Saturdays with Yoshiko

Partly Cloudy - Hi 77 Lo 57 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 80 Lo for 46 Qandahar, Afghanistan
Cloudy - Hi 46 Lo 28 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Trouble Me, 10,000 Maniacs

Whenever I am a little blue, Natalie Merchant's soothing voice always brings me comfort.

Ramble:

The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself. - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

For the past couple of months, I have spent my Saturday afternoons with my mom. Initially, I thought it was going to be a nightmare… you see she purchased her very first computer… my role was to teach her how to use it. Try explaining how to use a mouse to a person who has never used a mouse… "Why do you right click sometimes and left click other times?" "I dunno… you just do…" How do you teach home keys? "Why are the letters not in order?" "I dunno…that’s just the way it is…" I found some great online tutorials and my mom has been steadfast in her eagerness and determination to master this contraption. I have to be honest… I was dreading this… my mom is stubborn and impatient and does not listen… but I must tell you, it has been surprisingly quite wonderful. We have spent more time together these past couple of months than we have in the past ten years. She has had a chance to get to know me… I have gotten to know her. The best part… we actually enjoy each other’s company. I have shared in this forum in the past my mom’s trials and tribulations. She is a woman that is inspiring… just in her being. She is self taught, self disciplined, self determined, self made. She had nothing as a child, she had nothing when she came to this country…She had even less when my father was around. She put my brother and me ahead of everything… she has endured more pain and suffering and yet sacrificed more than anyone I have ever known in my life. She is a savvy businesswoman and has been quite successful. She lives modestly, however, she can afford much more than what she has. Her story is the American Dream personified and one that should be held up for others to see and be inspired.

The election upset my mother. Having her beloved adopted country much less her home Ohio --- Hamilton County--- Cincinnati go Democrat was more than she could take. She has never depended on anyone but herself to make things happen. She never depended on government or the welfare system to provide for her. My father was absent and never paid child support. She did it on her own… I can tell you that she is pissed… She is hurt… the people in the country she loves so much have become so dependent and so willing to hold out their collective hands to take something never earned is just beyond her comprehension. Her heart is broken, but not her spirit and definitely not her intestinal fortitude.

I share my mother’s sentiments.

Barack Obama is to be congratulated on running an excellent campaign. His election is historical and should be noted and commended. He will join a small fraternity of Americans -43 soon to be 44. President-elect Obama has my respect – he will be the President of the United States and I will always have respect for the office.

I must confess--- I was so depressed Tuesday night. Although President-elect Obama ran a centrist campaign, all roads for him lead to a very left leaning, dare I say it, Socialist mindset. All one has to do is listen to the NPR interview, look at those he associates with and see what his philosophy is. He is all about bigger government… he wants government to be the answer to all our woes.

Wednesday I woke up still depressed. I heard John McCain’s concession speech… I turned off the radio and listened to my iPod the rest of the day. As Wednesday rolled along, I became angry. I realized that had Senator McCain won, I would have been extremely disheartened and disgusted by his presidency. Senator McCain is a gentleman. He is exactly what he has always been. His life story is one we should all revere. It can be argued, he has sacrificed and put himself on the line for our country more than anyone in modern American history. There is no doubt Senator McCain as president would have been strong on the war against terror. However, he would have reached across party lines and compromised on things I as a conservative would never stand for. I still am not clear on how he was going to secure our borders... or not. He would have presented good candidates for the Supreme Court. However, Senator McCain as president would not have been about smaller government. I was not keen on voting for him until he brought Sarah on board. As a conservative, I was left without a candidate. Voting for Barr was not an option and as far as I was concerned a wasted vote. I voted for McCain, but more so and more importantly… I voted for Sarah Palin.

The latest trashing of Sarah has me infuriated. The fact that Senator McCain even after his campaign chose not to come to her defense adds to my reasons for why he is not our next president. McCain's staff trashing this woman makes me believe even more that he would have been left of center on many many issues. The election was not a landslide… we are very much a divided country. It is a cultural battle. Senator McCain was not the conservative we on the right crave and believe is needed for this great land. We wanted to believe... we needed to believe. We want smaller government. We want to live our lives and stay out of the way. We want the government to defend our borders. We want the opportunity to strive towards our American Dream-- whatever it might be. That’s it.

My grandmother, a staunch conservative, active politically throughout her adult life, a member of the greatest generation asked the rhetorical question… How did we get here? I guess it started just a little bit at a time… no one notices that way… little things… it starts in the schools… subtle changes to how kids are taught... what they are taught… kids playing sports… everyone gets trophies… there are no losers…everyone wins… we are politically correct... we have changed the culture by changing how we speak... smoking is bad for you… became the big tobacco devil… now the 2 smokers left in the country are lepers and considered subhuman…traffic cameras to catch speeders under the guise of keeping us safe but we know it is more about the ability for our local communities to collect extra money... motorcycle helmet and seat belt and child seat laws... of course all good ideas... but mandated by the government? Law abiding gun owners are required to register their guns. Certain guns are banned. Guns kill... Trans fats are now banned… There are mandates on fast food in some cities. Before too long the obese person or maybe the slightly overweight person in line at MacDonald's will be sent off to be with the smoking lepers. Fat people are too ignorant to make a decision on what to put in their body. Kids are not being taught American history--- . Celebrity worship...panems and circuses... We in this country have lost our moral compass and have muddied the waters on what is right and what is wrong. It is more important for men and women to be equal, subsequently, we have a bunch of girl like men while women call each other dude... and we are more promiscuous all because once upon a time we had to figure out what the definition of the word "is" is... Along the way we forgot that we are very different creatures. Women now instead of raising and nurturing children are substituting dogs to obtain that love. With Obama as president no one (except those making over $250,000--- $200,000--- $150,000) will have the burden of paying for everything… I guess I should be happy—Michael and I can sit back and let someone else pay our mortgage… pay for our gas… no more worries. I must ask though, what else is on that slippery slope? The slope has become much more steep... What is next? I suppose it is just a matter of time before we are required to purchase carbon offsets, experience rolling black outs on a regular basis, in some areas of our country water rationing, and taxation on the amount of garbage we generate.

We have entered the age of self entitlement and subsequently developed an insatiable dependency on the government tit to think for us and provide for us.

