A Good List....

By Regina Brett, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. Yield.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

June 6th 1944 | D-Day

Thank you for your sacrifice for our freedom....

Dogs in cars...

Many of you may remember the old photo website, "The Mirror Project", a great website that killed itself because it got so popular that it became too much work for it's creator. It's premise was to submit photos of yourself in reflective surfaces. I spent several years submitting over a 100 photos and I miss it. The photos chronicled my life for those good years.

So now I occasionally chronicle the life of D. Daphne Dog in a British based web vehicle called, "Dogs in Cars". You can guess the premise of this effort I suspect. If you're a dog lover you'll enjoy looking around.
Here's one of Daphne
And a recent one....

Firing up a Chaparral...

Too wet to drive the Chaparral 2E, but it sounds good, we try to run again on Friday, 29 May. The guy in the shorts and black shirt looks familiar :>]

Memorial Day

C.W. Craig, 1923-2006
45th Infantry Division: Italy, France
WWII 1943-1946

Springboard Center Grand Opening

Video of The Springboard Center grand opening [thanks to Jimmy Patterson]

Irish ancestral serendipity.....

Craig family home, Castlecatt, Country Antrim, Northern Ireland

A month ago I wrote that I found out the name of the small town in Northern Ireland where my Dad's grandfather emigrated from, Castlecatt, and that I had just Googled up names there and found the Craig Cottage B&B and that I had written the owner Rosemary seeing if she could help me learn a few things about my family.

Well Rosemary has sure come through, referring me to her older uncle, Robert and his friend Nevin Taggert. Nevin, I've learned, in many emails is rather the local historian, and I get the feeling he's helped many Irish expatriate families get in touch with their pasts. Amazingly it turns out that Robert's wife, Margaret, quite possibly is a distant cousin; not from the Craig family but from the Wallace side of my family [from whence is derived my first name]. That side of our family name stopped with my Great/Great Grandmother Ellen Wallace who married Robert Howard Craig on 18 August 1859 in the First Presbyterian Church in Bushmills, County Antrim [something that Nevin found out for me]. Margaret Thompson's old family name is Wallace and Nevin tells me he thinks all the Wallace's in the area are from one family.

I've enjoyed meeting such great people far away and people whose sense of family and history runs deep. Nevin has gone so far as to visit several places around Castlecatt that he knows are related to my family history, taking photos for me. Like the photo above which he took yesterday. The yellow house was my Great/Great Uncle Samuel Craig's home, my Dad's grandfather's brother Sam who built the home about 1900. Nevin also sent a photo of Margaret wearing the Wallace family ring inherited from her grandmother. Amazing.

Keni Thomas | Ranger, musician, good guy...

My friend Keni Thomas at the Houston Rodeo.

Fallen Heroes..

Late last year, Mayor Wes Perry asked me to help him think of meaningful ways the City of Midland could honor our local/area soldiers who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. We've done several small things, but we were looking for something more permanent.

We were mulling over several ideas when serendipity intervened. Several months ago my friend Connie Nelson called to say that through her country music contacts, she had a professional portrait artist friend in Nashville, Corey Frizzell, who wanted to honor our fallen soldiers by doing portraits of them to present to their families. Connie asked me if I had any ideas to assist Corey in getting his "Fallen Heroes" project off the ground. And boy did I!

After consulting with Wes and other city officials I asked Corey if he would be willing to render portraits of all eleven area service members who have given their lives for America, to be placed in a prominent public memorial. As you watch the video clip, below, of Corey presenting his first portrait last week, know that soon he will be working on our Permian Basin Fallen Heroes. Corey is noted for his works of country music stars, including his famous uncles Lefty and David Frizzell.

Corey's story can be seen here as he presents his first portrait to the mother of a fallen Marine. Corey presents portrait

Machine.......heal thyself!

Now this is strange.....but true.

A week or so ago, I reported that I had injured my back while lifting my lawnmower out of the trunk of my car. Dumb idea, but thanks to the Midland High sports trainers, my back is much better. I had taken the mower to our other family home to touch up the grass there until we can find a suitable yard guy.

What I didn't report was that after all the effort to get the mower to the other house....I couldn't get it started. I had just used it at my home a week before, but when I tried to start it at the other house, the pull cord would not budge an inch. I tried gently nudging it out and I tried furious jerking...no movement at all; which is when I packed it up, came home and injured my back getting it out of the car.

The mower is about 9 years old, but I keep it in good shape so I was befuddled as to this sudden malfunction. My first thought was that perhaps the motor had seized up, but it was working fine when I shut it off the previous week. The second, and more logical thought, was that the starter cord had become entangled inside the mower, something I thought I might try fixing myself, although my confidence in this was shaken when my friend CJ, the air conditioning guy, told me he tried this once and that there is a very strong spring inside the cord assembly that nearly took his hand off when he had tried this same repair years ago.

But, early this morning I thought I'd at least get it out, take the cover off and see what I could manage to see. The mower has been inside the tool shed untouched since I painfully put it there last week. Before I disassembled anything, I thought I might just give the cord a tug to remind myself of the problem.....when I did, it pulled smartly out and the mower started right up as if there had never been any problem at all, so I proceeded to mow the yard.

Now in medical and psychological illnesses I've heard of spontaneous remission, but I never had any idea that a machine could heal itself. I'm still really perplexed, but as my neighbor said, and I had thought aleady, just be grateful. And I am.

Easy to be hard......

Weird dream spawns eclectic memories......

Blogging anniversary...or two

The remembrance of my anniversary into blogging is not a high priority, but I should note it I suppose, if not a little late. Officially Streams came into being on March 9th 2002 with these sage remarks. Before that, however, my official entry using actual blogging technology came about in an earlier effort entitled, "Pedro's Dreamland" starting on June 18th, 2001.

And, even before I found "Blogger" and started using their ready made technology I had been producing a similarly formatted effort called "The Adventures of Pedro" which premiered on March 20, 2001. I produced this daily using photos and short stories of my dull daily life, using a new hand produced html page each and every day. Obviously this was some effort, so when I found that the newly introduced "Blogger" could do the same thing, the technology intrigued me and I starting using it. The old "Adventures of Pedro" are still up and can be seen here [all links at bottom]. These completely fabricated stories which started as a joke were, really, some of my best work and I actually had quite a following of readers.

What started out in 2001 as complete fun and moronic entertainment got lost, for awhile, in becoming too serious as blogging grew into a national pasttime and I had the mistaken impression that people really cared what I had to say on the deep issues of the day. So now, and maybe this is why I'm still around when others have tired of the effort; I post items that interest me, only when......I have items that interest me. I don't worry about putting up something everyday nor care much about entering into the fray of big stories. And generally I am more diligent about my daily photos at Eclectic Photography. But for those who occasionally still wander in after 8 years of blogging.....thanks.

Older....but not too damn much wiser

Here's a helpful hint for those of around my age...over 35. Don't try and pick up a lawn mower and put it into the trunk of your car.

I'm looking after my folks vacant house a few blocks away which includes keeping the yard up. For the last two years we've had a young guy doing it, but seeing greener pastures and larger yard jobs, he let us go. I have a temporary yard guy, but he only comes occasionally, so early Tuesday morning I thought I'd take my lawn mower over and clean things up a bit. Since it's only blocks away I don't mind setting my mower in the trunk for the short trip. I had done this once before.....after Tuesday I won't do it again.

I got the mower in and out at the other house and back into the car with not much problem. The mower is moderately heavy but nothing a He-Man can't handle, the problem is that it's unwieldy. Back at my house, as I was lowering it to the ground I was hit with PAIN. I'm used to some pain, but this was PAIN, the kind where you see bright lights and feel sick and about to faint kinda' PAIN. Lower back PAIN. The kind of pain that mostly paralyzes you and I had visions of the neighbors having to carry me in.

But I finally limped inside, took a bottle of Aleve and somehow got changed and went to a meeting. I found that if I stood up, straight up, I was able to function. So I stood up most all day and then went to photograph a baseball game that night. All the standing and moving, I suppose, loosening things up where I felt a little better by then and at bed time.

