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The Days, They Will Get Longer Now

December 21, 2017 7:19 am / 6 Comments on The Days, They Will Get Longer Now

Manhattanhenge      (NBC photo)

Herself, who likes the shorter days, shall not be enthralled with this day I assure you. Oh she of the belief that when it is dark one goes to bed and as the sun rises so does one’s self. Do not even get her started on her opinion of Daylight Savings Time, what a waste of time that is. (No pun intended)

Several years ago we were blessed with the opportunity to spend time in Ireland in the town of Kilkenny on this very short day. Herself had become the American mother of sort for a son (we shall call him Eddie) of Ireland. This of course was quite appropriate as her maternal roots travel back to County Donegal on the Emerald Isle. Herself and this lad of the land of the green spent a number of years together behind bars. Herself’s sentence was 23 years, he is still serving his sentence but is obviously off for good behavior at the moment. We are both envious of their present geographical location.

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theRooster, Kilkenny, IE December 2015

Of late we have been following our adopted family on Face Book as they are in Kilkenny as my fingers hit these keys. I mention Ireland because of Newgrange and its ancient history and the relationship to The Winter Solstice.

I share with you Bill Ervolino’s most recent article on this shortest day.

 

The winter solstice — also known as Yule, Midwinter, the Shortest Day of the Year and the Longest Night — occurs at 11:28 a.m. ET Thursday.
But this short, little day with the great many names also may be the worst day of the year, according to astrologers. The reason? Saturn.
Apparently, the sun will appear to pass in front of the constellation Capricorn hours after Saturn does likewise. This will cause both of these orbs to line up for the first time since 1664, according to London astrologer Neil Spencer, who writes for The (London) Observer but first wrote about the alignment on his blog.
He insists that starting something new on this day is “ill advised” and will have long-term consequences. And anything you try to do Thursday will be more difficult than usual, take more time and be more frustrating.
► Tuesday: Thursday’s winter solstice marks the longest night of the year
► December 2016: Winter solstice: It only gets better from here
► December 2015: Monday’s winter solstice marks the longest night.

Perhaps that’s why the president probably won’t sign the tax bill Thursday — that and Congress has its paperwork to process — even though Spencer said the establishment, patriarchy, big business and property will be front and center in the cosmos.
Toss in all that holiday traffic — it is a gridlock alert day just about everywhere, according to Inrix, a company that analyzes transportation data — and it may be a good idea just to stay home.
“Saturn in Capricorn is a very useful placement, denoting one tough individual, but on a macro level, it doesn’t promise much in the way of fruitful change.”
Neil Spencer, astrologer
“Patience will not be a priority, especially if we are told that we ‘have to’ (do something) by our superiors,” Lunar Living astrology website says. “We may be perceived as (in)subordinate. Be ready to deal with the repercussions of the rebellion.”
Yet you can take solace in the winter solstice celebration at Newgrange in County Meath, Ireland, which is being streamed live to the world from 3:30 to 4:15 a.m. ET Thursday.
The entrance to the monument, which has a retaining wall made of quartz cobblestones, is aligned with the rising sun on the winter solstice. As the sun comes up between 8:30 and 9:15 a.m. in Ireland, sunlight pours in through an opening in the roof (called a “roofbox”) and floods the chamber with light.
News shows likely will carry some of the footage. After you watch it, you might want to get back under the covers.
Follow Bill Ervolino on Twitter: @billerv

 

Wreaths Across America

December 20, 2017 5:08 pm / Leave a comment

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Our daughter, a retired Air Force Major and her husband a former Air Force Staff Sergeant recently assisted in placing wreaths on deceased Military cemetery plots in Salisbury, MD. Perdue Farms, with Salisbury, MD their corporate headquarters, recently posted the following article on their web blog. With our son and I and many other family members having served in the military since the 1860’s I felt it fitting to re-post what Perdue does for those who served.

To all who served, thank you. To all who are honored with wreaths, may you rest in peace.

