Shipslog

April update

2026-04-04T22:50:00.000-04:00

Back at the hospital above Sherry and Dr. & Nurse.

WE made the trip from Florida to NC. Sherry lay on the couch a lot of the trip ad we made it a 2 day trip this time. Traffic was terrible the first day. On our trip north we pass over the bay area of Jacksonville, FL. Normally it is bustling. It was DEAD. not one ship being off loaded. and very few Hugh containers on the piers. Gonna be some empty shelves in stores soon.

On a normal day, there are two container ships being unloaded and a couple anchored awaiting their turn. There were NONE waiting.

'that is just an observation.

The Interstate 95 was stop and go, so we opted to take local roads thru the country on our last day. That was a great idea. Not only NO traffic on US15, but some great country scenery.

I am correcting every other word it seems. I am beat, Sherry is also. we made it to NC. She s a stickler for appropriate flowers on her parents graves. So we did that today. She is BEAT.

She is a stickler for times and meds. Her evening meds she takes exactly at 9PM I woke her to take them, but she is back to sleep . I know an hour or so won't matter, but she will be upset at herself later. But I am glad she is resting.

She tried to contact her Dr. but could not until Monday Her Blood Pressure top number still stays near 150 and that ain't good. But the doctors in Florida were concerned about the pulse rate. IT IS doing great around 60.

Thanks for your concern and prayers. Positive thoughts are also very much appreciated.

You guys are good for my insides, THANKS!

Nite Shipslog

PS Gas prices in Florida were $4 and above. GA & SC $3.60-$3.90. Trip usually about $210 was closer to $300. OUCH

ONE more Update

2026-03-31T19:31:00.000-04:00

We are in the RV in son Mark's yard. We plan to head north and take two day to reach our home base in Belmont, NC. Will depart in the next few days. Sherry is doing well, I haven't noticed a speech problem in a couple days. She is still weak.

Just a note about the Waterman Hospital in Tavares. I do not know much about hospitals, but I would bet this one is at the top of the list of good ones. Everyone was supportive friendly and courteous. They went above and beyond in the caring.

Dr. Panara celebrating at Sherry's going home. He said, when asked, but my bread is better! ;-)

Two ladies who prepped her for a procedure became like sisters to her with words of encouragement, most of them scriptures.

Anyway I cannot say enough good about the Doctors, staff, cleaning crew and Mess Hall workers. Sherry was given a choice of 2 or 3 meals before each meal time. Their motto is something like this: "We continue where Jesus left off".

I did write the Admin wit our thanks.

Be back in a few days....

Nite Shipslog

Quick update

2026-03-28T21:58:00.007-04:00

We ae out of the hospital. She is worn out. Still not out of the woods. we will hve to monitor the results a cay or so before making the decision to head back North.

She did have a stroke, it was minor compared to what it could have been. It has effected her voice / speech some. (But still had a great KISS!). Problem is the rapid heartbeat and blood pressure.)

Of course valve replacement, several types of pace makers, etc. DRs say main problem is A-fib. they were hesitant to do a procedure that required days,weeks of follow up since we were heading north soon.

Any way they released her, now the weight is on our shoulders whether to take the trip home with a chance of a hospital stop may be required,

Thanks for the support and prayers. Love you guys, we are all beat. Imma say if a long hospital stay does not kill you, you are tough. ;-)

NIte Shipslog

Just now....Things funny and those you do not expect.

2026-03-24T18:43:00.000-04:00

Today’s stuff:

Friend Don just turned 89 years old. His Great Grand daughter, 6 years old, came to see him. It was her birthday too. Don asked her “Ava, how old do you think I am?”

Looking at him for a few seconds she said, “Fifty thousand!”

WE cracked up when we heard that. Remember the program, “Kids say the darnedest things?”

Things funny help you in life. But those unexpected things, the BUMPS in the road? Not so much.

This was Sherry’s 2 or 3^rd day in the hospital. Her Blood pressure got too high. They have ran a lot of tests. Good Doctors. I am home gathering some things to take back to the hospital. I thought I would explain that I will not be aboard the Blog for awhile.

She is I in good spirits. Most tests showed nothing, but some with questions. Still awaiting the doctor’s recommendations.

I am not thinking very well, but thought I would ask for prayers of you that pray and Positive thoughts for those who don’t. I am NOT thinking of losing her! But I can use the prayers and support. Jack Jr. drove down from NC and Mark is here, so She has some good support here.

Love you guys. Will try to keep you up to date.

Nite Shipslog

Monday Heroes and In-laws.

2026-03-22T17:49:31.336-04:00

ABOUT yesterday...Note push mower: For high grass there was some adjustment for high grass but very little. Most of us cutting 6" grass had to push forward 3' then pull it back and go again, many time it took 3 times to get it down, BUT it was done no matter how high the weeds....And then goats, like Victor, we used goats in GITMO around where ammo was stored. Less dangerous!

Picture of the day:

Actual picture of USMC landing on Iwo Jima, WWII

Today’s stuff: Now....

There have been a lot of mother-in-law jokes, I even used some. Friend Victor stays in trouble over in the UK about where his MIL parks her broom. BUT ME? I had the best, Susie Hawes Harris, she was one sweet woman. However, Sherry embarrassed me once while we were parked in front of their house. She was smooching me so heavily that her mother came out in her night gown to tell SHERRY to ‘Sit up in that car!’

That is my version of the TRUTH!

Many of us men migrate to the family of our wives. I certainly did. Sherry’s family was very dear to me. I have many heroes, most military. Sherry and I grew up during WWII and our brothers served in that war. Both were in the Pacific. My brother, Junior, was a ‘decorated’ gunner on a Destroyer Escort ship.

Junior, 101 yr old this year... Wish he was still here... Picture is Just before leaving Shelby NC to serve on the Ship below, the USS Baron

Sherry’s Brother Lefty Harris (100 yrs old ) was a decorated US Marine. He was wounded during the USMC landing on Iwo Jima.

Sherry, Lefty and Johnny, just after the war.

I have mentioned Sherry’s brother (Passed but 93 yrs this yr), Vernon Gomez; he too was a hero of mine, serving at least two tours in Vietnam.

Above is Vernon and his wife Janet.

I am reluctant to list friends, cousins, nephews, uncles who served, I might miss one. They too, are my heroes.

