Skalduggery

Sketchbook Pro by Autodesk and a great new tablet 🙂

Sometimes veterans are in the unenviable position of being called a patriot when that word is not quite in vogue. When in fact, many of the self-proclaimed “educated” call these same men and women “jingoists” or worse. I wished to those I know on Facebook – yes… I am on Facebook – and  to those I knew, I wished:

Best of Veterans Day to everyone, but especially to those for whom the holiday is named! I’m proud to say it includes my immediate family (my father and daughters) my extended family (sons-in-law, fathers-in-law, and fellow parents!), and a myriad of friends that extend through all these wonderful patriots! I call them patriots not because our political views are the same, but because despite the differences, they wrote a blank check to their country with their lives.

Strength and Honor, Woodstock.

“Woodstock” is a name some brothers-in-arms call me – a group of motorcycle riding veterans – and those brothers exemplify what is best in our country. We (Spirit Warriors – a group of vets whose mission is service to veterans in need) were honored to participate in Albany, Oregon’s celebration of Veterans’ Day – from the early morning benediction through the parade at midday.  I’m not sure how many motorcycles, or for that matter, how many clubs showed up… but it seemed to number beyond a hundred bikes! Rolling thunder? Louder. As my son-in-law encouraged me, “Ride LOUD pops!” It was definitely that!

In any detachment, squad, battalion or other group, there are few who could truly be called heroes.  I had the pleasure of serving with a no bullshit hero – and the rest of us followed him – and by extension we became brave because we followed him into hell. I like to remember a quote by Mark Twain when I run across those who think, by virtue of their education, that they somehow know better how to characterize a veteran’s service:

In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. ~Mark Twain

I suppose I could quote Harry Reid next, you know, his comments about how the war was already lost, not winnable, ad nauseum. Instead, I offer a celebration of Veterans’ Day by a bunch of  young and old vets on motorcycles, and a crowd of Albany’s finest joining in the fun! So here’s a not so professional video of a few moments in the day.

Strength, honor, and courage!

The Skald 😉

P.S. ~that’s my life long honey(aka “Weasel”) on the back of my Harley trying to catch bits on her little video camera!

Update: Switched to YouTube for the video… it provides for HD much easier – hope you like it.

I realize I’ve posted a similar video, but… well, tough. In case you don’t travel over to YouTube to watch it, here’s the blurb I wrote after remaking the video:

This is to celebrate the birth of my grandson, and to provide something happy for his Mother (who is serving her second 15 month tour in Iraq) and his Father (who is holding down the fort at home and already did his tour), for his Aunt Karla (who did her tour of duty in Iraq) and his Aunt Lladro (who takes care of Grandma and Grandpa).

For you family members and friends interested in watching, enjoy, for my regular readers – a new post by Thursday 😀

I stumbled across this video on American Digest from Spy Films on Vimeo. Their title “Something Transformational” is wonderful, so I kept the theme but not the classic nature of the title. When the author said, “Watch and be amazed…” well, I was amazed. Sit through the video and be moved by the music and video artistry. You’ll need this uplifting bit of popular culture before I get down to some serious name calling….

Enjoy!!

Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

Another Sort of Temple

The shingled gray of clouded
thunder shook me in the trees
on Little Digger Mountain.

Roiling the rain,
white flashes of lightning
seared holes in the sky, and the air

clapped back in on itself, with me,
standing there in the trees
on Little Digger Mountain.

I stepped off the bank,
knee deep, and let the river rush
through me.  Swelling, rain gorged,

the Alsea slapped my thighs.
I cupped my hands
and drank the sky.

Marginally injured, feeling a little creative (Thanks Jeff and Susan), so your stuck with photography and a poem this Thursday 😉

Cheers all!

Susan at Stony River hosts a fun little writing exercise each Monday that encourages a 140 (or less) character story triggered by a picture.  Be sure to drop by and check out the many thoughts on a single image. Join in and have some fun with the crowd that follows her around that weekly image  Hope to see you there!

And the triggering town this week?

That one kicked my hooha! I’m really looking forward to dropping by everyone’s place to see their take on this photo. I wound up going with the stoner spot in the mountains… a place some high school kids back in the day… Well, they weren’t exactly flower children… 😉

The new header picture is courtesy my brother’s excellent photography up in the hills near Quartzville – after the fog had cleared, and nearer the source of the creek. If you’re ever of a mind to see some truly stunning photography, my brother goes by the moniker ClickClan over at JPG Magazine. For those of you who liked the previous post’s photo, my brother took one of same area of Green Peter Reservoir that is astonishingly beautiful. The man’s an artist – drop by some time! 😉 I promise you’ll enjoy his imagery!

Here are a few of mine (my brother talked me into photography, and I’ve been following him ever since) from the same trip up into the hills. The people on the trip… yes, Einstein is a people 😀  Please click on the photos for a full size view.

Cheers all!

Wazzup?

Silly Puppy!

Dad, put the camera down...

Eric mulling over the optimal settings.

Yes, I am that cute.

Decided on an easy post for this Thursday – I wanted to take off into the hills with my wife, daughter, and brother. Too much fun, too many great photos, and Einstein the dog had a better time than we did… I think 😀

Come spring time, the water line will actually make it up pretty close to the tree line. The black spots in this photo are actually tree stumps that wind up underwater once the snow pack starts melting. Click on the photo for a full size view of the photo.

Early Morning Idyll

Cheers Everyone!