Hobby Thread - March 29, 2025 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM) a spin and it shuddered, wobbled and squeaked. Enough of that. The Wheel clearly needs servicing. We will try something else in the interim...

[Photo:National World War II Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana]

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Saw this recently on X:

Since this is a smart military blog (at times), seems like the Horde might have thoughts. What have you sent or received? Any novel or unique ideas? Anything that was a memorable hit? Anything that worked out...poorly? Any good intentions gone terribly wrong?

Socks are nice but what do people REALLY want or appreciate?

What is the craziest thing you sent or received? What is the craziest thing you saw others send or receive? Epic care packages must be the stuff of lore and legend. What did you hear was sent or received but didn't see for yourself?

Do you send care packages to those downrange? Do you send to people you know personally or do you work through an organization? Have you adopted a unit (if so, how did that work? How did you get started?)

Are military care packages a hobby? Yes. Do you send things you make? Perhaps you crochet blankets? Do you include items for the recipient's hobbying in theater?

If you were deployed, did you do any hobbying?

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What are you hobbying these days? Does spring weather open up new options for your hobbying? As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Your participation does not need to limited to the theme. All hobbying is welcome. However, politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Play nice. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls. Pants, as always, are optional.

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These responses to the main post on X caught my eye:

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Many ideas are for hygiene, comfort, entertainment, food and a glimpse of home.

Are there tactical or operational things that are not military issue but are highly valued? This video asks each person about their favorite thing received and one said a bore snake to help clean his weapon. I never would have thought of that.

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My Story: The Best Way to Know What to Send

Knowing what to send is the hardest part about sending a care package. But if I learned one thing from the service, it's that you should listen to your service member! When I was in the Navy, I used to play catch on our flight deck on Sunday afternoons. As accurate as we may have been, we'd lose baseballs over the side as the ship rocked back and forth. I put the word out to my family: send old baseballs in the next care package. And from then on out, each military care package I got had a couple of beat-up baseballs in it. My grandfather even sent a whole box with just baseballs and a simple note: "Hope this helps." Well, it did, and I still remember that care package all these years later. It was like a treasure trove for a young sailor who just wanted a bit of normalcy on those long deployments.
But for every baseball I got, I also loved the things that came along with it. And frankly, if all anyone sent me were baseballs, I'd run out of space! That's why variety is key.

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Soldier's Wish List from Yellow Ribbon Support Center

More at the link, but here are some of their suggestions:

Disposable cameras
Flashlights
Small fans, mist fans
Small microwavable bowls
White cotton socks (new)
Ziploc storage bags (all sizes)

Comic Books, Coloring Books
Games (hand held, electronic, board)
Mini Darts & Board or Basketball & Hoop
Model car, airplane kits with glue, paint & brushes
Paperback books
Pens, markers, colored pencils, crayons
Playing cards, Rulebook (According to Hoyle)
Puzzles (crossword, sudoku, word search)
Silly putty, Yoyo, Squirt guns
Sports equipment (Footballs, baseballs, soccer balls, basketball, table tennis equipment, Nerf toys)

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Horde hobbying - polynikes has been busy painting!

San Fran Japanese Tea Garden

Fishing Town

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We talked horde quilting. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different theme next time. What are you hobbying? We love showing off Horde hobbying. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at March 29, 2025 05:30 PM (2ovuE)

2 When I was deployed the best care packages were simple stuff that the wife knew I could not get. Snack food stuff like pop tarts and the like were always a treat. Granted that kind of stuff usually ended up as mostly crumbs in the package but it sure tasted good.

When our nephew deployed to Afghanistan we sent him flavored pumpkin seeds. The weirder flavor the better is what he and his guys wanted.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at March 29, 2025 05:34 PM (e5NfL)

3 Those are lovely paintings.

I've never been in the military, or had friends who were, so I've never sent or received care packages like those described.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 29, 2025 05:35 PM (CHHv1)

4 Poly, do you ever think of doing book covers?

Can't say I've ever sent a care package. We've done a couple of Samaritan's Purse Christmas boxes, though.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at March 29, 2025 05:37 PM (0eaVi)

5 3 I've never been in the military, or had friends who were, so I've never sent or received care packages like those described.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 29, 2025 05:35 PM
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Plot point: Maybe the martian in your current animation series can send or receive a care package from "home."