Wreaths Across America Escort to Arlington Coming to Salisbury, Md., as Part of Perdue’s War Veterans Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony

November 2, 2017

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Perdue truck drivers participate in the 2016 Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony at the Wicomico War Veterans Memorial at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, Md. Perdue will conduct a similar ceremony at the memorial site on Dec. 14.
Wreaths Across America Escort to Arlington Coming to Salisbury, Md., as Part of Perdue’s War Veterans Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony
November 2, 2017
Salisbury, Maryland (Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017) — The annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) escort to Arlington National Cemetery will stop in Salisbury on Thursday, Dec. 14 to join Perdue Farms and its truck drivers in a public wreath laying ceremony.
The ceremony, part of the WAA mission to Remember, Honor and Teach through the laying of remembrance wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as nearly 1,300 additional locations across the country, will be conducted at 3 p.m. at the Wicomico War Veterans Memorial in front of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. The public is encouraged to welcome the WAA convoy to Salisbury and attend the ceremony, which will include the placement of seven ceremonial wreaths at the War Memorial by Perdue drivers, who are veterans themselves. The convoy is expected to arrive at the Civic Center parking lot by 2:45 p.m.
“When you think of the thousands of people who are serving in the military all around the world and the sacrifices that they and their families are making at this time of the year, the ability for us to help share and show respect for that sacrifice is really important, especially for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and are memorialized at Wicomico War Veterans Memorial, is really important,” said Jim Perdue, chairman of Perdue Farms.
The Salisbury Wreaths Across America stop is one of approximately 12 visits to schools, veterans’ homes, monuments and communities along the East Coast that the convoy will make during its weeklong journey from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington, Va. On Saturday, Dec. 16, the convoy will be met in Arlington by thousands of volunteers who will place wreaths for the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country, ensuring no one is forgotten.
The wreaths’ journey to Arlington has become a tradition in itself, allowing locals along the route to share in the emotional and educational experience as the WAA convoy passes through their hometown. This year, the WAA escort to Arlington will consist of 10 tractor-trailer trucks and approximately 175 volunteers, including Morrill and Karen Worcester, Wreaths Across America founder and executive director, respectively, American Gold Star Families, active and retired military members and Patriot Guard Riders. Perdue driver Rodney Abrams, a Marine Corp veteran, will lead the convoy from central Delaware to Salisbury.

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“Wreaths Across America exist today because of the individuals and communities across the country like that of Salisbury who, like my husband who started bringing wreaths to Arlington 26 years ago, want to do something to show their gratitude,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “Placing a wreath is a simple gesture, but people coming together across the country to Remember, Honor and Teach, is what makes us all a part of a larger community of Americans.”
Since 2007, Perdue drivers have delivered more than 150,000 wreaths for Wreaths Across America. This year, Perdue drivers will deliver more that 25,000 wreaths to cemeteries from New York to Florida as part of National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 16. Their journey will include deliveries to the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, the United States Military Academy West Point Cemetery in New York, and Arlington National Cemetery.
“Perdue Farms and Perdue Transportation drivers, many of whom are veterans themselves, have been supporting the Wreaths Across America mission for more than a decade. We are very proud of our drivers and of their own military service,” said Perdue. “The care, attention and commitment our drivers give to the mission and their payload is impressive.”
Built in 2002 entirely with donations from the community, the Wicomico War Veterans Memorial honors those with a home of record in Wicomico County who lost their lives while defending the nation and our freedom. The names of 191 men from World War I to present day are displayed on bronze plaques on a brick wall with the words “Here we mark the price of freedom.” Flags from each branch of the military, the POW/MIA flag, county, state, and U.S. flags are flown around the clock to complete the memorial.
The Memorial not only publicly honors our fallen, but it also provides a visible remembrance for family members to visit and know that others appreciate their sacrifice. Public ceremonies are held at the Memorial each year on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
About Perdue Farms
We’re a third-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.
We focus on continuously improving everything we do, constantly learning, and sharing those insights across different production methods. That innovative approach is driving change throughout the company and onto farms. This continuous advancement is leading us toward our vision of becoming the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.
The PERDUE® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. We’ve increased our support for the family farm by creating new markets, including specialty crops. Through agricultural services, we give farmers more options for the acre, including conversion to organic production and products and services that increase the sustainability of conventional agriculture. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies each December at Arlington, as well as a hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to donate or sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

www.perduefarms.com.

