Patriots? Eagles? Why not BOTH?
Dec 6, 2015 - New England Patriots line up against the Philadelphia Eagles. Image provided by Stew Milne, USA TODAY SportsWhen I was growing up, the prevailing opinion was "either you're a winner or you're a loser". That was how the world was divided. Winners get the opportunity to be on the Wheaties(TM) box. My first "sports heroes" were all on that Big G cereal box. Never mind that Wheaties tasted like the cardboard it... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-12-28
Be A Part of Someone's Personal Scouting History - BUT...
Shutterstock image purchased by Mike WaltonI became a Cub Scout, and therefore a member of the Boy Scouts of America, via a flyer stuffed in our postal mailbox in Germany in 1967. The flyer simply informed the holder that Cub Scouts -- Pack 63, sponsored by the American Legion Post 63 -- was available in Ludwigsburg, Germany -- and that I should join! Most importantly for ME, the Pack's meeting place was right across the... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-12-21
Daydreaming
Admit it: you, like several million other Americans and me, are sometimes daydreaming about winning the lottery game of chance, with its potential first-place winnings of.... 1 BILLION DOLLARS! (you have to say...or think several million other Americans and me ONE (pause) BILLION (pause) DOLLARS! )That's an awful large amount of money. So let's put this into context. No, I am not going to tell you that your or my chances of winning this large... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-12-14
Did we learn anything new?
MORNING JOE l Photo by Anthony J. Scutro My television set is NOT broke on the Cable News Network (CNN) 24/7. Other networks -- ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS -- all have fine public affairs and journalistic review shows (what I refer to collectively as "talking heads" shows), and I watch them as often as I do the "Network of Record," the "Best network in the Universe -- CNN." My Sundays are spent in... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-12-07
SCOUTMASTER'S (Mentor's) CONFERENCE
BSA Image used under fair usage guidelines I guess it is the time of year in which good-intentioned parents desire to question each and everything and process that goes on within Scouting. Personally, I have no problem with this -- it shows their interest in the program, and I hope the outcomes they desire for their son.I have been on the road for the better part of three weeks and have not had a chance... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-30
Fire and Scouting
Stock photo from Photobucket I have an officemate, several years older than me. Jere Matty is a retired Air Force pilot, engineer, and currently the "one eaches" of our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (or STEM) lab and center at Arnold Air Force Base. Since both are interested in the same things -- getting young people to explore opportunities here at Arnold -- we frequently exchange notes, resources, and information.After all, that's what officemates... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-23
Black Friday
Kohl's Black Friday Ad Scan (Kohl's Department Stores) So I was sitting at my favorite Chinese food place, waiting for them to prepare my Kung Po Chicken add Beef, Eggrolls, and Pork fried rice. This woman comes in and asks for her order, and Ming (the young lady at the counter...I'm a regular...) told her it'd be a few minutes. The lady goes over and sits at a table opposite where I plopped myself... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-19
Where are the Adults?
Boy Scouts of America image used under Fair Usage guidelines I got a whipping for wanting to be a Cub Scout. I got a whipping later because I know that I did something right, but to my mother, I disobeyed her. I stood there, repeating the Scout Law to myself as my mother hit me with my father's Army web belt over and over, intoning that "I won't lie to my parents." It was the... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-16
Red Arrow
Image by Mike Walton circa 1985 Ken Spiegel wrote:My lodge went back to having ordeal members make their own arrows. Personally, I like the idea of them bring home the arrow as a remembrance.As long as our new Ordeal members don't hack off their fingers nor bows to the Vigil Honor members, Ken...(The following was extracted from "Patches and Pins" (or "The Quest for the Silver Beaver...."), by Mike Walton (c) 1988)Red ArrowsThe Order of... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-09
Insert name of City/community
NBC/WMAR Photo used under fair usage guidelines This is not about a particular city -- this week we're talking Baltimore. Last week we were talking about some other city, and the week before, we were talking about yet another city.We need to understand that this kind of behavior can be found in every medium to large-sized city or community in the United States. Yeah, including Mayberry. Old Deputy Barney Fife (played masterfully by Don Knotts)... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-02