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Midweek Open Thread

Monday Musings Open Thread

Weekend Open Thread

163 thoughts on “Weekend open thread”

          1. I keep having to fight off the black spot and insects on mine. But they are thriving at least.

            I have a variety of different tea roses and some wild stock.

            1. I spray a wetable sulfur solution on mine when I can and it helps with the black spot and some pests.

              But when it’s going to rain the next day or two it is hard to be effective.

          2. Yeah, that’s a fungus that’s hard to get rid of, especially if humidity is high. I see it on my zinnias.

          1. I got my rank because I passed the written exams and practical factors, aka hands-on application of skill sets. That, and I did try to be A.J. Squaredaway or as close to it as I could get.

      1. Lord it over the masses here? That would be like trying to herd cats. I’ll just graciously accept the congratulations and go back to my corner. 🙂

              1. I still gota vote for the post 9/11 Budwiser video. and they only aired it that one time, out of respect.. still gets a bit dusty when i find it online..

    2. And how in the heck did four full minutes pass between the first & second posts on here – unless someone is in moderation that got in before me?

      1. Hell, I thought maybe the apocalypse was happening when I didn’t see anyone post for a few minutes after me. I should have tried to score the top ten posts in one swoop.

        1. I think you could have done it, Chief.

          That would be a record that would have been hard to beat.

  9. I am abdicating any need to be in line for the Throne of Firstness, as I have stuff to do.
    I have peaches, smoked cheddar cheese, tomatoes on the vine, zukes, ham, radishes – good stuff.

    1. It is a popular fishing lake north of me about 8 miles, gets stocked with trout, bass and bluegills twice a year, also has a population of catfish and many, many varieties of swimming birds, turtles and frogs.
      And lots of dragonflies. Mosquitoes are everywhere up there.

      1. Thanks. Reminds me of this area.

        “dragonflies”
        I love it when they swoop in and pick the bugs off me. Little UH-1’s

  11. I for one am offended by the fact that Ex PH2 gave us all the bird in the first picture.

    Tear it Down!

      1. If they come to my house this winter, I’ll get shots of them. I’m getting more and more birds who don’t normally show up here, which is good news.

        1. Global Warming! er, Climate Change!

          Boy, being a liberal is fun!

          Brain? Off
          Emotions? Full
          IQ? Low room temp

          1. Shrieking/Screaming Volume? Maximum

            Critical Thinking? Off

            Incoherence? On

            Irrationality? On

            1. Trouble is, I can only maintain for about a sentence at a time. Maybe if I move Berkley-wards I could get up to a paragraph. Or a page.

                1. I almost forget to get the vapors over her threat to shoot the birds. No doubt with a scary black fully automatic assault SLR with a 10 clip magazine and bayonet mounted lens.

  13. Great photos, but then, coming from a Navy Photographer that actually has skills, I am not surprised, Ex-PH2. A lesser Navy Photographer might have to use someone else’s photos and wrongfully claim them as his own. As we way here in the Deep South: “You done good, girl.”.

  14. Updating the status of Stolen Valorist Kyle Christopher Barwan, (Please use his name in reference to him as he is trying desperately to be as famous as possible), for the audience here: He has left a decrepit house trailer in Southeast Hillsborough County Florida, and moved to Miami, where his girlfriend, (whom he told to lose weight if she wants to be desirable), dropped him off. He has her convinced that he is British, about to become VERY wealthy, (at least 100K, in his words), and should have the first $1,400 in the next week. Also, to better perform his work with the US government, he has a Cortana chip embedded in his head that is voice activated to connect to Microsoft to give him instructions. Other than all the above, he has just been his normal sleazeball self, stealing a game from a relative of his girlfriend, begging smokes and change from them, hustling the grandma out of $100.oo, and making a general ass of himself.
    It must really suck to be him.

