Tag Archives: military

15

Jan. ’17

It’s Good To Be Retired

Lately I have gotten off the trail by talking politics instead of talking about retirement here at Imperial Plaza. Well, I guess I will get back to talking about Imperial Plaza and tell you that things are as usual, not as smooth as it should be. We are losing people, good people, that we should not be losing at all. That is because of management or supervision or whatever but it still boils down to losing good people.

We just lost a bus driver/supervisor who has gone onto more, or you could say, better endeavors. It seem as though he was angry about something that occurred, here at Imperial Plaza, and he said he had to move on to another job. I do not know exactly what it was but it made him mad enough that he has found a new job, we’re going to miss him. It seems as though Imperial Plaza is short of personnel in all departments. From what I could find out, through talking with some of the other individuals, it seems to be that there have been problems with supervision. I cannot say whether supervision is correct or whether supervision is wrong, but it seems that it needs looking into to find out what is going on.

ROMEO went to Morton’s and had a really expensive dinner. The dinner was tasty but boy did it cost a lot. The drinks were very expensive plus I have never seen a Long Island Iced Tea in a wine glass. The side dish was large enough to share with three other people. What a waste when so many are starving and this place is over feeding. I can say that I do not want to go to Morton’s again but it was nice to at least go one time. Next month we are to go to Hardshell. Hopefully that is not too expensive but to be with the ROMEO guys once a month is worth it.

My wife and I are headed back to Maryland Live. We are to stay three days because this way we can go between Maryland Live, Horseshoe and MGM. I really don’t like MGM but, as they say, a happy wife is a happy life. Seems as though we called it just right because the weather should cooperate for us. Ice storms and a little snow is scheduled for this weekend but we are headed out Monday morning. I am glad that the bad weather is north of us because I have spent enough time in bad weather while serving in the military.

I am using this new voice activated program and it seems to be working very well. I decided to buy the program in order to write the two blogs and other writings that I have scheduled. It seems to take less time and making corrections is easy. All I have to do is edit. I have to edit because I do not have everything correct in order for the program not to make mistakes. However, so far so good and practice make perfect. The more I use it the better I’ll be and I’ll probably be using it a lot. So far what usually takes me an hour to write has only been 15 minutes. Needless to say, it’s money well spent.

This last snowstorm really bought to the forefront why I decided to move to Imperial Plaza. When you think about not having to rake leaves, shovel snow or worry about frozen water pipes, it brings a smile to your face to know that you’re at Imperial Plaza and don’t have to do any of that. So, I’ll take the good with the bad and stay right here at Imperial Plaza and have a good time looking out the window at the bad weather. Everyone take care until the next blog. Don’t forget to check out my other blog, faithingodministries.net. I write on the weekend that this one is not written.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT, Imperial Plaza, RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

20

Nov. ’16

Remedy

Sorry about not posting last weekend but, as I have said in the past, my wife and I are retired and we do what retired people are supposed to do. We have as much fun as our feeble bodies allow and then try to push a little more. We went to the jazz concert in Hampton, Va. at the convention center. Four days of having fun and listening to jazz. Who could ask for more except for more jazz.

I can’t recall all the artists off the top of my head because there was over a dozen, maybe more. However I took over a hundred pictures (good close ups with my zoom lens) and bought some nice cd’s to boot. We’re already thinking about next year because Stanley Clark and War a couple of the performers. Walter Beasley, Phil Perry, Sheila E and more headed up this year’s lineup. This was not at the Hampton Coliseum but the Hampton Convention Center. There are two jazz programs. One in the spring and one in the fall. Let me move on…

Old Man Winter is finally here and now we can go through it and hope of a warm spring. However, this time of year bring all sorts of colds and flues but I rarely get any of what is going around. As I thought about it and researched it, one thing stuck out. My immune system is still strong as ever and, contrary to popular belief, I know why. At the slightest hint something is about to happen, everyone take this or that and begin trying to get rid of whatever. I don’t, even during those rare cases when I do get something or get ready to get something.

I quit taking the flu shot in nineteen eighty six and can recall having the flu three of four times since then. Before that I had it every year and I truly believe it was because I took the flu shot. The common cold is another rare thing. I may get one a year, sometimes every other year, and it will last only four to five days at the most I haven’t had a sore throat in many, many years (I was a radio DJ and that was not a good thing to have). And now I will tell you why, knowing most will say they disagree.

