Stormy Weather

My favorite season is Spring.  

It feels nice with a gentle breeze but not so hot, because it’s before Summer and it gets too hot outside here in Charleston. The flowers start to bloom and it’s very pretty. My favorite flower is honeysuckle because it smells so sweet. You can eat the drops of nectar if you take the tips of the flower off. I don’t really eat it, but I enjoy smelling it. 

I enjoy the sunshine. It brightens my day. 

The sun gives you vitamins—Vitamin D so that I can absorb Vitamin C! The sun feels good as long as you don’t stay in it too long. Cause when you stay too long, you get burnt and skin peels off. I love going to Florida to get my sunshine—It is the Sunshine State after all—the Keys, more so than Orlando—that's the end of the Earth sun! That’s my favorite place to soak in the rays... I love to go swimming in the ocean there because it’s so clear and cool and I can see everything. 

Least favorite weather would have to be when it’s cold—it's alright to have cold, but not too much cold. You can get storms and snow. Oh, I like snow, but I wouldn’t want a lot of it. It’s fun when it’s here for a little while, but I need it to go away. Once when it snowed, before it melted, we went to play with the snow on the street and had a snowball fight. That was a lot of fun! But there wasn’t enough snow to build a snowman... 

Thunderstorms scare me...  

I know it’s only lightening, but I do get nervous. I listen to music or watch tv. If the power goes out, I get my sad little cup that has lights on it... for those of you who don’t know what this is... please see exhibit A— EXHIBIT A: Halloween Horror Nights Glass that is multicolored and lights up when you push the button on the bottom! This soothes me because of all the flashing colors... especially when I can’t find a flashlight. 

There has been some really bad weather. 

Some of the worst weather I’ve been in were hurricanes.  

During Hurricane David I got pushed out in the rain—I thought the rain would be freezing but it wasn’t that cold. They locked me outside as a joke and I wasn’t laughing at the time... now, I do. We were just playing in general, opening and closing the door. Mom said she wanted me to see something and she jokingly pushed me outside, locking the door afterward. When I came back in, I was soaked from head to toe.  

But when a more severe hurricane came—Hurricane Hugo—I couldn’t do anything except play my radio. Then we lost power and I could only listen to the transistor radio. Being in the dark and not being able to go anywhere was scary. After a little while (after the hurricane hit), we had some people bring generators in (my uncle Ronnie brought us one).  

Afterward, things were a little strange. It took 20 or more days for power to be restored—it felt like so many more! Now, it’s easier to prepare for hurricanes. We stock up on everything that is needed: batteries, flashlights, candles and my London light (in John speak) -- it’s basically a flashlight with a handle—a lantern.  

I watch the weather channel to see how the storm is progressing and to see where it’s going—where it might or might not hit. I feel like I know where it’s going to go—I have a sense that sometimes it will come and sometimes it won’t come. I just have a feeling—mainly in my head—like sometimes the storm will be big or die down a bit and where it will grasp up water and build back up. I’m right most of the time. I’ve been right 2 out of 3 times! 

If bad weather is coming for someone—I would tell them to stay safe, keep focused and don’t worry! 

But... if I could go anywhere in the world to see any season, I would go to Japan to see the Cherry Blossoms in the Spring. 

~ John Joyner

Fame Monster

People who are in a lot of movies or sing a lot of music are seen as famous and are pretty well liked by others. To me—they are people that I really like. Famous people also have a lot of money and are well known. Sometimes they’re famous and sometimes they’re infamous—like it or not! 

To be honest with you—I'm not sure WHY they’re famous... Most of the famous people I’ve met have been singers... Mel Tillis, Louis Mandrel, Statler Bros, Oak Ridge Brothers (in Columbia), Ronnie Milsap, John Michael Montgomery (I have an autographed CD of his.), The Lettermen (in Savannah). 

I’ve seen them all over: Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Florida—just so many different places. Sometimes I get to take pictures with them and sometimes not—my favorite was probably Mel Tillis back at the Gaillard in Charleston. 

