Tuesday, August 26, 2025

This is Wednesday, Do butterflies know where they are going?

 Picture

 


So, for today:

 

Now for today:

On this subject, I just read an article about a bull dog being friends with a butterfly...  I also think there is a book by that title...


(Sorry I missed bull dog somehow...)  But I will continue what I started....

I know you have watched a butterfly, we all have. As I watched today I had to ask myself, does it have a plan, a destination or just ‘flitting around?’

 

I looked it up, this is what I got from the net:

 

Yes, there is a rhyme or reason to a butterfly's flight.

 

 The fluttering of butterflies is not random; it serves as a defense mechanism against predators and aids in their ability to navigate through various environments. 

 

 

Well, I learned something.  Hope you enjoyed that short explanation without me making a Rabbit trail. ;-)

Nite Shipslog

PS God is Good.  The butterfly is one of the creator’s beauties! They are easy to enjoy!

 

Tuesday, an Excuse is better than nothing, right?

 Picture of the day!

 


BUT for now:

There are standard excuses/reasons for many humans for shortcomings. Example late on the rent.

1.       I have been very sick and missed work.

2.       Children have been sick and I missed work and the Dr. cost an arm and leg. Etc

3.       Insurance was due this week. I will be ready next week

4.       Etc

I once thought I was a landlord, and tried handling two rentals.  I learned I wasn’t good at it and decided to sell and get out of the rental business. I notified the renters that they had  3 months notice.  One told me that the other renter had told her they could live in my places free for 6 months legally before they could be evicted..

All went well and They moved before the time was up.

Today I was talking to the builder who will be building next door.  WE had a great time just shooting the breeze, it has been a long time since I just ‘talked’ to another general contractor.

In the course of the conversation he mentioned a lady who owed him a lot of money for a home he had built. She told him she did not have to pay him.

He said he told her, “That will be ok, but I do want my nails back!”

“Are you crazy?” she asked. “How in the he— do you expect me to give you the nails back?”

“Oh it will only take a big magnet!”

“Bull sh--!”

“You know mam, after a house burns I simply come over and go thru the ashes with my magnet and a big bucket.”

He said I had the check the next week.

I had never heard that one…

In every life, job, occupation there are a lot of good tales, some embellished, but they make for a fun visit.



And those excuses, blames or reason’s lists, Yes they exist because many humans (like our politicians) MUST BLAME someone or thing for our failures.  I am proud when I see some ‘man or woman-up’ and admit their failure is mostly their own fault.

I am sure I have done my share, but mostly I do know it was MY fault (sometimes my wife LOL) when I have made a big mistake.

.Nite Shipslog

PS.  I HOPE you are a happy person and can just laugh at me… 

Of course we all know the USA needs spiritual help. A couple years ago we met some missionaries from Indonesia . They flew to the USA to evangelize. That was a first for me.

 

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Monday, The Rabbit trail

 Photo of the day:

 

(clarifier  donating to an honest charity is NOT being fooled) 

Note to Asep over in Indonesia:  Yes that was Marilyn Monroe in the header.  Also my friend, I visited your site and am not smart enough to navigate it.  Thanks for the comments.

So for today:

Lately I read (perused) a good article. Title was ‘I have Been to 90 Countries, only one I continue to return to. I said to myself, ‘I will look at this, I know she will not tell the country until I read for 5 minutes.’ I was shocked, in the first line she said Iceland.  I just perused the article, but I enjoyed  it VERY MUCH.

Do you get lost on some articles? A ‘rabbit trail’ that goes all over the world before giving what the title promised.  I have been so disappointed in stories and articles that it takes too long to get to the point. There are times when I do not mind reading details; mostly I enjoy reading a direct story.

Even some authors enjoy taking two pages to describe what someone is wearing.  I guess I listened to too many radio programs growing up and had to use my imagination as to what someone is wearing.  There are times it may be important, but mostly it is throwing more words than are needed. IMO

Just lately, I came to the end of a free book, and it ended before the actual climax.  The writer then wrote: If you wish to know what happens, go to Amazon and purchase this book (and get another free!)

Kiss my foot, I am not that interested.



Have you ever heard of a Sucker List? Sucker bait?

I had a friend once who ran a phone bank.  We were talking about his job; he explained he bought ‘sucker lists’.  Then he explained: that is lists of people who made donations to non-profits. The list indicating a large percentage of people who can be convinced to ‘buy-in’ to a good salesman.

