Memorial Day

Remembering the dead, for the living will take care of themselves or at least have the opportunity. Those dead we piled up under plastic or worn blanket and shelter halfs, those dead we couldn't move fast enough nor dig individual holes for the numbers of them that no longer had to face the guns and artillery of the enemy - his dead giving us no satisfaction, they didn't count anymore. We had dead we couldn't piece together, not knowing if this part was his part or his part, some dead weren't enough parts to be someone we knew and that makes them harder to remember. We once had unknown soldiers, corpses we had no idea - we honored at least one per war until we decided we could tell exactly who they had been by DNA. We still get MIAs, missing in action, for with all the technological improvements that allow the White House to be in the middle of every military action anywhere, the enemies we send our best to fight against are still lucky or sometimes a bit better. They the dead we need to remember and honor today, for they gave up life and love and laughter and all they had worth being for our nation and whatever the popular or unpopular cause was at the time. We need to take care of our dead, raise up their children, support their families and find that better future we believed in with them. Okay, I must confess, that in a certain mind numbness I have sat beside the dead and eaten my rations and drank a poor substitute for hot coffee almost as tired as they were, just a bit more alive. Most of the numbness was in the acceptance of their departure from my world, critical portions of my existance in the time before, the yesterdays and the feeling of can take on anything - depended on their strength, their skills and their supporting laughter for the stupidity of the moments of terror and troubles. Why does Gospel, Blues and wailing bagpipes come to mind as I remember the dead, because their angels gather them in with music playing? Honor the dead for they were better than we will ever be, God took them first and we still have to prove ourselves.

No time for the thought but throwing it out for a bit...

Golf is how big an activity in America? Golf in Japan and Korea is participated in by most of the ruling and managing class. So why is shooting my choice and why do I think nothing of my spending on guns and gun stuff, and not one penny for golf. Quote was wrong, Millions for Defense and not one penny for tribute! Maybe we need semi automatic golf ball drivers?

Happy Birthday, Keegan William

Yes, only a year but your growth is better than the stock markets during the same period, it isn't anywhere near the growth of the National Debt, but they are planning on using your hard work, great ideas and industry and energy to pay it down, or pretend to -- they really don't want the debt paid off. Still you do look better, healthier and with much more promise in your future than any of the current serving politicians that are making a mess of things for all the best reasons. They will allow you to vote at eighteen, serve in Congress a bit later, but allow you to with parental permission serve in the armed forces. Get a good education, the best your mind can find, it won't be on the television set, seems that is geared to advertising to separate you from your money for the benefit of the sponsors - to include the news, the public broadcasting and the non-profit organizations and certainly CSPAN. Yeah, this first year is a "gimme" eat, sleep, grow and poop, you get the best of life and no control outside of your wonderful mother and almost patient father. You may never be loved so unconditionally again in your life, but then again you love more and it will be returned you are going to have to work on sharing cookies with your grandfather. Take care out there, birthday boy.

Swimming, live music, fireworks... all a boy needs...

Went swimming in the ocean, trying not to swallow most of it, making sure my wife was watching. The rains are in and out today, bands tune up for their performance under the banyon tree in the Hale Koa court (current only authorized smoking area). The Hilton is going to have their Friday evening fireworks, caught a glimpse of them last week, should be able to enjoy them from our balconey tonight, what a stay at home I could become. The trolley driver said the Trump building sold 463 units at a million dollars apiece. Could be, people don't have a lot of sense about money. The trolley driver also knows that vacationing tourists are necessary to the prosperity of the Islands' State.

Thinking about beans in Indiana... not...

but I do read about them, anyway as we walked this morning, early enough thank you, I caught one of the hotel beach combers and thought about Farmer Frank. Then wondered what treasures they would get everyday from what was dropped. I titled this "Industrial Beach Combing" since it isn't very organic - but does a fine job of keeping the sands white for the sun worship'rs later.

Went to walk a bit this morning...

