Thursday, November 10, 2016

Veterans, Marine Birthdays, Tweets, Publications, and Funnies. Whew!

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and, as always, I want to recognize those in my family who served their country so faithfully. 

WWII

My uncle George Masterson, US Army  
My uncle Leslie Masterson, US Army
My father Frank Masterson, US Army Air Corps

Korean War

My uncle William Masterson, US Army

Vietnam War

My cousin John Masterson, US Army
My brother Frank L. Masterson, US Army

My husband Stanley A. Leszczuk, US Air Force, ret. (20 years) 
 
By the grace of God, all of them came home,
 although some carried wounds that never completely healed. 

But today is also a special day in the military. It's the 241st birthday of the United States Marine Corps. I've never paid a lot of attention to the Marines. As you probably noticed, our family was Army and Air Force. Until this summer when my eldest grandson Drake enlisted in the Corps (deferred duty until he graduates from high school).




Drake graduates at the end of May and reports for boot camp the following week. I am extremely proud of him (and a little bit terrified). 
Happy Birthday to the United States Marines. Oorah.

If you check out my sidebars (go up a little), you may notice a couple additions. First, I've become a tweeter. Or whatever you call people on Twitter. I'm just getting started and still trying to figure out how I'm supposed to keep up with that steady flow of tweets. #overwhelming  If anyone has a tip or two, please share. And I'd really appreciate it if you'd follow me on Twitter to help me get started. I'll return the favor, of course. I'm @LD_Masterson. 

Now to the right, you'll see a link to New Zenith Magazine's Fall Issue. If you were happen to purchase New Zenith's Fall Issue and turn to page 44, you would find the fantasy short story "The Dragon" by yours truly. New Zenith Magazine is a relatively new publication but they put together an interesting assortment of stories, poetry, and art. Something for everyone. Check it out. 

Okay, you've been patient long enough. Here's your first funny.

A sweet old lady telephoned St. Joseph’s Hospital. She timidly asked, “Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?”

The operator said, “I can, what’s the name and room number?”

The old lady in her weak voice said, “Norma Findlay, Room 302.”

The operator replied, “Let me place you on hold while I check with her nurse.”

After a few minutes the operator returned to the phone and said, “Oh, I have good news, her nurse just told me that Norma is doing very well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back as normal and her physician has scheduled her to be discharged on Tuesday.”

The old lady said, “Thank you. That’s wonderful! I was so worried! God bless you!”

The operator replied, “You’re more than welcome. Is Norma your daughter?”

The grandmother said, “No, I’m Norma Findlay in 302. No one tells me sh*t.”


You remember why I can tell little old lady jokes, right?

I have been trying to lose weight. Think this would work?


Yeah, I didn't think so either.

Running a little long today so let's get to your "aw".





The eyes. Oh, look at those eyes. 


That's all for today.  A little short on the funnies but I hope I gave you a giggle and an aw.

Do you have a special veteran you'll be thinking of tomorrow? 

By the way, thanks for all those great captions for Buster's picture last week. I do have a prize to give.  I tossed the names of everyone who offered a caption into a hat and did a blind draw. I know, I have to learn to use the electronic winner picker.  And the winner is (drum roll please)...Mason Canyon.

Mason gets a digital copy of New Zenith Magazine's Fall Issue. 

Mason, will you email me at lin[at]ldmasterson[dot]com to receive your prize?

Thanks, everyone. See you next week.

Thought for Today:

When you're feeling insecure, remember - you're comparing your ordinary days to everyone else's highlight reel.  (Or Christmas letter.)


16 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

You got me with the old lady joke. 👍

Congrats to Drake. Please tell him to: Stay safe. Be good. And call your Nana regularly.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Good for Drake! You should be so proud.
Wow, that is one tiny dog.
Good to hear from you!

Crystal Collier said...

Hey, congrats on the magazine! That rocks!

Yay for Drake! You know, the amazing veteran in my family doesn't like to be celebrated. He's so funny.

And Twitter... It's so insane that the only way I could get a grasp was by using Tweetdeck. Serious lifesaver. I have certain hashtags that are always open in a separate feed, so I don't miss anything that I really want to be part of.

