Holidays

The Lowcountry is beautiful in the winter. I walked on the beach this morning and felt the tension run right out of my shoulders.

This is the marsh. Sullivan's Island is in the background.

Junior enjoys the sunshine. And obviously cat food.

I asked Santy Claus for Peace on Earth. He liked the idea.

This is the Old Bridge from Mt Pleasant to Sullivan's Island. It's now a walking park. Isn't it great?

Your troops at Ft. Jackson ( it's a training post) got to go home for Christmas. All 10,000 of them. They lined up for tickets for a month. Last Thursday, as the buses left out of the gate, four soldiers with horns played them off. They all look so young, probably because they are. It's only 100 miles away, so I get to come home to my loved ones often.

Time has been too tight for me this year. I've never spent six weeks away from home in my life! I realize the Greater Good is important, but so is my family. The work is important, but so is time. Eight years ago right now I was in the hospital, and I swore to a) not work so hard (on the deathbed it doesn't matter) and b) never to take the sun on my face for granted again. I have succeeded at b. I spent the morning outdoors. I'm planting bulbs in pots. It's so warm they may just bloom early. I can always bring them in if it's cold.

I have hope for the New Year. I hope that the troops all come home. I hope I can see my loved ones often. I hope I can enjoy my garden. I hope we all feel better. Happy New Year.

Angie sez

I love it when Big Mama starts a project.

The Berkshires seem dreamlike on accounta....oops

But they did! I got to play in snow. The KR Retreat was awesome. I made some instant best friends. I learned a lot, and not just about knitting. I learned about life in other places-I love that. And I learned again about the power of human spirit, philosophy, and happiness. What a good time! OH, and I learned how to make cool doo-dads. That sweet Kathryn Alexander is one awesome woman.

On Sunday I left at O-Dark-Thirty to drive across the mountains (slowly-I did not want to run smack into a deer) to catch my plane. I got home just in time to participate in the Lowcountry Women's Book Signing. Authors included Anne Rivers Siddons, Sue Monk Kidd, the great Natalie Dupree. What an honor. Good grief.

And I met my distant relative (we think) Cathy Pickens. That's us at the top. I can't move the picture. I never presented as a skilled techo. She writes great books and her husband is from Enid! No way!

So Sunday was big. My eyeballs were rolling back into my head by suppertime. Too bad Momma Brown's was closed. Some barbeque would have hit the spot.

Life in Enid

I went across the US in 1993 with my friend Veedubya. I remember thinking that I wish I could spend time in non-tourist attraction places just to get to know people and see how they live. I just thought of that last week. I guess I got my wish.

People I've met here joke around about how littlle there is to "do". I'm enjoying that, because it doesn't seem that way to me. Just driving out into the plains is fascinating. I'm sure it gets old for the locals, but I just wonder what early people thought when they could see so far away.

The birds are different. A pheasant flew across the road in front of my car last week. I'm sure there are pheasants in SC, I just never saw them.

It rained hard last week, for three days. I was watching the kids walk home from the local school. None of them were in a hurry. And no one came to pick them up. They're just tough. In Mt P people would be in their SUVs picking up their little darlings. No judgment just different.

Here I am

So many things. I'm currently in Enid Oklahoma. Who knew? When I took this gig I was thinking Italy or maybe Hawaii. I got Ft. Bragg and Vance Air Force Base. Bragg is huge, soldiers coming and going daily. Thousands returned while I was there. Here, the base is small, with 30 currently deployed. I spend time at the children's centers supporting the families and the staff. I have met some Airmen that seriously need to go to Hollywood.

I drove out with a quick stop in Tupelo to see the birthplace of the King. It's kept up nice.

Oklahoma is beautiful in the windswept flat way I imagined. The roses here are amazing. Who knew?