Not up to jogging yet, the congestion is in my chest now... slip sliding away, one hopes. There is a very nice walkway along the beaches, and the later one starts the slower one must walk or jog or run for all the people come to play. The picture is of one of the slower movers on the walkway, his cousins the flat slugs, that resemble leeches more than the round banana slugs, were being smashed flatter by folks not paying too much attention to things smaller than they are. I think his shell protects him a bit, but it reminded me of trying to leave the hotel room, how much must you take with you? Room key, camera, money, that should be enough. Now why is my wife taking a backpack (small one)? Because it holds all the stuff she needs for when it happens. It being the thing I hadn't prepared for, that she has the backpack for = cell phone, her camera, money, water in bottles, chewing gum, sun screen.

I am happy enough with the walk, we stop for a coffee and papaya, the coffee is from Java Joint, but a Starbucks familiarity, I just want black coffee, in a large cup - but it isn't really big enough. The birds are waiting for crumbs to fall, but we are having fruit this morning, not breads. As we sit and sip and talk, we watch the people on treadmills and machines in the fitness center. My wife and I think exactly the same thing at the same time. With all that beautiful beach and walkway out there, why are they using treadmills inside? What kind of sense does that make to go to Hawai'i to exercise in a sterile air conditioned environment - that could be in Chicago, New York or Austin.... really!

Resting up and recovering...

I could tell you that I am a reasonably smart fellow. But I have owned one of our digital cameras for too many years, and only today found out that it could take video pictures. I have people that I am supposed to contact today, and haven't yet, but I left tracks all over the email and Skype.com, I will be making a cell phone call later this evening, not wanting to be too pushy it will be after seven local time. Oh, the camera I can now take digital pictures with, I haven't a connection to download it to my computer - that connection is waiting at home on the home computer. Is this how one's life gets so cluttered. My wife and I came to Hawai'i with the same number of days to visit, her bag is heavier than mine. I get to carry the heavier one - it is a guy thing. But it does seem even heavier than it was when we picked it up from the terminal - and we really haven't been buying much. I do have my marching orders, wear shorts when I go back down to the lobby. Okay!

Swimmin' with the fishes...

Which is supposed to mean something in Mafia terms, but happens everyday in Hawaii. I will not show you a picture of the GREATWHITEWHALE swimming towards shore but will give you a bit of cool almost underwater photography - the fish were under water, the Photoshop cut past the glare and these are wild and free no aquarium wanted fish. I got some doves, red topped almost jays, but they were more fun to watch live, get your ticket and visit.

I bought two hats for my head, no way is the hair going to protect the scalp.

I would tell you the tale my mother related, of her putting me in a playpen so she could go do something somewhere else as I napped. But then she heard a crack, and then as she puzzled over that she heard another and rushed upstairs to see what was going on. Nothing much, just baby Earl breaking the slats out of his playpen so he could escape. More tomorrow...

Was thinkin' about birds this morning....

They were cooing and chirping and singing, I wondered how many would be recognized by birders from New York. Like the plant life, there are so many varieties to wonder over. In all the movies and television shows I do not remember all that bird noise. But then the smell and humidity don't transfer from warfilms well, either.

No, that is not a bird, just a crab in my shadow, I should do a short scenic video of the surfers, crashing waves and the sparrows' synphony.

I don't know how to say this but...

I ate where President Clinton did while he was in Hawaii. No, don't make anything out of it - it is Sunday, it was a nice dinner with family. Today has been a fine Sunday, we had breakfast went to early church, spent time in the waiting area of the emergency ward at the hospital, had a nice lunch and a nap - this old fellow stuff is mostly like being a baby, just not as good looking and many more wrinkles. The grandson thinks hairy arms are cool. I remember thinking it was, since I thought that the muscles and strength came with the hairiness and bulging veins. Close but not entirely true.

Well, y'all are going to work tomorrow - make sure you make the world a better place, because those of us not working are counting on y'all to keep off the Second Dark Ages. Five more pounds on that baby and he is walking everywhere.

So before I go swimming.... -

Is it true that Mayor Daley doesn't know he shouldn't threaten members of the press with firearms used in strange psuedo-sexual fantasies? I heard it is on video, but the smartest man in Chicago couldn't be that weird could he? Well, I am sure the gun community is going to give him a pass on his bad judgement and not understanding any of the four rules of gun safety - because it was a member of the media he was threatening, and some fools among the gun community have been wanting to threaten the Main STREAM Media for a long time.

