A WHOLE LOT ABOUT NOTHING
16/04/05 09:35 PM
Wow! Am I every late getting started. I commenced my day like the house was on fire. I jumped out of bed at 0620 this morning. That lady friend of mine, Mother Nature, she was calling me again, and once more, I had to go she was calling. I don't like to keep her waiting. I honestly tried to get back in slumber land but my mind had kicked into gear and when that happens, forget it. I might just as well get up, I can't get back to sleep.
After having a breakfast of Adam and Eve on a raft (that's poached eggs on toast to you land lubbers) and a couple of sausages, I sat down to my computer and drafted up a news release for a column in our local weekly paper. They are kind enough give me my own by line, along with a picture of myself. I write a column entitled, "Veteran's News & Views" and I try my best to write informational type news to veterans in our area.
This morning I expounded on my newest project. The Town of Lenox War Memorial. We need money, and I decided it's time to get the general public involved in our efforts. I worked on that until 1000 hours, and then set a course for Wal Mart. I walked for well over an hour. In my stroll around the store I heard a beautiful, young voice ring out., "Oh Mr. Rogers" she called, "I received your letter about the War Memorial, and I just want you to know that I am working up a request for our corporate offices. to award you and your committee a grant for your War Memorial project."
"Well, thank you Amy." I replied, "It's very nice of you. We certainly appreciate it."
The letters went out the first of this week to all the local businesses, so I expect some resullts starting next week. The Sons of the American Legion has donated $250 to us and has promised another $250 at the end of the month. That's when they will be having another fund raising breakfast. I'll be talking to our Auxiliary Unit and our Honor Guard soon to request their support. I fully expect them to do their share to make this project a successs.
I arrived back home at a little after 1200 hours, had some pineapple slices for lunch, along with some cottage cheese. Then I sat down and drafted two (2) Guest Editorials for the Oneida Daily Dispatch and the Syracuse Post Standard newspapers. They will print guest editorials if they are newsworthy. I wrote them up so that they would be. Wish me luck.
When I finished that up I sat down and typed up an agenda for tomorrow's meeting with the committee. I will not conduct a meeting without an agenda. I insist that we adhere to the topics we are there to discuss. Time is money, and I have very little of each, literally speaking.
People have a tendency to talk, just to hear themselves speak. When you have 9 or 10 fellows in attendance we can be there, for hours and accomplish absolutely nothing.
Stick to the subject on the agenda, be precise in your report and keep it short. I find that you should be able to complete a successful meeting in an hours time if you to stick to the agenda, and don't wander off in all kinds of directions.
You wouldn't believe I could handle a situation like that from the ramblings that I write about.
I do this just to have get things off my chest without anyone interrupting me. It's a great world, don't you think, when you can ramble all you want and there is nobody to cut in on your conversation with whomever happens to be reading this foolish stuff.
There are times I get provoked and spout off about things that I don't happen to agree with. But all things considered I'm a quiet, gentlemanly individual that loves life, and has lived it to the fullest.
Children are my downfall. I love kids. I hear a kid crying and acting up over at Wal Mart's, and I politely push my cart over to him and ask, "What's all the noise about? Is that you making all this noise.?" All of a sudden it's quiet, and the little rascal looks up at me and shakes his head, "No, not me". I think it must be my beard that attracts them. I rub his head a little, and he smiles. His Mother is happy too, now she can get on with her shopping.
I have a great time wherever I go.
I forgot where I was, I got off the track, lets see I wrote my 2 editorials and then Frisco and I went to church where a visiting priest gave a beautiful homily. We don't always get a priest like that. He had a natural gift for telling story that held interest.
Frisco and I got home from church at 18l5 hours, had some macaroni and cheese with a couple of hot dogs. I told her to make it easy on herself today.
I"m all heart when it comes to my bride. I bought the macaroni and cheese, the dogs too, when I made my last cruise around the cooler where they store this kind of food. I think she appreciated my thoughtfulness.
Well, the time is getting away on me. I'ts now 2140 hours (are you people reading this time right) so I think I will close for the evening.
