After a restless night of attempted sleep, I finally got out of bed at 6 am this morning, put a pot of coffee on and climbed into a hot shower to begin an important day.
At 7:45 am I went through the metal detector screening of the courthouse and found my way to Courtroom #4.
Veterans Court.
At 8:05, the bailiff said, Everyone rise."
The judge came in and directed a Vet to lead the courtroom in the "Pledge of Allegiance."
I placed my hand over my heart and recited words that I've known since grade school.
I still felt as proud today saying those words as I did in school and when I enlisted.
There were about a dozen Vets who were called before the Judge to relate their progress and shortcomings.
The Judge was fair but firm.
Every Vet that stood before the judge assumed the "Parade Rest" stance.
After about 7-8 Vets had their time before the Judge, a Vet was called to face the Judge. My Vet Rep from the Dept. of Labor, who was sitting in front of me, turned to me and said, "I have paired you with him."
"Him" is named John. He is a 70 year old Air Force Vet who I later found out served in Southeast Asia during Viet Nam.
A little info about "Veteran's Court."
It is a 5 phase program that usually takes 2 years to complete.
One Vet today had completed the program and several others had progressed to the next phase.
John is new and begins phase one.
After court, when everyone was dismissed by the bailiff, my Vet Rep from the Dept. of Labor introduced John and I.
I will not go into details of what John and I will work on but I feel confident that John will succeed.
We exchanged phone numbers and I told him to send me a Friend request via Facebook.
I have just accepted his Friend request and I will do whatever I can to see that he will graduate phase 5!
I feel extremely confident in his sincerity and success!
It is now late and I feel a weight of uncertainty has been lifted from my shoulders and that brings about a pleasant and restful sleep.
I also told Tristan that I'd provide a nice salad for our lunch tomorrow.
Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, doing the best you can
Well it's all right, as long as you lend a hand
You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (End of the Line)
Waiting for someone to tell you everything (End of the Line)
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring (End of the Line)
Maybe a diamond ring
Well it's all right, even if they say you're wrong
Well it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it's all right, As long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it's all right, everyday is Judgment Day
Maybe somewhere down the road aways (End of the Line)
You'll think of me, wonder where I am these days (End of the Line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays (End of the Line)
Purple haze
Well it's all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it's all right, if you got someone to love
Well it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line
Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive (End of the Line)
I'm just glad to be here, happy to be alive (End of the Line)
It don't matter if you're by my side (End of the Line)
I'm satisfied
Well it's all right, even if you're old and gray
Well it's all right, you still got something to say
Well it's all right, remember to live and let live
Well it's all right, the best you can do is forgive
Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, even if the sun don't shine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line
Sad Songs Always Make Me Cry!
[video]https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hsimp=yhs-att_001&hspart=att&p=billy+joel+saigon+youtube#id=1&vid=1265dbe07aab8e13835e574c43e82c1d&action=click[/video]11-06-65
You got to start him with something fairly light and straight forward to use....say maybe an Garrett Ace 150/250 or something comparable don't want him to get frustrated from the get go.
Got my replacement title for my truck today.
Now I should be able to sell it in less than a week.....
Boss at work asked if I'd be interested in working a few hours on Saturday to help with a project involving painting traffic stripes in the parking lot.
I said, "ABSOLUTELY!"
I've already got over 2 hours overtime this week since Monday.
I've also got yard chores to attend to this weekend.
Looks like I'll be busy.