Lee's Rants

     It seems the powers that be in Nu Yawk City are broohaing over the new season of Survivor. It has elicited comments from Rush Limbaugh and stirred up protests from the Hoi Poloi in New York. Evidently, the civic leaders in that city think this one program would engender racism. I think they themselves are racists.

      Look, if the participants were concerned about sparking racism do you think they would have entered into the deal? No! It seems the problem is not with the show. The problem is with the concept that members of various racial groups can not do anything without the approval of their LEADERS in large cities, not to mention national leaders.

     I have seen more bigoted attitudes from the REV er END Jes se JACK son and the Reverend Al Sharpton. Then anything coming out of the mouths of Archie Bunker, or George Jefferson.

     Generally speaking Liberals tend to go nuts over things like this. Their fight for Untruth, Injustice, and the UnAmerican way often goes over the top. Politically Correctness is an oxymoron as far as what I see most of the time. Well, at least a misnomer.

    I don't normally watch reality television. Unless of course there is nothing else on and it is just ahead of my usual shows, like CSI, or NCIS. I like the crime shows. Reality shows are unreal as far as I care. I wouldn't, despite being a scouter, want to be on one of the darn things if they paid me a million up front. Bad experience as a teen in a too small camper tent is part of that.

     I really don't care who wins Survivor. I know I'm sure the Latinos will kick butt, however I know my Mother-in-law is Spanish and would run rings around a lot of people, at least in her hayday. She is now in her 80's. She still might beat out some people. Her family worked hard after coming here from Spain(and they learned English, imagine that).

     I don't think the segregation thing will last long anyway. I think eventually there will be mixing. I thought we were above this racist thing the Punks in Neu Yawk are afraid of. I thought this was the ideal of Star Trek, being beyond all this. Let's be real. This is a show, nothing more. It's entertainment folks; lighten up.

     We don't need the high and mighty in the big city to tell us what is entertaining.  Let things go. People tend to congrigate by kind anyway. I've seen it happen too often working in a factory for 22 years. I've seen it sense. I also know kind doesn't necessarily mean by race either. Scoundrels come in all colors and classes.

     There will be alliances. You can bet there will be. It's just human nature to seek out those of like mind and I think eventually that will happen here. No help needed from NYC. Enough said. Let the games begin. Semper Fi! Lee Zelhart

     My sister Sue came to visit. We haven't seen each other for a long time. She's been holed up in another state far from home. Our Mother is currently in a health care center recovering from a fall a few weeks ago; ergo, my sister's visit.

     It shouldn't take Mom getting hurt to bring her home. She left because she became involved with a man who is legally challenged. He can't seem to stay out of legal trouble. Okay, that is partly my opinion, but the fact he has been in prison...well, you know. It also doesn't help that he gets others, particularly her, into trouble, too.

     I know I haven't totally minded her being so far away. She made a comment about my late wife which I didn't care for and was also unfounded. I might have had my differences about my wife, but you don't speak ill of the dead and I still love her. Even when she's not around anymore. This being said around Christmas.

     Okay, I'm not very charitable about the clown she had her children by. I'm not happy about their relationship as I saw it as jealousy of my wife and myself having a life together. I saw it as a need to have what we had. When we had our first child she wound up getting pregnant. I do not even really know the situation with her significant other.

     I think my sister thought she had to one up me to get our father's approval. She is the only girl and the middle child. She, I think, had to have his attention. To herself, if possible. I didn't personally feel I had to please Daddy. I was, by that time, a father myself. I was learning how wise Dad was. I was growing up, if not grown up. I was the oldest, tallest, and expected to be mature. Even when I didn't want to be.

     Of course, I always felt my sister resented me, or my position as the oldest. I think she felt she was somehow in my shadow.(Does my hours of Psychology in college show?)I didn't feel I needed to have a seal of approval. I was trying to seize the day when I could be out on my own, to be my own man and have a home of my own. I wanted to make something of myself, not please my parents.

     My sister, in this time, has been mostly incommunicado. We haven't been able to contact her. She has had to contact us, mostly by calling our mother from pay phones. We have had to meet her on neutral ground. Family DMZ, if you will. Well, it is her life. I have had too many calls from financial institutions looking for her because of defaulted loans, or from representitives of law enforcement to care much anymore.

