Today is the 239th Birthday of our US Marine Corps. In recognition yet in a selfish manner, I wish to bring back the story of Mr. Johnson, USMC in mid-stream. Happy Birthday, Marine.
I figured if Mr. Johnson wanted to tell me more, he would have.
But as with Old Man Jack, I never asked for more.
I believe that’s how these combat vets want it.
They don’t want to be quizzed about what they said or asked to describe more.
They will tell you some things of what they experienced. Probably to let the devils out that have been eating away at them for 70 years.
They have a built in limiter to keep more memories from popping back up…the things they saw or did that they try so hard to suppress to stay sane. Every minute for the rest of their lives.
They deserve that respect. Always. And you feel honored they felt enough confidence in your character that you would accept what they were telling you as is.
There is such a thing as luck… but it never relates to winning the lottery, it seems.
But I did hit a jackpot – a photographic one. Its been busy trying to supplement my photographic artwork these past few weeks; being an amateur, it’s not easy.
As there’s been some dew on the flowers outside, I took to shooting them at first light. Fortunately, Lady Luck flashed a big smile as a number of them were selected for flickr.com’s “Explore” which showcases 500 photographs each day for “interestingness”:
Here are a few others:
Unbelievably, there’s been over 100,000 views in the past three days, now nearing 1,000,000 views in total.
It would be nice to have that many visitors to this blog!
My Aunt holding Uncle Paul’s Congressional Gold Medal for the first time, Aunt Eiko cried for happy. Incidentally, she became an American citizen about 15 years ago.
Writing about the firebombing of Tokyo during WWII based upon my aunt’s written notes and conversations has been a project in process.
My simple goal is to be factual; however, I hesitate as I am fearful some people may view it for what it not.
We’ll see.
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In the meantime…
For many of you, Autumn is in full swing. Here, in southern California, it is barely starting with daytime temps still in the high 70’s and 80’s. There is forecast of nearing 90F this week!
Here are just some recent snapshots taken here and there:
An aster Explored on flickr
A plumeria in B&W
A petunia petal in B&W
This cute pup always comes to sit on my lap while I wait at my local barbershop. Just too cute!
So when I picked up my two kids from school today, I thought I’d surprise them.
I said, “Your Papa had a couple of his stories published in a book!”
Their response? “Oh…”
“Would you like to read it?”
Brooke said, “Umm… No-ah!”
The “-ah” is because she talks valley-girl sometimes and accentuates the end of words at the end of a short sentence with a “-ah”. In this case, her answer was resounding”No.”
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Fellow blogger Russ Towne (his blog here) invited me to consider contributing to a non-fiction anthology. Considering this would be the first time ever any story of mine would be published, I gave it a shot! Not that I know anything about writing let alone publishing.
The book is now published and available on Amazon for $8.99 – less than minimum wage! What a deal! He entitled his anthology “Slices of Life”. Russ wrote on his blog:
“I’m pleased to announce that Slices of Life has been released and is available on Amazon.com!
Slices of Life is an anthology of the selected non-fiction stories. From heart-warming memories of childhood, to humorous perspectives on aging and inspiring stories of survival to hilariously disastrous social encounters, this non-fiction anthology has it all! It features thirty-plus stories exploring the challenges, triumphs, and humor of life as seen through the eyes and experienced in the hearts of more than a dozen writers.
Please spread the word that this long-awaited book is now available.
Thank you to everyone who helped to turn this dream into a reality.”
A peek:
I’ll hope you’ll visit his blog and Amazon, too A direct link to Amazon is here.
Marine dog, Lucca, was given a wonderful tribute in the Parade Sunday magazine. After more than 400 missions in Afghanistan, no one had been hurt by an IED when they were with her. She was the only one that the Green Berets felt comfortable hugging after a tough day.
