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Flying Legends Airshow~Part 13

25 Nov

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Flying Legends

 

 

Day 13 – Monday July 13th

 

I woke to a typical British day; overcast and drizzling rain. There is nothing like a good hot breakfast and a cup of Earl Gray tea to ward off the cold and dampness. It made me glad I was served another hardy English breakfast this morning!

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I had scheduled most of this day in London visiting many of the historical WWII museums, and of course, viewing the “Changing of the Guard” at Buckingham Palace. When I was planning this trip I decided not to try to drive into London, but to take the train from Stevenage to London and then take an “On & Off” bus tour of the city.

2

This day of frustration started when I discovered I didn’t have enough British pound coins for the parking machine (they only take coins) at the train station. I spent almost two hours trying to find someplace to exchange my money. I wanted to exchange some Euros I had brought with me for British pounds. I finally found a Post Office open and got that done.

2A

 

Once I had parked at the train station, I had to wait for someone to come along to show me how to use the parking ticket machine, (different from all the others I had encountered so far on this trip) only to find out that this carpark payment system used a different “Park & Pay Later” plan. A friendly traveler came along and told me that I should put the yellow token I had received at the entrance barrier into the machine. The machine would give me back my token for use when I returned to the carpark for my car. I thanked her and she said, “Don’t lose that token.”

3

I had reserved my train ticket and bus tour ticket from home but had, for some reason, not printed out my confirmation notices. That wasn’t a problem at the train station, as the clerk just pulled up my reservation on his computer and handed me my “Return” tickets to Kings Cross. I found the correct platform for my train to London and was finally on my way.

4

By this time it was 9:30 and it took another hour for the train ride to London. The Golden Tours website had indicated that I could board the double-decker Golden Tours bus right across the street from the Kings Cross train station. Sure enough, I found the Golden Tours representative at the bus stop. But when I told him I had no confirmation paper, he informed me he could not let me board the bus without a ticket. I asked him to just check my reservation, but he said he couldn’t do that from his portable ticket machine. Stress Gummy time!

5

So, what did I have to do to get a ticket? I had to get on another train and go back to Victoria Station, where their main office was located, and have them look up my reservation and print out my ticket. So, back on another train I went to Victoria Station (which by the way, my train had passed on my way in to Kings Cross). But of course, it couldn’t be that easy could it? For some reason the Victoria Station was now closed and the train went right past it to the next stop. I ask a couple on the train what I could do and they said, “You’ll have to get off the train and catch a bus back to Victoria Station.” And where in the world do I catch the bus? “Ask the Station Master at the exit.” They said.

6

That involved several more blocks of walking to find the bus stop. When the right bus came the driver didn’t want to accept my train ticket for the bus ride. I told him the Station Master at the train station had said we (there were about 20 of us with the same problem) could use our train tickets for the bus and that the drivers would be notified by radio. He said he hadn’t heard anything about that. Stress Gummy time again! Luckily there was a very persuasive lady in our group who convinced the driver (on pain of death) to let us on.

7

 

—–To Be Continued—–

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The best recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. | Janet Perez Eckles

24 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

 

My friend stopped by the other day and rumbled in her purse. “You have to see the pictures I took during our trip,” she said. I smiled. “Oops,” she added, “I always forget you…well…that you can’t see.”

“I forget myself,” I said with a chuckle. (I like folks with a sense of humor.) For me, having no sight is a way of life…actually a wonderfully blessed life. My days sweep by with gratitude, so much thankfulness. And for that reason I thought I’d share my unique recipe for this Thanks giving dinner. I don’t mind if you copy it and serve it to your loved ones.

  • Gather the ingredients stored in the cabinet of God’s Word.
  • Stir together large portions of His promises, spoonful’s of His direction, and dashes of His admonitions.
  • Place in large bowl several cups of commitment to read His Word.
  • Add generous amounts of faith to cover all traces of doubt.
  • Blend together, adding sprinkles of laughter, of enjoyment, fun, and unexpected surprises.
  • Bake in the oven of your heart till triumph is golden brown.

 

With songs of thanksgiving playing in the background, present it to the guests who come into your life. And unlike the rest of the world, instead of entering the doors to stress, gloom or anxiety for the days to come, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).

Why? “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5).

It’s your turn, can you share some things you’ll be giving thanks for this year? Would love, love to read them. You can send them to me via comment. Did you know most of my writings are drawn from my bestselling book, Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta? Did you get your own copy yet? It’s available HERE.

Be sure to read the rest of the story:  The best recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. | Janet Perez Eckles

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The Tricycle Veteran

23 Nov

My Take

DiVoran Lites

 

Author, Poet and ArtistOne day I saw a seemingly elderly person riding an adult tricycle with a dog on a leash. What a good way to exercise your dog if you can’t walk well, I thought They traveled slowly so that the dog had time to eat grass, examine a fire hydrant, and stare at bigger, barking dogs behind fences.

Actually, I thought the person was a man who wore a tee-shirt, cargo shorts, athletic shoes and a baseball cap. Today when I met the pair on the trail, however I learned the rider is a female, and so is the terrier. I’ll call them Sue and Bess.

As we talked there on the trail, I read Sue’s hat brim. The words were, “Thank a Vet.” I wondered if she was a vet herself or if the hat belonged to her husband. It didn’t take long to find out, because Sue began to tell me what a fine service dog Bess is. Seeing my curiosity about her own condition, Sue told me she has a heart problem because of an industrial accident with a poisonous substance. She said, I’m the only one alive out of seventeen people who were in the space that day.

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Sue and her dog went their own way then, and I went mine. In a moment, however, I turned around and there they were coming back. I like to walk at my own pace when I’m ready to go. It’s often at different parts of the day. I’ve made some friends on the trail and we always enjoy running into each other. Sometimes there will be two and sometimes three of us standing and talking for a short time.

On this day, the trike went downhill fast and the little dog trotted along on short legs. Going uphill the trike went slowly and laboriously. We eventually got into a rhythm and as we went along Sue talked about herself and Bess.

Bess’s story included being picked at the SPCA over a black lab pup, which, as Sue put it, would have been a lot easier to train. “It took eight years for Bess to start paying attention. She’s been a real asset, though, in the last four years when I’ve really needed her,” Sue said.

Sue also told me that in the service, she was a professional dog trainer. She trained Rottweilers and German Shepherds. I asked what the dogs’ jobs were and she said, “Bomb sniffing for the Rottweilers, and drug detection for the German Shepherds.” Sue was also an Intelligence Agent for a spell. She says there are an awful lot of lies in the news these days – she knows.

Besides the heart problem Sue has PTSD and epilepsy. When she’s about to have an epileptic attack, Bess insists on going home an hour and a half before the cataclysm arrives. If they are on the trail she turns around in the direction of home and barks continually until Sue consents to go along. Sue doesn’t understand how Bess knows she’s going to have an attack. Bess was never trained for that.

When we got back into our neighborhood, the two of them had to travel in the street. I said goodbye and thanked Sue for serving our country. She said, “Thank you so much for saying that. People hardly even talk to me. Maybe I’ll tell you a funny story next time.”

God be With You Till We Meet Again

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Sometimes it hurts. | Janet Perez Eckles

21 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

 

 

Some time ago a friend and I traveled together. The airport where we landed was small. Actually, everything in it was small. With her caring nature, my friend made sure she guided me through all doorways, hallways, and elevators – being careful to avoid obstacles in my path. But when entering elevators with our bags and suitcases on wheels, and with me holding on her arm, the squeeze was tricky, awkward and cumbersome. I came home with some scratches on my elbow.

But know what? I’m familiar with narrow pathways—the ones we encounter in life. Sometimes it hurts as we try to squeeze through, and we doubt we’ll make it. And others as we try to force our way, leave scratches of discouragement in our heart.

You might be going through ones yourself as you read this. We all do. We try to get through the narrow stretches of discouragement, loneliness, of chronic illness, of unresolved conflict, and painful, unforeseen circumstances.

