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.

A New Page

Its that time of year again when we bring out the colorful lights, sentimental  Christmas music, pine trees, wrapping paper and pray our credit cards don't get maxed out.
Here's hoping the coming year brings brighter days for all who gaze upon these writings. 2012 has been a year full of doubt, despair and heartaches for many American families.
 This old senior has seen many changes to the flesh and bones with a new hip, loss of a kidney and other aging ailments but the good Lord has blessed me with good recovery.
 Just when I thought we would end the year with peace and calm from election madness,  natural disasters, and wars; Satan raised his evil head again. Twenty young innocent lives were forced to enter into heavens gate. There is no sane answer to such tragedy, but I will pray for those souls and the family left to grieve. Once again the subject of gun control will come to the attention of elected officials. The courts will someday have to decide if in the 21st century we all need to arm ourselves with automatic weapons against threats from sick individuals.Personally I believe in the right to own a gun but the days of the revolution are long gone. I have yet to see a hunter use and AK47 to bring down a deer or elk to put meat on the table. My suggestion to help decide who should own a gun is to require everyone living in a household with weapons go through a background check.
  Here is hoping that our civic leaders in Washington will find some common ground to ease the pain of the middle class, elderly, and poor while solving this nations fiscal problems along with curbing the violence in our neighbor hoods
 To the folks who read my blog, thanks for taking the time. May the coming year bring good health, peace, and good fortune to all. America is still the greatest place on earth and I have faith that we can all keep it that way.

MY PRAYER

                             

                            

                                    MY PRAYER

                                       FORGIVE ME LORD FOR I AM TRULY A SINNER

                                        I CANNOT JUDGE OTHERS SIMPLY BY THE TONE

                                        OF THEIR SKIN, THEIR CHIOCES IN CIVIL MATTERS OR

                                        WHOM THEY LOVE

                                        I MAY CHERISH LIFE BORN OR UNBORN BUT I CANNOT

                                        SIT IN JUDGEMENT OF OTHERS IN THIS MATTER, I TRULY

                                         BELIEVE THAT YOU ALONE WILL DECIDE WHAT IS JUST

                                         OR UNJUST

                                         I AM THANKFUL LORD FOR THE BLESSING YOU HAVE

                                         BESTOWED UPON ME WITH WIFE’S AND CHILDREN

                                         LORD BE MY COMPANION WHETHER ON THE MOUNTAIN,

                                          DEEP IN THE VALLEY OR IN A PHEW. 

                                          GIVE WISDOM TO THOSE I LOVE TO BE UNDERSTANDING,

                                           COMPASSIONATE, AND DEVOTED TO YOU EVERLASTING

                                           FORGIVE THOSE WHO BELIEVE THEY ARE MORE RIGHTOUS

                                           THAN THEIR BROTHER AND SISTERS

                                                                            

America Land Of Choice

On this election day, my vote has been cast as I anxiously await the end of the day when the tally has been officially recorded.

 This has been the most controversial election I can ever recall in all my years of voting.

But, when all is said and done I will proudly still salute the flag and pledge allegiance no matter who is chosen as this nation's leaders.

Only in America can we as citizens reach across the miles to help our friends, family or strangers in time of need and yet exhibit hatred for those who have different political or religious views. Once the dust has settled from this election I hope we can unite again; for storms will continue to come to our shores and they may not always be from mother nature. God Bless America!

Mothers Scrapbook

Looking back into the past is such a pleasure when one has a Mother such as I had. Glued to the pages of one of her many scrapbooks are mementos of Pagosa before electronic storage devices. Articles printed in the"Pagosa Sun" of local events such a scores of the local high school sports or who had dinner with a friend complete with names, or major events. The photo here is a partial glimpse of one of the most famous stories to be printed, John Wayne and film crew arrived to make a movie "The Cowboys."
 Anyone who knew my Mother, knew that she was not a shy lady and had many friends while working in the Citizens Bank or attending the Baptist Church. I don't know how she managed but she became friends with John Wayne and was personally invited to travel into the mountains and witness the scene where John Wayne would be shot.
 Times change and people come and go but I am so glad those before me took the time to save memories on printed paper that I hold, feel and smell.  Tucked away in these old scrap books are family history, world history, and events that although they are stored away in memory, the pages bring them back to life. To all the younger generation I would make a request that not all past be stored on some electronic device that become obsolete with each passing day, save some of the past for your grandchildren to hold and admire.