RUTH HAFFLY wrote to DAVE DRUM <=-

I don't remember off the top of my head; it has been some years since I read it. But I do remember reading it while over there and at times thinking "this isn't quite right".

But may have been "right" at the time it was written down. Things
change, especialy when there are people involved. Bv)=

Probably that's the reason; I was reading it close to 50 years after he wrote it. When we went over last month, we noticed more physical
changes; probably if we'd been there longer, would have noticed others. While we were stationed there, the state elected its first divorced, female, Jewish, Republican governor--quite a change from the male
Democrat guys they usually elected. (G)

Sorta like me. I started my political life as a Goldwater Republican and
a member of the Young Republicans. I've not changed my views on much as
the years pass but the Elephant party kept moving farther and farther
to the the right. I didn't leave them - they left me. And that's all I'm
going to say on Polly-Ticks lest I get a rocket from the moderator.

Under the spelling our family uses (single "M") I found writers,
artists and even a preacher. I write - and have made my living doing
so in the past. And I draw, pAint and do artsy/craftsy stuff. But,
I'm a "devout" agnostic. Bv)=

I've got all sorts of people in my background, including a number who
have made their living using written words. I've been told many times I should do more writing (for profit) but haven't, yet.

Don't leave it too late. No glory is becoming a best-seller
posthumously.

One of these days you may see something with my byline.

Gopher it!

8<----- ELIDE ----->8

As my brother says of his time in the Army - he went where he was sent
and did (mostly) what he was told.

That's the way to do it. Our original plan was 4 years and out, ended
up being 26 years, introduced to lots of new to us foods and parts of
the country/world.

Phil volunteered his draft and as a thanks the army sent him to
Vietnam. He's a very lucky man. Only one of his squad from basic that
made it home more-or-less intact.

Steve had a high enough draft number that he escaped that mess.
Both his and my brothers missed it also. Afterward, before we got
married, he debated the Navy at one point but decided against it
at the time. When he did enlist, the Army was his best option.

Phil says he "volunteered his draft". I've no idea what that means nor what his number was.

IOW, he knew he was going to be drafted so enlisted before he got the notice. My dad knew he was going to be drafted for WWII so enlisted in
the Navy instead. One advantage of doing it that was is that you have
more say so in what you want to do (job, MOS).

Which is very little. I was promised I'd go to Photographer's school in Jacksonville, FL. But, after the AFQT tests I got stuck into electronics
school in Memphis, TN.

I had visions of making the Navy a career - but, raging hormones got
in the way. I was in lust (I thought it was love) when time to re-up
came around ... and I know if I signed on again I'd be sent to Spain
or Greece. So, I listened to the wrong head and stayed in Memphis ... turning down a U$10,000 reenlistment bonus (in 1962 dollars).

We were married, had 2 kids and a dog when Steve enlisted. He was able
to get a bonus several times he re-enlisted, forget how much but it was nice.

Re-up bonuses tend to be rather nice.

Definatly! Helped pay down some bills and treated the girls to a
clothing shopping excursion, usually with lunch out included.

A case of "Too soon old. Too late smart!" if ever their was one. Still I've had a pretty good life and even if I whine once in a while my
heart isn't in it.

I was somewhat skeptical when Steve enlisted but it turned out to be
one of the best choices he ever made.

I've an acquaintance who did 20 years (19 years + six months sctually)
for a retirement cheque of 2/3 pay (monthly) and used his military training to secure a job with Garrett Avaition's fixed base operator system (Machinist union job) And had two pension cheques per month
before he was 60. Then. at 65 added Social Security.

Steve went in at 6 months short of 30 when the job market wasn't that great in eastern NC and the church he was pastoring closed. Post Army
he went to seminary, planning on pastoring a small church, but after
some health issues, fully retired instead.

I joined during a cold December when the job market was "flat" And the
promise of boot camp in Sandy Eggo beckoned.

Title: Navy Bean Soup
Categories: Soups, Beans, Pork, Vegetables
Yield: 6 Servings

How close is this to the Congressional Bean Soup? I had a recipe for
that decades ago but that pamphlet was recycled a long time ago. I only tried one recipe from it; it was flawed so never did try any more.

Here's what I'ved got - Senate Bean Soup is a historic recipe that's
always on the Senate menu for a reason. With not much more than navy
beans, a ham hock, and water, you can have one of the country's most satisfying, and famous, ham and bean soups.

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

Title: Senate Bean Soup
Categories: Soups, Pork, Beans, Vegetables, Potatoes
Yield: 6 Servings

1 lb Dry white beans; soaked
- overnight
1 Meaty ham bone
+=OR=+
2 Smoked ham hocks
3 qt Water
3 lg Onions; fine chopped
3 cl Garlic; fine chopped
4 Ribs celery; w/leaves, fine
- chopped
1/4 c Parsley; fine chopped
1 c Cooked mashed potatoes
Salt & pepper

GARNISH: minced parsley or chives

Strain the water from the soaked beans and put in a big
pot with 3 quarts of water and the ham bone or ham hocks.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.

Stir the chopped vegetables and herbs into the pot--and
also the mashed potatoes and cook over low heat for
another hour--until the beans are nicely tender.

Remove the bones from the pot--cut off the meat into small
bits and return the meat to the pot, discarding the bones.

When ready to serve, ladle into bowls and garnish with
pinches of herbs. For "U.S. House of Representative Bean
Soup" authenticity, crush a few of the beans in each bowl
to thicken the broth and make it slightly opaque.

Recipe from: http://www.recipelink.com

Uncle Dirty Dave's Archives

MMMMM


... "A cheapskate won't tip a server. I'm just careful with my money" Dave Drum

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* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)