Must be the Russians
Zero Hedge photo
It’s been a crappy past ten days, spotty internet reception is the reason why. This all began about a week ago. I’m thinking it was due to a pretty good summer thunder-storm with lots of lightning last week. Our IT comes off a tower 5-6 miles away in the town of Princess Anne. What will be this Saturday’s task will be to use my computer’s word processor to get the basics for a blog done and then head off to our eldest daughter’s house for dinner and use her real world internet to get this posted.
On Thursday of last week our grandson Kevin, a recent graduate from high school and two buddies, Rob and Justin came through from CT. They got to spend the night in the newly decorated Annex/Guest House. On their way the boys took a side trip into NYC and found themselves in China Town. Their arrival here was at 10:00 PM and Mother Hen/Granny quickly got them tucked away.
Kevin asked what time we arise in the AM. When I said around five – five thirty, he quickly said how about seven for breakfast, fine we said. Shortly after eight the next morning the boys emerged from their quarters, Granny was ready. A Frittata of major proportions accompanied by bowls of fresh fruit, Strawberries and Blue Berries and toast were awaiting them. This venture kind of took Granny back to our Bed & breakfast days feeding travelers as they came through Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Frittata by the way consisted of eggs, potatoes, ham, cheese and tomatoes. I got to eat with the boys, a real treat since I’m not usually spoiled in this way.
We had some nice chit-chat time with the boys over breakfast, learning that Rob was heading to the University of Rhode Island and Justin the University of Connecticut. FYI, Kevin, has decided to put his acceptance to the University of Connecticut on hold for a year.
Not wanting to enter the rigors of life post college deep in debt, Kevin has enlisted in the CT National Guard. He will head off to Basic Training in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, in September. After basic, Kevin will travel west to Arizona’s Ft. Huachuca for Intelligence School. There are some great monetary rewards for those who serve and Kevin has researched them all.
At approximately 9:30 AM the boys were off to Pickens, SC where they would visit Rob’s grandparents.
L to R – Rob, Kevin and Justin
So we’re moving up in time and it is now Monday, 7 August, 2017. Torrential rains are falling on the Eastern Shore of MD. This morning I took a trip to the offices of BlooSurf, my internet provider to check on the lack of viable service for the past ten days. I spoke with their operations guru and learned the problem had just been solved and service had been restored. His explanation, some rouge electrical interference. Must be the Russians I thought.
Tuesday, 8 August – Awoke, no internet. Has to be the Gremlins from the Kremlin.
Wiki photo
I was up @ 0400 with the mother hen as she was getting ready to go off to her 0530 gym class. God love the little women, such dedication. I do the gym also but do not leave the house until 0810.
I gave a call to my service provider and was told they were aware of the issue and were working on it. I’m guessing they had a long distance call into Moscow and the bare-chested guy. At approximately 1000 hrs a viable signal returned and I was able to get some banking done. Just as I was preparing to send out this blog, SNIP, the signal was gone again.
Just a fishing expedition, you’ll have your internet back in a few days.
So here I am at the eldest daughter’s home 3.5 miles away to attempt to once again finalize this blog.
Giphy
Just a picture or two to capture yesterdays weather is all I wanted to get out. We had 4.3 inches of rain and a Tornado just up the road in Salisbury. The excitement just never ends on the Eastern Shore. We even made the national news.
Nope, no Russians here. 
Publish it quick!
The First Time, a share from The Mad Hatter
I remember the first time I tried it I was only a lad o’ sixteen And though she was younger than I was She was much more composed and serene. It was doon in the byre on the straw At the end o’ a fine summer’s day The air was scented wi’clover And the smell […]
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I awoke early this grey dreary day as the bucket above was still emptying it’s self. We’ve been inundated with 4.6″ of the wet stuff so far. The guru’s of weather are saying it will continue through the day. All the best laid plans of mice and men are now on hold.
