Shipslog

Monday is the day.

2026-08-07T21:41:57.026-04:00

Now playing at Sight and Sound, we think!

for today

Monday is coming up. I now have my super special eye drops I picked up today, they somehow prevent radiation from effecting my eyes..... Being deaf hurts, but to think of something effecting my sight really makes me think.

I am checking on reservations for our trip to Pennsylvania. Sherry checked what is going on at 'Sight and Sound' near Lancaster. They are doing 'Joshua' I hope we can arrange that between my appointments and Sherry's.

She is still fighting blood pressure problems with many ups! Now when I got lost on our last trip to the hospital we had to walk a lot and I did not know we were about ruining her knee, and she did not complain. I blame myself because it was my fault that we got lost.

AS of now the knee is easing off. I am doing my best to keep her off her feet to let that knee heal.

A trip would be good just now. She would have to stay off her feet and relax in her recliner on our way north.

I would like to thank MA for the SS information. That verifies what a good friend of mine at church told me. She too gets her deceased hubby's Social Security since his death. So that easies one thing on my mind.

I can say one thing positive, I did get that crazy zero turn mower fixed. And I come up with a good meal today. Sherry is easy to please, but said this was the best meal in months.

Son Mark brought in 2 chicken 1/4s. I cleaned the bones and saved the meat. I boiled carrots in sweet syrup, honey and brown sugar for about 14 minutes. then let it set. I made some potato pieces in lots of butter (after boiling them for 10 minutes.). I drained the carrots and dumped them with the chicken into the home fries. I steamed them all while I prepared a loaf of bread saved from our last trip to a steak house.

I hear her on the phone now, bragging on that meal. LOL

Nite Shipslog

Some times

2026-08-05T23:12:08.504-04:00

There are times that hearing the news makes one feel sick. Remember the Shah of Iran? During that time Iran and the USA were 'buddies'.

Now we are killing Iranians because we do not like the present 'SHAWs',

I heard an interview with what was called 'just an Iranian guy'. He stated , 'we loved America.' Now it is confusing because you guys are bombing and Killing us. What happened?

I will apologies to you that smile at our present condition, saying it is just temporary. Hey, I am paying close to $4 a gallon for gas that I remember most of my life was less than $1.50, much of my life gas was less than $1 a gallon.

~~No one wants to be hit with an A-Bomb! I am afraid we have bit off more than we can chew. Did we need a war we could not win?~~

I guess I wouldn't be so frustrated but recently I bought gas for my lawn mowers and paid more than a fill up on our Honda, normally.

I have always smiled at how blessed we were in the USA when paying for gas in Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain and seeing the price in the UK and Caribbean. I cannot imagine the prices in those areas now.

I might be blind sighted, but this present war that has upset the world's oil industry is the first war I can remember that WE STARTED. WE have been in wars, but seldom did we start them.

A a former military man with the majority of my time in and Teaching, Intelligence Processing, I am amazed anyone THOUGHT a middle eastern country would capitulate to our demands. Hey remember, those fools knew they were going to die crashing into the twin towers, and many other places. Death is an honor to them. OR something to that effect.

I am sorry, I really do not mean to offend you who back our present Commander in Chief, but personalities of those who require praise just seem to nip at my heels. Even if it is my own party. ;-)

Nite Shipslog

PS Maybe it is time for me to just stop and take a few days off and relax. I am hoping to take a vacation after my next Dr. appt. anyway. I would love to be eating some Pennsylvania fresh corn....

RAin? great, but hey I am outside!

2026-08-04T21:36:32.091-04:00

A care free sailor. sitting in the safety nets around the flight deck of the USS Independence CVA62, in the Mediterranean Sea. Sherry and I were up on technology, we were now communicating with cassette tapes, and I could hear her voice, She sounded wonderful, even thousands of miles away! In the safety net no one could hear her but me!

That from the past, now today!

WE need the rain, however our deck at our favorite swing needed repair. About $80 of lumber and a few hours I finished with one screw left, when the rain came.

Yeh, I did get all the tools in and cleared the area.

I cannot help but think of my life, and possibly leaving my sweetheart. ME and EVERYONE else says what I say, "NO one can say when this life will end. Yeah I KNOW that. But when someone who is of the medical profession gives you a date, you pause and THINK!.

Of course the pastor says, "Bro. Jack, you will leave this world when HE is through with you and not before!"

An answer I would and did expect. What else could he say?

Honestly, and I MEAN this, "I really do not care!" That may be hard to understand, but I can say that. AS a matter of fact, it is easy to say. At present I do not have a pain in my body that is life threatening. Now, I might say different if I was suffering as some folks are.

But LOGIC tells me, prepare for what future you have, so I plan to. I am thinking of my sweetheart and what she will have to live on when I am gone. I need to check with SS to see how much her SS will increase. I hear she can draw off mine. I get a little more than she does at present.

