On our vacation to Houston in May, I had the honor of spending a day with my stepson, and visiting the USS Texas memorial. I can't begin to describe what a cool experience that was. I am a huge history buff, and I especially like to learn and discuss war history. This fact was particularly important when I was aboard the Texas. As I walked along her deck, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that this particular battleship had played a critical part in many naval battles in World War II, including the invasion of normandy on D-Day in June of 1944. I was overwhelmed with the history of the ship. I thought about the hundreds of young sailors who had served on the Texas and how many had given their lives, and I was humbled by the experience. I wondered what they were like and how they lived. I saw the racks where they slept, and I was amazed at how little space there was... As I walked down the halls, I thought about all the people who had made that walk before me. I also wondered what it would be like to be aboard a ship like this during wartime. As we went back up on deck, I saw all of the huge guns that adorned her deck, sitting lifeless and quiet, and imagined the roar of them going off. It was an honor being aboard the Texas, and experiencing the amazing history of standing in a place where men fought and gave their lives for our country and our freedom.

I just got back from vacation with the family in Houston. We had a blast!!! I don't get to go on vacation very often, as a matter of fact...nearly never. This last week was the most fun I've had in a long time. We spent a lot of time swimming in the Gulf, riding speedboats and going out every night with the family and just having a great time. I posted some pictures on my site, http://www.BobsPlanet.net if you want to see them!!!

I got this from a friend, and it inspired me to share. Thanks Tim!

Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence.
(Most importantly the last sentence)
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. " A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.
They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us."
It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.
YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND I AM HONORED!
Please forgive me if I have ever left a hole.

OK...some things in life are hard to share. They are hard to show people and say "see?". But, I will try to share with you my experience this afternoon/evening. Right at sunset, I had a privelege of flying my new plane pictured here:
over the hills of Rhineland Missouri, which is known to the locals as "wine country".

I was born to fly. I love to be in the air more than any other activity, so to me, flying is like my drug. Anyway...I took off this evening right as the sun was breaking over the hills, and it reminded me exactly why I love to fly. It was like hanging out with God. I flew to the East for about 5 minutes, and then turned North and headed over the hills. I wish I had my camera, as the sun was shining of the side of the hills and it made the world look like a painting. This was really the first time I got to fly my new plane, and it was absolutely everything I hoped it would be! Everything was so calm and quiet, and all I could hear was the buzz of my engine as I sailed around looking at the world below. I didn't get too high, so I could see animals running around on the ground

I can't wait to get up there again. I wish I could fly all day...

Lately I've had a string of good times, and very little difficulties to deal with. Life is looking good for me now. I have a great job, a great stable family life, and a cool bunch of projects that I'm involved with that make life kinda fun :) I recently bought a plane, a Rans S6ES, and have taken my aviation hobby to the next level. Things are finally looking up for me. Here's to more smooth sailing and steady winds :)