Looking into the past, Anticipating the Future

Natchez's Tri-centennial this year

Its a little after 4:00 AM as I write this.  DKW and I are in the final day of our (7th) anniversary get-away.  Its been a nice little mini-vacation (as usual).  We came to Natchez and stayed with Neil (the owner) at the Bluff Top Bed and Breakfast on our honeymoon in 2009.  We enjoyed it so much, that we decided to make it an annual pilgrimage and have come back every year on our anniversary. 
As I said, I woke up early.  My leg/knee was hurting, and I was hungry.  So I got up and got the left over piece of the yummy po-boy(from Bilbo's Fish Market)  that I had for supper, along with a soda, and ate as I watched the Mississippi River (with one lone 18 barge tow chugging up-stream) flow by.  Such a peaceful time.  I couldn't help but to journey back in my mind to those days in the late 70's when I was stationed in Memphis aboard the CGC Kanawha (now home ported in Pine Bluff, AR),  The wee hours were I think my favorite time.  Most of the crew were asleep and, like this morning, it was quiet.  Just the river flowing by, slight mist rising off the water, and the occasional nature sounds. A very soothing atmosphere, just right for reflection.
I look forward to DKW and I continuing this anniversary tradition for many more years. But before I wrap this up, let me touch on Bilbo's again.  A great little place to get food.  Now it is carry-out only, cash or card, but if you're every in Natchez, you won't regret eating there.  You can check it out in the link I provided above.
Every one have a great day!

Dining with D.C.

Monkey in a tutu!

Today, as with most weekdays lately, I was watching my youngest grandchild, Delilah Clementine.  Since I did not bring my lunch with me today, and I had an errand to run anyway, I packed her (and her gear) into my car and off we went.  After I ran my errand, I took DC to a world famous international restaurant for lunch.  Since I had her apple juice with us, I got a meal (burger, fries, drink)and got a small order of nuggets for her.  As we sat eating (and chatting), I had the opportunity to observe her.  She was getting tired, but was in a good mood and eating well.  She ate two of the nuggets, which may not seem like a lot, but considering the way she was putting down the fries (she ate most of the medium order that came with my meal), she had a big meal.   As I watched her scarfing down fries, I was taken back to late 1990/early 1991 when my daughter (DC's mom) was 2 1/2 to 3 years old.   At the time I was still on active duty with the coast Guard, and working a part-time job at Ted's Frostop in the Oakwood Center Mall in Terrytown, LA. (Across the bridge from New Orleans - in the West Bank area near where we lived).  At the time, my family only had one vehicle.  The mall closed at 9 PM during the week, and my wife would come with Mary  to pick me up when we closed.  I could always tell when they got there, because as soon as she came thru the door, little Mary would scream "Fries!  Fries!"  And everyone I worked with would squirrel away a few so that she would have some.  So DC comes by her fry cravings honestly.  Another observation I made, and I could be wrong, is that I think she is leaning towards being a southpaw.  Nothing wrong with being a lefty, but I notice that if both hands were empty, she would take things with her left hand.  If she had something in her left hand (say a nugget), she would transfer it to her right and take (oh, say a fry) things in her left.  Just saying.
It was an enjoyable meal (other than assorted aches and body pains - not meal related).  We came home afterwards, and she is down napping at the moment.
Last night, I went with Mary & DC "trick or treating" at the sorority/fraternity house at M.S.U.  It was fun playing "top banana" to my little monkey, but I think I may have overdid it a bit and that's why I'm aching today.  Oh well, just part of paying my "grandpa dues."
Everyone have a great day.

Watching Delilah.

DC and Me
Love those baby kisses!

Okay, I've been a while (about 6 weeks) since I last blogged, but the last three weeks or so, I've had what amounts to a full time job watching my youngest grandchild.  She's a sweetie, but she can wear you down.  As I often say, there is a reason you have children when you're young.  (Old folks with a bad knee have trouble chasing a healthy 14 month old).  But, as the photo shows, there are perks.  She is starting to talk some.  She can say the usual, "MaMa, Hi, Bye".  But I think it tells a lot that the one complete sentence that she says (usually after I say it to her) is "I love you."  Now, as much as I would like all claim to her doing that, I know there are many others telling her that.  So, keep it up everyone.  Every child should know they are loved. 

Since I've retired and have the time, I don't mind helping out with the baby.  Especially knowing that in a couple of months she and mama will be moving 2 to 3 hours away.  So I'm getting in my DC (Delilah Clementine) time in now.  Soon it will be few and far between. 

Everyone have a great day!

