Imagine even more

Memorable Cars from MY Past:

 

There was a time playing under the house that any of the above could have been my cars. They could leap, some could even fly, I IMAGINED THAT!

For today:

Wise foresighted people WITH THE IMAGINATION, amaze me. Years ago I heard of ‘car phones’ but never did see a real one. In our area I was among the first small-time contractors to have the ‘bag-phone’. I purchased 2 of them for my son and me. It was a fun thing, but the cost and phone bills were outrageous. I could not see a real future for the things.

One far-sighted man was Merv Griffin. I thought he was ONLY a talk show host that featured famous folks.’ Oh yes, he was innovative to ‘create’ Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, but they were just ‘play-purties’ (mama’s words).  BUT Merv also invested in and backed the ‘CELL PHONE’ idea. ME? I found it hard to picture the required number of cell towers could be built. Although it was a great idea, I could not imagine it working because it would mean building thousands and thousands of cell towers. TRYING TO IMAGINE THAT, I could not.

Can you IMAGINE cars with no wheels? Maybe they could move by fans or jets?

Can you IMAGINE the money saved in repairing/building roads?

Can you IMAGINE ‘teleporting?’

NOW look back 30-40 years, remember the cost of ‘long distance’ calls and ‘telegrams’. Could you even IMAGINE back then a thing called ‘e-mail? OR that you could have a blog (what is that?) that was read around the world practically instantly with no extra cost?

Okay, let your imagination run wild, what is something YOU can IMAGINE in the next 30 years? Just IMAGINE..........

Come on now, give it a try in your area of expertise!!!

Nothing can be too wild, as you think, remember laughing at Dick Tracy's watch.... the next time you use your cell phone.

NiteShipslog

PS: There are over 300,000 cell towers in the USA.  At one time Sherry & I  had a contract for a cell tower with Pegasus Towers,  it would have paid us a percentage of the usage. The contract expired with the last economic down turn. We did get $10.00!!! LOL

Imagine, just imagine

The featuring Future Taxi(s): 

 

For today:

In 1931 Chester Gould's imagination came up with Dick Tracy. One smart cop. By 1946 he dreamed up a two-way radio/telephone wrist watch for the detective. Now imagine, did Chester ever dream this would actually happen?

Once in the last year I was shopping for groceries just before the clerk started to ring up SCAN my groceries I realized I had forgotten my wallet. And stopped the clerk. I was telling my grandson Josh (who is really a brain, even smarter than me, methinks. LOL). He said, “Grandpa I did the same thing the other day, so I just paid for the groceries with my watch.” What was amazing to me, HE DID! Imagine that!

Now let me ask you, would you go to Mars?  If NASA asked for volunteers for a colony would you go?  Now it is just 300 million miles away from 206 Oak St, Small Town, USA. The flight is a short 7 months.  Not sure if your accommodations are tourist or first class. But some folks need a sedative for a flight to Greece. LOL (Myra? BTW It is a long flight!). BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE A 7 MONTH FLIGHT? Let me tell you, you ain’t eating medium rare steaks for evening meals methinks.

On the voyages of ships like the Mayflower, they carried animals (cows/goats) for fresh milk, etc.  Not sure they plan that. But I have heard they may grow some veggies, yep I did read that.  If this happens is it gonna be like a big Ark, of Bible times?

I IMAGINE they will shuttle you guys that volunteer up a few at a time to rendezvous with some ‘SPACE CRAFT’ that has already been built and it is waiting for the skipper to announce, “All Aboard? All visitors and workers who do not plan to go to Mars, have 30 minutes to return to the space station, or you are going with us.” He probably will not say, remember this is a one way flight, but I can see workers scurrying to get off.

Just imagine you are heading into the unknown. You will never see Earth again. Are U ready to go?

I will be first to be rejected because I am too old.  And ONLY if my girl has departed the earth before me and I am alone. Then I may take a shot at it. I can only IMAGINE OF COURSE.

Have a good flight.

NiteShipslog

PS: Okay come on guys this is gonna be fun!!! They might take some chocolate, but you can rest assured the flight will carry Butter-pecan Ice cream.

