Here's the Steeple

Church, it helps you. And The Bible too [helps you]. But preaching helps you learn how to understand different things about God or how different things about the world and how it changes. Some things may be hard to explain or understand, like the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Like trees and the sun, thunderstorms and rain, nature—it [the Bible] tells you where it all came from, where it all began. Mary and Joseph and the Wise Men and the story and birth of baby Jesus is one story we can all understand.

Certain things that happened, like how Jesus died on the cross and rose again or how God made people or even the Earth [“The Great Creation”] might be harder to understand though. The preacher helps.

In church, we sing songs or hymns... There are different ones in the hymnal, some we know and some we don’t know. They help you read and sing, the words to a lot of them come out of The Bible and then people put the music [to the words]. Some have scripture from The Bible and others are just about it [The Bible]. When I was in the Wayfaring Chapel, they [Brandon] would print the hymns out for me and blow them up so I was able to see and read them better.

We did some children’s stories and when we had church at the Wayfaring Chapel, we got to do the Puppet Bears; Mom, Dad, Brandon, Kristen and I had these [stuffed] bears we used as puppets to tell nice stories that teach lessons. Brandon wrote them, [Brandon corrects John] I thought for sure, but I didn’t realize it was Mom and Dad. Some [of the bears] liked to talk and some liked to listen. I was the one who just listened (and moved).

We [the members of the Wayfaring Chapel] would take turns in whoever got to talk [present a homily or message] and then others would help with Children’s Church.

What’s my favorite thing to do service-related for the church? Holding the cross. I don’t do that now but when we were in the church before the Wayfaring Chapel [Grace], I got to do it all the time. But I like to sing with the people in the choir. Some of my favorite people go to church. We hang out and talk. Sometimes when we have certain events, we like to eat at church but other times we go out to eat together.

We celebrate the holidays; there’s music for every holiday. Maundy Friday (for Easter) we used to do at the Chapel and we still call it that at North Charleston United Methodist Church, we do patriotic music like for the Fourth of July and Christmas music too. Sometimes we do plays at the church, like an Easter play or “Down at the Creek Bank” for Christmas or something like that.

I love singing though. When I think of church, I think of choir and hymns. We sing all different kinds of hymns, from Baptist, Methodist, and then other choral arrangements. Sometimes the Baptist or Methodist versions are so similar it was hard to know which one is which and which one we were doing. We’ve sung “The Messiah”, “Notes from Paul” (a Baptist Hymn), “Seven Last Words”, “Springs in the Desert”, and many more. There are some old ones like “Amazing Grace” and “Holy, Holy” that I really enjoy.

I’ve been singing in the church choir since I can remember. I lost track. I think I was 2 years old when I first sang, I think at Citadel Square downtown. Then we moved to North Charleston before Brandon was even born, around 1976 and we went 1986-1991 Grace. And then we were at The Wayfaring Chapel from 1993-2000. Well, you get the picture, I’ve been to a bunch of churches throughout my life, there’s so much in my head right now...

But singing-wise, I sing on Sundays in the choir; I sing Bass with the men. No one makes you sing; you just decide if you want to do it. On Wednesday evenings, we sing what we’re going to sing on Sunday, they call it choir practice. Then some Mondays we would sing at different nursing homes.

If I were able to talk to people with different abilities like me, I’d say... You can learn songs, learn how to sing. How to go up and high or down and low. If it’s A flat or D... how to read music. You should open your jaw when you sing... exercise it. Try not to mumble your words. That’s what I do.

Music’s helped me... Joining a choir might help you to not be nervous. I wasn’t nervous when I started. But, just see if you know how to sing... If you have a good voice, you can sing. If you don’t have a good voice and are trying to sing, then you could always get some singing lessons... Don’t be upset with yourself. If you’re nervous, do your best. It’s ok to be nervous, but don’t be too nervous to not try to sing.

Let's Get Cookin'!

Cooking in the kitchen with John. This isn’t the first time I’ve cooked.

I don’t really remember the first time I got to cook. I mainly watch people cook but not actually cook.

Maybe it’s because… I tend to burn donuts instead of regular food. This one time, the power went out and it came back on and I tried to set the timer/clock. But, Mom had put [Krispy Kreme] donuts in there and I didn’t know about them. I was just trying to fix the clock and instead hit start. They turned out Krispy Black, so it wasn’t that fresh.

In Middle School, we had Home Ec, but I don’t think she was a great teacher. Well, she wasn’t doing it right. We were trying to make popcorn on the stove [without a lid]. Mom came in and helped so we could have a lid without it popping everywhere [by using a wet dish towel]. Sometimes you need help.

You gotta prepare for cooking, know what you’re cooking and when; make sure everything’s all measured out. When you’re in the kitchen making things you have to go to that recipe if you want it to turn out right. You have to find the ingredients and figure out what kinda stuff you put in it for the food to taste good. Measuring is important because you have to know if you’re putting half a cup or a full cup. You have to know how to put just the right amount to make it better, make sure it tastes good. That’s correct. Nobody likes to eat bad food.

Real cooking [when John didn’t just watch], I used Mexican and Italian Cookbooks. It’s been a while since I had my own books, but those were the first ones I had. Sometimes I made spaghetti and sometimes pizza… Mexcian-wise we made Mexican rice and Mexican pizza. You can make all kinds of things. And I guess it’s the first time I really think I remember cooking.

But, I didn’t really know how to cook. So, now it’s my first time back in the kitchen. I get to pick out recipes. We found some cookbooks like The Simpsons, Linda McCartney’s and are looking for some more. That time, we made Fried Rice [Vegetarian Fried Rice, from Linda McCartney’s Family Kitchen Cookbook] and Brownies [Big Pile of Brownies, from The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook].

This time we’re making Mac N’ Cheese [Baked Macaroni and Cheese, from Linda McCartney’s] and Dessert Eclairs [La Bombe Eclairs, from The Simpsons]. It’s the first time I’ve done it, but I like the blasting [pulsing] in the processor [John says through smiles while using a food processor]. There are many gadgets to make this easier: from the one-handed egg cracking tool to the finger guard and measuring spoons [thank you, Amazon].

When you cook, sometimes you get tired. Especially when you stir, your arm gets real tired, but you can change hands back and forth from left to right. If your hand gets tired, that’s ok so you can just switch. It’s important to drink water and to keep drinking a lot to stay hydrated too.

What food do I like to eat?

Meat. Steak’s my favorite and also Pork Chops; I like ‘em [pork chops] fried. I also like Fish and Chicken Fingers or Fried Chicken.

And Sides? Oh, well, Macaroni and Cheese, of course. And, Rice. Sometimes, Corn, I like it both ways, corn on the cob and off the cob. [Do you like any vegetables?] Vegetables… well, there’re so many of those. I only like them with other things pretty much, like Broccoli, Peas and Black-eyed Peas. But, I’m not much on the Okra. I like Cabbage too.

Food to make?

Sometimes fish, and chicken, if it’s fresh. I’ve never made steak before, but I think I’d like to try to make that.

My perfect meal would be Steak with Steak Sauce, Rice with Gravy and Green Broccoli with Butter. Cause butter makes everything taste better.

A little advice?

If you’re cooking for the first time, make sure you use the right ingredients, don’t put the wrong ones in. Make it proper if you want it to taste good. I was scared at first, but now, no! You get better the more you do it. So go get in the kitchen!

~ John Joyner

Play the Game

There are lots of different games. Like video games. Oh, and any kind of games, really. Like sports games. Like board games. Like playing games. Card games. That kinda thing. Oh yeah, there are so many. 

Well, you play games, not really by my[your]self. Sometimes I match the diamonds and hearts [suits] by myself. I play them with people, normally; I play them with my friends. I have lots of different games. 

I know there are a lot of board games, I just can't think of them. Monopoly is one board game that I like to play. [Did you know there are different types of Monopoly games?] There's only one I know. [There're different themes. Like Avengers or Nightmare Before Christmas or things like Candy...] Oh, now Candy Land, I do remember that one. I shoot over to O (?) 

The first game I remember playing was checkerboard, oh yeah... checkers. The black and red board. I don't know really who was there or where I was or even how old I was. I think it might have been Nana. It's been a while. 

There are lots of card games too. Card games, like UNO and SuperHero Friends and the dessert game [PopTarts] or Funko Wild Things... there are a couple of those [I have]. And the Disney games that we've been playing too-- Villainous and Small World and Funko. 

BlackJack is one of the [card] games. Oh, and Rum Fish. It has to do with playing cards. And you're quiet. Well, you don't show people your cards. You get 5 cards and you don't show anyone what your cards are. And you have to steal from the other team [players]. Like, if you have a 3 or a 2 or something, and you want to get another matching number, you ask whoever's playing-- you choose somebody-- and if they have the same number then you get that card and if they don't then you don't [get it]. If you get the match then you put them both down in your stack in front of you. But, if the other player doesn't have a 2 then that person says Rum Fish [Go Fish]. Y'all call it Go Fish, but I call it Rum Fish. Cause you hold them in your hand without showing them. But then you have to pick a card from the pool in front of you if they don't have it. 

Then there's the Black Cards and White Cards [Cards Against Humanity]. There are some you say out loud and some you say quietly. The black card, you read out loud and after you read it, you have to fill in the blank. The white ones you fill in the blank with. You read the black one first and then the white one second. You don't read everything out loud unless it's your turn. Then that person reads their Black Card out loud and then you read all the White Cards that fill in the blanks with those cards that people have selected. It's hard to choose a winner of what card is best. I choose the one that's the funniest. Some cards with longer words are hard when you're reading, but I have help from friends. And, I enjoy doing it. At the end you, count who has the most Black Cards and that person is the winner. 

The Captain America SuperHero Game [Super Hero Friends Card] game is one you have to pay attention to the numbers on the cards for powers. And the PopTarts game you get to match. Kinda like UNO but a little different. 

SuperMario Brothers, that was one for the TV. I enjoyed playing that one. I think I played some arcade games, but I'm not sure. Yeah! PacMan was another I used to play at the ice cream shop [Ye Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shoppe]. One game I know of but haven't really tried [but would like to] is I think maybe Galaga, but that's too 80's to remember. [I'm told we used to watch Dad play this one a lot.] I'm not too sure I can find one of those now, though. It's like playing SuperMario Brothers or PacMan and it might be harder to play with my hands [dexterity]. 

The most important thing about games is that they're fun. I like the challenge. And, sometimes I like to win. Games teach you how to read, can be relaxing, and help your brain see things you might not normally see. Games help you by learning and interacting. While some games are not so fun. Most games are lots of fun. 

If you've never played a game before, I'd recommend you maybe start with a card game. You can try to learn how on YouTube. Just do your best and try. Some games are easy, some games are hard. And, some games are fun just to play. You just have to find the right game for you! 

~ John Joyner

The Fashionable Male

I´ve always enjoyed dressing up. I love to be fashion[able]. I like to be neat. I always like to be presentable. It's hard these days, hard to find what you like and what you don't like.

On special occasions when I was younger, Mom always dressed me up. Of course, I knew how to put clothes on, but Mom would help me pick them out. My earliest memory of clothes was when I would wear a green or white outfit. I do remember wearing a red shirt and blue pants for something at some time. I have a hard time remembering everything back then, but I know I always liked to look good. That was before I wore ties, of course.

I wear like pants and shirts and socks and shoes and sometimes flip-flops-- when you don't wear socks, you know... I wear suits for church and when I have a special occasion. The only thing that´s hard for me to do really is ties, neckties. Oh, I try to tie my shoes, but they´re hard. I do put my shoes on a lot and some are harder than others when I can't just leave them tied. Flip flops [sandals] and penny loafers are easier to get on.

Other than shoes and flip flops I used to wear boots, Western boots , ya know what I'm talking about, like cowboy boots. I always sometimes wear my Western shirts with those too. 'Cause I like 'em.

Sometimes [I like to wear] pajamas-- I used to have long pjs, but I got rid of the green and gold ones when they were too small. I wear my Avenger's, chili peppers, or Disney pajamas from time to time. But mostly, I wear my house clothes. My comfort clothes would be what I like to wear every day. I like a t-shirt with jeans or sweatpants.

I wear t-shirts when I´m in my room. And sometimes outside of my room. When it´s hot and humid or if I go to the theme parks with the gang, I will wear a t-shirt. Like when we go to Universal Studios for Halloween Horror Nights, we have matching [themed] shirts. We have been going for a while, so I have a lot of Halloween shirts. Sometimes it's hard to choose for the shirts when you have all the ones from over the years that you want to wear over and over again, but only one day for the event. I think of all my t-shirts, my favorite one, in general, is my Dolly Parton one.

Cold-wise I wear gloves if it's really cold. And I wear two pairs of socks sometimes in the winter. I also wear a coat when it's very cold. Or a jacket when it's only so-so. I wear long clothes when it's real[ly] cold. And then in the summertime, I wear a bathing suit.

Sometimes when I go to church I wear a watch and ring. I wear like my Mickey watch when I go out and stuff. When I do go to get dressed up for church or special occasions like a birthday or funeral I like to dress up too. I brush my teeth, shave and put on deodorant. I get a long button-up shirt and nice pants. A belt, dark dress socks, and my penny loafers are the next step. I like to comb my hair and then I put a little bit of smell on [a splash of cologne]. To complete my look I have to have my watch; like I said, my Mickey for really dressy or my Transformers or Captain America watch. And I like to pick out one ring from my yellow box. I don't leave home without one of my special rings, but you know about that.

I think Western is my favorite [style]. If I go to my closet to pick then I´m going to go with the Country and Western [look]. I used to have like my brown and royal blue shirt. I have a Brooks & Dunn red button-up shirt and a white and purple Western one. And, my most favorite was my Indian shirt. Well, that was my first favorite shirt of all the Western shirts I had. I grew out of that one though, so that was replaced in love by my purple one. I have good Western shirts, but it´s very hard to find good ones here or even out of town. I have gone all over to try to find these shirts. There´s a Country Western store in Florida and I like going there to find them. I tend to find different kinds of shirts there that I can´t find here.

They [Mom, Dad, Brandon & my friends] never tell me to not wear clothes. You gotta wear clothes. They do say you can't [don't have to] wear a jacket in the building because it's warm in the building. Or you´re going outside, you gotta have a coat.

Sometimes, when I outgrow the clothes I get rid of them when they're too small. If you [I] haven´t worn them in a while, you [I] have to have room in your [my] wardrobe to put new clothes in and take the old clothes out. I give the old clothes away that still look good and aren´t faded, we take them to Goodwill so that other people who don´t have as much can use them. That´s what I like to do. It's a good thing.

~ John Joyner

Let's Get Physical!

Mom and I talked about exercising more this year, a New Year’s resolution, some might say. I’m working on hand coordination. I use balls. Soft stress balls. I wiggle my hands when using the balls back and forth. This helps with my hands to make them strong and not get tired as quickly.

I used to do push-ups but not that much anymore, I lost count. And, I used to do swimming because I love the water, but I haven’t done it in a while though because of COVID. Before, I was able to do group activities and exercise with others, but we haven’t been able to get together since that.

I have to do my own exercises at home even before someone asks me though. Getting up and walking, it feels good. I get to stretch up and down for my back. Going up and down the stairs. Stretching my legs a little bit when they get tight, that’s what I normally do.

When I sit in my chair a lot, not on the floor anymore, but in my chair, it makes it easier to move because I stopped crossing my legs and sitting on the floor a lot. Sitting in the chair makes it easier to walk after. Sometimes though when I’m on the floor in my room I do some leg stretches on my own.

In the winter it’s cold and in the summer it’s hot and I like to do more when it’s warm out, so I tend to exercise more in the summer than the winter. That’s when it’s great to hop in the pool, even though I can’t right now. Sometimes I can take a walk, but it’s been a while.

