Cigar Box Guitar

A few months back some friends at work decided to play guitar on Fridays at lunch time, and my friend Jerry had a musical contraption that I had never seen before. It was a 4-string cigar box guitar made from an old axe handle, cigar box, the rusted tops of salt and pepper shakers, and a resonator. He played it with a slide and it had a wonderful bluesy, swampy sound to it. He bought it from a friend he made it custom for him including a box with a rusted corrugated tin top, railroad nail handle, and old door latches.

  
I used to have a guitar and took some lessons while I was in graduate school. I learned a few chords, but I left school before my friend could teach me very much. I tried to learn on my own, but later realized that my flea market guitar had problems, and other things started occupying my time.

After listening to my friend playing this instrument, however, I have caught the bug again. I really liked the size of the guitar, its sound, and the fact that it had fewer strings than the typical guitar. I also like making stuff and decided that day that I was going to make myself one of those guitars.

I started reading about cigar box guitars at www.cigarboxnation.com and reddogguitars.com. I loved the idea of how people without the means to buy a professionally built guitar improvised and made their own out of old boxes, broom sticks, and whatever else they could find.  I was amazed at the artists who learned to play guitar with these make shift instruments:  Bo Diddley, Carl Perkins, George Benson, Roy Clark, and a whole bunch of famous blues musicians I've never heard of before (I am more of a country boy).

One story that struck me was that of Carl Perkins who listened to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio and wanted to learn to play. He asked his parents for a guitar, but since they could not afford one, his dad made him one out of a cigar box and broom handle.

There is even a Boy Scout connection to these instruments. Before co-founding the Boy Scouts of America, Daniel Carter Beard published an article in 1884 on how to build a cigar box banjo. The plans eventually made it into his American Boy’s Handy Book in the 1890.

I found several sites with plans, youtube videos, and all sorts of hints on the Internet and came up with my own plans to make one. I went to a cigar shop not far from where I worked and bought a few boxes.  I knew I had to buy more than one, because I knew my kids were going to want one too. I was right about that. Not only do they want one, my nephew wants me to make him one too.

My first visit to a cigar shop near my work took me to their break room where they had a huge pile of boxes to sort through. This shop not only sold cigars, but also had a place to smoke them. It was really smokey in there. By the time I got out, I wreaked of cigar smoke, and I hate the smell of cigar smoke. It wasn't long that I found my self in the restroom at work, spraying myself down with a can of the deodorizer that they use in those machines that spray a mist every so often to keep the restroom smelling "clean". A co-worker of my was quite amused when he caught me deodorizing myself. The second time I went to the store, I made sure to carry a bottle of Febreeze in my truck.

It took me about a month of working a few minutes to a few hours here and there to complete my 3-string cigar box guitar. Since finishing it about a week ago, I have been learning how to play slide, but I want to know how to finger pick and play chords as well.  I ordered an instructional video CD from Keni Lee Burgess.  We will see how that goes.  My friend Jerry is also helping me learn to play my guitar.

It was amazing to hear him play an instrument that I made. During lunch today, I asked him if I could take some video of him playing it to show my scouts at our den meeting.  We have been working on our Showmanship badge, and part of that is learning about music.  They really enjoyed the guitar and were really impressed with Jerry's playing. Please take a listen.

 

I built my guitar with a wood Padron 1926 Series cigar box with a 1 x 2 oak neck. The fret board is 1/2 inch oak and the bridge and nut are made with brass strips that I bought from Ace Hardware. The strings are attached to a brass hinge with brass washers that I also got from Ace Hardware. The tuning machines, screened grommets, and fret wire came from C.B. Gitty Crafter Supply. I used angled aluminum to re-enforce the neck inside the box where I removed wood so that the box lid would resonate better. The strings are First Act strings from Toys'R'Us (the cheapest strings in town) and the guitar is for now tuned to Open D.  I plan on adding pearl fret markers and adding an electric pickup.  

I will soon build three more guitars, and now that I know how to build one, I will take pictures and perhaps some video and post instructions that will hopefully be helpful to anyone else who may want to build one.

Trapped in my Shed

This weekend I finished the outside gable, added a vent and fan, and sealed the other side of the shed with clear plastic to keep the rain out until I completed Phase II of the shed construction.  Happy with my progress, I thought about the next steps of Phase I - wiring, peg board, lighting etc. I thought about moving stuff from the old shed over, but not until I knew that what I had built was waterproof.

