Rainy Halloween Day

It's a cold and rainy day for Halloween!
I don't hand out candy, with such an obesity problem in this country I do not intend on making it worse!
What I hand out are little toys, pencils, toothbrushes and such. I also am passing out a safety card created by the VFW. It is for the little folk to read and keep in their pocket, saying the important things to remember; like not talking to strangers or getting a ride from a stranger and to tell some one if an adult is touching them etc...
I hope all have a fun and safe Halloween!

Time Change

I have never enjoyed the darned time changes. In fact I recall, while overseas in the Navy, having to do 13hrs rather than 12 because I was on the Mid-Watch when the time change occurred and thus did 2 am twice!
It also messes me up being so dark in the morning and then light after the time change. Why do we humans think we can control these things! Just leave time alone!

Rainy Weekend

The weather outlook for this weekend is a cold and rainy one! Just perfect for sitting by the fire with a book!
The fall colors are here and perfect time for making soup! Since I did that last weekend, I believe another book is on my horizon!

Book Review

I recently finished reading 'A Million and One Pieces.'
James Frey brings us into his world as a ravaged drug & alcohol addict. He finds himself on a plane, his front teeth broken in, not knowing how he got there or where he is going.
I found myself addicted to his words & yet also humbled. We all have some issues than could become an addiction where we just want want want more more more as we find James dealing with when he begins his detox in a clinic.
This is a rough and tough book that gives you insight in a world normally missed by most. Here is a safe way to look into this world.

Midweek Movie Review

I had a chance to see Frailty, A Love Song for Bobby Long, Winter Solstice & The Door in The Floor.
Frailty is a 2002 film a friend recommended. Bill Paxton Directed it as well as playing a character. One of those suspense movies that keeps you on the edge of your seat and guessing to the end. Good flik!
A Love Song for Bobby Long...I enjoyed Scarlet Johanson's work in this film, but other than that it didn't catch me. Winter Solstice didn't catch me, though I enjoyed seeing two of my favorite TV actors in a film. Anthony LaPaglia and Allison Janey.
The Door in the floor is just odd! I have to say it is an odd film about odd people and you might enjoy something odd as I do once and awhile!

Today Mowing is a Must!

Not only is tomorrow day yard rubbish, but there are so many leaves fallen from my trees that I need to mow mainly to pick them up through mulching rather than as much to mow the lawn!

Four Down, Two To Go!

I am so tired of doing the Bulk Mailings for my Non-Profit Organization.
What a hassle to have go to their office to do all the printing and then stamping the envelopes with the bulk mail license and the hassle at the Post Office because they only take checks...blaa.. blaa..blaa..!
Now there are only two more to do this year and I cannot wait until they are done!

Is it Pre-Menopause or just Odd Weather?

Lately I've been sleeping with my Bedroom window open. Considering it has only gotten up to 64 during the day, I wonder why I feel so warm at night! I mean it is chilly out and I still feel warm! I suppose I may never know and soon it will be all too cold out to have the window open at all!
It's cold enough for me to close it when I wake!
Maybe it is Pre-Menopause...we'll see if I still want the window open when it's BRrrr degrees out!

My Room mate

I have the best room mate! Whenever I leave the house, I know my last piece of chicken I saved for later will still be waiting for me in the fridge. She is always there to comfort me if I am feeling bad. She has very little belongings herself so she doesn't clutter my home. She doesn't care much for TV so I can watch whatever I want when I want. She does a pretty good job of cleaning up after herself and never asks to use my shampoo.
She makes good quiet company when sitting in front of the fire reading a book.
If only she could pay her share of the rent!
See - my room mate is my cat!

What is up with The O.C.?

I'm getting tired of them opening the season with a few episodes and then going off air for a month or so! Now they've been gone and won't return until November 3rd! If the show wasn't so good I would boycott it!

Nothing like a Rainy Day & a Good Book to Read!

The sky is dark and it is raining and cold and what better weather to curl up near a fire and read a good Novel!
The Pacific Northwest is great for this in the winter time!

Politics in Organizations

Who knows why people try to retain information in a volunteer organization. Sometimes they can make critical misjudgments and it all seems that they do it for the power. Nasty politics and I don't like it! They can ruin a good thing and I am certain people have left organizations because of their nasty politics!

A NO Show!

So one of the fells working on the Vietnam Wall tour had Emailed a bunch of us to get together and go down to this TV station. The Station would let their morning talk show hosts advertise it for us and show all us VFW in the audience; as long as there are 15 or more. Well! Sad to say there were only 2 of us that showed up! Sad, but that is how volunteer organizations are!

