As of today, there have been 378,777 COVID-19 related deaths in the United States. This post is about one of them… | |
Last week, while we (the nation) were going through a violent civil insurrection in the nation’s capitol, Joseph Beierly was engaged in his own personal “insurrection” battle. Sadly, he lost his battle. | |
I met Joe back in 1962, through his older brother, Ralph Beierly who was in my grammar school class. Ralph had five brothers (in order: Dave, Frank, Ray, Ralph, Joe and George) he lived with and two half-brothers who were already grown up and no longer living at home. Joe was the second youngest of those still at home. Joe / Ralph’s parents took me under their wings and it was not unusual for me to have dinner at their house more than once a week. | |
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At some point, you realize the older and younger siblings of your friends (like your own brothers and sisters) become “real” people, instead of “big” or “little” brother / sister of… (whomever). Sometimes this realization is sudden. Frequently, it is not. For me, this happened with Joe while we were on a “road-trip” to Canada. Joe and I had gone up to Lake Shasta to water ski and hang out on another friend’s pontoon houseboat for a week. Unfortunately, my other friend had a family emergency and had to secure the houseboat and return to the Bay Area, so Joe and I were left high and dry for the remainder of the week. | |
At the time, Joe was working for a telephone manufacturing company which was doing something in Canada and offering U.S. staff the opportunity to relocate if they wished to. Joe asked if I would mind spending the remainder of the week driving up to Canada to “check out” the new location to see if he was interested. With nothing else to tie us down, I agreed to split the costs and off we went. | |
Joe drove up to Seattle and then we boarded a ferry to Vancouver. That’s pretty much it. We saw a lot of greenery. Joe and I rode our first car ferry. (Why a car ferry? Just because neither of us had ever been on one. We drove back.) We listened to a lot of music during the drives. A couple of nights we camped and a couple we stayed in “inexpensive” (cheap) motels. We mostly did just enough to keep the trip going. Then we’d park and chill. Did I mention we brought along seven cases of beer for the week we expected to stay at Shasta? As I recall, we got through five of them and I let him have the remainder when we got back to S.F. | |
What did I learn about Joe? Mostly he had grown up to be his own man while I was away in the Army. He was a bit of Dave (he enjoyed working with his hands). He was a bit of Frank (he could be a charmer when he wanted to be). He was a bit of Ray and Ralph in music tastes and how he treated other people with respect – irrespective of their job / station. Like his dad, he had a way of looking at things logically and figuring them out. Like George, he had a “little brother” attitude: “You may be a bit older, but I’m nippin’ at your heels, and I’ll catch up soon.” But mostly, what I realize now is that he had what I call the Beierly “give it try” attitude. “If it doesn’t work out, we’ll fix it or try something different.” | |
I’m not sure if Joe ever got offered or accepted that job in Canada. (I don’t believe he did.) The next thing I heard he was in the Navy. I was a bit surprised by that because Joe wasn’t one to take “instruction” from his older brothers (a mind of his own), but he took to the Navy like a fish to water. Joe got married (to Ceal, the proclaimed love of his life). He made a career of service. And he raised a family which he openly cherished. We were both raised Roman Catholics. I’ve tended to fall off the wagon periodically, but Joe became a working Christian (“by their acts you shall know them”). Unfortunately, with my living in Europe and his living around the world (and / or way over on the East Coast), I never got a chance to ask him about that. I would check in with Ray before and after football season and Ray would tell me about Joe’s kids this and Joe traveling there and Joe helping these people with that. All the things “family” talk about when you’ve known each other long enough to not have to say anything and you’re sure there’s always time to kick-it again in a few months. | |
And now, Ray and Joe are both gone… | |
The world is a better place for them having been here. My world is a little less sunny for their passing. And once again I mourn the loss of a brother by another mother… | |
COVID-19 is just a virus. It doesn’t care about how many lives it takes or the families and grief it leaves behind. 378,777 of our fellow Americans have died… This post has been about one of them. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | Implications |
2019 | Just To… |
2018 | Still Going… |
2017 | Great Risk |
2016 | Robbery |
2015 | Humanity Plus |
2014 | Dinner For Two? |
2013 | Exercise For Those Over 50 |
2012 | Tearful Joy!! |
Except When He’s Left | |
Posts Tagged ‘Attitude’
A Soul Passing
Posted in Faith, Family and Friends, Family History, Pictures, tagged 378777, Attitude, Beierly Family, Ceal Beierly, COVID-19, Faith, Family and Friends, Joseph Beierly on January 12, 2021| 6 Comments »
Thank You, Georgia!
