Saturday, March 12, 2011

History You never knew! What has happened in Japan (a nuclear excusion), almost happened here in NY State in 1965. UPDATED with new video!


Approaching the Nuclear Prototype training facility at West Milton, NY.
**Click To Enlarge**

I just located this photo on line that was taken by another Naval Nuclear Power trainee back in the mid-late 60's. This is what it looked like back in 1965 driving down the access road to the Nuclear Prototype Training facility in West Milton, NY. It always made me think of something out of a Sci-Fi movie, especially when it was foggy.

With all that is happening in Japan right now regarding the three nuclear reactors, I am reminded of an incident that occurred in 1965 at the nuclear training facility I was stationed at, a near nuclear excursion. This is something I have never spoke of before now.

In 1965 Cookie was a Navy Nuclear Power student at the Naval Reactor Prototype training facility in West Milton, NY (near Saratoga Springs, NY). There were two nuclear reactors at this site, one "The Ball" (pictured in the above photograph) was for nuclear powered surface ship training, and the other for Nuclear Submarine training (not shown).
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/knolls_k.htm

It was November 9th, 1965 at approximately 5:00 PM when the entire Northeast United States was plunged into complete darkness in what has been called "The Great Northeast Blackout". Some of you may actually recall this event. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_Blackout_of_1965

Without becoming very technical let me just say that at that time there were two sources of outside power feeding this then General Electric operated site. One source came in from Connecticut and the other from Con-Ed (NY). They were called "SIR" and "SAR". These two power sources were intentionally redundant in case there was ever a power failure in either one. No one ever planned for the contingency that ALL power from both sources would lost at the same time, AND, that both nuclear reactors would ALSO be off-line at the same time.

As it happened, at the moment the NE blackout occurred, one reactor, the surface training reactor was shut down and "off-line", and the submarine training reactor was in the process of being brought up to critical operation but was not yet a self sustaining nuclear reaction.

The moment the NE Blackout occurred, all the control rods in the operational submarine reactor "scrammed" (a necessary safety measure) and immediately shut down the reactor. The problem was that without any electrical power at all, the main cooling pumps that circulate water to cool the reactor core were not operational and the heat in the core was extensive in that it was close to "critical" operation at the time of the power failure.

This type of scenario can lead to what is known as a "Nuclear Excursion", not an explosion. An excursion is when the cooling water surrounding the core eventually flashes to superheated steam and blows open the reactor itself, and then the containment vessel that houses the reactor ( and the core) blows open, exposing the highly radioactive core to the atmosphere.

This type of event can eventually lead to a meltdown of the core, and then to what some refer to as "The China Syndrome". In other words, the core is so hot it could theoretically burn through the earths crust to China (actually no further than the center of the earth) on the other side of the planet.

To Cookie's knowledge, 2 Nuclear Excursions are on record, the first having occurred in Idaho in 1961 at the SL1 training reactor,
http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/nuclear/radevents/1961USA1.html ), and the other at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

For those of you that may be interested, here is a link to a once "Classified" video of the SL1 excursion event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIBQMkd96CA&NR=1

To continue, I recall that as the core temperatures of the scrammed S3G sub reactor began to increase into dangerous levels, many GE engineers and technicians were literally running around like chickens with their heads cut off. All non-essential personnel were ordered to leave the site immediately. Power to operate the Main Circulating pumps was needed immediately. Where to get the power?

Now Sir, I don't recall his name (I truly wish I did), but a Navy 2nd Class Petty Officer was the person who came up with an idea and suggested running power cables from an old, unused diesel generator that was outside and some distance from the "reactor hull" (and meant for other purposes), to the Main Circulating Pumps. Cables were quickly located and run from this old generator into "the hull" and connected to the Main Circ. pumps. No one was even sure if the generator would start or not. Fortunately for a great many folks, it did, and a terrible disaster was very narrowly averted. His idea and actions literally saved the nearby towns of West Milton, Ballston Spa, Mechanicsville and Saratoga NY (and possibly a great many more towns and villages). That Petty Officer was an unsung Hero if there ever was one.

