Author: pat frederick

Sergeant Reckless

Sergeant Reckless (pictured on the right above) is a great story about a horse that eventually earned a rank in US Marine Corps.  I found this great article, written by Kathy Smith on Horsejournals.com.

This is the story of a petite pack horse named Sergeant Reckless, who eventually earned an official title in the U.S. Marine Corps. Originally intended to haul equipment and ammunition in the 5th Marine Regiment’s Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Sergeant Reckless was bought in October 1952 for $250 at the age of three or four years old.

Yet her role quickly expanded far beyond expectations. Reckless adapted with surprising speed to the harsh Korean landscape, fearlessly delivering supplies and helping move the wounded to safety. She often completed her supply runs solo, without needing a handler. Her contributions were so significant that her unit affectionately rebranded themselves as the “Reckless Rifle Platoon.”

On one extraordinary day, she completed 51 trips to the front under fire, transporting more than 9,000 pounds of essential materials. Although struck twice by shrapnel, she refused to stop. She even carried an injured Marine up and down the steep, rocky hills without faltering.

Sergeant Reckless was also known for her incredible ability to sense danger. On several occasions, she would refuse to move forward when she sensed an incoming enemy attack. Her instincts saved countless lives.

One of her many tasks was carrying recoilless rifles and shells. During one battle she was loaded with six recoilless rifle shells and the first time one was fired she went straight up in the air with all four feet off the ground. When she landed she was shaking, but her handler calmed her down. The second time the gun fired she merely snorted. By the end of the day she was calm and even took an interest in the operation of the weapon.

Sergeant Reckless was more than just a loyal and brave animal. She was also a beloved member of the unit. The Marines were very fond of her, feeding her treats like beer, Coca-Cola, and scrambled eggs. They even built her a special tent to sleep in, and she was allowed to roam freely through the camp.

After the Korean War, Sergeant Reckless retired to Camp Pendleton, California, where she lived out the rest of her days. She passed away in 1968, but her legacy lived on. She was the first animal to be officially promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, and she received many awards including two Purple Hearts. She was recognized by LIFE Magazine as one of America’s 100 all-time heroes.

In 2013, a bronze statue of Sergeant Reckless was unveiled at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The statue, which was donated by the Semper Fidelis Society, depicts Sergeant Reckless carrying a wounded soldier to safety. It serves as a testament to the incredible bond between humans and animals, and the sacrifices that both are willing to make for each other.

Today, Sergeant Reckless is remembered as a true hero and an inspiration to all those who knew her. She will always be remembered as a symbol of the bond between humans and animals, and the incredible things that can be achieved when we work together.

SOURCE: HORSEJOURNALS.COM; KATHY SMITH

Georgia State Motto

The southern state of Georgia, nicknamed “The Peach State,” has more than one motto, though one is much more accepted than the other. Many believe the state motto of Georgia is “Wisdom, Justice, Moderation,” since that straightforward message appears on the side of the state’s two-sided state seal, which has remained unchanged since 1799. The other side of the seal, though, has the inscription “Agriculture and Commerce,” offering a choice of mottoes.

When early state legislators approved Georgia’s two-sided seal on 8 February 1799, succinct instructions were laid out regarding its appearance. The front of the seal depicts a three-columned structure holding up the state’s “Constitution.” Each pillar is decorated with a banner: “Wisdom,” “Justice” and “Moderation.” The three pillars also represent the three established branches of state and federal government — the legislative, judicial and executive branches, respectively.

Historians point to Plato as the source of the chief state motto of Georgia. The Greek philosopher wrote in Republic that these pillars, along with “Courage,” form the basic construction of civilized government. Though courage is not represented by a pillar or by name, a single armed soldier, standing at attention between “Justice” and “Moderation” is said to represent this other quality.

The other side of the seal, however, boldly proclaims “Agriculture and Commerce” around the perimeter. For this reason, many believe this is another of Georgia’s mottoes, even though Tennessee has chosen this for its official motto. At the center of this proclamation on the back of the seal is a picture depicting a tall ship bearing a U.S. flag and two smaller expedition boats, with a farmer and distant lumberyard beside them.

No official state motto of Georgia was actually selected, however. In fact, just a few dozen states have an official motto. The only change that has occurred to Georgia’s state seal since 1799 was in 1914, when legislators changed the date on both sides of the seal to read “1776” — the year of American independence. Until then, the seal read “1799,” for when the state joined the union.

Weird Wednesdays: Joslyn Castle, Nebraska

When I think of Nebraska, of course, I think about Filly, but I never thought of a CASTLE!  Joslyn Castle is just outside Omaha, Nebraska.

From: Joslyncastle.com:

In 1903, George and Sarah Joslyn completed one of Nebraska’s greatest homes—a 35-room Scottish Baronial mansion atop a hill on Omaha’s outskirts.

The four-story house was completed at a cost of $250,000—about $9 million in modern currency. The pace of construction—18 months—was amazing, given the rich use of carved wood, stained glass, chiseled stone, mosaic tiles, and wrought iron. The Castle and the outbuildings were built of Kansas Silverdale limestone.

The Castle includes a reception hall, music room, ballroom, a library and gold drawing room. The basement at one time housed a bowling alley. With the addition of a music room in 1907, the house totaled 19,360 square feet. The interior of the home’s conservatory was designed by famous Chicago-based landscape architect Jens Jensen in 1913.

George Joslyn died in 1916, in his sixties. Sarah lived on the 5.5-acre estate until her death in 1940 at age 88. From 1944 to 1989, the home served as the headquarters of the Omaha Public Schools’ administrative offices. During their residency, many changes were made to the Castle to accommodate the staff including installation of a modern central heating and cooling system, an elevator, and separate male and female restrooms. 

To preserve the integrity of this architectural treasure, the State of Nebraska took possession and in 2010, Joslyn Castle & Gardens, a 501©3 non-profit organization, purchased the Castle and grounds from the state.

The castle is an Omaha Landmark Historic Structure and on the National Register of Historic Places for National Significance. The grounds are part of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

The Joslyn Castle is an example of Scottish Baronial Revival architecture, a romantic outgrowth of the 19th-century Gothic Revival movement.  Examples of Scottish Baronial hallmarks include crow-stepped gables, crenellations, and small turrets or bartizans, and the style can be found in innumerable public and private buildings of this era throughout Great Britain, the United States, and Canada.

 Much has been made of the influence of architect John McDonald’s Scottish ancestry on the choice of Scottish Baronial style for the Castle, but the reality is more complex. The Joslyns, like other Gilded Age millionaires, chose a style that would lend an air of old money and sophistication to their newly found wealth and position.

SOURCE: JOSLYNCASTLE.COM

What Shall We Make Today?

This recipe looks so good, I can’t wait to try it!  Pretzel bark! (NOTE: I did try it–we loved it!)

Ingredients 

12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips

8 ounces mini pretzel twists, half of a regular 16-ounce bag

11-ounce bags Kraft Caramel Bits, or homemade caramel

flake finishing salt for sprinkling

Instructions 

Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Melt Chocolate: Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate chips gently in the microwave (on low heat, stirring every 15 seconds) until smooth. 

Spread chocolate evenly over the parchment. Immediately add pretzel twists over the top (it’s ok if they overlap!) and gently press them into the chocolate. 

Melt caramel: Add caramel bits to a microwave safe bowl with 2 tablespoons water and melt according to package instructions (on high for 2 minutes). Stir well and drizzle melted caramel over pretzels.

Top with remaining chocolate. Melt remaining 4 ounces of chocolate and drizzle over the caramel. Sprinkle with flake salt.

Refrigerate until set. Cut or tear into pieces.

Enjoy!

Happy National Wyoming Day!

