PrunePicker: August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

Lunch at the Senior Center. After 2 months.

Today I had lunch at the Senior Center for the first time since June. It was great to see the old gang. A bunch of smiling faces! We had a pizza feed and ice ncream.

This blog is on my daughters Window computer. My Apple laptop screen went green this morning and then died. It is about 37 months old and is in the hospital until at least next Tuesday. I am having a fit doing my blog on Windows

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Statistics from my 2012 Final Tour of the West Coast.

I left Ruston on June 27, 2012 and returned to Ruston on August 25. That adds up to 63 days of being gone from home sweet home.

Total mileage 8800.
Total gallons of gasoline 261.
Average miles/ gallon 33.8 (That is pretty good. The average mpg on one tank reached 35.)
Total cost of gas $936.
Average price per gallon $3.59.

I sure did see many loved ones and friends, I visited 2 children, 9 grand children, 5 great grand children, 10 nieces and nephews, and at least 4 dozen friends.

I spent time in 15 living rooms.

I rode a Washington Sate Ferry 4 times.

I enjoyed 2 firework shows.

I attended many musicals, lectures, street dances, 1 cajun dance, community festivals, 1 pancake breakfast, 1 potato bake, and had coffee some 30 mornings at the Evergreen Coho Resort. The last week of my visit to Washington the Resort held its yearly meeting and week long social called "Coho Days". I was able to attend many of the festivities. I lived 17 years at the Resort and helped in many projects. I was warmly greeted and told that I was welcome to come back anytime. I feel that I will always be a part of the Resort.

I even drove out to the end of Ediz Hook and visited the Bert Thomas Monument.

Bert was the first person to swim across the Straits of San Juan de Fuca from Port Angeles, Washington to Victoria, Canada. The year was 1955. The distance is 18.3 miles.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Exciting Tuesday after weigh in.

I thought Rhonda had a pretty top on and took this picture. It was all sparkly. I do not know why I am in the picture.

Later Rhonda put on a fashion show.

Rhonda showed us her wedding dress. The wedding will be held on September 22. The Liars Club wishes Rhonda and Michael the best. Michael proposed 12 years ago. This wedding has been under consideration for a long time. They must know what they are doing. I am sure that it will last. They are nice folks!

It was so good to again attend the Tuesday morning VFW breakfast. Commander JD Harper did his usual good job. It was very pleasant to see these good friends again.

My great grand daughter Johnny Lynn is a refugee from Hurricane Isaac. She and her mother are staying with the Adam's. She paid me a visit and got acquainted with a stapler.

Isn't she a lovely girl?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Tuesday weigh in.

Not doing very good. Have to get back in the groove. My walking is way down. Weight staying up. Have to get on the ball to obtain my goal of 210 by New Years Day.

Date	Weight	Waist	Temp	BP High	BP Low	Pulse	Miles	Avg MPD
1/3/12	252	50.8	96.9	134	66	69	8.5
2/7/12	243.8	50.1	96.5	130	64	64	11.1
3/6/12	234.8	49.7	96.2	128	60	62	11.8
4/3/12	227.2	49.2	96.3	122	58	61	15.7
5/1/12	221.8	47.4	96.7	118	58	62	18.9
6/5/12	221.4	48.2	96.8	139	69	70	35.1	5
7/3/12	221.2	48.2	96.1	139	70	67	14.3	2
7/10/12	220.6	47.3	95.9	147	74	74	14.1	2
7/17/12	222	47.6	96.4	138	61	66	11.5	1.6
7/24/12	221.8	47.1	96.5	135	64	62	10.6	1.5
7/31/12	223.2	48.7	96.4	121	52	69	12.1	1.7
8/7/12	226.4	48.1	97	142	69	71	14.6	2.1


8/28/12	229.4	48.2	96.4	150	71	64	12.5	1.8

Chimacum Walking Trio Reunited--Sort of.

Chuck Monson, Bill Friel, and Jim Spaulding walked together for many years. In the summer they were all residents of the Evergreen Coho Resort in Chimacum, Washington. The trio would walk 3 1/2 miles.They would join the liars club in the clubhouse for an hour or so on their return from the walk. These walks are high on my list of my favorite memories. This is not true now for the last several years. Chuck and Jim have given up their lots at the Resort.

In the last month while on my Farewell Tour of the West Coast I was able to walk with Jim in Eureka, California and Bill in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

That is Bill Friel on the left. The old geezer on the right is me. Las Cruces behind us.

Jim on the left, Same old geezer on the right. Eureka behind us.