I don't think, really, that one should ever threaten anyone with a firearm - that is bad manners and so Hollywood (no bearing on reality). I also think that politicians in office that don't live by the Constitution of the United States, and their State should be brought up on charges of TREASON.

Now back to the beautiful Sun, blue sky and balmy breezes that make Hawai'i a great place for golf and conferences about very important issues. It should be perfect by the time NFO gets here.

Later addition: asphalt is hot, wear flip flops, the water is great - I like Aqua Sphere goggles, can see under water well, and the salt water doesn't bother my eyes. My son swam fifty minutes, but then he is young and working at it, I only did nineteen. But I wasn't going to try and get back home that way.

So what did you do on Summer vacation

Frightened little babies until they couldn't keep their eyes opened. Don't you know it is raining here in Honolulu? We travel with Washington weather.

So how did you get home...

It is the end of civilization as I knew it. When I was young there were gun smiths but they aren't around much anymore. Of course, when I was young they still repaired television, stereos and radios - or you replaced your own burned out tubes. Yep, when this current suburban mall rat generation goes the way of the dinosaur only those third world folks will be doing okay. I have decided to repair my own Stevens rifle, it isn't that difficult to find the part that isn't there, is broken or needs help. I know that the lawyers not running for office will be waiting to sue me for any problems that arise, or the Federal or State government may want to certify something about the rifle. Just think of the Wright Brothers going to Kitty Hawk today to fly some uncertified, unregistered, and no proven ability to take off and land a powered aircraft - where was the FAA when one was really needed? Aren't you glad that Homeland Security has kept the terrorists, drug lords and wanna--bes out of our country? You could have a couple of murders or just plain old drive-bys in your neighborhood if they weren't doing such a fine job.

Yep, when I couldn't find someone to repair a flat tire on my motorcycle it took some time to gather the tools and manuals to do it myself, but I did and put it back together and rode again. My father and grandfather would have had it back on the road within an hour - me it took three weeks, I do have two BA degrees. Dad and grandfather went to the school of hard knocks. So I dropped my motorcycle off at the shop for new tires and a complete service inspection before I take off this Summer, and waited for my ride. I had left a note for someone that loved me to pick me up. After entertaining two children visiting the shop with their parents, the shop was getting ready to close and no ride. As they locked up the crew asked if I had a ride and I told them I did and thanked them.

I got to think about the movie I had seen this afternoon, ROBIN HOOD, and it was great until the French King tried to invade England (a reverse D-Day). They could have left that entire part out except for Robin's long shot with Long Bow (a wet one) to put an arrow into one bad Guy. It wasn't supposed to be perfect History, but then we aren't supposed to know the King of France didn't own all of the current France at that time - he could have ridden over a couple of hills and attacked nobles and castles that belonged to England's Norman noble houses. This Robin Hood ranks right up with one of my favorites "Robin and Marion" (Connery and Hepburn), yeah, except for that whole stupid French Invasion - do you suppose that the writers had no idea that France then wasn't the France of now?

Well, God really loves me and knows being fatter than Doctor Oz says isn't good for me. So after the Air Force Base closed its East Gate against terrorists and old men that want to cut across the runway if walking, I decided I would walk the only route she would drive if she were still coming to get me. Only eight miles and home before too dark, I had a reflector vest on. Glad that I can still do that. Yes, she read the note, had seen me wave at her, but she is going to Hawai'i and was waiting for me to come home and get the bags out of the rafters so she could pack. G'nite!

Visit to my backyard, needs more work...

Okay, I was trying to get a picture of the lone bee that had been in the azaleas but must have flown off. Got to see the doctor and the motorcycle shop, bye!

Nothing happening here.... packing out virtually...

