2012

Let's start the new year with an update from 2011.

Well, we did it! Toku and I are now Southern Californians, after 37 years away. Our house in Colorado was a great house: we raised family there, hosted a number of visitors from all over the world, and really enjoyed living there. But, the time was right to leave. The cold air was getting to me, family had grown and moved. We left a lot of memories there: friends, workmates, etc. But with the housing market being what it was (and still is), it was the right time.

We now reside in Oceanside, CA (where the temperature hit 80 degrees earlier this week) about one mile from our son and youngest grandaughter. Marine Corps base at Camp Pendelton is about 2 miles away from the house...a straight shot down Vandergrift Blvd. I am within 5 miles of two different libraries (so I don't have to buy books anymore). Our base hospital is 5-6 miles away, the VA hospital is 5-6 miles another way, all our doctors (Physical therapists, eye doctors, etc) are 7-8 miles away. And for Toku, K-Mart, Wal-mart and Target are relatively near by (though she has not gotten her drivers license yet). We have a house full of new furniture and we are meeting new people every day. But, with the good comes the bad.

We are missing our friends in Colorado......our phone calls to them average 1-2 per week. Our oldest daughter, Regina and her family (including our oldest grandaughter, Caitlin) have relocated to Virginia Beach, VA where our son-in-law, Sherman, is working for the Navy Exchange Systems command. We miss them terribly......we baby-sat for Caitlin for the first 4years of her life (she is now almost 12). And going through the first Christmas away from them was certainly a "strange" time. But, we maintain contact (via Skype) although that is not the same as being there.

For 2012, we hope to get back to VA to visit Regina and family sometime in the spring. It will be great seeing them. As to when we get back to Colorado, who knows???

We will again extend an invitation to any and all to come visit us here in sunny CA.

later...........Tom

Blog nr 32

It has been quite a while since I blogged.....must be getting too old. Anyway, a quick update.

Our new home closed on 21 Sep, 2011....I am now in debt more than I would have ever thought. but something to look forward to.......I will get the house paid off just prior to my 102nd birthday...HOORAY....I can hardly wait!!!!!!.

Southern California is much like it was when we lived here back in the early-mid 60's: warm, friendly but much less crowded. (And much less expensive!!!) But we are getting used to it. The base at Camp Pendelton is about a mile and a half away...convenient for shopping, medical, library, etc....and I am really enjoying being back around Marines/sailors, where we have a common language.....salty!!!!. But I do miss my AF/Army friends that we left in Colorado.

Our neighbors have been great, and they certainly are a "mixed" bag.....Air Force, retired Navy Chiefs, Retired Marines and even some "civilians" mixed in.

One issue that got me concerned was when I went to get my California drivers license---because of my vision in left eye, I had to get on the road and take the driving test again......the last one I ever took was in 1958, here in California. Talk about nervous.....for 58 years I have driven safely and somewhat "automatically", always "defensive", but I did pick up some bad habits.

Anyway, the young man who "tested" me, was very professional, but I was more nervous than I had been for a long time....all I could think of was What if I fail???? But, even with the nerves on edge, I passed okay and have now (re)joined the driving madness of Southern California, all legal and above-board. Driving in California, at 80MPH on interstates is standard here.......along with 40 million other cars. Lots of fun!!!!!

The worst thing about our move here, is the absence of our oldest daughter, son-in-law and oldest grandaughter, who now reside on the east coast. But with the internet and "Skype" we keep in contact quite often. But with the holidays coming soon, we will have "mixed" feelings.

Guess that's about all for now.

California

Well, well, Tom is back!!! It's been a while since I posted anything here. I'll try to catch up.

We left Colorado on 28 April....a sad, tear-filled good-by to the place we called home for 37 years. We traveled to Denver (in a rented van) with our suitcases, two dogs in kennels and plane tickets, bound for sunny CA. We arrived in Ontario, CA where our good friends, Malcolm and Sevilla Gruber picked us up. We were tired, sore and anxious. But, we made it!!

For the next two months, we alternated staying with the Grubers and our son, Matt and his family. (We didn't want to wear out our welcome in either place). The house we put a bid in for, was (and still is), hung up with paperwork (NEVER BUY A SHORT-SALE UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO WAIT!!!!!) But we arranged to move in on a rental basis until closing.