Maybe someday

Memorable Automobiles from The Past:

 1934 SS Voisen

French production auto...

Today:

I washed the car today, then of course as the law of nature is, it rained.  But really I don’t care. It didn’t even bother me that drivers looked at me and laughed  smiled real big as I finished in the rain. Well the car really did need it, so I did it.

Maybe someday I will get it right.

I don’t care for adjustable wrenches, I prefer the correct size wrench. But when all you have is an adjustable wrench because you cannot find the other, you use it.

Maybe someday I will get it right.

I am getting some thoughts about a new book.  I like using some of the same characters because it is hard to come up with good names for fictitious characters. This idea may not come to fruition, but today was the birthday of a good friend, Robert Dallas Fletcher (the name I really like also). So I was thinking about the dude. I have used Dallas in most of my books. Imma thinking he has rested too much and spent too much time behind the desk. He has made a lot of money for Jerry Wiley while not doing too badly for himself.

Time he found what it is like to be lost at sea or in the wilds of Alaska. Maybe see if we can get his wife involved since she is a pistol packing mama.

Maybe what I have missed will be made right. Just sayin’.

I keep saying many people who think god created chocolate have not given butter-pecan a chance. So just to in force that, 

(I know it is no longer a 1/2 gallon, they cheat on the packing)

I bought a ½ gal of butter pecan a couple days ago. I finally opened the box last night and what to my amazement did I see? Someone had already dug into that creamy, sweet delicious delight. …………………. As I looked around for the culprit, the choc-a-holic sweetheart of mine was smiling.

Then at that moment, I knew she had finally got it right, she could not resist that Butter-Pecan delicacy!

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Sometimes I forget AND/OR miss things…..

 Memorable Automobiles from The Past:

 

Notice that this BMW M2 is missing a grill...

Today:

On my last blog entry I started it with: “Sherry and enjoy traveling etc…” Hours later and even after my sharp eyed lady read it, I found I had left the ‘I’ out.

Even people who travel a lot ‘miss things’, by that I mean forget to take things along.  Simple ‘scissors’ I forgot this time.

 I fixed shrimp stir-fry for supper. That requires rice, my dish for cooking rice in the micro was not here. So Sherry has taught me to make it on the stove top. LOL.

Then I needed a cover for the frying pan, not here, I substituted an extra glass lid, it worked.

BUT something I MISS most of all is good (even great) ideas for a blog entry. I know I have had many ‘Pulitzer prize winning’ ideas and lost them before I could get them on paper to remind me. LOL

When Sherry puts clothes in the washer and we leave, she will put a note on the table to remind her to put the clothes in the dryer. At times we will get in the car and she will say, “I forgot to put my note out.”

My reply is ALWAYS, “No problem I will remind you.”

HAHAHAHA I might remember to tell her 1 in 45 times.

But good things do happen and I don’t miss them. Like the day we checked the mail this week and there was a package. Sherry had a plaque, and I had an antique letter opener, a 1 foot ruler from an orphanage, and a 2021 Calendar featuring a Muscle Car each month. Sent to us by Glenda from down in ‘Chobee!’. I won’t miss that because the calendar is right in front of me.

I forgot what today’s entry was about, but at least I am here to say, “I tried!” I appreciate all you folks that take time to read this stuff.

 Even if my elevator doesn’t go to the top floor, YOURS DOES. THANKS!

If you are missing Rock and Roll Check this minute out:

Go ahead, you will not miss this few seconds without a smile! I think this is Susan K or Diana as a kid.

Nite Shipslog

Sort of a question plus travel, Kilimanjaro

 Memorable Automobiles from The Past:

 1937 Chrysler Town Car 

Today:

Sherry & I enjoy traveling. One of her ‘least’ favorite modes of transport is flying. She tolerates it but it must be something she really wants to do, such as: See Paris, Israel and Hawaii or to see her grandsons and family in Utah/Oregon.

