What A Woman 

The Quiet Man

After all these years this film remains my all time favorite. It has something for every one from the coolest fight scene to one of the hottest romanantic scenes ever shot. It is after the wedding.....She is very disapointed that her brother won`t give her her dowery..........This to her represents a 300 year history of her familys` women scrimping and saving and putting this treasure together so that someone in the family can move into a better sort of life because of the "treasure" She explains this to her new husband who truly seems to love her. she tells him that untill she gets her treasure that she will not consumate the relationship. She explains that she will cook and clean and keep the land and be the servant tht she had been up untill she agreed to marry him but untill she can get her treasure she will be no more than that........ a servant. She turns and goes to the bedroom and slams the door in his face and he is ok with that untill she slides the dead bolt closed and that is when he knows he must show her that he is the head of this house. He kicks the door in................grabs her roughly in his arms........... Tells her that there will be no locked doors between us Mary kate except those in your mercenary little heart..........kisses her hard.........seemingly taking her breath ....sweeps her off her feet and carrys her to the bed and throws her onto the bed.....everyone knows he is going to have his way with her and he does.................he turns and walks out side and spends the night on the porch. He spoke volumes in that brief scene...........He made his wife know in her heart that there can only be one head of the house and it was him he also showed her that he respected her enough to not ever try to force her to do anything, and he showed her that he understood now why she wanted her dowery. At first he thought it was the money but now he knows it is the history and sense of family that went with the treasure. Wowsa what a movie !!!!!

} Viva La Difference {

Just a brief posting concerning the difference between the troops trying to restore order to Iraq and its citizens and the terrorist who were in charge previously.
U.S. Army PFC Stephen Tschiderer, A proud memeber of " THE BIG RED ONE" while on routine patrol was shot in the chest by a terrorist (note I did not say insurgent). After being shot and protected by his body armour Pvt Tschiderer recovered his wits and within a few seconds began to return fire along with the rest of his patrol. Within two minutes of him being attacked he had secured the person who shot him and was administering first aid to him.
That is the difference between terrorists and soldiers who are attempting to bring liberty to a country that has not known freedom for centuries.Oh by the way it has not been shown on the networks as far as I know and there is video available..........perhaps the msm wants our citizens to have a different view of the reality that is Iraq.At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley

Just Me And My Shadow 

} I DID NOT KNOW THAT {

After a one hour meeting with my primary care physcian last night the road ahead apears daunting and i`m afraid a gazillion problems. I am a firm believer in the greatest journeys beginning with a single step and last night I took my first toddeling step at reclaiming my life.
He said that I must go through a complete physical to make sure that there is nothing wrong with me before I can become a candidate for the surgery. I must have a colonoscopy (brrrrruuuuuughhhh) thank you very much, a upper and lower GI Series. All sorts of testing like a stress test ( Bah ..we all know a 350 lb. guy has no stress at all) and extensive physocologic evaluation before they can decide if this choice is right for me.
I also must continue to diet in a effort to lose weight so that it is easier to have the surgery. Alright question number one.................. If I can diet sucessfully why do I need the surgery? I think there is a lot more to this than I suspected in the beginning. Is this a trick set up or are they really trying to see if my body refuses to lose despite my best efforts? I will look for answers in the next visit.
Doc says this will be about a three month long process I just wish it were done and I were on the road to recovery. I suppose the time will fly or so they say when your having fun.........More to follow when I know it so will you...........................

Better Days Are Comming 

A Journey Begins........

Well friends , I have decided that I will recieve many theraputic benefits from sharing my ordeal with you kind readers so I suppose I should start at the beginning.
About five years ago I fell from my roof and severely damaged my leg and foot. It was such a severe injury that it prevented me from working again. I ended up going on social security disability.
I could do nothing at all. Almost any activity was prohibited by the pain that that being on my leg/foot would bring. Needless to say I grew. People would bring me pies,cookies,cakes,feed me,all given in the name of love and so greatfully accepted.The pounds added up and soon I was a extra person. I have ended up with severe breathing problems, and a over taxed heart. I can`t lose weight by any traditional method because at this point I am so debilitated I can`t stand any activity. It is such a ordeal to bathe that it requires me stopping many times in order to get my breath. My body aches from head to toe due to fibromyalsia and the inalbility of my normal sized lungs to get enough oxygen to exchange my blood gasses. OH I forgot to mention I smoked like a old Dodge and as a result have emphysema also.
Well enough about the downside of this I have decided on a course of action which I hope helps me save my life. I have a great deal to live for and I want to live and see what my future has in store. I, after, much discussion with my physcian and my family and efforts of traditional dieting will attempt to go through the gastric by-pass process. I will be meeting with my doc this week to attempt to schedule a intial visit with a gastroenterologist who I hope can manage my case from beginning to end. I will keep all posted here as to my progress and I also hope to continue my meager attempts at writings that affect me enough for me to comment on these issues.
Let me say before this begins that I am hopefull that this will help me regain my life and help me get in good enough shape so that I can enjoy it.I will keep you all posted.

