Occasionally when a good book is finished, it leave you wanting it to continue and hoping for more. That is the case with Frank E. Walton’s book “Once They Were Eagles.” It is the second book in the pile that I’m reading focused on the infamous World War II era’s VMF-214 better remembered at the Black Sheep Squadron.
As the intelligence officer and keeper of details, Frank Walton had excellent knowledge of the US Marine fighter pilots serving under Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. His account of the Solomon Island Campaign and men that helped America advance towards the Empire of Japan was excellent and likely a bit more accurate than Boyington’s, expected from someone with a high IQ (Mensa).
I enjoyed every page of his book as he wrote down the missions that blended with those in Boyington’s book “Baa Baa Black Sheep (1958).” It is amazing just how agressive this squadron of Corsairs responded to the overwhelming number of Japanese “Zekes/Haps/Hamps/Zeros” that were sent up to thwart the American advance and knock down both bombers and fighter aircraft.
The second part of the book highlighted the outstanding men after they returned home and met for interviews years later with Walton. It is amazing how successful so many of these heroes were on their return to civilian life (or some who remained in the military). If you enjoy being and armchair student of World War II aviation … and in particularly US Marine fighter squadrons in the Pacific Theater … you wil enjoy “Once They Were Eagles (1986)”
I plan on moving on to the next book in my pile. “The Black Sheep (1998)” was written after the others by aviator, historian and writer Bruce Gamble. It should be an interesting … and perhaps tad bit more accurate portrayal of VMF-214 and the the men that Hollywood semi-disparaged or at least portrayed inaccurately and the questionable account from the colorful Boyington, who may have inaccurately remembered events … or as he himself said to an interviewer: “I’m a psychopathic liar” (Gamble points out that he probably meant “pathologic” liar).
“Nope” … I’m not really a Deadhead, but I do enjoy listening to some of the devoted fan’s music. Last month I save the SiriusXM channel clip to my phone thinking to myself that I should add a Grateful Dead song to Music Monday.
The song is characterized by its folk-rock sound, incorporating acoustic guitar and harmonious vocals. Its lyrics are somewhat cryptic and open to interpretation, which is a common feature of many Grateful Dead songs. The song’s melody and arrangement, along with its nostalgic and somewhat reflective lyrics, have contributed to its enduring popularity.
“Uncle John’s Band” has been performed at numerous Grateful Dead concerts and has become one of their signature tracks. The song’s name comes from the phrase “Uncle John’s Band” which is mentioned in the lyrics and has been speculated to refer to various things, from a musical group to a metaphorical representation of the band’s community and fans.
I’m not sure exactly how I’m planning to integrate them yet, but I have been collecting a few idea. Initially I was going to use them for featherboard hold-downs on a fence, but then needed to make a couple taper cuts and thought it might be nice to have a sled with T-tracks to hold clamps?
Anyway, here are a couple router table jig ideas that I’ll archive to the woodworking category of my blog.
One of my social media contacts who knows that I’ve been using computers to monitor investments and trade for decades heard me mention that I switched to a tiny MacBook Air M2 from a 27” PC display (iMac with a second Thunderbolt Apple display running Windows 10 on Parallels). He asked how it was possible to do the same thing on a small MacBook without Parallels and on such a small monitor?
Admittedly is was a concern of mine too … enough so that I originally tried to run Windows on Parallels on the MacBook Air M2 (failed) and tried a dongle connected to the OLD 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display — it didn’t work even with a dongle because it was too old. So I’m now finally going without Windows and added an inexpensive portable UPerfect 18.5” USB-C hub powered/connected display(the CocoPar smaller display in Florida has a better image and better brightness). But what really makes things work is learning to use Spaces(Desktops)efficiently in order to handle whatever your daily workload might be. For me, I run 4-spaces giving me 8 separate display views for different purposes (and likely eventually a fifth).
Investing “space” running IB Trader Workstation on larger “upper” screen,
Web, multiple email tabs, reading and writing, spreadsheets, business bookkeeping, basic computing, etc,
Programming, blog writing on MarsEdit, server terminal access and cloud management “space,”
Graphics and photo editing … mostly GIMP instead of Photoshop these day. I can see eventually AI is going to need a separate “space” since I’m forcing myself to learn more about it (probably “space” 5)?
The downside is that the IB Trader Workstation “hides” when flipping to different “Spaces” but alerts and triggers are helpful. For now … above is my “side” desk set-up … I’m still running the iMac and second display on my main desk (photo at the top), but I’m slowly shifting to the MacBook Air M2 for more and more. The 2012 iMac is getting a little long in the tooth anyway.
I used Brenda’s iPhone14 to capture the brilliant Super Blue Moon at the end of August … not bad. It was so bright that it basically lit up the flowering bushes off the rear porch.
The late summer heat (90+ degrees F) have gave me Labor Day afternoon to work on cutting up some downed branches. It was hot, but the pool was refreshing.
On a side note, it is shocking just how much grass build up under the insoles of my old “outdoor work” SperryTopsiders. Perhaps I should clean the insides a little more often?
There was an interesting tidbit shared on X.com(formerly Twitter) that highlighted in graphical color where a states population was born. It highlights movements from different areas of the country to other areas, populations who were not transient … as well as what state people born outside the US made home.
