Rick, I'm closing this place down, there's gambling going on!

You must remember this
A kiss is still  kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by

Now, all you young people just quit reading this.  You won't understand this post.  Not the title.  Not the above stanza.  In fact, none of you youngsters know what the word Stanza means.  So, go tweet. Or text. Or go get a half gallon of ice cream.  Oh yeah.  Get me some ice cream while you're out there.  I'll use my Face Book account to tell you the flavor to pick up.  No I wont.  I don't use Facebook.  Is it Face Book or Facebook?  You are known as millenials.  Poor things.  Big babies.
Probably the only thing I have in common with you all is ice cream. That's OK.

Sorry for picking on you youngsters.  I got carried away I guess.  But it all boils down to one thing.
And I can't remember what that is.  So lets get to the point. The point is, that the mystery title and the ....stanza....according to Siri.....is about the movie Casablanca.

In the year of the antelope, 1975, I was on the ship processor Pacific Shrimper having a meal.  Now, realize,  I was a deckhand on the Mar Pacifico, a 125 long shrimper, and we sold our catch to the Pacific Shrimper.....the processor.  Get it?  Don't be a dummy.    And we delivered our haul of shrimp every 5 to 6 days.   At that time, there was no limit to how much shrimp we could deliver. And boy (or girl) did we deliver!  Year 'round.  Calm seas.  Scary seas. And I was the cook.  Now that was an experience.  I was quite creative.  My skipper, Dale Samuelson, finally started liking me the day I served chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, and vanilla ice cream.  For Breakfast.  Oh well.  Made lots of money.  We fished on days that other boats wouldn't.  Crazy skipper, but he knew his stuff running our boat.  He pushed us hard, but always stressed safety.  Liked to yell a lot.  We yelled back.  Quite a cozy family on board that boat.

So, back to Casablanca. Was on the Pacific Shrimper on our day off, in their galley, having lunch.  Or dinner.  Or some meal.  Brain is rusty, and somewhat forgetful.  And as we were eating, the ships
staff brought out the movie projector, screen, and the movie Casablanca.  I was hooked so to speak.
So, speak.

What a movie! If you have not seen this masterpiece, I just say......Get.  A.  Life.  I thought then and there, and over here and over there, I will rent this movie and throw a party at my new girl fiends house in Seattle.  Only one problem.  I could not find a DVD copy, a VHS copy.....nothing!  I started sweating.  Mostly on my forehead.  Then I remembered.  DVD, and VHS, were not invented at that time.  Now what. I'll tell you what Now what.  I rented a movie projector, a screen, and a movie theater quality tape of the movie Casablanca!  I had to charge our guests for the popcorn (not microwave popcorn....no microwaves then) to cover the cost of the movie production.  And by the way, my girlfriend in this story is long gone.....just kidding ya'll.  The girlfriend I mention is my wife of 48 years (give or take 9 years) today.  What a catch.  Not the shrimp.  My wife.  I can never remember her name. "Hey, girl! What's your name?"  'Oh Tom, you know my name'.  She always says that when I forget her name.  Dang.

So, in a round-about-way, Casablanca has given us 7 beautiful grandkids.

And to answer the above secret question, the shrimper Mar Pacifico could carry a 130 tons of shrimp
at a time.  That's a lot of shrimp.  Ate a lot of chocolate cake, frosting, ice cream.

That's all folks.          TomG

8 or 9 hours in the car. It's OK.

Getting ready to leave our home in Nampa.  And.....heading to Redmond Washington our old home.   Leave November 1.  Return same month. 

Takes about 9 hours comfortably.  Do it in 8 hours.....it is possible.  Lots of terrified looks and emotions as the 8 hour time frame requires really bad driving, speeding, screaming, loud music, and of course, driver side window always open.  The 89 mile-per-hour speed creates hurricane type sounds that keeps the driver totally awake.  And the passenger.  Passenger usually my wife.  In fact, it is always my wife.  We never, never, never pick up hitch hikers.  Don't have any room in the car.  We always bring a ton of items, food, coolers, bikes, spiders, clothes, and lots of other garbage.....you know, stuff we do not need. 

Got a LOF for the car.  Put our studded tires on......4 studded tires!  Of the 7 hour trip, 4 of those hours are across mountain passes, and about every 20 minutes or so, we see signs that say something like this "Chain up Area 1/2 mile"  and  "Chain removal Area 1/2 mile".  Chris hates putting on chains.  She says she gets very cold.  The solution?  We do not travel back and forth during the cold months.  So, no chains required.  Smart.  LOF means Lube, Oil, Filter by the way.  Car likes LOF.  Runs like a sewing machine with that new oil.

To be continued.......heading out for some fresh air, and load the chains should we need them.  You just never know.  Chris hates those chains.

I think it is now 3 days later.....I think I had to visit the kitchen for some kind of goodie.....such as ice cream, or popcorn (with shredded sharp cheese on top of it) or hidden chocolate chip cookies, or pretzels and diet 7-up, or if really desperate, grapes.  In any case, it's all good stuff.  It would be nice to find a chocolate cake every once in a while.  That never happens.  I'd eat 2 or 3 servings if I did find a chocolate cake......definitely.  And if fortunate enough to find some good Tillamook vanilla ice cream with very minimal preservatives, I'd slather it all over the chocolate cake wedges.  And I just know that while scooping the ice cream, I'd have chocolate frosting all over my face.  But of course, I never find chocolate cake.  I blame my partner, my significant other, my best friend, my soul mate.....crap, whats her name?  Oh yea, Polly. No, Candace. No, Muffin.  Muffin? I don't think so. What is her name...!  I'll be right back.  Found it.  Chris!  Whoa.  I can't remember the last time I forgot her name.  I think it was October 2015.  Chris is the reason I get no Chocolate cake.   I really don't understand her at times.  Mean.  Oh well.

So, weather here in Idaho is down-right pleasant.  End of October, and we have shorts on, no umbrellas used,  roses still blooming.  It makes me want to just dance!  That gives me a memory.  Without a lot of detail, I was once asked to leave the dance floor while trying to learn country line dancing.  In a tavern in Seattle with Chris before we were married.  It was painful for her.  Very embarrassed I think.  I have to tell you that I also felt horrible.  Not really.  The guy on the microphone calling out the steps ...... was basically a creep.  He just couldn't see me as a dancer and he gave up on me. "You, in the plaid shirt.....please leave the dance floor"  "Yea, you pal".  "Yes, off the floor now".  Sad.  Not real sad.  Medium to above medium sad.

Hey,  Chris just told me that I get the TV if we divorce.  She gets everything else.  That's fair. "Hey Chris, can I have the weed wacker too?  Please".  I love the weed wacker.  She said she'd think about it. She's tough.  Said I could come back to the house and use the weed wacker anytime.  I remind her that we are going on 39 or 40 or 42 years of marriage.  Can't  quite remember which is correct.  I'd say close to 40 years.  Dang.  No divorce here.  We are too much in love.  How's that sound?  Sorta weird if you ask me......."Chris, can I have some ice cream?"  She is so nice.  She will bring me a scoop.   Oh yea.
 
OK.  That's all for now.  Gettin ready for a great Sunday.

OUR NEXT PRESIDENT

We have Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

We all have opinions of both.  We all have our reasons to vote, or not vote, for either of them.

No worries.  Really. 

Start today, praying for our next president. 

And pray for them every day.

That's all.  Very easy.  Just pray.

Maybe we will see them change.

Because of prayer.

RANDOM THOUGHTS OF LOTS OF STUFF, AND PEOPLE OF COURSE

Well, they left Nampa, headed to Portland, the whole family....son-in-law Mark, the leader of the pack.  Daughter Kimmy, the director of the pack, and 5 grand kids.  Yes, 'The Pack'.

And who are the pack you ask?   Well.....pay attention.

Lulu......one of our 3, most beautiful, inside and out, granddaughters.  Lulu is our first grandchild. There are six more now behind her. Lulu is so joyful, and what a role model.  She has a special place in my heart.  Lulu loves the world, and she loves to learn.

Levi.......Is there anyone out there that has a sword, real, or made of wood, or a picture of some crazy fancy car, boat, railroad car, or a pile of Lego's.    Levi loves all that stuff, and much more.  He is sorta quiet, but loves everything and everybody.  A thoughtful grandson.  He has five behind him.

Ila May.......what can I say about this free spirit.....lots! As soon as Ila May could walk and talk, she was fun to watch.  How funny, how loving, how driven......oh, Ila May wanted to know how things were done, and you better be with her to  show her how things get done, otherwise she will create how things are done.....yes, create.  One of our 3, most beautiful, inside and out, granddaughters. 4 more after her.

Silas........our 'open heart surgery guy' at 12 months, grandson.  So, now, look out.  Silas gets up and goes!  Likes to wrestle, likes to run, likes to ask questions.  Totally listens to his older siblings, and tests them also.  Not so much testing Mom though.  3 more.

Isaac.  Our youngest  grandchild.  Beautiful kid, with the makeup of a bulldog..  (sorry Kimmy).
Watch out Levi and Silas......I foresee a three way wrestling match in the near future......watch out for the bulldog.  Oh yes, 2 more.

