Cold War Hero Captain Morris H. Reed

Fifty eight years ago while the Cold War was hotter than most people realize, one of our heroes lost his life on a training flight over Scotland.  The missions the Air Force warriors practiced would have surely been suicide missions had they ever actually flown them, because they couldn't outrun the heat from the thermonuclear bombs they would be delivering.  They will tell you that it didn't matter, because if they did fly these missions, there wouldn't have been anything to come back to.  It was deadly serious business, and Captain Reed was one who gave his life to keep us safe.  Click Here to visit see photos of the crash site in Scotland.  Say a prayer for his family this Memorial Day, and to give thanks for men like Captain Reed.

I Don't Like Spiders And Snakes: Re-Post From TrueBlueSam Blog, 2011

Susan was sorting through some things in the garage Sunday, and was bitten by a brown recluse spider.  I keep snake bite kits handy in my man-purse, and put a suction cup on her hand right away, within minutes of the bite.  We use these things frequently for insect stings, and they pull wasp and bee venom out effectively if we can apply a suction cup right away.  This was the first time we used one on a spider bite.

I pulled it off after a few minutes to have a look, and we were astounded at the amount of blood that had come out.  Evidently, brown recluse venom has anti-coagulant properties.  We put the suction cup on again, and pulled less blood out on the second go.  The third time pulled very little.  The patient has no redness or swelling, only a tiny scab at the bite site. 

If you read about the Cutter kits on the Internet you will find that medical folks despise them, and say they do more harm than good.   I have never been snakebit, and I can sure understand the harm that can come from using one of these kits instead of seeking prompt medical attention, but I also appreciate the way they work for me on bee stings, and insect bites.  Now we know the little suckers are good for spider bites, too.

How Many Perps Must Wiggle The Bolt...

...Until It Falls Out Of The Wall? I bet he wishes now that his lucky number hadn't come up.

The Illinois State Police video can't be embedded, so the first slide is a link to the video, and I have posted screen shots of important moments. Note the time in the lower left of the screen shots. Not much happens until 3:30, then things happen rapidly. Stay alert. The officers walked by the perp while he was engaged in escaping and did not realize what they were seeing.

 

A Hoe Instead...

 ...of a cane to wield! First a walker, then a cane, now she's out in the garden battling weeds. Two weeks after getting a new hip. Staples come out tomorrow. Back To The Old Grind!

The Maniac Bells Of War

Did you hear Pelosi say the other day that "We are in it to win it!" We are at war now, whether anybody noticed or not.

Telling words from a century ago...Many thanks to Country Joe McDonald for remaking his Robert W. Service album to bring these words back to life.

Shiny Shovel Show!

 Groundbreaking ceremonies are a hoot. New shiny shovels, and not a person who intends to work with them. WSIL TV3 posted this photo on their website of the ceremony for the new police station in Mt. Vernon, IL. Shovel Man #11 should have checked his equipment! (Click The Photo To Enlarge.)

Kids, on the other hand are eager to work with a shovel if someone will just show them what they need to do. Kids will get down on their knees to break up soil, fit a hole to the tree, fill it in, and punch down that soil nice and firm. They practically fight over the chance to get their hands dirty and do a job. I have shown many an adult how to plant a potted tree, and few want to get their knees dirty. Keep that youthful enthusiasm if you still have a bit of it. Back To The Old Grind!

My planting tools aren't too shiny, but their patina comes from honest work and an occasional rubdown with linseed oil.