If you would like to make God smile..

 Pic of the day:

Flying into Salt Lake City over the Wasatch Mountains. 

For today:

Years ago I read a quote by Minnie Pearl on a church bulletin:  “If you want God to smile, tell Him your plans.”

By today’s standards Sherry and are not wealthy, but we are blessed. We like to do things for the family. We flew the entire family to Utah once to see Ben, Corey and our new granddaughter Elsie, twice.

WE flew everyone back when Elsie was bigger. Ben holding her on the left in this picture.

                                  

Pic of 2nd Utah trip bunch, at least 7 have been added since then. LOL

 Another time we were able to arrange a cruise for the family. We like making memories.

We haven’t done anything big for the family in awhile. I wanted to take everyone to Ireland. But now one family member has a Felony record, (the reason for my big depression over the past couple of years, which is still not settled). A person with a felony cannot keep their passport I understand.

 SOOOOOO  big idea guy, ME, Our 70^th wedding anniversary is a couple years off. I said, “Hey on our 70^th anniversary, let’s take everyone to Hawaii for a week or so.” No passports required. Believe it or not, my girl agreed. She will grit her teeth and fly.

NOW, dadgummit, two GROWN (?) grandchildren have a major disagreement and will not associate. I refuse to take a trip with snide remarks and dirty looks. That problem to me is, in the BIG picture of life, completely unrealistic. It is big to one of them of course, but families should get along.  There is NO REASON that problems can not be settled among family.

Those parents do not know how their hearts will break 20 years from now, when their own children marry do the same thing and stop talking with each other. I have a son and sweet daughter in law whose hearts are breaking.  Son has his own problems, but he is still their dad.

But all that is not my problem anymore. They are adults. BUT I will be disappointed. I wanted all of them to see the Arizona Memorial, Waikiki, the Islands and visit The Polynesian Cultural Center on the main island and learn the cultures of all the islands.

Also, I wanted them to enjoy a luah and some Kalaua Pork.

 BUT instead, Sherry and I may just have an intimate Steak and Lobster dinner and celebrate 70 years, maybe even THINK about sex!!  LOL.

I hope the problem is ironed out, but nothing seems in sight. Arranging, Transporting, housing and touring 22-25 people is not a simple task, and cannot be arranged overnight.  So unless some answer is in the next few months or a year, the Hawaii plan goes down the drain.  Maybe some of the grands can get together and settle this.

Nite Shipslog

PS:  

Thank you all for being here… and being YOU.  

Friends on the internet

  A picture from the Past.

 They lived on an UNbusy street and we just parked on the road.

Sherry caught me going up to their door.

Below is Sherry leaving the coach after I made sure they were home and would see us.

On my last blog entry I mentioned Lucy,  I think the last I remember of her was 2015 (?). Lucy was a regular. Joe her hubby and Spunky the ‘fat Beagle’. She was a fun person, and just dropped off the internet.  Every once in awhile I would do a search of obits for her and Joe.

I found Joe’s obit first, she never mentioned it but he was retired from the USAF. Lucy & Joe Horky of Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Once we happened to be driving within 15 miles of their home and drove by unannounced.  They welcomed us like family. 

We had a great 15-30 minute visit. I did get to pet Spunky 

and see where Lucy spent her time on the computer.

Of course Sherry & Lucy hit it off like old friends.

In Joe’s obit it told she was in an assisted living at that time. A few months later I found her obit.

This is  an example of someone just dropping off the net and we do not know what is happening or has happened.

NiteShipslog

PS:  Once again ‘Thanks’ AGAIN to y’all for stopping by the Shipslog..  Life is getting better here. Except the new phone!!

 

 

Things I do not understand….

 Pic from the past:

Our only Christmas parade Float, the grand kids wanted it. LOL  (PS: If you ride a float, you do not get to see the parade!

For today:

Things do not always go my way; I am sure it is the same for you.

There are things I see and read that make my mind just say:  What?  Why?  How?  And say them seriously.

In my memory the price of the Milky Way candy bar goes from a nickel to close to a dollar.

