Stories, photos and poems from a life's journey
From a young age I wanted to be a pilot. We used to go to airshows when I was five and cover our ears as the English Electric Lightning roared by. I've been a flight instructor and more recently an aerial survey pilot. This beautiful aircraft is the Cessna Chancellor. A very capable twin that's relatively straightforward to fly.
Starting with Airfix kits I graduated to building model planes out of balsa as a teen.When we came to the USA I put together a woodworking shop in the basement, along the syle of New Yankee Workshop. Now, with my new career as a HS Engineering teacher, I spend more time 3D printing, coding with Arduino and generally experimenting with projects that may work for my students.
Engineering →
I like being fit and purposefully build exercise into my daily routine. I like to cycle to school, swim every week , and occassionally run a 5K. Running used to be my passion but I'm finding it hard to stay injury free. My new love is rowing. I have a Concept 2 rower and post my times on their Global Ranking site.
I'm a whole food plant based eater. I LOVE veggies and fruit, so no big deal forgoing meat and dairy, but, I put cream in my coffee, eat cakes now and then, and some fish. So, not from planet Vega. I avoid processed foods and LOVE my diet. It's made easier by my wife who invents new dishes at the drop of a hat.
Health & Wellness →
I like writing whimsical poems. AI can probably do a much better job, but then what's the point.
I spent perhaps two months writing my 'NatureVerse' Poems in 2023 which I published on Amazon. It may have sold five copies, haha. I'm putting a couple of them on this site so you can get an idea. Let's see if we can break 100 copies !
I think poems are a good way of consolidating your thoughts in a poignant and lucid manner, as well as sending up anyone that takes themselves too seriously. Go on, click the link and read about Frank the Seven Legged Octopus.
Poetry →
I'm nostalgic for the past. Can't resist looking at a black and white photos of yesteryear. Since joining a WhatsApp group with some of my cousins we started sharing photos. I'm inspired to curate them here with some anecdotal stories to illustrate our life's journey. In this picture, Ann, with raised hand, might be saying, 'hey, my wellies are on the wrong feet'. My nickname was Johnny bags, and my sisters still call me Baggy :)
Family Archive →