All at once

Here in SW Virginia we have had almost zero rain all this month (September) Then, in the past several days, we get dumped on...around 7 inches last night. The result of all that rain in such a short period is shown here...the only road into the subdivision in which we live closed.

The deluge stopped around the time of my AM walk, so with my new iPod Touch 4 with camera in hand, playing my music, I snapped off several images, and a couple of videos too, of what I saw. While only a fool would drive through the overwashed road, two of them from a local TV outlet did. They made it with no trouble fortunately, jumped out, and asked me if I cared to be interviewed. I said sure, why not.

The roadway you see here has flooded worse in the past, but not for a very long time. Engineers from the DOT built several "solutions" over the past few years, but nothing can prevent a road being overtopped, when it blocks normal flow from a nearby creek, and when so much rain comes all at once. So, we all wander down, take a picture or two, then walk back home. Kids love it when the school bus can't get to them.

Hard to keep up

Anyone besides me slightly overwhelmed with some of the recent basic training innovations being discussed/implemented by the Army? Last week I learned that soldiers in basic training at Leonard Wood and Sill (a select few...not all) will be issued smart-phones like the iPhone or Droid, in order to be able to utilize some "Army Apps" and so forth. Then today I read in Army Times online that TRADOC is now referring to those undergoing basic training as "soldier athletes" (aka warriors) and as such they will no longer have as many choices of food in the mess hall as they once had. Idea is to have healthier food to fuel (not feed) the body as it undergoes rigorous training.

I can't argue against these sorts of innovations, but I imagine many Drill Sergeants from the past are rolling their eyes at what's going on, and many veterans are asking, "If it was good enough for me, why not them?"

Anybody remember during the early stages of the all-volunteer Army in the mid 1970s when we were served beer in the mess hall? Whatever, lots going on in basic training these days, and hopefully what comes out the other end will be more worthwhile than the ill conceived "beer experiment".

Shameless plug

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, then you may know I'm an avid photographer. You also may have seen some of my photo essays in Army Engineer magazine. In that regard, my work is mostly journalistic in nature, and is thus not that creative...photographically speaking. Where I "show off" my other photography, taken totally for my personal enjoyment, is at my Photo Blog...Digital Scenes.

I invite you to go see what's there, and if you like it, to come back regularly, since I post a new photo most every day. End of commercial plug. My ego thanks you.

Always welcome...

To all you "writers" out there, I'm always on the lookout for original material to publish in Army Engineer magazine. I'm especially looking for articles from veterans of the Vietnam War, and from more recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. How about you Kosovo or Desert Storm vets? Details for submission are here. Military or civilian—makes no difference concerning your background. This is an easy way to get you some "exposure" that might make you famous...or not.

Captured by Technology

I hate it when I lose our internet connection at home. We are "served" by Comcast...and lately for reasons unknown, the internet connection drops. I mess with the cable modem, watching its lights flash, etc, reboot everything, sometimes with success, sometimes not. It eventually fixes itself, but the periods when it's out drive me nuts. Why is this so, I ask myself. Because we've been captured by technology, and when we don't have it when we want it, we're lost. No email, no web surfing, and in my case sometimes, no productive work...because I do one heck of a lot of online research for my job as magazine editor.

I'm sure I'm not alone feeling this way today. Somehow I think it was better when we did not have the internet. But then it would be something else that we might not have for a period...like electric power.

Predicting the future

I read an article in Army Times online today, about Army researchers looking at the possibility of flying Humvees in the near future. That article reminded me of something I saw in the popular cult movie seen all the time on cable TV, "Back to the Future, Part 2", where we see all sorts of car-type vehicles flying around in the year 2016. The movie was made in the mid 1980s I believe, and here we are now in 2010, with no hint of flying cars anywhere. It's always fun to go back and look at predictions made about the future, to see how wrong many of them are.

