Thanks to the combined efficency of Charmion and the U.S. Postal Service I got a very nice care package today, mailed from Michigan where Charmion attended banjo camp last weekend.

I have met some very good guitar players. We also have a well attended karaoke night once a week (this is pretty spartan, but it's no forward operating base). The playlist is rather short on Child ballads and sea shantys, but it does have Pancho and Lefty, complete with a video.

I am learning to speak U.S. Army American: "working the (fill in the blank) piece", "that's not in my lane", "going to chow". Working for a Marine is an experience in itself. I find that I definitely like working with Americans in uniform, although the bureaucracy is even more rigid than ours.

I also find that I appreciate Mudcat more than ever. It's a real life line.

Edmund