Time isn't as exact for everyone... it is relative.

I look at the roses, just a little bit ago I had taken pictures of them as buds, and now they are big and bold and about to become petals in the wind... since they grew while I wasn't watching.

I step out, get in my car and drive off to an Appleseed, present instruction, coach, monitor progress, encourage and razz as needed. One of the shooters from a couple of Appleseeds ago said he had been the target of some gentle razzing, and he might have been correct - just not a word I use in motivation... but it does work. So, since I am a retired fellow, I have lots of time to concentrate on the Appleseeds, and I get fretful when all those folks don't check for their pictures, read and/or comment on their Appleseed experience. I want to make sure I shake them up more on the next Appleseed. I need motivating, I measure success in every smiling shooter leaving with good memories and a desire to do even better and to talk about what happened.

Like an elevator in a tall building, one gets on the Appleseed, and the Plan of Instruction flows on, and suddenly at the end of the second day, one gets off the Appleseed and goes about life, real life. Family, friends, bills, work, and will think about this last and the next Appleseed when I have to... and if you don't have pictures to post, the Internal After Action Report to file and the report to higher about this shoot, the progress checks performed to standard, recommendations for promotion and just plain old bragging about how well your team did in producing Riflemen and committed Americans understanding the sacrifices of that 1775 generation of patriots - well, you clean your rifles, repack your stuff for the next one and periodically check to see if anyone posted anything wonderful that you want to snap up into calling this shoot.

I need to make two points at my next Appleseed: word of mouth and internet connections to share the heritage (they are stepping up into Isaac Davis shoes, aren't they?) and that 10 rounds standing, ten rounds sitting (in each of the positions) and twenty rounds of prone are the minimum dry fire recommendation for five days of their week. Do it on the best AQT from their last Appleseed.

Well, enough looking to see if anyone posted anything, on the RWVA forum, or Face book.... I give my wife two 5.11 shirts to get taken in so I look professional and my YMCA bag is packed, when I return today I will start the POI for Poulsbo Appleseed, needing more instructors and more shooters - there are never enough are there?

How to seveth step -- Seventh Steppin'

Still happy about the Appleseed in Custer, WA, and talked to the young lady selling organic blue berries from Mount Vernon about that. I also talked to a former Marine in the book store, since I was wearing my Red RWVA instructor hat, and my Marine shooting jacket. He told me all about his experience with the M1, and since only eight rounds had been through his I did ask if he was ready to pass it on. His price quote made me think it was a recent purchase, with a little more recoil than he wanted. Nice conversation.

I was really waiting to meet the Congressman from my district, Denny Heck. I checked with his staff, they said he would be there about 11:30.  I saw him walking through the farmer's market about 11:40 and he caught the red hat and the wondering about the RWVA on it. I explained it was for the Revolutionary War Veterans Association, and he said I didn't look that old.

I shook his hand and explained our mission and how we taught rifle marksmanship, after asking how he shot.  I told him we told the story of the three strikes of the match about Lexington and Concord  on April 19, 1775. I had lost track of my trifolds from the Appleseed on Sunday (would find them in the t-shirt box later) but I gave him our Appleseed.org address and showed him some of the digital pictures from that shoot.

Very positive reaction from him, I did stress that serving elected officials could shoot free He was going around checking on what his folks had concerns about. So we talked about one of mine  Mostly it was about America's change and the RWVA mission.

That discussion makes me want to modify my closing of my emails.  I want to leave this as my signature:

I won't be ruled, I am in no state to be governed, but I will be represented. In the LORD's Love and Liberty abide.  Earl, Rifleman

Two Appleseeds in Washington Weekend...

Will teach, and learn and tell the story.

Hope y'all stay safe, and in Liberty and Love abide.

Remember what is really important, it isn't on the internet nor the electronic noise. But you have a great opportunity for a great life, don't waste this shot.

I know what you are thinking.... don't I?

As I am listening to the Blues, postponing my breakfast, getting the rifle out for dry fire... yes, dry fire -the only ammunition I can afford on fixed income (I need a job). Anyway, I had a thought that I should share...

since I fling my wisdom around constantly.

You cannot affect the shot you have finished. It is over and done with. If you called it, and checked and it was where you called it - then it counts. Maybe not as well as you wanted, but you will figure out why it is where it landed and adjust, or go off and study a bit more - then practice making your shots even better. The next shot is the one that you have all the control over... except for freak storms, hurricane force winds, dust, plague of locust, sweat in your eye, sudden shot next to you, hot brass under your collar, mechanical malfunction or ammunition failure (since your handloading wasn't up to professional standards). You will settle into a proper position, check your natural point of aim (where the body and the rifle will hit the target, not where your mind says they should). Found it! Sight alignment, sight picture, respiratory pause - focus on the front sight, focus the mind on keeping the front sight on target, squeeze - SHOT BREAKS! - follow through, call that shot slowly release the held back trigger to the reset point.... then get on to the next shot.

All that is left over from my last Appleseed as I get prepared for my next Appleseed.

In life we learn to work with over and around other beings, with the intent of achieving our own goals. Aggression is defensive and offensive to the point of bullying amusement, but good manners, humble and submissive postures are all learned with the same objective - getting what one wishes and wants out of life.

My mother always said she 'knew what you are thinking' when confronting me over something she wanted to change... but I figured out that my mother was writing the story of her life constantly, and in the chapter she was writing about whatever was happening to us - she did know what we were thinking, she had written it and was reading and acting it out. So of course she 'knew'. There were many confrontations and temper flares - she didn't always know what I knew (she had never been a boy trying to make it to manhood) and then sometimes she knew exactly what I was thinking and trying to hide - that would really make me angry.

Frustration and anger are part of the defense system, brings the blood pressure up, hormone releases and preparation for fight or flee or freeze. But they don't help taking a shot, and allowing them to get in control of your life and quest for your goals doesn't make it easy...

Stop, think about what is important and start that shot over... you do want to be loved, respected and in control of your own life and choices. The only thing you can really affect is yourself - you have no control over weather, the type of day others have had before you showed up, how they heard your words, how they feel about your attitude, dude. Leading with a very light rein seems to work well with some animals... I do know that being clean, shaven with one's teeth in and smiling gently will be better than fool grinning and laughing out loud before you have established contact with the other and know how they are doing. And if you were Earl with an almost constant firm face (read frowning viciously) you might make others think you are angry, which drives the herd mad quickly.

If you want love and attention, you will have to give love - giving someone a fat lip will only encourage them to block better next time and learn how to counter or get a bigger brother. I know, it is difficult to love many of your fellow creatures - especially the human ones, but doing so makes it easier to love yourself - less to be ashamed of in your past, less guilt. Remember the objective of the relationship, and turn away from anger - that seems to be a reptilian brain function, not one of the human nor divine spirit.

Home, happy but so tired...

It is over five hours to Medical Lake from my home, I had already had a full day on Friday, so when I pulled into the Lone Pine Range parking lot there wasn't much, except dark and turn the Caravan off. It was after midnight and seven o'clock was on the way. Later just enough chill to wake me, I would curl up in the mink blanket and fall back to sleep.

I wake about six and see 06en pull in with the trailer of target stands and backers, he is a life saver, he makes and shares coffee. The Shoot Boss, Prescott, comes in and we talk and start setting up. Prescott was up from Oregon for business and could cover the Appleseed, we had all worked together before, we try and get all our current political views out of the way, talk about other Red Hats and upcoming events.

I have the Firing line and advise the arriving shooters where to place their mats, rugs or chairs on the equipment line, we have two popup shelters and a pair of sisters bring one. Thirteen shooters, four family units and some very unfamiliar firearms, for the shooters anyway. Morning and afternoon of the first day - we, the Appleseed cadre, think we are behind because of too many words and too many mechanical problems. Still, all instruction is presented, lunch, and we see a lot of progress by the last Redcoat target of the day, a lot of progress.

