Okay, let's wrap this year up and get to bed...

Don't think that will happen too soon, but soon enough. My wife is out praying the old year away, thankful for many blessings and asking for those that need a few more special ones. I got the email, my sister is a grandmother again - another boy, Garrett Michael, 8 pounds 8 oz, 20 1/2 inches long. I could find remembering his birthday easier than I do his two brothers. That makes my sister and brother-in-law too grandparent-like for hanging around with, but they are both better people than I and I could love them, but I am a guy and you know that wouldn't work...

I worked today, some great work with the crew, some great response to my supervisors that try to keep me from failing to perform, sigh, they have so much to worry about. I have closed last (2008) years statistics down and am prepared to record the circulation and important stuff we will be doing in 2009, provided the folks with the big bucks and responsibility have enough money to keep a prison library open. The possibility of budget shortfalls make the rumors fly that many of the inmates will be getting out earlier - only a rumor. The slick inmate that tried to walk out of the prison and onto a ferry boat a couple nights ago, is still the subject of conversation. Seems someone hadn't locked a door, and he got out of the fenced area through two total control areas without an ID badge, on the dock waiting for the ferry in a crowd of visitors his state issued shoes called undo attention to himself - and he was busted. I have always been aware of the difference between the truth and the published account - having been rescued from a burning home that I walked out alone from... still it was an embarrassing moment for Department of Corrections. An extra five years for trying is normal.

I have to make another pot of coffee, the Blues are blasting through the home, and I am alone - where are all those lovely lonely women that I read about -- actually I am reading Breakout and you might understand where part of my problem with military dreams comes from, but this book makes the last couple of snow days into big nothing... very big nothing. I don't have trouble with military dreams, stopped hitting my wife in the middle seventies as I got farther from Vietnam - in my sleep, folks.

Well, it will be a great year next, for me and for thee. More motorcycling (safely), more shooting well, and helping others get over being afraid of the gun and the gunny (not that Gunny ever cared about being loved - fear worked well when in a hurry). Fresh coffee and Blues without commercial interruption, thinking good stuff. You know what Country music is? Blues with a twang. You know what Gospel is? Blues with the certainty of Divine intervention. You know what Heavy Metal is? music that didn't get me here... ah, well, probably can't hear its frequency. Sixty-one going on forget-about-it. Do have a great year, God loves ya, and the world is beautiful when viewed properly... look at the Universe outside geopolitical boundaries - it is awesome.

Really, I could just browse and feed my read all day

The amazing amount of material to find on the Internet. Will never become more than I am if I don't break free, and what is that Facebook thing? Pictures and text (almost) messaging. I think I see a greater divide between the generations and education systems - wonder where that change will lead the country and the world.

Getting time to close the library for the year, had 715 circs, yesterday in only three hours, the evening session was closed due to transfer of contraband, or almost escape attempt during the Visiting Movements - I downloaded records for donated CDs while my crew had Picture Card Count with the rest of the prison population. About two hour delay in ferry boats while they re-established their security inside the fence, so I rode a packed ferry with lots of families that had been visiting. The visitors took it all in stride.

The annual wrap up of numbers for the year, the cleaning of 2008 from the computers, the blocking of days in the 2009 calendar for meetings, holidays and just because I can will happen at my last hour in the library on McNeil Island for 2008. I will know what I did, the numbers will reflect my opening and closing the doors and the patrons that visited. About my personal goals for the year, they didn't happen - don't think lists work well - I did shoot better, ride better, and knocking off the medications has made me feel much better the last few months.

King County Jail has decided to save money by using Corrections Officers instead of librarians to provide library services to their prisoners. I know how well that will work - it all depends on the officer and how much care they have about the mission. They sold it on doubling the budget for buying new materials - from $15,000 to $30,000 for books. Sounds like a good deal but the price of paperbacks has gone from 7.99 to 9.99 or 14.00 for large urban fiction so I figure they will get just about the same number of books unless they are visiting Half-price Books more often. In the end it is all about the budget, there isn't that much money around they gave it to the bankers, or some such thing. I was denied access to GuitarWorld on the internet, couldn't get an article requested about Shredding, so I asked the IT folks - the answer - officially, is that if they are going to deny access to that site for the Department of Corrections employees then the inmate patrons can't go there either. Land of the Free, home of the ? It isn't censorship if they are protecting the children is it?

Obviously, I had better get a better attitude and put a smile back in my heart and head - I am about to work in a prison again and need to make that as small a prison as possible, and allow my library to open all the escape hatches in everyone's mind and day. Later!

