Boy Scout Knots

Boy Scout Knots are important and interesting!


http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Taut-line_hitch#Taut_Line_Hitch

Felted Purse for Sherry

The (limited production) felted purse for Sherry has been completed but not yet delivered.

First Solo Cross Country Flight

On the 2nd of June 1946, I had accumulated about 40 hours of flying time and I was ready for making a solo cross country flight. I made arrangements to rent a Aeronca 7AC-65, NC82181 for a flight that would take me from Delhi, LA to Ruston, LA for the first leg. The second leg was from Ruston, LA to Eldorado, AR. and the third leg was from Eldorado, AR back to Delhi, LA.
The first leg to Ruston took less than an hour and I just followed US Highway 80 and the Illinois Central Railroad tracks. The second leg to Eldorado was a little over 30 minutes and I just flew along the major highway. The third leg took over 1 1/2 hours and was along a line drawn on the map. I blood pressure was a little higher on the leg because I didn't have as good a reference as to my heading back to Delhi. I decided to veer a little to the left and look for LA Highway 16 which goes North and South and then make a right turn into Delhi. The only problem that I had on the whole trip was the engine throttle kept creeping closed. I wedged my fountain pen behind the throttle to hold the engine fixed at 2100 rpm. I made this whole trip one afternoon. I like the Aeronca 7AC-65 very much. It is a little faster than the Piper Cub J3C-65 and you fly it solo from the front seat rather than the back seat. Both airplanes have a Continental horizontal opposed four cyclinder 65 horsepower engine.

First Solo Flight

On 4 May 1946, after 5:25 hours of dual instruction, the eagle made his first solo flight in a Piper Cub J3C-65. This first flight consisted of three landings in 15 minutes. You usually have 8 hours of instruction before the first solo flight, but my instructor, Samuel H. "Bill" Clinton said that he would have turned me loose even earlier but he needed to see how I would handle a bounce on the landing. I had been greasing them in. But, I bounced the landing right before he soloed me and I handled it to his satisfaction, so he decided to turn me loose. I didn't expect that. I was really nervous and I was really twurling my high school graduation ring. I said a little prayer. I made three takeoffs and landings and the last one was really good. Bill was really excited about it. After the three flights, the guys cut off my shirt tail and hung it on the side of the Cub, NC92423.

Boy Scout Knots

Everyone knows the boy scout square knot!
But, do you know the one called two half hitches?
Here is an illustration for your information.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy valentine's day to everyone. Come see us when you can. If you can't come then write or call.

Address Update!!!

the AMAZING people need to send me their latest mailing address, email address and cell phone number. Please respond to johnhwatson@charter.net - or else you may not get a valentine.

Horatio

This is the initial resting place of Horatio!
The final resting place is unknown!

Hector (and Horatio)

This is Hector.

Hector

Hector is one of two tropical hybiscus plants that we bought from Sam's last year. They both got sick and Horatio died. Hector has been doing good. However, I have to bring him into the house every night that it freezes and put him back in when it warms up so he can get some sunlight. I guess that the exercise will do me good. He only weighs about 40 lbs. I will be glad when spring comes.

SIGNING OFF!!!

sO lONG sEE yOU lATER.

GroundHogs Day

I can always remember my little sister's birthday because it is always on ground hogs day - the second of February. Serena Estelle Watson Strock, born on 2/2/1927, and passed away on 28 October 2008. Happy birthday Cudda!

ERRATA (OOPs)

NOTICE - Correction - I checked with the socks manufacturer and was informed that the current production level will only supply those who have already placed an order. You know who you are. Be aware that it takes a while to build a pair of socks and it takes the shipping department a while to do his job. SORRY - I just got carried away and spoke without thinking. Be patient and don't forget to place your order.

Thomas was here

Thomas Eugene Watson (9/16/1959) arrived Saturday around 5:30PM after attending a Royal Rangers conference near Waxahachie, TX. He had an abdominal pain that made me think that he was having an apendicitis attack. However, he was feeling much better Sunday morning and we went to Denny's where he had a Grand Slam and two glasses of orange juice and lots of butter on his pancakes. We came back to the house and visited until about 1:30PM when he departed to go by Thom Thumb grocery store and then by Walmarts to buy a total of eight cases of Dr. Pepper (on sale) before proceeding to Burkburnett. We had a good visit. He said that James and Gail were doing ok. Thomas sayes that he has a new job with Altras (Wichita Clutch) and James has two jobs (not sure what they are). Gail is still working at Shepard AFB for the government. He told about an uncle (or great uncle) of his that got drunk up in old Abilene, Kansas and killed a man and then went to his house and barracaded the doors and held off the police, state police and sheriff for several hours. They tried to tear gas him out but failed. They finally shot and killed him. This was Angie's brother or her uncle. I had heard that story before.

I should have taken a picture of Thomas but I didn't think about it until after he was gone.

Lee taught her Sunday School class this morning. She teaches the firsst Sunday each month plus the fifth Sunday.

One of her friends came by this afternoon for her first knitting lesson. I hope that she can persevere long enough to learn. Oh, by the way, I will be mailing some home-made knitted socks to some of you. You have to guess who. You will know when you receive a package from me. Take care.