My mission for today, was to get newspaper for packing something we are going to ship. So I have the newspaper, all the Appleseed materials are out of the Caravan and it is washed. I took the M1 Garand out and shot, talked to some other shooters and found I have a couple of problems - two of which I want a gunsmith for - do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a gunsmith? Oh, yeah, this is America the land of break it and buy a modern replacement, isn't it? Not for my rifles. But back to packing out...

Remember this is all about me...

Today we reviewed yesterday's instruction, added another drill and verified groups and sights, sure enough there were two Bald Eagles over the barn soaring, fine day for soaring. And for shooting Rifleman, four more including this fine soccer playing young man - you should see him leaping down through the tall grass to get to the target line. They all did a fine job, all improved from yesterday morning and really do understand why they should work harder in dry practice to prepare for their next opportunity to attend an Appleseed. My Shoot Boss and supporting instructors made it all a great event and as always - safe shooting, sharp shooting and satisfying. All those good things one would get from responsible firearm use. Had a great day, hope yours was also.

On the road for three hours, on range the rest...

Can't tell you how good it feels to help a shooter along with their rifle and marksmanship, you can't get those vibes virtually. But it is good and I am tired and am taking that hot shower, some pain killer and hitting the bed. I wasn't the Shoot Boss on this one, and that does make all the difference.

Dave does his dance with his rifle, just a short snippet of his day.



You should have seen the bald eagle soaring just over the range, or had a piece of the cool water melon after hearing the Three Strikes of the Match after lunch. But you were only there in spirit. We missed you.

So how do you know you aren't in shape?

In the RWVA we use carding the sights to make sure the shooter isn't lying to themselves about being in the Natural Point of Aim. Most people look in the mirror after weighing themselves and for some reason think they aren't really that big - and for sure those that say they love them won't say anything about how out of shape they are... would they? Well, when I jog, and I almost tell myself I should walk the rest of the way (the Devil is behind that thought) and I know I am not as joyously jumping into that next step as I did when racing other road guards to the next crossing like I did in OCS, then I know I am not in shape. But a real clincher is when sitting on the footlocker to remove my shoes, when I get up is a LARGE moist print of the area my butt covered while sitting... sigh... but I did jog gently so I can go back to work on the yard now. Jogged 460 calories burned, 45% fat ones, Heart rate 117 bpm, in Zone: 1 hour and 24 seconds, Exercised: 1 hour 9 minutes and 11 seconds, found two pennies.

So I did, not that he would answer...

Just thought I would do something political before I go jogging, I locked my knees and lost my ability to stand while typing this, reminds me of how my niece thought "I have fallen and can't get up!" was a great joke when she sent me a copy - but I had never seen the commercial - and you may not have either and I wonder at why I am still standing here (I do recover from my falls and failures) time to go jog.

Nothing here, preparing for home Bible study...

in Korean. My wife's cell group is meeting here this evening, I have already moved the table, the LazyBoy recliner and will get the extra tables out and such later. The outside yard is mine to finish and edge, and so on and so on. Robin Hood is opening in theaters everywhere, Ironman2, and How to Train Your Dragon are available - so you have some worthy entertainment waiting. For those looking for anything on the state of the NRA against the great Conspiracy - most of the real gun bloggers have their media passes in Charlotte, North Carolina. (although I don't understand why the NRA doesn't want concealed carry at their convention - I figure the lawyers are responsible for their fears). This is one Life Member of the NRA that thinks everyone can and should be carrying their arms, but even if I weren't a member of the fine organization that I have only fired ONCE with in my many years of membership (yes, I have fired more rounds with the RWVA, the US Army and its allies, and from my home and in my high school than I have ever fired with the National Rifle Association - could be I am just not that good a shot) I would always stand with the idea that responsible people can and should be trusted with arms that they could use in defense of their free state. Remembering that the free state belongs to them, not that they belong to the free state. It doesn't matter if Sarah Palin is going to the Convention - as long as Breda is there I am well represented. Both from the real librarian and the real concealed carry points of view.... not that I am a real anything - I am virtually something.

Later editing: I did well with jog, edging and grass cutting, my wife says the Bible Study should come more often, while I was out a honey bee swarm came and a hawk got mobbed by Ravens.