After a bit: packed out the donated paperbacks - I encourage everyone to donate to the USO, prisons, and places where people wait for better times (homeless and battered women's shelters) those paperbacks you read once or gifts you haven't gotten around to reading yet, re-cycle and load up another person's mind with mush and matter. It really helps when someone needs escape and motivation and company.

I also took the garbage out, since they missed us in the snows, and along my path I found the set of missing house and car keys. Mine, and I feel better about seeing grass and tossed beer cans if I can find good stuff for my piece of mind. Already my lucky day, better check the Lotto tickets!

Why I don't need a purse... or do I?

I saw this from NFO and thought about what do I carry - the basic stuff is the watch, the wallet, the handkerchief, the folding brush comb, keys to the car and the home. On the right is the things I could carry around the home, shopping (which I don't really) and riding the motorcycle. On the left is the work related things, take-home keys for the library, DOC ID badge, pocket protector with pens, and the memory stick on a cord. There are other knife choices, but the Leatherman Wave and the Case pocket folder are basic minimum. Come to think of it there are other pistols, but I really don't carry them unless I am going shooting. Add a digital camera in a pocket sometimes, and a flashlight in a sheath on the belt for night ops. The items on the right are prohibited in a Prison Environment, the items on the left are necessary tools of Power in a Prison Environment (very little power, only a library, folks). Anywhere I would not be treated as a freeman I cannot carry the items on the right - Communist China, Zimbabwe ... Massachusetts, Illinois - you get the idea, and the number of gun fights I have ever been in are somewhere in some military history or NEVER HAPPENED, no matter what someone told you about the dangers of firearms. I am getting too old to worry about carrying a weapon, but then I stopped worrying about heart attacks and cancer once I accepted my mortality and almost ancient status. The youthful immortals can plan for a finer future, I am going to be busy living what I have left. Take care out there.

It is the twelth day of my Christmas... emails...

Today the last Christmas email note goes out, and it will end with 0001, and officially the idea of giving my family, friends (all two of them) and especially my mother a note a day to share my thoughts and holiday with. I know some of them were busy enough they never looked at email, and some of their addresses are work related so they only get them if they had to work, and some are away from their home computer station and aren't packing - but the internet is eternal as long as electricity throws current and EMP doesn't rule your area of the universe. They can catch it on DVD (no! just kidding those people that miss television shows and then have to buy the series in DVD - think of the commercials they miss - aren't they blest?).

I wake from long military dreams of getting back into sleeping on the floor or bunks shoved into hallways, issued uniforms, able assistance from civilian support staff to get it right. Of course, I am surprised the uniforms weren't blue or gray (I am so old) but they were OD and NATO camo - that still does date me, sigh. If there were any younger guns reading this I know y'all will be doing it right and for all the best reasons and that you don't need more than my support, and you always have that. I could jump out of aircraft, but what I would do upon landing is no longer up to the standards of a combat drop zone. Guess I will work on sharing my love of shooting and some basic skill transference to those starting out.

End of the year and I had best get a calendar out and plan a bit of the next. My Program Manager at work has our training days laid out, I think I might have to miss one of them - but don't really know yet. In June, the 19th thru 21st, the Dungey Reunion is planned in Green Bay, Wisconsin. And in May, the NRA Annual meet is in Phoenix, Arizona, then Camp Perry National Matches run five weeks starting in June 13 through August 19, should stop and watch some of that. I need to get out to see my mother in West Virginia, the neice in South Dakota, my son and his wife in Hawaii (have trouble imagining my riding the Trusty Triumph that way). My wife has a trip to Korea planned for 2009, but her brother hasn't come up with a date and plan yet so it isn't locked in either. There will be some motorcycle runs on some weekends, just because and if you don't know the because then I can't explain. There are some weekend Appleseeds they may want my help with (more opportunity to ride the Triumph and sleep on the ground, hurrah!)

So I expect my coming year to be busy, I expect to need a long vacations a couple of times this year, I have about 90 hours now and get 11.33 hours a month - so I will have to hold it close and schedule medical visits to clinics in Rochester Minnesota or Pittsburgh Pennsylvania - do you think? I have over five hundred hours of sick leave, if only motorcycle riding were a treatment for my condition I would be so out of touch... with reality.

About the coming year, my wife brought the turkey wishbone over to break with me - and it split exactly in half - don't tell me that is anything more than our luck will be shared, our blessings always have been. Take care out there.

What did you get for Christmas? wha'dgetyur wife?

