Two beat puppies....

This is going to be a short day. I have read some journals and have commented little. We are beat. WE went in around 9 last evening and left at 10:45 this morning. Sonny was wide awake and cocky all night. He was not very lucid. As a matter of fact he was really confused. He still thinks the dialysis is temporary and he will be through soon. Or that is how it appears to me. We joked back and forth about his sleeping (or not sleeping). I actually got him out of bed and into a chair for about fifteen minutes. The nurse came in and asked if he was getting ready to leave her, and he said yes He was taking a plane, he thought. He sat on the side of the bed to eat his breakfast and he ate pretty good. His dialysis is normally at around 6 or 7. Sherry to the cafeteria and got him a breakfast biscuit and he ate that before breakfast.
Then the Nurse came in to say he would not go to dialysis until 11 or 1 PM.
I am off of here. Going to sleep as I type.
I did replace the 6x6x * gate post.
Thanks and niteshipslog.

Tuesday!!!!!!

Nostalgia time, Oldest son Jack and his boys. The two in the back are Josh and Steve (Josh on the left) The guy with RED hair is Corey and the cute guy in front is BEN. Here we have Sherece (OUR grand daughter) in a serious conversation. With Jessica, Sonny's grand daughter in the back ground.

Now for Today...................

I met the City council last night. The chambers were crowded. The mayor let me speak second. It went well. I knew all the councilmen except the new mayor and a Martha Stowe who is new to me. I joked with the city attorney. “I know you think I can’t write after the first contract I brought to you?”
“Oh yeah, I remember. It was more whiteout than typing.”
He joked at the time and asked, if I owned interest in White-out. HA! I learned better.

This morning we met Daphne of the Gazette. It was a short interview, about thirty minutes. The story will probably run (if it does) on a slack news day. Daphne was a sweet girl, she talks very low, ha! Of course when you are deaf, not many folks talk loud enough. Sherry interceded for me and all worked out.

One councilman had read Sticky and wanted to know what all was true. I said the fact that Sticky is a great guy.

The biggie for the day was Lee of Robco Paving showed up to start the paving job we contracted. They have the drive ready for asphalt now, but it will be too cold to lay any. They need warm sunny weather (so they say), none in the immediate future.

One of Sherry’s friends, Grethern, came down today. They had a lot to talk about, so they went to lunch. Unusual for Sherry and I to be separated. I stayed here to play with Lee and the boys as they got the drive ready. Give the girls time to talk about their (old) love lives. The construction industry is still in my blood and I like to be around to talk to the men who are working. (I don't have to listen to the old love lives, I got her, the rest can eat their hearts out!!!)

.
Thanks for coming by the log.
NIte Shipslog

PS: We spend the night with Sonny again tonight, it is supposed to get down pretty low here tonight, near freezing (that is cold for here).

I thought of the hat and cutting grass, shucks I never thought anyone would notice and I thought I looked heavy in a couple pictures myself.

Those were photo ops. I really did not cut the grass, I just wanted my picture on the Shirl’s Toro, and forgot my hat!!!!

Bizzy & reunions

Martha is on the right and Margaret is on the left. The M&M's. And this is a picture of Martha (left) and Sherry. They are still good friends. We pass Martha's house on the way home most every day now. We still wave, stop when we can. Martha went with us to White's the other day for breakfast. We had a good time.

Now for todays entry......

WE were supposed to meet Agnes Horsely today about speaking for her book club. According to what I hear the schedule for her book club is full for the year but she wants to re-arrange the schedule to fit our schedule. But she was out of town.

We have a full couple days coming up. Sherry was born on the Climax Mill Village. And the Climax Reunion is Monday night starting at about 5PM, but they do not start eating until later. Of course she wants to go, so I will go to the City Council meeting and she will go to the reunion. I hate to miss the reunion because it is held at Catfish Cove and they have delicious food. LOL
I don’t know many folks there from her childhood but my first Sweetheart will probably be there. Margaret lived on the Climax. I had fallen in love with Martha; she lived on the Chronicle Mill hill. But she was not at church my first Sunday, but Margaret was. Yeah I was a little fickle. If you can’t love the one you want, you must love the one you are with, sort of thing.

Daddy had been a Pastor mostly in Mill towns. But of course if you were down south it was usually a mill town. Amazing how many millions of jobs went overseas in the textile industry.
Back to the reunion.

