Hey, Old Timer...

I am very aware of how near retirement and impending doom I am, but I was walking down to the dock in Steilacoom when a bright red BMW pulled off the road and stopped. I walked up and leaned towards the open window, hoping it would be the mythical long legged red head looking for guidance. It wasn't but was a young soldier with sunglasses perched on his head and three metal qualification badges on his digital Desert Camo Uniform, he leaned towards me and asked "Hey, Old Timer, would you like a lift?"

As soon as "Old Timer" came out I was thinking Gabby Hayes and cringing internally in denial. I had just slipped in the movie of my mind from leading man, the hero, to comic relief sidekick, how had that happened? I kind of smiled and told him the walk was my exercise and thanks for the offer, as he sped off I hoped he just wanted to be nice and show off his ride - not that he thought I really needed a ride, I hadn't been limping nor lumbering on. I was enlisted for the Vietnam War in 1967 and stuck around through other military operations to including Desert Shield and Storm in 1990 and '91. But I started putting that life together with riding my motorcycle up behind a car waiting at a stop light, and reading the Memorial tribute in the window, of a young man, born in February of 1991, when I was getting prepared to invade Iraq with the French, that died in our current wars in 2009, he hadn't gotten to nineteen. So in honor of those Veterans, the "Old Timers" everywhere I will tell you about Samuel.

He was born before the turn of the Century, the Eighteenth Century, and grew up big and strong and joined the King's Dragoons to fight in wars on the Continent, against France or Spain. After the first little war he came home and everyone admired the fine Calvary saber with the gold inlay and shining sharpness -- asking how he had come by such a fine saber. He said modestly that a French officer had no further use for it and he had. His military career had gone on and the places would change but Samuel didn't for he went to the sound of the guns. In one of the many wars against France he rode off and came back with a fine pair of horse pistols,matching French pieces. When asked to tell the tale about that, he again replied that the French officer having no further need for them had given them up to him. He couldn't go on being a gallant dragoon forever, so he settled down to a small farm and small wife, raising crops and children and getting old. His years were wearing and he limped a little and later a lot, but there was no quit in him.

On April 19th, 1775 with the country rising up in arms to stop the British regulars Samuel Whittemore took up his musket, his horse pistols and cavalry saber and went out to do battle for his family and neighbors. He took up a strong position behind a stone wall about a hundred and fifty yards from the road and began to fire upon the advancing British redcoats. His fire was effective for they sent a squad of flankers to eliminate the position believing there were several rebels there. Samuel got several shots off from his musket before he had to pick up the pistols, and he got two shots off wounding with one and the other, he was drawing his saber when one of the regulars shot him in the face, taking away part of his jaw. the others quickly bayoneted him about a dozen times and left him for dead, then hurried back to the marching column, not wanting to be left behind in the coming darkness with the rebels everywhere.

Samuel's friends and neighbors came out after they left and went to see what they could do, expecting to find him dead, but they found him trying to re-load. They got a door off a home, laid Samuel on it and took him to Doctor Tufts. They begged the doctor to save him, but the doctor said it was too late, they asked him to try anyway and he did. When he finished he did tell them quietly that Samuel was going to die, he was seventy-eight years old. The doctor was correct Samuel Whittemore died, eighteen years later - scared horribly but always proud of his service to his adopted country and sure that he would do it again if called. A very dangerous old man, the oldest combatant on the field that day.

So the next time you see someone old and almost ancient, smile before you call him "Old Timer", it would be kinder to ask if he could help you -- for he would be glad to be the leading character in the movie of his life.

This October is hard on old guys....

Facebook picture of Earl being cared for by Kum Cha after running his head into a tree while chasing a ball hit by some of that next next generation, sister sitting nearby, Florida (yes, it is colder here in Washington, and WET).

With the government and the economy out of control...

