Jennifer and Steve invited us to dinner

Jennifer has been a certified Registered Nurse now for awhile. She is also a good cook. So we gladly accepted her invitation to dinner. She moved to the third floor of a nearby apartment complex, by nearby, I mean about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile.

Okay, we have a great salad, and a lot of good conversation.

(I think I have a problem in sight also, I am talking to Sherry and she is off taking this picture!)

She with stories of work at the hospital and Steve with stories from Walmart. I added some lies about my hearing. Jennifer has three years of sign language. Folks seem to want me to learn sign language, especially Sherry. I am resisting, insisting as long as I can communicate with Sherry one on one at home, I am good.  No one seems to believe it since I still say what?, Huh?, What did you say?

I realize I do not understand but about 10% of the conversations around me. I also realize I interrupt (too late) someone who is talking, because I do not realize someone is talking. Oh well, some folks accept that as ‘he is getting up in age you know’.

Anyway the main course is served, it is delicious. After awhile, I cannot resist, I had to ask, “What is this?”

The answer was Chicken Pot Pie. I know I did not misunderstand her, I also knew it was NOT! It was some kind of Italian dish. I never did understand what it was. I think she said a special spaghetti sauce, but I prefer this pasta to spaghetti noodles. (But I still do not know) But it was very good served with garlic bread.

Dessert was  one round cake divided into quarters, Chocolate, red velvet, coconut, & Carrot cake. WE had a great evening with Steve, Our Grandson, and Jennifer his sweet lady friend, and fast becoming one of our favorite people.

A great evening. Thanks for stopping by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS: I read this from a woman’s view:

Men are like handguns. Keep one around long enough and you're going to want to shoot it.

Car for today:

The 3 wheel 1956 Messerschmitt

Somewhere I haven’t been, Something I have not done!

If you had a chance to do something you have always wanted to do what would it be?

I would:

Love to be an astronaut.

If I had the nerve it would be great to make a big jump on a motorcycle.

Love to sail around the world.

Sometimes I think, ski.

Do a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail.

Like to understand computers. (I knew the earlier computers, most all about them, I programmed and repaired them, but this PC is so far out of my league to understand!)

Love to speak two or three languages, plus sign language.

Love to win the lottery!

Like to understand the national budget.

Like to know what makes some folk naturally mean (I don’t know but one or two folk like that).

Like to write a best selling novel.

Love to live long enough to see the Crazy Horse Monument completed!

Ziolkowski started blasting for the monument in 1948.

Below is supposed to be the final outcome.

Love to see a real business man in charge of our country.

Love to see a president call Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Ross Perot and a couple more successful men and have a conference with them, instead of so-called advisors who have never made a payroll. Seek their advice on getting out of this mess we find ourselves in, because no one asked before.

That is just a few things I would like to do but will settle for what I have. NONE OF THE ABOVE MEANS I AM NOT HAPPY, I AM VERY HAPPY WITH MY STATION IN LIFE.

BUT what would you like to do, be, or see? I cannot be the only one who has itchy ideas to scratch.

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Once I heard a friend, Gary, say when he was on the road everyone wanted to be where he was. Just lately I told Sherry I think I know my problem (I had just said it would be nice to be in Arizona), my problem is, I seem to want to be somewhere else all the time. (Hahahaha) As soon as I get somewhere, I want to see some other place.

So right now I am thinking about Florida, but I must wait a couple weeks.

Thanks for coming this way.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Back up my hard drive? How do I put it in reverse?

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Car of the day:

1935 Duesenberg SJ

It is nature for heaven’s sake

No one can predict the terror of a storm of nature. I smile every time I think of a terrible tornado that hit the edge of Charlotte years ago. It was strong enough to move a huge crane 3 feet and it was set in thirty feet of concrete. a city councilman in the wisdom of a politician at the next council meeting, proposed to add to the building codes: buildings built from hence forth WILL BE TORNADO PROOF!

One builder agreed with his assessment with one caveat, that from hence forth all commercial buildings be built underground.

I read here on the internet during the time Irene was passing NC, a gentleman (?) who was stating  Irene was the result of Climate change. So? was all the hurricanes back as far as time is recorded the result of something else?

