Home base, Belmont, NC

  Car of the day:   The 1905 Cuppel a full 8 HP

So for today:

When you see a Person standing on the corner holding a sign: “Homeless, Hungry, Anything will be appreciated! GOD BLESS”…   …. So what goes thru your mind?

…………

Me? First: Hey dude you are young enough to hold down a full-time job, Plenty of jobs out there! I honestly ignore most of them.

 I have had ‘an urge (or a feeling)’ at times, and have given from $1 to $20 to someone with a sign.

 

 I am sure there are reasons for some, but methinks usually they cannot handle the responsibilities that go with ‘real life’ or are ‘lazy.’ 

 

I have known some. One preferred to stand on the street and beg to working. Men who knew him when he worked full time as a mill hand said he was a very good worker on the job..

 

We are in North Carolina in our home base. We had a good trip until I-26 where we hit a 10 mile back up. Flashing sign said, “Incident at mile marker 140.”  We were sitting at mile marker 150.  45 minutes to go that 19 miles.

That threw us in Charlotte, NC at the 5 o’clock rush hour and cars bumper to bumper for about 5 miles.

But at least in the motor home we have water, food and a bathroom, ahhhhhhh.

More tomorrow..

Nite Shipslog

PS:  I am sure I have told this, but once in a long traffic jam someone in a car near us asked if they could use our bathroom. Knowing the feeling, We gladly said yes.

On the Road

Car of the day:

I wonder sometimes if we had married in 1920 would we have lived like these folk!

 

For today:

As you read this we should be on the road to NC (leaving early Fri. AM).  Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are keeping this trip road mighty warm.  It seems we are making this 1100 mile trip monthly lately.

But we are able to fit in our normal are Drs. Appts in between also.

I prefer to drive this 36 ft motor home and tow our auto than just take the Automobile. Most folks cannot believe that this coach is easier to drive than a car, but to me it is.

Our trip to Pennsylvania has been postponed or called off due to other requirements.  I do hope we can get it rescheduled for later in the summer.  By this time next month, we had hoped to see our friends in the Dutch country of PA.

I don’t mean this as a complaint, I love being on the road. I used to think I would be a truck driver, many in my family were.

Sherry & I even thought of driving as a pair.  We met moving van drivers that had established a life like that. Say moving someone to Birmingham and then taking a family from Birmingham to Washington state and so on.  Just wherever the job took them.  The last time we saw them was on our move to Key West.  They had been on the road for 9 months and if they could not get a load back to their hometown they were just going to ‘deadhead’ (Their term for driving an empty rig) back.

Of course, we never became truck drivers. This is the closest we ever came to doing that free spirit life. I look over at my girl as I drive and say, “We are the most blessed couple in the world.”

She agrees.

Nite Shipslog

PS: (Of course we all know I am the blessed or lucky one!)

I shot this picture of an old conversion morothome somewhere in VT or NH. I loved the thought of buying that to fix up!  LOL

Ice

 Car of the day:

 1955 Plymouth Belvedere

For today:

It is hard for us who have all the modern technology to understand how folks lived without ice.  When the weather is HOT we use it without questioning how that everyday use came from a history of a lot of work.

Thinking before refrigeration ,,,,,The first I remember learning how ice was preserved from winter, for the summer, was on our visit to Mt. Vernon. I learned that Folks like George Washington supervised the cutting of ice from the river then took it into a deep cellar and covered layers and layers with straw. Living near rivers made that much simpler.

My girl is an ice lover.  She takes advantage of the little icemaker we added to this coach. As a rule around here, she has a glass of ice near by. She loves to 'chomp' on it. Now this same lady carries a sweater with her in the heat of the summer just in case too much cold air is blown in a business.

Cutting ice in Fairbanks

In Fairbanks, Alaska in the winter they cut ice into huge blocks.  Artists carve this ice into beautiful artwork. It was summer when visited Fairbanks but for us (tourists) they have a refrigerated Museum to save the winning carvings. What a good visit and tour that was.

 Some sculps from there:

These are HUGE!

Our Granddaughter Sherece along with members of her mama’s family just completed a trip to Alaska. They had a great time.  We cannot wait to talk to her about it.

It is no secret that Ice is wonderful, BUT most of us, even down south, know that ice can be very dangerous. Especially you guys up in the CCCold country.

But we all can smile, summer is near and we have A/C and refrigeration.. AND ICED TEA!  ;-) 

 

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Market Crash??

  Car of the day:

1967 Chevelle I thought this was a Beauty

Note:  Friend Myra mentioned  about the last entry the song 'Memories are Made of This!' And yes sweet lady, we have sang along with Dino many times as me made memories..... THANKS

So for today:

I have been associated with Real Estate for many years. I have (NOT) correctly predicted down turns in the market, but I Knew they were coming.  Now (I say facetiously) for sure(!) there is an indicator; out in California on the last coast, Beyounce and J-Z have bought a house for almost nothing. Valued at $295 million they bought the house for a paltry $200 million. Now admittedly that is still the most a house in California has ever sold for, it still shows they bought at 2/3’s the value. Ah ha! Who doesn’t like a 33% off sale?