I love to swing a little bit. That gives you some vitamins to be in the sun and I get to exercise my legs and stretch them and relax at the same time. You can get vitamins from food that help you get strong by eating the right foods. But being outside in the sun for a little bit helps you get the other vitamins and helps you even more.

Another thing I like to exercise is my brain. I get to think a lot. I can think-- by listening, by looking around and seeing, by wondering what’s going on around-- in my head a little bit. I listen to music and read my library book, it helps me relax and tells me how to listen to what’s going on in the book (audiobook) without turning pages. I like playing games with my friends and family (Kristen and Brandon; sometimes Cheryl and Dad, Chrissy and Brooke-- when it’s cards). And sometimes when I play cards, I play by myself when I’m matching cards for me. And that’s [games] part of exercise as well. It helps with my hands and eyes and mind.

Exercise makes me feel good. It’s sometimes hard, but it can be relaxing and also brings joy.

I’m not sure what might be right for you. But, do your own exercise, what makes you feel good. Pay attention to why you’re doing it. And, just keep going!

Like Father, Like Son

Let's see... my dad. There's so much that I can't get into it really!

He's nice and he helps me a little bit. He helps me get my clothes out and match them. He helps shave my face a little bit [grooms me]. Cause if he doesn't help; it might grow too long [and John does NOT like that] but sometimes I do shave myself. He also helps clean my hands and fingernails and stuff; clips them. He helps me health-wise, reminds me to take my medicine; helps me with my red drops at night in my left eye. He helps around the house a little bit... puts clothes in the drawer and does stuff in the kitchen like wash the dishes. He helps me know when it's time to get ready for church or choir. When we get ready to go out of town in general and when we go to family reunions or vacations like Florida or Lake Junaluska, he helps me get prepared for the weather [summer and winter]. Then after all that he helps everyone pack the car.

Also... when I was younger, I used to get good report cards I would get comic books as a treat and for doing good in school. Welp, I used to get those a long time ago, like in the 70s and I still collect them today... It's something that I still enjoy to this day. I used to go to school and I used to have a chart like with purple dots for good and yellow dots if you misbehaved and then if you were really bad, you'd get a red dot. And if I didn't behave in school, I couldn't get comic books or CDs. If I got all purples, he would take me to get these fun things. A couple of favorites I was into was well... y'all know I'm always into Marvel AND DC, like Spiderman, Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Iron Man. Those were my main thing, ‘cause they would always get them, hide them from me and then surprise me with them when I was good at school. They've [comic books have] got small print so I really just look at them and flip through the pictures.

Around the holidays, Dad helps mom decorate. He gets the harvest stuff out and the Halloween decorations. He would help get Christmas stuff out and we used to go to the Tree Farm to pick out Christmas trees. Now we still go and pick them out but go to the stores like Home Depot or Lowe's to find good ones. When we first started though, we used to go to the woods to get them... that's what I remember. Sometimes small trees, big trees, I really don't have a favorite one, and that is true, by the way... I liked them all.

When we get together for the holidays before we eat, Dad will pray, you know... say the blessing at the gatherings. The big ones are like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Christmas is a big one. That's Dad's birthday on Christmas Eve. We celebrate on that Day just before we get together in the living room as a family and read the Christmas Story from the Bible and The Night Before Christmas. We give him the big present for his birthday on Christmas and the smaller presents at night on his birthday before Christmas. And that's how we celebrate his birthday really... depending on what day of the week it falls, we just go by that... because sometimes if it's on a Sunday we'll go to church after we open presents but it just depends on the year whatever it falls on. And that's why I wanna wish him a happy birthday for his birthday blog.

What makes him my dad and different than other dads? [John laughs nervously....] He's different than other dads. I'll say that he's always there when I need him. He cares... He's a good person. He's a little stubborn, but he's good.

[Kristen asks, "Is that where you get it from?" John quickly replies with a grimacing smile as he nervously wrenches his hands, "Who me? No... no... I'm not stubborn."]

He's a good parent, good provider, hard worker, good at what he does (I know he misses working at the Post Office) and, well, he's just a nice guy... He's my dad!

~ John Joyner

Ice Cream for Breakfast!

I had several wonderful loving aunts when I was growing up so it would be almost impossible to pick a favorite. Each had special talents and each holds a special place in my heart.

My aunt Ruby was the Grand Dame of our family. I guess you would say she was a “fashion plate.” When my aunt would see me, she would start at the top of my head and scan down to the tips of my toes to make sure I was dressed properly. Did I mind? No, not at all. She did it because she cared. As a matter of fact, it tickled me. And, yes, when we were going over to her house, I made sure that I was “put together.”

My aunt Ester was a baker. Not so much a cook. She made the most delicious, moist, flavorful cakes that I had ever eaten. To this day, I haven’t found a better tasking cake. I can still taste those cakes and wish that she were here to bake me one of her “delicious delights.”

My aunt Jo was what I called a professional shopper, so to speak, and with her two daughters in tow, you can imagine how much fun they would have spending all day in the department store. She would immediately call us upon her return and would bring over all their purchases to show them to us and ask our opinions. It was so enjoyable to see her coming with those arm-loads of packages.

My aunt Tina was known by everyone for her cooking. She could cook anything and everything. I can still taste those fresh colored butterbeans and rice. When any of the children were invited to her house for dinner, we would be the first ones at the table. We didn’t want to miss out on anything that she had to offer. We even ate the vegetables ‘cause they always tasted better at her house.

I spent a lot of time in the summers with my aunt Tina. I would spend the night at my aunt Ruby’s house and when she left for work, I would walk the two blocks to spend the day with Aunt Tina, just in time for BREAKFAST! She had a special cabinet that was easily accessible to kids. My uncle had filled this special cabinet with every kind of cookie and candy one could imagine. I can remember his smiling face as we raided that cabinet. He just loved making all of us happy with all those treats.

“Jeannie, what do you and Deborah (my cousin) want for breakfast?” my aunt Tina would say. Then she would rattle off all the choices: pancakes, eggs, grits, bacon, sausage, waffles, toast... And, without batting an eye, my cousin and I would shout, “ICE CREAM!” I was waiting for her to say, “Absolutely not,” when she walked over to the cabinet, pulled out two bowls and filled them with vanilla ice cream. Then she walked over to the goodie cabinet and offered cookies to dip into the ice cream.

Did someone say Oreos?!?

That was my aunt Tina! Always trying to make us feel special. We didn’t get to do that at home. Home was where we had to eat all those vegetables (and these weren’t like my aunt Tina’s). My mom would say, “If you don’t finish those peas, you can just sit there ‘till you do.” So, I would be left alone, at the table, in the kitchen trying to figure out how and where to dispose of those green things so that my mother couldn’t find them. There were some evenings I sat there for quite a while... There’re some children that can entertain themselves for a Looooooong Tiiiiimmmmeeeeeeeee...

Those moments with my aunts were so memorable. Carefree times. My place of retreat. I guess we all need those places in our lives no matter what our age.

Yes, even now... I will grab a bowl, open the freezer, and help myself with gigantic scoops of ice cream. And yes... with Oreos for dipping. I do this when I’m alone. No witnesses.

YOU OUGHT TO TRY THIS SOME TIME!

~ Jeannie Joyner

The Lodger

Lake Junaluska is in North Carolina. It’s a place where you can stay in a lodge (Ruth & Ted’s Lagoalinda Lodge) where we sing [practice] Christmas music. And, some people from all over Charleston (from the church, including us as well) will come up in the morning and others will come later. We put our stuff in different rooms (some upstairs, downstairs, in the back room, etc.) where we stay in the house and we gather together in the living room to practice our Christmas songs. 

Sometimes we start at 2 or 3 in the afternoon [Friday] and like in the morning 9 ‘til lunch then have lunch and then sing until dinner[time] and head out for dinner. And, Saturday’s the same thing—breakfast, rehearsal, lunch, free time, and then sing in the evening; in the morning we have yellow cheese grits, sing a little, and then we take a break and go different places... we don’t all go together, but go do things separate for free time and have a bite for lunch and then head back to the lodge to sing. On Sundays, we have a church service. (We [my family] normally leave on Sundays right before to head to Dollywood.) I’m never sad to be home, just get to be home. And then I rest until we go to our family reunion. 