A couple people that I would love to meet, but never have—well, to be honest with you, I’m not really sure... I’m glad I got to see Kenny Rogers while I still could. And for someone living that I’ve never seen in concert or never met—I'd choose: Reba McEntire. I enjoy her TV show. There are a lot of movie stars that I think I’d like to see, but that is very iffy—cause it’s very hard to remember because there are WAY TOO MANY! 

If it were a dream and I were the director and I could cast anyone living or dead in my movie, here’s what you would get: 

• A Romance/Comedy or RomCom set in Italy. It’s not quite Summer yet.  

• The Title: The Magic Town of Love 

• Think: Sleepless in Seattle Meets House Sitter. 

• What’s it all about?  

• They (Goldie Hawn and Tom Hanks) meet up with the couple (Meg Ryan and Steve Martin). They go sailing out on the ocean in a yacht—they get up early that morning so they can have a full day out on the water. They sail across to the island of Sicily where they have a reservation at the best Italian restaurant.  

• Everything goes swimmingly until their return to the mainland. That’s when things go awry and the magic begins to set in.  

• How does it end—well, you’re just gonna have to wait for it to get made! 

• I’ll have to take meets with all of the actors to decide on the best ending... 

If I could be FAMOUS for any one thing—I would be famous for singing. I would be the best country singer out there. I would have an entire album that’s full of HITS—I would get help from my friends Brandon and Kristen. But I think they would be pretty good and everyone would listen to me on the radio.  

I would travel and do 12 places a year—with long weekends at each stop—I could spend some time at home and not have to be on the road as much. Some places I’d fly to, but I would also have a tour bus. I would have my name emblazoned in white on the outside of the bus. The bus itself would be different colors—purple of course being the main color. Inside the bus there would be a couch to sit on, a bed to sleep in, there would be a refrigerator and microwave, but if we were hungry, we could stop for some good food, oh yeah... and a bathroom (the necessary room).  

I wouldn’t travel alone—there would be room for all my family and the band (of course) inside. Maybe Brandon, I’m not sure. Maybe Kristen, but I’m not sure. Definitely Mom and Dad. And then... out back I would have a jacuzzi possibly—not sure on how this would work though! 

In short—There are many different and interesting people out there in the world and I have been lucky to have met some of them. 

I've Got a Fast Car

I prefer to drive to get places. Mom and dad normally drive.

My favorite family car was red. But not red outside... it was gray outside. The inside was actually burgundy. It was a 4-door. We had it for a long time. I have fond memories of taking vacations in it. It was fun for me. There was a lot of space, a lot of room and I could move around.

My Dad tells me it was a Monte Carlo.

Right now, we have a red car with a gray interior... a Toyota Rav-4. I like it. It’s comfortable and I have space for my wheelchair when we go on trips.

When I go to EPCOT, I love riding Test Track because I have the ability to drive a car without feeling like I’m hurting anyone. If I could have or create any car in the world, I would make it like the cars I make in Test Track at EPCOT!

What kind of car? A small one is what I’d choose, but I’ll settle for a big car... I could go for like a silver van.

Color! That’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says, “Car!”
What kind of car, what color car? If I could pick any color of car I would have a purple car—dark purple like a plum!

Wheels: black tires with white trim on the outside.

Rims: Oh yeah, you gotta have the rims! Mine would be solid chrome spinners. Don’t forget the tools to hold it on—the bolts!

Lights: You have to have lights on the front of the car... not just the headlights, taillights and brake lights! I’d have red lights in my silver grill on the front... but no other lights on the back [except for taillights]. I can see the neon purple illuminating from the undercarriage of my car.

As for the Trim—I think I see a little white trim on the purple.

I’ve got a sunroof that goes the whole way so people in the backseat can see outside too—the sky and the trees and the sun and the moon! Like James Cordon’s in his Carpool Karaoke episodes!

On my fashion plate (‘cause I wouldn’t have a normal TAG), I’d have... cause it’s gonna be funny...  PPL ETR. (A big, ole Purple People Eater.)

What does it run on? A re-chargable battery; that way I don’t have to worry about running out of gas and paying that high dollar price.

Since I can choose my own logo and hood ornament, I would pick a unicorn.

What’s my favorite Movie car? That’s a hard question... not only those [movie] but also TV cars!

I know there’s the James Bond Car—the Aston Martin DB5 (from Goldfinger), Kit (the Night Rider car), the Batmobile—the ‘66, a tin car... the Dukes’ of Hazard Car—Gen. Lee, the Starsky and Hutch Car with the Red Hood. OH... and the black car from Smokey and the Bandit. There are so many cars, but these are the main ones.

Have I ever driven? Yeah, I have... there was this one time... where I was behind the driver’s seat. I was very careful.

We were in a parking lot-- it was Dad and my brother, Brandon, and our friend, Kristen. It was fun.

Was it scary? It was a little bit.

But not as much scary...

Moreso... fun!

~ John Joyner

We Are Groot!

It’s fun to read comics.

I like to flip through the pages. When I first get a comic, I flip through it a couple of times. Then, when I get tired, I put it down and come back to it [later] to read some more.

I really like looking at the pictures. The print is small but it’s easier to decipher than a book because of the pictures. I have a magnifying glass to read the tiny words. Sometimes you get ink on your hands from reading.

Sometimes I read Marvel and sometimes DC… but other than that I don’t think I read too much. Maybe some IDW and Image… Star Trek, Transformers.

Some of the lesser-known comic books I enjoy reading… Cloak & Dagger, Black Hawk, Moon Knight, Firefly, Silver Surfer, Rom: Space Knight, Swamp Thing, and Dazzler! 

In Marvel, I read X-Men, Spider-Man, The Avengers, and Defenders.

Out of those, I think my favorite would be Captain America out of the Marvel lot. Captain America is important to me because of the shield and the outfit-- both the color and the design! Red, white & blue, I just like them… they’re on the flag… they’re American! And I’m American. I love my country. Captain America… I think he believes in America… I guess! Liberty and Justice for all. Liberty is freedom.

In DC, I read Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Teen Titans, Dial H for Hero; and, if I had to pick one… Batman!

Batman is fun and neat. The way he flies with his glider is cool, like in Batman Returns; he also uses his grappling hook to help him. I like the way he drives the Batmobile. His gadgets are neat, especially the Batarangs. And, also, his transportation-- the Batmobile, the Batboat, and the Bat Cycle. I like that he hides in the Bat Cave; it’s a secret, dark place that no one knows where it is.

Yeah, I sometimes put myself in these characters’ places in my mind. I don’t really want to be like Captain America; it’s hard in my mind to do what he does. But, Batman, I think it’d be fun to be him. I’d like to have access to the Bat Cave and use all of his gadgets.

It was neat to see the transition from comic books that I read growing up to seeing them come alive on the big screen. But, the difference between that and the movies is that you get to see more action! More money equals a lot of action!

Wonder Woman, Hulk, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Captain America were all on TV in the 70’s and 80’s.

But, it’s different in the TV-- The Hulk is always doing a good job. Captain America isn’t as much.

I think Marvel is doing a good job with the movies and DC is doing good with television.

I like Marvel’s approach. Supergirl did OK. They even have Cloak & Dagger on TV. Even Green Lantern was fine.

Then... you get to see team-ups and crossovers. The crossover to big-screen is very different. You know… Smallville was cool too. Then you’ve got Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, Batgirl. And Legends… And they keep adding them!

If I could see anyone jump from the page to the screen that doesn’t exist yet… it would be FLASH! I’d also like to see Justice League, and I can’t wait for Black Widow!

I recommend that you read comic books because if you have trouble reading small print then the pictures will help you.

Wait… They’re gonna make She Hulk? Who’s doing that one? I hope it’s good!

~ John Joyner

ABC... Easy as 123...

The first book I ever remember reading was a children’s book. A Little Golden Book. The flat cardboard ones with a golden spine. I had the Little Toy Boat book and Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood book. There are so many Little Golden Books out there. Then I started reading a little bit longer books, like the Disney ones. They’ve got different ones like for Halloween, and a Christmas Disney Book and those Big Books like the ones I’m reading now. I think they’re “coffee-table” books. Then I started reading comic books. And I still go haywire with comics!

Whenever I can, I read books about Nashville. I love to look at the pictures while I’m reading about things. I read so many different books now, it’s hard to keep track. I like to read the Princess Dianna books too; I have lots of those! Well, sometimes I use a magnifying glass to read, but I can’t read the small print so this helps me see the words better.

