Mowing lawns and metaphors, while remembering
June 6th, 1944 the invasion of D-Day, 70 years later.
I don't know about you guys, but one of my best forms of therapy
over the years has been mowing the lawn. Something about the droning of that lawn mower's engine and the monotony of cutting
a lawn has been therapeutic for me since I was a kid.
Seems that next to surfing, this simple act of cutting the lawn
has helped me sort through my cluttered mind and help me
make sense of the issues that surround my world.
Plus it's good exercise.
It's a good work out because the self propelled mechanism on my mower does not work and I have refused to get it fixed. I don't mind pushing up hill on a hot sunny day. Pain is good. Sweat is weakness leaving the body. I always feel like I have accomplished something after cutting the lawn. Same with snowblowing.
But my lawn cutting experience wasn't always fun. Hell no.
When I was a kid we had a lawnmower that you had to push. It was metal and there was no gas involved. Just man power and some oil.
I still have that lawnmower to remind me of what it was like to really have to mow a lawn. Check out these pics below.
Bet not many of you ever had to cut a lawn with something
like this?
It took a lot of will power to cut the grass with this beast. Lots.
We were the last family in my old neighborhood to get a gas operated lawnmower. My dad was so old school. "We don't need a gas mower! This mower cuts just fine! " he'd yell. Ahhh no it didn't dad.
Not even close. My brother Johnny and I had to cut the lawn with that thing for years before we upgraded to the modern world.
I'm glad I kept it. I smile when I look over at it in the corner of my garage. I once made my son Max cut the lawn with it. You know, just to give him a taste of what it was like for me at his age.
But I have to say, that while cutting the lawn this year, I began to see large bare spots and patches where my once perfect lawn was. This didn't happen over night.
It was a gradual decay. Much like my own body. My lawn is starting to look more and more like me.
Beat, rundown, out of shape, bare spots, patches missing, weird
and strange weeds growing in places on my lawn and my body that were never there before. Like the hair that has cultivated from my ears and my back. I swear I am turning into some kind of BIG FOOT Sasquatch hairy beast. My hair is retreating from my head and regrouping on my back and ears. What is up with that?
Clearly, the hands of time wait for no man.
And I suppose I could get some lawn care and doctor it up a bit just like I could do the same with my old tired ass. I could make the effort to cosmetically fix both my lawn and myself. But I won't. I'll allow nature to take it's course. I don't care if I turn into a wrinkled old man and I don't really care if my lawn
turns into a desert.
Besides if I squint my eyes on certain sections of my lawn after I cut it, I can still see remnants of what it used to look like. Same with my face and body. If I squint, I can still see shades of Lil Ralphie. Not as much as I could say, 10 years ago, but I know he still lives here.
"Cutting Lawns Heals All Wounds"
My latest movie is due for a early July showing. And I think I'll end
up showing it at the Legion (next to Flatbread) for an old school premiere. Portions of the proceeds will go to the WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT. So Stay tuned.
CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 10 YEARS!
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Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances
On June 6th, 2014 our nation will be remembering the sacrifices of so many Americans and our allies as the 70th anniversary of D-DAY at Normandy France. Rare is the chance that you may actually meet or know anyone who was there. You may family members who remember that day, but not many who were there on the beaches or in the hedgerows.
If you are fortunate enough to meet one of these D-Day vets take the time and talk with them.
Record their stories. They are living and walking pieces of history.
Seven decades ago. The invasion that turned the war in our favor and was the beginning of the end, for Hitler and his henchmen. Over 2,000 Americans died on that beach.
Try and imagine what these young soldiers were feeling when this photo was taken. Just try for a moment.
Yesterday US ARMY Sgt Bergdahl was released by the TALIBAN for 5 detainees at GITMO. Bergdal was held captive for 5 years in Afghanistan.
I'm happy for his family and friends. *But there is some serious rumblings that this so called POW actually deserted his unit. If that's the case, there must be an investigation. And I suppose we can KILL those TALIBAN POWs quick enough once they are back out in the caves trying to wreak havoc on US Forces still over there. You know, get them back out in the open and LEGALLY take them out if they choose to become enemy combatants against the US and coalition forces again.
So if you happened to see this loser on the right (Snowden) the other night being interviewed by Brian Williams you might feel the same way I do. Which is basically that this kid must be held accountable for what he did. You're a traitor to your country you smug freaking pompous geek. I love it that he misses home so much. Well, you best start adapting to Russia son, because that is as close as you'll get to home.
Of course you could try tapping your heels together and chant "There's no place like home
" and see if that works. Otherwise, you ain't going anywhere. But hey, at least you're famous. Isn't it great? Oh Ye Little Whistle blower.
The difference between these two men are: The man on the right has integrity and honor, and is willing to admit his mistakes, and take the fall for something that was really not his fault. But because he was in charge, he had the courage and conviction to hand in his resignation. Unlike The fella on the left, and the woman who will be the next president.
They both lack integrity and honor.
This was another easy week for me with Ole nasty butt KSM. My weekly humiliation of Khalid Sheik Mohammed (KSM) the mastermind behind 9-11. Here we see KSM lined up with EVIL Dictators from WWII. Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini. He fits right in with this gang and looks right at home. Though KSM's uniform is not as sharp as these guys.
So once again, let's all take a minute, and enjoy the weekly humiliation of the mastermind terrorist who killed 3,000 innocent civilians on September 11th, 2001.
*
Note to self: Must pick up a case of Sour Kraut at Home Depot this week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Anne Marie Foley June 2nd, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Marianne Metz Lipe June 4th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Jeff Gersbach June 4th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Robert August June 6th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bill Morrissey June 7th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jerri Roda June 7th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christos Valhouli June 8th, 2014!
REMEMBER THE FALLEN on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day
June 6th, 2014.
REST IN PEACE Dave Kelling. Another unsung hero.
Please continue to send positive thoughts and prayers to our dear friend Debra White and family.
As well as John "JT" Taylor, Rick Savastano, and Ed O'Connell. Please add them all to your prayer list.
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 9 years. **Think about BUYING a HIGH RES Photo
from any of the weeks on RPOTW.
Remember
my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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