(Liz-S looks over at a temporarily benevolent Old Jim. All photos Socotra). Maybe slick streets this morning, inches of rain or wintry mix to come as we approach Turkey Day. I don’t have particular place to be, and will let the commute and commuters sort themselves out before I venture anywhere. We were talking about […]

(Culpeper Sheriff Scott Jenkins, a long time local law enforcement veteran, affable leader, and advocate of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) capabilities. Photo Culpeper Country Sheriff’s Department). We had a blast this weekend- literally. Some pals in the extended Socotra Affinity Group wanted to come down to the farm for some firearms proficiency at the […]

Editor’s note: Yes, We are aware that JFK’s daughter, now US Ambassador to Japan, is named Caroline, and that the Honor Guard unit that Mike Grove commanded during the ceremonies surrounding the funeral of President Kennedy was the Headquarters Company of the First Brigade of the Third US Infantry (“The Old Guard”) and of the […]

(Our neighbor Captain Mike Grove, USA, is leading the funeral cortege up Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, bringing President Kennedy’s remains to lie in state under the Capitol Dome. Photo AP). Dawn is just coming up. I have to be at the farm, but I was not going to try to get there in the deep […]

(A woman named Moorman took this Polaroid image at the precise moment between the shots that killed the President. The Grassy Knoll is in the background. Photo Bettman Archive). It is snowing some places in this great country. It is not here, a small consideration as the beginning of the Holidays is upon us. But […]

(This portion of the central entrance is all that is left of the building in which we heard the news: Barnum Junior High School, in Grabbingham, Michigan.) “I was in Dallas yesterday to manage a contract shut-down and spent the day in Dealey plaza. I will send you some videos and photos if that is […]

Placid Jamie could barely contain herself, waiting for the Lovely Bea to arrive at the Amen Corner. She had something she wanted to give us, and was very mysterious about it. Old Jim leaned over to me at Willow, pushing his Bud long-neck aside to get closer. “I want to talk about yams.” “What about […]

(Jon-without sets up an impromptu phone booth and compliance space inside the front door at Willow last night. Photo Chanteuse Mary). Yesterday’s story regarded the round of severe budget cuts that are coming to the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. It prompted a couple thoughtful replies, which naturally I ignored. Hahaha- no, the […]

(General Martin Dempsey, CJCS, talks to reporters about that boring budget crap. Photo ABC). We are at the point where we really ought to get a cup of Starbucks and talk about where we are going. I am deliberately staying away from talking about the health care thing, except to note that it clearly is […]

(ATN Aries MK 410 Spartan NVG rifle scope). I heard the first gunshot of this deer-hunting season yesterday around 0550. I was mildly surprised, since it was still as dark as the inside of a black cat on a moonless night. Actually, it was two shots, blam blam. Then silence. It looked like someone got […]