Words for perspective on life

B52G8rAC

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You know us pilots are into poetry and stuff. Of course my favorite poem is High Flight but as I was perusing some old books this one jumped out at me. Anyone else use poetry to help put life into perspective?
Because I Fly

Because I fly
I laugh more than other men
I look up and see more than they,
I know how the clouds feel,
What it's like to have the blue in my lap,
to look down on birds,
to feel freedom in a thing called the stick...

who but I can slice between God's billowed legs,
and feel then laugh and crash with His step
Who else has seen the unclimbed peaks?
The rainbow's secret?
The real reason birds sing?
Because I Fly,
I envy no man on earth.

— Grover C. Norwood
 

stephenPE

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Having flown a few times I can only compare it to staring at the ocean. Flying above clouds is amazing to me. Watching the wings of a giant jet flex is sort of creepy. Feeling it tilt up on take off is unnerving. Lookiing at snow covered mountains out of the window is fine stuff for a Fla boy. I always loved the old Eastern Airlines ride at Disney. And the song that played the whole time. IF You had wings.....if you had wings........
 
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Theologator

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Having flown a few times I can only compare it to stairing at the ocean. Flying above clouds is amazing to me. Watching the wings of a giant jet flex is sort of creepy. Feeling it tilt up on take off is unnerving. Lookiing at snow covered mountains out of the window is fine stuff for a Fla boy. I always loved the old Eastern Airlines ride at Disney. And the song that played the whole time. IF You had wings.....if you had wings........

Same deal with the “Soaring” ride at Epcot. As a passenger, yes on the mountains and seeing a rainbow from above. Over Florida, I like identifying familiar highways and cities then enjoying the perspective, seeing the scope and things I didn’t know were there.
 

stephenPE

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Ive always wanted to fly over Cedar Key and that area I grew up fishing. From about Steinhatchee to Cedar Key and Wacassassa Bay
 

cover2

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The only poem I can remember from my youth that is often relevant came from my granddaddy, who was a machinist in the Navy during WWII. It went like this:

It’s not my job to steer the ship nor ring the good ship’s bell
But let that good ship hit a rock and see who catches hell

I guess if you’ve ever worked for somebody or been married, you understand.
 

Theologator

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Ive always wanted to fly over Cedar Key and that area I grew up fishing. From about Steinhatchee to Cedar Key and Wacassassa Bay

I’ve got to go to Tallahassee Thursday. I’m planning to drive up 27 & Alt 27 just to go through that area. My grandparents had a fishing/hunting place on Cedar Island just north of Steinhatchee. I haven’t been through there in over 40 years. Looking forward to a flood of memories.
 

gator1946

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I see that poem as much more than it's surface meaning. Do or attempt to do things that others don't or cannot do, and experience things that others never will. If you believe in God, then you might conclude it is something God gave us the capability to do.
 

stephenPE

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In 1958 I was riding my bike, fell off, and hurt my knee. I'm telling you this now because we didn't have social media back then..
What color bike was it? Schwinn? Western Auto? Did you have the little bell. A basket? Any stitches in the knee? I have to say I busted my ass a few times on a bike in the 60s.
 

gator1946

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What color bike was it? Schwinn? Western Auto? Did you have the little bell. A basket? Any stitches in the knee? I have to say I busted my ass a few times on a bike in the 60s.
It was a green Schwinn. No basket, no bell. It did have baseball cards I wish I'd kept. Actually I think I lied, I'm not sure I ever fell off that bike. But they did have roller skates back then. I tried that a few times. Skinned the hell out of my knee.
 

B52G8rAC

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Cedar Key is a wild place.
We used to fly over for dinner. Do a low pass over the restaurant and they sent a car to the air strip for you. My roommate ran off the runway and got stuck. They pushed him back and he flew back to Gville like it never happened.
 

NOLAGATOR

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I used to get that feeling on open water...I missed my calling.

My wife freaks when she loses site of land (Unless on a cruise)...:trux:
 

deuce

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I have know many pilots in my life and most are standup guys who I respect but I've always wondered why so many are alcoholics?

Funny alcoholics not mean alcoholics.
 

Spurffelbow833

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I have know many pilots in my life and most are standup guys who I respect but I've always wondered why so many are alcoholics?

Funny alcoholics not mean alcoholics.
Maybe just my ignorant outside opinion, but my impression of life in the military for pilots is that it's a never ending college fraternity-type existence. You work hard and you play hard. The alcohol continues to flow freely as you become inundated with the problems of adult life, and it's more likely to become a crutch as a result.
 

Detroitgator

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Maybe just my ignorant outside opinion, but my impression of life in the military for pilots is that it's a never ending college fraternity-type existence. You work hard and you play hard. The alcohol continues to flow freely as you become inundated with the problems of adult life, and it's more likely to become a crutch as a result.
1987 (1991 for Navy) is calling, they want your opinion back. That said, pilots are still pricks.
 

GatorBart

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I too prefer High Flight and slipping the surly bonds of earth.
My Dad was a pilot in the Navy late 50s through the 60s. He was a prick, but a funny one.
I got ~20 solo hours in before giving up on going for my license. I’m not a prick yet, but I’m getting there. :lol:
 

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