ROCK ISLAND Tactical M1911A1 .45 Pistol

ROCK ISLAND Tactical M1911A1 .45 Pistol

Looking back Down the Road.

On these days that are turning cold and rainy finds me looking back on my life.  A feeling of sadness soon follows as I visit old places and memories.  Its just bits and pieces of this and that, here and there.  I don't hardly ever try to pick a place or time.  They just come out at me.  I find myself more alone as I get older.  I like it better and don't want to be trifled with trying to make friends and be sociable.   I just do better on my own.  I have always been that way and never had more than a couple of good friends that were close at any given time.

It's almost funny how I used to wish I had time to travel or to fish or this or that but all I do is stay close to home and read or sit and think.  Sleeping is a blessing.  I hate to awake.  Dear will be the day when I don't.

Mom's Visit

I had a wonderful surprise this past week when my Mom, Sister Sharon and Aunt Roberta came up for a visit.  It was so great to have them here.  Pin Pin didn't know what to think of these new people in her house but she eventually warmed up to them and was a sweet little dog.  She loved Mom.  We took a drive around town and they got to meet my son Woodrow who had never met his biological Grand Mother,Aunt or Great Aunt.  The time past quickly and they had to go home. Wow how we missed them.  PinPin stood at the gate all day waiting for them to come back.  I felt sad and missed them more than anyone could know.  I look forward to the day I visit Mom again.  It will come.

Dolly Parton - The Ballad Of The Green Beret

What's up Doc?

I had pneumonia back in May and now it has reared it's ugly head once more.  Sure changes things when you find yourself sick.  Health is something we take for granted.  The Dr says my heart is enlarged and I need to be seen by a cardiologist.  Seeing that heart problems run in my family I take this serious and hope it will be ok.  Have to wait and find out.

Important Speeches and Documents

Important Speeches and Documents

The Ammunition Song

Writings of Irish Joe Harrison: Independence Day

Writings of Irish Joe Harrison: Independence Day: Independence Day By Joe Harrison I have often heard it said that the most dangerous thing in the world is a man with nothing left...

The 4th of July

The 4th of July is a time of celebration.  How many of our family really know what happened on that day in 1776.  Can you imagine 56 men declaring that they and their country men are no longer apart of this government?  What would happen?  Some would cheer other wouldn't be so happy and rebel against the rebels.  Their Army would be small and facing destruction at every turn.  I can't imagine them having a snowball chance in hell to accomplish anything.

But, we must think of George Washington and those brave men at Valley Forge, the suffering they endured.  We should think about Frances Marion, the swamp fox who fought the British unconventionally.  There was Nathaniel Greene and the list goes on and on.  I have read about the signers of the Declaration of Independence losing everything due to the war.

Take a minute during this 4th and tell your children the story of those times.  If you don't know a lot get a book, one with pictures and show the little ones, and big ones too what this day is for.  Take a moment and pray for America.  Pray for the families of veterans who lost their lives and the men and women who at this very moment are putting their lives on the line for us.  It's not politics that they do this.  They love our country and us to do what they do.

Writings of Irish Joe Harrison: The 4th of July

Writings of Irish Joe Harrison: The 4th of July: The 4 th of July By Joe Harrison The 4 th is approaching quickly and where I come from it is usually a day of getting together ...

Home in South Carolina

I have had such a wonderful time over the least week with my Mom and sister's.  there were two family get togethers with barbecue.  I love barbecue but it plays havoc on my blood pressure.  I met scores of new family members.  It was nice to look out at all the people I am kin to as I sat and ate under the tent.  I love talking to my sisters and getting to know them and my Mom.  I love to hear here talk about growing up and life in that era of history.

My uncle let me see his custom '39 Chevy.  Wow I was so impressed.  He put a ton of work in the restoration.  I love seeing such beautiful cars as that.  I bet if that car could talk it would fill volumes.  It's hard to imagine the same cars we drive everyday will one day be classics.

I feel like the bionic man!

This past November they replaced my damaged left ankle.  It worked out great!  I had cataracts on my right eye really bad and they replaced the lens of that eye.  I see great!!!  If I can get em to throw in a hand for this mangled piece of meat I have I will be back in fighting order!!!

A Wonderful Time with Mom and Sisters

My wife and I have spent the last week with my Mom and my sisters.  We had a great time talking and finding out about each other.  The first day was awesome.  I met my sister Sharon first.  When I saw my Mom we both hugged and said I love you.  I know it had been a very long time since she last saw me.

The azaleas are starting to bloom and we had some good weather while there.  The restaurants we ate at were all outstanding.  I am very surprised I didn't gain 10 pounds or more.  We went to Ft Moultrie and visited the Naval base that is now closed but is used for the set of "Army Wives".  Mt Dad was a Navy man and put in his 20 or so years to retirement.  We had a lot in common.

The hardest thing of all was leaving.  I hated to leave and put it off a few days but we had to come home to catch up here at home.  I just look forward to when I can go back for another stay.  I love ya MOM and Sis's.  I hope too come back really soon.

Family Lost, Family Found.

I have always had a sense of loss.  It seemed that I needed something, someone.  I just couldn't put my finger on it.  I wanted to find my Mother.  She gave me life.  I didn't know if she would want to know me.  I wanted to know her.  I prayed for help and I really didn't know how to go about the task of finding someone from so long ago.  I liked genealogy and tracing peoples roots.  It was kinda odd I couldn't do the same for myself.  I would try but it was like there was a brick wall.  No leads no past.  When God was ready He let me find her.  I was so afraid.  I called and got a recording so I left a message.  I told her who I was.  I used my birth name she gave me so she would know it was really me and not just a wild prank or something.  It was the most wonderful day when she called back.  I found I had 5 sisters and I was the only boy.  In one days time I went from no family other than my immediate one to a very large family.  I was so overwhelmed.   My mind was reeling.  It was so uncanny how much we were all alike.  I love my lost family with all my heart and I can't stop thinking about them.  I do hope that I can get to go and see them all.  It's gonna be a great homecoming.  I love talking to Mom and my sister.  There is no gift that has ever been as precious as finding my family.  I really just sit and wonder.....I get choked up and have no words to explain what I feel.  I walk around and I feel like I have a confidence I never had before.  I look forward to a life with my family talking and laughing and sharing each others love.  Miracles do happen and this one is mine.

More cold and rain.  It will be nice to see spring arrive.  It's just around the corner.  I always love to see the new sprouts and blooms.  I want to feel the warm sun on my face.  Sherry wants to plant a garden and that's a good idea.  I just don't know if I can get it done.

I have had some trouble with my old Chevy truck.  I first had a flat and then it needed a water pump. My son Mike fixed it for me and I love him for it.  I love my boys and daughter.  they are good to me and Sherry.

Healing

I have had my cast taken off.  I have a "boot " to wear for about 6 more weeks.  It will be great to finally be out of all this.  I have to say I am better than I was before all this.  I have pain and I know I still have some healing to do.  I will be happy to get all this over.  My right foot has had a bad outbreak of arthritis and I wonder if I might not end up having the same thing done to that one too.  I have outbreaks of arthritis in my shoulder on the left and knees alot.

I am concerned with all the things taking place around the country and especially the things happening at the Capitol.  I wish we had smarter people making decisions and not a bunch of knee jerking liberals.  This is going to get bad before it gets any better.  I hope the American people will rise up and be heard.  Sometimes I feel so useless.  I am glad I am getting old so I won't have to see a lifetime of what is to come.  I fear for our young kids and what kind of Americaa they will have when they grow up.