OCS

OCS: Officer Candidate School.

There were 3 phases: green, black, blue.  Each lasted 2 months.  

GREEN: you wore green helmet liners and could never be found walking outside, had to run everywhere.  To the mess hall, to formations, to classes, to the laundry.

BLACK: did not have to run everywhere.  But still got in deep shit if we screwed up.  l and another guy were late to formation because we had to pick up our laundry.   

So, the training officer issued our punishment: pugil sticks for 30 minutes.  The other miscreant was 6' 4"; the largest guy in the class .  I was 5'10", not the smallest guy but close.  So we faked it as best we could when the training officer wasn't watching.  But I was still sore for a few days.

 It was the training officer's job to make as many candidates quit or get washed out as possible.  We got him back once.  He had us low crawl through a creek.  When we finished we grabbed him and through him in.

BLUE: now you've pretty much made it, and you're wearing a blue helmet liner.  The entire platoon would chant, "Everything's better with a blue bonnet on it!" when we went by platoons of Greenies and Blackies.  If you're about my age, you'll recall the chant advertising Blue Bonnet Margarine.

  

Grand Slam

The term Grand Slam has been used in many games including baseball, tennis, golf and bridge.  

To my knowledge, it has not been used in Pickleball.  Until today: I had my first and undoubtedly my last Grand Slam: I served 11 times in a row, got a point 11 times in a row, won the game.  My partner helped, of course.

Everyone was amazed, including me.  I'd never seen this done.  Never thought I would.  Never thought about it at all.

It only took 50+ years of playing the game to do the GS.  Not bad for an 81 year old, all modesty aside.

Doggerel

 It's been a while since I've inflicted a doggerel on my readers.  So here are a couple.

DREAM QUEST

 The salad years held dreams exotic,

Varied, weird, sometimes erotic.

But now I wander endless halls,

Seeking little rooms with stalls.

Don’t laugh you young guys, for it’s coming:

Your own nocturnal quest for plumbing.

 Mike Delaney

6-28-05

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SMOTE

In the bible folks were smited

For acts that could not be abided.

 

A word of caution, please take note

And reduce the risk of getting smote:

 

To temptation, don’t be submittin’

Lest we be hearin’ that you were smitten.

 

Mike Delaney

7-19-09

Lighten Up

 We're lightening up: Getting rid of stuff we haven't used for many years and will never use again.  Stuff in the top shelves that we haven't used since we moved here years ago.

Me: Woodworking and mechanical tools; plumbing, electrical and automotive gadgets; suit ties, clothing - and on and on.

Trish: Boxes of 'good stuff' going to Goodwill: dishes, glasses, fondue sets, candles and holders (now she has battery candles all over the place).

If you're near my age - lighten up!  Don't leave it up to those who outlive you.  They will toss it if you don't; give them a break.