One of the dreaded questions after the holidays? What did you get? What did Santa bring you? What did you get your wife? I say dreaded because I have whole issues with those questions and a real phobia about that portion of this celebration. One of my wife's responsibilities is to keep me civilized to the point of giving appropriate gifts when needed - she does that just fine. Well, I am almost impossible to civilize beyond a certain point, but she fools me into better behavior well.

About the gift I received, as always the sure knowledge that Christmas is about the babe born to bear my burdens - not the mortgage, the car payments, the food on the table and such - the burdens I build by my guilt and sin - which are normally the same, and if - as I often think, being old, that I am not up to my usual sinful worst (youth so foolish) - then I am way up there in the weight of my guilt for all that I was, am now and shudder to think that I could be. I will cherish that gift of a Savior forever.

And what did I get my wife? Well, I drove her to my church for Candlelight service at ten last evening. The church was full of music, Christmas colors, families re-united for the holidays, friends absent to their families far from here, it was warm and bright and we sang and prayed and thought about the light of the world, in a sanctuary full of candles and love. Not too impressed with that gift are you? Well, unless I was driving she hadn't been out of the house for two weeks, she does have women that like to see her at my church (no, I always behave but old men, stag, at the back of the room are as problematical as teenage boys at the back of the room to knowledgeable women). Since driving was my gift, the only one that counts, I drove to her church this morning at ten for their service - in Korean and English - I loved the subtitled Sermon, when the Pastor spoke Korean the English was on the screen above his head, when he was speaking English the Korean words were displayed and everyone could keep up. All the hymns were written in both, and you could sing out from the heart in the language you speak to God with, I always like that. I am amazed at how many Korean words I have lost since the last time I listened and tried using them. Use it or lose it - one day it will all be gone. About six times the number of people from the candlelight service, the Sun being out and perhaps the roads more drivable - although I have been watching people needing a push and help in several places I have driven recently, my Caravan has been fine. Her church is much larger and richer than mine - the Salvation is exactly the same, go figure, it doesn't pay to start too soon (you forgot about that burden of guilt above - start earlier!).

Lots of re-united families at church, and old school friends meet and talk about what college and working in where ever is like, and who is in the service and overseas and where. Both our churches have large old retired military, and youngsters of appropriate age to serve, so they do. If my son weren't so well married I would have been looking harder at the beautiful young ladies, but I will leave that to those who need to play match-making. I did get trapped into a real hug with a young lady last night, she meant well but gosh that disturbed my harmony within the universe of Earl. She never noticed the pistol, but then who would carry a pistol to church? What you don't look for nor identify was never there, basic principle of hiding in plain sight. I know I never look to see what others are walking around with, unless it is in the appropriate place for shooting activities. At church I check out the age of the personal Bible, the translation and the depth of the smile and the warmth of the greeting and conversation as we work in the kitchen or on something, I make coffee and do dishes with one of my friends mostly.

Well, the telephone has started ringing, my son and daughter-in-law sent some gifts which get put to use immediately, although the one I really want to wear to the range come warmer times, it is almost a wanna-be shirt, but then I was never associated with that group and I am already much too proud a paratrooper for my head to fit most of my head coverings. A matching coffee mug, so cool, so cool. For any that worry I was armed in church - it was probably my Leatherman Wave or my Canon digital camera - for those that think everyone carries, should carry and numbers me among the chosen few that do - nothing happened that would have needed more than gloves and a snow shovel these last few weeks so figure all that bulky stuff in my clothing is the weight I have been piling on with festive eating. There are still cookies waiting the visitors that can make it up the frozen hillside to our home, y'all welcome to have a few and save me a little more burden of guilt.

It's time to get up and make the doughnuts...

The alarm wakes me from a sound sleep and dreams where you were there. A dusting of an inch of snow waits to cushion the fall upon the icy driveway or not, but it sure is pretty, the tree sparkles so I open the blinds for the world to see, but only the cat's paw prints tracked the snow outside, the world will wait for my first coffee.

Y'all have a very Merry Christmas! Earl

A Soldier's Christmas Eve
Sharing Gifts at Christmas

What I See Out My Window

What I See Out My Window,
so there is the view from my Computer Cave so nice of me to share. Now to breakfast and snow shovel.

It's official, Snow has closed the Office of Secretary of State

Notice in the email at work and one forwarded to my personal email, the weather has finally worn us out and we are going to bet on the side of safety in this area. Good call, safety should always be a factor in decision making.

So I am going to clean the snow off this morning, check the survivability of driving locally (may not go very far, but the piled snow needs off the car). And then decide the branch is closed if it isn't closed by my Program Manager or Principal Librarian before me.

