Terry

Howdy Folks. Well a lot going on in Stoof Fixer's Saga. Tida was throwing a going away party for Chief Pilot Matt miller last night at "Sidepockets." It's north of the airport at 169 and Englewood Rd. Bar and grill with about 50 pool tables. Wasn't sure I could go as I won't be anyplace any of the members of "The Fantastic Five" appear. I got lucky last night and none of them did so had myself a good time. Huge draws for 2 bucks. Got to shoot a lot of pool, and won them all except for the game where Tida kicked my keester. I spent a lot of time in high school ditching work at Walnut Products, and hanging out at "Olympia Lanes." A bowling alley out on the Belt that just happened to feature pool tables as well. I never was anything but fair, but sometimes I can surprise the kids. I think I might have surprised a couple last night. .

Little old fat man. Shoots left handed. No sweat. I can kick his rear at pool. Sorry youngsters. The little old fat man was having a good night. Tida, Jamie, Sara, and Jenny were there. I vaguely remember some pilots and mechanics as well. LOL!! Matt Millers wife is just gorgeous, and as she told me she reads some of the APOTDs I send Matt, I guess I better say just about the prettiest blonde I've seen in awhile. There's a blonde in St. Joe that might have a slight edge, but strictly a personal opinion Mrs. Miller. Sorry to see Matt. He's a good un. Proud to think he calls this old man a friend.

Tida was as she always is. Fun to be with and fun to look at. She was telling me that picture I took of her and Jamie at her front door, that she looked like Jamie's mother. I don't think so woman! I know this is hypothetical but to be her Mom you would have had to have gotten pregnant at 9. Terry thinks your both young and pretty. Want to see what old looks like come look at me.

I got home about 7 last night. The wife had returned from Arkansas. I just couldn't go up and face what I knew was going to be sarcasm and disapproval, so I didn't. She never came down to chew my rear either, so made it thru another night with a place to sleep. No sign of Maxine this morning but her bedroom door was closed. Maybe she was in there. I took a shower and went downstairs. She must have been waiting for me to go down the steps as I immediately heard her come out. I wonder what tonight will bring?? Never have had to go look for a place to sleep on short notice, but as Scarlett said: "Tomorrow is another day!" Almost time to go to work. Going to be lugging junk down to the library after work, so this will probably have to do for a couple of days. I'll let you know how the Salute To Veterans went. It's tomorrow. Pics are from Fleet Week in San Francisco, taken by APOTD member Bill Schultz.

Terry at MKC

Howdy folks. Been a little low, as I so often am. Since I got back to work last Monday, nothing much has gone right. A guy at work screwing with me. People mad at me. People upset with me. After a lull, the buyout rumors are swirling again. Several of my friends have quit to go on to hopefully better jobs. Lots of uncertainty there for a 61 year old, plus I will miss them.  Matt Miller, Jimmy Day, etc. The news about the return of my Neice's cancer and my Sister's thyroid was a crusher. The wife left for Arkansas Saturday morning, leaving me in charge of the animals. Be back Thursday she said.....maybe. Guess we will see. Just a lot of downers the last week or so and was feeling pretty low. Last night a blue butterfly appeared unexpectedly on my computer. The clouds parted and the sun came out. Terry was smiling. How do those Eagles lyrics go?? "I learned a long time ago what a woman can do to your soul." Me too, my friends. Me too!!

I went to St. Joe Saturday to see Mom. Lucille, that eats at her table, had several Life magazines for me, and a lot of clippings. She's such a nice lady. She told me she had a professional appraiser coming to look at her things. Later I was in Mom's place and she stuck her head in the door. She asked me if I could explain to the appraiser about her letters. Of course!!! I was more than glad too, but had to smile to myself. An old no neck, blue collar airplane fixer being used as a referece source. LOL!! The gods must have been smiling. The lady knew nothing of "Jennison's Jayhawkers" as the 7th Kansas Cavalry was known as. To quote from the book of the same name:"No other regiment in the Union Army had so evil a reputation, or had done so much to deserve it, as the 7th Kansas Cavalry." They were a scourge on the Western Border and Lucille's ancestor had been 2nd Sargeant of Co. "H". I hope I got across how infamous an outfit it was, and much, like Hitler's personal belongings, would probably bring a high price in certain quarters. She knew nothing of Civil War Rountables and the like and I tried to steer her in the right direction. Carriage Square isn't cheap and both Lucille and her husband live there. She could use the money.

Sunday, I went to the Junkman's and drank his coffee and a little beer. He knew I was low and it was nice of him to ask me to come by. He's going to help me tote my stuff to the library next Saturday. He's a friend. What can I say?? He had the Chiefs game on and as soon as I sat down the tide turned for the Chargers. I told him if he wanted them to win, he better turn it off. Just a warning. They NEVER win if I watch. He turned it off. LOL!! And they WON!!!

After I got home, my cell rang and it was Garza in Harlingen. Wanted to tell me the Chargers had tied it up. Told him I don't watch football, and it didn't surprise me. Felipe lived in San Diego for 30 years. It just struck me today why he called. They LOST Felipe!!! AH HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Go Chiefs!!!....even if I can't watch those suckers!! Missouri beat K-State too! Not as sweet as dumping on the Jayhawks but they're Kansans. Things were looking up for Ol' Ginnis!

Got to work this morning and asked around if anyone had a Boz Skaggs album they would loan me. No one did. There is a song by him called "Loan Me A Dime" I want to hear, so I went to the net and bought it. Swapped some MFD tubes in the St. Joe News-Press Lear. Loaded some data bases. Not much. Shannon called me to the front desk and I found a package from old shipmate Chuck Santoro in New Jersey. He sent me a great picture of Top Foster and I at the reunion. A couple of the color guard and others. The package was deep. Got a 2007 calendar from his Insurance Agency. A daily planner. Two key chains fobs and a little flashlight that goes on a key chain, plus a pen. WOW!! Jackpot!! Thanks Chuck!! Great stuff, but gotta thank you for that pic of Top and me. Didn't have one. Much appreciated!! Got a lunch date with Tida and Jamie tomorrow. A pretty great Monday. Scott Tychson came in and told me Cessna's new Experimental 182 was on the ramp and no one had pictures of it. I do now....and so do you. Looks like composite construction to me, and no more wing struts. Looked pretty sleek.....for a Cessna!!

Got most of my WWII Marine gear rounded up Sunday and in a box. Top Foster's dress blues aren't WWII but they are going too. Plus a USMC painting a beautiful lady did for me. I think they will probably be the highlight of my little exhibition....don't you??

Sending a scan from that calendar Chuck gave me. It's a Saturday Evening Post Cover showing a sailor in whites on a hammock. The reason I'm sending it is.... that's Marmaduke sleeping in his lap!! That's my Teufel Hunde! My Devil Dog!! Marm you made no mention you posed for that cover.! More pics from the War Room. Pics of the new Cessna, and I guess that's it for tonite. Gave you a break from the mindless drivel...but guess I'm back....for now.

Terry at MKC

Well yesterday was pretty laid back. Went to the former K-Mart and got my perscriptions and that was about it. Even forgot Bradley's soccer game until it was too late to go. I did get a report from the wife tho. Bradley SCORED a goal! Two of them!!! Holy Moly!! He MUST be a Dunivan. Hold that. He did score two goals. One for his team, and one in the opposing teams goal. Hmmmm. Maybe he is some McGinnis. LOL!!!

Guess we better get back to our tale of Stoof Fixer in San Diego. The bus returned us to the Hotel, and as we walked into the innner court there was Sandy Gum in the pool. WHEW!!! I didn't lose them!! What a relief!!! The afternoon was spent BSing with the guys. I had slept little the night before, and was determined to go easy on the beer that night. Maybe I wouldn't spend the night running to the Head. Along around nine I was thinking of heading to the Admiral's chair. Carmen would have none of it tho. She wanted to go to Hooter's! And she wasn't going alone!! She got me up off my old wrinkled butt. Rounded up Jerry & Kathy Butler, Al Eusterbrock, my roomate, Chuck Santoro, Nicki Sennett, and of course her husband. We all climbed into somebody's rental car. I think the Butler's drove their own. Nicki lives in San Diego so she was navigator, and we headed off in search of wings!! That part of San Diego is like a maze. High mesas and deep gorges and don't think there is a straight street in town. I'm used to streets laid out on section lines, so I was completely lost. But Nicki wasn't. In due time we pulled up to Hooters and in we went. Carmen was out for fun, and we had us some. Chuck ordered 50 wings, and others assorted goodies. We all got beer, and then Carmen started recruiting girls to come over and have their pictures taken with us. First our raven haired waitress with me. That poor kid, but I guess they are used to it. She was very gracious.Then more and more girls. All very pretty, and all constructed like brick outhouses. Oh it was AWFUL! Pity me my friends. I endeavoured to persevere tho, and did. They were selling t-shirts at the desk, and Chuck and Al bought Hooter's t-shirts for their grandkids. I just didn't have the guts. My daughter and SIL are pillars of their church and just couldn't see myself dragging out Hooters t-shirts for the boys. I could see her face in my mind.

Finally it was time to go.We returned to the Hanalei a happy bunch and I had a box of left over wings, and fried pickles. Sounds awful but were pretty good. Steve Kalenda and I ended up sitting outside talking till I think 1:30 in the morning. He hadn't eaten. Said he hadn't felt well. I offered him a wing, and he reluctantly took one. His reluctance slowly vanished and I watched him eat them ALL!! LOL!! Steve's Mom is pretty bad, and he decided he couldn't leave her. Cancelled his reservations and plane tickets and I guess moped around the house. Afraid to call us and tell us he wasn't coming. I guess his wife observed his gloom and on her own made another reservation. Got him a plane ticket and at the appropriate time presented it to him. I'll watch your Mom" she said. "Your GOING!!" What a wife. What a sweetheart! We talked and talked. My troubles, and his. We were the last ones out there. It was good for me. Cathartic someone said, and I guess it was. I know I felt better. Thanks for listening old Sawbuck. It was appreciated!!

I stumbled into our room. Eusterbrock wears a CPAT machine for sleep apnea. Hope I didn't snore too bad. Our little radio in the room would only get AM stations and I had found one the night before apparently from Mexico. He drew the line at another night of Spanish, and found another. I did sleep pretty good that night. Waking up around 7:30. Trying to keep the chronology of events straight in my mind. I think I had breakfast with Chuck Santoro and Ross Ninger that morning. I had hit the beach for the first time in Japan with Ross. I still have a picture of us in a booth in Sagami Otsuka with a couple of bar girls. "You buy me drink sailor boy? Nei?" A memorable night for sure. Good to be with him still after all these years. The morning wore on hanging out in the Hospitality Suite. The time came for the tours and we went out to the parking lot to board the buses. One was going to the Russian sub and one to the Midway Museum. Kalenda and I waited to get on. The bus was filling fast and I followed Felipe and Mary Garza onboard. Felipe is an old one wire Boomeranger from Texas, but came to VS-35 after I had departed. Nevertheless a friend and a shipmate. Felipe and Mary took the last seats. Mary wouldn't let me set on her lap, and the bus driver said I would have to catch the next bus. The bus driver was African American and I thought I would have some fun with him. I walked down the aisle hollering "This bus discrimnates against Irishmen!! I'm pulling the Irish card!! Had him laughing. It was fun. I caught the next bus to the Midway, but this is getting long. Guess I will tell about that tomorrow hopefully.

Pictures are: McGinnis, Eusterbrock, Santoro and the Hooters girls. The USS Pearl Harbor and Downtown San Diego from the Midway's flight deck. The Midway's Island showing the Migs that were shot down by her aircraft in Viet Nam. A Pratt & Whitney R-2800 cutaway radial on Midway's hanger Bay. Sorry. Old round engines are a passion of mine. A Douglas A-4 Skyhawk on Midway's Hanger Bay. Midway's engine room controls. A Snipe's delight. Not mine but interesting to see. Former CO of VS-35 Captain Steve Slack in front of a North American SNJ, in which he had 6 arrested landings in traing on the light carrier USS Monterrey. My 1st cousin Bill McGinnis served on the Monterey in WWII. I thought that was pretty cool. A seagull on the end of one of Midway's flight deck catapults, with North Island and USS Stennis in the far distance. The last one is me waiting for the bus back to the Hotel on the pier in front of Midway. The caption says the carrier is the Reagan, but it's the Stennis. Lots more pictures in the days ahead. Hope your enjoying the stories and the pics. If not, just tell me and I will take you off the list. ok??  

Terry back in KC

Monday. Home from San Diego, and a wonderful 4 days that went just like......THAT! Memories swirling. Many e-mails to answer, but I want to tell you a little of what went down....from the Ol' Stoof Fixer's perspective.

Got up early Thursday morning. Scraped the crud off and spit shined the wrinkled old carcass. Bags were packed so took them to the red PT. Hers. Waiting around. Hate to question her, but was getting apprehensive, so went upstairs. She was dressed. "Am I taking you? You said last week, I didn't have to!" "I would appreciate it if you would, please": I said. So she did. Got there about 7:30. Plane was leaving at 9:20. Found out my belt buckle wouldn't go thru the metal detector, Thank God my Levis stayed up! That surely would have brought security on the run, had they hit the floor! Got my belt and shoes back on. Loaded my stuff back in my pockets. I NEEDED a belt! Sat around for an interminable time, but finally got on the plane. A window seat way in the back, and pleasantly no one in the seat next to me. 3 hours to San Diego. Tried to sleep, but couldn't.

Got to San Diego's Lindburgh Field. Cool to see all the tile roofs, swimming pools and palm trees on the descent. WHAM! We were down, and in California....for the last time? I wonder? Master Chief Dibb was picking me up, and as I looked for baggage claim I heard a "Terry!!" It was Bobby, and he had already collected Al Eusterbrock. Pounded one another on the back. Grinned at each other. Said all the things friends say when apart for awhile. Men stuff. You ladies wouldn't understand.  ! Got my bags and walked out into the California sunshine. Yep. This place looks familiar! Bobby found his pickup. We loaded our gear, and we were off. Downtown San Diego has changed so much since Jan. 22nd 1968, but North Island was still across the bay. There were still sailboats everywhere. There was still a carrier tied up at North Island. Different, but still the same. We headed north for the Red Lion Hanalei. We had stayed there before in 03, but I still had no idea where I was. Bobby grew up in San Diego and spent many years there during his Navy career. Always a plus when you have friends that know the way.

Got to the Hotel and unloaded. Checked in. Al and I's room was next to the Hospitality Suite on the ground floor. The check in desk was in the lobby with our lovely squadron widows manning their post. I was talking to Jeannine Hickman I think, when I felt arms go around me. Lots of softness back there. It was either Fred Irvin or a woman. Turned to look and it was Nancy Carson!! ALRIGHT NANCY!! Got a big kiss and a smile. It's what I live for ladies! Please don't stop! Sadly Jack was with her, durn it!! Shook his hand. The rest is kind of a blur, but Felipe Garza had called me the day before to see if I was in San Diego yet. I asked him if Mary was coming. "Yep" he said. I told him to warn her as I was getting a hug when I saw her. He chuckled. I saw Felipe and Mary walk up. He stuck his hand out and I just walked by him to Mary. Got that hug!! Then shook his hand. Mary you're a sweetie!! Felipe, thanks for not killing me!! LOL!! The same with Conrad and Pam Dietz. Out of my way Conrad. I came to see Pam!! She's such a wonderful gal as well. Folks that takes guts. Hope you are proud of me. Either one of those guys could squish me like a bug!! I lived tho

Seemed to take hours to get out of the lobby. So many people that wanted to talk to old Ginnis. Sure hope I didn't slight anyone.  Chuck Santoro, Ross Ninger, Sandy and Kathryn Gum, The Lynchs, Jerry & Kathy Butler, Devious....so many! Such good friends! Found our room. Found the hospitality suite. Found the beer!! Pretty much a blur that night. Lot's of San Miguel, Pacifico, which I had never had, and Corona, of which I had had many. Tasted the same in California! Cold and good! Lucy and Nicki Sennett came! More hugs and kisses! Love those ladies. Ms. Lucy has had lots of recent surgery and still in a lot of pain, but wanted to see us, so to Hell with the pain. She came. What a woman! Bob would have been so proud of her. Wish he could have been there too, but his name is on "The Wall" in DC and he will live on after the rest of us who survived that war are long forgotten. Small consolation for his wife and the two little kids he left behind, I know, but there are worse ways a man can be remembered to posterity.

Got to meet Ed Davis for the first time. He served in HS-2 and lives in Maine. Never knew him when we both were aboard Hornet, but a great guy. I got "Working Party "Alpha" one morning and was handed a broom. Swept up around the bar, and pushed the debris toward the door. Tried to sweep it out in the grass, and boy I did. And all over Mrs. Davis!! Oh Lord! Ginnis screws up again!! I apoligised profusely but I expect she thought..."All the way from Maine to have a little short Irishman throw crap on me!!" So sorry Mrs. Davis! I didn't mean it!!