This is sort of a reunion of the trio, right? I know that I really enjoyed this reunion. Probably the last.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Welcome Home. "Prune Picker" !! August 27, 2012.

I was at the meeting of the Jefferson Corner Liars Club before it opened.

But Rhonda was there and opened up early.

Notice the time. 4:47 Central Time.

She had a nice cake. JD had to tale a picture. Rosa Lee picked the cake up in the rain!

We had a quorum.

It was so good to see Rhonda again! And the Club Members.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Home in time for double birthday party.

Two great people that I love a lot! Grand daughter Katie Miller and grandson in law David Newberry. 31 an 41 reapectively.

A scene in the Adam's backyard.

We shared a strawberry cream cake.

Midnight was so glad to see me again.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Las Cruces, New Mexico. A Favorite View.

Jackie and I first saw this view of Las Cruces when we made a trip to Jena, Louisiana in the 1980s. We saw the view many times after that trip while RVing. The light can make many beautiful patterns on the mountains behind the city of Las Cruces. Unfortunately it was overcast yesterday. It rained pretty good while I was visiting the Friels.

16th and Final Leg of My Farewell Tour of the West Coast. Fort Worth, Texas to Ruston, Louisiana.

When I get home I am going to park my car for awhile. I have traveled enough for a long time. It is going to be great to get home. I am happy that I was able to visit so many loved ones. Especially six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

I visited with children of four of my five sisters and one brother. Also with some old friends from the Evergreen Coho Resort and Coalinga days.

It is going to be good to get home to my fifth wheel parked in the yard of Kerry and John Adams in Ruston, Louisiana.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Bill and Lois Friel. A wonderful visit in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Boy am I glad that I have the Friels for friends. I stopped at their home yesterday. I had a room with a private bathroom, a chinese buffet supper, and bacon, eggs, toast, and fresh peach for breakfast. (No charge!) Bill even took me for a mile walk with his two dogs this morning before I started the day's drive.

Bill and Lois Friel. A nice couple. It was so good to see them again. They were neighbors to Jackie and I in Chimacum, Washington. Bill, Jim and I walked for many years first thing in the morning.

Parked in front of the Friel's home.

Bob the cat. He lets Bill and Lois live with him.

Tippy and Abby. Nice dogs.

Two guys ready for a walk.

15th Leg of my Farewell Tour of the West Coast. Las Cruces, New Mexico to Fort Worth, Texas.

Today is my next to last leg. It is a 650 mile leg. I estimate that I will be in the car for 13 hours. Tomorrow will be a short leg of only 300 miles. That will get me home in time for the double birthday party. Katie 31 and David 41. They might take some time out from the festivities to welcome me home. I am homesick to see them and all my friends in Ruston.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

14th Leg of my Farewell Tour of the West Coast. Maricopa, Arizona to Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Only two more legs after this one. This leg is a little under 400 miles. I will be visiting Bill and Lois Friel. They were our neighbors in Chimacum. Bill, Jim Spaulding and I walked down to the Chimacum Store for many years. Hope to walk with Bill again this evening.

Sharon Lee Jordan. A swimming and casino visit in Maricopa, Arizona

Sharon, her late husband Cody, Mom, and Dad were were friends to Jackie and I for many years at the Evergreen Coho Resort in Chimacum. Sharon has lost her three loved ones and I have lost Jackie.
Sharon and I talked about them. We miss them a lot and think of them everyday.

This part of Maricopa was all built in 2005. Everywhere you look is new buildings, walks, and parks. Sharon has a lovely house with a swimming pool. With no heating the pool water temperature was 88 degrees. It was like a big hot tub.

Sharon and the Old Prunepicker.

Paddy. A Kerry Blue Terrier. He is really a nice dog.

Tabatha. 6 year old timid kitty.

Justice. 15 years old!

I am waiting for Sharon to get the leaves out of the pool.

Nice picture of Sharon's back yard, except for that head in the middle!

I had such a good visit with Sharon. She took me to the casino for dinner. I recognized the casino as soon as I stepped in. Jackie and I drove over to it several times when we were staying in Casa Grande.

I took Sharon to breakfast. She insisted on the fanciest place. McDonalds!

My niche in the Blogosphere.

My blog is about me, my family, my interests, my opinions, and my daily activities. My name is Chuck Monson. I am a native born Californian. I worked in the oil exploration and production business and am now retired and living in Ruston, Louisiana. I am a 91 year old widower. I blog because I really enjoy it. Posting gives me a schedule and is a wonderful make work project. I like pictures, both the taking and looking at them. I really like old historic pictures. I enjoy a good photograph. I like putting pictures and text together in a way that is hopefully interesting to others and that will be interesting to me in the future. I like to be silly now and then. It is also putting my memories down on paper. My blog serves as a diary. I have used it for a reference quite a few times.

