I haven't been in here much since the new year started. I'm missing all my friends! Please don't think I'm blowing you all off or anything. I just wrote a very long and rambling email for the first time in several weeks! I've been working alot on ancillary duties here at the firehouse when I'm here. I've also been working on SOG's, SOP's, and ERG's for my cousin's volunteer department in the farmlands of Central IL. When not doing any of that, I'm either working part time here in the Fi... read more

To all my friends:

Up until about a month ago I was in here checking things out on a regular basis. I have become very involved with my surroundings. Working anywhere from 20 to 60+ hours of overtime in a 2 week period for starters. Lots of interesting calls that we (my crew and I) have had to respond to lately.

Best one lately was Monday night. I'm at home making dinner for my family when I hear my pager tone out for a fire. Ask my oldest daughter to finish up right quick while I ... read more

Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone.
And I never see my old friends face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like him just as well,
As in the days when I rang his bell.
And he rang mine but we were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.
"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim,
Just to show that I'm thinking of him."
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes... read more

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.


TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.


THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.


FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.


FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.


SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.


SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
... read more

1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.
2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.
4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
7. Busin... read more