We have toyed with a trip to Ireland (still on the list), it seems to call to me for some reason. LOL

Mt. Kilimanjaro has always held a spot in my mind, just the enormity of it. It is the largest free standing mountain in the world, in other words it is not part of a mountain chain. It stands over 19000 ft. high, it is a dormant volcano or volcanoes. It is in Tanzania.

What brings this up is a tour business called Zarris in Kenya. We have a crazy nephew ;-), Rickie Harris, he is a retired Navy Chief and like myself served in another branch of service also, I think they call the one he served in, the US Army. LOL He and his beautiful wife own the Zarris Tour service, operating in Kenya.

They offer overnight trips to Amboseli National Park. It is said the best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro are from that Nat’l Park. The animals are a plus of course.

I will borrow some of the following pictures from from Chief Rick:

When Rick heard I had been bit he sent the above to show the dog that I was going to send him to obedience school run but these CATS!

Mot likely we will not see these sites, but wouldn't it be grand to see these in the wild and not in a zoo?

Mt. Kilimanjaro up and down

We have never been to Kenya, but had dear friends Fred & Frances Brannen who lived there for years. Mark and I hiked in the 100 mile wilderness of the AT with Professor Gordon who teaches in Kenya. He sorta smiled when Mark gave him the Trail Name 'Gordy.'

But as for Nephew Rickie? He has/is working in many countries. While he is off contracting out his knowledge, His wife runs the business in Kenya.

Probably a good thing. ;-)

Rick and Kathy, Methinks they are playing with the gators.

Updated pic with daughter Zaria.  (yeah the chief does have some Sunday clothes.)

I figure someonje will correct my spelling for me..... ;-) 

 Nite Shipslog

PS: Do you have a problem with any specific mode of travel?

I am thankful anyway

 Memorable Automobiles from The Past:

 

 1970 Plymouth Superbird 

Today:

We left South Carolina early today. It was raining; I had disconnected the electric and water in 2 inches of water. The coach was in a small lake. That was the start. LOL

I do enjoy being behind the wheel of our coach on the road. My love sitting beside me. I really do enjoy driving this coach.

But the rains continued from Last night was just a reminder of the ‘joys’ of an RV, this one leaked around the front A/C on top. That is sort of a curse for we that own RVs. It is not uncommon. I will take care of that this afternoon when we arrive near Wildwood, FL.

We crossed into Georgia, it was raining. We ALWAYS sing Ray Charles’s song, GEORGIA (on my mind). We can't help it.

Uh oh, the windshield wipers gave out.. they worked off and on, enough to drive until it quit in Florida. Gotta fix that wiper problem before we head out again.

Seems it is always something. This ‘landing’ at 3 Flags  was a bad one. Approaching the turn I was going a little too fast. Turning in, I braked too hard, and AGAIN I emptied the refrigerator onto the floor when the refrig door opened. “I said Sh-t real loud.” I knew (TOO LATE) I had approached the turn too fast.

Sherry checked us in, I disconnected the car and it would not start. I used the jumper cables and got it started. At our site (a good one BTW) I started to connect the water and could not stop a leak, in the connection. OUCH

I skipped that part and made the electrical hookups. Sherry slid the slide-outs out. Evelyn and Don had invited us to lunch (dinner); so we walked up.

WE had a great meal on their patio; BBQ meat balls, green beans, potato salad and rolls. Nice.  It was good to see friends.  It wasn’t long until friends from Lenoir, NC (Donna and Jim) dropped by.  It was a fun get together. I just wanted you folks up there in the cold to know, despite a few  problems, WE ATE OUTSIDE IN THE SUNSHINE (just sayin’!!!).

Back at the coach, after changing several fittings, the leak was fixed. It is good to be back in Florida, if only for a few weeks. I am ready to hit the sack.

Nite Shipslog

This was the graduation photo I used yesterday. I should have mentioned, I was 8th from the left first row.  4th from the left is Dallas Fletcher , still a close friend from those days. He is featured in most of my books.

 

The first BIG decision of my life

 Memorable Automobiles from The Past:

 

These 1956 Studebakers were new when I made my first grownup decision.

