Remembering Our Fallen Troops...

in which all wars that Americans have fought and died.~~~~~ In Flanders Fields was written by LTC. John McCrae - who himself became a Fallen Troop after serving four years in WWI. In Flanders field the poppies blow~Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky~The larks, still bravely singing, fly~ Scarce heard amid the guns below.~~~~~ We are the Dead.Short days ago~We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,~ Loved and were loved, and now we lie~In Flanders fields.~~~~~ Take up our quarrel with the foe;~To you from failing hands we throw~~~~~ The torch;be yours to hold it high.~If ye break faith with us who die~ We shall not sleep, though poppies grow~In Flanders fields.~~~~~We Honor Our Fallen Troops - and Remember.

When It's Hot - It's Hot

Even when it's not hot at the Indianapolis 500 - it's hot.~~~~~ Just the roar of the engines would make it seem hot to me.~~~~~ And on a normal Race Day - the heat from the track is a lot.~~~~~ But this year the heat seems to be planning on setting a new record - and could soar up to 94 degrees.~~~~~Too hot for me - and by all reports it is gonna be a record setter. And even Jim Nabors is smart enough to stay away - way away - far over in Hawaii.~~~~~But he is still going to start the race by singing the Great Back Home Again - In Indiana over a televised live video.~~~~~And that's good enough for me.~~~~~ And that's as close as I've ever been - and will ever be.~~~~~But you can be sure that I'll be checking it out.~~~~~~I know some good folks who are gonna be there and will be giving me the full report - earplugs - sunblock - and all.~~~~~ Who can resist hearing the good old phrase: Gentlemen & Ladies - Start Your Engines. ~~~~~If there are any ladies this year in the running - and if there are - well that's more than we have in the Presidential Race - unless you count Rosanne. :]

A Salute With All Due Respect...

to every one of Our Troops - and Veterans - on Armed Forces Day. A Heartfelt Thanks For All That You Give Us - And Everything That You Do For Us. God Bless All Of You and God Bless This Great Country Of Ours - The United States Of America.

Thanks - Google Artists

What a nice Mothers' Day Wish.

an open field

Two things are on our mind right now. They are Gay Marriage and Commencement. And the two - believe it or not - are strangely connected.~~~~~How is that - stidh? - you might not ask - dear friends and noncommenters.~~~~Gay marriage and Commencement are connected because Commencement means many graduates will be looking for jobs - which may not exist.~~~And because of this I would like to suggest that some of you grads put in some extra study time and do that by going to law school.~~~~~LAW SCHOOL?~~~But why - sitdh? I'm gonna tell ya right now - Folks.~~~~~I am suggesting Law School because in the not too distant future - when even Billy Graham is gonna see the Light about Gay Marriage - and that will happen - I promise you - that there will come a time when those who wanted Gay Marriage so badly - Yes - some of those people will be clammoring for GAY DIVORCE.~~~~~And that is why - my dear friends - some of you will be able to step up - as divorce lawyers - and allow them to say: 'I Believe You Know Mr. Cohen.' Oh - it is gonna happen - as sure as the South will also see the Light. and they well - just give them a few more years...

Bloomington,In./Seattle,Wa.

For a while now I've been thinking of how Seattle,Wa. and Bloomington, In. are alike.~~~It isn't the weather - for Seattle is more mild and wet - for the most part. And Bloomington can be beautiful - but also brutal in the summers and winters.~~~~ No - it isn't the weather.~~~~It isn't the mountains -for Bloomington has no mountains - although the beauty of Southern In is unsurpassed - with Brown County and the spectacularly wonderful campus here at IU.~~~~~ No it isn't the mountains.~~~~~~Then what is it that you are talkin' about - stidh.~~I'm gonna tell ya right now - people.~~~~It's the front yards - in the distance between 2nd and 3rd streets on Rogers. For that distance that I've been driving - when I'm on Rogers Street between 2nd and 3rd streets - the front lawns look EXACTLY like the front lawns of many houses in Seattle. They often let the grass and flowers just grow wild. And if ya have been to Seattle in any of the residential areas you would know what I'm talking about. And I like the way that looks. ~~~~~And I almost forgot the most important thing here - have ya ever seen Mt. Rainier at dusk? Driving across the brige with the pinkish hue of Mt. Rainier on yer right and on yer left is a full moon - well I haven't been everywhere - but I just know that if I never saw another sight - I would be happy with that one memory.~~~~~~~~It just doesn't get any better than that - folks. :] :sigh:

