Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Down for Maintenance

Taking some time off for reflection, and to get away from this computer.

Other priorities are demanding my attention again. I hope to be back in a few weeks with renewed enthusiasm.

As a parting thought, I was privileged to be in attendance at a function last night where the mother of a Canadian soldier was speaking just days after seeing her son off on his way to Afghanistan.

Although they were both very cognizant of the danger, she talked with pride about her son's desire to help another country become free, and in the process for himself to become a better person.

As a mother myself who just had two children out of the country for the past few weeks, I cannot imagine what she is going through in this situation.

But I admire her courage, and the courage and conviction of her son.

They are both models of the highest level of humanity - when we can get beyond our own petty needs and desires, and actually do something to try to improve the world.

God bless you, young soldier, and both your family at home and your new army family in Afghanistan. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would consider a truce if I received a heartfelt, humble apology. But that isn't likely to happen.

I truly and humbly apologize. I honestly do not know what came over me. I can be a very, very bad man sometimes. Forgive me?

ps....I think I love you.

RT

Forward Looking Canadian said...

great stuff here Joanne... keep it up.

Your blog is always entertaining and respectful so don't be discouraged by others.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Mmm.. I don't know if that would qualify as "heartfelt", but it does seem "humble". And it is an apology of sorts.

O.K. Truce!
ps....I think I love you. I'll ignore that, thank you.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Riley, thanks.

Your blog is always entertaining and respectful so don't be discouraged by others. You too. I've learned so much about policy from your blog!

Red Tory said...

Man, I hate it when Omar jacks my handle.

What a knob.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

O.K. Red, you lost me there.

Omar said...

Oh, all right, I admit it. It was me, but my intentions were as pure as the driven snow. As heartfelt as a Julio Iglesias song. As honest as z z z z z zz zzzz....

Knob?

Red Tory said...

Sorry to disappoint, but I DID NOT write that first comment.

Forward Looking Canadian said...

clever Omar.... but I think most people just find you creepy.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Will the real Red Tory please stand up?

Spitfire said...

Hi Joanne,

Enjoy the break!! I will be signing off for a week as well starting on Friday! Getting some R&R will be nice!!

Take Care

~Spitfire

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Thanks, Spitfire, and thanks for the nod on your blog. Have a great week off!

Anonymous said...

Omar, I was just over at your blog, and would have posted there, but since you don't allow anyone but bloggers to reply I'm doing it here. (sorry joanne!)
I thought the clip you picked was really funny! Well done!

Joanne: I thought that the RT comment was very out of character for him, but was hopeful for a change in attitude. Ahh, well, some things never change.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Kelly - No apologies required! Thanks for your input.

Yeah, if it seems too good to be true, chances are it is.

On the plus side, I'm not in Red's "Gormless Asshat" category on his blog links anymore. I see that as a step in the right direction. ;)

Moved up to "Conservadroid."

Omar said...

clever Omar.... but I think most people just find you creepy.

Riley -- not as creepy as the fact 70% of New Brunswickers are related.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

not as creepy as the fact 70% of New Brunswickers are related.

And are they all related to you, Omar?

Omar said...

I'm from Ontario.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I'm from Ontario.

There goes that theory.

Omar said...

Yep, 1963-1983
Kingston-Belleville-Ottawa

Looks like a hockey career.

Haha

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Remember that old Beatles song? "Come back; come back; Come back to where you once belonged."

No Jo-Jo. Forget about it.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Dirk, yeah. In spite of Sir Paulie's seal hunt politics, I still like the music, and now I feel a bit sorry for the guy since he's being taken to the cleaners by his ex-lady.

Anonymous said...

"Get Back" was the song Sir Paul cites as one that Heather had "never heard of" on the radio because she was raised on classical music. "Oh, was that one of yours?"

Or maybe they only play harem music at Adnan "Kha-shagger"'s parties.


Now back in the 60s, we didn't any of that gender bending crap like today:
"Sweet loretta martin thought she was a woman
But she was another man
All the girls around her say she's got it coming
But she gets it while she can"

Oops, I forgot, we were the rebels changing the world, then became yuppies. Oh, the shame!

Joanne (True Blue) said...

L.S. - lol! Too funny. Oh, man, that takes me back...

Omar said...

"Get Back" was the greatest Rolling Stones song the Stones never did.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Oh, yeah! They would have done it justice!

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Gone fishing for a few days, guys.

Any comments will sit in moderation limbo for a while, because I will not be near a computer. Instant withdrawal!

Help!!

Suzanne said...

Waaaahh....I want you back!!!

Sara said...

omg RT and Omar very funny,
I really like the P.S. I think I love you ahahaha

you see you pick on the ones you love the most... you two are like kids in school where the boy pulls the girls hair because he wuvs her nananana...

the omar thing well that is a bit scary but hey to each their own I think he just wants to join in..

come on joanne get back so you can post this.

I missed you guys anyone miss me!!

OMMAG said...

C'mon back Jo..................there's monkey business going down in Caledonia (still).

OMMAG

Sara said...

I know you are still there because your name is still close to the top, you can't do that without refreshing or posting new on your blog,, come on girl get up and get over the idiots.. this is not real it is just the internet. You know who matters and who doesn't. ok I matter but still some people don't!

Joanne (True Blue) said...

lol! Sara! I really was away! I don't have any idea why the aggregator was putting my blog at the top. I wasn't even near a computer! Honest! I think the aggregator needs some maintenance!

Yes, I missed you too! :)

PGP - Please fill me in!

Suzanne - Thanks for needing me!

Sara said...

good girl glad your bad, did you see the nut who emailed me on my blog lol

Joanne (True Blue) said...

good girl glad your bad

Yes, I'm very bad. ;)

I saw that nut-case email, Sara! Someone with an axe to grind for sure!!