"Memorial Day" .....some thoughts

Try as I may, I can only remember one of my friends dying in Vietnam. I looked thru the list of casualties from Ohio and Donnie Sanders, Colonel White High School '65, is the only name I recognize from Dayton. I'm surprised. We were 18 and 19 years old in 1966 and we were the main source for the buildup that would last for 7 more years in Vietnam.

Donnie's name appears on the Vietnam Memorial

My brothers and I all served during this time. One brother, Dave, a little nobler than I, served a couple of tours in Southeast Asia. Never one to brag about his accomplishments, he was the recipient of the Silver Star, the third highest combat military decoration in the United States,  for his participation in the Son Tay Raid , an attempt to free American POWs. My other brother, Rick, and I served in the U. S. Army and U. S. Air Force, respectively.


Although most of the holidays anymore seem just like another day to me since my work schedule is almost 365 days a year, Memorial Day is one day that I do stop and take the time to think about what might have been and appreciate the men and women who gave their lives for this country.


Not one to take advice very often from my brothers, I do remember one day in particular that listening to my older sibling probably saved my life. It was October, 1970. I was in my senior year at the University of Oklahoma and wasn't going to be able to graduate because of a lack of credit hours. Back then, you were allowed 4 years in deferment from the draft and if you weren't in school, the only other places you would find yourself would be in Canada or the military. The draft was at its highest peak and I had lotto number 44 which meant I was out of time.
I decided to enlist and try to have control of my destiny rather than being drafted into the Army infantry.


Since I had been in R.O.T.C. for two years, another draft deferment ploy that many of us used, the recruiter had suggested I apply for the Army Warrant Officer's school. This was the training ground for helicopter pilots in Vietnam. I was gung-ho and couldn't wait. The day I was supposed to report to the induction center, everyone's paperwork was bogged down and after a day of testing and physicals we were told to return the next day to be sworn in. That night I called Dave, who was an Air Force officer at that time, and told him of my plans.


He said, "I 've never tried to tell you what to do, but the chances for your survival as a helicopter pilot are non-existent", He suggested I try the Air Force and get into a non-combatant role.
The next day I told the Army recruiter that I was switching to the Air Force, which really had him quite upset. I retested and enlisted in the Air Force and found myself 6 weeks later going to Langley AFB on a direct duty assignment, in Virginia, and eventually becoming editor of the base newspaper. Ironically, 2 years later, as I was putting the next edition of the newspaper together I came across the story of Dave being awarded the Silver Star.
Suffice to say, we all survived the Vietnam War and Dave remained in the Air Force and retired and Rick and I got out after our enlistment was up.


The ones that didn't survive are the ones we honor on Memorial Day.
Although I can only recall one of my friends not returning, I'm sure Dave has a whole list of people he knew that didn't come back.
So as we find our men and women thrust into a War in the Middle East 35 years later with deaths being added everyday, take a minute and pray for the ones that are there and honor the ones that didn't return. He or she might have been one of you.

"Spiders - 2, Tom - 0"

Uh oh, have I been doing something I shouldn't have been doing? If you believe in Karma then you would probably say, "Yes, Tommy, shame on you". But hey, I have been just moseying along like I always do.
In the matter of 4 days, I have been bitten twice by spiders, and I have never been bitten previously.


SPIDER: Linked to treachery and death in many cultures, it was seen as a "trickster" in ancient Africa, a "spinner of fate" in ancient goddess cultures and -- in ancient Greek myths -- the goddess Arachne turned into a spider by her jealous rival Athena. "Christian" cultures have linked it both to an evil force that sucked blood from its victims and to "good luck" because of the cross on the back of some species. The Chinese have welcomed the spider descending on its thread as a bringer of joys from heaven.


Earlier in the week, I was working out at our waterfall, cleaning a pump, and must have put my arm where it shouldn't have been. I got a bite that swelled -up (that's Texas talk) the size of a half-dollar , got real hard and red, and hurt like a sumbitch (more Texas talk). Finally decided to check it out on the Internet,( hey, what do we need doctors for anymore?) and the Net' said a little Neosporin and it should go away.
Well, just as it was getting better ( I guess injuries don't really get better, I mean like how do you have a better injury?) on Friday, as I was finishing up at one of my "celebrity" pool customers I got bit on the palm of my hand and it hurt worse that anything I have felt before. I have had a couple of hundred stitches in this beaten up body of mine and I have never felt pain like I did with this bite.
I knocked the thing off, and saw that the black spider had a marking on it. It took off and I couldn't find it. Next thing my head started pounding and I started getting nauseous. I called the woman who promised to love honor and nursemaid me and she wanted me to go to the emergency room. Nahh, I can tough it out.
Started sweating, head was hurting, didn't know if I was supposed to try and suck anything out (too much T.V. as a child) and headed for home.
Took a couple of aspirin, put on more Neosporin, and waited to see if I would be around blogging in the morning.
Well, here I am , the hand hurts like hell but I am still alive.
I've been trying to find out if getting bit by a spider is a sign of anything and I have found out in fact that it is a sign.
It is a sign of STUPIDITY. So, maybe it's not Karma after all but just a sign that I should pay more attention.

"Update Mockingbird -3 , Tom -2

Got the grass mowed, but it took some defensive action.

"Mockingbird - 3, Tom - 0"

I finally convinced Pattye that I'm not going crazy (at least for today) concerning a mockingbird that is trying to cause me great physical harm or possibly even kill me. It began last week as I was working in the yard.