I brought that up mainly because in the last few days

Becky, one of Lefty’s daughters, called Sherry to verify that had lefty lived, he would be 100 yrs old now? Sherry who knows every birthday of everyone in our families, living or dead. Yes, Sherry said Lefty was born March 1926 making him a 100 this month.

WE all trained, simulated being ordered ashore or dropped in a combat zone. Some, reading here, actually were there, I was fortunate and never saw combat.

With their background, veterans, think of those military standing ready near Iran today. Most are on ships awaiting orders. WE, out of harm’s way, feel for the anxiety of WAITING! I admire every man and woman in uniform now. There was a time seeing a uniform brought automatic, RESPECT.

During my time, a man in uniform could stand on the road with a thumb out and be picked up immediately. Most of us did that at one time or the other in 50s & 60s.

Nite Shipslog

PS: When I visit VA hospitals and see the VETS who lost sight, limbs and many with shattered nerves. I am thankful for their service and realize how blessed to have served in three branches and still be walking around.

Sunday.... ..... If you are still here…..

2026-03-21T21:15:36.519-04:00

Picture of the day:

Today’s stuff:

Things have a way of changing in this life. Standards,

guidelines, morals, mowers and even house styles. I

have heard the term “They moved the goal post!” I

think I understand that.

I saw a big truck yesterday, front raised high. When I was 16 I would have thought that is the coolest thing ever. Now? It looked stupid and the COST came to mind, who can afford that and still buy groceries?

AS a kid pushing a lawn mower (no motor!), I got paid 50 cents to mow a small yard. Today the cost can be $100 and the guy is using a $5000 zero turn mower.

We had a little (comeuppance) experience with buying a used mower awhile back. I wanted a zero turn mower. They look cool when ‘someone else’ is driving. WE finally

agreed on the price $2000. Sherry got out the check book. “I do not take checks, we can use ‘zorrow’, zelle’ (or something like that) or cash.”

I said, ok I will go to the bank and get cash. (I was in another town it was 3PM). “Our banks close at 2 o’clock every day.” he said. It was past that time. He agreed to hold it until the next day when we could arrange payment.

Truth is, I could not believe ANY bank closing at that time during the week. So we drove by a bank and I checked the time. Sure enough, closing daily 2PM. As I said, things change.

Now to the mower. I can usually adapt to mechanics or physical actions, BUT A ZERO TURN MOWER IS CRAZY TO DRIVE. First notice, there is NO steering wheel, just two handles Left and Right. I am finally getting it a little, in the meantime I have cut down two Azalea bushes I planted 25 years ago when I built that house. LOL

Things change since I cut grass with a $20 push mower.

Nite Shipslog

PS: I have only paid to have a lawn cut when someone needed the money. I need the exercise and yes I am cheap. ALSO I have never paid that kind of money for a mower, but I did not want to buy another standard riding mower, the zero turn looked COOL! ??!!?? LOL

Saturday The country of Iran.

2026-03-20T21:10:23.513-04:00

Picture of the day:

This is a fair shot of Tehran, greater Tehran is over 13 million citizens:

Today’s stuff just facts and statistics:

In reference to the Mediterranean area of the world.

Sherry has been to Jordan and Israel; not far

from Iran. I was in France, Spain, Crete, Turkey,

Greece, Italy and Sicily other countries of the

Mediterranean. Together Sherry & I made Germany,

Belgium and Switzerland.

Since this undeclared war with Iran,

I had assumed it was about the size of Maine

and also sort of a backward country.

However this is IRAN also:

I prefer to know something of the areas our military is

sent to. You can be very surprised when your mind is

not broad enough. As a Marine with NATO forces I

spent a few weeks in the back country of Turkey. My

impressions: it was a backward country, I was 17

years old. I was shocked later when I saw Istanbul,

it’s size and how modern it was. I was overwhelmed.

I am interested in Iran. Hey, it is 2 ½ times the size

of Texas.

dark green is Iran size it covers most of our Mid West

Does that surprise you? It did me. There are

5 other cities over a million in population one of them

over 3 million. Iran population approx 86 million.

Their army? Quads force, 90,000 elite troops. Special

Forces 125,000 troops. Combat ready army? 600,000

That is a total of 815,000 troops.

This is not a backwards country. Now I am told this is NOT Vietnam! and it is not. BUT who knows?

Look back at the Vietnam statistics:

North Vietnam had an army of approx 480,000 . The

French fought there for about 8 years lost 55,000

French soldiers and pulled out without winning. USA

followed them. After nine combat years we pulled out

without winning, losing 58000+ good men and women.

I pray that this ‘WAR’ has been thought thru and has

an objective for an ending. I am praying we do not go

Boots on the ground.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

This is not an obsession with me, But I read

where our president said that the USA will

flatten Iran if they do not surrender

unconditionally. WE have had too many WARS

that brought the USA NOTHING but PAIN!

Now Iran is 2.5 times the size of Texas, FOR

EXAMPLE Just THINK how hard it would be to 'wipe

out' a country that size. count the cost in soldiers,

missiles and bombs at 1-2 million dollars a minute.

But wait, it will

be faster with nuclear weapons. Are they there

already, you can bet you bippy they are. Every

carrier and sub of the USA carries them I and many

sailors have loaded them aboard.

Our president just said this week, quote " I can

end this war in 2 seconds." That is a REAL

scary option.

Friday, I WISH …. …..

2026-03-19T22:05:46.919-04:00

Picture of the day:

Stephen Hawkins, can you imagine making this work for you?

Today’s stuff:

I wish I could ‘WILL AWAY’ circumstances/ or pain!’

When you cannot, what do you do?

Sherry just read a quote to me of Corrie ten boom, It was concerning a woman in Russia she had met. Disease had reduced her to one moving body part, “ONE FINGER!” With that, she typed Bible verses and wrote books.

Hawkins, a physicist, ALS took him but he did not stop!

I appreciate the things I read. I firmly believe every one of you that Blog, at one time or the other, say something that ‘HITS HOME’ to we who read what you write.

Just lately two of you brought tears to my eyes as I read what you wrote. Victor just put a song on an entry, it concerned a boy's relation with his dad, and also a shoe box.