When I initially arrived I was staying at a local no-tell motel that was uncomfortable, lous, and smelly. I did some research and landed at the Maple Place B&B. Now all is well. Peace, quiet, fabulous bed and I can walk around this nice friendly town. There's a dog show around the corner today, so, since I am missing my pets, I'll go there for a doggie fix. Then I'm going to the antique store for something prarie-ish to take home. Good weekend,

Buddy

Yes, we rescued a dog. I did the legwork and my good colleague Chad took him to his new foster home today. He could not be a better dog!

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Yesterday I went to the Ft. Bragg Parade Grounds to watch festivity rehearsal. As I pulled up I heard the Army Rock And RollBand playing "Hit Me Wih Your Best Shot-Fire Away". Pat benatar would have been proud!

They also rehearsed the 1812 Overture with real cannons. What a blast!

Green Ramp, I-95 Madness, and Widows

I've been really busy here on the large military installment. The President came to review the troops the week before Memorial Day. I did not go. My job is to talk to soldiers, and that's what I did. I did, however, watch the Golden Knights parachute onto the field.

All those coming-home Green Ramps were great-emotional, loud, and colorful. I met a Cajun Mom who told me that she'd like to take "a garbage bag and a stick" and clean up the Middle East. I have no doubt that she could. She was waiting for her son, Junior, and when the soldiers marched into the hanger, she was yelling "JUNIOR (jewnyerrrrr)!!!!!" as the band played the National Anthem.

Those Green Ramps are fun. the going-away Green Ramps, ah not so much. Some soldiers say goodbye to their families at home. I could see why. The partings are excrutiating.

Soldiers who returned in February are scheduled to go out again next month. *Sigh*. Here we go.

I go home every weekend, which involves I--95. I'm having trouble understanding why one Winnebago needs to pass another while going 50 MPH. and why people from one end of I--95 need to take everything they own to the other end of I--95. And that whole Pedro thing still cracks me up.

One of my new tasks is to meet with spouses of soldiers killed in this war. I'm working hard to do it right.

Notes to Self, Part Dos

1. Don't get freaked out when I see combat boots in the bathroom stall next to me.

2. Make a list of all women I know who need a boyfriend, then keep eyes peeled. Like it's hard.

3. Pay special attention to those who have stars on their clothing. Be really nice and say "Sir". It's important.

I thought it was going to be really hard to keep my opinions to myself-after all, we all know how very strong they are and how eloquently I can shut somebody up. However, it's been easy. This is not about me, it's about them.

It just gets better

So on Cinco de Mayo I had to present a a big Demob, 700+. I stood at the door with my colleague and welcomed each one home. Guess what: 300+ from Tennessee, 19 from Puerto Rico and the rest from South Carolina. Sometimes planets just line up right. When my turn came, I said I'm Sue, I'm with (job title) and I'm from Mt. Pleasant SC" I got such a huge Hooah, clapping and cheering! Woo!

I asked one of the Puerto Ricans, before my presentation, how to say "Welcome Home" in Spanish. He told me, I addressed our Puerto Rican soldiers and got another hooah. The guy who taught me came up afterward and hugged my neck.

My soldiers

Every week I go to what we in the know call a DEMOB ("deemobe"). Don't you just know I called it Demob the first time I saw it. It's short for demobilization, meaning you (the soldier) are just home and having to sit though hours of information about where to go for your physical, your insurance, etc. If it was me I'd be hearing Charlie Brown adult voices after a) 15 months of battle, b) a really long plane ride that could have involved multiple layovers and hurry-up-and-waits and sitting around on a duffle bag still wearing the clothes I've worn since last month. I am telling you, these guys are GOOD.

Anyway, I went to the DEMOB, and as always, I asked "Where are y'all from?" Turned out, they were (all 200+)my National Guard Unit from South Carolina. I usually start my little speech with "I'll be brief", which sets off the "hooah" I have come to know and love. Not on this day, because I had to yell out to my peeps. Welcome home, I remember yelling. I got a hooah. Once again, hair stood up on my arms as I looked out at them.

I did my briefing, and then the soldiers had a break. We were all walking out together and a soldier asked me "What part of Charleston are you from?' I said, "Mount Pleasant." He said (help me Jesus) "I'm a Mount Pleasant Police officer!" I said "Excellent! When are you getting back home?" I was thinking oh hot dog! A friend on the force! Anyway, after talk about the real estate market we were about to part ways. He said " See you in Mount Pleasant!" I said" Uh yeah, but I promise I will not be breaking the law." He laughed.

I actually ran into him again today in the Soldier Support Center. There are thousands of people here and he held the door for me. I said"When do you go back to Mt P?" He said "Tomorrow. Maybe we'll see each other again under better circumstances'" I said" If you see me under better circumstances I will not be going too fast in my red Volvo." More later.

The Thai Place

OT, here's one of my roses.

I knew I could find a place that serves great Thai food with nice people on the job. Fortunately, it's only a block away from The Fabulous Hampton Inn.

The first day I went for lunch "The Price is Right" was on the TV in the front, Asian Soap on the TV on the back. The Asian Soap was almost as much fun as Tella Novella. Anyway, as the nice lady brought me my tea, she wailed,"I miss my Bob Bakkah!" in that heavily accented English I have come to know well over the years. 'He's so handsome!" Her devotion was so great.

They fixed me a great lunch, asked me about myself, and were kind and accomodating in general.

I went back the next week and saw they had added a lunch buffet, which has turned out great for them and me too. It's fast, delicious, and full of soldiers in a hurry.

I was there today and told the son of the lady in charge that I grow lemongrass and would be happy to bring some when it gets going this summer. he laughed and said his mom had his yard so full of lemongrass and everything else, that there's no room to move. She's my kind of girl!

Notes to Self

Working on an Extemely Large Military Installation takes some acclimation. Here are my observations:

1. Get used to being called Ma'am all the time. I used to ask people not to call me that for 2 reasons: it makes me feel old, and in the South "ma'am" can have some classist implications. Oh well. "Ma'am" it is, all day every day.

2. Don't get freaked out when, while driving down the street, big Star Wars-like vehicles bedecked in camoflage barrel toward me.

3. Get comfy with the fact that people on the post often carry very large weaponry. It's OK. That large rifle lying across that soldier's lap (aimed directly at my leg) is not loaded during dinner.

4. Everybody looks good in a beret. I think I'll knit me one in a nice summer cotton so that I might fit in and look good too.

5. Watching soldiers march into a hangar after 15 months and a twenty hour plane ride makes me cry every single time. Arm with tissues and wear no mascara to the Welcome Homes.

6. Ditto for the Good Bye Ceremony. REALLY difficult and so sad.

7. Never forget how lucky I am to be able to help.

I'm sure there's more. I'm just really busy all the time.

What is that, Thelma, the ARMY?"

Yes it is. I went to my first Green Ramp today and became popular with all the grandparents because I took Kleenex. Those Kleenex people should go to "Welcome Home, Soldier" ceremony to advertise their product, I kid you not. An Hispanic woman stood next to me at one point, barely five feet tall, long braid down her back, hands worn from work. She had tears streaming down her face. I gave her a kleenex. We didn't need any spoken words at all.

One man took a picture of me handing a Kleenex to his crying friend. Another man took a tissue and said "I'm a weenie." I said "You are NOT! Real men are not afraid to cry, especially at a time like this." I gave him two.

First the soldiers came off the plane and lined up on the tarmac. I got chicken skin.Lots of waving, hollers and tears. Then they marched into the hangar, where the band began to play the National Anthem. I'm telling you, it was a sight. They faced us, all handsome, tan, weary, but thrilled. The Chaplain said a prayer, the Colonel said "Hooah!!! Welcome home, now greet your soldier!" and away they went. I have never seen that much making out since I was in a college dorm. Whew. I took pictures for happy couples and greeted those whose families couldn't make it. One soldier shook my hand and it hurt. That boy was glad to be here. They all were. I asked one "What are you going to do now?" He said"Mow the lawn." Great idea. Welcome home.

Five Years Ago Today

It was Shock and Awe. I think it still is.

The Wounded

The Wounded but ambulatory stay in one place. We had a meeting in that building yesterday and were waiting in the lobby for the Boss Lady to arrive. A soldier on crutches came out of the elevator pusing one of those luggage things you see at hotels. No idea what it's called- a cart? A luggage cart? Anyway, he found it cumbersome to push and walk on crutches at the same time. I jumped up and pushed the cart with his duffle on it out to the street where the cab lady helped me move his things into the car. I told him "I have been on crutches so I got ya." He thanked me ma'am several times and I told him it was my pleasure.

But then I began to second guess myself. He is a young soldier-wonder if it made him feel bad for a relatively old lady to assist? Here he is, strong, wounded, having fought in a hostile mean place and now? Some lady that reminds him of his mom has to help him get out the door. So I called my mom and she said he probably appreciated it, so I felt better.

I'm second guessing myself a lot. Which is not always bad.

Have a nice weekend everybody. I'm going to Mt P. this weekend to see my loved ones.

Hey, Thelma, where's the 82nd Airbourne?"

Why, Louise they are in Iraq!

And they will be coming home shortly. It will take weeks to get them all back. They've been gone 15 months.

It feels like taking part in history. I'll be here waiting.......

"Drive, Louise"

My coworkers are so interesting. One is from Idaho, 2 are from California, one is from Minnesota, one from Texas, and the one male, a thirty-something, recently relocated from Chicago to Columbia SC. THERE'S a culture shock, right? When they all heard I live in Charleston the oos and aaahs started up. I shall have lots of company once I get home, which is fine with me. They've all been overseas at least once, so I hope I have that to look forward to. Four of us had debriefing last night at Ruby Tuesdays (I think it passes for fine dining-I'm not yet sure) and it was just what I needed to move from being the outsider to being part of a team. Funny how that works.

We did a briefing yesterday for returning troops. They were tired but very happy. It was a honor to be able to welcome them home.

I can't say enough about the Hampton Inn Spring Lake. The staff is awesome, the rooms are beautiful AND comfortable-quite the combo.

My car has been at the local Volvo dealership since Tuesday and it should be ready today. I'm getting a rental for the duration of my rotation. I'll get my beloved red car real fixed up when I get home for good. I'm going home tonight to see my loved ones and see how my garden grows. Yay.

Git in the car, Thelma

Today began for me with an uplifting briefing for spouses of returning soldiers presented by the Chaplain. He was really clinically aware and had good information. One of the young women there was married 12 hours before her husband did the surge. That was 15 months ago.

The second big thing of the day was a visit to the FOB-Field Operations Base ( I think. The acronyms abound). There is a simulated Iraqi village out there replete with blown up cars and actual Iraqi and Afghani people being the enemy. Ya gotta love somebody who takes on that job!
I went with my new co-worker, nickname Louise. Since I was passenger I got to be Thelma. We had good laughs-sorry Susan And Gina.

"Louise, I think I like it just fine!"

So my first day was full of orientation and paperwork. I went on a tour of the post and met many nice people. So many long leaf pines everywhere, I forgot how much I love them against that blue sky the color of some school whose name I shall not mention, haha!

The car is in the shop. I am driving it home this weekend and renting on to use while I'm here. Maybe I'll get that Brown's Barbeque after all. I have been too busy to search barbeque huts and sushi spots but that will happen all in good time.

A big group (like REALLY big, thousands) are starting to come home this week. I'm still learning the hierarchy and I don't want to call the group the wrong thing. I am so glad to be here.

"Well, Thelma, how do you like the trip so far?"

