Name: Aircraft Picture of the Day
Date: 03/10/08

Greetings, Well here it is Monday morning and I don't think I've sent out one of these since last Monday. Lots of reasons. Mostly because I haven't felt real hot. Mostly physically, but some of its mental too. I have been waking up in the mornings a little nauseous. Full of gas, and my intestines sounding like someone is trying to fill some helium balloons and doing a poor job. Sqeeks and gurgles and of course all of you know the drill. Maybe just not quite at this volume level. This has been going on since before I was Terminated Terry, and it seems to come and go. Never really ever going completely away. When I went to the doctor he said get yoghurt. I did and as I'm sitting here maybe that's what I need to go to the store and get.?? It did seem to get better when I was eating yoghurt.

What else is going on?? Lots to tell you. Jack Carson rolled into town Saturday. More on that later.

The Junkman took off to Rhode Island for a week to visit his sister. Like mine she's married to a preacher, and John doesn't think he has much time left. Supposedly has had several stents but is not a candidate for a by pass and I guess needs one. It also may just have been an excuse to get out of Dodge. His lifelong dream has been to retire and travel. More power to him if he can realize it. He can have ALL the trips I'm entitled too!!

Anyway he's the only one I can find to come out and play, and with him gone?? I sat here and forwarded too much stuff I think. I have also been corresponding with some old high school classmates over a St. Joe picture website we found. That's been fun. One day John called me from Rhode Island, and asked me if there was anyplace there I wanted him to take pictures of? I said my Dad had taken his Seabee training in a place called Davisville at Camp Endicott. Maybe he could run by there??? He said he would see. He couldn't be too far from it. Rhode Island ain't that big. Turns out Davisville and Naval Air Station Quonsett Point adjoin one another. It's all abandoned now, but Quonsett Point was the home of the East Coast Stoof Squadrons during my era, and I guess John had flown thru there on his way to Newfoundland as well. He googled Davisville on his sisters computer, and I guess it was pretty close. So they set out to find it. The Naval Air Station has a museum but it's closed. Camp Endicott only has two quonsett huts still standing, but he got pictures, and burned them to a CD for me. Sadly it looks like they are bitmaps so I can only send one at a time. I think I've got the entrance to Camp Endicott picture on here. We shall see if it goes. Ray Dierkes of this list trained with my Dad there in 1943. John also got over to Battleship Cove at Fall River Mass and took pictures of the Massachusetts, Forrestall, and Saratoga.

I think he got home Wednesday from his sisters. Then came the day I had been dreading. PLUMBING day!! The vanity in the full bath had been running slow for months. We had been keeping it open with bleach. The Roto Rooter guy said that would keep it open and for the most part it had. I knew it was inevitable tho. Sooner or later I would have to put a wrench to it. In the past....well lets just say plumbing and me have not had a good relationship. I was usually informed something was plugged after working all day in the heat. It had to be fixed NOW, and it never went well. In the old days the pipes were always rotten and at the first touch of a wrench, would go all to pieces. Necessitating many trips to the hardware store. Never getting the right stuff untill the 3rd or 4th trip. You all know my ancestry. You are all probably aware of what goes with red hair and an "Mc" or an "O" in front of your name. Usually a lack of mechanical aptitude and a very short fuse. In the past the wife would take the girls to visit a relative in another state should she notice me with a snake and a pipe wrench in my hand. Well the girls have their own familys now, and the wife is working and I'm not. I walked upstairs Thursday morning, and there was water in the sink and it was NOT going down. Nothing for it, but to fix it.

I pulled all the essential female paraphenalia from out of the vanity, and put it all on a towel in the hall. Not having a clue as to what most of it was, but knowing it would be worth my life should any turn up missing. Downstairs to get WD-40 and water pumps, and the pipe wrench and a snake. Old papers on the bathroom floor. A flashlight and down on my knees. I had a plastic basin under the trap, and as this was the last metal trap in the house I had a good idea of what was about to happen. Sure enough...at the first touch of the pipewrench it split in several places, and nasty gray water went in the basin and on the old towels I had stuffed around it. It took some doing to get the nut off the pipe coming out of the wall, but with lots of lubrication, and a hammer I got it off. There was a black wall behind it, but the snake went thru it, and I got it open and semi flushed out. Then....I had an idea!! I knew the Junkman had a lot of plumbing supplys. If I could sucker him to coming over to Le Maison with it???? I would get my vanity together....THEN we would go to the hardware store and I would replace what I had used with new stuff. Yeah. That's the ticket!!! ONE trip instead of four or five!!I gave my old garage sale mentor a call. Promised him coffee and dancing girls, etc. and he said he was on his way. Well I guess he went by the hardware store on his way to my house. The pipe that comes out of the wall to the trap he didn't have, but also of course he got the wrong size. We soon found that out. It was too durn big sooooo. Even with all this good planning...back to the hardware store we went!! I bought all new and spent a big 7 bucks. At least plastic is still pretty cheap. Got it home, and put together. NO LEAKS!!! Hallelujah!! The water ran right down so I had just push the blockage down stream. We had us a success!! The Junkman fled. Wouldn't even take coffee. Possibly he was afraid I would start another plumbing job. Nope. I'm done for awhile!!

Well I've made two trips to that very same bathroom since I started this, soooooo I think I'll tell you about Ali Bubba's visit another time. It was memorable to say the least. I got to go to my oldest grandson's school play Wednesday. Pick his little brother up at Tiny Tiger's after it's over and bring them both to Le Maison. Their Mother has a doctor's appointment that afternoon. She had her final sonogram Friday, and was told it IS a girl, so Jerry won't have to paint over the pink in the baby's room. The operator said the baby was between 7 and 8 lbs, and it had a big head. All my grandkids have big heads. Takes a big one to stuff all those brains in there!! March the 24th is the big day. Three year old Cooper says Mommy is going to the hospital and the baby will just POP!! out of her tummy!! That's what he did!! I go Thursday morning to the VA Hospital at Leavenworth to get blood work done. My first appointment with a VA Doctor, and get my picture taken for an ID card. I knew walking out of Socilogy Class at JC and walking down Edmond to the Navy Recruiters would come in handy.....some day!!

Terry at LMDTP

It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money & Finance.

Name: Aircraft Picture of the Day
Date: 02/19/08

Greetings,

Well even the wife told me to get out and do something today when she left for work, soooo. I got up. Took a shower. Found something clean to put on. Ok. What shall I do? I had a picture of a girl painted in Japan off a billfold picture I had back then. I've been wondering what happened to the painted picture, so decided I would dig thru my old bedroom and see if I could find it. I think it's long gone, but who knows?? I found about 10 pair of old tennis shoes in my closet I was saving for????? What?? I could think of no good reason so rounded up a trash bag and in they went.

Ok. I was told I better get my butt in gear and find something I can wear to a funeral. Possibly my own. So there they were. My suits. From the one I had tailor made in Hong Kong in 65 to the one I bought after the triple by pass when I thought I did need a suit to be buried in. The suit I was married in is in there. I still like that suit but no way on God's green earth was that going to fit. I tried a couple on and holy moly one of them fit. Without a struggle!! I took that to the car. Found a white shirt I think I bought for my FIL's funeral and stuck it in there too.

