Picture Time...

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Sergeant John H. Cook (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 9, 1864 at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. His citation reads:

During an attack by the enemy, voluntarily left the brigade quartermaster, with whom he had been detailed as a clerk, rejoined his command, and, acting as first lieutenant, led the line farther toward the charging enemy.

Captain Walter H. Cooke (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on July 21, 1861 at Bull Run, Virginia. His citation reads:

Voluntarily served as an aide on the staff of Col. David Hunter and participated in the battle, his term of service having expired on the previous day.

Staff Sergeant Raymond H. Cooley (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 24, 1945 near Lumboy, Luzon, Philippine Islands. His citation reads:

He was a platoon guide in an assault on a camouflaged entrenchment defended by machineguns, rifles, and mortars. When his men were pinned down by 2 enemy machineguns, he voluntarily advanced under heavy fire to within 20 yards of 1 of the guns and attacked it with a hand grenade. The enemy, however, threw the grenade back at him before it could explode. Arming a second grenade, he held it for several seconds of the safe period and then hurled it into the enemy position, where it exploded instantaneously, destroying the gun and crew. He then moved toward the remaining gun, throwing grenades into enemy foxholes as he advanced. Inspired by his actions, 1 squad of his platoon joined him. After he had armed another grenade and was preparing to throw it into the second machinegun position, 6 enemy soldiers rushed at him. Knowing he could not dispose of the armed grenade without injuring his comrades, because of the intermingling in close combat of the men of his platoon and the enemy in the melee which ensued, he deliberately covered the grenade with his body and was severely wounded as it exploded. By his heroic actions, S/Sgt. Cooley not only silenced a machinegun and so inspired his fellow soldiers that they pressed the attack and destroyed the remaining enemy emplacements, but also, in complete disregard of his own safety, accepted certain injury and possible loss of life to avoid wounding his comrades.


I saw a clip of Snoop on The Price is Right. Snoop. Snoop Dogg. Snoop Doggy Dogg. The rapper. Smoke weed, shoot people… that Snoop. On The Price is Right. Maybe this really is the year the world will end.


Picture Tuesday

Susie put one of my hats on and came back to my room for a picture with her baby.  Note Daniel in the background trying to see what's going on.

Susie threw a little something on while we waited for Mommy to come home from work one day.

Ok... I know I say some not nice things about Donkey... er... Scooby on here, but he is good with the kids.  Not as good as Lucy was, but still good.

Scooby might be better with Daniel than Susie is...

Susie ready for church.

Mary Ruth taking care of Daniel for me while I was holding a sleeping Susie.

Let the weight loss begin…

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private James Connors (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on September 22, 1864 at Fishers Hill, Virginia. His citation reads:

Capture of flag.

Colonel Donald Gilbert Cook (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions from December 31, 1964 – December 8, 1967 in Vietnam. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while interned as a Prisoner of War by the Viet Cong in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 31 December 1964 to 8 December 1967. Despite the fact that by so doing he would bring about harsher treatment for himself, Colonel (then Captain) Cook established himself as the senior prisoner, even though in actuality he was not. Repeatedly assuming more than his share of their health, Colonel Cook willingly and unselfishly put the interests of his comrades before that of his own well-being and, eventually, his life. Giving more needy men his medicine and drug allowance while constantly nursing them, he risked infection from contagious diseases while in a rapidly deteriorating state of health. This unselfish and exemplary conduct, coupled with his refusal to stray even the slightest from the Code of Conduct, earned him the deepest respect from not only his fellow prisoners, but his captors as well. Rather than negotiate for his own release or better treatment, he steadfastly frustrated attempts by the Viet Cong to break his indomitable spirit. and passed this same resolve on to the men whose well-being he so closely associated himself. Knowing his refusals would prevent his release prior to the end of the war, and also knowing his chances for prolonged survival would be small in the event of continued refusal, he chose nevertheless to adhere to a Code of Conduct far above that which could be expected. His personal valor and exceptional spirit of loyalty in the face of almost certain death reflected the highest credit upon Colonel Cook, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.

Bugler John Cook (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on September 17, 1862 at Antietam, Maryland. His citation reads:

Volunteered at the age of 15 years to act as a cannoneer, and as such volunteer served a gun under a terrific fire of the enemy.


When did the “legit” news media start quoting social media in stories?

So we decided to take the dog food and treats to the Summerville SPCA yesterday as a family (instead of me just taking Mary Ruth today). They didn’t have a lot of dogs in that pound, which I guess is a good thing. But they had enough for us to pet and talk to. We ended up taking 4 bags of food, one box of treats, and one stocking of rawhides. Not bad if I say so myself. Mary Ruth and Susie had a blast and that’s what really matters. I think Daniel had a good time too, but I’m not sure. The Wife was holding him… I was focused on Susie and Mary Ruth. The good news is we were able to go and leave without adopting another dog.

I joined WeightWatchers.com last week. As you know, the last time I lost a lot of weight, it was due in large part to WeightWatchers.com. I’ve joined it off and on since then, but never really used it like I should. Now that I have an iPhone, though, I decided I’d give it another shot (since I’d have the WeightWatchers App on my phone). So far, so good. The main thing it does is make losing weight something of a game for me… which makes it a little easier for me to stick to it. I know I’m only one week into it, but as you’ll see in our weigh-in, it was a good week.


The I’m just sayin… Weekly Weigh-In

Greg 229 - Down 9 pounds from last week… Amazing what cutting out fast food and soft drinks does for me.

Mary Ruth 44

Susie 26

Daniel 21