There is a plethora of things going on in my world. For some of them, I can't talk about in this venue. For others, I don't want to talk about in this venue. Suffice it to say that there are many things grabbing at my attention from different directions.
So, as I was trying to think of what to write as a Thanksgiving message, many of the things listed below just popped into my mind. I was originally thinking of focusing on one topic but I thought, why not share more. Some serious. Some very personal. And some just fun things, like being able to use the word "plethora" in the first sentence of this post.
I hope you enjoy reading this, but if you don't, that is okay. I enjoyed thinking about it and writing it.
1. I am thankful for a loving God who saw fit to give me life. I haven't been perfect but I pray that in total, my life glorifies Him and his son, Jesus Christ.
2. I am thankful for my parents and my family. I love them all very much. Again, as with my life, we are not perfect but that usually keeps things interesting.
3. I am thankful for my friends and co-workers. I guess the best way to describe these people is eclectic. Definitely a wide variety of characters and personalities.
4. I am thankful to live in my country, the United States of America, the greatest nation on the face of the earth. So many things that I probably could have done an individual post just for this. One thing that I wanted to mention as a thought on the current economic condition, this is STILL the land of OPPORTUNITY.
5. This kinda goes with #4. I am thankful for our country's military, especially the United States Marine Corps. When allowed to be, these men and women are most powerful fighting force ever wear a uniform in service of their country.
6. And this one kinda goes with #5. I am thankful for the veterans who served so well in times past. These men and women fought evil as today's military continues the tradition.
7. I am thankful for football. Thanksgiving football with my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. They are having a tough year this year but I have stuck with them in the past and will continue to stick with them through thick and thin. And Auburn Tigers football. If you haven't experienced Auburn and Alabama football and their rivalry game, the Iron Bowl, you truly haven't experienced the most intense rivalry in sports. WAR EAGLE! Finally, my Houston Cougars. It is a slow journey but we will be great again.
8. I am thankful for whoever invented cranberry sauce. I love this stuff. Way too much sugar for my system but I will have some one day a year. (And some more now that so many places are creating their own variations and giving out samples. If I am offered a taste, I am not going to say no.)
9. I am thankful for my mom's turkey stuffing. I call it "Yankee White Bread Stuffing", especially to my southern friends who swear by cornbread stuffing. Mom's stuffing is simple but oh, so good!
10. I am thankful for the internet where I have a chance to share the things I am thankful for.
11. Finally, I am thankful for the chance to be thankful.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving all! Be safe. And remember...
Keep Smilin'!!
Eddy
© Eddy Seegers 2010, All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Not so Common Courtesy
A recent topic among some friends on Facebook was common courtesy. Unfortunately, the general consensus was that courtesy is no longer common.
Now I have discussed courtesy before so I will not rehash the topic in detail and with examples of discourteous behavior.
This Thursday is Thanksgiving. The holiday season is upon us. Our country is still in an economic downturn. People are under a bunch of pressure.
2 Christmas seasons ago, when things had first taken the big turn for the worse, I noticed that people were much nicer that season. I think that people had that "we are all in this together" attitude and everyone seemed so much nicer and more courteous than is normally found when out and about at Christmastime. I heard less grumbling in the checkout line. I saw less parking lot road rage over parking spots. Fewer people were blocking a parking isle just waiting for a spot to open. People were just nicer based on my observations. The way people should be all year but especially at Christmastime.
Last year, however, it seemed like people had returned to their Scrooge-like ways. The grumbling returned. I saw acts of rudeness almost everytime I stepped into a store. Store clerks were treated poorly but I saw many of them returning the favor. I even witnessed a pleasant looking lady in the 10 items or less checkout line telling her kids that it did not matter that their cart was overflowing, the clerk wouldn't say anything to them and she didn't feel like waiting in one of the other lines. It didn't matter to her that there were about 6 people in line behind her, each with less than 10 items.
In my humble opinion, I think the stress and strain started to get to the population in general last year.
So my first wish of this Holiday Season is this, the return in thought and action of common courtesy. Nothing spectacular. No need to go out of ones way. Just be nice and courteous to others. Show respect. If you don't need to use the handicapped parking don't. Most of us could use the extra exercise anyway. Be aware of others. Have kind words for fellow shoppers and especially store employees where you are shopping. Say thank you, please, and excuse me. It is not that hard. I was taught these things at a very young age and I am sure most of you were also. We have just forgotten our manners.