I can only hope the Rooster does not wind up in a Cryo Purdue wrapper. Merry Christmas one again everyone.

Merry Christmas

December 17, 2017 2:11 pm / 1 Comment on Merry Christmas

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From the Rooster and his flock, a very Merry Christmas from Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Herself, kids and a grand or two are making cookies on this Sunday a week before Christmas eve. My server, Bloo Surf is pulling one of it’s becoming frequent non functioning days. So, I travel the 3.5 miles to eldest daughter’s home and steal some bits of her band width.

Net neutrality, be damned the poor forgotten rural settlers. Seems my net is in neutral most of the time. I’d settle for a slow 2nd gear now and then on a semi regular basis.

Yesterday afternoon we joined a family that owns a large commercial nursery for a festivity that has gone on for a number of years. The invitees car pool to the nursery and then get to ride in a bus, car or P/U truck to gather festive greenery from the wild to take home for household decorations. The fact that we had a heavy wet nine inches of snow a week ago made the gathering quite easy. So many trees and bushes were relieved of branches that the pickings were easy.

If you need to learn the hows and whys of Holiday greenery check out funflowerfacts.

At one time during our outing we walked the grounds of Green Hill Church, built in 1733. Herself and the Rooster lived in and managed a farm dating to 1733 also. The bricks in the church and the home we lived in came from the same source back in the day.

Herself among the grave markers and the church as it sits today on the banks of the Wicomico River. https://mht.maryland.gov/secure/medusa/PDF/Wicomico/WI-2.pdf

Once the gathering was finished we (30+) invitees returned to the home of the nursery owners for some fine Mulled Cider, soup and sandwiches all finished off with home made cookies. Thank you Sylvia and Harrison for your friendship and generosity.

I slept well last night with all the fresh air and good food. Calories be damned, it’s Christmas.

A Day of Infamy

December 6, 2017 9:26 pm / 1 Comment on A Day of Infamy

Just about this time last year I was sitting in a Starbucks enjoying a coffee and their Internet connection while waiting to meet my granddaughter, I got into a conversation with a Salisbury University Student. Herself has all kinds of words to describe my verbal engagement with others. She considers herself anonymous, me, I’m the opposite. My previous interaction in the Birmingham, Alabama car rental return line is a perfect example.

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WordPress Photo

It was early December when I was in that Starbucks and 12/07/1941 always comes to mind this time of the year. I was not born until two years later, but the history of the events at Pearl Harbor are forever etched in my Cerebral Cortex. What happened at Pearl Harbor was taught in History class when I went to school. My father fought in the war that followed, ending in 1945. I was a war child and now there are few who fought in that war left to tell their story.

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I don’t remember my exact words but I’m sure I said something like “any thought on what tomorrow is in our history?” He looked up at me with a blank look on his face, “Pearl Harbor Day” I say in a questioning tone. A no clue look on his face at my ice breaker. I’m sure he was not happy to be torn away from Twitter, Snap Chat or Instagram. I was later happy to learn he was studying for a Civil Rights History class, was from the western shore, that’s the other side of the Chesapeake Bay and was a Junior at SU.

The old who, what, why. where and when had kicked in. Sometimes I just amaze myself with what I remember. I’m pretty good at establishing place and time when I hear a song from the 50’s and 60’s also. Glenn Miller’s “Chattanooga Choo Choo” was the #1 song on this important day, I’m not that old that I remember that though.

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My point as I seem to be rambling along is: this young college student told me he was not familiar with, nor was never taught anything about Pearl harbor in school. We spoke further about geography and there was a lot lacking on that front also. I’m just amazed where our education system has gone. I’m happy he elected a history class in Civil Rights, there is hope. The young man later admitted that he had heard of Pearl Harbor through the movie but had no idea of the date.