Margaret Woods is her name (my first girl friend) and she was and is a sweet girl (good one too, as a matter of fact). I only dated good girls, Dad gummit. Keep in mind this is North Carolina. Sherry and I bought a place in Tavares, Florida forty+ years later.. We thought we were going to settle down, leave the road. As you know you must go turn on all your utilities for a new home. When we got to the Gas Company, the pretty girl asked the last place we had gas. Belmont, NC. ‘My step mama is from Belmont’. ‘Yeah? Who is she?’…. ‘ Oh you probably never heard of her, she left Belmont years ago. Her name is Margaret Woods.’ Sherry says, ‘yes we know her, she is a very good friend, she was even Jack’s first girl friend, the one just before me’.
Is this a small world or what? There we were, three states away from where we knew Margaret. And here is her pretty step daughter. We got to see them all once again in Belmont at the funeral of Margaret’s dad. Margaret married a Woods from Florida so she got to keep her maiden name. He is a super guy, very quiet. A truck driver by trade.
Strange things.

Thanks for coming this way.
NIte Shipslog,
PS:
**** Earth is the insane asylum of the universe.

**** I'm not a complete idiot--Some parts are missing.

**** Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.

*** NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.

I am arguing with an Idiot!!!!

One day it will be the sunset of our lives....

I have heard all my life, it is better for someone to think you simple, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

We are back at the hospital for our shift with Sonny. Today he is lucid. Well with his long term memory. Short term isn’t as good.
I am arguing with an idiot! I have heard that to. Do you know what? Everyone argues with an idiot. The person you are arguing with, must be a complete idiot. Well that is what you think. You know what? That guy or gal thinks the same about you. So my educated opinion is that everyone is an idiot that argues. That is deducting logic. So I call it. Now of course me and you are the exception, no one would think we are in the idiot class. LOL.

Really, very few folks opinions change due to an argument. We do change our opinions over the years. As I get older there is less things that are Black or White. A lot more gray areas develop. I think that is healthy.
The majority of humans in this life do the best they can. We make the best decisions we know how. Very few folks set out to make our lives miserable. Oh, I know there are crooks that will steal your stuff, there are very mean folks who would even kill you for what you have, but they are in a very small minority. It has been that way since the beginning of time.

I just think if we all realized the other guy is not just trying to pi$$ you off. He is just doing the best he can. Some folks best is not up to our standards. Much of it is determined by their up-bringing or environment. As a whole the most of us are good folk. So if the other is not necessarily coming up to your standards, don’t shoot him, it ain’t always his fault. He might not be as smart as you.

If you are a died in the wool Democrat, argue all you want, you are not going to convince the died in the wool Republican to change his mind. Now that does not mean you are right or he is right, it means you have a completely different view on things.

So far in my life, I have not seen a big difference in our country no matter who was in control the Dems or Repubs. It goes on politics a usual. We like to think if our guy was in things would be peachy, when he is in we say if the others would cooperate with him all would be great.
It is all excuses to say I wish things were MY WAY!

Few facts, just my opinion. Of course if you don’t agree with me, well you know……. Hahahahahahah LOL RLOL

Nite Shipslog
PS:
I will quote the good old guy, Rodney King: Why can’t we all just get along?

Surveys and grass (cutting)

Not so bad when you have a riding lawnmower. Shirl has a good mower.

I did use a push lawnmower and the blower. Shirl is out galavanting around. She did not ask me to mow but I know she can't stand it when grass looks like it needs to be mowed.

Shirl place behind me, this is an empty lot where she has made a wild area.

I don't worry about the kind of grass. I still think like I did as a kid, if it is green it is grass. HA! This is the first year the whole yard is covered with wild blue pansies. (I guess)

Survey and stuff.

Hey, we had a beautiful day here in North Carolina. Got the last door installed in the Trailer in Catawba heights.
We even washed our van and I washed one half of the motor home. Gotta get out and cut the grass now. ........... ........ So now it is late and the grass is cut, trimmed and blown clean.
I needed to talk to the neighbor, Bonnie and Clyde I mean Bonnie and Mike. We are in an area that not too many people including the city paid any attention to survey lines when the laid out the road in. I happens that Bonnie and Mike own part of our driveway. I needed their permission to pave on it. The city mislaid the road in. If I go by the lines I will be at the other neighbors porch. I would rather not pave up to his porch. Jim Arp bought the old house and I did not want any problems. He did not get a survey. He just took the sellers word for it. FOLKS DON’T EVER DO THAT. Always get a survey, you need to know exactly where the lines are according to your deed. Jim pointed out where they said they were and the points they gave are not even close. I told him I did not want any trouble, I was happy with my drive the way it is, but if he has any concerns he should get a surveyor. He said if I was happy he was.
Anyway I figured Bonnie and Mike would not care. They are dear firends. I also built their house, and the two beside them. I knew where the lines were. Bonnie teaches school and is happy about Sticky and Rags. She has read them both and I gave her some to take to her mother. She is so excited they have authorized a Bible history class in Public School as an elective. And she is to teach it. She is a wonderful Bible teacher. I did a couple programs for her years ago when she had a day care.
One surveying story. I bought a nice piece of property in Mt. Holly. I called Preston Taylor to survey it. He came to me and said, ‘Jack you have bought that lady’s drive way over there. She did not know where the lines were and had a drive put in. It would be nice if you would give it to her. I said can I afford it for side sets for my house. He said there was plenty of room. I said tell her if she pays you for surveying it and the attorney for transferring it I will do it.’ It was 12’ x120. Nice drive.
That night I received a call from the old lady’s son. He didn’t think that was enough, I should give her 14 or 16 feet. I said Mr., Her drive is presently nine feet wide, I am giving her three more feet. Take it or leave it. They took it.
My son works for me and he had to go to our construction site to check on the sheet rock hangers. He parked in her drive for a few minutes. (She does not drive and does not have a car) She came out and asked him to move his truck off her drive way.)
He said, " daddy I know it was mean,' but I told her, “ YOU are the most ungrateful old lady I have ever seen, my daddy gave you this drive way, he could have kept it, but I won’t park here any more.”
People are funny.
NIte Shipslog
PS: *** A friend told me, my husband and I divorced over religious differences.
He thought he was God and I didn't.

** Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.

*** You're jealous because the voices only talk to me.

*** Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder

Sonny, yes again>......

Sonny and colette with us at BArdstown, Ky. 'My Old Kentucky Home'.

Sonny loves so much, here is giving me a kiss for Christmas. Sherry's older sister Lennie glancing back

Sonny and Colette at St. Johnsbury, VT, Maple Museum. Ever have Maple Ice Cream? I love it!

Me N Sonny....

I published a book called, ‘Gracefully Grasping for Dignity’. I had several Titles in mind, and threw the subject and basic content out just to see what suggestions I would get here on the net. Debbie suggested the one I used. I moved the publication date up, especially for Sonny. I wanted him to read it. But Alas, Sonny had lost his interest in reading before it came out. Sonny was an avid reader. He read most of his life. Sherry and I read while we were on the road, keeping the best books for him. I always noted in the front of the ones I had read either F, G or VG. He always said he wanted the VG ones.

Are you compatible with anyone? I think it is unusual to be as agreeable as Sonny & I. We love Louis L’amore’s writings. We have both read everything he has ever written. He wanted a computer so he would know where we were. His e-mails were short.
“Where are you?”
“Time to come home.”
“Are you sick?” etc.
WE loved being together. We could talk for hours about nothing. Before we retired Sherry and I were fortunate to assume a loan on a house a block from Sonny & Colette. When we could, we walked in the evenings. Sherry and her sister Colette talking, Sonny and I behind talking.
Neither considered the other smarter or less intelligent than the other. We were equals, buddies. We worked together to build garages at each other’s houses. We laughed at our mistakes and had many friendly fusses. We have never once fell out or got mad with each other. Never a harsh word. At times,Both of us have dropped what we were doing and helped the other. Our backgrounds were different, our religion was different, our politics at opposite poles. I dislike unions, Sonny is staunch Union.
He loves to eat hog ears, I can’t stand the thoughts. He loves pigs feet I have never in my life chewed on one. His family drank and cursed pretty much. I never knew Sonny to drink any alcohol nor say one swear word.
“Funny thing in the hospital Sonny was hurting terrible. His daughter-in-law and grand daughter were there. A terrible pain hit him and he said, ‘shit’. Both girls said, I have never heard him curse before.”
I was raised in a tee-tottle home.. Yet later in life I did a lot of heavy drinking. As I said our backgrounds were completely different.
BUT WE NEVER SERIOUSLY ARGUED, we agreed to disagree. WE voted different, we went to different churches but never once did we argue. We were buddies.
Today on our visit, I wore a shirt with a USMC logo on it. Sonny was incoherent but I sat on the bed. I had a jacket on. He started pulling my jacket back; I thought he was looking at the shirt. He was working his arm around me, when I realized he was trying to hug me, we hugged. He squeezed me close. He smiled at me and laid his back on the pillow. I asked, “Okay buddy what do you know good?” He just half smiled shook his head, closed his eyes. He only opened them once more. The Nurse came in to get him up for therapy. He was hurting so bad he could hardly move. He held the nurses hand, his eyes pleading. She smiled sweetly at him, like I really do not want to hurt you, and said I will let you rest a little longer.
He did not look at me again during our short visit. I sat there as he drifted off into a medicated sleep and thought of all the fun we had had together. I also thought, Jack, if you live long enough this will be you.
After leaving and heading home, we were both crying. I told Sherry again. Do not do that to me. I do not know Sonny’s wishes; I can’t believe we did not talk about that. Right now he cannot make a rational decision, And he has such a close family.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
He is a good guy, thanks for the prayers, more won’t hurt.