This evening it started raining, and after everyone had been tucked in for bed. I went downstairs to let the dogs in and do a few miscellaneous chores before I went to bed myself. After I let the dogs in, it crossed my mind that this would be a good time to check and see if I had any leaks. So I got my flashlight and walked through the rain to my shed. I opened the door, went in, and then shut the door so that no rain would be blown inside. With my flashlight I looked around for any leaks. I checked the plastic, the roof, and floors. Everything was as dry as it could be. After admiring my handiwork, I turned back to the door and realized that I had a big problem. The latch was on the outside! And the door latches automatically when the door is closed. I pushed on the door and it didn't budge. 

How was I going to get out?

Maybe I had my cell phone and I could call and have Jo Ann rescue me. I checked my pockets.  Nothing. How would I let anyone know where I was?  Maybe if I banged on the door someone would hear me? Probably not, but I did it anyway. Nothing. When would somebody find me in my shed? Am I going to have to sleep here tonight? Sawdust was everywhere and the treated wood floor wasn't looking to inviting as a bed. I pushed the door again. Nothing. The kids will be late for school because I wake everybody up in the morning, and I am going to be stuck in my shed. Would anybody know where to look for me? I pushed one last time.  Whew!!!! the door opened.  I don't know why or how, but it did.  Relief.  

Tomorrow, I am going to drill a hole and make an inside latch release. I am so glad I'm getting to sleep in a real bed tonight.

History of Getting Trapped

Believe it or not, this is not the first time I have been trapped. I don't remember this, but I've been told that once while my Dad was walking me when I was a toddler, I fell and was trapped in a street drain. He somehow got me out and that was the last time that my Mom let my Dad walk me unsupervised.

When I was little older, I remember getting stuck and trapped in a toy box.

One of my more interesting trappings happened when I was in college. I worked at the University of Georgia Agricultural Engineering Experiment Station as a summer intern which required that I write and present a paper at an ASAE convention. This one was in Quebec City, Quebec. The elevators were slow at the hotel where the convention was being held, so I decided to take the stairs down to the meeting rooms. I had just opened the door and entered the stairwell when I remembered that I left something in my room. I tried to catch the door before it closed but was too late. When I pulled on the door handle I was surprised to find that the door was locked. Oh well, I'll just go to another floor and take the elevator back up. The next door I tried was locked too. I soon realized that all of the doors were locked, and I was trapped. When I reached the bottom of the stairwell I found double doors, and I could hear people on the other side. It too was locked, so I knocked hoping someone would hear, open the door, and let me out. Sure enough, someone did and when the doors opened I realized that I was in the hotel restaurant where everyone was having their breakfast. I straightened my jacket and tie, and confidently walked through the doors and out of the restaurant trying to act as if it was normal to have walked into and out of a hotel restaurant through mystery double doors. 

Oddly enough, this was not the last time that I was to be trapped in a stairwell. When Jo Ann and I moved to Mississippi, I had gotten a job with SkyTel.  My office (cubicle) was at the South Tower of SkyTel Center, and I had been taking the stairs when I arrived in the morning because the elevators in this building were incredibly slow.  One morning seemingly started off the same as most others had with me getting to work a little early and taking the stairs to the seventh floor.  When I finally got to my floor, the door was locked. Just like last time, I went to every floor looking for an open door but could not find one.  Apparently no one had unlocked the stairwell doors that morning.  Fortunately, since I worked for SkyTel, I did have a pager, so I started paging everyone I knew who worked on the same floor as me but wasn't having much luck. Finally I got somebody and asked them to let me out when they got to work.  Saved again.

I probably need to make sure I always carry a cell phone with me and learn to pick locks.

My First Record

When I was a kid, my family listened to country music.  I think you learn to love what you grew up with, and to this day old country music is my favorite kind of music. I am particularly fond of country music from the sixties and seventies. I remember listening to country music on Griffin, Georgia's WGRI AM 1410. I even remember the station jingle. "1410 - Sunshine Country - W - G - R - I"

My first record that I owned was a 45, and I first heard it on WGRI.  Back in the seventies, CB and trucker songs were very popular. Songs like "East Bound and Down," "White Line Fever," and "Convoy" were chart toppers in those days, and you may have heard of them.  I am pretty sure that you have not heard the one I liked when I was in the first grade. The name of the song was "Hey Shirley, (this is Squirrely)," and I found it on youtube.