    1. Isn’t Kyle Christopher Barwan supposed to stay put as part of his probation? So now Kyle Christopher Barwan has put on a con game of being British and working for the USG, I wonder how soon the scumbaggery of Kyle Christopher Barwan will get him incarcerated for some time? Once a scumbag, always a scumbag and Kyle Christopher Barwan proves that.

    2. $100K is very wealthy? I thought the Kardashians and all the real Housewives turned up their noses at piddling amounts like that.

      1. $100K? Multizillionaire airheads like the Kowdashians (misspelling on purpose)will spend that on the first HOUR or two of a Beverly Hills shopping spree!

  15. With much of Missouri being in the direct path of the eclipse that will hit on Monday, any miscreants with a court date that day will have the comfort of being able to sleep unnoticed, in their cars. There will be so many people in the area that all rooms are taken, and law enforcement is expecting to have many using the side streets to park and sleep, as well as the park benches and the slabs where Southern Monuments once stood proudly. Those who are seedy in appearance, and may or may not opt to walk with canes, and try to open carry, may get approached for an ID check. South Florida Rescue Mission Soup Kitchen Cards are not honored in Missouri, so the Waffle House dumpster might get ransacked.

    1. Gee whiz, they finally got tired of his perpetual requests for continuance? Let’s hope we hear about the system FINALLY catching up to them and their antics!

  16. Not First yet again! (Takes bow.)

    This being retired makes it hard to keep track of what day of the week it is. Fridays sneak up on me (and I wouldn’t have it any other way).

  17. RIP Hercules the Goose. He was taken to the big pond in the sky by a dastardly and sneaky coyote last night around 3 am. defending his woman and 3 goslings, 25 ducks and a turkey that has already been swiped at by a bear this year.
    He was my alarm clock, honking at the front door every morning rain, snow or shine at 0715 (Non daylight saving times) for his breakfast. He would follow me around like a dog and he was a friend from the first time we saw each other after he hatched out 5 years ago.
    The traps have been set out, filled with tuna fish oil and stink bait. let the battle for the Cornwallville begin…

    I am going to miss you bud, you were the best Gander a boy every had.

    1. Henry Repeating Arms has something for that Coyote. I also use my “Bear Creek Arsenal” carbine, in .223 Wylde, shooting Hollow points.

      1. I believe that the correct name is Canada Goose. I didn’t learn that until about a year ago when for some reason, Canada/Canadian Geese were in the news.

    3. He was a Chinese goose ( the kind with the bump above his bill) Hi woman is a bit frantic today and wont come off the pond with the little ones. i am thinking that they will stay up there at night from now on till it freezes over.

      Its strange to walk out side and not have him follow me around today. It will most likely hit me later on tonight, but that is why i have a 12 pack of Molson’s in the fridge.

      The coyote has 355 Gr of 45/70 waiting for him. I placed out 40 traps today, went through all my Canned tuna in Oil(10 Cans) and have another 60 traps to dye and wax tonight after supper.

      Noting worst then a pissed off Marine with stink bait and a mission…

      2. I’ve heard of leaving pieces of foam rubber soaked in bacon grease or beef fat being left out that the coyotes eat and it blocks their digestive system giving them a painful death.

        1. i don’t hunt that way. Its wrong any way you think of it. If he only took a chicken once in a while when game was scarce i would say live and let live, but once they find an easy source of food they will keep coming back until its all gone or they get caught.

          its a battle of skill and wits now, i will prevail. i’d rather it be a fair fight with a real animal. Now that foam rubber idea might be put to good use with some of those liberals i have been reading about but not even a “dastardly and sneaky coyote” rates that death in my book…

          Raise you glass to Hercules boys!!!

          1. I’ve heard a few people swear to me that .17 HMR is the best coyote round available, but if I had an animal I was fond of taken by them I’d likely be hunting the damn thing with my .58 Cal Enfield which would likely relieve a coyote of ALL its internal organs in one hit!

