Freezerie

As I sit here listening to some J. Geils Band and some Joe Walsh reminising I figured I'd write a little about our scouting camp out last weekend at Bear Creek. But before I do ya have to look up "Musta got lost" by J. Geils, the live version, what a great tune!

Anyway, we drove out Friday evening, got there after dark, checked in, and after some skillful trailer manuevering on my part (because we got wrong directions, from an adult scout leader, irony there) we finally got to our camp site. The district always has a Bear Creek camp out in January for its anual "freezerie". Yes, it was cold at night, and Freaking Windy as hell!!! The second night I slept in my truck because I was tired of having my tent blown up around me, HA.

The camp out was a major success for our boys though! I couldn't have been more proud of their combined efforts and performance while out there. They competed very earnestly against about a dozen other troops in various scouting skill events in the morning. Then in the afternoon we had the Iron Chef and Dutch Oven cooking events. The boys came together like a perfect team and their efforts won first prize in the Duch Oven with their Black Forest Cake, and they placed in the Iron Chef for the Cleanliness Award.

The best, and I feel most important, award we discovered they won was the best camp site! The boys lashed some cedar poles together and hung a troop sign on a pole that spanned the two tripods they assembled. Then we placed the U.S. and our troop flag on either side of that for our site entrance. They also lashed another tripod together which held a 5 gallon water jug. The Armadillo District staff was very impressed with their efforsts which as I mentioned, won them first place.

We drove back Sunday in high spirits and celebrated with a stop at McDonald in Kerville. Yeah I know, but they like the place so what the heck. This was an award our troop has never won before but now they know they can and I suspect it won't be the last. 

Scouting

It'ss that time again, camping with the scout troop. This time we're off to the Bear Creek Scout Ranch for the annual "freezerie" in the Texas hill country. Doesn't look like it's going to be as cold as when we went backpacking in 16 degree weather, but it'll be fun anyway. The boys will be competing in various events against otther troops so this should be a great weekend! I'll let you know how everything went when we return.

God bless and be safe everyone!

2010

Well the Christmas season has come and gone. All the ornaments and lights are down and put away and we all settle in for another year. A saying comes to my mind, we plan ahead for things to come but it all happens on Gods time, or something close to that anyway.

This is my centenial year, yep, I hit the big five O this summer. I've begun the P90X workout program at work and plan on losing weight. I figure if I can quit smoking I can damn sure lose some weight. Besides, I don't want to tempt fate and keel over because of something I could have prevented.

So my friends, I look forward to another year of surprises and adventure on this crazy spaceship called Earth. I hope 2010 brings you all happiness, and most of all good health, because without good health nothing else matters!

Now, where is that bottle of Crown. I would love a drink!

The New Job...

Well believe it or not it has been 5 months already since I left Mama Boeing for this new gig in Civil Service. It is truly hard to believe time has flown that quickly. Although I do miss being around aircraft still, I have managed to adjust to the regular hours and weekends, no freezing outside when its cold and the opposite when its hot. Yes, I miss aircraft but I don't miss the BS that is inhernt and inexplicably married to the career field.

Anyway, that being said, today I was recognized in front of the entire squdron I work with for my part in developing the new and first official web site for basic military training for the US Air Force. I got a neat little certificate and a commander's coin that is pretty cool. Although it might not sound like much, I wasn't really expecting any recognition anyway and I feel it's pretty cool since I'm still pretty much a new face around the halls of the 737 Training Sipport Squadron.

Oh, I have also become a semi-published author being that my new job enables me to write news letter articles aimed toward the drill instructors to help them improve their game and become more professional. So that's kinda neat too.

Scouting

So there we were, cruzing down the road heading toward Enchanted Rock in the hill country of grand ol' Texas. I look up at the thermometer on my mirror to see that the temp is a meager 35 degrees and falling. My sons and the other two boy scouts riding with me chuckle and laugh that kind of laugh that reveals gidiness and the OMG I can't believe we're camping in this stuff!

After we arrived, checked in with the park rangers, and found our camp site we got the boys to break out their gear and set camp. We made a fire and hung out a while then hit the sack. We knew it was going to be very cold because the forecast was snow but we never thought it would get down to 16! Holy crap was it cold! No snow though, just iced tents in the morning.

Saturday we get up, break camp after the tents thawed, and back packed all our gear a few miles to Buzzard's Roost. Now I haven't back packed in like FOREVER, but I did ok. The most impressive part was our youngest scout Kirin, at only 12 that young'un packed all his gear, that included food and water mind you, all the way up there with Not One Word of complaint. His new nick name is Iron Scout Kirin, that boy earned a lot of respect this weekend.