I do appreciate ministers of the gospel, but when they start claiming storms, earth quakes, etc. are caused by the SINS of that area it bothers my logic. In reference to that , I guess God has completely given up on SIN CITY, out in Nevada. I did hear one preacher say God has done this in the Old Testament, I wanted to say, The Flood okay, but brother fire from heaven ain’t a natural disaster! That is when someone really makes God mad.

Oh, I am not doubting God could punish areas, if He so desired. My belief is that God has set this earth into motion, and the natural things that can happen due to nature’s combinations or situations WILL HAPPEN, whether we like it or not.

Our weather report here has been very good. Our winds did not exceed 20 mph, and we got no rain. We did see a large convoy of electrical crane and bucket trucks headed toward the coast to help restore power to the areas hardest hit.

Thanks for reading this stuff,

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Definition of a Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.

Car of the day:

This 1956 Pontiac was a beauty!  It would do some moving also. How about that continental Kit?

An Incident that changed my life.

My last entry I was gonna tell you what I was reminded of by Mary of ‘stalled at 12’. She had a great (but sad) entry about a boy who did not get ‘the puppy’.

(not quite this bad, lol)

When Dad was assigned to an Albemarle, NC Church, of course we moved. Back then you loaded everything in the car and trailer and hauled everything to the next assignment. Being about 10-11 yrs old I did have friends in Burlington and none in Albemarle. I moped around and made my parents lives as miserable as I could, since I was miserable and missing my friends.

One day Dad and mom left me in the care of my OLDER sister, SHIRL, and they went to visit dad’s sister, Aunt Anne Mae.  Upon their return they came in the house and dad said, “Jackie, go out in the car, look in the back seat and bring that box in. Another chore, I drug my self out to the green 1951 Buick. In the back seat was something that changed my life, a wee black puppy. Excited? that was not the word! Holding the box carefully I ran into the house, “is it mine?” I asked.

Of course it was. Mom & Dad knew just what their sulking son needed. I named him Ace and until he died we were inseparable. He was a mixture of an English Water & Cocker Spaniel and my aunt Ann had given him to me.

This is not Ace, but close

Years later when Aunt Anne Mae passed away, I was asked to speak at her funeral. With pride I told of her giving me Ace. Something like that can sure make a special person out of your Aunt, and she was.

Ace usually got a red bandana.

Aunt Anne Mae Harbinson, was a special lady, and knew the way to a boys heart.

Thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

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 Everyone has a photographic memory.

Not all of us have film.

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Automobile of the day:

This is a 1956 Roadmaster Buick. The Roadmaster had 4 fake vents(ports) on the side, the Special and super had 3. Just so you will know I know what I am talking about, haha.

Nice people in my life

Two blogs have made me think back today. Mary of FrankandMary and the indubitable Jimmy.

I was 12 years old and had never seen a television, although I had heard of them. Friend Ray Sides told me that we could watch a Television (long before it was shortened to TV) if I wanted to. ‘Has a cat got a climbing gear’, I asked. (meaning yes, in 1951).

I got my bike and we rode to the Fire station. I had never seen a fire truck up close, much less go in a fire station.   We did. Yep they had a spotted dog. As a boy I was so overwhelmed at how friendly the firemen were. They allowed us to sit on the floor for 30 minutes and watch Howdy Doody.

(Buffalo Bob & Howdy Doody)

AWAY FROM THIS Entry for a minute>>

Just now, Sherry tells me that one of the nicest men I have ever met, John Wood, has died. He was a celebrated Fire Chief in Miami. We met John in Eustis, Florida. We were looking for a regular church to attend, John was an usher. I told him we were just shopping around. He said ‘Great, that means you will be back’. And we did come back. We grew to love John and Patty, such an unassuming man.

Someone told me he had retired as a fire chief in Miami. When I mentioned that he said, “Jack, that isn’t such a big deal, there are xx number of Chiefs in Miami.”

But I knew it was a big deal. I am wishing fair winds and following seas to John  good friend. What a GUY!

Back to this entry:

As a kid, I could not believe how good those guys were to us (I always related John to these guys, he was the same way, a Prince among men. We had to leave after Howdy, but who cared? The news was coming on.

John dying has changed my thought patterns. I had a few more to high light, but for right now let me tell you about a guy I met in Biloxi. This also centered around church, you will get the idea that my earlier life was centered on church.

