Sunday, April 29, 2012


Trapping
Blue Angels

The Warner Robins Air Force Base 2012 Air Show featuring the U. S. Navy's Blue Angels concluded on Saturday, April 28th with the planes performing "Aircarft Carrier" Landings.  One exception, there was no arresting gear on the Landing Strip.  As most everyone knows an Aircraft Landing on a Carrier is a fast paced procedure.  The planes usually land at 15 second intervals.  Yesterday I was able to capture the videos of all the F18s as they landed.  The video of the fifth and sixth plane is displayed on the last link on this Blog. You can view each of these landings by clicking on the triangle of each video.  Each video is quite brief and I stopped each one so that I could pan back to be ready to capture the next plane landing.  Certainly an appropriate conclusion to an exciting Air Show and also a dynamic conclusion that clearly demonstrated how Airplanes land on a Carrier.  Now, think with me for a moment as you view each of these Videos.  On a Carrier the Flight Deck Crew must have the plane clear of the landing strip before the next one approaches.  Also the planes usually arrive at the Stern end of the Carrier with the tail hook extended and approaching at a speed of at least 130 miles per hour just in case they do not hook the arresting gear so that they can become airborne and attempt another landing.  Not as easy as landing on a fixed air strip such as you will see on these videos.


The Airman at Warner Robins Air Force Base certainly deserve a "Salute" for a great Air Show.  While there may have been some logistic problems in processing such a large crowd I am very glad that I was able to attend this event which showcased our "U.S. Military" in such a positive manner.  The many static displays at the Air Show were an education for all who attended.

May God continue to Bless America and each and every one of our Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guard Heroes.  

Blue Angels

U. S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team
visits
Middle Georgia

April 28, 2012

Yes, it took a long, long time to travel from the South Parking Lot at Anchor Glass to reach the Flight Line on Warner Robins Air Force Base.  While I have not heard or read of how many citizens visited the Air Show I suspect that there were record numbers in attendance when the Blue Angels took center state at 3:15 P.M., exactly on schedule. 

As a Sailor I knew that they would be on schedule!!!!!   I attended this event with My Bride, our Son and his Family who reside near Dublin, Georgia.  A great Family Outing - for sure!!!!

I will not publish any comments for each of the eleven pictures that I captured during the Air Show.  Enjoy!!!!












Friday, April 27, 2012


"42"

A Movie to be filmed in Macon, Georgia

June 12 and June 13

Extras




I have already signed up for this fun event which will be filmed at Luther Willams Baseball Stadium.  After I signed up and was accepted I was sent a flyer with sample wardrobe selections.  I spent the morning shopping at Goodwill and the Salvation Army here in Macon. 

I am looking forward to this event and the opportunity to view how a movie is produced.

Saturday, April 21, 2012



Gibbs Gardens
Ball Ground, Georgia

Pine Ridge Garden Club Field Trip


This past Thursday eighteen members and friends of Pine Ridge Garden Club of Macon, Georgia traveled to Ball Ground, Georgia to visit the newly opened Gibbs Gardens.  This private garden open to the public since 1 March 2012 consist of 300 acres and has been a 35 year garden project of Mr. Gibbs.

Last Thursday morning he was greeting everyone and telling us a bit about the garden.  He informed us that he planned the paths and the bench placement so that his 93 year old Mother could also enjoy the gardens.  With that introduction we all realized that it would be a fun day.  It was an overcast and cool day, just the right weather for enjoying the entire garden.

I took the opportunity to capture many images.  This one was taken from the center of the Japanese Garden.  It is a panoramic image of six individual shots stitched together.  To see this picture in a larger format please clink on the picture.  I did not carry a Tripod so I consider myself most fortunate that I was able to get six shots that I could put together to make this image.

I enjoyed the day, rested often by using the many benches and contemplating my next picture.  One the homeward journey after completing 5 1/2 hours at the gardens we all enjoyed a very nice meal at the O.K. Cafe, which is alongside I-75 on the North Side of Atlanta at exit 255.

A lovely day that allowed me to view the beauty of a great garden.  Mr. Gibbs informed us that there are now over 20 million daffodils in the garden of many, many varieties so some are in bloom during the entire month of March each Spring.  

Everyone in our group was very happy and glad that they took this Field Trip.  Yes it did involve a lot of walking; however the beauty allowed us all to forget about the potential of tired legs. 



Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Disposal of our National Flag


United States of America

Disposal of Our National Flag

We all know that the only proper way to dispose of our Flag is by Burning with an appropriate Ceremony.  For many years the American Legion, Post 3 has provided this appropriate ceremony with assistance from local Boy Scout Troops.  In order to make it easier for you to dispose of your worn out/no longer serviceable Flag the American Legion, Post 3 has placed a drop box at the Post where you can place your Flag for proper disposal.  