Ot Oh 

} For Those Who May Of Noticed{

To you kind readers who have missed my humble efforts at writing,I thank you for your patience. I have been in the hospital again in a effort to resolve a continuing problem. I have a temporary handle on it for now but it will require further intense resolution on my part which I am prepared to call on. I will get into its nature as soon as my plan of attack is more definitive.I hope throughout this ordeal that I will be able to share this experience with you all and perhaps gain a little support from you .As this unfolds I will keep as well posted as I can
.

Our Roots 

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his Ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!



This was a excerpt of a speech by Richard Skelton He is better known as Red Skelton . He claims he heard this speech as it was given by his principle in Vincantes Indiana in grade school. It was made by his principal.


Boys and girls ,I have been listening to you recite the pledge of allegiance all year long and it seems as if it has become monotonous to you, or could it be you do not understand the meaning of each word? I would like to recite the pledge and give you a definition for each word . I meaning me , a committee of one PLEDGE meaning dedicate all of my worldly goods ALLIENGENCE meaning my love and devotion. TO THE FLAG meaning our standard, old glory a symbol of courage, and where ever she waves there is respect. because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody’s job OF THE UNITED that means that we have all come together, STATES individual communities that have formed fifty great states. Fifty individual communities with pride and purpose, all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united by a common cause .and that is love of country OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC A republic a sovereign state to which the power is invested into the representatives chosen by the people to govern and the government is the people .and its from the people to the leaders not from the leaders to the people FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION meaning so blessed UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE incapable of being divided WITH LIBERTY the freedom for one to live his own life without fears, threats or any sort of retaliation AND JUSTICE the principles and qualities of dealing with others FOR ALL For all boys and girls, it is as much your country as it is mine

whoopie 

Happy Birthday America

I know that throughout this great land people will celebrate the holiday and use the time off to maybe relax and enjoy the family, or swim, or perhaps a round of golf. We will BBQ all sorts of foods and drink all sorts of beverages. We will watch the children play Frisbee or badminton or maybe a game of backyard wiffleball. There will be children of all ages running through sprinklers and dreaming dreams of yesterday or maybe tomorrow. Dusk will come and Moms and Dads will light the sparklers and pass them to the youngins with the warning to be careful. The kiddos will write their name in the dark or maybe just make circles, but everyone will have fun doing it .Soon full evening will come over this great land and the big fire works will come out from their hiding places or the communities will start their displays or perhaps a American Legion post in small town America. They will burst into the night sky with the brilliant reds and whites and blues that only fireworks can bring coupled with the thunderous retort from the explosions that you can literally feel in your chest. Then perhaps those of us old enough to remember will remember the meaning of these explosions and take pride in this great nation. There is none like her anywhere in the world.

This great nation is so like the liberty bell that symbolizes our country. Sound ,sturdy, works perfectly .except for that little crack The manufacturers of the bell offered to fix that crack but we chose not to have it done. America is represented by that crack. Like the Liberty Bell we are not perfect, most likely we will never be. The crack reflects our little flaws like racism and sexism and God knows how many other isms. But America is strong and sound just like the bell. It symbolizes freedom and justice and will continue to for as long as we can hang together.

So somewhere in between hotdogs apple pie and our Chevrolets lets all remember what brung us to the dance and wish America a HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!

We Must Stay The Course

President Bush was on last evening speaking about our involvement in Iraq and as He said our involvement must continue untill the situation is resloved. NO sane person wants war but when it becomes evident that it cannot be helped it must be carried out to the end......regardless of the cost.
Near the end of his speach the emotion he felt for our militarys sacrifice came to the surface. As he choked back the emotions I to felt A lump that reminded me of the price our military is paying. I knew in the mid sixties that the cost of freedom is not cheap,and I know now it has only become more valuable as time has gone by.God bless our troops!
At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley.

Five Brief Moments In Time

I was thinking this morning just how many really important, meaningfull moments we have in our long (I hope) lives. I started thinking of my own experiences and and came to realize that there are not all that many moments that change either your outlook or even actually change your life.
I therefore decided to set five of my magical mystical moments on this blog to share with the world. I hope you will share five of your special moments with me.
1. When I took the oath of alligence to the United States of America when I joined the Navy. I learned that when someone takes a oath it is forever and that if you are going to swear you must be ready to live up to it. I served honorably and with pride and I would go again in the morning because my oath didn`t end with my enlistment.
2. The specific moment in time when I realized how little others opinions mean to me.I am the one I must look at in the mirror and I am the one that I must please. Anyone elses opinions mean nothing because I am the one who knows my true motivations.
3. I will combine two moments to make my third entry, when my sons were born. I knew in my heart that there was a greater force in life than me. I knew that there would be the chance at imortality that my offspring would provide me. Their lives provided such joy to me it is impossible to begin to tell even a smidgen of it,but it was as exciting as anything could ever be and went by in a blur.
4. When I saw my baby son graduate Parris Island and become a U.S. Marine. I knew that all that I had done,all that I had sacrificed,came to fruition in his life. He carried on in my tradition and that in and of itself gave value to my earlier sacrifices.
5. I became seriously ill and lapsed into a coma. I woke 5 days later and that time taught me how many cared and how many loved me. I never realized previously how many truly cared. Now I do
Well there are five changing moments in my life if you have a moment leave a comment with yours, or,at least contemplate them and see the great things that have been given you.

Halls Of Justice? Bah........ 

This is NOT right.

