Jim is turning to all the “seasoned” bloggers with today’s prompt:
This week we have seasoning prompts Cinnamon / Mint / Parsley / Pepper / Rosemary / Sage / Salt / Thyme and hopefully this will leave a pleasant smell with all of us.
The first song that popped into my mind was “Salty Dog Blues” and of course me being a huge Andy Griffith fan had to go with a video featuring “The Darlin’s”.
This song is a folk song from the early 1900s and there are at least 10 different musical works with this title that have known songwriters and publishers. The title is also listed as public domain.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable versions was recorded by Flatt & Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys, an American bluegrass band.
There are many explanations for what is meant by ‘salty dog’. Everything from a soft drink to a sexual partner so take your pick.
With there being so many different versions of lyrics I am just going to post the video (minute 1:10) and simply say ENJOY!
I am chuckling at the fact I actually Googled that phrase and not surprised Google could not find it, returning only this message:
It looks like there aren’t any great matches for your search
This was a counting rhyme my grandfather often said to me, the words were counted out with a finger pointing back and forth between the two of us. Being so young, I never knew why the rhyme always ended with his finger pointing at me.
INK, SPINK, SPATTLE, SPEW
NOBODY STINKS BUT BARELY YOU
I just remember sitting on his lap, facing this kind white haired gentle giant as we played this out so many times. I can still see his large hands, twisted with age and hard work, extended to me as gentle as a lamb.
I could not do SoCS this morning. I could not make the words form in my mind. All I could think about was the image of me sitting on my grandfather’s knee, playing this rhyming game, giggling little girl giggles — a warm and beautiful way to slip away into kindness on this Saturday.
What Day Is It Anyway is the brainchild of Linda Hill. In this crazy time of a global pandemic, it is easy to lose track of time. This confusion is happening more frequently the longer we are in this lull of life as we once knew it.
I know it’s Friday because yesterday was #ThursdayDoors, so again I am beholding to this community for helping me keep track. So what is running through my brain these days?
First of all, never underestimate how far reaching your blog might be. When I wrote about my Basic Training experience, I commented about the attached photo and the POW/MIA bracelet I wore. This led to some research with my friend and she has now been in contact with the family of Major John Edward Bailey – the name on the POW/MIA bracelet she has had since the 60s. She exchanged emails with his family and now knows his full story and will be returning the bracelet to them. Such an emotional exchange.
The rain is continuing off and on. Our ground is soggy and the days are mostly grey. It is messing with my positive outlook. Our house is positioned to take advantage of the winter sun and deflect the summer sun, so inside on cloudy days, it can be dark.
The good news is we look to have a bumper crop of Poison Ivy and weeds this year!
Yesterday, our state had one of the largest numbers of hospitalizations and deaths since the virus began here. We are in Phase II of opening up, so I am not sure that bodes well for us.
On a blogging note, two things:
The new editor is looming out there. Ugh.
Did .you know when you preview your blog, you have an option to see how it looks on mobile devices? There are a few bloggers who might want to look at this.
We lost a number of plants after the deluge of rain. The basil, some lettuce, some of the new tomato starts, the cilantro and two cucumber plants did not make it. We will try to replant if the predictions for sunny weather remain.
Our night visitor returned. He’s a big guy — seems to have fared well over the winter months. Photo below.
I enrolled in Writers in the Pandemic – 3, which will start Monday. I am looking forward to this class as it explores more of the different types of nonfiction writing.
We now have 3 or 4 hummingbirds that frequent the feeders. They have started their swooping courtship flying and their aggressive mid air battles. They can be interesting and somewhat frightening to watch.
I have not seen any friends or family since I returned from our mountain getaway on March 13th. I really miss my family, but I am still not willing to risk anyone’s health by planning any family visits.
Our grandson graduates June 5th. They are having graduation in the stadium but only two guest can be in attendance. I am grateful he will have a ceremony, but so sad we will miss seeing him walk.
“Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.”
Judy Blume
Last night I sat on a Crowdcast panel discussion with Margaret Atwood and Judy Blume. I thought this quote says everything about how we should all treat one another. Color me inspired (will anyone get that phrase anymore?)
Image from Facebook
It took a long time to post these images from my morning walk from the media library. This gives me a sense of foreboding about the upcoming move to the new editor.
Most of the literature states that it takes 66 days for new behavior to become a habit or for us to break an old habit. I think in a military environment, that timeline is shortened. It did not take long to start doing things by rote. Soon after, it almost becomes instinctual.
It only takes a few days of Basic Military Training (BMT) before one begins to make a few realizations.
Recruiter
Outside of the draft, most people enter the military by visiting a military recruiter. Sergeant Varner, a brother of a schoolmate, promised several things. I would get my first stripe (promotion) upon graduating from BMT. I would be allowed to choose my career field and where I would be stationed.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered none of those were true. My unit (Flight 51) was the first unit where only the top 15% received a promotion on graduation. Our career field was selected based on the aptitude tests taken before signing on the dotted line. And as far as permanent duty stations, those were assigned based on need AFTER technical school. (We would be able to fill out a dream sheet and that would be taken into consideration.)
I selected the most popular greeting card in the Base Exchange (BX) to send home to my parents:
If you should run across my recruiter…
Do it with a tank.
Daily Life
Marching in formation was the only mode of transportation. We marched everywhere. We had classes every week. We were shown training films on the dangers of LSD and how to watch for spies who might try to get information from us. I looked up both and found similar, but not the exact films I saw.
In 1972, we also had classes on fitness, diet and grooming. I even remember a few where we were taught the ‘proper’ application of makeup. (Always use your ring finger under the eye because it is the weakest finger. Always dot, never rub.) Our classroom was downstairs from recruiter training which was loud, with lots of yelling and stomping. I would compare it to more current day high intensity sales training. We disliked all recruiters by this point.
We had surprise inspection of our dorms – often at night. We were, however, quite fortunate because a family of skunks lived under our entry steps and they often spent their evenings sitting on the steps which dissuaded our Training Instructors (TI’s) from many late night inspections.
Dressing in uniform became second nature. I can still develop a high shine on a pair of leather shoes with a little polish, a cotton ball and a little bit of water.
I became a squad leader because I had Civil Air Patrol background. As a result, I ended up in the top 15% to receive a promotion upon graduation. We also made a few friends, but they were not long lasting because most would be separated from each other as soon as tech school assignments were given. I do still remember my roommate – Sue Kilker. She was a funny individual, but like so many others, I never saw her again.
Near the end of our time at Lackland, there was an optional dance where we would see guys for the first time. I declined going because I was stricken with severe acne which I believe was a result of the heat and the salt pills. I had no self confidence during that time, but fortunately it was short-lived.
Moving On
The weekend after graduation (if I recall correctly) we were given our first off-base pass. Being in San Antonio, Texas, there were a few interesting attractions. At the time The Riverwalk had a high incidence of crime and we were warned not to go there. Being a rule follower, I chose not to take any risks. I remember going to department stores where everyone spoke Spanish. It was a new cultural experience for me. I then went to see The Alamo. I will never forget how small it was — approximately 30 feet. After seeing so many American Westerns, I was quite surprised by this.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
I remained at Lackland for approximately two weeks before receiving my orders to go to Sheppard AFB, in Wichita Falls, TX. Life after Basic Training is completely different. It becomes more like a job than intense training. I only served in the Air Force for two years. I got married on the heels of my mother’s death and at the time, women could be released from active duty if they married a civilian.
As I was in the process of acquiring a discharge I received orders to Lakenheath in Suffolk England. That may have been my only chance to visit England, but I have never looked back. I have my daughter from that marriage and she is a blessing in my life.
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