Here's my second tip. When you sleep all night on an injured back, don't try and jump out of bed in the morning. I tried.....and almost cried the PAIN was so bad, the back having tightened up again overnight. Luckily, with my sports connections at Midland High, I am able to avail myself of the Bulldog's professional training staff and equipment, which is what I did Wednesday morning along with a call to the world's best trainer, Doc Dodson. The trainers gave me a going over and recommended some helpful tips, especially about sleeping. I just love a pillow between my knees all night. But today it's somewhat better if I mind what I'm doing like not bending over, turning quickly or sitting crooked. I'm trying to teach D. Daphne Dog how to tie my shoes.

500 Wins...

Congratulations to Midland High School baseball coach Barry Russell on achieving his 500th career coaching win last week. A big accomplishment considering, at Midland High, it includes 11 consecutive playoff appearances, 10 straight seasons with 23 or more wins-- including owning all or part of the District Championships in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006. The Bulldogs were the Texas State 5-A Champions in 2001 and state semi-finalists in 2006.

On Wednesday night Coach Russell was honored with a dinner by players, fans and the baseball booster club....cake and all! Photo Slideshow..

Heritage explained.....

And now I know of the genes responsible for my fondness for the military......and whiskey!!

Over decades, my Mom did extensive genealogical work on her family and my Dads, all without the Internet. She called people all over the states and wrote to people in Europe. Her family went back to North Carolina in the early 1700's, getting her in the DAR. My Dad's came from Germany on his Mom's side, and from Northern Ireland, after migrating from Scotland, on his father's side. His Grandad's name was Robert Howard Craig. They actually went to N. Ireland twice and met some distant relatives.

Recently she gave me a lot of her work which included the Obit of my Great Grand Uncle, Sir James Craig M.D. who became the President of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland. He was also a knight...always nice to have one knight in the family. It listed his birthplace as Castlecatt, County Antrim, thusly telllng me where my Great Grandfather came from. I knew we came from County Antrim but not the exact village. It is about 3 miles from Bushmills....and we know what they make there. Thus my obvious love of whiskey, though I haven't had a dram in 15 years.

So, with the Internet I decided to see what I could find out about Craig's in Castlecatt and Bushmills. Finding no official town websites I ended up writing to a couple of B&B's in the area figuring they'd be nice people....and they were. One actually owns The Craig Cottage B&B right up the road from Bushmills. She tells me that there are still Craigs galore in the area. Another lady who owns the Primrose Inn in Castlecatt sent me a lead on the war memorial to the WWI dead from Bushmills listing several Craigs...and a Wallace. My Great Grandfather married a Wallace from around Bushmills. And so now we know where my name, Wallace Howard Craig, came from....my Great Grandparents, Robert Howard Craig, and wife Ellen Wallace

These are the WWI dead, sharing my family names, from the Memorial to the 12th Royal Irish Rifles, a central County Antrim unit raised for the war. Look at the dates of death for the first three.....all the same day at the battle of the Somme.

CRAIG, Rifleman, SAMUEL, 1712. 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. Co. Antrim 1st July 1916. XI. M. 5.
CRAIG, Rifleman, ALEXANDER, 614. 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. Co. Antrim 1st July 1916. Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B
WALLACE, Rifleman, ALEXANDER, 19242. 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. 1st July 1916. Age 26. Husband of Amy Wallace, of 5, Gilmore St., Ballymena, Co. Antrim. Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B
CRAIG, Lance Corporal, JAMES, 47837. 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. Co. Antrim 11th April 1918. Panel 138 to 140 and 162 to 162A and 163A

Here's an interesting website detailing the history of the 12th Royal Irish Rifles ........

Doc Dodson Field...

Probably no person has done so much for sports..and kids in Midland over a longer period than Doc Dodson. Doc was the legendary athletic trainer at Midland High School for decades where he touched the lives of countless students and still does to this day. He touched my life early on, being my drivers education instructor when I was 13 years old and it's a privelage to be his friend today. Saturday morning, Doc was honored by having a Little League baseball field named in his honor. A memorable morning among his family and friends. Here is my photo slideshow.

Water "criminals"....beware!

I live a few houses up from "D" Street which is well traveled and also a "drainage" street for water runoff. For years there has been a daily flow of water running down the street from a neighbor's watering system and for years I have been reporting this to the zoning department of the City of Midland. I've come to know Ms. Mancha the enforcement officer, quite well.

Lest you think I'm a nitpicker about a little sprinkler water....this is not a little water; it's a lot of water. Click the picture above for a larger view and you'll see the water flowing into the distance; and it goes for another 3 blocks beyond what you can see here. Actually the water comes from high volume bubblers in a bermed planting area so the water runs rapidly and directly downhill into the street. In the mornings when the offender's system is running [which it does daily, 365 days a year] the water in "D" St. is about 4 feet wide and runs as a stream for about 6 blocks, turning onto Douglas Ave. until it finds a drain which is about a quarter of a mile from the source. In the Spring and Fall the wet street accumulates leaves and trash; in freezing winter weather it turns to solid ice, a feature that the morning's traffic of high school kids love to spin out in. Worst of all this permanent water inflicts great damage on the asphalt constantly creating numerous deep potholes. I've come close to breaking my car's suspension by driving through one of these 6 inch deep holes hidden by the water. Some years ago, an acquaintance reported that he almost broke his ankle while walking his dog; stepping into one of the water hidden cravasses. City repair crews are a constant sight on "D" Street costing who knows how much.

About 2 months ago I once again reported the problem to Ms. Mancha and today, although the wheels of government turn slowly, there was action. A friend, who knows of the problem, called to tell me that she had seen a NewsWest 9 news crew at my corner looking at the street and filming. And bless the Lord, upon pulling the story up online, there was Ms. Mancha with the news guys describing how the city intends to get tough on these types of contiuous violations. Here's the Text and video story... some of it filmed at my corner.

How are things in Iraq...?

Don't expect the President to call a news conference and give these amazing responses from Iraqis in an ABC/BBC News poll. Read the responses on the link, but 65% of Iraqis say that things are going well in their lives and 84% say security in their local area is good and not a concern. And in the area I'm familiar with, Kurdistan, I guarantee the numbers are better than this. They're building luxury condos and malls in Kirkuk and Arbil. No, the President probably won't be advertising this.

Good St. Anthony....

I have an old friend, a good Catholic girl, who taught me years ago that when you've lost something that seems gone forever, if you will say the little prayer.....

"Good St. Anthony, please come 'round
somethings lost and can't be found"

the thing lost will be reunited with you. As you may know, St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost causes.

On Monday my Mom called very distressed that she had lost her wedding ring of 63 years. She had called the Manor Park maintenance man to come to her home to help look, going so far as to take the disposal apart. All to no avail. We had been to the Celtic Fair the previous weekend, where she had tried on a few rings. My fear was that the wedding ring had come off at the Fair held in the large Midland County Horseshoe Exhibit complex, and that it was gone.

But on Monday evening I took a moment to say three "Good St. Anthony's" just in case. On Wednesday evening Mom called and the first thing I asked her was, "any sign of the ring". Her exact words were, "Oh, it's like a miracle! I happened to open my desk drawer to get an envelope and I noticed the ring under some papers".

We have no earthly idea how the ring got into the desk, but I have a clue as to how it was found.....

My Real Life Tour

I spoke with friend Michael Peterson tonight about bringing his "Real Life Tour" back to Midland this year. The video talks about what the tour is....and who Michael is. If you missed Michael last year, hopefully you can catch him soon this year.

Award Winner......

Congratulations to our friend Jeanne Cooper, who last week was given the AMEE Award by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists for "excellence in her craft and contributions to the fields of media and entertainment".

The Emmy Award winning star of The Young and The Restless is also the national spokesperson for Midland's Springboard Center. In her acceptance speech, Jeannne named The Springboard Center as one of her two chief national charities. Ms. Cooper will be in Midland on May 8th to help open the Center.

Pesky visitor..

When the doorbell rang, Daphne thought it was Art the postman. Instead it was that dumbass Mr. Potato Head again!!

First and Last....

My first rose..and hopefully the last ice!

Certified....