I want to say in no uncertain terms that the latest decision by the Supreme court Is a affront to the American way. Justice Sandra Day O’Conner stated unequivocally, that this ruling opens wide the door for abuse of regular people by the wealthy. It allows them to have local government to seize your property if they think that the potential to make money is there.
A group of Connecticut residents claim that their property was selected for seizure to facilitate a group of builders plan to raise a office building where their homes stand.
It has always been law that a community could seize property if it were to benefit the community like a site for a bridge or bringing a road through, This new ruling allows for anyone with a plan and the cash to remove you from your homestead and use what used to be your property for their own personnel gain. They don’t even have to give you what you want financially they must simply pay “Fair Market Value”
Cities should not be given the authority to uproot families to simply add to the coffers of the wealthy citizens of the community. In this particular case a couple, in their eighties, are being forced to leave their home of more than fifty years so that they may develop the riverfront area to make more money for the wealthy.
Eminent Domain was never intended to be used as a tool to remove people from the homes to help the wealthy get wealthier it was meant to be used to improve the growth possibilities of a community. At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley

I want it my way 

It’s happened to me, I’m sure its happened to you. It’s no big deal or is it? I just need milk you shout at the locked door. You can still see customers inside. It wouldn’t be a big deal if they opened for you would it?
Well Herme`s a elegant French store did just that. Oprah who is quite fond of getting her way, failed. Now she is livid because they wouldn’t give in to her “I don’t care if I am here after hours” attitude

Well

In my opinion they both got what they deserved. Oprah tried to wave her money at the store and they obviously didn’t care until they found out it was Oprah for Gods sake. They tried to say they were having problems with other North African Women and that is why they didn’t let her in. They tried apologizing all over themselves when their management found out it was Oprah for God’s sake. (just like the French to change positions when they found out it might be hard on them) Too late Miss O is madder than Hell that she was treated that way and not given preferential treatment. Well Miss O…….how’s it feel to be normal?
I didn’t get my milk well at least not there and you didn’t get your purse and those Oh so loyal French didn’t get a few thousand of your bucks Miss O. So sorry you had to be treated like a normal person for a change.


Factoid---The Great Lakes contain 1/5 of the worlds fresh water
supply.

Yoi and double yoi. To those of you poor people who are not Pittsburgh Steelers Fans those words ( Yes they ARE words) hold no real significance ,but to the initiated they will always bring a smile of recognition to our faces and a pang of joy to our hearts.
It was announced this week end that Myron Cope is retiring after 35 years as the voice of the Steelers. His sterling career began in 1970 after a W.T.A.E. radio big wig thought his unique voice coupled with his vast knowledge of the game would make a winning combination. Little did he know it marked the beginning of a dynasty.
Myron began his career as a Steeler announcer at age forty, a time when most are settled into their positions. Myron was directly responsible for inventing the terrible towel. For those of you that have faced the power of the towel ……..enough said, but for those who have never seen what it can do, well, it is awesome. It is small in size, just like Myron. It is about 12 inches by 24 inches. It is golden in color with black markings and of course the Steelers logo and trust me there are very few things more distracting when trying to make a play than 10’s of thousands of yellow towels waving in the seats.
\ Myron was famous for his “cope-isms” a few will give you a idea…..Cleve Brownies = Cleveland Browns Da Yonkos = Denver Broncos Cincy Bungles=Cincinnati Bengal’s Cope –A – Nut =A prize for making a valid point on his talk show. Cope –A- Stetic = OK or even the Cope –Ra- Scope Myron’s version of his crystal ball. All of these shouted with a voice that could only be described as making finger nails on a chalkboard sound like the Four Tops. Stillers- okel dokel-Gadzooks (holy cow) –Gorgonzola (hogwash) the Emperor Chas= Chuck Noll There was no bigger fan and we will all miss him terribly.
Jerome Bettis (the Bus) said of Myron…..He doesn’t play, he doesn’t put on the pads, BUT he is as revered as much as Franco Harris or Rocky Blier.
God bless you Myron and thanks for all the great moments that you gave us.

Yoi and Double Yoi.....How Bout Dem Stillers 

And A Great Day Was Had By One And All 

Sorry I am so late posting today but I had a incredible Fathers day. My birthday was on the 13th and it was kinda downplayed. I should of been supiscious,but you know Dad .he is a trusting sort. The day started early with my wife bringing me coffee in bed, althought that is not a rare occurance it happens less frequently now that it is nearly as hard for her to mount the stairs as it is for me.The door creaked open and the smell of fresh coffee coupled with the chirp of the morning songbirds woke me sweetly.
She sat on the side of the bed as I drank my cup and cleared the nights cobwebs.She said something about a picnic for Fathers day and something about me not being disapointed and some other vague things as I tried to clear my head. I showered and dressed for the day and came downstairs and was soon joined by my granddaughter and my son. I watched as she gave him the Fathers day card she worked on yesterday and his face soften and a smile came to his face as he read her words. I thought for sure My card was forthcomming but as we fininshed that pot of coffee I kinda knew he had forgotten.
The phone had taken up its job of fraying my nerves everytime it rings and it was as if it were working piece work today. I was waiting for my youngest son to call and wish me a happy Fathers day but none of those nerve jangling tones seemed to be from him.I asked my wife well if we are going to have this picnic ......lets get it going on..she said just sit there and cool your heels Mr it is not time yet. I waited as long as I could I was in a tizzy. I had to do something i was being detained in my living room and couldn`t even go on the porch.Suddenly She said oh all right have it your way then,go out in the yard Thinking the pic nic was to begin I went out and not a soul was around. I looked at her as if to say whats going on and she pointed at the river bank and said go down there and they will start showing up. Almost as soon as i got down to the rivers edge, My youngest showed up on a rented pontton boat and took all of us out for a great day on the river. Everyone pitched in and paid the rental for my Fathers Day present. He insisted I drive and I felt like the greatest of all river men Mike Fink. It was great and a Fathers Day I will cherish for ever.

