NOT Blogging or commenting tonight.

This is Bud, He inspired 'Buddy' in this authors novels. (He is the one with the shades). The beautiful lady is His wife Di.
I mentioned the shades so you would not think Buddy was brown and white.

Tonight is not a good time to write in a Blog, so I will say Hello. We are fine. Proofing a new book and handling some personal stuff. Have read most to the blogs already.
The system has been on and off line so I won't do much.
Thanks for coming by,
I don't expect comments, so don't feel bad about not leaving one. Just glad you stopped by.

Nite Shipslog
PS:

You can say what you want about the South, But you never hear of anyone retiring and moving North.

Hunting a Tiger

It would be more important to know who was too lazy to move a dead possum, than

To know the details of a Tiger's life!

I get upset at folks in general who are so nosy they want to know what some celebrity has for breakfast. They want to know the intimate details of celebrities. They want to believe that everything the Enquirer and other Trash Rags say is true. It doesn’t matter if it ruins someone’s life. Or tears a family up, for some reason humans as a whole like to know the secrets and dirt of important or wealthy people. It seems that if an affair happens we gloat, not thinking that someone is hurting and a family is about to be ruined, or damaged.

Now Tiger Woods is in the news. I am sure that the wreck probably was the result of some stupid reaction. Someone published last week that he was having an affair. If he is not, folks will not believe it. His wife may have doubts, why do we eat this trash up?
I am no golfer. Don’t even know how to keep score. I have walked through with friends who were playing, they let me hit the ball but did not count my score. But anytime I have seen Tiger Woods he has appeared to be a gentle with drawn man. One who let his scores speak for him. No brag, just fact.

BUT because he is a celebrity, he is fair game? The news said three or four TV camera trucks are camped outside the gate of his housing area. Now does a wreck in a gated community, where no one was seriously hurt. Where the owner of the car was the only one involved merit international coverage? NO!

I am sure Tiger can pay the damages to the neighborhood. In this case if that was me or you, the report would have been filed, our insurance (if we had it) would pay for the damages and the whole thing would be over. The State Patrol says the driver does not have to talk to them. BUT they still want to talk to him. WHY? Because he is Tiger Woods. The investigators probably have never had a chance to talk to someone that high on the food chain in sports, they would get a kick out of it and have a story to tell. Heck, maybe write a book! Personally I couldn’t care less, but that is me.
Okay, I am through.
Nite Shipslog

PS: Southern humor from Tennessee
A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65. The trooper asked, "Got any ID?"
The driver replied, "Bout whut?"

A Slack DAy

Just thinking of interesting places. This is the Devil's Tower in Wyoming.

Also thinking of interesting faces. Some may recognize this one, a fellow Blogger. Yes it is Woody (Of old Woody's Boomer Page) from Upstate New York. Right now he and Anna Mae are in Florida enjoying the sunshine (Which we hope to be doing in about a week)

I am just sitting here wondering what to put on the Blog this evening. I should be writing on the novel S’gar (just say Esgar) but am not in the writing composing mood. Sherry is across the table reading blogs. And playing her regular solitary card games. I have been on a Forum I take part in and have been reading the Thankful Blogs that most folks put on. I have a canned blog entry I will put on one of these days, this just did not seem like the day.

As an ‘ass’piring author I am learning that truth, history and advice are much easier to write and give than fiction. Fiction is a lot like lying (lol) it takes some planning and thinking. You have to remember what you said about character ‘A’ earlier, because you do not want to repeat it or contradict yourself. You get caught in a lie. LoL

When you get too many characters sometimes it is hard to remember some of the names. Too many names are not good; the work gets too busy. It helps me if I can say ‘the boss’,‘a man’, the lady etc without using names especially when they are not going to be part of the main cast. When I am in the mood, I can get into the story. I hate to make myself write, and then it is not fun.

My first Cousin Ken came over for a visit today. We had a good visit. I strain to hear and one on one I can do all right. Ken has spent his life in the carpet business. He was talking about his time in Saudi Arabia. He said the Carpet plant was the most modern he had ever seen. He started talking about orders of 100-200 rolls of carpet to the Saudi princes. Of course I had to ask,”What in the heck do they use that much carpet for, it doesn’t take that much carpet for the tents I am sure.”

He explained that Saudi Arabia is a welfare state. The Arabs do not work. They are furnished a carpeted place to live(everything belongs to the princes) , and given money. The Saudi family gets $10,000 when a child is born. He said a man’s grandfather may have worked driving camels etc, but his father never did and he himself will never work. Work is beneath them; all work is done by foreigners, Indian, Pakistanis’, Africans, and Americans or from the Pacific Islands. That is why they can stop and pray five times a day.

Thanks for coming by the log,
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Southern humor….
A senior at Louisiana was overheard saying ... "When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana . "

When asked why, he replied, "I'd rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world."

Our Thanksgiving Group

Mary Jane, 'MJ" patiently awaiting the Thanksgiving ham bone.

Luke eating grits and eggs Sherry across the bar still cooking.

She is over there preparing for a late Thanksgiving dinner.

Stirring the giblet gravy.

at left is Johsua, Mark, Sherece (Reececup) and Brandon.

Face to left is Jack, then Curtis (Brit's Dad), Britany and Part of Josh.

Brit and Josh doing some serious thinking.They are getting married next year.

Sherece on the left, BRandon, and Jack.

Vegas (Luke), Matthew Dillon and Grandma Sherry.

Grandpa Jack, Vegas and Matt.

Derrick, he works for Mark.

Curtis, Sherry and Josh.

Britany and I. I am explaining the wonders of the universe. (hahahahahahaha)

That was our Thanksgiving group. A good time was had by all. For which we were most Thankful. It always amazes me how Sherry the Cook can make that much stuff eind up ready and on time. A big ATTA BOY GIRL!

