The Fellowship

Marti and I just watched the movie Tolkien...the story of J.R. Tolkien and his rise from a childhood orphan to one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th Century.

His relationship with his school chums, Rob, Geoffrey and Christopher, all were connected in many ways: education, laughter, friendship, love and mutual respect of each other's talents. They formed a fellowship that lasted for years.

It reminded me greatly, and dearly, of some of my friends from childhood to today. There's a saying you can't choose your family...that's true. Sorry folks, you are stuck with the family you've got. But you can choose your friends. I have a small group of close personal friends that I could probably count on one hand. 

Now, don't worry, I have plenty of friends, that's not the issue, but having a fellowship of dear friends is something different. Please bear with me for a moment as I share some friendly thoughts of my closest friends.

Bryan or Bubba, Plainview HS, 1982

One of my dearest friends to this day still is Bryan.  I've know Bryan for probably over 50 years...since we grew up in church together. Bryan and I would easily play all day at each other's house. We would get into mischief almost daily (and yes, there are still things Mom doesn't know about). We even crawled under the pews at Trinity Methodist Church just because we could. We jumped off the "cliff" at Silverton Lake...it wasn't that big but back then it seemed like a mile down! We attended church camp at Ceta

Sadly, he still has more hair than I do.

Canyon nearly every summer...I think it was a way for our folks to get us out their hair for a week. Bryan was my best-man at my first wedding and him and Jon attended my second. He was at my commissioning ceremony in Oklahoma City. My kids call him Uncle Bryan to this day...he's not only a friend but family. I have called him Bubba for years and still do to this day.

Rod is in the middle and I'm two over to his left.

I went to St. Marks Lutheran Church kindergarten with Rod Fennell. We were inseparable. Nearly every weekend, one of us would be at the other's house. From K-12, we had classes together. We even played in the high school band together. We both played the trombone...he practiced and I didn't. However, he played a real one while I played a valve-trombone since I was normally a baritone player. He was my brother from another mother. Momma, Clarice, was my second momma...she was just as good a cook as Mom and she kept me fed well when I was over.

Rod is three from the right on the trombone row.
I'm first on that row to the right.
Of course, I was smaller than
he was since he played football too!

The last time I saw Rod was at my dad's funeral. He and his mom came up and spent the day with us...it was so good to see him. We lost Rod in 2013 due to undiagnosed diabetes. I couldn't attend due to Navy obligations and I regret not being able to attend as he left a wife and daughter. I did go by to see Momma Fennel not too long after the funeral and she cooked a spread that would rival any Luby's Cafeteria! Not a day goes by that I don't think about Rod and everything he achieved in his life...he even wrote a book, The Future of Tomorrow: How Technology, Medicine, Computers, and Travel Will Change Beyond the 21st Century.

Visiting Tim on USS Makin Island
while in port Pearl Harbor.

Tim married Marti and I over three years ago here in Texas. I first met Tim at NAS Sigonella in Sicily where we were stationed together. He was one of the base chaplains and I was the base public affairs officer.

Tim and I on the Links in Hawaii.

Tim is one of the most steadfast, Godly men I know and I'm proud to call him my friend. His love of God, family, country is truer than anyone. We can play golf, chat together in the Sicilian cork forest, have dinner on a Hawaiian lanai or just enjoy a quick phone call to check up on each other. I admire Tim's compassion, devotion and honesty. If there were a Father of the Year award, no one would win after him. Sometimes I call him, or vice versa, just to say "Hey, you've been on my mind today." I'd call him my adult brother...and he loves me unconditionally.

Bryan, Rod and Tim shared their lives, friendship and love with me...it's been a fellowship from day one. Friendships have no boundaries: religion, race, poor golfing habits, pizza toppings or how to hold a pizza, education, distance and time...no boundaries. It's been life-long fellowship...that's what matters most. 

