Graphic video reenactment of the USS Samuel B Roberts last battle
USS Samuel B. Roberts shipwreck found
This is a huge deal for my family. As readers of my blog may know this is the ship, USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), that my Uncle Paul died on during WW II. He was the gunnery captain on aft 5 inch gun that blew up after the ship lost power and they were firing and loading manually. For his bravery in this action he received the Silver Star and for 30 years there was a missile frigate, the USS Paul Henry Carr (FFG-52) floating around the seas on various naval missions. Quite an honor for my uncle and for our family.
Here are some links to the stories on the finding of the shipwreck:
Explorers find USS Samuel B. Roberts shipwreck
World’s deepest shipwreck, the Sammy B, is discovered by explorers
BBC article: USS Samuel B Roberts: World’s deepest shipwreck discovered
In 2018 my Uncle Paul was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. At the time I wrote a blog article about that experience:
Paul H. Carr inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame
I am sure there will be more coming out on this discovery as the story just broke a few days ago.
And so it goes.
Lemonade
“Si del cielo se caen limones, aprende a hacer limonada.”
Or in English, “If lemons fall from the sky, learn how to make lemonade.” Obviously very similar to the common proverbial phrase here in the United States, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”, belaboring the point, an expression meant to promote optimism.
One of my iTalki Spanish tutors, Moisés, lives in El Salvador. He is an interesting gentleman, and our conversations flow easily and cover a wide array of subjects. He frequently speaks of his father Continue reading “Lemonade”
A Polemic – Which Is the Greater Sin?
I really do not believe in the concept of sin, at least in sin as defined in the Christian Bible. The idea that there is a god that will condemn the soul of one of his creations to burn in the fires of hell for all eternity for some behavior during their all too short life span is more than I can give credence to. But then I also do not believe in the concept of heaven or hell. I have no idea if we have a soul or not, the rational part of me believes that death is simply the extinguishing of a light, no big deal.
However, I do believe that there are any number of human behaviors and actions that can be classified as “sins”. For me a sin is any action or behavior that damages another being either physically, mentally or emotionally. I would also put into the definition harming the environment, the planet, the overuse of resources, basically any unethical behavior that reaches Continue reading “A Polemic – Which Is the Greater Sin?”
Duck Dynasty Backpacking Trip
I went hiking this past weekend with my brother, Mike, aka Dictionary Dude, a semi-retired CPA. We hiked the Ozark Highlands Trail, OHT, starting at the trailhead close to Ozone Campground on Arkansas Highway 21, ending up at the Fort Douglas Trailhead, 1.5 miles east of the Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area on Arkansas Highway 123. Total distance covered was 20 miles. We took it easy and did the distance in two and one half days. Last hike we did was 30 miles in 3 days which does not sound like a lot, but remember we are carrying packs that weigh around 35 pounds loaded. Plus these hikes are in Arkansas, you are either going uphill or downhill, if you find yourself walking on the flat for any extended period of time, Continue reading “Duck Dynasty Backpacking Trip”
Pobrecita
Robin would not let me take a picture, but she looks like the victim of spousal abuse! The reality is that is not my style, and I am not near brave enough to do such a horrible thing. I am convinced she would make Lorena Bobbitt look like an angel.
We had her son’s dog, Osho for a few days. Osho is absolutely convinced that my conjunction-function in life is to take him on walks. Of course, if I take him I cannot leave The Wee Dog behind. All of which is fine, but two dogs on leashes can be a bit of a chore. They are generally pretty good walking together, but occasionally they will each discover odors needing investigation that are in opposite directions. I end up feeling like the proverbial wishbone.
Normally, Osho wants to go around dark-thirty, just after we feed him. Monday was a nice day so I thought I would do it earlier, as it was warm and sunny. I asked Robin if she would like to tag along, both for her company and so we could split the two dogs between us.
All was fine until we started to enter the garage. Robin saw what was left of a decorative gourd in the garden she could not leave, so she handed me Lily’s leash. I took it, and was promptly entangled with both dogs. I managed to get Lily unwrapped who decided she had to head for the door leading from the garage to the kitchen immediately. Unfortunately, Robin was headed towards the trash can just beside that door in the garage. Before I could act or say anything, Robin tripped over Lily’s leash. I am not sure I ever saw anyone fall quite so fast – despite what Galileo espoused. She had no time to put her hands in front, partly because she was carrying the gourd. She landed directly on her nose, skinning her knees. All I could think of was her two back surgeries. She was obviously very shook up. Just to be on the safe side we went to urgent care. She was basically fine, but she has been very sore for a couple days. I was fully expecting a raccoon mask that is so common when the nose receives such a blow. Her nose is bruised and her left eye looks like mine after one of my karate matches (back in the day).
We are both thankful that is was not worse.
And so it goes.
Angels Sometimes Wear Bathing Suits
It was the mid 1960s. My father, a technical representative for an aerospace company, had been assigned to work with the US Navy in Naples, Italy. Because it was to be a long stint the whole family moved with him to Naples.
The first year we lived in the actual city of Naples. However, four rambunctious American boys living in a city of apartment dwellers was not working out well. At the time of this story I was the eldest at 13 years old, Paul was 11, Mike was 10, and Jeff the youngest at 6 years old. My parents would soon have a fifth son, Mark, born while we were there.
My father found a villa to rent several Continue reading “Angels Sometimes Wear Bathing Suits”
Strange Bedfellows
We just celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day this third Monday of January , the 17th, which started me thinking about an anecdote I have been telling for years.
In the fall of 1983, much against the desires and better judgment of my now ex-spouse, I weaseled – and weasel is the operative word – my way back into her abode after a very long separation. I don’t remember exactly how long this particular separation had been, probably somewhere around 18 months. While we stayed together, more or less, for another dozen years, the marriage had been a tumultuous relationship nearly from day one. At one point in my life I spent a lot of time ruminating Continue reading “Strange Bedfellows”
Salvadorian Home Remedy
This morning I was practicing español via Skype with one of my tutors who lives in El Salvador. I’m in my 3rd week with a cough and sore throat. Because I was coughing a bit during the lesson we began to talk about home remedies for coughs.
I told him about one from my childhood that involves honey, lemon juice, whiskey and hot water. He related how they had a similar one there that involved honey, lemon juice and RADISHES.
The radish part surprised me. He theorized that honey was used for its anti-bacterial properties and radishes because it contained iodine which is a good anti-bacterial also. It is, but I am not sure it functions as such at the levels in his concoction.
I began to wonder about iodine in radishes and found the following information. Radishes actually contain goitrogens which interfere with the uptake of iodine and thus could be harmful to thyroidal health. Here is a link to an interesting article on the subject: One Major Side Effect of Eating Radishes, Says Science
Another Salvadorian home remedy for coughs involves the liquid from the aloe vera plant extracted via a blender.
We ended by my saying that I preferred my home remedy because after 2 or 3 doses you did not care if you had a cough or not.
And so it goes.
INTJ Targeted by Big Brother
Big Brother aka Google fed me the following article in my news feed today:
INTJ Personality: 5 Traits, Strengths, Weaknesses & More
It is not surprising at one level as I tend to at least glance at articles related to science subjects, such as psychology. I am chalking it up to coincidence that it was an exact hit on my particular Briggs-Meyers personality type. I have to, otherwise the paranoia will be too much.
Years ago, when I was around 30, I took one of these tests in a more or less medical situation. I came out INTJ then – only 2% Continue reading “INTJ Targeted by Big Brother”