Wednesday.. ‘Little Washington’ I was 5 yrs old.

 PICTURE OF THE DAY

Main St.  Little Washington late 1930s

note:  If you read this on Wednesday, we will be on I-81 headed South to homebase in Belmont, NC  After a wonderful time with friends here in Pennsylvania...

  For today:

I do not read ‘Sean of the South’ on a regular basis but some titles strike my fancy. A story about an old 94 year of woman in Washington …..(nc). His article centered around the old woman’s words, ‘Tell them’. It brought back some of my earliest memories.

I was 5 yrs old, now remembering my first sight of ‘the ocean or coast’.

WWII was still going on; I had a brother fighting in the South Pacific. There were few trips because tires and gas were rationed. Most folks do not know it, but licensed ministers were allowed a little more gas because of pastoral duties. At the time many ministers traveled for required conventions and acted as taxi’s for members with no gas or no car. i.e. trips to hospital, doctors, groceries and many to get to church.

Dad made several trips every service filling his 4door 1947 Chevrolet to capacity. Folks within a mile or two walked to church, but believe me, WHEN THE WORLD IS AT WAR most families have at least one loved one in danger’s path. They meant to be in church praying.

When we lived in Burlington, NC dad needed to go to ‘Little Washington’. (Back then The town was called ‘Little Washington’ to differentiate from DC). W.D Moody was in charge of the ‘Little Washington’ Camp Meeting and had asked dad to be there. So we went.

On the Pamlico Sound, calmer than I remember! LOL

Washington is a small town in Eastern NC, near Pamlico Sound. Dad took Shirley and me to see the ocean.  None of us knew the difference (Sound/ocean), both were on the coast. The first time in my life I saw water that I could not see the other side. At my age the 1-2foot waves of the Sound looked BIG!

Funny how article writers like Sean, can kick in memories. Sherry & I can remember the feelings of anxiety having brothers who were on the front lines of the war with Japan. Even before we were 6 yrs old, we KNEW about rationing. It affected everyone in the USA, old and young. I would BET Victor’s family knew the WAR up close and personal.

Nite Shipslog

 

PS:  Always glad you guys took the time to read this stuff. Some light, some serious, but many things affect the whole world, World war is the worst!

Tuesday ... …The Church in the Corn Field or Reamstown COG

 Picture of the day

 

                                            Reamstown COG

BUT for now:  

Sherry and I have spent a lot of time in CHURCHES.  Many out of desire, but honestly (on my part) out of obligation and to accompany Sherry. Some will never understand the effects on your mind when one of your basic 5 senses is lost, in my case hearing. There are some voices (frequencies) I cannot understand.

I was amazed talking to Bill Irwin the blind man who hiked the Appalachian Trail.  WE enjoyed dinner with he and his wife once in Bangor. I learned so much, one thing he said hit me, “I have thought about it a lot," he said," I would rather my sight be gone than my hearing. I can get by well with Orient (his dog), they just do not make a hearing-ear dog.”  FACT right there.

All that aside, we attended another great church Sunday. We call it ‘The Church in The Corn Field’, because it does have farmland all around (mostly corn). It is a beautiful loving church.  It is hard to imagine that big church with good attendance in the country. This church, ‘Reamstown COG’, has good attendance but not even close to last week’s visit to the Calvary Church (thousands). This attendance is in the hundreds. Small enough to be personal and large enough to know the people are happy there.

I had hoped to get the corn fields, but the fields are just planted or getting ready in this shot. The red pointer is the church the other is mostly parking .

The pastor reminded me of my dad who pastored over 50 years.  They preach (as I think Jesus did) with parables (Bible story)  This one he entitled, ’The Sound of HIS Voice’. He used Jesus’s call to Lazarus.

I was reminded that dad used ‘notes’ …  today that has been replaced by THE OUTLINE. Remember, being on the road, Sherry and I have attended many churches of several denominations in many states. Most ministers will start with point #1 … Later it will be 2,3,4, etc.

Dad’s (style?) like this pastor in the Corn Field present their sermon and one thing FLOWS  into another (as a story) no need to ‘point out a point’, disrupting an engrossed congregation. And we were engrossed! I could just about hear "The Sound of HIS Voice!"

I just wanted to talk about a church in a beautiful setting, in a cornfield.  Pennsylvania has some delicious corn, BTW!