I ask the range host, Jack (former Marine) about some place to eat a nice meal, and couldn't find it. I come back to the Range and sleep the night away. Waking for Bursts of high Lightning and rolling thunder, scattered rains.

06en gets coffee going again, he slept in his auto, too. Prescott arrives and we start the set up. There will only be six returning shooters, lots of room, and of course two of the instructors will want to get some trigger time. I as always want to make sure the shooters are not short changed by my wanting to shoot targets, so I will maintain the professional, helpful cool. Nice to see the SKS and .308 make some noise.

Most of the shooters, are getting better, but it is difficult to put a whole successful AQT together under the clock with ammunition and mechanical problems. Since it was a review day the Time
Monkey never showed up, all training objectives were met, several of the ladies were close to a Rifleman score, but only one man made his Rifleman, twice. I got some homemade cookies to munch upon and we have been sipping water steadily. The Sun is hot. Finish scoring targets, as the final Redcoat is fired and clean up commences.

Say our good-byes, hoping that everyone has a safe trip home and that we will meet at another Appleseed one day. Jack has a shotgun competition started at 4:30 and we are rolling out just after four.

It is a long way back home, seems to speed by faster, but that isn't so and the Pass is clogged with others that were there first - I liken it to a clogged artery - do red blood cells have extra stress when held back by traffic? I do get a Whopper and large black coffee to wake me, until finally I am home. I lock my car, go in and great my wife, who is happy to see me, a smile and a kiss and I am shaving and showering and sleeping. Nice bed, sheets the Blues on the radio, only ten-thirty.

What do you do when your wife slides a newspaper comment on your desk?

From when you looked good, had a job you liked, felt needed and important? Doesn't happen to you, well, you wouldn't want everything I get blest with... The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA) page 81, dated July 27, 2008. Hmm, maybe I should go hunting this year.

Looking at old Library Keeper blogs, this was great: ABC of me, thanks to Breda,

I know there isn't anything of interest in me worth writing but since my choice was about the Lotto tickets or filling in my blanks for the world, the small part visiting I thought I would follow Breda, fine pistoleeress that she is (why yes I made that word up, but so have hundreds of others before me-it is a perfect noun for Breda, even if she is several hundred rounds behind me in shooting - I do have years on her). Anyway, although Breda gave me the idea, the Armed Canadian convinced me to spend the time.

Airborne, Army, Awful -- oh, accent, you didn't notice but I will drop a y'all on ya, along with yens and youse guys. But that is just playing, I speak like the television news fellows and color my speech with emotion when riled, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania then North Carolina.....

Breakfast, yes, daily, old fashioned oatmeal nuked in microwave, raisins, crushed walnuts and almonds, 2% milk, mixed with medications and black coffee. Wife spoils me on weekends with eggs and such.

Chore I don't care for - wasn't that why it is called a chore? Trapping moles comes to mind, I don't take any pleasure in it, and have to be really pushed to go out and set the traps. But have done it before and will do it again, but would rather reach a negotiated settlement (but have more faith in winning the Lotto).

Dog or cat - have had both in our home over many years, we gave up - since my wife and I have two very different ideas of the place of animals in our world, and different methods of training the poor humans taking care of the animals - we gave up after giving up my son's dog. Too much heart break. I would love to have a harrier to jog with and my wife wants a toy something to smother with maternal love.

Essential electronics, my computer - did I mention I have three, two set up and one backup and I don't want to live inside them, but seem to sometimes too often?

Favorite Calogne? Whatever she is wearing that I only notice when I get nearer her neck - oh, for me? Old Spice after shave - no one ever gets that close to my neck that they would care and I don't wear it often. That bottle has been in this house about eleven years now.

Gold or Silver - I like both, have rings in various amounts, but really cold steel stirs me much more than gold or silver. Although I do think the real American Silver Dollar was a great coin to have in one's pocket.

Handbag? I wear a backpack for local motorcycling, or a messenger bag on my bicycle, but handbag, that is too metrosexual and young for a throwback like me - handbag? I am old but I am not dead.

Insomnia; I have been known to sleep through rocket attacks, my wife likes to stay up late and I like to get up early - but we both have different reasons for staying awake - and always a problem that we just haven't the best solution for --- yet.

Job title - officially: Library Associate, or hidden: Library/Archival Paraprofessional level 5 or personal one: The Library Keeper.

Kids: Had one lost one, had another and he grew up. The best reason for Earl and KC was the kid. Wish we could have been better bumblers, but still feel blest.

Living arrangements? Home in suburbia, married long time. If it needs adjusting my wife will let me know - loudly or with deafening silence (guess which is worse?).

Most Admirable Trait - I don't think I have one, or any that stand out - I think my two friends might have an answer to that but I don't want to get too proud of any of me - I do know the dark side.

Naughtiest Childhood behavior - escaping, broke out of my playpen by breaking the slats, jumped out of a second story window when I was four or five, ran away from home to join Castro in Cuba against Batista (the mountains slowed my progress to a halt and a retreat - it was only a three speed English racer and the night was dark), breaking into my home when my father locked me out as a teenager (was so proud of my son when he did the same when his mother locked him out).

Overnight Hospital Stays - only one, my first major motorcycle accident put me and my concussion in the hospital for recovery and observation. Lovely motorcycle and fool boy meet steel guard post - post wins!

Phobias - isn't that something you fear foolishly? Only long legged redheads that think I am something.... everything else I fear righteously. You can get killed out there.

Quotes - "You could be wrong, you've been wrong before."

Reason to smile - pure joy in the wonder of others and love and laughter.

Siblings - Sister, brother, sister and they are all doing well differently and the best they can beautifully.

Time I wake up - from 4:20 am early work day to seven am if I don't need to work for pay that day.

Unusual talent or skill - none, I am normal but broken in well.

Vegetable I refuse to eat - I am an omnivore - it is all food if it doesn't bite first, that makes me happy, I once didn't like lima beans and wax beans but then met C-rations and learned how bad they truly could be.

Worst habit - tapping on something or clicking a pen - I never notice. No matter what Breda says, Procrastination is an art, not a habit and I will perfect it one day when I get around to it.

Yummy stuff, watching a perfect Combined Arms attack or defense destroy a worthy enemy in combat. You either do know what I meant or you haven't ever been there, and both are fine.

Zoo animals I like most, human beings wandering the zoo, all the other animals should be free where I could enjoy missing them by my clumping along gracelessly. But we do visit zoos, sometimes, and watch the polar bears wear their fur off in frustration. Which might be why Animal Planet is so much more fun than the zoo.

See, it was interesting for me, but a bit boring for y'all. Bye!

Up way too early... so?

There must be something wrong in the world, and the coming end of what I thought I knew... must be close enough to wake me.

Looking around, watch BBC news, nothing happening there, some late night infomercials - buy, buy, bye!

I play a wargame and then open the blinds and windows to the new day.

Learned that the Blue Moon is the third full moon of four in a season, which happens so infrequently it is noted. The moon was looking good last night, although Tuesday was the FULL moon. I forever thought it was the second full moon in the month, which could be the same as the third of the four in a season, most seasons don't have four. I am so wrong about so much.

Time for breakfast then a walk, I am so behind any advancement towards a future will be progress. Have a great day.

The Face book alert signal calls..

As I slowly waken, I hear it again, and then again... life would be easier if I would turn it off, wouldn't it? And I would save electricity... remember how once we really turned off the un-needed lights and such? I am not getting up to race to the machine to see who made what comment on a post from the Far East where the Sun came up three hours ago... let alone New Zealand and from tomorrow....

