I'm A Country Song

My
life is truly a Country Song, I have always thought this to be true but today when I read Musical Mondays posted on my daughters blog these old eyes began to fill will tears. It takes a sentimental gesture like this to make a father realize that just maybe he had a little influence in the path of life his children may choose.

Merle Haggard has such a gift of telling a story with heartfelt emotions, one can close the eyes and be transported to a place and time so reminiscent of days gone by. The song "A Farmers Daughter" reminds me so much of watching my three daughters grow up after loosing their Mother just before Christmas. Another song "If We Make It Though December" is another one that I have a tearful time getting through.

Trying to fill the shoes of a wonderful Wife and Mother was the most difficult task I have ever undertaken. We had so many ups and downs, at times it seemed useless to try and get back up after being knocked down, but God was always on our side.

Time keeps marching on and music tries to change with the evolution, each generation that comes along have their favorite lyric, beat, or as to days young people say their own Rap. Even the country music of today has changed from the genre that artist like Merle Haggard leaves to the history of my generation. I too enjoy all type of Music, can't understand the Rap stuff so don't listen to it but I relate to big band, jazz, etc. When I want to drift back in time and reminisce of time gone by both good and bad I'll put on Merle, Ray Price, or Willie.

Social What??

I just can't seem to get the hang of this modern age method of communication. Thought I'd give that thing called facebook a try, seemed like a good way to visit with friends and family I seldom see. Things were going great, genealogy information and family photos were being shared, stories being told of good times past and present.
Like a flash and a touch of a keyboard this friendly social website suddenly became a battle ground of profanity & name slandering. Family roots were being ripped out like a storm of the century. For what ever reason written hateful words published for the whole world to see has resulted in a son disowning his Mother, a husband and wife filing for divorce, a father trying to console a daughter with a broken heart, diabetes, and numerous health issues, extended family searching for way to help financially.
When a woman gives her life to a husband and son for 23 years, giving every once of energy in her body to maintain a home while ignoring her own health one would expect just a little show of gratitude. Being a father, I have always believed that a husband should be the backbone of a family unit which includes providing medical insurance for a spouse or child. Watching my flesh and blood deteriorate with life threatening disease while all material wishes were granted to her husband and son breaks this old heart.
Only my faith in God will keep me strong and as long as I have breath in this old body I will do everything in my power to keep my children safe, healthy, and immune from being hurt in any fashion.

Closing Curtians On 2010

Once again father time had closed another chapter of life with old memories as we will venture off into another time of speculation.
I am still in awe at how my generation ever survived without all the gadgets of today. We didn't seem to need our fingers to do the talking for us and our eyes were usually looking forward so we didn't trip or get run over. Music was easily heard though an AM Radio, or the juke box in the drug store, and no one needed an interpreter to decipher the lyrics. Tattoos were something we paid an admission price at the carnival to see, especially on a woman. Love letters were written on fancy stationary and penned in ink with sincere sentiments attached. Boys learned at an early age what a belt was for and would never think of showing their underwear. Girls kept things like their dignity covered and never needed artificial boosters.
As this year comes to a close, I can look for the coming years to go just a fast with little or no improvements in the youth of today. Respect is something that got lost in 1950 and never returned. I just witnessed one of most heart breaking Revelations of my 70+years when I learned that my Grandson used the most disgusting language and name calling to his Mother. No human being should ever have to be that humiliated especially by their own flesh and blood.
There was a time long ago when broken teeth would have replaced the venom spewed out of a child's mouth even if the child is now an adult.
My hope for the coming year is that more people will learn the value of kindness to one another, get involved with electing officials who will keep America's core values intact. Reach out those who are elderly, poor or just in need of a friendly voice.
May God Bless America and all who took time to read my thoughts.

Seasons Greetings

WWII Rations

Ho Ho Ho, This should be the season of joy and celebration for those who still believe that X should never replace the name of Jesus.

This old codger is searching his soul to try and find a reason to celebrate other than a quiet moment in prayer to be thankful for what has been provided me.

Having seen some dark days in these past 70+ years and somehow surviving I can't help but wonder if this great country is headed back down the road of despair. We have borrowed our way into poverty and sold our soul to our enemies of the past. I can't say that one political party is totally to blame, we didn't get this way in a short eighteen months. History will have to be told to future generations and the blame game will go on forever.

