Bittersweet...
I've been blessed with four Dads in my 54 years, and three Demi-Dads as well. Two dads were my mom's partners - Richard, my father, and Cliff, my step-father; the other two, Fred, and Al Sr., the fathers of the two leading ladies in my life. My Demi-Dads? Uncle Don, Uncle Howard, and Uncle Jerry, men who've greatly influenced me during and since childhood.
Each has played a part in helping me shape some portion of myself directly, or a portion of my life, or simply how I see things in life.
Rather than try and describe all of that, I'll just say: Thanks to you all. You that remain in my life, I don't see or speak to you as often as I'd like - something this wanderer is attempting to improve upon - but I'll hear your voices today. I'm grateful to the Old Ones that I still can.
Oh, how I miss the rest... and I'm grateful for that, too. Today I can drink the cup to its dregs, with no complaint, yet still. Still. A hug, a spoken word, some good-natured teasing about my hair(Uncle Don - always!), or how I spent my birthday money getting something inked on - Dad would always say, upon seeing a new tattoo, "Man, I'm gonna stop giving you money for your birthday! Always gettin' tattooed!" Which lasted right up until I got him a tattoo for his birthday... Gods, the phone call I got from Mom when, a month or two later, she caught sight of it. (How the heck did he hide it so long??) Even the sometimes testy political discussions with Cliff.
Stuff like that. Things that make me smile, even as tears come to my eyes.
Bittersweet.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Bunker Hill Day
Back in 1775 a grip of colonials fought a battle with the British during the siege of Boston. Seems they got wind of the Redcoats planning on setting up shop on some of the low hills around the town - Bunker Hill being one - and decided that denying said hill to the forces of King George might be a good thing. And so they did - for a time, at least; in the end, after the third round, the colonials retreated, but not before putting some hurt to the enemy while keeping their own casualties low.
About 156 years later, the lady in the apron gave birth to a boy child. An ornery sort of fella by some accounts(his Aunt Blanche) who was raised by his mom after she divorced his dad - in 1932! - somewhere in Wisconsin. She met a gent by the name of Lionel G. Reed, who became the little boy's stepdad and moved them out to the west coast. Richard - also known as 'Dick', 'cause you could be called that(and by golly, one of my best friends responds to 'Dickie') - proceeded to grow up some, become an Eagle Scout, fell in love, get in some trouble that landed him in the Army(they made an Airborne Ranger out of 'im), who took him to Korea for a bit, after which he came back, claimed his lady love, and moved on through his life in so many ways it would take too long to describe, especially since I've gone down that path already.
One of those ways turned out to be me.
While childhood with him was chaotic - wherever we lived, it was Dysfunction Junction - the moments of goodness and goofiness were there, too.
Eventually he came to terms with his addiction - somewhat thereafter I with mine - and we proceeded to share the last 9 1/2 years of his life enjoying each others company. I even got to learn a few more things from him along the way, made easier since I was now in my mid-thirties and more receptive.
He knew, as did I, that he was on borrowed time. He lived it with honor and did the best he could -Thanks Bill W and Dr. Bob! - and passed a few months before his 69th. Too soon, too sudden - at least for us left behind; but he was with my mom, travellin' and havin himself a time, and that was the happiest I'd seen him - he was with the Love of his life, after all.
His old pals and I h
ave waxed nostalgic over the years since, about his honor and integrity, sure - but mostly about his sense of humor. Gods, he was crazy. Usually the only hint would be a twinkle in his eye and a slightly crooked grin - no other hint of the treasure trove of awful puns and plays-on-words that he could bring to bear on an unsuspecting victim. More simply, he was just plain fun, and a professional wiseacre.
He'd regularly remind me of what today is - usually ahead of time, and only the Bunker Hill part(as if, after many years of it, I'd actually need reminding) - but that twinkle was there...
Happy Birthday, Pa.
About 156 years later, the lady in the apron gave birth to a boy child. An ornery sort of fella by some accounts(his Aunt Blanche) who was raised by his mom after she divorced his dad - in 1932! - somewhere in Wisconsin. She met a gent by the name of Lionel G. Reed, who became the little boy's stepdad and moved them out to the west coast. Richard - also known as 'Dick', 'cause you could be called that(and by golly, one of my best friends responds to 'Dickie') - proceeded to grow up some, become an Eagle Scout, fell in love, get in some trouble that landed him in the Army(they made an Airborne Ranger out of 'im), who took him to Korea for a bit, after which he came back, claimed his lady love, and moved on through his life in so many ways it would take too long to describe, especially since I've gone down that path already.One of those ways turned out to be me.
While childhood with him was chaotic - wherever we lived, it was Dysfunction Junction - the moments of goodness and goofiness were there, too.