It was a beautiful day today for the race -- the Human Race. You folks out there in cyber space take care of yourselves. God Bless, be talking to you again tomorrow. In the meanwile -- Keep the Faith -- Sailor Jack
OH FOR THE LIFE OF A SAILOR
15/04/05 03:22 PM
Just finished up lunch with Frisco. She feeds me a lot of salads. Don't get me wrong, I love salads, they are good for you, especially in the summer months. There are times when I wonder if perhaps she thinks I'm a rabbit. When I bring that subject up is when I receive a tossed salad -- she throws it at me. Only kidding. She never treats me unkindly.
Reveille was at 0730 this morning. Our cat, Mazie, jumped up on our bunk, and let it be known that she was tired of being up by herself. Fran and I let her have her say, and then complied with her demands. I love my kitty, she is quite a cat. After breakfast I got my gear together and headed out for my Friday morning trip to the YMCA. I arrived there shortly after 0900 and was fortunate enough to find a bike without a rider. I jumped into the saddle, revived her up to full throttle and rode her for 30 minutes. The computer monitor informed me that I had burnt up 570 calories, and had traveled 16 miles.
Don't say, "No way!" I'm only telling you what the damn computer said.
I left the bike and moseyed over to the leg curling machines. There are two (2) of them, one you use your legs to pull the weights down. and on the other machine you use your legs to lift the weights. I place the weight scale at 70 lbs and do 3 repetitions of 12 curls on each machine. I do that to strengthen my left leg, as part of the muscle was removed back in '95 during my bout with "the flesh eating disease".
I don't know the official name of the disease, It's a mile long. For that matter I can't even pronounce the prescription drugs I have to take. I don't understand why they have to put names on medicines, that the average Joe can't even begin to pronounce.
The biggest kick in the butt is when you have a doctors appointment. The first thing the receptionist asks you is, "What prescriptions are you taking?"
"Huh", I say, "Don't you know, you guys prescribed them". I can't pronounce them, but I can describe them. One is a little blue pill and another one is...."
"Just bring in a list of all the medications you are taking on your next visit.", she politely tells me.
"I did last time" I meekly replied.
"Thank you, sir, have a sit"
They always seem to get in the last word
I didn't mean to get off the subject. Where was I? Oh yes, the leg curls. When I finish them, I go over to a machine that works on your stomach muscles.
It has a long bar on it where you rest your arms. You sit down, cross your arms, or hold them straight out, set the weight scale and bend down and then come up . Me, I set the weight at 100 lbs and do 200 repetitions. I have a tummy that is hard as a rock.
By the time I have finished my exercises an hour has passed. Thats when I leave the "Y" and head to Wal Mart for my daily walk. Today I walked for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Tomorrow, I'll walk 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays do I spend an hour or so walking.
On my way out of the "Y" I held the door open for a gentlemen that was coming out. He stopped and starting talking to another fellow while I was holding the door for him.
He was wearing a red cap with a dirty word on it, M - A - R - I - N - E ---- "MARINE". I couldn't pass it up - to once again sock it to aN Old Jarhead,
"Hey Mate, it's not every day that a sailor will hold a door open for a "Sea Going Bellhop", I called out. He stopped, looked at me, and then smiled as he saw my cap that reads. "U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces: World War II"
"Hi, you old Swap Jockey", he bellowed out.
It was the first time I met the man and I introduced myself to him, and he said, "You the man that is heading up the committee for the World War II Veterans
Memorial in Canastota?"
"Yes, I'm the guy," I said.
"I"m Sam Costanzo," he told me. "I talked to you over the phone a few weeks ago about having my brother, James, I wanted his name placed on it."
"Oh, I remember," I said. "You called me back again a few days later to tell me that you were mistaken, he didn't serve in WW2".
He replied that he was the guy.
We stood in the parking lot, recalling the days of our youth. We were both 17 years of age when we entered the service. He enlisted in 1943, and I enlisted in 1944.. We didn't dwell on the war, we had fun kidding one another about inter service rivalry back in those days.
He got a big laugh when I told him this story. "Ten thousands marines, laid down their carbines, to lick one homesick sailor -- ten thousand more, got up and swore - it was the best fight they had ever seen."