Personal goals today, to inventory Christmas preparations - seems like that is supposed to happen this week and except for my wife's minor decorating efforts (table in dining room, table in kitchen) and the Christmas cards posted on the bookcase, one Santa Duck and one traditional Candy Cane on the fireplace mantel - I have been avoiding making the trip to bring out the memories from everywhere so long ago - that is what happens when I start putting the decorations up - years of other places, peoples and times when I was so young and the future so bright. If the Sun gets above the mountain it might be brighter here too - about eight this morning.

I care and I wake early because of... we all carry

Of all the things to wake in the middle of the night about - is that 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. You know, the one that the current Federal Government infringes upon regularly with regulations and law enforcement. I had best write my Congressman, Adam Smith, and my state representatives (and no, I don't know who won those offices - I am a self-centered political slacker and they couldn't be important could they? - were they in the news?).

I go to bed and I wake up in the night because I am carrying the Nation and thereby the World upon my shoulders. I have to bailout rich bankers, automobile manufacturers, and helpless old people, young people, dysfunctional people and elected officials that stray for sex, power and money. They are all part of the burden I have on my shoulders. Sigh, and I can't sleep knowing they must have my attention and care, and I must carry that for the remainder of my life. I get told that the current economic crisis is my fault for failing to borrow more and spend like the young fool I grew out of...

The Second Amendment says that a well-regulated militia is important for the security of a free state -- and there aren't enough rifles for every militia member, and there should be. The local government of the Colony of Massachusetts bought and stored muskets for those that couldn't provide their own, in the 1770's. What happened to that? Every little county subdivision should have an armory for the people's arms and ammunition. Somehow I am certain the current government of Massachusetts is failing to carry on its traditional role as a supporter of freemen.

So, Congressman Adam Smith, I want the government to assure public ranges, with known distance targets to six hundred yards, or if you must - six hundred meters. I want at least one per Congressional district - enough firing points for the number of citizens bearing arms for quarterly qualifications. I want the government to issue each militia member a thousand rounds of ball ammunition per year, to be fired and replaced in units of two hundred and fifty rounds in the quarterly practice and qualification. I want the public education system to teach firearms safety in elementary , rifle marksmanship and civic responsibility in middle school along with driver's training and sex education (although what some folks call sex education is certainly not in my definition of human reproduction systems).

I also want all those laws that infringe upon the people's right to keep and bear arms repealed. Now is already too late, but tomorrow is a good day to start. We can get this right and I can go back to sleep knowing that there is a government program that I can support, only participate in quarterly, and is doing something for the majority of law abiding good citizens - that are carrying the burden of the Nation and the World, we can all sleep better at night knowing we can read and follow the basic instructions in English of our Constitution.

The things I learn on the Internet...

From Doubletapper, that other seasonal holiday, Chanuka Festival. Well worth reading.

Well, ladies and lasses, were you there?

On Christmas morning my mother would always insist that we read the story of the first Christmas from Luke, 2 vs 1 to 20. So I was on to the shepherds being told of the birth and coming to tell Mary and Joseph, I also read enough that in Matthew 2 that there were wise men (Magi) from the East that came to find the promised baby born to be King of the Jews. So we have the story of the news of the birth going to the most common of folk, shepherds and the most special, almost rocket scientists - well, for the time of the Romans anyway. That is pretty much it, but then you weren't there were you? Seems a pretty empty land, town of Bethlehem, Kingdom of Judea and Romans roaming around but only shepherds, angels (in chorus) and three wise men from the East, Mary and Joseph.

What is wrong with this picture? it is on most religious Christmas cards, the children's Christmas pageant has more sheep and animals than humans - doesn't it? But there are hints, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Now that sounds just right, a young girl going to have her first baby visits a cousin that will soon have her own - women do talk, they do go find out about stuff - not like a man never asking always pretending to know. It couldn't have been possible that you were written out of the story? You could have been traveling to Bethlehem with Joseph and Mary - just going in that direction (David had lots of wives and lots of decedents, twenty-eight generations worth!). Ever see women ignore another woman carrying a child? They always ask how she feels, about when she would be due to have the baby, where she is going, does she need anything? There were women, children and men going along that would have talked to Joseph and Mary, given sound advice and assistance as needed. Joseph didn't need any, he was a guy - and he would find Bethlehem soon enough without asking directions.

