Stimulus

I am not sure if I understand this Stimulus package. In my life I have found it is impossible to borrow yourself out of debt. I have also wondered who we owe all this money to, the trillions in our national debt. IF we are in this bad a shape, why don’t we default, and start all over. Someone said we borrowed from China, but I could not confirm that. So what, tell ‘em to come and collect! If we are going to nationalize the banks (which I do not like) it seems like we are headed toward socialism which really scares me.

I will take one state and the stimulus package. No I won’t. It would not load. So I will tell you NC has submitted approx 2 trillion dollars in projects. Every state except WV has done the same. They know every project will not be accepted so they shotgun it by sending in everything to confuse the folks who are trying to decide where the money goes. The state can tell their citizens they submitted each project that is asked about, and in true (political) conscience can say, “We tried.”

I remember a statement made by a wise man. He said, “If you plan to rob Peter to pay Paul, you can always count on Paul’s support.”

We had a lot of greedy people in America who caused this financial crisis. We had banks who loaned more than they should have. We had companies allowed to borrow more than they could pay back. We have had money grabbing CEO’s who took millions for doing basically nothing, and allowed their employees to suffer because they did not protect the retirement eggs.

We had greedy Union leaders that pushed some companies into default by their demands. They weren’t ready to tighten their belts when times required it. I remember once when son #1 was having trouble paying his rent. I mentioned he could buy five pounds of beans for the price of one lunch at McDonalds. He ate beans for two months. Cowboys used to do that. When times call for it, you tighten your belt, suck it in and ride the storm. That is what the little guy does, or used to. If the leaders would do that we could easily make it through the bad times. They could go back to their six and seven digit salaries and we could eat hamburger and a steak occasionally.

BUT EVERYONE MUST DO IT, to make it work.I did not mean to get this long. Thanks for coming this way.

Nite Shipslog

PS:
Before you spend, look in the wallet.
Before you use the credit card, know what you have already put on it.
Don’t spend the tax refund until it is in your hand.

People cause more trouble than anybody

Me 'n Sonny is buddies. He is actually doing some better now. I am glad to report.

Sonny washing dishes at the Grand Canyon camp site. Sherry and sister Colette in the foreground.

Sonny and me at Pike's Peak.

Sonny and me at the Cowboy hall of fame.

Sonny and me in front of Grumans Chinese Theatre with our prints in Triggers. (?) somewhere in Hollywood any, we weren't discovered..

Me & Sonny in Hannibal, Missouri home of Mark Twain!

Sonny and me in Willimsburg, Va. Locked up in stocks.

Today ramblings:

We said goodbye for the last time to Louise. Shirl and Jack (jr) sang well. Grandson Joshua played the piano and does remarkably well, I wish my hearing was so I could enjoy the finer points. But it is a thrill to know that he does so well. (It is spring break for him, now it is downhill for Graduation. The the Real up hill climb starts.)

Louise has been pretty nuch a life long friend of Sherry’s, I did not know her until the last few years. I knew Sam, he is the one I joined the USMC with. Sam was there and his brother Ray. (I met Ray in the last few years also.) It was a rainy, dreary day. Joe Lawing, Louise’s pastor and a great guy, done a great job. He was great at the grave site. Joe is the most laid back minister I know. He talked to the family just like they were meeting an office or luncheon. Joe sets everyone at ease. So other than the weather (which Louise did not mind at all) everything went well..

Concerning yesterday’s entry. If you have raised children and they did not give you a minute’s trouble, you should be thankful. You probably have done a lot of things right. On the other hand, there have been kids raised ‘right’ who became the worst offenders. And others who had no chance, a terrible home life, and turned out good. I don’t know how we learned about NARANON but we started attending the meetings. We did need support, and it helped. It is a strange thing how educators can put a profile together that fits 98% of drug/alcohol users. We could go down the list and see our boys clear, except for the one point that said: the child would steal from the parents. That was one thing our boys never did.

The reason I brought it up was we met folks from every station of life who had major problems. There was a Police Chief, A car Dealer’s wife, an attorney and everyday folks like us. We all were the same and in agreement, ‘My kid was so well behaved and good in school (or business), I never dreamed he would be like this.’ Looking back over our country’s history, drugs and alcohol have had a lasting effect on our nation. We are housing more criminals because of those two things than anything else. Thanks for reading these rantings…