Now, I could have totally included my FOS (Friends of Steve) from USS Abraham Lincoln (the world's finest CVN) among others but we all still just have a handful of those you count on, unconditionally, every single day. I truly wished we had Rod back...I truly do miss that man. Marti has her little group and so does Tucker...they both rely on them for support, comfort and love. Everyone has a group...right?

I pray you all have people in your lives that you have a strong bond. Cultivate those friendships you have into fellowships. You'll be a better person for it.

Teaching

When I retired, Marti asked me to look at things to keep me occupied. I guess four hours on the golf course wasn’t enough...just kidding.

Seriously, she just wanted me to find something to do to keep my mind active, be happy and fill my day.

One thing, which I have really enjoyed, is volunteering at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital here in Houston. I am actually driving a golf cart for the Fisher House taking residents and our Vets to their appointments in the VA complex. In addition to driving, I volunteer on the board of directors for the Fisher House Friends of Houston, a non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare and well-being of our Veterans and their families. It is very rewarding and I truly enjoyed spending time with other Vets during my week.

Additionally, I teach. Yes, the one young Curry boy who actually hated school, is teaching. Actually, I am a substitute teacher in the Spring Branch ISD located in Houston and the one in which we live (and pay taxes) in.

I really hated school. I was the one in high school that was told I’d never go to college (two degrees later, I turned out ok I think).

I have subbed for English, language arts, history, band, welding (funny huh?), and more in the SBISD. My preferences are middle and high schools classes. The one class I will absolutely not teach, EVER, is math. Math and my brain don’t really work well together. I get headaches just thinking about math. Funny thing is that I have a minor in chemistry and there’s a lot of math used in that!

The kids I have met in SBISD are awesome...they want to learn. They want to grow. Some more than others but most of all, they want to have a better life after school. 

Now, please know I am not including 6-graders as part of my fun factor. That’s a whole other blog. Trust me...Marti can tell you when I come home after teaching 6th grade. Bella even hides from me!

I come from a family of teachers...Dad’s brother, Bill, was a teacher/coach/principal, Mom’s sisters were all teachers or principals, my uncles taught subjects ranging from math to woodshop. My Granny Ruby taught baseball...that’s a long story on how she met Granddaddy.

I never thought of myself as a teacher. But while in the Navy, I guess that’s what I did...I taught many a Sailor on the craft of public affairs and how to deal with leaders, crisis management, media relations. 

We are all teachers in some way or another...be it at Sunday school, middle school or at work, we teach on a daily basis. You may not recognize you are doing it, but you are. 

So, teach...life is one big lesson we all need help with.

Brenham Adventures

For Father's Day, Marti took me a little town northwest of Houston named Brenham. It's the home of Blue Bell Ice Cream just so you know.

It's also known as the birthplace of Texas...I had to look that one up since I always thought it was at the Battle of San Jacinto Texas was born but I was wrong. It actually started in Brenham when they sign the documents to create the Republic of Texas.

We stayed at a little B&B, Ant St. Inn we both found it to be charming and relaxing. The little diner next door, The Brenham Inn, had an excellent breakfast menu (dinner was tasty there too). Try the chicken fried steak. The local theatre was playing "Leading Ladies" which was cute and entertaining...I could easily see Jessie in the play!

As we strolled the streets of downtown Brenham, we walked into store after store. We stopped for lunch at the 96 West...wow. Just wow.

We split the BBQ pork flatbread and enjoyed some local beers...It had a honey-apple BBQ sauce with pickled red onions. What a treat...the spicy-sweet pizza-like lunch plate was just perfect with the beers.

After lunch we continued our stroll and made it back to the inn. We ate dinner at the local steakhouse (BT Steakhouse) and went back to 96 West for dessert...get ready: molten red velvet cake with Blue Bell ice cream. Perfect with a nice Malbec.

When you are out traveling around the great state of Texas, pick a local B&B for your next stay. I promise you, it will be well worth it!

