I mowed my cantaloupes today.

I know the drought areas do not want to hear that. But there has been so much rain and the cantaloupes  had to fend for themselves because son Mark isn’t going to take care of a garden.

So today I mowed my garden down. to the dirt. I did have one left, but did not know it as there until the mower told me. So that is the garden story for this year. GONE, no harvest.

Shirl had received the the packages to repair our commode, so I did get that done today. It took much longer than I thought, but everything seems to take longer now.

I made one mowing.  More like bush-hogging. The Excuse for grass not mowed is rain, I tried to explain that there are ponchos and rain suits.   Cutting grass should be like the mail.. “:Neither rain, sleet or snow etc…”

Now my major problems are the entrance step and the A/C gaskets to stop the leak in the Bedroom. Fortunately we are now under our shed so no danger of leaks, and YES, it is raining again now.

We are now still settling in, with a little ‘RV LAG’, the trip shouldn't be over. yet. “there are still miles we could go before we sleep!”

Thanks for stopping by.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.
~Oscar Ameringer,  "the Mark Twain of American Socialism."

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1951 Studebaker, The Stude was a good car.

Every thing comes to an end

Saturday I met with Fred and his brothers, Will and Lowell. For a gabfest.

While Sherry was visiting with Friend Frances.

Then after the fellowship and discussions Fred wanted us to sing a little then fix his lawnmower, if we could.

Lowell, Will and yours truly.  We did manage to get the mower running and Fred smiled broadly.

Sunday evening we had dinner with Frances, Fred watched, because he never eats after 6PM. I told him I wish I had that determination.

Frances has entertained all over the world and her kitchen is always neat, with fresh fruit and veggies around. Below is the ‘beautiful and delicious vegetable soup.

Have you heard of a Cucumber sandwich? I have read the term, always wondered what it was. I asked the world traveler, Frances. YES, of course that sweet lady knew what I was talking about. So she fixed us a couple each. They are on the small dish, two small cucumber sandwiches and a cup cake.

Fred showing what he is learning on the Banjo.

Such a lovely evening with dear friends I had to take a picture of the Refrigerator pictures:

Top is Fred the Coastie a little before I knew him. the family picture is Fred, Frances and Frankie(their first) When we knew them.

Since Friends George and Donna were gone over the weekend, we met with them for breakfast before leaving this morning.

Me, Frances and Fred this morning. Aug 19th

Below George, Donna and my Sherry.

We had a great time. These couples are a joy to be around. Nothing negative.  We reluctantly left in the rain and headed down the road.

We always take a picture of the sign below, ‘Appalachian Trail Crossing’ We crossed the interstate on an underpass.  This is on the NC/TN border.  We always look for hikers to blow at, but none today…

We crossed into NC. We love these NC Mountains

Three hours later we entered Belmont, NC. Our small town we left 2 months and 2 days ago. We have had a great time a little over 6,000 miles on the motor home and  about 3,000 miles on the car running around at each destination spot.

What a wonderful trip, we honestly hated for it to end. We did finally get to meet Paula and John in the San Antonio area. Paula and I wrote a small book entitled ‘Toby’s Tales’ a couple years ago and I had never met her in person. That was a real thrill, and YEAH, she is sweet!

In Lincoln, NE, we met furry friend Spunky and his dad and mom (Joe and Lucy), also a delight and joy.  We met folks from other forums. Saw old friends from all over and Family in Utah.

Anyway we sadly dropped anchor to do some shipyard repairs to our Land yacht.

Thanks for stopping by.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President, I'm beginning to believe it.
~Quoted in 'Clarence Darrow for the Defense' by Irving Stone.

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Saw on the road, that is a 1956 Ford Tudor, in Black.

Below is a Chevy P/U Looks like a 60/70 truck.

Our lives

(If I have said this before, skip it. I just felt like posting it.)

I was 14, I think when I first saw Sherry. She was 15 and out of my class. But I never forgot those beautiful legs. That in itself is funny because in 1954 all I ever saw of a girls legs were the ankles. (You remember those long skirts and crinolines?)But something told me, this girl has beautiful legs. It is funny also that it was two or three years later with a marriage license that I got to see above the knees. LOL But it was worth it. 

So began our lives.  We went to the same High School for a year of so. She was bent on graduating, the first of her family.  I was bent on quitting as soon as age allowed it. I couldn’t set a bench mark in our family, Shirl was the first in our family to graduate.

