heilige Nacht,

The Little Rat Pack and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and wish you a safe and sane Year Year's Eve

My pal Tish

My wonderful friend Tish has had me guest post on her site today. Not blowing my own horn honest, but if you haven't met her you are missing one of the classiest dames out there. Grace, charm and a delightful take on fashion, travel and life await you here Plus it is an interesting topic with some good comments.

A Lesson, Old South Style

When I was a high school senior in Columbus Ga, I had an English teacher named Miss Byrd. I thought she must be a day older than dirt, but she was probably in her mid 60s as she retired at the end of the term. Miss Byrd I hope I wasn't a factor in your decision. Deep south, old school, she called you Mister or Miss. You were expected to stand when you addressed her. While I never saw her use it, she carried a long wooden pointer with authority. The Vietnam War was at its peak at this time, as was the opposition.As the son of a black beret wearing Ranger, my politics were pretty much ingrained in me. As Veteran's Day approached (yes you guessed it, it was Armistice Day to her) she had us memorize Rupert Brooke's "The Soldier" no explanation, just do it. On test day after we were all told "pencils down!" she sat and read the poem to us. When finished she paused, then in her Georgia drawl told us to remember no matter how you felt about war or politics or even your country always, always remember the fallen are real people who have given the full sacrifice and they MUST be honored.
Thanks Miss Byrd,I will never forget (and I didn't start the rumor about your Confederate Flag bloomers, honest.)

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven

I was the lucky one

"They told me Joe Frazier was through," Ali told Frazier at one point during the fight.
"They lied," Frazier said, before hitting Ali with a left hook.





I had a English Pointer once, lemon and white, with a chiseled head,deep chest, he was a beauty. Never believed in moving east or west, always north and south like an old school fullback. If something got in his way, too bad. Didn't push his way around the kennel, but didn't back down either. Only one name for a dog like him: "Smokin' Joe".
I was the lucky one because I was a young man during the so called "Golden Age" of boxing. Ali, Foreman, "Irish" Jerry Quarry , Little Red Lopez, and my favorite Joe Frazier. It was also the time when all sports began to morph into show business.But that's a rant for another time. Joe was a workman, skilled at his craft and did his talking with action not words.Ali was a peacock, a side show barker, but no one could take him. That is until Smokin Joe. And a legend , as they say, was born.
Today's ultimate fighting looks more like a parking lot brawl. The position these guys end up in are quite frankly embarrassing to see. Maybe you don't see boxing as I do. Part science,part art and part sport. That's fine, it is brutal and bloody, like life at times.It does have a macho tint to it. And that ain't so popular anymore.Still rest in peace Joe, you earned it. Oh and thanks.

On a lighter note!

I know it's hot as blue blazes, so get a cold drink and chill with Astrud and Stan.And let your imagination take you to Rio for a little while.

Hmm....

"Democracy is, first and foremost, a spiritual force, it is built upon a spiritual basis - and on a belief in God and an observance of moral principle."

President Harry Truman, Public Papers of the President of the United States: Harry S. Truman - 1951 U.S. Gov. 1966 p1063

"If everybody had an ocean"

Have a safe and sane Fourth!

from the Little Rat Pack

Where have you gone, Audrey Hepburn?

I read the other day that Lady Gaga had passed Oprah as the top money maker. "Lady", my Aunt Sally's bum. The photo showed her grasping her personal parts while making some gesture with the other hand. The expression on her face would have curdled goat's milk. Singing about serial killing, wearing meat dresses, she has yet to display any sense of decency about anything. Yet our society has made her wealthy. Young girls want to be her. She is the darling of the media,hell even Oprah loves her.
I quickly searched for one of my favorite pictures of Miss Hepburn. Her grace and gentility came so naturally. I love the lines of her head and neck in this shot. She once said that God gave us two hands. One to help ourselves and one to help others. She certainly lived that credo. She would never do it, but if Loony Gaga held out a helping hand, I think I'd ask her to wash it first.

Open mouth, insert foot.

Ethan and I were on the way to pick up Gabe at school last Friday. We pulled in to the local "stop and rob" for some after school snacks. We parked next to a white '65 Mustang convertible. No show car, but a clean daily driver to be sure. A young
'dude" sat behind the wheel. " Are you tired of hearing that's a great car?" I asked "No I'm not, thanks. My Grandfather left it to me" was his reply. Picking up Ethan I quipped" I don't think your Grandad will leave you anything that cool, Ethan"' The young man looked at me holding Ethan,and with a wistful expression said, "I'd rather have my Grandfather" " Sorry, of course you would" I stammered as I walked away. I held Ethan a little tighter and said a small prayer my boys will remember me that way.

