The kid is now a 'college freshman' and new dorm dweller! We got him moved in on Friday, and we boogied home rather quickly after the unpacking. Yes, we needed to get back to deal with the critters who did not understand being fed breakfast at O-Dark-Thirty in the a.m. Also, I've learned by dealing with the Marine, that hanging around too long makes the 'see ya later' part tough. Besides, he still had his dad and step mom there so there was no problem getting back on the road to home. He's looking forward to it all, and I'm very glad. We have both envisioned the day he went to college, and I'm proud of him in a big way! It's all good. He's not too far away, we talk quite often and we'll go down to see how things are rolling along in a couple of weeks and take him shopping for sundry type items. In the meantime, life at home goes on.
The temps have been very nice the last two days. They say it will come to an end once again, and by mid week we'll be back to the pit dripping heat and humidity that we all love to hate. We had a bit of rain today which is helpful..things are a tad dry. The garden needs attention and I hope to get all the peppers picked and dealt with this week. Then, it's adios! to the plants. I don't want to mess with them into September waiting for them to hopefully change color. I can't get red and yellow and orange bells to change. The growing season here is just too fickle. I've tried starting them indoors as early as mid February only to get leggy seedlings that can't survive long enough to make it to the great outdoors. Since i dehydrate my sweet peppers, it doesn't really matter anyway. The rest get made into a pepper/onion relish for brats and dogs and then I keep some chopped and frozen to add to pizza or chili or whatever floats my boat.
So...one more day before the work week starts. Hopefully the weather will be good and we can get more yard work done, and some basics around the house. I have a list a mile long in my head of things I want to accomplish now that the kid is off doing his thing. Problem is, my ideas are larger than my energy quota right now!
Carry on!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
HELL yes!!
Marine's Charges Dropped in Iraq Deaths
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QTJTGG0&show_article=1&catnum=0
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A general dropped all charges Thursday against a Marine who had been accused of killing three Iraqi brothers in response to a roadside bomb attack in Haditha in 2005.
"The evidence does not support a referral to a court-martial," Lt. Gen. James Mattis wrote in his written decision.
Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt, 22, had been charged with the murder in the deaths of three of those killed after the bomb attack Nov. 19, 2005.
The decision to drop the charges followed an earlier recommendation from a hearing officer who listened to evidence in the case. Under military law, a commanding general has total jurisdiction over a case.
In his recommendation, Lt. Col. Paul Ware said murder charges brought against Sharratt were based on unreliable witness accounts, poor forensic evidence and questionable legal theories.
"The government version is unsupported by independent evidence," Ware wrote in an 18-page report. "To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary."
This young Marine's career is ruined. And it's all because of a bunch of BS charges, which they now...after all this time, have said are not sufficient to even hold him, much less charge him. I'm learning more and more about the Corps as time goes on. Yeah, there are still good eggs in the bunch, but it sure seems that the Peter Principal is running the show. If you aren't familiar with it, that is when those who are not worthy or qualified, get continually upgraded just to move them on down the line. In this case, 9 Marines have been accused of war time atrocities that did not happen. Families have mortgaged houses two and sometimes three times to pay attorney's bills. Some have lost their homes altogether and their careers are in the crapper.
This is an absolute outrage. I can introduce you to any number of active duty Marines who are still over there who tell you it is common practice for Iraqi's to lie like stinking dogs in hopes of being given some settlement money. This is a perfect example of the fallout.
Hang in there Lcpl. I know from hearing from your parents and the parents of others how this has crushed your spirit. The brotherhood has hung you all out to dry like so many scapegoats and it's hella wrong.
I hope and pray the others are cleared soon. And, I hope there is one decent Marine out there who will follow this cluster*uck back down the line and bring to trial those who instigated this farce.
Carry on!
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QTJTGG0&show_article=1&catnum=0
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A general dropped all charges Thursday against a Marine who had been accused of killing three Iraqi brothers in response to a roadside bomb attack in Haditha in 2005.
"The evidence does not support a referral to a court-martial," Lt. Gen. James Mattis wrote in his written decision.
Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt, 22, had been charged with the murder in the deaths of three of those killed after the bomb attack Nov. 19, 2005.
The decision to drop the charges followed an earlier recommendation from a hearing officer who listened to evidence in the case. Under military law, a commanding general has total jurisdiction over a case.
In his recommendation, Lt. Col. Paul Ware said murder charges brought against Sharratt were based on unreliable witness accounts, poor forensic evidence and questionable legal theories.