    4. todays catch, 5 opossums, 3 raccoons, 1 red fox.
      was able to let everything go but 1 opossom that was killed outright sticking his head in to the trap.

      put out another 25 traps farther down in the hay field along the stone wall. wife is pissed i used up all the tuna…

  18. I was actually first. The rest of the posters were paid $25 by Crowds on Demand to stand around and pretend to have been here first.

    5. My neighbor works for a living as a professional protester and from what he says the pay is quite good since I’m a vet he said I could take home
      300 plus dollars a day for regional activities
      Cash paid upfront after 4-5 events or day after event in the beginning not bad if you ask me

      1. I wasn’t a professional protester, but I did it a few times, just for the pookie.

        Back then the politicians were mostly drunk and had balls enough to scream right back at us.

        1. Cmon, IDC. Everybody loves hippie chicks, once you get past the smell and the thatch-like body hair.

          Cause they put out easy and they never keep the baby.

          2. AND THAT’S NOT ALL, having to either wear a flea and tick collar while socializing with her, having to take a flea bath afterward as well!

    9. HOT MO-FO DAMN, you said something that was BOTH cool and funny as shit, CONGRATS, Commissar!

    1. I ate it. Man, I sent you warfare, booze and sex in one package, and you are never satisfied. I’m exhausted from trying to keep up with you.
      Love always!

  21. Damn, I forgot to pay attention yet again! I guess I am the last first! I love your pictures EX, I will have to figure our how to post some of my wifes pretty flowers on here as well? I hope you all have a great weekend! Take care all,
    Willy

  23. Late, but still kickin’!

    Here’s a good feel good story about one of my favorite chefs to watch……John Besh from Nawlins’. He served in the Marines and was a mortar man and forward observer during Desert Storm & Desert Shield with the 1st Marine Division, the 4th Marine Division, and I Marine Expeditionary Force.

    He has an annual free USMC birthday street party at one of his restaurants & is active with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, UDT-Seal Association, and the Delta Veterans Foundation.

    Those of you that live in N.O. might want to check his restaurants out. Good to find a story about a real giving person. Ooorah, John Besh!!

    http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2017/07/24/celeb-chef-and-former-marine-john-besh-on-giving-back-to-veterans-and-students.html

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YO6mVkzMCI

    2. New Orleans MEPS named its enlistment ceremony room after Besh, one of the only living recipients of that honor in USMEPCOM.

  24. Just put a little sugar in the donate cup here.
    Lawsuits and blogging can get expensive.
    Especially when fake stay-puft “seals’ like the bucklew show up. Stay-puft like the marshmellow. Soft and fluffy cause they are filled with air. Yup bucklew – proof that becoming a
    bigger asshole can lead to prolapse.
    Not my usual type post cuz they gave me some good stuff following surgery.

  25. Trying again – apparently some fingers refuse to spell correctly. This is what I tried to post earlier:
    Just put a little sugar in the donate cup here.
    Lawsuits and blogging can get expensive.
    Especially when fake stay-puft “seals’ like the bucklew show up. Stay-puft like the marshmellow. Soft and fluffy cause they are filled with air. Yup bucklew – proof that becoming a
    bigger asshole can lead to prolapse.
    Not my usual type post cuz they gave me some good stuff following surgery.

  26. Nice pics! Thanks for sharing. Our daughter (an ex-USAR SSG) is big into photography, and just completed a course in Sitka, AK.

  27. Dear Lord,
    If you want Hillary to be arrested, give us a sign, … like, blot out the sun or something, anytime in the next five days.
    Thanks.

  28. Nice pics! Y’all have a great weekend!!!!
    This guy and his dynamite gf are road tripping from CT to the Fort of Benning, GA. 18 hours of majestic U.S. of A.!

  29. Ex: Do you also shoot Black & White?

    If so, please share those photos with us. Perhaps a B&W of Punkin? Or perhaps one you took when you were on Active Duty?

    Thanx for the nice pics!

