Great writing from Mike

This is the latest update from my brother Mike, who is stationed in Afhganistan with the Air Force.  He's such a great writer, I wanted to share.

Hey folks,

Haven't written for a while.  Nothing major has been happening, and I haven't been making an effort to notice things worth writing about.  The weather is getting colder.  I work from 0100 to 1300, so I get to work through the coldest and most beautiful time of the day: dawn.  Bagram Air Base is situated in a relatively small valley with mountains on every side.  However, between the dust and the base's garbage disposal methods (two enormous incinerators and large open burn pits), the view of the mountains is usually restricted to dark figures looming high over the horizon.  However, with the colder weather and a few showers, the air has gotten a little bit cleaner.  Several weeks ago we had the a very clear morning, and I was awestruck as the sun began to illuminate the western mountains.  No longer ambiguous shapes, the pink-orange light of the morning cast incredibly crisp and dark shadows across the curves of the foothills and the sharp edges of the mountains above them.   Between the peaks of the closest mountains, more were visible behind them, several shining brightly with freshly fallen snow.  The brown of the rock shone with gold and orange in the morning light. I wish I had brought my camera on that day.  That sight triggered in me the first spark of appreciation for this place that I have felt yet.  We have not had a morning like that since.

Work has recently gotten a little bit more stressful, as one of our expediters (the first level of management on the flightline) returned home for a family emergency.  One of our more experienced crew chiefs stepped into his spot, stripping us of another valuable body.  Thankfully, the workload has been manageable so far.  Past the halfway point now, people are starting to get testy, and we've had a few issues between people.  However, I am continually surprised by how well we crew chiefs get along despite our differences and annoyances with each other.  We are a dirty, rowdy, moody bunch.
.... ....

This morning at chow, there was a quartet playing at one of the tables for no apparent reason.  Four soldiers playing two flutes, a bassoon, and a clarinet.  No one knew why they were there, but they were good, and fun to listen to.  They played a large variety of stuff including TV theme songs, classical music, and "Puttin' on the Ritz."  I caught some flak for knowing the words to that one.  I am up late tonight, and walked around the base after sundown for the first time yet and heard another kind of music: lots and lots of birds.  Since I've been here, the only wildlife I've seen is a lone hawk who likes to circle above the runway (not for long), mice hiding under my toolbox, and a jackal that loiters around the road we take to work.  It was so nice to hear birds again.  I can't wait for a good rainstorm either.

Thanks everyone for your support and prayers,