Some of you are familiar with Fred Brannen, who graciously comments here on the log. Fred was in the Coast Guard I was in the Air Force. Three things brought us together, first we were both ‘trailer trash’. Well not really, because at that time (1958 time frame) trailers were logical. We lived in the same trailer park for awhile. Second we actually worked within a 100 yards of each other on Point Cadet. He at a CG Loran Station, I at the USAF Crash boats as a radio operator. Third we attended the same church.

(I snagged this picture from Fred Alton’s page, Fred Frances and their first daughter Frankie)

Orders separated us from Fred and Frances. We had a few days contact over the next few years after that, and usually sent Christmas cards. But it was over 50 years before we really made contact again. Fred and Frances became dedicated Missionaries to Guyana and then to Africa. Eventually Fred was recognized and became an official within our denomination. I, on the other hand, followed too many paths to mention. Fred and Frances have always stood out as ‘Nice Folk’ to have known.

(Fred & Frances now, The smiles are the same but Fred has lost his hair on TOP!)

I could go on but I have over extended my word count. I will get to what Mary reminded me of tomorrow.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

The song, Auld Lang Syne, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year.

Car of the day:

This looks sorta like a 1957 Caddy convertible.

Life’s Problems

 

We all have problems. Some of us have problems that would sink the other’s ship. Sometimes I have a hard time just accepting the things I cannot change. Sherry and I have a problem ourselves, but someone especially close to us is truly suffering. Physically for one thing and then family problems are just over powering on top of that.

I run my mouth sometimes over problems, sometimes say things that might hurt, and I become very sorry, but it has never solved a thing. Over the years Sherry and I have been able to walk and talk about our family problems. We were not exempt from senior family problems. Taking care of sick elderly family members has taken a toll. Sherry & Shirl shared the brunt of taking care of my mama in her old age.(It is hard to face the fact that we are the elderly parents now! WHAT?)

I always thought we had enough problems with our boys to sink anyone’s ship, but we made it. Life changes with every generation. Our parents faced the depression, raising a family while looking for work, and still made it.

I can remember when we could not pay to repair our car and I borrowed $60 for 6 months and had a rough time making the $10.35 payments. Now I can laugh at that.

My philosophy has always been, if your problem is health, you really do have a problem. BUT if your only problem is money, you can always get another job, in a pinch a human can work 18 hours a day. We can survive.

My biggest problem is living my favorite prayer as I have said many times on this log.Is the  

The Serenity Prayer
	God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

As I have said many times, that is a good prayer. If you are not a believer, it is still good philosophy.

Just chalk this up as one of those down days, but life is still good. It won’t be long until we head for Florida. Hey we are going on a cruise in a few weeks. Gonna have a good time. Irene is headed up this way but we ain’t skeered.

Thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Laugh at your problems, everyone else does. LOL

Today’s car:

This is a ‘55 Nash Rambler. I sewed a cover for the back and we slept in the back with the back gate open with a muslin cover. The morning following the first night sleeping in the mountains, We found two BIG bear prints just below that left back window. Exciting at the time.

Texting and Sexting

First it was flirting while driving that caused many accidents. I could understand that one. Then came the ‘car’ phone, no problem they were cool but only a few of us had them. NEXT with the Cell phone, folks got carried away talking and had a few accidents. NOW TEXTING AND SEXTING we are seeing folks being killed in accidents texting going down the road. I see it and you must see it. I hope for your sake you are not doing it. We don’t want to lose you.

I cannot test sitting at the table, well I can if I try hard enough, but it is rough for me. It would be VERY distracting if I tried it.

Every generation has its problems, and the seniors look at them and say we are headed to hell in a hand basket (whatever that means?).

(I want y’all to straighten up & fly right, or else…..)

I honestly think the kids are learning less in school; for one thing, simple math without a calculator is a challenge. I am facing a personal dilemma concerning couples living together and/or getting married. At my age I see living together as ‘wrong, in my day it was shacking–up ( a very out of date term). HOWEVER, I see divorce as just as bad a sign for the youth. So I have decided to back off in my judgment, judging is not my job anyway. It is hard, but folks are going to live their lives and accept the results as I have.