Read and listen to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Day of Infamy speech

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To all who lost their lives on that day, I remember and I Honor you.

December 3, 2017

December 3, 2017 11:31 am / 3 Comments on December 3, 2017

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Historical Society Breakfast

In the Village of Allen tucked along Passerdyke Pond and Wicomico Creek, a select crew of dedicated residents keep working hard to bring nourishment and entertainment to our community. On Saturday of this week the residents were provided a Country Breakfast courtesy of the Allen Historical Society. The menu consisted of : Scrambled Eggs, Scrapple,  Bacon, Fruit Cocktail, Toast, Coffee, Tea and Juice. All this for $7.00 and an opportunity to ask Santa for that special gift you desire to wake-up to on Christmas morning.

 

 

 Our daughter and Rooster & Wife get their moments with Mr. and Mrs Claus.

 

A few of the worker bees who make these events happen.

Thanks Melissa, Frank, John & Aggie.

A Brief History of the Village of Allen

The village of Allen was developed in the 18th century at the headwaters of Wicomico Creek around the grist mill established by John Adams. He was a son of the Rev. Alexander Adams who was the rector of Stepney Parish from 1704 to 1769. The mill dam formed Passerdyke Pond, still a village landmark, and the spillway or trap gave the settlement its first name. The Trap, later becoming Upper Trappe, to distinguish it from a village of the same name in Worcester County.

 

The name was not changed to Allen until 1884 when it was named after Joseph S. C. Allen, the first postmaster. In the late 18th century the village had a tavern, a store, and a sawmill in addition to the gristmill. The waterfront of Passerdyke Creek thrived with commerce in the 19th century. The Methodist Church was established in 1829, and by 1860 there was a post office in the village. Several general stores have operated in the village during its history.

 

Much of the village we see today lies on two colonial land patents, “Monsham” patented by John Christopher in 1683 and “Dashiell’s Lott” patented by Col. George Dashiell in 1721. The latter was a resurvey of the “Bennett’s Adventure” patented in 1665 to Major Richard Bennett, formerly a Governor of the Virginia Colony. (From the Allen Historical Society)

The breakfast was a fund-raising effort for the Historical Society which recently purchased a home in the village that will become the home of Allen’s history. If you stayed home shame on you, you missed a good meal to start your Saturday. You would not have to clean the grease off your stove and you did not support the town you live in. If we live here, we are all part of the history for those who follow. Come out to these events if you missed this one the next time you read a notice on the Village Sign.
We have two churches in Allen, a fire department, the Historical Society and a Lions Club. We’ve had a Church Fall Bazar, Fire Department barbecue chicken, Halloween in the cemetary, the Lions Pit Beef Dinner and Saturday’s breakfast.

 
Out at the confluence of the creek and the Wicomico River is the Wicomico Yacht Club. This month a year ago the old structure was lost in a fire which started in the heating system. A new structure is under construction and it will be a grand one. There are many events held year round at this facility also to include the entire family.

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The new facility takes shape as the club celebrates Trunk or Treat at Halloween.

Many people when they hear the word “Yacht Club,” turn their nose up and think, a snooty uppity place. Not so my friends. The Rooster has been a member for thirty years and my first vessel was a 15 foot canoe, my last a 21 foot Pontoon Boat that was great for the grandkids as well as yours truly. Your grandkids will love the pool also.

 
If you’re not a member, give it some consideration or contact a member when events are occurring. Crab and Oysters feasts are just two events to bring gastric delight to you.
So, in essence what I’m crowing about is that we may be small, but we have some mighty people who bring joy and sustenance to us.

 
The Marine Corps has a saying, “The Few, The Proud, The Marines.” Be one of the few and proud of the Village of Allen and support your community. If you can’t work, buy a ticket.

 

 

Merry Christmas to all from the Rooster’s Coop to yours.

