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Looking Back
I’ve heard, as I’m sure many out there have heard also, Never look Back, only forward. Well I’m here to tell you there is a lot to look back on that brings us all joy. That bodes well in these times where our going forward is stymied much of the time by the current Pandemic that affects us all in one way or another. So my friends I’m just going to share some remembrances with you.
Just last week for instance I get a text from the Mrs., “stop at Food Lion and get me some Heavy Cream.” Fortunately this is a frequent request and I know right where to look for it, as well as what I’m looking for. However the Heavy Cream is not really what I’m looking back at.
All of us, yes even you who have eyes on this blog have observed the following. You go to a mall, grocery store, or if your a miser like us a “Dollar Tree” from time to time. As you look for a parking place, way in the back this time of the year you see the following. Shopping carts are strewn everywhere. Many carts block parking spots, some are coming at you at 15 -20 MPH, blown by December winds. I could use some Expletive Deleateds here but I wont.
There are cart Parking Stations conveniently located throughout most parking lots. Who uses them and who does not? Do you ever wonder, or, are you a culprit? Has that new Ford Bronco you see with the the dent in it’s door experienced a wind blown cart you wonder. How about the cart in the middle of the lane you’re traveling in, do you have to get out and move it to get by? Are the carts in the collection stacked inside one-another? They do fit inside one-another you know.
How about this one. You observe a shopper take his or her cart, which they have just emptied and from twenty five yards away send it flying towards the storage area. “Long pass towards the end zone, OH! incomplete,” as it Rick-O-Shays off that Toyota Van. Had a beer with Rick just the other day at a pub in Kilkenny.
What you do with your cart says a lot about you. Check it out.
There are a host of posts on this question on TWITTER also.
So OK, there are most likely reasons of significant value as to why a person doesn’t take the cart back. Disabilities, sudden downpours, dog or child locked inside for an hour on 100 degree day and passed out, so many reasons, so little time.
As you shop these last few day prior to Christmas, take a moment and take the cart back.
Merry Christmas to all from the Rooster and the Mrs.
A Wedding in August
Just yesterday we were in the Piano room at daughter Kathryn’s house. Gathered about listening to Christmas music from the family Steinway were Granddaughter Rachael and husband Drew, Granddaughter Abigail, and husband Antwain and their daughter, one month old Alana Bea, our great, #5. Kathryn and husband Jeff, Mary Agnes and the Rooster, dogs, Libby and Phoebe and lurking around the corner, Cat Friday, were there also.. I’ve since renamed the Piano room the gathering room. Must get a picture out some day soon.
Earlier in the day the local fire department was out in force escorting Santa Clause about town. Alana was given the opportunity to tell Santa what was on her wish list, apparently she slept though the event. Here’s Alana with mom and dad.
Kathryn was playing Christmas music on the recently tuned piano. Several of us were enjoying a glass of wine, the atmosphere was festive and the setting was Grand. At one point Rachael turns to me and says, “Pop-Pop, I never got a shout out in a blog when I got married in August.” Yep, the Rooster had been remiss.
Well folks out there in reader land, Granddaughter Rachael was married to Andrew Rodgers on sixteen August of this year. The two young’ns had been dating for some time and the 16’th had been the anniversary of their first date. Rachael is an elementary school teacher, Drew served in the Navy Submarine Service for six years. He listened to Whales chatting while submerged at Davey Jones Locker Andrew still has his ups and downs, he now works for an elevator company.
A proud little tidbit concerning the wedding, yours truly served as the officiant for the ceremony and the event took place in our backyard with a flock of nine hens as witnesses. This was my third family wedding to have conducted and I have two more coming up next year. I’ll marry a nephew in February and my brother in June. These are proud moments all.
The Participants
So there you have it, Rachael is married, I’m off the Fecal Roster and one last thing. We found out recently that Rachael and Andrews family will increase in size in 2022. Congratulations to the two of you.
Thanksgiving
I Remember Mama so many years ago, I often watched it, it was a TV show. It was in the early 50’s, at the most I was ten years old, after the show it was to bed I was told.
Why does this show stick out in my head, it certainly wasn’t because of the bed. I had been reminiscing of Thanksgivings past, and so many memories that still do last
I’m off to the grocer in these late years of my life, with three things to remember to pick up for the wife. I walk the aisles, and get the first two, but item number three just won’t come through.
I’m sure you’ve been there experiencing the same, if you’re close to eighty and play the alphabet game. It wasn’t an A or a B this time, it was the C for cranberries that came to my mind.
