1952 or 1953 “Jackie? This is Jim, Frank is Dying!”

Autos of beauty

 1952 Ford Crestline and a 1952 Kaiser Travler New when I met Frank

For today (Saturday):

When your parents move often and you are a kid, you never know what to expect at the next school or town. Sometimes it just ain’t fun. When we moved to Valdese I met Guy Abee, Peter David Hunt, Paul Settlemeyer and the brothers Jim & Bub Page, all unforgettable.

Betty Carswell was my first crush but she never knew it. LOL Robby Cook was the lucky dude that landed her.

But the Garland Page family was the coolest folks I met, they had Frank, a horse. and I got to ride Frank. 

 (Pinto Image from the net)

Summer evenings on the front porch Garland would break out the guitar. He had a voice of velvet. Bub & Jim were the ‘Everly Brothers.’ ;-) They and Paul Settelmeyer sang in church. The Page family could sing. I loved to join with them. They enjoyed some wonderful family time.

Bro and Sister Page farmed a small area and also raised hogs and chickens. Garland worked for Kirksey, Sister Page in a local mill. Bub and Linda(?) did the inside work Bub, the baker, cooked supper. Jim the outside chores. I tried to help at times but was mostly in the way methinks.

I will never forget the times I had. The boys would borrow horses (they got me a blind one once) and we would ride up into the mountains. I just knew I was a cowboy.

Then one night I got a call, “Jackie?” Yeah Jim, “Frank is dying.” I jumped on my bike (no light) and headed to the Pages’. I rode right by Paul's house and didn't stop, I was crying. How could this be? Ponies don’t die!

Frank had gotten into the oat barrel and ate too much then to the creek and drank, he now lay on his side foundered. A Vet did everything he could to save Frank, but to no avail he died.

Bub said he forgot and left the barrel uncovered. All I remember is everyone standing around crying. For a boy in the eighth grade that was the saddest event ever.

The death of a big animal is hard to fathom for a kid. I don’t remember how Frank was moved; you don’t pick up 1500-2000 pounds and put him in a trailer

.

Frank was a pinto riding pony. Garland also plowed him. He was replaced by another Pinto, I think Garland finally trained him to pull a plow and he was ridden, but he was NEVER FRANK.

Kentucky and Florida have many beautiful horses, but none could thrill me like Jim and Bub letting me ride Frank. He loved sugar cubes.

Nite Shipslog

I was told, if someone held your hands, you could not talk.

Autos of beauty

 1961 Metro....

(I finally got it on!)

For today, friday:
I thought about that. I actually saw some headlines to that affect. I think of the first person I saw using a ‘bluetooth phone’. You know, the little white thing that sticks out of an ear.  ;-)  I happened to see a lady in WalMart (of course) walking down an aisle motioning a lot and talking to herself. I actually followed her for a few steps, I was sure she had crossed the line and was bonkers. Then I realized it was one of ‘em “new fangled thangs,”the handless phone. But her hands kept going anyway.

Yep we even use our hands when talking on the phone as if the one on the other end could see us when we point to the right telling where a house it.

I am not going to even mention Sherry & Evelyn talking at Hardees on Monday mornings. I would get in trouble.

True, once someone told me if my hands were tied, I could not talk. (They could be correct!)

Nite Shipslog

“Before I die & the Hearse”

Hearses of beauty

 Featuring vehicles for that final ride........

For today:

Over my lifetime I have heard statements that included the words, “Before I die!”  

As in:

I want to be out of debt ‘Before I die!’

Before I die I really want a car that stays out of the shop.

My mama would say, I want to see my children ‘serving the Lord.’ Before I die.

"Before I die," said a friend, "I want to see Niagara Falls."

I have said, “I want to skydive before I die.” (not sure of that anymore!)

“I would like to see Alaska before I die,” I said… and I have.

There IS a place I have missed, I would like to see before I die of course, that is Ireland.

You may not have used the words “Before I die”, but I have heard many parents say, I hope to see my son/daughter going straight and acting like an adult before I die. I’ve Heard it, yes, even said it as a dad. Right now, that part seems to be working out, thank the Lord.

 (For Rick and the soldiers out there!)

Sherry and I have talked a lot as we walk. Neither of us feel like we have missed much or have any ‘huge’ regrets.  We know there are things and places we will not see before we die, but humans need something in which to look forward.

This is not meant to be sadistic. Unless the GOD of the universe does something DIFFERENT, you ‘n me my friend, will die. I am hoping an unseen Spirit will take my hand on that final journey. 

                      (For the economically minded)

I have said, ‘Before I die I would like to play the piano or guitar,’ but ain’t doing nothing about it. Even after Sister Shirl gave us a piano and keyboard.

This came about as I thought of wonderful people I have known in life who have passed on. At present, I probably know more people who are gone than are living. AND there was Chuck, Bill, Jimmy and Rose those names came to me. It was sorta like I KNEW them. They were friends on the net in Journals and Blogs. They are now gone.

     And for us boys who appreciate a dual purpose vehicle (For Tom & Nick)

"BUT WE my friend, are still here, YOU ‘N ME, I hope you had a Merry Christmas!"

Nite Shipslog
And all along you thought a hearse was a Hearse!

 

Military bands and singers

This is my Christmas card to y'all, Merry Christmas

Autos of beauty

    May Your Days thru Christmas be Merry & Bright!

For today:

Some of you may not know that branches of the service have entertainers of their own to brighten the lives of the troops. I have seen this group only once and that was in the hanger bay of the USS Independence CVA62. Merry Christmas,

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE…….If you have time check this out and think of Woody when the Chief with the ‘gold arm rating’ sings second, The US NAVY Band and Voices:

  I was gonna sing here, but Sherry suggested these would do a little better!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPAqyC6GMw8&list=PLTARpt6gyaCbe9RSzaHHvvY1UDTDQOlyA

 

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Thanks to Cdr Nichols for the pointer....