I have often wondered if the residents of those sleepy, quaint little village and towns ever knew how close they came to a nuclear disaster like that happening in Japan as I type this. To be clear, Cookie is NOT against nuclear power, in fact I'm all for it, especially in these energy starved times. Like any new technology(at that time it was relatively new), we learn from our mistakes and what happened at West Milton and other sites in the US could, in all probability not happen today. 

I know this to be true because Cookie was there! This is the first time I have ever spoken of that event since 1965. In those days, Naval Nuclear Power was relatively new and a highly secret/confidential matter and it was strictly forbidden to talk about anything related to that topic.

I guess in closing the old adage "No Harm-No Foul" applies. Like anything else in life, if we're astute enough, we learn from our mistakes.
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COMMENTS:

"SubVet" said; "WOW! I remember that blackout, it shut down the entire East Coast and the last I remember, nobody ever pinned down exactly what caused it.

Yep, the powers that be probably wanted this one kept quiet. REAL quiet. Hopefully that 2nd Class got the recognition he deserved."

COOKIE said; SubVet, there are two possible causes of that Blackout, one theory is that a UFO was spotted hovering (many witness's to this) over a Power Sub Station in Clay, NY (about 10 miles from where I live right now), however, the most probable cause was a technician improperly set a safety device at too low of a setting (up in Canada) and when the evening power demand surged from folks turning on the evening lights and heat, the breaker popped and a domino effect occurred .

I have no idea if that Petty Officer was ever recognised for his heroic actions, but if not, a grave injustice was done.

"Vigilis" said; "Enjoyed this post. Was in Schenectady at the time. Received related e-mail short while ago."

"Dapper Dan" said; "Cookie, this is an interesting story. I lived in KY at the time and remember seeing stories about it on TV and reading about in the newspapers. But your personal story brings home the dangers a blackout like that can cause. I support nuclear power too, and I'm sure you're right about their being safeguards at nuke plants against this kind of situation developing now days. But I think a massive blackout could cause other non-nuclear problems that could be equally dangerous and I'm not sure we're fully prepared for that contingency. I'm with your other readers about the guy who saved the day with his quick thinking. He deserved to be honored and rewarded for his quick actions.

BTW, I'm also interested in and open to the UFO possibility too. Do you have any other info on why (other than the eyewitness accounts) that a UFO could have been responsible?"

COOKIE said; Dan, there is a theory that UFO's can draw power from our electrical grid through Inductance, and when you think about it, it's very possible. The new cell phone charges that are now out that you simply place your cell phone on a pad and they charge up, work by inductance. The sudden (or high) draw on power could have started the domino effect that resulted.

"Ex-Nuc" said; "I qualed at S3G in 1980. Did some work in that RC on the pressurizer too. Air was hazy with insulation. Was the single largest exposure in my career. Hmmmm...."

"The Chief" said; "We can always count on the old Cookie Monster to bring us the untold truth. A really interesting footnote to history that should be made public."

Cookie Opine's...This really piss's me off!! Is this event a Coincidence?

Grumpy Bear

Last WWI Vet Buckles Will Lie in Basement at Arlington, Not Capitol Rotunda

Mar 11, 2011 – 3:14 PM

WASHINGTON -- The last American doughboy from World War I will lie in honor in a basement chapel of the amphitheater of Arlington National Cemetery -- not the U.S. Capitol rotunda -- and then be interred on Tuesday.

In a brief announcement, the cemetery said Army Cpl. Frank Buckles, who died at 110 on Feb. 27, will be "memorialized" and will "lie in honor" at Arlington's Memorial Amphitheater Chapel from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. for the public to pay their last respects.

There is no ceremony planned in the amphitheater, even though congressional leaders said they had asked the Pentagon to allow a special service to be held there.

