Senior Love

 

                           (Good  Friends,  Don & Evelyn)

All right I am thinking, This senior romance novel has gotten too involved in suspense, but I still like it. Of course I would, I am the author . When writing, I do not know the ending of the book, and am thinking first, what is going to be the ‘hook’. Once I get the hook set, what is going to be the reward and finally how is this sucker gonna end? 

                  ( Our good Friends, Von Dale and Rose)

Whoopee, I now have the ending and what I think is a nice (sweet)  surprise for  my two main characters.

                               (Lovers, Sherry and Jack)

Problem is, once I know the ending I start to rush to get there, I gotta slow down and let the characters smell the roses.

     

                (Good friends Buddy and Di, Di is the kid,

                                Buddy robbed the cradle)

It is not too early to think of the best title. This is a senior romance. The guy is in his 70’s has never been married. The lady in her 70’s also, and is a recent widow. They are from two ends of the spectrum. He wealthy, no religious orientation. She a doctor, but from very humble beginnings. Her church is much the center of her life. He is from Pittsburgh, she from the small town of Mt Bell in North Carolina.

They met each other in medical school, but went different directions.

My original thought was, ‘Finally, Love”, ‘And Finally Love’. I thought once: “A Senior Can Still Love”. Then “Yes, Seniors Love”

Does it make any difference to you about the comma? “Finally, Love”  or “Finally Love” ? Adding the And, puts it closer to the top alphabetically, ha! “And Finally Love”

 

(Our Friends, Fred Alton and Frances, yeah they are still silly and kiss a lot!)

I switched from a profession of story teller to writer. It is still hard, since I have a limited vocabulary, I sit at times for five minutes thinking of a word I want to use. (that is age, my friend). I have learned, to keep my chain of thought I will just insert xxxxxxx and continue. Later the word will come to me and I can go back and fill in the x’s.

             (Buck & Mary Ann’s wedding! Seniors in love)

All that aside, I like short titles, especially for novels, that is obvious, i.e. Sticky, Rags and S’gar. LOL

Whadayathink for a title? Got a better one? Shoot it to me. I hope to have this one published before ‘love is in the air’ in the Spring.

Every year at Christmas I ask myself: Self, where is your Christmas book?

Thanks for coming by the Blog.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

No matter what the situation, Life goes on.

However on a personal note, yours  (mine) as individuals, is the most important life in the world. Take care of it.

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1955 Karmann Ghia(?) the poor man’s sports car.

Remember Pearl Harbor

I was about 2 yrs old on Dec 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor changed most of the lives in the USA. Most every family sent a son, father or grandfather to the war. Every family was affected in some way.

About 2500 people were killed. The Battle Ship Arizona, sank and became a memorial. Sherry and I went aboard the memorial, it gives you a solemn feeling to be above a ship, that is the tomb for 1177 sailors.

It affected our families. My Brothers, Odis and Junior were Navy, Sherry’s Brother, Lefty (Wiley) was USMC. We had cousins and uncles there also.

Every country has moments to remember. The USA had: Remember the Alamo, Remember the Maine, Remember Pearl Harbor and the worst of all, and in most of our life times, WE WILL ALWAYS

                   REMEMBER 9/11.

So today was the day to remember Pearl Harbor, but also to remember we are a free people, as long as we remember!

Thanks for coming this way!

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Our troops today will remember things you and I may not know about, and we have troops who have sworn to die for their country,

(if necessary),  that are IN HARM’S WAY AS I TYPE! Remember them.

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These were some of the 1941 cars built. No American cars were built 1942-1945, we were building tanks, jeeps and 6x6’s for the war.

Christmas Cards

It is that time of year again, The Christmas Card list.  The question for the past few years, “Are we sending cards this year?”

The answer has been ‘YES’ let’s do it one more year. So we have.We just finished.