Saw Captain Slack. As you know, I have to have a recliner to sleep in. Capt Slack was assigned the job of finding one for me. He did. He told me it was Admiral "Irish" Flynns recliner. "Holy Crap" said the 3rd Class Nosepicker for Life!! An Admirals chair?? For me?? Jeez! I saluted it ever time I got in it! What an honor! Many thanks Captain!! Tell the Admiral, I didn't get much sleep, but it was no fault of his recliner.

Cdr Ron Smith came up and shook my hand. He has pancreatic cancer and this old fool didn't recognize him at first. Damn, I was glad to see him after I realized who it was. So many I saw that night. Afraid of slighting somebody but my mind is awash and it's all hazy now. I do remember when I saw Carmen. Everybody loves Carmen Miecznikowski. For those of you that don't know her, she is married to a Polish guy. She ain't. Hispanic and Scottish is what she is, which makes a very very lovely lady. Such a hug I got. She had told me I was going to get a kiss earlier via e-mail. On the cheek. Well she's married to Paul, doggone it, and he was coming too! But told her it would be worth a busted nose for the other kind. I'm old. Time is short. No way I'm gonna be pretty at this stage.....so yeah. A busted nose would be worth it! Holy crap. She gave me one!! Dead on the lips!! After the euphoria subsided I was ready for the blood. Looked at Ski, but think he was just laughing. Carmen, I survived, but it WAS worth a busted nose!!

Lots of camraderie Thursday night. Old shipmates together again. For those of you that couldn't make it....well you missed a Hell of a time. I staggered off to my Admiral's chair about 1 in the morning. For some reason, I seemed to need to make frequent trips to the Head. Gave up about 4:45, and went out on my patio to await 6 AM when the restaurant opened. Looked across the pool and the grounds and wondered if I had had a little too much the night before. Rubbed my eyes but it was still there. A SKUNK!! Inside the Hotel grounds. IN San Diego!! I had bought a thousand picture memory stick to take to the reunion. The original holds 33 on a good day. I got 3 pics out of it and it wouldn't take anymore. Had to stick the old one back in and didn't want to waste one on a skunk, but I know most of you won't believe me. Black. White stripe from nose to tail. Yep. That's a skunk alright!!

Sending you a blurry pic of Nicki Sennett, Me and Mrs. Miecznikowski. Carson took it. Oh well, but wanted you to see the pretty girls we had there. Print it out. Tear the girls off. Then you can use my pic to keep small rodents out of your house!! One of the Intrepid Devious Dave and Ms. Carmen. I took this one. Notice the clarity.!  LOL!! The next is Jerry Butler, Conrad and Pam Dietz, Jeannine Hickman, Nancy Carson, Lu Motes, and Jack Carson. Next one is the Red Lion from the Hospitality Suite. All for this issue. I won't send the next issue to the CVSG-57 list, but I wanted all who came, and all who didn't to know how much fun it was for one little old man from Kansas City. If you came...Thank you! If you didn't....hope you can next time. That's from the Fantastic Four. "Devious" Dave Shrode. "Ali Bubba" Jack Carson, Master Chief and one time "Seat Sniffer" Robert Dibb, and of course the Ol' Stoof Fixer, or as many of the ladies call me "The Ol' Stool Fixer" Ginnis. Watch your six my friends until next time. 

Terry....back at MKC

What a wild and crazy little Scots Irishman I am!! Lord! I don't know how I stand the excitement. Got tired of sitting in the house Sunday. Drove back to St. Joe and found that old cemetery I mowed. Let me rephrase that. Tried to mow. St. Joe just kinda ends down there and you're in the country almost immediately. It's just about a half mile form town, but when you get up there, it's like you were in the middle of a forest. It's on the Missouri River bluffs and very hilly. Very peaceful and quiet, altho you can hear the trains down in the bottoms. I must have been up there for two hours and never saw a car pass down below. I wanted to see if I could find my Revolutionary War soldier, whose grave I remembered seeing, when I was mowing the place in 63. By golly I found him!!! John Davis and he was in Lytle's North Carolina. Saw a bunch of Missouri Yanks. 3 of them were in regiments that fought at Shiloh. I might have to request their service records from the National Archives. Sometimes that is amazing reading.

Today? Went to Sonic for breakfast but the one on Barry Road, not Riverside. Went to "The Mother Ship" (Wal-Mart) to buy a 512 MB memory card for my camera. 100's of pics instead of 33 on the one that came with the camera. Aren't you excited about seeing pics of all those old sailors?? LOL!! Well I am.  Got the pharmacy at K-Mart to fill my perscriptions. Suppose to pick up tonite. Oh yeah. Lost my car in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I swear somebody moved it!!! God, I hate that place. But ok. The prices are right. Went from there to CVS on 45 Hwy to pic up Brad's soccer game pics. Got those and went west on 45 to Northland Auto. Would much prefer it to be Southland Auto but there ain't none North of the River. I had that "Check Engine" Light. I was pretty sure it was because I had left the gas cap off. I've known the owner of the place since we moved to Platte Ridge in 77. He has received many bucks from me and consequently knows me. Told him the problem and he hollered at one of his mechanics who came out with some kind of handheld computer. We went out in the parking lot and he plugged it in under the dash of my car. "He said "Yep. That's what it was. An emission leak. He cleared it. Asked him what I owed him and he said "Ask the Boss." I did and he just waved his hand. Yelled "Thanks" and was outta there!

My wife works at the Mid-Continent Library, right behind the car fix it place. As I was that close I thought I would take a chance, that seeing me wouldn't enrage her. Wrong!! I walked in and she was on the front desk. Smiling! That was a good sign. I asked her if she wanted to see the soccer game pics. She's getting hard of hearing and I don't know what she thought I said but I got a "NO!" Turned to walk out and she blew up. Then wouldn't tell me why. I gave her the pics and guess she did want to see, as she showed several to co-workers. She seperated the two sets and told me I could go. LOL!!! My pleasure dear! Vaya con Dios!!

I drove home and got a white shirt and my suit pants and took them to the dry cleaners. She says I can have them tomorrow. Hope so. I might need something besides Levis in San Diego. Came home and threw two loads of dirty underwar in the machine, and one load of dark shirts and pants. I guess tomorrow is packing day. I leave Thursday morning. Lots of cancellations this last week. Hope I'm not the only one there, but sometimes you just wanna go where everybody knows your name. Enough for tonite. This might be my last trip ever so gonna try to enjoy all of it. I know a lot of people work and save all their life so they can travel when they retire. Not this old geezer. I hate it! The getting there and getting home part anyway. Speaking of home....I would sure like to get my old keester outta here. It just seems to get worse and worse. Sure as I did, my job would go away and I can't live in Erin's basement too long. Can't leave Ol' Marmaduke either. Excuses. I always have them. Maybe one of these days I will run out of them.

Pics tonite. The Rev War Soldiers stone in St. Joe. A couple of pics taken at the top of the bluff looking northwest. Hope you can see how hard it was to mow but so pretty and quiet up there. Acouple of A-10 Warthogs at our recent airshow and one of a Beech Duke that was in our hanger last week. Hope you like!! 

Terry at MKC

Saturday. My first day of 2 weeks off. Determined not to set around and fall into a black hole as I do so often when I'm off and nothing to do. I had heard a little town north of here called Dearborn was having a city wide garage sale. I decided to go have a look see as small rural towns have been good to me in the past. Left early and headed north. Got off I-29 at the Dearborn exit and headed east into town. Went by the Mid Continent Library and aways further saw a Christian Church that was having a sale. Church garage sales almost never have anything I'm looking for but they almost always have coffee and cookies. This one did too!! LOL! I saw a woman in there that I knew from reenacting days. She seemed glad to see this old reprobate. I got some coffee. Bought some cookies and home made bread she had made and got a tour of the sanctuary. They had some beautiful stained glass windows and I have a friend that used to be in that business. Took a few pics and said my goodbyes.

I have a reenactor bussy that lives in Dearborn. Name of Rhett Johnson. He and his wife Kelly are two of the finest, nicest people I know. Rhett used to work for Zantop Airlines, and when that folded, got into the wood carving business. I hadn't seen Rhett in 15 years or more so thought I would go see if he was up. He has some acreage, and I had been to his 2 story log cabin the past. What I didn't want to do was pound on his front door at 8:30 in the morning. Hoped there would be a dog or dogs to alert the owners to intruders. There was a dog alright, but all he wanted was for me to scratch his ears. Not bark one out of him. I saw no movement, and knew the lady of the house might sling things at me should she have a visitor that early so I left. I remembered the lady at the church was friends with Rhett as well, so drove back there and got a coffee refill, and asked if she would call Rhett. She was very gracious and did so for me. Kelly answered and when she found out who it was asked me to come back. Thanked the lady, and drove backup the hill to Rhett's. I saw Kelly waving. Rhett was on a front loader and was digging a pond. He got out of his machine, and I think was glad to see me. I durn sure was to see him. Wish now I had taken his and kelly's picture. He wanted to show me his shed, where he did his art work. Thousands and thousands of dollars of wood and metal working equipment.Wow!!

Of course the first thing I saw was a Prussian spiked helmet on a shelf. Well we all have our own peculiar interests and that was pretty cool to see there. He showed me some of his brochures of his art. Told me about his business. He has all his visitors sign his wall, so I affixed "Terry McGinnis" to his wall. We walked outside and talked about reenacting days. Good times we both remembered. Old friends fondly remembered. Some of which have crossed over the river, but they aren't forgotten. Doc Dyer, Davy Ockerstrom, Rick Pine, and others. Our friends we will meet again someday. On Green fields, following that old blood red flag. Thru musket and cannon smoke. Chasing the Blue Bellies once again. If there is a Heaven, then that's what it will be for me. I wonder when it's over if someone will shout "Resurrection?" We talked about Shiloh and Gettyburg. Passing my jug around the campfire at Heritage Village and how Ben & Lisa had disappeared. How I got a kiss from Lisa the next morning thanking me for my little brown jug. Yeah. Good memories. Golden Days.

His contractor drove up in a pickup, and he had to go back to work, but damn it was good to see him again!!

I went to hit the garage sales. Ran onto a guy that wanted to sell me a snub nose 38 for 85 bucks. Go get it I said. Not here, so I gave him my phone number. Another guy with a bolt action 30-30. It wasn't there either but he did give me a 410 shell for free. LOL!! Found a guy that said he had an Enfield. Another with a 98k Mauser his Uncle sent back. Not for sale but the Enfield guy wanted to show it to me. Made at Lithgow in Australia in 1941. Must have been with the "Desert Rats" in North Africa. Pursing Rommel. The Desert Fox. Cool! It was a No. 1 Mk III star. Went up by the Dearborn high school and stopped at a sale. The kid there drug out a Nazi flare gun and a Winchester 1906  22 pump. Not for sale. Just wanted to show you. Well shucks!!! All I came away with was a 1942 Time Magazine. A Vanessa Williams video "Dance With Me." and some 10 cent apiece cassettes, but it was a fun morning. Enjoyed seeing old friends and looking at guns.

Drove on up to St. Joe with Mom and had lunch with her. Always fun to make Jessica and Amanda giggle. Took a nap, and when I woke up Mom was asleep on her bed. Told Jess to tell her I went home when she awoke, and headed back to KC.

The Junkman had e-mailed me before I left and said he was having a garage sale and for me to stop by, so drove down to Parkville and stopped at his house. He was taking a flat bed trailer to his son but told me to stick around. Delightful Donna was there. He must think I am pretty harmless to leave me alone with his wife. Man that hurt!  LOL!! Donna and I sat in lawn chairs in her garage door, and talked. She's fun. John came back and as I guess as he expected she had remained as he had left her. He gave me a beer and we did some BSing. He hauled unsold items back in his garage, and I got tired watching him. Headed on home to find Brad and Cooper were at my house. Utter Pandemonium! Brad pounding on the piano. Dogs and cats looking like the end of the world had come. Oh well soon they will not want to come to the old peoples house. Enjoy it while I can. She took them home about 7, and that was my day. Another page turned in Stoof Fixer's Saga. Wonder what today will bring??     Pics are one of the Dearborn Stained glass. Two new Experimental Adams business airplanes. One a jet and the other a recp. Strange looking buggers. Wonder if they will sell? One of the KC Skyline taken from the west side of Downtown Airport, and one of the front desk where I first saw Sharon Fowler in our old Hanger on the west side. We both hired on at Executive Beechcraft in January 1968. Sharon has retired, and I miss her. No end in sight for Ol' Ginnis but the grave. Oh well. San Diego is Thursday, and my old shipmates await. See you there guys!! 

Terry at MKC

PS  For Rhett & Kelly. Just sending this one. I wanted you both to know how much I enjoyed seeing you and how gracious to me you both were. Friends forever, OK?

Well my 34th Wedding Anniversary was Wednesday. Kinda thru me into the depths of despair. Idiotic isn't it? Nobody to blame for all those wasted loveless, affectionless years but myself. I know some are going to write and say how about Erin and your Grandsons? Well of course that part has to make up for all the rest or I wouldn't still be here. Self pity is sure something I'm good at, and I guess I just needed to curl up and whimper some. Over now pretty much. Life goes on until it stops. Somedays I wish I could live forever and somedays I wish the end would just hurry the hell up. If you have been with me on APOTD for the last decade, I expect you know these moods of mine come and go and I expect many are sick of hearing about them. That said, I write about my life. What I have done, and what I'm doing. What makes me happy, and what rips my guts out. This week was a downer or most of it. Could be so much worse, but my lot in life just got to me. Sorry for dumping this on you poor folks.

There has also been very little to write about. I was pretty busy this week for the first time in I can't remember when. My Navy squadron reunion is just a little more than a month off. Looking forward to seeing old friends and old shipmates again. Probably for the last time. The Blue Angels will be at Downtown Sept. 15 for our Airshow and am looking forward to seeing them again.

Got a couple of gift certificates for my birthday, and decided to get off my lead butt and use them. I bought a 50th Anniversary Edition of "The Searchers." John Wayne and Ward Bond. Two of my all time favorites, and one of my favorite movies. Then ordered "Warman's Civil War Weapons", and "Military Weapons Price Guide" with another. "The Searchers" came yesterday. Bradley is spending the night and when he leaves, I'm going to go watch it . Then go get a haircut.

Pictures are of the Embraer mockup that was here last week, andabout the only thing of interest on the ramp to take a picture of all week as well. Better get this going before you think I put the Colt in my mouth and pulled the trigger.

Terry

Well this has been fun for me. Been digging thru old photo albums trying to find Gettysburg pics. Found some of them but so many more I had forgotten. My last full reenacting year was 1989, and my last Missouri Brigade event was the Battle of Mine Creek, Ks. that year. I went to Perryville, Ky in 1990 for an event with an old friend who had founded the 3rd Mo. Cav Battn. in Louisville. Perryville was fun in part, but I was so burned out by that time, that I took a hit on the 1st volley during the Battle and when the fighting moved over the hill and I was out of view of the spectators, I resurrected myself, and went back to camp to wait till it was over. The very last was a trip to Vicksburg with two friends that was an absolute fiasco. We never did find the event, but did get to tour the Vicksburg and Grand Gulf battlefields. Spent a night sleeping in the van in a campground, which was not the most enjoyable night I ever spent. Came home without pitching a tent or firing a shot. Pretty disappointing. I never went back.

Anyway, back to Gettyburg. We woke that morning to another scorcher. I don't really remember, but I expect we did some Battalion drills that morning. Then the call went out to form up. We were going on a little hike. They didn't say how far tho. We formed in two ranks and counted off by two's. RIGHT FACE!  # 2's stepped up, and suddenly we were a column of fours instead of two ranks. That was always fun to do, and to watch if I wasn't in ranks. FORWARD......MARCH! and we stepped off. Down thru camp to a gravel road. Down the road in route step. Trying to ration the water in the canteens but it was oh so hot in those wool uniforms. One mile....then two...then maybe 5 and we came on a little stream, and a halt was called. One hour rest was passed down and men started to strip off and jump in the cool running stream. Not sure if any of the Missourians did. I sure as Hell wasn't going to expose my little nekkid body to about 7000 men, but many did.

Several of us found a tree and the shade underneath. We were laying there, and I saw some of our British friends coming up the hill. A huddled conference....and it was decided. 4 or 5 stood up and when the Brits came within earshot we in unison let forth with "God Save the Queen!!!" They looked startled....then pleased. Broad smiles and they came over to share our shade. Cool! It was decided....YES! We ARE having fun now!

