PLEASE DO NOT FORGET SGT MAJ LARRY STRICKLAND - 9/11/2020

 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. It has been 19 years today.  There are many who don't remember this at all. The pain for the families is the same. But this is a tribute to their loved one!! Please read about this wonderful gentleman.

*** This was posted in 2009 as my tribute to Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland. I repeat it here as I will continue doing so on each anniversary of 9/11 as long as I am able. There are a couple of notes and updates from 2010 in italics.

Please meet Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland. He was 52 years old, born in Washington State, and had a Bachelor of Science degree. He had served our country in a lot of places including Germany, Washington State, Washington DC, Texas, and Virginia. He had many awards and decorations. Most devastating for me to learn was his plan to retire upon completion of 30 years of service... at the end of September 2001. After all of his service, he was close to spending more time on his hobbies (fishing, hiking, gourmet cooking, and needlepoint) and especially looking forward to spending more time with his family. SGM Strickland left behind a wife, Debra, who was the Garrison Command Sergeant Major of Fort Belvoir, VA. at the time, three adult children, and one grandson. His parents also were left to deal with the untimely loss of their child.

NOTE: I posted a note to the family at Legacy.com and received two emails.

One was from SGM Strickland's son-in-law and read, in part:

"I came across your blog today while searching for SM Larry Strickland. I am lucky enough to be married to his daughter Julia and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for caring enough to research this remarkable man. Everything you read about him and his character is true. He left behind an amazingly strong wife, a beautiful daughter, his two sons, and his grandson. His grandson was 4, not 1 as many newspaper articles claim, so he does remember his grandfather, and fondly."(I was SO happy to read that his grandson did remember his grandfather and wanted to share that with you all! MNC)

The other email was from SGM Strickland's daughter and read, in part:

"Mary, thank you very much for your kind words. I am Larry's daughter, and it is wonderful to know that though it's been 8 years, remembering him and this tragic event is still as important now as it was the day it happened. He was truly a wonderful man, and the best father anyone could ask for."

SGM Strickland headed out to work that day at the Pentagon as there were some meetings he deemed important enough to attend even though he could have skipped them. He had annual leave built up that needed to be used or lost. He chose to go to work. If you knew nothing more about him than that, you would know the character of the man. It was that character that had him in his office on the second floor when the wing he was in was struck by American Airlines Flight 77.

But this is a tribute to SGM Strickland's life. And I've got to tell you the things said about him and written about him are absolutely glowing!! What a wonderful thing... to have those left behind remember you so well and so lovingly. It's not just family. These were friends, co-workers, people who knew him on a "business" level where, many times, the feelings are not so great. I would suggest you take a few moments today to review three different web sites where there are tributes (and from where I gathered much of the information I am sharing with you). It really won't take that long and, thankfully, most of us did not actually know anyone who was lost that day. Perhaps it would be good to learn about at least one of them. I know it gave me a very new perspective.

Pentagon Memorial Fund - Names of the souls lost at the Pentagon are alphabetical by last name. Scroll down and click on SGM Strickland's name to read about his service career.

Columns - The University of Washington Alumni Magazine- Read a really great article here about SGM Strickland's personal life. Sounds like someone we would all like to have known.

Legacy.com - This is where folks can leave notes for the family. Many folks were positively impacted by SGM Strickland. Some commented here about their appreciation of the man. I invite you to take just a moment to leave a note here to let the family know the loss of their loved one is something we all remember.

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

We should never forget.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET MAJOR RONALD D. MILAM - 9/11/2020

 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 12th 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.

Legacy.Com - Take a moment and 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.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO MY LOUISIANA FRIENDS!!!

 Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!!!

First of all, some of you have never experienced a hurricane.  Consider yourselves beyond fortunate.  The rest of us... well... we have had a few run-ins with minor hurricanes over the years.  Mostly some high winds, the occasional tree limb down, and just a mess of leaves and pine cones to retrieve from the yard!!  A couple of folks I know did have to deal with Katrina and Rita rolled right up the state line of Texas and Louisiana, creating quite a mess, but I don't think even those hit the level of Laura.

I ask those of you who have never experienced one to please send your thoughts and prayers to those in western Louisiana.  My hometown, DeRidder, was absolutely slammed beyond recognition.  I have seen photos sent by friends who still live there.  I have seen photos on Facebook that made my jaw drop.  I also have a few friends in the Lake Charles area.  They were devastated.  You have probably seen pictures on the news.  Some of those made me tear up.  I couldn't even recognize places I knew and had been many times.  Just beyond sad.  The good news?  Everyone I know made it through albeit with trees down, no power, and no water... some even with homes nearly destroyed.  Yes... that's bad.  But they survived.  The rest will be resolved in time.  I thank you for your concern... and send the very best Karma to those of you who are suffering through this insanity.  Hang in there!!!

