Nov. 26th 2020

About A Special Friend

Chuck Gibson

Chuck who you see pictured above was a musician who traveled with some of the big name bands back in the day as a lead guitarist and singer. Chuck Gibson was his stage name. His real name is Charles Lieurance.

The real story is how I met Chuck and how our friendship grew over time. It was a complete stroke of fate many moons ago. Kathleen and I were living and traveling full-time in our RV and happened to land in Zapata, Texas for the winter. I was in to doing Karaoke on the internet as a hobby (never very good at it, but just having fun). Through Bass Fishing I met a fellow fisherman who had a park model on a lot overlooking the water of Falcon Lake and we got to talking about Karaoke. He told me that he liked to sing and I was invited to bring my internet computer gear over to his place one evening as he wanted to see how I was doing it. Kathleen and I joined George and Lucy on their patio outside and as the wives talked, George and I played around singing a few Karaoke songs as I introduced George to the internet program I was using.

It was getting late in the evening and had turned quite dark when out of the darkness appeared a hunched over figure of a small man navigating with a walker, and much effort. He asked what we were doing and I told him we were singing some on-line Karaoke. He pondered that for a moment and asked If he could maybe try it. I said sure, gave up my seat to him, and asked him what song he would like to try.

Chuck said, “I just recently lost my wife to cancer and as I cared for her in her last days she would often ask me to sing to her. The one she always requested was a Willie Nelson song. ” Always On My Mind.” That was an easy song to pull up on the system. I handed Chuck the microphone and said, “when I hit this button, get ready as the words will appear here on the computer screen.” I do not know why to this day, but I hit record, rather than just hit the button to play the music and allow singing. The music started, and one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard, began to sing. The wives turned their attention to listen, George and I sat awe struck as Chuck sang with so much feeling. I remember looking at him, his eyes were closed, as he didn’t need to see the words. There was a tear sliding its way down his cheek and I won’t lie. There were a few other cheeks with tears streaming down as well. I of course have saved that recording on my computer and will treasure it for as long as I live. I am going to show the link for it below so you too can enjoy it. You will need your sound turned up as the recording from that night was a little soft. Enjoy.

My Friend Chuck Gibson

It turned out that Chuck lived in a tiny twenty five foot trailer next to George and Lucy’s park model but they had not really got to know each other yet as Chuck pretty much had kept to himself. It was our music attempts that drew him out.

Rather than bore you with too much detail, over several years of traveling to Zapata, Texas and spending winters, Kathleen and my friendship with George and Lucy and ultimately with Chuck grew through music and of course food. George, being a true socialite, was known by many in the RV park and he would jump on his golf cart, make a run through the park, letting everyone he saw know that tomorrow night he was going to do fajitas and everyone was invited.

George and Chuck heading out to invite all to Fajita Night

The event called fahita night was every Wednesday night. George would furnish the grill, meat, etc., and usually everyone would bring a dish to pass. The Karaoke was always fun as others beside myself and George would join in. Eventually, Chuck with his guitar and ampliphiers would show up and of course he then became the headliner for the night. This continued on each Wednesday night for several years during the winter months and the entertainment that Chuck so freely provided will be remembered by many. Our gatherings grew from just a few to upwards of 30 to 40 couples at times.

From the very beginning Chucks health was starting to deteriorate. He would entertain with endless songs that were not karaoke, but rather, him picking the guitar and singing from memory. Always a couple of beers near by his feet as he would often pause and say, “time to wet the whistle.” There was always respectful silence from the crowd as he sang and always the night was filled with requests from the crowd. I can hear them now, “would you sing,” Heart-aches By The Numbers, I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Help Me Make It Through The Night, Kansas City, Welcome to My World, and one of my favorites, Long Gone Lonesome Blues, and on and on. Chuck rarely ran out of songs and his guitar skills were excellent.

Chucks deteriorating health eventually caught up with him and he moved away from the RV Park to live with his Daughter and Son-in-Law. Our gatherings at George and Lucy’s Pad eventually ended as well

Kathleen and I treasure those memories, those gatherings, those friendships, but most of all the opportunity to enjoy a mans continued attempt to entertain. He always got a twinkle in his eye as he took that last sip of beer and began to play.

Thank You Chuck.

PS: Chuck cut a demo record in Nashville in the 90’s as he and other entertainers tried to make it a hit. Chucks rendition was not chosen by the DJ’s of the time, but John Schneider, of the Dukes of Hazard Fame went on to sell many copies of the song, “Better Class of Losers”.

