Camera Totin Idiot

Last Post

2010-02-26T12:48:00.004-05:00

After 277 posts and a lot of fun I'm calling it quits. I simply can't maintain a blog, a Facebook page and a Flickr page. Something has to give. So, I decided to shut the blog down. It's been fun, but I gotta move on. If you want to catch me I'm on Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32832165@N07/ or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000040862097

Once again, it's been fun. See you all on the other side.

The Camera Totin' Idiot

The 743 in Freight Service

2010-01-29T19:32:00.005-05:00

A little something the Scenic Railroad does every January for a group of railfans...running a photo freight. This is the first time in several years that I haven't been working when the train ran. Needless to say, I had fun.

The Only Civilized Way To Travel

2010-01-28T12:21:00.003-05:00

Great Northern's Empire Builder.

The B&O's Capitol Limited.

On the Erie

The grandeur of passenger travel is such that little written word is needed.

Little This, Little That

2010-01-26T10:59:00.001-05:00

My Favorite Photo

2010-01-13T10:15:00.005-05:00

I got tagged by LemonyRenee' to post my favorite photo. Hahahahaha! If she knew how many photos I have and then ask me to post my favorite. I had biology tests in college that were easier. Anyway, after three days of rummaging around and scratching my head, I pulled this one out.

This is my son back in 1987 at a family reunion. I was lying under a tree in the front yard at my wife's Aunt Mib's place. It was that point of the festivities when the grown ups were off in their little clusters catching up on things, the big kids had wondered off, and the little kids were napping. My son was just playing around, by himself, when he grabbed a volleyball and started batting it around. I grabbed my camera and fired once. And this is it. Hope you like it.

Uh, I'm not quite sure how this tagging thing works, but I'm tagging my better half over at A Mother's Minute.

Tag . . . you're it!

Post your favorite photo and tell us about it. Then post a comment here at Tara Cain's blog to be part of the photo display.

Last Run of the Season

2009-12-20T22:12:00.002-05:00

734 made its last run for 2009. Wanting to capture my favorite subject in the snow I grabbed my trusty camera and headed out. I wasn't disappointed. The first four photos were taken at the east end of the narrows. The last photo was taken at the Helmstetter farm.

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-20T09:17:00.006-05:00

Scenes from yesterdays big snowfall.

Looking up Rt. 40--the National Highway

Mailbox Along National Highway

LaVale United Methodist Church

No Train Today

George Washington Slept Here

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Walking the Downtown Mall

O Christmas Tree

Merchants Alley

Liberty Street

Goody Two Shoes

It's That Time of Year

2009-12-05T12:42:00.003-05:00

A Movie Everyone Should Watch

2009-11-23T12:25:00.001-05:00

Back Home Again

2009-11-19T10:08:00.007-05:00

There's a storm across the valley, clouds are rolling in.
The afternoon is heavy on his shoulders
There's a truck out on a four lane, a mile or more away
The whining of his wheels just makes him colder.

He's an hour away from riding on your prayers up in the sky,
Ten days on the road are barely gone,
There's a fire softly burning,
Supper's on the stove its the light in your eyes that makes him warm

Hey its good to be back home again
Aometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend...yes
And hey its good to be back home again.

There's all the news to tell him,
How'd you spend your time
What's the latest thing the neighbors say
And your mother called last Friday,
Sunshine made her cry
And you felt the baby move just yesterday

Hey its good to be back home again ...yes it is
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend...yes
And hey its good to be back home again.

All the time that I can lay this tired old body down
Feel your fingers feather soft upon me
The kisses that I live for
The love that lights my way
The happiness that living with you brings me

Its the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you
Its the little things that make a house a home
Like a fire softly burning,
Supper on the stove
The light in your eyes that makes me warm

Hey, it's good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm
Feels like a long lost friend
Yes, hey it's good to be back home again

Hey, it's good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm
Feels like a long lost friend
Hey it's good to be back home again
Said hey it's good to be back home again

Lyrics by John Denver

Last Saturday, Goody Two Shoes and me took Mom up to the farm. She hadn't been there in 30 years. She enjoyed herself and gave my cousin, who's fixing up the old home place, a history lesson. I guess you really can go home.

The Innocent Years

2009-11-02T12:06:00.014-05:00

I need to go down and wash my face
Deep in the river of my old homeplace
I need to walk in the waters that once gave me life

Go over and walk the old railroad tracks
See if I can follow it all the way back
Back to where my vision is clear
Back to the days of the innocent years

You know I'd trade it all back in
For just one day like it was back then
Back before just living my life got in the way

To see my face at sixteen again

When the girl down the street was my best friend
When her smile took away my fears
Back in the days of the innocent years.

You might grow wiser every day
But there's a price you have to pay
The boy I was just disappeared
I left him behind in the innocent years

Now and then when the sun goes down
I can see the moon over my hometown

I can almost hear the train rushing by

I close my eyes and say a prayer
To the wide-eyed boy that I lost somewhere

Maybe someday he'll find me here
And lead me back to the innocent years

When I get lost along the way
And I can't see the light of day
I can almost feel him near

Calling me back to the innocent years
The innocent years.

Lyrics by Kathy Mattea
Revised by the Camera Totin' Idiot

A Great Weekend

2009-11-01T21:33:00.009-05:00

Where the Road Takes Me

Thunder Road

Must...Pedal...Faster

Woodcock Hollow II

Woodcock Hollow III

Lap Water Station I

Lap Water Station II

Goody Two Shoes...my partner in crime.

The Best of Times

2009-10-30T12:06:00.003-04:00

It's not my high school, but that's okay, the time period is right and the images and lyrics take me back to a simpler time before just living my life got in the way.

#58 DA MAN!

2009-10-10T19:48:00.008-04:00

Last month Goody Two Shoes asked what I wanted for my birthday. At the time I had no idea. Three days later I found out Jack Lambert, my favorite Steeler, and the biggest badass of all time would be signing autographs today up in Butler, PA.

I waited 30 years for this day...and it was worth it.

A Pretty Good Weekend...So Far.

2009-09-26T22:58:00.009-04:00

Me 'n Goody Two Shoes went to the Buckwheat Festival in Kingwood, WV on Friday. Mainly to hear Kathy Mattea sing. Had some time to check out the exhibits before the show. NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer's car.

Some award winning maters.

Some sort of animal judging was going on but we couldn't get in.

Checked out the fun on the rides. Look at their faces.

Then it was time for the show. She travels with a three piece band and used no opening act Friday night. Here she's singing, 'You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive,' a song about coal mining in Harlan County, Kentucky.

Kathy singing, 'The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore,' another coal mining song.

Me with Kathy after the show. She signed autographs for anyone that wanted one. She couldn't have been more pleasant. A real class act. I've made no secret that Lee Ann Womack is my favorite country singer, and while I've been a fan of Kathy and her music I was paying attention to Ms. Womack a lot more. Um...with the release of Coal, which speaks volumes to me, and seeing Kathy in concert I find myself making a change at the top pf my list. Kathy has a lot more class, puts on a better show, and she sings from the heart. She's also a West Virginia girl, so that automatically scores big points with me.

Um, passed this on the way back to our car. Not quite sure what this is, but there was a parade earlier in the day, so I'll call it a redneck reviewing stand.

And now for Saturday. I got to go to the mall and meet former Pittsburgh Steeler running back, four-time Super Bowl champion, and Vietnam vetern, Rocky Bleier.

Me waiting in line.

Rocky signing my book.

A handshake from the Rock.

The fruits of his labor. Four Super Bowl Rings.

A big thumbs up from the Rock.

It's good to be a member of Steeler Nation!

Sunday at Shanksville

2009-09-14T08:38:00.007-04:00

Skipped church yesterday and went to Shanksville instead. I know, I know, church should come first. But since I worked Saturday, Sunday was the only day available to me.

The temporary memorial is a quiet place where people come to see and ponder and to leave something behind. Here's a few snaps from our fourth visit to Shanksville.

People leave all sorts of things.

A young boy trying to understand what happened that awful day.

They come from far and wide.

The Camera Totin Idiot looking into the field where Flight 93 came down.

Goody Two Shoes adding something to the memorial.

The real reason for going to Shanksville. The final resting place of Flight 93.

God Bless America

September 11

2009-09-11T09:13:00.007-04:00

And at the moment I ain't real big on forgiving either.

Yes, America, there are still heroes.

As long as Old Glory flies we win...they lose.

Snake Dance

2009-09-10T10:30:00.002-04:00

Went cycling on the Highlands Trail over Labor Day and Goody Two Shoes went and found herself a new pet.

They're Back!

2009-09-09T09:06:00.003-04:00

9-9-09

Remember this date. The Beatles Rockband comes out today. And if that isn't enough, all 12 of their studio albums and Past Masters I and II, have been digitally remastered and are being released to the public today. The greatest rock 'n roll band in the world is back...not that they ever really went away.

Oh, and for you sad misguided folks out there who think the Rolling Stones are better than the Beatles, guess what? The Beatles have sold 170,000,000 albums and Cd's and sit at the top of the list when it comes to sales. Garth Brooks is second, Elvis is third. The Rolling Stones have sold 66,000,000 and rank thirteenth on the all-time list behind Zepplin, the Eagles, Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Barbara Streisand, AC/DC, Elton John, George Straight, and Aerosmith.

One last Beatles video for those of you that haven't had enough.

Pittsburgh Math

2009-08-26T09:11:00.007-04:00

The NFL season is about to get underway and my Steelers are looking to defend their 6th world championship. So, in the spirit of good fun...and a whole lot of bias I offer this simple mathematical equation.