Posted in Faith, History, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged American Politics, Attitude, Determined Spirits, Faith, Georgia, History, Mahatma Gandhi, Philosophy, Quotes on January 12, 2021| Leave a Comment »
A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history. | |
— Mahatma Gandhi | |
[Two new Senators and Democratic control of the U.S. Senate!!! A big “Thank You!” to the State of Georgia. Of course, 21 January 2021 starts the real work for all of America. — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | Implications |
2019 | Just To… |
2018 | Still Going… |
2017 | Great Risk |
2016 | Robbery |
2015 | Humanity Plus |
2014 | Dinner For Two? |
2013 | Exercise For Those Over 50 |
2012 | Tearful Joy!! |
Except When He’s Left | |
I Keep Getting Up
Posted in Included Video, Music and Concerts, Philosophy, Quotes, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, tagged Attitude, Chumbawamba, Favorite Lines, Included Video, Philosophy, Quotes, Tubthumping -- music video, Vevo, YouTube on November 24, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Tubthumping |
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Favorite Line(s): | |
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times | |
He sings the songs that remind him of the best times | |
(Don’t cry for me, next door neighbour) | |
I get knocked down, but I get up again | |
You are never gonna keep me down | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2019 | Looking For A Republican With A Profile In Courage |
2018 | Hammers, Bells And Songs |
2017 | My Friends |
2016 | In Need Of Some Work |
2015 | Elections Have Consequences |
2014 | An Ear Of Happy Accidents |
2013 | Powerful Substitute |
2012 | Heroes Restored |
2011 | As You Should |
A Shining City Upon A Hill
Posted in Included Video, Lyrics, Music and Concerts, Philosophy, Quotes, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, tagged Attitude, Camelot -- music video, Favorite Lines, Included Video, Philosophy, Quotes, Richard Harris, WB, YouTube on November 19, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Camelot |
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Favorite Line(s): | |
Before you drift | |
To sleep upon | |
Your cot, | |
Think back on all the tales | |
That you remember | |
Of Camelot. | |
Ask ev’ry person | |
If he’s heard the story, | |
And tell it | |
Strong and clear | |
If he has not, | |
That once | |
There was a fleeting wisp | |
Of glory | |
Called Camelot. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | How #45’s Father Raised Him For Incompetence |
2018 | Describing #45 – “The Loser” – As A Successful Businessman |
Raking – #PresidentIdiot Proposes Full Employment For California | |
2017 | Federal Deficit, National Debt And Tax Cuts For The 1% |
2016 | Picky, Picky, Picky |
2015 | Another Limitation On Religion |
2014 | Enduring |
2013 | Tell Me More… |
2012 | Passing… |
2011 | Fake It ‘Til You Make It |
On And On…
Posted in Included Video, Lyrics, Music and Concerts, Philosophy, Quotes, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, tagged And The Beat Goes On -- music video, Attitude, Favorite Lines, Included Video, Philosophy, Quotes, The Whispers, YouTube on November 13, 2020| Leave a Comment »
And The Beat Goes On |
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Favorite Line(s): | |
Do you ever wonder | |
Well, | |
That to win, | |
Somebody’s got to lose | |
I might as well get over | |
The blues | |
Just like fishing in the ocean | |
There’ll always be someone new | |
Who does it better | |
Girl, you did me wrong | |
