flowers for friday

These flowers are from the Conservatory in Volunteer Park, Seattle.

A Soldier's View

Here is a short essay written by my son Daniel, who spent a year in Baghdad during his tour as an Army soldier. I could not be prouder of him! click here

pride is on the inside

Neil B. Downey

1Lt Timothy J. Connors

Daniel and Tom

Pride Is On The Inside

(feel free to substitute female pronouns when appropriate)

would i recognize

a veteran

if i saw him

even if

he were in ordinary clothes

would i recognize

his sacrifice and service

no, these are not the things

that are exposed

each person who has served,

to guard our freedom

who served because

he thought that it was right

no matter where you served,

i humbly thank you

because i sleep securely

through the night

to those

who're left with nightmares,

rage,

and flashbacks

or question some things

they were called to do

do you know

my heart breaks daily

for your struggles

and i 'll do anything,

to help you make it through

do you recognize

my pride,

when you pass by me

can you see

the depth of gratitude

i feel

do you know

my loved ones served

and still are serving

no, these are things

not outwardly revealed

waggin' wednesday

Well, the Halloween cards of dogs in costumes did not get made this year but if they had, this is what you would have seen straight from The Garden Of Eden and you know who ate the apple.

rub-a-dub-bug

there's a box elder beetle in my bathroom

he's marching 'round the rim of the tub

each time when i see him

i think i should free him

or maybe just give him a scrub

waggin' wednesday

We are dog people, but last week we were kitten smitten. When we visited Dan & Tiffany they still had two kittens from a litter of 5. Now they have gone together to a new home but we were happy to play with them before they left.

skipping Halloween

i skipped Halloween this year

i didn't carve a pumpkin

i didn't send out cards from dogs

and that is saying somethin'

i really didn't decorate

i didn't buy the treats

i didn't hand the candy out

i stayed right in my seat

some folks will be surprised

at the reason why -

i was tired of being perfect

so i let it pass me by