Sometimes I like to stay outside to rock in the rocking chair on the front porch [at the lodge]. I look at all the cars going by, the mountains in front of me and clear my thoughts. I don’t really get to see the lake from there though because they have a tennis court. There’re just trees in the back, so I enjoy the front because there’s more to look at. It’s called Lake Junaluska, but I don’t see the lake all the time. Only sometimes do I go down and walk around it. 

When we go out for free time, we get a little bite and explore the surrounding areas. Sometimes we grab fast food or eat at the lodge when there’re no restaurants open. When the restaurants are open, sometimes I get the chicken and mac n cheese, but I can’t remember the name of the restaurant (I think it’s Bogart’s)—the place on the mountain—it tastes like our local restaurant, Harvest Moon. I like to go to the different stores and see what they have. We go to Cabbage Rose [and the General Store] to look around and see what they have; they have a lot of Western stuff and Christmas Ornaments. Sometimes we go on adventures, like to a bamboo jungle and the casino in Cherokee. 

One time when we went [to Harrah’s in Cherokee], I was given $20 from my mom and I gambled at a church retreat. And I wonder who made me do that? I won’t mention any names (points to Brandon). But I was the only one who came back with more money than I started. Everyone else lost. But, again... I wonder whose fault that was (not mine... someone I don’t know, you believe me, right? Who’s was it then? ME! Hahah Gotcha!). I don’t put things in the slot, no... [through laughs] oh, I can tell you more about gamblin’ or I can let Kenny Rogers tell you... I wasn’t born a gamblin’ man... I wish, but that ain’t true. 

Why do I go every year? It has to do with Christmas music. Christmas music is fun and joyful. I listen to it all year round. It makes me feel joy and happiness, that’s why I like singing it too.  We [as a choir] try something different when it comes to Christmas music... you hear all the old music, but we add something new and make it different.  

You can do all kinds of fun stuff at Junaluska—boating, tennis, shopping, going out to eat and being surrounded by the mountains. It helps me relax, clear my thoughts and mind. And when I’m on the front porch in the rocking chair I think about my life. It helps refocus and calm down the chaos inside. It helps me wind down, relax and calm the loud thoughts in my head. 

Continuing Education

Are you too cool for school? I guess so... 

I used to like school but I’m not a fan of it. When I was two years old, I started going to Charles Webb.  

And, after that, I went to some other school that I tried. Then we moved to Savannah, I went to one there [Jacob G. Smith] ... And, when we moved back, I went to a school in Goose Creek. Then one in North Charleston [Morningside Middle] when we lived on James Island, then in ‘86 I went to North Charleston High School; but I didn’t go to college after [graduating] high school [in 1993]. 

Most things about school have been serious, but when I left Morningside I met my favorite teacher, Mrs. Mary Francis Lundi; she was from Tennessee and we both loved old country music. We had a great time talking about the old country and western music like Hank Williams and all that other stuff. And that’s when we hit it off! I had some really great teachers, but some weren’t so good. She was the best! 

School is like education, it helps you learn things like math, music, social studies, reading, writing, and that sort of thing. Oh, and exercising as well. It's fun... well, sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s hard. 

Regarding school and education, I learned different things. I learned some things that I wouldn’t have without it [school]. I did some work... artwork, music, PE class, some recess. I did some mobility training help as well.  

Computer-wise, I learned to type; Music, I learned different songs from the music notes; Reading, I was able to put the words under a magnifier glass to project on a TV; Writing, for example... if they asked you to write something on Social Studies... that’s hard and not even fun to do. Oh, I enjoyed it, but it’s just hard. It was kinda social for me, but also educational. I really enjoy Math... numbers, that’s what I like! 

I had more female friends than male friends. At Charles Webb, I had a friend, Michael, who didn’t know how to talk, and I helped him a little bit. No one would talk to Michael, so I was his friend, and he would always listen to me. We got close and we’ve always been friends. He was able to understand the words but couldn’t or wouldn’t really talk. We had a connection and he liked to talk to me but no one else. With girls, I had several friends... Tasha was my friend. I didn’t have many actual girlfriends. I had other in and out relationships with females, but... I had one particular girl that I liked, Tammy. 

I want to get back into the action of things. I enjoy learning things and doing new things. We hope to start with the Sunrise Program soon so I can learn much more. 

My brother Brandon and I have been cooking recently. The first thing we did together was learning how to cook an egg. First, I had to crack them. One fell in the sink and then one went in the dish. I’m trying to learn, but it’s ok. We prepared it by poaching it. We stirred it around in the bowl to scramble it. Then it went in a hot pan and we cooked it. Preparing to cook and shopping for food at the grocery store is next on the list. 

I learn best by asking questions and then having those questions answered by someone telling me how to do it. If I could teach any one thing to the world, I would help them to do what they feel like doing. I would be a life skills coach... teach them how to do different things about jobs, how to do other things, like how to cook better, I could teach people how to art better... be artists or do art paintings and ceramics, like pots. So, that’s what I would do if I could help people find their passion. It’s not what I want them to do but it’s what THEY want to do. That’s very important to be able to do what you want to do and not necessarily have to do what other people tell you that you have to do. 

If I could improve and work on something and learn something new it would be to work on being a better person. Have more charisma. Learn how to make friends and influence people. And finding better relationships to have a connection with somebody. 

In the Summertime...

I like the summer. Summer’s like—it's hot. Sometimes you go to the beach. And you go on vacation; sometimes cruises as well. And, it’s hot like Fourth of July. You do that kinda stuff. 

In the summertime you can go to the beach. Sit out there and get a little sun tan. The sun gives you vitamins. But, you don’t wanna get too much sun ‘cause the sun’s too dangerous. I put on sunscreen to stay safe. Sometimes you sit under the umbrella if you don’t wanna get too hot from the sun. Or a tent to relax. 

We sometimes have lunch out there—a picnic; other times we bring snacks. Just sit out there and enjoy the beach weather. Yeah, I do go in the water. Sometimes I sit in the chair at the edge of the water to look out at it and enjoy the sunshine. I put my toes in the sand and the water. Sometimes I try to build sandcastles in the sand. On the sand, I find many different shells—sand dollars and sometimes starfish—and crabs too! I watch the birds—the flocks of seagulls—flying in the sky too. 

Not only do I sit in the sun and sand, but I also like to walk back and forth from the chairs toward the lighthouse. 

We normally go to Folly. But I have been to other beaches too: Lion’s Beach and Kiawah, Cape Hatteras, the Keys in Florida—but they have lighter colored water down there and we have darker colored water here. 

I’ve been to the Keys so many times I’ve lost track. Sometimes we drive down there but we sometimes go there on cruises. It’s a long trip so we go halfway (like Orlando) and then continue on down (the FL coast). And, we do the same thing on the way back. 

Summer time we have hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. We also have corn, beans, potato chips or potato salad. We drink sodas in the summer too with ice because it’s hot—in restaurants I don’t get ice because it’s already cold. And, sometimes we have picnics. It’s not always at the beach. We also go sit at the park downtown—sometimes it’s Waterfront, sometimes the Battery, sometimes Brittlebank—to eat, watch people having fun, look at the birds, but I love looking at the water. 

On the Fourth of July we cookout in the afternoon and then in the evening we get to watch fireworks. There are a lot of different shows for fireworks. But I think it would be here. Down by the water it’s nice to see the fireworks. My friend, Mike Christy, likes to set them off. I like seeing them here in town. But sometimes we get to see them in Florida when we’re on vacation at Universal and Disney (Epcot) 

As a kid, I’d love playing outside in the sunshine. I started out doing tricycle and then a little biking in the summer. But now I don’t really do that anymore. I know I’ve told you before, but I like to swim. The sun makes me wanna run around and play and get exercise. 

Summer, in 3 words... it’s: humid, beautiful, happy. It makes me feel warm inside; I love sitting in the sunshine. The sun makes me feel happy like I want to have fun in the sun.       

