The "New" Backstreet Boys Remind Me of These Guys I Love!

LOVED THIS MUSIC IN HIGH SCHOOL!

 You have to notice how one of these guys looks just like one of the Backstreet Boys today, same dark hair, same dark beard, etc... just saying, 
someone appears to be channeling....

Who doesn't know Walk Like a Man?

Or Big Girls Don't Cry, Love It!!!

Come on Staaayyy Just a Little Bit Longer...

How the Stranger is Doing

She is growing like a weed!

She loves toys!

She is playing with an orchid bloom she got out of the trash in the bathroom.

Great Quote

"Quality is not an act, it is a habit."   Aristotle

 

This Is Funny, but This Guy Has Too Much Time on His Hands...

I Love Sundays in Bellville

I love Sunday morning in Bellville, Texas.  Living in a small place where there is still a town square really is fun.  There are little shops all around the square and a cafe.  Of course, Big Hats, and Little Whispers is one of the neatest place in town to eat.  You never know if the building is going to fall completely over or not.

There are many businesses on the square as well as the quaint little shops.

The dry cleaners and the Chamber of Commerce are on the square as well as the Edward Jones office.

 The sidewalks always have flower containers during the spring, summer, and fall, and there are beds of flowers all through the town.

 Jewelry shops, craft stores, and a beautiful high end art gallery, just down from Big Hats and Little Whispers.

 The old town was established by Czechoslovakian and German settlers. and many of the restored homes reflect the architecture from the "old country."

 

 Mimi Bella's is full of treasures you will love browsing through.














Old farm houses dot the country roads surrounding our little town, and there are rich agriculture roots in the community.

Soldiers Can Be So Eloquent.

So many politicians constantly use the military to gain new votes from particular voting blocks, and I fully expect those kinds of behaviors.  Usually the group that is wooed has a vested interest in the "change" that is happening.  It doesn't work quite the same way with the military.  Many times some new policy  imposed upon the military, is really little more than a political move to gain favor from the various voting blocks, so that people who would approve the "change," are not really affected by the decision in any way.  I remember when some budget crisis or the other caused the pay of the military to be late.  That, I think was the motivation for the recent cut and run decision to allow women in combat positions in the military.  Leon Panatte served from 1964 until 1966 as an intelligence officer, I just can't see that service as qualifying a man to make decisions of such importance. The following was a reply made to the rant that women should be allowed to serve where ever they want to that appeared in Stars and Stripes.  I will not post another thing, or make another comment because this expert, known on Star and Stripes as Tennessee Trapper said it all.  I took the liberty of changing grammar, but just click below to read all he said exactly,  and everything others had to say.

 TennesseeTrapper my_two_cents_worth • 11 hours ago

You know my_two_cents_worth, if having women in combat line units is so great and ideal, then they should make all female combat units. You seem to know that they are better fighters than the men in the combat units that this country has.  Not even every man that tries to get to the Infantry makes it. They may be able to get into the regular units but not even all the ones that get through training will be strong enough, and
 not all men can hack it in the combat units. 

Now I know that you,  my_two_cents_worth, had to have been in the Infantry, right!  No! You, my_two_cents_worth, were not over there in Afghanistan with us in the Infantry, right!?  No! You were right there with us climbing up the Hindu Kush Mountains, right?  You know the mountains that were small, only 12,000 feet to 16,000 feet, and where the air was thin and the enemy was hiding in caves. Because you were, like we were, climbing up with only a 70 lb. rucksack, gear, M4-rifle, ammo, add 30lbs. of water, and even more if you have a crew that serve weapons like a Mortar then you have to add at least 30 lbs. or more of Mortar ammo for the Mortar. And let's see, that adds up to only 130 lbs. that we were humping up the mountains if you are lucky, right? No!  And not only did we have to get up to the enemy, we had to be able to fight them and win. Even if we had to fight hand to hand. You win or you are dead.  No second chances, no coming back next week to be on a TV show. This is the real thing, not your play world, my_two_cents_worth.

You would think that we would have rode choppers up to the enemy
caves but the choppers have a hard time flying that high. The higher you go the thinner the air. Also the mountains are steep and there is a very small chance to find some place where to land. 

