Bullies

I thought I would write about bullies. I have always been small for my age, and combined with the thick glasses I’m forced to wear, I’ve learned a little about bullies. Bullies can be of several types. While it is true for the most part that they are insecure, it isn’t the only reason that they bully. A physical bully is the insecure one. They have to throw their weight around to look cool, or tough. An intellectual bully is simply arrogant. The bully that is both, is the nasty one. No insecurity there, just meanness. Most of our trolls are in the mean category. I’ve learned that a bully will back down when the spotlight is on him. In other words, point him out for all to see. I’ve always had to fight bullies, and so now always will. A good case in point is the recent banter between John and myself at the Iraqi pub. John is a bully. (Yes John that is why you are banned) I remember the times I got beaten while everyone watched, to afraid of the bully to do anything. I remember being afraid. As an adult I don’t see to many bullies anymore, but when I do I go after them. I will never have the “it doesn’t concern me attitude” about anything. That is part of why I support the war in Iraq, a nest of bullies, and those that would cozy up to them. To answer the critics, Sofo for one. Yes I wish we were in the Ivory Coast, and all over Africa. Even I know that you can’t charge every windmill, but I hope we try. I’ve been called simple by one of the bullies. I believe that right and wrong are also simple. If you see a bully, walk him down!

The weekend

Hey all! I thought I would tell you a little about our weekend. Sorry, no pics forgot the camera. Mrs. C had a meeting to attend in ST. Augustine Florida, Saturday. She likes to drag me along on these excursions to share the adventure. One of the reasons I love her, is that she makes life an adventure. While she was at her meeting, I went walking. (I love to walk) went to a park where Ponce De Leon came ashore and claimed Florida for Spain. They have a small planetarium that put on a show about celestial navigation. I learned a lot. Later that day, I went to the site of the Catholic mission, which is the first on North America. Being of the Catholic faith, I found it quite interesting, infact very moving. I got back to our room in time to watch my team win again in overtime! Yay! Go Blue! About that time, Wife and friend got back from the meeting. We then went bar hopping and stayed up way too late. Sunday, we stopped in Savannah Georgia to see the sites by the river. This is the place that Mike of http://mikesamerica.blogspot.com/ got the pic of the USS Cole, a while back. Neat side story, last weekend we went to the mall to get wife an outfit for this meeting. She took way too long, so I ended up at a lil bar in the mall chatting with a man from Savannah. He told me of several good places to eat and drink. As luck would have it, He saw me and came over to say hi! It really is a small world.

Weekend

Hi all. Just a quick note to let everyone know that I will be out of the office for a few days! If you need cussed or beaten, I have aranged for Dcat to cover for me. The Missus and I need a get away. See you monday!

At long last!

At long last, a proper funeral, with a proper burial. These are Kurdish people, which were killed by Sadam, and put in mass graves. I offer this pic as part of the story about why we are there! Mixed in with the joy of the pics at cats site, is the somber pride of a people that can now, finally bring peace to their loved ones.

John and his date!

Hat tip to Andy!

For those that havn't seen this from Andy! I'm gonna need that bourbon to be a double!

Hello people! Let me introduce myself. I am Olivia C. The dog is my best friend Reeses, or Beans for short. I am one year old this month! This makes me almost an adult, so dad let me have the keys to his blog for the night! WOO HOO! I, like all the other animals around here, am a rescue. My mom got me from under a house at the beach, when she and a vet assistant friend of hers came down to ride horses on the beach. A woman was feeding my mom and us kittens for a few weeks, trying to befriend us. I, being the social creature that I am, had no problem with that! The woman picked me up and gave me to my new mom, Mrs C. I was scared to death! I even hid in the truck up on top of the glove box! When I got to my new home I found two big dogs and a psychotic black cat! The cat gave me some trouble at first but my friend Beans the Doberman intercedes on my behalf. It didn't take long to rule this roost! I like to take some of Beans' food and bat it around the house! Beans doesn't mind but Cooper dog growls if I keep him awake too late. I try to be quiet but hey, I'm a cat! We are nocturnal. I am a very loving kitty, so I need lots of attention. I love mom and dad, but I'm sure glad to have Beans to love on when everyone else thinks I'm a pest! Beans, I love you cause you're cuddly! You know I need cuddly!

