Monday, May 29, 2006
Memorial Day...a three day weekend! I imagine most people use that time to do something fun...get the boat out, go on a fishing or camping trip, travel, see "Mule Days" or the "Jazz Jubilee".
On Memorial Day weekend, I don't venture very far from home. This year, I irrigated pasture on Saturday, and
watched three WWII bombers arrive at the Livermore Airport Sunday afternoon. But I was home by 8pm Sunday,
because the one thing that I REFUSE to miss this weekend each year is the
"National Memorial Day Concert" on PBS. If you haven't
witnessed this show honoring our men and women of the armed forces, you don't know what you are missing. It
effectively demonstrates what this day is all about, and leave you with a new appreciation (and maybe a few
tears!) for what our armed forces have done for us. Make time to see this show!!
Friday, November 18, 2005
I found this great internet radio site that has just about everything. And, all this week, I've dedicated my
time to "Saddle Songs", a station entirely devoted to cowboy tunes, old and new. A little too heavy on the
Michael Martin Murphy, but otherwise fantastic. AND it was here that I discovered what I consider to be the
perfect cowboy song. Makes me long to ride my cow pony in the freezing cold moving cattle from one place
to another.
"I'm kin to the rovin' wind, that brings the norther in
Along that dusty trail I'll take my stand
The steers are big and bold, and the nights are often cold
But I'll get by so long as I can
Throw that rope, and brand that calf, dream of a girl in a photograph
I got no home, I got no wife, but I'll be a doggone cowboy all of my life
I'm up at the crack of dawn, and I throw the bacon on
Seems somehow my work is never through.
When I get done at night, the stars are big and bright
But then, it's sorta what you're used to when you
Throw that rope, and brand that calf, dream of a girl in a photograph
I got no home, I got no wife, but I'll be a doggone cowboy all of my life
The hot dry winds may blow, and you'll see me in the rain and snow
With just an old campfire to keep me warm
I'll move the herd along, and I'll greet them with a song
So I guess that I was born to
Throw that rope, and brand that calf, dream of a girl in a photograph
I got no home, I got no wife, but I'll be a doggone cowboy all of my life"
If you're interested, "Saddle Songs" can be found at www.live365.com Find out more about
this great station at www.saddlesongs.com
Sunday, October 23, 2005
I've decided that San Francisco is good for two things, and two things only. The first is Anchor Steam, and fortunately, for me anyway, you don't have to venture into "the city" to get it.
The other thing is Fleet Week. I am happy that there are enough military supporters left in this otherwise Sodom and Gomorrah town to keep this wonderful event going...but that's a rant for another day.
For five days in October, San Francisco plays host to a number of Navy vessels and their crews, and gives us all the chance to show our support for our country and for our armed forces.
There is also an airshow. This year featured the Red Bull Air Races, as well as various flying teams, including the Navy's precision team, "Blue Angels".
In my opinion, the highlight of this event, however, has to be the parade of U.S. Navy Ships. This is an incredible, if not emotional, sight. Each ship, one by one, enters the bay through the Golden Gate; and in a show of respect to the city hosting them, her sailors stand at attention in their glorious dress whites, evenly spaced along the entire deck of each ship. Even the great "Blue Angels" couldn't match such a powerful image. One can't help but be overwhelmed with pride for our Navy and our fighting men and women when witnessing such a sight.
I find that the older I get, the more I appreciate being able to do the little things I wasn't allowed to do as a kid. Things like:
Blowing bubbles in the house
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Walking around in my socks until I wear holes in the heels
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Drinking from the carton
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Jumping on the bed
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Having cookies and chocolate ice cream for dinner