Bragg Family South

We returned last weekend from spending most of the week in Florida on a business trip (we made it a family trip, too).  The kids had a couple days off of school, and we figured we'd take them out a couple of additional days--we did this with a clean conscience, as we always take the kids to educational stops, as well as fun places, on our trips.  Our first major stop, for example, was Horseshoe Bend National Military Park (http://www.nps.gov/hobe/index.htm) in Alabama (the visitor center is pictured above).  This was the site of a key battle in the War of 1812 between troops under the command of General Andrew Jackson and a number of Creek Warriors known as the "Red Sticks" who were attacking American (and allied Indian tribes) interests in the region.  Although in a well-fortified position, the Creeks were surrounded and the warriors were killed in large numbers--over 800 died in this battle for their lands (the largest number of Indians killed in a battle with t...

It seems like every holiday is now greatly extended, and Halloween is no exception.  Our Halloween season started with the official pumpkin carving and watching of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", two Bragg Family South traditions.  Stephen (above) and Kenny (below) got into their carving experience: (No, your computer isn't messing up the picture above--I forgot to rotate it!).  Beth also did well cleaning and carving her pumpkin: Our neighbor/archeology friend Jessica joined us, and carved a pretty neat spider pattern (much to Stephen's amusement): Here are the end results: Bella and Draco weren't very sure of what to think of these glowing pumpkins: We also celebrated Beth's 7th birthday this last week, with some friends to enjoy Halloween-themed cupcakes: Kenny was part of a ceremony recognizing high-achieving students (he got an award for all A's): On Friday, my brother Bob and his girlfriend Nan...

You may be asking yourself, "What is the significance of this empty office?"  Well, I'll tell you--Room 111 of the University of Arkansas-Monticello (UAM) forestry building was my workspace for almost 12 years of my career with the US Forest Service.  This picture was taken this morning after I had swept the floors clean.  My old office is now empty, with the notable exception of the fellow below: This large spider was none too happy to have its living space disturbed (I'm glad it was behind my shelves!).  We are moving out of our current space because of an expansion and remodeling effort on the forestry building complex.  Below, you can see the new forestry building annex being built at the end of the old (1950s vintage) building we were housed in: Once they finish this new annex and the remodeling on a different part of the building, they will come back and remodel the old building we were in, and in a year or so we'll move back onto campus.  H...