 

Now if that holds true that means the seller of a house that is listed for $300k will most likely take a smaller $200K if offered.

OKAY the above is not always the case! It is just the thoughts I had when I saw the headlines that $200 million was the most a house in California had ever sold for, it was hard for me to believe.  I thought that as many rich celebrities as there are in Hollywood that many would have paid more than that.  Oh well, I guess I don’t think well when the price of a house is over $90K.

As a builder, the price of the costliest house we ever had was in the $150K range. Smiling now, Sherry and I paid $3000.00 for our first house. I talked to a wealthy mill owner once. He told me that in 1954-55 he built his 1200 sqft brick home for $500.

It is amazing how inflation has increased costs. Of course wages lag the increase putting many folks in dire straits. It is hard for us older folks to wrap our minds around $, costs, prices etc. I have said to my sweetheart many times lately (leaving a grocery store) "I would hate to be buying groceries with a family of 4, how do folks do it now?"

When we were first married in 1956 our budget called for less than $20 a month for groceries. Of course, at the time, my monthly pay was $78.00, ;-)  I have a Grand son that earns that in 3 hours, another in 2 hours then one that earns that in one hour.  Things do change!!!!

I am sure we all remember when things were more affordable. I am sure glad love is still affordable! ;-)

Thank everyone of you that takes the time to read this drivil.  I do appreciate it.  

Nite Shipslog

 

PS:

News headlines brought back memories

 Cars of the day:

 

A cafe from the 50s

For today:

We are all special, we are unique. I am convinced that every life would make a movie if a good producer could get inside a head.  We have all had incidences whether common or super different that treated right would sell.

I just read a headline, “Mt. Etna Is Erupting;” Etna is the most active volcano in Europe. Located in Sicily. I remember and incident many years ago while stationed aboard the USS Independence, an aircraft carrier, we had a crew at the time of about 5000.

Announcements are passed over speakers thru-out the ship up until 2200 (10PM) daily. Not a peep after, unless it is an emergency. So imagine our surprise once in the Mediterranean Sea around midnight there is a few bells over the speakers meaning 'listen.' “This is the Captain, We cleared the straits of Messina an hour ago. Now if you want to see a once in a lifetime show report to the flight deck and look Starboard. Mt. Etna is erupting, That is all!” 

Most of us got dressed and headed up.  What a magnificent sight. Better than a movie, Etna belched fire into the air and RED lava rolled down the sides. The skipper slowed the ship so the entire crew would get a chance to see it.  Some things you do not forget.

 

No one I know can remember their whole life, but some things YOU cannot forget. I am sure mothers will never forget seeing her baby for the first time.

If you have received a traffic ticket, I bet you remember that. What about being thrown from a Horse? Or the HS football player who runs for a touchdown?

I will never forget my first haircut on Parris Island either, LOL.  I ain’t even going to mention Sherry’s giving me the first kiss. ;-O

What about you?

Nite Shipslog

PS: The Straits of Messina are the waters between Italy and Sicily.

 

Fishing for the right job!

  Today's Car…

 

Many people's dream car, the '57 Corvette and NO FINS!

So for today:

Most folks reading this blog are past the age of looking for the right job. But I remember the search.

We met Junie and Betty at Lake Manatee in Florida. Junie was a fisherman, not unusual for Florida, but he netted fish and sold exclusively to Sea World in Florida. Food for their captive entertainers. He evidently was very good at his job because Florida’s public Video folks did an hour long special from his boat. I asked, “How do you just catch that certain special fish by the thousands?”

He said, “It is actually simple Jack, Fish live in schools, the only trick is knowing how to find this particular type’s school.”

He went on to explain he was fortunate, that somehow his instincts led him to the schools, I guess it is years of sailing the Gulf.

He smiled saying, I hope you know from experience, “loving a job sure makes it easy.”

He hit a cord. I think I have liked every job I have had. I cannot remember hating to see Monday come. I did have one job where I had a terrible boss. Not a bad person, but he felt that he must micromanage, he wanted to ‘run’ my job.

I have said it before, once I got into the building business, I loved it. Quitting time usually sneaked up on me, and I seldom dreaded Mondays.  I have known people who were miserable in their jobs, sorta made me sad.

Life is short, too short to live in misery.  I switched jobs, but most of the time I KNEW where I was going. I floundered one time. Not knowing which direction I was heading, well that just ain’t no fun. Unemployed with no prospects is miserable…

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Do YOU have a WILL?

