TENDING THE FLOCK

The small lamb is being cared for by the herder. The herder told me the lamb was an orphan and he had to take special care of it until it was old enough to forge on its on...

IRAQI SHOW HEIFER

This heifer was tied up in a abandoned barn that a squatter had taken over. The guys thought I was crazy to try and pet it as it was easily spooked, but once she calmed down I was able to pet her.

IRAQI MUNG BEAN

I am stand ing in field of mung beans. This was my first experience with a mung bean. They are very big almost like a butter bean but more round. The farmer actual showed me how good it was and ate one then offered me a try. It tasted like a butter bean...

HUMVEE RECOVERY

Upon my return one day during a mission. The lead vehicle in our convoy missed the turn and ended upside down. No one was hurt. The picture shows the the recovery operations...

SCHOOLS OUT

These girls are walking home from school. They are a little concerned as we had vehicle recovery operation going on next to their school.

BAGHDAD AIRPORT

It's been three years since I once stood at this site. This was my former home in 2003. Now the airport is cleaned up and has regular flights. It is quite a change from 2003.

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I even found a jet plane to send me home. This is the new Iraqi Airways. The only problem I did not have a ticket to board. Maybe next time...

HAPPY EASTER DAY

The Easter bunny found it's way to Iraq as all of our section found little bags full of candie eggs appear at our work stations. We are posing to show our Easter bags. Thanks for all the support from the easter bunnies back home.

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

This is about a big of piece of equipment I have seen so far. Most of the farms are 50 acres or less and are farmed with small implements. I think some may even still farm by hand. Its a real mix of both.

DEFORMED GOAT

While on a foot patrol in one of the rural areas I came upon this little goat tied up. As I stopped to take a picture the goat turned sideways and it looks like it is deformed.

IRAQI HOMEMADE BRICK KILN

This kiln was located outside of the city of Najaf, which there were several brick making kilns in the area. The bring the soft mud bricks then bake them to make them hard.

SHOPPING IN HILLA

Hilla is one of the more fun places I have been too. This is one of the many market places we passed by. The market has everything from vegetables to clothing. This reminded me of some of the shops in old Mexico.

TEACHING OUR CHILDREN

This picture demonstrates the importance of teaching our children. The things our children see us do are the things they do. What does your children see you do as a parent? Something to think about?

BALANCING THE PROPANE BOTTLE

The new way to carry a propane bottle. This is a proven skill that anyone can use. The key is to have a flat hat on the top of your head. This lady demonstrates the proper technique.

MOHAMMAD'S COUSIN

Everyone I talked to reassured me this was Mohammand's cousin. Can you see the resemblence? Long hair black beard. It kinda reminded me of some of the figures out of the Bible.

PALM BASKETS

These baskets are hand made by the local Babalonians. They are made from the date palm leaves.

TRUCK ASSEMBLY LINE

Here I am at an industrial park in which they assemble trucks and busses. I am standing beside the chasis of a partially assemblied bus on the assembly line. They average about one or two busses per day. They are built "Iraqi Tough".

GUARDING THE GOLDEN TEA POT

During my travels down south in the land of Babil we passed this hugh golden tea pot. It must be important as there was an armed security person sitting underneath the teapot. Perhaps there is a genie in the teapot.

TIRE REPAIR SHOP

This is where you take your flat tire to be repaired. I am not sure if you can buy a new set of wheels here as most of the tires looked used. Perhaps this is how Goodyear started. Can you spot the young boy among the tires?

GRAND OPENING

Here I am standing beside an Iraqi soldier providing security for the Governer of the Babil povince during a grand opening ceremony of one of the major power stations. I even posed for one of the Iraqi news reporters who took my picture. The event took place without an incident of violence.

A SHIA MOSQUE

This was taken somewhere south of Baghdad. The further south you go the more likely you will see a picture of the Iman associated with the Mosque. An Iman is similar to a priest or a holy man.

RURAL VILLAGE

This is one of the better rural villages. As you can see in this picture a man riding a horse drawn cart, a donkey tied to a stake, clothes hanging outside to dry, and small houses with raw sewage running into the open ground.

IRAQI NURSERY

Its spring time and everyone has the urge to plant flowers. Here is one of the local nurseries in the area. They offer all types products from fertilizers, clay pots, flowers and date palms.

CUSTOM MADE SPONGE

This shop advertises custom made sponges, any size shape or form. They make mattresses out of sponge to sleep on. It is actually a rubber type foam similar to what we put under our beds for extra cushion.

GATHERING FIREWOOD

These women are busy gathering either firewood or fodder for their livestock. They get up early in the morning while its still cool.