Inspiration

 In my life, there have been people and events that have really inspired me to never give up, or try harder to achieve my goal. I have known people (friends) who have experienced the worst in life, but never give up going on with their lives as if it never happened. They could have easily lay in a bed of remorse and slowly circle the drain until death took them. But NO, they did not. They are not willing to let their bad event take them and the ones around them down to a dark place. These stories inspire me tremendously. But it isn't just humans. How about the three legged dog who had a leg amputated and still runs and play just like a four legged dog. And there are other stories just as amazing.

On July 7, 2003, two Mars Exploration Rovers (robots) were launched by N.A.S.A. to explore Mars for life and mostly water. These VERY expensive robots were suspected to last, maybe 90 days. The scientists who built and helped operate the rovers soon found the rovers were learning and taking on a consciousness of their own. They could do things without being instructed to. Sure, NASA gave them certain commands and they performed them as instructed, but did other tasks on their own.

At the end of the 90 days, NASA thought the rovers would just run out of power from their solar powered batteries and become dormant. But they didn't. They kept on running, performing their assigned tasks as usual. Everyday the rovers continued operating, the scientists were elated. Never did they ever think these rovers would last one, two or three years. Well, they did ... and even longer. 

Eventually, after mechanical problems appeared that could be fixed by the rovers themselves, "Spirit" finally stopped running. But "Opportunity" continued running and performing its tasks. That was in 2011, eight years after the 90 day supposed schedule. Spirit and Opportunity were identical twin robots with the same capabilities and programming. But Opportunity never stopped tracking around, taking photos, getting samples and analyzing the Martian surface for the scientists back on earth. Who were still amazed at its longevity. 

It wasn't until one of Opportunity's six wheels was now being dragged due to a mechanical malfunction, did Opportunity final come to a stop and quit running and shutdown. That was in June of 2018. Nearly 15 years, to the day, of when they were launched to Mars. For a 90 day expected life, the rovers stretched it out to 15 years.

Whether it is a robot, an animal, or a human, courage to go on in life and put the horrible event behind them is amazing. I admire and praise the spirit of people, and animals, that go on with the attitude of a bad event is not stopping me. As one friend told me years ago when he was put permanently in a wheelchair, "My crying time is over. I did that, but now it's time to go on with my life as long as I can get this chair going down the road."

So where do these people get the courage, spunk, or hotspur? Some from a deep religious belief, fear of being a burden on loved ones, or being pitted by others. Who knows. All I know is that I admire them for being that way. They are truly an inspiration to me and others that have experienced that horrible event in their life, and just need to know they are not the only one who has been there, and there is HOPE.

Thanks for reading my bubbling. And please take care, stay safe and leave comments if you wish.

Remember when and ... be thankful.

I think we all reminisce about times in our past. I know I do. I also think about how good those days were way back then. Happy moments of our childhood and as we grew up into adulthood.

I wonder how many of you remember the 11" round black and white TVs, or staying up so late the only thing you saw on TV was a test pattern, or listening to radio shows and visualizing the story in your head. And then there was the time you are laying on the living room rug and your mother wants to try out her brand new Electrolux or Hoover electric sweeper. Or the day your mother ordered stuff from the Fuller Brush man or the Tupperware party held at your house. Sometimes I hear a song and my mind starts to wander back to the first time I heard it, or a moment it reminds me of.  

Because we did not live in  great neighborhood, my parents would take me to a nice neighborhood to go Trick 'n Treating on Halloween. I, and the rest of the kids, would run as fast as we could from one house to another to get more of the cavity creating goodies in a pillow case. My costume was usually homemade and cheap. A Hobo or a Ghost.

As we got older, other things mattered more than candy. We wanted to be popular and sit next to the cutest girl or boy in class. Maybe be lucky enough to someday go on a date with your first love. Maybe to the friday night high school football game or the saturday dance? And then sneak a quick kiss.

After high school, things changed. It was either get a job, go into the military, or if you were lucky enough, go to college. I did the first two. But it was all good. I got the opportunity to travel and see the world. It inspired me to go to more countries and learn about different cultures, religions, foods and lifestyles. I believe it was better than college. I did the college thing later in life.

 As a kid, I was always under my parents restrictions ... ok, their rules. As an adult I thought I could do whatever I wanted. WRONG! Somethings maybe, but not all. Being an adult meant you had to grow up. Take on responsibilities and blend into the daily society, not be the carefree kid you were before. That really became a reality when we had our first child. Fun time was not over, but, focused on the future of our child and us as a responsible couple and parents. The fact of us becoming our parents was scary. We saw the problems they had. When you set rules for your children and suddenly you realize it sounds like Dad or Mom? OMG!

As the kids grow up and they become parents too, you look at them and say to yourself,"I guess we did OK as parents." And then the grandkids start coming. How do you handle being elderly and have grandchildren. Do I correct the things I did wrong while raising our kids? Sure you do. And maybe, just maybe treat the grandkids a little easier than you did your kids. That's what grandparents do, right?

In a few days, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day with friends and family. A day to give thanks for ALL we have and have done over the past year. The tradition is a spread of too much food that we all share. In our house, we have a tradition too. I ask everyone at the table (and it is a long table) to tell everyone what they are the most thankful for. There is no judgement made to what they say, I just want them to appreciate what they have in life.

I believe everyone should be thankful for their family and friends, home, food and our free country. We are all fortune to be Americans and have all the wealth this country has. 

