The statute of limitations has expired...

I received a note from an old friend, Bart, who sent me these pictures.  They were taken at a 2001 Dining Out held in Michigan at our old MP Brigade.  They used to have these things at least once a year and they were generally a pretty good time. 

I had to laugh at Bart's note which accompanied the pictures.  He said, "The old 535th / 391st MP BN soldiers didn't do too badly.  All of us are probably at least 1 grade higher than we thought we would ever get to and 2 grades higher than we should have been."  I don't know about 2 grades higher than we should have been, but I will agree that we were at least 2 grades higher than some of our old, by the book, commanders thought we would ever get.

If you were wondering why I might have said such a thing about such distinguished-looking members of the U.S. Army Reserve, here's another picture of us just before taking on an EPW training exercise.  I'm sure you see the resemblances too!!

I don't remember the date for the working photo.  In any event, as I said in the caption, the statute of limitations has expired. Oh, and in case you were wondering, Bart was a lawyer at one time, so his sending me these pictures and getting them out of his house may be his way of destroying the evidence.

All kidding aside, the four gentlemen shown in the top picture had a lot to do with the training and professionalism of the MPs of the 300th MP BDE in general, and the 391st MP BN in particular.  These units were tested in Iraq and Afghanistan and came thru with flying colors.  It was an honor to have served with them.

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.  ~Daniel Webster

Hooah 

P.S.   Bart says it's 70 degrees in North Carolina now and he is just heading out to the first tee.   I really feel sorry for him having to live in that kind of weather all year round and having to decide whether to go golfing or sailing.  Oh, yeah, it's 23 degrees here in Ohio with 15 mph winds gusting to 23.  Oh well.  Life is good.

Almost like losing a human family member...

It has taken me a week to be able to write this entry.

Our dear friend, Bailey, left us a week ago.  She was 16-1/2-years old and was the most loyal, faithful, loving dog two people could have.  As part of our prayers before meals, we would often thank God for her and wonder how we were so lucky to get such a friend.  But she was old, her back legs were giving out, and in the last week,  her arthritis was causing her to fall down frequently.  She was diagnosed as being diabetic about 4 years ago and the vet told us that she might lose her eyesight because of that.  But we were able to nurse her through these last 4 years.  But now, she just had too many ailments to overcome and still have a good quality of life.

As you can probably tell, this came over her (and us) rather quickly.  We had been to NY to see the kids and she had been in the kennel for the three days.  This was nothing new for her, but this time, when we went to get her, she couldn't walk and I had to carry her out and put her in the Jeep for the ride home. She didn't move the whole way home.  There have been times when she would be a little worse for the wear while there, but we have always been able to nurse her back to good health.  Well, this time, she didn't come back well.  We made progress for a couple of days, but I could tell this time was different.  Her right front leg also appeared to be uncontrollable and she would lose it as it slid out from under her, causing her to fall.  She also started to run into things around the house that she had been able to maneuver around before.  She would run into doors and walls, and I could tell she was just so disoriented.  I knew these had to hurt as she would sometimes just backup a couple of steps and stare at space.

It all boiled down to I didn't want her to suffer.  She didn't deserve that.  So Pam and I took her to the vet's office and talked to them about options.  They said that maybe they could try a localized laser treatment program but there were no guarantees that it would do any good.  And they said they could give her a pain pill for her arthritus, but the side effects would cause her to be sick and possibly have loose bowels, and again there were no guarantees.  Basically, they were telling us that there was nothing they could do for her.  So we had her put down. God, that was one of the hardest things I have had to do in a long time.  I haven't felt that much loss since I lost my parents.  Needless to say, we cried quite a bit that day and have once in a while since. 

I told Pam that Bailey sure had a bit footprint in our house.  Just about everywhere we would go, there was something of hers -- her food and water dishes in the laundry room, her treats in the cupbard, her milk bones in the pantry, her toys in the bedroom, her insulin in the refirgerator, etc., etc.  She sure had a big footprint on our hearts too. 

We first got Bailey when we lived in Troy.  As soon as we got her, Pam took her to obedience classes.  She didn't want anything to do with discipline, she was there to play with the other dogs.  Needless to say, she was not a graduate with high marks.