Senator Mitch McConnell will receive lots and lots of notes from me—more now than ever before. He isn’t the conservative I would like him to be… however, I’m watching him. I will make sure he knows what I think… He is the Republican Minority Leader in the Senate and has a lot of work ahead of him. Those of us in Kentucky, those of us across the country need to pay attention and make him understand.

So, I look to the horizon. I think of Ronald Reagan and his shining city on the hill and the beacon we are supposed to be… I think of morning in America… I will pray for President-elect Obama, as I have prayed for President Bush. I INTEND TO BE THE LOYAL OPPOSITION. Meaning, I will be loyal to the country, I will be loyal to the office of the President. However, I am here… I am watching… I will not be nice for the sake of being nice. I love this country and that will not change. I will stand by my conservative values and will do everything I can to keep her the land of the free and home of the brave.

The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself. - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

God Bless America

Have a great week everyone!

Update 11/10/2008 7:30 PM: It's a rare day when my Scootertrash Hubby writes a blog post-- Despite the date of 11/5--- he finished it today so go check it out. It's worth the read--- Go check him out here.

To Everything There Is A Season

Partly Cloudy - Hi 100 Lo 79 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 95 Lo 63 for Qandahar, Afghanistan Mostly
Sunny - Hi 68 Lo 45 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Turn! Turn! Turn!, The Byrds

Was this the last song of an innocent time? I'm serious... I was only a few months old at the time of it's release... Let me know... President Kennedy had been assassinated 2 years prior... we were in Vietnam-- however soldier morale was still high because the American people were supporting the effort and the troops... Seriously, was this the last song of innocence for our country?

Ramble:

This month has been on God's time. And once again I am reminded about how fleeting time can be. One moment has brought sheer joy and pride--- the next absolute sorrow and inconsolable grief. In the joy, I have seen struggle and hard work. In the sorrow, I have witnessed strength through courage and the support of family and community.

** My grandfather's best friend was finally given his medals for his service to our great nation during World War II thanks to a Vietnam Veteran. Vern was a medic... he saved lives and brought aid and comfort to soldiers in 3 major campaigns... including the Battle of the Bulge. He was NEVER issued a winter coat. After the war, he came home like the rest of his generation and got on with his life. I'm so pleased my grandparents invited me to attend. I'm so proud of my grandfather... I'm so proud of Vern. Thank these men... sadly, we are losing them every day...

I have moved the video to a separate entry- above. My apologies for the end of the video... first time using my camera--- and I haven't figured out how to edit yet... That is Ohio Congresswoman, Jean Schmidt presenting Vern with his medals... I've seen her a lot in the past 3 weeks...

** About two weeks ago, a coworker of mine unexpectedly lost her 15 year old son to a brain aneurysm... How does a mother recover from the loss of her oldest child? I don't know... I don't imagine a parent ever recovers from the loss of a child.. it's not the natural order... a parent is supposed to outlive the child...

** Friday morning, I witnessed a friend, 1 of 69 people from 34 countries become naturalized citizens of the United States. If you have never seen this ceremony or been witness to the oath... This is powerful stuff. By choice, they come here...they decide that this is a better place. Federal Court Judge Bunning (yes... son of Senator Bunning) asked that each person stand and give their name, the country of origin and where they reside currently... Safe to tell you... I started crying immediately... First person was from Canada (3 total), the next Russia--- many many Bosnians, 1 Iraqi, 1 Iranian, Filipinos, 3 Mexicans, 1 from Holland, 1 from France, a handful from the UK, China, India.... now... proudly are all Americans... Becoming a legal United States citizen by design is not an easy process and it takes a long time... years... I forget who it was, but one of the women stood and stated her name, where she was from and loudly and enthusiastically proclaimed in her glorious accent that she lived in INDEPENDENCE, Kentucky.
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

** That same Friday afternoon, I learned from my sis in law that Susan lost her long hard fought battle with cancer. She was only 47. My prayers are with Susan's family-- her husband... her mother... her brother and sisters... her son.... only 47....

** This weekend Matt Maupin finally came home. He was escorted by his younger brother Micah. Carolyn Maupin and Keith Maupin continue to be beacons of strength and dignity and compassion and hope during a time of inconceivable grief and sorrow. On April 9 at a scholarship fundraiser in his brother's name, Micah reenlisted in the Marine Corp in front of a packed house-- including his father and mother. Although Carolyn stood by her son's decision.... You could see the pain and fear in her eyes. Matt is home and the community is welcoming this young man home. Yesterday morning I stood along the highway with my grandfather and a bunch of crusty old Marines waiting for Matt. Kyle--- as usual did something extraordinary to welcome him home and to offer comfort and support to the family... He had a sign(s) made... pictures below... Michael rode in the escort as a member of Patriot Guard Riders from Lunken Airport to the Civic Center. I was very proud of him... he was the only sportie among the Harleys... We all met at the visitation. My grandfather is 85 and in failing health... He wanted to go pay his respect, but the weather was not cooperative. The police officers on duty especially Officer Combs and volunteers saw to it that we would get my grandfather through. He told us to come back in 45 minutes, he would get us a wheelchair and would get us to the front of the long line. Kindness... respect... appreciation...

** Kyle spoke to a very distinguished looking man-- Kyle what was his last name? ... As this man with an umbrella, a stylish suit and an English accent spoke about his time in the service and the artillery he used and the brotherhood he shared with Kyle, the conversation turned to his appreciation of the outpouring of support he was witness to. Shortly after, he shared with Kyle as I eavesdropped that he was asked by President Bush to paint a portrait of Matt Maupin. He described the painting... it will be Matt and his brother Micah... the portrait will be called Brothers.

** Today--- will be Matt's funeral... again the Maupin's are concerned about the entire community... they want us to be able to mourn his loss and celebrate this young man's life. Michael again will participate with Patriot Guard... I will wander down to the ball park... and pay my respect.

Kyle the dreamer, Ray the installer, Tom the guy who made the sign a reality... Michael

Read the oath above again... really... read it out loud. Say the words... Hear the words. Understand the words.

Everything is done in HIS time-- now read the following words...

