Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day


Memorial Day. The day we remember the sacrifices of those in the Armed forces, who gave more than they should have had to give, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and all our military personnel. On this day, we remember them with sincere thanksgiving for defending our freedom. A somber day, but also a day of parades, flag waving, and the like. A day to show your patriotism.

Oh, wait. That’s what the day used to be. Back when I was a kid. Before it became politically incorrect to support the military. These days, there aren’t too many parades. Sure, there’s still a few but nothing compared to what it was a few years ago.

No, it seems these days, Memorial Day is just another holiday. A day off work. A day of barbecues, camping, and fishing. Not that there’s anything wrong with all of that but it would be nice to see a little patriotic pride again. To see American flags flying from every house, to see a parade, or two, to show that we still remember why the day was made a holiday.

It’s not fashionable to be patriotic, not politically correct. Well, I’m not a politician so; I don’t have to be politically correct. And, I, for one, am still proud to be an American! So, on this Memorial Day, a big THANK YOU is in order.

Thank you to all who have served our country. Thank you to all the veterans of any war. Thank you to all those who didn’t return. And thank you to all of their families. Thank you all for your sacrifice.

And God Bless America!

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Current Read
Superior peril
Michael Carrier


SPOTLIGHT Author
Hilary Grossman
Dangled Carat


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Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com







Sunday, May 18, 2014

Chicken

I’m sure everyone’s heard of the game of Chicken, a game where two guys in separate cars drive directly toward each at high speed and see who chickens out by being the first to turn the wheel. I think a better name for the game would be idiots, but that’s beside the point. No, I’ve never played the game, at least not that version.

For boys too young to drive, there is another version of Chicken; it’s played with a knife. The participants stand a few feet apart, facing each other, and barefoot. Then, they take turns throwing the knife, sticking it in the ground as close as possible to the bare feet of their opponent. Whoever flinches or moves is the loser—they are “chicken.”

I’ve always been a little stubborn, or determined as I choose to call it, especially when it comes to games and even more so for those games that might label me chicken. Having an older brother who thrived on testing me only served to steel my resolve. Which is how one day I ended up with a knife between my toes.

It’s been about 40 years ago now but I remember the scene like it was yesterday. I watched the knife flipping through the air, knowing it was headed straight for my foot. But I didn’t move. Then, I felt the steel blade against the skin of both of my toes. Still, I didn’t move. I knew if I so much as twitched a muscle, my brother would call me chicken—for the rest of my life. Couldn’t have that, knife wounds would heal. Being branded a chicken could last forever!

Looking down at the knife, I waited for what I thought would be a delayed reaction pain, but none came. And no blood appeared! The blade of the knife was positioned perfectly in the small slit of space next to my big toe. It took a few seconds to realize that I still had my toes intact, all of them! I hadn’t even been cut!

Of course, I was quite pleased with myself. No one, best of all, my brother, could say I was chicken!

My brother though, was not quite as happy with the situation as I. I suppose all he could think of was how much trouble he’d be in had he chopped off my toes. (There may have been a twinge of worry about my well being too, I guess). I can still hear him excitedly yelling, “What were you thinking? Why didn’t you move?”


I got the distinct impression he was mad at me! And he wouldn’t finish our game either, ever. We never played that game again. That was kind of a bummer. On a positive note, he couldn’t ever call me chicken—and he didn’t. He did have another name for me though—idiot!

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Current Read
The Reunion
A.A. Pencil

SPOTLIGHT Author
Nicholas C. Rossis

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Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on Apple®, Amazon®, Barnes & Noble, Kobo®, Diesel Books®, and Smashwords®, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com





Sunday, May 11, 2014

Better Late Than Never

Somewhere around thirty-two years ago, my brother told me about a song he’d heard on the radio where he lived. He asked if I’d heard it. I said, “Not yet.” The song was My Mother’s Other Son by Tommy Cash and Tommy Jennings. As I’m sure you can figure out from the title, the artists are the brothers of country music legends Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.

I started listening for the song but after a few days of not hearing it, I called the radio station in my town. They didn’t have it, I was told. So, I started looking at record stores—to no avail. I also tried special ordering it, and again, no luck.

For the last thirty-two years, as I moved around the country, I’ve continued to look and listen for the song. In addition to record stores, I perused garage sales, thrift stores and libraries—even asked several folks in Nashville, including a couple of guys I was sure would have a copy (no name dropping), and still nothing.

With the advent of Amazon, iTunes, and similar websites, which made downloading for millions of songs available, I thought my luck would change—sadly, no. But I didn’t give up. I kept searching online and anywhere else I could. For thirty-two years. Then, last week, my search came to an end; I found the record on Ebay! Yes, I bought it!

The record arrived today and I immediately put it on the record player. (Yes, I still have one of those). And my thirty-two year quest was over! I listened twice—and then a third time. I did like the song and decided it had been worth the wait. So, am I happy now? Well, sort of, but there are still more songs I’m looking for so it’s not like I’ll have nothing to do.

After listening another time or two, I started writing this blog. And now, just one thing remains to do. I need to call My Mother’s Other Son and tell him, “Yes, I’ve heard the song.” Thirty-two years after the fact but better late than never.


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Current Read
The Reunion
by A.A. Pencil


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Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on Apple®, Amazon®, Barnes & Noble, Kobo®, Diesel Books®, and Smashwords®, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com



Sunday, May 4, 2014

Friends

Made a new friend this week, which is remarkable for me since I’m not exactly the social type. Not that I don’t spend a lot of time talking, I do. Just ask my wife; she says I talk a blue streak! While I’m not admitting to anything, she may be right, as long as I’m talking to someone I know—strangers, not so much.

Back to my new friend. I didn’t learn that much about him, really. I guess, I’m not sure this friend is even a “him” so; there’s not a lot to tell. However, I did talk to “him” every day. Never did receive much of a response, he just watched me.

See, the problem is, this friend is a coyote. Yep, a coyote. Starting last Monday, he followed my truck as I drove down the mile-long hill from my job. Since the weather was nice, for a change, my window was down and so I chatted with him as he loped along beside me. Then, I hit the highway and he stopped. I called out a friendly goodbye, figuring I would never see him again.

But the next day, there he was. And Wednesday. And Thursday. And Friday. Every day, he showed up as I hooked up my trailer and then, “escorted” me down the hill. I wasn’t aware I needed an escort, but apparently, I did.

As I drove, I made sure to not outrun him, just idled along. Didn’t want my new friend to get winded or anything, trying to keep up with me. I’m sure he appreciated my thoughtfulness, but who knows? He never managed to say a single word the whole time. But I did, each and every day, all the way down the hill. By the end of the week, I’d related my whole life’s history and then some.


Okay, obviously this coyote isn’t really a friend and I have no idea why he developed a liking for me. Maybe he just liked chasing my truck. Or, maybe he was hungry and I looked like I’d make a good meal. But, perhaps he was simply lonely and needed a friend. No doubt, I’m the only person who ever talked to him! In any event, I had a good time, chatting, making small talk, being social. Odd, isn’t it? Since I’m not really known as the social type.

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Current Read
The Reunion
A.A. Pencil


SPOTLIGHT Author
Janice G. Ross
Jumping Ship


______________________________

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on Apple®, Amazon®, Barnes & Noble, Kobo®, Diesel Books®, and Smashwords®, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com