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 05:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

6 Re: top picture

What service or when did they use the round dog tags? I have seen them before, but never knew if they were an older form or just a specific service.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 29, 2025 05:38 PM (bss/y)

7 We supported an aviation unit in AF.

Sent a lot of Life Savers in rolls, so the pilots and crew can use a zippered pocket. We sent popcorn, tic taks, socks and made sure the maintainers were taken care of too. Wish I can remember all the other stuff we sent. It did arrive when they were low in morale, which soared afterwards.

In thanks, we got a flag they flew one day.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 29, 2025 05:39 PM (u82oZ)

8 Loved the clip from M*A*S*H. The Christmas 1980 episode has another gem with Charles, this time involving Klinger.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 29, 2025 05:40 PM (omVj0)

9 Polynikes is getting to be quite the artist, worthy of a Art Thread

Posted by: Skip at March 29, 2025 05:40 PM (2ovuE)

10 Got a care package while I was in Germany with the Army. Chocolate chip cookies was the main thing I remember from that.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at March 29, 2025 05:41 PM (lUFok)

11 I use to get food items when in England, always appreciated

Posted by: Skip at March 29, 2025 05:41 PM (2ovuE)

12 When I was deployed I got popcorn seeds and cassette tapes of all my friends.

One friend had his picture taken with two Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders besides him. He was standing in for me. Right, buddy.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 29, 2025 05:42 PM (u82oZ)

13 I really like your artwork, polynikes. Well done.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at March 29, 2025 05:43 PM (mH6SG)

14 Plot point: Maybe the martian in your current animation series can send or receive a care package from "home."
Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 05:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

That video I still don't know where to access, you mean?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at March 29, 2025 05:44 PM (0eaVi)

15 I often thought to send a package to the troops in far off lands but no.idea how to get one to someone you don't know who or where they might be.

Posted by: Skip at March 29, 2025 05:46 PM (2ovuE)

16 polynikes, your art is lovely. The colors in the Japanese garden piece are so striking.

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 29, 2025 05:46 PM (wX56x)

17 Very nice, polynikes.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 29, 2025 05:47 PM (LkLld)

18 14 That video I still don't know where to access, you mean?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at March 29, 2025 05:44 PM
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Search his nickname on YouBoob to find the channel.

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 05:48 PM (IQ6Gq)

19 When the war on terror was in full swing I would donate to Operation Gratitude that would send care packages.

Now I donate to Semper Fi Fund which is one of the three charities for me.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 05:48 PM (VofaG)

20 Care packages: One of my adopt-a-soldiers in Iraq made the mistake of informing me he liked wasabi.

I found wasabi-flavored *toothpaste*, an assortment of wasabi-flavored snacks, a wasabi air freshener ... His was a wasabi wonderland that month. He was a medic, and mentioned going outside the wire and helping locals, so I also sent cartoon bandaids suitable for kids. And some bacon and egg ones for the soldiers. He actually replied that it helped, putting a bandaid egg on a minor ding on a "blowed-up" soldier made them smile.

Other adopt-a-soldiers got inflatable fruitcakes, a spare x-box controller so they could do multiplayer, movies, and of course socks.

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at March 29, 2025 05:48 PM (xwBge)

21 That video I still don't know where to access, you mean?

https://tinyurl.com/3mjncmpe

Sorry to OT the current theme. I've not really posted it anywhere, but it strangely has like 170 views. Which is nothing for a typical YT channel but it's phenomenal for me. I'm not sure how it happened.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 29, 2025 05:49 PM (CHHv1)

22 Skip

The unit in AF had a WO5 that would post on Hot Air, back when it was not crippled.

Most of us have aged out of deployments. But not hospital beds or home stays.

Prayers ascending for you, Jewells45 and Jim, Sunk New Dawn.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 29, 2025 05:49 PM (u82oZ)

23 Search his nickname on YouBoob to find the channel.
Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 05:48 PM (IQ6Gq)

I've been there before, but couldn't remember what the channel name was. Thanks.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at March 29, 2025 05:49 PM (0eaVi)

24 Hola, H’all. Happy Saturday Late Saturday Afternoon, Pre-Svengoolie Evening.

Posted by: Bulg at March 29, 2025 05:50 PM (77rzZ)

25 Given where I was stationed, care packages were just not necessary, so I got no story. However, oddly, I recall a short letter that I received from my old university adivisor. He was an interesting character, Professor of English Literature, and, the Wrestling Coach. Also, a Korea Vet:

Hammer,

Hang tough. The life you save might be mine.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 29, 2025 05:50 PM (XeU6L)

26 Best deployment gift (Desert Storm) was right before the ground war started. The air force were hitting their lines for weeks and you could hear the "booms" when the payloads dropped.

