The Davies Discover

As a lot of you know our granddaughter and her husband are graduates of The United States Air Force Academy and active duty Air Force officers stationed at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, OK. At the moment they are the parents of 3 children under the age of three. They are active in their church in scouting and youth religious instruction. Also, there is no grass growing beneath their feet and their tires stay round.

The below description of last weekend’s events was forwarded from Sam to include in a posting of The Rooster, enjoy.

This three day weekend we loaded up the truck and went discovering. Our first stop was Toby Keith’s home which is about 20min from where we live. We then headed to CooCoos in Dallas. It’s a room full of bounce houses which Mia thoroughly enjoyed. Ana enjoyed running around and people watching. There were a few houses she enjoyed, but most were too big. After driving through downtown Dallas we went to a drive-in that had 7 screens. We enjoy drive-ins and go as often as there are movies we want to see.

The next day we began a leisurely drive back to Oklahoma City. In typical Davies form we visited Cabelas of Dallas and then President Eisenhower’s birthplace. We spent most of the day at Turner Falls. We will be returning and plan on bringing some sleeping bags when we do. At Turner Falls is a stone made castle built into and up the hill. Lots of stairs climbed to see all the buildings but the girls did awesome. Mia walked every step herself. We ended the day at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Another place we’ll have to visit again and spend more than 45min at.

So why did we not just enjoy our final weekend for a month as a family at home relaxing?  That’s not who we are. Often times when military members are stationed at a place they don’t get out and enjoy the local area. They stay close to base and close to what they know. We choose to take advantage of what the Air Force has given us and strive to teach our kids you don’t need a TV to be entertained. These experiences or discoveries that we go on will be what our children remember and where some of Zed and I’s best memories reside. If you remember we took a 7,000mi road trip for our honeymoon.

Take the time to go out and see your local area. Our family goal is to see a 4hr radius around every base we’re stationed at, so far we have met that goal (Colorado, Florida, and Mississippi).

Thanks Sam and Zed

Today’s Weather

Taken as the snow fell on 01/17/2016 @ 1220 hrs.

Yesterday I started to watch the weather a bit. Yahoo on my iPhone weather app was predicting light snow beginning around noon today, Sunday, January 17, 2016. On rising I went to my old faithful weather app Weatherunderground. They were predicting 1” plus beginning at 0900 and ending around 1400 hrs. They were right on the mark for the beginning and we had light flurries decreasing to a stop by 1500. Check out their site, linked above for an easy to follow informative weather site. Winter has officially begun.

Where in the World?

Eljefe has made it to and returned from Afghanistan once again safely. He gets free helicopter rides with men with guns during these trips. Didn’t we see this guy in Star Wars?

He mentioned once again that lonely feeling he has in the Kabul airport. He stands out as a foreigner with his bald head, no beard, gold wedding band and a combination Michigan/MD Eastern Shore twang. I doubt he could even order a cold Evolution Brewing Lot No 3 IPA in Pashto or Dari . Target one American.

Jeff says when inside the terminal, and one of the few amongst the many, there is just something you see in the eyes of some around you.

He likens it to, “if I had a knife, I’d slit your throat right now.” It has been long said, “The eyes are the window to the soul. They will always betray what a person is thinking, if you’re deft enough to pay attention to them.” I’ve seen this as a cop, it is real. Nice to have you back in the USA buddy.

Our Daughter Kathryn

A lot of you already know that Kathryn has come back to the Eastern Shore for employment. I must admit Mary Agnes and I are proud parents and happy she doesn’t have to commute back and forth to Baltimore any longer. The below article appeared last week in the Salisbury, MD “Daily Times.” We call it the Daily Crime. It’s a crime they call it a newspaper. As a for instance this article was headlined “Fisher to Lead PRMC.”

Kathyrn Fiddler has been named Peninsula Regional’s Executive Director of Continuum Services.

Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Salisbury, Maryland, is working to fulfill our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve, by extending care beyond the walls of the hospital, engaging community caregivers and increasing education about health issues. To help achieve that goal, Kathryn Fiddler, DNP, MS, RN, NE-BC has been named the new Executive Director of Continuum Services for Peninsula Regional.

Fiddler comes to PRMC from CareFirst in Baltimore, where, she was Senior Director for the largest Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program in the country, and instrumental in the success of CareFirst’s 24 million dollar Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) grant  supporting 35,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Prior to CareFirst, she worked at Delmarva Heart as its manager of clinical research. As well as being a registered nurse, she is a retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Major, and worked for Dover Air Force Base as an, Operations Management Officer, and Director Equal Opportunity. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Salisbury University. She is returning to her roots by joining PRMC, where she began her career as a nurse in the Emergency Department.

Her current position at Peninsula Regional is a new one, in which she will play a major role in developing community-based care options, educational and support programs and focus on the longer term prevention or reduction of chronic diseases prevalent in the region today.

“For most of our 118-year history, Peninsula Regional has focused on acute care. Now we are moving toward a system that puts patients’ needs first, and makes healthcare more of a team sport,” said Vice President for Population Health Karen Poisker, MSN, MBA, NEA-BC. “Kathryn Fiddler will help to bring this team together. We welcome her to Peninsula Regional.”

Oklahoma City News

Just a few pictures to see the growth of the little ones. To say Ana is Bubbly is an under statement. Here’s Pappy (aka Eljefe) , Abby, Sam with Dax and proud father Zed.

To say Ana is Bubbly is an under statement.

Quilts made by Mary Agnes for Mia and Ana for Christmas.

Dax and Mia with Aunt Abby who was down in OKC over the holidays with Pappy & G for a few days.

Idaho militia group arrives to ‘secure perimeter, prevent Waco-style situation’ at Oregon refuge

From the Washington Times

Several weeks ago while in Ireland, Kilkenny city in particular and in the village to be precise we had occasion to enter a pub or two. The family we were being hosted by are old friends with the Henderson family. Father Willie and son Martin own and operate the Harp Bar/Pub.

You can arrive early, have a cup of tea or wait a bit and have a pint of your favorite brew, it’s “LOVELY” as only the Irish can say with a certain inflection.

Next door to the pub is a betting parlor, bookie for us Americans. The Harp has two separate bars with a pass through for the bartender. TV’s on one side carry the hose races while the other side views sporting events such as Soccer, Rugby and the like. Should a patron desire to place a bit, they hop from their stool leaving their pint and money on the bar and dash next door to place a bet. Should a winning bet be placed, the winner will be greeted with “BRILLIANT,”  another Irishism. Is that a real word?

The atmosphere inside the Harp was no different than sitting at the dining room table. Friends and an occasional relative would drop in to chat about this, that, and other things. It was just a nice  warm, casual homey atmosphere.

Today I share with you another story, this one from the Medium. It’s short, so take a minute and enjoy.

Where in the World?

East Kabul looks over a king’s grave on Maranjan hilltop, Afghanistan, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. As some of the areas once destroyed have been rebuilt, people have been returning to Kabul since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2002. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

El Jefe made it back from Kabul, Afghanistan in one piece. While there and right down the street, the Spanish Embassy was attacked. Just today more attacks broke out at Bagram Airfield and Kabul. Glad to have you back and in one piece my son in-law.

Don’t think I want to vacation there in Kabul.

Just like Family

Cogratulations to Maddie O’Leary and Greg Lesko who graduated from Salisbury University on Saturday, December 19th.

Maddie being congratulated by sister Allie.

Congratulations to Greg Lesko, Bartender of perfection and his family.

OKC Crew

Sam has given birth to Dax Oliver Davies and the child has had his first road trip north and west to Frenchglen, OR. Congratulations to Sam, Zed, Mia and Ana on the new addition to the family. Just a great weather report on Accuweather for their neck of the woods.

