Catharsis of the Bogue

Oddities, Profundities, Profanities and Dad Stuff

Author: Justin Matthews (Page 27 of 76)

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Tweaking the Brain Pan!

May 27, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Hello all. Time is not being my friend lately. I am getting behind on so many things. I am seriously considering some major changes to this site and my blog in general. Stay tuned for more, there may be another post this afternoon! In the meantime, would you kindly take a look at the Survey below regarding Fiction Saturday?  Don’t enter any email info, that is just from the plugin and not my list.  I am going to change this plugin after this survey is a huge and fantastic success.

[SURVEYS 1]

Thanks for continuing to support me and Catharsis of the Bogue! I have some exciting things planned for the near future.

Any additional comments are welcome in the form below!

Thanks, Justin

Another day to remember

May 27, 2014 / / 0 Comments
A navy photographer snapped this photograph of...
Image via Wikipedia

Today is “A Day that will live in infamy.”  Not today exactly, but December 7, 1941.

President Roosevelt gave us this phrase that is now part of the American lexicon along with “Life, Liberty, and Happiness” and “We Hold These Truths”.

That is the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, HI and brought the United States into World War II.  Even though this happened 69 years ago, we still need to remember those brave Men and Women who gave their lives that December morning, and those who immediately rose to the occasion and prevented more loss.

I am not going to go into details, there are too many other good links out there (see above).  I would like to hit some highlights though.

We were devastated to lose so many ships.  Here is a list of the ships we lost that day:
4 battleships sunk,
4 battleships damaged including 1 run aground
2 destroyers sunk, 1 damaged
1 other ship sunk, 3 damaged
3 cruisers damaged
4 midget submarines sunk,
1 midget submarine run aground,
29 aircraft destroyed,
188 aircraft destroyed
155 aircraft damaged

And then the loss of life that still grieves us:

55 airmen killed
9 submariners killed
2,402 military killed
1,247 military wounded
57 civilians killed
35 civilians wounded

There were also many who rose up and gave service to their country “above and beyond the call of duty” and were justly decorated.  In the wake of the battle 15 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Crosses, four Navy and Marine Corps Medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, and three Bronze Stars were awarded.  Most military personnel are not there for medals or accolades.  They just happen to be the ones who step up and do what needs to be done.

I have written before about Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Patriot Day.  Today is another to be remembered for the brave souls who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom and liberty, just by being there that day, and for those who survived and went on to fight the battles in the Pacific.  Gentlemen, (and ladies of course) we salute you, thank you for your service.

-Justin

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SAHD Friday: Raising the Baby

May 27, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Hey folks, I was inspired today.  I started off to write about how nice it is that my older kids are wanting and able to help with the new baby.

That still will be a focus.  However, my oldest daughter was watching a TV show and the two teenage boys on the show were babysitting.  They obviously didn’t know anything about kids or babysitting and it was hilarious to watch these kids run around and try to get the baby’s diaper changed, and get the baby to sleep.  Really reminded me of the post I was thinking of!

It really reminded me of watching my kids with the new baby. My kids are all about helping us with the baby.  They both really want to feed and water the baby as well as hold him.  OK, water is just kidding.  But they really want to help.  Bath time is fun, they argue over who gets to wash his toes and who gets to lotion his back.

He is very pampered (Groucho voice: “In more ways than one, if you know what I mean.”) by his siblings.  It is exciting to see them want to change a diaper or hold him so that I can use the bathroom or rotate the laundry.  It is nice when they help calm him down when he is crying.

I am glad to give them that chance, I was not old enough to help with my sisters so when my first daughter was born I was very much a rookie.  I hope that my kids will have at least a familiarity with how to care for a new baby.  Except for the new baby that is, he will have to rely on being the Uncle who helps when my oldest has kids in 30 years or so. (is 40 too old for kids????)

Any thoughts or questions?  I would love to hear from you in the comments!

-Justin

A Valentine, just in time!

May 27, 2014 / / 8 Comments

This Post is part of the secret Valentines Project contrived by the lovely Kelly Diels at her Cleavage….blog.  Alas, this valentine is not for her, but for my wife.

17 years have passed since we met, yet it still feels like only 2.

12 years of marriage have gone, yet I still feel only for you.

3 children have arrived, the fourth is on the way

Yet you are still as beautiful as I saw that first day.

This is Valentines Day number 16, 16 required days to care

16 years of cheesy flowers, candies and poems with flair.

But those days are just as any other,

you are still my friend, my wife, my lover.

We have grown and changed, yet still laugh and play

Our love knows no bounds, no need for Valentines day.

Yet all the fluff of red hearts, candies and roses,

are fun for the day the world celebrates closeness.

I will love you forever, whatever mindset we are in,

for I cannot change you, my lover, my friend.

Happy Valentines Day 2010, Brenda.

Justin

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