Hoosierbuck

Those are sweet pics. I know it was a photographer and all, but in the back of my mind I still heard, "Don't dry fire that bow penguin boy!" You have a lovely bride. I hope you two live happily ever after and have great memories when you are old and gray. HB

Nice wall! Indiana wives are pretty cool about that stuff, based on my house and yours. HB

Thanks, guys. I did do that 40 mile walk on my bday. It took me 11 1/2 hours and we did raise over the $2500 goal that I set at the beginning for the Wounded Warrior Project. They are a great charity and I wish you guys would check them out. Even if you can't/won't contribute, spread the word about their work. HB

Praise be to God! When it's beyond our grasp and we lay it in God's hands-that is when His strength is made perfect in our weakness. HB

That little radar monitor was probably just glad his pilots are the ones that would be meeting their maker, not him...

Lots of the Marines I know don't like to admit the ties to the Navy, and like your acronym, at least one has said, "We just used the squids for a ride to the fight!" I am just typing what I have heard-never been in the service so I have no particular allegiance to one branch, just the country they all serve. So...don't scream at me Navy guys. HB HB

I have had people come to the house before, and have been to people's houses before, but not inside on either count. HB

I appreciate the prayers, and to clarify: I was not asking for an individual accounting as to "why didn't you pony up?" More like, "hey, your link didn't work" or "I have never heard of WWP", by way of general issues with the whole deal. Thanks, HB

Well, tomorrow is the day. I am not sure why, (I would like to know if there is a specific reason), but nobody from this board has chosen to support this charity at this time. Whatever, I am not judging, just found it curious. Anyway, if you would please send up a prayer for good weather and tough feet tomorrow, I would be appreciative. The donations total is up over $2000, and within striking distance of my target. Thanks, HB

When it comes like that you just want to bury your wallet in the back yard to stop the bleeding. BTDT. Hope it gets better for you. HB

I love doing it, but I don't need it. I don't have a real fireplace or woodstove, just an outdoor firepit. I split wood for friends since I like it so much. Same with downing or cutting up trees. I just like doing it. Would really enjoy to heat my (cue dream sequence music) hunting cabin in Michigan with a wood stove. Since I don't have said cabin, I guess that is not so much an issue. HB

I would do a google search for a local gardening group or just find the best garden in your area and ask the owner for some advice. People generally love to share their expertise, and it seems like your particular area will present some rather unique challenges. Don't forget your local extension office and/or coop. Those places can be a wealth of information. Maybe even take a class at a local community college. I have RR ties, old ones, and have never had a problem. My garden is like 16' x 40' is all, though. I love my rototiller. I built a compost bin this year and am looking forward to fortifying my garden next year with it. We do about 4 types of tomatoes, jalapeno, chili, and green peppers, summer squash, zucchini, pumpkins (never again!), and cucumbers. Froze a bunch of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and made a bunch of pickles in addition to eating all we wanted. Fresh salsa is the bomb. I love my garden. HB

"Son, days like today, if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all." Don't know where dad got that, but it applies to your day sir. Good news is tomorrow is likely to be a darn sight better. HB

+1. I have only ever put one dog down, and it was not mine. A little stray "Benji" looking guy who got rolled by a van that never ever tapped the brakes. I did the .22 right behind the ear to end his suffering. When it came time to put my girl down, I hugged and cried and the vet did the deed. Call me MISTER sissy-pants. I can take it. I didn't have as hard of a time when I hit a pygmy goat one night. Put him down, but I felt bad for him that he got dumped out on a county road by some worthless human. HB

It does truly suck. The good news is it really is a learning experience. The bad news is you will never forget it, and it will always churn your guts. HB

Just a quick run to the next field, what could go wrong? That is a sad, sobering reminder to be careful hunting-and not just with your gun. I coulda bought it last week, but just ended up with 8 stitches in my face. Watch out clearing trails, downed trees are dicey. Condolences to the family and friends, you included, bud. HB

Welcome back, sir. Sorry to hear the Mrs. is not doing so well. Sounds like you were plenty busy up AK way. See you around! HB

No reply for you. HB

There are two theories as to how to go about understanding a woman...and they are both wrong. The biggest thing is to recognize the mountains from the mole hills, and at your age, TRUST ME, they are all molehills. They may look big to you, but that is because you don't have any mountains on the horizon to compare them to. She's not that into you? Bummer, I get that. Move on. HB

HB

There is an actual organization called the Wounded Warrior Project, which is separate from your commendable effort with the same name. WWP is a great charity. I am celebrating my 40th birthday by walking 40 miles and raising money for WWP on the 22nd. I am over half way to my goal of $2500. RT forums have been unusually quiet about the whole deal, though. Good form working on behalf of our troops, and good luck to you. HB

Wow. I mean, I know we were all green once, but it is so hard to watch. That's why I am glad I was on my own from day one...no one to recall my blunders or tape them and show them to the world! HB

They had several episodes on last night. One of them was the Air Force Parajumpers. They go through a several week period just to show that they have what it take to go through the 2 years of actual training to become a PJ. That's all they showed, the tough stuff at the front end, but that is where the PJ's make the cut, so to speak. They also had Recon Marines, combat divers and Ranger School on last night. Any body that makes it through any of those schools is BA, period. HB

9 Days and counting down! I am nine days away from my birthday, and the 40 mile walk I am tackling to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project! To those of you who have donated-Thank you! I am $40 short of half way to my goal of raising $2,500 for the brave men and women of our armed forces who have been wounded in combat. That means that there is still plenty of opportunity to join this effort, and make something good happen. Time is running short, though. Follow this link to get in the game now…and thank you for supporting our wounded warriors! http://wwpproudsupporter.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=308932&supid=289247829 I have a good trial run under my belt, and a game plan for making the walk and staying in one piece. Blisters and chafing, (and the whole 40 mile thing) are going to be the biggest hazards of the day. The weather is calling for temps in the low 70’s and hopefully no precipitation-but I will be out there regardless. Don’t forget that I would love to share a prayer with you at the Chapel of the Resurrection at the beginning of the day, or a pint with you at Kate O’Connor’s at the end of the trail on 9/22/10! If you would like to receive e-mail updates regarding my progress during my walk, drop me a line via e-mail and my lovely assistant (okay, my devoted wife!) will let you know how it’s going via amazing real-time technology! Thanks again for your support of the Wounded Warrior Project! Chris

Amen! HB