Since the sun’s rays are unworthy of my adonis-like body and my aches and pains not worth aggravating, I dont’ have much to offer this time around. No exciting photos of finds to wow you with or stories of bravery and valor. I realize this will ruin your day and I apologize. You will just have to ‘bite the bullet’ and get your fix on FB or the forums.
DOC HALLIDAY
The following will not mean much to most of you but I am sharing it for any of the early FMDAC folks who are still around.
Mark and his gold stater, 1987
I received an email from Bruce Hazelman, an old friend and part of the original FMDAC cadre, informing me of the passing of Mark Halliday. Unbeknownst to many, Mark, or “Doc” as he was known, left us in 2013 and Bruce just recently found out via a letter from Mark’s wife Donna. Mark was one of the first FMDAC supporters and was part of the group that traveled to England for the Longleat Rally and World Championship in 1987. While there we detected a few Roman sites and Mark came away with a gold stater….the best find of our trip.
Mark was in the Air Force at the time he and Donna met up with us in London and it became his lifework. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 2006. To Donna and family my belated condolences.
________________________________________
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
I’m currently reading a book titled Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson. It’s non-fiction, a real page turner and if you are from New Jersey you will love it even more. Thank you Lisa MacIntyre for sending it to me.
________________________________________
PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE?
No names offered in order to protect the innocent and flaky…
Came across an old photo of Batman and Robin the other day and had to share it. ‘Robin’ is an old friend who lives in the UK, but I won’t mention his name because I don’t want to embarrass him. Keep in mind this was not Halloween or a costume party….just a typical weekend in the West Midlands. Another reminder that one has to be very careful when dealing with British tekkies. A strange group they are….
________________________________________
THE POP TOP LADY
If you hate pulltabs, and we all do, here’s a gal who’s on the lookout for them. I met Claudia Zimmer through a friend on Facebook and had to share her passion here. Her creations are mind boggling.
According to Claudia “this type of craft is very popular in Brazil, where I am from”.
I asked Claudia if she purchased these pulltabs new and she replied “No, they are all used in cans before they get snapped off. I buy them on eBay. Some lots are in better shape than others. I still have to sort, toss the bad ones in the recycling bin, wash and disinfect”. Need something to do on a rainy day?
Claudia Zimmer
If you are interested in learning more check out Claudia’s website here and if you are on Facebook enter “Pop Top Lady” in the upper search area. Thank you Claudia for allowing me to share your story here on Stout Standards.
We tekkies can always hope that this becomes the next great fad…..
________________________________________
MORE ON THE EARHART SEARCH
For those of you who are also interested in this topic I wanted to pass along this recent news story. For those of you who are not, at ease and light ’em up if you got ’em….
Amelia Earhart Mystery. Is This the Year It’s Solved?
________________________________________
TEACH A MAN TO DETECT AND….
Saw this and thought it was so appropriate for all you “must haves”……
________________________________________
“There is no pleasure worth forgoing just for an extra three years in the geriatric ward”. ~John Mortimer
Stout Standards 
Love the “Pop Top Lady”! What a cool idea. One mans junk….
Not sure if the wife of a detectorist would appreciate it?
Great issue. To hell with pasty and achy.
Easy for you to say Jamie….my achy is big time achy.
Ref Batman & Robin picture, he made me do it, all I wanted to do was go to a party and enjoy myself, what hair brain idea does he come up with ?, hey let’s go as a couple of superheroes, the football supporters at the petrol station certainly had a good laugh when we had to get petrol………
Somebody “made” you do it? Seems to me you used to wear that outfit quite often and as I remember you used to say “someday when I grow up”…..
“He made me do it?” Is he kiddin’? The last time Nige and a motley crew from downtown Garland (Texas) came with me to a rural Dorset hostelry, all supped deeply of the malted hop.
I did however think Nige’s nurses’ uniform, whip, and handcuffs, clashed with my shocking pink arky outfit of night vision goggles, sheep’s knee-high rubber boots, and PB facemask. He kept saying, “It’s Friday night, call me Sadie.”
One of the Garland crew (a photographer, I believe) kept saying to Nige…”Hurt me!” Nige replied, “Have you seen the price of ‘kin Scotch in this place?”
I always feel better when I’ve read one of your posts Dick. Great stuff, liked the batman and robin photo and the comments 😀
Thank you James. I am sending my bill this morning…..if you have any questions call my nurse.