Nite Shipslog

PS:
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.
- George Burns

Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
- Victor Borge

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
- Mark Twain

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
- Socrates

The other Shoe

I have started this blog entry three times today. Why is it when things are seemingly going pretty good, they take a set back.
I used to classify it to Sherry as waiting for the other shoe to fall. Sherry and I have fought through two sons who got deep into drugs. Months of personal anguish. Not knowing whether they would be in jail or the morgue. I have waited at the back door of the police station while the duty Sgt. Brings my son out, the one you remember who was as cute as could be. The one you thought you would never get potty trained. The one who made you proud with good grades. The one who was good at athletics. The one who had a wonderful sense of humor. That kid who could smile and melt your heart. The boy who could ride a motorcycle like the wind and win races. The boys who filled their rooms with family bowling trophies. The boys that sang in church and made you proud. You remember the first fish they caught and you helped bring it in. Yes that is the boy.
Now some Sergeant, who is working late, has worked with drunks and drug addicts all evening, and put up with all kinds of abuse, brings your lovely son out and hands him over to you, not saying it, but you can see it in his eyes, ‘Here, take this piece of $hit out of here’.
The boys over came that, became successful men, raising families. Everything is beautiful. Grand children to love and spoil. Little leagues games to go to again. School plays and soccer games. All is well with the world.
THEN THE OTHER SHOE FALLS….
Now you can suffer through their hurt in a different way. DIVORCE. You feel their hurt, but you cannot fix it. You see them broken but you cannot make the repair the break. You just cry with them and hold them. That was one divorce. Then the next……. Now all is right with the world again.
THEN THE OTHER SHOE FALLS……
Accusations, etc.. Another divorce, late in the boys life. They have everything, but the family is torn apart again….. You know, it doesn’t matter who is at fault, it hurts!
Then you wonder when will the hurt end? When will things settle down? When will you have peace of mind? Because your children are always your children. You still see the bright eyed youth, facing the world, ready and willing to attack.
We decided years ago, we will enjoy the good times as much as we can, because sure as heaven’s above another shoe will drop.
That is the way life is. We climb one mountain after another. This week a good friend climbed her last mountain. Tomorrow we will say good bye to her. The funeral is not for her, she is gone. It is for we that are left. Louise will rest in peace. Life will go on and we will try to live with peace.
Thanks for reading this true confession. I have learned that there are many lives much worse than ours, so I am glad to be alive. Here to share the good and the bad.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Lets dance like no one is looking.
Live like we don’t have much time.
Love while we are alive.
Hope while we still have health.

Clean cars

This is the little Smart Car. Have you seen any around? I have seen four or five.

I slept in again today. I have no problem doing that. Of course I am usually up until 1 or 2 AM. I took a copy of ‘Rags’ down to the Chief of Police today. I also dropped one off for the Mayor. Took my news release to two of the local papers and mailed the other. ‘Gracefully Grasping for Dignity’ is doing well by word of mouth locally.

It is supposed to be cooler here for a few days, but nothing like you Big BoysUp north and mid west. We get cold when it switches from short sleeves to long sleeves. Hahaha! I did wash the van today, maybe tomorrow I will clean the inside, then maybe not. Cars and I get along as long as they are mechanically sound. I can handle a dirty car. On the other hand, once I wash the car and clean it up, I like it much better and declare up and down, I will keep it clean, but I do a lot of backsliding. When we were in Guantanamo Bay, I could get by with a dirty car because we weren’t allowed to wash cars from the local water source which is a huge desalinization plant. Some of the very gung ho folks saved their A/C condensation water and kept their vehicles clean. I could do that every once in a while, but not on a regular basis.

Some folks are neat-nics. Shirl’s car always looks like it was just hand polished and it is pretty. She drives a Black Honda (super duper). Black is one of the best colors for a vehicle, if you keep it clean. (And the worst if you don’t).

I think the very small ugly cars are the best for the country, no matter the color. The problem is accidents and speed. Driving a Smart Car, I would hate to challenge a Chrysler 500, Expedition or Suburban to a head on collision at any speed. Have you seen the little smart car? They are cute.

Thanks for coming by the Shipslog.

Nite Shipslog

PS:
INFLATION: Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.

MOSQUITO: An insect that makes you like flies better.

TOOTHACHE: The pain that drives you to extraction.

TOMORROW: One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.

YAWN: An honest opinion openly expressed. < /span>

Post Script to Bittersweet days

These are in no order. Above is Shirl's place after the party. Smokey and I solving the worlds problems.

Janet in Shirl's living room

A picture of OUR cd's from Smokey

Dance while you Can, book from Vernon & Janet

Our Waiter for the night, with Shirl

The infamous bottle of Goo Gone.

Dining room table, I am the only one still eating, I ordered a half steer to celebrat Shirls 37th Birthday.

Smokey, Shirl and I outside the The WoodShed.

I have tried to upload pictures for 45 minutes now. If I get them up they belong with the last post. I bet your Dashboard looks like a wreck with all the Shipslog entries, it they all took.