Missing Big Daddy

Big Daddy and Mama Jennie

In the past I have mentioned I grandfather, Grover Sanders, several times.  I, and my kids too, all called him "Big Daddy".  As I was driving home from Wally World today, he was on my mind for some reason and I was nearly brought to tears as I remembered riding with him in his old truck don that same stretch of road.  Big Daddy passed away in 2003, while my wife (Sue) and I were in New Jersey to see my youngest son graduate from (Coast Guard) Boot Camp.  I received the news just an hour or so before the graduation, and kept it from everyone until it was over so that it wouldn't put a total damper on what should have been a totally happy day.  Needless to say, with 3 licensed drivers, we headed straight home. 
I started thinking about all the changes in my life since then and what he has missed.  Some he would have liked, others I'm not sure.  (Note: My grandmother, Mama Jenny, passed away in 2005).    They knew one of my eight grandchildren (who was born in 1999).  They would love the others.  Now, both of them would have been devastated by Sue dying in December, 2005, since we had been married 29+ years at that point.  I remarried in October, 2009, and if I am perfectly honest, Mama Jenny would not have tolerated my new wife, but not necessarily liked her.  She would have thought she was too "progressive" for her tastes.  Big Daddy would have liked her, and I could almost hear him telling my grandmother, "Awww, Hush Up Jenny!  He loves her, she loves him and they make each other happy.  What more matters?"  Makes me smile to think of it.  Now, Big Daddy was a devout Christian and was a deacon at Longview (MS) Baptist Church for nearly 60 years, but he was a firm believer in "Live and Let Live".  If you didn't cause him trouble, he wouldn't cause you any. Big Daddy was (and I'm not the only person to say this) one of the finest men I ever knew.
I know I've left out a lot. But a lot happens in 13 years.     I Miss you Big Daddy!
Everyone have a great day!

Comic Book Geek Heaven

Okay!  I've never denied the facts that I love cheesy sci fi movies, and I've been a comic book fanatic nearly my entire life. (At least once I learned to read.)  Well, this morning, science I had finished the books I had brought to read, and had my computer with me, I decided to do an online search for FREE Science Fiction books available.  Now if its free and online, its usually either ol! (in the public domain) books or amateur writers just trying to get published.  I was looking for any sites other than Gutenberg.org.  This is a fine site and has a lot of stuff, but since I was very familiar with it, I was looking for something different.  While doing this search I found a link for comicbookplus.com.  Curious, I went to the site, just to look around.  Well the next thing I knew, two hours had passed and I am still reading.  (Though I took a break to write this.)  This site has literally thousands of comic books in all genres and from different ages (Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc.) and is accumulating more all the time.  If I'm ever between books, or just want a little light reading, I know where I'll be.  If you have even a passing interest in comics, maybe this site is for you too.
Everyone have a great day!

OMG! Football!! WooooHoooo!

Dak and Bully! !
Glory Days!

Okay, I know its early yet, but Friday night my Oakland Raiders beat Arizona and last night (in what I considered a double victory) the LOS ANGELES Rams beat the Dullest Plowboys.  Now I realize that its only the first preseason game for each of these teams, but hey, in the audition for Tony Romo backup (in Dallas) former MSU QB Dak Prescott looked absolutely awesome in the first half.  He was 10 for 12 passing (& the 2 misses were balls dropped by the same receiver after Dak put the ball right in his hands), but should be 12 for 12.He had 2 TD passes and NO interceptions.  The second half QB, Jameill Showers, was good, but Dak was better.  The Rams unheralded QB, Sean Mannion,  had a great 2nd half and the Rams came back and won the game late 28-24.  The 2016 #1 overall NFL Draft pick Jared Goff, did not look good for the Rams in the first half. I know, I even said earlier - "Its Preseason", but hey - Football is back.  My SHS Yellow Jackets start play on Friday and MSU opens at home with South Alabama on September 3rd.  Its gonna be tougher for them this year without Dak, but the starting QB battle is now down to 3 wannabes.

Couple of sporting events that I'm a little interested in today.  At noon (CST), in the National Pro Fastpitch League, the Pennsylvania Rebellion play at the Dallas Charge.  Now, my interest in this event is based on 2 reasons: (1) Kayla Winfield of the Rebellion, played at Mississippi State last year and is an excellent athlete, and (2) my sweetie is from PA.

Oooh! Good tie-in for future Sharknado Movie!

The other event of interest is the Arena Football conference championship game (at 5 PM cst) between the Jacksonville Sharks and the Philadelphia Soul.  The winner will play the Arizona Rattlers (who doubled up the Cleveland Gladiators 82-41 yesterday).  Now I'm pulling for the Sharks, because Jacksonville is where my youngest son and his family live. (He proudly serves in the USCG).  Also, you may not know - but the Philadelphia Soul are owned by rock icon, Jon Bon Jovi.  (And totally unrelated to this game, but the Arena team in Los Angeles (the LA Kiss) are owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.  Of the legendary rock band, KISS.)
Everyone have a great day

Happy Coast Guard Day

Semper Paratus! ! !

Today, August 4th, is Coast Guard Day.  The following is copied from a Coast Guard source:   

"The Coast Guard celebrates its 226th birthday in August this year. The Coast Guard is one of America's five armed forces and traces its founding to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. Responsibilities added over the years included humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress.
The service received its present name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form a single maritime service dedicated to the safety of life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws.
The Coast Guard is a multi-mission, maritime, military service and the smallest of the five Armed Services. Its mission is to protect the public, the environment and U.S. economic interests in the nation's waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security."
That succinctly states the history of the service in which I so proudly served for nearly 21 years, and in which my youngest son has served nearly 15 years (so far).  So - Happy Coast Guard Day to all!  And a proud salute to all who serve, have served, and will serve in (what a Master Chief I served with called) "The World's Largest Coast Guard".  Semper Paratus Y'all!