I took the back way through rural South Carolina this morning, all excited about my new adventure. I looked at the trees getting ready to bud out, and was happy to see spirea in bloom. I was passing cotton fields ready to plant and was waxing poetic to myself about the beautiful day. Of course, as I sang along to Stevie Wonder, I saw steam coming from my hood. this from my beloved Volvo that has never given me a moment's worth of trouble in the five years I've driven her. I pulled over next to a church (hey, I'm not STOOPID) that had gospel music bouncing off the rafters. I figured if Jesus was anywhere, he was here and I needed him like bad. I got out and put up the hood: steam from a hose. Within a minute an African American woman and her son pulled over to see what was wrong. (I mention the race thing because it will be important as my story progresses. Get a cup of tea.) Her other son pulled up shortly thereafter, and the two men looked at the hose, analyzed it, called all their friends, called Autozone, and found out the hose has to come from Volvo. The closest dealership was in Charleston and I was 70 miles north, just outside of Kingstree, SC. I was so looking forward to lunch at Brown's Barbeque in Kingstree! OH, well. While they sought a solution to my problem, I called roadside assistance but the woman there, as nice as she was, knew far less than my new best friends because she lives far away. Anyway, the men found a friend of a friend with a tow company to tow me back to Charleston. I called him and he was quickly (!) on his way. As we waited for the tow guy to arrive, the ubiquitous white State Trooper pulled up to assess the situation. He got out and said "Ma'am are you okay?" I said "Yes, Officer, I have some great help here, and a towtruck is on the way." I thanked hime, and he left. I looked at my new best friends and we busted out laughing. One of the men said "He was checking on you!" I knew that. Sigh. But hey that's his job right? I was GLAD he was checking on me and if I'd been alone I would have been gladder.

So anyway, I am getting sunburned as it is hot out. The tow truck pulled up and my new friends went to check him out to "make sure he's ok." Sweet. They decided it was ok for me to get in the towtruck and go with the guy. When we got underway, White Guy Tow Truck Man said "You know, I think I can fix that hose. I'll take it to my garage and try. " I said, great. The thought of going all the way back home and figuring out how to start my great new adventure was starting to make my head spin around. We went to his house. While he worked I sat on a porch swing with his wife who told me all about their former daughter in law swiping the grandchildren she had raised from birth at Christmas. She started to cry in the telling, but not to worry. These kids were all under 4 and riding around on these four wheelers like they were grown. they're back and they are fine.

He fixed, I took off splattering thank yous all over the place, and now I am here just off the base in Spring Lake, NC.

So that's my story. I knew it would be an adventure, I just didn't know it would start in Kingstree. I'll have to stop at Brown's another day. What I got was even better than barbeque, and it takes a lot for me to say that!

OK we're back

Today I leave home for six months. I'll be back on weekends because months without my pets, plants, Elvis memorabilia, and Charleston in general would have been too much to ask.

I go to a Very Large Military Installment within driving distance, but too far to commute. I will be assisting military members and families with many issues, including deployment and reentry.

I will find the sushi place. Trust me!

Life in General

My grandmother, Johnsey Blanche Ingrham Pickens saw many things in her lifetime. I am sure she heard about the Wright Brothers when that plane flew off Kitty Hawk. She didn't see it because there was no TV. But it happened. I wonder, now that I can't ask her, if that had any meaning for her at all at that time. Probably not. Why would it?

Flying would mean something to her later, when at 83 (did I get that right?) she went to Switzerland with my aunt and uncle and had a blast.

In her lifetime, the Wright Brothers ran that plane off Kitty Hawk, a man landed on the moon, and a space shuttle blew up.

I watched that Space Shuttle land last week and I'm wondering about my own life. When I was a kid I saw separate bathrooms for "coloreds" and "whites"I didn't get it. As an adult white woman I went to Howard to get my MSW. Best decision I ever made.

Now I am in position to go forward. What's going to happen big in my lifetime? I hope I have something to do with it.