Morning coffee

[Art Petersn]

Morning Bonds

Have a good day

[sgtfowler]

Morning Bones, pass the funnies will you please

[firstsgtmike]

I was blessed.

I spent five months in Yellowstone in '95. As the snows receded from the valley floor, the buffalo returned to the foothills. Later, the elk and moose drifted down to our valley for the mating season.

I enjoyed the best of both seasons, and avoided the discomforts of the extremes.

And best of all. I was paid for being there.

Yes, it was minimum wage, but after everything was paid for, I still added to my bank account.

Isn't that the Marine Corps way?

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How in hell are ya today! It's Saturday ain't it? Time to kick back fer a bit, mebbe. Get yer chores done around the house before ya watch yer ball games on tv. Coffee's on, though. Ya just as well have a cup, first. On Saturday, things'll wait some, unless ya kids or pups runnin' around your ankles! LOL. Paper'll be along directly, I reckon.

Well, what's on the program fer today? I didn't have nothin', myself. I was readin' some of the old 'minutes' again. This is a whole lot better company to keep than I think I've ever kept in my life. Yer good folks to visit with inna mornin'. This coffee mess we got goin' is gettin' pretty comfortable ain't it! Some habits are good for ya, ya know. Some ain't. This is one of the better ones in my book.

A person ain't got a lot of time to sort things out in this life. That's a shame, cause I need alla time I can get, bein' slow on the uptake and all! A couple hundred years'd be a pretty good start! Life goes by pretty quick even when ya are payin' attention. A man's gotta set his priorities and stick to 'em. Trick is, pickin' the right priorites to start with! Seems some folks are born with maturity and it grows on 'em. Some folks, like yers truly, it comes to a bit later on..usually the hard way! Ya gotta take advantage of every minute, folks. Ya gotta live like ya mean it! It's a shame, but it seems most of the world don't recognise this. Life, bein' serious the way it is, they take the wrong way of approachin' things. Bein' goal oriented and achievin' yer goals is a good thing. It's one of those good habits. Now like most good habits, it can become a bad habit. That happens when yer goals become yer life, instead of goals just bein' a small part of livin'. Same as with eatin' good or excersin' regular or whatever like that, when it becomes the whole of yer life, that might not be a good thing. Ya end up bein' kinda boorish when yer around other folks.

Livin' is realtionships and the mature enjoyment of things around ya. If yer eatin' suffers a bit, so what. If yer goals suffer a bit, so what. If ya miss a day of exercise, so what. You can pick up those good habits the next time or the next day...but if someone needs yer help, if that kid of yers needs a hug, if the Ol ' Lady needs someone to hug her....or to sit with her and watch the flowers or the birds, and mebbe visit a bit, if the neighbor needs a quick hand with somethin'....well, those good habits become bad ones when they get yer priorities messed around and ya start ignorin' those more important things around ya in life.

...and sometimes, if it means yer good habits are becomin' bad ones, it might be better to have bad habits to start with! Kinda like bein' in the field. In the barracks, it's a good idea to do the hygiene stuff and keep yer uniform cleaned up a bit. In the field, if ya got a choice between keepin yerself up and keepin up yer weapon, guess which one gets cleaned up! Figure out what's important, folks, and that's what ya take care of first...and the good habits'll come along right where they're supposed to be in life. Thing is...they might not be where or what ya think they oughta be!

Well, I suppose... that's probably about enough of that fer one day.

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's a new day! Hell, we got another chance to get 'er right! Hell, we might even do it better this time around! ;) Spend some time with the family today. If the yard don't get mowed til Monday, well, too bad.

[greensideout]

I get in here late, but still enjoy morning coffee. Thanks Bones for your posts.

I thought my car was fast, but it is nothing compared to the speed of life!

I was busy doing my piddle jobs when the wife said, "Come and sit with me for a while on the patio." We spent time watching the bluebirds, talking about her flowers in her new water garden, and a road trip we have planned to spend time with our children and grandchildren. Yes, the good things of life seem to be the things that we so often take with to little thought.

A nice evening to all.

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How the hell are ya today! Coffee's on! Get yerself a cup and get some! Paper'll be along directly, I imagine! I got dibs on the front page and the comics!

Well, we've had a few pretty bad storms blow through around here. Ain't nothin' to write home about, though, 'cept er the views, that is! Good sleepin' weather, though. Down in the 60's at night! Open the windows and curl up under the covers. Just cool enough inna mornin' to make a hot up of joe taste pretty good!

I got to thinkin' a little bit ago. ( Yeah, here it comes! ) Somethin' about how it isn't always what you know, but what the other feller might know about things. Now don't get me wrong. I'm one of the first to call a person on it they think they're gonna fool me. But, ( yeah, there's usually a 'but' somewhere along the way, there's almost always an exception to somethin' or other now, ain't there!) there's enough folks runnin' around that know a thing or two that you don't. Once in a blue moon it's gonna be some kid somewhere, but we all know that ain't generally the case! There's somethin' to be said fer time and experience as long as ya been tryin' to pay attention. Anyways, I've found that just about the time I figger the other guy don't know nothin' is when he's got things nailed to the wall and I shoulda listened to him the first time! I mighta been inna bad mood, or maybe I was tired, or maybe I wasn't feelin' so good...hell, maybe I just didn't have my coffee first. It'll be somethin' that gets in the way of me listenin', and that somethin' is normally me!

Now, it's hard to pay attention when ya got things runnin' through yer head, or ya ain't feelin' good or somethin'. Maybe it might be pride that keeps ya from listenin'. You know, bein' hard to admit to yerself and to others that maybe...just maybe... ya don't know everything there is to know about everything! I've known a few like that myself. Hell, we all get the attitude once in awhile! If'n ya don't, well, if'n look inna mirror I just might be able to show ya a liar! LOL. There's just too much to know anymore, folks. We gotta rely on others fer their kowledge more and more every day it seems. The thing we have to be good at, is learnin' the folks we can trust to share their knowledge with us w/o takin' advantage of us. Yeah, I know. That's a **** poor sentence, but most of my sentences are!

Anyway. It always comes down to that one thing among folks, don't it. Trust. Who do ya trust, and what do ya trust them with?Well, I look for folks that don't abuse my time or try to fool me none. I look for folks who've got good character. Top thing I grew up with was a work ethic. If folks said, "He's a hard worker." Usually most of the other good character traits would be there somewhere without mentionin' them. It was just understood. Otherwise they listed the feller's shortcomings before they mentioned his hard work. " He's a drinker, but he's a hard worker." or "He's a womanizer, but he's a hard worker." Country folks keep things short and to the point, mostly...unless they're settin' ya up fer a practical joke....then it can get complicated!"

I remember folks bein' like that in the Corps. Short, sweet and simple as to what ya could be trusted to do or not to do. Sometimes it was a simple matter of ability and skill. Sometimes it was because a Marine couldn't really be trusted. Some things, no matter how much a Marine trained at them, there was always gonna be somebody better at it than he was. Some things, certain Marines were the 'go to' guy every damn time. Other times, one Marine would get his butt worked off because someone else couldn't be trusted to do that pparticular job right everytime. Never the less, give almost any Marine almost any mission at all, and he'd get it done.

We learned a lot of principles when we were in the Corps. Some of us have had time to learn a few more. We just need to apply them across the board in our lives is all. Learnin' how to trust others is one of them. If ya have to play NCO and put together a team you can trust, then that's what ya oughta do, I reckon. Workin' with civilians, the principles are the same...the rules are just a bit different is all.

Well, I been ramblin', tryin' to sort this out, but I guess we oughta warm up our coffee and get our heads ready fer the day! It's Sunday, folks! We got another chance to sort it out! It's a new opportunity! Make sure ya take advantage of it!

Don't ferget! I got dibs on the comics!

[thedrifter]

Goodmorning

Woke up with a nice breeze coming in....Storms were comming thru here too....This whole week....our tempertures went up to summer weather.....Hot and Humid.....Not good sleeping weather....or doing anything.....
Was a little lazy this week, but Ellie will tell you I'm that way all the time....;) ....

I don't have too much planned today....just relaxing around the house....My children....Always try to make this day special for me....So, I still don't know what they have planned this Father's Day.....since all 4 like to sleep in on Sundays.....LOL....

So all those who are Father's......Happy Father's Day!!!!!

Bones like usually....good coffee, with good reading material.....

Sempers,

Roger

[SHOOTER1]

Bones,as usual,your ramblings have hit the nail on the head,sometimes you amaze me,its like you take the thoughts out of my head,but your better at putting it into words, save the comics for me,and since Im on my 8 th cup of coffie, Ill read the front page later,nothing but gossip anyhoo. You guys have a good fathers day,hope the weather gits better for you,this is my favorite time of the year, not too hot,not too cold,youall be carefull out there. Semper Fi.

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How ya doin' this mornin' anyway! Cofee's on! Ya best get a up and set fer a bit! Day ain't quite started yet! Ya gotta get yer eyes open anyway! Paper'll be here after a bit!

Well, what do ya figger, anway! Me? Hell, I don't know. Let me get my eyes open first! Dang easy chair got me again. I woke up, the lights and TV were out and it was dark in here! Ol' Lady left me in the livin' room! I don't blame her none. I wake up mean and sudden sometimes! LOL. One of these days when I get old and bald, I'm gonna wake up sudden like that and give myself a trip to the emrgency room! LOL. "How'd you break your arm, your hip and all of those ribs, Mr. Bonesteel?" " I woke up!" LOL.

We all sacrificed doin' our time in the Corps. Some more than others, some maybe a bit less, but we all sacrificed. I figger it was worth it. Except fer that boot camp part, I'd do it again, myself, if I had it all to do over again...even the part where I wake up mean and fast sometimes. Some idjits'd do MCRD again, but they're more Hard Corps than I am! Myself, I figger once is enough on any space-time continuim!!

Over the years, we all learn the things that are worth sacrificin'
for. Ya sacrifice for your kids, for your family, for your spouses, sometimes for your careers, but ya learn. Priorities change for ya as ya get older, too. After awhile, the little things start to matter more than they used to....and ya learn how much and when to sacrifice for things that are important to ya. Ya learn the value of time as it relates to all of those things. Sometimes, time isn't money....and sometimes the sacrifice is worth it

...and sometimes, it's well worth gettin' up a bit early to have a quiet cup of coffee inna morning' before yer days starts.

Warm up yer cup, folks! It's a new day! It's another chance to get 'er right! We got another opportunity to get 'er all sorted out!

Make sure ya take advantage of it!

[Art Petersn]

Morning Bones. Been away for a couple of days.

Missed a few posts. Coffee tastes good this morning.

Know what you mean waking up mean. I've got an old dog that's the same way. He's hard of hearing so it's best to let him wake on his own.

[richgitz]

We can thank the Good Lord every time our feet hit the Deck each
morning. the only thing thats hard is getting the Old Bones to
line up. The coffee does taste good, especially after those BEERS
last night. SEMPER-FI and you guys have a good day.

[thedrifter]

Goodmorning

It's a beautiful....cool morning....with low humidity....sun shinning bright....with no rain on the horizon......
Woke up with the breeze in my face....Even under the covers, it was a little to chilly for me....So I do my normal roll over toward Ellie.....I need to snuggle LOL....Ellie lets out a scream.....which is always her usual call.......with a few choice words.....LOL..She knows I head toward her when I'm cold.....which is most of the time.....