He will be buried with full military honors. The burial service is scheduled for 4 p.m. after viewing in the underground chapel ends.

The short news release said nothing about honoring Buckles in the Capitol as his daughter and her supporters have repeatedly requested both before and after he died last month.


The last surviving American World War I veteran, seen here in 2009, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on Tuesday. Susannah Buckles Flanagan had refused to take "no" for an answer after congressional leaders turned down her request to have his remains lie in honor in the rotunda.

A family spokesman told The Associated Press today that it was satisfied with the honors planned at Arlington, which include a presidential order for flags to fly at half-staff at federal buildings on Tuesday.

Just 32 people have been honored in the U.S. Capitol. Most were presidents, statesmen and military leaders.

As AOL News reported last week, the family of the most decorated soldier of World War I turned down an offer to have his remains lie in the Capitol when he died in 1964.

Despite the decision by Speaker of the House John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to honor Buckles at Arlington in a special ceremony and viewing, the veteran's daughter waged a relentless public relations offensive to pressure them to reverse course.

She and her backers in the West Virginia congressional delegation marshaled big guns to make their case. Everyone from former GOP presidential nominee and wounded World War II veteran Bob Dole to the great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill -- who issued an "urgent statement" that implored President Barack Obama to intervene to allow Buckles to lie in "honour" starting Sunday.

The plea apparently was ignored as officials rejected politically charged barbs and decided there was a limit on the level of honors owed to Buckles.

Visitation has been scheduled in a quiet neighborhood of northwest Washington, far from Capitol Hill. Those wishing to pay respects to Buckles can file past his coffin from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Joseph Gawler's Sons Chapel and again from noon to 9 p.m. Monday.

The more modest visitation will be followed by a special ceremony in Arlington's amphitheater. The venue is usually reserved for official memorial services on Easter, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Families of those interring loved ones at Arlington normally hold services in the cemetery's chapel.

A more low-key local service is scheduled for Wednesday at a church in Buckles' hometown of Charles Town, W.Va.

Cookie's OPINE: **Sigh**, I guess if he had been a black woman like Rosa Parks (who was in the Rotunda) they would have let him into the Capitol Rotunda instead of a "Basement".  In my book they BOTH fought for FREEDOM in thier own ways.
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Hmmmm....In light of the recent Japanese earthquake and the resultingTsunami....

Astronomy Weather BlogShare

Extreme Super (Full) Moon to Cause Chaos?
Mar 1, 2011; 7:54 AM ET



















Coming up later this month (March 19 to be exact) the moon will make its closest approach to Earth (called lunar perigee) in 18 years. A new or full moon at 90% or greater of its closest perigee to Earth has been named a "SuperMoon" by astrologer Richard Nolle. This term has been recently picked up by astronomers. An extreme "SuperMoon" is when the moon is full or new as well as at its 100% greater mean perigee (closest) distance to earth. By this definition, last month's full moon, this month's and next month's will all be extreme "SuperMoons".

Please visit Richard's website by clicking here.

I have read several "new age" forecasts that go something like this: "Extreme SuperMoon this month (March 2011) will bring strong earthquakes and storms and/or unusual climate patterns." Google the term 'extreme SuperMoon March 2011' and see for yourself what comes up. The validity of these types of forecasts can be debated ad nauseum.

There were SuperMoons in 1955, 1974, 1992 and 2005. These years had their share of extreme weather and other natural events. Is the Super Moon and these natural occurences a coincidence? Some would say yes; some would say no. I'm not here to pick sides and say I'm a believer or non-believer in subjects like this, but as a scientist I know enough to ask questions and try to find answers.

We obviously know that there are scientific laws that say the moon affects the Earth (i.e. tides). There are also less proven theories that propose that the moon affects the Earth in other ways (i.e. abnormal behavior during a full moon). Can the Super (full) Moon contribute to extreme weather and other natural phenomenon?