I let my body fight the ailment and build up a tolerance to it and anything similar to it. Shortly before retiring from the military, it became mandatory to take the flu shot with the assurance you will not get the flu. I got it at least once, sometimes twice, a year anyway. I took the shot for two years after retirement. I got the flu. I missed a year and did not get the flu. The second year I asked myself why take it if I was going to get the flu. I didn’t take the shot and didn’t get the flu. I still don’t take the shot and, like I said, it has come upon me three or four times. I don’t take cold medication and rarely get a cold. If I do, I let my body fight through the ailment and I just suffer through it. It is only about four days and I will be fine until next year. My wife will be all over me and I still don’t get her cold.

I am not telling you how to medicate your body. I am not a doctor. I am talking about me. This is the cold and flu season and there will be a lot of people walking around giving it to others. What I am saying is that your body can fight almost anything if it is given a chance. Then you couple that with being able to, every now and then, suffer through the ailment for a short time. Each time you suffer through it will become shorter and shorter.

Here is another short burp…How many saw me in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on November eleven? An article was about me and two other veterans on page one and continued on page six (with pictures). I was at the jazz concert when the paper was printed but I saved the paper and others saved it for me also. Oh, well…at least it wasn’t a mug shot but it came close. Take care, stay warm and be careful in your travels.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT, RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

16

Jul. ’16

It’s Been Tough

It’s been tough to see police killed in the line of duty. I have been a career cop, military, civilian and security. I am now retired but my feelings are not insulated from what is happening in the world today. It’s been tough to see the video footage of the police killing people although I do not have the capability of analyzing the full video to see if there was any justification. It’s been tough to see the riots, civil disobedience, of people. It’s been tough listening to the comments of people that think they know but, really, don’t. It’s tough to see what happened in France. It’s tough to see the governmental conflict in Turkey. It’s been tough hearing both sides of the political “know it all” spew rhetoric yet only giving part of the truth or underlying causes of all the violence. It’ been tough.

A member of my family have joined the police force and I fear for him each and every day. It will be tough for him, whether he realize this or not. I say this because he is in a small mid-western town and I know he think he is insulated from all of this. I pray he is right. Then, there is a level of prejudice on most police forces. I have not only seen it but I have experienced it first hand. It’s not a good feeling. And, there is the fact that many people fear the person in uniform, who have a badge and gun, wanting to do harm, if not out right kill. Yet, when there is trouble, danger, or just needing police presence to abate a situation, the person with a badge and gun is summoned.

This is a tough world to live in, especially during these dark days. And, what is happening is very political. Congress, not being the force it should be, decided to be a do nothing Congress because one party, being the majority, wanted to stifle the other party. There is a Congressman, who is on the Senate Judiciary Committee, that say Congress does not confirm judges although the U.S. Constitution pacifically say only Congress have those powers. In the process many things did not get done and too much attention was placed too long on getting simple things done. This lead to many, many things getting out of whack when it should have not happened. I am combining the blogs Retirement and Religion together and will post the same article on both blogs which will mean duplicate postings on my other pages. I’m doing this because we, as people of the world, are in trouble. Not only through our American laws but as a religious people are we in trouble. Let me make a posting to prove this about the coming of the end because of what is going on now.

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV II Timothy 3:1-17)

 

Looking at today’s situation, the quagmire that we are in, all of us are in trouble. The world is in trouble. Wars and rumors of wars. Still don’t understand? Police violence, citizen violence, terrorist, out right war, gay right marches, gay rights in courts and schools, all sorts of other things all around put together is II Timothy Chapter 3. Robbing, shooting, using drugs, raping, killing, simple Godlessness is all in play right now.

