Posers?

31 May 19
20:45 hrs

     I have had this past week off work and believe it or not I actually got some shit done. In fact tomorrow I am taking the Jr. Couch Monkey out to drown some worms ar my favourite fishing lake. Now, he has bee working 0700 to 1500 every day and it's hard work. Not coal mine hard work but hard work just the same. He was a bit ticked offense I said we were departing at 05:00 hrs. The reason I want to go so early is to beat the heat. There will be no traffic, except maybe a couple of elk on the road, but the temp is going up to 25°C. Once you factor in the sun reflecting off of the water it's going to be bloody warm out. If I leave at 08:00 I won't be at the lake until after 09:00. Once it gets hot out the fishing turns off so you either wait until the late afternoon to try your luck or you pack up and go home. Going fishing for three hours is a waste of my time.

     Speaking of high temperatures, The Onion is back in her homeland for a wedding where it is 47°C  fir the daytime high cooling to 35°C at night. She says that no one leaves the comfort of the air conditioned house until well in the afternoon. My Better Half has said that if we were invited to The Onion's wedding that we would be going. Uh...no. I experienced my high temps in the Sinai in 1986 and if I wanted searing heat it would be on a beach in Cuba. Sorry, you're on your own babe.

01 Jun 19
O4:30 hrs.

     I am up at the crack of dawn and not just because I like to look at it. I'm taking my Jr. Loin Fruit out fishing. Last year we had gone out to the big lake and the outboard motor died forcing me to row the boat a mile back to the boat launch. Not good. Today we're going to one of my favourite fishing spots. It never disappoints me.

17:30 hrs.

     We are back at the Wayward  Inn. It was a pretty good day out on the water. The standard bet is a loonie for the first fish, a loonie for the most and a loonie for the largest. When I was growing up the price was two bits for each but with inflation it's now a loonie. It was also decided that in the absence of a clear largest fish then the person who caught the smallest fish will owe a loonie as a penalty. At the end of the day all bets were even. My Jr. Loin Fruit caught the first - a loonie to him, we tied in the number of fish boated - eight each, so no monies owed and there was no clear largest fish but he did catch this sardine sized trout - a loonie owed to me.

     After fishing I figured that we should cap things off with something special. Across the street from the Tea Shoppe in River City is a micro-brewery that serves some interesting foods. It's the kind of place you would want to go hide in for a week some day. With the boat trailered behind the Ram we found a stretch of road to occupy. An hour later we we were done. The beer, a blonde ale, was good and the pretzel was outstanding. I was fine but the Couch Monkey had a buzz on after a single pint. It must have been all the sun he got.

02 Jun 19
17:00 hrs

     If you know me then you would be wondering what in the hell I'm doing watching the NBA finals. I really dislike pro sports. Hate it in fact. But I have to watch simply because this is such an event that it is doubtful that having a Canadian team in the finals will be repeated. Hey, if the Toronto Maple Leafs were vying for the Stanley Cup I'd have to watch that too for the same reason. Maybe. I doubt it.

     Today at The Giant Box Store I saw not one but two different vehicles parked in a spot that is not a parking spot. Time and time again I see some lazy lame ass who has parked in a spot that blocks up the parking lot because a twenty metre walk would be an inconvenience. These are the dickheads that are compelling me to carry a big piece of road chalk so I can outline the vehicle before adding the words "Reserved for Assholes". Or maybe put up a sign, since there is soft soil nearby, identifying the spot as the "Lazy Shoppers Parking".

03 Jun 19
21:00 hrs

     We all went to the Roy's Town pub to celebrate my Bday. The food was great. I mean really great. I left the place quite sated. Later on gifts were presented. New books to read and a new Japanese nakiri knife from my Sr. Couch Monkey. I'm thoroughly impressed.

     My Better Half is prepping for her trip abroad - more to follow - and my up coming work schedule is in a constant flux. That's okay. It's good to be busy.

Road Trip - Day Twelve and Beyond

22 May 19
05:30 hrs

     Breakfast - coffee and a purloined bagel. I said my goodbyes to my BAM and his family. I still have enough fuel in the Ram, about 2/3 of a tank since refueling at Irma's yesterday, to drive south to Cowtown. I'm going to crash at L'il Sis's place again before heading back to see the Sages.

     This trip had better end soon because my body is stating to fall apart. My feet are sore and swollen, knees are aching and my hands are all cut up. Not good.

