Snakes, snails and puppy dog tales

  

Photo from the Past:

 

When we lived on Lake Dora I went out on our pier, lo and behold this was on our boat! (This Moccasin did not live much longer).

 So for today:

Sherry got used to seeing snakes on the trail. So much so she could step over one and announce to me, ‘Snake on the trail.’

I think this was a 'ground snake' but we do treat most snakes as if they are poisonous and stay outside striking distance!

Once in a cold stream in Virginia, Sherry was soaking her feet and jerked them out of the water saying “a moccasin was swimming toward my feet!”

I said, “Don’t be silly, that water is too cold for a snake!” She put her feet back in the cold water and yep, I saw a small snake head toward her feet. We scared it off, but I learned that some snakes must handle cold blooded better than others. LOL

  ;-)

 In the past few years, I have been snake bit and dog bit. The Pit mix that bit me got my throat, chin and arm. He was on a leash, dragging his owner who could not stop him. Yes, still it is the dogs that my mind grabs; when a mean ‘looking’ dog is close by. Yeah, I know, I know; I have heard It a ‘million’ times, “Don’t worry he don’t bite, he is just a big ole teddy bear.”

Yeah right! Tell that to the family whose kids were killed. The kids had played with those Pits, their own dogs, most every day for 7 years; they turned on the kids, and killed them.

Back to snakes.

Once in Montana near Three Rivers, Sherry and I were camping by the headwaters of the Missouri River. I had killed a big Rattler near the camper; Sherry and I had walked off a piece when I said, “I have heard they Rattlers taste like chicken. I am going to skin and cook that sucker.”  I headed back to get the snake when up flew a big Eagle, flying about straight up carrying my snake! So I never had a chance to taste Rattle Snake, L

For Myra. When I was kid, I guess I thought I was invincible, I caught any snake to show off. Several Cotton Mouths and Copper Heads.  I never caught a rattler; they were not around where we lived. I was fast, I caught them just behind the head. I surprised our grandkids once by grabbing a Black Snake (nonpoisonous). To let them see one up close.

BUT the copper head that bit me cheated, it was hiding in the weeds I was pulling from around the base of a tree. I AM more leery now, I never REALIZED how terrible a bite can be, the worst pains I have ever suffered!!!!

Granddaughter Sherece and I were out at MY playhouse once and ran into a big snake. I told Sherece that is Sneeky Snake and to tell him not to go to the house or Grandma would kill him.

Sherece walked over to the snake, pointing at it and lectured him about going out to the house. I was proud of her; at 4yrs old was so stinking cute.

 

Nite Shipslog

PS.

 Thank all of you that read here. I enjoy comments and appreciate it as I read them. Y’all are the BEST! 

 

Title.. Conversations with Florida birds and Lizards

 

The beautiful Sandhill Craine (pic from the net)

For today:

I was raised in NC, the state bird is the Cardinal. I knew the names of several birds and they have fascinated me. BUT Florida is another ball game. WE have so many, here and to me some are odd, or stange.Not always fearful of people.

I can be working in the yard, and it seems immedioately I am visited by 10-20 Ibis,  just walking thru the yard eating. These dudes have long curved peeks. They peck constantly thru the grass. How in the world can they aim that beak and see that bug or hear it?

Top from the net of the White Ibis

Above is the two stragglers by the time I got my camera!

 Lately walking Sherry and I have met and talked to Charlie and Peggy. They are Sandhill Cranes. These dudes just saunter thru on those long legs mostly act like we are not around. They too have a long beak and evidently hear or see bugs, enough to keep them alive.

In the opening picture you can see the beautiful red on the head of the Sandhill Crane.

But as much as I like birds they don’t get close up and personal to talk. However our lizards are a different story. They are glad to talk, I have always wanted to hold one and talk to it. WELL LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, today was the day. I was moving things on the carport and saw lizzie, I thought he was dead when he did not respond at all. I reached to touch him as I always do, and he usually scoots off. But today I got to touch him. He was not dead.  He moved his head and looked up at me. So I decided to pick him up,  he let me. I petted him and we had a great talk. I even knocked on the RV door and Sherry got to meet him. You don’t believe me do you? Well here is the proof.

pic

That was my excitement for the day.