Thanks for coming by the Log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Southern humor:

A man in NORTH Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait. A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.

The man replied, "I have a flat tire."

The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"

The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither."

Why Not Forever

Sherry's Ham

Desert table. (Shirl brought the creme de mint brownies and also some sweet potatoes over and Sherry put a nut toppping on them. It was a delicious dish. Reececup brought Two types of brownies (nuts & without) & a pumpkin pie. Brittany brought a Pumpkin pie, ginger snap crust with marshmellow topping.)

The BIG Turkey.

MJ with the Ham bone. (No we did not save it for a soup bone or bean flavor), She looked so pitiful, she had to have it. She appeared to be thankful.LOL

Sherry beside the stove with two gravies, green beans, rice mushroom cassarole, lettuce slaw, dressing, Mac & Cheese, fruit salad and cranberry slaw. She had two kinds of rolls. She did good!!!!

It looks like early December will be the publishing date for the new book “Why Not Forever?” It is partly about our lives (Sherry & I) and suggestions for young folk in facing this, the most important part of their lives, marriage.
The following is an excerpt from the book (this part is from an area where I am talking about some of the basic problems in the beginning of the marriage):


(In a new marriage)……..Food is seldom a major problem. The way the toilet paper is hung on the roller, over or under, is sometimes a simple problem. How folks dress in the privacy of their home has become an issue. Some families move around their homes in their underwear and think nothing about it, while others think it is not proper.
Some families freely ‘pass wind’ when amongst family members, to others it is gross. Then there are pajamas and gowns. To some of us, it is a useless piece of apparel, getting in the way and hiding good stuff, except when company is in the house. To others sleeping nude is gross. Between two becoming one these things are small bumps in the road that you are traveling to become one. Pajamas are something I have not owned in many years. You just don’t see many Marines and Sailors running around in PJ’s. When company comes I find some sweat pants and a T-shirt. Sherry sometimes still wears a gown to the bed, and then it comes off. I enjoy feeling the warmth of our bodies (among other things allowed by this process of two becoming one)……………….(unquote)
https://www.createspace.com/3410949

The book is a bright yellow, I was trying for a gold cover, but that was the closest I could find. The book has a little for everyone. It is a shot gun approach. Alittle abut divorce. A little about the widow and widower. Some jokes and I hope some sound financial advice for folk old and young.
Anyway we have been asked by young folk what is the secret of the long marriage. I guess it is simply the right mate and saying why not forever? I am not completely ignorant of the fact that some marriages can never last. Some people just cannot be faithful ( I don’t know why, they just cannot.)
I feel so heartbroken for the good marriages that are cut short by death, leaving a loving spouse, who cannot fathom: why did this happen to me?
Today, especially, I am very Thankful for my bride of over 53 years. So this is my Thanksgiving thankful prayer: “Thank you God for the perfect mate! And the great life.”
Nite Shipslog
PS: A little Southern humor on Thanksgiving day:
Mississippi
The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, "Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!"

Bubba replied, "Did you see who it was?"

The young man answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got the license number."

A little Thanksgiving......

Looking out our door window or from this computer desk I see a Black junk z28, Mark is storing it for a friend who is going to make a dragster out of it. LOL

Looking out the right picture window (windshield) I see the woods and the red Probe. The last vehicle I need to fix. It need a clutch I understand.

Looking out the other picture window is the Pool house and the pool, it has a leak now and needs repair, next year I guess. hahahahaha!

This is my tractor task last night. could not get it fixed, so I put it all back together.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, this is another Christian Holiday. I am Thankful that we still know that. Seems some folk want to forget it.
Tonight I am thankful for Our Family. There have been ups and downs but more ups for which I am thankful.
I am very thankful for my health. I have lost my hearing but that isn’t life threatening and doesn’t hurt. I take no medicines except vitamins and the baby aspirin.
I am thankful for my sight, I can watch the family around the table and know they are having a good time even though I do not know what they are saying 95% of the time.
I am thankful when I go to a hospital, that I have never spent the night in one as a patient. I have spent many a night in hospitals with family and friends.
I am thankful for my adopted home town of Belmont. When here I actually do have a few roots. I have built many houses here. Just a block away from where we sit I built five houses on one street. I am still proud to drive by them and say I built those. I have gotten to know many of the folks who Sherry grew up with. I guess this is my home town now.

I am thankful for the internet. I spend a few hours a day on this machine and they are mostly pleasant times. If it was not for the internet I could not have published the books I have written. Since losing most of my hearing, it is pleasant to talk with my fingers and eyes. Funny, last night I was talking to Debbie of Kentuck, and she was asking Gary some questions for me concerning a tractor I am trying to fix. With the magic of the internet I could send pictures etc. BTW I could not get the tractor fixed. I put it all back together and cleaned up the back yard (ball field) today. That will be put on the back burner.

I am thankful for the wonderful folk I have met on here. You guys are great. I love the ingenuity, talent, wit and insights you post. I have met several folks overseas, but that was for an hour or a day or two. I can now get to know folks from other countries and it is on a sort of day to day basis. I love that possibility.

I am also thankful that you took your valuable time to read this stuff, Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Nite Shipslog,
PS:

The nurse who can smile when things go wrong is probably going off duty.

Relaxing Bon fire, and a stubborn TRactor Part!

We had a big Bon fire last night. Mark and the rest went in to shoot pool, then Mark took a trip to Best Buy. Sherry pulled out our chairs and sat by the fire. We love to sit and watch the fire and solve the world’s problems. It is very relaxing.

