The RV and us

  

The Suwannee River area South GA, North Florida

For today:

We have NEVER needed lots of square feet to live in. This coach is 36 ft. x 8 with 3 slides. About 360 square feet. In the last house I built for us, our bedroom is actually 12x38 or about 450 square feet. Since I was building and know we like to live in our bed room, I combined the master bedroom with another bedroom on the plans. With Sherry’s consent of course. LOL  So actually our home back in NC is a 2BR home.

The BR has a TV, lounge chairs and computers.

I carry enough tools in this thing to rebuild an engine or build a house. Traveling I get a chance to help folks and it keeps me busy.

I am sure I have mentioned this before, but Sherry and I started housekeeping in a 26x8 trailer. WE were thrilled and it kept us close. LOL. Sherry had her first bathtub, although it was a small one. Me, Hey I had enjoyed bathtubs since I was 10 years old. Until then I thought everyone took baths in the kitchen in a tin tub! True dat.

Our second place was a one-bedroom apartment in Biloxi, MS. But soon we decided to get a trailer. So, we bought a 32-foot trailer and lived in a trailer park.  We later bought a BIG trailer, 42 x 8 ;-), and raised two boys during their childhood.

So living small has never been a problem for us. WE missed traveling, so we bought an RV upon retiring again. We turned our 2800 sqft home with that big bedroom over to a rental agent and took to the road for over 20 years. The rent, along with our retirement income, kept us going.

At first we had destinations. But on the way to a destination, we would drive about 300-400 miles and Sherry would find a park in a small town and we would stay for a week (parking is cheaper by the week). During that week we would drive the area and sight see. WE really enjoyed that. I never get my fill of old barns. They are so picturesque.

Barn near the Snake River in Idaho.  Remember Evil Kinevil trid to jump the Snake on a motor cycle, but failed. 

You know what surprised me? I never thought I could enjoy desert country, but I was in for a surprise…. Maybe tomorrow. I am out of words.

 

Nite Shipslog

PS 

 AGAIN, thank each of you for stopping by.  Having friends is important. As I age, the shaking hands and hugging friends continue to reduce in number.  Thanks you for being YOU!

 

 

It is Personal

 

This is history. There were many men who used things like this goat wagon to travel around neighborhoods and sell pictures.  You had to trust the man, because the picture would not be available for a week or two. This was taken an the Imperial Mill village, in Belmont, NC. That is Sherry and her brother Johnny.

For today:

I remember funerals as a kid. But death is so outside A KID's BOX.

Really it is not an obsession on mine, but I think it appears so. For us in our 80s (I will be 86 in January) must admit we do think of it more, that is normal. I mean for years I would say, Sherry and I have 10 to 15 yeas to travel, now my HOPE is about 5 years.

I KNEW in my heart this period would come if we lived, and thank the Lord we have. So now instead of looking for another RV, we KNOW we will have to learn to make roots?  Nah it is too late for roots. LOL

We are approaching the end of a year. This year has been a little better than 2023, I am honestly thankful for that.

I am told I should be thankful that our health is good. They say the family problem you have is bad, but imagine handling them with financial difficulties, or worse, handling it all with heart, diabetes, or other physical disabilities.  Yes, I know that, and I try to be thankful, well I am thankful, BUT……. (And then he continues} What if Sherry up and left you?

“Oh that won’t happen my friend, I fixed that. I told her if she planned to leave me to let me know, I was going with her! So there!”

(Note: That is a family thing, not original. Sherry’s sister told her husband Elmer, If you ever think of leaving me, let me know, because I am going with you!)  (true dat).

I am glad you put up with me here, I will gripe more tomorrow or later.  But I used to be such a nice, sweet guy, good looking too. Just wait until you look in the mirror and wonder who that is? I am not even going to say wait ‘til you are nekked and walk off and notice some of your skin is just catching up, and when it does it just sags. ;-O

I better shut up, But honestly, I love you guys.

 

Nite Shipslog

PS 

 Thank each of you for stopping by.  Having friends is important. As I age, the shaking hands and hugging friends continue to reduce in number.  Thanks you for being YOU!

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.