On 1 July, we started the move. We are still burdened with more boxes in the garage than ever. We have a total of 2 beds, one futon, one dining room cabinet, two small recliners, a computer desk, two TV's, two dogs (with kennels), a few lamps, a patio table (presently used in the family room), 4 patio chairs, a borrowed table in our kitchen and 3-4 lawn chairs for guests (haha). BUT, we are now HOME!!!!!!!. Now it is just a matter of time until the house "closes escrow" and we can happily go into debt for the next 30 years!!! (I can't wait until we get the house paid off on my 101st birthday!!!).

Praise for a lot of folks, both in Colorado and California, can never be enough for the folks that have (and still are) helping us get settled. Friends and family alike have really been the key factor in our ability to make this move possible. I have found that at 71 years old, I am limited to the physical work I used to do for 10-12 hours a day....10-12 minutes are about all I can handle now.

Tokuko is in the process of buying new furniture....some had to be put on order with an 8 week delivery date. But once we get things settled, you are all more than welcome to visit.

Later......

Blog nr. 30

For my thousands of avid blog followers, I sincerely apologize for neglecting you so bad. It has been since the end of January since I have posted a blog. Shame on me. But I have a valid set of excuses. A few months ago (last Sept, as a matter of fact) I mentioned that Toku and I might relocate. A lot of things would have to fall into place for that to happen. And darned if they didn't happen.....and at a pace that surprised a lot of us. First, I had to find someone to buy my house. That was easy. A dear friend of mine and his family had always admired our house, with a lot of space and a huge backyard. He asked how much I was looking for.........I told him what I wanted (and it was well within reason). He said he would have to sell his house first. That (we thought) would be the hard part. Suddenly, my friend said he had sold his house. Now it was up to me to find a home in California and get moved there. A lot of circumstances have prevented me from accomplishing that___a pre-arranged trip from a relative in Japan, the infirmities of our old age, and having the time to find that home in California is going to take our presence there. Although leaving all our many friends in Colorado is difficult for both Toku and I, we know this is best for us. Our remaining family member is also having to relocate to Virginia for a great job opportunity. Our friends who bought this house closed the sale on their home a couple of weeks ago and are living in a rental while we get our (37) years of s--- out of here. Today, April 6, 2011, our house sale closed. Officially, Toku and I are "homeless". But thanks to these friends, they have given us as much time as needed to get our s--- together and get out. With help from our friends and family, we are shooting for departure from Colorado Springs around the 28th of April. We still don't have a "done deal" in California, but that is being worked on. We have lived in this same house for 37 years.......a long, long time. Our family grew up here, there are lots of memories in these old walls. My mother and my brother lived here until the day they died. Not all the memories are good. In signing all the transfer papers today, a million thoughts ran through our minds. Are we doing the right thing? Did we make a mistake? What the h--- do we do now??? We didn't make a mistake! We are looking forward to the move to a warmer climate, being around other old friends, around our newest grandaughter, and for me, being around sailors/marines who are very few in this Army/Air Force town. 4515 Flintridge Drive, Colorado Springs, CO is no longer the McLuckie home. (And just saying that seems real, real strange) Again, for those who care, we will keep you informed. For those that don't care, stay away from my blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blog nr. 29

Today, 21 January, is a special day for at least a couple of people-----it is my wife's and my wedding anniversary. On this day, in 1965, Tokuko and I were married in a civil ceremony at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.

At the time I was a first class petty officer in the Navy, stationed at the Naval Sir Station in Atsugi, Japan. I had been in the Navy for eight years.

When I got stationed at Atsugi (in May 1963), the furthest thing from my mind was marriage. Then I met my future wife and my thoughts changed immediately. I don't know if it was love at first sight, but it was close to it.

You have to remember, back in 1964-65 inter-racial marriages were frowned upon, not just by the Navy department but in society in general. Both Tokuko's family and mine were against the marriage. We were told it would never last.......people should marry "their own kind" was a phrase we both heard. The Navy threatened to take my security clearance away if I insisted on the marriage. The Navy Chaplain threatened to have me restricted to base and then transferred out of Japan. Tokuko's older brother (the head of the family) threatened to disown her. My mother, a staunch Irish-Catholic was shocked and dismayed.