I do not have a picture of me and my dad together. I wish I did. My dad educated himself. He was a full time farm hand at 8 years old and could not attend school. By the time I left home, his education easily matched that of a ‘Doctorate’. His wisdom, knowledge and common-sense approach to religion and life made him a light to thousands of people. I wish I could tell him now, how much I admired him.

My friend Billy is blind. WE talk some, he can tell daylight from dark and at times distinguish forms. He went blind during a medical operation which had NOTHING to do with his eyes. Did that stop him? Huh uh! He has fenced his yard and has built a carport.

My Aunt Georgia, went blind and still maintained a home, cooked and cleaned house. I told you all that once as a 6 year old I followed her into the kitchen, she was pouring coffee to serve. “Aunt Georgia, if you are blind, how can you tell how much you are pouring?” I asked.

"See my finger over he edge of the cup Jackie, I can feel the heat as it gets near the top.” She explained several things to this little kid. I was (still am) amazed.

Sister White was sweet but opinionated. Funny that; I understand she was raised in ‘Brown Town!’ ... Another friend, Jinks, lived in Brown Town. Jinks went blind as he aged. Sister White would mention Jinks many times as being the laziest man she knew. He lays around and expects his wife to serve him hand and foot.

I told Sherry, “Sis White is tough on Jinks, he’s blind.”

"Jack, Sister White knows handicaps. She could not speak properly until she started to school at 6 years old. She was raised by parents that were referred to as ‘Deaf and Dumb’. They still worked and raised a family.”

I moved to the Belmont area in 1954, so I was new there. Brown Town is a community of Belmont where most folks named Brown, lived. Sherry knows a lot of people

And then there is Nick Vujicic, his ministry is Life without Limbs, No arms or legs. He is inspirational!

Google him if you want to see some amazing stuff.

MA ‘s blog says, “If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull part.” Imma trying.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

WOW! Somehow there are people who decide to whip a problem, and there are those who fold.

Thursday, Fill in and catch up

2026-03-19T11:21:30.338-04:00

Picture of the day:

Gerald Ford Air Craft Carrier

Today’s stuff:

I mentioned previously fire is dreaded aboard ship. I was forced to recall one just yesterday when I read of one lately on the Aircraft Carrier Gerald Ford, there was a big fire, it was reportedly started in the ships laundry, and burned thru compartments that contained a 600 beds. The ship was past it's time for over all maintenance and should NEVER have been deployed further. Someone dropped the ball. 12 months of 12-20 hour days kills moral.

After hours the entire ship is covered by sailors doing their after hours assignment as a ‘Fire Watch’. Each fire watch is assigned a specific area to patrol. The job is assigned to the lower pay grades and is broken down into 4 hour walks.

In my entire time at sea I experienced one fire. It just had to happen during one of my times as a ‘fire watch’. So after the shipboard notice was given over all speakers: “FIRE, FIRE 02 LEVEL FRAME 90, THIS IS NOT A DRILL, FIRE, FIRE”. It was my job to run my assigned area rushing sailors and officers to a weather deck. I will never forget one compartment the men were watching the movie ‘Rat Patrol’ on the TV, they were so engrossed they were fanning smoke from the screen, true dat. Sailors are crazy. They did leave, but did not want to.

That fire Report reminded me when blogging about shipboard life, I over looked the Laundry, a BIG part of ALL ships. Someone must do the laundry, right?

Try thinking of the amount of laundry on a carrier, associated with the life of 5000+ sailors. The laundry washes at least 5000 bed sheets a week. They wash every man's laundry. All clothes have the owner's name on it. On your Division’s Laundry Day, you come back from your job, and your sheets and clothes are piled on your bunk.

Each man folds, rolls, his clothes and puts them away; then replaces his sheets. Yes, there is a great system that ensures YOUR clothes are on YOUR rack (bed) every laundry day. They never lost even my underwear or socks.

It is hard to wrap your mind around the jobs and requirements to run a ship. There are plenty of ‘side jobs’ called ADDITIONAL DUTIES All low ranks must spend so many weeks a year on mess duty (assisting the cooks), fire watch, compartment cleaning, mail Petty Officer, passageway cleaning, security duty, and burn runs (burning out dated classified documents and messages). As a fire watch you definitely learn parts of the ship you never knew existed. LOL

Enough, every job, occupation, and just life, has some boring and exciting parts. It has been nice meeting folks on line, losing some has sure made me sad at times. Right now, I am hit hardest thinking of Jean of Opp and Paula, the cowgirl. Two wonderful women we met on Journals and Blogs. Amazing how close we get sometimes.

All people are important. EVERYONE has a life, there fore a story. With the right writer, your life would make a best selling book.

See ya

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Life gets to you sometimes. Thanks for stopping by the Shipslog

Sherry is washing clothes today, and it is shaking the RV.

Wednesday, Taxes, everyone’s favorite subject (not)

2026-03-17T19:50:00.086-04:00

Picture of the day:

Today’s stuff:

Tax time, I can relax, ours?... done! We even got a refund, the first time in many years. Every year I

remember an eye opening time. We were stationed in GITMO, my ‘Commander in Chief & President', was Mr. Richard Nixon.

It wasn’t a law, but sort of an expected rule, as president of the USA it was a practice to make his Tax return public. Our present president is an exception, he promised todo that, but later refused. Anyway, Sherry and I, lower-income enlisted folk, under Nixon’s command paid twice more in taxes than the President of the USA! He had paid a whopping $750.00 in federal Income tax. His salary was $100,000 a year, ours, less than $6,000. That blew my mind.

I am very sure he paid the right amount with deductions and loopholes, therefore the Commander-in-Chief of the Army still paid less tax than a Private in that Army.

In my opinion our tax system is NOT fair, but we still live in a GREAT country. I would like to see a straight 10% income tax on EVERYONE who ears over $50K. Maybe a Federal Sales tax of 15% on everything purchased, no exceptions or loopholes. Get rid of most of the IRS and all income tax. It would sure make it simpler for businesses that pay employees and forget withholding taxes.

With the 15% fed sales tax, when buying a car for $5000 we pay $750 tax. When the Billionaire buys a Yacht for $500,000, he pays $75,000 sales tax.

Yeah I dream a lot. I jump thru the hoops every year and fill out our tax forms. I am one cheap dude. One of my son’s pays $250 to have his done, the other might do his own.

