SCOUTMASTER'S (Mentor's) CONFERENCE
BSA Image used under fair usage guidelines I guess it is the time of year in which good-intentioned parents desire to question each and everything and process that goes on within Scouting. Personally, I have no problem with this -- it shows their interest in the program, and I hope the outcomes they desire for their son.I have been on the road for the better part of three weeks and have not had a chance... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-30Fire and Scouting
Stock photo from Photobucket I have an officemate, several years older than me. Jere Matty is a retired Air Force pilot, engineer, and currently the "one eaches" of our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (or STEM) lab and center at Arnold Air Force Base. Since both are interested in the same things -- getting young people to explore opportunities here at Arnold -- we frequently exchange notes, resources, and information.After all, that's what officemates... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-23Black Friday
Kohl's Black Friday Ad Scan (Kohl's Department Stores) So I was sitting at my favorite Chinese food place, waiting for them to prepare my Kung Po Chicken add Beef, Eggrolls, and Pork fried rice. This woman comes in and asks for her order, and Ming (the young lady at the counter...I'm a regular...) told her it'd be a few minutes. The lady goes over and sits at a table opposite where I plopped myself... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-19Where are the Adults?
Boy Scouts of America image used under Fair Usage guidelines I got a whipping for wanting to be a Cub Scout. I got a whipping later because I know that I did something right, but to my mother, I disobeyed her. I stood there, repeating the Scout Law to myself as my mother hit me with my father's Army web belt over and over, intoning that "I won't lie to my parents." It was the... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-16Red Arrow
Image by Mike Walton circa 1985 Ken Spiegel wrote:My lodge went back to having ordeal members make their own arrows. Personally, I like the idea of them bring home the arrow as a remembrance.As long as our new Ordeal members don't hack off their fingers nor bows to the Vigil Honor members, Ken...(The following was extracted from "Patches and Pins" (or "The Quest for the Silver Beaver...."), by Mike Walton (c) 1988)Red ArrowsThe Order of... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-09Insert name of City/community
NBC/WMAR Photo used under fair usage guidelines This is not about a particular city -- this week we're talking Baltimore. Last week we were talking about some other city, and the week before, we were talking about yet another city.We need to understand that this kind of behavior can be found in every medium to large-sized city or community in the United States. Yeah, including Mayberry. Old Deputy Barney Fife (played masterfully by Don Knotts)... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-11-02What did we learn, if anything today?
MORNING JOE l Photo by Anthony J. ScutroMy television is NOT broke on the Cable News Network (CNN) 24/7. Other networks -- ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS -- all have fine public affairs and journalistic review shows (what I refer to collectively as "talking heads" shows), and I watch them as often as I do the "Network of Record," the "Best network in the Universe -- CNN." My Sundays are spent in part watching... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-10-30African Drum
These drums are the perfect way to celebrate and learn about African heritage. We based these drums on the Djembe drums from West Africa. Djembe drums originated during the reign of the Malian empire in the 12th century. These drums were traditionally made by blacksmiths and played by well-respected musicians known as griots. They play an important part in storytelling and the passing down of the oral history of west Africa. The base is made... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2020-10-29(A Scout's) Toolbox
Image provided by Settummanque (Mike Walton) Our pioneers had one (well, kinda...didn't really fit into a pocket, but the concept was the same). Rambo had one, and so did similar characters portrayed by Steven Segall, Arnold (do I have to type his last name *smiling*?), and several others. Harrison Ford had a version of one in a couple of his movies. My personal hero, Angus MacGyver, not only had one but during the first four... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-10-29Clorox 2 ®
(From "Patches and Pins" (or "The Quest for the Silver Beaver...."), by Mike Walton (c) 1988) You want to get my mother going?? Bring up George Wallace, the symbol for most Black Americans of the *worst* parts of being an American living in the South!"Do you think he's changed? God musta' really touched that man", my mother asked me. We were sitting at the dining room table, the air conditioner making a loud starting... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-10-26