Oh for the life of a Sailor! I love my Navy.
Well, that time of day has arrived. I have missed my nap for the passed 2 Or 3 days, but I am going to take one today before I take my bride out to dinner. We will be going to a local diner that has just reopened after being closed for close to a year. Every Friday we go out and have a fish dinner - it's one of our favorite meals.
It's been good chatting to whomever is out there listening to me.
Bye for now... God Bless - Pray for Peace - and above all - Keep the Faith -- Sailor Jack
NOW HEAR THIS - NOW HEAR THIS
14/04/05 02:35 PM
Just arrived home after having my daily walking exercise. I left my homeport at 0905 hours, and set a course straight away for Wal Mart. I arrived safely at my distination at 0915 hours, and I immediately commandeered a cart. and took off for parts unknown. I walked for 2 hours and 30 minutes arriving back at my homeport at high noon.
My legs don't have the speed they once had, but I picked them and laid them down at a steady pace. I am extremely happy at what I managed to accomplish. A very weary body. I figured I must have walked three (3) miles, give or take a few strides. Who's counting?
On my last go around through the garden shop, I stopped to smell the roses. Some African Violets caught my eye, and I said to myself, "I think I'll surprise Frisco with an African Violet". She had purchased one a few days ago, and has it sitting on an end table in our living room. We have 2 end tables. one on the portside and the other on the starboard side of our couch. She has her African Violet setting on the starboard side, wait a minute. It all depends if you are sitting on the couch, in that case it's on the portside. If I am sitting in my recliner, facing the couch, it is on the starboard side. Ah -- who cares?
At any rate, I thought I would surprise her with my thoughtfulness, I sneaked it in, and placed it on the starboard/portside (you decide, I'm confused) She was busy sewing in her quilting room, and wasn't paying any attention to me. After I was home a few moments she went into the galley and made us both a nice salad for lunch.
After we finished our lunch I said to her, "You are not very observant, are you?"
She quickly replied, "You referring to that African Violet I bought the other day?"
"No", I said. "I'm referring to the one I brought home to you today."
"Oh", she said, "I was wondering, It's a different colored one."
A sweet smile appeared on her beautiful face, a smile that only she can give. I knew deep inside, she was pleased.
She is truly, something else. The thing that first attracted me to her when we first met, was her eyes. We met on a blind date, 50 years ago, and as we sat there conversing I couldn't help but notice her beautifiul eyes. They were talking to me. Her eyes, yes, HER eyes, they were talking to me She has a wonderful way of expressing herself through the use of her eyes. They talk to you as she speaks. That's my gal, "Frisco" Fran.
I had better cease this chatter, she may revert back to her shy, bashful ways. I've been blessed to have her as my wife, and our children are blessed to have her as their Mother. The Good Lord threw away the mold when she was born. She is one of a kind.
The time is now 1420 hours, I'm going to make you land lubbers learn to read military time, and understand Navy lingo, so you may better understand what I am talking about.
Us sailors have a language all of our own. The door is a hatch, the floor is a deck, the walls are bulkheads, the ceiling is the overhead, the bathroom is the head, the kitchen is the Galley, the dining room is the mess hall, the hallway is a passageway and when someone tells you not to run down the stairs, you tell them to go to hell, it's a ladder .
Enough homework for today. Digest what I have told you, and sit down and figure out what time of day it is. -- You're right, it's my nap time. Signing off at 1435 hours.
Pray for Peace -- Keep the Faith -- God Bless -- Sailor Jack
I DID IT AGAIN -WHERE AM I
11/04/05 09:31 PM
The time is now 1330 hours, and I have had a very busy morning with my exercising at the "Y", walking around Wal Mart, and when I arrived home I managed to. somehow, lose my Home Page. How is that for a start - how in hell did I lose my Home Page. I'll send out an SOS to Commander Dave, he will come to my rescue. Like I said yesterday, I don't know what I would do without him.
Frisco Fran had a dentist appointment at noon today, and I had an appointment with a local attorney to set up an account that would give a tax deduction to those who give a donation to our War Memorial. The American Legion is a non-profit organization, so the donation checks will be made out to my Post and deposited into a local bank.