Now, my question to Sherry is, do folks keep sending us cards because of a feeling of obligation? Our postage bill for the cards is not prohibitive to us, but might be to some of the family and friends to whom we send. At present rates, two cards are about a dollar to send.  If you are buying the cards by the box, the cards them selves don’t cost that much.

Men approach cards differently than ladies. Sherry reads every verse, trying to find the right one of a special person. I like ‘em all. Men do read the cards they get, but mostly are just appreciative of the card and/or gift.

Women read a card they receive as the verse is directed especially for them, the same as they search for someone. Cards are important. We had reached a point in the USA that sending cards was not cost prohibitive, and our list blossomed. Now? hey, it can cost a pretty penny.

Like many folks , we have been buying stamps since they were 3 cents, now a stamp is 45 cents.

Some folk send e-cards. They are very cute, some beautiful and interesting. We haven’t done that yet.  With our systems as slow as they are it takes a long time to upload and down load a card.

I think many folks are cutting back, at least according to the postal service they have. This was always a booming time for the P.O.

Anyway, cards are mailed and we are ready for our cruise coming up in a week or so. Arrangements are being made for our motor home sitters.

Folks, Christmas is fast approaching, but you didn’t know that, did you?

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Christmas is the perfect way to end a year.

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Red is Christmas!

Something is upside down

I am sure over the years terrible things have happened and I did  not know about it. Today’s news jumps out at you. HEADLINES SCREAM their message. Sometimes the headline is over blown for the subject. I read a huge headline the other day, “RUBIO REFUSES TO ANSWER KEY QUESTION”.  The question? How old is the Earth?  His Answer, “I do not know!” SURPRISE! He could have said, 35 billion years. Then the headline would have been “RUBIO CLAIMS HE KNOWS HOW OLD THE WORLD IS”.  We are ridiculous to the extreme.

Then there is the problem of blaming the victim. I was raised with all the doors left unlocked, even when we were gone for a week. No one ever removed the keys from their cars, and they were safe.  Now if I were to leave my keys in the car and it would get stolen, it is MY fault.  I do not understand that logic.

Now with the around the clock news on the internet I read of crazy stuff happening. A man is stopped walking out of a store with two video recorders he did not pay for. After being stopped by employees and security, he dies.

The employees and security guard are  fired.  They were doing what I think they should have done, trying to stop a thief. It is tragic he died, but if he had been honest it would not have happened.  If he was hungry and taking food, I might even understand some sympathy, but you cannot eat Video recorders!

An old man whose house had been burglarized before, arms himself because he fears it happening again. He has spent the last few years caring for an aged mother and now she has died and he is alone. He hears burglars again, in his fear and haste he kills two ‘teen agers’, inside his home. Not friends, not acquaintances, strangers.  Now he is charged with murder. WHAT ARE THEY DOING THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

The ACLU is suing some state because they will not license Illegals???

Man suing Airlines because wife it too big to fly.

What is wrong with that picture?

Death row inmate cannot be put to death, too fat!

Another rant, Sorry, seems I am good at that, I promise to do better! (I should stop reading the news)

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I have never understood the theory, what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine.

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1956 Plymouth Fury above,

Below is a woman’s FURY. She even bought the picks with his Credit card.

Not in my area!

I remember times in my life counties and municipalities were in search of areas to put a trash dump, today it is called a ‘Land Fill’.

Everyone knows we need a place to put trash, but no one wants it in their backyard. Everyone knows they should throw less stuff away, but it is more trouble, and a lot of work. Of course Sherry and I do not ‘can’ and never have on a  measurable  scale.  Both our families did. I remember shelves lined with green beans, tomatoes, pickles and Corn.  We seldom had a tin can to throw away, the jars were washed and mama bought new rubber seals until the two piece jar lids came out, then she only bought the round cap.

Every time I see one of you bloggers that still ‘can’, it brings back good memories, and makes me proud to know you!

