Doin' the time warp.......

All's Quiet On The Western Front.................

2012-02-05T21:22:00.002-05:00

It's been remarkably quiet around the Casa W.

Been doing a great deal of running up and down the road, between visits with good friends and reenactments I have been away more than I've been around and the writing muses just haven't caught up to me yet. I have several projects I've been working on, but can't release any details until the parties involved are notified. I know it sounds a bit "secret squirrel" but it's a surprise for some people so I will keep my mouth shut. I will spill the beans in a wee bit. (grin)

More later................

Christmas Eve and Day.......

2011-12-25T10:07:00.002-05:00

Back in the days when I was still working, I was a cop and I worked more holidays than I can remember. I never really minded, the long suffering and sainted Mrs. W and I never had any kids so Christmas to a small degree lacked a certain magic. Plus it gave me a chance to help out the guys and gals that worked with me who DID have kids to fill in for them. (plus getting time and a half didn't hurt one bit.)

A friend of mine sent this to me, I liked it, some of the folks I sent it to liked it also, so I thought I would share it with you all.

Again, a very Merry Christmas to you all!

In Valor There is Hope

Working Christmas Eve

In 1968 when I became a Cop, I knew there would be special occasions my family would spend without me. Knowing that fact didn't make the task any easier. The celebrations I missed those first year's depressed me and sometimes made me feel bitter. Working on Christmas Eve was always the worst.

On Christmas Eve in 1977, I learned that blessings can come disguised as misfortune, and honor is more than just a word.

I was riding one-man patrol on the 4×12 shift. The night was cold. Everywhere I looked I saw reminders of the holiday: families packing their cars with presents, beautifully decorated trees in living room windows and roofs adorned with tiny sleighs. It all added to my holiday funk.

The evening had been relatively quiet; there were calls for barking dogs and a residential false burglar alarm. There was nothing to make the night pass any quicker. I thought of my own family and sunk further into depression.

Shortly after 2200 hours I got a radio call to the home of an elderly, terminally ill man. I parked my patrol car in front of a simple cape cod style home. First aid kit in hand, I walked up the short path to the front door. As I approached, a woman who seemed to be about 80 years old opened the door. He's in here she said, leading me to a back bedroom.

We passed through a living room that was furnished in a style I had come to associate with older people. The sofa has an afghan blanket draped over it's back and a dark, solid, Queen Anne chair sat next to an unused fireplace. The mantle was cluttered with an eccentric mix of several photos, some ceramic figurines and an antique clock. A floor lamp provided soft lighting.

We entered a small bedroom where a frail looking man lay in bed with a blanket pulled up to his chin. He wore a blank stare on his ashen, skeletal face. His breathing was shallow and labored. He was barely alive.

The trappings of illness lay all around his bed. The nightstand was littered with a large number of pill vials. An oxygen bottle stood nearby. Its plastic hose, with facemask attached rested on the blanket.

I asked the old woman why she called the police. She simply shrugged and nodded sadly toward her husband, indicating it was his request. I looked at him and he stared intently into my eyes. He seemed relaxed now. I didn't understand the suddenly calm expression on his face. I looked around the room again. A dresser stood along the wall to the left of the bed. On it was the usual memorabilia: ornate perfume bottles, a white porcelain pin case, and a wooden jewelry case. There were also several photos in simple frames. One caught my eye and I walked closer to the dresser for a closer look. The picture showed a young man dressed in a police uniform. It was unmistakably a photo of the man in bed. I knew then why I was there.

I looked at the old man and he motioned with his hand toward the side of the bed. I walked over and stood beside him. He slid a thin arm from under the covers and took my hand. Soon, I felt his hand go limp. I looked at his face. There was no fear there. I saw only peace.

He knew he was dying; he was aware his time was very near. I know now that he was afraid of what was about to happen and he wanted the protection of a fellow cop on his journey. A caring God had seen to it that his child would be delivered safely to him. The honor of being his escort fell to me.

When I left at the end of my tour that night, the temperature had seemed to have risen considerably, and all the holiday displays I saw on the way home made me smile.

I no longer feel sorry for myself for having to work on Christmas Eve. I have chosen an honorable profession. I pray that when it's my turn to leave this world here will be a Cop there to hold my hand and remind me that I have nothing to fear.

I wish all my brothers and sisters who have to work this Christmas Eve all the Joy and warmth of the Season.

How Long? ????????

2011-12-25T09:36:00.002-05:00

Hey everybody!

First of all, a VERY Merry Christmas as well as a Very Happy Chanukah to those of the Jewish faith. I hope that this holiday season brings you all a great deal of joy and happiness.

Secondly, I have the pleasure to note that today is the 4th anniversary of this blog. I would like to thank you all who drop by to read my rantings and ravings. I've enjoyed messing about with this (At least to me) new form of communication. I have had the pleasure of making friends with some of the finest folks I have ever known and have learned a great deal from them. Hanging around with a bunch of "like-minded" folks from all over the place has made me a little less paranoid about how I think. In this day and time I was begining to think I was the only Cat in a Dog pound. But thanks to my fellow bloggers I know that I am not out there alone in thinking how I think. Again, Thank you all.

Now lets see what the future holds for us all.

Occupy THIS...................

2011-11-18T12:19:00.002-05:00

I was mulling over odds and ends while packing for a Civil War event this weekend and my mind sorta drifted over to the Occupy folks. I was thinking that it might not be a bad idea to sorta multitask when they have to clear the areas so that they can be cleaned. Why not use 11/2 inch fire hoses to do both? Just be sure to use lots of soap powder. We know that fire hoses will move people, if you don't believe it, check out the films taken in Birmingham Al. in the early 1960's.

I know, it's MEAN of me to suggest such a thing, but it wouldn't be as if the powers that be, would sneak in there at 3AM. Give 'em fair warning, then flush them right down the sidewalk. No more police injuries and no more protester injuries unless they don't listen to the authorities.

Win for everybody.

On The Eleveth Day, Of The Eleventh Month.............

2011-11-11T10:31:00.003-05:00

Today is Veteran's Day.

There were a great deal of things I could have written about today. The historic significance of the day, the debt we owe to those who have served, the cost of protecting the freedoms that we, most of the time, take for granted. Then, I found this, a final blog entry for a serviceman who paid the ultimate price for freedom. I think that this puts things in perspective much better than ANYTHING that I could write.

January 04, 2008
Final Post

“I am leaving this message for you because it appears I must leave sooner than I intended. I would have preferred to say this in person, but since I cannot, let me say it here.”

This is an entry I would have preferred not to have published, but there are limits to what we can control in life, and apparently I have passed one of those limits…As with many bloggers, I have a disgustingly large ego, and so I just couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to have the last word if the need arose. Perhaps I take that further than most, I don’t know. I hope so. It’s frightening to think there are many people as neurotic as I am in the world. In any case, since I won’t get another chance to say what I think, I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Such as it is.

What I don’t want this to be is a chance for me, or anyone else, to be maudlin. I’m dead. That sucks, at least for me and my family and friends. But all the tears in the world aren’t going to bring me back, so I would prefer that people remember the good things about me rather than mourning my loss…Sure, all things being equal I would have preferred to have more time, but I have no business complaining with all the good fortune I’ve enjoyed in my life. So if you’re up for that, put on a little 80s music (preferably vintage 1980-1984), grab a Coke and have a drink with me. If you have it, throw ‘Freedom Isn’t Free’ from the Team America soundtrack in; if you can’t laugh at that song, I think you need to lighten up a little. I’m dead, but if you’re reading this, you’re not, so take a moment to enjoy that happy fact.

I suppose I should speak to the circumstances of my death. It would be nice to believe that I died leading men in battle, preferably saving their lives at the cost of my own. More likely I was caught by a marksman or an IED. But if there is an afterlife, I’m telling anyone who asks that I went down surrounded by hundreds of insurgents defending a village composed solely of innocent women and children. It’ll be our little secret, ok?

If you think the U.S. ought to get out tomorrow, don’t cite my name as an example of someone’s life who was wasted by our mission in Iraq. I have my own opinions about what we should do about Iraq, but since I’m not around to expound on them I’d prefer others not try and use me as some kind of moral capital to support a position I probably didn’t support. Further, this is tough enough on my family without their having to see my picture being used in some rally or my name being cited for some political purpose. You can fight political battles without hurting my family, and I’d prefer that you did so.

On a similar note, while you’re free to think whatever you like about my life and death, if you think I wasted my life, I’ll tell you you’re wrong. We’re all going to die of something. I died doing a job I loved. When your time comes, I hope you are as fortunate as I was.

I wish I could say I’d at least started to get it right. Although, in my defense, I think I batted a solid .250 or so. Not a superstar, but at least able to play in the big leagues. I’m afraid I can’t really offer any deep secrets or wisdom. I lived my life better than some, worse than others, and I like to think that the world was a little better off for my having been here. Not very much, but then, few of us are destined to make more than a tiny dent in history’s Green Monster. I would be lying if I didn’t admit I would have liked to have done more, but it’s a bit too late for that now, eh? The bottom line, for me, is that I think I can look back at my life and at least see a few areas where I may have made a tiny difference, and massive ego aside, that’s probably not too bad.

Regardless of the merits of this war, or of any war, I think that many of us in America have forgotten that war means death and suffering in wholesale lots. A decision that for most of us in America was academic, whether or not to go to war in Iraq, had very real consequences for hundreds of thousands of people. Yet I was as guilty as anyone of minimizing those very real consequences in lieu of a cold discussion of theoretical merits of war and peace. Now I’m facing some very real consequences of that decision; who says life doesn’t have a sense of humor?

This is the hardest part. While I certainly have no desire to die, at this point I no longer have any worries. That is not true of the woman who made my life something to enjoy rather than something merely to survive. She put up with all of my faults, and they are myriad, she endured separations again and again…I cannot imagine being more fortunate in love than I have been with Amanda. Now she has to go on without me, and while a cynic might observe she’s better off, I know that this is a terrible burden I have placed on her, and I would give almost anything if she would not have to bear it. It seems that is not an option. I cannot imagine anything more painful than that, and if there is an afterlife, this is a pain I’ll bear forever.

I wasn’t the greatest husband. I could have done so much more, a realization that, as it so often does, comes too late to matter. But I cherished every day I was married to Amanda. When everything else in my life seemed dark, she was always there to light the darkness. It is difficult to imagine my life being worth living without her having been in it. I hope and pray that she goes on without me and enjoys her life as much as she deserves. I can think of no one more deserving of happiness than her

Major Andrew Olmsted
Military Transition Team
1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division
K.I.A. 01-03-2008
As Sadiyah, Iraq

As I said, the words of this man put it all in perspective. May God protect and keep our warriors and their families both past and present.

Reality Check..............

2011-11-10T11:41:00.005-05:00

O.K. let me see if I got this straight. (If I am wrong in any of these points, please get me squared away)

We have a highly placed coaching assistant at Penn State who has been molesting children since at least 2002. Joe Paterno the head coach knew about it in 2002 and told the administration of the school but didn't tell child protective services or law enforcement. So other than banning this assistant from bringing children with him onto campus nothing was done until 2011. When all this is revealed, the administration shows Paterno the door. The very night Paterno is fired, a number of students of Penn State to show their objection to Paterno's dismissal by taking to the streets, tearing up a bunch of stuff and requiring the local police to use pepper spay to control them. The next morning, I catch the news which interviews a Penn State student who just can't understand why Paterno was fired. Some of her quotes were:

"The coach has done so much for the school I don't see why they couldn't let him stay for the last home game" and " We have people who are going to be selling blue t-shirt to wear to say that we at Penn State stand against child abuse" When questioned further the student said that "even if he couldn't coach the team, he should be allowed to be on the sidelines"

After picking up my jaw from the floor, a further news report made me shake my head even more. It seems that the Occupy Wall Street folks sent the Occupy Berkeley folks a sum of "seed money" to help with their protest. Of course, the Occupy Berkeley people didn't want the money to "vanish", so they stopped by the local Wells Fargo bank and opened up a account. The same Wells Fargo that they have been trashing it's A.T.M.s and cursing it's employees.

Ya know, if I had a dog that was half as sick as this country, I would have already put it out of it's misery.

CORRECTION:

The money was sent to Occupy OAKLAND not Berkeley. My deepest apologies for my error to all parties involved.

Happy Birthday Leathernecks...............

2011-11-10T07:37:00.002-05:00

To all current and prior service members (Since there is NO such thing as a Ex-Marine)of The United States Marine Corps, A very Happy Birthday to you all. I hope that the next 236 years are as glorious and successful as the preceding ones have been.

Just as long as you still get spun up when I refer to you folks as Naval Infantry. (Grin)

Semper Fi!!!!!!!!!

Still Here..................

2011-11-10T07:32:00.002-05:00

Still here folks, just been doing various things and been too (busy or sorry, take your pick) to write it up. Either guilt or the writing muse has kicked me so I will be a little more productive in the writing area.

I hope............

Trafalgar Day.............

2011-10-21T09:35:00.003-04:00

In glorious memory of Lord Nelson and the brave Tars of the British Navy who met and defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar on this date in 1805.

Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,
To add something more to this wonderful year;
To honour we call you, as freemen not slaves,
For who are so free as the sons of the waves

(Chorus sung once...)
Heart of oak are our ships, jolly tars are our men,
we always are ready; Steady, boys, steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.

We ne'er see our foes but we wish them to stay,
They never see us but they wish us away;
If they run,why we follow and run them ashore,
And if they won't fight us, what can we do more.

(Chorus sung once...)

we still make them feel and we still make them flee,
and drub them at shore as we drub them at sea,
so cheer up me lads with one heart let us sing,
oh soldiers and sailors, our statesmen and king.

(Chorus sung once...)

Just in case there is any doubt in anyone's mind, I have given out the order to "Splice the Main Brace" to all hands.

Blast From The Past..............

2011-09-21T22:47:00.002-04:00

I got this from a good friend of mind, who got it from a friend of his who found it in the archives.

I can't imagine this being written today. However I think that the alleged crime it mentions still happens from time to time. Heck in my time, you MIGHT have been able to write it about me. That WAS many years ago however.