And.....we have two beautiful grand kids in Seattle....Trey, the dinosaur man, and his most gorgeous sister, Scarlett.  Watch out Trey, Scarlett is watching you.  Are you missing any dinosaurs Trey?  You might want to inventory your cool toys Trey! 

So, I am very proud of our 7 grand children.  All unique (isn't that Gods plan?).  All happy.  All silly.  And all have outstanding, unique, happy, and of course, silly parents.  Mark and Kimmy.....and  Todd and Stephanie......

Hall of Fame

Saturday night in Nampa Idaho......8/6/2016 and it is 11:12 PM.   And here I am after a pretty good day...... Chris has gone to bed and I thought I'd put some things down.

First of all, if you have not read my previous post about miracles, please read it, or, at least get to the bottom of the post and click on the radio link for the James Dobson interview.  Listen carefully and you will experience a miracle. So do it!  Then after reading my story and my miracle with alcoholism, and the James Dobson link, and you are still hesitant to believe in God, well, just keep looking, and praying.  You will one day see God right in front of you.  Just open your eyes a little bigger.

It is sort of funny writing this post.  As I type in the various words, a little red, squiggly line automatically positions itself under words that are spelled wrong.  First sentence above, forth word "Nampa" is underlined.  Stupid spell check. Nampa is spelled N A M P A.  Like I said, sutpaad spall chcek.

Now, here is some more advice.  Listen carefully.  On google, enter in 'Cloverton Hallelujah on YouTube'.  It is a beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohens original Hallelujah, with different lyrics.
On the right hand side of the screen, there is a choice of 50+  Mix,  Cloverton type songs......hit that and listen to some some outstanding music.  Pay particular attention to Lindsey Stirlings version of Hallelujah.  Wow. It is also beautiful.

I watched on TV tonight the National Football Leagues class of 2016 hall of fame inductees.  With Chris also watching, we watched and listened to 4 of the inductees, and we will finish watching the rest of the inductees on Sunday.  All of their speeches were worth listening to.  All spoke of their families, and how love and support were key reasons for their success, reaching the NFL hall of fame.  They also mentioned coaches, and team mates, and church leaders, and many others, that made an impact in helping these new NFL hall of famers reach this point.  These new members are so thankful.  They all realized that they could not have done this on their own.  These inductees took the time to say thank you to these people, for their help, and support, and love.

For me, it was sort of hard to listen to.  I wondered how far I could have gone had I received the love and support of my family, in particular my dad.  You see, I, along with my two older sisters, and younger brother, basic survival is how we existed.  My dad was a self centered alcoholic and he really missed his chance at molding a future 'Hall of Famer'.

From my earliest memory, to my last day before I left for college, (probably for many years after that) my dad caused much fear, sadness, tension, misery, tears, and anger for my family, and much more.  It was not good.  All of us kids suffered the same daily (yes, daily)  routine, as did our mother.  It was so constant and direct, I think we all figured that this was normal.  It was not normal.  My dad affected all of us.  He dominated all of us with his everyday anger and selfishness.  And he never let up.  He was fueled by alcohol.  After my sisters moved out to start their new lives, my brother and I had to put up with this chaos, and we did our best to protect our mom.  My dad was not a roll model in any way.  As a father, a husband, a neighbor.  He knew it all, and it was always his way.  My poor mother.  She put up with my dad for way too long.  She should have left him.  My brother and I had many instances where we had to physically confront our dad to protect ourselves, and our mom. I often think of the various outcomes had I taken a more active roll dealing with my dad.

So, here is why I am writing tonight.......I wonder what I could have accomplished had my dad been there, supporting me, guiding me, being a roll model for me.  He was not any of that.  He was barely a dad, and I am sure as he got older he had many regrets as to his neglect of his kids. In the end, my dad missed out on many things.  And he could never get it back.  How very sad for us, but also for him.

I was a loving child.  I was a peacemaker, with my family as a young boy.  I found little league baseball and football, and was good in both of them.  I had many friends as a kid.  I liked my friends.  They liked me.  In junior and senior high school, I excelled in football and baseball, and carried both into my freshman year in college. I graduated from the University of Washington.  I was offered a prized deckhand position on a fishing boat in Alaska.  I became a very good fisherman, and was just a shade away from becoming a captain on a 125 foot Alaskan shrimp trawler.  It was at this time that Chris and I met, and now, almost 43 years later we are still laughing, and loving, with one another.  With the help and support of Chris, I started my own business, and had it for 35 years.  It was a success because of hard work and impeccable customer service.  Chris and I are now retired, and our passion today is our Christian faith (and of course, our 7 grandkids!)  We have, as our goal, to treat all people with love. With joyfulness.

