Tank birthday, 55+ years

[Paul B]

They were delicious. I made 24 of them and they all went.
These were from my fishing trip a few days ago in deep water so they were twice as large as my 3 previous fishing trips.

I didn't have to clean them, the mate on the ship, Capt. Rachael did that.

 

[MikeyZo]

How are you making out with your shoulder? I’ve been MiA a bit

 

[Paul B]

Hi Mikey.
I just got off the phone with the hospital. I think they have me on speed dial, as this will be, I think, my 39th surgery. I have to go in next week for the "Pre Surgery" nonsense. I wrote down everything except the date, and of course, they don't answer the phone.

After the pre-surgery nonsense, I have to go to my own doctor for more pre-surgery nonsense. This way, everyone gets paid. I mean, there must be 300 doctors and nurses in the hospital, so while I am there doing some stupid things like filling out forms in triplicate, you would think, while I am there anyway, they could do the entire pre-surgery waste of time. It's only a blood pressure test and an EKG, which takes all of one minute.

Anyway, then on another day, (naturally, they can't do this while I am there) I have to go back before the surgery for the "Fitting of the Brace," which is a sling that they probably have 50 of in a drawer, but it is another hospital visit. Thank God I have insurance for all these wastes of time, and I don't live around the corner from the hospital. But the good thing is that my favorite LFS is right near the hospital.

Eventually, I think the 21st or so I am scheduled for the surgery to get a brand-new shiny shoulder to match my other one.

Next week is our 52nd wedding anniversary so we are going to a B&B for overnight.

Our friend Sue will pick me up from the hospital the next day and stay with us for a day or two to help take care of me and maybe peal me a grape, then the next day I think our Daughter will come over to stray another day or two. Right after that, I should be ready for bungee jumping and gymnastics.

This was from my last new shoulder surgery.

 

[ScottJ]

I just wanted to mention that I had the honor of seeing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall yesterday. It is at The National Warplane Museum, Geneseo NY until tomorrow.

Thank you for your service Paul. And thank you all Vets, may God bless you.

 

[Paul B]

Scott, Thank you. I have not seen that.

 

[atoll]

Many have Lucas electric rightly named "the prince of darkness" on our shores hahaha.! I rebuilt a TR 6 once...it only took once to remind myself never to own one hahaha. The main bearings were secured with wood drifts and required recommendations of replacement every 50,000 miles. Engine was from a farm tractor if I remember the history of the TR 6 development. The suspension was another bit as well with cantilevered shocks or some such nonsense.

At least your car has the Iron Duke from the Pinto as an engine. Many race cars ran that motor in Formula Atlantic series.

Course my memory is old enough that I might have mixed up lots of "Facts".

I also run Spax adjustable suspension on the front and Gaz shocks on the rear. The ride is smooth. Saw this TR6 at a classic car meet today, a fine example.

 

[MikeyZo]

I just wanted to mention that I had the honor of seeing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall yesterday. It is at The National Warplane Museum, Geneseo NY until tomorrow.

Thank you for your service Paul. And thank you all Vets, may God bless you.

I went to college at Geneseo. Where did they put this?? That’s amazing!

 

[ScottJ]

I went to college at Geneseo. Where did they put this?? That’s amazing!

The wall was at the Warplane Museum, across Rt 63 from the college.

The wall is behind the C-130 "Saigon Lady."

 

[Paul B]

The wall is behind the C-130 "Saigon Lady."

I flew in one of those 6 or 7 times, if I remember. They make a lot of noise if they try to land in triple canopy jungle while crashing through the 6" wide bamboo. So, it was mostly helicopters.

 

[Imrahilwjz]

On my raining early walk this morning I saw something in the grass in the distance. At first I thought it was a wounded baby deer, or a rabid racoon or maybe even an Alien from the Andromeda Galaxy. But No!. It was this snapping turtle about 25lbs and about 2 1/2' long head to tail.

I tried to pick him up from the back of his shell because they have a nasty bite, but I am going for a new shoulder in a few weeks and the thing hurts enough, so I decided not to pick him up. So, I decided to just walk behind him and nudge him back to a large pond that is full of big bullfrogs which is most likely where he came from.
He is probably running out of food and the water is shallow, so he was looking for a new home. In the direction he was going, he would have had to walk for miles to find another freshwater pond so against his will, I returned him to his pond.

Big old boy.

