Carlos Santana

     I first became a fan of Carlos Santana back in 1968. 
I had returned from Vietnam and was discharged from
the Army. A buddy of mine had tickets to the concert at
Fillmore. The list of performers was immense, but all I
can remember is Al Bloomfield, Jefferson Airplane, Janise
Joplin, the Doors, and the Byrds. Not being one of the top names of the day, Santana had to perform during the afternoon while the more recognized names had the nighttime spots.
If I remember correctly, Santana hit the stage around 4
or 5pm, and his first song lasted thirty minutes in length.
Carlos' first big hit was 'Black Magic Woman', but it would
not come out until after this concert. I loved the way he 
plays the guitar. It doesn't have to be loud to be good.
While most of the groups of the day blasted out their message, Santana let their music make an impression on
you. Like good wine, Carlos has only gotten better over 
the years. He has become a national treasure. Give a 
listen to this sample and see if I can make you a fan of
one of the best guitarist in the world...Carlos Santana!

http://youtu.be/ACdwCIld3kE

New Book (Caribbean Caper)

     I have just completed another book. If you are keeping
count, that makes six I have listed on Amazon.com. The 
latest is a fictional murder-mystery and involves the 
usual characters... The handsome private-eye...the beautiful
client...and the loyal secretary. It takes place in the vacationland
of Jamaica and North Texas. The underwater scenery is spectacular...
but of course that all takes place in your mind.. There you are
not limited to the 42 inch screen but the vastness of your
imagination..

"Following in the footsteps of Earl Stanley Gardner, I have attempted to write my first murder-mystery... Naturally, it involves a lot of locations in North Texas, but also localities in Jamaica. My hero is a private-eye named David Dallas,..and he takes on the case of a beautiful woman, whose boyfriend is missing after a trip to the islands.." Remember all Ron Stone books can be found for digital download at http://www.amazon.com/Ron-Stone/e/B004C64JLO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Please click on Amazon link to view Ron Stone's author page which includes his bio.

 

Confident Cowboys ??

     To no ones surprise, I will admit to being
a Dallas Cowboy fan,...since 1960!!  I have not been
the most ardent supporter of some players (and
owners), but Dallas has always been my team.
   Last Sunday's game against Buffalo might have been the best I have ever seen them play. I won't call it
a perfect game since my Dad taught me 'there is always room for improvement.'
   Dallas is currently one game behind the New York
Giants for the lead in the NFC Eastern Division of the 
NFL. The two teams still have two regular season meetings against each other. New York will visit 
Dallas on December 20th, and the Cowboys close out
the regular season on January 1st by visiting the Giants.
   Dallas quarterback Tony Romo needed a good game to raise his ego after fourth quarter flops earlier this
year put him in a mental funk. Last Sunday against Buffalo he was close to perfection. Romo completed 23 of 26 passes (completed first 13 passes in a row) for three touchdowns. More importantly, he made good decisions when he had to. Praise must also be passed out to the offensive line of Dallas. They provided Romo with enough time to order a pizza before passing the ball. Rookie running back DeMarco Murray may have been a surprise for some, but when he was taken in the college draft I told my wife 'the Cowboys just stole
the best running back in the draft.'  That admission

came from someone who has no love for the University of Oklahoma.
   To say the playoff hopes of the Cowboys lies in 
their own hands, is to state the obvious. Most of those 4 early season losses could very well have gone the
other way...but that is to speak of spilled milk. Dallas
needs to look ahead and not behind.
   First up will be the Washington Redskins this coming
Sunday. Rivalry games always teeter on emotional
moments for me, and this is a rivalry dating back over fifty years. If Dallas plays it's normal game they should have no problem with the Redskins, who are having
more than their share of problems this season. Then it will be another opportunity for Dallas fans to greet each other on Monday with the phrase,..'How 'bout
them Cowboys?'