I rent/borrow/check-out CDs now to read-- they used to be called “Book on Tape” and now they’re called “Audiobooks.” Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil was the first one I ever read; it was on cassette tape. This [format] makes it a lot easier for me to read the adult novels since the words tend to be so small. I also loved when Mom used to read the old blue Hardy Boys Books to me.

As an adult, I found the library again. And it is fun and quiet and helps you socialize a little bit. Brandon started taking me to the library and we haven’t stopped since we started. We go together once a week, every Thursday. I have friends at the library who help me find things. Josh and Ms. Carolyn and everyone there [at the Saint Andrews Branch] are so nice. It’s nice to have a good conversation and say hi and all that. They make me laugh and I made them laugh.

When I get there on Thursdays, I go up to the Return Desk and bring the stuff back when I’m finished watching movies or T.V. or books. Then I head on over to the movie section to see what I haven’t seen. Some I have and some I haven’t. I don’t get the ones I have at home. But it gets hard to find ones that you haven’t seen when you go every week. If I have ordered in a new audiobook that’s not from our library [using the Inter Library Loan System] then I go to the Reference Desk. Sometimes you can’t find everything you want to read in one place and you can borrow them from another library

I was able to read the Bond books and the Bourne Identity book series through the library. I read a book with Martin Short and it was funny (I Must Say My Life as Humble Comedy Legend). With books, I pick out things that I normally know a little bit about and then want to know more-- like being a spy. And Harry Potter. I enjoy reading those a lot. But like with the Bond book—there are some differences in the book compared to the movie and I like to learn and read and hear about the differences.

The library is a relaxing place. I’m very familiar with the area and I go off on my own and get to look through the movies and books. I enjoy being able to do that and not have to always ask people questions. But I know if I had a question, there are many friends there to help me out.

There’s a wealth of knowledge and it’s easy access for any and all people. There are libraries all over so if you like to read and want to know more about anything really… that’s the place to be.

~John Joyner

Just Keep Swimming

Swimming. It’s fun. And, really good exercise. I kinda like it. It energizes me even though it wears me out.

Swim lessons started on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so now it’s only on Tuesdays because it was too much—it can be tiring. One day is more manageable.

When I get there each Tuesday, I sit down and wait for my time. I have to make sure to wear the proper clothes in the pool and my swim shoes. Then I do my lesson. And after I swim, I leave my drink (water—I have to keep hydrated and drink a lot while doing my exercises). Then I hit the jacuzzi to relax. It’s so nice and warm after being in the pool. I like to relax my muscles after I swim. When they turn the water on—the bubbles—the jets help my back. Then I head to shower off and change back to my regular clothes.

I do the same routine: jumping jacks, up and down on the board in the water, pushing back and forth with my arms; sometimes we use a heavy red ball for resistance and other times we use a green ball that is lighter. Sometimes I do my relapse exercises, bicycle legs in the water to a count of 6 reps, swimming from one side of the pool to the other, breast-stroke swimming sets. The Superman exercise is my favorite, but it is VERY hard to do—you can do your arms and legs at the same time, but with this one, you go and fold yourself up and then put your arms out like you’re flying! The most that I’ve ever done of these would probably be about 12 times. I have to count while I’m doing it—sometimes I lose track—it's hard but I try to keep count.

I had two teachers tell me different things to do, different exercises. Before I had Amy, but now I have Jesse. Jesse has added a lot of different exercises and when she’s not there someone fills in; she has a substitute. I swim in Mt. Pleasant at the Franke Retirement Home at Seaside. I always love to have quiet times and learn how to do things. So, I used to be at the Rec Center and it was really loud and it was hard to pay attention and hear the instructions for the exercises, but at Franke, they offer a more relaxing area and it helps me.

I remember in 1983-1984 I had my first swimming lessons at the Davey Jones Center in North Charleston. This is when I did the frog exercise and the butterfly stroke. The frog exercise is where you push up with your legs.

My earliest memories of swimming—earliest memory of being in the water—would be the beach. I like going to the beach cause it’s fun and very salty. It feels different. Very different on your skin. Beach water is very salty but pool water has a lot of chlorine. I like the beach better, but I do love the water—any water.

