Life at 60, (mph)

“Who The Heck”….

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Long story, real short version…   

Tommy Haynie

Hometown –Fort Myers, Fla

Allen Park Elementary

There must be things that are inherent, that drive kids to act as they do.  As a kid I was surrounded within a stable southern Baptist family living that core-value regiment.  I was red-haired freckled faced, independent, curious, and mischievous – not a bad kid, just always surrounded by better examples. 

PS: Many years later, I learned that there are indeed inherent factors beyond our control that drive our being.   

Ft. Myers Jr High

Rabun Gap Nacoochee School

Fort Myers Senior High 70

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1970 – 1978  Truck driver; Scattered thoughts; as my friends went through college – I drove 24/7 delivering fresh produce throughout the mid-west and east coast.  Enroute I met my wife, we married, then moved to the mountains where we made a nest and she laid three great eggs. .

1979 – 2010. From a ‘happenstance’ opportunity, a fire-fighting career occurred.  During 8-weeks of that initial fire-training requirement, my personal objective became clear; “10-10-10.” Ten years as a firefighter, 10 years as an officer; and a final ten years in some other capacity. I’m a lucky guy, it worked…  It was a journey through a traditional structural fire-fighting organization, as it evolved into the most recent of accredited emergency care providers.  A thirty-one year career among an awesome family of workers within the City of Asheville, NC and its Fire Department.

• Metro, Engine 15 B, 1979-1981
• West, Engine 6 B, 1982
• West, Engine 3 B, 1983 – 1989
• Metro, Capt. Ladder 1 A, 1990 – 1993
• North, Capt. Engine 7 A, 1994 – 1997
• West, Capt. Rescue 3, Ladder 33 A, 1997 – 2000
• Central, Capt. Haz-mat Engine 2 C, 2000 – 2001
• Bat 2,3, Batt Chief B and C shifts, Admin SOG’s;  2001 – 2006
• South, Capt. Engine 4 B, 2006 – 2007
• East, Capt. Engine 8 B, 2007 – 2010

Class A CDL – Emergency Medical Technician – Firefighter I,II,III – Hazardous Materials Technician, Operations – Swift Water Rescue II,III – Open Water, Advanced, Rescue Dive Certified – Confined Space/Trench Rescue – Fire/Rescue Insrtructor – Fire Inspector – Fire Officer I, II – Fire Educator –  Associates Degree Fire Service Technology – Fire Management Certification

“I guess life is kinda like a highway, another good seat to appreciate whats right there in front of us, the opportunity to acknowledge others as they pass, a place to remember – and a time to move on.” tgh

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Retired after 31 years because I could.  Miss my cohorts but happily away from dealing with all those ‘doggone people” (fundamentally, I believe that each person should manage their own ‘vessel’)

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My first segment of retirement is about ‘paddling’ through it.  There’s “a whole world out there!” and finding opportunities to explore the waters along the way (listed to your right).  It doesn’t hurt that ‘paddling’ is cost effective – plus, I find that time spent usually allows a primitive, peaceful, and ‘real-time’ perspective into the wonder surrounding us.

The hardest thing about paddlin; is getting out the door.” tgh

There are several types of paddling, attached to the various reason’s WHY? folks paddle.  If interested, find your reason – and do it your way.  Personally I like distance, in a casual manner during the spring or fall. Early placid mornings are the best! but there are many other meaningful moments on flat-water to class II waters to absorb…  I’m just using these two little portholes that life has provided while crossing a few of ‘lifes-circles‘ along the way.

The blog is simply a tangible reference and potential foundation for more ‘circles‘ to close; trip-report style; all uncharted waters for me.  The grammar skills represented are basic – but I like fewer rules, kinda like building a ‘hot-rod’  (no rules) it’s just easier.  I’m really proud that folks like you reference it, “thank-you.”

“The water was as level as life is good.”  tgh

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Now and then I stop and touch the bottom – ‘default‘ is a small lake among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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” You have but two opportunities to do the things that interest you; 1) right now! or 2) the absolute first moment that the opportunity presents itself! – otherwise, those interests could be lost in your desires forever.” – tgh

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tamarackidd – bacshortly@yahoo – 2020

You may on occasion see my reference to life’s ‘Little circles’ – it’s an interesting comparison of memory, perceptions, and present reality of a place you have been before – all while feeling that certain hollow feeling within the statement that; “you can never really go home again.”

Quips, thoughts, quotes….

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“Kayaking; a period in life that you paddle through.” tgh

“The hardest thing about paddlin; is getting out the door.” tgh

I did’nt go paddlin to ‘figure things out.’ – I went to ‘unfigure’ things….

