Thanksgiving 2009...

If you are reading this you probably are not in transit to your Thanksgiving destination; you may be on post. I have been there, and I know the feeling of being so far away during the holidays. Such has been the life of warriors as far back as war goes in history. You can be assured that most folks back here are in full support, and all of your brothers and sisters in arms who have actually been there feel your place and time.

There is no news worthy of repeating this week in light of the situation of all of you over there. The sports news is not worthy either this week, if you know what I mean. So this will be a very brief note to wish all of you the best Thanksgiving possible away from your loved ones!

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

SUMMER OPTIMISM

The summer swim hole in fall...

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The colder nights have brought a new look everywhere; My 'Boys of Summer' hangouts have been through a lot, with the summer look being devoured by the grayness of fall. If I had a day of summer that I could bring back, it would be that day at the ole Swim Hole, with the beautiful women swinging on the rope swing ... not in winter dress! The swim hole now is very fall looking and not filled with those lovely summer girls or summer optimism. It tells a tale of winter over the hill, the rope swing now hangs in despair. But, and there always is a but in life, a day will come when that ole swing will again fill the beautiful hands of those 'Girls of Summer' once more...

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November is a very nice month with Thanksgiving coming, and opening day of deer season pending. It isn't long after that when Christmas is here, and all the festivities and good times that bring families together to celebrate and share.

For those who love the outdoors, opening day is a tradition that goes back deep into a young boy's memory. The real outdoorsman knows it is all about the time spent together with the old man, not about the taking of game. When I was that boy, schools were empty on opening day, whereas the fields were full. The night before opening day was as bad as Christmas Eve, who could sleep? Just when you thought you were going to burst from anticipation, your first footstep in the crisp and crunchy snow brought the brutal reality of a wintry day to your senses -- now back down on earth.

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The Cheswick theater,which has been open for 61 years, has closed. A sign of the times, and disappearing times right before our eyes. Small town movie houses fading away in the shadow of the new "Big Box" metroplexes...

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

VETERAN'S DAY 2009

Happy Veteran’s Day to my brothers and sisters in harm's way and back here on the home front.

Unlike most politicians and some citizens who give you the obligatory greeting and salutation, I truly mean it from the heart that beats with yours, and stops with every loss.

Some declare themselves as “Antiwar” as if you are for war! This shows their ignorance and misunderstanding! The soldier is sent to war by the politicians who disdain both! The soldier is not for war as is the poor and mislead, antiwar ideologue; but the soldier responds to the call to defend their country; unlike most politicians and the lost souls of the antiwar clan. With Honor, the soldier dies for them both!

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SPORTS UPDATE:

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers crushed the Denver Broncos 28-10, but the game easily could have been 42-10. The Denver offense scored their only points -- 3 -- on their first drive. Their defense score the other 7.

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Local happenings:

The replica ships Pinta and Nina, which are exact copies of the ships that Christopher Columbus used for his voyages are in Pittsburgh this week! The Nina was his favorite that he used for 3 1/2 voyages. When you see these ships and the relatively small size of them, although big for their time, it becomes apparent that these men were very bold and brave to do what they did. To cross the ocean, thinking that it may be flat and they could fall off, these wooden ships would have been extremely frightful. The crew was made up mostly of slaves, and this crew slept on deck, only the Captain, Christopher Columbus slept down below in a compartment. None of the crew perished on their voyage, which again is amazing!

The Pinta on the left, and the Nina

Heinz field is visible on the right, with the Heinz mustard color seats!

The Nina, Christopher Columbus's favorite ship used on three voyages!

(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE TO FULL SIZE)

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

Amelia Earhart, and her Lockheed Vega

This was shot a few days ago at the Air & Space Museum in DC.
The is Amelia Earhart's Lockheed 5B Vega that she flew solo across the Atlantic in.

This week the post was not completed due to circumstances of out of town travel. I am also grappling with keeping this column non-political -- the commander in chief -- being so indecisive about sending you over there the requested backup troops is making it very difficult for me to do so! The big news is the elections held on Tuesday, and of course the troop issue, and the health care bill(s).

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The Steelers had a bye week, and a well deserved rest.

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

Carnegie Science Museum visit ... Slow week.