I thought it was about to stop tho. There was a Missourian there.....not in Crowley's......that I had heard was selling pot. I had mentioned to several that if so, he had no business in our "Hobby." Of course that had gotten back to him, and he came looking for me. A head taller than me, and when he walked up and asked if I was McGinnis, he didn't look happy. I figured he was about to open a can of Whup Ass on me, but if so, then so be it. My butt had been kicked before, and I was, and am responsible for what I say, and what I do. If he was selling pot, I would stick by what I said, come what may. He asked me if it was true what I said, and I reckoned as how it was. Told him if he was doing what I considered a reliable source had told me he was doing, I didn't want or think he should be in our "Hobby." He asked who I had heard it from. Told him, that he wouldn't know that from me....ever. He said whoever had told me that was dead wrong. He was an auxiliary deputy sherriff and not a pot smoker or seller. I said I had heard it from a man I trusted but if he swore it was untrue, then I would take his word, but if he was lying to me, I would do everything in my power to get him expelled from the Missouri Civil War Reenactors Association. He said that was fair and it was a deal. We shook hands. I almost had his name. Dale Sherrard I think. I still see him occasionally at gun shows and we still are friends. To my knowledge he has never gone back on his word to me.  "Fall IN!!! was screamed by the officers and once again we fell into two ranks. Back into a column of fours and down the road back the way we had come. We were being Heth's Confederate Division in search of shoes in Gettyburg. Down the make believe Chambersburg Pike we went. One of our older troops, Clay Collins, began to feel the effects of the heat and the march. He fell out in a bad way about half way back, and a couple were detailed to stay with him. The paramedics found him and took him to a hospital with heat stroke. When he recovered he went to the airport and caught a flight home. All that way and never got to fire a shot. Crowley's first casulty. I had quit smoking the month before, and I was feeling GREAT! Little did I know that I was just 6 months away from my heart plugging up. I was 42.

We were all feeling the heat and the 10 mile march but then we spotted Yankee Cavalry in our front.  Blisters and exhaustion were forgotten.The column of fours quickly became a two rank Line of Battle that seemed to stretch out of sight in both directions. What an absolutely awesome sight that was. The Yankee Troopers, as in the actual bttle, dismounted to fight on foot. Every 4th man being a horse holder. The volleys rang out. Clouds of black powder smoke billowed and drifted in our front.  The acrid taste in your mouth as you bit the tail off the paper cartridges, and poured it down hot barrells. Soon we were pushing them back and almost had them on the run when the Federal Infantry arrived to much "Huzzahing" by their Cav. We traded vollys with them, while thousands and thousands of spectators watched. Ed Zwick was there with a camera crew getting footage for the movie "Glory" he was directing. Classic Images was also there filming and if you see their movie of Gettysburg, you might see the Missourians and 2nd Sgt McGinnis advancing on the Yanks. I found a video at K-mart after the event and it was the Classic Images footage set to music. I still have it and my Grandson loves to set on my lap and watch his Grandpa with a red beard he has never seen, shooting at the Yanks while the music plays. How cool is that for his Grandpa? We routed the Feds as it happened 125 years ago. The Germans of the IX Corps, as they had at Chancellorville....ran. A halt was called for the day. "Resurrection" was called for the dead and wounded. We limped back to camp. I don't remember marching but we probably did.

The leader of the Brits, Terry Boniface, told me that night around the campfire how amazed the Brits were when we formed up that morning. Men from almost every state in the US, that had never seen each other, and there was no pushing or shoving or arguments. They just fell in like old comrades. We all drilled by "Hardee's Tactics" so everyone knew what to do, pretty much. The Americans just cooperated with one another for the good of all he said. No way would it have been like that in the UK he also said. It just had never occured to me it wouldn't happen that way. We were all there to honor those who had been our ancestors and to have the time of our lives. Pretty much that's what happened. I was pretty proud of our guys. Two more days to tell you about. If your sick of it, let me know and I'll quit.

Got my scanner working and used it a little last night. A picture of the Missourians under the Captain's fly at Gettysburg. That's Big Dick Taylor on the left. I'm in there. John Moloski's boy. Gunny Sgt Dyer, and his Dad, Doc Dyer. Davy Okerstrom peeking around a tent pole. Tim Moore. Doc and Davy have left us. Doc from old age and Davy by his own hand. A woman, it was said. He loved her and she left. Many said they could never understand what he did. I could.

I've got three pics from the Shiloh Battle the year before, a friend sent me. The four Brothers in Arms standing by the Missouri Battle flag are Ben Keller, his half brother Rick Pine who was electrocuted in a swimming pool. That famous 2/3rds scale reenactor 2nd Sgt. McGinnis and Rhett Johnson of Dearborn. Haven't seen Ben in 15 years. Rick is dead, but Rhett and his wife Kelly remain good friends. That's 1st Sgt Clayton Murphy marching miscreants down the company street with logs to carry as pennance. Then our camp at Shiloh. The one at Gettyburg was much larger and the Yanks of course had one of their own. A picture of Pickett's Charge from the Philadelphia Paper. Can you pick me out? I'm in there. Then one of Peg and I at Lightburne Hall in Liberty, Mo. one Xmas. The owners of the house had just rennovated the antebellum building and one of our company was friends with them. We were invited to have our Xmas party in their grand home, and wonder of wonders, Peg agreed to go with me. She made her dress and I remember her saying she would try to rustle up a little cleavage for it. Cleavage being one of my favorite things, since Mrs. Barnes in the 5th Grade. She got a quick lesson that night in how to negotiate a cramped bathroom in a hoop skirt. Golden Days my friends. So many good memories. Thanks for letting me share them with you.

Terry at MKC

Well If you ever want to know if a bunch of old men, and not so old men are reading your e-mails, just promise them a picture of a pretty girl, and forget to send it! Wow! Sorry guys! Hey! I'm old and you ALL know about CRS. Here's the picture of EB's lovely Shannon. I see it attached down there this time!!!  

Got a bonus picture for you too. I drove up to St. Joe today to see Mom and Jessica hadn't showed up for work. I really like that kid. I hope nothing bad happened, but anyway. Mom had been telling me Nicole had left and there was a new girl there named Allyson. My 90 year old Mother was telling me how cute Miss Allyson was, but she was only working during the week so I probably wouldn't see her. Well guess who was working in place of Jessica. You guessed it. She IS cute! Found out she's from Atchison, Ks. I guess I can overlook the fact she's a Jayhawker this time.  

How to get a pic of her for the old sailors on APOTD? I was eating dinner with two WWII Vets. Wilbur Francis who had been on the Battleship California at Pearl Harbor, and Glenn Randelmann who had been a Medical Supply Officer at Kunming, China. Thought maybe Miss Allyson would let me take her pic with Wilbur, as young girls seem to like old sailors for some unknown reason. He was the oldest in the room for sure, so the next time she passed I put the question to her. As expected she was happy to, and you will find Allyson and Wilbur attached. Wilbur is the one on the left. 

Not much going on in St. Joe today. I ran by Dean's gunshop up by I-29 and 169 Hwy. Lot's of guns but nothing much old and rusty. I like Randy's buddy's shop in De Soto so much better. Crap piled everywhere. Cats wandering the counter. Old guns lining the wall with old boxes of ammo. Smoke hanging almost as thick as the lies being passed around. An old dog asleep on the floor. My kind of gun shop. For that matter my kind of Barber shop. For that matter my kind of beer joint. Is my neck red, and my collar blue or what????

Got an e-mail from Top Foster when I got home. He wanted to know where the Hell the pic of Shannon was! LOL!! Marines are similar to old sailors I guess. Here it is Top. BUT! He sent me a picture of himself at his office at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq. Notice the pictures to his right on the wall. Tida and Jamie. Do you see??? Methinks Master Sargent Foster kinda liked those pics that you so graciously asked me to send him with a little help from Jack Carson. Nothing like pretty girls to raise the morale of our men overseas. Thanks Ladies!! I just love this pic. Double Stuf Oreos and bags of Tootsie Rolls help, but I bet he would pass on those for the pics you sent.

Got to get a pic of an airplane in this as it IS Aircraft Pic of the Day, so sending one of a B-24 with some pretty cool nose art. Sorry about the old man in the picture. Guess I better get this going before more irate e-mails hit my mail box. Pretty girls for the old men. A Handsome Marine for you ladies, and one old homely ex-sailor to bring you all back to reality.

Terry at MKC

Well the old Stoof Fixer has been on a roller coaster since Wednesday. Lots of things going on in my life good and bad, but Friday I seemed to turn the corner. Just a little anyway. I'll tell you some of it anyway.

I walked in the door Friday morning and went down to the Inspector's Office. Terry Martin asked if I had seen the Lear 35 up in bay 1. Nope was my reply. What's the matter with it? "It flew thru a hailstorm Thursday night. It's pretty beat up." Hmmmm. Well that might make some good pics. So I went up to take a look. The Landing light lens in the left tip tank was busted as was the bulb. Most of the paint was gone off the radome. Dents on all the leading edges, and especially the engine inlets. Paint gone off the leading edges of the antennas. Wow! That must have been a wild ride when they got in the middle of that. I expect there was some underwear that needed changed when they got it on the ground.

Went out to Smoker's Corner at 1st break. I usually set out there alone, but yesterday 18 year old and very pretty Sally Rogers came walking out. Jenny's daughter. I met this girl at a party at Jenny's when she was 14, and was impressed then with her personality. Much like Tida, she seems to be nice to all. She is to me, and it was fun to talk to her. Decided I had had all the tuna sandwiches I wanted out of the Wheel of Death, so made the decision to run over to Sonic and get a BLT for lunch. No biggie, except the coal train was stopped in Harlem on the way back, and I had to backtrack. Went over the Heart of America Bridge. East on on I-70 a little ways then a south turn over the Broadway Bridge  and into our parking lot. Parked the car, and walked in the front door. Waved at the front desk girls and started back to the Hanger. Sally hollered:"Terry, I just tried to page you!" Did I have a call? "No, I wanted to go smoke with you." Now THAT my friends, is pretty cool to hear for a man who will be 61 in 15 days. Well Hell girl, lets go burn one. So we did. Pretty good for an old mans ego. Thank you Sally.

 After lunch, I was sent over to the old Kansas City Flying Service hanger to put in a new audio selector panel in Children's Mercy's new King Air. Drove in the gate by the Airline History Museum and saw they had the cowling off the engine they just replaced and were working on it. Drove on to 6B and parked the Van. The Big Dick was in the airplane working on it. I got the old audio panel out and stuck the new one in. Richard helped me check it out. Still no sidetone on the telephone, and I thought we had struck out. I found out later you had to make an actual phone call to see if it's working and they were going to do that on the test hop. Richard showed me his new shop/office spaces. Pretty nice. When Frank Spaatz had that hanger it was like the Bat Cave. Now all fresh paint and well lighted. What a change from 1969.

Headed on back to Hanger 1, but stopped at the Connie to talk to Adam. He climbed down off the ladder, and said neither the Hornet nor Midway Museums had called back on that 1820. Well I tried. What's the matter with your new engine, I asked him? "Had a prop governor failure on the test hop. We were turning 2900 rpm and 15 inches of maniforld  pressure. Had to keep bumping the "Feather" button to keep the rpm down. Told him if it had been me, I belive I would have had both thumbs on that button and it would have BEEN feathered. I thought later they may have not wanted to do it, because someone on the ground would have been sure to see it feathered and called the news media. Not good publicity I don't think. They were putting a new governor on, and maybe we will get to see it fly again next week. Sure was a thrill last week as it always is to hear it fly. It had been awhile.         Not much the rest of the afternoon other than we heard that Ozzy Osborne was flying in for a concert at Verizom, and that was Aerosmith's tour bus parked out by the corner of the hanger. The rock stars almost always arrive in the evening, so we seldom get to see them, but I have seen a lot of famous people nonetheless. Lyndon Johnson. Jesse Jackson, Ollie North, Bill and Hillary before they became co-president, and many others. Walked out to smoke one day and found Randy Owen of "Alabama" leaning against the hanger. Sometimes the airport can be a pretty cool place to work

Got some pics of the Lear for you. One of the beauteous Ms. Rogers, and one of the Connie engine. Tida even came and talked to me at 2nd break yesterday. Not a bad one as days go in Stoof Fixer's Saga. Beat up Lear Jets. Pretty girls. Big old smokey round engines. Yeah, I've had worse days.

Terry at MKC

A warm sunny July day in Northwest Missouri. Just another day at Downtown Airport.....but it wasn't. It was a day marked in red in Stoof Fixer's Saga. My first girlfriend from 43 years ago came to visit today, and what a day for Ol' Ginnis! She was putting her Mom on a plane back to Texas at KCI, and then was coming to see where I had spent my life. Coming to see Me!. Still hard to believe, I assure you, but it happened. I have pictures!

She called from her car about 9, and said she was going to come. I knew her Mom's plane left KCI at 11, so wasn't expecting her till after then. I was down in the Parts Room, when I heard them page me. "Terry McGinnis, call 0." Uh oh. What now? I picked up the phone, and said this is Terry. Brandy answered. "Terry, Lynette is here in the lobby to see you." Holy Crap! Don't let her get away! I will be there as fast as my stubby little legs will get me there!" Anxious to see her? Naw. Not me. LOL!!!

I had asked the Little Boss if it was alright if I showed her around and I would punch out to do so. He asked how long it was going to take and I said I didn't think it would take long.  He looked stern and then looked at me and said:"Don't punch out unless you leave the premises." Turned on his heel and walked off. Now that I wasn't expecting.

I went thru the 2 sets of double doors from the hanger to the Lobby. Looked around and there she was. She doesn't think so, and I expect she thinks I'm BSing her when I tell her, but she is still so very pretty. She turned and saw me . Smiled and the old mans knees went a little week. Yeah, I remember that smile. I managed to make it to where she was, and got a hug. So good to see her. It was in the long ago and it still is....good to see her. The lady is a class act. We went down the hall to the Radio Shop. Children's Mercy's office door was open. Jim Cline had told me yesterday that I could take her thru their airplanes, as it was ok with him. He's possibly one of the finest men I know. Jim wasn't in the office but his son Jason was. Jason resembles an NFL Linebacker and is one big dude but also a Hell of a nice guy and a friend. I introduced her to him, and he was very warm. Thanks Jason! We walked on down the hall to the radio shop and I showed her where the radios are fixed. Then took her into the Installer's room and showed her my workbench. Her picture is on it. She asked if my wife ever came in there and I laughed. "Never.!" She recognized Tida in one of the pics, and I showed her the picture of Fairfax airport in 43, where her husband works now. Pictures of my daughter and Grandsons. She was seemingly interested. Nice.

Then we went out in the hot muggy hanger, and I showed her one of the new Hawkers. We climbed in and I had a revalation when she told me she had had a few flying lessons. That was a stunner. I had no idea. So she wasn't completely unfamiliar with airplanes. We then took a tour of Children's Mercy's 200. I showed her all the Medical equipment EB had installed. Too hot to stay in there long. We headed to the lobby and I saw Kebra heading our way and asked her to come meet Lynette. She told me later that she thought her "A Knockout" and I was to tell her she said so. OK Keb. I just did.

I wanted her to meet Tida, so we went up to Charter, me telling her that Howard Hughes had had an office there. Now occupied by the owner. Tida was on the phone so we went to see Deb to see if we could peek in Mr. Meisinger's office. Nope they were having a meeting, but Debbie got to meet her, and was also very nice. Went by Tida;s office again but she was still chattering away on the phone, so I took her down the hall to meet Stunning Stephanie. Lynette sells office supplys and I had been telling her the story of our recent go around with an office supply saleslady. Steph was the one that had had to deal with her, and she told Lynette how it had gone down. They talked like they had known one another for years and that was fun to see my current friend interact so well with an old friend.

Back down the hall and one last look in Tida's office....and she was off the phone! Lynette had read about Tida on APOTD, and Tida had read about Lynette. I think they both said they felt like they all ready knew one another. Also a very nice thing for me. I think Tida could melt the coldest heart, and Lynette doesn't have one of those. It was awesome to see two of my favorite ladys talking. Jamie came out of the back office and I introduced her. Then I asked for pictures, and I got a good one of Lynette, Tida, & Jamie. Then I asked Tida if she would take a picture of Lynette and I and she readily agreed. Find that attached. If you should ever look up "Beauty and the Beast" on the internet, it's very likely this picture might come up. Just to preclude misunderstandings it would be the old man with white hair that would fall in the "Beast" category. Lynette definetly being the "Beauty!"

She had to get back to St. Joe and to work, and nothing wonderful and sublime ever lasts very long, so I walked her to her car. We talked about old friends and old times, and it was good. So very nice of her to come and see me. My long ago lost girl. Hard to believe she was standing there again, but she was. Sadly not for long. I gave her directions on how to get back on the Broadway Extension. She followed them well. The old man watched her out of sight. "So long pretty girl. Vaya con Dios!"

Terry at Mkc

Well kept busy for most of the day for a welcome change. The little standby altimeter came back for the News-Press's Lear 45 about 10, and I swapped the fittings from the old one, stuck the new one in. Certified the static system, and put the panel back together. Finished some little gripes on the C90. The owner showed up. Name of McGraw. Asked him if he had any relation in Richmond. Said he didn't. Told him I had gone thru the 4th grade with a Charles McGraw, and that I thought he was Superintendent of the Blue Springs school district. "Oh yeah, I know Charles. He's retired and selling insurance now." Amazing! He knew Karl Krause, that I had worked for at Baker's in the early 70's. Sometimes it's a VERY small world.

Went up to the front desk to get a $10 changed. Brandy and Shannon were on duty. Shannon is new and a sweetie!  I told Brandy one of the old men on the APOTD list had e-mailed me and said she looked like LeAnn Rimes. Of course she said she didn't, but I think it pleased her. She DOES! Shannon had a note for Terry Martin, and she asked me if I would take it to him. I said sure but it would cost her. Her eyes got big and she said "What?" A smile Darlin. Just a smile, and she DID!!! So I said paid in full and took her note back to Terry.