Also if a another unit is in trouble near by on another mountain,
and needs our help, and what I mean by near by is 20 to 25 miles, we may have to win the battle we are in, and then hump it as fast as we can to the other unit and still be able to fight and win another battle.

The Infantry does not put up with people that can not pull there own weight or who fall out. We all have to be there to fight and win.  The Infantry is also running long range patrols in Afghanistan, and a lot of times we do not have Artillery or Air cover.  You are on foot, you have to carry every thing that you will need to fight and win. That is what WAR is about. This is how the Infantry fights and just because some people, like you, want to be PC does not mean that putting women in the Infantry will work.  That is what they will do even if the women can not carry their own weight, and men will die because of PC people just like you. Oh, and my_two_cents_worth if you have not been in the Infantry and have not been in battle like we Infantrymen, then you Sir, should shut up and go back to your hole and were you came from and hide, and let the real men fight the wars that your little ass can not or will not do. You sir do not know any thing about the Infantry and I do not  believe you got the guts to join the Infantry.

 He said it all.  He said it true, and without the political correctness that less than honorable men and women  of power have spoken with.  He spoke with truth that those who have their own reasons for creating this situation, and who lack the ability to speak the truth, speechify about this decision.  Today when my husband called from Iraq, I read this Soldier's reply to him.  He said for me to make sure I told him hoo ah, to give him his best wishes, invite him to the ranch, and to tell him thank you  for your service!

 

This poem is dedicated today to the United States Army, Infantry Branch,  my husband, and Tennessee Trapper, who are a part of a band of brothers.

Oh War, Oh War How Sad To Say

Oh War, oh War, how sad to say,

You take our sons and daughters far away.

To subdue tyrants and those who rule,

With hearts so evil and ever cruel.

Oh War oh War, how sad to say,

Always there is a price to pay.

There born on shoulders bowed with care,

Comes the coffins of the young who dare.

Oh War, oh War, how sad to say,

Many are the tears of mothers that fall on that day.

When their dear child is finally laid to rest,

In the soil of their country for which they gave their best.

Oh War, oh War, how sad to say,

Too many are the children who cease to play.

Tears fall from little eyes which will never begin

To understand why they won’t see Mother or Father again.

Oh War, Oh War, how sad to say,

You take life’s one great love in your disarray.

No more in this life their cherished face to see,

The darkness of that hour bends the knee.

Oh War, Oh War, how sad to say,

Stray bullets that wind and find whatever target they may,

While turning and winding, an innocent victim take,

And those deadly spheres leave two in their wake.

 Oh War, Oh War, how sad to say,

Hearts of the courageous break as those shells betray.

Memories must be carried by those who are brave,

Of necessary deeds which make their souls rave.

Oh War, Oh War how sad to say,

Sometimes the best return with wounds from the fray.

They leave strong when first they depart,

Then come home and a new life they must start.

Oh War, Oh War, how sad to say,

Always again the ruthless will follow the same way.

Once more the call will go out

For those who know what warmongers are about.

Oh War, oh War, how sad to say,

The price of freedom is never stayed.

Pruning hooks and plows must be beat,

Into weapons your dread disease to defeat.

Oh War, oh War, how sad to say,

With words and pleadings greedy men will not be swayed.

Yet the promise will one day be made complete,

By One who to a cross was nailed by his hands and his feet.

Oh, War, Oh War, on that glad day,

The Son of God will come to lead the way.

The final victory He will take,

No more will sin sad hearts make.

Oh War, Oh War, you are going away,

Peace and happiness for all will come in your stay.

The lion and the lamb will together lie down,

And God’s praises we’ll shout, making a joyful sound.

By Debra LeCompte

June 2010 

 

You're a Grand Old Flag, For Military Fathers Everywhere

When I go to the VA in Houston, I usually have a little crying spell, as I observe the many young Veterans who I know have sustained their wounds in the present conflict. I rush to the restroom, because these heroes do not wish to be pitied, and they won't understand that my tears are about the emotion of knowing such men and women have been willing to stand for me and mine.  I cried a little today too as I read of a Wounded Warrior who brought a military event to a reverence it would not have known as he sang The National Anthem along with the others attending. How lightly we sometimes sing the National Anthem at events, perhaps because we have never experienced the rockets red glare.  

