Wonder and Ye Shall Find Out

Ft. McCoy is a neat little post. The Cantonment area is laid out in a big lazy triangle. Mostly it’s WWII barracks with a few new buildings here and there. The Post Head Quarters sits in the middle. Every day three loud horns blast off the various Bugle Calls. None of them are in cinch, blowing as far as 10 seonds apart, the Flag never moves. Retreat blasts and the flag stays put. I get a kick out of it.

I don’t get to see much media here. I have seen a little bit of the TV News, finally getting to see the Zawrqawi Video that has caused so much excitement. Yep, that Zawrqawi is the Lion of the Desert. Blazing away on an M249 SAW, weapons malfunction and all. Apparently the weapon failed to cycle. One of his Lieutenants comes and pulls the bolt back for him. He looks pissed off as he walks away from the camera. I think he even burned his fingers on the barrel. One thing about our enemies, they sure can make some entertaining video’s. There was a comment about him wearing New Balance sneakers. What’s wrong with that? I just bought me a new pair. Here is CENTCOM’s link to it.

Being here training for Iraq must be setting into my mind, meaning that I’m getting used to it. I’m getting curious about home again. What’s the weather? Is the Sun shining? What’s the latest news around the County? Is anything changing? Flying out of Asheville I sat next to the window of that little Jet and watched Appalachia fade away into the clouds. There it was then gone behind a white veil as if it wanted a quick good bye. I didn’t see the Earth again until we were above the Ohio, where there was no hint that Appalachia existed.

I did get a call from the Reguvinator today. The day I left there was a Forest Fire near the Brevad Music Center. The day before I left there was one next to my house, but not nearly as big. There is a place called Silvermont in Brevard, belongs to the City or County one. It's an old mansion from old man Silverstein, he was a big buisness man, lumber, leather and so on. In front of it were great big Hemlocks. They were diseased and had to be cut down. They have been there all my life. He called me and told me the things I wanted to know. He lived in California He knows what it's like...small changes in a small town. Knowing stuff like that will make it easier to adjust when I get home.

I miss hearing Church Bells. From my house I can hear Church Bells ring from various Churches. To be off in the woods and hear those sweet bells! I can remember my Step Kids Hunting with me and the look of wonder on my Step Daughters face as we listened to the Bells. They play Christmas Carols during Deer Season. Someone once told me that every time I hear Bells ring that God is looking after me. I think that every time I hear them. I don’t think that I will hear any Church Bells ring across a Mountain side from far away any time soon. It’s OK though.

Today was a good day. The sun shined and it was pretty warm. It was a good day for Land navigation.

Some Politician will be telling you next election that our Armed Forces are the best equiped and best trained in the world. They've obviously never slept on and Army Bunk.

The Appalachianist...