ANCHORS OF THE HEART



JAMES COVERED BRIDGE OVER GRAHAM CREEK IN S. INDIANA 


This is yet another Post about a place that will forever be a living part of my heart. Mary Ann and her brother Bobby were the main reasons this bridge still exists. I did a small part by writing a letter to the North Vernon newspaper and encouraging both of them.


I once jokingly told a fishing friend that I was considering cremation and having my ashes sprinkled in the Graham Creek---this would permit the fish a chance to get even!!


Most of the readers of this Post are familiar with Melville's Moby Dick. Less well known are the offspring of this Denizen of the deep. During my adolescence, one direct DNA descendant of this white whale that "is big as an island and you will smell land when there is no land" swam freely in the peaceful waters of Graham Creek. Few have seen the behemoth that my cousins and I named "TIGO." Many have hooked the monster only to reel in a straightened hook or broken line! Broken lines and broken hearts are his trademarks! Yours truly has had a couple of reels smoke and start to melt before the line mercifully snapped. 


 Here is where you need to get out your tin foil hat: Fertilizer and Herbicide run off from the fields on the banks of the Graham Creek have created mutated piscatorial monsters that have infected most of the fresh water streams and lakes in the "Land of the free and the Home of the brave!" 


Forget about Big Foot and the Yeti; be on the lookout for the kinfolks of TIGO!  Never permit small children or uninsured old people to fish alone! 




Graham Owen is a World Class nature and fly fishing photography (visit his site  http://www.grahamowengallery.com/ ) and see). I recently shared with Graham that Graham Creek holds a unique and special place in my heart.


Perhaps I have previously shared General Douglas Mac Arthur's last comments to the cadets at West Point when he said that his last thoughts as death approaches will be of "The Corps, the Corps, the Corps."


I cannot say what my last conscious thoughts might be. I can say with absolute accuracy that my mind and heart shall forever remember with those magical Camelot-like days I spent on the Graham Creek with my brother, cousins, and friends. Every kid in America should be as blessed. ,




Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterdy


G

GRAHAM CRACKER FISHING FLY

GRAHAM CRACKER FISHING FLY


OK! OK! I am a sucker for all things "Graham." As a fly fisherman, I discovered this fly on the Internet. No, I have not used it; don't even own one.


The fly was created byxxxxxxx is designed to approximate a xxxx.

"Them Old 'Ventions!"

1956 Democrat Convention

I was very fortunate to grow up in a home that was concerned about International and National events. We subscribed to the Louisville Courier Journal that was delivered by mail. On Sunday's, Dad would stop at the equivalent of a convenience store and purchase a Sunday edition of the Journal and in a pinch the Indianapolis Star. We also subscribed to the weekly North Vernon Plain Dealer and occasionally I could find a copy of the Grit newspaper.

Even before we had a TV, the "News" on the radio was a time to be quiet and listen. With TV we watched the nightly 15 minute broadcast of the NBC News with John Cameron Swazi. (A popular rumor of that time was he never wore the same tie twice!)

The 1956 political conventions marked the first time we could see the wall-to-wall coverage of the highly spirited conventions in our own home! The hats, the signs,  paid marching bands and  nominating speeches all made for high drama for a share cropper family. As a high school sophomore, I was just as much into the conventions as my folks. My brother, who is five years younger than me, did not share the passion of Mom, Dad, and yours truly in watching this American spectacle. In fact, he referred to the conventions as "them old 'ventions." He missed his normal children's programing.

It is now 2016 and "them old 'ventions" are back on TV again. The drama and excitement of the earlier conventions has long since become part of the dusty archives in New York City. However, the process, though already determined, reminds us that America is truly an exceptional nation. (Sorry about that Mr. Obama!)

Glenn <><

Just West of Yesterday

An AM Man Living in an FM World

AM/FM RADIO

Our radio at home was an old Admiral--black, tubes gave an eerie glow, AM only---that connected us to the world. My parents did not have a telephone and indoor plumbing until 1965. I think I was on my first duty assignment in California when I first heard FM radio. I do remember well the FM radio I purchased during that carefree, I can do anything , assignment. (I dearly miss those days!)

For the benefit of young readers of this Post, FM in the mid-sixties was limited. Mostly, news, talk and lots and lots of classical music. Rock and Roll was mainly on AM. Colleges and Public Radio was the source of many of the FM broadcasts.  

Today, FM is the place for all kinds of music (Hard Rock to Gospel) a few news/ sports stations , and some religious stations. Try finding an FM station that has an hourly news broadcast from a major network. I am an unrepentant news addict and know where to find network news on the AM dial at just about anytime---day or night.

