Yes, that is what my family is saying to me about now. I had ordered about 6 Japanese Red Maple trees, which gave me the idea of growing some of them. Well they have Japanese red, green, blood, painted, trident, and a few others maple trees. So I ordered a bunch of seeds, alot cheaper. lol

I also grabbed a couple of seedling maple trees from my sisters house. Then while on ebay I saw a guy that I had bought from years ago and ordered, 2 fringe trees, 4 sweetgum trees, and 2 Japanese green maples. My wife went to my mother-in-laws and out of my old seed bed brings back 4 magnolia trees, 2 camphor trees, and I think 1 chinese elm ( I’m not 100% sure on that one) I also found a guy in the area that sold trees and bought 6 Cassia Trees. So while I’m planting and potting all the trees I decided to put my “Paperbark Maple” in the ground. I’ve been babying it for 5 years or so.

I decided to rejoin the national arbitrator society so now I have 10 river birch, 10 bald cypress, 5 white dogwoods, and 5 redbuds on their way in November. You join and get so many free trees.

A few days ago I saw some red “Royal Poinciana” pretty cheap so I bought two of them as well. Today the guy emailed me and asked if I’d like some yellow “Royal Poinciana” … sure what is another two trees. He then said, well for $7.50 I can throw in another orange “Royal Poinciana”? What the hell just 5 more trees right… oh boy.

I had emailed a guy about a small paperbark maple tree that I might bonsai. I also asked him to work a deal on a Katsura Tree … just two more huh. Oh and I have a Brazilian Raintree (Bonsai) and a Hawaiian umbrella tree (Bonsai) on their way.

Now I didn’t even touch on how many trees I have planted in pots, another paperbark maple, 3 golden rain trees, 2 dogwoods, 2 redbuds, Dwarf Royal Poinciana, 2 dawn redwoods, 2 pine trees, Ginkgo biloba, and a pecan tree. I’m sure I have missed some and never mentioned what I already have in the ground.

I think I have a problem with trees… no more… STOP! (Maybe) OH and my brother-in-law told me he had a few nice big magnolia trees for me.

Daniel Emmett, the composer of “Dixie” was not only from the North, but he was also a loyal Unionist. He was disgusted by the song’s popularity in the South. Lincoln claimed that it was one of “the best tunes I ever heard”.

Dixie
by Daniel Decatur Emmett of Mount Vernon, Ohio

Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten, (Alt Original: Cinnamon seed and sandy bottom,)
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land.

In Dixie Land, where I was born in,
early on one frosty mornin’,
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land.

I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie Land I’ll take my stand
to live and die in Dixie.

Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie

Optional Verses

Ole Missus marry “Will the weaver”
Willum was a gay deceiver
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land

But when he put his arm around ‘er,
He smiled fierce as a forty pounder,
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land

His face was sharp as a butcher’s cleaver
But that did not seem to grieve ‘er
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land

Ole Missus acted the foolish part
And died for a man that broke her heart
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land

Now here’s a health to the next ole Missus
An’ all the gals that want to kiss us;
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land

But if you want to drive ‘way sorrow
Come and hear this song tomorrow
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land

There’s buckwheat cakes and Injun batter,
Makes you fat or a little fatter
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land

Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel,
To Dixie’s Land I’m bound to travel,
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land

1. Both were born in Kentucky, less than one hundred miles and one year apart. They remain the only presidents born in Kentucky.
2. Both served during the Black Hawk War (1832).
3. Both suffered from depression.
4. Both lost sons before and during their presidencies.
5. Both served in the U.S. Congress.
6. Neither regarded African Americans as equal to whites
7. Neither asked to be nominated as president. Neither man chose his vice-president.
8. Both condemned John Brown’s Raid.
9. Both were political moderates.
10. Both had worn a dress as a disguise.

VJ Day meant the end of World War II, but at a very high price.  For those who don’t know what V.J. Day is it’s Victory over Japan Day, also known as  “Victory in the Pacific Day”, “V-J Day”, or “V-P Day”! On Aug. 14, 1945 Japan surrendered unconditionally, after the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on two of their cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Those bombs killed about a quarter of a million people.