Please leave instructions to your family, don’t leave them hanging on the BIG decisions.

Keyboard letters, Politics,trailer door and Sonny

This is the grand canyon of Yellowstone. Very beautiful

This was taken at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. It is the Aircraft boneyard Near Tuscon, AZ

Another shot of Allura Lynn. She asks, "What did you say grandma?"

Today's wet entry...............

The April first dead line has past. We all my have received the deadly virus, I hope not. It is not fun thinking of losing some things I have on here. In a way I need to lose some.
Do you wear the letters off of your keys on the key board? If so what do you do about it. My M, N, and D on this one is almost gone. On the other keyboard it was the E that went first. I am going to try labels, if they will stick. This keyboard has black keys with white lettering. Don’t have a white magic marker, ha! The other is opposite it is black on white, so a fine magic marker works fine. Any ideas?
I was on another forum today and the subject of normalizing relations with Cuba came up. Now I am for it myself. WE talk to N. Korea and cozy up to China, why not open the door to our neighbor to the South. I heard lots of reasons why not, but of course I was not convinced, because I am for it.
Some may remember we supported Fidel Castro when it became clear he was going to over throw Batista. We just did not expect him to go communist. No one can predict that. Anyway for what it is worth I do back President Obama in his efforts to normalize relations, if in fact he is. I don’t know that for sure yet.
I think we have more rain instore, I am really not wanting more. It has rained on and off all day. Sherry bought some more jeans today. While she was trying them on, she received a call from the Gaston Gazette. I have an appointment for an interview about the books Tues. Morning. So Monday I present the books to the city council and the next day the interview. The owner of the store I have approached about selling the books is on the council. If he doesn’t have an answer before then, I will go else where. I would like to announce in the interview who is carrying the books.
We installed a door at the trailer today. Then made a short trip for out visit with Sonny today. Will talk about that in tomorrow’s entry. Not up to it now.
Hope life is treating you well. I think we all know there is no rule that says life is fair all the way around.
Thanks for reading this junk,
Nite Shipslog

PS: *** I don't suffer from insanity;
I enjoy every minute of it.

*** I Work Hard Because Millions On
Welfare Depend on Me!

*** Some people are alive only because
it's illegal to kill them.

*** I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

As the Worm Turns.....

This is Allura Lynn now, the lower picture is much younger (ha!).

This is my 'nephew' William in the space capsule, at cape canaveral.

Here are the twins after building twin Bird houses. In my basement workshop (a few years ago of course) Did I tell you they graduate from COLLEGE this year? If I didn't, they do!

This is Allura, the latest Grreat Grand daugter, She should be getting big my now. Born to Corey and Amanda.

NOW For today's April fool entry....

This is April’s Fool Day. It is the day that the ‘mean worm’ is supposed to eat our computers. So are you turning yours on today? I am not sure. But I did down load my latest files of ‘Toby’s Tales’ and ‘S’gar’.
Dishonest folks can make life uncomfortable, and I don’t know what they get out of it. I guess they get kicks out or it like some unfeeling kids like to catch insects, and instead of killing them they like to pull the legs off. So I may be on April first, I don’t know. I am writing this at 11:30PM, am I pushing it?
April fools jokes were funny in school. I can’t remember too many but I remember it being fun. Sherry still remembers when we were stationed at Norfolk and Lennie (her big sister) came to visit. She was standing at the window of our little trailer and said, “come look at this Big pink rabbit, I can’t believe this!” Sherry ran to the window and got an, ‘April’s Fool”. Lennie has been gone for years but there hasn’t been an April first that she has not thought of her big sister.
I hope that the Worm virus is a joke. Now as I understand it, folks like Mico-soft , apple, etc would like to catch this guy (group) who has manufactured this virus. They say the bad guy will have to send or receive instructions from the virus. The good smart guys are leaning over with their electronic ears as many places as possible to try to get a hint of communications. Because if they get it and can trace it back to it’s origin, BAM, they have the bad guys. Not that simple but that is what is happening. I hope they catch the guy who dreamed this up.

Anyway, I have grown to enjoy a computer, not only for you wonderful friends out there, but I can write a book in the comfort of the motor home. I can transmit it to California to have it printed and make a cover on the computer and send it. 5-8 days later I have a proof to look at. If corrections must be made (Ha on the if) I can make them in few minutes and repeat the process. When all corrections are made, they send me an order I have it in a week. I haven’t left the comfort of my motor home, is that great? Now I don’t need a virus to interrupt that!@!!
Thanks for coming and standing up to a mean virus.

Nite Shipslog
PS: No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size.

Government programs, once launched, never disappear.

Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.


Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing.