I always had a personal shorthand about traveling the world- “50 states, 40 countries!” was the usual later mantra, but there are a bunch more. I thought I would recount, just to see if there were more or less in that mystical round number. The Sates were only a bit of a challenge, since Mom […]

This is a story about a boat, so bear with me. It includes the modern manifestation of the Egyptian Goddess of the Hunt and record-setting ocean crossings. It only includes me for a few months, but it may have been a tipping point when something got in my blood and never could get rid of […]

“So, are they going to do it again?” Splash was cranky this morning, and his question was stated as fact. Loma was languid. “What do you mean by those two thoughts? You say “it,” and then you say “again.” What the hell are you talking about?” Splash thought for a moment, or at least gave […]

DeMille looked up, already prepared for the Wednesday production meeting. The Salts and the lovely Melissa were grouped in various states of eager participation and a certain somnolence. “It is December,” he said gravely. People looked at one another with uncertainty. Some tried a smile. Others did not. “So, the Supreme Court is going to […]

Sorry Gang. The morning missive got lost in what threatened to become a physical alteration between the Fire Ring and the coffee pot on the Loading Dock. The caffeine dispenser has few of the benefits of the ones back on the big decks we used to ride, and that got Splash going. We warned him […]

Mondays have always been a tough day for people shackled to the working world. We are fortunate that the Writer’s Section has a built-in antidote from the lives we used to live. One of our better scribblers hones a piece through the week, polishes it on Sundays, and provides finished copy for release as soon […]

The overnight digital harvest brought a remarkable series of authentic WWII images, carefully modified to reflect the original colors of the scenes of a massive conflict. It made me think of the pictures we grew up with. So here they are, in the original B&W… Copyright 2021 Vic Socotra www.vicsocotra.com

(Rocket contributed this color version of a squadron patch from 1944. He said his Uncle’s unit had it manufactured prior to their deployment to the ETO. That was the color version of an old war, otherwise only visible in Black and White.) Sorry. We are going to veer off the usual litany of current crises […]

It is a relief to be done with Turkey Day, not that it wasn’t fun. The next major holiday is nearly a month away, and we are sure will will see the same sort of unbridled hostility to it. The Chief directed a certain amount of Hallmark Channel programming would be added to the daily […]

It was a bit of an awakening this year, and one filled with legitimate thanks. Last year’s spirit had a tinge of resentment to the enforced seclusion and mandate talk during the pandemic. Masks were still a big deal. The schools were in an uproar, and some of the response to the public health emergency […]