  30. Nice pics Ex. I own a Nikon D 80 and took an adult education digital SLR course at Boca Raton community H.S. a number of years ago and right away I found out that the Canons were easier to use than the Nikons. I had a rough time with the F-stop and the other settings. The camera always went Crick instead of Click every time I pressed the release and I realized that the Nikon was made in Japan. No B.S., I really did take the course.

    1. I’ve always shot Nikons. I think it’s just personal choice. I gave up my medium format Mamiya because finding a lab that would process 120 and 220 film was nearly impossible, so that went out the window.

      In following the Photography Life blog, the most recent news was that the ‘breakthroughs’ in sensors seem to have plateaued for now, so unless I plan to spend zillions (I don’t), I’ll stick to my D300.

    2. Something that gave Nikon traction in the pro-grade market was their optics. I’ve still got a circa 1975 Nikon F2 which was once used regularly with an f2.5 105mm lens I also still keep in the bag. At one time, the 105 was one of the best pieces of glass in the business. It can still be used on my D200.

      With some rare exceptions such as Annie Leibovitz’s recent swimsuit shoot of traitorous little Bradley Manning in Vogue, the photo trade seems to have lost something. Back in the day, photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, and Alfred Eisenstaedt were virtual rockstars.

  31. In June 2017, Jonn posted the military records of Ralph Northam, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia who is running for Virginia Governor in the November 2017 elections:

    https://www.azuse.cloud/?p=73065

    Jonn pointed out that Northam’s favorite line when talking about gun control is explaining to people that he treated “assault weapon” victims as a doctor in the Army during Desert Storm:

    “I witnessed the damage these guns can do firsthand as an Army doctor during the First Gulf War.”

    Well, Northam is still using his Army experience during the Gulf War (while stationed at Landstuhl Hospital in Germany as a child neurologist) in his new campaign commericals:

    At the 10-11 second mark of this short commercial, the gentleman holding his child states this about Northam: “An Army Doctor who treated Soldiers seriously wounded during the Gulf War.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPSUw92M-L0

    As Jonn stated in the previous blog (and I agree with him), he is not sure how many wounded soldiers Northam treated while stationed in Germany.

    Wish a reporter with gonads would ask Northam this question: “How serious were those wounds of the soldiers you treated during the Gulf War…and how many did you treat?”

    BTW: Northam is still a practicing Pediatrician in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area.

    1. I asked on his you tube channel… lets see what he says. This is why i should not drink beer on friday nights….

    2. It is not unreasonable to believe he did.

      Soldiers with life threatening injuries were stabilized in theater and then usually evacuated to Germany. Then once any life threatening wounds are treated they were returned to the states for further treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation.

    1. BE CAREFUL OF what you say about BEER, it’s NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST ANYMORE!!!

  33. *************************************************
    *************************************************

    Brethren and Sistren:

    I reckon you’ve seen the same news reports and/or editorial commentary that I have, indicating how everybody has turned against our President of these United States of America, and are doing everything in their power to thwart all of his efforts and slander his reputation.

    I just finished e-mailing my message of support for President Donald John Trump.

    I hope you’ll join with me in e-mailing your support during his lonely, trying, seemingly unappreciated moments.

    Here is the text of my e-mail to President Trump:
    _______________________________________________

    *************************************************
    *************************************************
    Mr. President:

    According to what I see in the news, it seems as if everyone has turned against you, and is openly thwarting every one of your efforts and/or ideals.

    I am just one man, and nobody of importance.

    But, I just want you to know that I support you completely, for whatever that’s worth.

    I am truly grateful for everything you’re doing and attempting to do, and I encourage you to continue in your efforts.

    Thank you, Mr. President.

    At Your Service,

    “I am Prince John, of the House of Israel, a knight-errant here on Earth on a mission for our King.”

    John Robert Mallernee, Esquire, KB3KWS
    Disabled War Veteran, United States Army
    Ashley Valley Shadows
    Vernal, Utah 84078
    __________________________________

    WARNING ! ! !

