I was getting pretty stinky, so today the hoomins took me to the bath place. I like going there ’cause they are all nice to me except for when they get me wet. I hate water on the outside but it’s good to drink. After that, they take the buzzy thing and clip off some fur. Then they tie this pink bib on me and I don’t know what for. Oh well, the hoomins are back and now we’re going home so I can take a nap. Click on me for big.
One of our readers, Be-bop Bev, likes us to post pictures of “Bear,” our German Shepherd/Labrador mix companion. So, here goes . . .
Sometimes, Bear is so cute! I took this picture of her just after she had a “Frosty Paws” doggie ice cream treat. Notice the white chin fur. She is seemingly asking for another when she gets in your face just afterward. Click on the image to enlarge.
On this first Veterans Day after Verna’s Dad passed away, we would like to re-post this information about our favorite veteran . . .
Dad and Navy Patrol Squadron VP-26
It has been over sixty years since Verna’s Dad served in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at Gibraltar in 1948 where Navy Patrol Squadron 26 had a detachment at the time.
The Cold War was fully in progress, and Dad’s Squadron was right in the thick of it all. He was a flight crew member and flew missions on the Navy version of the old B24 – the PB4Y-2 ‘Privateer.’ He flew missions all over the Mediterranean, Europe, the North Atlantic Ocean and back to the US for logistics and repairs.
Image: PB4Y-2 similar to ones in Dad’s squadron.
I did the research on his old squadron and brought him a package of information and history about VP-26, complete with pictures and the squadron patch seen above. That triggered a lot of old memories and discussions with Bill about his adventures in VP-26.
This mission statement is taken from the VP-26 Website:
Patrol Squadron VP-26, a member of Patrol Wing FIVE, is a Maritime Patrol Squadron with a worldwide theater of operations. Mission areas include: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASU), Command and Control Warfare (C2W), Command, Control, and Communications (CCC), Intelligence (INT), Mine Warfare (MIW), and Mobility (MOB). Although the “TRIDENTS” are homeported at U.S. (Naval Air Station) NAS Brunswick, Maine, their reputation is known throughout the world. The Tridents have demonstrated success in all of these tasks and in all the services performed, one thing remains constant: Team Trident is at the ready, supporting the mission… Anytime… Anywhere!
I downloaded the history file that I found on the VP-26 website and have made it available here in case you want to read about Dad’s old squadron. Click here for the Complete VP-26 History (PDF).
Even though this is a close up of the red part of this tricolor potted kalanchoe, there is also a yellow and orange section. We picked it up last Friday and brought it to Mom’s house today.
According to Bachman’s floral gifts and garden website, the flowering Kalanchoe is known in England as Flaming Katy because when it is kept in bright sunlight, the leaves develop lots of red along the edges. Among the flowering Kalanchoes, the bloom colors include red, yellow, orange, white, lilac and pink.
Click on the image for a close-up.
When I’m in the family room and Bob is upstairs, Bear will station herself where she can keep an eye on me and watch the staircase – usually about halfway between me and the stairs. I shot this photo of her listening for Bob’s return to the family room.
Click the image to enlarge.
Verna and I were in Tombstone, AZ yesterday and today. While we were there, I was able to finally get Verna’s eleventh anniversary gift. According to the anniversary gemstone list, year eleven calls for turquoise. We found a little boutique near the O.K. Corral in town that had this bracelet, which nicely matches her earrings that I got for her at the same time. Click for bigger.
Happy belated anniversary, Baby. I love you.
