The pictures below are of Thanksgiving dinner here at Lookout Mtn. Flight park. There was between 40-50 people that showed up to participate in the festivities.
This is going to be a little different post, as I was told that I don't write anymore on my blogspot, since I've gotten so involved with facebook. And, as bad as I hate to admit it,, they were right. So,,unless you needing something to bore you late at night, to help you to get to bed to sleep,,,,, fair warning.
This is going to be about some of the things that I'm grateful for. For example,, the little lady~Bella above. Her and Leanna, James and Dawns daughter are about the same age. I'm thankful for my hearing, and being able to hear them running around screaming and laughing, and reminding us of what we use to do when we were children. There is nothing on this planet, quite like the laughter of a child !

Above is a picture of the bonfire. I'm thankful for the friends that were there that night, that gave off more warmth than this fire could ever radiate! There are some friends that are closer to your heart than some relatives, and will live forever in your spirit. Those friends are in, what I affectionately call, my circle of life. For without true, life long Friends, and Family,,, you would have nothing. And, what a poor soul you would be. Money can not buy what they hold in their hearts. I'm thankful for the healthy, rich heart that I have. And very honored to be able to call them-- Friends.

I'm thankful for everyone of the calories on this table. And darn glad to just be able to feed myself. I have a couple of friends that would love to be able to do that very thing. Unencumbered by failing limbs, that just won't do what they want them to do anymore. I'm thankful for my eye sight, to be able to drink in the presentation that the ladies laid out on these tables.

I am thankful for the added wing loading of 23 pounds, that is a result of 2 major operations this year, accompanied by me quiting smoking in January. That just means that I'm healthy, and it's time to take this health thing to the next level. For example,,cutting out all the Cokes that I drink, more exercising, and just basically doing what the Dr.'s have told me to do. If I would do what I was told sometimes,, life would probably be a lot easier for me. Sometimes it takes a brick, to explain things to me, so that I understand them. Go figure.

I'm so very thankful for my sobriety. For, without it,,, I wouldn't be here. I thank the numerous friends that help me, sometimes on a daily basis, to battle the beast within. Most of the time, they don't even know that they are helping,,, but they are. And, they give it freely, and without hesitation, mental reservation, or restrictions. We are who we are, and what we are. As brutally honest, and gentle as we can be at the time.

I'm also thankful for my higher power, which is God, and Jesus Christ. He's got a birthday coming up,,,hope you remember it ! He and I, we be Mates !

I'm also thankful and proud of all of our service men and women, that fight on a daily basis, in our stead so we don't have to. No matter what you political views, you have to love those people. They are just doing whatever the Commander in Chief tells them to do. They have NO say so in the matter. And, most importantly,, they have Volunteered for this duty,,there's not a draft.

If you don't have any friends, or family to visit this holiday season do not sit in the house. You are desperately needed. There was a couple of years that I volunteered during the holiday season at a Missions, in Huntsville, Al. I would serve the food to the homeless and help out where ever they needed me at the time. I would also go to this Nursing home off the Parkway, and take soaps,shampoos, and other little things, and they would treat me like one of their family. Most didn't have families, or their families didn't care anymore, and wouldn't show up at all. Left and forgotten. Some of the looks on their faces, where like those of Bella and Leanna, with wondering and excitement. They didn't make as much noise, but it was still fun to do.

The most important thing in my life, that I am very thankful for, is that I still have my Dad. He lives in Ohio, which is a good piece away, but never Too far. He is in fairly good health, except his back, which he is having fixed. My Aunt, and cousins are a plus also.

I do hope, with all my heart,, that you are truly blessed this wonderful Holiday Season.

Yesterday was the first Flying Holiday Bazaar Festival, here at Lookout Mountain Flight park.
Below are just some of the pictures that was taken of the great artwork that was displayed.

Below, is Barry Brown. His metal sculptures are enjoyed by a lot of us local pilots. We have them on our houses, and in our homes. The designs are plasma cut out of this thick metals, and then primed. If you would like more information,,please let me know, and I can hook you up with his email address. Very unique pieces. My piece, displayed above my garage door outside, has my last name, Helman, on it.


Scott and Lia's airbrushing trailer. He does such great work ! Very talented.

Gabriel and Tami had a massage booth set up, and provided some excellent service to a lot of people !

Mark Fink really impressed me with his paintings. He uses a Bee's wax and raw pigment technique. Really captured some pretty sights !

Claire's silk paintings speak for themselves. I wish I was rich ! I would have a lot more of her work in my house !

