Guns To The Right, Guns To The Left, Guns At Hooters

North Carolina prides itself on being a singular state with a mind of its own. It is the southern state that sent the most men into the Confederate Army. It is the state that accidentally killed General Stonewall Jackson; who would have put Lee's army in a position to win the Battle of Gettysburg and change history. It is a state that loves hunting and fishing and an outdoor lifestyle with a strong citizens spread out between it's mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

Now it is the state that allows people to conceal carry guns into bars and restaurants.

From the Huffington Post; 'North Carolina lawmakers have approved a bill greatly expanding where concealed handguns are legally allowed.'

'The Republican-backed bill approved by both the House and Senate on Tuesday allows concealed-carry permit holders to take firearms into bars and restaurants and other places where alcohol is served as long as the owner doesn't expressly forbid it.'

'The measure will also allow concealed-carry permit holders to store weapons in locked cars on the campus of any public school or university. Guns will also now be allowed on greenways, playgrounds and other public recreation areas.'

Did I mention that North Carolina is a state that has a lot of very crazy people populating its beautiful landscape!!!!!!!

I am an advocate for Second Amendment rights but this worries me. Mixing concealed weapons with alcohol is never a good idea. Human nature dictates that at some point this new law will cause a tragedy.

I see headlines like; 'Religious fanatic shoots Hooters waitress because she had an accidental nip slip' or 'Guns were drawn over an argument about the lack of chicken wings on the Pizza Hut buffet'.

There is only one thing for me to do. Shine up my holster so I look good going into the Olive Garden for that buy on take one home deal.

Randy

Celebrity Boycott of Florida

All these celebrities are boycotting Florida over the 'Stand You Ground' law; Mary Mary, Eddie Levert, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Usher, Pattie Labelle, Kanye West, Mary J, Trey Songz, Jay Z, Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Joe, Will I AM, Keyshia Cole, Young Jeezy, Erykah Badu, Wale, Frankie Beverly, Parliament and Stevie Wonder.

 

I realize that people want to take a stand. That is the American Way. But any stand that may hurt people in weak financial times may be fool hardy.

 

Stand You Ground is a good law when applied properly. I admit that Florida's law may be to lenient in its scope but the same laws in other states are better written and applied.

 

I have no idea what the economic impact this type of boycott will produce but it may well be significant.

 

Who gets hurt when less income is produced by a company in Florida? Who gets hurt when less products are sold by a company in Florida?

 

Its not George Zimmerman. It is usually not those in management. It is the little guy working for lower wages and living week to week. These are the people that get laid off. Believe me; profit knows no race lines. Profit lives for more profit and anyone caught in the way of that gets run over.

 

Boycotts usually do not work. They tend to be fruitless exercises. Families will not stop going to the amusement parks. College kids will not give up spring break. The snowbirds will continue to fly south.

 

Look at the history of our boycotts. Cuba!! Iran!! North Korea!! They are all still in business!! The Russian Olympics went on even with our boycott. What have we accomplished? What course has these boycotts effected?

 

The discussion over guns and gun law is a good one. It is a subject that should be debated.

 

But if George Zimmerman had been the one killed would be we having this discussion?  I hope we would!!

 

Food for thought.

 

Randy

It's Royal Baby Day In England~~And The World Has Gone Mad

Kate has gone into labor and massive crowds are gathering outside Saint Mary's Hospital in London waiting patiently for the birth announcement. The news people are there in droves like ants on a freshly dropped cupcake. Quite a site to chronicle the birth of any child.

I was curious as to who the Royal Baby would share a birthday? I also thought I would include something attributed to that person

~~Stephen Vincent Benet, "Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the 1000 small uncaring ways."

~~George Clinton, "The singer gets the pussy."

~~Bobby Sherman, "I've led a pretty clean life so I've aged pretty well."

~~Estelle Getty, "If love means never having to say you're sorry, then marriage means always having to say everything twice."

~~Sister Madonna Buder, "I train religiously."

~~Alexander Calder, "My fan mail is enormous. Everyone is under six."