Consulting for and assisting with my old Infantry Division in Iraq has been an honor, a privelage, economically rewarding, more than a little interesting and hey.....it's alway nice to receive a Certificate of Appreciation.

Interesting Tidbit...

Those who have been around the Internet for 10 years or more will remember the "search engine turf wars" before Google and Yahoo became the main games in town. There were many contenders but 4 or 5 were probably dominant, including Lycos. Like modern day Yahoo, players in the search engine game were also trying to grab business by doing the whole gamut of web related business. As Google won the lead share many of the contenders evolved, or perhaps devolved, into mainly web portal and web service companies as has Lycos today. Lycos is still around and a viable company in such areas as purchasing and hosting domains.

So here's the interesting part. The founder of Lycos, Michael Mauldin is a Midland High School grad. Not only a grad, but he was the Valedictorian in 1977. Midland High, it turns out, has spawned a few noted scholars who have made good; too bad I'm not one of them.

Fifteen years.....

It was fifteen years ago today that I stopped drinking. I don't take much credit for myself, but defer the kudo's for that to a few good friends and family who never gave up hope, to AA and to the kindness of God. Though there have been some tough times, even sober, I'm grateful for every day I've been given in the last fifteen years. By all accounts I shouldn't be here today, one doctor had given me one more year to live if I didn't stop drinking.

When I think of that I think of my good friend Rufe, as I often do, who in fact did drink himself to death five years after I quit. As they say, "but for the grace of God.....there go I".

Fifteen years. That's a long time between cold beers, but frankly, given the options, I don't miss them. Thanks to all..

Build a high tech car..

There are Bubba's in Canada too! If you've never seen the Red Green Show, here's a preview with Red building his own high tech car on the cheap.

The Power of the Internet...

For me, probably the greatest miracle of the Internet has been connecting with people, both meeting new folks and connecting with friends from the past. I met one of my best friends, author Joe Galloway online in 1999. We communicate almost every day now, usually by email but also on the phone. And I have been put back in contact with a good many people whom I never would have found otherwise.

Back in June of last year I wrote an article about the passing of my old friend and outrigger canoe mentor Sam Steamboat in Hawaii. Yesterday I received this note from his daughter Samantha.

I appreciate your comments about my Dad. He certainly was proud of your crew accomplishment. He shared that particular story with us on a regular basis at home around the dinner table. I am sorry that you were not contacted with the communication of his death. I wish that I could have done more to reach all those who would have wanted to know. Please contact me so that I can get your mailing address and send you something that you might want to see.

Mahalo,
Samantha Mokuahi Moikeha,
Sam Steamboat's daughter

What a nice present to hear from a member of Sam's family after all these years. And as I reminded Samantha, I had actually met her at a number of canoe functions when she was a very young girl hanging around her Dad at the beach at Waikiki.

Paul Harvey....

I was saddened to note in Sunday's paper, the passing of Paul Harvey. He seemed like a gentleman and a gentle man too. He was also a link to my dim past.

When I was in the 6th grade at Bowie Elementary in Midland, our legendary teacher, Lucia Pearl Penney, had us listen to the Paul Harvey news each day before we went to eat at the school cafeteria. We weren't dismissed for lunch until Paul was through. This was back in the days when talking or whispering among the students was not tolerated, and so we listened with rapt attention to the radio. At any other time of the day we would have thought listening to the radio in class was a cool deal, but the length of Paul's news affected our lunch period so I think we were all anxious for Paul to wrap things up as quickly as possible.

Paul's newscast was full of pregnant pauses, so when he would come to what we percieved as the end, Paul would pause and utter those unwelcomed words......"and now.....page 2". Damn. But Paul usually had a personal interest story about some common citizen doing something uncommon at the end of the news and I think that made it all worthwhile to the sixth grade class. Something must have made a great impression on me, to remember this all so clearly all these many years later. I was in the sixth grade, many.....many years ago and Paul Harvey just quite broadcasting last year. Amazing.

And now....you know the rest of the story.

Life in Dogville..

This didn't win any Academy Awards, but it should have. Like "Best Dog in a Dramatic Role". From the 1930 "Dogville" serials.

Google Maps...360

I've always loved maps and aerial photos, so I go to Google Maps frequently to look and see what I can find in the way of interesting aerial views. I've looked at my old house in Dallas before, at 6266 Town Hill Lane, for there are usually updated, clearer photos on each visit.

But tonight when I went there, I was blown away. Not only by the fact that my old home has been torn down [burned?], and a new structure is under construction, but by the fact that now Google Maps allows me a ground level view of the whole street. By using my mouse, I found that I could switch from the standard aerial view, to a street level 360 degree movable panoramic view. It's simply astounding! Click on the photo above for a larger view....and if you have some familiar place to look at in Dallas give this a try! Or go to Google Maps, type in 6266 Town Hill Ln, Dallas, TX enter "search" and then use the pop up box to go to the "street view" shot. You can move the little yellow "man" in the lower right box to move around the street. Too cool.

And I have to say, that from the ground, except for the trees being larger, the street and homes look remarkably the same as when I left it almost 18 years ago. The tree next to the "porta potty" is a big magnolia tree that stood outside the guest room window of the old house. 18 years...where does the time go!

Later, update: I found that Midland Texas has been video mapped too, showing a wintery 360 degree view around 1207 Bedford Midland Texas.

Where are the frogs.....?

I'm not an alarmist, nor a believer in quack science but sometimes you have to listen to the evidence and be very concerned. While global warming gets all the media attention, there are probably more pressing issues. Tonight I attended a live webcast lecture by noted biologist Tyrone Hayes which we at the Sibley Nature Center sponsored with The University of Texas. Dr. Hayes is a noted amphibian researcher, who was hired as a consultant to the Swiss chemical company Syngenta to verify that it's fertilizer component atrazine was not a problem to the environment. What he found was quite the opposite.

It turns out that frogs, like the canaries in the old coal mine, are good predictors for health issues in humans. And what he noted is that frogs species all over the world are dying off and mutating at an alarming rate. As he noted, there are many causes, but his involvement with the chemical company showed that pesticide runoff from agricultural lands was one of the leading causes. And atrazine is one of the worst offenders as it does not easily naturally decompose.

As he noted. Atrazine has been totally banned in Europe, even in Switzerland home of atrazine. Angola, with it's decades long history of civil war induced death and violence, has banned atrazine as too dangerous to use! One part per billion in water has been shown to be life threatening to frogs...in the USA we use 80 million pounds a year. Dangerous levels of atrazine are now commonly found in natural rain water in heavily agricultural areas of the US midwest.

Poor frogs......poor humans, atrazine travels up the food chain to what we eat, and it is now commonly found in most water sources. The hormonal actions from atrazine which causes mutation and abnormal sex changes in frogs are the same ones that cause breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.

Dr Hayes has been noted in National Geographic and you can read more here about the story of his findings. Or read his website, to learn more.

Friends drop in....

Good friends Bruce and Arlene Crandall stop in Midland on their way back from the inauguration and annual Medal of Honor Ball in Washington. The very same function in the news for it's "non-attendee", the new president. Bruce is a Vietnam Medal of Honor recepient.

Bruce and Arlene travel across the country in a rather large RV and used to park their wheeled home in my driveway when they would stop in to visit. On one occasion some years ago, they deposited almost the entire load of the vehicle's hydraulic fluid on my driveway...and on the next visit Bruce adeptly knocked part of my brick wall down while parking. So...feeling some remorse, on their recent visits they've stayed at the RV campgrounds near the Interstate and the Warfield Truck Stop. Being worn out from their long RV drive from Dallas, they asked if I could drive out to meet them for some fine dining at the Truck Stop; a high end truck stop with some decent food and "interesting" dining companions. But, being outside the city limits they still allow the dining partons to smoke where ever they wish.....which being truckers is everywhere. I have forgotten what a foul experience dining ala smoke is!

Homecoming welcome..

It was an amazing event, seeing 30,000 of your townsfolk out for a singular event....the homecoming celebration for George and Laura Bush. Truly magical and best said by me in some of my photos taken from one of the best seats in the house thanks to a "White House Press Pool" pass!
Bush Homecoming Slideshow

Presidential Event..