During the looking for the picture, I found some old saved Central "Outlooks" from my freshman year of high school. I'm not sure why I saved this one. Possibly because there is a picture of a girl I had forgotten about. Her name was Janie Waisblum, and she was simply drop dead gorgeous to a little pimply faced Freshman. Even today those Senior girls look like grown women to me. So poised and mature. I sure don't remember my classmates being that way when we became Seniors. Lord knows I wasn't, but the girls of the Class of 60?? Wow! Also on this page is one of Sandra Dee's big brothers. In fact on both pages I'm sending his picture is there. I didn't know she existed in 1959, but there's her brother, and I want her to see it. Hey!! This is my mindless drivel!! LOL!!! Bear with me ok?? I was off!!

Went to Sears and picked up some potassium that was waiting for me. Went wandering thru mens clothing looking for some jeans. The biggest Sears carrys is a 42 inch waist. Still too petite for this stumpy little Irishman. I need a 46 by 26. Guess we will try in The Stumpy Little Dwarves store?? Wandered down to the TV's, and got to talking to the salesmen. Both about my age. Got to telling stories and they heard mine about being newly retired and needing something to do. One of them was telling me they badly need someone in hardware that knows his way around tools. Well I know what a screwdriver is. I asked if they did part time and he said they did. I'm thinking about this. Never done retail but????

Headed out to the car. Got in and drove to the 30 minute photo place at Park Plaza. Put my pics of Bradley's Birthday in for prints. Finally!! Then went looking for a Cleaners. The one I used to use is long gone, but I found another one in the same strip mall and put my suit in to be cleaned and pressed. Then feeling like a drunken sailor , and spending money like one, I headed for the Barber Shop. There used to be a lady barber in there that I liked, but got a surly hispanic guy today. Acted like he was mad he had to cut my hair. Well he did an alright job, but screw him. Knock me around in the chair and you can kiss your tip good by.

I went back and got my pictures at Park Plaza, and came on home. Tida was suppose to bring my cuckoo clocks by after work, so I set out the wine and brie. Lit the candles, and waited, but alas. She called and said she was going to have to cancel. "How about tomorrow". Well I guess, said the disappointed Ol' Ginnis. Actually whenever she gets here is fine. It's HER thats doing me a favor!!

Some of the APOTD readers have said they are going to be in KC in March. Jack Carson is going to Oklahoma to visit an Uncle and wants to drive up and meet Tida and Sharon. Well ok, but what about me Jack??? 8-D Yeah, I know. You've already met me. LOL!!! Coastie Bill Taylor says he's coming thru on business too, so looks like March won't be totally boring for the Ol' Stoof Fixer will it??

Yesterday I passed on a letter Lucy Sennett sent me and my reply to it. I had a request for ID on Ms. Lucy, so am sending some pictures of her from the 06 Reunion in San Diego to show that it's not just me she cottens to. She just likes old SAILORS!! LOL!! That ought to get my eyebrows burned off!! I love you Darlin!! OK??. Love to show you off. So much for Tuesday. Here comes Wednesday!!

Terry at LMDTP

Name: Aircraft Picture of the Day
Date: 02/15/08
 

Greetings,

Well folks yesterday was something for Ol' Ginnis. Still kinda having a warm fuzzy feeling from receiving that St. Joe JC year book from highschool classmate Dianne. The rest of Thursday?? The Junkman came over and I made him some coffee. We looked at the letter I got from the VA, and decided I could go to the VA's ER in Leavenworth, and maybe I can get my perscriptions thru them. How?? I haven't a clue. Yet... anyway. He wanted a copy of the letter to show RN Donna, so we loaded up my resume, and the letter and went to the library to make some copys. Old CW reenactor and 3rd Mo Vet, Rick Gath, was working the desk, and I got my copys for free. Boy that cardboard sign I carry (Will fix airplanes for Ripple) sure elicits sympathy in some folks!! Thanks Rick!! Mary Stang's husband Ed was in there talking to Mary and my wife. I walked over and Peg asked Mary didn't she think Ed and I looked alike. I apoligised to Ed for my wife insulting him, and the Junkman and I left for the airport.

Stopped at Central Air Charter and talked to Bruce awhile. He had a lot of advice as to the VA, and is active in the VFW in Gladstone. Asked me semi jokingly if I wanted to work nights? I think he was joking anyway.Left the resume. Drove around the field to Safewing. Walked in there and Don the owner and his wife were in the office. He hadn't heard about me being let go. I explained what happened. Don told his wife I had been at EB since they built the place. Well kinda but sure didn't get me a 2nd chance did it?? He shook his head. He's in his 70's and wanted to talk about Social Security. Like I'm some expert. He took my resume, and went down to the old KC Flying Service Hanger where Bruce at Central Air said there was a guy calling himself Kansas Avionics in there. I found him working on a Cherokee Arrow. Old EB mech Scott Foy was working for him and he said they had just been talking about what happened to me. I expect I am the butt of a lot of ???? What?? Jokes? Ridicule? Speculation on my UNbelievable stupidity?? Probably. Oh well. I've been on the other side too. My time in the barrel. In 6 months no one will remember I ever worked there. He took my resume. Told me it sounded like I got a raw deal. I agreed. Thanked him and that was my 3 job applications for this week of unemployment.

I THINK the Junkman is coming over today and walk me thru the process online. Colder than a well diggers butt out there, but I hope he does. As always I need someone to hold my hand. He dropped me off in my driveway. Thanked him for the company, and he went home. I fired up the salt encrusted Stoof Mobile and drove down to the old K-Mart on Prairie View. UHC Direct Bill said I was in their system, but this was the acid test. Would the pharmacy accept my insurance?? Would it say "Nope! You're not covered!!" Well I had to have my Plavix according to the heart doctor. or die. So was prepared to ante up whatever it cost but....30 bucks!! Still too damn much but NOT full price I know. WHEW!!! Got my drugs and back to the car.

Drove up to Sun Fresh for Bananas and milk. Had a couple of ladies tell me to get a Valentines card for the wife. I looked, but all that were left were mushy, and sweet, and our relationship has never been that. No funny ones. No "what were we thinking 36 years ago???" cards. Not wanting any sarcasm and having been told in the past not to get her anything, as it was a waste of money, I foregoed a card. I did kinda want to get her one for not pitching my underwear out in the yard when she found out I no longer had gainful employment. I had always counted on that happening too, and was surprised when it didn't. I did splurge on a Cherry Mash! Made in St. Joe, Missouri ya know. Or used to be. Years ago I think I worked on the owners Bonanza. Pretty much my Thursday.

I do have some aircraft for APOTD tonite. Taken at the National WWI Museum at the Liberty Memorial. A British (I think!!) De Haviland DH 2 Fighter. 1914/15 vintage, and a later and once again I think, French Neuport 11 Fighter. Pretty cool!! Got to get down there one of these days. They bought a Renault tank from Hayes Outupalik up in Montana. Hayes must own half the WW1 Artifacts in the world. Years ago I bought some stuff from him. He advertises in Shotgun News or used to. He had this two man WWI French tank used by US troops. (Read George Patton) in WWI. The Museum bought it off him and I think it's going on display in June. I WOULD like to see that as well.

Tomorrow is the Corner Cafe, and maybe just maybe the lovely Tida Allen. Man that's somthin' to look forward to!!