Sadly, my record was broken in the second grade. My teacher asked us to bring records to school to listen and dance to. I remember one of the girls, in my class saying "I don't know how to dance to that song." I also remember my friend Tim Pritchard bringing the classic "Shaving Cream" song made popular by Dr. Demento. There is a little innuendo in this song and I am kind of surprised that it made it to the record player in class. Although we didn't know why (well, I didn't), we still thought it was funny.  I'm pretty sure it was Tim who accidentally chipped my record. I was so disappointed, but hey, now I can listen to it all I want.

James L. Hardeman's Journal - Guadalcanal 1942

My grandfather served in the Marine Corps during World War II, and until recently I did not know much about what he had done during this time. He died when I was young, so I did not have the opportunity to talk with him about his experiences. My mom, however, let me scan in a journal that he kept when he was deployed to Guadalcanal.  For a long while, I had intended to transcribe his journal. I have finally been able to do this with some difficulty.

My grandfather was almost 22 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, and he was 24 with rank of Private First Class when he landed at Guadalcanal August 7, 1942.  In his journal, he records his experiences during the Battle of Guadalcanal until November 11.  I do not know what happened after November 11. I do know he was at Guadalcanal at least until December 8, 1942, but I am not sure if he quit making journal entries or if his remaining journal entries have  been lost.

His journal was written with very little punctuation and misspellings, so some parts were difficult to decipher. It appears that a couple of pages may have been lost or incomplete. Again, it is not clear whether this was because some pages were lost or because he was unable to complete some of the entries. At the end of the journal, he started misdating his entries. I imagine at this point there was a lot of action that may have contributed to his misdating the entries and ceasing the journal after November 11.  I have edited his text for misspellings and punctuation. Other than punctuation, I did not correct grammar because I wanted the text to read as I imagined he spoke. In a few places, I used brackets [] to enclose words I added that I thought he may have omitted.

I will probably find another way to post his journal other than my blog, but for now this is the most convenient place to publish it.  In some places, what my grandfather has written is disturbing, but he does not go into a lot of detail of what he sees.  If you see any mistakes in what I have written or have more information on any of the details that my grandfather wrote, please let me know.

P.F.C. James L. Hardeman

U.S.M.C. 1942

August 7, 1942    

We landed on Guadalcanal on  August 7. We met no opposition when we hit the beach. By several minutes we knew the Japs had retreated to the hills. We sent several patrols into the hills. Every one killed some Japs. We sent one Battalion out in the hills. They killed 178 Japs. The Japs attempted to land on Guadalcanal. They were annihilated, all except two men. They [were] taken prisoner. There were one thousand and fifty-four killed. We made [the] Japs prisoners bury them. Corporal J. S. Bubeniski was killed from our own antiaircraft guns. Everybody like him. Since we have been on the island, we have had ten air raid, and we have also been shelled by ships and subs. We keeps praying for our planes to comes. They finally came August 24 and what a wonderful sight. We were attacked from the air by lights bombers and four Japs zeros fighters. We shot down five bombers. They dumped there eggs on the airport. They said today we were going back to New Zealand. They say the U.S. Army landed in New Caledonia. We sure hope they get...

{There appears to be a gap between what is written here and the next entry}

Our planes have taken off to take care of them. At the same time our dive bombers are bombing a task force which is [a] hundred [and] twenty miles away. We received dope that one transport was hit by a thousand pound bomb. Also a cruiser. I don't believe they will get here. One of our fighters planes crash about one hundred yards from us today. The pilot bailed out and was pick up by our boat. He was O.K

August 26, 1942

We had a quiet night. I hope the day is quiet. There was some machine gun fire in the First Marina area. Don't [know] what it was about. At noon today sixteen Japs bombers laid their eggs on the field. I seen two Japs bombers go down. Our dive bombers have return and some of fighters return. Hope they all return. We heard today unofficially [that] the Army is believed [to be] in Saturday. Still hoping. We are moving out in the hills today to see if we can find the Japs.

August 27, 1942

Today we are going on patrol. We are now in open boats. We are going to make a landing here, hoping we make contact with the Japs. We contacted the Japs. We had two men killed and eight wounded. We killed fifty Japs. We are staying here tonight.

