Posted in Fishing on July 31, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Softshell Turtle
I haven’t entered much to my site as of late. I have been fishing early some mornings at the Allegheny River and Keystone Lake. I caught Smallmouth Bass, Bluegills, Pumpkinseeds, Sheepshead, Catfish and Yellow Perch.
Smallmouth Bass
Freshwater Drum or Sheepshead
Catfish
I thought the colors and shapes made an interesting photo.
Female Common Merganser
Posted in Historical on July 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »
As a student in school, I didn’t truly understand the possibility of going to war. I believe I occasionally thought about but was naive to the fact that I could be sent to Vietnam after I graduated. The horror just didn’t sink in!
However, prior to my graduation the war was coming to an end for America and the draft had been stopped.
I just completed reading the book shown above about the Ia Drang conflict with the North Vietnamese. I quickly learned my knowledge of that war and especially this battle was far from being complete. The American forces were greatly outnumbered. The blood, death, carnage and the wounded were great. The bravery of the young men really impressed me. The battle details were unbelievable, and one can’t help wondering how anybody survived. Mel Gibson starred as Lt. General Harold (Hal) Moore in the movie titled, “WE WERE SOLDIERS.” I have seen the movie but look forward to seeing the film again now that I have some knowledge as to what had happened.
I have questions! What would I have been like in the war scene? Could I have been a brave American soldier? I want to think I would have been a brave young man and fought bravely. Lucky for me I will never know.
Posted in Uncategorized on July 4, 2024| Leave a Comment »
On this July 4th, Day of Independence, an update of my 94-year-old, mother’s three-week health ordeal seemed appropriate. Many ask! On my last entry, I recorded a few facts of her stroke from June 13. Well, yesterday July 3, we brought her back to her home. The weeks of rehab worked wonders. She is not out of the woods yet, so to speak. It was discovered her blood platelets were close to 900,000. To compare, the high end of the normal range is 400,000. Through the chemo meds she recently began they were down to the 600,000 range as per Tuesday.
Overall, she has improved tremendously. However, the light dementia issues she had prior to the stroke will not be cured by any meds. She is allowed to walk with a walker or assistance for now, mainly as a precautionary measure. Her memory from years ago is amazing.
So, the only question now is to wonder what is next.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 