I will be addressing and stuffing envelopes in a few days to all the businesses once we are set up to receive tax deductable funds. In a few weeks I'll be making a plea for donations from the general public. Funds for the memorial will start rolling in very shortly. I am sure that both the business community, and general public will respond to our plea for donations for this great cause.
It's time for me to take my daily nap, so I'll sign off for now. I'll return this evening after I have a chat with my son Dave. Stay tuned, I'll do my utmost to explain what I did wrong.
Ah, what a wonderful nap. I just arose, the time is 1700 hours, I really slept hard. If that lovely bride of mine had not woke me up, for dinner, I believe I would still be sleeping. But she insists on nourishing me, so I adhere to her commands, and I hit the deck when she gives the order.
In a few short months, October, Fran and I will be celebrating our Golden Wedding anniversary. Fifty years of bliss. What a wonderful woman. The Good Lord sure has been kind to me. Life wasn't easy for her when I was in the Navy. She raised 6 children virtually by herself, God love her, and we had one other child three years after I retired. We sure have been blessed with a wonderful family. All 7 of them are well educated and living good decent lives on their own.
They, in turn, have blessed us with 10 beautiful grandchildren. Seven (7) grandsons and three (3) granddaughters. Speaking of grandchildren, our daughter Beth Ann visited us this past weekend and brought along her three boys, Zackary, Westley and Ian. What a trio those 3 boys are. Zac is 13 years old, Westley is 11 and young Ian is 8.
What a wild one is Ian. As a youngster of 3, he loved to join with his older brothers and bounce on me like I was a trampoline. He hasn't changed much, the first thing he asked his grandmother when they arrived this past weekend was, "Gramma, will Grampa let me jump up and down on him when he wakes up tomorrow morning?"
"We will see", she said. With that she forewarned me to expect a rude awaking in the morning. Sure enough, in he ran, close to 8 in the morning, and annouced his arrival with "Hi Grampa, giddy up". I turned into a wild bronco and had a heck of time trying to throw him off my back. Oh, what fun. It did my heart good to think that he still remembers when he and his older brothers would all take turns jumping up and down on their Grampa. We enjoy having the grandkids over.
Commander Dave flew himself and his two children, Chris and Caitlyn in from their home in Florida during the children's Easter break and spent 4 days with us. Chris is our oldest grandchild, he is 17 years of age and his younger sister is 12. We really enjoyed that visit as we don't get to see them as much as the other grandchildren. We get to see them now and then on our I-site camera, that Dave was nice enough to furnish us, but it's not the same as seeing them in person, and getting the "Big Hug" that only kids can give.
On Sunday, April 24th, we will be going to Saratota Springs, to attend our grandson Robbie's birthday party. He will be 11 years old. He is the son of our oldest Daughter, Lorraine and her husband Woody. They have one other child, a true sweetheart of a girl. Her name is Olivia, and she is 12 years of age.
Oh well, I have gone this far so I might just as well introduce our daughter Diane and her husband Dan's children. Diane's kids will be attending the party also. Their names are Danny, who is 9 and a beautiful little lady, who at times is shy as she can be. Her name is Allison and she is 5 years of age.
We have one more grandson, last but not least, is young Tyler Rogers, who is 11 years of age and is the son of our youngest boy, Eric. Eric resides in Toney, Alabama, near Huntsville where he works for an engineering company that contracts their work from NASA. Eric is a bright young man who saw action with the famed "Screaming Eagles", the 101st Airborne Division, during Desert Storm. He was recently given a promotion on his job, along with a much needed hefty raise.
I am proud of you Eric, keep up your good work.
The only two members I haven't introduced are, our 2nd oldest son Mark, who is a Naturalist, and our number 3 son, John. Both are still bachalors and have a degree to prove it.
Seven children, 10 grandchildren -- all happy, and thankfully in good health. As I have said before, the Good Lord has blessed us with a wonderful famiiy.
