Don't Worry, Be Happy! Click on the link to view it.
This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.
T'was the night before .......
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY, AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE, WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
Pass it on!
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Monday, November 22, 2004
Sent in by Heather.. The Little Things!
After Sept. 11th, one company invited the remaining members of other
companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their
available office space.
At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive... and all the stories were just:
The 'L I T T L E' things .
As you might know, the head of the company survived that day because his son started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.
One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.
One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.
One of them missed his bus.
One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.
One's car wouldn't start.
One went back to answer the telephone.
One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.
One couldn't get a taxi.
The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.
Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment..
Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.
May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.
companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their
available office space.
At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive... and all the stories were just:
The 'L I T T L E' things .
As you might know, the head of the company survived that day because his son started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.
One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.
One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.
One of them missed his bus.
One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.
One's car wouldn't start.
One went back to answer the telephone.
One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.
One couldn't get a taxi.
The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.
Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment..
Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.
May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.
Twas a special night Sunday night. What an awesome day! Paul and Heather had some feeder pigs delivered to them, uhmmm good deal! Phil, Tammy and Austyn became members of Lost Creek Church, and Austyn was baptized. Jon and Randi and Kaitlyn were on time for last nights get together in Shawnee.. (Yes, this is a big deal, as Jon is as bad with time as Bill Clinton!), Jake got our cattle fed so we could make the trip last night, and last evening, probably the best anniversary get together Ann and I have ever had! Everything was just right, and every one came, and the place we chose did not run us out ... Here is a pic of a very happy Grandma and Kaitlyn... The new pics are being uploaded right now, and there are a bunch of short videos from last night.. enjoy!!!
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Austyn was baptized today at church.
A big day today on the ponderosa... Today is Kaitlyn's 1 month birthday, Ann and I's wedding anniversary, Austyn was baptized, Phillip and Tammy and Austyn joined Lost Creek United Methodist Church, which is half way between Perkins and Stillwater in the country, and half way between where we live and where mom lives (we had Dad's funeral there). We are really proud of them for joining and of Austyn being baptized.
Looks like our kiddos and Ann and I may get together this evening for a small family thing for our anniversary. It is so very hard to get just the kids together anymore since each has family and that family is growing, but Ann and I understand. It's really neat when we can get everyone together. And we are so very proud of each kiddo's family! What a deal.. but enough about me, how bout YOU? How is your day going? Hope all is well with you and yours! Enjoy the day.
Andrew stayed with us all day Friday and he and the kitten had a ball. He was doing magic with the kitten and all of a sudden he could not find the kitten and went to looking for him... ta daa.. the kitten was looking for him...haha... new pics and photo albums have been added for your viewing pleasure.... enjoy!!!
Wanted to take a second of your time to let you all know there are new pics and video, some of the old video that was left off of new list, now online. I used this photo because of several things that are important today! First, it is Kaitlyn's 1 Month birthday today, how cool, and Jon has a new album online. Another is that Austyn Lee Moffat will be baptisted at Lost Creek United Methodist Church today, and his Dad and Mom, Phil and Tammy, are joining the church, I think... so I hear through the grapevine... and last but not least, this is our wedding anniversary, and that is awesome in it's own right. Ann and I have been married since 1972, yelp, 32 years. Not sure how in the world I found someone as neat, loving and caring as Momma Ann, but she is the light of my life, and I am so thankful she chose to be my wife. I know it's not been easy, but I am forever greatful of her love. And I love her dearly! All for now, enjoy the day!
Friday, November 19, 2004
From the Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa), 28 November 1863
Clipping of the Day
From the Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa), 28 November 1863, page 3:
DEDICATION OF GETTYSBURG CEMETERY.--The New York Dailies of Friday last contain accounts of the ceremonies at the dedication of the soldiers cemetery on the battlefield of Gettysburg. The crowd was great, the ceremonies imposing. The Oration of Mr. Everett was such as might be expected from his master mind. It is very long, and its deliver must of course have delighted all who heard it.
