Age is a Matter of Mind

Age is a matter of mind

It was Thursday and we had just three days left to enjoy our vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. One of my favorite things to do at the beach is ride the waves on a boogie board. On this particular day, the waves were very high and the surf was rough because of an approaching storm. The bigger the waves the better the ride, so I was having a great time getting being tossed around and fighting the sea. (This is a true story, but the picture of the wave is slightly exaggerated!)

Before I go any further, I should explain that I am fifty five years old but in my mind I still think I am in my twenties. I always say, "Age is a matter of mind; if you don't mind, it doesn't matter!"

After an hour or so in the water I was beginning to get really tired but I didn't want to quit because these were the best waves we have had all week and the next couple of days were predicted to be rainy. The waves were getting higher and the sea more violent, but I loved every minute of it!

I smiled at my wife as she watched from a lawn chair on the beach and I caught an especially big wave. I just knew this was going to be a fantastic ride! The wave carried me into shallow water and slammed me into the sand beneath with unbelievable force. As I was being crushed by the power of the sea I heard a terrible cracking sound and felt a horrific pain in my side! I knew immediately that I had broken my ribs. It was all I could do to haul myself up out of the water and drag myself onto the beach without being drowned. The waves kept smashing against me and knocking me back down again. Every step was very painful and took all of my strength.

My wife was laughing and yelling to me telling me to pull my bathing suit up; the force of the wave had pulled my suit down around my knees and I didn't even realize it. I really didn't care because that was the least of my worries at the moment as all my efforts were concentrated on hauling myself to shore and collapsing on the beach.

My sister went to get the car and after much struggling I was able to fall into the back seat as I grimaced in pain. It must have taken at least ten-minutes just to get into the car because no matter how I moved it pulled at my ribs and sent shockwaves of pain throughout my body. Of course I could see everyone trying to hold back their laughter as I struggled to get in the car.

We made it to the hospital and x-rays later confirmed I had broken one rib and cracked another. We were in the emergency room for several hours, which seemed like days to me because every little movement caused me terrible pain. When the nurse came in to wheel me in a wheelchair from the waiting room into the examine room she accidentally crashed into the doorway and I let out a loud scream. Of course everyone else thought this was hysterically funny!

I spent the rest of the week trying to find a comfortable position to sit in and taking pain pills. The next six months I had to sleep in a recliner because I was unable to lie down. Looking back on the events of that day I can see the humor, but believe me when I tell you I was not laughing at the time! I have not been to the beach since then but even though I now have a better respect for the awesome power of the ocean I still refuse to grow old and will probably jump right back on that boogie board again!

Tell Someone You Love Them

Tell Someone you Love Them

As I get older, I realize how short life really is. Don't let a day go by without saying "I love you", to someone special in your life. You never know when the last time you will see that person may be.

A few years ago I lost my Mom, and last year my sister Joan passed away at the young age of fifty. Fortunately, I had time to tell both of them how much I loved them. I only regret that I did not get closer to my sister. After she died I discovered how much I really did not know about her. What a wonderful, loving person she really was.

You can read a tribute to Joan at: http://www.mmarinaro.com/html/joanellen.html

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance

Considering all the things that are going on in this country today, do we really need to be fighting over the Pledge of Allegiance? Come on now Mr. Newdow; get a clue! There are hurricanes, wars, high gas prices terrorism and a plethora of other things to worry about in the United States that are much more important than two words!

THE PLEDGE: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I seem to remember that we have been down this road before and Michael Newdow dragged his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case was dismissed because he did not have legal custody of his daughter on whose behalf he had sued.

Here's a solution, how about if we continue to say the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools but when we get to the phrase, "one nation under God", if someone objects to saying that then they may remain silent during that sentence! That way everyone wins, we still get to pledge and we respect the right of the students who don’t believe in God.In these troubled times this country needs to pull together not squabble over the little things.

Personally, I am a Christian and a Veteran and I take offense to people who dishonor our country by not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.I hope to see many comments on this post.

(I am combining all of my blogs into one, so you may have seen this posted before on http://marinarofamily.blogspot.com .)

Pain at the Pump

Pain at the Pump

I remember when gas prices were .23 cents a gallon and an attendent actually pumped it for you. He even cleaned your windshield, checked your oil & tires and gave you green stamps! Of course that was way back in 1955 and you could buy a brand new car for under $2000.00! Ahh...those were the days.

Today, you are hard pressed to find a full service gas station where someone will actually check your oil for you. Now we have to pump our own gas and pay outragious prices for it!

The average cost per gallon here in my area is $2.90, down from an all time high a few weeks ago of well over $3.00! You can shop around for the best gas prices at: http://www.gasbuddy.com .

Here are a few things you can do to help conserve on gas.

1. Turn off the air conditioner in your car, this will save gas.
2. Check your tire pressure, if your tires are under inflated you will use more gas.
3. Clean the junk out of your trunk, the more extra weight you are hauling around the worse your gas milage.
4. Carpool to and from work or the mall, school, etc.
5. Ride a bike or walk instead of driving when possible.
6. Trade in your big SUV for a smaller economy car with better gas milage.
7. Take the bus, train or subway.
8. Stay home; rent a dvd instead of going to the movies, cook instead of going out to eat.

If you have some more tips, add a comment.

Intelligent Design

President Bush has said that he defends free speech and supports the right of students to hear about different scientific views about evolution. Good for you Mr. Bush.

Just what is Intelligent Design? It is the view that nature shows signs of having been designed by preexisting intelligence. Unlike Darwin's Theory which says all life descended from a single ancestor, Intelligent Design attributes life to a supreme creator.