Well, this crowd gets to the little very important town, and find places to rest up - some would still be sleeping on the ground. Mary and Joseph get shelter - she is going to have a child, and other women are called in to assist in the birth -- that got written right out of history. Now, I know that women can have children all by themselves, it isn't easy but can happen. But even in a small town those that do understand hospitality (and that is a real sign of civilization) would be sure the local wise women and midwife would know and be attentive. There are rules about birth in the Bible, most misunderstood by men since it isn't really where they get to shine. So people the picture of the new mother, Mary, surrounded by women caring for her and encouraging her, bringing the swaddling clothes, cleaning mother and child, informing Joseph the boy was born as he heard the birth cry.

You can tell that the disciples were men, the writers of the Gospels were men, the leaders of the church that chose the stories to repeat, were men. For they put in the important parts of God and Man, and forgot the women - mostly - Jesus never did, from his mother to all the women that he taught and traveled with - they were always there. I suggest that we put them back into his birth scene again - or just remember that because women really care, they would always be there. They have always peopled my personal Christmas's, even if only in my mind and heart while we were apart.

Hmm, did I ask for this?

Well, I didn't ask for it but it is all mine. I stay home hiding from the icy roads, blowing snow storms and work. I did Christmas cards, between playing wargames and being uglier than my neighbors. My wife decided, since she stayed home day two, that she should get a picture taken in the snow, and her hair looks great against the dark of the forest - her picture is smiling, and mine is me - I can smile at times but don't really remember when that time was. Oh, it couldn't have been that long ago, nor too far away. I do think I can get better vibes from a real smile shared with a perfect stranger than I can with the cranky old man with attitude face.

Well, back to a long winter's nap... or is it too early for the night before?

Season's Greeting from those that serve the least...

Who were Sunshine Patriots?

I went to learn to teach, and did. Then I taught and that was also great. After four days of intense Revolutionary War Veterans Association, I have that April 19, 1775 stuff cold. Speaking of which it was snowing and chilled and wet muddy ground to lay prone upon. So I leave you with one of the new Riflemen, earned on the last shoot of her day.

She became a citizen of the United States on Thursday, became the Rifleman on Sunday and the only thing I suggested to her was that she try the kneeling position, she locked it. One of her group was from South America a bit ago, said he could never have spent a day shooting in his original country - the weapons are controlled, but then the ballot box probably is, too.

Safety is always prime importance, so I never got to shoot just help, and we broke a bit early for ice storms approaching - thanks Governor Palin, I did get on the highway early enough to make it almost home. Then the Air Force rent-a-cops closed off my shortcut and I had to travel three times as far on iced roads. Didn't bother me as much as all those folks spinning out and into ditches. Home is a really great place to be, hope everyone makes it home safely, and thanks for having me at a really great event, but I am going into hibernation, until the flowers bloom.

how to feel great in just one day...

I have had a ball helping run the range and help future riflemen become part of tradition, another day tomorrow and I might expand on the experience but I am tired tonight - drove over two hours home and need sleep. Hot soup, hot shower and very warm greeting from my Mrs. and I start to fall asleep in the recliner in front of the television. A package from my sister awaits and she said to open it when it arrived, so I did and I was floored. My mother kept all my envelope art from the days I was sending it to her and my son off in Rota, Spain. The biggest shock is that so much of it is really worthy - not just a great idea but well executed little bits of art. Take my word for it, my scanner is trashed and I haven't picked a new one up yet, and she kept all the drawing that I did for promotions and decorating South Tacoma Branch storytelling or other stuff when I worked at the circulation desk part-time (twenty-five hours a week). Well, five in the morning is awful early, and for all the Facebook folks - I haven't found my instructions to add you to my friends and folks or join yours - the technology keeps changing and I have room for only so many passwords in my ancient memories of yesterday. Will get back when the world slows its spinning just a bit. There might be an opportunity to go to Alaska (motorcycle on ferryboat!) for a Summer Appleseed shoot - that would be cool.. hmm, mosquitoes? or is that Moosquitoes?

Okay, it isn't as great as I told you, but it is my story and I will tell it like I see it, have a bit of Christmas Spirit and enjoy - I am so far behind in this house, but by recycling good wishes I can catch up.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays, y'all!

Old dogs and new tricks...

Seems I have a real problem with the word rifle - seems that I am constantly using weapon when I talk about it. Will have to work on that - both terms are correct but if I want someone to feel they should come and shoot rifles with me, I should drop the word weapon since that word isn't really about punching paper perfectly. They can make the transition later once we get them to shooting 4 MOA. Or not, most people are just fine not being spear carriers.

