What do you prize the Most?

I read an article about a man who traveled in many countries to take pictures of children’s most prize possessions. It was interesting. It got me to thinking (other than family and religious trappings) what is my most treasured possessions.

I think of tools.  I love tools.

If I owned a classic car, I would probably list that, but I don’t. Oh, I once had a silver dollar my dad had given me, I prized that. For the life of me I cannot remember what happened to it.

In my life, prized possessions have changed as I aged.   As a boy I prized my dog Ace, above EVERYTHING.  I have owned a couple rifles and shot guns I prized.

We all treasure different things of course. I do treasure pictures of my family. As I grew older I had an old 1948 8N Ford Tractor I was crazy about.

(That is Vickie M. down front, in 1957)

When I was a Marine, I prized my uniform. Today I am very upset at seeing a theft/drug ring broken up in San Diego.  It is comprised of some US Marines. Some active duty, reserves and even some retired.  What a sick black mark on such a proud uniform.  These guys had better not be caught by their fellow Jar Heads or some heads will roll. The Corps prides itself in clean and lean troops.  Men with tough but good reputations.  This has hurt, just reading it, because I was so proud to wear that uniform.

The District Attorney said, “Our military PERSONEL are just human, and subject to failures.”

True, but that was all but THE UNITED STATES MARINES!

I treasured all my uniforms, the USAF and the USN. But the Marines was first.

Thanks for stopping by the Log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Life goes on, and I will still respect that uniform, but now it has a little smudge, and does not get the perfect inspection grade.

****************************************************

Jack Jr. on our ‘55 Ford.

Do you order on line?

Many folks are very dubious about ordering on-line.  I read about 5 years ago that soon 50% of Christmas ‘presents’  would be purchased via the internet. I found it hard to believe. BUT NOW? That is not so hard to believe.

So if you do not order, why?  Just curious.

If you order, is there any special precautions you take?

(This is the first mail order house I ever heard of, from Sears Roebuck catalog it is in North Platte, Nebraska. Sherry and Colette out front)

I am pretty fanatical about ordering. All my ink cartridges come from the net. Car and Motor Home parts are from the net if I have advance notice and time to do it.

I have ordered a couple books for Sherry when she was reading a series and could not fill in the blanks.

I have ordered what I consider a few big ticket items. Tow bars, lighting systems for the tow car and an oven for our home here.  I cannot remember being disappointed in anything I have ordered.  Usually if you order from a company they have a ‘satisfaction’ rating. I usually order from someone who has a 98%+ rating.

I think the reasons are folks are afraid of their credit Cards being hi-jacked.  I do use Pay-Pal when possible and that eliminates some possibilities.

All in all it is not much more likely that your CC # will be stolen on line than using it at a department store. Like it or not, when you scan your card at Penny’s or WalMart it is on line then also.

When you  buy Gas the number is on line, It must be on line to be verified that is for sure.

Anyway, I have no problem ordering on line, along with millions of others. I am just surprised at myself. I get better prices on the net, and actually VERY fast service. I am getting to know the UPS man better than the mail man. 

(I cannot believe this, there are folks that sell chickens on line, look at this)

Mama used to order thru the Sears & Roebuck Catalog. She ordered cloth and patterns. She also ordered her chickens. That always  amazed me, to see the pasteboard boxes with holes around it and dozens of day old chicks inside. Mama quickly transferred them to the ‘brooder’ with a 60w bulb to keep them warm. I remember a book I wanted to write, “My mama was a Light Bulb”, true.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

There isn’t much you cannot order on the net, Personally, I enjoy internet shopping.(I do not have to talk to anyone! )

****************************************************

I love the train and the ‘53 Buick Super (I think)

*******************************************************

Fun, birds and the wasps (and dental).

Lately we have spent a lot of time swinging outside.  We have a good view of our carport. The Carport and RV Port are ideal for birds nests in several places.  We have Wrens(?) building and one already sitting her nest.

We were watching four Wrens building in the ‘wrong’ place. I kept telling them you are building in the inside gutter. Thou art gonna get wet. But they kept on, not heeding my warnings. They kept bouncing across the Convertible and up.

It was hard to believe they put all that there as we watched. All the time saying ‘that is not a good place!’

Below ready to leave the Z28 top.

Then up to the building site.

Today the only one left in housing is the tip top sitter. 

I think your hummers are trained better than mine, I could not get a good picture.

We can also see the Hummers (now we have two). The only ones left that aren’t at your houses! But fun for us.We interrupt all the birds when someone comes to look at the Z.

We have a wasp nest being built just above the swing to the right. The are working hard and are not bothering us. 

Shirl gave us four cantaloupe plants, we now have several blooms, but we will not be around to eat them, we will be gone on the road. Shucks.  I guess we do pay in some ways by not hanging around.