 

 

Mercy

November 30, 2017 5:16 pm / 3 Comments on Mercy

The Dalai Lama said:   “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

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Quite often in life I have heard the words, “Oh Mercy Me.” Just what does this mean I ask. Well, in reading a recent book, 
“Mercy means that we no longer constantly judge everyone’s large and tiny failures, foolish hearts, dubious convictions, and inevitable bad behavior. We will never do this perfectly, but how do we do it better? How do we mostly hold people we’ve encountered with the understanding of a wise, caring mother who has seen it all, knows that we all struggle, knows that on the inside we’re as vulnerable as a colony of rabbits?”  A blogger I follow used those words from Anne Lamott’s new book, “Hallelujah Anyway- Rediscovering Mercy.”  
That question (judgement of others,) is one I have recently been asking myself, very recently in fact. Especially when herself gives me that look. You all know what that look is, right?  ಠ_ಠ
The Oxford dictionary in it’s “Synonym Study” has this to say about Mercy:  If you want to win friends and influence people, it’s best to start with benevolence, a general term for goodwill and kindness. Charity is even better, suggesting forbearance and generous giving but also meaning tolerance and understanding of others. Compassion, which is a feeling of sympathy or sorrow for someone else’s misfortune, will put you one step closer to sainthood and showing mercy will practically guarantee it. Aside from it’s religious overtones, mercy means compassion or kindness in our treatment of others. 
Way back in 1971 Marvin Gaye wrote and sang about the Ecology and used that saying “Mercy Me.”
Whoa, oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be, no, no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Whoa, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be, no, no
Oil wasted on the oceans
And upon our seas, fish full of mercury
Oh, oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be, no, no
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh, mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, no, no, no
My sweet Lord
No, no, no, no, no
My, my, my Lord
My sweet Lord
Ecologically speaking, I get that look when I toss a recyclable in the trash can. “Oh mercy me, I’ve erred again.”
During this season of Christmas I shall make every effort to show a little “Mercy.” I’m not looking for Sainthood, just a little compassion and kindness towards others. If I don’t get “that look,” quite so often I’ll know I’m making progress with both people and recyclables.
May you all enjoy this Christmas season and may a bit of Mercy enter our hearts.

Foreign Lands

November 13, 2017 6:38 am / 1 Comment on Foreign Lands

I am a subscriber to https://wordsmith.org
Each day I receive a new word with meaning, uses and the like as well as a thought for the day. Today the thought for the day was:  There is no foreign land; it is the traveller only that is foreign. -Robert Louis Stevenson, novelist, essayist, and poet (13 Nov 1850-1894) 
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Older US Embassy, Moscow

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New US Embassy, Moscow

My sometimes segments of “Where’s Waldo like “Where in the World is Jeff Berthiame” came to mind when I read today’s post. As is only fitting in today’s world, the update on our families world traveler, he’s in Moscow doing what it is that he does. Obviously he is not with President Putin, as Mr. Putin is way across the Pacific with President Trump. Does strange bedfellows sound about right?
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I shall forever more think of myself as the strange man in a not so strange land.
From Anu Garg:
A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

Luggage? Check. Passport? Check. Travel guide? Check!
Looks like you’re ready for the trip. But we can leave all this behind, because we are traveling to the land of imagination. The land where places such as El Dorado and Xanadu exist.

We’ll visit places that started out in fiction, and live on in the English language.

This week we’ll see five toponyms (from Greek topos: place), words derived after names of fictional places.

grimgribber

PRONUNCIATION:
(GRIM-gri-buhr)

 

MEANING:
noun: Jargon of a trade.

 

ETYMOLOGY:
From Grimgribber, an imaginary estate, discussed in the play Conscious Lovers (1722) by Richard Steele (1672-1729). Earliest documented use: 1722.

 

USAGE:
“Cracking speech, William: it was a fine specimen of grimgribber.”
Philip Howard; The Lost Words; Robson Press; 2012.

 

Just as a closing note, if I don’t write this stuff down, at my age I’ll forget it. Thanks again for stopping by.                                   What was today’s word again?  Oh yes, grimgribber!

