Summertime is traveltime

After some seventeen years of travel trailers, all in Airstreams from 35 year old ones to a brand spanking new one we have decided to switch means of travel. We still like the idea of taking our "home" with us especially after the nightmare we endured last summer staying in hotels between home and Colorado. We experienced everything from a long night stretch of No Vacancies, to dog hair in the bed, to a room with no available electric outlet that had extension cords strung everywhere. Even the window air conditioner was powered through an extension cord in the latter case, but it's surprising what you'll put up with after driving all day and half the night just to get a few hours of restless sleep. At the end of that trip we reminded ourselves one of the first reasons we got into "camping". That was a result of making annual trips from Florida to Colorado with long stretches of Texas roads. We had noticed that a lot of travelers in Texas had some type of camper and after crossing the state once to visit Arlene's family in Colorado we figured out the reason why. I guess the Federal government mandates some rest area facilities on the Interstate highways but on Texas state highways there are many parking areas but very few with any conveniences save the obligatory trash recepticle and the occasional picnic table. No water and the lack of even an outhouse privvie caused us much concern on that first trip. So we joined the throngs of others who travel like the turtle taking our home along with us. That introduction to "campers" as most people refer to them led us to join the Airstream Club or WBCCI by it's formal name and in turn led to caravanning with groups both large and small, to rally events for entertainment, games, food, sight seeing and socializing with a great group of people. We even sold our home and lived in our travel trailer for about nine years. We have decided that we miss the ability to stop on our travels pretty much at will and to set our own schedule unbothered by the distance between towns, availability of motel rooms, and even restaurants.

So we have set out on a new path. As we get older the tasks associated with hitching up the trailer as well as unhitching added to the hookups to set up camp was becomming more work than I wanted. So we have joined those who drive their homes. After a couple of months of searching aided by two friends, we found ourselves at Camping World in Chattanooga and eventually face to face with a Gulfstream BT Cruiser, not new but with very low miles and in real good shape. We haven't named it yet, and maybe we won't, so far we haven't felt compelled to make it a named part of the family, but we hope to get to use it frequently.

Is there a little less patriotism everywhere?

One of my favorite times of the year is spring and summer. We all enjoy being outdoors and the sunshine that comes after the cold dreary winter. Some people yearn for the beginning of golf or other sporting events, but one of my reasons for celebrating this time of year is NASCAR. We used to be frequent spectators at the Five Flags Raceway in Pensacola, FL; the dirt track in Milton, FL: and more recently the local track in Crossville, TN. I must admit that although I have been to major sporting events like baseball and football in Saint Louis, Atlanta, New Orleans, and even in Japan, I have never made it to a major NASCAR race. I have always confined my enjoyment of big time stock car racing to televised events and I am not too disappointed at that aspect because of the excellent coverage and playbacks. One of the things I always liked about NASCAR is a strong display of patriotism. From the opening ceremonies that, everywhere I have been, included posting the nation's flag, singing the National Anthem to a strong pro-military fan base; even the National Guard, the US Army and the American Legion are major sponsors of some cars, everything about stock car racing has an underlying patriotic sense. At the major tracks the opening ceremonies usually include a military flyover; however, the recent disapproving remarks of one or two members of Congress concerning the flyover at the recent Superbowl have called into question how long we will continue to be able to enjoy this exciting display. Although I too question the reasoning behind a flyover at a stadium dome with the roof closed due to the likelihood of inclement weather. The news of the remarks from a politician were broadcast everywhere for the last few weeks causing the always curious (?) news media to question why aircraft couldn't have been used from a closer base, or if the NFL or Jerry Jones should not have paid the cost, if one aircraft instead of four could not have been used to save money, as well as the military-political connections of the events receiving this taxpayer benefit. It seems that one Congresswoman in particular fails to see any benefit from the military's use of loyal NASCAR fans as a recruiting base, or the use of sponsorship of cars or these flyover's as a recruiting tool, and in spite of the fact that FAA and military regulations require pilots and crews to practice flying in a variety of conditions including weather, daylight or darkness and to include long distances. Having flown a few hours in my earlier days I can attest to the absolute need to adhere to FAA regulations if for no other reason than to keep your legal status as a pilot current. Not to mention that even a foolhardy a person as I might have been in those days I knew that for the safety of myself and anyone flying with me as well as those on the ground I needed to maintain proficiency (I have to wonder if the Congresswoman might complain if some less than competent pilot were to land on her house?). Some additional, dare I say stupid, political comments I read last week included, "I doubt that anyone rushes to enlist in military service due to seeing the Army name on a race car," and it's ridiculous to think that seeing a jet plane fly over a football game would cause someone to join the Air Force. Actually, I think you'd have to be pretty blind not to see the potential of a young person considering employment where they could be trained to do things like precision flying that the Blue Angels or AF Thunderbirds do. Any one that has seen even a little of a televised NASCAR event should be aware of the age group of the fans, most are young enough to be potential members of our country's military. I could go on and on about Congress but my goal here has always been to keep this blog as free of political speech as possible.

