Matt's Creek fire is not far, but is across the James River in the Virginia Blue Ridge.
2750 acres, none controlled.
Windy Saturday forecast. Maybe rain Tuesday.

@BlueStateBabe
Here's the baby blanket to help Stuey & Eleanor!
The blanket is aquamarine & cream; measures 28"x31". It's made of soft acrylic yarn that is machine washable and dryable.
I will pay first class domestic postage or contribute the same to international postage.
(I always give creations away, so selling is outside my comfort zone. If I were across the Pond, I'd be helping Stuey & Eleanor pull wet carpet but I'm not so this is what I can do to help them. Please bid.)
#CoSoMutualAid

Wildfire the other side of the VA Blue Ridge -- smoke is thick and ash covers all at home.

Run run Rudolph gives away its age -- who even knows what a Sabre jet is anymore? Besides nerdy me ...

I was today years old when I learned that Adm. Harold Stark's nickname, and with which he signed many letters, was "Betty."
I kept wondering who this well-traveled woman in the War Department was ...

#MondayMemories
#OTD 1942, Gen. George Marshall was preparing to move from his office in the old Munitions building in D.C. to a larger office in the almost-completed Pentagon.
1) Visiting with Gracie and Alvin York in Munitions building office.
2) Pentagon office with painting of Gen. Pershing over Marshall's desk.
3) Some GHQ staff gathered around a conference table Marshall had room for in his Pentagon office. The table is now in the #MarshallFoundationLibrary.

Happy Monday the week before U.S. Thanksgiving! Got your headcount and food shopping done? We are 22 here counting babies.
#Thanksgiving

WaPo story
Librarians rule

#veteransday

I just explained to my daughter that while you can refer to this as a gun, it's more appropriately called a 105mm howitzer, which as a forward observer, her father worked with for years.
I have truly failed in her military education.

It's raining, WOOHOO! Not enough to relieve the drought, but every little bit is welcome. It would be a great day to curl up in the library and read a book -- but who has time?! I'm knee-deep in Python code at the #MarshallFoundationLibrary

If you weren't awake before, you are now. Quarterly fire alarm testing is SO MUCH FUN at the #MarshallFoundationLibrary (Wilbear doesn't like it at all).

Unintended consequences.
Throwing trash from a vehicle is nasty but not dangerous, right? Except at highway speeds on a two-lane road, when your large full soda bottle becomes a projectile that slams into my car.
All choices have consequences; choose wisely. And don't litter!

The morning breaks, the shadows flee

Oh, look! The new library and archive security is here!
#MarshallFoundationLibrary

Yes, @40sJunction
is now playing Christmas music and I'm singing along.
Don't fuss at me -- I LOVE Thanksgiving (we are 21 this year) but Christmas music is my favorite.

#WednesdayWisdom
"Tyranny inevitably must retire before the tremendous strength of the gospel of freedom and self-respect for the individual."
George C. Marshall in his Nobel Peace Prize speech, Dec. 1953.

What a beautiful morning in Virginia!

In Virginia, Democrats retain the Senate and flip the House! Huzzah!

Same place next day