Nite Shipslog

PS. 

AT our age, approaching 90, we will most likely not be in this area again, but after traveling over 20 years, in many countries and all states, of the churches we have visited, Reamstown is at the top of the list.  If you are in the area you should visit.

Thanks for stopping by the Shipslog.   ;-)

   ;-)

Monday .... The sink hole, OUCH

 Picture of the day.

 

                    Sinkhole in Russia, this one took homes and people......

 For today:

WE are in Circle M RV park, a nice park near Lancaster. WE were assigned one of the best sites here.  WE settled in, and very happy to have finished the trip.  After a walk around the park, we had a good night. BUT about midday we lost power.

No problem. We have a generator, Uh oh, it will not start. I walked down the street where a crowd was gathered, hoping to find out how long we would be without power. The answer I received, ‘No one knows, see that sink hole.’ It shocked me, I have seen two sink holes before, but this was the deepest.  It is about 12 ft in diameter and 12’ deep.

The fortunate thing was; nothing or no one was damaged, and occupying RV had pulled out a little earlier.

Anyway, our generator would not start. I got some good advice from 2 RV Repairmen. Both pointed to the battery that it could also be a grounding problem. The coach showed no real evidence of battery failure because the 12v system was still alive.  Evidently just too weak to pull a starter. Anyway we bought two batteries and started the generator. Later that day they had the power restored. 

I have seen 2 sink holes, one in South Georga and the other in Florida. I guess what amazed me was I thought sink holes were a southern problem; but in a PA park just 200 feet from us? Yep, a real surprise.

Not a big one, but about the same as the other two sinkholes I have seen before. But it broke the buried main power lines that cross that site. Now this is admittedly small. but it will take at least 6 dump truck loads to fill this hole. Had a camper been just partly on this hole it could have been ruined.

Here are shots of BIG sink holes that can scare the life out of you!  And how could they ever fill these holes.

                        (Those above are from around the world)

So for sure that incident was a blessing in disguise. If we had needed the generator on the road (which we have, once when broke down in Death Valley at 113 degrees), we would have been out of luck. Like many things in life, you never finish the learning curve in the RV community.

Nite Shipslog

 

PS:  Always glad you guys took the time to read this stuff. It may be silly, but this is a big part of my life now.  I do this instead of scrolling thru FB where I really get lost. LOL

Sunday, WHAT.. Dumb, CRAZY things

Picture of the day

 

(want to be noticed?)

BUT for now:  

I have done some dumb things in my life.  Most of us at one time or the other have observed someone with clothes we considered dumb. Styles change growing up I went thru a period of pegged pants followed by bell bottom trousers. But some things I just consider Dumb.

Consider someone who tends to be a crook, thief or break other laws.  Why would such a fool want things like this:

I mean it sure makes it easy for the law (or anyone) to locate and ID you! The guy is wanted right now for murder!

Things like these below sure make you stand out and just seeing it at times messes up your stomach.

Just maybe you are looking for a nice dress for your next formal?

or maybe just a Halloween party?

Dress? Well maybe just a casual trip downtown: 

Dumb sights are bad, but dumb dangerous stunts can do permanent harm.

 

Or maybe you just want your car to be seen:

 

SO, you want cheaper tires... or below you need a pretty exhaust pipe!

But if you  really like  brick here you go:

Below you can be seen and economical:

This one you drive if you are afraid of being injured:

In our world today (If U can afford it) you are allowed to do what yanks your chain, but it is preferred to be lawful and not dangerous.

Nite Shipslog

PS. 

Thanks for stopping by the Shipslog.   ;-)  Yep I have been 'OFF' a little most of my life, some of it funny, some not.  But I hope YOU have a great day...  I plan to try..

Saturday …Stupidity, death, ruined lives

  Pic of today: Fusses can be funny and deadly!

 Posting early, not sure what we have going in the morning. (Pop ups are less!!!)

For today:

I read today of a 22 yr old lawn keeper was KILLED because of grass clippings flew on a neighbor’s car.  WHAT?

A family is now mourning the loss of a Son, brother, & husband.  Not only that but the killer, just a normal guy who loved his car; was hot headed and carried a pistol, lost control and shot someone in a argument.. NOW he will have years and years in prison to remember just how stupid he is/was. He may never drive another car much less own one.