Try smiling. That is one of my eternal wishes is for people to smile more. Everyone looks better when they smile so lets beautify our nation and the planet by smiling more.
And once again, please be courteous and have a wonderful time of Thanksgiving.
Keep Smilin'!,
Eddy
© Eddy Seegers 2010, All Rights Reserved
Now I have discussed courtesy before so I will not rehash the topic in detail and with examples of discourteous behavior.
This Thursday is Thanksgiving. The holiday season is upon us. Our country is still in an economic downturn. People are under a bunch of pressure.
2 Christmas seasons ago, when things had first taken the big turn for the worse, I noticed that people were much nicer that season. I think that people had that "we are all in this together" attitude and everyone seemed so much nicer and more courteous than is normally found when out and about at Christmastime. I heard less grumbling in the checkout line. I saw less parking lot road rage over parking spots. Fewer people were blocking a parking isle just waiting for a spot to open. People were just nicer based on my observations. The way people should be all year but especially at Christmastime.
Last year, however, it seemed like people had returned to their Scrooge-like ways. The grumbling returned. I saw acts of rudeness almost everytime I stepped into a store. Store clerks were treated poorly but I saw many of them returning the favor. I even witnessed a pleasant looking lady in the 10 items or less checkout line telling her kids that it did not matter that their cart was overflowing, the clerk wouldn't say anything to them and she didn't feel like waiting in one of the other lines. It didn't matter to her that there were about 6 people in line behind her, each with less than 10 items.
In my humble opinion, I think the stress and strain started to get to the population in general last year.
So my first wish of this Holiday Season is this, the return in thought and action of common courtesy. Nothing spectacular. No need to go out of ones way. Just be nice and courteous to others. Show respect. If you don't need to use the handicapped parking don't. Most of us could use the extra exercise anyway. Be aware of others. Have kind words for fellow shoppers and especially store employees where you are shopping. Say thank you, please, and excuse me. It is not that hard. I was taught these things at a very young age and I am sure most of you were also. We have just forgotten our manners.
Try smiling. That is one of my eternal wishes is for people to smile more. Everyone looks better when they smile so lets beautify our nation and the planet by smiling more.
And once again, please be courteous and have a wonderful time of Thanksgiving.
Keep Smilin'!,
Eddy
© Eddy Seegers 2010, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Dining with Greatness
We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. ~Will Rogers
Last Saturday, May 22nd to be exact, I had the pleasure of dining with greatness. The Americian Legion Walton F. Hoffmann Memorial Post 179 in New Braunfels, Texas had a celebration dinner to redicate their refurbished building and a belated American Legion birthday observance. I have mentioned before that my parents were both in the Marines and both are active with the Post. My mom is the First Vice Commander. Although I am not able to be active, as I live about 160 miles away, I am a proud member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron.
Before the dinner I was introduced to many of the members and guests that were in attendance. Simply stated, I am in awe of the people that were in attendance. First and foremost, I am proud of my parents. My dad wanted to make a career of the military. I am not sure what my mom's long term plans were but the Marine Corps gave Mom the opportunity to get away from a very bad home situation. Fate kind of had different plans for both of them but to this day, I have people say that it answers a lot of questions about me when they discover that my parents were Marines.
Also in attendance that afternoon and evening were a Pearl Harbor survivor, a woman who fought with the French underground against the Nazis, a World War I veteran's widow, numerous WWII veterans, as well as veterans who served in Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and times in between. There was even a retired 2-star general.
Those who know me personally know that I am not usually one that is quiet in social settings. However, when I get around these people I keep my mouth shut as much as possible and simply listen to these American heroes. These are people who were willing to put their lives on the line in the defense of this country and freedom around the world.
Today is Memorial Day, a day we, as a nation, pay tribute to the sacrifice of the those who lost their life in the service of our country. On a personal note, I have a great-uncle that was lost in North Africa. It is my understanding that they found his plane but nothing has ever been found of him.
This weekend I watched shows about WWII and the sacrifice made by so many from Pearl Harbor, to North Africa, to the Philipines, to the beaches of Normandy, to the many tiny islands in the south Pacific, to Fortress Europe, and beyond. There were brief reports about those that served during the extreme conditions of Korean conflict. Scenes from the Vietnam Memorial always bring a lump to my throat, especially when I realize how our military was handcuffed fighting a politically-incorrect war. 58,000 names are on that Memorial Wall. 58,000 who sacrificed all in a war that the United States was not allowed to win. I remember when the 1,000th casualty in Iraq was announced. This past week, the 1,000th life lost in Afghanistan occurred. A young man from right here in Texas.
