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 t