So much for family history. It has been good chatting with you, and I hope you have had some enjoyment from it. I promise to keep you abreast of our efforts to build this lasting memorial to "The World's Greatest Generation". Meanwhile, pray for peace and Keep the Faith -- Sailor Jack
TEACHING AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
10/04/05 01:15 PM
Just got off line with my son, Commander Dave. I don't know what I would do if it wasn't for him, and another one of my sons, Mark. The two of them are really patient with me, when it comes to instructing me in the use of this computer. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but this old sea dog is sure willing to learn.
I try like the dickens to digest all the info they are feeding me, but my retention powers are not what they use to be in my younger days. Patience and fortitude, and things will come your way -- thats what they tell me anyway, I'll get myself organized in a few weeks, or months, and then I'll be off and running.
I am really excited about the challenge that lies ahead concerning the World War 2 Memorial Committee I was asked to chair. Things are moving ahead at the present time at a slow and deliberate pace. My son Dave will be posting a sketch of the monument on my web site that was designed by a good friend of mine, Robert Clarke. Bob is a Vietnam era veteran, and resides in the same small village that I live in - Canastota, NY.
We are closing in on the names of 700 men and women from this small village, and surrounding area, that fought and served in the armed forces during World War 2. We have set a deadline date of July l, 2005 for anyone that meets the criteria for having their names added to the monument.
I have typed up letters, approximately 150, to all the businesses in our immediate area requesting donations for this most worthy cause. I have also contacted all of our representatives from the State and Federal government requesting grants. I'll soon be releasing an article to the local newspapers in the surrounding area asking for donations from the general public. Who knows, I may even try the InterNet. We have set a goal of $100,000 to complete this project. We will be dedicating this monument on Memorial Day 2006.
Most war memorials bear the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the defense of our nation. This memorial will list the names of all who served honorably from this small area of Central New York. A Gold Star will be engraved along side the names of 28 young men that lost their lives during that war.
Our World War 2 veterans are dying at the rate of over 1100 each day of the year Those who fought and served in that war will be known in the annals of world history as, "The Worlds Greatest Generation". Rightly so - rightly so!
This project has revitalized me and my darling, Frisco Fran, is happy to see me back in the scheme of things and having a purpose in life. I still go to the YMCA every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to get some exercise. My health provider told me that I had to do more walking as my sugar level was slowly rising.
When I told her I can't use a tread mill because I lost the use of my left leg back in '95, when I was struck down with "the fresh eating disease", she said she would get me a walker. "No way", I said, "I'll go to Wal Mart's and get me a cart and push that around the store first."
"Go to it" she said, "Just get plenty of walking in."
For the past 2 months I have been going every day of the week, except Sunday, and walk the aisles of Wal Mart's for a period of 1 to 2 hours. That is in addition to my weekly YMCA trips.
The employees of the store think I am an "uncover security agent". I have no idea if it's doing me any good, but I am following Doctor's orders, and will find out the latter part of May when I see her again.
I personally think I am beginning to look slimmer, and I do feel a lot better now that I once again have something to accomplish.
I don't want to say "I told you so!", but did you see in this morning's (Sunday) paper, that 300,000 Iraqis protested in the streets of Bagdad, demanding the infidel Americans leave their country. Boy, they sure love and appreciate all that we are doing for them. I predict that when we do take our leave of that nation, they will soon disband their "democratic government" and revert back to their old Islamic ways .
Before the war started, I said that this nation would be making the biggest mistake in our history if we attacked Iraq. I stand by that statement. We have but one man to thank for that.
It's sad, well over 1500 men and women of our armed forces have paid the supreme sacrifice, and the cost is rising. That is only in Iraq - what a tragedy.
When I look back over my lifetime, I remember nothing but wars, "police action" and conflicts. Stop and think, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Bosnia, Persian Gulf, Desert Storm and now tied down in Iraq for God only knows how long.
I was involved in three of these actions, WW2, Korea and Nam. In those early years of my military career I was a 150 pounds of fighting dynamite with a quarter inch fuse. I feared nothing - wait a minute - I was damned scared at Iwo and Okinawa. Now in the twilight of my years, I have mellowed and have more respect of life and the way in which we live.
That being said, I'll take my leave. Pray for peace everyone, and Keep the Faith. -- Sailor Jack