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3
1: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3: A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5: A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6: A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7: A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8: A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9: What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10: I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11: He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12: I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13: And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14: I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. 15: That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
16: And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17: I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
18: I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19: For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20: All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21: Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22: Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Yes... I have learned a great deal this month...

Have a great week everyone!

No One Won---

Well--- that's not quite true... no one won the bet. I should have won, but the doctor knowing what's best said that she needed to stay in the oven a little longer...

Well... she is awfully cute...

Proud Mama and Papa seem to be doing well...

Welcome to the world River Emalene... We've been waiting for you.

-- Love this song and found this video done by the young girl for her father...

Father and Daughter - Paul Simon

If you leap awake
In the mirror of a bad dream
And for a fraction of a second
You can't remember where you are
Just open your window
And follow your memory upstream
To the meadow in the mountain
Where we counted every falling star

I believe the light that shines on you
Will shine on you forever
And though I can't guarantee
There's nothing scary hiding under your bed
I’m gonna stand guard
Like a postcard of a Golden Retriever
And never leave till I leave you
With a sweet dream in your head

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

Trust your intuition
It's just like going fishing
You cast your line
And hope you'll get a bite
But you don't need to waste your time
Worrying about the market place
Try to help the human race
Struggling to survive its harshest night

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

O.J. is a Forewarning...

Sunny - Hi 106 Lo 77 for Baghdad, Iraq
Isolated Thunderstorms - Hi 92 Lo 59 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Sunny - Hi 90 Lo 66 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Joy to the World, Three Dog Night

Three Dog Night will always have a special place in my heart. This song particularly is one of just a couple of fond memories I have of my father. He loved this song. I remember he used to sing it loudly and badly...

Ramble:

Back in the fall of 1995, the day the jury found O.J. Simpson not guilty... I received a call from my grandfather. "Cass, are you sitting down? Guess who is sitting with me? Your Daddy." Twenty four years. Twenty four years. That's how long it takes a father to show up. I'd like to say it was because his overwhelming guilt got the best of him and he after so many years was trying to make amends... but that was not the case.... He was looking for a handout. Checking to see if my grandparents were still among the living. He even had the audacity to ask about my mother. I made it clear to him... under no uncertain terms was he to go anywhere near her.

This past Friday evening my grandfather called me.... "Cass, guess who just called?" It was such a deja vu. I knew before he even said anything- it only makes sense, the murderer, O.J. Simpson is back in the news... my father resurfaces... perfectly logical to me... My grandfather told me about his conversation and I completely chastised him for speaking to him for such a long time. My grandfather has such a tender heart and I can only imagine the guilt he must carry. He feels responsible for the kind of man my father became. My grandfather is an incredible man. He is kind and responsible and loving. I guess according to my grandfather- the sperm donor had called my Uncle Steve and also my brother. He asked my grandfather for my phone number but thankfully did not provide it. According to my Uncle, he was drunk... debating on whether to go to Hawaii or Alaska... Back in 1995 he was working on fishing boats... I guess he had been doing that the entire time he had been gone and it is no different now.

I'm 42 years old. The emotions when allowed to surface are just as raw today as they were when I was 12 years old. The hurt cuts deeper than I would ever like to admit and I surely do my best to keep it to myself.

He did some shitty things...some unforgettable things. Have a forgiven him? On a good day. Yes. Right now? Not so much. He beat my mother, he threw my brother across the room, he would blow entire paychecks on gambling, he would steal money from my brother and me, he stole money from my mom, she would beg him for money to feed Terry and me and he would give her $5.00, he would disappear for weeks on end, he would use me as a decoy to go visit his multiple girlfriends leaving me in a strange house in a living room in front of a television, after he left, he made no attempt to contact us except once, possibly twice, he never sent my mother money. He was a selfish childish little man.

I'm angry at some of the men in my extended family- it turns out that my father had stayed in contact, all be it sporadic. No one told us. I don't have the courage to ask any of them if they ever asked my father to be a man and take responsibility for his family... send some money once in a while...

We were better off without him in our lives... my constant need of approval from father figures is fall out to this day... My behavior as a teenager also a direct result of looking for approval, acceptance and love from the opposite gender...


I'm still pissed. Angry and hurt and I don't know if this anger will ever go away. So, OJ Simpson pisses me off... Every time that son of a bitch shows up in the news.... my father, the sperm donor resurfaces... both of you... just go away.....................

Read more here:

2006 reflections of my father

2005 reflections of my mother

Have a great week everyone!

Place Your Bets

Sunny - Hi 111 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 104 Lo 76 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Sunny - Hi 94 Lo 71 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Back in Flesh, Wall of Voodoo

Call of the West was an album that will forever be embedded in my brain. It was an album that Jimi and Monkey played over and over and over. The guys loved Stan Ridgeway's voice and as I recall they both did a great imitation of Stan... Wait, who am I kidding? I did an amazing imitation myself... I liked Wall of Voodoo because they were danceable (in a New Wave, 80's kind of way). Those less fortunate that may not be familiar with this music selection are more apt to remember a fun little diddy they did called Mexican Radio. In any event, the video clip this week is from a movie called Urgh! A Music War which I would love to have on DVD, but unfortunately it isn't available. I think I may post additional videos from Urgh! A Music War, but then again, I still have my Betamax tape that I could pop in and watch on my Sony Betamax player...

Ramble:

It's hot here. I mean really freaking hot... We haven't had weather like this in a number of years... we hit 100 degree temperatures a couple of days last week and well... jeez... it's just hot. It has also been incredibly dry--- we have had very little rain this summer. Grass is dead. Trees are stressed. Michael is happy, he hasn't had to cut the grass in ages.

Adriaan's memorial is set for the last Sunday of this month. I was addressing the invitations last night for his memorial/life celebration (the reason for the lateness of this post). For my mom in law's sake, I'll be glad when it's over.

On other front's I'm hosting girlfriend JoAnna's baby shower. I'm thinking about taking wagers based on the photographs on Jedi Master Rob's blog as to when JoAnna is gonna deliver her baby. Her actual due date is November 11.... I'm hosting a shower on September 16. I have all kinds of things planned... yes... sorry... Jo... I know I said no games... but well... yeah I hate shower games too... Possibly more than anyone else on this planet... be it a wedding shower or a baby shower... but... with that said.... we are going to have one game... heh heh heh... but I'll make up for the game... promise.