For what ever reason that fore mentioned TV show, had a Thanksgiving episode that I remember and know. In just a few days the table shall be set, and the Turkey served. Oh my dear, that poor ugly bird.
So many memories over the years. We’ve been in Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut, there were so many thanksgiving scenes. Now we’re in Maryland these past thirty years, to savor our meal and create lasting dreams.
I remember one year the turkey was raw, the old electric oven wasn’t working, that’s all. I can still hear the words brother Bobby would say, “well, the cranberries were good, anyway.”
The family all gathered, it was what made the day. It brings us together wherever we are. Little Tommy Palmer away off far. In Colorado Springs at USAFA you are. Mama Sarah will fly to be with you this day, but the old traditions in our heads will stay.
New baby Alana not yet a week old, will be part of the memories come later to be told. It’s daughter Kathryn’s house now to host this tradition, we are all so blessed to behold this new addition.
So wherever you are on this Thanksgiving day, take a moment and look to the past, there are so many good memories that surely do last.
Yes, I remember Mama, she’s gone today, but the memories of Thanksgiving in my head will stay.
To all my friends on this festive day, have a Blessed Thanksgiving and good memories I pray.
Did Ben Franklin want the Turkey to be the National Bird?
At 100 years, Philly hosts nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade
The First Blog
I find it hard to believe I started blogging way back in 2008, February 2008 actually. I used Blogspot by Google back then. I’ll still copy and paste on that venue from time to time. For today however, I shall share with you my first blog. A few things are different however, like I was up at 0400 this morning with the Mrs having coffee. She is gone, having walked to the eldest daughter’s home a mile away. The Mrs usually has 10,000 steps in prior to 0800. The daughters, now that’s a busy house, at the moment. husband Jeff (where in the world is Jeff ?) he’s still working from home for the government. Youngest daughter Abby and husband Antwan are living in the Frog, (Finished room over the garage). Their cat, Friday and dog Phoebe are there also. Oh, on Friday the young’ns are expecting their first child. Kathryn & Jeff have Libby, 14 YO Yellow Lab and their cat Bolt. That’s what the cat does when he she sees a stranger, BOLTS. On this morning daughter Kathryn will be out the door early for a Salvation Army breakfast.
So here you go folks, should anyone be interested, my first BLOG.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008
Blog, kind of sounds like a cold, or a zit or some kind of an affliction. My first day with a blog, now what do I do with it?
Well to start off I’ll let the world know how I start my day on the Internet.
My start up page is http//refdesk.com
Having spent twenty years in Connecticut I next go to http://www.courant.com/ to check on the local news and how the UCONN Huskies are doing in any given season. I’m a forty year Huskie fan. http://www.uconnhuskies.com/
Next up, but sometimes #1 is the weather. While in the Marine Corps, way back when, I was in Weather as an occupation with Rawinsonde as a sub specialty. http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/bl68.htm
I use a verity of weather related sites www.nws.noaa.gov/ #1, my other favorites are www.accuweather.com and www.weatherunderground.com
During the Hurricane season I live by the National Hurricane Center. www.nhc.noaa.gov/
I have friends and family in CT, FL, CA, and affections to Key West, FL, Pagosa Springs, CO, Flagstaff, AZ and Ireland and Germany. So, I usually check on the weather in those places.
Next it’s off to the Washington Post and Washington Times to get two diametric views on the news. www.washingtonpost.com
www.washingtontimes.com
After the two DC papers I go to Google News, which I have preference settings in and glance over that. Next is onto my mail servers.
From then on I usually have a Memo Pad with notes on things to look up and it’s off I go. This all starts shortly after I get up, usually around 0500. Once downstairs it’s a hot cup of tea to start the day.
Here, I’ve given the world the start of my day for the start of a BLOG. I shall end this bantering with saying Cead Mile Failte
TheRooster Semper Fi
Don’t forget to check on the elderly.
Miracle on 600 19’th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Preamble from the Rooster
As I write this, Mary Agnes and Kathryn are in Brunssum, Netherlands along with K’s husband Jeff. Kathryn has given me permission to post her story for the preparation of their trip. I’ve done a bit of editing, added some photo’s and info, but this is Kathryn’s story. I hope you enjoy her Saga as so many have already. Congratulations to Samantha on her promotion to Major in the USAF. Sam, and husband Zed, a pilot, are stationed in Geilenkirchen, Germany at a Nato Air Base. ( Oh, and one last note, I did not ask permission to use her photo holding the passport.) If she was having a bad hair day after what she went through, we should not pass judgement. She really does dress up nice. A big thank you to a good friend, Lexi O’Leary, who checked on the wife’s welfare while she walked alone in DC getting he 16,000 steps in while waiting for Kathryn. It was much appreciated Alexis!