     As my grandmother used to say:"She is free, white, and twenty-one, and has made her bed...". There is much wisedom in grandmothers. Or, for that matter, Grandfathers.(I know whereof I speak.)My sister will have to answer for herself in the end. Life has gone on. Time has a way of leveling things out and putting things in perspective.

     So, now she has come home for a visit. To see Mom. I don't much care for the company she keeps, but after all, she is my sister. I might not like the way she's done things, or what she's done, or said. We had dinner together. She had a chance to meet my new son-in-law, see my twin granddaughters, see Mom, and catch up with what's been going on with me.

      I got to show off my certificate from my publisher that my book was being published. My seasonally short, and chemo induced haircut. I didn't pry too much into her life. I tried to refrain from disparaging remarks. I think we had a pleasant evening with Mom and our brother Steve, who had to bring her home from a neighboring state. I found out what some of her kids had been doing, especially my nephew Dustin. Of all her children he favors our side of the family the most.

     Now that I'm half a century old I find whatever my sister's done, or is doing, no matter what happens the old Beatle song is true:"It ain't nothing to get hung about." In the end she's family and if nothing else I love my family. I don't want anything bad to happen to her and I want her to be happy. I can't make that happen for her, that is her problem, but I can love her and pray for her. I guess that's what big brothers are supposed to do anyway, right? Well, enough said. Semper Fi!Lee Zelhart

     One time, or another, a parent feels out on a limb, out matched, or outfoxed by his child. Okay, or her child, but as a father I can only speak for male experience. Anyway, Job would pale when faced with modern teens which would more then test his patience. I think most of us wish we had the patience of Job, but you have to consider what he went through. True, Job suffered greatly, however nowhere does it mention living with a teenager. I guess we all have to bear those on our own. In light of that I offer the following:

Lord, help me endure.

When my child comes home late from

school, work, a friend's, the library

help me forbear.

When they leave things on the floor

their clothes, food, food wrappers, school things

help me forbear.

When they argue my every logically thought out position

with stubbornness, illogic, and selfishness

help me forbear.

When they spend hours playing video games

loud music, or mind games

help me forbear.

Don't let me be unreasonable

demanding, or pigheaded.

Don't let my only stance

be :"Because I said so.", or

"Do as I say, not as I do."

Let me not go on endlessly about

"When I was your age",

or "What thing were like when I was growing up."

Help me Lord

to listen, to think on my feet, to have faith,

and love beyond endurance.

Help me Lord

to trust my child,

to believe in them,

to not belittle them,

or their dreams.

To encourage them.

To love them when others can't,

or won't.

To remember in their life

what it was like at their age.

And most of all Lord;

help me be more like you.

Loving my children above life itself.

To give to them freely.

To keep my mouth shut

when I don't want to do so.

To keep my hands off

and let them make their mistakes,

to fall, to fail, to get hurt,

and pick themself up.

Let me offer my help when needed,

but remember they are learning.

To be what they need.

In short, Lord, make me a good parent.

One who leads by Your ways,

by Your Book.

With Love.

Amen

     All the trouble in the middle has everybody on their ears worrying about getting to the peace table. Sorry, folks, ain't gonna happen. This might be the start of WWIII, but I'm not gonna worry about it. God's got the situation in hand and things are unfolding like He said it would.

     The Arabs(Moslims)and the Jews(Israelites)have been like any other group of siblings...always fighting. They have been at it since Issac beat out Ishmael for Abraham's blessings. Yeah, it's been a case of Dad always liked you best for thousands of years. It's not gonna change. You betcha!

     Look, Iraq and Iran are the heirs of the old Persian empire. This is the hot spot of the Holy Land. The Bible's boiling pot. This is where the whole ball of wax began and where it ends. Armageddon. The only peace there will be is when the King returns in triumph.

     This might be the biggest thing to happen in the Middle East in eons. I might be all wet, but the signs are falling into place. I hope this isn't a giant I told you so, however be prepared.