So what does one do early on a rainy Saturday Morn? Catch up on your reading Rooster and pass along someone’s chicken scratch that catches me eye. The Mad Hatter is one of the many Blogger’s whose work I follow and he is always entertaining. So I pass along his poem to gain a smile on this rainy Saturday Morn.
Just click below and enjoy.
“Don’t Trust Them,” an Explanation
In my most recent blog post photo description I said: “Our granddaughter Abby headed back to Mississippi State University for her senior year. Our local Village Bulletin Board had a fair-well posting for her. “Don’t trust them Abby.”
“ Don’t Trust them Abby” was not referring to the wonderful good-by on the message board or the folks in Allen. The sentence “Don’t trust them Abby.” is a grandfather to granddaughter reminder for personal safety as one goes off alone. Obviously this writer could have presented that brief saying differently as it has raised a few questions.
So, let me explain.
Four years ago our granddaughter Abby was going off to Mississippi State for her freshman year in college. We had a long conversation about personal safety prior to her departure, grandson Tommy was also in attendance. The term “Don’t Trust Them” was in reference to someone offering them something that sounded too good to be true. Since that time, quite frequently in fact, we use that phrase when departing each other’s company. It’s a subliminal message and they both know it well, and it’s just a reinforcement of awareness of your surroundings. Be Safe, if the hair’s rise on the back of your neck, something is not right.
The people of our little village are a close-knit lot. When we first moved here 29 years ago we were welcomed here with open arms. We will always be come here people who have lived here longer than anywhere in our 70 some odd years. We’ve acquired some sand between our toes while here and it serves as a constant reminder, that it is here where we belong.
Not only does the Village miss you when you leave, they even welcome you when you move back after many years living two states to the north.
Thank you Allen.
BeSurvival.com in one of their blog posts had “10 Ways To Improve Your Situational Awareness.” If your interested in survival, prepping and homesteading there is lots to learn from their website. And if you’re in need of a subliminal message “Don’t trust them” is one way to go.
Have a great weekend, if you live in the Mid-Atlantic, get your umbrellas out. 
Just a bunch of pictures during July of 2017
Photos below: Our granddaughter Abby headed back to Mississippi State University for her senior year. Our local Village Bulletin Board had a fair-well posting for her. Don’t trust them Abby. Silhouettes was a great song from back in the 50’s. My wife and daughter Kathryn make even greater silhouettes as the sun sets on the Wicomico River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
No Barber Shop in Allen, MD, just a Post Office to meet the locals each day and have impromptu gossip over the going’s on in the Village. The three men in the photo, the Rooster, Lee and Bob have been meeting and solving problems of state for close to thirty years. We keep our opinions to our selves and just enjoy getting together on an infrequent encounter.
A summer sunset at the local yacht club and the sky after a good two inch drenching with lightning and thunder are closed out by our dog Ben, still so much a puppy at nine months.
Photos below: Son in law Jeff, Pappy to his granddaughters and two of my four greats, is all smiles during a visit in Oklahoma City. That’s Mia in the center and Ana. Today was Pappy Day Care.
Nephew Tim and girlfriend Lauren are all smiles after fishing in Alaska while visiting Tim’s mom in Soldatna. The bear print was observed while Tim’s mom was out on a walk recently. Why it makes sense to carry when walking in the woods.
So that’s all for this post, like I said, just some pictures. Summer’s been keeping me busy, reading blog posts by a lot of you out there. I’m keeping an eye on the pool at the Yacht Club for a few days for the Pool chairmen who’s out of town. Feeding some Guinea fowl, a goat, two cats and a hound named Duke for their master who’s out of town. With Abby back at MSU I check on her family’s Yellow Lab Libby several times and still manage to get to the gym three days a week so these old bones keep working. Last but not least is our one acre piece of property with the grass growing, gotta get that cut and whacked.
When the day ends I might hoist a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy to close out the day or perhaps one of Stella’s new Cidre. Most nights the Mrs. will join me with a glass of Chardonnay. Thank you Lord, life is good.
