The Handyman...

How Handy Are You? When something around the home becomes broken, are you able to fix it? In many situations we are not prepared to repair, say a faucet that leaks, or a broken window... So You call someone You know who can make the repairs.
The reason I'm on this subject, is because of the hard economic times were in, and the ability for us to afford such repairs. I've been into maintenance as an "Maintenance Engineer"... I had written and help organize an Instruction Manual for an agency, that over seen low cost housing projects. Helping people who were looking towards home ownership and people who rent, become more responsible renters.
While developing that program, I had come across quite a few handymen who were just out there to get the "MONEY"..! They would make "lack-lustre" repairs, half done work, or superficial repairs. It should be a good practice to find and get to know, a Certified Maintenance Person. Bottom line, if it's Your "Uncle" Leroy, make sure he knows what he's doing and give quality results from his work!
As an Engineer, we had a saying for some Handyman. We called them "Jack-Legs"... Meaning they produced Poor results from their work/repairs... "Give Me the Money, I'm finished Attitude". That's, that.
I keep a small repair kit of tools around the house, just for the purpose of repairing broken things. The list: 1.a Hammer, Pliers, Screw Drivers, Wrench, cutting tools, like a Saw. A Paint Brush and various kinds of Tape. A measuring tape 25ft. preferable. A flashlight, step stool/ladder, and a first aid kit. You can't be to safe. People have killed themselfs changing a light bulb... Anyway this is my opinion. What do You Think?
Are You prepared to be handy at fixing small repairs around your home? Tell me what you think...

LeRoy Jr. US Marshal

The Year was 1912.

When 56 year old LeRoy Jr. US Marshal, took to retirement from the Law Enforcement field. It had been a long road, wrestling with Outlaws and "want-to-be" hard core criminals. As he walked into the Dallas Office, for what he thought would be his last time.

In 1887 the well educated "Black Man" had been assigned to the territory by no less than the President of the time, Grover Cleveland. He arrived in Dallas in 1889 at the Sheriff's Office of Mr. Chris Davies. Law-Men of every type including Texas Rangers, were in and out of the Towns Office..! Most were Ex-Buffalo Soldiers, turn Law-Men!

The Minute the door closed behind him, He knew..! It was going to be an adventure of a "Life Time!" So it would come to pass, of a "Wild West" tale, dug from the soil. The sweat that made "MEN" tough as nails! Get the book, to know the story of. "LeRoy Jr." (JR.) US Marshal..!

The Dallas of 1889 looked to be the pocket of civil obedience and order. However, not by the activities in the office of Sheriff Chris Davies... The building that housed the Sheriff's Office was a large three story Victorian style building, classic of the period. Though the office anchored the right front corner facing Main street. There were other Law enforcement agencies, including a branch of the Texas Rangers, also the Jail connected the Sheriff's office to the back of the building. It was busy that day with people coming and going, the Deputies booking those who had committed a crime. You name it they had to deal with all kinds of public disorder imaginable. For Sheriff Chris Davies, who preferred to be called Chris by those close to him. Other called him "Sheriff" or Boss. It may not have look like "Order" but the Sheriff ran a tight ship..!

LeRoy stood in the mitts of all the confusion that racked the front area of that office. "Hey!" a voice yelled...As all activity silenced. "You mean to tell me, No one, seen the U.S. Marshal standing there! The Marshal could only hear the voice of the Sheriff, and only his large hat moved across the room. When he appeared from behind the counter, to the Marshal's amazement, there stood a very short man in a large hat! The Marshal had an urge to laugh, but held his emotion.

TRUCK "N"...

They say be careful of what you wish for...
I'd prayed for a career change from working as a short order cook in some restaurant somewhere I don't want to be. At this late age, I can't say I'm unhappy at my choices, I'm still an "Artist" and I'll always be that, even as I trek around "America" the country dropping off products that keep this "COUNTRY" alive.
I went to trucking school over two years ago, to train driving these Tractors, that haul those huge loads you see constantly on our Nations Highways daily...
Now that I'm officially in a company, I've hauled quite a bit of stuff. My first two loads were literally, "Meat & Potatoes"..! Potatoes from Idaho... No less... I've been Coast to Coast in mostly winter driving, which is the worst driving experience. Being who I am as an Artist I have to take it to another level beyond just a truck driver... I decided to look at the entire aspect of "logistics" it's self. By definition (American Heritage, Concise Dictionary): The procurement distribution, maintenance, and replacement of materiel and personnel.
(skilled in calculating). That aspect puts it in a whole different category... Engineering. Transportation engineering. Those who hold a Commercial License, (Class A), enter the realm of Professional Driver, an aspect of Engineering Logistics, shuffling and replenishing products or people who are associated with the transportation industry. The Department Of Transportation (DOT) which is, in the long run, apart of the Department Of Agriculture...
The movement of a majority of products comes from Agriculture as it is anyway, and the fact there of, of products made from Agriculture, Period... Driving a Tractor Trailer is a JOB and a job I'm getting to like. However, the over the road stuff, going great distances, at my age is for the "Birds"... Though there are others who are much older, they seem to have been in the business, since the first Truck! When I was a kid I'd see them drive by my house and that interested me too... Perhaps not to the degree of operating one, but just watching them haul the heavy loads. But that was then. By the way, What do I know? I'm just a driver of a "Bid Rig", I have the pedal, to the metal, and I'm rolling along as safe as can be!!! I take my time, to be on Time..!