Alright.  Will throw a few silly photos at you all.  Hopefully they will cause a smile or two.

So... let's wait until the very hottest part of the year to do a little outside job during the 100+ degree day!!  DOH!!  Well... it just happened.  But trust me... I sweated a bit while putting down the weed barrier... but did nothing the level of difficulty that the poor spousal-unit did!  I won't give you the math... but he toted nearly 2 tons of weight... getting the river pebbles from the store to the vehicle, off the vehicle, to the job, into the area... the guy is beyond amazing.  Obviously, however, he removed my ability to whine and complain about the work I did.  LOL!!  Anyway...

This little area on the back of the house had apparently been set up somehow in the past.  But it had overgrown.  I weed-killed the area and let it all die down.  Then had to think about how I wanted it set up.  I knew I wanted it "walkable" along with an area where I could put a potting table.

So... this is what was done:

Okay.  So... let's discuss my morning walks.  I have posted other pics from them in the past.  Here are a few more:

It's not the truck or the basketball goal.  It's the VERY tall flowers to the left of the truck!!  These have gotten even taller since I took this pic!!  Fun!

Trust me.  When it's this hot, you walk EARLY!!!  But that offers up some really beautiful sunrise pictures.

So... when walking one morning, I found a fire hydrant opened up.  The water was pouring out like crazy... onto the curb and flowing down the street.  At that time (8/29), we had not had rain in nearly 3 months!!  It was sad watching the water literally go to waste!

The next morning, I caught another photo.  The gentleman whose property the hydrant is on had brilliantly set up a bucket on the spout, then dug a small trench from it into his yard!!!  While he didn't get all of the water, he definitely got some!  Check it out!  Made me laugh and appreciate his intellect!!  His oak tree, where the trench ended, likely was quite happy!

Alrighty.  So, I was shopping at the local Wild Birds Unlimited when I ran across a lovely solar-powered glass iris... in LSU colors!!  Had to have it.  Don't have a specific spot for it yet (still working in the back yard!) but wanted to test it out.  Stuck it in an empty pot.

It was lit up early the next morning.  Really pretty.  Fun to have.

When the big rains finally arrived (Sep 2,3,& 4), it was a deluge followed by constant rain.  You know it's a little wet when the snails head for higher ground!!

Finally, after storms and the inability to find food, one of the backyard critters decided to just take a stinkin' break!!!  He was there for a while before heading back up the tree.  LOL!

Enough silliness.  My thoughts remain with DeRidder and Lake Charles as well as everyone else hit by Laura.  Hang in there and know there are a lot of folks in other cities and states who have you in their hearts!!

Until next post...

FREDERICKSBURG IN JULY! WHEW!!

 Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

Well now... with the pandemic situation, things have been a bit wonky for all of us!

I had two trips planned in April, including my semi-annual Fredericksburg run with my TX Bestie!  Canceled.  Everything was shut down in TX, especially the wineries!  It's why we go!!  Had another trip planned for May with my LA Bestie.  Canceled.  Sigh.  Another trip to WA State (Whidbey Island!) with my TX Bestie was set up for July... and... canceled.  I typically can handle most everything... but this was becoming just a bit more than I thought was fair!!!  AARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!

Things in TX did begin to reopen in late June... so we booked a place to stay in Fredericksburg as well as a few winery tastings along with a couple of dinners!!  Woo-Hoo!!  We were going!  In early July, just prior to our departure, TX shut down the wineries again!!  WHAT?!?  And they cut back on the seating allowance in restaurants... but we were good there as we had booked early enough to be part of the 25%.  Thank goodness!!  At any rate... we decided to just go ahead and make the trip.  I think we just needed to do something... anything... to feel like we were "human" again (albeit masked!).

So... off we went.  The following photos are all part of our Fredericksburg run.  Short notes to explain.

Prior to departure, I retrieved my friend in Georgetown, TX at her daughter's house.  There is a new kitty there that apparently enjoys hanging out in my friend's granddaughter's bathroom!!  LOL!!  Couldn't pass up a pic!

First stop in Georgetown... Monument Cafe.  Fabulous place to eat.  My friend, her daughter, and I all ordered various egg dishes... all of which were most excellent!  Made hitting the road quite pleasant!