What it is...

What it was...

What it shall be!

Where did I get the numbers? Training camp...where else.

Been A Long Week

2009-08-22T14:30:00.004-04:00

Three days after getting home from our Tennessee vacation my step-father passed away. Bill had been sick for quite sometime, and while his passing was expected, it was still a shock.

He and my mother were married for almost twenty years and until this past February he'd never had anything worse than a cold.

He was a great guy, a christian gentleman, and he was good to Mom. He was also a grandfather to my kids when most men wouldn't have wanted to fool with them. We miss him already.

His obituary from the Times-News

RIDGELEY, W.Va.— William F. “Bill” Morgan, of Ridgeley, W.Va., went to be with his Lord and deceased family members on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, at the age of 90, at his home with family members by his side.

Born on Dec. 5, 1918, in Cumberland, he was the son of the late Merten Isaac Morgan and Julia Pleasant (Hymes) Morgan. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth (Stewart) in 1988; one sister, Mary Rice, and three brothers Melvin, Harold and Homer Morgan. He was the last member of his immediate family.

After Bill attended Allegany High School, he worked as a charge hand at the Cumberland Celanese Fibers Plant, before joining the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He graduated from radar school at Boca Raton, Fla., and served in Europe as a radar technician with the 306th Bomb Group. He was always ready to talk about how he was on the cutting edge of the new radar technology, and had many war stories to tell. He finished his service to his country as a sergeant in 1946.

Returning to Cumberland after the war, Bill graduated from Catherman’s Business School. He began working at Super Concrete (on Henderson Avenue, now Cumberland Concrete in LaVale), and retired from there in 1981 as the President and part owner of the company. He also was a bookkeeper and tax preparer for a number of contractors and business individuals over the years.

Bill belonged to a variety of business, community, and church organiza?tions over his lifetime, including the LaVale Methodist Church, LaVale Fire Department, Cumberland Chamber of Commerce and Western Maryland Contractor’s Association. Bill was very active for a number of years at Holy Cross UM Church in Carpendale, and became a Certified Lay Speaker in 1990. He was treasurer of the Union Grove Camp Meeting Association, and member of the September Singers. Recently, he had been attending Grace Brethren Church, Cumberland. Bill’s love of playing the guitar and singing gave him and others pleasure throughout his life. He played at many worship events and local nursing homes. He could play by note or “ear” on the banjo, violin, mandolin and harmonica. In his younger years, Bill enjoyed hunting, especially turkey.

Bill was very blessed to have two special women in his life, Elizabeth and Marian, and he enjoyed 90 years of good health.

Survivors include his second wife, Marian (Smith) Hutter; a daughter, JoAnn Brotemarkle and husband David, of Bel Air; a grandson, Aaron Morgan Brotemarkle and wife Natalie, of Bel Air; great-granddaughters, Kayla Elizabeth and Megan Rose Brotemarkle; a granddaughter, Kristi Lyn Perkins and husband Kip, of Nashville, Tenn.; stepgreat-grandsons Jacob Hartman, USAF, Texas, Jesse Hartman, of Keyser, and Chris and Chase Perkins, of Nashville, Tenn.; stepgreat-granddaughter Lacey Hartman, of Keyser; one stepson, Paul Hutter and wife Ann, of Cumberland; stepgrandson John Hutter, of Clarksville, Tenn; stepgranddaughters Lori Hutter and Sara Hutter and fiance Aaron Clark; stepgreat-grandson Jackson Clark, of Cumberland; sister-in-law Gerda Morgan, of Victorville, Calif., and a number of nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Ave., Cumberland, scarpellifuneralhomes.com on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home on Tuesday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Fred Iser officiating.

Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park.

Military honors will be accorded by the Post 13 Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Hospice of Potomac Valley Hospital, 167 S. Mineral St., Keyser, WV 26726.

The family would like to especially thank the Hospice workers from Potomac Valley Hospital for the loving care and support given to Bill and his family, and for his caring sitters, Ethel Durst, Matilda Wilhelm, Doris Tomlinson, and Kathy Friend.

Vacation's Over

2009-08-13T09:41:00.012-04:00

Where to begin? Well, first of all, we never got to see Cheap Trick. The concert was cancelled. Seems one of the guys from Def Leppard had a death in the family. While I'm sorry for his loss, I wish Cheap Trick and Poison would have still played. I guess the old saying, "The show must go on," doesn't apply anymore. And while visiting with our son was the most important thing, we still paid out a lot of money for hotel rooms and food and gas and other things.

The other down note from our trip was that whoever inspected our new(er) vehicle before we signed the papers and drove it home, didn't get all the lug nuts tight on the right rear wheel. We felt the vibration and heard the 'whump, whump, whump sound and got stopped before any real damage had been done. Here, you can see the results for yourself.

One lug nut was gone and it's stem was sheared off. All four remaining lug nuts were so loose I could turn them with my fingers. If something like this doesn't take the wind from your sails, nothing will.

Other than that we had a good time. Ate at a lot of nice places, went to Nashville and spent the day just poking around. Since the concert was cancelled we ended up with more time to visit with our son and Goody Two Shoes brother and his family.
Down on Broadway. Legends with the Ryman behind it.

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

A street performer down at the corner of Second and Broadway.

The latest fashion trend?

Goody Two Shoes, the Camera Totin' Idiot, and Deputy Dawg down by the Cumberland River.

Skippy and his girlfriend.

Custom Harley's

Hot country music at Legends

Ran into the Fab Four in Legends.

Ever see a toilet seat guitar?

Jonesboro, Tennessee, on the way home.

A B&B in Jonesboro.

Main Street in Erwin, Tennessee.

In the Beatles booth at the Fuddruckers in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Bristol Motor Speedway....or Thunder Valley, as they call it.

Last stop on the way home. Thurmond, West Virginia. Had to drive over this bridge.

The Thurmond Depot. The whole town is now run by the National Park Service.

What's left of Thurmond's business district. The movie Matewan was filmed here.

The window of the National Bank.

Miner's homes on the hillside.

Training Camp

2009-08-03T11:44:00.008-04:00

Goody Two Shoes & me drove over to Latrobe to watch the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers practice. At the moment they have 82 players on the roster, which will have to be weeded down to 52 or 53 by the end of camp in three weeks. Here's a few snaps of yesterday's fun.

Big Ben and the 1st unit offense

Big Ben, Matt Spaeth, and Hines Ward.

Pitch and catch.

Big Ben

Coach Mike Tomlin

A.Q. Shipley from Penn State

#1 draft choice Ziggy Hood

The back of my shirt kinda says it all.

It's gonna be a fun year!

I'm Quoted!

2009-08-02T09:20:00.002-04:00

Someone actually reads my blog and used something I said in an article. Back on July 13 I wrote a post titled 'Old Faithful' about the lost of the Helmstetter barn along the tracks of the scenic railroad. Two days ago, the Cumberland Times News published an article on the loss of the barn and a number of efforts underway to help the owner. The article is posted below and the opening lines (in yellow)are from my original post. I happily, but humbly say thank you to Mr. Spradlin and the Times-News for using my words.

Train ride to aid Helmstetter, a farmer and railroad friend

Kevin Spradlin
Cumberland Times-News

LAVALE — “It’s very sad, as a landmark I’ve known since I was a boy is now gone,” wrote a man lamenting on the devastating July 9 barn fire on the property of a well-known farmer.

But as the writer later pointed out, “life goes on,” and now members of the community are gathering to aid John Helmstetter, of Helmstetter’s Curve along what is now Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s path from Cumberland to Frostburg. Helmstetter, 67, lost a dozen cattle, some equipment and his best friend and employee, a border collie named Teddy.

“He was an extremely good working dog,” said friend turned fundraiser Carl Franz, who formed the John Helmstetter Farm Fund Committee with Bill Larduskey and Steve Barry, of Railfan and Railroad Magazine.

“He helped John take cows out to pasture in the morning and helped bring them in at night.”

Helmstetter was injured in the blaze while trying to save some of his animals. The barn, of classic Mid-Atlantic design, featured a bank in front and a cantilever overhang in the back with a silo.

Farming, Franz said, “is John’s life. Frankly, I don’t know how he supports himself. Today, you need a big farm and be highly automated. Still, 10 good years can be wiped out in a single (bad) year. He doesn’t know anything else. He doesn’t want to know anything else.”

And at his age, Helmstetter’s friends don’t think he should have to. So railroad fans who stop along Helmstetter’s Curve along the Great Allegheny Passage trail — railroad fans from across the country — are organizing a Western Maryland Scenic Railroad train ride Nov. 9. The benefit ride will feature a stop at Helmstetter’s Curve, where camera-toting passengers can get off and photograph a freight train blowing smoke followed by vintage freight cars rounding the famously scenic point. With multiple passes, photographers will have several opportunities to capture on camera what the scene looked like more than 60 years ago.

The area was made famous by former Times-News photographer William P. Price, who began taking train photographs in the 1930s. Price died in 2002 but his photos of the area continue to be widely circulated.

Efforts to aid Helmstetter also include selling limited-edition prints of a 10-inch by 14-inch photo of Helmstetter waving to a passing train. The prints will be signed by Helmstetter. A local running group also is coordinating a benefit run and walk for Nov. 8. Proceeds from the event, to be run partially along the trail and on the Helmstetter farm, will benefit Helmstetter directly.

Supporters also can make a separate donation or purchase a copy of the video “Photo Freight,” featuring Western Maryland 734.