That is just one example of the reason we have more stuff to throw away.  All this was brought up in my mind as I  read of a community griping about an ugly cell tower in their community. One of those that makes an attempt to look like a tree.  I would be willing to bet that at least 99% of those folks use cell phones and we all want good reception, but the tower should be in the neighboring community not here.

(Picture from the web)

An eye sore to one, is a beauty to others. Mark and I built a house for a fellow once. It was  a nice little 2BR house. He owned a semi-based Dump truck, the big ones. Some thought it was ugly parked in front of the house. That guy thought the truck was beautiful and loved to see it in his front yard. In actual money, he had paid more for the truck than the house. LOL  I personally thought they all went together well.

As I have heard, that is why they make two kinds of ice cream: Chocolate and Butter Pecan.  LOL

Thanks for listening.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder! ( who ever originated that, said a Gospel Truth.)

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1951 Sunbeam, Love those fender skirts….This is a beauty!

Acts of Kindness

A couple days ago there was a great story about Officer DePrimo of the NYPD and his act of love (charity).

Fact is most humans do the best they can. In this case, both the giver and the recipient. We all have opinions, some express them without thought some with great thought.

Fact: Not long after Officer DePrimo  acted according to his heart. Not much later the recipient was interviewed , bare-footed again.

Do you read letters to the editor in news papers or public comments on the net? I do, and am always amazed or touched by my fellow man’s take or approach to a story. Below are some of the comments on the Heart warming and Heart breaking stories:

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Its an act for people to hand him more money. Works very well, i have given 10$ to a shoeless homeless guy in the cold because i felt bad.

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semper fi forever

Its ok... the cop tried... he did the charitable thing... and yes, he definitely sold them for booze.

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Sad. I'm sure he's mentally ill, but that doesn't stop him from being an ungrateful, greedy tool.

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You want "a piece of the pie" well get a job like everyone else.

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This fellow obviously has more problems than cold feet. Even though he isn't able to make a good decision he is still worthy of the milk of human kindness.

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the man is mentally ill

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Its sad that the homeless man's attitude isn't better, but he is probably right in not wearing the boots if they are new, as no doubt someone
else on the street would kill him for the boots. Welcome to our world.

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Too many who posted equates homelessness for stupidity or foolishness. As a formerly homeless person-let me tell you like it is:
1. You don't wear expensive ANYTHING.

2. The person who took the photo and posted it SHOULD NOT HAVE.

3. Those who posted the video/photo thought they were doing a good deed. What the person who took the photo should have done was: PRIVATELY acknowledge what the Officer did and move on.
4.The best way to give is always without fanfare or publicity.

5.The Policeman did an admirable job in providing those boots. It would have been better for him NOT to make to rounds on the TV shows.

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Too many who posted equates homelessness for stupidity or foolishness.

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Some gifts are accepted, and some are rejected. Officer DePrimo showed class as a member of the NYPD. This reminds me of government efforts at humanitarianism, both domestic and foreign. Government can throw money and good intentions at people, but its understanding of culture and humanity is sorrowfully lacking.

********END COPYED COMMENTS*****

There were many comments, most reflected in the few above. We react according to our life experience. A person from the Bronx will see it different than a guy from Belmont, NC.

Please read what I have highlighted carefully. In my opinion this is the heart of matters of  privileged countries. Sorrowfully lacking in UNDERSTANDING.

Thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Being a truly charitable person is never wrong. Understanding why charity is needed is even better. (my thought for the day)

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Collette on the wild bronc (at Wall Drug store)

(Funny how I caught the same action with Sherry on the bronc) Yeah, this was at a drug store. That shows one horse power!

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This is a lotta horse power:

Snacks

I am an apple eater. I like a hard apple, one that crunches or breaks when I bite into it. I fell in love with the Empire apple in NY, next to that I like the Delicious yellow or red.  I also like Granny Smith.  I like most every apple green with salt. I usually eat an apple every night, right now, I am eating a red delicious along with some almonds. Lately I have cut the apple up in pieces and laid it out, using a toothpick I get a piece of apple to go with an almond. Tonight I will eat the entire apple seeds and all. (I will also eat a fresh ‘off the tree’, tangerine, ‘because I can’. quote Paula Dean.)

