And then there is NOT thinking, Hard to believe, huh?

On our last mail call our bank sent us two brand new, pretty bank cards. Numbers taped on the front, call this # to activate.

Sherry called and activated the cards. All fine, the lady on the other end was nice and activated both cards at the same time.

I took Sherry’s Debit card and my debit cards and cut them into a bunch of pieces, my sister Shirl would have been proud. I even spread them out in the trash.  We be happy. Nice shiny new cards.

First stop with our new cards was Wal mart and groceries. Sherry slid the card thru, “It didn’t ask for my PIN?” She puzzled. Well just sign it it works as a debit and credit card.

On the way back from the Villages and a good dinner we stopped by our bank and ATM, I put may card in and requested the money.  I got my card back and NOTHING!!! No receipt, no MONEY!

Note on the side of ATM, call this number if there is a problem. I’LL SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM. Sherry called finally got thru all the punch this number, what is that number, how many kids do you have, what color is your hair, what is the name of your first pet? etc… Finally got a person. Who said, “THAT IS NOT A DEBIT CARD, IT IS OUR NEW WONDERFUL REWARDS CARD.”

“But my husband cut up our debit cards!” Sherry says into the phone.

“WHAT? Why would he do that?” Unknown human.

“He thought this was new Debit CArds!” Says Sherry (embarrassed for me)

“Sorry, they weren’t!” Says the voice, “You need to apply for new replacement DEBIT cards.”

Yeah, I cause a mess. I ASSUMED you know what that means. I become the ASS in assume.  So to the bank we go, and met some awesome folk who understood EXACTLY how I could make such a simple mistake.  The problem was solved in a jiffy, okay maybe an hour, but it was so much fun plus we got free coffee.

Now if I hadn’t made a simple mistake, we would have missed the opportunity of getting to know the awesome folk here at the bank in Wildwood. Now they will know us and I am sure will not ‘snicker’ behind my back like some folk do.

And so Happy Holidays to you and I hope you are now looking forward to Christmas and the Joys it brings. Hey, we have shiny new temporary debit cards for Christmas, all because of me.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

You have now learned a very important lesson, don’t cut ‘em up until you are sure.  You are welcome for the lesson.

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I heard a quote: “If you liked your card, you coulda kept it!”  But I heard it too late……

1982 Dodge Aries

Thinking

There are times it is dangerous for me to think. I come up with too many ideas.  I ask myself “What do we want to do next?” Then I interrupt myself and say, “Why can’t you be happy right here, right now and not think about next summer.”

I tell myself, “I am happy right now, why does planning and thinking bother you?”

“Well, I don’t exactly know, but look around you at the rest of these old people. They are happy watching TV, shooting pool, playing shuffle board and bingo. Get with the program, be old.”

“You know I don’t like that stuff!”

“Of course I know it, I am you, you know. I know you better than anyone else.”

“Well don’t tell anyone I talk to my self, Okay?”

“All right, go ahead, what do you think is in store for next year?”

“What about a trip to the Northeast?”

(Us and the boys at Bar Harbor)

“Again?”

“Yeah, stop by Lancaster maybe see the play, ‘Moses’ at Sight and Sound, then on up to the Catskills for a couple weeks. then over to Mass and up to  Kennebunk in Maine, Go to Nunans and eat a couple Lobsta.”

“Ah, so you  want to actually do some hiking, that is the main reason, other than some lobster! huh?”

(Mama and her boys on Cadillac Mountain, looking down on Bar harbor)

“Well since I mentioned it, we may as well hike a couple hundred miles, that would be fun.”

(Son Mark on the Hundred mile wilderness in Maine)

“I thought so. Now apologize for taking up these folks time.”

“I’m sorry folks, I just got carried away! It ain’t smart for me to think.”

Nite Shipslog

PS:

If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these State of the Union
speeches, there wouldn't be any inducement to go to heaven.
~Will Rogers~

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Not sure what they are, I just liked them. We took them near Bar Harbor, ME

Thankful in 2013? You Bet

There is not a person on this planet that could not complain if they so desired. But from my view point, in a comfortable home that rolls, I have a list of things to be thankful for that would take my entire evening to list.  But there are a few I will list. 

These are in no wise the most important. Some are so personal I would not list them, they are mine and my wife’s to enjoy privately. But some have been so wonderful, I have to be thankful openly.

