200606 Miserable and suffering.

Hospital!!!

I have been in the hospital for 6 days now. I only have a few minutes, but I’ll catch up after I get home.

260702 The Joys of June

Sometimes the heart knows best; sometimes it does not.

‘The Joys of June’ The flowers are tall this time of year and swaying in the breeze.
Their colors are bold and bright and waving as you please. The wind gusts blow them over, till they almost touch the ground.
The butterflies dance and flutter, and try to hang around. The winds high above move scattered clouds on by.
Down below it blows the treetops dry.

The flowers bounce and sway, driven by the breeze.
It sometimes seems as though they’re trying hard to please.

The flowers are there all fresh and clean Red and yellow and white open on top of leaves of green.

There are pinks and purples and orange flowers too.
Nestled among them are others bathed in blue.

The butterflies flit about, land, then they do their dance.
I sit here watching, spellbound, as though I’m in a trance.

If you ask me why I love it so, and sing this happy tune,
It’s because the flowers are at their best when we share the joys of June.

I wish you the joys of June.

Brother Bill

260601 A Tree

A tree…

I see a tree that’s fallen down
Laying upon, woodland ground

I look to side and see a thicket
And wonder what creatures may live in it

I continue to drive along my way
Wishing somehow I might stay

‘Have to get to my job today
‘Have to earn my meager pay

Sometimes I think that it’s a sin
Living like we do, in the world we’re in

We should spend more time outside each day
Time away, from the maddening fray

Some peace and quiet in the local wood
Would do a body a lot of good

You live in a city so it just can’t be?
Never saw a city without a tree

Just kneel yourself down, upon the ground
Be still a moment don’t make a sound

Don’t utter a sound, a single verse
Just be a part, of the universe

Just look ahead and see that tree
Witness how beautiful nature can be

You’ll be much happier, I guarantee
And best of all, God’s gift is free

Brother Bill

260531 Sitting Outside At 2:11 am

The last day of May
will soon be gone away
June is on it's way
to bring us a betted day.

The temperature outside was 66 degrees as I sat outside on my patio at 2:11 this morning. I had woken up and couldn’t get back to sleep. I watched a cat come by the side of my apartment. The cat headed across the highway and into the open field across from my apartment. I suppose the cat was out hunting; he must have good night vision because it was quite dark. I’ve been enjoying sitting on my folding chair after dark, it’s something I never did in the other apartment; but then there was usually activity on the basketball court after dark at the old apartment. Sometimes that went on until 11:00 at night.

We had a horrific storm this evening. Severe winds, so strong against my apartment that the rain was penetrating the side wall of my apartment and water was pouring into my bedroom window. I’ve had strong storms that lashed against the apartment, but nothing like early tonight.

There are fewer and fewer cars and trucks every day at the old folks complex. The Hampton House logo has been installed. I can only wonder when it will be open for business. I’m anxious to at least see inside the place, whether I can afford to live there or not.

260529 Strolling

I was walking through the park one day, late in the month of May, I was taken by surprise, by some wandering eyes late in the month of May.

If you recognize that musical tidbit, that I changed slightly, you must be as old as I am.

Yesterday I walked out of the beer store and saw a big pickup truck with dual wheels on the back. It also had a license plate that said Air Force. He was retired and when he saw my ball cap with the FA 22 jet on the cap he wanted to talk. I told him I was in the navy. We had a nice chat. It seems odd to me how few veterans I see here and less wanting to talk.

Farther down the sidewalk, me with my slow gait, even slower due to the 12 pack of beer in my backpack, two young girls (maybe 15 years old) saw my arm with the old tattoo and they liked it. I told them they could get one if they wanted to go to Pearl Harbor, that's where I got my one and only tattoo. They giggled and took off down the sidewalk.

This afternoon, after saying my daily prayers, I sat in the chair and started to meditate. I had the most wonderful meditation in my lifetime. It was awesome! It was like I was in a wonderful world with peace and something dark, but peaceful, totally quiet, no pain, no problem, no worries. The only thing was some beautiful blue flashes that appeared and disappeared. They were very nice. I don’t know how long the meditation lasted, but I was ready to go wherever that world is.

260527 A Very Long Day

I had mentioned Wake island 2 days ago and today I thought I'd tell a little story about getting to and being on Wake Island.

