http://www.travel-tidbits.com/ Vignettes from Jim and Emmy's years of travel en-us 2009-07-04T09:25:28-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004548.shtml JESSE’s TURN As in most stories in the Chronicles, Jesse’s Turn is not necessarily in chronological order. He sent the typist a bunch of information, then the typist, being more commonly known as “Curious,” asked some questions, the answers to which resulted in even more questions and more answers. Some of that has been edited into the story, much of it is left as it happened. The dates on our rings and announcements were not the correct ones, but we were married on Saturday afternoon, August 29, 1942. We took buses to Columbus OH and on to Pittsburgh, PA, where we were not able to get on a crowded bus. They decided not to provide a second bus for several hours, so we arrived on the farm in Martinsburg, PA late Sunday afternoon. Laura stayed for several days with James, Johnny, Esther and Martha before returning to Ohio. THE NAVY GOT ME The next morning at 6:30 I caught a bus for Altoona planning to join the Navy. But I almost didn’t make it. Back on August 1, I got a card directing me to take a physical exam for the Army Draft. On the 8th of August I got... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-07-04T09:25:28-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004547.shtml Em-J Publishing James T. Humberd 807 N. Bel Aire Dr. Burbank, CA 91501 818-846-1495 jimhum@sbcglobal.net http://www.InvitationToTravel.com http://www.travel-tidbits.com/ Comments on our books ISBN: 096184051X, Invitation to France (second edition) ISBN: 0961840536, Invitation to Italy (first edition) ISBN: 0961840528, Invitation to Germany (first edition) Alex D, -- Nürnberg, Germany: The skillful presentations of your personal experiences and impressions gave us a further understanding of Americans. Bernice, A., -- Woodland Hills, CA: I think it's great the way you have mixed your opinions and observations along with the history, geography, and physical description of the cities, towns, and structures. Betty H., -- York, PA: If this book doesn't make me want to go to France, nothing will! Bookstore Manager, Beverly Hills: My home is in Italy, near Urbino. Your books are wonderful. You have a really different approach to the subject of my homeland. Debbie C, -- Fair Oaks, CA: It was as if friends were telling me about their trip to Europe. Don A., -- Woodland Hills, CA: Your book just exudes enthusiasm. Dorothy S. -- W. Los Angeles, CA: Since a visit to France is not on my horizon at the moment, I'll take your trip vicariously. Eleanor C., -- Hollywood,... Book = Comments Jim 2009-06-30T22:01:45-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004546.shtml MEMORIES OF HAROLD STAYER A little later as things got worse, the war was going further along, and then came the time when was called to go into the U. S. Army. In October 1944 I went to Ft. Sharon, Illinois. From Ft. Sharon, Illinois, I transferred to Ft. Hood, Texas. My training there consisted of paramedic training, small arms, and communications. Of course, being in communications it was harder for me to get a rank pin. They transferred me from Ft. Hood to Ft. Ord, California, where I went into a different branch of work, and I trained there with what they called the Civilian Investigation Division, CID, to work for the MP's. I landed overseas in Manila, Philippines, and when we unloaded we went to Clark Field right away. That was where I was stationed for quite a while. I got in on the tail end of what was the end of the war in the South Pacific. I was there when the war was ended, and I was there too when Japanese General Yomasheitia was still there — he was one of the Japanese generals in charge of the 8th Army, and was one of the Japanese... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T17:01:09-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004545.shtml Christiana’s Travels, while supposingly going to College in London, Ha! Heidelberg is wonderful! I like it alot. Yesterday we left London at 6 AM. Then we took the tube to Heathrow, to find that our Lufthansa flight at 8:55 AM was canceled because of a strike at the Frankfurt airport. They then put us on a 9:50 flight that got delayed til 11:30! (We took a picture of the board: Frankfurt - CANCELLED, (next line) Frankfurt - DELAYED.) We finally arrived in Frankfurt at around 2 pm (Zak Ostertag was so nice and picked us up at the airport!). He helped us buy our train tickets and take us to the correct platform. We took the train to Mannheim, then switched to a different train for Heidelberg (which surprisingly got canceled after we had already boarded and we had to wait for another one! In Germany of all places!) After another 20-25 minutes, we arrived in Heidelberg (new city), took a bus to the old city, and then HIKED (literally hiked) up this very big hill to their house called Moore House, address Graimberweg 10. Their house is nice! Its kinda like a huge German mansion up on this hill... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:59:00-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004544.shtml In the Merchant Marines In the Army And other myths TRAVELING WITH JOHNNY TO CALIFORNIA o When I found I could learn nothing more in High School, or perhaps they decided they could teach me nothing more, I went to California with Johnny. He had been in the Merchant Marines for several months by then, and if I remember right, had made a couple of trips to Le Havre, France to deliver and/or return things to/from the US. For reasons not remembered, he was going to California to ship out to somewhere over the Pacific. We left home in early January 1946, in the 1930 Chevy. We drove night and day, taking turns driving, so we didn't see much of the country. We finally spent the night in a motel in Williams, Arizona, planning to drive to the Grand Canyon the next morning. When we got up, we found there had been a big snow storm during the night, so the road was closed. When we arrived at the Hoover Dam, we had time to take the tour down, down deep in the dam, far below the water, to see the electric generators. ALMOST A NIGHT IN LAS VEGAS Las... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:58:07-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004543.shtml One Evening in Portland, OR Sometimes trying to be a good guy can backfire, and get one in trouble, almost. Sometime back in the 1960s, I was in Portland, OR on business, as I had been a couple of times. That evening I went for a walk from my Motel, being careful that I was walking in a nice part of town. The street was lined with what looked like homes, townhouses, with about 5 or 6 steps up to a small porch. As I was passing one home, it appeared that a lady, who was unlocking her door, had fallen and was trying to get up. Being a great guy, I went up the steps to help her into the house. There were 2 or 3 young “ladies” in the room, and as I helped the lady into a chair, one young lady was offering me what might be expected in this environment. I felt a hand near my wallet. By now the “lady” was grabbing hold of me and talking in some foreign language to the others. I then noticed one young lady was on the phone, talking excitingly, and I noticed another girl leaving the room with... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:56:55-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004542.shtml Learning to Swim, Not Really!! For as long as I can remember, I have been afraid of deep water, that is putting my face under water. Sometime, likely under 10 years old, we were at a stream, and I tried to put my face in the water, and was scared to death. My Dad taught at the Altoona School of the Bible for 10 years or so, and it was held in the YMCA. Of course there was a swimming pool in the building, and once in a while we could go swimming, but I was scared to death of getting my face under water. When I joined the Merchant Marine, they asked if I could swim. I had discovered that if I said no, I would have to go to class, if I sort of ignored the question, I was let alone. Elsewhere I told the story of hanging onto a rope out over the ocean, when there was a lifeboat drill, and as I said then, “Who cares if I can’t swim, 5,000 miles out in the ocean.” When I was in the Army, they insisted that I must swim. When I would not put my face in... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:56:03-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004541.shtml My only knowledge of nautical terms In 1946, I was in the Merchant Marines. I had just been assigned to a ship, SS Marine Cardinal, that was in the repair docks in Oakland. I was washing dishes in the crew mess hall, when I felt movement. I had been told we were going out to the Ocean for a few miles, than back to the dock, just to test that all was OK. I hurried to the open deck, so I could see us pass under the Golden Gate Bridge. This is the first time I had been on the water in anything bigger than a row boat, so I was thrilled. I had signed up for the Merchant Marines in an office in San Pedro (Near Long Beach, CA) I had attended no schooling or anything, I had just gone to the Union Hall, and saw a note on the blackboard, so went to the office window and got the assignment. As I stood there on the deck, it dawned on me that I must become an expert in nautical terms and descriptions, and do far I had been told nothing that added to my complete lack of information... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:55:01-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004540.shtml Sweetie's last 5 nights were in a senior medical facility. I was not her nurse those days, but I was there at the end. 11:12 AM, November 15, 2005 For the next several minutes I kissed My Sweetie all over her face, her eyes, her mouth, and all over. _______________________________ As I lifted my head, I would swear she had a different expression on her face, she took two more breaths, then left for Heaven. _______________________________ I was no more than 5 or 6 inches from her face, so did not miss a thing. _______________________________ It was as if I had given her permission to leave, and that was her last look of love, especially for me. _______________________________ I am crying as I type, I want to be with her, now! Her headstone tells the story of her life, it states, “Now the Angels have a Role Model.” ================================== JUST ABOUT ME The first thing I remember about Martinsburg (at about the age of 4) was that Ruthy Shaffer (Johnson), my next door neighbor and I ran away from home together. Well, we didn’t make it the whole way downtown, but it was a wonderful start for my worldwide travels.... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:54:04-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004539.shtml Jim and Emmy’s Family History JIM’S TIME IN THE SERVICE Merchant Marine - S. S. Marine Cardinal, American President Lines, 2-15 to 4-19-46: Sailed from San Francisco to Manila, then to Singapore (where Jim had his 18th birthday on the ship anchored in the harbor, but was not allowed to go to town!), next to Calcutta, India, then back to San Francisco with thousands of US Army personnel on board. (More detail both elsewhere and elsewhere, and perhaps even more somewhere elsewhere.) U. S Army 7-16-46 to 12-31-1947 U. S. Army 11-16-50 to 9-9-51 1950 HOW WE FIRST MET Jim and Emmy met through a “blind date” with the help of Pat Owsley, who Emmy had known in High School. In 1950, Emmy and Pat worked together at CAA at what is now O'Hare Field (at that time it was mainly a grass field, with about one airplane landing per week). They usually ate lunch together with a group of other girls. The answer to a trivia question: Why does the luggage tags for the Chicago airport have the letters ORD on them? The answer, the original field was called Orchard Field, way back then. During WW II Douglas... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:53:11-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004538.shtml Mini Memories from Martha. With italicized comments by the typist! My family was living on a farm just outside Martinsburg, PA. As I was told, on the morning of May 24, 1935, they were out at the barn, (I’ll bet Mama wasn’t in the barn! ) getting ready to plant corn, when someone went out and told them they had a new sister. Guess who that was? Of course, No. 7 — ME — Martha Lois. I was told that about a year later we moved across the road to another farm. Papa had a little church at Vicksburg and was paid $17.00 a week and he paid $35.00 a month for the farm. I can still remember the layout of the farm — where the 5 cisterns were, and trees and pastures, and of course where the outhouse was. It sure seemed like a long ways from the house to the outhouse, especially at night or when it was cold. Of course we were prepared for that, with our own carry in/out pots with lids. They had to be emptied the next day. I can remember the layout of the house too. The kitchen, with the pantry just off... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:51:08-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004537.shtml Esther’s Story Esther Dorcas Humberd Coats Written in December 1993 With italicized comments by the typist! • One day, on April the Second 1926, in Ashland, Ohio, a bouncing baby girl was born to Anna Marie Humberd, and Russell Isaac Humberd. They named me Esther Dorcas Humberd. I was the only one of the seven children who was born in a Hospital. I remember how, as I grew up, I would pretend to be a teacher, and would line up the dolls and sing and talk to them. • As I grew up there were a lot of chickens in the nearby chicken house, and I enjoyed feeding the chickens, and liked to talk to them. I also remember that our family lived in several different homes in several different States. I remember one time I spent time with a lady named Audrey who would drive her car, and take me many places. • My Pop was a preacher, and went many places to speak. One time, while the family was in the car, traveling someplace, Brother Johnny said to his father, “Step on the juice and go faster.” • At one time I had a job in a very... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:48:58-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004536.shtml Bits From Betty With italicized comments by the typist! I was born January 8, 1924 in Martinsburg, Pa. to parents Samuel M. and Mary (Smith) Brumbaugh. Even though named Mary Elizabeth, I was, as long as I can remember, called “Betty.” How you get that from Mary E, I don’t know. I grew up on a big farm south of Martinsburg with four brothers and two sisters. My brothers were Eli, Denver, Dean and Ellis, all older. One older brother, John, died in infancy. My sisters were Ruth (older) and younger sister Evelyn. One older sister, Miriam, who I never knew, died at age of 5 of diphtheria. (Betty’s brother Dean was the fifth and sixth grade teacher at Martin School, just outside of Martinsburg, for Johnny, Betty, Esther, and the Typist, and later worked for Johnny when he returned and became Superintendent of Schools in the Martinsburg-Roaring Spring area.) It seemed like we were always having company; aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., especially on Sundays. I walked out a long lane to get on the school bus. We had butchering days in the fall. My mother would sit, like for hours, and scrape the intestines clean, to put sausage into.... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:47:42-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004535.shtml JESSE’s TURN As in most stories in the Chronicles, Jesse’s Turn is not necessarily in chronological order. He sent the typist a bunch of information, then the typist, being more commonly known as “Curious,” asked some questions, the answers to which resulted in even more questions and more answers. Some of that has been edited into the story, much of it is left as it happened. With italicized comments by the typist! Jesse said, I hope these pages do not sound like I was so important in the growth of Grace College. After all, I believe that some of the other 11,999,999 in uniform during World War II were helpful in defeating Germany and Japan. I was not involved so much in Dorm life, athletics, or the other 5 divisions of the College — although I was on Academic Committee all those years. And then he wrote… … … … So you do not think that I am a generalist. Here is your (the typist) sentence (in a letter to Jesse) : “I never thought that a teacher who taught more or less the same subjects for all those years, would be considered a generalist! It always seemed to me... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:46:20-08:00 http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/004534.shtml My brother Paul was awarded a Bronze Star Metal for “Courageous action” on December 20, 1944, in the Battle of the Bulge. He never told anyone about it, and would not talk about it to anyone. I asked several times, and he just ignored me completely. At his funeral they read the citation, and that was the first time that brother Jesse (a Naval officer who fought throughout the South Pacific in WW II) had ever heard of the medal. Paul just would not talk about it to anyone, and when you read the citation, and if you knew Paul, you can understand why he did not want to rember the horrors of the war. He and Leila have visited Europe two times, and he would not visit anywhere that he had been during the war. As I remember, my Mother and I met Paul at the train station in Flora, sometime in mid-1945. I think I asked Paul what the various ribbons on his chest were for, but I think that is the only time he ever mentioned it, and at the time I didn’t make an impression on me. Many years later I asked, and asked, and asked,... Humberd Chronicles Jim 2009-06-29T16:16:26-08:00