This happened because lizards like snakes are cold blooded. When they get cold their reactions are SLOW. I learned that as a kid and could impress my buddies by catching snakes and moccasions.

I will have to remember that when it is cool and look for a Lizzard to talk to when he MUST be still and listen.

 

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Thanks for reading this stuff. I especially like the comments of course, so THANKS for the comments. It has been a little cool for Florida, but now I am happy about it. ;-)

Things I will never know

 

For today:

I will never know what it is like to understand or follow the stock market reports or investing and managing my millions or billions.

OR..

What it is like to tell ‘my man’ to call our place in Maui and tell them to prepare dinner, then notify our pilot to have the plane ready with a flight plan to Maui. 

This is silly, of course I will never know what it is like to have paid ‘servants. Full time Valet, Cook, housekeeper, etc. or  the things concerning super wealth. I truly don’t care if I ever know. LOL

Like friend Myra says, we have to walk in their shoes. to know.

At mine and my sweethearts’ age, we are blessed to still have each other; and that she still likes me. Some of you have experienced what it is like to lose a loving mate.  Sherry and I cannot KNOW how that feels. WE are not naive, we know, unless there is a ‘Rapture’ of the good folks, or we are fortunate to pass from this world together, one of us will be left.

I sleep late, she told me once when I was sleeping later than usual, she stood by the bed watching to see If I moved.  We laughed about it. NOW, just one morning ago I awoke first, I seldom do that.  I watched her for 10-15 minutes; with this sleep sack we use, I could not tell if she was breathing; finally, she rolled over and I breathed a sigh of relief.

 You see, I sleep without my cochlear devices, so I am totally deaf. I would never know if she cried, yelled or whispered, unless she can touch me. I cannot hear a jet plane without the devices. I thought about that as she lay there not moving a muscle.

You see, we have both known someone who went to bed and never woke up. WE have a friend who was watching TV with her husband, she thought he had fallen asleep.  He had passed without a chirp.

Yeah in a few days I turn 86, she is already 87. We have outlived our families and so many friends.  My guess is, we have at best 10yrs left.  BUT WE ALL KNOW it can be a week or sooner.

 Unless you commit ‘sideways’** ONLY GOD knows our final hour. 

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Thanks for reading this stuff. I especially like the comments of course, so THANKS for the comments. It has been a little cool for Florida, NOT complaining, some of you are doing the snow and freeze shiver and dance.!  

**SIDEWAYS was suicide in my childhood.

Insurance Companies, THE BET

 That picture

This Picture is from California at  Will Rogers Ranch this week. It is possible the ins. was cancelled last week. I can imagine insurance has been paid for over 50 years.  Just saying.

For today:

First, about the 3 buttons, yes, the buttons on the sleeve not the coat it's self. ;-)

And the rich guys! I was not referring to self-made wealth or just millionaires, they can know tough things. The families that have had Billions their entire life, honestly nothing negative was meant, it is just there are things they will NEVER KNOW! 

Victor might say: I asked if I could walk in the Billionaires shoes and he said, take the bus!  Love you guys...

Now, LOL, my REAL FUSS!

I have always heard the insurance company is betting nothing will happen to you or your home, and you are betting it will, when you take out a policy.

I am a customer who always refuses extended warrantee on   tools, appliances or equipment. When  am asked, do you want the $$ extended warrantee?

Sometimes I ask, “ Isn't this warranted already?”

“Yes but the insurance insures replacement, a year longer.”

I NEVER buy extended warrantees. Most things will live past their warranted time. IMHO

When buying a home, if you take out a mortgage, of course the lender REQUIRES you insure it. If you own a home, you ARE NOT REQUIRED TO INSURE IT, Since we buy mostly fixeruppers, we never insure them.  I can understand those who fear damage, but since I repair almost anything that happens to a home, I do not insure them.

