As you know, I am not new to this Blogging/ Journalling.

I have a picture Sherry took of me working on this 1953 Plymouth we had in Biloxi Mississippi. Here she is in her first Pregnancy with Jack Jr.  I did work on this one, and we prayed for it a lot too! I was a lowly Airman, and things were tough. Me or the Lord had to fix it, or we would have walked. He did help me of course.

For this time:

 BUT... I do forget how to do things, such as to change font type and size, color, etc.  Posting the right size pictures confuse me also, as time has gone on.

Somehow I used to make my entry, then transfer it here and post. I am sure a Genius can get lost here as they age.  I am laughing.

I was told once, "You are the smartest person in the world, dad!"

That was when son Mark was selling his Corvette, the man was coming to get the car with cash, and it would not start.  He was desperate, I did get it started, just as the man drove up."

The 'smartest person in the world' came out when he heard that engine roar to life.  LOL

I am smiling, I am a smart man; So I am also smart enough to know that was his RELIEF talking. ;-)

WE all feel like that at times when relief shows up in the nick of time. ;-)

I do have an ability to fix stuff. Example: This week my sweet heart mentioned she did not like the damage to a step in this house.  I just happened to have a scrap of oak wood that would work in a cut and insert, in this case.  A few hours of work fixed that for her.  She be happy.  I have to admit it is a first class 'fix'.

She is easy to impress.  Growing up, her mama could fix more than her dad around their house.  After about 70 years it is still hard for her to accept I can fix most carpentry, plumbing and electrical problems in our homes.  Before all this mumbo jumbo of computerized firing and timing of cars and engines, I could repair engines even complete rebuilding one.  I have been stopped in my tracks, like most guys, since those Enovation's  came around. LOL

I just finished my ice cream sandwich MA blogged about today.  It was small, I think I will have another.  LOL

Nite Shipslog

PS: I just finished my 2nd ice cream sandwich; well you know they are small. LOL

Ideas, yeaah right?

 

Above is Corporal Dallas Fletcher from a foreign Country: Pennsylvania!

Friends of mine

For today, I think!

I had an idea when I sat down, but it has flown.  This happens more often than in the past.

Nuts to you... No,  Nuts for me!  I have loved nuts since I was a kid. Probably from 4 yrs old to 6 yrs old when Granny died. She always reached into her 'bosom' to get her change   purse, a small thingee with a twist snap top; she always found me a nickel.  I would run to a little shack that sold snacks and buy a little container of salted nuts. That little container always promised a coin inside every pack, 1 to 25 cents.  Of course it was always a penny. ;-),

The coins were not new either. I look back at what I have been told  that coins have more germs attached than most things.  WHY didn't all us kids get sick and die?  Don't get me wrong, I am glad I did not, ;-0.  As a kid I did swallow a couple coins! ;-)

ANYWAY, now my choice of nut is Honey Roasted.  I eat both p-nuts and almonds at night. I guess I eat about a 1/4 cup (as I am now, as I type)

YES, I AM TYPING. I do actually use two hands instead of one finger, but I still look at the keys, more than the screen, at times I look up and see nothing is on the screens, LOL

I never took Typing in school. I had to learn fast, when I was forced to use a 'typewriter' at a USAF job at MARS (Military Affiliated Radio Stations).  I did get a lot of strange looks when asked, I said, " I work at MARS!" 

I was supposed to type every message I received. To be honest most messages more than one line,  I wrote long-hand, then typed it off line

In this life I have did a lot of crazy things. I was trained as an Analog Computer repairman. Then when the world went Digital  I was trained as a Digital Repairman. Later I went to IBM School in D.C. And became an IBM repairman. 

 I have a sweet brilliant grandson, Josh, who programs and repairs software problems. I once told him, "I have fixed many computers and had no idea how I did it!" 

He made me feel so good once when he said, "Grandpa, I have done the same thing in Software repairs!"

Okay, that is my entry. I was going to write a brilliant post.

Love to all.

Nite Shipslog

PS: As I finished this I thought to two guys I do so admire,  Both have health problems, both from my long time past. Not sure if you will read this, but Buddy and Dallas tonight I wish you well,  Memories of you bring a smile...

