Terminal Stupidity?

Well, so far today I've mowed the back lawn, watered the garden and other back yard plants, and got the garbage and recycling out front.



Possibly - but pain has a way of letting you know you're alive.

Another One Of Those Days

Maybe if I moved to Seattle or San Francisco I'd have something.

Nah.

I Don't Know What To Say

I received a letter in the mail from Sgt. Grit. It piqued my curiosity because I wasn't expecting anything - I've ordered a T-Shirt from his web site but that sure wouldn't come in a letter envelope.

Now, besides running his online store that sells "If Chesty Wouldn't Want It, We Don't Have It!", he puts out two newsletters. These are mostly Marine-related - future, current and Former Marine stories along with tales from spouses and other relatives. There are some letters from other branches, and both newsletters are mandatory reading. You can sign up for them at the web site above.

Back to the letter. Sgt Grit had a contest where you answered 4 fairly easy questions about Iwo Jima. I entered and thought no more about it. The questions (and answers) were:

1) What does Iwo Jima mean in English?
A) Sulfur Island

2) What Marine Medal of Honor recipient lost his life on Iwo Jima?
A) GySgt John Basilone received the Medal of Honor and was later KIA in the Battle of Iwo Jima. (Other Marines we accepted as answers were those awarded the MOH posthumously for their action on Iwo Jima: CPL Charles J. Berry, PFC William R. Caddy, Sgt Darrell S. Cole, Sgt Ross F. Gray, Plt Sgt Joseph R. Julian, PFC James D. La Belle, 1LT Jack Lummus, 1LT Harry L. Martin, PVT George Phillips, PFC Donald J. Ruhl, CPL Tony Stein, and GySgt William G. Walsh)

3) On what day was the flag flown over Mt. Suribachi?
A) Friday, February 23, 1945 or the 4th day

4) Where does the "black" sand come from?
A) The black sand is pulverized volcanic rock and ash.

When I opened the letter, it congratulated me on being one of the winners, and contained a small plastic bag of the Sacred Sand from Iwo Jima.

I was totally stunned. I will never open the bag, because I don't believe myself worthy to touch that soil. This is going to get framed and placed in a position of honor in my home. Anyone who knows me can feel free at any time to stop by and view this.

Harry Reid Strikes Again

Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi failed to get their bill passed to pull the American troops out of Iraq last night. The Senate killed it by not allowing the 60 votes needed.

In a fit of pique which would give childishness a bad name, Reid pulled the Defense Authorization Bill. This is the bill that gives the troops their pay, their medical care and their arms and ammunition.

By pulling this bill, Reid has proved to one and all that he does not, and never has, support our troops. I say that because the only ones who are harmed by the axing of this legislation are the troops.

And the Congress can't figure out why it has an approval rating of 14%. Please - everyone - write to both of your Senators, regardless of their political affiliation saying that you demand that this bill be put back and voted on so the troops lives aren't compromised.

I Almost Forgot

On this date in 1945, in the little slice of Hell in the middle of New Mexico called Alamagordo, the Trinity explosion took place. This was the first atomic bomb ever.

The scientists were half-jokingly taking bets on if it would work at all or, if it did, if it would set fire to Earth's atmosphere and destroy the planet.

Thankfully they were both wrong and the bomb went on to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans, millions of Japanese and prevented the Soviet Union from occupying any of Japan.

Back Again - The Wonderful and the Bitch

Yeah, I know - it's been another week and a half between posts. I had my eldest granddaughter here all of last week and we had a ball - going to museums, swimming, playing catch, going to a movie and just sitting and talking. She really is a great, well-mannered 10 year old young lady.

Now for the reason behind the post. I'm certain that those of you that watch any NASCAR events - the trucks, the Busch series or the Nextel Cup - have noticed that each race starts with all the pit crews lining up for the presentation of the Nation's Colors, National Anthem and the "Start Your Engines!" Almost every race has a flyover of some kind, even if it's just a single helicopter.

But - between the presentation of the Colors and the Anthem, there is always an invocation given by a local preacher. And I have never heard a single complaint from any of the participants or the members of the crowd over this. Not one. I'm really surprised that the ACLU hasn't jumped on this. If they do, they might bite off more than they can chew.

The only complaint I have is that, during the singing of the Anthem, very, very few of the crew members bother to put their hand over their heart. It's such a simple thing and takes so little effort to show respect. Maybe a whisper in the ear of NASCAR's controlling body might have some effect.

Independence Day

I wish all of you a safe and enjoyable Independence Day - emphasis on SAFE!!

And if any of you plan on setting off fireworks, stay away from my place - I still don't do explosions well.

How Time Flies

I just realized that Tuesday, July 3rd, will mark the third year that this piece of ramblings has been operating. And it's been a very interesting 3 years.

I've met some very good people over the years - some online and some in person. That alone has made this worthwhile.

And yeah, I've noticed it's been almost two weeks since I posted anything but I have an excuse - a couple of weeks ago the docrors boosted my internal pain pump by 10%, which knocked me on my ass for about a week. I've been slowly adjusting to it and can now semi-function.

Hopefully I'll have something worth sharing soon.