(most non profits NOW state they will NEVER sell you Phone #)

We have donated $$$$ to one Veteran Non Profit.  Now I get letters from them.  Some have ‘sucker bait’ one US stamp given to you.  I smile, take the stamp and throw the letter away. I do the same with stick on addresses and note pads.  I donate, and I do it when I want to and can afford it.  I do not feel obligated because any outfit sends me a gift!

 

Nite Shipslog

PS: 

AGAIN THANKS for reading the  Shipslog.  LOL 

And Myra, you mentioned Texas Blue laws, I thought they were limited to NC,  but now I am learning they definitely spread, maybe someone else will mention them.

 

Sunday = Sunday

Picture of the day!

 

                                            I have shopped at a few Country stores.....


BUT for now:

Growing up and for a few years after that, Sunday was SPECIAL. Actually, considered sacred,  a REST day.

In our area no stores were open until after 12 noon if they opened at all.  Most remained closed so employees could spend time with family and friends.

No one would dare cut their grass on Sunday, even before power mowers......  Gas stations?  Only one (if any) was open on Sundays.

But today?  Even little league ball teams have games or practice at Sunday School time, that would never have been accepted before the 1970s era.

Speaking of the past, remember Sears Roebuck? Mail order? One of the biggest retail things going. They gave up the idea and saw at the time folks were wanting to ‘shop’ in stores. They held onto the catalog as a secondary. What a shame the upper management did not see the ordering returning!

Sherry and I remember BIG STORES! When we moved to Norfolk we were shocked to see a big grocery store, it was called ‘The Giant’.  WE were in awe as we walked thru. Now your average Wal-mart is bigger.



I never knew my mama’s daddy, Grandpa Lloyd. They had a store in the country outside Toccoa, Georgia. Mama said they sold and swapped stuff to and with the farmer neighbors. Example: they traded canned goods for the local farmer’s molasses to sell in the store. One little boy mama remembered bringing in molasses in his wagon, all he said, "Wanna swap some brown syrup for some white syrup for mama!". Grandpa  traded 1 qt for two .

Uncle Irvin and Aunt Bert, they ran a country store in Laurens, SC

My cousin Bobby on top of Uncle Irvin (Red)'s store. Country store in left half and cafe in the right. We Loved visiting here!!!!

Strange how the country stores just went away….  Did you ever shop at a country store? Do you shop Amazon?

 

.Nite Shipslog

 

PS.  I HOPE you are a happy person and can just laugh at (or with) me…  WE all need to smile, God is Good… Love from North Carolina…

 

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Saturday: Even the beautiful die.

 Photo of the day:

 
Cause of death was Suicide, they say!

So for today:

I read a tragic story this week.  A beautiful successful lady of 32 committed suicide in a unique way, by sky diving.  She had over 500 jumps with no problems, then after a ‘love’ break up she no longer wanted to live.  She made her  regular jump, and 60 seconds later hit the ground with out deploying her chutes.

After investigations everything in her equipment was in  perfect order, reg chute and emergency chute were in perfect condition. It was obvious she had not tried to pull either cord to open any chute.

WE all knew the famous Robin Williams, I was shocked to hear of his suicide, why would a person who had the world by the tail take his life. We learned later it was a mental disease.

Then there was Cheslie Krist, Miss NC who was crowned Miss USA. Later the headlines read:

Woman who jumped from NYC high-rise identified as Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst



If I am not mistaken Cheslie a beautiful black lady also had  an earned doctorate.

No matter your beauty, education  or success, common folk DO NOT understand when a seemingly super successful individual takes their own life.

It is not too smart to ask but have you ever considered ending this life?  No need to answer,

For years I thought it was normal.  I have thought of it many times.  Never serious enough to do it of course, or some other fool would be here typing. LOL  But in truth I have thought of it. One shot and all problems are gone (that is not taking in consideration the afterlife of course.) ;-)

WE have dear kin and friends who have and are experiencing full blown Alzheimer’s.  I tell Sherry they have it made. They do not have problems; their memory is wiped out. It does bother friends and kin much more than it does them.

I must tell you, it is disheartening, even devastating, when a close friend looks at you and asks, “Now, who are you?”  That blows your mind and makes Alzheimer’s REAL.

