Found an unpleasant little surprise while I was taking clothes out of the washing machine yesterday evening ... a dead critter. What kind of critter, you ask? Well, let me put it this way: I don't think the Geico gecko will want to visit our house anymore.
I put the clothes in the machine yesterday morning before I left to go to work. I don't know whether or not he was alive when I turned the machine on. Maybe he wanted to go surfing. Maybe he thought it was a giant hot tub. Maybe he just wanted to go for a spin. In any case, he wasn't looking too good when I found him ... very little green and a lot of dark grey.
Now, I think geckos are cute, and I'm not afraid of them. They don't freak me out at all. However, I don't know what it is about dead critters that make me suddenly not want to be around them, much less touch them. I was truly grossing out over the situation, wondering, "EWWWW! How am I going to get him OUT?!"
Luckily, my late dad was a genius in getting those extended grabber thingys to help him pick things up around the house. With a look on my face that would make someone think I was handling toxic waste (I think I would have rather handled the toxic waste), I managed to pick up the dead carcass and put it in the trash can.
There was a trouser sock remaining in the washing machine. I noticed the critter's tail had broken off and was stuck to it. I almost threw the sock away. However, I picked it up with the grabber and managed to pull the tail off ... with my bare hand. Ick, gag me! I hate that he died the way he did, but did it have to be in MY washing machine? EEEEWWWWW!!!
I rewashed the clothes using hot water, soap, and white vinegar. I wasn't about to take a chance on them developing dead animal funk. I think I'll wash them one more time before I put them in the dryer.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Infomercial Scams
I'm sitting here with my television turned on the TV Guide channel. I just finished listening to a commercial for the Walk Fit orthotic foot supports, wondering if they really worked or if they were just as scammy as the other informercials that air on television. I have back and knee pain, so yes it got my attention, but I'm very cynical about "miracle products."
I used Google and typed in "Walk Fit" into the search engine space. An interesting web site came up: infomercialscams.com. I clicked on the link and came up on the section about Walk Fit. I read enough of the submitted complaints to realize that I did not need to make the purchase.
I also noticed a banner at the top of the screen stating that Video Professor "has issued a subpoena to infomercialratings.com and infomercialscams.com. Learn what they are trying to do with your PRIVATE information! CLICK HERE!"
Very interesting reading. According to the site, Video Professor is suing their own customers.
Not all informercials advertise junk products. I have ordered the IRobot Scooba, the Flowbee, and the Magic Bullet. I'm very pleased with all three products. They work as promised, and the shipping charges were fair.
Still, it bothers me that the products that don't work like they should can advertise and mislead people. Even with the disclaimer by the television stations and channels that "the following advertisement does not necessarily reflect the views of the (insert name here) Channel," it bothers me that there does not seem to be any accountability for allowing, much less being paid for, the infomercials to be broadcast.
Until then, it's still Caveat Emptor for the buying public. Do your research and homework before you buy. It's easy to do. Just go to Google.com and type in "infomercial scams."
I used Google and typed in "Walk Fit" into the search engine space. An interesting web site came up: infomercialscams.com. I clicked on the link and came up on the section about Walk Fit. I read enough of the submitted complaints to realize that I did not need to make the purchase.
I also noticed a banner at the top of the screen stating that Video Professor "has issued a subpoena to infomercialratings.com and infomercialscams.com. Learn what they are trying to do with your PRIVATE information! CLICK HERE!"
Very interesting reading. According to the site, Video Professor is suing their own customers.
Not all informercials advertise junk products. I have ordered the IRobot Scooba, the Flowbee, and the Magic Bullet. I'm very pleased with all three products. They work as promised, and the shipping charges were fair.
Still, it bothers me that the products that don't work like they should can advertise and mislead people. Even with the disclaimer by the television stations and channels that "the following advertisement does not necessarily reflect the views of the (insert name here) Channel," it bothers me that there does not seem to be any accountability for allowing, much less being paid for, the infomercials to be broadcast.
Until then, it's still Caveat Emptor for the buying public. Do your research and homework before you buy. It's easy to do. Just go to Google.com and type in "infomercial scams."
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Jazz Musician Dexter Porter
I'm listening to a new CD from artist Dexter Porter, and it's worth a listen! It combines his smooth, velvety voice with piano-dominant jazz music. It's relaxing without putting you to sleep ... it's just good music.
