FReeper Canteen ~ Pancakes on Wednesday ~ October 19, 2005

Guest Chef Spotsybelle

[Spotsy]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Military Families, Allies and FRiends!

Born on this Day
1932 actor Robert Reed,
best known as Mike Brady on
The Brady Bunch,
died 1992

Born on this Day
1945 transvestite and actor Divine,
born Harris Glenn Milstead,
credits include Hairspray and Polyester,
died 1988

Happy Birthday
1945 actor John Lithgow,
credits include TV series
"3rd Rock from the Sun" and
Twilight Zone: The Movie

Happy Birthday 1967 Amy Carter, daughter of Jimmy and Rosalynn;
advised father on nuclear non-proliferation during the 1976 presidential campaign

Word of the Day
beneficence \buh-NEFF-i-suhns\, noun:
The practice of doing good; active goodness, kindness, or charity; bounty springing from purity and goodness
From my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and the government of my temper. From the reputation and remembrance of my father, modesty and a manly character. From my mother, piety and beneficence and abstinence.
--Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

[S]he had disseminated around her what seemed an involuntary aura of beneficence and goodwill.
--John Bayley, Elegy for Iris

On this Day in History 1781 British General Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown,
effectively bringing an end to the American Revolution. Pleading illness, Cornwallis did not attend the surrender ceremony; his second-in-command, General Charles O'Hara, carried Cornwallis' sword to the American and French commanders. As the British troops marched out to surrender, the British bands played the song "The World Turned Upside Down."

On this Day in History 1812 One month after Napoleon Bonaparte's massive invading force entered a burning and deserted Moscow, the starving French army was forced to begin a hasty retreat out of Russia

Field Trip
WORLDSERIES.COM
Isn't there a Chicago team going to the World Series?
I wonder if Tomkow knows which team.

Don't forget the syrup! Pancakes Wednesday with the Troops --
definitely!

[stand watie]

GE, ma'am (said with groundward sweep of plumed, GRAY, slouch hat!)

CUTE graphic, too!

free dixie,sw

[Mrs.Nooseman]

~chuckle~

I missed your greeting.

Thanks.

How are you?

[Lady Jag]

I've got two desktops side by side. When FR is slow on one, I get more work done on the other. Plus there's the TV, police scanner, cats, and birdfeeders, not to mention the occasional human being.

[La Enchiladita]

The Mark of the Beast!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Warning :Hankies are needed.

This is the story my son got in his email.

How could you?

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?"-but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person", still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch-because your touch was now so infrequent-and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don'tlet them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?" They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind-that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself-a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place .

[Lady Jag]

As long as its operational, it's good.

[Colonial Warrior]

Every soldier I know would much rather face the enemy than to be a bearer of such bad news.

But in truth, the kind words of Mrs Beard most likely reflected her son's steadfast belief in what he was doing was right. He served his country well. His memory sustains her, and his faith and care for his fellow soldiers in life lives on by his Mom's taking the time to pen this letter.

She may never fully realize how much it has meant to all who read it. For it describes her torture, her healing, and her fervent wish to make amends to the nameless soldier, who through no fault of his own, was called upon to be the messenger.

God Bless our Troops -- everywhere!

[stand watie]

WELL, thanks!

Walter & i are doing WELL in our new biz. in DIXIE, of course!

free dixie,sw

[Lady Jag]

I have a navel.

[La Enchiladita]

Cool set up, old girl!

It's important to have in person warm-bodied human beings in one's life, too!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

You are welcome.:)

That's good news to hear.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Lady Jag
I hope you had a good day! It sure was a beautiful day! I had an opportunity to enjoy it too. :)
HUGS!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Hey you,you made it back.

YIPPEE.

[stand watie]

WALTER is THE REASON we are doing so well our 1st month.

he is a WONDER at repairing DIFFICULT problems in carpets/rugs. (including one that a fellow's bird-dog dug a HOLE in about the size of a doormat!)

free dixie,sw

[txradioguy]

It's the first time I've tried to set it up for an automatic transfer...where it just dumps the show to the player from the download folder as soon as I sync it to the computer.

I finally got it working...I think...we'll find out at lunch.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

It is great that you have such a talented partner.

I am sure with him working with you ,your business will be booming in no time.

Mrs.N.

[Lady Jag]

Today was gorgeous, wasn't it. We won't have too many more of these before getting that 6 month nip in the air. :)

[Lady Jag]

Cool set up, old girl! It's important to have in person warm-bodied human beings in one's life, too!

Yeah, it's the last three things I mentioned that aren't on all the time! LOL!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[Lady Jag]

Sunshine