just helen

Ode To A Scorpion

Forget it.  I liked the sound of an ode, and not being well versed in such a formal poetic form of writing, I looked up how to write one and I can tell you right now that a formal Greek ode is not coming out of this sunburned, sun-baked brain tonight!  So let's just pretend that I know what I'm doing and we'll call it an ode in title only.

 
Ode To A Scorpion

Oh, great and frightening scorpion,

Wondrous and unique in thy creation!

Little did you suspect when you crawled up the leg of  that mysterious mortal

That you would travel on an odyssey to a faraway destination

That would become your home,

Your final resting place,

A mere shell of the predatory arthropod

That you once were,

That made us fear you so

Until the invading ants

Finished you off.

A sad demise

For something that glows

So beautifully in the dark.

 
This came home with Scott on a Scout trip.  It was about 4 inches long.  One morning we found a trail of ants leading to his cage.  All that was left was the outer skeletal remains.  We were all very sad about it's demise.  We aren't sure if it died and the ants were just cleaning up or if the ants killed it first, then ate it. 

It was an amazing creature to observe and we will miss it.

 

A Memorial Day Memory

 
I have been hurrying after a busy day to finish up my projects for my weekly Mini Monday installment.  I was looking for a picture when this folder caught my eye...a Memorial Day many years past.  Mini Monday will have to be postponed until Tuesday or Wednesday this week!  

Starting when my boys were in Cub Scouts, Scott would take Mike, Tom and other boys from the troop to the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, the Saturday morning before Memorial Day, to put flags at the graves of the veterans.  It has been a wonderful tradition and the boys take great care to treat the opportunity with reverence and the utmost respect.

 
The boys were instructed to take a bundle or two of the flags and carefully place the flag 12" away from the headstone, always making sure that the flag doesn't touch the ground.

 
I was also helping place the flags, when I caught a glimpse of the boys saluting the graves of the veterans.

 
It was a wonderful moment to catch these young boys showing a small token of respect honoring those that were prepared to give their all to secure the rights of their fellow citizens, even if the boys didn't completely understand how it applies to them in their youth.

 
These boys have grown and gotten jobs and been replaced by younger Scouts.  Scott took a new group there this year - it is really an amazing experience!  

I still remember these boys and it seems like yesterday that they were this size, this age, this cute.  When I close my eyes I can still picture them just like this...

 
and it makes my soul happy!   It is good to always remember.

The Eagle has Landed!

We worked on another Eagle project today.  This was for Sam R., and I would like to term this a "death-bed" project...Sam turns 18 tomorrow and has to have his book in by 2pm...or else!  We've been after him for a while, but then he decided to get it done and HE DID IT!  Maybe I should say after he gets his write-up done, it will be done.  Anyway, we're happy that he did it and that we can help.  It's fun to watch the boys working hard for each other...even if sometimes it's more like hardly working:)  But we had a good turn out and supported each other, but especially Sam.

Here are a few pictures that I took of the project!

The boys had to haul a lot of heavy materials down the hill, like bags of concrete and re-bar...

Sam was in charge, of course, but the boys know the drill.  We've done a bunch of Eagle projects over the last 3 years.

The day began with a little sugar, in the form of donuts.  These workers can work up a sweat, so lots of water is on hand.

 
Trenches were dug to hold the retaining wall boards.

Paige and Brother Clawson, hard at work.

Sparks were flying as Scott trimmed down the old supports.

Cameron was ready with the re-bar.

Mike with the tool and Cameron and little Sam watching how to do it.

Tom pounds the re-bar into place.

This is a really cool gazebo, but I don't know if everyone knows about it.  It needs some work...could be a candidate for a future Eagle project!  Maybe fix the top and add some benches...

Sam looking out over his project...posing for the camera, of course!

 
Tom was sad.  This was his favorite pair of work jeans!  They ripped worse, but we did what any Scout would do in the same situation...

Be prepared with a little duct tape.

The Sander's gang where working hard...

even Brother Sanders!

I don't think the path was part of the project, but we did it anyway and it looked great when it was done...even if only until a strong breeze added to the fallen leaves!

There were lots of dogs and their owners walking down the path, and their presence chased this squirrel up a tree.