I received the tractor part today for the small Yanmar Tractor. I am having a terrible time putting it on. I have never removed a tractor wheel and axle. It ain’t fun. I might have to ask Deb to bring Gary out for a few days. LOL. Might be a good idea, we need a clutch installed also. Just thinking.
GARY… I can’t get the hub off the axle. I have used the only three point puller I have. I set a hand torch on the outer cast part for an hour to heat it up. Nothing. Now I have made a jury rigged can sealed it on the axle tip and filled it with penetrating oil to let it try to get into the rust over night. I have banged on it trying to vibrate penetrating oil in. I hope it helps, but I don’t have much confidence.

I drove to four parts places to rent or buy a GOOD puller but no one carried them, other than what I call the Japanese 10 cent kind. One bright spot, I did get to talk to Wanda (Don’t know her last name). Little history here. A guy named Ray Collins started a parts business in his little garage. It grew and he dropped the garage and went into parts. He was going to be unique, he hired only women behind the counter and Wanda was the First, Then her sister, then another lady. Within a year every mechanic knew, if he wanted the right part, he would go to Belmont Automotive.

You would have to be a handyman or mechanic to understand the importance of that statement. I know in my life I have gotten the wrong part at least a hundred times. Sometimes it is intentional. I learned this from a parts man. If I don’t have the right shoes, I will give the customer the wrong set anyway, then order the right ones and they will be here usually by the time the mechanic realizes he has the wrong ones. I told him he lived a dangerous life. Because there were times I would have shot him if I knew.

Wanda remembered my face and that I used to come in. I caught up on her family. Wanda was the only one working and not a customer came in while I was there. The chain parts places (3) of them are within a quarter mile around them and the old mechanics and business is gone.
Time is getting short and a lot of stuff to do. Seems like there isn’t enough time in the day. It is also getting cool, we don’t like that, and neither does this motor home. Sooooo we have to hit it hard and get ready to hit the road. COLD is coming.
Thanks for coming by the Log. (Sorry to be so long)
Nite Shipslog
PS:
WORDS A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day. 30,000 to a man's 15,000.
The wife replied, 'The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men..."
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, 'What?'

Thankful on Monday

I am thankful this is a Christian nation no matter what the President or anyone else says. This country has many religions in it, but it was founded on the Ten Commandments, and the teachings of Jesus. Now you can get mad if you want to, but there is nothing wrong with believing in peace and love. There is nothing wrong with basing our laws on the Ten Commandments, because they make good moral sense.

I guess what got my dander up was buying stamps a couple days ago. The lady gave me a book of ‘Holiday Stamps’. Why in under the sun does the post office have to be ‘Politically correct’? Folks are going to buy stamps no matter what. And you have the choice in many styles. You do not have a choice of where you mail a letter, it must be the USPS. It is Christmas, for heaven’s sake. IT has been Christmas for many hundreds of years, why is it all of a sudden just a hoiday?

Now, I love a good Thanksgiving meal. I eat too much but I love it. I am a one pot man. I can do soup, some good soup, a one dish meal and it is done on time. Now a meal with three to five courses I cannot handle. Nothing is ready at the right time, or I burn something while working with something else. Sherry and some of you cooks can cook three or four courses and they will be done together. That amazes me. Our Granddaughter Sherece (Reececup) can do the same thing. Maybe she inherited the ability.

But this week is sort of a change. We have not had Thanksgiving with family for many many years. Sherry is cooking the main courses, and Reececup is doing the desserts. Jack is bringing the Tea. Mark bought a BIG turkey and ham. Sherry is putting it together. One problem is some of the family will be eating two Thanksgiving meals, so maybe ours will be real late.

I have never been able to make Gravy like Sherry or mama. I can make a white sauce simply enough, but to burn bacon grease and flour and add milk and stir it to make a smooth grave, forget it. Sherry used to make great gravy from scratch but She has found the ‘gravy in a pouch’ now and it is pretty good. Called ‘peppered gravy’ and it is a just add milk or water thing. It makes good biscuits and gravy.

And Yep, the ’48 in the last entry looks exactly like mine.
Thanks for coming by the log.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Humor from Georgia:
The owner of a golf course in Georgia was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help. He called her into his office and said, "You graduated from the University of Georgia and I need some help.. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?"

The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, "Everything but my earrings."

He had to ask!

PS2: We had a great big bon fire tonight.

Thankful this week. Looking back I am thankful I had the 1948 Chevy. Note the half moons on the head lights. I turned them at 45 degrees to make it crosseyed. It was our dating car until I wrecked it and lost my license. I am thankful I did not get hurt when it turned over (it done it on it's own, with no help from me, going down the road and just decided to roll over. Dad never believed that!)

Rain, Rain go away! We humans are funny, funny strange. I can’t even remember how many years ago, but a few years ago we were in drought conditions. Cities were on the edge of running out of water. Our largest river in this area is the Catawba River. Here in Belmont it is a little over a tenth of a mile across. At the height of the drought it looked like a creek. Folks (including me) were praying for rain. I was ready to do a rain dance. Now we are back to normal, big river, boats playing, fishermen enjoying themselves and swimmers having a ball. Here I am griping about too much rain. I’m sorry Lord. (But You could have waited until we went to Florida! Whoa….., just funning Lord!)
It is sorta like sex, you…. (Well that can wait)

We travel a lot and when in any new area that has a specific food they are famous or known for, we try it. We tried fried dill pickles in Kentucky and liked them. While in Nova Scotia we took note of an item on the menu called ‘Rappie Pie’.
From the Wakipedia:
Rappie pie is a traditional

Acadian meal. Its name is derived from the French "patates râpées" meaning "grated potatoes". Potatoes are grated and the water removed, a hot broth made from chicken or pork is then added along with meat and onions and then layered over with more of the grated potatoes to make a casserole-like dish.