Get A long little doggie 

Yippie I Oh Ki Yea

Yesterday was a day that should live in a Grandpa’s heart for the rest of time. The temperature was a nearly perfect 75 degrees and very low humidity and nary a cloud in the sky.
She filled her roll in the day as a little one filled with wonder and amazement at all she encountered. Her world was one of fun and fantasy. All she need do to make it real is imagine it, and there in her fertile mind it happened. The dozens of golden flowers she picked for her Granny (in reality dandelions) showed how much she loved her for every flower. The wild strawberries she picked fed the flock of birds that watched her play in the yard,(and told each other stories about it by their ceaseless chirping) and the time it took to eat her lunch was the longest time in the world.
She ran, she jumped, she flew on imaginary wings high high up in the sky. She raced her motorcycle at breakneck speeds or so the magic sound card Grandpa installed on it told her so.
I simply had the delicious pleasure of watching all of these things happen. I was granted the great privilege of watching a child stretch her imagination as she stretched her muscles. She ran so fast and so hard at 7:30 she wanted Grandpa to take her in so she could watch cartoons.
I have a habit of kinda kneeling in a chair to watch T V. It seems to be the least painful of positions for me. She busied herself by eating dinner and decided to watch T V while riding her favorite pony, me. She hopped on my back and I could feel her carefully fitting her feet to the stirrups and settled in to watch Tom and Jerry cartoons. Before long the gentle kicks in her pony’s side became less and less frequent. During one lull in the cartoons I felt her lay over in the saddle like some trail worn cowgirl. Her breathing became soft and regular. A soft snore came from her and then another and still another I whispered to her Granny to look and see and she smiled and nodded as if to tell me her little cowgirl is dreaming up new adventures. She gently scooped up the sleeping child and put her in her bed and covered her while the imaginary campfire(or so I thought) was keeping her warm and safe from coyotes and other varmints. Get along little doggie……………

A Patriotic American 

Good On Ya

According to an e-mail circulating, Denzel Washington and his family visited the troups at Brook Army Medical Center, in San Antonio,Texas (BAMC).
BMAC is where soldiers that have been evacuated from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States, especially burn victims. They have buildings there called Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a hotel where soldiers' families can stay, for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base but as you can imagine, they are almost completely filled most of the time.
While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they gave him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He took his check book out and wrote a check for the full amount right there on the spot. The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it warmed their hearts to hear it.
The burning questions remains, why do Alec Baldwin, Modonna, Sean Penn and other Hollywood types make front page news with their anti-everything America crap and this doesn't even make page 3 in the Metro section of any newspaper except the base newspaper in San Antonio
PHX News Story


It’s about time that patriotic Americans get a little press for acts that they commit. We hear all the negative aspects that other famous people wish to push, therefore, it should be in the interest of fair news reporting to actually cover acts that Patriots commit to benefit our troops instead of criticizing them. We know there are many who have made personal sacrifices in their lives to benefit our military. Let’s hear about them.

At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley

Security is tight 

We The Jury..............

I suppose it is not up to me, or anyone of us, but a jury of his peers to determine his innocense or guilt. I think that it may of gotten pushed all out of purportion due to his notoriety, but, I personally heard him say that he slept with over a hundred young boys and could see nothing wrong with it. I think that on summer vacation all crowded in at aunties beach cottage or everyone gathered to celebrate Christmas or what ever it may be ok to share a bed but to look forward to young boys as regular companions in your bed, there is something seriously wrong. Mr. Jackson needs counseling and I don`t mean legal cause it is apparent he has the best money can buy.Come on Mikie, you "BEAT IT" now get some real help before you screw up someone elses life and end up calling you next bunkie Mr. Bubba Sir.

At least thats the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley

In My Life....................

In my life..........at first blush that seems innocuous enough but today is my 57th birthday and I was thinking over my morning coffee........In my life ,I saw the invention of jet planes. I saw television come into common usage,when i was a kid there were only three stations all in black and white. You were able to buy a plastic sheet that was blue on top , pink in the middle and green on the bottem and that gave the illusion of color.I have seen FM radio come into common usage. When AM ruled the airwaves there was a time limit on the length of songs you could play, three minutes was the upper limit.I have seen the invention of the first computer....Brainiac it was about one city block square and it could do math problems....if you were willing to wait.There are telephones now with P D A 's, wireless hook ups to the internet, cameras, both video and still, all in beautifull living color. Oh did I mention that these devices have more computing power than all of NASA did when it put is first spaceship into orbit.So do most of the video games on the market now.

