S.S. United States

We were on our way back to the United States. In 1956, Dad had been assigned to Chateauroux Air Force Station, France, where I was born four years later. Though I have vague memories of the trip, I do have several pieces of memorabilia saved from the crossing of the Atlantic. These include a menu, …

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Thrill of a New Year’s Eve

The downtown area was packed with a few thousand people for New Year's eve. I had only been in town for a couple of weeks when I decided to go celebrate the turning of the year. As I was standing a little east of Virginia Street on Second, I heard a semi-familiar sound. It was …

Fingerprints

It was our final inspection before graduating from a three wee indoctrination course in U.S. Marine Corps history and traditions. A major was completing the review and was giving me the once over. Having found no outward flaws with my uniform, he grabbed me my web belt, practically jerking me off my feet. He turned …

Fresh Meat

Northern Nevada was in the midst of one of the worst droughts in years at the time. And several beavers were starting to dam-up the cause-ways on NAS Fallon. The U.S. Navy decided to kill the animals because the trap and release system they had been using failed. At the time I was on the …

The Avocado Snatchers

My brother-in-law and I had jus’ finished making a run to the dump when he pointed out a grove of avocado trees. I lamented that a bunch of the green fruits would be perfect for the evening upcoming meal. As quick as a flash, he made a u-turn and parked the truck along the side …

Last Captain

It was late summer when my wife’s Uncle Lenny Bell and his wife Ardiss stopped by to visit. They were on their way home to San Diego after visiting their daughter in Yuba City. Uncle Lenny was retired ship-pilot, who had worked moving ships from lock-to-lock in the Panama Canal. However he kept his license …

Old School, New Buildings

Kyle and I took a weekend trip in 2005 to the north coast of California. I wanted to show him some of my favorite places from my old hometown. One of those places is Margaret Keating Grade School, which is named after my sister Deirdre’s God-mother. There we found that two full-scale Yurok buildings had …

The Bet

1997 Sam bet Corky he couldn't wrestle a big ol'bear Then make love to a woman with long, black hair. Well, Corky couldn't let the other buckaroos down, So he left the bar after having' another round. A couple of hours later at the same local bar, Corky came in lookin' really quite bizarre. His …

Between Proms and Patriotism

My landlord knocked on my door to tell me I had a telephone call. I gave his number out since I couldn’t afford a phone of my own. It was my commanding officer from Centerville. He told me there was truck from the station on its way to pick me up and we were to …