Guffaw in AZ
friends-in-need
Cheer Up!
I began writing this morning on today, the 18th anniversary of the loss of my 12 year old daughter, Molly. And I started wallowing:
(redacted specifics re: the crap in my life and the lives of everyone I know)
I decided rather than wallow, to take a page from my dear friend Rev. Paul and lighten up. All is not lost. I still have friends and family who love me. The Nation, while thought to be circling the drain in some circles, is still here. As is her Constitution.
I know and believe this as fact: All you can do is what you can do. Fretting about the past or the future is pointless - be in the now. And hold those you love close and tell them you love them, because you never know! Do it now!
How can you look into that face above and not smile?
(I’ve chosen to make commentary unavailable on this post – go and hold your loved ones, instead!)
Ther’s a LOT of this going around, Part Two…
My roommate made a recent observation which seems to be borne out in fact:
More people with whom we are acquainted or have knowledge of seem to be going through more health-related stuff in their lives than ever before.
(I think she was more graphic in her statement.)
The point being, seems as if folks are more ill, are having more accidents, have relatives with horrible health conditions and stuff in their lives. I suppose part of the observation could be accounted for by the instantaneous nature of Internet communication, worldwide, but certainly not all.
And yes, we are older, but not all persons involved are older than us. Some, are in fact much younger. And it’s not all based on living in a specific geographic or geopolitical environment.
As I write this, I’m thinking about Brigid’s brother, my roomie’s stepmother, my stepbrother-in-law, and a close friend’s father, among many others.
Is this something superstitious, or Biblical in nature? Or are the facts being compounded based on emotional content, skewing the conclusion?
Keep a good thought, take care of yourselves, and tell those near and dear you love them. And hold them close.
Because, you never know…
There’s a LOT of this going around!
Rev. Paul, of Way Up North reportedly had a cardiac event and rolled his pickup truck yesterday. He’s doing okay, after a stent was put in, but the truck not so much.
Please keep good thoughts for him, and pray, if that’s your thing. Paul is one of my first Internet blogfriends and has been an ardent supporter of both me and this blog.
Hang in there, Rev. Paul!
Love/Hate Cops
I have a love/hate relationship with cops.
On the one hand, I hate extremely dislike the ever-encroaching laws permitting law enforcement to run roughshod over our rights. I’m not speaking of doing a Terry frisk (for weapons) and finding a baggie and making an arrest (although that does bug me), I’m speaking of those things many of us have written about: NSA wiretapping, Internet monitoring, no-knock warrants, warrantless GPS, cameras everywhere, checkpoints etc.
On the other hand, I still contend that while most local police do their job – and some use it for abuse, others go above and beyond.
Hayden Carlo of Wylie was pulled over recently for an expired registration
Asked why he hadn’t renewed, the married father of two told the officer that he had no excuse, other than times have been tough.
“It was either feed my kids or get this registration done,” he told Channel 11.
The officer wrote him a citation and tucked a little something extra into the envelope: a $100 bill. The gift brought Carlo to tears.
I’ll call this a late Birthday gift for me.
We, as humans, have amazing compassion. Helping our fellow man doesn’t require the force of the state to make us do what is required or what is right.
God bless this officer.
Speaking as someone who lived on the edge of poverty for years, and was ticketed many times for Not Current Registration, I can relate. Part of my problem was (and is) I just hate giving the government money! But I just know this officer is a good person. Perhaps, it was the Christmas spirit?
h/t Tango, Robb Allen
Some gotta win, some gotta lose…
Guffaw’s got the blues…
I try not to let the state of the World the Nation my life get to me. I try not to be self-centered. I do realize that there’s very little I can do regarding the state of either the World or the Nation. I’ve let my opinions be known, and I voted. I’ve spoken out on this blog. In many places on the globe these things are not allowed, and subject to sever penalties.
But, I can do something about my attitude! I’m approaching a landmark anniversary in my life (if you reckon in Base 10); I’ve no partner to share it with; no money – on disability (which is both a description of lack of funds and physical ability).
I’ve a number of chronic conditions, and seem to acquire more every day. I owe medical bills.
I drive a 13 year old car, when I can afford gasoline.
And last Summer, because my disability income is 60% lower than my previous meager income, I lost my home. (“We lived in a hallway!” “We dreamed of living in a hallway-we lived in a cardboard box!” – Monty Python) Fortunately, a good friend offered me a place to stay.
Two weeks ago, my sister had a minor stroke. (If there is such a thing). She’s back to work, and coping, but it does get one’s attention.
But all is not lost.
Re: this upcoming calendar mark – My new neighbor and EX-wife (and friend) contacted me, and asked if she could put a little celebration together in my honor!
HOLY SHNIKIES!!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “If you have friends, you have everything!” You know, like the end of that Christmas movie…
Time to remove my head from it’s regular inverted resting place and get moving.
Thanks for listening.
Patience and Acceptance
Currently, I’m involved in a project which includes physical labor. Being older, overweight, and somewhat disabled, this activity presents one with ‘challenges’.
One of the challenges is that there are two of us, and the project is physically taxing. My ‘partner-in-crime’ called me this morning, after yesterday’s work, to explain she doesn’t feel well and is tired and sore, and needs to rest today.
Of course I was disappointed. I was dressed, rarin’ to go and almost out the door when she called.
The other feeling I felt was gratitude. While I’m anxious to complete this project (there IS a time limit), I felt relief. When I told her the other day ‘We’re not 20, anymore!’, she responded ‘Hell, we’re not 40, anymore!’
And, of course, she’s right. And she’s right in line with my Internet friends who know of the project, and intone me to ‘take care of myself’. I’m tired and sore, as well.
SO, I AM taking care of myself, AND, learning (yet again) Patience and Acceptance.
h/t Judy, with thanks!
A favor for a friend of a friend…
Another blogger whom I respect just contacted me regarding a friend of his.
It seems this friend spends the Winter in Tonopah, Arizona, is an ex-Green Beret, commercial fisherman, bailbondsman and all-around good guy.
He has a Taurus Judge Tracker with laser stocks he needs to sell. Only 9 rounds through it.
If anyone in Arizona is interested, please email him at
alimhoff@yahoo.com
Normally, Guffaw in AZ wouldn’t do this, but, friends in need, ya know…
Attn FTC: Guffaw in AZ get nothing out of this, save helping a friend, back off.
