Inauguration

Posted by Greybeard on Jan 18th, 2009 in News and weather | Comments Off

Or is it “Coronation”,  in either case,  I’ll not be watching any part of it on the overblown network news,  magazines, etc.

In fact,  I think,  I’ll “take my wife out to dinner” during the event.

Yeah,  I know,  I’m not doing politics any more, but this is more about respect than politics.

Take a run over to “Home on the Range” to see the rest of the below quote:

“”When our new President takes the oath of office, I hope that he truly hears those words as he speaks them from Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” “ 

Current Read

Posted by Greybeard on Jan 16th, 2009 in News and weather | Comments Off

“Lifeboat Sailors” by Dennis L. Noble  (copywrite 2000)

Disasters, Rescues, and the Perilous Future of the Coast Guard Small Boat Stations.

I’m currently about halfway through the book.  I’ve learned a bit of Coast Guard and U.S. Life Saving Service history,  ridden along on a number of harrowing rescues,  and  experienced (in my mind) one of the Coast Guards worst disasters.  I’ve also been given a bit of insight as to how a lot of the pre-2000 Coasties thought.  The author was an enlisted man,  and writes (mostly) from an enlisted man’s point of view.  (which, from my take, is considerably different from an officiers point of view).  So far there have been a generous number of “larger than life” deeds, people, and boats. 

My only gripe so far,  is when writing of the history of the lifeboats,  he left out the CG 40300.  I have a soft spot for that boat,  not because I served on it, (I don’t claim to be a Coastie),  but because a few years ago,  I tried to buy it.  (But that’s another story)  As he writes of the history,  he spends time on the 36 footers,  44 footers, 47 footers,  and 52 footers,  but not a mention of the one and only 40 footer.   It was the first and only steel prototype, in the transition from the wooden 36 footers. 

  This is the 40300 in a later identification,  breaking ice for the Eastern U.P. Authority in the St. Mary’s River.   It’s currently a workboat for Midwest Boats , named “Picket Bay”.    Whoops,  I guess I’m getting off subject,  (softspot).  The book “Lifeboat Sailors”  get’s a “very good read” rating from me.

Au Gres River-mini report

Posted by Greybeard on Jan 15th, 2009 in Local | Comments Off

We have good ice and there’s about 6 inches of snow on the ground.

Jan. 9th through 15th:

Seven Day Average Temperature:   Hi = 22 degrees   Low = 4.5 degrees

Highest 7 day Temp:  27 degrees     Lowest 7 day Temp: -6 degrees

A book review, “The Afghan Campaign”

Posted by Greybeard on Jan 11th, 2009 in Days of Old | Comments Off

The Afghan Campaign,  a historical novel by Steven Pressfield.

“2,300 years ago,  an unbeaten Army of the West invaded the homeland of a fierce eastern tribal foe.  This is one soldier’s story…….”

Following the pattern of his previous books,  including “Gates of Fire and Virtues of War”,  Mr. Pressfield has turned out another exciting historically correct novel.  This one is the story,  (from one soldier’s veiwpoint)  of Alexander the Great’s invasion of the Afghan Kingdoms, in 330 B.C.   Matthias,  was from a warrior class,  and a family of soldiers.  He was the youngest brother to be called to Afghanistan,  all of who followed their war hero father to the desert stronghold.

 Mr. Pressfield, as always,  takes you on an exciting trip through the deeds and thought processes of this ancient soldier as he grows from a young recruit, to a hardened and scarred battle veteren.  In the process illustrating basically that, war is war, only the tools change.  Not for the faint of heart,  but an excellent read.  I you liked Steven’s previous works,  you’ll like, “The Afghan Campaign“.

————

My next read will likely be a new one to my library,  “Lifeboat Sailors” by Dennis L. Noble.

New project

Posted by Greybeard on Jan 9th, 2009 in Fishing | Comments Off

I’ve been wanting a display model of a 44 ft Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat,  but not finding anything I really liked,  or wanted to build,  I’ve decide on this.

  It’s a plastic model,  in 1/150 scale,  (around 17 inchs long).  I haven’t put together a plastic kit since I was a kid  building model cars, but it looks like a good winter project.   It’s actually a replica of the cutter “Cutty Sark”,  you know,  the one on the Scotch bottle. 

” The clipper Cutty Sark represents one of the most romantic ages in the history of ocean travel. She was launched on the River Clyde, Scotland, in the year 1869, and spent most of her time transporting goods around the world.  In 1885, she beat the Thermopylae in a famous race from Australia to England,  winning by 7 days. Today, the Cutty Sark retains the glamour of her wind-blown past. Resting in dry berth in Greenwich, England, the Cutty Sark lives on as the last link to an age when the proud and beautiful clippers ruled the ocean.”

I still have a mind to have a display model of the 44 ft’er,  so I guess I’ll just keep looking,  if I have to build the 44 ft’er,  this one should be good practice.