Pomp, Circumstance and a Show of Force

Maria's graduation from basic combat training was a stirring tribute to 650 new soldiers. We shook hands with America's volunteer Army, a most impressive group.

Choice opposed to induction has resulted in an Army of intelligent, engaged, physically fit soldiers from diverse ethnic backgrounds and geographical locations. Eighteen-year olds were predominate however age spanned to forty years.

On family day we awaited our soldiers in a stadium facing the sun. The program was delayed one hour giving testament that the old Army adage of "hurry up and wait" hasn't changed. About ten minutes prior to the ceremony the audience began buzzing. Six hundred fifty soldiers had been camouflaged in a tree line during the entire wait time. Smoke bombs flashed as they charged the field, ending in formation. Quite a dramatic show of force.

They can march in precision as we witnessed the next day.

The Army has become much more health conscious, no nicotine, no alcohol, no caffeine, no junk food. Maria celebrated mastery of ten grueling weeks by indulging in decaf coffee and a bag of potato chips.

Maria is buff, excited about her medical training and has made a wealth of new friends. We're proud of her seven minute twenty-three second miles which was better than her drill sergeant. Also can't resist boasting on her captain's taking the time to stop by our dinner table to compliment Maria's intelligence and self motivation.

All in all, I'm most impressed with Maria's ability to change her disdain of youthful follies displayed by eighteen year olds to acceptance of their capabilities (yes, her platoon did screw up so much that they received phone privileges only twice--a total of forty minutes--in ten weeks).

Yes, we did overhear a few parents profusely thanking drill sergeants for shaping up their kid.

Spending two days immersed in civility was amazing. "Sir and Maam" prefaced all speech. No one pushed, shoved or cut off in line. There was none of the "ME" attitude on display.

As we awaited our flight home from Charlotte, North Carolina, we were pleasantly surprised by U.S.Airway's tribute to soldiers by boarding them before first class among a spontaneous round of applause. Maria reported that soldiers received the same recognition on her Delta flight as they were given priority to deplane upon arrival in San Antonio. Thankfully the American public has matured since our disgraceful era of spitting on and cursing of soldiers.

Graduation was euphoric tempered for parents by the reality that some will make the ultimate sacrifice.

FROM THE KNOTHOLE: I left my knothole long enough to go to Fort Jackson, S.C. The primary mission of the post is Basic Combat Training. I retired from the U.S. Army, so I am not unaccustomed to the military milieu. Nonetheless, I was overwhelmed at the superior quality of the training, leadership, and personnel that I encountered during my visit to Fort Jackson.

a parting shot from bbman: I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American soldier. the last two lines of the soldier's creed.

Grout to Cheesecake--Catch Up Week at Badboulder

This week has been devoted to tying up loose ends and there have been plenty of those.

We made a Prescott run to Lowe's for more building supplies and needed to stock up on ingredients for library fundraiser treats. Those shopping trips always take a lion's share of the week--a day to locate the items, load the heavy ones, and moan over the speciality screws that weren't stocked. Then, it takes a half/day to carry the heavy building materials up the hill.

Bringing home the bacon in one hundred degree temperatures for forty miles requires juggling coolers, ice and polar packs. Can't imagine doing this riding on a burro's back or sitting in the comfort of the old chuck wagon!

Actually the White Spar portion of Highway 89 is one of America's ten most scenic drives and it is indeed spectacular. Because we load our old Chevy wagon to the max, we drive slowly and pull off the curvy road to let traffic pass on this sparsely traveled road. Sip coffee, listen to classic country and admire the beauty of the mountains--one quickly forgets the tediousness of supply shopping.

Grouting was the task of the week for me. Grouting was the finishing touch that brought tile, pebbles, mirror, and stained glass to a completed state in our master bath. The peacock mosaics are done! The back-splash wall of the bathtub surround is done! Catching up is so rewarding.

Thanks to Ghiradelli chocolate company the brownies have been baked. The amaretto cheesecake is cooling. I'm ready for Yarnell Library's fundraiser. I am excited about the cheesecake. Usually I bake a cheesecake in a pie plate however retirement provides the luxury of time and I baked this one in a deep spring form pan. I'm just a bit apprehensive about popping the sides off the pan.

A few spare moments was devoted to iris beds and fall cleanup that provides a bit of wildfire protection.

To top off the week, I managed to harvest the biggest prickly pear fruit we've seen here at Badboulder. I transplanted this particular cactus years ago, it has benefited from irrigation of nearby shrubs and escaped the marauding javalinas. The stately cactus rewarded us with four quarts of prickly pear/jalapeno syrup.

A catch up week that welcomed October, provided tasty food from Badboulder's land, saw the bathroom headed toward completion, and assisted our community hub-- the library-- was a DIYer's dream.

FROM THE KNOTHOLE: Well, here I am again, snug in my little knothole, but with an ever watchful eye on Badboulderlady. Do you remember "Come Saturday Morning" by the Sandpipers, sometime in the '60's? I think that is Badboulderlady this morning , free as a butterfly, out with her friends, doing what she wants, having a good time, just being alive. But, earlier in the week, we were as busy as beavers. We took the white beast, otherwise known as the Home Depot wagon, through the mountains along U.S. Hwy 89 to Prescott to round up some supplies. The white beast came from the Yavapai College motor pool where it hauled students and professors, but is now reincarnated into a new life of hauling studs and vittles. Now the canning cactus jelly, grouting tiles and pebbles, digging iris, baking goodies for the library, and running a digital treasure hunt to raise money for the local library will have to come to a halt. We are headed to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to attend the graduation of our daughter from Basic Combat Training in the U.S. Army. From there our daughter will go on to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, for further training.

a parting shot from bbman: i'd walk a mile for a mild , mild camel. viceroy, with the health tip. wiston tastes good, like a cigarette should. chesterfield king, the king that has everything. early tobacco ads.