Thursday, July 17, 2025

Book Review - To Kill a Mockingbird

Earlier in the month, I finished this classic, which I also read a long time ago in High School.  It's an amazing story published in 1960 about racial inequality. I find it amazing that the author Harper Lee had the courage to write this, and she is from Alabama. She won a Pulitzer Prize for this in 1961. It does warm my heart to know there were people who did not feel that black people should be demonized and treated inhumanely.

 I am glad I was not raised in this part of the country or during this time. Reminds me of a comment made by one of my Air Force buddies sometime during 1979-1982 while I was stationed in Ellsworth AFB, SD. He told me that He and I could not walk down a street in his hometown in Mississippi without me getting beaten up and him being lynched. He was black, and I was white as snow.

Do I believe we still have Racism in the US?  Yes, I have seen it. I'm not sure we'll ever be able to completely eliminate it.

I am glad the Jim Crow laws are no longer in effect, so people of all colors can at least make something of their lives.  We should judge people on their character, rather than their appearance or spiritual beliefs.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Picture of the Day - ITC Setup

My goal this month is to take a daily picture of something that makes me smile.

For the next four days, I will be posting pictures from the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) International Training Conference and Championships.  This annual event is held in Las Vegas. This organization was founded by Chuck Norris and Aaron Norris.

This year, we are holding it at the Rio Casino and Hotel. These pictures are from the ITC Setup.  The next four days will be photos from the event

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Picture of the Day - Challenge Coins

My goal this month is to take a daily picture of something that makes me smile.

These are some of the challenge coins that I have received over the last couple of years. In the military, we used to have to carry these coins as if we were challenged in a bar, and did not have them, then we would buy a round. I do carry some that I give to police officers and firefighters to thank them for their service

Monday, July 14, 2025

Picture of the Day - Retirement Poster

My goal this month is to take a daily picture of something that makes me smile.

This year, I celebrate my second anniversary of being retired from UPS after 23 years. Below was the poster my wife put together from my retirement party. This has been the second time I have retired, as I also retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 Years. I was very fortunate to work for UPS, as when I was hired initially we were a Call center vendor supporting them, and the vendor went bankrupt, and UPS bought us out and made us a subsidiary.

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Picture of the Day - Fountain

My goal this month is to take a daily picture of something that makes me smile.

This is a picture of the fountain in my backyard.  It's incredible to see all the wildlife that uses it for nourishment here in Las Vegas. The bottom three photos were taken previously. We have seen Ravens (Crows), Small Birds, Humming Birds, and Lizards using it