BUCKET LIST or “The List” as compiled by Old Dirt Farmer

Date  is 2012 AD.  The age of this compiler is 66 years.  Since I’ve been challenged by Oldsters Toadstool to come up with a list of things I want to complete before my creator calls me to my eternal home, I’m somewhat overwhelmed as to where to start. Every item on  “The List” are events or wishes I would like to accomplish.  Maybe I should start with a doable few then move to  items that are absolutely challenging. So here goes…..not necessarily in an order of importance….

“THE LIST”

1.       Improve my golf game to always shoot in the 90’s or better

2.       Finish rebuilding the John Deere Model 40 S 1953 tractor

3.       Tour the Holy Lands

4.       Tour Ireland and Scotland – visit the Allman castle

5.       Live to see my grandchildren graduate from high school / college

6.       Whitewater raft the Gauley and New River in WV

7.       Go to Alaska and see the pipeline from end to end / and take an Alaskan cruise - not necessarily at the same time

8.       Climb the Southside of Mt St Helen and look over the edge of the crater at the “dome”

9.       Write a short story about growing up on a farm in West Virginia

10.   View the Grand Canyon from the North Rim and South Rim

11.   Visit and view Mount Rushmore

12.   Drive Pikes Peak

13.   Practice the piano for at least a half hour each day

14.   Spend at least one hour in the Word to include reading thru the Bible in a year again

15.   Write a daily journal of events big or small

16.   Sing in a gospel quartet

17.   Raise a few acres of alfalfa on the farm – sell to horse owners

18.   Kayak on the Susquehanna River with Brian Wessel

19.   Fly fish in a WV Mountain stream

20.   Build a hay barn to hold 1000 40 pound square bales

21.   Learn to SCUBA dive

22.   See Connie’s complete recovery from her RSD and paralysis

23.   Compile a DVD of Connie’s and my world travels

24.   Own a Corvette

25.   Visit the children and grandchildren more often

26.   Assist Amie with marketing her Architectural firm

27.   Assist Ginger with starting her own Gym

28.   Take flying lessons again – solo

29.   Build another house

30.   Vacation with the whole family somewhere – maybe the Outer Banks

31.   Visit the pyramids

32.   Go on a mission trip to Southern Appalachia

33.   Purchase beef calves in the spring and sell in the fall

34.   Bale and sell 3000 square bales of feed hay from the farm

35.   Facilitate a Bible Study for small group

36.   Have a bed and maybe breakfast on Rockford Mountain

37.   Relax

38.   Become a better Christian witness each day

39.   Learn to have more control over my temper

40.   Give encouraging words to those I encounter

41.   Strive to be a better salesman

42.   Lose 15 pounds this year

43.   Sell a million brick on one project

44.   Make the right decision in the upcoming Presidential election

45.   Try to accomplish a few of the above list

I’ve given considerable thought to the items on “The List”.  There are a few that are doable without doubt.  Others, well we’ll just have to wait and see. 

I took 100 as the base, subtracted 66 - my age - which gives me 34 items then added 11 to give a grand total of 45. 

Well it's Christmas - 2011

I can't believe how quickly the year 2011 evaporated.  It seems like yesterday I was anticipating the arrival of the grand babies and children for an exciting time together as we gathered around the Christmas Tree to share in seeing what Santa dropped off.

This year is a 100% weather change from last  year.  Bright sunshine with temps in the 40's with no snow in sight.  Last year we had 5" snow with a new coating of about an inch on Christmas morning.  However, even though no snow the Christmas spirit glows among us.  Since the children are traveling from Fort Wayne it makes for easy travel.

I have procrastinated beyond belief with my blogging. I've been off the site since June.  Oldsters Toadstool reprimanded me for my laziness in his last blog.  Do I have an excuse - well maybe.  On July 20 the love of my life had a much needed surgery to correct a pain syndrome called RSD.  Upon coming out of the surgery she was paralyzed on her entire right side.  Further tests showed the possible reason for the paralysis was a problem call OPLL.  In everyday language this was stenosis in the cervical area pinching the spinal cord.  A second surgery was required on July 22.  Following the surgery five and a half weeks was spent at a rehab center learning to walk and regain the use of her hands and arms.  Here it is a little over five months later and recovery continues very slowly.  Pain still persists, but by the Grace of God improvement does carry on slowly.

Now back to Christmas.  Last night we went to our midnight candlelight service.  Our minister, in his sermon, brought the everyday rush and madness of the season into reality.  He kept asking "why are we here?".  The final answer was this - to come to the manger of the Christchild - a place to find "real" meaning in our lives.  As I continue to mature - I'm now in the mature years of my life - I'm convinced his message was "right-on".  I must confess the Christmas season does give me time to slow down and regroup. 

I'm anticipating good things for 2012.  I pray each day for God's healing grace on my bride of 45 years - yes 45 years on December 27th. 