August 28, 1942

We return from the patrol. Captain Joe killed one Jap. I saw him. His inside we[re] hanging out.

August 29, 1942

At four o'clock this morning a few Japs bombers drop some eggs. No damage done. Noon today eighteen Japs bombers came over. Our antiaircraft got one.

August 30, 1942

We had an air raid this morning. No japs planes approached. There is a storm blowing up from the south. Hope it keep the Japs away. We are now waiting for an air raid. I hope our planes intercept them. These air raids scare me, but I like to stand and watch the dog fight. Major Fuller is now commanding the First Battalion. Colonel Maxwell was relieved, So was Captain Jones [and] Captain Hawkins. Some of the officers are going to a meeting. I hope they get some good dope. The Army is still coming but no one seem to know. At 1505 we were attacked by Japs dive bombers. One of our APD ships was sunk. It went down in about two two minutes. It was a pretty sight, but I hated to see it go. Don't know how many men were killed yet, but hoping for the best. They say the Army may not be in for two weeks. If this keeps up, I will be a nervous wreck.

August 31, 1942

At 0030 this morning we were suddenly awakened by naval guns. We believe that our Navy interrupted the Japs cruisers and destroyers headed this way. Only one bomb was dropped today. At 1555 sighted four ships that looks like transports. Not Sure. They are over at Tulagi. I hope it is the Forward Echelon of the Army. At 1800 received word that Regimental Headquarters was leaving tomorrow and that we will be off the Island in ten days. I hope this is true. Something is up. Our fighters took off and are warming there guns up. Nothing has happen yet.

September 1, 1942

At 0600 a supply ship came into Kukum. I believe it was one of the boys. Went over to find out. I hope he bring back good dope. They have supplies and mail. Hope I get a letter. Quiet day. Hope nothing happen tonight.

September 2, 1942

At 0450 this morning some Japs bombers drop some bombs. No one was hurt. We are getting mail today. We were bombed by eighteen Japs bombers. They set fire to our ammo dump.

September 3, 1942

We were shelled at about 0100 this morning by a Jap sub. No damage done. Today as a whole was very quiet. Our supply ship brought stuff for the new airport. The Army is still coming.

September 4, 1942

We had a good night sleep. Another ship come in this morning. I believe it is a supplies ship. Another quiet day. No bombers.

September 5, 1942

At about 0100 we were shelled by about four Japs subs. They really shelled us this time. They sank two of our ships. At 1030 today enemy bombers were near. Our planes intercepted them. They dropped bombs at our ships but missed. Our planes went to town on them. A Jap task force of thirty three ship are headed in this direction. They are due in about 0500 in the morning. We are hoping that they will not get here, but if they do, you can bet your life we will give them hell. God is with us. We can't... Well it is morning and they never got here.

September 6, 1942

Today so far has been quiet. All of our planes went out about 1130 this morning and did not return until 1500. I hope they did some damage.

September 7, 1942

Today we have been on this [island] 31 days. All is quiet.

September 11, 1942

We had another air raid today. Twenty six Japs bombers. I seen one shot down. It was a wonderful sight. Nothing else has happen today.

September 12, 1942

Twenty six Japs bombers came over today. One bombs landed about two hundreds yards from where I was in my hole and how the ground tremble. Three men were hurt.

September 13, 1942

Last night we were shelled by five Japs ships. The biggest shelling we have had. Some of the shelled landed about twenty five yards in front of my hole. It shook like of bowl of jelly. They turned big search lights on us we call them search light Joe. Had an air raid today. No bombers seen.

September 14, 1942

We were shelled again last night. Not as bad as the night before. The Japs moved down from the hills on us. There was a bunch of them. The Third Battalion Fifth gave them a beating. We had a few casualties but the Japs had plenty. They are still counting them. There was over three thousand dead Japs and what a stink. They blew a big hole in the ground and pile the Japs in by the dozen.

September 15, 1942

We had an air raid today. They never got here. They say our aircraft carrier intercepted them. They said there was a hundred bombers headed this way and eighty five was shot down. Late this afternoon twenty Japs seaplanes came over. Our fighters shot down all of them. The night was quiet.

September 16, 1942

We had an air raid today. No planes were seen. We haven't had any much for the last

three day and night.

