Why?

 

                                                                    'Little Richard'

For today:

During the day I can think of some good subjects to blog about, then comes evening and I am a blank, WHY?

Why can’t songs today have intelligent lyrics like in my day, when Little Richard sang:

Wop-bop-a-loo-mop, alop-bom-bom

Tutti frutti, oh Rudy
Tutti frutti, oh Rudy
Tutti frutti, oh Rudy
Tutti frutti, oh Rudy
Tutti frutti, oh Rudy
Awop-bop-a-loo-mop, alop bom bom

 

I got a girl, named Sue
She knows just what to do
I got a girl, named Sue
She knows just what to do

She rock to the east
She rock to the west
But she's the girl
That I love best

Tutti frutti, oh Rudy........ Etc,,,,

 

you can watch and listen if you like down in the PS  I hope

 

To tell it as it is, I have reached a point on my Cub Cadet mower project, that I cannot get past.  I need my welder, and tools from my playhouse in NC. The neighbor across the street here has a welder, but he isn’t much better at welding than I am. So, I do not feel good asking him for help.

 

Honestly the Cub needs a mower deck, I am sure that is why the original owner scrapped the thing. The sucker runs and drives good forward and backwards, but I cannot keep the belt on the deck to cut grass. The deck is warped a little and the pulleys do not line up. I am missing two parts and have tried to make them, but so far, no luck.

 

Anyway, tomorrow I start another project, For some reason this computer hangs up and I have been trying to get back to where I was. I have lost part of the entry.  I am so tired of messages like:

1.       OOPS, your computer has run into a problem and must shut down!

2.       Oops, looks like you are offline! ( the signal is always fine at the time.)

3.       Cannot seem to find that page!

 

I think maybe that is why I prefer to get my hands dirty, at least, if something doesn’t work, you can kick it.  LOL  (Nah I really don’t do that any more!)

 

But I must say this and sign off.

 

I have enjoyed reading blogs and comments but have not had any initiative to do anything for a while.. My mind is still messed up. But I am plodding along…

 

Remember it is probably too late to make a difference, You know the naughty and nice thingee. So be really good the next few days and you might get something better than coal in your stocking that you will soon hang with care..

 

From Florida where we are having great weather……

 Nite Shipslog

PS 

 Thank each of you for stopping by.  Of course I appreciate everyone who reads this attempt on being a blog.

WOW the top was in 1956,  the one below was later,  I think at his entry into the hall of fame.  But Segregation was prominent. That is how I was raised and thought that was normal.  Even though I lived thru Segregation as I look back, I cannot believe how narrow minded  that period was.

Driving and Travel, PEOPLE!

 

Funny this, this is the closest we came to the Eifel Tower. Honestly, I was afraid I could not find the car if we left it. They park crazy in Paris.... 

For today:

I have mentioned my Sherry was born and raised in the same town. I was not.  Her life was normal back in the times of our youth. A change started in the mid-fifties when many folks who were working for $.75 to $1.50 at labor and mill work down south. Folks moved to Detroit to work in a booming Auto Industry, for $3.50 to $4 an hour. Boys my age joined the military or went to Detroit.

Jobs were created in differing areas paying higher wages, folks started moving. Today many children, like ours, fit my pattern of attending several schools in their young life.

Sherry took to moving well and has enjoyed traveling. Once we went to drivable RV’s, we alternated driving. Presently she VERY seldom fills in driving and never in the city.

I have never tried to total the miles we have traveled, but it has been a bunch. On the road full time for over 20 years. We have met some wonderful people. I know we must have met some, not so great, but right now I cannot think of one. To speak from my heart, we are so proud of the folks we have met and known.  Even strangers have been so nice and helpful.

Funny that, I was in London and on my own, stepped into one of the double decker busses, I just had to ride one. I had no idea how or how much to pay, or how to know where the bus was going.  The bus driver was great and so was the passengers. At that time, I was a sailor.

I rode for many miles just sightseeing. Finally, I asked how to get back to Piccadilly Circus**. I also took my first train rides, to and from Spit Head, where we were anchored.

This is a castle in Germany, I am leaning against the inside wall.  Surprised how big the inside is. The wall is high. This is the courtyard.