His Royal Hinie

Ethan turns the big 03 this weekend. This is the official portrait taken last week. We all know the other HRH will be stealing the spotlight this weekend, so I wanted to get this out early. For those of you who don't know all about Ethan you can catch up here. Nothing I could write would ever convey how I feel about my little Rat Pack, but I guess most of you know.

Sorry

My apologies to anyone who received the gift wrap email. I did not send it and have no idea where it came from. I will never understand the point in these things, especially when you never see the results. Must be the guy who was always chuckling to himself back in high school.

A game invented for the healthy exercise of young gentlemen

The other night I saw one of the most disgusting displays of behavior I think I may have ever witnessed. Players acting like street corner thugs. A coach swearing openly at an official.High school game, city park ...no not even the NBA. The women's NCAA. The female coach was swearing at a female ref. Poor sportsmanship does not begin to cover it. The night before in the men's tournament a player jumped on a table beating his chest at the end of the game. Before he had congratulated his teammates, let alone the opposing team.
Last fall at a family gathering we were watching a college football game. One of my nephews is a huge fan of one of the teams. You know the type, never went there, but has the vanity plates and all the rest of the crap.A celebration penalty brought him to his feet yelling"Bull s**t!".I pointed out the the rule had been broken, "Stupid rule" was his reply.
"But it's still the rule",
"And it's still stupid!".
"So following your logic, if you think the rule against killing someone is stupid, you may kill someone if you wish."
"That's different!"
"Is it?"
"Nobody's that stupid!"
"Stupid seems to be your answer to everything, I wonder why that is?"
Our respective wives told us each to knock it off. I maturely replied "He started it."I only see the guy once or twice a year and it is never the highlight of my day.If I have a point I guess that it's that sports were once supposed to teach many of life's good attributes,now not so much.And like so many things, you ain't gonna change it back. OK I feel better now.

Bliss

An early Spring walk on my baby daughter's farm yesterday. That's her in the red jacket. Gabe is pulling on Grandad, he wants to keep up with the dogs. Two old coonhounds my daughter rescued. Alas my days of keeping up with hounds have long since sailed. Way out front is #2 son-in-law.Home safe from Japan and walking his own land again. Aye, it's a well and contented man I am.

Yet Again

My any-mouse friend has told me my last post took my self serving to a new high. You missed the point junior.I only did what any cretin with an ounce of decency would have done. The young warrior, husband, and father is who needs your thoughts. And for the last time YES it is self serving, I admit it freely. To prove it I want to tell you all something. We all have too much drama in our lives. I try not to post about mine too much. My #2 son-in -law (the one who has not contributed to the Little Rat Pack yet) works as an engineer for a subsidiarity of Honda. When the quake hit he was in a meeting 20 miles from the reactor site. We just received word a little while ago his JAL plane has entered American airspace. God speed Jeff and God bless all the wonderful people who helped him, often when they had their own troubles. And to you my little any-mouse pal "Pog mo thoin"

Aftermath

(Image borrowed from "Bearded Roman" by Micheal Fay)



A severe storm came through the other night. One of my old cherry trees come down across my neighbor's driveway. It was 5 AM and he had to get to work. So out came the chain saw and I got him a path down the drive.He looked around at the mess and said "Leave it and I'll clean it up after work". With a thank you and a smile he headed out. Did I mention he was in camo fatigues? You see he is a Warrant Officer in the Guard, He goes to Afghanistan in three months. Leaving a young wife,two year old son, and a new baby boy, He's moving them in with relatives next month. I went back to my house and poured a cup of coffee. Turned on the news. Got so damn mad at the sniveling know-it-alls who pollute the morning air with their opinions that I almost threw the cup at the set. I didn't learn a lot from my career soldier Dad. Real men shave every day and "Duty, Honor, Country.". Sounds corny when you say it, but not when you see it in front of you wearing camo fatigues at 5 AM. I ain't bragging you would have done the same, but his yard was cleaned up long before he came home. It ain't like we don't owe him.

