USS Missouri

Constructed at the height of World War II, the USS Missouri holds a significant place in history as the site where Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, effectively bringing the global conflict to an end. Following her pivotal role in the war, she was later transformed into a museum ship, preserving her legacy for future generations. Remarkably, the Missouri was reactivated decades later, serving once again during the Gulf War before being decommissioned for the final time. Today, she rests in honored retirement at Pearl Harbor, standing as a powerful symbol of American naval history and resilience.

Fortunate Souvenir

 

Some passenger boarded the Titanic for a brief journey from Southampton to Queenstown. Before disembarking, they discreetly tucked this cup and saucer into their bag—a small, forbidden keepsake from their time aboard the "Ship of Dreams."

I can imagine their pride, admiring this beautiful piece of contraband in the days that followed, a tangible reminder of their short voyage on the largest and most luxurious ship of its era.

And then—tragedy.

Suddenly, this stolen memento was no longer just a souvenir. It became a haunting relic, forever linked to one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Now, 113 years later, this once-hidden treasure has transformed into a museum-quality artifact, a centerpiece of a traveling exhibit dedicated to the ship whose fate it narrowly escaped.

Dinosaurs!

 

On Sunday I was able to take my visiting nephew to the PerotMuseum in downtown Dallas.

I have wanted to take him to this museum since I moved here and believe me it was worth it.  He looked at everything with wonder and amazement and he was able to see things he had only read about.  I was a little unsure if he would still enjoy it now that he is a teenager, but any doubts were quickly put aside as his 14 year old sense of wonder kicked in.   If you haven’t seen the Perot Museum, I highly recommend it.

 

Alligator mississippiensis

These creatures haunt our swimming holes and our dreams they are frightening, fascinating, and interesting.  The American Alligator is one of the biggest predators in the area, and they are common in my neck of the woods, thank goodness this one was behind the glass at the Mississippi Natural Science Museum.