So, what does all of this have to do with my dad?  It is simply to wonder where I could have ended up had my dad been a different dad.  I wonder if I could have reached the Hall of Fame?  Obviously not the NFL hall of fame, rather the kind of hall of fame all of us can strive for, and one that we can all reach.  A result achieved by the support and love of our families, especially our dads.  

A good father has one chance in life to push their kids to do their very best.  To teach their kids to give 100%.  To teach them to get up when they fall down.  You know, just the basic stuff a dad does.

My dad missed his one opportunity to teach me, my brother, and my two sisters.  His loss.  Oh well.

Hey dads......you only have one chance.

Thanks all.  TomG

PS.  Now I feel better.        

Miracles. You Decide.

This December, 2016, will be ten years of sobriety for me.  I have told my story before, not to build me up, but to help others.  I want to help other alcoholics. With a passion.  Here is my miracle......

Very secretly, I drank for many years.  Mostly at my office where no one would see me.  Like all alcoholics, my drinking started slowly, but over time, it progressed, and took over my life. It affected my kids, my family, my business, my neighbors, strangers.  I put my wife through hell, because I was never around.  I was not a good husband.  Alcohol had taken over.  Today, Chris loves me dearly.  She did not give up on me, and for that I have prayers of thanks to God for Chris.  Every day.

Alcoholics cannot stop drinking on their own.  They need help.  I will say that again.  Alcoholics cannot stop drinking on their own.  They need help.  AA.....Alcoholics Anonymous....is the best, offering the 12 steps of AA.  Alcoholics cannot stop drinking on their own.  Ever.

I had no thoughts of stopping my drinking (not knowing at the time that it would be impossible for me to stop on my own).  And in my last year(s) of drinking, I would visit the liquor stores daily for vodka.  Lots of vodka.  I had to have it so I could function.  Very scary thinking about this.  And I was, like many alcoholics, self centered and relied on no one.  I could handle this.  For the rest of my life.  Never prayed.  Remember, I relied on no one, not even God.  But one day, something happened.

December 6, 2006, at 930 in the morning, I sat down at my desk, at work, looking out a large window, and said 'God, I need help'.  That is all I said.  And remember, alcoholics cannot stop drinking on their own.  10 AM the liquor store opens.  10 AM arrives, and I do not go. This is impossible.  All day, I did not go to the liquor store.  Again, impossible.  Thursday, I do not go to the liquor store.  Friday and I do not go to the liquor store.  I did not understand what was happening, but I did not buy vodka.  Saturday arrived, and Chris, my loving wife took me out for coffee.  I remember tears in her eyes.  We held hands for the first time in years.  I was, I think, confused. Two hours and then we headed back home.  I have been sober for 4 days.  No alcohol in my system.  Feeling pretty good. We got home, went through our front door (usually used our garage to get into the house) and there in our living room were 20 people for an intervention, for me, for my drinking.

Remember that prayer to God when I asked for help?  He answered.  He prepared me for treatment.  Physically, mentally, and spiritually.  And my daughter and family were praying every day that the intervention would work. And they were praying for me way before my little prayer.

I look back on those four days, and I truly believe that God saved me.  At the moment of my prayer, I lost all desire to drink.  Impossible.  It was a miracle.  Thank you Lord!

After I got out of treatment, I closed my business of 35 years.  I worked in public schools with young students, helping them. And I went back to my treatment center, and for 8 years, worked full time on the graveyard shift helping addicts.  The very best job I ever had.  Maybe Gods plan.  I know it was His plan. That is my miracle.

Family or friends with problem drinking?  Look into AA.  Treatment.  Do not give up.  AA has worked miracles for 83 years.  It works. It is the only way that works.  And pray.  God will answer.  I know.

Now hear a miracle!   Breaking the Silence, on Family Talk with James Dobson


click here

Thanks all, and believe in God.
Miracles happen.  Pray!    
Tom G

Thank you Lord for all that you have given me.

BE CONFUSED, PEOPLE

Here is what we need to do as humans......My wife sent me this knowing I would like it.  I do like it and I want to give it to you.  As it says, it is for confused people.  If you are not confused, don't bother reading this.

CONFUSED ABOUT THE "CHRISTIAN RESPONSE" TO SOCIAL ISSUES?

Here's a handy reference list.

Male - Love Them
Female - Love Them
Unsure - Love Them
Gay - Love Them
Straight - Love Them
Unsure - Love them
Addict - Love Them
Sober - Love Them
Believer - Love Them
Unbeliever - Love Them
Unsure - Love them

theimperfectpasror.com

So,  get confused.  And then start to live.