But now I’ve been through stormy weather | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | I Think I’ve Just Been Argoted |
2018 | Good-Bye AG Jeff Sessions |
2017 | On Our Wall (Part 2) |
2016 | I Beg The Question |
2015 | By Their Fruit |
2014 | Proven Worth |
2013 | From Missouri |
2012 | Recipe To Write: Start With One Aching Urge |
2011 | Ip And Rib |
Real Things | |
2010 | Final Competition |
A New Day Just Means We Continue The Struggle (With A Smile)
Posted in Included Video, Music and Concerts, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Videos, tagged Attitude, Favorite Lines, It's A Beautiful Morning -- music video, Philosophy, Quotes, The Young Rascals, YouTube on November 4, 2020| Leave a Comment »
It’s A Beautiful Morning |
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Favorite Line(s): | |
It’s a beautiful mornin’ | |
Ah, yeah. | |
I think I’ll go outside a while, | |
And just smile. | |
Just take in some clean fresh air, | |
Cause | |
Ain’t no sense in stayin’ inside | |
If the weather’s fine and you got the time. | |
It’s your chance to wake up and plan another brand new day. | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2019 | One For Two |
Why Trump Insults Pelosi and Schiff | |
2018 | The Worst |
2017 | #DonTheCon In The Oval Office |
2016 | Are You Like #AmnestyDon And Sarah Palin? |
2015 | Begin Today |
2014 | Look Again (At Life’s Illusions) |
2013 | None Knows |
2012 | Yet |
2011 | No End In Sight |
2010 | Back At It… |
I Just Want To Stay Happy
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Arnold H. Glasow, Attitude, Enjoyment, Future, Happiness, Memory, Past, Philosophy, Planning, Present, Quotes on October 25, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Happy is the person who knows what to remember of the past, what to enjoy in the present, and what to plan for in the future. | |
— Arnold H. Glasow | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | Show Righteousness, Not Fear |
2018 | Sounds Like Politics, Too |
2017 | Resist More |
Conservatives Are Not The Enemy | |
2016 | Two Weeks To Go… |
2015 | Remembering |
2014 | The Creeping Death Of Civilization |
Orange October (X) – A Blue Morning Turns Into An Orange Evening | |
2013 | License Problem |
2012 | Giants Win Game 2 Of The 2012 World Series 2 To 0!!! |
Adage, n. | |
Questions Women Should Ask Before Voting… | |
2011 | What Are You Looking At? |
AMA
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Ability, Attitude, Lou Holz, Motivation, Philosophy, Quotes on October 22, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. | |
— Lou Holz | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | Things That Go Bump In The Night |
Hoping I’m Careful | |
2018 | I Must Be Truly Wise |
2017 | My Sensei |
2016 | The Worst Sin |
2015 | Rules Of Thumb |
2014 | A Prayer |
Orange October (IX) – Giants Lose Game 2 In Bullpen Collapse | |
2013 | Complacent Reality |
2012 | Two-minute Sex |
Just Staring, Why? | |
2011 | A World Of Difference |
Keep Looking!
Posted in Faith, Included Video, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, Videos, tagged Attitude, Faith, Favorite Lines, Included Video, Look On The Bright Side -- music video, Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Philosophy, Quotes, YouTube on October 11, 2020| 2 Comments »
Look On The Bright Side |
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Favorite Line(s): | |
Well, I know the feeling | |
‘Cause I’ve been there before | |
Why give in to your sorrow? | |
When there’s hope for tomorrow! | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2019 | Knocking On Impeachment’s Door |
