A Few Random Thoughts in Passing

Barney: "Nip it in the bud! You got to nip it in the bud! ... Nip it! You go read any book you want on the subject of child discipline, and you'll find that every one of 'em is in favor of bud-nippin'. ... Only one way to take care of it."

Andy: "Nip it."

Barney: "In the bud."

There was just something about him that made you laugh ... the lone bullet in his pocket, his "me-they" voice lessons ... and a seemingly endless repertoire of facial and body expressions.

As my blog info so politely informs you i am a frustrated comedian. There has always been something about comedy and humor that appealed to me as a communicative forum. this last week the world lost one of its GREAT funny men ... Mr. Don Knotts, forever known to persons of my era and even a few years older as Bernard P. Fife, Deputy Sheriff, Mayberry.

Mr Knotts was pure comedic genius not just in words but in the physical side of humor as well ... one of my favorite physical comedy scenes is the one that featured Barney and a flea-ridden mutt named Blue who Barney was going to turn into a tracking dog. Don Knotts was one of the few who could pull off the scene of gamely yet almost failing to pull the unwilling dog into the office on a leash around the half closed door ....

They dont make them like Mr. Knotts anymore and we are all lessened by his absence. Farewell Mister Limpet ... you truly were one of the best ever.

This next item should make your blood boil over ... i can tell you mine did.

PFC Joshua Sparling of the 82nd Airborne division was wounded in Ramadi, Iraq and while recovering at Walter Reed Medical center was sent a sick "death-wish" card over Christmas. It was the only Christmas Card he received.

As reported on by Michelle Malkin and Sean Hannity there is a growing effort to ask our readers to send your thanks and well wishes to PFC Joshua Sparling or to any wounded military member c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue N.W., Washington, DC -5001. PFC Sparling's leg will have to be amputated below the knee--but he wants to "get back to [Fort Bragg] and "jump right back in his unit (the 82nd Airborne)."

Also please check out Landry's Life for pictures and more in-depth information on how you can send thanks to other service members at home and abroad.

As a proud veteran myself who spent a lot of his time in foreign countries, i can tell you that NOTHING beats knowing that the folks back home support you and wish you the best. Please take a brief moment of your busy life to remember and thank those men and women who stand on the front line of defense so you can ENJOY that busy and free life ....

A few final thoughts ...

All of us lead such busy lives filled with stress anxiety, "running to and fro" and increasing our knowledge as the prophet Daniel records. I know for myself there are many people i KNOW i should call or e-mail or visit but i always seem to be rushing around and never quite find the time. Perhaps you have had this experience as well. I need ... no need is not urgent enough .... i MUST ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT FAIL .... take the time to do the needful things in life.

For many weeks now i have known of an old family friend who was suffering from terminal cancer and though i expressed my thoughts to members of his family and asked them to pass on my best wishes and concerns for them i also kept telling myself i needed to stop by and make that personal visit and contact as well -- but things kept being busy and i never seemed to find the time.

Mister Bob passed away this Sunday past and in his passing MY time for showing him my concern and appreciation for him has also passed and nothing on this earth can ever change that fact and i am left with dealing with the "coulda shoulda woulda" of another missed opportunity to serve and help my fellow man.

and so ... i ask my loyal readership to keep me honest ... remind me of the IMPORTANT things in life ... not the job, not the toys, not the food .... but the people; the friends, neighbors, family and loved ones who truly are the most important thing (or should be) in an otherwise meaningless existence.

I hope that we, all of us, will remember to in the words of the old well worn cliches "strike while the iron is hot" and "seize the day" to accomplish as much lasting good as we can each day and not put it off until the 'morrow.