Snow!

14 Dec 21

06:45 hrs

     Good Morning Dear Readers,

There was some concern from some of you about the young boy I wrote about in my last blog. I must say that I was surprised by the feedback as I often do not get any. I will tell you again that I di not know what happened to him and as I was not a friend of his father I did not keep in touch. I suppose I could delve deep into the records, I would have to have someone else dotbe digging, and once tbe name was produced start a full blown investigation from out on the fringe. So, it is possible but - and that's a BIG BUT - the risk of OTHERS wanting to know why - and them thinking it's for the wrong reason - is not worth the trouble. I hope you understand. 

     There were a few flakes falling this morning. Nothing to be worried about. It was melting as soon as it hit the ground. Unlike the slope I drove through coming back from Hub City on the weekend. We - my Better Half, the Oma-nator and I - went south to visit The Onion, who has returned from Inja to complete her studies in the Great White North. We took her for brunch and gave her some Christmas gifts. Before going south I had purchased some weight for the back of the Ram. Nine concrete slabs weighing eighty-four pounds each. On the drive home from Home Despot I realized it was a bit excessive so I had the two Couch Monkey's remove three of the slabs. The remaining six will stay in place until February or until after I go to visit the Sage which will only happen if the roads to the Interior are rebuilt.

     Our Sr. Loin Fruit has given his notice in the Fish Department. He's been there for over a year and has done well in light of having to deal with tbe barrage of Anti-maskers along with all the other issues that come with a service industry job. He is still awning on going to start trade school next semester. He'll be commuting to the River City campus. I had asked him if he knew where it was and he said River City. I suggested that between now and the start of the course he should take a drive to check the place out. In my mind it would make things easier in the long run. Did you know that you can't buy Common Sense anywhere these days. Not even at your corner store.

15 Dec 21

06:45 hrs

     Today is Hump Day. Not only that, this is the Sage's Anniversary and although one of them is now gone he is not forgotten. So, it is the life they had built together that that is to be remembered. 

     It is also a miserable wet day. Typical for the Left Coast with wind and plenty of drizzle to go all around. 

     A couple of nights ago I went Down the Rabbit Hole and learned that Veterans and Serving Members residing in our central Prairie Province and in On-tari-ari-oh do not have to pay for a fishing licence. These two provinces have legislated that for their service to the country. Well,thank you very much. There is also a group in the Redneck Province asking their government to do the same. This may be something that I can push onto my legislative representative. It's worth a shot. All they can do is say no.

16 Dec 21

06:45 hrs

     Yesterday I learned that my first base has been anointed with its first female Commander. The base has been functioning for 80 years and finally there is a lady in charge. She is superbly qualified and it will be Interior see how the place functions. The question I have is what happened to the previous guy who was only in The Chair for little over a year. There has been no scandal that darkened his command that I know of that would cause his removal. Maybe, he was only a place holder until this new one had all the boxes ticked to fill the slot. Maybe, the last guy had to be promoted to replace one of the defrocked generals who were accused of an impropriety which dates back several decades. Whatever the reason this change is interesting as it is a brave new world.

     This January will see the final retirement an airforce work horse. The DHC Super Dash 5 - commonly known as the Buffalo. The aircraft has been in service for over 50 years - which is no surprise due to the aversion of mandarins in the Nation's Capital to purchasing new equipment for the military - and it started its career as an army aircraft not the airforce. It's replacement is the POS Kingfisher but that's a whole nother story. I have been informed that even though the Kingfisher will be the new Fixed Wing Sar platform it will not be up and running until 2025 and until then Hercs from 435 Sqn will be deployed here from the 'Peg to fill in the gap. 

     With the imminent departure the drivers are chomping at the bit to accrue as many hours as possible even if it's just to punch holes in the sky and toss some Cheezies out the back. I remember when my first squadron was closing in '84 and our aircraft - the venerable Voodoo - was to be retired. From 01 April of that year to the closure in June the pace of flight ops had doubled then trebled with the aircraft nearly spending more time aloft than on the ground culminating in the loss of aircraft CF-101007. The question now is when will the Hornet be replaced and with what? Will it be replace by another POS? Probably.