I'm going to sign off for now.  I heard a cluttering sound out on the lawn - St. Nick must have arrived. I've tried to be good so I hope a small gift awaits.  The only gift I really want is complete recovery for my sweatheart.   Kids will be arriving in about 3 hours - so I better get cleaned up. 

Merry Christmas to all!!

Old Dirt Farmer: Viet Nam Reunion - Fort Worth TX

Old Dirt Farmer: Viet Nam Reunion - Fort Worth TX: "I’d like to start this BLOG by saying, maybe it’s because I’m getting older, or maybe it’s because life takes on different meanings as the..."

Viet Nam Reunion - Fort Worth TX

I’d like to start this BLOG by saying,  maybe it’s because I’m getting older, or maybe it’s because life takes on different meanings as the result of growing older, I’m not sure, but no matter what the reason, it was the morning of July 4, 2010 when it suddenly hit me of how truly blessed I am.  Blessed because I was born in the greatest country in the entire world – the United States of America;  a country that God has blessed  along with this BLOG writer.

Anyway, as I sat and thought about my blessings I suddenly thought about the year I spent in South Viet Nam – 1969-1970.  I thought about how hard it was to leave my wife – nine months pregnant with our first child.   I remembered the trip to the airport and how I cried.  I cried because of the apprehension of going to a land ravaged by war – a very unpopular war, and I wondered if I’d ever see my child.  I asked God to be with me. This may have been a selfish wish, but I wanted to be able to return home safely and see my new baby. 

Now let’s fast forward.  I was one of the fortunate ones.  I made it there and back all in one piece.  However, as I continued to reminisce my thoughts took me back to the days of D-Troop First of the Tenth Cavalry and Pleiku South Viet Nam.  I decided to Google first of the 10^th Cavalry.  I did and found a very complete web page.  Wow, suddenly I was there!  I could almost hear the “pop” of the rotor blades of the Cobras, Slicks, and LOHs.  Forty years melted.  I saw one of my buddies in a picture and decided to try and locate him – a guy from Kentucky.  Thank goodness for the advent of the computer and Google for I found Charlie and gave him a call.  There were several Charlies  (not to be confused with the Charlies of Viet-Nam – they were the enemy)  with the same last name but I took a chance and first one I dialed was the right one.  As a result of this call I was able to get a link to another website which had a list of the guys from D-Troop.  A few e-mails later I had made contact with some of the long forgotten group.   I was told about an upcoming reunion for the D-Troopers in the spring of 2011 in Fort Worth, TX. 

Several months passed, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the opportunity to go the reunion.  Forty years changes many things.  Would I recognize anyone?  Would anyone recognize me?  What will we talk about?  Well, I decided to go.  Connie worked diligently and found a good rate for airline tickets.  We purchased. 

Time flew and it was time to go to Dallas/Fort Worth.  We have friends that live north of Dallas in Plano.  They graciously allowed us to stay with them and even loaned us their car to drive to Fort Worth.  Thanks Josie and Tom.

Now to bring this BLOG to closure; seeing several of the guys I spent one of the most unforgettable years of my life with was quite amazing.  We all had changed – 41 years does that – but I recognized everyone with whom I worked.   Less hair, or white hair; bigger bellies – for most; but the same great gentlemen!!!  Would I do it again?  You bet!!

Captain Miller – thanks for my first ride in a Cobra and the very kinds words at the reunion.

Sgt.  Harry L Allman (armor)  – Cobra  tail #544 – 1969-1970 – D-Troop 1^st 10^th Cav. – Viet Nam

March - Lamb or Lion

I've heard it said if March comes in like a Lamb it will go out like a Lion.  March 2011 came in like a little lamb.  We will now wait to see how the month ends. 

The last weekend in February was extremely wet. Small stream flooding was the result of over one and one-half inches of rain in a little over 24 hours.  Thank goodness there was no snow to add to the water deluge.  

This is the first weekend in March and the weatherman called for hard rain and flooding.  He is true to his word - rain rain rain!  There is one good thing about rain I don't have to shovel or plow it.  I am very thankful for that!  I wanted to work outside but.....

Now here is my concern.  Winter came early to WV this year.  The entire month of December was under a blanket of snow.  Then a repeat the month of January.  February had its share of snow even though the Groundhog didn't see his shadow.  Only time will tell how March ends, but I'm ready for sunshine and flowers...just like the poem says. 

Now back to March's legacy of Lamb and Lion.  The following poem sums it up discusses the Lion / Lamb.  In like a lion out like a lamb.
March - Lion and Lamb (poem) by Joyce P. Hale


MARCH has tumbled on the scene,
exits mild, but enters mean...
Winter waves a fierce goodbye,
while robins promise Spring is nigh.

Daffodils are peeking through...
forsythia is budding, too.
Clouds are racing, sun is cool,
in like a lion is the rule!

