09-15-23

My path of Education…

As I sit here this mornin’ enjoyin my mornin’ Java & ponderin’ the view from our Sun Room my mind decided, on it’s own, to take a trip down memory lane.
Recently I was attendin’ a social gatherin’ & was asked (again) by someone “where did you go to school”? I hope the followin’ clears this up for others that have asked before or were too embarrassed to ask.

During my (early) Elementary educational years I attended two (2) different Elementary Schools. I can only remember two (2) Teachers & one (1) Principal durin’ that time, in my life, that were able to keep me focused on their subjects & my path in life. At Barrett School (1st thru the 5th grade) it was Mrs. Howell-Geography (& a very Lovin’ Lady). She instilled a love of maps & the outdoors in me. At Curry School (5th grade [again] thru 7th [x2] & skipped the 8th grade) it was Mrs. Pledger-Auditorium/Speech Arts (Nice Lady). I learned a lot about Public Speakin’ from her. I learned to speak in front of people assembled & not be uncomfortable. Mr. Herbert (Herby) Haynes-Principal (“High School Ahead” thank you sir!).

In High School I was more into a Social Life than Academics. And it showed. I was enrolled @ Banks High School (BHS) for four (4) years. All-though many of my friends thought I was enrolled @ Woodlawn High School (WHS) simply because I spent a lot of time there. Yeah…I SKIPPED School a lot from BHS. Although “the Summer of 69” I WAS enrolled @ WHS for Summer School to take Government & Economists (Mr. Kitchens-Assistant Coach @ BHS, thank you sir) to get ahead. Imagine that! 

Durin’ my four (4) years at BHS there were just a few Teachers/Staff there that could actually hold my attention (Mr. Johnny Howell-Principal, Mrs. Alice Laurendine-English & a wonderful lady, Mrs. Sue Cambell-Girls Assistant PE/Study Hall (Confidante), Mrs. Jill Ferrell Watson-Art (Confidante), Mr. Jim Currier-Track Coach (Believer), Mr. Bill Jenkins-Counselor (helped me to get qualified to enlist in the USAF in 1971 vs gettin’ Drafted), Mrs. Brown-“Lunchroom Lady”.

After my four (4) year stent in The USAF I felt the need to attend College. I enrolled at Jefferson State Jr College. (Remedial) English #095 just kicked my ass! I spent two (2) semesters there I realized College just wasn’t for me.

To the folks I have named (above) I am & forever will be grateful. Thank you all!…..BG>

The Stalk…

March 27, 2023

Here at “Gray Villa” we have what we jokingly call our resident Blue Heron “Pete”. Yes we know there are many in the area so we refer to ALL of ’em as Pete.

Quite often we see Ole Pete down by the waters edge catchin’ his meals. Some nothin’ more than a small Shad or somethin’ like it in the waters edge. We have seen him damn near choke on a small Bass once. We never thought he’d get it down but with one last “Gulp” it made the trip down his long slender neck/throat.

Now I’ve heard stories of Herons robbin’ bird nests. I did once see a Blue Heron, it could have been Pete, up on Lake Guntersville while fishin’ tryin’ to rob a Osprey’s nest but the resident pair kept him at a distance.

The other day my Bride & I were out in The Sun Room enjoyin’ the mornin’ after the rain moved through & I spotted Ole Pete way up in the yard in what I determined to be a Stalkin’ of something to eat. I caught a glimpse of a Chip Monk.  As he kept movin’ up thru the yard & out of sight we quietly got up, eased over to the far side of the deck and watched him continue The Stalk. Finally he stopped and it then became a waitin’ game. I must admit he was determined. My Bride didn’t have the patience to wait The Stalk out & went about other issues. I stayed, locked in, & waitin’ it out. Finally as he super slowly lowered his head/beak into position he struck! So quickly and dead on target!raisin’ his head/beak high into the air all I could see was the tail of the Chip Monk wavin’ wildly in the air tryin’ aimlessly to work it’s body free. But to no avail! With one last gulp the Chip Monk’s Tail disappeared from view. Ole Pete had swallowed his meal. Then as though lookin’ for a second course he appeared to begin’ a second Stalk.

Yep…Nature at it’s best. Ya just cain’t beat it…Hold’em Hook!…..BG> 

…”The Christmas Story”…

12-05-2021
This mornin’ My Bride & I were sittin’ out in our newly finished Sunroom enjoyin’ our mornin’ Coffee. It formerly was just a Screened in Deck, a nice one, we had enjoyed for over 23 years. But lately we decided to bite the bullet and make it what we had been dreamin’ of for many years. A “Glassed Sun-Room”. I was checkin’ articles & post on my Lap Top & She on her Tablet doin’ the same. It was relaxin’ I must say.

