First Boots on the Ground

http://www.milartgl.com/HTML_3a/first-boots-on-the-ground.htm

7th Cav, LZ X-Ray, 1965.
This painting hangs in the Hagerstown VA Clinic next to the lab. Most of the veterans who are here with me this morning are of that era. Shown in the forefront are the battalion commander and command sergeant major moving to the command post immediately after arrival on the landing zone. In the background are the UH1D "Hueys" and rifle squads deploying. A few years later I served as the Air Mobility officer for an 101st Airborne Division infantry battalion, was responsible for organizing and controlling Pickup Zone operations and spent a considerable number of hours directly in tactical airlift operations.
Air Assault
Be sure to watch and read "We were Soldiers Once--and Young

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Were_Soldiers_Once%E2%80%A6_And_Young
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Mechanized Mount (CSA)

This old Harley Davidson has an historic plate personalized with "REBBOY" and the Confederate Battle Flag. I was reminded of one of the Sons of Confederate Veterans camps that recruit throughout Maryland for their commemorative rides. The front fender bears the Southern Cross with wreath and CSA that was made popular by the Daughters of the Confederacy in the 19th Century. I only have one criticism presently, the skull and the hat -- the skull seems to detract from an otherwise decent scheme. Besides, most Maryland Confederates would have worn a Kepi or a slouch hat with a flat brim rather than something that looks like it came from the set of Rawhide.
msc
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Mail Pouch Media

West of New Market--Along the Old National Pike
This is the first barn ad that I have seen in these parts. I remember in the 50's BI (before interstates) these painted barns with "Mail Pouch" tobacco ads were ubiquitous. With the advent of the interstates they were seen far less often. I believe this is the smallest barn on which I've seen this kind of ad. It doesn't seem quite PC these days to advertise tobacco, and it might just be a bit of good political commentary. The other ad one used to see heading south along old US 27 from Lexington was "See Rock City". I never did though
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_City
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Purging the Pipes

South and Market
Irene may have left some mark on Frederick with discolored water. I noticed it this morning in the bowl at home, and now the after the sun came I departed on an excursion and noticed in several places where the city water crews were purging the tainted waters. Look closely and you might note a slight discoloration. Fortunately, I used good old Kentucky spring water for my coffee this morning

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Sign of the Times

Borders. Going Out of Business

I walked through Borders today amongst so many bargain hunters. Everything at least 50 percent off retail. A victim of the E-Reader revolution that Amazon and B&N have dominated. More

http://money.msn.com/exchange-traded-fund/dispatch.aspx?post=8cef1cd2-3da3-4436-9b2d-cd0b1ea01fc7

msc
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Real Woody

Rosehill Mansion
My pick of the car show here today is this 1926 Chevrolet. The carriage is all wood, as is the bed of this little truck. It has a little four cylinder flathead. I suspect many of these did good duty for truck farming and bringing produce to market day by day. It is a great day for the show with a breeze and partly cloudy skies to keep things cool, and the ice cream was the real winner today. Many of the cars were from my day--1960's and were labeled "historic". Fitting.
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Grunge-Hot Rods

Middletown
Mid Maryland car show today. I have never seen the likes of this kind of hot rod, and there are four here. I don't know the actual show class, but they remind me of my son's "Grunge" Suzuki bike. They also remind me of that movie from years past where the world was controlled by gangs of Road Warriors (Mel Gibson).
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0082694/
msc

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Ferret Recon -- Real SUV

Middletown Car Show
The most unusual "car" of the show. A resident of the Maryland highlands acquired this demilitarized armored reconnaissance (scout) car for local use as a sports utility vehicle. It is registered in Maryland for street use. I wonder what the folks on base would think if I borrowed it for a commissary run. It would make a great deer tracker, but if the laws a like at home, one must dismount before shooting. It would be my choice for hunting rouge elephants and man-eaters. It is powered by a hefty RR gas engine. More:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret_armoured_car
msc
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Rose Hill Mansion from the Garden

Frederick
This is the back of the Rose Hill Mansion. I shot this from beneath a trellis in the garden. I love this old house. They have taken special care to paint out the various utility pipes and such and thereby reduce "clutter". This was the retirement home of Maryland first governor--who had given it to his daughter on the occasion of her marriage. I think it very well maintained by the city. I enjoy the events here and hope to return tomorrow for an old car show and ice-cream party.
msc
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Purple Pinnacles

