Memorial Day

This is the biggest weekend of the year for gearheads like myself. There's the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, the Indy 500, and the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe's. It's the unofficial start of summer. People are vacationing at the beach and the mountains, fishing, camping, cooking out, and enjoying their families, friends, and life in general.

But there is a very serious side to this holiday. When I was young, my Grandmother refered to it as Decoration Day. It was the day when the survivors of fallen service men went to the cemeteries across the country and hung bunting and flags on the graves as a sign of gratitude and respect. As a Boy Scout sometime in the middle of the last century, I took part in a parade each Memorial Day. We marched through town to the local cemetery where there was a ceremony, speeches, and a rifle salute honoring the fallen heroes.

Today it has become something different. As with many things in our society, it has morphed into a celebration of thanks for all who served. While I have undying gratitude for all who wear or war a uniform, Memorial Day should be reserved to honor the fallen. It is the day we should reflect on the sacrifices made by our fallen service men and women, and honor those who gave all that we might enjoy the blessings of Liberty. It is the day we should remember those who gave the last full measure so others could live free. It is the day that we should honor those who's love for Country and comrades was greater than their love for life.

These heroes should have our undying gratitude and be honored as the most revered patriots that our country has produced. My nephew said it very well here.

Please do not think that I am trying to slight the serving Military. They are doing a service so great that every day should be reserved to honor them. I personally thank every service man or woman that I meet. Do not think that I am trying to slight those who served in the past. We have Veteran's day to honor them. But Monday is Memorial day, when I will remember and honor those who gave everything to ensure our freedom.

Fly your flag at half staff (or lowered to horizontal) until noon tomorrow, and remember those who made it possible for the races, family gatherings, and barbecues to continue. We are blessed to live in a country where patriots abound.

Stay well, and offer a prayer of thanks for those who fell and comfort for those who mourn their loss.

Happy Mother's Day!

Best wishes for a truly happy Mother's Day.

To my Mom for giving me life and teaching me the value of family.

To my Mother-In-Law for giving me Marilyn.

To my Wife for giving me nearly 40 years of happiness, support, companionship and 4 beautiful children.

To my Daughter and Daughters-In-Law for all the happiness you and your families have brought me.

I hope you all are as blessed on this Mother's day as I am to have you in my life.

Ketchup...

...or Catch Up if you prefer. I've been a little slack in my reporting lately, so I thought I would bring y'all up to date with a recap of the last couple of weeks.

As you probably know, I spent the last 2 weeks in Michigan visiting with my Mom, Madison, Rufus, Chester, Jack-Jack, Shaggy and Jag while Amy and Geoff went off on a cruise. It was quiet, hilarious, gross, and great by turns. The quiet times were when the dogs were kenneled, the cats were asleep, Mom was reading, and Madison was at school. I occupied my time by photographing the fauna in the koi pond and reading, too. The hilarious times were when Madison was decorating the house for the return of her parents. Rufus, the yellow lab, is afraid of balloons. Chester, the Nova Scotian Duck Tolling Retriever, on the other hand, loves them. He leaps in the air to snap at a stray balloon, and occasionally succeeds in popping one. The gross parts involved cleaning kennels. Chester had over-indulged on the rawhide bones, and truly looked distraught at what had happened overnight. The great times were everything else. It was high spring in southern Michigan, and the trees were blooming, the tulips were up, and the azalea in front of the house exploded while I was there.

Tuesday of this week, I, sadly, had to leave to come home. A couple of observations about the nature of drivers in the various states. The less traffic there is, the better the drivers behave. If the car has a Michigan plate, the odds are about even that the driver thinks he is Mario Andretti, and takes an attempt by a car on cruise control to pass as an insult to his manhood. I played leapfrog with one car all the way from Dundee, MI to Piqua, OH where I stopped to eat. The bozo couldn't hold a steady speed to save his soul. Once I got out of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee were a breeze. The drivers were polite and few and far between. Georgia, on the other hand, is like Michigan. I think the Interstate route numbers are really a warning of the number of Idiots per mile. I-75 is right up there.

After a brief decompression on Thursday, I spent some time at the range yesterday. Two weeks had not significantly degraded my ability with the pistols. It was a good time, despite the fact that Jon had to cancel at the last minute.

I promise to be more interesting the next time.

Stay safe.

Happy Birthday, Laura

I hope it's a great one.

Everybody in Saline (especially Grandma) sends their best wishes for a truly happy birthday.

I plan to celebrate by heading for home.

See you soon.

Dad