Journal and Things

Allen News

It sure is nice to have this guy, "John Culp," back in town. Now fix that collar Sailor, it's about to fly away.

The Davies Clan

Sam, Zed and the girls have been busy packing and getting things organized for the move to Oklahoma. Zed is currently in Washington State, just outside Spokane at Fairchild, AFB. He will be there most of the month going through SERE training prior to reporting into Tinker, AFB in Oklahoma.

Zed and Mia Davies on a Mini Getaway

Enjoying time together.

Ana Davies looking at her mom's iPad

A Fall Walk

The otherwise solemn fallen pine from a storm gone by becomes a picturesque resting place for the Majestic Great Blue Heron to search for a seafood meal below. This fellow could have been a descendant from Mitchner's Heron that walked the shore in search of a Blue Crab meal, so many years ago.

On Thursday, during one of my walks on 15 beautiful acres along the Wicomico River, the great fisherman appeared. I've often equated the mighty Blue Heron with the Air Force C-5. As the C-5 seems to glide effortlessly just short of a stall, so the Blue Heron replicates that movement through the air as he flies.

Quite often while driving north on routes thirteen and one in the Dover area, I’d be mesmerized by the immense size of the mighty C-5 Galaxy. This plane is the largest airlifter in the United States Air Force inventory. The mighty bird has a wing span of 229 feet and can carry 270,000 pounds of cargo. When I pull to side of the road near Dover Air Force Base and watch these mammoth critters do touch and go practice landings, it is a sight to behold.

We have lived directly on the water fifteen of our 26 years living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. For ten years we lived on an old mill pond and observed with admiration the flight of all kinds of different birds. The Great Blue Heron, <(great video), was a frequent visitor to our shore line. It is the largest Heron in North America. Its head to tail length can measure up to 54 inches with a wingspan up to 79 inches. Should the opportunity ever present itself, just sit back and watch this creature fly. It is also captivating to watch the Heron slow walk the shore line with deliberate steps when finding a seafood meal.

When we lived on the pond, the Canadian goose took up a lot of observation time. We would have geese bearing young around the pond to observe. We would count 5, 6, or more furry yellow goslings following the elder through the water. When the goslings were only a few days old, they sometimes became a meal for a Large Mouth Bass or Snapping Turtle. It was in wonderment that we watched these animals grow and eventually join the flock after flight training. To be able to sit in our kitchen and observe the flight training process is captivating.

Geese on Allen Pond as daybreak emerges in fog.

Maryland is such a unique state, with a wide range of topography. From the sand at the ocean to the mountains in the west, it has what you seek in nature’s beauty. The colors of the spring and fall foliage have their own distinctive beauty among the trees and bushes. The dreary grey of winter begins to awake with the lush green fields of winter wheat. In summer we have the advantage to seek respite from the day to day grind in the mountains and along the sea. We are blessed in the Old Line State.

My sister Donna Brodin and her husband John (far right). The dedicated a 5 K run/walk money raising event for the "Children's Tumor Fund." Congratulations guys.

Kathy and Jeff

Kathy, Jeff and Mary Agnes are in Mississippi this weekend getting their Mia and Ana fix. They will also check on Abby's well being at MSU and attend the MSU vs Texas A and M football game. I'll just be they'll fall in love with those "Cow Bells." The Texas A and M Band is world renowned, check out their web site.

The Connecticut Clan 

I'm still waiting for one you up there to pick up a pen and write something of your doings for me. A picture of this or that would be great once in awhile also. Come on guys, help me out here.

http://patch.com/connecticut/tolland

Mary Agnes

Mary Agnes had a birthday celebration recently. No, I shall not give out the years. For her birthday she wanted to do a half marathon. There were no runs being held close by so she clocked her own route and took off at 0630 on the anniversary of her birth.

I placed water at spots along the route for her. Our home was at the 8 mile marker. It was a much better respite than those Porta Potties in an actual race.

.
Kathy ran from her house to ours, 3.8 miles, and then completed the last of the route with her mother.

The route ended 500 yards from Kathy's. Here's the little woman crossing the finish line. Quite appropriate the American Flag was flying at the Howard home in Allen. Mary Agnes is truly a Patriot.

13.1 miles later. What a Woman!

After her accomplishment we gathered at Kathy and Jeff's for Mimosas and a Cream Chipped Beef breakfast. It was the start of just a great day for Mary Agnes. She can now add a 13.1 to her 26.2 on the back of her car.

How about them O's !

Have a great day one and all from, "The Land of Pleasant Living."