Anyway I am thinking of the future MUCH DIFFERENT than I did 2 weeks ago when I thought I had a simple 'skincancer', LOL

Love you guys

NIte Shipslog

As you know, I am not new to this Blogging/ Journalling.

2026-08-02T22:31:29.403-04:00

I have a picture Sherry took of me working on this 1953 Plymouth we had in Biloxi Mississippi. Here she is in her first Pregnancy with Jack Jr. I did work on this one, and we prayed for it a lot too! I was a lowly Airman, and things were tough. Me or the Lord had to fix it, or we would have walked. He did help me of course.

For this time:

BUT... I do forget how to do things, such as to change font type and size, color, etc. Posting the right size pictures confuse me also, as time has gone on.

Somehow I used to make my entry, then transfer it here and post. I am sure a Genius can get lost here as they age. I am laughing.

I was told once, "You are the smartest person in the world, dad!"

That was when son Mark was selling his Corvette, the man was coming to get the car with cash, and it would not start. He was desperate, I did get it started, just as the man drove up."

The 'smartest person in the world' came out when he heard that engine roar to life. LOL

I am smiling, I am a smart man; So I am also smart enough to know that was his RELIEF talking. ;-)

WE all feel like that at times when relief shows up in the nick of time. ;-)

I do have an ability to fix stuff. Example: This week my sweet heart mentioned she did not like the damage to a step in this house. I just happened to have a scrap of oak wood that would work in a cut and insert, in this case. A few hours of work fixed that for her. She be happy. I have to admit it is a first class 'fix'.

She is easy to impress. Growing up, her mama could fix more than her dad around their house. After about 70 years it is still hard for her to accept I can fix most carpentry, plumbing and electrical problems in our homes. Before all this mumbo jumbo of computerized firing and timing of cars and engines, I could repair engines even complete rebuilding one. I have been stopped in my tracks, like most guys, since those Enovation's in cars came around. LOL

I just finished my ice cream sandwich MA blogged about today. It was small, I think I will have another. LOL

Nite Shipslog

PS: I just finished my 2nd ice cream sandwich; well you know they are small. LOL

Ideas, yeaah right?

2026-08-01T21:27:37.489-04:00

Above is Corporal Dallas Fletcher from a foreign Country: Pennsylvania!

Friends of mine

For today, I think!

I had an idea when I sat down, but it has flown. This happens more often than in the past.

Nuts to you... No, Nuts for me! I have loved nuts since I was a kid. Probably from 4 yrs old to 6 yrs old when Granny died. She always reached into her 'bosom' to get her change purse, a small thingee with a twist snap top; she always found me a nickel. I would run to a little shack that sold snacks and buy a little container of salted nuts. That little container always promised a coin inside every pack, 1 to 25 cents. Of course it was always a penny. ;-),

The coins were not new either. I look back at what I have been told that coins have more germs attached than most things. WHY didn't all us kids get sick and die? Don't get me wrong, I am glad I did not, ;-0. As a kid I did swallow a couple coins! ;-)

ANYWAY, now my choice of nut is Honey Roasted. I eat both p-nuts and almonds at night. I guess I eat about a 1/4 cup (as I am now, as I type)

YES, I AM TYPING. I do actually use two hands instead of one finger, but I still look at the keys, more than the screen, at times I look up and see nothing is on the screens, LOL

I never took Typing in school. I had to learn fast, when I was forced to use a 'typewriter' at a USAF job at MARS (Military Affiliated Radio Stations). I did get a lot of strange looks when asked, I said, " I work at MARS!"

I was supposed to type every message I received. To be honest most messages more than one line, I wrote long-hand, then typed it off line

In this life I have did a lot of crazy things. I was trained as an Analog Computer repairman. Then when the world went Digital I was trained as a Digital Repairman. Later I went to IBM School in D.C. And became an IBM repairman.

I have a sweet brilliant grandson, Josh, who programs and repairs software problems. I once told him, "I have fixed many computers and had no idea how I did it!"

He made me feel so good once when he said, "Grandpa, I have done the same thing in Software repairs!"

Okay, that is my entry. I was going to write a brilliant post.

Love to all.

Nite Shipslog

PS: As I finished this I thought to two guys I do so admire, Both have health problems, both from my long time past. Not sure if you will read this, but Buddy and Dallas tonight I wish you well, Memories of you bring a smile...

After a lot of work I think pictures appeared... I am confused

Just 'Marking Time'

2026-07-31T21:33:02.570-04:00

We called it Happy VAlley. WE had bought a home there for $3000. While I attended Surveyor School. That did not last but 2-3 Quarters, then I joined the USN. This picture was before Sherry moved to Norfolk to be with me there. Sailoring was the longest I stayed at any job methinks. LOL

For today:

In the USMC I learned to 'mark time'. marching in-place, and not getting anywhere. LOL

I am just waiting for another appointment, this one for Radiation

I am staying busy with me working on my TO DO list.

