Cruise on the "Monarch of the Sea"

This is our 'towel' lamb.

This is my Christmas Present.

This is looking seven decks down to a small dance floor.

We walked an hour or so in Nassau then headed back to the ship. A lady was nice enough to take our picture. Sherry then took a picture of her and her mother.

Okay, Cruise Report. I just confirmed my contention. If I could have had my girl aboard ship, I would still be in the US Navy. WE had a great time.

This stuff is old hat to your guys who have been on cruises, but new to us. To start with the cruise was reasonable. I believe it was $278 per person for a four day cruise. The check-in is sort of like boarding a plane. The security checks etc. We carried our luggage aboard, not knowing anything about luggage check it. It was not bad. There was a buffet on the 11th deck until the rooms were ready.

We heard complaints about how small the staterooms were. Shucks we had no complaint there, the stateroom was bigger than our bedroom. Also the bathroom was big enough to turn around in. We were satisfied with that. I saw sailors polishing brass, made me feel good, I like that. We rode the elevators some but we did a lot of climbing the ladders (stairs). We slept on the 2nd deck and ate most our meals on the 11th. So we climbed some. We did a lot of walking on the prominade and eleventh decks.

The entertainment was good. Comedians, impressionists, singers, dancers etc. I enjoyed it but understood very little that was said, of course. I loved the impression of Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Liberace & They must have a piano tuner aboard because he beat that thing to death, but he was good.Frank Sinatra.

To be honest one of the most interesting entertainment features was towel folding. You that have been aboard understand that. They can fold a variety of animals and dolls. We had a lamb on our bed the last day. The rabbit was cute also.

I was amazed at the beauty of the ship. WE were on the ‘Monarch of the Seas’. Oh also a first for me, I sailed under the first lady captain of a ship that size.

Our first port was Coco Cay. Sherry and I had just got ashore. We located a secluded rope hammock. We had just figured how to get into the thing and Sherry was going to show me some tricks, when she was embarrassed by a native sticking his head thru the Palmettos, he grinned, smiling like he knew the trick. Then he said the Captain wanted us back aboard because the ship had slipped her anchor, and we had to sail. (Doggonnit maybe one day she will show me the trick.)
Thanks for coming this way.
Nite Shipslog
PS:

Read through these children's science exam answers …… :)
Q: What is the fibula?

A: A small lie.

Q: What does 'varicose' mean? (I do love this one...)

A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarean Section. '

A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome

Q. What does the word 'benign' mean?'

A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.

WE are out to lunch or something

This site will be silent for a few days. We are going on a CIVILIAN CRUISE. I want to see if it is more fun or better food than the great War Ships, I love so much.
So, will I have fun? You can bet your bippie. I AIN’T never had a girl aboard ship over night and in the same compartment!!! I am used to sleeping with 20 or 30 guys around, This is going to be fun.

Not taking the lap top even. Ever heard of MARS? No, not the planet. This is Military Affiliated Radio Stations. Ham radio. Some ships had or have a MARS room, where if you were lucky you could get a phone patch via Ham radio to your family back home. Everyone had to get used to the one-way communications by using the radio terms over, out, etc. That was long before CB radios so most folks were not familiar with the use of the radio terms. Also there was no privacy, everyone knew what was said. Lot of interesting stories there, when folks on the other end did not know everyone in the radio shack was listening. But it was our only means of voice communications. Now with cell phones, internet, etc. communications are no longer a problem.

Anyway to a lot of folks cruises are old hat. I am looking forward to my first, at 70.
I will have a lot of catching up to do on our return.(not to mention the catching up to do aboard ship)

We are meeting Don & Evelyn great friends from home at ‘Corky Bells’ for lunch. D & E live on that side of Florida in the winter. Will be good to see them.

Merry Christmas everyone!
From

Jack & Sherry of the Shipslog

Nite for awhile Shipslog.

PS:
Read through these children's science exam answers …… :)

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.
A: Premature death.

Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized? ( e.g., abdomen)
A: The body is consisted into three parts -- the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels A, E, I, O, and U.

Chuck & Ray and Old Folks Homes

Launch of an A-4 from the waist catapult off the USS Independence CVA62. I slept right under this Cat.

The Bob Hope Show at Guantanamo Bay. Featured Charlie Pride, and Alan Shephard the only person to golf on the moon.

