Existing In BFE

I have Tuesdays and Thursdays off so on a whim I noticed in the morning newspaper that a unique plane was going to be on exhibit and even giving rides at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Beautiful day (aren't they all?) so I hopped on the Beast for a 30-40 minute trip. After a rather difficult time finding the plane at the north end of the airport I finally found the place and grabbed my camera. So, this is the Tin Goose.  Manufactured on August 21, 1929 and was purchased by Pitcairn Airways, who started Eastern Airlines with it and its sister ship.  On October 1, 1930 the plane was sold and moved to Cuba where it inaugurated Cubana Airlines.  In August of '46 it became the Air Force One for the Domican Republic.  After that it became a crop duster, and then a smoke jumper and borate bomber for the Forest Fire Service.    The plane was used in the Johnny Depp movie “Public Enemies” and the Jerry Lewis movie “Family Jewels.” ...

Today baseball starts again. Before there was a Paul Giammati, the actor, there was a Bartlett Giamatti the commissioner of basbeball.  He died right after his lifetime suspension to Pete Rose, but he wasn't particularly a baseball man.  He was a baseball fan who happened to teach at Harvard. If you do nothing else today, please watch this video of Commissioner Giammati reading one of his many baseball essays.  Play Ball!!  

Oakview Country Club.  Number 5 hole to the left.  Number 9 tee off center right. Number 7 green to far right.

Tuesday Tidbits is a compendium of things I have either done or seen this week.  It is also stuff found while browsing the internet this week.   It may or may not reflect my feelings on any topic.    This old Mechanics Illustrated picture is closer to reality than one might imagine: think laptop.   ++++++++++ Brendan always teased Missy with fake tosses.  Jerk. ++++++++++ ++++++++++ “Sometimes, carrying on, just carrying on, is the superhuman achievement.” — Albert Camus, The Fall ++++++++++ ++++++++++ Something weird happened a couple days ago. Whizzy and I had just finished our 3 mile, 4:00 am walk.  We had just re-entered Death Valley and decided to wander up to the Clubhouse and get the mail.  I saw lights down the road but didn't think much of it.  Then it started honking.  And honking.  And honking.  Why don't you just get out of ...

Arts and crafts time at Papa's Daycare.  Today we are going to make slime.  Those of you with grandkidlings know what that is:  modified glue in hair and carpets.  But we throw caution to the wind here at Death Valley.  The recipe is easy, and the kids are at a fever pitch. The ingredients are simple.  Elmer's glue.  Today we are using the colored glue which eliminates food coloring.  4 ounces of glue, a half teaspoon of baking soda and some contact lens solution (1 tablespoon) and you have an enjoyable time with the kids occupied while you take in another episode of Bar Rescue . Norah requested fluffy slime so for that you need about three cups of shaving lotion.  And it really foes make it fluffy.   I know its Monday and you have to go to work as soon as you down your crumpet and third cup of coffee.  But you have all week to get the ingredients and try some slime next weekend.  Enjoy.

Growing up I thought the Masons were mysterious (for all the secrecy),  good guys (for their good works), goofy (for riding those midget cycles in parades), and Egyptian (for those fez hats).  Never knew much else, and while someone approached me to join when I was in college, and turned them down, and I find I still think of them that way.   Herb joined on November 1, 1950 and through the years I remember him having to buy a fedora for some ritual they did, and for having to do a lot of memorizing. Back then Seaton had their own lodge, but no more.   This is a finely engraved and impressive membership document he kept.    

We are a nation divided.  Divided by politics, religion, ideas regarding the press, freedom of speech, cable news networks, Congress, immigration, sexual orientation, and the color of skin, to name just a few.  Most of us go about our daily lives in pursuit of  things that fill our days: a business sale, lunch with someone, just getting through work, watching the kids, Netflix, keeping the boat afloat.  We may run into a TV or a newspaper that collides with our notions of who we are but for the most part we tend to spend days with people just like ourselves.  This serves as a useful insulation to the wider world that isn't exactly "just like ourselves". Who are we?  What common values do we have as Americans?  With the rise of Trumpism here and all over the world, do we still collectively value the same things?  Remember Roosevelt's Four Freedoms he articulated in a speech and Norman Rockwell put to canvas?  They were: Freedom of Speech, F...

An old truck south of Emerald City that hasn't moved in years.  But don't tell that to the roof antenna.

Tuesday Tidbits is a compendium of things I have either done or seen this week.  It is also stuff found while browsing the internet this week.   It may or may not reflect my feelings on any topic.  ++++++++++ “The medieval warrior, realizing the consequences of his impulsive act, immediately approached the owner of the drone and offered to pay for the damage. The owner of the drone was so impressed by the brilliant attack that he suggested organizing a competition for bringing down “dragons” with short spears next year. Drone owners have another year to develop a unique “dragon-like” design for their flying machines.” I am 100% cooler with this knowing that the spear-thrower realized “oops maybe I shouldn’t have done that” and tried to make it right, and  that the guy who the drone belonged to was cool with it. just so everyone knows, this has already been memorialized in a runestone ++++++++++ Tracks in fre...