I have been busy cutting the many trees here that interfere with our power and phone lines. Some of the power lines for two neighbors homes. The trees are not big but tall. They are 3-4 inches thru, but 20-30 feet high. That is crossed off the list.

I fixed a loose fender on the motor home and puller a step that needed repair. Just staying busy. Still feeding the coons and possums.

Son Mark has mentioned a black and white kitty. I finally saw it today. very young kitty and it ran like a scalded dog when it saw me. I put som milk aout for it.

My pet Bunny is still here. I am trying to name it 'Funny Bunny'. It will still sit about 5' from me and talk. (I talk it listens) I enjoy it.

Nite Shipslog.

Budget

2026-07-29T20:38:00.677-04:00

Bill & Dar at their Log house in the woods. Below is Bill when they visited our motor home while we were in Wisconsin.

For today

Sherry and I have always tried to live on a budget. Like most folks, methinks, several times in our lives it has been close. WE are able to smile now, but once I went to the bank and borrowed $60 for 6 months. The payments were $10.25 a month for the 6 months. Even those payments were a little hard. LOL

I read some tough statistics the other day. Spending $100 today buys the same as $12.71 did in 1970. Now that hurts my feelings. I remember thinking in 1950 my mama saying in 1912 you could buy or sell eggs for a penny apiece. milk between 25-35 cents a gallon. That was tough to believe, now you and I are seeing much worse than that.

The economist was saying normally this difference in 1970 and 2026 would take a hundred years, but inflation has speeded up.

Being honest we do not have to budget as many of our peers. I feel fortunate and wonder how someone rents or makes a house payment of $2000+, buys a car/truck, buys gas, pays utilities, eats out and buys groceries. For the first time in our lives we have paid a weekly grocery bill over $200. That is not every week, but no week is less than $100. That is old folk.

The cost of living is out of sight that is for sure. I started working at 50 cents an hour, now younger family members earn from $20 to $50 an hour. WOW.

I hope you are well. I am doing good and Sherry is also BUT handling blood pressure that goes up and down like a see/saw (Is that how you spell that?) Above is all, God has been good to us.

Nite Shipslog

PS: I love all your comments and thank you for taking the time, Yesterday I got a surprise, A note from Bill and Dar. I have mentioned them many times but mostly a few years ago. They live out in the woods of N. Wisconsin, and also have a log cabin (house) further out in the woods. They built it as a team. Bill cut the logs and Dar skinned them. She wore out a 'pull knife' doing it. I just wanted to say thanks DAr and YOu guys, sisters & and that sweet mom of yours is mentioned often here..

I will get Radiated Nest week

2026-07-28T22:50:57.551-04:00

My sister Shirley and I. approx 1944. Mama knew I loved the brother's uniforms, she made this one for me. My first Uniform.

so today:

No one has told me the details of GETTING ready for serious radiation. Today was very interesting. I actually got lost and dragged my sweetheart probably a 1/2 to 3/4 mile to find the Cancer clinic, I must have tried 6 LOCKED doors at the hospital today. A sweet lady, and employee, walked us a long ways to get us there.

Afterchecking in we had a conversation with a couple. The man was there for his cancer treatment. I told them what I had, Merkel Corsinoma, The man across from us said his dad died of Merkel. He also said Terry Bradshaw suffered from Merkal Cell in 2022 and was still alive doing well and working.

They called me in, discouraging Sherry from coming with me. It was a interesting time. I was in two big pieces of circular machines. Using a piece of some hot material, that looked sorta like a thick net, placing it over my face, They made a mask (copy) of my face. 4 techs and a dr. drew on my face with a black sharpie several times; slipped me in and out of each machine a couple times. There was a lot of discussion about my eye. They decided to apply some liquid EYE covering vs lead to protect the eye. They said they would explain it the day of my appt.

Some of you have went thru this and now I know how to sympathize. ;-)

Believe it or not, they did not offer to, nor remove the black marks on my face. The dismissal guy said it would fade away with washing.

I asked Sherry if she would be embarrassed to grocery shop with me? Her answer, "We will go home before shopping. LOL (The folks getting out of the elevator did look at me funny, as they stared at my face. LOL)>

Son Mark brought in a Pizza for dinner so I did not have to cook.

Oatmeal for breakfast in the morning and methinks I will do one of the hamburger helper meals for dinner.

I appreciate any suggestions of easy breakfast meals or dinner meals.

Nite Shipslog

Easy time around here.

2026-07-27T22:01:09.630-04:00

Wiley and his SPECIAL wife Susie, had some pretty girls, I fell in love and married the beautiful one on the right Sept 22 1956. I did not deserve her, but she has been not only a great loving wife, but the BEST.

This picture taken on the Imperial Mill Village, Belmont, NC 1950s.

For today..

