Marshall University Plane Crash

Forty-three years ago. November 14, 1970. A dark, foggy, cold, rainy night in Wayne County, West Virginia. Seventy-five souls perished in the worst single air tragedy in NCAA sports history.  Almost the entire Marshall University football team, coaches, flight crew, and many fans lost their lives that night when the plane carrying them home from a 17-14 loss to East Carolina University crashed into a hillside.

Our community was and forever will be heartbroken at the event that is forever seared into our memories. I was seven years old at the time. I recall watching the news with my parents. I had no idea what was happening but I knew it was bad.



This is a photo of the Memorial Student Center Fountain that stands in memory of those victims. Every year, on November 14, a memorial service is held at this fountain. There are speakers, many who are children of those parents who perished, and the laying of a ceremonial wreath. The water to the fountain is turned off from the end of the ceremony until Spring the next year.

 

The fountain is more than 13 feet high and weighs 6,500 pounds. There are 75 points encircling the top of the fountain. One for each life that was lost. There is also a bronze plaque inscribed:

"They shall live on in the hearts of their families and friends forever, and this memorial records their loss to the university and to the community."

There also is a memorial that overlooks the area where the plane crashed into the hillside: 

Here is a youtube clip from the movie "We Are Marshall" starring Matthew McConaughey that was made in 2006. It's a scene of a pre-game speech the first season after the crash. I did not make this youtube video.

If you are in Huntington, West Virginia for any length of time, you will also shout:

We are ...

MARSHALL!!

It's snowing ...

I awoke this morning to a blanket of about 1.5 inches of heavy, wet snow. This was my view when I opened the back door:

 

As you can see, I was not prepared for snow. I've not put away a few pots of dead flowers and soil. It's supposed to be in the 60s by weekend so I'll do it then. I also have not dug out my snow shovel nor have I purchased pet-safe de-icer.

 

I had an appointment at 9:30 in the City this morning. I left in plenty of time. Here are a few photos of the drive:

 

 

The sun was doing it's best to give some warmth but the clouds were doing their best to prevent it. Unfortunately, the clouds won. They skies closed and it's been cold and damp all day. I returned home about noon and crawled into bed with Samson, Miss Cleo and Mister. We all slept for about two hours. ha I didn't sleep that long last night for some reason.

 

Hope your day is sunny, dry and happy.

Indoor beauty

I love flowers. During the winter months, I really miss those beautiful blooms. I purchased an African Violet several months ago while at Kroger. I really thought I was wasting my money because it was not in good condition. I do have a green thumb, so I took a chance and purchased it. This is the third time it's bloomed since June and has tripled in size. I love it.

 

This is my "Thanksgiving" cactus. I believe it might think it's a "Halloween" cactus. One or both of my cats got hold of it, resulting in tiny little teeth marks all over it. It's small in size because of the cats chewing on it but it blooms for me every year. This year, for some reason, it is in bloom right now. Three of the buds opened on October 27. There are several small buds in various growth stages.

 

The cactus won't bloom again this year like the violet. I'll probably get an Amaryllis or some other winter blooming plant to enjoy in addition.

 

I'm already feeling a bit "enclosed" although inclement weather has only just begun. 

Camp and Cottage Living Giveaway

Head on over to Camp and Cottage Living today for a giveaway tomorrow! While you're there, read her blog. Her posts and photos are beautiful. I've just started reading her blog and I'm truly enjoying it.

If I don't win ... I hope you do ... haha.

May your day be filled with blessings!

Random 5 Friday

I'm joining A Rural Journal with Random 5 Friday.

 

1. The West Virginia weather is beautiful today but the colors of the trees are nothing this year like they were in the 2004 photo, above. This is my front yard.

 

2. One of my cousins I grew up with notified me yesterday they'll be passing through tomorrow. She and her husband will have their 5-year-old granddaughter with them. I'm looking forward to the family gathering. Not sure how Bob Evans restaurant will feel about it. :-)

 

3.  Next week will be my annual dog-sitting week for my cousin. She and her sister go to the Smokies for 8 days every October. I think next year I'm going to go alone if no one wants to go along. My heart has always been right there, for some reason.

 

4.  Covert Affairs began mid-season last night. I'll be watching the DVR tonight. I have such a difficult time watching live TV now. I find myself trying to fast forward through the commercials. It really has spoiled me. I've barely seen a commercial in a year!

 

5.  I've been practicing daily with spinning. I've learned that the alpaca fiber I received with the spindles is not a good fiber for beginners. I ordered a sample pack of various fibers with which to learn. I'm anxious to get started.

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Chilly mornings ...

 

Miss Cleo has been with me since July 2003. She was just a weeks-old baby in poor health when she found me. Ten years later, she still wants to be right with me. I sit on the couch, Indian-style, hopping from one URL to the other and drinking coffee on these mornings that seems colder with each one passing. Her furry self keeps my leg warm but I'm afraid I'll have to soon use a blanket. Sigh ... it's coming folks ... time to turn on the furnace.

Drop Spinning

I received two drop spindles I ordered to learn to spin this beautiful fiber I won. I don't know what one I'll like, top whorl or bottom whorl, so I ordered one of each since they're quite cheap. I read several articles on the difference between the two and it's actually just a matter of preference. I'll decide my preference when I figure out how to perform this task.  I'm anxious to learn. I like the creative process and really think, if I can figure all this out, I'll enjoy it. Along with the two spindles, I received a big portion of alpaca fiber. It's just amazing. If I had a sweater made out of this soft, silky, divine fiber, I'd never take it off. It's a caramel color. I also received a photo of the alpaca that grew the fiber. I loved that. He lives in Wyoming. haha