A Tale of Two Photos

I don't remember if I've ever mentioned it before, but do to his parents work schedules I have the pleasure of Ethan's company on Thursdays and Fridays.These pictures are from the other day. Now for a little background. In the top one we see that Ethan has lovingly placed his precious "blankie" around our 10 year old cat. I'm not a big fan of cats, but this one deserves a medal. Remember the chicken and noodles?
In the second Nana has come home and Ethan is posing proudly in his favorite hat. (See here). Now as Mr Harvey used to say "Is the rest of the story".( That gives me an idea for a post about Paul Harvey and my Grandfather, but I digress). Follow Ethan's line of sight in photo number one. Can you see the Old Spice deodorant on the table? Upon returning from ,what I thought was a quick trip to the coffee maker, I found the cat vigorously rubbing his head on the carpet. "Kitty smells good" proudly proclaimed Ethan. As you may have noticed Nana's posture has a rather tired look to it in the second photo. Perhaps chasing Ethan around the house as he shouted"Charge Ethan's Men!"(yep, I taught him that one) had something to do with it.So when Daddy picked him up we could be excused for our collective sigh of relief. Much later we got a call from my daughter, Ethan wanted to tell me something. "I sad Granddaddy, I miss you" As I'm pulling on my coat my daughter yells "NO DAD! he just wants to know if he can see you tomorrow".After I assured him we would do errands together he said "OK I happy now". If you ever wonder if you can love a grandchild as much as your own child..... trust me,no problem.

Get Real

OK lets see is this news? Does this deserve any attention? She made a mistake for Pete's sake. She displayed quick thinking and amazing professionalism to get through it.I felt her sincere love of country and excitement for the event come across. Get off her back. The bigger issue with her ilk is the bad role model they are for young women. The bigger outrage is the number of girls who will be forced into the sex trade in this country alone. Media, get real.



PS: Old School,this is about Christina Aguilera singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl.

Rumination

Ethan and I are splitting a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup. Comfort food for young and old on a cold, dreary Rust Belt day. I have a favorite saying from Larry McMurtry, "Old age don't fit me". In so many ways it's true. You wake up one morning and realize you aren't going to die young(yes I borrowed that line too) and pretty women view you no differently than a piece of furniture in the room. The list of what you used to do you can't do any more is too long to worry over. If you let yourself you begin the road down to grumpy old manhood. So like most of life you're going to pick the horse you ride. I've gotten used to my ride. All in all it ain't bad. Women always did view me that way. The girl at the check out asked me if I was wearing Old Spice. As I waited for the Dad connection she said" My Granddad wore it, the scent makes me happy." I wasn't offended, I was happy too. The Little Rat Pack help. Watching them try to do things like I do makes my heart swell. Gabe told his Mom not to try to fix it only Granddad can fix things. That will make you smile every time. So no self pity allowed. Maybe I can't do everything I used to, but what I can, I do better(no wink-wink, nudge-nudge intended!).On this cold ,dreary , Rust Belt day I feel nice and warm inside and it isn't all soup. Crap, gotta go Ethan is chasing the cat with a spoonful of noodles telling him"Try it you'll like it".

The Key to It All

I had never in my "all together put together" seen this photo before last week. I have read about their feud over the blacklisted director, but other than that I didn't know about their relationship.Still don't come to that. They seemed to have had a lot more differences than common ground.They were legends and yet just men. I would have liked to have spent a little time with either man, but not a lot of time.What stands out to me from what I've read about them is they both tried to be a man of his word. If they promised you something you knew it was going to happen. I admire that more than anything else in a man. If you say you'll be here at eight and work hard until five, don't come late and leave early.If you promised your kid that you'll be there, be there. And when you took a vow to share one life until death do you part,live up to your end of the bargain (something these two had some trouble with). My mother used to say if you lead a good life and there turns out to be no heaven, at least they'll talk nice about you at the funeral. I think the greatest thing that anyone can say about you when you're gone is "he always keep his word". Or in my case "Like he knew anything".

Scunnered

To be honest I had heard of Flashman, but never read any of the novels. After it was mentioned on Admiral Cod, I decided to look into it. I may start reading the series, or maybe not.I was looking into it when I came across this article here. . Interesting to see how many things that are happening in our country are also occurring in Great Britain. I also came away with a new word to describe how I feel at times: scunnered. I even like the sound of it. After this weekend I feel very scunnered. The terrible tragedy followed by the media reporting pure speculation about motive, injuries, even recovery just minutes after the shooting. I had to turn it off, what a way to report one of this country's saddest days. It's to be expected I suppose .I wonder if Sir Sean is ever scunnered?

Oh yeah, one more thing. It's Auburn War Eagles, not Tigers( I lived outside of Opelika, I know) Beat the Ducks.