If you’re looking forward to the Summer, you’re not alone. Get out there in the sun. Drink a lot of water, especially when it gets too hot. Find some shade if there’s too much sun. I wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; oh, and sandals, cause the sun gets very hot and you don’t want to burn your feet, but you don’t wanna wear socks and shoes to the beach. And that’s all I can think of.  

Have fun in the sun, but don’t get too hot. Cause the sun’s fun but can be a little bit dangerous!   

~ John Joyner

Different Is the New Normal

It was September 12, 1970 when I was born. I didn't know what was wrong with me ‘cause I was a baby. But I had some kind of swelling in the brain. My brain was fine but there was liquid in my skull putting pressure on it.

I have what they call Cerebral Palsy. (What is Cerebral Palsy? A congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. Cerebral palsy is due to abnormal brain development, often before birth.)

They tell me I needed to have an operation. There was another little girl that had some emergency issue that took the entire weekend. So, by the time that they got around to having to perform the surgery for me, they looked at it again, and miraculously the liquids had drained away and off the brain and had relieved the pressure on its own. I had to stay in the hospital for 6 months, I think. (Mom and Dad say I got to come home when I was 3 months old, actually.)

When I was 5, (the way I remember it), I was declared legally blind. When I was reading my Beatles’ vinyl, I couldn't really read the words and that's when I realized I would have to wear glasses. And had to write (and read) in BIG print. I was trying to do the lines with letters on the white pages where I couldn't see the lines. They gave me a type of green paper, well white paper with green lines actually so that I could see them better. And, that's when I ended up writing the big letters. I mean, I write small but I write big letters.

Then... they found out I had cataracts and they took those out-- maybe around the same time as Grandma's, but I’m not sure. After that, I couldn't read well. The pages were put up on the TV under a screen so that I could see the big words projected onto the TV so I could see it better and that went very well. And sometimes, I'd use magnifying glasses as well.

Well, I was about 10 and I was trying to climb the monkey bars and I thought I could go way up high but I couldn't and I lost my balance thinking that I had it. I sprained my right leg. And I started to get up and I couldn't hardly put my foot down on the ground. I went to Trident Hospital in Greenville. They put a cast on my leg and then it was fine, but I felt kinda funny. Turns out I had chickenpox with the cast.

Then, they were taking the cast off... I was gonna get a brace but couldn't get it... so I ended up wearing the cast for a longer period of time. Then they had to bandage the top of the leg and I couldn't walk at all with just the bottom of the cast and only the bandage without a brace to help me. The brace would eventually help me walk and I would wear it at night to keep my leg straight and protected. I realized when I wore it, it felt like the heel of my foot was stinging with the brace…

And, after the brace, I felt better without it. The brace was meant to lengthen the right leg so that it matched the other leg and that would help me to be able to walk better rather than limp. It felt like my limp was bad, but it felt better after… my leg was moving. And I kept walking without a brace.

So, yeah, I have a wheelchair. I use it when I travel, and it helps when I have to walk long distances. Because I started when I went to like Disney and Universal. But in 1983, I realized I wasn't feeling well. I had to go to the emergency room to see what was wrong. They realized I was sick from the heat. I got overheated. Then, after I got better and the next time we went on a trip, we took a wheelchair.

The wheelchair helps me since I can't walk long distances. And the only time I really get up to walk is if we are standing on the escalator (moving walkway) like at Universal or if there is a hill (an incline) then I stand up to walk and move my legs.

I walk and swim to exercise my legs. And I have physical therapy at the Medical U (MUSC). Then, I did a lot of walking and on Tuesdays. I would swim and do laps versus the treadmill at PT on Thursdays early in the morning. I did stretches and walked for a certain amount of time.

In general, as long as I look where I'm going. Like y'all say, "John, look up." Or "Look down when you're going down the stairs." I feel like I'm ok. I have good balance but sometimes I tend to lose balance, but not all the time. I think the loss of balance has a lot to do with age, alright (I’m not that old), maybe some with sight, but perhaps some due to cerebral palsy.

I feel like my sight has evened out and is kinda gonna be what it's going to be. The foot and leg are what they're going to be. If the surgery and brace had not have worked, I’m not sure… It would have hurt and it would have made me feel uncomfortable and different if I was still limping. When someone says I have Cerebral Palsy I sometimes feel depressed because I don't know… I hope no one makes fun of me. But sometimes people you don't know and they might make fun of you.

Due to my Cerebral Palsy, I will continually have to work my muscles because the disease causes atrophy. If I'm sitting for a longer period of time, it's harder to make the muscles move. I'd attribute that to the Palsy and not necessarily age.

I'd like people to see me the same as everyone else, just a person. I wanna say the same but can't be sure of that... I don't mind being thought of as different because a lot of people are different. I'd like them to see my personality. I'm a nice and good person and would like them to see me as I am and not judge me on my disability.

Advice for someone who meets another person with a disability- treat them nice, be kind, and don't make fun of them.

Advice for those with a disability and living their lives- I was blessed and lucky enough to have a support system but for those who may not, I'll say if someone comes up to you and talks to you and you don't like to answer or feel uncomfortable then you can say I have "Cerebral Palsy" and tell them not to make fun of you.

If there's anyone reading this that wants to reach out, I'm here to talk! Drop me a line. 😊

~ John Joyner

A Little Clumsy, A Lotta Heart

It was September 12, 1970 when I was born. I didn't know what was wrong with me ‘cause I was a baby. But I had some kind of swelling in the brain. My brain was fine but there was liquid in my skull putting pressure on it.

I have what they call Cerebral Palsy. (What is Cerebral Palsy? A congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. Cerebral palsy is due to abnormal brain development, often before birth.)

They tell me I needed to have an operation. There was another little girl that had some emergency issue that took the entire weekend. So, by the time that they got around to having to perform the surgery for me, they looked at it again, and miraculously the liquids had drained away and off the brain and had relieved the pressure on its own. I had to stay in the hospital for 6 months, I think. (Mom and Dad say I got to come home when I was 3 months old, actually.)

When I was 5, (the way I remember it), I was declared legally blind. When I was reading my Beatles’ vinyl, I couldn't really read the words and that's when I realized I would have to wear glasses. And had to write (and read) in BIG print. I was trying to do the lines with letters on the white pages where I couldn't see the lines. They gave me a type of green paper, well white paper with green lines actually so that I could see them better. And, that's when I ended up writing the big letters. I mean, I write small but I write big letters.

Then... they found out I had cataracts and they took those out-- maybe around the same time as grandma's, but I’m not sure. After that, I couldn't read well. The pages were put up on the TV under a screen so that I could see the big words projected onto the TV so I could see it better and that went very well. And sometimes, I'd use magnifying glasses as well.

Well, I was about 10 and I was trying to climb the monkey bars and I thought I could go way up high but I couldn't and I lost my balance thinking that I had it. I sprained my right leg. And I started to get up and I couldn't hardly put my foot down on the ground. I went to Trident Hospital in Greenville. They put a cast on my leg and then it was fine, but I felt kinda funny. Turns out I had chickenpox with the cast.

Then, they were taking the cast off... I was gonna get a brace but couldn't get it... so I ended up wearing the cast for a longer period of time. Then they had to bandage the top of the leg and I couldn't walk at all with just the bottom of the cast and only the bandage without a brace to help me. The brace would eventually help me walk and I would wear it at night to keep my leg straight and protected. I realized when I wore it, it felt like the heel of my foot was stinging with the brace…

And, after the brace, I felt better without it. The brace was meant to lengthen the right leg so that it matched the other leg and that would help me to be able to walk better rather than limp. It felt like my limp was bad, but it felt better after… my leg was moving. And I kept walking without a brace.

So, yeah, I have a wheelchair. I use it when I travel, and it helps when I have to walk long distances. Because I started when I went to like Disney and Universal. But in 1983, I realized I wasn't feeling well. I had to go to the emergency room to see what was wrong. They realized I was sick from the heat. I got overheated. Then, after I got better and the next time we went on a trip, we took a wheelchair.

