Today, I want to share some personal thoughts with you about our military. 

    Things have changed since I was young, thank goodness. I grew up in the sixties, which was a time of tumult, rebellion, and confusion over why some people preached peace and love and then conducted violent protests. The Viet Nam War was escalating and news coverage was more “real” than during the World Wars. It didn’t seem to me that anyone really remembered much about the Korean War, but to my knowledge, those troops weren’t treated as badly as those who came home from Viet Nam. 

    In my opinion, the treatment of the Viet Nam War veterans is a shameful part of our country’s history. Now it would seem we’ve learned from the mistakes and misunderstandings of the past. Since the day the twin towers fell in New York City, a new respect for our military has arisen. Perhaps it’s because the young men and women fighting for this country are now the children and grandchildren of those who served during the Viet Nam era. Those veterans would certainly make sure their loved ones were treated with the respect they didn’t receive upon their returns.

    This all came to mind today as my grandson, Kaleb, leaves to start his Army basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. I’m terrified of course. I’d prefer to have him safe at home with his new bride, Brittany. However, I’m also bursting with pride in the fact that he wants to serve his country. He’s volunteering to take part in protecting the freedoms I enjoy. If it weren’t for young men like Kaleb, where would we be?

    One of the most special moments I had with Kaleb was May 26, 1993, the day he was born. My son was in training with the Army in Texas and couldn’t get back to Indiana in time, so my daughter-in-law, Crystal, asked if I’d like to be with her in the birthing room. Believe me when I say she didn’t have to ask me twice. Watching that little man come into the world was one of the highlights of my life and I will always be grateful to his mother for asking me to share this with her. Now my Kaleb is a man who is about to become a soldier.

    I know this isn’t a holiday when we celebrate our military, but why do we need a special day. We should be celebrating these wonderful men and women every day. If you come across a man or woman in a military uniform, just say thank you. Those two little words mean the world to them.

Until next time.

It’s March 1st and I have awakened to another rather insignificant snow. Does this count as “in like a lion”? It seems more like a kitty cat to me. You don’t think Puxatony Phil would lie to us do you? Maybe this is payback for all those times he’s been roused from his lovely groundhog dreams by a bunch of crazy humans just so they can have him predict when winter will end. Can’t they see that if it’s sunny, he’ll see his shadow, if it’s cloudy, he won’t? 

    I know I shouldn’t be wishing for more snow as many of my friends in other states have been buried in the stuff. However, since I work for a school with the promise of snow days, I just can’t help myself. Days like today would be perfect to hide away in my office and write. But alas, again it is snowing just enough to make the rush hour miserable, but not dangerous enough to close the schools. Besides, the snow crews up here are fabulous. They have the streets plowed in no time.

No fair, Mother Nature. We had no snow days last year and it appears we won’t have any again this year. Why dump everything you’ve got on Kansas City? Moreover, Texas, why Texas? I know you’re angry with the human race because we’ve been a little neglectful…okay we’ve abused this beautiful Earth, but some of us have wised up. More and more people are recycling instead of throwing everything in the garbage. We, I included of course, now make efforts not to buy anything packaged in Styrofoam (egg companies being the primary offender). However, many restaurants aren’t cooperating in the effort to provide recyclable take home cartons. I even rent a special rolling trash can-like recycle bin. So why take it out on all of us. You must admit you’ve been pretty brutal lately in some areas of the world.

Okay, okay, I get it. I need to stop complaining, because Mother Nature is going to do what she pleases and me getting a day off doesn’t work for everybody. There aren’t many companies who shut down even when there are blizzard conditions. Those individuals still have to drive in the mess. I shall stop complaining and being selfish, and think of others.

So to my readers and to Mother Nature, I say thanks for letting me rant. I hope wherever you are, you are having a safe and productive day. Besides, it is Friday. I can hide in my office and write tomorrow.

Until next time.