I took this photo while on the Gulf of Thailand. I myself need to pay more attention to the messages I have tried to provide in these motivational art pieces. We all get lost at sometime or another.
Randy
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The Old Man With The Big Hat
Above, you will see the aircraft that was flown by Yeager as it looks today at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.
The Old Man with the Big Hat
The small Arlington Airport, located on the west side of Washington State, hosts one of the best little air shows in the northwest. It takes place during the summer and although it is considered to be a small airport, it still accommodates larger aircraft as well as small jets. For two years, 1997 through 1998, we lived about three blocks away from this airport. At times, driving on one of the main roads, which cut across the flight path of some of the unique aircraft taking off and landing, could be thrilling as well as breathtaking. I remember one afternoon, just days before the air show was to begin. We were driving home from a friend’s house, the kids entertaining themselves in the rear seats and my wife and I engaged in a conversation. My eye caught the unmistakable shape of a B-17 bomber approaching for a landing. I was able to pull over on the shoulder of the road as the big bird lowered its wheels. My kids got out of the truck and stood next to me and waved as this enormous veteran passed overhead. For me, it was the same feeling I get watching the American flag being raised, patriotic goose bumps. To my kids it was just a big, cool airplane. My little boy, who was about six at the time, was more impressed than his sisters and asked me if we could go to the air show. It was a great opportunity for me to bond with the little man and I said yes. I had to work that following weekend, but I made plans to go on Sunday, the final day. My son was very excited, but as luck would have it, I got off work later then anticipated. By the time I made it home, the show was almost over and we were both disappointed. I made an effort to consol him and decided to take him anyway to at least walk around and look at the static displays. Once inside, looking at these parked planes was not as interesting to this 6-year old as it would have been with them in the air. I felt as though I had let him down, but in police work, you as well as your family have to get used to that kind of thing. As we walked the grounds, I noticed a booth that sold hats, t-shirts and even model planes. I thought that perhaps buying my son a hat would be a good way to smooth things over. I found a colorful one with a yellow P51 Mustang embroidered on the front. My son liked it as well and I took it off the rack and handed it to one of the men in the booth. As he rang it up, he asked if we would like Bob to sign the hat. My thought was, if this will make Bob happy, go ahead. Bob stood up and took a black permanent marker and scrawled his full name across the hat next to the yellow Mustang. I shook his hand and said thank you and walked away. Bob was a very descript man and was wearing the largest straw hat I had ever seen. He also had a rather large nose which caught my attention.
As we walked through the rest of the displays, we came upon a guy sitting in a lawn chair at the back of a pickup. Behind the truck was a very small helicopter with a bubble nose. What better way to end an otherwise boring afternoon visit than taking my son for a helicopter ride. It was expensive and to tell you the truth, it scared the hell out of me. Based on the death grip that my son had on my leg, he wasn’t feeling too secure either. I flew in helicopters while I was in the Air Force, but those were Huey’s, a much larger chopper. The problem with this little fellow was the fact that my ass hung over the edge of the entrance which had no door. The pilot wasn’t a happy man either and based on the visible scars on his arms and face, he had most likely earned the right. We left the show grounds with shaky legs, but on a happy note. My son had been airborne for the first time and survived. On the way out, we passed the booth where we had seen this man named Bob. He tipped that huge hat as we walked by. It wasn’t until four years later that I asked myself just who in the hell is Bob. My son still had the hat that I had bought that day and I asked him to bring it to me. I was online and decided to see what I could find. I typed in the name on the hat, Bob Hoover, and I was surprised to see page after page pop up. I started to read about Mr. Hoover. This man, who I had regarded only as the old man with the big hat, was suddenly much more than that. Bob Hoover was perhaps one of the most interesting men I have ever shaken hands with. Mr. Hoover, by all accounts, including that of General Jimmy Doolittle, is considered to be one of the greatest pilots in U.S. history. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic exploits in World War II and also flew combat missions in Korea. On October 14th, 1947, Bob Hoover piloted the chase plane when Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier and he was the designated back-up pilot for Yeager. He went on to become one of the greatest acrobat pilots to ever dance in the sky. If I had only known, Mr. Hoover, if I had only known.