Visit his web site at http://www.dexterporter.com and you can listen to samples of his latest CD Crazy She Calls Me. The album is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dexterporter and iTunes.com.
He also has a MySpace page: http://myspace.com/dexterporter
Let's support the artists who actually have talent.
Visit his web site at http://www.dexterporter.com and you can listen to samples of his latest CD Crazy She Calls Me. The album is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dexterporter and iTunes.com.
He also has a MySpace page: http://myspace.com/dexterporter
Let's support the artists who actually have talent.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
I Am Cooking, Hear Me Roar
My friend Soul Sister brought her boyfriend, her daughter, and her daughter's friend to help my sister and I move stuff from the house to outside storage.
From their arrival, we were hit with delays: dead batteries on power tools, frozen bolts and screws, thunder, lightning, and rain.
After three hours, I started to cook dinner because everyone was getting hungry. I had just put the raw hamburger patties and hot dogs on the indoor grill when we heard a loud clap of thunder and the lights flickered as if the power was about to go out.
Wanting to make my wishes known to the powers that controlled the electricity to my house that I was NOT going to deal with another delay, I defiantly held my spatula and blurted out, "Don't even think about it!!!"
My guests laughed at me, and even I knew what I said was ridiculous. However, it must have worked. The lights flickered no more, the electricity didn't go out, and we were able to munch on our grilled burgers and dogs with french fries, and pork and beans, despite the stormy weather outside.
They're coming back tomorrow to try to move this stuff again. God bless them. Let's hope the weather isn't hot and there's no rain.
From their arrival, we were hit with delays: dead batteries on power tools, frozen bolts and screws, thunder, lightning, and rain.
After three hours, I started to cook dinner because everyone was getting hungry. I had just put the raw hamburger patties and hot dogs on the indoor grill when we heard a loud clap of thunder and the lights flickered as if the power was about to go out.
Wanting to make my wishes known to the powers that controlled the electricity to my house that I was NOT going to deal with another delay, I defiantly held my spatula and blurted out, "Don't even think about it!!!"
My guests laughed at me, and even I knew what I said was ridiculous. However, it must have worked. The lights flickered no more, the electricity didn't go out, and we were able to munch on our grilled burgers and dogs with french fries, and pork and beans, despite the stormy weather outside.
They're coming back tomorrow to try to move this stuff again. God bless them. Let's hope the weather isn't hot and there's no rain.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
I'm Grateful, but I'm Also Peeved
Please note the date this missive was written: June 2, 2007. This was before the huge wildfire that sprouted up the first week of July 2007. It's a very serious fire, and my prayers are with the firefighters and all those affected.
Despite the lack of media attention, those of us in southeast Georgia have been dealing with a huge wildfire since mid-April. We finally got some rain late last night, and it's still raining now. It's the most beautiful sight we've seen here in a long time.
We may not be California or Florida, but our fire was just as large and just as serious (if not more so). I'm not saying that we wanted the media attention because we would have rather not had the fire nor the cameras in our faces as we dealt with our increasing losses. However, the attitude that our fire wasn't important or serious enough to warrant concern by the media really chaps my hide. A little brush fire (in comparison to this one in Georgia) sparks up in California, and the nationwide media coverage permeates the airwaves and Internet immediately, but our larger and rarer southeast Georgia fire gets a brief one-time also-mention? Our fire spreads to Florida and suddenly people want to know what's going on, but only about Florida coping with the fire?
Give me a f**king break!
Waycross and the surrounding towns have had to deal with dense acrid smoke, evacuations, highway and road closures, respiratory ailments, property loss, and the extended stress of helplessness as the fire slowly encroached as an irresistable force toward precious historical landmarks, homes, and businesses.
God bless the firefighters and the people who came together to support them. The copious contributions from people were swift and abundant. The Waycross community united in such a way that I have to say I'm proud to be a citizen of this town.
Despite the lack of media attention, those of us in southeast Georgia have been dealing with a huge wildfire since mid-April. We finally got some rain late last night, and it's still raining now. It's the most beautiful sight we've seen here in a long time.