Well folks, we asked the waitress was it good, ’To die for’ she replied.
We ordered it. The description above did not fit what we were served. Had it been the above I think it would have been great. BUT the cook left out the onions and the meat. It was graded potatoes. Not as good as Grits and at four times the price.
Now if we go back I want the real thing because the written definition sounds delicious.
The dish, called Rappie Pie, is well known over Nova Scotia, but like livermush has not traveled far from its roots.
Thanks for coming by the log.
Nite Shipslog
PS:

Thanksgiving....
BE THANKFUL FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME, AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

Hot Dog!

This was my 'Coney Island'

This was mama's without the chili on top.

This is listed as a West Virginia Hot dog it looks good., but the bus is not steamed.

Now the latest exciting entry.... filed in North Carolina

In my youth mama made a lot of hot dogs. When my mama made a hot dog it was like a Subway sub. FULL AND RUNNING OVER. There was a steamed bun, the wiener, mustard, ketchup, slaw, onions and topped with chili. There were times she varied that for daddy and me. She cut a piece of hoop cheese about the size of the wiener and replaced the wiener. We called that a cheese dog.
She made a hamburger with the same condiments and additional ingredients. Later she started making the hamburgers with mayo lettuce and tomato. BUT the buns were always steamed.
Even if you went to a café and ordered a hotdog or hamburger, you got a steamed bun, I liked that. THEN I left home and joined the military and learned that everyone other places did not make sandwiches like my mama. I never will forget ordering a hotdog at the ‘Slopchute’, “You mean a coney island?” the guy asked.
“Is that a hot dog?” Ignorant me asked.
“Yeah man, here you go, enjoy.”
The dude handed me a cold bun with a wiener in it.
“Where is the rest of my hot dog?” this young private asked.
“Over on the bar man, where you been?”
I went over to a little bar that had a ketchup bottle and a mustard jar. There were little packs of relish. ‘They sure don’t know what a real hot dog is,’ I thought.
I’m just fussing because I never get a steamed bun anymore. I guess it is too much trouble. I sure miss it though and it has been over fifty years.
In Valdese, NC you could get great sandwiches at the ‘Rat Hole’.
In Belmont, NC you got the best sandwiches at the East End Drug store, Dairy Queen or the What-a-burger. I thought What-a-Burger was dead, but while traveling in Texas we saw one. We had to stop and get a What-a-Burger, but they weren’t as good or as big, as the fifties burgers. But then what is?
I am a soup and sandwich man. In Cuba we learned to eat the ‘pressed Cuban’ it is a delicious sandwich of mixed meat (I never asked what kind).
Enjoy a sandwich today, you can have big meal come Thanksgiving.
Thanks for coming by the log.
NIte Shipslog
PS:
I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

MJ was asking what we were doing. MJ is totally deaf.
Today was a little relaxing, Sherry fixed breakfast I started a painting Mark wanted. It was a tropical scene he had seen me do may times with the song ‘The Haven of Rest’. Then we went to pay some bills. We even stopped by Mc D’s for a cup of coffee. The drove to Gastonia. Just before our destination, smoke or steam was coming from under the hood. A water line burst. I took our camel back water packs (that we used hiking) and filled the radiator. Drove to the Honda place because it was close. Informed the mechanic we needed it repaired quickly, or it would have to wait. We were due for a local newspaper interview in a couple hours and still needed to clean up and dress, both of us were dirty, not expecting to stop. I remembered what mama said, “Always wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident.”
I was thinking you could have at least cleaned up, you never know what will happen. LOL.

They replaced the heater hose, what would have cost me $5 years ago because I would have bought the hose and replaced it myself, cost $153. OUCH! Of course now they have to remove X, Y & Z to get to the hose. I am sure they earned at least half of the money. (Is that good? But you know that up front when you go to a dealer.) I was afraid to take a chance on driving ten miles to a local mechanic. (I done the painting in a recess in his rec room wall.)
He then mounted a door with glass in the upper half.

WE made it home in time for me to finish the picture and shower before the interview.
The interview went well; I haven’t mentioned my latest book, “Why Not Forever?” We just received our proof and took it with us. I will have more to say about it later. Yes S’Gar went on the back burner while I did this one.
I think I have developed a pattern. I start writing a full length Novel, and in the middle get writer’s block and start a short book. This one is non-fiction sex advice. Okay not sex advice, marriage advice. Maybe not marriage advice, but how to stay together. Well I am not sure. Until after I read the proof. LOL.
I feel like the kid I mentioned an entry or so back who was typing away on his grandpa’s PC, he was typing a story but did not know what it was about because he could not read.

( NOOOOOOOOO I heard that all the way out here, any sex advice I would give would have to be fiction! Not funny!)

Here is Sherry lining up a sh0t (She really does not shoot pool, but it looks good doesn't it?)

See the door in the back ground.

Thanks for coming by the log…..
Nite Shipslog
PS: (from Shirl)
The reason dogs don't make good dancers they have two left feet.

It is easy to blame someone else. You just point a finger at them. But have you ever noticed where the other three are pointing when you do that.

Marriage is an institution in which the man loses his Bachelor's Degree and the woman gets her Master's.

We are seeing success

I needed some alcohol for my sore finger. I picked up the bottle of alcohol and took note that it said ‘70%’ Alcohol. Now I am wondering has it always been 70% or is that new? I always thought it was 100% alcohol for some reason. Maybe I just haven’t been paying attention.

I do read more labels now than I ever did. To be honest I am not sure if it is a good thing or not, but I still do. I first look at the fat content then at the Cholesterol (I hate trying to spell that word) I wish it has another name. I spell it wrong every time, without exception. But since I have hi (what ever) I always check for the least amount.