Missing Tida these days. We have a lot of pretty ladies with personality plus at EB, and I will probably catch Hell for saying this, but it's hard to stay abreast of Tida Mane Allen. Did I say that? Oh Nooooo! Bad Terry. Mrs. Allen is a honey tho, and she smiles so big when Bob Leberak sends her some. Come back to us Tida!!! We miss you!

Children's Mercy's 200, that we started on last December, made it's first test flight for the hospital today with only a couple of very minor (I hope) gripes. A speedy bunch aren't we? It's been an ordeal, but the FAA has signed off on it and hopefully it will start transporting sick kids very soon, and hopefully saving lives. Can't think of anything much better than that. Sending you a couple of pics taken just before it took off. Also sending you a pic you have probably already seen. Ol' Sacramento in my garage door just before sundown on the 4th. Waiting for Yankee Cavalry patrols (read KCPD squad cars) to pass. Then one taken from my little video I did of the old girl letting fly toward the vile damn Jayhawkers. Stopped the video at just the right moment, and took a very blurry pic off my PC. Where's the windex???

I may have told you about Ol' Sacramento before, but your gonna hear it again. The real cannon was captured by Alexander Doniphan's Missourians at the Battle of Sacramento, Mexico in 1847. It was said it had been cast with a lot of silver in the alloy and when fired, was said to ring like a church bell. The Missourians brought it back home with them, and 14 years later it went to war again in Hiram Bledsoe's Battery. First in the Missouri State Guard, then into Confederate Service with the Missouri Brigade. Bledsoe's Battery fought in many battles in Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi with distinction, and bravery. If I ever heard of the final fate of the tube I have forgotten it. I hope it sits in some Military park somewhere awaiting the south to rise again. My little cannon get's it name from that famous cannon as my dogs were named after Missouri Confederate Cavalry Generals Jo Shelby, and John S. Marmaduke.

The thought for tonite from Jimmy Buffett. "Don't let Momma cut those curls, and could you stand a little closer girl???

Terry at MKC

Two Mondays this week, and they both sucked. After such a great day yesterday, this one really did. Someone deleted my AOL software from the shop computer, and I think I know who. Couldn't believe he wants to screw with my head that bad, but guess so. I've been told I have some great friends and I do, but I sure have some humdinger enemies as well. It probably shouldn't have been on there anyway so can't complain, and the guy with administrator privileges that put it on there for me is gone, so I guess is, my AOL. Life goes on, but I won't forget what he did.

Did spend most of the day working on a C90 I hadn't seen before. Several minor squaks. Got most of them done. A few left for tomorrow so at least something to do.

There's an airshow in St. Joe, this weekend and I think I'm going to take Brad with me and go to it. I hear admission is free, and that's the best kind. Suppose to be all military. I called his Mom and she said it would be ok. Kinda looking forward to it. Hope he will be good for me. Not much else to report tonight.

Going to finish sending the pics I took yesterday at Rosecrans. The Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Flight Line. The US and Missouri flag flying on the base. Looking the other way the Rosecrans tower. I can still see myself taxing in there at dark. Seeing my Mom and Dad at the fence. Jumping out of the Stoof, with instructions the pilot wanted me to give the tower. Seeing pride in my Dad's eyes for maybe the first time ever. Pretty good memory, that one. Inside the terminal/tower some interior shots. One a picture of the airport. One a picture of the WWI aviator that the airport is named after. Died in France after walking into a spinning prop. William Rosecrans. Hard way to get an airport named after you. Guess that's it for tonite. The fun I felt this morning is pretty much gone. Doesn't take but a little to thriow me, and deleting that software has had me seething all day. Oh well eh? I'll get over it, but I won't forget it.

Terry at MKC

I was up early this morning, and determined to get my old wrinkled Irish butt out of this house. Checked my e-mail and opened one from Pam Hope. She told me there was a B-17 giving rides at Rosecrans up at St. Joe for only $450 a pop. Hey! I'll take two!!! Thought I might take Bradley with me if he was home. Called Erin's cell and home phone but got nothing. Shut Mr. Time Waster off, and went upstairs. Erin was on the phone with her mom. They had camped out last night at her Father in Laws farm, and had left their dog in the house. She was asking her Mom if she would go let the Pig Dog out for a pee break. Well Grandma had an apointment to get her hair cut. ON THE 4TH OF JULY??? Yep she did. "Dad would you do it??" Poor Piggy. Sure. I'll do it. Changed clothes, and headed to Smithville.

Got to Erin's and I could see Piggy in the window and hear her whining. Poor lonely pup. I went in thru the garage, and she was sooooo happy to see Grandpa. Must be why I like dogs so. THEY are always glad to see me. I let her out to do her business. Ever see a look of deep relief on a dogs face? I did. She wanted back in and I gave her a hot dog and loved her awhile. Hated to leave her again but there was a B-17 I wanted to see.

Got back on 169 and headed north. Thru Trimble and past the sign for Paradise. I remembered a Civil War camp out we did there for the boy scouts  in about 1980. Possibly the first time I saw Pat James play the dulcimer and Davey O on the mouth harp. Hearing "Hard Road to Richmond" and "Roll Alabama Roll" for the first time. Also thought about a dear friend that was married there 20 some years ago in a little church in Paradise. Fitting I think. She says it has been. On up thru Grayson and Gower and into St. Joe. Drove past the turnoff to Camp Marvin Hillyard where I had spent a couple of weeks many, many years ago. I still have the crap in Dad's foot locker I made there.

Turned off 169 on to I-29 for aways and got off on 36 Hwy and went west across the wide Missouri. Past Elwood two miles and turned north to Rosecrans. Drove up to the terminal and parked. A small crowd but no airplane. "They should be back in 10 minutes. They are landing from the south." OK. I'll wait. Went and leaned on the fence and took some pics of the Missouri ANG C-130's Scanned the horizon and finally spotted a B-17 coming in from the north. Thought maybe they were gonna do a downwind flyby but no. They landed and taxied to the ramp. I got one picture and the batterys in the camera died. OH NOOOOOO!!. I saw airport bum Les Nelson in the Terminal. "Where's the closest place to buy batterys Les?" "Wal-Mart I think." Crap Les. There has to be a closer place than that. Got back in the PT and drove to Elwood. Spotted the "TREX STOP". Vile damn Jayhawkers can't even spell "Truck!" Got behind some welfare case spending his money on Lottery tickets. Took forever but finally got the batterys and paid for them. Back to the airport, but sure missed some good pics of "Aluminum Overcast" taxing in and shutting down. Spilt Milk. I did get some pics for you and I know there are a couple of B-17 aficianados on the APOTD list. For YOU, Gents. The things I do for my friends. LOL!!! Had a good time and so much more fun than setting in the "Black Hole of Platte Ridge." Took some pics inside the terminal, but those are for another day.

Back in the PT and back down 36 hwy to I-29. North to Frederick. I had brought about a dozen puzzles that had been cluttering the War Room for months. West on Frederick and then north to East Ridge Manor. Mom had lived there for about 10 years and still had many friends there and they LIKE puzzles. Drug the puzzles in and up the elevator to the 2nd floor to the common room. Lots of puzzles in progress but no one there. Well I didn't bring them for a pat on the head. If the old laies get some pleasure out of them that's good enough for me. Went back to the car and north to Carriage Square. Walked in and Mom was watching the space shuttle take off. She was glad to see me. I went and got some coffee and came back and sat down to watch the space shuttle. Spotted some flowers I hadn't seen before. Where did those come from Mom? "Lynette brought them this morning." LYNETTE? Lynette Bundy? "Yes, she brought them this morning. I asked her to stay awhile but she had to go. Wasn't that nice of her?" Lord Mom! That was incredibly nice of her! Lynette, as I expect most of you know, is the blonde from my old brown Chevy, 43 years ago. I was stunned. What an incredibly nice thing to do for an old woman she really doesn't know. Terry has sure been blessed with some wonderful women in his life. LB is damn sure one of them. Another woman Mom knows had brought her some scrumptious homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Sad to say, I  made a dent in those. Another wonderful woman to do that for Mom, and her worthless son. On the way home I drove by where Lynette works, and her vehicle was there. Almost talked myself into stopping and thanking her. Didn't want to embarass her should co-workers be present, by a very old boyfriend showing up at her place of business so didn't stop, but I owe her. Not sure how to pay a married woman back, but Terry will think of a way.

Dana the Manager asked if I was staying for the fireworks but told her I had a previous engagement. Ol' Sacramento will roar tonite. The 143rd Anniversary of the Surrender of Vicksburg, and 143 years and 8 days since 1st Sgt Andy Denton died there of his wounds. His Great great Grandson hasn't forgot, and we will fire one tonite in his honor. You fought em all you could Grandpa. You gave everything you had, and I haven't forgotten, nor shall your  Great-great-great-great Grandsons if I can live long enough for them to get old enough to understand.   Guess that's enough for tonite. Hope all of you had a great 4th. If, wherever you are at sundown, you might look in the direction of Kansas City. Listen, if you can for a flash on the horizon and a low boom. If you can hear it, you will know an old Rebel has lobbed another one in the direction of the Jayhawks. Yee HAW!!!!

Terry at MKC

Well not much to tell you tonite. I was scheduled to fix the KFC-250 Autopilot in Children's Mercy C90 but Jason came in before work, and said it had worked perfectly on two flights the night before so not to touch it. Then I was supposed to check some RVSM altitudes on a Falcon 50, but the company mechanic had rented some adaptors and Fed Ex didn't bring them, so that went out the window too. Left me, as usual, with zip to do but wander around. Not a lot of fun. 

Then I heard 3rd hand that the FNG had given his notice. Probably a wondeful thing for him but know it means the same for me after Cameron left. That I will get stuck with every IFR Cert that comes in the door. Not real crazy about that news. He asked if I was going to go have a beer with them, even tho one of the guys I despise will be there. Nope. He obviously would rather hang out with the guys that wish I was dead, than me, so nope. Hope it works out for him and I wish him well.

We had a lot of fun this morning with the pics Tida wanted to send to Master Sargent Foster in Iraq. Then Jack Carson sent the one he doctored up for Tida with Matt's pic in a balloon over the girls and their longing looks. That was pretty cool they did that for him. Then Carson sent one with the very young Terry in place of Matt over the girls. I sent that one along as well. I saw Tida in the lobby this afternoon, and she said Jamie opened it and asked Tida who that sailor was in the pic. Jeez! Talk about a knife in an old codgers back! LOL!! Was I ever that young?? Had to go up and give her a hard time about it. She said "Terry, I wasn't even born when that picture was taken!" She gave as good as she got. Good for you Jamie!!         I ought to probably tell you some more Civil War reenactment stories but now I can't remember which ones I have related. In the interests of not hearing what a senile old fart I am I guess I won't.

Here's the pics of that Army King Air I told you about, that was on our ramp yesterday. Lumps and bumps every where! I took one with it next to a civilian King Air so you could notice the differences. Going to throw one in of an 8th Air Force Officer's WWII "Ike" jacket hanging next to me here in the "Black Hole of Platte Ridge." Hope you like.

Terry at MKC

Well parts of my Father's Day weekend were fantabulous. Bought myself a couple of presents Saturday. Went to the ex-K-Mart now Sears in search of a Trisha Yearwood CD with "On A Bus to St. Cloud" on it. My new favorite. Of course they didn't have it, but found a DVD I wanted. "The Battle of Britain" with Michael Caine and Susannah York, and just about every known British actor living at that time. Laurence Olivier. Ralph Richardson, etc. Ms York was just incredibly cute when she was young. Especially wearing a man's shirt and tie, and her skivvies. Wow! Did get some scripts filled, and decided I would go look at the dreaded local Wal-Mart. 2nd home to the Junkman, and absolutely the Gateway to Hell for me. Apoligys to Devious as I know he likes the place. Parking lot jammed as usual and the checkout lines receding into the far distance. Of course they had it, and had it cheap. Didn't have to go thru the check out line. Paid for it in the music department, and got the little Irishman outta there! Damn near wrecked the PT doing so, but I made it. Guess it was worth it as I really like that song. 

Had an appointment at Dirk's to drink beer with a very old friend and her husband. That my friends, was a good time. They couldn't stay long so I headed on home to find the Grandboys had arrived to spend the night. Sounded like the house was being torn down from down here in the "Black Hole of Platte Ridge", but when I went upstairs later to survey the damage, Le Maison was mostly intact. There they all were asleep in her bed. Two little blonde boys. Their Grandma. Maxine, the golden lab who weighs more than both of the boys put together. Both cats, and only Marmaduke missing. Guess he couldn't find a place. It looked pretty crowded. The next morning my daughter came to retrieve them, and she was bearing gifts. Got a new ball cap and T-Shirt with "Dad's Team" emblazoned on both. You can see it in the attached pic. Also got a plaster cast of Bradley's hand and some of his artwork. He stayed in the lines folks!! Didn't he do good??

They left for church in Lenexa, and I headed for Mom's in St. Joe. Mom's boyfriend was out front when I drove up. I sat with him awhile, and heard about Dec.7th 1941, and how he was a gun captain on an AA mount on the USS California. His battleship was the lead ship in the line, and took two torpedoes and a bomb. The bomb blew Wilbur high in the air. He said he landed on the steel deck and thought every bone in his body was broken. The California sunk at the pier, and "Abandon Ship" was called. Wilbur said he swam to the beach, and ran and hid in a dugout at the ball field on Ford Island. He said the Jap planes were close enough to see the pilots looking at him. He said one doubled back and strafed his dugout. When it left he changed dugouts!. Made me laugh. He is 87 and still sharp as a tack. He teases Mom unmercifully, and she is too busy giggling to pay much attention to me. Thank you Mr. Francis!!! Wilbur also did me another favor. Jessica, one of the girls who takes care of Mom, is just as cute as a button, but she always wears her her tied up when she is working. I guess Wilbur saw her with it down last week and asked her if she would wear it down Saturday. When I walked into Mom's, she said you better go look at Jessica. She is beautiful today. So of course I did. But first I went and got the camera out of the PT for the old sailors. They were cleaning Wilbur's room, her and Amanda,and of course they looked awful and NOOOO! Don't take my picture! I told them it was Father's Day and they had to humor me, I think they are a little flattered, but don't like to show it. Anyway I got one for you.

Jess always gives me double portions, and I got a lot of meatloaf. After dinner Mom wanted to go to Green Hills and get some orange juice, so I loaded her in the PT and off we went. I bought her OJ, and took her for a little drive down to Krug Park. Came back up Grand Ave.,  the Parkway and Lover's Lane. She was happy, so then so was I. Took her home and talked awhile, and then drove on home

Erin wanted me to come to her house at 6, so at the appointed time, I headed to Smithville. The wife went to St. Joe so she wouldn't have to be around me. Erin and the boys were in the front yard when I drove up, and I followed Coop around for awhile while he mowed with his toy Lawn Boy. Mostly I kept him out of the street. Erin hollered it was time to eat, and went inside to be greeted with KFC. Alright!!! My favorite. Coop is an eater and that doesn't bode well for his future waistline, . Brad is a picker, but he ate pretty good. After supper, we went back out front and watched Jerry and Brad hit a whiffle ball. Brad has a pretty good eye for 4, and whacked it over his Daddy's head a couple of times. Mom and Grandpa applauded. There was a TV program coming on that Jerry wanted to watch so said my goodbyes, and headed on back home. A pretty good Father's Day weekend, but a feeling kind of like when I went alone to Winnepeg, Canada. No one to share it with or that cared, and it was a kind of a hollow bittersweet feeling.

Nothing to do this morning, but this afternoon, I had a new customer come in with a P Baron that had a bum autopilot pitch servo. I got that out and found a bad motor. Replaced that. Put it back together. Ran the tests with the servo tester. It passed them all, and I stuck it back in the airplane. Only a slight amount of blood, but it was mine and I miss it. Wonder of wonders it WORKED!

Got some pics from Mike Bottenfield. One is a C-123, but I'm not sure what the other one is. Obviouly a Douglas product, as that was where he worked. A couple of me wearing presents and holding a sign Erin made for me. Even better the candy remains untouched. Aren't you proud of me??? Guess that's it for tonite. Hope you like. 

Terry at MKC 

I had the most amazing thing happen to me last night. Some of you may remember VS-35's Lt. Cdr Dennis Reynolds, who was such a great tour guide at the Blue Wolve's hanger at North Island. Sure enjoyed meeting him. What a great man. He has since of course been transferred to new duties, and made full Commander, and congratulations to him on that. Anyway I was sitting here last night answering e-mails and an IM window popped up. It was Cdr. Reynolds. I figured he was in San Diego, but noooo! He was IMing me from Atsugi, Japan. Cool! Told him to go into Sagami and drink a cold Asahi for me. He said (I think. I was pretty excited) he was on an inspection tour of some kind wiith or for HSL-51. Again I may have got the squadron wrong. It was durn sure my first IM from Japan. I think he said he was going to be back in the States on Friday. Told him I sure would trade places with him. Said he just wanted to say "Hi" and he had to go. What a nice thing to do. Sure made my evening! I'm enclosing a pic of Cdr. Reynolds with President Bush at North Island. A memorable day for him I have no doubt. Not everyday the President drops in and needs a flight suit.