I have seen the creation of the Berlin wall and its destruction. I have witnessed and participated with my other class mates in a nuclear attack drill where we were required to put our heads under our desks like that was gonna do a damn thing and I remmember how frieghtening the very thought of being melted was to a young child.I have seen a kind of peace come to Euorope with the demise of the Soviet Socialists Republic due to the Viet Nam war a half a world away.Comunisim was delt its death blow.I have seen the beginning and end of our longest war........Korea yet it never attained war status it was a "police action" despite so many valiant peoples sacrifices. I have seen our nation grow from 48 to 50 states, and shamefully be unable to secure our own borders. I have seen disasters of mega porportions occur world wide and our country rush to aid the victems and of course disasters occur right here and not one little offer of help from anyone. I have been a flood victem three times, a fire victem once and always recovered ,always rebuilt. I have seen our country lead the world into outter space, and be the first and only nation to set foot on alien soil. I have seen advances in medicine that seem to make yesterdays science fiction stories be harbingers of what is to come.


I have also and most importantly seen love and its result. I have had a wonderfull family whom I have loved deeply and that very same love has come back to me a hundred fold. I have had friends that I cherish and will always bring a smile to my face. I can honestly say I hate no one and I have never wished harm on anyone. At times i fancied myself as being the result of intervention on Gods part. he just wiggled His finger and there I was due to the fact of my upbringing, but then I realized that not even He has that weird of a sence of humor.I have been allowed to raise two fine sons who have been a fairly constant joy to me. I have been rewarded with a lovely Granddaughter who loves her pappy .I was alo permitted ( along with my family) to see what my little piece of the world would of been like if I had truly died instead of fighting back. I must say I am proud that I am here to love all you people in my life............lets try for another 57

9/11 Revisited

I was flipping through the stations this morning (what did I do before remotes) and happened upon CNN`s coverage. It is their 25 th anniversery. The idea was to show the top news storys of the past 25 years. I happened to tune in at the beginning of the attacks on the Twin Towers on 9/11. It still hurts,these many years later, it still hurts. It brought tears to my eyes and a rage to my heart I had the same stupid idea that American soil was sacrosanct.......I was wrong along with millions of Americans and citizens of other countries also.The idea that innocents can be killed to prove a point is wrong just wrong. Terrorism is brutal and shocking and on the surface it seems like it will actually call attention to your cause. It does all right, not the sort of attention that brings resolution, but the kind that angers a nation and a world and turns all of their resourses towards irradicating this open sore of terrorism from the how to manuals of activists world wide.
At least that is the way I see it here on Arathorns Alley.

I wish I felt this happy 

Stupid is as stupid does Duhhhhhhhh 

Well, I AM Simple !!

For all of you kind readers out there who have found yourselves having a moment of well, self doubt perhaps, or maybe wondering if your thought processes are normal, I submit for your reading pleasure a short story of how low a person can sink into the depths of stupidity and re-emirge some time later, none the less for wear,well more or less.
I thoughtlessly accepted a job in my youth to help my poor aged auntie and remove some floppy wall paper and repaint her bed room for her. I took her to the paint store( back in the day before super-centers) and after much time she finally selected a color that she could live with, (off white). We then took off for the hardware store where i purchased the necessary tools to complete this job. Some spackeling for the blemishes on the wall and the spackling/putty knives necessary to use that. A razor scraper and extra blades to scrape the wall paper off, a small angled brush to do the trim and a roller handle,some replacement rollers and of course a paint tray to allow me to roll the paint on the walls. Well armed I took her home and told her that I would bring my kiddos on Sturday and she could play with them while i worked in her bed room.
Saturday dawned grey and chilly but I thought little of it since we were to be indoors this day. I loaded the kids (threw them in the bed of the truck) there was no such thing as safety laws back then, kids rode in the bed of the pick -up truck cause there is no room for them in the cab.I loaded the tools and the supplies and off we went.
I arrived a few min later with the kiddos in fine form and we had a little breakfast and coffee and nearly the moment they went outside to play ,it began to rain. It was a frog strangler, not just a little rain but a deluge. As a result the kiddos had to play indoors while i worked. Being a somewhat responsible parent, I realized that the kiddos might migrate to the work site to check out the progress i was making and see if somehow or another they could impeed that. So, in my infinant wisdom i forsaw that the kids would definately get hold of the replacement blades for the razor scraper so I put them in my pocket so I could lay claim to avoiding a disaster.
I am working away.........scraping...........sanding.........filling..............sanding again...more scraping,,,,,,,,,, sweating.................Auntie brings up a cold drink (much needed) I decide it is time to have a ciggie (See I really was stupid back then) shook one out and put it in my mouth and reached in my pocket to get my lighter and a incredible pain shot up my middle finger, through my hand , and up my arm. I pulled my hand out of my jean pocket and my finger was horribly wounded. Blood was pouring out of the tip of my finger, my eyes welled with tears from the pain, I hooked the top of my pocket with the thumb of my seriously wounded hand and slid my left hand into my pocket ( To see what was in there that injured me so) As my hand slid into the pocket of my jeans I had a flash and remembered that I had put my spare blades in my pocket to keep them away from the kiddos. To bad the flash came only after I had injured the left hand also. I stood there rather stupidly ,blood cascading down both elbows and dripping onto the floor, kiddos dancing around me in a circle saying things like "gee Daddy you gonna be ok? " "I never saw anyone bleed that much Daddy" "Oh Daddy aunty is gonna be mad cause you got blood everywhere" Well soon the humiliation passed and I found Auntie and got some bandaids and squelched the blood flow. I drove myself to the hospital and got stitches in both hands and for some reason was asked to tell this story a number of times to different groups of people. For some reason patient privacy
didn`t apply here.
So readers don`t ever feel stupid about something .......you will live long enough to laugh at it....providing you can stop the bleeding

