Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haw!

News from Ft. Sill! PVT Marshall qualified with his service rifle as an Expert. This is no easy feat. Therefore, I guess he is in about week four. Back in my Army days, I could qualify Sharpshooter if the wind was right and my scorer liked beer. Now, the pistol, well that is a different story. Of course, now the scorer is a machine and they do not take bribes... L

On the medical front, I guess I failed the “wallet biopsy” and my heart zap was canceled. Now in typical military fashion, the night prior to the canceled procedure, I come out from work (at 1815) and have three messages on my machine. The Air force got the referral to Tricare, who got it to Doc Shah, and they wanted to proceed Tuesday (tomorrow). Had to opt out of that, Strawberri had already notified her boss that she could work, so more to follow. I am in no hurry to get the jumper cables hooked up again! Except of course…for the good dope!

Otherwise…not much else to report. A major thunderstorm knocked down nine power poles on Escalante near Kolb (about one mile from “Casa de Gringo Loco”) Funny, we did not lose our power. Our Cable / Internet were down most of the night…Go figure.

We will be attending the Graduation on 22 Aug 08. The last time I was at Ft. Sill was as a PVT in 1978. I will report any major changes! In case you are wondering, the photo is a M-109-A6 Self Propelled Howitzer. When I was a young Soldier I was assigned to the 1st BN 3rd FA and we had this guns Grand-daddy, the M-109-A1 .

Till next time!

Arch & Crew

Update on Robber

Robert's long awaited letter has finally arrived. His address is as follows:

PVT Marshall, Robert
5001 NE Rothwell St
Unit F-3
Ft. Sill OK, 73503-8019

http://sill-www.army.mil/434/bct%20main.htm

Robert requests that you write the number "3" on the back of the letter and to circle it. I asked if he took an apartment, however it looks like the post office wants a physical rather than a unit address.

So far so good. He thinks his Drill Sergeant is an A$$-Hole which means that some things remain the same. Had he said that the Drill was a kindly, understanding gent, then I would worry. Best of luck to our newest Soldier Trainee!

4th of July looms. Lots of stray dogs out and about tomorrow night. The explosions scare them. Arizona outlawed fireworks years ago, yet every 4th and New Years it sounds like Baghdad out there. All you gotta do is drive 150 miles to the New Mexico state line to score. On the other hand, if you are gutsy, you can cop in Nogales, but you gotta clear customs and all that entails.

No change health wise. Get a jump-start on 15 July...only good thing about that is the narcotics! Am still medically dry so I gotta get my "buzz on" somehow.

Gotta rock, write Robber a short letter, and participate in my poll...Last poll winner was Mary-Ann...matter of fact, she got both votes.......

Till next time,

Arch & Crew

Yeaaaaaaaaaaay!

Same players, different day!

Gotta love it, the three digit days are back... 107 yesterday. Kinda reminds me of Kuwait. The white whale has been spotted at North side Pool. That is a joke in its own sense. North side Pool was built in the 1930's by the WPA and named on its location in the city. Tucson has grown and sprawled out so much that “North side Pool” is probably better described as mid-town at best. For the record, its in Himmel Park. Back in the early 70's Himmel Park was famous (or infamous) for Hippy Hill...AKA the Tucson Drug Supermarket. A few years back, the pool was totally refurbished. Gone are the high dive that probably contributed to my fear of heights. The “Hippy Skum” have dwindled down to a hard-core cadre of homeless bums who moved towards the Downtown area. I will say, anybody who wants to be homeless in Arizona is either tough or stone cold crazy.

No news on Pvt Marshall yet. (Robber) I am surprised that the gentlemen in the Smokey bear hats did not make them write home on day 1. I guess its a new Army. These lucky troops now do not have to shine boots. Damn, I remember sneaking my boots on Fire-Guard to try to meet Drill Sergeant Monroe's high standards of boot shine. Guess I was in the “Black Boot Army.” Things have gone full circle. The old NCO's, when I was a pup, used speak fondly of the “Brown Boot Army” and that we were all candied asses. I am sure the “lifers” training Robber are the pups that Guys like SFC Miller and I raised.

Well, till next time:

Arch & Crew

Update!

Robber Reports!

My nephew, Robert, reported Monday to Ft. Sill, OK, to begin BCT, (Basic Combat Training) June, July and August are not ideal months for such endeavors. Of course , as Soldiering is an outdoor sport, no weather is ideal. Ft. Sill is the home of the Field Artillery, and as such has a lot of tradition and pride. Robber will do well! I will post any updates about this young Soldier as they arrive!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Went to the sawbones yesterday.. Gonna do another "jump-start" last week of July. In the mean time, I will be using a drug called Amiodarone to increase the odds that the zap will work........more to follow.

Racing Update

Strawberri had a really good night on Monday! She picked the first half of the Twin Trifecta, and a regular Trifecta in the next race. She is really starting to get it.

Take it Over, the puppy extraordinaire, won the $20,000.00 Jacksonville Puppy Stakes. The race was a nail biter, and Take it Over proved his mettle. Check the link, Take it Over is wearing the "3" Blanket.

http://www.jaxkennel.com/high/607200811e.wmv

Ocean Beach

Well, we have returned. Our latest visit to the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia was a success. On Tuesday the 3rd we watched the Chicago Cubs destroy the Padres. We took the train in from Old Town. Given the parking prices, the train makes sense. In fact, we do not rent an auto anymore, just taxi in from the Airport and buy a multi- day pass on the local transit.

http://www.sdcommute.com/eStore/DT/Default.aspx

Another reason we do not get wheels, is the abundant and varied fare available in OB (Ocean Beach) restaurants. Within an easy walk, you can find Italian, Mexican, German, Kalforniese, Fish, Chinese and Establishment, otherwise uncategorized. Our real reason for this vacation spot is in addition to the food, the village has an easy 20 bars within staggering distance. Now that I am medically sober (drat), I just come for the salt air and of course the food. Strawberri was able to imbibe an adult beverage or two, and the water was too cold, even for the White Whale...