September 17, 1942

We haven't had any trouble today so far. The night was quiet. It is three o'clock now, and there is some big gun firing. I think it is our artillery. Also have some machine gunfire. Guess they are getting some more Japs. It is now seven o'clock. and we have some fighters planes up. Just got good dope [that] the Seventh Marine are due in the morning. Hope so.

September 18, 1942

Well it is morning and there are several ship in. I guess it is the Seventh Marine. Every one is very happy. I was up the beach and I watch them bury a Japs. Half of his head was blown off. Well today has been very quiet. Our ship shot down one of our dive bomber. They thought it was an enemy planes. We had a shelling last night. Think it was a sub.

September 19, 1942

It was a quiet night and a quiet day. Hope it stay this way.

September 20, 1942

Got word this morning that Roosevelt Deatid?? Cherry Point, N.C. to the First Marine Division, and that we would be back home by Christmas. Nothing happen today. All was quiet.

{Not sure what one of the words is on this page.  If anyone can decipher this word, please let me know what it is.}

September 25, 1942

Our planes were strafing the Japs and bombing them. Hope they do a good job.

September 26, 1942

We thought we saw three Japs crawling up last night, so we open up, but it was only the tall grass. Everything was quiet.

September 27, 1942

We dug more hole today. I have dug so many hole I am beginning to look like a hole. We had an air raid about three o'clock today. I counted eighteen planes. I saw four fall. One blew all apart in the air, and it sure was a pretty sight.

September 28, 1942

It is about two o'clock and we are waiting for an air raid. Will try to get a description of what happen. The condition is now yellow. The Japs bombers just came in to sight. There is twenty six of them and our planes really went to work on them. I saw several of them fall. One of our fighter was on fire,but I think he landed all right. The Japs bombs missed the airport about three thousand, but miss is only about a thousand yard. There was only about eight plane got away. Our fighter are doing the Victory Roll. We sure have got some good pilots. Best in the world. I just got the word [that] twenty-two out of twenty-six was shot down.

September 29, 1942

Today we stood by for two air raid. The condition was red, but no plane show up. Guess they were afraid after what happen yesterday. The day was very quiet. Last night one of our machine gun open up. Thought the Japs had attacked, but I guess they didn't.

September 30, 1940

Today was quiet, but it rain all night last night, and we had to sleep in the wet and cold.

October 1, 1942

Everything is very quiet today. We had an air raid. No plane came.

October 2, 1942

This morning at ten minutes past four we had an air raid. Couldn't see the planes but they dropped their eggs. We stood by for another air raid today. but the planes did not get here.

October 3, 1942

It is now one o'clock, and we are waiting for an air raid, but it will never get here. I just saw three Japs Zeros fighters strafe the airports. Saw one catch on fire and go down, and another went down in the hills. What a sight.

October 4, 1942

Last night a Jap plane came over and drop one bomb no damage do. We expect a cruisers and four destroyers, but they didn't get here. The Japs are slipping.

October 5, 1942

Today was quiet. No air raid or nothing.

October 6, 1942

I was down at the airport yesterday looking at all of the plane. I had a nice day.

October 7, 1942

Today we have been on this Island two months and it has been worse than prison.

October 8, 1942

Today it is raining like the devil. We have several Marines out in the hills. They are going to wipe the Japs clear off the Island. They supposed to attack at sunrise while our planes bombs and strafe them.

October 9, 1942

Everything was quiet today. The marine out in the hills killed about fifteen hundred Japs. Not bad. Soon be dropping their bombs. They are coming over my head. They drop their bombs. What a smoke they made. The Japs are still firing from the hills. We have had a busy time the last two day. Nine more Japs planes came over and dropped their bombs. Two of the planes were hits. I saw one fall, and one turn back smoking. We are standing by for another air raid. We have seen several picture show here, but they are more danger than looking at a movie on a screen.

October 15, 1942

This morning about two o'clock, we had another shelling from the sea by some more Japs ships. The Japs in the hills are still firing over this way. Those Japs ships that was shelling us last night are still here this morning. They have transports and are embarking troops. Looks like we are going to catch hell. We haven't got any planes. Look like they have forgotten [that] we are on the island. We have some planes here now, and they are bombing those Japs ships. One has sunk. Two others are hit. They are giving the Japs hell. We just had a big air raid. I saw twenty-two Japs bombers, and they really dropped a load of eggs over the airport. This afternoon as we were moving down on the back, the Japs were firing artillery

over to our left, and we thought it was safe, but they move it right in line with us, and the shell begin to hit close. One shell fell within ten feets of us. One fellow got hurt. Not bad. I thank the Lord for saving us.