     The thing is, folks, there's going to be a lot of shooting over there before it's over. Just hope it don't come over here. I'd get ready for some nasty stuff happening in the next couple of years. I mean the A-rabs are crazy and they won't stop till they kill off all the infidels(that's the rest of us).

     Now would be a good idea to get right with God. I would want to be sure I had my bases covered. If you don't want to do that get your safe rooms stocked up and your emergency supplies together. This is gonna be Katrina on a global scale. Don't say I didn't warn you'all. Enough said. You can believe me, or not. Semper Fi! Lee

     Well, I did it. I finally was able to give my daughter away at her wedding. This is something I've wanted to do, albeit with mixed emotions. What makes it a happy event is her new husband, whom I think the world of. High praise from a father-in-law.

     We have all worked together at Pizza Hut. Before that, in another plane of existance, I worked with his Mother and various other members of his family. I guess when you stay around long enough that happens. Little did I think, when we were all bragging about our kids, we would see them get married.

     I only wish my wife could have been there. Okay, as I was reminded there at the church, how do I know she wasn't there? I told the photographer if she developed the pictures and someone was in them who wasn't there at the time to save them for me as it might be my wife.

     The idea of a ghost, spirit, or whatever you call it being in the picture wouldn't surprise me. I have had some experience with the supernateral world. I am fully convinced I have experienced proof of supernormal activities. I believe an angel, or a spirit, has saved my life more then once. I believe an angel has helped me and my wife on more then one occasion.

     Once you've had someone you can't see keep you from falling down the stairs you don't doubt the existence of spirits. I'm sure my wife was there at the wedding. I just can't prove it. As a matter of fact, there is a portait of my wife over the couch in my living room and the twins will look at it as if they know the person in it. I'm sure they've seen their grandmother.

     I'm also glad I got a chance to dance at my daughter's wedding. I don't know the same of the song. I've heard it, but can't place it. A year ago and the past year I've been in the hospital several times. Which is another reason I love my new son-in-law. He opened his home up for me to stay at after I'd gotten out of the hospital the first time. I would give the man the shirt of me back. I would now!

  This is also because he is the father of my granddaughters(the twins). Of course they were passed around to everyone there at the reception. This upset my sister-in-law as she hadn't seen them and had come up from Florida with her family to be here for everything and hadn't seen the twins before. It was a little like having my wife there. She saw a lot of her sister(my wife)in the girls.

     The only blot on the wedding fesivities was the next day while my daughter and her husband were opening wedding gifts my brother called and told me our Mother had been taken to the hospital. She had fallen out of bed and dislocated her shoulder, among other things. I find you don't have a happy occasion without some sorrow. Is that an Irish thing? I think it must be.

     Anyway, the daughter is married, the band is gone home(okay, the DJ), the suit is hung up, the shoes are off, and my feet are put up on the couch. Kinda. I got them put up anyway. God bless my new son-in-law. Long life to the man as long as my daughter likes him and he provides for my grandchildren. God bless us all and I hope to be around to spoil them all senseless.

     Slante'! A blessing on everyone who came to see my daughter off. She was very pretty in her dress. She made a beautiful bride and long life to her. I had a little bubbly and danced. I smoozed with everyone and we all went home happy. Enough for now. Semper Fi! Lee Zelhart

     Well, after being off treatments with chemo for a few weeks I'm back in the swing of thing. I got ol' mini Frank back on. I guess I should be glad as I also just had a CAT scan and the doctor said it looked good.

     He also cut me back to every other week with Herbatux. Just as my rashes were clearing up. Heck, I suppose I should be happy with things. I'm trying to keep a positive point of view.

     Also, I'll get my remaining hair cut short. It's the time of year to have short hair. Chemo's been good for that. It's been saving on hair cuts and that's pretty good at what they are any more. They used to be a buck, or two when I was a kid and now it's eleven to twenty depending on where you go here and more elsewhere.

     Anyway, the pump comes off tomorrow. It's gonna be good to get it off as it gets a little heavy. I bet when it's gone I'll miss it, but I don't miss a boil off my butt either. Cest le vie. Oh well, enough for now. Semper Fi! Lee Zelhart

    Well, this is two weeks without Chemo. I know I need it, but the truth is side affects have caused a reprieve for a little. Thought I did have to have a recent CAT scan I've been having big time allergic reaction. I had to go to the ER Saturday.