Everyone of these souls, plus ones from other conflicts throughout the history of this nation, was lost in the name of freedom and liberty. Everyone of these souls had a mother and father, many had brothers and sisters, and they all had so many people that loved them.
Today, to these precious souls and their memories, I say, "Thank You!"
Back to those wonderful people at the American Legion dinner. There were many WWII veterans there. Many walked with canes and even those that didn't, moved a little slow. Several years ago, I heard that there are only 10% of those that served in WWII were still alive. I am sure that percentage gets smaller every day.
Time marches on. Those that served in Korea and Vietnam are getting older. I want to take this Memorial Day to also Honor those who served and are still with us. To those who have served, those who have committed a portion of their life to defending freedom, and to those who are currently serving our country, many in harm's way, with tears in my eyes as I type, "Thank You!" As I sit on the curb, clapping as you pass by, "Thank You and God Bless and Keep You."
© Eddy Seegers 2010, All Rights Reserved
Last Saturday, May 22nd to be exact, I had the pleasure of dining with greatness. The Americian Legion Walton F. Hoffmann Memorial Post 179 in New Braunfels, Texas had a celebration dinner to redicate their refurbished building and a belated American Legion birthday observance. I have mentioned before that my parents were both in the Marines and both are active with the Post. My mom is the First Vice Commander. Although I am not able to be active, as I live about 160 miles away, I am a proud member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron.
Before the dinner I was introduced to many of the members and guests that were in attendance. Simply stated, I am in awe of the people that were in attendance. First and foremost, I am proud of my parents. My dad wanted to make a career of the military. I am not sure what my mom's long term plans were but the Marine Corps gave Mom the opportunity to get away from a very bad home situation. Fate kind of had different plans for both of them but to this day, I have people say that it answers a lot of questions about me when they discover that my parents were Marines.
Also in attendance that afternoon and evening were a Pearl Harbor survivor, a woman who fought with the French underground against the Nazis, a World War I veteran's widow, numerous WWII veterans, as well as veterans who served in Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and times in between. There was even a retired 2-star general.
Those who know me personally know that I am not usually one that is quiet in social settings. However, when I get around these people I keep my mouth shut as much as possible and simply listen to these American heroes. These are people who were willing to put their lives on the line in the defense of this country and freedom around the world.
Today is Memorial Day, a day we, as a nation, pay tribute to the sacrifice of the those who lost their life in the service of our country. On a personal note, I have a great-uncle that was lost in North Africa. It is my understanding that they found his plane but nothing has ever been found of him.
This weekend I watched shows about WWII and the sacrifice made by so many from Pearl Harbor, to North Africa, to the Philipines, to the beaches of Normandy, to the many tiny islands in the south Pacific, to Fortress Europe, and beyond. There were brief reports about those that served during the extreme conditions of Korean conflict. Scenes from the Vietnam Memorial always bring a lump to my throat, especially when I realize how our military was handcuffed fighting a politically-incorrect war. 58,000 names are on that Memorial Wall. 58,000 who sacrificed all in a war that the United States was not allowed to win. I remember when the 1,000th casualty in Iraq was announced. This past week, the 1,000th life lost in Afghanistan occurred. A young man from right here in Texas.
Everyone of these souls, plus ones from other conflicts throughout the history of this nation, was lost in the name of freedom and liberty. Everyone of these souls had a mother and father, many had brothers and sisters, and they all had so many people that loved them.
Today, to these precious souls and their memories, I say, "Thank You!"
Back to those wonderful people at the American Legion dinner. There were many WWII veterans there. Many walked with canes and even those that didn't, moved a little slow. Several years ago, I heard that there are only 10% of those that served in WWII were still alive. I am sure that percentage gets smaller every day.
Time marches on. Those that served in Korea and Vietnam are getting older. I want to take this Memorial Day to also Honor those who served and are still with us. To those who have served, those who have committed a portion of their life to defending freedom, and to those who are currently serving our country, many in harm's way, with tears in my eyes as I type, "Thank You!" As I sit on the curb, clapping as you pass by, "Thank You and God Bless and Keep You."
© Eddy Seegers 2010, All Rights Reserved
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