Bones I can relate to what you are saying, about getting up in the morning.....hell I wake up all in the house....with the sounds of my bones cracking.....LOL....

Hope all enjoyed there father's day....
I sure did....
My gift did not arrive yet...but it is on its way....
Ellie and my children....got me a NCO Sword.....since I lost mine....when I got out of the service.....

All have a good day.......

Sempers,

Roger

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How the hell are ya this mornin'! Coffee's on! Get yerself a cup and get some! Paper'll be along directly! Maybe by the time it gets here our eyes'll be open enough to read the dang thing!

If I try readin' the paper before I have my coffee, I end up holdin' the paper all cockeyed and lookin' at it outta the side of my glasses...the Ol Lady's smart enough to keep her mouth shut...at least til I've had my coffee, anyway....Days' like that, she don't say a word....she just goes and gets my coffee for me....at least the first two cups anyway.....after that, I'm on my own. She figgers mebbe I'm just about awake then. I think she can tell when I start holdin' the paper straight and lookin' through my eyeglasses the right way. I ain't sure, though. She's kinda hard to figger sometimes....

Well, what're we visitin' over today, anyway? Me? Well, I did have somethin' floatin' through my head, but I ain't got it sorted out yet. I was thinkin' that friends are like the Ol' Lady is about some things. They don't judge ya none over the little things...like holdin' the paper funny when ya first wake up...they kinda accept ya more or less the way ya are. It don't matter how much other folks like ya or don't like ya, or why, they'll still be there, no matter what. I got one friend who likes to wake me up at ungodly hours of the day and then he'll sit there and grin when I start cussin' him and actin' grumpy. Jughead thinks it's funny! First thing he'll say is, "Ya awake?" Hell no, I'm not awake. Then it's, "Ya got any coffee?" ...he says that just to hear me grumble. He knows I ain't awake yet. He damn well knows coffee's always on, too! My brother Cliff does the same thing to me!! The same conversation, too!! It's kinda comforting havin' friends like that. They know they can come in and visit over anything they got on their minds and they know I'd do whatever I can for 'em....and they'd do the same for me...but it's always "You awake, yet?" and "Where's the coffee?" Hell no, I ain't awake yet. Get yer own damn coffee. They always grin and get a cup.

That friend, though. He likes to bring folks over who haven't met me yet....just to watch their reaction when I go off before I've had my coffee! I think the one feller was about to start runnin', but I had my second cup of coffee and started to wake up a bit. He sat back in his seat a little more about then fer some reason.

My nephew...welll he always looks to see what time of day it is before he comes over. When he gets here too early, he's lookin' to see if I have a cup of coffee handy fer some reason....

Warm up yer cup, folks! Coffee's always on around here! ...and don't lookit me funny when I hold the paper all cockeyed! It just means I haven't had my coffee yet!

It's a new day! We got another chance to get 'er sorted out! It's another opportunity to get 'er right! Ya just as well take advantage of it!

[Art Petersn]

Morning Bones.

Have a good day

[JChristin]

Moring Bones,

You reminded me of when my two boys where still in grade school and we had a ranch way north of Elgin, Oregon - up in God's country. The boys had to catch the school bus at 0615. That meant Mom had to be up early to fix breakfast. Kids, they learn. By the time they were in the 3rd and 4th grade - they were serving me coffee in bed every morning. They knew the eggs, hotcakes and bacon always tasted better if Mom had her coffee first. Too bad my youngest just graduated high school. Oh well - still have time to make another crop.

Afterall Bones, just like you say, "It's another opportunity to get 'er right! Ya just as well take advantage of it!"


semper fi,
jchristin

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How the hell are ya this mornin'! Coffee's on! Ya best get a cup and get some! Paper'll be along directly, I reckon!

Well, what've got for me this mornin', anyway! What? Hell, I thought it was your turn to come up with somethin'! Well, I suppose. Just remember. You asked for it! I tried to give ya a chance!

Now don't get me wrong, I love fixin' coffee inna mornin', and fixin' coffee ain't the point. Well, that brings up somethin' else, too, but we'll get to that inna minute. First things first by God.

A person gets kinda lazy after awhile, don't he. I mean we get to dependin' on others fer all sorts of things, don't we. We let the teachers pretty much take over raisin' our kids. We let Big Brother run our schools for us. We let the emergency room or the doc take care of all of our little scratches and bumps and bruises. We've got folks tryin' to run our forests and others tellin' them how to do it. We got the government tellin' us we have to do this or that and we all go right along with it....just as long as we, ourselves, are comfortable. Hell, if we got trouble with the neighbor, we'll call the cops or complain to the property owner's association. Kinda hard to go over and introduce yerself and try to see what's goin' on or if they need help after all. We don't want our comfort zone invaded, ya know.

We've gotten comfortable, what with dishwashers and washers and dryers in most of our houses. Everyone has TV's and most have phones and computers and games and all sorts of stuff to keep ya busy. Hell, you can get a pretty good meal out of the frozen food section at the grocery store anymore, if ya wanta pay for it. Most can, after all, if they wanta. Don't have to grow a garden to survive, so why do it, after all. We gotta have our kids in this or that program after school or in the community....sometimes I wonder if it's just so we don't have to deal with them too much. Keeps 'em outta trouble after all, ya know.

...and as long as there ain't nobody messin' with us personally, we're ok with the rest of it all.

Didn't really know where I was goin' with this. I was just thinkin' about it is all. Just seems like a lot of folks are used to lettin' other folks do things for 'em. I reckon that way, ya don't have to take the responsibility fo it. I don't know. Just thinkin' out loud...

Well, hell. Ya had yer chance! Don't look at me like that! LOL.

Oh, yeah. The other point.

We've kinda visited over it before, but not really in any direct kinda way. It ties in with what I was thinkin' about, though. Sometimes...just sometimes, it ain't about you, or it ain't about what ya think it's about in any case. Like I was sayin' earlier. My little ramblin' ain't about someone else fixin' coffee inna mornin'. Ya gotta get to the bottom of things. ask yerself, "What's the pointt here?" "What's he/she gettin' at?" "What're they after?" "What'd they want outta this?" mostly ya ask, "What's at the root of this thing?" ...stuff like that.

Kinda like yesterday. I wasn't talkin' about coffee, really, but friendship. Now I know YOU understood me, but some folks don't. They ain't got their eyes open yet, I reckon. Just like bringin' a topic up fer discussion almost anywhere. Some folks take it personal if ya don't agree with them. Doesn't matter how ya say or how good ya are with relationships and words. Some folks out there ain't very damn friendly to start with. Some can be, but they gotta be given the chance, first. I'm like that sometimes myself, I reckon, but I don't mind doin' fer folks if they need help. Once they get to know me, they know I'm as straight up about things as I know how to be. Part of friendship, I reckon. Some can't handle that. They gotta have someone else to blame. It gets into their comfort zone when they've screwed up and get caught at it. If folks don't like that about 'em, they go find other friends who will. After awhile, all ya got is folks who blame everyone else or everything and no one's bein' up front with anyone about anything, no one's helpin' each other or takin' responsibility and nothin's gettin' done, 'cause everyone's too busy bein' comfortable! I guess that's called selfishness I reckon, among other things. Now, ya gotta take care of yerself, or ya can't do much about anything else, but there's a difference, here. I think I've pointed it out. ...maybe....

Well, I almost went on a rant, there I reckon. A little early fer that, ain't it! LOL. I didn't get that said at all right, but I figger ya get the point. It ain't necessarily about you, either. I was just thinkin' out loud is all.

Well, enough thinkin' fer a bit. Why don't ya warm up yer coffe and open a window and listen to the birds fer a bit. If ya listen close and know what yer listenin' for, they make more sense than I do sometimes! ;)

It's a new day, folks! We got another chance to get 'er right! It's another opportunity to get 'er all sorted out! Make sure ya take advantage of it!

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How ya doin' today, anyway! Coffee's on! Get yerself a cup and get some! Paper'll be along directly, I reckon. That new paper boy is still gettn' here after daylight! Funny.... we don't get as much traffic up here as we used to...not since I scared the last paperboy.... That's a good thing, I reckon. Bad thing is, I still gotta wait til after daybreak fer the dang paper now. He'll forget about it one of these days...and then I'll get him. Oh, come on! If ya can't pull a practical joke on the paperboy, what's next? No smoking in bars?

Well, what're we doin' this mornin', anyway? Ya got yer day planned out? Come on, now, we talked about that awhile back! Ya gotta have yer day planned out before ya get started! Ya don't have to, but ya gotta have a plan, don't ya know! Kinda like me and the Ol' Lady, yesterday. I hadda go play with the VA again, and afterwards, we decided on the spur of the moment to go for a drive. Now that part wasn't really planned, but I had been thinkin' about it for a few days. The drive was the Ol' Lady's idea. I had mentioned it last week, but we put it off. Well, the car was full of gas, I had my coffee mug full, and we had a buck or two to spend eatin' if we wanted. Well, away we went. Now I kinda know my way around a good bit of the Black Hills, so I thought out a route as we were leavin' the VA, and away we went.

From that intial route, I only made one differentiation. We heard along the way that a part of downtown Keystone had burned, so we went past Mt. Rushmore and through Keystone to gawk a bit. Haven't heard if anyone was hurt, but it did burn up a restaurant, part of a motel and about four or five other businesses along that side of street that I could tell. I know that one building had been there for more than 60 years. The Motel was only a few years old, though.

Anway. I had a plan well ahead of time, I knew our gas and money sitrep, and I knew about how much time we could both tolerate on the road at one go 'round. I knew the country, more or less, and so a spur of the moment trip wasn't as spur of the moment as it might seem at first glance. About 200 miles on the road , yesterday, and we didn't get into Custer State Park proper!! That's another trip for another day...or even two, or three! LOL.

Ya gotta have a plan, ya gotta know yer resources, and ya gotta know yer limits and the time ya have to play with. Not so much different from bein' in the Corps, at all.

It seems every time I turn around, I'm using basic principles I learned more than twenty years ago as a junior enlisted Marine.

You learned the ****. Don't GAF it off. It might come in handy now and then.

Plus, I had it figgered about right. The Ol' Lady was so wore out last night that she was too tired to nag me about anything! I kinda like peace and quiet, myself...

Ya gotta have a plan, folks!

On the other hand, tomorrow's another day...but I got that planned out already! ;)

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's a new day! We got another chance to get 'er right! We got another opportubnity to get 'er all planned out ahead of time!

[Art Petersn]

Morning Bones

Just getting my morning started out right.
Getting sick of mowing the lawn all ready.

[greensideout]

The best made plans of mice and men! LOL

Good morning/evening Bones.

Yes, things always turn out as planned when you have a plan. Or at least we like to think they do. Don't forget Murphy, he's out there lurking. LOL

Sometimes I like to head into life without a plan just to take on the unknown as it comes. Good to practice those Jarhead skills too. LOL

Have a plan or head out without one, both have merit. Guess it depends on what you're looking for to get the brain in gear and a smile on your face.

Good coffee Bones.

[JChristin]

Bones,

Those Black Hills offer some of the most wonderful opportunities. Once, with my forest fire fighting team we found ourselves camping overnight, I think, a wee bit south of Mt. Rushmore in a place called "Sterling Basin." How do I remember this?