AM stations have a much, much longer reception capability---especially at night. This is a product of FCC directivity restrictions and radio wave propagation. I live several hundred miles from Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio; however, on many nights I can hear several stations from that area.

As an amateur radio operator (Ham) I have used FM to communicate locally; but I mostly use AM (SSB) when I want to talk around the country and/or world. Yes, I do listen to both FM and AM on my computer/tablet devices.

Glenn <><

Just West of Yesterday

THE VIEW SEEMS TO GROW CLEARER EACH DAY!

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. ----Soren Kierkegaard





Memory is much like a mirror; it helps us see ourselves as we are. But more importantly, if used correctly, it helps us explain how we got to this point in our life!  


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

SURE WISH I KNEW THIS AS A TEENAGER !!

The first symptom of love in a young man is timidity; in a girl boldness.

                                               ---Victor Hugo

Thank the Lord I discovered this before I died !!! Many of my Posts about dating during my teenage years could easily be summed up by this one statement. If I was the president of this great nation, I would require the above quote to be chiseled in stone on every high school and college in our land.


Tons of tears and angst could be avoided if this truism was well known. Maybe it is not too late to teach my grandkids this profound statement. Whether they will listen or heed this advice is uncertain; however, I will have the extreme, awesome, unbelievable, life-altering, pass the Moon Pies and open me another RC satisfaction of knowing I tried! None of us can change the past; but we can, and must, do everything possible to make the future better.


WOW! I feel like a kid at Christmas!


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

SOMEBODY HAD TO SAY IT--SO I DID!!!

THIS POST IS ABOUT MEN TREATING WIVES AND CHILDREN WITH LOVE AND RESPECT !!!!!


Some of the readers of this Blog have known me for many, many years. I am older, fatter and hopefully a bit wiser. For sure I am bolder in pointing out, especially to men, when they mistreat their wives and children. I played a large role in helping the State rescue three children who were forced to live in a house trailer with busted out windows. Once, I was called to testify in a child custody battle. A boy was being mistreated by his step father. After a week of testimony, the judge ruled the biological father was to have sole custody!


The following is a true account of an encounter with a man and his wife I have known for over 20 years.  We first became acquainted over the airwaves of Ham Radio. Later, we discovered a mutual interest in and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At least that is what I thought.


Over the years, I would meet his wife and grown daughters, without the man of the house present. They told me the man I knew was not the man they were enduring at home. Anger and hurt was so apparent.


When I would meet him and his wife in the mall and elsewhere, he immediately had to tell me about the latest old car he had bought and added to his growing collection of cars and all of the fancy Ham gear he recently had purchased. His wife seldom spoke and her clothing reflected she had missed out on the latest money spending spree.


His wife and him recently stopped me while we were shopping at the Walmarts. (In OK, if you are over 65, you can add an "S" to any noun you want! K-Marts, Sonics, the Laws, etc) He briefly inquired about my sick wife and launched into telling me about the thousands of dollars of new Ham gear he added to his radio room. Also, a like new 1955 Chevy was now part of his car collection.


I looked at his silent wife and said with considerable force, "Go buy yourself an in-ground swimming pool and a new Cadillac. You have earned it!" Here is where he became unhinged: He started waging a finger at me and raising his voice and told me I had better bring some checks if she got anything. We each then went our separate ways. I feel bad for his wife and the servant role she is forced to play.


HOWEVER, I AM GLAD SOMEONE REMINDED HIM OF HOW FOOLISH AND SELFISH HE WAS! MY ONLY REGRET IS THAT I WAITED THIS LONG TO TELL HIM THE TRUTH!


I doubt if he will speak to me again. I'm OK with that. Sometimes a person is best defined by the people who are their enemies!


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

Austin The Powerless---Chapter 4

             Austin The Powerless--Chapter 4

    (Please Read Chapters 1,2, & 3 Before Reading This Conclusion)

                                    A Fictional Work

Polly found his ashen and unresponsive body slumped over his computer which displayed a prophetic Blue Screen. A frantic 911 call was made and six minutes later Austin was in exam Room 13 at the ER of the nearest hospital. He was resuscitated two times and a feeble heartbeat permitted Austin’s transfer to ICU.

His condition remained unchanged and Polly had time enough to prepare herself for the worst. About noon on Saturday, Austin had the legendary last “Rally” and spoke without oxygen to Polly, their children and most of their grandchildren. At the insistence of her family that was staying at the nearby Olive Tree Hotel, Polly left Austin’s bedside to take a quick shower, change clothes and return without trying to sleep.

