Our untenable position in Iraq

All I can say is "YOU NEED TO READ THIS"!
Here is a quote from a New York Times OpEd piece by seven soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division: "A few nights ago, for example, we witnessed the death of one American soldier and the critical wounding of two others when a lethal armor-piercing explosive was detonated between an Iraqi Army checkpoint and a police one. Local Iraqis readily testified to American investigators that Iraqi police and Army officers escorted the triggermen and helped plant the bomb."
Why are we continuing to stay in Iraq when it is obvious that we cannot solve the centuries old conflict between the Sunnis and the Shiites? Neither group wants us there any more, at least not as occupiers. The best idea I have heard so far is to come up with some kind of a Marshall plan like we did after World War 2, with all countries in the Middle East participating (monetarily and politically) in Iraq's recovery. I see our role as primarily a diplomatic one, and I would hope that our leadership has the political will to do what is best for the Iraqi people.

Steam powered Artificial Arm

Just read an interesting story about a new artificial arm that is being developed for the military and DARPA. It will lift and grip 30 lbs. or more and is powered by steam. The scientist who has invented it says "The amount of water involved is about the same as a person would normally sweat from their arm in a warm day," and the vapor is disposed of "in as natural a fashion as possible: by venting it through a porous cover, where it evaporates like natural perspiration". Here is the link to the article from the Register.

Upcoming fun events in my neck of the woods

This weekend (August 18 and 19th) is our Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. There will be free entertainment and all proceeds from the food concessions, silent auction, massages and dunk tank will benefit the Cancer Society in their quest for a cure and support services for cancer victims.

August 25th and 26th are Black Iron Days at Hartwick Pines State Park. Demonstrations of blacksmithing by more than 50 men and women, plus weavers, woodworkers, musicians and BASEBALL! Sounds like lots of fun!
Also, on the same weekend, Wellington Farm Park will be having their annual Tractor and Engine Show "that pays homage to the heart of the Farm".

Art Show

I recently entered some of my photos in an art show at our local library. I was really nervous, because I had never done anything like this before. However, they really liked them and have decided to make them a permanent display. If you want to have a look at them, go over to tabblo and look at "My Top Ten". The photos that I put in the show are the cat, the hibiscus blossom, the bumblebee on honeysuckle and also, "Misty Morning Fog". Oh, and give me some feedback!

Historical Artillery Competition at Camp Grayling

I created a tabblo of an historical artillery match that was held at Camp Grayling on July 28 and 29. Stop over and a have a look at it. Or better yet, come to Grayling next summer and enjoy the live action of historical artillery firing.

See my Tabblo>

FUN STUFF

My son Chip came to visit me the last 2 weeks in June and he took me flyfishing on the Au Sable river. We went in an Au Sable riverboat, which is unique to this area of Michigan. These are some pictures of our river trip and some photos of a bbq we had at our house the day before he and Jamie left to go home to Montana.

STUFF

Here is the promised update on the things that have been going on this summer. You've already seen the posts about the canoe marathon and the Au Sable River Festival. What I didn't tell you was that Ray was in the hospital at the time. Very early Thursday morning (2:15am), before the marathon, he had to go to the emergency room because he had severe abdominal pain. They told him it was constipation and sent him home with two bottles of magnesium citrate laxative. Well, it didn't work, so he called his regular doctor the next morning, and he told him to try a Fleet... Soon after that didn't work, the hospital called back and said that the Australian doctor that they had faxed his cat scan to had misread it, and that the local doctor that looked at it decided he had appendicitis. They told Ray that he needed to come back to the hospital right away. I left work around 10:15am to go to the hospital, and they finally operated on him about 5 hours later. Ray has Addison's disease, which complicates any health situation he has. He went into septic shock that night, and we almost lost him. He was in intensive care for a couple of days. He his doing fine now, but is still a little sore. He went back to work last Monday and tomorrow is his follow-up visit with the surgeon. We also found out that Ray's mom was ill, and have been dealing with that situation at the same time. She is also doing a lot better and we have high hopes that the worst of it is over with. Next post will be about the fun stuff that I did before the bad stuff happened.

Misty Morning Fog

Here is a photo I took one morning not to long ago when it was cool enough to be foggy. I used Picasa (a great free program from Google) to edit it. I highly recommend it!