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

My internet friend Chuck, was in an assisted care facility. He was a veteran who had lost a leg in France after ‘D’ day. His blog said: “I am in an assisted living facility, translate that Old Folks home.” His Blog was “Dribbles by Chuck”. I did not read Chuck every day, but when I did I learned something. He passed away and his daughter was nice enough to add the last entry to his AOL Blog. Entitled:
“Chuck Ferris has left the building”.

That was so thoughtful of her because Chuck had a large following. (Jun was nice enough to tell me, I had missed it.)

Reading his Blog I got a new view of ‘Old Folks Home’. Chuck was happy. Seldom did his folks visit, but he handled it admirably. He had lived his life, now was making the best of the last of it. I miss “Chuck”.
Chuck would say: REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR! (Dec 7th)

I think the only thing I can say is I hope I have a good outlook on life after I or my kids put me somewhere. I would rather die in my sleep, but we do not always get our druthers.
Ray Campbell. Successful preacher, story teller and chalk artist. Ray got old. I visited him in the Stanley Total Living Center, Stanley NC. IT is an old folks home, but not like I remembered. It did not smell of urine, and it was clean. Ray, my mentor, did not know me, As he so succinctly put it, ‘I’ll kick your ass!”

I countered, “This is Jack, you wouldn’t do that would you?”

His answer was, “You bet your ass I will.”

Before Ray was a preacher he was a prize fighter. His mind had reverted back. But As a kid I remember him saying, ‘you think jumping rope is sissy, let’s see you do this’. He would do that boxer stuff three times under your feet cross his arms and all that stuff. It fascinated us boys.

He would take a cigarette and keep it in the air bouncing it with his fists. Then he would let it drop to the ground and stomp it, and say, “I know grown men who will let that little thing beat them, we won’t let that happen will we?”

We all said, “no”, but most of us got hooked on cigarettes, but I never forgot his illustration. I was a long time whipping it, but RAY,” I did it.”

He died there and I do not feel bad at his family for placing him there. He got so he could not take care of himself. But he was strong and in shape at 80, he could have hurt someone and not meant to. Stanley Total Living Center is a nice clean place.

Nite shipslog

PS:
Read through these children's science exam answers …… :)

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?

A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

Q: What are steroids?

A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?

A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?

A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

Old Friends

Foreground is Cracker, Vickie (youngest daughter), Kenneth, Eileen, and Glenda the seniore daughter of the clan.

This is my friend, Kenneth, that is the smile I remember!

Okay I could not resist, Me with the pretty girls! ( I did warn them, I BITE). But Cracker was eyeing me, so I was good. Figured she bit worse than I did.

WE just returned from Okeechobee, Florida. We drove down to visit very dear friends from Missouri. They are here visiting with their family here in Florida. Kenneth and Eileen.

Kenneth was returning from WWII when he met and married Eileen here in Florida. He took his young bride back to Missouri with him. Eventually they settled on a Farm and raised ten children. WE met them when they had nine children Vickie was the youngest. While we knew them the last was born David Luke.

NEVER will we (or you) meet a more honest, loving and God loving family. A true farmer. He farmed forty acres I think while working a full time job with H.B. Chance company. He had time for his church, his family and his neighbors. We all attended a very small church. They drove about 30 miles from the South to Moberly, we drove from Kirksville, 60 miles North. One Sunday they were later than usual to church. It was 20 degrees. One of his neighbor’s, an old man by the name of Dodd, had problems with a cow. She was in a creek tangled in barbed wire. He stripped and went in the creek wrestled the cow and the wire to get her released. Came back ashore, dressed and came to church. He was a man’s man.

I talked to Ken today, we even went for a ride to look at Lake Okeechobee. We talked some more. He doesn’t know me. He has no idea who I am, nor most of his family. Alzheimer’s has stolen his past. He is as amiable now as he was back in his youth. He is mannerly and respectful. He is even witty. But you know what? I am so glad I still know him. He stares into space, or presses his napkin into geometric shapes. He looks at a table to see how it is put together. He matches up the 45 degree corners of place settings. In effect he is lost. BUT at times that smile of his breaks thourgh, and I am thrilled, this is still Kenneth.


I remember what a friend, Lucy, said on her journal once about Alzheimer’s. It is a long goodbye. Yes, I think that is right.

Eileen his sweet wife of 60+ years says, “I am losing my sweet Kenneth!” But the love of the family is still there and flourishing.

Nite Shipslog and good night Kenneth.