The curve is one of the most famous pieces of railroad in the eastern United States, according to a Web site established for the John Helmstetter Farm Fund at www.helmstetterfarm.org. And Helmstetter has been a friend to rail fans, friends and strangers alike, for decades. He’s allowed access to his land and buildings for photography and allowed the removal of large trees and brush from his hillside near the tracks for better viewing opportunities and to return the scene to how it looked in the 1940s. Helmstetter also has used his time to mow and brush-hog the railroad’s right of way and adjacent fields.

“There are so many people who have rallied around John,” Franz said. “People from all over the U.S. are contributing to this fund. John is a true gentleman farmer.”

A John Helmstetter Farm Fund has been established at M&T Bank in Cumberland. Donations can be dropped off there or donors can go online to www.helmstetterfarm.org. Funds raised will not be used to rebuild the big red barn, nearly 110 years old at the time of the fire. Instead, it’s to help Helmstetter maintain what many feel is his rightful and deserved place along the scenic route.

“He wants to wake up every morning and see that sun rise on Cash Valley Road,” Franz said.

I Got New Wheels

2009-07-30T13:16:00.005-04:00

Yes, the Camera Totin' Idiot has a new CTI-mobile. Yes, it's yellow, so make all the jokes you want. It's newer than my old Sport-trac, way fewer miles, and Goody Two Shoes liked the color.

It's already been called a school bus, a bumble bee, a banana boat, the Yellow Submarine, and the Steeler Mobile. Got any more good ones? Drop me a comment.

My Little Buddy & 734

2009-07-25T22:48:00.001-04:00

Goody Two Shoes and me took our grandson to Helmstetters Curve to see 734 today.

July 20, 1969

2009-07-20T13:13:00.005-04:00

I sat on my living room floor and watched this on television. I remember it like it was yesterday. I can still hear Walter Cronkite's voice, too.

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

photos courtesy of NASA

Scenic Sunday

2009-07-19T17:08:00.003-04:00

One of the Flock Comes Home to Roost

2009-07-17T12:30:00.006-04:00

It would seem that the Western Maryland Railway is far from gone, even though they were merged into the Chessie System nearly thirty years ago. Miles of former-WMRY track is still in use, a number of WMRY train stations still stand and are in use, and quite a bit of rolling stock is still around. Also still hanging around are more than just a few diesel locomotives from the once proud fleet. Just last year, FA-2 #302 came home and is awaiting rebuild and painting in Beilington, WV. GP-9 #25was returned to service on the George's Creek Railway in a fresh coat of jet black paint with yellow speed lettering. And now, sister engine #39 is home in Western Maryland.

Here's 39 while still in service. At Elkins, WV in 1972

In tourist service at Gettysburg, PA in 1991.

Back on home rails, July 11, 2009

photos by the Camera Totin' Idiot, unless otherwise noted.

Old and dear memories die hard, as do legends.

40 Years Ago Today

2009-07-16T12:35:00.005-04:00

Apollo 11 blasted into space 40 years ago today. It's destination...the moon. And for a kid who grew up a space cadet and flew model rockets, this was a big, BIG deal.

Photos, courtesy of NASA

Astronaut Gene Cernan said that in order to ride a Saturn V you had to fall in love with it first. I loved the thing, I still love it, and I want to ride it! Forget space shuttles and starships, I want to ride a Saturn V. Anything else pales in comparison.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-15T10:32:00.001-04:00

Old Faithful

2009-07-13T12:41:00.010-04:00

Growing up in Corriganville, not far from the Western Maryland tracks, it was natural that I spent a lot of time watching trains. My friends and I mostly hung around Brush Tunnel and watched the trains go by. Other times, when we were feeling adventerous, we'd head down the tracks and end up at Helmstetter's Curve and the farm that sat in the middle of the curve and atch the trains. Years later, after I picked up a camera I captured the farm on film quite a few times. Here are a few snaps.

These next two photos were taken three weeks ago while I was riding the train. Starting into the curve, I remember thinking, 'I gotta get the farm on film as I go by.' Glad now I did.

Even my mentor, Bill Price, captured the Helmstetter barn on film in the 1950's.

Photo by William P. Price.

Last week the unthinkable happened. The barn burned down. No human life was lost, but several head of cattle and the family dog perished in the fire.

Photo from the Cumberland Times-News.

It's very sad, as a landmark I've know since I was a boy is now gone. Still, life goes on, and who knows, maybe they'll rebuild.

What's the Big Deal?

2009-07-12T22:39:00.003-04:00

Since I started this blog I've posted dozens of photos of my favorite subject; steam locomotive 734. Many of you have no doubt wondered what the big deal is. Watch the movie and find out.

There's just something about a steam engine.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-08T00:16:00.003-04:00

For more WW fun, click here.

A Day in Gettysburg

2009-07-05T22:29:00.004-04:00

General Longstreet.

J.E.B. Stuart.

A Confederate reinactor. A great fellow to talk to. Great whiskers, too.

A farm along the Taneytown Road.

"...That these dead shall not have died in vain..."

The grandest monument on the battlfield. From Pennsylvania to her sons who fought to perserve the Union.

The Christ Lutheran Church where a Union chaplain was shot and killed on July 1, 1863

The memorial in front of the Lutheran Church.

A little video I shot. It's supposed to give you a little feel of what it was like approaching and climbing over the wall on July 3, 1863. Of course, no one was shooting at me. Thank goodness!

Happy Fourth Everyone

2009-07-04T19:49:00.007-04:00

Goody Two Shoes 'n me started our Fourth of July out yesterday by going to a free concert on the downtown mall. The main attraction was a local band, Queen City Funk & Soul. And they are very good. They sang songs by Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, the Blues Brothers, the Bar-Kays, Steely Dan, Tower of Power, and Aretha. Here are some snaps from the evening.

A small portion of the crowd that came out last night.

Goody Two Shoes (in the back) and my little sister, a.k.a 'the Runt' in the foreground.

Today was kind of a ho-hum day. Caught the scenic railroad up above Mt. Savage. I was surprised to find they were actually running. Usually they don't run on holidays.

Photographed a dragon fly.

Went to the car show at the fairgrounds. Didn't stay all that long.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-01T08:26:00.004-04:00

For more WW mayhem, click here

Thanks, Shifty!

2009-06-30T12:10:00.003-04:00

Band Of Brothers Hero, Darrell ‘Shifty’ Powers Dies

By The Continuous News Desk

Published: June 20, 2009

BY ROGER BROWN
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

“The world depended on them. They depended on each other.”

That was the tagline for “Band of Brothers” – an award-winning 2001 HBO mini-series drama on the World War II experiences of Easy Company, a U.S. Army unit that fought bravely and fiercely across Europe.

But for Bristol’s Margo Johnson – daughter of Darrell “Shifty” Powers, one of the soldiers depicted in “Band of Brothers” – two more lines could be added to describe her heroic father: “The world truly admired Darrell Powers. I absolutely adored him.”

“I loved everything about my daddy,” Johnson said. “He never bragged about what he did in the war. And for a lot of years, he never even talked much about what he did – unless someone asked him about it.

“But he truly was a hero to me,” Johnson said. “Just like he’d been to the people who know him as a soldier in a [mini-series].”

Powers, a Dickenson County native, died earlier this week at age 86 following a battle with cancer. His funeral service will be held today in Clintwood.

“He was a brave man, even to the end of his life,” Johnson said of her father. “He’s helping me be brave now, too.”

Bravery – and dignity – was a constant, running thread in the life of “Shifty” Powers, both during and after his life as an Army sharpshooter in the actual “Band of Brothers.”

During the war, he fought brutal battles against the German army across France and Belgium.

After the war, Powers served as an eloquent representative for the men he fought with: At one point during the “Band of Brothers” mini-series, he appeared on camera to talk in moving, humane fashion about his grim but necessary task during the war – killing the enemy.

And, too, Powers served as a loyal, steadfast representative for the country he fought for: from graciously meeting with a former enemy German soldier to eagerly accepting any chance to speak with modern-day members of the U.S. military.

Ivan Schwarz, a producer on the “Band of Brothers” HBO series, remembers Powers as a “kind, generous soul with a great sense of humor.”

“Shifty was an incredibly humble human being,” said Schwarz, now executive director of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission in Cleveland, Ohio.

“He was like most of the other [Easy Company] soldiers we met for the series. They were good guys who were kind of shocked that, 50 years later, people were making a big deal over them for just doing their duty.

“That’s exactly how [Powers] was, too,” Schwarz said.

Attempts were unsuccessful to reach Peter Youngblood Hills – the English actor who portrayed Powers in the “Band of Brothers” miniseries, through both HBO and his former publicity firm, Hamilton Hodell in London, England.

rbrown@bristolnews.com (276) 645-2512

Little Buddy Turns One

2009-06-29T12:36:00.016-04:00

With Aunt Lori...his eccentric aunt!

Jack-Jack even got his own personal cake.

The cake for the rest of us.

Time to open presents.

Mommy and Aunt Shannon helping Jack-Jack with his Lightning McQueen car.

Time for cake!

With Soccer Dude's dad, and Goody Two Shoes

With Soccer Dude's mom.

Jack-Jack and Pappy

Kiss me you fool!

I want more cake.

Bath time. I was in favor of just tossing him in the pool...but that's just me.

What a kid! All clean and ready for the pool.

I'm Tired of Hearing About....