Made a stop in Johnson City to retrieve a few bottles of wine from a winery we know and love... Crowson's.  Also popped into the little boutique there we enjoy shopping in.  After all done, made it to Fredericksburg and our new place to stay.  We rented a King Suite that backed up to a quiet street... and the "front" of the suite faced out toward Barons Creek.  You couldn't see it without trekking down to it... but it made a great spot to sit on the deck and enjoy nature!!

Another guest a few suites down had her cuties out so we got to meet them.

Only one winery where we had had a reservation actually remained "open."  We could not do a tasting... but we could purchase a bottle along with some food (had ordered a charcuterie plate when booked).  We picked up our items at the tasting bar (they could not open the bottle for us and the plate was covered in wrap!)... then wandered out onto the covered back patio (it was darned hot!), snagged a table overlooking the fountain and the little "inn" where one could stay, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

On our morning walks around town, we came across things we had not encountered before.  Our location was very different from where we typically stayed in the past.  So... a few things of interest:

After our time there, we had to pack it up and head back east.  Sigh.  We stopped at a little place called the Sunset Grill for a final breakfast before returning to the real world.

Was it our "usual" run?  Nope.  Was it very different?  Uh... yep.  But did we enjoy ourselves?  Without question.  We stopped at a few places to do a small amount of shopping... but we also spent a lot of time sitting on our deck enjoying our wine and working on crossword puzzles!!  I'm here to tell you that the key to relaxation isn't necessarily running amok while on the road.  It can also incorporate simplicity and time with a friend.  So... rethink your world of road trips and make one!!!  You'll be glad you did.

Until next post...

ONLY SLIGHTLY MORE THAN NOTHING...

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

Well now... I am trying to improve my post quantity but there isn't a whole lot to tell.  So... while close to nothing, this isn't just nothing.  Slightly more.

Let's start with a couple of pics just for fun.

So... a while back, when Covid-19 became quite the concern for most... I was a bit surprised to find that our postal person apparently felt it was too dangerous to take a box to a doorstep.  Really?!?  Gee... hope there isn't anything breakable in there!!!  Quite the "cram-o-rama" there.

Now then... something very new to me upon our arrival in Waco was the Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck!  I actually was walking one morning when I heard something whistling in the air... and when I looked up, I saw two of these ducks flying toward a rooftop... and whistling as they did!  Very interesting.  You can read about them here.  But I caught a short video one morning during a walk.  Unfortunately, there was no whistling to be heard during the video... but you can listen to it online if you want.  (Click "listen" on the big picture at the top of the page if you go to the web site to read about them.)

On a different morning walk, I ran across this very lovely flower.  Did not know what it was... but my phone app, PlantNet, IDd it for me in a heartbeat.  It is actually a Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus L.  It was on a VERY tall plant with a lot of them on it.  Beautiful to see.

Walking obviously allows one to see things that might otherwise never be seen.  When I walk in my 'hood, I walk on streets I would not drive on as they don't lead where I would be driving.  However, sometimes it's so worth the walk!!  Ran across this fun "blast from the past" the other morning.  Had to capture it to share!  (The California tags have been replaced with Texas tags... so reckon it's going to stay!)

Finally... we have a "bulk pickup" trash day about twice a year.  The list of items that can be retrieved is always interesting.  Walking the 'hood on that day (and the day before) can definitely be amusing.  Some of the things that are sitting on the curb!!  LOL!!  At any rate, as I turned off of my street onto another, I noticed some white objects on the way down the hill.  Couldn't quite make them out.  But when I got closer... well... just had to take a little pic to share.  Such a cute couple waiting for a ride.  LOL!!

Well, I didn't think there was much to show you... but there was more than I thought!  So... I'll save a couple of other things for the next round.

Please stay safe.  Pay attention to the recommendations that will help protect you.  Wishing you all good health!!!

Until next post...

EVEN MORE NOTHING!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

I am so sorry.  It has been FAR too long since I have had a chance to post.  You would think, with our current pandemic situation, there would be nothing but free time!  Not necessarily true.  I will try to "catch up" with some posts over the next week or so.  Thank you for hanging in there with me.  You are appreciated!

So... let's catch up on some more photos, shall we?

When the spousal-unit was out in the front yard, he ran across this little critter.  Since it was headed toward the street and that concerned me, we decided to relocate it to the back yard.

It spent the night huddled away... and was gone the next morning.  Really cute and not at all frightened as it never pulled its head in while being handled!

