Existing In BFE

Poking out from the Aquarium I spied what looked to be a gray ship.  Then I remembered reading something about it quite a while ago.  After walking the Aquarium, which was quite nice, I asked my entourage if they would wait while I walked behind the building to investigate that ship.  They all wanted to see, too, so like the troopers that are, off we walk to see something really neat. And then it came in full view.  The USS American Victory, one of only 4 fully operational World War II ships in the US.   It was a military cargo ship and was built toward the end of the war.  It was a self-guided tour, and not many people at all, so it was like we had the complete run of the place.  A couple of areas were roped off, the engine room being one of them, but for the most part it was open and accessable. What caught my eye from the Tampa Aquarium.  I come from a long line of seamen so naturally this piqued my interest. Approaching the USS America...

This kid looks like he's about 12. I wonder at what point of this artwork one or the other looked at it and knew it was heading South? Sagittarians  These people can lack in social graces and sometimes indicate coarseness and a poor appreciation for "niceties" and polite manners. They can also be a little inarticulate, caring more about making their point, than the elegance of the style in which it is made. - Wikipedia Captain Combover Pretty 21 year old scarred for life with a face tat. Someone seems verrrrry happy to be arrested. The brash cockiness of youth. Another fighter of LEO, who lost. Steady, steady. Name is "Kevin Love Peters".  Get it?

This Blog attempts to be politically non-denominational, if we post anything at all.  Be warned however, that today's Bonus Post is political.  If easily offended then don't read further.  Bill Smith is a writer of exceptional insight. He is a Marine, and has an interesting take on things in the political arena.  Like many Americans he is no longer enamored with President Obama, but can't bring himself to vote for Romney.  He is, like many waiting for meaningful leadership.  Claiming he will not cast a vote this fall, he had this to say about America on the 4th.        On this 236th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain I think its important to think about what that document and those words meant when they were written. How it set the stage for our Founders to write our Constitution and for this country to become the greatest country in the world. A country that was constantly reinvent...

This is dipping into the archives so far my memory is fuzzy, but here goes.  Mike and Pat Johnson, co-workers and forever friends, were members at Lake Littlejohn near Oak Run.  When I was but a pup working at the Mary Davis Home Becky and I were invited to have a cookout. It must have been a Sunday community All-Member affair as the above picture illustrates the guys busy cooking.  Mike is the fellow 4th from left, with his back to us.  This was back when we would go golfing with Randy and John Pogue or some other 4th and we'd head out to Oak Run.  We would hit the ball around and drink some beer.  Once when returning to G-Burg Randy's muffler fell off on a curve and went toward a farm house, prompting Mike to yell, like the good Navy man he was, "Torpedo One!"  Decency and civility prevent me from commenting on what he yelled to a lady working her garden on one of our trips back.  Oh my.   Pat and Becky simultaneously mugging and avoidin...

Family Outing to Carmelita's.  Yell "Immigration!" and you would see the  kitchen crew, waitstaff and half the patrons bolt for the nearest exit.  Wish they'd take the artwork with them. License plate: WHZ BNG Two cool guys modeling St. Pete T-shirts Target racing "...And then it got real quiet." Michael, my old buddy from G-Burg days is soon to be 9 years old. The beautiful and enchanting Miss Alhanna A sweet disposition...  ...quickly soured by a poking spoon. Further proof Florida is one of the dumbest states in America. Awaiting fireworks at the Pier. And here's Norah falling asleep in her toy box. Norah and Daddy amusing themselves a couple weeks ago.