you got that right

A Simple Plan

I have a little booklet - written by one Syl Sobel.~~~ It was published for - I would guess - six graders - in 1991.~~~A time when things were simpler here in the U.S. of A.~~~ Before 9/11 forever changed this Country of Ours.~~~~~~ The booklet lays out how our Government Works - in a simple way that even six graders can understand.~~~It tells how all the States started doing everything every which way - and the People got together and decided that there needed to be some rules laid down and they decided that we needed a Game Plan for this great Country of Ours. So then the Constitution was born.~~~And there came a uniformity in America - and the way Syl Sobel tells it to these kids in her booklet - it all sounds very simple and easy.~~~She tells about the three branches of government - and how they need to work together to make this Country work.~~~Yes - they worked together.~~~~~ We can do that now.~~~We have just gotten a little bit mixed up - and now is the time for us to strip away everything that is getting in the way of Unity - and we need what is called Civility.~~~~~Is it working this way? No - it is not.~~~I believe we will go back to Unity - like in this book. ~~~But we need to do it sooner than later.~~~We need to get to the business of electing a President - then getting together and telling him what we want in this Great Country of Ours.~~~Try going someplace where there is a giant Flag flying high on a sunny day with blue skies.~~~I saw one today and I found myself driving home singing America the Beautiful. ~~~~~Sound silly?~~~Just try it.~~~You'll like it.~~~And as Ms.Sobel says at the end of her booklet: you will come away with an appreciation of the priceless legacy left to ALL AMERICANS By The Founding Fathers. ~~~~~~~~~~ God Bless Syl Sobel~~~~~God Bless The Founding Fathers~~~~~God Bless the United States of America~~~and God Bless Us Everyone. :]

for sunshine:

Sunshine - I couldn't get my answer to go through for your comment so here it is: Would someone who is not a loser allow herself to get in the impossible position that I am in? Yes - my Faith is stronger than ever - and every time I cry out to Him I get a response. Sometimes it is hour to hour - but I would turn to Him even minute to minute. He becomes more Wonderful and Real - every time He shows Himself to me. Thanks Sunshine and hugs back to you. xxx

Way To Go - Mr. President

I came to the computer with the thought of writing something about How The Government Works - but instead I found that President Obama has taken a stand on Gay Marriage.~~~ I am proud of him that he has done so. I would have done it myself - even before this.~~~ But it is not too late.~~~ I'm Proud Of You Barack Obama.~~~ but then I have been all along~~~~ God Bless You - President Obama.~~~~~~ God Bless Those For Whom This Stand Will Help Make Their Lives Better :]~~~~~~ And God Bless The United States of America.~~~~~~~~ we are getting there - step by step

my faith journey

What do you do - dear nonreaders and especially you noncommenters - when you hit a brick wall of your own making - out of stress?~~~I know the answer to that - you rely on Family and Friends - and they will come through for you - and try to help you out.~~~But what if you need something more - and I also know the answer to that - too.~~~The answer is that you turn to the SCU - aka God - if you so desire.~~~And that is what I have been doing - in this my time of need.~~~And of course he does not always rush to your side and say - Boo Hoo poor Sue - aka stidh.~~~No.~~~Rather he does what he wants to help ya out - and according to his Perfect Plan - he gently - pushes you along.~~~Of it may be in the form of a shove - BUT HE IS ALWAYS THERE.~~~You know that~I know you know - that - and you know that I know that you know - that.~~~ Kinda like the Footprints thing.