58 Years of Regalement

November 12, 2017 7:17 pm / 2 Comments on 58 Years of Regalement

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On Sunday November 12, 2017 roughly nine hundred meals will be served in sit down or take out fashion in the village of Allen Maryland. For those that choose to sit, it’s all you can eat, and eat they have for fifty-eight years. If it’s Take-Out you want, trust me when I say you will not go hungry. The Rooster and family first experienced this epicurean delight twenty-nine years ago. We’ve had friends and relatives plan visits around this event. My father would actually drive from Florida for a few years just for the experience. My daughter will pick up twelve meals for family members today. For me and mine it’s kind of like Meals on Wheels.

 Planning for this event which is the main fund-raising venture for the local Lions Club began months ago. Actual preparation is accomplished by Lions and volunteers from the community. A local town crier with help from the internet keeps everyone in the know for what and when is help needed. An example of these shout outs is below.

EMail from the command post – Come for the day or come for an hour – all hands welcome and appreciated at the Allen Community Hall as we head down the home stretch to tomorrow’s 58th Annual Beef Dinner by the Allen Lions Club.  We’ll be boiling macaroni and packaging sides for carry-outs today – plenty of work to do , lots of variety, some sit down jobs. Come on down, enjoy the fellowship, and be part of a grand and glorious tradition! (Thanks for those middle of the night messages Melissa.)

Frank Knowles organizes tins of sweet potatoes for the oven and the peelers get rid of the skins.

Earlier in the week the Mrs. and I put in a few hours working with others baking and peeling 13 bushels of Sweet Potatoes. The Mrs. spent another day with our daughter and others making the gravy for the Mac and Cheese. There was a night for Turnip peeling and another for Stewed Tomatoes. Years ago the tomatoes were peeled, but now #10 cans of the slippery critters already peeled seems to work just fine. Ms. Pauline Nichols would certainly have a fit that they are now using tomatoes without skins were she still with us. Peggy Ford now rules over tomatoes with Crystal Judd as her faithful assistant. Carol Hobbs does  the Mac & Cheese and Lucy and Lynn Davis have their hand in just about everything.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the dynamic duo of Frank and Susan, ever quiet, always there. And God Bless John Culp for playing Uber to get Ms. Sue Malone there so she could peel the Sweets, eat a biscuit or two and enjoy a hot bowl of soup. There would be an Aggie, Linda, Al, Chuck, Paul, Scott, Peter, King Lion Bruce and so many others, you know who you are, always pitching in here, there and everywhere.

When all of you get home tonight, remove your shoes and finally get to put your feet up, please know your efforts are most appreciated. This meal which brings so many together to prepare creates our own recipe for community greatness.

The fires burned late in the pit the night prior, with close to 1200 pounds of beef cooking down in the pit. When the last dish is cleaned and tables put away, the Village of Allen came together today. Every year for the past 58, a Pit Beef dinner filled many a person.

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Drive thru window staffed by Don, John and Frank

Bag Ladies of Allen.

The kitchen, a Bee Hive of activity. Cutting, stirring and packing to get the job done.

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Rick, Rickie and the Pastor seem happy and well fed.

Multi function stations, fixing sides, doing dishes and passing the food to the drive bys.

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I’m ready to sit down and eat mine.

When all of you get home tonight and remove your shoes and finally get to put your feet up, please know your efforts are most appreciated. This meal which brings so many together to prepare and break bread together creates our own recipe for community greatness.

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To all who helped make this event so special, cheers.

I guess it does take a village and our’s is special, thank you Allen.

Veterans Day 2017

November 11, 2017 6:14 pm / 2 Comments on Veterans Day 2017

 

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As this Veterans day ends I thank my wife for keeping the home fires burning. I thank my father for helping to liberate the Philippines in WW II. Thank you daughter Kathryn, Air Force & Navy and son Matthew, Marine Corps for your service. Granddaughter Samantha and Husband Zed, Captains both, serving today in the Air Force. Thank you grandson Kevin for your service and upcoming graduation from Basic Training, U.S. Army. Thanks PJ nephew John up there in the Alaska cold with the Air Guard. Your PJ slogan speaks well for all, “These Things We Do, That Others May Live.”  May my Navy brothers in-law Billy and Johnny rest in peace with all those others who gave so much. To all our brothers and sisters, thank youfor your service. And finally, to my fellow Viet Nam era Veterans, Welcome Home.
I guess you could say we’re a military family.