Our aircrew left Guam to follow and report on a large typhoon going across the Pacific Ocean. We traveled From Guam to Truk Island and then on to Wake Island. that was 1900 miles chasing that typhoon until it dissipated.

This is the bridge from Wake to Pitcin Island. We went fishing off the bridge and caught some nice fish. We didn't know if they were edible so we tossed them back into the water.

This is one of the 8 inch guns that was removed from the battleship USS Texas and put on Wake. The Japanese wanted to take Wake. 450 Marines and 50 civilians held off a Japanese task force from landing on Wake on their first try. The Japanese brought in another huge task force and took the island later on.

This is a bar called The Drifters Reef. The whole crew assembled there, officers and men and we had a huge barbeque, with lots of beer and fellowship. That was the only time in 10 years and 8 months where officers mingled with enlisted.

This picture is one of the remaining bunkers the Marines used to hold off the Japanese landing forces.

This is another bunker on the island.

Way back before WWII, Wake Island was a stop for PAN AM flying boats to land and refuel before going on to the far east.

Brother Bill

260526 Life Goes On

Work goes on at the old folks home.

This morning there were 21 trucks there apparently their owners were working as busy as bees inside the hive. Maybe it will be completed by the time I’m 81.

As far as I know, completion is only 16 months behind schedule.

Good news, I finally got registered with the USPS for notification of delivery. I’ve been working on that for the month that I’ve been here in the new apartment. It took me 3 tries tonight to get it set up, my fault, not theirs. I am happy to have gotten it done. I had the service in the old burned out apartment. Having that service to notify me using email saves me from walking out to the mail box for nothing.

I’ve taken my walks to the grocery on the good days. I have noticed the prices are rising rapidly and the increases aren’t a few pennies, they are substantial.

260525 Memorial Day

Once a year we stop to give thanks to those Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who gave their lives to protect ours.

I’ve been to a few places where war was fought, Corregador, Singapore, Phillipines, Japan, Midway Island, Wake Island, Vietnam. Those places where many many fought and died to protect our USA.

I manned the rails on the Kitty Hawk as we entered Pearl Harbor, looking down over the USS Arizona. It’s a sight to see.

My father, my uncle and Joyce’s father all saw combat in WWII. They are gone now. My nephew spent 23 years in the army, in Iraq, Iran, Panama, South Korea and many other places around the world.

Thanks to Dave Barth (Who I served with many years ago) this is a 6 minute video of places where soldiers fought, died and were buried in WWII. You needn't see all of it, but watch enough to get an idea of how many fought and died during WWII
Memorial day
God bless them all.

260524 Old and New

I just found this picture today. It is Joyce's mother and father on her Indian motorcycle. The picture was taken when Joyce's father was on survivors leave from the navy due to his ship was sunk by a Japanese "Betty" bomber droping a 500 pound bomb on his ship. The ship sunk off the island of New Britan while providing air cover for the Marines invading the island in 1944.

Wonderful weather, wonderful day.

Today is our first 80 degree day. I was out early this morning walking to Aldi’s. I saw there is a new sign on the old folks complex. It has the matching rock on both sides and the center says “Hampton House.” The place is still not open.

I was restless this afternoon, so I walked to Walmart. I was hoping to get 2 more long sleeve shirts. No luck. I did however manage to buy a couple of things. I was tired when I began the walk and even more so on my way back.

I managed to drop in at the beer store. With what I bought at Walmart and a 12 pack of beer at the beer store, things were getting heavy. I stopped and sat down on an elevated manhole cover, cracked open a cold beer (that lightened my load by 12 ounces) and gazed at the skies above. That’s when I took out my phone and took these pictures.

260523 Mementoes

My daughter was looking through my old navy things and brought over a display case and asked me to tell her what every decoration was for. The case has my navy decorations on the left, the center is my dad's WW2 decorations and the right column has Joyce's dad's WW2 decorations. The far right is the jackpot for any sailor. When a sailor crosses the equator, he is into the realm of the deep, the sailor will be allowed to enter Davy Jones's locker, but first he has to go through an initiation on his knees as those who have been initiated use paddles on the sailors as the sailors crawl along towards Davy Jones's representative. Once there the sailor must kiss the representative's greasy, dirty, slimy belly. Oh and I believe there's a shower afterwards from a high pressure saltwater hose at close range.

I was in Aldi's this morning. I had a small bag with 1 loaf of bread, 2 bananas and 2 small boxes of baked flats with blueberries in them.
An older woman walked up, took hold of my arm and asked if I needed financial help for more groceries?