Planning
Planning July 2021…. Our daughter Samantha has been in the USAF for 10 years, in that time she has accomplished an incredible amount for the AF and for her family. When she was notified of her promotion to Major, she asked if I would be her officiating officer. Of course, I agreed, and Jeff was asked to say the prayer, two parents could not be more proud. Off to the Netherlands! Planning began, since Jeff would be coming from Saudi Arabia following a work trip, and I would be coming from Salisbury we needed to coordinate.
We asked my parents if they would want to go too. The answer, of course! Let the planning begin…. We plotted airports, hotels and restaurants. It was a fun summer activity. We also planned our trip to USAFA for parents weekend in September to see Tommy Palmer – another family member entering the long blue line, – something to take our minds off of COVID… despite the rising numbers, we had something to look forward to. Then COVID struck close to home, my dad got COVID, and he got sick. Luckily, because he was vaccinated, he never got hospitalized, but it slowed him down tremendously, he was really sick. In my mind I have a running list to all the things our family has lost due to COVID, friends, family, events, holidays, and now, my dad’s travel to Sam’s Promotion…..
My mom and I continued to plan, she’s such a great traveler. She and I picked tickets that would coincide with Jeff’s arrival to Frankfurt. We got our hotel and Blacklane pick up. Remember life before COVID? The only thing you had to worry about when making you plane reservation was picking a seat? Now plane reservations require scanning and downloading vaccination cards, testing requirements (which can change weekly) review and completion, quarantines. It takes a PhD in technology, political process, medicine and patience to know how to successfully enter another country…. Oh yeah, and a passport. That’s important too.
The fine print
As my mom and I sat 72 hours prior to our flight, working to get all our documentation in order, I got everything scanned in, vaccines, hotel reservation, passports, via the United app, and waited for our “travel ready” approval. Instead of the “All Complete Green Check on the APP” I got a “Kathryn Fiddler is pending updated information…..” Pending information? I checked the app again, reloaded my vaccine card and waited. The message remained unchanged. I checked my passport #, correct, I rechecked my documents and date, correct, then I read the fine print.
Apparently, my passport was required to be effective for at least 90 days, and mine was set to expire in 60 days. What did that mean? Surely my husband, who works for the Dept of State, could fix it. I called him in Saudi and let him know there was a glitch. I had 64 hours before our plane left. I also started calling the US Passport office when they opened, attempting to get an appointment. Sixty hours left. While at work, I called the passport office, hoping their live system would find me a next-day appointment for a passport. There were appointments in Honolulu, Seattle, Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, but none on the East Coast. Jeff was sending emails to every contact he had.
I hadn’t yet said a word to my mom, and I just kept trying. I did call my sister Sarah, just to let her know what I had done, I shared my sadness. What if I couldn’t get a passport? “No, I haven’t told mom or Sam,” I shared. Forty-eight hours left, passport office now closed.
The Fix
I couldn’t sleep. I knew I had to let my mom know. When she walked over for coffee the next morning, I shared the news. She said she could go without me. She declined. I told her I would keep up my phone calls to the live passport appointment system. Jeff had exhausted his contacts. People were praying all over the world for us. I called Sam and let her know. She said, let me get with my legal folks and the German Nationals; God Bless NATO bases. There were renewed hopes. Forty hours left.
I spoke with many schedulers in my continuous calling, Joe, Maria, Sheree, Arthur, and Anthony. I begged, pleaded, considered flying to Buffalo to get an appointment, but someone else took that one before my passport agent finished. Thirty-six hours left.
Songs Have Meanings
Sarah got me in contact with an Aide for Congressman Andy Harris. I filled out a form explaining why I needed an appointment. Sam called her General Officers from the Pentagon to see if they could help. I drove to Easton, MD, to be closer to DC should an appointment come through. And working from my car, and dialing into Webex appointments, thirty hours left. With hope waning, I headed back to Salisbury.
Jeff sent a text that he was boarding for Frankfurt and would check-in when he landed. It was now just over a day until our 10 PM flight to Frankfurt. As I was headed home, listening to Genesis, “Jesus he knows me” and the lyrics “Jesus he knows me, and he’s been telling me everything’s gonna be all right”. I knew that in my heart, whether in Salisbury or in Europe, it would be all right. If these past few years with COVID have taught me anything, I had learned patience, resilience, and a feeling of peace with whatever happened.
As I stopped at a red light, Genesis on the radio, twenty-nine hours to boarding, I checked my phone one more time. There was an email from an Aide to the Congressman. I had an appointment at noon tomorrow, ten hours before our flight. I broke down and sobbed my eyes out.
