kitty companiona

kitty companiona

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day trip to the Army Heritage Center

Today Brad was in his WW1 German uniform talking to visitors in front of the pillbox bunker at the Army Heritage Center in Carlisle, PA.  He loves this job!  Mostly when he works for them through the week he is entertaining school groups.  Today it was anyone who happened to follow the military history trail around the park.

I wasn't sure how many spectators he would get on a holiday so I decided he would at least have one.  ME!  I put on my comfy walking shoes and headed out.

These are the main buildings that house an extensive research library and archives and a museum with displays and interactive exhibits.


As you walk along the trail there are pieces of military equipment and representative structures from the French and Indian and colonial era up to the present.


The blockhouse and blacksmith shop were structures that were familiar in early American life.


The blacksmith is on duty.  Check the huge bellows that he uses to stoke the flames in the hearth to the proper temperature to heat the iron to the white-hot temperatures needed to bend it into shape.


A display of his hand forged wares.


A cannon and limber of the type that would have been used in the Civil War.  The limber behind the cannon held the artillery shells and the gun powder.


Off in the distance are the log huts that would have been used during a Civil War winter encampment.


Brad sitting on the entrance wall in front of the German pillbox.  The German army used these concrete fortifications in groups so that all the areas surrounding them could be covered by machine gun fire. 


The Viet Nam era, complete with helicopter and guard tower in the background.


20th Century artillery.  Not sure specifically which wars.


Indoor exhibits:




As it turned out, Brad had lots of interested listeners.  I was surprised at how may people were walking the trail and reading the exhibit signs.  I called him after he got home and said he had an enjoyable and busy day.  He didn't even have time between visitors to eat the lunch I had brought him.

Yesterday we had our family Memorial Day celebration with yard work and a cookout.  This past year we had too large trees taken down due to storm damage.  The brush was left in the yard because we are getting too old and lazy for heavy yard work.  The logs that were cut into lengths for the woodstove were also left out to 'cure', same reason as above.  And surprise!, grass is now a foot high in these places.  But aren't the poppies beautiful???



So now that I'm feeling better after losing weight I have some energy again and I can bend over.  Time to get to work on some of these h---holes. We hauled wood to the official woodpile and did weekeating in preparation for the lawn mower.  We also have a small run (ditch) that goes through our property and it has been growing thick with high grass.  Brad weedeated part of that.
Then it was time for a break and some clowning around before lunch.


We feasted on chicken kababs with pico de gallo and tortillas, cheddar cheese dogs, corn on the cob, and cheese stuffed grilled peppers, sweet and jalapeno.  Plus broccoli salad and a pasta salad with black beans and corn.  Even though all the food was healthy and Weight Watchers acceptable, I ate too much.  But it sure was good!


We had a great day!

Last Monday was my final trip to the wound clinic.  I have graduated.  Healed!
I can't believe that the gaping hole is filled in, covered by good new skin, and doesn't look bad except for some discoloration which I'm told will mostly go away in time.

Whoo-hoo!  I have a real leg again!


Now if I can just keep my klutzy self from doing any more damage to my body...

Thanks for stopping by!

7 comments:

  1. Entertaining post, Pat. Thanks for sharing! Brad sure looks like his dad.
    Glad to hear that you are all healed. I'm a klutz, too. I was turning off the hose while holding an umbrella reaching for the bucket full of water to put in the birdbath. Down I went, knocked the bucket over, got all wet and ruined about half of the little coleus plants I bought earlier today. Luckily only a little blood! I hope I don't do that again soon.
    Happy Memorial Day to you, Zip and all the furbabies.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Pat, Happy Memorial Day... I like that you went to support Brad and ended up being surprised of the turn out.
    It's interesting how the uniforms and equipment has changed over the years. Everything is so well displayed and the ground well groomed. It a good way to remember the price paid for freedom by the fallen soldiers.

    Your poppies are just beautiful. I lost mine in the big flood and I never replaced them...
    The grass has just gone wild here too with all the rain we got. It's hard to keep up with mowing with all the rain.

    The food looks very tempting, especially the corn on the cob for me.
    Congratulations on changing your lifestyle and getting the payoff of feeling energized. Keep up the good work. You should feel very proud to have accomplish you goal.

    Take care and keep warm. It's supposed to be cold tonight.
    Hugs,
    JB

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful post! Great for Brad, what an interesting job!
    Love your poppies!
    So gad you had a wonderful holiday!
    Thank God you are healed!
    Wow, just realized no fur babies in this post, must be a first for you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an interesting post ...Brad looks the part ...how wonderful to enjoy his job so much. What a feast ...but what are cheddar cheese dogs ??.
    The poppies are glorious ...I have a few yellow ones this year.
    So glad your leg is sorted ...take care xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Brad looks so official! I'm glad that folks were stopping by to learn some history. Those poppies are gorgeous! So glad that you are feeling better and that your leg has healed... what an ordeal that was!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Pat,
    I really enjoyed your post and so perfect for Memorial Day yesterday! Brad sure is a handsome fellow in uniform! Gosh he looks like he just stepped out of that era into this century!
    I am so glad your leg has healed and you are getting around so good now! Hope the kitties are doing well too!
    Have a great summer and post when you can!
    Big Hugs!!
    Cathy G

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love that photo with the poppies. Yes, I agree with Lauren - Brad looks like his Dad.
    I'm so glad your leg is better. That was a long time!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting!