Happy Birthday to the Marines

Captain Samuel Nicholas formed two battalions of Continental Marines on 10 November 1775 in Philadelphia as naval infantry. Since then, the mission of the Marine Corps has evolved with changing military doctrineand American foreign policy. The Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflictand attained prominence in the 20th century when its theories and practices of amphibious warfare proved prescient and ultimately formed the cornerstone of the Pacific campaign ofWorld War II By the mid-20th century, the Marine Corps had become the dominant theorist and practitioner of amphibious warfare.  Its ability to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises gives it a strong role in the implementation and execution of American foreign policy.   ^Source

Burning Man

Photo from Wikipedia

One of my former students (Craig) mentioned one time that he had attended the Burning Man Festival which is held annually at Black Rock, Nevada. He has been more than once.    I was curious.  I read about it and I was enthralled. If I were 40 years younger you couldn't keep me away.  Unfortunately I have begun to "rust out" and no longer could even think about attending it so I have to live vicariously.  The video below catches Burning Man 2012. It looks like a magical mystical experience.  The artistry of the participants and the constructions are just awe inspiring to me.  I know that I will never get there but I hope that those who are able will become inspired to attend. It takes place the last week in August and first part of September.  I can't think of a more magical way to spend Labor Day. Here is the Burning Man Web Site.  Lots of pictures and information there.  And do watch this video.  It is very well done.  Enjoy. (Oh and if you watch it full screen it is better.  I love the expressions on peoples faces.  (Some partial nudity involved)



Here is a link to Mark Marford's column about Burning Man.

Scottish Rite Event

Last night I drove to Des Moines to go to the Scottish Rite Quarterly meeting.

 Prior to the Quarterly Meeting a meal was served by the Kitchen Krew.  The Hamburgers, Brats, baked Beans and cole slaw supper was delicious and the fellowship was enjoyed by all.


Following supper the members retired to the Classroom for the Quarterly meeting.  


Master of Kadosh, Shane Harshbarger opened the meeting with the usual proclamation followed by prayer and 
the Pledge of Allegiance.


Reports from the Secretary, Treasurer, Lighting crew were received.


     

 

 

 

 Following the meeting Master of Kadosh Harshbarger gave an interesting presentation on the first three degrees of Freemasonry as written by Albert Pike and exemplified by some of the Southern Scottish Rite Lodges.

 The presentation was extremely interesting and pointed out the many differences between the Pike degrees and the first three degrees which are a part of American Grand Lodges.

I had an enjoyable evening and it was good to get out of the house.

Oklahoma City Bombing - 15 years later

Last summer I was in Oklahoma City for the Red Cross of Constantine meetings. I took an afternoon to visit the site of the Oklahoma City Bombings. Today marks the 15th anniversary of that terrorist bombing.

I did not write about my feelings that day because they were so personal. To be there where this horrible event took place moved me more that I can say. I remember hearing about it on Television but it was not the same. Standing there where it happened and seeing the memorial with its silent testimonials and remembrances that people put on the fence outside the memorial was very emotional.


I cannot understand how someone could perform such an act.

You can read a moving editorial here.




Today the site has been transformed into a touching memorial I can still remember sitting under the tree that survived the blast and still has pieces of the blast embedded in it.. It is called the Survivor Tree and the Memorial Web Site describes it:

The Survivor Tree, an American Elm, bore witness to the violence of April 19, 1995, and withstood the full force of the attack. Years later, it continues to stand as a living symbol of resilience. The circular promontory surrounding the tree offers a place for gathering and viewing the Memorial.

As I sat there I was moved by the quiet and silence. Even the Park Ranger spoke with a subdued, reverent tone. I almost did not go to visit this site. I am glad I did. Today I am remembering this event and send my thoughts to all those affected by this tragedy. When you think about it whether or not we are aware of it we were all affected by it. Take a moment today to pause and send your thoughts to those still recovering from the Oklahoma City bombing.

CNN - 15 years later victims, residents remember.

Wikipaedia Article

NATIONAL MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM Website.

Oklahoma City marks 15 years since bombing.

Symbolism of the Memorial

Dupont Circle Snowball Fight - Washington DC

H/T AmericaBlog - 3000 people said they were coming.

Part 2

What to Blog About?

I have renamed my computer the Thief of Time. I spend way too much time looking at things on the Internets. I have books to read and should really clean the office. Instead I read the liberal blogs and the Masonic Blogs and talk to my friends via e-mail and chats and all of a sudden I have no idea where the day has gone.

I was going to blog about Duplicity but I was afraid if I did I would spoil this excellent movie for those of you who have not seen it. Needless to say I enjoyed it when I went on Saturday.

I did not have anyplace to go on Sunday and I did not accomplish a thing. Today, however I did do something. I dug around and found my summer watch. In 1978 I took my mother and sister with me on a trip to Los Angeles for the National Education Association Meetings. There are a lot of stories that go along with this trip. Some are funny. This one is just kind of neat. We drove out the northern route. This took us through Winnemucca, Nevada where we stopped for breakfast. Now this trip was my treat. I was paying for everything but this morning I finished my breakfast and elected to go play the "slots." I am not a gambler. I will play cards for nickles, dimes and quarters but I seldom go to a Casino and when I do I use my "system." I put so much money on the line and when it is gone I quit. Usually it is less than $50 and more likely to be $25. - If I win I might keep playing until the winnings are gone also but this morning it was different. I planned to lose a whole $5.

I got some nickles and started to play the machine. I noticed that Mother had finished breakfast and was paying for our breakfast and so I switched to $1 coins. I got to where I had three left and I put them in the machine. I pulled the arm and fully expected to see the wheels turn and nothing to happen. I would have enjoyed losing the money. It would have been my entertainment.

Instead you can imagine my feeling when the lights started flashing and the bells clanging and the coins started falling out into the tray. OH MY GOD! I had hit the Jackpot. A blond lady of about 50 years of age dressed in a tight outfit came over to help me. She brought me a cup to put the coins in. I loaded them up and was ready to leave and she said, "Oh no Honey, let me fill up the machine you have more coming." She put more money in the slot closed the door and the lights started to flash and the bells to clang once more and thrill of thrills more money poured out into the tray.

I told my mother - "Hey Mom, I just hit the Jackpot!"

"Let's get the hell out of here." was her response. I kept the coins and turned in the tokens and we made our escape. I kept the money and chortled over the almost $300 I had won. I know it was not much but it was still exciting. We drove to San Francisco, down the coast highway with a stop at Big Sur (which is my favorite place in the world) on down to Los Angeles for the meetings. Then through Phoenix where we stopped to see Bill and Ann Cook (friends from the lake) and then on to New Mexico and back to Colorado and then home.

In New Mexico I went into a shop that sold Indian made Turquoise jewelry. There I picked out the watch band you see above. It is signed W Nez and it is sterling and I put my Sieko watch on it. The stones are from the Kingman mine and I love it. I don't wear it in the winter as the watch is set for Daylight Savings time and it is just a bother to change it. But in the summer I wear silver and put the gold watch away and so there you have the story of how I got my watch band. Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by. ARTYAL, Hugs.

On another note. Harry's dad and mom got married in Montana last Thursday. David Letterman just announced his marriage to long time girlfriend and mother of his 5 1/2 year old son. Congratulations, I actually got tears in my eyes when he told about it. Now if everyone who wants to get married could - it would be a good thing.

He also announced that his Ball State Women's Basketball team is going to play in the NCAA tournament (At least I think it is the NCAA - I know absolutely nothing abut sports) - They will be playing Iowa State. Should be an interesting game. My friend Dom is a professor at Ball State currently entertaining me with his blog about his teaching sabbatical in Greece. He has lots of great pictures up.

Thanks again, Hugs again, Stay in out of the rain. j

Milestone

Acacia Fraternity - 100 Years at Iowa State

Jeremy Davis (Last year's Worshipful Master just sent me the link to the set of pictures from the 100th Anniversary party of the Acacia Fraternity at Iowa State. He is one of the Advisors for the fraternity. You used to have to be a Mason to be a member of Acacia. Go watch.
You can see more pictures here.

Sunday Dinner

Kurt and I had a practice for Specialis today so I picked him up and we went to practice. We then went to meet his family for dinner at the Spaghetti Works. I had not been there for ages.

I really enjoyed eating with them. The kids are all fun and the parents great friends.

The salad bar is an old truck.

The prince had pizza and the princess loved her spaghetti.

The day was a warmer one and we are content. Thanks for stopping by. ARTYAL. Hugs, j