Today:

Remember when you were sure you were grown? Time to make a big decision that would affect the rest of your life? You had been allowed to pick some clothing and most of the shoes you wore. Most of us (but not all) could pick the hair style you wanted. There were times you could look at a $5, $10 or even a $20 bill and decide what to do with it. Fairly big decisions at the time.

In my area of the country when you reached 16 you could quit school if you wanted to. Kids in our area knew IF they quit it was leave home or get a job, sometimes both. If you worked and remained under the parent’s roof, you were expected to contribute to the weekly grocery bills, etc.

I had decided that I was wasting my time at school, so when I turned 16, I quit school. I had met this beautiful girl and I wanted to marry her.  Yeah, I was smart enough to know I needed money and a job & ‘stuff’. LOL

I had a friend name Sammy Waters. He had joined the military under age and had been kicked out. So he told me how it was done. I made it to the swearing-in and then I was caught. I had to return to school ‘cause my daddy said so.’

But I knew I would join at 17 and I did. Dad gave in and signed for me.

I was thrilled, I was going to be a Marine. I made it thru the swearing in, I joined with 8 other guys, we were ecstatic, until we reached Parris Island, South Carolina.

There was no ‘backing out, no backing up’ I had finally made a decision of a grown up, but I learned very quickly I wasn’t grown up.

WE had to pay to send our civilian clothes home. They shaved my head, I had to pay 50 cents for that. (it was taken out of my pay).

My Drill Instructor, SSGT. Mayberry, said he would be my mama and daddy. He would make a man out of me, if it killed me. OUCH.

Yes, I did lay in my rack at nights and hope I would wake up to mama’s cooking and this all would be a bad nightmare.

It took a while, but I did grow up some. LOL

Why am I writing this? WE are overnighting here in SC before heading on to Florida. Just down the road is the place of my first AWAKENING to the REAL World of grownups. Where orders are given and OBEYED; where you do not question authority as you might that of a teacher or parent. THIS WAS REAL. It was PARRIS ISLAND. lol

Nite Shipslog

PS: Most people make the first BIG decision right after HS or graduating from College.

Just stuff…

 Memorable Automobiles from The Past:

 

They did not make a US car in 1945, but this was the new 1946 Dodge.

Today:

My first school desks still had an ink-well spot.  I always wondered what type of ink container was used. My early desks had names carved in them. I always wondered how many whippings boys got for that! By the time I was in school 1945, we used pens and pencils. By the 7^th grade I was good at sharpening all of Mrs. Grill’s pencils after school and washing the black boards. I was her pet. She liked me to stay after school and help… ;-)

The ink well was that 3" hole upper right corner of the desk

In the mid 1950’s the 'affordable' ball point pen was introduced. Some good and some NOT.  The ‘ink pen’ was always popular, I even had one with a cartridge that slipped in vs. pumping it in from a bottle of ink with the little lever on the side.  One thing the student learned, you ain’t gonna erase a mistake, I do not remember 'white-out' back then. I really enjoyed writing with a pen, I preferred black ink.

Now a days I have accidently bought some very good pens that flow like an ink pen, love them. It appears to be a ball point and is, but the ink does not skip. I also prefer the ‘fine’ points, for some reason.

Funny thing no matter how many we have, there are times one is not in reach.

I want to leave the entry with this:

WE all know the butterfly does not have a normal birth. It starts as a worm and must crawl all its natural life. I was taught that elephants 'much bigger than that little worm' knows when it is gonna die and heads to a predestined place to pass.

Sean (of the South) mentioned the transition of the worm to butterfly once in one of his blog entries. He posed the question, “Wonder if the worm knows it is soon going to fly, or is he preparing for death? Is it surprised one day when he breaks out of the cocoon and can dart around flying above the ground and bushes he used to crawl on?”   That must be an amazing experience.  Do you see and relationship to our beliefs?  Are we spinning a spiritual cocoon?

Nite Shipslog

PS: It's probably no surprise, but tomorrow we will go on vacation (If the coach starts!). Next blog entry will be from South Carolina (near Parris Island).