Smoke on the Water

Spread the Word

This story from USA Today (via Drudge, of course) needs to get as much circulation as possible.

Poll shows troops in support of war

By Robert Hodierne, Army Times

Despite a year of ferocious combat, mounting casualties and frequent deployments, support for the war in Iraq remains very high among the active-duty military, according to a Military Times Poll. Sixty-three percent of respondents approve of the way President Bush is handling the war, and 60% remain convinced it is a war worth fighting. Support for the war is even greater among those who have served longest in the combat zone: Two-thirds of combat vets say the war is worth fighting. But the men and women in uniform are under no illusions about how long they will be fighting in Iraq; nearly half say they expect to be there more than five years. In addition, 87%% say they're satisfied with their jobs and, if given the choice today, only 25% say they'd leave the service. Compared with last year, the percentages for support for the war and job satisfaction remain essentially unchanged. Of course, do go and read the entire article.  Then, print some copies of it and leave it where your limp-wristed Bush hating co-workers will be sure to find it. Nothing beats the joy of watching liberals' fallacies being shattered over morning coffee.

A White Christmas

Here it is, the day after Christmas, and there's still snow on the ground here on the Texas Gulf Coast.

I truly wish I had a digital camera..... the looks on my cats' faces as they'd set paw in snow for the first time in their warm and furry lives was priceless to behold.

Lacking said imaging technology, I figured I'd do the next best thing, which is to shamelessly steal (by permission, per their licensing statement) a couple images from this site.

Yes, there was that much snow yesterday, and my boat had an equivalent buildup on top of the areas extending beyond the heated interior of the vessel.  And of course, with two heaters roaring belowdecks, I and the cats were warm, snug and dry.

 

Merry Christmas!

Ho Ho Ho Home Sweet Boat

Damn, it's just not supposed to be this cold here in Galveston, Texas.

Awakening to the sound of sleet tickling the deck above, I'm greeting this Christmas Eve Day with a counterattack of warmth of heart in a snug and cozy boat.

And with much to be thankful for, with my most humbled appreciation for each of you who've commented, e-mailed and even called lo these many weeks past.  I scarecly merit your inquiries, but I'm grateful all the same.  Please do accept my sincerest apologies for having not replied....  it's not that I wasn't congizant of your great intentions....it was that I could no more write there than I could have here.  And, I didn't.

You've helped to keep me sane and safe through many troubling times.  I'll catch y'all up on the roller-coaster life which has been my life later, but not now.  Today though, I want you all to know how very much I appreciate and hold you dear.

My folks are doing well, my cats are warm and happy and I'm beginning to see some daylight in my heart too.  Sometimes, nothing but time....for which there is no substitute........time, is what's needed to mend a broken heart, to soothe a troubled soul and to rest a weary mind.

The New Year cometh, and I'm truly looking forward to it. 

In the next few weeks, the comments on all old posts will be closed, one by one.  Until TypePad generates a tool to help kill spambots, that's going to be the only way to manage this small site.  Further, a frequent commenter (to be named later, now hush!), will join me on deck, making Smoke on the Water, for the first time, a collaborative writing effort. 

Gawd though, I can't believe what I'm feeling right now.  I'm damn near moved to tears, just being here at the keyboard again, and wanting to write, instead of wanting anything but the agony of facing the screen with an empty heart and a shattered soul.

Time heals all wounds.......and time is on my side for a change.

Again, a very Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.

All my Love.

Jim

Sloop New Dawn

Galveston, TX