But, Tokuko and I felt that we were meant to be together and we proceeded with the (extremely slow) process of paperwork that was required. After 11 months and 4 days of waiting, we got the word that approval had finally been given.

We hopped on the train from Atsugi and rode for an hour to the embassy in Tokyo. It was a brief ceremony. As we were leaving the embassy, we came upon a "Yankee go home" demonstration that was protesting the American presence in Japan. Welcome to the real world!!!!!

46 years later, as I look back to the start of our marriage, I am amazed as to how we did it. It was not easy---I spent 12 more years in the Navy, most of the time away from my wife and growing family. I did not make much money in the service, our children started "appearing", and things were definitely "tough".

Somehow we made it. And now we celebrate. There is so much to be thankful for; three great children and two of the loveliest grandaughters one could hope for. And Tokuko is STILL the most beautiful girl in the world.

And to the naysayers that admonished us for marrying, I will be polite and only say HA!

Blog nr. 28

Today's rant is about a "sacred cow" called SOCIAL SECURITY.

When I first entered the workforce (1955) Social Security was the primary savings for retirees. Ergo, I didn't commence on any type savings plan. But, as I got further along in my career (both in the military and later) I decided savings such as an IRA would be prudent. So I got an IRA and went about my business.

Unfortunately, many others did not, thinking Social Security would provide enough for elderly folks, both single and married, to live "happily ever after".

In today's difficule times, the foks that are dependent on Social Security alone are in a bad way. I am sure if they had anticipated this, they would have made alternate plans for their "golden years".

There will be no cost-of-living increases for those on Social Security again this year. Is this equitable??? HELL NO!!!!!!

I know of many elderly citizens who will be hurt badly due to this "broken promise" from our government. My heart goes out to them. THIS IS FLAT WRONG!!!!!!

There is enough Internet chatter, media publicity, etc., as to why, who is at fault, etc....But this needs to be addressed. We (the American people) have brought this upon ourselves, by becoming too dependent on "government" to fix problems. This phenomena will take generations to correct. And, sadly, I see no political party in existence today that will have the "cajones" to try and fix it. George W. Bush tried to bring it up and was not supported by ANYONE.

To my children and grand-children, I apoligize for aiding/abetting our government for the past many years to put us in this fix. I also STRONGLY recommend that you prepare yourselves for retirement by establishing some type of savings plan to ensure you golden years are not bedded in poverty. (I know it will be tough).

I also draw a military retirement check each month.....the past couple of years we have received no "cost-of-living" increases either. I can live without it, but again there are others that are dependent on this.

I won't even get into medical care...........that will be the issue that will break all our backs.

What I will do is say this to our politicians (what a dirty word!)....either fix this problem or put yourselves under the same "benefits" and restrictions regarding pay raises and medical programs or you will have an even bigger problem on your hands.

Blog nr. 27

It is time for me to chime in on dadt: "don't ask, don't tell".

This law forbid gay people from serving openly in the Armed Forces. (Key word: OPENLY)



Anyway, this was not a law during my time of service (1957-1977). I am sure that there were gay servicemen/women during that period, but it wasn't a concern for most troops. I don't recall a persons sexual orientation as being an issue of any kind.

17 years ago, for some reason, it became a political issue. I thought then it was stupid to enact a regulation against men/women because of their sexual preference. At one time, not really too long ago, their was discrimination against blacks serving their country in the military.

I firmly believe that men/women are given the rights to make choices, be it sexual or not.

The Marine Corps is really fighting this repeal.........they say it would be dangerous to have homosexual troops fighting alongside "straight" troops.

My combat experience did not require me to slough thru jungles for days at a time, like many Marines...I am sure they have a perspective I'm unaware of. But I know that if my life depended on my shipmate, I really wasn't too worried about his orientation.....I was concerned that he could do his job as part of the team built to handle tough situations and could be counted on as part of that team.

So, for the Marine Corps I can only say "Lighten up". You and the other services need to continue to focus on what YOU are doing and back-off this "non-issue".

And for the politicians I can only urge them to focus on the important issues of employment, ethics, and put their "personal" houses in order.

Tom