The family went down to Spartanburg to ‘Palmetto Dental Care’ on Wednesday. I learned that the prices were close to the ones in Mexico. I thought I was going to get some crowns I need because they advertises Gold crowns for $200. I did not want gold, but they are back teeth and would not be seen.  However, the lady informed the crowns were strictly for dentures.  I did not know the crowned dentures.  So I was just a long for the ride.  The boys got a lot of work done and Sherry got some work done. I just sat around and people watched!

Soooo my trip across the border is still on. NO, I am not worried, the insurance is paid up!

Thanks for dropping by.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Watching nature at work is entertaining, and relaxing. (We don’t get to watch what you guys in the mountains and up in Wisconsin do, but it is fun.)

****************************************************

These dudes weren’t 4-wheel drive either.

I know, you cannot imagine trying the above in the Vette!

Handwriting

Writing is sort of a lost art.  I know my handwriting has deteriorated until it looks like a Doctor’s scrawling on a prescription.  Sherry has always had a great hand writing.

It is easy to read.

I have noticed mine has gotten so bad that after it gets cold, I can hardly read it.  If I am writing a sentence, the first words are legible, but then it heads down hill quick.  I have even thought of practicing.  In school I had plenty of practice, i.e. I shall not chew chewing gum in class. (100 times) or ‘I will not talk in class’ or ‘I will not speak without first raising my hand.’ or something like that.  I wrote so many of those I should have been a calligrapher.

Our friend Mary Ann could have written the constitution.

 Her handwriting is perfect.

Funny, I have never brought that up to her.  I wonder if she takes special pains to write so well, or is it is something that is natural?  She reads the blog sometime, maybe she will respond.  Of course she just got married again, so she may have better things to do than read this blog stuff. (smile)( If she doesn’t have something better to do, me’n Buck her new hubby, needs to talk./ LOL)

Young folk text and use a short hand that must be interpreted for me. But they certainly can get their points across.

Is handwriting fading out of the picture all together? What about all the rules of English, letter writing and pass down notes?

It was just on my mind.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I did not write this entry with a pen, and missed a lot lot rules I am sure. I tried to learn some from Bonnie as she proofed ‘Finally Love’, but I think I am pretty much a  lost cause.

*****************************************************

1988 Chevy Caprice (We owned a Caprice, and for the life of me I cannot remember the year??)

Nothing in particular

(Before I start today, I just wanted to say that was some of the sweetest, interesting comments on the Teacher’s entry. We all do have some great memories. and a BIG HI to SARA! )

I guess as I get older I reminisce more. I wonder have people gotten meaner? Like the School Shootings?  We have more population and  many more reporters to report the evil deeds.  WE also have instant knowledge of what is happening.

Can you imagine the King of England having to wait a couple months to know his colonies were in rebellion. No one could pick up a cell phone and notify him. He couldn’t even read it on Facebook!

(Massive statues of Easter Island, Massive rocks at Stonehenge)

Humans have always pondered Easter Island and Stone hinge. We have wondered about the pyramids.  The Mayans have puzzled us.  HOW DID SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ACCOMPLISH THE DEEDS. I can see dreaming of them, but actually building them?  WOW.

Sherry at Altun Ha, Mayan Ruins in Belize. If you read ‘Finally Love’, you know hat happened to her there!)

Of course to me, a neophyte, I am amazed at this marvel I am typing on. And the Internet that it is connected to.  I am amazed at kids that have developed a short hand system and can communicate by ‘texting’ about as fast as I could, calling. I now even text, the phone Jack Jr. talked us into getting allows me to talk into the phone to text. I don’t have to be adept with my thumbs.  I am doing pretty good too. I am texting a couple times a day.

So what in heck is next? I heard awhile back I would have to go to a laptop because the PC was being phased out.  Now I hear the laptop will be phased out.  I CANNOT KEEP UP!

But anyway, I am loving life and enjoying watching the changes. There is a change even in our plans to go to Mexico for Dental work. My neighbor tells me of a place in Spartanburg that comes very close to Mexican prices. We are thinking of going both places. but doing less in Mexico.  We shall see.

Well that is about it, I have covered the gammit from the Easter Island to next week.

Thanks for stopping by, I really do appreciate your visit. If you feel inclined leave a comment. (I was blown away by yesterday’s comments, Sherry even teared up at the one from SARA!)

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Sometimes I feel like we are moving so fast in technology we will reach the future before time. LOL

*****************************************************

Me and a thirty-three, Ford that is.

Teachers

I am sure everyone can remember the teacher that set your mind to yearning for more. I can remember a couple.

I was an instructor in the Navy for a few years, that is not as challenging as teaching in a public or private school. Even if I was qualified, I am not sure if that would be a profession I could be comfortable in this day and time.

In the past few days I had the chance to sit under a teacher I had in (1962) summer school, Dr. Vhooris. He was teaching Bible when my goal was to be a preacher. He was just out of school himself, after spending a few years in the US Army. He was young, lean and a ‘spell binding’ teacher. Now in his 80’s, he had to be helped to the podium. He is now bald and a little over weight. No longer the young fire-eating professor he was in 1962.