I have a slight headache, I really don't like living on the road (such a homebody I have become), and the weather is working on challenging - not impossible, just challenging - cold, wet, and windy - with rolling gray masses of future waters above... y'all have a great day, will be wishing that for you.

Willie's Wednesday

I finished up in the library, left it ready to open on Friday, most of my work will be waiting on my return Monday. I am going off to learn, to study, to challenge myself and perhaps to shoot. Big storm coming in this weekend - a real tree toppler, power outages and terror. But I am off to do what I have to do. As I do, and y'all fix the financial crisis with the Congress and the coming Car Czar (why do we pick up Russian Imperialism? Weren't they overcome by Communists?). Anyway, the important story that I leave you with - isn't written by me but is so real to those that have been, Tale of Two Wars, from the Sandbox, of course. Take care out there, someone loves ya.

Don't slow me down, I have to catch up to ....

where I thought I should be by now. Two days of training means three days of mail to open and process, most of it will be ILLs ordered and new books and serial publications. There are patrons with information requests to fill, new reading and listening desires to express and email from above asking for my attention. Plus a meeting with the Associate in charge of Programs, the library being one of them. So I focus and attack and don't get in my way or try to distract me, I am driven. On Tuesday evening I will blow up when someone tells me that another librarian told him that she didn't have any problem getting what he wanted, I told him to tell her on Friday that I am incompetent - and if he doesn't tell her what I said -- then he will be failing to comply. I then returned to my mellow helpful self, with the next patron not trying to play me, I should have emptied the library of the ninety plus patrons with nothing to do and no where to go, but didn't. So I go home to dinner and my wife asks how it was, and I say busy, always lots to do.

I get hot soup, a salad and a nice light meal, I get to re-introduce myself to the little snow tiger trying to adopt our home as prime mouse hunting territory - that is some purr pouring out and I think about what went on at work.

One point in the two days stands out. I was at the computer ordering materials and typing as fast as I could without getting fingers out of pace and place, driven and focused. The library clerk from the chapel sticks his head inside the door and starts telling me his good news - his address and plan has been accepted and he will be getting out. He tells me all about it, and I am typing faster staying on the target, getting all the letters down in order, and he adds a bit to his story sharing his life. I stop, turn the turret of my tank and blow him out of the door. Well, not really, I looked straight at him and engaged in conversation, my goal is to have him leave and I get back to catching up with lack of progress (which isn't very fast). But the waves of joy in his face, posture and animation beat over me, this is one very happy inmate - he is going to get out. He has a job, a place to live and approval from the nameless folks that have kept him in prison so long. I share his happiness, it seems I am one of the few staff that he is taking the time to share his joy with, and having seen him on many of his darker days, this explosion of happiness is warm and powerful. He apologizes a couple of times from distracting me, bubbles happily some more, asks about my email address so he can contact me when he is out and successful - after I tell him I am in the phone book, can be located on the internet, Googled and such. He copies my whole name and goes and quietly sits the remainder of the hour out. I go back to work, trying to get faster trying to work harder - although tonight one of the inmates noticing my explosion tells me not to work so hard - I look at him and say I don't know any other way to work. I don't - I have been well broken into this pattern.

Still, the joy and warmth of that inmate and his excitement warms my memory, and I will have to, in my quieter moments, thank him for sharing that great feeling, the feeling of freedom and opportunity. You don't know what you have, until it is gone. I will have to thank him.

How to Destroy a Library

Libraries have always been part of my life, I find them full of things I want to know about, think upon and stories to enjoy . They insure that I am continually learning, long after departing the classroom, and they have always supported the quest for knowledge about fighting, loving and foolishness unique to my life. Since I am not the only patron to use the library I would say that for my tax dollars the public library achieves more than the public school system in education, far beyond the K through 12 range. Imagine Lincoln, Douglass, Jefferson and others that valued the printed words with the library systems of our last one hundred years.

Ignorance is destroying our libraries, the people that think they can steal the whole book, CD or tape don't understand the worth as part of a shared collection. I have been weeding the collection at McNeil Island's library of all the books that are missing pictures, pages and sometimes whole chapters. To the one individual that took something away from us all - a curse on your efforts for evil - not that I am a cursor. I don't need to be - in your little world things are stolen from you, you live in fear of being found out. You know the reason you want those pictures of scantily clad elves is because you are attracted to desires for the bodies of children - that is an ugly thing and most of the other inmates will do bloody things to you if they find out. No, you don't need to be cursed for your life is dark, the hidden pictures of beautiful cars, women and motorcycles that you think give you power are just waiting for the corrections officers to find or for you to toss out when the fear finds you again. I know that you won't stop messing up your library, stealing from it and ruining it - not until you grow up and learn to value things you haven't had to pay for, that don't cost you anything directly, until you grow up and learn to share, until you get really old and accept that others will get better people around them in life, and that you will die alone because you never became a better person. You will be back to the library that you have profaned and marred, and those wounds you left don't heal - there isn't enough money for repairing the Vandals' destruction.