October 16, 1942

They say our Navy wiped out the Japs Navy and that our fleets is out in the bay. I am going to find out for myself. Hope it is true.

October 17, 1942

We had another air raid today. They dropped their eggs. Souder turn in the sick bay today.

October 18, 1942

We had another shelling from the sea last night. We had another air raid today. Six Marine killed and sixteen wounded.

October 19, 1942

The night was quiet for a change. we stood by for an air raid, but no planes ever came.

October 20, 1942

We had an air raid today, but they didn't get here.

October 21, 1942

We had an air raid today. Several Marine got killed.

October 22, 1942

We had an air raid today, and they dropped their eggs on the airport. Few Japs planes were shot down. The Japs are still using their artillery up. Had another air raid last night. They keep us plenty busy.

October 23, 1942

We had another air raid today. Our fighters down all the Japs planes, sixteen bombers, and eleven zeros fighters. There was another wave headed this way, but they got yellow and turn back.

October 24, 1942

The Japs attacked at three different places last night, and they were stop dead in their track. The Army is doing good.

October 25, 1942

The Japs started shelling pretty early this morning. Then there was some zero fighters come over and strafe us. Our antiaircraft knocked eleven down, and our planes knock down seven zero fighters and five bombers.The Japs were shelling us this afternoon, and one of the shell hit the corner of our emplacement. Boy that was close.

October 26, 1942

Nothing much happen today, except the Japs shelled us again.

October 27, 1942

We had an air raid today, but no planes came. Our planes knock out one of the Japs big gun today. We moved out in the hills. What a walk.

October 28, 1942

We work all day today building fire lane. Boy is this jungle thick. The Japs are pretty quiet today.

October 29, 1942

Our Artillery open up on the Japs today, and our planes strafed them.

October 30, 1942

Five of our ships shelled the Japs today. Nothing else happen.

October 31, 1942

They pull us out of the hill today. Guess we will go after the Japs.

November 1, 1942

The Fifth started the drive on the Japs today. Our boys rushed right into a trap. The Japs raised hell for a while. Several of my best friend got killed. They sure did cut my company down. Hope they make out good now.

November 2, 1942

Our boys are having a pretty tough time. Just got dope. They are giving the Japs hell. They killed plenty of them already.

November 3, 1942

(Actually Read Oct. 3, 1942)

They pulled out the Fifth today. The boy were all worn out. We are moving back to red beach.

November 4, 1942

The Japs attacked again last night in a different place, but the boy are giving them hell. Our ships are shelling them now. The Eight Marine and the Tenth came in today. What a branch of men. Three Japs destroyers tried to sneak in and sink our transports, but our cruiser sunk them.

November 5, 1942

Our plane are up now. Don't know w'ere it is an air raid or not. Our ship are still in the bay. It is two o'clock. The air raid alarm has sounded. Here come the bombers. There are eighteen of them. They drop their load at the airport. Our antiaircraft knock down four. They say our planes knocked down seventeen out at sea. Pretty good.

November 6, 1942

(Actually Read October 6, 1942)

Everything is very quiet so far. Hope it stay that way. We have two ships in today.

November 7, 1942

(Actually Read October 7, 1942)

The ship are still out there. About 1000 o'clock one of our ship got hit by a torpedo. It was hit at midship. It did not sink. They say 5 got the sub. It is six o'clock. All of your (our?) plane have taken off. They spotted eleven Japs ships. Hope they make out. Eight o'clock...

November 11, 1942

There are some of our ships in the bay today. At 1000 o'clock Japs dive bombers attacked your ships. No damage done. Our ships knock down four Japs planes. At 1230 o'clock, we had an air raid. There were twenty Japs bombers. They drop their load right in front of us. Boy was I scared. I sure was praying. I guess the Lord heard me. At three o'clock, standing by for another air raid. No planes were seen.

James L. Hardeman's WWII Journal - Poems

My grandfather James L. Hardeman was a Marine during World War II.  I do not know a whole lot about him because he died with I was very young. One of the things that my Mom had of his was a journal that he kept during the Fall of 1942 at Guadacanal. I am currently transcribing his journal, but I thought that I would go ahead and post a couple of hand written poems that he had in his journal.