~~Amy Vanderbilt, "Everyone knows that a man can always marry even if he reaches 102, is penniless, and has all his faculties gone. There is always some woman willing to take a chance on him." 

I believe the Royal Baby will be in very good company.

I have no idea why; but I have always been fascinated by the British Royal Family. The modern version anyway. Maybe because they remain figure heads even without the power to effect change.

I earnestly believe in the sanctity of ones heritage. Whether the heritage is of royal background or that of the town blacksmith. The present Royal Family holds their families heritage in splendid form.

I hope that this baby is born today so I do not have to research more people born tomorrow, lol.  Although July 23rd is the birthday Monica Lewinsky. Now there is a gem to share your birthday.

Randy

Sunday Morning, The Most Disturbing Time Of The Week

In movies all the quaint small towns resound with church bells on Sunday morning. Families, in their Sunday best are off to church, with kids in tow, joining other community members in an attempt to garner favor with God. A sign that we are a religious society; or at least are supposed to be one.

I give them credit for their faith even if I do not believe in their path. Religion is a man made institution and attendance to any religion is a fruitless exercise in reaching favor with God.

FAITH, is what God seeks, whether you are sitting in a church on Sunday morning or in a wooded park meditating as I was this morning. I am not saying that people who attend church regularly do not have faith. Many of them do. But for many more church attendance runs the gamut from 'mom made me attend' to 'church is a good networking opportunity'.

Human Beings need for buildings or symbols is a pathetic attempt to appease God. Buildings and symbols are no different than sacrificing goats, cattle or other humans.

The proper way to show your faith in God is to protect Gods creations. Respect nature. Respect each other. Take a personal interest in one on one conversations with God. You do not need an intermediary, whether a priest, minister, rabbi or holy man, to speak to YOUR God. All you need is your FAITH.

Next Sunday morning take a walk in the woods and sit under a tree. Close your eyes and use your ears to listen to all that God has provided.

The sounds of Gods creations are far better than church bells.

Randy

Memories Of My Mother

My father was the rudder that kept our family ship on course but my mother was every other part of that ship.

Mom was firmly entrenched with one foot in the 'old world Italian heritage' that she grew up with and the other planted in more modern times that my brother and I were experiencing. To her credit she handled both very well; allowing us to experience what we wanted while ingraining our heritage deep within us.

She taught us love of family. Especially for its older members. The relationship she fostered between us and our grandfathers produced some of the most significant experiences of our lives.

Moms life changed quickly in January 1969 when my father passed away at the age of 49. It was sudden, tragic and left us no time to prepare. But Mom held us together best she could trying as hard as possible to give us a stable life.

The pain she suffered, at the loss of my father, would have been to much to bare for most people. Mom kept that pain inside and soldiered on keeping the family together.

I smile often when I think about my Mom. Mothers Day and her birthday are particularly hard days for me but when I think of all she accomplished I regain that smile.

My mother went to school through the 3rd grade then quit to go to work cutting patterns in a dress shop. Working at an early age was common back then and her coming from a family of 11 children(she was the second oldest) was a necessity. She worked in the garment industry all her life finally rising to be a union representative late in life.

I have fond memories of picking her up at work every afternoon. Our time to talk and spend precious time together.

There are things that make me smile every time they cross my mind; like her driving her old Neapolitan car(that was so small it made a Volkswagen look spacious) all over town to get us to where ever we had to go.

Her love for everything Don Ho that was fostered by a trip to Hawaii with my aunts. His song 'Tiny Bubbles' brings memories of Mom rushing back when ever I hear it.

But what I remember most about my mother was how much she loved my father. How that love never died in all the years between his passing and hers. She had found her one true love and never wavered from that love. She honored their marriage all those years.

Mom passed away at age 85 in 2004. While in the hospital, for the last time, her doctor told her that there were still things they could do to prolong her life.

Mom, with not even a little thought, told the doctor "My husband has waited 35 years for me and now its time to go to him". That kind of love is what we all search for and she found it.