AccuWeather Facebook fanpage member Daniel Vogler adds, "The last extreme super moon occurred was on January 10th, 2005, right around the time of the 9.0 Indonesia earthquake. That extreme super moon was a new moon. So be forewarned. Something BIG could happen on or around this date. (+/- 3 Days is my guess)"

So what can we expect this time? Earthquakes? Volcanic eruptions? I guess we can only wait and see.

Found this story over at Patricks place!

**BTW mates, althought the 19th of March is not here yet, the moon is still very close and is affecting the earth right now.**

Wunder if'n this is what CCR was talk'n bout in this here song of theirs??


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Don'tcha mess with them thar Texans....



Photobucket
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COMMENTS:

"Dapper Dan" said; "Cpl. Buckles passing marks the end of an era. I'm glad he at least got the Arlington ceremony.
That super moon story is fascinating. I'll be watching to see what happens. And I always like CCR and "Bad Moon Rising" is one of their best.
Why did the Muslim group buy the property in the first place, knowing there was a pig farm next door? Sounds like they just wanted to cause problems, stir things up and see how many PC libs will come to their defense."

COOKIE said; Couldn't agree more "Dan the Man".

Friday, March 11, 2011

A St. Paddy's Day meal, Traditional Irish Lamb Stew.

First, some wurds of wisdom; "Age is akin to a balloon; as it rises, it broadens our view."

Now Sir, here be a recipe I've never made before so's I'll be make'n it for me Irish lass of a wife in a few days. Sounds pretty good and has a 5 Star rating from "Taste of Home" magazine. Nuthin but the best fer me better half.

BTW, if you really wanna impress an Irishman who speaks Gaelic, wish him/her a Happy St. Patrick's Day by saying it in Gaelic "Po'g Mo Tho'in".

Traditional Irish Lamb Stew.

















6 Servings, Prep: 25 min. Cook: 2 hours

Ingredients;

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds lamb stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
8 pearl onions, peeled
3 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
Hot biscuits

Directions;

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 4 tablespoons flour, salt and pepper. Add lamb; shake to coat.

In a Dutch oven, brown lamb in oil on all sides. Add water and dill; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until meat is almost tender.

Add the onions, carrots and potatoes. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the meat and vegetables are tender.

In a small bowl, place remaining flour; stir in cream until smooth. Stir into stew. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with biscuits.

Yield: 6 servings.
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Well Sir, like I've said before, "The Chief", that old crotchety curmudgeon of a Gyrene, who loves to bust Cookie's balls, just sent me this video on how he used to pick up girls when he was single and much younger, and how "Humble" he is....



Hmmm, why do I doubt his veracity.
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Disclaimer: If'n Y'all do decide to say "Po'g Mo Tho'in" to a Gaelic speak'n Irishman, y'all better be ready t'run real fast cause it actually means "Kiss My Ass"!
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COMMENTS:

"The Chief" said; "The truth be told, the video is fairly accurate, except we did not have those drinks, back then. Often, I'd just stand on any corner, and lick my eyebrows. It usually worked just fine...."

Thursday, March 10, 2011

A couple of old friends, thier blogs, a new blog...a new friend.


Well Sir, one of the things many of us enjoy bout bloggin is that on occasion we meet new folks who we immediately "click" with for whatever reason.

In the case of "The Chief", a cantankerous old Gyrene who never misses an opportunity to tell us all how "Humble" he is, we enjoy bust'n each others nuts in a typical Navy-Marine competitive spirit. He also never misses a chance to tell Cookie about my mis-spelled wurds, which, since I can't get my "spell check" to wurk on the new blogger editor anymore, are quite frequent.

BTW, here's a great example of his Ball-Busting talents.


If'n Y'all get a chance, stop over to "Smolder'n Embers in a Mohawk Campfire" and say "hey" to him (and maybe bust his chops a mite while yur there).