The real cause of this patriotism rant is that one of my favorite sports as mentioned above, is beginning to exhibit a lack of patriotism and it affects my choices of who to root for and who to root against. In every sport there are always favorite teams and individuals determined by a variety of factors. One of the best things about NASCAR to me has always been the lack of bad guys, the ones in the old westerns that wore a black hat so you could distinguish them from the good guys, all of whom of course wore the white hats. Anyone who follows NASCAR has seen the occasional display of lack of skill of an inexperienced driver or even a crew member, or a less than brilliant decision on their part, and pay back for a perceived wrong done earlier in the race or even in a previous race which causes that team or individual to be thought of as a villain. Usually this is only a temporary condition because, as I sense, by far the majority of NASCAR people are just really good people; but like everyone, subject to an occasional lapse in judgement. What bothers me as far as patriotism in NASCAR can be observed during the opening ceremonies. To encourage patriotism by the general audience it has become common practice in the past few years that the event announcer will ask the audience to "stand, remove their hats, and place their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem." I noted recently that several drivers and crew members have been televised standing casually holding hands with their significant other, hands at their sides or busying themselves with chewing gum wrappers or the like. In the Nationwide series race on Saturday Danica Patrick was televised standing with her crew while she and at least one of the crew members failed to place their hand over their hearts. Danica, being the rare female driver in major NASCAR events, must have realized the racing world would be watching her every move and that much of the television coverage would be concentrated on her yet she committed what many racing fans would consider a major lack of respect to our nation. Before the reader assumes that Ms. Patrick is the victim of gender discrimination, let me hasten to add that at least one other male Nationwide series driver was caught by the television cameras showing similar disrespect for the National Anthem. As several of the Nationwide drivers are not as publicly known as Danica, I cannot name the other individual I observed on Saturday. The television camera crews are apparently aware that NASCAR takes a dim view of such a display because as soon as it becomes apparent the TV shot either switches to a facial closeup, in the case of Danica, or proceeds quickly to another individual. Likely as not this is the reason few long shots of large groups of drivers and crew members are shown anymore. Not that this conduct is confined to the junior racing series as today during the opening ceremonies of the most watched racing event of the year, the Daytona 500, the television audience again was shown at least one driver casually standing, hands at his side during the National Anthem. While almost all of these drivers are easily recognized by any real NASCAR fan, my memory fails me as to which one was caught by the camera today so at the risk of wrongfully accusing an innocent party I won't guess. But if there is any doubt that this is becoming commonplace just watch the opening ceremony of next weekend's race or any future race and see the decline of patriotism on display.

Don't get me wrong, I won't stop watching NASCAR, but it may influence who gets my fan support. While that may not be a big thing, some of the drivers may begin to see a shift in their fan base because I believe most NASCAR fans are a pretty patriotic bunch just as most of NASCAR is.

This recently received e-mail was just too appropriate to pass up along the patriotic theme. I believe it was written by Robert Flood (nfi) and I wish there was a way to make sure Ms. Aguilera would get the message:
“So, with all the kindness I can muster, I give this one piece of advice to the next pop star who is asked to sing the national anthem at a sporting event: save the vocal gymnastics, your invention of a new melodies and the physical gyrations for your concerts. Just sing this song the way you were taught to sing it in kindergarten — straight up, no styling. You see, this anthem is not about you, it is about our country. Sing it with the constant awareness that there are soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines watching you from bases and outposts all over the world. Don’t make them cringe with your self-centered ego gratification. Sing it as if you are standing before a row of 86-year-old WWII vets wearing their Purple Hearts, Silver Stars and flag pins on their cardigans and you want them to be proud of you for honoring them and the country they love — not because you want them to think you are a superstar musician. They could see that from the costumes, the makeup and the entourages. Sing “The Star Spangled Banner” with the courtesy and humility that tells the audience that it
is about America, not you.”

What has the new year brought?

Now that my medical problems have more or less settled down, at least modern medicine has done all it can to make things more normal again. I am sure that lots of prayers had even more to do with it, and I thank everyone for that. Anyway, at the urging of several doctors I am back to exercising and a renewed effort at watching how much and what we eat. We joined the gym, at the CMC Wellness Center in town where they have a good group of trainers, nutrition counselors, and a system of monitoring progress as to weight loss. So I get in about one to one and a half hours of exercise per day about four days a week. Surprisingly I can start off with that old out of breath feeling but can continue until I can walk about 2 miles and still manage to do a few upper body exercises before running out of steam. I tried to follow the Weight Watchers guide to eating along with Arlene, but I confess she has the will power to do it and I don't. I have made a commitment to be more careful what kinds of food I eat, a lot more fish and chicken and vegetables, but desserts are still my weakness. Hopefully the time in the gym will counter the effects of my craving for daily sweets.