    Please remember that EVERY message on the Internet, is routinely being intercepted and analyzed by the NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, the CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, the FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, and the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, and because you are reading THIS particular message, they are now watching YOU ! ! !
    __________________________________

    *************************************************
    *************************************************
    _______________________________________________

    Here is the URL where you can compose and send your e-mail to President Trump:

    GET IN TOUCH WITH THE WHITE HOUSE

    To write or call the White House, click here.

    https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

    I don’t know if this works, but I’ve also sent a regular e-mail from my YAHOO! account to this address:

    POTUS@whitehouse.gov

    This is history, and with our computers, we can be a part of it, exerting our positive influence in moments of national crisis.

    Please consider sharing this message with others, and I will also post this message on my FACEBOOK page, my GOOGLE PLUS page, and my own personal web site, “OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE”.

    Thank you.

    “I am Prince John, of the House of Israel, a knight-errant here on Earth on a mission for our King.”

    John Robert Mallernee, Esquire, KB3KWS
    Disabled War Veteran, United States Army
    Ashley Valley Shadows
    Vernal, Utah 84078
    __________________________________

    “God bless us, every one.”
    Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870)
    __________________________________

    WARNING ! ! !

    Please remember that EVERY message on the Internet, is routinely being intercepted and analyzed by the NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, the CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, the FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, and the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, and because you are reading THIS particular message, they are now watching YOU ! ! !
    __________________________________

    *************************************************
    *************************************************
    RESPONSE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:

    The White House, Washington
    August 18, 2017

    Thank you for contacting the White House. We are carefully reviewing your message.

    President Donald J. Trump believes the strength of our country lies in the spirit of the American people and their willingness to stay informed and get involved.

    President Trump appreciates you taking the time to reach out.
    If you wish to receive regular email updates from the White House, please Click Here.

    You may also wish to follow President Trump and the White House on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

    Sincerely,

    The Office of Presidential Correspondence

  34. Well, major changes in the SEA world (get it?)

    And if all goes through as planned, a little surprise awaits you in a couple of weeks.

    2. Hope said grandchild received an A+

      And if the teacher was a SJW, I hope he/she/it had a heart attack!

      I love that mission statement!!!

  36. Are you using the WINDOWS 10 operating system on your computer, as I am?

    As you know, WINDOWS 10 doesn’t allow for creating screensaver programs, because since LCD flat screens have replaced the obsolete CRT monitors and television sets, thus making screensavers unnecessary.

    But, if you’re like me, you probably still would enjoy watching a nice slide show, maybe while listening to some favorite music.

    Do you enjoy looking at paintings?

    I’ve compiled a slide show on my computer of some of my favorite paintings.

    Here is the URL where you can download my slide show and install it in your own computer:

    ART SLIDE SHOW

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/writesong/albums/72157685094978930

    Because of it’s size (i.e., 157 paintings), it will download as a zipped file.

    Of course, you can always watch the slide show at the web site, without downloading it into your computer.

    When running the slide show on my computer (not at the web site), I select these settings:

    “SHUFFLE”, “LOOP”, and “SLIDE SHOW SPEED – SLOW”

    However, you may want to select different slide show settings.

    Just in case you don’t already know how to use your computer’s slide show program on the WINDOWS 10 operating system, here is how you do it step-by-step:

    (01) – Go into your “PICTURES” folder.

    (02) – Select the folder containing the pictures you want to make a slide show of.

    (03) – At the top of the screen, click on “MANAGE”.

    (04) – Click on “SLIDE SHOW”.

    To select slide show settings, just RIGHT CLICK your mouse on the screen.

    Enjoy the show!

    That’s all there is to it.

  37. *************************************************
    *************************************************

    Comrades in Arms:

    Here is the URL for the WEEKLY MESSAGE issued by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, in which I am a “LIFE” member.

    VFW ACTION CORPS WEEKLY

    https://www.vfw.org/actioncorpsweekly

    As you can see, it contains quite a bit of interesting and informative topics.