And though unpleasant, we keep going, traveling through the airports of life hoping we eventually see the wide doorway leading to the answer, the healing, the break we hope for or the solution we seek.

That’s why God’s reminder turns hope to encouragement. Opens the wide door of trust. And makes the entrance easy and simple. The sign above the doorway says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Source: Sometimes it hurts. | Janet Perez Eckles

 

In the News

A wonderfully crazy thing is happening in a few days. A camera crew from the Telemundo Network will be visiting my home to film a feature of me cooking and serving a Thanksgiving meal to my family. There will be 12 of us for dinner. And I’ll be busy in the kitchen preparing my homemade, healthy dishes like Quinoa casserole. All done before the cameras. Gulp.

“We want to show how much you’re able to accomplish even when you don’t have sight,” the reporter said.

In the next issue, I’ll let you know how it went.

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Where Are They Now

20 Nov

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

A young man walking through a cemetery came across this epitaph
written on a tombstone:

“Pause, stranger, when you pass me by-

As you are now, so once was I.

As I am now, so you will be-

Prepare yourself to follow me.”

His reply: “To follow you, I’m not content-

Until I know which way you went!”

 

If you want to follow someone,
follow Christ, my friend.
He will lead you into paths of righteousness,
and His mercy has no end.

 

What we think about heaven
determines how we live today.
We can easily be led away from God’s purpose
if we do not steadfastly pursue His way.

 

When things go wrong, as they often do–
How do you respond-
Do you pray it through?

 

It may depend on your expectancy.
Did you implore the Lord your need to see?

 

Patience, dear friend,
the Lord knows our needs before we even ask Him.
He will supply those needs no matter how stark or grim.

 

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared
to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed
hope and glorious appearing of our great God and
Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Titus 2:11-13

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Flying Legends Airshow~Part 12 (Continued)

17 Nov

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Flying Legends

Day 12 – Sunday July 12th

The airshow was so well organized and choreographed that just as one group of aircraft had finished their performance the next group was taking off, so there was very little time in the next 2-1/2 hours that there wasn’t a number of aircraft in the sky to thrill us. After the “Spitfire Tailchase” two F4U Corsairs, a F8F Bearcat and a FM-2 Wildcat took off, formed up, and flew individual high speed passes as well as formation passes over the field.

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Next four Curtis Aircraft; a P-36, a Hawk 75, and two P-40s took off, formed up, and flew individual high speed runs (some as low as 50 feet) and formation passes over the field. In each case their formation flying was so good it was like watching a demonstration team.

2

Following that four P-51 Mustang’s took off, formed up, and performed individual high-speed and formation passes over to the field. I was amazed at the formation flying ability the pilots showed with all of these airplanes, which had come from all over the UK. You could tell they had performed together before.

3

Next a B-17 Flying Fortress took off, formed up with the four P-51 Mustangs, and made low level formation passes over the field, to represent the thousands of U.S. 8th Air Force bombers and their fighter escorts that were based and flew from the many British air bases during WWII.

4

 

Following the American representation, a German Junkers Ju-52 and three HA-1112-M1Ls (Spanish built Me-109s) took off, formed up, and made low level passes over the field in formation, to represent the hundreds of German bombers and their fighter escorts that fought for Germany throughout WWII.

5

Then a Bristol Blenheim I, a Hawker Hurricane and three Supermarine Spitfires took off and made low level passes over the field in formation, to represent the British bombers and their escorts that defended England during WWII. Each of these formation groups was really impressive and gave me goose bumps.

6

Next two Gloster Gladiators took off, and performed individual low level high-speed and formation passes over to the field. I was not familiar with the Gladiator and was not aware that Britain had built such a powerful high speed bi-plane toward the end of WWII.

7

The Red Bull B-25 Mitchel bomber and P-38 Lightning took off and flew individual and formation high-speed passes over the field. I had never seen a B-25 put into a 90 degree turn like that before. When the pilot would make one of those turns, I kept expecting to see that plane fall out of the sky. But of course it didn’t.

8

These formation groups and low level high speed passes (some as low as 50 feet) over the field where continuous until about 4:30 in the afternoon. My mouth was drooling the whole time. I was like a kid in a candy store!