The hotel room phone and several cell phones seemed to all ring at once. Each call simply said, “Please come quickly.” The anxious band of family members rushed to his ICU room. The hospital chaplain and Austin’s main doctor intercepted them as they entered the ICU area. Words were not needed though they were appreciated: “I am sorry to inform you that Austin Corrington died peacefully in his sleep.” They slowly walked into his now machine less quiet room. The ICU charge nurse hugged Polly and silently nodded to the rest of the family. She said, with genuine compassion, “Take all the time you need and later we will talk about the funeral home.” Out of respect, she slowly walked backwards from the room. Polly gave Austin’s corpse a third grade kiss and started to sob. Family members simultaneously moved toward her and all the while kept looking at the now fast approaching room temperature body. On the mobile room tray was a freshly delivered couple of red roses in a vase with this note attached: “Heard you are ill, my ex-sister-in-law and I are flying out to see you” It was signed: “Forever your friend: C.A.”   A puzzled Polly rhetorically asked the silent fresh mourners, "Who is C.A.?"

                                          -----END----


  THANK YOU FOR READING THIS SHORT STORY
You might enjoy this story: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6923261285651115803#editor/target=post;postID=4223327262879784640;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=3;src=postname


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

 

 

 

 

 

A DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET IN 1952 !!!!

1952 Indy 500 Pole Sitter

Cummins Engine of Columbus has played a major role in my life. Consider: My father, brother, uncle and two cousins each worked 30 plus years there.
I was fortunate enough to win a scholarship to Purdue University from Cummins.


The biggest day involving Cummins happened in 1952 at the Indy 500 qualifying days. By today's standards this is hardly breaking news. Back then it was the talk of Indiana and maybe the entire racing world.


The following URL from You Tube says it very well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOBslrnXzF4

Austin The Powerless Chapter 3

        Austin The Powerless ---Chapter 3

     (Contains Some Mild Sexual References Adult Readers Only)

      A Fictional Work---Read Chapters 1 & 2 Before This Chapter

The phrase “Unlucky in Love” was likely first uttered with Austin in mind. A late high school romance was the fulfillment of a 12 year friendship. But it seemed as if the goddesses of Love had it in for Austin. Strange events too numerous to recount, served to slowly dissolve this deeply felt romantic attachment, at least from Austin’s viewpoint.  Even being told by Cindy Ann of her intimate encounter with a fellow Austin knew, it did not dash his ardor for her. However, the fatal destructive arrow was yet to strike his heart.

Austin, unlike his father and younger brother, disliked farm work. Austin was a dreamer, a person of books and big ideas. However, it was farm work that provided him with gas and movie money.  One day he was working alongside a high school classmate on a nearby farm when out of the blue, an unannounced arrow struck its mark. “Guess, you heard Cindy Ann got married?” Austin tried to remain unfazed, but he really wanted to cry and vomit, or at least run until he died. Somehow he made it through the day without doing either. Years later, he confided to his best friend that he thinks of Cindy Ann every day, often several times a day!

It was helpful for Austin to later discover God has thoughts and plans that are entirely different from ours. Enter a girl who was a blind date. They were comfortable and relaxed around each other and a long courtship followed. It was love with blue jeans on.  After several unavoidable separations, Austin and Polly were married.

Like most marriages, careers and kids, later grandkids, filled their lives. Austin was the poster child for being unorganized. Polly repeatedly reminded him “that’s not the way my Dad would do it.”  Austin’s relationship with Polly’s father was forced co-existence. Once her father raised his fist to strike Austin, Polly’s mother halted possible injury to one or both.

Austin once heard a stand up TV comedian say, “Marriage is a lot like a night at the boxing matches, sometimes the pre-lims are better than the main event!” Several years of marriage proved the accuracy of this humorous wisdom.

During one particular argument, Polly shouted out that she never really enjoyed intimate relations and merely learned how to fake it! Austin’s self-esteem and manly ego died, then and there, but the burial would have to wait until the rest of Austin caught up, might be better said, let down. As the months passed, irrational thoughts of divorce, suicide, even running away, ricocheted off the walls of his fractured mind. 

Even though Austin promised himself to avoid discussing this hurtful topic again, he violated his own promise and several times tried unsuccessfully to have her explain not only her bombshell statement, but several obvious Oscar-winning performances when Austin returned from long business trips. It all of a sudden made sense to Austin why Polly had always been a fan of the UNC Tar Heels’ basketball team. She had learned how to stall and “Run Out The Clock!” Austin learned to survive and how to take long cold showers.

