When I ran across this rather old Christmas card on the internet
put out by Colt, my first thought was now I have something for a holiday post.
My next thought crept in from the outer limits of reality: Who knows what
tomorrow might bring and, even more to the point, who knows where I will be in
a few months, much less if I even will be here .... why wait to post it?
Why, indeed? The card fits my lifestyle and reflects my belief
that any and all of us should have the opportunity to be able to legally own firearms and be well-schooled
in using them safely and proficiently. I have no idea how many individuals --
in particular young ladies -- share that belief, but I do know there are some
and we all do have the right to possess and to express our own personal
beliefs, do we not?
Add to that, none of us knows where we will be or even if we
will be when tomorrow arrives ....
Now, a personal note: Happy Birthday (and, Merry Christmas) -- today -- to the
young lady who once upon a time asked me out on a then and there date minutes after we had been introduced. I am glad I
said yes. The songs are for you ....
16 comments:
Yeehaw!!
Congratulations Fram!Wonderful post and music!
I think the man is in love again!!Soo nice!I hope THE ONE appreciate this :))
May your dreams come true.
Wish you good luck of all my heart.
See you!
Anita
Among my traits are tendencies to be introspective (overly so) and sentimental (overly so), and I think those things are overly evident in the "personal note" of this post.
"Again" is not the correct word; "still" might be. The young lady in this post is my second former wife. We were married two months after that first date. Two children and a few years later, she said she wanted a divorce. In good conscience (accurate, not overly) I did not oppose it. It is a long story and I will not go into detail, so suffice to say I was less than a model husband.
Call it love, call it what you will .... as the lyrics in the first song go, "I don't know what I'm feeling ...."
Thank you, Anita ....
I like the retro Christmas card. As I mentioned before, the best gift my husband ever gave me was a shotgun on our first anniversary. I never was one for roses and chocolates.
Waiting on Laura to arrive. Hurricane Warnings extend half way up Louisiana and Tropical Storm Warnings all the way into south Arkansas. That's pretty unusual.
Don't dwell on the past, but remember if fondly with (healthy) nostalgia.
This girl shot every gun I owned at the time and picked out an over/under Browning shotgun for her own. She hunted ducks and pheasants with me a few years. I "gifted her" a new Smith & Wesson Model 17 for a handgun, but I cannot recall her ever shooting it after the first time.
Hurricanes are in your neck of the woods; tornados are in mine. My first house in Dakota was on a low hill about three blocks from Lewis & Clark Lake, with the lake about a mile wide. One evening with heavy thunder storms brewing, I went outside and looked right and saw a tornado funnel coming off the Nebraska bluffs about a mile away. Then, I looked to my left and saw another funnel drop off the Nebraska bluffs about a mile away. I watched them a few minutes, then went inside and battened down the hatches, in a manner of speaking. No real problems from either.
Whatever it might be called, I do have great, lingering affection for my second former wife, but we both understand "former" is the operative word. I still give her gifts for Christmas, birthday and anniversaries -- the marriage and the divorce (sort of a joke).
Your advice regarding the past is good, Kelly. I am fortunate in that when I think of bygone times, I am able to dwell on the good and the happy, and to brush the negative memories away without real thought. I think the fact that I have sought to experience all there is in life is a relevant factor in that respect .... put simply, nothing has happened to me that I have not asked for or, at least, anticipated as a possible consequence of my choices. I am good seeing my way through unintended consequences and at preparing contingency plans.
So, Kelly of Arkansas, thank you, for coming and for commenting. Good luck, "ducking Laura" if she finds her way to you .... take care and be safe ....
As I sit here typing, the wind is whipping outside and the rain is pouring down. Actually, this is uncommon for us. While we do get the remnants of some hurricanes (mainly in the form of rain), we live in tornado country. While I've never actually seen a funnel cloud, we've had confirmed tornadoes within 2 or 3 miles of our home on more than one occasion. I hope never to experience one any closer than that. I have a healthy respect for nature.
It's great that you have such a good relationship with your ex. That's always so much better for the kids, no matter what their age.
I'm pretty much in awe of what I'm seeing out my window right now.... sustained winds, not to mention gusts.
As soon as I had finished typing the hurricane/tornado words, I realized southern states are prone to both so it was entirely possible you had more experience with tornados than I did. I am glad to learn they seem to have kept a reasonable distance from you.
My final house in Dakota was the last on a road and high on a hill. My son now lives there. A few years ago, his cell phone rang while he was not home. "Do you know there is a tornado right over your house?" a friend asked him. No, he did not. A few more phone calls from other friends and he was headed for home. When he got there, about half of the roof was gone and several trees were down. His girlfriend came to the rescue with a few tarps and the two of them went up on the roof and began covering what they could. It is about a five-hour drive for me, so I missed much of the fun.
Fortunately, there was no rain until after the tornado, so thanks to a quick-thinking girl friend there was minimal water damage. Insurance covered the cost of repairs and the house was ready for new shingles, anyway, so, other than inconvenience, things worked out well.