Here's the links:
Ant St. Inn: http://www.antstreetinn.com/
96 West: http://www.96west.com/
BT Longhorn Steakhouse: http://www.btlonghornsteakhouse.com/

Education

Growing up in Plainview, I had a vast array of educational experiences. From going to Highland and Ash Elementaries, Coronado and Estacado Junior Highs then on to Bulldog country, I learned. Learned what to do and what not to do...sometimes that hard way.

I remember getting paddled by Mr. Simmons at Highland…a lot. Yes, I’m sure I deserved most of them but seriously, I was in his office probably once a week. He actually had holes in his paddle…and it hurt!

Some of my favs in school include Mr. Carter at Ash Elementary who taught 6^th grade science. I remember him wearing his denim shirts and colorful ties. He made science exciting and fun.

Mrs. Williams at Coronado…what a lovely lady. She was the American History teacher and of course, she was Micah’s mom. Everyone knew Micah. Mrs. Williams loved American history especially World War II history and definitely hated Jane Fonda…with a passion.

In high school, I had Mr. Dye, OT and Miss Canterbury...DECA, band and theater. I was never really any good at working, playing or acting but I enjoyed them all. But I did enjoy playing the value trombone during marching season. I know Jessie is a better actor that I was at her age.

I was told in high school that I would never go to college…I was just a B-C student so they offered me DECA to learn a skill. I worked for Jess Wayne down at West Pharmacy downtown stocking shelves and deliveries. Sometimes I was even allowed behind the counter to make a strawberry milk shake for someone.

Now I have my degrees and just finished one career…probably should decide what’s next for me in life but for now, I’m going to take it easy and rejuvenating my body and mind.

I listed a few great educators in this blog but education is not just located in brick and mortar walls. Education can be found at any location or during any situation. Every day I wake up is an education. I am always learning something…today, I learned that it’s very hard to dig up a pygmy palm with roots around a sprinkler line…it was a tough lesson but I won. J

I am consistently learning from Marti, my kids, my family, my friends and more. I want to learn more each and every day.

An education is a daily business and opportunity. What are you going to learn today?

Holidays

Growing up in Plainview, the holidays continue to be a fantastic memory of mine.

We would spend time down at Granny Ruby's and Granddaddy's house...they only lived a block away so that was convenient to sneak a taste of Granny's tasty morsels of pure yumminess made with love.

She would cook all day in her kitchen and put out all of the goodies. We all knew it was her kitchen. Only 'helpers' were allowed in. Nothing was out of her repertoire. She made the best homemade angel food cake ever known to mankind...don't know how she did it but it was fluffy and tasty every single time.

She would cook while Granddaddy told stories of his days as a policeman and working with the Rangers (not the baseball team mind you). Tales of his minstrel days of wearing costumes while he sang songs from the likes of Al Jolson. Granny would often put him in his place and tell him to settle down.

The cousins would play in the attic, along with the alligator (to Kristi's displeasure), or out in the backyard with the hammock and the massive veggie garden Granddaddy created each year. We had a great time growing up and enjoying the feast Granny prepared.

On the other side of the family, we would travel down to Haskell for the holiday there. Hours of eating gingerbread men (yes, they were tasty morsels with red hots for buttons) and playing cards at the breakfast table. On a few occasions we would spill over to the dining table to play which meant more cousins had arrived and Dad and Uncle Jim were joining the play. Ma, mom's mom, was a skilled card player and would inevitably cheat in her own little way...stealing cards from us at a moment's notice without an apology. Her goal was to beat us and she was a pro. We would play rummy and she would change the rules as quickly as she could.

Cards at Ma's and outdoor play at Granny's. It what we did growing up.

Holiday traditions come and go. Now, Marti and I are deciding what our family holiday tradition will be. Food, trips, movies, whatever it will be, we'll make the holidays fun and festive for us, the kids or anyone who comes visit. Let the next round of memory making begin!

Happy New Year from the Curry's

Traveling with Food

I've been all over the world and have experienced the best of the best in food, wine and more. Yes, I was even offered monkey brain in Thailand (just like Indiana Jones) but this West Texas boy just couldn't do it.