Years slouched by and Father Time and Miss Gravity performed their unavoidable work upon Austin and Polly. She became a TV recluse in her sewing room and often longingly looked at her high school yearbook and Austin immersed himself in the books he had collected, plus the untold millions of free volumes on the Internet.


 Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday


     WATCH FOR CHAPTER 4---COMING SOON

 

Austin The Powerless--Chapter 2

          Austin The Powerless---Chapter 2
     Contains Some Mild Sexual References--Adult Readers Only


                      A Fictional Story---Read Chapter 1 First

In college, Austin was hardly a date-every-night playboy. However, he was never a candidate for the wall flower of the year award. Sometimes he displayed a sarcastic, maybe even cruel, sense of humor. He had three girls who he dated when not in college. They lived in close proximately of each other in his home county. To fully understand what happened you must understand that this was in the day of typewriters, carbon paper, and thin onion skin paper. He sought to terminate his relationship with the trio of girls and have some fun at the same time. The syrupy love letter was made in three copies and the space after the “My most precious” line was left blank. Prior to sending the letters he filled in the name of each girl in ball point pen. Surely, the three would get the joke and realize he was breaking up with them.

Feeling girlfriend free, he was shocked to get a letter from one of the “carbon copy” recipients in which she stated she had shown her letter to a girl who had also received a carbon copy love letter from this same college Romeo. The dump all three at once plan worked; however, one girl wrote him to say she never wanted to see him again. Wonder why?

It was every college boy’s dream; Austin was in the college library at a study table and the girl on the other side removed one of her shoes and slowly started rubbing his leg with her now shoeless foot. BINGO! A frantic, short romance followed. What the relationship lacked in duration it was more than off-set by intensity. Austin told a friend in his dorm that Miss Footsy was his best kisser up to that point! He later saw her in a restaurant with a much older man. He theorized each got what they wanted!

One of his college summer vacation romances was coming to an end and the girlfriend threw every insult imaginable at Austin, including the worst breakup line he ever heard, “And my sister doesn’t like you either!” It is one thing to have a girl dump you, but something else again for her sister to pile on as well!

Austin should have probably considered himself lucky because a high school friend once told him that when he called it quits with a long-time girlfriend, her mother did everything but hit him!

Somehow Austin was made aware of the rumored, all-time break up story. A couple of very intense high school sweethearts had a big league breakup and the girl ran crying into her house and her grandfather came out with a shotgun. Fearing death or serious injury, the fellow evaded the protective gun wielder and found undetected refuge by crawling under a car! This account redefines “Any port in a storm!” 


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday


     WATCH FOR CHAPTER 3---COMING SOON 

 

STILL IMPRESSED

North Polar Stars


ANYONE WITH A CAMERA WHERE THE SHUTTER CAN BE LEFT OPEN CAN MAKE THEIR OWN NEAT PHOTOS !


SEEK A VERY DARK LOCATION, CENTER CAMERA ON NORTH STAR (POLARIS)
OPEN SHUTTER FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR!

SEND ME YOUR PICS AND I'LL POST THEM---IF YOU INCLUDE A NOTE GIVING ME PERMISSION TO DO SO.

The area around the North Star looks like this 365/24/7. Obviously, we cannot see the stars in the daytime. 

GLENN <><

JUST WEST OF YESTERDAY

WHERE PARALLEL LINES CROSS! SAY WHAT??

"Infinity" is where parallel lines cross---Kelso Franklin

Prior to high school, I had never read or heard the word “Infinity.” It was in Mr. Franklin’s Algebra I class, during my freshman year, I first encountered the concept of Infinity. In my sophomore year I took Geometry along with other sophomores and several juniors and seniors.  (Here’s a long overdue confession---I really enjoyed taking classes with upper classman to see if I could equal or supersede their additional year of maturity . I’ll let others report the results.)

With lyrics of Avicii’s hit song playing in my brain--- “ When I am older and I am wiser”----here’s the answer from the Internet:

“In summary, then: in usual geometry, parallel lines do not meet. There is no such thing as infinity, and it is wrong to say that parallel lines meet at infinity.

However, you can construct other geometric systems, whose "points" include not only the points of familiar geometry (describable as coordinate pairs (x,y)), but also other objects. These other objects can be constructed in various ways, as described in the discussion of projective geometry. In these other geometric systems, parallel lines may meet at a "point at infinity". Whether this is one single point or different points for different classes of parallel lines, depends on the particular geometric system you are considering.”  Toronto School of Math 


Now maybe I can go back to trying to beat the checks to the bank.



GLENN <><

JUST WEST OF YESTERDAY