If you are planning on attending the welcome home for President Bush next Tuesday, just a quick reminder. Please leave your ammunition and mace at home.

[from ticket reverse side]

Basketball......!

Three full days of basketball at the Byron Johnston Tournament in Midland, yielded great results. The MHS Lady Dawgs won the tournament and the MHS men's team were runner's up behind a very good Midland Lee team. Lot's of fun, good crowds and I got to see a lot of folks I hadn't seen in quite awhile. And as always interesting photos.

Lady Dawgs Photos
Bulldog Men's Photos

Thanks....CBS7

Christmas For OUR Troops, our organization sending gift boxes to our troops overseas, relies heavily on volunteers and donations. To get large numbers of volunteers and donated items, we have to rely on good media coverage. Probably no media source has been more helpful in the last years as has CBS7, going so far as to send a news crew to San Antonio last May to cover our event at Brooke Army Medical Center.

So it didn't surprise me at all when earlier this week my friend, CBS7 anchor, Catherine Collins called saying they wanted to do a follow up story about the troops receiving our packages. And so the next day we taped a spot which aired on Christmas Day.

So thanks and Merry Christmas to Catherine, Jose, Eddie, Jordan, Beau, Stephanie and all the other folks at CBS7 who help us out!

Remembering my Dad...

My Dad has been gone a little over two years now, the last day of November to be exact. I, of course, thought about the event on that day this year but sometimes, with other events happening at that time, it seems so sad that I'd rather not mention it in public. But tonight for some odd reason I was looking back over old posts on "Streams" and came across what I had written about him on Father's Day of 2002. It is still appropriate even now with him gone......

I'm making meat loaf, for Fathers Day with My Dad, Mom and xxxxx.

I am blessed that my Dad is still here, and living with my Mom only 4 blocks away...in the house I mostly grew up in. My Dad, a child of the "depression", worked from age 12 to help support his family because that's just what people did and he didn't consider himself special, but his Mom and Sister did.

My Dad, the soldier, left for WWII and didn't come home for 3 years. His best Army buddy was killed right beside him on their first day of combat in Italy. My Dad who endured many months of hard combat, and was evacuated only after his feet had frozen in the Vosge Mountains of France. My Dad who came home, and didn't talk about it all for the next 50 years, because it was too hard, and because as an American it was simply his duty to perform.....and that's what everyone did, so he didn't consider himself special. But we do.

My Dad who really worked way too hard to send three sometimes ungrateful kids to the best colleges while forgoing things he had dreamed of all his life. I only suspect this because he never mentioned it and didn't consider himself special....but we do.

My Dad who watched a son descend into the hellish pit of alcohol, but never had a harsh word, only good advice. And had the patience to wait years for this advise to sink in and didn't consider himself special......but I do.

My Dad who has always been there for everyone in the whole family, put everyone else first and always did the very best he could because that's what Dad's do and didn't consider himself special........but we do!!

Letters from Iraq....

Mailed just one week ago, amazingly enough, our gift boxes to Our Troops overseas are starting to arrive! We've received emails of thanks all day long from Iraq. The note below from a contact made through the 25th Infantry Divsion says it all....

Dear Friends,
It is hard to describe the feeling of warmth I have felt the whole day from deep inside. Your packages arrived at our Medical Facility here in COB Speicher today.

As our Soldiers started coming in, our Mail detail urged everyone to pick up their boxes. You should have seen the look of sheer pleasure in our kid's eyes when they saw the big boxes with their names on them. Their broad smiles, the way they wrapped their arms around the packages and showed to each other in amazement the good things you sent us made me realize how young and impressionable they still are.

I want you to know that your extraordinary act of kindness to our brave kids was well received and cannot be thanked enough.

People like you are the reason why we fight with pride. We fight for patriots like you. We fight for those who love and remember their young Troops who serve all around the world.

It has been a good busy day of work in this strange, troubled land. Seeing the progress made by those who go outside the wire risking their lives for a better Iraq and peace in America gives me hope for the future. In many ways you have been here side by side with us. You have reached out and touched our hearts. My prayers tonight will be for you and your loved ones to receive all the blessings you deserve.

May God keep you and your families in his loving hands. Thank you, dear friends. Thank you for giving our Troops a very Merry Christmas.

v/r,

Miguel Benzor-Anaya
CAPT, MS
25th Infantry Division

Smart or Stoopid....?

Hey, I've been trying to tell you!! Take the test yourself

Mission complete....

Over 100 volunteers packed 1,285 Christmas gift boxes for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan today. A truly amazing group of people for whom I have the highest respect and admiration. Special kudos go to a great group of kids, the Midland High cheerleaders, who came over after school, got right to work and quickly packed over 100 boxes. This in addition to making Christmas For OUR Troops their official non-profit organization and donating the proceeds from their poster sales to our cause. And not an insignificant amount either! Thanks to all. Here are a few images from the day. CFOT Photos

Santa's final push.

A quick reminder that this Wednesday, Dec 3rd, we will be packing Christmas gift boxes to be sent to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have a warehouse full of donated items to be packed into almost 1,300 boxes, so we can use a lot of help! If you would like to come for all afternoon, or just an hour or so, we'd love to have you. Santa's elves will be working at the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church on W. Texas Ave. in Midland starting at about 1 p.m. on Wed.

Here are some photos of last years workers and also some from a couple of the recepients. CFOT photos

Big Gold Dog....

I like to watch this every now and then...and it still brings a tear to my eye thinking about another Big Gold Dog.

I'm honored.....!

I didn't think I knew much about stamps, but apparently I do. And I didn't know I'd been honored, but apparently I have. At least the Federated Philatelic Clubs of Southern California appreciate my efforts......whatever they were. Thank you so much for the Exemplary Service Award

Upcoming: The Paula Nelson Band

Under the category of "here's something else to do in Midland". On Saturday December 6th, at 10p.m., The Paula Nelson Band will be at Kroc's in Midland. Paula and her band are hot commodities in Austin and around Texas and the USA. They play a mix of Texas rock, blues and hot country. Paula is the daughter of my friend Connie Nelson......her Dad is Willie. Connie at right in photo, Paula on the left and daughter Amy in the middle.

Just a dog.....

A letter by an anonymous author and sent by a friend.....

Just a dog...

From time to time people tell me to "lighten up, it's just a dog" or "that's a lot of money for just a dog". They don't understand the distance traveled, time spent, or costs involved for "just a dog". Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog". Many hours have passed with my only company being "just a dog" and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were brought about by "just a dog". In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" provided purpose and comfort to overcome the day.

If you too, think that it's "just a dog" you will probably understand phrases like "it's just a friend", "just a sunrise" or "just a promise". "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure unbridled joy. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks, and look longily to the future.

For me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog". It's the embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what is good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand that it's not "just a dog". It's the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman".

So the next time you hear someone say it's "just a dog", smile because they "just don't understand".

Open House Success...!

Our open house at The Springboard Center was a great success. The Mayor, the president of Midland Memorial Hospital, two district judges and 100's of patrons and supporters were in attendance. Guests had a chance to hear what the center and it's programs will mean for Midland and the surrounding areas and to tour the facility which will be officially opening in February 2009. As always, our friend and national spokesperson Jeanne Cooper of The Young and the Restless provided a great treat and and inspirational words.

Here's a photo slideshow of the afternoon: Springboard Open House and take a video walk thru of the new facility! Video Tour

Kiva....a great idea

Some time ago I ran into Kiva and wrote that I found this vehicle to make micro loans to individuals in 3rd world countries to be absolutely the highest and best use of the Internet. I still feel that way. After chunking in some money I invested in a woman, Sharifa Said Seif, and her hopes of expanding her clothing business in Dar es Salaam. Fast foward nine months and the loan was paid back in full. The idea of Kiva is to keep "rolling" your invested dollars into new loans as they are repaid.

Yesterday, on Veteran's Day, I thought that a good way to remember some of my past was to help someone in Southeast Asia. So my credit balance went to Savy Ek a woman on the Mekong River in Cambodia. Mrs. Ek is a silk weaver and needed some funds to buy materials to help her business grow.