Heather R. Holden said...

What a touching tribute to the veterans in your family. Had no idea the US Marine Corps was already 241 years old...wow. Best of luck to your grandson when he joins them this May!

And how exciting about Twitter! Just followed you over there. It can definitely be overwhelming at first, but it's ultimately a fun social media experience, IMO.

Also, really love the twist ending for that first funny--priceless! And I can't get over how precious today's "aw" is. So cute!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi LD - we now commemorate Armistice Day on the nearest Sunday - which will be this weekend ... it's good to see your family - and congratulations to Drake he's making an amazing commitment - all the best - Hilary

Mason Canyon said...

Congrats to Drake and to your family for the service they have provided our country.

Loved the old lady joke. That's probably the best way to get information on yourself in the hospital. :) Love the adorable little dog. And, I'm off to email you. Thanks!

Karen Lange said...

Congratulations on your story! That's exciting. Happy Veteran's Day! Many thanks to your veterans, and to others who serve/have served as well. My Dad served in the Air Force, Grandpa in the Army, and a handful of others too. So grateful for their service and sacrifices.

alexia said...

Happy Veteran's Day! Love the old lady joke (I will be that cussing old lady for sure).

For Twitter, create lists of people you want to watch more closely (close writer friends, etc.). No one expects you to keep up with the overall stream! I sometimes get 100 tweets in a minute. That'd be impossible. I'll go follow you now!

Mike Keyton said...

The old lady joke reminded me of my Granddad who outlived three pacemakers and survived the Somme. His horse didn't make it.

i have similar problems with twitter, I can't keep up with all the tweets but am inherently too polite to unfollow anyone. i;ll certainly ad yours to my list - when I remind myself how : )

Jemi Fraser said...

Wishing Drake all the best!!
Our Remembrance Day ceremony was today - lots of stories, memories, love and a few tears.
Enjoy your week!

LD Masterson said...

Maria - Thanks. But I'm afraid I won't hear much from boot camp. He gets one call a week and he's got a steady girlfriend and his parents in line ahead of me.

Alex - I am proud but the thought of him in harms way... Thanks for stopping by.

Crystal - Thanks. I'm excited about it. Okay, I'm looking in Tweetdeck.

Heather - Thanks for the Twitter follow. Glad you got a giggle.

Hilary - My dad's family came from England (he and his older brothers were born there). When they all joined the Army during WWII, their mother was sure at least one of them would be heading to England and sent word to her family there. All three ended up in the south Pacific.

Mason - Just got home and saw your email. That's my next thing after I'm done here.

Karen - This country owes so much to our fathers and grandfathers. God bless them all.

Alexia - Thanks for the Twitter follow. I haven't quite figured out list yet but I'm sure I will.

Mike - Didn't they give the horse a pacemaker? Thanks for the Twitter follow - I see you remembered how.

Jemi - Stories and memories make all the difference. Have a great week.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

One of our grandsons did an early enlistment, too. (Army) (It's hard to believe we're old enough to have grandsons old enough to be doing that, isn't it???)

Your family has a long line of vets. I'm glad they all made it home.

Congrats on your story making it into that magazine! It's time for this old gal to call it a day, but I'll try to remember to check it out later.

Unknown said...

Huge congrats on getting your story published! And congrats to your grandson for following family tradition and joining the marines!

I noticed you followed me on Twitter -- thanks! Here is my blog post about using twitter, which includes making lists, which will make it much easier for you to see the posts of the people you want:
http://lexacain.blogspot.com.eg/2016/07/iwsg-getting-twitter-followers.html

I loved the jokes and especially the "aw." Thanks!

LD Masterson said...

Susan F.S. - We're definitely not old enough for grandkids going into the service. There must have been a time warp somewhere. God bless your grandson.

Lexa - Thanks...for the good wishes, for following me on Twitter, and especially for the link.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Congratulations to Drake. You have much and many to bring you pride.

Anonymous said...

LOVE this post. You've quite a family and should be very proud. BTW, I need that little puppy at the bottom. Oh, the cuteness...