Pasquotank County: Superior Court of Law
Fall Term AD 1850

The jurors for the state upon their oath present that Spence Walker, late of Pasquotank County on the 10th day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred and fifty and on divers other days and times both before and since that day up to the taking of this inquisition with force and arms at and in said county in certain public streets and highways there situated and in the presence of divers persons then and there being, did become and was then and there, publicly, notoriously and indecently drunk. And so say the jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid do say that the said Spence Walker then and there was and more is a public and common drunkard to the evil example of the good citizens of the state and against the peace and dignity of the State.

W.N.H. Smith Sob.

Working Class Hero..........

2011-09-21T19:30:00.006-04:00

I am not one to criticize a person's job. Anything that a person does to keep a roof over his head, a crust of bread and rind of cheese on their table as well as putting clothing on their back is good. Granted, some jobs are better than others, and therein lies my tale.

Every year around tax time a local company named "Liberty Tax Services" hires folks to stand on the side of the street near their offices. While they are there, they are required to wear a Aqua-Marine colored Statute of Liberty costume, (To include the head piece with it's seven points) hold up a sign that says "Liberty Tax Service" and waive like hell at every person that drives by. That's in every kind of weather and temp.

To be honest, I thought that this could be one of the worst jobs I knew of, but after today I have to rethink the entire situation. I was driving in a small town near here and happened to notice a new Tex-Mex restaurant that was having it's Grand Opening today. I glanced over and saw that they had a young man standing in front of the restaurant wearing a Taco costume and a very large straw sombrero cavorting with the customers.

No matter how silly someone in a Statue of Liberty costume looks, it just don't hold a candle to how REALLY silly someone looks dressed as taco.

I Do So Love The Ladies................

2011-08-21T22:30:00.002-04:00

Haven't posted in a while, been spending most of my time trying to get things working again. I don't know if it's good or bad, but sometimes my "good" knee hurts worse than my "New and Improved" one does.

Last week at one of my meeting with the staff of the Committee for State Security (Also known as Physical Therapy) I noticed a older, white haired woman being worked over by a therapist a few tables down from me. Evidently, her muscles had frozen up in her leg so the therapist was really cranking down on it to get it more flexible.

It was obvious the lady was in a lot of pain, and when the P.T. person pushed the leg in a different direction, she gave out a loud yell and told the P.T. that "You are going to make me say something that will keep me from going to Heaven"

When she said that, I got up from my table and gimped over to her, put my hand on her shoulder and told her, " Grandmother, don't worry about it. I am already going to the hot place, so you just tell me what to say and I will pass it along with interest"

Well, the lady started smiling and patted my hand and said "Thank you honey, I may just do that very thing". As I tell most of the ladies I know, "I am but a very weak instrument of your will". And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Amusing But True.................

2011-08-07T13:11:00.002-04:00

Ruthlessly stolen from The Grouchy Old Cripple blog:

Commenting on statements from V.P. "plugs" Biden and others regarding the Tea Party membership as being "terrorist"

Sarah Palin said:

“If we were real domestic terrorists .. President Obama would be wanting to pal around with us, wouldn’t he?”

Now THAT'S funny and as they say, Out of the mouth of a babe.........

Baby, It's Hot Out There..........;

2011-07-23T10:42:00.002-04:00

While I have the privilege of sitting in air conditioned comfort, a bunch of my friends and fellow reenactors are up at Manassas VA. commemorating the 150th of the battle of First Bull Run. My sources tell me that the heat is wearing on people up there, but the event continues. There have been several heat casualties but hopefully that will be the limit of the trouble.

All my thoughts, good wishes, and even prayers go to my brothers and sister who wear both the blue and grey to commemorate our forefathers.

Q.O.T.D.???????

2011-07-21T09:23:00.003-04:00

According to my best buddy, Nancy R. a statement I made should be the quote of the day. I will leave it up to you guys:

After watching the bandage being changed on my knee yesterday, the only thing I could think of was "Damn, it looks like my knee got caught in a knife fight with a midget."

Or more properly, would it be a "Height Challenged American"?

Ben-Hur Meets A.R.M.C.

2011-07-17T08:27:00.002-04:00

Here we are, 4 days after my total knee replacement and I getting ready to head back to the Casa W. It's been a interesting experience and one that I might have to do again for my left knee, but to be frank, I don't want to think about it until I absolutely have to. It AIN'T the most fun I have ever had with my clothing on. (or off come to think of it) The surgery went well and I have a bright, shiny new titanium knee. The Doc told me that when he went in, he found a "mess" but he thought that everything would be O.K. once it healed up.

I started physical therapy the day after surgery and it sure does focus one's attention. I have had some of the most intensive pain I have ever had in my entire life in just the past few days. Unfortunately, pain is going to be a part of the healing process, so I have figured that I will need to suck it up and keep on keeping on.

My P.T. folks have been good to work with, but the strangest thing happened this morning. At O'Dark thirty when my guy showed up, He morphed into Jack Hawkins from the movie Ben-Hur.

"Your eyes are full of hate, forty-one. That's good. Hate keeps a man alive. It gives him strength. Now listen to me, all of you. You are all condemned men. We keep you alive to serve this ship. So row well, and live."

At least that's what I THOUGHT I heard him say............

Well back to the oars, I mean machines.

Heading North By Nor' East................

2011-07-06T07:55:00.004-04:00

I just got back from spending the holiday weekend with good friends Nancy R., Shorter Half and Sweet Daughter. As you can well guess, the 4th of July is a BIG holiday for those of us who reenact the Revolutionary War so we went to a historic site and did a day of interpretation for the public.

Since my vehicle (a extended cab Dodge Ram truck with crew cab) was already packed, we took it to travel in. Nance and Sweet Daughter in the back seat, Shorter Half and myself in the front.

During the trip, Sweet Daughter started calling out the direction that the truck was traveling since I have a on-board compass that she could see from her seat. Shorter Half (with understandable pride) was bragging about how smart his daughter was to be able to figure out the direction we were heading in. He went on talking about how he had talked with her about how looking at shadows, the sun, bark on trees and such had helped her to figure out direction and true north.

I listened for a wee bit, then told Shorter Half that he no doubt had been helpful with his advice but that Sweet Daughter most likely found it much MUCH easier to look at the compass. There was silence in the cab for a few moments, then S.H. cursed me under his breath and made various obscene gestures in my direction.

For the rest of the trip, I helped S.H. figure out which way we were heading by asking him about the shadows, sun location and other woodsy stuff. I don't know that S.H. had a good trip after that, but I had a GREAT time..............(grin)

Happy Birthday America And A Story.........

2011-07-04T21:39:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday to the greatest country in the world, the good old U.S. of A.

By special request here's a story that might amuse you on this Independence day.

As you know, I am a reenactor and living historian and focus on the American colonial time period. My normal portrayal is that of a Physician with the British Army.

A few years ago, I was asked to help with a reenactment of a King's Birthday celebration at Ninety-Six National Historic Site in South Carolina. For those that don't know much about Ninety-Six, it is located in the north-west corner South Carolina, what was called the back country in the colonial period. The land in the area hasn't changed much in over 240 years,and part of the charm is that the site IS so far off the beaten path that you have to really want to go there. it isn't like some other places that are convenient to stop at because they are on the way to someplace else or it has clean restrooms. Ninety-Six is special also because it was the location of the longest siege that took place in the American Revolution. Ninety-Six was the primary British military base in the back country and held a vary large garrison of troops. The American rebels attacked the town and were held off by the British and loyalist troop for 28 days.

Because of this history, it was thought that this would be a perfect place to have a King's birthday celebration. In the colonial period, the King's Birthday was one of the biggest holidays that was celebrated. There were dances, parties, military demonstrations,bell ringing, shooting off guns,and all sorts of festivities and merriment. This holiday fell on June 4th, so we picked the weekend closest to that date and planed the event. The time came and we had the event and every thing went swimmingly. We had close to 50 red coat wearing reenactors who did musket demonstrations, gave various talks, demonstrated camp life and interacted with the public. We also had a period dance and dinner party.

As I said, everything went swimmingly, but as normal when I am involved, a dark cloud did appear in the sky in the middle of the event. I was approached by a slightly over middle-aged lady who had just a bit of fire in her eye. She button-holed me and and asked me if I was in charge. I told her that I was coordinating the event, and asked if I could be of service to her. She told me that she had a serious complaint to make about the event. When I asked her what the problem was, she told me that she had been all over the park and hadn't seen one thing about Elvis. I was so shocked, that I didn't know what to say to her. She continued on about false advertising and wanted to know who was in charge. At that time I noticed my good friend, the chief Ranger of the site was walking through the encampment so I pointed him out to the lady and took my leave of her. When I next saw her, she had my friend trapped in a corner and was lecturing him on Elvis, false advertising and talking to her congress critter. I must admit that it was a bit of a dirty trick to get him involved. But I just couldn't deal with that lady with anything close to a straight face.

Ah, the joys of dealing with a educated public................[grin]

A Few Interesting Things.........

2011-06-20T22:20:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I did the father's day thing with my dad. We grilled out chicken, ribs, vegetables and so on. I tried something new that might be of interest of you. I took several vidalia onions and quartered them. I then wrapped each quarter with a strip of bacon and tossed them on the grill until the onion became soft and bacon done. It was remarkably good. But then, every thing goes better with bacon.

In the latest issue of American Handgunner there is a article on a company that supplies weapons to Hollywood movie production companies. Of particular interest to me was a " Moses Brothers Self-Defense Engine Frontier Model B" handgun carried by Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds in the movie "Serenity" and the T.V. series "Firefly" It started out life as a Taurus Model 85 revolver with modifications to include various brass castings.

Happy Birthday...............

2011-06-20T11:53:00.003-04:00

For those who forgot or didn't know, today is the birthday of the man who put "swash" in the term "swashbuckler"

102 years ago today Mr. Errol Flynn was born.

Mr. Flynn made countless entertaining movies and was to a generation a idol and role model. He tried to live his personal live as he did in his movies which led to his death at the early age of 50, but damn, the man could act. For pure entertainment, there is nothing like a Errol Flynn movie.

More News.............

2011-06-18T21:42:00.001-04:00

Not much to report, I am working on several projects, restorations, and some leather work. Next weekend, I will be attending the Detached Hospital's biggest event of the season, the British Occupation of Williamsburg. Some of these projects I need to get finished before I head out. I have been taking photos, so when I have time I will post them to show what I have been up to.

I have also been working on getting ready to go back into the hospital the first part of July for replacement of my right knee. Both my knees got pretty much trashed when I was working and my Doc told me that the only options were a cane or knee replacement. I voted for plan B.

So since there isn't much happening I figured I would fall back on the new old stand-by the Alamance News. Today's headline:

Did Local High School Ration It's Supply Of Toilet Paper?

A investigative reporter discovered that due to a misunderstanding between staff members that there was a memo that asked students cut back on their toilet paper use. However there was no shortage.

I slept much better when I knew that there had been no shortage.......

Time To Go...........

2011-06-16T12:43:00.002-04:00

You will be happy to know that the Tongan Defense Forces contingent has finished it's first 6 month tour of duty in Afghanistan and is on it's way home with no casualties reported.

The Tongans are pretty hardcore and come very close to being as tough as the Gurkhas. True warriors who did their duties with honor and dedication and now go back to their homes and loved ones.

God speed...............

All The News That's Fit To Print...............

2011-06-12T22:57:00.002-04:00

I live in a semi-rural area. We have a weekly newspaper The Alamance News, which covers local news, events, social events, military news and so on. My buddy Nancy R. has seen a few copies and thinks that some of the headlines were amusing, so I thought I would share them with you folks.

Today's entry:

Topsy Turvy Planter Used To Grow Marijuana High In Graham Tree

A Graham man pleaded guilty this week to growing marijuana in a Topsy Turvy planter 30 feet up in a tree in his yard

Next thing you know, someone will find something illegal to do with a Shamwow.......

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-06-01T13:37:00.005-04:00

For those of you who didn't know it, today is the birthday of one of my dearest friends and best buddy Nancy R. As a true gentleman, I will not say which one it is however. So if you get a chance, go over say "Hey" and wish her a good 'un.

http://excelsatnothing.blogspot.com

Dear Madam.............

2011-05-30T13:16:00.002-04:00

This was a letter that allegedly written in the Civil War. Historians as normal have argued over various facts of the letter, to include if it is authentic. However most think it is real, but even if it isn't it still conveys the reality of what Memorial Day is all about.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Thanks Mac, Thanks A Lot 2011.................

2011-05-30T13:10:00.002-04:00

Memorial day has come again and for most Americans, it's a holiday that marks the beginning of summer. A weekend dedicated to cook outs, car races and beer consumption.

I no longer bothered by the fact that most of my fellow citizens don't understand what Memorial Day is all about. I keep the holiday in my own way, and support the proper commemoration of it, in anyway that I can. I show respect for the fallen and gratitude for the living, men and women who wear our countries uniform at all times.

I was trying to think of a way that I could express my gratitude and respect for all of our warriors who have fallen, and realized just how limited and weak my writing skills were. I fear that the debt that I as well as the rest of the country owe these men and women can never be repaid.

Earlier this week, I was reading Starship Troopers and I was struck with the idea of certain "rights" being granted to those who had done federal service. I know that a great deal of people don't agree with that philosophy, they think that it smacks of Fascism. To me, it just seems that it is a very fair trade. You put yourself on the line, you have a vested interest in the outcome of things. Believe it or not, American has had a long tradition of this very concept. It has offered accelerated access to citizenship to any who would serve in the military. I can't but help thinking that it speaks well of our country that people would be willing to risk life and limb to become Americans. I can't think of any other country that so many would make that kind of sacrifice for. Our history is full of many such cases, and I would like to share a few of these stories with you.

With the great famine of the 1840's Ireland was almost depopulated with the great Diaspora. The new world opened it's arms to countless immigrants looking for a better life and better opportunities. America was one of the countries that benefited from this, the army recruited heavily from the emigrants. So much so, that the cliche of the Irish cavalry Sgt. in the many western movies that have been made was more fact than cliche. One of these immigrants was Thomas Sweeney. He came to New York with his mother, and adapted to the new world. He joined a militia company which was transferred into federal service for the Mexican War. Sweeney was badly wounded in his right arm at the battle of Churubusco in 1847 which resulted in it's amputation. Most men would have ended their careers at that point, but Sweeney had just started. After the Mexican War, Sweeney stayed in the regular army fighting the Indians of the Plains and eventually serving as a general in the Civil War. Fighting Tom as he was now know fought in the battles of Wilson's Creek, (where he was wounded in the groin)Ft. Donelson, Shiloh (where he was wounded once more)and in the campaigns around Atlanta. Sweeney's military career came to a end when in 1864 he took on two other Federal Army General in a fistfight. According to reports, Fighting Tom gave a fine account of himself considering he only had one arm.