Then I called my sister! It was her outreach to the Congressman’s office that had come through. I told her I was headed to our mom’s, she said, “wait for me, I’ll meet you there!” It was a celebration, a clink of wine glasses, and sharing of the good news.
Step one, we had an appointment. Now we needed to pack, and I needed to make sure all my documents were in order. Confirmation letter from the State Department Passport office, current Passport, DS forms for renewal, passport pictures, I checked and rechecked, and packed.
Off to DC
The next AM, 0730, after rechecking my documents one more time, I picked up my mom, and we headed to DC, 600 19th St NW, the US Passport office. As I left my mom walking DC, I walked into the building….. following all the rules. I must wear a mask, have my confirmation # and come into the building alone. We arrived at 10 AM, 12 hours from takeoff… and I was allowed in the building. I went to check-in, and my documents were verified. I got called 20 minutes later to review the accuracy of my documents and to pay $170 for a new expedited passport.
Broken Printer
While I was paying, there was a crowd of people forming on the other side of the room. A gentleman was explaining there was a problem. He said we had permission to leave and get food, and it might be a while? I walked over to the group to hear what was going on. Oh dear, broken printer? Delays, another backlog, as I got closer I heard the whole story. The passport printer had been down since early AM. It would be several hours before it came online, and the passports from overnight had to be completed first. Eleven hours until takeoff.
I left the building to find my mom and share the news. We walked to a food truck and got our fine street dog for lunch, right on the mall. The fresh air was nice, DC is always beautiful in the fall. We walked for an hour, and then I went back to the passport office to get an update and to wait. I left my mom again to walk the streets of DC. Ten hours until take off.
I sat, read, listened to the anxious murmurs in the room. Everyone had a story, weddings, funerals, family vacations, family reunions, and none of us could fix the broken machine. After about an hour, there was an announcement. The printing machine was up and running. It would be a few hours, but the backlogs were already being printed. Eight hours until takeoff.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Finally, at 230 PM, my name was called. I went to the counter and picked up my passport. Never had anything looked so beautiful. I had a passport that didn’t expire for 10 years! 7.5 hours till takeoff! I met my mom outside the building, and we were off to Dulles! We had made it. The work of friends and family all over the world, the power of positive thoughts and prayers made it happen. I believe it.
I think of the old Master Card commercial. Plane ticket to Frankfurt, 500 dollars, new passport, 170 dollars, being able to officiate at my daughter’s promotion, PRICELESS!
The Family
Pictured below are the new Major, Samantha, husband Zed, L to R, Mia, Zoe, Dax, & Ana. Ctr, retired Major and Mom Kathryn, Samantha, the USAF’s new Major and Father Jeff. Right, 4 generations, L to R, the Roosters wife Mary Agnes, our daughter Kathryn, Major Sam, Kathryn’s daughter and Master of the Ceremony Mia, our great granddaughter, granddaughter of Kathryn and Sam’s first born.
A big thank you to daughter Kathryn who provided a written dialog to me of these events. Thanks to whoever in Germany for providing the photos of the event. Kathryn and Sarah, thank you for all you do for so many. Matthew up in Connecticut, thanks for all you do. Matt’s our families technical Wizard. The Rooster accepts responjsibility for all grammatical and draft errors.
Don’t forget to check on the elderly.
Where you been Rooster?
Back when I posted my last Blog, that was in late August, my partner on Mondays, Harrison, came in contact with someone who later tested positive for Covid. Several days later it became a Monday, all right, you guessed it, Mondays with Harrison. Yes sir E Bob, we hit the road together. Unknown to the two of us we had a third rider the dreaded COVID.
That Monday, August 23, would be our last day out together. By Wednesday the disease started to rear it’s ugly head and we both started coming down with symptoms. We were tested that Friday and we were both positive. Harrison’s wife was also showing symptoms, button as severe as the two of us.
Yes, all three of us had been inoculated back in January and February.
My Monday partner would remain at home for more than a week and then became hospitalized. Ultimately he was transferred to a Nursing facility for a while and then was returned home. Harrison would pass peacefully on October 6 in the company of family.
Part of Harrison’s obituary reads as follows:
Harrison attended kindergarten in Mrs. Herold’s home, the Campus School and was in the first class to attend a twelfth year at Wicomico High School. Following high school, he graduated from Colgate University with a degree in Botany.
He married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia, in 1954. Following his service in the US Army, he co-founded Chesapeake Nurseries where he would say, “He never worked a day” because he loved it so much.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, teaching them to body surf, ski, seeing the wonder of simple things and the thrill of adventure. He never missed their sporting events, school ceremonies or anything of importance to them.