As we honor all who served and those that kept the home while they were gone, try to think just where we’d be, if everyone had taken a knee.

W. Lee Fiddler, USMC/CT Army National Guard

Sharing granddaughter and family

November 10, 2017 6:00 am / 2 Comments on Sharing granddaughter and family

 

As many of you know Sam is one of nine grandchildren and has provided herself and the Rooster with four great-grandchildren. I find it much easier to cut and paste to keep those who wish to be up to date on their goings on. So if you’re at all interested in the Oklahoma Sextet read on.

Sam and her husband Zed are graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Captains on active duty in the Air Force stationed at Tinker AFB, OKC, OK.

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Come next week we shall travel to Oklahoma for a CT grandson’s graduation from Army basic training at Ft. Sill (Congratulations Kevin) . We will also spend a few days in OKC and visit those Grands, and Greats.

I would also like to add that November is NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH.

To all who stop by on occasion, thanks for looking in on the Rooster’s chicken scratching. Thank you Samantha for making my blogging a bit easier. Oh, did I mention today is the 242’nd birthday of the United States Marine Corps?

48 Strong

/ c12samb

This weekend brought another Davies vacation. This time we set out for Altamont, Utah. We left Thursday morning and set out, arriving in Vernal, Utah just before midnight. It wouldn’t be a Davies vacation if we didn’t stop at a Roadside America Stop. This trip it was Rock City. We stayed with Zed’s Aunt and Uncle who have housed us many times on our trips across the country.

Friday we worked on Zed’s masters program, the kids played with the farm animals (horses, dogs, and goats) and then they and Zed went to the Dinosaur museum. Ana is currently obsessed with dinosaurs, her favorite being long necks and triceratops. I stayed back with Zoe and spent some time with Zed’s aunt. We were then off to Hidden Springs Ranch in Altamont.

If you’re ever looking for a great place for a wedding or reunion location, it’s perfect. It sleeps 92 people, has trap shooting, a rock wall, acres to ride ATVs on, a pool, basketball/volleyball court, and good-sized game room. It was a gorgeous lodge with even better views.

Friday night was filled with catching up and great food. Brisket from Country Natural Beef, homemade scallop potatoes, green beans and rolls. The best part of the meal was Grandpa Davies’ Dutch oven poppy seed cake. Zed and I may have taken half of it with us for the road trip back. The kids went swimming in the hot tub and bedtime was close to midnight.

Birthday day! I started my day with a kiss from Zed then I headed out for a run, 2 miles. Ana was half way through a huge waffle when I got back and Zoe was enjoying the whipped cream on top of Zed’s. Dax had already finished bacon and eggs and Mia decided on a banana. After breakfast we got ready for our day of fun. People started sticking cloths pins to me every time I said someone’s name in my family. It took me a little bit to notice I was the only one collecting pins and realized it was a birthday thing. The boys set out to shoot skeet and Mia insisted on joining; she was the “puller”. Once I reached 27 pins I received my gift, a spa bundle complete with a massage. My sister-in-law is a massage therapist. When in Bend, OR look up sole foot bar and schedule a session. Zed’s aunt scheduled a photographer and the full picture had 48 people in it. We played some fun games and had some amazing steaks.

Sunday brought packing up and saying goodbye. Dax went with ‘ parents for a fun week at the ranch. We set out with the girls and spent the night in Colorado with Zed’s sponsor family from the Academy. We drove the rest of the way home on Monday, completing a successful family vacation. Part of the drive home was stopping at a “cano” in New Mexico. Capulin Volcano last erupted 60,000 years ago and the girls absolutely loved hiking it’s rim and bowl. Zed had a great time with his brothers and I had a great time with my sisters and getting to know, hopefully, sister #4.

Next adventure…Tulsa.
-S

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