2009-06-23T10:04:00.006-04:00

Ever get so tired of something you just wanted to scream, or throw something through the television. I get that way sometimes. But instead of screaming or throwing a brick at the TV I put whatever's buggin me on my list. Some of you may agree with my ranting, some you won't. But that's the great thing about America; we all get our say.

My taxes going up and my streets not getting fixed...among other things. This nonsense has been going on where I live before the economy went in the tank.

All the news networks with their doom and gloom reporting. They call it hard hitting journalism, I call it crap. And hey, where is the good news? There is still good news out there...isn't there?

Brad and Angelina and what they're up to now. I could care!

Jon and Kate Plus 8. Give me a break! He's a goof and she's a witch. And they should both be locked up for exploiting their kids; they're the real victims here. And has anyone ever seen a more butt ugly hairdo than hers. I swear, that woman could scare wild animals out of the forest.

Reality TV, period! I hate it, it sucks canal water...all of it. Any goof can get a TV show these days. Enough is enough!

That North Korean President dude with the Elvis pompadour and the cheap sunglasses threatening my country. Someone needs to step on that weasel.

Jessica Simpson and whether she can sing or not, and whether wearing hi-rider jeans gives her a 'mommy butt.' Again...I CARE! But just for the heck of it, here's my opinion...NO, she can't sing, and yes, those jeans make her butt look gigantic. There, everyone happy now?

Hey! Jessica's lost weight!

Of congress poking their noses into professional sports, namely baseball. Don't the boys and girls on capitol hill have something better to do...like fixing the economy? Or dealing with that North Korean dude?

Of baseball not dealing with their high-priced spoiled brats who test positive for steroids and other banned substances. Here's an idea...kick them out of the game and strip them of their records. Doesn't anyone remember the Black Sox scandal of 1919?

Of our president...the Big O, the One, telling the NCAA they need to restructure the BCS to a playoff foremat so a true national champion is crowned. For the record, I'm glad the president said it, as a lot of us college football fans feel the same way. But it ain't his place to tell the NCAA what to do with itself. Again, like congress, he's got more pressing things to attend to.

Hollywood in general. Gallagher...the watermelon smashing dude said, 'living in Hollywood is like living in a bowl of granola...what ain't fruits and nuts is flakes.' I think he knew what he was talking about.

Nancy Pelosi. Ack, cough, gasp, wheeze. This is the woman, who, a few years ago, was leading Congress in the Pledge of Allegiance, and skipped the word God. She said she got mixed up or confused, or some BS like that. Anyone buying her excuse?

The Jonas Brothers. Who are these guys, and why should I care that they're still virgins?

Miley Cyrus. Same reaction as Nancy Pelosi. She's everywhere and I'm sick of looking at her: TV, internet, Wal Mart...it goes on and on. Maybe she could go to North Korea and annoy that little weasel.

Country Music or rather what has now become country music. What does Kid Rock and Def Leppard have to do with country music? Oh, and another thing...I love Lee Ann Womack and her music. I've never made a secret of that, but.... Who dresses her for these award shows. Sorry Lee Ann...I love you, but you gotta stop dressing like your 19. And that goes for the rest of them as well.

Martina McBride. I love her music, but when did she become a member of Delta House? (Toga...get it?)

That spooky woman from the Progressive insurance commercials. She's everywhere! And I do mean everywhere...and she's creeping me out...and somebody better do something about it.

Members of Congress and the Senate who try to convince us that they are for the little guy, or are champions of the working class. Think I'm full of it? Go flip through a congressional staff directory sometime. It's hard-bound and about four inches thick...you could stop a charging grizzly with one whack. Anyway, look up your congressman or congresswoman...look up any of them, for that matter. The MAJORITY of them were physicians, lawyers, corporate execs, or ran their own businesses before Capitol Hill beckoned. They were already out of touch with Blue Collar America before they even ran for office. So how can we expect them to be looking out for us now? Oh, and these people get to vote their own pay raises and increases to their pensions. Shouldn't those decisions rest in the hands of the American voter?

TV pitchman Billy Mays. As in, Hi, I'm Billy Mays and I want to sell you some crap you don't need for three installments of $9.95. ENOUGH ALREADY...JEEZ!

Oh yeah...this goof needs to go away too.

Daytime talk show hosts. Um...one of them, oh, her name begins with an O or something like that. The other one, um...give me a minute....Eileen...eh, it's close. They both make me want to wretch...especially when they get out the old soap box and start banging the drum about their favorite cause. I have my favorite causes too, but I don't have a TV show to promote them on. Maybe I could get a reality show...hmm...no, I hate reality TV. Well, back to the old drawing board.

That guy on FOX who claims to run the no spin zone. OHHHH PLEAZE! Don't insult my intelligence. It's his show, of course it has a spin...his spin. Don't believe me? Look at how many guests he's howled down who offered an opinion contrary to his own. There's a local radio personality where I live who is the same way. His show, his rules.

Dr. Phil. What exactly is he a doctor of? And why does he creep me out so?

Lastly, for now, anyway. The good old ACLU and their crusade to keep God out of anything to do with the government. No Ten Commandments in courthouses on on the courthouse lawns. Some Cub Scout, and Girl Scout units that used to meet in public schools have found themselves out of a home because they have God in their oaths and schools are government buildings. The main argument seems to be that religion in a government building violates the separation of church and state. Um...I have BS in American History, and this is my take on things, and bear in mind, my major was history not political science. Anyway, the founding fathers separated church from state so that the government couldn't place one religion over another, i.e. state sponsored religion. This way the government couldn't tell you where to worship and when, and punish you if you failed to stay in step with their program. I don't think George and Ben and Tom, and James, and the rest of the founding fathers intended to keep the Ten Commandments of courthouse lawns or kick the scouts out of the public schools. Give me a break.

Okay, I've ranted. I actually feel a little better...'til I turn on the TV or pick up the paper again.

Happy Fathers Day...From Me to Me.

2009-06-21T12:48:00.022-04:00

Having a rare summer Saturday to myself...I didn't have to work and Goody Two Shoes was at an all day crop...I plunked down twenty bucks and bought a one-way ticket for the scenic railroad. Why one way? They have a thing where cyclists pay $20 and they and their bikes are taken to Frostburg and then you can hop on your bike and pedal your heart out.

I've wanted to do this for sometime and yesterday was my only chance to do it this summer. Business where I work has picked up and we're working a lot of Saturdays.

Except for a little sprinkle on the ride down the mountian the day was perfect. The ride up the hill was great and all total I took 191 photos. Now, my only problem is culling them down to ten or so for this post. Soooo....here we go.

734 pulling into the station.

Heading out of town.

Passing the old interchange track at City Jct.

Climbing into the Narrows.

Crossing the bridge over the National Highway at the west end of the narrows.

Rounding Helmstetter's Curve

The Helmstetter farm.

At Brush Tunnel

In the tunnel.

Coming out the upper end.

Above Woodcock Hollow.

On the hill above Mt. Savage...where I went to high school...a very long time ago.

Passing under an old Western Maryland signal bridge.

Just below Frostburg. 734 is leaving Western Maryland rails and swinging onto the old Cumberland and Pennsylvania...and the steepest part of the hill.

Tight curves and steep grades mark the last leg of the run to Frostburg.

Crossing over the old Western Maryland...now part of the bike trail. In less than a mile the train has climbed fifty linear feet.

734 on the turntable at Frostburg.

Look for the red glow under 734's boiler. It's not reflected sunlight...its the glow from the boiler. By the way, I gave up on just posting a dozen photos a while back.

A parting shot of 734 before I head down the mountian.

Photographed a grey squirrel at the Woodcock Hollow Trail shelter.

Ran into rain coming down the mountian. Ended up taking shelter in Brush Tunnel.

Had a little snack and dried off while I waited for things to clear.

Two last shots from my day. 734 coming into the narrows.

Crossing Baltimore Street at the end of another successful run.

The rocking and rolling of the cars made it a little difficult taking pictures. The cinders stung my arms as I leaned out to take my photos. I couldn't breathe in the tunnel. And I got rained on coming down the mountian. But I had fun.

If yesterday was a song it would be Travis Tritt's 'Great Day to Be Alive.' Enjoy the photos everyone and Happy Father's Day.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-17T09:01:00.001-04:00

For more WW fun, click here.

Chasing that 734

2009-06-15T09:57:00.009-04:00

Cash Valley Road grade crossing.

The Helmstetter farmhouse

Upper end of Helmstetters Curve

Working up hill towards Brush Tunnel.

Passing by Goody Two Shoes. I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend.

I like to travel and get away, and Goody Two Shoes n' me talk about moving west someday. But wherever I go, nothing says more about where I'm from and who I am than the Fireball Logo. It says it all. I can point to that and say that's me...that's where I'm from.

Has it Really Been 30 Years?

2009-06-12T09:02:00.003-04:00

Where have all the cowboys gone?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T09:57:00.005-04:00

For more WW fun, click here

A Very Funny Lady

2009-06-09T11:24:00.000-04:00

Day of Days

2009-06-06T17:34:00.003-04:00

The American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.

(photo from Yahoo News Canada)

Ever wonder what direction all those crosses and Stars of David point in? It's only one. It's not north...or south...or east...or west, even. No, this isn't a trick question. The white marble crosses and Stars of David that mark the final resting place of our boys all face the same direction...they face home; the land they came from and longed to return to and never did.

