[Walkin' Jack]

I threatened to do the beach thang today. Lost my nerve when I looked at the beachfront conditions. Water temp is FINALLY at 80 deg. and that's a GOOD thing but I didn't like the color, the waviness, and, as always, the wind. Much as it costs to go down there and get back, these days I will have to be a little more picky about when I go.

I felt rotten by 8:00 AM because I chickened out. So, the decision made and the day too far along to go for it, I determined to make the best of the day. I have been thinking for some time now that I wanted to drop by the Texas DPS drivers license office and see if I could pass the eye test. I have been on the border line since I was 16 years old. One time I'd pass, the next time I'd fail. Till about 10 years ago I failed it 2 or 3 times in a row. Now here is where it gets weird! My optomitrist told me once that as I got older and my close-up vision went away, that my distance vision might likely improve slightly. I've been noticing for about a year that I can see better, far off, without my glasses than with them.

So this morning I went flouncin' in there and told the lady I wanted to take the eye test to see if I could get the restriction taken off my license. She asked me if I had had the surgery and I said no but that I wanted to take the test. I explained about what my eye doc had told me. Well, she starts giving me a lot of guff and I held up my hand and said, "Can I get the eye test, yes or no? She pulled a face and said between clenched teeth and pursed lips, "Read line 5 for me". Man, those letters looked like they were a foot high! I whipped through line five in a breeze and she looked at me and said, "Well, sir, those glasses are history...that'll be $10.00" I gave her my current license, a 10 spot and my biggest smile. She cut off the bottom of my license and gave the part with my picture on it back to me with my temporary license. I may now invest in some CDMs.

So now, All my drawers full of glasses; trifocal, bifocals, etc, (ala Fred Sanford) are gonners and I'm free to see like a bird in a tree! WHOOP!

Still feeling great after my little victory, I went to Academy to see about a few things for the beach thang on 6/12. While I was in there I went by the tents and I was suddenly over come with inspiration. Wound up going to Wally World and got a great 10X12 2-room tent for $49.87. I set it up out in the back yard to see if it was all there and not damaged. The pics below are:
#1 Lookin' in the front door
#2 A little zipper pouch for keeping my comb and brush in
#3 A "gear loft" for storage

The directions said that setting it up was a job for two adults but I never saw a tent that one good Marine couldn't put up all by his lonesome! It went right up, no problemo. BUT...if it is as windy on the beach as it was last time I MIGHT need another Marine or two to help me, we'll see about that.

Now I don't have to use Pams car and I don't have to spend 9 to 10 hours cleaning it up the next day. Looks like every body comes out ahead on the tent deal. I have been thinking about getting a tent for some time now but have just been putting it off.

I te'ya, it feels good that I didn't waste the day and I took care of a couple of things that have been eating on me lately.

Life is good!

 

[Gary]

Great tent Jack

Why so big though? You plan on stealing all the chicks? Dang. We finally get rid of Shaddy, and a new player shows up. LOL. Sorry Pam if you read this. Jus messing with Jack. I know dat man luvs ya.

Smart move not wasting time at trying the surf. Not good. Saturday, I couldnt even get a bite on live shrimp. So I went one level of "Potlickerdom" lower, and tried peeled shrimp. Not even a Don. I mean, Hardhead. Sunday morning, forget it. The weed was coming in so hard, it was washing millions of shrimp onshore. Think I have a pic.

I may try this weekend, I dunno. See what happens. On holidays, I like to lock my door, stay inside, and avoid the crazies.

In the pic, see the birds feeding?

 

[Walkin' Jack]

Whooo-Eeeee! Thanks Gary for that news. I'd a been hotter than a $2.00 pistol at a turkey-shoot if I'd gone down there and found that. Now I feel even better about my decision for today.

LOL! 'Fraid I ain't too much of a "player" these days...sigh. Not only that I can't even stay up much past 11:00 to watch the real players. Miss Pam don't fret none when I go on my own for a few days. I know which side my bread is buttered on and she knows I know it too, I ain't lyin'.

I got one that size 'cause it is not really too big for one (plenty of room to have all your gear in and out of the way) and if she decides she wants to join me in a camping trip there'll be room for her inside the tent. She gets pretty cranky when she has to sleep all night sittin' up in Old Silver, heh, heh, heh.

 

[Miss Dixie]

Hey WJ...we used to cut a little sliver off the top of driver's licenses to let other cops know that the person was a jerk and deserved a ticket....be careful there. If I'm not mistaken, DPS cuts off quite a portion of the DL. But you have my phone number just in case.

Nice tent by the way. I had a tent at one time...guess I lost it in the divorce....dunno what happened to it. After sleeping...er, passing out....in my truck two Saturdays in a row, guess I need to invest in one or not drink so much.

I'm ready for the water to clear up a bit. I'm really looking forward to the Baffin trip in a couple of weeks. I already made a pact with Darrell that I won't keep anything unless it's bigger than his fish.

 

[NaClH2O]

Hey WJ,

What I think would go great in that net in the top of the tent is a tent light. It is battery operated and attaches with a metal plate and strong magnets. I have one and think it is great. It sure beats trying to find something with a flashlight at night. And you can even get one that is remote operated. Can you believe that? Remote operated!! I chose not to go that route. Seemed a little excessive. It is made by Colemand and I found it at Academy. Here is a picture of what I am talking about.

 

[Walkin' Jack]

Wendi, Thanks for the heads up on the license thing. It wouldn't surprise me a bit, I did bug the old gal a bit and she could have easily popped me with out me knowin'. Guess I'll have to behave myself till I get my new one in the mail.

That tent is more than I really need I know but they have gotten so cheap. When we were heavy into tent camping back in the mid to late '70s, we had a Camel brand tent. It was two big rooms with a screened in porch. Folded up it was bigger'n a VW bug. I don't remember how much it cost but it wasn't cheap. I can't believe they have gotten so cheap.

I hope I get the chance to take it down for a break-in before 6/12 but if not then I at least know that it is all there and is in good shape.

When y'all go to Baffin' I hope you stick a big 'un!

 

[Badhabit]

I already made a pact with Darrell that I won't keep anything unless it's bigger than his fish.Sure hope ya ain't hungry Cuz..... LMAO.....

 

[Walkin' Jack]

Hey NaCLH2O, that does sound and look like a good deal, Actually I have this battery powered, 2-speed lantern with night light. Uses 8 D batteries and will turn that tent into day light or just subdued light. I'm itching to try it all out.

 

[Badhabit]

I love the battery powered lights, not only is it great in a tent, it works well in a travel trailer too... very safe, better than propane or gas......

 

[MT Stringer]

"...2-speed lantern with night light. Uses 8 D batteries and will turn that tent into day light or just subdued light."

Ahruuugh! Tim-The-Toolman-Taylor would be very envious!

Mike

 

[BILLYSTIX CUSTOM RODS]

billystix sleeps in da yard

here is the dang truth about the tent!
jack said when he saw my bed room after staying with him and pam a couple nights that next visit he would have me a little more room to stretch out in and it would have a good bit more fresh air(hummmmnnn) could it be?
stix

 

[Walkin' Jack]

Uh-oh! I'm BUSTED! rotfl!