Saturday morning came early, as I gently climbed out of bed, knowing Mary would awaken but not stir enough to let me know she was. I didn’t require nearly as much sleep after the Nam as I had in my younger years and also had some form of sleep apnea my wife took full advantage of. She’d wake me at night to let me know Michael was crying. I’d immediately get up and go take care of whatever the problem was whether that was changing a diaper or simply picking him up and cuddling with a pre-filled bottle of Enfamil until he quieted. It was usually at that point that I came to full consciousness and figured out where I was. I never remembered being awakened or sent out on my mission. My wife would fall back asleep, knowing I was on the job. Once I was fully awake and aware I could carry Michael from his upstairs bedroom down to ours. The CIA crib had come in very handy, as it sat upstairs while our model was down near the foot of our bed.
I dressed in a pair of OP shorts and one of my fake Polo shirts. The shirts cost less than one-third of what they would have at a ‘real’ store, but Coronets was anything but a real store. It sold cheaply whatever it could get its hands on, which all of us who didn’t have a lot of money appreciated. The horse didn’t look quite right on the front and the things wore out and faded very quickly but when new they looked like the real thing.
Good chapter. Your mentions of Loraine and her specific attention to you reminds me of some I have met and known. The Diamonds and Rust reflections are haunting to me because of that. She obviously cares about you considerably, even as you have helped her out with her struggles, while at the same time she made sure you were successful with the insurance business as she could be. I think it would have been wise to never mention much about her to Mary as women have that sixth sense about them, whether there is a threat to them or not.
Off topic, I have sent you a PM about an article that I read last night that you would find interesting if you have ever studied that individual.
Thanks for the great comment written in such post analytical depth. Your perceptive ability is both brilliant and well founded
on vast life experience, I know from the reading. Much appreciate the great compliment the comment makes because it reveals
just how much you are into the story and the writing of it. Can’t thank you enough H Kemp!
Semper fi,
Jim
I can’t help but to continue to wonder what roll Chesty Puller played in all this.
Chesty’s son Lewis played as role as time goes by in this series but Chesty never re-appears after showing up
in Yokosuka at the hospital that time. Thanks for thinking the thoughts you are thinking, however. Chesty’s son went on
to write a book and then serve as the head of the Veteran’s Administration…where I encouter him again.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
Thanks for another action filled, thought provoking, chapter that opens the window to your like way back when! Things seems to going at warp speed. Butch turned out to be a real treasure for you. There seems to be more in his background that you were not aware of.
When you move you will miss some of the friends you made there in California.
Keep ’em coming.
THE WALTER DUKE. Thanks for the usual comment, and the inquisitive nature of it without being that inquisitive.
Warp speed is the speed of my life, just trying to keep it under Warp 7 has been the work of my life.
People ar hard to give up along the way because distance, even in our communicative culture, seems to
spell the fading end of most of them over time. Thanks for the compliment at the end of your comment,
again not phrased directly that way!
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
A very meaty episode there.
I believe the fakeness of which he accused you was nothing of the sort. You were simply surviving by being reactive to situations that presented themselves in this thing we call life.
You needed the coin of the realm to survive and provide for your family.
Your world had been turned upside down by the meat grinder you had been subjected to in the valley. You had to go along to get along, even if the circumstances were less than ideal, and not based upon a certain definition of “truth”.
Bravo on your dealing with it all to the best of your ability, and being here all this time later to recount it.
Thank you Jim for your food for thought.
Regards, Tim
Thank you, TimP. Now that is a well though out ad expressed comment, not to mention one that really
makes me feel good. The CIA and I did not always view things from the same perspective and the job
seemed to change an awuful lot from one president’s term to another…as well as control agents until
I was reporting directly to the White House itself as time went by.
Much appreciate the depth of this comment and your obvious deep loyalty as a reader (and writer!),’
Semeper fi,
Jim
By the way, John, my wife loved that house and suffered some grief when it was torn down to build little more than a vacation rental. I don’t think she would have loved it if she’d known its origin at the time!
I Have been addicted to your storytelling from day one of the, Thirty Days Has September… Thank you for your great storytelling. My mind and body were with you guys down in the Shanwa Valley and with Gunny down in that valley, most likely with a rabbit’s foot in hand and the hopeful making it home and also respectively calling you junior… And that to for good luck. Keep writing stories always look forward to seeing where your writings take me… Yes, I have your signed book and that is a treasure to me…
Thanks ever so much Terrance. You might consider printing and cutting out both of the comments here and utting
them in the flyleaf of the book! Provenance is everything for collectors later on…saying my work oever time,
and probably after I’ve moved on, becomes valuable at all. Great compliment and much appreciated. You analysis
is all spot on too.
