electro52's Journal

Hello everyone! Just realized that my last journal entry was July 26. Whoa! I'm on my first day of four days . Got going early this morning and have some time to write. It is a beautiful day here in Kentucky. Even though it's the middle of August it feels like late September. Gets ya going for football weather.

    Talked to my son yesterday. Looks like he has another option. First, it's going to a college in New York state, Pace Univ. to study enviromental law. Then he went to Italy for five weeks with a group of students to study, can't remember what. While there he was offered a job in Italy to teach due to his knowledge of the Italian language. Now option #3 is to go to American Univ. in Washington D.C. to study for a semester and then off to Costa Rico to study for a year at Peace Univ. outside of San Jose. It is I believe he said a U.N. sactioned college. After a year its back to American Univ. for another semester. If that all falls into place he will get a Master of Arts in International Affairs from American U and a Masters in Art in both Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from Peace Univ.. I am overwhelmed by my son's ability. Extemely proud of him and my daughter. Not sure where the boy got his brains, but was fortunate to get my good looks. :-)

    When I was his age my options were GM, FORD, VietNam or the Air Force. I chose Air Force and it has done me well. From the A.F. came the Corps of Engineers and the rest is history. Like the Grateful Dead use to sing, "A Long, Strange Trip it's Been!" From the song "Truckin!"

     Read a journal earlier where a lady will be turning 60 this month. I will be 56 in September. Years ago I dreaded getting this far. Now, I thank God for every day He gives me and the blessings that come along with it. Mind you, it hasn't all been easy, but the Book of James talks about perseverence and the promises it has for all of us. Have faith my friends! It will be a "Long Strange Trip" for the majority of us. But lets keep in mind, we've been around to travel it.

    Well, I am at work. Pray this finds y'all and yours doing well and in God's good grace. I know, I know! Sometimes we wonder and our faith is surely challenged in this world, but it's faith that will carry us through. Have a great weekend, take care my "DS" family and God bless. Love, James

Hello my "DS" family! Trying to catch up on things. Got to get to the store in a little bit. Wife is working half a day and then coming home to make chicken-n-dumplings. I'm not that bad of a cook, but she has the touch with the dumplings. Even though I'm not suppose to eat them. Been off work going on two weeks. Head back on night shift Wednesday. Going to be rough. Leaving for Georgia Monday morning with my daughter to attend my son's graduation. Will have a BS in Political Science. Will stay till Wednesday morning, drive home, try and get some sleep before heading into work. Was going to clean up my truck before going, but rain has fell every day and suppose to do so till Sunday. Oh well! We do need the rain.

     Not a whole lot done while off. Had tragedy strike a dear friend. Was at church last Sunday and when she got home found her husband in the garage dead of a self inflicting gun shot. Hit the community pretty hard. Ended up as one of the pall-bearers. The man had some very serious mental health problems. Was always afraid to go anywhere. He was 65.

     For me, I'm doing alright. Still fighting my diabetes. Yeah, I know, the dumplings. Read somewhere that if you start making a journal of everything you eat you will see how much you overdue it and hopefully back off. May start after my trip to Georgia. An old friend who use to be on "DS" got a hold of me a couple of weeks ago. Lost her communications and went nuts till she got back on line. Like most of us, she has her challenges to face and overcome. Not sure if she is getting back to "DS" or not. Will let that be her call.

      Well, thats it for now. When I leave Monday morning may not have any means to get back online until Wednesday night. So, I'll still be around, still have y'all in my prayers. So take care family, enjoy the coming weekend and God bless! Love, James

My "DS" family. I am still at work and have ample time to write because I am siting here half-naked while my clothes are being dried. We have people who are going up and down the river checking for muddy water and other pertinent conditions which are pleased to announce there hasn't been anything to cause alarm. The man working today was concerned because he saw bubbles. Was asked to go and assist him. It was a beautiful day to ride the river. Got a great shot of a blue Heron perched on a tree protruding out of the water (will try and get it in my profile). In fact I took some awesome shots on our travel. Getting back to the boat ramp I offered my help in getting the boat to shore while my fellow coworker went for the truck/trailer. I put on his waders about three feet in length, stepped out of the boat and proceeded to guide the boat to shore unaware of the dip in the river. At that point the river was about three feet-four inches. The rest you can picture in your mind. Bad part is once your waders fill with water, the water has nowhere to go and become dead weight. Slowly but surely we got the boat loaded and went up the ramp. I had to have help in getting the waders off due to the suction of the water. And as you can imagine about a gallon of water came out of each boot. Luckily we hav a laundry room here and all my clothes from waist down are now in a dryer. I felt like something out of the Three Stooges. A lot of people were standing around and I swore I heard some snickering.

     Anyway, it has been a good day. The soaked clothes were well worth the trip on the river. I pray you all had a good Sunday and kept a little drier than myself. Rest up for the week ahead and God bless y'all!  James