OF COURSE I do not KNOW, but I hear there are some Billionaires who pay zero in income taxes, because their income is in stocks/bonds etc and taxed different than me. Our tax system is employee driven, not investment.

My mind will no longer hold things together, so I get very lost in IRS language. I have read about 100 of the nearly 7,000 pages of the tax code. It actually goes to 75,000 pages when the explanations and directions are included.

I won’t even try to guess the # of presidents and congressmen who have read even 10% of that code. HOWEVER, I guarantee there are lawyers who have read enough to find the loopholes, as they say. They get paid good money to do that. LOL

Ok ,I have said too much, but get your taxes filed, pay what Uncle Sam says pay, so my SS check will arrive next month. Oh yes, and THANK YOU very much!

Nite Shipslog

PS: I didn’t bitch too much did I?

Thanks for stopping by the Shipslog

Tuesday, Insight of Military life

2026-03-16T21:21:11.718-04:00

Picture of the day:

That picture was taken a short 70 years ago, She was cute wasn't she. She married a Marine. I was a smart fellow as a kid.

Today’s stuff:

WE all think of the military personnel and dangers when they are deployed. Seldom do we think of trouble at home when the military person MUST get back home i.e. the death of a loved one back home.

Military troops know that the Red Cross will help with notification of home problems, but we seldom expected it. My BIL Sgt Vernon Gomez Harris, deployed to Nam with the Green Berets, His & Sherry’s mother died. The Red Cross gave him assistance; he made it across the Pacific and the USA in time for the funeral.

While deployed to Cuba I was notified my dad was dying. If he had been declared dead the USN would have flown our family back, but since it was ONLY a notification of serious sickness, I was flown back immediately. Sherry and the boys came to the USA at the death.

I mentioned in a comment to Victor about this, as my plane approached Charlotte, NC the weather was so bad the plane was diverted to Tennessee or Virginia, I forget which; I rented a car and drove to Charlotte. But Dad had died during the diversion.

We all understand that is bad, but not like your loved one returning from deployment in a box.

So I am asking for your prayers for those families who will be seeing loved ones next, some in coffins. War is terrible, but when you sign on and wear the uniform you swear on your life to do what is required. I was fortunate I never saw combat, but my cousins, brothers, in-laws and other kin did, we were thankful they all returned, walking. Sherry's brother Lefty, was wounded on Iwo Jima but came back alive.

A lot is entailed in life, I hear hints of the draft being reinstated. IMHO 6 months to 2 years in the military is very good for most of our youth. Many people have not known discipline, and it would do them good.

I do not personally foresee the need for a draft in the present situation, but my friends, if it were to come to a World War, it WILL be necessary, and we all will cry and pray. I Remember WWII. And make no mistake, if this one comes, we here in the USA will see what Europe has seen twice.

Nite Shipslog

PS:I am stuck on the sad side, Imma try to polish the other side… HONEST!

Monday, Shipboard life

2026-03-15T20:22:00.002-04:00

Picture of the day:

Above is an LST it is flat bottomed, it can pull up to a beach and the bow opens for troops and trucks to make a landing. That was my 2nd ship.

My last ship for 2 years the USS Independence

For today:

This entry is in response to questions about the big USN buildup in the Mediterranean Sea and Iran. WE have thousands of sailors/marines aboard those fleets living around the clock. They are launchig rockets/missles over 400 in the first 72 hours, each missile costs 1.5 to 3.5 million dollars. Remember someone must move those around to get them ready to fire. So their work day aboard is not normal right now.

I have been on cargo ships, transport ships and aircraft carriers. Life is a little different on all ships because of the size. Smaller ships have one mess deck for enlisted personnel. Air craft carriers have over 5000 men when fully activated and have 2 mess decks, at least one of them is open 24 hours a day. At Meal times both are open.

That would be a rocket coming over

Above would be fuel coming over And below would be the trip to the atsea grocery store.

All ships must be resupplied. At sea a supply ship will pull alongside to high-line supplies over. Ship crews form work-details to move all supplies hand to hand across decks and down to supply rooms. Supply ships can be for groceries, medical and office supplies etc. The munitions come from Ammo- supply ships, using the same procedures. That includes shells, rockets, bombs and anything having to do with fire power.

Working hours for the most part are same as ashore. There are ‘firewatches’ over the complete ship after normal working hours, with fire details ready at a moments notice 24/7. Fire is the most dangerous thing for a ship other than the ‘enemy.’

At times troops are transferred via high line. One of the top transfers is the Chaplain. Carriers have their own Chaplains both Catholic and protestant. Some do not like it, but the chaplains are trained in several religions and do what they can to satisfy the needs of the troops. When a smaller ship needs a chaplain he is sent over via high line. I have seen them Baptised as they went into the ocean when the ships leaned toward each other during the tranfer. He went down into the water then back up. This was no surprise, but he does get wet. His Sacred materials are prepared for such an incidence and are protected.

All USN ships have retail sales stores. Very small on smaller ships and much larger on Carriers.

All ships have a medical section. The carriers have a small hospital LOL.

Naturally all sailors look forward to pulling into port and having some liberty off the ship. (Not now of course.)

You can imagine how much ‘resupply’ is going on now. ALL those rockets and missiles must be replaced on the ships. This is the most any fleet has fired EVER before. Cost of this one so far has been about $28,000 per second. Now that is more than you will make next week.

Say a prayer for the troops, there is always danger, that is why it is called war.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I have sailed the Med a couple times, it is absolutely beautiful blue water much like our Caribbean..

Ship stores? You can buy tobacco, snacks, mail supplies etc. (very small 7-11 lol)

We all are praying this 'war' will end soon.

Sunday income, cost of living

2026-03-14T21:16:00.002-04:00

Picture of the day:

Note: clarification, In my opinion methinks USA & Israel bit off more than they WANT to chew. In other words, in my opinion and some reports say, they did not expect the straits to be closed and oil to sky rocket, IMHO WE have he greatest Military in the World, and we can chew much more, but the results can HURT!...

For today:

WE do not watch TV. Most of the last 10 years it was on about an hour a year, now in the last year it has never been on. We have 2 TVs in the RV they are never used. Telling the truth we don’t know how to turn them on. LOL

I have nothing against TV. My hearing is probably the most cause. I used closed caption for years but now I cannot hear (read) as fast as TV personalities talk. They, especially news people, try to squeeze all the words possible into each minute, they lose me.

