Brief

      

As guests at a lovely dinner, it's now late so this is a brief post to let you know that I am well. More later.

Takk for alt,

Al

Still no winners on the photo contest.

Seaborn Memories!

      A friend, in conversation today, recounted the odd sensation of land after being on a cruise ship. Land seems to rock for a while.  How well I remember that sensation. While in the Marines I spent months aboard ship. The first exposure was the 28 days it took us to go from San Diego to Okinawa on a liberty ship. The trip from Okinawa to Japan didn't take very long but the sea was rough, but calm on the return trip. 

     Our battalion spent weeks aboard ship as the "Ready Battalion" in the Western Pacific. Were any military emergency to happen we could quickly deploy. We mostly floated around the South China Sea. There was a stop in Hong Kong for a few days. In the Philippines there was time ashore for jungle training. Our station was at Subic Bay. 

   The USS Princton LPH 5, (LPH=Landing Pad Helicopter) was the ship (pictured below). It was a WW II, aircraft carrier, the first Princeton was sunk in the war, converted to carry helicopters. Because of its size its ride was relatively smooth, although the South Pacific was usually calm. It was the ship that took us home from Okinawa to Long Beach, in two weeks...much faster than the liberty ship going over.  the USS Pickaway which transported us to Okinawa travelled at 13 knots, imagine 13 knots for 8000 miles.

   Every time we disembarked the ground rocked under our feet.

Takk for alt,

Al

3 guesses so far, 2 ND, 1 NB, none correct.

 This is a picture of the Princeton which I took from a helicopter. It's in the Philippine Sea. 

Book Report

         This novel is different from any other that I've read. What makes it different is that it's about a dog, told by that dog. ETNA, Paul Yoon, is the name of the dog and the book. He's taken from an animal sanctuary while young to be trained to aid soldiers in combat. Because of his abilities he's attached to a sapper unit for combat in an un-named war in an un-identified country. Surviving, as the war ends, he runs away to search for the home where he was born.

     The essence of the book is his journey looking for his birthplace and all the adventures which ensue. It's all told in his voice and there are persons in his life who understand and can converse with him. He also converses with other dogs and animals.

    If the reader accepts the premise that he can converse the book is fascinating. Published this year, it's only 195 pages long, and reads quickly because there is much white space on the pages. M. lent it to me and I'm glad to have read it.  Thanks M.!

Takk for alt,

Al

No guesses yet on yesterday's picture so I'm not telling.

Photo Quiz...

      This day, lacking an original thought, I'll post a little photo quiz for entertainment.  Any person surmising the correct answer, and communicating it to me, excepting the photographer, will be entitled to an exotic coffee of their choice. Simply tell where the photo was taken to be eligible for the prize.

Where do think this photo was taken? Submit your answer.

Next Step!

      Terry, Odie's previous owner, advised that I keep Odie leashed for three weeks. Purchased dogs think they've been kidnapped and let loose too early they may head for their previous home. All indications are that Odie and I are bonded. Today was the day to test that assumption.

    In the field that's been recently hayed, I turned Odie lose as I cut cedars. Sniffing up a storm he had a delightful time while he stayed in my proximity. Previous dogs have ranged at a distance. Kaia would run actively a distance away but, almost always, keeping me in sight. As long as I walked, she ran, when I stopped, she'd come to me.  Odie just actively explored nearby. His previous home must be a distant memory to him.

  "Things happen," redux...the windshield was replaced today. I'd forgotten what it's like to have a perfectly clean one, which lasted about three miles.

Takk for alt,

Al

Where am I?

        The easiest answer to that question is, "I'm here."  Where's here?  The Little House on the Prairie."  Odie and I motored out this afternoon. In a crate in the back with his favorite blanket and his new favorite toy, he's totally silent. Now he's exploring the guest room which is new space for him, The very dog friendly guest will be here soon, Odie's in for a treat.

Takk for alt,

Al

Odie on his favorite blanket holding his favorite toy.

"My" basketball team!

     I've been following the Lynx of the WNBA for many years. A few days ago, in a lackluster performance, the Lynx the #1, team lost to the L.A. Sparks, #9. The coach, a member of the Hall of Fame, wasn't happy. Apparently, the team took their chastisement to heart. Today they played the #3 team, the Las Vegas Aces. The outcome? Lynx won 98-87, in a nationally televised game. A busy social schedule prevented me from watching so, in my leisure, I'll watch the replay. The Lynx record is 26-7, and they've now clinched a spot in the playoffs. The next best team, Golden State is 22-9.

    Odie has a new fan club in the OFH. As an expression of their esteem, they presented him with a toy squirrel, which quickly became his favorite. Just now he figured out it's a squirrel and is nose to nose challenging the squirrel to move.

Takk for alt,

Al

 

Odie and his squirrel.