Terry at LMDTP

Name: Aircraft Picture of the Day
Date: 02/09/08
 

Greetings,

Well I'm home from St. Joe. Picked up the paper and read that Carole King is 66. Now that makes me feel OLD! I remember her "Tapestry" album so well. Hell I still own the Vinyl record. It was a TIME in my life. Around 1972 I think. I had moved out of the depressing basement apartment in NKC into a studio apartment in Gladstone in Bircain Apts. My sliding glass doors looked out on a forest. I had all my geedunk I had bought in Japan in there. My Reel to Reel tape decks and the big amp and speakers. My Nivico console. My Sony TV. A big double bed. Outside was parked a British Racing Green Opel GT 2 seat German sports car. It wasn't a silver Sting Ray, but I had paid cash for it, and still had about 10 grand in the bank I had saved in the Navy. I was 26, and I remember thinking life is pretty damn good. I heard all Carole's songs playing on WHB 710 AM Radio. Johnny Dolan and Phil Jay spinning them. The DJ's we all listened to back then in this area. One of her songs on that Tapestry album she had wrote for the Shirelles, and I remember listening to it and singing along after my first date with Sandra Dee. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" Well I'm pretty sure she was fond of me anyway. I liked Carole's rendition of her own song too. There were other good ones on that "Tapestry" albumn. Carole was just pretty cool back then to Terry.....and now?? She's 66 GD years old. How did that happen??? I haven't a clue. Sure seems like yesterday, but before marriage and kids, and grandkids, and on and on. Another life wasn't it??

In this life?? I got a voice messange from Tida Mane saying she and 9 Fingered Dave want to have breakfast with Terminated Terry next Saturday over to the Corner Cafe. Darlin, I would LOVE to!! Gonna cost you a hug tho. OK? That's pretty durn nice of you and Dave to ask me. I hope Big Foot can make it too. Be nice to see all of you. Give me a call when you have a time you want to meet. I'll be there if I have to hitch.

I was kind of looking forward to today. You can tell I'm desperate when the highlight of my week is visiting a Rest Home. However that may be, I was told everyone was asking about me last week. "Where's Terry?" Even the help wanted to know where I was. Might be bogus info from Mom, but made me feel good anyway. I had filled up with gas last week. Driven to Joe Town. Maybe a trip or two to the Junkman's in Parkville and not much else. Filled it up again this morning and it only took 10 bucks at $2.89 a gallon. GOOD PT!! Keep that up! Walked in the place and Sara and Valerie were working. Sara's cute, but Valerie?? Wow! I found out she has a degree in Biology and is working on her RN in nursing. Nice girl. VERY intelligent and just a knockout. Her life should be a breeze with all the tools she has at her disposal. I know theres no guarantees, but I wish it for her. Heck she's even nice to a little old whitehaired leprechaun. Sara asked me how it was going and I told her I was bored beyond bored, and needed to find me something to do. Valerie asked if there was anything I liked to do. Nothing much came to mind. For them either. The old folks at the dinner table weren't much help either. They just sit around and watch TV too. LOL!! Something will come up. It's just got to. Ah well. Sara said maybe I could volunteer somewhere, as I sure was a hit at Carriage Square. Now wasn't that a nice thing for a pretty young girl to say to this old geezer??? Thanks Sara!! Dinner was good, and FREE. Talked to Central classmate Connie Bonebreak. Mom and I bickered for awhile till I got enough, and headed back home. Saw a pretty blonde in the parking lot, and that's ALWAYS fun!!

When I got home I found an e-mail from Panhandle Pipeline pilot and good friend Mark Whitman saying he missed me down at the airport, and wanting to still make the St. Joe and Lexington, Mo. tours we had talked about. Mark is always VERY busy being a pilot, so not gonna hold my breath any of that will actually happen, but just in case.... my cell number is 816-805-6605 Mark. Yeah, I'd like to do it Mark. I think the Junkman has gone back to his old job part time as his cell goes straight to voice mail. Hell to have just one friend north of the River and he's working!! I need something to do but listen to Maxine and Marmaduke snore!! Had a lady tell me she thought she had been deleted from the APOTD list as she wasn't getting many. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! I just haven't sent many....to anyone. Thought I would tell you what went on today. Send a couple of pics from the archives. You've seen them before. 9-Fingered Dave's 50 Plymouth . Him at the controls and a smokin' Tida Allen in the back seat. Good friends so they rate a pic in APOTD. One of the loverly Bankers wife in an Embraer mock up, and that old song that Carole King wrote. The Shirelle's sang and that Terry McGinnis will always associate with the first date with the first girl he ever loved with everything he had in him. Bittersweet my friends. Bittersweet.

One last thing. I want to think APOTD reader and Stoof Pilot Jerry Buc's daughter Michelle for my copy of the new edition of my favorite author Sam Watkins book....."Co. Aytch." THANKS Michelle!! That's my project for tomorrow. To read it!! Terry at LMDTP

Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

Name: Aircraft Picture of the Day
Date: 02/08/08



Greetings,

A bright sunny Winter day in Kansas City today. One in which I accomplished getting in the shower. Putting on clean clothes. Fixing breakfast for me and the dogs....and little else. I've worn my glasses enough my left ear is sore from them setting on it. Always something isn't there?? Boy this retirement business is so much fun!! Get to watch all the old movies on Encore three or four times a day. Come in here and read e-mail. Go back and watch another movie. Try not to get sick.
The Junkman and I did go over to the River Market Antique mall Monday. After I had a panic attack over whether I actually had Health Insurance or not. We got online at his house and he says I do. I sure hope he's right. He got me calmed down anyway. Calmed down enough to go climb three floors and a basement in an 1890's building just up the bluff from where Kansas City started. It's got a big brightly colored mural of Lewis and Clark on it when they came by this area. Pretty cool. The Junkman found him some gun books to buy in there. "Civil War Sharps Carbines" being the one with the most info in it. I found a WWI US marked mule strap, and a WWII canvas water bucket. Strap was 20 bucks. The bucket was a resonable 10 bucks. Both still there. Those days are over. Time to start selling it off. Been a long time since I sold anything on ebay. I expect I better learn how again.

A friend from St. Joe, knowing my interest in the military, saw an article in the paper about one of the last two surviving WWI Vets. She scanned it for me, and see it enclosed. Frank Buckles is the man's name. As of today he is the sole surviving WWI vet in the United States. The other was Harry Landis and he died at 108 in Florida today. Can you believe it? Both Buckles and Landis are originally from Missouri. Landis from Palmyra, and Buckles from Harrison County. Hard to believe there is only one left out of 4.7 Million. Our neighbors when I was very small in Richmond were the Dennys. Earl was like a Grandpa that lived next door to me and he had served in WWI. The Doctor Mom worked for in Richmond had been a Doctor with the AEF in France. The Revares had come from there. I wonder if he found any cousins?? I had no immediate family serve in that war. Too young or too old I suppose, and for some reason I have never read much about it. I know the basics, and I have some uniforms and weapons from WWI but it almost seemed that war was just too grim. The casulties too ghastly. No war is anything but death and dying, but WWI just had too much of it. The Naval War was another story. Jutland. The Falklands. The Battle cruisers racing across the North Sea. I like to read about that, but the unending carnage in the trenches?? No.