Birds all seem to know it's time
to answer Mother Nature's sign;
they listen to an innate command,
and there goes March, out like a lamb.

© Joyce P. Hale

Caribbean in January



Garden at Curacao Liqueur Distillery

 Connie and I just returned a little over two weeks ago from an 11 day cruise in the Southern Caribbean where it's always "summer".
The cruise consisted of stops at several ports - starting in Jan Juan then to St. Croix, St. Kitts....on and on and eventually to Aruba then back to San Juan.
This picture was taken in Curacao in the gardens of Curacao Liqueur.  Tasting was a part of the tour. Can you believe I'm still standing after some serious tasting!

Weather was never a problem because it was always perfect. Rain dampened a portion of our morning in Aruba. However, the warm tropical breeze soon dried our cloths.
Let me say this, the weather there would be very easy and boring to track. With the exception of some rain, it's 80 degrees plus and beautiful every day.
There had been some unusually heavy rains in Aruba a couple days before we arrived and the snorkeling was not good - the water was murky.
Reality sat in when we got back to WV and 6" of snow with temperatures in the mid 20's. This was quite a shock to our somewhat sun-tanned and tropically warmed bodies.
This wonderful time in the sun made what has been an extremely snowy winter in WV more tolerable.

Christmas Day - Saturday December 25, 2010

12/25/2010 - 0745

Christmas 2010 has arrived.   It is a White Christmas this year.  About an inch of new snow fell last night – on a mantle of an existing 5”.  It is beautiful to say the least!

We, at the Allman household, are waiting with great anticipation the arrival of the remainder of our family – traveling from Fort Wayne, IN this morning – arriving late this afternoon.  Nanny will be arriving from Shinnston later this morning too.  I plowed the road as a way to make it easy for those with 4WD to navigate the driveway.  Snow melted on the blacktop.

 Ginger and Brian arrived yesterday afternoon from Darlington MD.  I said I’m glad we have holidays because otherwise we’d never see them.  The afternoon was spent relaxing and doing some cooking.  Cornbread and Taco soup has become a tradition at Christmas.  This year is no exception.  I made the cornbread and Connie made the Taco soup.  Ummmmm!!

Christmas Eve also means going to Church for the midnight service.  Traveling from Rockford Mountain to Bridgeport takes us through Lost Creek.  Each Christmas eve the town goes “all out” with decorations.  Lumens lined the road for over a mile from east of Lost Creek to I-79.  The intersection in the middle of town looked like a scene directly from Currier and Ives. 

Christmas Eve service at BUMC (Bridgeport United Methodist Church) was awesome.  The Christmas story was presented many ways – from the reading of the Christmas story from Luke and Matthew to the choir bringing the story together with songs.  Steven told a wonderful Christmas story about going to see the baby Jesus.  He told us we still can still see Jesus – we must take time from our hectic schedule to humble ourselves before him! The church was packed!  The service closed with a candlelight service and the singing of Silent Night.  As we left the church we were greeted with light snow drifting from the sky like small fluffy feathers.

After returning from church Connie & I stayed up until 2:00 a.m.  We were waiting for Santa.  It is true he doesn’t arrive until everyone has gone to bed.  So I in my kerchief and Ma in her cap, we settled down for our long winter’s nap.  Guess what? When we got up this morning Santa had been here – I have pictures to prove it – packages all around the tree – WOW! 

I’m not sure why having a White Christmas seems to be so important, but I did some research to satisfy my curiosity.  A White Christmas is defined as having 1” of snow covering the ground on Christmas Day.  The snow can be present on or before Christmas to qualify.   I like the snow simply because it makes the short day of winter so much brighter and cozy. No matter from where the tradition came, it’s so picturesque here today with the ground covered with snow.  Inside Christmas carols fill the house with music. The mouth watering aroma of the pumpkin pies baking, the smell of cranberries cooking, along with all the other activities that comes with Christmas make one’s spirit bright. 

…..later….
Everyone finally arrived - about 5:00 p.m. - food was ready, and we gathered in the kitchen, gave thanks - sang the "grace" song and filled our tummies with good food. 

Following dinner it was time to gather around the Christmas tree to see what Santa delivered.  Macie and Mallory, along with the help of their Aunt G passed out gifts.  Gifts and more gifts - we must have all been extremely good!!  Everything from cloths to gift cards - even a Cobra Helicopter that really flies.  I've always wanted to fly so I guess this will be my vicarious way to get my pilot's license.  Owen said this was the "best Christmas ever" - he's 4.

12-26-2010 - 0935
It's Sunday.  It continues to snow.  Less than an inch so far, but the weather man is calling for 1 to 3 inches today.  We are lounging around the house this morning.  The whole family is here.  The house is filled with "kid" noises, Ipod noises, TV Christmas movie noises, and the hovering of a Cobra Helicopter.  Now it doesn't any better than this!!!!