Another Irishman who chose a slightly different path was Patrick Ronayne Cleburne. Cleburne immigrated to Arkansas joining a local militia company also. When Arkansas seceded from the Union, Cleburne cast his lot with his adopted state. He said he would stand with his new friends and country. Cleburne was eventually made a General in the Confederate service. Like Sweeney, Cleburne was a fighting officer who was called "The Stonewall of the West" Robert E. Lee said of Cleburne he was "a meteor shining from a clouded sky". Cleburne also had a larger world view in that he recommended that slaves should be offered their freedom if they were to take up arms to defend the south. His proposal was turned down and his military career was for all intents ended after this. Cleburne was killed in action at the head of his troops at the battle of Franklin, TN. in 1864.

At this same time, another group was trying to find it's place in society. Both free and enslaved African-Americans saw military service as a path to citizenship. Frederick Douglass put into words the thoughts of these bronze warriors:

“The opportunity is given us to be men, With one courageous resolution we may blot out the hand-writing of ages against us. Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters U. S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder, and bullets in his pocket, and there is no power on earth…which can deny that he has earned the right of citizenship in the United States.”

In the Civil War these Americans proved their valor in the various "colored" regiments and later on, in the 9th and 10th Calvary and 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments. These men, the legendary Buffalo Soldiers, served in the campaigns against the Indians of the plains and southwest and they also served in supporting the American assault on San Juan Heights in Cuba during the Spanish American War. They were on the right flank of the famous "Rough Riders" and were mentioned by it's commander Theodore Roosevelt due to their bravery in battle.

There was another group who should have been considered more "American" than most. they also strove to prove themselves a part of the nation that they lived in, even though their people had been here long before the creation of the United States. The Indian or Native Americans. Indians have always been a part of our military, particularly when the country was involved in war. From the Navajo code-talkers who developed a unbreakable code that was used in the battle against the Japanese to a Pima Indian named Ira Hayes who was one of the Marines who helped raise the American flag on a black piece of worthless volcanic sand called Iwo Jima, Native Americans have proved their dedication to our country.

The last group that we will look at are the Japanese-Americans. These men were Americans of Japanese ancestry. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, there was a strong backlash against anything Japanese in America. The U.S. government declared most Japanese-American as being 4C (enemy alien) and not subject to the draft. President Roosevelt also signed Executive Order 9066 which allowed the military to remove certain persons from restricted military areas on the west coast. This order did not specifically mention Japanese-Americans, it was used to place over 110,000 Japanese-Americans into concentration camps. Out of these camps came young men trying to prove themselves as patriotic Americans having to fight to join the military so they could go overseas to fight. I don't know what I would do if faced with that same situation, I would have a great deal of trouble fighting for a country that tossed my family and I, into what was a literally a prison just because of the color of my skin or certain facial characteristics. From all the volunteers for service out of these camps the Army organized the 100th Infantry battalion and later the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This combined unit fought in Italy and France becoming the most decorated unit for it's size in the history of the U.S. Military. It's members were awarded 18,143 awards to include 21 Medals of Honor.

So it's these men who I think about when I reflect on Memorial Day. Men who had little reason to join a military of a government that did not even acknowledge their right to be American. The wonder of it all is that these men believed in the American dream and were willing to make a down payment in flesh and blood to insure that dream, if not for themselves, then for future generations. There is no other country in the world that I know of could motivate men in that way with just that idea.

I just am grateful that I live in such a country.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!

2011-05-26T15:05:00.002-04:00

Today is the 104th anniversary of the birth of Marion Mitchell Morrison better known to the public as John Wayne. One of the better actors that Hollywood has ever produced. Mr. Wayne could out act most of the current crop of so called "actors" as well as keeping his mouth shut and not pontificate on current events.

Lord, I wish there were more like him...........

QotD................

2011-05-20T19:59:00.002-04:00

With all the talk of the possible end of time happening tomorrow, I was reminded of something that was said in a conversation with Nancy R.

"Just remember, that there is NO statute of limitations on blasphemy"

It should be interesting.............

Sybil For President..................

2011-05-20T19:29:00.002-04:00

O.K. we had the Light Bringer strutting around like the Terminator when he was taking the credit for the mission to take out O.B.L. then he decided to show what a stud he was by trying to take out Gaddafi and speaking out to help overthrow Mubarak.

On the other hand, he doesn't do much of anything about the ongoing turmoil in Syria and does everything he can to toss one of our most faithful allies, Israel under the bus.

The only thing I can figure is that someone needs to boost their medication.

Israel bought that territory with the blood of their people. After the various Arab nations attacked in 1967, the Israeli defense forces counter attacked taking all the areas in question. If THEY choose to give it back, so be it. But if they want to keep it, it's their call. After all they gave up the Gaza Strip for peace and we see how well that's worked out.

The only equivalent would be if in 1945, Great Britain sided up to us and said "Hey you Yanks need to give back Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Guam and Guadalcanal so that the Japanese will play pretty with us in the future.

Idiocy, economy size...........

Four British Graves.................

2011-05-10T11:55:00.001-04:00

For those of you who have never been here, North Carolina offers some of the most beautiful scenery in America. From it's mountains to it's coast, Carolina offers almost everything that anyone could want.

Off our coast, there lies a chain of barrier islands called the Outer Banks. Looking at a map they thrust out into the Atlantic Ocean as if to catch anything sailing up and down the coastline. That is why when hurricane season starts in the Atlantic, we keep a close eye out, just to make sure that we are ready if one comes ashore. Because the gulf stream goes around this area, it is a major shipping rote and sees quite a bit of ship traffic. With it's shifting sand bars and rough currents it was with good reason that the entire area has been known as "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" since the 1700's.

With the banks being separated from the main land by fairly large sounds, the natives of the area lived in a sort of isolation. Talking to the old timers that are still around you can still hear some traces of that isolation in that their accents are more from coastal Elizabethan England rather than coastal North Carolina. Accents that are quickly disappearing because of the homogenization to our language due to the influence of television, radio, and other methods of modern communication. The names of the people of the banks hearken back to seafaring England too. Names such as Aycock Brown, Jack Willis, Arnold Tolson, Amasa Fulcher, Wahab Howard, Harvey Wahab, James Gaskill, Homer Howard and others that sound as if they had been taken from a list of crewmen serving with Drake, Forbisher, or the other ship's captains sailing against the Spanish Armada.

There was a old saying on the banks, that there was two ways of making a living "Fishin' and Coast Guarding" The Coast Guard has had a long and historic record on the Outer Banks beginning with the old Lifesaving Service and continuing with today's modern Coast Guard. Again you can't read a in-depth history of the Coast Guard without reading the name Midgett, another name common on the Outer Banks.

So you had a hard land with a hard people who were used to resting a living from the sea. They had a understanding of the sea and knew that it would kill you if you underestimated it for a second. Then to add to the difficulties of the day to day living, war eventually came to the Outer Banks. During both the First and Second World Wars, German U-Boats, "The Grey Wolves" came to hunt off the shipping lanes. Many days the signs of these great battles would be apparent, heavy oil, wreckage, trash and sometimes bodies washed ashore to mark the beaches and to be discovered by the bankers.

World War II was a particularly bad time for seafarers off the coast of North Carolina. The German Navy knew that the area off the coast of N.C. was a shipping choke point so Admiral Karl Doenitz laid out a plan for a all out assault that he called Operation Paukenschlag or Operation Drumroll or Drumbeat. It started on January 14th 1942. It led to a literal slaughter of ships crew. It was so successful that German sub crews called the first three month of 1942 "The Happy Times" and the "Great American Hunting Season"

The American Navy and it's merchant fleet were not prepared for the war and didn't have the faintest idea how to combat the U-Boats. No convoys, a lack of radio silence, things as simple as using poor quality fuel and allowing the ship's exhaust to be seen, led to ship sinkings. Even more deadly was the fact that large seacoast cities refused to "black out" their lights for fear of losing the tourist trade. This of course, allowed the U-Boat crews to be able to see the silhouettes of target ships against the glow on shore at night.

Out of this chaos the American Navy asked the British Government for assistance in dealing with the menace. The British Navy loaned the U.S. 24 armed antisubmarine trawlers with crews to patrol the coast until the Americans could get up to speed in building it's defenses. Two of these small ships, the H.M.S. St. Zeno and the H.M.S. Bedfordshire were based out of the port of Morehead City. Both these ships were fishing trawlers that had been converted to armed vessels by mounting a single antique deck gun on her forward deck, a few machine guns, depth charge racks and a A.S.D.I.C. system to detect underwater objects. The A.S.D.I.C system was state of the art for 1942 but it did have a Achilles's heel in that it could not detect things on the surface.

On the night of May 11th at around 10:00 P.M. a German U-Boat U-558 started a surface attack on a "silhouette" it's lookouts had spotted. This was the Bedfordshire At 11:40 P.M. the U-558 fired a single torpedo which struck the ship amidships on the port side. The torpedo's explosion was followed almost immediately by a secondary explosion which could have been caused by either the detonation of stored depth charges or the boilers exploding. The Bedfordshire went down almost immediately. There were no survivors.

On May 14th 1942, Coast Guardsman Arnold Tolson and a shipmate were patrolling the beach on Ocracoke Island when he spotted a body in the heavy surf. He recovered the body and headed back to his station. On the way back, he was flagged down by a island native who had spotted another body floating in the surf. Tolson and his shipmate also recovered this body and delivered them to the Ocracoke Coast Guard station. After checking the bodies for I.D. and other documents, the corpses were identified as Sub-Lieutenant Thomas Cunningham, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, and Ordinary Telegraphist Stanley Craig, Royal Navy. Since the tradition on the Outer Banks (where there were no undertakers) as well as with military policy was for rapid burial, the bodies were enclosed in makeshift coffins and buried in land donated by a local family.

About a week later, the same Coast Guardsman, Arnold Tolson was on sea patrol about 4 to 5 miles northeast of the Ocracoke Inlet when he found two more bodies floating in the ocean. The bodies were in such a decomposed condition that it was necessary to slip a stretcher underneath the bodies to recover them. The bodies were wearing the same types of sweaters that were worn by the Royal Navy and also by the Bedfordshire crew members Cunningham and Craig. There was no other identification found on the bodies and the state of decomposition was such that there was no other way that identification could be made. It was decided that the two unknowns were more than likely off the Bedfordshire and they should be buried with their shipmates on Ocracoke Island.

The story could have ended there, but it didn't. The people living on the Outer Banks have struggled with the sea for all their lives and have and understanding and fellowship with others who go to sea. During the war, large numbers of bankers left the islands for job opportunities and to serve in the military and it touched the locals that men had come so far to fight and die for the safety of seamen from our country. There was a hope that if the men from the Outer banks died in the same way that some kind person in a foreign land would do the same for the bankers. The people of Ocracoke took the little cemetery into their hearts and cared for it as if they were their own family members. This care was supplemented by occasional visits from Royal Navy crew members off of ships visiting the U.S. Naval base in Norfolk as well as men from the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1976 the small cemetery was deeded over to the British Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Care for the graveyard is provided by the U.S. Coast Guard and since this is sovereign British territory a British flag flies over the graves at all times.

The small graveyard is still there today, just as the remains of H.M.S. Bedfordshire still rest on the bottom of the ocean in 120 feet of water, a tomb for the majority of her crew. Every May 11th there is a memorial service with a firing party provided by the Coast Guard on the site of the graves. So these men, who are so far from home, buried in the sandy loam and shaded by the live oaks and yapon of North Carolina are still remembered.

A small brass plated attached to the fence surrounding the graves has the following engraved on it:

If I should die think only this of me
that there's some corner of a foreign
field that is forever England

What Was Prologue, Is Now History............

2011-04-13T22:21:00.002-04:00

As many of you know I am a history and old movie buff. I find it fascinating when the two interest meet as they did a month or so back.

So there I was, minding my own business sewing some leather wallets and about half way watching the tube. I saw that T.C.M. was going to show a movie titled "Here Comes The Navy" Filmed in 1934, it stared Pat O'Brian and James Cagney. I flipped it over and again about half way started watching it.

A short time later, my undivided attention was drawn to the T.V. when Pat O'Brian said to a woman he was on the screen with, " That's my ship, the Arizona"

One of my continuing and ongoing interest is research into the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As most of you are aware, the U.S.S. Arizona was sunk in the attack and still sits on the bottom of the harbor, a tomb for most of her crew. So it was with a great deal of interest that I watched the movie which was filmed on the Arizona. What a beautiful ship she was.

Like most people, when someone says the name Arizona the picture that came to my mind is burnt and twisted wreckage surrounded by smoke. The number two turret protruding out of the water, the mast (for lack of a better term) leaning over and everything blackened by the fires that followed the massive explosion that sunk her. But watching this movie I was reminded that the Arizona was a living breathing thing. She was home to her crew and the ship was literally a floating city to provide the crew with everything they needed. It was interesting to watch the crew members sleeping in hammocks and having to sling them when bedding down and unslinging them when they got up for their watches. The majority of the people in the movie were real members of the Arizona crew and it showed. The various scenes of cleaning, scrubbing the decks, and other day in, day out duties as well as the battle drills has a ring of truth to them. The two seamen that Cagney and O'Brian portrayed worked in the number 2 turret serving the 14 inch guns. Again, this is the turret you see in photos that were taken after the attack. As an aside, in another twist, the sailor portrayed by Cagney transfers off the Arizona and into the "lighter than air" division and serves on board the U.S.S. Macon, one of the Navy's Aircraft carrying Dirigible. (In a strange twist of fate, the real U.S.S. Macon was lost with two of her crew members in a accident the year following the filming 1935.)

There is a pretty good chance that at least some of the crew who took part in the filming in 1934 were still on board on December 7th 1941. I wondered how many men that took part in the filming survived the attack.

So if you want to see what the U.S. Navy was like before World War II and what a fine ship the old Arizona was check out "Here Comes The Navy". It's well worth the effort.

Ho Hum................