Mark has a small cubby hole for an office. When we started you could not close the doors. AS of tonight you can see the desk and even open the drawers. Now that is success. Our son Mark has never kept a piece of paper flat. There is not a receipt (Of the thousands there) that is not wadded up. There was one exception, when I moved one stack a neatly folded $20 bill fell out. I claimed it. I know it could never have been in his hands or it would not have been folded. LOL

I rolled and preserved many house plans to save them. Mark is a great builder. He has built some beautiful large homes; you would think he could keep paper flat. LOL. I am just picking. He has been in a depression. We did not know how badly he was depressed. But he is coming out of it. He seems to be a different person. I think he finally has realized the marriage is over, and it is time to go forward. I hate that, but it is probably true. I wanted to see them back together but maybe there is too much water under the bridge, such a pity.

Sherry made coffee today and we took a break on the back portico. We sat in the rockers overlooking the pool and spa. Looking out over the baseball field he had built for the boys. The outfield is surrounded by dense woods. It is like being in the country. Over in the woods he and the boys have built a large tree house. They have go-cart and ATV tracks and plenty of room to ride and play. But the place misses a complete family. Know what I mean?
Thanks for letting me…….
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise to late.

A man doesn't get lost -- he discovers alternate destinations.

If you want your wife to pay undivided attention to every word you say just talk in your sleep.

Traveling in my mind

The subject came up between me and myself. I also asked my wonderful side kick, Sherry.
What is the percentage of Americans who have visited all fifty states? I also consulted the internet. Evidently there is not a well know statistic on the subject. I learned that Richard Nixon was the first president to visit all fifty states. But that did not answer my question.

The only thing I found on the internet was,’ the chances are slim’.
Anyway I am looking into the future, maybe next fall. We could plan on spending the winter in Arizona and New Mexico. In dong so we could take the Northern route and go to Idaho. That is the only state that we only gave lip service to.

On one of our day trips out of Yellowstone Sherry found a two rut road (I am not kidding), a two rut road branching off from a road between the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone that went into Idaho. So we took it. We ended up spending a few hours in Idaho just to say we had been there. Now we want to go back and ‘visit’ Idaho. So we could do that and of course dropping down to Arizona we would have to go through UTAH and stop to see Elsie Mae and Ben along with the rest of the extended family there. (After having a great visit) We would travel on through ‘Lost’ Vegas. We would stop and see Cousin Dewey and Aunt Aggie.
(If you are a traveler at heart you do this kind of dreaming)

We could winter in AZ and NM, and go to see Buddy and Dianne whom we haven’t seen since 1956.
Of course since I am getting OLD, we should circle back up through UTAH to see the family again in the Spring, maybe fly Jack and the boys out to Utah to get with us.
It is easy to want to travel when you are stationary.

Thanks for coming by the log.
NIte Ships log
PS: A little Southern Humor:
Alabama
A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck. "Where's Henry?" the others asked.
"Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied.
"You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired.
"A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"

Nice weather (for now)

Sherry has been saying I need to take some pictures to put on the blog. Here is one I took last night.

x








Above is a picture of Sherry in the Shower, The glass is pretty fogged up. She will be embarrassed, but I hope it comes out..

Other than the above excitement, (When Sherry sees the picture,) you can send flowers to Belmont, NC % the funeral home, we only have one.

Today was a great day. The weather was nice and Jack (#1 son) came by for a visit. I mentioned in another entry that is one of the pluses for being here. We just talked and talked, it was pleasant.
Grandson, Josh, is off on an out of town trip to Langley AFB. His new job is giving him a lot of travel time. I told him if he got to liking the bases they would pay him to live on one. Hahahaha! I don’t think he likes them that well.
Mark has been working out of town, but has finished up. He came in bringing a Pool table this evening. I was sorting junk, in the rec. room and watched Matt and Vegas shoot some. They are pretty good. Maybe one day I will shoot a game with someone (If I can get Sherry to try.) But then being a ‘gamer’ she will probably beat me. HA!
It is cooling off and the folks in Kentucky and Alabama are sending us some more rain.
We have been pretty tired lately, but it is a good tired. Sherry fixed beans, cabbage, cornbread and salmon patties last night. Tonight it was slo cooked BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and biscuits. Both meals were DEEELICIOUS.
Well, thanks for coming by the log for a visit.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Maxine on "Technology Revolution" "My idea of rebooting is kicking somebody in the butt twice.

"Maxine on "Aging" "Take every birthday with a grain of salt. This works much better if the salt accompanies a Margarita."

PS #2
There really is not a picture of Sherry above, I am not that crazy!

OUr surprise of the day!

Boy this was a busy day on the farm. Monday is our day at Hardees with all the old folk. I left Sherry there (she gets to visit with her brother and his family and many of her old boy friends) while I went to shop in a new surplus store. New to me that is.
Something in me likes junk. The one occupation I always wanted was to be the owner of a junk yard. I could easily have been Sanford. This place is great. They have millions of pieces of junk. Surplus stuff, over stocked stuff, Isles you have to navigate down a path, etc. Car parts, tools, plumbing stuff, electrical stuff, and electronics stuff. Nuts and bolts, Nails and cable. They have it all. I found some galvanized pipe to make a muffler for the Gravely Mower and some metal drawers (military surplus) to sort some of Mark’s junk in. I spent part of the day building shelves to hold the drawers.
Today’s surprise. Mark calls Sherry (He is out on a job forty miles away). “Hey mom, I just sold the Nisson four wheel drive SUV in the middle of the field. A guy is on his way to pick it up. I was asking $1000 but he will give you $1200. I have had so many calls he offered more. On second thought let him have it for $1100 it needs a battery.”
Man comes, his name is Juan. I did not catch the last name. He is driving an Escalade pulling a tow dolly. Car won’t start. Mark tells his mom to tell me to use the back hoe to push the Nissan up on the dolly. I have never driven his Back Hoe. (I am picturing the ATV ride the other day). Gary and the rest of you don’t need another laugh. Sucker fired up first turn, it is a diesel. I found the lever to raise the buckets. Found a slow gear and she moved along ‘sweetly’ as my grandson would say. I did good. Juan found one of Marks trailer tires lying in the field for shock protection and we pushed it up on the dolly. We had to remove the drive shaft before it would move. I was glad to see Juan drive off the property with HIS CAR!
Now it was back to sorting STUFF.
Thanks for coming by the log.
Nite Shipslog
PS:

Maxine on "Driver Safety" "I can't use the cell phone in the car.. I have to keep my hands free for making gestures.".......

Maxine on "Lawn Care" "The key to a nice-looking lawn is a good mower. I recommend one who is muscular and shirtless."

Maxine on "The Perfect Man" "All I'm looking for is a guy who'll do what I want, when I want, for as long as I want, and then go away. Or wait nearby, like a Dust Buster, charged up and ready when needed."

Sunny oh blessed sunshine!!!

AHHHHH! Beautiful day today. Funny thing happened, after our few yard sales we went to Lowes. While walking looking for latex gloves (which we are trying to use some of the time) Sherry got a phone call. Our son Jack. He asks where are you? Lowes! So am I where are you in the store, so we navigated together and walked around. He had a couple ideas about the leak in his trailer roof he wanted to talk to me about. Then we headed for Plumbing section for me to get a couple pieces op pipe to make a muffler for Mark’s Gravely Mower. While there the phone rang. It was Mark, son #2. We are going to the Waffle house for lunch join us. So Sherry and I met them there. Jack went his way. Before we finished, Jack came in and we all talked for awhile.

That is one of the pleasures we miss while traveling. It is nice to see the families get together. So far, living at Mark’s house has been very pleasant. It was a little muddy for a couple days since Jean, and the folks from the Gulf Coast sent Ida up this way.

But today has been great. I got the Gravely running ( It used to be one of the top lawn mowers in the world, it has dropped some now). Then I got the Generator running, but it was not running right. I found a broken intake manifold. Now I am looking on the net for tractor parts and small engine parts. I love this work, no pressure and it is fun. Sherry is enjoying the inside of the house It has only taken her a week or so 8-10 hours a day to get the house so you can walk thru it. HA! Just joking. She is having a good time also. It wasn’t that bad, she is also enjoying herself. But with a man and two sons (17 & 14) you can imagine the clutter.

I get to sneak in everyonce in a while for a kiss and …, well at least a kiss. LOL
This stop is nice, and we get to reconnect with the grandkids and our sons. Of course we see friends which is a bonus. (BUT THE ROAD IS CALLING!!!)
Thanks for coming by the log.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea....
does that mean that one out of five enjoys it? (I know that is an old one)

If it's true that we are here to help others,
then what exactly are the others here for?

Dirty Fingernails

Some folks get very upset at a fast food restaurants when a guy comes in, he is pretty clean (maybe some grease on his pants) except for the black under his fingernails. He is stopping on the way home, or in for lunch. What folks (that get upset) don’t seem to understand, is that this guy has been in grease and dirt all morning or all-day. You can’t replace a fuel pump, clean a carburetor, change some tires, scrape the grease off some sticker to get a number of a part, etc. He cannot take time to clean his fingernails, he will be right back in the grease after he eats. Or he is on the way home to take a shower.
NO! We boys cannot wear rubber/latex gloves they tear up or get in the way.
NO! We can’t take time to clean the grease out from under them, and sometimes it has become permanent after many years of working as a mechanic. I remember my idol, Uncle Oscar’. He ran a garage and a junk yard his nails were never clean. (Of course he was lucky Aunt Ruby was blind and did not know it).
Okay what brought this up has been the work of the last few days, I have been trying my best to keep my nail cleaned at night. Sherry hasn’t said anything yet (Her nails have been getting a workout too).
If you have never done any mechanic’in, you do not understand the ability that man with the greasy nails must have. He is an amazing artist. Especially in today’s market with more cars being repaired and kept.

Our Granson Matt drives a Camero (’92). He needed a water pump and I thought this would be a good opportunity to help him get his hands dirty, WE would change the pump. I looked at it and saw it would be a job, but we could do it. Then it set into raining and looked like it would never stop. So Sherry and I talked to a real mechanic, with a dry garage, got a price and decided to give Matt an early graduation present, have it done. So now he has a new water pump and a full tank of gas. And my nails aren’t as dirty as they would have been. HA!

In closing this entry I have come up with the perfect idea. Add an ear(or nose) ring, drop the pants past you’re a$$ and paint the nails BLACK. The mechanic would fit right in with today’s society. (stand by Debbie, Gary will love this idea!)

Thanks for coming by the log on Friday the thirteenth.
NIte Shipslog
PS:
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not sayinga word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, 'Relatives of yours?'
'Yep,' Paula replied, 'in-laws.'