I thought I would write about a few places and foodstuffs that, if you actually read this and travel some, you could possibly enjoy yourself.

So let’s dive in…

London: Sherlock Holmes Pub has the best fish-n-chips I've ever had.

Dubin, Ireland: Shepherd’s Pie at The Sussex. Take a stroll through town and visit the campus of Trinity College. Once there, you can see the wonderful illustrated “Book of Kells.”

Taormina, Sicily: The Granduca served some of the best Mediterranean fish right out of their aquarium...yes, you pick it, they cook it, and then you eat it. The food only compliments the gorgeous scenery as you look over the Sicilian eastern coast. After dinner, enjoy some gelato near the Teatro Greco (Greek Theater).

Sicily: Pizza from anywhere...it's very different than the pies in Napoli or Roma!

Paris: The little crepe stand across the street from the Eiffel Tower…just roll and eat!

Oklahoma City: Johnnie's has the best burgers (along with the onion rings) that I've had.

Bellevue, Nebraska: Stella's has the second best burgers!

Yokosuka, Japan: The little red ramen shop (actually name: らーめん むつみ屋 横須賀ベース店) right outside the main gate of the base...a big bowl for only 500 yen ($5). No, I will not pronounce it...just go and enjoy a bowl.

San Diego: Fudge is the key there...yes, fudge from the Seaport Fudge Factory down at the Seaport Village. You can also get good fish tacos from Wahoo’s Fish Tacos.

Globally: Starbucks...do I need to say more?

Florence, Italy: Gnocchi from a little shop near the duomo. Surrounded by a creamy cheese sauce, these tasty pasta morsels are light but filling.

Kaneohe, Hawaii: At Haleiwa Joe’s, you have tasty pupus but their prime rib is devine…it covers a dinner plate all by itself! Their poke’ is absolutely amazing as well!

Ballard, Washington: Any breakfast at The Dish Café…yes, each dish is a dish!

Wiscasset, Maine: The lobster roll at Red's Eats…it’s just bread, butter and of course, lobster.

Houston, Texas: Bubba’s Texas Burger Shack (near our house) has one of the best bison burgers I’ve ever had...it’s safe to take a selfie here…the bison is on the grill!

Beignets from Cafe' Du Monde

Creators of yumminess at Drago's

New Orleans: At Drago’s, you can watched the grillmasters prepare your very own plate of succulent and garlicky chargrilled oysters.

Beignets at Café Du Monde and their coffee was good too!

Plainview, Texas: my mom's and Granny Ruby’s house...hands down, the best home cooking ever know to mankind. Granny Ruby made the best angel food cake...from scratch! Mom still hasn't shared her fried chicken recipe with me...yet.

Also in Plainview: The Spudnut Shop…the best donuts ever!

Haskell, Texas: The gingerbread men from the Bakery (it’s closed) but you can get their smaller cousins made at the neighborhood grocery store. They are a must have when visiting family in Haskell unless it’s dove season, then you must have those grilled to perfection with cream cheese, bacon and a jalapeño!

So there are just a few of my favorites…get out about and bon appetite!

Retirement

Retirement.

The one word I thought I'd never say. Well, at least not for a long time. Next spring, I will finally pull chocks (that's a nautical term) and depart the United States Navy.

Laton, me and Keith (circa 1985)

After nearly 36 years, it's time. I joined the summer of my junior-senior year when my parents were on vacation. I was a sneaky one back then. Laton was in college, Keith would soon start and I didn't want my parents to be burdened with my college expenses so I joined.

Dad had to the sign the papers and mom didn't speak with me for nearly a month. She's over it now...