2011-04-06T08:41:00.007-04:00

O.K. I have been slack in my posting.

My only defense is that there hasn't been much worthy of writing about. I did participate in the Military Through The Ages at Jamestowne settlement with Nancy R. a good time was had by all. I was able to sneak a few shots to include the presentation of the hunting sword I made up, to my young apprentice Brian Greeley. I think he liked it. (grin)

Here's another of the young lad

Other than that and a trip to visit Nancy R. and family it has been remarkably quiet around Casa W. I should be getting my right knee replaced fairly soon and am trying to get myself psyched up for it. I am seeing my orthopedic surgeon in a few weeks and we will schedule a surgery date at that time. Hopefully I will not run into the problems that I did the last time I went into the hospital.

Oh yeah, this post was approved by Wesley the most put upon cat in the world.

To Work My Son...............

2011-03-06T20:49:00.011-05:00

O.K. here is the long awaited post to explain where I have been.

As most of my friends know, one of my greatest joys is working on projects. These projects primarily consist of making or modifying items used in living history-reenactments. It all started in early December when I decided to cobble together a 17th century bandoleer of powder bottles as a Christmas gift for my best buddy, Ms. Nancy. (She has a matchlock musket that was just screaming out for it)Hers went together so well, I figured that I could make up
one for me and my doglock musket. That went together well too, so I started looking at a pile of various odds and ends that I have been gathering together when I was struck with what my dear wife calls "project fever". Bless her heart, my dear wife knows when I get into one of these "fevers" the best thing that can happen is to let it work out of my system. So for most of January and February I spent time eating, sleeping and working in my shop. I turned out a lot of stuff and got a big start on a bunch of other items.

Allow me to show off a few of the items I have done.

Hunting Sword with Shoulder Carriage

I made up this hunting sword for a young lad in my hospital unit. It's made by grinding out a flat piece of steel for the blade, a heavily modified guard, the handle is made of green dyed deer antler and has a hand poured pommel.I also did the shoulder carriage,hand sewed out of leather, the sword scabbard is wood covered with pig skin, just to aggravate any Islamic fascist that the lad might run into. (grin)

Bowie Knives

The knife on the left is similar to those that I have seen having been made in New Orleans. It has German silver guard and pins and ebony scales.

The center knife is a camp knife with brass hardware and rosewood scales. Because of it's weight and length, I think it will make a handy tool if needed for zombie defense.

The knife on the right is what I call a Texas style bowie with brass hardware and rosewood scales. It also has a "coffin" shaped handle (I like this style of bowie more than any other)

You might be able to notice that the blades are swirl damascus steel.

Plug Bayonets

The knife on the right side is a "officer's quality" with it's polished blade and brass hardware.

The knife on the left is a "munition's quality", something a common soldier would used. The blade is blued, the hardware is steel. Notice the guard also can serve as a hammer to sharpen your flint and can also be used as a screw driver.

Common seaman's knife

The scales are made of bone with a scrimshawed fouled anchor and a red painted Turk's head knot serves as a guard. The scabbard is hand sewn with waxed linen thread.

Leather covered bottle

I took two pieces of wet leather and hand stitched them over a glass bottle. This was commonly done in the colonial period so that people could use bottles as canteens.

During this time I also did several smaller leather projects, refinished three muskets, started four other knives, and either started or finished a lot of other odds and ends. So I was very happy with what I got accomplished. I still have a bit to do, such as final polishing on knives, made up some scabbards and belts, but I have a good head start on getting stuff done before I start the upcoming campaign season.

By the way, this post was approved by Rudi the wonder pup.....

Better Than A Circus Freakshow.............

2011-03-03T14:02:00.002-05:00

There I was, having a bite of lunch and about half watching a news conference with the Lightbringer and the President of Mexico.

A Mexican reporter ask if the Lightbringer couldn't use his power to "veto" that pesky 'ol Second Amendment.

The Lightbringer gulped a bit and told the reporter that it was a part of our constitution and he was subject to it's provisions. He also said that he BELIEVED in the Second Amendment. The amazing thing was that the Lightbringer's tongue didn't burst into flames, nor did his head explode. As I said I have seen stranger things to include a two headed calf and bearded lady but not recently.

However, in more predictable news, Felipe Calderon stated that American drug agents still could not carry weapons to protect themselves in Mexico due to Mexican law. So any gringo lawdawg south of the border might as well put a big bull's eye on his/her back.

And so it goes...........

Various Observations...............

2011-03-02T14:21:00.005-05:00

The Supremes (God love 'em) came back with their decision on Snyder vs. Phelps. They ruled 8-1 that Phelps and his church was acting within their rights to protest at the funerals of dead servicemen. The libertarian in me agrees, but the patriotic American disagrees.

Justice Alito was the lone dissenting opinion. In his first two paragraphs of his opinion he covers the case much better than I could.

Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case.

Petitioner Albert Snyder is not a public figure. He is simply a parent whose son, Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, was killed in Iraq. Mr. Snyder wanted what is surely the right of any parent who experiences such an incalculable loss: to bury his son in peace. But respondents, members of the Westboro Baptist Church, deprived him of that elementary right. They first issued a press release and thus turned Matthew’s funeral into a tumultuous media event. They then appeared at the church, approached as closely as they could without trespassing, and launched a malevolent verbal attack on Matthew and his family at a time of acute emotional vulnerability. As a result, Albert Snyder suffered severe and lasting emotional injury. The Court now holds that the First Amendment protected respondents’ right to brutalize Mr. Snyder. I cannot agree.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am planing on sending some cash to Mr. Snyder to help him pay his lawyer bills and fines.

There is much discussion and debate over the antics of actor Charlie Sheen. I don't understand it, nor do I have the slightest interest in it other than you see it every time you turn on the TV. It's nothing more than Bread and Circuses for the masses. I guess the fascination boils down to what a buddy told me about NASCAR racing "You know that there is a percentage of people sitting in the stands just hoping and waiting for a wreck that might just get someone killed." A person self-destructing does have a certain fascination to some people.

It seems the Somali pirates are still acting the fool. Since no one but Stingray and Labrat have taken the idea of the letter of Marque and Reprisal seriously, perhaps we should again look back in history and adopt the Q-ship idea. Q-ships were developed by the British navy in WWI to combat the U-boat menace. The British took older tramp steamers and cargo ships modified them and armed them and put them in the convoy lanes. These ship would try to lure in U-boat who wouldn't want to waste a torpedo on such a small target and would surface to sink the Q-ship with gunfire or scuttling charges. When the sub got close enough, the Q-ship would drop it's disguise and open fire on the sub. Q-ships had a bit of success, until the U-boats started sinking ships without warning. Our naval forces should adopt both the Q-ship idea as well as a German concept when confronting the Somalis. After the Somalis are confronted at sea, the after action report report should be simple and to the point.

"Gesunken ohne eine Spur!"

Today In History..............

2011-03-02T14:07:00.002-05:00

In 1807..............

The U.S. Congress prohibited the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States from any foreign kingdom, place or country.

This is something that I bring up when I portray a federal sailor. Many people don't know that there were MAJOR efforts to end slavery as well as the slave trade YEARS before the Civil War.

As a older fellow, who wears the blue portraying a union sailor it would have been very likely that I would have served in the African Squadron to suppress the slave trade if I have served in the Navy for a long period of time before the war.

Again, the study of history with it's many diverse paths is endlessly fascinating.

Hitting The Nail Right On The Head...........

2011-03-02T14:04:00.002-05:00

I stole this from Big Gay Al's Big Gay (Gun) Blog.

"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."

Hardcore, Just Plain Hardcore.............

2011-03-02T13:55:00.002-05:00

You want to see part of what made "The greatest generation" great, check out today's blog at STORMBRINGER

http://seanlinnane.blogspot.com/2011/03/by-grace-of-god-and-old-slabsides.html

Frank W. Buckles 1901-2011........

2011-02-28T08:16:00.002-05:00

I just learned that Mr. Frank Buckles the last surviving American veteran of World War I has died. With his death, we loose the last living link to the many men that fought in what was optimistically called "The war to end all wars". World War I was the point that America took it's place on the world stage as a major power and we never looked back.

So now, Mr. Buckles has joined his long lost comrades.

May he rest in peace

Cookin' With The King..................

2011-02-27T18:55:00.007-05:00

I have been very, very slack in my blogging, but I do have a explanation for it.

I have been in the middle of a project work frenzy. More about that in a later blog.

In the meantime, I just finished up a reenactment at Moore's Creek Bridge National Battlefield where as a member of the re-created Craven County Militia I served as the camp cook. This requires that I cook period food with period correct tools and techniques to both educate the public and to feed the troops.

In the picture below, I am cooking jowl bacon on a reproduction 18th century shovel.

You may be asking yourself the question, Why a shovel?

It's quite simple,

1. In archaeological excavations of camp sites from the Revolution, they have found several shovels that were modified and used as frying pans.

2. Armies preferred that the men boiled their rations, so there were no frying pans issued to the troops.

3. I portray a sailor, and since they wouldn't normally know what the hell to do with a shovel, they would just do what ever came to mind with it.

4. It worked and was mighty tasty...............

If Anyone Is Interested.................

2011-01-05T21:17:00.001-05:00

The Ovation channel is showing episodes of Firefly all this week starting at 8:00 PM EST.

Well, The Holiday's Over............

2011-01-03T18:19:00.002-05:00

This past weekend closed out the holiday season for me. Casa W. had visitors over the New Year, Nancy R. (of Excels At Nothing blog), Shorter Half and Sweet Daughter as well as Johnny Mo (of Out Of Left Field blog) and his daughter Sunshine.

Christmas gifts were exchanged, much good food and strong drink were consumed, there was even some time for shooty goodness with air rifles for the young 'uns and bigger things for the adults.

Miz Nancy gifted me with a book on the history of Punch, which was a highly popular drink from the late 1600's until the 1830's when cocktails became more popular. It has several recipes that I am going to inflict on the members of the hospital in the coming year. It should be interesting. (grin)

The best part of the weekend was the visiting and just relaxing. We see each other quite a few times during the year but that is normally at events when we are so busy that we don't have a chance to just kick back and take it easy. This past weekend we made up for lost time and had a ball.

The Irony Llama Just Spit On Me..........

2011-01-02T15:30:00.004-05:00

I still can't get over the fact that Janet Napolitano (The fuhrer of Homeland Security) went to Afghanistan to give the locals pointers on how to secure the border with Pakistan.

I couldn't make this stuff up if I was under the influence of narcotics..........

Happy Holidays

2010-12-28T20:42:00.003-05:00

I hope that all of you fine folk had a Merry Christmas, A Happy Hanukkah
or what ever holiday you chose to celebrate.

This was the first Christmas without my mom, so I wasn't much into the holiday spirit. I spent a good amount of time in my workshop hiding from the world, no doubt acting like a low buck Dr. Frankenstein. I did get a few things done, later on in the week I will post some pictures. (Just as soon as I figure out where I put my camera)

I also celibrated a birthday, this past Christmas was the 3rd anniversary of this blog. I hope that anyone who reads this has enjoyed my rantings and ravings. I have used it as a 21st century version of tossing a brick at the T.V. and a chance to vent my spleen. Through this medium I have met a bunch of really fine folks and made a few friends and it's been a fun ride. I think sometimes that I have gained a heck of a lot more that I have contributed. I hope that will change soon.

2010 wasn't a outstanding year for me, so I am looking forward to 2011 to be bigger and better. At least I hope it will be. Thanks to you folks for coming along for the ride...........,

History Repeats Once More............

2010-12-13T11:20:00.003-05:00

Shamelessly stolen from my hero STORMBRINGER'S blog..............

So what have we learned in 2065 years?

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."

- Cicero - 55BC

Forgotten Ship And Unknown Crewmember.............

2010-12-10T12:30:00.002-05:00

In memory of Dallas "Shackman" Pendergraph

I am starting to climb out of my funk and the writing muse is beginning to assert it's self once more.

A big part of my love of history is the fact that I like to explore historical incidents beyond the big picture that every one knows. History is like a stream in the woods, it takes it's own course and sometimes the eddies and pools that are formed are much more interesting that the bare bones facts that most people know. At least to me

This week was the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. I am sure that most are aware of the basic fact of the attack, the loss of the battleship U.S.S. Arizona which still rest on the bottom of the harbor and is the tomb for a large number of her crew.

Not so well known is that there is another ship also still on the bottom of the harbor. The former battleship U.S.S. Utah. The Utah (BB-31) had a very eventful career before December 7th. Commissioned on August 31st 1911, she served at Vera Cruz, Mexico at the time of the American intervention in 1914 and then served in the Atlantic fleet during the First World War. Other than sending Blue Jackets and Marines ashore in Vera Cruz (In the fighting, the landing parties earned 7 Medals of Honor) the Utah did not see any combat.

Due to a naval treaty in 1922 (which the Japanese were also a party to) the Utah was decommissioned as a battleship and reconfigured as a target ship and anti-aircraft training platform. This required a major overhaul as well as being renumbered (AG-16) in 1931

The Utah continued to serve as a training ship allowing Naval Aviators to practice bombing techniques in real time. Her deck was covered with wood to help cushion the impact of practice bombs and may have been a important factor in what happened on December 7th.

The Japanese knew that the Utah was a target ship and had given orders not to attack her. However, with the wood on her decks, she may have confused the younger and less experienced Japanese pilots into thinking she was a aircraft carrier. She took two torpedoes and capsized so quickly that she still had men below decks when she went down. While some of the crew were rescued when they were cut out of the ship after the attack was over, some crew members still remain on her. 6 Officers and 52 men lost their lives in the sinking.

There is also another set of remains on board that few people know about. The remains of a baby girl.

Chief Yeoman Albert T.D. Wagner had been stationed in the Philippines with his wife where they had twin girls. One of the twins, Nancy Lynne died soon after she was born. Yeoman Wager had the remains cremated and was going to have them interred at sea when the ship's chaplain and duty allowed. The baby's ashes was in Yeoman Wagner's locker at the time of the attack and due to damage to the ship in that area the child's remains were not recoverable by navy divers.

Yeoman Wager told several people that he couldn't think of a better place for his daughter's remains to be, being watched over by the sprits of 58 of his old shipmates. The Utah is still visited by baby Nancy's sister Mary.

Random Thought.............

