I'M CONFUSED!
23/06/05 10:08 PM
I am a simple man, it doesn't take much to confuse me. I'm looking across the bottom of my monitor screen where all the pretty pictures are. I guess they represent different functions of the computer. I don't pay much attention to them, only those that have a definite meaning for my own personal use.
For instance, I thought I had this blogging business down to a fine art. I search for Jack's Sea Cabin, hit the little icon for my web page, and something else shows up. According to my index my last post was May 21 (I think) entited SEMPER FI. I know damn well I have written other blogs, but where the hell are they.
When I hit the little + sign for a new entry, it pops up and says todays date is June 23. At least that's right, but where in the dickens is my other blogs?
Commander Dave, will read this when I publish it, and straighten me out (I hope).
I have just returned home from an Executive Board meeting at the Legion, and thought I would spend the rest of the evening chatting with whomever has the patience, and good heart to read my idle chatter. It is now 2045 and I'll be up until 2300 hours, so I have some time to kill.
Frisco had to take her sister to a doctor's appointment early this morning, and I was left here to amuse myself. I read the morning paper, watched Rumsfeld tell senators how great the war on terrorism is progressing. He put me to sleep and I napped until 1200, or a little after when the bride and her sister arrived back home.
I enjoyed a salad lunch with them and then headed over to Wal Mart to man the Wishing Well. I spent 3 hours chatting with customers, telling sea stories, and informing them of our progress on the War Memorial. I am very pleased with the response that we are receiving. More people are asking questions, and I have about a half dozen separation papers from WWII veterans that would like to have their names added to the Memorial.
I will present the papers to the committee for their approval. There are only 2 that may be turned down, as they reside outside the School District of Canastota.
It's the interest they are showing that makes me feel we are headed in the right direction. People are interested, they are talking about us and the donations are coming in at a steady rate. I am keeping a close eye on who is donating. I am particularly interested in the families of veterans whose names are going to be inscribed on this memorial.
Their donations are very slow in coming in, but I am positive that they will be more than happy to support us when they realize that this project is going to succeed. They want to be assured that their loved one's name will be inscribed in granite. When that realization sets in, the needed funds will be forthcoming to complete the project. When that occurs, we will burst the bubble in our barometer. That is a given fact.
Fran just brought me my desert for the evening. A small bowl of lime jello, with sliced bananas. Hum, Hum good.
I'm listening to the Florida Marlins play baseball with the Atlantic Braves. The present score is 7-0, Marlins, at the end of 7 innings. It's on TV , so I take a few moments, here and there, to watch the action. I like baseball better than most other sports, although I enjoy watching all sports. I always root for the underdog.
Tomorrow the weather is suppose to get up in the 90's. It was pleasant today, in the middle 70's. I am glad that summer has arrived. I use to enjoy winter, but I have lost that love over the years. It has got so that I hate to see winter come. It must come with the aging process.
Once again, I am hard put to find the right words to intrigue you lovely people and keep your interest. I know when to call it quits, and with that I will bid you a fond adieu. I enjoy the time I spend with you folks, and I hope your feelings are mutual. Till the next time, God Bless and Keep the Faith. -- Sailor Jack.
P.S. My son Dave, didn't waste any time. At approximately 2210, he gave me a call on Ichat.
He just left the ichat, and as I expected, I goofed. It is really nice to have a handy man around when you need one. He never fails me. If I ever make it in this world, it will be because of him. Thanks so much Dave, I hope I am not disrupting your life style too much. It definitely has to be the aging progress. At least that's my story, and I am sticking to it. Good night, once more -- Keep the Faith -- Sailor Jack
OFF TO VERMONT
20/06/05 06:51 PM
Tomorrow morning at 0730 hours I will be shoving off to Vermont to pay a visit to the Rock of Ages Memorial Company. Bob Clarke, the designer for our memorial, and I will drive out to talk with a company representative concerning the many questions we need answers too.
The appointment is set up for 1400 hours, and we hope to make it a one day trip. We understand that it may take up to 5 or 6 hours to get there. If we get too tired on our return voyage we may stop, and get a motel room for the night. Only time will tell. At any rate, we are excited about going, and getting the information we need first hand.