Dad in his dress uniform

Uncle Hoyt's Cracker Jacks

My family has always been supportive of me and my Navy career...Uncle Jim, Uncle Bill and others have always told me they were proud of me and frequently asked what I'd be doing next and where will I'd be going. I am  proud of my family for serving: Uncle Hoyt Jr (Navy), Uncle Glenn (Army-National Guard), Uncle Bill Curry (Marines), Uncle Bill Blakley (Navy), Uncle Jim (Marines) and my Dad (Army). I still have my Uncle Hoyt's Cracker Jack blues from his days in the Navy hanging in the closet. I think my grandparents (Hoyt and Ruby - Dad's folks) were supportive and proud...she would always tell me to come back home anytime I needed some home-cooking (she was a fantastic cook)! She even gave me a $2 bill so I’d never be poor.

Barracks photo

I felt that serving was something more than myself. I just wanted to serve the Nation and this was the way I wanted to do that..."travel the world" my recruiter said...I saw San Diego...for four years.

My HMC rating badge..1994

Making Hospital Corpsman Chief (HMC) in 1994 was a huge milestone. Being called Chief was one of the highlights of my career. I wore those anchors proudly and really enjoyed being a part of the Goat Locker.

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, Sicily

I didn't travel the world until I came back on active duty in 1999...but first, a nice little tour at the Pentagon. Three years there and many miles of walking around the five-sided puzzle palace, I was off to Sicily for the next tour.

Kids on the ceramic steps of Caltagirone, Sicily

Ah, bella Sicilia...one of my favorite places. The only thing I didn't like about Sicily was the coffee. Sad isn't it since now I have major coffee issues. The expressos I shared with LtCol Antonio Gibilisco were over quick chats where he would drink his cup in one or two sips. I would put at least three packets of sugar in mine! He accepted me with open arms and a kiss on each cheek and we never parted ways without saying "ciao."

Japan, Omaha, Seattle, Norfolk, Pearl Harbor and finally Millington. Traveling the world means exactly that. I have never done two tours back to back in one location. I never felt it was fair of me to ask...I joined to serve. I have never been selfish in asking for orders...I joined to serve. I know many officers who expect the Navy to cater to their demands and give them exactly what they want...for their spouse's career, their daughter's ballet, kids in high school, etc. I've just never asked. I guess it's simply a matter of respect and common decency to never ask...you join, you go do, for the mere purpose of putting the Navy first.

I have put the Navy first for most of my life...now it's my turn to support my wife, my kids and the rest of the Curry clan when they need me. I've wiped too many tears from my kid's eyes every time we have moved...now, I can go with them and help them when they need me. Both will be in college after I retire next spring so I will have that luxury to be there and available.

I met Marti later in life...at a time in my life when I was struggling on who I was and what I needed to be doing. Deep down I feel I have know her for many years. I consider her my best friend, my valued partner, my mentor, my PAO, my advocate and more. I'm just proud that she saw past my faults, past my baggage, past my fears and chose to love me...and only me. She loves me unconditionally and a man would never ask for more.

I guess you just have to make the decision that it's time...time to leave the very institution you took an oath of service...an oath of sacrifice...an oath to defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic...a commitment not only from me but my family...one can never forget the many sacrifices a family makes when serving in the military. Making new friends every two to three years, moving schools, moving households and more...they sacrifice. You can't tell me they don't.

I have no regrets about my decision but I am ready to move on. I am ready for a new chapter in my life...to be a caring and loving husband, father, son, uncle, brother and friend.

HM2 Curry, 1988, San Diego, with hair

I've had so many titles during my career but those don't define me. HM3, doc, Chief, ensign, PAO, commander, knucklehead, 'hey-you' and more...those are just names. They have been a part of me for so many years but still those titles haven't defined me nor will they define the man I want to be.

CDR Curry, 2015, US Pacific Fleet Boathouse photo

Right now, I am looking forward to having the title of hubby and daddio...I'm ready to just do that for a long time.

Some folks have asked me what I'll be doing next...

Well, I just don't know...but I'll have plenty of time to write some more blogs and drink coffee.

Retirement living is where the fun will be...with family.

Bring it on!