Vape vs Cigs

The debate over vaping or electronic cigarettes is raging. Those of you who don’t vape may have heard nothing. However I quit smoking after a few years due to vaping. Why did it help? I had something to puff on, it had fun flavors, I can get any level of nicotine (within reason) I want. I asked my husband what he thought of vaping vs smoking, keep in mind hubby is a non smoker. Here is his list:

His clothes don’t smell like cigarettes
He’s not kissing an ashtray
Vape won’t burn holes in clothing or furniture
We can stay in non-smoking hotel rooms
He doesn’t see a cloud of smoke come out of my van when I open the door.
He doesn’t hear me cough every morning

Okay so I agree with his thoughts I don’t want to go back to cigarettes. Okay I tried the e-cigs that look like cigarettes before I went to an actual vape store. I hated the cigalikes and knew there had to be something better out there. After three days of hating the cigalike I wandered into a local vape store. What did I find?

Two knowledgeable ladies, Jennifer & Julie
A pleasant smell
Jennifer and her cohort Julie had the patience of saints.
They answered all of my questions, I was there for almost two hours.
Lots of fun colors and choices, all designed to guide me away from cigs.
The store doesn’t allow anyone under 18 to enter.

I left with 1 battery that was good for 8-9 hours of vaping, a bottle or two of juice and something to hold the juice. All went well for a day or so then the battery died just when I needed it most. Well the lovely duo of Jennifer and Julie had tried to warn me of this and sell me two batteries, i thought I’d do okay. I was wrong. I ran back the vape store the very next day and got a whole second kit. That was about a year ago. Well my collection has continued to grow as you can see.

My Vape Box

I went so far as to give a good friend his own beginning vape setup. I’d rather smell like melons, snicker doodles, butterscotch, or mint than a cig. So I say give vape a chance…

If you bought something from a gas station and tell me you don’t like vape, I’ll tell you to visit a vape store before you decide anything. In fact visit two different vape stores.

A Thank You Brings a Smile

Well for those of you who follow my blog you know I haven’t been writing, in fact I’ve been asking you to write postcards and send them to me. This past Saturday I was part of a very special ceremony. I wanted to thank a WWII Veteran. I started by asking fellow members of Soldiers Angels for postcards and then writing a blog about Edward Middleton a 94 year old WWII veteran. Well it seems my postcard book has made a splash.

Here is the link to the Army’s news feed, complete with photos.

WWII Vet Edward Middleton

I must first thank everyone who took time out of their lives to send me a postcard.

I must thank the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team (formerly the 30th Infantry Division) for their participation. SSG LeCompte, (and the other members whose names I’m sorry I don’t have) did an awesome job.

Last but not forgotten my husband Sgt Feinstein who helped me every step of the way.

I don’t do this for the recognition I just want to make a difference.

Edward Middleton A True Member of The Greatest Generation

I’ve decided to honor a WWII vet who is truly an amazing man. First let me say that I know this man personally. I have volunteered with him at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville North Carolina.

Ed was born in Baltimore Maryland in 1919. He grew up during the Great Depression. Ed was forced into the role of breadwinner at age 12. He took odd jobs delivering groceries and newspapers. He then went to work in a glass factory. He was drafted in 1940 at the age of 20. He was stationed at Logan Airport in Boston in an Air defense capacity. He then went to Ordinance school and received his commission as an officer in 1943. He was then assigned to the 30th infantry division known as “Old Hickory” and took part in the D-Day invasion. He then went on to Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge, Mortain and St Lo. His part of the Battle of the Bulge took place in Ardennes-Alsace Offensive, near Malmedy, Belgium.

Upon returning from WWII he went to work for the Coast Guard as a civil service employee working under two Admirals. He worked for the coast guard for thirty plus years. He finally retired early late 1970’s or early 1980’s.

He and his wife ran a Bed & Breakfast in Luray VA, then moved to Thomasville GA setting up yet another Bed and Breakfast. After suffering some medical setbacks he and his wife moved to Fayetteville NC to be near his son Kirk in 2005. His son Kirk was working for the US Army as a contractor.

Ed is currently still active in his community. He is a member of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry and volunteers his time at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. Where he can be found in uniform most Fridays in the WWII section near the glider.

I had the honor of meeting this amazing man during my time as a volunteer at the museum. So this is one amazing man, who is still serving his country in his own way. I’d like to present him with a book of postcards thanking him for his service.

What A Busy Time Of Year

Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining but I’ve been so busy I have been wanting to write but there has been little time. So what have I been up to? Well let’s see: I’ve been doing nanowrimo. That is where you write 50,000 words in thirty days. Yes that means writing. I’ve also been a bit under the weather I slept for three days this week. Thankfully I’m feeling better. Thanks for asking.

To add to all of this I’ve been helping coordinate Jewish activities here at Fort Bragg. Hanukkah starts the day before, yes I said before Thanksgiving. Okay so it’s the collision of two holidays.

Yes I will still be blogging but I couldn’t resist posting this. Now for what many of you hopefully come here for an excerpt of my writing.

Once everyone, including Sam, was downstairs and the doors were closed and locked, introductions were made. Colin went over to the storm case, from which he produced several meals ready to eat, commonly abbreviated as MRE’s. He even managed to find a tuna meal to feed Sam. Paul looked at the MRE and said, “This looks better than the C-rations they used to feed us.”

“This is a huge improvement,” stated Jack as he watched Colin get both heater packs going. Kate opened the tuna MRE and poured the contents of the blue tuna pouch on the bag. She placed the pouch on the floor and the remaining items on the table for all to share.

“Don’t tell me they make cat food ones,“ said Paul with a quizzical look on his face. As he watched Sam eat greedily.

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The Okinawa Sea Wall Graffiti