Comments for Life, Love and the Human Condition

Comment on Photos – RAF Mildenhall, UK – 1995-2001 (Set Sixty – Christmas Snow – Meadow View Cottage, Bridge Street Hamlet, Suffolk, England – December 1996) by livelovethinkexist

livelovethinkexist — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:49:34 +0000

Christina,

Thanks for your comment and for stopping by! There’s something about fresh snow that turns our world into a magical place – fresh, pure, spotless and sparkling! Our little Bridge Street hamlet was cute and idyllic as it was…but the snow turned it into such a magical winter wonderland!

Cheers,

Mark

Comment on Photos – RAF Mildenhall, UK – 1995-2001 (Set Sixty – Christmas Snow – Meadow View Cottage, Bridge Street Hamlet, Suffolk, England – December 1996) by adventures

adventures — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:43:25 +0000

What a beautifully peaceful winter wonderland

Comment on Photos – RAF Mildenhall, UK – 1995-2001 (Set Fifty Nine – Advent in Meadow View Cottage, Bridge Street Hamlet, Suffolk, England – December 1996) by livelovethinkexist

livelovethinkexist — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:36:00 +0000

Tammy,

Thank you for your kind comments! My wife is very talented and dedicated to taking care of our family, which she does beautifully! She chooses to remain private so I don’t have many photos of her posted on the blog…but I think her handwork, attention to detail and decorating talents speak volumes for her! David and I on the other hand, don’t mind documenting this amazing life we’ve been able to live!

We still have that same identical pink and gold Christmas tree today, and I have another Christmas post pending that shows it in better focus and detail. My next post will be pictures of Bridge Street covered in snow for Christmas! In those days David had a tree of his own in his bedroom, and today we have two additional Christmas trees – in my study and also in our dining room. We all love Christmas – especially me!!

Thanks for visiting my world, Tammy!

Cheers,

Mark

Comment on Photos – RAF Mildenhall, UK – 1995-2001 (Set Fifty Nine – Advent in Meadow View Cottage, Bridge Street Hamlet, Suffolk, England – December 1996) by Tammy

Tammy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:55:10 +0000

Good morning Mark, lovely pictures of your family and home. Oh my, your wife is so talented!! I never thought I would like a Christmas tree decorated in pink and gold but it is gorgeous. It is a treat to be able to share a slice of your life and family. Enjoyed the post.

Comment on Photos – RAF Upper Heyford, UK – 1991-1993 (Set Forty Five – David’s Sixth Birthday – Bloxham and Banbury, England – February 1993) by livelovethinkexist

livelovethinkexist — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:40:28 +0000

Patricia,

Thank you for your kind comments and for taking the time to look through my pictures! Yes it was very special to have lived on the economy all those years, and to have the connection through my wife and her family to better understand the German language, history and culture. I took 3 German classes at the University of Maryland during my time at Spangdahlem AB, but in the end it has been easier speaking English with my wife! Our son was raised bi-lingual, and he quickly surpassed my German speaking ability! I hope you enjoyed your opportunities living in Germany and took the occasion to travel throughout Europe as much as possible in those years! Thanks for stopping by and checking-in with me!

Cheers,

Mark

Comment on Photos – Homestead AFB, Homestead, FL – 1982-1983 (Set Six – Cutler Ridge, FL) by livelovethinkexist

livelovethinkexist — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:26:58 +0000

Patricia,

We never really thought twice about swimming in the event at Mystic Lake, until we saw the “no swimming” sign posted there…but we were young and unafraid…or something like that! I was wiped out by another bike rider who lost control in a bend, and besides a few scrapes, a bruised ego and a bent front rim…I walked away from the crash. I don’t recall the other rider getting hurt, so there may have been another bike accident that same day, I’m not sure. I don’t like 12′ alligators either, and wouldn’t swim in that lake today!

Cheers,

Mark

Comment on Photos – Spangdahlem AB, Germany – 1983-1987 (Set Two – Zaragoza AB, Spain, WTD) by livelovethinkexist

livelovethinkexist — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:07:47 +0000

Patricia,

Those were very famous Warhawk years from the stories I’ve heard! I started out in the 23rd TFS ‘Fighting Hawks’ and went down the street to the 480th TFS ‘Great Warhawk Nation’ during the great squadron swap in the fall of ’83 soon after I arrived. I hope the photos and memories I’ve captured of those days bring your memories back to life as well, and show you a little of what happened after you left for Homestead AFB! On-base housing was never available during any of my assignments in USAFE, and it was very special to live on the economy for all those years!

Cheers,

Mark

Comment on Photos – Homestead AFB, Homestead, FL – 1982-1983 (Set One – F-4D “Phantom II” RTU) by livelovethinkexist

livelovethinkexist — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:51:15 +0000

Patricia, I arrived at Homestead AFB and the 309th TFS ‘Wild Ducks’ in the fall of 1982, and arrived at Spangdahlem AB in August, 1983, after attending Survival Training enroute; so our time definitely overlapped. I vaguely remember your last name, but remembering names has always been my weak point! He was probably a Major in ’82-’83 and we definitely would have flow together! He would remember my picture and perhaps the fact that I painted the Wild Duck’s logo in acrylics and gave it to the squadron when I graduated. I wonder if he was the Major that entered our Dining-Out late…while I was Mr. Vice?? Cheers! Mark

Comment on Photos – Officer Training School (OTS), Lackland AFB, TX – 1981 by livelovethinkexist

livelovethinkexist — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:21:30 +0000

Patricia,

It was a nice touch for OTS to set up a class photo for us, after all, many of the memories we have of our Air Force years are captured in the photos we have of those days! It was a great opportunity and experience to fly F-4E/Gs in USAFE in those years, ’83-’87, and my memories of those days are still as fresh as if it had been only yesterday!

Cheers,

Mark

Comment on Photos – RAF Upper Heyford, UK – 1991-1993 (Set Forty Five – David’s Sixth Birthday – Bloxham and Banbury, England – February 1993) by Patricia B. H.

Patricia B. H. — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:53:02 +0000

Wow, your son is a very lucky boy to have gone to school “on the economy” during your overseas tours. As I mentioned in another reply, my children, husband and I lived in Landscheid for a year before moving to Spangdalem base housing. How interesting that your son went to school there and his opa was principal. We lived in a third floor apartment above the Sparkasse Bank owned by Manfred Theisen. The building was on Trankgasse just down from the fire station. I have really enjoyed viewing your photos and comments. Best regards, Patricia B. H.