When folks ask me what do you want for Christmas I have a list that begins with "Peace Be With You", lets all meet as Americans and do away with the "D" or the "R" thing and find a way to get back the simple things like pay as you go, love your neighbor, speak with tongue instead of fingers, believe in the rule handed down on a tablet of stone called "Ten Commandments".

No one knows for certain what tomorrow will bring but the darkest days seem to be ahead of us. The country is full of wealthy people who have no compassion for the less fortunate. Some old folks like myself live in what is known as Mobile Homes but referred to as trailer trash. Its not that we wouldn't like to live in a two story big house but we just might have worked all our life and done the best we could and proud that we don't have a mortgage. Life once was peaceful in a little place to call our own even though we had to rent the dirt it sits on. Wealthy corporation came and bought the land and now want to raise rents 100% with no regard for the elderly of those who already do without food or meds to pay the rent for a piece of dirt.

There may not be fancy presents under my tree but I still want to wish a joyous and happy holiday season to all and please remember the reason for the season!

Thanksgiving

Its that time of year again when we as Americans set aside a day for being thankful for all our blessings. Some are thankful for the Turkey on the table with all the trimmings to go along with it, while others are thankful just for the thought of seeing another day of life ahead of them.
As for me; my blessings are too numerous to count, but the greatest of all is the love my heavenly father has bestowed upon me with Friends and family who shower me with love each and every day.
With so many trials and tribulations facing this country in the coming years, perhaps we can set aside our political hats and find some common ground to move in a more positive direction. Not only are we facing economical hardships, health care crisis, two wars, terrorist threats but now the the two Korea's are once again on the verge of opening up another war front.
To all who take the time to read this, I thank you for taking time, may the coming holidays bring you all joy and happiness may we all live in peace in 2011.

My Hero's

Every year when Veteran's Day rolls around it reminds me of the time I served with my two older brothers in the US Navy. I was lucky enough to serve most of my time on the same ship with my oldest brother Ron aboard the USS Reaper and a member of west pac; we made two cruises to the far east. Any time the Uss Caliente and the Reaper were in the same port, word quickly spread that the Willett brothers were in port! I am so proud of the oldest brother who still serves as a member of the American Legion.

How proud I am today to fly old glory on Nov 11 and remember all who served and many who gave it all so that we may have the freedoms we so readily take for granted. No other country can endure the negative and hateful statements towards its leaders so freely expressed in every form of communication. No matter which political party is in the majority there never seems to be any common ground of doing what is best for a democratic society.

There is a new year on the horizon and my prayer for the coming year is for solutions to the economy, peace at home and abroad, medical breakthroughs for such things as diabetes, cancer, MS, etc.

Regardless of political affiliation, please remember that there will always be those who are less fortunate and need a helping hand.

Faded Memories

To those who cherish memories, I suggest you try to preserve and hold on to such things as yearbooks, awards, photos, etc. I have tried to save my precious memories of my youth in Pagosa Springs through photos and scrapbooks handed down by my parents and grandparents.

With the progression of time and technology, the beauty of this heavenly place is being portrayed with astonishingly brilliant photos that capture the sights as though one is standing there in person.

Its funny how 50+ years can change scenery, ones social status, and gadgets of all sorts. Growing up in Pagosa we didn't know what television was until we heard that Ferris Breedlove who owned the local hardware store had one put in at his home. I was lucky enough to be invited there one Saturday night to see the Ed Sullivan show. We had a telephone, even though we had to tell the operator to ring the person we wanted to talk to and at times share conversations with other parties on the line. No one ever dreamed that one day we would all have a phone in our pocket or be typing messages to one another. Even language has changed over the years: Pot was something mom cooked out of, Gay was an expression of happiness, Queer was something odd, weed was a pesty garden plant, etc.
Oh, how the fashion has changed no longer do we need to guess boxers of briefs, boys pants are now made to hang around the knees. Remember when body piercing were only seen in National Geographic Magazine, Tattooed ladies were only seen in carnival side shows.
I was amazed watching videos of the parade in Pagosa on the fourth of July and seeing the fire fighting equipment they have. I remember when the only fire fighters were volunteers and the first time Pagosa acquired a used fire truck.
One thing that never seems to change is the old timers all move away and new folks loaded with money are willing to come in and start building. I guess they don't realize that if they love the way mother nature does her work maybe they shouldn't try to change it so much. With humans encroaching on wild animal habitat its no wonder that deer and bears are becoming city slickers.