After a lot of work I think pictures appeared... I am confused

Just 'Marking Time'

 

We called it Happy VAlley. WE had bought a home there for $3000. While I attended Surveyor  School.  That did not last but 2-3 Quarters, then I joined the USN. This picture was before Sherry moved to Norfolk to be with me there. Sailoring was the longest I stayed at any job methinks. LOL

For today:

In the USMC  I learned to 'mark time'.  marching in-place,  and not getting anywhere.  LOL

I am just waiting for another appointment, this one for Radiation

I am staying busy with me working on my TO DO list.

I have been busy cutting the many trees here that interfere with our power and phone lines. Some of the power lines for two neighbors homes.  The trees are not big but tall. They are 3-4 inches thru, but 20-30 feet high. That is crossed off the list.

I fixed a loose fender on the motor home and  puller a step that needed repair.  Just staying busy.  Still feeding the coons and possums. 

Son Mark has mentioned a black and white kitty.  I finally saw it today. very young kitty and it ran like  a scalded dog when it saw me. I put som milk aout for it.

My pet Bunny is still here. I am trying to name it 'Funny Bunny'.  It will still sit about 5' from me and talk.  (I talk it listens) I enjoy it.

Nite Shipslog.

Budget

 

Bill & Dar at their Log house in the woods. Below is Bill when they visited our motor home while we were in Wisconsin.

For today

Sherry and I have always tried to live on a budget. Like most folks, methinks, several times in our lives it has been close.  WE are able to smile now, but once  I went to the bank and borrowed $60 for 6 months.  The payments were $10.25 a month for the 6 months. Even those payments were a little hard. LOL

I read some tough statistics the other day. Spending $100 today buys the same as $12.71 did in 1970.  Now that hurts my feelings.  I remember thinking in 1950 my mama saying in 1912 you could buy or sell eggs for a penny apiece. milk between 25-35 cents a gallon.  That was tough to believe, now you and I are seeing much worse than that.

The economist was saying normally this difference in 1970 and 2026 would take a hundred years, but inflation has speeded up.

Being honest we do not have to budget as many of our peers.  I feel fortunate and wonder how someone rents or makes a house payment of $2000+, buys a car/truck, buys gas, pays utilities, eats out and buys groceries.  For the first time in our lives we have paid a weekly grocery bill over $200.  That is not every week, but no week is less than $100.  That is  old folk.

The cost of living is out of sight that is for sure.  I started working at 50 cents an hour, now younger family members earn from $20 to $50 an hour. WOW.

I hope you are well.  I am doing good and Sherry is also BUT handling blood pressure that goes up and down like a see/saw (Is that how you spell that?)   Above is all, God has been good to us.  

Nite Shipslog

PS:  I love all your comments and thank you for taking the time, Yesterday I got a surprise, A note from Bill and Dar.  I have mentioned them many times but mostly a few years ago.   They live out in the woods of N. Wisconsin, and also have a log cabin (house) further out in the woods. They built it as a team. Bill cut the logs and Dar skinned them. She wore out a 'pull knife' doing it. I just wanted to say thanks DAr and YOu guys, sisters & and that sweet mom of yours is mentioned often here..

I will get Radiated Nest week

My sister Shirley and I. approx 1944. Mama knew I loved the brother's uniforms, she made this one for  me.  My first Uniform.

so today:

 No one has told me the details of GETTING ready for serious radiation. Today was very interesting. I actually got lost and dragged my sweetheart probably a 1/2 to 3/4 mile to find the Cancer clinic, I must have tried 6 LOCKED doors at the hospital today. A sweet lady, and employee, walked us a long ways to get us there.

Afterchecking in we had a conversation with a couple. The man was there for his cancer treatment. I told them what I had, Merkel Corsinoma,  The man across from us said his dad died of Merkel.  He also said Terry Bradshaw  suffered from Merkal Cell  in 2022 and was still alive doing well and working.

They called me in, discouraging Sherry from coming with me.  It was a interesting time. I was in two  big pieces of circular  machines. Using a piece of some hot material, that looked sorta like a thick net, placing it over my face, They made a mask (copy) of my face. 4 techs and a dr. drew on my face with a black sharpie several times;  slipped me in and out of each machine a couple times.   There was a lot of discussion about my eye.  They decided to apply some liquid EYE covering vs lead to protect the eye.  They said they would explain it the day of my appt.