Here is Chucks recording of that song:

Nov. 25th 2020

Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower

Cranked up the air fryer for lunch today. In a bowl placed the cut up cauliflower, drizzled a little olive oil to coat, pinch of kosher salt, liberal sprinkle of smoked paprika, liberal sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a few diced cloves of garlic. Popped in the air fryer at 400 degree’s for 15 minutes. Dipped in Ranch Dressing with a little hot sauce stirred in. Wow. Incredible taste.

Can you tell, I’m a little bored?

Nov. 24th 2020

Here we are with typical Western Washington State Weather. F nnn miserable. Just no other way to say it. It has been virtual non stop rain, wind, showers, wind, downpours and more wind. Still being a new transplant to this part of the world I ponder how one survives months and months of this misery.

Yellowfoot (our baby/cat) is one unhappy kitty being constantly cooped up as she like her human dad likes to be outside. Her memory is short and she sits at the door and begs constantly in spite of just being let out only to get wet and immediately return through the doggy door. Me the human, has a better memory and I ain’t beggin’ to get out.

Yellowfoot and I have had a little chat and we both agree it probably best to just stay by the fireplace till some time Spring of 2021.

Through the window looking East (median filling with water)
A few feet beyond the last elec. post is the Pacific Ocean. Looking West out window.
A good place to hang out
Yellowfoot begging me “Please make it Stop Raining”

Wish I could baby, wish I could.

Nov. 19, 2020

Having started this new blog, I am struggling somewhat with the memory part of reaching the age of 76 this coming March. I struggle most with trying to remember how to do things on the computer or for that matter accomplishing a task only to forget tomorrow what I learned today, but I intend to plod along.

I mentioned earlier that I blogged our travels in our RV over the last 13 years and have those adventures archived on our web site under the heading “Blog of Tininthewind Adventures”, also called “Journal of Tininthewind” Here is the link to that Journal:

http://tininthewind.com/blog/

Our adventures over those years of travel now that I look back on them were blogged examples of a retirement life of two very adventurous people, (Kathleen and I). We did things that most people would never consider doing. Taking a $200,000.00 dollar RV completely paid for a thousand miles down in to Mexico so as to sit out the North American Winter in comfort on the beaches of Puerto Viarta, Mexico in the small towns of LaPenita, and Lo Demarcos.

If you have the time I would encourage you to click the link above and then seek out the winter months of 2008 and 2009 both starting with September of each year. The postings during the September to February time frame will give you a real flavor for the memories along with all the pictures to accompany each post.

Last night I took that trip down memory lane and say to myself as I write this blog, “Did we really do all that”?

Mazatlan Mexico, Stop on way to La Penita, Mexico
Mazatlan Mexico, Stop on way to La Penita Mexico
Beach just a short walk from our La Penita RV Park
Our RV site for Winter Stay in La Penita Mexico year 2008
La Penita RV Park (Kathleen) winter 2008
Chapala, Mexico Beach

I close this blog with the picture above titled Chapala, Mexico Beach. Chapala is a small Mexico beach town about 30 minutes from our Winter stay in La Penita, Mexico. There is a very interesting story about this town and that I will save for another blog.

Nov. 18, 2020

Had a surprise call from two of my fishing buddies from Zapata, Texas. I am sitting in Ocean Shores with the temp at 40 degree’s and they are calling me while out in the boat on Falcon Lake fishing and it is in the 80’s. Talk about rubbing it in.

They were calling to tell me that they think a rental is available in their RV park of a park model. Kathleen and I have talked about the possibility of maybe heading down to Zapata, TX for the months of Dec. and Jan. just to get out of this dismal raining weather of Ocean Shores. I could leave today, but Kathleen is not on board with it at all. The two friends, Jim (Grizzly), and Terry will be getting back to me with the details if they still exist. Then it will be decision time. LOL.

Terry
Terry

Jim (Grizzly)
Jim (Grizzly)

Terry

These are the two fishing buddies pictured above that gave me the call this a.m. Man we had some memories.

Nov. 17, 2020

I think everyone would have to agree: The weather in Ocean Shores sucks for the near future. I need to get my boat covered and put away for the winter but finding a dry day is difficult. Maybe Saturday if I can get enough wind to dry it out first…….

Damon Point, King Tide
Access to drive on beach at Damon Point

The above two pictures were taken on our visit to Damon Point today.