Vital Signs for May 2018.

Big deal this month. Lost seven pounds (248 to 241) during the month. Mostly due to diet (starvation). On the 20th I started two table spoons of Apple Cider Vinegar per day.

I noticed that my blood pressure after resting 4 minutes is pretty low. It was 87 over 54 this morning. Guess I need more salt.

My next trip is to my grave. Section 54 Grave 5634.

On June 13 I am flying to the Reagan Airport in Washington DC. The airport is a mile or so from my hotel and the Arlington National Cemetery. After a ride in the airport shuttle and a Uber ride I should get to my grave in the middle of the afternoon. I plan to sit on my grave until the Cemetery is closed at 7 pm. I will have a good visit with my wife Jackie and my son Chris.

Grave 5634 is 4/10 of a mile (eight minute walk) from the Visitors Center at the Main Entrance. The grave is near Leahy Drive between Eisenhower Drive and Halsey Drive. In the expanded view below you can see Section 54 to the South of the Visitors Center. Grave 5634 is in the Southeast corner of the Section near the corner of Leahy and Halsey. Good location don't you think?

With help of a computer app "ANC Explorer" I obtained a photo of the front and back of the present grave headstone. In the future when my deceased date is known and family has delivered my ashes to the Cemetery I will be listed on the front of the headstone. Jackie and Chris will be listed on the back.

And the back of the headstone. Just imagine. The app has photos of all the headstones in the Cemetery.

Photo of Section 54 from the Cemetery Website.

My photo of the Washington Monument taken at my grave on a previous visit.

A short barreled 12 gauge shotgun rode up front with me.

For all of the twenty plus years that I put in driving Jackie and our fifth wheel trailer around North America I carried a shotgun by my drivers seat. The gun made an impressive sound when you pumped a cartridge into the chamber. I was hoping that this sound would scare any bad guys away. In all of my rving travels I never felt that the gun was needed. It did make me feel secure.

After I sold my truck and somewhat permanently parked the trailer I carried a pistol in my pocket. I traveled alone in my car. Jackie passed away 11 years ago. I have gone through the expensive and involved procedure to obtain a Louisiana "Concealed Handgun Permit". I did it a second time when my first permit expired. My current permit is good for several more years.

I would go target practice every month or two. This was to keep me comfortable with the use of my pistol. One time I was gone from home for several months. I paid to use the shooting range in Port Townsend.

I am a great admirer of John Wayne. (Fill your hand you son of a bitch!) This is my favorite movie line. I have always liked and been interested in guns. Except for my time in the Army I never did use them much, however.

I have a conflicting admiration. I have aways admired pacifists that held strong to their belief. During WW II I admired the actor Lew Ayres. He was the star in "All Quiet on the Western Front" His stand, as a conscientious objector caused much discussion early in WW II. He later served as a combat medic on Leyte. I was on Leyte for a short time at the same time Lew was.

About three years ago I began having second thoughts about carrying a gun. I was a strange case. I had strong pacifist feelings but carried a gun so I could wound or kill. Also I was over 90 years old. I felt very uncomfortable at the thought of killing some one for an old man with one foot in the grave.

So I sold my guns and hung up my license to carry. I can tell you that I feel better (less stress) without a gun in my pocket. From now on I will defend myself by talking or running. I am not a very good runner but I have been told that I talk a lot.

I used to swim at Long Beach, California.

It was about 40 miles from Pomona (my home town) to the beach at Long Beach. Getting over those forty miles offered many routes. This map indicates the main route, but I remember many trips through Brea Canyon and Brea. I went there from the early thirties to when I went into the Army in 1943. I will always remember one trip home from Long Beach. A friend and I were driving through Compton when we noticed newsboys selling papers on the corners. FLASH! THE JAPS HAVE BOMBED PEARL HARBOR.

The huge Roller Coaster was an impressive sight. I do not remember riding it but I can remember walking under it on the sand. The Coaster was made of wood and would really creak and groan when the cars went by. I remember sailors walking with pretty girls under the Roller Coaster.

Below is a view of the Pike. This is where you threw balls at stacks of milk bottles. This was the Disneyland of my youth.

It is all gone now and has been replaced by fancy hotels and municipal buildings. I have heard rumors of plans to rebuild the Roller Coaster.

Music at Railroad Park

A talented band "The Judge and the Jury" played  played last night at Railroad Park. The park is in downtown Ruston, almost on the RR tracks. The City sponsors a fun time (Rock the Railroad) on Friday evenings.

Dancing is permitted on the lawn.

Here comes the Judge and Jury!

Randy Roberson crossword puzzle expert and President of the Parish Police Jury.

Several mornings a week I watch Randy do the daily crossword puzzle. After he is finished he gives it to me and I ask him the meanings of some words and, in general, admire his crossword skill. In his spare time he serves on the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and is currently the President of the Jury.

I attended a recent meeting of the Jury to watch Randy hard at work on another skill. He did a good job. Herding 15 people through a formal meeting is a difficult and challenging task.. The Jury discussed courthouse security and elevator repair and other items. For good professional coverage of the meeting see the blog by Walter Abbott. Walter's blog. Walter really does a great job and I thank him for his worthwhile work.

Good looking courthouse.

I was there early. Mine is the only car out front when I went in. When I came out three hours later the spaces were all full.

I was all alone in the meeting room for awhile.

Randy hard at work.

He was joined bu the rest of the Jury. Here are a few photos.

The Press corner.

This is the only time in the history of the Earth that I have seen Bobbie without a hat.

Singing and dancing at the Farmers Market.

 Quincie McConathy, Dasia Canales, and Katelyn Fasardo sang so good at the Ruston Farmers Market yesterday.

Just listen a minute.

They are wonderful. Here are a couple pics of the market.

And then there were these dancers. They were also wonderful. Watch.

On the way home from the Farmers Market I went to a baseball game. Here is a pic.

Caesar. Great singer like Nat King Cole.

Went to a program at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center. Caesar sang us great music. Pretty!

I enjoyed the evening. Thank you Lincoln Parish Library!