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Christmas far away...

Photo as Mike (right) took command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region in Baghdad. Outgoing General McCoy (left) and head-honcho General Casey.





These pics are from their Christmas party in Baghdad.

How to Stop Being Selfish

Everyone is selfish from time to time. It's part of human nature, but if you do it too much people could easily get fed up with you.


1, Listen. There is a big different from hearing something and letting something go in one ear and out the other and actually listening to what people have to say.

2. Don't interrupt people. Let them finish their sentence, your points can always wait. If it's urgent (like if you have to leave) say "excuse me".

3. Remember birthdays.

4. Keep in touch with your friends and relatives.

5. Be honest and loyal.

6. Consider the advice people in your life give you. Take it if it makes sense.

7. If you have to ask someone for a favor, offer to do something for them in return.

8. Compliment other people. Don't just go on about how great you are.

9. Make sure to be considerate and include everyone you know and/or like when inviting people to parties and events. No one likes to be left out.

10. Be on time. If at all possible, call if you know you are going to be late.

The Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus....

was better this year than I've ever heard them...and I've been attending their concerts for the last 26 years.

Next year, ya need to see them.

As we approach Christmas....

I become mournful of things that have disintegrated since last year. Those things include:

1. My old "Blue" - a Ford of great age.

2. The resolve of all my good intentions regarding my health.

3. My inability to do my own yardwork.

5. My administrative assistant proves not to be the lady she was at the interview.

6. The loss of Pearl, a beautiful and sweet kitty.

7. The loss of local (East Point) socializing - "The Good of the Many Outweighs the Good of the One." Strangely enough, though, the more the Tavern and other "local" places fade - the more fun I have. The last couple of years have been self-induced torture.

I'm melancholy only about 1, 3 and 6. These losses will also fade with time.

I've got presents to wrap!!!

From Far Away.....

My friend, Mike, sent me the following Thanksgiving Greeting and asked that I pass along good wishes to everyone in East Point. Rather than just pass on the greetings, I'll share the correspondence with you.

"Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Dear Kitty.

Please pass a Happy Day back there from me please.

Today, I was carving Turkey and working the line feeding folks from
1100 hrs to 1130hrs today wishing a few hundred folks a Happy and Blessed day.
Than I had dinner with 7 Iraqi Engineers from the city of Baghdad staff and
some of my staff. It was fun explaining our traditions of why we celebrate this
day. As we are not drinking wine and beer in Iraq, I did have a bottle of
Welch's sparking white grape juice. What a way to help digest a good meal....
not!! It was very tart and had me and the Iraqis grinning. This was followed
by a bowl of ice cream and a bit of chocolate sauce.

We than walked around the dining facility shouting well wishes and I
had another dessert with a few other folks. And time for photos with many of
the troops and civilians here.

The Command Sergeant Major and I visited combat support hospital (CSH)
to wish the doctors and nurses well. Many were at my carving station so
we talked about my fine culinary skills ... not. But we did laugh.

There were about 4 soldiers who were brought in over the course of the
night from IED attacks and a mortar round. They had all their limbs, that
was good, but many holes in their bodies. They were from New York, Iowa,
Oregon and Texas. There were all awake but in pain and should be sent to the
US soon.

Last night, I had diner with the Secretaries of the Army and Navy,
along with General Casey and the rest of the staff. He has a wonderful cook, best
meal I have had in quite a while - Cornish game hens, with all the trimmings
and some iced tea. The travel by helicopters required a battle vest,
helmet, pistol and ammo, ballistic glasses and earplugs which were all shed
when we arrive at Gen Casey's. I have not been w/o my sidearm since I have
first arrived and felt somewhat awkward without the shoulder holster but I
guest I could trust the Secretary.... What stark difference from night travel
with chinstrap cinched tight to Cornish game hens...


Again Happy Thanksgiving and God bless.

Walsh

"Deliverance""

Thanksgiving...

This year I am thankful that my cadre of friends has shaken out to the ones who are "true blue." These people are made of steel and marshmallow...the best kind of person available on Earth.

They tell me when I'm wrong and I listen. They tell me when I'm right and I smile. We have words, but the worst conversations are understood to be given in a helpful mode, rather than to make me feel small.

They give me a hug when I need a slap. They give me joy.

This is an undeniable gift.

I'm so glad these people have wandered into my life (or I into theirs). There would be a terrible void without them.

As I live far away from my family - these folks are my lifeline to calm my fears, share my success and bemoan my failures.

One should always search out quality, rather than quantity.

Thanks to them on Thanksgiving.