"The Wall"

 

I had never been to the Capitol of the United States, Washington DC.
While I was staying with family in New England, my Cousin offered to drive us to see Our Nations Capitol. I must say I was very excited, just to spend the whole time at the Smithsonian would have worked for me. But as You drive into town, and You catch a glimpse of the marble gleaming in the sun light, their shapes so familiar, and their presence so foreign. At that moment, Washington was like a strange bug that I had studied in books, but had never seen in real life…Till now.
As I thought would be the case, the Hope Diamond was breath taking, but after spending hours inside I was ready, I wanted to see a different type of stone, I wanted to see some Marble. But as We had spent so many hours inside, the weather had changed for the worse, it was wet and miserable. Half of Us wanted to leave, but we got a bit of a break in the rain so off we went to the Lincoln Memorial.
Nice thing about the rainy days in Washington, it seems like most everyone takes a cue from the Congress and leaves town at the drop of a hat. Only a couple others out there amongst the marble edifice‘s. The Lincoln Memorial was nice, beautiful work, but this is a long dead Dude that I had studied through the years. What I really wanted to see, what was the current event as I grew up, was  the Viet Nam Memorial…The Wall.
There are names there that I know, I went to the funeral of one, I knew two kids that lost brothers. It’s a bit different when You know someone’s name on the memorial. And those that should have been, not for the lack of trying, ended up the living dead. And for some reason, You don’t get Your name in marble unless You‘re completely dead.
I was making my way down the grade that slowly drops before you to reveal the dark stone panels that make up the wall. When I saw a woman, on in years, and a young child. I could tell that she was searching for someone that meant a lot to her, by the look of determination that  I perceived was the look of a spouse. Kind of a mix of love and irritation. She kept tracing her finger back and forth and back, all the while, between her and the wall is this small child mirroring the moves of, who by this time I figure is Grandma. I could see this in the reflection on the panel to the left. Still watching these two, I raised My camera and she stopped, I clicked the shutter and she exclaimed “This Is Your Grand Father!“

Smell The Roses...While She's Still In Bloom

Tiny Dragon Husbandry-101

It’s not that They are difficult to raise…They’re not. But some care and training is essential for They’re continued health. In T D H-101 You will learn these Technique's.

As They get older and start to eat solid food, it will be Very Important that they get proper Feeding Instruction. They MUST know that They can only feed from They’re food stocks. I have seen some of the Australian species grow up to 12 inches in length, big enough to ruin the Little Neighbor Girl’s New Kitten…Or the Parrot next door.

Next, and also Very Important is to make sure that the Muzzle/Spark Arrester is Professionally Fitted, You will only need it through Your training period but You don’t want it to leak. They’re like Little Butane Lighters with a stuck valve, for the first six month’s. Also if it does not fit correctly it makes it very hard for Them to form words, like those with ‘W’, ‘H’, ‘R‘ etc.

NO FLYING FOR THE FIRST YEAR! I can’t Press this one Enough, They don’t get the “That Bus Will Not Move For You” concept. Take Them for a drive and show Them what happens to the Bug’s, Your’s may not get it right off, but keep trying, the Alternative will make You feel horrible…And possibly liable.

So with a little Work & Patience, You will learn what You need to know, so Your little Fireball will be Healthy and Happy for Many Centuries to Come. Welcome, To T D H-101!

Deficit Rising

I was sure hoping for some better News. Hang in there!

Mama!!!

Funny how small events can change a Huge part of You.

Years ago My Wife and I went to Maui for Our Honeymoon. We did the usual Hawaii stuff, diving, hiking, screwing and sun bathing. Our Friend Gayle has lived on Maui for many years, Her Sister lives on the same Island. She told Us if We go down to this Resort, and listen to a Time Share schpill, We’d get a coupon book for 50% off of all sorts of Fun stuff to do. As Painful as it was, We headed down there.
We spent the day with a Gentleman, and His Toupee, who tried & then tired of giving us the Hard Sell.
The book was Ours.
We went on a Snorkel Sail and on a Whale Watching tour first. Snorkeling was fun, but the Whale watching was Awesome. Though I could not get a Good Pic because the Whales seemed to stay clear of the Large Tour Boats.
The next day, while trying to decide what to do, We noticed a Whale Watch that went out on Zodiacs. We had to go. So with My camera in hand We boarded a small rubber raft and headed out into the deep water. We saw many breaches, closer this time, but every time I would get a possible shot someone would jump in the way, “Oh Sorry, did I block Your shot?” Well after a Double Breach of the starboard bow was blocked, I pretty much gave up, I was feeling pretty sorry for Myself, and sat down in the seat I chose on the Port side. Everyone was jockeying for position, cameras pointed towards the other side, waiting to block someone’s else’s shot. I was looking off the other way when a Huge Cow, with baby in it’s wake, Rose out of the depths right next to Me. I could have touched Her. As Her head broke the surface of the water She looked at the boat, the Others standing up looking the other way, then She locked Her gaze on Me. A funny rush came over Me, I could not speak, I could not move (camera in My hand), and I certainly could not look away. In that few seconds of Her eye staring at Me, gave Me a Weird Peace that changed Me forever. I could read the curious nature of this immense beast of the deep. The intelligence She reflected from that eye poured out over Me. We were One, at least for a few seconds.

Two words for You if this story touched You at all.
Ban Whaling.

Napoleon, The Feeder Tyrant

My Wife and I spend a lot of time outside on the lanai in the winter. We listen to music, talk and just enjoy each others company.

Evidently, We were being watched.

It started a few months back, when We got a Hummingbird feeder. It took a while for the local population to find it, but once they had, It was pandemonium.

After watching aerial displays that would put Rickenbacker to shame, a Tyrant took control. So now it's Us, and Napoleon.
This little Fella has got it into His head that We are the Big Flightless Birds that Dwell 'With In'. First He made himself Very comfortable on the back of the love seat that My Wife sits in, about 10 inches away from My Wife. He sits and tells Us about His day, like We understand, and defends His bird feeder.

The other day something happened to change things between Him and Us. I came out the door onto the Lanai, I saw He was at His feeder and said "Hello". Before I could flinch He was in My face, millimeters away, slowly moving around My face, eyes, ears, He stuck His tongue into My right nostril, tickling My nose hairs. It was like He was a tiny lunar lander and I was the Man on the Moon.
He has now done the same to Mary Alice and it has become Our accustomed Greeting.
I always thought I had a special understanding with Animals. I do not hurt Them and They only bite me when They feel like it.

I wanted to share with You this weird little bird, that there is still Magic & Wonder in Our little world.