Click Clack! Click Clack! 

This train is taking me back to my love,

Bang! bang! cling! clang!

The low moan of the whistles groan 

Just tells me I'm going home.

So speed on through this lonely night – 

Tomorrow the world is mine alright.

Roll and rock, rock and roll 

Those wheels make music that never grows old 

As I go riding on and on to you sweetheart.

Tho we meet once more with arms outstretched and hearts so light –

The dawn will bring an emptiness lets spend our love tonight.

You say that we will never part just goodbye a little while

Do you think a breaking heart can always have a smile?

No darling that's too hard to do, for tomorrow is goodbye,

We'll meet again and love again, no tears you must not cry.

Just hold me ever tightly more so than before –

And know no matter what or where, its you that I adore.

So one more precious kiss my dear and another smile to see –

Goodbye sweetheart, and don't forget a prayer each night for me.

July 4th - Free Fishing Day in Mississippi

This year I helped with fishing at the annual Cub Scout Day Camp and found out that July 4th is "Free Fishing Day" in Mississippi. This is from the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website.

When can I fish without a license?
July 4th each year is the one day each year anyone can fish without a statewide fishing license.

Of course the State of Mississippi fishing regulations also say the following. So please, no explosives.

Illegal Methods
It is unlawful to take any fish species by muddying and by the use of lime, poison, explosives, electrical devices, wire baskets, fish traps or dip net.

Fading Memories

What really got me thinking about writing my stories down was something that happened a long time ago with some friends of mine from Little League baseball. While reminiscing with my Dad about what happened, I was totally shocked when he told me that he didn't remember anything about it. And the more I thought about how he didn't remember what happened, the more I thought that I better start writing things down, because if he didn't remember, and with me being from the same gene pool, no memory of mine is safe. Of course, Jo Ann may disagree, because she says that I remember everything except what's important, and it really isn't a very important thing to remember.  But, I still think my Dad should have remembered it.

With that, I am sure you are dying to know what happened that was so remarkable that I can't believe that my Dad forgot about it. Well, maybe not, but that has never stopped me from telling a story before, so here goes.

In 1979 when I was about 11, I played little league baseball in Griffin, Georgia for Buick Toyota, and my coach was George Jones. No, my coach wasn't the Possum, and as far as I know he couldn't sing, but he did have a pond, and on one Saturday he invited the baseball team to fish there. My Dad was one of his assistant coaches, and it was not uncommon for him to drive some of the boys to practice, games, and this time to go fishing. At this time, my dad was driving a Cheverolet LUV truck (Light Utility Vehicle - the only new car my dad ever bought) with a camper top, and back in the days when you didn't have to wear seatbelts, kids would also ride in the back of the truck. On this trip, my dad brought David Hudgins, Billy Shirah, and me to the pond to fish. We fished there for a few hours and mostly caught small bream (bluegill, sunfish, etc.). By the time we were done, we had a stringer or two full of these fish. So, we got our fishing gear and strings of fish and climbed into the back of the truck and headed home.

With the Georgia Spring heat, we would leave the camper door open and sit at the tailgate to feel the breeze as my dad drove us home. Along the way, two ladies drove up behind us, and Billy started showing them the fish that we had caught. Of course they smiled at us, and then he started pointing at the fish and then at them. We all thought it was funny when they started pointed back at the fish and themselves. We kept egging them on, and pretty soon it become pretty clear that they they wanted our fish and were actually following us. We thought this was so funny and it just encouraged us more, but then my Dad noticed what was going on.

It wasn't too long before he found a parking lot, pulled into it, and stopped. And sure enough the two ladies pulled up right behind us and parked too. My Dad got out of the truck, and the ladies got out of their car grinning. I don't remember what he said to them, but I do remember that he made us give them our fish. My dad was none too happy about the situation, and after they left, he let us know how we shouldn't be teasing people like that. After the scolding, he got back into the truck, and we were on our way again. After we left, we thought the whole thing was as funny as ever. And although I can't be sure, I have a feeling that if we had another string of fish, we probably would have teased whoever else was lucky enough to follow us in my Dad's truck. That is, unless the fish had been bass or catfish or crappy. We probably would have wanted to keep those.

I still can't believe my Dad doesn't remember that story.