Taking the Big Dip

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What a great way to start the morning. I got up and had my usual cup of coffee then got caught up with today’s news. After blindly surfing the web for a bit, I began to hear the tell take rumble of a hot air balloon in the distance, a pretty common occurrence this time of year. I open the doors to my upstairs office and walk out onto the patio.

This is what I am treated to.

This guy took this giant balloon down to the water and dipped the basket into the lake before igniting the burner!

 

It wasn’t long before he was headed above the tree tops and up into the blue sky once again. How cool is that??

This wasn’t the first time this has happened and it’s always nice to catch a glimpse of this happening. I’ve gotta think this takes some sizable ‘stones’ to do. Not sure if I would do it!

Oh, the whole time this was going on, my dog Arnold was downstairs in the backyard going absolutely bonkers. He knows balloons as UFOs. All I have to say is “Arnold, where’s the UFO?!?!” and he begins an unrelenting scan of the skies above him. Such a smart bully.

Once last shot of the “UFO” heading off into the wild blue yonder…

Honor 42?

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To start off – yes. I will be honoring 42 today. But I’ve always had an uncomfortable uneasiness about the whole “honor 42″ movement. Pat Tillman was a patriot. Although I would question the manner of his death as “heroic” as Pat was killed by friendly fire during a period of confusion between two allied groups. War truly is hell.

But I digress. That isn’t the purpose of this post.

The purpose of this post is to be careful and not wear those blinders too tightly. Pat Tillman was but one death in over 3,500 casualties since the Iraq war began on 3/19/2003. Every one of those casualties is as equally important as Pat’s loss. Do the right thing and Honor 42 but also do not forget :

George R Roehl – Age 21 – Pfc. Army – Died 4/11/2006
Scott L. Kirkpatrick – Age 26 – Sgt. Army – Died 8/11/2007
Emilio J Campo – Age 20 – Spc. Army – Died 6/6/2011
Erin L McLyman – Age 26 – Pfc Army – Died 3/13/2010

To name but a very small few who died in such a senseless & unjust war.

Yes, Pat gave up an illustrious NFL career to go and fight for his country. Don’t forget, every one of those kids gave up something to go and fight for their country. Unfortunately, the end result was giving up their lives. So Honor 42; but also take the time to honor the 3500+ souls that are no longer with us.