The wheelchair helps me since I can't walk long distances. And the only time I really get up to walk is if we are standing on the escalator (moving walkway) like at Universal or if there is a hill (an incline) then I stand up to walk and move my legs.

I walk and swim to exercise my legs. And I have physical therapy at the Medical U (MUSC). Then, I did a lot of walking and on Tuesdays. I would swim and do laps versus the treadmill at PT on Thursdays early in the morning. I did stretches and walked for a certain amount of time.

In general, as long as I look where I'm going. Like y'all say, "John, look up." Or "Look down when you're going down the stairs." I feel like I'm ok. I have good balance but sometimes I tend to lose balance, but not all the time. I think the loss of balance has a lot to do with age, alright (I’m not that old), maybe some with sight, but perhaps some due to cerebral palsy.

I feel like my sight has evened out and is kinda gonna be what it's going to be. The foot and leg are what they're going to be. If the surgery and brace had not have worked, I’m not sure… It would have hurt and it would have made me feel uncomfortable and different if I was still limping. When someone says I have Cerebral Palsy I sometimes feel depressed because I don't know… I hope no one makes fun of me. But sometimes people you don't know and they might make fun of you.

Due to my Cerebral Palsy, I will continually have to work my muscles because the disease causes atrophy. If I'm sitting for a longer period of time it's harder to make the muscles move. I'd attribute that to the Palsy and not necessarily age.

I'd like people to see me the same as everyone else, just a person. I wanna say the same but can't be sure of that... I don't mind being thought of as different because a lot of people are different. I'd like them to see my personality. I'm a nice and good person and would like them to see me as I am and not judge me on my disability.

Advice for someone who meets another person with a disability- treat them nice, be kind, and don't make fun of them.

Advice for those with a disability and living their lives- I was blessed and lucky enough to have a support system but for those who may not, I'll say if someone comes up to you and talks to you and you don't like to answer or feel uncomfortable then you can say I have "Cerebral Palsy" and tell them not to make fun of you.

If there's anyone reading this that wants to reach out, I'm here to talk! Drop me a line. 😊

Dear Mama

“An embarrassing story about mom? I have no embarrassing story about mom. No, wait a minute. I don’t think I have one.”  

[“Are you sure?”] 

[John ponders...] 

“Um... No, I’m sure!” 

I like Mom. We have a good time. We always give her flowers for Mother’s Day-special flowers even when it’s not Mother’s Day - or stuff for Easter or Christmas. 

Mom and I share things like movies and music and food and fun! 

We always ask her what she wants for dinner or lunch or breakfast or like a snack and where to go out to eat after church on Sunday... For her birthday, sometimes we take her out and get her something special... California Dreaming is a place I like to take her. 

And her food—I enjoy her cooking—she's got some good recipes. My favorite food that I don’t normally eat would be her macaroni and cheese. And, after Thanksgiving (and her dressing) I love to eat her Chicken [Turkey] Rice Perlot... 

We watch movies together sometimes, but there isn’t a specific one that we watch together. Sometimes Mom likes to go to movies, she sometimes watches Action, some Comedy, but not Scary; well, sometimes the Black and White scary, like Alfred Hitchcock...   

We go all over together. Places like Florida and the mountains and we have a lot of fun. 

What makes her special to me? I ask myself that same question, why’s mom special? Because she’s my mom... 

She’s nice. She’s fun. And, sometimes she’s a little bit shy, as usual—and the reason I say that is because she doesn’t really have anybody to talk to or really talk in general. She’s kinda like me. 

Mom picks out the best clothes for me. She’s got style.  

If I hurt myself, she bandages me up. 

Special-wise— again, she's my mom! 

And, sometimes we talk... if I’m sad or have a problem or depressed or just want to talk. I try to get out of depression sometimes. I talk to her and it feels wonderful when I talk to her. When I’m sad we go for a ride and we always go downtown to the Battery. It helps me get out of the sad spirit. Mom lifts my spirits! 

She’s the only mom I’ve got! And I love her because she’s my mom! 

[Whether John does or doesn’t have a tale or two... we’ll never know... cause ultimately, it’s just between him and Jeannie – his mom!] 

~ John Joyner

Seeing Is Believing

Sight, like seeing? OK, let’s see...

I was born and when I was younger, I started seeing. And then, when I tried to read a book, I couldn’t really see a word. I realized I had lost my sight and then I started getting some sort of eyeglasses and reading glasses. And, then it helped me see what I was reading. Then I’d change glasses a lot. But sometimes when you wanna see more, then you could use contacts. And I used to wear contacts and I would use reading glasses with them. But they would get dust in them and I would stop using them because I didn’t like to have to wear them anymore.

When I would do some reading like with a magnifying glass to read the letters and I used to read words on the TV screen and then I used to work on the computer to make words when I was in high school. And that’s when I started getting big letters and words, that sort of thing. Then I would change out my glasses in general; some were regular some were bi-focal - just some different kinds of glasses.

Big prints and computers and that sort of thing is what I used to work on. I didn’t really stop working on computers, I have a Kindle now. But... the big old computers... when I stopped working on those, it was because I think... I was finished reading... I couldn’t read really anymore at all. It was when my retina got detached. It was this side... [John points to his eye. “Which side is that?”] That’s my left side.

Seeing for me in the light and dark might be different. If you’re in a room and your room is dark you turn on the lamp light because it’s hard to see. Sometimes I used to have my room in the daytime without the lamp light, but in the dark even, I don’t really need it more to see than before. I memorize where things are, so like if I’m going to bed, I know where to go, so it helps me not to bump into things. When the power goes out, it’s ok because I know where everything is. Seeing without electricity is very hard for most. I keep a flashlight nearby, just in case something moves and I don’t know it.

Colors? I know colors like blue, red, black, green, white and sometimes vehicles—like if they’re all red... If you tell me the difference between red and burgundy—it's hard to tell when you’ve got different shades. They are harder to decipher.

For 3-D movies, I put the [3-D] glasses on top of my glasses, but it’s tough because with the one good eye, the movie [just] looks like a movie. With the old yellow pair of 3-D glasses it’s harder to see the picture on the big screen. The newer black ones are a little better.

How does it make me feel with one eye? It’s difficult. It’s hard to read with one eye instead of two eyes. Emotionally, it kinda makes me somewhat happy and somewhat sad. Only seeing in the right eye and not the left eye. It made me sad in general.

My sight makes me feel different than everyone else. I wear larger than normal glasses—thick lenses. I wanna say it makes me sad -- [it’s ok to be sad, sometimes] -- OK, it makes me sad sometimes. It makes me sad because I can’t see very well, and I miss out on some things, that’s correct. But, I’m a happy person. And, I’m happy when I see different near and far. Sometimes I didn’t think I could see something far away but I can. And then close up when they’re near, it makes me happy when I am truly seeing what I think I see [and someone confirms]!

Things are gonna change. Some things get better, some things worse, but I wear my glasses.

John to Brandon: You’re not blind like me... You can see. But we see differently.

Now, some people are blind and can’t see at all and have to walk with a cane especially for sidewalks and stairs. I did walk with a cane for a little bit. I don’t have to do that anymore. I have people to help me out.

Sometimes when you can’t see, people make fun of you or something. To some degree there were people who made fun of me in school, but not all the time. Some people call you names like “four eyes.” When you wear glasses, they do make fun. They’re serious about it. More when I was younger; only in elementary school. But, at Morning Side they didn’t really do it much. And, in high school, not so many people did. I don’t have anyone making fun of me anymore. Hurt anyone for it? Nah... I want to but no, I don’t threaten them...

So, people out there who are... Well, I’ll say if they’re like me... or if they walk with canes or don’t walk with canes... just be careful. You shouldn’t be feeling any different. It’s ok to be different or not to be different. It’s ok to be who they are. And if someone is out there making fun of you, it’s ok, just be yourself, that’s what I do! And that’s all I can say.

~ John Joyner

The Love Bug

Love?  

What’s love?  