Birthday Cake for one of the Ladies, traditional blowing out the candles, American tradition.

yeah, my day is pretty much shot...

Reading the blog roll got me on the stamp for Bill Mauldin from the Post Office (which I used and bought two of Tuesday). And thinking about my grandfather's bookcase where I first ran into "Up Front" by Bill Mauldin, and the original Tarzan book by Burroughs. I was too young for real appreciation of either, but read them to the bone. So I picked up the copy of Up Front from my shelf here and disappeared while in view as I read it again. I am not finished since it stirs up so much as I munch on it. Bye.

The final episode of Slave Hunters...

was last night, and those Koreans keep killing too many of my favorite characters. Sigh. Must haven't had enough Happily Ever After fairy tales when they were young, they still tell that in the old days the grandparents were sent up the mountain in the Winter so the rest of the family would survive... imagine what they tell in Afghanistan.

Okay, you shoot fine right handed now about the o...

Western Rose when she wants a challenge and how she meets it.

Shoot Boss's IAAR finished.....

Shoot Boss Earl
Red Hat Reformed Redneck
Red Hat tdow
Red Hat Western Rose
IIT4 actineon
IIT3 TruTenacity
IIT3 GunslingerGirl
IIT2 patronus of licentia
IIT2 Evenstar
IIT3 Still Learnin'

Ten shooters, eleven preregistered, four no shows, three walk ons (1 only one day)

Redcoats Sat AM 400-1, 300-1, 200-2, 100-3. HS-3
Sat PM 400-3, 300-1, 200-1, 100-4, HS-3
Sun AM 400-0, 300-1, 200-3, 100-2, HS-2
Sun PM 400-2, 300-3, 200-0, 100-1, HS-3

AQTs Sat 2 1 Rifleman Seth
Sun 8 3 Riflemen Bob, Bake, Emily, Seth
and repeating Rifleman scores.
Many others were getting closer but time, ammunition and rifles were limiting a bit.


Good things:
Lots of talented eager and capable instructors, SB had little to do, everyone could cover it all and did.
Nice support from LCWR crew (host range) and return of SB's Leather Sling book by borrower from last year's Appleseed. They provided a free hot dog and chips lunch both days - which was nice.
covered all the instruction of the first day, all three strikes and all drills, and still got two AQTs shot. One Rifleman and a couple close.
Instructors stayed on message, and constantly encouraged and motivated the shooters
Instructor's dinner at the Pizza Hut in Lewiston -- it was on Earl's POI in BOLD LETTERS!
Sales separate from Registration, well organized, nice to have GI webslings, ovals, and such on hand
Donations from a shooter that thinks bailing is a good thing to keep from sinking.
Some Instructors did get to shoot a little because there was space, time and lots of help.

Things to work on:
Continue to trim all the instruction to the basic key words and meaning, use the time on the targets and prep time to expand a shooter's knowledge in a one on one.
Don't go up the AQT (shooting stage four first) a bit confusing and too long on the prone that way.
Use the words "Dry Practice" instead of "Dry Fire" while the shooters are in preparation time
Make sure the dates scheduled aren't on HOLIDAYs (this is twice at Lewiston, ID)
Increase the advertisement (there may be a slowing in the economy and shooting desires but talk the shoots up everywhere - preaching to the choir doesn't grow a congregation - go out among the non-shooters).
Red Hats need a bit more encouragement to watch the Shoot Boss and ask about how to do stuff and whys, and prepare for becoming a Shoot Boss.... of course I am always happier as an Instructor than as a Shoot Boss - but I know that both have their rewards and challenges and we need more of both to continue to grow and have great weekend Appleseeds.

The shoot was the smoothest I have done as Shoot Boss in a long time - because of great crew and fewer shooters and the ability to just wander around while everyone else did it all. I could be spoiled if I kept doing it that way, more likely that there will never be enough instructors and always more shooters - so keep studying, preparing, adapting and getting it done.