What the heck... I snagged the pictures...

The photo on the left was taken on 5/31 and the photo on the right was taken on 8/2. Go ahead. Place your bets. When do you think girlfriend Jo is going to deliver her baby??? If you decide to play...

• In the comments post the date you believe JoAnna is going to deliver her baby.
• You can not select a date that has already been picked.
• Also include your methodology in determining the date.
• If anyone plays I'll add the names (with links when applicable) and dates at the bottom of this post. When Jo delivers the baby, whoever is closest to her actual delivery date will get a special little prize.

I'll be the first one to guess... I think JoAnna is going to go early. My guess is 10/31... yes that's Halloween... Jo and the Jedi got married on Halloween, so it would be just like them to have a baby on that date.

Delivery Dates:

October 3, 2007 Jenna
October 15, 2007 Marti **
October 26, 2007 Kate
October 30, 2007 Cindy
October 31, 2007 Cathy
November 1, 2007 Rob **
November 17, 2007 Kim

** may possibly have insider information....

Have a great week everyone!

Walk On

Update: Early this morning, Adriaan passed away. Despite the seriousness of his situation, we all expected him to recover because... well that is just Adriaan. I mean Jesus. He survived the unsurvivable.

From Glen his oldest son:

They have removed the tubes and equipment, and we just gave him our final kisses amid our tears. He is at peace. It was always his wish that he die on a mountain, and in many ways his wish was fulfilled. He lived just long enough to see all of his children and stepchildren and speak to them, to spend time with Patricia, and even see a picture of his beloved dog, which Michael brought with him yesterday. He heard all of your good wishes and knew how loved by everyone in his family.

Music Video:
Walk On by (U2)

Music Video Code by Video Code Zone

And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage you can bring...
And love is not the easy thing...
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on
What you got, they can't steal it
No they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight...

You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Walk on, walk on
What you got they can't deny it
Can't sell it or buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Home...hard to know what it is if you never had one
Home...I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the heart is

I know it aches
How your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Leave it behind
You've got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you steal
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress up
All that you scheme...

Just Too Much...

Sunny - Hi 119 Lo 93 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 106 Lo 77 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Partly Cloudy - Hi 87 Lo 68 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Too Much Information, The Police

The Police only recorded 5 albums. I have them all... on LP, on cassette, on CD, and now on my iPod... The recordings after Synchronicity were to just rehash what had already been done. I actually saw them in a little venue called Bogart's in Cincinnati before they made it "big" in the states. I saw them after Regatta de Blanc but before Zenyatta Mondatta. I instantly fell in love with the pissed off drummer. I was 16 years old and snuck down to Clifton (University of Cincinnati) with friends to see them. We had a blast!!

When I saw that they were going to have a reunion tour, I was ecstatic.... until I saw ticket prices... I love this threesome and they will always have a special place in my heart. Many a night were spent down in Monkey Man's basement listening to Ghost In the Machine and watching Gary imitate Andy Summers while Jimi sang. It was great... great memories... but there is no way in hell I am paying that kind of money....

Also, don't you agree with me that these three have gotten better looking with age? Yah... and most definitely they've all had nose jobs...

Ramble:

Adriaan update: Michael flew out to Denver Saturday morning to be with his mother and Adriaan. Unfortunately, Adriaan has had a bit of a setback. His blood pressure dropped considerably on Saturday. He isn't able to swallow, so a feeding tube has been inserted and because he can't swallow, there seems to be some fluid developing in his lungs- pretty sure it's pneumonia. They have put him on antibiotics and if his breathing does not improve they will have to put him back on a ventilator. I'm not going to speculate, but this is going to be a long road for Adriaan. Any other person his age would not have survived past the surgery. He is a miracle. Please, please keep him in your prayers as well as my mother in law. Having this happen to your husband is unthinkable... having this happen so far away makes it feel impossible.

Thank you to those who have been checking in and dropping me notes and comments. Your prayers are appreciated more than I can express.

My grandparent's home sold this past week. That was pretty emotional. My grandfather built that house with his own two hands back during WWII. He has told me many times over the years that he planned on dying there.................. I love that place. I'll miss it too. Unfortunately, they just couldn't "keep up with keeping it up". So, for the past 2 years they have lived close to me in an independent living community for seniors and I am relieved.

I've said it here before... it sucks getting old, especially when your mind is still sharp as a tack. Their bodies are not cooperating and it is simply frustrating for them. Days dealing with depression and medications out the wazoo...

I'm pissed off about a lot of things in the news right now... there is just so much.

Project 2996 has kicked off. I'll get a separate post up at some point for that too. I just don't have it in me to even add links to this post. Pathetic.

Lastly, I have not been visiting my favorite blogs on a regular basis for the past couple few weeks. This is just a funk and quite simply life keeps getting in the way. Things will be getting back to normal soon... Good Gawd... it must.... In the meantime, I'm sorry I haven't been by your place on the internet.

Thanks for coming by and I'll be around shortly.... give me some time.

Housekeeping:

I need to do something mindless, so I'll be doing a round up of my sidebar (but then again, maybe not) and removing inactive links. I'll be adding to the MySpace stuff... found some more music.

Have a great week everyone!

Adriaan

Blowing Dust, Sunny - Hi 115 Lo 88 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 102 Lo 79 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Sunny - Hi 83 Lo 61 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: I Say a Little Prayer for You, Dionne Warwick. I don't care who you are... if you hear one of these pop gems that was written by Burt Bacharach and sung by Whitney "crack is whack" Houston's aunt... you simply can not be in a bad mood...

Ramble:

I was going to do Diane's Meme today, but not up to it. I'll eventually get around to it. Just a quick hello for those of you that come by on Sunday and Monday mornings.

One more thing, I ask you to say a little prayer for my father in law, Adriaan. I have to wonder if he wasn't a cat in a previous life and somehow managed to bank a couple of those nine lives. A couple of years ago he fell and broke his femur- made a full recovery in record time.

