A Giant Loss for Mankind. Neil Armstrong, First Man on the Moon, Dead at 82.

According to NBC News, Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, has died at age 82.

He died at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, suffering complications following his recent cardiac bypass surgery.

On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and his partner Buzz Aldrin made history as the first people to ever walk on the moon. From the New York Times article applauding the achievement:

Two Americans, astronauts of Apollo 11, steered their fragile four-legged lunar module safely and smoothly to the historic landing yesterday at 4:17:40 P.M., Eastern daylight time.

Neil A. Armstrong, the 38-year-old civilian commander, radioed to earth and the mission control room here:

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

A photo of a smiling Armstrong was captured inside the Lunar Module after he completed his historic moonwalk.

On Saturday, Armstrong's family confirmed his death, and released a statement:

“We are heartbroken to share the news that Neil Armstrong has passed away following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.

Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job. He served his Nation proudly, as a navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. He also found success back home in his native Ohio in business and academia, and became a community leader in Cincinnati.

He remained an advocate of aviation and exploration throughout his life and never lost his boyhood wonder of these pursuits.

As much as Neil cherished his privacy, he always appreciated the expressions of good will from people around the world and from all walks of life.

While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.

Staff, Volunteers and Troubadour Readers,
For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”

From the Huffington Post

The Gathering at the Master’s Tent

Hello Troubadours

A merry gathering of troubadours was held on Monday last in Master Williamson’s tent. The gathering was called to celebrate a birthday and to bid adieu to those troubadours soon to be leaving.  The Master’s modest tent sits near the large stage closest to the pleasant grove of trees.  This patch of field is our home when not living as nomads, traveling to village and hamlet doing what grand story tellers and entertainers have done since the first man said, “You’ll never guess what happened to me today.” From that time forth, story telling has been the foundation of communication. 

Many of our wise and just troubadours attended the event dressed in their finest silks and linens to serenade Lady Aleta on the occasion of her birthday. Lady Aleta thanked all present, then kindly asked for silence as she respectively boosted of her new book, reminding us of her skill with parchment and quill.

Master Bracken sails to the west. Lady Emily to the East

Let us hope and pray they find their destinations  

 Several of our troubadours will be leaving our fair land for destinations far and wide.  Master Bracken and his good lady will be leaving our company to make a home on the isles of paradise across the great western sea.  The Lady Emily will be leaving camp to sail across the great eastern sea to the lands of Mohammad. Lady Jackie was also present to receive fond farewells.  She will venture south to the city of cedars to further her education.  Absent was Master Zac who was well on his way up the long road to the north lands bordering the Salt Sea.  Master Zac will study in the great university. 

Our troupe gathered around the fire in the cool of the evening to talk and laugh. A gentle breeze bound our senses to the fragrance of pine. At mid evening the company disbanded to their tents. Master Williamson extinguished the fire and lowered the flap to his tent.   He sat at his desk to ponder the road ahead.  The future was clouded.  So much to do as we ready for winter's snow.

What's New at the Space Center and the Imaginarium, Of Course

Hello Troops,

The Space Center is closed for electrical upgrading.  This is an extensive upgrade.  The electrical veins and arteries of all five ships and the Discovery are being checked.  New wiring will be added where needed along with numerous new plugs and electrical boxes.  The Voyager and Odyssey will take the most work.  The Magellan, Phoenix and Galileo the least.   

I'm anticipating the electrician will begin this week.  How long it will take is anyone's guess.  One month is optimistic.  Three months is what the pessimist would say.  My advice to everyone is not to hold your breath. 

The Space Center's office was officially closed on Friday and rekeyed.  Not even I can get in during the refit.  The Space Center's office was moved to the school's north trailer.  I'm operating out of room 142.  

Would you like to see my temporary office and classroom? 

 

Your first glimpse of the Space Center 's temporary office and classroom.

Looking toward the back of the room.  Remember, I still have my math class every morning 

from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M.  The student desks are set up and ready to go.  This half of the trailer

was (and is) used for storage.  It took me awhile to move everything out of the way to make

room for the student desks.

I walked to the back of the room to take this picture of my desks.  

A zoom in showing the nerve center of the darkened Space Center.  You'll notice 

everything is in its proper place.  This is where I'll be working during the refit.

I'll be teaching math, writing missions and curriculum.  I can be reached at a new 

Space Center phone number until the Space Center's phone is rerouted to the trailer.

My new number is 801-785-8711. Extension 142.

Look, a new addition to my collection of trinkets, a Staples "That was Easy" button.

I'm settled in and ready to go.  Beware of the wasp dive bombers circling the outside of the trailer's doors if you come to visit me in exile.  No need to knock, just come right in.  The school's two trailers are on the school's playground (west side of the school).  

I'm like a fish out of water.  There are no missions to schedule.  There are no volunteers and staff to coordinate.  There are only a few emails waiting for me in the mornings instead of dozens.  I may get one or two phone calls a day instead of dozens.  I'm working outside the school building, as far from the school's office as possible.  My trailer is deadly quiet except for the sound of the air conditioner and my music.  It's surreal and perhaps dangerous.   For 21 years I've worked roughly 80 hours per week during the school year and nearly 120 hours per week during the summer.  Now, I'm barely pushing 40 hours per week.   I'm able to go home at 4:00 P.M. instead of my usual 7:00 P.M.  I have my Friday nights free.  I don't have to work Saturdays.  Yes, I'm taking a pay cut during this electrical refit, but what if I start to like living like a normal person?  

They better get this job done quickly.  I'm starting to feel the chains loosening, and if I'm not mistaken, what is that light far off in the distance? 

At least we still have the Imaginarium and all our other friends here in Wonderland.  Enough talk of the refit.  Let's take a walk.  

   

 There goes my excuse!

 In one of Wonderland's many parks advising the pedestrian not to exceed the

walking speed limit.

   

In my home state of South Dakota you see these "Speed Enforced by Aircraft" signs 

along rural roads.  As a child, I always wondered how the speed limit was enforced by an airplane.

Now I know.

The Troubadour's readers know my love for imagination.

Well, here you go.  Excellent sign for the Emergency Room.

Summer Perfection.

Who would have thought to put the tramp next to the pool?

Now this is what I call a slide.

This is old school, before the days when playgrounds were childproofed.

I remember a slide just like this at my old elementary school in Rapid City.

You went down the slide if you wanted to be respected by the 6th graders.

If you wanted the teachers' respect, you went down sitting on a sheet of waxed paper for

that extra burst of speed!

You're kidding.  Who would've thought?

Jenga played for keeps.

Of course.  Leave it to the Brits.  They know how to get your attentions.

No shirt, no shoes, no service?

Not a problem to the person with a bit of imagination.

A bit of imagination for the dinner table. 

A cucumber whale surfaces from the formica.

Rio is getting ready for the Olympics

This is the kid everyone hates.

This is the kid with the loudest parents.

There are always a few.  It is one of life's rules.

Would you even think of going to school without one?

A grading stamp for the honest teacher.

Advice for the semi retired Space Center Director.

Where would you dare open it?

You smiled.  Admit it.

The imaginative person cannot pass something like this without adding something to 

take it to the next level.

Am I the only person who wondered why this was so?

Thank you all for your patience while we finish this Space Center upgrade.  Remember to check the blog for regular updates.

Mr. Williamson

PS.  Now please excuse me.  I've got several papers in my hand and I'm going to do my hourly speed walk through the building  :)