2010-11-28T21:55:00.002-05:00

"I prefer to fight the European armies, but they do not fight as men - they fight as dogs! Men prefer to fight with swords, so they can see each other's eyes! Sometimes, this is not possible. Then, they fight with rifles. The Europeans have guns that fire many times promiscuously and rend the Earth. There is no honor in this - nothing is decided from this."

Mulay Hamid El Raisuli the Magnificent, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers

The Wind and the Lion

Thanks Guys...............

2010-11-17T20:36:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to thank all of you that sent me notes of encouragement as well as their best wishes and prayers during the recent illness and death of my mother.

Ya'll just don't know how much they meant to me. It's been tough these past few months and I figure there will be some hard days ahead but with friends like you guys, it will be easier to deal with.

Thanks again.

M.

G*d Has A Sense Of Humor...............

2010-11-17T17:18:00.003-05:00

My quest for a new church continues. I have noticed that most of the church members of places I have visited are "graying out" and look at me and lick their lips as I am a potential younger (although I ain't no spring chicken) new member.

A friend of mine invited me to visit his church and told me a story about a homecoming that they had just celebrated. They brought in a visiting preacher and just before he was to preach they warned him about a few older members that just couldn't stay awake for the entire sermon. (This included my friend's uncle, a fellow named Jimmy) Well the visiting preacher thought he would stop that, so the night of his sermon, he started out and sure enough Uncle Jimmy dropped off. The preacher kept his normal voice and asked everyone that wanted to go to heaven, please stand up.

The entire congregation with the exception of Uncle Jimmy who slumbered on, stood. The preacher then had the congregation sit and asked the question "And just who here wants to go to hell? STAND UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hearing the stand up, Uncle Jimmy jumped to his feet and looked around and seeing he was the only person standing in the church (other than the preacher) rubbed the back of his neck and said "Preacher, I ain't sure what we just voted on, but it looks like you and me are the only ones that stood up for it"

I think I may try that church this weekend...............

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.........

2010-11-13T19:47:00.002-05:00

Here is a link to the story of Fox Movie studio's attempts to obtain the rights to the book Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/fox-tries-bloody-hard-for-lincoln-vampire-hunter/

The thing that made me spray coffee was a reader's comment containing the possible lyrics to a theme song for the movie. Of course, done to the tune of Shaft.......

Who’s the 16th President of the United States
That’s a sex machine to all the chicks in town?
LINCOLN!
Ya damn right!

Who is the U.S President
that would risk his neck for his brother man?
LINCOLN!
Can you dig it?

Who’s the cat in the stovepipe hat
When there vampires all about?
LINCOLN!
Right on!

They say this cat Lincoln is a Republican…
SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
I’m just talkin’ ’bout Lincoln.
THEN WE CAN DIG IT!

He’s a complicated chief-executive and vampire-hunter
but no one understands him but his woman.
ABE LINCOLN!

The Last Doughboy............

2010-11-11T18:31:00.003-05:00

Today is Veteran's Day and my fellow bloggers have covered thanking all of the men and women who have worn the uniform in their country's service much better than I could have. I wanted to look at this day from a different angle.

How many of you have ever heard of a man named Frank Woodruff Buckles? Mr. Buckles lives with his daughter in Charles Town, West Virgina. He was born in 1901 which would make him 109 years old. That in and of it's self would make Mr. Buckles someone of interest but what makes him even more noteworthy is that he is the last surviving American who served in World War I. Mr. Buckles lied about his age and enlisted in the U.S. Army and was shipped overseas in 1917. He served in England, France and in occupied Germany as an Ambulance driver and prison guard.

Mr. Buckles adventures didn't end after World War I and his discharge from the army. He ended up working as a purser for a shipping line and happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. You see, he was working in Manila Harbor in 1942 when the Japanese Army captured the Philippines and he spent the next three years in a prison camp. After being liberated in 1945, Mr. Buckles led mostly a quiet life as a farmer still driving his own tractor until he turned 102. These days, he has slowed down and his last wish is that the country build a monument to all the servicemen that served in what was optimistically called "The War to End All Wars"

So today, take a moment and remember Mr. Frank Buckles, the lone survivor of America's generation of warriors who fought to make the world safe for democracy in World War I.

Thelma W. 1927-2010

2010-11-08T09:48:00.002-05:00

After a long hard battle with C.O.P.D. my mom died last night.

There isn't a heck of a lot I can say right now. She was one tough lady and what ever I am or will be is the result of her teachings and example. I was very lucky to have had her as a big part of my life.

The following words have given me a great deal of comfort these days.

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is a object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her approach and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:"Here she comes!"

And that is dying.

Henry Van Dyke

Wish I Had This Back A Week Or So Ago...........

2010-10-30T18:06:00.002-04:00

The Battle of Trafalgar,.. Today

Admiral Nelson: "Order the signal, Hardy."

Captain Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."

Nelson: "Hold on, that's not what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning
of this?"

Hardy: "Sorry sir?"

Nelson (reading aloud): "England expects every person to do his or her
duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation,
religious persuasion or disability.' - What gobbledygook is this?"

Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal Opportunities
employer now. We had the devil's own job getting 'England'
past the censors, lest it be considered racist."

Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."

Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free
working environments."

Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the
mainbrace to steel the men before battle."

Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the
Government's policy on binge drinking."

Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it ...
full speed ahead."

Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this
stretch of water."

Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in
history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the
crow's nest please."

Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."

Nelson: "What?"

Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness; and
they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations.
They won't let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected."

Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay."

Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck,
Admiral."

Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."

Hardy: "Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free
environment for the differently abled."

Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even
to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of
admiral by playing the disability card."

Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under represented in the
areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."

Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."

Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let
the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't
want anyone breathing in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts?"

Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the
men to stand by to engage the enemy."

Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."

Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"

Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged
with murder if they actually kill anyone. There's a couple of
legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks."

Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"

Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."

Nelson: "We're not?"

Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now.
According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we
shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim
for compensation."

Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."

Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity coordinator hear you saying
that sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."

Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your
King."

Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age.
Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save
your life"

Nelson: "Don't tell me - health and safety. Whatever happened to rum,
sodomy and the lash?"

Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there's a ban on
corporal punishment."

Nelson: "What about sodomy?"

Hardy: "I believe that is now legal, sir."

Nelson: "In that case... kiss me, Hardy."

Tis' St. Crispian's Day...............

2010-10-25T18:47:00.005-04:00

Today is the anniversary of the battle of Agincourt, fought in 1415 between the English and French, which led to one of the greatest speeches ever made in the English language. From Shakespeare's play, Henry V:

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Bad Day At Black Rock,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

2010-10-24T08:18:00.002-04:00

Last Wednesday I went to the range to qualify to keep up my reserve officer commission. I shot one of the lowest scores I EVER shot in my career. (I did qualify, however)

One of the range officers who has known me for quite a while, came over and put his arm around my shoulder and told me, "Bubba, Today you couldn't hit a bull in the a*s with a bass fiddle."

I just GOTTA get some quality trigger time in and soon.................

Attention All Hands............

2010-10-21T11:10:00.002-04:00

I am going to take this chance to clear all the modern crap out of my head for at least a day or so.

So in honor of this day, all hands shall splice the main brace in memory of Lord Horatio Nelson and the brave British Tars under his command who met and defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets at the battle of Trafalgar on this date in 1805.

King George and old England FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!

"Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,
To add something more to this wonderful year;
To honour we call you, as freemen not slaves,
For who are so free as the sons of the waves?

(Chorus sung once...)
Heart of oak are our ships, jolly tars are our men,
we always are ready; Steady, boys, steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.

We never see the French but we wish them to stay,
They always see us and they wish us away;
If they run, we will follow, we will drive them ashore,
And if they won't fight, we can do no more.

(Chorus sung once...)

They swear they'll invade us, these terrible foes,
They frighten our women, our children and beaus,
But should their flat bottoms in darkness get o'er,
Still Britons they'll find to receive them on shore.

(Chorus sung once...)

[Verse sometimes omitted]
Britannia triumphant, her ships sweep the sea,
Her standard is Justice—her watchword, 'be free.'
Then cheer up, my lads, with one heart let us sing,
Our soldiers, our sailors, our statesmen, and king.

(Final Chorus sung twice...)"

Quote Of The Day............(Heck, Month!)

2010-09-24T09:57:00.002-04:00

Shamelessly stolen from Cowboy Blobs site...........

It's hard to believe that so many good things are coming out of the White House these days. Only Axelrod and Geithner to go.

--- BKZ

Ol' Loudmouth.................

2010-09-12T21:07:00.004-04:00

"For three hundred dollars I'd cut anybody in two with a sawed-off shotgun."
Manning Clements
Texas Rancher and noted shotist

The Hospice folks told us that there would be good days and bad days as mom enters the final stage of her life, but it seems that she is having a whole lot more better days that anyone expected. I have said it before and will say it again, my mom is tough enough to turn goat pee into gasoline and may just fool us all. I went over to check up on her today and she looked at me over her glasses and asked me why I was there on such a nice day when I could be out shooting something. Never being one to argue with a lady, I made sure that everything was taken care of and took her sage advice and broke out my latest acquisition, the 12 gauge double barrel that I have named Ol' Loudmouth.

In my time, I have worked with, trained with and trained others quite a bit in the use of shotguns. Mostly pump guns, the 870 Remington, the 500 and 590 Mossberg, 1300 Winchester, 37 Ithaca, High Standards and even a 97 Winchester. These weapons ran the gamut from fresh out of the factory box, to rusted, scratched up pieces that haven't been out of the trunk of a patrol car in years. From factory standard to high speed/low drag race guns (Or as Tam calls them flat black people poppers) So on many levels, I understand what an effective tool the shotgun is. I could have chosen a pump gun to keep around the casa to repel boarders if the need ever arises, but I think my new double will fit the bill just fine.

I also don't think that it matters much what load I use for defensive purposes. Any shot load would be effective in the ranges that you would be dealing with in home defense. A friend of mine, a former investigator for the State Medical examiner referred to shotgun wounds that were suffered at short range (Say across the room) as "The bloody rathole" because he stated that it looked like a rat had gnawed into the bodies he worked with.

As I said earlier, my double is chambered for 3" shells so it gives me a bit more flexibility in ammunition selection. I played around with some different types of ammunition today and think I found a shell that I like. It's a 3" loaded with #4 buckshot. That means that each shell holds 41 .25 caliber pellets. Just to see how effective this load was, I put up a silhouette target at about 10 yards and shot it once.
The large hole in the silhouette's left shoulder is from the wad. As you can see, all 41 pellets hit center mass of the target. The silhouette reminded me a great deal of a death picture I saw of noted old west outlaw Bill Doolin. On August 25th 1896 Doolin was ambushed by a posse led by U.S. Deputy Marshall "Heck" Thomas. When called apon to surrender Doolin opened fire with a Winchester rifle. The posse returned fire, a round knocking the Winchester from Doolin's hands. Most would have given up at that point, but Doolin was, as they put it, game to the last. He drew his Colt's revolver and fired two shots. At that point, Thomas shot Doolin once with his Winchester and posse member Bill Dunn opened up with a shotgun. Doolin went down, dead before he hit the ground with 21 holes in his body.

Lack Of Post............

2010-09-02T21:37:00.002-04:00

Sorry to not be posting much, but we have called in the folks from Hospice for my mom. She has been dealing with stage 4 C.O.P.D. and emphysema and it looks like it's going to be just a matter of time. So most of my time is going to be spent holding her hand and remembering.

I will post when I can...........

Yesterday In History............

2010-08-25T23:06:00.003-04:00

Due to a bunch of distractions, I almost missed this one.

In 1814.............

The Battle of Bladensburg MD was fought. This was an attempt by the American forces to protect the American capital of Washington from a force of 3000 British soldiers and sailors. The leadership of the American forces which was mostly made up of militia was poor. In less than a hour of fighting the British forces managed to flank the Americans and turned a retreat into a panicked route. The American loss was so profound that the battle was called the "Bladensburg Races" and some of the British soldiers chasing the fleeing Americans suffered heat stroke from over exertion. When the Americans fled, this left the way open for the British to take Washington, which they did that night. The British burned most of the public buildings in Washington, to include the White House and the Capital building.

O.K. Mac, This Is For You..........

2010-08-25T18:07:00.007-04:00

Here is the new addition to the armory.

The barrel has been bobbed back to 19 1/2". I thought about cutting it back to 18" but thought better of it since my tape measure and the A.T.F.'s might not measure the same. Also, the under barrel rib on this weapon has a series of slots milled in it and if I had cut it down to 18" it would have come in the middle of one of the slots and left the two barrels unconnected on their bottom.

Plus, I don't think that the 1 1/2" makes that much of a difference one way or the other.

So now all that's left is to go to my "poor man's lathe" (my drill press) and turn out a brass bead for the front site. As for reshaping the stock, to a more English style, well there is always time over the winter to do it if I get the overwhelming urge .

You Can't Talk To A Man, With a Shotgun In His Hand...........

2010-08-23T08:14:00.002-04:00

Give Doc the shotgun. He'll be less apt to get nervy if he's on the street howitzer.

Tombstone

Like anything else, I have a short list of guns that I just can't live without, and a very long list of it would be nice to have. These list change grow and shrink depending on time and finance. This past week I knocked one off my nice to have list.

On one of the shooter's boards I belong to, a gentleman advertised that he had a SXS 12 gauge shotgun for sale. Looking at the photos he provided and checking out the price it seemed like it was doable so I got in touch with him.

I have wanted a "double barrel" for a good while but have never been able to find one within the price I was looking for, or one that was a good workhorse grade weapon. It seems to me that Southerners have an attraction for double barrel shotguns. Almost every one I know has one, either heirlooms from Grandpa or great Grandpa, or one they just picked up.

The shotgun the gentleman was selling was a Brazilian made gun imported by Stoger Inc. It had 28 in. barrels and looked to be in very good condition. We haggled a bit on the price and came to an agreement of gentlemen. One think I really liked about this gun was that it has 3" chambers so I can shoot a wider variety of shell types in it. I currently have it on my work bench and plan on bobbing the barrels so that I can use it as a home defence weapon and possibly a Cowboy Action Shooting firearm. I may even reshape the stock a bit to make it a English style (without a pistol grip) Time will tell. But in the meantime, I am doing the new gun "Happy Dance"

Today's Birthday...........