I wish I could have heard the words, I sat, as always, in silence, but watched him, and I also watched the audience. NO CHANGE! Like him, hate him or disagree, YOU STILL LISTEN. The audience was captivated. I smiled remembering how he could keep my interest, and make me want to learn, or prove him wrong.

There must be teachers today, who teach to see  young lives change and lights  come on when a point is truly ingested, but I think they are farther apart than they used to be. I think at one time teaching was considered more of a moral calling. An inner drive to grow young minds and not just a job.

Today I was remembering Mrs. Brevard, from Valdese High School. She taught Algebra 1. She had a knack, of pushing until you  smiled in relief when you realized ‘X’ was not that illusive.

My mind went to the latest studies that show that we as Americans are ‘dumber’ over all, than we were 50 years ago. Teachers, TEACHERS! we need teachers, teachers who are backed by administration, parents and society. Teachers who can teach and not spend half their time trying to enforce discipline.

We have a niece who just won ‘Teacher of the Year’ in Gastonia. A sweet dedicated lady. A good friend Bonnie, who has excelled as a teacher. Jackie (who is very sweet) over at ‘Teacher’s Pet’  (http://jackiesteacherspet.blogspot.com/)is or was a teacher.

Good Teachers are GOLDEN!

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I never graduated from HS, College or anything. But I have attended a few. LOL

*******************************************************

today’s classic:

Sherry beside a 1937 Ford Convertible, her year!

I told you so!

One of the things taught me growing up was that personal victories are to be enjoyed with satisfaction of mind, not braggadocio. One of my dad’s teachings was, “You will slip up some time, but the most hollow victory in life is smirking and saying, ‘I told you so’, avoid that when possible.”

In the past few years I have been tempted to use that statement and have bit my tongue. Sometimes it is hard to believe that seemingly intelligent people, can be so stupid. But WE are, at times.

Mama was fond of saying, “Some people don’t believe cow horns will hook.” (Our family never owned a cow after I was born, but I was smart enough to know what she meant.)

Once I was planning to launch on a personal plan to right what I thought was a WRONG by another person. I was talking to my Uncle Hisure, a wise man. He said, “Son, I wouldn’t do that, I am speaking from experience.”

Well I ignored his wise counsel, and leaped head long into this ‘cause’ I had set out on. I won a big battle but lost the war and a years pay. When talking to my Uncle later, from this wise man there was no, “WHAT DID I TELL YOU?” No, he said, “Now son you can bounce back, we all make mistakes.”

But it is human nature to say to someone, “I told you so, remember? You just won’t listen will you?” 

In the case above, he didn’t tell me I had been stupid, I knew it. There was no reason to rehash it and Hisure knew it.

Aunt Aggie and Uncle Hisure (Papa Hisure) holding Luke.

One more story concerning Hisure. Hisure and Aunt Agnes had moved into town from SC. When our Grandsons Matt and Luke needed  a baby sitter, being retired Uncle Hisure took on the job. The kids loved him. He was a pal, friend and teacher to those kids for years. When he passed and our little family was leaving the graveyard in a little group, little Luke (Our Graduate this week) was about 4 or 5; he looked up to his mom and asked, “Does this mean I have to play with Aggie now?”

Out of the mouths of babes!

Thanks for stopping by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Remember, I told you so!

*********************************************************

Sherry’s 1991 Camaro Convertible.  Hey it is for sale $3800 or best offer!! just sayin’.   

 

The same Z, 2001 Reece driving , Josh, Stephen and a friend.

Things are winding down…

I have a couple things on my list to do before heading out of town for a couple months of so. Today I was able to install steps and a gate onto a deck for Grandson Josh.  It was a good day.  He came home at lunch to check on the progress, it was nice to see him in a tie.

Anyway that was a job I had promised, and is is done.  Now the biggie, cutting a hole in the Z-28 and removing the fuel pump and replacing it.  It is in Shirl’s basement and ready to work on.  She is nice enough  to store it and talk to it while we are gone.  I think they have become friends.  LOL

Sherry has made plans to do something for Luke on his graduation from HS.  I think he picked Ruby Tuesday’s as the place.  He is one handsome dude.

He almost looks like his Grandpa! LOL..(If he just has a lot of wrinkles, was bald and had a beard!)

He is really a good young man, and we are proud of him.  He heads off to Eastern NC to college  soon.

Once that graduation is over, the my Doctor’s appointment about my hearing aids, then we are off.

We plan a 7,500 mile trip and may take over tow months.  The first couple weeks are planned, but after that the we will play it by ear. That is what we like about our life on the road.  Of course I will try to do some more detailing on the next book, which will be a travel book.

I am already thinking of a continuation of my last book, ‘Finally Love’.

Thanks for coming this way.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Lately I have been thinking of the song George Burns sang so well, ‘I Wish I was Eighteen Again’.

*********************************************************

When I was 18 hot rods and customizing was the THING!