Anyone who lives in Texas knows a.) Mockingbirds are the Texas State Bird b.) They are protected under law, and c.) They can be mean as hell.

I used to laugh when I would watch mockingbirds chase squirrels from tree to tree dive-bombing at the long-tailed nut gatherers causing them to roll over several times and scamper for the closest haven. Even cats would fall victim to the birds although the cats would raise the fur on their back and stand with paws outstretched, teeth bared and fight to protect their ground, only to have the shrieking kamikaze swoop from behind and knock the feline on its butt.


Well, the laughing has stopped. I now have a personal war staged against the grey-colored, constantly chirping raptor.


I have counted no less than 12 attacks this menace has staged on my well being, sometimes bringing along a wingman to assist in causing destruction.


At first, I thought maybe there was a nest nearby and the culprit was simply trying to protect its young. Nope, haven't seen one. Next, I thought that perhaps the bird was simply territorial and this was a new piece of land claimed for its domain. Well, I had it first and I have to make mortgage payments!


Yesterday, as I was preparing to mow the lawn, I took along a broom as my weapon of choice. I have given up the mud balls since my aim wasn't very accurate and was causing a mess on the front porch. I have also given up my slingshot which was sending the projectiles way over the roofline probably breaking the neighbor's window behind me. The broom seemed like the logical choice.


I cautiously moved the mower into position to begin my first swath across my lawn, aka the battleground. Sure enough, there was my nemesis waiting for me, perched on the rooftop depositing its disgusting "markers" as if to say "bring it on brother".


As soon as I turned my back for a split second, I caught him out of the corner of my eye. I spun and with the performance of an Olympic javelin thrower, I aimed for my opponent and suddenly he raised 3 feet vertically only to have my spear go beneath him and land on the roof.


Now what to do? I'd have to get out the extension ladder and raise it to the highest level and then climb to the top, knees shaking, in fear of another attack and try and reach my weapon. As I reached the top of the ladder, I hear the familiar shriek, watch the distasteful "dropping" fall from his tufted exterior and see my broom had fallen off the roof and into my neighbor's back yard.
The villain stared at me as I raced for the ground completely defenseless.


I called for reinforcements (Pattye) and had her stand guard holding an extended pole with a swimming pool skimmer attached at the end while I finished my yard duties. Although there appeared to be some reluctance on her part it was either assist me or listen to my ranting about the battles that were taking place.


Although there were no attacks while she stood her watch, my opponent did make his presence known and continued the shrieking.


I have a couple of days until my lawn needs another trimming. I intend to spend this time planning my next strategy complete with head gear and protective goggles.


If necessary I will pull out the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. As much as I am opposed to the use of this force and have never owned one myself. I will invest in a cat. Lord, help us all that it has come to this.

"I know, I know"

I know there hasn't been anything very enlightening these days on this post other than my continued referral to Gathering Eggs , but it serves two purposes. 1.) it gets you to the web site and it gets the web site to the search engines. Self-serving? Yes, but hey, we need the business!!

O.K. let me move into my manic phase, which I might add has been in remission lately due to all of the Gathering Eggs stuff we have been doing.

Now with the latest musings:

**The Texas State Lottery is changing their rules: Lotto Changes ODDS TO WIN GRAND/JACKPOT PRIZE: The odds of matching all the numbers and the Mega Ball for the grand/jackpot prize will change from 1 in 135 million to 1 in 175.7 million.

That really upsets me. Now my chances are really screwed trying to win the lottery

**Missed the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament for the first time in several years. I have been fortunate to be invited by my good friend Todd Young to this great event each year. His wife, Debra, is a top dog at Merrill Lynch in Dallas and they have a great hospitality suite right next to the practice tee.

Todd and David Goss I'm sure are having a great time as I blog away.

**My brother Rick turned 60 on May 1. That means I'm due to turn 57 this August.

That makes me feel like this

I guess that last item should make this an ender for now.

See ya.

"The Latest Five Things That P*** Me Off"

1. Jennifer Wilbanks, the Runaway Bride , latest word is she had purchased the bus ticket in advance before taking off.

2.Corey Clark the "American Idol" candidate who claims he had an affair with Paula Abdul.

3. Dr. ""Phil"'' . Maybe it's me. But I can't even stand looking at him. He's got the answer for everyone and stuffs his pockets with money while playing on his guests screwed up psyche.

4.The Texas Legislature for passing a Bill that dictates what cheerleading routines are appropriate.

5. Anything to do with Britney Spears

"A Voice From the Past With Good Advice"

A friend from the past at Fairview High School in Dayton, caught the blog about our new business Gathering Eggs and has been kind enough to offer some good advice on getting started.
Debbie (Bollheimer) Hampton has spent many years buying and selling antiques around the Northeast. She also creates fused glass designs and some of her work can be found here.
We were able to make it down to the World Trade Center in Dallas on Friday after getting all of our necessary documentation. Pattye's having a great time buying and merchandising all of our inventory and has spent hours getting items put on display. I, on the other hand, have a backlog of furniture to refinish and frames to make and cabinets to build and, and, and. Whew! We are having fun though.

As always, we are spending endless hours with the Dallas Morning News, but it is nice to have the income as we start our new venture. And don't forget for those in town, Mother's Day is just around the corner and I'm sure we'll have a great gift for you to purchase. God, I love self-promotion.