It means a lot; makes me feel happy and exciting and joyful. 

When I was younger, I didn’t have that much... No one in church really, but in school... I had a couple little girlfriends. Tasha was my first one... There was Laura and Angie... I had one in particular... it was Tammy.  

We dated.  

We went to the beach and we went to the fair. When we went to the beach, we talked and played in the sand and the ocean. And at the fair, we went to a Louise Mandrell concert. And, after a while I didn’t keep up with the dating part that well.  

We didn’t really keep in touch because we moved and went separate ways. She was my last serious girlfriend. But, other than that... I haven’t had much luck with women now and finding the right female. I’m still searching... can’t really figure that out. 

I’m not sure, I’m still I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. 

Showing love? You give them gifts or presents. Like if someone gets married, this shows love... it’s the person like and never want to spend a day without them. 

There’re different types of Love. Besides romantic love... There’re plenty of other ways that I love. I love family and friends. I don’t know what other kind of love I can give you... OK—here they are: 

Valentine’s Love – It's a time where you can give somebody something. Like soft (stuffed) animal or candies. And flowers as well... my favorite type of flower I don’t have a favorite, but to give fore Valentine’s day... red rose would be one of them.  

And type of candy? Chocolates!  

For the animals, a toy dog or twin kissing bears. Also, some soft music... that’s what I do. Romance Music, like Kenny Rogers and Lorrie Morgan and different love music.  No, actually, um... I listen to something Bobby Vinton “Roses are Red.” My favorite love song is very hard to pick...  

When Valentine’s Day rolls around, the first song I want to listen to is “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” by Willie Nelson. 

Romantic Love – Same thing I was talking about earlier... there’s a difference from just Valentine’s Day... it’s more than a crush. You tell someone how much deeper you feel about them. You can watch movies and see this love; like Sleepless in Seattle, Runaway Bride, French Love. 

Wedding Love – You tell somebody you love them. You get down one knee (I guess... no, I’m right on that one... yeah!) - you tell them that you love them, “Will you such and such (fill in the blank, though), Will you marry me? (That’s how you propose to them), you will probably shock them... they might be surprised (and hopefully they’ll be happy and say YES). And then, you KISS them! Other people will then congratulate you. That’s when the wedding happens. 

Anniversary Love – Then, after the wedding and reception... comes the Anniversary (or as Brandon likes to call it... “Your time served.”) Every year you’ll celebrate your anniversary. Well, I don’t remember... cause I’m not married. But, I’m sure there would be a celebration. I’d take ‘em out. To a fancy restaurant or an outing like somewhere downtown or vacation somewhere. 

Friendship & Family Love – Friendship love. Family always like my brother and parents and sometimes my grandparents and aunts and uncles and my cousins. I show my love by hugs and general love... that kinda thing. Friends, oh... you just um hug ‘em and talk and hangout... spend some time with them. 

Soul-Mate? Do I believe in it? Yes. Am I looking for one? What am I looking for in one? I don’t know... Well, my perfect person... for me—who's nice, kind, and beautiful, who you want to share your life with and who you want to live with and wants to do/like the same things I do... like this person would like country and not just such and such... this other person likes something and I won’t like something—it's not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just different. 

Is it hard or easy? It depends on who you like... that’s the hard part. 

I don’t have any more thoughts on love... not to my knowledge... Just that I’m still looking. And, this: Anyone out there that’s still looking for love... keep trying. Don’t give up. Whenever you might least expect it, true love might come along! 

The Big Brother Program

Brandon? I have to talk about Brandon?! Yeah, I guess I’m ready to do that... 

First thing that I remember about my brother? 

He started out funny after he was born. And sometimes, he would get antsy, so when he did either me or Nana liked to rock him, so we would. And then when he got a little bit older (still young)... sometimes he would ask me if I wanted to play with him and if I was doing something else then I would tell him “No, I’d play with him later.” 

When he used to sleep in his crib, I used to watch him do that. And I still watch him do that [though not in a crib any longer]. 

Sometimes I remember when he used to sleep in my bedroom, he put some old headphones on when we were sleeping; we would put them on our head to listen to music.  

Sometimes I would babysit for him when either mom or dad wanted to go out to a store or something. And then, I used to watch movies but he was so little he doesn’t remember that. But I watched after him at the movie theater while Mom and Dad went to another to watch something else. The first movie that I ever took Brandon to... I think it was a comedy movie... I can’t remember the name of it... I just know it was funny and we laughed a lot. It’s not that I don’t want to answer that question, I just don’t know it off the bat. 

At times he gets in a little bit spoiled mood, a little. Sometimes he’s a little bit spoiled... sometimes he wants to look at something and doesn’t ask. If I was holding something and I say “I’ll give it to you in a minute, Brandon” then that is when he would try to grab it out of my hand sometimes... but we got over that now... 

He likes to do a lot of things that I like to do but he likes to do them differently. When I would bring my school work home to do... he would read the words upside down while I did my homework. And then, when I used to have piano lessons, Brandon used to come and walk in the hallway and I had to bring him back out from wherever my piano lessons were so he wouldn’t be in the room. 

I used to do racetracks (running) and Brandon always did it after I did my racetracks exercise... at Danny Jones Complex. 

I remember we had different classes... he had swimming lessons and I had a different swimming lesson. This was a long time ago, before... with different coaches teaching us different classes. 

I know when we got a lot older, we tended to do things differently. Especially costume-wise. I know we’ve done plays together, like Down by the Creekbank. Back at the Creekbank... I did “It’s a Rainbow” and Brandon had a solo then. And then we did another one called “Fat Fat Jehosephat” and Brandon sang a song and I did “Don’t Be Afraid.” 

Sometimes I like to tease him - like my favorite color was purple and his used to be pink (but it wasn’t really true) … I used to tease him, ‘cause it’s always been blue. My favorite color is still purple and his is blue but I play with him on that! 

Sometimes we have fun, like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Like opening presents on Christmas and eating Christmas dinner and good food on Thanksgiving, especially the turkey. That’s what we always do—eat and have fun! And sometimes, for Halloween, we used to dress up... I used to do it a lot longer than Brandon but when he started, we went from Batman and Robin to Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket (except he wouldn’t wear the makeup) and the last one was he was the angel and I was the devil but it was a costume joke kinda thing... people thought it should have been reversed. 

For music? We don’t listen to the same music. He does like 80s music... I just listen to country. About singing... we do karaoke singing... but we do it by ourselves and I’ll do country and he’ll do rock n roll. 

What do we do together now?! Now—well, nothing now, but in the past, we used to go to the movies. But, for the scary movies I don’t really go to the scary movies. Sometimes y’all [Brandon and Kristen] take me to buy CDs and movies at Monster. Sometimes we [my family and friends] do go out to dinner on Sundays and sometimes in the evening, but now it’s more take-out and eating at home. 

My favorite thing about having a brother? What’s my favorite thing? [He’s] sometimes funny... he makes me laugh. I love him... uh-huh... I just like him...  I think that’s the only thing I like about him, yeah... Some people say we’re both “only” children—But, NO! I’m an adult now... so we’re both “only” adults... 

For Brandon’s Birthday, I’ll say a couple nice things... Sometimes we have our ups and downs. It doesn’t have anything to do with today, just in general... I’d like to say I just like him... I’m glad to have him as a brother. I said love... But, that’s about all I can think nice about him now. Did I say love already?! I did say love! 

~ John Joyner

John's Vote, John's Voice

Politics…  it’s not great.

Generally speaking, the parties aren’t as important as the ideas. What the issues are and how they solve them. I look for the right information and who’s telling the truth. Not giving you the wrong idea in a candidate.

We talk about politics in the house with my family - Mom, Dad and Brandon. Sometimes we talk about it with friends. I listen to the news, the TV and get my information from here to base my opinions and thoughts.

I follow all the politics: National, State, Local because I like to know what’s going on around me.  I find it hard to follow politics because it’s hard to tell who’s telling the truth or lying.

I want the best candidate. I do my research. Oh, you know what... I don’t really do my research—I watch all the news though, like CBS, CNN, NBC.