The Connie and her new engine made the local Saturday paper. If I could fire up my scanner I would send you the pic, but alas the CD with required program still eludes me. Sure hope they get it running and it runs right. Sure miss hearing that rumble from across the field.

Went up to Charter this morning to give the girls some pics I took of them and heard that the bee swarm had left the Line Shack Picnic table and swirled thru our parking lot after we had gone home. Not too upset I missed that, but it would have been fun to see.

Went to Parts and got me a box for the stuff I bought for the Marines in Iraq. Loaded that up and was feeling pretty good. Then the rest of the day went completely down hill. I still can't believe what was done to me. Went years with things running pretty smooth. The guys I didn't care for had died or quit and life was pretty tranquil. They seem to be coming at me from all sides now. Probably just my paranoia, but DAMN! Why? What did I do?? Guess there is no good answer. Too much down time and I seem to have more than my share. Hoping for a better day tomorrow, but really not expecting it.

Sending you some pics from Navy Pilot Norm Bild who was good enough to make copies from his cruise book and I think it was USS Yorktown's 60-61 Cruise they are from. That's Cdr. Bild at the controls of a Willy Fudd. A pic of an HS-2 Helo and one of an S2F-1 from VS-37. Victoria was good enough to scan them for me. Hope this doesn't make anyone mad.

Terry at MKC

Got some good news today. The Hanger Manager from the Airline History Museum was over borrowing our fork lift. It was his phone number I had given the man from the Hornet Museum. He said yes, they had called, and he was very impressed with their operation. He told me Hornet had acquired an FM-2 Wildcat from the bottom of Lake Michigan. Probably a training accident off either the Sable or the Wolverine. They were steam side wheelers converted to aircraft carriers and used to train Navy pilots to come aboard ship. No submarines on the Great Lakes. Much easier to train when your ship isn't sinking. Anyway, I guess the engine has some major damage, and they were interested in the ALH engine as a replacement. Adam said he had climbed in the truck and looked at the data plate one the engine. He said:"You were right. It WAS a Dash 82WA, and it was made by Lycoming." Told him it didn't surprise me. When He opened the door I knew it was a Stoof engine, and that we had had several Lycoming manufactured engines in VS-35. If memory serves even a couple made by Studebaker. He said it's theirs if they want to pay the shipping. Hope they do. Sure would like to see it on Hornet.

He also said the new engine for the Connie was in Paola. A strange route to come from California but whatever works I guess. He didn't say but expect the forklift was to be used to get the engine out of the can, or maybe out of the back of the truck. More likely that. Sure hope they get it installed in time for their airshow.

The Childrens Mercy King Air took off this morning at 5:40. They flew to KCI to wait for daylight then on to the paintshop. Kinda strange to not see it sitting there in the corner of Bay 1. I was told by the owner today we had started on it last December. Jeez! All went well. Only a couple of very minor gripes. Pretty good after all that has been done to it. Glad for the owner and his son. Maybe they can start making some money with it now.

Had Tida looking for airline tickets for me this morning. Decided maybe I was going to live and better get off my butt and get the ball rolling. No word from her yet.                               I was given an old Piper T Tail Lance to IFR about 11. It went pretty smooth and got done about 4. Didn't even break a sweat. Not much else to talk about. Haven't heard anymore from Smithville about the enundated basement. The wife went and babysat last night while Erin went to Church. She didn't show tonite till 6:30 and when she drove in the garage I thought I heard Bradley. Nope. Just her. Didn't say where she had been. Hope it was fun wherever she was. Got some great pics from Fudd Driver Norm Bild today. Victoria scanned a few for me. Haven't downloaded them yet. Maybe tomorrow night

Sending you some pics of the Airline History Museum's DC-3. Delivered to TWA in 1941, I think. They bought it at Roswell in 93 and have been working on it ever since. Not quite there yet. Adam let me in it the other day and got some pics of the interior and panel for you. Only DC-3 I think I ever saw with 1820's on it. Wright's of course. All the other have had Pratt & Whitney R-1830's on them. Sounds about the sme but the Wright is a single row of 9 cylinders, and the Pratt, two rows of 7 each. 14 cylinders in all. Oh yeah, the last is of Charterette Jaimie. Ain't she a cutie???

Terry at MKC

PS. Also sending one of Msgt matthew Foster at Al-Asad AB in Iraq with some goodies from home. More are on the way Top!

Well a pretty blah weekend for Ol' Ginnis so far. Absolutely NOTHING to do Friday. Tida had requested a picture of her hair before she torched it. I went up 3 times but unlike Avionics and Maintenance, Charter was BUSY. She said she wanted to come down before I left to get it taken, so I let her alone. No sign her at quitting time, so I punched out and was headed for the door when I heard from the other room: "Is Terry still here???" Heard Jim say "I think you can catch him if you hurry." She did and we got the pics taken and I got a pretty good hug. She said if it came out bad she wasn't coming to work for awhile but would drive down Monday, and call my cell and I could come to the parking lot and get  the pic thru the car window, for an "after" pic. An experiment gone wrong. She says she has learned her lesson. Such beautiful black hair, but she wanted to try something new she said.

I had called the Junkman Thursday and was going to Dirk's Friday night. He said Delightful Donna was going to be home, and I said no sense even planning on it. You won't be able to go. "Oh yes I will! I'll just bring her along." Uh huh. OK. We'll see. Sure enough, my cell rang at quitting time. It was him. "I forgot to ask Donna last night. We have to go somewhere. Sorry!" No problem John. I knew it was coming. Went anyway. The rest were going to Sidepockets but couldn't go with them as their is a gentleman that was going to be in that group that I won't be around anymore. So went to Dirk's alone. Needed a beer and something to eat. Got it. Saw our FAA Inspector there apparently with his wife. I wasn't introduced. Had a pretty waitress, and it wasn't all bad. Beer makes me sleepy and came home and slept till midnight after answering some e-mail.

Yesterday I got a hair cut. Got the oil changed in the PT and got a State Inspection. That was pretty much my day. Need to get to the grocery today and get some food for me and some stuff for the box going to Iraq. Going to Mom's after I finish this so grocerys will be after I get back. Such a wild and crazy life I lead. Took some pics of Paul Potter installing the Nacelle Wing Locker's on Children's Mercys King Air, and Tida's pics are enclosed. Need to get on the road, so will talk atcha later.

Terry at MKC.

Dead, dead, dead. No not me....yet. Downtown Airport. We got the aircraft back from Minnesota, and upon further questioning it turns out there was no smoke. Just an overpowering electrical smell. Guess that's what happens when you keep pushing the circuit breaker back in. We checked out the aircraft and the only thing apparent was that the autopilot pitch servo didn't work. A lady asked me what a servo is. OK. It's a little electric motor with a gear on it and a clutch. It's attached to a capstan with a little cable wrapped around it which attaches to a flight control cable. The little motor can go both directions. There are usually 4 servos in an autopilot. One to control the ailerons. One for the elevators. One for the rudder, and one of the elevator trim tabs. The pitch servo controls the elevators which make the aiplane climb or descend. This particular one didn't do anything. To get to it you have to remove the rear cover to gain access to the tail. Then laying across the baggage floor and the rear seats, you reach thru and unhook the electrical cable. Then with ratchets and sockets unhook the two bolts holding the servo to the capstan and remove. Sound easy? Try it sometime but first look at my forearms. The left one looks like it got between a Tom cat and his honey. The autopilot manufacturer makes provisions to put nutplates on the servos but Raytheon in it's infinite wisdom chooses to use good old bolts and locknuts. Won't even try to describe what's it like reaching across a sharp avionics rack. Thru control cables with little sharp wire ends sticking out of the ferrules on the bridle cables, or trying to hold a wrench on the nut thru a 2 inch gap wile reaching over the Yaw Servo and bracket trying to turn a ratchet. I have pulled dozens of these but this may have been the hardest one ever. Like the Marines in "Heartbreak Ridge" I adapted, Improvised, and overcame. I got it out! Ordered a new one and got it this morning. I however put nutplates on the new one. Still pretty tough, but not near impossible like it would have been with locknuts. All I hat to do was hold the servo in place with one hand while reaching thru control cables trying to start the bolt. Got er dun! Yee Haw! AND it worked. Buttoned it up and took the airplane out and ran it. The Horizon needs to be erected to give it a definite check and the engines need to be running the vacuum pumps to do that. Asleep yet???

Paul Potter in installing the new winglockers on the nacelles of the Childrens Mercy King Air. The inside is done and I got pics of the sleds and overhead panels for you. Might take some pics of what they had to do to the nacelles and the flaps to get the winglockers on. From my vantage point it looks like Potter is doing a great job. Asked the owner if it was alright to take pics of the interior for you. He said sure. The Clines are A1 folks. Thanks Jason and Jim! Sending you some servo pics and the interior of their airplane. And oh by the way when I got that pitch servo out we found out where the overpowering burning electrical smell came from. It STUNK big time!

Tomorrow I have been requested to bring the camera to Charter. Mrs. Allen wants a "Before: pic taken of her hair. Monday it's coming off. She says she will be back Wednesday and I'm to take an "After" pic. Banker Jim and Ol' Ginnis will be in seclusion mourning our loss. For the religious amung you. Pray for us!

Terry at MKC

Well another Monday from Hell. If it could go wrong it did. Got mad. Got bloody. Jeez! Pulled a pitch servo out of the tail of a new A-36 Bonanza this morning. That didn't go too bad. Just nicked my self a little. They decided it was under warranty,, but didn't get it ordered till around 2. Maybe 3. Honnywell is out just north of Olathe. Parts runner on another run, and they sent Jeff to get it. I wondered around with nothing to do. Looked in the shop about 4, and the Little Boss had gone home. Jim and I decided there was no way Warnock could get back by 4:30 so I pulled the power cart off of it. Stuck and orange boot on the prop and shut the doors. No one said a word to me about staying so I was going home. 10 minutes to quitting time Warnock came running up. "Here it is!" You have to be kidding???!!" "Nope. It's gotta go tonite." Jerked it out of his hands, and pushed my tools back out to the airplane. He asked me if he wanted me to put it in. "NOOOOOOOOO!" Got the nutplates swapped, and crawled in the back. Not too bad coming out, but a bitch to hold with one hand and try to line it up to start the bolts. Skinned my left elbow, and left quite a bit of DNA evidence back there. Hadn't got a bolt started yet when Jeff came running up. "Jay drove back to St. Joe. Go home! He told the Big Boss it didn't have to be done today. WONDERFUL!!! Climbed out dripping blood. To say I was less then happy would surely be an understatement. Good thing the Little Boss wasn't there to tell me "It all pays the same!" Well it does you know?? Guess we will try for a blood transfusion in the morning.

The mechanics first day without Richard. Wonder how it went? They are spread from New Century to KC International so not many around at our place to tell. Childrens Mercy's wing lockers came today, and Potter and Kemp started on them at noon. Big job. Hope it goes quick. Jim C would sure like to get that airplane in service and start making money instead of sitting there costing him money. Claude was in our shop looking for heavy guage wire for a Citation up at KCI that had fried the wires to the starter. Good luck to him.

Sun was out for awhile this morning, but was sprinkling again this afternoon. Someone said we got 4 inches over the weekend. Guess we needed it. Just not on the weekend. Bradley got to see his first Major League Baseball game Sunday, and get to see the Royals get clobbered. Well if he becomes a fan he can say he saw them continue a long tradition anyway. God they are awful. Digging for things to talk about and there isn't much. Mom backed out of going to the birthday party yesterday as I was almost sure she would. I got to see Charles Bronson play Wild Bill Hickock in "The White Buffalo." Pretty good western, I hadn't seen in a long time. I knew he was going to have trouble with that Sharps when he stuck it in the snow. Got it killed with a Navy Colt anyway. Uh huh. Sure!

Got some picture from my sister entitled "Scary Pictures". They were. She was modeling dresses for her son's wedding. I love her dearly but she takes about as good a pic as our Mom. Well maybe not quite that bad. Mom always looks like she has been dead for a week and they tied her to a board and stood her up. This ought to illicit a nasty response from her. I liked the dresses Sis!! Guess that's all I got. Knit Club at the Library tonite. Just me and the dogs. What a life!

Got a pic from Devious from his fire bomber piloting days. A Navy P2V Neptune turned into a fire bomber, and one still in Navy colors. Ol' "Two a Turnin' and Two a Burnin". Meaning two piston engines and two jets. Then a couple of a US ARMY JetRanger that was siting in our hanger last Monday. Thanks Devious for yours!

Terry at MKC

Well guess the Little Boss and Jeff, and the FNG got a little jet time today. They went up to KCI and pulled the Pitot tubes off 203BA and stuck them on the one they have been struggling with. Went and flew it and no more 8 kt. airspeed split. They think the original ones had been rechromed creating the problem they had. A new one on me but guess we all are not too old to learn something new. Anyway it's fixed. They came back about 2 with tales of the hanger doors at American Airlines and how hard it is to get the Union guys to open them....and then shut them. Only they can do it. So glad we don't have to deal with that crap at Downtown. Course THEY have a pension and we don't. Trade offs I guess.

 Absolutely NOTHING going on at Downtown today. Rain and they weren't working on the runway. And of course what little traffic we have in fart carts is nill because of the weather. Played on the computer and know I forwarded way too much, but nothing else to do. Hoping for an early completion of the runway but not holding my breath.

Did get told today that Rod's daughter told her Mom she had fun at the airport, and that Terry was COOL! Her Dad told her she hadn't seen my dark side. He sure as hell has! Pretty nice to hear tho. I so like kids. The non snotty ones anyway, and Meghan wasn't.

Not much else to write about. Guess I will go up and see Mom. Her ex-neighbor has invited her to her Grand daughter's first birthday party and is going to come pick her up Sunday. I know Mom will be thrilled.

As you know yesterday was "Bring your Kid to Work Day." I had several ask today about the pictures I took, so here they are. The Beautiful Ladies of EB (and one guy) and their kids and grandkid. Debbie Jeans and her Daughter. Jenny Rogers and her son. Sharon Fowler and her Grand daughter. Rod Snyder and Meghan. Hope you like. Peg just drove in the garage with Bradley and I gotta go!

Terry at MKC

A beautiful Spring day in KC today, filled with beautiful Ladys and their children and Grandchildren. Even a hairy legged radar tech (Scope Dope) and his pretty 11 year old daughter Meghan. I was out at Smoker's Corner when I saw them walking across the ramp. Kinda surprised as he had never brought her around before. I was surprised at how pretty she was knowing Rod. The Little Boss and Jeff and the FNG went up to KCI to work on a Beechjet, leaving Rod, Jim, and I pretty much to our own devices. Rod told her she would probably have to go to the Pilot's Lounge and watch TV as Curtis doesn't like kids. To heck with that. Terry the Tour Guide sprang into action!!! Took her out to Children' Mercy's King Air and showed her all the stuff we had installed, and how the oxygen hooked up and where the incubator's for the preemies was to go. She said it was cool. Airplanes are neat! Showed her the new Bonanza and turned it on for her. She liked the panel and how the leather seats felt and the new airplane smelled. Got out of the cockpit, and she wanted in the back. I showed her how the double doors opened and she crawled in there for awhile. Got out and seemed fascinated by the doors. Wanted to shut them herself. She tried.....hard, but just too new and stiff for her. Terry had to do it.

We went back in the shop and she read her book. Went upstairs and got Deb and her daughter's pic. They were so cute together. Deb said Sharon was bringing her grandaughter down and would call me when they got there. Got the latest on Tida's hair. News wasn't good. Told her I was going to wear a black armband. That made her and Jaimie laugh anyway. Saw Steph but she hadn't brought Logan so told her no pics for her today. Had to have a kid with her.  Found Jenny and her son and took their pic. Resisted the temptation to get her daughter Sally's pic. Heck she's an employee now. Went back to the shop and got Meghan and her Dad together. Deb called around 1st break and went back up and got her and her grandaughter's pic. Got a hug too! Yee Haw! Thanks Sharon!!! Got two from Victoria today. A very good day for this old man!

Rod was going to take Meghan home at Noon but about 11:30 he wanted me to run a Safewing Lance to see if I could hear a supposed rattle in the #1 Comm. I asked Meghan if she wanted to go along and she said "SURE!" So we ambled out on the ramp. I fortunately remembered to pull the cowling plugs before I started it. Gave her a lecture on how dangerous props could be and to never touch one. We climbed in the airplane. I opened the vent window and hollered "CLEAR!". Hit the starter and the big Lycoming rumbled into life. Taxied it around and found there was no microphone in the airplane. Meghan said she would run in the shop and get one so I taxied up to the hanger. Her Dad came running out with one, tho so she didn't have to get out. We taxied back out and talked to the radio shop a little. Then the speaker quit in mid sentence. Damn old check hauler. We taxied back to the hanger and I shut it off. Just then The Little Boss, Jeff and the FNG came driving in from KCI. Curtis got out of the car and saw Meghan climb off the wing. He hollered "Was that fun???" She laughed and said "YES!" He surprised me, but was glad he was nice to her. Might be something to tell the kids at school tomorrow. Maybe a memory for a lifetime. Who knows?