To know him was to love him. He made time for everyone, whether you were family, a friend, or a complete stranger. Harrison was genuinely interested in other people. He was a true example of God’s child. He was a lifetime member of of his church, where he served as an elder and on various committees.
Even in his final days, his humor, love of nature, and unabiding faith were constant.
Amazingly our last road trip took us to the town where he grew up in his early years. Familiar homes, some with relatives still in them were pointed out to me. When we passed the school that some grandchildren attended and he traveled to for sporting events, he once again reminded me of that fact.
We ate Cheeseburgers and fries that day from “5 Guys,” don’t tell Sylvia he would say.
Looking back, it was the most appropriate road trip for one last Tango on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. We certainly had some wonderful times together. Below is a picture from a stop for lunch in Lewes, DE on a warm day in November of 2020 on the Fisherman’s Wharf at the Wheelhouse restaurant
As for the Rooster, his feathers got ruffled a bit, I think this is day 66, Taste, Smell and Balance still a bit off. I had an infusion a week after my positive test. There are more good days than bad and I thank the Almighty for being able to write about it. So let us just leave this part of life, as well as the end of it for a very special person.
Peace my friend, be safe out there everyone. Don’t forget to check on the elderly. If you’re not vaccinated, think about it for the welfare of everyone else.
Semper Fi, The Rooster
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Back a few years
My inspiration for this was gained after going back to my early blogging days. I was https://thefidd.blogspot.com I can not believe I first started out in February 2008. On occasion I’ll copy and paste a blog from WordPress to that venue also. Should anyone be interested the old blogs are all still there. Two more upcoming blogs are on the front burner. After this will be, The return of our four greats to the Netherlands & G & Pappy’s European adventure. Following that will be, “A Wedding in our Living Room.” So, if at all interested, stay tuned.
My First Blog – 02/11/08 @ 1545 hrs.
Blog, kind of sounds like a cold, or a zit or some kind of an affliction. My first day with a blog, now what do I do with it? Well to start off I’ll let the world know how I start my day on the Internet. My start up page is http//refdesk.com Having spent twenty years in Connecticut I next go to http://www.courant.com/ to check on the local news and how the UCONN Huskies are doing in any given season. I’m a forty year Huskie fan. http://www.uconnhuskies.com/ Next up, but sometimes #1 is the weather. While in the Marine Corps, way back when, I was in Weather as an occupation with Rawinsonde as a sub specialty. http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/bl68.htm I use a verity of weather related sites www.nws.noaa.gov/ #1, my other favorites are www.accuweather.com and www.weatherunderground.com During the Hurricane season I live by the National Hurricane Center. www.nhc.noaa.gov/ I have friends and family in CT, FL, CA, and affections to Key West, FL, Pagosa Springs, CO, Flagstaff, AZ and Ireland and Germany. So, I usually check on the weather in those places.Next it’s off to the Washington Post and Washington Times to get two diametric views on the news. www.washingtonpost.comwww.washingtontimes.com After the two DC papers I go to Google News, which I have preference settings in and glance over that. Next is onto my mail servers. From then on I usually have a Memo Pad with notes on things to look up and it’s off I go. This all starts shortly after I get up, usually around 0500. Once downstairs it’s a hot cup of tea to start the day. Here, I’ve given the world the start of my day for the start of a BLOG. I shall end this bantering with saying Cead Mile Failte – OMG
This weeks Blog
We recently had a visit from son Matthew & family who reside in Connecticut. Two of his and wife Beth’s four children made the trip with them. The boys, David in New York, Brooklyn to be exact and Kevin, deployed to Kosovo for a year with the CT National Guard, 1/169th Inf.. did not make the trip.
Jill, a soon to be Junior at Siena University and Rebecca a soon to be Junior in High School did make the trip. It was great getting to spend some time with them.
The crew of four spent three days with us, mostly in Kathy and Jeffs pool while they were returning greats to Europe. When they departed here they headed to Ocean City, MD for three days in a condo and beach time on the sand. We joined them on their last day for breakfast and to say good by. Prior to leaving OC we stopped at https://www.rosenfeldsjewishdeli.com and brought our next meal home with us.
There is no doubt the girls will make their mark in our society in years to come.
I could not help but reflect on days gone by and the many trips north to visit over the past thirty-three years. When we were there, and the children were young, I read one of the many children’s books in their libraries. I would like to think that in some small way I had a hand in their using their imaginations while growing up. I am proud of their parents and especially proud of the grandchildren.
