You guys that read, and especially the ones who comment, are great. I have pushed my arm and shoulder too much. I will continue to read your stuff too. But it will be a few days before I can, my assistant on this app keeps filling out my sentences, am I that predictable??
I am trying to secure my shoulder and elbow. Sherry laughs at my attempts. Think I look strange with a belt around my arm and chest.\
Takd care
nite shipslog
ps Sherry is doing out driving for awhile....
Pic of the day;
.jpg)
For today, just trying to not cry, complain and moan…
Some folks would wonder why I am still here. Some of the things I remember, I came from a good family. My sister Shirley and I were the late children. There were 4 boys and 3 girls; 3 boys and 2 girls lived to adulthood.
I always loved the outdoors. I smoked rabbit
tobacco at 4/5years old. I accidently set a huge straw field. No fire department, the whole community of
High Shoals showed up to fight the fire. I got a good 'whupping.'
My dad pastored a country church then. Shirley
taught me to ride a bike, jump rope and play hop-scotch. Dad taught me to make
a rabbit trap and I caught many for mom to cook, before we moved.
We moved to the City of Burlington, there I saw
squirrels walking on power lines and it amazed me boys didn’t hunt them. LOL. I
attended my first years of Public School.
Back then (40/50s) the Bible was very prominent. Much of our required
memory work was from the Bible, mostly memorizing Psalms. There was always
prayer and reciting the pledge to the Flag.
Then to Albemarle, where I met my first longtime friend, Vondale. Even in the 4th grade he was a working guy, he
had a paper route, I learned a lot from him and his family. Of course he did
lead me astray. He taught me how to challenge other boys to BB wars with our BB
rifles, and no one ever lost an eye thank the Lord. Once out on his Uncle's farm we had the chance
to run out about a quarter mile and let his cousin shoot at us with his 22
caliber hunting rifle, using short shells of course. They were guaranteed to shoot a half mile. They said it couldn’t hurt much and we figured
we could see them coming. LOL Yes, that is true, we did not get hit.
We scaled rock walls in a quarry, cooked eggs
on flat rocks, swimmed and drank from rivers and creeks.
I also saw my first TV and got my own dog.
Before we moved to Valdese.
I did a few more crazy things; much of which is
the reason why I say it is a wonder I’ve lived about 86 years. ;-).
Nite
Shipslog
PS
Now don’t even try to tell me
you didn’t do crazy stuff as a youngster……
Thank
you for being here… Life is supposed to
be better for me (on the road) even with a few pains…. LOL Thanks for all the comments, love you guys.
Pic of the day;
For today… (forgive me if this is a repeat)
If you are me, you cannot stop THINKING! So you are the same huh?
I have tried to write posts the las few days but
noticed I just started whining and complaining.
Well to keep the temp down in the RV here in
Florida we are eating sandwiches. I do
love sandwiches. Ham/Cheese, Tomato, Banana, Chic and tuna salads, etc.
Well, as I sat here I noticed I was lost in
thought looking at one of Sherry’s deviled sandwiches. My mind was on the Island of Corfu. A Greek Island in the Ionian Sea. I am sure I
have mentioned that on this blog at some time over the years.
When I went ashore on this island I was struck
by the families having picnics in a town park.
They were so happy and kids were just having a ball. Of course I was thinking of my new wife, this
was 1956/57 and we had been married about a year, and I was thousands of miles
away from her on a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. (The Ionian Sea is the big
gulf of the Med between Italy and Greece.)
I promised myself if I ever could, I wanted to bring Sherry here on vacation. That never happened. But she has heard it enough times to know that I really did want to do that.
BUT, but On another cruise we pulled into GITMO Bay, Cuba. Again, I saw FAMILIES this time military families. All smiles walking, shopping and living. AND Again I said to myself, I want to bring Sherry HERE!
So yes, I was actually able to do that. I asked to be shipped to GITMO when my tour was up on the USS Independence. My Old Man (common title for the Skipper) says to me, “Darnell, I can give you, Hawaii, California, even Spain and you ask for GITMO, Are you crazy? Why not just stay aboard the Indy?”
“Sir, if you will let me bring my wife aboard, I’ll stay.”
Seriously he said, “There will NEVER be a woman aboard a USN fighting ship!” For a very smart man, LITTLE DID HE KNOW, lol.