Got a letter from Jenny today. Looks like they've hired two new guys in Avionics. One is 22 which is how old I was when I walked in the front door. Something tells me EB won't be around when HE's 62. The other is retired Navy. Well at least He's gonna have a pension if he needs it. Heard they all got new uniforms, and all were peeing in a bottle. Must be a mad house down there. Jenny says the Thunderbirds are gonna be the headliners at the Airshow this year, and I can go as her guest. I wasn't sure the woman even liked my sorry old butt. That kinda touched me. Thanks Jen. Who knows? I might take you up on that. I need to go down and see Stephanie and have her look and see if this stuff I'm getting from United Healthcare needs to be turned in. Having a very hard time working up the energy tho.
I did get some VERY good news last night. My very good friend that was awaiting the results from a biopsy got them and a clean bill of health as regards her having cancer. What a joy to hear that. I know her family must have been so happy. This old man is still grinning about it.On that note I think I'm going to go look for something to eat. Started this Thursday and finishing Friday morning. I'm a ball of fire aren't I??
Terry at LMDTP

Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

2/6/2008

From: Stooffixer@aol.com
Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2008 11:23:00 EST
Subject: Aircraft Pic of the Day

Greetings and good morning,

Sometime recently I heard someone on some TV program mention that actress Gail Russell had a tragically short life. When I woke up this morning the old John Wayne western "Angel and the Badman" was on. This is the only movie I ever remembered seeing Gail Russell in, and it kind of piqued my interest. I wonder what did happen to her?? So I came in here to find out. Born in Chicago. Moved to California, and graduated Santa Monica high school. Signed to Paramont because of her beauty. She was indeed a beautiful woman.AOL Image Search results for "Gail Russell" Things I didn't know about her. She was the Duke's girl friend according to HIS wife. She married Guy Madison who played "Wild Bill Hickok" from 51 to 58 on TV with side kick Andy Devine as "Jingles" I remember that show, and I was going to say "so well" but when I stop to think.....I really don't. I think I remember The Kelloggs "Sugar Pops" cereal boxes with Guy Madison's picture on them more than the TV show. I did watch the thing tho. Anyway,....back to poor Gail. She apparently dove head first into a whiskey bottle. Guy divorced her in 54, and she died alone in a little studio apartment in 1961. 36 years old.....surrounded by empty whiskey bottles. That my friends is my definition of a tragic wasted life. I was a sophomore when she died, and was totally unaware of it, but knowing it now makes me a little melancholy. She was someone who seemingly had it all and threw it all a way. So much for Hollywood Babylon today eh?? 68 degrees here Monday. I woke to around 6 inches of snow on the ground this morning. The wife works 12 to 9 on Wednesdays, so being an unemployed non revenue producer, I feel it's up to me to get her vehicle ready to go. Also a good chance snow shoveling will put me out of my misery. LOL!! Well she's off to work and I survived. Shucks! The Junkman and I had a pretty good time at the Ft. Leavenworth Militaria Show last Saturday. I took some rifles, I thought I could live without, AND some bayonets. A couple of pistols. The Junkman taking some of his WWII surplus and some of his CW culls. I sold the Broomhandle Mauser I had had in 3 pieces for about 2 years. Maybe more. The firing pin was broken, and the bore was worn completely smooth. Just a cool old weapon shot completely slick by the Chinese. Broomhandle Mausers were used as Laser guns in the first "Star Wars" movies. I got $225 for mine. Jerry Vest had two better ones across the aisle priced at $650 and $750. I got money for mine tho. I also had an 18" M-1943 US Garand Bayonet that had a frozen catch but a good blade. There was a couple there priced at $375. I got $65 bucks for mine. Nothing else I brought sold tho there was lots of interest in the sporterized scoped Nazi 98k Mauser. Maybe next year?? I did get to tell a lot of old friends what an idiot I had been and how I lost my job. Jay Jackson was there. My old CW reenactor mentor. He had been one of the founding fathers of reenacting in western Missouri. If you ever see an old VHS box of "North & South Part 2" the Miniseries. Usually you will see Confederate Infantry behind a stone wall. A standing Confederate officer is to the right. That's Jay Jackson and my old outfit a year before I jined up. The picture and much of the miniseries was shot at the Prairie Grove, Ark. battlefield.

I had and have been feeling physically pretty good since I quit smoking. My guts have given me a fit, but I've been able to walk with out feeling chest and arm and neck pain. Since the firing, I haven't been eating much. Both because I had little appetite, and whatever I ate seemed to make my stomach churn. I was getting some pretty amazing readouts on the UHC scales I have. "You are ....NINE pounds under your target weight" it had said that morning before the Militaria show. Awesome!! 24 lbs down from the Thursday morning I still had a job. If they can find any pallbearers maybe they will be able to carry me and live!! Anyway, I had carried my junk and Johns in that morning and felt fine. Had an orange before I left, and that was all I had consumed that day. Most of the crowd had let and I was wandering around looking at things around 2 that afternoon. One of the dealers over in the corner was selling Civil War framed prints CHEAP!! and I went over to look. I bent over to look at one depicting the Irish Brigade at Antietam, and when I stood up....well I thought I was departing for another dimension! Yee Haw!! What's this?? Thought I was going down. Steadied myself but felt light headed and very jittery. Told the Junkman I wasn't feeling so hot. He asked if I had eaten anything. Well...No." He said "you better! Might make you feel better." So I went and bought a hot dog and a doughnut. Might have been my imagination but I think I did feel better. The show was almost over, so we tore down our tables and loaded back in his pickup. Stopped at a Burger King on base, and bought a Whopper and fries. Knew I felt better then. When I got home that evening, I got a call from UHC. If I forget a couple of days getting on their scale or if I gain or lose over two pounds I get a call. This one was kind of helpful tho. She wanted to know how I was losing the weight so quick. Did I detect a hint of envy in her voice?? Told her it wasn't hard when you didn't eat. Heck even my lymphodema leg looked almost normal size. She asked if I had had any cramping or light headedness? Well now that you mention it. Just today I did. She told me rapid weight loss probably had my potassium levels very low, and probably why I almost went down. I promised I would eat a little more. I already had, and I had some potassium pills upstairs and would go knock down a couple. That scale has been nothing but an aggravation since I agreed to let them send it to me. However this time it may have saved me a trip to the Doctor.

Speaking of Doctors, well a very longtime female friend is sweating out a biopsy taken last Friday. I'm not going to tell who she is. Only that she is a pretty special woman, not only to me, but of course to her family, and I would appreciate your prayers on her behalf. If she's right and I'm wrong then God will know who your prayers are for. I know she will be fine. It's just that Ol' Ginnis has to worry for the people he cares about. It's what I do, and some of them even worry about me. Can you imagine?? Enough for today. More pictures taken at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City. Terry at LMDTP

From: Stooffixer@aol.com
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:23:00 EST
Subject: Aircraft Pic of the Day