As a side note, someone had filmed the tornado from another hilltop about two miles distance away as the crow flies (as they say around here) and posted it. The house is hidden by trees in the video, but it is possible to see a burst of debris -- and, we know what that was.
As another side note, my son's girlfriend is a born and raised South Dakota farm girl and rodeo competitor who can take care of herself in just about any situation imaginable.
Yes, former wife No. 2 and I get along better in some ways than we did when we were together. We probably can blame that on getting older and wiser .... hmmmm ....
A headline in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press today reads: "Hurricane Laura in 'beast mode' as it nears Gulf Coast."
Kelly writes: "I have a healthy respect for nature."
Fram replies: Me, too .... but, the little boy still in me likes to taunt it at times, especially when in a canoe running with the wind and the waves .... but, while I can see nature creates beauty, I also fully realize it is capricious and deadly, and can never/ever/ever be taken for granted or trusted.
You have a hurricane; we have riots and looting and window smashing. Sort of the same thing, in a sense, but with nature doing the destruction where you are and people doing the damage where I am .... it would seem life is a jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing ....
Time to batten down the hatches in your neighborhood, I would guess .... take care, Kelly ....
That a scary story about the first hand tornado experience. I can't imagine getting a call like that when you're not at home! At least they were able to get there fairly quickly and take charge of the situation.
My son called yesterday and was sharing some of the latest troubles from up there. It's crazy.
Meanwhile, the majority of Louisiana is without power and now gasoline (for generators or whatever) is growing scarce. My daughter told me the estimates for power restoration are 5-10 days, or longer. Plus, temps for the coming days are to be in the mid-upper 90s, along with high humidity. What a nightmare.
I personally have been without power for about two weeks, which meant a sunrise to sunset life style. A neighbor with a generator ran a single line over to me to keep the refrigerator running. No water and no heat for a few days several times. Outdoor excursions, of course, are a different matter and being without any manner of goods or resupply for extended periods of time is considered normal.
It is not uncommon for isolated ranches in western states, including the Dakotas, to be hit by blizzards and forced to subsist on their own for up to two or three months. Those folks are prepared for such events, though, and can take care of themselves. They know it will happen; it is just a matter of time.
None of the "mean stuff" is happening anywhere near where I live. A few miles can make a huge difference. This is a quiet, peaceful neighborhood with a mixture of religions and skin colors: Several brands of protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, Greek and Russian Orthodox .... brown, black, white, yellow, red. To many of them, English is a second language and a few barely speak it at all. Little kids, and I mean little, hardly big enough to walk, play on the street and roam from house to house. All ages are here .... several retired types and many young families. Neighbors talk over fences and frequently help each other out. There was a large influx of Hmong here thanks to church groups after the U. S. abandoned them when it left Vietnam/Laos, and Minnesota has one of the largest Somali populations in the country.
Starting to sound like a public relations guy, I guess, but it is a nice place to live for many of us. That said, I would trade it for a tent in the middle of a forest and, sooner or later, I almost certainly will do just that. Hmmmm .... actually I tried PR working for a guy who wanted to be a U.S. congressman in Michigan. He was a Democrat and I did not expect him to win. When he did, I decided it was time for me to jump back into journalism.
My own private island would be nice ....
Time to enjoy a bit of the outdoors before darkness arrives .... pleasant weather day for me; I hope your situation improves promptly and significantly, Kelly .... later ....
Awww, such pretty songs and Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to Wife No. 2:) You are funny, Fram, with the names you give to friends and lovers :) You make me smile and I love all your music choices here!
I think once we marry and have children we really are family forever and that's a really wonderful thing! Our lives are like tapestries full of many pieces, many friends, lovers, many paths, and when we're able to keep the whole cloth together, even if it is frayed or re-formed in different ways, it truly makes for a beautiful and rich life :) Life passes so quickly...we have to grab and hold on to whatever happiness we can. Awww, love....so complicated and so good too :)
You have many wild weather stories here today. I hope Kelly made it through the hurricane faring well. Here in California, we have only earthquakes that come, usually in the early morning hours and with no warning. I think maybe at least with a hurricane you know it's coming and can get to safety. When I lived in Florida we had some pretty incredible storms and I always loved hearing the wild winds and rain coming down, the lightning, and of course, the rainbows after the storm. There is something very romantic about a thunderstorm :)
I left a comment on your post for Buddy's birthday too so you don't miss it. It's good to find you here, Fram :) Stay happy and safe :)
Big hug to you :)
I did see your Birthday Boy note, California girl, and wrote a response, but right now I need sleep and Buddy is already snoring so I will leave this one dangling for the moment and offer a more thorough response when the sun makes its next appearance.
"Wait 'till the Sun Shines, Kelly" .... hmmmm ....
I do agree with your thoughts about people and about families, Kelly of California.
