D-League

[Sawnee Cat]

My brother and I were talking about that yesterday. My Mom and Dad's grave is fairly close to where he lives and he decorated them Saturday. We were talking about how fewer and fewer people seem to do that....and that the younger generations probably don't even know about it.
I can remember as a kid going to a cemetery in S. Ky. Memorial Day weekend and the place was full of people doing what you did yesterday. Today...not so much.

Decorations Day was a huge event when I was young. We had large families and many uncles and aunts would travel thousands of miles to meet at the gravesite of loved ones who had passed. From California, Arizona and of course Ohio where most had to gone to seek work. Some from Michigan also. It was the one day everyone tried to be together.

Daddy's roots were Pike County, KY and that is where we all went. The cemetery and church graveyards would be full of people and every grave had a flower on it. The people made sure of it.

I doubt if many do that anymore. In fact I was appalled listening to the radio this morning. Someone was interviewing people about the meaning of Memorial Day and only about 20% knew. Some admitted they didn't care and some said America's wars were to spread Imperialism. Now where did they get that idea?

 

[AustinTXCat]

Sunrise in KY horse country. Love it.

 

[Bert Higginbotha]

Decorations Day was a huge event when I was young. We had large families and many uncles and aunts would travel thousands of miles to meet at the gravesite of loved ones who had passed. From California, Arizona and of course Ohio where most had to gone to seek work. Some from Michigan also. It was the one day everyone tried to be together.

Daddy's roots were Pike County, KY and that is where we all went. The cemetery and church graveyards would be full of people and every grave had a flower on it. The people made sure of it.

I doubt if many do that anymore. In fact I was appalled listening to the radio this morning. Someone was interviewing people about the meaning of Memorial Day and only about 20% knew. Some admitted they didn't care and some said America's wars were to spread Imperialism. Now where did they get that idea?

The tradition is still going on in Southern Kentucky. We had a lot of company yesterday and we went during church hours for less traffic. We spend a lot of money on Memorial Day weekend, not on flowers, but a lot of money for the cemeteries. We give $500 to each of the cemeteries as they have little sources of revenue to mow and keep things up. I give even more to Smiths Grove Cemetery as that is my big project.

It costs $800 (it is that low because it is competitively bid) to mow the Smiths Grove Cemetery. Over the course of the year that ends up being a lot of money. If you can afford to donate to your families cemeteries please do. They usually need it.

I am really proud of the changes that have happened at Smiths Grove. I think that it is a sign of loving the folks that went before you. I will bore you with one of my pictures made just after we reworked the chapel:

 

[Bert Higginbotha]

Hey, Bert. Slight change in itinerary. I plan on arriving up there around 2 pm on Saturday, July 10th. My original plan may have been July 9. I can't remember dates I gave y'all during our visits last month. At any rate, looking forward to seeing y'all again.

You are on the planner.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Good morning D-League. I hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day.

It was my honor to get to know many impressive military people during my run as a conflict zone reporter. Some I remember today: Men like Lt. Comdr Scott Speicher, who I met on the USS Saratoga shortly before Operation Desert Storm. A few weeks after I met him in 1991 he was shot down over Baghdad. His body wasn't recovered for nearly 20 years.

And men like Lt. Col. Terry Crowe, who I met in Tal Afar Iraq in 2005. He had the thankless job of trying to train Iraqi soldiers, and that got him killed in an ambush. (I wrote this short piece about his death for the Houston Chronicle if anyone is interested. The format is a little choppy but should be readable - keep scrolling...)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/134112724/

And also Major Megan McClung, who was as Gung Ho as any Marine in Ramadi in 2006. I met her earlier in the year. She was later killed escorting journalists covering the war.

