Now here's a place to live

Last week I visited Orton Plantation near Wilmington, NC along the Cape Fear River. As you can see here, the focal point is a very nicely 1735 restored mansion. The beautiful and expansive gardens that surround the main home are not only very scenic, but make you think you are back in time while you sit quietly on one of the numerous benches sited in and around flowers, myrtle bushes and majestic Live Oak trees such as the one in front of the house shown here. I noted signs in the low lying areas along the river that read, "Do not enter. Area is reserved for snakes and alligators".

So, there's your travel lesson for the day.

Wildlife

I just returned from a two day trip to Eastern North Carolina, where I did some on-site interviews with historians and archeologists, along with taking lots of photographs about an upcoming article in Army Engineer magazine I'm going to write, concerning the restoration of a portion of Civil War Fort Anderson, adjacent to the historic 18th Century settlement of Brunswick Town. On the way to the site, I passed by a quiet small lake, including an inhabitant with whom I had little desire to "visit". When you wander around in these parts, you definitely have to watch where you go. You never know what's lurking in the weeds.

Redoubt Volcano in Alaska

Given that I have a two week trip planned to Alaska next month, I have been closely following the status of ongoing eruptions at Redoubt Volcano south of Anchorage. It erupted a few weeks back, with considerable ash fall. If it really blows, then who knows what will result. I got this photo off the website that's reporting daily activity and felt it unique enough to post. It's a telephoto view of the lava dome, with steam coming out, but what's really interesting is the 300 meter high waterfall below the dome, which I've highlighted. That makes one realize just how large the lava dome really is. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it remains as is until after my trip up that way. But, if it blows, then if blows.

Memorial Day Weekend

Fly your flag, remember those who have served in the military, say "thanks" to those you see, spend time with family if possible, and do it safely no matter what you do. For those now deployed, us back home appreciate what you're doing for us. Thanks!

Some days, not much to say, so I'll…

…post a photograph. This photo makes me want to go inside the arched doorway to see what's inside the crumbling foundation of a once beautiful stone house.

So, that's my inspirational post for Wednesday. Maybe tomorrow I'll have a topic of greater interest, or maybe not.

We've seen this before—unfortunately

Army Times today wrote: "A record number of suicides has prompted Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli to launch a massive house-cleaning plan with orders to garrison, installation and medical commanders to revive lapsed health and welfare programs, and restore discipline in the barracks."

More: "Soldiers increasingly are 'popping hot' on urine analysis tests for substances that include LSD, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, heroin and illegally used prescription drugs, according to Brig. Gen. Colleen McGuire, director of the Suicide Prevention Task Force, who described that as 'an eye opener.' Almost as unexpected as the rise in drug and alcohol abuse was that most of those soldiers haven’t been referred for treatment or evaluation, McGuire said. Many soldiers would have been chaptered out if regulations had been followed, she said. The breakdown in discipline is one of the more glaring examples of falling morale and points to an environment in which tired leaders have had their focus on war for almost eight years, she said."

Remember the post-Vietnam era? How long did it take to get the Army back on track? Same basic issues then as now in my view. Leaders led in combat but forgot how to do so in garrison. I'm talking primarily about NCO leaders here, but officers are certainly not without blame. No excuses, fix it.

Good time to graduate with an engineering degree

I heard yesterday on TV some statistics pertaining to the percent of college graduates who were able to find a job immediately after they left school. In 2008, the percentage was 50% (average for all degrees, at all schools polled). This year the statistic is a dismal 20%. I did a double take when I heard the number. The report cited the best degrees to have this year, in relation to finding a job, were engineering and accounting. Graduates in the latter field must be needed to help companies sort out all the financial trouble many find themselves in. Whatever.

Apparently, many students who could graduate this year decided to defer the event until a future year, and opted to enroll in graduate school, or somehow else remain a full time student. Their thinking is to wait it out and see what happens. It's hard to argue against that strategy, so long as students are able to pay for an additional year or two. Considering that a high percentage of students use federal college loans anyway, all they are doing is adding to the total amount they will have to eventually pay back. What's a few more thousand they conclude, when I already owe a bundle. Well, six months after they finally leave school, they will find out how much the impact on them will be—paying back those loans.

Of course, they could join the military. Now there's a thought!

Better Army Balance

We "Engineers" in the U.S. Army have always known that our collective skills are usually needed much more than others. Being "builders and fighters" as we are makes what we do a very important and necessary asset to the Army, no matter the mission, in peacetime and during war.

As the Army transforms its forces to a more "modular" design, focused on fighting the types of battles experienced today and projected into the future, the engineer force structure is expanding at the expense of traditional branches such as artillery and armor.

I've always believed the Army could never have "enough" engineers, and today many with far greater knowledge than I are apparently in agreement. I say, "drive on!"

Virginia Tobacco Days

Let's face it, many of us older people used to smoke, back in the day. Like when a pack cost only 25 cents, and for us in the military they were free at times, in C-rations. In Vietnam, we paid only a dime a pack and It seemed as if everyone smoked. Of course, this is not so today, by a long shot.

Danville and Richmond Virginia were major hubs for the American tobacco industry from the 1930's through the 70's. Richmond still is, but the massive tobacco warehouses in Danville are now shuttered, and serve primarily as tourist sites from which to take photos, as the one I took above. Some idiots defaced the marble plaque shown, but you can get the idea of it's intended purpose. Liggett & Myers (L&M) was the brand I smoked, and the building shown was one of it's largest tobacco warehouses where the raw product was stored.

