hot donuts at the end of the day

It is always such a good time when I get together with my brothers and sister. I spent time today with two of my brothers, my sister and my mom. My mom is ninety now and my sister has retired so she can take care of her. Mom looks so content now. She looked a bit worried last time I saw her so it was good to see her a bit more chipper. My brother, (d)ee was also looking good today. So was brother (e)ee. I enjoyed listening to his stories and his philosophy of life. He is a Viet Nam Veteran, so much of our conversation today was centered around Viet Nam and respect of persons today. He was drafted in 1968, and served 13 months in Viet Nam, near the DMZ. He saw lots of action and it is a miracle he survived. Twice his unit was over run and he lost men each time. He still feels guilty at times that he survived and some of his men didn't.

I could sit for hours and listen to stories of World War II when my dad was alive, and now I can sit for hours and listen to brother talk about Viet Nam. He has considered writing a book about his experience, but he says that there probably wouldn't be anyone interested in reading it. I think he would be surprised.

I served in the Air Force back in the early seventies, but I didn't see much action. I joined the service because my dad had served, and my brother had served, and I felt obligated to follow in their footsteps. I would have gladly served on foreign soil if the need had arisen.

After an afternoon of listening to stories and telling stories of my own, my wife, (t)onks, (r)ouge and I enjoyed each other's company at Applebee's and stopped by Krispy Kreme for freshly-made hot donuts.
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Song 252: The Battle For Evermore
Artist: Led Zepellin
Album: Led Zepellin 4 [Zoso]
Year: 1971
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Queen of Light took her bow, And then she turned to go,
The Prince of Peace embraced the gloom, And walked the night alone.

Oh, dance in the dark of night, Sing to the morning light.
The dark Lord rides in force tonight, And time will tell us all.

Oh, throw down your plow and hoe, Rest not to lock your homes.

Side by side we wait the might of the darkest of them all.

I hear the horses' thunder down in the valley below,
I'm waiting for the angels of Avalon, waiting for the eastern glow.

The apples of the valley hold, The seeds of happiness,
The ground is rich from tender care, Repay, do not forget, no, no.
Dance in the dark of night, sing to the morning light.

The apples turn to brown and black, The tyrant's face is red.

Oh war is the common cry, Pick up your swords and fly.
The sky is filled with good and bad that mortals never know.

Oh, well, the night is long, the beads of time pass slow,
Tired eyes on the sunrise, waiting for the eastern glow.

The pain of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath,
The drums will shake the castle wall, the ringwraiths ride in black, Ride on.

Sing as you raise your bow, shoot straighter than before.
No comfort has the fire at night that lights the face so cold.

Oh dance in the dark of night, Sing to the morning light.
The magic runes are writ in gold to bring the balance back. Bring it back.

At last the sun is shining, The clouds of blue roll by,
With flames from the dragon of darkness, the sunlight blinds his eyes.

Ooh, Bring it back, Bring it back...