I ran across this quote today from George MacDonald Fraser, who served as a Lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders during the Second World War:

"In later years, the Lieutenant may command armies or govern great territories, but he will never feel again the same power drunk humility of the moment when he takes over his first platoon.  It is elating ( Read more... )

Well, not really a letter - but a package.  My mother sent me the final draft of a book that one of her DAR friends wrote about a Revolutionary War ancestor of hers, asking me to review it for historical accuracy.  Yes, Ma'am, drive on, three bags full, and all that jazz.

Sounds boring, right?  Surprisingly, no!  This woman can write!  The whole ( Read more... )

Well.  I've been a terribly bad person, it seems - what with neglecting the journal for so long.  I hope everyone can forgive me?

Excellent.

The little gold Cavalier made the trip back to Arizona without incident, although the rain was quite interesting.  I think I was moving east at the same rate as the storm, which provided for hours of ( Read more... )

We returned home moments ago from my cousin's son's second birthday party.  A real treat, let me tell you.  Childrens' birthday parties are always such fun.  Especially when the alleged "adults" are trying to force the child to be interested in presents/cake/whatever.  Heaven knows the two-year old child couldn't care less about presents/cake/ ( Read more... )

Come on, everybody! Sing along!

More later - probably "when I get to California" later.

Well, that's that!  My instructor liked the ISBO briefing, all went well, and I go on leave this weekend.  Time to head home for a bit, spend some time with family, visit the old haunts at Disneyland, bug wingedkiare incessantly about . . . stuff . . . .

Yeah!

This evening, I was thinking of heading to Carl's Jr. and procuring a "Special Pastrami Burger".  ( Read more... )

The madness continues.  My instructor wants me to rebrief some of my products on Monday.  So be it.  I can refine them, and I did learn some good stuff during the brief.

There really isn't much going on right now.  I think I'm going to enjoy not making cryptic marks on a map for the time being . . . and go to bed.

Isn't my life exciting?  Hmm?

A short post today, as my focus is on the above.  Yes, that's right.  Andrew is hard at work tracing lines and making little cryptic red and blue marks on a map.  Fun beyond imagination.

On the positive side, the tunic and coat for Herr K. are at the tailor's getting set up.  Progress!  And a good thing, too - my impression list is so long right ( Read more... )

Apparently, the reenactment that I had the misfortune to miss last weekend went rather well.  It's good to hear, as the WWI community in California has really been run through the wringer.  First we lost our trench site out at Jack Rabbit Trails ( a little valley off the I60 near Banning) when ravers discovered the place and started holding their  ( Read more... )

This year is actually somewhat special.  It marks the first time in the past eight years that my birthday has not been spent crawling in the mud, freezing my rear off, or tear-assing around Tikrit in a Bradley.

But . . .

I'm not doing anything.  Well, anything special, I mean.  I will sleep in and probably will find something entertaining to do ( Read more... )