Good Horse Sense from an Ol' Nag

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Plane Crash

In 1958 I worked for a crop dusting firm. This is where I learned to use a Spanish typewriter (quite different). Across the hall from my office was a farm office and the two girls working there and myself took turns going on trips when one of the private plane had to make a trip. It was my turn. They had to take two pilots on the other side of the Guadalupe Mountains to pick up two crop dusters from a cotton gin. We went in a four place Cessna plane. As we were landing at the gin, which was at the base of the mountain) we ground looped. Sometimes if you go into a wind tunnel when landing in a small plane (as we were in) it flips the plane. We lost one wing, the windshield popped ou and when the pilot opened his door it fell off. I could not get my door open nor could I get the seat belt off. One of the pilots behind me cut the belt with his pocket knife. All four of us got out without any one hurt. All of us were pretty scared because we had enough aviation fuel for the two planes we were picking up. It was in the luggage compartment. Not knowing if it might explode we

Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

needed to get away from the area. The real fun part was I had to go back to the office in a crop duster plane. The crop duster was a Stearman biplane. The front seat had been taken out as that was where the dust was put to spray the crops. The guys washed it out real good and the guy at the gin gave us an army blanket for me to sit on. Remember I was dressed for the office. In 1958 tight skirts and high heel shoes were the only option or you were not dressed to go out of the house. I had to take off the shoes because I needed to climb on to the wing in order to get in and climb over the side into the plane in my tight skirt. I sat down into the front of the plane could not see out except straight up. Back across the mountains we went, scared you bet. Finally we landed back at the main hangers. And sure enough there were plenty of people to see us get out of that plane. Remember tight skirt climbing over the side and off the wing to the ground. But we were all safe.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

ONE LONG TRIP

School was out the second week of June and it was time to go to the city.
Husband (#2) had a job and was waiting for us to arrive.
I start loading the car. The back floor was stuffed to seat level, then blankets, sheets and such. A A baby bed mattress was on top of that up til all was level with the back seat.
On top of the car was the a baby bed, ironing board and baby high chair.
The trunk was stuffed full and my mother was shoving canned foods any place she could find. Finally the car was loaded with four children (10 months, 4, 7, 10) and myself.
My oldest son was on vacation with his grandparents and joined us later.
This was way before car seats were required.

The car did not have a/c so I put a window a/c in the front passenger window.
This is a water cooler for a car.
You put water in the bottom and as you drive the air coming thru is cooled.
Instead of water I put a bag of ice which helped a lots.
Four children and I had a very long trip to make (about 9 hours).
When the ice would all melt we would stop and get more.
This was in the same car I had replaced the water pump on.
I had no trouble with it. (ha ha)
Finally we arrived in the big city.
My children had never been to a big city and I was not sure of their safety.
This was really a big adjustment for all of us.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Grease Monkey, I Don't Want To Be

Here I am again with memories.

After divorcing my first husband (his drinking just became to much) I finally remarried.

Image by kendrak via Flickr

We were in business for ourselves and lived in Billy Sol Estes country.
As so many people did at that time we had to close up shop and go else where.
Husband #2 went to the city for work while I stayed at home waiting for school to be out for the kids.
Then my car broke down .
I found out it was the water pump so I call a good friend who was a mechanic.
I asked him to go get me a water pump (he could get it at a discount).
One morning I started, pulled the fan and then the water pump.
Then I put the new one on and replaced the fan .
Next I put water in the radiator and checked for leaks.
Sure 'nuff had one so I went back and tighten all the bolts up better, surprise no leaks.
Was finished by lunch time.
My mother had lunch fixed, by the way she was watching the children for me.
If not it may have taken me several days to finish.
When husband #2 found out I had replaced the water pump he was sure the car would never work again.
It lasted a long time and we never had to replace the water pump again.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Getting Old Is No Fun

Image by bensons via Flickr

I am so thankful I have done so many things when I was young.
I can't seem to do anything now days.
I lose things that I know where I put them and then they are not there.
Five days ago, I cleaned out all seven drawers of my desk
looking for a new cell phone I had put up.
Did not find it but I found six new refillable lighters (yes I smoke).
Took one out to use, did not remove the other five.
I gave mine to a friend today so went to get another and they were no where to be found.
Emptied all seven drawers again to no avail.
Just because I am older than dirt would someone please tell I am not loosing my mind.
Love My 2 Dogs was asking if I was alright, Yes I am fine I think.
Not sick as far as I can tell.
But I so think someone is messing with my mind.
It may be that it is just gone.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Water, Water Everywhere and not a drop to Drink

I thought the hard work was complete with the house and yard finished. About a year a half later we decided we needed a water well for the yard. I also wanted to plant a garden. My husband ha

Image via Wikipedia

d a friend with an old contraption that they drilled wells with (forgot what they are called). We used it that spring. My then husband showed me how it worked. You had to run water in it as it was drilling. When you had drilled so far down (I think it was 10 foot ). Next you had to stop the drilling and add more pipe to the drill stem. Well here goes "Miss I can do it". When my then husband was at work I would start the drill and drill most of the day. Adding more pipe was not the easiest thing I ever did but no one should ever tell me I could not do somehing. My then husband would work on this after work and weekends and I worked on it day. It took forever but we finally had a well for watering the yard. Don't ever think the work is finished there is always something to do. What ever it is that needs to be done just remember make up your mind and you can do it. Have a wonderful day.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Sisterhood Award

It seems I am making some friends out in the blog world. A sweet lady named Sharon gave me this award. She says she is amazed by the stories of what I've done over the years. I am so glad she enjoys reading what I have to say. Go see the sweet things she had to say about me here.

Here are the rules for this award:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link the person from whom you received your award.

Juls is getting this award from me because she is just a great gal!

LoveMy2Dogs is one of my followers who writes a great blog.

annie kelleher is a lady who found me via my daughter's blog. It's so nice that her friends find me interesting enough to read.

Aunt Rene is another follower who made her way over from Lynette's blog. I am so glad she did!

50s Housewife is a really good blog about a woman with old fashioned values. That's great in my books!

These are the ladies I am passing this award along to. I hope I will continue to be of interests to you as I recount my life's adventures.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Meatless Meatloaf

With the cost of everything going up here is something that is really good and will help the budget.

Image by Ryner12 via Flickr

You could use leftover pinto beans or canned refried beans.
If you are using pinto beans they should be drained and then mashed up very well.
It depends on how large your family is as to the amount of beans.
Use the same amount as you would meat.
Add an egg, bell pepper, onion,celery, can of tomatos, some crushed crackers for filler, salt and pepper to taste.
Mix well and put in a loaf pan.
Then bake at 350 about 45 minutes.
You can vary this depending on what you prefer in your meat loaf.
Just use pinto beans instead of meat.
Try it, I think you will like it.