9/11/2015 - PLEASE RENEW YOUR ACQUAINTANCE WITH MAJOR RONALD MILAM!

Greetings to my Blogging Pals. Those who have been with me a while know about my participation in Project 2996. I began my participation in 2009 and plan to continue this as long as I am able to do so. I ask each of you to take a moment to remember what happened on 9/11/2001. Even if you read my tributes previously, please read them again. It's important that we see this as an individual, personal event... not just something that happened in New York, D.C., and Pennsylvania over a decade ago. It affects us all and will continue to do so. I do not see the 14th Anniversary as any different from the 2nd, the 19th, or the 100th. The pain for the families is the same. But this is a tribute to their loved one!! Please read about this wonderful gentleman.

Major Ronald Dutrell Milam was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and had a Bachelors degree from Eastern New Mexico University earned in 1991. He served his country in Germany, Korea, and Saudi Arabia. He had recently received his assignment as Military Assistant for the Secretary of the Army. He had also recently married Jacqueline on January 15, 2000. Things were definitely going well for Major Milam and his new family. His future was clearly a bright one and who knows what wonderful things he would have accomplished!

On 9/11/2001, Major Milam, who had just turned 33 the month before, was at work at the Pentagon. His wife, Jacqueline, five months pregnant with their second child and an Air Force officer, was also at her job at the Pentagon. Neither had an office in the area where Flight 77 struck that morning. Jacqueline was not terribly concerned immediately after the attack assuming they would connect in the parking lot. Major Milam had been attending a staff meeting that morning... right where the aircraft crashed into the Pentagon.

But this post is a tribute to a man who lived well, with honor and with dedication to his country. His college basketball coach had no doubt Major Milam was a leader and a role model during his years working with him. When Major Milam told his coach he had chosen the military as his career, the coach, who thought Milam should pursue a career in law, told the young man he supported him 100%. Major Milam clearly touched many lives during his own. What a great legacy to leave!! We should all be proud of this young man.

Take a few moments today to visit the sites below. If you can, leave a note for his family at either Legacy.com or at 9-11 Heroes. All of the sites below are links to get you there quickly.


Arlington Cemetery Site - If you read nothing else, read this tribute. Major Milam's wife recounts the events of that day and what has kept her going.

Pentagon Memorial Site - This site has a full obituary providing information on Major Milam's life.

The Washington Post - This site has a short remembrance from Major Milam's father about the Major's love of golf.

Legacy.Com - Take a moment and leave a note for the family here, if you wish.

9-11 Heroes - Or you can leave a note for the family here, if you wish.

Thank you, Major Milam, for your service, for your honor, and for your character. I'm glad I got to know you.

We should never forget.

TELL ME AGAIN...

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!!

There are some things you can see (or hear) and even spend some time letting it sink in... but you still find yourself thinking "Tell me again... ??"

I have a few pictures to share that made me think exactly that.  I offer you, my faithful readers, the opportunity to add a caption to any you find to be most interesting.  There are definitely a couple that BEG for captioning!!  I will publish your caption with the photo in a future post if you don't mind.  :)  Send 'em in!!

So... with all of that said, let's take a look, shall we?  Let's start with the "Oh look!  They have chickens."  This is followed by "Oh look!  Are those concrete?!?"  (Lack of movement was a really big clue here!)

Then there is the Tell Me Again signage.  Did you really not know the less-than-savory meaning of that combination of letters when you were having that GIANT sign made?

Okay.  You said this was your friend's "redneck swimming pool?"  Really?!?  Amazing.  I am impressed with the cooler included.

I am always appreciative of warning signage, especially on-the-road.  The likelihood I will have an accident laughing so hard is higher, however, than the likelihood I will consider myself "warned" of any danger with the following:

Finally, I kept what I consider to be the best for last.  I can think of nearly 100 captions just referencing the "dead letter office" alone!!  What do you think?

I do hope you have had a little fun going through the "Tell Me Again" exercise with me!  It's just so much fun to find "accidental" interesting things!!

Until next post...

JUST THINGS

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!

Wow.  Time has flown by.  There have been a few things going on that have caused me to not sit and check in with you.  I'm sorry about that but I'm here now.

I thought I had a pretty good handle on the word "hot" and what it meant referring to weather.  This July in southwest Louisiana has created a whole new meaning, I think.  Between the temperatures and humidity, both at very high levels, it has been nearly unbearable.  Of course, we know about that down here near the Gulf of Mexico... but knowledge does not make it easier to bear!!  My biggest fear?  August.

