Do I really need to comb my hair if today I ware a hat?

 

E-mail sent to my support group this afternoon.

Once a man has seen, he can no longer turn his back on it. Never pretend it doesn't exist. No matter who orders him to look the other way.

We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we are compelled.

-Rorschach from Watchmen/ Alan Moore

Hello everyone,

It has been a while and I have been remiss in my sharing with you for some time as to my place in this world. I shall endeavor to make amends for this is my usually and only realistic way; by the written English language. If you are so inclined to read father, I trust you will be more the enlightened as to my current state. If you choose to end your reading at this point I bid you farewell and my best to you.

If you have known me for any length of time and have been so kind to have read any of my previous communications with the members of this group, you probably know that some sort of historical perspective will be offered as my device of choice to enable us all to consider this moment in life to reflect and learn and question and endure. You shall not be incorrect in that assumption this time as well.

However, firstly; let me express my continued love and respect for each and every one of you. I continue to offer no apologies for my endearments to each of you. All of you offer me strength, encouragements and heartfelt embraces of endearment. Never has such a group existed (in my humble opinion) and I again proclaim my pride of membership in this 'embracement' of support. Thank you.

Some of you may be aware of Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941), others of you may not be. Either way, please indulge me this small retelling of his story in order to ponder what we have seen and what we are compelled to do. Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish priest who provided shelter for thousands of Jews in his friary. He was arrested and imprisoned by the Gestapo in Auschwitz. When a fellow prisoner escaped, ten other prisoners were to be killed in reprisal. Lined up and helpless to anything but their impending fate, one of the doomed began to cry out, "My wife! My children! I will never see them again!" At this, Maximilian stepped forward and asked to die in that persons place. His request was granted and it is attested that he lead the fellow men in song and prayer as they awaited their deaths. That is where this wonderful mans life ended and is somewhat a known moment in history especially amongst various Christian religious institutions.

Some back-story if you would allow.

Maximilian had also lived in Japan and had founded a monastery on the outskirts of Nagasaki. Four years after his martyrdom, on August 9, 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, but that monastery miraculously survived.

We as a support group are in need to ask ourselves some questions. It is apparent that we need to take our place in line. No my dear friends, our nor my quandaries are anywhere near as dire as Maximilian Kolbe faced. And I thank Divine Providence and the United States military for that. That being said, it is now time that we all search our inner self and ask is there something I can step up and be of service to this assemblage of austere fellows. (?) I can not answer the phone nor make the call. I can no longer stand before any assemblage and preach our cause. But, I can use the written word, I can stand, I can be accounted when it comes time to be strong. I every day offer up prayers for not only individuals in this group, I also offer prayers for our collective blessings as a party of like caused. I give you all as much support as I can and I will answer any desire that may be tendered my way. I can write e-mail. I venture to ask, would we be serviced by a newsletter. If I can, I will.

I really do not want to see this group simply pass in the night. It is so very important to me and I still have need of it. I have once again become subject to the black plague. It has once again returned to my lung, presently about the size of my thumb nail.

I may be the oddity but I always seem to sense the comings, goings and attachments of Cancer within my blood stream. I seem to never be caught unawares by PET Scan results. I always seem to know, I always seem to feel its ugly presence within me.

This past week, I have had to yet again ask questions and obtain answers. I have had council of old and trusted friend, I have meet new surgeons and new systems of medical care taking. I have discovered yet new insurance codes to be used and denied and fought over and to be a source of, well, just another part of my life. I am never at a loss for finding a way to challenge the medical community.

Tomorrow, I go to start the process for my 5th attempt at having a radiation attack upon my health's enemy. It's funny when you have surgeons review your medical history and expound amazement. Yes, he obtained his co-payment from the Stephen R. Parker Medical Relief Act. (Pun intended) Many is the doctor that has been replenished by my condition.

So, like Maximilian, we and I need to ask questions. Amongst them, what line are we willing to stand in?

Amongst so many, I miss each of our departed fellow members; I cry, I remember and I look forward to a time when this group will no longer be needed. It just isn't that time yet. I still need to know you are there. Please don't give up.

Be strong everyone, Cancer Sucks.

Before

 

there was Indiana Jones; before there was Brown. Before there was Holy Blood Holy Grail……there was the Ladies Home Journal. With cover by N. C. Wyeth. This is from 1924.

To my Granddaughters; do not for one second think you can not. Do not never dare not to dream. You are just as valid as anyone. Make your way through life. Climb your mountains, sail your seas. Whether they are high or deep or low and shallow isn’t important. Be strong, be yourself. Dolls are fine if that’s your choice, but not less valid than ancient Mayan secrets. Do not be afraid to wear a dress but be comfortable in dirty jeans. Look beautiful on your ‘red carpets’; be at peace in your own skin.  Be    Do    

 

 

 

 

 

There are many things wrong.