Lieutenant Explorers

One of my best friends sent me this old photo (which I spiced up a bit using Photoshop). It shows him (Dave Bevill wearing the yellow sweatshirt) in a rubber inflatable with John Somodi, and with yours truly in the other boat, loaded with two duffel bags, each filled with campng gear, and probably some liquid refreshment. We were were all asigned as lieutenants in the 553rd Engineer Company (Float Bridge) stationed at Fort Campbell in Feb 1965, when the picture was taken. We were out "exploring" a potion of the Cumberland River.

Later that same year, Dave's active duty commitment was up and he'd decided to put on civilian clothes, while John and I had another year or so to go. In that regard, the unit deployed with us both to Vietnam in August 65. John left active duty after a brief stay in Vietnam, while I decided to make a career of it. I owe a lot to Dave because he was the one who took me under his wing when I first reported to the unit, and kept me out of trouble with the company commander, until I'd learned my way around.

Not sure what ever hapened to John Somodi, but Dave later joined the SC Army National Guard as an enlisted soldier, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major. More importantly, he's remained a good friend ever since, and always stays in touch. Plus, he's managed to swindle me out of more trading goodies than I care to admit. Having lifelong buddies like Dave Bevill is what being in the Army is all about.

TGIF or DBYS

In my neighborhood, you know it's Friday and a weekend is about to start when signs like this start to pop up magically overnight. I see them everywhere on my morning walk. With these "junk" sales, comes increased vehicle traffic and that keeps me more aware as I walk the streets, with my iPod streaming music into my ears through attached headphones. Usually on my daily walk, I recognize cars and their occupants as they leave the neighborhood for work. I wave and they wave back. With the yard sales folks, there is no waving. They look at me like an impediment to them getting quickly to be the first to buy someone else's junk.

I remember when I was in the Army how much we relished Friday. Happy Hour at the O-Club, family cook-outs with neighbors, and being able to relax knowing the next two days were ours to do whatever we wanted. Now being semi-retired and working to my own schedule, Fridays don't mean as much to me as they once did. I may rename TGIF to DBYS...Day Before Yard Sale.

Up the Mountain

Yesterday I took a road trip "up the mountain" as some around here call the Blue Ridge area adjacent to the scenic and well traveled parkway...with its 45mph speed limit. Even with it being the middle of the week, there were a fair number of people up there. Cars, motorcycles, bikes and many hikers. One popular spot was the Poor Farmers Market at the small town of Meadows of Dan, located directly adjacent to an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, off Route 58.

My first stop was at the market, not only to take some photos like this one, but to buy a couple of fried apple pies, some old fashioned hard candy and one-half pound of dried apples. I love browsing around in such places, where you feel transported back in time by the "country store" atmosphere and wide array of locally made produce such as honey, jams, relishes, processed meats and cheeses. The store also sells lots of locally made souvenirs of the sort tourists love. But, for me, it's the good old fried apple pies that make me keep coming back.

Locally grown apples are not yet being sold this year, but let me tell you when they do soon become available, the Poor Farmers Market  will be "poor" in name only.

Reduce the number of contractors

Army commanders have recently been told to make a list of contractors that serve them, with the list being rank ordered as to usefulness, and to then list the ones they believe can be let go. This is all about "Army efficiency" according to officials, and responses are due in early October. This process will be interesting to watch, and maybe it will cause sub-par contractors much worry. That's good. Perhaps they ought not to have been "contractors" in the first place.

Annual chore I don't enjoy

When we purchased our modest late 1970's brick, ranch style home in 2002 here in SW Virginia, we paid a fair price, plus got almost 3 acres of nicely landscaped yard (a chore in itself to mow and maintain, but I don't mind it). What we also got in the purchase was a fairly large in–ground swimming pool (22x36 feet) almost ten feet deep at the diving end. While we have had a lot of enjoyment over the years using the pool (especially when the grandkids who live nearby were younger), each year at this time I have to "winterize" it, and that's the chore I do not enjoy...anyway, anyhow.