Love that.
Semper fi,
Jim
Enjoy very much reading about your life post Nam and subsequent adventures. Thanks for sending me your updates on your novel. I do have a request. that is my hope you can continue to to make a series of the Cat novel and also the the one concerning The Boy. Both were fascinating and worthy of continuation for sure. Thanks and keep on writing from a fellow vet, Army side.
Thanks, Ed, for bringing that up, just as I was pulling those out of my filing mess. Both series have written manuscripts on pen and paper and I have to get them onto the computer which is a patience requiring chore, to say the least.
But you’re right, I love both of those too and I will get my ass in gear.
Thanks for the kick in the pants, as nicely as you worded it!!!
Semper fi,
Jim
I too return to “The Cat” and also “Island in the Sand” from time to time to see if there is anything new posted.
Maybe you were being groom for this assignment starting when you came back in country. Working for the police station with virtually no training and obviously no police background then give the beach patrol responsibility along with adding people to the same, western White House assignment with no explanation as to why or who is all two strange. CIA has been watching you for a long time. Don’t think I would be thrilled knowing they knew everything going on inside your house. Oh she knows I’ll bet.
One of the things you never ever get to access or see in the agency is your own personnel file. You can FOIA all you want, as I did with NSA, CIA and the DIA sub agencies. Nothing. The NSA was the funniest. Still have the letter that says: “Not only is this information classified but the fact that its classified is also classified.” Now, how strange is that? Thanks for the interesting comment and the usual support you offer.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT whatever became of the artifact?
The story continues Antonio and you must read on. The artifact quickly became a vital element of
my totality on the planet and its place in all of our lives isn’t ready for revelation….just yet.
Thanks for keeping on with the reading and commenting on your questions and concerns.
Semper fi,
Jim
And further mysteries abound! Outstanding Chapter LT! Thank you so much. Looking forward to each and every one! Your writing skill is such that I feel as though I am right there with you!
Semper Fi Sir!
Thanks Joe, you guys and a few gals that are readers really are ‘right there with me’ as I pilot my way through the memories that become the story.
Someone commented on how it was possible that I could remember Lorraine standing at the table with the coffee pot in her left hand. Well, of course, I cannot.
I do have vignettes like that but not all of them or it. It’s the fabric of the story though. As I recall images come to my mind and I almost literally see Lrraine
standing there like that…and then I describe the scene…part memory and part imagination. Which is which? One of the reasons i could never have imagined
with this site is the people who were there with me and now still living coming on to certify some of the story as they lived it with me. I love that.
Thanks for the great comment the generated this tome of a response.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, another great, fast moving chapter!
Your expressions of the inside you have improved and clarified yourself better than the Book 1 of “Thirty Days”. A fine memory for detail indeed.
As a great writer should, you lead your readers to really look forward to the next chapter. Thank you for being you, and write faster, doggonit!
Semper Fi and Anchors Aweigh; Full Speed Ahead!
More like “all ahead flank” Craig! Always start your comments with “I’m doing fine,” and I’ll feel better. I have had two great supporters
of my writing die since I began and that’s not a good feeling . I didn’t write fast enough for them but when hospitalized both got some enjoyment from reading and having read to them my works and I can’t tell you how great that made me feel. Some silent ‘warrior’ kinds of supporters like Jim Flynn, are so much appreciated too but many don’t want to be thanked at all. I never expected to feel so good about doing the writing and then presenting it on the site. Thanks for what you write and who you are in my life my friend,
Semper fi,
Jim
You know that the first thing I did when I saw your Albuquerque address was drop it into Google Earth Pro to seethe house. It popped right up in the Google finder window and went straight to it. Very nice place; it looks really nice.
That house is a rebuild on the lot. I am searching for a shot of the original one. Back then there were only seven houses on the entire street
and nobody else at that particular intersection. The mafia ran the sports and youth club down the block where my kids played. I once had an
altercation with them that will appear in a later chapter.
Thanks for the comment and bothering to do that research. The two pines planted not he hill up behind the newer house, to the north, I planted as six inch sprigs.
Semper fi, and thanks for the comment and work supporting it.
Jim
I found a photo of the original house. Much different than what is there now.
Thanks Chuck, for finding this and putting it up. I think that was probably taken in 1993 when we sold the house
and it went up for auction as the market was so hot there at the time we left.
Semipr fi
Jim
This roller coaster keeps climbing up to the top and dropping down again Sir. Another great chapter, as always thanks for taking us on this ride. Semper Fi LT.