The amount of money we might spend, without a thought, on a nice dinner out is a near fortune to someone in the poorer regions of the world. Kiva is a great way to help someone else up!

Kablooey!!

As a kid I always liked blowing stuff up with firecrackers. Today was the ultimate blow up, the implosion of the old Midland Savings Building. Here are my shots from the media viewing area on the 3rd floor terrace of the Hilton Hotel.

Open House........Ya'll come!

The Springboard Center, our home grown non-profit substance abuse treatment center will be having an open house this Friday to show off our new and nearly completed 11,500 square foot facility. We'll have a light Mexican food buffet and you can meet our national spokesperson Jeanne Cooper of The Young and The Restless, the newest Emmy Award winner for best actress in a daytime drama.

Things kick-off at Noon at the Center which is located at 200 Corporate Dr., off N. Big Spring Street behind the 1st National Bank branch. Here's our MRT Ad with info. Hope you can make it.....!

From Sir Charles...

"Poor people have been voting for Democrats for the last fifty years....and they are still poor."

-Charles Barkely-

Christmas For OUR Troops...

Our Christmas For OUR Troops program is once again swinging into high gear. For the past four years we have sent Christmas gift boxes to our troops serving us in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. At first the idea was to send a few boxes of neccesities and goodies to some of the troops we knew were overseas, sending probably 40 or 50 boxes the first year. Last year we sent over 600 boxes and this year the plan is to send over 1,000!

The support from individuals, businesses and churches has been overwhelming! People donate items, large and small, they donate services, money and most importantly their time and efforts! This year we have a whole new group of people in New Mexico who are gathering gifts and providing locations for others to drop off their donations. But....we can always use more help, items for our troops and yes sometimes money. Last year the postage bill for sending our boxes exceeded $12,000! So, if you can help in anyway, please look over our website linked above. We are a registered 503 [c] non profit corporation....and every dime goes towards showing our troops they are not forgotten.

And for a reminder of why we do this....read the few of many, many letters we have recieved back from our grateful servicemembers.

Doyle Dykes...

It was another of those nights when I wonder where all the folks in Midland were....the one's who complain about the lack of things to do in town. Guitar virtuoso Doyle Dykes played before 75-80 folks at the First Presbyterian Church. In fairness it was a Sunday night and I suppose since Doyle was appearing at 1st Presby, more secular folks might have had the impression that this was a religous event. Doyle does have a great spiritual message in his music, which is why the church brought him to town, but Doyle played mainly what he's known for....hot lick country guitar! Doyle has played on stage with Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy, Peter Frampton, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, and has been a regular on the Grand Ol' Opry. He is also the national spokesperson for Taylor Guitars and Rivera Amps.

A small crowd, but a great chance to talk with a musical genius!

Mission Accomplished.....

For the last week I have been intending to add an update concerning the success of the 25th Divisions visit to Midland. Luckily, in Sunday's Midland Reporter-Telegram, Mella McEwen has done a good job of summarizing the trip. I had a great time in the week with the 25th Division soldiers and the feedback from them on their experience was very positive. I'll be seeing them again soon. And a big thanks to the Midland oil community for their support and assistance. Here's Mella's take on the trip.....

Soldiers visit Midland for tips on protecting Iraqi oil facilities
by Mella McEwen
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Sunday, October 5, 2008 3:14 AM CDT

Before heading to northern Iraq later this fall, eight members of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division -- who have previously been to both Iraq and Afghanistan -- detoured to Midland to learn about the oil and gas industry. "Our goal was to get a broad overview of the oil industry and better prepare ourselves for going to Iraq," said Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Blacker, adding that another goal was to identify experts who could assist their efforts once they are in Iraq, experts they can call or e-mail after they arrive in Iraq.

The division's 'mentor,' retired four-star General James T. Hill, contacted his close friend Wallace Craig of Midland for help preparing the division to oversee oil operations in Iraq. "When they first contacted me, I envisioned they were more worried about how to secure the equipment, but their main focus is on putting Iraqis back to work, increasing production and growing the economy," he said.

Craig -- who was in the division in the mid-1970s -- said Hill, a close friend and fraternity brother, had asked him to go to Iraq, but he told Hill the soldiers would be better served coming to Midland, visiting actual facilities and talking with industry representatives. "I said they needed to look at getting many involved because the industry is so segmented," he said.

He then enlisted Midland College's Petroleum Professional Development Center to set up three days of training for the soldiers. The first day was a full-day classroom seminar, "Overview of the Oil and Gas Industry" presented by T.E. Gill at the PPDC building in downtown Midland, followed by an update on global markets, sales and prices at Wachovia Securities.

The second day involved a field trip, touring a Pioneer Natural Resources well site, pipeline operations at Plains All American tank farm and control center and compressor systems at Exterran. At the Plains tank farm, Craig said, the soldiers saw how a large-scale storage facility operates and how it is vulnerable. "They needed to know what the red flags were and what the red flags look like," he said.

Lt. Col. Blacker said the group got a good understanding from both the classroom presentation and the trip to actual sites "to see what the equipment looks like and what right looks like."

The second day concluded at the Petroleum Museum with a panel discussion involving experts in various segments of the industry. Nick Taylor, president of Mexco Energy, was among the panelists talking with the soldiers. "What they were most concerned with was creating jobs, boosting the economy and getting people involved," Taylor observed. He said one thing that amazed him was learning that the Iraqis have now buried their pipelines and encased them in concrete. Better securing the pipelines, he said, will let the Iraqis focus on economic development. Participants discussed suggestions such as holding a trade show similar to the upcoming Permian Basin International Oil Show.

"We directed them towards adding revenue, increasing production, recovering gas that's now being flared, capturing the vapors from production facilities," said Taylor. "We talked about generating facilities, using portable generators -- engines or turbines, those microturbines. Some of them thought that might not be feasible at this point but they were glad to hear our ideas. "We also talked about fertilizer, chemicals, value-added products," he continued.

Taylor noted that, since his days in the army, the military has broadened its concerns from combat to dealing with civilian-military affairs, which he found encouraging.

Craig said there is a benefit to Midlanders from the soldiers' visit in that contacts were made "so that when things improve, there will be opportunities in Iraq, especially for service companies. The potential in Iraq is huge. It has the second largest reserves after Saudi Arabia. That region is going to be a major energy center and it needs revitalization and it needs people who know how to revitalize it."

Lt. Col. Blacker said her group "really appreciate being here and welcomed with open arms."

The Army arrives..

After several months of work in the planning stages, my army consulting job got down to business today with the arrival of a number of command and staff officers from the 25th Infantry Division who have come to Midland to learn the basics of the oil business. The 25th Division will be deploying to the oil rich regions of Iraq in the very near future.

On Tuesday we will be having a full day of instruction in oil production systems at the Petroleum Professional Development Center. Wednesday morning will find us touring oil field production and transportation field sites followed by an afternoon panel discussion and question/answer session at the Petroleum Museum. Thursday we will be visiting the Alon/Fina Refinery in Big Spring before the 25th group departs that evening.

Tonight, with the help of The Petroleum Museum, I hosted a welcoming reception attended by many oil business legends who have helped me in putting the seminar together including Mayor Wes Perry, Arlen Edgar and T.B. O'Brien, who was responsible for extinquishing the oil fires in Kuwait after the first Gulf War.

It's an honor to be able to assist my old division as they prepare to deploy to Iraq....and once again I'm amazed at the quality of people we have serving in our armed forces. Like Major Kuhl, from the 25th Division's legal office. Major Kuhl recently graduated with honors with a masters degree in law from the University of Virginia. She could name her ticket in the corporate legal world, but chooses to serve her country. Enough said.

Two Years......

It was two years ago yesterday that Tres, The Big Gold Dog, passed away peacefully at home. Much has happened since then but it seems like only yesterday that he was here.....and at the same time, a lifetime ago. I think of him every day.

A trip east....?

Life really is interesting and sometimes really interesting things just appear out of the blue.

For the last year I've been trying to make arrangements on my own to go to Afghanistan to do photography. I had lined up media crendials and the paper work to become an "embedded" photographer with the army. The problem was securing transportation. To pay for travel out of pocket is extremely expensive and my efforts at securing a ride over on a military aircraft have not panned out...

