Cactus Jack Calder

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL As I remember my Elementary School history lesson on the Battle of Bunker Hill I was told that the colonial officers said, “Shot the officers.” The officers and sergeants were identified by ‘Gorgets.’ They are shiny metal crescent shaped plates worn on the chest, just below the chin, suspended from a chain. I suspect they made good targets. gorget [ gawr-jit ]SHOW IPA noun a patch on the throat of a bird or other animal, distinguished by its color, texture, etc. a piece of armor for the throat. CJ

The bus to Rochester My Grandfather was a carpenter. The family lived in Rochester, NY. Sometime during the depression of the 30’s Grandpa got a job offer in Horseheads, NY. This job was short term over the winter months. He elected to leave the family in Rochester, so that the kids could continue in school, and he would ride the 90+ miles by bus to be home on weekends. One Friday afternoon he was seated in the bus at the station when a new driver climbed aboard. The driver announced, “Folks, I’m new to this route and do not know the roads and stops along the way. Does anyone here know the route?” An elderly gentleman spoke up and said, “I’ve ridden this route for several years and I know the stops along the way. I’ll be glad to sit-up front and guide you as we go.” So off they went and the gentleman guided the bus driver along pointing out the stops as they went. Somewhere outside of Rochester the gentleman said, “Well, this is my stop at the top of this hill. There are no more stops until you reach the bus station in town. Just go straight down this hill, make a turn at the signal light and the station will be straight ahead of you down the block. Mission Accomplished. But wait there’s more. Grandpa rode that bus through the winter months. Then as the calendar said that spring was approaching, the bus drew up to allow the same elderly gentleman off at the top of the hill. The bus driver noted a black patch in the middle of the road at the foot of the hill. Turning to the gentleman he asked, “What is that big black thing in the middle of the road down there?” The old fellow looked down the hill and replied, “Oh, someone must have had their car go through the ice. You will have to drive around the lake from now on. Just follow that line of trees and you will be on the road.” This is a story my Grandpa told me when I was young. Dad confirmed that he did work one winter in Horseheads, NY, and did indeed travel home by bus on weekends. I should note that my Grandpa loved to tell me wild tails and then would laugh when I believed them. However, he always swore this was true and every other time he spun a yarn he always admitted it after I fell for it. Who knows it might even be true! CJ

Linen, This is not a solution in the vein you are asking, however, I just slip the key fob inside the center fold of a handkerchief in my thigh pocket. That seems to be enough padding to keep me from setting off unwanted activities of my Van. Then reach in my pocket and easily access the fob without removing it from said pocket or handkerchief. Of course when you need to use the bandanna the fob has to be dealt with. Most solutions to perceived problems involve compromise. CJ

E Division always sent our best “relocater” to underway replenishment at sea detail. “Luau Tonight ” was the call. We often ate better than the rest of the crew for a few days. Our Chef was a PO2 from Hawaii. He used an old legless popcorn popper to “grill” steak. Good memories. CJ

Pat, That looks like Cass, WV to me. Any luck I’m right? CJ

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Pogo the Possum. Even when I was to young to understand the satire I knew he was funny. I especially liked the Turtle (Churchy?). “Friday the 13th falls on a Saturday this month.” CJ

Sounds like Pancho on the old TV Series “The Cisco Kid”. In the intro he would say “Hey Cisco let’s went”. CJ

Jack was my grandfather. I never met him. So I used his name as part of my alias. That is his face on my avatar. I have only the one picture of him. It sat on my Mother’s dresser. I have read elsewhere that men named “Bob” are open, friendly, helpful, courteous and kind. Sort of like a Boy Scout. As I said “That’s me.” Cactus Jack Calder. CJ

That’s me! CJ

You ain’t justa woffin. BTDT Returning after an extended cruise, first liberty with the wife. Results, one 50+ YO Son and his family. CJ

Good call, Alpo. Quintacycles is a good descriptive word for those vehicles. Notice the steering is carried out by the two small wheels in the front, not the large drive wheel. Also, there is no single small wheel in the back to be in the Farthing position. The two small wheels in the rear are the support wheels not just balance wheels. Training wheels are set to allow the cycle to rock from side to side a small amount. Allowing the cyclist to learn to maintain the vehicle off of the training wheels support. CJ

Had a friend I shared rides to work with. (Yeah I know, poor grammar) Anyway he used to say “The Lottery is up to xxx, I’m gunna bye one ticket. When I hit it, it’s half to the wife and I’m out of here.” It took me a while to realize he was serious. Never hit the numbers. His wife made him work until he was 70 to get the maximum SS, and we had a good pension (I still do). He passed at 72. Stress was probably a big factor. Moral: Don’t go for the big $ at the expense of your happiness and health. I took my pension ASAP. Glad I did. CJ

Yeah, that’s why I said I noodle on it. Sometimes it sounds good and sometimes it sounds awful. I just try not repeat the awful parts. Since I don’t have anything written it is easy to get off on a musical tangent that ain’t so musical. Just keep noodling and you’ll find some nice sound occasionally. CJ

I no longer have the wind to play the pipes. I try to play a Native American style of flute. It doesn’t take as much wind and I just noodle on it, not play written music. It all sounds like I know what I’m doing. I can make the flute from a PVC pipe and a small block of wood for a “Bird”. Look it up it’s fun and relaxing. PM me if you are interested. We aren’t that far apart (~2 1/2 hours). I have nieces in Waxhaw, NC, so I get over that way once in a while. CJ

In 1962 I began attending college in Hoboken, NJ across the Hudson River from NYC. I lived at home and road a commuter train into Hoboken 6 days a week to attend classes. To get from the train station to school I walked along about 6 blocks of docks. During my time at school the Longshoremen’s Union went on strike and set up pickets. One day as I walked along the biggest man I’d ever seen pocked his index finger into my chest and asked, “Hey kid, what is the capital of Australia.” I responded, “Um, uh, Sidney? Melbourne?” He said, “No, it’s Canberra, and don’t you forget it.” Naturally I never have. After that abrupt introduction he turned out to be a friendly guy. He explained that he had served in the US Navy aboard the USS Canberra, the only US Navy ship named after a foreign city. He then explained that the USS Canberra was actually not named for the city but for the HMSA Canberra, which had been sunk in naval action protecting the US invasion of the Island of Guadalcanal. Of interest, possibly only to me, I later served in the US Navy aboard the USS Guadalcanal, LPH 7 from 1968 - 1970. Recently I looked up my old ship and found it has been scrapped. CJ

Zat you? CJ

The fellow with the cat is about what I sounded like when I marched with “Rockland County Irish Warpipes” in The St. Patrick’s Day Parade 1974 in Pearl River, NY. There was no Scottish band in the area. Half the band was Scot and the other half were Irish. The Pipe Major was a Scot and we played mostly traditional Scottish pieces. Lots of fun and camaraderie with all the men. CJ

Joe, are they trying to tell you something? CJ

That just means you value your lawn. Walk on the sidewalk, gravel, paved drive provided for that purpose. As to the loo pictured, I meant no offense. It was posted on another site as being from Australia. If the Aussies aren’t offended I figure I’m good. I can be as crotchety as the next guy, that one just hit my fancy. So did this one. CJ

I’m from this generation and I am still kick’n. CJ

Here’s the second one. CJ

I found a couple of pictures I thought y’all might enjoy. Here’s the first one. CJ

Joker, You should get one like mine. 3’ tall, stores in a gunny sack hanging from a rafter in the attic. Just pull it out and let the Grandkids decorate it. CJ

Thank you Alpo. CJ

I need that hat! Where can I get one? CJ