Sherry  was in a ‘work release program’ from school where the schools allowed students to work in mills, part time, to earn HS credits. I was in no programs so I skipped school to walk her to work.  This never made my dad (the Reverend) and mama, happy. But it continued.

I tried joining the USMC, forged a birth certificate and just about made it. I got caught and sent home then  had to return to school. But on the day I was 17, I was in the USMC.

Sherry and I were married 7 months later. She had graduated from HS and we moved into a BIG 8x26’ trailer. Heaven on earth. It was all we ever needed.

We were at Camp Geiger, near Jacksonville, NC. I was in what we called 4 section duty. That meant every 4th night and every 4th weekend I had to remain on base. That was tough for newly weds, but we made the best of it.

Military pay: My base pay was $87.00 a month. The Marine Corps took $50 of that and added $40 to it, and sent Sherry a check every month for $90. My pay dropped to about $15 every two weeks. Since I did not eat in the Mess Hall the Corps paid me $30 a month for food. that raised my pay to $30 a payday. After taxes we lived off $136 a month.

Rent, food and gas took most of that. Sherry and I took a cigar box, some envelopes and started our lives on a strict budget.

BASICALLY WE NEVER stopped. We have a budget now, but it is not as strict as the first one.

We like to think we have advanced. We started in a 26x8 foot trailer and now 57 years later, we live in a 38x8 foot Motor home.  We have gained 12 feet in 57 years.  That is 2 1/2 inches a year. Not all that bad.  .

Thanks for coming by for the start of our lives. We know that we are in our sunset years, but that is all right.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.
~Doug Larson (English runner, won gold medals at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris 1902-1981)

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1937 Hudson Terraplane, Sherry’s year!

Lives…… Angels Unaware

Theanne and Baron… http://www.theanneandbaron.com/

I am enjoying Theanne’s blog entry because of the parallel is so familiar. Her Don was a retired military man, and Sherry followed me around as I dabbled in the Military life.

Theanne listed 5 states they lived in. I had to smile, smiles,  because of one move of ours. I was an E-3 (for you that do not know, that is a VERY LOW rank), especially since I already had about 7 years in service.  I know, I know, not very good, but I did do better.

The USN gave me orders to Arlington, VA, just across the river from D.C. Now at that rank, no one is going to go out of their way to help. They expect you to report to a military base and they will assign you a barracks and a place to stay. BUT if you decide to bring a family, you are on your own, just like anyone moving.

The idea seemed simple, Load our belongings in the car, drive to D.C., get a paper and find an apartment. (Hint here,The largest paper I had  ever seen was the Charlotte Observer. Three sections 24 pages. Two pages of want ads.)

With everything we owned in the trunk and back seat, we drove into town. I bought a Washington Post. The paper was about 2” thick with 25 pages of rental ads. I had no idea where they were. I was in shock. We were sitting in a parking lot trying to figure what to do as we looked at the paper.

GOD (evidently) sent a soldier by who asked, “Having a problem?”

That was an understatement. Knowing we were out of our league, he took us back to his apartment. He called his office at the pentagon saying he would be late. Then he explained about rental agents, leases (which I had never heard of) and ended with, a three month lease is near impossible, you are not going to do this by yourself, get an agent.

We did. By evening we had a furnished apartment not far from the IBM school I was to attend. BUT…..  if not for an angel (the young soldier), I have no idea what we would have done.

Sherry and I have always tried to help when we could. We have never considered ourselves angels (well she is, but…). Since that time, when we can assist, WE DO! You will never know the relief when we got into the apartment and sat down. Absorbing how naïve we were.

Ever been one, or met one, An Angel for a misguided soul?

Thanks for coming by the Log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.
~Nikita Khrushchev Russian Soviet politician

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A 1947 Chevy Fleetline Woody! I always loved fender skirts.

Friend Mary Roach

Our dinner date did not come about. Mary is in the hospital here in Knoxville. If you pray, remember her. If you don’t pray, think positive for our friend. It is some type of blockage. She is now in her 80’s, she has been a healthy person, but these bodies let us down some times.

We will catch her the next time through. We at first planned to stop by her room in the morning, but having spent a lot of time visiting and assisting in hospitals, that is the time of Dr’s rounds, tests and house cleaning, not a good time to ‘drop-in’, Sherry will talk with her on the phone.