On that note, I knew quite a few journalists, some well enough to call them friend, who were killed in war zones or badly injured and still dealing with that. I don't want to take away from the military sacrifices today, but those men (and one woman) are missed as well.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

The tradition is still going on in Southern Kentucky. We had a lot of company yesterday and we went during church hours for less traffic. We spend a lot of money on Memorial Day weekend, not on flowers, but a lot of money for the cemeteries. We give $500 to each of the cemeteries as they have little sources of revenue to mow and keep things up. I give even more to Smiths Grove Cemetery as that is my big project.
It costs $800 (it is that low because it is competitively bid) to mow the Smiths Grove Cemetery. Over the course of the year that ends up being a lot of money. If you can afford to donate to your families cemeteries please do. They usually need it.
I am really proud of the changes that have happened at Smiths Grove. I think that it is a sign of loving the folks that went before you. I will bore you with one of my pictures made just after we reworked the chapel:

Beautiful Bert, thanks for sharing. That is the America I love.

 

[cordmaker]

Morning D, remembering all those that sacrificed their lives for us today!!!

Yawl have a great day!!!! Prayers!!!

 

[cordmaker]

Read 57 & 58 this morning

You will be one ahead of us SC, that's ok!

 

[cordmaker]

I have seen some crazy schiff next door at the druggie house, but this morning takes it to another level!!! So a truck pulls in, two guys in the truck, they set there a few minutes, one puts on a wig and hat, gets out, gets something out of the toolbox, I thought it was a gun, don't know, but a few minutes later BOOOOOOOM!!! I run to the door and there was a cloud of smoke out by the truck!!! The front tire on the truck just exploded!!!!! One guy comes out of the house, looks at the tire, kicks it and tells the other guy, yea it's flat!!!!!

 

[Sawnee Cat]

I have seen some crazy schiff next door at the druggie house, but this morning takes it to another level!!! So a truck pulls in, two guys in the truck, they set there a few minutes, one puts on a wig and hat, gets out, gets something out of the toolbox, I thought it was a gun, don't know, but a few minutes later BOOOOOOOM!!! I run to the door and there was a cloud of smoke out by the truck!!! The front tire on the truck just exploded!!!!! One guy comes out of the house, looks at the tire, kicks it and tells the other guy, yea it's flat!!!!!

Are your neighbors some kind of reality TV show? I would like to tune in and watch that.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Going to watch a good war movie this evening. I am thinking of going way back for a WWII movie staring John Wayne. They Were Expendable . Filmed in Key Biscayne, Florida in 1944 and on the big screen in 1945

https://ok.ru/video/307440126627

 

[cordmaker]

Are your neighbors some kind of reality TV show? I would like to tune in and watch that.

It would make a good one, scene from Up in Smoke Is it flat man, Cheech, yea but it's just flat on the bottom!!!!

 

[berniecarbo]

Good morning D-League. I hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day.

It was my honor to get to know many impressive military people during my run as a conflict zone reporter. Some I remember today: Men like Lt. Comdr Scott Speicher, who I met on the USS Saratoga shortly before Operation Desert Storm. A few weeks after I met him in 1991 he was shot down over Baghdad. His body wasn't recovered for nearly 20 years.

And men like Lt. Col. Terry Crowe, who I met in Tal Afar Iraq in 2005. He had the thankless job of trying to train Iraqi soldiers, and that got him killed in an ambush. (I wrote this short piece about his death for the Houston Chronicle if anyone is interested. The format is a little choppy but should be readable - keep scrolling...)

View embedded media

And also Major Megan McClung, who was as Gung Ho as any Marine in Ramadi in 2006. I met her earlier in the year. She was later killed escorting journalists covering the war.

On that note, I knew quite a few journalists, some well enough to call them friend, who were killed in war zones or badly injured and still dealing with that. I don't want to take away from the military sacrifices today, but those men (and one woman) are missed as well.

As I've told you before, I give you great respect because you and those like you went to those places of your own free will to let the public know what was going on.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

As I've told you before, I give you great respect because you and those like you went to those places of your own free will to let the public know what was going on.

Thanks Bernie. I can remember young kids in places like Iraq and Afghanistan saying to me, "Who'd you piss off at the newspaper to be here?" And when told I came of my own free will saying, "You must be a F---ing idiot." But the truth is, I always felt privileged to be in a place where I could tell the stories of people willing to put it on the line for the country.