A few days ago, after Thanksgivin’ we’re out in the Sunroom & My Bride made a comment to me about readin’ The Christmas Story”? NO not the Childrens Story Book version! “The Book of Luke” from The Bible! She had mentioned she wanted (us) to read it. If she [we] read one Chapter each day/night beginnin’ on December 1st  we would finish it on December 24th. Just at the right time…To celebrate CHRISTMAS! She asked me “have you [me] ever read it that way”. I said “no”. She mentioned she had heard recently that it would be an interestin’ & easy way to read it & she was goin’ to do it. I said somethin’ to the affect that I thought I would as well. So I got up & found *My Bible & put it in the table by the recliner in the sunroom and went so far as markin’ The Book of Luke with a book marker.

At some point this mornin’, while we were relaxin’ & enjoyin’ the time together, I asked her “how are you doin’ on readin’ The Book of Luke”? The look on her face was priceless, with words to follow, she told me all I need to know. She said sheepishly “I haven’t started & asked Have you”? I said “No”. She said “I need to get started & catch up. It won’t take long”. She got up to go get her Bible & I simply reached for mine. As she returned we discussed how much to read so we could get caught up & it not get borin’ as a guilt trip or feel as sort of self punishment. I know I caught up thru the first 5 chapters. I think she did as well or close to it. I’m goin’ to try & stay on pace of a Chapter per day/night. We’ll see how it goes…Hold ‘EM Hook…..BG>

*MY Bible: It was given to me when I joined “East Lake United Methodist Church” September 17th, 1961 at the age of 9 (soon to turn 10) years old.

…”The Sun Room”…

This mornin’, while my Contractor was cleanin’ the Windows, in The Sun Room, I walked down to where The Bass Boat is parked (in The Turn-a-Round area) durin’ this Construction Period. It usually stays in the Basement Garage but it is filled with Supplies & tools for now. I needed to drain the water standin’/puddlin’ up on the cover. All of a sudden I heard this enormous {{{{{ SPLASH ! }}}}} about 15 feet off the the Sea Wall. Actually about 35 feet from where I was standin’. After regainin’ my composure, I thought it was/might have been, a BIG STRIPER Feedin’. As it turns out it was an Osprey Feedin’! I saw in gainin’ height  flyin’ in a circle with a good size fish in it’s Talons. What a beautiful sight to see.

I made my way back up to The Deck/Sun Room to check on the cleanin’ progress. As I stood there talkin’ to my Contractor I heard that sound again…{{{{{ SPLASH ! }}}}}…and then watched The Osprey fly up & off again, with a fish in it’s Talons. And that was when I really got to appreciate “The View” from The Sun Room. Oh & “The View” has nothin’ to do with those “Ole Bitchy Women” on TV.

The windows are clean, the Contractor is gone (he & his crew ‘ll be back Tuesday). He just wanted to make it nice so we could use it this weekend. There’s still some “Paintin’ & Touch Paintin’ that needs to be done.

As I sit here Chillin’ & Enjoyin’ myself the Hummin’ Birds are buzzin’ back & forth just enhancin’ what I can see from my vantage point. About the time I expect to see ’em collide “Head On…they Break Off” just like two Jet’s in a Dog Fight! They’re fightin’ over two feeders I washed & filled this mornin’ for ’em.
Yeah…I can see we’re goin’ to really enjoy “The Sun Room” year round. Before the “Screened In Deck” was dependin’ on The Weather we were experiencin’. And for 23 1/2 years it was nice. This is much NICER!…”Hold ‘Em Hook”!…..BG>

…”He looks so Stoic!”…

08-09-21

There is a Blue Heron who seems to land on the end of our Short Pier most every mornin’. We refer to him as “Ole Pete”. He stands there facin’ East almost every mornin’. No…IT’S NOT A RELIGIOUS THING! He’s a Damn Bird! It’s as though he is waitin’ for & watchin’ The Sun Rise up over the hill & trees across the River from us before he starts his day. It’s a beautiful sight to see. He stands there so straight and tall. He looks, from my distance of just over 200 ft. away, so well groomed with every feather in it’s place. He looks so Stoic!

I am, again, enjoyin’ my mornin’ “Mug-O-Joe” sittin’ in “The Sun Room” just enjoyin’ watchin’ “Ole Pete”. Even though it, “The Sun Room”, is STILL under construction the view is so much better than it was as “A Screened In Deck” over the past 23 1/2 years. Most of the Glass is in. Yes it is still in the process of becomin’ a (Glassed in) Sun Room. We’re waitin’ on 4 more small upper Custom Cut glass panels, some minor Electrical work, a Vent-less Fireplace with a Custom Mantel & final paint. But the view, from just sittin’ here, is so much better than before. I look forward to seein’ “Ole Pete” for many years to come.