This basin was named after Colonel Edmund W. Sterling who joined the White House Secret Service Detail during Woodrow Wilson's first term and remained through FDR's third term. He served Presidents Wilson, Harding, Collidge, Hoover, and FDR. He won the friendship and respect of all of them. He introduced Calvin Collidge to the Black Hills shortly after the death of the Presidents eldest son. During a visit to Mt. Rushmore, with only the head of President Washington being completed at that time, a Senator Norbeck pointed out toColonel Sterling an area of virgin forest that was to be named after him.

So, it was with special honor, knowing about the life this fine gentlemen from Kentucy lead, the example of values he demonstrated throughout his career with the Secret Service, and his fine breeding, that it was a honor to sleep in a basin named after him.

It's well worth a visit if you get over that way.

semper fi,
jchristin

[greensideout]

Don't really mean to interupt your note to Bones, but I was just wondering---? Is Sterling Basin still "virgin forest" after being slept in by so many?
You did a wonderful job of regurgitating history. Thank you.

[JChristin]

It was impressed upon me many years ago, that once a Marine slept any where, virginity - if it ever existed - was lost forever. Thanks for the compliment on my recital of history concerning the naming of a basin after a great man. Col. Sterling was a man of interigity and value, not found often in todays world.

semper fi,
jchristin

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How in hell are ya! Coffee's on! Ya better get yerself a cup and get some! Ya gotta get yer eyes open good before ya start yer day! Paper'll be along inna bit!

I let my yard go this week. Ol 'Lady's tellin' me to mow it. Only reason she noticed, we had some of those twigs blow in the yard today after a windstorm....Still and all, she's right, ya know. I had 'er figgered fer bein' tired when she got off work today! LOL. Some plans don't work quite the way ya figger they will...

Ol' Lady got some life insurance on me awhile back. Well, I suppose that's a good thing, I reckon. Plannin' ahead and all. Myself, I figger on livin' forever, but if she wants to throw her money away, I reckon I'll let her! Thing is, now she's talkin' about a last will and testatment. Well, I suppose. I was thinkin' about fillin' the will with all sorts of straw men, too. You know. If she doesn't act right when I'm dead, she has to give the whole of my wonderous estate to the Salvation Army, maybe. They'll appreciate four pairs of ragged jeans and a ten year old winter coat, I'm sure! LOL. Of course, it's only wisdom, but I think I better keep a sharp eye out for rat posion in the house, now.....not that we have any rats.

I never have been much fer havin' a lot of stuff, even when I've had the good payin' jobs. I do like to have decent clothes and warm dry place to stay, but I can do without, too. Mostly, that sorta thing just gets in my way. I kinda like things simple as can be, myself. Give me enough clothes to wear between washin's and I'm good to go. I like good food, but I can eat outta cans and boxes if I gotta. Used to be, I could live off the land if I hadda.

Havin' a lot of stuff, gives ya a lot of stuff to take care of. Hell, if ya ain't careful, yer stuff starts tellin' ya how to use yer time, instead of you usin' yer time to yer best advantage. Ya gotta have enough to take care of you and yours, that's only wisdom. If you can set aside somethin' fer the kids and grandkids, that's wisdom as well. Ya got the medical and health stuff to put aside for, and ya gotta do maintenace on what ya got to keep it from turnin' to crap on ya, but otherwise....after awhile, yer stuff starts ownin' you, and not you ownin' it. That's when yer lost.

I learned a hard lesson years ago. Stuff ain't all it's cracked up to be. Just an intellectual exercise...consider gettin' rid of everything that you don't absolutely need. Here's the criteria: If it doesn't put food on the table, clothes on yer back and a roof over yer head, you don't need it. If it doesn't make you a better human being, you don't need it. Pictures of Grandma, that old painting yer Daddy gave ya, the last letter from yer first sweetheart...you don't need it. Yer politics, yer associations and civic organisations, even yer church. I can hear people sputterin' and startin' to fume now! LOL. I

Myself, I have very few pictures, and only a few mementos from any period of time in my life. As much as I like havin' my own place and my own flower garden and a nice enough lawn, I can do without them. That stuff has gotten in my way a few times. I've passed up on opportunites before due to havin' stuff. Memories are better in most cases. Some of them are a little easier to lug around. Some ain't. But it's easier on me not to have too much stuff. I don't like the clutter, and it takes up too much of my time. I think if I won the big lottery tomorrow, I would buy a big chunk of land, but I don't think I would put very much on it, or have more than I needed to live and to get by. It'd be kinda irritatin' really, 'cause money takes time to keep track of. I got better things to do, myself.

It's a spiritual principle, ya know. ..not that I'm any great shakes at spirituality or nothin'. When ya start identifyin' yer self with things and stuff instead of what's inside ya, and carin' about folks around ya, you've lost or misplaced some essential portion of your humanity. A humanity that's in very short supply these days, I think.

Now, I don't recommend ya got out and get rid of everything. Asceticism is fer some folks and not for others. We're not all alike and we ain't all in the same place in our growth as human beings. It was just a thought that I wanted you to consider fer a minute or two. It's a hard lesson, but one that I think is worth learnin'...or at least rememberin'.

Warm up yer coffee, folks! We don't serve no latte, schmatte around here!

It's a new day! We got another opportunity to get 'er all sorted out! Make sure ya take advantage of it!

[Osotogary]

wrbones,
You have just added another demension to the term "Pack Light". Enjoy your coffee. I am enjoying mine.
Oh, yeah. Good morning to you. Good morning to you all.

Additionally- I just plucked this book off the library shelf. The title is: Zero Dark Thirty by Samual Brantley. It is about an A4 Marine Aviator who, during the spring of the Tet Offensive, is bureaucratically shuffled to become a Forward Air Controller for an Infantry Unit on the ground (1 Battalion, 7th Marines). This book has a recent (2002) copyright.

Gary

[Art Petersn]

Moring Bones.

The start of another day. Have to mow the lawn again.

[sgtfowler]

Damn, raining here today again. Haven't mowed the lawn in 2 weeks. Up to my A**. Keeps on I may have to mow it in the rain.
Good thing I have a rider. Hmmmm, I wonder, could I get a couple of 50's mounted on this thing????

[firstsgtmike]

I sat back, waiting to see how much heat Bones was going to get:

"If it doesn't put food on the table, clothes on yer back and a roof over yer head, you don't need it. If it doesn't make you a better human being, you don't need it."

Not that he would need help, he never does, but I was ready to jump in with facts and figures as an example.

Since I'm stuck with them, I'll dump them here. In a ten year period of time, I moved from a 2000 sq ft. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, formal living and dining rooms, etc. etc. to a 800 sq ft. 2 bdrm 1 bath townhouse, to a 32 ft. motor home, to two suitcases of 60 lbs each.

The motivating factor was not economics, but freedom.

Since then, I've learned. With the exception of my four children, I could pack everything else that was vital, necessary, or meaningful to our lives into ONE attache case.

Deja Vu all over again. I remember what I walked away from on my way to MCRD. I left MCRD with one seabag and embarked on an adventure the likes of which only those who shared it could ever understand.

Over the years, that one seabag grew into a truckload of "household effects".

An untimely death, depression, and recovery taught me a new sense of values. I was still learning, hence the TWO suitcases.

NOW, an attache case to hold necessary documents, and with my four children in hand, life begins anew when I plant my feet and say, "This is home".

Each pound of excess baggage adds an additional millstone around the neck. We pay a heavy price for memories.

Someone once said; History is selective memory.

Someone else said; Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

I say; You don't have to die to be reincarnated, you just have to let go.

Clean out the closets, wipe away the cobwebs, throw open the shutters, open the windows, revel in the fresh air and let the sun light up the darkness.

Travel light. Leave your baggage behind. You'll go farther, faster.

[greensideout]

Originally posted by JChristin
It was impressed upon me many years ago, that once a Marine slept any where, virginity - if it ever existed - was lost forever. Thanks for the compliment on my recital of history concerning the naming of a basin after a great man. Col. Sterling was a man of interigity and value, not found often in todays world.

semper fi,
jchristin


You're a good sport JChristin, it was just a little rubbing to make your day.:marine:

Semper Fi

[greensideout]

The wife and I cleaned house just a year or so ago. Yes, it's a new lease on life!

Sold our four bedroom home, told the children to come and get what they wanted, had a moving sale and then just gave away what was left.

We designed and built a retirement home for the two of us. (Not retired yet.)

The children kicked and fussed a bit for us selling the "old home place" but we let them know that it was time for mom and dad to move on with our lives.

It turned out that they all loved our new place almost as much as we did.

Getting rid of all the stuff collected through the years, the big house and lawn and all that goes with it was like a ton of weight removed from our backs!

We really have more of everything by it being less!

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How the hellare ya this mornin', anyway! Coffee's on! Get yerself a cup and grab a sit somwhere. Paper'll be along directly, I reckon!

So what are we gonna visit over today? Hell, some of you folks said things better than I did yesterday! First Sergeant, I was waitin' fer someone to get uptight fer a minute there, myself! LOL.

I remember...yeah, so what! Here we go again! LOL. I remember...where was I before ya interupted me anyway? Oh, yeah. I remeber goin' to church one time years ago. I was singin in one of their choirs, goin' to their camp meetin', doin' some teachin' and such like, workin' a street ministry, bein' a part of their home fellowships. I was kinda busy with all of it, but I believed. One of many reasons I left, eventually, was the short story I'm gonna relate to ya here. Kinda ties in with yesterday a bit, I think. I've mentioned this when we was visitin' over somethin' somewhere awhile back.

Well, I got to studyin' the Book. After awhile I figger I knew it better than most of the folks runnin' things, 'cept fer maybe one or two of the whole bunch. They was about 2,000 of 'em in that church at the time. Probably bigger by now, I reckon. I started seein' some things havin' to do with havin' stuff. I also saw some things havin' to do with doin' fer others. Well, the thing is, after a bit I started askin' some questions. Now, overall, they was mostly good folks, but I started gettin' some answers and responses that I knew just didn't line up with the Book at all. I'd say, "Ya see what it says here, and here and here and here?" And show them where I found it in the Book.

One lesson' had to do with the way those early Christians acted towards each other. They didn't figger that anything they had was theirs to 'own'. So they shared everything amongst themselves. Most of 'em didn't have much, but some of 'em was filthy rich by anybody's standards. They figgered it belonged to the Boss and he was just lettin' them take care of his stuff til he was ready for it to be used. "The cattle on a thousand hilltops..." " the earth is the Lord's...." and all of that. Anyway, I asked whay the church wasn't that way. I got two answers. The first hadda do with dispensationalism. Which don't add up if ya know the book. "I am the Lord and I change not." "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." Kinda knocks that one on it's ass real quick. The next one kinda shut me up at first...in outright shock, if nothin' else. " You're just sayin' that, because you want our stuff!" Well, no. I don't need anyone else's stuff. I was just askin' a question, is all. That answer kinda makes a person wonder what folks like that are doin' in church. Maybe 'cause they need to be there, I suppose.... Another place in the Book, says, if ya have it in yer hands to help someone and ya don't, how can the love of God be in you? Basically sayin', if ya don't love people, ya don't love the Boss and if ya don't love the Boss, guess what? Chesty'll be writin' ya up as AWOL. Don't want that. I understand that the results of that particular court martial are hell on ya.

