MORE NOSTALGIA

July 17, 1993

AN OLD SQUID'S NOSTALGIA

Some shots of Airwing Eight aircraft on the flights deck of USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) during her maiden cruise in the Mediterranean (1976-77).








The classic 1970s airwing: two squadrons each of F-4Js and A-7Es, one each of A-6Es, EA-6Bs, E-2Cs, RA-5Cs, SH-3Gs, and of course the beloved COD, first an E-1 and later an E-2. We also got an occasional visit by the monstrous Whale (EA-3), which was a sight to see, landing and taking off.

NIMITZ had just gotten reclassified as a CVN from CVAN so we still had primarily a strike airwing: no ASW capability worth a damn.

I always thought that the "Vigi" (RA-5C Vigilante) was about the most beautiful aircraft on deck: sleek, super-supersonic, with the first rectangular air intakes ever, that I know off.

Ah, a young man's first sea duty...

TILLY'S VISIT WAS PRETTY COOL!

And clean, of course.

LISA SCORES!

The first fruits of Lisa's labors, on display.

PECKING ORDER

Cheyenne had some very definite ideas about who belonged on the sofa and who on the floor...

SENTIMENTALITY

Had a 1969 Sunbeam Alpine GT from 1969 until 1977. It was comfortable, reliable, and got good gas mileage. Unfortunately, British workmanship at the time was not the best - the engine leaked oil from day one and I never could stop it.

Wonderful memories.

A HAPPY VISIT

Tilly, who will be one year old next weekend is here, visiting. (Oh, and her parents, too.)

...AND LISA'S LILIES ARE DOING WELL, TOO

The front yard is looking better by the day!

GRADUATION DAY!

Today, Aaron graduates from Luxford Elementary School, after six extraordinary years there. I cannot say enough good things about the teachers and staff at Luxford: dedicated, professional, willing to go the extra mile. This is a gift that will remain with Aaron for life.

This is where it all started, in 2003:



And this is where it ended, in 2009:

LISA'S TOMATOES AND SQUASHES

Lisa's little victory garden seems to be coming in right nicely! I keep hoping that the bugs and the rodents stay away long enough for her to enjoy the fruits of her labors.

CHEYENNE, IN THE OLDEN DAYS

Aaron's tireless protectress -- and ever-patient pillow and sufferer of baby hugs.

THE WIZARD OF OZ

Last night, Luxford Elementary School in Virginia Beach did an AWESOME Wizard of Oz. The kids outdid themselves, the staff prep was long, arduous, and worthy of Broadway.







Talk about professionalism!

WHA-AT?

My new in-sink garbage disposal came with an interesting tool. Very nice, very useful, I am sure, but could they not have come up with a less disquieting name?



I think I'll carefully walk this seemingly innocuous device to the garage, place it in a secure box that is stashed far away from the door to the house, and leave it there until it's really really REALLY needed - for something.

IN MEMORIAM, TO CHEYENNE

This was a wonderful dog, a true G-dsend to myself and the whole family. This sixty-pound package of long fur was an indispensable family member for twelve years: intelligent, gentle, sweet, well-behaved. She died last summer of very old age, but my heart still aches.

GOOD RECIPE FOR EYE OF ROUND ROAST

Pretty good recipe, from Cooks.com.

Ingredients:

Eye of round roast
Salt & pepper to taste
Kitchen Bouquet

Procedure:

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Trim fat off meat. Rub some Kitchen Bouquet in roast; completely cover until dark brown. Sprinkle with seasonings, as desired. Place on a rack in pan (line pan with aluminum foil). Bake at 500 degrees for 4 to 5 minutes per pound. Turn off oven. Do not open door for 1 1/2 hours. It will cook to a medium or to medium-rare.

Note: instead of rushing out to find Kitchen Bouquet, I just caramelized some brown sugar by boiling it in water until is was a gooey mass, and coated the meat with it. Results were delicious.

POWER-WASHING THE DRIVEWAY

It does wonders for the looks, but I created a river of mud that ran past a neighbor's lot before reaching a drain. Cleanup will be odious.

Also, it is stupid not to wear sturdy shoes, since the water jet cuts skin easily.

As my right foot found out, the hard way...