(Fred singing and Frances enjoying some wild flowers he had just presented to her.)

Today, Friday, we are headed for Cleveland, Tennessee, to see Friend Fred Alton and his lovely wife Frances. We hope to see Fred’s mom also, she is a darling at 90yrs+

This is George and Donna.

(Here they are in a jam session at our reunion)

We will also see George Coleman a friend from the late 50’s in the  USAF and his lovely wife Donna.  Donna was a member of the Singing Branhams, a Southern Gospel group, well known in many parts of the south. George met Donna when the Branhams took him on as a B &B, (I just made that up,) he was their Bass singer and Bus driver.

George was the one I introduced in another entry that worked on Air force One for years,  in communications. 

While serving in the USAF, George and I met Fred in Biloxi.  But friend Fred was of the Coast Guard stripe, we forgave him for that. .

This trip is winding down. I hate to see it end but there are a few things we must do in NC, including get our Grandson Joshua, married off.

BTW, I need to e-mail him to find out where we are going on the honeymoon. Sherry and I will have to start planning. I am sure they want Grandpa and Grandma along, don’t you think? SURE!!!

Thanks for coming by the log. I know you have lots better to do.

Nite Shipslog.

PS:

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.
~Plato ancient Greek Philosopher

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1941 Chevrolet.

(I am starting thru my cars, I am deleting them as I post.  I want a new batch)

Knoxville, Tennessee and a dear friend.

We traveled about 300 miles directly south to Knoxville. Total miles so far 5,647.

Friends Robert E Lee Roach and Mary did live here, but now,as life does to us older folk it is only Mary. One sweet lady.

We met the Roaches in Florida. They were  Camp Hosts at lake Manatee. Two of the nicest folk anyone would ever want to meet. They worked at having nice places for folks to camp, and they accomplished that.

It was always nice to have coffee around the camp fire with them. Once R.E. asked me If I liked trains. Of course I like trains, then go with us tomorrow to pick up my grandpa’s muzzle loader I am having repaired, this guy collects model trains.

Oh ho, I had never seen anything like this. This guy had hundreds of models, but also had a train you could ride on. He had about a half mile or more of track in his YARD.

They also introduced us to ‘Pioneer Days’ at Zolfo Springs. Told us about the Lippizon Stallions winter camp and always brought a smile. I never saw either R.E. or Mary down in the mouth.

It will be a treat to see Mary, but R.E., the old sailor, will be missed. His Ship (The Crescent City) was part of the ‘Unholy Four’ in the Pacific.

"As a part of a Naval task force, the four ships sailed west toward the Coral Sea in July 1942. The Division of four attack transports had the elements of the Second Marines aboard. …. The Unholy Four took part the first offensive of World War II, which was Guadalcanal. … Seventy-eight U.S. Naval ships were sunk or damaged during that six-month period."
"Why the Unholy Four?…”

"According to one of the ships logs, Quartermaster of the Watch Harry Toepfer wrote that on the day the armada crossed the 180th meridian into the Realm of the Golden Dragon, that We are the Unholy Four, since we are skipping Sunday and entering Mondays time zone

Thanks for stopping by.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.
~Charles de Gaulle French general & politician

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the Falcon is a beautiful bird, they build high in the trees of Florida, here is one, hard at work

 

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Okay it is not really at work.

Living on the road..

Some folk wonder how you go from 2800 sqft to 324 sqft and make it work for 14-15 years? To us it has not been a problem. We are asked about our ‘stuff’. You know we humans must have our ‘stuff’. This motor home has a lot of storage below, it is called a basement. Since boys seem to require more stuff, most of what is down there is my stuff.

Most of this is mine, tools.

The basement compartment on the left is a shared compartment. Chairs, tables, books to be read and Family VHS. The Right is more tools and MH repair stuff. There is a trunk to be delivered from Las Vegas to Brevard, NC.

Sherry considers Christmas stuff hers, and that is under the bed along with clothes we will probably never wear. Oh, and Sherry is addicted to the old style hair dryer that has combs and brushes on them. We have at least 3 extra, I think. bought at various yard sales. I also have a shotgun under there I have never fired.

There is something special under he bed. A sheet of uncut $1 bills. Given to me by my nephew Steve, after I helped him build a ramp for his daughter. An absolutely beautiful young lady who is in a wheel chair much of the time! I tried to explain there was no charge for the work, but he insisted I take the bills. Sweet of him.