Veteran's DAy

Veteran’s Day, a day to honor the guys who are putting their lives on the line and the guys who are behind the lines supporting them.
There are many who do not think the veteran deserves anything, this is America. You can say and feel what you like, and no one will shoot you (legally).
Personally I think the Vet deserves honor for his or her service and dedication to our great nation. The American Soldier, Sailor, Marine and Coastie fall under, and understand the “Code of Conduct of the American Serviceman”
Article Number one is:
"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense."
There are more articles but this one says a lot, “ I am prepared to give my life in their defense.”
Don’t argue with the Vet about the right or wrong of any war that is not his call, that is the call of the President and Congress. He/She goes where the orders say. Millions have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy this freedom.
If you did not approve of WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Viet Nam War, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Don’t yell and fuss at the vet, he was/is doing only what he was ordered to do. Write your congressman, don’t yell at the vet.
I pray for the protection of our troops, and pray for a positive end to the conflicts.
No matter what you think of George Bush, I think he is right. If we allow free reign in Afghanistan we will see more terrorists trained there. Their goal is to terrorize the infidels, and in their opinion, that is us. I do think it could be handled differently, but me and thousands of others think we know best. BUT WE do not have the facts the president and congress have.
So please give honor to the Vet, he is doing his job. If you want the active duty guys home. Write your congressman, but give honor where honor is due.
Thanks for coming this way.
NIte Shipslog
PS:
I didn't know if Vegas my youngest grandson had learned hiscolors yet, so I decided to test him. I would point outsomething and ask what color it was. She would tell me andwas always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, he headed for the door, saying, "Grandpa, I think you should try to figure out some of these,yourself!"
PS2: So Glad we got a good report about IDA, from the Gulf Coast.

Hurricanes and Family!

Hurricane season is nearing the end and here comes IDA. The storm guys are giving this one a strange path. You guys around Mobile don’t know which way to look do you? You could get hit from the West . IT seems to be following the coast line. At least for now the winds are 70mph, that is bad but not as bad as 120mph. We are praying that you guys only get a good breeze. If the storm follows the track they are showing, IDA will be heading toward Orlando, that would mean Orlando would get hit by a hurricane from the North, Crazy. If it follows the path I am watching it will go right over our former home on Lake Dora. WE will not be there, that is for sure.
For folks in the path there is only two things to do. Button down the hatches and pray. That is nothing new to the folks on the Gulf coast and Florida. They have faced hurricanes forever, they just brace and take in stride.
We are expecting an inch and a half of rain tomorrow. I don’t know if it is from the IDA storm or not, I cannot believe it is.
Sherry fixed some delicious Chicken a la King for Mark’s family tonight. We had a good time and as usual Sherry did a bang up job. Some folk have a quiet, calm divorce. This one is not. Now when the family gets together I miss Corinne (Mark’s wife twice). She is a sweet lady and we always loved her as a daughter, still do. She is missed by everyone I know at these get togethers. BUT life continues and we cannot stop the ball once it starts to roll, Down in side I want to think, ‘Three is a charm’, they were married twice, Three would be nice, but I am a dad& Grandpa dreaming.
Onward and upward. Mark’s work is slack (construction), so he was around working to complete jobs on the house he has let slide. OH, Big Red quit running, but after cleaning the gas tank, she is putting along again. Sherry is making headway in the house, it is looking like it has a female touch to it now.
Thanks for coming this way,
NIte Shipslog
PS:
My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandpa, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?'' "You're both old," he replied.

Where is my LIVER?????

There are some things you see, you just want!!!!

There Are some things I don’t necessarily like but I miss. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY NECK, HEART, LIVER AND GIZZARD? It was always in there inside the cavity of the chicken. Not that I wanted anything but the liver, but I liked to pressure cook them along with the chicken and strip what I could off of them. I want them back!!!

I don’t like going into the service station to get a map and they want $1.50 for it, if they have one.

I miss the smiling policeman in a blue uniform. I don’t like the ‘storm trooper look of the black fatigues, they just don’t look friendly, they look confrontational. ( I can see where it would fit, but not in a small town of 2,000 people).

I miss having ‘LESS VARIETY’, I hate looking through 100 breakfast cereals. I liked it when it was corn flakes, wheaties, cheerios and maybe frosted flakes. I was a corn flakes person. That was when I was older. As a kid it was eggs, grits, biscuits and livermush (a local concoction, can only be purchased and found in the piedmont section of North Carolina).

Hey I miss looking at that seam on the back of nylon hose (And wondering how high it went, LOL). Now that I could find out, it is gone!!!!

But I smell my chicken now. And again I miss the stuff that used to be inside. I am pressuring a chicken. Sherry promised to fix Chicken a la King for the boys on evening. I will pressure it so the bones can about be eaten and the meat will fall off the bones..

Take care and thanks for coming by the log. If you see my Neck, liver gizzard, etc send them home!
Nite Shipslog
PS:
. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story.

"What's it about?" he asked.

"I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

(That is a lot like the new book I am writing!!!)

DAy II of Sherry

More pictures from last night's celebration of Sherry's Birthday. Above is L. Vegas.

That is Matt.

The lovely Sherece!

MJ (Mary Jane). She is unique she is deaf, a lot like her grandpa!

Mark at home relaxing with MJ


Tonight's exciting (?) news.

Well all of a sudden Blogger tells me I have successfully entered an entry. Funny thing I only put in the title.

Sherry's Brother Vernon Gomez and his wife Janet met us for supper at the Captain's Cap. We had a fish dinner, I had Oyster STew, I love it. I seldom have it now that I know I have the clorestoral (I hate spelling that word) problem.

Anyway we have had another great day here on the plantation. I got one of the 4 wheelers running today. Having never been on one of the beasts I needed to move it about ten feet. Once I started I could not stop it or figure where the clutch was. Thankfully Mark has twelve acres to help me find a stopping place. No one saw me, so I am safe. I am sure I looked like the new kid trying to learn to skate. LOL Glad my buddy Tuck was not here He would have got a good laugh. It looks like he was born to ride anything from horses to rockets (and does).
When Mark came home I asked about the clutch, "Oh it does not have one, it is an automatic transmission!"
I did not tell him why I wanted to know! LOL

I got Big red (the IH tractor) out of the field today, it is running (NO brakes yet, Mark says that is no porblem, HAHAHA!)

