Sunday, June 03, 2007
Rain
Thunderstorms - Hi 80 Lo 63 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: South Central Rain, R.E.M.
Ramble:
We are desperate for rain... we need a good long steady rain... even the weeds are dying... One of my favorite things is to wake up to the sound of steady rain on the roof with the sound of rolling thunder off in the distance... It's particularly nice on a Sunday morning when we don't have to get up and rush off to work... you know what I'm talking about... when you don't have to psych yourself up by chanting Spongebob Squarepants mantra... "I'm ready" I'm ready! I'm ready!" It's nice to just lay in bed and breathe in and breathe out and listen... listen to the silence... listen to your house and it's familiar sounds...listen to the beat of your own heart... listen to the rain... Time can stop when it rains on a Sunday morning... There is nothing more soothing or comforting than the sound of rain... I hope it rains.............
Anyway, not much for writing today. Last weekend, Jedi Master Rob suggested I post a few of my photographs so now is as good a time as any.
Crate and Barrel in Chicago 
Flowers for sale on a New York City street 
Links:
My Italian friend, Carlo sent me a link to a wonderful video on You Tube--- I want to eat steak, watch a great western movie and keep thanking our wonderful servicemen!! Thanks Carlo! Make sure to stop the other video before playing this one.
I also had someone leave a link on an old post. It is a remembrance for Sgt. Steven Packer. He was killed on May 17. Go watch it now. Memorize this face of a fallen hero- listen to his voice, then watch this one and then say a prayer and thank God for men like him.
South Central Rain, REM
Did you never call? I waited for your call
These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
The trees will bend, the cities wash away
The city on the river there is a girl without a dream
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Eastern to Mountain, third party call, the lines are down
The wise man built his words upon the rocks
But I'm not bound to follow suit
The trees will bend, the conversation's dimmed
Go build yourself another home, this choice isn't mine
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Did you never call? I waited for your call
These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
The ocean sang, the conversation's dimmed
Go build yourself another dream, this choice isn't mine
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Have a great week everyone!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Sunday Song, Driver 8
Here's another song from REM that I love--- It's probably my favorite. I remember seeing this performance when it originally aired on Letterman. Michael was so shy he wasn't even part of the brief interview. You know this is an older song by REM when you can't understand the words... Go watch and listen to South Central Rain.
If you would like to comment on the song, please wait for the Sunday post, which will be up shortly. I would love to read your comments or email about the music selection and I am certainly willing to take requests.
A Sailor's Prayer, Chief Petty Officer, Greg Billiter
Sunny - Hi 71 Lo 46 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Driver 8, R.E.M.I always seem to find myself listening to R.E.M. on rainy days-- usually when I'm feeling a little blue. Older R.E.M. always seems to have a feel of yearning... a sadness that can not quite be identified... but it's there...just below the surface. Well, it wasn't raining when I selected this song, but I realized I neglected to post about one of our hometown heroes...
Ramble:This past month we lost another local hero. He was a career sailor (or so it seemed spending 15 years with the United States Navy). I did not attend but thankfully, my friend Kyle went. And I didn't know this until recently but my Mother In Law also attended the service. This 36 year old man, husband, father, son, grandson... was part of the life of a dear friend of my mother in law. Both of Kyle and Patricia paid their respect and said a prayer for this hero that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
"During his first two tours of duty, Billiter dived for mines off the coast of Iraq. This (third) time he was the tactical commander in a convoy conducting patrols in Iraq when the vehicle he was in was struck by a rocket, Beck said. Billiter was severely injured and evacuated by a medical helicopter. He was later pronounced killed in action."The rest of the article can be found here.
The rest of the article can be found here.The thing is, Greg was doing what he wanted to do," Barry Billiter said. It was his life's work. He believed he was making a difference doing what he was doing.
How can you argue with that?
The rest can be read here.Greg, who his father said, saw himself as a peacemaker, would often talk about the positive things our troops are doing for the Iraqi people.
"There were roads being built," said Barry Billiter. "Schools built or refurbished, things of that nature."
Pat Billiter says Greg recently told her," I'm not making war. I'm making peace. By neutralizing bombs, I'm giving some people peace that might not know it otherwise."
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God."Washington Post.
"On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to this Country and a grateful Navy."
Here is a link to photos from the Patriot Guard Riders in attendance at Chief Petty Officer Billiter's funeral service.
Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:
If you visit one link... visit this one. It is Beliefnet. There you will find prayer circles for our men and women in uniform--- those in harms way. Say a prayer... put faces with those names. Click on each name--- take a good close look at that young man or woman that is keeping watch for us. Go... please... go now.
You Tube ~ R.E.M. Channel
Driver 8, R.E.M.
The walls are built up, stone by stone,
the fields divided one by one.
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We've been on this shift too long"
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
I saw a tree house on the outskirts of the farm.
The power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged.
Bells are ringing through the town again,
Children look up, all they hear is sky-blue, bells ringing
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
Way to shield the hated heat.
Way to put myself to sleep.
Way to shield the hated heat.
Way to put myself, my children to sleep.
He piloted this song in a plane like that one.
She is selling faith on the Go Tell crusade.
Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again.
Field to weed is lookin' thin
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We've been on this shift too long."
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
Have a great week everyone!