Why did I go back to swimming? I wanted a new way to exercise. You should get someone to teach you. It’s good and relaxing to exercise in the pool. It’s low impact with good results and it’s lots of fun!

Also, make sure you drink a lot of water, fruit water or fruit juice because there’s gonna be a lot of different kinds of exercises for you to do.

And, that’s all I can give you.

John’s Workin’ 9 to 5!

It’s hard to get up in the morning because I have to wake up early two days a week and it’s hard to function because I’m a night owl and I like to stay up late and watch movies and listen to music.

I am differently-abled, so I don’t have to work, but I love my work. It’s fun and challenging and I do it right, so I keep at it.

What do I do for work? I put the pins on top of the bolt so that they are put together and matched up. It’s called… you know, I’m not sure.

You hold the black thing in your right hand. They use a wooden thing but I have a magic marker to keep the bolt from undoing. You have to hit it hard to make sure that the thing on top doesn’t unscrew. Now it’s very tight, so it’s harder. It’s hard to stop in the middle of what you’re doing when it’s time for lunch.

There’s always so much to do. I’ve gotten better at my job and am putting together more than before. It’s a lot of fast work to do, but it keeps me on my toes. It’s kinda relaxing and helps exercise my hands. It helps with my dexterity.

Sitting in the meetings now, things tend to get a little long, but they teach you how to do the bolts the right way; it’s harder to learn, but I do a good job. Putting the bolts together is harder than the stamp job I had before. It tests me physically. But I enjoy going to work and seeing everyone.

Before this, it was putting stamps on notecards. That’s where people would put their address and name and send it off in the mail. But that was in 1993.

Mail Room—Post something (not the Post Office), but like…  Post Net? The people were nice and it was fun. I did everything good from two in the afternoon until eight in the evening. It was a long time--- and when you work like that you get very, very tired. That was Monday, Wednesday AND Friday.

Now you see how that was very different. It went well. But then, after that... I said, OK... after two years, ‘til 1995... Let’s try something different... I like it, but it got too much to handle. I wasn’t spending enough time for me—I needed some me time, free time.

The worker program through the Citadel offered outings where you go out in the mornings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The people would pick me up and take me to movies and stores and bowling, etc. That went well, but then as the semester ended, there was another program that I got involved in.

Through the disabilities board, different workers would flip-flop days on taking me out.  Those outings were good. Sometimes we would go to different places to get lunch out—Wendy’s or Carey Hilliard's. And we would visit stores like Blockbuster or the Mall. This was throughout my twenties and early thirties and it helped increase my sociability and get out into the world. I got to talk to and meet all kinds of different people.

What would I want to do? I’m not really sure off the bat right yet.

What’s my dream job? That’s a tough question.

My favorite character in a movie—Bond—he's a spy. I don’t think I’d be very good at it, but you never know until you try.

I would like to maybe be a singer... or a spy like we were talking about (but I couldn’t tell anyone about that because I have to keep that a secret).

But, in a dream world where I could do anything at all, I think I’d like to be a professional singer. I know country is one of the genres I’d try for sure! I could do country, blues, bluegrass. I could try jazz... rap, not so much... rock n’ roll, I could maybe do that. I think I’d be more of a country and western singer in the truest sense of the word… Like Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb or Allison Krauss-like. ‘Cause I’m all the time singing in my head. I sing to myself all the time. When I’m in my back room I sing to myself where no one can hear me.

At work, there is music on the radio... sometimes I sing to myself there too.

I don’t really have a favorite person at work, but there are a couple of very nice workers and I like my boss. Every time I talk, I make them laugh. Even when I just say, “Hi, how ya’ doin’?” I’m pretty funny, I guess. I have good people to talk to. It’s a good work environment.

There are other people like me that are Handi-capable. I would encourage them to find something that they enjoy. Don’t just find a job. If you like it—do it, but don’t stay with it if you don’t like it.

Just make sure you try different things ‘til you find what you like to do; stick with it!