Under the couch. below are THE ANNUALS!

Also there is storage under the couch with ‘stuff’. Old directories, greeting cards, computer print cartridges and paper. Just above me here is Sherry’s treasure of ‘STUFF’, she couldn’t live without them, cook books and her HIGH SCHOOL ANNUALS. Every time I see her reach for one of them, she is usually on the phone with Evelyn, a former classmate.

So as you can see we have our small share of ‘stuff’. We have a large storage area in Belmont, that we consider our home base, that has more stuff, our history, you might say.

But what makes this work so well is something I know you guys get tired of hearing, and that is she is the greatest. Yesterday I took the left overs of a meal I cooked the day before and made a soup (with her permission, she had the choice of eating out or my soup). She was sweet and bragged on the soup as I washed dishes. I let her dry, sometimes if she insists.

She is always complimentary. My pat answer is always, “How many times did you fix dinner for me and the boys after working 8 hours? I just want to repay you a little for that.”

I am not fishing for compliments, this lady deserves the best. We, working together, have been successful I never apologize for what we have. We were happy on $60 a month with no assistance, living in a remodeled chicken house. We never thought of food stamps, etc. (Nothing wrong with that, it is just not us). She was the greatest then. We have lived in what some would call a mansion, it was paid for and were never any happier than we are now. For us, this is the life.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.
~John Quinton, American actor/writer

 

PS2 Sorry, I know I am repeating my self in this post. But sometimes I just feel like this.

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We actually had one of these also. The ageless VW camper.

Problems? Nah, it is good to be Alive.

When we arrived here I told everyone who would listen, this was a hard landing.  I have now fixed the awning pull that broke. I also have had to replace the electrical connections because the breaker kept kicking.

Yesterday the commode flushing return spring  broke.  It is still useable, we didn’t have to get  the ‘chamber’ out. LOL.

The latest? We had a heavy rain for a couple hours, I would imagine 2” fell. That developed a leak in the bedroom. It did a big soaking of our ‘Sleep-sack’.  That is like a double sleeping bag which lays on top of our made up bed and makes ‘bed making’ a breeze (even for a man).

So out into the rain to get my trusty Milwaukee Screw Gun. Then using the jacks tilt the coach to allow the rain to run off faster.

Now, I must say this, I DO NOT MIND working in the bedroom of a beautiful lady when she is dressed (or undressed) for bed. It does slow down the job, but it makes it much more pleasant. (Yeah I admit it, beautiful bodies are great gifts of God, this one is for me to enjoy.)

I got the leak fixed. Sheets dried, Bed sack dried, Sherry went to sleep and I am happy it was no worse. If it has been worse we would have just opened the couch and slept in the living room and taken care of everything the next day.

It has taken some time, but I have slowly gotten to the place where I don’t look at every problem as a catastrophe.  I am still short tempered at times and there are times I want to yell some real bad words, but don’t. I wish I could have known what I know, at 30 years of age, don’t you?

Let me tell you about William Pressley. I always asked him how Elvis was doing. His answer was ‘He is doing great but this playing dead is getting to him.’ (of course they were no kin).

William was my dry wall man. He worked alone and always did a very good job. One morning he called and said, “Mr. Darnell, I know you need  that job done but I have an emergency today, I will get it first thing in the morning.”

I did WANT the job done that day, and back then I was very frustrated, but an emergency is an emergency. I did not ask what.

I called around, did some rescheduling. Then I was okay, UNTIL 3:30 THAT AFTERNOON. William came driving up to my house, towing his Bass boat. I was outside and met him getting out of the truck.

“Mr. Darnell, I know I lied to you, but you have got to see this.”  Back at the boat, from the live well he pulled a 14lb large mouth Bass, it was a beauty. William apologized profusely, by then  I was okay, even laughed with him. 

As he drove off, promising to get my job first thing, and I knew he would, I thought, ‘why can’t I do that?’ Take life that easy. I don’t plan to lie to anyone, I don’t need to, but I am learning to not take life so serious.

Thanks for coming this way.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I offered my opponents a deal: "if they stop telling lies about me, I will stop telling the truth about them".
~Adlai Stevenson campaign speech1952..

It didn’t seem to help him, Ike still won.

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1979 Fire Bird by Pontiac…