Osama Been Dead Two Days

I'm not finding the celebratory joy in this that a lot of people are. Osama Bin Laden was a horrible enemy of the people of the United States. We got him as a result of him getting us, and to keep him from getting us again. That's a good thing... an absolute good thing, and I'm glad. But to me war is a serious thing. When it becomes necessary to kill or be killed, its a huge relief when all is done, and the enemy is down and you're left standing. But I'm not so sure about celebrating killing. Still, I can celebrate being the one left alive! Party hearty Garth!

Yep. Osama's been dead two days, and I'm still alive. I celebrated still being alive yesterday. I can celebrate that today. And, tomorrow will be the third day, I can celebrate that too. I can celebrate being alive every day that I am. You see, we have the freedom to do that in a free country. I can celebrate that too.

I thought we had a generation of young people who had lost their way. To see them come out in the night, gather at the White House, bringing their American Flags, and raising them into the sky chanting "U S A! U S A! U S A!" says a lot. It says that generation isn't lost at all. And, I can celebrate that. The Oglala Sioux warriors had a saying each day when they first stepped out into the morning light, "Today is a good day to die". Today is a good day to celebrate!

Dread

What have I got? or rather What do I have?

I finally took the plunge of a longing I had following me for 25 years or better and took up the violin to learn to play. I went on e-bay and found a nice one at a good price and bought it. Then I started sorting though junk I have collected over the years and offering that on e-bay. I have this thing pictured above I found in the trash once, and it must be at least gold plated because it has never tarnished. I just haven't a clue what it is. It says Manchester June 1893 with a pennant that reads, NHCC. Then the bottom ribbon banner reads, 100 Miles Oct 3 97. Since I found this before 1997 and it refers to 1893, I assume that would be October 3, 1897. Anyone have a clue? Was England using miles or kilometers back in the 1890's?

I was thinking it was possibly a military commemorative from a 100 mile march but I can find no significant war reference to the dates. There were celebrations of train companies laying 100 miles of track though around that time, so maybe it was a make do rush job with an eagle on the top because train badges weren't available?

I am clueless. Anyone?
Dread

What Happened to This Blog?

Summer. Then autumn. That's what happened. Hot, steamy weather that distorts thinking, warps reality, and confuses the simplest plans. I gave up blogging and went fishing, built a garden pond, leaf proofed the rain gutters, began building a brick patio, went to the cool of the Blue Ridge Mountains, built a rock wall, and a few other random things of interest. I took some pictures of huge flocks of geese, brilliant autumn colors, sweeping vistas, and most recently, fairy landish Christmas lights around the Roper Mountain Observatory and Science Center. There are videos of driving through mountain tunnels and other oddities. I'll try to start posting now and catch up a bit.

I've also encountered some good stories, but' I'm getting older and can't promise that I will remember them when the time comes to retell them. Menus changed, some for the worse, and a few favorite restaurants closed. Life goes on. There's not much on TV worth the effort and time it takes to watch it, so maybe I'll get more work done now that cooler weather has arrived. Also maybe I'll blog and post stuff before it gets old. Oh, did I mention that I saw the first snow of the season up in the high mountains of North Carolina? I got to experience that last year also. I'm trying to make it an annual tradition.

Posted by Dread while sipping a mulled cider.

Dog Daze

Blue haze and dog daze. Okay enough pun. The dog days of summer normally here run from mid July to mid August. This year they seemed to start in June and have extended to the end of August and who knows how much longer we'll have this oppressive heat and haze! A few mornings ago the temperature at 7:00 AM was 88 F and the humidity was 88%. Walking outdoors is more like swimming in a sauna standing up.

And people wondered why hippies did naked mud slides in the 60's and my generation took up streaking in the summers of the early 70's? I can't believe that we southerners even wear clothes. The Amazonian natives have the dress code about worked out. I say we adopt it. At work the other day I was wearing a knit shit and kakis when three suits marched in, white starched shirts, ties, and full suit coats. I don't think someone stupid enough to wear those outfits in this heat and humidity deserves to be an executive. Who was it said, "YOU CAN"T CURE STUPID!"?

Elvis Lives!

After work yesterday, Miss N and I cruised up to Hendersonville to attend Music on Main and a car show. These are regular Friday evening events there during the summer. Hendersonville is in the mountainous regions of western North Carolina, so its cooler there in the evenings than it is elsewhere in the south. A good number of celebrities have retired to the Tryon, Ashville, Hendersonville area over the years. Occasionally, you spot one. Last night we spotted Elvis at the concert. He kept dodging our camera phones, but finally I slipped this shot. Jeepers! He's what....ummm, seventy five now? Looks to be about right.

The concert is loads of relaxing fun. If you live in the area, cruise over to Main Street Hendersonville, NC on any Friday evening this summer. You gotta love it!

Posted by Dread who needed a break bad at the end of this week.