2010-08-18T21:29:00.002-04:00

In 1920.............

Miss Maureen O' Hara who was as much of a woman, (And still is) as John Wayne was a man.

Two Observations.............

2010-08-18T18:25:00.003-04:00

I will comment on two items that caught my attention.

First, the mosque controversy. While there is a right to freedom of religion in our country and Muslims have a RIGHT to practice their religion as they see fit, I think that common sense should be used. I would no more try to pray in front of a on coming train than I would to build a church on ground zero. Add to this the fact that the building that they want to tear down to build the mosque was damaged by landing gear from one of the aircraft that crashed into the world trade center, I would consider it as being a part of ground zero. This case is no different that the case some years back when a group of (I think) Carmalite Nuns wanted to build a convent on or near the grounds of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Of course there was a great hue and cry about the appropriateness of the convent (By many of thee groups and individuals who are supporting the mosque today) The Catholic church after a bit of debate agreed and moved the convent further away. Let's hope that just a wee touch of common sense (a very rare commodity these days) will come into play.

Second, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has found that the Stolen Valor law is unconstitutional. They state that to lie about military service and the awarding of honors and medals for valor is protected by the first amendment's freedom of speech clause. I fully expect that this decision will be overturned but what boggles my mind is that this judgment was made in the first place. To lie is protected by the constitution? What does this say about the various laws against perjury? Some will say that since you are taking a oath that it would be different. I disagree. Medals and such honors are earned by the men and women who receive them. (They are never won as many people sometimes say) To earn them, cost the individual blood, sweat, tears and many other things that we (that never have been in such situations) will never be able to understand or appreciate fully. How can this be even compared to an individual taking a oath in the quite serenity of a courtroom? And yet this the court doesn't seem to think that the cost that these heroes pay for this isn't worthy of a law that allows for the punishment of those who would steal the honor and degrade the meaning of these awards by pretending and lying about receiving them.

It is a piss poor country that doesn't honor it's heroes and warriors in anyway that it can even to the point of punishing those who would steal even a small portion of honor from true heroes.

Back To It...............

2010-08-16T17:58:00.002-04:00

Today I spent some time catching up on the honey-do list. I replaced some interior light switches, fixed a screen door on my front porch, finished unloading my equipment from the weekend. I had to oil and clean my musket, pistol, and cutlasses to remove all the fingerprints that the public left on them over the week-end.

All in all, not the most exciting day I have ever had, but it did give me a sense of accomplishment. So that is more than just a little satisfying to me.

9-11 Mosque........

2010-08-16T13:14:00.002-04:00

'Nuff said.............

(H/T to The Grouchy Old Cripple, whom I shamelessly stole this from)

Back Home Again...............

2010-08-15T20:35:00.013-04:00

I made it back home this afternoon and still have a bit of a afterglow. It was a fun event and even though I had never done this time period before, I was able to drop into my comfort zone fairly easily.
I focused on doing some fancy knot work while talking to the public and got the larger part of a lanyard for a Boatswain's whistle done for a friend. We had pretty good visitation all day Saturday. This is photo of me knotting while talking.
Since we were commemorating the many ships named North Carolina, I was telling the public what life was like for the sailors on the Civil War ship of the line U.S.S. North Carolina. Below is the model of that ship that is in the museum/visitor center.
For all the gun cranks ( This one is for you Jay) we had quite a few weapons to show the public. These included the various U.S. Muskets (1841, 1842, 1855, 1861) British muskets (mostly 1853's) Pistols, cutlass, and other odds and ends. We also had a Spencer and a Sharp's carbine. These are just a few of the weapons we had out to show the public.
As you can tell, when I have to put down my knot tying to make a point with my hands, it's a serious discussion. And last, after a long day, your humble correspondent shows off his own 1842 musket as well as his 1851 Navy Revolver.

U.S.S. North Carolina.............

2010-08-12T23:25:00.001-04:00

The hangman's a Yankee. They say he won't spring the trap on a boy who wore the blue.......

True Grit

I leave out tomorrow morning for Wilmington NC. This weekend I am joining my friends and messmates in The Carolina Living History Guild http://www.carolinalivinghistoryguild.com/ to set up a presentation at the site of the WW II battleship U.S.S. North Carolina.http://www.battleshipnc.com/page1.php We are commemorating the service of ships named North Carolina. For the very first time, I will be wearing the uniform of a Union sailor from the time period of the Civil War. I never thought that I would ever do either this time period, or wear that color of uniform but I find that times change and so have my attitudes. So I will be telling the tale of the U.S.S. North Carolina a 74 gun ship of the line that was used as a receiving ship for new navy recruits in the Civil War. I will also talk a bit about ropes and knot work and maybe demonstrate the use of my 1842 musket. It should be fun.

So Barrack Obama Goes Into This Bar......

2010-08-12T15:20:00.002-04:00

Some dared me to post this.........

So Barrack Obama walks into this bar with a parrot on his shoulder. The bartender looks up and says " That's interesting, where did you get that from?"

The Parrot replied "Kenya, they got thousands of them"

Me So Horney.............

2010-08-12T14:02:00.007-04:00

No, not that way. Get your mind out of the gutter. I am talking about Animal Horns.

I have been doing a good bit of horn work these days. There is something very satisfying about working with horn. It is relatively easy to work and it looks good if you spend either a great deal of time finishing it or not so much. You can make almost anything out of horn. In the 18th and 19th centuries, horn was their equivalent of our plastic. With the proper amount of heat, horn becomes flexible and can even be molded into various shapes that when cool it stays in the shape that it is molded into.
I have almost finished three new powder horns. This first one is made of a buffalo horn. I have a rough horn with it just to show you a "before and after"
The second horn is a generic powder horn made of a good size cow horn. The rough horn is again a before and after.
The third horn is a small hunting horn, with a applied turned bone tip. This style is a typical North Carolina pattern from the late 18th century early to mid 19th century. I even did a bit of scrimshaw on it. Also notice the beehive style wooden plug. Again a very old style from North Carolina.

Knots Are Us.............

2010-08-11T04:56:00.007-04:00

On various occasions I have posted about my doing knotwork. I thought that with your most kind permission that I would show some examples of what I do. This is the handle of a common seaman's knife. The center is French hitched and it has Turk's heads as a guard and pommel.

In this photo, from top to bottom:

Cat o' nine tails

Another seaman's knife w/ lanyard. (Handle made of Alligator leg bone, with cox combing.

Walking stick, cox combing, French hitching, needlepoint and Turk's heads

Seaman's knife

Another view of the Cat O' Nine Tails. Strands are tarred as the originals were.

Cutlass grips that have been French Hitched for better grip when wet.

Remember boys and girls, as Granny W. would tell me, "Idle hands are tools of the devil"

My Toys...................

2010-08-09T09:41:00.006-04:00

In the above photo, from left to right British Navy Boarding axe, Bayonet, two hand Grenades, British Navy Boarding Axe, Belaying Pin, American 1797 Boarding Axe, Seaman's knife, Officer's dirk, Sugar Cane knife, British Hanger, Naval Cutlass, Naval Cutlass, 1690's Hanger, 18th Century Naval Cutlass.

In this photo, are the long arms. (Sorry for the quality of the shot) from top to bottom, 1710 doglock musket, 1730 Sea Service musket, Cut-Down "Brown Bess" musket, Brass barrel Blunderbuss.
These are Naval boarding pistols with a gentleman's R.W. Wilson pistol in the middle.

Lastly your humble correspondent wearing the clothing of a common seaman of the 1812 period.

Hiroshima, Nagasaki, And The American Victory Over The Japanese Empire............

2010-08-09T08:26:00.003-04:00

On August 9th 1945 a B-29 bomber named Bock's Car piloted by Col. Charles W. Sweeney released a Atomic Weapon nicknamed "Fat Man" over the city of Nagasaki, Japan. At 11:02 local time the device detonated at 1,650 feet above the aiming point. The blast yielded a estimated 21 kilotons, about 40 percent greater than the bomb that had been dropped on Hiroshima on August 6th. It has been estimated that 40,000 died in the initial blast with 60,000 injured.

There has been a great deal of observation and comment on the anniversary of this event. A great deal of pontification on the horror of these acts and even questioning of whether or not the bombing was justified. I would like to explore these thoughts just a bit. Since this was just a bit before my time, I have asked almost every vet of World War II what they thought of using the bomb. I have yet to find one that disagreed with the decision to use this weapon.

It seems to me that people are looking at this without looking at the context of the time and place that the decision was made to drop the bombs. Japan as late as 1945 was NOT a defeated nation. Granted, the Allied forces had pushed the majority of Japanese forces back to the home islands and American submarine forces had a stranglehold on the abilities of the Japanese nation to bring in raw materials and food via shipping channels. What few Japanese garrisons and occupied islands which still existed in the Pacific had been cut off to "wither on the vine" However, the Japanese military and people were still ready, willing and able to fight, even to their death.

Japanese tactics had changed by the last year of the war. The Japanese view was to cause as many casualties to the Allies as they could. Their thinking was that if they made the Allies pay a high enough cost in blood, that they could win a negotiated settlement to end the war. The Japanese use of Kamikaze aircraft and the Japanese defense of Iwo Jima and Okinawa were prime examples of these new tactics. The American plan for the invasion of Japan, Operation Downfall gave estimates of over 1,000,000 Allied casualties before the landings were secured.

The American forces had also changed their tactics. High level strategic bombing had been ineffective due to poor weather conditions over the targets and to the fact that the Japanese has dispersed their factories and had developed a piece meal method of manufacturing that placed smaller factories in residential neighborhoods. Army Airforce General Curtis LeMay leader of the newly formed XXIst Air Force developed the concept of the incendiary raid. Since most Japanese buildings were made of wood and paper, they were very vulnerable to fire. LeMay ordered his B-29's to be stripped of defensive armaments loaded with incendiary bombs and flown at low altitudes. The results were shattering. Tokyo was hit by 325 bombers on March 9-10 1945. They dropped 1,665 tons of bombs and burned out 16 square miles of the city in three hours. Casualties were estimated to be over 100,000 dead. The crews of bombers in the end of the bomber strings reported the smell of burning flesh being noticeable in their aircraft at 8,000 feet. This bombing mission produced a firestorm which had been observed first in German cities bombed by the British and American forces. A firestorm acts very much like a hurricane of fire destroying everything in it's path. In this three hour raid, more civilians were killed than in either the bombing of Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

By the end of the war, LeMay's tactics had destroyed 40% of 66 major cities in Japan. It was getting to the point that it was hard to find a suitable target for bombing missions by August of 1945.

So based on this information I don't think that using the bomb to stop the war was a bad thing, in a twisted way it may have saved lives American, Allies and Japanese.

Oh and a couple of other things. Because of the mountains surrounding Nagasaki, and the general layout of the city, even though the Fat Man bomb was more powerful, the amount of damage was on a par with Hiroshima. Also the aiming point was somewhat off. You see, Nagasaki was not the original target. The primary target was the city of Kokura. When Bock's Car arrived over Kokura, it was clouded over so they had to divert to their secondary target Nagasaki. When they arrived over Nagasaki, it too, was clouded over. With barely enough fuel to get them back to their base, the clouds cleared just long enough to site their aim point and release their weapon.

So once again fate and luck changes history.............

With Love To Rick................

2010-08-08T21:38:00.002-04:00

I saw this on the wall of a local biscuit place and thought of my buddy, Mr. Bacon, A.K.A. the beloved Miss Nancy's Shorter Half.

I think it says it all.............

Feeding The Inner Geek.............

2010-08-08T21:27:00.003-04:00

Since most all gun cranks are also into sharp pointy things. (Yep Breda and Mike, saw your post)

I thought I would share with you what I picked up at a yard sale yesterday. I haggled them down to $8.00.

I think I have this photo thing figured out. Now at least, you will have pictures to look at when I get boring.

Interesting Combination........

2010-08-05T17:15:00.005-04:00

I just heard through the grapevine that a new album is coming out in December that is a collaboration between Leon Russell and Elton John. I just can't see it myself, but maybe it will make some music worth listening to. I guess there have been much stranger combinations, but I can't think of any right off hand.

But then, I like gin and margarita mix and named the cocktail I made up a Maggie Thatcher. So what do I know?

Today In History.........

2010-08-04T18:25:00.002-04:00

In 1693...............

Dom Perignon invented champagne.

In 1735................

In New York, John Peter Zenger was acquitted of libel in a court case that established the tradition of freedom of of the press in America. It's a shame what the modern press has done with this freedom.

In 1753................

George Washington was raised to Master Mason. No black helicopters were reported in the vicinity of the ceremony.

In 1790................

The U.S. Coast Guard had it's beginnings in the development and birth of the Revenue Cutter Service. I have a great deal of admiration for the Coast Guard, it and it's other predecessor the Live Saving Service has a long history on the coast of North Carolina and it's "Graveyard of the Atlantic" The unofficial motto has long been, "You gotta go out, but you aren't guaranteed that you are coming back" Brave bunch o' folks.

In 1862...............

The first Federal Income Tax was collected. And I thought gambling in Vegas was bad for pissing money away.

In 1892................

Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered with an axe in their Fall River, Massachusetts home. A daughter, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Borden was charged with the crime, but was acquitted in a trial. Based on the reading I have done on the case, I don't have any doubts that she did the crime.

In 1944.................

In Amsterdam, Holland Anne Frank and seven other people were arrested by police acting under orders of the Nazi occupation government. Anne's diary, found after World War II ended, was a testament to both the horror of the "final solution" as well as to the resilience of the human heart and soul.

Anne Frank who was 15 at the time of her arrest, died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945.

Oh Muse Where Art Thou?

2010-08-04T18:16:00.003-04:00

I will not say that my writing muse has abandoned me, but she has taken a very LONG lunch break. Nothing of note to mention here at Casa W, and the normal antics of our "leaders" doesn't even bother me anymore. I just don't expect any better thus am not disappointed.

I shall get better, with time.

Today In History..........

2010-07-31T10:28:00.002-04:00

In 1970............

Black Tot Day.

The Royal Navy issued it's last rum ration on this day, doing away with a tradition that had held sway for hundreds of years.

I can't say I think it improved things, but I am a bit biased...........

Today In History..............

2010-07-30T14:34:00.006-04:00

In 1945............