"The government version is unsupported by independent evidence," Ware wrote in an 18-page report. "To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary."
This young Marine's career is ruined. And it's all because of a bunch of BS charges, which they now...after all this time, have said are not sufficient to even hold him, much less charge him. I'm learning more and more about the Corps as time goes on. Yeah, there are still good eggs in the bunch, but it sure seems that the Peter Principal is running the show. If you aren't familiar with it, that is when those who are not worthy or qualified, get continually upgraded just to move them on down the line. In this case, 9 Marines have been accused of war time atrocities that did not happen. Families have mortgaged houses two and sometimes three times to pay attorney's bills. Some have lost their homes altogether and their careers are in the crapper.
This is an absolute outrage. I can introduce you to any number of active duty Marines who are still over there who tell you it is common practice for Iraqi's to lie like stinking dogs in hopes of being given some settlement money. This is a perfect example of the fallout.
Hang in there Lcpl. I know from hearing from your parents and the parents of others how this has crushed your spirit. The brotherhood has hung you all out to dry like so many scapegoats and it's hella wrong.
I hope and pray the others are cleared soon. And, I hope there is one decent Marine out there who will follow this cluster*uck back down the line and bring to trial those who instigated this farce.
Carry on!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
A must read for those against the war
I am blown away. I have been humbled. I am in awe. This should be required reading in classrooms and board rooms across the US. Please visit this site, and read what a Marine in Iraq wrote home to his family. It was written some time ago, but you can just as easily change a name of a politician or two and it will be just as relevant today as it was the moment it was written.
If anyone ever says we need to pull out of Iraq now...you need to send them here:
http://devildog6771.wordpress.com/2007/08/05/support-the-troops-but-not-the-war-what-an-american-soldier-would-like-to-say-about-it-all/#comment-11766
OOHRAAH!
God bless our Devil dogs!!
If anyone ever says we need to pull out of Iraq now...you need to send them here:
http://devildog6771.wordpress.com/2007/08/05/support-the-troops-but-not-the-war-what-an-american-soldier-would-like-to-say-about-it-all/#comment-11766
OOHRAAH!
God bless our Devil dogs!!
For the accidental visitor
Perhaps by some stroke of luck, be it bad or good..someone may stumble upon this blog and see my shameless request for a vote on a photo I took. Or, the sole visitor (heheh) can vote again. And again...and again..and again! ;-)
This is the link in which to do me this cyber favor. I will of course reciprocate if needed at some time in the future...perhaps to push someones visit counter over the edge!
http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photovote1.asp?PID=2224411
Life goes on...work, home, bills, shopping, scooping dog poop. The fun never stops here! Along with the heat wave the Midwest is currently 'experiencing', I just don't think I can handle any more excitement at this point.
News flash!! Marines need mail! Go here to help. http://thinking-right.com/
Uncle Sam and I would be proud of you!! :-)
Carry on!
This is the link in which to do me this cyber favor. I will of course reciprocate if needed at some time in the future...perhaps to push someones visit counter over the edge!
http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photovote1.asp?PID=2224411
Life goes on...work, home, bills, shopping, scooping dog poop. The fun never stops here! Along with the heat wave the Midwest is currently 'experiencing', I just don't think I can handle any more excitement at this point.
News flash!! Marines need mail! Go here to help. http://thinking-right.com/
Uncle Sam and I would be proud of you!! :-)
Carry on!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Because I can
I am so glad to be in the digital age of photography. No more waiting for the processing to get done and shelling out hard earned cash for half assed photos, of which I own a LOT! Almost anyone can take a good pic with a digital camera, and of course, being able to just erase the ones that didn't work is priceless! So, because I can, I'm going to post some recent pics taken. I like them. That's all that matters. Why I can't get them to post below my text is beyond me at this point in time. Oh well...
Enjoy the day!
Friday, July 6, 2007
A quarterly update?
I figured I would have a hard time dealing with a blog..but since I'm the only one reading what I have previously typed...except for Susan..what the heck!? The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The pup is back in action and I'm glad to say you can't tell he was ever hurt to begin with. The kid is no longer in high school..he's officially a graduate and within a month plus a few days of starting college. I on the other hand don't know if I have enough tupperware to sell at a garage sale to keep him in Mac-N-cheese or not! The meal program alone for a year will wipe out what little I can throw at the bill..so I'm thinking there is a student loan in the very near future.