Here’s some info about David from the Champlain College Alumni magazine.
What a great trip we had to Burlington, VT, several years ago for David’s graduation.
Hi, My name is David and I make noise and push pixles for fun! Professionally I am a Sound Designer/ Composer, and an Interaction Designer/ Art Director. My goal has always been to craft meaningful sonic and visual experiences. When you boil it all down I just want to create awesome stuff!
I am proficient in Adobe’s suite of tools including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Audition, and After Effects. Along with that, I am also well versed in Cinema 4D, Processing, and have a background working in HTML 5, CSS and Javascript. I have professional experience with multiple DAWs including Apple Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Ableton Live as a sound designer for Interactive media and film.
For fun I enjoy hacking stuff to do things it’s not supposed to do, writing music, reading and living an active lifestyle.
Check out my Vimeo Page for some of the cool stuff I’ve worked on! Lets create something awesome together!
- EDUCATION
- Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
- Champlain College
Some info on Kevin
Kevin graduated from the U of Connecticut in May of this year completing a major in Economics and a minor in Geographic Information Science in three years. He joined the CT National Guard after HS to help finance his college expenses. The wife and I made it to FT Sill, OK, for Kevin’s graduation from Army Boot Camp. Son Matthew and I made it to FT. Huachuca, AZ, for his graduation from Tech school there.
Kosovo https://shape.nato.int/ongoingoperations/nato-mission-in-kosovo-kfor-
His Unit
Ft Huachuca https://home.army.mil/huachuca/index.php
I used the below info in a Blog way back in 2013, I must share it once again, it is well worth a read.
If you have children, or ever plan on having them, this is a must read.
Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming
A lecture explaining why using our imaginations, and providing for others to use theirs, is an obligation for all citizens.
Tue 15 Oct 2013 14.51 BST
It’s important for people to tell you what side they are on and why, and whether they might be biased. A declaration of members’ interests, of a sort. So, I am going to be talking to you about reading. I’m going to tell you that libraries are important. I’m going to suggest that reading fiction, that reading for pleasure, is one of the most important things one can do. I’m going to make an impassioned plea for people to understand what libraries and librarians are and to preserve both of these things.
And I am biased, obviously and enormously: I’m an author, often an author of fiction. I write for children and for adults. For about 30 years I have been earning my living through my words, mostly by making things up and writing them down. It is obviously in my interest for people to read, for them to read fiction, for libraries and librarians to exist and help foster a love of reading and places in which reading can occur.
So I’m biased as a writer. But I am much, much more biased as a reader. And I am even more biased as a British citizen.
And I’m here giving this talk tonight, under the auspices of the Reading Agency: a charity whose mission is to give everyone an equal chance in life by helping people become confident and enthusiastic readers. Which supports literacy programs, and libraries and individuals and nakedly and wantonly encourages the act of reading. Because, they tell us, everything changes when we read.
And it’s that change, and that act of reading that I’m here to talk about tonight. I want to talk about what reading does. What it’s good for.
( To read the rest of the story, please go here 🙂
Once more i ask that you please check on the elderly. If you haven’t had your Covid shot, please think of getting one. Please don’t forget support for our first responders.
Semper Fi theRooster
August is sliding right on by.
The last blog post by the Rooster was back on June 22, 2021. Where has this summer gone, I ask myself. I have kept abreast of the writings by others during these days; however, One blogger I’ve been following for some years, Mehrling’s Muse,(https://amehrling.com/about/) for whatever reason, I no longer get her notices. Perhaps her niece, a WordPress Techie, oops, Happyness Engineer, knows the reason behind that glitch. I do keep up with Anne’s husband, John, through E-Mail however. We have to keep that Train Ride going, right John. Oh, and Anne, I’m glad to hear the vision is good after the Cadillac Surgery, and you two are not flooded out.
From the Netherlands to America
Back about seven weeks ago, granddaughter Samantha and husband, Zed, transported their four children to Zeds parents. Sam made the trip alone. The kids would spend six weeks with Zed’s side of the family.
Here is a rundown by Grandmom Elaine on their activities as posted on FaceBook and a few pictures.
Don’t tell the horses. 
A hard day’s ride.
Well that’s a wrap! The Wild West Grannie
Four grandkids for the summer.
– Seattle in a flash (space needle, Ferris wheel, fish market)
– Ranch adventure (horseback riding, dirt bikes, ATV, chores, water trough swimming, milkshakes, baseball, branding, birthday party, ditch wading, lawn mowing, treehouse climbing, a few bumps and bruises, fireworks, babies and Moosey) Thanks Cindy, Erik, Mylee, Scott, and the ranch crew for all the help.
