1204 and counting?

I'm down to one reader, or maybe just two,
and if you read this, one of them's you.
Why don't I just email, or send you a post,
since you're the one's who matter the most?

There ain't too much happening in my small brain,
but I don't have a head ache or too much other pain;
I'll go for a walk a bit later on,
then go get Hollie, and we'll carry on.

So send me a comment, I know who you are,
I'd just come and visit, but I don't travel far.
Most things pass on, this blog may be one,
'cause there ain't no more readers under the sun.

Joseph Kittenger - record holder

Joseph William Kittenger
www.wikipedia.org photo

  Mr. Kittenger may well be an "unknown hero".  He was born in Tampa, Florida in 1928, was a decorated pilot in the United States Air Force.  He was shot down over North Vietnam and was a POW for a period of time.  He was a test pilot, and he was a terrific human experiment.  He was a World Record Holder.  He did things most of us wouldn't think of.
  On September 14, 1984 he started a 4 day journey across the Atlantic in a gas balloon, and landed on September 18 in Europe.  A gas balloon is one that is filled with a gas that is lighter than air, like helium.  But it was before this that his first heroic record was made.
  As a very large part of Project Excelsior he was assigned to a group at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.  Most of his assignments we might consider benign, but he set two records for high altitude parachute jumps, or bailouts.  The first jump was on November 16, 1959, he jumped from a gas balloon at an altitude of 76,400 feet above the earth.  An equipment malfunction caused him to pass out, he was in a 'flat spin' and in g-forces greater than 22 times the force of gravity; spinning towards the ground he regained control and landed safely.  On December 11, 1959 he jumped again this time from 74,700 feet, safely with incident.
  On August 16, 1960 he set the real record, on that stood until just a few months ago, he jumped from 102,800 feet (nearly 19.5 miles) and traveled toward the earth at 614 miles per hour, and until earlier this year the highest altitude parachute jump ever.  He received his second Distinguished Flying Cross and was awarded the Harmon Thophy from President Eisenhower.

A long way down, 102,800 feet above the ground.
www.wikipedia.org photo

1202 is a big number

I didn't do my homework!  I have nothing, of substance, to write about.  Soooooo I thought I'd show you all some of the Projects I've done in the past.  It won't be too painful.

An "unusual Ford"

This Ford tractor is yellow because it's a Road Tractor and was sold to a state highway department, I have learned that several hundred of these were sold.

Old Red

This one, probably a Farmall, was retired, it was a good project IF I had used darker coloring.  My old art teacher in night school always told me my stuff was too pastel.  He suggested I illustrate childrens books.  Maybe I'll write one and illustrate it.

Well that's it.  I will be more diligent today and find a "real story".

Happy Birthday!

Mesa Arch at sunrise in Canyonlands National Park - Click to enlarge
www.wikipedia.org

  A note to start:  Please click and enlarge the photos to fully enjoy these magnificent views, the bigger the better.

  September 12, 1964 was the date of birth for Canyonlands National Park.  It's located near Moab, Utah and encompasses a lot in its 357,000 plus acres.
  The Green River and Colorado River have carved deep into the Colorado Plateau to leave what from the air must appear to be a maze.  The canyons are but one part of this wonderful place.
  There are areas with some greenery but here in this country they are sparse and few.
  About half a million visitors come each year to see the wonders or hike and camp, I think I'd wear sturdy boots out here but I'm a sissy.
  Enlarge the photos and enjoy.
This is entry 1201, sometimes that feels like a long time, others not so much.

The Maze, canyons and plateaus aplenty.  www.wikipedia.org

Windgate, Canyonlands NP.  www.wikipedia.org

More photos and information available at www.wikipedia.org look for Canyonlands National Park.

Have a seat

In front of the barn

  My wife took some photos of a local farm a couple of weeks ago.  I cropped one photo to get what is shown above.  Then I decided to paint a picture based on the photo.  It took a couple of weeks, because I was lazy, and finally finished it yesterday.

Whatdaya think?
 

You can click and enlarge the pictures to judge the differences, it's okay.
  I am currently working on a cartoon character and some "funnies" to use it with, learning to draw a cartoon figure isn't as easy as I thought.  I will be sharing some of the work here on the blog.

Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade

Autocar Company made the "car", this model shows the second kind of guns used. www.media.photobucket.com photo

September 9, 1914:  The Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade was formed as a part of the British Army in World War One.  It was also called Brutinel's Brigade, Canadian Lt. General Brutinel was the founder of the Brigade.  It is important to note that this was the first motorized weaponry and the predecessor of the "tank".
  The Autocar Company of Ardmore, Pennsylvania manufactured the machines, there were eight, plus two automobiles of general staff, the original armament were two Colt Model 1914 Machine Guns, also known as potato diggers. (photo below).
  In addition to the large vehicles there were also 300 motorcycles armed with mortars in this, the very first mechanized brigade.

Two of these Colt Model 1914 guns were mounted. www.wikipedia.org photo

Levant Old Home Days

The Marine Corps League leads the way - click to enlarge

  Yesterday was the parade for Levant Old Home Days, it's a very good parade for a small town like Levant.
  The Town has been organized since 1802 and at that time was the only place with "regular" houses between Bangor and the Kennebec River, and that's quite a distance 40 miles maybe.  It has it little quirks in history.
  An interesting bit is that Levant was the place where the last "tar and feathering" was done in Maine when a religious leader of a sect from Durham Maine was the subject.  Interesting that my wife lived in Durham while in high school.  Durham is way south of here maybe 140 miles or so.

The newest piece of equipment, Levant FD is well manned, one full time, and equipped.
They are known for doing a great job.

This 1951 Ford Convertible was my second most favorite.
The camera batteries went dead just before
the 1937 Chevrolet Pickup got here. :(

Photos by Linda Grant.  If you look behind the Ford you'll see the development where we live.