The KCI crew went back after lunch, and we had nothing much to do. Rod ordered a speaker for the Lance, and there was Brownies and Ice Cream at 2nd break for Richard and PJ courtesy of Jenny Rogers. I took my pic with both yesterday so a remeberance for me of friends gone. Too many over the years that have left and I have nothing but a picture in my mind. Sending those tonight so you will know what they look like. Gonna miss both of them. Friends are what make my life worth living.

We had the Grandsons tonite. Their Mom was in a thing called "Job's Daughters" in high school. That's club for young girls for the daughters and Grand daughters of Masons. The couple that sponsered it were the Uhlners. Mr. Uhlner passed on a couple of days ago, and Jerry and Erin went to his visitation. Mac Mamaw and me got to babysit. Bradley got in a fight today at preschool. Don't tell anyone but he WON! Shouldn't be proud of the little cuss but guess you know better. Anyway his Mom wasn't pleased, and he is banned from watching movies. Not at Mac Mamaws however, and he sat on the bed with his Spiderman tray and she fed him Sloppy Joe's and chips and he watched Lion King. He is no problem anymore. Coop however is another story. He wants to explore, and get into everything. Kitchen cabinets. The dog food. Refrigerator. You name it and he is into it. Turns around and gives you that big smile and no way can you get mad at him. I chased him for awhile, then layed across the bed with Brad and Marmaduke who had already stolen one Sloppy Joe. The grin on that dogs face was something. He looked like the Mutt in "The Mask" Made me grin watching him watching Brad's second Sloppy Joe. Most of that one went in the kid anyway. Peg chased Coop till his folks came to get them. Lots of tears from Brad. He, as always wanted to spend the night. His Mom convinced him that Mac Mamaw had to work tomorrow and she promised to come get him after work tomorrow so he could spend the night. He was somewhat mollified, and his Dad carried him to the van. Erin carrying Coop. Think he was chewing on some Alpo as he left. Came down here to tell you about it. Lucky you eh???

Sending you the pics from Bill Schultz of his wife's nephew in Iraq that I promised you Tuesday I think. Them C-17's ARE something. Think you can see a Marine "Snake" being offloaded from it. Cool pics. Always like them from the tip of the spear. Thanks Bill! Once again we turn another page in Stoof Fixer's Saga. Hope you enjoyed this one.

 Terry at MKC

DONE! I hope! Only took 4 days, but we wrapped up the University of Arkansas's Beechjet today. The FNG did most of it. We got out to New Century about noon yesterday. Finally got the go ahead to pull the Mode C wires out of the old Sperry ADC. I worked on that till 4:30. Extracted all of them and put heat shrink over the exposed pins. Whadda ya know??? It works! Dadgum Misubishi made airplane. No service loops in the wires and virtually no slack in the cable. Made it tough but the old Stoof Fixer improvised, adapted, and overcame. Thad certified the pilot's ADDU yesterday. Got back out there much earlier today. We had a transponder that needed tweaking and Rod got that done for us this morning. Thad got the copilot's ADDU today and we checked pitot and static systems. All tight thank Heaven.

 I felt like warmed over dog manure again this morning but took some Alka Seltzer Plus cold medicine before I left and felt fine when I got there. Made Thad drive tho.  Ok if I run into a phone poll, but don't want to hurt anyone else if I keel over. Had a nice thing happen. Went in the Parts Room there at IXD to use the phone. 9-Fingered Dave came to the window and we did our usual put downs. Kelly said "You Downtown guys are fun. My guys are BOOOORING!" Well we livened the place up some alright. Dave has a dry wit I admire and enjoy, and some seem to think I'm funny at times. Mostly funny looking I think. Randy is a big cuddly teddy bear, and our Kenyan George Muchori is fun to kid with.

Met a woman from St. Joe out there. The new cleaning lady. Early 40's and was in shorts and a t-shirt. It was pretty nippy today and asked her if that's what she wears on a cold day what must she wear when it's hot??? Told me shorts and a t-shirt. Shucks! Said she grew up at 18th & Walnut in St. Joe. Lafayette High School girl. Too young to know anybody I know but fun to talk to a hometown girl.

We got done at about a quarter to 4. I went to the parking lot to get the red Cadillac. It was raining and the hanger door was shut. Was attempting to back in a slot between a crew car and the hanger. I was watching the car and of course backed into the hanger. DANG!! Hate it when that happens. No damage on the Caddy but made about an 18 inch crease in the Hanger door. Went to Tim Cheney's office and told him I knew I couldn't get out of there without at least one screw up. He went out and looked at what I did and shrugged it off. The FNG asked on the way home if I was going to tell about the calamity on APOTD. Yeah. I always report my screw ups......and his too!!!

The Little Boss was waiting for us when we got home. He had to do the sign offs and will go out tomorrow and fly it with the pilots. It's required by the RVSM certification. He said Thad and I could stay at Downtown. YEA!! Fun once in awhile, but I have had enough of road trips for awhile. I have dug a pretty deep rut in the last 4 decades, and pretty much like to stay in it.

Took some pics of a Cirrus they were working on out there. EB is a Cirrus dealer now. Also a couple of pics from the archives. Hope you like.

Terry at MKC

Just back from the Junkman's. Drank some of his expensive Boulevard beer. Sat out in his yard in lawn chairs and enjoyed a beautiful spring Sunday in Northwest Missouri. Donna was cleaning and ironing, so didn't bother her. When I left I saw she was wearing a t-shirt that said "United We Stand" on the front. Asked her just what that referred too. I think she threw her son's ankle biter at me so beat a hasty retreat.  Went to the fish place and got some supper. Feeling better at the moment so thought I would catch you all up on Stoof Fixer's Saga.

The FNG and I took the old red Cadillac out to Olathe Thursday. Him bitching all the way cause i wasn't driving fast enough. Or maybe that was Friday. Whatever, we got there ok. Drove up in front and unloaded our gear. Thad put in the emergency lighting Batterys and I set about certifying the pilot's altimeter. We have been told on RVSM certs to hook directly to the unit and we did. Bang! Right off the bat it started throwing erroneous altitudes. Spent the rest of the day trying to figure that out. We tried the copilot's altimeter, and it did the same thing. Tried it on the pilot's wiring and vice versa. Same same. We had no prints and no ohmeter or leads. Set about getting those faxed to us and trying to borrow what we needed to check the wiring. We got that done, and found nothing wrong. Checked a few of the other gripes and either didn't have what we needed to fix them or no knowledge as to how. It's kinda fun to get away from Downtown, and work at a new place, but also aggravating, as no matter how much we drag out there we always end up needing something we don't have. NOT a 20 foot walk to the shop to get it out there either.

The people are friendly and even found some Navy vets. You know how I hate to swap sea stories! Found one guy that was in a VAQ squadron on the Nimitz when they made the movie "Final Countdown" One of my favorite navy movies. Couldn't impress him with all the people I know in "Tora, Tora, Tora" as he had never seen it. What rock has HE been under?? Got acquainted with Kelly the Parts Girl. Sitting in there talking to home base and waiting on FAX's. She's 36 with teenage girls. A Bow hunter. Nice girl. Even told me I'm fun and I could stay. Imagine that??? Tired and dicouraged we headed home with not a clue as to what was wrong. Thad thought it was the transponder control head, but I had a hunch it wasn't as I had never seen one do what this airplane was doing.

Same thing Friday morning. Headed down I-35 to Gardner. We had talked about it with everyone in the shop before we left, and had some things to try. One of the things was to unhook everything that used Transponder codes. We did and no difference. On this particular STC the Transponder code wires are supposed to be disconnected from the old Sperry ADC but we were running out of things to try, so I unracked it. IT WORKED! Push it back in and it was screwed up again. Tried this several times, with the same result everytime. OK they hadn't unhooked the wires. Figured out if we had ran up the whole static system we would probably never have seen a problem. But when we ran up the pilot's ADC by itself the old ADC was still saying 1000 ft, and putting out those codes, which when mixed with what the new ADC was saying completely put the kibosh on the altitude readout. Reported that to the Big Boss. He didn't want to cut the wires till he talked to Raytheon Engineering so we are pretty much still at square one on that. I replaced the Stormscope connector and that fixed the intermittant problem. Thad extended the wires on the copilot's Push to talk switch and he got that put back together. Somewhere in there our Kebra and Adam showed up, and she's kinda sweet on 9-Fingered Dave so I took a pic of them together. She then asked if I wanted a pic with me and her. Heck yes! So Adam took that for us. Maybe it was Muchori.

Also somewhere in there I bent over to pick something up and thought I was going flat on my face. No other symptoms but when it was time to go home I made the FNG drive. He even called later from a bar in St. Joe to see if I was alright. The light headed feeling mostly went away last night 

I was feeling ok yesterday so went up to see Mom.Had a great Saturday with her. Jessica even got me two kinds of soup to eat. A beautiful lady brought Mom some lilacs and she was happy about that. A good day my friends. If I kick off tomorrow I have had 60 good trips around the sun. I'm just hanging on while this old world keeps spinning, and it's good to know it's out of my control. If there's one thing I have learned from all this living, is that it wouldn't change a thing if I let go. And ya know. I would do anything for love but I won't do that! Plagerized the former from Jimmy Buffet and Meat Loaf. Nonetheless, it's true! 

Got a pic of an Army Reserve Battle Phrog out at IXD, and one of a mural on a building just as you get on the south end of the Broadway Bridge. It says "Town of Kansas 1832" Taken from an old painting of the landing on the river there. Many many changes since then. Also one of the Army of Northern Virginia Battle Flag sent by Jack Carson. This is NOT the "Stars and Bars" as so many think. This is the Southern Cross and this rectangular one was used on Confederate ships. The ANV flag was square. A little Rebel Flag lore for you. Guess that's it for this Sunday. Hoping I see you all again!

Well our trip to New Century Airport has been postponed till tomorrow. I certified the static systems on Stratus's King Air. Checked the electric pitch trim in a new Bonanza. Warnock's been to school on the Garmin G1000 system in it so he took over.

Started this Wednesday and didn't feel good. Ditto yesterday. Felt pretty good this morning, but this afternoon, I bent over to pick something up and thought I was going to pass out. Made the FNG drive home from Olathe. Feel better now, but not much like writing. Figure I'm probably due for another "Stint". Guess we will see. 

Here's some DC-6 pics Chief Lynch sent anyway. 

Heard a couple of days ago a saying I really liked. It's not how many breaths you take in life. It's how many times you were left breathless that matters. The last couple of years I have had many that did. Pretty blessed old man. Pretty lucky anyway to have had friends like you

Terry                                                       

Well the Little Boss is in Palm Springs at the AEA Convention, and it has been booooooooooring! Nothing like Last Friday. Victoria came back to work from her trip to Norfolk. Got a big hug from her! MMMM. Then went upstairs to cash a check in Accounting and Stephanie gave me a hug. Went by Tida's office and looked in to check on her. She said she wanted a Coney Dog, so when lunch came I took her to Sonic in NKC. Last of the big spenders aren't I? Got a hug from her when we came back in the front day. A Golden Day my friends! So many beautiful women being so nice to this homely old man. Was hard to get the silly grin off my face!

You heard about my weekend. Monday and Today were just nothing. Fixed a couple of airplanes. Nothing exciting. Big Boss came in just before quitting time and said there was a Beechjet at Olathe that needed an IFR. Thad went to KCI this afternoon with our tester to check the Beechjet we just did. They flew it out Monday. No way to get it back here and as expected there were some gripes. Always is. Thad went home to St. Joe from KCI, so not sure if he's bringing the Barfield tester back in the morning. Ah well. Life at the airport.

Sharon has a new Grandson, and sent out her first pics ever this morning. Did a bang up job too. Think I passed those on to the EB ladies to see. So cute a baby. So cute a Grandma. Sharon corresponds with several of the old salts and jarheads on the APOTD list and she sent the pics to them as well. Know they appreciated it as did I

Been worried about a sick friend and haven't felt much like writing. Hope you understand. I think he's on the mend and am greatly relieved. Maybe tomorrow if I get back from IXD in time ok. Try to remember another page in Stoof Fixer's Saga for you. Sending you a pic of Bigfoot and me taken today. We were known as "The Twins" by the other dealers when we did gunshows years back. Have threatened to kick his butt many times in the past. So far I haven't had to resort to violence even tho he is a Liberal Iowegian from Council Bluffs. You think the Mexican Bordor is pourous. In KC it's the Iowa border we worry about! They're everywhere!!! Also a couple of pics of a Super Decathalon aerobatic trainer that was in the hanger last week. And the backend looking at the autopilot servos of a new Bonanza and Baron. One with Skywatch installed and the other not. Going to put a Skywatch in one soon and was getting measurements.. Oh yeah. Bigfoot is 6'11" in case your wondering. I'm not!   

Terry at MKC

Can you believe it. I like to talk to my sister. Went up to KCI this morning to watch her leave. Picked her up at Terminal C where Mark was leaving for Dallas. Got to say goodbye to him. Then took his Mom to Southwest at Terminal B. We got to sit and talk awhile. She understands about Mom. She gets it too. She knows. Mark and Erin maybe some, but Melinda knows. Nice to talk to someone sympathetic, and maybe even a little vice versa. Didn't get to see enough of her. The weekend was too short. Wish they could have stayed longer but both said it was just about the right amount of time with Mom. I expect they were right. Not sure I could have made it that long. Hope you know we all love her to pieces. I would do anything for her. She can just drive her kids up the wall in so sweet a way. Melinda says she doesn't realize it. I wonder? At least she had a week like none she's had in awhile. Dr. Paul Revare and his brother Jack are coming to see her next Tuesday, and that should cap it off for her. They are the sons of the Dr. Revare she worked for in Richmond, and Paul was often at her house and out to Grandpa's farm as a young kid. Maybe the original "Golden Child".

Left KCI and came back to Platte Woods. Got the PT washed. Went to Osco and got some digital prints made. Went home and took a nap. Called Erin, and she said they were going to Peg's Mom's at 3:30, so went to Osco and picked up the prints and headed for Gladstone. I guess the party started at 2 but there was plenty of food left. Both Peg's sisters (Mary and Jane) were there and their kids. All the brothers were there. Bill, Dan, John, Bob, and Tim, and their spouses. Bil and Sue, Mary and Dick, Dan and Diane, and Tim and Robin are favorites. The others......? I really like Mary's daughter and son Jim and Kathy as well and they were there. Kathy is a very pretty blonde in her late 30's and seems to be very fond of this old man. Nice that someone is.

They are all Irish Catholics and the beer flowed freely. Even this old Scots-Irish Protestant had a few. When in Rome I guess. Everyone was oooohing and aaaahing over Cooper. Grandpa beamed. Even got put in charge for awhile. Have to keep a close watch on him out on that deck. His brother dumped his Easter basket in the waste basket and his Mom wouldn't let him go dumpster diving. Threw a little Elwood McGinnis hissy fit. Kicking his heels on the floor and bellering. I picked him up and threw him over my shoulder. He quit crying. Diane my SIL said:"Terry, you are magic." Well maybe sometimes. Grandpa has always had a pretty good shoulder to cry on. Several have taken advantage of it. So far no complaints.

Had a good time at "Kitty Grandma's today. A pretty good Easter. I have known all of them for about 34 years now. Like most of them. Tolerate the rest. Getting late so drove on home after the kids left to go to his parents in Lawson. Did I tell you I went to grocery> I'm so domestic! Pickles, banannas and TV dinners. Yum!!! Guess that's enough for tonite. Monday looms for us all. Hope your Easter was good! 

Terry at MKC

I came home Friday night with the intention of going to St. Joe to see my sister and her son who had flown in from San Antonio and Dallas respectively. I wanted to check on a sick friend on the internet and did. Got ready to go and called my sister. They were at Applebees in St. Joe eating. They were bringing Mom to Erin's Saturday so decided to save some very expensive gas, and spend the day with them tomorrow.

Got up Saturday. Took a shower. Made the wife mad by talking to her. Got in my PT and headed for Erin's. Played with Cooper awhile. He loves to walk barefooted outside, and Grandpa followed him around while he explored. The wife showed up with Mom's cake, and shortly so did Melinda, Mark, and Mom in a rental car. Good to see my sister and her son. Good to get to talk to them face to face. Sure cost them alot more for Mom's Birthday than it did for me. Heard the latest on Melinda's grand kids. Cherie is feeling much better after all the chemo and the bone marrow transplant. I had a request for a picture of Mom and all her golden children together. Cooper was asleep, but got one of her, Me, Mark, and Bradley. She was about as happy as an old lady could be. She told me it was one of the best weeks of her life. We took her to Red Lobster at Metro North on Barry Road. Bradley had a melt down when Cooper got a high chair and he didn't but for the most part both were very good. The service was good and the food came fast. Being the sinner in the group I got a couple of Miller Lites and I was very good too. I followed the Coop Meister around in there for awhile too while he explored. Everyone got their fill and we headed back to Smithville.