9

The grand finale which they called the “Balbo Finale” was what had originally captured me last year, when DiVoran’s brother, had sent me a video “teaser” of the 2014 Flying Legends Airshow. Some 30+ aircraft that had performed for this event took off, formed up, and made several beautiful formation passes over the field. The sound of all those engines flying over at the same time was absolutely magnificent! I don’t think anything has thrilled me like that since I watched the first Apollo/Saturn 5 moon rocket lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in 1967. I was almost moved to tears, the sights and sounds were so wonderful for me.

10

Remember Takashi Koreeda from Yokohama Japan, that I mentioned earlier had given me a CD? Well, when I got home and was able to play the CD, it turned out to be a video of the 2015 Paris Airshow he had recorded. What a great gift that was! This 2015 Flying Legends Airshow was so memorable, I think I will order the professional video to keep and refer to anytime in the future when I need a real boost.

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—–To Be Continued—–

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That’s not fair. | Janet Perez Eckles

14 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

That’s not fair! With wrinkled tissue in hand, we stomp our feet in frustration. We had asked, prayed and pleaded. But, to our utter disappointment, God still said “No.”

Have you been there? God didn’t smile at us with the answer we wanted. But that’ not the worst. We look around and what do we see? We see those who don’t follow God’s instructions, don’t know God’s Word, and don’t even attend church. But, they seemingly live happy, trouble-free lives.

“What’s with that, God?” we want to ask.

Confusion adds to the unfairness. But not to worry. We don’t have to know how to express that bewilderment. David did that for us: “I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!” (Psalm 73:2-7 The Message).

Like David, I don’t let up my rant. This is not the way it should be. Why do they have it so good? Lord, after all, I’m not a bad chica. I really deserve better. But “Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever” (Psalm 73:21-26).

 

Read more : That’s not fair. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Church Lady Typos

12 Nov

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

Life is serious, of this we all agree-

but experience has taught me,

one’s health is improved with glee.

 

These brought a smile to me.

I hope they do the same for you

 

Those wonderful church bulletins are back.

Thank God for church ladies who type.

These sentences actually appeared in

church bulletins or were announced

at church services.

 

Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale.

It’s a chance to get rid of those things

around the house that are not worth keeping.

Bring your husbands.

 

Don’t let worry kill you – let the church help.

 

Miss Charlene Mason sang, “I will not pass this way again”,

giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

 

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married

on October 24 in the church.  So ends a friendship

that began in their school days.

 

The church will host an evening of fine dining,

super entertainment and gracious hostility.

 

Pot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 p.m.  Prayer

and medication to follow.

 

The ladies of the church have cast off clothing

of every kind.  They may be seen in the basement

on Friday afternoon.

 

: – )

 

I Will Meditate

 

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Flying Legends Airshow~Part 12

11 Nov

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Flying Legends

 

The overcast day made the English breakfast and hot tea at the Abbington Hotel especially welcome, and got me off to an exciting day at the 2015 Flying Legends Airshow at Duxford. The weather report was for clearing by afternoon and I had my fingers crossed that the weatherman would be correct. Because of my reconnoiter of the area the day before, I was able to drive right to the correct parking area, off the A-505, just behind the American Air Museum building.

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As I strolled down the midway I realized I was not going to be able to stand up all day and was going to need a chair. As it happened there were trade tents selling everything a visitor could possibly need for a day at the airshow. I bought a folding chair and set it up right at the front of the tarmac fence, which would give me an unobstructed view of the day’s activities.

2

The flight line of some 50+ aircraft was open from 9:00 to 12:00 to allow visitors to stroll down the line and “get up close and personal” with their favorite aircraft. After I photographed all the participating aircraft, I began a stroll thru the seven hangers full of restored aircraft and related memorabilia.

3

 

I started with the American Air Museum in Britain aircraft which had been moved from their usual hanger while it was being renovated. The museum has a great collection of beautifully restored aircraft, but I was a little disappointed that they had to jam them all close together to get them into the Airspace hanger. I could walk thru and see them up close, but it was impossible to get a decent photo of any of them. The aircraft and memorabilia displays in the other six hangers were great and took up the better part of the morning.

