Uncommon Nuisance

I’m glad to say our household has achieved normalcy once more. Cassidy, who was reticent to have surgery, is near full recovery. She is simply awaiting stitches to dissolve. She is now cleared to embark on other adventures of a more recreational nature, hopefully without the worries of abdominal distress.

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This weekend marks our annual celebration of those who served our country in the armed forces. I for one could not be more grateful to those who have literally and dangerously stepped forward in defense of this nation. 

My father, pictured below, was one of those who was welcomed into adulthood by screaming Army sergeants trying to mold Depression era high school graduates into fighting machines. He dodged bullets on the beaches of France. He slogged through the Battle(s) of the Bulge and plowed together with General Patton to Germany to stop a menace which too few now remember.

I think of my Dad often and the horrors he witnessed and the hardships he endured. I juxtapose that against his picture here and the "Love Johnnie" message. This is the man and the smile I remember. He never showed me the other man he had to be while wearing that uniform.   

My Dad and the brave reluctant heroes who saw their friends die beside them by the hundreds and thousands, came back home to raise families, to go to work. They were dealing daily with real trauma beyond my and most of our comprehension.

Each day our WWII vets battled the internal demons of that war which would never leave them. Each day they rose and did what they needed to do to be productive members of this society. Others saw the same in Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and in battles around the globe. They too carry with them the horrors of war. I salute them all and those who are serving today.

This is a snippet from a song I wrote years ago:

The spoils of the war

Were tucked away in an attic drawer

But he never once spoke of the enemy he saw.

Just another hero of The Bulge

He taught me never to divulge

What you see, what you hear, and what you’re carrying within ….

Dear Vets, may God bless you all, and may the weight of your carriage be lightened by our sincere gratitude for your service.   

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On a lighter note:

While reading the news this morning I found out that “maintaining a common nuisance” is a crime in Indiana. Some malicious and thieving deviants were arrested and charged with various offenses and one of them was charged with the crime above. 

At first, I thought I may have to avoid the state to the north due to my nuisance-like behavior with this blog, but it turns out that since I’m not carrying controlled substances while doing it, I have nothing to fear when visiting the Hoosier state. I have also checked with my legal counsel and found I am more of an uncommon nuisance and could therefore easily beat the rap if so charged.

Whew! What a relief.  I’d hate to run afoul of the law while reporting to you the maneuvers of my curious clan - which are in no way to be confused or connected to the klan of the above-mentioned deviants.  

We are an all-loving, all-inclusive blog here.

Have a great weekend! And, please, go thank a Veteran.