My news comes from the internet. I just read today we have 31 million workers in the USA living from pay check to paycheck. The increased gas prices are hurting them. In many cases that is because not everyone knows how to conserve. BUT in most cases it is because of debt and lower wages.

The cost of gasoline is hurting workers. Can you imagine, diesel (headed for $7) is over $5 a gal now. Can you imagine a trucker paying $500 for a fill up of only 100 gallons. That is his lively hood. Growing up at least 8 of my kin (inc a brother) made their living driving a truck.

Everything you use in life came part of its way to you

via truck.

Notice all the Walmart and Amazon trucks on the road?

So you can bet the prices WILL & MUST go up.

I become agitated inside when I hear someone complaining about having ‘nothing’ and they have hundreds of dollars of tattoos. I guess that is like I have heard: many people who shop for things they do not NEED, when they are depressed about income.

WE lived paycheck to paycheck for a while. But we were both raised by parents from the depression era. All our lives we heard, “Always put something back for that rainy day, IT WILL come.” WE tried to save something even if it was fifty cents a month.

WE made an assumption that our lifestyle would rub off on our sons, but we were mistaken. I should have been more forceful in handling finances.

Many people are head over heels I debt for things

they want, not that they need.

Ending with: For the life of me, I cannot fathom buying a house today while making car and Credit card payments even on a builder’s income much less on a carpenter’s salary.

Nite Shipslog

PS: I know, I sound depressing. Right now I need to do as MA says, polish the dull side. (or something like that) ;-)

SOOOO… Tomorrow a brighter subject TAXES! ;-)

Saturday Gasoline WWIII?

2026-03-13T22:09:52.516-04:00

Picture of the day:

Above show that some people are talking gas prices lately ;-)

. ..... ....... .............. .............

Before hand: I loved the comments on the past few posts you guys are good at that stuff. THANKS!

For today:

When I was born 1939, gas was 20 cents a gallon.

Gasoline has been a necessary product my entire lifetime. My parents saw a time when it was not in their area. But they watched as it became VERY necessary.

During WWII Gas, tires, Coffee, shoes, kerosene and sugar were rationed. One could only get a few gallons of gas per month. People walked a lot

more. ON THAT THOUGHT….. Y’ALL say a

prayer, we could face a World War again, I do

not want to see our Grand children go off to war. Mama watched 2 sons go, both returned thank God.

Remember 1973-74 gas shortage. We were stationed at Albany Georgia, and the base was moving to Key West, FL. So I was traveling back and forth to Key West from Albany GA. Getting a fill up was near impossible, so I waited in many lines to get a few gallons on each trip.

Across the country it was decided you could by gas on days you car tag was an even or odd #.

Some people got mean in the lines. One place in Florida someone cut all the gas hoses at the tanks. I saw a couple fights between men about the NEXT open tank.

Some THINGS you DO NOT want to see again. The things that bring bad memories. I have had to get both our sons out of jail. That is no fun; I hope and pray THEY never have to do that for their sons and I DO NOT think they will. I blame the lifestyle I chose while raising our 2, I think it birthed some wild hair.

BUT, but there are times in our family I wish we could have back again. Times of complete bliss. The birth of our boys, the birth and youth of our grand kids.

Do you remember times in your life when all was well with you and the world? Those times make the bumps and mountains worth the trip.

I hope this is not too much ref to reality. In the news of our world today, people are killed at the drop of a hat. I can imagine the disputes over gasoline this time, would not be fist fights it most likely would-be guns.

(This is Iran today)

You do not want to see this in your town, and this is NOT nuclear signs....

WITH THAT TERRIBLE THOUGHT IN MIND, in this

world the temptation to use that nuclear bomb button

to solve An international problem is TOO great.

PRAYER, better thoughts and level heads are

needed by we CITIZENS and our LEADERS.

Nite Shipslog

PS: Only my opinion, but I think the USA & Israel bit

off more than they want to chew right now. I hope

they find an OFF RAMP before it passes the point of

no return.

Friday… Thinking, Grandma’s Shoe box

2026-03-12T20:38:00.001-04:00

Picture of the day:

The mystery picture, Dad on the right Uncle Clyde on the left, the center looks like dad coulda been his twin, methinks. But dad was the oldest of 13 kids. (growing up lots of folks first name was Uncle or Aunt!)

A 'before' note: Sherry & the Hornets. She was a young mama going to help her baby boy! You girls know how that is, Hell itself wouldn't stop you! LOL

Today’s stuff:

I was born late (family wise) and there were few OLD people left in our family. I didn’t get to know either of my grandpas. I remember Granny Lloyd very well, but not granny Darnell. Funny thing about that one I remember Granny Darnell’s daddy very well. He was Grandpa Hilly. He was actually my Great Grandpa but growing up I didn’t realize that. Yes, he outlived his family. He was a County Judge and farmer near Toccoa, GA.

Granny DArnell and her cow. Taken on the Art Cloth Mill village.

I said all that only to say when we visited Granny Lloyd she would always reach into her ‘bosom’ pullout that little clippy change purse and find me a nickel.

Below is Granny Lloyd. I knew her better than any of my Grands.

I would thank her and run about a ¼ block to a little 6’x8’ snack shack, in a neighbor's front yard. I always bought a nickel container of salted peanuts. They advertised ‘a coin in every box,1-25 cents. Of course, it was always a penny but I kept hoping. (I did enjoy the p-nuts) I guess I have always been a ‘gambler’. ;-)

(This was taken in 1943, South Gastonia where she lived in a 'shot gun house'. Meaning a straight thru home, you could stand in the front door and see out the back door.)

But what I remember next was the ‘old worn-down Shoe Box’. She would let me get her ‘shoe box full of pictures’ down and look thru them. I would give a thousand dollars for that shoe box now with the names on the back.

Are you puzzled about any old pictures you have? I have one picture, I put it on our Kodak Frame. It is my dad and two men. One I know, is Uncle Clyde, the other remains a mystery. As far as I know there is no one alive today who would know that man. I am pretty sure he is an uncle but I had so many (14-16), I cannot place him.

Some small mysteries will never be solved in this life. I tell myself, “Live with it Jack!”

YEP, it is dangerous for me to think.

Nite Shipslog

PS: Some of the pictures I use came from cousin Dewey. On one copy of the mystery pic I labeled the mystery man Uncle Doyle, he was daddy's BIL.

