On this day
I’ve learned a lot over the past two years. Time has a funny way of making you cope. You may not always understand, not even two years on, you may just simply learn to be. Especially when be-ing is all there is to have had.
Two long years with so much that has happened. Oh for sure, there has been moments over the past couple of years that bring a sense of peace and calmness about me. But two very long years that I am sure are etched in my face.
One of those days
I know it has been forever since I wrote here. So much has happened since I left El Paso. And I really cannot say that much of it is good. I really do not mean to have the first post in awhile be one like this – but it is a day of saddness for me.
It’s 4am now, about an hour ago I decided to head to Wal-mart. Nothing in particular just to pick up a few things – picture hanging stuff mostly. Nobody on the roads of course – and I find myself reflecting in times like this. Today’s thoughts turned to my Uncle, and the profound saddness that I have over him being gone from my life.
There are so many things I just do not quite get in this world, and death is one I think I will never understand.
My Wish for You in 2008
I had – at first – intended to write about Coffee. For whatever that may have been worth. Instead I got this email in today – how could one top it. But in future posts I have much to talk about, some things to celebrate, some of sorrow and some that touches deep inside.
For now though – enjoy this. Read more
Twas the Flight Before Christmas
The following was posted each and every year by my friend Mark. Each year he would alter it somewhat to reflect pilots that had come and gone. In keeping with tradition – I post it here. – Stuart a.k.a. Magnum_VF
‘Twas the Flight Before Christmas…
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a pilot was stirring, not even Mag’s mouse;
All the 18’s were stored in the hanger with care,
In hopes that FA II soon would be there;
The pilots were restless at home in their beds,
While visions of FA II danced in their heads;
And JinkX in Old
Had just settled down for a long family stay,
When out on the tarmac there arose such a clatter,
Mag sprang from his bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen Snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But Archer, and Executor, and Firefoxx he feared,
With these little old Pilots, so lively and quick,
Mag knew in a moment it must be some trick.
More rapid than Raptors his courses they came,
And Foxx whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now BIGNAP! now MERLOCKE! now OPPPS! and GIGANTOR!
On THE_SWORD! on Q-TIPS! on SLASH! and ROADRUNNER!
To the pit of Mag’s Eagle, do we have the balls!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, they mount to the sky,
So up to angels ten their waypoints they flew,
With a plane full of beer, and Kuchinator too.
And then, in a twinkling, Mag heard on the roof
The swilling and jawing of each little goof.
As Mag drew in his hand, and was turning around,
The wheels of his Eagle were leaving the ground.
It was loaded with pilots, and painted bright red,
But the question on his mind, “Which way would they head?”
A bundle of six-packs were tied to each wing,
and some fifths of Vodka, among other things.
His hands how they tremored! His eyes were aflame!
What could they be up to? What excuse could they claim?
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the skin on his face was as white as the snow;
The rumble of tailpipes he felt in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He pondered, if maybe, it might be ol’ Basalisk,
who plotted and planned this all out with the Silverfox.
Then in came Rokaku, a right jolly old elf,
And laughed when he saw Mag, in spite of himself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon Magnum knew he had nothing to dread;
Rok spoke not a word, but led Mag to his truck,
Then did some wheelies through the snow and the muck,
He turned on the radar installed in the dash,
And giving a nod, said “We’ll be there in a flash;
When they pulled up at BearForce’s, the welcome was hearty,
See the pilots together had thrown Mag a party.
And Mag heard Foxx exclaim, with a voice full of cheer,
“WE JUST BORROWED YOUR EAGLE, TO HAUL ALL THE BEER!”
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good flight!
****Gen. Firefoxx_VF AKA Mark
In loving memory of Firefoxx_VF
Humanity
Every once and awhile along comes a story that would humble most anyone. This time it is a story of a Team, Team Hoyt.
Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon — that daunting, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America.
It’s a remarkable record of exertion — all the more so when you consider that Rick can’t walk or talk.
Ok, so the Headless horseman freaks the hell out of me.
I was talking with Krissi on what freaks someone out – because. Okay, back up – call it a snowballing type of thing to make Maddy happy – but I went as a clown this year on Halloween. Go figure – do you know that I cannot remember dressing up for Halloween since I was about 12 years old?
You’re wondering what I looked like aren’t you?
All right – all right – here I am.
Christmas 2006, the New England Adventure
This year – on Doug’s suggestion (darn good one too) I decided to head to New England and spend Christmas there with Aunt Marion and Sue.Christmas eve I took off out of El Paso – three flights and many hours later landed in Manchester, NH – got a rental and drove to Burlington VT. Stayed with Cuz Sue there. Christmas Sue & I went to Montpelier VT and spend Christmas with Aunt Marion, had an excellent dinner there – great time chatting. Back to Burlington that night. Day after Christmas I drove on over to Newark VT – I had not been there in 13 years. Saw Uncle Ralph, Aunt Ellen, Tammy & Steve with Crenshaw and Chase, Valerie & Dave – and Great Uncle Tom. Spent the night there and headed back to Burlington and saw Connie & Judy. (along with the fartin Santa).
Trip to Montana – 2006
It was a quick trip to Montana. Up on Friday – hooked up with my Brother and Nephew in Denver airport, flew the rest of the way to Billings Montana. What a packed weekend we had……Cayden adopted Tony – a friend of Uncle Neils who took us on a tour of the Coal mine, into the Dragline, the haulers, the loaders. All of that. Earlier in the day Uncle Neil got Doug & I a ride in Lee’s Piper Cub – Now that was great, boy we both missed flying.
Birthday
So it’s that time again, Feb. 2nd.
Mom called during my morning battle with the alarm clock, got to work and now mind you I normally keep the whole BDay thing on the DL. But someone (I suspect John) had conspired with cohorts to make up these flyers that were plastered freakin everywhere. (i took them down).
Christmas 2006 Pictures up
Sorry for the delay, but pictures of my trip to Maryland over Christmas 2005 are up. View Here
They are in the photo albums, family category – lower right in case the link does not work.
In addition, the pictures of El Paso Honda’s 2005 Christmas party are also up under category Other, lower left.