Volunteer Positions can Suck

I was appointed as the Adjutant/secretary for this State wide organization and I have to say, no body said it would be this much of a hassle!
Trying to find a place that will let me do the printing and then using a VFW Post for that and their bulk mailing capabilities, WHEW! I am fed up and the year isn't half over! So many troubles I have to go have this mailing printed at a print place, which means ME paying for it and wondering when the hell I will be reimbursed!
I know one thing for certain! I won't do this next year!

Vietnam Wall Replica on Display in Springfield, OR

Vietnam Wall Replica on Display in Springfield,
OR Oct. 20-23 2005
Community Invited to Take Part, Pay Respects to
America’s War Veterans and Fallen Heroes

(Springfield, OR,) – A traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.,
will be open for public viewing Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 23, at Island Park, 200 west “B” street, Springfield , OR 97477 . Free and open to the public 24 hours a day, the 240-foot replica is inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 servicemen and women who died or are missing in Vietnam.

Officially named the Dignity Memorial® Vietnam Wall Experience™, the exhibit is dedicated to all Americans who served in Vietnam and honors all veterans of the U.S. military forces. The four-day exhibition is sponsored locally by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) District 13 and the City of Springfield.
An opening ceremony will be held at the Wall Thursday at 3 p.m., and the public is invited to take part. The ceremony will include, Sid Leiken, Mayor of Springfield, the Marine Corps Color Guard, Invocation by Pastor Mike Jaskilka. Singing of the National Anthem and “ much more”.

Tom Laing, added, “While the exhibit is brought to the community at no cost, there are many expenses involved with hosting an event of this magnitude. Members of the public interested in making a donation are invited to send checks, payable to Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to Citizens Bank of Springfield, 2073 Olympic St. Springfield , OR 97477. Contributions in any amount are greatly appreciated.”

VFW Recruiting in a small town!

As the Certified Nat'l Recruiter for my State, I and the Quartermaster of a local Post went to a mountain town close by and did some recruiting. Well the Mountain town had had a VFW Post and it folded years ago. This Quartermaster thought that there should be many Veterans still up there and there certainly is! We recruited four new members, spoke to a handful that were already joined in other Posts and also have leads on four more! It was sorth freezing in the cold mountain weather!

I am NOT a BABY person

I have never wanted children and haven't any close friends who have kids, less on best friend!
So, recently I told a High School student, who is our VFW Voice of Democracy entrant, that I would give her a ride to the University that is going to record her speak for the judging. She Emailed back that her mother and the baby would be coming! EeeGad! Now I have to deal with a baby! IN MY CAR!!!!
I am just glad it is the the city and back and not far!

My Daily Walks

My neighbor, or soon to be, as she is the mother of one of my neighbors who is off in another state with her husband who is there for his work.
So my friend is moving into her daughter's house since she is there all the time taking care of it for her. Anyway, so I asked her if she would like to go on daily walks with me and she was delighted!
So am I! We have just changed our walking time due to construction of laying new underground fiber in our neighborhoods.
So we go just before sunset and I have now found that I am looking forward to this time!
I believe I am getting more from the walks that just good physical fitness! We have wonderful talks and each day find ways to 'save the world!'
I am looking forward to our walk and wondering what we may discuss today!

My iPod

It has been several months now, that I have had my iPod and I am just loving life with it!
I sometimes wonder what life would be without it!
It has a setting of sleep timers and I find myself falling asleep to my music. After my clothes, it is the next thing I put on!
I have gotten music from my brother and the library and now I think I have it well proportioned with the 60's, 70's, 80's and new music I enjoy. There is a tiny bit of room left for new albums and at some point I may choose to delete some songs for import of new ones.
I am now in my study and am listening to my iPod and will be reading with it along as well!
I hope you all find something like this that you can embrace and brings joy to your daily life!

Birthday Blast!

Thank You one and all for your splendid cards and Emails!
I am 45 & Alive!
Had a super fun day enjoying the things I love to do like reading and going for a neighborhood walk with a friend.
One of my dear friends who is still in the Navy called and sang Happy Birthday to me! How Funny! All topped off with great Chinese food!
That is when I realized that it is cool my gifts haven't arrived! Hell! The New England Custom Wood Cane I ordered for myself for my B-day hasn't arrived! It just lengthens the time I can celebrate!!
It's good to grow old!

