8 Feb., 2009 -- Why, oh why...

At the Jacksonville, Arkansas Community Center where the Flight Instructor clinic was going on, I wandered around outside to get some area pictures. There, on old tracks that disappeared into the sod, was this magnificent old caboose that had been nicely painted and restored.
I was really angered at the graffiti splattered all over it. The interior was trashed and painted with obscenities.


In Mtn. Grove, the old salvaged and restored caboose had to be fenced in because the same thing was happening, back in the 80's.

7 Feb., 2009 -- Oh, so exciting

Flight Instructor refresher clinic, two days in Little Rock,
(stay awake), still have tomorrow to go.

6 Feb., 2009 -- And then, Arkansas

Broken trees from last week's ice storm, between West Plains and Ash Flat.


We are in Jacksonville, just north of Little Rock.
Lloyd's renewing his CFI. I'm just along for the ride.

5 Feb., 2009 -- Bowling, and then...

Bowling right-handed again. That's better!


Then, this afternoon...

4 Feb., 2009 -- Airplane! Airplane!

Lynn and Ben practiced a few take-offs and landings just before sunset today.
It was cold, and still, and there was a great blue sky!

3 Feb., 2009 -- 6 months ago

Hey, I was so lazy today, I didn't need to go out in the 36 degree WIND, so I didn't.

Looked back six months to 3 Aug., and found Lake of the Ozarks (Val's down there somewhere).
I was returning from Iowa.
Look at all that GREEN, and the boats. I'll bet they weren't there today.

2 Feb., 2009 -- Groundhog Day, I saw my shadow

Six more weeks of winter, according to the old philosophy.
Ice chunks that slid off the roof during the night.



I graduated! No cap, just the elegant gown, to go with the elegant boots.
After the last radiation treatment I got to ring the bell.
Cuz Jody sent me a cowbell from Las Vegas, so I painted it up for the ceremony.
Thanks, Jody!

After a farewell visit from Dr. Nathan, the nurses gathered for a portrait.
Their graduation gift, a bar of chocolate!

1 Feb., 2009 -- Flying Ace tried to fly today

Lloyd and Ben worked their tractor magic (without LAD's help, doggone it). It did help that the temp got up to 63 degrees (this if February, right?) 63 degrees????? Feb. 1 ???????

So, Snoopy, Flying Ace... yeah, I can FLY... I can .... (click on picture to see Snoopy on ramp)

I can taxi to the runway... yeah, I can, I can taxi...




Well, back to the hangar, I can fly I can fly, yes I CAN ... tomorrow.


Last trip to Springfield for awhile. I've had lots of help.
Thanks, Snoopy! (and friends).



That's about as warm and cool with color that you can get.

31 Jan., 2009 -- Aaaach, Schtukkk

Fifty four degrees today, the snow melted on top of the layer of ice... I slowed down at the end of the driveway to see if anybody was coming down the road, and ... aaaach, schtukkk. What? Call for help... and open myself up to ridicule? Not on your life. Just bought the shovel yesterday! Should have bought snow tires, too.

Sun on the roof, drip drip...

Thwwummmp. Aaaach, buried!

Web camera and Skype, free calls to LAD! (& Randy & Fonda, too, of course).
Can we make it three-way and get Grant's bunch online at the same time?

Lad made some Pla-Do Meatballs, put them in the wagon. Where else would you keep your pink and purple and green meatballs.

30 Jan., 2009 -- More of the crew

The Ladies of the Basement. There really are a nice bunch!
Oh, and they aren't all ladies. Some of them are guys. They are nice, too.

Amanda hides when I show up.

Kay hides in her office.
There are no WINDOWS down here! Except these, that the techs use to spy on their victims.


Drove around Mtn. Grove this afternoon, looking for snow pictures.
All the snow piles around town are gray and dingy.
This is at the golf course, so white and clean, nobody tracking it up!
They could play with neon golf balls, couldn't they?