The Media will concentrate on Gun Control, citing the recent attacks of lone gunmen upon the defenseless innocent law biding citizens, adding the number of victims up and wondering when it will all end. In my home there was much more anxiety about the North Korean missile launch and what will happen. Probably because my wife is Korean and she doesn't fear me with guns as much as the media thinks she should. I told her that if the United States government had feared the Korean missile launch it would have been bombed, just one laser guided bomb and the threat would have been over - and it never happened, although President Obama thought the launch was an illegal act - which I am sure was never written anywhere in Hangul for Kim to read. You do know that there doesn't seem to be any problem with Gun Control in North Korea?

So we are going to have media examine the American gun culture, again. Diane Sawyer has a special about arming for self defense. Which I would be happier about if she really had been armed for the last twenty years or so... is there a reporter that does carry? that shoots any firearm regularly? is there a successful reporter or correspondent that does believe in the Right of the People to Keep and Bare Arms? Notice the loud roar of them, or is that a deafening silence? I really don't know, but if there is one I would be happier. I do know that John Stossel has done his best to point out the myth. ABC 20/20 Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity with John Stossel, Myth #10 Gun Control Reduces Crime. On U-Tube forever!

Well, it is Palm Sunday and time to prepare for church, Luke 22:36. Be good out there, be very good. I will shoot this afternoon - but then it is still a legal activity where I live. Go gently.

Don't nudge me ugly tonight...

Just got back from the hospital and read my mother's letter about how bad the world that is leaving her behind and alone is... and she is right the world is a terrible place - Mankind hasn't been evolved enough to become angels and is adapting his environment just enough to cleanse the rest of the lifeforms off the planet -- life just doesn't go the way it was supposed to, does it?

I am stuck in Hosea and keep coming back to the current world and a deep sigh is my only appropriate response - I can't change anything, Time magazine hasn't the guts to say the schools should teach moral behavior. Heavens, Time magazine hasn't had a moral position for a long time, just one that will sell magazines and ad space.
The current crisis isn't due to Disney, ABC nor Time magazine, how did we get to the point that anything that happened to a few was the problem of the remainder to fix and cure.

We haven't fixed the Drug Crisis, the Solitary Parent crisis, the Unwanted children crisis, the last crisis and the next crisis --- none of them have been solved, fixed - seems we lived through them, or didn't, if we lived we moved on to the next one.

I have changed and deleted about five paragraphs tonight and am spinning wheels and burning nothing... the Blues are banging out in the house tonight, nice that if I can't be positively creative I am not going to that terrible destructive person inside me... Good Night, and God bless.

Progress, isn't it just amazing? yes it is...

I can move in several hours to my mother or my son, and visit or find work and move in. Or they could move in my direction - well, my mother probably can't and since Washington joined Oregon in assisted suicide I wouldn't want my mother here anyway - she has told me for years if she lived in the same house as I did I would kill her. I did live in the same house as she did for years and I never killed her then, I did lots of running away and trying to keep her from messing up my life with other people (I could mess it up well on my own, thank you!)

So with things worrying at my wife, no real conversations between people hiding stuff from each other, wanting to make life better but not willing to give up control, or personal desires, nor the ability to make everyone feel guilty for not making your life better, and knowing that any President, no matter how many Rolling Stone covers he graced, can help. I give up! Maybe if I sleep on the problem the answer will wake me.

The morning after: my mother is buying a cart to carry her around, staying where she is and I have had a full night's sleep -- see what worrying gets me? Wrinkles and gray hair.

Sunday Stills, well I am rocking...

I am working at an Appleseed shoot this weekend and traveling the distance and bearing the Winter weather's brunt. Since I don't really have photography as a talent nor skill I just give you my best portrait of who I think I am and what I am doing with my life - seeing Don Quixote and I have so much in common - too many books, too old and too honorable in the best way. I guess in some ways this is an excellent picture of me, it doesn't look at all like my father, it looks more like my grandfather but then not really - it is just the me that you can see. Go gently out there, from the Bible and Gun Clinging Community of Earl.

What political party are you? just interested...