I was thinking about how once we popped our own popcorn, made our own sandwiches, actually kneaded our bread dough, made our own doughnuts.... stuff we once did as part of our day, week and a life lived. Now? just buy it, it is easier. But all that time saved means time not spent with your children making their favorite food for sharing at Sunday school or public school.... oh, you don't do parties at school anymore? More life not lived, so sad.

Very proud of myself, I am down to one connected computer, connected to the internet anyway. And since breakfast is done the house is open and I have packed to go to the YMCA, the place where broken people gather to find something. Pickleball anyone? I say they are broken, but they aren't really, just I notice the limping, the vacant faces, the old folks sitting in the chair waiting for someone to say hello. The weight room is always pretty full, the mirrors on the walls double the number of participants watching their own image, unless they are spotting or coaching. Each person is complete - and unique - they bring the body they have and any aspirations and start moving, those with fewer aspirations move much less.

We even have television monitors to make sure you don't have to miss your favorite show... well, of the main news, Home and ESPN sports. Nice to watch Little League baseball, one doesn't even care who is President nor which party is being a fool in Washington, DC today.

Idle thoughts while making my way across the virtual pond, or lake or slow moving river - rowing, if I were a team player - but not, still I keep moving on and think of fat - it just sits there waiting for when one needs it, the starvation time, the time between meals, the time you burn energy from fear or freedom, burning energy to keep you at operating temperature, to provide the energy for brain function - although, it is so effortless to have brain function - not many really develop it, do they? More games, please, lots more games.

Well, time to turn this off. Take care of the virtual world and real one out there.... don't adjust your set.

Breaking free or accepting what I really am...

Yes, I purchased some reading glasses and I can really speed read again. It is good to have that fixed for my pleasure. Now I only made sure they fit my face and I could read better with them, and no other vanities were stroked in the gaining of these tools. I need to simplify more in my life, limiting calibers, tools, and such does improve my life.

I was so involved in my stories, that I didn't catch all those shows I once thought I had to have to KNOW what is going on. So, I am out of the loop.

A little light rain today, my wife went hiking for the second day of this week, and I dropped off three books and picked up four. My reserve books get me an email that only Microsoft can read, since they control my access to my email. I am sure the NSA, BAFTE, FBI, and many hackers of various note can read and collect my email. But getting blocked by Microsoft, I will thank the LORD for. Another link in the chains that bind me broken.

You didn't think things like Outlook, Hotmail, of Face book were built to make Earl a better person did you?

Shucks, my parents knew that there was little controlling me, and only nudged me in the proper direction and extracted promises of excellent behavior from me, since for some strange reason I thought I should honor my word to people that mattered. I would for all my life get into conflict and trouble for saying what I thought needed said - blunt force trauma if one isn't prepared to listen to Earl's view.

Well, I have purchased some Mountain Huckleberry ice cream, my wife loves me again, and I have two science fiction fantasy books, one story of Gettysburg and on view (philosophical) of America. Lots to read, I will allow y'all to get to it.  Summer reading program, ya'know?

I don't want to live in a world without love... so bye!

It seems Microsoft doesn't love me. Such a shame, one of my favorite solo games is by Microsoft. And they have done much in the internet/computer world that has made our lives better. But I am not willing to put up with their stupidity - because they don't love ME.  So, when my free Hotmail account, is no longer accessible to Earl, because he won't provide Microsoft with his telephone number or an alternate email address - they have cut me off.

So everyone is now free to email wmearl2@hotmail.com as much as you like for only Microsoft and the NSA or Homeland Sercurity will care to read what you wrote.  Lots of positive Christian thoughts, well mannered and well written poetry from everyone else, foreign languages and just cool baby talk will be appreciated. It will take them a bit to figure out that I know they don't love me and are just going to use me.

I am close to terminating my connection to the internet, I find that my  provider doesn't love me either - they just want my money, and then clutter up my screen with offers so stupid they annoy me. No love, I can leave.

Facebook now has a banner above it, where it came from I don't know. Could be a requirement from the Homeland Security folks, NSA or the Affordable Care Act - but sure enough they seem to want my telephone number, too.  Having played Castleville for far too long, I will have to leave that virtual refuge from bad government and worse merchandising. None of those seemed to love me either - they just wanted to use me to sucker my friends in (to help me, of course). Sad, I once looked forward to doing some neat stuff, but then I couldn't do it my way without BUYING lots of empty advantage. Sigh. No love there.

There is a program on television with a clip floating on the internet (so it may not have been successful). It is like Candid Camera with a big edge. So two women, homosexual committed couple come to a diner with their children and a waitress is offended and offensive about their life choices. This could never happen in New York so they had to go to Texas to find such a bad waitress. So the waitress stays on message and starts to make the world a terrible place - offering no love to anyone in the entire diner. Several men (?) quietly attempt to deflect her actions, muffle her stupidity and enjoy their own meal.  Now the two women are, like the two children highly paid actors, and don't you know the waitress is also an actress. No love anywhere - you can be paid to act stupidly, rudely and without love - and still they won't call you a prostitute. Nor will they call the peddlers of smut like this what they really are.... but they had no love for any of the people in the diner.  Not being in New York, one of the armed rednecks got up and shot the waitress once.

Well, it would have been more entertaining and dramatic. No, it didn't happen. But then the lawyers hadn't presented their suit causing all kinds of emotional distress watching their quiet meal disappear in an effort to promote stupid television. I should turn off the internet and the television - could raise my vocabulary, IQ and sense of harmony with the world.

It is sad living alone without love, but some of the places I went for entertainment became a certain reality - and they didn't have any love for me.  Don't think I should pay for their darkness entering my soul.


It is so easy to kill, and I know that only I hold me back.  My wife has been a big influence on my not killing many people, she never seems to give me her permission.  But today because she was offended by my not wanting sMothered by her efforts to keep me presentable in public - she said I can go on my own. Sigh, the last loving thing she said to me....

Great Day in the real world, almost...

I had to go to the park early to help reserve a picnic area or two for the Tacoma First Baptist Church games. I was the second man there and the park is quiet and beautiful.

By eight, other men are arriving to be in charge and make things happen, we help, and slowly get sent to the out lying area. Works for us, more set up, wives and families start arriving as the set up gets much closer to accomplished.

Not all the church members are going to be there, but it is interesting seeing a couple of the young Korean American men, asking me about my Airborne service - not realizing I had my belt buckle blazing away at them. But you have to be Army or airborne to have made the connection.

I wore my kilt in public, ha, ha, ha. Never realizing how tough we make it for little girls to wear such foolishness and still be lady-like. I confirmed to the Koreans that I am just an eccentric old American. Thank you, working hard at that.

After prayer and dedication my wife led the stretching and warm ups, some of the vets said she had picked up my drill sergeant manner well, I had to point out she taught Tae Kwon Do for years and don't think she doesn't know what she was doing.

I got a lot of time in playing with a buddies' grandsons, Julius and Justice, they are definitely being led into manhood well, completely. Did some talking about television network support systems, shooting, and work and family. Lots of kidding, laughing and playing games or just watching those much younger work hard at it. A very good time.

Cleaned up and went home, happy, in the day.

No, Mr. President, it isn't a phony scandle

We know who killed the Ambassador, and three other Americans in Libya. They are all close to the President, because while drones strike in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen - none are striking in Libya. So, the President is protecting them, I am sure he has his reasons.

But about his activities in response to the attack - those are all his. He did answer the call, they needed to get his response to the attack. He told them to call the Secretary of State - she was called. She had no power to project - that all is given to the President. He is the one that can send the 82nd Airborne world wide, or launch Nukes. No one else in the White House. A whole lot of staff to assist him, but he is the one.

