Friday, February 19, 2010

Things that go BOOM in the morning

I was minding my own business Wednesday morning around 8:30 when the ground shook, the windows rattled, and Smooch got very upset. I swiveled around in my desk chair to look outside and, sure enough, I saw something in the sky that did not belong there.



Have I mentioned that I live just north of White Sands Missile Range?

George and Alan kept right on eating, and I did what I always do in times of trouble – took pictures.

I googled around last night trying to identify the UFO and found this news report on Lockheed Martin's "successful PAC-3 MSE intercept flight test." But I didn't understand a word of it, maybe because it is rocket science.

All I know is they'd better be extra careful where they're pointing these things.

32 comments:

  1. Golly, thanks for the heads up people (geez). Here I thought we had problems when our idiot neighbor set off one of those science kit rockets right next to our pasture fence (shall I mention we were riding past it at the time? Putz). Glad nobody flipped out and everyone is okay (it's also nice to know I'm not the only one that sometimes takes pictures in times of crises *grin*)

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  2. Now that would most definitely be a scary moment, but what a great shot you got! I sure hope they pay heed to your note!!

    I can't believe that George and Alan went on with business as usual.

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  3. It's only 5:15am and you've already made me LOL. Good job!

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  4. This is the first info I have that where you live is not, in fact, Heaven.
    George and Alan and I have much in common...no matter what goes on, if there's food, eat.

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  5. Apart from the things randomly going boom and making Smooch think there's a threat to the ranch, I think it's really cool that you live so close to rocket science!

    Unfortunately the report seems full of as many buzzwords as actual pieces of information. How sad.

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  6. Yikes! That's a little spooky! But I'm with George, Alan, and June - when in doubt, EAT!

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  7. Very cool picture. Love the map - too funny. Seriously WSMR, definitely keep your rockets on your side of the fence.

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  8. Good Lord, what next? As others have stated.....when in doubt, eat!

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  9. colleen from nc2/19/10, 7:07 AM

    wow..what a great shot. I did not realize you were so close to the WSMR. Have you read the book Nobody's horses. Here's a link with info on it.http://www.nobodyshorses.com/
    a pretty cool story. Happy friday.

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  10. Wow, that would be freaky, for sure!

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  11. Oh, dear. I've always assumed (!) that they'll keep their doings on their own side of the mountains. We occasionally get practically jarred out of our chairs by a surprise sonic boom down here in Las Cruces, then the law enforcement agencies are flooded with concerned phone calls.

    Here's hoping that their aim is true. Love your map!

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  12. Yikes!! You made me laugh though!!! I can't believe you live so close to there. I'd be SO tempted to ride out there, but I guess that's a bad idea, eh? lol

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  13. Love that photo! And your message to Whizmer. :)

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  14. Geez Louise. No kidding!

    It is kind of amusing that George & Alan weren't thrown off their meal though...

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  15. That's an amazing picture - you must be really quick with your camera!

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  16. We live only one farm removed from the boundaries of a National Guard firing range, and the boys regularly practice their artillery on the surrounding hills. I am thereby able to market my Paints as genuinely "bomb-proof"!

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  17. ok - that could get a little hairy...Have a good weekend.

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  18. WOW!!! Amazing pic. You are quick on your feet to grab a camera that fast!

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  19. I find that loud noises don't really bother horses; look at all the folks that do mounted shooting. They might startle a little, but usually go about their business right after.

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  20. Holy Cow!!! That would have scared me too! Love your drawing! That is funny! Thanks!

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  21. Wow. I'm simultaneously thrilled and horrified. I *love* things that go BOOM, but missiles just really piss me off. They just BETTER watch where they're pointing those things or I'll be down there to give them what for! :-)

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  22. Cool! With just the right amount of Scary! thrown in.
    I admire your preparedness. What a great picture.

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  23. I love this post!!! I worked at the Army Education Center at WSMR for 21 1/2 yrs. If you can find it, read Meanwhile Back at the Ranch, a paperback (author I can't recall). It is hilarious and written by a ranch bride who lived near WSMR. The experiences she had!! I no longer have a copy or would give you more info or even mail it to you. Belton Belle

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  24. My mom used to work at White sands taking pictures of those things. I even did a stint out there for a summer.

    They are quite fond of their rockets, but some do go off course. So you might want to do some duck and cover drills with the gang...

    I'm just saying.

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  25. Successful? It looks like the thing fell out of the freakin' sky!

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  26. Talk about noisy neighbors....

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  27. OMG! Two days have passed with no blogs from the 7MSN! Episodes of the old Art Bell Show are drifting through my mind...men in black...hypnotic eating disorders...burros from Mars...ranch ladies slipping into time warps...............

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  28. Ok, where are you? Its Sunday and the latest post to your blog was on Friday! That missile didn't come back did it?

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