So it was with a great deal of serendipity that a call came from an old friend several months ago offering me a paid trip with the army, not to Afghanistan but to Iraq. The friend is a recently retired senior army general who now consults for and advises the army. He told me that an infantry division would be deploying to the oil rich sectors of Iraq in January and that they wanted someone on board who knew the oil business...and the army. My name was suggested. Talks ensued in which I told commanders that I'm not really an expert in any one area, but my strong suit is knowing a lot of people who are so why don't we put together a consulting team of many experts from the differing areas of the oil business. The idea was well received.

So after a call received today, I guess I'm officially a US Army consultant for Iraq. The consultant who is hiring other consultants. We will be hosting, in Midland, a large group of the divisions staff officers and commanders for an "oil business 101" seminar after which we will be on call as the situation dictates in Northern Iraq. Trips over are likely, hopefully very short trips.

Interesting to boot in that the division I'm working with, is the very same one I served in all those years ago.

Gone West...

Ed, "Too Tall" Freeman was one of the four Medal of Honor recepients from the battle at LZ Xray portrayed in the film, We Were Soldiers. Today, I received the following sad news from someone who knew him best.

folks:
please be advised that an american hero crossed the river this morning bound for Fiddlers Green:
Maj. Ed (Too Tall to Fly) Freeman (Medal of Honor, Ia Drang Valley) died in a Boise hospital where he had been in intensive care and on life support for a number of days.
Ed was great company in a foxhole or a watering hole, and a great loyal friend of everyone who ever spent time around him.
Ed's best friend for only about 60 years, Bruce (Old Snake) Crandall, and Bruce's wife Arlene spent time with Ed saying their goodbyes--and continuing their long-running argument over which of them was the Second Best Pilot in the World-- last week.
Bruce told Ed that to prove he was the BPITW Bruce would get a chopper for the burial and sling-load Ed's coffin right into the grave.
We all mourn the loss of one of the Cavalry's two best pilots in the world.
Details of funeral home, funeral arrangements etc. are below.
Garry Owen!
Joe Galloway

Sad News....

I remember the sadness at the passing of The Big Gold Dog like it was yesterday. Now....I can share that feeling with Janie and her family on the loss of their dear friend and companion, Zoie.
Sounding Forth....with sadness

Birthday...

Today is my Dad's birthday, he would have been 85 years old. Having spent so many years watching his health decline, I like to look at many of the old photos like the one above to remind me of what a great and active life he had. I miss him immensely.....

Blogging for Fair Havens..

Blogging for Fair Havens organizer and grand master Jimmy Patterson is smiling here because we've just reached our goal of $10,000......just a little more than half way through the 24 hour event!! Thanks to all... and there is still time to donate using the link above!!

Blogging for Fair Havens

Things are going well in the HEB parking lot as local bloggers led by Jimmy Patterson are busy raising money for Midland Fair Havens. Local luminaries like Midland Mayor Wes Perry [above] are stopping by frequently to show their support. With only 8 hours under our belts, as of 3 o'clock, a grand total of $7,800 has been raised towards the total goal of $10,000. You can still make your pledge! Check out Blogging For Fair Havens

Blogging for Fair Havens..

This Saturday, July 26th, I will be in the HEB parking lot high atop some sort of unsafe contraption that Jimmy Patterson has arranged for in order to help a very worthy cause, Midland Fair Havens. We will be blogging for Fair Havens in an effort to raise $10,000 to help with operating costs for this very worthwhile and needed non-profit organization. Along with Jimmy and a host of other famous guests we will blogging around the clock and hopefully we will achieve our goal....and more.

Jimmy will be high atop his own 30 foot high lift and will be the online emcee for the event providing his own brand of wit and wisdom with, I suspect, a load of rewards and gifts for donors. So, tune in and help Midland Fair Havens. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by and say hell-o or just yell from your car as you drive past. Please don't throw things, unless it's money....we are doing this for charity!

Guitar Guy.......

Some slam down guitar from a friend's son, Ryan Bell.

And the Emmy winner is......

Our good friend and spokesperson for The Springboard Center, Jeanne Cooper of "The Young and the Restless"! Jeanne was awarded the 2008 "best actress" in a daytime drama for her role as Catherine Chancellor, a role she's been playing since 1973.

A legacy of giving.....

Dollye Neal Ballinger was a remarkable, giving woman and one who keeps on giving even after her passing. While she was alive her charities included a lasting music program at the First United Methodist Church and the beautiful chapel on the campus of Midland College.

Upon her death the bulk of her estate was put under the care of the Permian Basin Area Foundation to fund projects and programs to help the people she cared about. One of those was our Springboard Center and today our executive director and board received a check for $250,000 from Mrs. Ballinger's estate through the PBAF. These funds will help us complete our new 11,500 sf substance abuse treatment center now under construction.

Mrs. Ballinger was a supporter of, and believer in, our program and knew what a difference her assistance could make. It sure will....!! Thank you Dollye!

Live onstage with Willie....

Who ever thought I'd be onstage with Willie Nelson? Certainly not me, but courtesy of his ex wife and my friend Connie Nelson....here I am onstage with Willie

Let the fun begin...

It's reunion time! Two classes from Midland High, two classes from Lee High School. I won't devulge what years these are other than to say that I graduated in the last century. Several of us at various points around Texas have been working on this for six months. Sometimes working a whole lot.

But it should be worth the effort with probably 450+ attending. Friday night is an event I organized at the Chaparral Gallery in the Petroleum Museum, Saturday night the big shindig at the Midland Center put together by a professional reunion service out of Houston. Using advanced search engines they found many lost souls. Several of us "googled" up more. I found my class president in the Seattle area. His parents relocated from Midland the year he graduated and he hasn't been back since. He's excited. Many people I've kept up with, many I haven't. I ended up with 90+ classmates on my personal list and most are coming. Too fun.....

I must rest up Sunday after they all depart, because I visit Willie Nelson that night...more fun.

The Hippy Dippy Weatherman....RIP

God Bless George Carlin, 1937-2008

A second chance...

In September of 1995 Willie Nelson performed in Midland at a very nice, relatively small outdoor show on the Courthouse lawn. My Dad was a golfing partner of the father of the show's promoter and so became the recepient of a backstage pass to the show. Graciously, he bestowed the pass on me. Backstage, in this case, meant sitting on the back of the lowrise temporary platform that Willie performed on. For most of the show I sat on the stage right next to Willie's sister, and longtime piano player, Bobbie Nelson. A great show with Willie playing a solid two hours of his greatest hits.

After the show, the pass entitled me to come to the "meet and greet" with Willie. In this case held outside his motor coach, parked on the street right in front of the Petroleum Building, which later became my office. After Willie relaxed for a half an hour or so, he descended from the motor home, shook the hands of we eight or ten fans with passes, brought out some lawn chairs and invited everyone to stay and talk. And that we did until about 2 a.m. when there were just two us left with Willie. As you can imagine it was a rare treat. Except for one thing, which I've regretted ever since...I didn't have a camera with me. I got an autograph, but no pictures.

But now, fate, serendipity or just good fortune is bringing me a second chance. In the past year I've become good friends with Willie's ex wife, Connie Nelson. Connie is a sweetheart of a woman. Kind, caring, talented and very interesting, she was instrumental in the success of our recent Troop Salute in San Antonio, arranging for bands and raising money. Connie also brought her best friend, Phyllis with her to help out. As I was eating dinner with Phyllis the topic of Willie arose. I asked her if she knew him very well. "Well yes," she said, "his sister Bobbie is my step-mother".

So when I found out that Willie will be appearing soon in Odessa, I called Connie. "Hi Connie, Willie is going to be in Odessa on June 29th, I wonder if you could......" That's all I got out before she said, "you want some backstage passes?" And so she called Willie's manager and within a day it was arranged, giving me all the names in Willie's tour group that I need to know and who to talk to about taking photographs onstage. And when I talked to Phyllis this week she added, "I'll see Bobby tonight, I'll tell her about you and ask her to make sure things go OK."

Sometimes we do get second chances in life....and they may even work out better than first chances.

Sam "Steamboat" Mokuahi....