I have had some friends send me some interesting photos and I know many of you enjoy seeing the things that make day-to-day different or fun.  Without further ado:

#1 - From my friend, Susan S., the tiniest Domino's she has ever seen... in Butte, LA.  Any of you seen anything smaller?  Send me the pic!

#2 - The Beauregard Watermelon Festival took place recently.  A couple of the contenders, with their weights displayed proudly, were photographed by my friend, Debbie J.  Yummmmmmmm!  They look like the famous Sugartown Watermelons!

#3 - On a recent morning walk, I ran across this little fella' (?) headed somewhere of which only he knew the location!  He very kindly stopped but remained "out" so I could capture him for you.  We parted friends.  :)

I apologize for my delay in posting but am hopeful there will be some things of interest happening soon... maybe?  Never know.  But I will keep my eyes peeled!!

Until next post...

A LITTLE STEP BACK IN TIME...

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!  Welcome back.

Last October, there was a Re-enactment of the WWII-era Louisiana Maneuvers at the local airport.  If you've never heard of them, take a moment to click on the link and read about them.  They were quite an undertaking!

The group that put the Re-enactment together decided to host another historically-themed event, similar in nature.  There was a "Hangar Dance" held in the WWII-era hangar at the local airport on Friday night.  The band was well-versed in 1940s music.  Folks who had attended the dance last October returned in full costume for this year's event.  A short session before the dance provided a little instruction on "swing" dancing.  An era-specific airplane and motorcycle provided some prime photo opportunities.  With all of this said, I provide the photos taken at the Hangar Dance.

"Gen. Patton" had to cancel... but, fortunately, "Gen. Eisenhower" (left) was available to fill in!

Two young ladies in the spirit of the era pose in front of the motorcycle.

A lovely young lady posing with some "nose art" on the 1940s-era plane.

The band was really excellent!

Some brave souls danced and were joined later by more!

A great pair taking the floor first to get it started!

Camera speed not fast enough to capture the raging speed of these dancers!  Lovin' the "zoot suit" he's wearing.

So... fun was had by everyone there.  Hard to not enjoy good music and fun folks!

Next time you hear about a local event in a little town, consider going to see what it's all about.  You never know what you might end up seeing... and doing!

Until next post...

EVEN MORE PICTURES

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!  Welcome back.

So it's been a little while since my last post.  I have been busy so I ask your forgiveness for the delay.

I find myself, once again, with a lot of photos to share.  Since there hasn't been anything really worth "reporting" to you, I will just show you what's been happening.  :)

One evening in mid-April, I heard a little tree frog "calling" much more loudly than usual.  Believe me, they are loud enough at a distance!  Could not really imagine one being very close.  Well... based on the volume level, I knew this little guy was close.  Didn't realize exactly HOW close until I headed for the door to step out onto the back patio to look for him.  Didn't have to leave the house.  He kindly remained on the glass door for me to take a few quick shots!!  Check out his throat area where the action was really happening as he called and called!

The morning of April 22nd was one with heavy clouds but some breaks in them.  I saw what I hoped would be a really great picture even though I'm NOT a photographer nor am I an excellent cellphone camera operator!  I did like how the two shots I took turned out, though.  These are untouched directly from my cellphone camera.

That same day, at lunchtime, I visited the Aunt.  The caregiver there pointed out a little "friend" that was hanging out in the enclosed back patio area.  Her biggest question was whether I knew if it was poisonous or not.  It's not.  Since then, it has shown up several times, sunning itself happily in peace.  I'm a fan of keeping it around as it will keep "critters" away without causing a problem itself.  REPTILE ALERT!

During an early morning walk in another state recently, I came upon the following.  I saw the color first, absolutely glowing fiercely in the early morning sunlight.  As I got closer, I noticed it continued all the way down the fence to the back of the lot.  Even closer inspection revealed the "head."  I just loved it and hope you appreciate it, too!  Reminds me of something we eat around here!  :)

Finally, some of you probably remember my penchant for fresh, wild blackberries!  I am happy to report my "stash" locations (more than one) have produced again although the berries seem a little smaller than usual.  Notice the red berries in the background of the first picture.  Those will be turning black soon.  YUM!  Did someone say "cobbler?"

And yes... I do simply eat them straight off of the vine... unwashed.  As much dirt as I ate growing up, I don't think a little speck more will kill me!!

So... hope you have had a little fun on my walks.  I always find something fun or interesting.  This morning, I came across three cottontail rabbits.  Two were together enjoying a morning grass munch.  The third was hopping in and out of some grasses.

Until next post...