I see inflation, but I do not understand it at all.  How does it start and how does it stop. I cannot think it is simply politics, because it is something NO ONE, no group, no side wants the blame for, do they?

I read where people have $250,000 to $500,000 student debts!  How can an educated person run up a bill like that, with no way to pay it?

How can anyone with a car running well, but old, buy a new car when they are already head over heels in debt?

I did not understand when my online friend, Lucy (may she RIP), said if it came to the point of paying for her meds or her dogs meds, the dog would get his?

Now folks, I love animals, always have but when an animal reaches the level of one of your kids or mate, that is something else that I do not understand….

I do not understand the internet, but I use it.  I do not understand ‘cloud storage’ because I know we cannot store things in clouds, CAN WE?

Speaking of clouds, how can one weigh 1.1 MILLION pounds and still float around and not fall? I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT. I WILL END TODAY WITH THIS from the internet:

Suppose that the cumulus cloud you are measuring is about 1,000 meters long and about equal in height and width (1,000 meters for each dimension). To find the cloud’s volume multiply width by length by height: 1,000 meters X 1,000 meters X 1,000 meters. This equals 1,000,000,000, or 1 billion cubic meters.

Then multiply the volume by the weight of water within 1 cubic meter of cumulus cloud, which has been calculated as .5 gram. One billion cubic meters times .5 gram per cubic meter equals 500 million grams. Thus, the cloud weighs about 500,000 kilograms!  Now 500,000 KG = 1.1 million pounds.

NO, NO!! SAY IT AIN’T SO, JOE!!!

Remember that dude that said the sky is falling??? That is gonna HURT!  :-O

Nite Shipslog

PS:  I heard an educated man say the other day that the Sun has light, but the moon and all the stars have no light of their own, they only reflect the sun. Am I the only one who sees a problem there?

Thank you all for being here… and being YOU.  

Looking back with a smile…..

 Pic from back then:

My girl's graduation picture.  Yeah, she did take a chance and married a drop out.

For today:

I am sure y’all cannot tell that I have been down for a long time. BUT LAST NIGHT!!!!

There she was, just got into bed, not saying what, dressed or not dressed, Just beautiful. I held her tight and said:

Good night Sweetheart…..

Then she did something that took me back to dating 1955-56. She began to sing:

Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go

(and I joined in)

Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
I hate to leave you, but I really must say
Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight

Before I got a car, we would be on her front porch at 129 Hawthorne street, and we would sing that together. After one last kiss I would float home on cloud nine, past two cotton mills, two churches and some houses to 315 Church street.  It was only close to a mile home, but my feet hardly touched the ground.

Anyway my spirits are lifted it pays to think how blessed you are, my blessings are much worse than the problems.  I just forget in selfpity sometimes.

Today, enjoying the spring weather, we talked about that as we were swinging in the picnic area as we enjoyed an unneeded fire, just talking.  I am the luckiest guy in the world, hey at 86 years of age she is still the most beautiful and sweetest girl in the world.

 (I was a sailor here, we had been married a few years and her legs were the best!!

And yes, she still has those beautiful legs and.. …   ..

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Thank you all for being here… and being YOU.  

 

Today in NC

 For today:

I have a part time job now.  I walk the next door neighbor's little Poodle . I am not sure, methinks, 'cause she looks like a poodle. .  But she is a feisty little girl or old girl.  On my walk today I saw so many wildflowers I decided to pic a bouquet for my sweetheart.  I took these three shots neither sow how pretty it is:

I am also cleaning more in the woods. we lost two walnut trees over the winter and I cut them down and make firewood out of them.  I am fearful we have two large ones that died and could be dangerous. I will get the binoculars our and see if I can see any leaves springing higher up, I sure hope so.

Take care. I have been very busy. Sorry I have not been around as much lately..

Nite Shipslog.

PS:  Thanks for stopping by. 

Spring in North Carolina

Azalais' are blooming! Dutch kids about to kiss behind the bushes!   

PIcnic area showing folwers

 Enjoying spring and hope you are.  It looks good for a trip to Buchanan, Michigan and getting the coach repairs done.  TAke care and be safe.  I am not much of a cameraman.