Thursday… big yard decorations

2026-03-11T22:14:00.000-04:00

Picture of the day:

Today’s stuff:

WE have owned only one place that a big yard decoration would have fit. I would have loved this in my front yard:

I know not every one cares for big stuff in the yard, but what about these?

Have you seen big decoration? I think the biggest I ever did see was called Cadillac Ranch, they over did it me thinks.

Original cars, 1974.

Below are the cars now, not sure it the painting was ordered or not.

What would you use if you had a BIG home and room for an eye catcher?

Nite Shipslog

PS:

This one I do not want!

Wednesday… Stuff before it hit the fan!

2026-03-10T20:42:00.000-04:00

Picture of the day:

How was this material made and lifted in 432 BC?

DS2 Malanowski at the Parthenon (1970) Ski became a priest in the Orthodox Church after leaving the USN

The above picture of the Parthenon in 1957

Today’s stuff:

The other day 'MA' commented on a ‘home place’, remembering a ‘swinging Bridge’. There is a swinging bridge in our past also. Kat and Dick (Sis & BIL) had a place in the NC mountains. An Old cabin that the extended family used and enjoyed. There was a swinging bridge across the mountain stream. It was actually installed & maintained by NC State DOT for years. It was a walking bridge.

All the kids loved it. One day Jack Jr. was on the bridge and screamed loudly after being stung by a hornet. Sherry (a young lady then) went bounding across the bridge, unknowingly stirring a huge hornet’s nest underneath. That was long before she wore pants. Hornets swarmed under her dress mixed in the slips and dress (modesty went to the wind, imma tell you). At least 14 made it to her legs and she suffered some terrible stings.

However, we still used the bridge and enjoyed it for many more years (with the nest gone, of course) The State finally took the bridge down.

more..

Do you ever want more? I love Butter-pecan Ice Cream. MOST of the time, when it is finished no matter how BIG the bowl was, I want just a little more.

I misplaced a lot of things in my childhood. My daddy used to tell me, “You would lose your head it it wasn’t screwed on to your neck!”

Filled the car Monday, gas cost: $3.57 per gallon.

I was over at ‘Spare Parts and Pics’. Peter went out to the Carlyle mine. Even crazy enough to walk down into one of the shafts. ‘BUT’ he mentioned all the **concrete used to make the mine workable in such a rough area. That was in the early 1900s, The mine peaked in my birth year 1939.

So I started down a rabbit trail. In my mind going back to the Pyramids. How did they do that in 2600 BC. I walked the Parthenon in Athens in 1957 & 1970, How did they do that in 432 BC?

So now I am looking in on the Aztecs on this side of the world. How did they do that in 1050 AD?

(The Pueblos actually did this but it is called Aztec)

Sorry, when I get on a rabbit trail, I get lost..

And click-bait did not sent me this time. LOL

Take care...

Nite Shipslog

** Concrete: I learned that the Carlyle concrete was probably some of the first ‘Gunite’ or ‘Shotcrete’ used. Gunite is still used today but not the same methods. It was probably hauled out in bags as powder and forced into water by pressure.

Where there is a will there is a way, THEY SAY!

Tuesday… Music and lyrics

2026-03-09T21:02:05.420-04:00

Picture of the day:

The Darnell Brothers at a local gig.

Today’s stuff:

(first: Hey Victor, I knew about the Euro, I just forgot. I even used to know my name!)

When I read blogs many times, I get the idea that someone writing may be a musician. Our family appreciated music. Mama started Shirley (6) on the piano and she learned. She tried me(7), but only one 50 cent lesson and I told mama ‘not for me.

Dad bought a second hand Sax from a friend, I held it for awhile, looked at it, wow, there are a lot of buttons on that dude. I gave that up too. Dad got his money back. I have few regrets in my 87 years, I just mentioned a couple.

I watch grandson Josh tickle those keys and Stephen pic the guitar and wish I has stuck with the piano. THEN the biggest regret is the sax, I love to hear that instrument. It yanks my chain. BUT I gave that up too.

I settled for the trumpet, and got pretty danged good at it, but slowly, as my sister Shirley did on the piano. I started doing my own thing on the trumpet, NOT reading music, I started playing by ear. That is ok, but it limits one. I could pick up the horn and play most anything, not even knowing the key of the music, but I could not add those cute ‘runs’ that the pro could add.

(A real Trumpet player!)

I played the trumpet for many years in church. Sherry’s niece is a pianist/organist. WE attended the same church. Once, I asked Brenda, ‘what was that last song you played?’ She told me. The song she played was not the song I did. I laid the horn down and never picked it up again. I realized later, my hearing was my problem. A fellow named Troy, picked it up and played it. It became his horn. If you make music with a wind instrument, you do not always learn lyrics, just the music. I know few lines to songs.

Sherry took piano lessons for a while and coulda been good at it, but She lost interest. Today that is one of her regrets. Son Jack Jr. turned out to be a good trumpet player, Mark never showed any interest in musical instruments but he does have a good singing voice.

I don’t know why but I see MA, Susan, Myra and Diana (Nana) as possible piano players.

Since I am not a soothe sayer, Imma quit trying, but I think Victor may play the keyboard or a guitar. ;-) but most likely he plays chess.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Little Richard, and Tutti Fruti, it had to be good. that is 4 saxophones on stage!

Music is a big part of life in this world. I think the music of your teens/twenties will be the best when you look back over your life. Yeah lyrics from my teens meant so much:

A wap bob a lu bob, a lop bam boom, TUTI FRUITY AW RUTY!

WE thought it was fun anyway! ;-)

Monday… At times I do not know what to say!

2026-03-08T19:25:00.000-04:00

Picture of the day:

Today’s stuff:

I saw some nice used cars the other day. Price in large letters, ONLY $25,000! I have a problem, 1956, when I got my license, a NEW Ford/Chevy was $1600. Shucks the Caddy was $3100. Back then I heard the Rolls sold for about L5000 or about $20,000.

(The Rolls sells new today starting at about $350,000)

Out of my understanding! Those used cars I saw sell for more than a Brand New Rolls Royce in 1955! What happened to our economy? I guess Victor would say what happened to the euro?