The last political party I gave money to was the Democrats for the primary campaign of a Senator from Nebraska, Vietnam Vet and father. The last party I picked so I could vote in their primary was Democrat. But then although I believe in many things, I don't believe in the Democratic Party and I know that the Republicans aren't really better just different a little bit... Like I am a Life Member of the National Rifle Association (which I almost lump with those two major political parties - being so far away from me, my life and efforts for better'n) but I get to do more in shooting with the military and the Revolutionary War Veterans Association, CMP and Washington Arms Collectors (the last I haven't really done anything with but I read their news). Nope, I am Earl, and I guess it only matters that I care enough to be interested but not enough to think I should do something about any of the above or all of the above.

I have my life, and loves, and I have squandered much of my life - and enjoyed doing so. But I think working on being strong enough and disciplined enough to survive all the terrible stuff that is to come and to work hard on improving and increasing the LOVEs is where I am at for the near future - which is all I have left, having spent the first parts of my life enjoying more and building so little... you can get what you aim for, or not really see your target and just let fly.

Boring... my life is just so perfectly boring...

Nope, didn't make the news, didn't even turn it on this morning, am listening to Easy Listening music. Devotions done, breakfast gruel eaten, exercises started after finishing my tax filing (need one fine lady's signature and stamps) will finish exercising and go jog along the road. Did read: Northview Diary, View From The Porch, and The Breda Fallacy. Breda has a Ladies Night, she knew I work while the show is on so I don't feel left out. Well, back to being better than the headlines and the heartaches and the helpless. No, I shouldn't get a life... I have the best already.

Time to get out of the home and into the world...

Funny night, I dreamed about libraries - now that is different and I haven't checked the blood pressure but since my weight was down - I will pretend until later my bp is also. Off to church for my quiet time. And after-- this was my afternoon.

Yeah, breath long enough it will happen...

No, I am not replacing the Trusty Triumph, nor the lovely Lady that woke in the night to set it up and then light the candles way too early in the morning.

Thank you, Mom, for bringing me into this strange and interesting life and certainly for putting up with my totally male attitude and chest thumping.

We finished the cake and are looking forward to work, movie and dinner so, be good out there cause the Democrats can't change a vote in Congress for a BOWL game - priorities, priorities.

Rain keeps beating on my roof...

This is the New Year and the rain drums on the roof, into the gutters where it growls as it speeds to the ground to feed the moss - Washington State is Evergreen for a reason. I am having happy dreams and the bedding is warm and wrapping - I don't want to open my eyes but my wife is already up, she has plans for today and I am part of them. I get up, good morning, world! No answer - the world is in shock or just ignoring me again.

Stumble and stagger to find the clothing and some coffee - I once laughed at Tim Conway's shuffling old man routine - now I am one, sigh. Today, the Fort Steilacoom Running Club is starting the Resolution Run Series, I have not the resolution and haven't entered. I can't afford not to jog this year, the last couple months have been terrible, I will lace up some shoes and hit the road today. My morning is starting with Tacoma First Baptist Church, welcoming the New Year and asking for blessings. I don't need any but will ask for those that do. I didn't stay up last night to ring in the New Year, like most years here in the Northwest the major networks tried to pretend at ten o'clock they were going to give us Time Square celebrations LIVE! If they had I could have gone to bed at nine-thirty, we get the leftovers from the East Coast (center of the known New York-Washington DC universe) and sometimes Alaska and Canada (weather patterns they want to share, sigh) - and I like to eat leftovers but don't want to live them...

After getting blest and my wife giving everyone a Happy New Year wish, I accepted and returned a few myself (how did I get so anti-social?) quick.. extend the hand and smile pleasantly. We returned home through quiet streets and rain, light but wet, rain. At home there are emailed pictures of the newest Great-grandson of my mother. Mother father and baby all look fine - ah, they are in Florida and that is fine.
The Rose Parade really looked great in High Definition on our Sony - but commercials drove me to sleep. Outlawing recliners is next on the list of things the BETTER LIFE police will be enforcing... but I am not paying attention yet.

More distractions, someone calls to invite us to dinner at their home - my wife accepts and I am now committed. As long as they don't think I will become a Baptist we can have a pleasant afternoon - but they always seem to think I am easily swayed - and if they don't bring a long legged red head with brains and a great heart - they haven't a chance. Yes, I will behave and this will be twice in one day supporting my wife's life - then I can retreat back into the computer cave, motorcycling or shooting pointedly. One day I will be a better man, I am really going for the piece of my wife's pumpkin pie. The roast she made today will wait for our return, and I did say I liked to eat leftovers.