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This has been a slow week, no decision from the Commander in Chief on the troop request, the weather has been indecisive, and the Steelers do not play until later tonight. We are between the end of the summer and the start of the holiday season. The recent movie releases have been weak, and the motorcycle riding season has been moderate at best. I did get in a visit to the Carnegie Science Museum! The robotics floor is one of the best examples of such in the country. Here are a few images that I shot there this week:

Gort, from the movie 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'

RoboWorld

This Robo-Thespian talks and moves with human qualities

Robby the Robot

A basketball shooting robot

B-9

Update:

The Steelers won, 27-17.
Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

VACATION ... NO POST THIS WEEK...

THE RENDEZVOUS AND THE PIG ROAST!

This week has been one where the fall season has hit like a freight train! The temperatures have fallen, as well as the rain. Summer is the past, and Mother Nature has been making that an explanation point!

The President and staff have been working on a decision of whether to send additional troops to Afghanistan, and according to the opposition party are taking too long. This battle continues, and will be as such for weeks apparently. Senator John McCain leads the battle to speed up the decision, while the side against it differs. As it has been forever, the folks with the power to decide the fate of those in danger, do not have the urgency that you over there under the gun would like. Hold and hope for the best whichever decision comes down the pipe!

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Sports Update:

Steelers 28, Detroit 20!

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On Saturday, the annual Burton Farm Pig-roast here in Plum was the event to attend! Close to 100 hundred friends, family, and visitors came to celebrate together. The theme as always, was shared humanity and friendship, with food, drink, and engaging conversations facilitating the connection. Over festivals took place around the area, to include the Fort Ligonier Days. I usually attend this festival and have posted it here the last two years, but not this year.


The big holiday season is right around the corner, so I hope you took my prior advice to send your love letters, and your gifts and packages early! This is for you citizens back home, and you over there. I cannot say enough how much a hand written, pen to paper love letter means to someone in a war zone, or other duty stations so far from their loved one(s).

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Photo essay of the pig-roast, click on the images to enlarge them.

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We hope to see you over there soon, back here to participate in these and similar celebrations that are the flying colors of freedom at the root of our country, and our American lifestyle. None of which would exist without the sacrifice of 'you over there' past and present! These little examples of personal freedom are so unappreciated by those who have it, whether they know it or not, is due to you. You know it. Your have loved ones are appreciating it, so your worthy efforts are absolutely needed to continue the American way of life ... the best there has ever been on the planet.

Remember, only America has the problem of illegals Breaking into our country, the rest have a problem of folks escaping and leaving theirs. What does that say, regardless of what someone with an agenda is saying.

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

ANGRY LEOPARDS AND APPLE DUMPLINGS!

This Leopard was part of a wild life show & tell at the Delmont Apple Festival. When I got up close and personal to shoot, he went crazy! The cage is only a temporary one as a transport and show device.

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THE OLD CIDER PRESS AT WORK!
This very old last centure machine still turns out the best apple cider your lips will ever have the pleasure to indulge in!

The Cider Press work area

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The Delmont Apple 'N' Art Festival was held on October 3rd and 4th in Delmont Pennsylvania. This marks the second anniversary of this weekly column!

This year the festival was still running full steam; the slow down in the economy was not much of a factor. People still love to enjoy the basics in life, and small town USA is still going strong in Western Pennsylvania! There are still a lot of fall activities to go, and the landscape is becoming a palette of fall colors already.

The serious sides of things are still there, such as the request for more troops. The final decision has not been made, but everyone is putting his or her four-cents in (inflation). I hope they error to the side of sending them when needed for the safety of the troops already there, than the other way around. You guys and girls get my priority vote! It would be nice to finish the job and bring everyone home safely! I am sure that this is the feelings that most of the folks at home have ... you guys are priority #1!

Remember that the holiday season starts soon. So those civilians who follow this column please remember to ship gifts early, and often! The love letters need plenty of time to arrive as well. There is nothing as valued by someone so far from home, than the classic, handwritten pen on parchment paper love letter! Trust me on this one! Again, mail early, and Often!

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You can see the Gold Star for sharing on this lover's hat!

The Apple Dumplings are legendary!

The young fans had a great time, as well as the old folk!

This 105 year-old Apple machine turns out all the delicious Apple Cider for sale at the festival! The Apple Cider makers Support Our Troops!

The Boy Scouts at the festival Support Our Troops!

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SPORTS UPDATE:

The Pittsburgh Steelers put it to the San Diego Chargers, 38-28. The game was a bigger victory than the score indicates due to strange happenings. The Steelers look strong, and San Diego under the conditions did an excellent job of coming back.

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Colored Sand for on site art projects

Colored sand art in a bottle!

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania