Happy Birthday to the United States of America

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142).

to take my mind away

I am in some pain so I will write to forget about it and fly away. Some of you call it therapy!

 

It was a day for orange Kool-aid in a glass picture with Elvis on it. It wasn't enough to just mix it up. It was a procedure worthy of attention to detail like nothing else. The package of orange tapped vigorously in order that the contents would not be wasted. Poured into the picture with care and delight. Sugar; measured as if it were gold. A cup. Not one bit more, nor skimped on in haste. I procured my special slotted spoon to twirl the contents as water was introduced slowly and deliberately. Maximum effort towards perfection. The only way orange Kool-aid should ever be attempted. Around to the right and hold. Around back to the left and hold again. This done to insure proper dilution. A special treat to quench like nothing else can. To the source of thirst this batch of pure love will go. After settling it’s spin, observed for purity and beauty, I briskly take that wonderful ice cup placed in the freezer and approaching frozen impeccability, into hand and prepare to pour.  It is so pretty so splendid in its posture. After all, it is orange. The best flavor. Grape is good but comes in a distant second to orange. As the fluid cascades into the cold receptacle,  I feel its healing powers begin to explode in my mind. How wonderful this shall taste. I pause. I clear my thoughts and behold the cup as it approaches the object of its purpose. My throat can not wait. Come to me. Come in and heal me. I open myself to you as if a lover. You can’t harm me, only make me feel contented. That first swallow is so intense. Drinking orange Kool-aid is such a reward. I feel as if a king. Me and my orange Kool-aid, drawn from a glass picture with Elvis on it. I can now proceed with life.

a princess, a horse and a lion

to continue our look at the ‘Homecoming’ 50th Anniversary today we see several of beauties in their ‘royal’ finest.

Taking a  short break from the parade, (don’t worry, we’ll return to it) lets gander at the golden steed. During the anniversary, Disneyland added a ‘gold’ paint job to one ride vehicle of any attraction that was in the park on opening day. If you look carefully you’ll notice actual gold leafing.

 

As promised, back to the parade we go. Just in time to catch the ‘Lion King’ unit. What a ‘Circle of Life’ celebration.

OK, thus ends part 2; look for part 3 soon.

A celebration of 50 years!

On opening day; and, today; there was a parade at Disneyland. There always has been and I hope there always will be. Most of my collection and post here at the hovel involve older items. I wanted to show some contemporary cards to just have some balance and besides, I just enjoy looking at my post card collection and commenting on the park.

Disneyland and I were been the same year. Hummmm

2005 marked the 50th Anniversary and of course the park was spiffy and smacked out in finery. Here is a look at some of the special  memories of that special year.

The Walt Disney Parade of Dreams kicked off on May 5, 2005 and celebrated all aspects of Disney during its run through the Holiday Season (November 11th) of 2008. There were 7 floats (referred to as units) and each had a ‘Hidden Mickey’ on it.

This parade featured one of the largest collection of characters and here are  Mickey and Minnie in their ‘Regal’ outfits.

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is truly an icon of the park. Here she is decked out in dazzling jewels, golden accents and regal banners. She sure is pretty and has the top of the Matterhorn adoring over the tree tops.

During the ‘Homecoming’ celebration, there ware displayed all over the park the 50th icon or logo. Here is a close up of the ‘ears’ as displayed on the castle.

OK, that is part one (1) of our look at the ‘Homecoming’. Look for part tow of this series popping up soon.

Rest In Peace

What a sad and terrible week. No matter what you thought of them; they will be missed.

 

from Quotes of the Day

from Quotes of the Day

"I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated."

Poul Anderson

How to make a father almost cry.

This is an e-mail I sent to my support  group this past Friday:

How to make a father almost cry.

Hello everyone,

I hope, trust and pray this finds everyone well.

First, let me exclaim very loudly, how much I love each and every one of my children. How individual each is and how rewarded I have been by their collective presence in my life.

Ok, that’s out of the way. Now I want to share my early pleasant surprise this past Wednesday as we move into Fathers Day Weekend. I enjoy comics and graphic novels as a hobby and as part of my many collections. Yes, I read comics! Get over it; I find some of the more robust writing and ideas are between the covers of these $3.99 USD monuments to imagination. There I go; sorry, I will get off that soap box.

I had occurrence, as is my little groups practice, to meet at Charlie’s this past Wednesday at our customary time. I find that ritual is an important aspect in ones life. Most of us refer to it as habit or routine. Upon entering this most sacred temple to this castigated form of literature, as custom of the proprietor, I was greeted with a wide smile and a warm hug. No, I am never ashamed of a hug in public. There I go again, please forgive me.

After the above customary greetings amongst this small group of like-minded cohorts, We each proceed to go through what is referred to as our ‘pull-list’. This is our individual subscription to books we receive on an ongoing basis. Also know as “happy, happy - joy, joy” time for any of you who may have been exposed to Ren and Stimpy at any point in your life. As I made my journey examining each and every specimen for morsels of WOW! ; tucked in like a sleeping child on Christmas Eve night, there it was.

Sarah is my second of four children and the oldest girl. She is mother to three and soon to be four of my grand children. She lives a long way from me in the sub-arctic tundra know as the state of Wisconsin. Sarah had heard of Charlie and his magical little shop that I so dearly love and took the time and effort to locate his telephone number, call him and procure me a gift certificate. No big deal you say, happens every day. I know that, but this is my sharing and my feeling and my daughter’s remembrance of me. It was special!

Now, back to Charlie’s Comics we go. There I was, in front of my friends with a certificate and books in grasp. I wanted to shout out so bad I could have bust. My wonderful child, little ‘Myrtle’ remembered me.

It is hard for everyone, in a world that races at such a pall mall headlong run into the next moment, to take pause and remember another. Lives full of fixing lunch, doing wash, working, fixing things; you know, life. It is hard and most forget the little things in these strange times. But; low and behold, there it was, in my hand. A thought of me, from my child.

I looked up and all my friends were looking at me to see the reaction I was having. All in on the surprise and prompted by Charlie I am sure. My throat swelled and my eyes wanted to tear up. I held on. I was strong. I would not cry over what would by most be perceived as a trivial, all be it, probably an expected thing. It was hard. I braced myself as hard as I could. I looked them all in the eye. I was so very proud, so very touched. But I was steadfast in my resolve to not shed a tear. Charlie, looked at me as only a friend could, one who understood what it meant to me and proclaimed, “It’s Ok Steve, you can cry here.”

I had to sit down and only let one little drop escape. I held tight.

I share this with you to remind you to never take your friends and loved ones for granted. You do not need a ‘DAY’ to share a special gift of acknowledgment. Always appreciate them. I do appreciate each and every one of you. Some of you are unaware of the source of inspiration, the spark of joy, the moment of respect you each provide to me. Thank you. Thank you from a proud father.

I was going to share with you the medical events of this week as I had my prostatic replaced and had a good follow up with Dr. Manning. That always has the added bonus of seeing Jan. These were all adventures I intended to keep you up to date on. But given the most glorious token of love shown me by my daughter...those extraordinary tales of medical delight will just have to wait for another opportune time to be a topic of discussion.

Be appreciative of all we have or hold dear. You never know when you will be without it or them. I scream it as loud as I can.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers and I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting or sharing e-mail with those far off.

Be strong, as Cancer really does SUCK!

and my Father’s Day gift:

Happy Father’s Day Dad, I miss you an awful lot; and to all the father’s out there.

inspired by

the video as seen on http://theycallmes.com/; i searched and found this awesome display of… humm the force is a strange thing indeed.

 

 

 

I am often asked if I believe it?

I have shown you guys this movie before. 2012, the end of the world movie. Well, Dec. 21st, 2012 is looming.

Do I believe it?… Please, that’s like asking; ah  never mind, I don’t think I will sell everything yet and head for the hills. Hehehehe,

Dang it, what was my eBay password again?

I must say that the effects look awesome.

I do not have an answer, however….

… I am very much a part of this. It is hard for me to be a conservative; sick and living in the United States of America in this day and age.

My mind says that social health care is not the answer. The horror stories of time delay are unsettling. That said, I will be in debt to various hospitals and doctors (monetary, as in USD’s; you know $$$$) until the day I will die. I go to bed every night worried that the above mentioned group will take every cent I have saved.

Yes, I admit it. I exist because of your tax dollar. Yes, You. Thank you. I am on social security disability. I have had 3 different insurance companies in the past year and I am currently headed to eCobra for a year. That payment comes from me.

Ok, some of you may say this is my fault. I am inclined to agree with you. It was   is, however, something that no one deserves; what has happened to me.  Trust me, my life is neither sexy nor to be envied. Just yesterday morning I had to endure a prosthetic replacement. It was by no means exciting.

I don’t know the answer. I don’t even know how I should feel. We all have issues and needs. We all have been hit by some dispirit. It is a part of the human condition I feel. I do the best I can to keep my head and desire to live looking upward and positive.

All I know is that this is the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Nine. It is 2009 and I am worried. Someone who is smarter than I needs to come forward and deliver a solution. A serious solution, not just partisan lip service. I  We deserve a solution, a real working, advanced, fair, forward looking solution to staying alive with some dignity.

 

 

Sorry to rant everyone. I just live in a world of fear for us all and to the generation of tomorrow. I wish I had the answer. I don’t. I do know that I did work all my life prior to October of 2006. I paid my taxes and I always had insurance. That’s not enough, sad to say.  I was neither a slug or had obesity as major issues. I was a smoker. It is extracting it’s penance from me now. I do not cry spilt milk for that. I do not, however, feel that I should die bankrupt and destitute because of it; either. Damn it! I work hard in my own way, every day.

Please, come up with an answer. I am not looking for free anything or a hand out for me. I am concerned for the health and well being of those coming up after me. It may be prevention. I do not know. It may be life style issues by everyone. Whatever it is, please God, let it be NOT printing more money alone.