Check out this outstanding Mojave Sidewinder (Crotalus Cerastes). This specimen came from just north of the Salton Sea. It was found in the middle of a very busy highway at sunset.  

Memorial Day Reflections

Hmmm...Memorial Day weekend...2006. My...how time has flown. Sitting here I am transported to many such weekends of times past. Some good...some not so good. My worst would have to be the Memorial Day weekend of 1992. Yes...it was when I was in the FLETC academy. For anyone who has read the story I had posted last year about this... you know what a trying time that was for me. It was near the end of that ordeal...the culmination of weeks of stress and anguish. The most distressing time I had ever faced. The separation from the girl I had loved. Though we were only feet apart...circumstances did not allow me to communicate with her. I guess by this time...we had both been stressed to the breaking point. It sucks when love goes bad! To quote a common saying "Hell hath no fury like a women scorned!"

As it was...I just had to get away from that oppressive place. I loaded up my truck and headed south. I went to Daytona Beach, Disney World and the Florida Keys for the weekend. It should have been a great time...but it was not to be. I was worried about what would happen to me. How would I ever be able to face Alma again? I had acted so poorly and she was clearly upset with me. I had felt bretrayed by classmates and fenced in by the administration. It was not a good time...it was horrible! It was truly the beginning of my downfall. My last breath before the other shoe fell. My last glimpse of hope before the fall. All I could think about was Alma...my love for her was just as strong...even with all the acrimony. Today...14 years later...I harbor the same feelings for her...and carry the same guily and regret.

I found out later...that she too escaped that place for the weekend. Apparently...she went to Disney World with several friends that same weekend. Who she went with and what did she do there...I don't know...but I don't blame her for wanting to escape that damn FLETC. Ironic that both of us ended up at Disney World...though separated by miles of hurt, blame and pride.
I am not a judge, jury or executioner. It is not my place to place blame...other than on myself. It was poor decisions on my part that let a potentially great relationship degrade into a personal hell. I have been paying for it the last 14 years. I wish she could see how much I have suffered for what happened back then.

At the passing of each Memorial Day...I celebrate the deaths of fallen comrades in arms...and the death of my personal and public life. I memorialize the death of the relationship she and I had...and the bonds we shared. For me...Memorial Day is not a celebration of joy...but a sullen affair committed to an everlasting love...and a belief that someday fate will make the wrong things...right.

Memorial Day 2006

Sigh................