 

[Imrahilwjz]

Beautiful cars you guys have there. I own 2 Jeeps but I would love a Model "A" Ford

This is a little newer one at 1930.
I can buy one as is or a rebuilt one, but since I live next to the sea, it needs to be kept indoors. I only have one garage and two cars. If I had access to a garage really close to my house, I would get one. I know someone here who has a few Model Ts and Model "A"s.

You really can't drive a Model T around the streets because, first of all, you have to crank them to start, and I am having another replacement shoulder very soon, and besides that, they only go 42MPH, and that is pushing it.
Those 112 year old engines could probably only go about 25MPH.

My Grandpa wrote his memoirs and talked about owning Model Ts and Model As. He commented "In those days when you said 'Going like 60,' it was more like 30."

 

[Imrahilwjz]

He won't listen only to that rouge Starmer who is he'll bent on ruining the UK. Trump told him how to turn it round but he's on a mission against the will of the people.

Over here they make it sound like the King doesn't have much influence on how things run. Is that incorrect?

 

[Freenow54]

Yesterday I took my Grand Son Teddy fishing for Porgies. We tried to get on the boat we went on last time but they raised the boat owners docking fees by $5,000.00 so he sold the boat. We found another fishing boat in another place and got on that.

This boat goes to deeper water, over 100' so the fish were much bigger. My best friend also came.

We each caught about 12 or 15 Porgies, and they averaged about 14" or 15" which is good for porgies as they only have to be 11" to keep.

As soon as my hook hit the bottom, I got these two at the same time.

I still have about 100 of them in my freezer so this week we will be eating a lot of fish.

I fished off Florida's East coast 60 years ago caught fish called Whiting off the Boardwalk. Looked a lot like those. They were delicious. Salt water fish are way more flavourful. If only I had a Transporter

 

[Freenow54]

Over here they make it sound like the King doesn't have much influence on how things run. Is that incorrect?

no its Parliament I think

 

[Freenow54]

Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister who directed the entire War effort against the *****. Head of Parliament

 

[Paul B]

I fished off Florida's East coast 60 years ago caught fish called Whiting off the Boardwalk.

Whiting are also caught here off of Long Island. Not real common though.

 

[atoll]

Over here they make it sound like the King doesn't have much influence on how things run. Is that incorrect?

That's correct. He's more of a figurehead. He can dissolve parliament and call a general election but highly unlikely to ever happen.
Parliament and the prime minister run the country or in the current ruling party ruins the country.

 

[Paul B]

Atoll, so you mean he can't throw anyone in the torture chamber? Even if they cycle their tank with a live fish!

He can't use the guillotine any more, or use that guy with the big Axe?

Robin Hood is allowed to roam free?

I know your royalty likes to Knight actors and singers, you know, all the people who don't really do anything for your country and never did anything brave or saved any damsels in distress.

 

[Paul B]

I had to be in the hospital this morning at 8:00 am for the stupid pre-surgery thing. The nurse took my blood pressure, which, by the way, is always perfect. I should be in the "Blood Pressure Monthly" magazine. My pressure is always a little low, which is good for when I discuss diseases with people on here

She also took blood, urine, (not urinema) and I think she also took a few tens out of my wallet and invited me out to dinner. She looked at my history and saw that I already had 38 surgeries so she said, I should be sitting on the guerney and you should be here. I told her that anyone who gets to my age and hasn't had 10 or 20 surgeries didn't work hard enough or have enough fun in their life.

If I could stand my screaming, I would replace my shoulder myself.

All my surgeries were for stupid things like worn-out things, broken bones, tears, cuts, etc, and nothing important like adrenaline glands, kidneys, or brain stuff.
If you sit behind a desk all your life or sit in your wife's car for years, you will never break anything or need an operation. I love surgeries, as that is the only time I get a really good sleep.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

By your requirements I just had my wife check my pulse to see of I was alive?

No broken bones but I did blow my MCL and PCL on a skateboard in my 30's. My dog broke two of my teeth if that counts for some life. I did get my finger in a table saw once but only needed a few stitches.

Well at my age racing dirt bikes and cars is out. But I still ride a motorcycle, repair my own equipment, cars, boat, and motorcycles. Some years I snow ski and snow board, and still ride a skateboard once and a while, but I can no longer ride the board on my hands...yeah I am barely alive. I think I will go take a nap now...