tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post2212079641889830025..comments2023-06-15T09:13:45.467-04:00Comments on Liberty's Torch: Report From Long Island, Good News EditionFrancis W. Porrettohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862584203772592282noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-76737614446989144792014-12-31T05:28:48.368-05:002014-12-31T05:28:48.368-05:00Refreshing it is, brother Francis (if I may...) to...Refreshing it is, brother Francis (if I may...) to read and thoughtfully consider - by way of your reminder - the richness of the blessings God has given me... Christmas eve was grandma and I celebrating our 25th anniversary... each on our 2nd and apparently final marriage... and surrounded by all 4 kids and all 6 grandkids... and having fun. Both of us diabetic, she a type 2 and I am type 1 - but both of us in good but 'creaking' health. The kids and their kids are healthy, those who can and should work have jobs, the truck isn't running yet but the car is, the pantry/fridge/freezer are full... Great grandma (both) are still around to cherish and be cherished... we go to a great church, and we serve a great King... we have our critters, our guns, and the Lord's beautiful clean high desert all around us... we may have snow on the saguaro and Joshua trees new year's eve. Despite the wrongs and evil there has been in my life, God has blessed me far more than I remember to thank Him. And I have brothers not met but read, who encourage, exhort, entertain, and inform. And so I am thankful for you as well. "I wish you a brave new year - all anguish, pain, and sadness; leave your heart and let your road be clear..." Grandpa (stormfriend sends)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-2150359532806794992014-12-28T02:06:27.484-05:002014-12-28T02:06:27.484-05:00I could whine and snivel, and complain about the p...I could whine and snivel, and complain about the pain due to the fact that my lumbar spine is so damaged that it will require two separate surgeries to repair, the first scheduled for a month from now.<br /><br />But that would be ass-inine, when I have so much to be grateful for: a loving wife for 20+years; a small home in the beautiful mountains of SW Montana; my three closest neighbors (we're out in the boonies, so they aren't exactly "next door" ;-) are not only terrific, they have become good friends; a very healthy prep status; enough income to remain at least a little ways into the black each month.<br /><br />I realize I am doing much better than a lot of folks out there, but each and every one of us, no matter our status, need to count our blessings, and be grateful for what we have, rather than envious or remorseful for what we don't. Reg Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14099612693763932005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-61382901116714906312014-12-27T12:22:59.945-05:002014-12-27T12:22:59.945-05:00We have had our ups and downs here. Still, there ...We have had our ups and downs here. Still, there are many things to be thankful for. My brother seems to be rebounding strongly in his battle with AIDS. If you had seen what he looked like a year or so ago, vice what he looks like now (along with the mental clarity returning and his personality coming back to the fore, you wouldn't recognize him as being the same person. My cousin is winning her battle against various cancers. Mom at 86 is as spry as ever...having her children and grand children around her at Christmas was a joy for her (and us). Perhaps the one family tradition which has stood the test of time.<br /><br />Passed the five year anniversary with the same employer...and things are looking up there. We are going to be building a new hardware store in town (Major franchise, but owned and operated by the same group which owns the grocery store I am at.) There are also plans in the works for a new grocery store...we are doing too well for the size of the building we are in...we have to get bigger!<br /><br />We are all in reasonably good health.. There are annoying aches and pains...and a few issues requiring medication...but no one is at death's door.<br /><br />Money could be better, but you would never know it had you seen the Thanksgiving and Christmas (eve) feasts over here. No one would be put out by missing a meal now and again.<br /><br />In short, we are also well and truly blessed.<br /><br />Sounds like you had a very Merry Christmas....and here is hoping you have the Happiest of New Years! (And if I am reading your date correctly, you are retiring just 4 days before my 60th trip around the sun. Hopefully the "CSO" will not take that as a sigh to radically increase your "honey-do" list, leaving you enough time to produce one epic novel after another!)Guy Shttp://navvet55.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com