We may not be California or Florida, but our fire was just as large and just as serious (if not more so). I'm not saying that we wanted the media attention because we would have rather not had the fire nor the cameras in our faces as we dealt with our increasing losses. However, the attitude that our fire wasn't important or serious enough to warrant concern by the media really chaps my hide. A little brush fire (in comparison to this one in Georgia) sparks up in California, and the nationwide media coverage permeates the airwaves and Internet immediately, but our larger and rarer southeast Georgia fire gets a brief one-time also-mention? Our fire spreads to Florida and suddenly people want to know what's going on, but only about Florida coping with the fire?
Give me a f**king break!
Waycross and the surrounding towns have had to deal with dense acrid smoke, evacuations, highway and road closures, respiratory ailments, property loss, and the extended stress of helplessness as the fire slowly encroached as an irresistable force toward precious historical landmarks, homes, and businesses.
God bless the firefighters and the people who came together to support them. The copious contributions from people were swift and abundant. The Waycross community united in such a way that I have to say I'm proud to be a citizen of this town.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
The Life of Lucky
In Memory of Linder Jeffereson Mundling
February 4, 1925 - May 2, 2007
With gratitude to my sister Pamela for her contribution to this tribute
Born: Sarah Mississippi
Parents: Linder Mitchell Mundling, Farmer, Blacksmith, Hunter, and Jack of Many other Trades
Alice Pierce Mundling, Stay at home Mom, Farmers wife, never seen sleeping, and although only 5 foot tall, all five of her boys addressed her as “Ma’am” and knew better than to talk back to her.
Family moved to Memphis Tennessee when daddy was in Grade School, they took their chickens with them to the big city. Daddy worked many odd jobs growing up, didn’t matter that he was just a kid.
Daddy learned at an early age how to use firearms and nothing was to go to waste. When his father sent him to go hunting for squirrel with a shotgun and three bullets, if Daddy came back with one squirrel, he’d better have two bullets left.
When Daddy was in High School, his father died. Daddy dropped out of school to work full time to support his widowed mother and kid brother. His three older brothers all had young families of their own to support.
In 1942 Daddy was drafted into the Navy and went off to Boot Camp and Gunnery School in Bainbridge Maryland. His job during that War was Lead Gunner on Merchant vessels supporting the war effort. He learned to sleep in his clothes because submarines liked to attack at night, and in the North Atlantic you wanted to be dressed warm when General Quarters was sounded.
He began to think that the arm of God was around him as he was beginning his first assignment out of New York Harbor. Him and another gunner switched assignments, so they could crew with their friends…as the ship Daddy was originally assigned to was leaving New York they were torpedoed by a German U-Boat and went down with all hands.
Later in the war, the convoy Daddy’s ship was in was attacked. The ship behind them was torpedoed, they thought they were next…then the ship ahead of them was torpedoed, they knew they were next…then the U-Boat simply left the rest of the convoy alone. None of the ships daddy was on ever suffered a torpedo hit, nor were any of them bombed by an enemy plane. Daddy took out the planes as they made their strafing runs.
After the war, Daddy was discharged and went home to Tennessee. His Mother had to sign for him to work a job out of state because he was under 21 years of age. After a few months, he realized that he missed the Navy life and re-enlisted. He did “odd jobs” in the Navy for several years before applying to become an Aircraft Mechanic. He began that career on Rotary Fixed Wing Aircraft, aka: props.
Next to a battlefield where people are shooting at you, the deck of an aircraft carrier is probably the most dangerous place on earth. Even though the ship is huge, ocean waves toss them about without much effort. Add to that a few dozen aircraft being launched or recovered and you have a recipe for disaster. Aircraft being prepared to launch is tied down with thick braided steel cable at several points until it is given permission to taxi and take flight. One day as the ship was launching aircraft a wave caused the ship to take a significant roll, a plane that was powered up broke its tie-downs and was thrown several feet. It “landed”, with its propellers turning at just under take off speed near Daddy. His back was against the wall of the ships “island” and the propeller was turning rapidly about one inch from his chest, any movement he might try to make would likely kill him. Four men ran over and moved the plane manually away from Daddy, saving him from a rather gruesome death. The next day these same four men attempted to move this same aircraft and could not budge it a single inch.