Just re-read what I wrote and all of us, on the forum working the RWVA and Appleseeds think we are normal, but all our families, non-shooting friends and strangers wonder a bit about our passion. We are a little bit different, hmm, how to become the norm - that is where we want to go. If Lexington with 700 plus people and 400 plus dairy cows, could produce a hundred and seventy men which would stand up for their community -- and they were only the norm, how did we get so off the track? Would today's Lexington produce anyone that would stand up to be counted?

Public AAR

I do know, that for me and my family, we will continue to work with and expand the message. Thank you all. Earl and Mrs Earl

Thank you Emily (LEFTEY!) for stepping up and becoming an IIT.

Mother's Day Gift? glad you asked....

I understand it will never get greater than this, no matter how much money I spend.

Okay, I am back and the rain has returned...

good morning! really GOOD MORNING! (don't you just hate those bright cheerful Monday morning people?) Ah, well, bear with me I have had a wonderful weekend. Two day Appleseed shoot in Idaho, ten on the crew and ten shooters - the instructor shooter ratio was better than it has ever been, three new Riflemen, one new Instructor In Training (IIT), two Shoot Bosses in the RWVA's future... if they ever get any time away from their work and family obligations, responsibilities and complete enjoyment. Link to After Action Report from the weekend on the left, pictures and such.

That family thing often stops many fun things, but there are three families in the picture, and my wife was taking the shot, Mike's family is shooting their way into the Appleseed weekend and Rifleman status as they grow, so this is a good thing. I know Mayor Daley would be frightened, but my nightmares aren't his. I have been to Chicago and wasn't afraid of all the armed criminals and police wandering around as I wasn't carrying my M16A2 with the basic load. But then, maybe I don't think anyone hates me? Even when I was a paratrooper?

I did have a great time on the range, was worn out by the operation on Friday, the long drive to Idaho, the long days shooting and the long drive back to home. I had great conversations (no television to drown out thought and voice?) with my wife and girl friend of forty plus years (marriage always works best if they are the same person). And as we were turning onto our street and home last evening at 11:30 PM, my son finally got his Mother's Day call to my wife which made it practically perfect.

Weekend Warrior drives on....

Made my surgeon happy today, he got to cut and sew expertly, and it doesn't hurt until I get the bill. Had a lovely lunch with my wife after, and then drove across Washington State, talking about one thing or another. Contacted my son's family on Skype.com - so cool since I am still learning about WiFi, so much to learn and so little time left. They were concerned about the surgery, the doctor and I weren't, we will wait for biopsy results. Nice to talk to family live, the laptop has a better picture and that is probably the computer, and the wifi combination. So I am in Idaho for a two day Appleseed Shoot, hope you can come, but if not I do hope you are shooting straight and safely where you are. As I have been saying for years of parachuting -- Have a Good One!

Ah, I am locked out, she left me... sigh

I have a thing about language, I think it really matters and I have no use for profanity, vulgarity nor obscenity. I have mentioned it before but I kept reading the Cranky Literature Professor anyway, she thinks using such language is okay. Today when I visited the blog roll she was gone, or the computer software doesn't like me, or I am being as protected as her blog is.

My visiting her site isn't critical for either of our lives, and since I have about had all the time on the internet one person should have in a lifetime of no life elsewhere, it might be better to let it go.

There are good reasons for doors, fences, walls, windows, and roofs. But every restriction on me isn't worth my time, I could be getting better somewhere else in the present time. I stopped my online banking because the security to protect my access to my money was so good I couldn't get to it.... like the government wants to protect me from everything.... except their tax man and my voting for the approved candidates. I am so unworthy of such protection, so unworthy.

We are going to treat you like a wounded veteran...

I am flawed, and most of it is all my fault, which gets right back into flaws, doesn't it? I was checking my blog roll, looking for something to make me leave the computer cave and hit the road and then get on with my life. So I stopped somewhere and went to see the recommended Tale of Two Americas and it was worth my time, I recommend it. My theory about self and many others from that Vietnam Era - we came back broken, got stomped on and bruised some more, shut up and got on with a life. My father and his generation came back from the terrors of WWII and built an America they dreamed of during their nightmares in combat. More of that shut up and get on with a life. I do like the idea that getting on with being a real American has to do with treating people better, and when we stop treating entertainment celebrities better than we treat the wounded veterans we will be solving many of our problems. Of course, we could just treat everyone like we loved them, with all their faults and flaws, wouldn't that be a much better world? People live like that already and I could aspire to that couldn't I? Sure...