Once on a crazy trip to Germany we rented a car and drove around some connecting Countries for a week. In a small village in France, I could not shop for anything with my 1 yr of French, the store owner was very nice but perplexed. A sweet lady walked up and asked, “Would you like for me to help? I lived in London for a few years.”  She was such a sweet lifesaver. There are good, nice, honest people in this world.

When I hear we are headed to hell in a hand basket by naysayers, I think of our own grand kids. ALL of them have a great work ethic. Their generation will handle things well. WE are gonna be Okay. Until HE says different. 

Most folks I have met believe and follow fairly close in their thinking to the GREAT TEN COMMANDMENTS. Which, by the way are common sense….

 

Nite Shipslog

PS  ** Piccadilly Circus - Wikipedia

Piccadilly Circus is a road junction and public space of London's West End in the City of Westminster. It was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly. In this context, a circus, from the Latin word meaning "circle", is a round open space at a street junction. 

 

Thank each of you for stopping by.  Of course, I appreciate everyone who reads this attempt on being a blog.

The Impossible Dream

Bing Videos

For today:

I wasn't joking the other day about an almost impossible task I undertook.  Getting the trashed Cub Cadet running, most thought it was A lost cause. LOL

After many hours of playing with it, I came into the RV singing, “To Dream the Impossible Dream”.  Hey Sherry do you hear the Cub Cadet running???

Yes the engine is running, and it is cleaned up. I still yet have to install the belts.  One to run the transmission and the other to turn the cutting blades.

Yep I am a happy camper.  It makes me feel good to fix things. LOL

Oh, thinking back, I am not sure if I put this house on my blog the other day, but here it is. 

I built this one about 25-30 years ago.  It still looks great. It cost me about *65K to build. It sold for about $85k. land and all. It sold again in about 2002 for $105K.  I smile, it is on the market for $335,000.  OUCH

Something has gone haywire somewhere. The property taxes alone on that house will be about $300-360 a month. OUCH again.

Anyway, I am feeling good, I just maybe coming out of my depressed mood. Sherry sure hopes so. 

 Ref the Impossib le Dream, BTW Frankie would have been proud of my rendition. LOL     ;-)

 

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Thank each of you for stopping by.  Of course I appreciate everyone who reads this stuff, I have enjoyed SO VERY MUCH ALL your comments, especially lately. And I have said,.  Words by Unknown or Anon are also held dear. Thanks.

What is your favorite thing to do for enjoyment?