Once in a while the Navy would let Daddy have some time off. In Jacksonville Florida on 4 December 1955 he popped into an establishment on his way back to the Base for a cold refreshing adult beverage (Budweiser). A young lady from the Okefenokee Swamp was visiting her Aunt and Uncle who were stationed in Jacksonville…they were also out at the same establishment enjoying cool refreshing adult beverages (Schlitz). The young lady saw the young man walk in, was immediately smitten and wanted to meet him. Her Uncle Stan sort of knew him since he had recently checked into his squadron. Finally an introduction was made between Lynette Highsmith and “Lin” Mundling by Aunt Martha and Uncle Stan.
Ironically, Daddy had been married twice before and had gone through his second divorce; he had no intentions on getting involved in another relationship, much less married. However, on that fateful night, the two of them hit it off. They agreed to see each other again the next day.
By the third day, he asked for her hand in marriage.
Her response was, “What took you so long?”
Six weeks later this innocent sailor joined the Highsmith Clan and his life hasn’t been the same since.
Daddy was able to see potential where others couldn’t. He knew that as reliable as “props” had been that the future of aviation was in jet aircraft. He applied to switch over and everyone up his chain of command made the same statement: “Mundling, this is going to ruin your career”.
Strangely enough, this young, tenth grade drop out was right and the educated experienced leadership was mistaken. As one of the first jet mechanics in the Navy Daddy was not only on the leading edge but as he advanced was part of the edge. In the early 70’s the Navy was introducing a revolutionary new Jet Aircraft, the F-14 Tomcat. No existing squadron had the experience to fly or maintain it so they had to develop a squadron from the ground up. They knew they would need an outside the box thinker to not only head up maintenance but develop the actual maintenance program for the plane. The man chosen would have to determine in advance of working with the aircraft: the number of personnel required to maintain the plane and exactly what specialties and experience levels would be needed.
They chose the older more experienced tenth grade drop out: Aviation Maintenance man, Master Chief Linder J. Mundling. The F-14 was in service for over thirty years and the only real modifications to the squadron maintenance personnel and schedules where due to technological advances. The infrastructure set in place by this high school drop out remained throughout the life of the aircraft.
Eventually, congress decided that enlisted folks shouldn’t stay more than thirty years and threatened to begin decreasing my father’s pension if he didn’t retire. At the age of 49 with 32 years of service, having defended his country during three wars, WW-II, Korea, Vietnam, and some uneasy peace times, the Aviation Maintenance man Master Chief entered dry-dock and got to learn how to be a civilian father to his two daughters, one a teenager and the other still a human being. (I’ll let you figure out which one of us was which).
Mama and Daddy had purchased some land in Colorado for when he retired but an insight during the winter weather reports brought them to reality before the family could move … something about sub-zero temperatures and snow. They decided to move to a warmer place and ended up in Mom’s hometown of Waycross. This gave Michelle, who had spent the majority of her short life in San Diego the chance to get to know the family. They weren’t worried about the teenager since she was planning to begin her Navy adventure soon anyway.
After the family moved to Waycross 14 July 1975, Dad had been invited by some of the local men folk to participate in various turkey shoots. Little did they know how well of a crack shot Dad was. Needless to say his reputation spread quickly after winning several shoots in a row, and he wasn’t encouraged to participate so much.
Dad’s work ethic carried over into his “retirement years.” He became a self-employed road escort hired by companies needing to transfer mobile homes, boats, and other large items to various states in the country. Although he never kept a running total of how many miles he had driven, it’s been estimated to have been nearly one million miles. During this time, he purchased a Mercury Lynx (Mercury’s version of the Ford Escort) with a diesel engine. He had no idea how long the car would last. However, it managed to accrue over 750,000 miles before the engine blew, creating a hole in the engine block the size of his fist.
When Dad didn’t feel like being on the road anymore, he devoted himself to volunteer work. He had been a member of the American Legion and founded the Fleet Reserve Association local branch 236, in which he served as president for a few years. Later, he joined the Ware County Exchange Club. He enjoyed doing things like giving ice cream to children at Laura Walker park, helping out ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during the Chirstmas season, and attending Freedom Shrine dedications at various local schools. One of his biggest contributions was during the annual Fair in which the club would run their concession stand. His experience running a maintenance shop during his military career enabled him to reorganize how the concession stand operated, making it work more efficiently and therefore increase sales. During his membership, he served as president a couple of times and won the Exchangite of the Year award, not once but twice.