You don't have to ask anymore questions about that attack nor the response. It is a done deal, this is the Commander in Chief. He took all the actions he needed.

After the attack and the successful Presidential response it was needed to show the world the President and his agencies knew what was what and were on top of it. The terrible YouTube video was paraded around - it was guilty. For sure that was what happened. The President does not allow lies, nor no response to important facts about how Presidential he is.  He is in charge, he said that was what happened and he made sure you knew that he knows.

Now, the media, has decided - through checking with their bosses that there is no smoking gun involved. After all they were armed with American provided weapons with limited destruction potential - mortars and rocket launchers and automatic rifles and machine guns. Like the ones the President will arm the Syrian rebels and terrorists with... like the ones in Egypt. Do I see a pattern?

If I am still alive when President Obama is no longer the President, I will write a short History of his service to those enemies of what was once the United States of America. Or, you could write your own, there isn't much hidden about what is going on... just sounds differently in the news.

I am so disappointing, or is it I am so disappointed, or what...

Yesterday I couldn't start my motorcycle, the battery was low, couldn't find my charger, my wife had helped organize my piles of stuff.  Not her fault, she doesn't see my world, she sees hers. That her world is out of order is to be fixed.

I finally found the charger, hooked it up, charged the battery.

Today, I thought I would shoot my pellet pistol at a target in the back yard. No joy, no pressure, it sounds like it leaks. Dried out from years of non use.... okay, get some oil and maintain it a bit. Then try, try and try again.  It does seem to be doing better, now if the shooter would just shape up as well.

It was fun, but I kept looking over my shoulder to see if the neighbors were going to complain. Kept looking over my shoulder - why? Fears from the media, of course, I couldn't imagine this on my own. This is not the first time I have shot my pellet pistol in my yard - I did it in 198? in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Didn't look over my shoulder at anything.

So maybe I am just a frightened old man, or maybe I think 'they' are out to get me, or the fools have my attention --- when I should be focused on the target and placing those shots and having a fun time. A very safe fun time.

You don't shoot? well, you ought to, just so there are more of us looking over our shoulders.

Review 2 GUNS and Bunker Hill

I have finished reading Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, A Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick, Warner Publishing Large Print.  Centering around Doctor Warren, Boston and what wasn't but should have been if they had been politically correct. It didn't read smoothly, not a great story, but still I liked the details I hadn't found on my own before. Great telling of the Battle of Bunker Hill, for both sides. Again, for those limited to the public school education, this is an enlightening book.

I am becoming convinced that modern Historians spend too much time deciding that people long ago were short sighted, selfish and just wrong. Having lived my life I never want to see someone write the History of it, it would be confusing. So you die and go to Heaven, and when you get there - it isn't just Judgement you face, but you have to read the History written by some good angel that never worried about dying, making a living, nor growing up and old. Not enough common reference to understand why you lived that way.

I do recommend reading it, but then I always liked General Gage and General Washington, and loved reading about Doctor Warren.

I went to see 2 GUNS yesterday, it was an entertaining Hollywood effort to get men to the movies, it had lots of guns, bare breasts, hidden agendas and horseplay. They managed to make banks, small dinners with great doughnuts and SEAL teams look bad.

If you ever wanted to understand why the world thinks guns are terrible, this is a perfect example.
Two undercover agents manage to destroy carefully crafted bad business practices of the drug lords and CIA - the universal message is that one can't trust anyone they are sleeping with or doing road trips with, or are being paid by. Can't trust anyone over twelve probably.

Just when you were sure the Federal Reserve had a handle on inflation - in Dillinger's Day a ten thousand dollar bank robbery was an event. In today's world it has to be  43.125 million - just the results of inflation. Bigger better, more  bodies and more incompetent tactics and complete lack of a personal value system.

I enjoyed the movie, because it is ALL fantasy, gratuitous gun violence and meaningless quips.

Pardon me, I am dying of an incurable degenerative condition...

Seems that I went jogging on the last day of July and the funny feeling in my left hip snapped into an extreme cramp - a horizontal cramp. I had no idea I had any horizontal muscles in that area, and I will only acknowledge the pain, not a muscle going the wrong way. But twelve minutes into trying to be a little more fit, my struggles were over. I limped home, thinking Fred Sanford has nothing on me. Since I had time I started thinking about falling apart a bit at a time...

 I was upset since I wasn't going to get my 5k jog done, and I am keeping records for motivation. Still, I did take me and my better half to the YMCA, and for unknown reasons - sitting on my behind doesn't bother the cramping area. So I knocked out 10 kilometers on the rowing machine in about fifty minutes. Then went to the bicycle machine and did 13.5 miles in another fifty minutes then I showered and found twenty-four ounces of hot black coffee to sip upon until my wife finished her time in the water. Maybe I should find my swimming goggles and start swimming instead of jogging? Then if I get a cramp I can just silently sink to the bottom of the pool?

When I was the skinny kid in this fine picture, sitting on the well cap with my keds, blue jeans and Dale Long t-shirt, I was always dreaming of when my arms would be muscled and strong like my father's and the other working men I saw around me. I wanted hands with veins and tendons and strength, a working man's hands

 I guess one should watch what they wish for, since there are ways that make things happen. Like being thin, I have never seen a picture of my father from his time in the Pacific in WWII, but I would bet he looked a lot like I did in Vietnam after filling sandbags and computing firing data and hauling rounds to the guns. I did have a really good tan, but I couldn't have double-timed two miles during that tour, swimming in the river was all my recreation. I was just a tad bit bigger than a VC.

I would get shin splints in both legs during Jump School after. I had to put some really strong liniment designed for horses to smear over my legs in the morning to make it through the PT.  Limping was a sure way out of the Division and parachute training.

As I sipped my coffee yesterday I looked at my hand and went through the martial arts positions with it that would help me destroy those that have no idea how truly bad I am. Laughing at my pretensions, so bad. I could tell you I really am awesome in death dealing, but I happen to know the price one pays for being dangerous to society - and I love knowing that I am still in the controllable category of  "maybe we shouldn't have designed him that way" - plus I am suffering from that disease I mentioned in the title.  LIFE, and living it with love seems to be the best cure for all that ails me. I do keep asking my wife how we got so old, but she knows we were blest.

No, I am not answering the telephone... ever...

I have a telephone because I want to be able to call you.  But then everyone that wants to use or abuse me thinks that I have to answer when they call.  I don't.

I have a wife that thinks it is a responsibility but then she has friends that do call.

As I start searching for an opportunity to work again, I will be asked to give them a telephone number, but you will get more response by emailing me - no selective hearing on the internet.

Keep it pithy?

So the whole thing is going to come apart, because?

Because we weren't watching the folks in government? Elected and appointed stupid people with really good intentions and terrible ideas? Because we can be manipulated by fears fed frequently by fools in media? All of the above?

Everything in your life begins with you --- and YOU have to make it better. Not your parents, friends, children, co-workers, boss, nor underlings.... YOU!

You will die... certain freedom in that knowledge. You won't die right now... so you have time to make your world and all you love better. Not much time in the cosmic scale of things, stars are going out as fast as dinosaurs. Still, if you are reading this you have today to make better.

Take a moment, reflect and pray, make a plan and execute one good thing to happen in your life. Repeat until it is all done. This is where mental multitasking helps the spiritual and physical. Have a really great day!

You have to pay attention to do better...

I was fooling around on the internet, and time was slipping by, so I went and jogged five kilometers. Felt good, fastest time in awhile, slow but faster than normal.