Not all people are bad, just a few. Not all nations are bad, just a few. Not all things are bad, just a few. We can take our heads out of the sand and do something to correct this before it is too late. As nations stand together, not being separate or isolated from the others, we can combat this and become whole again. If we fight each other, we can not overcome the ultimate enemy. If we don’t get our lives right, we can not overcome that ultimate enemy.th3

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Posted by . Categories: RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

27

Mar. ’16

Parallel Thoughts

I am reading the book “Playing The Edge” authored by Michael V. Hayden, former director of the National Security Agency and CIA as well as a retired Air Force four star General. I’ve only read about an eighth of the book so far, I’m purposely being slow as to really digest the material, and it is an inside look at political wranglings. He writes about how politics hampered the efficiency of the NSA and, later, the CIA. How, when everything is going good, there is a demand to cut personnel, work and money. However, when things are bad the question becomes an accusation about why the job wasn’t done and why there wasn’t enough personnel to do the job. Also, from Congressmen, “it wasn’t me that hampered you. It was the person here before me.” Plus, it’s always to get the job done with less and less until the mess hits the proverbial fan.

In a way, so far, certain words in the book can be replaced with words meaning Brookdale Imperial Plaza. A lot of the same thing has happened and is happening here. There is always the undercurrent of activity that causes things to go awry in that psychotic way. There are always people that overtly try to control the system and there are those that attempt (and they have been pretty good at it lately) to covertly control the system to their way of thought and/or idiosyncrasy. Many, many things come into play in order to control the multitude of jobs to be performed at a large place such as Brookdale Imperial Plaza. Those that attempt to have it their own little way and/or think they see or know the entire picture have a lot to learn and, really, if they only knew. They don’t have any idea about how to run a place such as this and it can not/will not run the cut and dry traditional way.

There are budgets, staff, headquarters, residents and unforeseen catastrophes that plays havoc with the little money and personnel available. Now all is done and up pops that individual or individuals with their own agenda(s) that slows everything to a crawl. Constructive criticism is welcomed everywhere but when there is always destructive criticism, the house starts swaying like an unsteady house of cards.

Yes, I have my own agenda and that is to stay retired, travel and live in peace. I’ll leave the administration of Imperial Plaza to those that get paid to run it. Of course, if something doesn’t seem right, I will voice my disapproval and opinion. Only if it is catastrophic and then I’ll have to think about it. However, I will not attempt to micromanage a place I am not paid to manage or work. When I was in control of my own thing (military and civilian) I never micromanaged anyway. Why should I now? I found that to be counterproductive early own and have lived by it. If there is a good person or people in place to do the job right and there is trust in them to do it without supervision, there is no problem. Most problems are handled without you intervening and you are free to do your thing.

I guess I am being cynical because things that are happening is not affecting me. However, am I my brother’s keeper? In this case, no. Myself nor my wife is adversely affected, therefore, why bother and get myself in a lather? What will it do for us? What will it do for anyone when I don’t have and will not have control over anything that is done at Imperial Plaza. Sure, there are committees but they can only advise, not dictate. And, these committees, well most of them anyway, try just that and have accomplished not a thing.

I say, sit back, relax and remain retired. Don’t stress yourself out and have a heart attack over something you can’t control. Leave politics alone, at Imperial Plaza anyway, and live a carefree life. Or, you can get back into the rat race, come out of retirement and offer your services to Brookdale. Maybe you may be hired to get the mess in order. Good Luck..

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

 Electrical Storm, Arizona

Posted by . Categories: Imperial Plaza, RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

28

Feb. ’16

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have neglected putting out my blogs for good reasons. It is not because I am lazy (some may argue that is the case but I’ll never waver) but have been busy with my MPP (Mighty Pen Project) classes and with the board of the MPP. I am also getting together (finally) the website for the MPP that will give much more information than I could give to you here. As you know, it is geared to all active duty military, ex-military and the families and/or friends of each service. To go further, in case you have not read my other blogs, it is for writing. These papers can be for memoirs, books or just plain getting things off your mind. The course is a once a week, ten week class taught by an instructor from a college, university, etc. In other words, this is a free college level course Who can argue with FREE?

How can this be free? That is where the Virginia War Memorial come in. With their help and guidance, we have come a long way. Now we have our own board and is attempting to function (some day) on our own. I have the task of setting up the website and keeping it running. A daunting task, to say the least. I hope to premiate myself by accomplishing this in a very expeditious manner. Wish me luck and the fortitude to carry on.