  PIC

```````A Great grand gets a hit!

For today:

Years ago as a family we used to watch NFL football Sunday Afternoon and Monday nights.  I remember actually enjoying it as a family.  The boys were Redskins Fans. I enjoyed them also in little league.  It was fun going to the kids games. The along came the Grankkids and going to their games in little league and HS was fun.

The Twins played a little as kids, but their talent went to music and acting.  Both were very skilled and going to the concerts was equally fun for me. Their HS plays and concerts were great.

Josh and Steve in one of their own concerts. singing songs they wrote.

However as I look back, those enjoyments were BECAUSE FAMILY was involved.  Today I could not tell you any game scores or who is playing. I am not a sports enthusiast.  The only games I am interested in is 3 solitaries, I usually win all three each night on the computer to keep my brain thinking.

Sherry’s whole family was sports minded. She even has a nephew who spent a few years attached to the Baseball major league.  Sherry is still competitive.  Our sons are too. They even do Trivia and keep score daily over the phone.

Me, I enjoy reading and writing.  When I worked, I ENJOYED it. ESPECIALLY The last few years of my time as a General Contractor. I built the affordable home; WE had less call backs than all the contractors I knew.  I did not look forward to weekends and holidays. I NEVER dreaded Mondays. I looked forward to them.

The buyer picked the color, other than that I liked the one above also.

I was asked by a couple other contractors, “Who cleans your homes to get them ready to sell.”

The were always shocked when I said, “I do it myself.”

I explained it was for my satisfaction (Actually my pride methinks, I was proud of each home) that is the only way you can find any errors or problems before the buyer discovers them and calls you.

Now for my fun, I fix things. Right now, I have a Cub Cadet mower that has been sitting broke behind my son's house for about two years. 4 flat tires, a frozen engine, rusted solid steering, and a rusted frozen disconnected mower deck.  It is my challenge and might be the hopeless adventure.  LOL

But I also enjoy reading and writing. I hope the urge hits me hard to write another book soon.  It makes more sense than mashing a finger or two. LOL They hurt worse than they used to. ;-(

I am hitting about 400 words so I am out of here.

Nite Shipslog

PS 

One thing about the houses I built. When Sherry and I talked about the investment, her only comment was don't get us in debt more than we can pay and never build a house that we would not live in. I agreed.

Thank each of you for stopping by.  Of course, I appreciate everyone who reads this drivel, I also enjoy the comments you make if you feel inclined.  Words by Unknown or Anon are also held dear. Thanks.

 

What in the World? I did not expect this.

Picture from San Antonio

'The Little Red Barn'  is one of our favs in San Anton.  This is  our waitresses wearing a 45 and the menu is presented as you see it. San Anton, the River WAlk and the Alamo.. One of our top destinations as we travel.

For today:

Some of you may remember Blogger Paula, of Paulinescountrytales.   She lived just South of San Anton. We were friends for years. She wrote poetry and I asked for permission to use some in a book. She agreed, and I received many comments on her poems.

Well this jumped up on my reading list, listed as 5 years ago. I have never had that happen before. I am reprinting her entry. This is Paula Liek's last blog entry 5 yrs ago:

. Wednesday, June 5, 2019

I was surprised to see any comments after so long a time. I miss everyone but I'm swamped. John has Dementia, can see and hear very little. Everything is up to me even though I have my own health problems. I have MDS, a blood disease, stage three kidney disease, and tests show I have Pulmonary Hypertinsion but don't have the symtems. John sleeps a lot but likes for me to take him for drives on country roads so we do that most every day. I'm taking Procrit injections in the stomach every other week to try to keep my blood counts up. So far it has helped, but they are never where they should be. In spite of everything The Lord has been good to us. Things could be worse. 

 

Lisa the hospital I wrote about is in Poteet, Texas so it was just called Potee Hospital. It is just north of us and is the Strawberry capital of Texas

Paula had been married to her sweetheart Mel, who passed away.  Later She met John, a rancher who needed help around the ranch, and she had always wanted to be a Cowgirl, so she moved in.

The Alamo is part of a chain of Missions there, this is son Mark and Sherry at Mission Conception.

I’m laughing inside, because Once in my Blog entry I mentioned a family member moving in with his girlfriend. I said I wished they had married.

I did not realize she and John were not married, she came back to me saying, “ Let me tell you something Jack, there is no hanky pankie going on down here.!”

I was surprised but got a good laugh out of it. We did actually get to meet she and John on one visit to San Antonia. She was a sweetheart. I have wondered so may times what the end was like.  The above was her last entry methinks.

Some will remember Paula.  Chatty was one of the last to comment also.

I think I am being haunted with memories and things from the past. OUCH

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Still THANKFUL for all the visits, Love you guys. Of course each of you is special. 

Another childhood memory

 

