FROM MOBILE TO NEW ORLEANS

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Two (02) CSX locomotives pull a mixed manifest freight train, heading West on the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad tracks, which run North and South between Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana, at approximately 0900 Hours on Wednesday 29 February 2012, at the Anniston Avenue crossing in Gulfport, Mississippi.

I recorded this, looking due North from the Northwest corner of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, using my hand held Kodak "Easy Share" Z710 zoom lens digital camera, which has 7.10 megapixels of resolution.

For a larger view,
please click on the picture.

Above is a photograph of CSX employee Houck working on an electronic Defect Detector embedded in the track, which alerts locomotive engineers to any problems with wheels or axles as the train rolls over it.

I photographed him at approximately 0945 Hours on Wednesday 29 February 2012 on the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad tracks, just East of the Anniston Avenue crossing in Gulfport, Mississippi.

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CHOO CHOO TRAIN CHUG CHUG CHUGGING THROUGH THE FOGGY MORN

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For the best effect, please be sure and watch my homemade amateur video recording in "FULL SCREEN" mode.



Through the morning fog at approximately 0800 Hours minus 10 minutes on Tuesday 28 February 2012, two (02) Union Pacific locomotives pull a mix of intermodal container stacks and auto racks North on the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad tracks, just East of the Anniston Avenue crossing in Gulfport, Mississippi.

This particular section of the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad tracks, which appears to run East and West, according to railroad employees, actually runs North and South between New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama.

This video was recorded from the balcony of my room on the Third Floor of the Central Tower at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, looking due North, using my hand held Kodak "EASY SHARE" Z710 zoom lens digital camera, with a resolution of 7.10 megapixels.

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PROTECTING MY HELICOPTER

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I just now discovered something!

Do you ever buy bedding at Wal-Mart?

I recently bought a set of sheets and pillow cases there for my full sized bed here in my fully furnished room at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi.

This morning, my dirty laundry is being picked up (a new service that just started yesterday!), so I stripped my bunk and put on the new sheets and pillow cases.

I didn't want to throw away that nice, zippered plastic case, so I wondered about it for a moment or two.

Then, I had an inspiration!

Those two plastic zippered cases were just about the right size for my brand new AIR HOGS SHARPSHOOTER helicopter, with its accessories.

So, I put the control box and the instructions in the larger case, the one which had held the sheets, with the missles and the targets tucked into that case's inner pocket.

Then, I put the helicopter into the plastic zippered pillow case container.

Here's the result:



I still haven't mastered the art of flying this helicopter without crashing every time.

It's a delicate matter of steering control which I haven't yet figured out.

Also, for some reason, the missiles won't launch.

I reckon I'm doing something wrong, and I hope I'll figure it out later on.

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WORD GAMES

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Do you enjoy wrestling with and eventually solving intellectually challenging word puzzles?

Each day, I go to the MERRIAM-WEBSTER web site to play two (02) of their games, the GAME OF THE DAY, and the UNIVERSAL CRYPTOGRAM.

Unfortunately, the UNIVERSAL CRYPTOGRAM is far too easy, but apparently, it's the ONLY cryptogram currently on the Internet.

The best cryptogram I ever saw was in an issue of the AIR FORCE TIMES newspaper, but they don't have any cryptograms on their web site.

My favorite MERRIAM-WEBSTER word game (when they have it) is "DICTIONARY DEVIL", where words and definitions are scrambled.

I used to enjoy solving the DAILY CODEWORD puzzle at the THINKS web site, but alas, that daily feature stopped working a long, long time ago.

On weekends, I like to do the crossword puzzles on the web sites of the CHICAGO SUN TIMES, the WASHINGTON POST, and the LOS ANGELES TIMES newspapers.

But, maybe I've done too many of those puzzles, because more and more often, they're no longer intellectually challenging, for I've begun solving many of them too quickly.

The NEW YORK TIMES is famous for their weekend crossword puzzles, but they're no longer free, being available only to paid subscribers.

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"ADDICTED TO THE ARTIST"

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I have not seen the movie, "THE ARTIST" (Have YOU seen it?), but this video spoofing it, which I saw at the YAHOO! web site, is fun!

And here is the official movie trailer advertising "THE ARTIST", which was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on Saturday 25 August 2011 by the ITUNES MOVIE TRAILERS channel.



Popcorn, anyone?

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"JOHNNY OPTIMISM" BY STILTON JARLSBERG, M.D.

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STILTON JARLSBERG, M.D. has done it again!

Here is his "JOHNNY OPTIMISM" comic strip for Monday 27 February 2012:


For a larger view that's easier to read,
please click on the comic strip.

The "JOHNNY OPTIMISM" comic strip, and the "HOPE 'N' CHANGE" comic strip, created by STILTON JARLSBERG, M.D., appears on the computer Internet at their respective web sites each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

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A FAVORITE MEAL

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Lately, my favorite meal is a roast beef and cheddar submarine sandwich from the Deli Department at Wal-Mart.