All last fall we were leery of getting very far from home although we did venture out to MO and CO with my cardiologist's approval (after the procedure at Vanderbilt University Hospital). Arlene had towed our 34' trailer a very few miles and didn't really feel comfortable, although she thought she could get us off the road in an emergency. We decided that she wouldn't want to be the full-time driver towing an Airstream travel trailer and I was not sure when or if I would be approved to drive long distance. Hooking up and setting up the trailer was also something 

1436 begins the journey to CA

that I was having trouble doing as my medical problems got worse. So we reluctantly sold our fourth and last Airstream. A nice lady from CA was very excited to take it and begin her Airstream adventure so we knew the Trade Winds would be in good hands. We stood in the driveway and said our quiet goodbyes as the trailer turned onto the street and disappeared around the corner. We had about 16 years of camping in travel trailers, all of them Airstreams. Our very first one was a little single axle 1967 Caravel bought in 1993 and followed by our only new purchase, a beautiful 30' 1993 bought that December. We started traveling and living full time in an RV in 1999 and by 2001 we were in need of more space so that March we traded for another 1993 model, but a 34' three axle that we towed from south FL to VT, and to SD although we spent most of our summers in TN. After we decided to settle down in TN in 2007 we no longer had a need for the big trailer and that winter we sold it and bought the 1975 Trade Winds, a vintage trailer.

 Things are progressing to the point where we have started a serious search for a small motor home that either of us can drive. We still have the desire to do some short trips and I envision it might be used to camp over at some of the bluegrass festivals we like to attend. They are usually not that far but it would be nice to have a place to get out of the heat, or dreaded rain and it would save driving home late at night. I hope it might finally let us attend a few festivals a little farther away like Rosine, KY.

The Shrinking Generation

I agree wholeheartedly with Tom Brokaw or whoever it was that coined the term "Greatest Generation" when referring basically to those of the WWII era. Not knowing exactly when one generation ends and another begins, I believe these are basically the same people who made major contributions to America's superiority in space (fast being overtaken) and the resulting technological advances in medicine, communication, transportation, and yes modern warfare. This post though, specifically refers to those who defeated Nazi Germany and the Japanese Warlords in WWII. I think I read recently that more than a million men and women served in the military from 1941 to 1945 and millions more "served" on the home front, sacrificing by going without all but the barest of necessities. Sacrifices not asked for since.


Buford, wife Louise and I July 2008.

That Greatest Generation has been declining in numbers at a pace that grows more and more rapid each day. The television reported last Thursday, Veterans Day, that a WWII veteran passes every 90 seconds. That is really what prompts me to write this. My uncle, a WWII vet awarded 2 purple hearts in the European theater, passed away some three weeks ago. This photo is from my last visit with him, but I called him two or three times a year and always on Veterans Day. This year I learned that he had passed away some two weeks before Veterans Day. My first memory of him was a visit to the VA hospital in West Virginia where he was recuperating from wounds received when he was shot by a Nazi officer. I recall looking up at what seemed endless steps at the front of the hospital and then at the top seeing him greet us from a wheelchair. I probably had seen him before but was too young to remember that as I was probably four years old at the time of the VA hospital visit and it is one of the earliest memories of my childhood. In later years he was able to walk without the aid of a cane but always had a limp resulting from shrapnel which prompted occasional visits to the VA as bits and pieces worked their way to the surface. Uncle "Buf" as he liked to be called, became a master mechanic, first with a Nash dealership and after Nash went out of business he became "Mr. Goodwrench." I remember through the years he always seemed unflappable, I never recall seeing him angry. Although when I was very young I still remember sleeping down the hall and hearing the nightmares which woke him on many nights as memories of the war returned. We spoke very little about the war except occasional references to drill and ceremonies, marching, standing "tall" and saluting. He taught me some movements while I shouldered an old German rifle war trophy. I remember that on several occasions he spoke with my parents about sending me to a military academy, an idea that sounded neat to me, but the realities of cost, lost on me, were apparently enough to prevent my parents from following through. It was always a joy to visit my uncle which I did many summers in the fifties and sixties. He had some of the most well trained dogs I ever saw, first was Colonel a doberman pincher trained for the military but too late to be shipped overseas. Colonel was not an easy dog for my aunt or anyone else to control, but when uncle Buford was there Colonel heeded every word, words spoken with authority but seldom with a raised voice. Colonel was eventually followed by a gentle, playful female Boxer named Blondie so well trained that she would sit perfectly still with raw hamburger perched on her nose until given the command when it would disappear with one lightning fast motion. My uncle was mostly responsible for my first real airplane ride when a friend of his took me up in a two seat Piper Cub to fly over my grandfather's house. In later years he had part ownership in a faster roomier Super Cub and flew it once to Daytona to see the Daytona 500, stopping by middle Georgia to visit us. Later still he joined the Experimental Aircraft Association and kept a rare Funk two seater in the basement while it was being restored. The frailties of old age eventually called a halt to flying and inevitably to the restoration project. Uncle Buford was such a highly skilled mechanic and such a likable individual that in the mid 1950s he restored a Model A Ford to such perfection that the Chevrolet dealer where he worked until retirement allowed the Ford to be displayed for a time in a second story window overlooking the main entrance. A spot normally reserved for new model Chevrolet's each year. Uncle Buford was the epitome of that greatest generation; after giving so much to the Nation in a time of war; returning to rebuild our economy; the small towns and big cities of America; always giving a helping hand to friends, neighbors, as well as strangers; all while being active participants in local affairs through their church, fraternal organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the Masonic Lodges and the like. He, like so many of that fast disappearing generation, will be sorely missed. I can only hope that sometime in the very near future another Greatest Generation will appear in this country so in need of their spirit, determination and selflessness.
Rest In Peace; an old soldier who will be fondly remembered, always admired, loved and respected by so many family and friends.