Thinking while in church this morning and about the whole thing of the New Year - the customs the traditions the fireworks, the out with the old and in with the new stuff... well, as I look at it we are so small and self-centered in our time and life - that we miss the fact that God is only on His Eighth Day of Creation. Probably doesn't need my help either.

The things I learn on the Internet...

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

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!

Just thinking

Three weeks of three days at McNeil Island Library, all Monday Tuesday and Wednesday - then I go off the island for: two days of Thanksgiving, two days of Institutional Library Services conference and training, and two days of Instructor Boot Camp (for training Riflemen). That will drive me half-way through December and almost into January and I will have not met my goals for that year when I look back from sixty-one wondering where it went this time.

I could go back and read all my posts and figure out if I did anything, thought anything or made the world a little better. Or I can just feel I did; remembering a smile teased from someone, some quiet evenings finished with some wine and cheese, the morning jog with the dogs and the heart walkers, the walks to the dock getting my mind ready for the work day, the great rides on the Trusty Triumph and the general awesome beauty of the world, women and wonders when I open my eyes and really look. But then, how much time does one have to look back and reflect.

That was about enough, and I have exercises and jog to do, breakfast gruel with banana this morning, take the vitamins, go face the day, books to order, books to weed, reports to prepare and information to find and as the things I haven't anticipated are suddenly in my work flow keep it all moving so it doesn't get jammed up, piled up and pushed aside. I should learn to tango, since all my choir rehearsals have produced a little appreciation for the notes I should be hitting and the way melody and harmony might actually be something I will understand in a few more decades. Do I have that long?

I have made a decision, about Christmas giving this year - I, William Earl Dungey, being of sound mind and such have decided that I have too much and it has gotten in my way and I will be giving much of it away to the Food Bank, Goodwill Industries and other places where it can do more good during the coming year. And because I think something special should come from all my financial blessings I am making a cash contribution to Project Valour-IT. I know you are all going to be busy, trying to get the Economy running right again, and tying up the year with ribbons and lights, and bringing joy to children and young excited folks - I will try to make sure my family, relatives and friends are represented in a small gift for those that we have sent far away to risk and lose so much - they gave so much and can't be ignored by the promise of a Holiday Season and the New Year - they deserve to be the center of it. Make sure there is room at your table, in your heart and your life - for all those that need a touch, a hug, some of your talent and time, just a quick smile and a hot mug of cheer with the music of life. Go gently and do good stuff, we will be better for it.

We do remember how to make choices, don't we?

After Bible study, the men started talking about who they wanted to vote for, one confessed to voting the way his wife would approve of, so he would have dinner at six - when he expected it, instead of having to make it himself. Well, we all make choices, but I was surprised by the number of men that still weren't decided - enough wrong with both candidates that they didn't want to vote for either. One man had already voted and left off voting for a Presidential Candidate - just didn't pick anyone, and that is a vote that means as much as picking one.

When I went out to the garage this morning, I found the mouse trembling in fear, looking at me from inside the big glass jar where my wife had him trapped. He had eaten and moved the apple to the point that he couldn't stand on it and reach the lip of the jar and climb out - TRAPPED - his heart rate was way faster than mine. Well, killing the fierce predators is my job, so I got out my 9mm and blew him away - nothing too small about that round. Or maybe I just put my work gloves on and grabbed and squeezed him until his eyes popped out and he expired... or maybe I decide to leave him for my wife to handle when she got up... or I made a choice and took the little furry pest outside to where the cats patrol and allowed him to make his best get away. The jar was empty and my wife cleaned it up thinking I had destroyed him. We make choices, and believe what we see, what we think happened and what we are told that we trust. And maybe the little rat gets away, or maybe he didn't.

I voted for people I trust to go into all the offices campaigned for - After the exit polling victory is announced, before the Electoral College meets to make whatever official, I will start writing letters about repealing gun control laws, building rifle ranges, and putting guns back into the schools and libraries of the nation. What are we afraid of, the law abiding citizens with guns or the criminal and terrorist?