SO YES, WE did go to GITMO for about 4 years, Me,
Sherry and the boys loved it, we had the BEST of FAMILY times.
All that came from looking at a Deviled egg
sandwich.
BUT at least I did not complain……… ;-)
Nite
Shipslog
PS Thank you for being here… Life is supposed to be better for me (on the
road) even with a few pains…. LOL Thanks
for all the comments, love you guys.
Pic of the day;
For today…
I am getting a little better. Sherry read your
comments to me and it did bring water to my eyes. Thanks to all of you. I will be back when I don’t start complaining
instead of being the in depth solid writer I am. LOL
We normally would not be here in Florida but we
are on a mission. Here to support part
of our family. WE are really NOT
enjoying the heat, along with millions of others in our country. A couple years ago we broke down in Death Valley,
California in our RV. Man I would hate that
now, I read it got to 127 degrees f.
Anyway giving thanks for your comments. Love you guys that read this mess. I do not want to quit dreaming, but as the saying today, I know that hiking/travel window is rapidly closing or closed.
I should know for sure in the next few months. I woke up this morning after a whole night of dreaming with the song sentimental journey as the main theme. It was like an hour's long movie, with soldiers/sailors throwing their sea bags on a train and singing, never had that happen before. I am haunted with a word or line throughout the dream that will not come back to me. ;-(
Gonna take a sentimental journey, gonna set my mind at ease......
Nite
Shipslog
PS video recorded in 1944 (I was 5 years old), I had never seen this, but a lot of it was in my dream. Strange...
Pic of the day;
WE Old people come to realize that Instead of
having years ahead to figure things out, we must accept that reality is different from
the plans and aspirations we
once held.
But
still I cannot help but ask myself:
1. Did I fulfill my travel dreams?. I miss NOT seeing Ireland.
A. But I did see The Mediterranean countries. Part of London, Picadilly
Circus and the changing of the guard in London.
2. Careers, I dreamed of a career in the military and did that. I wanted a
career in building, I did that. Did I do
my best in both? Not in the military, I could have advanced more. In building,
I think I reached my potential. I wanted
to build a sub-division, started one but dropped it. I think I would have been in
over my head.
3. Many people, they say, become very remorseful, regretting things not done. What I miss is that single thing of failing
to hike the AT in a ‘thru hike’. I hope I can live with that without being depressed. (I still cannot accept what many
folks tell me, ‘Now that is impossible, it has never been done at your age’…) That little light has not gone completely out……..
YET.
4.
The clock is ticking down, Most
of us OLD folk have accomplished something. BUT honestly it is hard to look at yourself
in the mirror and SEE facts, me, “Hoss, most of IT (life) is over. Sit back, read,
enjoy the pains and be proud of those Grands that will one day run the world, your time has PAST, dadgummit!”
I know this is depressing, sorry about that, I really don’t mean to be so
down, but truthfully, age does this. If you live long enough you
start facing FACTS, there are two things in life that are REAL, they are DEATH and
TAXES….
Nite
Shipslog
PS TRUE STORY: Billy was successful with his own business.
He LOST his wife, became demented, and is now in a HOME. His son is also a dear friend says, ‘Dad
doesn’t know me, but KNOWS I am the one responsible for him being there.’
The son
says, dad would have loved to go for a walk in the woods and never
return. I wish I had a way of letting
him do just that.
I think I understand how Billy
felt……
PS2 Thank you for being here… Life is supposed to be better for me (on the
road) even with a few pains…. LOL
Pic of the day:
For today…
Note: I had a tough time getting to my Blog today, I thought Blogger had done me like they did MA and dropped the BLOG. So if I go missing do not think the worst. LOL
..........
No one knows how to Grow old. It is like childhood and children. The baby
does not come with a list of instructions, we wished there was an accurate
list of guidelines that fit them all.
Likewise there are no set rules for growing
old, I sure wish there were. In less than 5 years I will be 90 years old. OUCH!
To tell the truth I feel like I am groping along in the dark.
Life is different with us all. There is a great
Fish house called ‘Corky Belles’ in Palatka.
We took a day out and Sherry took me there. As we ate, I noted two sweet
old ladies eating together, they were alone, and I asked Sherry if we could buy
the ladies lunch, we did, met them and talked a few minutes. They were over from
St. Augustine. Both widows. Both said
they still missed their mates.