Eventually he came to terms with his addiction - somewhat thereafter I with mine - and we proceeded to share the last 9 1/2 years of his life enjoying each others company. I even got to learn a few more things from him along the way, made easier since I was now in my mid-thirties and more receptive.He knew, as did I, that he was on borrowed time. He lived it with honor and did the best he could -Thanks Bill W and Dr. Bob! - and passed a few months before his 69th. Too soon, too sudden - at least for us left behind; but he was with my mom, travellin' and havin himself a time, and that was the happiest I'd seen him - he was with the Love of his life, after all.
His old pals and I h
ave waxed nostalgic over the years since, about his honor and integrity, sure - but mostly about his sense of humor. Gods, he was crazy. Usually the only hint would be a twinkle in his eye and a slightly crooked grin - no other hint of the treasure trove of awful puns and plays-on-words that he could bring to bear on an unsuspecting victim. More simply, he was just plain fun, and a professional wiseacre.He'd regularly remind me of what today is - usually ahead of time, and only the Bunker Hill part(as if, after many years of it, I'd actually need reminding) - but that twinkle was there...
Happy Birthday, Pa.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Hey Mr. B - "Are Ya Ready For What's Next?"
Time to digress from spiritual/political musings(rantings? heh.).
The last couple of years one of my best friends - Mr. B - and I have been jumpin' on the highways and byways out West so we can touch base with the brothers we have that are scattered around various states, and this year is no exception. A little change in direction this time, though: we'll head more east than north on the first leg of the trip.
About 1200 miles east. We're not gonna try to Ironbutt it exactly, but the plan is to arrive somewhere southeast of Topeka by the evening of Sunday July 3rd - after leaving our toasty desert home sometime in the wee hours of July 2nd. The idea being, spend the 4th with another of my best friends and a grip of his bros for a festive 4th. I haven't seen him for a few years, and I'm wondering if I'll recognize him with short hair(snort) - of course he could say the same of me, with my considerably grayer, longer hair. My finely chiseled features have, of course, uh- never mind.
After spending a couple of days there, we'll turn our wheels west. Roll into Colorado for a night, turn north again at the Rockies the next day and into Wyoming, ultimately to wind up in Yellowstone after visiting my ridin' Bro's family. We'll scare the tourists for a day or two and then roll west again into Idaho, play around in the vicinity of the Sawtooth Range - where you can see things like this:
...the things being the mountains, not the Things in jackets - but they're pretty cool Things too, if I may say so.
I promised a longer visit this year, so we'll be in ID for several days. I really enjoy the open country up that way. I'm looking forward to some long conversations with my pals, too.
We'll turn south after that, go down into Utah and hang with another of our bros for a few days. Goes without saying(almost, anyway) that we won't be spending too much time sitting still - too many miles of side roads to unwind while we're visiting - which is what our bros expect of us, since they always have rides to take us on, places to show us. Eventually we'll wander back to the blast-furnace of home, to return to our girls and our bros, to regale them with tales and pics from the Road.
We wouldn't have it any other way. (Well - unless we could get paid the same for ridin' all over hell's half-acre as we do for workin' the regular job...)
The last couple of years one of my best friends - Mr. B - and I have been jumpin' on the highways and byways out West so we can touch base with the brothers we have that are scattered around various states, and this year is no exception. A little change in direction this time, though: we'll head more east than north on the first leg of the trip.
About 1200 miles east. We're not gonna try to Ironbutt it exactly, but the plan is to arrive somewhere southeast of Topeka by the evening of Sunday July 3rd - after leaving our toasty desert home sometime in the wee hours of July 2nd. The idea being, spend the 4th with another of my best friends and a grip of his bros for a festive 4th. I haven't seen him for a few years, and I'm wondering if I'll recognize him with short hair(snort) - of course he could say the same of me, with my considerably grayer, longer hair. My finely chiseled features have, of course, uh- never mind.
After spending a couple of days there, we'll turn our wheels west. Roll into Colorado for a night, turn north again at the Rockies the next day and into Wyoming, ultimately to wind up in Yellowstone after visiting my ridin' Bro's family. We'll scare the tourists for a day or two and then roll west again into Idaho, play around in the vicinity of the Sawtooth Range - where you can see things like this:
...the things being the mountains, not the Things in jackets - but they're pretty cool Things too, if I may say so.
I promised a longer visit this year, so we'll be in ID for several days. I really enjoy the open country up that way. I'm looking forward to some long conversations with my pals, too.