10:00 hrs

     I arrived at L'il Sis's place. Plunked my ass on the couch and had a nap. Or at least tried to. I ended up zoning in and out. Later on she got home. I offered to take us out for diner but she insisted on making something healthy for supper. Is this really my sister?

23 May 19
06:00 hrs

     And I'm off! First to the Sages and then to the Wayward Inn.  The weather is fine. The traffic light, for Cowtown it's light. In the Valley it would gridlock.

11:00 hrs

     I made it to the Sage's house in six hours. This included two stops to get decaffeinated and numerous delays due to road construction. For most of the journey the Ram was traveling at  just over a buck ten. While driving on the TCH, I was able to observe some very interesting wildlife. There was a canary yellow Charger, sporting red on white plumage of course, who was playing hide and go look with some tractor trailers. It went past me and several others like me were standing still only to tuck in behind the trailer so close that there was no way the operator would see him. Pretty crazy if you ask me. At one point I ended up being put into the rocking chair. Not that I wanted to be there but I had no option at the chicken shit in front of me jammed out while we were passing two rigs. It was either have this twit and his 1990's Honda POS suddenly ride shotgun with me or snap to the right between the two tractors. The love of life proved to be the wise decision as the three of us in the RH Lane blew past him. I think he braked for a Rezident Squirrel. The big boys kept me pretty tight in the chair for about fifteen mikes and all could see was a bumper in front and a grill behind. What a pair of jerks. When the next hill climb passing lane came up I ducked left and let the Hemi do the work. Bye bye baby.

25 May 19
11:45 hrs

     I'm at the Rusty Bucket terminal. I left the Sage's at 06:30 hrs and arrived here at 11:00 hrs. Thank goodness I'm not slated to go to Capital City as there is at least a one sailing wait because the boats are so full. There must be an asshole convention or something.

     The trip down was fairly uneventful. Except for the weather. Rain, low level clouds in the passes, fog, more misting to downpour precipitation and plenty of Bottomland drivers who think that having just their day time driving lights on is sufficient illumination. Not a bloody chance. With just these lights no one can see the ass end of the car so dipshit turn on your lights before you become a hood ornament for a Kenworth!

     I just had an unctuous smoked meat sandwich on toasted rye at Frankie's inside the terminal. Fatty & Delicious. Dijon mustard and sauerkraut. Can't beat it.

     Once I reach the other side of the salt chuck I'll be about an hour and a bit from the Wayward Inn. I have missed everyone there. The cats, the Couch Monkeys and most of all my Lobster. The Onion departed yesterday for two weeks or so in her homeland. My Better Half dropped her off at the air terminal and I'll retrieve her when she gets back. That will be around the time my Darling Dearest departs for the Nation's Capital to pick up the Oma-nator before swinging eastward to Munchen so the Loin Fruits and I will be batching it for a couple of weeks. Not to worry we will all be busy.

     All told, this trip was a success with a half dozen books sold, a couple of donations and a couple of gifts. I haven't worked out the fuel or the mileage but at the end of the year the whole thing will be written off. It might even save me enough coin to finance a trip for my Lobster and myself for our 25th! Here's hoping!

Road Trip - Day Eleven (I think)

21 May 19
09:00 hrs

     I'm back on the road in the Ram heading to the Big Perogy with a diversion to Camp Hard Army for lunch. I'm off to see a former crew mate from a long time ago and to sign his copy of my second book.

16:00 hrs

     I have pulled in to the home of my Brother from Another Mother. We have known each other for the past thirty plus years and in that time we have worked together,  bled together and cried together. His Jr. Loin Fruit has never seen me before and correctly denied me access until his father returned home. Good on him.

16:30 hrs.

     My BAM arrived and once his Lobster came home we all played catch up. Even though we have remained in contact over the years it has been twenty years since we have been face to face. Our discussions would go late into the evening and would cover a multitude of discussions. I learned that his Better Half and Couch Monkeys are doing well in their jobs and schooling. They are making major plans for their retirement too. Plans that impressed the crap out of me. If it works - good on them.

Road Trip - Day Ten a

20 May 19
23:30 hrs

     I screwed up my days. Sorry Dear Readers. I'll make the corrections later when I return to the Wayward Inn.

     Some sad news...my aunt in Cowtown passed away.  Now, please don't chastise if I had previously reported this. Things and days have  sort of blurred together. She was 90+++ years old.