My mind wanders a lot now, I still don’t know
how to grow old. I know loving children; many adore their parents. When one parent passes the offspring dote on
the one left. Some of us old folk can
live alone with memories. My mama and one sister were like that. But one sister
NEEDED someone. There is the RUB! The
same children who LOVE their parents the most, make the parent’s life miserable,
if they NEED someone. The CHILD thinks daddy
is trying to replace mama (or vice versa).
THEN IF there is a marriage of the old folk,
unknowing, and ignorant, sons and daughters, know how to make the ‘interloper’s’
life miserable. At the same time destroy
the heart of their own mom or dad.
That is NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, but I have known 2 or 3 OLD People who have suffered in their last years, because of
ignorant offspring.
The last one, the man, had seen this and knew
his family would resent his new love, a wonderful lady. HE Had the foresight to
tell the kids, “Now I am not asking permission to marry again, I am asking you
blessings.” Some of them tried, but overall none of them could ever accept this wonderful lady. And she IS just that, a wonderful wife and mother.
Her children did accept the union, but
the man’s children could never fully accept it.
The couple was happy together until he passed,
but they both hurt. Strange how love and caring can hurt when not focused
correctly.
Just words from my head.
Nite
Shipslog
PS: Thank
you all for being here… Smile life is
better for me (on the road) even with a few pains…. LOL
Pic of the day:
For today…
This arm still wants to hurt. I quit protecting
it too soon, so now I am paying the price. AND July 4th is almost here!
We are parked just beside the Lake County Fair
Grounds. They have a farmer’s market on Thursdays. I needed to move around so I
walked over. The farmers were packing
up. I saw some bananas that looked good. 6 for $2. Most were ageing, but these
6 were pretty. The Farmer put them in a bag, then put about 12 more of the more
bruised in the sack. I thanked him of course.
When I got back to the RV I am thinking how do
I save these? Looking on the net I saw were you could keep the ones just ripe in the refrigerator. So I put two in there. We used some for
sandwiches (which I do LOVE). We gave Son Mark some.
Then I saw a place declaring that just putting
the bananas in a plastic bag will keep them up to 30 days. I didn’t believe that, but I'm trying it. The
ones in the refer still look good after the 4th day. The ones in the plastic bag are still good. I am definitely happy.
Trees? To get trees taken down now, the tree
people now demand ‘Your First Born!’. Well maybe not, but it is expensive. We needed 5 or 6 taken down and it does cost
a lot. Over $650 a Tree. OUCH.
But we just received a message that the job is
done, we are very glad of that.
So there is some good news, good bananas and
downed trees.
Nite
Shipslog
PS: Thank
you all for being here… Smile life is
better for me (on the road) even with a few pains…. LOL
This is a crying entry. Today when I opened my computer, one of the following pictures popped up. I sit here disgusted at myself, hurting, aggravated, and tired of hurting.
Sherry and I have hiked over 1900 miles now on the Appalachian Trail. The longest we trekked in a summer was 900 miles. This adventure was ALL Sherry's idea, but once we started it became a love.
Taking a break to soak our feet was even fun. I remember once in Virginia, Sherry said as she jumped up," There is a snake in there!"
I laughed, "Put your feet back in there, that water is too cold for a snake!" She did and I saw a water moccasin head for her feet." I told her to get them out, she was right!!'
Pic of the day:
For today…
OUCH I strained or pulled something in my shoulder.
It doesn’t hurt all the time, just in some positions. I was trimming a tree with a long snipper and
pulled at the wrong angle. Of course I
have been told several times, ‘It is your age, stop it!’ LOL
Our home base now is in NC. It has about an
acre of land, mostly wooded and it keeps me busy. It is actually relaxing to
pick up the fallen limbs and small branches, cut them up and keep a fire going
in the put. I have mentioned it before I
love to watch a ‘camp’ fire or waterfall.
We had looked forward to a camping trip in the
foothills of the Blueridge mountains. Nada, While ibn Iowa we had hoped to get into one of
the three parks near Lancaster, PA but as I mentioned in another post, it is
hard for members to make reservations now, MOST all thousand Trails RV parks
are full.
