Goodbye 2012

 Every New Year's I post the notable deaths of the year. Usually I'd post pictures with them, but unfortunately I've discovered that I can't really do that ... copyright and such. So here's the list ... of course it doesn't include everyone and there may be some you don't recognize but you can view the full list here.

In alphabetical order:

Richard Arlen                                                                         Whitney Houston

Neil Armstrong                                                                       John Ingle

Maeve Binchy                                                                         Senator Daniel Inouye

Ernest Borgnine                                                                      Davy Jones

Robert Bork                                                                            Kathryn Joosten

Ray Bradbury                                                                         Rodney King

Helen Gurley Brown                                                                Thomas Kinkade

Dave Brubeck                                                                         Jack Klugman

Frank Cady                                                                             Jon Lord

Hector “Macho” Camacho                                                      Tony Martin

Dick Clark                                                                              George McGovern

Gary Collins                                                                            Dorothy McGuire

Don Cornelius                                                                         Rev. Sun Myrung Moon

Stephen R. Covey                                                                   LeRoy Neiman

Judith Crist                                                                              Jerry Nelson

Hal David                                                                               Ron Palillo

Richard Dawson                                                                     Deborah Raffin

Phyllis Diller                                                                            Sally Ride

Michael Clarke Duncan                                                          Ann Rutherford

Charles Durning                                                                      Steve Sabol

Chad Everett                                                                          Vidal Sassoon

Al Freeman Jr.                                                                        Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf

Robin Gibb                                                                             Tony Scott

Art Ginsburg                                                                           Earl Scruggs

Don Grady                                                                             Maurice Sendak

Andy Griffith                                                                           Arlen Specter

Larry Hagman                                                                         Donna Summer

Marvin Hamlisch                                                                     Gore Vidal

Levon Helm                                                                            Bob Welch

Sherman Hemsley                                                                   Kitty Wells

Celeste Holm                                                                          Andy Williams

I Have a Dream

Yes, he had a dream ... and this one man acted upon his dream. He spoke everywhere and soon the one became many. He had a dream .... he didn't just sit around for others to do it for him. He advocated non-violence, lived by that creed ... and died a violent death. He had a dream ... his death spurred others to act and his dream came true.

He had a dream ....

Happy Fourth of July

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

I’ve always loved the 4th of July. Maybe it’s because my father, the veteran that he was, taught me to appreciate it. Or it could have been that my Uncle Bill was always Uncle Sam in their neighborhood parade (years ago). On my mother’s maternal side, all of her ancestors were here before the American Revolution, and some fought in it. One of my ancestors lost two brothers in the Battle of Brandywine. I think maybe that’s it, more than anything …. the fact that my ancestors fought for our independence as a country that makes me love this day differently than any other holiday. My flag isn’t up. I still haven’t figured out if they are allowed because I don’t see anything hung out on patios. That bothers me – my second 4th of July without a flag blowing in the breeze, not that there’s any breeze today, but that’s another story.

My family has celebrated in different ways over the years: picnics, barbecues, potluck dinners, parades, firework displays. I work tomorrow – so I’ll get home after 7:00, settle down and watch the celebrations on the TV. Not the same as years past, but the reality of today.





In the midst of your day tomorrow, don’t forget to stop and think about the lives that were lost to give us this freedom, to protect our freedom.

And also, take a moment to pray for those who are fighting for freedom in their own lands.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness

The Monday That Should Have Been

If the computer hadn't messed up, this would have been my Memorial Day blog.






I used to think that Memorial Day was for those that died at war, but since I began losing the veterans in my family I've started including them - they served, they came home, they lived their lives and are no longer with us.

My family veterans that have left us:

The Civil War

John William Smutz (the only one that did not come home. Battle of the Wilderness, KIA, May 5-6, 1864)

WWI

John E. O'Connell
Glenn A. Trotter
Frank O'Connell

WWII

(This also includes Glenn Trotter, who served in both "big wars")
Harry E. Mardis
H. James Mardis
Richard Mardis
Mario Carli
Walt Watson
Golda O'Connell Trotter
Thomas O'Connell
Dorothy Rhodes O'Connell
William H. Proudfit


And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Okay, the St. Patrick's Day Blog that wasn't

You know, a day late and a dollar short - in my case, more than a dollar. LOL

First, the funny stuff - my cats photoshopped as leprechauns!!!!

Aidan:



Bubba:



And Bailey:




I hope you all had a great St. Patrick's Day -

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.


May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Go n-eírí an bóthar leat.
(May the road rise with you.)

Free Books!!!

Okay, Happy Groundhog Day and all of that – got it out of the way. As of this writing, I have no idea what the little bundle of fur saw when climbing out of its burrow, but for me – except for a couple of days here and there, we haven’t had winter. Some of you are probably thinking “I’d love that!!” But there are some problems. You see, not enough freezes to destroy those nasty little summer parasites like fleas; trees and flowers are confused – facing a possible nip in their proverbial buds ‘cuz it’s been known to drop a freeze or two in February; a speaking of the plant life – can we say early pollen? Yeah, think about it – cedar is filling the air and making everyone miserable. And did I mention that I hate heat? Not a good sign for the coming summer months. I’m just saying … you know?


Now down to business. My wonderful sexy friend Amie Stuart is having a contest – it’s called “14 Days of Love” and she’ll be giving away books that entire two week period. You got that right … free books!!! By 14 authors (or a little more – so keep checking in) no less, so get your little behinds over there, leave a comment and win a book. Don’t forget, it’s a 14 day contest, so you need to go every day! Yeah, I’m talking to you – every day!!! You've already missed one day 'cuz it started on Sunday, but there are still 13 more to go!

Amie Stuart



To see a list of authors

A list of rules



Um, and did I mention that there is an on-line bookstore gift certificate involved too? Thought that would get your attention.

Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President [Woodrow] Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those
who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

From United States Department of Veteran's Affairs website

So this Veteran's Day, I am going to list those in my family who have served in our Nation's wars since WWI.

WWI

John E. O'Connell (maternal grandfather)
Frank O'Connell
Glenn Trotter

WWII

Harry E. Mardis (father)
Kenneth Mardis
Richard Mardis
James H. Mardis
Walter Watson
Mario Carli
Charles Allen
Glenn Trotter
Golda Trotter O'Connell
Thomas E. O'Connell
Dorothy Rhodes O'Connell
William H. Proudfit

Korea

Paul E. Erickson
Bruce Beals

Vietnam

Kenneth Alan Mardis
Terry Mardis
Rick Mardis
Larry Allen

Operation Iraqi Freedom (Gulf War II)

Michael Fredericks
Kelly O'Connell
Vince Simmons

Thank you

It's a Labor Day

Labor Day - a holiday created so that some people can labor so that other people who are not laboring can go to stores and make them labor. Right?

Labor Day used to mean a lot to me. I used to watch the Jerry Lewis Telethon way into the night and then the next morning when I woke up. I couldn't miss a minute of it. Big stars performed - I mean big names. Now? They don't even show the whole thing anymore. And stars? I caught it a couple of years ago and it was ... a telethon. No real spectacle any more. They're still raising the money, bless their hearts, but the sparkle is gone. We also used to have family gatherings on Labor Day. Up to 30 people would fill our house, food, laughter, games. On Labor Day evening I will go over to Bebo's for supper. That will be my Labor Day. It's only on holidays, no matter what holiday, that I really understand the fracturing of my family.

Speaking of my family ... my brother David informed me tonight that he will probably be going on oxygen full time now. He really only has one functioning lung because of his strokes. He has pollution caused emphysema. He also has another blocked artory in his neck that will have to be operated on. And speaking of David, read below.

I have a special concern about Gustav and his path. You see my nephew, David's step-son David (don't be confused LOL) lives on a boat in the Galveston Harbor. As the winds approach Texas I can't help but think about him. And worry. His car is broken and he can't leave. 32 years ago when my brother married David's mother, this little 5 year old boy looked up at me and said "When I grow up, I'm going to marry you." He was my first nephew, my first little love. Hey Dave? As you can see, you old Aunt is still waiting. LOL Be safe honey, be safe.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day everyone!

Memorial Day

imikimi - Customize Your World

Boomer News

It’s a sad week for us American Baby Boomers. One of our commercial icons passed away. Dick Wilson died at the age of 91. Who’s Dick Wilson you say? For close to twenty years he portrayed George Whipple in the old Charmin commercials and uttered one of the best loved lines for a generation. “Ladies, please don’t squeeze the Charmin” became a part of Americana and was used in idle conversation and satirical comedy sketches. Goodbye Mr. Whipple, goodbye.