A friend of mine's younger sister sent me a letter just smelling of perfume with girly hearts and such written on the envelope. We have been sitting in the desert for months and we reeked. That (unopened) letter got passed around the platoon for a half hour before they finally handed it to me.

Years later I ran into her and told her the story. Still got that letter.

Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at March 29, 2025 05:50 PM (RVo/f)

27 Thanks for the positive feedback. I took a break for three months because of my move but now I'm back at it.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 05:50 PM (VofaG)

28 24 Hola, H’all.

Posted by: Bulg at March 29, 2025 05:50 PM
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Hello Bulg!

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 05:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

29 Oh, and that medic *also* got personally signed, addressed to him, (headshot) publicity photos of some of the Penthouse Pets. Which got me an email with "How the HELL did you get those???" hehehehe. Which is a whole other story involving Vegas and a private party at the Penthouse club. A pity the regs did not permit me sending the copy of the magazine.

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at March 29, 2025 05:54 PM (xwBge)

30 6 What service or when did they use the round dog tags? I have seen them before, but never knew if they were an older form or just a specific service.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 29, 2025 05:38 PM
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If I recall correctly, round was the standard in WWI.
The Army first moved to the rounded rectangle in early WWII, but other branches stuck with the round. Eventually, all transitioned away from round, but think that was after WWII ended.

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 05:55 PM (IQ6Gq)

31 I wear my father's dog tags ( tag) on a silver chain given to me by my mother. Since they are now both gone it means a lot to me.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 05:55 PM (VofaG)

32 I often thought to send a package to the troops in far off lands but no.idea how to get one to someone you don't know who or where they might be.

You can do it through programs like "Any Soldier", "Operation Gratitiude", or "Support Our Troops."

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at March 29, 2025 05:56 PM (lUFok)

33 I sent my son a Wiffle Ball and Bat, along with bases that I found at the Dollar Store. The guys loved it. Then I sent one of those cheap bowling games and that was a hit also. Big mistake I made was sending a bunch of kites. Of course, there was no way they could fly them, and I'm told that little faux pas was the topic of many a joke for months.

Posted by: IrishEi at March 29, 2025 05:56 PM (3ImbR)

34 My farmer friend (the one who moved from Manhattan to the family farm with his busty wife (auburn hair, not blond) ) would get letters from her with lots of perfume, and a tantalizing Re: message written in red lipstick. He was the last one to get that letter.

Made Viet Nam a lot more bearable for him. Still married after 54 years.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 29, 2025 05:58 PM (u82oZ)

35 I remember again during the height of the war that a lot of packages sent weren't comfort care packages but battle equipment . Silly string, Gloves, optics, etc.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 05:59 PM (VofaG)

36 24 Hola, H’all. Happy Saturday Late Saturday Afternoon, Pre-Svengoolie Evening.
Posted by: Bulg at March 29, 2025

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Sven has a Godzilla movie tonight, Godzilla vs. Monster Zero. Which I can't find on IMDb, but Amazon has it for sale. It's a 1965 flick with Nick Adams, The Rebel, in it.

We'll prob. watch Season Three of All Creatures Great and Small, the 2020 version.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 29, 2025 05:59 PM (omVj0)

37 Polynikes, wow, you are a very talented artist. Thank you for sharing your work.

I've sent but never received care packages. In addition to what has already been mentioned, DVDs were a hit during the down times. And I knew one smart a** Marine who wanted an autographed photo of former NYC mayor Ed Koch. He was silenced when he received it....

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 29, 2025 06:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

38 My GF a the time, now my wife sent me a 6pk of Coors beer. Couldn't buy it in Texas at he time. It was home grown beer. Hit the spot. She didn't know that was against USPS law.

Posted by: Ronster at March 29, 2025 06:07 PM (gRFnH)

39 Really good, polynikes!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 29, 2025 06:09 PM (/Ghsb)

40 Nairobi, boarding school, circa 1961-2. Mom would occasionally send a care paackage. So it's evening and I pullout a can of sliced cling peaches in heavy syrup. Used a hefty hunting knife to open the can. Shared with friend in next bed. Heaven.