Got home, showered and got a rifle and went to the range. My goal to do it all today. They are open for shooting on Fridays from 10 to 4, and don't have to fight the crowds. Paid my money, unloaded my stuff and found when I opened the rifle case I had my Model 70, in 30-06, and almost certain I hadn't any of that ammunition in my Caravan. Started to pack out, then decided to check and see if they had any to buy.  They did and I got forty rounds, $23.50 a box. How did it ever get so dear? Looking at the internet offerings, it is correct pricing.

So I loaded up five and then another five and I did hit my targets,  had to love the way the bolt slides in and out, the trigger and the sling. All great. I just need bigger targets to shoot at. The last five rounds are the ones in the black and nearest it, low right. Don't ask if I called the others, the way up and the two way down were called then I settled into better shooting. I really should scope this rifle, it deserves my best efforts.

I talked with the shooters on both sides of me, both preparing for hunting season. One is off to South Africa for Cape Buffalo, the other deer and elk locally.

Go to the YMCA, and row and bike and sweat. Finished up with weight machines, eight stations, and then the Rope Trainer.

After I shave and dress we are going to Men's Bible study, such a subversive am I, just the kind of fella that won't be paying much attention to the foolish notions from Washington, DC nor New York and New Jersey. They just don't understand how to leave me alone, I will find some friends on Facebook or local area.

So how is the war on guns going?

I think they are winning, or they think they are winning.

If there are people of good sense, shooting safely, promoting safe shooting sports, hunting and self defense -- and there are many. What they don't seem to be doing is making it a LAW that to be a citizen of the United States of America - that you must be a safe qualified shooter, own your weapons of choice and be accountable for their proper use.

The ANTI-gun crowd has few brains functioning well, and for some reason believe that guns have a mind of their own, are evil and will make you do strange sexual things in the dark (or something). BUT they certainly are willing to make everyone else comply to their version of the Universe. They insist that all guns are bad, that only police and armed forces under the control of the government may use them gently in pursuit of the common good and national objectives.

It could be that real people of the gun, aren't seeking to make the world a better place, just their place in it. When asked about our country, I have an opinion, but for sure I can only handle getting my body to the YMCA for physical therapy - the government can't, and they already have too much on their plate.

The politicians and the ANTI-Gun ghouls will be constantly attempting to make the gun the problem, because they won't admit that people are the problem. So maybe we need those laws that require people to be armed, trained and potentially dangerous. Spitting into the wind, aren't I?

Doctor's visit, or I visited the Doctor...

Anyway, I have four months to live, until my next appointment. Nothing wrong with me that the LORD won't fix, my doctor's recommendations need a few more years of mulling over.

So, you need a couple of beautiful things that I saw that you should have shared.

Looking across Gray Army Airfield on Fort Lewis, at Mount Rainier shining in the blue distance. the gray airfield, lifting like the Chinooks, to the blue skies with the little haze swathing the base of the volcano. So many shades of blue on the Mount and in the layers.

Second one is from yesterday as I rowed my machine at the YMCA. Usual suspects on the basketball floor below. The coach/father and this three players were being filmed in their awesomeness by a professional team. Four players doing two on two, very aggressive and passionate and since two of the opposing players seem to be brothers that had some words on my way into the Y, they are committed. Gosh they do play hard. But what caught my eye was the female basketball player on the far side of the court. Most of you don't remember the Breck girls from the 50s and 60s - beautiful women and to die for hair. Well, such a brunette was on the floor, wearing an ornate heavy necklace (maybe earrings, too, too far away for my eyes). Nothing surprising there, except she is wearing a black summer dress, with a swaying skirt, and two straps holding the bodice up... can one have a black summer dress? She was great.

She got many extra points for playing with the two girl children, her daughters? (they would be so lucky!). I imagined, since I am making all this up, that she was waiting for one of them to attend the tumbling or gymnastics class.

Worth a thousand words...

So I liked the idea of my eyes, but want to write more about shooting and the RWVA and Appleseeds. And I need a job teaching, since those who can't -- 'teach' what they can't.

So I did a quick shot of me with the auto shoot, and all three pictures were interesting and I used them, in different places. To make it perfect I would have to ask Heather to focus on the front sight, and do better on a back ground (since I should have a range to be shot at, shouldn't I?).

Being picky, I did not get the sling under the support hand, the way I shoot. Also not wearing a glove. And a shooting cap with bill shading the rear sight, so artificial. But it does convey a lot of my point in few words.

Someone says we need a dialog... must have been a Greek

So America has a problem, only one? The one they want to talk about is RACE, which is a foolish American Problem.

I wanted to talk about the blue eyed blonde with the jewel in her nostril, that says she is a member of the privileged class. Too young and never been out of her country - where she is such a thing. I have heard a Chinese Businessman say that was the kind of woman he buys for pleasure. She hasn't run into him, nor been where she doesn't speak the language, know the manners and has a place, let alone a privileged place - so young and such an empty mind.

It does seem that those that have darker skin, eyes and hair color have lower status, here in America. Bill O'Reilly says the African-America has a problem, but that box he throws real people into have the same problem the rest of the -Americans do, just the rest of us have to work around, over or through the problem.  Race isn't allowed to be an excuse.

Bad, or at least a poor education system. The founding fathers had more reading and self education than what is offered in our SYSTEM of public education. But the educators want to control the outcome, and dumbing down is an anwer?

Lack of solid marriages - that is everywhere - it matches the lack of personal accountability, and responsibility. That mostly happens when we live where the dog ate our homework. I know they say half of all marriages end in divorce, but that is only because reporters can't do mathematics. They think that a 100,000 marriages in one year and 50,000 divorces in the same year means half have failed. Silly fools, not from the 100,000 that got married.

It is true, marriages that work will raise better children than those that give up because they can't handle the pressure (or whatever silly reason). They may not become President, but they might become hard working folks. Oh, most of those folks not of my classification, and I am thinking of changing it to my DNA code, but I might miss a number sequence - those folks I talk to in church, work beside in the service, laugh with about our family experiences. They don't seem to have Mr. O'Reilly's problem, but because he actually thinks race means something, they become Special Needs people - which with the ones I know aren't ever going to be.

Yes, I do believe we have big problems and the first step is to turn off the MEDIA, then find love with your family and friends and the folks in the neighborhood.  Have good manners, be clean, the Boy Scouts seemed to have the quick answer for young men. I have an idea the Girl Scouts had a great answer, too.

In the end, it will only be the individual effort, to better themselves without tramping on others, that will help restore civilization. For some Communications style reason, Bill O'Reilly is almost shouting - displaying his lack of control? while two or three of the men he was talking to were calm, certain and willing to listen but they weren't out of control. I can't find any good answers in Bill O'Reilly's putting everyone not like him in prison for a long, long time. Indenture them to the Chinese.

Do ya know the feelin'?

When your belly button sticks right up on your backbone? No, well I have heard about it before, and on that long ride across Montana I started feeling that way - not that I had lost a lot of weight or girth, but the feeling was just that - my belly button was resting on my backbone. I decided I was seriously dehydrated and made a fluid and fuel stop to fill the void.

Watching the children after church run screaming in fun away from each other, at play, I wonder when the adult will take them and quell the pure joy of the chase and flight. As I slog along on the now almost daily gentle jog, I wish I felt that free and fast, have I been there before - sure, and I might not be too far from it now, but... my mind is full and wandering it slows the pace of the body down. Has to be the mind, it wants attention, in a race one is concentrating on the movement, the pace, the breathing, the place in the pack - the focus of the mind is on getting the body to the finish. In the gentle jog - it is more, get on with it, I have stuff to think about and don't disturb 'ME'.