As I have written here in the past, I tend to think of my life as chapters in a book .... chapters which I like to call "incarnations" .... often very different from one another, with different characters, in different settings, playing out different scenarios. Ernie Hemingway wrote a few poems and in one of them said, life's a cheat and don't forget it. Willie Shakespeare noted that life is a stage and we all are players on it.
You, yourself, write: "Our lives are like tapestries full of many pieces, many friends, lovers, many paths, and when we're able to keep the whole cloth together, even if it is frayed or re-formed in different ways, it truly makes for a beautiful and rich life."
We are saying the same thing, I believe, but in our own individual styles and with our own choice of words and language. I think each and every one of us is more complicated that we pretend to be in our public lives, which might be good or bad, but certainly is the safest for both the individual and the group.
In terms of friends and family -- especially family -- as you say, "once we marry and have children we really are family forever and that's a really wonderful thing!" You have a profound and philosophical way of expressing the reality of life behind the curtain which sometimes blocks the audience view of what is happening on the stage. This is why some of us, I think, have a curiosity which ranges back beyond the annals of history to know where and who we came from ....
I am not certain how many adjectives rightfully can be applied to thunderstorms .... beautiful, frightening, thrilling, romantic and more than a few others. I have stood outside in thunderstorms on occasion and tried to absorb them and/or shouted into them with all my strength. I have been on Lake Superior during a couple. I fell through clouds during one, intentionally, I might add, but I would not want to repeat that experience. There is something inexplicable about thunderstorms which draws me to them .... or whatever ....
I said I would be writing this "when the sun makes its next appearance." Actually, it has not yet. The sky is entirely overcast. But, I will send these words anyway ....
Take care, Kelly, and if you feel the earth begin to tremble, I hope it is from the emotions of love and not caused by an earthquake .... later, Mermaid ....
Hmmm, when you say "you fell through clouds" in a thunderstorm, do you mean that literally? Like, jumping out of an airplane through a storm cloud? That sounds scary and actually maybe even kinda painful.
A tapestry brings to my mind something that is real, soft, and comforting, something I can feel and wrap myself in like a quilt...it is complex, protective and keeps me safe and warm. A tapestry takes time to build. It can be torn apart if not treated with respect and kindness, and like love and family, if the desire is present, it can be repaired. Most importantly, it was put together with care and will always be treasured no matter the condition it is in. I like to think of love and family that way.
Have a nice night upon reading this, Fram :)
Smiles and a hug across the moon to you!
Yes, literally ....
I cannot believe I did not mention that to you way back when, California Kelly. I know it has come up in a post here and there. (That will teach you not to read me regularly.) Seven jumps before the military; five training jumps in the Marines compliments of the Army and five later. The grand total is 79 with the others coming after departing from the beloved Corps. I am not sure why I stopped at 79 .... probably simply getting bored with it or needing the money for wiser things.
The thunderstorm jump was on a dare. I will do it if you will do it kind of thing, and we both did it. Actually, I sort of liked it, but, as said earlier, I would not want to repeat it. I also did a couple of night jumps.
When I see or hear the word tapestry, what enters my mind is the Bayeux Tapestry, which details the Norman conquest of England. You remember the Normans, I am sure, with William the Pig leading the charge. (Sort of teasing there.) That was another popular name for William the Conqueror due to his eating habits and size, although I would be willing to wager considerable cash no one called him that to his face.
The French had ceded a large portion of land to the Vikings in exchange for cessation of raids there, hence the name "land of the Northmen" .... terre des hommes du nord .... or, more simply, Normandy.
While the Bayeux Tapestry -- a tale of conquest and battle -- always has been my concept of what a tapestry is, your description of what a tapestry means to you is beautiful and positively eloquent, Kelly, and could not be disputed for any possible reason. I am at a loss to think of how anyone (including me) might think of it any other way. I might "liberate" your description sometime, but if I do, I will be sure to credit you.
You should try writing a short story or two for publication. You obviously have the writing skills and talent, and you can paint wonderful portraits with words. Writing always has been hard work for me, and I envy you for a gift which appears to come naturally. I tend to write and write and write when trying to describe something -- you did this thoroughly and wonderfully detailed with an economy of words.
Yes, Mermaid, I really do envy you your writing talent.
Ok .... I think Buddy and I will go outside and admire the moon for a while before throwing in the towel for today. My favorite full moon night was on a ship while in the Marines, sitting on the prow watching the fluorescence below me as the ship sliced the ocean while listening to rock music piped through the intercom and thinking of home. I will tell you more -- maybe -- sometime .... later, Splish-Splash ....
P.S. The full moon is stunningly beautiful in a perfectly clear sky this evening .... I have a ring around it here ....
Thank you, Fram... you make me blush. I love the way you write too and have for many moons :)
Yes, I can glimpse a trace of a rosy hue rising on the horizon far/far/far (and a long ways) to the southwest.
I suppose we can start a mutual admiration society .... I really am serious about your writing ability, Kelly .... no teasing there and I have judged a few writing contests, too, so I have an inkling of what I am talking about ....
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