Best Christmas present we could ask for. A healthy baby boy. Dax Davies born 5:25, weighing in at 7lbs10oz and 20in long. (Better pictures to follow)

The five and growing.

Bringing Dax home.

The newest grandchildren of Stacy and Elaine all gathered on the ranch in Frenchglen awaiting the celebration of the birth of Christ.

The Romspert – Gilsenen Christmas Party, Lewes, DE

Saturday afternoon, December, 19th brought 48 folks, thank goodness the entire clan didn’t show up, for the above gathering that has been going on for at least 50 years in one form or another. Grandparents, great grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, children of, cousins and friends flocked to this beach community for the seasonal event.

Once again, Santa/Birthday girl Barbara forgot no one, as a gift emerged for all from under the tree. Thank you Aunt Barb for all you do to enhance family togetherness, December is also the birthday month for many and this day in particular for Aunt Barb,. who is now officially older than this writer.

Below are a few photos of the event.

Aunt Barb, ever the teacher she was for many years, requesting order in the room.

The attentive crowd awaiting their names to be called.

Aunt Bunny making an announcment.

Grandpop Gary holds Prelsey who’s about ready for a long winter’s nap.

Wow, such attention to the moment.

Kate Moore – Krewjewski with newest daughter (#4) Caroline. Welcome to the insanity little one.

Mike telling Baerbara “What are you insane throwing a party like this?”

Happy December Birthday to some of God’s children.

As of yesterday some relief has come to the west of Ireland.

Beautiful photo taken by Marie Dempsey at 7pm while saying the Rosary at the Grotto in Claregalway Church.
http://claregalway.info/nuacht/news/
I completely forgot to mention our landing in Dublin. It seems the country has been experiencing storms of late. During our landing  storm Desmond was blowing the country about with high winds and rain. The west of Ireland had been suffering severe flooding. Some said it was the worst in History, as of this post Galway on the west coast is finally getting a break from the severe weather.

Back to our landing. We had made what must be record time. Normally the flight is listed 6 hours 52 minutes, well not the day we flew. We arrived almost an hour earlier thanks to the Jet Stream. Here’s a neat article on just what that Jet Stream recently accomplished. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11337617/Jet-stream-blasts-BA-plane-across-Atlantic-in-record-time.html

As we were landing it was reported that the wind was gusting to 70 MPH. We were on a wind blown adventure that reminded me of young geese long ago on the pond behind our home in a quaint Eastern Shore village. They always provided cheap entertainment on a windy day.

Much like those young geese from years ago, our wings dipped left and right, the plane shuttered and rain was pelting on the windows. We dipped, we rocked and the center overhead storage area swayed with all the movement. The shifting of suitcases added to drama of a difficult landing. Passengers were gripping the arm rests while knuckles turned white.

Flaps were adjusted and the wheels clunked and locked into place. As the runway came into view we were on a left lean, the pilot corrected, our wheels hit the tarmac, we jerked and shuttered a bit as the engines reversed. We were on the ground, rolling smooth now, passengers exhaled and broke out into a rousing applause. I felt like we were on a Southwest flight, not Are Lingus.

Great jobs by an obviously experienced flight deck. All I could think was, they must have been Pensacola trained and made many a carrier landing. Can you say “Great Job?”  I did, and with a exhale of relief. Thank you Lord.

I look to my watch, still on Eastern Standard Time, I move it forward five hours to the local time in Ireland . I’m ready to experience Ireland for the second time. Now to Acclimate. http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/howcanisleepbetter/a/How-To-Adjust-To-A-New-Time-Zone-And-Avoid-Jet-Lag.htm

More to come.

Day one seemed to never end, Saturday quickly turned into Sunday, 5 and 6 December to be exact. We were up at our home in Maryland at 0500. Having packed most things a day earlier, taking the dog and cat to the kennel and having a good meal with the Fire Auxiliary prior to our departure sleep, we were in pretty good shape.