Greetings, 
Well 
I haven't had to stand guard at the front door to break up any shoving 
matches between people wanting to employ this handsome, devil may care, aircraft 
radio installation specialist, so......... I think at Noon I will go to the 
Social Security Office in Gladstone and take early retirement. I'm without 
gainful employment for 2 weeks today. It pretty much sucks, as I always knew it 
would, but at 62??? What else can I do?? Drive to New Century for 14 bucks an 
hour? IF they would hire me? Topeka??? It may come to that. I've never had to 
live on a budget. My wants and needs are few. The occasional gun show. The 
occasional movie. No bass boats or RV's or homes at the Lake. Just do my 40 
hours at the airport. Come home and tell my friends about my lifes little joys 
and sorrows. Go see my aged Mom on Saturdays. Sit around the house on Sundays 
being bored to tears. Dreading Monday, but needing it too. My lifelong 
security blanket. The airport. Where I knew most everybody and they me. Well that's 
gone, so what now??? Too early to know I think. I need to get an income 
coming in. Go look for something part time maybe. See about what the VA will do 
for me. I expect little. Get this damn 401k money in an IRA, and maybe have it 
make me a few dollars. It's all I've got to show for 40 years. No pension. 
Not even a gold watch and a well done retirement party. Poor poor pitiful 
Terry!! LOL!! 
Yesterday?? I was 
going to devote it to filling out a disability form for Social Security, which 
I finished as best I could this morning. Also finish the repair of the 
plumbing in the War Room vanity. How exciting is that?? Laughing to my self. I 
always need someone to hold my hand when I'm doing something. Airplanes, 
plumbing, etc. So I asked the Junkman if he would come over. Sit in a chair and 
supervise. He said he would, but I called him to late in the morning, and he was 
going to Smithville to eat lunch with some friends. I was asked to come, but 
the way my stomach has been feeling, I thought I had better pass on take out or 
barbeque which was what they were going for. He said after he got home from 
there he would stop by. Well I've been sticking airplanes back together for 
decades. Was I going to let some plumbing scare me?? Hell YES!! I have done 
sink plumbing before. Like working on cars, everything is corroded. Nothing 
wants to come loose. Almost everything breaks, and it requires at the very 
minimum 3 trips to the Hardware store. However Terry was bored, so he set about 
it. Got my extension cord and drop light found. Got my new pipes at hand. Tool 
box open. I even read the instructions. To no avail mind you. I tried a 
rubber gasket on the sink drain, but that leaked. Took it back apart. I had bought 
some Plumbers Putty, but I had little faith in it. However the putty 
actually worked!! I figured out how to rig the stopper so it opened and closed. Wow! 
I'm smoking today. Stuck all the pipes together. Ran the water and it looked 
good....for a ninute. Then here came a trickle. Out of the new pipe I had 
bought that had the drain in it. It looked one piece, and I figured I had got a 
defective one. Failed again!!! 

Some time later the Junkman showed up. I fired up the light and showed 
him the leak. He pulled the pipes back apart, and unscrewed the bottom part 
of the drain. As I said I had no idea it was a screw in. "Got any teflon 
tape?" Yeah, lots at the airport, but don't think I have any access to that an
ymore. He said he had some at his house, so we jumped in his pick up and off we 
went. Walked in his garage and he started going thru drawers. No tape. Cussing 
insued. "Where is it?? I know I have some!! @$%&%^%$#@!!!" Then a light 
went on. It was in his RV and it was stored. Nothing for it then to head for the 
Hardware store and buy some. It's pretty close to his house. For 25 years I 
had Westlake Hardware 2 blocks east. Then Loews went in next to Wal-Mart up 
north of Barry Road, and killed the local hardware stores around me. Now it's 
fight the gosh awful Wal-Mart traffic to get to Loews and wander miles of 
aisles looking for what you want. No thanks!! We walked in P&G and they had a 
roll at the counter for a buck. I paid the man. "Another one (dollar....mine) 
bites the dust!!" Headed back to my house. John taped the threads on the pipe. 
Stuck it back together and VOILA`!! No leaks!! Well I said I was going to 
get around to fixing that someday. This was someday!! I learned something in 
the process too. I learned I would have been up a crick without a paddle 
without John Burrell. He has been a god send when I needed someone pretty bad. 
Thanks John! 

I've got two more Vanitys upstairs needing work. The one in the bath runs 
slow, and the one in the Kitty litter bathroom has been inop for awhile. 
Much like the one down here. Got that working anyway. Nothing but time now eh?? 
The financial folks are coming tomorrow at 11, so Mom may have to wait till 
Sunday again. Guess we'll see, how it plays out. Sure wish I had a job!!! 
Terry 
at LMDTP

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:05:46 EST

Subject: Aircraft Pic of the Day

Greetings, 

Well it was a day today, that left not much time for boredom. Company coming, 
and we never have company. I ran the sweeper for her in lieu of pacing. I was 
even out front shoveling the 11 steps to my front door when the financial 
people drove up. Ok. who were they?? This is how I invest my life savings. The 
women is the mother of my daughter's ex high school boyfriend. Now how's that 
for some shrewdness on my part??? We have known Cheryl and her husband Ken 
since Erin was in high school and dating Zack. He broke her heart, but his Mom 
kinda adopted Erin as the daughter she never had, and they are still close 
friends today. Go figure. Ken is an ex cruiser sailor. Little Rock I think. I 
like both of them, and retirement planning is their business, sooooo.... Peg 
trusts them, and if she will listen, then that's a major major plus. They 
took all our info. What we've got. What we owe. How much goes out every month 
and what we can expect to come in when Peg retires this July. If no one gets 
bad sick it looks it will be enough. No trips to Maui tho for us. Be lucky to 
make trips to the grocery store. 
I called the place where my 401k was. They were 
suppose to have sent a check to where I bank as I was going to roll it over 
into a self directed IRA there. The Termination form wasn't filled out with all 
ADP wanted so the check wasn't sent. That is a plus for now. This is sooooo 
over my numbers challenged head most of the time. Cheryl talked about 
something called "indexed annuitys" for my money. Very low risk, but of course no 
20% returns either. Knowledge is Power, and in this field I just have none. 
Knowledge OR power. In high school I was certain if I had to fill out my own 
income tax returns I was a sure bet to end up in prison. Well the Great Spirit 
sent me ....not his son, but Henry Block of H&R Block, and I was saved from 
being Bubba's cell mate. Hooray!! 
I 
was counseled to call EB as no COBRA paperwork had arrived, and also to check 
on the 401k check. I did and Stephanie could not have been more helpful. After 
Ken and Cheryl left and we decided on another get together next Wednesday 
morning, I came down here and called United Healthcare with much trepidation. I 
got a guy from Dodge City, Ks. that was Chiefs fan and spoke midwestern 
English. He was very helpful, and NOT from New Delhi or Bombay. Said they had 
only that day received word of my "event" from BBA, and the paperwork would be 
in the mail in 24 to 48 hours. We shall see. Stephanie says I'm covered for 2 
months anyway. God, I hope she's right. If I lose my existing insurance and 
have to find new??? All the pre existing stuff won't be covered and I might 
as well just roll over and call it a day. Hopefully that's NOT going to 
happen, but everything is still in flux here, and nothing is nailed down. Nothing. 
Soooo....my guts are still churning. 

Something else that made my stomach hurt was in the 
middle of all the financial stuff this morning, my 7 months pregnant daughter 
called her Mother to tell her she was feeling some "pressure" and had called her 
Doctor who wanted to see her. The wife was working from Noon to 9 PM so I 
was tasked with meeting her at her Doctors up on Barry Rd at 3:30. Then taking 
the Grandsons by "Donalds" for Happy Meals and bringing them by here. Well, I 
was scared but Erin needed my old worthless unemployed butt, so I was there 
at 3:30. The car seats had been transferred from Mac Ma Ma's PT to the Stoof 
Mobile, and the boys were soon buckled up and Erin was headed inside to her 
Doctor. I ran them by and got them Happy Meals, and as we went south toward Le 
Maison` I saw Peg's PT parked at our house. YEA!!!! She had come home for 
"Lunch" at 4, and met us as I drove in the garage. I followed them upstairs 
with the food. They knew the drill. Turn on her TV and computer. Slam a DVD in 
and set on the bed slack jawed watched as McNuggets went in seemingly 
untasted. She has an hour for lunch, and I came down here to preserve my nerves till 
she left. No need. Heard the dogs bark, and heard Jerry's voice upstairs. 
Another HOO RAY!!! I went and up and asked about Erin. He had talked to her and 
sent her on home. He said her doctor had told her "BIG Baby!" There was 
nothing wrong. She was just needing some support. "WHEW!!!!" He got his boys 
dressed, and headed for the van. We waved good bye to them and Peg went back to 
work. Tomorrow?? Work on filling out the disability form, and the Junkman is 
coming by to supervise my plumbing. Oh what fun us almost retirees are 
having!! 
I like these 
pictures attached. They are from "Tassie" who is Peter Cleaver's Dad in 
Australia, and are from his WWII service in the Royal Australian Navy. Thanks 
Peter and Tassie!! 