Posted by: Ciampino - brushless at March 29, 2025 06:09 PM (sPQoU)

41 Poly, do you ever think of doing book covers?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at March 29, 2025 05:37 PM

I never thought about that. I thought most would be AI created now. I think that would be something any artist would like to do. My fantasy would to have a piece of work hang in a museum.
But you have to be screwed up somehow to be recognized as museum worthy. I don't think even the two most popular artists in history have any of their works hanging in a notable museum. Bob Ross and Thomas Kinkade.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:10 PM (VofaG)

42 Polynikes, those are nice! I especially like the Japanese garden. I did a Japanese garden painting one time and it turned out awful. Unfortunately my DH liked it and insisted on hanging it up in the house. Makes me wince every time I see it. But as a friend once said, "They can't all be masterpieces." LOL.

Posted by: tankascribe at March 29, 2025 06:11 PM (NtoJk)

43 I remember again during the height of the war that a lot of packages sent weren't comfort care packages but battle equipment . Silly string, Gloves, optics, etc.
Posted by: polynikes
------

I recall one maintenance guy asking for 6-point, 1/2" drive Craftsman sockets, as the 12-pointers + not-hard nuts were rounding off.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 29, 2025 06:12 PM (XeU6L)

44 I got a couple "care packages" while in college.

Mostly socks. And some snacks, like chips or pretzels. Rarely what I really wanted... money.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 29, 2025 06:12 PM (Q4IgG)

45 Candy that melted and reset probably more than once, was melted when arrived, licked it off the paper and my hands. It was made by lovely Baptist ladies, Mama, Aunts, Granny.

Posted by: Eromero at March 29, 2025 06:14 PM (p4vtc)

46 That video I still don't know where to access, you mean?
-------
https://tinyurl.com/3mjncmpe

Sorry to OT the current theme. I've not really posted it anywhere, but it strangely has like 170 views.

I'll finish it later but my first impression is great sound work.

Posted by: Oddbob at March 29, 2025 06:16 PM (/y8xj)