Whoa! He just broke his pose & caught his Breakfast. From here it appears to have been a Big Ole Shad. He’s now off to do what ever Herons do durin’ their day. Until tomorrow Pete!…”Hold’em Hook”…..BG>

…Fifty (50) Years Ago Today…

FIFTY (50) YEARS AGO TODAY!

Three (3) Friends & I (all 4 of us went to Banks High School together in B’ham, AL) were Discharged from The United States Air Force Reserve (Inactive “Delayed Enlistment Program”) that we had been “Sworn Into” in March, 1971. We entered the DEP so the others could Graduate from High School with our “Class Of 71” @ BHS. As for me well that’s a Long Story for another time. BUT I WAS QUALIFIED! That’s ALL that mattered.

Then, We were Immediately, like in just Minutes, “SWORN-IN” to The United States Air Force (Active Duty) at the Induction Center in Montgomery, AL.  We were immediately lead/escorted  to the Montgomery Airport for a flight, “with connections”, deliverin’ us to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio,TX. This began the First (1st) day of my Four (4) Year Adventure (71′ thru 75′) in The USAF! And the truth is “It was the best thing that ever happened to me”.

About Seven & a half (7 1/2) or Eight (8) weeks we were all fortunate enough to graduate from Basic Trainin’ together & on schedule. Next we all departed for our different Technical Schools. Two (2) of us were lucky enough to be sent to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Miss. That was a LONG Fifteen (15) Hour Bus Ride I’ll never forget! We attended different Career Field Tech Schools but we were allowed to Room together while there. After completin’ my Tech School, ACW Operator #27600, I received orders for Germany, Ramstein AFB, where I spent my one & only Permanent Duty Assignment (of 3 yrs & 8 mos).

After separating from The USAF I tried myself at College. I should’ve thought more about my Educational Past. It didn’t take me Too Long to realize “I wasn’t cut out for College”. For those that know me I put THAT in for YOU! I was fortunate enough to find a Job & A Paycheck at the local (family owned franchise) Caterpillar Equipment Co that lead to a Thirty Three (33) Year Career from which I have now been Retired from for the past twelve (12) years. That was, for me, a wonderful thing. It afforded me & my family many opportunities we might not have been able to experience otherwise.

I sit here this mornin’ “Thinkin’ & Reminiscin’ ” on how those  four (4) years changed my life. Yes…For The Best! Traveled a lot the first year & a half. I met & Married my (Military Brat) Bride & Married Her Twice! That’s another Story also. Happily Married now for 46 yrs & 5 mos we have two (2) wonderful & successful Adult Children (an RN & an Attorney), One Wonderful Daughter-In Love, & three (3) adorable Grandchildren. I’m now 69 yrs of age & “Livin’ The Life”…”Hold ‘Em Hook!……BG>

“HAPPY FATHERS DAY”

“HAPPY FATHERS DAY”As a young Child there were things I didn’t learn at home. My Grandfather taught me to Fish & Fear him! To all of The 4th Avenue Neighborhood Fathers, Wahouma Park Coaches/Fathers, Match Box Estates Dads, Coach Jim Currier, Uncles Pete & Buddy, My Step-Father (even thru our years of turmoil) & Yes Mr. (“Mr.Jimmy”) Dickson from Cascade I want to say “THANK YOU” for Your Time, Kindness, & Leadership you all shared with me as a growin’ young Boy/Child who’s Father Passed (I was only 20 mo’s old) before I ever knew Him. You all made an impression on me in many/your own different ways. To You/Them ALL “HAPPY FATHERS DAY”…Hold ‘Em!……BG>

…”Quit Starin’ Bubba”!…

Today was a beautiful day to get out. It was a Beautiful Sunny Day with the Temps hooverin’ around 60 degrees with a Slight/Light Breeze. So I decided to go to the “Alabama Boat Show and Expo” at the Barber Motor Sports Park. I missed the Birmingham Boat Show in January due to the issues with The Chinese Virus & Public Gatherin’s. I wanted to just see the New Offerin’s from various manufactures.

Hey…FREE Admission & FREE Parking…You don’t find THAT @ The BJCC facility. And to top that off it was outside on the grounds. There were several different Food Trucks offerin’ varied menus. If you were lookin’ for a Pontoon Boat well you were at the right place. Many many Brands, Styles, & Sizes were on display. There was a fair offerin’ of PWC (i.e. Jet Ski) type of crafts. Also there were several Brands/Offerin’s of Ski/Wake Board/Water Surfin’ Boats as well. As far as [Bass] Fishin’ Boats went…well it was limited to the Offerin’s that Bass Pro Shops offer. Let’s say there were “Slim Pickins” in THAT category.