 

 The picture below is of the children at our Family Day at the 1st Battle Command Training Group of the 75th Division, Arlington Heights, Illinois.  The children holding up the award were on the team which  won the PT contest, doing the most push-ups and sit-ups, and doing the loudest hoo-ah!

When my husband speaks before school groups he always starts with having the  students stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance.  Usually, especially in the higher grades, it is half mumbled. As he winds down his speech on patriotism he tells the story from John McCain's book, Why Courage Matters, of the man who was held prisoner of war with him and tore up T-shirts which were allowed to be sent from home toward the end of their confinement. The shirts were red white and blue, and he used threads pulled from the seams and a bamboo needle he had fashioned to "sew" together a crude flag. Each day the prisoners quietly pledged the flag. Of course their captors eventually found the flag, and a two hour beating followed. It was conducted out of sight, but within clear hearing range for the benefit of the other prisoners. When the man was returned to the cell, the others cleaned the blood off and made him as comfortable as they could. A couple of hours later, the man crawled from his concrete bed, and with his bloodied hands, and through the slits of his swollen eyes, he began making another flag. My husband at this point, to end his speech, asks the students to stand and say the pledge again. There is always a very distinct difference in their participation. 

 

The rendition of the Preamble to the Constitution in the video below, and the singing of You're a Grand Old Flag is given by my grand-daughter, Gabby. She and her sister, Samantha, have been gone to Germany for three years with their father who is active duty Army, and their mother, who served eight years, and now serves in the civilian side. The pictures are of children from their school there in Germany. I was so emotional as I visited last Thanksgiving and stayed with them on the base. To be surrounded by the children of those serving was such a humbling experience for me. So today to all the fathers who are serving around the world, one of your own expressing the patriotism your service has taught her. God bless each one of you on Father's Day, especially those deployed who will not be with their children today. 

The Predators Are Out

Found this sneaky thing lurking in the corner of the duck pen!

Evidently he had visited the pond first and ate one of my bull frogs!

He won't be eating anymore!

This squirrel was carefully observing the photographing of the snake, which for those of you who do not recognize him right off the bat,  is a cotton mouth water moccasin. They are an aggressive snake, and the only good one is a dead one.  The squirrel wasn't quite sure it was dead, and kept chattering at me as if to say, you better stay away from that thing. 

It is a good idea to stay away from snakes when you can, but if they are wanting to live among you... well, it is just best to take them out.   Otherwise you might step on them in the night...

Squirrels may gossip about snakes, their bad habits and actions, but somebody has to take them out, whether they are dangerous or not. 

 

 

Quotes From General Omar Bradley

Quotes From General Omar Bradley

By far the first quote is my favorite!

"Leadership is intangible, therefore no weapon ever designed replace it." 

"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we do 
about living."

"America today is running on the momentum of a godly ancestry, and when that momentum runs down, God help America."

"Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship."

"Wars can be prevented, just as surely as they can be provoked, and we who fail to prevent them, must share the guilt for the dead."

"We have grasped the mystery of the atom, and rejected the sermon on the mount."

"With the monstrous weapons man already has, humanity is in danger of being trapped in this world by its moral adolescents."

 "The way to win an atomic war is to make certain it never starts."

"If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner."

"Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death."

"This is as true in everyday life as it is in battle: we are given one life and the decision is ours whether to wait for circumstances to make up our mind, or whether to act, and in acting to live."


 


 

Father''s Day Is Coming

"I once read the sentence, "I lay awake all night with a toothache, thinking about the toothache and about lying awake."  Part of every misery is , so to speak, the misery's shadow of reflection: the fact that you don't merely suffer, but have to keep on thinking about the fact that you suffer.  I not only live each endless day in grief, but live each day thinking about living each day in grief."

 C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

A Father, Marine, Father of a Marine, Father of a Victim of Military Sexual  Trauma, Father of a Non Survivor of Military Sexual Trauma...

