myfivesons

As predicted, I didn't go down to Ft Knox today to see Preston.  Yesterday he had an issue with one of his troops ( DUI, non-deployable and potential BCD) that set him back a little on his time... AND I would have had to high-tail it back for Lodge tonight.  But he and I have had several good phone cons and that seems to have quelled my impatience and angst, a bit. 

He, on the other hand, has a lot of stuff to fill his mind.  He is the loading cordinator for his Battalion for the flight out; planning shipped weight, equipment and personnel issues for the whole group. Today he had another small setback with yet another troop (a failed traffic court appearance), but that one seems to have been resolved.  All of these pre-deployment flair ups remind me so much of my days in the Nav when we had saliors with severe drinking problems (then, even among the senior NCOs), missing movement and Article 15s, etc. .  It seems times haven't changed that much.  The responsibilities of being a junior line officer in the military was one of the most challenging and fulfilling experiences of my life.  PHS, NOWHERE will there be so much heaped on your head and so much expected at such a relatively young age.  DUTY HONOR COUNTRY.

You go Preston!  Do your best.  Keep yourself and your men safe.   Bring them all home.

Up early today, I went out in the dawn light to inspect the patch that I put on the koi pond yesterday.  Still holding... yea!  Either dammed ice, one of the dogs or SPS knocked a few border rocks into the pond during the week between Christmas and New Years. One of the rocks broke open the liner about 5 inches long, right at edge of the pot shelf.  We kept our eyes on it until we had lost about half the water before the hole revealed itself.  Draining it even lower to dry the liner and patch it with epoxy, I got to get wet and sticky; all while leaning in and over the ledge to see the hole to insure a good patch. It was a nice sunny day above freezing and after two hours and a re-fill to about 80 %,  it held overnight... Yea! ( I know I already said that.)

Parker, in particular, as he drives it when home from Brooklyn, will be pleased to know that I finally fixed the S-10 door today.  No more flying open or slamming endlessly to try to shut it.  The old rental property truck just keeps on going; just like the Energizer® bunny.

At the cabin:  Paint Creek is up and flowing freely, bank-to-bank for the first time in months, with the Corps apparently opening the upstream dam (the reservoir must finally be above the winter pool).

The welfare hens must have gotten the message after losing one of the non-productive Australorp roosters by Friday's firing squad.  After over two months of low to no output,  I harvested three eggs today!  Maybe Evan can go out and check on them tomorrow when I'm at work.  Fred is ramping up his barn area in anticipation of the new ewes' arrival in early February.  Moses, the protector donkey, is following him around inside the new fenced in manger area like a puppy.  We both mourned over Hank the Tank's grave today.

I registered today for the Feb 10 CFD Promotion test... again.  After no advancements for nearly four years (and me being first in line for the entire time),  I get to take the #@%^ test ONE MORE TIME.  Enough complaining, I love my job and enjoy going to work, even with all the ineptitude in so many areas above the line.  I understand why Pop never wanted to leave the shift and become a Chief.  BTW, one of my Masonic bros is an uncle to the family of the house we saved on Akron Street.  They are going to rebuild and are thrilled that they did not lose it all.  He said he was across the street as we entered it and couldn't believe that three guys could make that big of a difference.  He thought it was lost for sure. No brag, just fact.  I wish City Council would realize this.

I need to get some sleep before work in the morning... see you next time.