Thank you, DoubleTapper...

The wind is whistling through the trees, the power went off for an hour, and the Sun is brightly shining, between very scattered scurrying rain clouds (just little ones). So having finished my book, received my new size 3X Marine Corps shooting jacket and all the patches I need, and one that I didn't order but would have if I had only known (Shoot Boss), I decided to go jogging, now I had told my wife that the belly fat was going to get me, Dr. Oz says so, and she had responded with that I would need a 2X coffin to contain me, and I had immediately thought that I don't know twelve people that would lift me in my expired estate. And left a message with Farmer Frank saying something similar and mentioning a forklift. He had some neat things about the seasons to read. I can tell the Cranky LitLady wouldn't approve of my paragraph - so cut to the chase I went jogging, and hit it hard, really! I leaped to the next point on the downhills, cranked my breathing up, stretched my legs out and pushed off my toes - all those things fat old men don't really do enough of. When I would find myself sliding into jogging I would jolt my stride back into grabbing more air between steps - more air time is faster. There are real numbers to go with my awesome efforts, but the numbers don't tell the entire tale, my attitude is the important factor in the run. Makes me want to do it again, and that will be the only thing that gets me down in weight and up in performance. Rock on!

Numbers for those that know, 296 calories, 40% fat ones, average Heart rate 123, in Zone 34m55s, Exercised 39m51s and maybe a longer distance tomorrow, or just lots of wind sprints to pick up on form... ain't life grand?

While I was out jogging gently...

About a half mile from my home I heard the Ravens Mobbing - means there is a predator in the area and the threat is real - so I wondered what it was, owl, hawk or another mob of ravens? But as I got closer I found it was a mature (full color) Bald Eagle in the tall trees being mobbed by the ravens, in their frantic frenzy. I immediately thought of the Gun People being mobbed by the noisy anti-gun folks, then realized that there aren't that many but they are that noisy. So like that big beautiful eagle, I jogged on, as he flew gracefully away, nice to be so close to real nature. And I get to sweat, which is always a good thing but never enough.

Sometimes you have to break eggs to make...

tempura. I guess as an American I should be accustomed to breaking down and destroying the old the 'not what I want' and rebuilding something better, even if it is made of chip board, plastic or recycled cellulose. But I have been to Europe and Asia, and understand that you can save the old, update it a bit and keep your traditions and ties with the past you can only study and imagine - so lucky that you don't have to live there.

Thanks to Rockefeller and others some of the old colonial era buildings are still maintained, Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, a few old churches and many fortifications. But they have modern toilet facilities for tourists, and no slaves/old women or children to clean them up. No long lines of horses, no growing up knowing how to move oxen, geese, sheep and goats. No knowing what effort it took to weed gardens, get hay turned, after you spent all day cutting it.

Not only do I have Master and Commander on the television, in the comfort of my home to watch (I could do it without commercial interruption), I am reading about Lexington and Concord by Arthur B. Tourtellot. I am getting a good feeling for the type of good people that lived under the King's mercy. Same King that had taken their Charter away, taken their representatives out of office, appointed judges and was vigorously getting them into their proper position in the English Empire he was creating. Remembering that the high cost of the British Army and Navy, to protect the colonies (who had been for generations without that wonderful protection while Europe was the major battlefield).

The people of Lexington, about seven hundred and some, the cows about four hundred and some, produced a militia and watch list of about a hundred and seventy, the watch list was all able boys and men, and the Training Band came from that, they elected Captain Robert Parker for their leader. And got back to business, plowing the Spring fields, almost everyone had some kind of a farm or large garden. On the day that the Training band was called out and mustered (19 April 1775) they didn't know they would be targets of poorly led and poorly trained troops. An unscheduled event, they would march out of Lexington two more times to join the fight around Boston before Captain Parker would die from his illness. Sometimes you must break eggs.