Headlines from the past:

For today:

I was born January of 1939. Yeah that was many years ago. Some of my first memories was the story of the “Japs attacking Pearl Harbor”.  Yes, the term Japs was used all over this country. I once took a job to clear out a house for demolition in the 1950s.  As a youngster I found news papers that I still have somewhere in storage. They are from the beginning of WWII!

Pic

I remember that war. I remember mama praying into the night for my brother Jr. He was in many battles in the Pacific as a gunner on a Destroyer Escort ship. That time set my little mind to becoming a part of the military. I definitely do not remember December 7<sup>th</sup> 1941, BUT my memories start just a few months later as my brothers went off to war.

My mother would cry when telling me that my brothers went off to war because some bad people had attacked at a place called Pearl Harbor.

I remember the words very plainly, “REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR!”  They were heard throughout my youth.  So YES, I do remember.

I have always wondered and never asked, “What were the words used in England & Europe at the beginning of WWII?  I remember the words “OVER THERE!”. Those I remember very well.

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Still THANKFUL for all the visits, Love you guys. Of course each of you is special. Take care! Your reading this stuff and  comments are always appreciated.  

 

WE lost a Blogger, wishing Fair Winds and Following Seas to a Sailor.

 

 For today:

Thanks SO VERY MUCH to the reader and commentor who let us know of Woody’s passing. He was ‘Gary Woods’ “Old Woody’s Boomer Page.” His sweet wife Anna Mae sure took care of that guy.  As his heart weakened, she did the  snow clearing, she handled the yard work and flowers, and they shared the cooking around the house.

Woody and I have conversed for years now.  He was a former Sailor and I considered him a shipmate and friend.  He majored in security on ships and merged into Law enforcement.  I was proud to read in his obit that he had been awarded a silver star for saving the life of an accident victim while off duty by performing life saving techniques until medical assisgtance arrived, thus saving a life.

https://www.lundyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/gary-wood

You that have lost a mate will know Anna Mae’s feelings, than the Lord so far Sherry and I have been blessed to still have each other.

I smiled many times at the pictures he shared of his Anna Mae.  You could see the love he had for his lady.

Today just thinking of Woody.. Rest in Peace my friend and enjoy the other side, we know you were ready for the Cruise into the Heavens, ENJOY, but you will be missed, especially by your sweet Anna Mae..

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Still THANKFUL for all the visits, Love you guys. Of course each of you is special. Take care and your reading this stuff and  comments are always appreciated.  And AS ALWAYS…...It hurts to lose a friend.

The best childhood memories

 Old pictures from the net.

For today:

I was too little to know the situation of being a pastor’s son. The moving and all.  I just remember one day the family packed up our stuff in a utility trailer and moved from town to the country, that was fine with me, I still had Bingo the family dog, and Tom, the cat I called mine. Well, I thought I did. Just as soon as unpacked in High Shoals NC, Tom disappeared. I learned something, There was no way I could have found my way back  the 30-40 miles to our old house, But Tom did. .

Shirley, Kat and me in the chicken lot.

I remember the chicks coming from Sears Robuck via the mail man. They were in a past board box with holes all round it. It wasn’t long before I had my first job at about 4 yrs old. I learned to gather eggs for mama.

We always had homemade jelly for breakfast, but honey or molasses were special. In High shoals I learned something not many 4–5-year-olds know. That is how molasses was made. The sugar cane was cut and gathered by the farm family. There was a pole like affair (a long wooden limb) attached. I learned the center post thing was really a little mill that squeezed the juice out of the cane.  The mill was run by a mule that walked around and round pulling the limb arm, turning the mill. The cane was stuck into the mill and it pulled the cane thr shiny rollers squeezing the juice right out into a bucket. 

A different mill but you get the idea.

The bucket was then taken to a big flat pan over a wood fire. I remember their pan was about a foot deep, and 2 feet wide and about 5 feet long. The juice was cooked until it was perfect, judged my Mr or Mrs Davis then skimmed off into waiting jars.

They were a wonderful family.  The first Black Folk I had ever known. They were our closest neighbors, so we kids played together.

Kids back then were ignorant of segregation. It was a way of life. I never knew the danger the family was in if some white kid had gotten hurt on their farm. So instead of allowing me to run in and jam cane into the mill, Mr. Davis made me ride the mule. Is that punishment or what?  I had my own merry go round. LOL

It was a fun time. It was the best of childhood memories.

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Still THANKFUL for all the visits, Love you guys. Of course each of you is special. Life can be good....

How to get to Heaven, OR your money back!

 Pic of the day;

 

B.F. Darnell in the Pulpit of East Belmont COG before the church remodel.

