The
problem with starting this blog early in the week, is that by
Sunday morning publishing time, the news cycle has come and gone.
Last week, it was paragraphs tossed into the trash bin, more from
disliking the NFL subject matter and a final desire to toss it. I
really do not care or as one friend puts it so eloquently; “I have
no more F***s to give!”
This
week the media will be owned by the tragedy from Las Vegas and every
talking head will chew all of this to dust. Agendas will surface
rapidly, "caring elite" will dance on the dead and who knows by the time Sunday morning comes. Early in the
week though and all still developing. One thing seems to be
consistent for me and that it so much of what is going on these days
tugs deeply inside of hearts.
...............................
IN
THE BLINK OF AN EYE
Mid-year, 1969. Second year of combat flying in Vietnam and doing time to
complete my four-year obligation to the military. Good duty as
compared to most. Instructor in the Huey cobra giving check rides for
pilots to maintain their annual flying requirements. Headquarters
flying duty, people moving and milk runs. A trip or two into Cambodia
with specialty ops on board for briefings in dark corners. Steak and
beer at the local officers' club at night and a safe, good night's sleep
in real housing. All in all not a bad way to finish two tours of duty
in Vietnam.
I
had time to become close friends and comrades with many pilots. Some
were flying low-level combat operations daily. Low and slow looking
for bad guys. War stories every night at dinner. My daily flight
board schedule was different every day allowing for some late morning
sleep ins.
On
one such morning I was awakened by several enlisted men coming into
our room and starting to remove all of the personal items and bed
coverings from a roommate's bed. From out of my sleep I awoke to
outrage that his items were being collected and gone through by
strangers. A young enlisted man told me that he had crashed and was
killed just an hour earlier. “Sorry, sir.”
That
silenced me into a confused stupor. In the blink of an eye I had lost
a good friend and watching his personal items being stuffed into
his duffle bag was out of context for my normal days then.
There
were not words then and there are no words now that can cover the
emotions of loss and the gone of a good friend.
Quite
often in life, things just happen. Good people, close friends and the
events that take them from us. None of us are exempt.
There
are no safe places. Maybe some folks think there are today, but there
are not. Each of us has to grieve in our own ways, take time and move
on. Sounds cold, uncaring, but in the end that is what we have to do
as life does go on. Tuck the memories in a corner of our hearts and
visit the goodness of those times.
I do not want this to sound like a cliche, but we the people care deeply about the loss of life and all the families grieving at senseless loss of life in Las Vegas this past week.
..................................
BATTERY
POWERED CHAINSAW UPDATE FROM LAST POST
Chainsaw works great for projects like this. Cutting into sand and rocks
results in the same chain damage requiring sharpening to cut properly
again. But that was part of this work environment. One battery
recharge required. All in all, I think I will be very happy with the
addition of this tool to the shed. Will try a falling and limbing a
few small trees later this month.
...................................
FALL
WEATHER
We
have had some of the best Fall weather this season. Cool, clear
nights, comfortably warm days and a little breeze for personality.
Again I find sitting in my lawn chair surveying the kingdom brings time
for relaxation and worldly pondering. No earthshaking epiphany but
full appreciation of these days being a perfect transition between
summer and winter. As usual, the dog is by my side and stirs when I
do.
When
the wife is off and doing her girl things, I find extra minutes to
indulge myself in the luxury of doing nothing and an abundance of soaking in
the simplicity of quiet outside noises, muffled traffic from the road
below, birds coming and going and the barn cat rolling in the sun
close to our protection. No concern for guilt because I am sitting
doing nothing and I have yet to tire of the wonders of this solitude
outside.
.........................
STORMS
HERE AND COMING
Long
fingers of weather from tropical storm Nate, stretch from the gulf
coast all the way past us here in New England. Rain and thunderstorms
pass through us late this Sunday morning and early after noon.
The
long, long fingers from the fallout from the Las Vegas shooting have
taken root now and will continue through national and state new laws/
regulations on controlling guns (gun parts) in the name of saving
lives. The clouds from all of this can be cut with a knife and keep
the final goal of confiscations of guns from the Dirt people, in high gear.
There
are more questions now surrounding this Las Vegas event and I doubt
seriously we may ever know the exact intent of the criminal. Stay away
from crowds and doubt the truth on all first, second and third media reports on
anything and everything.
...............................
MORE COMFORTING OPEN-ENDED STUFF TO CHEW ON
“They
will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen!” …
adding, “like the world has never seen before.” ...”Maybe it is
the calm before the storm?”... “Five options to solve North Korea
in 18 months.”... and “you will find out.” (referring to what the storm is)
Today
it is up to you and me to figure it all out. We are guessing and
what the hell, no worries, right? But it will not be a storm passing
in the night.
When
all is said and done, all I can gather this day that makes any sense, is to start revisiting parts and pieces here
around the land. Band aids, drinking water, canned soup, rice, extra
dog food, clean up, pick up, put away and list the is long from lots of little things. Best I get to
it. “Winter is Coming.”
.........................
Keep your sense of humor and always take it with you; always!
Keep your sense of trust in your family and friends and always take that with you; always!
Be ready when folks look to your for help and advice. Do not let them down!!
Do not back peddle, wane or ever become a victim.
Make the week ahead a very good week.
Thanks again for the visit.
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