Darkness into Light

Firehouse

Unfortunately but thankfully one could pick up many books from almost every country about heroism, courage and selflessness. But one cannot read every book. I happened upon this book at one of those book warehouse specials and I'm sure glad I did. David Halberstam's Firehouse is a must read. Yes, many great stories have been written about 9/11 and rightfully so. This is just one of them.

While reading Firehouse you will be gently but powerfully drawn into the personal lives of all firefighters from Manhattan's Engine 40, Ladder 35 who answered the call that day. Of the 13 who answered the call to the World Trade Center from this Firehouse, 12 would heroically give their lives for others.

Firehouse will draw you into all aspects of that day, and the days before and after; telling the stories of family, fellow firefighters and the fallen firefighters.They are and were a beacon to our greater calling as humans. Courage, selflessness and a determination to protect life around them without harm or violence to others, and a willingness to lay their lives down for us to discover how darkness can turn into light!

Have we not learned? Must the few drag the majority of world citizens that just want to love and be loved and enjoy life without conflict into war?

Always Learning

Well, always wanted to learn how to paint. Yeah, I know....I starting off with "paint by numbers." But hey, it's a complex one! And it's a beginning!

A Nut and A Hero

I can never get enough of books! I get them from different avenues: each final destination of lfinding a book to read makes me feel like an explorer as I search and search for a book I feel will interest me. Once in awhile I find a gem that once I start reading I can't put down. Yes, I been late for events because try as I might I couldn't pull myself away from a book. "One more chapter," I say! Yeah it's true: I've even been late for a little romance while I've had my nose in a book! LATE, NOT A NO SHOW:)

I find my books at retail bookstores, online, the library and discount warehouses that have oodles of books that retailers can't justify having on their shelves due to low sales or the book has run it's course. I appreciate the warehouse because many books are "old" and I  missed it when it first went retail.The warehouse is interesting because once a year they have a sale where for 25 bucks you can walk away with all the books you can put in a box they give you. I have found some real gems there for a beggars bargain!.

My two favorite book the past while are Sometimes I Feel Like A Nut (HarperCollins) by Jill Kargman (bought on-line) and Things Worth Dying For (Penguin Books) by Micheal Kelly (bought at the discount warehouse) by Micheal Kelly

Sometimes I Feel Like A Nut

Jill Kargman's has written a warm, very funny, and honest book about her life as she sees it. If you want a book to relax and have some laughs this is the book.

Grab a glass of wine or your favorite beverage and be prepared to read the book to the end in one sitting. While the book is very humorous and has that New Yorker attitude and sassy revved upped opinion Jill reveals to be a honest, witty and heart warming individuals as she tackles life events and reminisces on her past.

I give 31/2 stars to this book. I would have given it a 4 out 5 but she patently states in the book that she doesn't like Canadians. Hey, she hurt my inner Canadian child!  

Things Worth Fighting For

One of those hidden gems you find in a clearing warehouse.

Author/journalist Micheal Kelly passed away in an accident while covering the Iraq war. This book is a collection of various articles he had published during his career.

You know a good writer/journalist when they can draw you into their personality as you read their writings. While reading Micheal Kelly's book you will find an author who wrote insightful and many times compelling articles. He can be extremely witty and humorous as he writes on various subjects. At the end of the book you feel as if you know Micheal personally.

Be prepared to be educated, laugh and share some tears while reading Things Worth Fighting  For! Thanks, Micheal Kelly.

I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love With You (Tom Waits) covered by Adrien ...

Oops! A Confession and a Fox

I have a part-time job at a golf course and I love it there. It's quiet, a lake is right there, wild animals roam about and it's surrounded with trees. My first year there I was cutting the rough and oops!, I accidentally ran over a golfer's ball and cut it to shreds.  A fellow worker saw it happen and drove up to me and told me just ignore it and keep on cutting. I had to smile when I saw the golfer looking for his ball in the rough...and looking...and looking. Ordinarily I could have just given him a spare golf ball as we always have lots of them as we find lost balls hidden in the rough and by the lake all the time. Golfers really need balls that send off a signal when they lose sight of their ball. Anyways, I couldn't give the golfer a golf ball this particular day because this was an old fashion tournament. The golfers dress up in period costumes from the 1800's and used period golf clubs and golf balls. I didn't have a spare golf ball from the 1800's!

While working on the course I find many times I am inspired in my thoughts by nature. If I have time I will just sit there on my machine and watch a fox chasing a squirrel and then find myself rooting for the squirrel. Run buddy run!!! Most time the squirrels win. The fox is an interesting animal as it will loose it fear of humans in a short time. I can always tell if it's a new fox on the course as it will take off as soon as they see us or hear our machines, while the ones that have graduated to permanent residence at the course will calmly go about their business with us or the golfers around. This drives the golfers nuts as the furry little foxes will randomly just pick up a golf ball off the fairway that is in play. The golfers will shout and yell to no avail while the fox walks away...golf ball in mouth!

Confession is good for the soul. So I confess today to that golfer out there that was fruitlessly looking for his golf ball in the ninth fairway's rough a few years ago. I was a fox that day as I more or less stole your golf ball! I would confess in person but I don't remember what you look like and most players at the old fashion tournament are from out of town. Many apologies to you sir!! I learned my lesson and since that day pay careful attention out there on the course for golf balls. Because of you I must have collected at least a couple hundred golf balls lost that golfer's have lost. If your're ever at the course again I have ten top notch golf balls to give you for my transgression.

Good day, and keep your eyes open!

The Hat

Came home one day from golfing with a new hat I bought and a lady goes, "Why are you wearing a hat that says 'tit less'. Lol, I said, "it says 'titleist', it's a golf brand". Had a good laugh over that! Maybe me more than her tho :)  Made me think how many other people might be thinking the same as I walk around with my hat!

Kinda reminds me of songs that are misinterpreted on a large scale by fans. One of the famous ones is Bruce Springsteen's  Born In The USA. Most fans rock to it as an anthem but Bruce was writing about a character that is a Vietnam war Vet who comes homes questioning blind patriotism in the USA

Made me think that I may misunderstand songs myself at times, or purposely interject my own thoughts while listening to a song. As a songwriter I am aware that many fans pick up on key phrases or words in a song and transfer it to their own feelings and thinking, while others will go through the lyrics line by line and figure out the intended meaning. When writing I am aware of this, so I try to be as creative as possible. A good song is one where the fan feels they own it!!

Have a good day! Golfers, hit that "tit less" golf ball where you want it today!

Wonderland

The Doc and my Ass

Today is library day! I'm a chronic reader and need some fuel. Funny how you can keep a sense of humor while in tremendous pain. As I've mentioned for 5 weeks I was misdiagnosed with a pinched nerve in my back when all along it was fluid accumulating from an outside abscess on my bowel...Diverticulitis! So, I'm at the clinic one day and the Doc wanted to make sure there was no tumor up the ars which can cause back pain. Well, he's got his finger up that region and the thought hit me, "Oh Lord, I hope I don't get aroused...I couldn't handle another crisis and find out I'm gay" Lol! The Doc got a kick out of that one.
Weather is getting better. Love exploring the great outdoors! Aren't horses majestic creatures? Chow for now.

The Journey....

Been out of action for a few months. During the month of April and first week of May I had terrible lower back pain. Everyone thought I had a pinch nerve! It wasn't. Turns out I had an abscess on the outside of my bowel with a tear. The fluid build up was causing me the awful back pain until a proper diagnosis was made (similar to what Eddie Van Halen had-a form of Diverticulitis) On the mend and writing music again!