– Burns adventures (yardwork, city pool, rodeo, church, parade, baby blessing)
– Road trip to Idaho (older “cousins”, swimming pools, RV sleeping, police car, Bear World, pizza and family) Thank you Sara, Rachel, DaeNell, Ben, Zach, Melina, Savannah, and all the others of the family there…so much appreciated help.
– On to Utah- (family time- more older “cousins”, baseball, dinosaurs, more good food, ducks, chickens, and solid sleep). Thank you Jessup and Amanda and family.
-then Colorado (water trampoline, watermelon and burgers, piano, run and run, feed chickens, sleep like the dead) Many thanks Bringhurst bunch!
– on to Missouri (quality cousin time, sleepovers, pizza, ice cream, Aunts and Uncles, swimming, jet ski and tubes, splash pad, baseball, trampoline, amusement park, Wonder of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium, rodeo, beef demo and the Oscar Meyer WeinerMobile, and 3 new babies) Thank you Uncle Dallen, Uncle Wes, Uncle Jeff, and the Aunts!
– fly to Detroit for next adventures with other grandparents. Good luck and have the best time Jeff and Kathy. We miss them already ! Amazing is all I can say Elaine, good job.
Off to DelMarVa
The kids hung out with “G” & Pappy, Sam’s parents on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for the next two weeks. The backyard pool got a whole lot of attention. Zoe, who didn’t like putting her head in the water on day one, was swimming under water by the end of the visit.
Trips to the beach at Ocean City and Assateague, the wild horses, no, not the kids, the ones at Chincoteague, VA were enjoyed. Great times with Libby and Ben, (Dogs,) Aunts, Uncles cousins, and friends. A special set aside day for a Barbecue and an invite for all friends and family to come and get reacquainted with the kids was great. Pappy had his usual array of Brats, Burgers, Dogs & Chicken on the grill.
The visit was too short, and before we knew it the kids, with pappy and G in tow, were off on their return to Europe via PHL to AMS. That’s Philadephia to Amsterdam for you non-flyers. Pappy & G would spend ten days across the pond; they would visit with friends Brian and Rose, travel the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and hang with Sam and Zed a bit.
All four kids would start school, Zoe a first timer in Pre-K. Free at last, Free at last, at least for a few hours Monday – Friday for same and Zed to declare.
Misc.
So my friends I’m back out here once more. Our chickens are producing eggs once again after a brief hiatus from the production business. My but they were slackers for about three weeks. We’ve gone back to layer crumbles with Fly Larve,a few Sun Flower seeds and a 1/2 cup of song bird feed and the protein boost seems to have done the trick.
Now you are up to date as of, let us say, to 8 August, 2021 anyway. A few more happenings in the journal, for the sake of being called a Rambler I’ll close for now.
If you don’t have a Covid shot, I wish you’d get one. Take care of the elderly, and Semper Fi to all and God Bless the men and women in Blue.
The Rooster
Summer has Arrived
The days are getting longer. Yesterday, 06/22/21 it was 78F at 0500, today at the same time it was 56F, go figure. I checked the weather prediction map, NOAA’,s site, a prediction map showed all weather staying west of the Chesapeake Bay and generally speaking following a track North via I-95. Since we had a lunch date with Mary Agnes’ sister in-law at noon, outside dining was in order. On this day we would dine at Tall Tales Brewing Company in Parsonsburg, MD.
We met Barbara, entered, and were seated undercover on the fringe of outside. All the doors were open, and a delightful breeze was blowing. The windows are floor-to-ceiling fold back doors: ice tea, no sugar for me, A wine for my princess, and a Lager for Barb. We ordered Chicken Salads for the ladies and a Mahi Mahi Taco for me. Unfortunately, when our food arrived, so did the weather, in the form of Rain. Although we were fine as we were undercover, several other tables had to reposition back a bit.
All in all, it was an excellent get together, we caught up on the goings-on of both sides of the family. I call Barb’s side of the family, the Polish side. Barb is the Matriarch at this point in time for her side. She beats me in age by three months by the way. My wife, of Irish descent, is the Matriarch on her side of the family. So thus we have, the two sides as I identify them.
As far as weather predictions, they, NOAA in this case, blew it! Don’t you love the ten-day predictions you get from various WX sites or the five-day predictions? On this day, we couldn’t even get a 3-hour forecast that was worthy. So what the hell are they smoking in those weather shops?
This is what I’ve come to call a Sami-izem: You know your kid learned to speak outside of the US when she says “Mom look at that! It’s like 10 meters tall!”