Soon it was time for cake and ice cream. Mom blew out her candles and Brad helped her. She made a wish and I didn't suddenly disappear. Whew! I always worry about that. We sang Happy Birthday to her. Awful! Definitely no singers in this family! She got lots of cards and her CD player from Erin and Jerry. Seemed to be thrilled. Mark and Brad had hit it off and were into wrestling. Talked to my sis for awhile. Mom went and laid down in Bradley's bed. Peg in Erin's. Old people eh? Bradley wanted to play baseball in the front yard, so Mark pitched to him while his Dad held Cooper and chased the ball. I watched from the porch, and applauded when Bradley connected. He ain't too bad for 4. All good things come to an end tho, and about 5 they decided it was time to go. Said my goodbyes to Mom, Melinda, and Mark. Melinda is leaving this morning at 10:20, and I think I'm going to run up to KCI to see her off. Heard a rumor about Easter Dinner at Peg's Mom's in Gladstone so guess I will run over there and see if they will feed me. Gotta get some grocerys today. Have just about cleaned the cupboards. Every picture I took last Tuesday up at St. Joe came out blurry. Just sending one of Mom and me standing in her door. The rest were taken at Erin's yesterday. A very good week for my Mother. Consequently a good one for me too

Terry at MKC

Well we got some bad news today. Big Dick Anderson is leaving us to be Director of Maintenance for Stratus Aviation which manages Children's Mercy Hospital's King Air's. He will still be on the field but not in our hanger I'm told. Gonna miss him. He has been a friend for many years and someone I turn to for help and advice in many areas. Best of luck in your new job Richard. Don't know a nicer guy to work for than Jim Cline. Have heard rumors of at least one more leaving. Not confirmed so will not comment on that.

Did an IFR on a pretty nice Cessna 182 today. Like all Cessna's the static system leaked. Found the most warped and deformed plastic static system sump bottle I think I ever saw. This is almost always where the leaks are. It was this time too. Replaced the bottle with a new one and it passed. Almost tight. Very little else, I guess, going on at the airport.

I guess I better finish the Camden Point story. Hope this isn't boring you folks. Sunday morning as I remember, broke bright and sunny. I organized a working party and we went across the road to the cemetery, and stood the Confederate monument upright. Jim Beckner was, and I think still is, a Grandview high school history teacher. He was also in Shelby's Cav, and on Sundays was our preacher. He did a great 19th Century Preacher impression. Fire and Brimstone would rain down on the sinners. This Sunday we wanted to rededicate the monument and honor the fallen as well. We got cleaned up as best we could in the middle of a cow pasture. Many of the ladies changed into their finest Sunday go to meeting gowns, and the kids faces were scrubbed. Time for services and the faithful gathered around that old stone in the cemetery. Several from the Platte County Historical Society were there to watch. Brother Beckner said the right words, and we prayed for the fallen from that long ago day. Uplifted by the sermon we straggled back to camp.

The Ladies were excited as they were participating that day. They were to present us a Rebel Flag with "Protect Missouri" embroidered on it. At that date I could find no reference to what the actual flag looked like, so I bought a 1st National and Peg cut "Protect Missouri" from white cloth and sewed them on the flag. I have since learned the flag was taken by the 2nd Colorado Cav. and taken back to Denver where it resides to this day in the State Museum. I also learned it was of the "Price Pattern" which is now known as the Missouri Battle Flag. Did the best I could at the time. No way to Google it then. Re: Missouri CS flag in Denver . Anyway the flag was given to Connie Soper who led our Women's Auxiliary. The field we were on sloped downward to the North. To the east was a little knoll, and the Yankees and Lillards 12 Pdr. were hidden behind it. Our Captain, Pat James, was going to do Col. Thornton. Greg Higgenbotham was going to do Jennison. See the attached link Territorial Kansas Online - Biographical Sketch - Charles Jennison for a picture of the real Jennison. Higgy was pretty much a dead ringer, and if you look at the link you will see the hat Hig wore that day in 1984. Hig was about as 19th Century as a man could be. His likeness to "Doc" Jennison was uncanny. The new Rebel recruits gathered for the picnic. Blankets were spread. Food was laid out. Women in their finest sat demurely. The recruits in civilian attire as well, carrying squirrel rifles and shotguns. Pat James was a tall imposing man and wore his Confederate officers coat. Gold "chicken guts" bright on the sleeves. Connie Soper was a striking blonde in her late 30's, and looked pretty hot in a straw bonnet and hoop skirt. The kids frolicked and played games. Erin, my daughter amongst them. The crowd was very large and were behind ropes but very close.

Came the time for the flag presentation. Connie made an appropriate speech. Ending with presenting the flag to Pat, aka a Col. Thornton. Pat was pontificating in a booming voice, thanking the ladies who were gathered behind Connie. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the cannon pushed to the top of the knoll, and "Ka-BLOOOOOM! Women screamed! The men ran for their guns. We had no idea what actually went down at the real picnic, other than Thornton dropped the flag and ran for his horse. The recruits were scattered, and 6 were killed. Scott Brown suggested he and a couple of the others do a "Forlorn Hope" charge on the Yanks, and then run. I agreed and so it was that day. Pat threw down the flag and ran for his horse. Scott picked it up and tried to rally the recruits. The Yank Infantry and Cav were advancing across the field, and Lillards cannon was booming and pouring out clouds of smoke. I can still see in my mind Scott and 5 or 6 others charging the Yankee Hordes waving that flag with Protect Missouri on it. Scott's long blonde hair in the mad rush. Gallant men for sure but they paid the price. All were shot down. The rest of us ran like craven cowards. The women screaming for all they were worth. Having the time of their lives. Roger Johnson was a huge bear of a man. Black beard. He ran down the hill and hid behind a little pond dam at the bottom. Maybe 6 inches of water in the shallow pond behind him. More a hog wallow and hogs had been in it.. Greg Hughes rode his horse up the dam and saw Roger. Johnson jumped up hollering "Don't shoot!. Waving his hands. Hughes being a vile damn Jayhawker had no mercy. Pulled his pistol and shot him. Roger flung himself backwards in that cold greasy water. "SPLASH!!!" He crawled half way out, and laid with his legs still in the water. A gasp went up from the crowd when he went in. Absolutely the most spectacular "Hit" I saw in my 10 years as a reenactor! The rest of us ran thru camp hotly pursued by the Jayhawkers and the Coloradoans. Only 6 were supposed to die so we just ran. I had Erin by the hand and we got to the fence along the road. We could go no farther. Big grins on the Yanks faces as they advanced on us. Didn't think they were going to stop. Got Erin behind me and waited in case someone had gone nuts. I had no weapon as I had thrown my rifle away but I wasn't going to let them get her without a fight. Thankfully Hig called a halt. He was last seen walking up the hill with a child on his shoulder and a woman pulling at his coat, screaming for mercy "Come on Men. Burn the town!! The woman was his wife who had played a Rebel woman that day and the child was his. The crowd was into it and booed him lustily. Heck it was THEIR town!

"Resurrection was called, and the dead arose. The ropes were let down and the crowd mingled with reenactors. My hand was shaken till it hurt. Poor Roger came walking up the hill dripping filth. He was surrounded by a crowd shaking his hand and slapping him on the back. God he stunk! What a hit!. I too thanked him for giving his all. Finally it was over. I was so tired but so proud. Crowd dispersed. Tents were struck and packed away into cars for the drive home. The committee went to thank the Boydstons for their hospitality and ask if there was anything he wanted us to do to clean up. He said he would take care of all the straw, and thanked us for putting on a great show for his little town. I found Erin, and got the car loaded with my gear. Took a last look around, and headed home. A weekend I will never forget my friends. Hope you enjoyed revisiting it with me.

Terry McGinnis

late 2nd Sgt.

Co. I

3rd Missouri Infantry 

1st Missouri Brigade   CSA                                                                                             

Well Mom had a great one. So many cards, So many calls. Flowers. Even one from the "APOTD Family". Wonder who sent that one??? Think I have a pretty good idea. Who or whom ever it was she loved it! Almost sent it back because she had no idea what APOTD was. She got some  flowers from me, and she got her New Testament on CD, and she got her Great grandsons. Even seemed to be glad I came. No accounting for some people is there?? June and Nadine were there. Jerry, Erin, and the boys. Dr. Revare and his brother Jack were coming, but Jack got sick. They are coming next week she said. Pam Hope stopped by. Her old neighbor over on Charles St. Pam was so nice to come, but thinks of my Mom as her second she said. I know she sure has been a godsend to me. Thanks for all you have done and all you do for this bunch of crazys Pam! Course Mom saved her keester by killing killer mice for her in her house. Hard to find away to repay something like that I guess?  With a golf club yet! Go get em Mom!!!

Mom wanted to go to Country Kitchen for dinner, so Erin and Jerry put her in their Van. Bradley wanted to ride with me so we started to put his car seat in my PT. June has a new red Cadillac CTS and she wanted to know if I wanted to drive it. Heck yes! So we put the car seat in the Caddy. Loaded June and Nadine in it. Grubby old knuckle buster in EB uniform (I came straight from work) behind the wheel grinning from ear to ear. Jerry and Erin went right. I went left, and I got to Country Kitchen afore 'em. Waited and waited. Called both their cells. No answer. They had turned around and gone back to Carriage Square as Erin couldn't remember whether she had told me that we were going to CK. I figure they had gone to Crap in the Barrel and almost went over there. June talked me out of it and shortly here they came.

We got a table, and the place was pretty empty but it took forever for her to take our orders and then for the food to come. Bradley was very good about waiting. Better than Mom, but there were several trips made outside with Cooper. FINALLY the food came, and Mom got her shrimp. Underneath our table looked like a war zone, but a 14 month old will do that. He was more interested in eating crayons than food. Think she got a little down him. He isn't straw trained yet, and would turn the cup up and drink what dribbled out of the hole past the straw. Napkins were in constant use. Fun to watch as long as his Mom was dealing with it.   Dinner over, we went back to the Home. June and Nadine are so fun to be around. Mom loves them, and we had a good time. Getting late and I had to work today, so I left around 8:30. Big Lightning in the west, and then behind me as I drove south to KC. Only got a couple of drops tho. Nice cool night for a drive and since I got the cataract out, not too big a deal anymore. I can see and have some depth perception again anyway.

More to come Friday when Melinda and Mark get in. It has been and will be a big week for her. She told me today on the phone it has been the best birthday she could remember. So glad of that. At 90 we are so lucky to still have her. Hope Bradley remembers her when he grows up. Hope he remembers me too for that matter. Have to see about Cooper. Mom's family lives a long long time. Time, as they say, will tell. The only not so good thing was every picture I took was blurry. Took some today and they seem sharp and clear. Wonder what was up with my camera?

Lost a long time member of APOTD last night. He's old and has many health problems. Said he just didn't have the time anymore. I understand but it still had me pretty low today. Such a "Girlie Man" I am.

Have an old friend from reenacting days wanting the Camden Point Saga to continue, so guess we will tell you a little more. The forecast for that weekend was snow. Like so many of our local forecasts it didn't happen, but we were afraid it would keep those with a long way to drive home. Didn't seem to. Not many Yankee's, but there never is around here. Everyone wants to be a "Rebel". Much cooler. Back in 1864 the Federals were having Indian troubles. The frontier garrisons had been stripped to fight back east. What to do? One solution was to offer Confederate prisoners the opportunity to join the Yankee Army. They were promised to be released from the horrors of the POW camps. Promised they would not be asked to fight the Confederate Army, and would be sent west to protect isolated settlements. They had already had a Sioux Massacre in Minnesota. Many did, and they were said to be Rebels with a thin veneer of Yankee on them. They were dubbed "Galvinized Yankees". When we had a preponderance of Johnnys at reenactments, we too would "Galvinize". Almost all of us had a Federal 4 button sack coat, and the Cavalry almost always had both sets of uniforms. So it was that cold April weekend.

We didn't want to do "The Picnic" both days so the CP committee, (mostly me) decided we would just do a "Generic" skirmish on Saturday. Dawn broke that Saturday, and the camps slowly stirred. Campfires were stoked, and coffee grounds were thrown in tincups and placed over the fire to boil. Iron skillets full of bacon were placed over the fire. The smell of wood smoke, boiling coffee, and frying bacon filled the air. I still can't smell that smell without "Civil War" coming to my mind. The Boydstons in their big white farmhouse came out on their front porch to watch. Spectators and reporters started wandering in. I climbed out of my sleeping bag and wool blankets and stretched. Looked over the scene, and was pretty proud.

We did some drilling. Tried to look authentic for the spectators. Did some camp life for the folks watching. Had a pretty real scenario go down. Civil War britches had a draw string in the back. Mine were loose and Sgt Murphy got down on a knee to cinch me up. Steve Alley came walking up. He was Cav and carried a pistol. Started hollering I owed him money or some such. I played along and told him where to stick it. He pulled his pistol (loaded with blanks of course,) and pretended to shoot me. Sadly Clayton stuck his face out from behind me just as Steve pulled the trigger. Got it pretty much point blank in the face. He was ok, and Steve was very apoligetic. No blows were thrown, but I expect Clayton will carry those black powder grains in his cheek forever. Had a woman tell me the camp looked so real. Even our kids never looked up when they were being observed and snapshots taken. We had two sutlers come for our little event from St. louis. Lots of homemade tinware, and geegaws for the troops. Think they did a booming business that weekend from reenactors and locals looking for a souvineer.

Afternoon came and we formed up to fight. Shelby's 5th Mo Cav, and the infantry and artillery, came upon a Yankee platoon. There was no redleg infantry, but we had some that day. Red leggings wrapped around their legs. Had a woman tell me she had grown up on WWII Movies and Viet Nam on the news. She was so shocked to see men march up so close to one another, and then begin blazing away. She couldn't imagine them not cutting and running. Of course they did fight that way in 1864. Some ran, but most were more afraid of the shame than of the Minie` Balls. All the advantages were with the Rebs Saturday. The Federal troops were outgunned and out manned but they gallantly defended the Stars and Stripes to the last. No matter. We killed them all. I say "We". I too was a casulty. Always made me vaguely embarassed when we blazed away at close range, and no one fell. I usually took an early hit and watched it unfold from the ground with half closed eyes. Even in 1984 I made a pretty good pre bloated corpse! Battle over. We stripped the shoes and greatcoats fromj the dead Yanks and marched away with the spoils of war. "Resurrection!" was called. The signal for the dead to rise and the wounded to be healed. Enemys became friends again. And hand shakes and laughter was the norm. "Good Fight! Wait till tomorrow Johnny! Our turn tomorrow!" Damn I miss those days. Those crazy reenactors. Grown men playing at war. My friends.

I think the crowd got their moneys worth. They applauded lustily. Felt pretty good to hear. History maybe made real to them. Not pages in a dry book. Studying dates for a pop quiz, but real men and women in mortal conflict on this very ground. It's possible we made some think and others read. It's what we did. It's what we lived for. Our passion.

We marched back to camp. Stacked muskets. Threw blankets off of coolers. Poured cold ones in tincups. Savored the taste of beer mixed with black powder. Supper time. My wife and several of the other ladys came with beans and ham in covered crocks. Hot cornbread. Water from the camp barrels, or coffee boiled over the fire. Beer for many. The troops lined up with tin plates and dinner was served. It was GOOD!

My wife decided she was going to spend the night there. I have no idea where Erin was. She WASN'T in my tent. We did what married people do alone in a tent. My only time in the middle of a cow pasture surrounded by at least a hundred guys. You will have to ask her if it was her only time. Her 2nd marriage you know. . The various Captain's came to talk to me about then. I didn't come out. Tired and a little embarassed. One said he didn't appreciate talking to the side of a tent, so I pulled the fly back far enough to uncover my head. That seemed to satisfy him. Not sure they knew she was in there with me. We talked about what we were going to do tomorrow. They were happy the way things were going, and then FINALLY they left us in peace. Laid there with my arm around her, thinking back over the day. I will never forget that feeling of well being and accomplishment. Wondering if those drunk teenagers from the night before had come back to watch that day, and wondering if they still thought we were crazy to be doing this. Maybe we were. I just knew it was about as much fun as a grown man could have with his pants on. Mine weren't about then but I expect you know what I mean.

Took a pic today at Smoker's Corner of an airliner fuselage going by on a train. Didn't get camera out until it was almost gone. I think you can see it tho. One of an old Cessna 182 in the hanger with the wing off being repaired. Then two of our new gypsy lady. She looks vaguely familiar. Any of you recognize her????

Terry at MKC

Well I'm leaving from work at 4:30 today and heading for St. Joe. The Perry sisters, Iris June and Nadine came yesterday about 3, and are staying with Mom. Her favorite sister's girls. A little bit hers too as they stayed with Mom and Dad many times after my brother died and Mom thought she was destined to be childless. Little did she know eh??? Erin and the boys are coming tonight so we ought to have a good time. Melinda and Mark will be here Friday. Got to get on the horn later and order her some flowers. I think Erin is bringing a cake. Hoping Mom will be pleased. She gave me life. Still trying to pay her back

OK. Let's see. Promised you some more Camden Point didn't I? At most reenactments there was a sponsor, and the sponsor usually provided the reenactors with raw food to cook. Powder for our weapons to shoot. Straw for the horses. Porta potties for the reenactors and the crowd. So many details. So little an Irishman to deal with all of them, and he with no grace under pressure. If I remember right and I may be wrong on this I think we got the Platte County Historical Society to spring for the porta potty rentals. Had no idea how many reenactors or spectators to expect. Scrinched my eyes shut. Crossed my fingers and made a wild assed guess. Came out pretty close. Not too big a lines to the heads.

