Cars and their Past

It’s often mistaken for an interstate.  State Route 840 is definitly one of those roads you have to travel to admire the landscape.  I have to agree with an opinion published in todays’s DNJ.

The writer talks about the abandon cars, or the cars that look like they are on their last legs, and the milestones people and their cars have gone through.

One paragraph really stood out to me, it reminded me of what my mother drove and how our lives were so different then.

“To me, they appear as if testimonies to the hard-scrabble lives so many of our people live. They ask so little, really, if you take the time to look. But, do we, the fortunate, really look, or want to see”

Our family traveled in a 1970 something toyota corolla.  We also owned a chevy chevette.  Those were two cars I will always remember. They always got us from point A, to point B, and back again.  Neither one had a/c and I can often remember the radio blaring because we couldn’t hear for the wind blowing throught the windows.

Anyhow, here’s the link to the article, take a look, it’s a good read.

Just in Case

Just in case I forget to write tomorrow.  Happy Turkey day!

There are many days that go by I wonder where I would be if…..  You know those days.  However, I want to tell that those ifs…..would not have me here talking to you today.  I am very Thankful to have met many of you, and very thankful for the life I live today.  Many blessings to each and everyone of you!

Mawmaw, I miss  you!  Mom, I miss you even more!

Happy Thanksgiving!

About Me Part 2

Sometimes I wonder where I would be had the Navy allowed me into service. Would I be married with kids, hiding who I really was? Would I come out and be proud, only to be thrown out for being the human god intended?

Yes, that’s right folks, I wanted to be a military man. My uncle was in the navy, he inspires me. Growing up, he was the one person I loved to see visit. Especially during the holidays.

When I would see my uncle, I would run after him with arms wide open. He would pick me up and throw me into the air. He is my inspiration. I aspire to be an uncle in his image.

As I got older, I went to see a navy recruiter. We talked for an hour or so. When we got to the health issues, he asked me if I had asthma. Of course I said yes and there went my chances of enlistment.

But that’s ok. Even though I did not get to serve my country, I feel as though I am doing a good job at being an uncle. I have two wonderful neices, and a fantastic nephew. My pride and joys. They live in Texas and although I do not see them often, they are often in my thoughts.

Sis, if you are reading this, I LOVE YOU and the KIDS.!

Also, a wonderful friend wrote a great piece about me.

Here’s an insert

Chip’s Mom did live long enough to see her first granddaughter, Alexis. Alexis is now 8 and Chip calls her his “Little Giggle Butt.” He has another niece, Erin, who is 3 and is his “Princess.” His “Pride and Joy” is his nephew, Jordan, who is 5. They call him “Uncle Wayne” even though his name is DeWayne. He never corrected them when they dropped the “De” from “Wayne” so Wayne is a special name reserved for those children who are such an important part of his life. Chip doesn’t see them often enough, but they did spend a week with him this past summer. He is hoping to see them over the holidays

Go read it here

Please Vote No on 1

Never before have I had such a hard time trying to figure out how to word something. I really find it difficult to express how I feel right now. Health insurance is a big deal for me. I have never really had any, at least not till I met Todd.

You see, Todd works for a company that offers domestic partner insurance. Basically, if you are living with an adult you consider a “life partner” for a period of time. You can be covered under the policy.

Now if this amendment to our constitution is passed. Not only will it be discrimination in our constitution, it could also ultimately make me and those heterosexuals that do not want to get married lose their health coverage.

Here’s an insert from the Vote NO on 1 campaign.

The Tennessee Constitution of 1870 has only been amended a handful of times. It has never been amended to restrict the rights and liberties of the Tennessee people.

The amendment currently under consideration would be the only one that would single out one class of Americans for discrimination by ensuring that same-sex couples would not be granted the equal protections that marriage brings to Tennessee families.

Moreover, the amendment could go even further by stripping same-sex couples of some of the more limited protections they now have, such as access to health insurance for domestic partners and their children.

Neither enshrining discrimination in our Constitution nor stripping thousands of families of basic protections would serve our state’s best interest. The Constitution is supposed to protect and ensure equal treatment for all people. It should not be used to single out a group of people for different treatment.

As long as I can remember, I do not remember ever feeling like I can not do something. I do remember being made fun of as a kid, but that is different.

If this vote passes, I will be like the african american back in the 40’s punished, always looking over my shoulder to see who’s making fun this time, or who’s got the bat to hit me first.

What is it going to be people? Discrimination? Hate crime? I certainly hope not.

Please vote no on 1 on November 7th

Let us Talk About This

Reading many blogs and seeing comments made, I’d like to discuss with you who is chip, where did he get that name, does he prefer one over the other? What about his web address, do we call it chipmanor, ChipTalks, or is it Chip Talks.

First I would like to explain where the name “chip” comes from. My grandparents gave me that name as a child. I look just like my dad(Dangerously close anyhow). Hence I am a “chip of the old block.”

It never really bothered me being called “chip” growing up. At least not until I was about 13 I guess. It was then I asked to be called by my real name. Which for those of you that do not know, my real name is Charles Dewayne Thrower. DO NOT EVER CALL ME CHARLES. That is my dad. I sometimes wish now I had never asked to be stopped called chip. I miss my grandparents and those that called me that.

I decided to pick the name back up as I was entering the world wide web. I picked chipmanor because of my nickname and because I originally wanted to host my web server at home. Since back in the day people(especially those well off) would call home the manor, or house of Chip.

As for as how you my dear readers refer to me on the web, I’d love it if you would refer to me as Chip, of ChipTalks or Dewayne of ChipTalks. Please use ChipTalks as your link to my page. it’s all one word with capital “C” and “T”

Sounds a little picky and maybe even OCD. However, I would love it if everyone was unified. Perhaps, I’ll even start signing “chip” as all my comments

The Remodel

As promised here”s a look at our bathroom from our remodel. These are the after shots. When I find the before pictures, I’ll post those.

Just A Little About Me

Growing up, I do not remember disrespecting my parents or being very rebellious. A timid person you could say I was. Never did I get into anyones face and be controversial (except sibling rivalry I guess). You could say I was the child that tried to get along with everyone, but nobody really liked.

We grew up in a trailer park with about 100 25 kids in it. Some went to elementary, some middle school and a few high schoolers. There was a bus that came around on Sundays for church and I would often just watch it go by. One sunday, I guess I was 7 or 8, I asked mom if I could go. She said sure.

To make a long story short, I didn’t go very often, I just went when I wanted to be with my friends.

Now, fast forward about 7 years. I have my driver’s license now and keeping the roads very hot. My neighbor friends invited me to go to a service with them. I went, I was hooked! I loved it had a great time, the youth leader at this church was energetic, passionate and very convincing.

I quickly boarded the gospel train and soon we were heading to a retreat in sunny Florida. I never felt such excitment in my life. Of course at 16 the world was just opening up to me. Anyhow, I had heard about Jesus, and the bible and all the religious stuff, I never really got it until this day. During this trip, God spoke! We were all in this room listening to this speaker and having a great time.

After the speaker was finished we were all dismissed. I was about in tears! I went to the side of the building where noone ( so I thought ) would see me. The speaker followed me and led me to Jesus. We said the lords prayer, and I asked Jesus into my heart for the very first time in my life! WHAT A RUSH!

Fast forward to present. Many things have changed since I was 16. I’ll be 32 September 26. Hard to believe 16 years have come and gone. Right now though, I’ll leave you hanging and wanting to know more about me.