The Last Days in my Maryland Paradise
July 1958

Dads first cousin Bubber came to Edgewater specifically to interview dad for the Martin Marietta position in Orlando Florida.
He knew of dads qualifications--what they had in mind for him was a technicans job in the environmental test laboratory. Dad was an expert in heat and cold systems also diesel and gas powered engines etc. and was a quick bright learner. Bubber had 13 years of formal education.
Dad accepted the offer rather than an offer from his present company which involved a move to Baltimore.

OK --I was a 13 year old kid--who had a crush on my best friend Nancy, my little black haired girl--but she did not know it--I also experienced my first pangs of jealousy about that time when one of my other friends started making moves on Nancy.
I'm not sure exactly when Nancy turned from my best friend and fishing buddy to a girl I had a crush on--could have been right after the girl scout dance which she and I went to together--or perhaps when I watched her swinging one day wearing powder blue and white trim shorts--and I found myself looking at her in a different way than I ever had.
We were going to move--that was that--I would be leaving the best place I ever lived--and the best friend I ever had--I made up my mind I was going to kiss her good bye--right on the lips.I had a few weeks to think about that particular move--considering I had never kissed a girl before--oh I had been kissed a few times and the last and most recent was Nancy tackling me and kissing me-the day I was checking her out on the swing set.I think that little event got my motor going.
It was certainly a busy time--dads cousin upon discovering dad had his instructor rating and having the desire to learn to fly himself-spoke to dad about possible planes that might be for sale. Dad was in the know regarding Lee Field as the owners were his friends--and dad knew about a Stinson Voyager that would make an excellent purchase for his cousin.
Bubber bought the aircraft and asked dad to fly it down to Florida when we moved and Bubber would get another relative to drive mom and I down to Orlando.
I lost the coin flip--to get to fly with dad to Florida--My brother Ron won.
Dad and my brother took off for Orlando the day we left--they were to call us at a specific time in one of the Carolinas--to let us know the trip was going as planned--and so we would know they were alright.
Oh yeah---the KISS---the KISS---the KISS
The day before we left I walked over to Nancys house--my desire was to kiss her and tell her what her friendship had meant to me.That was my plan. I am ashamed to say I chickened out-totally--I shook her hand said good bye--we would have a couple of letters between us and lose track of each other for 43 years----I am happy to say we reconnected in our advanced years--and I got to finally tell her what her frindship meant to me and how important she was to me. I have always held her in my memories--and we check in often-I don't intend to lose her again.
Nancy married a great guy--they have been married longer than me and my wife and we are 37 years--She loves her man and finds happiness in his company always and I am so happy for her--she loved animals as a small girl and raises beautiful dogs and runs a Vet Office now--and has a great family. I am blessed to know her,my little black haired girl.

Now back to the move-----I was a basket case in regards to my cat--that's in a story posted on the blog--but anyway we got to a pre-determined phone rendevous spot where we were to call a specific airport in the Carolinas to find out that they had landed to refill on schedule--(My Father and Brother)in the Stinson Voyager,4/place airplane.
We called and found out they never arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They should have been there hours ago---this was horriffic news---dad was a fanatic about safety--and there were just a few possibilities---
They crashed--get that one out of the way first--they had illness hit someone--they had engine trouble and made an emergency landing.
We were told to stay by a phone and people at the airport would start making calls and if they heard they would notify us.
Three tense hours passed--not knowing if they were alive or dead--basically--when the phone rang--they were alive--they had engine trouble--a magneto--and had to set down at a grass field in the middle of no-where--with no phone---had to catch a ride to another town for parts and fix the aircraft--dad got to a phone as fast as he could to tell us--thank God--we continued on our road trip to Orlando.
It looked like we were going to beat them to Orlando.
That's it--from now on--the family stories will be in Winter Park Florida for the next 7 years of my life. The Codger

P.S I have screwed up my e-mail address so yall can't email me till I straighten it up---