We always marveled how creative Dad was with tools. He could take scrap building materials and make something useable from them. When I was a child, he made me a well-built bunk bed for my dolls. I enjoyed playing with it, and I discovered our puppy Snoopy liked to sleep on the bottom bed during the night. He also made me a rocking horse using an old saw horse. It was solid wood and lasted me several years until I wore it out. As an adult, I have witnessed his ability to create nice-looking shelf units that are still functional, even after 25 years of use. The most extraordinary use of spare building materials would have to be the laundry cart he made out of nothing but pvc pipe and wheels. However, I’d have to say his masterpiece could be found in the master bedroom bathroom. I had come down for a visit and commented on Mom’s new cabinets and mirror with frame in that bathroom and asked who they hired to do the work. I was floored when she told me that Dad did all the work: the creation and installation.
Dad was never the kind to back down from a challenge. Even as his health declined, he’d find clever ways to adapt so he could still lead an active and full life. His motto was, “If I rest, I’ll rust. I feel better when I’m working.”
His biggest challenge would be cancer.
In June 1996, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Right away, he knew he wanted to fight, so he had surgery to remove it. The surgery went so well, he didn’t need chemo treatments. After five years, he was declared cancer free.
In November 2004, he was diagnosed with cancer again, but it was a different colon cancer. Determined to fight it again, he had surgery December 2004. To the dismay of the surgeon, the cancer had spread from the colon to the liver, and the cancer in his liver was inoperable. The surgeon removed as much of the cancer as he could. There was no question in Dad’s mind what he wanted to do: he was going to fight the liver cancer. His oncologist told him that he could receive chemo treatments to buy him more time, but it would not be a cure. Dad was undaunted; he was determined to prove the doctor wrong. In many ways, he did. Dad lived two years after his fatal diagnosis, but he still had a good quality of life that he could enjoy. It enabled him to care for his ailing wife and spend time with his two daughters.
It was his will to live, his determination to get out of bed every day, and his positive outlook that enabled Dad to live as long as he did and as well as he did.
----------------------------------------------------------
This is some of the formal stuff on Daddy. Some of the personal things that made him special to us:
We always knew he loved us and was proud of us as long as we gave my best effort, even if the outcome was less than successful.
Good grades were fine, but the question was, did we learn anything?
Do what you enjoy to the best of your ability and you will be successful.
Do the best you can do in what you don’t like until you can do what you enjoy.
He’s the one that we liked teaching us how to drive because we could make the little mistakes and learn from them … and it was ok to make little mistakes.
It was ok to splurge once in a while as long as all the bills were paid.
It was good to have fun when you were doing stuff.
February 4, 1925 - May 2, 2007
With gratitude to my sister Pamela for her contribution to this tribute
Born: Sarah Mississippi
Parents: Linder Mitchell Mundling, Farmer, Blacksmith, Hunter, and Jack of Many other Trades
Alice Pierce Mundling, Stay at home Mom, Farmers wife, never seen sleeping, and although only 5 foot tall, all five of her boys addressed her as “Ma’am” and knew better than to talk back to her.
Family moved to Memphis Tennessee when daddy was in Grade School, they took their chickens with them to the big city. Daddy worked many odd jobs growing up, didn’t matter that he was just a kid.
Daddy learned at an early age how to use firearms and nothing was to go to waste. When his father sent him to go hunting for squirrel with a shotgun and three bullets, if Daddy came back with one squirrel, he’d better have two bullets left.
When Daddy was in High School, his father died. Daddy dropped out of school to work full time to support his widowed mother and kid brother. His three older brothers all had young families of their own to support.
In 1942 Daddy was drafted into the Navy and went off to Boot Camp and Gunnery School in Bainbridge Maryland. His job during that War was Lead Gunner on Merchant vessels supporting the war effort. He learned to sleep in his clothes because submarines liked to attack at night, and in the North Atlantic you wanted to be dressed warm when General Quarters was sounded.
He began to think that the arm of God was around him as he was beginning his first assignment out of New York Harbor. Him and another gunner switched assignments, so they could crew with their friends…as the ship Daddy was originally assigned to was leaving New York they were torpedoed by a German U-Boat and went down with all hands.
