In Country With Uncle Vic: 2020

Wednesday, August 05, 2020

CHUMUCKLA NOW: Living Life in the time of Covid - CRUDDS and More

CHUMUCKLA NOW: Living Life in the time of Covid - CRUDDS and More: For a few weeks, a number of fascinating encounters occurred and I never got around to writing anything down . But I have pictures .

For a few weeks, a number of fascinating encounters occurred and I never got around to writing anything down . But I have pictures. The following is a summary of activities with the CRUDDS group (Chumuckla Reprobates Utopian Debate and Discussions Society) and encounters about the county. One of the more inspiring was a visit with a Local Farm Family from the stars of national rated fishing youtube channels. Stuff just happens. A lot of it turns out to be fun. A feature video at the END of this Blog Post.

Let's start with this young fellow from Jay. Kaden Roberson . We met him at the Duramed Deli. Kaden is a senior at Jay. Plays football. I was able to pick apart some of his heritage and I went to college on a bus with one of his aunts! Jerry Kelley, shown here with him is a 3 time Vietnam Vet with some health issues. A recent stroke or two or three has set him back some. This young man, was a bright spot of the day. He thanked him for his service. Well, you can know THIS- Jerry thinks this young fellow was worth it. MORE PICTURES (with Korean War Vet, Dick Miller, and me... I was in the Campfire Girls .. which in those days was a very rugged outfit)

Al Piser and Dick Miller

Dick was doing a little research on laser wood cutters and talked a bit with AL Piser in Jay. Al has lived there about 3 years. Leaving California, He rode around the area for a 200 mile radius searching for where he wanted to live. He picked Jay. He had some suggestions on the laser wood crafting market, which Dick's daughter in law is looking into.

Packing for Down Range

Karen and I have ended up with 3 cats now. It comes down to the US Marines.

Alex picked up a kitten a few years ago while downrange somewhere and now IMMI (Illegal Immigrant - there is a whole story) and her companion Princess Buttuhcup have to have a home when Alex goes downrange again. (which is now)

Recently we added a kitten (Momo) to hold for Alex's marine buddy who is also downrange at the moment and which is being fostered until a THIRD marine buddy comes over to pick him up. It has become a Kitty Kat hotel at our house .... and added immeasurably to the entertainment in this Time of Covid.

Several topics of conversation came up at the CRUDDS visit this week. Jim (my brother) brought over some fossils we collected 50 years ago in the Conecuh River just North of here. He explained to Dick Miller these resulted from many fossil trips with our cousin Rogene Kilpatrick - who was also a Marine, Korean War Veteran.

News Clip with Rogene Kilpatrick

The back-story, which Dick knows now, is that Rogene was in Dick's very same regiment and in a sister company through THREE major Korean War Battles. Look the battles up. They are historic. PUSAN - INCHON - CHOSIN .

These are now the names of the three rifle ranges for recruits at Parris Island. Rogene's Marine Footlocker is loaded with warm socks and rests at the Jay Museum. His mom was born near Jay - was my Grandma's sister.

Richard Wood (left) will miss a few CRUDDS because of his job serving oil platforms by boat. But he passed along a great inside history of the old WW2 "meme" KILROY WAS HERE. JIm recalled we had a book written by our Uncle (E.W. Carswell) by the same name - "Before Kilroy". So we loaned it to Dick Miller who had an interest in it. Also loaned him a copy of my own book because it came out that Uncle E.W. had written the forward to my own book 30 years ago.
Free PDF copy ... see bottom of page at 12ponder.com

I've added more photos and descriptions

in an album for the week.

Also, consider my Chumuckla Heritage Store

and the COVID t-Shirt. I've made enough money so far to buy a box of donuts for the CRUDDS to enjoy.