Life remains good on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. God is good, and thanks to him, so are we. Our chickens continue to give us eggs. Greggory Peck is in Talon Hill. ( Remember Boot Hill?) Our Garden is growing nicely and were using a lot of fresh Parsley at the moment.
So, for this day, these photos and my writing I bid you all Ah plue tahr
Be safe, if you haven’t already, get a flu shot and make sure you check on the elderly.
Reflection 01/07/21
Possibly one of the most spiritually advanced and personality building code is The Native American Code of Ethics that was originally published in the Inter-Tribal Times in October 1994. It’s a Code of Ethics that teaches everybody, American or not, how to live their lives in the best way. It’s fascinating to note that most of these teachings are reflected in other beliefs and faith as well. I mentioned these in a Blog back in 2018, I think it’s time to put them out there again.
1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone and often. The Great Spirit will listen only if you speak.
2. Be tolerant of the people who are lost on their path. Ignorance, jealousy, anger, and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they’ll find guidance.
3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Don’t allow others to create your path for you. It’s your road and yours alone. Others might walk it with you, but nobody can walk it for you.
4. Treat your guests in your home with consideration. Serve them the best food, offer them your best bed and treat them with respect and honor.
5. Don’t take what isn’t yours either from a person, community or culture. It wasn’t earned nor given. It isn’t yours.
6. Respect every little thing placed upon the earth.
7. Honor other people’s thoughts, desires, and words. Let each person express themselves.
8. Never speak of others in a mean way. The negative energy you put out into the universe is going to multiply when it returns to you.
9. All people make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
10. Negative thoughts cause illness of the mind, body, and soul. Practice optimism.
11. Nature is not FOR us, but a PART of us. Animals, plants and every other living creature are all part of our worldly family.
12. Children are the seeds of our future. You need to plant love in their hearts and shower them with wisdom and precious life’s lessons. When they’re grown, give them space to mature.
13. Avoid hurting other people’s heart. The poison of the pain you cause will return to you.
14. Be honest at all times. Honesty and truthfulness are the tests of one’s will within this world.
15. Keep yourself balanced. Work out the body to empower the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional pain.
16. Make conscious decisions regarding who you’ll be and how you’ll react. Be responsible for your actions.
17. Respect the privacy and personal space of those around you. Don’t touch the personal property of others – especially holy and religious objects. That’s forbidden.
18. Be true to yourself first. You can’t nurture and help others unless you can nurture and help yourself first.
19. Respect others religious beliefs. Don’t try to force your beliefs on other people.
20. Share your good fortune with others. Also, participate in charity.
A lot of the credit for this post goes to http://www.thinkinghumanity.com/ and https://www.pinterest.com/
CT Trip
I’m In Connecticut as I write this. My first trip back home since December 2019. Gathered around the table last night, we were having a conversation about appropriateness in what we say, especially in light of recent demonstrations around the country. My daughter in law Beth added much to making our granddaughters strong women. Our son Matthew said ” Should I say something inappropriate you need to let him know. On that I certainly concur. I’m close to 80 yo, help me out here people. This morning the following post came across regarding White Privilege. Worth a read if you want to change your thought process. https://marquettewire.org/4033765/featured/garner-a-letter-to-white-people/
In closing I must mention that our girls are no longer looked over by their Rooster, Gregory Peck was his name. Gregory kind of got a hair up his butt, I guess that would actually be a feather. Gregory decided he was going to go the way of a rooster from back in the day, Saddam Hussein was his name. He had become an Attack Rooster over the past few weeks. One evening while gathering eggs and locking the chickens in for the night, Mary Agnes was attacked. Bruises and broken skin were received on her legs prior to making a quick escape to safety. Over the past two weeks, yours truly was involved in multiple bouts of of defensive maneuvers to avoid death.
I decided last week, Gregory needed to go to camp. Perhaps he could meet up with a turkey and they could have Turchickens. I went so far to make a funnel lead-in to a pet cage, much like getting cattle to a pen. I have a 2×2 plastic square on a pole to help them all into the hutch at night if needed and used this to heard the #@&%**# into the pen. Not to be. The SOB turned on me, got airborne towards my face with claws outstretched, “Swat,” he backed off. He came and he came as I exited the pen to safety. After a brief conversation with Mary Agnes, and her blessing, it was agreed that the demise of Gregory Peck would take place. Suffice it to say, the end was swift and humane. Peace and tranquility has returned to their 80 x 22 ft free range pen. The girls are happy, refeathering at the tail end and egg production abounds. May Gregory RIP with Saddam!
Don’t forget to check on the elderly!
As The Rooster Crows 