Memorial Day 2008

There's no need to suggest to anyone reading this post that Memorial Day has special meaning, because most of you probably have some connection to the military. However, as you go about your holiday weekend activities (in good weather hopefully) keep in mind those serving in harms way today, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice throughout history in defense of the United States of America. For those reading this while deployed, (military and civilian) we're with you 100%.

New Growth

The other day when I was out walking in the woods (along with assorted ticks) I was looking for something to photograph (not the ticks). I spotted this and immediately thought, "new growth". Later as I continued my walk, I started thinking about that image, and what it might stand for. I'm a down-to-earth sort of person, usually not prone to get too philosophic about things. I also tend to be rather pessimistic, and have been accused by my wife as being a worrier. But, there are occasions when I stop and think about where I am in this world, and how I feel about it. Wow, this post is starting to get awful mushy sounding isn't it. So, let me get to my point. This picture of bright green new growth sprouting out of a cut-off small tree, deep in the woods, all by itself underneath much larger, more robust relatives, could have special meaning to us. For example, when we get too negative about life or things therein. There's always the possibility of "new growth" regardless of our hardships. Well, that's what it means to me anyway. As for the ticks I walked with that day, at least one followed me home, to be discovered the morning after, in a place I won't tell you about. Besides flies, ticks probably are my least favorite insect. Now there I go being all negative again.

May-June issue of Army Engineer

The May-June issue of Army Engineer magazine is being printed now, in Rolla, Missouri at (ta-da) Scott's Printing Company. AEA has been associated with Scott's since 1989. Obviously, they do good work. OK, with that commercial opening, those reading this post will be getting a first look at the cover for that issue. The theme is "veterans", and there are three especially interesting and well written original articles about WWII vets included. There's lots more too. AEA members ought to be receiving their copy in mid-June. Non-AEA members will just have to wish they had one, or else subscribe here. Note how I started the post with a commercial and ended it the same way.

Hokie-Land

My daughter and I took (her daughter) Jennifer to Blacksburg yesterday for a six-week summer session. She's taking two math courses she could not fit into her schedule earlier. The start of the summer session is no where near as hectic as is the start of the session in the fall, when around 30,000 seem to arrive on the same day. Yesterday it rained hard, but held off while we were transferring items from one dorm to another. Every time I go back to Virginia Tech, I remember the recent tragedy there, but also wonder at the beauty of the surrounding region and the total togetherness of all who call Hokie-land "home". Enrollment is up for the 2008-2009 school year, as is tuition (unfortunately). While there yesterday, I made my usual trip to the campus bookstore to buy a couple of VT logo caps to take the place of others I've worn out. I say you can't have too many baseball caps, no matter the logo. But where we live you got to have at least one VT cap to wear most of the time. That's a Hokie-land regulation.

All kids know this flower

When I was a kid, honeysuckle was without a doubt my favorite summertime smell…and taste. Still is. Today, when I was out with my camera, I spotted some new honeysuckle growth along the Smith River (a part of the Dan River Basin). I wanted to pick some of the flowers, and break off the end and suck out the honey like I always do, but the plants were located in the middle of a large patch of poison ivy, and that is NOT a favorite of mine. So, I just took a photo. Remember the taste? Honeysuckle that is, not the poison ivy.

Busting Chops

It's a term I have used for decades. "Busting chops" with someone is giving that person a hard time, often using language that in a different situation might be considered inappropriate. When I was in the Army, we used to engage in this sort of interaction perhaps too much; however, given that most of those close-knit groups of people with whom I had a relationship seemed to enjoy it as well (both senior and junior) I never thought much about whether or not it was the right thing to do. My problem today with this type of behavior is that many of the same people with whom I once "busted chops" while sitting in a bar in Germany after duty hours, or inside some sort of general purpose (GP) tent while on a field exercise, have since gone on to become extremely successful business people. While I, on the other hand, have taken a different route on a somewhat "lower" road. While we each had our given military ranks and assignment positions then, we all were "common" in that we were essentially doing the same thing. So, busting each others chops seemed OK. However, I found myself last week surrounded by many of these same people in St. Louis during the Engineer Regimental Conference…the difference is that they are no longer in the Army and each has gone on to very successful careers in the civilian world. Sharing drinks and lots of war stories in the Hilton hotel in St. Louis, (typically with me doing too much of the talking…a weakness I have had forever) I found myself reverting back to the past when we were in uniform together. In sum, I started "busting chops" in the same manner we leaders of battalions and brigades and our respective senior staff personnel did then. But, me doing this today as a self employed media type, with CEOs and top management people of major engineering companies somehow does not seem right. This has nagged at me since I returned home. So, I decided to let it all hang out here in this post. Maybe it's just me, but busting chops no longer seems to be a good thing, but perhaps I'm being too self critical. Like I said, I talk too much. Write too much too, I guess.