     Today was clean up day and with the last of the guests departing my Host and I were able to get a lot done before his Lobster came home. Supper was burgers and a few sociables. We also had time to talk it up until late into the night.  Tomorrow I am back on the road in the Ram.

Road Trip - Day Ten

19 May 19
21:00 hrs

     Games Day!
     It's mostly for the younger crowd but us older - nearly Sage level - persons we get to watch the folly. The game is called Beer Darts. Imagine you and a partner sitting opposite each other with another pair next to you. Each individual takes a can of beer and stacks them on a cork  disk. So, two beers stacked between two players and twenty feet away there are two beer stacked between two players. Now, take a set of darts - like the ones you would throw in a bar - and throw them at your opponent's stack of beers. If you puncture a can the owner of that beer must open and down the beer. Your team has been eliminated when it is out of beers. Let's recap shall we. You are drinking and are throwing potentially deadly weapons at a target that will cause your opponents to drink more beer. Crazy isn't it?

     A lot of the party goers have departed. Only the die hards are left. And there is still loads of smoked pig left over. Chef Blaine made an appearance, cooking brunch for the multitude. Bacon, sausage, pancakes and scrambled eggs all done on a camp griddle. Through it all I had time to use The Host's laundry facilities to clean my gear.

     On this day L'il Sis called to inform me that our aunt had passed away. Yes, it is sad but she had been suffering for many years so this, unfortunately, is a blessing. My condolences to the family.

     That is all.

Road Trip - Day Nine

18 May 19
08:30 hrs

     Today is the big day. Or should I say The Pig Day. We had put the meat into the smoker yesterday at noon. It has now been in for twenty hours and won't be ready until 18:00 hrs. Until it's ready the sides will have to prepped. There will be more arrivals as well.

12:00 hrs

     Our good friend of 40 + years has arrived. I last saw her in 1987 our host hadn't seen her since 1980. Our discussions quickly revolve around - Do you remember when... and What ever happened to... She helped out with carving of the pig when it was ready.

20:00 hrs.

     Everyone has been fed and the watering will be going on until the wee hours of the night.

01:30 hrs

     Good night.

Road Trip - Day Eight

18 May 19
08:15 hrs

     Good Morning Kidlettes!
    
     I've had about seven hours of sleep, which is pretty good. More importantly,  I took a long hot shower before racking out and that has done be a world of good. Cleanliness is next to Godliness - actually cleanliness is next to claustrophobia and cleavage where as Godliness is next to goggles. Go ahead and look it up if you want to prove me wrong.
    
     A few more of my hosts friends and relatives came last night, parking their travel trailers in the field. The bonfire in the four foot diameter fire ring and the stiff breeze helped to keep the bugs at bay. The breeze did not help with the operation of the smoker. It - the wind - was causing a back draft and the unit was losing heat. The host, with one of his compatriots and myself, carried out some necessary emergency modifications to the smoker at 23:45 hrs and then continued to monitor the temperatures. All was good.

     The host and his Lobster, like myself, are both old school. As a guest, if you want something - ask. As a friend - me casa su casa. But, don't abuse the priviledge of course.

      Time for some shut eye. Good night.

Road Trip - Day Six and Seven

17 May 19
08:15 hrs

     This actually Day Seven. I'm currently laying in bed , squinting out of one eye to type this as my head feels like ten pound Smartie.

     I left L'il Sis's home at 08:00 hrs wanting to get the oil changed on the Ram. They were going to take two hours and that was two hours too long. I was anxious to get on the road. By 10:00 hrs I was at the Costco in Blue Buck. Unfortunately,  they had no pickerel and that means one of my missions was a failure. The next failure took place in trusting the GPS. It lead me off pavement and on a circuitous route on some greasy country side roads. I zig zagged through the mud and puddles. At one point I had to slip the Ram into 4x4 just be safe. There was no stopping. Forward momentum was the only thing that was keeping me from getting stuck. If I stopped I would be screwed. By the time I hit pavement the tires were parked with mud resembling racing slicks.

11:30 hrs

     I made it to the Helgeson Hilton no worse for wear. The wheel wells of the Ram were packed with AB Gumbo. After a bit of a meet and greet my host and I began to prep the meat for the 6x3x4 foot smoker. Actually, before the meat was readied we had to modify the smoker. Insulating tin plate was added and the fire box needed some work as well.