I have always been inquisitive and mischievous. At the age of 5 I learned to smoke rabbit tobacco. A wild weed in the south. I set a fire that could have taken our home and others. The fields burned, and some woods before all the country neighbors could get it put out. I’m thankful all I got was a switching. I am thankful no major damage was done.

Like most children of my era, I had many accidents as a child that could have caused permanent damage, and didn’t. I’m thankful.

I had an accident in my beautiful ‘48 Chevy convertible rolling it over with my best friend in the front seat, neither of us was hurt. I am Thankful that he and I both have grown and are healthy.

I am primarily THANKFUL FOR SHERRY, the dream I married she has made me the happiest guy alive. I am thankful for a healthy family, and the love that we share.

I am so thankful for the handful of personal friends I have and know if I need them they will be there. They know the same.

Thankful, yes I am thankful for the medium of the internet that allows me to say in writing how I feel. Thankful for you who will take the time to read this. You guys will never know just how thankful I am that out electronic paths crossed. I have learned so much from you guys. One could spend a lot of time here, you guys are sweet.

Not many men blog, but I meet them thru you ladies as you talk about the men in your lives, those guys are lucky, most of them know it.

On the lighter side, I am thankful I do not have to carry a comb in my back pocket anymore, you know, they are so heavy.

Sherry and I both are thankful for all God has allowed us to see in this wonderful WORLD. I am always amazed at the beauty and sheer magnitude of this creation.

Am I thankful, YES, A MILLION TIMES YES.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

GIVE THANKS FOR ALL HE HAS DONE!

GIVE THANKS…..

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WOW, I am also glad for all the engineering that allowed Auto makers to thrill my youth…

1954 Hudson Jet

1954 Merc

My  1948

I also had two of these.

There are thousands of cars from all countries, that I love to see. some I would never have seen, if not for the internet. Yes I am thankful for the brilliant people who make this possible, their dreams never stop!

Healthcare in the USA

(Pictures have nothing in common with the blog entry)

I am always surprised at the studies of costs compared to results. In the past few days two studies came out, one on the average longevity of individuals thru out the world.  I thought the US would rate very high, but we were #33 in one report and #26 in another.

Take Japan, we spend twice the amount on health care than Japan, but live 5 years less, wonder why?

I did read one place where we paid 33% more for medications (pills) than Canada, Mexico or the UK.  Wonder why?

 

One study I read said our doctors were leery of lawsuits, so they prescribed meds and do a lot of referrals which runs up our cost.

We also take more meds per patient. Frankly when I told my Dr. that I developed a rash after starting the first statin, he didn’t pause a second and said, ‘It’s not the statin.’  Now that quick diagnosis or opinion bothers me.  I know they are pushed, you can wait an hour to see your doctor less than 15 minutes and the average cost is going to be $200.  He is forced by a schedule to see so many patients an hour.  It seems so impersonal, but that is the system today. Over all, We  will never see the ‘Family doctor’ again. The one who knows every name and when they were born.  So we must live with it.

Along that vein, I borrowed this quote from Paula, the cowgirl.  http://pl78064.blogspot.com/

I thought of the family doctor we went to for many years. He was all business and the health subject a person was there for. The only thing I knew about him was that he smoked because I saw cigarettes in his pocket (bad for a doctor or anyone). I knew he had a wife because at times she filled in for the receptionist but she wasn’t very friendly. ( my emphasis)

He was a good doctor and would prescribe medicine for my kids over the phone and never charge a penny.

On the other hand, my doctor now, I know where he grew up, where he lives now, what he thinks of our school system, also about a true southern lady patient (no names of course). He is able to give his medical advice, listen to my complaints and still make me feel like he knows I am a person and not just a number in his books.  (end quote)

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My Sherry likes her Dr. and is happy with him. She has been going to him for a few years now. I went to him once. I didn’t like him, he must have better bedside manners with the other patients.(But then to be honest, I dislike going to any Doctor, even for my hearing).

I know this is a little simplistic, but during my time there were many folks who NEVER SAW a dr. until they joined the service.

Oh well, I guess that is all the damage I can do. I may or may not post this. “What you  think?” I ask this computer?  And it said……  ”Nite Shipslog”

PS:

Why pay money to have your family tree traced; go into politics and your
opponents will do it for you.
~Author unknown~

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Did you see the little Smart Car? This shows the rest of it.

Understanding what you hear, Hearing but not understanding….