Not Bullet Proof 

The Stuff Of Legends

Some 61 years ago the Allied troops began in earnest the invasion of Europe at a place called Normandy Beach. It was the kind of battle that had epic purportions forever fixed to it. The heroism of the Allied troops has been the basis of many movies such as "The Longest Day", "Saving Pvt. Ryan", and " A Band Of Brothers" Also several video games such as Allied Medal Of Honor,Call Of Duty,
The invasion of Normandy began on 6 june 1944 and ended with the liberation of Paris from the German invasion 0n 23 Aug. 1944 (perhaps someone should tell them that little tidbit) The fighting was brutal and in many cases the Germans were well entrenched and were able to booby trap the areas that they knew the Allies would approach from.
The U.S. 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 35th, 79th, 83rd, 90th Infantry Divisions, The U.S. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Armored Divisions, and the U.S. 82nd and the 101st airborn divisions along with Brittish and Canadian troops fought in a simultanious invasion of Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, And Utah beaches. These stratigic fronts were to have been softened by 82nd and the 102st Airborn divisions. That aspect of the plan did not happen due to bad weather our paratroopers weredropped into the sea or other flooded areas.
All gave some,some gave all..........37,000 American dead , 54,000 wounded, 18,000 missing, 9,387 remain buried there as a constant reminder to Euorope of the gallantry of of men. There were also at least 3 Medals of honor awarded due to heroism in that battle.

Is This Going To Be Your Golden Years? 

It's A Matter Of Trust

It has been reported today in the everyday media that approximately 39% of all large corporations, like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Maytag, and even Goodyear are faced with a unacceptable situation. The pensions and trusts that they have entered into ,supposedly in good faith, are under - funded. You may think that this is not much of a problem . The guarantee fund will kick in and make it "all good" well you are wrong..dead wrong. It seems as though the guarantee fund is way in the red also........this was caused by earlier failures such as Enron.
The only way you will be able to tell if your company is in dire straights when it comes to living up to its promise to provide and nurture your pension for you,which incidently was negotiated in good faith is to seriously check out your companys annual report. Look into the funding for your pension. Be sure that there will be enough money set aside from the companys profit margin so that you will have the luxury of picking which brand of cat food you will have for Sunday dinner.
This situation is reported to affect nearly 44,000,000 million Americans and the guarentee fund is nearly 450,000,000,000 (read billion here) in the red. Perhaps it is time to do something about this debacle before it is way to late. Before your golden years are spent picking cans along the roadways for extra cash.
At least that is the way I see it here in Arrathorns Alley

Thanks Mom 

Things That Make You Go HMMMMM.......

A mom took photos of her sons 16th birthday party to Walgreens for processing and was arrested as soon as Walgreens employees say what was on the exposures...........A Stripper for the party. It never ceases to amaze me that it is ok to watch someone actually kill someone else or blow their own brains out the backs of their heads or gut themselves in the "Honorable" act of Hari Kari or even pour gasoline on there heads and lite the fire that would burn themselves to a cinder in order to protest a war. All these things are acceptable to view on tv that is made available to the general public. BUT God forbid that we get a glimpse of a human breast the very thing that nurtured and comforted us in the first year or so of our lives. There can be no doubt that America was founded by the Puritans and in most cases we have not progressed one whit. Charges are pending on the Mom who allowed this to occur and in actuality paid the stipper to appear at the party.

The Cost Of Freedom 

A Watery Grave

There are no roses on a sailor's grave,no lillies on the oceans wave,the only tribute is the seagulls gracefull sweeps, and the teardrops a sweatheart weeps..........author unknown

Arlington National Cemetary 

Memorial Day

In a informal survey more than 90% of high school students could NOT explain what Memorial Day commemorates. In my opinion that is a disgrace on our educational system. As some of our more liberal pundants suggest that our students be taught sex education,basket weaving,social graces, and who knows what other wastes of our youths educational process, our youth are denied the sure and certain knowledge of what their forebearers sacrificed so that they are free to burn our flag in protest, the very symbol of the country that everybody is dying to come to. (just look at our illegle immigrants) So that this Memorial Day will not pass with out notice..........................................

World War 1

There were well over 100,000 men and women who bravely sacrificed their lives to fight in a war in a foreign land that was said to be the war that would end ALL wars.

World War 2

There were over 292,000 men and women who lost their lives in the defence of freedom in theaters of war in Europe and in the Pacific. There is also said to be nearly 12,000,000 human lives lost in Europe and more than 2,000,000 in the Pacific.

Korean War

There were nearly 300,000 men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Korean Conflict.

Viet Nam

On the Viet Nam Memorial there are more than 58,000 names inscribed on the Memorial as giving their lives in defence of freedom. Also more than 12,000 died of battle wounds after their arrival in the United States for more care.