4

 

I ask a man at the information desk if he could tell me how many people they estimated attended this event, and he said, “We had nearly 20,000 yesterday, but with this weather the attendance may be down some today.”

5

 

At 12:00 the flight line was cleared of visitors and the two Tiger Moths and two DH-89A Dragon Rapide aircraft, which had been carrying passengers for rides since 9:00, were requested to terminate their flying and several aerobatic performances were put on to open the show.

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I happened to be sitting next to Takashi Koreeda from Yokohama Japan, who was videotaping the event. He informed me that he had recently visited the United States and attended the air show at Chino, California. He was an avid airshow follower and told me that he wanted to visit the U.S. Naval Museum in Pensacola, Florida. We talked a little about museums and airshows and then suddenly he handed me a CD and said, “I just record this last week, you play on your computer.” All I could say was, “Thank you.” I gave him one of our Valiant Air Command Museum brochures and invited him to stop and visit our museum the next time he was he was in Florida.

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At 2:00 The Flying Legends Airshow started with the “Spitfire Tailchase.” This was one of the most spectacular performances I have ever witnessed! Ten Spitfires and one Hurricane took off, in groups of four from the grass field, as so many had done in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. They formed up and passed over the field in one formation. The sound of those 11 Rolls Royce Merlin engines was music to my ears. Then they broke off into three groups and, in trail formation, performed the “Spitfire Tailchase” for the next 10 minutes. I was awed and amazed!

Try to imagine a child with a ribbon on the end of two sticks, one in each hand, making figure “8” motions. This is just what the “Spitfire Tailchase” performance was, except they were passing across the field, weaving in and out and up and down, in a crisscross pattern from four different directions at the same time. It was breathtaking!!! The YouTube video above doesn’t begin to capture the thrill of that performance!

8

 

—–To Be Continued—–

 

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How Many Meals?

8 Nov

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

JUDY

 

 

Throughout the years, my Mother had cut out and sent me articles or cartoons from the newspaper or a magazine, that she thought I would enjoy. I found them to be such fun, and I knew she was thinking about me when she did so. As I come upon them these days, it reminds me so much of her and how much I miss her. She’s been in heaven for 22 years now, and sometimes it’s hard for me to fathom all those years that have gone by.

Judy Wills mother

In any case, at one point in time, she sent this cartoon of Hi and Lois (credit Mort Walker and Dirk Browne). Hi and Lois has been one of my favorite cartoons for many years, and this one is hilarious! I don’t know that I’ve ever sat down and calculated just how many meals I’ve cooked in my life time, but this one made me tired, just thinking about it! Of course, I don’t cook as much these days as I did when we first married all those years ago, so I would have to take that into consideration, as well.

3

Did you take the time to figure it out?   16,701 meals for Lois. Whew! No wonder she was tired and didn’t have dinner ready!

This reminds me of the e-mail message/facebook entry that came through some time ago. Seems someone wrote a letter to the “Letters to the Editor” of a local newspaper and stated that he didn’t see any reason to go to church. He had been a church attender for so many years, but couldn’t remember a single sermon preached, so why bother to go?

Well, this set off a fire storm of letters – which the editor encouraged!. But it all ended when another man finally wrote in and stated that he had been married for a great number of years to his wife. She had probably cooked 30,000 meals for him, and he could only remember just a few of them. But (and here’s the kicker), he knew that if she hadn’t cooked those meals, and if he hadn’t eaten them, he wouldn’t be alive today. While he couldn’t remember them, they had nourished him and kept him going.

The same with going to church to hear the sermons. They nourish our souls and keep us alive in this world, and give us strength for each day and each situation we find ourselves in.

Words to live by. We actually NEED the time spent with a body of believers, listening to the pastor bring God’s Word to us, to encourage us, lift us up, and strengthen us for our daily lives. The gathering of believers brings us the strength we need – the fellowship with other believers gives us hope and encouragement.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

 

 

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