Mamma Lucca, as she is nicknamed, was injured herself. Handler Col. Juan “Rod” Rodriguez quickly applied a tourniquet and she was air-lifted to one veterinary team after another in all-out attempts to save her life. They succeeded, but Lucca lost her right left leg in the action. You can see her honorary Purple Heart on her harness. Today she lives with her original trainer, Gunnery Sgt. Chris Willingham and his family. She continues to serve at VA hospitals and in schools.
Could someone please explain to me WHY this Hero’s Purple Heart is considered HONORARY??
My little Cake Boss. She’s become a girlie. Totally.
Nails. Brushing her hair for dance classes. Face timing. Trying on different clothes just to go to a supermarket. Spending 15 minutes in a soap store and not finding a single one she likes. Never ready on time.
My little Cake Boss on the right with two of her BFFs, K and N.
All summer long, she asked if it was OK to go to the beach or something with her friends. I said no problem; just don’t do it at the last minute.
I even took her to two stores to buy a new bikini. Egads. She even asked me what color she should get to which I replied, “A warm color; I think purple looks best on you.”
So she buys a pink one. Why ask?? See, she’s killing me.
Oh… I said to get a beach towel since she had her pink Disney princesses towel since she was three. Plus, they were on sale. She said she didn’t need one.
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I had my kids for two straight weeks this time… but she has dance five days a week plus the last two Saturdays were all day rehearsals. I had also promised to take my son to the range but my ex ruined my plans once again by interfering.
So this last Monday, my little Cake Boss – with the days now getting cooler – asked if she and two of her best friends could go to the beach. Again, I said sure but let me know now so we can be ready.
On Tuesday, I asked, “Brooke, so can your friends go?”
“Papa, I asked, OK? Just wait, OK?”
On Wednesday, I asked, “So Brooke, are they coming?”
“Papa… They haven’t gotten back to me so wait, OK? Sheesh!” Never mind they are classmates, BFF and spend all day together.
On Thursday, I asked, “Brooke. So what’s the story with the beach this Sunday?”
“Papa! I’ll let you know, OK??!”
On Friday, I asked, “Brooke… So is it on? Sunday’s the day after tomorrow!”
“Papaaaa!”
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So guess what? After picking her up from rehearsal Saturday night and after eating dinner, she says, “Papa. So they’re coming at 11:30 TOMORROW (caps added) and we’re going to watch Godzilla afterwards… but K needs to be home by 6:30 PM.”
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO SUNDAY MORNING at 9:00 AM… Guess what? She coyly asks, “Papa… Can we go get a beach towel? Its kinda old now. Heh heh, heh.”
We’re off to Target to get a beach towel with her friends coming a little over two hours… October 1st is just a few days away. Who’s gonna have a beach towel let alone a one she likes???
We can’t find one, of course…and she gets mad at me.
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We then we made a mad dash to Stater Bros. to get stuff to make hamburgers and BBQ for them afterwards… “Papa… Why do you have to rush?!
So her two BFF arrive and at 12, I say, “Brooke, you said you all wanted to watch Godzilla afterwards and K needs to be home by 6:30 so we need to go.”
“Papa, OK!! Just wait 30 seconds, OK?! Sheesh!”
Five minutes.
Ten minutes. I’m waiting outside with the car loaded up. I go back inside. I find they’re still in her room… yakking away.
“Brooke! We need to go,” I yell through her door.
“Papa!!! We’re trying on clothes so just wait!”
WTF??
Fifteen minutes. Sure is a long 30 seconds.
After 25 minutes… They are finally ready to leave and come out… but then she realizes she needs to “use the bathroom” and runs back into the house. Criminy!
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BFF… with my ringleader Cake Boss in the middle.
Well, we finally made it to the beach around 1 PM… But in a little over an hour, she says, “OK, Papa. We’re ready to go home now because it’s getting a little cold.”
She’s killing me, I tell ya. But at least they saw three dolphins just 40 yards off the beach… and they had a great time.
Three dolphins just off the beach and right in front of them.
I was alone with Old Man…
Masako and Spam Musubi 