I wish I knew how to put songs up on this blog. I’d put up “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel. That’s the way I feel today.

Okay, so they found a suspicious spot around the area where my last Cancer was located. This is not a good area for it to be in. They want to do a PET scan this time. This will be the third scan done on this area during the past three weeks, so it doesn’t bode well for the home team. I have no illusions about this; I never have. I’ve been here before and I know what the deal is. I know the tone of the voice-the lowered decibel of the words-the softness of a sympathetic eye. I can tell when people are kneading my mind for those old, “it’s been good to know ya’ but I gotta let you down”, blues.

It’s funny how people think. I used to think it would be the end of the world if I ever heard the word “Cancer”! It wasn’t the end of the world; it was the first round of the fight! Me and you buddy; mano e’ mano! Let’s go! Let’s see what you’ve got!

I am so thankful for the time I have had. I don’t mean that I think my number is up, or anything, but we have to face the situation. I’m not that young anymore. I can’t fight like I used to fight. I’ve had ten great years with this guy hangin’ around me. We’re like two Boxers, who beat the crap out of each other for twelve rounds, then hug after the fight is over. Weird isn’t it?

We’ve actually, become fairly good friends. He can’t help it; it’s his job! That’s the way it’s always been. You have your good guys, and you have your bad guys. And I ain’t never looked good in white anyway. But I’m tellin’ you my old friend, we don’t holster our gun when the war starts; we come out fightin’! So, you better bring your “A” game bucko!

All I know is I think he’s bringing his “A” game this time. The boy’s lookin’ pretty tough, so I gotta get up for this one.

“In the clearing stands the Boxer, a fighter by his trade;
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
Til he cried in his anger and his shame,
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains-
THE FIGHTER STILL REMAINS!

Wish me luck! I love you guys,
Joe

This day, above all others, means more than any other. We become families of each other. The gathering is all about love. It is all about how we show the people we love, that we love them and are glad they are with us. It is all about remembering those, who are no longer with us. It is all about the never-ending 'nest'. It's about the Aunts and Uncles and Cousins too. Sometimes their importance is forgotten.
We had our celebration last night, and another today. Amid the prospects of choosing a new president, and the meal, and 'the gathering and laughing, the football games, the music, all the fond memories, it is also a reflection of who we were, are, and will become-that great American celebration. It is about the Native people, who guided us through a darkened time. We are all family. today marks the day we began. It hasn't all been pretty, but we are here, at the 'gathering, to celebrate continuing.
As you all gather with your families, remember those who can't be at the nest. The gone, the departed, the hurt, the lonely. We are fortunate to be us. But for geography, and some very courageous anscestors, we would not know this wonderful day.
Gather together and have all the love and warmth of the gathering.
Happy thanksgiving,
jOE

It is lighter than the air of the wind;
it is a thread against the brick and mortar;
it is what made Pablo Ortiz go back into
that burning building, on 9-11, to help
others find safety.

Courage!

It is what defines us. And it leads to hope.
We all face our unknown known, every time we
breathe.
Katie, dear child, you have that courage.
Not that I am so courageous, but I have lived a
long, and happy life.
Today, I dedicate my life to you. Live long,
live happy, and have courage.

So, I’m 65, and it’s Friday. What the hell was I doing in Gulfport, Illinois, without my wife, at a place called “Naughty Girls”! My god, this is madness! But there I was, drinking my Old Style Light, and watching fabulous looking girls do things I wouldn’t dream of doing, up on that little stage. And they all had on these tall shoes. What is that? What if they tripped? There was an old guy up there sitting right next to the stage. The girl came up to him (I mean, he was the only one up there, so who else was she going to go to?). I saw her lean forward, and stick her ass right in this guy’s face! What is sexy about that? She had a great ass, but that close would make me go cross-eyed! She was so close, he could see the tag through her thong! What if she had to fart all of a sudden? You know those things do happen rather suddenly! Wow, I mean he could have kissed her ass. In fact, I do believe he did! Rick, the friend that took me over there asked me if I wanted to go up and sit there.
“Hell no,” I said, “not if she’s gonna stick her ass in my face!”
While we went up there, the dancer turned over. Now you’re talkin’! Her, her ‘thing’ was just a fingernail away from his face. I watched him. Call me a prude, but I wouldn’t like everyone watching me as she stuck her ‘thing’ in my face. That would be embarrassing. She bent all the way backwards, and let’s just say, he got a real dose of ‘thing’! She looked directly, over at me.
“Holy shit!” I thought, “she’s going to come over here!” she smiled a pretty smile. I have no idea what the look on my face was, but fear is pretty close! My friend got out some money, and gave me a couple of dollars. (I was as broke as a dropped glass.). The song ended and she left the stage. I breathed relief. I started to get up.
“No, no,” he said, “here she comes.” I looked up and saw a mad bomber coming at us. She must have been seven feet tall, legs up to my eyebrows, and beautiful. A lousy couple of dollars was not going to do it! She was worth millions! Holy shit, she came right up to me. I sensed a conspiracy between her and my friend. As sudden as a Chili fart, her ass was in MY face! Oh shit, what do I do now? She wiggled it. She gave her ass a whack!
“Go ahead, slap me!” she said to me! So, like the obedient servant I am, I slapped her ass.
“No, she said, harder than that!” I felt the welt of abuse fire up in me. Hell, I’d never slapped a woman in my life! So I smacked her again. She smiled broad. “Oooooh,” she exclaimed. “That was nice.”
Then she turned over. Holy shit, she had her beautiful ‘thing’ right in this old man’s face! If we were out in public, this beauty wouldn’t even look at me. Well, maybe out of pity, but here she was, with her ‘thing’ two inches away from my nose! Rick indicated for me to put the money in her thong. Hell, she was so close I had to feel my way to it! She pulled it open for me! My God, these two fingers, (these two right here-see?), put the dollars right by her ‘thing’. She held my hand there for seconds, and moaned, with pleasure. My God, she moaned! I, me, I made her moan! She got up dancing and went to the pole. I mean, this long-legged beauty, was an athlete on that pole. I was mesmerized! The song ended. Rick went back to our table.
“Come on, let’s have a beer.” I couldn’t get up. They were laughing at me back at the table. Goddamn, everybody in that place knew why I couldn’t get up yet. I felt like I was back in high school, after Joanne Belt showed me her legs all period, and the bell rang. I had to put my books in front to hide the arousal! I got back to the table. They were still laughing. It was comedy night at “Naughty Girls”, and I was the clown!
End of part I. Tomorrow, part II: Holy shit, My first lap dance! I’m not a Virgin anymore!

Herein lies the total wisdom of ages; the answer to all you seek; the way of absolute truth. In the offense of this day lies the path to righteousness, the keys to the kingdom! So, be at peace; your quest for pure nirvana is over. For you are about to walk the road of eternal understanding.
Yea, I say unto you, here are...

The words to “Louie Louie”:

Fine little girl, she waits for me
me catch me a ship for cross the sea
me sail the ship all alone
me never think me make it home
Louie, Louie, me gotta go

three nights and days me sail the sea
me think of me girl constantly
on the ship I dream she there
I smell the rose in her hair
Louie, Louie, me gotta go

me see Jamaica Moon above
it won’t be long me see my love
I take her in my arms and then
me tell her I never leave again
Louie, Louie, me gotta go

Well, there it is, I know it's a heavy thought, but these words are eternal, and I know nobody on this earth could understand them listening the to Kingsmen. You're welcome!