So towards to end of our stay in NC I met some yellow jackets in the woods. OUCH again. My arm was healing nicely but fighting the YellowJackets I moved my arm too much too fast. Again, I am told you know you are OLD!
AAAND the day I got the news about Jim, I took a good fall. Yep, again I am reminded, YOU are OLD. I am starting to believe that stuff. LOL
WE took two days to drive the 450 miles to Southern Palms at Eustis Florida. The arm was ok as long as I used my left more than usual as I drove.
Methinks, although it is too HOT here, I can’t get
into too much trouble, and maybe my arm will mend faster. I have been typing
this for a couple days now. We shall see.
Nite
Shipslog
PS: Thank you all for being here… Smile, life is better for me (on the road)….
Murphy is home, walking some and smiling a lot. He can take a bath now that there are NO tubes or lines attached at all. YEAH!
Just a note, Murphy is doing well with the heart transplant. We learned his original heart had only two chambers, and the normal heart has 4 I believe, if I remember right. His body is having to get used to the new blood flow, and is doing it well......
But as for me, I strained my right shoulder a few days ago cutting small tree limbs, making it hard to use my right side. Yesterday I took a good fall on to the same shoulder. My right arm is now immobilized to allow healing. I am learning to use my left arm more.
I was quickly reminded of my dear friend Mary Ann, who has messed up her right arm MUCH WORSE than mine. Laughingly she told of the toilet problems and the right handed person learning to use that left hand. LOL
Now I KNOW. ;-)
I will be reading but no typing for a few days.
This is nothing life threatening of course, just an imposition. LOL
Nite Shipslog.... until later
Just a note . We were touched by the many comments, here and e-mails. Especially blessed by your comments here and prayers.
YES, this Murphy is a fighter and had a host of 'Team Murphy' here in the area.
His chest has been closed, A biggie I understand. Then the even bigger one, the removing of the breathing tube. His dad was no duty the night before but mom had went home for a much-needed night off. Traffic delayed her return, but the Medics held up the BIG MOMENT of removing the breathing tube and bringing him around after the EXTREME SURGERY was completed so both parents would be present when he opened his eyes. She arrived a few minutes later and the PROCEDURE was done, the breathing tube was removed, and he was 'allowed' to come out from under. They all smiled with joy, when he opened his eyes and smiled then his first words were:
I GOTTA PEE!
Oh yes, I will not give his name here now, but the donor was a sweet little three year old boy who had a strong heart but a life losing disease. The scene was so touching with the donor's family taking THE LIFE-WALK to the surgery with their son. Family, staff and friends lining the hallway.
TEAM MURPHY announces so far everything is on track and of course they all know that recovery is a tough road. Prayers continue.
Love you guys, i will be back on line soon......
Nite Shipslog
A picture from the Past.
For Today:
I have actually seen a
miracle and been receptor of one, once. But that is beside the point. Today it is Murphy, he is 12 or 13 yrs old.
He was born with a bad heart problem. In his short life he has had at least 4
open heart surgeries but can still bubble with laughter and smile.
As I type, he is recovering
from a heart transplant he received last night. They reported the surgery went
well and he is now resting. Murph is Sherry’s great great nephew.
Isn’t amazing what the
medical profession can do now. Do you remember EVER thinking of your heart at
ten or twelve? The only time I can remember thinking of it was when I had run
or climbed hard and felt it really beating.
Murph has a great attitude
and is a winner. The family KNOWS. Loves
and appreciates the fact that someone died for Murph to receive the heart. They feel the person will live within Murphy.
Below is Dad & Mom (Chuck and Casey) with sisters Reece and Emma Kate. The big guy in stripes is Murphy.
Let me tell you that I was overwhelmed
when I heard all the preps that must go on, for about a week or so now the
family was housed at the hospital, keeping Murphy READY, waiting, because as you can understand, this procedure is
time sensitive and must be completed ASAP.
You know there must be some stress here.
The family is so grateful
and say prayers are still needed and appreciated. They are so thankful to God and all who
supported them in prayers. So, I ask if
you do pray, mention good ole Murph. If you don’t pray, think of him in a
positive way.
NiteShipslog
Once again ‘Thanks’
AGAIN to y’all for stopping by the Shipslog. I think we all would rather be
home no matter how humble, than be in the BEST Hospital in the world.
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