For Sheila: Jim & Ivey Hodge….. However they probably moved to OPP many years before  you were  born. LOL

For today:

There is this crazy author somewhere in the United Kingdom who offers directions to heaven in a book, He declares he has the correct information to get us to heaven, or he will return your money.

I made a big mistake; I bought the book. HOWEVER, I am holding onto my receipt in case his advice doesn’t work.  I bought the book hoping to find a good short cut to heaven, WELL, dadgummit, I did not find a short cut!

Yeah, I know he didn’t promise a short cut, but us conservatives are always looking for a BETTER way, RIGHT?

OKAY, that is a bit facetious or maybe a LOT facetious. I met the author online. Victor, the author, is a great guy.  I met him online. He is a dedicated Christian and has written some very good books.  Victor is a witty fellow and I was NOT surprised he would come up with a title like that..

Of course there are no short cuts, and I was willing to spend $5 for a book of 27 pages (including one blank page one side) just so I could kid the old man Victor a little.

However, to his credit, the book is straight forward, and like the WORD, it bends none of God’s directions.

But true to Victor’s wit, I picked up a little gem of knowledge on page 4, that I had never considered. He says: “I wish Christians has as much faith as atheists!”

He went on to explain, that he had never met an atheist who doubted their beliefs, whereas, we Christians do “AT TIMES” have SOME DOUBT!.

Okay, Victor when you read this I must say, I am holding you to your word, as you quote HIS Words. LOL

Thanks Victor, I enjoyed the 45-minute read.  Yeah, I am a slow reader, but I do believe what you wrote. 

If any of you have never read any of Victor’s books, you should. You will appreciate his wit and insights. Several of his book's center around his character creation, Father Ignatius.  I have told Victor several times that I do appreciate his creation. When I read about Father Ignatius, I can see my dad, who was a pastor, and used the same approach to God & His Son Jesus, in his many successful pastorates.

I thank all of you for reading, and yep Victor, you got me on this one… If anyone needs someone to pray for or with you, give Victor a shout,   http://timeforreflections.blogspot.com/.

Nite Shipslog

PS: Victor, I do appreciate you dude!

And I am Still THANKFUL for every reader, Love you guys. Of course each of you is special. Take care and your reading this stuff and  comments are always appreciated..

Those gone on, Memories

Pic of the day;

Gone on before, Sherry's entire family except her, and below my family except me... 

                                                                     Dad & Mom

Katherine (Kat)

Shirley (Shirl)

                     Junior            (Jun)                        Odis  (Od)

There was a sister, Oveline,  and a baby boy they  did not live. long

 For today:

Sheila said her dad Grover's favorite Ice Cream was Butter Pecan and Black Walnut, Funny that, Black walnut is my second choice too, I’m also just a nut!

Sheila’s mom was the Blogger I called Jean of Opp. Not long after we were married, I remember Sherry saying someone she knew had moved to Opp, Alabama. I thought that is a strange name. I never KNEW I would meet and enjoy someone from there.

                ``````````````````` Me 'n Sherry with Jean and Grover

I cannot think of San Antonio without seeing Paula in my mind.

                                        ```````  Sherry & me with Paula  and John

They were both impressive people both these girls took care of their husbands before their deaths. NOT one complaint. They were both fun loving and serious girls.

Oh and oh yes, some of you remember Lucy of Nebraska. Lucy was a card.  You had to love her.  I wish I had known Joe, her hubby was retired USAF.  We would have had more in common. Lucy is now gone, she was different from the other two girls from Blog land, but still a loveable lady.

Sherry snapped this one of me 'n Lucy

I have been in a crying mode lately, not a norm for a STUD like me. LOL I am outliving all these wonderful people, and have no idea why?

Life takes lots of turns. Before Sherry married me her longest trips were to the beach once a year with family. About 204 miles or 328 Kilos, methinks. Since marrying me, she has not stopped. BUT methinks she is about ready to slow down.

My girl's mind is not slowing down. Her memory is still rock solid. She knows the birthdays and deaths of our families and others she has known.  I couldn’t tell you anyone’s BD except mine, my dad’s (because his was 3 days from mine) and hers, of course.  I do not know the years my parents of siblings passed, much less hers.

I like to say her memory is better because of her interests, but I KNOW I am declining and it hurts.  My sister used to call us and say, “You need to come home and take care of me, I am losing my memory.” I did not take her serious.

Now I am not yet as bad as she was, but I KNOW me, and something is happening to ME.  My girl and family pass it off in my presence, it is just old age.  Yeah RIGHT!!

I am still smart enough to know this is about 400 words. 412 as a matter of fact.

THAT was before I read this from NanaDiana, a verse from her poem:

I never dreamed when I was a child,

That the day would come to be,

That the old homestead would all be gone

And the only family left would be me.

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Numbers stick in my head methinks. 

I am Still THANKFUL for all the visits, Love you guys. Of course each of you is special.