Bitter Sweet DAys

Today Louise Waters won her battle to get out of this veil of tears (as my mama used to call this life). She is doing whatever good folks do when they break through that final curtain. I could speculate because she was a Christian Lady, in every sense of the word. She knew how to hold a confidence. Not many folks are like that anymore. I am reminded of Sherry’s mom. She had a reputation, ‘Whatever you tell Susie, stays with Susie.’ That was Louise. A great sense of humor and a lovely lady; She leaves two sons. Ray and Sammy her brothers are left behind also. Louise was to be 86 this month. We will all miss her. Shirl may mention more on her Blog, they had become very good friends since Shirl moved back to Belmont.

These have been bitter sweet days. Again to a lighter note. We went to the Woodshed last night. Vernon & Janet (Sherry’s Bro & wife, yeah the guy that fell out of the tree), Sherry & I, Shirl and her good friend Smokey. (Smokey Coe, the singer, of South East fame.) Shirl got some nice cards. Vernon & Janet gave her a book, 'Dance while You Can'.

Smokey brought ‘some’ nice gifts. Not the least of which was a bottle of ‘Goo Gone’. I thought it was a new deodorant, but the reason was explained. (If Shirl does not explain, I will give my version later). A necklace, and two of his CD’s (One of them was for Sherry and I). Then there was a yaller purse (I am corrected, a beautiful purse).

WE had a great time at dinner. We headed back to Shirls. Sherry got a cake and Balloons, they were on Shirl’s dining room table when she opened the door. I think she was surprised. Shirl made coffee, we had ice cream and cake and visited for a few minutes.
Sherry & I took off to the hospital to spend the night. WE all had a great time.

Nite Shipslog
PS:

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.


And When you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And When depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

Shirl's Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIRL!!!!!!! Well today is the big day. Trash pick up day on our side of town. Oh yeah and Shirl’s BD.Fortunately we have a small bank and nice friendly folk. I dropped by to see Denise. I told her Shirl said it was all right if I got a little of the inheritance. She said, “Jack I would be afraid to give you more than a couple thousand without hearing it from her.”I asked if she could stretch he faith in me to four, and she said all right, as long as it is in the family. So tonight she can order what she wants!!!! LOL She doesn’t know it yet, but her Birthday present is her garden. I mulched the leaves and turned it, then raked the leaves I had mulched nest door and added them to the dirt. She has gone somewhere to dance and sing and cut a rug, whatever it takes to entertain Old Folk. We will go to the hospital and spend the night with Sonny. He has perked up some. I think I will take the lap top back tonight may do a little writing if Sonny is not real restless. Timing is terrible in hospitals. Sometimes when he is restless and finally calms down in a light sleep, the bright lights come on and a cheery voice says, “How are you doing Mr. Helms, time to check your blood pressure!” I know it is their job, but it is like getting mad at the weather man when he is wrong. We are looking forward to the great meal tonight. Thanks for all the Happy Birthdays to her, but some of you don’t have to mention I should help with the yard work. LOL I did trim the grass and cut the wild onions. And give the drive a blow dry. Thanks for coming this way.Nite ShipslogPS:COMMITTEE: A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours. DUST: Mud with the juice squeezed out. EGOTIST: Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation. HANDKERCHIEF: Cold Storage.

WE ARE JUST HERE!

Yard work in North Carolina.Shirl has started yard work. It is about time for us to hit the road. Yard work scares me.

WE were at the hospital today. When Sonny came back from dialysis he was just not with us. He was not responsive to our voice. The Doctor came in and talked about his heart. It had run away and they had to slow it down. He was talking a lot of ‘Doctoreze’, and I asked him what are you saying? He said, “you can call his daughter and tell her he has taken a turn for the worse, not critical at this time.”

Now when you are family, and you get that message, you leave work and come immediately to find out. Both Sonny’s children were there within forty minutes. His Sister, her daughter and a grand son. There was a crowd for a hospital room, so we took our leave and are now staying by the phone.

Notice on a lighter note ...DO NOT TELL SHIRL….. We are taking her out for her Birthday tomorrow night. I am not sure what her age is. I remember as a kid she was my older sister. Since I am now a little over forty-two, I know she must be older than that. LOL LOL. We are going to the Wood Shed. It is a very good restaurant in the small town of Stanley.

Sherry’s brother and his wife, Vernon & Janet, came down to see Shirl today and came outback and visited. I was telling them about Ora’s journal. And her story, especially the part about her trip with Gary to Okinawa. They got the biggest kick out of Ora handing the baby and a diaper to the unsuspecting Airman, and WALKING OFF, heading to the bathroom, after all the hours of delay and waiting for a flight. Having made the trip on her own with four kids, Janet could relate. I am not concentrating right now. Gonna stop.

Nite Shipslog

PS:
THINGS YOU might KNOW BUT PROBABLY FORGOT.

The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher..

Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book most
often stolen from Public Libraries.

Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans before they go into space because
passing wind in a space suit damages it. I NEED TO REMEMBER THIS.

'Be who you are and say what you feel....Because those that
matter....don't mind....And those that mind....don't matter.