At 72 years old things are downhill from now on out, I have that much sense left. I hope to be able to drive this motor home for 6-10 years more and then it is STOP for safety’s sake, yours and ours. I used to could think and plan 10-20 years ahead, but no more, if you are past 70 your life is winding down. We can encourage and praise the health of some, but averages do not lie, the end is within 20 years unless you are very fortunate.

We have a friend here, W.C. Field’s son Bill. Bill is 93 and we see him weekly at Hardees. He volunteers at the hospital; both his mind & health are good. Bill is an exception.

So take care of yourself and don’t sext while driving, BILL doesn’t!

Thanks for coming this way.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

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Because they had no reservations at a busy restaurant, my elderly neighbor and his wife were told there would be a 45-minute wait for a table. 'Young man, we're both 90 years old, ' the husband said. 'We may not have 45 minutes.' They were seated immediately.

My selection of car of the day:

I think this is about a 1946 Mercury WOODIE

Dumb day

This must be dumb day. I have been thinking of a couple dumb things I have done in my life. Now one of them wasn’t trying to snap the snakes head off, That is not a dumb thing, I just didn’t do it right. I have since done it right. haha.

1948 Chevy convertible, my first car.

But when I got my first car, I parked it down town in front of the drug store. I was showing Sherry the spot the other day when we walked down town for coffee. Anyway, when I left the drug store I walked right past my car and walked home. As I got close to home I noticed my car was not in front of the house. Huh oh, I turned around and walked back to town to get my car.

On the job once I did plug my extension cord into itself and wondered why my saw would not come on.

I also have the record for U-turns, even in the motor home. That is why I like Texas and out west, there is enough room to do a u-turn in a motor home while towing even. I tried to find pictures of my worst u-turn experience which was in Tellico Plains, TN where I stuck the MH up to it’s axles.

I once went to the wrong town to go to the hospital. I drove to Statesville, NC and should have went to Salisbury. Well they both do start with an S. Fortunately I was early enough I still was on time after driving the extra 40 miles to make it to the right town. I try to be early. In that case a good thing.

Once I drove 100 miles directly West when I was supposed to be going North. I have also gotten off the Interstate to get diesel and get back on the interstate going the wrong direction.

Rather than saying I am crazy, I prefer PRE OCCUPIED! lol.

I had a BIL who was a preacher a wonderful intelligent man. He was invited to preach at a church in Dallas, NC. He went to the wrong church, even the wrong denomination. (fortunately he found it out before too late and went on the correct church).

I would tell you something dumb Sherry has done, but the only dumb thing that girl has ever done was marry me. LOL. (That was my good luck)

Thanks for stopping by this log. (I think I am at the right place)

Nite shipslog

PS:

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Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
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Car of the day:

This was really a beauty the 1955 Plymouth. Sport paint and a continental kit.

Initials

Did you ever carve your initials in a school desk? or write them on a wall to show you have been there?

What about on a wooden bridge? Maybe a tree? In my teen years boys were bad about cutting small initials into their arms or legs.   Yeah I done that, faded now though.

Ever hear of Billy’s service station in Plains, Georgia? Sure you have. If it is still standing mine and
Sonny’s initials are in his bathroom. We both bought a six pack of Billy Beer while there.

Once while hiking Sherry discovered of one of the FBI’s most wanted name and initials carved on a look out tower rail. At the time he was hiding in that area of the Blue ridge mountains.

While in Albuquerque we went to a park preserved where the ancient Indians had chipped information into stone. We humans want the world to know we have been here.

When I was a kid, it was ‘Kilroy was here!"’

So where have you carved your name or initials?

Thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

John remembered sadly carving his wife’s initials and his on a tree (Shirl told me this!)

John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully. 'Give me one last request, dear,' he said.
'Of course, John,' his wife said softly.
'Six months after I die,' he said, 'I want you to marry Bob.'
'But I thought you hated Bob,' she said.
With his last breath John said, 'I do!'

Today’s car:

I loved this 1955 Dodge. The first year for wrap around windshields.

Trip, Post Script

Just a short(?) note. We had a great trip with a couple friends when we went to Anderson yesterday.

We had a wonderful visit. Linda was her old self and also cooks great. The family sings and as a treat for us the pastor called them up to sing, and sing they did. I guess it is called Southern gospel They get into the spirit of worship as they sing. My pictures did not come out too great.