"...sitting in stunned silence, we remembered our dead. So many dead. So many maimed. So many bright futures consigned to the ashes of the past. So many dreams lost in the madness that had engulfed us."
E. B. SLEDGE, Co. K, 3rd Bat, 5th Marines, 1st Division, in With the Old Breed

For Our Grandfathers

2009-05-29T12:08:00.008-04:00

Out of four grandfathers between me and Goody Two Shoes, three of them were coal miners. Both of Goody Two Shoes grandfathers mined coal in western Maryland and both died from the black lung. My grandfather mined coal up in Gray, Pennsylvania. He also mined clay when there was no work in the coal mine. He got out of the mines and became a farmer.

Henry Johnson(on the left) in the 1940's

Lawrence McKenzie as a dashing young man in 1904

Earl Smith, my Pappy, in 1967, a year before the cancer took him.

I swear, all the years they walked this earth all they did was work.

I recently became aware of a cd by Kathy Mattea called Coal. Giving a listen for ourselves, my wife and I were hooked. Music like this doesn't mean much to some folks. But to people from Appalachia, with coal mining or railroading in their blood, these simple songs speak volumes, because each one comes from the heart and tells a story of a time gone by, and loved ones that have gone on before us.

Here's a video of one of her songs from that cd.

Like the song says...it's dark as a dungeon down in the mine. This is the Seldom Seen Mine in St. Boniface, PA. We're 500 feet below the surface. It was cold, damp, and we were all a little uneasy. It's also the only place I ever felt tall.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-27T09:17:00.002-04:00

For more WW fun, click here.

Doin' Things My Way

2009-05-25T09:38:00.009-04:00

I love to go cycling. And I know I'm supposed to wear a helmet. Problem I don't like the looks of most bike helmets. What to do? The answer is easy...make my own. But what to come up with that is practical, functional, and expresses my personality. It's easier than you think.

Start with a basic black skateboarding helmet. Okay, so it has the manufacturers logo smeared all over it. No problem...

A couple of coats of gloss black paint and those logos are long gone.

Add a little striping, some numbers, and a new logo, and new my bike helmet is ready for the trail.

My new helmet got broke in yesterday. Rode from Ohiopyle to Confluence and back. Yeah, I got more than just a few looks.

Steelers Black n' Gold...live it, love it, breathe it, bleed it.

Wordless Wednesday - Sort Of

2009-05-12T12:18:00.003-04:00

A man's flower planter. Arrrgh...arrgh...arrgh!

For more WW madness, click here

Star Trek 2009

2009-05-10T19:48:00.002-04:00

Goody Two Shoes, The Wild Child, n' Me went and saw the latest enstallment in the Star Trek franchise. Loved it! With the exception of First Contact in 1996, the last few voyages of the Enterprise were getting a little lame...and predictable. I'm sure my next comment will offend some people, but it's how I feel. Star Trek 2009 has balls! It's gritty, edgy, funny, touching...not stiff, overacted, hammy, cheesy, and predictable. We loved it!

Oh, and just for laughs I thought I'd throw in this little video from about 15 years ago. Enjoy.

64 Years Ago Today

2009-05-08T00:09:00.016-04:00

They'd had it so rough for so long. And it wasn't just our fathers and grandfathers...

...it was our mothers and grandmothers as well.

But on May 8, 1945 everything changed.

The headline said it all. It was over. Then it was time to celebrate.

In New York...

...and London...

...and Toronto. And a thousand other places as well.

Then it was time to bring the boys home. Here's my Uncle Willy and My Uncle Russ, home from the ETO.

Then there's this fella. He looks like he's been celebrating a little bit already.

Hiya, John!

Sadly, not all came home and got on with life.

My mother's cousin, Sgt. Howard Lepley, U.S. Army Air Corps. 448th Bomb Group, 714th Bomb Squadron. KIA 6-10-1944 at Evreux, France. He was only 20.

Bing Crosby once sang,

Bless 'em all, bless 'em all,
The long, and the short, and the tall,
Bless all the sergeants, and the top kickers too
Bless all the corporals...bless you,
For we're saying goodbye to them all,
As up the gangway we crawl,
No ice cream or cookies for stout-hearted rookies,
So cheer up my lads, bless 'em all.

Today is VE-DAY. Don't forget, thank a Vet!

Guess What Came in the Mail?

2009-05-04T11:23:00.003-04:00

The only bummer is that the concert is three months away.

Wordless Wednesday - UPDATE

2009-04-29T23:53:00.003-04:00

I was rather pleased with the photo I chose for my latest installment of Wordless Wednesday. I took the picture in a hurry and didn't have time to zoom in. The result is a rather distant view of the aircraft as it made it's approach to the Cumberland airport.

Here is a close up of the 'Nine O Nine', a B-17-G heavy bomber.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-29T08:33:00.001-04:00

For more WW participants, click here.

What a Face

2009-04-27T12:20:00.003-04:00

Jackson had his first encounter with spaghetti the other day. You can see the results for yourself.

Wordless Wednesday - Sort Of

2009-04-22T10:10:00.005-04:00

Photographed this along PA. Route 522 last summer. Apparantly the owner of this barn/shed has issues.

For more WW participants, click here

One of Life's Little Dreams Finally Comes True

2009-04-21T09:55:00.004-04:00

I've loved these guys for 30 years...YEAH I'M OLD...wanna make something of it? Anyway, now I'm gonna finally see them in concert and I'm taking Goody Two Shoes and Skippy along. We're actually killing two birds with one stone. We wanted to go out and see the boy and since Cheap Trick is playing in Nashville, we figured why not?

Speaking of Skippy, here he is from a few years back. Who says I never raised the boy right?

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. There's a couple of bands opening up for Cheap Trick...some guys called Def Leppard and Poison.

Remaking the Classics...part 2

2009-04-20T11:16:00.002-04:00

My wife, aka Goody Two Shoes, saw my earlier post about remaking classic songs and wondered why I didn't include Elvis' Don't Be Cruel, and Cheap Trick's remake? Okay, fair enough, so here we go. Personally, I like Cheap Trick's version, but all you ladies will scream for Elvis.

And if my cousin...the Elvis fan sees this...don't shoot the messenger!

My Little Buddy

2009-04-20T08:25:00.002-04:00

Remaking the Classics

2009-04-16T11:14:00.006-04:00

Should the classics be remade? I wonder about this whenever I hear an old song remade. I've heard some and been okay with them. And I've heard some and just cringed. I nearly wrecked the car once when I heard Norma Zimmer (of the Lawrence Welk Show) come over the radio singing the Beatles 'Yesterday.' And then there are other remakes end up sounding better than the original. Below I leave you two examples that I think are better than the original. I also give you one that I'm not so sure of, even though I like the remake.

Here's the original by Patsy Cline

And the remake by LeAnn Rimes.

I don't think LeAnn does that bad. How 'bout you? I love Patsy's music, and she single handidly opened a lot of doors for future generations of country music's brightest female performers. But I think you gotta give a slight edge to LeAnn.

Here's another example. Sammi Smith singing Kris Kristofferson's Help Me Make it Through the night.

And here's Martina McBride, with an intro from Kris himself.

This one's a slam dunk in favor of Martina. She just sings it with so much more heart and soul. But that's my opinion. What's yours?

Lastly.... Here's one from the Fab Four.

I've always loved the Beatles and this song. And until the day I die I will always regard them as being the greatest Rock 'n Roll band in the world! Better then the Stones, the Who, the Dead, the Eagles, Skynyrd, INXS, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, N'SYNC(if those clowns can be called a band) and even these guys (who I love)...

...Here's Cheap Trick with a Rockin' remake of Day Tripper. Check out Rick Nielson's guitar!

Oh, and here's a little added treat.

Here's Gretchen Wilson & Alice in Chains taking a classic and turning up the voltage! Check out who comes out to play with them!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-15T12:26:00.001-04:00

For more WW participants, click here.

My Lil' Buddy Crawls

2009-04-14T11:23:00.003-04:00

Nine months old now and the fun is just beginning.

His mother is gonna need track shoes to keep up with him once he really get the hang of things. Wait 'til he starts walking.

Here's a shot of him getting a bath. I couldn't resist.

Happy Easter, Everyone!

2009-04-11T20:34:00.003-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-25T09:18:00.003-04:00

For more WW fun & games, click here.

Wordless Wednesday, (Name That Tune Version)

2009-03-18T09:23:00.002-04:00

My WW post is a song title. Can you guess what it is?

For more WW fun, click here.

Anniversary Getaway II - The Drive Home

2009-03-17T10:28:00.008-04:00

We sort of meandered our way to the beach, so why not meander our way home? It was cold and rainy as we left Ocean City, still, we found a few things to do along the way.

Ocean City...cold and wet.

Salem United Methodist Church

And since it's Saint Patrick's Day, here's a little tip of the hat to Peter Carroll, who was born on the Emerald Isle.

Old Trinity Church. Founded in the late 1600's

The crypt of Benjamin Linthicum. (Read the inscription carefully)

Goody Two Shoes standing on dock at Church Creek.

A soldier from the War of 1812.

Another view of the old Trinity Church.

Anyone in the market for a fixer-upper, complete with outhouse?

Maters anyone? Dang, they grow 'em big down there!

It was a little foggy crossing the bay bridge. I got a little nervous being unable to see the other end of the bridge. I knew it was there but... You get the idea.

Our last stop was old Ellicott City, just west of Baltimore.

Yours truely standing in the back doorway of the train station. First time in my life I ever felt tall.

The Ellicott City station.

A rather dapper looking fellow. He was nice enough to pose for me.

Remember this photo from yesterday's post?

Well, here's what happened to it.

Anniversary Getaway

2009-03-16T09:33:00.010-04:00

I think this first photo says it all.

