Just my Observations

We went to our ‘home’ church Sunday. We sat in ‘Elmer’s Seat’ since he is  in his upper 80’s and misses church a lot. Elmer  has been in our family for over 60 years. First in Sherry's family over 50 years (married to her sister over 50 years).

 

and my brother in law for about 5 years, until my sister Kat passed.

Elmer was a entrepreneur,  He put together his own ‘roach- coach’ route and did very well. He was always active in church. The one thing Elmer was good at was ‘sleeping’ in church in his later years. His head never drooped like the rest of us old folk, I could stay awake JUST watching him. LOL

Have you ever known anyone who did not know their own strength? That was Elmer. He was the strongest man I have ever known pound for pound. Once we were moving I had carried some stuff out and said, “Elmo, I will be back in a minute to help with the refrigerator.” I met him when I headed back, he had the Refrigerator in a bear hug and walking toward me.

Sherry’s mama needed mechanical or plumbing help at times and Elmer was the only one around. Most of the time he would wring a bolt off or strip the threads on a fitting, not knowing when to STOP.

THINKING is about all I do in church now, So  I sat there thinking. Even if one is not a Christian, even if they do not believe, the scripture has so much ‘common sense’ rules, parables and philosophy, that it is good for anyone, Christian or not.

The ten Commandments are common sense, and most of our country’s laws are formed from them.

As I sat in ‘Elmer’s seat’ Sunday I thought of what King David recorded. “I was once young and went where I desired, now I am old and someone carries me where they will.” (paraphrased)

For we who are older, that is a point we know is true. Just visit a nursing home.  As a matter of fact EVERYONE SHOULD visit a nursing home because If you live long enough, most likely you will end up there.

  

I have been visiting nursing homes for years, let me tell you, there are many improvements over the years. The ones I have seen lately have improved greatly in the smell. And that IS A BIG DEAL! When we cannot take care of ourselves, our sons have been instructed to put us in one and come see us when you can. DO NOT let us put a guilt trip on you for doing it.

Doctors keep us alive many times past our  time(?), so someone must ‘warehouse’ us.  Let me say this as I finish this ramble. I have visited some ‘Very Nice’ care facilities. When I get old enough I am going to shop around.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Life is fun, but YOUTH finally learns, that life can be tough with age.

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Cars that never made production:

1954 Ford La Tosca

(I think the Lincoln used those tail lights)

Intimidated?

I am named correctly, Jack. I fit the description, ‘Jack of all trades.’

Most trades do not intimidate me.

If we have an outlet, switch or relay that does not work, I am not intimidated, I know what to do, and I do it.

BUT pull into Atlanta (or any large city) and see on the GPS, circle after circle of exits and interstates, and I AM INTIMIDATED, At times a little uncomfortable.

IF we have a leak, or any plumbing problem, NO SWEAT, I can fix it, and  usually have the parts and tools.

BUT when writing let me have a sentence  that requires either a WAS OR WERE (or have/has), and I freak out. (I really hate for the proof reader to know how ignorant I really am.) Thank goodness my Sherry knows this stuff, I usually ask her.

I can stand and entertain Hundreds (even thousands once) and have no problem.

     

BUT let me walk into a strange church and have to pick a seat, I am uncomfortable. (Every one at the local church has their seats) I do not want to get Bro. Timothy  or Sister Bessie’s favorite seat.

I love to paint, I even do pretty good when I sit down and do what comes to mind.

BUT to do a commissioned work, puts my nerves on edge and I blow it. (I have only been asked to paint three pictures, the last was the Tetons and I BLEW it.)

If you need the points set or Carb adjusted on your old car, no sweat, bring it on. We can chat while I do it.

BUT raise the hood on a late model car and say, it is not running right, what could it be? I AM INTIMIDATED BIG TIME. I may as well check the air in your tires for all the good I would do you. 

I have hired a few people in my life. I had no problems saying yes or no, I don’t think you will fit..

BUT when it became necessary to terminate (fire)  someone, I am the worlds worst. I have had to do that only 3 times, one my own son,  I didn’t sleep for a few nights trying to figure the best way to do it. INTIMIDATED? YOU BET.\

I see folks who seen never to be in doubt or be intimidated. I envy them.

What intimidates you? I know Tarrytere is intimidated when  a house is coming at her on a narrow road. ;-o.

Nite Shipslog

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Cars that never made production:

1954 DeSoto Adventurer II

(I love it, all it needed was a front bumper!)

And then there Is JOE

Sherry can tell me his last name. I only know him as Joe. My grandson Ben and Joe’s Step son,Jeremy, were best of buddies.