Then just this past Thursday morning I received a call from my sis in law with news of Adriaan. He was on his annual hiking trip in Denver when he collapsed while at breakfast. He was air cared not once but twice. We are still unsure whether or not he had a heart attack but we do know he suffered a torn aorta (common with trauma from a severe high impact car accident- Princess Diana being the most famous and others that have just collapsed from it due to a genetic defect - John Ritter); for most, a promise of a quick death sentence. One of the valves affected goes directly to the brain, so we don't know if there is any neurological damage at this point. He spoke to my mother in law on the phone and also spoke with the anesthesiologist- so, if I were a betting man, I'd say no.

We got my mother in law and sis in law out to Denver by Thursday evening, perfect timing as the surgeon had just completed the 10 hour surgery on Adriaan- he will have quite the scar to brag about as well as a new synthetic device to show for this hiking trip.

Adriaan isn't out of the woods yet, but he survived the surgery and he is resting. The main objective right now is to keep his blood pressure level. Today they intend to take him off the ventilator. He is nearly eighty years old and he is a miracle as far as I am concerned. After reading everything I could find on torn aortas... I am convinced of it.

Please keep Adriaan in your prayers.

Have a great week everyone!

I Know It Is Not Really Getting Better

Sunny - Hi 107 Lo 81 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 108 Lo 78 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Sunny - Hi 82 Lo 59 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Let Go, Frou Frou

I have been remiss for not including Afghanistan in my weekly weather report.

Ramble:

I am very fortunate to be 42 years old and still have my grandparents. My father's parents have been and are still a vital part of my life. When my mother was working 18 hour days my brother and I would go off to my grandparents for the summer. My grandmother taught me how to set a table, polish silverware and play make believe, how to embroider, play solitaire, Chinese checkers, and jacks. My grandfather taught me the difference between a buckeye and a walnut tree. He taught me how to look at cloud formations and tell whether or not a storm was headed our way. He taught me how to put a worm on a fishing hook and how to go crawdad (craw-fish)hunting down in the crick (creek). I would call my grandmother every single day all the way through high school to tell her about my day. My grandfather was always working... whether it was at the job or in the yard or in his workshop (where to this day in one of the rafters is the Playboy photo of Marilyn Monroe)... I remember running out to be with him and he would be standing there using a rake or a shovel to lean against while he swigged down a bottle of Coca-Cola and staring at the sky. I would ask him what he was looking at and he would always respond by telling me about "that hawk is getting ready to get himself some dinner" or "that squirrel is getting ready for a bad winter". All of my idiosyncrasies come from my mother and my grandparents. Words in my vocabulary do not begin to express how important they are to me.

I must have been about 30 years old when it occurred to me that they had become... old... I don't remember what specifically triggered this realization... it just happened... My grandparents were old... that they weren't going to be around forever. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it simply had never occurred to me and that understanding hit me like a ton of bricks.

These are the folks that taught me respect and self discipline. They taught me to find appreciation in simple things - nature, music, a good book, imagination, falling asleep in a hammock under the stars, The Tonight Show...they taught me that love of country was important-- to always stand with my hand on my heart during The Star Spangled Banner... that freedom and liberty were things worth dying for...

The dichotomy was they also taught me through their example to be afraid of everything... to be suspicious and not trust others... I know now this is a direct result of how they were raised especially my grandmother. No doubt it was also a direct result of losing their daughter at the tender age of five to leukemia. Because of this, Terry and I were always "protected" from ourselves. My grandmother was/is an amazing cook and she never taught me. She was convinced I would get hurt in the kitchen... with a knife or on the stove...

In any event, I hate that they are old- I don't want them to die. But what is worse and this was my epiphany on Saturday... is that they hate it more. My grandfather just can't get around like he used to- he has no energy, he can't breathe. My grandmother is feeble- this was a woman of strong German stock and she used to tower over me... she is now so much tinier than me and bent over with osteoporosis. My grandfather forgets that he is limited and will continuously overdue it and that will cause him to be sick for days. They both suffer from depression-- My grandmother because her mind is still sharp as a tack and she is such a stickler about keeping things just so-so but no longer has the ability. My grandfather because he is slowly forgetting things and knows it. Today as my grandfather and I were running his errands he was still insistent on opening doors for me... At one point he said, "Cass, I just can't do this anymore... I'm puny, I'm feeble."

My grandparents... I love them. They would do anything... anything... anything for my brother and me. I pray that they put their faith in God. They are tired of living but too afraid to die. I just don't know how to make them feel better except to be there for them...

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

Stop in and say hello to DragonLady. She and her family have suffered a loss.

Let Go

Drink up baby down
Are you in or are you out?
Leave your things behind
'Cause it's all going off without you
Excuse me too busy you're writing your tragedy
These mishaps
You bubble-wrap
When you've no idea what you're like

So, let go, let go
Jump in
Oh well, what you waiting for?
It's all right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
So, let go, l-let go
Just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here
It's all right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

It gains the more it gives
And then it rises with the fall
So hand me that remote
Can't you see that all that stuffs a sideshow?
Such boundless pleasure
We've no time for later
Now you can't await
Your own arrival
You've twenty seconds to comply

So, let go, so let go
Jump in
Oh well, what you waiting for?
It's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
So, let go, yeah let go
Just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here
It's all right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

So, let go, so let go
Jump in
Oh well, what you waiting for?
It's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
So, let go, yeah let go
Just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here
It's all right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

In the breakdown
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
The breakdown

So amazing here
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

Letters Home

Partly Cloudy - Hi 111 Lo 85 for Baghdad, Iraq
Isolated Thunderstorms - Hi 85 Lo 65 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: You Raise Me Up, Josh Groban

Ramble:

In preparing for my Sunday post I read through various speeches- from our forefathers to President Bush. I kept finding my way back to President Reagan. His words are just as moving today as when he first spoke them. However, I wanted this Memorial Day post to be a little more personal so I went up to our loft and spent a good portion of the afternoon pouring over old letters that were saved by my Great Great Aunt Ethel.

My Aunt Ethel was the record keeper in the family. I received a birthday card and two dollars in the mail every single year up to her death. I was special as were all her nieces and nephews. It is my understanding that she had fallen in love once, but he broke her heart, so she never married. My grandmother has given me most of the photos from Aunt Ethel's collection and being the record keeper that she was, all the photos have first and last names, dates and the relationship of the person in the photo to the individual she gave the photo to.