~ John Joyner

Here, There and Everywhere

I’ve lived in South Carolina almost my entire life—going on 50 years now! I’ve lived in Savannah, Goose Creek, North Charleston, James Island and settled in the West Ashley area of Charleston.

Savannah is pretty much the same as Charleston... there are a lot of similarities—the people, the history, the buildings, but not really the food. We used to go to Carey Hilliard’s when I lived there.

I remember the house where I lived in Savannah. I liked the house a lot. We had a jacuzzi and pool. Kinda like here, but just different.

I get tired at work. I have a table where I put 5 pieces of bolts together. To relax, I like to travel and go on vacation.

I like to go places to see different things and see what’s exciting.

Travel is fun, exciting and unique. Sometimes it’s boring—the journey. I’m more of a destination traveler. It’s long and boring to get to the places sometimes... we have to stop for gas or use the restroom. And, sometimes you have to stop and eat. My fun time is being at the place—the destination.

When I leave Charleston, I like to go visit Florida (Orlando & The Keys), North Carolina (Lake Junaluska), Tennessee (Dollywood & Pigeon Forge), and sometimes Alabama (Bremen... to visit friends).

In North Carolina, I go to Lagoalinda Lodge in Lake Junaluska for a choral retreat—we sing, we go out to eat and just have fun. My favorite part is eating cheese grits.

In Tennessee, I go to Dollywood for fun—but we stay in Pigeon Forge. We go see different shows: sometimes rock n’ roll or 50’s music, but mostly gospel shows. It’s never the same show—there are a bunch of different people singing.

In Florida, I go to Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure—I love going to Halloween Horror Nights even though I don’t like scary things. It’s a lot of fun. I actually enjoy these scary things—the monsters in the haunted houses and scare zones on the way to the lines. I also enjoy riding the rides in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and in the Studios I love riding E.T.

When I’m in Orlando, I sometimes visit Disney World & Epcot—and see Mickey Mouse. Normally we go at Christmas for the Candlelight Processional; at that time we also make a trip to Universal to listen to Mannheim Steamroller. I like to ride rides and have fun. At Magic Kingdom I love to ride Small World, but in Epcot I have to visit Mexico and ride the Grand Fiesta Tour.

In Alabama, I go visit my friends Carol & Tommy (Chicken and Dunkin’ as I like to call them) on the lake in Bremen. I enjoy sitting in the rocking chair and looking down on the lake—it's both fun and relaxing.

If I have some extra time, I like to drive on (or have someone drive me) down to the Keys. I love the beach water—it's beautiful—it's clear. I love to put my feet in the sand and go swimming. Sometimes we bring out the snorkeling gear to see all the fish.

My idea of a perfect trip? I’d say a cruise. It’s a fun and different experience. There are all kinds of different things on a cruise ship--- one has gambling, another is a Disney cruise ship. Some have comedy and concerts and things to do on a cruise ship. And, karaoke-- that’s one of my favorite things to do.

You don’t have to buy the food, but you do have to pay for the drinks. You have to drink tea when you don’t buy the drink package. There are some things you can buy on a cruise ship that you can’t buy off of it—Duty Free Shopping, for instance. When I’m on the ship I like to shop for a couple things.

I enjoy the ports of call when we get to get off of the cruise ship. A different place that I’ve been on a cruise and one of my favorites is Jamaica. I love all of the colors. I enjoyed the country; it was exciting and fun. If I could say anything to someone from Jamaica—I'd ask them how it is to live there in Jamaica to learn a little bit more about their culture.

When I’m on the cruise ship, my most favorite thing is the water. I love just sitting and looking at the water. Sometimes when it gets too hot, I can go back to the room. When it’s nighttime I look at the moon—I love looking at the moon at nighttime on a cruise ship.

I have taken several cruises and have gotten to go to Mexico. We visited the Mayan Ruins and I got to eat Mexican food. The sites were beautiful and everything was very colorful. I’d like to return some day and spend some time there—a longer period of time.

Some places I’ve traveled on a Cruise are: Jamaica, Mexico, Bahamas, Key West.

But, I think I’d like to go back to Mexico for a longer stay.

My dream vacation? If money was no issue and I won a trip to anywhere in the world—I would choose Tahiti. In your mind you wanna go to Tahiti... different things are there. I picture a boat—a cruise ship. I’m looking at all kinds of things. Mom really wants to go there.