I remember one time after we moved to Anna that we took her for a walk over at Lake Loramie (that and "flying" in the Jeep were two of her most favorite things to do) and we were walking down a trail when a squirrel ran across the path just behind Bailey.  Pam had the leash at the time and Bailey bolted after the squirrel pulling Pam down and almost dragging her a couple of feet.  She was a strong dog.  Funny thing was I had our camera on taking a video of the two of them -- one of those nice woodsie videos -- and caught the whole thing.  We could laugh at it a couple of days later and thought of sending it in to the "America's Funniest Home Videos" show. 
When Bailey was younger and could see, she loved to swim in the pond.  She could retrieve pond toys two and three at a time and would also swim beside me when I took the canoe out in the water.  She was such fun to be with.

When I was gone to Iraq, Afghanistan, and when I was assigned to the Pentagon, Bailey was Pam's companion and I always felt better that she was there to keep Pam company.  She would sleep on our bed with us, curled up next to Pam, keeping her warm.  Boy that bed seems big now.

There are lots of stories I could tell you about her.  She was the most gentle dog when little kids would try to pat her (more like hitting), and was really smart.  She just seemed to smile and walk away and never growled or appeared to be angry.

If you have had a "friend" like this, you know what we are going through now, and the loss we are experiencing. At times, something will come up and I will think she is right there.  I know that is silly, but she was such a part of our lives.  We really miss her.  She will be buried out back beneath the Bailey's Harbor sign next to the pond -- her pond.

We'll probably get another dog at some time down the road, and it too will be a good companion.  But for now, we mourn the loss of Bailey and are glad she didn't suffer. 

There was once a guy (and I can't remember who it was) who said all dogs go to heaven when they die.  But he added, if there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they go.

I put these lines in a blog entry a long time ago, but I think they really need to be said again at this time:

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........
1. My life is likely to last only 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Good bye, dear friend.  You are truely missed.

 My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am.

Hooah

Running the Sunday night radio net...

Each Sunday night, the Shelby County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (SCARES) tests its operating net to ensure operator proficiency and check out equipment.  There are four teams who rotate running the net, and tonight was my night (I have it about once every third month).

Since I had the camera out anyway, I had Pam take some shots of me running the net, just to let you see this "Old Ham" in action.  These nets are run on the 2-meter frequency over a repeater system which expands the usually small reception radius (simplex operations usually only cover a few miles at best) by two or three times.  Even with the repeater working at peak performance, we usually just cover a one or two-county radius unless we put up our big antennas or jack up some power for the radio.  That's usually too much trouble and the net normally only lasts about 10-15 minutes anyway.  If we were running a high frequency (HF) net, that would be another story -- the higher the tower and the more amplification the better.  Oh, and just a note, modern equipment that is correctly installed and grounded seldom, if ever, interferes with today's new modern TVs and AM/FM radio systems.

So anyway, here goes...

You'll notice I have an armed guard in the room in case anyone tries to forcibly interrupt our net.

 

We are getting into the time of year when I spend a lot more time on the HF rig, prowling the 20- meter and 40-meter bands trying to make contacts throughout the US and (when the bands are good) overseas.  So far, I have made a contact in every state east of the Mississippi River, and most of the states in the Southwest US.  But I do not have enough power or a beam antenna required to do the far west states, Alaska, or Hawaii.  And it's just every once in a while that I get thru to Europe or beyond.

This is a neat hobby, and I usually meet up with some pretty interesting people.  I operate on the "phone" system (i.e. actually talk to someone via a microphone and they talk back to me).  This year, however, I think I am going to redouble my efforts and learn enough "CW" (radio slang for Morse Code) to make some contacts with that mode this year.  All the real "Hams" know and use CW, and being able to use that transmission mode opens up way more possibilities for contacts and operating space on the bands.  It was kinda like knowing when I flew all real pilots were "VFR" rated and not just "IFR."  You get just a little more respect when you have that higher rating.