Jeremy was a good kid, but spoke Southern the way TV makes fun of Southern accents.

Ben came in one day and exaggerated  his new Southern Accent, (Ben is from Utah), Sherry asked what is wrong with you Ben. “Grama, Ah’m jest tryyyin’ to FIET In”. Of course we cracked up.

Anyway today we saw Joe across from a yard sale. He was driving his 1958 Red Chevy convertible (that yellow  is the sun not the paint job.) . He had parked beside a garage and then he backed out  a beautiful two door hard top 1958 Chevy out of it.

I am not sure if the blackie is his, but it is beautiful.

Locally Politian's contact Joe to drive them in the parades. He always obliges.

Not much happening here. Son Mark heads back to Florida to close on his third house to rebuild and sell (this year). He is taking his son Luke with him. Luke is between college years.

Thanks for stopping by the log.

Nite Shipslog

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1954 DeSoto Adventurer

Trip was great with a surprise

 

We drove down within 30 miles of the Georgia line.  WE had a great visit and Steve wanted some ideas of adding on to his home. They took us to lunch at Aunt Penn’s I think. Great food and better company. Steve and Linda are super folk to be around.

We also got to see ‘Mazie’ Linda’s mom, either in her 90’s or approaching. Her mind is still sharp. Mazie and her hubby Grady were charter members of the church we built at New Hope.

Lots of memories and tales. Outside looking at the possibilities of adding on I spotted what I thought was a ‘51-‘53 Buick a in the next drive way. I could only see the windshield and the op of the hood. Steve said, I think it is a Packard.

We walked down so I could take a picture the the gentleman permitted a shot. Then he walked over. I asked is this a ‘53? Yes.

“I have had this car since I was 15. I spent 22k on it a few years back completely rebuilt. It has 38K orig miles on it.”

 

 

He started to raise the hood and wasps swarmed out. He kept on, and I said that isn’t necessary, but he raised it and did not get stung. Below is how close his fingers were to the nest.

The old solid straight 8

 

The sun has ruined the paint job.

  

The interior looks good. I asked, “What would it take to drive this home?”

He said, “$7,000 today.”

I’ll talk to Sherry.

 

Yeah, it is still in his drive way. (But it might be under the Christmas tree?)  (reckon?)

It is a pretty car, I have a love affair with the 1950’s cars.

Nite Shipslog

 

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Continuing the cars that never made production

The 1953 Ford x-100  (I see shades of the ‘55’56 Studebaker grill here)

It is good to look back on something of which you are proud!

Most of you know I have had a lot of ‘Career’ changes. One of those was a stint as a Church of God minister. Trying to follow in my dad’s foot steps.

We pastored a small church in Moberly, MO. Absolutely the salt of the earth people. I learned a lot from some family names: Conrads (Farm Family) and Guffeys (Railroad Family) and Dewey’s (Logging FAmily) and a few more.

(I Remember the past a lot lately)

Then we got a call to Rutherfordton, NC. (If you are from there it is RUL- LUH-FOR-TON). We have learned in our travels only folks foreign to the area pronounce names correctly. ;-).There  we added an educational building at that church, debt free.

Then we organized and built a very good church with more wonderful folk in the New Hope Section of GAston County, NC.

In my short stint at New Hope, before I headed off to study Surveying (thought to be the next career) I performed two marriages. One did not last long, it was a favor for friends of friends and not associated with our church.  The other has lasted around fifty years, maybe a year shy of that.

 

 

Steve and Linda T. Two wonderful young people (kids).

(The pictures are pictures of pictures they had, I took them from their Wedding book the last time down there.)

Steve and Linda in 2011.

So today we are on our way to visit that couple, they live now in Anderson, SC. They have raised a wonderful family. They have stayed in the Church work and he has been a dynamic choir leader in large churches.

Even in the wrong career, one  can do something right!

We are looking forward to the visit.

See you tomorrow.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

We are traveling in our tow vehicle, not taking the MH this trip.

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1953 Cadillac Ghia Coupe

This one never made production either.

It started off as a walnut, but she saw A monkey in the yard..

I went over to my sister Shirl’s house yesterday. Her printer had started speaking Greek and I hoped I could teach it to speak  English again.
Before we started, she showed me her garden.  Her garden is spread out around the house and is also decorative. She is actually growing Egg plant. I don’t think my mama ever  saw an egg plant, we did not eat it at home. I had never seen one growing. That is neat, that big purple veggie hanging.
She  gathered us some squash also. AND THEN she said, “I was working in the garden and this little guy was looking up at me, I was surprised, it was a monkey.
Shirl had brought it in and added eyebrows and a mouth.
She has a good imagination,  seeing things that can be, that also makes her  great with crafts. Anyway we taught the printer English (Accidently, somehow)  and I left.
The strangest thing happened when I came back to cut the grass here. There was the dude’s brother looking up at me. I didn’t do as good a job as Shirl, but it still surprised me to see that within an hour and it did look like a little face looking up at me. I knew Stella would like them, and of course she had to make one.

