The USS Kendrick

December 7 is Pearl Habor Day.  It is celebrated because on that day in 1941 The United States Naval base at Pearl Habor in Hawaii was attacked by the Japanese Airforce that caused the death of  2403 personnel and wounded 1178. All sorts of hell broke loose and this sucked the United States into WWll. It also was the reason my maternal grandfather was drafted into the Navy and served 2 years on the USS Kendrick. (pictured above). His uniform is in a box picture frame and proudly hangs above the fireplace at my sons home in Virginia. I passed it on to him when we moved back to Costa Rica.

 

He left 3 children and my grandmother home to go and fight to keep the freedoms and liberties that they enjoyed intact. As do all the brave men and women do. But I digress. This is about my grandfather. A man that I knew well since I spent most of my childhood being raised by him, Paw Paw and my grandmother, Granny. For those that are not blessed by being southern, that's the endearing names that most grandparents are called by their grand younguns. In fact, my Costa Rica grandchildren call me and my wife that.     

 

When he returned home there were 5 more children to father as he learned the house painting trade. He also had a HUGE garden each year in the lot that they owned attached to the side of their 4 bedrooms 1 bath home. Four of the 8 children were girls so you can imagine the battles that he had to also fight over that 1 bathroom! I am sure that there were times that he thought, 'My God, why did I leave the battlefield, it was safer there'.   

 

I spent a lot of time with him in that garden. The man had two green thumbs and eight green fingers. On Saturdays, during the growing season, you only had to look out the window and find him weeding and nurturing corn, beans, okra, lettuce and just about everything that man can grow in a massive garden. He got up early and ran any errands for the day, often times allowing me to tag along, then into the garden for the rest of the day. My grandmother would bring him/us lunch. The day that he finally allowed me to stand behind and guide the tiller was the proudest day of my life at that time. Granny even gave me an extra big slice of cake to celebrate the momentous occasion. Paw Paws job was to walk beside me and grab the tiller and get it back on a straight path when its strength would overcome my young small body. 

 

Paw Paw was a big strong man and gentle. If you did something that you should not do all he had to do was look at you with that stare of his and you immediately felt horrible and would repent for the rest of the day. At harvest time he would come home early on Friday and we would bend and pick until late dusk. Now, of course, I was allowed breaks whenever I wanted one. But it was he that taught me a strong work ethic and the importance of perseverance. 

 

The only flaw that I found in him was that he was a chain smoker. The only time you would see him without a cigarette dangling from his lips was working and in church. He was also a very religious man. He spent most of his downtime reading the bible. He was not a highly educated man so his lips moved constantly as he read. One other thing. He always ate with his mouth open. But you got used to the slopping sound, eventually. Ya see he was just a good ole country boy at heart. And boy, did he have a BIG HEART!! And PLENTY OF VEGETABLES to slop down.   

         

    

                                                     Cruising 

 

                                  Mood music. Allow to play as you read.

 

Taking a cruise is an experience like no other. The luxury and relaxation is heaven sent. From the time you board the ship until the time that you return to home port, it is as close to an out of body experience that this blogger wants to get. The reason I am so convinced of this is that I have taken two of them and even on the second one the same feeling was present with each one. 

 

When you board you are shown your cabin/suite where you find a welcome aboard basket with fruits and a small bottle of champagne. There is information explaining the itinerary and all the amenities and how to take advantage of them. Then after you have been given ample time to settle into your cabin/suite an announcement comes over the ship's intercom telling you to come out and have the ship's mates show you to the muster area where you and all your fellow cruisers are greeted and shown what to do in case evacuation becomes necessary. I guess they want to get the scary things out of the way early so that you can relax and enjoy the fantastic time that you are about to embark upon.  

   

While on the ship there is NO shortage of fun, food, excitement, entertainment and drinks of your choice. I do caution you about the alcohol prices. Those are not included in your package. When the time came to settle up at the end of the cruise my bar bill was enough to buy a small house in Beverly Hills. I learned my lesson and on the second cruise I purchased my own supply at the first port of call and that one I turned into a BYOB. Except at the casino and the various entertainment venues. 

