Happy October Oneth
We have a rare sunny day today. This was the view from the deck at the Beluga Lake Lodge this morning. Here’s the same view from the road with my old phone and the sun at my back four years …
Author: Troy
So far I've reached acceptable proficiency at the following, in chronological order: Silversmith, infantryman/door gunner, helicopter pilot, fireman, carpenter, residential contractor, FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist and crotchety old retired guy. Currently, I'm learning to fly again and that is what this is all about.
7/7/2020 edit:
As I have had the opportunity to reflect (old people do that a lot) on my actual proficiency level at the above occupations, I feel adjustments are in order. The term "acceptable" depends on the observer, their own proficiency and experience level. Acceptable to me might be woefully deficient to the master.
I think it would be more accurate to claim that I have earned a living wage at all of these occupations but never got rich. Actually, I feel that I have gotten rich at the last one. I have what I need and am profoundly grateful for all of it. The future looks bright indeed, as I have learned to fly again. For that I have all of you to thank.
Thank You!
COVR
Many of you have heard me speak of the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch. I met the founder, Alison, when I moved to Redmond,OR in 2012. At that time she was dreaming about setting up a working ranch which would also …
Earl Update
Yes, another dog posting. Gonna be that way for a while yet. We are still bonding and that will probably continue for a while yet, say another couple of years. Earl went fishing for the first time. Bill wanted to …
Earl Update
My life is definitely going to change, for the better. I may have already said that but it is really sinking in. Turns out that Earl was in a training program at Western Correctional in Cumberland MD. He would …
Meet Earl
I’m writing from America’s VetDogs in Smithtown, NY. This is day two of two weeks of training (for me, not so much the dog) and then the two of us will return to Alaska for a new life together. I’ll …
Finally, Spring
First, I must apologize for the long hiatus. Rehab is coming along nicely and I hope to be able to fish by the end of July. Spring lasts for a very short time here. We transition from winter white to …
Service Dog Update
I got an email today informing me that my application for a PTSD service dog has been accepted. Now begins the two year wait for the actual day we meet. There will be continuing verification during the wait but I …
Lives I’ve Lived
I keep looking back and examining my life. Of course, it gets better with each telling. I think that is because each time I revisit it is from a different (hopefully better) vantage point. Understanding has come from a lot …
Choo Choo’s Train
I have danced around this story for a bit and finally settled on a way to tell the story about the man/machine relationship we had with one Huey in Vietnam. Hueys had many different relationships with the humans involved in …
Reunion With 754
My last flight in 754 It is 7:10 am on the 12th of March 2022. I’m climbing out of Anchorage on an Alaska Air flight headed for Greenville, South Carolina to meet up with an old friend. Several old friends …