Trip Advisor says these are the top 5 attractions in Wyoming!

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Grand Teton

Tallest mountain in the Grand Teton Range.

Devils Tower National Monument

This 870-foot stone monument, thought to have been created from the remains of a volcano, is the center of many Indian religious ceremonies.


Yellowstone National Park

Lamar Valley

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

DIY: Patriotic Wreath

I found this easy to make wreath that can be saved and used over and over for all patriotic holidays!

From GardenCare.org:

DIY PATRIOTIC FELT WREATH

Today we are sharing an easy DIY Patriotic Felt Wreath.  This wreath is easy to make and the use of felt keeps the cost low too.

You too can easily make this wreath with just a few supplies.  The straw wreath form is from Wal-Mart and is under $3.00.  It was wrapped in cellophane and I just left it on.   I used 5 sheets each of blue, white and red felt and straight pins to attach the felt pieces to the wreath form.  Sheets of felt are around 25 cents a piece.

Step 1: Hand draw a tear drop pattern on a thin piece of cardboard.   This tear drop shape measures 2 inches long and an inch and a quarter at it’s widest point.

Step 2: Cut out the tear drop shape and use as a template to cut similar shaped pieces from the felt.  At first I traced the pattern on the felt with a pencil.  I quickly realized that this method was going to take a while, so I started cutting through two pieces of felt at a time, and that made the process go a lot faster.   I cut as many tear drops as I could get out of each piece of felt.

Note: Depending on how big your pattern is, and how close you pin the pieces together, will determine the amount of felt pieces you need.  I used almost all of the pieces I cut.

Step 3: Fold the bottom edges together to make a petal shape and attach to the wreath with a straight pin.

Step 4: Work in a slanted pattern starting at the outside edge of the wreath form and work to the center of the wreath form. The blue felt was added last.

Step 5: The use of felt makes this a vibrant and colorful wreath!  I attached a few white foam star stickers on the blue felt to finish the wreath.

This wreath comes together in just a couple of days.  It did take some time to cut out all the felt pieces, but it was worth it!

SOURCE: GARDENCARE.ORG

Pat’s Note: There were no other pictures with this project, sorry.

Georgia State Tree: Live Oak

General Information about Live Oaks:

The Quercus virginiana is also known as the Southern live oak tree.

The live oak tree is a southern symbol of strength.

The live oak tree is the state tree of Georgia.

The U.S.S. Constitution reportedly received its nickname, “Old Ironsides,” during the War of 1812 because of its live oak hull. The hull was so tough that the cannon balls of the British war ships literally bounced off it.

Live oak trees are planted in historical cities for their character and appearance.

Live oak trees weigh over 55 pounds per cubic foot when air dried.

Live Oak Tree Fruit:

Live oak trees product sweet edible acorns that turkeys, ducks, jays, quail, deer and other animals like to feed on.

Live oak trees start producing acorns when they are around 20 years old.

Live Oak Tree Growth & Life:

Live oak trees can live for hundreds of years!

The name live oaks came from the fact that they remain green and “alive” throughout the winter when other oak trees are dormant and leafless.

The name live oak came from the fact that they remain green and “alive” throughout the winter when other oak trees are dormant and leafless.

Live oak trees can grow in forests, in front of buildings such as schools, parking lots, gardens, backyards and more.

Live oak trees also grow by oceans. They do great resisting the salt spray.

Live oak trees support many types of epiphytic plants (including Spanish moss to a point); giving live oak trees more character.

The live oak tree grows 1 inch of caliper and around 2-4 feet overall per year when young.

A mature live oak tree can draw up to 50 gallons+ per day through it’s tap root deep in the ground.

Live Oak Tree Uses:

The live oak tree is the broadest spreading of the oaks producing an abundance of shade.

Live oak tree wood is very strong and tough and is often used for structural beams and posts.

Live oak trees were used in colonial times to make ships for the navy.