Just one final note: The Philadelphia Eagles Camp is officially open. Let the games begin!
A Month Gone By.
How do I not post something for a month, busyness is the answer. Graduations, confirmations and obligations filled the bill. Passing miles beneath our tires as we make multiple trips to Connecticut sharing time with family and friends is part of the equation.
On the slim occasion I’d haul out the Mac to check email, blogs, weather and news, I’d get that look. I’m sure there’s a few of you out there that know what that look is, right? The look is usually accompanied with that one word, “really.” Just amazing how one word can say it all. Back goes the computer into the bag and it’s social interaction time. Not time for a Blog Rooster.
Speaking of Rooster, not me mind you, but the faithful protector of our flock for the past nine years. Casper was his name and he has passed to that great chicken coop in the sky. Casper was the most gentle of all our roosters over the years. He would alert the girls when trouble circled in the sky or lurched outside the fence line. He was pampered and lived the good life here on God’s little acre. Old age finally caught up with the old guy.
Casper
We have a grandson entering the National Guard, delaying college for a year and earning the education incentive$. Another grandson graduated from College. He is now a Creative Media graduate working in NYC. We have a set of twins going in diverse directions, Oregon and Delaware for higher learning. The twins are adopted grandchildren. They have a brother whom I’ve mentioned in the past and he will be a senior at the Air Force Academy this year. Another road trip coming up in May of 2018. I have a brother who got engaged, congratulations Rick. A granddaughter busy with a traveling softball team and another who is a gymnast who does gourmet baking, that’s just in Connecticut.
Back in Maryland we have a granddaughter who returns to Mississippi for her senior year @ MSU, a grandson entering Salisbury University and a granddaughter who just finished her first year of teaching.
Although we have not spent time with them of late, we have our eldest granddaughter, the USAF Captain and her Captain husband and four great grandchildren out in OKC. Time with them gets spent Face Timing via electronic media.
As any parent and grandparent knows, we swell with pride for those who grow after us. In all we’ve been blessed with three children, nine grands and four greats. We are so fortunate.
Once back home in May from VT and planted on the sand of the Eastern Shore we had the great Irish wedding of our good friends Ed and Alexis O’Leary as they married off their daughter Maddie to John Vilkus. I previously put out a post on this event. That was two weeks of the entire clan here on the shore visiting from such places as Kilkenny and Galway in Ireland and the Queens own London. They are a wonderful lot, an entertaining group full of song, fun and frolic. It’s never all about you, it’s always all about all of you. The Mrs and I have been fortunate in the past to share their family home in Kilkenney in years gone by. It was nice we could offer up a bed or two for this grand occasion. They and some tag along’s even spent an afternoon with us picking crabs and partying late into the night while being entertained with song by the one and only Famous Seamus. Our extended family is loved by us all.
Then there was the 4th of July, which in our little community is a large event with a parade, food, fun and games. HOT is the normal weather occurrence. The event has been taking place in the village for over thirty years. When the organizers say “You all come,” they all do. The local Boy Scout Troop color guard leads it off, followed by all those politicians leading our county and state representatives, sheriffs & troopers, Those running in local elections always make an appearance to garner votes in upcoming elections.
We have kids on bikes and every other mode of transportation, 4x4s, mopeds, getting pulled in wagons and just walking and looking patriotic in their Red, White and Blue. The Buffalo Soldiers always make their appearance and this year a local car club entertained us with a host of tricked up cars. Farmers and their equipment, so vital to this economy, roll out to show their stuff. Some of the tractors were from generations past. Horses and pets also grace the parade route.
And no parade would be without the local Fire Company showing off their pride. As the blare of the sirens echoed and those watching were greeted with tossed candy and Tootsy Roll lollipops, pride swelled in us all. This was America, and this is Allen and it’s our birthday. Thanks to the Lions, the Allen Asbury Methodist Church our Fire Company and all who volunteer from our community for a another great Birthday celebration.
