May 6th, Sunday – Rainy Days and A Little Bit of This and That

Yup, it’s now confirmed, I really don’t know how to read a calendar.  Yes, yesterday was really Saturday, not Friday.  And unless I’ve messed up again today is really Sunday.  There it felt good to get that off my chest.  As they say confession is good for the soul!

Not much happening today.  Barbara and her sister Carol are still trying to figure out what needs to be done when and by whom in regards to their cousin’s funeral.  It’s obvious now, though, that things are going to unfold rather slowly since there are so many details that still need to be straightened out and so many questions yet to be answered.  Just have to take it day by day.

Let’s get caught up on yesterday’s visit to the Cape Cod Canal.  Yesterday, I shared with you the story of the Canal, today it’s what we learned regarding the U.S. Army Cops of Engineers.

Some facts regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

• The Corps began in 1775 with the appointment by General George Washington of Boston native Richard Gridley as the first Chief Engineer of the Continental Army.  His first task was to build an earthen fortification near Boston at Breed’s Hill

• In 1794, Congress authorized and President Thomas Jefferson signed into law the raising of a Corps of Artillerists and Engineers (now the United States Army Corps of Engineers) to be educated and stationed at the newly created United States Military Academy. The U.S. Military Academy was the first school of engineering in America to offer formal instruction in civil engineering.

• headquartered in Washington DC, the Corps is comprised of about 37,000 civilian and military employees organized into 8 divisions in the US

• the Corps official insignia is a turreted castle, a symbol of strength, pride, prestige, and honor.  It is believed to symbolize some of the earliest important works of the Corps, namely castle like fortifications along the Atlantic Coast to protect our young nations

• the Corps official motto is the French word essayons.  When confronted with an engineering problem that someone may declare as impossible to accomplish, the Corps always responded with essayons meaning let us try.

• the Corps primary military mission is to provide our armed forces with modern facilities both home and abroad, to strengthen the nation’s defensive capability, and ensure combat readiness

• the Corps primary civilian mission is to develop and manage the country’s water resources; and, serve as manager for major construction projects undertaken by other federal agencies

• since 1928 the Corps of Engineers has been operating and maintaining the Cape Cod Canal to provide a safe passage for mariners and a source of recreation for visitors

• in 1986 the Cape Cod Canal won the Chief of Engineers Award of Excellence.  It was selected from among the nations 456 Corps of Engineers operated water resource projects for exceptional project managerial achievements and enhancement of public perception of the Corps objectives

Well, that brings us up to date on yesterdays visit.  We enjoyed our time at the Canal and once again we learned a great deal about our country.  It’s always exciting to learn something new regarding the history of our country.

As for today, the morning was overcast and the afternoon was rainy.  Each of us still managed to take care of some things that needed to be done.  Barbara went shopping for needed supplies.  On the other hand, I was busy with the normal list of things that needed to be done around Graybeard, such as:  cleaning the bugs off the windshield, washing the side windows and mirrors, cleaning the vent screens, and repairing a broken latch on one of the kitchen drawers.  All in all a productive day for both of us.

Day is now done, night has come.  The rain continues to fall as does the temperature once again.  It is a damp, chilly night but that’s what they make blankets and electric heaters for.  We’ll keep warm no matter what.  Once again, we’ve had a great day, a day spent together, a day ironing out some differences, a day remembering that we’re a partnership in which both of us has a voice.  In closing, a thought for each of us to ponder:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before