What to feed the troops? Not much money but I think 4 or 5 of us chipped in some bucks and we bought a ton of Navy beans, and cornbread. Promised our wives diamond rings and mink coats if they would cook it for us. They knew we were lying thru our teeth, but they took pity on us and cooked it for us. Even Lumpy.

The Committee asked a couple of the local merchants if they would stay open late and a couple agreed. When you're away from home you always need something you forgot. I think a reporter came to interview me and he/she asked my reasons for getting this reenactment together. Most would have said to educate people on the horrors of Civil War or to honor our ancestors. Ginnis? He said "Because it's close to Home!" The wife overheard and had a t-shirt made for me. Emblazoned on the front in big letters was "Close to Home!" Took awhile to live that one down.We had no momey to give powder to everyone or the cannon, but they all came anyway.

The big weekend came. Friday night. I loaded my tent and camp box in the Volare`. Threw my musket and uniform in, Stuck Erin in the co-pilot's seat and we were off! Erin would have been 11 when this went down. She liked dressing in period clothes, and she liked the attention. The crowds always liked to take her picture. Pretty little blond girl in a hoopskirt and bonnet. She looked darling and think she knew it. Good for a young girls ego when strangers want to take your picture and they did hers. Her mother wouldn't go so she usually hung out with Scott Brown's wife and kids when I couldn't watch her.

Up I-29 we went, but not far. Camden Point is just north of Platte City and south of Dearborn. Maybe 25 minutes from my house. "Close to Home" you know. I always liked Friday nights. Finding a new place. Setting up camp. Old friends and new arriving. Handshakes and slaps on the back. "Hey man! Glad you could make it. Gonna give em Hell tomorrow eh???" Building a fire. Setting up the logs and camp chairs. Cold beer or passing a jug around the fire. Jokes and laughter. Lies and good friends. Pat James on the dulcimer. Davy with his mouth harp. Singing "Roll Alabama Roll" and "Hard Road to Richmond" and everyones favorite. "Lorena" "The years go slowly by Lorena. It's dust to dust again Lorena." Yeah, I liked it. I miss it still.

I remember Lillard rolling in with his cannon on a flat bed and how impressed Everett Boydston and his family were. Darkness and their north pasture was covered with white canvas "A" tents and the Captain's Wall tent with the fly. Several campfires burning. People in period clothing drifting thru camp in the twilight. Ghosts maybe, from another time. Transported to the 20th Century by some unknown power. Horses tied to a picket line. Tails twitching. Old War horses. They were excited too. They knew what was coming. They too had been their before. Cars with license plates from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and Colorado lined the country roads around the pasture. I remember laying in my tent. Tired but feeling pretty good about what was happening and what I had wrought. "A car with teenagers in it. came speeding down the road heading to CP. "From out the night I heard "HEY! The War's Over!!!!!" Then laughter at all the crazys camped in that field. I pulled the tent fly aside and watched them speed over the hill. I smiled and thought to myself. "Sober up. Come back tomorrow. We may show you it never will."

More tomorrow I hope. Promised you this one last night and won't be home to write it, so hear is the 2nd Installment on When The Civil War Came To Camden Point.

Terry at MKC

Well just about Zippyde Doo Dah to report today. Only thing of note was I was on the way to retrieve some prints from my car for Tida and Jaimie, when I saw the very same Ms. Allen walking across the parking lot. Got the pics and got to walk her to the front door. I've said it before, but it's always nice to be in her company. She liked the pics by the way, but of course she said she looked old. Women. Sometimes I just want to shake em and say NOOOOOOO!. Certainly not how I perceive she looks, but hey! I AM old.                              Had another treat in that Jenny Roger's stunning daughter Sally came to apply for a job....and GOT it! Good for you Sally. You will certainly be a beautiful addition to our front desk. Mom and daughter came in the Radio Shop to tell me. Awfully nice of them to think of me. Had me a bad case of the warm fuzzies. 

Well if no airplane tales to relate how about some more from Reenacting days??? Think I'll tell you about a small one I was personally responsible for instead of one of the big ones. Once upon a time, long ago, The Western Campaigner came out with our schedule for the year. Nothing close to home. Shoot! A couple of my pards felt the same way. Only long drives in store, and nothing for our friends and familys to go see and watch. We went to see our Captain, Pat James, and asked him if there was something he could do. He said:"If that's what you want, why don't you guys plan one and put it on??" The idea had really never occurred to me. Me? Put one on?? Well why not? I had been reading "Paxton's Annals of Platte County." The county I lived in then and now. Not much had happened in Platte County other than a lot of guerrila warfare. The one little notable incident had occured in the county at a little burg called Camden Point in July of 1864. Li. Col. C.C."Coon" Thornton had been detached from Price's Army to go north and recruit.  He had. I forget the exact number, about 40 men, but the ladies of the Baptist Church of Camden Point wanted to present the new recruits a flag they had embroidered, and a picnic was arranged. The ladies were presenting this flag when the picnic was attacked by the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, and the 15 Kansas Cavalry locally known as "Jennison's Jayhawkers". Six of the recruits were killed and the rest put to flight. Jennison then burned Camden Point, and then travelled south to Platte City and burned that too. Having already burned it before in 1862.

Not much of a fight, but it was "Close to Home." Ok let's see if we can do something with that. Got on my best Levi's and our homemade CP Reenactment comittee went to Camden Point one Saturday to see if we could get some local support. We talked to the mayor at his home, and he had no objections, as the town didn't have to do anything but set there. Now to find someplace to hold it. We contacted a member of the Platte County Historical Society that lived in Dearborn, and he knew the man that owned the farm across the road from the actual battlefield. A farmer named Boydston. We went to his house with the Historical Society man. He introduced us and we told Boydston what we wanted to do.. Mr. Boydston thought it sounded like fun and said we could use his pasture for the camp and the battle. Brave man. He didn't know us from Adam. We talked to some of the local merchants, and got their support. This went down in late 1983 and early 84 so the details are a little fuzzy now.

There was an old overgrown cemetery just west across the road from Boydston's farm and the 6 Rebels killed in the fight were buried there. A monument to the dead was there but lay on the ground. My reenactment company had cleared a little of the small trees and brush in the weeks before the fight, and we had made a path to the monument. We left the monument lay as we were afraid if we set it upright local vandals would topple it and destroy it. The word was passed and most of the locals said they would come. Also a company from St. Louis, and one from Tulsa said they would attend. We even had a few from Colorado that said they were coming. We talked to Connie Soper to see if she could organize our ladies and to present us with the flag during the picnic. She was delighted as the ladies had never had been able to participate during a battle. She said she was sure we could count on the ladies. Things were shaping up, but we needed an artillery piece to open the battle. We talked to Steve Lillard at Lexington who had a replica brass 12 pdr. He was reluctant to come as we could promise no money for powder for his weapon and each shot cost about 5 bucks or more. He was intriqued by the uniqueness of this event tho, and decided he would come with his crew but his fire would be severely limited. Deal! Thanks Steve!

We talked to Brother Beckner about holding a church service at the monument Sunday, and he said he would. Scott Brown, Clayton Murphy, and I were pretty pleased. The date was set for the weekend of April 8th, 1984, and we set back to wait for the day to arrive and to see what would happen. Fiasco or Glory??? Time would tell. Continued on the morrow ok?          Pics for tonite are one from Cdr. Dekker of a very, very low pass of a Russian SU.30. Very impressive. A couple of an A-7 being restored at North Island for the Midway Museum I took at our reunion there in 2003. One of the gorgeous Sally Rogers. New Executive Beechcraft employee, and last a picture of the Camden Point Monument taken years later after the cemetery had been professionally restored. That's the Missouri Battle Flag flying over the monument.  The field you see in the background is Boydston's pasture. Hope these reenactment storys don't bore you folks. It was my passion for many years but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea

Terry at MKC

05/April/2006 

Greetings,

A late night Friday talking to some very old friends online, after having gone to Dirk's with the Junkman for tenderloins and beer.. Up early Saturday for a trip to St. Joe to see Mom. Beautiful spring day so decided to do some sightseeing first, and maybe take some pictures for you of my old hometown. I got off 29 onto I-229 and went west, then north along the river to the Edmond St. exit. This puts you into the heart of downtown St. Joe. Mostly a ghost town now but bustling when we moved there in 55. The Holiday Inn to the left, where the old City Market was. Blocks Army Surplus to the right where Steve Nagel, Jim Keller, Gordon Sunderland, and I would go to buy our Army gear, and where my WWII collection started at the age of 10. Guess you know I still have everything I bought there 

East on Edmond where the Orpheum Theater stood. Eshelman's Music. The Electric Theater. All gone. But the memorys remain. The Missouri Theater still stands in all it's glory. I so remember one winter night there. There were four of us I think. Wells, Buffum, maybe Sparks and me. John McCroskie had bought us half pints of orange vodka and Sloe gin. Long black trenchcoats were di riguer then to be cool, and we all wore them. (I still have mine should they come back into style ) The booze getting warm in our pants pockets. "A Summer Place" with Sandra Dee was playing, and I expect that's why we went. Pre cars and we were walking so must have been 15. 1961 maybe.

The Missouri has a balcony, and that's where we went. Few people up there to report on underage drinking. I remember watching Sandra being blonde and beautiful, and taking pulls on my bottle. The ceiling in the Missouri then was painted blue with white clouds. After several pulls on that warm orange vodka, they started to drift around. Somebody must have opened a door. Faster and faster they went, and I thought I better quit watching them. Then I thought I better head for the mens room. Only made it as far as the landing on the steps where that warm vodka and supper left me. Didn't know it till recently but Dick Kibble's Dad was manager there then. Don't think I felt much of anything then but nausea. I still can't smell orange vodka without my stomach churning, but feel so sorry now I left that mess for someone to clean up. Young and dumb and trying to be cool and fit in I guess is my excuse. A poor one I know

Back to 2006 and on east on Edmond. Past the Post Office where the Navy Recruiter's office was in 1964, and where I signed up. The old St. Joseph Junior College up on it's hill. Now Senior Citizen housing. Our old Student Union across the street is gone. It was in the basement of an old unused church, but I remember all the games of Pitch I played in there and all the chili dogs I ate. Getting bored with that and heading across the river to Wathena for beer and more games of Pitch. Wonder where I'd be today if I had went home and studied? Not where my mind was at then. Mostly just wanted to get out of St. Joe, and find adventure. Well I got that done anyway. Adventures to last a lifetime. Thank you United States Navy! 

Up Edmond to 11th. Right turn and a block to Charles and the St. Joe Museum. Once the Tootle mansion. A great pile of gray stone. 3 stories. Turrets with embatlements. Maybe the highest point in St. Joe. The location had never struck me before but you can see west forever from there.No doubt the reason the town banker built there. I have been going there since we moved to St. Joe. It ounced housed a great Indian artifact collection. All that has been moved and I wasn't aware of it. The bottom floor and all it's parqueted flooring and carved woodwork is till there, and some of the stuffed animals Dugdale Packing donated. Easier to see what a magnificent place it once was with the artifacts moved. A quilt club was showing their handiwork in the rooms Saturday, but I have watched my wife make those for 33 years and wasn't really interested in them. Pretty tho. Upstairs to the 2nd floor looking at the gorgeous stained glass window on the stair landing, and thinking how much that staircase must have cost even in the 1890's

Want to see a Passenger Pigeon? An Ivory billed woodpecker?? There they are. Stuffed of course. The exhibits were still pretty much intact up there. Lots of stuffed birds and animals. There is also a little alcove in there. Inside are tiers of common looking rocks behind a glass window. There is a light switch and when you flip it a black light comes on and all the rocks glow. Greens, and blues, and pinks. I so remember being delighted with this when I was 10. Still pretty cool in that little alcove at 60, flipping that switch. It was fun! There is also a stuffed Wolverine in there that you don't see until you go around a corner. A dark room and the Wolverine is behind glass in a lighted window. I remember turning that corner as a kid, and looking for the first time into those snarling fangs. 50 years on and he still has that same snarl. Fun to remember. Nice to be able to. How much longer I wonder. Best get my remembering done while I can. Too much to tell about in there this time.                             Left the Museum and went south to Messanie. Then south on 14th to an overlook in front of what used to be the Navy Reserve Builing and Everett Grade School. Also a great view west to the far river bluffs in Kansas and Wathena. St. Joe's Union Station used to sit in the foreground but was torn down long ago. I remember how us kids from Sherwood Grade School were so afraid of the Bad A--'s from Everett when we were all going to be at Bliss Jr. High School. Some where but also made some friends from there. Larry Shaline and Ronny Oliphant. Wonder where they are today?

South again to Jesse James Hill. The place where that dirty little coward shot Mr. Howard and laid poor Jesse in his grave. The house was out on the Belt when we moved to town. A tourist attraction for the Jesse James Motel. The Motel is long gone but the house was moved to the Patee House Museum years ago. It is now just a couple of blocks south of the original location. I took a picture of the monument that stands there now for you. Then east on Lafayette. Past 28th and onto where our Delta Sig Fraternity house was my senior year. Just a block west of Bliss Jr. High. A lot of memorys in that old house where so much beer was drank. I can only wonder what the family downstairs must have endured and what the owner was thinking when he rented it to us??? Crazy, but glad he did. It was my refuge that year. Past Bliss, and took a picture of it for you. Also now Senior Citizen housing. Down to the Boulevard. Out Mitchell to the Belt. Then on to Carriage Square.

Thought I was going to be too late for lunch, but they were sill at the table. Wilbur making Mom giggle. That's fun to watch, and I did. Men and women remain the same. Even at 90. Jessica found me some food, and some coffee, and I sat and watched Mom be happy. Went in her place and took a 2 hour nap. Talked awhile and started home. Went by Metro North to a Christian Book Store. She wants the New Testament on CD for her 90th Birhday so bought if for her. Waited to be struck by lightning when I walked in there, but God's eye must have been elsewhere. Got to find a simple CD Player today for her. I expect the girls that look after her will have to use it for her. Absolutely the most un mechanical person I have ever known.   I think I missed sending you that picture of Sydney harbor the other night so I am including that as well. Too spectacular a picture for you to miss.Hope this APOTD didn't bore you. It was a good day for me.

Terry at MKC                                             

A pretty quiet day at old Downtown Airport. Finished wiring a connector this morning and then went in the shop and built a harness. Then mounted the box in the airplane and stuck the harness on it. Then it was quitting time. Pretty exciting eh?

Things I forgot to tell you. Remember me saying I wanted my Boot Camp flag under my head when I step off the this spinning ball? Also that I wanted Devious Dave to make sure that happened?  8-D Got an e-mail back from his that said in effect: Yeah....right! I'll have a 20 ft pine tree growing out of my keester when you need me to do that!" I like old Devious's visuals! Don't you?  

Saturday at the Militaria Show we had several WWII Reenactors set up behind us with a display and they were recruiting as well. One of them was from Chile. Santiago I think he said. His English was certainly much better than my Spanish. He said he was the Assistant Paleontologist at the Museum of Natural History on the KU Campus in Lawrence. "Cool!" say the Ol' Stoof Fixer. "I always wanted to be one of those when I grow up. You are the first real one I think I ever met." Nice guy. I enjoyed talking to him.

As on most Sundays I went up to St. Joe to give Mom a little time away from the boredom she lives in. Took her out for dinner. In the restaurant we got to talking about APOTD. She asked what I wrote about. Told her my work, my childhood, the Navy, reenacting, my life, and my best stories are of YOU Mom? "Me? I never did anything worth writing about." Oh yeah Mom. You didn't burn down the garage. You didn't get trapped in the State Nut House. You didn't keep a window air conditioner hid from Dad for two years. No. Nothing there to write about. She laughed. "Well I guess maybe their is." Of course for her to hear me I had to raise my voice. She, as you know, will be 90 in April. Guess she was not the only one that heard. When the guy at the next table got up with his family to leave, he came over to me. "Did I hear you say you were a Reenactor." Yeah, I was. "Who were you with?" Told him 3rd Mo. He told me his. Didn't recognize it but my last year was 1989. We talked awhile and his family looked like they could kill him....and me. Funny how an overheard remark can fire up some good conversation. 

Took Mom for a drive and decided to stop by Mt. Mora Cemetery and take some pics. Mt. Mora is very close to Downtown and if not THE oldest cemetery in St. Joe it is very close to it. Many, many Civil War vets buried there from both sides. All the old time wealthy have Mausoleums there. I like cemeteries and I like searching for the famous. Sending you some pics of the place. Of course it's much prettier when the grass and trees are green but somehow the look of Winter suits the place

Terry at MKC