PICTURE PERFECT

It is that time again. I was speaking with Pat (Pestep55 ),  Debra (RedHotBrat) and Mark (Markg1 ) over the past few weeks and one of the subjects was our HOBBIES, and it gave me the idea for a theme. Like many of you, even though I ‘know’ the definition of HOBBY, I still look it up to see if there are any alternate meanings that I am not aware of, gives me a chance to learn new things and think on the theme word is ways I may not have. And there is at least one meaning of this weeks theme that I had not seen before. --JohnOh--

Which leads us to this week’s theme: 

  HOBBY

We all have them, and there are going to be some takes on the theme we would never have thought of!! It just seems we can have a lot of fun with this word and learn a bit more about each other. Who knows hobbyists may find a kindred soul to discuss or trade with. Some of you, I know your hobby, but I have the feeling you are still going to surprise us!! Most of us have more than one.

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"LIFE IS A HOBBY"
Joshua Lederberg (1925-2008) American geneticist and microbiologist

Wow so many hobbies, things I enjoy doing or different collections, and I have to decide on one!? I thought this was going to be easy, but I kept going back and forth between hobbies!! I decided on my Navy collection. I have been collecting Navy items for a good 17 years. It was much easier in the beginning, but due to tight budgets, the ships and squadrons do not give things out on request like they used to.

Ideally I will have at least one 8x10 publicity shot of the ship or aircraft ( air wing/squadron), post cards of the ship or aircraft, at least a ship’s patch (the bigger ships will also Department patches, Stores, Fire/Damage Control, Weapons, etc.), A ship’s rocker tab (this was a small arched patch on the shoulder with the Ship’s name), Ship’s Cruise patches (these pertain to a specific tour, gives the places visited usually and the year), and a Welcome Aboard Booklet (these give the ship’s history, specifications, and list the senior officers on the crew. If I cannot find a Welcome Aboard booklet, I will look up the ship in the DANFS (Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships), and print out the section on the ship in question.

I really enjoy the history of the ships, and how they were named after, especially Destroyers, as they were usually named after someone who stands out in military service. What a lot of these young men unselfishly sacrificed for others, and what they did are amazing stories. A few ship’s trace their lineage all the way back to the Revolutionary War. There is always something new to learn.

Oh my!! How did my Marvin the Martian collection get into my Navy Collection photo??!!??