Colonel Aaron Bank.... Father of Special Forces

     The name may not be familiar to you but it is
one known to the intelligence community of
the world and one feared by the Germans in 
World War II. Colonel Aaron Bank was an officer of the United States Army and the founder of the Army Special Forces.
He is famous for his exploits as an OSS officer in
World War II. He parachuted into occupied France
in 1943 and recruited, coordinated, and led resistance
fighters against the Nazis. He personally led one 
unsuccessful effort to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
The Colonel was proud to be called the 'Father of the
Green Berets.' He survived World War II and was
instrumental in forming guerrilla warfare units in
the Army. Bank died in Dana Point, California in 2004 
at the age of 101.
    The V-42 Stiletto knife was designed according to
the parameters of Colonel Bank and became a standard
issue item to Green Berets. The stacked leather handle

was designed to be easily handled in cold weather. The
double-edged stiletto was razor sharp and would pass
through tough materials with ease. The grip above the
guard was formed to keep the knife from slipping in
wet weather or when wearing gloves. The pointed end
of the handle made both ends of the stiletto lethal.
   I served with the Special Forces at Phu Bai, South 
Vietnam from January 1965 until March 1967. While the
Marines will swear by their K-Bar knives, I loved the 
feel and handling characteristics of the V-42. I was 
contacted by the company making this reproduction of
the V-42 about a commemorative model with Colonel Bank's
signature on it. Needless to say, I ordered one and it arrived
today.  

Confederate Flag

        Okay,...I am going to join in on the controversy
surrounding the Confederate Flag. I have no dog in this
hunt as my mother's side of the family came to America
from Ireland in 1879 and my father's father arrived at
Ellis Island in 1903 from Germany. Needless to say, the
War Between the States was fought in the 1860's.
   Currently the State of Texas is considering license
plates to honor descendants of Confederate Veterans. To
deny these people would be an open door to shut off
other organizations such as the environmentalists, the sports
fans, political braggers, universities, and others from having
personalized license plates. If you refuse one, you have to refuse them all to be fair.
   Since the United States has gone 'politically correct' on
everything, both Georgia and South Carolina have been
forced to remove the Confederate Flag from atop their
state capitol buildings. I can understand not having the Confederate
Flag fly from government and public buildings, but to try
and prohibit it altogether would be an attempt to deny the
war ever happened. In Germany today it is against the law
to manufacture, sell, or display the Nazi flag, but it continues
to show up at demonstrations across that country. You can not
deny an event in history ever happened. That would be the 
same as saying the holocaust was pure fabrication and
eleven million Jews were not killed by the Nazis....but back
to the flag.
   There is already too much divisiveness in our country.. Each
nationality wants to proclaim their heritage in such lingo as
African-American, Mexican-American, or Anglo-American.
I would speculate that most of those individuals have never 
been to Africa, Mexico, or England....That brings up another
burr under my saddle,... Being a white dude, how come I am
an Anglo??   That term comes from being a member of the
Anglican Church of England. As stated above, my parents
came from Ireland and Germany, both of which are not exactly on
friendly terms with England. 
   When the United States entered World War I my grandfather
had been in this country twelve years, but left his family 
because his country needed him in the fight against the very
country he immigrated from. In World War II my father was
joined by six uncles in the conflict and I am happy to say all
came home with only emotional battle scars. I, too, had to 
answer the call when the Vietnam 'conflict' rolled around and
I came home without a Purple Heart, indicative of being wounded.
   When we fly a flag at our home there is never any consideration
of the German or Spanish (wife's family from Spain) banner. We
are Americans and my family has paid the price to proudly make
that assertion. If some group wants to have the Confederate Flag on
their license plate, let them. Whose business is it what that 
individual does with his automobile, home, or his personal property?
American is the land of the free....because of the brave. In all of recorded history, only two people have ever volunteered to die
for you... Jesus Christ died for your soul..and the American soldier

volunteered to die for your freedom..

 

Denison's Fall Festival

      Saturday, October 1st, the city of Denison cordoned
off five blocks of the downtown area for it's Annual Fall
Festival. Vendors, display merchants, food servers, and
musical groups were in abundance. The weather could not
have been more accommodating as clear skies and temperatures
in the 80's covered the entire proceedings. 
   October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and several
booths were set up to take in donations for this very worthy
charity. All of the workers in the booths were wearing 'pink
wigs' for easy identification.
   The smell of caramel-flavored popcorn and hamburgers 
permeated the air for blocks around. The lemonade and water
booths were making a killing in the warm temperatures.
   The Annual Car Show is one aspect of the Fall Festival
that I really look forward to. This year was no dissappointment
as reconditioned and hopped-up cars from the past were all
on display for the large crowd to enjoy. I was impressed by the
1940 Ford Coupe painted a metallic maroon...and the green
1950 Chevrolet 2-door sedan. The Chevy looked like it just
rolled off the assembly line,...everything was all original.
   The City of Denison has made an annual affair of this Fall
Festival and this about the tenth year it has been held. It is a
super activity and hopefully it will continue to grow and 

attract a larger audience.