     The pig was trimmed and seasoned with my host's secret blend. The elk and moose roast were also seasoned before being wrapped in bacon. Lights out happened at about 01:30 hrs.

17 May 19
08:00 hrs

     Coffee.
     Please let me let there be coffee.

     My host's mom has been up for a half hour and coffee is ready. God Bless her. Today will be a mish mash of odd jobs and taskings. The smoker will be started at 11:30 hrs and the meat will be on a half hour later. This will be a long process as it won't be up to temp until 18:00 hours tomorrow. Low and slow is the name of the game.

     A bonfire will be lit but the host and I will be monitoring the hot box through the night.

Road Trip - Day Five

14"W 15 May 19
09:15 hrs

     I am lacking in sleep and it's my own fault - with the help of Netflix. L'il Sis has gone to work and left me with the task completing a soup recipe for supper. At this point it is nearly complete but it needs to simmer. It actually tastes pretty good.

21:55 hrs

     I called my Better Half at the Wayward Inn.  She's having having a Bollywood movie night for her lady friends and our friend, Mr. Baseball, from Hub City is at the Wayward Inn for his annual golf tournament. I feel sorry for him. Tomorrow I'm off to another location - 52'24" N  113'14" W. I'll stop and get an oil change done on the Ram. On the road again.

Road Trip - Day Four

14 May 19
22:15 hrs

     I am in Cowtown.  I made it safely through the mountains despite the moronic motorists - most of which were sporting red and white licence plates - and the delays caused by road construction. I had left the Sage's at 09:00 hrs and was at the Stein House by 16:00 hrs local. Six hours and almost a half tank of fuel. Not bad really.

     After a pleasant visit with my Cuz'n and his Lobster, I headed across town to L'il Sis's place. Not having driven in Cowtown very often I had to rely on the GPS. L'il Sis laughed when she learned the unit had taken me through the permanent downtown construction zone.

     I had a message from a friend who was supposed to join me for this weekends festivities. He has come down with the flu and has bowed out. It would appear that I will be the only representative from the hosts old group of friends. Oh well, that means there will be more roast suckling pig for me.

Road Trip - Day Three

13 May 19
22:00 hrs

     Today I finished off my chores for the Sages but hours before that L'il Sis departed at OhDark30 for Cowtown. After my chores I got cleaned up and headed for Camp V Town to check on an old friend. She's in a Seniors care facility and since I am not a blood relative if she were to pass away I wouldn't find out until I visited. She has a son but he's not talking to me and I doubt if he would even announce her passing in an obit column. Toad!

     This evening I spent time with my cadet alma mater. Had a great time. I helped out and shared some stories. Tomorrow I have to load the Ram, fuel the Ram and be on the road about nine-ish.

     My Better Half took a boat load of people and stuff to the beach for the first Weenies on the Beach foray. She reported that the Onion was as happy as a puppy. Good times were had by all.

Road Trip - Day Two

12 May 19
14:45 hrs

     HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

     Yes, it's a Happy Mother's Day to all those who qualify. For those moms in the Valley whose Kidlettes are enrolled in scouting it may be a great Mother's Day as your Couch Monkeys may be at the big Cub Scout Camp. This camp is held every year on the same weekend giving moms a weekend respite. How's that for a Mother's Day present?

     Other than two flats of canned salmon and a couple of old biblical tomes I am doing some Manual Labour at the Sage's residence. Don't mention Manual Labour to any millenial because they will probably think that he was a past president of some latino banana republic. I'm replacing half of the boards on they deck as they have rotted. So, with a pry bar and my impact driver I am removing the old ones and securing the new ones. Half of what needed to be done has been completed and the rest will be done on the morrow. The afternoon heat is too great so screw it.

     My Sister from Another Mother, with her Lobster, came over for brunch. Wife Saver casserole, a salad and crab cakes. Yummy. For supper I'll be cooking some AAA grade bovine on the Sage's Flame Pit. Their Flame Pit is smaller than mine (about a third of the size) as there is just the two of them. But, it's not the size of the Flame Pit that counts it's the grill master standing in front of it. I understand my Jr. Loin Fruit did an excellent job doing bbq'd burgers - both meat and veggie - at the Wayward Inn. Good stuff.

23:00 hrs.

