This Day

Freedom isn’t free. And today, we are mindful of that fact. Today, we remember the many thousands who have lost their lives defending and protecting our right in America to exist as a free country. We all owe those selfless individuals much more than we could ever pay. And even if we could find some way to repay them, that wouldn’t bring them back.

Our fallen soldiers died because they believed in something bigger, something more than their own life. That is: the idea and concept of a free society; a free people living in a free nation. They believed that their families, their friends, and citizens in general, deserved freedom. Believed it so strong they gave their life for it.

It seems so small and insignificant to merely have a day to memorialize them, just another summertime holiday—especially when many people have no idea what we’re celebrating or, remembering in this case. A lot of Americans know only that they get the day off (or earn overtime pay if they work) for a three-day weekend. They go camping, have a picnic, or hold a cookout in the back yard. In short, they are busy living their lives—and enjoying it.

I can’t really fault them for any of that. Because, ironically, that is one of the basic tenets of freedom. It’s for what so many gave their lives—so others could enjoy days like today. Memorial Day.

Still, it might be nice to at least think about those who made this day possible—and all the other days in this country. Perhaps show a little gratitude, some appreciation. Okay, that’s all. Enjoy whatever you do for the kick-off to summer! ~

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, The Lana Denae Mysteries, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook at www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS and paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million. Bruce A. Borders is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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A New Year

2016. A new year. So far, it doesn’t seem any different from the old year to me. This is the fourth day and I don’t see anything that’s changed—other than the calendar. Sure, there are little subtle differences from day to day, but those always occur. Monday is a little different than Sunday, Tuesday changes a little more, and so on. We start new days, new weeks, and new months without much hullabaloo. But for some reason, everybody gets all excited about a new year.

I could understand if the year marks a big event for someone, graduation, getting married, or retiring; something they’ve been looking forward to and waiting on. Maybe the anticipated birth of a child or grandchild would be something to celebrate. But I know not everyone has a monumental moment planned. In fact, I’m pretty sure most people don’t. Still, for some reason everybody gets all excited about a new year.

Also, I’ve noticed during past years that the newness of a new year tends to wear off very quickly. By the middle of January, people are back to the grind, the festive mood of only a few days before all but gone. They go back to their “mundane” life of day to day living; getting up, going to work—or whatever else they do—going home, and going to bed, getting up... I’m sure you get the picture. This continues right through December when, for some reason everybody gets all excited about a new year.

I have my suspicions that it isn’t really the new year that matters as much as the fact that it’s a holiday and people like having time off work and celebrating. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. So, while I didn’t mention anything last week about the new year, I wanted to make sure I didn’t let it slip by unnoticed—because I know how everybody gets all excited about a new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~

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, and Smashwords.  Amazon Profile - www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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Still Thankful

I know Thanksgiving is past but as I write this it is still the holiday weekend so, I guess I’m still feeling thankful. Thankful for a lot of things that never really get mentioned because they are overlooked or just taken for granted. I would name them all but unfortunately, I can’t. I know because I once tried to name everything I was thankful for and discovered the seemingly simple task was impossible.

So, I’ll just highlight a few things that are on my mind due to the holiday.

I’m thankful for the food, a wife who can, and will, cook. Thankful for the family who showed up to help us eat the food too. My parents, my brother and his family, an aunt, all of my kids and the four grandchildren, as well as several friends were here. Yeah, we had a full house!

I’m thankful for a job that allows me the opportunity to work and make a living - so we can afford to have a holiday! I’m thankful for getting the day off from work too, so I could spend the time with the previous mentioned list of people.

I’m thankful for a warm house, ‘cause it’s cold outside. And speaking of cold, I’m thankful the weather didn’t interrupt our plans.

I’m thankful for simple little things such as a camera - to take pictures that make memories easier to recall.

And I’m thankful to live in a country where we can have a Thanksgiving holiday - and actually have things to be thankful for.

These may seem like insignificant things but to me they’re definitely not. I don’t want to be one of those people who do not appreciate what they have until it’s gone. And someday, all the things I mentioned may very well be gone. There are no guarantees in life. So, I just wanted to say I’m thankful for them - at Thanksgiving and all year long.

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books. Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, and Miscarriage Of Justice, and other titles, are available as ebooks on Apple I-Pad®, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook® and Sony Reader®, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords. His books are also available in paperback at most online retailers or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. The popular Wynn Garrett Series Books are now available on Barnes And Noble® at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?series_id=867526 See Bruce’s Smashwords Profile at www.smashwords.com/profile/view/BruceABorders?ref=BruceABorders  #BruceABorders

Celebrating Labor Day

Labor Day. A national holiday set aside to salute the working men and women. A day to be thankful for your job. We celebrate the day by not working! (Sounds a little oxymoronic, to me)! Millions of people have the day off work, and I think I saw all of them on the freeway last Friday. Not sure where they were going, only that they seemed in quite a hurry to get there.

I'm pretty sure the idea of a holiday is supposed to be a chance to slow down, to regroup, and a time to relax. At least that's what I've been told. Rest and relaxation. But judging by the angst and frustration of many of the drivers I encountered, that is just a fanciful notion. Apparently, Americans are far too busy, and far too rushed, to take the time to slow down. I can understand. I usually feel the same way. There are a lot of things to do and not nearly enough time to do them.

This particular holiday seems to have a certain added sense of urgency. Being the last holiday of the summer, it will then be back to work, or school, or whatever else it is that occupies everyone's time. One last hurrah! One last trip to the lake, or the mountains, or to the beach. One last mini-vacation.

These things are all fun no doubt, but the typical holiday is a far cry from rest and relaxation. Most people would probably feel less tired and less stressed if they didn't have the day off. Oh, but that's not the American way. It's not our tradition. We take holidays off.

It's nice that many employers have accepted and embraced the practice. But unfortunately, some companies do not participate. As in, the place where I'm employed. Which is why, while most of you are enjoying the day, free from your work-related responsibilities; while you're busy camping, fishing, boating, or whatever your activity of choice, I'll be keeping up my normal routine; celebrating the day - by working!

Happy Labor Day!

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books. Over My Dead Body, The Journey, and Miscarriage Of Justice, and other titles, are available as ebooks on Apple I-Pad®, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook® and Sony Reader®, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords. His books are also available in print at most online retailers or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. The popular Wynn Garrett Series Books are now available on Barnes And Noble® at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?series_id=867526 See Bruce’s Smashwords Profile at www.smashwords.com/profile/view/BruceABorders #MiscarriageOfJustice #BruceABorders