I am often asked how radio works. Well, you see, wire telegraphy is like a very long cat. You yank his tail in New York and he meows in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? Now, radio is exactly the same, except that there is no cat.  (Attributed to Albert Einstein)

Hooah

Christmas treats...

You may have seen this same kind of entry last year, so this may not be such an interesting entry.  But I just wanted you to see that the two happy elves from McCartyville Road were busy this year getting our pretzel treats made.  Last year's entry only showed the finished product, so just wanted you to know who really made these delicious Christmas tantalizers.

I had to check the camera to see if the timer would work and focus correctly.

Now that that was done, I brought in my beautiful, happy assistant.  She handles all the cholcoate because there probably wouldn't be any left for the pretzels if I had landed that job.  I, on the other hand, am the "Keeper of the Sprinkles" (that's because they don't taste good by themselves and turn your tongue different colors if you try to eat them).  I've been told this is a pretty important job!!

 

This really is a fun project and isn't that hard.  I gave up all the hard jobs a long time ago!  One thing, though, that is somewhat exacting is trying to get all the sprinkles on the pretzel and not all over the counter, the floor, behind the counter things, and so on.  Also, those little rascals are hard to sweep up afterwards.  You go after them with the broom and if you are too aggressive, they go flying all over the floor and you don't know where they all went until you see Bailey trying to lick them up.

Here are the finished products, in the drying chamber, awaiting inspection.  I also used to be in charge of taste testing  a select few to insure quality control, but got fired for testing too many!  So now we have no quality control, but then again we also haven't heard of any dissatisfied customers either.  They probably don't last that long.

We've been doing this for a number of years now, and each time we learn a little bit and improve the product.  All the little guys (and even their dads) around the neighborhood seem real happy to get them, and we really have fun doing it.

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.  (Peg Bracken)

Hooah

Deck the Halls...

Remember all the really nice days right before Thanksgiving, and the mid-50s on the Friday after Thanksgiving?  Well, a smart person would have thought that was the ideal time to put up outdoor Christmas decorations.  And then there's me -- I thought it would be ideal for that one last round of golf for the year.  Oh, I didn't skip the decorations this year, I just waited until the temps got down to the upper 30s and low 40s.  Nothing like a good 15 mph wind and a 35 degree afternoon to inspire a procrastinator like me.  Just something about hitting your fingers and thumb with the hammer when you're putting up garland.  And top that off with a cold, runny nose -- man it just doesn't get any better than that!!!

So anyhow, here are the pictures of our efforts.  I think they turned out pretty nice.  Here is a picture of the front of the house.

You may recall that we put a pergola on the back of the house this fall.  Well, I thought it needed some decorating so I went out and bought a tree to liven it up a bit.  I hadn't shopped for an artificial tree for a while so I had a case of sticker shock when I went to Lowes to see what they had.  I ended up buying a cut tree -- not quite the Charlie Brown version though.  It was a pretty nice tree, about 6 feet tall.  I figured I could throw it out back by the shed after Christmas and then sink it in the pond this spring to serve as cover for the fish.  Sounds like a plan -- I just hope I remember that this coming year when I get snagged on it while going after Walter.  I don't think I 'll tell all the other people who come up to fish.  Let them find out by themselves!!

I took some pictures of the back.  The night ones take on that "Away in a manger" look.  And I think the bow kinda makes it, don't you think? 

Two things I will learn about decorating the back deck -- I will see if the water in the tree stand freezes, and I will see if the tree keeps its needles until Christmas.  Just an experiment.

I don't think I'll take the Christmas lights down.  They'll look so festive for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.

Hooah

Lots to give thanks for...

We had a real nice Thanksgiving family get together hosted by Linda and Luke and, of course, their dog Buddy.  It was a real nice drive up to their house, sunny and temps in the upper 50s.   Brian, Melissa and the kids were also able to join us this year which was nice since we haven't seen them for a couple of years.  I enjoyed a part of the afternoon talking with Brian about different military things (he's a former Marine but I don't hold that against him !!!).  Got a real good picture of all of us.  Check it out.