I vote for the person that I like. If I don’t like them, then I don’t vote for them.

Who you choose for President...?

Certain candidates stick out in my mind. I had a feeling for Bush, Sr. And then when Clinton came in it [things] kept doing good. And then Obama didn’t do too good. And then the Jr. And now Trump... it’s still going good. And that’s my opinion.

Local Politics- the mayor isn’t doing a good job. In general, the job isn’t as important because I call it [through laughs... no, I can’t say that... well, it’s] “crap”... because the issues should be important but they don’t always do their job.

Voting...

Ok, I’m going to sleep.

I’m kidding.

I was 19 when I voted for the first time, maybe I was 18. It was Bush versus Dukakis. I chose Bush. It was my decision. But these days, it’s very hard to choose who to vote for. Because they’re holding off the voting... it’s hard during the times of COVID it’s all I’m saying.

Right now... The vaccine is taking long because some viruses are easy and some are not and trying to get the vaccines settled. We know Trump’s trying to do the right thing. Because the virus is strong (it’s a lot faster). You have to use certain medicines because some are good and some are bad and it’s hard to get the vaccine level[ed].

All in all, it’s hard right now.

What is my political affiliation? Conservative or liberal?

I think I’m liberal.

Wait...

Liberal? I can’t be liberal, can I?!?!

I don’t know.

This Is Halloween

Halloween? It’s all kids' stuff. I don’t really do stuff that’s kids' stuff. I used to go out, but I give out candy now.

I loved wearing different costumes—it's gonna be very difficult to tell you which one’s my favorite. I’m not gonna tell you all of them, ‘cause that’s too many... But I’ll tell you a few of what I remember: Captain America, KISS—the mask and all black & white outfit... Oh, and Zorro! I do remember that now—the TV show Zorro with a black mask and a hat and a cape... and, I think... yeah, I had a sword!

Let’s see what else... when Brandon started [dressing up with me] ... We did like Batman and Robin. I was Batman and he was Robin. After that, I dressed up as the Devil and Brandon was the Angel even though we dressed up the wrong way... I was supposed to be good and he was supposed to be bad. I don’t know why it happened that way. But [through laughs] … it’s just fun. He should have been the bad one.

I do remember getting candy! We would drive some and then walk from neighborhood to neighborhood and go to the houses to get it; some to houses of friends that I know and then some that I didn’t know as well. When I said “Trick or Treat,” then I’d get the candy.

My favorite candy? It would be Nestle Crunch. There’s so much though... like Reese’s pieces and M&Ms. Some of the candy I don’t eat... ‘cause I don’t like it. I always like chocolate. I would either give what I didn’t to Brandon or Mom or Dad.

Halloween didn’t ever really get rained out for me or we would go in-between the showers if so. It never rained on my parade.

I love Halloween cupcakes and chocolate M&Ms—the Halloween colors—I like those! Sometimes they have faces on the cupcakes and pumpkins and the Halloween colors. Orange is my favorite Halloween color! Food-wise, everything we really eat is orange and has witches.

We did other things too for Halloween besides getting candy. We had Halloween parties, but I don’t remember that too well. Sometimes whenever we had Halloween... mom had stage shows to costume for, so maybe that’s why I don’t remember the parties too much.

I still watch scary movies and fun movies. Some Halloween movies I watch that I wouldn’t necessarily go to the movie theater for. Generally speaking, I don’t love horror movies that scare me, but if they are fun, then YES! I like to watch those! Beetlejuice is one of them. I also enjoy watching cartoon-like movies (animated) sorta like Coco... but for real ones... it’s Hocus Pocus! Haunted Mansion is another I enjoy. And Monster Squad—the first time I watched this was with Brandon and Kristen and Brooke in the movie theater and I liked it so much that I got it on blu-ray. Casper, the Classic Universal Monsters, the Munsters, Addams Family, Nightmare Before Christmas, I watch all those.

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights! I love going there. You see scary stuff even though I don’t get scared like Mom does. There’s different scary stuff like characters from the movies and stories, places you can walk through [scare-zones] and haunted houses. Halloween the movie had a haunted house one year. And, last year they had Ghostbusters and Killer Klowns from Outerspace.

I used to get scared at Clam [the clown that sat up in my closet] but now, I don’t get scared anymore. Clowns in general don’t scare me because they can be fun and have lots of colors. If it’s plain and dark things then I get a little scared but I realize that it’s only make-believe. Things that are bright, cheery and colorful don’t frighten me though.

When I go through the haunted houses, Brandon pushes me with the wheelchair. People and things tend to jump at me all the time and probably more so than if I walked. I know it’s just make-believe. And it doesn’t really scare me. But when they get in my face, Brandon does get scared. And sometimes I laugh.

Some advice on Halloween?

For the kids: It’s really only make-believe. Don’t worry about being scared. And maybe don’t watch things that are too scary.

For the adults: Only see scary stuff in the daytime and not at nighttime. Take the children trick or treating while it’s still light outside. For those young at heart adults, it’s still ok to keep dressing up! It’s all in good fun!

~ John Joyner

Read All Over

What’s the word on the street? Not much... 

I watch the news. I watch different ones—used to just be 3 channels, but now there are a LOT of them! 

I don’t read the newspaper. I’ll watch the news for a long time, but when I get bored? I will change the channel. 

My favorite topic? I’m not really sure but if I had to pick, I think it would be SPORTS! I enjoy basketball and football. I don’t watch games now but I enjoy viewing the Super Bowl. 

I didn’t play games growing up but always enjoyed watching them. In the 70s there was a team in North Charleston called the Chicora Eagles and I loved seeing them live.  

The Olympics! I followed the Olympics on tv too. I was 14 when they came to LA and I would also watch the Winter Olympics. They used to only come on at night so I had to stay up late to see them. But now, I can view them any time. 

Weather—I also enjoy the weather. It tells you when it’s gonna rain or when there’s gonna be sunshine. I like to be able to plan my week out. Sometimes they [the forecasters] aren’t right—in the summer... thunder showers happen. Sometimes they say it’s not supposed to rain and then it does. We have a little “liquid sunshine.” I really like to go to the beach when there’s sunshine.  

Sometimes when it’s cold you like to stay inside. So, knowing the temperature is a good thing to know what to wear. In my teens, I would watch the news and report what I heard on the tv to my teacher. And, we would talk about the weather. We would talk about how it was supposed to be sunny. But then it would rain. [John says through laughter...] You never know what’s gonna happen. 

I also enjoy the politics of news. I love watching the polls come in on election day. I also enjoy watching the debates, especially the presidential debates. The 80s had many controversial politics and I would watch and hear this come through on the news daily. 

News Anchor? Nah. I didn’t ever have a favorite news reporter neither locally nor nationally, but I would watch whoever was on the screen reporting the news. 

The first major news story I ever remember -- it would’ve been about Clemson. Sometimes they win and sometimes they lose. But I enjoyed watching them either way. 

HUGO is the most important and largest news story that I can remember. I was 19 and not only did I live through it, but I heard all about it from every news station in town and on the airwaves. When the power went out for the tv we listened to the news coming in on the weather radio. 

The news is important because you can see what’s happening in the world. Some things are good and some are bad. But I like to hear about the spectacular things that happen. 

You hear that people are tired of the news. You don’t really get tired of it you just get tired of hearing the same thing over and over. I just think that news in general when it’s repeated could be boring. 

Should people trust the news media? Some yea and some nay. I say, “YES!” Because they give you the right report and you can be educated. But you also shouldn’t trust the news because they give you the same thing on different stories—a biased viewpoint. People giving their opinion versus fact... might have a good opinion but based on bad facts. But it goes both ways. 

If you don’t know what’s right or wrong... I recommend staying with the good reporters you do trust. You still want to pay attention to take in all the information so you can fact check the people even if you believe you can trust them.  

In order to be informed, you should watch the news. Watch it to see what’s going on and to see what’s happening in real life. [There’s always] something that people need to learn about.

~ John Joyner