I am grateful for those who offer rides home for me and I am grateful for those who are concerned about feeding me. I feel blessed for all of them wanting to help me.

260520 Another day another $10

Today has been a pretty good day.

My son in law and my daughter came over this morning and she brought a glass topped wooden box with a couple mementos in it. She knew I had other things from my navy years, my dad’s army years and Joyce’s father’s navy years. So I’m working on that. I don’t know how long it will take me to complete the task.

Crappy weather hereabouts. I still take my walks, but I prefer sunshine so I don’t have to wonder if I might catch a shower with my clothes on instead of off.

Tai Chi and yoga can’t be beat! I look forward to them every day of the year.
My only problem is balance. I never was great at balance and now with the years going by it’s more difficult, but hey, I got nothing but time to work on that.

260519 An interesting day

Fierce weather today.

At one point there was a horrific boom that ratteld the building.
This is the first day in a very long time I haven't been out walking.

I did manage to fit in my Tai Chi and Yoga along with an 8 minute practice having legs up on the wall. The position puts blood trapped in the extremeties back into circulation. The pose is called Viparita Karani. This is acording to the Cleveland Clinic.

I had a large growth on my bald head
It was kind of loose like it may soon be dead
Wiggled it back and forth and felt some pain
Ripped it off with total disdain
Blood came gushing out and down my forehead
A good sign really, it meant I wasn’t dead
A little dabbing paper and the bleeding was done
Some antibiotic ointment and bandaid and the battle was won

260518 Free rides followed by hard work and Yoga

It happened again this morning! I was in Aldi’s and a women wanted to drive me home. So I got a free ride home. I am bedazzled over how this has suddenly began happening. I'm not complaining, it's nice.

I finished putting together 2 small writing desks in the last 2 days. They are nice to have around. I have a tv on one in the living room and today I finished the other one to use in my bedroom for counter space and for my books.

I had another writing desk I put together about 2 weeks ago, to use to hold my microwave and my coffee pot. Apartments never have enough counter space.

Next came tai chi followed by yoga. I acquired a book on yoga to add some exercises that I had forgotten after the apartment fire. Woups, here’s a fresh, cold, and delicious beer that suddenly appeared in my hand. It’s magical how that happens.

260517 Getting it together.

It’s a great day to be alive!
Five years ago I could say: It’s a great day to be alive at 75!
Now I’m going to have to wait 4 more years to say: It’s a great day to be alive at 85!

Today I put together an all black writing desk.
That may sound easy to do and it is relatively easy, If you have the instructions! I did not have any instructions. I was standing, then keeling, then laying on my side and back. Up and down and working made for a tiring day.

I actually have 2 of the black desks and the second one didn’t have an instruction sheet either. It is annoying when half way through, you realize one major component is backwards! That had to be taken apart and then I had to find the correct component.
Back in the day when I had a good memory I might have avoided installing a component backwards.

The second one may be easier to put together, unless of course some of the fasteners are missing. The screws and wooden dowels are near impossible to find, unless I take a trip to China, because there are none here.

20260516 My first blog post in 6 months

This is one of my favorite pictures. I was about 20 and that is grandpa beside me.

It’s been 5 months since I posted on my blog. That’s 150 posts that were written, but sent by email, not on my blog.

Today is Armed Forces Day! I was in the armed forces, but never heard of it before today.

It has always been my goal to post 3000 times on my google blog. Currently there are 2,749 posts on my blog. I just did the math and that leaves 251 posts to go. I might just get there.

As you get my posts, pass them on to others who might enjoy them or tell you not to bother.

Recently, I’ve had five women stop and offer me a ride as I’m walking home. I’ve appreciated all of the offers but only accepted one.
I must be looking like I’m on my last legs and about to crash and burn. As I got home, my neighbor gave me some of her homemade bread. It's very good!

I was looking last night, the highest number of readers for a single post was 234 on September 15th 2024. I’d like to top that before I’m done.
There is a space below for comments just click on Post a Comment and write.

1127 2025 Missing you Joyce

It's November 27th, 2025. It's Thanksgiving day and Joyce's birthday. It's a rough day for me. It has been 4 years ago since Joyce's passing. I'm still not over missing her. I suppose I never will.

I miss you Joyce. It doesn't matter how many years you are gone the pain and the hurt is still there and maybe will always be the same.