Terry at LMDTP




**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. 

Subject: Aircraft Pic of the Day

From: Stooffixer@aol.com

Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:58:46 EST

Greetings to all my friends, I think I'm going to still call this thing APOTD. I won't be around an airport anymore for the first time since the summer of 1964. Airplane pictures are going to be hard to come by now, except from my friends, but several have written to say they don't want me to stop writing. I'm going to have lots of time on my hands now, so I guess I'll continue to put down what's happening to me and what I'm feeling. I'm trying to stay up, as I know that's what everyone wants to see. It makes them feel better to believe I'm coping. Can I just say here that I'm doing my level best to do that, but desperation is just below the surface. I've always had a job. I've always worked. I've always known there was a paycheck coming in on Friday. Now? I'm facing the unknown and hoping I can deal with what comes up. I've always tried to be self reliant, and if I have to ask for help like I did yesterday, that too is going to be very hard. Not all is bleak tho. My daughter says she loves me. My Mother says it too. BBA sent the money for 268 hours of sick leave and a 120 hours of vacation time in a Fed Ex envelope. It was a substantial amount, and if this numbers challenged old man reads it right, taxes took almost exactly half of it. The wife says I will get lots of that back but next year. I need to get that cashed and in the bank. Today. Yesterday? So many things needing done. But the first was to get my stuff out of the radio shop while I had someone willing to help me. I'm not suppose to lift over 20 lbs, but what to do? We were going in around 9:30. I had thought maybe run over to unemployment first, but decided that was unworkable. I didn't know whether I was persona non grata at EB with the HR Lady. She had attended the termination in Foster's office and gave me the info about my 401k and vacation and sick leave. I needed to find out about COBRA insurance and how much it was going to cost me. I had heard costs ranging to 8/900 a month. I didn't know if that was doable. I needed to know, so I called Steph.....with some trepidation. She seemed happy to hear from me. Said she wondered if I was mad at her. Said I had been on her mind all weekend and she would do anything she could to help me. So I asked her about COBRA cost, and she said sure I can tell you. It's going to be ah....ah...I was holding my breath. This was a VERY important number. She finally said ok it looks like it will for you be very close to.....$332. A wave of relief swept over me. I think I can do that amount for awhile. I drove over to the Junkman's house around 9:30. We got down to EB around 10:15, and walked into the middle of the formal delivery of the Garmin G1000 airplane back to it's owner Mike McGraw. I was suppose to be there for the ceremony as was the whole radio shop. Mr. McGraw and I had become friends. I wonder what they told him about me? Everyone including the Little Boss seemed both saddened and glad to see me. I asked Curtis if he needed to check my tool box for company materials. He pulled a drawer open and shut it. Said; "There. It's checked" Thanks old friend, was my unspoken thought. So much crap of mine in there. So many books. So many cassettes. So many old pictures and memories, and cards from friends. I had thought when I retired I would take a couple of days to sift thru it all. Well days I didn't have. The Junkman and I are very different in our approach to things. I want to get there to where were going and then take things slow and methodical. John seems to have a dozen things to do before we go, and then when we get there go a 100 miles and hour loading it up. Well it's always been MY crap he's loading....and for nothing but a thank you either. Maybe I would be the same if our positions were reversed? If I hadn't had his help???? I would have been indeed truly up a crick without a friend. Here's that THANK YOU Junkman. I'm probably a pee poor friend to you, but damn I appreciated having you for one yesterday. I saw Panhandle pilot Mark Whitman while I was cleaning out. He looked pretty stunned. Still seems unbelievable that a moments inattention could cause this. I'm however, starting to. Looked for Jim Cline but no one was in their office. Terry Martin said KCAC needed help. Garmin was mentioned in Gardner. Chris Obradavitz in Topeka. All very very far away. Jim Johnson gave me a number for the local Aero Mechanics school, and a name of a guy there to contact. Thanks to all for your help. We got the Junkman's pickup loaded and most of the back of my PT, and headed to Le Maison which may indeed beome The House of Tar Paper. I had worked Sunday rearranging and throwing away to make room for all the junk from work. We got it all in there with room still for a car. What to do now?? The Junkman asked if I still wanted to go to Leavenworth and see about getting registered with the VA. I did. Hoping to get my drugs for free from the VA of course. He went home to get his DD-214. I already had mine. I ate a little lunch and drove over to his house, and he drove us to the VA Hospital in Leavenworth. The place hadn't changed much since my Dad was there in the early 70's. Still depressing as Hell. We found a place to park, and walked in the Emergency Room door. The Junkman found a lady who knew where we were to go. So we got in the elevator and went up to the 5th floor. Found a room that said "Eligibility" and walked in. The guy wanted to see our DD-214's. He said that we were indeed Vets, but you had to have made less than 43,000 dollars in the last calendar year, including apparently your wifes salary, before you could receive perscription benefits. Well we both made more than that last year with our spouses figured in. He said we could reapply in 09. Gave us some forms to fill out, and we were outta there. Thank you Veterans Administration. I knew there were going to be roadblocks on this new path I'm on. My task is to not do what I've done all my life when faced with someone elses unwillingness to help. Tell em where to go and walk off mad. I don't have that luxury anymore. The Junkman's been retired for a year and he was ready to play. I was pretty low, but I he had helped me out all day when I needed it, so told him whatever he wanted to do was fine with me. Mentally I could have cared less about Antique Stores. There aren't many left in Leavenworth, but we found one downtown. I ran onto a life magazine from the day I was born. July 30, 1945. The War was almost over and on the cover was a little blonde curly headed boy in a diaper on a sandy beach somewhere. How prophetic. I hope that little boy in the picture had had a great life, and hasn't screwed his up like I have mine. We were over at Beverly in another Antique Mall when my cell rang. It was the Rocket down at EB. He said the package I had been looking for had come and he had it in the Parts Room at his desk. So back down to EB we went. We parked out front, and I walked in alone. Ella waved hi to me from the front desk. At least I didn't have to face Tom and Roy. Walked thru the hanger to Parts, and Kebra handed me my box. More goodbyes. Damn those hurt. Took my box and got out of there. We drove back to John's house, where my PT was. I put my box in it. John said he wanted to see it when I got the Peabody together, so I drove home and opened the box. Something to keep my troubles at bay for awhile. Concentrate on the gun. It was rolled in a white US Navy blanket. That was a pretty awesome way to pack it Mr. Buc! I figured out the butt plate hat to come off and there was a long threaded screw thru the butt stock. Much like a British Enfield. I got it screwed together last night and a picture taken this morning. Mr. Buc said it was in bad shape. Well I've seen worse. It's mising the cocking lever, and one of the band springs, and the cleaning rod, but it's a Connecticutt Peabody sho nuff. Mr. Buc said I could have it,if I stayed away from the Marlboros. Well there's still a half open pack sitting in front of me Mr. Buc. I haven't touched a one. Couldn't afford them now if I did want one. I can't tell you how much this Peabody is appreciated. It arrived on one of the darkest days of my life. Thanks for that litte ray of sunhine!! So many e-mails yet to answer. Devious, Top, Mayberry Jim. Jerry Butler from Navy days called last night. I don't see those e-mails from you and Kathy, Jerry. Were they under a new e-mail address? I may have deleted them. I need to get in the shower and get to doing things that need to be done. Here's a picture of how I left Panhandle's Cessna. Poor Jim Davis was trying to figure it out yesterday. I told him to call if he couldn't. I had no hard feelings toward anyone at EB. I hope at least my firing will serve as an example to others at EB, and they won't make the same mistake I did. Terry at LMDTP