It ain't about stuff. It's about you....and whether you love others or not. Oh, by the way. Love is a decision, folks. Figger that one out. I know I'm right about that one. Maybe a topic fer another day...

Well, I've rambled on long enough and even got to preachin' a bit. Maybe I can go get my haircut now.....( Numbers chapter 6, inna Book)

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's a new day! We got another chance to get 'er right! It's a new opportunity! Make sure ya go out nad take advantage of it!

[richgitz]

Damn! wrbones.
I think you miss your calling. It'll take a few cups of coffee to
ponder this one. Got my coffee, got to find a seat, theres one
over there. Now to the pondering.:yes:

[wrbones]

I got kicked outta ever church I ever been in for sayin' things like that. They can't stand the truth! ;)

I don't go off on rants like that much, but it seemed to fit right now.

...and one of things morning coffee is for, is ponderin' things. Don't let it bother ya! :D

[thedrifter]

Goodmorning

Woke up early this morning.....coffee placed at my side....Yes after all these years....Ellie still gives me my first cup of coffee....

Looked outside....I don't know why....because we have been having storms for the last few days.....Flooding, trees and electrical wires are down...around the state....
They say on the news, that most of the east coast is this way......

Did a few things, before coming on the computer....My first stop is always reading Morning Coffee.....by then I need a second cup....

I'm not a morning person....and don't like to work to hard in the morning....but I can say after reading what Bones has posted makes me think.....What a way to wake up....

I was sent this, by a gylancaster...and wanted to share.....


God's Wings

A little something to put things in perspective...


An article in National Geographic several years ago provided
an interesting picture of God's wings.

After a forest fire in Yellowstone NationalPark, forest
rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the
bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings.
The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had
carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under
the cover of her wings would live.
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you
will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life.


All have a great day.......

Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

[CAS3]

Need more coffee...I came to work this morning because I haven't been here since Monday. I had surgery last week. Everything is ok for now but I am hurting a little bit. Female crap!!
I apologize for not stopping in here on a regular basis. I can only handle small doses of WRBONES!! just kidding big guy!
Hey Roger, what do Cher and Washington DC have in common...
Neither one are f*ING sunny anymore!!
I loved that one. I am so sick of all of this rain/flooding/cable&electric outages...
AND it is the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER....
OK I am done b!tching fer now..see yall soon...

[thedrifter]

Colleen

Hope for a speedy recovery......

You and me both on the weather....
I forgot that it was the first day of summer....
We had no spring....So, we better hope at least for some sun......for the summer..........

SF

Roger

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How in hell are ya this mornin'! Coffee's on! Grab a cup and get some! It's Sunday! Time to get yer eyes open so ya can take a nap on the couch later on! Paper'll be here after a bit! I got dibs on the funny pages!

Well, we got kinda heavy around here fer the last couple days. What do ya figger we oughta visit over today? I figger we need somethin' else to think about, maybe...What? Why do you keep lookin' at me that way! All my life people been lookin' at me funny! Well, I reckon sometimes I had it comin'. Fer as smart as their tests always said I was, I wasn't really the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree fer a lot of years. Intelligence is good, but I kinda like some wisdom and a little bit of experience better, myself. I only ever lost two fights. The second fight I lost is kinda what got my attention. Sometimes a person needs to get his nose broke, I figger. I know I did! I'm still not as smart as some are about things, but I'm payin' better attention anymore. Twenty years of payin' attention has got to add up to somethin' don't it! LOL.

Well, back to the Book. I want to show ya somethin', and then I'll leave the Book alone fer a bit. I know some of ya ain't real comfortable with that stuff, but this kinda defines a word I want to use here. There's a place in the Book where it says, Moses was the most humble man who ever lived, or something like that, anyway. I don't wanta quote it direct. That'd really make ya nervous! LOL. ...and yes, I've been called preacher before...until I threatened their lives, that is. :D Now, then. Most resources credit Moses himself as having written the part of the Bible where that phrase is located. When ya think about it for a bit, that redefines humility for ya, especially when ya consider that the Bosses Boy was a carpenter in a time when power tools didn't exist. His Boy was no wimp! You work with hand tools on lumber, or any kinda wood workin' project all day, you'll see what I mean.

Humilty, therefore, isn't weakness. It's not bein' a wimp. It's not kow-towin' to everyone. It's acknowledgin' your strengths for what they are, and knowin' your weaknesses and admittin' to those as well. Ya see, I used to think that strength and mental prowess was all ya needed. Others that didn't have that were below me, so to speak. I didn't care if you were rich, poor, or good at your job. I didn't care about integrity or honor or anything of that nature early in my life. That was my weakness. I really didn't learn as much as I could have back then. I didn't really know any better. I learned it later on in the Marine Corps, and it took me a few years before I understood all of that. The last poke in the nose that I got, kinda punctuated that lesson for me. It was a long road I traveled to learn any kinda sense at all. Ya see, it requires a new definition of some of the words that we all lived by for years. Humility, in itself is strength. Because you learn to know yourself, you aren't afraid to face all of your strengths, and all of your weaknesses, and openly acknowledge them. "Can I do that type of job? Yeah, I can do that." Humility. It ain't braggin'. "Can I do that other job? Not really. Ya might be better off gettin' someone with some experience for that one." Weakness? Nope. truth.

It's kinda funny, though. Ya will find nearly that exact phrase in the Book. Strength in weakness. It doesn't mean what ya think it means. We saw it in the Corps! We all knew everyone in our outfit and we all knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. Where one Marine was good at one thing, someone else wasn't quite as good, but he'd be better at doin' somethin' else. We all covered each other's six...and we were stronger for it.

Just somethin' to think about. I think I got this one right, maybe. Well. Mostly right, anyway!

Warm up yer cofee, folks! It's a new day! We got another chance! It's a new opportunity! Make sure ya go out and take advantage of it!

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How ya doin' today! Coffee's on! Get yerself a cup and get some! It's Monday! Yer gonna need it! Paper'll be here inna bit, I suppose!

Well, what's on the agenda today, do ya reckon? I had somethin' but I fergot what it was. Lemme think fer a minute............................hell, I don't remember. I guess I'll have to make somethin' up as I go along.

My daylilies are doin' better this year, but I think they're runnin' a few days behind. It's been a bit cooler this spring, after all. There's more of them this year, and the stems are as tall as my waist. The buds on 'em are lookin' healthy, too. Of course my irises are all gone now. They were pretty this year. Hundreds of yellow and purple blooms! Had another thunderstorm blow over this afternoon. I went out and watched it for a bit! That was kinda cool! I kinda like stuff like all of that. I've had visitors every day the last few weeks, too. Damn if I know why. I let the neighbors borrow a couple of tools yesterday. They might think I'm not as bad as all of that now...maybe. Guy actually said more than two words to me later on in the afternoon. We'll see what happens. Some things take time, ya know!

Daylilies, irises, kids and relationships. They all take time. Some folks want what they want, and they want it now. Life ain't always like that, ya know! Sometimes what ya want right now ain't always good for ya either! Get in the wrong relationship and yer in trouble after a bit. Get too impatient with yer kids and you'll ruin 'em. Ya want the right kinda flower garden, it's kinda cheatin' to get them all from the local garden shop, already bloomin' and full grown. There's some satisfaction from waitin'. There's satisfaction in doin' some things yerself and then doin' those things right the first time. It's a satisfaction you don't get any other way.

Careers can be like that, too, I reckon. I like to see folks succeed, but I've seen them get too much success too easy, and too early. Some of those folks suffer in ways that are hard to describe, from what I've seen. I knew a guy some years ago that from the time he started to the time he went broke was a matter of less than five years straight outta college. He was worth more than ten million dollars at one point. He figgered it would keep comin' in. Well, it didn't and he wasn't prepared for it. He was a broken man at 33 years old. I don't think he ever recovered. I've known a lot of folks that had that happen to them over the years. I've seen a lot of folks get into the wrong relationships, get impatient with their kids. The kids almost always end up in trouble of some kind. I've seen folks spend a whole buncha money on a landscape they didn't take care of, or couldn't afford to have some else take care of for them.

Some lessons take time. Be patient. Keep pluggin' away and doin' things right. Success ain't measured in how many toys ya have, or how many ex-wives, or in how many times ya went to court fer yer kids.

My lilies are doin' pretty good this year, and I had hundreds of irises, too....if yer lookin' at things the right way, the thunderstorms in life can be kinda cool, too....

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's a new day! It's a new opportunity! Make damn sure ya take advantage of it!

[greybeard]

mornin, g'night. Yeah, I knew a guy like you described too. Worked for him. million buck/month business. He pi**ed most of it off on a woman, finally married her, had a heart attack, died, & she drove the business(what was left of it) into the ground. She wuz a looker tho!!! Heck, I gotta be at work in 5 1/2 hrs. Later.

[Art Petersn]

Moring Bones

The weather back east has been so wet that it's set everything back excetpt for the grass. Mow, Mow and Mow some more

[greybeard]

NOW I'll have a cup of that good stuff. My thoughts this mornin-wish I'd went to bed earlier. Have a good day all.

[NamNuts]

Haven't had a cup a Java with ya'll for awhile...so i brought some special blend w/naps for a kicker!

Sun be shining and i'm vertical & breathing...good start!

Now, where's the A--holes of the world...i qualifyed with ma cane over the weekend...locked n loaded ready to roll..!

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How ya doin' this mornin'! Coffee's on! Ya best get a cup and grab a sit someplace! Paper'll be along inna bit, I reckon!

NamNuts qualified with a cane...Now there's a scary thought! Ya got one of those swords in it or one of those single shot pistols? :D How ya doin', bro! Hope yer doin well out there in Cheesehead land! Haven't seen ya around lately!

Well, I suppose it's time to get settled fer a minute, until we get our eyes open, and figger what we're gonna visit over today. My schedule's shot to hell this week. I had company almost all weekend and then all sorts of runnin' yesterday. Got four hours sleep Saturday night, two hours sleep Sunday night, after watchin' a movie, and then passed out on the easy chair fer five hours late yesterday afternoon, finished that off with a three hour nap in bed last night. I was whipped! I was too old fer that stuff when I was 21 fer cryin' out loud! LOL. I guess that's good in a way. I get too set in my ways sometimes. I like to have most things done a certain way at a certain time. I get my week planned out ahead of time. Meatloaf on Monday sort of things...that's a good thing, ya know! Stability. LOL. Time may not be money, but it is precious to ya. Thing is, it seems that about the time I get good and comfortable in my little schedule, someone or something comes along and wrecks it. I used to get pretty irritable over that.

Remeber, I told ya about those folks I used to work with years ago, and how we'd go fisihin' on the weekends? I used to get up at o-dark- thirty and be at my favorite fishin' hole long before the sun came up. If yer serious about catchin' fish, that's what ya do, after all! Well, they're the one's who broke me of gettin't too mad when my fishin' schedule got thrashed. Fishin' on Saturdays wasn't so much about fishin' to them as it was about gettin' out and away from things and havin' some fun along the way. We visited, ate breakfast, and had a good time before we even got in the vehicles to leave to go fishin'! Lot of times we didn't even get headed out til after noon! Now what kinda fishin' is that, I tell ya! For them, it wasn't the object of the trip that mattered, it was in the gettin' there, and then havin' a good time once ya got where ever ya was goin'! If they caught any fish, that was just a bonus! It was about people and about friendships. They didn't get their chores done regular, but I think, in retrospect, that they had their priorities right.