My advice to anyone traveling--

Be careful. Be safe. Don’t talk to sketchy strangers. It’s ok to talk to people and be nice, but be cautious. And be respectful of the people in that country you’re visiting.

~ John Joyner

Food, Glorious Food!

Have I talked about food?

I tell myself that I like to talk about stuff. Any kinds of things I come up with though, it’s hard to talk about.

No. I like food.

Since we’re right in the middle of the holidays…

Thanksgiving. I prefer turkey over ham with some cranberry sauce. Gotta have my dressing. And, rice and gravy. And.... I’ve gotta have my macaroni and cheese. Mom makes it and It’s my favorite mac and cheese in the world. For dessert, I’ve gotta have my favorite banana pudding dessert. I also like pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.

Well, at Christmas Dinner-- mac n cheese, rice & gravy. Not as much turkey at Christmas—I prefer ham over turkey for this holiday. Sometimes you get dressing for Christmas, but I prefer it at Thanksgiving. Dessert-wise, I normally eat chocolate fudge!

And, of course, mac and cheese!

My favorite food is macaroni and cheese. It’s always been my favorite. The first time I ever remember having it would be the blue box—Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. There’re different kinds of tastes of macaroni. Some I like to eat some that I don’t like to eat. I don’t like low-fat milk—it's not rich and creamy and cheesy.

Other types that I like are all cheese-based but also Italian macaroni—which is like alfredo—a white sauce. It’s not like the regular cheese, which is yellow, cheddar cheese.

The best macaroni in town—I'm not sure...

Some places that I like to go and order it though. Captain D’s had an ok one, but theirs isn’t as good anymore. I still LOVE their fish. Piccadilly and S&S Cafeteria used to have a good one too. It’s good—the noodles are bigger than Kraft but it’s still creamy.

Recently, Charleston Sports Pub has had a really good one—I like the one with the shrimp in it. I really like to get the Mac Burger there as well—they put the macaroni and cheese on TOP of the burger!

We do Friday Night Supper Club—we get together and eat ‘cause it’s fun. We go to different places; places we haven’t been before. It evolved but began with mom and dad and I. Now, Clois & Lay (Lois and Clay in John speak), Mike & Linda, sometimes RayRon (Ray and Ron) and Uncle Tommy.

And whoever else we invite that pops up from time to time.

Out of all the places I’ve experienced with Supper Club, I think my favorite is probably Harvest Moon, followed closely by Charleston Sports Pub but I can’t choose a third—ok, another favorite is Southside 17.

I just love Harvest Moon and Southside 17!

When I’m out of town, my favorite restaurant... Is... Margaritaville! I’ve been to the ones in Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Turks & Caicos, and... Pigeon Forge... I think.

My favorite type of food? Mexican. That’s my favorite cuisine. I order the Speedy Gonzales—a taco and Mexican rice and refried beans.

If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life on a desert island it would be salad. ‘Cause that’s healthy.

~ John Joyner

Postcards from the Edge

I like postcards a lot.

The first postcard I remember getting was in Nashville; it was beautiful. This was a calendar, but I thought it was a postcard. It had fireworks on it. It had the Tennessee Waltz Ride, Flowers, Buildings, etc. But the very first ACTUAL postcard I picked out was in Dollywood and it was of Dolly Parton.

If I could say anything to Dolly right now, I would say,” Thank you for letting me go to Dollywood. I enjoyed it and had a good time.”

Sometimes I get postcards from places I travel: Dollywood, Junaluska. I look for different things in postcards.

I get neat postcards. If I like it, I get it.

I like good pictures like Disney that are beautiful, hard, wooden and other specialty postcards like the ones I got from Pam and Derrick from other countries.

I get ‘em from other people.

Sometimes I get my postcards from Florida—Universal and Disney. I get some from other countries from my friend Sandy—she gives me bunches from all over: Canada, I’m assuming like Mexico, Italy, India. Sandy Katz showed me a different way to collect postcards. It has a lot to do with our friendship. I like these postcards a lot.

I collect postcards ‘cause it’s very interesting. Sandy gave me some postcards and I liked them and thought it might be a good idea to start collecting them.