(Pictures do not necessarily relate to the blog entry)
I have cried, yelled, fussed and griped so much on this BLOG that every one knows I am legally deaf.
I have known or met a couple blind folk. Some SEE nothing, some see forms and others can tell if it is daylight or dark.

A person who has bad eyesight can many times have that corrected by prescription glasses, and usually can see very well..
Hearing is ‘somewhat’ but not exactly like that, many folk only need amplification and they understand. I would bet that some folk reading this have a ringing or rushing noise in your head. And at times it is worse than others. At times the noise over rides the hearing sense and one does not understand.
I have a 95%+ hearing loss  along with Tinnitus (the ringing/noise) so most of the time I hear, but do not comprehend what is said.  Or worse, I think I understood and it was NOT what was said. THAT, gets me in trouble.

I do have hearing aids and they amplify, but they CANNOT CLARIFY!  Comparing: if you see writing as blurred and had glasses that made it bigger but not focused, it would still be unreadable. My hearing aids make some things LOUDER but still NOT clear. I have nerve damage.
Many times the ‘not getting it clear’ is my fault.  I ask “WHAT?” a couple times but still don’t understand and I am embarrassed to ask again so I  just ‘nod, like I understand’ and hope the message I miss isn’t life threatening.

(sometimes the deaf feel alone in a crowd)
Humans do crazy and even murderous things, and then say ‘the voices told them to do it’. 
 This is serious, so I want to be clear. I hear voices, true, I do. But I cannot make out what is said. It seems that I can just about make it out, but never do.  Since we have so much memory stored in our brain, I wonder if somehow my brain is playing something back I have heard? I mean that.

(This is Paula’s John, remembering when he was a boy)
Thursday about 4 AM I was awakened by my noises; it was the first time in months. My left ear was squealing like feedback you  hear in amplifiers, my right ear was one of the voices but in a sing-song fashion, of course none of the words were clear. I know (I think) that they are not voices, only noises that come across as muffled voices.
BUT if the the voices ever tell me something, y’all will be the first to know (after Sherry of course, I will let her laugh first!)  I hope the first thing I understand is the winning numbers to the Lottery.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go
out and buy some more tunnel.
~John Quinton~
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1982 Pontiac Firebird,  Kit?  WE must have been in GITMO when this program was on TV, I missed it.

A good day

Sherry and I share many  good days and only a few bad, but none of us are immune to the bad ones. Ahhhh if families were perfect?  And dadgummit, if they would just listen to me!!!!  Can’t they see that  heartbreaking cliff they are headed for?

Was I that headstrong and hardheaded?

I think we can answer those questions with no trouble. Everyone must stump their toe. I think every human experiences heart break, and no one can take it away.

I have known folk who seemed to be able to be abstract from their kids problems. To say, they will make it, they will out grow it and be better for it. 

Hey, I know that, but I would like to help a LITTLE!  . (Mend a fence, cut the grass)

I came along just as the mindset, “at 17-18 you are on your own as a son/daughter”, was changing.  The parents still have things to worry about. That is hard to see,  as you struggle for your own identity.  To my dad (& mom)’s credit, they did not try to run or interfere with my growing up.  They knew much more than I, where the road lead.

My parents were blessed (or cursed) with being raised and raising a family thru some very tough times. Their childhood in the early 1900’s on farms in North Georgia was tough. The farmer had large families to keep farms going. And also to take care of the Grands at times.(picture the Waltons)

Then they made it thru a very dark time WWII. With two sons in the Navy. So I guess Dad knew how to turn loose better than I. He had experienced it. Me? I really had it easy. If I had a part time job it was not out of necessity. If I really needed something, I got it. After all I was the baby in the family. (Shirl was the favorite) but I was still petted cause I was the baby!

(Jack Jr & Mark in GITMO, with just a few of their trophies)

Our boys worked as teen agers, but for spending money not because of necessity either. Jack Jr. was shocked after he quit school and was working when his mom said, “we expect $20 a week for room and board!”

“What?” he yelled, “This is my house too!” (Jack loved to yell) But he paid. Now to explain, I never paid board at home, I left home immediately after I quit school. But Sherry’s family had always practiced paying board weekly as they went to work when they stayed home. Her family could use the money, and it was great discipline, she has carried that lesson all her life.