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

From: Stooffixer@aol.com

Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:07:14 EST

Subject: Aircraft Pic of the Day


Greetings, 
Well 
let's see. What to tell you about? I think Wednesday was the last one of 
these. It snowed Wednesday night, and I had a doctors appointment Thursday 
morning. Mostly to see if he thought I was screwed up enough to get Social Security 
disability. I've also been having stomach discomfort for several weeks. 
Long before the firing, but maybe coinciding with the cessation of smoking. I 
just can't remember when it started. You know don't you?? Those embarassing 
gurgling noises coming from somewhere inside. Like someone is slowly opening a 
spigot, or air under pressure escaping. Combined with belching, and gas. Not 
fun, and when awoken by it around 2 in the morning, very hard to get back to 
sleep. Anyway, I wanted to ask him about that too, and I had finally gotten my 
new insurance card in the mail. 
I arrived at 8:30 as I was told, but when the receptionist called me up, 
she said my Doctor was stuck in traffic in Olathe. "Olathe??" So we 
rescheduled for 2:30 in the afternoon. I had gone to the bank to see if anyone there 
could show me how to check my account on line the day before I think. I was 
too early tho. They hadn't opened yet, so drove over to the Parkville Library 
where the wife works. Why?? I guess when things don't go well I seem to have 
a need to tell someone. She is usually less than sympathetic, and I know it, 
but over I went anyway. I hadn't been in awhile and there were several new 
faces. I was introduced to a woman whose husband often needed truck drivers. 
However I don't have a commercial drivers license. She said he started his 
drivers at 15 dollars an hour. Mileage was mentioned, but as I don't have a 
truck, or a CDL, it was pretty moot at that point in time. 

I had talked to my nephew about 
what to do with my 401k. I had been told about Edward Jones, and that they 
charged 2%. Mark said that was too much, and there were many places I could get 
my 401k rolled over into a self directed IRA for less. Soooo I decided to ask 
where I bank. I have never had anything but a checking account with them. I 
have never asked for a loan or had any savings there, but it was a place to 
start. However when I got in after they opened I was told their financial guy 
was home with a sick kid, but did I want to make an appointment for Friday? I 
did, as the termination letter said I needed to move my 401k and I had no 
idea if there was some kind of a time limit. I went home, or did I go over to 
the Junkmans?
I remember coffee there at some point in time. Doesn't matter. I was at the 
Doctors that afternoon. Shown to a room and he finally appeared. He said 
maybe with all the things wrong with me added together I might be eligible and 
he would put in a word for me, but I could see by his face he didn't think I 
had much of a chance. The stomach discomfort?? He said my bowels had been 
stimulated by nicotine for decades, and now they weren't. He recommended yogurt, 
and lots of fiber. That's better than a perscription so will try that. 
Friday morning I showed up at my bank and was shown to the financial 
guys office. I like the guy. I suppose that's part of his job is to be 
likeable. He sat my poor old ignorant butt down and did his best to explain the 
process. I had gotten on line the night before for the first time and checked 
what I had in the 401k. More than I thought, so that was a good thing. I had a 
phone number for ADP, where the money was. He called it and they accessed my 
account. They showed me as still employed and said I needed to sign the 
termination form I had been given. Well I hadn't been given one. She said she 
would fax me one now. I was to sign it and EB had to sign it and fax it back to 
her. Darin was very helpful thru the process. I called Stephanie and told her 
what I needed and she said she would wait for me if I could get there quick. 
I told her I would be as quick as an old geezer can.. Nice to have friends, 
isn't it?? It was snowing again, but I wanted to get this over with so down to 
EB I went. Lunch with Molly and Tida had been mentioned for that day, but 
that was kind of at the back of my mind. 

I pulled up and front of the old TWA Hanger where I had worked since 
1982, and inside I went. Stephanie was waiting, and glad to see me. She 
hugged me good! I handed her the faxed termination form and she signed it for EB 
and faxed it back to ADP. My money could now be sent to the Bank to start 
my IRA. About that time Debbie Jeans showed up, and she said she was going to 
miss me. I'm going to miss her too. I may be wrong but she seemed close to 
tears and I even got a hug, and Deb is NOT a hugger. Jamie Tennyson came in and 
I asked her how she was doing. Not well, as a relative of hers had also been 
recently let go. Said goodbye to those ladies and walked down the hall. 
Looked in Cyndi's door and said Hi. She hadn't heard I had been let go, and was 
very sympathetic. Even offered me a job at her company. Not sure giving 
financial advice is my forte tho. She said they would train me. The train would 
have to be "The Super Chief" as I know NOTHING about finances!!! Nice of her tho 
and SHE wanted to hug me. Holy moly! I had called Tida when I got there and 
left a message I was up at Stephanie's. She came up and said"You don't check 
your messages do you??" Actually I almost never do. "Should I have?" I asked. 
"Yes! I can't go today and neither can Molly. Will you take a raincheck??" 
Of course I will. We walked down to Molly's office and the ladies were going 
to go down to the geedunk to eat. I was asked to join them, but there are 
still people that eat in there, I won't be around. Stupid silly old fool that I 
am. They both gave me a hug tho, so that was a total of five hugs!! Yes, I was 
counting. They may be the last I ever get at Executive Beechcraft. I walked 
out. Got in the PT and drove home in the snow. My first week off as an 
unemployed old bum. I had registered for unemployment. Gone to the VA for forms to 
fill out to see about getting in their system, and for my perscriptions.. 
Gone to Social Security and got an appointment to see about disability and 
retirement. Made arrangements to get my 401k transferred and rolled over into an 
IRA. Found money in a Savings and Loan I had ignored for many years, and 
found their new location. Gone to the Doctor to see about his feelings about me 
being eligible for disability. Talked to many friends who had been thru the 
process, and listened to their words of wisdom. Hopefully assimilating them. 
Thru the whole week, there was always something nagging at me. Was I doing 
enough? Was there something more I should be doing?? Is this really happening to 
me??? The guy who went to work everday for 40 years, and tried to do the 
best job he could?? Yeah, it was happening to me. Maybe my example will help 
someone else down there not to lose THEIR job. Apparently BBA doesn't give 
second chances. I hope at least some good comes from what happened to me. 