Nite Shipslog

Good Dr. Visit

 Pic of the day:

 

Graceland in Memphis, our first stop on a cross country trip in 1993 I think. WE had Sonny & Collette with us and Collette was one of Elvis's fans.

 

For today:

I have been asked, “How did it go?” (My long awaited pappygram)  Everything went good. Everyone was very nice and concerned. After all the tests, the Dr. came in and after introducing herself, she said, IT IS NOT CANCER! Then she smiled and said I know that is the top questions in someone’s mind when they come here for these tests.”

Smiling she continued, “You have Gynecomastia. “

Ah ha, you are saying, like me, that is a relief I know exactly what you said, I THINK! That is an everyday word around my house (NOT).

What the heck is that you (and I ask)? Well I will tell us: It is enlargement of the male breast with prominence of the normal fibro-glandular breast tissue behind the nipple.

That certainly cleared things up!  So I think I am growing titties.  I might be changing into a female of this species or,  as the doctor said, you are getting OLDer and losing testosterone (better than losing my mind (again)).  BUT, but what that REALLY means to me is this is nothing to lose sleep over and definitely not life threatening.

 

I do appreciate your prayers, thoughts and concerns, they were not wasted, I feel much better.

Now that I am no longer concerned about immediate follow ups, we can plan on focusing on the coach problems and possibly plan a trip or two.

I already have made reservations in Michigan, just above South Bend, for the first of May. IF and that is an IF, we can get an appointment with the repair facility.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Thank you all for being here… and being YOU.  

Social life

1950 Ford Crestliner, this was on nice looking car.

 I will probably be away for a day or so.  We attended the funeral and several of the class members wanted to get together so that is Wed.  My DR. appt is Tues and we have another RV'er's get to gether then Thursday.  I am so much in demand... LOL

We were thinking of heading to Moscow Iowa in the next week or so, but I have found a place in South Bend, IN that says they can do the job.  WE might just go there.  These decisions are tough on my old head. LOL

See ya later and thinks for stopping by....

Nit Shipslog

 

 Just stuff

Pic of the day:  This was a brand new car when Sherry's class GRaduated.  1956.  WE also got married that year.  LOL

 

 1956 Ford.  I sure would love to cruise around in this dude.

For today:

I think I have fixed my own problem on my mower.  I asked the expert, He said he would have to see it to see what my problem was.

I had an idea and I think it is working. I have it ALMOST whipped. LOL

WE attended the funeral today and a lot of good things were said about Roy Gene Young..  He was a good guy. One of Sherry’s classmates became a dentist. I like to talk to him.  I mentioned to him again, I will never understand how a dentist can work, especially drilling using a mirror.  Everything is backwards.  LOL

One other classmate said to the big crowd of 5 classmates.  ‘Half of our classmates have died now.’  Of course, Evelyn and Sherry will get the annuals and check that out.

Before they left today, they all agreed to call other classmates and get together for lunch or dinner this week.  I have a feeling it will end up being these 5 couples at the dinner.

One of her classmates just returned from 7 weeks on a tour of Australia and New Zealand.  His wife did not go. She is afraid to fly so he and a buddy made the trip.

It generated more thoughts of going to Ireland, the dude is older than I am and Ireland is MUCH closer than Australia.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Thank you all for being here… and being YOU.  

This and that

 Today I worked to weld my riding lawn mower deck.  I got the job done, a real welder would laugh at the job. Yes honestly, but it will work. However, I cannot get the drive belts back on.  I am thinking a few years ago I would have finished in half the time.  It is hard for me to say, I can't do that. BUT,  I guess I cannot. It really hurts my feelings. LOL  It is only one final belt, I took it off while doing the job, so I know it should fit.  But If I would look at the job for the first time I would say that belt is too short, it does not fit, but I know it does!   

I also KNOW that something is wrong with my head, LOL  I had ten or more corrections in the above paragraph. LOL

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS typing. as you can seem looking at my screen now.  I seldom look at my screen and am surprised when I do look. I am now in Italics, and I should not be.  I had four corrections in that last one line.