Did we need the money from JJ? No, so Sherry put each payment in an envelope, and when he decided to really ‘Leave Home’, she handed him the envelope.  She has always been a very wise mama.(Imma lucky dude)

Nite Shipslog

PS:

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm
beginning to believe it.
~Clarence Darrow~ (Of  President W.G Harding)

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President Harding’s Packard

Daddy’s watch

(Pictures have no bearing on the post)

Growing up I remember when anyone asked dad the time, he reached for the chain and pulled out the old Gold Rail road watch he carried.  There was a time that not every one carried a watch so you got the time the best way you could.  Some small towns had chimes or bells attached to the town clock.  Every store had a clock prominently that was given to them by some supplier, i.e. Borden's milk or Merita bread.  With a little saying printed on the clock face, ‘Time for Borden's’.

(Life is good, a double Rainbow sent by Bonnie)

Some business knowing not everyone had a watch would put it in the window facing out. My first watch, in the 4th grade was a ‘Dollar Watch’. It was a silver pocket watch with a leather fob, or string. I believe it was a Waterbury.

There was a slogan, “The watch that made the Dollar famous”. I don’t want to get it wrong, but Waterbury, Connecticut  was the home of most American watches. Ingersoll  first sold the dollar watch but it was made by Waterbury. That was a strange business situation. Waterbury bought out Ingersoll then when Ingersoll went bankrupt, Waterbury bought the company back.

During the time Ingersoll was in charge they produced the wrist watch, it took it awhile to catch on but it soon replaced the pocket watch. But even in the late 40s early 50’s old men would ask, “son is that a Waterbury?”

The real big change in watches came with the advent of the Timex Corp. in 1969. We all know the watch, “That takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”  My nephew lost his watch in the snow one year and did not find it until the spring, and it still had the correct time. The Timex is a good watch.

That Nephew grew up and started collecting watches. Before my dad died he gave the nephew his solid gold Railroad watch.

That came to a sad end a few years ago when the house was burglarized and all the watches were stolen. Crooks and burglars do not know the history they destroy in their chase for a quick dollar.

But still  the watch is just an object. It cannot be replaced, but it cannot give love nor a smile. The watch never breathed nor bathed a new born baby. Objects do not do that.

Speaking of the babies, I loved to hold Jack or Mark after Sherry had bathed them and covered the in Johnson’s Baby powder. No watch or any object can replace that feeling.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

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

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Quoting Khrushchev here are a couple Russian cars:

Ony 6 built in 1941

105,000+ built in early 1960s.

If we are here to help other folk,

What exactly are the other folk here for?

I read that once and thought it was funny. I was reminded of my Uncle Sam the other day by cousin Ken. Uncle Sam was known to say, “When I was a youngun I heard that there were some poor unfortunate folk on our road, but I never knew it was us.”

Uncle Sam was married to mama’s sister Aunt Janie.  As a kid I thought it was neat having a real live Uncle Sam in the family. Uncle Sam and Aunt Janie lived on the ART Cloth Mill Village in Lowell, NC. Lots of my kin folks lived and worked there. I had two Uncle Freds. Uncle Fred & Aunt Ruby Fulbright married to one of Dad’s sisters and Fred Darnell, Dad's baby brother. Then mama had two  more sisters who worked there with their husbands, Aunt Julia & Uncle Doyle Herron, Aunt Zedder and Uncle Earnest Cobb.

I am having trouble with the names, but growing up we always used the prefix Aunt and Uncle before the name. Some in our family call me Uncle jack, but mostly it is just Jack. I do smile when I hear Uncle jack, makes me feel good and think back.

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On my sugar high entry, I could not find a good picture of a kiss. And the one I found was too.. well you know…

This is Riverwalk sugar in San Antonio, We had  our boys along, they are used to this, I am not sure the lady across the river behind us is used to seeing old folk kiss.

See my girl’s expression, after she realized Jack Jr. was taking her picture. I told her this morning I would have no problem finding a picture of a kiss  if you didn’t say ‘stop it’ just before a picture was taken.

It is just fun to be alive, pictures conjure up some wonderful memories.  San Antonio is one of my favorite places, even more so since meeting this good looking lady in person, What a Joy she and John were.

Most of you know her by her tales, http://pl78064.blogspot.com/

A smile with a compliment is one of the best ways to get one in return. I try to compliment a waitress or clerk every chance I get.  There is  something about everyone that one can find to compliment. Whether it is their hair, blouse, smile,  a piece of jewelry or just how well they do their job. If you don’t do it, try it. It is a blast of joy to see a beaming face on a person who may be down.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

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

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1953 Concept car (Alpha)