now there are two

I've already sung the praises of the MAC - the Musical Arts Center - where stidh attended an Opera last november. Now I will sing the praises of the Indiana University Art Museum - where I went just now for the second time since moving here. It is great and free - although you have to give up $2 for parking at the Wonderful Union - parking lot. Today I was humbled - at the IU Art Museum - by the Greek Art. Mainly the Urns. And so I am going to take the time to let John Keats speak for me and drone on and on - about the Grecian Urns. He is much better at not being incoherent - than I - am. Oh - and by the way - I've already decided that I'm gonna donate heavily to the MAC AND the IU Art Museum - with the big BUCKs that I don't have. Now I have a feeling that the third place I will not donate heavily to is the Jacob School of Music - here at IU - but first - John Keats' Ode On A Grecian Urn: Thou still unravishe'd bride of quietness,~~Thou foster-child of Silence and slow Time,~~Sylvan historian, who canst thus express~~A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:~~~What leaf-fringed legend haunts about thy shape~~~Of deities or mortals, or of both,~~~In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?~~~What men or gods are these?What maidens loth?~~~What mad pursuit?~~~What struggle to escape?~~~What pipes and timbrels?What wild ecstasy?~~~~~Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard~~~are sweeter;therefore,ye soft pipes,play on;~~~Not to the sensual ear,but,more endear'd,~~~ Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:~~~Fair youth,beneath the trees,thou canst not leave~~~Thy song,nor even can those trees be bare;~~~Bold Lover,never,never canst thou kiss,~~~Though winning near the goal-het, do not grieve/~~~She cannot fade,though thou hast not thy bliss,~~~For ever wilt thou love,and she be fair!~~~~~Ah,happy,happy boughs!that cannot shed~~~Your leaves,nor evern bid the Spring adieu;~~~And happy melodist,unwearied,~~~For ever piping songs for even new;~~~More happy,happy love!~~~For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,~~~For ever panting and for ever young;~~~All breathing human passion for above,~~~That leaves a heart high-soworjul and cloy'd,~~~A burning forehead,and a parching tongue.~~~~~Who are these coming to the sacrifice?~~~To what green altar,O mysterious priest,~~~Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,~~~And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?~~~What little town by river or sea-shore.~~~Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,~~~Is emptied of its folk,this pious morn?~~~And,little town,thy streets for evermore~~~Will silent be;and not a soul,to tell~~~To Why thou art desolate,can e'er return.~~~~~(and now for the Really cool last stanza)~~~~~O Attic shape!fair attitude!with brede~~~Of marble men and maidens overwrought,~~~With forest branches~~~and the trodden weed;~~~Thou,silent form!dost tease us out of thought~~~As doth eternity.Cold Pastoral!~~~When old age shall this generation waste,~~~Thou shalt remain,in midst of other woe~~~Than ours,a friend to man, to whom thou say'st, BEAUTY IS TRUTH,TRUTH BEAUTY, - THAT IS ALL YE KNOW ON EARTH,AND ALL YE NEED TO KNOW. I ask your forgivess - and John Keats' also - But I do not have the strength to go through and edit this. My blog is so messed up. But you get the main drift - dontcha? All ye nonreaders and noncommenters~~~:[ Please donate heavily to the ARTS - is all I ask. :)

The Avengers

A great movie. A little violent for my taste but with six super heroes fighting off the aliens - yer gonna have a little violence. I thought The Hulk was the best hero - very well done with Mark Ruffalo playing the role. I liked that Captain America was pretty much in charge - and his Shield was great! In a few scenes where all six super heroes were shown - that was very effective - and it choked me up. : ] The movie was for me very well done and the cinematography was excellment. I was glad I went. Next: The Dark Knight Rises - seemed a little dark Frankenweanie ??????? What did YOU think - about the movie?

stidh is growing old

Gone are the days when stidh was first in line for the midnight showings.~Movies like Iron Man 2 and Raiders 4.~ Good stuff like that.~I swore I would go to the MS of The Avengers but forgot it was even here.~Today I headed over to the ticket counter to see when I could get in for $5.~Seems they have a showing at 9:45 am tomorrow.~So I have my ticket.~The ticket guy assured me that it has in fact been received well - that RDJ runs aways with it - and that it is said that The Avengers exceeds all expectations. ~Well Hello - it is 2:43 long. It better be good. I will pack my lunch and endure. If there are enough requests - :[ I may write about it tomorrow.~I may write about it anyway. ~Not interested in seeing it in 3D - though.