That exception is duplex in NC.  WE insure it because renters are involved.  (the manager is also our insurance agent LOL.)

Since insurance is a bet. Lately I have learned that the Insurance companies have a way to ‘hedge’ their bets.  Remember the bad weather in Florida lately? Now the fires in California?  Insurance Companies, have cancelled thousands of policies knowing their bets in that area are losing bets. Too bad the homeowners cannot suspend payments, or at least pay every other month, in the good times. LOL

WE have never lost a home to fire or tornado, etc. Our only claim was a roof after a hailstorm.  To be factual we have insured those places in NC for near 30 years, paying insurance every year. So of course, the roof they GAVE US after the deductible, was paid for years ago. LOL

 I have had two businesses. I knew when I started them, if things went bad I could lose a lot.  Business owners know this. Businesses are a gamble, no guarantee. I thought Ins. Companies were the same. If they insure more than they can pay for, they run the risk of going broke.

I cannot imagine how I would feel if My agent knew a natural disaster might take my home in the next week and  call me to say, we are cancelling your policy, (Meaning: If we don’t we might have to pay . OUCH

I would be one upset dude. SO can you imagine the folks  in Florida who lost their homes to flooding and those in California who are losing theirs to fire, they must be devastated at the cancellations, WE PAID YOU AND TRUSTED YOU!!

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Always Good to see you. We look forward to  seeing you, you always make our Day, that is a guarantee!!THANKS!  

What the Rich guy will never know!

 Photo from the Past:

 

One of the Rich Kids who learned down and dirty the hard way.  No I did  not vote for him, BUT he was my president.

 

So for today:

Unless you are or have been blind, YOU or me will NEVER know what it is really like 24 hours a day EVERY DAY.

I just read a horrible story of a girl who was born with horrific buck teeth and a jaw that was misformed. She has spent Thousands of dollars trying to fit in and it has not worked. She told of the kids making fun or her looks and speech and crying herself to sleep most nights.

Unless you have been bullied, you do not know the feeling no matter HOW HARD you try, you cannot KNOW!
I said that to try an make a point.

The members of the truly wealthy families will never know how it is to be poor. They cannot change their position and or course would not want to,

Most of them have NEVER been grocery shopping. They have NO IDEA of the feeling that ‘I might not have enough to pay for all the groceries we need.’

They also do not know what it is like to come to a breakfast their mama has cooked and be limited to how much you can eat.

The Ultra rich will never wonder if they have the rent money, or the mortgage payment.

These observations are not meant to be mean; they are just facts.  The mill owner, if he was from a wealthy family, would never know what that 25 cents an hour raise means to his workers.

The very rich will never know what it is like to need to fix your car, and you are living from pay day to payday.

They will never know the feelings of the mother who cannot pay for a fancy dress for the prom for her wonderful daughter.  

I have President Truman at the top of this entry. He was the last President to leave the White House and drive home in his own car. Most likely the last president who wasn’t a millionaire or better upon leaving.

I have worried for the past few years of those at the top of our government who make decisions for us folk on the lower rungs of the ladder.  That is the reason MOST leaders NEED to have normal folk in their cabinets and advisors as well as the rich.  WE need not only educated but SMART men and women to keep ‘common sense’ forefront.

It has been many years since we had our budget in an old cigar box with envelopes, for groceries, gas, rent, etc. I remember what it is like not to have enough to buy Sherry our monthly banana split and miniature golf game for our monthly entertainment.

However I would like for my leaders to KNOW that they have constitutions that still have those common expenses and they MUST have the funds to pay them.

 

 

Nite Shipslog

PS.

 Thank all of you that read here. I enjoy comments and appreciate it as I read them. Y’all are the BEST! Thank God, at present Sherry and I have NO big problems, but I know folks that do.

When will I ever learn?