The rowing machine at the YMCA will just record what I perform, I won't sink, move up or down the lake or river, just a static machine, pretending I have done something - and I haven't tipped the boat over yet, nor run into any of the other rowers. But I do feel the rhythm and like the workout for its concentration on the legs, arms and back. No seasick pills needed. The bicycle machines have links on Expresso.net, under my Ride History, where I can see what I have virtually done so virtuously. No, I don't work out that hard, I am a real SENIOR on Medicare, I only think tough and fit. Although, since biking is the second YMCA machine workout, I leave more sweat behind. Then I go for weight machines, or the rope trainer.  Maybe, I will work out on one of the Eliptical machines, while watching Neil or the Five on FOXNews.

Wonder why I do all of this? Well, one of the nicest compliments I ever received was the one word said with pleasure by a lady that had touched me, 'muscles!' That was a great feeling, haven't had that said about my jelly doughnut texture for a long time. It is paying off, I get to see the ladies in their workout clothing, and I am losing weight and gaining tone. Hopefully, getting fitter. I do feel my body better than the recliner (don't use the recliner much anymore, either). Think in August I will add swimming a couple times a week. Maybe.

So you haven't been to the Fish Camp...

For years I have been saying 'No' when asked if I wanted to go fishing. Don't ask me why, I just have this dollar limit on my idea of fun and the cost of fishing, in the ocean, wasn't inside that limit. But my wife said we should go visit the Fish Camp for a day and see what is going on. The women don't seem to fish, it seems to be a man thing, in this group - not on the boats.

I needed a break from the Jog/YMCA routine and only one day wouldn't turn me back into the horror that I could be without trying. So I copied the directions, and promptly lost them, looked it up on the internet and copied them, and punched the destination into my GPS. On our way!

Considering how far away I normally drive for Appleseeds and visiting folks, this was a short trip, about an hour and three quarters. I passed the Stafford Creek Corrections Center, I once visited there for an outreach ministry.  I knew the library staff there, once.

I find the Twin Harbors Beach State Park, which is where the crew has three campsites reserved and are set up. They lock in, in January for July. They say they come and camp on Thursday, Fish on Friday and return on Saturday after Noon. But they had come out on Wednesday this time. I couldn't find them immediately, so my wife grabbed her cell phone and called and as she got someone to answer, I was driving directly at her as she waved and talked to my wife.  Cool.

We park and say hello, get something to drink and grab a chair and start talking. This is a group of old folks, I hear complaints about noisy neighbors (children!), and that the women are going to take a hike to the beach, the men are going down to pick up tickets and check out this day's catch as the boats return to the floats. That was a good way to slowly make me think I could have fun with this event. I am always open to seeing more about something I don't know about, just not always willing to spend dollars on it.

I did get a good tour, some pictures and enjoyed the day - which for us included a tour of the yurts (no, the Mongols wouldn't recognize them) but a fine place to live on the edge. So after a grilled on the grill steak dinner, corn on cob and baked potatoes. We said good-bye and thanked them for the great time and drove on home. Which is always faster than the trip away.

So today, Friday, they got on the SLAMMER and went out deep bottom fishing, and they expect to have a great time. The weather was great here, they had all the seasickness patches or pills to keep them fishing instead of puking. They should have had a great day.

Will we go next year? If my wife wants to, we will get a yurt, same days and probably I will go fishing, just to say I have done so..... but actually,  I will start every day with a long jog, a shower, and then maybe row a boat or paddle a kayak around. My wife will want to walk with her friends almost every day, and I will have a kindle load of books to browse or read. They also do horseshoes and card games and watch the bonfire. Yep, best do it once before I die, these fellows aren't getting any younger. Ha, ha!

What are you? really?

As I work on my rowing without a boat at the YMCA, my rowing machine overlooks the two basketball courts and I can see through far windows the gymnastics floor area. A very nice distraction from the little computer screen counting the strokes, the pace and the calories. Today they will have the Zumba class and then the Get RIPPED class with loud rhythmic beat and bounce. Normally, I am only watching basketball players - making shot after shot from all distances. They will never talk me down on the court, they are all too good.

Periodically, they allow me to peek into their preparation to be better players. They drill. Yes, I have seen them play pick up games, and full or half court - they are fast. But what I mostly see is the drills. Only dribbling, passing, shooting. They are started young, in twos and threes - each with a ball, and sharing one basket and some older guy coaching. By the time they reach their teenage years they will have had more time moving the ball on the floor than I will have ever wanted to - that means LOTS.

As I looked at the young girls doing gymnastics I see them all walking on their hands, cool. I don't do that either. But they make it look simple, easy and fun. And it is part of their drill, and they roll out of it gracefully. I would just collapse into a heap.

I was reminded of the years in the military - doing drill to perfect the operations and tactics, so fewer orders are needed, so the right actions happen in sequence - so we can impress the Soviet Defense Minister - making him think we hid lots of officers in paratroopers uniforms so an airborne assault would look professional.  Made me wonder a little about the Soviets, but I knew it was all good training and DRILL, over and over the same stuff and finally they would give us some live ammunition and make our day.

Could you imagine how perfect you could be in music, dance, sports, grammar, shooting, in love and life - if you do the drill? If you knew the skill set?

Now you can see why dry fire, and drill is good. But also know why this foolishness about money and training value for the dollar is critical for the military. And our service members don't want to sit in the barracks talking about the good old days. They like to train as they will fight.

A world of wonder...

Human Evolution is... happening? Let me see, homosexual marriages will produce... another Human Era, or anther human error?

The World, my world, our world, God's world.... which is your perspective? How do you understand the little life you have been given, the opportunities, the challenges and where are you going to find solutions and will you get there before what you know is gone, done and only a memory?

Time to get off of the Martin Zimmerman collision. Just take the part of either person - all that you know about either of them. Then put yourself in their place, and the outcome is different. Even as a punk tough I was never going to pop someone in the face and then begin beating his head on the sidewalk, and I would never have told them they were going to die. As a gun carrier, I am a long way off from using my pistol to removing a threat on my life. Now, everyone will have different answers - those that say they wouldn't have been there in the dark - probably wouldn't have been - but then the local parks people have banned humans from the parks after the Sun goes down. They are so afraid.

I have been noticing the outrage (faked I am sure) from the international communities  about the American event. Those are the same communities that stood by while ugly has been constantly happening in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe.


Just finished watching Pacific, the HBO miniseries based on the Marines in WWII. Very well done, and I have no idea how tired they were, no air conditioning, instant communications home. The wrap up of the real Marines, old picture and current picture if they lived long enough, and their marriages and children, grand children and great grandchildren was a solid ending. As close to a happy ending as movies will ever get.


Anyway, I am not evolving - the species maybe - you can't show me proof. I know that with the physical, mental and spiritual capabilities built into our design - very few of us ever reach our ultimate potential, most of us humans aren't even trying to do more than find the good stuff. Whatever that is in your life. The next time you talk to young people find out why they think money is their purpose. Ask them the path they are going to take to success. How different is their success from your own?

So we need to teach people to be polite... and aren't...

So a young black man comes out of the darkness and says "Excuse me, sir (or Ma'am) I am on my way home." Helpful Earl says "Do you need some light?" and turns on his flashlight. No punches exchanged (Earl is an old man) no one feels threatened and the two go their own ways.

I normally try to display a kind of a smile, but offering a light in the darkness is positive. Maybe I should get some dental LEDs so like the cat from Alice's adventures you can tell I am smiling.

I am hoping that all the jurors are anxious to get back home to their normal lives. The Media doesn't really want to talk about why it is so important that Zimmerman hang for having the right to carry a firearm and shoot it in self defense.  I think that is where the judge is - on the side of disarming victims and prey. I don't know that, if Trayvon Martin had killed Zimmerman and gotten his gun, he would have been a more non-entertaining case., little news there. How many black sitcoms are there on television now? Mainstream ones?

Is all black and white in the criminal and romantic potential realms? Media still polarizing us?

So is Earl changing when and where he carries his firearms? No.

So is Earl afraid that the laws will change? Earl knows the laws always change, and people will never study History enough to learn from mistakes and know the difference between fantasy and reality.

I think I will work on my manners right after I get my hard bodied sexy fixed. The visits to the YMCA and the short slow daily jog are producing results - and I am happy to have an eight station weight circuit added to my weekly base exercise routine. Yep, I will work on manners next.

Pictures, the fledglings are flying now, the nest will soon be very quiet and empty.



My wife's war with the mole is interesting, she moved the photocell mole annoyer, and of course the mole covered it with dirt, she cleaned it off and the mole returned and did it again.

Responsibility...

When you are armed you are responsible for your weapons, their effects and control. So the trial of George Zimmerman is about to finish. And he will soon know what Shane knew, there is no living with a killing. I can't tell you that he acted in self defense, I know that he thought he did, that the original police investigation thought he did. Do I think that Treyvon could have killed Mr. Zimmerman? At seventeen I could have killed him, so yes, I think that Treyvon could have. I don't know that he wanted to but he seemed to have bad intentions, at seventeen I got into fights but never to kill, really harm or hurt whom I fought against.

There is a lack of responsibility in the media, slanting and reporting what will bring consumers to your vending stall. Five black men killing two white folks - never got national media coverage. All the black on black crime will never get national media coverage except as an excuse to disarm the white populations as much as possible.

If you carry a firearm or knives, you are responsible for their control and proper use. Don't think you are going to shoot and everything will be alright, don't think you are going to show a gun and get everyone to do what you want - crazy people aren't sane - and the best defense against an ambush is to attack it. What you have learned on entertainment and news media - is probably wrong. No matter how many women heroines win on television and in the movies, they normally pay big ugly men to protect them when threatened in real life. Make no mistake, ladies, if you are attacked I expect you to fight to the death of your attacker. Just remember that human males make violence a reasonable option, females will negotiate.

When you get older than dirt you can decide to die instead of taking another's life, if you are young you probably have others that count on your future performance and wealth creation - so fight like you want to make it to the next level. Christ loved us all enough to die for our sins, still uncommited, but then he really loved us. We are not so perfect. Raise our children with love, to respect and honor others, but never to fear anything nor anyone save the LORD. Be responsible.

Fears are only to be met...

All ones fears, need to be met and conquered - don't you think?

I had a medical problem, my body wasn't working as it had for years. Went to the doctors and nothing, got a second opinion and there was something but nothing that they could fix... death by recliner sets in and 24 hour mindless mush slowly rots the brain and spirit.

I started out by walking, a little, very slowly. No pain, small gain, but moving. Kept at it, and then added the visits to the YMCA, pick your poison - lots of stuff to do and learn. Then I started to combine a jog with a walk whatever is left. The biggest thing was to get past the little voice in my head that said I didn't have to jog, I didn't need to go so far, so often. I don't jog on Sunday but a rest day is good.

Anyway, the biggest  change is the weather, no rain, and lack of fear that I won't finish the little jog I have around the block, 3.1 miles or 5 kilometers whichever is most impressive. I don't go fast enough yet, but it does make me breath hard and sweat - who could ask for more.

Good health is important as a base, but I think you have to put fitness right after returning to health, your body is designed that way. Fitness is measured by endurance, speed, agility, strength, flexibility and coordination... that is the direction I work on improving them.

I am using my calendars for recording weight, Blood Pressure and activity, using MapMyRun for mapping and measuring routes, and recording workouts. Still, I am not monitoring my heart rate, since I am not training hard enough. I have dropped twenty pounds since joining the YMCA in December, but the next twenty will be tougher to shed - one pound of fat is about 3500 calories, and muscle burns fat better than fat does - duh.

How do you know you are going too fast?

Well, you could bump into over and then fall down on the curbs you didn't see as you drove unthinkingly.... oops! would you help lift this motorcycle off my foot? Highway bars are at the top of the improvement list for the Trusty Triumph. Then two motorcyclists recommended sheep skin for the seat of my Trusty Triumph, I recommend getting off of it more when it gets painful, but sheepskin is kind of Cossack or Afghan isn't it? Don't they do that on the Pampas?

In all of life I think you are going too fast if you didn't see all that you passed by, just missed it. Suddenly you wake up and you are sixty-five and where were you? between nineteen and then - did you write a book, could you write your autobiography? Kindle would publish it, but then was it interesting? Does it make you smile, shiver or sigh? Do you know any famous people?

Not to worry, most famous people don't know me either.

Good trip across the country and back, and I couldn't have been going too fast -- I remember most of it well.

And I got to practice my hugs, something a younger faster Earl never had time to master. Do hope my aunts appreciated my poor efforts, I was most happy.

Seem to be too many blogs named: Earl's View...

So I changed it.

Cut off from the world, connnected?

I am at the motel, and because I stepped into the virtual world of the internet, bloggers and Facebook - I have been connected to the past few minutes, days and hours. And my contact with all the present people that are here to meet is totally gone as I find when I return to a locked door. It is lunch time, there are other places to be - in the end much of this is a moving conversation about our lives in otherwheres and othertimes - and when a few of us step out of the moving voice and herd - and don't stay linked by cellphone nor texting.... why we have just disappeared.

Oh, I could go take care of the stuff I have to do in preparation of departing tomorrow, or start early preparation for this evenings activities which are just a dressier-up moving conversation at another location with food and beverages - skipping lunch to have room for the dinner is like stepping out of the conversation so my mind will have room for listening and speaking intently in the brief time I will have... flavor of food and drink improves with the rarity? Does the coversation and contact of limited but engaged presense make it more memoriable? Certainly, combat to the death will always be remembered long after the critical moment - so should love shared be that rare and deep that a few minutes out of the year are thirst quenching?

Read a short journal note about a soldier marching with his unit towards Gettysburg, and a Northern woman offering him a drink of milk. Having been on long marches, I know I would have written about that drink as he did. It would be that rare and still that wonderful - memoriable.

Col. David Ireland's 137th NY on the Road to Gettysburg - his bugler appreciates their reception in Frederick - "sweet milk" and "pretty girls":
James Hyde diary entry:
June 29: We started this morning very early before we got our breakfast. We marched through Frederick just after daylight. This is a very pleasant pla...ce not quite as large as Binghamton. Flags were hung out all through the village and lots of pretty girls were at the windows. Our march today was very hard as the road was full of wagons and the reserve artillery. We passed some Union families and one woman gave to the soldiers all she had to eat. I got some sweet milk. A great deal was given away in this way. We marched 20 miles.

 

From Cleutz on Facebook, this is a great time to re-enact the battle.

 

I visit the Memorial... for all the right reasons...

With time to kill I ride my Trusty Triumph to find Soldiers Field and the Veterans Memorial. My aunt made sure that her brothers were honored there, she may have encouraged others in the family to contribute to the effort - but she made it happen. Normally, I would jog to the park, up the River Walk and into the park for visiting the Memorial but I have't a home nor hotel room yet and I am still riding. I turned into the park on 9th S, and decided to ride across the bridge - about halfway I figured this is meant as a pedestrian or bicycle bridge, but I don't do U-turns on bridges and I continued into the park to find the road I should have been cruising.

Still there, very impressive, I park and go to find the named markers, Lynn E Dungey and Donald D Dungey. They haven't moved, although the engraving is deep enough, the letters haven't been darkened. That is okay, my father wouldn't want to confront anyone and disturb them. I always use the engravings on the wall to find the markers. My cousin Merl flew Chinooks in Vietnam and I jumped from perfectly good (according to the Aircrews that would talk to us) with a parachute in mass tactical formations - may all your jumps be only simulated combat.