Nite Shipslog

PS: 

AGAIN THANKS for reading the  Shipslog. I sure do appreciate you folks  who take time to read this stuff.  Some of it serious, some, like my mama said, ‘that’s a story!’  LOL

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Friday, Is it too late to HOPE?

 Picture of the day!:

                            Me and

             

1st..Victor… The Paradise you mentioned is in Massachusetts I hear.  This one is in Pennsylvania, famous for being close to Intercourse. Some Pa towns make out of state folks smile.

BUT for now:

WE all anticipate things. In the past few weeks I have been dizzying or ‘lightheaded’ whatever that means; but I still HOPE to be able to drive the short trip up to Pennsylvania in the near future.

Hope = anticipate, Confident,…. maybe it means DREAM also.

I hoped to get to see Ireland before now, but then I hoped to meet most of the folks in person, that I have conversed with on this internet. I had also hoped to meet Robert and Gina Liakoa who live in Athens.  After reading stuff from friend Victor, I even hoped to get to see him over in the UK.

Even you guys here in the USA, that hope would have been more likely to have come to pass.  Wish and Hope? They are not the same, right?  Because I did not pay attention, the few English lessons I had do not allow this simpleton to truly express himself.

MA says today (as I write) is Senior Citizen’s Day. I feel more senior EVERY DAY.  I have never had time for many aches and pains, I never expected to complain about arthritis like OLD people do, but now I cannot shut up, it seems. I guess I HOPED that would never be me. I tell Sherry (that sweet lady I sleep with most nights) I am getting old, she smiles at me like I am ‘simple’ and says, “HONEY, YOU ARE OLD!”



Well, that MAY BE TRUE, but I still HOPE to hike the Appalachian Trail before I get REAL OLD!  I also HOPE I can IGNOR extended family problems.  I HOPE  I will learn to work on problems I can fix . I am just realizing I cannot FIX problems I CREATE, much less the ones I DO NOT create. (I have found….. learned….  I can’t even fix some of the problems I create trying to fix a problem).

I ‘HOPE’ YOU CAN UNDERSTAND AT LEAST SOME OF THIS MESS.  LOL

Oh well, sometimes I think HOPE is hidden in a DREAM.

.Nite Shipslog

 

PS.  I HOPE you are a happy person and can just laugh at me…… Love from North Carolina…

 

Thursday and Palmer June, sweetie, traveler and fighter,

 Pictures for today..

                                        Mama Jenna feeding Palmer
Daddy Luke  taking care to shade the sweet fighter

 And then Little Palmer her-own-self, beautiful smile.

So, for today:

 Awhile back At Ben’s BD party I asked Grandson Luke, “Where is Palmer and Jenna?”

“Ohio,” was the reply.

I laughed,  Palmer, not even 4 months and has made a few trips, including one to the beach. (Please read to the end where the real reason for this post is located!)

 

It fits with our family, so that is ‘normal.’  Jack Jr. has a trip planned for him and his granddaughter, Ellie.  He will be heading to Florida to see his brother VIA Louisiana leaving Ellie there; then driving to Florida. He will retrace his steps, returning here to NC.

 

As For Sherry & I, we have been sorta locked here for a few months with MY project of the Apartment.  Now that it is finished, we are looking forward to our trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country.  Looking forward to seeing our old USMC friends Dal and Marion while there.

Of course also thinking of the Sight and Sound Theatre that we always enjoy.


 

YES!!! And hoping the farmers still have some fresh corn. One year we hit it perfect, corn at 10 cents an ear; we ate corn on the cob daily and it was SUPER and DELICIOUS!

 

The trip?  Yeah, just because we need to travel. Methinks it is just that we need to be on the road. LOL

 

But my friends the real reason for this entry, Great Granddaughter Palmer June. She is so stinking photogenic, BUT this is my favorite picture of Palmer June (Palmy) here:

 


Palmer June will be a fighter, standby!

I see her looking ready to send a left ‘jab’ to someone’s nose followed by a knockout by that waiting right fist. She is saying ‘don’t mess with me!’

 

Methinks this picture was taken by her Grandma Corrine. She sends pics to our Kodak Frame (She gave us the frame)

Nite Shipslog

PS

Palmy is the latest addition to the family. Jenna and Luke have created a sweetheart. She is healthy, God is Good.