We are hoping Sherry's vanity stool comes in tomorrow. Today has been an easy one with STir Fry for dinner and Oatmeal for breakfast.

I did easy stuff today. This house needed very much a good entry threshold at our bedroom. It has looked like the room was under repair. So I repaired that. The Front door dead bolt did not seat and I got that taken care of. I usually have Pinapple bits for the stir fry, but i only had crushed pineapple (canned of course). So to make p for that I added some cocoa nut shavings. I also had rice for the base.

Sherry is nice and brags on my cooking. The whole family knows SHE is the real cook around here. This note for DAllas and Marian up in PA who were at our first Thanksgiving dinner, CAmp Lejune 1956.. HOnestly guys her biscuits are NOT HARD now!!! Just to clarify. LOL

We did joke about that, Marian was always THE COOK, Sherry was learning and learned well.

NOthig more today, I have ANOTHER DR. APPT IN THE MORING.. This one is about the one radiation treatment I chose vs 25-30 that were suggested. I have no idea if this is a heavier treatment or not. But I will learn in the morning.

I did not sound like the treatment would be tomorrow, but IO will let you kow. WE want this radiation over with so we cn head fo Florida for a couple weeks.

The best to you from North Carolina.

Nite Shipslog

Done..

2026-07-26T21:11:58.484-04:00

The Arch at St. Louis. WE passed it many times ad when we learned you could go up inside it, we just had to do it. Great view of the city and the Mississippi River. Loved it.

This is Sherry when she was waiting for me to come into her life. LOL Pretty, huh?

for today...

This old house is not one you Crawl under, it is low and one must slide under you must also use 'elbows and toes'. Me 'n my PA friend DAllas and the whole platoon, learned that little trick during our 'vacation at Parris Island.'

I could not figure a way to get the Vanity corner working properly without going under the house. At least I had the presence of mind to wear my coveralls.

I had to run a new circuit from the breaker panel. It is now functional. Sherry is pleased, there fore I am happy.

That wears an old man down.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Our customized 1955 Ford. Great car, it towed our 42 foot house trailer.

Hey the vanity table came in!

2026-07-25T20:15:08.740-04:00

Above is Sherry and Sister Collette in Elvis's Jeep. Collette was a dedicated Elvis lover.

Below is the Evis home in Memphis Pictures from 1983 on a cross country trip.

Todays bit:

Yep, I was shocked, it arrived a few days early. FEDEX brought it in. The driver carried that big heavy box to our door.. I had to cut the box open and carry it to the vanity room in about ten loads. LOL Sherry and I put it together in less than a day.

BUT when I turned on the lights they blinked constantly. It slipped my mind, this is an old house and most of the wiring is 2 wire, NO GROUND WIRE. To test the lighting, I ran an extension cord from some of the new wiring and the lights worked right. NOW I must find a way to get a ground wire to just these two outlets at least.

Here it is:

Her stool is delayed a few days. I think she will like once I clear ou the electrical wrinkle thing.

Take care and stay cool.

Nite Shipslog

What you said and stuff, including Corn from Pennsylvania

2026-07-24T20:03:42.697-04:00

Taken at Biloxi, Mississippi 1959, Me holding Jack Jr. on the left. He is now almost 68 yrs old.... I was an Airman at the time, Jack Landers on the right was a master Sergent in the USAF. This was a church group.

For this entry....

WE had some rain, YEA! It was not enough to get us out of water use control. But temps dropped from 100s in the daytime to 70 today! Felt good.

I smile when I hear or read something someone says that rings my bell, later. One I remember is 'Just wait, 10 years from now you will understand what I mean.' That was from my super friend Sonny. Boy was he right. Towards the end of his life he had a tough time getting up from sitting or knelling. Oh yeah was he ever right, I used to jump up from any position, now? I definitely need help. It started at that 10 yr mark he talked about. LOL

Now I read things from some of you who write here:

MA said concerning change: I love our new technology, just wish it didn't change quite so often. LOL.

Man o man do we here agree with that. Then about party lines.

Susan said regarding party lines: Mom would break in on someone's call when she recognized the ring of a certain neighbor to tell a neighbor something,,,, Shucks, I had not thought of that, but that happened at our home also. Now think of that, it was one of the earliest 3-way calls. ;-) All 3 parties could hear and talk to each other.

Now more stuff,

Who wouldathunk it? Sherry and I just finished eating FRESH corn on the cob from Amish Country. OH MAN, sweet corn,

Our daughter (Actually a former daughter in law; YES we consider her our daughter, she is still a sweetheart.) just returned from Pennsylvania. She came in the door bringing a bag of fresh veggies. She remembered us bragging on the fresh corn around Lancaster.

It wasn't long until two EARS were in the Microwave!

Also WE have some great friends here in Belmont and at church who have kept us in fresh veggies for weeks. I had just added tomatoes to our grocery list, NOW that will be crossed off because she had tomatoes in the bag also.