This is a photo of my Great Great Great Grandfather. (click on images for a larger view)
I know this because---
Anyway, you get the point. She kept everything that was important- letters, photos, newspaper clippings, birth certificates and death notices- she was incredibly organized, fastidious, detail driven woman. She took an old roll of wall paper and mapped out our family tree... pretty ingenious if you ask me. I have her to thank for the letters below. The black marks are the last names of my family that I have blacked out on the photo copies I made to do this post- the originals are in tact with all her notes. Aunt Ethel even put last names on letters-- knowing (or at least hopeful) that someone in the family would want to know.

My Uncle Charlie passed away this past November and I posted about it him here. He did two tours of duty in Vietnam. He loved this country and never stopped fighting for her. Never. He loved the Corp. just as much as this country. He was a Marine his entire life- even when they made him retire. (click on images to enlarge and read)


My Uncle Steve (19 years old) and "Janis"





This letter cracks me up because Uncle Steve hates winter... he lives in Las Vegas now... Uncle Steve also retired from the Marines. As my memory serves me he left the Marines back in the early 80's and went to work for the railroad... found that he didn't like it and went back to the Corp. He retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant.

A few thoughts...

I think we miss out on a lot because we don't write letters- email is great, but there is something to be said about receiving a handwritten letter- to recognize the handwriting of the envelope and anticipate what will be found inside. A letter takes more thought and are to be cherished. Most email ends up being deleted. Having spent the afternoon reading through family letters of those now no longer with us... it was as if they came back to life. I could hear their voices again.

A special thank you this Memorial Day to all the military bloggers I have gotten to know. You are so important. Keep writing. Keep telling your story. It is important and a way to document for your family and generations to come.

Friends of ours have a son that on May 19 graduated from high school. On the 24th he was headed to Fort Benning. Patrick's goal is to be an Airborne Ranger attached to the 101st. I can not tell you how proud I am. No... he isn't joining the Marines ;-), No... he isn't my son... No... I don't even know him that well... However, I do know that to volunteer to serve our country during a time of war is quite courageous and quite humbling for me. I thank God every single day for men like him. I pray that God keeps him safe.

We live in such an amazing country. I am so grateful to the men and women we will remember tomorrow. I am so grateful to those that serve presently. I am so thankful to the families of those that serve. I think a powerful way to remember those that served our nation is to thank those presently serving. Maybe you know a mom or dad of someone presently serving- write a letter and give it to mom or dad to be delivered in their next care package. Maybe you have to pick up a loved one at the airport... our servicemen are easy to pick out in a crowd... the high and tight haircut on a young man or the tightly coiffed ponytail on a young woman is an easy giveaway- a simple gesture of a handshake and two simple words- Thank you will make the difference...

Thank you.

Thank you.

You do raise me up.


You Raise Me Up, Music and Lyrics by Rolf Lovland & Brendan Graham

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Have a great week everyone!

The Pledge--- # 27,162

Sunny - Hi 65 Lo 61 for Baghdad, Iraq
Snow and Wind (nice...) - Hi 22 Lo 15 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: If I Die Before You Wake, Dustin Evans - The link is to Dustin's Myspace sight. If you enjoy country music, go check out some of his other songs... nice selection.

Ramble:

So Friday, I left work and headed to CVG (The Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport) to pick up my grandfather. My brother had a week long conference out in Las Vegas and my grandfather goes out to visit my Uncle and cousins and to enjoy the cultural aspect of Las Vegas... ok...ok... he goes for the craps tables and the food.

Anyway, I get to the airport early and wander around... as much as you can these days... I check the arrivals monitors... I see that his flight is a whole minute early... woo hoo!! I take note of the baggage claim number.... 3.... mental note.... go to claim # 3.... #3...#3.... got it... OK... I still have 30 minutes to kill....I wander down to check out a couple of the huge mosaic murals created during the Great Depression for the Union Terminal. The mosaics are I'm guessing about 25 feet x 25 feet in size... huge-- created by German immigrant, Winold Reiss-- an incredible artist. Back in the 70's there were plans to demolish the Union Terminal so there was an enormous drive to raise money to save the murals and get them moved to the airport. The murals are truly some of the finest works of Art Deco and the Union Terminal (which thankfully is still standing) probably the finest example of Art Deco architecture in the country. Truly, if you ever have a layover in Cincinnati, please go check out the mosaics-- Wonderful wonderful examples of Art Deco--- scenes of the American Worker were from places in the tri state area. If you have an appreciation of propaganda posters for the artistic value you will appreciate these murals. Fabulous.

OK... so, I wander back towards baggage claim... I debate whether or not I should go downstairs or just wait upstairs... I decide to check w/ Delta to make sure my grandfather will be provided with a wheelchair escort from the gate to baggage claim. That was quick... yes he is... I decide to stay upstairs. I watched some arrivals and it makes me all misty to see families and loved ones reunited... go to the airport if you ever need a "pick me up" and are convinced that life on this planet is just awful and you are feeling completely cynical... go to the airport... I'm standing at the top of the escalator and feel a smile crossing my face. Happy reunited faces. A police officer is standing to my right also watching the arrivals. A couple of minutes later a young 20 something handsome man in a ball cap and t-shirt walks up and joins us. He is excited... Talking... talking... smiling smiling. It turns out that this fine young man is with the National Guard. He had been in Iraq for 12 months and had been home for about a month. He was anxious to see his girl. She too was coming home from Iraq via Charlotte. They hadn't seen each other for 5 months. The police officer was asking questions about where they trained... what his thoughts were... it appeared that they knew some of the same folks... small town, ya know? Let me tell you... that young man had one thing on his mind. About that time, he pulled a little box out of his pocket and opened it for us to see. Inside was a beautiful diamond engagement ring... I looked at him... beaming.... grabbed his shoulder (hmmm... muscles) and squeaked, "Are you going to propose to her now??" With a twinkle in his eye and a smile from ear to ear... "Yes ma'am!" The officer shook his hand, a couple walking past stopped to say good luck... it was very cool. The whole time this was taking place I was watching for my grandfather... the soldier was looking for his girl. The police officer asked the soldier what she looked like, what would she be wearing, "She is beautiful. She has brand new white tennis shoes". Oh, well great, that helps, we will surely be able to help you spot your girl with that detail... A few minutes later, I see my grandfather being wheeled up. I point down. I said to the soldier, "That's my grandfather. He is a WWII vet. On behalf of my grandfather and myself thank you for your service and after you propose to your bride to be, thank her for us". I shook his hand and I left him and the officer. I wanted to go meet my grandfather at the elevator. I heard the soldier call me, "Ma'am!" I turned around and he came up to me and said, "Thank your grandfather for me, you know, for his service, ok?" I manage a smile and a nodd.