Thanks for the response and saying that Mike. Compliments are the red blood that makes my pen roll across the page, pushed
along by such greta good will.
Semper fi,
Jim
James!
incredible writing
It almost sounds like your meeting with Tony was all made up I mean something like that couldn’t be real but I know it is and I know it was one of the things you talked about that really rang some bells was of course the infamous BAMCIS that is one I haven’t heard in more than 50 years brings back some great memories and some great frightening memories I was intrigued you talked about looking things up in the DSM I had talked to a therapist when I came back and got such funny looks I figured he was getting ready to commit me so I went to the library and looked up things in the DSM for years
didn’t wanna see a therapist because I was afraid that if I if I was on this and told him how I felt he would have me locked up not realizing the incredibly difficult process that is we do such funny things sometimes the most incredible thing to me though is just how accurately you can convey your feelings and your apprehensions in a few words
Diamonds and Rust
I had to write a paper on this song for one of my courses while taking one of my masters degrees I was always quite proud of my paper even though it only earned me a B I’ve saved it and here it is
“Diamonds and Rust” is a song written and performed by Joan Baez, released in 1975. The song reflects on her relationship with Bob Dylan, particularly during the early 1960s when they were romantically involved. Here’s a breakdown of what the song generally means:
1. **Metaphorical Contrast:** The title “Diamonds and Rust” sets up a contrast between two symbolic elements. Diamonds represent something enduring, valuable, and beautiful, while rust symbolizes decay, deterioration, and the passage of time. This sets the tone for reflecting on memories and emotions from the past.
2. **Emotional Reflection:** The lyrics delve into personal memories and emotions associated with her relationship with Dylan. The song is nostalgic, reflecting on both the good times (“diamonds”) and the challenges or regrets (“rust”) that came with their relationship.
3. **Time Passing:** The mention of “ten years ago” in the lyrics indicates the passage of time and how memories can change or evolve over the years. This time frame likely refers to the early 1960s when Baez and Dylan were prominent figures in the folk music scene.
4. **Personal Growth:** Throughout the song, there’s a sense of personal growth and moving on from the past. Baez reflects on how both she and Dylan have changed since their time together, acknowledging that their paths have diverged.
5. **Residual Feelings:** Despite the passage of time and changes in their lives, there are still lingering emotions and memories that surface, as indicated by phrases like “I’ll never forget you” and “we both know what memories can bring.”
Overall, “Diamonds and Rust” is a poignant reflection on a past relationship, capturing the complexity of emotions, nostalgia, and personal growth that comes with looking back on significant moments in one’s life.
Wow, Rich, but you can write in such depth that sometimes I am just rocked back and shocked. I never thought about that song
in such depth, only using its brilliantly and emotionally written lyrics for my own situation and approach to life. Thank you, as I much
enjoy reading the results of your intensive study and presentation of the results of that significant study. Thanks so very much for writing this
for everyone on this site…and me, of course.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Wow, I don’t know what you would do without Butch’s advice. Butch is 100% correct in his assessment BUT I wonder what Mary would think when she finds out the truth about the house. I wonder were Butch fits in with the C.I.A. ?
Mary does not know the ‘truth’ about the house in Albuquerque to this day…to mn knowledge, although she’s perfectly capable of being a player herself and knowing without telling me she knows! Now, if someone on here was to let her know or she were to read these chapters, which she does not, or read these comments, which she does not (again, to my knowledge) then there might be some rather stirring discussions that would result. I am truly intelligent enough to know, however, that she is smarter than I am but not in my expressive way. Thanks for the great comment, as usual, and on Facebook too Chuck!
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Easter blessings to you and your family James. He is risen!!
I still color eggs Charles, although everyone to color them with is long gone.
I’m a lousy egg color person but love to use acids, pigment powders and biting water
to get special effects. I eat almost all the eggs I color in a rather short period of time
which -creates its own social problems. I salute you and the Risen One, of course.
Semper fi, my Northern Wisconsin friend,
Jim
Tony a dangerous man? Yep only if he didn’t like you ! hat he didn’t let slip during your coffee break at Galloways was his liking of Joan Baez music and the trouble it caused him.
Very few humans, Charles, are innately aware of dangerous humans around them. I don’t believe Tony was dangerous but he had a great dangerous looking act that allowed him to remain out of predatory contact…which means he didn’t get killed or hurt. The truly dangerous give you no presentation of danger at all as that is what real successful predators do. When you die at their hands you die with a fading smile on your face. The Cowardly Lion is named wha tit is in order to offer a stopy about man coming home as a truly dangerous predator and then fighting through life to not be that at all…insid himslelf, without others truly aware of the great struggle. As usual, a great comment demanding a long response.