Later in the war, the convoy Daddy’s ship was in was attacked. The ship behind them was torpedoed, they thought they were next…then the ship ahead of them was torpedoed, they knew they were next…then the U-Boat simply left the rest of the convoy alone. None of the ships daddy was on ever suffered a torpedo hit, nor were any of them bombed by an enemy plane. Daddy took out the planes as they made their strafing runs.
After the war, Daddy was discharged and went home to Tennessee. His Mother had to sign for him to work a job out of state because he was under 21 years of age. After a few months, he realized that he missed the Navy life and re-enlisted. He did “odd jobs” in the Navy for several years before applying to become an Aircraft Mechanic. He began that career on Rotary Fixed Wing Aircraft, aka: props.
Next to a battlefield where people are shooting at you, the deck of an aircraft carrier is probably the most dangerous place on earth. Even though the ship is huge, ocean waves toss them about without much effort. Add to that a few dozen aircraft being launched or recovered and you have a recipe for disaster. Aircraft being prepared to launch is tied down with thick braided steel cable at several points until it is given permission to taxi and take flight. One day as the ship was launching aircraft a wave caused the ship to take a significant roll, a plane that was powered up broke its tie-downs and was thrown several feet. It “landed”, with its propellers turning at just under take off speed near Daddy. His back was against the wall of the ships “island” and the propeller was turning rapidly about one inch from his chest, any movement he might try to make would likely kill him. Four men ran over and moved the plane manually away from Daddy, saving him from a rather gruesome death. The next day these same four men attempted to move this same aircraft and could not budge it a single inch.
Once in a while the Navy would let Daddy have some time off. In Jacksonville Florida on 4 December 1955 he popped into an establishment on his way back to the Base for a cold refreshing adult beverage (Budweiser). A young lady from the Okefenokee Swamp was visiting her Aunt and Uncle who were stationed in Jacksonville…they were also out at the same establishment enjoying cool refreshing adult beverages (Schlitz). The young lady saw the young man walk in, was immediately smitten and wanted to meet him. Her Uncle Stan sort of knew him since he had recently checked into his squadron. Finally an introduction was made between Lynette Highsmith and “Lin” Mundling by Aunt Martha and Uncle Stan.
Ironically, Daddy had been married twice before and had gone through his second divorce; he had no intentions on getting involved in another relationship, much less married. However, on that fateful night, the two of them hit it off. They agreed to see each other again the next day.
By the third day, he asked for her hand in marriage.
Her response was, “What took you so long?”
Six weeks later this innocent sailor joined the Highsmith Clan and his life hasn’t been the same since.
Daddy was able to see potential where others couldn’t. He knew that as reliable as “props” had been that the future of aviation was in jet aircraft. He applied to switch over and everyone up his chain of command made the same statement: “Mundling, this is going to ruin your career”.
Strangely enough, this young, tenth grade drop out was right and the educated experienced leadership was mistaken. As one of the first jet mechanics in the Navy Daddy was not only on the leading edge but as he advanced was part of the edge. In the early 70’s the Navy was introducing a revolutionary new Jet Aircraft, the F-14 Tomcat. No existing squadron had the experience to fly or maintain it so they had to develop a squadron from the ground up. They knew they would need an outside the box thinker to not only head up maintenance but develop the actual maintenance program for the plane. The man chosen would have to determine in advance of working with the aircraft: the number of personnel required to maintain the plane and exactly what specialties and experience levels would be needed.
They chose the older more experienced tenth grade drop out: Aviation Maintenance man, Master Chief Linder J. Mundling. The F-14 was in service for over thirty years and the only real modifications to the squadron maintenance personnel and schedules where due to technological advances. The infrastructure set in place by this high school drop out remained throughout the life of the aircraft.
Eventually, congress decided that enlisted folks shouldn’t stay more than thirty years and threatened to begin decreasing my father’s pension if he didn’t retire. At the age of 49 with 32 years of service, having defended his country during three wars, WW-II, Korea, Vietnam, and some uneasy peace times, the Aviation Maintenance man Master Chief entered dry-dock and got to learn how to be a civilian father to his two daughters, one a teenager and the other still a human being. (I’ll let you figure out which one of us was which).