PS: >

Words of Wisdom
> Talk is cheap...except when Congress does it.
> -Unknown
>
> An elephant: A mouse built to government specifications.
> -Robert Heinlein
>
> The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the
> blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of
> misery.
> -Winston Churchill
>
> The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the
> taxidermist leaves the skin.
> -Mark Twain

So your are OLD, NOW WHAT?

This is the famous Plymouth Rock!

The Replica of the Mayflower, At Plymouth, Mass

Aboard the Mayflower, During my time at the wheel. haha!

Today's entry:

I am just curious about something. My good friend Bishop Carter suggested I write a book, or incorporate my feelings in a book. It concerns getting old. Most of the folks I know are getting OLD.

Have you ever discussed this with your children? The way our longevity goes now, the Doctors keep us alive way past our ability to decide for our selves. So one day friend your children will have to decide, What are we going to do with Mom &/or dad? Folks this is a good question.
I know my good friend Lindie knows about this. Shirl, Sherry and I have experienced keeping a loved one in our home. Shirl has went thru the situation, admirably I might say, about four times.

My brother & wife took care of her mother & Dad ‘til the end.

But this is not the time of the Waltons. Families cannot handle the pressure of having their own family members in the house 24/7 and have a life of their own. Because friend you may think it will be for a short time, but you may be surprised.

After our relatively short experience, with a mother (mine) who was one of the most amiable people alive. Agreeable and never complained, yet it pushes you to the limits.
Sherry and I have told out boys. When we get so we cannot take care of our selves, put us in a home, assisted living, nursing home, what ever it is called. Put ME there and if you can come to see me, that would be nice. But I do not want to cause trouble in a marriage or family. I have lived my life. I am satisfied with what I have done. I don’t want my sons to talk to each other and say I feel bad putting daddy in a home, but we are not equipped to handle it. The both know up front, I do not want to live in with them. Do you have any thoughts on the subject?

Just for the record when our family met to decide what to do about my sweet mama. I am the real WISE guy who said, “MY MAMA WILL NEVER GO TO A NURSING HOME!” AFTER THAT BIG SPEECH, the work fell on Sherry my wife until she hurt her back, then I was able to help some. Then Jim & Shirley who were in Maryland. Quit a good job to come home to help. AND IT TOOK VERY ONE OF US!

Nite Shiplog

PS:

Read through these children's science exam answers …… :)

Q: Name the four seasons.

A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar .

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.

A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?

A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour?

A: Keep it in the cow. (brilliant!)

Cowboys & Cowdogs, lost supper!

I had no luck, getting a picture of the dogs, they were very fast.

He brought the cows into this little hammock, He and the dogs were able to round them up and start them all in one direction.

Most fields here are green, this shows up more brown. Coming back from out West Sherry would talk to the cows here in the East. You guys just don't know how lucky you are with all this green grass, your cousins out west have to hunt for everything they eat. HA!


One polital statement:

I had over looked one aspect of President Elect Obama’s campaign promises. I liked the idea of normalizing relations with Cuba. For years I have been upset at our policy of acting like they did not exist, while playing up to other peoples of the world who were actually anti American. So I am FOR normalization of relations with CUBER (JFK pronunciation).

If he normalizes relations, he will have done something every president since JFK should have done. If you are concerned about someone, you can observe them as a friend much easier than as an enemy.

Today's SAD entry:

NOW to important stuff! I knew I should have kept my mouth shut about that heifer I had my eye on. Somebody OUT THERE, told the cowboy on the ranch next door. Yesterdeay as we were walking, He was on his white horse with his three cowdogs driving the heard to the far side of the ranch. It was no fun seeing supper being run off by the three dogs. Oh well, maybe they kept me from being hanged. Everybody including the Cowgirl, Paula, warned me.

This Florida Cowboy, sometimes called a Cracker, did not use his whip today. The dogs were very efficient, with the help of the cow pony. It was interesting. Western Cowboys carry lariats or ropes (according to what I have read) to haze cows in the dorection they want them to go. The Florida Cowboy uses a whip. The whip does not touch the cow as a rule. Just the sound of the ‘Crack’ keeps the unruly critters in line.

Anyway thanks to SOMEONE I will have tomato soup again. LOL

Nite Shipslog

PS: (I think these came from Shirl, I USED them once, but bear repeating))
Summary of Life

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1. No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.

3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person. (VERY TRUE STATEMENT, PERSONAL EXP.)

4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.

5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.

6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.

9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.