Birthday Blues

Tomorrow is my Birthday and as yet I have only received one card from a friend. With today being the standard Columbus Day holiday there is no mail. Now some would consider telling me - Hey some folks didn't realize Colubus Day was next to your Birthday and soon you'll probably get their cards late! But, Hell! I gonna be 45 and that means for 45 damn years my Birthday was right before or after Columbus Day!
Well! I plan a nice little party all by myself! Go to a chinese restaurant and then watch one of my all time favorite movies!

Weekend Movie Review

Last night I saw Stepford Wives and Million Dollar Baby.
Stepford wives had some nice new twists from the original movie, though it got too sappy near the end. I believe this was a film the actors said yes to because they had a large mortgage to pay.
Million Dollar Baby was good, though I didn't realize it was a sad flik. Funny how secret they kept the ending.
Hillary earned her Oscar and so did Clint, finally!

I'm Walking Daily Again!

I realized a neighbor was doing what she could to diet and exercise too and decided to Email her to see if she'd like to go on daily walks with me.
She said yes! So we started today and with us talking we went farther than I had alone and the time just slid by us!
Now I am looking forward to it again!

Blog Game Tag

1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five other people to do the same.

My 5th Sentence from my 23rd Post is this:
After a few teases...we find that all receive a new car!
It was just after Oprah had given cars to all the folks needing them that she had brought in to be her audience that day, the first show of the season.
I Tag Cinders & Nick - the only other Bloggers I know ATT!

Screening Phone Calls

I admit it! I screen my calls!
I have Voice Caller ID & so I never have to answer to those pains in the A** Tele-Marketers.
Today I am reading an interesting Pysch Book and chose not to be bothered, so even VFW calls will go to the answering machine!
Sometimes you just have to take a Time-Out from the world!

Midweek Movie Review

Last night I saw: King Arthur, Catwoman, Meet The Fockers & The Grudge.
King Arthur uses the more true folklore of these individuals living in the Dark Ages & being forced to fight for Rome. Good movie with some great battle scenes and Clive Owen is always good on the eyes, but if you haven't studied the Dark ages, Saxons & Pagans & such you will find it hard to follow & understand what is going on & why.
Catwoman was nifty, but lacked the luster of a good comic book gone to the silver screen. I believe most would want to see more of the fight between Halle Berry & Sharon Stone.
Meet The Fockers wasn't as funny as the first movie, considering the star line-up. I think the writers bogged the storyline down & caused it to be too busy rather than letting the humor flow.
The Grudge - I'm not a scary movie goer, but fancied the idea of a house holding the hate from murder. The is a Japanese flik filmed in Tokyo, but the main characters are displaced Americans. I liked the groan of the ghost, but it wasn't freaky scary.

Lazy Recycling workers

My local recycling company must have a new lazy employee! For the last two weeks my containers were left with recyclables still in them!
What is it about people these days wanting more pay yet won't do the work for what they are already earning!

I really do not consider myself a snob..

I've got these neighbors that must have about three adults and over five kids in this one small 3 bedroom house. They have had an old TV set sitting in their yard since the beginning of summer and now have one of the seven vehicles, most of which, like this one, have expired tags. Well this car is parked right in their yard with white paint on the windows saying $700 O.B.O. The trouble is...we live on a DEAD END street! Like no one is going to see this junk car for sale but us neighbors and those visiting us!
Am I a snob or is this white trash?

Soup Season!

One of the neat things about Autumn is making soup, because it warms up the house and also fills the house with lovely smells of fresh veggies and herbs and spices!
I enjoy making soup and I also enjoy bringing some of it to share with friends. It's one of my ways of bringing in the cold seasons and the start of sharing with friends and neighbors of the bounty we have.

Rainy Season has begun

It's nice and cool and Rainy!
I love this time of year! Listening to the rain outside and reading a good book in the warmth of a fire.

Eldest

I just finished 'Eldest' by young author Christopher Paolini.
This is the second book of the Enheritance Trilogy, with the first book titled 'Eregon' & the last book yet to be published.
I love the idea of Dragon Riders and the battles with magic users. Christophers uses Dwarves, Elves and men in his books and keeps with J.R.R. Tolkiens themes, such as dwarves use axes and braid their beards, elves live long lives etc...
The difference is his addition to the Dragons and how they are intelligent and have a special relationship with the one individual each dragon choses as the Dragon Rider.
Great stuff of legends!