   My right hand swelled up and think, as the doc at the ER thought, it was infected. I know it looked bad and had steroids. Good thing I'm not a baseball player.  It's for this reseason I'm in such shape right now. My right hand is wrapped up and got antibiotic ointment on it.

     Anyway, I still itch like heck. I'm one dried out puppy, but as I told my daughter Holly:"at least my hair fell out the right time of the year." Now, all I can hope for is to survive the rash, however I have great hope of that. I've got a big wedding to get through next month. I'm giving the bride away.

     I'm told the steroids caused some of my problem with my right hand. The skin is dried and cracked. Oh well. Semper Fi. I'll get by anyway. Lee

     I went to visit my friendly neighborhood oncologist this morning and spent many joyful hours hooked up to an electric Frankenstein(medical pump/iv drip). While the experience isn't altogether unpleasant it takes up several hours, after which I am hooked up to a mini-Frank(a portible pump)for almost two more days.

     During my treatment I have a jolly visit with my daughter, grandaughters, the nurses, other patients, and I have time to knit(baby things, etc.).

     There's a pleasant view outside the large window. Flowers, a small fountain, The hospital where the doctor's office is located is also just down from one of the city parks. The coffee shop in with the gift shop has a great spiced vanilla chai(?)tea.

     Now, for a full 46 hours(sounds like a title for a news magazine for television, don't it,almost)I get to drag around this wonderful medicine pump with chemo. Hopefully it doesn't come unplugged while I'm trying to sleep. It's a wonderful experience. It's like, as I would imagine, being married to Hilary Rotham Clinton. Bleeh!

     I suppose it's better not to complain. I've said as long as I keep my faith, my sense of humor, and a positive outlook I'll be okay. Well, I guess I'm okay. Anyway, I'll still be glad after home healthcare takes the sucker off for another two weeks. 330 hours of bliss. At least in the end I'll be better. After all, I want to be around a long time for my grandkids. Enough said for now. Semper Fi. Lee Zelhart

     There seems to be a lot of people out there who don't think we should be in Iraq. Well, gee folks, I recall a little too clearly a little thing called 9/11. We're fighting a thing called a war on terror. Clowns who think we are done must like seeing Arabs fly into buildings and killing thousands of Americans. Too many are handy to diss President Bush, but he is doing not only what he thinks is right, but what is right.

     The troops over there, however, at least for the most part, think we are doing the right thing. Their opinion weighs more with me then a bunch of sob story Hollywood types. I don't give a rat's tail, or what's under it, what Sean Penn and George Clooney have to say about the matter. Hollywood's full of Barbra Steisand anyway, with a few exceptions like Charleton Heston and Tom Sellick(sorry if I mis-spell any names).

     I think it's time to tell the guys and gals doing the grunt work in this war great job and we love ya. They are the greatest American Heroes in my book. They are why we can go to bed at night and not worry about another attack by the Arab crazies who think killing people is high on God's list and also a great way to get laid.

     In my book if you have to die to get a babe you are a loser. I think anyone who believes God smiles on killing others has a major screw loose. Think about it: If a babe is still a virgin in Heaven she didn't put out in life. She ain't gonna put out for some sorry S.O.B. who just waltzed in the door stinking of blood and explosives. Sorry, little arab dude, it isn't a good way to impress the ladies. Don't even try to justify killing for noogy.

     I'm sure there's other crazies in Hell who had the same idea. Hitler comes to mind. I'm sure there's others, like maybe Mohhamed? or however you spell the nut job who started Islam. He's just like any other cult leader. Nuts! We've had a few also. Jim Jones and Joseph Smith, etc. True, I don't think they encouraged murder to get into Heaven, but I don't get to much into zanies.

     Anyway, this isn't about nut jobs. This is about the men and women of the United States armed forces. They are the best. If you know one, or someone who was in the services, shake their hand. Tell them thanks. Bestow my personal blessings on them. Take them out for coffee. Okay, enough said. Go have a great day. Lee