Steamboat, with our two Army Club Tropic Lightning outriggers at Waikiki

Without friends in Hawaii anymore, I hadn't heard the news, two years old, that an old friend of mine had passed away. Sam Mokuahi was a legend in the islands. His dad had been one of the original Waikiki beachboys and Sam Jr. followed in his dad's footsteps. Sam's Newspaper story..

Sam, or just Steamboat, was the guy who introduced me to outrigger canoe racing when I lived in Hawaii. Sam was a nationally known professional wrestler in the '60's and 70's, but his passion was outrigger canoes and keeping the old traditions and customs of their heritage alive. Sam had the idea that the US Army, having a big presence in Hawaii, ought to participate in the local racing events. So he talked the commanding general of the 25th Division into forming a team......and I was chosen to be the commanding officer, such as it was.

Sam spent 6 months of his own time teaching ten novice guys how to get proficient enough to enter the big race of the year, the Aloha Week canoe race from the island of Molokai back to Honolulu. An open ocean race 58 miles in length. We made it, second to last out of 25 boats. Sam kept after us, even providing some of his beachboy paddlers as coaches and the next year, half way through the race, we were in third place out of 35 boats when our rigging snapped in 15 foot swells and we had to withdraw. When the Army withdrew it's support and our team disbanded, Sam asked me to join his private beachboy team.....the only haole [non local] on the team...something I'm still proud of.

Sam was, physically, a huge guy.....but huge also in spirit, gentleness and kindness. I have two canoe paddles from my racing days. One, made of Hawaiian Koa wood, was a gift to me from Sam. A special permit is needed from the state to cut Koa wood and Sam had one to build beautiful paddles and handmade canoes. I'll treasure my paddle all the more now. I loved the last, very fitting, line of his obit article, "A flotilla of canoes will accompany the scattering of ashes beyond the reef". Wish I could have been there.

Memorial Day....

The Greatest Generation.....my greatest hero

Wally Craig, Sgt. 179th Inf. 45 Inf Div
Anzio, Italian Campaign, Invasion of Southern France, Vosge Mountains Campaign

Hero Appreciation Day....WOW!

What do you say to a handsome, and young, 23 year old soldier who has recently lost both legs in Iraq when you are sitting with him and looking him right in the eye? As hard as it was, I said what I had come to say to all these soldiers, "This isn't much but I want you to know that I appreciate the sacrifices you've made for us and your country. And if there's anything I can ever do for you.....here's my phone number". I think he sensed I was about to cry, which honestly I was, so he said to me, "hey sir, it's OK, this is some real shit to deal with, but I have my wife with me, my buddies and the Army is taking great care of me.....I'll get through this. And we appreciate you guys thinking of us and doing this for us". And you think we don't have some great young people in this country!

This occured Wednesday night at our Hero Appreciation Day dinner at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. All the hours that I, and many others, put in to make this happen were made worthwhile in that one short conversation. It was a night that every American should experience to learn just how much thanks and gratitude we do owe these troops.

We fed and entertained close to 500 soldiers and their families, a few VIP's and a lot of just plain folks who also care about these soldiers. Even I'm not sure where they all came from, but we had over 100 volunteers assisting with everything from setting up tent pavillions, packing gift bags and serving the troops at their tables which still more volunteers had decorated at their own expense.

Here's a slideshow that gives only just a feeling of the event. Although many of the wounded troops gave me permission to use their photos, except for two, I decided I'd rather not for personal reasons. Just know that to see so many wounded and maimed young Americans in one spot is heartrending. Hero Appreciation Slideshow.

To thank all those who helped is impossible but here are a few. Recording artists The Lucky Tomblin Band, Roger Creager, Crossroads [who brought their portable stage and sound system]. ESPN who did a live broadcast, CBS7 who will be presenting a special report with interviews they did. Rudy's BBQ for a great feed at cost. Traci Cavender of Cavenders Boot's who picked up the rest of the food costs. Borden's Dairy for scads of ice cream and Union Pacific Railroad for loads of water. To my high school friends who came. For my college friends who lent a hand. For the numerous Ia Drang [We Were Soldiers] Vets who came from all over Texas to lend support. To Luke Green, the Chief of Staff of the 5th Army who took control of the ground logistics providing pavillion tents, chairs, and the manpower to set it all up. To longtime friend Teresa Goforth in Dallas who arranged for free tickets to Texas Rangers and Dallas Starz games. And to her daughter Priscilla, who emceed the program. To Judith Markelz who gives of her time in running the Soldiers and Families Support Center at BAMC. And especially to Connie Nelson, who called out of the blue to offer her help...and who got her ex hubby Willie Nelson to become a sponsor. Connie has become a very good friend and her work was tireless in finding sponsors, coordinating the entertainment and providing autographed photos of some really cool people that were given to the troops. Connie is the blonde in the black and white top in the photos. To all these and the many I didn't have time to meet personally.....THANKS!

Thanks for a great gift...

What other way to show your gratitude to the people who saved your brother's life than to pick up the phone and just say, "Thanks".

That's what I did this afternoon, reaching Dr. Amy Marvin in Houston. Amy gave my brother CPR while her husband assisted and then administered the defibrillator which shocked him back to life. Amy, and I, were close to tears as she recounted the event, "he was gone, just gone", she said, "my husband and I just lost it when later that night we phoned the hospital and talked to Mark and he said he was doing fine".

Amy and her husband Robert, with consent from my sister in law, agreed to a TV interview on the condition that it would highlight the use of defibrillators. Here's the Fox News story.

God watches over us....

My brother, Mark, has had his name in the Houston paper before in his capacity as a deputy director of NASA. But I doubt that he has ever been on the front page of the paper as he is today. And I doubt that he wants to repeat the events that got him there.

The newspaper article tells the story as one of luck, serendipity and good planning. Sometimes though, I think there is no explanation other than God is watching over us. Read the article and see what you think.....

The Tour...

Last week, a blur now, was spent with Michael Peterson and his Real Life Tour, sponsored by the US Army. What a blast getting to know Michael, his band members, tour group and of course some great folks from the Army. The purpose of the tour was for Michael to speak to teenagers about making the right choices in life. And speak he did to over 2,000 kids at six schools, to large teen groups at churchs and other place kids gather. We had lunch one day at El Burrito with six kids from Midland High. When lunch was over we dropped them off in the tour bus at the front door to MHS...greatly improving their social status. Besides being a great singer/songwriter, Michael is a quality guy.

If you missed the finale concert on Saturday night..you missed something special, including guest performer and Sony recording artist Colt Prather. Here's Colt in action....

Michael Peterson....

Some months ago, through old Army contacts, I was asked to help bring Country and Western artist Michael Peterson and his Real Life Tour to Midland. The tour is sponsored, in part, by the Army and is aimed at reaching teenagers with ways to take responsibility and make correct decisions.

I've spent the last three days with Michael and he is the real deal. I don't know that I've ever heard a more effective speaker and one who has a knack of gettng his message across to kids through music, laughter and with his own personal story. We have already had several engagments and today, Friday, he is speaking at Lee Freshman High School, Goddard and Abell Junior Highs in Midland and tonight we travel to Lamesa and the high school there.

And......Michael is a great musician, songwriter and C&W star. Named "CMA newcomer of the year" in 1997 he quickly had five hits in the country charts top 10 and one reached #1. I've heard Michael this week playing accoustically at his speaking engagements. I can't wait to hear him plugged in with his entire band Saturday night. For a little extra fun, Michael has an amazing "illusionist" couple, Ridgeway and Johnson. I've seen a little of what they can do, all I can say is "damn, how did they do that". Kristen is also ranked as one of the top escape artists in the world. Worth seeing.

Michael will be in concert Saturday at 7 p.m. at Midland's Horseshoe, but will be meeting fans and signing autographs from 5 p.m. till the show starts. You should try and come. I'm telling you.....he is really good! Take a look.....

You won't be forgotten....

Faithful readers will recall that last year at this time friends Scott Davis, Terry Johnson and I [along with a lot of help!] staged what we called The West Texas Troop Salute at Rockhounds Stadium. Organized in only 2 months time, the event exceeded our wildest expectations with over 4,000 people showing their gratitude and support for our troops. We had intended to repeat the Troop Salute this year.

