What a year 2013 has become, record weather phenomena, fires, floods, massacres etc. Now we have a government more dysfunctional than the Hatfield s and McCoys. There has been government shut downs in the past and this may not be the last episode of this drama. No matter what party affiliation one belongs to seems to me any civil minded citizen would affirm that congress has passed a law and the US supreme court has upheld its constitutionality. I say fund the government, start the ball rolling with the affordable health care law and if is found to be in need of fixing or change then wait to see what part is broken.
 This has been a year for my family of constant Doctor appointments and health issues waiting to be taken care of. At this time in our senior years it would be nice to have time to enjoy seeing the country and watching the leaves change color.
 Much thought was given to making a trip down memory lane to see my older brother in Colorado, we are both in our twilight years so the visits are far apart. With this new technology now one can punch in a request on the computer and get information on most anything. I decided to see how much damage would be done to my wallet by going back to Pagosa where I grew up;, just to stay in a place with a bed a couple of days would empty the thing with no room for the cob webs living there. Looks like my vacation will be sitting at the computer and looking at the wonderful pictures posted by post 1960 settlers with those marvelous cameras.
 Its been some time since I posted on this blog, but only because at my age its hard to get the messages flowing form head to fingers.
 This country is deep trouble but we have always pulled together when the going got rough and I pray that we can do this again. Lets keep the faith and all try to get along and keep old glory waving.

Remembering Dad

My father was a loving man who worked hard to provide a home filled love and understanding. From the time I was an infant he was always at my side keeping me safe. When he worked as a projectionist in the movie theaters I had a bed made out of a coke a cola crate where I slept and my mother sold tickets. As I grew older he would let me run the machine to rewind the films and taught me to thread the projectors.
 When Dad went into business for himself as a house and sign painter, he took me along and taught me how prepare a surface for paint, pull a strait line with a brush and even let me take credit for signs that he painted and  I sold and kept the money. One of those painting jobs was to paint the bleachers at the local Rodeo Grounds for the big 4th of July celebration, he surprised me when he called me over and handed me the keys to the pickup. “Go get us both a pack of cigarettes”, he said and I won’t tell your mother that you have been smoking hers.  Although he knew that I had never driven a car he trusted me to drive his pick up and I’m sure he held his breath until I returned.
 As a teen like many young boys I was prone to getting into trouble, and as the years went by Dad would tell me of some of the foolish things I did, witch I thought were life long secrets. When I stole chickens form our own coup he never said a word but silently laughed about it, when I would come home intoxicated he would see that I got into bed without my mother finding out.
 The stories dad could tell with so much intensity was like a motion picture running through my mind. I grew up believing his tall tales and still am not sure what was true or fiction but I loved hearing them over and over. 
 Dad was always an independent soul and did not like working for any one or taking orders so he always relied on self employment. In his later years he bought printing equipment and self taught himself, he continued to run his own printing shop out of the home until his passing.
 When my mother passed away, Dad stayed in the home with his print shop and the cats that he loved. I will always miss him and the times we would spend together.

Who's Packin'? Duel or Draw?

 A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
What constitutes a well regulated Militia? Is that not a security force belonging to a state such as police or national guard? Do hunters need automatic weapons to take down a deer or any other beast of the wild?
The older I get the more confused I get. I have witnessed so many violent acts committed with guns in this country and the only answer I have heard from those who make or determine laws in the government or courts is to allow more firepower be placed in the hands of private citizens.
 Being a victim of armed robbery twice in my life time, I often wonder if I would have been armed and reached for a weapon, would I be here today to discuss such matters. I believe that be complying with the demands of the robbers my life was spared. Being trained in firearms both as a hunter and a military person
I have never found a need to arm myself as a private citizen for any purpose other than hunting for food.
 There must be hundreds of excuses to place the blame for the violence in America but we all need to search our conscience to look for answers. Morality has reached the lowest level that I have seen in all my 70+ years. Murder, mayhem, rape, robbery, and any other depiction of violence can be seen in all forms of media and absorbed in the minds of our younger generation. We can all stand and cheer for our "Freedoms" until such freedoms become our own destruction. Our creator gave us all the gift of wisdom and freedom of mind but its up to us to decide how to use these gifts.