Standing Tall

I have been on Facebook more often this past week.  Like so many others, I reconnected with various college, high school and childhood friends through the Facebook medium.   My next door neighbor growing up is one of those people.  We we ran with different friends in high school, attended different colleges, both moving on with our lives.  I have only seen him in person at high school reunions.  Still, it has been kind of cool to see the Facebook updates of his life, along with the lives of other acquaintances from the past.  

Until this week.

This past week, my childhood friend and neighbor posted something that I have struggled to shake off.   The husband of his niece (daughter of his older sister), a United States Marine, lost his legs to an IED in Afghanistan.  This Marine made the journey to Walter Reed this week and as I compose this blog, there have been on other updates.  But I know that prayers of support for this young Marine's wife, family, transporters, doctors (this list is endless) fill a cup overflowing. And I know that our doctors and therapists at Walter Reed will provide this Marine with world class care and rehabilitation.

I do not know this Marine, his wife, or anything other than his relation to my childhood neighbor.  Yet, something says it is not anonymous, and I do not yet understand why so.  These young men and women volunteer for duty in our armed forces.  Volunteering in a time of conflict, with desire to tour the front lines, is something Lemmy's self preservation brain fails to grasp.  Yet, these men and women do volunteer, and continue to volunteer.  Because they volunteer, we live our daily stateside lives without fear of attack...there will be no IED encounter on my way to work tomorrow....or yours, or your neighbors. 

Saying "thank you for your service" while it is right, just does not seem like enough any more.  Frankly, I am not sure what does just yet.  Something I will ponder for some time.

Like thousands of other US soldiers, this Marine has given something to our country, our safety, and our way of life, that we can never give back.  

Like so many Soldiers and Guardsman that have returned (and unfortunately, continue returning) from Iraq and Afghanistan, this young Marine, now with no legs, stands tall.

Taller than I will ever be able to stand.

Just Numbers?

Playing around with the date & time functions in Excel this morning because I am a weirdo and should have better things to do. 


Three hundred and thirty eight, as in 338, the number of days to the 50 yard stick for your author!

Another discovery, Princess crosses the 50 yard line 49 days ahead of yours truly in 2012.  Remotely amusing, but fun.


Two hundred eighty three, as in 283, the number of days from today to Election Day 2012.  It can't get here fast enough, not just as we choose leadership for the next 4 years, but also put an end to the economic uncertainties that plague so many election years just like this one.  I dread the finalization of the two main candidates, for, from that point forward, the vitriol and divisiveness will likely only intensify.  Both the O-man and whoever becomes the Republican nominee would do well to read a book I just finished called Humilitas (by John Dickson).  I am certainly not holding my breath for that one.


Eighteen thousand, two hundred and sixty two, as in 18,262.

18,262 is the number of days my father in law and mother in law have been married as of today, January 28, 2012.  The family gathered in a surprise visit last weekend in celebration and honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.  Marriages lasting 50 years unfortunately are an endangered species in our current society, which saddens me.  It was a time of joy and enjoyment for all the family in attendance.  We wish them many more years of happiness.

This number silliness could go on for hours, but will at here cease.  A Lemmy's World reminder that all our days are numbered, our time in this corporeal existence is finite.  Waste not a day, regardless of the number.

Naked New Year

The wife will love that intro!

We enter this world naked, covered with various embryonic fluids and various organic gunk.  Most of us likely were terrified, forcibly squeezed from the warm dark comfort of our mother's womb through an incredibly tight space.  Or, the dark comfort of our mother's womb was opened from above while some OB GYN yanked us from this peaceful place.  Either way, naked and coated as described, we get cleaned up and handed off to our parent or parents to face this life.

A New Year is sort of like a new birth.  Starting naked and covered in gunk, we have to clean it up, raise it, and shape it into our lives.  The traditional "resolutions" are made by many. I even have some myself.  Some words of encouragement as you make plans to meet your goals set in resolution for this Naked New Year:

1.  This quote was in today's comic strip The Family Circus, spoken by the character Dolly:  "Yesterday's the past, Tomorrow's the future, but Today's a gift.  That's why it's called the present."

2.   Selections from the Al-Anon credo:  

JUST FOR TODAY:  I will live through this day only.  I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow.  I will not set far reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.  I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY:  I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

I wish all readers the best of luck with whatever changes you have decided to make in this Naked New Year--2012.  Wash off the gunk, stand up, face it!  

Funk # 49

I tried this blogger thing a few years ago but took it down. I had a Facebook comment a while back suggesting writing could be my second career. I have been told many times in my life that I have a way with words, or, some would say, a knack for baffling with BS.

My neighbor blogs a bit, so I figgerd--why not? So here I am again.

Today marks the first day of the last time my life decade enumerates with the integer also known as 4. I thought it fitting to name this post accordingly. For younger folk that read this, it is the name of a famous classic rock song by The James Gang. For those recognized the title, you just dated yourselves. Go crank up some Joe Walsh really loud and enjoy.

What to expect? Random musings, perhaps some political commentary, surely some beer reviews, whatever the spirit moves Lemmy to record in making the transition to decade #5.

So, on this last night of 2011, may you the reader find peace and joy in 2012. And beyond.

If you party hearty tonight, stay off the road. We want you to be here to read the post Funk # 50.