My nephew, Robert, has enlisted in the Army. He leaves for basic on Sunday. Going to Ft. Sill, OK, a place I know well. More to follow on the adventures of Robber!

Arch & Crew

Memorial Day, 2008

Today is the day we gather and roast wieners, quaff beers and re-hash the Indy 500. This year, with gasoline prices at record levels, many of us are opting not to travel. I do have a suggestion. Visit a cemetery. Odds are that a local patriotic group has placed flags on the graves of known veterans. The number of flags always amazes me. Many of our friends, family and neighbors served this great Nation of ours in both peace and war. To these folks we all owe a non-repayable debt. Remember the fallen, and thank a living vet. A simple “Thank you" will do more than you might think. We all have our differences about current events, however lets keep the troops and vets out of it. We served Commanders in Chief of both parties. Have a safe and Happy Holiday!

Arch & Crew

Medical Update

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Went to the Saw-bones today. Can't say it was a clean bill of health; however I am holding my own. Tweaked my meds a bit, and still medically dry. Going to Ocean Beach dry will be an experience....but on the bright side, I will remember it. In June, I will visit my favorite Cardiologist and we will schedule another attempt at the jump start. I do look forward to that, as he does give me good narcotics and I will be high for a week. Yeaay! Gotta love military medicine...or....at least the bill.
Till
Next
Time

Arch & Crew

Orange Park Puppy Stakes!

One of the pups I follow is back in action after a month's rest. Take it Over is a promising youngster with cyclonic early speed. Below is a clip from the Jax homepage:

Where else do you want to start off than with the super pup Take It Over (Get Over – Cm Lil Bit). No greyhound in recent memory has looked more impressive breaking in, and once in front they aren’t going to get to him. He has blazing speed and has flirted with the track record on several occasions. With 15 wins in 19 races he has to be considered a threat to win the whole thing, especially when running against mixed grade fields early on. With a month rest time between starts, he should be rested and ready to go for the start of this stakes.

The bad news about super dogs is they don't pay. I do like to pick a winner!

Till next time

Arch & Crew

Something for the bellie

Anybody who served in the Military has enjoyed (or hated) SOS. Just for the hell of it, here is the recipe. This has been shrunken down from the 100 troop recipe card into a workable formula that my family and I enjoy!

This recipe is for 4 servings.
You will need:

• a large frying pan or Dutch oven.
• 1 pound lean ground beef ( in the field you can use 1 lb. "B" ration beef)
• 1/4 cup finely diced onion ( or equivalent of onion powder)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 3 cups milk (in the field you can use re-constituted dry milk)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Fry the beef until no longer pink. Drain fat.
Add the onion and cook until onion is done, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the flour , salt and pepper. mix well,
and cook until the flour is absorbed. Stir in the milk.
Heat to a simmer, stirring frequently. Cook until thickened.
Serve over toast for classic S.O.S.
You may also serve over potatoes, eggs, Chinese noodles or biscuits.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay Day!

One of the Dogs we follow had another outstanding night. Coldwater Torres ran the 550 in Phoenix at time of 30.56.......Warp Speed!!! Expect no less, his Daddy is WW Time Warp. This was Torres's 6 win in a row and his 80th career win . Needless to say, he did not pay much.

Phoenix 2008-05-16 Evening Race: 14 AA - 550

EXOTICS:
$2 EXACTA 4/8 paid $34.00
$2 QUINELLA 4/8 paid $34.60
$2 TRIFECTA 4/8/7 paid $147.00
$2 SUPERFECTA 4/8/7/1 paid $596.60

http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1213515

Till next time....Arch & Crew

Link to old blog...........

Started fresh....here is a link to my old blog, some good flicks and such!

http://coldwaterhenry.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Arch’s new blog!!!

Welcome to Arch’s new blog. I have been out of the net for a while due to my worsening medical condition. No more self pity, its time to communicate and say Yeaaaay to everybody.

Jesse is attending Pima College with the intent of obtaining a degree in Education. He wants to teach. Currently he is living at home and working two jobs in addition to attending classes. He is a swing shift Security Guard with the Securitas Firm and also works at a “gaming” store called “Nemesis”

Berri is still working at the Veterans Administration Hospital. She is still serving in the Army IRR (Individual Ready Reserve), and still drawing her annual bonus from the Army. Berri is a member in good standing with Toastmasters international. This organization has really helped her overcome her shyness. Her chapter meets at 0500 on Wednesdays at the VA.

Greyhound Racing
I am still a dog addict. We have a string of dogs we follow, mostly at Jacksonville FL, although we do follow a few in Tucson and Phoenix. With off-track betting just a mile away and the outstanding website at track data we can stay in touch with any track we choose.

Tonight one of my babies ran a super race! Her name is M.W.’s Starbright and she is a little (55lb) lady who has late speed. The link will take you to her last race; she is wearing the #2 blanket. Click the video replay link at the bottom of the results page.
http://www.jaxkennel.com/vasp.asp?date=5/14/2008&per=E&race=14

We are planning a trip to The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia the first week in June; although since I am dry, it will be simply for some salt water and air therapy. We do have tickets to see the Padres host the Cubs, so Strawberri will be happy!

Till next time!

Arch