Random thoughts: ageless (true story)

/ Jim McDonald / 6 Comments

Random thoughts: ageless (true story)

 

My new writing spot is on the lower deck at Port Tobacco Marina Restaurant, known to some as the ‘Port’. I was heading down there to write about an author I had the pleasure of meeting the other day, when I had an unexpected surprise.

 

First off, I often say, “Where ya goin’?” To people, when they are walking past me. Some will answer and some won’t, but those that do answer, we get to spend a short time together in this large life.

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Port Tobacco Marina at night

I was walking over to my new spot, when a man asked me, “Where you going?” I found out later his name is Dave and he was refered to as the leader of the pack of three men and one woman. The average age is seventy six and they were out jet skiing.

 

I was pointing down to the lower deck, when I decided to chat with them for a while instead. I’m normally not in any hurry anyway, so spending time these friendly people was a delight. I told them, “I was going down there to write.”
Dave asked, “You’re a writer?”
I replied, “I’m trying to be.” And chuckled.
I quickly gave them my life story, “My first wife left me and my two sons, when they were two and four. Now they’re in their forties. I raised them in a drinking and drugging environment, till I quit in their teens. I have a lot to write about, my kids, drinking, drugging and women. I just need to learn how to write, so you will turn to the next page of my story.”
Dave said, “Ummmm.”
“I got sick with COPD and lost my house and bought, that houseboat.” I said while pointing to it. I then said, “I haven’t cut my hair since I moved on the boat. I thought the look went with the whole writing on a houseboat scene.”
That’s when one of them mentioned, “We are jet skiing!”
“Cool! On those?” Pointing to my right across the little channel.

 

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Dave is in the ski to the right

The lady said, “Yes.”

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That’s the 81 year old youngster on the left and his 76 year old wife on the right

“WOW! That is so cool.” We talked about that for a while, because I was truly amazed at the vigor in this group. I can barely get out of bed and here they’re playing in the water. They paid their bill, while I advertised my little blog site.

 

Then they headed across the bridge to their powerful little water machines. The oldest youngster is eighty one. I thought I was doing something special by going back to school and trying to become a writer. These guys are truly ageless.

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This is the bridge that connects ‘Port Tobacco Marina’ to the ‘Port Tobacco Restaurant’.

Past, present & plans 9-7-16

/ Jim McDonald / Leave a comment

Past, present & plans 9-7-16

 

Past

 

At the moment I can’t think of anything notable left at Lanham, so I will move on.

 

We moved from Lanham, MD, south to Hughesville, MD in the fall of ’65. It was a very interesting time for me, because I don’t remember much of the previous moves. Of course I didn’t want to leave my friends, but I was interested in living in the country.

 

It was just dad and I the first night there and we camped out in the living room. Again I felt special, but I’m sure it was only because I was the oldest at eleven.

 

Dad said he wanted to move us kids out of the city and give us a chance to grow up working in the dirt.

 

Present

 

Yesterday Matt and I, went to one of the local Senior Centers for a “Meet the Author”session and also register Matt. We found out I misread the calendar and was at the wrong center. After Matt registered we went to the Waldorf Jaycees to meet the author. She was a Waldorf resident named Mary Ann Jenkins, who wrote three books so far.

 

We both learned so much, since we are trying  to learn how to write we soak up all the knowledge we can.

 

There was eighteen of us in the audience and she taught us about copy writing, self publishing and of course told us about her process of writing. I did buy one her books and got her autograph.

 

Plans

 

I decided yesterday not only will I add a new category called, ‘Story by others’ I will add another one called ‘Meet the writer’. Over the past two years I have probably gone to at least six writer signings and took notes on all of them. I will probably start with Mary Ann Jenkins, since she is the latest.

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Your three words, my little story: Brian’s words

/ Jim McDonald / 3 Comments

Your three words, my little story

Brian’s words: pizza, house & 57 Chevy

 

The other day Brian was meeting his friends at the PIZZA parlor for lunch. He had to walk, because his truck was in the shop having a Flowmaster Dual Exhaust Kit installed. He’s been saving for months and couldn’t wait to hear the new sound.

 

He walked down the stairs and out of the HOUSE, then took a right toward the square. It was a beautiful Sloan Sunday, so he knew the old man would be on his bench to the right reading his paper and Margret would be on hers to the left crocheting and feeding the pigeons.

 

He walked between the two of them, past the Diner, Clinic and into the run down building on the corner. Everyone was at their booth and his soda was already on the table. Pizza hadn’t come yet though, no matter how hungry he was that didn’t speed up the oven.

 

A couple of hours later Brian rode with his friend to get his 57 CHEVY. After hearing the beast like rumble, he felt it was well worth the hundred and fifty dollars for the new pipes. Next comes the paint.

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Brownsville PA

Your three words, my little story: Gwyn D’s words

/ Jim McDonald / 11 Comments

Your three words, my little story
Gwyn D’s words: carousel, happenstance & audacious

 

Late Wednesday evening, Gwyn was walking into the Sloan coffee shop, when she noticed a very attractive fella sitting outside with his dog. They nodded and smiled at each other, before she opened the door and ushered her niece inside.

 

By HAPPENSTANCE Thursday she was sitting at the same table with her niece, while he walked in with his dog. This time he asked her, “Do you want a refill?”

 

“No thank you, maybe tomorrow.” She said with a cute little grin.

 

“Ok! Looking forward to it”

 

Friday they met in line, she still had her niece, but he had a young boy with him. He said, “How about tomorrow we meet at the carnival. Same time, somewhere around the CAROUSEL?”

 

“How AUDACIOUS of you!” But she was trying to figure out a way to ask him something similar anyway. “With the kids right?”

 

“Oh yeah!”

 

“Make it seven and you have a deal. By the way, don’t you owe me a coffee?”

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My cute little grand son Liam. So proud of him!

Your three words, my little story: Butch’s words (true story)

/ Jim McDonald / 2 Comments

Your three words, my little story
Butch’s words: football, Tennessee & Vols (true story)

 

Butch has lived most of his life between Maryland and TENNESSEE and is an avid FOOTBALL fan. He roots for the Washington Redskins and his college team is the Tennessee Volunteers.

 

He has always been interested Davey Crockett, since Crockett was born in eastern Tennessee in 1786.

 

Crockett led a band of twelve, known as the ‘Tennessee Mounted Volunteers’ and later joined up with Sam Houston. During the battle of the Alamo, Houston led an Army of Tennessee Volunteers fighting for the independence of Texas.

 

Crockett died at the Alamo on March 6th 1836 at the age of forty nine. Because of him, his men and the rest of Houston’s army, Tennessee became known as the ‘Volunteer State’. Tennessee has always answered the call. That’s why their college team is called the Tennessee VOLS, short for volunteers.

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My Tennessee family. Mom and dad are in this picture too and so is Butch.