     Everyone has gone to sleep. I too must rack out. L'il Sis will be heading to Cowtown in the morning. I'll finish my chores and then see what mischief I can avoid. I would like to donate a copy of my new book to the local library. Mind you I have sold two already which has made this part of my journey legit.

     A late night message from my Lobster says that our Jr. Loin Fruit has been accepted for housing at the university in Capital City.  Hazaah!

     Good night.

Road Trip - Day 1

11 May 19
04:09 hrs

     The timing was a good omen as 409 was my first squadron. I had little sleep because I was so anxious to start my journey. So, it was off to Timmies for a java and some sort of breakfast thing. Nothing heavy as I am to meet someone on the other side of the salt chuck.

     I selected a sausage English muffin and a toasted bagel for later on the road. It will be a long trip as i am initially headed to the Sage's home. Now, I have always liked the breakfast sandwich thing. In fact, I could eat an Egg McMuffin every day of the week. What I was handed was not an Egg McMuffin. It wasn't even close to being a poor copy. Timmies is all about speed. The more customers the more money so the toaster is dialed down to the point of being like warm. Things that go through a toaster is supposed to be toasted not like warm. It's supposed to have some hint of crunch when you bite into it. Hence the name - toast. Then there is the pre-formed egg product and the sausage (?) patty that has been sitting in a warm steamer which if the temperature dropped slightly lower would be nothing but a botulism incubator I'm sure. So, a non-crunchy english Muffin coupled with a flavourless moist mushy egg product topped with a highly suspicion meat disk. In all, I was not satisfied with the experience. A word of advice. If you wand an english muffin breakfast sandwich you should either go to - and I hate to say it - Mickey Dees or make it yourself in your own kitchen.

     On my departure out of the Valley there were three emergency vehicles near the top of the parkway. Two on my side and on facing me on the other. As I moved to the left hand lane and slowed I spotted an SUV that had departed the road and rolled up against big sand bank. There was no ambulance in attendance so I think the occupants had already been extracted. In the brief glimpse I could see the vehicle must have rolled several times as it was damaged and on its side.

     Approaching the gas station where the giant gnome used to live - he has found a new residence at a tourist trap down near Capital City - I saw the vehicle ahead of me slow right down and move way over to the left. So far over that he was into a left hand turn lane to cross the highway before cutting back to the right. There were two trucks parked just before the intersection with one numpty waving his arms in  what appeared to be a poor attempt to get airborne. Behind the parked vehicles was a light pole that had been stuck and was laying across both lanes of traffic. There were no emergency vehicles in attendance at this point but I was pretty sure they would reroute. I followed the vehicle ahead of me and skirted around the top of the pole hoping that my tire would survive the glass.

     I made it to Hub City and drove down to board the MV Rusted Hulk. The Ram has performed well so far. My only issue is my GPS mount has fallen off twice while reroute. If it happened again I'll permanently fix it will a little bit of epoxy. Never mess with an ex- aircraft technician.

08:45 hrs.

     I am sitting in the Knight Street Cafe awaiting my breakfast companion. I have never met this individual and to tell you the truth I am a bit nervous (really I am). No names. No pack drill.

     The menu looks good. I'll have the Benny please. No coffee thanks. Had lots. I decided on the orange juice. Could be a mistake. I think it must have been a frozen concentrate because the fluid had separated much like a oil slick on the ocean. The top part - the floating portion is foamy and the bottom part is murky. I mixed it together with the straw but it just split apart again. It would probably taste better with vodka or aquavit. I have the latter in the Ram but it's too early unless your Out In The Weeds with the PBR STREETGANG. Besides, I have to drive later.

21:00 hrs

     The mystery dining companion was my Neice. It was great to meet her and maybe someday she and her Better Half can make it to the Wayward Inn. 

     The rest of the trip was largely uneventful except a high proportion of the Queens's Cowboys picking off speeders. I recognized one pickup that had been stopped twice. L'il Sis is here at the Sage's as well. Its great to see her too. She is occupying the spare bedroom. I'm on my camp cot on the porch. It's like being Out in the Weeds with a roof over your head instead of a tent. I think I got the better end of the stick.

The Medium

06 May 19
06:15 hrs

     When was the last time you picked up a newspaper? Or actually watched the news on TV? Or listened to the news on the radio? Probably not lately. Our reliance on seeing the "facts" on our digital devices as quickly as they have occurred and as fast as they can be uploaded means that we, as consumers may not be - and probably are not - recieving all of the facts as the investigator had discovered or reported. Couple that with the erroneous spin from everyone in Twitterland it's truly amazing what people actually believe is real. Case in point is the scientific community stance on climate change, the intelligence community opinion of Russian hacking efforts and the reports of theft of intellectual property by China vs anything that comes out of the Tangerine Tyrant's mouth.