 

I had the purser ask the captain if he would allow me and my significant other to dine at his table one night. I had a special reason and the captain met with me, I explained, and he accepted. After dinner during the after-dinner drinks, I proposed to my significant other. She was so stunned that after a long silence the captain said to her, "Well, are you going to answer the man"?! She accepted and the captain had a glass of champagne served to everyone in the dining room. Except for the tee toddlers of course. They were probably replaying in their heads the instructions from the muster the first day!        

The sights, sounds, and activities at each port of call were just amazing! We went watercraft riding, saw the changing of the guard at a castle, just to name a few. Of course, there was vendors wall to wall wanting you to increase their meager fortunes by being gullible enough to step into their web. Com and see the treasures that are 70% off today only! I had to tape my bride to be mouth and restrain her. After all, weddings are expensive and even in heaven, you're not going to find a Rolex watch for $29.99 or a Gouache bag for ONLY $49.99.    

 

The price of a cruise seems extreme until you actually have the extreme experience of your life!!

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

                                Black Friday

What came first the chicken or the egg? Did Thanksgiving really start in the 1600's or is it just a day to eat till you pop to store up the foodstuffs to create the energy that you will need to bully your way through the stores on, drum roll please, BLACK FRIDAY! Where did this term and frightening consequences come from? 

 

The term "Black Friday" was first used on Sept. 24, 1869, when two investors, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, drove up the price of gold and caused a crash that day. The stock market dropped 20% and foreign trade stopped. Farmers suffered a 50% dip in wheat and corn harvest value. There are other black Fridays in history but for the sake of not dragging this post out and sticking to the inspiration that caused me to do it lets stay on point. 

The phrase as it applies to modern day is attributed to the Philadelphia police in 1961 because the shopping day after Thanksgiving created heavy traffic and mayhem and their day became a nightmare! Also, many say that it is because that is the day that many retailers see it as the day that their business turns from the RED to the BLACK. So you can choose your own reason. However, regardless of what your choice is....It is chaos breed with greed with a massive pinch of dog eat dog that maniacal activities are spurned from. 

 

I tried experiencing this craziness one time. I came away with one concrete understanding. I'll never ever do that again!! The family will get what I can afford when I shop under reasonable circumstances and return home without bruises, contusions and reoccurring nightmares for the coming year. I elect to not have to sign up for Sumo wrestling lessons to survive Black Friday just to save a few bucks. The people I will be gifting to will never know that they got a package of socks instead of a 50" TV. 

 

     May the battle go to the most able-bodied!

Here is a quiz that should entertain and educate around the feasting table today.

 

1. When and where was the first Thanksgiving held in America?

A. Plymouth Plantation, Massachusetts, 1621.

B. Berkeley Plantation, Virginia, 1619.

C. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607.

D. Williamsburg, Virginia, 1620.

2. What was the name of the Native American leader of the Wampanoag Indian tribe who forged an alliance with the English settlers and attended the Plymouth Plantation feast with 90 of his men?

A. Massasoit

B. Powhatan

C. Sacagawea

D. Geronimo

3. The Pilgrims arrived at what would become Plymouth Plantation aboard the Mayflower. The ship on which they originally set sail was taking on water so the passengers and crew transferred to the Mayflower. What was the name of the ship on which the Pilgrims originally sailed?

A. Mary Celeste

B. RMS Carpathia

C. Mary Rose

D. Speedwell

4. Which president was asked by the U.S. Congress to establish a day of Thanksgiving, and when?

A. Abraham Lincoln, 1863.

B. George Washington, 1789

C. Thomas Jefferson, 1803.

D. Andrew Jackson, 1829.

5. Which president made Thanksgiving a national holiday?

A. Theodore Roosevelt

B. James Madison

C. Abraham Lincoln

D. Ulysses S. Grant

6. What is the name of the author and editor who led the national campaign to have Thanksgiving declared a national holiday?

A. Sarah Josepha Hale

B. Walt Whitman

C. Jacob Riis

D. Nellie Bly

7. Which common Thanksgiving food likely was not served at the Plymouth Thanksgiving?

A. Turkey

B. Ham

C. Pumpkin

D. Corn

8. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that Thanksgiving would be moved up an entire week, at the request of Fred Lazarus Jr., whose family owned F&R Lazarus in Columbus, Ohio, and the national Federated Department Stores chain.