 

Every day, the news is full of ‘woe to man’ stories. One after another after another. This morning I awoke to my country being downgraded. Are you kidding me.(?) The Ring of Fire is, well; on fire. No one has answers. Until now.

Forget 2012. Forget Yellowstone. Heck, forget Washington DC. Here is the true reason, God help us all.

 

 

Have you ever finished the last page of a book and….

Pulp was a big part of my developmental reading. I have packed away my Doc Savage collection ready for Hayden to reach the age of 10 and discover that world as I did.

There is currently a resurge of this venerable form of literature from the early to mid years of the 20th century. A time when there was Radio and the theater of the mind and Saturday Morning serials down on Main Street at the Bijou. My parents showed such movies at their traveling ‘tent movie’ showings early in their marriage. I explored the world of pulp from books.

While I read a lot, I tend to resist blogging and reviewing the books I read for several reasons. I don’t consider what I like to be universal by any stretch of my imagination and; I am not a reviewer by trade. However, ever so often I read a work that I do wish to speak of and share my thoughts.

The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril by Paul Malmont (Simon & Schuster Paperbacks) is one such book. In Mr. Malmont’s debut effort, he manages to take me back to my youth, hits me over the head with nonstop action, takes my breath with white knuckle escapes and reminds me that is was and is OK to know that ‘Right’ does need to win. The twist in this wonderful read is that it revolves around some of the giant pulpateers themselves. You may or may not recognize some our all of the authors/characters mentioned. If you do, you will smile, if not, I ask that you look into the past and discover heroes like Doc Savage, The Shadow or the Avenger. At least it will be an exposure to such names as Dent or Hubbard (yes, that L. Ron Hubbard) and maybe even Lovecraft.

This yarn leaves you breathless.

Oh yes, the review part:

Have you ever finished the last page of a book and thought man, I wish I had written that? Well, now I have thought just that. Good job Mr. Malmont, thank you for taking me back to the time I enjoyed reading stories that were good. Thank you and the others who are bringing back pulp in the written form.

Happy Birthday Disneyland

Thank you WALT. What was just simply roaming thoughts sitting on a bench watching your daughters go round and round became the icon and landmark for 'The Happiest Place on Earth'. For 56 years now, your gates have been opened, the tickets have been sold, the picture in front of the mouse have been taken, a short walk through the tunnel and disbelief is suspended.

There are many sites on the Internet to see pictures and read stories and enjoys other fans company. I hope each of you enjoy whatever remembrance you have planed either at the park or just in your minds. Remember the happy times, the wonderful experiences, the moments of pride in nation and the realization of times past were no different that times present nor times future; to smile with your heart is the true blessing Walt left for us all.

Not just today,

but everyday, I miss my dad. Every single thing that I am is because of him. I miss him and I love him and I wish I had but one more moment to give him a hug and to simply let him share a smile with me. He has been gone for so long but he is always close. He is silent now but says so much. He was there for me and sometimes I didn't even know it. There is nothing Gold can buy, nothing that can be gained beyond the love of a father like mine. I am in all ways most humble by his comfort over the years. He was my Dad. Please hear me when I say; I Love You.

someone snuck into my library and took a picture

 

OK, maybe I am dreaming again. I just love this.

the Porcelain Unicorn

 

AC posted this today and finding it touching; I wanted to share.

 

 

My Friend does the CHOC Walk!

 

I wish to let all of you know that my wonderful “Disney” friend Connie Moreno has signed up again to do the CHOC walk. Please go here and help her reach her goal. This is a wonderful cause and was important to Walt himself.

I know times are hard and we all have our own needs, but now is also the time we must remember the needs of others. Every little bit adds up and will be a blessing to children in need.

Thank you and if you have the time, let Connie know you are with her every step in the park.

Here is the link to Connie’s blog and you can go from there to her donation page.

A wish for all mothers today.

 

I hope you are full of happiness and are blessed in every way.

 

A mother's job is not to create a bed of roses,
but to help them learn how to pick their way through the thorns.

Elaine Heffner

I have posted this picture before, but I never tire of looking at it:

My words are unworthy of conveying how I truly feel about you. Of expressing thanks for all the things you have given me over the years. I can never adequately express my admiration for you and could never give voice to the examples you conveyed by the way you lived your life. I can only say ‘I love you’ and pray to the Lord he will whisper in you ear my meaning. God blessed my dad so much by giving him your love. You are truly a wonderful woman. Thank you for all you have done.

Happy Mother’s Day, today and always.