"A Passion for Cookies and a Crew Full of Rookies"

I hope Jimmy Buffett doesn't mind me borrowing his lyrics...but I couldn't help thinking about those words after saying good-bye to my son Travis in California....He left today for the desert and will be gone for six months..I got to spend a week with him and family and I'm very glad I did...We all hope to keep in touch...he has a phone card with 3000 minutes and his laptop....I hope one or the other can be used where he's going....As I have said before...he is an expert Combat Arms Instructor and will be doing that job over there....I'm hoping he will be out of harms way....The picture that his wife took a few months back is so poignant that I thought I'd show it again...to remind everyone not personally involved in this conflict....that there are brave and honorable men and women looking out for their freedom... and for freedom and the right to be free for others around the world...When they pass through that door.. sometimes for the last time.. on their journey to defend freedom...leaving family and loved ones behind..it is one of the saddest and proudest moments of a parents life...God Bless and Godspeed my son....

I'll be doing another post in a day or so...with more summer fun.....and book updates

Til Next Time..

Semper Fi

Monk

Lazy, Hazy and Crazy Days of Summer....

Suzy and I went out for a relaxing Sunday breakfast at the airport only to be surprised by two events that took place at our meal....First...as we took our seats under the shade of one of the tables with umbrellas...we were approached by another couple who thought we were just leaving and wanted the table as well...we invited them to join us and introduced ourselves...Jim and Ruth Chapmen were their names (I didn't get a picture of them but I will if I can this week and replace this beautiful sunflower that I couldn't resist) and as it turned out Jim had been in the Marines in 1964...a few minutes into the conversation this blog came up and I mentioned that I had started it back in January on a lark and was now firmly hooked on continuing my stories...Suzy spoke up and said " Tell them what else got you into bloging"...being humble as I am I hadn't mentioned the book and wasn't going to unless asked....so I said that I had written a book and that was also a good reason to have the blog....Jim asked what the title was and when I said "Monk's War" he excitedly said "I've read that book, my daughter bought it for me on Amazon, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting and loved it"....To meet a stranger and have them know you by your book was an amazing experience for me...I was just as shocked as he was...It felt good to hear him speak well of my writing and if I never have the experience again I will still be glad that it happened at least once in my life.....What a thrill.....

The next breakfast surprise was not a pleasant one but still an interesting event...we got to see a Mercy Flight chopper land to take an accident victim to the hospital...the women had fallen from a bike and they suspected that she had a broken neck....the airport was the closest safe place to get the ambulance and the chopper in the same place and even though it was a sad occasion it was some additional Sunday excitement that was unexpected...

My grandson Alex had a 15th birthday party and we all had a good time getting most of the kids together in one place....it's getting tougher as they get older to be able to see them all in one place...a few weeks ago when Travis was home on leave was the first time in two years that we had them all together....We had a good time and judging from the amount of cake and ice cream they wanted me to eat...(see picture).. I assume that they think I'm not fat enough...I went a little overboard this year...instead of the usual money in the envelope from grandpa...I got him a real radar gun that he could use to get the speed of his and his teammates pitches...I thought it was a good surprise....they put it to the test right away but not on baseballs...they went outside and got the speed of bicycles, people running, Frisbees and even the speed of my son Ryan's punches....everything except baseballs...I hope it lasts until he can get to the ball field with it.....

Every week I play a little Texas Hold'em with some friends...This past week I was surprised to see a friend of mine... Jeff..reading my book as we waited for the tournament to begin...I had given him a copy earlier and he said he couldn't wait to read it....Thanks for making my day Jeff...even though I didn't come in the money...I think he did...I'm glad someones lucky in cards...I'm not complaining...I'm lucky in so many ways that sometimes I think I don't deserve it.....

My son Ryan got a new jeep and a new job since the last report....He is now an official member of the Rochester Police Department....one of the finest in the country... and I couldn't be happier for him...he's been trying to land a law enforcement position for over a year....with a degree in psychology you'd think it wouldn't be that hard...he is a very intelligent and caring young man and Rochester should be glad to have him....I'm very proud of him as I am all my children...he is a volunteer fireman and trained EMT as well.....He said he had a hard time getting his "game face" on for the ID card....He was so happy he just couldn't stop smiling...Instead..in this picture when he should be smiling it looks like he's been practicing that "hard ass" look....Good Luck Son and God Bless...

I took Andy, Kelsey and Suzy out for supper at a little sandwich shop in a local plaza..we were pleasantly surprised by the beautifull garden right next to it in the parking lot....It gave the whole experience so much more than just eating in a strip mall....I know what your thinking...supper in a strip mall...nothing like treating the ones you love to a cheap meal....this mall sandwich shop was anything but cheap...you know the ones I mean with all the fancy names for what amounts to be nothing more than a grilled sandwich...it cost me 50 bucks for three sandwiches and a salad....but the flower garden was nice......somebody has to pay for those flowers...

I play horseshoes every Monday....tough life Huh?.....My brother Terry runs a small league at the local Moose club....A great organization by the way...you should check it out....only six teams get to play at once and its a three game match...so the rest have to wait their turn on the deck...this gives the teams in the pits a built in cheering or jeering section depending on how many friends or enemies you have on the deck....We have a great time and some have a better time than others...but they get a free ride home and their keys back in the morning.....

Two parting shots.....Of course no blog entry would be complete with out a picture of the world's most beautiful

baby...Dakota..whom I will be visiting next week in California....before her Dad...Travis... gets to go to the dessert for six months....

and a final shot of one of my neighbors...Dave...just before he rolled this baby over....I was laughing so hard I didn't get a picture of him upside down....he sure is quick for an old guy...he is trying to restore an old wooden canoe and I guess it needs more work...or he needs more practice....

Until Next Time...

Semper Fi...

Monk