 
(these shown are not Shirl's, Stella did the top one)



My three good-looking girls, much better than monkeys (most of the time LOL)!!
Matt and Luke returning from a job they had done for their cousin Josh.
Then we all had Spaghetti, complements of Sherry.
It was an interesting day.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
It is fun to see a child use their imagination, even if it has to be stirred.  I remember Sherece (Stella’s mama) enjoying the boxes things came in as much as the article that came in it.
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Continuing with cars that never made production:

1952 Chrysler D’elegance (It favors the later Carmen Ghia)

More stuff,Money, Chickens and a commode.

I normally steer away from financial advice columns, because I think most are going to tell me how to ‘invest’ our ‘extra’ money.  Well I am not an investor because I do not understand a lot about Wall Street, stock market and ‘THEM THANGS’.  But I was captivated by an article written by Cameron Huddleston entitled “What I learned about money from My Russian Husband.”

It was a very good article, but it was no more than I was taught by my parents who came thru the depression in the USA.

1. YOU cannot waste money. (that ended with a period)

2. Reuse everything you can. (new word to me:repurpose)

3. clothes are to be worn until worn out or passed down.

4. Fix it or learn to fix it.

5. etc

It always amazes me what people ‘throw away’. It amazes me that folks can and do buy a new washer and dryer because it is prettier than theirs or the Jones’s have them.

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I smile about a discussion going on on a Forum about  brown and white eggs. Bonnie over at ‘Organic Discourse’ who also comments here a lot, set the men straight with facts, even though she is younger. There is no difference in the nutrition in Brown and white. Some of us knew that them Rhode Island Reds laid Brown eggs.

  

My mama said the RI red hens laid the best eggs, so despite what Bonnie said, Mama had to be right. (smile). I loved the brown double yolk eggs.

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Commodes.If stuck in traffic, is great  to be in a motor home. It was mentioned by a friend in an e-mail about wondering what to do at a time you are stuck in traffic for a long time and YOU MUST GO and there are no woods around. Once in Florida at a LLLONG wait there was a knock on our door. A lady about 50yrs old apologized first, then said her mother was old and needed to use the bathroom, could we possible let her.

 

Of course we said we would be glad to, I AND MY SISTERS HAVE KNOWN THE FEELING! She assisted her mama to our motor home, it was no easy task for her to get in, but she did and used the facility.  I was probably as glad to let her use it as she was, because I have known the feeling.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I visited my sister Shirl and came back with a mess of squash. I love the fresh garden veggies.

BTW do you have a preference in egg color?

Easter egg color preferred?

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• 1951 Buick that never made production.

Still cannot hear, but I am here! HEAR HEAR!.

It is hard to explain how you hear.  Today I went to be tested to see if I am a candidate for a Cochlea implant. It is strange how they come up with these tests.

There was ten minutes of :

Say the word Johnson.

Say the word Tommy

Say the word lkjhl’[jiu

Say the word hurmphe

SAy the word steraingthe.

Say the word gotchorina.

Then repeat this sentence:

Utfe gorn tupe over.

etc…

Of course they were speaking English but I was hearing in a form of Ethiopian Swahili (I guess). 

Then:

Tell me when you hear a sound. I sat there for four minutes and heard nothing (but the ringing and chirps in my head).  Is that good or bad?

Then the Dr. adjusted my hearing aids, now they are worse than ever.

I am frustrated, but you know what? it doesn’t hurt!  It is sorta like the Wrinkles I have accumulated, they  don’t hurt.

I held my lover tonight and told her, as long as I have her, hearing loss is incidental.

I do hate it that she must go alone to social functions, I just hope she gets used to it.  Last night she went to an old Mill Hill reunion and said she had a great time. Folks mean well, but when told I am deaf, they just continue to talk LOUDER

I do not like going to the Dr. It normally doesn't change a thing for me.  Maybe this time it will be different.

Sorry to ramble, but I couldn’t think of anyone else to bug.

Nite Ships log.

PS:

My sister Shirl loves to sing, Life is a bowl of Cherries, but there is a pit every once in awhile.

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This 50’s Merc  Never made it into production, it never even had a public viewing.