We'll turn south after that, go down into Utah and hang with another of our bros for a few days. Goes without saying(almost, anyway) that we won't be spending too much time sitting still - too many miles of side roads to unwind while we're visiting - which is what our bros expect of us, since they always have rides to take us on, places to show us. Eventually we'll wander back to the blast-furnace of home, to return to our girls and our bros, to regale them with tales and pics from the Road.
We wouldn't have it any other way. (Well - unless we could get paid the same for ridin' all over hell's half-acre as we do for workin' the regular job...)
Far Between And Few - And A Re-Visitation
In time I return here, look over old posts and attempt to spew forth new. Not as often as I'd like, but I'll be damned if I'll just post a bunch of fluff, signifying nothing...
I was surfing a few days ago and landed at one of my faves, American Digest. Scrolling down I noted a post wherein Vanderlun dropped a tidbit about the section of enviro-nutz labeled as Gaians, and how, according to another writer, these folks have infiltrated high levels of government. Leaving that aside, it was some of the comments that disturbed me. I ended up commenting on the post and suggesting that, for some of the folks in the conservative movement,a little enlightenment was in order, and referenced a previous post here.
I have no issue with folks having their opinions. What I have an issue with is opinionated folks lumping pagans of all stripes into one bag, implying that if we're not christians, we're all enemies of the Republic as it was established by the Founders.
There was even one comment suggesting we should be sacrificed to Gaia.
Excuse me?
Where in the Constitution is a Qualifying Religion Requirement for being a citizen, much less a Patriot? I must have overlooked it!
This junk is spewed forth by the very folks who make such a stink about the intolerance of the lefties. Not only that - I'm gonna whip out a little somethin' from the, uh, so-called right side of the fence - yuck - seems to me that there's an organization out there which stands close to the funerals of our soldiers with nasty signs about how "God Hates.." Get the picture? Should I be like the commenters, lump all you followers of the Teacher from Nazareth with the Phelpsians?
The reality is, unlike you, I won't. I know too many folks, some in my own family, who aren't like that, and don't deserve to be tarred with the same brush.
To the rest of you I say, do a little homework. Read a post or two by people who are of a similar mindset to me. We're around, you see. Some of us hesitate to put our spirituality out for others to see, for the very reasons I've attempted to define.
I know that, for my part, there is no small fear that the majority of our fellow citizens will content themselves to sit on their hands while fools and the politicians who use them spew Marx/Alinsky garbage as they attempt to crush this country into their very own swamp of socialistic excrement. Can we pull it back from the brink? I can guarantee you this: if the mindset of "You-can't-be-a-conservative-if-you-ain't-got-Jesus" persists, people like that punk-ass Ayers and his pals will be laughing at us while we collapse and fail due to our own infighting.
Gods help us...
I was surfing a few days ago and landed at one of my faves, American Digest. Scrolling down I noted a post wherein Vanderlun dropped a tidbit about the section of enviro-nutz labeled as Gaians, and how, according to another writer, these folks have infiltrated high levels of government. Leaving that aside, it was some of the comments that disturbed me. I ended up commenting on the post and suggesting that, for some of the folks in the conservative movement,a little enlightenment was in order, and referenced a previous post here.
I have no issue with folks having their opinions. What I have an issue with is opinionated folks lumping pagans of all stripes into one bag, implying that if we're not christians, we're all enemies of the Republic as it was established by the Founders.
There was even one comment suggesting we should be sacrificed to Gaia.
Excuse me?
Where in the Constitution is a Qualifying Religion Requirement for being a citizen, much less a Patriot? I must have overlooked it!
This junk is spewed forth by the very folks who make such a stink about the intolerance of the lefties. Not only that - I'm gonna whip out a little somethin' from the, uh, so-called right side of the fence - yuck - seems to me that there's an organization out there which stands close to the funerals of our soldiers with nasty signs about how "God Hates.." Get the picture? Should I be like the commenters, lump all you followers of the Teacher from Nazareth with the Phelpsians?
The reality is, unlike you, I won't. I know too many folks, some in my own family, who aren't like that, and don't deserve to be tarred with the same brush.
To the rest of you I say, do a little homework. Read a post or two by people who are of a similar mindset to me. We're around, you see. Some of us hesitate to put our spirituality out for others to see, for the very reasons I've attempted to define.
I know that, for my part, there is no small fear that the majority of our fellow citizens will content themselves to sit on their hands while fools and the politicians who use them spew Marx/Alinsky garbage as they attempt to crush this country into their very own swamp of socialistic excrement. Can we pull it back from the brink? I can guarantee you this: if the mindset of "You-can't-be-a-conservative-if-you-ain't-got-Jesus" persists, people like that punk-ass Ayers and his pals will be laughing at us while we collapse and fail due to our own infighting.
Gods help us...
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