Instant tears!!! Do you hear me??

So, I meet my grandfather and he is just as happy as can be. He did well at the craps tables, ate at some of the finest restaurants had a couple of stories to tell.... His wheelchair escort is a man, I would guess in his 50's with brown skin- Indian descent, with an accent... I tell you this, because of the words he spoke to my grandfather. "I don't see too many folks like you anymore, you know World War Two era. You take care of yourself and it has been a privilege to serve you today. Thank you for your service to our great country." My grandfather smiled and shook the man's hand and said, "Thank you. Very kind."

Instant tears again!

It's really important that we are mindful of these men and women. They want to finish the job. Let them. Do your part to support them. And if you have not done so already, go and take an active role by signing the Pledge. On Tuesday, Hugh Hewitt wrote this:

Take the Pledge:

If the United States Senate passes a resolution, non-binding or otherwise, that criticizes the commitment of additional troops to Iraq that General Petraeus has asked for and that the president has pledged, and if the Senate does so after the testimony of General Petraeus on January 23 that such a resolution will be an encouragement to the enemy, I will not contribute to any Republican senator who voted for the resolution. Further, if any Republican senator who votes for such a resolution is a candidate for re-election in 2008, I will not contribute to the National Republican Senatorial Committee unless the Chairman of that Committee, Senator Ensign, commits in writing that none of the funds of the NRSC will go to support the re-election of any senator supporting the non-binding resolution.

Take the pledge, and tell the NRSC:

NRSC
Ronald Reagan Republican Center
425 2nd Street, NE
Washington, DC
20002
202.675.6000
webmaster@gopsenators.com

Then e-mail Senator McConnell and Senator Ensign, and tell them too. Senator McConnell's phone number is (202) 224-2541. Senator Ensign's phone number is (202) 224-6244.

GOP activists and donors built the GOP senate delegation, as well as the majority that was punted away. They can disassemble it as well, and GOP support for a neoappeasement resolution is exactly the way to start that process.

The Congressional GOP has to realize it cannot have it both ways --you can't be for victory after you were against it.

And GOP senators --alone or as a group-- definitely cannot
count on the support of the base if any of them vote for appeasement.

SIGN THE PLEDGE

Thanks go to Carol for bringing this to my attention.

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

I visited Joe, That One Guy @ Drunken Wisdom, Joe said to go visit Og @ Neanderpundit, Og requested I read this. Now before you go read this undertand there is a lot of foul language. I just love the guy's enthusiam to share a story... The website is called: Ben Thompson - My Stupid Website Beb writes a weekly biography that he calls Bad A$$ of the Week. Truly, this guy is passionate and the foul language is........foul... but it suits this guys writing style. Read about Simo Haya

Housekeeping: UPDATE-- Michael and I finally received our 70's Music Explosion CD's! I'll let you know if the wait was worth it.



Have a great week everyone!

The Clouds Hang Heavy in the Sky

Sunny - Hi 60 Lo 41 for Baghdad, Iraq
Rain - Hi 51 Lo 46 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Redwing, Hem

Ramble:

Somewhere I once read that January and February are the busiest months for funerals due to several factors such as the colder months are difficult on the elderly with influenza, upper respiratory infections and other bronchial afflictions, more accidents occur in the cold months. However, the reason that caught my eye... the person that is dying does not want to spoil the Christmas holiday for their loved ones so they literally will themselves to stay alive until after the holidays........

Last Friday, I traveled 12 hours with two of my coworkers from Northern Kentucky across six states to a small town 30 miles outside of New York City. We went, because someone we care for lost his mother after nearly a year of suffering with an inoperable cancer. To understand why me made the long trek you must first understand our affection for the son of this woman. Tony is a a colleague, a mentor, a protector, a friend. He at times is a caricature (intentionally) of what one would think of when you say American Italian New Yorker.... He is big in girth and even bigger in heart. He is generous with his heart and his time and although he doesn't discuss it, he is quietly generous with his wallet. He is active in his community which looks and feels like something straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting or Frank Capra movie. Everyone knows him. Everyone. Everyone adores him. I was told that if he ran for mayor in his hometown, he would win...."no problem." The love people have for this man speaks volumes to his character.

Tony is no saint. After all, he is the fellow that introduced me to Ketel One... smooth. He will say all the wrong things when I'm strung out due to the daily stress on the job... (for instance-- I am freaking over some deadline at work, then some ignoramus in management decides their freaking TPS report is more important than meeting a deadline on a 5 year government contract bid........) Tony in all his manly wisdom will tell me, "Relax........." OK--- now I know it's not just me... but the worst thing to tell a woman when she is frantic is "relax" or "calm down". He will yell scream and no doubt throw his arms all over when he is frustrated with me. However, if someone else upsets "his girls" he is all over them like a pit bull. No one messes with his girls... There is something to be said about loyalty... it has become a very rare thing...

Tony was raised in a loving home. His mother cooked and worried about everything and everyone. His father, who came from the old country, fought in WWII and then became a citizen. He was away from his family for four years fighting in the war before he could come home. Tony describes his father as the lover in the family- the one with the big heart and affection for everyone. He has one sister and she is identical in personality to Tony. Tony is married to a wonderful woman. Tony is approaching 60 and he has lived in the same town his whole life... He still maintains friendships with kids from his childhood...

One would think that Tony has led a charmed life and he has. However, he has had more than his fair share of tragedy. The biggest blow was when he lost his middle son to leukemia when he was only 20 years old. I had just started working with him. He has never gotten over the death of his son and I expect he never will. There are other sad, tragic tales that I could share about Tony, but I will tell you Tony gives Job a run for his money when it comes to tragedy. Despite all the awful events Tony has faced he has never given up. He has never lost hope. He has never lost his faith. He is the man that will quietly comfort someone else when they have lost a loved one. He's been there. He knows.