Enough for tonite....

Nite Shipslog

No one's phone rings anymore!

2026-07-23T20:44:59.315-04:00

Old songs! I remember many. I sure enjoyed Ray Charles..

this entry has nothing to do with singing, BUT just old stuff.

Amazing how many phones there are, but few 'actually ring' anymore. Times have changed and life goes on. The things you remember from childhood will always be there. If on a party line your house had a certain 'RING' for you to answer. It might be one long ring or two short ones then combinations of those when more homes were on the party line.

Of course kids (and maybe some adults, LOL) knew after the wring of another home KNEW someone was on the line and tried to pick up theirs as easy as they could, to eaves drop. And more times than not, one of the active parties would, NOT SO CIVILY, say OKAY NOSEY, GET OFF THE PHONE! Now that of course is not experience, it is just what I heard from other kids! ;-)

And phone books? Remember them?

Pay Phones? For miliary troops and travelers they were GREAT for keeping in touch.

Now most of us have a 'cell phone'. They are a great innovation. They are sort of pacifiers, but they are great while waiting in a dr. office (I see 90% of we who are waiting looking at their phones.) Very seldom is it me, but I am the exception. I do have one, but Sherry carries it, I do not do well on the phone.

At times I think it is too much, but that is what humans do.

The cell phone is a great invention, but some of us honestly over do it, of course. Especially at traffic lights. LOL

Nite Shipslog

Little things...

2026-07-22T21:20:34.974-04:00

Above, Josh on Piano keys, NOT ONE OF THE LITTLE THIGS, Below He and Stephen as they perform locally as

THE DARNELL BROTHERS

I am a little prejudiced, but they are VERY GOOD. They so stay busy and are both full time employed but they are in demand and take the time to enjoy their great talents. They also have wonderful families.

I have decided it is time for me to do little things. Today I leveled our new kitchen range. We bought it a few weeks ago and I have done 90% of the cooking on it. I have been upset many times how my eggs traveled (spread) around the pan when I broke one into the pan, then they bunched together. Now I can't wait to see if I am more at ease with eggs. But that will have to weight because I have oatmeal ready for in the morning. LOL

I am resting IN BED, a lot now, I think Sherry thinks maybe too much. She was reading on the patio when I announced dinner sandwiches were ready, she asked, are you going to eat with me? LOL I was in the bed 4-5 hours today. ;-)

Another 'little thing' was, we have 'put off' getting her a Vanity table for her new spot, so today after our sandwich, we took time to find one on line and ordered it.

WEATHER! WE have been in a HOT drought here in central NC. WE are under strict water usage rules, so our carport that has needed pressure washing and painting, is looking worse. WE are supposed to get rain tonight, hoping it does arrive.

TAke care,

Nite Shipslog

YOU are the BEST!

2026-07-21T20:57:51.686-04:00

The title of this post is from my heart. AS YOU READ THIS. please KNOW ...I appreciate your prayers, thoughts, concerns, comments and advice.

It is hard to write now without sounding like I am down. At present I am NOT down. I also want to explain my logic. I am choosing QNE radiation treatment vs 25-30. Now I learn that is much more complicated that I pictured. The PA said I will have two appointments. One next week to set up the machine, program it, I assume. She said that takes about an hour since it is so close to my eye and sinuses. Then an appointment will be made to come back for the radiation which takes only a few minutes, she said.

My logic is: there is always the possibility at my age many other things could take my life and ALSO, the Drs say NO ONE can know if they actually got all the cancer cells during surgery. Since the PET scan was GOOD, and several Drs say it was VERY GOOD, then I am gonna believe that; BUT THEN if the cancer shows up again in another spot, I will make another decision then. The Doctor said he respected my logic, and that is how I will play it.

I was looking at my small calendar, I laughed at Jun and July this year. This is so messed up I know I probably need a BIG one to keep track of drs appointments if all this keeps up.

AND THEN...

ONE BRIGHT LIGHT, I was released from the Surgeon's care. He is very happy with the results and we are too.

Not sure I posted an after shot of the doctor's work.

All the older girls say I am pretty again. LOL .

REMEMBER THE BEFORE SHOT.:

Above is what the Marcal Cell Carcinoma looks like on the surface.

I will let you go now, thanks for stopping by and REMEMBER: YOU ARE THE BEST!

Nite Shipslog

Dr. Advice

2026-07-20T22:06:19.207-04:00

Our months of June and July have been swamped with Dr. appts. So today was another of those and that scheduled one more, of course. Th Dr. prescribed 4 to 6 weeks of Radiation every day. WE talked and I asked the alternatives He had two or three none of which he recommended.

Any way, I asked if one shot was possible. He was a little reluctant and said we could try one and 'see what happens???'

He again emphasized that Merkel cell cancer was aggressive, and unpredictable. Especially on the face they could not widen out the radiation due to danger to other organs.