Semper fi,
Jim
I look forward to reading the next chapter every time I finish. a chapter. Thank you for putting your books on line I enjoy reading them !
You are welcome Willian. I got the idea from Alexandre Dumas, when I acquired his first English edition of Count of Monte Cristo
years ago. I had to buy 44 issues of the Strand Magazine out of London in order to get it. Dumas couldn’t get an English publisher
so he convinced the failing Strand to print his story for free. They did and that series of chapters each week saved the magazine which
is still in business to this day. I knew that I’d never find a regular publisher in the USA or even Great Britain as my work is simply
too controversial and I am unwilling to edit it down and take the very heart out of it, much less the historical revelations.
Thanks for the great compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Secret agent man 👨 there’s a man who leads a life of danger to everyone he meets he stays a Stanger and every move he makes another change he takes … well you probably know the rest of the story 🙄 awesome chapter 👏 😎
That song. The lyrics. Not truly accurate but close enough…sometimes. Better to be able to turn yourself rather quickly into someone who’s not a stranger but not always possible. Thanks for the great compliment at the end!
Semper fi,
Jim
The image of you in your shorts and flip flops sitting in Lorraine’s with Herbert in his Trumpesque red tie uniform is hilarious. The conversation however is not. The decisions being made for you, as a twenty something young man are disconcerting at best. As usual Butch cuts right to the point. Another great chapter my friend! Semper Fi!
Yes, Jack, surrounding most decision-making to others, even when well funded and backed was difficult many times.
Hard to resist a paid off house where there’s no credit or any of that necessary, much less a down payment.
They were cheap though, charging 13% interest and making it a VA guaranteed loan. Thanks for the great comment and mind
pictures you make when you write here.
Semper fi, and the compliments too!
Jim
Alrighty then, welcome to the wonderful world of spookdom, where the world looks real but is not what it seems. You had a lot to take in and there is no turning back now. And how does Butch seems to know how to get your wife to move to New Mexico? Can’t wait for what is coming next!! Semper fi sir!! Welcome to the dark world, I had a brother back in the 60’s that was recruited by the company, did a LOT of traveling including taking a ride on a sub…..
Did the sub too, Bob, as we shall cover later in the book. 122 countries, many of them more than once. Too many to even try to discuss with
‘regular’ people without losing all redibility and/or interest. American’s live in such a small cloistered part of the world.
But I love America and what the whole idea of the thing is supposed to be all about.
Thanks, as usual, for the kind of stuff you write on here and your compliments, as ell.
Semper fi,
Jim
Amazing chapter, only you could provide the detail, as with the “Ahsau”, of singular events very few have experienced! A few of us have similar but are unable to detail…
Detail may not be your best friend these days, but then you have me to fill that void. Arrogant and
selfish as that may read! Yes, having the backdrop of the valley always laying there as foundation
for survival…or not, has been something else and not likely to be there for most people which is
either a good or bad thing depending upon perspective.
Thanks for the greta comment..in detail.
Semmper fi, my friend,
Jim
I find it interesting that music plays a big part in our lives. How can it immediately take us back to both good and bad times or sometimes just point us in the right direction? The words to ABBA’s song Fernando take on a new meaning for us Vietnam vets. They remind us of what once had been, and the hymn “Mansion of the Lord” tells us what is to come.
It is indeed strange how auditory messages can have such depth and meaning in our human psychology. The drums from above the valley still occasionally play in my head, and the resonation of the lyrics and melodies of songs that seemed to put a time stamp on whatever wa shappening, like quotation marks on a sentence in life. Thanks for your analysis and your comment here.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT. You are a GEM.
Nice word and much appreciate the usege of it in regards to me.
The whole world doesn’t necessarily agree with you but the few on here are the important
ones in my life outside of a few in family and around here where I live.
Thank you most sincerely,
Semper fi,
Jim
What a tangled web you weave. Your memory will surely be a curse because you can never feign forgetfulness when your wife discovers that you have mislead her. I will bet that she will figure out much of your plan.
I am eager to learn more about the mysteries you write about, but your daily life has enough drama and suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat. Thank you for yet another great chapter
What a great comment John. My wife never found out, or at least never let me know if she did. She doesn’t read these comments or the chapters
so I am hoping she never gets to know…unless someone from here fills her in…then Katy Bar the Door and the Irish in her may rise to overcome here
and allow me early retirement, of a sort.
Semper fi,
Jim