I do mix it up. Some of my blogs are “what I had for breakfast”, some are just pictures, some are items of genealogical nature, and there are items from my family history. I have a history of the Munson/Monsons in America. The study of this history has led me to the discovery of much American history that had previously been unknown by me.

I have had a lifelong interest in history, archeology, philosophy, religion, politics, architecture, technical subjects, music, food, and sports. I spend time every day reading blogs and posting to my blog. I do not pontificate on religion or politics because I do not consider myself wise enough to try to persuade others to my beliefs. My beliefs are quite nebulous anyway.

I was started on blogging by my late son, Christopher David Monson. Chris wrote the blog "snaggletoothie of the Loyal Opposition" There is a link to his blog above. I look at Chris's blog often. I have read most of his posts.

My adult years.

I married Jackie Lois Ireton in 1944 in San Luis Obispo, California. I met her on a blind date when I was taking amphibious training at Moro Bay. We have been blessed with four children, nine grand children, and nine great grandchildren. They are an exceptional group. I love them and I am proud of them.

I was an army combat engineer (infantry with shovels) during World War II. I served in the Pacific. I was wounded on Peleliu Island helping the marines on Bloody Nose Ridge. I was shot in both legs just above the knees. The wound locations indicate that I was not running away.

I received a BSME in 1950 from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. Jackie received a PHT. (pushing husband through.) I retired from oilfield work in 1985. Jackie and I moved into a fifth wheel trailer and enjoyed the RV lifestyle until Jackie's health failed. We traveled across the continent 3 1/2 times. We spent a summer as volunteers at Acadia National Park. For 17 years we helped build an Escapee RV park in Chimacum, Washington. Jackie passed away in 2007. We had been married 63 years. We were married on June 3, 1944. I still live in our fifth wheel trailer. It is parked in the yard of my daughter Kerry's home in Ruston, Louisiana. It is by far the nicest RV park that I have ever lived in.

My teen age years.

I was born in 1925 in Pomona, California. Pomona is on the east edge of Los Angeles County. It is halfway between Los Angeles and San Bernardino and halfway between the mountains and the beach. I thought that it was great to be an hour from snow covered mountains and an hour from the ocean surf.

In my days of growing up, Pomona was completely surrounded by orchards and truck farms. Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, peaches, apricots, olives, persimmons, and walnuts. Watermelons and strawberries. During the depression I had many meals from the orchards.

They say that you cannot go back home. That is true of the Pomona Valley of my youth. Because it is no longer there. Most of it is now covered with asphalt and stucco buildings.

My ancestors.

I am getting more and more into genealogy. I have a trove of information on the Munsons/Monsons. My father is buried in California. His father by adoption (He was an uncle.) is buried in Kansas. His natural father is buried in Kentucky. So I have two grandfathers. I have a grandfather and four great grandfathers buried in Kentucky, one great buried in New Jersey, and three greats buried in Connecticut. I have two greats buried in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England. I have been led to believe that my ancestors before that came from Denmark and Normandy.

Captain Thomas Munson was the first Munson to move to America. He was baptized in Rattlesden, England in 1612. The baptismal font is still in use. He served in the militia in the Pequot Indian Wars in 1637. He served in the militia all his life and reached the status of Captain. His signature is on the founding document for New Haven, Connecticut.

In 2011 I visited New Haven and took pictures of his gravestone. In May 2012 my oldest daughter Nancy Ann escorted me to England and France. We visited Rattlesden and I took some pictures of the Captain's baptismal font.

Why is the old prune picker living in Ruston, Louisiana?

In 2006 my wife Jackie was in poor health. Jackie had kidney failure and was on dialysis. She had heart problems for some time with A-fib. She had fallen and broken her hip. She had broken ribs and vertebra just moving around normally. My family thought that I needed help caring for Jackie. My daughter Kerry and her husband John offered to park our trailer in their backyard in Ruston and help. Jackie and I accepted their kind offer. My daughter Nancy accompanied Jackie in an airplane flight from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington to Ruston. My son Mike took time off to help me pull our trailer for five long days to our new home. We were and are grateful. We enjoyed our new home very much.

Unfortunately and sadly, Jackie passed away in six months. I had sold our truck and was permanently parked. I was ready to give up full time RVing anyway. It is very pleasant in Ruston and I am close to family. So that is why I have been living in Ruston, Louisiana since October 2006.