For some reasons it takes two appointments to do the one shot. One for an hour to set the machine up evidently to program it. Then one later to come in. Sherry heard him say one shot was $800. I did not hear that. I actually hear things, but do not understand them, that is my earing problem with these Cochlea implants.

Sherry searched this disease and found :

Jimmy Buffett Died of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Beloved singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett passed away on September 1, 2023, at the age of 76, after losing his battle with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Buffett, famous for hits like “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, continued to perform and undergo treatment after his diagnosis until his death The Skin Cancer Foundation. MCC is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that develops in the top layer of the skin (epidermis). It is about three to five times more likely to be deadly than melanoma and is 40 times rarer, with roughly 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year The Skin Cancer Foundation.

I had to pick a RARE one of course..... This has me to thinking harder, of course... MAYBE, just aybe I should agree to the 30 shots of radiation. I am thinking. This is probably the most cornered I have ever been on whether I should do more or not. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

The American CAncer Society gives me an average of 5 years of life after diagnosis. What is so strange about that is, I told the Dr. " Doc, at my age I know I have a few years left, I give it 5 years. I am not sure it is worth it for the long treatment." He sighed, your derision"

What to do? I hate hard Questions!!!!!!!

Nite Shipslog

Feeling an accomplishment

2026-07-16T21:20:57.601-04:00

Today was a good one. Pancakes came out good for a breakfast change.

Sherry is doing well, She is doing the laundry and is proud of herself for reading a real book, LOL. A friend loaned her Jan Karon's 'My Beloved.' She complained about the smaller print, but thoroughly enjoyed the book. WE followed Jan for a while. Loved "The Mitford Series." WE both read e-books for the large print. ;-)

Oh yes, the Fish fry went great. Sherry did her (family famous) Pea Salad. A recipe she picked up about 1958 in Biloxi Mississippi. At first I could not find my Fish Fry Equipment. But I did get it.

Then did French fries, hush puppies and fried the fish last. My gorl said the puppies were the best she ever tasted. (she is buttering me up!)

Oh yes, and I completed a BIG ask on my to do list. WE had a bad area in the house. An old unused and disconnected cast iron bath tub in a 5x6 area just outside the master bathroom. With son Mark's help we got the 200 lb+ tub out. Then I started remodeling. I redid the Drywall, added slate style flooring there and into the bathroom. I added wainscotting and made chair rail. followed by adding two 120v receptacles. It is now ready for a vanity set up and my girl will have a nice make-up area.

Above shot is entering from our bedroom. Bathroom is to the right just insice this door.

This is looking from the master bathroom our Bedroom is just to the left out this door.

I got hugs an kisses for this one. LOL She is especially thrilled with the floor, the old tile was breaking and cracked.

Anyway I am also proud of me for finally getting it done It has taken two or three weeks (Maybe a month, so you can imagine the mess she has put up with. .

Now to bed, but first thanks for the comments, prayers and support.. As we try to climb back into the world.

Nite Shipslog.

Just thinking

2026-07-15T22:58:24.161-04:00

I need to get to bed, I have prepared pancake batter for breakfast Maybe a fish fry for the afternoon meal. WE only have two real meals aday so that makes things simpler.

I am fine and Sherry is doing well. Her blood pressure still is not under control. One day is reads 125/60 the next it is 156 over 80 . a wide range. But she does have that thing they call White-Coat Syndrome. At the Dr's office it is OFTEN up to 200/90. It ia scary. NOW she tells me she was VERY worried about me.

From my heart, I just want to take the time tonight to say thank all of you who read here, THANKS!!

I have learned over the years that many friends and family read this to keep up with us.

In that regard, I feel like a friend whom I asked the other day, "And how are you doing?"

He smiled and asked, "In reference to what?>" We both just stood there and laughed.

So to everyone who is concerned, in reference to most 80-90 folks I know, "We are doing great!!"

As most of you know, it takes a lot to keep a house and house hod going. Trimming trees, cutting grass, maintain an older home, getting groceries, cooking and cleaning. Our schedule is tight. Sherry is kicking in now, today she celebrated national Hot dog day and fixed hot dogs for me and the sons. LOL We had a good time. I have about finished remodeling the bathroom and an area for her Vanity table.

I am thinking about a family fish fry tomorrow. I had better getto bed.

Love it that you guys read here.

Nite Shipslog

Good PET scan, I thought I was a dog, but I am a cat.

2026-07-14T21:22:58.449-04:00

Met with Doc Mc Grath to day to get an explanation of the scan results. He was very optimistic about the results. His statement, "All went well, nothing is a problem at present. I am scheduling you for radiation of the facial area. They will call you with the time and date."

"Doctor," I said, "If Dr. Caulifield got it all, and none showed up on the scan, why do I need the radiation. To tell you the truth, I am in my 80s now and do not want to fall in the old folks problem of a DR. appt every week." I could tell he did not appreciate my statement.