I also reflect back to a passage from a book I read many years ago. A young lieutenant in the Civil War wrote to his fiance,"I lay here sad and depressed that I have only one leg, when I looked to my side and saw a man with no legs at all." You may have a lot or not much, but be thankful for what you have and maybe share what you have with others who have nothing.

Take care, stay safe and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Thank you for your service"

 First, I have to say, I am glad the midterm election is over. Each party ripping the other with cruel words and different lies. So there I said it. Onward.

Friday was Veterans day. A day of to honor and respect for ALL of our veterans, no matter which branch, or time they served. They are the ones who joined to protect our nation and democracy. Thank you to all of you for serving. 

Yes, I am also a veteran. I don't brag about it, or wear t-shirt, caps or jackets stating the fact. It's on my driver's license and I have a section of my office wall dedicated to my time, and that's all.  "Aren't you proud to be a vet?" You ask, hell yes I am. I am not the person who wears his history on his sleeve. I am VERY proud that I served in a very bad time during Viet Nam. A VERY unpopular war, even tho it was not a war. I am also proud that for many generations the males in the Shell family who served. The first was my 5 times grandfather, Arnold, served in the Revolutionary War when the Colonials were fighting to free from King George of England.  His sons fought in the War of 1812, and several of the following Shells fought in the Civil War, WWI, Korea, WWII and Vietnam. So yes, I am proud to have joined my ancestors as vets.

But as much as I truly appreciate people telling me, "Thank you for your service", I also see this nation finally realizing how much vets put on the line for this country. Maybe because they personally saw the devastation and injuries soldiers came home with. Post Traumatic Stress, crippling disabilities both mental and physical. Or maybe it was because the after affects of 9-11 and the anger we all had for the attack and sending our young men and women into harm's way.The nation's appreciation for vets is SO MUCH more now than during Viet Nam.

Being spat on or called a 'Baby Killer' was the normal for my generation during that time, the 60s. That is why I very seldom wore my uniform coming home on leave. I was not ashamed, but I don't want to start trouble. Other times, we all rallied around the soldiers during all of the other conflicts. Over the past few years has that attitude has changed about the Viet Nam conflict. And Korea, the forgotten war? Maybe the TV series 'MASH' changed that unknowing attitude, in a comedic way.

I also believe the organizations advertising on TV, radio, and social media have helped vets to get the attention they deserve, such as Wounded Warriors, VFW, American Legion etc. The Veterans Administration is finally getting their act together to help needy vets with problems were in the past overlooked. So many homeless vets maybe will get help too. We can only hope so.

And then there are the immigrants who are appreciative enough to be admitted into our country, they also want to serve. Japanese, Chinese, Hispanic, and our own African-American and Native Americans. Sometimes they go unnoticed or forgotten.

Whenever some thanks me for my service, I get a lump in my throat from the honor being bestowed on me. I tell them it was my honor and my duty to serve this great country, like so many of my family members for so many decades. I am proud to be a part of that tradition of Shell men.

Take care, stay safe and stay USA strong. Our vets fought for that.

Welcome to November

Yep, it is November. The month of special days like Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and the middle term election. A VERY important election. 

Now, let's be clear, I DO NOT advocate any party. Not democrat, not republican, or independent ... which is not a party but should be. What I DO advocate is DEMOCRACY for all, not lies and twisted truths. And that is what has this election has become, along with political campaigns and advertisements have become nothing but taking things and statements out of context and made it sound offensive. BOTH sides have done this and no one is policing it. But even if they were, some people would not listen to the true facts.  People only believe what they already believe. They have preconceived beliefs and don't check the facts before they vote. Half truths are NOT the whole truth.

That is why I am taking this opportunity to pled to you to CHECK THE FACTS before you vote. There are also people who believe, "I am only one vote, mine does not matter." WRONG! If one thousand people thought that way, a good candidate could win or lose. Your vote DOES COUNT.

The big issues all around the USA is the economy and gas prices. Here in Arizona it is that multitudes of immigrants are flowing across the border along with drug dealers and completing a border wall and abortions. Agreed, all of that is important. Electing your candidate like senator or even governor will not solve that. If you think a senator will build a wall between Arizona and Mexico, you need to look at their job description. Senators are limited by what the rest of the house and the other senators vote. The governor can not wave a wane and build a container wall without the same in the state congress.

Lies and twisted statements are coming from both sides. It is up to YOU to check the facts and vote for the truth, not something taken out of context to further the opposing party's battle.

Yeah, I know you all want to just see all of those commercials go away after November 8th, and get rid of the junk mail about candidates. I do too. But this is YOUR future and your children's future, and more so, the future of this country and it's democracy. And the whole world is watching. When you see the world leader bite the dust, others will follow. But when a world leader pulls themselves up and stands up for freedom and democracy, other will also follow. It's up to you. The one vote that matters. That voter that researches the facts and does not listen to lies or twisted statements. You are the one that can make a difference against the liars and twisted commentators and bias publishings. Only you can make this a people's election, a clean election for the people of the UNITED STATES. 

Oh yeah, one more thing ... on November 11th, do not forget the thanks the veterans who fought and died to get us the democracy we have now. And on 25th, be thankful and thank God for what you have as a citizen of this great country. Democracy and Freedom DOES NOT COME WITHOUT SACRIFICE.

Take care, stay safe and God bless our country.