Well, I had a good time over the weekend and had a helluva good time visitin' with my brother yesterday. Blew my schedule outta the water for the week, but except fer bein' a bit behind in my chores around the house, it was worth it. Last weekend, the 'gettin' there' was worth it...and I enjoyed the trip. Once in awhile...yer schedule can go hang.

Speakin' of which....Does anyone wanta clean up my desk for me while I get started on the yard and the garden? It'll take me two weeks to catch up, now...but, hell, I had fun. ...and I think everyone else did, too.

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's a good day! We've got another chance to get things sorted out! It's a new opportunity! Make sure ya take advantage of it!

[Art Petersn]

Morning Bones

Coffee tastes great this morning.

[richgitz]

Good Morning Bones & Art
Think I'll have a cup. It finally stopped raining here. I got grass
to cut, and weeds to pull and trim a few limbs from some pine
trees. Oh! and dig up a bush and move it somewhere else (Wife-
thing). The coffee was good as usual, thanks for having me. got
to get to work.

[thedrifter]

Goodmorning


The storms we have been having decide to leave us for awhile.....We have had a cool and wet spring.....but the first day of summer came saturday........and now the tempertures are kicking in.......Yesterday...was the first day we were in the 90's and for the next few days...we will be till the rain comes back by the weekend.......Well that makes it officially we are in our first heat wave......

Bones.....enjoyed the coffee with your fishing tale......LOL.....

Have a great day.......


Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How ya doin' this mornin'! OK, I hope. Coffee's on! Ya best get some and grab a eat somewhere! Paper'll be along directly, I imagine!

Well, I was kinda thinkin' a few minutes ago....Now thinkin' can be dangerous if ya don't practice at it! Might give ya headaches ya never thought about! There's always consequences, ain't there! I got to thinkin' about how when folks get ahead on their bills and start makin' more money. Yeah, back to that again, already! Well, there was an aspect of that I overlooked when we were visitin' over it before, ya know. Thinkin'. Yep, thinkin'! Ya get a few bucks ahead and ya got a better payin' job and ya get to thinkin', "Hell, I can afford a new car." or " I'm gonna get that new boat." "Oh, what the heck. I really think I oughta get a new house. It ain't like I'm poor after all!" OOPS! What happens if the job tanks? How about makin' all of those payments? Let alone the maintenance on all of it! Hoo-boy! That can get kinda expensive right there, don't ya know!

Well, I got to thinkin', a person might want to wait a bit and make sure they have a buncha money set back fer 'just in case' before they start gettin' all of those toys and houses and trips and such! Some folks recommend a years pay in yer savings fer rainy days! I figger it's a good idea if you can pull it off...not to mention havin' somethin' besides yer 401k fer retirin' on! I've seen too many folks who had it all and then 're-tired', and the next thing ya know, they're baggin' groceries at the local store! Not to mention the fact that when ya live at the edge of yer paycheck, you can't maintain nothin'. If ya ain't careful, you'll end up livin' in a leaky ol' shack and drivin' a piece of junk and owin' money on all of it! I've seen that a lot!! I've known some folks that made more than enough to have everything they wanted, but couldn't afford to keep their lawn mower runnin!

When ya get ahead a bit, put somethin' back. Hold off on gettin' everything ya lay eyes on. You'll be glad ya did!

It's just thinkin' is all. I know it takes some practice, but you'll get used to it! Ya gotta figger on as many outcomes as ya can and then get ready for it! Ya don't wanta back off on nuthin', but ya damn sure wanta think ahead!

Mostly, I figger a person needs to sit down and have a cup of coffee before he spends any money. 'Least yer eyes'll be open first! Give ya a chance to think things through, mebbe!

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's a new day! Ya got another opportunity! Make sure ya take advantage of it! We'll get 'er right one of these days!

[lurchenstein]

'Nuff said Bones. I'll be content with the regular brew instead of the Costa Rican special blend. :D

[richgitz]

10-4 on the Rainy Day Fund..wrbones.
This coffee is outstanding this morning. It's going to be another
hot one today, 92. Think I'll have another cup of jo and get a few things done. have a Good Day Marines.:yes: :banana:

[Art Petersn]

Morning Bones

Thoes rainy days come up more & more

[firstsgtmike]

An add-on to Bone's post.

I'd be a rich man if I had a nickel for everyone who used a $20 pay raise as a down payment to buy something where the payments were only $20 per month.

The Penny Savers and other freebie pamphlets are filled with opportunities to take over the payments on a .......... for those who are trying to salvage their credit.

Overextend yourself, lose your butt, and then look around for a scapegoat to blame it on. The new American way.

[Osotogary]

Good morning, good afternoon, wrbones.
I skipped coffee this morning for a beer and a salami and cheese sandwich on rye (You gotta take what's available.) Anyway, even if one doesn't drink the coffee it's pretty fair to say that, depending on the circumstance, it's always good to to get a whiff of what's brewing.
Your coffee, wether drinking it or wiffing it, is might good stuff.
Good day to all.
Gary

[greensideout]

Bones, please tell me that this "finance advice" is a bit of humor.

Question, do you have a credit card? If so and you use it, do you pay it off each month without interest? If you do, that's one thing you're doing right. If not---well, you really didn't have the money to spend, did you? (This was a general question to all.)
Kind of funny in a sad way how some folks spend their money thinking that they will have more tomorrow without ever doing anything to make that happen.

Coffee's good. I'll have another cup please---thanks, but I'll pour it myself and let me pour you a cup too.

[wrbones]

I just think out loud, Marine. I'm not an expert in such matters, after all. Anything I say needs to be looked at and thought about fer a bit to see if I got it right! Like I've said many times before, I'm still gettin' all of this sorted out myself!

If ya look real close, I was advocatin' folks havin' a savin's plan and not spendin' everything they made on everythin' they saw! A lot of folks think that's good advice anywhere ya go.

I had credit cards for years. I don't any more. Never used them much anyway! I paid them off and dumped 'em. I used to get new cars. I don't anymore. To me, that was the same as payin' the banks every month so that they could tell me how and when to spend my own money every month. That sounds kinda odd, but that's how I looked at it, and I still do! Other folks can do what they want! It's their money, after all! If I don't have the cash for it, I don't buy it, myself. This is my lifestyle and I'm content with it.

I do know of a few folks who've done everything they can to have a chance at more income, some of them are waitin' tables, one was workin' at landscaping. Another, after years of unemployment, joined a buncha Mennonites in Kentucky! He's doin' well, the last I heard. These are folks with Master's degrees and certifications in their fields and such like. They were doin' everything they could do to succeed in life. For whatever reason, it didn't really work for them as it has worked for others. Those folks have learned to be conservative with what incomes they have, and they think pretty much as I do. Don't spend what ya don't have...and put somethin' away fer a rainy day if ya can. Which is all I was sayin'.


At least I got ya to thinkin'! :banana:

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How ya doin' this mornin'! Coffee's on! Make sure ya sit down fer a bit and have a cup before ya head out! Paper'll be along directly!

Looks like I got some folks to thinkin' yesterday! You can call what I say advice, but I'm just thinkin' is all. I ain't askin' folks to agree with everything I say. It's good for my ego when they do, but I don't really expect it! We're just visitin' and folks can do what they want, when they want, as long as they ain't comin' into my house and causin' trouble, don't ya know. I'm sure most of you folks are kinda like that, too. Now this Morning Coffee ain't really my house in the real world, and we all know that. I think of it as the local coffee shop inna mornin'. Folks readin' the paper and eatin' donuts and drinkin' their coffee any ol' which way and we all know each other a bit, so we visit back and forth and have a bit of fun now and then.

Now, some folks around here think I know a lot and others think I got some wisdom. I know it ain't true at all. I'm smart enough to know I ain't always the smartest guy inna room, and I got about enough wisdom to get in out of the rain....sometimes, anyway! My word on anything ain't the last word on the topic at hand. There's just too damn much fer one man to get to know, anymore, and wisdom is just a lack of ignorance and a touch of common sense, both of which I often have in short supply!

Mostly, I don't want any of you folks to think that I'm somethin' I'm not! I'm just as arrogant as any of ya and I'm just as stupid and foolish about things as most. Maybe more so. You don't see me raisin' hell with the Ol' Lady fer forgettin' stuff and get to watch me turn right around and do the exact same thing she just did after I raised hell with her over it! I'm just as blind as some, too. I watch the Ol' Lady spoil the cat, and then bristle when she accuses me of the same thing. I don't do any such thing, after all!

What I do, is I come here and visit over coffee, try to sort things out in my own mind, and see if maybe I can get a handle on things...and why I do 'em the way I do.

...and if we can all learn somethin', and have a good time doin' it...well, so much the better.

Warm up yer coffee, folks! Daylight's a wastin'! It's a new day and a new opportunity! Make sure ya go out and take advantage of it!

[NEWB]

Morning Bones,
Thought I would swing by and see what's going on around this neck of the woods. I can see that you are still in fine form. Most times I just read and go on to another thread but I thought I had better let you know that I enjoy you ponderin's and the replys that you get. I am sittin here gettin ready to hit the fart sack and start all over again.
Keep the ponderin's coming. Thanks and Semper Fi

[Art Petersn]

Morning Bones

Have a good day

[richgitz]

Good Morning Brothers.
Looks like a real HOT one today. How's NEWB and Art doing to-
day? The coffee is good and hot, just the way I like it. Mom's
off today, so I guess it's a honey-do day. Got to get going.
SEMPER-FI Brothers.

[thedrifter]

Goodmorning

Damn mother nature decided to turn up the heat.....today again.....We are suppost to be hitting 100 with high humidity...

Son had to go to Fort Dix yesterday....to drop off supplies for some men from our company since the are working on base there....
He stated security was tight....checked everything....even under the hood.....He finally got on base 15 minutes later......

Bones, I was taught that it was called tuning out the wife....but it doesn't work for me....because for some reason I get hit.....LOL...

Bones I found this piece....which I felt was most fitting for you....

All have a good day....and stay cool......

Sempers,

Roger


The Maestro at His Best

When the famous violinist Paganini played a concert in one of the great halls of Europe, it was equivalent to the draw of a modern rock concert. The story is told of one such night in Paris. As Paganini appeared on the stage, the excited buzz of the audience turned to expectant applause. But as the maestro began to play, a string broke on his exquisite violin. Any concern passed quickly as the artist picked up the tune on his remaining three strings. Unbelievably, another string snapped - followed moments later by a third string. Now the buzz in the audience was more anxious, even disgruntled, it wasn't expectant anymore. But the old maestro just raised his hand, calling for silence. As the audience became quiet again, he made a simple announcement - "Ladies and gentlemen - Paganini - and one string." What followed was easily the most amazing musical performance that crowd had ever seen, or ever would see - as the master played a rich and flawless melody - on one string.

