It’s getting that season. Can’t you just hear the crackling of the fire? the smell of hickory smoke? the smell of burgers?
The buzz of mosquitoes? The smell the citronella? The popping open of another beer?
Another glorious end of day with friends?
First published October 5, 2008
Elizabeth’s sister
isn’t the same anymore.
Her husband went to war.
He came back whole
but aching inside.
He sits in shadow
and cries.
“There’s no one left.” says he.
“I’m still here.” says she.
“I can hear their pain.”
“Your son wants to play.”
“This isn’t what he should see.”
“We want you at home. Please,
don’t leave us alone.”
“I’ll be back when I can.”
The door closed.
Elizabeth’s sister
isn’t the same anymore.
She sits in shadow.
And cries.
First published June 2, 2008
a memory never was
but wished for.
dreams will never see
light of day.
tomorrow will be emptier
without one.
eventually,
everything goes away.
April 30, 1975. Saigon. We’ve been refining the technique ever since with Afghanistan the current culmination of our efforts.
Did they die in vain? Seems so. There’s still a burn deep inside; the fire subsided long ago but every once in a while, an ember starts to glow.
I’ll not go further other than it’s easier to win wars if the politicians that put us into such actually wanted to win.
So, here’s to Paul and Randy and Bill and Jim and all the others I knew and didn’t know.
To those that didn’t come back, to those that did, and especially to those that did but didn’t.
No, I’m not a vet. I got picked in the lottery towards the end, got my physical, was 1A, then got my notice – but Nixon got caught doing something and they changed the call-up. My orders were rescinded. I had a low number but it turned out high enough. Doesn’t mean I didn’t know others my age or so that weren’t so lucky – if that’s what it is.
On the other hand, while the combat troops were at the pointy end of the stick, I spent many years helping put the stick together.
but they can’t all be gems.
Update: I should clarify. I refer to the previous post. It appears it upset some and that was not my intent.
A fiery sunset – taken from my front porch.
Let’s imagine Elon Musk took you under his wing – well, not Elon Musk, he’s become a political figure – but say the richest man in the world.
You are invited into his compound, you live the life of a billionaire, you are free to do or not do anything you desire.
Should you wish to do something, your facilities operate under “if you need it, get it” with a budget of “you can’t spend enough to make a noticeable dent“.
You are left alone; your benefactor does not “bug” you, you are free to associate – or not – with others in the same situation.
Perhaps we might call this “Heaven” but the religious connotations (nor politics) are not intended in this thought exercise.
What would you do or not do?
A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selection: Bob Seger “Noah” 1969 from “The Bob Seger System”
A not-favorite song of a not-favorite album of the same name. Seger almost quit the business after the release of this, his second LP.
“Death Row” and “Lennie Johnson” were also on this album.
Showed up one day on our porch. Drank water like it was going out of style and didn’t show fear (or aggression). He “leaked”.
This was one of his good days.
Hung around for a while then … gone. (good!)
Generally, I don’t care for ‘coons but I gave this one food and water. And didn’t get close.
Couldn’t bring myself to call the “cops” on him; couldn’t bring myself to do him in. At least, not this one.
Mean, nasty, often rabid critters. Don’t understand others wanting one for a pet. They will turn on you.
And you don’t want rabies shots. (but yes you do if you get bitten)
Westbound at Jessup, Nevada – July 9, 2024
You might want to turn the volume up … but you might want to turn it down first.
Plenty more where this comes from … one of my hobbies is building model RR dioramas.