them, I learn from. But most of all, I learn more about YOU and that to me is rewarding.
I have used the Internet to connect with family members that I have never met. Cousins (both near and distant), nieces/nephews that I had never met. WOW!!! That is so cool!!! I have also tracked heritage of my family and found out some great things about my ancestors that emigrated here from Scotland, Ireland and Canada....to me, interesting stuff. What I have deduced from what I have learned (in a short time) is that there is a common bond of goodness within all of us. We are not all aligned politically, spiritually, geographically, but it is there.
My un-learned deduction is that all mankind is "connected" this way. Either that, or I am senile and full of ____!
Have a great day. God Bless You All. (and if that offends you, logoff and don't come back!)
Since I created this "monster" I have had 3 followers sign up. Welcome aboard!
This rant will be about the Internet...
As with most inventions/progress/whatever, MAN (or woman) has a remarkable capacity to learn, advance, invent some tremendous things that we (and the next generations) will be able to enjoy, ease our existence, and learn from. Along with each "invention", unfortunately MAN will corrupt, despoil, and ruin for many of us the "benefits" of this advancement. The Internet should be used for learning, communicating with others, finding directions, and a multitude of other, what I consider "good things". Along with this good stuff, if you are so inclined you can learn how to build bombs to destroy/maim/kill innocents throughout the world. You can find hookers, various types of pornography. You can join subversive organizations that plot to destroy civilization as we know it. If you are into those things, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT. You make that choice!..As for me, I will try to learn computers (although at 70, learning is a slow, slow process), communicate with family/friends, keep up with world events and enjoy (vicariously) the goings on with those I am connected with electronically.
While on this subject, I have a few things about Facebook I feel a need to say. There are many applications that I think are funny-----the games people play (Farmville, etc), the lists such as "How Sexy do you feel today), so-and-so answered these 5 questions about you, etc.....you get my drift. Anyway, if you enjoy them, GOOD FOR YOU! I enjoy them by thinking "Wow, he/she must be awful bored, with nothing else to do". Not a knock on anyone, just a thought. And for the folks that send me articles, videos, jokes, etc....PLEASE keep them coming. I enjoy each and everyone of them. Mos of them, I learn from. But most of all, I learn more about YOU and that to me is rewarding.
I have used the Internet to connect with family members that I have never met. Cousins (both near and distant), nieces/nephews that I had never met. WOW!!! That is so cool!!! I have also tracked heritage of my family and found out some great things about my ancestors that emigrated here from Scotland, Ireland and Canada....to me, interesting stuff. What I have deduced from what I have learned (in a short time) is that there is a common bond of goodness within all of us. We are not all aligned politically, spiritually, geographically, but it is there.
My un-learned deduction is that all mankind is "connected" this way. Either that, or I am senile and full of ____!
Have a great day. God Bless You All. (and if that offends you, logoff and don't come back!)
Blog number 1
I am starting this blog for many reasons.
(1) Facebook does not allow me enough room to rant and vent about many issues that aare sticking in my craw.
(2) As a retired, old man, I find myself with way too much time on my hands and, as I grow older, I find I have way too many things to rant/vent about.
(3) I have one worry in my remaining years: that what I want to say to a lot of people and especially to my family I may just not have that time to do. (Does this make grammatical sense?)
(4) This blog will be receptive to any and all opinions, but I will NOT allow profanity.
(5) I really want to hear from as many people who may want to add opinions, suggest topics, rebutt my statements/opinions/entries or just to tell me I'm full of it!!!!
(6) Do not be afraid of offending me.......my skin is thick, my sense of humor is boundless...I will guarantee you will not hurt my feelings.
(7) A long time ago, I was told never to discuss religion, politics or womens ages.......well, I will and you can too.
(8) Many of my comments/musings/etc., may not make sense to you. This is MY blog..as long as it makes sense to me, I'm happy!!
(9) I am not computer-literate....au contrare.....my daughter is helping me with this set-up. If I decide to post jokes, cartoons, pictures that strike me as interesting, I will (with assistance) do that.
(10) I may add to my blog each day....I may post 10 times a day. Who knows?????
(11) If you enjoy the blog, pass it on to your friends and they may join in the discussions/add their comments, etc. (As long as they don't try to sue me!!!!!!!)
(12) Since I am retired military, I have many friends that shared that life with me. They are sometimes crude, blunt and "don't mince words". In other words, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". IT'S MY BLOG!!!!!
In closing, I leave you all with unbridled anticipation....hang in there...I can only type so fast.
Regards, Tom McLuckie
(1) Facebook does not allow me enough room to rant and vent about many issues that aare sticking in my craw.
(2) As a retired, old man, I find myself with way too much time on my hands and, as I grow older, I find I have way too many things to rant/vent about.
(3) I have one worry in my remaining years: that what I want to say to a lot of people and especially to my family I may just not have that time to do. (Does this make grammatical sense?)
(4) This blog will be receptive to any and all opinions, but I will NOT allow profanity.
(5) I really want to hear from as many people who may want to add opinions, suggest topics, rebutt my statements/opinions/entries or just to tell me I'm full of it!!!!
(6) Do not be afraid of offending me.......my skin is thick, my sense of humor is boundless...I will guarantee you will not hurt my feelings.
(7) A long time ago, I was told never to discuss religion, politics or womens ages.......well, I will and you can too.
(8) Many of my comments/musings/etc., may not make sense to you. This is MY blog..as long as it makes sense to me, I'm happy!!
(9) I am not computer-literate....au contrare.....my daughter is helping me with this set-up. If I decide to post jokes, cartoons, pictures that strike me as interesting, I will (with assistance) do that.
(10) I may add to my blog each day....I may post 10 times a day. Who knows?????
(11) If you enjoy the blog, pass it on to your friends and they may join in the discussions/add their comments, etc. (As long as they don't try to sue me!!!!!!!)
(12) Since I am retired military, I have many friends that shared that life with me. They are sometimes crude, blunt and "don't mince words". In other words, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". IT'S MY BLOG!!!!!
In closing, I leave you all with unbridled anticipation....hang in there...I can only type so fast.
Regards, Tom McLuckie
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