Hearing that gas prices are on the rise, we filled the coach. It is full now and ready to start to NC in a few weeks. Our round trip to NC in this gas coach is 166 gallons.

We were paying about $380 round trip but now at present price of $3.45 per gallon, it will be about $520. WE can fly round trip cheaper. OUCH! Of course that flight trip cost will double too.

I hear this upward cost is only temporary, I sure hope so, because if gas goes to $4-$5 a gallon our traveling will sure be cut down LOL.

(I just hate to cry in public!)

I know, I know, Sherry too says I am now OLD and should not be on the road. But before I disappear I want you to know my little brain

thinks I am as ‘cool’ as I was 70 yrs ago. Uh

OH! AFTER I wrote that, looking back, READING IT, mmm...mmm, maybe, just maybe I could be hallucinating. I will think-on that; I hope I will be back tomorrow. ;-)

Nite Shipslog

PS: Life is good, brains may not be all they are cracked up to be, it is said some folks do not use ½ their brain capacity. It is hinted that I DO NOT USE

mine at all. But I am trying. When I say ‘I am

TRYING!’ Sherry says, “YOU SURE ARE!”

Sunday… Don’t tell me what I can say!

2026-03-07T19:57:00.000-05:00

Picture of the day:

An old General Store in Eastanollee Georgia from the time of my grandpa's store. THANKS to Lisa up in Michigan. I will research some more I would love to have a picture back when mama was a kid.

Today’s stuff:

I order a lot of stuff like many people today. I never cease to think of how things turn around. As a kid my mama ordered from Sears & Roebuck catalog. Even her baby chicks came in the mail in a box with holes in the sides. I loved that.

And for many many years very few folks ordered, NOW? Wow, Amazon has out stripped Walmart. Who woulda thunk it?

Anyway as you all know once you order and it is delivered, immediately you get the auto email, “How did you like the product?” Most of the time before you have had time to even use it.

I have tried to respond, and a few times I might give them 5-star and say a few words. Once or twice I used 3-5 words, I.e. “I enjoyed the product!”

I immediately received the notation, ‘not enough words!’ What? Don’t tell me how to comment. You asked, I responded, you should be happy about anything good that is said!

Anyway, I told them I would not respond again. I know they don’t care but I definitely won’t feel bad bout NOT making a comment.

Take care out there I just wanted to VENT, Thanks.

Nite Shipslog

PS: WE are settled in Eustis again. Nice place. Mark will be over and we will attend church here in the park. Our pastor here has a dog on the stage with him. He is very wise man, an in depth sermon, very well delivered and less than 30 mins.. Singers from different states most use guitars. Good sounds...

I just found a picture of some muddy girls. Left is Sherece, Right is her mother Corrinne. Some competition they were in. Running obstacle course water and mud involved.

Saturday, March 7 Just moving our home a few miles.

2026-03-06T19:57:00.000-05:00

Picture of the day:

The color did not come out well. Many of you know that bird head has a bright red cap. No show here.

For today:

I have enjoyed this short stay near Orlando. Too much traffic in this area to suit my sweetheart and me. But I did enjoy the Sand-hill Cranes and their crazy loud sounds. Also, I tried to get some pictures of a couple with two skinny chicks but I wasn't very successful.

I was feeling sorry for you girls the other day as I was wiping my hands on my work trousers. Girls can’t do that. Sherry said Boys are not supposed to do it either. BUT where else are we supposed to wipe ‘em? WE don’t keep a box of Kleenex with us??

We boys (NOT WEE boys) are just lucky I guess, our pants can handle it.

Works on shirts too!

Unique things:

Sherry and I watched a coach pull in, to park. A lady got out, went around and disconnected the jeep she was towing. Then moved the Jeep into a parking spot. She proceeded to back the big coach into the site perfectly and do all the hookups (Power, water and Sewer). She leveled the coach, opened the awing and went in. A few minutes later she was out under the awning, drinking a cup of coffee and reading a book. Tough lady, I want you to know, that was a job. I just about bet she wiped her hands on her pants! LOL

She just went inside, that is her coach straight ahead of us.

Sherry said, "I wouldn’t do that. IF you were not here I would be in a house watching TV." She could do it of course, but prefers not to wipe her hands on her pants.

Another view from our front window:

A standard view, Sherry on the phone with Jack Jr. They do Trivia every day, some days it is a 3way call including Mark. They love the old games.

Y’all have a great day we should be moved by now. ;-)

Nite Shipslog

PS: Life is good even if I do break the rule and wipe my hands on my pants, that’s why they go to the trouble to make ‘Spray ‘n Wash’. ;-)

Friday...Things that were...

2026-03-05T20:06:00.002-05:00

Picture of the day:

Things were different. This is the only thing I know of that still exists about my Grandpa Lloyds store in Eastanollee, Georgia. It is what is left of a calendar. I never saw the store but my mama worked there as a child (1909-1915)

Today’s stuff:

The surroundings of RV parks and campgrounds has changed since the arrival of COVID. WE are seeing many more children where we once only saw old folks until Summer. Example, A couple just parked across the road, they have three children, a puppy and a cat.

They are home schooled and the parents work from ‘Home’; for them, home is where you park it.

I had to smile when the oldest child asked Sherry if we had any kids? LOL The mother was there, I laughed, looking at her saying, “Yes we do but they are on Social Security.”

Electric bikes, scooters and 4 wheelers are the thing. Yes even life on the road has changed very much.

That is my sweet Sherry in her sister Collette's arms. Cute wasn't she?

I don’t guess it is sad, it is really history repeating itself IN CHANGE. i.e. Dad would say, when I wanted

a car, “When I was a boy and wanted to go

somewhere, I walked or rode a mule bare back. Things

have sure changed!” And of course they had.

WE catch ourselves saying things like, “At one time we could understand the words of a song when Elvis, Sedaka, and Ray Charles sang !”

Speaking of those and hundreds more, we are reminded no matter who you are, how rich you become or famous you are; unless you are a president, inventor, or great philosopher you will be forgotten.

Our boys and cousin Steve (nothing stays the same!)

A generation or two down the road someone may remember a grandpa or grandma named ....mmmmm ? And they will be saying, “Hey we used to do things much different than these crazy kids today!”