He said, "NO ONE can say for sure 'I got it all', they could easily miss ONE cancer cell, and you are back where you started. With your CANCER being one of the most aggressive, I want to be sure it doesn't come back to bite you."

Cancer? that is the first time that word has been used,. All I have heard and seen is, "We are not sure what it is. possible Merkel cell carcinoma. BUT just using the words 'AGGRESIVE CANCER' slowed me down some and I didn't even ask him what KIND of cancer?

BUT right now, all is well and the report of the scan was better than expected. So now I wait again and listen for the phone call for my NEXT APPOINTMENT. LIKE THE REST OF MY PEERS ..LOL

Sorry to be so spotted in my reading an posting, but we are still in a tough schedule.

Still working on my to do list. Today I just finished flooring the bathroom area and also the area that will be Sherry's dressing table area. That area still needs the electrical work and adding wainscoting the walls.

I am also trying to vary my menus, but am not too successful. In the morning I will try a ham and cheese omelet with grits.

OH YES, I have just met my newest animal friend here. It is a bunny, it looks like maybe 5 weeks old. He hasn't talked yet but he listens very well and pays attention. It is much more friendly than the squirrels, possums, and raccoons. LOL Also one feral cat, still only a night time 'distant' friend...

Thanks so much for your thoughts, prayers and attention.

I am still doing pretty well, life is good..

Nite Shipslog

NOTE: Dallas up in PA, Thinking of you my friend. Hope you get rid of 'em extra platelets..... Hug that pretty young girl you married. about 70 years ago.

a short 'little more'

2026-06-27T21:49:57.218-04:00

Well, I must celebrate or at least wait until after the 4th for the PET scan. That is now scheduled for the 9th of July.

Waiting ain't no fun. I usually can distract my mind by working, but I hurt my right arm moving heavy doors to paint them. uninstalling and then installing them took its toll. now I am just lying around THINKING.

I feel good now 'cept my arm. At times I think I am better off not knowing stuff. The Drs try to sound up beat, but you wonder if they are thinking "This could be BAD!"

Anyway I will be absent feeling sorry for my self. LOL I will let you kow the good news later when I learn it.

Have a great FOURTH, the is a great country to live in, I love it and like many vets, I am proud to have served this great country. I ain't really proud of the fact we have men and women in harms way now, but, in the end we pray for the best and continue to love our land.

Nite Shipslog

follow up More on me.....

2026-06-25T20:36:28.068-04:00

To answer a question to a Michigander friend, The whole thing from start to finish was less than 2-2.5 months me thinks. I watched it grow for a few weeks hoping it would be smart and go away on it's own. LOL... My Sherry says 'Dream -on!' LOL

For now I made a trip to a NEW Doctor. It was for a consult on a body scan for Merkel cell carcinoma. My uneducated understanding is they are looking to find if this 'tumor' was the mama or just a child. The way I understand it if it was the mama, then all is well and it is gone. if it is found other places (he is concerned about the lungs), then there is need for concern.

He seems to be planning to schedule radiation on my face no matter what they find. I hope I am misunderstanding. LOL

Anyway we are now waiting by the phone for the scheduled scan. Evidently he doesn't know if I am a cat or a dog , because he is calling it a PET SCAN. I will let you know....

I am wondering if I am falling into the Doctor Trap that many of us OLD people get into. I told my sweetheart today that if this keeps up they will destroy my possibility of hiking 'the trail' before I die or live in front of a TV. Meaning, I need at least 10 months clear to walk the entire 2190+ miles.

YEAH I KNOW, I KNOW, the last time I only needed a few days to tell me I could not start in January. LOL And made it only 25 miles. HAHA But I still need to try again to tell my Stubborn brain I need to SHUT UP.

Bye y'all

Nite Shipslog

The latest on me, LOL

2026-06-18T21:45:27.421-04:00

Okay now I am still a little confused. It has been determined that the 'thing removed' was 'The immunoprofile is consistant with a high grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. The findings are highly concerning for Merkel cell...there is a possibility of metastases.

I copied this:

Metastasis occurs when cancer cells break away from the primary tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establish new tumors in distant organs or tissues. These secondary tumors are called metastases and retain the characteristics of the original cancer, not the tissue where they appear.

So now when I thought I was thru with this mess I will see someone else about a body scan to see if there are any more of these 'boogers' in my body, or something like that.

When Doctors say something like " This is usually nothing but it needs to be done just to MAKE SURE? Make sure WHAT, my brain asks? LOL

I know you medical people will enjoy reading this Just to help you some CD56, CK20, LCA and KI-67 WERE ALSO PERFORMED. Got that?

Now that all that is said, I am going to see another Dr. on the 24th to decide how to search my body for mean booggers.

My girl is still having trouble controlling her blood pressure, but she is doing well otherwise. WE walk most days and she feels better.

