Day April 28, 2017

forgotton hammer

Chris and Carol 2 Comments

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Forgotten tool from an abandoned project – as seen through a window that I had installed a long time ago on tile carefully set by me. This was once our house – it was completely reconstructed over the 8 years we lived there. Then sold. Subsequent owners and renters left the house in ruins. A visit back saw the house gutted and lost.

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Brass numbers hang neglected – a haven for spiders. I shaped that cedar plaque and affixed those numbers.

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A sad sight for us. It was once nearly perfect. Time takes its toll.

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Our garden shed was once bright and filled with plants and potting supplies. The grass was perfect and lovely boardwalks connected the shed to the main deck and garage. Weeds and wasps now.

But a new owner took on the challenge – just as we did in 1981. We thought it was nothing more than a tear down – but it’s new life for 818. Joy to see!

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Thanks for your visit…

Chris

USS George Bancroft SSBN-643 – A Cold War Warrior

Chris and Carol 5 Comments

On permanent display outside the U.S. Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE), Kings Bay, Georgia

Not often do you get to see a submarine surfacing through the earth.

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A true Cold War warrior.  America deployed the first boomers, the Forty-one for Freedom, to deter the Soviet Union from launching a first strike nuclear attack on the United States.

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Love them or loathe them, they prevented a nuclear war with the Soviets and that was their mission.

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The new (1980s) Trident class nuclear ballistic submarines (SSBNs) are the latest way to deter an enemy from launching a first strike. They are essentially invisible to our enemies while on patrol – hence the strategic deterrent. Even if all of our land based nuclear capabilities were destroyed in an insane first strike, the Trident fleet would essentially deliver a final blow to our attackers and lessen the chances for a follow on attack. Crazy stuff to think about but it is the reality of the world. Until all nuclear weapons are eliminated, it is the future that we have to live with.

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Praying for an eventual end to all nuclear weapons and actually working towards that end are two different things. Someone must step forward to start the process.

Give peace a chance… but in the meantime ensure that peace has a chance by a strong commitment to deterrence.

Camera: Samsung Galaxy S4

Chris