Now I’ll be honest with you. I wasn’t Shoppin’ for anythin’. So I guess it was a damn good thing. Oh there was a smatterin’ of Vendors offerin’ all types of Water/Lake related Items such as Boat Docks, Boat Lifts, Sea Walls & Repairs, etc. I think maybe one (1) Vendor offerin’ Fishin’ Services.

The next largest variety of products there, Second Only to the Pontoon Boats, were The Personal Ware Items bein’ strutted around The Grounds. I’m talkin’ bout The Vast Abundances of “SPANDEX DRAWERS”! I’ve heard…”Tights are not leggings & leggings are not pants”! There were long ones, short ones, big ones, small ones! There were tight ones, tighter ones, & Yes Even Tighter Ones! I’M TALKIN’ Bout The Ones That Were Bout To {{{ BUST ! }}} At The Seams Tight! There wasn’t much left to the Imagination to be seen. It was all Right There for the viewin’. Why You/I could even tell if ’em Gals/Girls/Ladies were Sportin’ French Cuts, Bikinis, Granny Panties, Thongs, or Just Plain Ole Dental Floss with One Cloth Patch! HELL…One Mama slapped her young son in the back of the head & said “Quit Starin’ Bubba”! Oh and the [Gals/Girls/Ladies] Tee Shirts/Tops? Well they were just as varied. Let me just say “if a slight shower had come up there would have been “Participation Trophies” awarded for ALL Categories”!

I know this was the 1st year for this event to be held at The Barbers Facility. Maybe next year it will attract a Larger Selection of Boats & Clothing Apparel. We’ll SEE!…”Hold ’em Hook”…..BG>

…”Mr. Albert”…

Today’s been “One Of Those Days”. Started out gettin’ my ole peepers dilated & The Eye Doc spyin’ deep into my eyes. Yeah, there’s work to be done in there. Got home & settled in for the day. Then…

 

I received some sad news about an Ole Customer, no Ole Friend, NO Ole Fatherly Image. He was “One Of The Greatest Generation”! I was fortunate enough to spend time in his shadow & to learn from his experiences. We exchanged ideas, knowledge, & secrets together. Thru the yrs he shared his wisdom with me as well. And surprisingly much of it stuck! In the end it was that Damned COVID 19 Virus that took him from this world. I know he is now with “Our Lord & Savior”. I know his Bride (a Lady I have come to Love thru the yrs as well), his two (2) Sons & their families will miss the Leadership & Love he gave his family. May The Spirit Of Our Lord & Savior be with them thru these tryin’ times.

 

“Mr. Albert”…Thank you!…”Hold’em Hook”!…..BG>

…”the Outside World around me”…

Just got thru gettin’ some lawn work completed. By that I mean I put out Three (3) Fifty (50) lb. bags of Pellet Type Fertilizer & Three Quarters (3/4’s) of a Fifty (50) lb. bag of Sun & Shade Grass Seed. I was justa slow walkin’ usin’ my small hand crank spreader. I got started, by plan/intent, just as the Rain began to Sprinkle. Now it is just a nice steady “Light Rain” fallin’.

 

I’m sittin’ up/out on The Deck just enjoyin’ the sounds of the rain comin’ down thru the trees, birds chirpin’, the slow steady drippin’ of rain water goin’ down the gutters, & an occasional {{{ SPLASH ! }}} of a Fish bustin’ the surface of the slough. Peaceful? Yeah, I guess you call it that. There ain’t much better than the smell of a Spring Rain!

 

In the last three (3) hrs I haven’t had a single thought of the Outside World around me. I mean “That Pandemic, Chinese Virus, Corona Virus, Covid-19, Chi-Com Disease” or anything else you may call it. It has really been a good escape from all of that.

 

Now I’ve got supper to get started in about an hr. from now. “Country Backbone Ribs & Rice”. Cooked together in a Big Ole Skillet. Then a nice helpin’ of Apple Sauce to top it off & it’ll leave a nice sweetness in your mouth. By the time I start my prep work & get it cooked it ‘ll be ready to eat about 5:30 p.m. Hey we’re “Sun Downers” here & like to eat early.

 

I wish y’all good health where ever you are. We’re doin’ our part by keepin’ our tired asses home unless we just REALLY need somethin’ from The Outside World. God Bless Us All…”Hold’em Hook”!…..BG>