Charest Family on the Web Posts

Published July 12, 2024 by

Moving To Charlotte

Moving Away From Virginia
Moving Away

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

We’ve moved. Over the past several months Winnie and I have made the complex transition from living in Northern Virginia to living in Charlotte, North Carolina. This transition involved buying a house, selling our house, moving our extensive collection of household goods, and reorganizing my ongoing professional life. Not to mention shifting all our necessary professional support services we developed during the eighteen years we lived in Virginia.

But we now live in Charlotte. In the great scheme of life adventures that’s happened to Winnie and me, this was just another speed bump.

Continue…Moving To Charlotte

Family Stories Ron Charest

Charlotte Moving Out North Carolina

Published June 2, 2024 by

The Party of Law and Order

Man in Jail. Photo by Donald Tong: https://www.pexels.com/photo/rear-view-of-a-silhouette-man-in-window-143580/
Looking Out of His Jail Cell

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Last Thursday a jury of twelve New Yorkers decided Donald J. Trump was guilty of 34 felonies. After a lifetime of cheating, stealing, lying, manipulating, and generally being a wretched, reprehensible excuse of a human being, Trump was finally held accountable for his actions.

Since then we have been treated to wall-to-wall nonstop wails of outrage from Trump over the unfairness of being treated like any other American citizen. Even more amazing are the wails of outrage from Republicans. Amazing, because I’m so old I can remember when Republicans claimed to be the party of Law and Order.

Continue…The Party of Law and Order

Opinions & Commentary

Republicans trump

Published May 22, 2024 by

Moving On and Letting Go

Stack of empty boxes needed for moving. Photo by SHVETS production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/stack-of-empty-cardboard-boxes-prepared-for-relocation-from-home-7203699/
Lots of Boxes Needed for Moving

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

I’ve always tied physical objects to memories of people and pleasant events. So, the end result is that I collect “stuff.” Lots of “stuff.” Odd small “stuff” like pamphlets, letters, and greeting cards. Then, there’s bigger “stuff” like books, small furnishings, and collectibles.

With my collecting “stuff” quirk, which can easily border on obsessive, moving is hard. One of the things I’m having to do in this latest and last move I plan on making, is letting go.

Continue…Moving On and Letting Go

Family Stories

Memories moving

Published May 1, 2024 by

Moving Time Blues

For Sale Sign on front lawn of a house
Moving On Again

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on this humble website. This is by reason that, once again, Winnie and I are in-process of moving to a new home. This time, we’re making a bigger move than just across town.

This is a move to a new state and is part of shifting into my retirement phase of life. The entire process is giving us another dose of the moving time blues.

Continue…Moving Time Blues

Family Stories

moving New Home

Published March 24, 2024 by

When Inflatable Kayaks Deflate

Winnie and Friend Paddling in Lake Wylie, South Carolina

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Over the past fourteen years kayaking has become my most favorite outdoor activity. Along with actually paddling kayaks comes the fun part of collecting kayaks. I’ve managed to collect a few nice boats over these past years including inflatable kayaks.

One of the most common remarks I see/hear when people ask about the pros and cons of inflatable kayaks is: “If you punch a hole in an inflatable, you’ll get wet.” I can now attest that this is not true.

Continue…When Inflatable Kayaks Deflate

Family Stories On The Water

kayaking Sea Eagle 370

Published March 20, 2024 by

Take My Number…A Tribute

Melissa Etheridge File Photo
Melissa Etheridge

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Of the many musicians and types of music I enjoy, there is one musician I haven’t written about on this humble blog. That would be American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Melissa Etheridge. So, for this chilly pre-spring equinox Wednesday I’m going to correct that deficiency. I’m also going to make a tribute to a woman who once helped me through the absolute lowest point of my life.

Bonus music video for those brave visitors who read all the way through this post.

Continue…Take My Number…A Tribute

Family Stories

Dedication Melissa Etheridge

Published March 19, 2024 by

And With What Army?

Trump's Treason with Handcuffs
Trump’s Treason with Handcuffs

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

So this past Saturday during yet another rambling, disjointed, bewildering “speech,” the disgraced twice-impeached two-time loser former pres*dent Donald Trump cried out “If I don’t get elected, it’s gonna be a bloodbath. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country.”

To which I reply “Yeah, and with what army?

Continue…And With What Army?

Opinions & Commentary

Donald Trump Pathetic Has-Been

Published February 5, 2024 by

The Mail Buoy Run

Green Buoy in the ocean. Photo by Atypeek Dgn: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photograph-of-a-green-buoy-12264234/
Not A Mail Buoy

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Going down to the sea in ships can best be described as weeks of mind-numbing boredom interspersed with moments of sheer terror. Based on my Navy career with about twelve years actual sea time, I can attest this is true.

So, sailors come up with very creative ways of filling in those weeks of mind-numbing boredom. One way is to play pranks with new crew members just starting their seagoing careers. On my very first submarine sea voyage I became the star attraction in a mail buoy run.

Continue…The Mail Buoy Run

In the Navy

Mail Buoy submarines

Published January 28, 2024 by

Why Navy Chiefs Are Different: A Quora Question

United States Navy Chief Insignia
U.S. Navy Chief’s Insignia

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

I’ve been on a roll lately in answering Quora questions. Either I’ve accidentally worked out the format for writing attention-catching answers, or just gotten lucky. Because most of my answers seem to be getting lots of views, upvotes, and comments.

My latest best-read answer was comparing Navy Chiefs to the comparable senior non-commissioned officers of the Army and Air Force.

Continue…Why Navy Chiefs Are Different: A Quora Question

In the Navy Quora Re-Posts

Navy Chief

Published January 1, 2024 by

Happy New Year 2024

Happy New Year 2024 Photo by Jill Wellington: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-new-year-text-3334355/
Happy New Year 2024

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

For the first post of 2024 on this humble blog; I want to wish all my many friends, family, readers, and other supporters a very happy new year of 2024!

Follow me below the fold for some uplifting and entirely appropriate music for this brave new year. Along with the obligatory commentary and musings on the year that was.

Continue…Happy New Year 2024

Just For Fun

Music Video New Year 2024