  One other thing that I might mention --  there was quite a bit of wind which figured into another interesting thing -- all the wind turbine farms.  Once we got on the outside of Van Wert, there they were.  They just popped up and it was really fascinating.  They were all over the place, these giant poles and the three blades swirling around in a slow, but steady rotation.  It was kinda like some Orwellian "War of the Worlds" thing all around us.  Luke said there were 200 of them spread out all through this area.  I took some pictures, but they don't do it justice.  And it was a bit distracting driving -- we couldn't stop staring at them.

There are signs all over the place down in our area about "no wind turbines."  People say they create such a racket when the blades are turning in a stiff wind.  Well when I stopped to take these pictures, I couldn't hear anything (of course, my wife says I can't hear anyway, so you be the judge).  I saw an article in the SDN looking to sway public opinion against these turbines because they kill the earthworms all around the bases of these things.  I didn't get a shovel out to check it out, but I would doubt if any more worms are killed after their construction than might be killed by the application of fertilizers and manure to the same fields.  Anyway, check these out.

Luke told us that he heard each of these would provide the electricity to power 500 homes.   They also told us that the local schools benefited substantially from the taxes these things generate.   That's great for the local residents who have to support the schools with their taxes.  Can you say "ROLLBACK."

All in all, it was an enjoyable, interesting day.  Too bad this happens only a few times a year.  But being spread out pretty much from Columbus to western Ohio means it's hard to get everyone in the same place all at once.  Then when you add D, D, & Q being in NY, it's really hard.  So we just enjoy the times we do get and remember them until the next time.

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.  (Meister Eckhart)

Hooah

I wonder what else is still working...

Yesterday was an exceptionally good day as both my lovely bride and I both turned 64 -- just now entering the prime of our lives.  We had a nice dinner and took a nice walk later in the afternoon (the sun was out and it was in the mid 50s here).  In fact, I could have probably played golf again, but thought it would still be nice this week and instead chose to watch the Browns blow a double-digit lead and lose to the Cowboys.

Anyway, I thought since Pam and I are still moving around pretty good, what else around here has held up that well.  I didn't have to look too long as I noticed a couple of objects in our bedroom that have been pretty dependable -- a couple of fans and a white noise maker.

I got all three of these things in 2005 while stationed in DC.  The black fan has run pretty much 24x7 since I bought it.  I like a soft gentle movement of air in the bedroom so it has passed the E.B. (Energizer Bunny) Test with flying colors.  The only time I turn it off is when we take the face off it and wipe down the blades and dust it.

The silver fan and the noise maker haven't been put into that much service, but they are both used every day.  The noise maker is on every night and sometimes during the day when we might have a thunder storm -- it helps settle down Bailey.  And for some reason, she really likes lying in front of the two fans.

I have never checked these items to see where they were manufactured, but wherever it was, they certainly did a pretty nice job.  I wonder if any of these companies are still in business.

Oh yeah, when I was putting this article together, I heard a little whimper in the corner of the office room, over by the old computer.  It was Barnabus.  He was my flying buddy.  He has logged about 10 years of flying with me.  He just wanted to remind me that he was still here, on duty if I needed him, ready to go at a moment's notice.  Sorry, old buddy.  You'll just have to be content to flying a desk for now.  Happens to the best of us.

And then there is one other thing I have to tell you about that has been "working" for a real long time -- my golf clubs.  I don't know if I can say they were "working" all this time -- it's more like a labor of love (most of the time).  I got the irons made way back in 1972.  They are PGA Ryder Club models.  Someone I was playing with the other day said these clubs are called "muscle back clubs" and aren't seen much these days.  At first I thought he might have said they were "knuckle head clubs" which would have matched my game some.  But he didn't.  And he also liked my putter (an old PING Answerer model) and said he saw one on the internet going for about $200. 
Like I said, these clubs are still working pretty well.  I shot a 99 the other day (pretty cold and windy) and one of the guys I was playing with shot 100.  I told him I was 10 strokes better than him.  He said how's that?  I said I shot in the 90s and you were in the 100s.  And that's how I learned golf math.

So those are some of the things I have seen in the last day or two that really have held up over the years -- just like my bride and me.

To me, old age is always ten years older than I am.

Hooah