TAke care, love you guys, sorry I do not know more. Things stay a little hectic around here.

Nite Shipslog

Trying to get used to age

2026-06-11T20:29:35.996-04:00

Picture of the day:

MY Granny and Grandpa DArnell. This was taken in the 1930s. They both died in the 1940s. DAddy said when they were picking cotton and ran across a wasp nest, they called his dad and he put his hand under his arm in the sweat, then reached and pulled the wasp nest and stomped it with his bare feet. His sweat shoo-ed the wasps.

this is Grandpa and Grandma about 1903, that is my dad on GRandpa's knee.

Today’s stuff:

I have been thinking more and more about the

end for me. I remember

when I KNEW I would live to be 105 to 120

years. LOL Now? Not so

much. I have accepted something. I think I

kinda thought that this last

episode for me (concerning the growth), not

caring, if this was my end

thing.

That is not a sad thing methinks, just reality. I am not depressed. But for the first time in my life I can remember laying in bed all day. I have never been a ‘napper’, seemed a waste of time to me. LOL

For the past few months. I have been working 10-12 hour days and not being worn out or tired. All of a sudden, I am light headed and two hours of WORK, (like today I cleaned and painted most of a storage building on the back side of our property, ) I am shot and went directly to bed. After a bowl of fish chowder.

Sorry if this sounds like a sad sack. I still have not learned what my ‘removed growth’ was. I get the stitches taken out in a few days, the Dr. said he may have the results by then.

I am just curious, I really don’t care what it was.

Night to all of you, And thanks for your support prayers and positive thoughts.

Nite Shipslog

PS: I forgot how to use this blogger format.. That age/mentality thing... This is a mess....

So, some things finally come to a head..

2026-06-06T11:56:13.156-04:00

Pic of today

Me & my sweetheart on Blood Mountain (GA) when we started hiking the Appalatchian Trail in our 60's.

For today:

Yep like waiting for Christmas or a Birthday, if you ive long

enough they finally get here. My surgery finally happened. I

know some of you wondered what I was talking about about

my red nose. So here is WAS:

Now I look like this:

Yep, as you cn see even thought I am 87 years young, I am

still pretty. LOL

The Doctor did a good job. He described it to the family while

I was still recovering, “I gave Mr. Darnell a reverse face

lift!”

As of now, they do not know what they removed, it is still

being analyzed. They have ruled out serious cancer, and

several skin cancers. I will let you know when we know.

He did not cover the surgery location with bandage, saying it

will heal better exposed as long as I stay out of the sun.

One thing I do not like is huge pillows when I sleep. He

recommended I use three or four pillows so I could sleep

more erect. That is not fun to me, I feel like I am sliding

down a hill, LOL

I feel good. Sherry is also doing well and is re-taking over

some of the household duties to keep me inactive and

recover. She still cannot stand for long periods, but we

are managing well with the help of our sons & family at

times.

I just wanted to touch base here for the family and readers

who have wondered how things are going. I have to

admit it has been tough. Seldom in our near 70 years of

marriage have we been ‘down’ or ‘sick’ at the same time.

Anyway, God, love, and even fate has been good to us. WE

did get some kicks out of the nurses who kept saying, “What

is wrong with you Mr. Darnell, you are not normal, I am

looking at a blank medical history page here, with the only

medication a ‘multi vitamin’ once a day?”

Of course I do have a medical history. Like everyone else. I

also ‘enjoy(?)’ hearing thru implants. I didn’t do that without

time ‘under the knife’, as it said.

WE do eat well and try to take care of ourselves as we

approach 90 years of age and 70 years of marriage.

Most of you have suffered much more than we have. Close

friends and family have had terrible set backs lately and it

lets us know how blessed we are.

Thank you all for reading. I am beat right now..

NiteShipslog

PS: Sometimes I still worry about my sanity. LOL

Still kicking around

2026-05-28T21:38:57.697-04:00

Still in NC working on the new to us house. and seeing doctors. I thought I was going to skate thru the last years without the help o doctors. I have been fortunate and doctors to me have been audiology. Not physical. Since my new red nose. Actually it is a twin, since it sits beside my first nose.

I am pretty beat, but catching up. It is hard to list all the jobs that have come up, I am still trying to keep up the cooking and house inside requirements.

Sherry is coming along great. She is cooking tomorrow's dinner. beans, salmon patties, and cornbread. she did dinner today with my left-over chic soup, she added a hot dog. It was great.

She has days she feels weak. Today she was good and we walked about 30 minutes which included one big hill.

I finished my dr's visits with operation preps at the operating facility. The operation will take place one week from now, on June 4th.

WE also bought the place in Leesburg, FL back from our son Mark. The price included a lot we have at the coast in North CArolina. He plans to build there.

Our future is up in the air of course, When nearing 90 yrs of age we know many things will be out of reach.

I just wanted o touch base. YOu guys have been so supportive.

Nite Shipslog.