When I say skate!

Historical Photo:
 Delaware log house, Delaware. Wisconsin

Skate in the military is when someone tries/or avoids work or duty.
But when I say Skate some folk think of fish.
The Artic Skate is a fish that looks like a sting ray, it has sort of wings.

Say skate to the girls in Wisconsin and they see the ice skate.

But when I hear skate, I see metal wheels, a skate key and lots of summer fun. The Western Auto loved me. I bought more wheels than anyone I knew. I liked get up some speed then jump sideways to slide my skates on the sidewalk, after dark the sparks were neat, but I wore out a lot of wheels. I would have been killed on a skateboard!!!  I am amazed at the balance of kids today.
 
Boys liked sparks so much we would buy the small table leg slides and stick them on the bottom of our shoes then run and slide.

Looking back at my childhood entertainment, one was simply rolling an old worn-out car tire. I mean simply rolling the tire up and down the road or on the side walk. But for some reason it was fun!

 We did this a few times!

Kids can make fun..... I have nothing against the electronic devices, but some times kids just need to 'stretch their muscles.' 

What was your favorite 'outdoor fun' as a youngster?
Nite Shipslog
Speaking of tires: Hey Lisa, lookee here!

 This is one tough hula hoop dude!

 1939 Lasalle convertible

Dead Air!

Historical Photo:

Uncle Sam and Aunt Janie Fulbright. They worked at the Art Cloth mill in the 1930s. Uncle Sam was known for his statement: In school I heard about a very poor family on that old dirt road on which they lived. He said he was nearly grown before he learned it was his family. He later became a 'super' in the cotton mills.


In radio broadcasting the term has been around for a long time, on the radio no one likes ‘dead air.’ Disc Jockeys have told me that their biggest problem with hours on air is the personal toilet time. One of them was to announce three consecutive songs on an album, or the longest commercial they had. They all had tricks so they would not end up ‘away from the mike’ at the end of a record.

Some public speakers KNOW how to use ‘dead air’ or what we would call ‘a pause’. I have tried to analyze my favorite speakers and come to the conclusion they know just how long to pause (to let their words sink in).  Some speakers think they are supposed to fill every second of their time behind the mike, squeezing every ounce allowed them. And in my opinion end up wasting time because their message did not get across.
Some folk pause so long I want to help them. 

And then…. there is the ‘Never DEAD AIR!’

I am familiar with some people who can talk an hour straight, and the listener only has time to say, ‘Yes’ or ‘OK’ or just uh huh, every once in a while.  I remember as a kid we called them ‘motor-mouths’.

Do you know anyway to tactfully interrupt or let them know they are dominating your conversation? I honestly don’t think all of them know, that they are the only one really talking.

There are some ‘caller IDs I know I should never answer! Soo speaking to you, my friends, this clarifier. if I don't answer your phone call, it is because I am in the toilet, not because you are a motor mouth.  ;-)

Nite Shipslog

PS:  We are fortunate to have Armin and his wife Julie with us for a couple days. Armin is Shirl's hubby Jim's oldest son. It is such a joy to catch up on their lives. They have one married son and one in the USMC!
 

This was big on the race circuits in the mid 50s.

OK I might admit, I am close to being OLD

Historical Photo: An old man working.

And another thing, since I have gotten old, I bite my tongue or inside of my lip and mouth more. I dislike that with a passion. When I do it, I let myself have it, and order myself, ‘Do Not do that again!’ Please!!!
I am getting sick of being told, “It might be best if you don’t try that.”  Actually I guess I hate to face it. Keep in mind, I am a licensed General Contractor. I have proven I can build, repair and create things in North Carolina. And dadgummit, I am pretty good at it (or have been).
BUT....
Of Late………
Examples: I decided to add an apartment to this duplex Shirl was leasing. I was told, “You should not do that.”
So I cut it down to a simple bathroom. Then I was advised, “Maybe that is too much, let it be for a little while.” (I am being very generous of my detractor)
Then I came up with a great idea. I will empty the front of the coach out. Tear out the carpet, rip out the tile and install hardwood, bring this thing up to date! Very simple to do. I have a basement to store the removed furniture. If need be we can sleep in the house.
I was asked, “Have you picked anyone to do it yet?”
“Whadayoumean?” I asked, “This is me, I can do this, no problem, it is simple.”
Would you believe again I was ‘advised’, “I don’t think you should do that!”

I think I can do everything I have mentioned, it would be professional and a great job. It would also be a lot of fun. That is of course my opinion, (I am always right, some of the time!) But my tombstone is supposed to read, “Here lies Jack in the Box”, NOT “I told him not to do that!”

I hate myself for even thinking she might be right. But an indicator was, I miss-stepped and fell on the concrete porch a day ago. I didn’t break anything, just bummed up my elbow and some skin……………. Yes, I did tell her. We don’t have many secrets. MY head tells me this is not serious, just be careful. I am not even 80 until January! I am still young (aren’t I)!
I am getting tired of being wrong! I have been so RIGHT all my life. hahahahahahaha

AND ANOTHER THING.... I thought I had posted this entry days ago, it sat here in the buffer just awaiting my gittyup and I never gave it. I reckon, I am Older than I thought!
Nite Shipslog

 This was a 1956 Chevy custom.