For a larger view,
please click on the picture.

And, of course, my favorite drink is an ice cold caffeine-free Pepsi-Cola.

I really prefer the smaller sandwich, but the last time I was at Wal-Mart, they only had two (02) of the smaller sized sandwiches left.

So, I bought those, plus several of the great big ones to put in my refrigerator.

In the photograph, you'll see a bunch of pills in that little plastic cup.

That's because I'm in a lot of pain, and I'm also having allergy symptoms.

The allergy symptoms started when I was a soldier in the United States Army in the old Republic of Viet Nam, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, and to this day, the doctors don't know what it is.

But, as for the sandwich and Pepsi-Cola - - - ,

Mmmmm, boy, but that's plumb larrupin'!

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OPENING MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS

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This is a family video, which is MUCH too large to attach to an e-mail, directed specifically at Mike and Suzy Serig, Lewis and JJ Stephens, and Tyler and Ryan Stephens, who reside in Windsor, Virginia, and also, Stan and Sheila Wheeler of Jensen, Utah.



Here in my room at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi, I finally and reluctantly got around to opening my Christmas presents on Sunday 26 February 2012.

Aw, shucky darn, now my Christmas is all over and done with for a whole 'nother year!

Baaaaaawwl!!!

Sob, sob, sniffle.

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"POOCH CAFE" BY PAUL GILLIGAN

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Here is the "POOCH CAFE" comic strip, created by PAUL GILLIGAN, for Sunday 26 February 2012.

For a larger version that's easier to read,
please click on the cartoon.

Gosh, gee whillikers, but Poncho thinks the same way I do!

I love this comic strip, and read it every day at the YAHOO! web site.

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INTERESTING SERMON

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Here is a most unusual video I just discovered at the STUFF BLACK PEOPLE DON'T LIKE web site.



This video was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on Friday 18 March 2011 by the Honorable James David Manning, Ph.D.

As a result of viewing this, I've added PASTOR MANNING to my list of RECOMMENDED WEB SITES located on the left hand side of this page.

There's a LOT of resources available at that web site.

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UNITED STATES SOLDIERS BECOME PUBLIC JOKE ! ! !

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Please click to read this COMPLETE NEWS REPORT from the Thursday 16 February 2012 edition of the "STARS AND STRIPES" newspaper, which I learned of today at the RAMZPAUL web site.



Whoever thought this one up should be immediately drummed out of  my beloved United States Army.

In the first place, there shouldn't BE any pregnant soldiers in my beloved United States Army!

What do YOU folks think about this?

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COMBAT WHEELCHAIR

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Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

The guys here at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi are going to LOVE this ! ! !

For a larger view, 
please click on the photograph.

I don't know where this originated, or who created it, but I saw it posted at the BLUE'S BLOG web site.

Nifty, huh?

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee 

Armed Forces Retirement Home 

1800 Beach Drive, Unit 311 

Gulfport, Mississippi  39507

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PAYING IT FORWARD WITH KIDNEY DONATIONS

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For the best effect, please be sure and watch this ABC NEWS video in "FULL SCREEN" mode.



When creating this post, I attempted to include a link to the NATIONAL KIDNEY REGISTRY, but apparently as a result of this news report, their web site must have crashed, because I never could get through.

But, try it anyway, because sooner or later, they'll have the web site problem fixed.

Because of mysterious allergy symptoms of unknown origin acquired when I was a soldier in the old Republic of Viet Nam with the United States Army, the medical establishment won't even allow me to donate blood, so I reckon any organ donations would be out of the question.

Many years ago, I did sign up to donate bone marrow, but they never called me.

Anyway, volunteering to donate organs is something I truly believe in and encourage.

I see it as very much similar to what our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the Christ, did when He sacrificed Himself for all of us.

What better way to emulate Jesus Christ than to donate an organ to save the life of a fellow human being?

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ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME WILL CELEBRATE NATIONAL TARTAN DAY ! ! !

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I have just now received official confirmation from the HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS organization that the career bureaucrats on the executive administrative staff of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi were forced by popular public pressure to CHANGE THEIR MINDS, and as a result, there WILL be a NATIONAL TARTAN DAY celebration at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi on Saturday 07 April 2012 from 0900 Hours until 1200 Hours.

Residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi are encouraged to invite their families to visit and participate in our NATIONAL TARTAN DAY celebration.

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SHOOTING AT GNATS ! ! !

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Yes, you read the title of this post correctly - - - , you shoot at a flying gnat with a shotgun!

For the best effect, please be sure and watch this automated video series consisting of two (02) videos in "FULL SCREEN" mode.



I initially learned of this at the SMALLEST MINORITY web site.

SHOOTING AT GNATS with a shotgun(!) is a sport that was invented by our cousins in the United Kingdom, but is rapidly becoming quite popular here in the good ol' United States of America.