The dedicatory address of the President was brief and, as we think, most happily conceived. We print it below in full:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this Continent a new Nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. [Applause.] Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that Nation or any Nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure.--We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We are met to dedicate a portion of it as the final resting place of those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. it is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract. [Applause.] The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. [Applause.] It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work that they have thus far so nobly carried on. [Applause.] It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here shall highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain [applause]; that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom; and that Governments of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth. [Long continued applause.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Today marks the 141st anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. For more information on this historic speech, see: Today in History, November 19: Gettysburg Address (Library of Congress, American Memory)
From the Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa), 28 November 1863, page 3:
DEDICATION OF GETTYSBURG CEMETERY.--The New York Dailies of Friday last contain accounts of the ceremonies at the dedication of the soldiers cemetery on the battlefield of Gettysburg. The crowd was great, the ceremonies imposing. The Oration of Mr. Everett was such as might be expected from his master mind. It is very long, and its deliver must of course have delighted all who heard it.
The dedicatory address of the President was brief and, as we think, most happily conceived. We print it below in full:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this Continent a new Nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. [Applause.] Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that Nation or any Nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure.--We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We are met to dedicate a portion of it as the final resting place of those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. it is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract. [Applause.] The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. [Applause.] It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work that they have thus far so nobly carried on. [Applause.] It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here shall highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain [applause]; that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom; and that Governments of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth. [Long continued applause.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Today marks the 141st anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. For more information on this historic speech, see: Today in History, November 19: Gettysburg Address (Library of Congress, American Memory)
Thursday, November 18, 2004
The One Dollar Bill, submitted by Uncle Ivan Moffat, El Reno, OK. Thanks for sending...
ONE DOLLAR BILL
Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know.
If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.
"IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun."
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most heros monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming
together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning, "one nation from many people."
Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.
Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?" Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.
Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for... Otherwise, they will probably never know...
Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know.
If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.
"IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun."
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most heros monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming
together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning, "one nation from many people."
Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.
Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?" Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.
Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for... Otherwise, they will probably never know...
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Forgot to mention that Jake hitched up the ole pickup and loaded up his Mom and Grandma Moffat, and headed off into the wild Northwest... (Oklahoma) last Friday to gather up parts for the 970 Case Tractor that lost it's front end last summer... (Never too soon, haha!). They had a great trip, went to Meno, OK to Sturgis to gather up the parts, and had lunch, thanks to Uncle David Shaklee, at his favortie pizza place, along with Uncle Mike Shaklee. Great time was had by all, the parts were not as expensive as expected, and the pizza was the best!! Thanks Dave and Mike!! Now if we can find a time when it's not raining to get into the field to get the tractor back together... haha... Pic shows the problem with the front end ...haha.. T'was a fast stop! No one hurt!
Only Mrs. Moffat's Baby Boy could do this...
Just when Mrs. Moffat's baby boy has things going good with new daughter and all, and is going to get his college degree, and he has it all lined out... he shares this amazing story with us... check it out! Only Mrs. Moffat's Baby Boy could do this... hahahahaha.. love ya Jon, too good to miss ... haha.. Jon had just shared this story with us, complete with picture... haha..
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Get the word out.
Get the word out. We are significantly behind in the poll!!Go to
http://www.cottonbowl.com
and Vote for Oklahoma State to play in the Cotton Bowl.
http://www.cottonbowl.com
and Vote for Oklahoma State to play in the Cotton Bowl.
Brett Owen Fields, Welcome to the world!!
Brett Owen, with Mom and Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Fields, our neighbors to the west. Bruce was a pallbearer for Grandpa Moffat, and worked and helped Oscar and Elinore Moffat for since he was dry behind the ears!! Congrat's to the Fields on the newest Sooner Fan! Photo from hospital website.
Monday, November 15, 2004
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