Hmmm Fema?

Hat tip to Officer Mike!

The power of make-up

Coopers nose

Was supposed to be a pic of that chaste tree I planted but the camera hound showed up!

Whats goin on!

Hey all! Yes the phone line is fixed! :)
Don't know if I can post pics yet, but if not I will ask Dcat to post something for me. I have completed my 50 hours of community service today at the boyscout camp. Did more digging of water lines, and some siding. I had forgotten that I used to know how to use a hammer and saw. I had a tiring but good time. I may even volunteer some time. After I get caught up on my honey do list. Moral is don't fuss and fight with spouse! Another way of putting it...."Make love, not war!" Looking for a new job, as I am having a very bad time with the one I have. To many issues to discus, but taking a lot of criticisms and not liking it. At almost 43 I' ve been around the business for 31 years, and don't have to kiss anyone's ass. Most certainly not someone that can't do a simple brake job. I have lots of good friends in the business here and they will help me through my latest folly, as I would them. Finally, let me say that I am very grateful to the people that read and support me.

Phone lines

I have been very scarce of late due to a phone line that goes bad after a few minutes of use. A call to Bell South hasn't fixed the problem. The technician found a good working phone line when here. As a mechanic I can relate to that! I am using our second line to post this while wife isn't working on it. I hope The landscaping I did over the last two weeks didn't hurt the line. Cable is headed our way, and I am hopeful that we will get high speed internet. Should know in a week or two. Thanks to our friend Bob, and The Texas State Guard for helping the victims of Katrina. Thanks also to our friends up north for supporting the Red Cross. On the recent bombings in Iraq, I would remind everyone that yes, you are your brothers keeper. One cannot make those car bombs without someone seeing and knowing something. This puts the blood of the innocents on the hands of those that did nothing to stop this outrage. There are days in every life when it seems pointless to go on, but go on we must. Lend a thought, prayer, or hand when you can, and smooth the road for all that follow.

Fall

No TV tonight, I've had enough death and destruction. Fall has come to the midlands of South Carolina, bringing Browns and reds, and Forrest smells. Temps in the mid eighties by day and upper sixties at night The grass has slowed a bunch and I will not have to mow this weekend. This is good as I'm spending ten hours at the boyscout camp Saturday. Who Knows, I may be the elusive Snipe! :) Grant us peace Lord, and watch over us, one and all and keep us.

New Orleans

I have been watching the debate over whether to rebuild the city or not with much interest.
It seems to me that the answer is very simple. I have seen many things in my life, some that I wish I had never seen. Some things inspire me forever. Logic would tell us that no coastal city should be below sea level. Logic is right. Now for the other side of the coin.
New Orleans is far more than a place that is home for a few hundred thousand souls. It is the home of a type of culture that doesn't exist outside of that area. You can hear good jazz anywhere, but it sounds better in preservation hall! Always will. You can't hear good delta blues outside the delta, period! You gotta smell it and taste it! The food comes from what is available there. Won't work in New York. I offer you a simple analogy. I and many of you would pay good money for our friend Diane's art. Why? Because it speaks to our souls. (It should as it comes from her soul) The food the music, the very way of life speaks to my soul. If it doesn't speak to yours..........You weren't listening.