Depressing for those of us who grew up in the Jimmy Buffett mindset and have enjoyed his music, concerts, ambitious lifestyle and attitude for our college and adult lives, but his passing on September 1, 2023 hit home. Unfortunately it is starting to feel like the norm (but 76 is way, WAY, too young)?
I know that most who are older (and wiser) than me have already come to the realization that arriving at the senior citizen milestone in life comes with the health issues and death of those we’ve grown up with in our lives. I’ve accepted the end when it came to those in my parents generation, since it seemed natural …but when it starts to creep closer … it is more personal and WAY too close.
For me (and Taylor’s girlfriend Megan – photo left – and her recently passed father Dave), there’s probably no other celebrity/entertainer that has had the impact on me as have Jimmy Buffett (my posts). I first enjoyed his music in high school when Buffett was in the pre-salt years and playing country music … he was still in the bohemian leftover from the hippy days. I embraced the music even more when it mirrored my sailing dream and escapism plans. I was planning to either bum around Florida or head off to teach in the South Pacific when I finished college — at least that was the before the Brenda plan.
Most of us grow up a bit, as did I … but deep down I still escaped to the islands (mentally) and planned on living on a boat, cruising the Caribbean and live for the day — “carpe diem,” as Brenda has been known to say! Thankfully she semi-embraced my sailing and put up with my fantasy; she even let me follow my aviation dream (again … another Jimmy Buffett passion). My college buddy Jeff wasn’t much help in teaching me to “grow up” as he was also immersed in Jimmy Buffett music listening. He even collaborated with Brenda to buy Jimmy Buffett tickets when we lived in Hudson and came up for a weekend to make it special.
Over the years I’ve appreciated Jimmy Buffett’s work ethic and business prowess more and more. He may not be the most gifted singer (his voice is questionable), but noting his empire and achievements, he has definitely exceeded what one may have expected from someone promoting a “celebration of loafing”(as the AP article commented).
NEW YORK (AP) — Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who popularized beach bum soft rock with the escapist Caribbean-flavored song “Margaritaville” and turned that celebration of loafing into an empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions, has died. He was 76.
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement posted to Buffett’s official website and social media pages said late Friday. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
The statement did not say where Buffett died or give a cause of death. Illness had forced him to reschedule concerts in May and Buffett acknowledged in social media posts that he had been hospitalized, but provided no specifics.
I once knew a poet Who lived before his time He and his dog Spooner Would listen while he’d rhyme Words to make ya happy Words to make you cry Then one day the poet suddenly did die
But he left behind a closet Filled with verse and rhyme And through some strange transaction One was printed in the Times And everybody’s searchin’ For the king of underground Well, they found him down in Florida With a tombstone for a crown
Everybody knows a line From his book that cost four ninety-nine I wonder if he knows he’s doin’ quite this fine
‘Cause his books are all best sellers And his poems were turned to song Had his brother on a talk show Though they never got along And now he’s called immortal Yes, he’s even taught in school They say he used his talents A most proficient tool
But he left all of his royalties To Spooner his ol’ hound Growin’ old on steak and bacon In a doghouse ten feet ’round And everybody wonders Did he really lose his mind No, he was just a poet who lived before his time He was just a poet who lived before his time
In August I finished up an excellent 1958 autobiography by Gregory “Pappy” Boyington titled “Baa Baa Black Sheep” … mentioned previously. He was a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot who commanded the VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron during World War II. The book tells the story of Boyington’s early life, his training as a pilot, and his experiences in combat. It also chronicles the exploits of the Black Sheep Squadron, which was known for its unconventional tactics and its rebellious attitude … although the 1970’s television series was considered by most to be heavily Hollywood influenced.
Boyington was born in Boise, Idaho, in 1912. He joined the Marine Corps in 1936 and was assigned to the VMF-211 fighter squadron in China. In 1941, he was transferred to the VMF-214 squadron, which was then stationed in the Solomon Islands. The Black Sheep Squadron was a ragtag group of pilots who were considered to be misfits and troublemakers. However, they were also some of the most skilled pilots in the Marine Corps.
Under Boyington’s leadership, the Black Sheep Squadron quickly earned a reputation for being one of the most aggressive and successful fighter squadrons in the Pacific Theater. In just over six months, the squadron claimed over100 Japanese aircraft shot down. Boyington himself was credited with shooting down 26 Japanese planes, making him an ace.
In January 1944, Boyington was shot down and captured by the Japanese. He was held prisoner of war for 20 months, during which time he was tortured and abused. He was eventually released in September 1945.
The book is divided into three parts. The first part tells the story of Boyington’s early life his his training as a pilot and as part of the American Volunteer Group, AVG (Flying Tigers), in South Asia and China. The second part chronicles the exploits of the Black Sheep Squadron in the Solomon Islands and the reason I’m reading the book; I’ve been studying World War II in the Pacific for years. The third part tells the story of Boyington’s capture and imprisonment by the Japanese.
Occasionally when a good book is finished, it leave you wanting it to continue and hoping for more. That is the case with Frank E. Walton’s book “Once They Were Eagles.” It is the second book in the pile that I’m reading focused on the infamous World War II era’s VMF-214 better remembered at the Black Sheep Squadron. 