Granada

I am sorry to report I was unable to find statistics for this conflict.

Desert Storm

Again no statists are available to my limited resourses


Operation Freedom ( the second Iraqi war )

This conflict is on-going and no one can tell when it might end and the total number of casulties


So for all the people who don`t know why we hold this day sacred please look into it and learn what others have given freely so that you may enjoy the quality of life you do. Remember if you will each time you hear taps being played at the funeral of a former military person what he or she gave for you.........you.I know that is personel but the price these forefathers of yours paid was personel also.The above mentioned statists reflect only military casulties and say nothing of civilian losses or the effect that those lost lives had on their familys and friends. Well I have had my say here at Arrathorns Alley. God Bless America !

Just Till I Need Glasses 

So Whats New?

Just gonna use it till I gotta wear glasses. Now science has discovered that Viagra causes in blindness. Who does this affect? those groups of people who have the health issues that indicate the use of viagra in the first place . Sigh I think the old saw is right if it tastes good spit it out....it will make you gaine weight......If it feels good it must be bad for you...........Just damn.


~Factoid~Bulls are color blind. The flapping cape is what annoys them not the color of it.

Ride Em Cowboy 

Only In America

Only in America..........We drive on parkways and park in driveways.We insist on our own form of personel transportation,most probably a huge S U V that will never see off road action. We are permitted to drive a 200 horsepower motorcycle with out a helmet,despite the results of a accident to your brain pan. Our choices in autos range from the Mini To the Maxi...........BUT........... Every car is equipped with seat belts.This is a good thing. Seat belts have been proven to reduce the severity of the injuries sustained in the accident, and have drastically reduced the number of incidences of individuals being ejected from the vehicle.It isn`t a leap of faith, therefore, to conclude that seat belts are a good thing. Now that poses a question ....... Why aren`t seatbelts REQUIRED on school busses? Why isn`t our most valuable asset protected from harm in the advent of a accident?Why are we so hardened to a child being hurt or possibly killed just so that the transportation company won`t have to spend a few extra bucks on improving the safety of their equipment. In actually increasing the value of their busses.
Are we raising a nation of criminals? Shall we permit our youth to travel to and from school in a illeagle manor? Will the bus monitor tell them ........."now boys and girls if you see a police car duck down so that the officer can't see you through the windows. After all you know how mad your moms and dads will be if they have to pay a fine for you. Yes I know i`m asking you to do something illeagle now that the law of the land is click it or ticket but ya gotta help us out kiddos"
How can this poor excuse of a legislature require us to wear a seatbelt when we dont insist that our most valuable assets are afforded that very same protection.?
Only in America..........or thats the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley

Jessica and Nick 

It's About Time

I am so tired of hearing negitive comments about our militarys involvment in the Middle East and how the general populace is not happy for us to be there. Our brave troops are doing a fantastic job of trying to bring freedom to a country that has never know what it means to wake up free.On Sunday night the only reality show I watch ......... Extreeme Home Makeover built a house for a family who lost there daughter in Iraq. They also built a Veterans center in their community for the other Veterans in the area.These people are to be commended for their efforts to recognize a familys loss to bring a Democratic government to Iraq. On monday I watched Jessica and Nicks tour of duty. Jessica Simpson and her husband, Willy Nelson,Big and Rich (A country band) and several other people went to Ramstein AFB and then on to Iraq to entertain the troops. I must say I am very proud of them for taking the time, the risk and making it all happen. I know that it made our troops feel good to know someone cares.

Home sweet home 

Time Lost

I suppose I should begin by apoligizing for not posting on my blog for sometime BUT It seems as though there is a rather long period of time where I was not available to anyone,not even myself. I seem to have memories of a dark and misty night, tall slim silvery creatures, and probes .........oh the cruel probes.
I found myself awakening naked and shivering close to the local swamp and that is all I know. If any of you kind readers have had similair experiences or even a different experience or would want to have a experience please post it here and I will attempt to plagerize it and use it to gain fame and riches for myself. Oh and one other thing...........when I see a dinner plate now I get the most over whelming feeling of being home sick........Please help me I have been out of mashed potatoes for nearly a week.............

Shades Of Mad Magizine

It really dosen't get much funnier than this debacle. This truy happened in Pittsburgh today and even I couldn`t make it up with twice the vivid imagination I am puported to have. A man got into a altercation with his brothers girlfriend. This caused her to attack him brutally with ( if you have small children please ask them to leave) a butter knife. His intial response was to pull out his handy pocket machette and attempt to fend her off. She managed a desperate phone call to her boyfriend who was, fortunately, sitting in a near- by tavern. He finished his beer and went to his ladys rescue and promptly shot his brother. At this point his brother will more than likely recover and live to tell how brutal a weapon a butter knife can be.If Alfred E Newman would of seen this occur I know he would of somehow incorporated it into a episode of Spy v Spy v Spy.


~ Factoid~ All mammals except apes,monkees, birds,and most humans are color blind.

How Can This Be?