But, after a great deal of heartfelt consideration, we decided that the same event might not draw the crowd it did last year, the old "we've seen that" syndrome, which we understand. And we wanted to do something a little more directly appreciative for some troops needing a lot of support.

So...this year we are doing "Hero Appreciation Day" at the rehab unit of Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. The rehab unit is where the most severely wounded troops spend months..even years getting their bodies, minds and spirits healed. We want to give them a break from the hard work of healing by hosting a barbecue on the lawn at the hospital.

What started out as a simple plan to take a "BBQ trailer" down and cook some hot dogs ourselves has turned into a large, but worthwhile, undertaking. And the support, as usual, is phenomenal. Luckily, last year I had met the Chief of Staff of US ArmyNorth at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio and he has been a major boost on the ground there helping us to put this together. He has the Army volunteering tent canopies, chairs, tables and man power. What started as a dog cookout now has Rudy's Famous Barbecue catering the event for what we think will be between 3-400 patients and their families, guests, VIP's and just plain folks.

Support and offers of assistance are coming from all over. Larry Gatlin is on board and this week we were contacted by C&W recording artist Roger Creager...he'll be there. The Lucky Tomblin Band signed on today. A shuttle astronaut I met in Midland last month is flying in from Canada for the event. A major radio station in San Antonio is live broadcasting the proceedings. CBS7 in Odessa is sending a news crew, Borden's is donating all the ice cream we can eat and the list goes on...

Last month my phone rang...."hi this is Connie Nelson, I'm Willie Nelson's ex wife, I heard what you're doing and I'd like to help. I can serve, clean up...whatever". Well Connie is helping now....a lot. I talk to her several times a day. She's still in the music business, knows everyone and is working on several more entertainers. And, of course, she called Willie. Willie is now a major sponsor and started off by sending 300 of his new CD's and 300 special "Willie Bandannas".

Rudy's Barbecue is giving us a large first class barbecue for 400 people at cost, but they have to pay for their overhead so there still was a chunk of change to cover. I told Connie we were looking for a sponsor for the meal, she said don't worry. She called me back an hour later and told me she had a friend who was interested in helping and to email the Rudy's contract to her. I did, and this morning I received a call from one of the family member/owners of a major western wear company. Five minutes later, deal done, the entire meal picked up by Cavender's Boots.

We will have some name entertainment, VIP's, and other notables attending, but the main goal of the whole affair is to have a crowd there to let these troops know how much we appreciate their sacrifices for us and that we won't let them be forgotten. So, if you can be in San Antonio on May 21st we'd love to have you, we kick off the festivities at 6 pm. The link above is our press release.......

I Like Maps...

I've always liked and been interested in maps. I also love PBS' Antiques Roadshow. Tonight the two converged. I've seen some interesting things on AR over the years that are somewhat related to some of the things I own, like the Whistler lithograph that was appraised last year. Thanks to my grandparents I have a Whistler lithograph.

But tonight a 19th century world atlas appeared that was very much like the 1800's atlas that I too possess, once again thanks to my art and book collecting grandfather. The atlas on AR was an 1836 version, mine is a 1852 and German, but the maps in both are hand painted lithographs, both complete and in very good condition and appear quite similar.

Even though I would expect mine to sell at somewhat of a discount to this American version, I was somewhat pleasantly surprised by the appraised value. Take a look at the AR Atlas Appraisal.

The Lost Jimmy Tapes...

It's amazing what shows up and where. Somehow on Spike.Com I ran into the uncut version of an interview with Jimmy Patterson at the MRT and My West Texas done with me right after the passing of The Big Gold Dog. I'm glad to find it saved; it sure brought back some memories.

Another Passing....

The size of my already small family became ever smaller yesterday with the passing of my Mom's older sister. My aunt Kay was a remarkable woman who overcame profound deafness, as a result of a childhood illness, to become a charming Navy wife, a caring mother and grandmother and a professional artist. She read lips so well and spoke so clearly that often we forgot she had almost no hearing. With the vagaries of modern life we saw too little of her, but her kindness and love of family will keep her in our hearts forever...

Native Plant Sale...

We'll be having a large native plant sale/fundraiser at the Sibley Nature Center this Saturday, April 5th. We have a large selection of shrubs, ornamentals, grasses and trees that do well in strong sun with low maintenance and water needs. The sale starts at 9 a.m. We expect that the plants will go quickly.....get there early. Our greenhouse is behind the Sibley Center on E. Wadley, adjacent to Hogan Park [the dog park entrance]. See you there....

Bitter as wormwood...

"For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of hell".
Proverbs 5:3-5

This passage was quoted by Cal Thomas in his column today. I just love it......"bitter as wormwood". That's great....and from Scripture too!

Spanky...

From the "Captured Moments" hall of fame, Spanky and Our Gang. For some unknown reason I always really liked this song. Now it brings back memories of driving my college roommates car around San Antonio. My roommate and his brother both had brand new 1968 Buick Gran Sports courtesy of their rich grandfather. Luckily my roommate was very generous with it's use. He had loads of 8 track tapes too. Spanky being one.

Elaine "Spanky" McFarland later took over Mama Cass' role in the Mama's and Papa's after Mama Cass' unfortunate cheese sandwich demise. Spanky is still around and sounds great.

Long lost kin......?

Regular readers and friends might look at the photos above and say, "Cute, more pictures of D. Daphne Dog". I don't blame you...but this isn't D. Daphne.

Over the last several years I've gotten linked up informally with other dog owners/lovers in an email network that tries to find homes for needy dogs and the photos above and others came to me this morning. I really couldn't believe my eyes. This dog in need is a clone of D. Daphne Dog. I have never seen two dogs look so much alike....especially dogs of mixed breeds. The coloring, markings, the ears, the size and build, the slight upward curl to the tail are all identical.

From what I know, D. Daphne was found, along with other littermates, abandoned along a highway when she was a puppy. My first conclusion was that this dog in need certainly had to be one of her siblings. But, a reply from the caretaker of this dog informed me that he is only one year old. So much for the littermate theory.....but they have to have come from the same source somewhere not to long ago. My Mom has been hinting about a dog, and she loves D. Daphne, perhaps she'd like her clone?

Reunion '08

Do you know the whereabouts of anyone in the Midland High or Lee High classes of '67 and '68? Send them here..... big doings this summer.

Soccer Season....

The sports folks at Midland High seem to want me busy. I started out last year doing the MHS football website and photos. Earlier in the year I picked up the Lady Dawgs basketball assignment and this week was hired to do the MHS boys soccer coverage. I enjoy helping out the old alma mater, meeting new people and it's nice to get paid for doing something so enjoyable.
MHS Dawgs Soccer

Sibley Center Groundbreaking...

On Tuesday we held the ceremonial groundbreaking for our Million Dollar expansion at the Sibley Nature Center. Thanks to all those who worked hard and/or contributed to make this addition a reality. A special thanks to Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick who thought enough of our plans to work for us in obtaining a matching grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

And now, "Groundbreaking, The Movie"

2001: A Time Odyssey....

Tonight, Turner Classic Movies aired "2001: A Space Odyssey". I've seen this many times over the years and I still like watching the first hour or so, the rest rather drags on after you've seen it so many times and the ending is a tad too '60s psychedelic for me. But what got to me tonight was the realization that this film was made 40 years ago. 40 years! Damn!

I suppose what is so brain fuddling about this is that "2001" still has a modern feel for a film made in 1968. The space ships look like they could have been designed last year as do all the computer screens that control the Saturn probe. I'm sure that the filmmakers thought that quite possibly, we'd be going to Saturn in 2001, 33 years after the film was made and that computers would be thinking entities competing with humans for control.

We've made some progress in this direction but fall woefully short in both of these areas. We landed men on the moon one year after "2001" came out but all we've done since 1972 is have humans circle the planet. The face recognition, reasoning powers and conversation synthesis of anything like the HAL 9000 may be another 40 years away.

Priceless....

Spending all morning flying in a Huey with the doors open, shooting pictures ....two of my favorite things in one. Getting paid to do so........Priceless!