(This happened to me in the fifth grade, mama made the pantalooms I wore as the trumpeteer for May Day. (Except The underwear was striped))

Shopping and Christmas

A fellow Instructor, Buck, and I built this float for the Christmas parade in Key West. Mr. Joslin our boss, did the painting.That is an eightfoot paper over wood, Earth. That is six inch film wrapping the globe, the type used by our spy planes to gather intelligence. Guy standing was an RA5C (spy plane) pilot.

This is our only Christmas Float ever. The Grand kids enjoyed throwing candy to the crowds.

Today we made our regular trip to WalMart, groceries and vitamins.
Don & Evelyn had started taking the Centrum series of Vitamins to help lower their Cholesterol, I thought I would start. (SO FAR it must have worked for them.) I need something and do not like the Cholesterol Meds given in wholesale amounts to the American Public as well as most of the world.

While I was searching the web about vitamins and blood health I ran across a fact unknown to me (surprise! to this know it all). Cosco is bigger than Sam’s Club. I did not know that. I have never shopped Cosco and do very little shopping at Sam’s any more. When I was still building, I bought my household appliances at Sams. In this motor home we cannot store huge amounts of anything but pens and pencils and we already have enough of them.

Anyway I am changing my multi vitamin and adding it to all my meds (which is presently a baby aspirin). I want to lower the cholesterol other than using the Medicines that have flooded the world’s markets. I may not be able to.

Weather is a little cool here today. Sixty five. Back into the 70’s tomorrow thank goodness. Sherry gets grumpy (ha) in cold weather.

Many BIZZY shoppers out today. Glad we are no longer a part of the REAL shopping public.

I hope you plan a wonderful Christmas, filled with a lot of happiness, joy and love.

Nite Shipslog,

PS:
Words of Wisdom

Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to
live at the expense of everybody else.
-Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)

If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it
costs when it's free!
-P.J. O'Rourke

In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as
possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
-Voltaire (1764)

Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean
politics won't take an interest in you!
-Pericles (430 B.C.)

No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is
in session.
-Mark Twain (1866)

Just as sure as you decide to diet!!!!!

This is Stephen Kings house in Bangor, Maine. Notice the bats on either side of the batwing iron gate. In keeping with his writing.

For you folks that are like me, thought the maple sap was still collected in buckets as the Vermonter walked through the snow. No longer. The is the Top tap of aMaple tree. It flows into that plastic hose to another tree, see the next picture.

The hose keeps going down the mountain from tree to tree, the hose gets larger to accomadate more sap. It is fed into a large container at the base of the mountain. All automatic using gravity. Amazing.

We moved today. Good move. No problems.

Have you ever noticed when you decide to go fishing, the water gets rough. (not always, but many times)

If you decide to diet…. Ever notice how some wise acre will heat up a cinnamon roll! (smells so good!) Or the smell of your favorite will just happen to waif your way.

Decide to put the awnings out on the RV, the wind comes up (no joke).

Ever get caught in traffic, a big traffic jam…. (That’s cool, Being local you know a way around it) SOOO you start around the jam using the back way and find ten thousand others had the same idea!

We walk most every day…..When we carry the cell phones, NO CALLS. When we forget the phones, we come home and see..(MISSED CALL)……. yep!

We know we are not camping. This is more like a mobile Holiday Inn. But many folks still cook outside of their RV’s. I think the only thing they know how to cook is beef. If you are cutting back (dieting), beef cooking on a grill smells soooooo good! Many times I have yelled to them telling that is illegal in this park!!

There is a herd of beautiful beeves bordering this park. Now that I am trying to lose that few pounds and we are out walking along the barbed wire fence, I want to cook one of those critters on a BIG SPIT.

Now to depart from my original thought on this entry, have you ever saw a picture or a movie of something you always wanted. I saw a cowboy movie once where they cooked a whole beef on a spit. For days or hours I don’t know which. I mentioned that to my Bro-in-law once when we were at a convention in Dallas. He took me to a Hotel that had a half beef on a spit and I got to see the chef cut my beef the way I wanted it. I loved it.

SOOOOO tomorrow I am going to rustle a cow and cook it!!!!!

Come on down and we will eat until they take me to jail, where I will be forced to diet!

Nite Shipslog
PS:

Words of Wisdom****************
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the
support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw
************************
A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which
debt he proposes to pay off with your money.
-G. Gordon Liddy
************************
Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
-James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)
************************
Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people
in rich countries to rich people in poor countries.
-Douglas Casey, Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University