The next night was cold but not as severe. We had a few noctirnal visitors that managed to get into a couple boys trash since they failed to tie it up in the trees; live and learn boys. We hiked a summit trail that is covered with milky quartz all over, kind of like natures hard snow, very pretty.

So we made it through the night, broke camp eventually and back packed back to base camp and made it home. What a great weekend! One of my sons, David, an avid video gamer even made the comment, "man this weekend was way better than sitting around playing video games!" Yes indeed son, it certainly was.

I'm proud of the troop I'm priveliged enough to be one of the scoutmasters of, and I'm doubly proud of my sons. Watching them grow into young men, leading others,and teaching the younger boys their skills. Whether or not they earn the coveted Eagle Scout award, I'll always be proud of their accomplishments. But rest assured, they'll all three make it. Of this I am certain.

Holidays

Well we went to Austin for Thanksgiving and visited the in-laws. We had a great time hanging out and feasting all the excellent food! The ccompany was good as always, there were many great conversations, and the Cowboys won so all was well in the world! We really don't get up to Austin often enough, but I'm hoping with the new job that will change.

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, much too quickly I might add, the Christmas tree is up and it's time to get those outside lights up and burning. Although they're a pain to set-up, they are a labor of love. What is Christmas without the twinling lights and ceerful tunes that cause us to whistle along and reminisce of days gone by and loved ones we wish were still among us.

Today Angela and I went out and started out Christmas shopping for the kids. I always like watching their faces as they open their gifts. I even found some 5.56 ammo for one of my rifles, made me happy although Ang had to give me the expected eye roll.

Time to go for now, home made chicken soup is calling and I cannot refuse.    

My Favorite Time of Year!

Well here we are, in another beautiful holiday season! The weather here in south central Texas is wonderful, cool days and nights, big blue Texas skies and the smell of holiday coking abounds. I belive that Thanksgiving through New Year day are magical days. Already we have had our thanksgiving day luncheon at work; scrumptiousI might add. This week is the big day. Family converging. story telling, sharing food and good spirits and Christmas is right aound the corner.

During this time of year, please remeber the reason behind the season. Lets remember those who are no longer with us and keep them in our prayers. No need to be sad, just remember how much they loved this time o year also. Be careful out there and love one another.

And finally, lets remember the brave men and women serving our breat cuntry both here and over seas, especially those in harm's way. Freedom is granted to us by those who would put themselves in front of danger to protect our liberties. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and I hope our Christmas is just as wonderful!

Ever Here Of The Radical Cloward-Piven Strategy?

Yeah, I heard of it, even read about it some. Yesterday I really read about it because I have been hearing about how this plan seems to be in affect when our economy and state of affairs are considered. There is a lot of information ou there about the strategy and everywhere I seardched the info was the same. I have provided a couple links if you're interested in some enlightenment. I for one am very disgusted with the direction our country is headed!

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/02/the_clowardpiven_strategy_of_e.html

http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6967

Fort Hood

Well they held the memorial today for our poor soldiers gunned down in cold blood. The messiah was there and some other from the "Hill" for their photo ops. The dirty bastard that did it ishas lawyered up and they're already sqwuaking mental BS! Yeah, he is mental but he knew what he was doing and he needs to be sent to his Allah ASAP!

Now the folks in DC along with their lap dog state run media are trying to call it what it isn't. Of course it's a crime, but it damn sure is too a terrorist act! I say keep the needle for the vacine Obama and his cronies want to give to the "vicitims" in Gitmo and use an old rope on the bastard! Hang'im high!

My Potential Eagle Scout

Well it looks like my oldest son is inching closer toward completing his Eagle Scout project. I couldn't be more proud of him for even attempting the often times daunting task. Before we arrived to this stage of his Boy Scout career I knew the process would be difficult, but once undertaken I have a new found respect for those who have actually completed this process and have been awarded the coveted Eagle SCout rank/badge!

The good thing about him kocking it out is the next two will be easier once we make it through the myriad of bureaucratic mazes and phases (yep, even in the scouts). I tell you it's like putting together a business plan/proposal. At least he was lucky enough to receive full funding for his project.

What is he actually going to do you ask? He is going to renovate the church's bar-b-que pavillion (replace torn tin roof panels, cut a wall and hinge it so it can fold down into a serving table; paint the pavillion), build a new picnic table, and finally, build a patio using paving stones. If all goes well it should be accomplished in two weekends.

The kicker is though, we first have to get through the Scout Board with their approval for the project and their blessing on his (required) very detailed plan/proposal with before and after pictures, hours spent per volunteer that helps, and a bunch of other information they want to know.

Wish him luck my friends!