 This drop box is located at 5530 Thomaston Road in West Bibb County Georgia.  It is just West of the I-475 Exit 5 interchange.  Everyone is encouraged to use this drop box!!!!
When your Flag is no longer usable please take it to this drop box so that it can disposed of in a proper and special manner.  You will feel good about how you honored our Country and our Flag.

Thank You!!!!!    Please be aware that I, the author of this Blog make this post so that you may know of this service.  I am a member of the American Legion, Post 3; however I publish this post as a Citizen of the United States of America and a Proud Veteran of the United States Navy.  

Monday, April 16, 2012

Tax Day 2012

I am confident that most of us in the United States of America know that Tuesday, April 17, 2012 is the date by which the Federal Income Tax Forms must be mailed to the Internal Revenue Service.  

In recent weeks I have been wondering if the Government can collect Taxes from us, the citizens of the United States of America.  So, today, as I returned from mailing my 2011 Federal Income Tax Return and the State of Georgia Income Tax Return I thought about my religion and how even as a child I heard the Christmas Story as recorded in Luke 2 of Holy Scripture.

I recalled that the reason Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem was that they could be taxed by the Roman Government.  I have just completed my reading of the first three versus of Luke 2 and learned that if Jesus Christ's parents had to pay taxes then I also should respect the Government and pay my taxes.  I am just happy that I do not have to return to the city of my birth to register to pay my taxes.  You may not know this, but I was born in a Farm House in Clayton County, Iowa with delivery assisted by a Mid-Wife.

Wishing everyone here in the U.S.A. who reads this Blog a very "Happy Tax Day" on April 17, 2012.  May we all live long enough to have to file many, many more returns.


Another Challenge


Most of the readers here are familiar with the Challenges that I publish from time to time.  During my recent travels throughout Middle Georgia I came upon this marker.  A free lunch at my choice of establishment awaits anyone who can reply with the correct location of this marker.  The deadline for the submission of your response is Midnight, April 22, 2012.



Saturday, April 07, 2012

Easter 2012
As I concluded my Holy Week Readings this morning I was impressed with the fact that so many are writing about the importance of Easter versus the Christmas Holiday.

Of course, without the Birth of Jesus Christ there would be no need for Easter Celebrations.

After my readings I gave some thought to how we as a Society view the Christian Holiday of Easter as well as the Christian aspects of Christmas.

First of all, I have yet to meet any of my ancestors who are still in life. They have all perished.  They were all buried in two different Cemeteries in Clayton County Iowa.   At my advanced age meeting my ancestors alive would be almost impossible.  I say this simply because as I prepare to Celebrate Easter Sunday and the resurrection of my Savior I am glad that I have the resources available to me look forward to Eternal Life in Heaven.

Yet, I remain amazed of how many of my peers and some even younger than I do not avail themselves to the resources available to also be able to look forward to Eternal Life in Heaven.

Many of these people would never think of missing a meal and most participate in the weekly marketing adventures to various food stores so that they can sustain their earthly, yet very temporary life/lives.  

Some even have weekly and monthly visits to their medical professionals to insure that they remain as healthy as possible.  

Yet they often overlook the opportunities to participate in Christian Activities that will possibly allow them to enjoy and yes even look forward to Eternal Life in Heaven.  

We all know that Jesus Christ came to earth to save us all; however we are also aware that we have been instructed to participate in the means of grace.  In fact Jesus Christ commanded us to do so.  Additionally, everyone in this life is burdened with the ugly word we know as "sin."  To eliminate the punishment for our "sins" we must believe in Jesus Christ.  There is no way we can earn this "Eternal Life in Heaven," however I am confident that by believing in Jesus Christ and participating in the means of grace I can be assured that I will also receive "Eternal Life in Heaven."

In summary, I would suggest that everyone on earth should be as committed to the long term goal of "Eternal Life in Heaven" as they seek the short term goal/s of sustaining this life here on earth.

I do not publish this Blog today to decry the medical profession or the vendors of fine food.  I enjoy the benefits of having a good Doctor and the medical care resources available to me as well as the fine food/dining pleasure that my resources allow me to enjoy here in the United States of America.

I simply desire to remind my readers here that this temporary life should be a short term goal; but that the "Best Is Yet To Come."  I am looking forward to the Gift from God, Eternal Life in Heaven.  

In short, please maintain the "Big Picture for Your Life" as you plan your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly activities.  What are the priorities that are most essential" is a question that we need to each ask ourselves.

May You and Your Family Have A Blessed Easter Celebration.  As Jesus told us:  "This Do In Rememberance if Me" as He established the Holy Eurharist or The Lord's Supper.