2018 | Do You Remember? |
2017 | Choose Life |
My Response To President Trump’s Threat To NBC | |
2016 | We, Us, All |
2015 | No Less |
2014 | Life Advice (50) |
Orange October (IV) – Giants Win Game 1 Of NLCS! | |
2013 | Running To |
2012 | Suddenly |
2011 | Liberal Washington |
2010 | Giants Advance To NLCS!! |
3 November Is Coming!
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Attitude, Election 2020, Hell, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Winston Churchill on September 29, 2020| Leave a Comment »
If you’re going through hell, keep going. | |
— Winston Churchill | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | Senate Republicans: Impeachment – Because It Is Right! |
Dave’s Not Here, Man! | |
Mixing Business And Pleasure | |
2018 | Intensity Doesn’t Make It Correct |
HF2: 1940’s Grapes | |
2017 | Proof Sits In The Oval Office |
2016 | Tragic Determinism |
2015 | Maybe It Should Be Clearer |
2014 | Make It Your Strength |
2013 | Four Score |
2012 | The Ruler |
2011 | Forever |
2010 | Just Cuz |
How Do You Mend A Broken Heart? | |
It’s Alive!! (3rd Pair Shoe Review) | |
I Choose Justice And Mercy
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Attitude, Bread, Circumstances, Human Freedoms, Philosophy, Quotes, Viktor E. Frankl on June 28, 2020| 2 Comments »
We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. | |
― Viktor E. Frankl | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | Close, Sustained, Careful, Daily |
2018 | One Brick At A Time |
2017 | Order The Rope, #DumbDonald |
2016 | Chains Of Habit |
2015 | That You Shall Remain |
Did You See That? | |
2014 | True, Vibrant And Open |
2013 | Remembering, Yet Again |
2012 | Something Of Value |
2011 | Sleep All Day |
Time For Bed
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Albert Schweitzer, Attitude, Philosophy, Quotes, Sleep on June 25, 2020| Leave a Comment »
A man can do only what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day. | |
— Albert Schweitzer | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | With Proper Guidance |
2018 | MAGA? |
2017 | Neutral |
Family Over Ego | |
2016 | Hard Learners |
2015 | Goals |
2014 | Switch To Dogs… |
2013 | Times Change |
2012 | Ashes Not Dust |
2011 | A Handful From Saudi |
None Of This Happened | |
Take Responsibility | |
At Least Until The Rainbow Comes
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Attitude, Dancing, Faith, Learning, Life, Passing Storms, Philosophy, Quotes, Rain, Vivian Greene, Waiting on June 24, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. | |
— Vivian Greene | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | And/Or A Great Soulmate |
Austen Stalking | |
2018 | Dead Red |
You Ain’t Done Yet | |
2017 | Just Because |
2016 | As Close As They Can Get |
2015 | And So I Blog |
2014 | Take Flight |
2013 | Contributing Joy |
2012 | More Than A Race |
2011 | Institutionalized Leadership |
115,000+
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged #IncompetentDonald, Afflictions, Attitude, COVID-19, Jean Toomer, Philosophy, Quotes on June 12, 2020| Leave a Comment »
I do not know which of our afflictions God intends that we overcome and which He means for us to bear. But this is certain: Some I have overcome, some I continue to bear. | |
— Jean Toomer | |
[This is an unusual post for me. This post is being written on 28 May, three days after the Memorial Day weekend. Yesterday, the U.S. passed 100K in deaths due to COVID-19. We are dying at just under 1,000 lives per day. We are engaged in a great social experiment testing whether we can open our economy without a plan to deal with the virus. This post is scheduled to go online roughly 15 days after the holiday weekend. If the President’s gamble was correct, the average death rate will be at or below 1,000 per day. If his gamble (with our lives) is incorrect, the death rate will be higher – and potentially much higher. Only time will tell. — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | One Generation’s View |
2018 | The One Thing |
2017 | Never Give Up |
2016 | Which Generation Are We? |
Congratulations, Kyle! | |
2015 | Centered |
2014 | Economic Trinity |
2013 | At Both Ends |
2012 | Holding Allowance |
2011 | The Power Of Good |
Only Now
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Attitude, Future, Leo Tolstoy, Now, Past, Philosophy, Present, Quotes, Worry on May 17, 2020| 2 Comments »
We torture ourselves with the past and in our worry spoil the future simply because we do not pay sufficient attention to the present. The past is gone. The future does not exist. There is only now. | |
— Leo Tolstoy | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | I Think I’ve Been Blurred |
2018 | Progress On The Honey Do List |
And It’s Mostly Free, Too! | |
2017 | Both Dismissed |
2016 | Poetry Isn’t Going To Work |
2015 | MA Fix |
Getting Better | |
2014 | Actually |
2013 | Unfortunate Evolutionary Accidents |
2012 | Tense (Past, Present And Future) |
2011 | What Is Your Preference? |