about women and baggage

She comes with a lot of baggage - we said. And so we gave up on having Hillary Clinton as Our President. Mostly we were thinking of her huband - Bill Clinton - our President - and other Clinton issues. But women do come with a lot of Baggage, don't they........? I remember during the Democratic Presidential Debates - in 2008. I wathced the Candidates and I saw what the problem is - and that is that the men all pretty much looked alike. A suit~A Tie~Their hair. Sure - there were differences in height and weight - but they were pretty much easily summed up in appearance. Not so the woman - Hillary Clinton.~ This post is actually not about Hillary Clinton - but about any women who might attempt to run for President and the baggage they carry.~ Her age and how Mother Nature has treated her - like wrinkles.~ Her makeup.~ Jewelry.~ Hair.~ How tall she was next to the men.~ Her voice.~ Her mannerisms.~ If she cried when the going got tough.~ If she was too feminine or masculine.~ If she had children - and was she taking care of them or not.~ What about her husband - what would we call him.~ and so on and so forth.~ With the men - it was so much easier - they pretty much only had a carry on and not so much luggage.~ But of course now that carry on is going to cost them... $100.

It means - I don't get it.

Mike - I haven't studied Spanish for cuartro years for nothin'!! Thanks for yer comment and please come back ANYTIME.

A possibility for President

It has been suggested - by one of my noncommenters - that we make Maragret Thatcher President. Of The United States. It could work. It's more than we have right now - in the way of a Woman Candidate. Does someone want to check it out? Do that and get back to me. Thanks.

leadership in women

A few posts ago I brought up the subject of the possibility of a Woman President - of the United States. Today I want to suggest that we follow the suit of other countries - some of which are far ahead of Our Country - in allowing women to lead. However it is only fair to say that we here in the U S of A - we are a bit younger in years established - so that we are now just coming into our own - in seeing women rising up and taking charge. Three women from our country - coulda and shoulda been leaders - but the first one just wasn't born in the right year. I'm speaking of First Lady Abigail Adams who - as I've said before - is thought to be a person - had she lived today - most likely could have held the honored position. Now we know that Hillary Clinton could have done the job - but she came with too much baggage. Just kidding - but I believe she would have done the job competently - but it just wasn't to be. And though I've never heard it mentioned that Eleanor Roosevelt could have been President - she probably had the ability - but again - it was just not the right time. All three of these First Ladies - come to my mind when I think of possibilities - for a Woman President. And the following women WERE leaders of their country: Indira Gandi ~ India Golda Meir - Israel Queen Victoria - Great Britain Queen Elizabeth I and II - Great Britain Margaret Thatcher - Great Britain Eva Peron - Argentina Angela Merkel - Germany to name just a few Womem have made their mark in this World and in History - it just takes a little more time - and I feel they have to work harder to obtain these positions. But it is happening - and it should and could happen here.

Was the President's trip political? As it has been suggested.

H*ll yeah - it was. Everything at this point is political - in a Presidential Election Year - and all. And very well orchestrated - I must say. And did ya see how excited and happy the Troops were to see him?

Thank you Mr. President

for putting yourself in Harm's Way - just like our troops. So that you could arrange your Game Plan. It sounds good to me. Ya have my Vote in November. I liked yer speech - and I hope your jet lag isn't too bad. God Bless you -President Obama. God Bless Our Troops. and God Bless The United States of America. please

stidh talks about abortion

My post of yesterday brought forth many comments - about birth control - but the one comment that I would like to address - is one suggesting abortion - as a means of birth control. I am against it. But I am also against the government getting involved in the abortion issue. But I am for an agency of the government getting involved in helping women who would like to give their child up for adoption. You see - I think these moral issues - of which abortion is one - should be treated as moral issues and not political issues. Jobs is a political issue. Unemployment is another on. Troop concerns is a political issue. Infrastructure is a political issue. And so on and so forth. If a woman has a unwanted pregnancy - that is none of the government's concern. But why not set up an agency wherein a women could seek help in dealing with the unwanted child. How best for the newborn to be adopted. And I am for the government helping the woman track down the FATHER OF THE CHILD and making him stand up with the women - at gunpoint - if necessary - until the child has a home... I would be willing to discuss this further if there is interest. IT COULD WORK. By the way - the women should not have to shoulder this alone. In my day - it took two to make a baby.