“Skippin through time, like a flat rock on a level lake’.”

“I think faster than I can speak.” 

“The best time; — is right now!”    tgh

“Stuck behind a slow motorist is like ‘accepting mortality,’ – it’s just part of it!” tgh

“I Love my earth-time.” tgh

“Dear Karma; you have my attention!” tgh

“Life; – does not stink at all.” tgh 

“You might want to keep some good tires under that gal.” tgh

I do not care to step on a plane because I love the features of civilization and geography between the destinations – yet my dreams are connected through an aerial perspective, go figure.

“Over the years I have seen many folks, in the worst parts of the city that ‘lived under bridges;’ I am grateful each day to live in my own modest circumstance.”  tgh

“Keep it on the positive side of negative.”  tgh

“Leave early, enjoy the ride”….. tgh

“There’s ‘just something’ about having that kayak strapped to my roof that brighten’s my day.” tgh

“I’m not nosey, – I’m just interested”  tgh

“If you’re quiet, long-enough; others may just figure out just how much noise they ‘really make….” tgh

“Whiz outside… save three gallons of clean water”…  tgh

“I once prayed for some pussy;” a few days later a cat wandered up…. (really!)

In the seventies, someone handed me one of those ‘left-handers,’ well, – that’s a moment that I completely forgot what I was thinking about, just because I stopped to think, – what I was thinking about ? – that’s when – my thinking stopped…. tgh

1960’s, My Mom was an authoritarian; “Saturdays were about ‘cleaning’ the house; every other day was about keeping it straight” – and we pulled weeds by hand.  tgh”

Approach everyone as though they are a best friend; from there – it’s your choice whom to hang-out with”…  tgh

“She looked a whole lot better running down the road, than sitting still..”  tgh

“I’d rather be around nothing, than negativity..” tgh“In planning to go somewhere, give yourself enough time for the wrinkles to hang free of your favorite shirts.”  tgh

“Some have the ability to look through a dirty windshield; I don’t”  tgh

“Dislikes; scrutiny. – and the edges of conformity”  tgh

“Short stories appreciated.”  tgh.

“We’re all different, and they need every one of us..”  tgh

“Don’t waste your time with opinions; there are just too many of them.”  tgh

“How do you expect to motivate others if you cannot motivate yourself?” Get on with this life –    tgh

The first French word that I learned; ‘Latrine’..  tgh

“I have found that first thing in the morning; a shower is as good as a cup of coffee…”  tgh

When someone refilled my Dad’s drink, he would always say – “Just cover the ice.”  wth (think about it)

” Never own the same car twice”  wth

“I don’t want to be a distraction, only the simplest part of the entertainment”  tgh

“When not paddlin; I’m just ridin these feet”….  tgh

“Concise is nice.”   tgh

“I have pulled a trailer regularly through the years; I have learned is that its not about ‘pulling’ the trailer so much – but simply easing up to speed and ‘rolling ‘ down the road with it.  Thinking ahead, working together.”  Something about that works with people too –  tgh

“Three puffs and I’m gone…”  tgh

Life/baseball; “Getting to first base = 15 years, second base 30 years, third base 60 years. I just left third – home stretch….” tgh

You get what you deserve, – and I’m doggone happy ‘with it.

“Logic and emotions can only intersect…”

“Healing is for young people – they have the time….” (Be safe) tgh

“I’m just paddlin through this part of life” tgh

“I love this time of life; – I just wish that it would last forever”….. tgh

“Throughout our lifetime we acquaint ourselves with a multitude of folks from various backgrounds; I’m inclined to believe that as we grow, we include positive tidbits of personality that we liked from those- and incorporate them into our own personalities. In essence, we are each a product of those friendships along the way.”  tgh

About explaining; “Your friends don’t need it, – your enemies won’t believe you anyway.” (double-bubble bubblegum wrapper @1962)

About guilt;  (I should have, could have…) don’t carry it, don’t give it to others – move on. – Guilt is an absolutely unnecessary burden that will encumber and prevent a person from reaching their inherent calling…

“Friends, we all need ’em, after all – they help to keep the cobwebs at bay…. tgh

“Use, don’t abuse.”

Thank you Lord! for each and every blessing about my life” —- including the cat.

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I am not a creationist, but I do believe in the Holy Spirit. I do believe that Jesus shared that vision with us. And I do believe that living a life while keeping as many of those standards in mind as possible – that my life and state of mind is better off from it.  tgh