It was actually August 15 when it actually happened but because of the time zone changes it was August 14 for the United States when it happened. Whenever it happened everyone was happy that the war was over. VE Day happened a few months earlier and everyone could see the end of the war in sight. Japan started the war with the U.S. December 7, 1941 and 4 long years later it ended with both side having lost many great men and women.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto said, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” He didn’t really realize what a monster they’d awoke in us. About 2,403 Americans were killed at Pearl Harbor, up to 250,000 were killed at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The U.S. to date is the only nation that has used atomic weapons on a civilian population. Which is ironic because we seem to be the nuclear police force of the world. We’ve used atomic, biological weapons on civilians. When we look at other countries as being barbaric that is something to remember.

Looking back at 1945 we celebrated the wars end. Our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers could come home and be a family again. I don’t think we were really celebration the death of so many civilian people.

My grandfather was in the pacific fleet during WW2 and he never forgave the Japanese. I think for him it was the friends lost and he saw the war with a front row seat. I remember him with his new 1969 gold LTD telling me… never buy one of those JAP cars.

I could understand if I were to cut weeds and trees down on their property but actually having the nerve to say something about me cutting weeds on my own property? WTF ? It blocks the view from her house to ours. Her house is a little trashy and if anyone would want the weeds to remain in place it would be us.

I need to let it go but know, more than ever, I want to cut everything down and leave it bare. Not that I really want it that way but because I know they’d bitch about it. I’m trying to be nice… trying!

I don’t want any upset neighbors but if that’s the way it has to be then so be it… I’ll have fun with it and see how bad I can make them hate me. LOL – Something is wrong with me I think!

We (Steven) made some cookies at work today and I’m not bragging but they were some of the best cookies I’ve ever eaten in my life. They were package chocolate chip cookies. Maybe it was me just hungry and it’s been awhile since I had some fresh baked cookies but wow… top 10 best cookies I’ve ever eaten.

It’s strange how everything can totally suck but eating some cookies and milk makes everything seem so much better!

I’ve been so tired today I’ve literally have had to fight to keep my eyes open. If I laid my head down right now it wouldn’t take 2 full minutes till I was out for the count. I’ve actually had to catch myself a couple of times where my eyes closed for more than a blink.

We’ll tonight is going to be a rest night. I’ve got 3 more trees to plant and three that need to have water and mulch on them. That is under an assumption that I can stay aways. I need a few tree rings but I’m not paying $10 each for them. LOL

It’s been 69 years ago since the United States dropped an atomic bomb (Little Boy) on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.  It has been estimated that “Little Boy” killed 90,000–166,000 people. Keep in mind those number don’t reflect military troops, that 90,000 – 166,000 people are men, women, and children, the civilian population. Thank God we are a civilized nation!

Now imagine that happening today… it’s unthinkable isn’t it. My mother was 8 years old when this happened. The exciting thing was that everyone knew it would end the war.

Together with the United Kingdom and China, the United States called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945, threatening “prompt and utter destruction”.

On August 6, 1945 the United States gave Japan a visual demonstration of what “utter destruction” meant.

The terrorist bombed the Twin Towers and killed what 2,996 people and we went to war over that. We called them terrorist and hunted them down. We stood around and talked about how horrific that was to attack a civilian population.

I pray that we’re forgiven for what we have done as a nation!

Don’t forget during the bombings, 20 U.S., Dutch, British prisoners of war killed

The Enola Gay dropped the “Little Boy” atomic bomb on Hiroshima. In this photograph are five of the aircraft’s ground crew with mission commander Paul Tibbets in the center.

Just Start… Some People waiting for the perfect day will delay to start someday. Someday isn’t a real day. Don’t think your idea has to be perfect, it’s not going to be. You find perfection through countless hours at focusing and developing your craft, which includes many failures.

So don’t start someday, start Monday.

oh well, Shit Happens doesn’t it. (a great quote)

Today was a messed up day. Last night I awoke sick as hell and wanted to call in sick. Well I had a class today for swimming pool contractors. A guy signed up because I scheduled the class, guess what, he didn’t show up. WTF? I got up sick and went in and got ready to teach and waited 1 1/2 hours for him. He said he couldn’t do the recording because he doesn’t do that internet stuff… I guess he’s stuck in the 80’s or something. My 76 year old mother understands and plays on the internet.

What we do today will effect generations to come. When we act or react our actions do matter. Are we going to be looked at as Idiots or a genius. I worry what my grandchildren and great grandchildren will judge us. Our fore fathers believe in things so much they gave all they had and were willing (and some did) sacrifice their lives for their posterity.  I don’t think we have those virtues in us anymore. We’ve been stripped of so many freedoms we think that is the way it has to be. Would our fore fathers be ashamed of us? I think they probably would be.

Till tomorrow everyone… good night to you all.