I was also hit smack in the face with my own mortality. I received an email informing me that a high school classmate had passed away. Even though this isn’t the first one, it still makes me stop in my tracks and think – we’re all getting older.

Also, since I’m not blogging on Thursday, I want to wish all who celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving. As we gather with friends and family, its important to give thanks for what we have and I give thanks for my blog friends who have stuck by me through thick and thin. Thank you.

Everyone, have a great Thanksgiving.

And Happy Birthday Bebo!

Some Days Make no Sense

Ackkkk, here’s the blog post where I have to talk about myself. I hate Mondays because of this. I can never think of anything to say. Wait, I’ve lost 22 lbs. so far – that’s good, right? Bebo and I watched “Vacancy” Sunday. Scary stuff with plenty of jumps and chilly moments. We will never, ever stay at one of those isolated roadside motels again. Not that we’re planning on taking any trips off interstate and into the backwoods. But just in case …

Today, in the U.S., is Labor Day. I think it’s a day to celebrate the working class by giving them a day off. But now it’s evolved into a day of shopping, barbeques, and lake-side shenanigans. Shopping of course means that somebody has to labor, so it’s not Labor Day for everyone. Got it? We used to have a big family get together on Labor Day, but since Mom’s death, well actually since Dad’s death, we haven’t had a lot of get-togethers. Bebo will be spending the day with her parents and I’ll be sitting around twiddling my thumbs. Or sleeping. My guess is sleeping. I hope those of you who celebrate this day have a good one – well, hell, everyone have a good one whether you celebrate Labor Day or not.

See why I hate Mondays?

Psssst

Miss me?

I'm not back 100 percent. At first I thought it was the modem, but then Monday I got the bright idea to plug the cable into the modem directly instead of through the router. It worked. So it's the router, not the modem. I'll deal with that after conference next week. Meanwhile, I'm stuck on the PC which, if you are familiar with my PC woes, is not a good thing. No IMing, blogging, etc. I also am still experiencing modem problems between 8:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. - this has happened before and does eventually work itself out. So I'm stuck with this slow PC (not a lot of memory) until I buy the new router.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July. While you're grilling and watching fireworks, don't forget to take a moment and think about the sacrifices that were made so you can enjoy the Freedoms that you do.

Memorial Day

Bebo and I went to the Memorial Cemetery on Sunday to visit mom and dad’s grave. The flags were out, fluttering in the breeze from the rain that sprinkled the area. There’s something about being at a cemetery in the rain, umbrellas opened against the weeping sky. Yes, it’s as if the sky were crying too. This cemetery affects me more than any other, brings a lump to my throat as I read the names of the men and women buried there. WWII, Korea, Vietnam – the list continues up to our present war. Even though a majority of these people did not die in war, they gave their all for our security, the freedoms that we take for granted every day. Monday, in the United States, is Memorial Day. A day set aside to honor those who gave their lives in time of war. Take a moment to think about those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Daddy and Uncle Bill - I miss you.

Happy Easter

He

is

risen

Happy St. Patrick's Day

God made the grass, the air and the rain;
And the grass, the air and the rain made
the Irish; and the Irish turned the grass,
the air and the rain back into God.

Sean O’Faolain

Entertain Me

I’m a little better. I managed to get the flowmeter up to 150 on Saturday, previously it was only going to about 100. For those of you unfamiliar with asthma, a flowmeter measures the amount of air that you’re moving – it should be in the 200s. My energy level is a little better too. Not great, but better. I haven’t been reading because I’ve not been able to keep my eyes open long enough. I’m hoping to spend Sunday reading.

I’m taking one of Michele’s suggestions on yesterday’s post – I’m going to let you entertain me. I have several movies that, while not necessarily my favorites, are movies that I can play over and over again – like background noise. I know when to stop what I’m doing to catch a favorite scene, for example. Here is my list of 5 movies that I can do this with, in no certain order:

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Volcano
The Mummy
While You Were Sleeping
Independence Day

So, what about you? Give me your list.