Imma quit.  I love all you crazy people who read this.  But I must say good night.  OH WAIT!

We have a funeral to attend.  A friend of Sherry's and a classmate has died, and we will be attending his funeral on Sunday.  Also, our Granddaughter has a problem, and I will go over and replace her Ice machine feed for her refer. 

That line burst, I went over, and the three beautiful ladies had the mess taken care of, but the line needed to be replaced. The girls present were our DIL Corinne (my sweetheart). Sherece our granddaughter and Stella our GGranddaughter.  they had the problem under control. Corrine was at the Water meter with tbe special tool to cut the water off.  Most folks would not have known what the tool was supposed to do.  BUT THEY DID.  I am proud when I see Ladies surviving without male help, some of which should have been there.

Nite y'all. 

I miss real e-mails

 Pic of the day from the past:

Our family at Papa Doc (Francois Duvalier)'s grave site with an eternal flame. Papa was the dictator of Haiti for many years. We bummed a ride on an Embassy flight to spend a day in Port au Prince.  Baby Doc (His son) took over at Papa's death. He was the dictator when we were there.

  For today:

On the average day I get 125 to 200 e-mails. I delete pretty close to 99%.

For a deaf person e-mails were great for communication. BUT now most of my receipts are spam.  I think Bill Gates was right at one time when e-mails were starting.  He suggested charging a penny or two for all e-mails over 300 a day, or something like that. That way the average person would never have paid, but the spammers that shoot out thousands  to millions a day would have had to pay to invade my computer. LOL

Now communication is big-time TEXTING.  I like that too, but instead of talking on a phone behind the wheel millions to millions are texting behind the wheel. I see so many people passing me and texting at 70-80 mph.  Each person figures I can handle this, no problem.  Much texting is done at traffic lights, and in a normal day you might miss a traffic light because three people in the ten car line were texting and did not realize the light had changed.

It isn’t smart to text and drive….

And we all do things that aren’t smart at times. One of my favorite snacks at night is crackers and milk. I love to crush saltines in a glass and then add the milk. I have heard that many great recipes were discovered by accident, such as adding a spoon full of the wrong ingredients.  Well Last night I was preoccupied and poured green tea over my crackers. Not a lot mind you maybe 5 tablespoons worth before I realized my mistake. So remembering hearing about mistakes making good stuff, I just finished with milk. Guess what?  That mistake was not one of the good ones. LOL But I made it okay.

I am sure you haven’t made a mistake snacking or cooking.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Thank you all for being here… and being YOU

 

On the Road

 Pic from the past:

 My brother and his sweet wife Ruth. about 1943

For clarification. We are in NC!!  I drove the rest of the way without running off the road (too far). This post i thought went on last night...

For today:

We made about 300 miles today and are at Point South, SC, for an overnight.  It was a good trip even if most of it was in the rain. Traffic was good.

We will only travel 200 miles tomorrow and be at our only stationary home in NC.  We sold the last place we had in Florida to son Mark.

It is up in the air what we will do in the future.  It is impossible to find campsites for an entire winter in Florida unless we rent one site for the entire time.  That gets real expensive and as every one knows I am a tight wad or does skin-flint sound better?  LOL

A couple times we found it was easier to invest in a home where we could park the motor home, and later sell it and get our money back.  Once we never moved into the house and had a place for the family to come to vacation and go to Disney or one of the Theme parks in Orlando.

Speaking of that Sherece brought Stella down for a visit. They went to Universal for a day, Did you know it was near $500 for a day for 2???????

I waiver at thinking what it would cost a family of 5 for a week at Disney along with all the meals at today’s prices?

Well I wanted to touch base while we are on the road.  It does feel good and I made it thru Jacksonville, FL in the traffic (40-60 mph) and rain without hitting anything except rain drops.  Pretty good for 85 yrs old, huh?

Y’all take care..

 

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Thank you all for being here… and being YOU. Jacksonville is the largest town we drive thru on this trip. We bypass Savannah, Columbia and Charlotte.