After 30 years of marriage where do you take your sweetie? I can't afford Hawaii, really can't afford London, or Paris. What to do? Then you remember her saying that she's never seen the Atlantic Ocean. Problem solved.

We like to take our time to get where we're going. We also like to take back roads wherever possible. So, instead of just driving to Annapolis, crossing the Bay Bridge, and taking Route 50 to get to Ocean City, we drove up past Baltimore to Elkton and drove around the top of the Chesapeake Bay.

Upper portion of the bay, near Northeast, Maryland

A small Methodist church we passed in our travels.

Ever hear of a church with its own outdoor ampitheatre? This church does.

Main Street in Northeast, Maryland.

No, you haven't been drinking. It's a cow, dressed up as a cowboy.

An old general store in Chesapeake City, MD

Horses on a farm near Chesapeake City.

A neat old house in Middletown, Delaware.

Passing through farm country on Delaware Route 9.

The ocean at last! We've arrived at Rehoboth Beach.

Go Fish fish n' Chips restaurant.
Here's our feet at Rehoboth Beach.

Here's Goody Two Shoes on the beach. Yes it was a little chilly.

Driftwood...it's what's for dinner.

The surf.

The waves.

The Camera Totin' Idiot. No harpoons, please!

Along the beach.

The boardwalk.

We got a room at the Princess Royale in Ocean City. This photo is from our balcony, which faced the pool, and looking out at the ocean.

Looking down on the pool from our balcony.

The Camera Totin' Idiot relaxing.

Heres Goody Two Shoes looking out at the ocean the following morning.

Part II of our little trip will be up tomorrow.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-10T09:58:00.003-04:00

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click here.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-04T09:23:00.001-05:00

For more WW fun, click here.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-25T08:37:00.002-05:00

More Wordless Wednesday fun, here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SKIPPY

2009-02-18T23:44:00.007-05:00

The last week and a half have been rather hectic around our house. My step-father is in the hospital. It all started with a mild heart attack and snowballed from there. Anyway, he's on the mend and it looks like he'll be coming home soon. Why would I start out a birthday post for my son by talking about my step-father's condition? Because of running back and forth to the hospital and helping my mother run errands I missed doing a post for Dimples, who turned 23 last week. Sorry girl...HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY.

Now, getting around to Skippy, who is 27, single, and can cook, I've come up with a little photo show, in the style of Snoopy's Joe Cool alter ego. It's is sure to embarrass the boy. Many of the photos were taken while he was in scouting.

Dog Lover Skippy

Grumpy Skippy

Silly Skippy

Swinging Skippy

Goalie Skippy

Animal Lover Skippy

Bleacher Bum Skippy

Breakfast Skippy

Staff Skippy

Hippy Skippy

Funtime Skippy

Eagle Scout Skippy

Big Brother Skippy

College Graduate Skippy

Dad's Skippy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-18T09:19:00.002-05:00

More WW fun, here.

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T14:55:00.004-05:00

That's the Way Love Goes
by Willie Nelson

I've been throwin' horseshoes
Over my left shoulder
I've spent most all my life
Searching for that four leaf clover
Yet you run with me
Chasing my rainbows
Honey, I love you too
That's the way love goes

That's the way love goes, Babe
That's the music God made
For the whole wide world to sing
It never gets old
It only grows
And losing makes me sorry
You say don't you worry
Honey, I love you too
And that's the way love goes

That's the way love goes, Babe
That's the music God made
For the whole wide world to sing
It never gets old
It only grows
And losing makes me sorry
You say don't you worry
Honey, I love you too
And that's the way love goes

1000 Wins For Pat Summitt

2009-02-06T09:36:00.004-05:00

She did it...or rather her players did it for her...1,000 wins. Last night the Lady Vols beat the Lady Bulldogs of Georgia 73-43 to give their legendary coach, Pat Summitt her 1,000th win.

I hope she wins 1,000 more...and a few more national championships.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

More Wordless Wednesday fun, here.

ONE FOR THE AGES

2009-02-01T23:39:00.006-05:00

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette

It was the best Super Bowl I've ever seen. Even better than last year when the G-men beat the Patriots. But I gotta tell you, the last five minutes of the game were the most nerve-wracking I've ever lived through. And when Phoenix scored with less than three minutes to play in the game I remember thinking that it's not supposed to end like this. How little did I know?

Goody Two Shoes called the final three minutes excruciating, and she was right. But, would the game mean as much if the Steelers would have won 20-7 (the score before Kurt Warner brought the Cardinals back.) I doubt if it would.

This says it all.

Getty Images

The SWEEEEEEET smell of success.
Getty Images

The only bummer in all this was that I went down to the Book Center (local newsstand) to buy a copy of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette but the owner informed me that he didn't get any. Major bummer. Oh, well, I can live without it.

Oh, yeah. Here's the best commercial from this years Super Bowl.

My Favorite Sportscasters

2009-01-30T18:49:00.025-05:00

Believe it or not, I'm tired of reading, and listening, to all the Super Bowl hype. I've had enough, it's time to play the game. Anyway, I was surfing my way through Yahoo Sports earlier today and I found an article listing the 50 best sportscasters of all time, as well as the 50 worst. Two things jumped out at me. First, they listed Howard Cosell at the top of the 50 best list. That man annoyed me to no end back in the day, and I'm still amazed that I never shot the television, threw a brick through the screen, or shoved a pencil in my ear every time he opened his mouth. Second, when you're making a list of the 50 best and 50 worst of whatever it is, it seems to me that you can't have the same person, place, or thing on both lists. Something is either good, or bad...right? This article had four of five broadcasters named on both lists. Needless to say, after reading this article I found myself going, hmmm.....

Therefore I've decided to come up with my own list. It is not scientific by any stroke of the imagination...it's really just for fun. Here we go.

10. Dick Enberg.

Dick doesn't know how to call a bad game. Dick makes the bad games sound good. Dick enjoys his work so much you can actually hear him smile. (Think about that one for a minute) Another added treat is when Dick hollers "Oh my" over a big play. It's got to be good to get an oh my out of Dick.

9. Jim McKay.

The voice of ABC's Wide World of Sports, and for me, the ultimate host of the Olympic Games. Jim was professional, polished, and personable. He was also a Maryland boy! It was his sad duty to bring us the news of the terrorist kidnappings at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. Among his other duties was to help cover the Triple Crown each year, and I'm glad, because I generally find horse racing boring, but Jim made it interesting.

8. Vin Scully.

One of the best baseball announcers to ever come along. And with a voice like aged Kentucky bourbon, listening to Vin reminds me of sitting with a favorite uncle while listening to him tell a good story.

7. Jon Miller.

Another one of baseball's best announcers. Jon's smooth delivery style, sense of humor, and knowledge of the game, makes even the most boring game sound like game seven of the World Series. And he's a snappy dresser!

6. Joe Garagiola.

Another baseball announcer, and maybe the funniest. Joe used to be a catcher with the Cardinals and played with Stan Musial. He brought every funny story and joke from his playing days to the broadcast booth with him. Growing up, I never missed NBC's Saturday game of the week as long as Joe and partner Tony Kubek were in the booth.

5. Keith Jackson.

The golden voice of college football. Keith called every big game there was...more then once. He told it like it was and made fall Saturday afternoons a blast, with his trademark 'Whoa Nellie,' exclamation following a big play.

4. Mike Patrick.

How can you not like a guy who starts every broadcast with "Good evening, it's great to have you with us." Mike started out locally for one of the Washington DC stations and moved on to bigger and better things. For a time he did ESPN's Sunday Night Football with Joe Thiesman and Paul Maguire. Mike's also done the NCAA Women's basketball National Championship several times, and currently does college football and basketball for ESPN. He just makes things interesting, and I love it when theres a big play and he'll exclaim "Are you kidding me."

3. Curt Gowdy.

I loved Kurt no matter what event he was covering. He had a down home charm that invited the audience to sit down and enjoy. He called the World Series on numerous occasions, as well as six or seven Super Bowls. And for a time, Kurt hosted The American Sportsman on ABC, I think it was ABC.

2. Pat Summerall.

The absolute dean of football announcers. After watching one of his games you walk away with the feeling like you've been sitting in his living room for the last three hours listening to him tell one great story after another.

1. Al Michaels.

I've been a fan of Al's work for years. Be it baseball, football, or someother sporting event, Al is always prepared, doesn't talk over or down to the listeners and is genuinely funny. Al gets the number one spot on my list for one reason. Click on the video and you'll see why.

Over the years I've rooted the Steelers to 5 Super Bowl wins, (soon to be 6), the Pirates to 2 World Series, Richard Petty to 7 Daytona 500 wins, the Lady Vols to 7 National Championships and watched Secretariat thunder into the history books, but what Team USA did in 1980 is my single favorite moment from any sporting event. And Al Michaels call at the end was perfect...like the cherry on top of the whipped creme.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-28T05:22:00.003-05:00

For more WW participants, click here.

Pep Rally - Part 2

2009-01-26T21:55:00.005-05:00

Here's a little video tribute to the Steelers defense.

I had a few minutes to kill so I wandered through the Steelers Walk of Fame. I've never made any secret of the fact that Jack Lambert is my favorite Steeler.

Jack Lambert - DA MAN!

Mean Joe Greene's locker.

A few final thoughts from Friday night:

It was a real treat hanging out with 20,000 other people who share the same affliction as we do.

We got to see a fight. Two women started shoving and slapping and pulling hair and...you get the picture.

