This is John Brawner.
He was the foreman during the day hours when we built the church.
I learned a lot from him that summer and one thing in particular that I still enjoy using today.
During the day my brother and I carried the block or brick and stacked them on scaffolding in preparation for the brick layers to come that night or next day and lay them.
Mr. Brawner told us where to stack them and how high.
When it came time to lay the bricks Mr. Brawner mixed the mortar while Brett and I carried it (slung mud) to them.
The masons would tell us "The mortar is to wet." and we would tell Mr. Brawner.
Then they would say "The mortar is to dry." and we would relay the message to Mr. Brawner.
About the third trip they would say "Tell him that the mortar is perfect." and we gladly went back to tell Mr. Brawner the good news.
Mr. Brawner said,with a blank expression on his face, "I make it the same way every time boys."
He continued "They just want to say something to show thier authority or control because its expected of them."
I have used this gem of wisdom often in my line of work.
I ran a printing press for twenty years before switching to the computer and when a customer came in for a press proof they always had something to say.
"It is to red." or "It is to dark."
They came all they way downtown to see a proof and they had to say something. It was expected of them.
So I employed Mr. Brawners wisdom many times to satisfy them.
I would go back to the press. Wait a few minutes.
Return with the SAME sheet of paper only to hear "Oh that is perfect now!".
Thanks Mr. Brawner. You saved me a ton of grief over the years.
Mr. Brawner resting.
Bob Sanders on the left with someone I don't know saying "Is this mortar to wet or to dry? I just don't know?". He should have talked to Mr. Brawner.
Me in my cut off half shirt zipping down the Zoom Floom in Bloomington.
Yeah that is Chad in the center frame with his head turned impressing Melissa.
Mom trying to lure in a duck for Chad.
This is John Brawner.
Mr. Brawner resting.
Uncle Gene laying some more block.
Gene and his son Larry is walking towards us. I think Gene is talking to Steve Richards.
Larry again and I see Phil Bryant in the blue hat and Junior Richards in the white shirt.
I must be doing something right lately.
My lovely wife bought me this vintage Robin glass yesterday. Thanks Elaine!
Levi, my son, went to Florida and bought me a shark!
This piece of art is from Bubba Shelby.
Be sure to check out his blog HERE.
Bubbas card on the shelf.
This is from another regular commenter who has become a good friend to me and WMDS, Brian Ashmore.
He has also sent me the Batman T.V. series on DVD!!!!!
Chad being Chad in 1978 in Cave City, Kentucky.
This is my top ten list of shows that I couldn't wait to watch on television in the 1970's.
2. The Lone Ranger
4.The Incredible Hulk
5. The Brady Bunch
6. Project U.F.O
7. Wonder Woman
8. The Magician
9. The Planet of the Apes
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