So, we decided to make the trip up to New York. I left my house at 5:30 in the morning and we were on our way by 6:30. I drove through Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania--- unbelievably long a$$ state, New Jersey and finally New York. It rained the whole way up and it was foggy for most of the trip... you know... from West by God Virginia to New Jersey. OK... now when someone has time, I'd very much like an explanation of the Pennsylvania Turnpike... what is that?? Good grief, I was ready to smack someone after driving that............... if you have never been... avoid it.... Anyway, we did not tell Tony we were coming up. He would have yelled and screamed at us and demanded we not go. I told a couple of my customers and got some help with finding accommodations. We pulled into the parking lot of the hotel at 6:30PM. Not bad time in crap weather with 4 potty breaks, and a late lunch at a McDonald's in Hellerton, PA.

Gino, another colleague of ours from Hartford, CT drove down to pay his respect and to also see to it that we were taken care of. We had a drink at the hotel bar and then Gino drove us to the funeral home a couple of miles away. Tony's mom was 81. Visitation had started the previous day, Thursday; we arrived on Friday evening about 8:00PM. The place was packed. In speaking to someone in line, she told me the line on Thursday went out the door and down the block. This, my friends, gives illustration to the love and respect this family has in their small community. As we stood in line to pray and pay respect, he spotted us. Big hugs for all of us, introductions, more hugs, Tony's Papa, more hugs, some ladies, more hugs, "Oh my Gawd, you drove!? You must be egsawwsted!" We were backing up the line. We went out on the porch of the funeral home to get some fresh air. It was so warm. Slowly folks started coming out on the porch asking for the whereabouts of the Angels from Cincinnati? More hugs, "I was told to not give any lip to the one called Cathy?" More hugs from strangers. We realized sitting there that we were starving. Gino wanted to take us out to dinner. One of the girls went inside to let Tony know we would see him tomorrow that we were going to grab something to eat. Tony tracked down his oldest son and instructed him to get us all over to Tony's house. There was apparently a ton of food there. When we got to Tony's home, we were greeted by more people, more hugs. They fed us... goooooooood yummy Italian food................ Ketel One on the rocks.......... perfection. Everyone was so touched by the fact that we drove up to be with Tony... They thought we were wonderful. HA! It's Tony- he's the one that is wonderful! Not us! We explained that we were his girls and we were very protective of him. That we could give him a hard time and yell and scream back at him, but anyone else, better run and hide... Tony simply makes that kind of impact on everyone. While eating, we heard tales of his childhood. We learned that this has been his modus operandi for his entire life-- Big tough guy exterior (visualize Good Fellas or the Sopranos) with a soft inside.

The funeral on Saturday morning was inspired and touched by God. I do believe that. I have never been to a Catholic funeral mass. It was beautiful. The pallbearers were Tony's childhood friends. The monsignor spoke about Tony's mother going to daily mass, how she was very particular about her routine. He spoke of her regular seat 5 pews back on the left end- that was her seat. When the monsignor looked, he stumbled over his words and commented to the congregation that her seat was empty. The church was standing room only.............but her spot was empty. Coincidence?

A woman sung Ave Maria and the clouds finally lifted and beams of sunlight came rushing through the stained glass rose window. The sun beams rested on Mrs. C's casket and sparkled in Tony's eyes as he gave the eulogy.

After the interment, everyone was invited to Tony's favorite restaurant. This scene was straight out of a gangster movie... I kid you not, one guy had on a knit jogging suit, with a sport jacket over top. We made our way to the bar where we were informed to order anything we wanted- diet coke... long drive ahead of us. Pictures of Tony and his family and his friends were all over the bar walls. We were then shuffled to a table. We met Tony's neighbors and 2 of his childhood friends. Strangers embraced us... thanked US for coming... More stories. More hugs. More laughs. More tears. More remembrances.

It's odd............ the three of us decided to go. It wasn't an option, we were compelled to go. We felt it was important to let Tony know how much we care for him. We wanted to be there for him because he is always there for us. What happened was what was most unexpected. In our attempt to reach out to Tony and his family and mourn the loss of his beloved mother, we were embraced by his wife and sons and Aunt Susie, Uncle Tony, Aunt Therese, Uncle Joe and the rest of his extended family and friends not to mention his entire town. I can not begin to put into words how wonderful it was to be part of that kind of love and support and to celebrate a life lived. We walked away with so much more. I'm richer for going. There is goodness in the world... it's in the fiber of this country... the family, the small towns, the hearts and minds of the people of this land-the Tony's in our lives...

Photo of Mt. Kisco courtesy of Jeffrey Hall

Housekeeping:

Did you notice I have been playing You Tube videos? Simple fix on IE... I downloaded the latest version of Adobe... if you can not see You Tube videos on blogs... go to You Tube and click on help... there you can get the latest version of Adobe to download... I still don't know why I can't see them using Firefox.........

I stole the Snap link pop ups from Basil's Blog. Pretty cool huh?

P.S. Now, being in New York you would think that we would have had a political conversation and my head would have exploded because of the liberal slant on everything. I'm here to report in this small town... flags were flying at half staff for President Ford... the conversations at the restaurant revolved around being taxed to death and "Gawd help us if Hillary should get elected president". By the way I was spitting distance from Chappaqua. We thought about stopping in and seeing Bill and Hill, but decided against it...

Redwing

Hey, was that you floating past the tree-line?
Hey, was that a feather in your hand?
No I don't mean to ask these questions
No I don't mean to rush your heart
I swear I saw this accidentally
No I don't mean to start

Hey, the rain falls straight into the sidewalk
Hey, the clouds hang heavy in the sky
But I don't want to still believe in
The gravity of solid ground
The world below is not so big
That it can keep us down

We are standing on the rooftops
We are circling like sparrows
We are tiny, we are trembling,
Scared of everything
But the heart is still a red wing

Fly above the houses and the schoolyards
And fly until you cannot feel the Earth
No I don't mean that it's so easy
And I don't mean that it's so small
But the world below is not so mean
That it can make us fall

We are standing on the rooftops
We are circling like sparrows
We are tiny, we are trembling,
Scared of everything
But the heart is still a red wing

Have a great week everyone!