In other news..Jehrico is back on! YEAH! Enough of us griped at the morons at CBS to get it revived. Their threat though is that it may only be a temporary thing. Seems there are more idiots who would rather watch a faux reality show than something a bit more dramatic. There is just no accounting for taste I guess.
The Marine finally got to come home for a short visit. It had been 638 days plus or minus a day since we had last seen him. Waaay too long to go inbetween! He looked so good. He's filled out and grown up and a part of me is sad that I missed it. But, it is a lot like when they are little and someone else sees their first tooth before you do, or gets to see them ride the bike for the first time without training wheels. There is always something we won't be privy too, and that's just the way it goes. I'm thankful for every day we do have together, even if it means just a phone call or a message on the chat line. Without the technology we have today, I and many other military moms would be total basket cases. How our grandparents and great grandparents made it through those months and years with nothing but an occasional letter in the US mail..I'll never know. Those were indeed some very tough times.
The bees are back and I'm out there snapping pics again this year. Just can't help myself..it's amazing to watch them. :-) We've had a pair of barn swallows nesting on our porch. I thought it was quite big of me to 'allow' them to build here and looked forward to seeing the chicks hatch etc. What I did NOT know was that these nifty little birds are VERY aggressive and I am fed up with being dive bombed every time I get out of my vehicle or go check the mail. They are big enough now to be receiving 'flight lessons' and I am giving them two more days to get the kids kicked out of the nest. My version of the HUD program is coming through and this nest is 'going down'! The garden is doing well except there seems to be a fungus amongus and the tomatoes are not doing well. It's a shame too because they had been going like gang busters up until the excess rain we've had.
That's it in a nutshell for now! :-) Enjoy the heat and sun!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The law abiding are those who pay....
..for those who just can't play by the rules. It never fails. And, WalMart can kiss my butt and my stuffy head. I was refused a sale of Sudafed because I had placed a piece of clear tape on a crack in my drivers license. They tell me it's now 'invalid'. How can that be? I asked the manager. His associates/store had no problem accepting this 'invalid' license two weeks ago when I went in and bought groceries, as well as alcohol and tobacco which require a valid ID. His associates/store had no problem selling me sudafed last fall at the hight of allergy season when I produced the SAME license with the SAME piece of tape on the part that cracked.
Seems to me, they are picking and choosing what 'law' to uphold. Well, they can kiss my butt. I'm standing there with eyes watering, coughing, sneezing and in OBVIOUS allergy distress, but a piece of tape says I can't buy the medicine I need.
I hope meth users/makers all die in a gutter some place. They don't tell farmers around here that they have to cage/go out of their way to secure their anhydrous tanks they have sitting in dang near ever farm field across the state. But, I can't get any allergy relief because there is a crack in my DL.
Considering this state won't renew a license early..I'm not going to go in and hand over money for a duplicate, to only turn around in six month and hand them more for a 'renewed' license. The state can kiss my drippy nose too!
What a crock.
It's like the whiners have taken over this country. The maniac who shot up those college kids in VA bought his guns/ammo legally. How unique!! Now, we need more gun laws. Riiiiight. Like the next one bent on doing the same is going to worry about a stupid law! The whiners say there should have been a waiting period in VA. Okay. So it would have happened seven days later than it did. So what? If you have planned an attack like he did, and can't get a gun via legal means, you buy on the black market or steal them. The only people affected by tougher gun laws are the ones who bother to go through the legal system. Anyone bent on doing 'illegal' drugs/weapons will get them one way or another. It's been going on since the history of mankind. I say let them all cook their brains and we can scrape them up with shovels when they die. As for these off balance wannabe killers, I say arm the law abiding. Had one teacher been armed, there may have only been two deaths...counting his. Worth the trade off if you ask me.
What a bunch of crap.
I have to go shove more tissue up my snoot to stop the dripping now.
Seems to me, they are picking and choosing what 'law' to uphold. Well, they can kiss my butt. I'm standing there with eyes watering, coughing, sneezing and in OBVIOUS allergy distress, but a piece of tape says I can't buy the medicine I need.
I hope meth users/makers all die in a gutter some place. They don't tell farmers around here that they have to cage/go out of their way to secure their anhydrous tanks they have sitting in dang near ever farm field across the state. But, I can't get any allergy relief because there is a crack in my DL.
Considering this state won't renew a license early..I'm not going to go in and hand over money for a duplicate, to only turn around in six month and hand them more for a 'renewed' license. The state can kiss my drippy nose too!
What a crock.