This was done to make the Christmas shopping season longer and more profitable for businesses. What company did Federated eventually own?

A. Lord & Taylor

B. Sears, Roebuck and Company

C. F.W. Woolworth Company

D. Macy’s

9. Which of America’s Founding Fathers wanted the turkey to be America’s national bird, rather than the eagle?

A. George Washington

B. Samuel Adams

C. Benjamin Franklin

D. Thomas Jefferson

10. Which president first pardoned a turkey at the urging of his son who had taken a liking to the bird and given it the name “Tom”?

A. Theodore Roosevelt

B. Abraham Lincoln

C. Ulysses S. Grant

D. Grover Cleveland

E. William Henry Harrison

Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-B, 5-C, 6-A, 7-B, 8-D, 9-C, 10-B

Quiz composed by:

Roger L. Beckett Beckett is executive director of the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio.

                      

 

 Olivia Lane

If haven't heard this 26 year old country music singer you are in for a treat. She was born and raised in Houston Texas. After graduating from USC with a degree in theater she decided to persue her career as a country music song writer and performer. She moved to Nashville, Tennesee and is on the path to becoming a star. Her energy and fresh voice is contagious. Enjoy the ride.

 

   

 

 

 

                                          Postmodern Jukebox

If you just read my last post then I want to play something that will wash the bad taste out of your mouth. I recommend you use full screen..............

                                        

This is a prime reason that kids are what they are today. Stupid parents with their bias head up their ass and showing their kids how to be ungrateful and accept NO RESPONSIBILITY!!

 

 

               For putting up with our incompetence

A good friend and fellow blogger just posted about fast food visits and I fully agree! I feel I'm qualified to speak on this because I spent one and a half years in management at Wendy's. With this experience I can honestly say that it starts at the top and is allowed to continue because of the lazy consumer. The corporation and the franchise owner are in it for the money. The customer is willing to except piss poor service with closed mouth because of their lazy 'don't get involved' attitude. But first read VW's post here.

Why do you have to wait for your order to be taken? Because management does not do their job. ALWAYS have someone near the register to greet the customer with enthusiasm and the skill to listen intently! Not so hard right? WRONG. Why? The management, from the top down, cares about customer service as much as the typical customer does. Why you ask. Because the lazy customer is just happy to be there since they don't have to cook! So what that their food is substandard. THEY DON'T HAVE TO COOK! Besides, they have come to expect these things because it has evolved to this since they are too LAZY to complain loud enough to be heard. Shame on you Mr./Mrs./Miss/Mz. customer. 

Why does the employee not understand customer service? Their attitude sucks! Why? Because they have not been taught and trained by the management. Why? Because it's damn near impossible to find a young adult that understands that they are not being paid to just take up space. During their upbringing at home and at school they learned through the actions of the older adults that personal responsibility is old fashioned and just too much trouble. So management needs to start at the basics and look at the employee's blank stare or except the fact that this kid will most likely not be there in thirty days so get what you can from them while you can. Thank you parents and teachers. 

As I said at the beginning I worked at Wendy's in management and saw this time and time again. My training occurred at the busiest location in the franchise. The man in charge of my training was one in a million. He had been doing this so long that he had developed his patience and kid training skills to their fullest. It probably helped that he too was middle aged and was raising four kids with the discipline needed to become properly productive in the world. I met all four and could see where they were headed, thanks to their parents.

 

Later the franchise owner decided that he wanted to dedicate one store to training management and I was one of the two managers that was assigned to that location to do the training. So me and my peer set out to do the best training the corporation had ever seen. Alas, the hiring pool was questionable at best. Young men and women who also had a very difficult time grasping customer service. INCLUDING a couple that had washed out at McDonald's and Hardy's. 

 

All too often the upper management just excepts the lower standards and just gets what they can from the people while they can. Why is that you ask? Because the customer's simply do not complain loudly enough to the management and the employees to force a higher standard!!! The current catch phrase is 'If you see something, say something'. 

 

If you are one that wants higher standards, REMEMBER THAT PHRASE and ACT ON IT! What are they going to do? Throw you out and you actually have to go home and cook!!?     

 

If you feel that the manager/employee is not listening you can always say something along this line: "What is your name? How do you spell that? I want to make sure I give the credit to the right person when I post this on my Facebook." In this social media society that will SURELY get their attention. 

                                                         BON APPETITE

    

 

 

 

 

                                 Chris Janson

A Toe tapper

 

We had another earthquake last night that the local media says it was a 6.9 and the US national news says it was a 6.5. Whatever the size it caught my attention! When it hit I was sleeping and my wife awakened me to announce that here comes another one.  We went outside to find our neighbors also seeking refuge in the street. This is SOP during each quake event. As one associate says, "Costa Rica decided to throw a 'quake party'". Earthquakes as well as volcano eruptions and, during the rainy season, mudslides are part of your day to day expectations of life here in paradise. See the blog I wrote in September of this year.   

Unfortunately 2 heart attack deaths have been reported. It is not clear if these were Costa Ricans or visitors from other countries. I point this out because the natives here have dealt with these 'quake parties' all their life.  

When I moved here the first time in the 90's we had arrived the previous afternoon and on the first full day we were in our hotel room waiting for room service to deliver our lunch. The building started swaying and my wife dropped to the bed and exclaimed "What is that"! I calmly said, "Welcome to Costa Rica" that is an earthquake. It was a smaller one and I had did my research and knew that the country threw the 'quake parties' fairly regularly. Then the next weekend we had booked a tour somewhere and as we traveled the road to our destination we were turned back. The driver explained that the road ahead was blocked by mudslides. My wife looked at me with that 'what have you gotten us into' look. However, as time passed she too grew use to the 'weather' parties. Oddly enough when I retired and we moved back to the states we divorced within a year. I guess she could deal with the weather better than the 24/7 days with me. 

I'm back here now with my Tica wife and putting aside the weather 'parties' life here is great. It sure beats the cold weather there along with the snow/freezing rain/ice from now till spring. I'll take these 75°-82° days year round anytime. Also it saves on clothing expenses. Shorts and tee shirts 24/7 365!!

                                                           

                                                     Pura Vida ya'll

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

Eleven days and many in the US will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Families will be gathering together to stuff themselves with turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. Don't forget the pies and cakes! All to be washed down by good wine and in some cases the appropriate mixed drink. Since I'm a southerner may I suggest Long Island iced tea. After all, what's a good meal without iced tea. 

 

EAT MORE CHICKEN!!

However, the reason for this national holiday is to give thanks for all the blessings that you have benefited from in the past year. First and foremost we should give thanks that we made it another year. Especially in light of the political turmoil that all have faced since our new president was duly elected despite the wishes of some that now spend entirely too much time and energy trying to discredit the process since their choice was sent packing. If you are one of those have an extra Long Island iced tea or glass of wine or both. 

There are other things that you should be thankful for. That is unless you are one of the 100 that will be laid off from ESPN after this holiday. It is a shame that during it's heyday a company allows itself to get bloated because they are not keeping their eye on the ball. Pun intended. Possibly those in charge at ESPN should take ownership and at least give a or some gifts to the ones effected by their poor leadership. However, common sense tells me that this is as likely as certain groups accepting the POTUS as the properly elected leader. 

 

Whatever you are thankful for let your thanks be known as you enjoy the bounties that you are blessed with. Oh yeah, don't forget the Alka Seltzer and Beano.     

                                    Also, friends don't let friends drive drunk!!

 *This color is a link*

 

       

 

                  Never was so much owed by so many to so few 
                                     –Winston Churchill

It is the day that we should put aside politics and remember and honor all the men and women that have given their time and unfortunately some gave their life so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy and live freely to exercise everyday.

 

I have many in my family that have served. My maternal grandfather in WWII on the USS Kendrick. My biological father who served several tours in Vietnam. One uncle that also served as an airplane mechanic in the Air force. They survived the wars. I was proud when I attended their funerals as I watched the 21 gun salutes and their flag draped coffins. Also I have two other uncles that are retired from military service. One from the Army and one from the Air force.    

 

I never served. I passed the tests to join the Air force but was encouraged by a company executive that I had a bright future in the business world so I declined to enter the military. All worked out well for me as I retired at 45 but I know that without the sacrifices of those in uniform I would not have had the opportunity to be all I could be. Those that gave their time to solidify and maintain my(our) freedoms I remember on a daily basis.  So on this one designated day I encourage all to take the time to salute those that have and still do perform the service(s) that keep us among the FREE and the BRAVE.

 

 

 

 

            

 

                                                       

                             GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND GOD BLESS AMERICA

 Delbert McClinton

Bonnie Raitt

                                              

These are two singers that I have always felt are among the best. I had the pleasure of seeing Bonnie Raitt twice. Once in Radford, Va. at the college there and also at a bar when I lived in Indianapolis. Delbert McClinton I saw in Greensboro, NC at a bar. Their songs always seem to lift my spirit. Here is one that they sang together. I believe that this is the only recorded duo by them.  

 

  ENJOY

 

 

                                     In their younger days

Immigration from BOTH sides

I want to express my point of view about immigration because my wife went through it when she came to America to marry me and then later I immigrated to her country to be there as our grandchildren were born. Grandchildren are great. You can spoil the dickens out of them and then say, 'It's time to go home now'.  

 

Immigrating to another country is not a walk in the park. From first hand experience I can assure you that immigrating to the US is a frustrating bitch of an experience. Immigrating to this country, Costa Rica, was not as tedious but it did have its own challenges. It took us two years to get her green card and for me it was one and a half years to get my temporary residency. But the point is WE DID IT LEGALLY! The laughable phrase 'Undocumented immigrants' is just a PC way of ignoring the truth. They are ILLEGAL ALIENS...PERIOD!! 

 

They have no regard for the laws of the land. Or at best started in their new country as law breakers. I wrote on this in January of this year. So now I want to address chain immigration. What a travesty!! How many hard working American people know of this boondoggle and/or understand it? How many even care that it is so easy for these sponsored people to come in and immediately start taking money from them: IE, food stamps, welfare and other government programs that they pay for with their tax dollars. Shameful!!! 

 

There is NO requirement that they have a skill and education that will allow them to actually be able to contribute and support themselves. Those that kid themselves and think that the family member(sponsor) will take care of these people are most likely the same brain dead ones that say violence is unacceptable as they threaten and throw rocks. The ones that just can't accept the fact that THEIR president was legally elected because their choice lost and do everything they can to usurp his authority to actually get something positive done. Such as do away with CHAIN IMMIGRATION.  

 

Anyone who wants to immigrate should be held to strict standards of their own accord. That is the only way that the law biding citizens can KNOW that the one entering their home country is worthy.          

 

footnote: In my last blog I failed to give my friends blog address. I think you will find his posts quite interesting: 

http://virtualwayne.blogspot.com/

                                      

          I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.....

 

 

 

 

You Might Be A Dinosaur If …

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. –Mark Twain

I have a friend that is also a blogger. In fact he is the reason that I created this blog. Here is a post that he made in July 2011. It impressed me so much that I feel I want to give it a chance to be viewed by those less fortunate to have enjoyed it before. Now before you read it envision the fact that we are both retired. He was an electrical engineer and I was a vice president in the rag business(clothes manufacturer).

 

You Might Be A Dinosaur If …

Here are ten reasons you might be a dinosaur.

1. You have no tattoos and no desire to get one.
2. The thought of metal studs piercing your tongue, nipples, or genitals gives you the heebie jeebies.
3. You’ve actually used the term heebie jeebies in conversation.
4. You think a cell phone is primarily for making phone calls.
5. You still use email.
6. Your music collection is on CDs.
7. You think “reality television” is stupid.
8. You’re mystified how a pair of jeans can cost $600.
9. You look at your wristwatch when you want to know the time.
10. Each day you seem to become a little more invisible to waiters, waitresses, salespeople, and everyone under age 35.

Number of reasons that apply to you:
0 – 3: Party on, dude!
4 – 7: You’re another day older and deeper in debt.
8 – 10: Welcome to Medicare!

               

                                    Pura Vida Ya'll