In my dreams I see them walking hand and hand, Mom looking like the beautiful black haired girl who waited through WWII to get married after knowing my father since they were little children and Dad so debonair in his uniform.

Happy Mothers Day Mom.

I love you very much

Randy

Jim Valvano Was Correct

I was watching a film recently about Jim Valvano and the 1983 North Carolina State basketball team that won the national championship. A statement made by Coach Valvano struck me as particularly relevant to my life. He said, " You have had a good day if you have done three things; Laugh, Cry and Think"

I have thought of myself as having a long string of very bad days. My illness stripping me of my life. Every thing seemed harder. Even a 50 yard walk to my mailbox is exhausting at times. Most of all I have been spending my days feeling sorry for myself when, in reality, I have it pretty good.

I spend a lot of time alone but using Coach Valvano's formula for a good day I have it better than most.

My days are spent in thought. My mind wanders from subject to subject with abandon and I seem to have redeveloped my thirst for knowledge that I lost for awhile. I am reading at the minimum a book a week and covering any and all topics that interest me.

Laughing comes easy. Even though some may find it strange that I laugh out loud while alone. Things I read, television shows and movies all bring me the pleasure of laughter.

Crying also comes easy. I am an emotional wreck at times and cry at the drop of a hat. This past week I have been overly emotional about an up coming visit I have with a Cardiac Surgeon about possible catheterization they had discussed with me while I was in the hospital. Everyone, including those that have been through this procedure, tell me its safe and a piece of cake but that has not stopped my fears. Truthfully, I am terrified.

All in all I am having good days; running the gamut of emotions freely each day. I will get through my doctor visit this week unscathed I am sure.

It's just that sometimes I feel like I am walking in a dark cave and my light has burned out. I think most people feel that way at times. It's normal.

Damn I am normal!! Who knew?

Randy

Home From The Hosital

I just spent the last 9 days in the hospital. I was a pretty sick puppy and it will take a long time to recover this time.

It all started with swelling in my left leg three weeks ago. That swelling caused a blood clot in that leg. That clot slit and the split off piece traveled through my heart and into my lung. To complicate matters I was suffering from renal failure when I arrived at the hospital. I was having problems breathing, was extremely weak and could not stand as I would get dizzy when I stood up. All this caused by a very low blood oxygen content and very low blood pressure.

In the Emergency Room I was unresponsive most of the time; having problems focusing my eyes or even concentrating on the doctors questions.

I spent four days in the Intensive Care Unit before going to a regular room.

The net result at discharge is that I am on blood thinners for at least 6 months, 24 hour a day oxygen, 7 new medications and a small case of gout caused by Lasix. I am still weak but slowly am gaining strength.

Now they are talking about doing cardiac cauterization's on me so I have that to look forward to.

I have no appetite so I am concerned about my weight loss; almost 20 pounds in the past 2 weeks. I looked in the mirror this morning and I think I am starting to look like Charles Manson.

My depression has kicked into high gear and I find myself totally alone with my thoughts and memories. That is sometimes good and sometimes bad. People use to say that the Matthew Wilder song 'Break My Stride' reminded them of me because I always bounce back. I can honestly tell you that my stride is broken. For the first time in my life I feel defeated.

I know I am rambling. I guess all these medications are slowing my thought process.

There were some hospital highlights.

~Every night, while in the ICU, 3 women came in and stripped me naked and washed me head to foot. A man's fantasy destroyed by medication induced erectile dysfunction, lol. Probably best!!

~My youngest daughter, Andrea, blossomed as an adult and was able to help me make medical decisions. I could not ask for a better daughter. Thank God I did not mess her up!!

~There are people, whom I have met over my lifetime, that do care for me and have come out of the woodwork to help. I do so appreciate them.

~My Second Life Partner, Friendly, is like a rock. I can put my head on her shoulder and slide off into happy thoughts. She has stuck by me even when she knew I would be gone for days on end to sick to sit at the computer. She fills all the holes in my life.

I will keep you all posted on what is going on and I am going to start writing this blog again. I promise I will not give up easy.

Randy