What a terrible way to start October, almost but...

I am being beaten down and feeling like a fool, totally unprofessional and a minor instance, then the inspectors from the Executive Team show up and inspect and note my further deficiencies. I am turning into a very nasty man, so the minor problems that I would deal with laughingly just grate and I start snarling. My best workers and favorite patrons back off seeing the warning signs -- the fools just keep coming. Then I start singing songs (mentally) from the Christmas selection we are practicing, and I start thinking of going home to the wife that cares about me when no one else does, and the weather is with me and the Trusty Triumph, and I talk to one of my former workers (a wrencher biker) about motorcycles - and I am a bit mellowed back out....

Dinner is excellent, coffee is great and doorbells ring. I have my ammunition from CMP (what is the reason the Post Office can't deliver guns and ammo? so FedEx rules?) all seven hundred plus rounds of 30 caliber, then my wife's ride shows up and they talk about how the flowers look on the porch and they depart for church activities, and the cute smooth talking soccer player drops off my cookie dough - I ask her how soccer is coming, she plays all the positions. The day is too short with all the good stuff. But I will look at the blogsphere, I am not impressed by television and I have plans for exercising, dry firing and unpacking the Ammunition!.

I leave a little trail of comments and then find something way too cool. Totally undeserved, but most welcome Tribute to some sound advice for all shooters - I didn't do the shooting; she has great coaching and natural perfections (color choice, just ask). Another great day, no matter who tries to make me lesser - without any government intervention I am still king for today! Although I am more likely comfortable as a Sergeant in Arms, an American Rifleman, and your good neighbor.

Final Political Pronouncement... of this season

In Happy Harmony -
still clingin' to God,
my Gal and my Guns!

work email today........ a ripple rebounds...

Question: You look like a Drill Sergeant Dungey I knew at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in the summer of 1977, are you the same person? He was the best drill sergeant in A Battery, 2nd Training BN.

Reply: BIO LINK I don't know about best Drill Sergeant, I only won the Drill Sergeant of the Cycle once. But I did like that job.

Questioner: I was just a trainee then with the third platoon, across the street from your first platoon. Just wanted to let you know, you were a great inspiration to me and many of my fellow trainees back then. I remember how you took your platoon out on very long runs in the morning and then ran again with many of them in the evening. You were a great example and when I later became a Sergeant with the Third Armored Division in Germany, you were one of the role models I tried to model myself after. Just wanted to say thanks.

You should think about applying to be a Community Corrections Officer in the field or even a weapons instructor, you are extremely qualified for both positions.

Reply: I really did like that job, glad I worked for you. I am so old, but would love to be a weapons instructor, but there are a few others around, Library Keepers are in shorter supply.

I really did like that job, Drill Sergeant Oliver - future Houston Policeman, drag racer and Deputy Sheriff and my friend.

Depression about my lack of discipline...

I am such a slug, and I turned on the computer again this morning (didn't last night and you didn't miss me, did you?) and I am behind again. But I have this monster to get off my back and onto the page.

In the mail I get an offer of ten days of trial of the World of WarCraft (now that is tempting - but I have played other games against those on-line warriors and would rather fight Germanic Barbarians with the Roman Legions - and you know how that worked out - only good in The Gladiator). I also got my chance to add to the millions of dollars supporting the Candidate Osama, sorry - Barack Obama and Dino Rossi. Both of them are saying it is time for a CHANGE! For those that aren't from the Great Northwest, Rossi is the Republican candidate for Governor. I also get an envelope from the AARP for Life Insurance Enrollment - but I hadn't asked for them, do plumbers knock on my door? Nope.