I Went Home With a Stranger After Lunch At Tony's

I am a soft touch for an abandoned baby anything, and yesterday after  a Sunday morning filled with all kinds of excitement, my best friend and I, along with her husband and two of her grand-children, headed to Tony's in Sealy after church for lunch.  That is a great little place for Sunday lunch,  they always have a buffet with several selections of meat, all kinds of well cooked vegetables, rolls and cornbread, and the lunch is only $7,95. On Sunday they always have turkey and dressing, roast, fried catfish, chicken fried chicken, and chicken fried steak.  Before we even got in the restaurant, as we were walking up to the door, there they were, three pretty little puppies, out in the rain.  We had a fairly severe thunderstorm while we were in church, and they were a sad looking little group. They were soaking wet, hungry, and so surprisingly calm.  They were not jumping around, yelping, or whining, just sitting there in the rain shivering.  I could hardly eat my lunch.  I just feel that if your pets are allowed to breed, it is your responsibility to see that they get a good home.

Many people stopped and looked at the puppies, some went back in the cafe and got scraps from the plates they had just left to feed them a bite or two.

Randy has been wanting me to get another dog, Ginger is getting really old, and she is just too friendly to bark when someone comes up to the ranch.  She just wants them to stay for dinner, and to beg for a scratch behind the ear from them, and maybe a bite from the table after lunch or supper.  After Ginger went missing for twelve days, I had told Randy I would never have another dog, I had cried every hour on the hour the last two days she was gone.  I could accept she was dead, but I could not accept that she might have suffered, and that she had died alone.  Low and behold, God brought her home.  Then on Sunday I went to lunch at Tony's and there were the puppies, and one of them stood out to me.  I had a change of heart on the "never having another puppy again thing."

So I told Brenda I thought I would be taking a puppy home with me.  She just laughed at me and told me, "I knew the minute we went by those puppies at least one was going home with you."  So we got a box, and picked her up, and I took her home.  Another couple eating at Tony's took the other two pups.  So all of the puppies were lucky on Sunday afternoon.

She was eat up with fleas, and the first thing I had to do was give her a bath, de-flea her, and get her warmed up and fed.  She is a delight, very calm dispositioned, and obviously very intelligent.  I was a little worried about she and Ginger getting along, Ginger is unaware that she is a dog, wants nothing to do with other dogs, ignores them, and if they get too close to her food, she will go from the calmest animal you have ever been around to a wild dog in a split second.  This little pup is unusual, she is as calm as Ginger is, doesn't jump around, demand that Ginger play with her, or otherwise annoy Ginger.  There is obviously some jealousy, and Ginger keeps wanting to sit closer to me than the puppy, and of course I let her. 

                                                                            She slept most of the afternoon, and I was a little worried that she would be up all night since she had always had the other pups and a mom to snuggle up,  but she hardly made a peep.  She has already made herself at home, and soon she will go out to the kennel each night.   The only thing left to do after I get her shots tomorrow is to settle on a name.  I had first thought of Angel, then I thought of Patriot, and calling her Pat, and I like Stranger for a name too.  I can't get much enthusiasm on that one from either Brenda or Randy.  I like that it is a different kind of name, but this little stranger, I found sitting out in the rain, has stolen my heart.  

What a Beautiful Morning From My Back Porch!

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised.  Psalm 113:3

I Love This Video!

This dog missed the one he loves while she served in Afghanistan.

Rocket the Goat Ate My Lunch

Some days that little goat tries my patience, she keeps nibbling on my roses, eating my other potted plants, threatening the dog, and every time I step backwards, she is right behind me.  She is always trying to get in the truck, and force her way past my legs to get in the house.  She seems to feel if the dog can go in the house and the truck, then she should be able to as well.  

She keeps getting on the lawn mower, I just think she is trying to figure out how to drive it so she can go to town anyway... and today I had my insulated cup with peach tea I had made up in the cup holder, and I caught her trying to drink my peach tea!

It was the last straw when she ate my lunch.  I sat the bag from What a Burger down on the grill when I got back from town, as I finished setting things out of the truck, and I turned around to get my lunch and go sit down and relax while I ate...