    You may wish to consider sharing this message with other military war veterans with whom you are related and/or acquainted.

    Thank you.

    At Your Service,

    “I am Prince John, of the House of Israel, a knight-errant here on Earth on a mission for our King.”

    John Robert Mallernee, Esquire, KB3KWS
    Disabled War Veteran, United States Army
    Ashley Valley Shadows
    Vernal, Utah 84078

    Voice Mail: 1-202-355-8710
    Answering Machine: 1-435-781-6539
    __________________________________

    “I have seen much war in my lifetime and I hate it profoundly, but there are worse things than war and all of them come with defeat.”

    Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961)
    __________________________________

    WARNING ! ! !

    Please remember that EVERY message on the Internet, is routinely being intercepted and analyzed by the NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, the CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, the FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, and the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, and because you are reading THIS particular message, they are now watching YOU ! ! !
    __________________________________

    *************************************************
    *************************************************

    1. You mean like at that facility across the road from Camp Williams UT that I saw under construction a few years ago? I heard that they can’t make the vast majority of the shit there work and it was said back then that once operational it was supposed to be capable of monitoring the entire internet, but how often do we hear of Contractors producing things for the Government that actually work like they said it would during the sales pitch? Likely far less often as someone really strikes it rich with Amway like they say so in the “meetings”

    2. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, I wonder if she’s been relieved of command yet? IMHO what’s good for the Subordinates is just as good for a Superior!

    4. The second officer involved in the Kissimmee shooting has passed away it was announced this Saturday afternoon.

      The police have only one suspect in custody and aren’t looking for anyone else.

      The POS’s name is Everett Miller and is a former Marine who has been Baker Acted previously.

    1. Not at this hour of the morning.

      I once worked at a summer camp and there was an old guy (eighties) that said he wrote the crosswords for the New York Times.
      Always had book full of them with him.
      His name was Wally. He would light up a fresh cigarette while one was still in his mouth. Probably dead. Not from smoking though.

  41. Picking up a rescue dog this morning, My wife was tired of being the only female in the house after our 14 year old golden crossed the rainbow bridge recently. The pup is from a rescue group in Arkansas every week they bring 100-300 dogs to New England from high kill shelters. Petfinder.com

  44. There are times when I feel like I was the ONLY one in the whole wide world who was a soldier in the old Republic of Viet Nam.

    Do any of you ever get that feeling?

    I reckon I sometimes feel that way because no one else has any idea what I’m talking about, nor does anyone care.

    It’s kind of like it was all for nothing.

    1. Not to worry JRM. Some of us care I’m certain, as I do and have rarely been alone. I’m thankful for those like you who did their deed willingly and kept those like me from being called back in, though my obligation was supposedly finished when Vietnam got so hot.

  45. Just in case anyone is wondering, those on SSRI will/may receive a COLA of 2.2% in January. That’s the most recent word so far. It will, of course, depend on the kindness of strangers who would rather see it go into their pet projects like welfare and howbadismycare.

  46. Seen at the “DAILY TIME WASTER” web site:
    __________________________________

    “Dear God:

    If you want Hillary Clinton arrest, please give us a sign – – – ,

    Like, blot out the sun, anytime in the next few days.

    Thanks”
    __________________________________

    1. Uhhhh…Could have sworn Frankie Cee already posted this on 18 August 2017@ 1732 hours on WOT????? 🤔

      2. With so many comments, I can’t even find the posting you refer to, even after specifically looking for it.

        It might make it easier to look for previous comments if each posting was automatically numbered, but – – – ?

    1. He was rejected for military service during World War II because of a heart murmur. But his first movie, with Dean Martin, was “At War With the Army”. He was PFC Alvin Korwin and Dean Martin played First Sergeant Vic Puccinelli.

  49. The False Commander “Phony” Phil Monkress works balls as he avoids questions concerning the validity of his Native American, Law Enforcement and Navy SEAL claims.

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