I hope in a few years (if time goes on and I am alive) I can still move and think well enough to tell the great grands how much fun it was to be alive in the 1940-1970 era of music and TV! (Part of the Silent Generation)

Many of my elders thought the 'Rock and Roll' teens in my time were headed to hell in a hand basket. Some folks think that today, but when I see our fantastic Grand kids, and I know you have some too; I know the country will be in pretty good hands…

Nite Shipslog

PS: Oh yes RV parks have changed, as I type this, it is about 8:30PM and I hear noise, children cutting up. We used to hear only bugs or night noises after 6PM, LOL…….Don’t leave, I’m even gonna try to do better;-)

Thursday Luke Vegas, one more thing that tickles my fancy #8

2026-03-04T19:34:46.622-05:00

Picture of the day:

Luke above as the 'KID' below as the Graduate with his Grandma

Now for today’s stuff:

We thought Mr. Luke was going to be the dedicated bachelor. Then he met THAT lady. JENNA!. But first he was a cute kid, a tow head who was always ‘sweet’ around us. Brothers and sister mom and dad may have different insights. LOL

Above is SHORT Luke the comedian no legs!

He was good in school and very good on the little league baseball field.

My pride in him was his frugality. He WORKED, saved his money and by the time he was around 20 he had saved $16000. He located a house in Paw Creek, NC owned by a Hell’s Angels Chapter. He bought the house. With the help of his dad and William (one of our go-to workers, he calls Sherry mama) the house was transformed. He was our youngest and the first to own his home outright. You gotta be proud of that. (Mark was in Florida part of the time and he said Luke would pay for his gas to come up and work some.)

Luke and Jenna now have Palmer June, a beautiful daughter and that young man is a chest busting daddy.

He has become a leading plumber at the Charlotte International Air Port and doing great.

Palmer (Palmy, PJ) is already a traveler. She has flown several trips to Ohio (Jenna’s mother lives there), She has visited her grandpa and the other great grand parents here in Florida. Trips to the beach and a cruise or two and not a year old yet. This child is very sweet and cuddly.

Palmy dropped by to see us not long after she was born. Grandma now has girls around.

Nite Shipslog

PS: These GRANDS are THE BEST things, yes they tickle my heart strings! I hope you enjoyed the Grand Tour, this was of course more interest to the family, a tribute from our time here on this planet.

Wednesday Ben Came back.. Things that tickle your fancy 7

2026-03-03T20:20:33.222-05:00

Picture of the day:

Oh yes, Ben let that beard GROW!

Now for today’s stuff:

Ben was doing great in the building industry in Utah; he and Corey worked closely for a few years. Corey moved to Oregon and started driving a truck.

Back in the height of my building I wanted Ben out here. He finally came out and settled down, but by that time I had retired. He has never owned his own place. He rented or lived in with his mother in Utah, but now, thanks to his dad he is buying his own place. I think he has it mostly paid off.

While in Utah Ben and Ashley created a beautiful daughter, they named her Elsie Mae. Like her grandmother Carol, Elsie has red hair.

She is a sweetheart of course and Ben loves her to pieces. Ashley left Utah and moved to Louisiana. Now 'Elle' travels there to visit. Elsie is now 18 years old, Out here she and her Grandpa Jack are near inseparable.

(I like this picture of Ben, WE are still delighted to have him out in our corner of the world.)

Ben is on his third job since being out here. This is a ‘stair building company’ owned by a cousin of Sherece (Sherece’s mother’s side of the family).

His other jobs paid very well, but at times driving 40-50 miles to a job. I think he will be satisfied and do well at this job. It is close by. WE and his dad are very proud of his work ethic.

Oh yeah, one more of Ben and Sherece helping Grandma in the kitchen...

I am gonna let Ben go now. I have one more Grand. I will talk about him tomorrow. He is the youngest, Luke Vegas.

Nite Shipslog

PS: These GRANDS are THE BEST things, yes they tickle my heart strings!

Tuesday... Ben Came along... Things that tickle your fancy 6

2026-03-02T21:01:00.004-05:00

Picture of the day:

SOME OF HIS FIRST STEPS
?? Yes the twins are very close still, They appear as "The Darnell Brothers" for singing music gigs most weeks. All our Grands are with in 25 mi of each other. in North Carolina.

Now for today’s stuff:

Corey came into our lives and not too much longer along came Benjamin Aaron. Ben was born to Carol & Jack Jr. at Walter Reed Hospital Bethesda, Maryland. He was born co-patients with presidents, ;-) so you know that dude is important. His mother was stationed at the Pentagon.

Before Ben came home, Corey and I went to McDonalds. He could not decide what he wanted so we just order everything on the menu (There was not a lot on the menu back then). So he got a kick out of the order. We just took home what we didn’t eat. He never forgot that.

Carol brought Ben home, WOW what a fine boy. I knew he would walk in my shoes a little when I saw this:

(I would have held him tighter had I known he would disappear in a few weeks.

I took him to work with me. I sat him in my pickup with all the necessities, including diapers, for the day and took off. Days were a pleasure with him. Like all the grands after him, he was the perfect child. Never a ‘fusser’, always pleasant.

There was a sad period of 2-3 years. In a well planned act, just after Jack Jr left their apartment for work; a moving van pulled up. Carol took furniture, Ben and Corey and departed for parts unknown. We did not HEAR from them for over a year, then did not see them for a couple years. Those times may not be exact, but it was a few years. Every day of that time I talked to Ben and Corey on my tape recorder.

Keeping the tapes, hoping I would see him soon. Later in life Benjamin (12) and I drove the RV from NC to Utah. He listened to the tapes as we traveled. He would say over and over, “I can’t believe you thought you would never see me again?” But after a few years of no contact you begin to wonder. Once, maybe twice after a year we got a letter post marked from different states. Saying Ben and Corey were doing fine.

Now for all the animosity between Carol and our family, I must say Joan and Dick ( the Grandparents in Utah) gave Corey some great basics in manners, etc. Carol did the same with Corey and Ben. But the mysterious departure and no contact was heart breaking.

This is the boys when we got to see them after 3 long years without them.

That was over and when Ben was about 6 Carol allowed Ben and Corey to fly out every summer for extended visits. WONDERFUL TIMES…

This is gonna take two Blog entries, Ben had four lives, 2 in NC and 2 in Utah. Stay turned for his latest life...

Nite Shipslog

PS: These GRANDS are THE BEST things, yes they tickle my heart strings!