Boots in the House and Saying Goodbye

Any Marine family knows "boots in the house" means your Marine is home, usually from someplace far away. Our grandson Drake is home right now, actually at his parents' home but they live very close and he's been in and out of here so I claim "boots", too.  Forgive me, I have to include a picture of my son and my grandson taken at church last Sunday.

If Drake looks a little tired, it's because he drove cross-country, 30+ hours straight through, to be at church that day. Our Pastor was retiring and that was his last service. I think it says something about both of them that a 19 year old would do that.

Pastor Ken Kirk has been our pastor for seven years. He's an extraordinary man. A retired Army Chaplain, he was a perfect fit for a congregation that is made up of many veterans, retired military, and some on active duty. As a two-time cancer survivor, he knows about pain and fear, and faith and hope. He's all about joy and loves to laugh, and people couldn't help but laugh along with him. He helped me though losing my Dad and when anyone was sick, he was with them at the hospital every day. He believes in love, kindness, and acceptance, and he taught us to be a blessing to others. He's a man worth driving 30+ hours to see one last time. 

Pastor Ken recognizes Drake in front of the congregation during his final service.

Pastor Ken ended every service with these words: "God loves you...just the way you are." I'm going to miss hearing that every Sunday. I'm going to miss him. God speed, Pastor Ken. And God bless.

I know it's a little late on Wednesday but it's still hump day so I have to include this.

 

Yeah, it's a Marine thing. 

Thought this was funny, I did.

I could hear Yoda's voice here and it cracked me up.

Okay, full disclosure - the following is a blond joke. Yes, I know they're not politically correct but I was blond before I was gray so I'm claiming blond rights. 

Bob walked into a sports bar around 9:58 p.m. He sat down next to a blonde at the bar and stared up at the TV. The 10 p.m. news was coming on.
The news crew was covering the story of a man preparing to jump off the ledge of a large building. The blonde looked at Bob and said, “Do you think he’ll jump?”
Bob said, “You know, I bet he’ll jump.”
The blonde replied, “Well, I bet he won’t.”
Bob placed a $20 bill on the bar and said, “You’re on!” Just as the blonde placed her money on the bar, the guy on the ledge did a swan dive off the building, falling to his death.
The blonde was very upset, but willingly handed her $20 to Bob. “Fair’s fair. Here’s your money.”
Bob replied, “I can’t take your money. I saw this earlier on the 5 p.m. news, so I knew he would jump.”
The blonde replied, “I did, too, but I didn’t think he’d do it again.”
Bob took the money.

Aw, come on. You know you laughed.

And speaking of "aw"...here it is. 

Yeah. Me, too. 

Okay, I've got to wrap this up so I can get it posted while we're still on hump day.  I haven't quite gotten into a good posting routine yet so bear with me if I'm a little off schedule. 

Hope I tickled your funny bone and helped you over the mid-week hump.  See you next week.

Thought for Today: (stolen from Pastor Ken)

God loves you...just the way you are.

 

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.)