Get Out There and Vote! After you pray!

I think we all have opinions about our politicians.....from little towns and cities, from the state level, and all the way to Washington DC.  Some politicians are very effective, regardless of the constant pressures that they navigate from all the interest groups.  They choose to fight for what is right, knowing full well they may only have they're job for one term.  They are the brave ones.  And then those other politicians.  They go where the wind blows....regardless of the promises they made to get their job. Sort of spineless people.

There are Republicans, and Democrats that fit the words above.

But here is something that really makes a statement.

CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  FEDERAL  CANDIDATES.....

In this 2016 year, to date, Planned Parenthood has contributed  $191,484.00 to 100 Democrats.
Zero dollars to Republicans.   $5000.00 to Hillary Clinton.   Zero dollars to Trump.

In 2014, Planned Parenthood contributed $585,305.00 to 149 Democrats.  $2328.00 to 1 Republican.

In 2008, Planned Parenthood contributed $3674.00 to Clinton & Obama.  Zero dollars to Republicans.

The above figures came off of the Web site Open Secrets.com.

Lots of blood money for the Democrats.   Millions and millions of babies killed in abortions.

So, who are you going to vote for?  Think about it.

Can't Wait For My Next BLT........

.........I am a little rusty......I just wiped out about 15 minutes of a new post I was doing by hitting the wrong buttons.  I gots me some clumsy fingers.  Oh well.

It has been almost 2 years since my last post.....brought to my attention by a loyal follower.....I just did not realize it has been that long since my last entry.  I have always liked doing posts.  Humor very important. Talking non-sense and waiting for people to respond.  Lots-o-fun.  It must be understood that my non-sense is 98.5% true stuff.  The other 1.5% is for effect and is intended for  your imagination. Fun stuff.  Dammmmmmit.

Like:  I was not the founder of Starbucks.  It was Microsoft I founded.  I did not save 38 people from a sinking boat in the Pacific ocean.  It was 37.  I have always been a guy. Well, there was that time.......forget that.  When I visited New York City, I could not believe the people.  I have never been to New York City.  Where is New York City?  East of Nampa Idaho as the big crow flies.  I can talk to most anyone I meet in my world.  Some of them are flat out weird and they love themselves.  That is OK in my mind.  I do love Broadway.  Been in 14 productions.  7 as the leading man.  2 as the leading woman. Really.  Don't believe it.

Now to other things more important.  I hope Trump can change his image.  We need a change in the White House. To say the least.  If Trump becomes our next president, I pray that he can handle the challenge and unite our country, and change the world.  Please pray for this.  Please pray for our next president.

Abortion.  Please pray for those involved in abortion.  The clinics.  The employees.  The doctors.  The mothers.  The babies.  Praying is the only thing we can do.   It is working.

Trangender restroom-locker rooms.......there are some real thinkers running our government.  There are some real idiots that tell the thinkers how to make decisions.  Wow.  Pray.

This coming December I will have 10 years of sobriety.  A real miracle.  Unbelievable.   Lots of vodka was killing me.  I lost friends.  I lost family.  I lost interest in my business.  I lost all of these things.  Alcoholism robs people.  Life is taken away from us, greatly impacts others, and it does kill.

My son and daughter-in-law just a few days ago lost a close friend to alcoholism.  A young teacher that lost her life to this disease.  It is so sad to hear these stories.  It does not have to be this way.  All this person needed was a support network and daily visits to AA meetings.  Never never never give up on an alcoholic.  You may save their life.  Believe it.

AA has been saving lives for over 80 years, and it is the only way an alcoholic can beat this disease.  An alcoholic will die at some point, due to alcoholism, if their disease goes untreated.  I am so passionate about this.  AA everyday is saving my life. And I am thankful.  If you have a friend or family member that is having trouble with alcohol, confront them in a very loving way, and help them get treatment.  Do not enable them, and, for yourself, attend Al-Anon meetings to get educated.  Be relentless when dealing with friends or family that have alcohol problems.  If you do not, you will lose them.  It can be treated!

And, by the way, I have regained, and surpassed, a great life due to my AA program.  It is because of God that this program has worked for me.  God answered a simple prayer....."God, I need help"..... is all I prayed.  Four days later I was in a treatment center in Kirkland Washington. An intervention put me there, and I have not had a desire to drink since.  A miracle.  Oh yes - miracle.

I will do another post soon.  It feels good to put words down.  Thanks.     TomG

Good Music

If you want some good music......Google 'John Illsley on Youtube'.   Enjoy.  He played bass guitar in Dire Straits......I just found him as a solo artist.  Very Good.

Lets talk later.       TomG