When did the master most powerfully demonstrate his skill? When he had the least to work with - one string. When does the Lord Jesus - our Master - most powerfully demonstrate how much He can do? When He has the least to work with. When our strings are broken and we have almost nothing left - that's when He plays His masterpieces.

That's what the great Apostle Paul learned when virtually all the strings of his life had broken. His testimony is in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, our word for today from the Word of God. Paul had been given some spiritual revelations that no man had ever experienced before. He says, "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh ... Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'"

Because Paul experiences God's power the most when he has nothing left, he says, "Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me ... For when I am weak, then I am strong." Why? Because the less there is of you, the more there is of God - and the more of His power you experience. Which actually can make you, much like Paul, really greet your hard times, your hurting times with a sense of expectancy instead of dread or discouragement. Not that you like the pain, but you realize what that pain can produce. And all through it, you have God's unbreakable promise, "My grace is sufficient for you."

Our weakness means an opportunity for a display of His strength, His glory ... a chance to experience God's ability to heal, to intervene, to carry you. Malcolm Muggeridge, the brilliant British journalist who gloriously came to Christ late in life, put it this way: "Everything I have learned in my seventy-five years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness."

So maybe most of your strings have broken and you're down to one string. That's the moment when the Maestro is at His very best. He lovingly holds you in His arms and says, "Almighty God - and one string." He's about to play something beautiful, something unforgettable, something amazing through your life.

[ugly_angel362]

good morning brothers. hope you all have a great day.

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How in hell are ya this mornin'! Coffee's on! Ya best get a cup and get some! Paper'll be along directly! I got dibs on the front page and the comics!

Well, I don't know what to visit over today! Drifter got me to thinkin' yesterday, though, but I'll let that sit and cook a bit more on the back burner. That was a good piece of scribblin' by somebody, I figger. Oh, what the hell. I reckon I'll go for it.

I wasn't gonna say nothin'. Drifter about gave it away anyway, and some of you folks coulda told by the some of the posts I've made lately anyway. I've got somethin' on my mind, so to speak.

Seems the docs say I've gotta have brain surgery in a bit. So far, they figger it's benign, but as much as tech has improved, any surgery like that has some risks that most surgeries don't. I've been settin' on this fer quite awhile now. ( No, my brain ain't in my butt! Don't even go there! LOL. You know what I meant! )Anyway, to keep it from gettin' too technical, I've got a cyst messing with my brain stem and it seems to be growin', so it has to come out. There's some risks of complications, but the surgery itself ain't a big thing. Just so ya know, in a month or two, I'll be offline fer a couple weeks or a month gettin' all that attended to.

Now, where Drifter's post yesterday came in, is that I've lost a lot over the years. I used to be one of the strongest men I knew, and now I can barely pull myself outta bed inna mornin'. I used to be able to jump up on top of a fence post on one foot and not lose my balance. Climbin' a 2000 foot cliff, or walkin' the trusses onna roof of a new house wasn't a problem. I used to do it. Now I need to be watchin' fer things I can grab in case I lose my balance, which happens several times a day! At 6'6", I got a helluva long way to fall! That's gonna hurt fallin' from up here! LOL. I also have trouble concentratin' on the task at hand. Hell, I often forget what I'm doin' or sayin' in the middle of doin' or sayin' it! That happens about every other time I do or say anything. I used to be 'the man' when it came to concentratin' on stuff or figurin' it out. "Give it to Warren! He'll figure it out!" I did get that Rubic's cube done. Took me two days, though! After that it was easy. :D I also have a constant headache, which don't help a bit and food is losing it's appeal as well. The nausea from the headache takes care of my appetite. There's more, but that's enough. These symptoms are all gettin' steadily worse, by the way.

Now, I ain't lookin' fer sympathy at all. It's just somethin' to be aware of. On the net, I can still come across as havin' it all together. I got a few minutes to get things sorted out after all, before I say them.

The thing is, in addition to the bad knees, I've lost all of the things that I was once proud of bein' able to do. physical strength, skills and abilities, mental prowess, ( I'm smarter than the average bear, don't ya know! ). Now, about what I have left, is ponderin' things. I gotta write things down while I'm thinkin' about 'em or I'll forget 'em, but so what. I like all of that in a way. All of the other distractions have gone by the wayside. I like lookin' things up and learnin' stuff. I like to do what I can for folks, and I have a bit more time to do it. I can't keep a job with any of the symptoms I've got, after all. Just as well do for somebody else if I can. I'm learnin' to keep things really simple. As simple as I know how, anyway. They say I still have an IQ of 114, but it used to be near 130. ( So this is how the little people live! )

Simplicity works for me, but I may always need someone around to help me to remember stuff that I'll be sure to forget. The operation may or may not restore the functions that I've lost. In some ways, I'm not sure that I need them anymore. Most of the old philosopers and theologists were on to something. The last year or so, I'm really beginning to learn what that 'something' is. That's a good thing don't ya know. I've tried to sort through some of that inna mornings over coffee with ya. I'm ready to learn more, I think. As my Dad says when things go to hell in a handbasket, "What a life." Me, I'm beginning to think, "It's a good life." No matter what goes wrong.

When the things we treasure in life are stripped away, that's when we learn who we really are....once we get past all the whinin', *****in' and moanin', that is! I'm really beginning to like who I am, now. In times past, I couldn't have said that. I always wanted more. Ambition is a good thing, but it ain't all that. Not that I wouldn't mind havin' Bill Gates' money fer a day or two....

Now don't go thinkin' I'm somebody special. I'm still an *******....but I'm workin' on it....and havin' coffee around here inna mornin' helps me to work on it some.

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's a new day! We got another opportunity to get things sorted out!

Make sure ya take advantage of it.

[Barndog]

I got my report from my Doc here on my spine.... seems I got 6 vertebrae that are jacked. (Those are the ones that'll have to be fused and the morphine pump installed for - if it gets to that point )
If memory serves me (what, theres a thing called memory now??) isn't there only like 15? spinal vertebrae to begin with?
I went for my 4 month check up a couple weeks back - dammit.. the meds are saving whats left of my life!!!! There is no noticable further distortion of my joints. So, there is a glimmering of hope. The Doc sez I've only lost about 70% of my "former ability".

Former ability?

What the hell does he know about my "former ability"? He's a Squid fer cryin out loud LMFAO. (or, was)

I have to step back - because I.... like Brother Bones ... have had a little knowledge of this slight 'issue' of his - he and I talked for hours during my tribulation earlier this year on the phone, as did Roger and I. I am Eternally grateful for that. I had to wonder for a minute there if I was going to make it or not.
2 words:
F***ING A.

Warren, you sack of crap. Now you got me all worried like you were. And then I stop and think.........

" So maybe most of your strings have broken and you're down to one string. That's the moment when the Maestro is at His very best. He lovingly holds you in His arms and says, "Almighty God - and one string." He's about to play something beautiful, something unforgettable, something amazing through your life."

Theres 3 guitars, a mandolin, a banjo, a hammered dulicmer and a piano here......... I think a pennywhistle, a cajun triangle and some spoons too.

Any requests?

[lakers]

Bones, Ya know I still Love Ya, and think your one of the smartest sweetest man I know, and I'm Proud to call you friend, and iffin ya ever need to or want to talk abit, just IM or email me sweetie, Love Ya. BTW, I'll be praying for you and wishing you all the best babe.
Lisa :p :D ;)

[Art Petersn]

Moring Bones, Barndog.

Don't know what to say. Sometimes it's best just to say good morning and mean it, is the best way to respond.

[richgitz]

Good Morning Brothers!
One thing I got to say Bones. We are all Brothers and we share
things, good or bad, and we try to help each other through these
times. We're pulling for you and that goes for anyone else who's
GREEN. SEMPER-FI, isn't that our moto. Now that I got to say my
piece, lets have a cup of coffee. Humm tastes pretty good. It's
raining a little this morning. Maybe it'll cool things off a tad. Well
got to go. SEMPER-FI Brothers.

[Norton1]

Well shoot - I was just talking with a couple of my Brothers the other day about how we are starting to slide into the old age stuff. 1/3 of my old outfit has cancer, the rest of us are mostly screwed up in some way or another.

I look at it this way - it's the payback for a very well mis-spent youth. No regrets Brother.

We'll be praying for you - for all of us. I'm going to post this over on The Squadbay - we're all Marines and need the support -

Semper Fi
Steve

[thedrifter]

Goodmorning

Well we only made it to 97...and the heat factor made it feel like 108......Today they say we are only going to 94....i guess that is suppost to make it feel good......LOL....

Bones....Great coffee.....but I didn't do anything.......and where is my comic's......LOL..

Warren, I have known about this situation...for awhile now....and you know Ellie was hearing a repeat of your condition...just like her brother's....Hell when you told me, Ellie got informed the same day...about her brother....
We don't understand everything in life...but we work with what we have....and correct what we can to make a better life.....

Ellie finally convinced me to get to the VA again and to start getting tested.....In the last year...I have seen and felt....my body going down hill....Me being a little hardheaded....( no jokes guys...LOL)...a didn't want to hear whats going on....but I finally got up a enough nerve to see if I correct some things.....So we all have to do what it takes....and you know We are all Family and will be here for you........

Something to think about........

All have a good day......

Sempers,

Roger
:marine:



On the Road Again
I was driving while talking to my sister on the phone recently when I had to interrupt our conversation with, "Oops, I think I just left my state." Sure enough, without even trying, I had somehow made my way into Illinois. I love the Land of Lincoln, mind you, but it can be a real pain to veer there when I'm simply trying to get around in my own Show-me state.

When it comes to directions, I truly do need someone to "show me." I seem to have an uncanny talent for getting lost. You may think we have plenty of support groups, but I'm considering starting a new one. This new group would be exclusively for those of us who suffer from "directional impairment." If you know your east from your west, sorry, but you're not invited. Of course (or should I say, "off course"), those who know left from right are even a little iffy.

However, if you've been known to spend more time in the parking lot searching for your car than you've spent inside the mall, you just might be my kind of member. If you've discovered after several hours of searching that you're not even in the right lot, you're definitely charter member material.

I ran into a friend today who was suffering from a different kind of directional impairment. She was feeling joyless and a little "lost" - as if she had taken off in the wrong direction. I asked her how her time in God's Word was going. She said, "I should've known you were going to ask that - that's it, isn't it!" Then I listened as she preached herself a little sermon, after which she sort of responded to her own invitation. I talked to her a few days later and was thrilled to hear her report she had rediscovered her joy and was back on the right road.

It's tough to stay headed in the direction of the Kingdom when we're fixed on an earthly compass. If we want a joy-filled life packed with purpose, we have to study the map. The Message interprets Psalm 119 this way: "You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him." And how do we keep our bearings? "By carefully reading the map of your Word."

Staying directionally impaired results in that "lost" feeling - it's a life filled with frustration that ends up nowhere. Psalm 119 continues with a prayer: "Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with you clear revelation - Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway!"

Traveling this freeway with map-in-hand sends us down happy trails. Let's determine to keep our noses in the Map and our eyes on the destination. It's the best way to avoid accidentally slipping into another state.

And instead of my directionally impaired support group, I think I'll try for membership in a club that, spiritually-speaking, has a perfect sense of direction - a club with God's Word as the compass. Membership does have its privileges.

