Pictures from Pat Molder

Pat Molder sent me these pictures.  Click anywhere on the group (actually one picture) above for a better view.

Best Friends Are For Life

This is a recent picture of myself and my best friend Blue.  Blue is a rescue dog, a "Red Heeler" or Australian Cattle Dog.  He has been with me 8 1/2 years since he was a very young pup.  He has traveled with me in a van from Nashville to California and back on two separate trips; and traveled to Panama by air.  He loves to ride in a car and drove with me from Panama City to Volcan, over 450 kilometers in a single day.  He also goes with me inside the pickup on visits to town and to my neighbors.

I live in the mountains of Western Panama, near the border with Costa Rica about 3 miles outside of the nearest town.  Blue looks after my health by taking me out for a walk 3 times a day and he goes with me when I work in the yard or on the property.  If I'm moving around a lot, he simply chooses a high spot and lies down to watch the road for any intruders.

Blue and my other (local) rescue, Athena, a Rottweiler watch over me at night by sleeping at the foot of my bed.  If they hear anything suspicious they tear out through the doggie door into the side yard and issue a challenge.  Everyone for miles around here knows about the crazy Gringo and his two big dogs.  I have yet to have uninvited visitors.  

I am still enjoying my retirement with a lot of time spent with amateur (ham) radio and with photography. 

What are you doing?  Inquiring minds want to know.

First Car by Morris Jones

Jay D. Mills, in October, asked “What was your first car? Most guys are car lovers and usually like to talk about their first car. I expected a flood of responses and was disappointed when none appeared. So, I’ll step up and tell about my first car, a Whippet Six.

The event happened in Cedar Vale in the 1930’s. I was still in the early years of grade school. My Uncle Clarence (Marsh) was the Ford dealer. He took in the old 4-door sedan on trade. The Great Depression had ruined the market for cars, especially older ones with such features as oak spoke wheels.

So, the Whippet was gifted to me as a non-moving plaything. We lived in a house on a corner – later owned by Don and Mary Bess Hankins – and had space between garage and barn to “hide” the old car.

As a youngster with an active imagination the car was, for me, at times not only a car, but an airplane, a speedboat, a truck, a submarine, and even a Buck Rodgers type rocket into the far reaches of outer space.

The Whippet created lots of good memories – and one not-so-good when I attempted to make the old car into something besides a permanent fixture. I somehow saddled one of my dad’s horses, tied a rope between saddle horn and Whippet’s bumper, and yelled “Giddy Up!”

Fortunately, the horse didn’t move – but my dad sure moved when he heard me. He came running and gave me a chewing out I still remember.

Morris Coburn Jones, 07 Jan 2012

Comment Republished - Old Lumber Yard

This just came in from Don Shaffer and I doubt that many people are looking back to October, so I thought I would publish it. By the way, Gary started this blog...I just try to help keep it going.

Don Shaffer said...

Hello, everyone! Just got on the new CV Memories webpage! Great job, J.D.! Gary, I'm sure you are in on it, too!

It was a jolt to hear about the lumber yard. My Dad, Clyde Shaffer, was manager of the yard for many years. I spent many memorable moments at the yard, first playing among the rafters, riding wild, stick horses through the sand, hide and seek in the roofing shed.... and then, coming home in the summer from college, pulling weeds between the tiles! My Dad was a great teacher! Never get too big for your britches to prevent me from "real work," regardless of form! I'm going to stop there. Seems my eyes/glasses are misting over. No rain in sight. Must be something else. Check with you later!!!!!

January 3, 2012 4:48 PM