This and That

Happy Halloween

Political News (Rated R) Children under 18 must ignore.

    THE DEBT CEILING  

I love it when a complicated situation can be explained in such simple terms!

* Democrats don't understand THE DEBT CEILING

* Republicans don't understand THE DEBT CEILING

* Libertarians don't understand THE DEBT CEILING

* NO ONE understands THE DEBT CEILING

* SO, allow me to explain.

Let's say you come home from work and find there has been a sewer backup in your neighborhood. Your home has sewage all the way up to your ceiling.

What do you think you should do ---

1.  raise the ceiling, or

2.  pump out the shit?

Your choice is coming in November

Lew and Agnes Brill, Agnes is my wife’s cousin

                                 

Courtesy of Lew Brill, Freeland, PA

AIR FORCE at ARMY

The turf at Michie Stadium, on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, may prove a bit sloppy this Saturday. The latest weather report is calling for a wintry mix of rain and snow with the temperature in the 30s.

For those who are unaware, each year Army, Navy and Air Force compete on the football field for the Commander in Chief’s trophy.

I'll be cheering for Air Force.

The Air Force Academy defeated the Naval Academy back on October 4, 30 – 21. Should Air Force beat Army this Saturday they will win the trophy outright, and the team will travel to the White House for the trophy presentation at a later date.

If you have never been on a visit the academies, or better yet been to a game among any of the participants, I highly recommend you put it on your bucket list. From the Tail Gate parties to the March On and all through the game itself, It’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Each day the 4,000 plus cadets of the Air Force Academy eat their meals in Mitchell Hall. Especially during the week leading up to both the Army and Navy football games, special motivational events happen. Here is but one featuring Noah Sternat, the tall one far right, when the three buglers begin to blow. Noon meal at Mitch. If your interested in the academy life at Colorado Springs, there's a lot of good video on the trailer. 

Having a meal together in Mitch.

Where in the world

 Is Jeff Berthiaume?

Jeff  is currently in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At the moment we expect him here on Turkey eve. With the famous Detroit Lions hosting its usual game on Thanksgiving, I’m sure he’s wishing for good plane connections along the way. We'll save a Drum Stick for you Jeff.

The US Embassy, Dhaka, Banladesh

  

ABBY MADE IT HOME FOR A VISIT

For the first time since July first, Abby got to come home for a visit. It was also Home Coming for Bennett HS, her Alma mater. She got to see all her buddies, her cousin Tommy before he left for China and a Bennett football victory.

On Saturday night Jeff and Kathy played host to a Tail Gate party with Pulled Pork the featured edible, along with everyone’s favorite beverage. Between bites of food we watched Mississippi State beat up Kentucky 45 – 31 on the gridiron to remain #1 in the College Football Poll.

                                             Abby and her Buds, Home Coming weekend.

DITTOS

Up north in Connecticut where we spent a few years, comes the Sternat family. Babette Sternat, married to Matthew, was a classmate and best friend of our daughter Kathryn. Babette is also a Nurse, APRN to be exact, and the mother of three.

Noah's been featured  in “The Rooster” previously. He’s the young man at the Air Force Academy and this weekend will be at West Point with the Academy’s Drum and Bugle Corps for the big game against Army.

Well, Noah has two sisters, Emily and Hope / Hope and Emily. Yep-err, they B twins, or Dittos as I like to say. I’ve known them girls since their Momma gave birth, still couldn’t tell you who is  who. At any rate this past weekend they were in a race. All official like, with numbers plastered to their fronts and everything.

According to their mother, they came in 2^nd and 3^rd in their age group and 77^th and 84^th out of 184 participants. Maybe next year they can venture to DC and try on the half or full USMC Marathon. They even have a 10 K down there that day.

At any rate, here’s a picture of the ladies and a little shout out to make their grandparents , Bob Lataille and Carl and Carol Sternat, proud of the young ladies. I'm sure their Mamma and Daddy will like it also.

 Congratulations ladies from “The Rooster.”

                                       

Tommy Palmer

Tommy departed early Saturday morning for Dulles Airport outside of Washington, DC for a thirteen hour flight to Beijing, China. This was to be an Experiential trip from his school. He will have some journal and writing assignments during and after the trip as part of his school work.

Yesterday Tommy sent us a picture from the Great Wall.

From that smile I'd say he's enjoying the trip.

Tommy flew out of Dulles last Saturday to Bejing, China. On Wednesday he flew to Xianyang and on the 31^st would head to Shanghai for the remainder of his trip. If all goes well and is on schedule he will arrive back in Dulles on November, 2.

Tommy, we will be looking for some great stories upon your return.

While traveling within China, China Eastern Airline was the mode of travel.

One of the blogs I follow

http://www.itstactical.com/ or Imminent Threat Solutions, is one of the many blogs I follow. If your interested in growing a Mustache, click on the word Mustache and join the contest. Better yet, become a member.

Do you Drink?

Many people wonder if the alcohol they drink is too much. How about when we go to doctor and the nurse asks you, “do you drink?” “Umh, what do you mean?” Well stupid, she wants to know if you drink alcohol. Now that could be beer, wine, mixed or here in Halloween season, cider. “Yeh,  occasionally I'll have a drink,” you’ll say. Have you ever wondered where you fit in the great realm of drinker? "Every Sunday" you say, "it's a Catholic thing at communion."

Check out this site from the "Washington Post." 

Perhaps your not indulging as much as you think. Cheers!

The Fox and the Chickens

We've had a security breach in the fence line at Fire Base Charlie Whisky (Collins Wharf). 

Long about 0200 hrs., Wednesday morning, there was a squawking come from the chicken's bunk house. Mary Agnes, God bless her sole, sprang from the bed to see what the matter. Now I don't know how she attired herself. It was warm, so she didn't have to dress up much, but out she dashed with flashlight in hand. What, no shot gun?

I, being a bit less protective and a whole lot less dashing, sat there on the edge of the bed, a listnin to whatever might be going on. Of course now, I most likely wouldn't have heard much. I am close to 72 and my hearing ain't quite what it were some years back.

When all the commotion died down and the little woman returned she said, "I think the Roosters (Casper) is dead." I could tell she was mighty upset. Her usual electric mood was all downcast and sorrowing like. It were like one of our own had gone the way of the Lord. I felt just so horrible. I tried consoling her but it wer'nt no good. The next few hours were going to belong ones, I just knowed it.

After a bit the wife says, "I don't remember lockin the gate." Up she gets, put on some shoes I'm guessing and out she goes again. When she comes in she says, "The Rooster aint dead Pa, he was up and movin." thank the Lord I thought, "Had a bit of blood around his neck though." It werent long and she were aback snoorin, I knew then, the Rooster would make it. 

There weren't no "Cock a Doodle Do" that morning, but Casper did venture out. Slowly mind you, but he did go out. His 9 Hens were all OK, and they were out also. They just didn't seem to have that usual feisty spirit they normally have. 

I made improvements to secure the area better during the day. We let them Free Range in the afternoon and as the sun set they were a bit reluctant to head into the Coop. Eventually, with a bit of urging, we got them in and secure. All except two mind you. We have had two hens for some time now that refuse to sleep in the coop. They spend the night either up a tree or under my tool shed. Each morning they appear, enter the pen when I open the gate and join the others in their daily routine.

On Thursday Morning we got the "Cock a Doodle Do" and more animation from the entire flock. This morning it was even more so. Things are returning to normal. We're still waiting on the Rooster's chase of the Hens, I'm sure it's only a few days away.

I swear she loves them chickens as much as the Young ins.