Problem is, I like Doritos, tostados and pretzels too! When I don’t have one of the above, it is  microwave pop corn. I am not much for potato chips or pork skins.

This generation has taught me a new word, “Comfort Food”. I thought all food was comfort food. Now you take a big Porterhouse or T-bone steak, don’t that give you comfort?

Okay, I learn slow, but I learn.  MY comfort food is warm cornbread & milk or Crackers & milk, mixed in a big glass or a bowl. The other comfort food is cheese and saltines with a glass of cold milk.

Away from home, my most favorite comfort food in the world is Beneigh's and chicory coffee at the Café du monde in the French Quarter down in ‘Y’s’ Nawlins. That is Comfort with a capitol ‘C’.

(This was the second order!)

What brought this entry up is, I have been eating too many snacks.  Gotta cut back.   Our friend Rose ‘@Roses are Read’, changed her diet all together, that would probably help, but I don’t have that much will power.

Thanks for coming this way.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

At times I want to say, It is his/her fault! Instead of admitting, I blew it.

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(here to stay?)Sometimes PR doesn’t live up to its billing!

WHAT? I have outlived two ships? NO WAY!

I have mentioned here before I was in the USMC, USAF and the USN. (Hey, everyone must be somewhere, right?) The USS Independence was built in 1959. The Big E (USS Enterprise) was built in 1961. It was the longest ship in the world at 1,123’ long. During that time I was serving in the USAF.

(A view of the fantail, the aircraft above circling to land)

(The Big E sails into the sunset, retired after 50+yrs)

I was later to walk the decks of the USS Independence for a couple years. This was a tough ship, it was 1,070 feet long. When we were deployed she housed and fed its giant crew. I never thought of the ships demise, it could live forever.

(I went aboard a 27 year old seaman, left 2nd class Petty Officer, that pipe is meerschaum from Istanbul)

Later, as a chief, I was an inspector flown out to ships from Key West to inspect the Intelligence centers aboard. One of these ships was the Big E. Hey, this dude would float forever, it was nuclear powered. I only spent two weeks aboard her, but there was no doubt, this ship would live forever.

(In the safety net getting some sun at sea on the Indy)

(The picture in the net was taken where the x is. I lived just under the ‘o’, very noisy when a plane was catapulted)

In 1998 they put the Indy in mothballs. Now, after 51 yrs of service the Big E has passed on. She will be mothballed.

I find it earth shaking that a sailor, has outlived ships.

The Aircraft carrier is a floating city. It’s mess decks open 24hrs a day feeding a crew of over 5,000. Up to 70 aircraft were aboard.  There are a couple stores aboard as well as a couple barber shops where the Ships Servceman can cut your hair in three minutes. He is allowed 5 minutes. They are pretty good.

(Pulling into Messina, Sicily on the Indy, good friend Jones, PhotoIntelligence)

There is a hospital, dental offices, chapel, machine shop, desalinization plant, a print shop for the ships newspaper, a library and a gym. And yes there is still a brig. Skippers still sentence sailors to bread and water, just like the days of sails. However he is limited to 3 days. We all laugh at the sentence. On the Indy,the guys got all the fresh baked bread and butter they can eat.

There is a closed circuit TV. A couple channels stay trained on the flight deck. One Camera so you can see the sea ahead and one aft. During flight ops, you can watch the flight deck activity. Another channel for the ships local news, info by the Capt. and a lot of time information about the next port where you will anchor.

Anyway, I thought I would never outlive a ship!

Nite shipslog

PS:

I know we do not have a choice, but which is the most important, quality or length of life?

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Remembering home for a couple years

A Ford man’s love!