Road Trip

Took a road trip to visit a graveyard. Some of the things along the way. Barns, Windmills, Iron Creatures, and an old ride. X.

Old Thrashers Fish Fry-Horse Pull

Our local Old Thrashers held a fund raiser fish fry and ametuer horse pull this evening. The horse pull was entertaining. It is a holdover from oldin days. The guys who hook up the harness to the sled have a dangerous job. Sometimes the horses will bolt before they are given the command to pull. X.

Memorial Day

This is what it's all about. Bottom picture taken in the hills north of Khe Sanh. Top picture from Iwo Jima. Men: giving thier lives for thier country. X.

NEW CAMERA

Been saving for this a while. Just got my new Nikon D90 with 18-200mm lens. Here's a few snapshots. X.

Took Sam For A Ride

I belong to Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. We had a meeting yesterday in a town about an hour away from here. So, I took my Uncle Sam for a ride.

I have talked about him before. He died last fall from colon cancer. He gave his best. Fought it till the end and went out with honor, dignity and grace. He had a bucket list but did not get to do everything he had put on his list. One of the things was that he wanted to take a ride on my bike.

He had his body cremated. His ashes are in a number of places. I have a small jar with part of Sam in it. I keep it in my bike. So, everytime I ride, Sam gets to ride with me. Xavier

Garden Stuff & Chickens

We have strawberries and gooseberries big time this year. Also a few blueberries on one of the plants I planted this spring. X.

A Tribute To Martha Raye

While I was in Vietnam I had the fortune to see Martha Raye. Many younger people will not remember her. She was an actress and comedian who performed in the 40's, 50's, and 60's. I have read about and heard many stories of her from the Vietnam War. She performed for the troops in three different wars. And during the Vietnam War most all of her visits were paid for and arranged by her, not the government. She was a nurse also. And at times pitched in to help when it was needed. Many of her visits to see the troops were in dangerous conditions, but she went with no regard for her own safety.

The story I would like to tell occured in 1966 at Dong Ha just south of the DMZ. We had just came into the basecamp after almost an intire month fighting in the jungles along the DMZ. We were a ragged bunch with worn and smelly clothes on our backs. The first night back we were treated to a performance by Martha. She stopped in the middle of her performance to go give blood for some injured troops who had just been flown in. This alone endeared us to her. The following night a couple of my buddies went looking for her to get an autograph. They found her with a group of officers. One of the officers told my friends to leave. Martha scolded the officer and left with my friends. They found a spot and set down and visited with her. She was very friendly and put them as ease with her caring personality.

She was a specail lady and I am sure there are many more veterans out there who can recall a story about her caring heart. X.

Rain, rain go away!!!!!!!

We've had more than our share of rain this spring. Many of our streams are over flowing. It's been especailly hard on my garden so far. Many of the tomatoe plants are turning yellow and several are getting spots. The dreaded blight already. Rain is good to a point, but it is effecting many farmers so far. Some have had to replant because of the damp cool weather pattern.

At least we haven't had the bad storms that have been plaguing the southern states. I guess that is a positive I can take out of this spring. X.

Happy Mothers Day To All Mothers

Only a mother could love us unconditionally. Even if we had no feathers ;^) X.

Happy Beltane

May it spring forth;^) X.