It's like the whiners have taken over this country. The maniac who shot up those college kids in VA bought his guns/ammo legally. How unique!! Now, we need more gun laws. Riiiiight. Like the next one bent on doing the same is going to worry about a stupid law! The whiners say there should have been a waiting period in VA. Okay. So it would have happened seven days later than it did. So what? If you have planned an attack like he did, and can't get a gun via legal means, you buy on the black market or steal them. The only people affected by tougher gun laws are the ones who bother to go through the legal system. Anyone bent on doing 'illegal' drugs/weapons will get them one way or another. It's been going on since the history of mankind. I say let them all cook their brains and we can scrape them up with shovels when they die. As for these off balance wannabe killers, I say arm the law abiding. Had one teacher been armed, there may have only been two deaths...counting his. Worth the trade off if you ask me.
What a bunch of crap.
I have to go shove more tissue up my snoot to stop the dripping now.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
It's all in how you look at things.
LOVE it!
*****************
If you don't know what MEMRI stands for, you need to find out. The MEMRI site has now gone to the blogosphere, which is just fine. Keep your eyes open. This is the news being spouted 'over there'. You want to learn about the attitudes and ambitions of the middle east? Check out
Saturday, April 7, 2007
It's alive!!
I remembered this blog for some reason today. After asking Google for my password, I came in and was amazed to see that at least one person read my December post and actually left a comment! Thanks to the Heifer Intl. guy for popping in. FYI incase you come back, I got my most recent news letter from you folks and will be sending a couple of bucks your way soon. Sure wish I had known about them years ago...I so would have signed on to learn to become a HI worker.
Hindsight being what it is and all...
We are freezing once again here. Our 'taste' of spring was short lived and the plants that popped their little buds out are now being frozen off. Hopefully it won't totally wipe out the majority of my blooms and blossems. I love and own many hosta's and I don't worry too much about them since they tend to be quite hardy once established. The tulips and hyacinth are wilted but we did get to enjoy some spring color for about a week before the cold moved back in.
We have a new family member. He's a pup..and a real hoot. Sadly, his first experience in learning how to clear the baby gate in the doorway went awry, and he caught his foot in it and broke his tibia. Having a puppy in a cast and trying to keep it quiet is like nailing a two year old, hyper active child made of jello to a tree. It's been a week..and we have at least 5 more to go before we will know if he's all healed up. In the meantime, I am exhausted.
There is good reason to raise children and puppies while you yourself are young. It takes a lot of time and energy and I am showing about a quarter tank on my fuel guage. Gawd!
Easter is on it's way, and this year like the last one...will be quiet. No big dinner to go to as family is either a considerable drive away, or they have moved on in their own circle. We lost our last 'elder' three years ago, and it seems that I and my siblings have drifted apart. I pretty much knew that would be the case, and while I did try to keep things together, eventually even I have come to the conclusion that things happen for a reason. We have our health and I am thankful for that. We'll be dining out at a brunch in a local restaraunt and that's fine too. I miss the family get together's, but not having to do dishes and clean up after a plethera of folk isn't breaking my heart in the least! :-)
Enjoy the holiday.
Hindsight being what it is and all...
We are freezing once again here. Our 'taste' of spring was short lived and the plants that popped their little buds out are now being frozen off. Hopefully it won't totally wipe out the majority of my blooms and blossems. I love and own many hosta's and I don't worry too much about them since they tend to be quite hardy once established. The tulips and hyacinth are wilted but we did get to enjoy some spring color for about a week before the cold moved back in.
We have a new family member. He's a pup..and a real hoot. Sadly, his first experience in learning how to clear the baby gate in the doorway went awry, and he caught his foot in it and broke his tibia. Having a puppy in a cast and trying to keep it quiet is like nailing a two year old, hyper active child made of jello to a tree. It's been a week..and we have at least 5 more to go before we will know if he's all healed up. In the meantime, I am exhausted.
There is good reason to raise children and puppies while you yourself are young. It takes a lot of time and energy and I am showing about a quarter tank on my fuel guage. Gawd!
Easter is on it's way, and this year like the last one...will be quiet. No big dinner to go to as family is either a considerable drive away, or they have moved on in their own circle. We lost our last 'elder' three years ago, and it seems that I and my siblings have drifted apart. I pretty much knew that would be the case, and while I did try to keep things together, eventually even I have come to the conclusion that things happen for a reason. We have our health and I am thankful for that. We'll be dining out at a brunch in a local restaraunt and that's fine too. I miss the family get together's, but not having to do dishes and clean up after a plethera of folk isn't breaking my heart in the least! :-)
Enjoy the holiday.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Christmas spirit...who wants some?