Anyway, back to my depression with my disappointing me - the sad lack of discipline and loss of control of my life. Clara Hart has some real things to feel bad about and needs encouragement and I have my little angst, mine is nothing but it is mine. But I was reading Bear on a Bicycle and his note struck me as part of my problem. I seem to be concentrating on my failures, instead of the positive things I do - like I did get out of bed this morning opened the blinds and have taken my medicines (which I start cutting in half again, every other day) and made the coffee. I left a positive message at a blog that I have enjoyed for years for the blogger. Sometimes we need a reminder that we mean something to the world - they seem to ignore my wishes so well. I was telling my program manager (yes, I am part of the programmed) that the stories we need to tell the Legislature are the ones about inmates that leave our libraries and become good citizens. But then good citizens don't get in the news too much, do they? And I guess if I were jailed with Martin Luther King, Jr. during his protests and struggle I might share that, but being just a thug and a bad one that was caught and punished for it - that doesn't get aired until you are sitting in the rocker at the old folks home. Well, this morning in the email was a letter with a name I didn't recognize and was about to be deleted - like I would ever answer the people needing my help with their new found wealth and banking troubles.

"Hey Earl.

I worked for you for a few years at MICC. (I was the black gentlemen in need of a serious haircut!!!! HAH!!) You may be hard pressed to remember me as I got out in 2001, and never went back. (I attached a couple pictures to help you remember). I changed my name. As crazy as this sounds, I was just having a big old belly laugh about some of the times I had in that library. The petty things some of the prisoners were overly concerned with. I wanted to thank you for a few things.

First.. thank you for treating everyone fairly. You treated all of us the same. Like human beings, despite whatever acts we may have been involved with. I was in prison for seven years and you were the ONLY staff who behaved in a consistently civilized manner. You also didn't take any crap and I respected you for it.

Thank you for George R.R. Martin... who proved to me that fantasy fiction did not have to be silly. Until meeting you I wouldn't read any fantasy (being convinced that they were all bad Dungeons and Dragons sessions run amuck). I have been married for four years. My wife loves George Martin now and I have shouted his praise whenever it was appropriate. You were someone I looked forward to talking to everyday. In a place that was... less than hospitable. I took our discussions on adult relationships to heart, and I searched very hard for my wonderful wife, and have tried to be the best husband in the world for her.

Keep up the good work. Some of us do become rehabilitated. I am a 1/3rd shareholder in a company that produces web sites. I am also the sole proprietor of my own music publishing company, which has actually got some big projects on board to make me some money. The books you helped me to get on inter-library loan gave me the knowledge to make a living. Thanks for al your effort. I usually was way over the limit in my number of borrowed books. I want you to know I read every single one. It wasn't a waste. Thanks.

(I read your home page after googling your name). I am proud to have learned a few things from you. You may be having a bigger impact on peoples lives than you know. Maybe next time I'm in Tacoma we can get a cup of tea (I don't drink alcohol at all) and you ca meet my wife and kids. I've told her all about you.. the one nice guy in a land of jackals.

The best to you and yours,"

Well, that fits what I was saying about my focus, and what the Institutional Libraries needed in support. Of all the things I got from the Soviet Union, you with the AK's and SKS's have your treasures I have mine - I got one piece of Tactical Doctrine, remember I was a serious warrior for years and I studied. But the piece I thought was worth keeping was "Exploit Success, forget about the rest" I'd give it to you in Russian - but I never learned that, just German & Korean - one really must be able to talk with one's allies. Focus on the positive and enlarge what is working well, and remember that although one can be replaced - there would still be the void of who you really are and that makes all the difference.

No it isn't a National Holiday, but it is important...

6 June 1944, after a twenty-four hour weather delay the invasion of France is on, from the air, from the sea, far from the hearts of the women that loved them - thousands of American, British and Canadians would assault the wall that Rommel built, and he was off to buy some fine shoes for his wife, funny how life works out. Lots, and more than lots of men would leave their lives in the sea, in the trees and on the ground they fell upon, you can still visit the cemetery and look upon the markers, there were so many acts of true heroism performed that day - most unreported, that the Allied Force won a hold on the beach, up on the cliffs and into the interior - then slowed down to catch their breath and reorganize, rearm and wonder 'why me Lord?' It would take Patton to break free of inertia, but he didn't pay attention to physics just martial courage. Still, this is the day, D-Day, and in Europe they understand its importance more than we ever will. But we should Never Forget, so remind everyone what day it is - I don't need Congress to make it a holiday, I just remember it.