In attendance was the Presidente, Jan, Aggie, Susan, Judy, Jo Anne, Betty, Patty, Melissa, Sarah, Miss Sue, Jeff, Your scribe and Mary Agnes. A great meal was had by all.

Mary Agnes was presented a plaque for twenty-five plus years of service to the Fire Dept Auxiliary. A group of members joined together at Vinny’s La Roma Restaurante for the annual Christmas gathering. It was heard that the business has been sold, Vinny was retiring after 30 years and another restaurant exits Salisbury. After the meal, it was home we go, get a good night’s sleep and be off on our trip at wakeup.

Upon awakening on departure day I headed out to our chickens, checked on their welfare and unlatched their door to freedom for the day. Wonderful friends and neighbors would care for their welfare while we took our Ireland holiday. With the car packed, we latched the door and headed out to gather our traveling companion and host. We would be staying in his mother’s home in Kilkenny.

We would pick up our host and Concierge Ed O’Leary shortly before 0800, snap a shot of he and wife Alexis in front of their picture perfect tree and be off for the 4 1/2 hour trip to JFK Airport. Alexis would remain at home this trip to get ready for the college graduation and festivities for daughter Maddie on the 19th. Maddie will graduate from Salisbury University with a degree in Elementary Ed. & Fine Arts.

Back to the trip. Travel became a bit sluggish due to construction at the twin bridges leading from Delaware to New Jersey and the turnpike north. We changed course, went north to Pennsylvania and crossed over the Commodore Barry bridge to New Jersey, ran parallel to the turnpike and rejoined it at Exit 7.  The rest of the trip was uneventful and we arrived at JFK in exactly 4 1/2 hours. Knowledge of existing roadways proved valuable for the detour.

Without precedent we obtained a parking spot directly next to the shuttle train to the terminal and were whisked quickly to our Aer Lingus gate area. This will never happen again in my lifetime I assure you.  “The Luck of the Irish” was with us for the start of the trip. We can only hope the Leprechauns will stay with our coattails throughout the trip.

Ticketing and baggage check-in went smoothly, no overweight baggage here, we were within normal limits, the anticipated stress relieved. We now could travel to the TSA nightmare to gain access to the gate area. Just like a baby’s behind, this also proved a smooth transition. Gotta love those Leprechauns.

A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer pats down Elliott Erwitt as he works his way through security at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

I must mention an attractive lady who I engaged in conversation, I’ve never been shy, so talk I do. She was from Dublin and had spent the last week in greater NYC shopping and attending an Art exhibit in NJ.  She mentioned it was quite expensive. I mentioned we were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary, not a gold one, but a green one.

I was questioned about the priestly looking man, dressed in black with white socks (Nerdy I might add) I explained that was Father Edmund our traveling companion and Concierge on this trip. I also explained we were staying in Kilkenny with the Mother of our Priestly companion. She thought that should things go bad during the flight he would be a comforting source.

We loaded into our seats on time and settled in. Our push from the gate was uneventful and in short time we were airborne and heading east to Ireland. Actually this is a misnomer, we were headed north to Labrador then south of Iceland and east to the Emerald Isle. The flight was actually short as the Jet Stream blew us across the Atlantic, we arrived in less than 5 hours. I got up and walked a bit, no blood clots on this writes legs.

Can you believe it was raining when we arrived?

Father Edmund, having returned home many times previously, guided us through customs and on to Budget rental car. It was 0500 Ireland time. An hour and a half later, after driving on the wrong side of the road we arrived in Kilkenny. Our hostess was awake and awaiting on us with an Irish breakfast of  ham, sausage links, sausage patties. We also had a geriatric Pomeranian named Jack greet us. More about Jack later on.

I’ll take a break, take a nap, Jet Lag you know, and get back with episode two later. Sleep well my readers, that’s what I’m doing.