47 My GF a the time, now my wife sent me a 6pk of Coors beer. Couldn't buy it in Texas at he time. It was home grown beer. Hit the spot. She didn't know that was against USPS law.
Posted by: Ronster at March 29, 2025 06:07 PM (gRFnH)
~~~~~

I sent my son a six-pack of Mad Elf Ale when he was stationed in S. Korea over Christmas. Lots of planning went into the packaging since it is only available in bottles. After tons of foam wrap and bubble wrap around each bottle, we put them inside a large plastic container that was filled with towels from K-Mart (in case of breakage, we didn't want any contraband leaking out.) That then went into two contractor garbage bags, and the whole thing went into a box with more fill. Another son and I had so much fun packing it, and incredibly it took three weeks to get there, but every single bottle survived!

Posted by: IrishEi at March 29, 2025 06:16 PM (3ImbR)

48 Good evening, Horde. When I first moved to Texas my mom would send me care packages of salami, cheese and French bread.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 06:18 PM (keLsF)

49 Good evening, Horde. When I first moved to Texas my mom would send me care packages of salami, cheese and French bread.
Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 06:18 PM (keLsF)

Where did you move from?

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:19 PM (VofaG)

50 Polynikes, Napa Valley, California.

Your work is lovely, good sir.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 06:21 PM (keLsF)

51 Polynikes, Napa Valley, California.

Your work is lovely, good sir.
Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 06:21 PM (keLsF)

I should have guessed that from the contents of your care package😀

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:22 PM (VofaG)

52 45 Posted by: Eromero at March 29, 2025 06:14 PM
***
Good evening, Sir. Glad to "see" you.

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 06:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

53 Multiple deployments, multiple care packages. 1st Gulf War had a friend drain a large jar of maraschino cherries and refill with Everclear, reseal so it looked unopened. NYE in the desert was lit. Also got a wife from the adopt a soldier/Marine list during Desert Storm. It's been 32 years now. Last Iraq deployment(201

she sent nacho/taco kit (seasonings, salsa, jalapenos, tortillas, chips, refried beans) and Sailor Jerry rum in a Agave nectar bottle. I married a gem.

Posted by: Stacy0311 at March 29, 2025 06:23 PM (MlJo7)

54 I once sent a friend, who had moved to grits-deprived Seattle, a package of stone-ground Georgia grits.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 29, 2025 06:24 PM (XeU6L)

55 53 Also got a wife from the adopt a soldier/Marine list during Desert Storm. It's been 32 years now. Last Iraq deployment(201 she sent nacho/taco kit (seasonings, salsa, jalapenos, tortillas, chips, refried beans) and Sailor Jerry rum in a Agave nectar bottle. I married a gem.

Posted by: Stacy0311 at March 29, 2025 06:23 PM
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Strong candidate for Hobby Thread comment of the week.

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 06:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

56 A friend of mine, as a joke, sent a mutual friend who was stationed in Germany a care package full of hard core porno. Which was bad enough, but it just happened to arrive at his base on 9/11, so all packages were opened up by the MPs!

Posted by: Josephistan at March 29, 2025 06:27 PM (G0Uu2)

57 Posted by: Stacy0311 at March 29, 2025 06:23 PM

I think I could write a movie script just based on that snippet.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:28 PM (VofaG)

58 I tried to go play radio today, but both times something prevented me from completing the mission. The first was a road marked "Private Drive / No Trespassing." I didn't want to take the chance of being in the wrong spot and running afoul of one of our local "independent drug farmers," so I went to another location. The road to the second spot was impassible unless you have an off-road vehicle, which I definitely do not have. Oh well. I got my fresh air and sunshine by doing yard work instead.

Posted by: PabloD at March 29, 2025 06:28 PM (bYWVt)

59 Mom sent a sealled cookie tin of rum balls to me while the carrier was off vietnam. Nice way to get alcohol while deployed. They were enjoyed by many.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 29, 2025 06:31 PM (7mlA3)

60 I tried to go play radio today......

I'm trying to figure out what that means?

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:31 PM (VofaG)

61 Once got some kimchee sent to me while deployed. It froze in ir freight and burst. Damn near whole chin of command freaked out. Bunch of pissed off pussies coulodn't handle a little spilled kimchee.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 29, 2025 06:33 PM (/lPRQ)

62 I tried to go play radio today......

I'm trying to figure out what that means?
Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:31 PM (VofaG)

I may not want to know what that means.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at March 29, 2025 06:33 PM (VNX3d)

63 60 I tried to go play radio today......

I'm trying to figure out what that means?

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:31 PM
***
SOTA outing

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

64 Polynikes - I do an activity called Summits On The Air (SOTA). Amateur radio operators go out into the field, climb up to hilltops / mountaintops with portable stations, and try to make contacts with other radio nerds. TRex did a thread about it a while back. There are a few other hams on here, so I sort of assume people know what I mean.

Posted by: PabloD at March 29, 2025 06:36 PM (bYWVt)

65 In past hobby thread, finally did a little project to play with my dad's scroll saw. Made a burned out church model, for a 1 day project happy the way it came out.

Posted by: Skip at March 29, 2025 06:37 PM (2ovuE)

66 Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