     Who are you going to believe?

     I suggest that you slow down. Pick up a newspaper. If you haven't read one in a while start with the local birdcage liner and move up from there. I prefer the National Post as it covers a broader spectrum that anything out of the Golden Horseshoe and it has none of the dozens of ad pages as from any of the Sun chain of papers. I like the crossword puzzle too.

     Being Canadian I do like to know what happening abroad and for that I do have the Guardian paper as an app on my phone as well as two CBC apps - news feed and radio. The Guardian covers Europe and the Middle East very well and there is very little of the "Hooray, let's wave the flag" bullshit you have with the Hugh-ess media.

06 May 19
19:55 hrs

     I really need to sleep. I'm back onto the airfield tonight. It will be the eighth night in a row and the novelty has worn off. My Better Half doesn't like it much either.

     I've been slowly packing the Ram with the necessary gear for the coming road trip. I still have to add the tools, a cooler, clothes, a pop up shelter - as the weather in Cowboy Land is looking to be shitty - and liquid refreshments. On my way to the Sage's I'm diverting into the Megatropolis to meet my niece for breakfast. It should prove to be interesting.

     The temperature here in the Valley is supposed to shoot through the roof so stay hydrated Kidlettes and keep you pets at home - NOT ON YOU VEHICLES!

Drip Drip Drip

03 May 19
05:00 hrs

     I just got home to the Wayward Inn. Working the graveyard out on the runway is cool but it really messes up the home life - the personal disconnect, but I digress. As soon as I got inside I spotted two concerns. One minor and one more of a pet peeve. The first thing I saw was the Sr. Couch Monkey's light was still on. Maybe he was getting up for early shift? Nope. I knocked. More answer so I opened the door to find him asleep with the lamp on. No big deal. The second issue was the sound I heard coming from the kitchen. A steady drip of the kitchen faucet. Now, our kitchen faucet is in good working order and yes even I have, on occasion, not pushed the handle down far enough which has allowed the water to continue to flow. Anyone could make the mistake but that being said i have a sneaking suspicion that the Onion is the culprit. It's no big deal either she'll just need a lesson in water conservation.

     I almost made a catastrophic mistake. In looking at the dates for my road trip I had erred in thinking the date of my depature was a week later than expected. That wouldn't have gone over well if I had shown up at the Sage's a full week after Mother's Day.

17:00 hrs

     I am awake again. My Jr. Loin Fruit called me looking for information and woke me from a REM sleep. Thanks. Thanks a lot!

     Have you notice that people in the Valley do not know how to park a vehicle? It shouldn't be a shock because most of them can't even drive a shopping cart. I stopped at The Sensei's house on an errand and shortly there after - at the next intersection - a lady driving a minivan was looking left as she drove straight through the intersection as I was turning left. I jammed the horn causing her to pin the brakes stopping two feet from the Ram. I bet that left a stain on her seat!

     My Lobster came home with another mason bee house. That makes two. Boosting the world bee population should be(e) everyone's concern. No bees, no crops, no survival. It's just that simple. And mason bees are great for any home - even ones with children and pets - as they have no stingers!

18:10 hrs

     I'm waiting for my Lobster and the Onion to come home. Then it's a light supper and back to the rack for another couple of hours of sleep. Graveyards are such a killer. In the meantime I am watching S1E8 of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown on Netflix. He was in Peru with Chef Eric Ripert - who found Tony nine years later hanging in his hotel in Paris.

04 May 19
06:45 hrs

     It was a long night and when I got home no sound of dripping taps was detected. Obviously, my little lesson to the Onion in basic kitchen mechanics worked. 

     May the Fourth be with you!
     And on that note, it was reported that Peter Mayhew, the actor who portrayed Chewbacca the Wookie, has passed away at age 74.

     The Snow Chickens are here for another week of multi-terrain training. I believe their show season starts sometime in June and goes through to September. They are a busy bunch. The question is what are going to be flying once the 50 year old CT-114 Tutor is finally retired. Knowing the Feds the Air Demonstration Team will soon be staffed by civilians as well.