Dinner at their house was great followed by a visit to their marriage album remembering the great day. One of my more questionable decisions as a pastor; agreeing to perform the ceremony and marry these two 17 year old kids.

(17, marriage license in hand getting into a borrowed car!)

I guess a lot had to do with remembering. Remembering, because just a few years before I had been 17 and Sherry agreed to marry me.

(Yeah that is me, praying, Note: I had HAIR!)

Back to the dinner (lunch to some). Roast Beef, mac & cheese, creamed corn, fresh green beans, squash, rice and gravy. Served with rolls and Iced tea. Everything was delicious.

Then followed by this fresh Strawberry cake, moist and delicious.

(She is from a cake baking family, their cakes bring near $200 at auction.)

Linda played some on the piano, with a little singing. Steve and Linda took us around the town showing us their kids houses and some of the area. Oh, Linda’s mom (A dear friend) also lives in Anderson, but she was not home. Would you believe they took us by her place, took us in (sin)? BUT mama’s house looked like it had been cleaned and prepared for a visit by dignitaries. All in all it was a great day.

You know I had to do it:  BEFORE……..

AFTER…………………………(45 YRS LATER)

 

 

It does you good to see a success story.

(Steve, Linda, Me, Ann (Linda’s aunt) and Elmer (BIL)

(Ann & Elmer rode down with us)

Thanks for coming this way,

Nite Shipslog

PS:

MEDICAL DICTIONARY!!!

Tablet........................... A small table Terminal Illness............. Getting sick at the airport Tumor.......................... One plus one more Urine............................ Opposite of you're out

 

PS2: today’s car: Chevy Caprice..  think the car Steve borrowed for their honey moon:

1965

The Team

I am not much into sports. I loved playing catch-up base ball in empty lots. I played a lot of games but mostly baseball or soft ball. Softball was usually batting, we played a lot of ‘Rolley-Bat’. I don’t know if that is known far and wide or not. The players in the field try to roll the ball they catch, trying to hit the bat on the ground.

I was never on many organized teams, and never serious about competition. THEN….. I met and married Sherry we became a TEAM. Sherry was working when we married, and she worked off and on according to my whims in life jobs. (I have had a lot).We finally evolved past ‘me & mine’, to OURS. When the boys came along and for the first few years Sherry stayed home with them.

After they entered school she worked. We had always lived on one salary (hers or mine) so with both working  we tried to save one, rather than spend the extra. Sports? the boys loved the Redskins so we all supported them. When the boys played ball of course we backed their teams.  Now, Sherry keeps up with some sports, but I seldom know who is playing whom.

The Team (That is a 1960 Rambler behind us)

 

That is the Rev Jack , these pictures were taken while we pastored in Rutherfordton, NC just a short while before we built the church in New Hope. (Cannot find a picture of the place in New Hope.)

But this TEAM has had a few victories. Things we are proud of: We have helped ourselves, and we have helped others. Once, in one of my many lives (when I thought I was a preacher) we organized and built a church  (It is still going well, BTW).

At that church there were several beautiful  young girls. One, Linda Allen was from a good family of good looking folk. She was being courted by a skinny young fellow, Steve Thompson. The courtship got serious and they came to talk to me about marriage. This was our third church, I had buried a few folk, but never performed a wedding ceremony.

(I will get some pictures, we do not have any of the wedding)

I realized they were serious and performed the wedding. They headed off into marriage bliss. It has been about 44 years ago. They are still married have a wonderful family.  Today we will drive down to Anderson, SC to have dinner with them. First we will attend church where their beautiful daughter is the pastor’s wife. Amazing. We wanted to take them out to eat, but Linda insists I could hear better in a home environment, She is so sweet.

The above Photo is  Mark and Cindy Daniel and family. He is the pastor of the church we will visit.Cindy is Linda and Steve’s daughter, she  looks just like her mama. the boy on the right looks like Steve. (Picture taken from their church website)

We are looking forward to the visit. so this is one of the accomplishments of THE TEAM we are proud of.

As the BRBoomer is known for saying, LIFE IS GOOD!

So thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

 

Car of the day:

This is my friend BUDDY’S Mustang. He says it is the hottest thing going, knowing him, I don’t doubt it. It got a short mention in one of my books when one of the kids wanted to borrow it.