Almost 10 years ago I was in Florida with orders to move to Alaska the following summer. Excited at the prospect, I decided that one thing I wanted to do up there was hunt bear and moose, so naturally I went to the gun store looking for a rifle capable of taking that kind of game.
At the time, I wasn’t all that well versed in guns. I had lots of experience shooting with my family and with the military, but I had never spent the time to become particularly familiar with the ins and outs of hunting rifles. The … Read the rest
Circumstances conspired to the point that recently I discovered a need to drive to central Wyoming, then find a way to keep myself occupied for a few days before heading home. As you look at these pictures, keep in mind that they were taken in June — i.e. summer. Without much explanation, some pictures for your enjoyment.
Devils Tower Wyoming (the missing ‘ is intentional and correct)We camped just north of Sundance Wyoming, and each morning woke up to a new layer of wet snow. We hadn’t expected winter camping conditions in June.Michael had more fund playing with … Read the rest
“Colonel Harwood,” the technician said smiling and standing up as
Jim entered the small room, “I’ve got the final one here.”
Jim limped towards a chair stuck in the corner and dropped himself
into it before taking off the temporary prosthetic he’d been using.
It was getting more comfortable as the stump hardened up and he got
used to using it, but it was still unpleasant. The phantom pain was
getting to be less of an issue as well so long as he was busy doing
something.
“I’m getting better with these things,” Jim … Read the rest
The airline had arranged for wheelchairs, but both had refused. They
were still capable of moving under their own power, and they were
determined to do so. Instead, they sat patiently on the plane waiting
for everyone else to get off before carefully picking their way down
the isle on crutches. Emerging from the jetway, Jim first and K9
right behind him, the small crowd parted silently to reveal a small
formation of veterans who rendered a salute. Jim balanced his weight
on his remaining foot and returned the salute without saying anything.
He hadn’t … Read the rest
The nightmares had returned as the sedation was tapered. They had morphed too. Now it was Sammie and Leslie who were being tortured or killed. And now that he wasn’t the focus anymore, he didn’t wake up at the climax, but continued dreaming until the horrifying image of his wife or daughter’s corps shook him awake. Sometimes the bad-guy took the shape of a rotund drunk Navajo who cackled mercilessly over their dead bodies, smearing their blood on his own face like war paint.
Clear and open my mind I'm told But nature abhors a vacuum It refills faster than I can empty Flitting from thought to thought As I banish them one by one
Grab a meditative thought A gurgling stream to fill the void But it won't remain without effort So I fill in the cracks and crevices With thoughts that defeat the purpose
Meditation is deliberate boredom I don't know how to do that... I seemingly never really can Shut my mind to constant work Without falling asleep
His body was on fire – especially his right foot – but that was like saying a blow torch was hotter than a glowing red coal. He felt like he’d been under the treads of a tank, and wasn’t sure how he ended up here. A weak attempt to open his eyes did no good. Something was blocking his vision. He was vaguely conscious of some background noise, but his mind was so clouded he couldn’t quite make sense of it. The one noise he could make out was the distinctive whirr a … Read the rest