President Bush said that students ought to be able to hear both theories so they can better understand the debate. He is absolutely right; we need to study both. Perhaps some day we will come back to prayer in school and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Your comments are welcome.

Can a Woman be President of United States?

Tonight, ABC premiers "Commander in Chief", with Geena Davis playing the President of the United States. My question is this; what are the chances of a woman becoming the President of the United States in real life? Are we ready for that, who would it be? Perhaps Hillary Clinton or Condoleezza Rice?

This post should get a ton of comments. Let me have it, what do you think?

*Photo from ABC

Stop the Hurricanes

Why do we need hurricanes?

It looks like there is yet another hurricane coming to the United States. Here is my question: why do we even need hurricanes. We already know where they come from. Most hurricanes are formed in the North Atlantic Ocean and are pushed westward by the trade winds. Why don’t we just stop them in their tracks in the middle of the ocean before they get here? I’m sure we have the technology available to just blast them apart!


*There have been numerous techniques that we have considered over the years to modify hurricanes: seeding clouds with dry ice or Silver Iodide, cooling the ocean with cryogenic material or icebergs, changing the radiational balance in the hurricane environment by absorption of sunlight with carbon black, exploding the hurricane apart with hydrogen bombs, and blowing the storm away from land with giant fans, etc.

Project STORMFURY was an ambitious experimental program of research on hurricane modification carried out between 1962 and 1983. This and other research programs were discontinued. I think we should keep on with the research and eventually someone will come up with a successful way to stop the hurricanes.


* Excerpt from the NOAA: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/C5f.html

Photos from NOAA

Cindy Sheehan Arrested!

Cindy Sheehan was arrested while protesting in Washington D.C. on Saturday. Sheehan was warned several times that she could not sit on the sidewalk and had to move along. When she failed to move the police took her into custody. Two points for the police!

I'm sorry that Cindy lost her son in Iraq, but I am a Veteran and I believe that we should be in Iraq. We need to fight the war on terror abroad so we do not have to fight it here at home! War is hell, people die…but Cindy Sheehan should be proud that her son served his country and fought to preserve our freedom!

Feel free to leave your comments here, I would love to hear what everyone has to say about Cindy Sheehan and the war in Iraq. In case you’re wondering; I am pro-Bush! Go ahead and comment on Mr. Bush too if the urge strikes you.

New Design for Blog

New Design for Blog

I was totally bored with the design of my blog so I did some research to find a new design. Here is what I came up with, please leave a comment and tell me what you think of the new design.

This is also an experiment to see if anybody actually reads these things in The Battle of the Blogs on http://www.blogexplosion.com/ or if they just vote on design.

I will enter this blog in a battle and see what happens.

I found this design at http://www.blogfrocks.com/ , they have many great designs there. I could not figure out how to install it but then I found a friend who was willing to help me out. Many thanks to "puremood" for her help in getting this new design installed and in working order.

Dancing with the Stars - Rematch

Did you miss "Dancing with the Stars" last night on ABC? Don't worry; there will be an encore presentation on Thursday, September 22 at 8/7c. Then at 9/8c we will find out who the winner is.

Personally, I like John O'Hurley and Charlotte Jorgensen. I think they are elegant and graceful on the dance floor. Kelly Monaco is awkward and more concerned about showing off her body than learning how to dance! Her partner Alec Mazo is a good dancer but his body language tells me he can’t stand Kelly! Maybe that's why there is no chemistry between them. Unlike John and Charlotte who definitely have chemistry.

I don't think it was fair the first time around when Kelly won because she was already an ABC soap star. That was kind of like stacking the deck in her favor. Then of course all the men probably voted for her because of her body! I thought we were judging on dance skills not nice looking bodies.

The show was fantastic; I watched every episode and was pulling for John O'Hurley the entire time. I hope John and Charlotte win this time around…they deserve it!

I would like to see Brad Garrett from "Everybody loves Raymond" on the show. I have seen him dance on "Raymond" and he’s a great dancer. Who would you like to see on "Dancing with the Stars"?

Remembering 911

Katrina has been the worst natural disaster ever to hit the United States. My heart goes out to all of those who were devestated by this hurricane.

However, let us pause for a moment and remember the events of September 11th, 2001 when so many people lost their lives.

It's hard to believe that this happened 4-years ago. I remember it like it was just yesterday! It's a shame that this happened at all. How can people be so evil to attack innocent civilians? What has this world come to?

Please take a few minutes this weekend to reflect upon 911 and pray for our world.

Celebrities and Katrina

I have to wonder about all the celebrities that are coming out of the woodwork in support of Katrina victims. How many do you think are really sincere and willing to put their money where their mouth is? I'm sure many of them are speaking up just for a photo opportunity and as soon as the cameras are turned off they are out of there!

I do applaud the people who are really helping and giving their time and money, it is wonderful to see so many good folks stepping up to the plate in this time of need.

Celebrities line up to aid relief effort
From the Detroit Free Press

Upcoming national celebrity benefits to raise money for relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina...

http://www.freep.com/entertainment/music/celebs9e_20050909.htm

Too Much Time On Our Hands

It appears that we have too much time on our hands today! Here I sit at my computer while I am supposed to be working ranting and raving in this blog! Look around at your job...how many people do you see surfing the Internet or forwarding stupid e-mail jokes?

Last night I had insomnia, so I got up and worked on the computer (actually I was playing SimCity 3000). It was 3:00 am, and sitting next to me on his computer was my 32 year old son...he had on a set of headphones and a mic while he played some shoot-em-up game on the Internet with a bunch of his insomniac buddies!

It's a good thing we have a high speed cable connection and a network of three computers in our house or else what would we have done at 3:00 am? Yes...I think some of us do have too much time on our hands!