WE all ask, “What is happening to the world today?”

In a democracy we are supposed to know:

… How to agree to disagree.

…When and how to understand we do not all think alike and will NEVER agree completely.

….Please understand something, just because I am not in agreement with your political party, I should not be killed, punished or not allowed to work where you do. Here, in the USA we have rights too!

I have said many times Valdese, NC is one of the most political places I have ever lived.  Our church there in the 50s was divided about half for Ike the other half for Stevenson. They all wore badges and had bumper stickers for their man. Sure they disagreed....

BUT, BUT, BUT….. the disagreements were lighthearted. I never heard a mean word between the folks.  They still worshipped together in church, thy were still Christians.

One of my dad’s standard statements from the pulpit was, “Do not ask my political party.  REMEMBER I am what you are, a Christian."

I had 2 BILs they were Democrats, I was a Republican most of the time, BUT we always had fun, loved each other and any political disagreement was always, just fun.

I am asked often, “Do you carry?” I know they mean: do I have a weapon on me. Unless I am headed hunting, I can always say, Not me, just my pocket knife.

Just a few days ago a man left his car at a Texaco Station to pay for his gas. The few minutes he was gone his 9 yr old found his pistol and accidentally killed his 3 yr old sister.

NO, I do not have the answer. I do believe Americans should be allowed to own guns. I respect guns. I am an expert with rifle and pistol, proven in USMC/USN, guns can kill or protect. BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO KEEP THE HOT HEAD OR EMPTY HEAD FROM OWNING A GUN!!

I'm SORRY, I AM SORRY!....  THOSE WORDS WILL NOT RETURN A BULLET TO A GUN!

Today I am sick of firearm ignorance, shooting damage is PERMANENT,

  NiteShipslog

PS: There is nothing like a real friend… It is sad we have dropped to a level where a neighbor is killed for being too loud! That happened last week also. YES I do believe in 'some' gun control. Our present states of mind nearly demand it.

FRIDAY BACK THEN, On the breaking edge of technology

Today’s picture: NEW TECHNOLOGY (then)

 

Early FAX machines

 

(Posting early, rainy here got a couple leaks to seek!)

So for today:

Seeing my friend Corporal Fletcher brings back so many memories. He is an OLD man now, a year older than I. When we were Privates and PFC’s we were always the same age. How did he get to be a year older? Life confuses me at times.

But that aside, I am not sure if Dallas remembers his job in the Corps, but we were unique. After boot camp we were assigned to a battalion’s Radio Relay & Construction Co.

Our jobs were to relay messages (automatically via radio), mostly voice from battle zones back to Headquarters. I think our limited distance was about 25 miles per unit. If the distance was 75 miles it would take 4 units one at both ends and two in the distance.

We both had our own units. The unit was a ¾ ton truck with the radio equipment on back towing a trailer with antenna equipt, 2 generators and extra gas to keep the radios up 24/7. We had 1 or 2 man crews to operate around the clock. We both had expected to be ‘ground pounders’ (infantryman), Neither of us saw combat, but were always ready, that was why we joined.

I started this because we had a couple of small machines that were ‘state of the art’ at the time, called the ‘facsimile machine.’ To be honest, I had no idea what the word meant, and the machine was seldom used, but we could operate it.

Now? The Fax, is common knowledge; it is about antiquated.

The source was paper (to or from the Command Post), messages, pictures or sketching's of a situation.  The paper was attached to an 8” wide drum about 4” in diameter. The machine turned slowly and transmitted a small line at a time as it turned. One message could take from 15 to 30 minutes.

                Above machine is receiving a picture

Back then (1956) it was amazing to see something appear black/white left to right, about 1/16^th of an inch at a time.

At a site we raised antennae (transmit and receive), up to 40’ high. Align the antennae using a compass, start the generator and make contact with sender and receiver. That was the cutting edge of communications. (Me ‘n Dal were very smart, LOL.)

In the field we never saw each other, but on base, in the barracks, we spent many hours together. Sharing dreams, plans and stories of our girlfriends. Both of us had the prettiest girl in the world. LOL

Nite Shipslog

PS:  Our jobs put us basically alone, isolated, hoping someone would find us with gas and 'c' rations when we ran out. LOL

AGAIN THANKS for reading the  Shipslog.  Remember Life goes on, until it doesn’t!