Novice Gardner

OK, I'll admit that this not much of a garden for those who've heard me talk about raising a few tomatoes, etc.  This is what I call a "postage stamp" garden. We've really had good success with the cucumbers and peppers and some mild success with tomatoes and this is where the question comes. We have had loads of yellow plum tomatoes (altho' I would have named them "gourd" tomatoes rather than plum based on the shape) and a few Better Boys. I don't understand why so many of both types have splits in the skin. I have found some of the yellow plum tomatoes so ripe that they fall off the plant when you shake it to remove another tomato and they may not have a split in the skin while others have a split in the skin when they don't even appear ripe. Almost all the Better Boys have had splits even before they appeared to be ripe.

Does anyone reading this have an answer? I'm wondering if there is something I need to do differently next year. Is this due to the excess rain we've been having, or just a common thing that happens? I'll have to admit I've seen a few of other people's tomatoes that appear this way but very few.

I have already learned a few things I'll do different next year like pruning the suckers early on, a different fertilizer routine and I'll stick with the upside down plantings and skip the cages. We'll also move the post for the topsy turvey tomatoes to a location where they get more sunshine. I didn't realize how much of the morning the huge trees to the east blocked the sunlight. The location seems to have been great for the cucumbers, not too bad for the peppers but not good at all for the tomatoes.

A New Blog

Well, I've finally decided what it should look like and made my first post on the "Wisps of Time." Please visit my new blog and save it your favorites. See you there.

I'll still make an occasional entry here from time to time.

Things you can do in a small town ...

... that you can't do in a big city. One Saturday per month during the summer, Crossville hosts a Cruise-in. That's a free car show right downtown. The merchants all cooperate and a few blocks of Main Street are closed to vehicles for a few hours. The only vehicles allowed in the area are ones being exhibited. The crowd is free to meander the streets lined with vendor tents representing everything from food to charities. There's even free music and this weekend there was a great group from the Nashville area playing some tunes from the 1950s and 1960s eras. Sorry guys I didn't get the name of the band, but they were good.

Of course the main attraction is the cars and I only took pictures of a few, there was a beautifully almost Tennessee orange 1955 Chevy, a favorite of many when I was in my later years of school. Probably my most drooled over body style from those days was the 1949 - 1951 Mercury's represented by a metallic flake painted chopped and lowered one with a really understated flame job; and I couldn't resist having my picture taken beside a 1972 Mustang convertible that reminded me of the time I owned two, a bronze '73 convertible with white top and a baby blue on. That in part explains why I have no money today - too many cars in my past. Each month there are sure to be plenty parked right along Main Street. It's great when a town is small enough to cooperate in something so simple and yet enjoyable for so many. The vendors get lots of attention, the merchants get increased exposure and the car owners get to bask in their glory for a few hours.
This just about brings me to full circle on this blog, as too many posts are about similar things. I had thought about morphing this blog into another project I have been wanting to do over the past year or so, but decided instead to start another blog. It is called Wisps of Time and it will be available for viewing shortly. The topics will be all memories of things from my life at least as I recall them. You'll have to see it to get more details. I guess I'll maintain this blog for the foreseeable future with an occasional update about current happenings.