Well Sir, a few months back I met "Dapper Dan" who has 2 blogs, one is "The Cumberland Post" and a brand spank'n new one called  "Country Dirt".



Dan (who indeed does look "dapper" as you can see from his pic) is a published author and has a new book out called "Blood Country", a murder mystery. His blogs have an overall Country Music theme with great music videos, some of them Country, some old "Rock-A-Billy, some Bluegrass, and early rock, combined many interesting facts and events that actually occurred in the Nashville country music industry.

Throughout Dans life he has been fortunate to meet some interesting folks and celebrities in the Country music industry and the stories and accounts in his posts are most enjoyable to read.

"Dan" BTW is a retired college professor who once fed off the Liberal "cool-aid" but has since weaned himself off that foul tasting teat. He now views life and reality through a much clearer prism. Good fer you mate!




Now Sir, another old blogger and friend, "SubVet" is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer who served his country for over 20 years aboard several nuclear Submarines, has a blog called "Blowing Sanitary #1" ( a Sub term for blowing the shit tank overboard).

SubVet is a self confessed Recovering Alcoholic (as is Cookie) who periodically, insightfully and thoroughly dissects various events and conditions in our country and this world, and then offers us his opinion(s) and idea's regarding those events (often "Spot-On"). He is also on his own spiritual journey and expounds on this on occasion.

So, in closing, if'n Y'all get a chance, stop over to these blogs, have a good read, leave a comment and tell em "Cookie sent me".
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COMMENTS:

...and "The crotchety old Jarhead..er...Chief" said; "Oh, great.... Just what I need, friends of yours, dropping by the Campfire. I guess this means I'll have to change loincloths and flush the bilge tank. Can't you just leave well enough, alone? You think they'll bring along some firewater, hopin' to get this old Injun likered up? Oh! And another thing... grownups actually use "spell check"? Reely?"

"IronTomFlint" said; "Hay Kooky! Tail thet their Cheef they is nuttin' rong wid yure spelling! Joust kolourful eufeminisms is awl it is!
I'm getting off my soapbox now..."

COOKIE said; Thanks Tom, I'll make sure the old curmudgeon reads this!

"Dapper Dan" said; "Cookie, thanks man, for the link and for mentioning me in such good company. I'm truly honored. I'll also be checking out subvets and the chief's blogs. I've got a post up today which links to your blog and to theirs as well. Thanks again."

"SubVet" said; "Thanks Cookie! Really flattered. For those who don't know, those munchkins standing in front of me are mine and the wife's. NOT my grandkids Funny how so many people think they are, must be the "Retired" word on that shirt. Couldn't have anything to do with age." :)

Monday, March 07, 2011

Tuesday Tidbits.....

Well Sir, as much as I hate to admit it, sometimes that cantankerous old Gyrene "The Chief" does come up with sumthin good. Yesterday he sent me this novel idea the Danes have come up with fer Traffic Control. **Sigh**, I shoulda stayed on the Police Force.

Photobucket PARTIAL NUDITY AHEAD!!


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AN IRISH GHOST STORY (To get you warmed up for March 17.)

This story happened a while ago in Dublin, and even though it sounds like
an Alfred Hitchcock tale, it's true.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
John Bradford, a Dublin University student, was on the side of the road
hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the midst of a big storm.

The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong he
could hardly see a few feet ahead of him.
Suddenly, he saw a car slowly coming towards him and stopped.

John , desperate for shelter and without thinking about it, got into the
car and closed the door.... Only to realize there was nobody behind the
wheel and the engine wasn't on. The car started moving slowly. John
looked at the road ahead and saw a curve approaching. Scared, he started
to pray, begging for his life. Then, just before the car hit the curve, a
hand appeared out of nowhere through the window, and turned the wheel.
John , paralyzed with terror, watched as the hand came through the
window, but never touched or harmed him.