I'm sore today after spending most of yesterday scrubbing the pool sides, brushing the bottom, draining a portion of the 26,000 gallons of water that keep it full,  backwashing and shutting off the pump and filter, filling up 8-10 feet long vinyl water bags that are used to secure a large tarp placed over the much lowered water, and then slowly and carefully pulling said tarp in place, lugging the filled and heavy water bags in place around the tarp's edge, and then finally securing the tarp with what I call "insurance" ties using rope attached to fence posts. It took me, my wife and our daughter to complete the process, but we were successful. What began for me at 10AM finished around 4:30 PM, with a brief lunch break.

We asked ourselves as we always do at this time of year, "is it worth the effort and expense to keep this thing open 4-5 months out of the year?" My solution is to fill it up with dirt and plant a garden. After all, there is already a very nice fence in place to keep the deer out. My wife's answer is to essentially remain silent on the matter, which means we'll be keeping it open, at least for a few more years. For now, it's closed and secure to endure the upcoming winter. That's a relief to me, but not to my sore muscles that will need another day or so to recover from "the annual chore I don't enjoy."

Something different

Here's something to look at to waste your time. But, it's still pretty neat and well put together. Enjoy...or not.

Remember the Day

I was working downtown in Washington, DC on September 11th, 2001. Later that evening I was able to catch a ride back to where I lived in Alexandria, VA and we drove past the still burning Pentagon. Having once worked in the building, my thoughts went out to all those working there then, and their families. We should never forget that day, horrible as it was at the Pentagon, in the fields of Pennsylvania and in New York City.

A few things...

Am sending the Sep-Oct issue of Army Engineer magazine to the printers on Sep 7th. Subscribers should expect to receive their copy around 1st or 2nd week of October. It's a nice issue with a great cover story about the drawdown in Iraq, written by one right in the middle of it all.

This sure has been a HOT summer...records temps. BUT...a weather local forecaster I trust notes that some recording stations in Virginia don't go back beyond 1950 in their record keeping. He notes it was much hotter back in the mid 1930s at other locations in Virginia, thus he advises all the "global warming" followers to cool their heels a bit. I agree, but no question the weather is getting weirder and weirder each year.

Catch some fish!

This is for all you folks living in Missouri near Fort Leonard Wood, during this Labor Day weekend. I am absolutely sure that many of you will be out on local rivers, streams and lakes searching for that illusive trophy bigmouth, smallmouth, or trout.

I remember the great times I once had floating down the Gasconade or Piney Rivers flipping my lures into dark places, knowing for sure my prize was there waiting for me. More times than not, however, I came up empty. Still, those were really fun times—especially when they took place on holiday weekends such as Labor Day, when we often got Friday off as well as Monday...thanks to a great commanding general at the time. I'm sure it's no different today.

Be safe, have fun, and good luck with your fishing!

Battle with the Cat

Every morning after I finish my walk, and after feeding both of our cats, I pour a cup of coffee, grab a banana, reach for my laptop bag near the kitchen table, turn on my Macbook Pro and start looking at my favorite websites, and checking emails. That ritual usually takes me an hour or so, during which time I make some cold cereal or hot instant oatmeal or hot instant grits, to provide a more substantial breakfast. All the time I'm doing this, I have both cats (Boots and Lucy) nearby...closely nearby. Given I'm sitting at the table with my laptop for awhile, I usually have to get up for a bathroom break, or to replenish my coffee. That's when the "battle with the cat" begins.

Within seconds of me leaving my seat, Boots leaps onto my butt-warmed chair and comfortably settles back. Then, as I return, she looks up at me saying to herself I'm sure, "He ain't getting this chair back!" Knowing her routine, I just start to sit down, and as I get closer to the seat, she jumps off to resume her "watch" for the next time I get up.

This process goes on and on all morning, until I leave the table to go to my home office for more productive activities of the day, unless I have outside chores to do. After I leave the kitchen, Boots will have nothing to do with my chair. It's only when I'm seated there with my laptop that she covets that position as her own. Cats are cool, eh?