After I wrote that piece I linked above -- which was really focused on the topic of how badly the training of the Iraqi Army was going -- I heard from Lt. Col. Terry Crowe's family who saw the piece in one of the many newspaper my company owned, and they were grateful someone had been around to chronicle his sacrifice. That really meant a lot to me, and summed up why it was worth it for me to be there.

 

[berniecarbo]

You were talking about the female marine being gung ho. At DaNang, the bomb dumps were a couple of miles off base for safety reasons. The marines had a bomb dump right across the road from ours. The ecp's (entry control point) to each were within easy speaking distance, so we'd talk sometimes. I read a story once about the mindset they wanted in a marine. The commander was talking to a hundred marines. He said this is an important dangerous mission and probably only one of you will come back alive. All 100 marines were thinking, those other 99 poor sob's are all going to die. The impression I got from my chats was the trainers had succeeded in getting the mindset they wanted.

Another quick story. DaNang was occupied by several branches of service and several countries. Each was committed to a certain section of fence line for security. We had a guard tower right in the middle of the marine's encampment and were responsible for the fence line surrounding their camp. They didn't like that at all (and I can't blame them). One night one of them threw a hand grenade at the base of our guard tower just to let our man know he wasn't welcome.

 

[_Rooster]

We are all blessed by sacrifices for liberty.

 

[_Rooster]

I doubt if many do that anymore.

The tradition is still going on in Southern Kentucky. We had a lot of company yesterday and we went during church hours for less traffic. We spend a lot of money on Memorial Day weekend, not on flowers, but a lot of money for the cemeteries. We give $500 to each of the cemeteries as they have little sources of revenue to mow and keep things up. I give even more to Smiths Grove Cemetery as that is my big project.

It costs $800 (it is that low because it is competitively bid) to mow the Smiths Grove Cemetery. Over the course of the year that ends up being a lot of money. If you can afford to donate to your families cemeteries please do. They usually need it.

I am really proud of the changes that have happened at Smiths Grove. I think that it is a sign of loving the folks that went before you. I will bore you with one of my pictures made just after we reworked the chapel:

Thanks Bert! I was going to post it still lives in my family. Memorial Day is a very BIG deal.

I would like to tune in and watch that.

 

[wildcatdonf]

• Good Afternoon, D-Leagueanites and Lurkers.
• Slept in this morning. Tired.
• Saw 2 Turkey Vustures cleaning up the remains of a squirrel that did not make it They are huge birds.
• None of our realatives were killed in the wars.
• I have been thinking of my dead realtives this Memorial Day.
• Lola is lying at my feet enjoying the quietness of the day. Love Bug.
• You know the drill:
• As you were.
• Carry on.
• Be careful out there.

 

[starchief5]

Thanks to all those who laid down their lives for our country - and to those who came out maimed.

Thanks to those who have been in the line of fire.

And thanks to those who never were in the line of fire but were prepared and stood ready to be in the line of fire.

And ... the correspondents who often were with those in the line of fire.

War is Hell.

 

[_Rooster]

 

[_Rooster]

For Geography/weather wackos - checkout the weather pattern and visually grasp the Colorado Plateau of the 4 corners area. Visibility being over 100 miles, looking north I can see the southern edge and cloud formation over the fire climax forest community that surrounds the plateau (Painted Desert) that drains through the Grand Canyon. Linky

 

[AustinTXCat]

Finally finished front and back yards. Crazy humid out there. Grass had grown so high in our back yard that mower ran out of gas half way through cutting. Drank lots of water.

Hope y'all enjoying this Memorial Day.

 

[UK82]

My wife is not a fan of typical "guy" war movies so we'll be watching Heaven Knows Mr. Allison tonight in honor of Memorial Day. Actually a pretty good movie with Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr.

 

[AustinTXCat]

Wife and I watched PT-109 earlier today. Good flick. I had not seen that movie since early 70s. A few scenes were filmed in the Florida Keys.