Some of you  have went thru this and now I know how to sympathize. ;-)

Believe it or not, they did not offer to, nor remove the black marks on my face.  The dismissal guy said it would fade away with washing.

I asked Sherry if she would be embarrassed to grocery shop with me?  Her answer, "We will go home before shopping. LOL  (The folks getting out of the elevator did look at me funny, as they stared at my face. LOL)>

Son Mark brought in a Pizza for dinner so I did not have to cook.

Oatmeal for breakfast in the morning and methinks I will do one of the hamburger helper meals for dinner.

I appreciate any suggestions of easy breakfast meals or dinner meals.

Nite Shipslog

Easy time around here.

 Wiley and his SPECIAL wife Susie, had some pretty girls, I fell in love and married  the beautiful one on the right Sept 22 1956.  I did not deserve her, but she has been not only a great loving wife, but the BEST.

This picture taken on the Imperial Mill Village, Belmont, NC 1950s.

For today..

We are hoping Sherry's vanity stool comes in tomorrow.  Today has been an easy one with STir Fry for dinner and Oatmeal for breakfast.

I did easy stuff today.  This house needed very much a good entry threshold at our bedroom.  It has looked like the room was under repair.  So I repaired that.  The Front door dead bolt did not seat and I got that taken care of.  I usually have Pinapple bits for the stir fry, but i only had crushed pineapple (canned of course).  So to make p for that I added some cocoa nut shavings.   I also had rice for the base.

Sherry is nice and brags on my cooking.  The whole family knows SHE is the real cook around here.  This note for DAllas and Marian up in PA who were at our first Thanksgiving dinner, CAmp Lejune 1956..  HOnestly guys her biscuits are NOT HARD now!!!   Just to clarify.  LOL

We did joke about that, Marian was always THE COOK, Sherry was learning and learned well.

NOthig more today,  I have ANOTHER DR. APPT IN THE MORING.. This one is about the one radiation treatment I chose vs 25-30 that were suggested.  I have no idea if this is a heavier treatment or not.  But I will learn in the morning.

I did not sound like the treatment would be tomorrow, but IO will let you kow.  WE want this radiation over with so we cn head fo Florida for a couple weeks.

The best to you from North Carolina.

Nite Shipslog

Done..

 

The Arch at St. Louis.  WE passed it many times ad when we learned you could go up inside it, we just had to do it. Great view of the city and the Mississippi River.  Loved it.

This is Sherry when she was waiting for me to come into her life. LOL Pretty, huh?

for today...

This old house is not one you Crawl under, it is low and one must slide under you must also use 'elbows and toes'. Me 'n my PA friend DAllas and the whole platoon, learned that little trick during our 'vacation at Parris Island.' 

I could not figure a way to get the Vanity corner working properly without going under the house. At least I had the presence of mind to wear my coveralls.

I had to run a new circuit from the breaker panel.  It is now functional.  Sherry is pleased, there fore I am happy.

That wears an old man down.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Our customized 1955 Ford.  Great car, it towed our 42 foot house trailer.

Hey the vanity table came in!

 

Above is Sherry and Sister Collette in Elvis's Jeep.  Collette was a dedicated Elvis lover.

Below is the Evis home in Memphis Pictures from 1983 on a cross country trip.

Todays bit:

Yep, I was shocked, it arrived a few days early. FEDEX brought it in.  The driver carried that big heavy box to our door..  I had to cut the box open and carry it to the vanity room in about ten loads. LOL   Sherry and I put it together in less than a day.

BUT  when I turned on the lights they blinked constantly.  It slipped my mind, this is an old house and most of the wiring is 2 wire, NO GROUND WIRE.   To test the lighting, I ran an extension cord from some of the new wiring and the lights worked right. NOW I must find a way to get a ground wire to just these two outlets at least.

Here it is:

Her stool is delayed a few days.  I think she will like once I clear ou the electrical wrinkle thing.

Take care and stay cool.

Nite Shipslog