Well, I see him on the TV
Preaching ’bout the promised lands
He tells me, “Believe in Jesus”
Steals the money from my hands
Some say he was a good man
Lord, I think he sinned
22 years of mental tears cries a suicidal Vietnam vet
Who fought a losing war on a foreign shore
To find his country didn’t want him back
Their bullets took his best friends in Saigon
Our lawyers took his wife, his kids, no regrets
In a time I don’t remember
In a war he can’t forget
He cried, “Forgive me for what I’ve done there
‘Cause I never meant the things I did”
And give me something to believe in
If there’s a Lord above
And give me something to believe in
Oh, Lord, arise”
~Poison
I’m really not looking for a political argument, but my gosh, am I fed up with… Is our latest escapade supposed to be referred to as “military action”? Whatever. It’s another war, our congress never voted for. We’ve been fighting, somewhere in the Middle East, since before my adult life even began! I’m wise enough to recognize there are things I surely don’t understand. I have to assume some kind of intelligence has been gathered, which has lead my country’s leaders to send our young men and women back into a hell I can’t begin to imagine. What I do know about, is the scars undoubtedly being caused. They’re witnessing, and also participating in, horrific realities of combat. Some leave with catastrophic wounds. Some only recognize they’re injured, after they’re back here. There’ll be physical trauma, but also mental and emotional pain, that doesn’t ever fully heal. And, for some, they’ll only make it back home inside a box draped in the American flag. Because this has been pretty much the “norm”, my entire adult life, I have to wonder if it’s just always been this way? Does every generation feel like the world’s “on fire”? Does everyone ponder over whether “the end is nigh”? The overarching question I’ve got, though, is why? What are we really trying to do? What are the suits, behind their comfortable desks, making these calls that affect families that are somehow never theirs, truly aiming to accomplish?
I’ve gotta end this rant, because I don’t have time to fully hash out my frustration with those things, tonight.
School’s officially back in session. August, December, and May are the most busy times of the year, for us. Mikayla starts back to school, next week, and B doesn’t go back until September. We’re going down to Knoxville, this coming weekend. Mikayla’s moving into a new apartment. We’re going to help her get all moved in, and set up there.
This past weekend, I worked on a little project. I’ve had a plain cube shelf, in our living room, for awhile now. I’ve considered replacing it, with a nicer one, but ultimately decided to give an idea I’d gotten a try. I spent a day and a half measuring, sawing, nailing, gluing, and painting. First, I added some trim, around the top of the shelf. I also added faux stained oak wood look, at the top.
Then, I painted 1.5 inch blocks, and attached them to the bottom. After that, I added more trim that I’d also painted. I used 1.5 inch trim, for the sides, but on the front, I shorted it to just 1 inch. It created a slight arch, this way.
I was pretty proud of myself! I did it completely on my own, with only my own brain to process my ideas and to create something that worked. It’s not perfect, but it turned out looking much better than before!
I better go grab my husband, and hop in the shower, before he passes out. Poor guy’s been working so much, lately. It’s SO hot, too. I always get on him, to make sure he’s staying hydrated. Especially after last year, when he was found unconscious after suffering heat stroke, out on one of the job sites! I don’t think my heart can take another phone call like that one.
I should actually have a little more time to sit down and write, tomorrow morning. Just wanted to stop in, and say all’s well. Busy, is all! Good, though. Real good.
I also shared a couple of snack/treats I made, for school and Adam’s work lunches, if anyone’s interested.
Chronicles in Submission 