At 00:14 hrs. on this date two Japanese torpedoes struck the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Indianapolis. The ship went down in 12 minutes. Out of a crew of 1196, 300 died in the sinking and of the 880 remaining only 317 were rescued 4 and 1/2 days later. The rest died of dehydration, exposure and shark attack.

The Indianapolis had just delivered the components of the Atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima to the island of Tinian when she was sunk so was noted for that reason.

I first learned of the story of the Indianapolis while watching the movie Jaws. One of the protagonist, Quint told of being on the Indianapolis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nrvMNf-HEg

The skipper of the Indianapolis, Captain Charles Butler McVey III was the only ship's captain in WW II who was court martialed by the U.S. Navy for losing a ship in combat. He was found guilty of hazarding his ship by not zig-zagging. The trial was also unusual in that the commanding officer of the Japanese sub that sank the Indianapolis testified for the prosecution. He stated that whether or not the Indianapolis was zig-zagging would have made no difference, that he would have been able to sink her in any case.

While most of the surviving crew of the Indianapolis held McVey blameless for the sinking, family members of the lost seamen were not as forgiving. McVey was harassed for years until he committed suicide in 1968.

AYO GURKHALI !!!!!!!!!!

2010-07-30T13:52:00.002-04:00

A number of my fellow bloggers have posted about the Gurkha soldier who got himself in a bit of a jam in Afghanistan after being told to bring back proof that a high value target had been terminated so rather than bringing back the whole body, he only brought back the target's head.

They covered all the points quite well and I can't add anything of interest to the discussion. I personally don't see anything wrong with the act myself. After all the people we are fighting are the same folks that behead LIVING prisoners and post the videos on the web as well as bragging that they will behead anyone who does not agree with them. The Gurkha soldier on the other hand, removed the head after the target was dead so the "victim" was beyond caring.

The Gurkha is one of the most feared and professional soldiers around. They have served with the British Army since the early 1800's and continue to serve to this day. One of my favorite Gurkha stories (And there are hundreds) happened in North Africa in WW II. After the battle at Atessa, the British occupied a house with eight German corpses in the cellar. A British regimental sargent major ordered a squad of Gurkhas to bury them. A large pit was dug and the Gurkhas duly placed the eight bodies into it and were beginning to shovel earth on top of them when one of the bodies moved. One of the Gurkhas unlimbered his rifle and was about to shoot the offending German when a British officer saw what was happening and said "What are you doing?"
The Gurkha replied "The major sahib said we were to bury eight bodies. You wouldn't expect us to bury him alive, would you?
The German was duly rescued from the pit and survived the ordeal.

It's as someone from Cumberland who served with the Gurkhas in Burma once said,

"That Johnny Gurkha, he's a hard lad, he is......."

To Ride The High Country And Back Home Again.......

2010-07-23T17:06:00.003-04:00

Nope, didn't get lost, just got caught up in day to day living.

When I left you, we were getting ready to head out from Tombstone to head up to Williams Az. and to the Grand Canyon. We stopped in Tucson and visited the Old Tucson movie set. Very much geared to the tourist trade but it was sorta cool to see the sets that I had seen in various western movies and T.V. programs. (Here is a useless piece of trivia for you that one of the tour guides shared with me. The movie " Rio Bravo" was one of four films John Wayne filmed at Old Tucson. Rio Bravo was set in Texas, but when you watch the movie you will see countless Saguaro Cactus in the film. Saguaro Cactus are only native to northern Mexico and Arizona and do not grow in Texas. Now you can see why my wife HATES to go to movies with me. (grin) )

We arrived in Williams late in the afternoon and took a quick trip down the main drag which is also historic Route 66. Williams (Damn I just LOVE that name) has preserved a number of older buildings as well as the old neon signs. It really looked good.

The Grand Canyon left me speechless. I had been told that photos just don't do it justice, and I found that to be true. As much as I dislike big government and all it consist of, I have to say that the government got it right for the most part with the National Park Service. I am very happy that someone had the foresight to save places like the Grand Canyon and other sites both historic and cultural for future generations.

We spent most of the morning at the Grand Canyon then headed back to Las Vegas. We put 1300 miles on the rental car and got a good look at the various landscapes in Arizona. Other than spending quality time with the good wife, what did I pick up from this trip? I got it. I got a better understanding of a historic time and place that I had only until now read about. One of my pet peeves is that I have read many books particularly about battles and military tactics and it is quite obvious that the writers have never set foot on the land they are describing. Until you walk the land, you can't fully understand the full context of what occurred there. I now have a much better understanding of the settlement of the southwest and the men and women that inhabited it. Not only that, I gained an appreciation for the varied and beautiful terrain of Arizona, so different from my own beloved North Carolina. I also fed my book habit by bringing home several new volumes to add to my groaning bookshelves.

All in all a wonderful trip with only one bit of trouble. I will NEVER ever fly Delta airlines again. We were delayed flying out from North Carolina at the begining of our trip due to bad weather (which I can accept) but you would have thought that it had never happened before the way the Delta folks were acting. But what drove me nuts was that on the way back, the flight out of Las Vegas was delayed and required us to rebook because they didn't have enough flight attendants to crew the aircraft. Piss poor management if you ask me.

Oh Man.........

2010-07-17T20:41:00.002-04:00

The Lightbringer strikes again.

I heard that he made his personal chef the healthy food czar and that he decided that after showing his love and support for the folks of the gulf coast by suggesting that Americans go down to vacation at the gulf, that "he" would go to the coast of MAINE for a little R & R.

All I can say is, "Enjoy the Lobster, Mr. President"

Life In The Fast Lane.............

2010-07-17T17:37:00.004-04:00

Greetings from Tombstone, Arizona.

As I blogged earlier, we spent one day and night at the Golden Nugget on Fremont St. in down town Las Vegas. Granted, it didn't have all the bells and whistles as the first place we stayed at, but I liked it better. More retro if you will. Lot's of dark wood, glass, brass and marble. The staff seemed to be less geared to separating the rube from his money. Don't get me wrong, I understand totally that's what they are there for, but you can be just a little less obvious about it. All the staff at the Golden Nugget were great and very customer oriented.

At the Golden Nugget, I had my own personal retro moment. I put on my most obnoxious Hawaiian shirt, a straw snap brim hat and strolled down to the pool. While there, I found a very comfortable chair and acting under the suggestion of the lovely Miss Nancy, ordered a Vodka Gimlet. (Sorry Paw-Paw, it was too hot for a bourbon.) So there I sat, in 115 degree heat sipping my drink, checking out the scenery. It wasn't too bad, way too many body piercings and more body ink than you would see in San Diego on a Saturday night for my taste, but hey, that's the way of the world these days.

The drive from Las Vegas to Tombstone took about 8 hours, and we took a combination route of scenic and urban which was nice because when you got tired of looking at one type of scenery, it would change. We got down to Tombstone about dark and I noticed a whole lot of Border Patrol vehicles in the area. The had set up at least two check points on roads leading out of Tombstone which is under 50 miles from the border. Having been here and talked to some of the locals, there is a very strong siege mentality down here. They are being overrun by illegals and feel like the federal government just isn't doing anything to solve the problem. As one old timer told me " Our Governor, well she has a bigger set of balls than the President." He also told me with that " We get screwed twice, The Feds spend our tax money, fighting the new law, the state spends our other taxes on defending the law."

I have enjoyed what I have seen of Tombstone. For those who saw the movie, I saw the shoot- out site, Fly's Photography Studio, the Bird Cage Theater, The Oriental Saloon, Boot Hill Cemetery and a few other spots. Since this is a tourist site, there is a bunch of crap you need to sift through. Fudge stores old timey photo stands, pizza stands and so on, but there is enough good stuff to make it worth your while. The one thing that just leaped out at me was that everything is so much smaller than you would think from watching the movies. The inside of the Bird Cage doesn't seem big enough to swing a cat in. But it was lively enough since they have counted about 140 bullet holes in the ceilings and walls that were put there in it's 9 year history of 24 hour operation.

Another thing that I noticed is that almost every business had a "No Firearms Allowed" sign on it's door. I don't know if it is because they don't want the Cowboy action shooter types to get carried away, or if it's because they have a problem with average folks C.C.W. I didn't ask. There were a few gun stores in town, but they didn't have a lot that tripped my trigger (pun intended) Most of the prices were a bit high and it would have been a bit of a hassle getting anything back to North Carolina.

Tomorrow, we head out back to up to Northern Arizona, one of the locals told us about Old Tucson Movie studios where they film western movies and television shows. It isn't too far out of the way, so we might stop for a little bit.

More later.........

Taking A Dip In The Cement Pond.............

2010-07-14T15:29:00.006-04:00

Still in Las Vegas.

I must admit that I am just a wee bit disappointed to find out that there is NO large statute of Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel anywhere in the city of Las Vegas. There is a monument to his memory in the garden of the new Flamingo hotel, but it just doesn't seem to be big enough. After all he was the "founder of the feast" so to speak. Bugsy had a certain style and vision and would have gone far if he didn't develop sticky fingers. He started skimming off the top and got paid off with multiple rounds of M-1 carbine ammunition fired through a window of his girlfriend's living room. Play with fire, you can get burned. Particularly if you are messing with the mob.

I make no bones about it, I am country as a chicken coop. I haven't had a great deal of money and never got out much, so I am not very sophisticated. (Not as bad as a relative of mine who drank from a finger bowl at a dinner party.) So this trip is quite a adventure for a fellow who thought staying at the Motel 6 and eating at a all you care to eat Chinese buffet was the ultimate in good living.

The place we are staying is a very high end place, mint on the pillow, room service, the whole 9 yards. The bathroom is almost as big as my living room at home. But what got me was the fact that the suite has THREE televisions, one in the living area, one in front of the bed, and bless Moses there is one in the bathroom. O.K. the first two, I can see. But one in the BATHROOM? That, I don't understand. The same thing for the telephone in the bathroom. I don't know about you, but I think there are some things that should be left alone. Time in the bathroom is one of them. I don't see talking on the phone while taking care of other business nor watching the idiot box. Bathroom trips should be times of quiet contemplation or at worst, reading. I have been in public restrooms in the past when someone received a cell phone call and all I could think was " Dang, I am glad that I don't feel so important that I have to take a call while sitting on the throne." Not to mention I am not very sure that I want to put a telephone that is kept in a bathroom up to my face. I am sure that it is clean, but...........

And in weather news, I spoke to some of the locals and they felt the need to apologize for the humidity yesterday. I told them that I didn't notice it. I mean humidity to me is walking out the door and feeling like someone just slapped a hot wet towel in your face. Anyway, the humidity is dropping and the temp is going up. It should hit 107 today and there are predictions of 114 before the weekend is over. As normal, nothing but Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun.

More to follow........

Oh yeah, need some sage advice. We are moving down to the Golden Nugget in a day or so to get a taste of Old School Las Vegas. I thought it might be fun to toss down a period appropriate cocktail circa 1960's. Any suggestions?

Las Vegas..........

2010-07-13T20:28:00.004-04:00

Greetings from Las Vegas.

It's been a rather slow day, trying to my body clock adapted to the time change and getting my knees working again. The good wife on the other hand has been a ball of fire, entering a slot tournament and placing second today, hopefully she will do better in the next round. I did discover a interesting bit of information. I now better understand heat without humidity. It hit 103 today and I was able to tolerate it better than I thought.

One of the questions I always ask preachers when I meet them is that I fully realize it will be hot in hell, but will it be humid? Normaly a test of their sense of humor, that question came to the forefront of my brain today. Dry heat is MUCH better.

So far, the most interesting part of this adventure has been the trip out. As soon as we got to the airport we found that there had been a line of storms that had gone through Atlanta and had both canceled and delayed flights. Of course, that had a domino effect and delays started cascading throughout the entire system. It didn't bother me one wit since I had a couple of books with me, but it was fun to watch other people panic, freak out and generally lose their cool.

When we got airborne, we had to go through a bit of turbulence and got to see some rather impressive lightning. While looking at the light show outside my window, watching the airplane lights being reflected as we flew through clouds, I couldn't help but think back to one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes, "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet". The original T.V. program stared William Shatner, the remake Twilight Zone movie stared John Lithgow. Both in their own way were excellent. I will not spoil it for you if you haven't seen it yet, but find it on youtube or hulu. It is well worth the time involved.

More later...........

Random Thoughts............

2010-07-12T11:22:00.004-04:00

Taking a few moments to clear my head while doing the final last minute packing for a road trip to Las Vegas and a side trip to southern Arizona.

This will be my first trip in that area so I am looking forward to seeing some new territory. As far as Las Vegas goes, other than checking out a Elvis tribute artist or two,(They get all tight when you call them Elvis impersonators) and the fact that The Lightbringer doesn't think it's a good idea to go there, it doesn't have a great deal of attraction to me. You see, I don't gamble, and I figure that it would be much faster to roll down the car window and toss money out while passing through town. The good wife however, loves to gamble. (She DID marry me, which shows that) So being the dutiful husband, I figured I would tag along. To give me something to look forward to, we figured that we could rent a car and go south to Arizona and support the economy with all the boycotts people are calling. The surest way to make me do something is to tell me not to do it. (grin) I thought we could check out Old Tucson and Tombstone or anything else that might strike our fancy. Should be a interesting trip.

And in other news, I saw that the creator of the Everybody Draw Mohammad Day, Molly Norris has been put on a execution hit list by Anwar al-Awlaki. This is the same screwball that "inspired" the swine that shot up Ft. Hood. Somebody should give this guy a big cup of S. T. H. U. and a ham sandwich. I am available to help after I get back from my trip.

I have been promising you folks pictures on the blog, but haven't been able to figure out how to do it. I plan on taking my camera, instructions and every thing else with me and an going to lock myself away on this trip until I figure out how to do it, so be prepared. And wish me luck.

Today In History..........

2010-07-12T08:24:00.003-04:00

In 1690............

The Battle of The Boyne is commemorated on this date (July 1st, old style Julian calender) In this battle, William of Orange defeated James II and pretty much assured that James and his Jacobite followers would not gain the British throne through military means. It also guaranteed that the Protestant faith would be the dominant faith in England and Northern Ireland.

In 1862..............

Congress authorizes creation of the Medal Of Honor.

Life Gets Stranger And Stranger, But Hey, Christmas IS Coming..........