Yes...I even worked!  I'm not only good for taking the pictures!

The posts were installed, ready for the cable to go between them...in the morning:)

Almost all the four food groups here...corn, dairy, spices...who needs protein?

The path, all smoothly raked out!  Good job, Sam!

It seems like there would never be an end to wheelbarrows full of dirt...but then there was a last, final load...DONE!  Max, Cameron and Michael K. bring the wheelbarrow back up the hill.

And now it's time to rest and go home.  It's fun working with these boys!  Lucky me!

The Boys are Back in Town...

Safe and sound!  Since I didn't go, I'll let the pictures tell the story.  There will be more photos to come, once they are downloaded/developed, but for now...this will have to suffice!

Hans, Sam D., Tom D., Steven and Jake.

Gabe, Daniel, Forrest,Warren, and Joseph.

Jerry, Tom and Nick on left, Sam R., Max and Mike on right.

Scott on left, Ernie and Thomas F. on right...plus another couple of strangers in the back:)  This is the really old guys raft!

Here we have Wesley, Ceasar, Gabe and Cyrus!

These photos are from Mountain & River Adventures.  There will be more to come from other attendees of the trip.

I think that it would have been totally "fair" if I would have been able to go off to CHA or some crafty retreat.  Instead, I got to face my own dangerous adventure...cleaning my workroom!  All parties survived. 

Along for the Ride

When I am involved with the Scouts, it is usually behind the scenes...prepping for projects, picking up supplies for camp-outs, sewing on merit badges or patches - that Mom kind of stuff.  The moms just don't go on most of the activities.  So when retired Sergeant Major Bill Paxton called to check on our up coming Eagle Court of Honor for Mike and Tom and invited the troop to a special performance of the US Marine Drum & Bugle Corps - families included - Scott jumped at the chance and he set the plans in motion.

 
Three cars full of family members and Scouts left the church about 1pm on Saturday, March 20th, 2010.  When we arrived at the MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San Diego, we got through the gate and then everyone had to pile out of their vehicles, open all their doors, hood, trunk and compartments while they were searched.

 
We were greeted by Sergeant Major Paxton, and guided to our reserved bleachers.  He spoke with the boys about the importance of being good Scouts and working to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.  He then introduce one of the few surviving men that was at Iwo Jima...I unfortunately have forgotten his name.  Scott spoke to the boys about the men and women in uniform and the importance of their service.  He pointed out men with Purple Hearts and talked about what was involved.  The Scouts were all attentive and courteous, very well-mannered.

The official name of the group is "The Commandant's Own", The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps.  The group was formed Nov. 4, 1934 - same name, different musicians, of course! 

 

Dressed in their ceremonial red and white uniforms, what they were was nothing short of amazing!  The music was brilliant, as was the shine of the instruments down to their black patent dress shoes. 

Their marching was precise...perfect!

 
After the musical program was over, they moved to the left of the field and we were treated to the next exhibition - the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.  These soldiers performed a highly disciplined drill routine, using 10.5 pound, M - 1 Garand rifles with the bayonets fixed.  The drill concluded with an inspection that demonstrated elaborate spins and tosses, and all without any verbal commands.

 

The program was concluded with the US Marine Corps Color Guard presenting the colors - the National Colors (US flag) and the Battle Color, which is the official Color of the USMC.  The Battle Color bears 54 streamers that US and foreign unit awards the Marine Corps has earned during its participation in all conflicts from the American Revolutionary War to today.  It was the first time I had ever seen this and it was very impressive.  The final musical number was the National Anthem.

After the applause died down, we went to the field to meet some of the performing soldiers.  It was nice to be able to chat with these modest, well-groomed and mannered men and women.  They were all very down to earth and gracious in the time spent talking to the Scouts.  They were handing out CD's of their performances and they got a few autographs.  Very cool!

After we left the field, we went to a reception at the MCRD museum.  There were some vintage weapons, along with lots of historical memorabilia.  The Scouts were all impressed.

We got to meet Major General Anthony L. Jackson, the Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations West at the reception.

I am grateful for the men and women of the Marine Corps and appreciate all their efforts to protect and serve.  It was a great way to spend the afternoon!