Heh that just confused me more, SOTA means state of the art to me.

excuse my ignorance

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:38 PM (VofaG)

67 Received an unexpected Horde Hobbying submission today in the Hobby Thread mailbox. Absolutely amazing stuff. Thank you to the submitter.

Excited to share with everyone next week on the HT. Please come fully prepared to Oooh and Ahhh.

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 06:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

68 Posted by: PabloD at March 29, 2025 06:36 PM (bYWVt)

Thanks . I thought it was about ham radio but didn't know about the portable or SOTA.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:40 PM (VofaG)

69 When I was deployed, the RMBS Mom sent homemade Greek pastries. My people loved them, and eagerly awaited the next shipment. 😀

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at March 29, 2025 06:43 PM (Wnv9h)

70 Love those paintings by Polynikes. The tea garden foliage with its range of green hues and splashes of color against the stones and wooden structures is lovely. The fishing village sky really captures the feel of a calm summer day with those clouds. He got the right touch of wispiness against the blue sky.

Both paintings convey a sense of longevity and continuation and quiet serenity. Both use calm water and the reflections that allows. It is relaxing just to look at them.

Sorry if I got into art thread mode. Can't always help myself.

Posted by: JTB at March 29, 2025 06:44 PM (yTvNw)

71 I use to get food items when in England, always appreciated
Posted by: Skip at March 29, 2025 05:41 PM (2ovuE)

Because man does not live on spotted dick alone?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at March 29, 2025 06:45 PM (JkO4W)

72 I have both sent and received numerous care packages. Much joy on either end.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 06:46 PM (keLsF)

73 So, back about 10 years i installed a testing machine (sledgehammers, it was crazy) for TTI. Techtronic Industries (Rigid tools, Milwaukee ect...) - and while I was there they honored their oldest, longest employed employee, who started when he was hired for Singer. At like 12 years old. It was pretty cool.

Posted by: tRusty Hudson at March 29, 2025 06:48 PM (ITq2/)

74 Because man does not live on spotted dick alone?
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at March 29, 2025 06:45 PM

Speak for yourself, bitch.

Posted by: Pete Bootyjudge at March 29, 2025 06:48 PM (Wnv9h)

75 I never thought about that. I thought most would be AI created now. I think that would be something any artist would like to do.
Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:10 PM (VofaG)

Sorry, gone for a bit.

Poly, all those AI covers look the same. I'd think actual artwork, either oil, acrylic, or watercolor would stand out better than anything I've seen on the shelves. Of course, you'd have to have a front, spine, and back.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at March 29, 2025 06:50 PM (0eaVi)

76 Ben Had, how are you? I have on my list this week to work on 2025 trip logistics, and that includes Corsicana!
Really looking forward to No. X (our No III)....

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 29, 2025 06:51 PM (IQ6Gq)

77 Sorry if I got into art thread mode. Can't always help myself.
Posted by: JTB at March 29, 2025 06:44 PM (yTvNw)

I like that mode !

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 06:51 PM (VofaG)

78 Sorry if I got into art thread mode. Can't always help myself.
Posted by: JTB at March 29, 2025 06:44 PM (yTvNw)

I like that mode !
********
It is the Hobby Thread after all....

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 29, 2025 06:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

79 A nurse friend deployed in the UK during Desert Storm. I didn't have guidance like this; I recall sending packages of Oreo cookies, some fun reading, and the rest I forget. We'll, she sent a thank you note.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at March 29, 2025 06:54 PM (/I3iW)

80 Grateful, planning for X is in the works. 6 months will fly by. I want to thank all of you that have made this a part of your life. I am pleased to say that there is already a large group of "first timers" that will be joining us this year.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 06:58 PM (keLsF)

81 Polynikes I love your paintings especially the Fishing Town. Would love to hang it in my place. You are very talented.

Posted by: Tuna at March 29, 2025 06:58 PM (lJ0H4)

82 Our town had a Navy hospital back then. Didn't send care packages but in high school some friends and I put together a jug band to entertain troops wounded in Nam, mostly Marines. (Yes, we had an old cider jug along with guitars and a string bass.) We went from ward to ward and they seemed to enjoy it, singing along and cracking jokes. We felt we were giving them something after their sacrifices.

We also learned what was really happening over there. That was the start of my distrust, totally justified, of the news business in general and of politicians specifically.

Posted by: JTB at March 29, 2025 07:00 PM (yTvNw)

83 Grateful, planning for X is in the works. 6 months will fly by. I want to thank all of you that have made this a part of your life. I am pleased to say that there is already a large group of "first timers" that will be joining us this year.
************
Those "first timers" are in for a real treat, they just don't realize it yet. But they will once they experience it! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help the cause...

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 29, 2025 07:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

84 My dad knew the value of care packages from his two stints in Vietnam. He would send packages in the packages for me to give to fellow soldiers that weren't getting any. Mom's home baked cookies and pop tarts and newspapers...

RIP dad and thank you.