[CAS3]

HEY BONES...
I wish you the best. It will be a great loss to have you away from the site for so long.
You are in my prayers.
I am sending you a hug and kiss...don't get all mushy on me though I am still a Marine.
Semper Fi,
Colleen

[JChristin]

Bones,

Many years ago, upon my hire at a "posh n' polish" firm I was so excited to go see my new office, it even had a window. As the Office Manager walked me to my new office I wondered what I was about to see. Everything was sooo posh, I hoped that I could eventually get over it. I did, in less than a quarter of a heart beat.

We walked into my new office and on a wall was a scotch taped poster. On the poster was a picture of a white puffy kitten, hanging from a tree, one last paw, reaching up, bearly touching a tree limb while appearing to be falling out of the tree. The kitten looked so serene, no fear in its eyes, just total blind trust.

The caption underneath read: "Faith isn't Faith until it's all you're holding unto."

The Office Manager said she would have it removed, as only framed paintings were allowed. I offered to have the poster framed and did. It was hanging there several years later when I left. The person after me liked it too and kept it.

You will be alright. You will be restored to health. You are a man of courage. All men and women who have courage have faith.

Need some coffee, it's a hot one here on the west coast today. Back to riding my mountain bike, the broken arm is mending somewhat okay.

semper fi,
jchristin

[virwar]

Don't really know what to say about the situation Bones other than your in fine company. You know the Lord and you have a big Marine Corps family that loves and cares about you. Semper Fi Brother Dave

[greensideout]

Welcome to the club Bones. Sorry you had to join so young, but many do.

Roger has offered a great map for your travel into the unknown.
Put your faith in God and I think that you'll wear a smile all the way. You don't yet know the outcome, but God does. Trust Him to guide your path.

Yea, I'll pray for you, you old jarhead---everyday.
Just tell me when I can stop and that all is good with you.
(That way you will make room for others on the prayer list. LOL)

Wishing you well Bones. God bless!

Semper Fi,
Ron

[wrbones]

Just so ya know. That operation is kinda serious, but what I have to get done don't generally kill a person.Best I can come up with fer facts and figgers say a 10% morbidity and 30% complications otherwise. Thing is, I'm gettin' lined up with one of the best in the world and word is, he don't lose any patients and the complications he has in his patients is minimal.

In any case, I don't have any complaints. I've seen and done more than most in this world.

Funny thing, though. I'm gonna be learnin' things that some folks don't get the chance to even look at themselves. I almost feel sorry for those who aren't gettin' the chance that I am to learn more about themselves and those around them.

I'm as selfish as the next man, but there's a few other folks around here who need lifted up more than I do. One example is flatfoot. He made another trip to the hospital lately. Last I heard, he's home. Some of you folks be good enough to drop him a line or give him a call. He needs someone to cover his ass. I'm good, boys. Take care of 'my' men for me.

[MarineAO]

wrbones
First off let me say I'm new here and have come to look forward to sharing morning coffee with you. And I would like to say Thank You for the privilege of doing so.
I know that the roe that you have to hoe ahead is going to be tough, but I also know that with prayer's and family and friends it will be easer.
I know this from experience. On the first of March 2001 my wife suffered a anurizium(sp) in her brain. Survival in these cases are very low and she suffered the worst a grade 5 in the base of her brain. The doctors told me the chances of her surviving before she could even be sechuled for surgery were slim (less than 10%). This was on a Wednesday surgery could not be done till Saturday. The next two days were pure hell for me then came the surgery Saturday morning. The doctors gave me time to be alone (to say goodby) to my wife before the surgery.
The next 14 hours she was in surgery I was in a deeper hell but the company of friends and loved ones helped me make it though (I still thank them every day for being there). The surgery was successful (14 hrs and 14 doctors and countless surgucal staff and a miracle or two).
Well to shorten this up a bit after countless hours, days, week and then months of care, therapy and prayer (mostly prayer from alot of folks) she pulled though and made a amazing 99.9% recovery. Every one of her doctors call her a miracle, a one in a million, I call her loved by many and graced by God through their love and prayers.
I know that with all the friends that you have made here and through your life that with their prayers and the support of a loving family that all will OK what ever the outcome.
You will be in my prayer's as well as in many other's I'm sure.
Semper Fi Marine and may God look over you and your's.


__________________
"To all that have gone before us,
We salute You"

[wrbones]

'Morning' folks! Coffee's on! Ya better get yerself a cup and get some! Gotta get yer eyes open before ya face the day! Paper'll be along directly! It's Saturday! Do yer chores and then spend some time with the family, why don't ya!

Well, I got things stirred up some yesterday, I reckon. I had a few things to say about it, 'cause it got me to thinkin', but mostly, I figgered that I didn't want Barndog, Drifter and Shaffer lyin' for me when I took some time off to deal with this. You folks woulda found out sooner or later anyway.

Now I ain't gonna lie to ya. I like the attention and all, and it makes me feel good to know folks care and I ain't alone in this. Thing is, I wanted ya to think about other things, as well. Includin' the idea that there are other folks around this site who are in a damn sight worse shape than I am.

Now I figger on livin' to about 101 or thereabouts myself, and this operation ain't likely to kill me. It ain't like drawin' to an inside straight, after all! Hell, I've lived through worse! We all have, one way or another. I ain't accepted the idea of bein' transferred out just quite yet. I don't work that way. No matter what happens, a person keeps gettin' up and movin' on. Livin' ain't always easy, but fer me, dyin' is hard. I ain't afraid of it. Me and death know each other. He ain't ****. If I were gonna die, I woulda been dead from any number of things years ago. Besides. I wanta stick around to see what's gonna happen next! I'm like a little kid that way. Time to go to bed, my ass! I might miss somethin'!

This whole deal is a learning experience for me. I wanta see what's gonna happen next, don't ya know!

A very well mis-spent youth, Norton! I like that! LOL. I had fun. Some things I woulda done different if I had the chance, I hope, but I wouldn't be me if I hadn't gone through all of it. I'd a been somebody else! LOL. That's what it comes down to. Nope no regrets. Except fer not havin' some of Bill Gate's money fer a day or two.....

and Tony...I don't stop bein' concerned for ya, brother.

See...that's the thing. I'm more concerned about most of you folks than I am about myself. I think of Lisa and her kids from time to time and hope they're doin' well. I worry about Tony and his family and his business. I think of Roger and Miss Ellie and their family, and I'm constantly wonderin' just what in hell Cook is gettin' up to this time! ( I try not to be jealous of all of his wimmin folks, too ) I think of all of you folks, especially when I get to know ya a bit. Come to think of it, I'm about due to email Dane again and see how he's doin'. I need to get in touch with JoeT and see how his legs are doin'..he oughta be healed up by now... and ain't nobody said **** about his boy lately. I was buggin' badbob when he was workin' on his new site, but hell, I hadn't heard from him in awhile....There's a lot to do. Sometimes I feel like I did when I was an active duty NCO. You folks are all heros to me, but at the same time, you're my people, too. I worry about ya.

You folks need to be checkin' on each other...I'm good to go, after all. I just wanted ya to know yer morning coffee might not be on schedule when I'm in the hospital, and I wanted ya to think about those things that are important to ya. Most of what we've visited over this last year has been about that kinda stuff after all. Or weren't ya payin' attention?

There's lots of folks to be checkin' on around here. Some of these onery turds'll be gettin' into trouble if ya don't keep an eye on them!

Ya see, I bought into the idea of this site, hook, line and sinker. By, for and about Marines. Helping one another. Semper Fidelis.

And there ain't nothin' worse than a believer. So get off yer dead ass and start checkin' on folks! Ain't no way a Sergeant can check on the whole damn division all by his lonesome!

...and I ain't no kinda saint, so get off that bit right now.

I wish I had some of that C-Rat coffee. I've been hankerin' for that nasty **** the last couple of days.....

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's Saturday! A new day! We got all weekend to get things sorted out!

[Barndog]

That tastes better than the C-Rat coffee.... No wonder NamNuts puts napalm in his. Ya see..... I don't stop worrying about Drifter & Ellie..... Shaffer - heck he's too bizy keeping the 'selling' of the site going. I'm tellin ya - being in a operating service business takes alot. I can't stop worrying about Bones. Why? Hell - he's my Brother. All the times I would pick up the phone and we'd shoot the breeze. Some of you younger guys don't remember the 'repeater phones' - that bounced off the sattelite from overseas. Long before my Nextel 2 way. Like a whole 20 years ago.

Not unlike Bones - I was one of the strongest men around. Lots of construction companies around this area called me the 'human forklift'. At 6'6 and 270, there wasn't much I couldn't and wouldn't move. I'd figgered that quite a few years of the abuse was taking it's toll, and my back was flat ass wearing out one me. Naaa. Disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis..... nice thing is I got the normal Osteoarthritis too..... they call that Poly-arthritis these days. YAY. Thats where you got more than one type - at the same time.

Regarldess, Doc sez fusion and pump (morphine) are a "likely reality". My wife doesn't want to believe it. She has this difficulty with acceptance I guess.... I buried my Mother months after goin into the Corps..... buried my Son at just over 2 years old - both with Cancer. I lost one of my good friends with a heart attack at 20. Before I went into the Corps. I buried friends and family left & right from cancer, car accidents..... drugs and booze, suicide, War..... I believe I've ran the gamut. Hell, I even tried to take my OWN ASS out with a loaded .380 and cocaine. That didn't work. I'm to stubborn and have to much pride and perserverence.

I have no issues with acceptance of reality.

I have my 'spot' in my yard.....in my little acre of paradise in the being-newly-constructed-industrial zone... LOLOL !!!!!!
I stood out there quite a bit the past couple days, really digging deep, thinking about Warren. Cried alot of tears. Thats where I kinda do my talking to the 'Big Guy'. I also do alot of that talkin when I play my instruments. It's a win-win for me anyways. I believe the Big Guy wins too. It's sorta funny, but in a way, it's the absolute truth....... my Daughter and Wife both - in the past months this disease has really changed my life drastically. I have really relied upon the strength of the Marine Corps training I recieved, and the strength of our Brotherhood. My God...... what would have so many of our Bretheren have done - given the opportunity to be able to reach out to another Brother like this in times of dispair? Or, when they needed a laugh? Ever stop and think about that? Or- like so many other people.... is your day 'too bizy' to file a quick 'high fellas..... though I'd stop in for coffee'.....

In MY WORLD - every single Marine matters equally. Sergeant Warren Bonesteel is at the top of my list..... and is going to be for some time to come. No offense to the rest of ya Brothers & Sisters....... but deal with it.

When he comes thru this one..... and pulls back to health - theres gunna be an ol' fashioned ass whippin.

I may have to sit on him.

Enjoy yer coffee. Keep yer faith strong. It'll work out.

Semper Fidelis - To the Corps

Barndog

[Sparrowhawk]

Morning Bones, morning folks,

Bones don't know what to say bro. Since 1967, I figured I have been living on borrowed time, and each day I meet folks like you and takes me back to those days, cause you never want to get close to anyone, life is too short as it is.

This morning I woke up and thanked the Lord for another day, been thanking him and making my peace with him, every night and day for years, figured He's kept me around for a reason.

Marines like you Bones, makes me proud to be a Jarhead to know folks that have honor, pride, love America and its institutions, and says it all from the heart.

