14 Oct., 2008 - Challenge from Jan

Spent the day lab-hopping in Springfield today. Jan set up a challenge, so look out! That's me, uh-huh, yep... You'll be sorry, Jan.

After dense fog this morning, it sprinkled this afternoon on the way home.

Zinnias have made a comeback, but the dahlias have withered in the cool nights. No frost yet, but it will come soon, as Oct. 15 is the average date, I think.

Oops, yesterday I didn't have all the facts. Here's the rest of Scott's story:

"One minor correction -- I deployed to Vietnam 4 times. From 1967 thru 1973 I spent at
least 3 months of every year in the combat zone. At least we got a tax break. Officers
got the first $500 each month tax free. Though it seemed like I was gone a lot in those
days, I think the soldiers and marines today are paying a far greater cost for our country
in Iraq. My deployments were 6 months (cut short by an unscheduled night landing in the
Gulf of Tonkin), 7 months (cut short by an unscheduled blowout of a disc in my back and
surgery), 11 months in country with the Army (I volunteered while on "shore duty"
as it was only scheduled to last 6 weeks to develop a new weapons system -- NEVER
VOLUNTEER), and 8 months as we fired the last shots at the official end of the war in Feb
1973 and then into Hanoi and Hai Phong harbor to do mine sweeping as a condition to
getting our POWs out -- (McCain, I accept your thank you)."