Mama and Daddy had purchased some land in Colorado for when he retired but an insight during the winter weather reports brought them to reality before the family could move … something about sub-zero temperatures and snow. They decided to move to a warmer place and ended up in Mom’s hometown of Waycross. This gave Michelle, who had spent the majority of her short life in San Diego the chance to get to know the family. They weren’t worried about the teenager since she was planning to begin her Navy adventure soon anyway.
After the family moved to Waycross 14 July 1975, Dad had been invited by some of the local men folk to participate in various turkey shoots. Little did they know how well of a crack shot Dad was. Needless to say his reputation spread quickly after winning several shoots in a row, and he wasn’t encouraged to participate so much.
Dad’s work ethic carried over into his “retirement years.” He became a self-employed road escort hired by companies needing to transfer mobile homes, boats, and other large items to various states in the country. Although he never kept a running total of how many miles he had driven, it’s been estimated to have been nearly one million miles. During this time, he purchased a Mercury Lynx (Mercury’s version of the Ford Escort) with a diesel engine. He had no idea how long the car would last. However, it managed to accrue over 750,000 miles before the engine blew, creating a hole in the engine block the size of his fist.
When Dad didn’t feel like being on the road anymore, he devoted himself to volunteer work. He had been a member of the American Legion and founded the Fleet Reserve Association local branch 236, in which he served as president for a few years. Later, he joined the Ware County Exchange Club. He enjoyed doing things like giving ice cream to children at Laura Walker park, helping out ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during the Chirstmas season, and attending Freedom Shrine dedications at various local schools. One of his biggest contributions was during the annual Fair in which the club would run their concession stand. His experience running a maintenance shop during his military career enabled him to reorganize how the concession stand operated, making it work more efficiently and therefore increase sales. During his membership, he served as president a couple of times and won the Exchangite of the Year award, not once but twice.
We always marveled how creative Dad was with tools. He could take scrap building materials and make something useable from them. When I was a child, he made me a well-built bunk bed for my dolls. I enjoyed playing with it, and I discovered our puppy Snoopy liked to sleep on the bottom bed during the night. He also made me a rocking horse using an old saw horse. It was solid wood and lasted me several years until I wore it out. As an adult, I have witnessed his ability to create nice-looking shelf units that are still functional, even after 25 years of use. The most extraordinary use of spare building materials would have to be the laundry cart he made out of nothing but pvc pipe and wheels. However, I’d have to say his masterpiece could be found in the master bedroom bathroom. I had come down for a visit and commented on Mom’s new cabinets and mirror with frame in that bathroom and asked who they hired to do the work. I was floored when she told me that Dad did all the work: the creation and installation.
Dad was never the kind to back down from a challenge. Even as his health declined, he’d find clever ways to adapt so he could still lead an active and full life. His motto was, “If I rest, I’ll rust. I feel better when I’m working.”
His biggest challenge would be cancer.
In June 1996, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Right away, he knew he wanted to fight, so he had surgery to remove it. The surgery went so well, he didn’t need chemo treatments. After five years, he was declared cancer free.
In November 2004, he was diagnosed with cancer again, but it was a different colon cancer. Determined to fight it again, he had surgery December 2004. To the dismay of the surgeon, the cancer had spread from the colon to the liver, and the cancer in his liver was inoperable. The surgeon removed as much of the cancer as he could. There was no question in Dad’s mind what he wanted to do: he was going to fight the liver cancer. His oncologist told him that he could receive chemo treatments to buy him more time, but it would not be a cure. Dad was undaunted; he was determined to prove the doctor wrong. In many ways, he did. Dad lived two years after his fatal diagnosis, but he still had a good quality of life that he could enjoy. It enabled him to care for his ailing wife and spend time with his two daughters.
It was his will to live, his determination to get out of bed every day, and his positive outlook that enabled Dad to live as long as he did and as well as he did.
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This is some of the formal stuff on Daddy. Some of the personal things that made him special to us:
We always knew he loved us and was proud of us as long as we gave my best effort, even if the outcome was less than successful.
Good grades were fine, but the question was, did we learn anything?
Do what you enjoy to the best of your ability and you will be successful.
Do the best you can do in what you don’t like until you can do what you enjoy.
He’s the one that we liked teaching us how to drive because we could make the little mistakes and learn from them … and it was ok to make little mistakes.
It was ok to splurge once in a while as long as all the bills were paid.
It was good to have fun when you were doing stuff.
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