Friday night I 
noticed when I turned on the dryer something appeared disconnected. Maybe 
I'll tell you what happened tomorrow? I found some pics of an F7U Navy 
"Cutlass" crashing aboard an unknown carrier. Who sent these pics I haven't a clue, 
but thanks to who ever. I may have sent them before, but I just don't 
remember. Pretty spectacular crash tho. Hope you like. I have been told to keep 
writing. I was sitting in front of the TV awhile ago. Feeling cold and a little 
forlorn. Came in here to write some of this down and it does help. Hope it 
wasn't toooo boring. Terry at LMDTP 

Subject: Aircraft Pic of the Day

From: Stooffixer@aol.com

Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:36:07 EST

Greetings, I hope all of you had a chance to read Robin Owens incredible letter about her Dad's misfortune and how she hopes it doesn't happen to me. I hope it doesn't either Robin. I sent it to my daughter and she hopes not too. All that aside, just a great piece of writing. I don't claim to be a writer. I just do a lot of it, and my hats off to you Ma'am. Just excellent. Ok. Wednesday. I had planned on going to the Missouri Unemployment Office today if such a thing still exists. I called the number I had been given at Social Security. I got a recording of course. I waded thru the questions. Perjury was mentioned several times. Finally a real live human being came on. He asked me if I had been paid for vacation when I was terminated. I had. He didn't mention anything about pay for sick leave. At least I didn't hear it. I won't be able to draw it for 3 weeks he said, and then I have to apply for work at 3 places each week to keep it coming. I thought it was just in your job field where you had to apply, but I guess it's not. 3 places. Anyplaces. The guy said they were so busy at unemployment he had been called in from some other department to help and he didn't know squat. Thank you State of Missouri. Well at least I didn't burn anymore gas looking for the place and I'm registered. Stuff is supposedly being mailed to me. This is sooooo much fun!! Thank you so much Orlando for this new adventure!! Tried to call my nephew in Texas but didn't get an answer till tonight. Dug out my birth certificate, so I won't have to make a trip to Liberty for that. Social Security needs it and my DD-214 at my interview. Well the things I had planned to do today didn't take that long What now?? Tida had e-mailed me yesterday saying there was a package for me on the Big Boss's desk. Did I want her to corral it for me?? "Would you please? The Junkman called and I told him about it being down there. He said he wanted to go over to the Geneolgy Building at North Independence Library. If I wanted to go we could stop down there on the way and pick it up. I had zippedee do dah to do the rest of the day so said "Sure." He showed up at my garage door shortly and off we went. Down the Broadway Extension one more time. I called Tida on the way, and she asked if I wanted to meet at the front door. I said that would work and she was waiting when we drove up. I got me a Tida hug and I think the Junkman did too. I got the cocking lever package and we headed across the Broadway Bridge for Independence. Thanks Tida!!! We drove down I-435. Found 24 Hwy east and headed that direction. The Junkman regaling me with tales of how he had worked for NAPA on this road years ago. We found the Headquarters building of Mid Continent Library System which is the North Independence Branch across from the Truman Library. The last time I had been there, geneolgy had been in the basement of that building but we had heard it had moved to its own building. John ran inside and got directions. When he came out we could see it set back and east of the main building, so we drove over there. Quite a place for family researchers. That had been my hobby back in the 70's and early 80's. I know what a thrill it can be to find someone you have been looking for a long time. I had, however found out about all I wanted to personally know except the question I had begun it for. Who was Strother S. McGinnis's Father??? He was my great grandfather, born in Kentucky in 1814. To my knowledge no one has found an answer to that question. I hope someday some one does. I wondered around just glancing at the shelves. Not looking for anything in particular. I turned down an aisle and glanced at the back wall. About eye level I saw a blue book with white letters. They jumped out at me. The letters read "Wakitan 65"!!! St. Joe Centrals year book!! The Brown Chevy Girls will be in that one! So will Pam. Hell every girl I ever dated will be in there!! I walked to the shelf. There were four Wakitans amongst the wall of yearbooks. 65 thru 68. Awesome!! The Girls of 66 were freshmen when I graduated in 63. My little sister had graduated in 67, and had these year books, but they had gone to Texas with her before I had any interest. I had some now. I had seen the Brown Chevy girls senior pictures but not their Junior ones. There they were. I had missed those years. Seeing them grow into beautiful young women. I still regret that loss. I found both of them. Yep. Just as I imagined. Incredibly cute. I found the others too. The girls of my youth. How cool to see them in a building in Independence, Mo. or a cold wet January day in 2008. I even got to see my sister!! That wasn't quite as much fun tho!! LOL!! I showed the Junkman. I had to show SOMONE!!. He said he was ready to go, and go we did. On the way home.....the rain turned into snow. Not quite the same as Kenny Loggins song. When we got to my house, He came in with me. I let the dogs out and we got the cocking lever installed in the Peabody. It even WORKED!!! I got the Lemon oil out and oiled the stock up. Ran some cleaning patches thru it. Found an empty 45-70 brass case and it chambered. Wouldn't extract, but oh well. I'm not complaining. Just a pretty cool old rifle!! In the morning, I go to see the Doctor for a medical evaluation for Social Security. I expect my knees and hips won't be bad enough. My bone spur not causing enough pain in my right heel. My lymphodema not making my left calf swell enough. Not half enough stents installed in my heart. Guess we will see the 22nd. I could sure use that Medicare about now. I have a friend going in for a biopsy on the 22nd. I am more concerned about her health than mine. So it goes in Stoof Fixers Saga today. There are a lot of e-mails unanswered yet. My firing has generated many words of sympathy and expressions of anger toward the seeming heartlessness of it all. I just haven't got to them all yet, but I will. Please bear with me. Terry at LMDTP Hear's a picture of the Peabody with the cocking lever installed. Plus one of me in happier times.

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

Aircraft Pic of the Day

From: Stooffixer@aol.com

Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 21:27:41 EST

Greetings, Well a very dear and long time friend sent me an excerpt from "True West" magazine today. Seems they have a contest every year for the top western town, and ol' St. Joe, Missouri got the top spot in 2008. Now as some of you know Ginnis is semi familiar with the place. Not so familiar tho that he can't find something new. While reading the attached word document, I saw where there were 15 area museums, and I expect I have been in them all. But wait! What's this? A Sally Rand Museum in St. Joe? I don't know that one. Googled it and sho nuff. There it is at 17th and Francis!! Guess where Terry is headed after the Gun Show this Saturday??? The article about St. Joe being the top western town of 08 appeared in today's St. Joe paper. Thanks to Jack Carson's help for converting the pdf files that were sent, to jpegs. What would Gina Elise and Terry do without the Brookings Wizard??? Not near as well I assure you. Thanks to Natalie for sending and to Jack for converting!! Here's a link to the Sally Rand Museum which I had no idea existed. Click on "Directions" to meet me there. LOL!!Sally Rand Museum Several receiving this e-mail grew up on the map that appears when you click on "Directions" I got an e-mail today from that very same Jack Carson. His Air Group website had attracted another Sawbuck, and he sent along pictures of his crew, and the ship (Hornet) from his Stoof. Notice the yellow prop domes. This was the way "Brand X" painted theirs, The Good Guys painted theirs RED! That should bring some howls. LOL!! Just kidding guys!! Got home last night. She shouldn't have been there and there was no car in the garage when I opened it....but. When I walked in the War Room I heard several TV's on. Walked upstairs and they were all on. Lights all on too. McDonalds bags were on the kitchen table. Brad's TV tray was on her bed, and there was a plate with McNuggets and cookies in the living room. However not a soul was in the house but me and the pack. I looked for a note, but found none. My first thought was someone was hurt, and she had taken them to the ER, or something had happened at my daughter's house and she had rushed home with them. I got my cell out and called hers. I heard it ringing from her bedroom. She had left hers here. I called my daughters house and no answer. She NEVER has HER cell turned on, but I called it anyway. She answered!! They were at a restaurant. It was my son in laws birthday, and they were celebrating without the boys. She said her Mom had them and had taken them to her Mexican Train club. Well WHEW!! At least nobody was hurt, but ....doggone her anyway. When she did get home, we had us a little talk about what just went down. Lo and behold she didn't get mad. Amazing!! Scared me, and I think she knew it. Hope she thinks before she pulls that trick again. She IS a woman tho... Terry at MKC

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.