Lia is to be commended on the organization of this event. Very nice job. I do hope that we are able to have it again next year.

Chattanooga Dance Sport's showcase " Dreamscapes & Shadows", that got postponed last month, was rescheduled for yesterday afternoon.
Denny and Amanda really did an excellent job with this. The routines, and costumes were superb. Not only did Denny do most of the male leads, the last one that he did, shown below with Amanda, he had a bunch of lifts in them as well. Better man than me !

My Favorite costume of the evening, with Mark and Denise.

After the showcase, I was able to spend some time with friends over at Ann's. Tom had just flown in, and we had a small get together to visit with him. Please keep him in your prayers.

Thanks Ann, for having us over. Food, as usual, was impeccable !

These pictures are of a friend of mine, Linda, and her best friend. They both had their 60th birthday, and hang gliding was on their bucket list.
Linda moments before her life changes forever.

I may submit this one to the magazine.

Eric bringing her in for a landing. As it happens,,, once a year our area is burdened by a small visitor to the bother everyone for a short amount of time. The Ladybug. The picture below is just a very small area, of infestation. 1,000's of these little buggers are everywhere. Then, as quick as they show up,,, they are gone. Really an amazing thing. Going to have to google to find out why they do it, and how.

This is my post for Veterans Day. My Dad sent this to me.


Thanks to all of our men and women in & out of the services ! Semper Fi !

A friend of mine,Tom shown below, sent this email out today, trying to get the correct information to all of his friends at the same time. I'm sure that some will be left out of the loop, so when you get this, would you please copy and paste this in an email to all the people in the hang gliding community, and to all the Prayer Warriors that you know. This is a good man, and a great hang glider pilot, and it's a shame bad things happen to good people ! ! By His Stripes ! !

"This has been an amazing few weeks. I don't know who knows what, so let me summarize what's been going on.

It started with what I thought was a summer allergy. We had astronomically high pollen counts, so I thought the stuffy nose and occasional watery eye was just from that.

After the pollen count subsided, but the problem didn't, I checked with the local doctor who put me on antibiotics and decongestants, thinking it was an infection. After a month of medicines with no improvement, the dr saw something, 'I don't know what it is, but I don't like it.' An x-ray showed some dark mass in my sinus cavity. Not very pretty.

The first trip to the ear, nose and throat DR. was less than reassuring. Good chance that it's a cancerous tumor. But let's do some more screening to get a better look. Feeling down.

The better look (an MRI) showed a mass like a balloon inflating, not good considering it's parked against my brain, but based on the shape, there's a good chance it's not cancer.Feeling a bit 'up'.

In for surgery to have 'it' removed. Guess what. it is a rare cancer of the sinus cavity that occurs in 1 of a milliom people. That's why it didn't look like the typical cancer. This type of cancer shows the exact symptoms as a sinus infection, so the initial diagnosis would have been correct 999,999 times out of a million. Back to feeling down.
Then it's where to go for treatment, At first, the best available place was in Houston,but they can't see me until the end of November. So, Sloan-Kettering in NY now seems to have the nod, having an opening for an evaluation on Friday.

There is also a problem with my one eye, but that is pretty insignificant, all things considered.

So, 2 quick favors. First my family and close friends have all been through the 'up and down' series with me. If you are a prayer person, please send along a wish for hope and guidance for them. It's been a big strain on everyone. Second, there are alot of folks whose e-mail addresses I don't have. Feel free to forward this to an acquaintance whose address you have. I'd prefer that the correct info is out there instead of someone being misinformed. Thanks. "

Love Tom

These are just some of my favorite pictures that I took on Saturday night at the flight park.
Over in the index, to the right, you see a hyperlink that says, LOTS OF PICS,, click on that to take you to where the rest of the pictures are posted.
Below is Roadie Joel, and his lady friend Mandy. Can see why Joel would climb to the top of a tall building for her !
Matt and Robin was both sexy and disturbing,, I'll leave it up to you to decipher which is which,lol.

Below are the winners of the costume contest. Dale Stokes took first with her Amelia Earhart costumes. Very imaginative !

Her plane numbers were: IMSOLOST ,lol

Eric took second place as, basically himself, snowboarder. Ashely and Isaiah is shown here joining him.

Ieda took 3td with " A bun in the oven". She made the box and everything her self. Well, Josh did help with the bun, a little bit.

The food, the band, beer, camaraderie, and bonfire made for a great Halloween night.

Doris and the ladies really out did themselves with all the decorations, and making sure everyone had plenty to eat. Be sure to click on the link, to see pics of the decorations ! !