Thanks for coming by the log,

Nite Shipslog

PS:
A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods."

The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

Sherry's Birthday

MATT carried the flowers in. I am not sure who brought them but they were beautiful. My girl with her cards and flowers.

Mary Jane (MJ) enjoyed Sherry's Birthday.

Below is our only Granddaughtert, Sherece. She is Sherry's beautician also, and a light of our lives.

Coming us is Jack on the left of Sherry and Mark on the right. She is proud of her sons.

This is Jack (below), he came by Mark's after work. He did not make it to the dinner. He gave his mom a gift certificate to Chili's.

Mark is the youngest son. He Bought hsi family and his Mom their dinner this evening.

L. Vegas (on left) then Sherece and Matt. Matt is a Senior this year.

Finally, the Birthday girl. I's loved and courted this lady for over 54 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHERRY, yOUR FAMILY LOVES YOU!

WE had a good time today. We went to White's for breakfast. Noting that their grade by state is A, with a score of 100.5%. Whites is a clean place. They serve a good breakfast and Mary gives me a hard time. LOL.

After breakfast we did some shopping for a few things to complete some repairs. Yeah Sherry worked on her birthday.

We took off to Jackson's Cafeteria with the family for a birthday dinner. Sherry got a piece of chocolate pie for her birthday cake.

Mark and his family went with us to eat, and Jack met us back at Mark's house for some talk and fun fellowship.

We are proud of both boys.

Sherry says she enjoyed the day but is very tired.

We may find a yard sale of two tomorrow, or we might just sleep in.

I am beat my self. We try to put in at least 10 hours a day in this effort. Some progress is taking place.

Thanks for coming by the Log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

. After putting her grandchildren to bed, Ora changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair.. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?"

Too Much Stuff!!!!!

We have had very good weather in North Carolina for the past few days. We are still working to help our Son here. He has too much ‘Stuff’ to take care of. When I quit the building business I gave him a Dump truck. It was always touchy to start. It had been sitting for a few months. I finally got it running today. Success in one area. I took time to wash and wax it. It was red when I bought it, but it was so oxidized it looked terrible. But it looks better now. I have a knack for getting things running. Got a lot more to do.

I have four compressors lined up to repair, I have completed two. He has three tractors. One running and working. One running but needs extensive wielding. Big red ( the International) is sitting out in the field, not running. Things to fix just keeps going with four wheelers, a 4 runner, a boat, three trailers and some little red car that needs a clutch. The pool is green and ….

IN MY OPINION PEOPLE TODAY HAVE TOOOOOOO MUCH STUFF. Americans rent storage buildings to store stuff we are never gonna use. WE fill our garages and leave the car outside. Mark has two of his older cars that do not run and uses them for storage. I hope to clear his double garage out so he can again put his Truck and car inside for the winter anyway. I always hated scraping icy windshields and carrying groceries in in the rain. Now I understand why most of us do it, because we do not have a garage, but if I have a garage, I park in it.

Have I bitched, griped and complained enough?
Thanks for coming this way to look in on the log.

Nite Shipslog
PS
My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 70. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"

I would like to go back

I have the pictures in wrong. the top one is Mark David our youngest Son.

This is Jack the eldest of the two.

This is the boys and us in Cuba, on GITMO, the Ferry is in the back ground.

The boys BBQ'ing inKey WEst.

At Jack's boot camp graduation in Orlando (Yeah, Debbie they wer KISS fans).



Today's exciting entry!

To a simpler time, to a time when the boys were kids and the cutest boys in the world. Yeah, we have had a great life but like every other family in the world we had our rough times. But when we were 'family' life was great. I remember reading some 'author' who was a childhood expert. I was supposed to be a buddy to my boys. Do things together the word was 'share some QUALITY time with your boys. I was going to be the best dad in the world, much better than my dad who didn't spend a whole lot of 'QUALITY' time with me. (WHAT A LAUGH!)

Yeah as I read all this great advice from someone I did not know I reveled in the fact that daddy only took me hunting once. He only took me swimming once. How could he have been so negligent!

In their youth I took them swimming. Taught them how to make a kite etc. As the boys grew we took them fishing. We took them deep sea fishing on 'Our Boat'. Heck I was their pit crew as they won race after race in motor cross. They won so many trophies we had to get rid of the smaller ones to move. Hey I was there at 'Little League'. I was there at bowling. I was so good, so much better than my daddy who done none of that. Heck Daddy was a slacker.

REALITY SETS IN WHEN THEY GROW UP. Why did I think those Dr.'s that gave all that great advice was so smart? It all sounded so wise. I started looking back at my youth and teen years. Did I want my Daddy around me all the time? NO! I needed a dad not a buddy, I had plenty of those. As my boys grew I lost the handle I thought I had. Things did not go like the Dr. said they would. As I said, REALITY set in and I began to think for myself, and do a little comparing. Who raised a boy who at 17 took a wife and responsibilities of marriage seriously. Who raised a boy that never caused him a legal problem? Who raised a boy that loved and respected his dad as much as a son can? My dad did that is who.

So, now our boys are grown. We are extremely proud of them. They are good dads. I hope they are better than I was. I love those boys and am so very proud of them. I have accepted the fact that times are different and methods of raising children are different with each generation. My sons are facing situations I never faced. Life is tough raising a family. Life is tougher raising a family when there is only one parent.

Thanks for coming this way.

NIte Shipslog

PS

As income tax time approaches,
did you ever notice:
When you put the two words

'The' and 'IRS' together, it spells

'THEIRS'
? *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*