My son keeps his hat safe from destruction and every once in a while, I will look at it and remember the old man in the funny hat. I wish I would have taken the time to say thanks for more then just him signing that hat.
Please enjoy this video from the BBC that shows this mans skill.
The small Arlington Airport, located on the west side of Washington State, hosts one of the best little air shows in the northwest. It takes place during the summer and although it is considered to be a small airport, it still accommodates larger aircraft as well as small jets. For two years, 1997 through 1998, we lived about three blocks away from this airport. At times, driving on one of the main roads, which cut across the flight path of some of the unique aircraft taking off and landing, could be thrilling as well as breathtaking. I remember one afternoon, just days before the air show was to begin. We were driving home from a friend’s house, the kids entertaining themselves in the rear seats and my wife and I engaged in a conversation. My eye caught the unmistakable shape of a B-17 bomber approaching for a landing. I was able to pull over on the shoulder of the road as the big bird lowered its wheels. My kids got out of the truck and stood next to me and waved as this enormous veteran passed overhead. For me, it was the same feeling I get watching the American flag being raised, patriotic goose bumps. To my kids it was just a big, cool airplane. My little boy, who was about six at the time, was more impressed than his sisters and asked me if we could go to the air show. It was a great opportunity for me to bond with the little man and I said yes. I had to work that following weekend, but I made plans to go on Sunday, the final day. My son was very excited, but as luck would have it, I got off work later then anticipated. By the time I made it home, the show was almost over and we were both disappointed. I made an effort to consol him and decided to take him anyway to at least walk around and look at the static displays. Once inside, looking at these parked planes was not as interesting to this 6-year old as it would have been with them in the air. I felt as though I had let him down, but in police work, you as well as your family have to get used to that kind of thing. As we walked the grounds, I noticed a booth that sold hats, t-shirts and even model planes. I thought that perhaps buying my son a hat would be a good way to smooth things over. I found a colorful one with a yellow P51 Mustang embroidered on the front. My son liked it as well and I took it off the rack and handed it to one of the men in the booth. As he rang it up, he asked if we would like Bob to sign the hat. My thought was, if this will make Bob happy, go ahead. Bob stood up and took a black permanent marker and scrawled his full name across the hat next to the yellow Mustang. I shook his hand and said thank you and walked away. Bob was a very descript man and was wearing the largest straw hat I had ever seen. He also had a rather large nose which caught my attention.
As we walked through the rest of the displays, we came upon a guy sitting in a lawn chair at the back of a pickup. Behind the truck was a very small helicopter with a bubble nose. What better way to end an otherwise boring afternoon visit than taking my son for a helicopter ride. It was expensive and to tell you the truth, it scared the hell out of me. Based on the death grip that my son had on my leg, he wasn’t feeling too secure either. I flew in helicopters while I was in the Air Force, but those were Huey’s, a much larger chopper. The problem with this little fellow was the fact that my ass hung over the edge of the entrance which had no door. The pilot wasn’t a happy man either and based on the visible scars on his arms and face, he had most likely earned the right. We left the show grounds with shaky legs, but on a happy note. My son had been airborne for the first time and survived. On the way out, we passed the booth where we had seen this man named Bob. He tipped that huge hat as we walked by. It wasn’t until four years later that I asked myself just who in the hell is Bob. My son still had the hat that I had bought that day and I asked him to bring it to me. I was online and decided to see what I could find. I typed in the name on the hat, Bob Hoover, and I was surprised to see page after page pop up. I started to read about Mr. Hoover. This man, who I had regarded only as the old man with the big hat, was suddenly much more than that. Bob Hoover was perhaps one of the most interesting men I have ever shaken hands with. Mr. Hoover, by all accounts, including that of General Jimmy Doolittle, is considered to be one of the greatest pilots in U.S. history. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic exploits in World War II and also flew combat missions in Korea. On October 14th, 1947, Bob Hoover piloted the chase plane when Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier and he was the designated back-up pilot for Yeager. He went on to become one of the greatest acrobat pilots to ever dance in the sky. If I had only known, Mr. Hoover, if I had only known.