 

[awf]

Talking about decorating the graves.......the Director is from the hills of North Carolina........they do Decoration Day the first Sunday of August........we have made all but one in the 46yrs that we have been married.........you can take the girl out of the mountains.....but you got to take her back once in a while........

 

[Girthang]

Going to watch a good war movie this evening. I am thinking of going way back for a WWII movie staring John Wayne. They Were Expendable . Filmed in Key Biscayne, Florida in 1944 and on the big screen in 1945

https://ok.ru/video/307440126627

Is that Donna Reed? The actress from It's a Wonderful Life?

 

[Girthang]

I can't help but wonder in the still of this night. Where is the celebration for those who were killed by the battles they fought, but not until years or even decades later? The ones who were killed by neglect, the ones who were killed by experimentation, the ones killed by their addictions developed because of their experiences, and the ones that were killed by their trauma experienced over and over until they just couldn't take it anymore deserve more than their own day. It's probably still just too ugly of a truth how many men and women died in this way throughout our country's history.

I thought of them often this Memorial Day. I know many of you here did as well, and I thank you for it. I know at least 2 personally that fit this category. Agent Orange got one and being a Marine that couldn't adjust to life outside of the military got the other. May they both rest in peace

 

[AustinTXCat]

Good morning from ATX. Currently 67°F and partly cloudy. We just received a brief rain shower. More coming late morning/early afternoon. Today's high looks like 83°F. We'll take it.

Everybody back to work. Normally, I'd say "Monday, Monday", but make exceptions some weeks. Let's try "Tuesday, Tuesday". Short week.

Wishing happiness and health for all our fellow D-League members.

 

[warrior-cat]

I can't help but wonder in the still of this night. Where is the celebration for those who were killed by the battles they fought, but not until years or even decades later? The ones who were killed by neglect, the ones who were killed by experimentation, the ones killed by their addictions developed because of their experiences, and the ones that were killed by their trauma experienced over and over until they just couldn't take it anymore deserve more than their own day. It's probably still just too ugly of a truth how many men and women died in this way throughout our country's history.

I thought of them often this Memorial Day. I know many of you here did as well, and I thank you for it. I know at least 2 personally that fit this category. Agent Orange got one and being a Marine that couldn't adjust to life outside of the military got the other. May they both rest in peace

I knew a couple from the Gulf war who died within 6 months and a year after retirement. One had what they called the Gulf War Syndrome and not sure what the other one died of. I knew 3 others I worked with who died within 2 1/2 years after retirement. The one who died from Gulf War Syndrome became paralyzed from the legs up. Started with the legs and over a period of a few months the whole body. He could hardly talk and it was incoherent to most when he did just before he died. Big strong guy too.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Good 1st of June D League

Today is the day it begins and it will go through November. So of course all of the talk this morning is about are you ready? They are forecasting an average season of about 12-15.

Another topic today is the growth and how to handle it. Fortunately for me the growth will be in other areas unless someone wants to pitch a tent in the Withlachoochee Swamps or live out of their airboat.

Our weather today continues as it has recently. Currently it is 67° and the sun is coming up and will shine as it usually does. No rain but they say it will change in a few days. Today's high should reach 88° inland, we should be a few degrees cooler.

Trust all are well and in good spirits. We had some good eating yesterday but I think the best thing was big ears of sweet corn, fresh picked from a local farm. I love Silver Queen.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

You will be one ahead of us SC, that's ok!

Read Isaiah 59, Cord. I am still one ahead I suppose but will get back even when we have a couple of short chapters.

 

[warrior-cat]

Good morning from ATX. Currently 67°F and partly cloudy. We just received a brief rain shower. More coming late morning/early afternoon. Today's high looks like 83°F. We'll take it.

Everybody back to work. Normally, I'd say "Monday, Monday", but make exceptions some weeks. Let's try "Tuesday, Tuesday". Short week.

Wishing happiness and health for all our fellow D-League members.

Never heard of the now famous Hazelnut Cake. Looks good though. My wife thinks it would be expensive.