Shortly thereafter, John saw the lights of a pub appear down the road,
so, gathering strength; he jumped out of the car and ran to it. Wet and
out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about the
horrible experience he had just had.

A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realized he was crying... And
wasn't drunk.

Suddenly, the door opened, and two other people walked in from the dark
and stormy night. They, like John , were also soaked and out of breath.
Looking around, and seeing John Bradford sobbing at the bar, one said to
the other....

Look Paddy....there's that fooking idiot that got in the car while we
was pushing it!!!!'
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José and Carlos are beggars.

They beg in different areas of town.

Carlos begs for the same amount of time as José, but collects only about $8.00 or $9.00 a day.

José brings home a suitcase full of ten-dollar bills every day. He drives a Mercedes, lives in a mortgage-free house, and has a lot of money to spend.

"Hey, amigo," Carlos says to José, "I work just as long and hard as you do, so how come you bring home a suitcase full of ten dollar bills every day?

José says, "Look at your sign, what does it say?"

Carlos reads his sign: "I have no work, a wife and six kids to support." "What's wrong with that?" Carlos asks him.

"No wonder you only get $8.00 or $9.00 a day!" says José.

Carlos says, "All right, what is on your sign?"

José shows him:


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G-D, I hope I never get this bad.....

A little silver-haired lady calls her neighbor and says, "Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started."

Her neighbor asks, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?"

The little silver haired lady says, "According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster."

Her neighbor decides to go over and help with the puzzle.

She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.

He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says,

"First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster."

He takes her hand and says, "Secondly, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then," he said with a deep sigh ............



"Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box."


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Hmmm, think I'll make this fer din-din t'night! Latest news from Libya.

Well Sir, here be a dish Cookie has never made so I think I'll be doing this fer dinner tonight or t'morrow.


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Latest news from Libya

Subject: Latest news from Libya

نور اگر رفت سایه پیدا نیست نقش دیوار و چشم خیره ما نقش سایه دگر نمی دان نور اگر رفت سایه. ر رفت سایه پیدا نیست نقش دیوار و چشم خیره ما نقش سایه دگر نمی دان نور اگر رفت سایه پیدا نیست نقش دیوار و چشم خیره ما

If I hear anything else, You'll be the first to know!
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A guy named Jim McBride walks into a bar in Kentucky and orders a white wine.

All the hillbillies sitting around the bar look up, expecting to see some pitiful Yankee from the north.

The bartender says, "You ain't from around here, are ya?"

The guy says, "No, I'm from Seattle ."

The bartender says, "What do you do in Seattle ?"

The guy says, "I'm a taxidermist."

The bartender says, "A taxidermist? What in tarnation is a taxidermist? Do you drive a taxi?"

"No", says the man "A taxidermist doesn't drive a taxi. I mount animals."

The bartender grins and hollers, "It's okay boys. He's one of us."
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A call to the Sportsman's' Hotline:

Hi Bob, I really need your advice on a serious problem: I have suspected for some time now that my wife has been cheating on me. The usual signs: if the phone rings and I answer, the caller hangs up; she goes out with the girls a lot. I try to stay awake to look out for her when she comes home but I usually fall asleep.
Anyway, last night about midnight I hid in the boatshed behind the boat. When she came home she got out of someone's car buttoning her blouse, then she took her panties out of her purse and slipped them on.

It was at that moment, crouched behind the boat, that I noticed a hairline crack in the outboard engine mounting bracket. Is that something I can weld or do I need to replace it?
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Gotta Thanks "Fish" frum Kentucky and my old Seabee buddy "FishinMagician" fer those two jokes.
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COMMENTS:

"Dapper Dan" said; "Great jokes today, Cookie. And that bacon carbonara sounds and looks delicious...I gotta try that too. I just subscribed to that guys channel on my YouTube account. Thanks for that link, even though I'll probably put on ten more pounds!"

COOKIE said; If'n ya put on ten more pounds mate, yur gonna wind up look'n like Cookie.