We purchased a plum tree and a peach tree early this spring.  The plum tree is struggling a bit... no fruit.  The peach tree had flowers when planted... and we have a few peaches that seem to be growing nicely.

We'll see how they turn out.  Nice to have them, though.

While doing a morning walk, accidentally spotted this little critter.  VERY small... but the white "criss-cross" in the web had caught my eye.  Thought he was worth a pic.  They do eat those bugs that harass us while we walk!!!  So... they are definitely friends!

So... that's a little catch-up on what's happening in the world of Waco this spring and early summer.
I will work to get some more posts together ASAP!  I don't have anything fascinating... but I don't think I ever have!  LOL!!
At any rate... stay safe.  While we are all hopeful things will eventually return to "normal", the pandemic has not truly been resolved yet.  Use common sense.  Be cautious.

Until next post...

MORE NOTHING...

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

Well... things haven't changed much, have they?  We are still in a pandemic situation.  While some states have begun "reopening", can't really know whether that will continue... or whether it will create a "second round" that will shut things down again.  I am hopeful you are all intelligent enough (and I believe you are!) to remain safe.  Social distancing, masks, and just caution in daily life.  Don't get in a hurry.  It will all still be there later on.

Alrighty.  Enough of that.  This is another random selection of photos that have been collected along with comments.  As the post title indicates, it's "More Nothing!"

So... the early morning of April 19th, we started out with a little hailstorm!  Have become pretty accustomed to Spring hailstorms in Central Texas.  They show up from as early as February and can run through as late as May!!  In fact, Memorial Day in Austin nearly always brought either a hailstorm or a flood... or BOTH!  Whew!  Anyway... haven't had as many as I remember... and that's a good thing!

On April 20th, it was a pretty morning.  We headed to the Park for a walk.  As we moved along the lake, we spotted a couple of waterbirds ahead.  Wasn't close enough to determine if they were herons or egrets or ibises... but they were pretty.  As we got closer, one took off... followed by the second one shortly after.

So... what does one do when absolutely bored?  Hmmmmm.  Well... I guess my thing was to dig up my Daddy's scone recipe and give it a shot!  He used to make them every couple of weeks for breakfast.   Loved them!!  Had gotten the recipe from him back in 1991... but never tried making them.  I guess I figured it would be too much trouble.  I was wrong.  DOH!!  Oh well.  So... with his handwritten recipe alongside, I took a shot at them.  Raisin scones, anyone?  (The little "chunks" are the remnants after using the cookie cutter.)

The house next door has an enclosed, gazebo-shaped spa with a hot tub and sauna inside.  The new owners have either not noticed one of the "blocks" has fallen out from the top or they have not thought of what to do about it.  Don't know.  At any rate, we have been watching it, concerned that it is going to allow rain, etc., inside which will likely damage the ceiling of the spa area.  As I sat out back one day, I noticed movement.  I grabbed my phone, zoomed in, and caught this little critter hanging out up there!!!  It was absolutely relaxed!  Laid up on the area where the picture shows it for quite a while!  Apparently this structure is not a "people-only" spa!!  LOL!!

If you can't see it well, it is a squirrel.

Finally, we have had some crazy-high winds here for several days.  They haven't stopped yet.  They keep flipping back and forth between north and south.  Guess winter doesn't want to leave and summer is in a hurry to arrive!  At any rate... the park where we walk had some orange cones sitting out on the entry road the other day.  We went to the next park entry (there are 2 parks connected only by a trail... but the roads themselves are not connected), turned in there, and parked.  We walked back to our usual park and headed in.  After a couple of the big hills, we saw why the cones were up.  LOL!  In fact, it was quite funny.  A young male had pulled in around the cones in his vehicle (yeah... a little twit with no concept of rules).  He had passed us as we were walking in.  He was quite busy trying to get turned around (narrow road in and very little shoulder area!) in order to exit.  We just laughed out loud at him.  We gave him "the look" as he drove past us again, heading back toward the exit.  As we continued, we heard yet another vehicle coming!!  Really?!?  Do you think the cones are just decorative?!?  Geez.  Anyway... this was not a young male but an older one... with his dog which he brings to the park frequently.  We were still walking as he passed us.  We laughed out loud again... and gave him "the look" as he managed to get turned around and head back.  Oh.  Did I not mention it?  The massive Cottonwood tree in the creekbed along the road had blown down.  Guess those who believe they are "above the rules" may have had a moment of recognition?  Don't know.  Don't care.  It was funny to see them struggle to exit.

Okay.  Reckon that's enough.  I warned you!!  Just nothing!!

So... stay safe.

Until next post...