Inside My Mind

Today we honor the sacrifices made by all of those who have performed in service to our nation.

Americans by the millions, sometimes standing for hours in line, availed themselves of their most precious right yesterday. They voted.

Americans, who went to bed early rather than stay up until the historic midnight pronouncement, woke up to find the country would have it's first president of African descent come January. In what is seen as a repudiation of the current president more than a repudiation of his opponent, the Senator from Arizona, Barack Obama was chosen to be the 44th President of the United States of America with more than 50% of the vote.

November already? Hard to believe this year is in its 11th month. Seems as if the start of the new year was only a couple of weeks ago. And to make things appear more unrealistic, the mercury is shooting upwards this week. The red will hit 80 today on the 2nd day of the month. This month is suppose to be cool, much cooler than we've had. All this week forecasters call for mid to upper 70s.

Enjoyed a very nice dinner with Kev in Vincennes Friday night. We met at La Fiesta (Vincennes). We all agreed the Linton one was better and more diner friendly. Kev has been having some anxiety. He very much has proved he is the chip off the old block. The anxiety comes not from anything in particular, but from deep within. I know the feeling and the concerns quite well. I have dealt with it all my life. Unfortunately, seems Kev has inherited this from me.

From Vincennes, we all traveled south to Evansville. Kev was going to visit Hailey, who attends the Evansville University or is it the University of Evansville...nevermind, I didgress. Iohn and I drove and found The Brick House, a quaint club we will visit often.

Today is an off-day for Iohn. We do have laundry to do. We do have running to do. But all in all it is a day of relaxation. Iohn works a double Monday, while I run around and pay bills. He starts his new, second job at Casey's on Tuesday. Things are starting an upward trend just in time for the holidays.

And how was your week?

There's actually some good economic news here in the cornfield...well at least coming out of Mark's Den. Yep, here on Halloween, we have been handed a treat and not a trick. Iohn has landed a second job at the local Casey's convenience store. The added income couldn't come at a better time with the holidays approaching.

Speaking of the holidays, here's a wish from the Den:

Today Iohn turns 22. Yep, this is his birthday. To celebrate we went out to dinner last evening at La Fiesta in Linton. We followed the evening celebration up with karaoke at Patrick's in Sullivan, where Iohn works. Turned out to be a very nice night. Iohn certainly enjoyed himself.

Iohn was supposed to be off today as well, which is his normal day off. He learned while out last night he was needed to fill in for a co-worker who had to quit tonight.

Happy birthday Iohn!!!!

Our little family here in Mark's Den continues to grow. The other night while taking Frankie out for his nightly constitution...he darted across the yard. As I approached I could make out a solid black figure. It was a very small, stray kitten. Frankie and the kitten were nuzzling each other. Frankie acting like quite the little "mom".

That is how Midnight became the newest member of the Mark's Den family.
And here she is:

And here are Frankie and Mystique:

October is well on its way to conclusion. Just one more Saturday left in this month. Not only is All Hallowed Eve approaching quickly, but so is Iohn's birthday along with my Dad's and brother Lynn's birthdays.

Iohn will turn 22 on the 26th. But not before my Dad turns 73 on the 21st. Lynn will turn 52 on the 28th.

Following close behind is the big holiday season of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. There are also other significant events. Kev will turn 19 on the 29th of November. I will turn 54 on the 13th of December. My brother Phil will reach 51 on the 22nd of December.

Iohn is waiting word on whether he has landed a position with Burger King in Sullivan. It will only be 20 to 25 hours a week, but for more money than he currently makes per hour at Patrick's. He will be keeping the cook's position at Patrick's as well as doing time at Burger King. With birthdays and holidays and the overall economic upheaval resulting in soaring costs, the added income will be more than welcome.

Oh yeah, I failed to mention one other event that is looming and nearly upon us here in the cornfield and across the US of A. It is almost Election Day. Who will it be, McCain or Obama?

Here in the cornfield, despite prognostications to the contrary, it would seem that the Senator from Arizona has the upper hand over the Senator from Illinois. Don't be surprised if this election is much closer than anyone could have imagined. Don't be surprised if there is an upset. People don't always tell the truth to pollsters. Sometimes they skirt the truth or don't exactly tell all. There is a big question of bias in the electorate that is not being addressed and probably can't be addressed truthfully by the pollsters.

Like it or not, 21st Century, more enlightenment, more acceptance...those are the words received by the pollsters. Truth, bias, prejudice still simmer beneath the surface. People still won't admit to being anything less than accepting and altruistic. That deep, long harbored distrust of others may rear its head during this election throwing the conventional wisdom and the pundits into disarray.

From the cornfield, not all is as it would appear while watching 24-hour news or surfing the information super highway.