I do. In September, I'm usually stoked about Christmas and have a plethera of good ideas. How and what to put out in the yard that will be festive without looking too much like a white trash extraveganza. What I think will be great gifts to give, because there is a never ending string of hints coming my way, which I of course can't recall for the life of me by Halloween. Now there's a holiday I get in too! I have more Halloween stuff it seems than most folks have stray pens without ink in a junk drawer. I started having Halloween parties in the 90's. Back before it became a gazillion dollar industry. The good news is, now that it is a big time deal, you can find some decent decor that isn't all kittens with pumpkins or smiling ghost's. I like the creepy stuff. But Christmas? I can't get into it this year. It seems like I've lost my touch for the holidays.
Now that one kid is gone and in the military, and the other is too busy being a senior in high school...there just isn't the drive to decorate and get pumped like there used to be. I guess this year it will be pretty minimal, unless something or someone inspires me to start popping the lids on those big totes full of stuff in the basement. I did decide that this year it's about others. There will be a gift or two for the kid...and I'll send something to the other one, but my major cash was spent at a cool place called Heifer International. I really like the concept of 'teach a man to fish' instead of throwing cash at a 'group' who's overhead will eat most of my donation up on someone paid to paint their nails while they answer the phone. Anyway, check it out. It's a wonderful group and they have been doing great things for people in need for years. Kind of the Pay It Forward of the livestock crowd. I can't wait to see the expression on the faces of certain family members when they open a card telling them I spent their portion of my budget on the needy. I HOPE it will inspire them to become a bit more altruistic..but they are young males and I have a hunch they will be a bit 'shocked'. Hehehehe.
I will be gifting myself with a CD burner. The one the kid in the house had has official bitten the dust and I have a couple of new CD's I really want to 'rip' to my iPod. The dog of the house has managed to throw away another Kong toy (tm) so I guess I'll be shelling out for another one of those too. He has a habit of wandering around with that in his mouth, then going to see what's in the trash can. He inevitably drops it in while rooting, and if I didn't witness the act, then it gets tossed out on trash day. Damn dog.
Be careful..it seems the rumor about gift card rip off is true. Certain cretins will go through a store and write down the number on those cards hanging on the rack. They then check the number via a web site each day to see if that cards number has been sold, and if so...how much is on the card. They then quickly spend it on line and twahlah! Your gift card is worth nada! Great little scam if that is your cup of tea. I'm all for giving them the green...as long as it doesn't turn out to be counterfeit that is!
Carry on. Let me know if you have an abundance of Christmas spirit you can divy up.
Now that one kid is gone and in the military, and the other is too busy being a senior in high school...there just isn't the drive to decorate and get pumped like there used to be. I guess this year it will be pretty minimal, unless something or someone inspires me to start popping the lids on those big totes full of stuff in the basement. I did decide that this year it's about others. There will be a gift or two for the kid...and I'll send something to the other one, but my major cash was spent at a cool place called Heifer International. I really like the concept of 'teach a man to fish' instead of throwing cash at a 'group' who's overhead will eat most of my donation up on someone paid to paint their nails while they answer the phone. Anyway, check it out. It's a wonderful group and they have been doing great things for people in need for years. Kind of the Pay It Forward of the livestock crowd. I can't wait to see the expression on the faces of certain family members when they open a card telling them I spent their portion of my budget on the needy. I HOPE it will inspire them to become a bit more altruistic..but they are young males and I have a hunch they will be a bit 'shocked'. Hehehehe.
I will be gifting myself with a CD burner. The one the kid in the house had has official bitten the dust and I have a couple of new CD's I really want to 'rip' to my iPod. The dog of the house has managed to throw away another Kong toy (tm) so I guess I'll be shelling out for another one of those too. He has a habit of wandering around with that in his mouth, then going to see what's in the trash can. He inevitably drops it in while rooting, and if I didn't witness the act, then it gets tossed out on trash day. Damn dog.
Be careful..it seems the rumor about gift card rip off is true. Certain cretins will go through a store and write down the number on those cards hanging on the rack. They then check the number via a web site each day to see if that cards number has been sold, and if so...how much is on the card. They then quickly spend it on line and twahlah! Your gift card is worth nada! Great little scam if that is your cup of tea. I'm all for giving them the green...as long as it doesn't turn out to be counterfeit that is!
Carry on. Let me know if you have an abundance of Christmas spirit you can divy up.
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