Until next time - peace out from Ben

RIDING THE DRAGON 

Where do you want to be?

WELL - where do you want to be - now? In the Bahamas, Jamacia, California? Where can you smell - like you are already there? Where can see the sights in your mind? Think about it!!!! Me? I would like to be on my favorite stretch of road on the North Carolina/Tennessee border - US129. I can see the cabin, smell the fireplace and sense the freshness in the air. I can feel my bike below me as I float through the 318 curves in 11 miles - I can feel myself leaning while I write this in anticipation of the next turn. I hear the beautiful southern accents of the people we interact with and see their smiles! YUP - give me the mountains! The change of colors and all that goes with it! Take me to The Dragon!

Fall on The Dragon 

BUCS win a big one!

Our Tampa Bay Bucs took a step toward becoming a contender yesterday! The line gave our young QB, Chris Simms, time and he lived up to the potential tag that has followed him his whole life. The Defense played well and had interceptions, sacks and rushes all day long. Simms drove the team over 60 yards in less than a minute and then the "A Train" plowed over on a gutsy 2 point conversion. All of Tampa Bay will be stepping lively today! GO BUCS!!!!

Bucs win a big one!

Harley 1 year old!!!

Charlie Baghdad July 05 

Linda, Bill and Chris Thanksgiving 2004

Court and Sam 

Charlie back shot in Iraq 

TIME FLYS ON

NOVEMBER 2005 - Here we are, 3 months since my last rambling and it seems like years have past. Courtney turned 23 in August and took a trip to Las Vegas and Little Rock in September. She went to Las Vegas with Molly (who had just returned from her 2nd tour in Iraq) and Lanie - the old crew rides again!!! Then she flew to Little Rock see Sam, her heart throb.... Charlie has been in Baghdad now for over 5 months and hopes to come home the end of January - it seems like an eternity while he is there! Thank God for IM, we get to talk to Charlie regularly and that keeps us only mildly insane with worry. The pups have both had their 1st birthday and are absolutely beautiful! Jake is still hopping along and seems as happy as ever. Katrina made a mess of the Gulf Coast and the people in New Orleans had a terribly hard time. The amount of destruction we have seen in the last 2 years has been overwhelming and many seem to think THE END is near. With the destruction comes the human response and in every case the compassion and outpouring of kindness shows that our Creator still influences a lot of His people down here! Linda has adjusted to her new owners - as she has countless times throughout the years - and has kept Sunpointe churning on all 8 cylinders. She is like a little hurricane! Brother Bill has had the toughest time! He had 2 knee replacements in September and since then has had the battle of his life. He has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, small vessel disease and the doctors feel he had multiple mini strokes! Then one of the knees got infected and they had to go in and take out all the new parts, clean them up and put him back together. He is finally at home and in a little less pain, but still needs all our prayers!!!! Steve retired in September and has bought a camera shop in Brandon and TIME FLYS ON!!!!!

People

When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bustling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity. (Dale Carnegie)

That pretty well sums it up.....

JDM

FIRSTS

Firsts - we all go thorugh many first times in our lives. Some are good, some are not so good... Some create life long memories, some create minor distractions and some impact your life dramatically. Charlie recently encountered a first meeting with death while on a short mission in Irag. He has responded well... Every situation, problem or first is as good or bad as how we react to it. You can be called an ass and hug the person or slap the person - it's all in how you choose to respond. Where does your mindset take you? Is your glass half full or half empty? Will you choose to live a life of anger or peace?

Jerry out from LaLaLand

Charlie New Years Day 2005 South Korea 

2 Kinds of People

Which Are You?

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

There are two kinds of people on earth today;

Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.

Not the sinner and saint, for it's well understood,

The good are half bad, and the bad are half good.

Not the rich and the poor, for to rate a man's wealth,

You must first know the state of his conscience and health.

Not the humble and proud, for in life's little span,

Who puts on vain airs, is not counted a man.

Not the happy and sad, for the swift flying years

Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears.

No; the two kinds of people on earth I mean,

Are the people who lift, and the people who lean.

Wherever you go, you will find the earth's masses,

Are always divided in just these two classes.

And oddly enough, you will find too, I ween,

There's only one lifter to twenty who lean.

In which class are you? Are you easing the load,

Of overtaxed lifters, who toil down the road?

Or are you a leaner, who lets others share

Your portion of labor, and worry and care

Mid-Summer in LaLaLand

Mid-summer update

August 2005 - and it's a hot summer, hotter than I can ever remember - but on we go! The Genungs are here for their annual visit and look great and Dylan is almost as tall as Bob. Courtney has met a new heart throb from Little Rock and seems more excited than I've ever seen her. More on her and Sam to come....Charlie has been in Iraq for 2 months now and we talk with him on IM several times a week. He is doing great, staying safe, eating good and working out everyday. Linda's property has been sold and she will have new owners next month - about the same time as last year. The pups are growing and are more beautiful each day. Obie gave us a scare last month with multiple trips to the vet and emergency clinic for urinary tract problems - hopefully he is almost back to his old self. We painted the dining room and the back bathroom and I used the new pressure washer on the deck - so we have been trying to clean the old place up. I remain thankful for all that I have in my life and excited about what is around the next bend!

Fathers Day

FATHER'S DAY 2005

Father's Day 2005 was an awesome one for me!
But, I have told many people on many occassions
that it is Father's Day for me EVERYDAY! I truly
believe that one does not knowwhat love is until
you have children. I have been blessed with the
2 best ever! Linda wasvery sweet all weekend and
wanted me to have a great Father's Day. Courtney
came over early to go to breakfast with us and brought
2 cards - 1 from her and 1 from all the critters. The 1
from the critters was "signed" by all the dogs, cats and
birds and included Steve Yerrid's tickets to the Devil Rays
for Father's Day! COOL! So Linda and I went to the game
and acted like the rich people - pigged out on the free food
and sat right behind home plate and was waited on as long
as we stayed. Of course I missed seeing or hearing from
Charlie, but he is always on my mind and he emailed me
early Monday and then called me Monday afternoon from
Iraq - cool - huh??? All's well with the 2 best children ever!

The Road King

The Road King

My Trusty Ride

My 2002 Harley Road King has brought miles of smiles and joy! My trusty friend has been with me for 3 years now and has carried me through the roads of Florida, the mountains of Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina. Never a problem, the King has been my faithful and favorite transport - not only down the roads, but has allowed my spirit to escape the ties to the mundane and let me exist where "now and here" are all that matter! I have never named this ironhorse because I have never found a name I considered worthy of my buddy - I shall endeavor to do just that. This is my 1st Harley and I don't know where my timeline will take me, but this bike will always be very SPECIAL to me. On our most recent adventure we encountered "the Dragon" in the hills of Tennessee and my steady ride carried me through on multiple runs with ease and grace. Whenever I am on this partner of mine I feel more alive, invigorated and free! I'll ride til I can't get on anymore.....