250911 The Horror of September 11, 2001

911, A Day Of Hell.

As I write this I’m thinking there are perhaps a million people in the USA who weren’t born until after the day of September 11th of 2001. It was as President Roosevelt said after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the USA into WW-2. What he said was “The unprovoked and dastardly attack by naval and air forces of the empire of Japan is a day that will live in infamy.”

On September 11th three planes were hijacked by 20 Arabs from Saudi Arabia. They headed for New York city where they flew two of those planes into the twin towers. The 3rd plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. The two planes caused the towers to burst into flames, eventually killing 2977 American citizens, many of them were firefighters. Acrid smoke filled the surrounding areas. Many firefighters had lifelong lung troubles for the rest of their lives. I knew two men who worked on the 105th floor of the towers. I hope they were out sick that day, but I doubt it.

I cannot imagine the terror those who survived went through. I pray something like this will never happen again.

250908 Good Memories from long long ago.

This picture is from 1934.

My Grandfather center, my Mother right, my Aunt Mary left. Looking at grandpa, now I know where my bo legs came from. He and I are the only ones in the family with legs like that.

I don’t remember when I got this picture but I think it came from my sister Marion. I look at it frequently and think about life as it was back then. I smile every time I look at it.

My grandfather was one of the best men I’ve ever known. I loved him dearly. When I was a child I would sit on the floor at his side every night and ask him questions, which he kindly answered every one. I was closer to him than I was with my father. My father made me feel small; he always berated me. I don’t know why he did that, perhaps I was not up to his standards. My brother Tom was his favorite.

When I enlisted in the navy, he said to my mother, “your son has left you; my son (Tom) wouldn’t leave me.” That was true, in fact, while once I left for the navy I never asked my parents for anything, though I could have used the money in my early years in the navy when navy pay was very little, my pride kept me from ever asking for help. My brother Tom, on the other hand, was always needing money and he always got it from dad.

In the later years there were many times Mom and Dad needed financial help. Did they ask Tom? No, they asked me and I gave them what they needed. I’m not playing for sainthood, merely stating the facts. I never felt like I was better than anyone else. It’s just what it is, what it was, and what it shall be.

250904 Long Time Ago

This picture is the USS Kitty Hawk, where I spent two cruises to the eastern Pacific.

This is hard for me to believe.

It's been 62 years ago, I stood in the Clayton County Courthouse. I raised my right hand and took an oath to defend this country's enemies both foreign and domestic.

I spent the next 10 years and 8 months in defence of this country, from San Diego to Japan, from Guam to Singapore. I can’t imagine how many miles I traveled. I was in training when the Vietnam War began in August of 1964. I’ve flown overnight radar coverage for the 7th fleet, later I taught students in Millington, Tennessee to take my place in the far east and in the Mediterranean sea. I went on two cruises aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and one cruise on the USS Enterprise both back to the coast of Vietnam. I spent my last year working in a repair shop at Nas North Island. I repaired every piece of electronic equipment used in the E-2A aircraft until March 24th of 1974.

On my last day, I went to the records office on North Island where I was mustered out of the navy. As I drove home on Coronado, Ca. and walked into our apartment, I told Joyce “I can’t believe they let me go.” That was on a Friday, on Sunday of that week I received a call from Nas North Island. The voice on the other end said I needed to come in and fill in for another watchstander. It felt great to reply for the first time ever, “You need to find someone else because I had mustered out 3 days earlier.”

It’s been a long time since that happened. It wasn’t always what I expected, but it’s a memory of a time I wouldn’t trade for anything.

250903 A horse is a horse

The horse is a horse complete story is at the end of this post. If you must go straight there, please don’t forget to read the rest of my post.

I had so much knowledge in the past
But now my memories have long passed
I once could read something one time
And remember it for years when my memory was sublime

Some people after death are remembered
For decades afterward
Others names are lost and no one ever thinks of them again

How lucky is a man who finds true love
With an angel from heaven above
With a radiant young face
And everything else in just the right place

The horse is a horse line comes from an old fifties weekly tv show where a guy has a stable with horses and he spends time taking care of them. One night he’s there talking to his horses when one talks back to him. The horse says his name is Mister Ed. The man shares his troubles in the stable and Mister Ed helps him with his living. The hole ditty is “A horse is a horse is a horse unless the horse is Mister Ed.”