Brigette Ann Esposito

I'm sorry this is over two weeks late after 9/11. I was on duty with the Army and was unable to complete it while away. I still want to get this up and published though as Project 2,996 is now a permenant tribute to those fallen on September 11, 2001.

Brigette Ann Esposito was age 34 on September 11, 2001. She was killed at World Trade Center where she worked as a consultant at Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. World Trade Center, Tower 2, on the 94th floor. She was a resident of New York City, N.Y. (USA).

A memorial guestbook has been set up by those who love her.

There, her neice said of her,

"Its unfair that we all cant hear your laugh again, see your smile, recieve your advice, and just be in your presence."

Another poster said,

"This year I am concentrating on having known Bridget instead of the loss of her, her smile, her laughter, her loving ways, her wise words and strong opinions - we miss talking with you but we are so glad we got to know you."

Her good friend summed up everyone's thoughts with this:

"We all miss you every day. We are so much better having known you."

More loving words for Brigette can be found here and a CNN tribute here.

We won't ever forget. We won't let it happen again, and we will remember your spirit, love for live and family, and determination. Rest in Peace Brigette. Your friends and family love and remember you and will carry on your memory.

Brigette Ann Esposito

Chesno Dad

So, I'm not a new dad (my son is 5), but sometimes I feel like it.

Last weekend we went to Bear Lake and spent plenty of time on the water. My wife asked me to slather my boy up with sunscreen. When I got over to him, he was covered with sand, so what does a dad do? He just mixes all that sand and sunscreen together in a gloopey paste on his boy. Even worse, we realized the next day that I must have been concerned about getting any in his eyes because he had a big, lopsided, retangular sunburn mask across his eyes.

Dad strikes!

The next day was Sunday and I left church early because my brother was coming into town for just a short time. I needed to get some cleaning and food prep done, but I had brought the baby home with me. She was crying and time was getting short. I had her in the baby swing with the pacifier, but she wouldn't be settled. Then I had an idea. I spread a little corn syrup on the pacifier (at least I knew honey wasn't good for babies), and she took it like a charm. She was asleep in less than a minute, then I cleaned off her mouth so she didn't stick to my wife the next time she nursed.

Dad strikes again!

P.S. Honey, sorry you had to hear about this incident this way.

Chesno Purple Finger

I hope this doesn't come across as crude or in bad taste, but . . .

This is totally random. I saw a picture today of the purple-fingered Iraqis and it made me think of my childhood. As my friends and I were preparing to go overseas to serve 2-year missions, we had to get a full physical first. Part of that physical included a prostate exam.

We began renaming the exam: 1) The Jello Finger, or 2) The Goopey Finger. You also usually got "scrogged", but that is for another time.

When I saw the picture today, I thought, 3) The Purple Finger. Do a search for pictures online of purple-fingered Iraqis with this new frame of mind. You will be disturbed.

Chesno VJ

61 years ago (1945) today WWII ended with the surrender of Japan on VJ (Victory over Japan) Day. Have you heard anything about this today? No? Well, why not? This was the end of the biggest, most bloody, terrible war of our time. It signaled the beginning of soldiers using the GI Bill which brought expanded schooling, the suburbanization of America, and social and financial success to the middle class of America.

Do we not celebrate our success and the close of our sacrifices both at home and abroad because it is not PC to celebrate a victory over our now strong ally? I hope that isn't so. In any case, at least one state (and one alone), Rhode Island, celebrates "Victory Day" as a state holiday.

Chesno Maples

I have begun a new blog. I have found that as the year progresses, my yard becomes more productive, and I spend more and more time outside.

My new blog is called: Maple Acres and Spring Creek. Spring Creek is the area where we live and I have planted by hand several hundered maple trees. The name seemed appropriate.

There I will document what is going on in my hobby farm. Last week I had a huge onion, garlic, potato, and shallot harvest. This week I will harvest honey from my bees. There are tons of on-going projects--chicken coop construction, berry and grape trellis construction etc. There will always be something new to see.

Join me at Maple Acres at Spring Creek. I hope you enjoy reading a little bit about the place I love so much.

Chesno Elise

It's about time I write about this. It was 2 weeks ago today we went into the hospital expecting the arrival of our new baby girl.

Elise Madsen Ashton was born on 25 July 2006 at 12:31 am. She weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. and was 19.5 inches long.

She and mom are doing great. We are loving having her in our family and are so happy.

Chesno Sugar Tits

Since rolling out of my weekend cave on Monday and learning what took place while hiding from the world, I can't get one question out of my head.

"What are you looking at Sugar Tits?"

In case you fell off the Earth, this is what the liquored up, anti-Semitic Mel Gibson asked his female arresting officer when he was found speeding on the PCH with an open bottle of hooch in his car.

Sugar Tits? Really? How did he come up with that? It has intrigued me for days. Clearly Mel doesn't only have issues with Jews, and authority figures, he also seems to have a problem disrespecting women.

Oh, and in case you can't get that question out of your head either, someone has put it and his mug shot on a T-shirt for you to buy. Geez, it's about time.

**UPDATE** I have since been informed by my wife and sister-in-law that the name "sugar tits" isn't something Mel made up on the fly, but something they've both heard before. How has this passed me by when other, more disguisting things have been revealed to me by my Army buddies?