Random Memory

 I've often mentioned my friend who daily posts long rambling memories of his life with his wife.  It's a bit much (but it works for him the way this blog works for me - a grief journal).

Maybe I can do a random memory from time to time?

Like the time Bob became a fashion trendsetter.

It was about 40 years ago, when he was in a Civil War group getting ready to go to a reenactment in North Georgia.  We looked at the weather forecast; a front was going to be moving through.  He made the comment that he was going to freeze his ass off.

I said "give me your blanket" (wool blanket, military surplus).  I sliced a hole in the middle, bound the edges, and gave it back to him.  "Here's your poncho."

At the event, the other soldiers were trying to clutch their blankets around themselves while managing a backpack, haversack, and carrying a rifle.  Tends to be awkward and breezy in the front.

Bob?  He wrapped the front of the poncho around himself under the back, and belted it.  The back could be tucked around to the front.  No gaps, and he could use both hands.

Next thing he knew, the other soldiers were pulling out their knives and cutting slits in their blankets.  Eventually it all looked more like a casting call for The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly rather than a Civil War reenactment, but at least they were a bit warmer.