 One of a Kind:

1951 Ford Crestrliner A big hit that year!

 

For today:

I have said this before, My dad told me when he moved to Belmont, NC that he finally decided to record a ‘Last Will and Testament’.  When he entered the office he said to the attorney, “I need to make a will in case I die!”

 

He said the attorney looked at him smiling and said, “We need to get something straight Reverend, it is not ‘IN CASE YOU DIE’, it is ‘When you Die!’

 

We have a dear friend, her previous husband had died and she remarried, not unusual.  But now that gentleman has passed and was sick for an extended time, knowing death was certain since there was no cure in the waiting.  I was shocked and disappointed that he did not have a will. Thus leaving his wife in a bad position since now 2 families are involved.

 

Life today hinges on LAWs. The normal events and standards are: when a mate dies intestate unless unusual circumstances exist, all possessions legally go to the remaining spouse, as it should.

 

BUT IT IS NOT SIMPLE WHEN TWO DIFFERENT FAMILIES ARE INVOLVED!

 

Even a handwritten declaration is better than nothing. Death with a will is trauma enough, but leaving without a will puts a terrible load on those left.  WE should not do that to the ones we love, it is not fair.

 

Have you faced any legal obstacles regarding the death of a loved one; or even wills themselves. I certainly have.

 

 Nite Shipslog

PS:

Wit and Statesmen

 Today’s Automobile:

 1951 Buick LeSabre

Looks like a cool car, but I never saw one in real life...

(First: Thanks for all the comments on yesterday's entry, many very good points brought up! And yes we have a son who was given custody of his sons for a good reason!)

Just some background:

Possibly I have been witty 'in type' once or twice, BUT seldom ‘on my feet!’  I know some witty folks; friend Joe Carver, and also my grand kids.  In my youth the witty one was Buddy S. He was quick with wit! J

  I have saved these quotes for years. I thought this would be a good time:

       There’s no elevator to success.  You have to take the stairs.” – Unknown

·         “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell

Colon took a lot of licks, but he was a great military leader and a REAL American Under different circumstances he would have been a very good leader.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”

Thomas Jefferson

·         “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy

·         Success is a ladder that cannot be climbed with your hands in your pocket.” – Mark Caine

·         “The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.” – Mark Twain 

·         “The starting point of all achievement is desire.” – Napoleon Hill

Words are very important. The Lord knows I pray and wish for A STATESMAN for our country.  One who knows how to choose words and draw us together.  Unless one arrives pretty soon, the list is short or blank.

I listened to a loud mouth spending minutes telling me our Government was killing us thru the Covid Vaccine.  With that detailed speech quoting scientists (supposedly). If what he said was true we would see bodies lying up and down the streets. Cars wrecked with drivers dropping dead. Planes falling out of the sky because pilots who took the shots died unexpectedly.  Oh yes and me, since I took the shot and booster. I have NO CHANCE! (OUCH)

In the USA we have freedom of speech. In the past few years Conspiracy theories abound. I truly love the USA and have never thought for a minute that our leaders would  plan to kill off any of it's inhabitants. We can overcome the present divisiveness, it has been done before.

Remember:

·         “Success comes in cans; failure in can’ts” – Wilfred Peterson

And my favorite in the past few years:

RR knew how to work with both sides of the Aisle. 

Nite Shipslog

PS: I hope I heard wrong as I listened to the loudmouth above, but that is what I heard.

Unsolved mystery solved? Leaving many questions.

Called Bullet Nose the 50-51 Studebaker was laughed at, although it was a very good car When one drove by kids would ask, "Is it coming or going?"

For today, some solved mysteries leave more mystery:

I read a story on the news. In Illinois a girl 9 (Kala) was not returned to her father after a visit with her mother. Now that the girl is 15, she is found in Ashville, NC and the mother is arrested.

Kala @9yrs:

That leaves me with many questions. None of them answered in the news story. MOST kids 9 years old can use a cell phone.  If they do not have one they are easily borrowed from friends to make a call.  Why did she not call her father to let him know where she was?

IF she was fearful of her mother just a hint to a teacher or police officer would have solved the problem during those 6 years.

I hope there are good answers to these questions, and I hope they are made public.  When I have questions like this I want an answer. She looks happy both before and after. But you know pictures !  SMILE!!!

I wonder the reason the father had custody….

I wonder if she was mistreated……….

I wonder if she is mentally challenged?

Anyway, I know there are injustices in our country. I do trust our system but I do know that even the best intentioned law enforcement and system can make a mistake and cause misery.

I do hope the child is allowed to live with the parent SHE prefers.  It is my understanding that a child 15 is allowed an opinion in custody matters.

Kala @ 15yrs,,,

Most of all, I hope if the mother was justified in her decision to leave with the child that all charges are dropped and they are reunited.  I guess I sympathize for mothers.....

 

Nite Shipslog