Watched the Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston and Yule Brenner yesterday. I had never watched it before. Almost 4 hours long but worth it. Really liked it.

Going to play Mr. Miyagi again today and Thursday (only one student) and that is the only thing planned today because the softball fields are wet. Going Fishing again tomorrow don't know if I can get to a couple of my ponds. Rattler yes but, the others have dirt roads for entry and it rained big yesterday and the weather is cool and overcast today so, drying will be slow. Have a new one (pond) that is supposed to have lunkers in it but, it is within a training area and does not even have dirt roads. Need to drive over ground. My truck is not 4 wheel drive so I have to be careful.

Still working on the decision to have wife's father stay here for 11 days starting next Tuesday or Wednesday. Daughter is not keen on the idea so decision might be easier for me.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Is that Donna Reed? The actress from It's a Wonderful Life?

Yes it is Donna Reed. She was a great one. We had a change in plans and watched Saving Private Ryan instead. I have it on DVD. I have seen it a dozen times I guess but it never gets old. It seemed to fit Memorial Day about as well as any war movie I have.

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

Mid 50s in the Buckeye State heading up to the mid 70s. Another day of yard work....will be an all dayer since it's looks like rain, or good chance of the next couple of days.

Had to plant all new maters. Something (a varmit) ate the ones I planted last week/week before. chopped off right down to the ground. Have never had that happen before. Have with beans...to the point I just gave up and don't plant them anymore. Rabbits. But I haven't noticed any rabbits this year (although I'm sure they're here somewhere on the property. But who knows...I've seen about every type of varmit on this property. So....try it again. This time I made little wire cages to put around them. See if they'll make it...get bigger...and maybe they'll leave them alone.

Y'all have a good day.

 

[warrior-cat]

My favorite war movies (Top 5) are:

The Great Escape (Favorite movie period)
Midway.
Patton.
MacArthur.
A Bridge too Far.

 

[awf]

Mid 50s in the Buckeye State heading up to the mid 70s. Another day of yard work....will be an all dayer since it's looks like rain, or good chance of the next couple of days.

Had to plant all new maters. Something (a varmit) ate the ones I planted last week/week before. chopped off right down to the ground. Have never had that happen before. Have with beans...to the point I just gave up and don't plant them anymore. Rabbits. But I haven't noticed any rabbits this year (although I'm sure they're here somewhere on the property. But who knows...I've seen about every type of varmit on this property. So....try it again. This time I made little wire cages to put around them. See if they'll make it...get bigger...and maybe they'll leave them alone.

Y'all have a good day.

I had the same problem a couple of times.......I thought it was the varmints.......it was cut worms.......sprinkle a tablespoon of corn meal around them.......the cut worms eat the corn meal and it cuts up their digestive system......I actually thought it was the starlings that were eating my plants..........gardening = different problems every season..........my buddy started gardening last year.......he says he learned what the problems were with gardening last year.......I tried to explain to him that it is usually different problems every year.....

 

[AustinTXCat]

A little Eastern Kentucky sunrise to start your day.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

I had the same problem a couple of times.......I thought it was the varmints.......it was cut worms.......sprinkle a tablespoon of corn meal around them.......the cut worms eat the corn meal and it cuts up their digestive system......I actually thought it was the starlings that were eating my plants..........gardening = different problems every season..........my buddy started gardening last year.......he says he learned what the problems were with gardening last year.......I tried to explain to him that it is usually different problems every year.....

One reason I'm not sure that it's cut worms, and why I think it's some type of varmit, is that the plant is totally gone the next morning. There in the afternoon....totally clipped off at the ground and gone the next morning.
Don't know much about cut worms, but do they devour a plant that quickly?
Regardless I'll do the corn meal today. Couldn't hurt.
Also going to sprinkle baby powder on the plants. Was told that keeps rabbits out.
Thanks.

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

varmints

Thanks for the spelling lesson. LOL. Always thought it was v-a-r-m-i-t-s. Silent 'n'. Didn't know that.