Mother Hen, Chics and Grandchick in their parade viewing attire on the 4th.
After the parade everyone gathers at the Community Hall for hot dogs, burgers, home-made ice cream and good old down home eating and socializing. A baseball game usually occurs across the street. The wee ones will enjoy the bouncy house and someone is always selling one thing or another. Eventually the crowd will dwindle, folks will head off to other celebrations and perhaps go into the big town of Salisbury for Fireworks.
When the sun sets, and the lights are turned down low, the far off sound of sky rockets at night bursting in the air reminds us all that we are one.
Oh, I totally forgot to mention that the garage, turned into a workshop, which became the Annex and hosted many gatherings is now a guest house and has a new porch which was finished last week. Been busy, please excuse the absence. We even have indoor plumbing.
This is purely political satire and does not represent the views of this writer in any direction other than great vacations on Cape Cod. Thanks to Metro Goldwyn Meyer for a great movie.
Document, Document,Document!
Were There Memos?
After yesterday’s testimony in front of Senators, the media and the American people, it is evident that former FBI Director James Comey knows what the word ‘Document” means. And yes, he was quite appropriate to have memos.
Many years ago as a young Trooper I was fortunate to attend a class taught by then State’s Attorney, Arnold Markle. That class was (The Law of Arrest and Search and Seizure; A State’s Attorney’s Guide for the Prosecution for the Law Enforcement Officer.)
To this day the one takeaway from that class repeated constantly by Mr. Markle was “Document, Document, Document, if it’s not written down, it never happened.”
Now here I was a young Trooper, still wet behind the ears and learning some basic investigative tools. That one tool stuck with me for over forty years and has never been forgotten. With all the news of late covering the firing of FBI director James Comey by the United States President, Donald J Trump, do you not think Mr. Comey had factual notes covering his private meetings with the president ( Donald Trump?) I do and were it on the books in Las Vegas, I’d bet the house.
Comey’s law background is extensive, even prior to graduation from the University of Chicago Law School in 1985. His grandfather William J Comey was a police officer and later the chief of the Yonkers, NY Police Department. I am sure that relationship laid some important groundwork for Mr. Comey’s career. The man (Comey), has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney, a U.S. Attorney, a Deputy Attorney General, and lastly the Director of the FBI. This man has been doing document, document, document for thirty-two plus years. Do you really think you would believe a Real Estate Developer with a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School @ the U. of Pennsylvania over Mr. Comey? And, as a side note, someone once said Real Estate salesman are just one pay grade higher than a car salesman? Please be aware, I sold cars at one time and hated the game intensely. I also have some wonderful friends in the Real Estate business. If I offended you, I apologize.
About Arnold Markle
Arnold Markle, Esq.
Arnold Markle was the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New Haven from 1968 until his untimely death in 1987. Mr. Markle, a native of New Haven, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Boston University Law School after service in the United States Navy. He served as an assistant United States Attorney in New Haven before being named the first statewide chief prosecutor for Connecticut’s Circuit Court. Known for his feisty nature and his skill as a prosecutor, Attorney Markle instilled both loyalty and admiration in all with whom he worked.
Arnold Markle strongly believed that training and continuing education were important for police officers and all members of the criminal justice system. He started the arson task force for New Haven and established training programs for arson investigators. He believed in the teamwork of prosecutor and law enforcement, as reflected in his well-received handbook The Law of Arrest and Search and Seizure: “A State’s Attorney’s Guide for the Prosecution or the Law Enforcement Officer.”
Mr. Markle had a long association with Dr. Henry Lee and UNH, teaching various courses including arson investigation, homicide investigation, law and evidence. He was one of the first prosecutors to understand the importance of thorough crime scene documentation, standard procedures for crime scene investigation, and the value of forensic evidence to provide investigative leads and in criminal trials.
http://www.henryleeinstitute.com/?page_id=613 Dr. Lee is a former CT State Police Commissioner and established The Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science @ the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
I can remember many times when I was on the Witness Stand testifying in cases ranging from a speeding conviction to a murder investigation and trial. We, troopers, detectives and the like all carried field notebooks. Into these notebooks went the 5-W’s. They were the who, what, where, why’s and when’s of what ever case you were working on at the time.