Another type of ignorance that destroys libraries, is budget cutting. So having worked in libraries for over fifteen years, the fears of the staff always focus a bit on the budget cycle. There are only so many dollars, and one can hire five people at thirty thousand a year and only one at one hundred and fifty thousand a year. Which is fine if the the big payroll provides more donations and bequests and improvements in how the library provides services and relevance to the community needs. Having been one of the five on budget cuts while there are always well paid leadership and management - leading and managing less every time the budget is cut - I have my opinion. Seems that I have voiced my opinion and shocked some of that leadership a bit before - but I blame that on not being well led and stress relief. Budget is exactly like diet - a word that exists to describe a process and quickly becomes associated with an uncomfortable process that hurts something in one's good life, but if you had always known and observed the process - and lived in moderation - the pain would never be there. But when one has over-reached in spending, the cut back comes and the staff is reduced, the hours shortened, the service slinks off into only a memory and an old fairy tale, until that final cut must be made - that closes the door to the library. Those doors don't ever seem to re-open, and another light in the lives of the library patrons old, new and future is extinguished.

Working a prison library, where there aren't too many lights for the most terrible population of prisoners, 1200 inmates with open time for only six hundred and sixty to have one hour a week, every week that the one Library Keeper is around to open the door five days. There are too many potential patrons that can't improve their minds, lives and futures. They will be coming one day to live with you - to become part of your community. Will they be better neighbors? Did they get a chance to learn what they hadn't before being imprisoned about working for a better life, making good choices and basic good manners? Or are you going to get the fools that still steal from library books, that don't share, that don't care and that only know how to scare?

Goin' to Christmas time... tonight.

There is a performance of The Messiah, tonight at seven at my wife's church. I am dressed and still look like just an old man, sigh. The installer hasn't shown up yet - but they gave us 4:45 to 5:45 pm to arrive and since I only pay for bad service I get what I pay for. Not to say anything bad about Home Depot, but this is still disturbing my wife's harmony with the Universe - and that could ruffle my feathers were I a real turkey, but I am not. The camera has new batteries in it, the Cadillac is supposed to stay home because someone may hit it in the parking lot (my wife has more fears than I do). I will have to empty the old blinds from my Caravan and get it ready to go. Where is the installer? Why's everybody always pickin' on me?

Didn't go, the installer showed up, late, but he was so good at his job we forgave that and now have a really nice statement of taste in the family room. I no longer have any reason not to be strong, youthful and talented because of problems with Home Depot - there is a bit of an adjustment to be yet, but nothing that is going to stop me from getting the house in order and prepared for the holidays - so far one candy cane with my name on it and a rubber duck dressed as Santa, we can do so much better than that. Oh, just a by the by - it has been a year on this blog today. Happy BirthofBlogDay!

One issue people, arise and think.... it matters

Okay, one issue people - the 2nd Amendment - not enough effective thought and philosophy to make the correction in the American culture's thinking about the issue.

Congress and the Executive branch abandoned the 'well regulated militia' pretending that the National Guard is the militia and telling everyone that the National Guard has been around longer than our Constitution (no it hasn't, concerned armed citizens that banded together in defense of their homes, religion, politics and rights have been around over three hundred years - calling them something else doesn't make it so). Once the government does change their portion of the Amendment - they then feel free to change the People's part of the Amendment.

Revolution, or armed insurrection isn't the solution to the infringement of the Amendment - that becomes the danger to the security of a free State. Also one of the Gun Lobby's favorite reasons for weapons - self defense makes the sheep in our world (where everyone can just get along) afraid. I am sticking with the reason that I shoot is that I am a law abiding citizen, fully capable of using dangerous weapons with safety, and I don't need a government to shove me into Depends or Pampers to keep me from soiling myself daily.

So, since I know how to use machine guns, automatic weapons, submachine guns, rifles, pistols, explosives and other such - like I know how to find the proper place and time to defecate so as not to upset the public nor my friends and family - I don't need the regulations, laws and infringement on my rights to be armed and dangerous. I also don't advocate destruction of my community, government nor world to make it my way - but then I do think there are more good people in the world than bad - but the bad ones tell lies, cheat and dishonor their ancestors for personal gain and general stupidity. I remain, armed and dangerous, but then that is all in my mind and not in yours, you never think about me - just the old man in the back of the room. Thanks.