 Photo from the Past:

 

The one time we KNOW that the news folks got things wrong. WE know Dewey LOST!

Take a note here, I had never noted this. The three buttons on Mr. Truman's suit indicate he was not a wealthy man. AT that time and it is still mostly true today. Men's better grade suits show 4 buttons. No man of standing would have worn a common suit. That has been a SOLID standard until the last few years in our world.

 

So for today:

Really, I am glad we have good news sources.  Strange today we know instantly when a tornado hits three states over. We know days in advance that a hurricane is going to hit Houston or Miami. There was a time the soonest you would know would be on the 6 o’clock news. Or two days later.

I do not know if it is RIGHT to assist the folks in Ukraine in their war or not. I truly feel sorry for the folks in apartment buildings that have been killed. I KNOW as a (former) military man it is WRONG for an Army to intentionally kill civilians.  I do support sending aid over there. But is it the right thing to do? Shucks, how does an old man know anything about such international events and troubles.  OUR NEWS people think we should know about it, we hear what is right and wrong 24/7 as the cliché goes.

I am glad to see a transition of Gov’t power going fairly smooth as it should.  That is our form of Democracy, and it has worked for many years. My vote does not always go for the winner, but Who ever wins the presidency, is MY President. In this country the vote determines the leader. My vote will go the other way if this one does not work out.

I am just saying our airwaves and internet are full of predictions of ‘heaven is coming’ and then contrarywise, ‘the sky is falling down.’  I predict it will be neither, but we will go along and hopefully congress will get a handle on our national debt, ‘NO’ administration in the past 20+ years has done ANYTHING to curb that (Clinton was the last who did in 2000 methinks, and I did not vote for him) and both parties have had their chance & did basically NOTHING toward solving the debt problem.

So I am tired of predictions so I will, like the rest of the country, wait and see if things go down, who is blamed; if heaven comes down, who will get the credit. LOL

What I started off to say is, WHEN WILL I LEARN THAT  we must wait and see, the POLITICAL BALL  has already started ROLLING; you nor I, will change its direction, even  if we want that, until next voting period.

Thanks for stopping by to read this ssss,,,,stuff!

Nite Shipslog

PS.

 Thank all of you that read here. I enjoy comments and appreciate it as I read them. Y’all are the BEST!

My experience and thinking

 Pictures from the past

Pictures of formations in Southern UTAH, Amazing, as you look you have to ask, how did this happen?

     For today:

I didn’t mean to sound so negative yesterday, but just thinking.  No I have not heard of the soon crash of Blogger, I am just thinking of past history..

I was happy with AOL Journals, the first time I had gotten involved in this type of correspondence. I was happily traveling along, even was selected at AOL’s Journal of the month once.

Then out of the Blue AOL: announced they were dropping Journals. They advised every Journalist to save their entire Journals even told how. Did I do it? Nah, BUT I do wish I had.

I do know this, if in fact Blogger does bite the dust, I will definitely make acopy of this STUFF!  And will advise others to do that also.

In saying that, If you were to copy your journal to save it, how would you  do that?  What media would you chose? I have so many CD’s and Actually I do not have a good CD reader.  Then technology chances, I know folks who waited to late to save the old 8mm and Super8mm movies. My son Mark and his wife Corinne took all our 8mm stuff one year and had them put on CDs for Christmas, what a great Christmas present.  

BUT how do we keep up with all the changes?

You see, I remember Granny’s shoe box of pictures that her family divided up at her death.

Now that shoe box would not compare to our 36,000 hard copy pics. Now, familys have digital movies of their children from birth to their 20th birthday and beyond.

Have you stored anything on the small cards?

And I do know some Bloggers us their blog as a personal life journal;  downloading your blog by the year and put it book form, what a great idea.

Sorry, I just got carried away. But I am open to advise… on saving all this digital wonderment.

Thanks for reading and yes I will appreciate your advice.

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Always Good to see you. We look forward to  seeing you, you do make our Day, THANKS!