So, there you have my "smoke" story of the day. First and last.

Too much technology and not enough skill

There are too many people "out there" totally infatuated with the technology associated with computers, digital cameras, cell phones and other electronic devices they own, and less concerned with learning how to truly take advantage of what they have. They buy the newest and fastest gadget as soon as it's introduced, then only skim the surface of what that technology can do for them, by failing to spend enough time "learning."

They get a new high speed and capable laptop computer, for example, brag about how great it is in comparison to the "older" machine their friends have, then use their latest and greatest toy to surf the internet, send email, watch movies, chat online with friends, or download and listen to music. They never take the time to learn how to fully use included software such as word processing, spreadsheet, data base and other related programs. In sum, these folks don't do many "productive" things with the technology they own, because they have next to zero skills in that regard.

Another prime example is that digital cameras today are so good they have somewhat blurred the lines between amateur and professional photographer. But distinct separations remain between a person who grabs an $800, 12 megapixel camera, puts in on "auto" and starts shooting pictures of the family in their back yard to be emailed to grandma, compared to a person who uses a $200, 6 megapixel "point and shoot" camera and puts it in manual mode and applies specific settings to make the most of a beautiful and inspiring sunset or sunrise which could potentially be later printed on the cover of a top notch magazine. The former is definitely an amateur while the latter is a true professional.

My point is to maximize the technology you already have. Learn to be creative and productive as a result of the capabilities of that technology, and spend less time reading "reports" and "reviews" about the latest and greatest technological gadgets, and more time reading the instruction books for the items you already have.

Tell me it ain't so!

I read today:"General Mills made unauthorized health claims about the heart-related benefits of its Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal, U.S. regulators said in a letter released on Tuesday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it considered language about cholesterol-lowering on Cheerios boxes to be unapproved drug claims. The language did not qualify under the government's approved claims associating fiber from whole grain oats with reduced risk of heart disease, the May 5 letter said. General Mills officials were not immediately available for comment."

My favorite cereal! No good! What's up with that?

Portraying the military on TV

One thing that really makes me want to switch TV channels instantly (there are many more reasons for sure) is when I watch a TV series (like the other night when I watched Cold Case on CBS) and there are actors playing a military individual, and they wear totally incorrect uniforms or items that go along with it. Qualification badges, achievement ribbons, rank insignia, and so forth. Actors typically selected to play a military person also always seem to be way too old for the rank they are wearing, are too fat, have hair that's way too long, and in sum look nothing like a "real" military person. Lastly, there seems to often be a tendency to have the actor portray the military person in a manner that reminds me of the late 1960's when anything "military" was a bad thing.

When it's time

It's never easy to see an old and very much loved family pet depart for the great beyond, and when one has to decide "when it's time" the ordeal is ever harder. But, last week our 13-year old Alaska Malamute Mystee could no longer find the strength in her hind legs to move herself, so we had no choice. She had been holding her own for the past six months or so, but even with medicine and loving care we could only do so much. She had a great life, and for such a large dog, 13 years is a very long one. She was the second Malamute we have had, the other was a large male. They were both great dogs, and as many have said, if you've ever raised a Malamute then you definitely know how to deal with dogs. The breed can be very stubborn at times, but no dog is more loving.

It's going to take a few weeks to alter the daily routine we've gotten into with her walking, feeding, petting and so forth. Plus, not having to step over her large body when walking down the narrow hallway where she liked to lay, or constantly picking up clumps of her shedding hair mostly throughout the year will take time to forget. But, we still have the two cats around doing "their thing".

I'm not complaining about the rain

No, I'm not complaining, just saying it's been raining a lot lately. Typical when I just plant new flowers in the bed near the garden shed, which tends to flood a bit, like now. Much different from this time last year when I had to water weekly to get things to grow. I said last year I'd never again complain about too much rain and I'm not. A month from now it could be drought-city around here again.

May-June Magazine

That time again, putting the pages on the printer today for the next issue of Army Engineer magazine. Highlights include a great story about four women working within the engineering and construction industry today. How they got there and what they are doing. Great examples for others to emulate. Women have come a long way in the military and civilian business community since the Second World War. Anyway, subscribers can expect to receive this 72-page issue in the mail around the first part of June.

Remember that 16 June is the Birthday of the Army Corps of Engineers. 1775-2009. Long time, with lots of history involved.

Write your War Story

I read today at Army Times Online, "The Army is sorting through a mound of problems after almost eight years of war. Thanks to an English instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, writer’s block will not be one of them. A program called 'Telling War Stories' is going on the road this summer to several posts to encourage soldiers to write about their experiences."

This is an excellent initiative. I've been encouraging all the engineer Vietnam vets I know to write down their experiences, and to send them my way, for ultimate publication in Army Engineer magazine. I have done the same for WWII, Korean War, and Gulf War/OIF/OEF veterans. Unfortunately, far too many veterans don't do this, and later in life they may wish they had, while memories are fresh.

You definitely do not have to be a "writer". There are others who can help edit what you might want to say, in a way you wanted it said. The main point is, to "write it down", and that's what I think those at West point are getting at with the new program.

Cinco de Mayo

Ever say something really dumb? I have more times than I care to remember. One such was asking a question while dining at a local mexican restaurant a few years ago, and seeing a poster on the wall announcing the upcoming holiday, "Anybody know what day of the month Cinco de Mayo falls on?" Yea, really dumb question, but I never took Spanish in high school, plus I'm pretty dense at times on top of that. My question got quite a laugh by the way.