Kite

This weeks word is another that has brought up memories that I figure were gone forever. It is amazing the effect some of these remembrances have had on me, and also on Jean. Having never been a real talkative guy, these stories I have written has changed both of us and has made our relationship much, much stronger.

Well, enough of that, and on to this weeks word which is kite. Flying a kite brings back two memories. The first one, as a kid of 10 or 11, trying my best to get a kite up in the air, and having no success. I would run with that kite, playing out a little line at a time and be so disappointed when it came crashing to the ground. I never did get that kite to fly, and only later did I learn that the tail was all wrong.

When I was 14 or 15, I would go by Watson's pharmacy, pay my 89 cents, and get a kite with 3 five hundred foot rolls of string. I would then make a tail out of an old sheet by tearing it into thin strips, and attach it to the kite that I had just put together. Then I would head to the front yard of Rhea school, which had just recently been built, and there was not a tree in sight. It was an extremely easy matter to get my kite up in the air! All I had to do was to play out the string while riding my motorcycle up the road in front of the school. Usually it only took one trip, and the kite was in the air. After getting the kite up 500 feet, then the second roll of string was tied on, and after 1000 feet then the third roll was attached. I can tell you this.....fifteen hundred feet away a piece of material 2 feet by 3 feet looks mighty small.

Somewhere around 38 or 39 years ago, about this time of year, I had an absolute ball flying kites. It was good, cheap, clean fun, and a time of my life that I am glad I re-remembered!

Horizon

Horizon is a word that I enjoy thinking of. For the first thirty years of my life one of my favorite things to do was to watch a sunset. And I really saw some beautiful ones. Many hours of my time in California were spent watching the sun dip down in to the horizon. The last twenty-four years my favorite horizon memories consist of watching the sun rise out of the east. First the sky lightens a little, then a bright orange glow shows itself, then fifteen minutes later, the sky is ablaze in orange as the full sun appears.

Another aspect of horizons is 'broadening my horizons'. I have done that often in my lifetime. From learning new facets of electric work to learning life's little secrets, my horizons continually expand. Even writing these blogs have broadened my horizons, and for that I am extremely grateful. My writing skills and my computer skills have increased and even my verbal skills have risen to new horizons!

Stalactite

Stalactite is a word that does not come to mind very often. As a kid I can remember seeing stalactites at Lost Sea near Chattanooga, and much more recently, at Mammoth Cave near Bardstown, Kentucky. We saw many beautiful formations when we went down in to Mammoth Cave. Many stalactites, formed by the dripping of mineral laden water, hanging from the ceiling, and many stalagmites rising from the floor of the cave. The stalagmite must form by the excess water dripping from the stalactite, so eventually they will join together forming what is called a column. These formations are churned out over thousands of years, and are quite beautiful to look at. There are many amazing systems at work in this world. Sometimes it helps me to think how small and really insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things. It does me good to be put in my place.

Warm

Warm is a wonderful word. A word that tells me that Spring is not very far off. I really have spent a pretty warm winter this year. Unusual for me but very welcome. As a construction electrician I have spent many, many days outside in very cold weather. I guess I could still do it, but I won't, cuz' I like to be warm. Nights that are a little chilly with days on the warm side are my 'cup of tea'. I really should go south in the winter, and north in the summer, but to do the opposite usually pays better. It seems like everyone and their brother like to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so a long time to get a job is the norm.

Paris, Tennessee is my home, and has four distinct seasons. When it gets too cold I usually come indoors. When it gets too warm I usually come indoors. Spring and fall with its warm days are a special bonus for living here. A bonus I collect at least part of every year.

Spatula

This week's word, spatula, reminds me of an electrician that I haven't seen in over twenty-five years. Mike was his name, and he was quite the cook! We tramped together in 'Vegas & Los Angeles, and I ate many a fine meal with my feet under his table.

We had a deal. He told me that if I would clean up the kitchen, he would get the groceries, then cook the meal. There were some days that I would have to wash every dish in the house, but man did I ever eat!! Mike had spent 3 or 4 years around Baton Rouge, and grown up in Tennessee, so his cuisine was Country Cajun, and it was really good.

I washed a lot of spatulas in 1983. I washed a lot of everything, but it was worth every minute and worth having dishpan hands. We had many a good time in L.A. I met some mighty fine people, ate some mighty fine vittles, and saw some great sites. They call California the 'Land of Fruits and Nuts', & in my fifteen months there, I came to know why!!

Soft

What comes to mind, whenever I think of the word soft, is white, billowy clouds. The soft, white clouds against a back drop of deep blue sky is a beautiful sight and one I like to see. Those clouds look so soft, it appears you could just lay on top of them and get a good rest!

President

Whenever I think about the word president, I smile and think "I personally know the lady that millions call 'Madame President'”. Cherry Jones is that lady and I have known her since 1972. We weren't close friends back then, not even casual acquaintances, but I watched her perform in two or three plays and can honestly say I have known her from the beginning.

I wouldn't wish that job on anyone, but from what I have seen on “24”, Ms. Jones would make a pretty good president. As good a president as we have had since JFK, anyway.

We just need the President, the Senators, and the members of the House of Representatives to put politics, personal gain, and pride aside and work for the good of the United States of America. We have the best, the safest, the most prosperous country in history, but I feel we are in danger of losing it. I haven't any answers......I just wish we could get good people, working together for the common good!