Just sit there long enough and it will pass by...

There is a bench somewhere in New York City, where if you sit on it long enough the World will pass you by. Or that is just New Yorker's urban myth. But yesterday I was at the Institutional Library Services Quarterly Conference with the Gang of 3 (Managerial Supervisors) and the library keepers of all the different branches of the Washington State Library in service to those patrons in the institutions. And the State Librarian was there to brief us on the larger library world, the truth about budgets in State government and her hopes for the future, and of course, our future. I will have a post about that later, but she did something surprising, she called me up and presented me with my Ten Year Service Certificate and pin, the certificate signed by our Secretary of State, Sam Reed, a fine man - personal hero and protector of the Washington State Library - having saved us from the evil Governor Locke that hated us and wanted to save dollars instead of minds.

That will be a bit much, may have to edit that later because Governor Locke wasn't evil, just didn't wield an ax well, and this is timber country - and ax wielding should be right up there with other Scandinavian skills. Back to me.

Ten years ago, hired full time, to function in an institutional library, working with a librarian and another assistant librarian (working on associate status), with four inmate library clerks. Ten years later I am a Library Archival Paraprofessional level 5, working with four inmate library clerks - and one of the original clerks is still in the institution driving a fork lift in the compound. Now I was exiled, by budget, to the State Library for a couple of years, but eight years have been riding the ferry to work and home, five days a week and taking care of library business, and if my Scanner weren't sitting broken beside this computer I would have included the certificate. I am amazed that I haven't won the Lotto and gone off to golfing (which I am not going to ever do) or some other retired pursuit, but very satisfied that I do the job where I seem to be the most needed, and except for Earl slips in compliance and policy paying attention - I am very in line with the objective mission of the Organization.


Mission Statement -- With spirit and fortitude, ILS branch staff enhances the quality of life for unique populations by providing a welcoming, neutral and secure place where informational, educational and recreational needs are met.

Pass it along... of course I will...

Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts…

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said, "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.”
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Written by: Michael Marks
~~~~~

1960 School Office Window

Whisper's Of Christmas by Melba Dungey

There are whisper's of Christmas in the air,
making the month, holiday fair,
plans and surprises make a great pair
while yummy food is made to share.

Christmas cards modern or old fashioned rare,
bring to each a willing  heart 's flare...
All people seem to  take special care
to plan and get what they'll wear.

Thinking about just  where
they will go to share
the holiday, just so fair,
in the loved Christmas air .

The presents, open with care,
and exclaim with joy at what you get there...
The Christmas tree glitters on my new chair,
The telephone rings so as to share,

all those joys  that are so rare,
for we must all happily share,
all the love we have there
for all family and friends who care,
in this wonderful Christmas time air!

It's the reload time that kills me...

No, I am not talking about putting in another clip or magazine and continuing to shoot down swarms of zombies, I am thinking about only having ten or so years left and using up so much of it checking favorite blogs to find out if there is something worth reading. If I mentioned you in my Visits for Daily Thoughts I find what you write interesting and I want to come back and read some more - well Blogger knew my pain, going and waiting for the reload and then finding nothing new, sigh. So they allowed me to pick favorites to follow, then gave me a cool thing that tells me there is a new post and when it went up, and clicking on it I go straight to the post, which means I could miss a few since some bloggers put up lots to look at almost on top of each other.

Turning on the television to catch the news and weather - I get more commercials than news and weather - and if you pay attention (DON'T!!!) you will notice much of what they call news is to get you to watch = a movie, television show later, television series, an interview where you will learn about (whatever). I am not going to change the world, but I can pick and choose what I participate in, like I can choose the Caravan or the Trusty Triumph to roll on to work today. I should try doing exercises every time a commercial break shows up, see how high my pulse rate will get during an hour and the calorie burn, estimated would be. Reading Time magazine yesterday I found a writer (?) using a treadmill while she worked - I just stand up at my workstations and type on my feet and then flee to help workers and patrons without the scooting back the office chair - just a step away. My able (?) assistance is just a quick step away from the computer. No waiting for my lumbering to my feet, getting all the fat into motion - I must remember that although I will weigh less up on the moon, my mass will be exactly the same and the vacuum is cold and totally unbreathable. Remind me to get back to some Physics in the near future... how much time is left to read, retire, retrain to re-me'd me?