Carroll Creek
I was struck by the contrast in color this morning in my walk to work when I noted these flowers which I have dubbed "Purple Pinnacles" that have lately bloomed along the bank. As I approached for this shot, I startled a brace of ducks resting nearby, who in turn startled me a bit (see one swimming away in the photo). I also must have gotten a bit too close to the blooms as I picked up a little allergic sneeze that plagued me this morning.
msc
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Smoke over the Waters

Scotland Virginia
These ferry pylons rise from the James amidst a noisome smoke that has settled over the Peninsula. Some-odd 5,500 acres have been scorched in the largest fire in the Great Dismal Swamp recorded history. Last night I observed private firefighter checking in to our hotel in Smithfield, and now I suspect the are here to fight the blaze. See more here
http://articles.dailypress.com/2011-08-12/news/dp-nws-great-dismal-fire-20110812_1_okefenokee-national-wildlife-refuge-dry-conditions-great-dismal-swamp-fire
msc
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Grey Goose

Hampton Virginia
My beloved suggested I make a photo for her of her favorite Virginia restaurant -- the Grey Goose. I chose their billboard on the sidewalk as most symbolic. See more at this link
http://www.greygooserestaurant.com/ordereze/default.aspx?flash=false

I timed my arrival for lunch and was delighted to find on the menu a salad with Virginia Country Ham and smoked turkey (Settler Salad) and of course a glass of iced, Southern, sweet tea. We first visited this room in 1985 or so and it has retained the same warm, friendly, and casual atmosphere that we always appreciated. The owner told me that the restaurant was 29 years old. Highly recommended. I hope to return again soon.
msc

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Dinner Art

"Food for Thought" -- Williamsburg
I sat next to our young acolyte of 7 years old. We colored on the butcher paper they had over the linen at our favorite area restaurant. Their theme here is great novels and associated trivia. I think I had my mind on Jane Austen's works, which I have been reading of late (currently Northanger Abbey) -- works which always feature a sizable English house of the period around 1700-1800s. I feel a bit like Catherine, the heroine of that book, who never mastered drawing, as she took to a more active life, and yet regretted from time to time her lacking in that skill. I named this fantastic abode after my dinner mate and friend, Sir Matthew.
Mark's Art
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Blooming Lights

Carroll Creek.
I found this pretty shot with a bit of evening sun back lighting along the bank of the creek. The results made an interesting view -- as the sun stuck two of the pedals directly in the center of the flower in such a manner to appear as though this particular flower had blooming lights that were glowing forth from within.
msc
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Rubbing Post

I believe this tree serves the local deer in this Frederick Park as a rubbing post. You can see the orange color near the base between one and four feet. I did not realize there were deer so close. This sits south of Key Parkway not far from Baughman's Lane. The bark on this tree is most interesting. It is in long thick curvy patterns. There is perhaps another different tree that is grafted in at the base as both the bark and the leaves appear different.
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Datum

At the corner of Patrick and Maxwell sits this very old marker with a metal spike protruding from its upper surface. The nice lady in the Vintage shop next to the marker paused to kindly explain a bit of its history. It served as a half-way point between Hagerstown and Baltimore (45 miles) and as a survey point. One could probably look at the old Pike map and determine its approximate original location. I can imagine if it had eyes we would have quite a history of the commerce and military movements that have passed by this old way point.
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Angelcakes

Everedy Square
I thought this treatment of an old concrete block building on Church Street to be quite well done. Step inside and one is to behold the daily specialty most attractively displayed and in an equally aesthetic customer area. One may observe the bakers working away in the preparation area in the rear. Well done Anglecakes.
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Slowriders

Shab Row
This weekend we are treated with a display of ancient Beetles and other bugs at the Slowriders VW
Club. This charming car puts me in mind of our first Beetle acquired in about 1981 (1972) that its original and previous owner had dubbed FudBug by its Texas plates. The kids loved it. It was of a baby blue with a metal sunroof. It was eventually replaced with BigBug, a Vanagan Camper (1983). Of late, my wife bought for me a red SuperBeetle (1984) when another car finally died. I ran it for all it was worth for three years and then passed it for a brief time to my son. The VWs are both a challenge and a joy to drive and one day I may again be a SlowRider.

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Momma Duck's Sabbath

This momma duck has taken a rest in a place out of reach of her chicks as she relaxes in the planter above "Carroll Creek Falls"
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