OK, now it's my turn to rant. When the Dixie Chicks said they weren't proud that W. was from their home state, conservatives went crazy. Now the Pope quotes a 14th century document (yes, 14th!!!) as a footnote to a very long speech concerning violence and religion (yes, I read the whole thing) and Muslim leaders the world over are upset. Churches in Asia and Africa are being set a blaze (though the ignorance doesn't stop there as they weren't even Catholic churches). Shut the *uck up! I've had it with PC, reverse PC, etc., etc. bullspit, things being twisted around (unpatriotic-you're with us or with the terriorist-you must be sensitive) and things being taken out of context to fit agendas. I can't take it any more. The cries that the Pope really didn't appologize but rather explained his statement sent me over the edge. No, he didn't appologize and he shouldn't. Grow a brain and really hear what he said and then ... shut the *uck up! The Dixie Chicks new album (not that I have it or have even heard it) is doing very very well. You don't like what they said? Fine. Don't support them and then ... shut the *uck up! Finally, who the hell am I to spew my thoughts on MY blog like this, you ask? It's been nice knowin' ya. Don't read my blog anymore and then ... shut the *uck up! I feel better. Thanks. Live and let live. Let people speak their minds. Stop belly achin' and ... shut the *uck up! Take care. Later, Butch

Ode to my cousin Pat ("Little Pat") who passed away last week much much much too young: we'll all miss you. Pat was tending bar at his brother's (my cousin Rick's) bar, The Green Iguana, back in the day when I played there alot. My mind shifts back to a fond memory (one of many) of me climbing onto the bar crooning (I believe the band was playing AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long") like a redneck Danzig (thanks Scott Harrell). Two young ladies were really drunk and really getting into it. Soon they began to kiss. I talked them onto the top of the bar with me for all to see. Pat, behind the bar ,talked them into taking off their shirts. Beautiful. Rock and roll, baby! Steve (my other cousin and Pat's sensible older brother) laughingly made them get down and dress. It's a reputable place, things just kinda went kookie for a moment. Lots of beer and AC/DC covers will do that to ya. Plus, I know I wasn't any help. And Pat was just being Pat. Adios "cuz", mio cugino. I know I'll laugh with you again in a much better place. It's time now to begin to heal, to end the tears and let the fondness of sweet memory take hold and comfort. It's hard. Very hard, but what else is there to do? Take care. Later, Butch

Staying positive and having faith that things can and will get better is what my focus is today as I find myself quite blue. September 11th is in of itself tough enough. So many unanswered questions, so much fear and confusion revisited. Then besides personal issues of adult life one must face and deal with, my family has been hit twice very recently with tragedy and death, the most recent coming this past weekend. Gloom seems to be everywhere, walking right by my side, following me. And yet I know I must stay focused on the positive, although lately that does seem hard to find. I must realize there is positive around me, have faith in the fact that things can and will get better. Rain storms pass and the sun comes out again. Even though I've been surrounded by a hurricane lately, it will move on, as life does, and I must think about the sunny days that WILL lie ahead. Hang in there, keep on keepin' on. After all, what else is there to do? Being a Cubs fan, hope springs eternal. For those so inclined, please keep my family in your prayers, for those who don't, your thoughts and positive energies are appreciated. I focus on my son's smile and laugh. Ah, life is a positive thing! He is so precious. The good outweigh the bad. We should all remember that. Take care. Later, Butch

In baseball, a pitcher keeps a hitter off balance by throwing him a curveball every now and then. Unfortunately, so does life. Why? Is it to keep us focused? I was saddened to hear the news of the death of the "Croc Hunter", Steve Irwin. What a curveball, huh? The guy is 24/7 with crocs and cobras, etc., and then in an instant a very rare fatal blow from a stingray kills him. It makes no sense. He leaves behind two kids, a wife he seemed close to (afterall, they wrestled crocs together), and a passion that freakishly took his life. Does it make his death any easier to accept because he died doing what he loved (sort of, I mean, a stingray killing you is very very rare)? What if life's passions take our life in the process? Is that okay because we were living our life to its fullest? Derek Jeter takes a fastball to the head and dies, Bruce Springsteen is zapped to death while playing his guitar. Is that acceptable? Curveball, curveball, curveball. John Lennon said it best, "life is what happens while we're busy making plans." R.I.P. Steve Irwin. It seems you lived life your way, and in the end, can we really ask for more? Take care. Later, Butch