I am jumping up and down mad at what our mamby pamby courts has decided to allow United Airlines to do. A person who has worked for a long time for United and has accreud sufficient time to be able to retire and draw a pension,now, has his life destroyed. To make them a better candidate for bankruptcy our courts have said .....ok lets let them out of this guarenteed debt (the pension plan) so that it will be easier to bail them out of financial trouble. I do agree that there are financial steps that could be taken such as reducing the salarys of their top executives, perhaps reducing the number of flights to certain cities so that the planes are not flying nearly empty, or maybe even reducing the number of seats on the actual aircraft so that someone could actually sit there without feeling crammed in like a freakin sardine.Perhaps people would consider flying to more locations,and perhaps bussines would pick up. Instead they chose to make the cuts in areas that don`t really affect them ......like in other peoples lives. This folks have worked all of their lives and have counted on their pension being irrevokable,which it should be. After all this pension was a benefit that was duly negotiated by both sides and agreed on by both sides. As such it should be untouchable by anyone. It should be sacrosanct.
I used to be in favor of unions and was actually a high ranking officer in my local union. The union became a political action wing and stopped being concerned with the well being of the employees it represented. In my opinion if United Airlines is allowed to disrupt the lives of its former employess, every working person,every union person, anyone who has dealings with third parties managing their futures should go on strike untill every person in this country who has had pensions revoked,benefits altered, and other guarenteed benefits removed should go on strike untill it is resolved. It is time the working class of America ...the very people who elevated our country to its high standards today, has their benefits restored to them. At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley.


~ Factoid # 6~

The rocks on the moon are between 3.6 and 4 million years old.

Happy Mothers Day

I suppose if we all look way down in the bottem of our wallets or purses we would all find a I.O.U. like this one...................

Mom ...I.O.U. for so many things,so many services like,Night Watchman for instance.For lying awake nights,listening for coughs,crys,creaking floorboards and me comming in way too late.You had the eye of a eagle and the roar of a lion. But you always had a heart as big as a house.
I.O.U. for services as a short order cook,a baker,a chef,for being able to make sirloin out of hamburger and turkey out of tuna fish and two strapping boys out of left overs.
I.O.U. for cleaning services,for the daily scrubbing of faces and ears, all that work done by hand all those frequent dustings of a smal boys pants to make sure he lead a spotless life. For washing and ironing no cleaning service could ever do.For drying the tears of childhood, and ironing out the problems of growing up.
I.O.U. for services as a body guard, for protecting me from the terrors of a thunderstorm, or nightmares,and too many green apples.
I.O.U. for medical attention like nursing me through measels, mumps bumps, bruises,spring fever, splinters and lets not forget medical advise like don`t scratch it or it will never heal or don't cross your eys like that or they will stick that way or maybe most important of all make sure you have clean underwear on in case your in a accident.
I.O.U. for vetinary services,for feeding every lost dog I brought home and for healing the pain of puppy love.
I.O.U. for entertainment,it kept the household going through some pretty tough times and for makin believe come true on a very limited budget. And another thing Mom......................
I.O. U. for construction work for building kites,and confidence and hopes and dreams and somehow you made them all soar and touch the sky.Also for cementing a family together so that it would survive the worst kinds of shocks and blows,and also for laying down a good foundation that you can build a life on.
I.O.U for carrying charges like carrying me on your books for things a small boy really needs to have,like maybe that pair of high top boots with the little pocket on them for my jack knife. One thing I will never forget iswhen there were three hungry people, and only two pieces of apple pie, how suddenly you remembered you didn't like apple pie.
Well those are just a few of the.things that are long overdue. The person I owe them to,worked very cheap. She managed to get by by doing without a whole lot of things she needed herself. My I.O.U.'s add up to a whole lot more than I could ever hope to repay, and the nicest part of it all is she would mark it all Paid In Full for four little words........Mom, I Love You.

Look...Are Ya gonna give up the ciggies or do I have to get the rest of my boys? 

And I Thought I Had It Bad.......

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A South African zoo is trying to persuade its star chimpanzee to kick a bad smoking habit.
Charlie, a grown male chimp and the Bloemfontein Zoo, has been picking up cigarettes thrown to him by visitors and smoking them -- a habit he probably picked up by observing humans, zoo officials told the SAPA news agency on Thursday.
"Baby chimps pick up habits by mimicking adults and we think he started mimicking smokers at his enclosure which probably led to smokers throwing him cigarettes," spokesman Daryl Barnes told SAPA.
Barnes said Charlie was already showing the signs of a true nicotine addict.
"He even acts like a naughty schoolboy by hiding the cigarette when staff approach the area," Barnes said, adding that the zoo was determined to help him quit.
Barnes said the most important thing was that people stop providing Charlie with cigarettes or any other treats, noting the chimp already had three bad teeth because of all the cans of sweet soft drinks that people throw at him.
Charlie is not the only smoking chimpanzee. A zoo in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou reported last year that one of its chimps had taken up smoking and was desperately bumming cigarette butts off visitors.
var year = new Date()
document.write('© Reuters ' + year.getFullYear() + ". All Rights Reserved." );

© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.


This story brings into sharp focus how bad a drug nicotine really is. I am nearly 10 months free from its clutches and by gum I still want one. I must choose daily to not smoke and I am sure that sometime in the future it will become not as prominent in my mind.I just hope that time comes real soon. At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley.


~ Factoid # 5~

The Moon has a sodium atom tail 15,000 miles long that can only be detected by instruments