The Newsprint company
I would research these notes prior to my testimony in court. I would often be asked after answering a specific question, “How do you know that to be true?” I would explain the field notebook. Many times I would be asked if I had the notebook on me. I would present the notebook, read my documentation from it and it and it would become part of that case’s record. I can honestly say by Document, Document, Document, I was always able to, excuse the word, cover my ass.
NBC Connecticut
When the time came to cover his ass, former FBI Director James Comey did so in front of us all and he did it with class. He also “DOUMENTED” his meeting with a sitting president. Good for you Director Comey.
A Washington Post/ABC News poll in late April found that 81 percent of Republicans think President Trump is honest and trustworthy – compared to 38 percent of Americans overall and 34 percent of independents. I wonder what those numbers would be today?
I have kept a log of events in a calander form since my retirement twenty-nine years ago and for the past three years I have written a daily journal. Document, Document, Document is the breath of good air from those of us in Law Enforcement. I continue to adhere to those principles today.
Remember, if it happened, write it down. If it’s not written down, it never happened.
Let us hear the tapes Mr. President.
This writer is a registered independent voter, a United States Marine, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a resident of the Old Line State, and proud to be an America.
British and Irish forces in historic joint mission to United States.
A wedding event on the Eastern Shore of Maryland uniting a Vilkas and O’Leary would land five Irish born O’ Leary’s in the USA together for the first time with their Mudder. A total of twenty two children and adults in all would make the trip from Ireland and England.
Eighteen months ago we were welcomed into the O’Leary homestead in Kilkenny for a far too short visit. We were treated as family and have since considered ourselves part of the clan. Through the damp chill of the December air, we felt nothing but warmth from this extended family.
A special “Thank You” to Rita and Bella for being our first guests in the almost completed guest cottage, formally the Annex. Come back any time.
On the invasion for the Maddie O’Leary and John Vilkas’ wedding we got to once again feel the kinship of our Irish brothers and sisters. We were hosts for a feast of crabs, chicken, burgers and dogs with all the proper trimmings during their stay. Much thanks goes out for all the help from, Jeff, Kathryn, Greg, Sarah, Rachael, Abby and Tommy to help pull off this event. We could not have done it alone. Evo’s keg of Lot #3 was the gift that kept on giving. Thank you for nine hours of entertainment, the party was supposed to be from 3:00 – 5:00.
A side trip to Docktails at the Wicomico Yacht Club would serve as another highlite to the invaders. Jeffrey, you’re a great host.
The two Matriarchs observe the goings on from the safety of the USS Government Funded.
To he who sings like the Energizer Bunny, (The Famous Seamus,) the neighbors are forever grateful for your departure.
They would invade once again after a short text from the water’s of the Wicomico during a boat ride with Captain Jeff later in the week. The text would read “Tea and Scones for 14 in 30 minutes.” Arrive they did, scones and cookies – gone, week’s worth of ham, cheese and bread – gone. Any left over beverages from the crab fest – gone. And it was said once that Ireland suffered from a famine. The O’Leary clan is making up for the past, they returned to the other side of the pond like fated calves. Should you ever visit Kilkenny, you will return to this side of the pond in the same way.
May God Bless you all, We Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Return Often!!!!!!!!!!!
Sealed with a Kiss. Maddie and John Vilkas.
Irish all. At the reception, Green Hill Yacht and Country Club.
The Larchfield Six – L to R – Conner, Mark, Liz, Mudder, Ed & Seamus
The crab is supposed to come out of the pot red, not he who dines.
Applying the Old Bay.
One last meal for the dearly departing.