People are responding to our fund raising efforts at all levels. The Wishing Well in Wal Mart's is going exceeding well, the Jugs I have distributed around our area are beginning to get full; and of course, we are still receiving donations through the mail. I even received a Father's Day card from my son, Mark, with a check enclosed, made payable to the Town of Lenox Veterans Fund. What a nice Father's Day gift. Thank you, Mark, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.
This morning Frisco and I made a trip to the VA Medical Clinic in Rome for my 6 month checkup. Everything looks fine, and I am feeling real good.
I'll be hitting the pad early tonight in hopes of getting a good night's sleep. Bob and I will stop somewhere along the line, during the morning, and get ourselves a breakfast. I must remember to order something light, as I don't want to feel bloated and uncomfortable riding in the car.
I can tell by my efforts here tonight, that my heart isn't in a story telling mood. I believe I'll take my leave, and sit back and relax for the rest of the evening. It's not the company, it's me. I'll sign off for now, and will pick up on the adventures of Sailor Jack when i return from Vermont. In the meanwhile, hang in there, life is good. Will talk to you again tomorrow. Until then, Keep the Faith.
Hi there, I'm back. Today is the second day of summer. We arrived back in Canastota at 2000 hours last evening, and had a most informative meeting with two (2) representatives of the Rock of Ages Monument Company. I was pleased to learn that I can extend the deadline for adding additional names, for people who may not have been made aware of our efforts.
It is kind of hard for me to believe that people don't know of our efforts. We have been covered extensively by three local newspapers, and by our local radio station WMCR. We also had a mass mailing to all the businesses in our area. I was happy to see last evening, as I was driving down the main drag of our village, that the barometer that I requested had been made and placed in a prominent viewing space for all to see.
I am extremely pleased with the Wishing Well that our local Wal Mart has been kind enough to allow us to man in their store. I spend 3 or 4 hours each day standing alongside the Wishing Well, not soliciting funds, but greeting the customers with a smile as they enter and leave the store.
Some stop and ask questions, others are checking to see if their loved one's name in on the posted list, and some just ask, "What is this all for?"
A short explanation usually does the trick, and they respond with a donation. Children are dropping coins in, and the adults, likewise, drop a donation into the Well. Small or large, they will all add up to a tidy sum when I close it down on the 12th of July. In the meantime I am meeting the public, making new friends, greeting old friends and enjoying every moment of it.
I gave Lois, our Treasurer, a few days rest the past couple of days while I was off to Vermont. I stopped in to see her this morning and she was happy to inform me that donation checks have picked up since we had the groundbreaking ceremony. The number of donations was such that she hadn't had time to record all of them. Now that's what I like to hear!
We have a very large number of families whose loved one's name will be inscribed on this Memorial and have not, as yet, donated to this project. I am certain that they will respond to our plea for funds. I truly believe that things are moving along nicely, and that we will continue to see improvement as our plans progress.
The gentlemen we met at the Monument Company were really impressed with the presentation we presented. They were extremely pleased with the sketches, and detailed plans that Bob Clarke prepared for them. When they looked them over, they remarked, "You have done our work for us. All we have to do is come up with a proposal; you'll that have that within a week."
They informed us they will need a 4 month production schedule, and if we place the order before the snow flies, we would be able to meet our goal of dedicating the monument on Memorial Day 2006.
When their proposal arrives, it will contain the data we need as to the number of names that can be inscribed on a monument this size. They will also give us the cost of building this memorial, including freight and set up cost, if they install it on the foundation.
Bob and I both agree that it would be wise to have them erect it. If we attempt to set it up on the foundation, and something should go wrong, we would be in a hell of a mess. If they erect it, and something goes array, we don't own it, they do. They will have to bear the expense of rebuilding it. I think it's good insurance.
Well, I believe I have brought you up to date as to what has transpired lately, and I ask that you continue to render your support of our endeavors to make this Memorial a reality, Thanks for allowing me into your busy lives. God Bless and Keep the Faith. -- Sailor Jack