Hurricane post

Mrs. C took me to New Orleans for a week on business some years ago. We were watching the coverage on Fox News and she reminded me of a sight we saw. We were staying at the hyatt across from the superdome, and decided to forgo the shuttle to the Quarter and walk. As we walked along you could see ahead there was a crazy woman ranting and cursing in front of us about a block. She was a tall and well built black woman wearing a bright yellow sun dress. She looked very beautiful but for the yelling and cursing. She also got physical with a few trash cans along the way. All of the pedestrians crossed to the other side of the street until they were about a block past her. We wondered if someone is taking care of those people during this time. We hope and pray, may God feed and cover those that can't themselves.

New post

I have been very busy lately landscaping the yard and taking care of my other obligations. I saw that dcat had commented about the top down season almost being over for her. It is just beginning here. Makes me want to get to work on wifes roadster. (don't know where the time will come from) I am creating a spot in the yard for the memory of a woman I hardy knew. Her name was Miss Jo. She was the one that took me to meet and get my red Doberman, Reese, yes like the peanut butter cup. She was a tireless worker for the Doberman rescue in the in the area. When she died, we went and bought a white bench from her estate. I have painted it green and put it in a shaded place in the yard looking out at the water. It sits next to a small creek that flows in the spring. I have also planted a Chaste tree in front of the house. I have a pic but you know who got his nose in the act! Love you too Cooper. Found a snake skin out there too! On a more serious matter, if you have any prayers to use, I think New Orleans could use them. That is one of my favorite cites to visit, I hope it is still there after this storm.
Ps sorry no pics. Won't load.

More on God

It has been said that the devil is everywhere, even in the churches fighting his fight. So is god. We went out to eat at the local bar yesterday, kind of a redneck and biker bar. Most folks know everyone in there by sight if not by name. The conversation was of a regular that is battling cancer, and losing fast. He has no family except the patrons of that bar. In the last week one of them has moved in with him to take care of him and be there when hospice can't. He wanted to come and spend a little time with his friends, looking out at the lake and having a beer. They went to get a wheel chair and then him for a while. I have seen some nasty things in that bar, but also some wonderful acts by very good people. The battle rages on.

One last shot.

Hi all, I didn't run away. I did enjoy a weekend in the mountains not to far from Dons neck o the woods. I got to see the train wreck from the movie The Fugitive, and some nice scenery. I don't particularly like mountains but they seem to recharge me. I had one more piece of bad news, my daughter called and left me a message that one of the girls in my neighborhood died of cancer. She died about 4 months after her husband. We were never that close, but never that far either. She had my back a few times, and I hers as we grew up. Sylvia, I will always remember your eyes, and your smile. Now you will light up more then just the room you enter!
Had my first court ordered counseling session. Mostly just orientation, but some other stuff too. I thought it was very powerful, and worth the price of admission. John if you're lurking, you too should give it a try. They tell me that they can show you why you are an ass, and how to fix it.(if possible)
On a final note I would like to thank all of you for standing with me and offering your support. It is great to know that you are there!

I love you Unk!

Tonight I learned of the passing of my favorite uncle from my dads side. He was a very spiritual man, that believed in the hereafter with a passion. I come from a blue collar family that does hard work. He was a concrete man as was my dad, and I in my younger days. In my hometown you can't walk a mile without seeing a tree that I planted or a sidewalk he laid. We shared many projects together, that combined both our skills. When my mother died, he was there to help me load her into the hearse when the snow kept the pallbearers away. I am glad that I had the chance to tell you that I love you. May god bless you uncle Leonard C

I think I need a priest

I was supposed to start my court ordered counseling yesterday. I got off work an hour early to get there.Just outside of town I took my eye off the road for a sec and when I looked up there was a blazer in front of me going very slow. I rearended it, sending it into a ditch. It rolled I think once, tossing three kids around like dolls inside. I don't know how anyone is, except me. I'm ok with just a twingy neck. The Grandfather of the kids came over to me to check on me and tell me it was just bumps and bruises. I hope he was right. I don't know what is going on with my life right now, but it is getting hard to see the bright side of anything. No prayers for me but if you could spare a few for a woman named Vicky Anderson and her children I would appreciate it.