discriminate movie goer

I used to go to the movies all the time.  Going to the picture show has become so expensive these days that I just don't go to ANY new release.  I do a little online research to see if the movie of interest may not be worth going to see.  I end up not going more than going.

This weekend I noticed that the new RoboCop movie had just been released.  I mentioned to Gina that I had been wanting to see it, but wanted to see some reviews first.  She later asked me if we were going and I told her that we can wait until it's on Red Box or Netflix.

I'm tired of paying premium price for mediocrity.  Even though I try to check out movies before going I still get burned every now and then.  The last recent burn was The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.  It received great reviews and a movie that I had been looking forward to seeing.

I also abstain from movies with a left wing political agenda.  I like Russell Crowe, but will skip seeing him play Noah.  Early script reveals  God punishing man with a flood because of their lack of respect for the environment.  Hollywood's Noah might be politically correct, but not Biblically correct.  I'll pass watching this one from Redbox or Netflix.
“It’s about environmental apocalypse which is the biggest theme, for me, right now for what’s going on on this planet. So I think it’s got these big, big themes that connect with us. Noah was the first environmentalist.” 
–Darren Aronofsky (Director)

To be frank, I am tired of Hollywood.  The sad thing is, I really enjoy film. I was once an avid movie goer.  I find watching old classics more entertaining than paying to see newly released super-hyped schlock.

what if

hell was not made for man
but to hell many have gone and will
man's flesh temporary
a man's soul eternal
with only two places for a soul to go
only one narrow road
where a small gate awaits

there are those who say
God is too loving too good
to damn a single sinner
but it is man
always man
that chooses his path
the way each man wills to go

sin will be paid for one way or the other
for the wages of sin is always death

there is simply no room no place

for the rebellious Godlessness unbelieving ones
in the presence of the holy God

there is no tolerance
no more grace
for those who refused denied rejected
 a great love and adoption
so freely and often offered

and so comes the second death

hell was not made for man
but many have gone and will

even if God so loving so good
made a third world for those to go

what if
God created a third world

for all who in life rejected salvation
the true and only one and way
what if
God had created a third world
for the fallen unbelieving
what if
another world made
where there is eternal separation
a world made for the unrepentant man
without his divine presence protection and light

that world too
would be
just another hell


The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

-Psalm 9:17-

“There are only two kinds of people in the end:
those who say to God, “thy will be done,”
and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.”
-C.S. Lewis-
The Great Divorce

no other like my grandmother

This is my maternal grandmother Irene Quine Covington (1902 - 1988) with her little brother Charles Preston Covington (1905-1977).  I wasn't around my grandmother Irene Davidson much  while growing up because she lived in California.  I did get to know her as she started visiting Gadsden, AL and eventually moved here after grandfather Fred Davidson's death in 1981.

Most of my mother's siblings, with the exception of aunt Ina Davidson Chunn and my uncle Buster Davidson had migrated West before I was born.  I only remember seeing my grandfather two times in my lifetime.  It was great finally getting to know my grandmother when she lived here.

She was an unusual person who spoke her mind and spoke it loud.  When she was quiet, she seemed to be going deep into memories she kept to herself.  She was a helluva cook.  Whenever she performed her magic in the kitchen, friends tried their darndest to get themselves invited over for supper.  It took some time for her to warm up to me but when she did, I could get her to laughing with little effort.   In a way she was a stranger in our midst.  She was kinfolk and it only took a little time to adjust and get to know one another.

It didn't take long.  Her love was unique and genuine.  I'd kiss her on her cheek and she'd smile with  tears welling in her eyes.  I didn't hear her say "I love you", but it was written all over her face.  She didn't have to.

Fred and Irene Davidson

the singing lieutenant commander

Click image to see large version.

By 1947 Lt Commander Patillo Ainsworth Finlayson (Uncle Pat) was back in the states.  He was relocated to the Orlando Air Force Base and served as Information Officer.  He remained in the Navy until he saw a posting for a job as historian for Warner Robbins AFB.  He remained at Warner Robbins until his retirement in the 1980's.  I'll nail down the exact dates of his time there ~ in time.

This is a great photo. Pat loved to sing.  He sang in the church choirs all his life.  Among his belongings are church bulletins and programs of the many places and events he performed.  He had a grand voice.  All I have to do is think about Uncle Pat and I can clearly hear him singing in my mind.  If you knew him, you can too!

Sister Ship LST-314

LST - 314 was laid down on 7 September 1942 at the New York Navy Yard; launched on 30 December 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Gertrude F. Holmes; and commissioned on 15 January 1943. During World War 11, LST-314 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the following operations: Sicilian occupation-July 1943 Salerno landings-September 1943 Invasion of Normandy-June 1944 The tank landing ship was sunk by an enemy torpedo off Normandy on 9 June 1944. On 22 August 1944, she was struck from the Navy list. LST-314 earned three battle stars for World War II service.

the captured aviator

The last time I spoke in person with my uncle Pat, he asked if I could find anything about the aviator that was once transported aboard the USS LST-312.  I was able to find his name but Pat had passed away by then.  I was soon contacted by his granddaughter because of a previous post about the incident.  Pat always wondered what happened to that Luftwaffe airman. He would have been delighted to have known his name.

While aboard the 312 the prisoner, the crew were not allowed to speak to prisoners.  Pat said the prisoner was always escorted by two guards, each with a 45. Pat did say that he briefly went back and forth with the prisoner over the Joe Louis and Max Schmelling fight.  Pat always got a kick repeating the story.
 
I looked at him, and surprisingly he said, in his German accent "Max Schmelling - 12 ROUNDS!" Our guards and myself quickly shouted..."Joe Louis -1ROUND!"  -Pat
 
Nadine Goldenbaum, Hermann's granddaughter, wrote me and reminded me that I had mentioned I had a picture of him somewhere.  I went to digging and found the photo to scan and share with Nadine and you.  I also enlarged Hermann Goldenbaum's face so we can all get a good look at him.  Forgive me Nadine for taking so long to get back with you.

Though I couldn't identify the captured aviator for Pat Finlayson in time, perchance they've already met on the other side.

Hermann Goldenbaum

USS LST-312 Ship's Log Excerpt / June 10, 1944

0105, air raid, what a barrage.  Wouldn't think anything would get through.  One plane down. 0430, air raid.  1015, American SC came alongside with orders to beach at 1600.  Two LSTs were sunk on the way over yesterday.  One was our sister-ship, the 314.  With the 313 getting it at Gela, that leaves just two of us, the 311 along the shore.  Two were sunk.  1430, moved in closer to the beach.  Brought German pilot onboard who was shot down last night.  1815, unloading.  Vandagriff and Purdy went on the beach.  Fox holes and gun-nest reported on the beach with tunnels all over the place.  This is reported to be the worst beachhead of all.  French people don't seem to be too happy at having us here, but that's tough shit.  We have orders to take no prisoners.  They weren't taking too many anyway. 2050, unloaded, tide coming up.

British LCT trying to beach, but can't get in close enough.  Even so they are pushing the American troops off anyway.  Tide rising like crazy, trucks stalling and half covered already, troops yelling for help and trying to get ashore.  Some drowning, can't get help to them fast enough.  They are afraid of an air-raid and want to beat if off the beach.  About 20 vehicles lost, don't know how many men.  2305, air-raid.  Had warning of heavy aircraft concentration today on the radio, maybe it's true.

Log entry of Richard (Dick) B. Hudson SM3/c
from 'Sentimental Journey of the USS LST-312' by David B. Finlayson 2011