2010-07-10T08:27:00.004-04:00

I saw this over at Cinema Retro

http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/4744-ROY-ROGERS-AUCTION-AT-CHRISTIES,-NEW-YORK-JULY-14-15-ITEMS-INCLUDE-HIS-BELOVED-HORSE-TRIGGER!.html

"Many artifacts from the personal estate of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are scheduled to be auctioned at Christies in New York on July 14-15. The most sensational aspect of the sale is that it includes Roy's legendary horse Trigger, who was famously stuffed and preserved upon his death. In a related story, we hear that Mr. Ed has just been arrested for planning the murder of his owner Wilbur, out of concern that he might meet a similar fate."

Trigger for sale, who would have thunk it?

Any Advice?

2010-07-09T10:48:00.001-04:00

Does anyone know how to cancel a bid on eBay? I put in a bid for a “Mickey Mouse Outfit” and now it seems I'm only thirty-six minutes away from owning Obama and his entire Cabinet.

Best Obama Facts.............

2010-07-08T12:13:00.002-04:00

Borrowed from:
http://bestobamafacts.com/

Every now and then, Obama opens his eyes and the world springs into existence.
When a tree falls in the forest, Obama hears it.
Obama can clap with one hand.
Prometheus was punished for plagiarizing Obama.
Obama can make a journey of a thousand miles without a single step.
Socks worn by Obama are used for climbing walls in Spiderman movies.
Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race when she learned Obama's true name.
"Obama" is the very first word in the English language to be a verb, adjective, noun, pronoun, adverb, interjection, superlative and pronad. (Pronad is a new category made specifically for the word "Obama" so its power can be fully realized).
When Obama squints dreamily into the distance, he can see next week's lottery winning numbers. But he never plays because that would mean poverty of ambition.
Obama can calculate your guilt just by looking at the numbers in your checkbook.
A microphone into which Obama has spoken, heals asbestos-related disorders and colorectal cancer by direct application.
Every time Obama talks about change, a baby diaper becomes clean and a homeless person's cup fills up with nickels.
Every time Obama talks about "hope," coma patients regain consciousness and chant "We are the ones we've been waiting for."
Obama's famous stare once converted 15 Islamic fundamentalists into secular progressives, all of whom are currently employed by Countrywide Home Loans.
Obama is 50% typical White person.
Obama's real mother was young John Kerry who reproduces asexually when coming into contact with foreign Marxists.
Obama often says "uh" in his speeches in order to irritate Bill O'Rilley who hangs onto his every word.
Obama always overpays his taxes because he believes that the government will find a better use for his money than he ever could.
When Obama rids the world of nuclear weapons, the red button in his office will control the thermostats in American homes.
Obama brings change to the world every time he closes his eyes and imagines that Twin Towers never existed.
After a hearty meal Obama has been known to send off a tiny ripple of hope. This tiny ripple of hope in Chicago can cause change throughout the world.
When Obama relaxes at home with his family he switches to a British accent.
Obama's wife is a Klingon.
Obama's children are named Child 1 and Child 2 respectively.
Our universe is held together by the force of Michelle Obama's benevolent willpower, but her patience is running thin.
Michelle Obama has saved humanity from destruction many times and is slightly annoyed that we haven't returned the favor.
Monica Lewinsky owns "I Barack for Obama" bumper sticker.
Everything Obama touches begins to vote Democrat.
More dead people voted for Obama than for any other Democrat candidate in the history of Chicago politics.
The tingle that crawled up Chris Matthews' leg has taken control of his brain and is reporting a full preparedness to take over the world.
Obama can make things disappear just like David Copperfield can, but he hates taking things away from the community.
US Mail Service published Obama's resume on a new first class stamp.
In the movies, Obama's part is played by Robert Redford.
Obama can inflate a hot air balloon in one blow. He does it for the children.
Obama used to spell his name as Ubama but changed it to avoid confusion with Usama bin Laden.
When Obama fixes his gaze on the clouds, he is reading his next great line from the big teleprompter in the sky, which is unseen to ordinary humans.
One time the Republicans paid a voodoo priest to reprogram the teleprompter, and then Obama delivered the speech by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick instead of his own. But courageous journalist Bob Woodward uncovered the plot, forcing the Republicans to resign. As a result, Obama became even more popular with the downtrodden who didn't know that it was Gov. Patrick's speech.
Obama wrote "Stairway to Heaven" and many other songs popular among the downtrodden.
Obama's love for the downtrodden heats up the planet's atmosphere by 5.8 degrees Fahrenheit, while his loathing of George W. Bush cools it down by the same amount. That's why the scientists have been unable to detect any significant variations in average global temperatures.
The main point of Al Gore's book "Earth in the Balance" is that a disastrous climate change can be averted if we all help keep Obama emotionally balanced.
Obama visited Benjamin Franklin in a dream and told him how to live his life serving the community, but all that Franklin could remember was, how to fly a kite.
Scientists discovered that a constant repetition of the words "hope" and "change" increases the size of penis in male patients by up to three inches.
Any sentence containing the name "Obama" and ending in a question mark has been determined to be racist. The only exceptions are rhetorical sentences such as "Is there any way that Obama could be more perfect?"
Obama smokes so you don't have to.
Obama's cigarettes have been registered at the EPA as a renewable power source contributing 5,000 Megawatts of electricity to the national power grid every time he takes a draw.
The "smoke" that comes out of Obama's mouth contains rare gases that help replenish the ozone layer and neutralize the industrial pollution.
Obama once downed a Fox News satellite simply by clicking on a universal TV remote in his living room. Obama then reprogrammed the remaining satellites to broadcast reruns of Keith Olbermann's show, thus expanding the consciousness of the average American TV viewer and raising awareness by 19%.
When Obama speaks about universal healthcare, the risk of cardiovascular diseases decreases by 58 percent, and the risk of cancer decreases by 60 percent.
Obama knows that his healthcare plan is going to work because he personally tested it in a leper colony, where he healed everyone by shaking hands and kissing babies.
In Portland, Oregon, Obama fed a multitude of 75 thousand with five government subsidy forms and two rolls of red tape.
An unkind word about Obama's family serves as a passkey to the hottest rings of Hell.
When Obama smiles, somewhere in America a door opens to an abortion clinic.
When Obama claps his hands, a child is born in a Third World country.
When Obama stomps his foot, a sweatshop closes in Asia, with thousands of children in the streets demanding that the United States send them financial aid, food, and medicine.
Deep down, everyone's an Obama.

Space, The Final Frontier..............

2010-07-07T16:53:00.002-04:00

O.K. I still can't get the reach out to the Muslims thing out of my head.

NASA which put a man on the moon has decided to reach out to a religion which in the past hasn't shown a great deal of enthusiasm for science (other than building the bomb) If we had done this years ago, I could see the fact finding commission after the Columbia disaster marking it up as "Insha'Allah" (God's Will)

Perhaps we should change the music in the back round from the theme of 2001 A Space Odyssey to Steppenwolf's Magic Carpet Ride.

Just sayin...........

I Almost Missed This One...............

2010-07-06T18:08:00.002-04:00

I almost missed this birthday and would have regretted it if I had.

I have the greatest admiration and respect for a man who is first and foremost a gentleman. A person who places the good of others above his own. A man who keeps his word and means what he says. Such a man was born in 1946.

Happy Birthday President George W. Bush!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't agree with all of his policies and think that he lost his way when he tried to out liberal the liberals. But even with my differences with him I have a great deal of respect for President Bush. What you saw, was what you got and there are damned few politicians you can say that about. He also kept the nation safe after 9/11 when there were so many out there who wanted to harm us.

In his retirement, Mr. Bush has continued to demonstrate what a class act he is by following a old tradition of former presidents of not criticizing the current president (As much as he needs it) or his policies.

So, Happy Birthday Mr. President, may you have many, many, more and enjoy your retirement, you have earned it through your years of service to your country and we thank you.

Garden Bounty...........

2010-07-06T17:16:00.002-04:00

Been a while since I have posted a food entry, I think I need to just to take my mind off current events.

The locals are starting to open fresh produce stands around here. Even though I still can't eat like I want to, I find I just can't resist stopping and eyeballing all the veggies at these stands. I just love fresh corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and every thing else that is fresh this time of year. In the past I would even grow my own small garden but I found that I just didn't have the time to invest in it properly.

Here is a recipe that I picked up for a tomato, cucumber and onion marinade that is pretty darn good.

4 ripe tomatoes
3 fresh cucumbers, peeled
1 sweet Vidalia onion, peeled
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

1. Cut the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onion into 1/4 inch slices and combine in a large bowl. Put aside in the refrigerator while you make your vinaigrette.

2. Combine the sugar, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir and remove from the heat. Let cool to room temp.

3. Pour the marinade on the vegetables, toss to combine, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until well chilled.

My late grandmother made something very much like this when I was a young pup but I never learned how she made it. I think I have come close to what she did. At least the taste is similar, and that's close enough.

I Could NOT Make This Stuff UP..........

2010-07-06T16:56:00.002-04:00

O.K. let me see if I got this right.

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Arizona to overturn a state law that is modeled after a federal law (which the libs think is racially motivated) but drops charges in a slam dunk case of voter intimidation (That there is NO doubt WAS racially motivated) that was even caught on video.

Then the head of NASA goes on Al-Jazerra television to tell the world that his number one mission is to reach out to Islamic countries because of their past history in science and mathematics.

If I didn't already, I would start drinking.

Today's Birthdays.........

2010-07-06T10:58:00.003-04:00

In 1747............

John Paul Jones, father of the U.S. Navy was born near Kirkbean, Scotland. Warrior and fine ship's captain.

In 1925............

Bill Haley, Rock and Roll legend.

Today In History.......

2010-07-06T10:26:00.004-04:00

In 1885................

Louis Pasteur noted French bacteriologist inoculated a young boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog. The patient did not develop rabies.

In 1947................

Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov's masterpiece the Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947 was first issued to select units of the Red Army. The AK-47 is without a doubt one of the most successful military weapons in history with an estimated 170 million AKs and derivatives having been made to this date. The AK's primary benefits are it's ease of manufacture, cost, simplicity and reliability. Being the primary weapon of the old Com-block, it was exported all over the world and either sold or given to every piss-ant third world liberation outfit around. With a service life of 20 to 40 years, we will be seeing this weapon on the world stage for a very long time.

Independence Day..............

2010-07-04T08:46:00.003-04:00

I guess I look at July 4th just a little differently than most folks. It's a holiday for me not of jingoism, nor rabid patriotism, but rather of a great deal of satisfaction. It's as if I look at the country and say, "Well old girl, 234 years old and still doing fine." I couldn't be prouder. We have seen some tough times but we have landed on our feet and kept on going to create one of the greatest countries in the world.

This is the first Independence Day that I haven't spent dressed in clothing that went out of style 250 years ago. Feels a little strange, but I will be spending time with my mom and dad, sister and various other kin folk. I am sorta reminded of what Erma Bombeck had to say about the holiday:

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.

But since it is one of the most important holidays that we celebrate, I thought I would see what John Adams had to say about it. He said:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

They agreed to the declaration on the 2nd, but signed it on the 4th so ol' Johnny got the date wrong. But he sure did every thing else right.

So folks, I hope you all have a very happy and safe 4th of July and keep a eye on that tater salad.

We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident...........

2010-07-04T08:17:00.003-04:00

My friend Jay G. beat me to it by posting the text of the Declaration of Independence over at his blog, so go over and check it out.

http://stuckinmassachusetts.blogspot.com/

I make a special effort to read it every 4th of July just to remind myself what the holiday is all about. One year, I even had the honor of reading it aloud while wearing period clothing in front of about 500 people at Guilford Courthouse National Battlefield Park. (That, my friends was a stone cold trip)

If you can, take a few minutes and read this masterpiece of writer's skill. The words ring with a truth and brilliance that resound through the ages. With the current state of affairs, a great deal of what it addresses still troubles our great country to this very day.

Happy 4th of July folks, and remember our founding fathers (and mothers) AND BE MORE LIKE THEM !!!!!!!!!!!!

Today In History........

2010-07-03T00:55:00.002-04:00

In 1863...........

At Gettysburg, PA after having hit the Union line on each flank, General R. E. Lee made the decision to attack the Federals in the center. His thinking was that the center would be weakened after the union forces re-enforced the flanks. General James Longstreet was ordered to make the assault. He objected to the attack, wanting to resort to a flanking attack, but Lee could not be dissuaded. Longstreet voiced his objection in this way:

General, I have been a soldier all my life. I have been with soldiers engaged in fights by couples, by squads, companies, regiments, divisions, and armies, and should know, as well as any one, what soldiers can do. It is my opinion that no fifteen thousand men ever arrayed for battle can take that position

Longstreet picked three divisions to make the attack commanded by Major General George Pickett, Brigadier General Johnson Pettigrew, and Major General Issac Tremble.

At the time that the assault began, Longstreet who still objected to the plan could not give his verbal command for Pickett to advance but merely nodded his head when asked by Pickett if he should attack.

The Confederate attack against the Federal positions on Cemetery Ridge was a failure, the Confederates suffering an estimated 50% casualties out of the assaulting forces. This was the "high water" mark of the war. Psychologically the failure of Pickett's assault (as well as the loss of Vicksburg on July 4th) was the death knell of the Confederacy. Only the most insanely optimistic thought the south could win the war after these two losses.

To this day, Pickett's charge still has a mystical hold on the typical southerner. It is best summed up by William Falkner in his book, Intruder in the Dust:

For every Southern boy fourteen years old, not once but whenever he wants it, there is the instant when it's still not yet two o'clock on that July afternoon in 1863, the brigades are in position behind the rail fence, the guns are laid and ready in the woods and the furled flags are already loosened to break out and Pickett himself with his long oiled ringlets and his hat in one hand probably and his sword in the other looking up the hill waiting for Longstreet to give the word and it's all in the balance, it hasn't happened yet, it hasn't even begun yet, it not only hasn't begun yet but there is still time for it not to begin against that position and those circumstances which made more men than Garnett and Kemper and Armistead and Wilcox look grave yet it's going to begin, we all know that, we have come too far with too much at stake and that moment doesn't need even a fourteen-year-old boy to think This time. Maybe this time with all this much to lose than all this much to gain: Pennsylvania, Maryland, the world, the golden dome of Washington itself to crown with desperate and unbelievable victory the desperate gamble, the cast made two years ago.