It was comforting to sit and think about all those men honored by this Memorial. What disturbed my tranquility was the American flag flying as a streamer... it wasn't connected on the lower grommet to the lanyard, and since it was electronic, I couldn't correct it. Pictures to follow at 11. Then I walked around the whole thing, reading the Revisionist History presented. This is Minnesota, and they do have a tolerance for Political Correctness. Most of the state is working too hard for the politicians to disturb them much. But none of the facts fit the World History - exactly - as I would have taught it.

Do you ever wonder if the records of Babylon, Egypt or Rome would have had the same problem, those with political points to make - and honor - and increase their personal power, may never had any truth within them? That whole Mayan Calendar deal was likely just a curse on someone's family and their time remaining. I should take a few days and write that autobiography - so everyone will know that I really never meant to hurt anyone and I was only doing it for posterior's sake. Should have done everything for the glory of the Lord and the love everywhere.

Here I am and I will now go get some duds....

I have arrived, unexpected but by twelve they will have a room for me. So there is Walmart and a motorcycle shop to visit until... others arrive and I am prepared to join the family.

This sounds like a Facebook post.

So how tough was that ride?

I see that NFO mentioned the death of blogging - or that some bloggers aren't anymore.

I have my excuse, it is so fascinating to read Facebook.  But then I don't text either so am not typical.

I am in Albert Lea, Minnesota. That is Freeborn County, which I have always held to be a great name for a County and a people. This is where I come from, my mother used the hospital here and brought me into the world.

I do have to find some coffee, the unit in the room doesn't make it - how I figure out that I have outlived my usefulness, the machines are all smarter than I.

Rained upon me gently in the Cascades, dressed for it in Montana, took the rainsuit off and put back on in Montana (Montana is just like Texas - it is forever and you are still in Montana). Large chunks of the trip have been places so beautiful that one wishes they weren't traveling at seventy-five trying to stay upright on two wheels. But get your eyes back on the road, Earl. I like South Dakota's I-90 better than Minnesota's. Seems that the road buckles up and gives you a bump to bounce you and make you wake in Minnesota - probably a design feature. There don't seem to be as many windmills as I remember passing before here - but then that was in the dark and I was counting red blinking lights....

My trip has been really improved by my taking a little time to talk to strangers on the move, too. What we talked about gives me more hope for their future and not having network news to monitor my errant thoughts while on the Trusty Triumph has likely cleared tons of garbage from my mind. I had only two hymns to repeat over and over as I rode, I should have many more and likely do when someone else gets the music started.

Well, go get some coffee. Y'all play well while I am gone.

I am off!

See how relaxed I can be at a picnic? Goodtime had by all.

Off to church, then the highway.

So I am off to the English Ministry picnic at North Fort of JBLM...

Although my mind is on I-90 to Rochester, Minnesota - all 1782 miles worth, with a couple of detours for visiting and viewing (I was thinking scenic highway in the Badlands of South Dakota). The Google Map program tells me I should make it in 26 hours at about seventy miles per hour. With fuel and rest stops and say hellos it should take more - but not as long as a trail drive or slow ox cart nor the buffalo migration.

I am traveling light, only leathers, rain gear and snacks. Regular food stops will only be at Subway - can't wait to get to Sheridan and see if the Visitor Center will still allow me to find Facebook and my email. No I am not taking any electronics of my own - that rainstorm wiped out too much that last trip. Just my little camera in a zip lock bag.

So if you are somewhere on my route, and you want to say hello, just get on your motorcycle and catch me, if you can. Or, say something before I leave the church on Sunday. I had better cut the lawn before dark tonight. Take care and God bless all your best.

Don't I love missing all the 'new culture'...

I loved reading Donald Hamilton's Matt Helm series, and they don't write them like that anymore. So I just finished the latest Jack Reacher in my local library, while I wait for some other requests of books by long dead authors. And it was well written, kind of, it was interesting and I could see how only Jack Reacher could help the FBI in Nebraska and Iowa as he was on his way to Virginia.

But as the bodies start falling in conflict with Jack, he hasn't found one man with a knife in his pocket so he has to use a key to cut through some kind of tape holding an FBI undercover agent to a chair. WHAT? Jack doesn't have a jack knife? What kind of man is that? Then I remembered the author is from England and likely thinks all knives have to be registered. Or, even worse, there are now more people not carrying a knife with a sharp edge and a pointy point. Because TSA won't allow them to travel, because they might cut themselves or decide to stab some poor person twenty-seven times before they cut their heart and liver out to eat - like the rebels in Syria have been video taped doing. I do know, having seen inmates use them, keys can be used to cut through a lot of stuff, even as a poor weapon but better than nothing.

Well, I am trying to get better, and I bought Pacific DVD set and a DVD set about the Korean War - so since I must wait another day to get my motorcycle back from the shop, he actually said I might think about new tires, but I will see if I can make Minnesota on the ones I have - I have only 31,000 plus miles on the bike and it is the second set of tires on now.  Maybe it is time, I will keep my eye on them.

I think that America should withdraw entirely from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. And continue to send women as ambassadors to all Muslim countries. But then you do understand that Earl doesn't put more money into bribing my enemies nor worrying about their feelings based on their culture or illusions of importance. And Earl will never be asked to represent America to the world.

And lastly, since Good Morning America and other news shows have continued to point out to Earl and the rest of their audiences that Kim Kar- and Paris Hil- had to release sex tapes to become important and famous. Well, I never saw the tapes, and I am not releasing any of mine. Like I would do more than those few I have done on my shooting. Time to go read one of those dead authors. 

Perceptions abound... all around...

My wife doesn't want me to be a Muslim man, she wanted me to wear shorts at the YMCA yesterday. Color me shocked and shy.  Personally I don't care if I don't wear any clothes for myself unless it is cold or wet. But I can walk around naked all day - what my mother instilled in me was not to affront anyone else - so if I cover myself it isn't because I am sure I have something to hide but that you really aren't interested. Just an old wrinkled fat man, balding and not beautiful. God sees right through fig leaves and into one's soul.

So I did, I wore shorts all day at the YMCA and will again today, it doesn't matter to Earl, I will sweat and clean up after I am finished with the machines. I was in my normal running shorts on my jogs this week, trying to find that run stride. I seem stuck in jog, maybe I should try skipping a bit, and some silly prancin'?

ONCE UPON a time, a younger Earl was a jogger and road runner, and thought that 3 miles just wasn't enough and certainly not cool. So since my trot around the block is 3.1 miles I am not happy, if it were only a 5k. It always sounds farther in metric, doesn't it?

Rifleslinger has issues - isn't that the way the women would say it? He shoots well, except he wants to shoot better than that... and awesome is where I would rate him. Roberta doesn't see the same person I do in this picture, but her expectations color her view. Her description of riding that machine did no justice to the cool. And the PC leadership making politicians happy are working on making women be all the can be in the services. I remember wanting to be a Ranger, wear the tab and such. But I never wanted them to change the standards so I could play. Watch Blackhawk Down again, and tell me where you wanted to put those women in that battle. Where did you want them? The military is supposed to defend the country and win the wars. Everything else isn't worth paying for, you could put women in the IRS and they can go farther, and the TSA is in need, so there are positions to be filled, just not in the combat arms - Ripley was a creation of the movies. Alien and Ripley have about the same reality in my reason.

Other women told my wife she had a handsome husband, but they need glasses may no longer be married and always could have no standards -- for sure, I am not interested in other's perceptions. They might think America has a reason to worry over Syria. Isn't Afghanistan enough?