The first video was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on Sunday 13 June 2012 by Jim Webb, and the second video was posted on the YOU TUBE web site on Wednesday 25 January 2012 by GNAT USA.

Ain't this neat?

Boy, oh boy, oh boy, but this looks like it just might be grrrr-REAT fun!!!

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I'M WONDERING - - - ?

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Things are so mixed up, and I'm trying to figure it out.

After all, who REALLY won the Cold War?

Did we suddenly switch sides en masse?

We, the people, have gradually forfeited so much individual liberty here in the United States of America, that I'm actually wondering if - - - , when the old Union of Soviet Socialist Republics "collapsed"(?) - - - , if the United States of America then became the new communist dictatorship, and if Russia became the new constitutional republic?

Do the Russians now enjoy more freedom than Americans?

No, really, what's going on here?

Is there a clandestine group of government clerks constantly revising our history, just like in the George Orwell novel, "NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR"?

What became of our divinely inspired Constitution of the United States of America?

What happened to the unalienable rights of individual citizens?

Just what the Sam Hill is going on?

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"CLOSE TO HOME" BY JOHN MCPHERSON

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The moment I saw this, I busted out laughing, and just had to share it!

The daily cartoon, "CLOSE TO HOME", is the creation of JOHN MCPHERSON.

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UNITED STATES ARMY MARKSMANSHIP COMPETITIONS

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The various shooting competitions hosted by the UNITED STATES ARMY MARKSMANSHIP UNIT include regular soldiers, West Point cadets, R.O.T.C. cadets, and even combat wounded amputees.

For a larger version that's easier to read,
please click on the picture.

Special training is included prior to each competition.

I'm wondering if they'll let us old guys living in the Armed Forces Retirement Home participate in these marksmanship competitions?

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"HOPE 'N' CHANGE"

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Here is the "HOPE 'N' CHANGE" comic strip, created by Stilton Jarlsberg, M.D., for today, Friday 17 February 2012.

For a larger version that's easier to read, please click on the comic strip.

The "HOPE 'N' CHANGE" comic strip, and Dr. Jarlsberg's other creation, the "JOHNNY OPTIMISM" comic strip (which I really get a kick out of!), appear on the computer Internet each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at their respective web sites.

Automated Internet links to the web sites of the "HOPE 'N' CHANGE" and "JOHNNY OPTIMISM" comic strips are in my list of RECOMMENDED WEB SITES on the left hand side of this page.

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* * * LEAVE ISLAM SAFELY * * *

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Before YOU, or someone you know, become a victim, please click on the automatic Internet link to learn how you can LEAVE ISLAM SAFELY.

For the best effect, please watch this video in "FULL SCREEN" mode.



I saw this video posted on the FREE NORTH CAROLINA web site.

It was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on Saturday 04 February 2012 by PAMELA GELLER.

For a larger version,
please click on the poster.

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2012 NATIONAL BUY A GUN DAY

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Tuesday 06 November 2012 is ELECTION DAY in the United States of America.

Tuesday 06 November 2012 is also our NATIONAL BUY A GUN DAY, intended to send a clear message of warning to the status quo despotic tyrants within our government, that no matter which politicians are elected, we, the people, are watching, and that we, the people, are armed and ready.

I saw this poster at the III PERCENT PATRIOTS web site.

For a larger version that's easier to read,
please click on the picture.

TRIPLE G GUNS
9351 Highway 150
Greenville, Indiana 47124
Telephone:  812-923-2666

Please encourage your local firearms dealer to actively promote this patriotic function also.

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OUR NATIONAL ECONOMY

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Here are some charts that I saw posted on the FREE NORTH CAROLINA web site, but which originated - - - where?

In any event, these illustrations are circulating via the Internet, and for verification (and LARGER, easier to see versions), I attempted to find the original sources.

Accordingly, please click to examine the official web site detailing the current FISCAL YEAR 2012 BUDGET OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

Office of Management and Budget

For a larger version that's easier to read, please click on the illustrations.

I copied this chart from the web site of THE REAL REVO:

I copied these two charts from the THEO SPARK web site:

Personally, I don't know anything about economics or finances, which is probably why I ain't got nothing.

But, you folks who are properly educated in these fields will possibly recognize the significance of what you're looking at.

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COMPARING HAITI AND JAPAN

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Please enjoy watching this automated video series of Ram Z. Paul in "FULL SCREEN" mode.

CAUTION:  Unfortunately, Mr. Paul does use unnecessary vulgar and profane language.



Never the less, the conclusions that you may infer from the videos and the accompanying photographs are starkly evident.

The following "BEFORE" and "AFTER" photographs of the earthquake and tsunami effect on JAPAN are courtesy of the NATIONAL POST.

To view a larger version,
please click on the picture.

The following "BEFORE" and "AFTER" photographs of the earthquake effect on HAITI are courtesy of the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

To view a larger version,
please click on the picture

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