As far as Brookdale’s Imperial Plaza is concerned, it is slowly but surely moving right along… making people angrier and angrier along the way. The director (I should say “ex”) is no more. She was fired (she say she left on her own) but the rumor mill is really humming. I strongly believe the rumor mill (I have my sources). I will not say what those rumors are because, if wrong, I could be charged with slander. There is enough going on that I don’t want to be in the middle and end up on the wrong end of the spectrum. I have not seen nor met the lady that’s holding down the fort until a new director is named but I hear she is nice. I don’t remember her name but I do know she is from another facility that is in the Brookdale family. And, I want to add, people are not happy with the changes at the Magnolia Room or any of the dinning rooms, to be exact. Like I said before. People are always against change, whether good or bad. It doesn’t matter.

I am also a member of the grounds committee and, just think, I am suppose to be retired. I am doing more now than when I wasn’t retired. I guess being busy does not give you time to think about your age. I think about it every now and then and cringe. Personally, I think the two guys that do all the grounds work does not need anymore supervision or oversight than they already have. They do a fantastic job. I’m one that believe in the saying “if it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it.” I am told that I am expected to attend the different building gatherings in order to get their input about what they want done on the grounds. NOT!!! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it plus I don’t have the desire or time to commit to such an endeavor.

Anyway, I’ll try to keep the blog going. I have so much coming up. A trip to Puerto Rico, a cruise, a trip to Colorado and, of course, the casinos. Add to that the MPP and I should finish my classes by the end of March. I forgot the Neighborhood Watch program, I am committed to that also. In order to be a good neighbor, commit your services to the neighborhood. If we all did a little, crime would be at an all time low.

Until next time…be kind to your neighbors because you’ll never know when you’ll need them. Also, insure your words are soft and sweet, you’ll never know when you’ll have to eat them. BYE!!!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT, Imperial Plaza, RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

09

Jan. ’16

Mighty Pen Project

It was a great night, 1/6/16, at the Virginia War Memorial where we had the reading and reception of the Mighty Pen Project. Quite a few people were there, the food was good and the readings went very well. There was six of us, that was in the second class of the Mighty Pen Project, and I was first to read one of the pieces I wrote for the class. All of the written material was well written, very moving and covered a wide area of military life from Viet Nam to the present time.

Mr. James Triesler, Education Director of the Virginia War Memorial gave the welcome. Dr. David Coogan, Associate Professor of English, Virginia Commonwealth University and our instructor for the second class of the Mighty Pen Project, gave the remarks. Mr. David L. Robins, program founder/author/teacher at VCU, gave the introduction of readers.

The Mighty Pen Project is in need of students, like myself or better, that is military connected, past or present, and want to write. People that want to write about their military experiences, feelings, just to get things out of their system or just to leave something for their loved one, to name a few things, need this class. It’s too late to registrar for the class starting on 1/20/16 but contact can be made for the class starting in April. Each class is every Wednesday night for ten weeks and involve reading, writing and supreme insight into the material from the instructor.

Go to the Virginia War Memorial web site, www.vawarmemorial.org, for information on the Mighty Pen Project ( MPP) and the Virginia War Memorial. The Mighty Pen Project also have a Facebook page and a lot of information can be gained there. A web page and blog is in the works. Since I have joined the board, I have been appointed to help with initiating the web site and helping with future entertainment. I hope my work goes well. If anyone need information or know someone that would qualify, they can either contact me or go to one of the sites.

I know that this is not like my normal blogs but I feel that I can at least help get the word out with one or more shots from my blog. Don’t hesitate to do this and I will surly get back to you as soon as I can. There are a lot of retirees out here that would like to try this and the person does not have to be good or retired. That will come with time and it’s not to write a book (it’ll give you a start, if you want), just snippets. Well, I’ll see ya the next time. Contact me.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

08

Nov. ’15

Elderly and Writing

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Cool weather is upon us and we must prepare for the up coming cold winter air. Don’t wait because it will be upon us before we know it. Winter, like summer, is no joke, especially if you are among the elderly. Things we used to do when we were younger is no longer true now. The heat or coldness we used to endure is fatal now. The getting up at the crack of dawn is gone. Swiftness in our step is slowing if not already slowed. Soon it will come to a stop; we all must meet that fate. It’s no fun getting up in age; we all must meet that fate also. We are human and not infallible and must watch what we say, do and react to. Infallibility certainly come with age and we get older, not younger.

Have patience with those that are older than we are. Those that move slower. Those that are slower in wit (some didn’t get it with age but was there most of their lives). Not only does the body deteriorate with age, so does the mind (few exceptions allowed). Be helpful and understand. One day we all will be in the same position. How would we want to be treated?

On a lighter note…My wife and I attended the Annual Meeting (and luncheon) of The Virginia Writers Club on the 7th and it was grand, although there wasn’t as many attendees as I thought there would be. We bought a couple of books (the book I’m writing is not finished yet) and had them autographed. My wife won a prize, a book. The main speaker was great and the food was out of this world. The event was held at The Embassy Suites Hotel and the hotel have a botanical garden area that Lewis Ginter Gardens would surely love to have. It was wonderful to tour the floras and running water (all indoors, of course). We even accidentally met the keeper of the gardens. It was a great day. Now I must buckle down and write in earnest. I’ll tell you why…

The Mighty Pen is a project presented (hosted) by the Virginia War Memorial. I am in the second class of writers that are coached (taught, instructed) by some highly powered people. The class was an idea of author David Robbins and he taught the first class and drops in on the second class, my class, which have two more weeks left of a ten week course. My class is instructed by Dr. David Coogan, author and professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. There are only twelve people at each class but two have dropped out of mine. As can be expected, the writings are all about the military, fact or fiction (great majority is fact). It is a great course and I would have never forgiven myself if I had passed on the opportunity to attend (it was my wife that showed me the article about the class). I’m glad I am attending and I have learned a lot as well as rubbed elbows with a lot of influential people. I hope the younger class members realize what an opportunity it is to be there.

Mr. David Robbins is also the co-founder of the James River Writers Club and asked me to check into them and, hopefully, join. I am looking into them as soon as I can and, if they are as good as The Virginia Writers Club, I will join. These clubs, in the future, may be a help to me in my writings and will look good on my resume, when submitted to a publisher. Wish me luck.

There was suppose to be a writing course started here at Imperial Plaza. I signed up for the course about three months ago but have not heard anything yet. I heard, a couple of weeks ago, that they were looking for people to take the course but my name and number have been on the sign-up sheet for a long time. Oh well, no contact, no sweat. I’ll wait because I have plenty of other things on my plate, not counting my writings.

Remember, prepare for winter and keep a sharp mind. Be mindful of others and, as it was said in days of yore, “keep on keeping on”. And, as I used to close all my radio programs, “be kind to your neighbors, because you’ll never know when you’ll need them. Also, ensure your words are soft and sweet, because you’ll never know when you’ll have to eat them”. Bye-bye!!!

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

10

May. ’15

What’s The Problem

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

I hope all the women had a very Happy Mother’s Day and that everything went well. I hope all of you got the glorification that all of you deserved for without any of you, there is no life. Again, a belated Happy Mother’s Day to you all.

I was watching TV, at the destruction caused by the tornadoes, and wondered about the sanity of most of the people interviewed. I wondered why they are surprised about what happened. I wonder why they always ask why it happened to them. It is the mid-west and tornado alley and stuff happen, all the time. Like the floods, it is coming every year and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Why be surprised? Why cuss God and anyone else? I guess it is me not being sympathetic for these people but it was coming. Just like here in Virginia..a major storm may not hit this year but it will hit. No doubt about it. In the mid-west, it’s each and every year. May be not their town this year but it may be next year or so. It is coming. Find an area of least resistance and there they should stay and pray the weather patterns won’t change to include that area.

In the military I learned to roll with the punches and, another saying, suck it up and keep pushing. At times the military was hard but it taught a person how to adjust to the circumstances around them and keep on pushing without slowing down. The military was harder then than it is now and we all, at one time or the other, learned some really hard lessons with the main one being, adapt. People today do not adapt. They want everything given to them on a silver platter with no work or consequences involved. I learned years ago that it is a give and take thing. In order to receive something you will have to give something up. That’s life and it’s a hard pill to swallow.

That brings me to Imperial Plaza and the way some residents think here. They want what they want when they want it the way only they want it. Then they still complain about it even though an attempt was made to satisfy them. For example, a resident was complaining to me about the dinner dance. This wasn’t right, they didn’t like that and so on. I simply said….for $10 you sit at a linen covered table, have a three course meal, all the wine, beer or other non-alcoholic beverage you can drink, with a live band included plus you’re waited on while giving no gratuity. What more do you want? Where else can you get all of that for that price? They walked away and didn’t say anything.

So you see, you look at your circumstances and, if you don’t care for what’s happening, change it. If you can’t change it, move somewhere that you like better. If that doesn’t fit your purposes, suck it up and live with it. There are always ups along with the downs and life has always been like that. Live life to the fullest and give God the glory that you are still able to enjoy it.

Posted by . Categories: RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

20

Oct. ’14

Cold Is Coming

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Time is really flying, autumn is here, the air is cool and, soon, the snow will be upon us. I am not a fan of cool or cold air. It is beyond my comprehension on how people can endure the coldest of cold weather. I shiver thinking about it and don’t ever want to have anything to do with it again. I can take off clothes to make me cooler but I seem to be unable to find enough clothing to warm my body.

I guess you are wondering why. Well, Ill try to tell you why or, at least, give you enough that you’ll hopefully understand. As I was growing up it was the era of wood and coal for cooking and heating. It was my job to get the wood and coal, make the fires and keep them going in good weather or bad, warm or cold. It was never easy, in the winter, nor could I ever get the house warm enough for me. I was glad to go to school because it was warm there but it was a long walk to get there.

When I went into the U.S. Air Force I was always stationed in cold weather, with the exception of Viet Nam, Thailand, Florida and northern California (it got cold but it wasn’t too bad). The worst cold weather place was Minot, AFB, North Dakota. That place was too cold for human existence and I never want to see that place again. I thought being stationed atop a mountain in West Germany was cold but North Dakota made me rethink that thought.

I have walked K-9 patrols, in the forest (woods) and in fields, when it got so snowy and cold that we took the dogs back to the kennels and us K-9 handlers were taken back to our positions and we patrolled without dogs. It seem that it was too snowy and cold for a dog but not for a man. I still can’t wrap my brain around that thinking.

When I retired from the military and became a city policeman, I had my fights with the cold. There were always accident pile ups when it was either pouring rain, extremely cold or both. To make matters worst, I was normally the person for multiple car accidents and, when you’re wet or cold or both, things seem to slowly drag along.

Hopefully you understand why I don’t like cold weather and it will soon to be here with everything it can produce. At least now, being here at Imperial Plaza, I can just stand it my window and look out at it. Good luck to all of you this coming winter and I hope you can keep dry and warm. Take care….

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

23

Sep. ’14

I’m Back And Here To Stay

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

It has been a long time since I last wrote in this blog and I know I am well overdue. A lot have happened, since I last wrote and I will attempt to highlight a few things before I continue the normal weekly activities. It is not difficult to get off track and not get back to writing but I must in order to dig deep into the book I am writing.

I have hooked up with a buddy that I have not seen in thirty years (in fact we were together in the military in Germany and in North Dakota) and he and his wife have been getting together with me and my wife, over a meal or two, several times since we reunited. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia which isn’t that far away. And, to my surprise, he is now a minister (I would have never thought he would become one from the way we used to drink and party).

My wife and I also went to Tennessee for a week long family reunion that was great. We were in Dolly Parton territory and, of course, I had to go by the corn whiskey distillery for the booze. To tell the truth, that booze is not as strong as that which is gotten from the back woods. The family have gotten much larger and family members came from every state up and down the east coast.

Imperial Plaza have been keeping my wife and I busy, not only with the trips but also with the other activities. Coming here has been one of the best moves I have ever made. My wife run the twice weekly WII bowling, the Saturday Pokeno games and work part-time. I am part of the Bellevue Community Neighborhood Patrol and I have a part-time job as well. Now that it is pro-football season..(enough said).

When I add in going to the McGuire Veterans Hospital, fighting with them for my due benefits (it seems to be a hopeless case), most of my time is shot. There is an old saying….”If you can’t say anything good about someone, don’t say anything at all”. I won’t say anything more, I’ll leave it alone except to say that the law suits and investigations into the Federal Health Care System is long, long overdue.

My time (space) is up and I’ll try to stay on track. Until next time…

Posted by . Categories: RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a comment