Got asked where me 'n Goody Two Shoes are from and people were surprised when we said we were from Western Maryland. "You're kidding," they said, to which Goody Two Shoes responded, "You might see some Ravens fans or Redskins fans where we live, but Western Maryland is Steelers country."

Really, really enjoyed the South Fayette HS Band. They were positively fantastic.

Lastly...I hope we all get to do all over again next year!

GO STEELERS!

Pep Rally - Pittsburgh Steelers Style

2009-01-24T10:50:00.017-05:00

Went over to Heinz Field last night with about 25,000 other screaming Steelers fans. The weather was mild for late January in western Pennsylvania. The gates didn't open until 5:00 but two or three thousand were already waiting in line to get in when Goody Two Shoes 'n me arrived. Here are a few snaps from last nights festivities.

To be sure, there was tailgating...and music...and games...and drinking.

Waiting with everyone else for Gate A to open.

Steeler fans are a colorful lot, to be sure. Kind of like this old fella, who was getting interviewed when I took his picture.

Then there was this fella with a steel beam through his hard hat.

Some members of Steeler Nation go ape for their team. (Sorry, I couldn't help it)

Did I mention there was drinking? Okay, I did. These three guys, (who were feeling no pain) had a Steelers flag on a pole long enough that I couldn't get them and the flag in one shot. Anyway, they had little red birds tied off to the pole. (Look in the upper right corner and you can see them)

Finally, we're heading in. A first for me last night was getting patted down by security.

Former Steelers lineman and current Steelers broadcaster, Tunch Ilkin hanging out before the ceremonies begin.

The sign says it all.

Me 'n Goody Two Shoes

Goody Two Shoes before she started getting cold.

The Pittsburgh Poison All-star Dance Team got the crowd going.

Then the South Fayette High School Marching Band came out. We went to cheer on our Steelers as they get ready to go to Tampa, but we came away fans of these kids. They were fantastic! Their uniforms were what ever Steelers jersey they happened to own.

When it was time to play, they sprinted onto the field and went right into their first number.

They kicked, high-stepped, twirled, and danced while they played.

They even managed to play in formation...like 99 percent of all other bands do.

They even managed to play while flat on their backs.

And when it was time to go, they got in a conga line and danced off the field. This is the best high school band I've ever seen!

Then it was time for the Clarks, a local Pittsburgh favorite. Here they are performing a song called Cigarette.

After the Clarks it was time to get pumped because the Steelers were coming out.

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO! Feel the power of the Terrible Towel.

First, Mr. Rooney thanked everyone for coming out and supporting the Steelers.

Then Jeff Reed came out. Nice hair!

James Harrison.

And then came Big Ben.

On the stage, thanking everyone for coming out, and promising to bring a 'Six Pack' home to Pittsburgh.

We had a fantastic time. A big thanks to Suzy at Suzy's Bloomers for the timely info on the Pep Rally.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-21T08:44:00.002-05:00

For more WW participants, click here.

Two Down, One to Go

2009-01-19T00:31:00.005-05:00

PITTSBURGH 23, BALTIMORE 14

It wasn't the prettiest win, and the Baltimore Ravens didn't go easy, but my Steelers are on their way to Tampa, Florida for Super Bowl XLIII.

Troy Polomalu (Goody Two Shoes favorite Steeler) with the play that broke Baltimore's back, a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Poor Little Raven

2009-01-15T09:36:00.004-05:00

Overconfidence? I don't think so. I think a lot of people confuse overconfidence and faith. I have the latter. To which, I offer this little prayer. (With apologies to the Bible and the United Methodist Church, and anyone who may not see the well-intended humor.)

For all the fans of the black and gold:

Our Father (Mr. Rooney)
Who art in Pittsburgh
Football be thy game
Thy kingdom come
Five Super Bowls won
On earth as it is in Heinz Field (and 3-Rivers Stadium)
Give us this day a playoff victory
And forgive us our penalties
As we defeat those who play against us
And lead us not into third and long
But deliver us to Tampa
For thine is the dynasty
and the pride and the glory, forever
A-Ben

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-13T11:49:00.005-05:00

For more WW fun and hijinks, click here.

A Public Service Announcement

2009-01-12T11:24:00.004-05:00

For all you fans of the feathered. Be it Baltimore, Philadelphia, or Phoenix. Here are all the driving directions you need to get to Super Bowl 43.

Some Of My Favorite Movie Characters

2009-01-11T11:50:00.007-05:00

I'm a movie nut...nerd...whatever, anyway, I love movies: old, new, color, black & white, you name it. But like everyone else, I have my own style. Westerns, adventure, & comedy are my favorites. But what makes a movie come alive for me, isn't always the story, the location, the director, or the stars. It's the character a particular star brings to life that makes a movie worth watching again and again and again.

Below is a list of my 100 favorite movie characters. Some of them you've probably never heard of, some you've forgotten about. Some of my choices will make you wonder what I'm smoking. To be honest, I don't know what it is I'm smoking either...we found it in the barn after the cow died. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my little list, and if you don't...hey, it's a free country, make up your own. Now, if you'll excuse me, it's Sunday and the Steelers are on in a little bit. Gotta go get ready. See ya at the movies.

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS MOVIE/YEAR
Uncle Zeb (Arthur Hunnicutt – The Big Sky - 1952)
Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood – The Outlaw Josey Wales - 1976)
Pvt. Holly (Van Johnson – Battleground – 1949)
Robin Hood (Errol Flynn – The Adventures of Robin Hood – 1938)
James Bond (Pierce Brosnan – Goldeneye – 1995)
Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine – Steel Magnolias – 1989)
Capt. Marko Ramius (Sean Connery – The Hunt for Red October – 1990)
Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks – Saving Private Ryan – 1998)
Hawkeye (Daniel Day Lewis –The Last of the Mohicans – 1992)
John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon – Grumpy Old Men – 1993)
Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon – Bull Durham – 1988)
Einar Gilkyson (Robert Redford – An Unfinished Life – 2005)
Donald Sullivan (Paul Newman – Nobody’s Fool – 1994)
Sean Thornton (John Wayne – The Quiet Man – 1952)
Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman – Die Hard – 1988)
John Robie (Cary Grant – To Catch A Thief – 1955)
Rockhound (Steve Buscemi – Armageddon – 1998)
Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O’Hara – The Quiet Man – 1952)
Unca Lou (Alan Arkin – Indian Summer – 1993)
The Joker (Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight – 2008)
Kicking Bird (Graham Greene – Dances With Wolves – 1990)
Terence Mann (James Earl Jones – Field of Dreams – 1989)
Mitch Bradley (Morgan Freeman – An Unfinished Life – 2005)
Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver – Alien – 1979)
Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss – Jaws – 1975)
Queen Victoria (Judi Dench – Mrs. Brown – 1997)
Don Biebe (Russell Crowe – Mystery Alaska – 1999)
Marshall Sam Gerrard (Tommy Lee Jones – The Fugitive – 1993)
Ethan Edwards (John Wayne – The Searchers – 1956)
Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell – Miracle – 2004)
Simon Dermott (Peter O’Toole – How to Steal A Million – 1966)
Margaret McKendrick (Maureen O’Hara – The Parent Trap – 1961)
Virgil Earp (Sam Elliott – Tombstone – 1993)
Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis – A League of Their Own – 1992)
Otter (Tim Matheson – Animal House – 1978)
Quint (Robert Shaw – Jaws – 1975)
Sergeant Major Quincannon (Victor McLaghlen – Rio Grande – 1950)
M’Lynn Eatenton (Sally Field – Steel Magnolias – 1989)
Red Redding (Morgan Freeman – The Shawshank Redemption – 1994)
Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks – Castaway – 2000)
Michael (Robert DeNiro – The Deer Hunter – 1978)
Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman – Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid – 1969)
L.B. Jeffries (Jimmy Stewart – Rear Window – 1954)
Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey – Full Metal Jacket – 1987)
Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn – The Philadelphia Story – 1940)
Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin – The Princess Bride – 1987)
Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx – Duck Soup – 1933)
Sergeant Sefton (William Holden – Stalag 17 – 1953)
Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsly – A Christmas Story – 1983)
Abraham Lincoln (Raymond Massey – Abe Lincoln in Illinois – 1940)
Professor Fate/Prince Hapnik (Jack Lemmon – The Great Race – 1965)
Igor (Marty Feldman – Young Frankenstein – 1974)
Lt. Doug Roberts (Henry Fonda – Mister Roberts – 1955)
Henry Jones Sr. (Sean Connery – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – 1989)
John Winger (Bill Murray – Stripes – 1981)
Maximus (Russell Crowe – Gladiator – 2000)
Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand – Fargo – 1996)
John McClane (Bruce Willis – Die Hard – 1988)
Col. Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson – A Few Good Men – 1992)
Reggie Lampert (Audrey Hepburn – Charade – 1963)
Sidney Wang (Peter Sellers – Murder By Death – 1976)
Ruby Thewes (Renee Zelwegger – Cold Mountain – 2003)
Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim – Scrooge – 1951)
Bandit (Burt Reynolds – Smokey and the Bandit – 1977)
Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves – The Replacements – 2000)
Selene (Kate Beckinsale – Underworld – 2003)
Hammy the Squirrel (Steve Carrel – Over the Hedge – 2006)
Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman – The Bucket List – 2007)
Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn – Bringing Up Baby – 1938)
George Bailey (James Stewart – It’s A Wonderful Life – 1946)
Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman – Crimson Tide – 1995)
Bors (Ray Winstone – King Arthur – 2004)
Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer – Tombstone – 1993)
Brad Berman (Kevin Pollak – Indian Summer – 1993)
Albert Gibson (Tom Arnold – True Lies – 1994)
Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis – Steel Magnolias – 1989)
Jimmy Hoffa (Jack Nicholson – Hoffa – 1992)
Al Giordino (Steve Zahn – Sahara – 2005)
Lou Brown (James Gammon – Major League – 1989)
Wanda Gershwitz (Jamie Lee Curtis – A Fish Called Wanda – 1988)
Tripper Harrison (Bill Murray – Meatballs – 1979)
Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale – Van Helsing – 2004)
Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen – Goldeneye – 1995)
Abraham Lincoln (Henry Fonda – Young Mr. Lincoln – 1939)
Sheriff John T. Chance (John Wayne – Rio Bravo – 1959)
Edmond Dantes (James Caviezel – The Count of Monte Cristo – 2002)
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford – Raiders of the Lost Ark – 1981)
Frank Cross (Bill Murray – Scrooged – 1988)
Aramis (Jeremy Irons – The Man in the Iron Mask – 1998)
Walter Burns (Cary Grant – His Girl Friday – 1940)
Col. Kirby York (John Wayne – Rio Grande – 1950)
Dr. David Huxley (Cary Grant – Bringing Up Baby – 1938)
Captain Shepard (Kenneth More – Sink the Bismarck – 1960)
Maggie DuBois – (Natalie Wood - The Great Race – 1965)
Riley Post (Justin Bartha – National Treasure – 2004)
Peter Joshua (Cary Grant – Charade – 1963)
Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah – The Mummy – 1999)
Sheriff Mattocks (Brian Keith – The Russians are Coming – 1966)
Pedro Cerano (Dennis Haysbert – Major League – 1989)
Capt. Vallo (Burt Lancaster – The Crimson Pirate – 1952)