I collect militaria as a sort of hobby. Yesterday I encountered something that was hard to pass up yet I totally wanted. A complete parachute rig minus the parachute. Probably 60's era judging from other clues at the estate sale. I might go back tomorrow and see if it's still there.

Posted by: Reforger at March 29, 2025 07:03 PM (xcIvR)

85 Tuna, I am blessed to have a polynikes . His work is even more impressive when seen in person.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 07:04 PM (keLsF)

86 Polynikes: I love the Japanese landscape. The colors mesh so well. Thank you for brightening my evening. (Just back from dialysis so everything is blehhh.)

Posted by: Livia Augusta at March 29, 2025 07:05 PM (xoECP)

87 When my brother was in Iraq, I sent him a letter almost every day. Just random shit, what I thought about regular stuff; movies, books, TV shows, random idiots I encountered, road trips with the family. He began reading the letters to his buddies. Brother told me it was a huge morale booster for him and his buddies.

I was too old to re-up. So I did that instead.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Me no type good at March 29, 2025 07:06 PM (0aYVJ)

88 Grateful, you both do so much my thanks yous will never be enough.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 07:08 PM (keLsF)

89 When my brother was in Iraq, I sent him a letter almost every day. Just random shit, what I thought about regular stuff; movies, books, TV shows, random idiots I encountered, road trips with the family. He began reading the letters to his buddies. Brother told me it was a huge morale booster for him and his buddies.

I was too old to re-up. So I did that instead.
************
Pug, sending a letter every day is a very loving commitment...I'm sure your brother looked forward to those letters as a lifeline to the world he would return to.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 29, 2025 07:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

90 Posted by: Livia Augusta at March 29, 2025 07:05 PM (xoECP)

Making anyone feel better after a tough day is the best compliment I could ever get. Thank you.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 07:12 PM (VofaG)

91 This past Christmas I sent 4 dozen Pierogis to our daughter's MIL, who was missing some from her old home town. Normally the kids and grandkids spend Christmas Day with her, but this year she was kind enough to "give up" that day to us, due to my illness.

She is the sweetest lady, and it was a complete surprise to her, which made it even more special. She was SO excited when she got the package!

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Texas - Ace of Spades Ladies Brigade, plucky comic relief at March 29, 2025 07:14 PM (SRRAx)

92 The Tea Garden is 30x40 and Fishing Town 16x20.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 07:14 PM (VofaG)

93 Mom sent my brother a very delicate Polish cookie that he loved. By the time it reached Vietnam it was crumbs. He didn't care, he spooned up the crumbs.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at March 29, 2025 07:14 PM (2NHgQ)

94 Older brother asked for harddrive of stuff to watch. Loaded it up with common movies and such, but, as I recall his favorites were the tv series he had never heard of, (and never had time to watch at home anyway). Believe it got left in Afghanistan for the next group of guys when he was done.

Posted by: Fish at March 29, 2025 07:15 PM (2OpSK)

95 Pug, sending a letter every day is a very loving commitment...I'm sure your brother looked forward to those letters as a lifeline to the world he would return to.
Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 29, 2025 07:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

Yeah, when he got home there was a lot of beer drinking and bro-hugs. He flies Black Hawks now. Billy Bad-Ass.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Me no type good at March 29, 2025 07:15 PM (0aYVJ)

96 When my brother was in Iraq, I sent him a letter almost every day. Just random shit, what I thought about regular stuff; movies, books, TV shows, random idiots I encountered, road trips with the family. He began reading the letters to his buddies. Brother told me it was a huge morale booster for him and his buddies.

I was too old to re-up. So I did that instead.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Me no type good at March 29, 2025 07:06 PM

My wife kept all of the letters I wrote to her when I was deployed. I got rid of the racy ones and kept everything else to give our son when we are gone. Funny thing is they are all written in cursive and I doubt 3 in 10 people can read them these days.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at March 29, 2025 07:18 PM (e5NfL)

97 My wife kept all of the letters I wrote to her when I was deployed. I got rid of the racy ones and kept everything else to give our son when we are gone.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at March 29, 2025 07:18 PM
***
Wow. What a gift.

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 07:19 PM (IQ6Gq)

98 I can't imagine being deployed without anyone at home missing you. I imagine one might get reckless.

Posted by: polynikes at March 29, 2025 07:20 PM (VofaG)

99 If there is one word that defines this place, it is generosity.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 07:21 PM (keLsF)

100 We love visiting the Tea Garden but only when it opens, then it gets jammed with tourists.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 29, 2025 07:21 PM (RIvkX)

101 Time to say thank you and good night before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for participating and sharing your stories. If you're lurking, thanks for being here too.

If you know someone deployed and were wondering whether to send a care package, do it.

New Hobby Thread edition next week with a different theme. Should be fun, so come back y'all!

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 07:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

102 Re: Care Packages

Year 1987
Ship. USS SEATTLE (AOE3)

For some crazy reason a supply ship was over budget and we couldn’t resupply ourselves with toilet paper. Even though it was onboard and we were supplying other ships.