My son keeps his hat safe from destruction and every once in a while, I will look at it and remember the old man in the funny hat. I wish I would have taken the time to say thanks for more then just him signing that hat.
Please enjoy this video from the BBC that shows this mans skill.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Invisible Artist
I took this photo October of 2006 in the window of the camp that I call home, while working on the North Slope in Alaska. I took the photo hoping to catch the orange glow in the frost from the setting sun, which during this time of year is not visible for very long. It was not until I downloaded the photos onto my laptop, that I discovered the images of two hummingbirds in the frost. The images appeared on the inside pane of a double pane window. Very strange indeed. I would love to receive some comments on this one.
Randy J. Cole
I took this photo October of 2006 in the window of the camp that I call home, while working on the North Slope in Alaska. I took the photo hoping to catch the orange glow in the frost from the setting sun, which during this time of year is not visible for very long. It was not until I downloaded the photos onto my laptop, that I discovered the images of two hummingbirds in the frost. The images appeared on the inside pane of a double pane window. Very strange indeed. I would love to receive some comments on this one.
Randy J. Cole
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Song of Farewell
(Taps)
The sound carries gently to distant hills,
for some it means tears, for others, perhaps chills.
The music that is played is a haunting sound,
another veteran lost, another to the ground.
Some lost in battle, from an enemy’s rage,
some raise their families, and pass from old age.
Those to be escorted by this haunting sound,
are those who stood firmly, for this country’s ground.
It matters not if we are black, red, or white,
rich or poor, we have all earned the right.
Loved ones say goodbye, to our body, our shell,
but we stand next to you, as you play Taps,
our last song of farewell.
Image and words by
Randy James Cole
(Taps)
The sound carries gently to distant hills,
for some it means tears, for others, perhaps chills.
The music that is played is a haunting sound,
another veteran lost, another to the ground.
Some lost in battle, from an enemy’s rage,
some raise their families, and pass from old age.
Those to be escorted by this haunting sound,
are those who stood firmly, for this country’s ground.
It matters not if we are black, red, or white,
rich or poor, we have all earned the right.
Loved ones say goodbye, to our body, our shell,
but we stand next to you, as you play Taps,
our last song of farewell.
Image and words by
Randy James Cole
Monday, March 24, 2008
A Simple Lesson
A Simple Lesson
A few years ago I took three of my kids for a hike to the Kootenai Falls, outside of Libby Montana, our home. The hike is an easy one and only takes about ten to fifteen minutes to reach the falls and swinging bridge that stretches across the Kootenai. To any movie buff, this is a key location for the movie “River Wild.” It is downhill most of the way so the return trip is not as easy but still doable. My daughter decided that collecting a keepsake on this trip was a good idea. The rock she holds in this photo is the one she selected. Granted it was a pretty colored rock but as you can see it was also a little large. As we progressed up the trail I noticed that she would stop and set the rock down replacing it with one bit smaller. This exchange of keepsakes continued all the way up the trail until we reached the top. In the end she had a small pebble in her hand that could easily be carried in her pocket. There is a lesson here to be learned. In order to reach our goals in life, we must learn to shed our burdens!
I hope everyone had a great Easter.
Randy
A few years ago I took three of my kids for a hike to the Kootenai Falls, outside of Libby Montana, our home. The hike is an easy one and only takes about ten to fifteen minutes to reach the falls and swinging bridge that stretches across the Kootenai. To any movie buff, this is a key location for the movie “River Wild.” It is downhill most of the way so the return trip is not as easy but still doable. My daughter decided that collecting a keepsake on this trip was a good idea. The rock she holds in this photo is the one she selected. Granted it was a pretty colored rock but as you can see it was also a little large. As we progressed up the trail I noticed that she would stop and set the rock down replacing it with one bit smaller. This exchange of keepsakes continued all the way up the trail until we reached the top. In the end she had a small pebble in her hand that could easily be carried in her pocket. There is a lesson here to be learned. In order to reach our goals in life, we must learn to shed our burdens!
I hope everyone had a great Easter.
Randy
Friday, March 21, 2008
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