Well, that's it...for now. Agree, disagree? Wanna debate? Leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

LET THE A@% WHOOPINGS BEGIN

2009-01-10T13:55:00.006-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-06T09:55:00.002-05:00

More Wordless Wednesday madness, here.

A Day In The Steel City

2009-01-03T21:04:00.015-05:00

I haven't been to Pittsburgh in a few years. And even though there wasn't a game today, me 'n Goody Two Shoes drove over and spent a few hours down by Heinz Field, PNC Park and the DelMonte Building.

Coming into town on the West End bridge. I think we're crossing over the Monongahela River.

Heinz Field, where the 5 time champions of the NFL play.

They even have black & gold fire hydrants in Pittsburgh.

Photo mural on the side of Heinz Field.

Gate A (facing the river).

Having thoughts of sneaking in......yeah right!

The Camera Totin' Idiot and the Chief. That's Arthur J. Rooney to you non-believers.

Me 'n the Chief discussing a few things.

This sign says it all.

Some of the heros of my youth. Can you hear Springsteen screaming out 'Glory Days?' I can.

Me & the Great One, Roberto Clemente.

Me & my number 1 hero, Willie Stargell.

The 6th Bridge over the Allegheny River.

The building with the white roof in the background is the Convention Center.

Me following a great meal at Jerone Bettis' Grille 36. I highly recommend the Carolina Burger!

Jerome's Grille 36.

A little of the Pittsburgh skyline.

The point, where the Allegheny and the Monongahela Rivers form the Ohio River.

All-in-all, a great day to be in Pittsburgh. Pity I can't afford to go back next week when the Steelers are playing.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T12:29:00.006-05:00

Down on the Mall

More of the Mall Not much of a crowd yet.

A little entertainment to ring out the old and ring in the new.

Goody Two Shoes making merry.

Goody Two Shoes with her Camera Totin' Idiot and his Russian submarine commanders hat. Nine minutes to go.

Our next door neighbors.

Happy New Year!

Wow! They must really like each other.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-31T07:32:00.002-05:00

More WW madness, here.

I Got a Harley for Christmas!

2008-12-26T14:00:00.006-05:00

Well, sort of. Here's proof that my wife does have a sense of humor, and that she listens a little too much to what I say. We were Christmas shopping one day and I saw the little Harley. I waved it at her to get her attention and told her that I always wanted a Harley. Guess what she went and done? Yep, you guessed it.

It really is a Harley. A 2002 Super Glide...

...Just 1:18 scale. With it sitting on the seat to my GT bicycle you get an idea of the scale.

An even better idea of my little Harley's lack of size is when Buddy, the Wondermutt sits down for a look. He positively dwarfs the thing.

I did get some very nice things for Christmas, but the one thing I'm most pleased with is a book called, The White Book.

I'm a huge fan of the Beatles and have always regarded them as the greatest Rock and Roll band in the world. This book, on pages 100-101 validates my long held belief. The author writes, "If you ever want to find out just how good the Beatles were as a single unit, a live, four-piece rock-and-roll band, just listen to the live recordings of the concert on the roof that day." The author is referring to the now famous concert on the roof of the Apple building on January 30, 1969.

I got a lot of other nice things too: a hooded pullover from my old high school, another book, the Dark Knight, the two Underworld movies, and some Steeler shirts and a new hat. By the way, the shirt that says 'Beating Cleveland.' On the back it reads, 'So simple a caveman can do it.'

Yes, Christmas was berry, berry good to me. Merry Christmas everyone!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-23T12:04:00.001-05:00

More WW madness here

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-17T08:51:00.004-05:00

For more WW madness, click here

67 Years Ago Today

2008-12-16T13:43:00.004-05:00

December 15, 1944 the Ardennes Forest in Belgium pretty much looked like this.

Twenty-four hours later the area was a killing ground as 20 plus German divisions slammed into 4 American Divisions. Today, we call it the Battle of the Bulge.

A friend of mine fought here.

Hitler wanted to fight the Americans instead of the British because he regarded the Americans as soft. So, 18 and 19 year old kids met the Panzertruppen. Want to know who won? The next photo says it all.

Say hello to Joey Holmes from Cumberland, Maryland.

It's That Time of Year...Again

2008-12-15T23:59:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-10T11:58:00.003-05:00

More WW madness, here.

A Salute To A Great Lady

2008-12-07T12:03:00.007-05:00

The USS Maryland, named for my home state, was commissioned in 1921. The Mighty Mary was 624 feet long and weighed in at 32,800 tons, and carried eight 16 inch guns. At one time, the Maryland and her sisters, the Colorado and West Virginia, were among the most powerful warships in the world.

She is shown here, in a more peaceful time.

The Maryland passing through the Panama Canal.

December 7, 1941...the day of infamy. The Maryland is at the left center of the photo, just to the right of the overturned Oklahoma.

Seaman Leslie Short was addressing Christmas cards near his machine-gun on the USS Maryland when the attack on Pearl Harbor began; Short brought the first of the Maryland’s guns into play, shooting down one of two torpedo planes that had just released a torpedo against USS Oklahoma.

Berthed inboard of Oklahoma, and thereby protected from the initial torpedo attack, the Maryland managed to bring all her antiaircraft batteries into action. During the fighting the Maryland was struck by two armor-piercing bombs. The first struck the forecastle awning and made a hole about 12 feet by 20 feet. The second exploded after entering the hull at the 22-foot water level at frame 10. The latter hit caused flooding and increased the draft forward by five feet. The Maryland continued to fire and, after the attack, sent firefighting parties to assist her sister ships.

The Pacific Fleet was calmly resting at anchor on that Sunday morning when they were attacked. More than 360 Japanese aircraft from 6 aircraft carriers struck the fleet without warning. When the smoke settled that day, the USS Arizona had been blown in two, the USS Oklahoma had capsized, the USS Maryland, USS Tennessee, USS California, and USS West Virginia had been sunk. The USS Nevada had taken a severe beating while making a run for the open sea, and was finally beached at Hospital Point, and lastly, the USS Pennsylvania took damage while sitting in drydock. The Pacific Fleet was in shambles.

Within days of the attack, the Maryland had been moved to a dry-dock where temporary repairs were made. With temporary repairs completed the Maryland sailed for the United States, arriving at the Puget Sound Navy Yard on December 30. Just eight weeks later, on February 26, 1942 the Maryland had not only been fully repaired but modernized and was ready for service. The first of the Pearl Harbor battleships was now ready to fight...and itching for some payback.

For two years the Maryland served with distinction, serving as part of the back up force for the battle of Midway, she bombarded Japanese held islands, most notably Saipan. Yet ship and crew were still itching for retribution for the cowardly attack on Pearl Harbor. They would get their chance on October 25, 1944.

A Japanese force built around two battleships, the Yamashiro and Fuso, and a number of escorting vessels sailed up a narrow stretch of water called Surigao Strait. At the far end of the straight they ran into a trap, set by Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. Attacked initially by American cruisers and destroyers, the Japanese force came on. As they did they ran headlong into six American battleships, five of which had been hauled out of the mud at Pearl Harbor: the West Virginia, Tennessee, California, Pennsylvania, and the Maryland. It was a one-sided fight, and the Japanese took a severe mauling, but Pearl Harbor had been avenged...by ships the Japanese thought they had sunk three years earlier.

After the war, the Maryland and her sisters went their seperate ways, some stayed in service, some acted as training ships, while others were retired, or added to the mothballed fleet. The Maryland, a veteran of Pearl Harbor, and recipient of 7 battle stars was mothballed, and eventually sent to Alameda, Californina. She was decommissioned in 1959 and cut up for scrap.

The bell of the USS Maryland at the Statehouse in Annapolis. 67 years ago today, this bell frantically rang out the call of 'General Quarters' to announce to the crew that they were at war.