 

Thursday… A HUGE CHURCH, WE B happy, having a good time

 Picture of the day

 

BUT for now:

This has been good to have a break from the everyday life back at our home base. Seeing dear friends and walking a little more.  We suspended most walking back in NC due to the presence of ‘big Dogs.’  

(pic from the web! but this is how many dogs look in my mind now))

Not just me, but Sherry is now bothered by big dogs even on the other side of a fence, since I was bit by a dog on a public street on a leash.  He was big enough to drag the owner and hit my chin, neck and rip my arm.  So far dogs here have not been threatening.

WE have had a great time.  Meeting our friends’ family has been such a pleasure. We were invited to attend church with the family before Marian’s BD party.

WE attended the ‘Calvary Church’ in Lancaster. Do you, or have you ever attended a BIG church, I mean a BIG CHURCH.  This was our first. When we got there the parking lot is as big as Walmart.

I hear a lot of negative about ‘Mega-Churches,' but lemme tell you, when you walk in and see HUNDREDS of teen agers, smiling and talking, you must be IMPRESSED! As soon as we entered we were lost in the mass, a nice young fellow left a crowd and asked could he help us (we must have looked LOST,LOL).  He lead us up three flights of stairs thru crowds and opened every door for us.  He smiled when he left saying something like ‘be blessed.’

I have no idea the # of folks attending. It seats close to 3000 and was mostly full. We were at the 3^rd service.

A choir, even an orchestra.  The pastor delivered a great message, no notes, just scripture. Good stuff. Most impressive to me was that I could not only HEAR the pastor, but I could UNDERSTAND him. Unless you have a hearing problem you do not know how REAL that statement is.  Upon leaving, traffic was heavy of course, but well directed.  There is nothing like sharing time with real friends, Great memories..

Nite Shipslog

PS. 

Thanks for stopping by the Shipslog.   Proud you took the time to  stop by! ;-)  Traveling again sure feels good.

Wednesday Southern boy, learning about Colored People

 Photo of the day:

 

Not a great picture but the dude sitting is 'Sticky' Moore. When I was a builder, His company did a lot of dirt work for me (Digging, leveling and hauling dirt). HE also inspired my first book 'Sticky'. I did not realize until later he sang in this quartet.

So for today:

top note: Pop ups are driving me up the wall. I am getting two or three every minute and must stop to get rid of them. Any hints of ridding of them?

None of us could control when or WHERE we were born. Nor can we control standards set up for citizens at our time in the world.

Sherry and I attended segregated schools. We did not question it, that is just the way it was.

Strange that, as a child my closest friend was ‘colored’ . The Davis Family had a farm near us when we lived in High Shoals, NC. Shirley and I played with the kids for a couple years. At our house, the Davis kids ate at our table, but I was not allowed to eat with the Davis family. I had to sit on the firewood beside the kitchen stove. Mama Davis always said, ‘It ain’t fittin’ for whites and coloreds to eat together!’

It was many years before I learned that her decision was to protect HER FAMILY not any required standard. Her Mixing the races could have brought the KKK in the 1940s.

My ancestors settled in Georgia. That was a VERY Segregated state and segregation was strong there. BUT our house was open to EVERY RACE. If the ‘N’ word was used in our home, it would get you a lecture or a switching and most likely both.

Mama, In the hospital, when a Black Nurse came in her room I could not stop her, she would say, “Honey do what you must, at my house there was no difference in the coloreds and whites.” (Most of the nurses and workers understood)

I tried to educate my mama, but she could not hear of using BLACK! “Son, COLORED, is respectful, USE IT!”

The Muppets, True story that opened my eyes:

Granddaughter Sherece and I were watching the Muppets one Saturday morning. Ben Vereen came on dancing, his name would not come to me, so I said, “That dude can dance, I know that colored fellow’s name, but I cannot think of it.”

Pic above is Sherece and Josh

Sherece looked at the TV then me, she asked, “Which color Grandpa?”

Yep, that opened an old guy’s eyes!  (Out of the mouth of babies)

Thanks for reading my mind…

 Nite Shipslog

PS:  

AGAIN, I do appreciate you being here...No matter what color.

Did you ever sing this song:

Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the World?