Don't know what we would do without you on line. Need that early morning coffee rush and that you got me to thinking, ideas you always come up with.

By anyways I says to the Lord this morning, "You know that Marine, by the name of Bones?" and He says right away "Yes, I do," and so I figures you is in good hands.

Heck, didn't even have to say your name twice like I had to when I mentioned Roger, to the Lord.

Lord likes for me to talk to him about folks like you, and Roger, Ellie, Cas, and Jerry too, but I had to give the Lord Jerry's serial no., before he found him listed. LOL

But Bro you're right up there top of the prayer list now, but that don't mean I don't think of your pain and worries. Always there at your side.


Semper Fi, Bro

Cook

[marinemom]

Bones, you are an extraordinary man and an extraordinary Marine. Your words of wisdom and common sense - a commodity that becomes more and more rare in our society today - always make my daily coffee time something special.

A young instructor at SOI-West also reads your posts with interest and appreciation. You see, you are "Old Corps" like his father, and he respects that.

I have been told to let you know that he will be following your request - a good kick in the *ss for one or two newbies a day until you are ready to do it yourself.

As for me, I know that you will come through this brilliantly and be back here quickly. After all, you owe me a snow shoveling on the driveway.

Praying for you, bones - and missing you already.

[Osotogary]

wrbones, remember this: Yer coffee and paper will always be headin' yer way.
Take care of yourself.
Gary

[Kalbo]

Bones,

I hope your surgery goes smooth and I'll be praying for you. God Bless.

Semper Fi
Bill

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How ya doin' this mornin'! Coffee's on! Ya best get some and find a seat somewhere! It's Sunday! I get the funny pages first!

I like the Sunday comics...all them pretty colors! Best part of the week, don't ya know! Seriously, I get into some of these habits. Readin' the mornin' paper is one of them. I read the front page section, then the comics and I go from there. I always keep the paper all together and in order myself. Sunday's paper is best! There's so dang much to read and look over and to think about. Ya get the house cleaned up on Saturday just so ya can scatter the paper all over on Sunday! Part of it ends up in the den, part of it the livin' room, part of it gets in the kitchen and then part of it always ends up in the bathroom fer some reason....I ain't figgered that out yet. I read magazines in the bathroom myself....No, not that kind!

I've seen everything you folks have written and emailed. Hell, I ain't dead fer cryin' out loud! I got a place I've been sortin' through things, myself. I do it when I'm makin' coffee inna mornin'. A person needs a place like that ya know. A place where they can sit fer a bit and not be bothered by things while they go over the day and consider things. Visit with the Boss, or at least get the voices in yer head to workin' all together all to once before ya start yer day! ;) That's what I do here. The company around here has been pretty damn good, too.

Osotogary, I loved that cartoon! That was great! Yer gettin' good at that stuff! LOL.

MarineMom, I have a great respect for you and for yer son. Those kids now a days are settin' a new standard for all Marines, and yer son is doin' one of the most important jobs around right now! Training new Marines to be the best!

Cook, I been wonderin' about Jerry, myself. You sure the Boss has his serial number? Maybe he got the wrong Jerry....

Now with Roger, I can understand havin' to check twice on him. "Oh, the one with Miss Ellie!" :D

We all go through times like this sooner or later. With a little help and a bit of humor, it ain't a big deal.

Just remember to clean yer house on Saturday so ya can find the phone under the paper on Sunday. I lost my phone three times like that last year, and it's a pure aggravation to look through Saturday's mess and then Sunday's paper on top of it, to find it when it's ringin'.....no it wasn't in the bathroom...at least not those three times.....

Warm up yer cup folks! It's Sunday! We got another chance to get 'er right! It's a new opportunity to get 'er sorted out! Just as well take advantage of it!

[Art Petersn]

Good Morning Bones.

Coffee's good.

Have a good day

[richgitz]

Good Morning Brothers!
Coffee sounds pretty rught about now. Had a big day yesterday.
went to one of those Outlet Malls. got there at 1:30 and left at 7:25. Did some humping, kind of made me thing of the good old days. the only differance no one was shooting at me. Well the coffee was good and the company was fine. I got to go. Have
a good day and SEMPER-FI Brothers.

[lurchenstein]

Droppin' in for a late cup. Just thinkin' it's a good time to tell people you're thinkin' of them because you never know what events the day will bring.
Bones, Barndog, & those of you who aren't well right now I pray The Almighty will lay some of his infinite healing power on you.
Wishing a good day (& remaining weekend) to each of you here!

[thedrifter]

Well decided....to have another refill......

Sitting around relaxing today.....Weather is hot.....but not as bad as it has been for the last few days......only in the high 80's.....
Read the paper......but I had to wait for those comic's since Warren decided to hide them all to himself......LOL.....

I see some folks are getting comfortable...in their home away from home......We are glad to see....

I see that Cook has been making himself known again...great to see Bro.....I at least know you are relaxing......

Well I'm going to leave this little message that you can pounder....

All have a good day........

Sempers,

Roger
:marine:




Testimony of God's Glory


My son has a medical condition which, in the last few years, began to exhibit itself in more than just the physical realm. Dealing with a hormonal teen is tricky enough at times, but add to this a very real medical problem, and the mix can be volatile due to the fact that while Mom is busy being a parent who is justly concerned for her son's health, our now seventeen year old son who wanted to exert his independence, wanted no part in maternal or paternal nurturing. The end result was conflict which drove our entire family to the brink of daily emotional exhaustion. Upon doing everything recommended by the medical community, our son then moved in with his grandparents, which allowed him several months to think about his past, present and future, as well as what place his family would have in his life. During the most turbulent period he insisted he didn't need us anymore.

Throughout the whole ordeal, despite the fact I disagreed with many of his behaviors and actions, I continued to offer my son unconditional love. Since there was nothing further I felt I could do on my own due to my limited human capabilities, I then placed the remainder of the situation in God's hands, asking the Lord to watch over our son, and to allow love to heal any wounds. This was a tall order to fill, yet I continued to cleave to my faith, trusting that where man may fail, God can succeed.

I did not know it at the time but my many emails to my son during this phase did not go wasted. Rarely did he write back, but my words did take root in his heart, and slowly but surely, the power of love overcame all else. We began to then schedule visits with each other, doing such fun things as swimming, trips to the mall, dinner at a restaurant, and the most surprising was when he offered to teach me how to play ping pong, something I had never done before! We laughed and talked, wholeheartedly enjoying our time together. Shortly before Christmas, he presented me with two gifts which meant more to me than any earthly riches of the world. Both gifts were necklaces; one was a rhinestone-encrusted heart pendant, and the other was a gold cross. Tenderly he placed the heart around my neck; a symbol of love and affection. The cross he placed in my hand, knowing full well that this too was a very special symbol for me as well. Of course, tears streamed down my face, and I knew that everything was going to be ok.

Since that time, our son has moved back home in not only a healthier frame of body, but mind and spirit as well. I feel a sense of improved wholeness now, a feeling I did not possess when our family was unhealthily divided. I know that one day this young man of soon to be eighteen will leave home for good to explore the world on his own, but I cannot thank God enough for being there for me when I needed Him most. God spoke to my heart and told me to continue to love and pray no matter what, and that is what I did.

In like manner, our Heavenly Father does not easily give up on us as well. Circumstances may seem utterly hopeless, but with God, nothing is impossible.

[Motor-T]

Good morning all,and a very good morning to you mom.
Well they done did it mom, over at the other place,they pee'd this old Marine off. But you know me,I don't get mad I get even. I will not leave there with out a fight,and a few will go down. You did notice I did not say "down with me",because it will take more then them to take me down. Its a long story so I won't tell it and bore you to death. So mom your coffee is on me this morning,what the hell everybodies coffee is on me this morning.
You all have a great day,and mom you have an outstanding day.
To all who don't know,mom and I have a special thing. No its not what you think,this Lady understands where I come from,and she lets me vent and I do the same for her. I do hope to be in here more often,because this has to be a great place if mom's here.

[wrbones]

Welcome aboard Motor T!

We kinda like Mom and Marine families around here. They're good for us, ya know!

We think we're the best Marine Corps site on the net, and rightly so! We've got WWII Veterans to present day Marines and POOL-ee's and DEPers. Ya got a question odr need somethin', someone's gonna have an answer somewhere!

Just keep yer weapon pointed outside the wire and downrange. We've got yer six.

Coffee's on early, but it's on all day. Stop by and shoot the breeze or just sit and listen if ya wanta.

btw. Keep the girlie pics and dirty jokes in Chesty's Hooch. The C.O. around here throws a fit if ya don't! :D

[wrbones]

'Mornin' folks! How in hell are ya this mornin'! Coffee's on! Ya best get a cup and get some! It's Monday! Yer gonna need it! Make sure ya get yer eyes open before ya start yer day! Paper'll be along in a bit, I reckon!

Well, what've got goin' today! Me? Well, don't tell anyone, but I found myself watchin' the Rockford Files last night. I never did like that show, but I was too lazy to change the channel. Yeah, I got a remote! Somewhere...I think it was in the Ol' Lady's chair. I didn't wanta get up to go get it! Her chair is just far enough away from mine that I can't reach it. Makes me wonder if she did it that way on purpose or somethin'...

Anway, I'm tellin' ya, I get lazy sometimes. I'll bust my butt all day just so things will be easier on me the rest of the year. I try to keep things sorted out and straightened up 'cause I'm lazy. I don't like spendin' any more time than I have to findin' what I'm lookin' for around the house. Ain't nothin' more aggravatin' to me than havin' to look fer somethin' I know I got...and not be able to find it! So, as usual, I've got more than one reason fer the things that I do, even fer bein' lazy. I'm one of the laziest people I know. Thing is, I always end up workin' harder than some folks, because I don't want too work so hard alla time! Get 'er done and outta the way, and get things straightened up as ya go! Then I don't have to work so dang hard the next day. I got so good at this with one job, I spent near half my time with my feet on the desk thinkin' of ways to save time and effort. I ended up makin' that company 400 % more productive in less than two years. Bad part was, we improved our turn around time so much on our products, when word got out, we were four times as busy! Had to hire more help! Sometimes bein' lazy don't pay at all.

I don't know if bein' lazy pays when things work out like that, myself. Just as well do things the hard way and ya won't have so much to do, I reckon....Kinda like watchin' The Rockford Files last night...That's as hard as it gets! I'm learnin'! Gimme time! ;)

Warm up yer coffee, folks! It's a new day! We got another chance to get 'er right! We got another opportunity! Just as well take advantage of it!

I wonder...if I hide the remote in my chair tomorrow....

[Art Petersn]

Morning Bones

Last day of June. This year is sure going by fast.

[richgitz]

Good Morning Bones!
Looks like it's going to be a nice day. Think I'll have a cup and be
on my way. Pretty good joe. I get like that at times. Just too
darn lazy to do the little things. Well got to go. SEMPER-FI to
all my Brothers.:marine:

[NamNuts]

Been awhile...need HOT java laced w/naps!

Good bye 1st half of 2003! Art, you right! The older ya get the faster it seems to go bye! Damn, 2003 just seems like yesterday it was 1969 and the $hit was hittin the fan...went slow and fast!

Tanks for the Joe...not bad! All i need now is some USMC SOS

[Barndog]

I do believe Bones be gettin it rite......

(hide that remo