CHT system was getting clogged by people using anything to wipe ( t-shirts, rags etc)

My parents shipped me a half case of Charmin.
Sold some of that for big bucks.

Was doing great until someone got smart and put a set of forks from a lift truck through a pallet. Couldn’t ship damaged goods and our ship got to use it.

Posted by: PMRich at March 29, 2025 07:23 PM (eh5ud)

103 Polynikes painting reminds me of the Japanese Gardens in the Huntington Museum & Gardens in San Marino CA. Used to walk thru there all the time. I believe they had a tea garden too.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 29, 2025 07:24 PM (IQ6Gq)

104 TRex,wild horses couldn't keep away!

Posted by: Ben Had at March 29, 2025 07:24 PM (keLsF)

105 Thanks TRex. You do a great job.

Posted by: Ronster at March 29, 2025 07:28 PM (gRFnH)

106 Year 1987
Ship. USS SEATTLE (AOE3)

For some crazy reason a supply ship was over budget and we couldn’t resupply ourselves with toilet paper. Even though it was onboard and we were supplying other ships.

CHT system was getting clogged by people using anything to wipe ( t-shirts, rags etc)

My parents shipped me a half case of Charmin.
Sold some of that for big bucks.

Was doing great until someone got smart and put a set of forks from a lift truck through a pallet. Couldn’t ship damaged goods and our ship got to use it.

Posted by: PMRich at March 29, 2025 07:23 PM

When we did a port visit in Hong Kong back in the day me and my buddy took the ferry and wandered over to the border crossing with Macau and china. Every other person was carrying a huge clear plastic bag filled with rolls of toilet paper back into china. It was then I decided that china was a non threat country to the United States.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at March 29, 2025 07:29 PM (e5NfL)

107 105 Thanks TRex. You do a great job.

Posted by: Ronster at March 29, 2025 07:28 PM
***
Thank you!

Posted by: TRex at March 29, 2025 07:29 PM (IQ6Gq)

108 Hobby stuff! Had a Colt 480 on the bench this week. It was mostly dead. Found the PLL had a bad voltage at one of it's pins. Someone had put a socket in for that chip, so it was an easy swap. I suspect the "dead" one may have been a counterfeit part.

Anyways that didn't fix it. VCO was all out of whack, despite getting the correct inputs. Fortunately I had a spare for that as well, which I normally wouldn't. Swapped that and I had transmit and receive. Then I had to play a bit with carrier balance to clean up sideband. So it's now mostly working.

Currently I'm waiting on a new S-meter, the old one had a spider's egg sack and corrosion on the movement. Then I'll have to source a channel display.

I've really got to stop fixing my "parts" chassis.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at March 29, 2025 07:31 PM (lUFok)

109 Mom mailed some ammo for Dad's sidearm when he was in VN and got herself a visit from the FBI.

She probably means the postal police.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 29, 2025 07:32 PM (RIvkX)

110 hamradiowise; a couple POTA activations, kinda new & obscure, today I scouted some spots on the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge to activate US-4236 in the near future.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 29, 2025 07:42 PM (/Ghsb)

111 & now g'night everyone!

long day

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 29, 2025 07:45 PM (/Ghsb)

112 99, so true, BH!

kind of an excellent Horde, really, all-in-all ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 29, 2025 07:48 PM (/Ghsb)

113 willowed, amirite?

g'night again, for reals this time, pinky swear!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 29, 2025 07:49 PM (/Ghsb)

114 During the Gulf War, I sent a couple of packages through AnySoldier. It's been a while, so I don't remember what all I sent, though I am sure of baby wipes and homemade cookies. Vacuum sealers are great for cookies.

I don't know who got them, and I never received any notes back, but it's ok--that's not why I sent them. I hope they were gratefully received.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 29, 2025 07:53 PM (h7ZuX)

115 A work colleague deployed to Afghanistan and the thing he valued most was those little cans of WD-40 for cleaning their weapons. Apparently the Army issue stuff was crap, at least for the dust and dirt they were operating in, but the WD-40 worked like a charm even though it was completely unauthorized.

We sent him a shit-ton of WD-40, carefully wrapped in the Washington Gay Blade (free DC gay lifestyle paper available at most metro stops back in the day)

Posted by: SnakePlizzken at March 29, 2025 10:08 PM (G0Od/)

116 Not sure if this has been stated before - I just got back home from watching my Astros beat the f-ing Mets (I still remember 1986), but my youngest brother (RIP) deployed to Kuwait as a Marine CH-53E driver and I sent him what he said were the best care packages in the squadron: apple juice jugs filled with bourbon and Costco monster-sized cherry jars with the juice replaced with vodka. Those fueled a couple of illicit parties and were outstanding morale boosters.

Posted by: ChuckinTX at March 29, 2025 11:31 PM (WefwP)

117 Maybe "Sleuth" with a young Michael Caine and an old Sir Lawrence Olivier? More a mystery and psychological thriller. "The Black Cat" with Peter Lorre and Vincent Price?

Posted by: docweasel at March 29, 2025 11:33 PM (i0JBa)

118 I liked books and AA batteries in my care packages.

Posted by: Wild Bill Hickok at March 30, 2025 01:04 AM (yjbkP)

119 pops had a treadle singer with the leather belt drive, he could really get that singing when he was in the zone. bought an electric that had zigzag stitching and never looked back.

Posted by: cmeat at March 30, 2025 02:40 PM (6+aIJ)

120 Genuinely no matter if someone doesn't be aware of after that its up to other users that they will help,
so here it takes place.

Posted by: video mesum anak kecil at March 30, 2025 03:39 PM (ZOlf+)

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