Brandon and Kristen brought me tons of postcards back from all the states they traveled along Route 66.

Some of the old ones I have from Mom are in covers so they stay protected and so they don’t get dirty. It’s hard sometimes to make sure you don’t have a repeat. What if I already have what I looking at now at home? I’ll say I have this already…

My favorite postcard----whooooo, whooo, whooooo—I have a LOT! Well, my favorite one would be… some of the sunsets from Florida, some of the nighttime scenes in Florida—I love the landscapes. I’m not really sure why. I just like them because they’re beautiful, I guess.

If I could choose a postcard from anywhere in the world, I would choose one from Mexico.

But, of the places in the world I haven’t been, I would want one from Japan. It’s just a different culture… Japan in EPCOT is beautiful.

If I could say anything to someone in Japan…  I would say, “Hello!” and “How is Japan?” because I would want to know about their culture. I would like to know if it’s very different than ours. How different is their country than the US? I would also want to know their favorite place to go.

And I would want to tell them to let me know if they’re ever in Charleston and I’d take them out to eat. Maybe to one of my favorite Southern staples—Harvest Moon or Easterby’s if it’s a Tuesday or Mexican any other day—Rio Chicco’s or Sr. Tequila or Los Reyes.

Why Postcards?  Because they’re beautiful and the technique. Because I can’t take pictures, it’s my way of remembering a specific place the way I see it. Some have paintings and are embossed so I can feel them.

I collect them because it’s a lot of fun and they are easy to find wherever you go.

~ John Joyner

The Name's Joyner, John Joyner

I watch a lot of movies.

The very first movie I ever remember watching in the movie theater was Star Wars. I like the coloring and the original actors better than in the more recent ones. Episode 4 through Return of the Jedi are easier to follow.

But it’s a little different now-- I don’t like the new ones as much; they’re too confusing.

Now what I look for in a movie is a good movie. Good actors & acting, good dialog, good music.

I like Comedy.

Drama—yeah.

Romantic movies-- yeah, I like that.

Action and Animated. Some yes, some no.

Scary-- Not that much.

I used to like Scary movies, but now they’re too scary. I used to watch earlier scary movies like the old Dracula movies (Hammer Horror) and classic Monsters in the newer settings-- the 2nd wave in the 70’s.

I like Final Destination, Gremlins, Monster Squad for Horror. Kinda more of a scary comedy...

Mom remembers taking me to The Three Musketeers in 1973 and when the part where a guy’s throat was slit, I laughed out loud because I just knew it wasn’t real. But now, things seem too real.

I love Spy movies. I enjoy the Bourne Movies because of the action and spies. I’ve watched the I Spy TV Show.

Some that make the most impact on me? BOND! I like the earlier Bond movies the best.

My favorite is Sean Connery. It’s hard to find the words to say, but I like his acting and his playing of Bond. The Spy Who Loved Me with Roger Moore is my favorite of the Bond films. Moore has different skills than Sean Connery.

The gadgets and things in Bond are cool. I like the briefcase From Russia With Love with the rifle, throwing knife that popped out and the gas that came out the side.

The cars are fast! My favorite Bond car is the white one: Lotus Espirit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me that goes under the water.

I love the MUSIC too! The Bond Themes are great. Actually, I think I like The Spy Who Loved Me the best because of the song-- Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better.” 

I grew up reading comic books and liked watching detectives like Perry Mason and Batman on TV as well. My favorite superhero is Batman. It’s just a lot of fun. I like the Michael Keaton Batman and Batman Returns. The new ones are a little different than the ‘89 Batman (which I prefer). I like the ones that tell you the story the whole way through, like the origin stories.

About the various formats? There’s a difference in sound and look when you think about Beta, VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray. I liked VHS better than Beta. They kept getting better. But, now, I ONLY watch movies on Blu-Ray (if I can help it) because it’s better.

Mom says the very first VHS I bought was downtown at Woolworth’s and it was KRULL. But the first one I actually remember was Mannequin. I replace my VHS tapes with DVDs and then have gradually transitioned everything over to Blu-Ray when they are available. The first DVD I remember getting is an Action movie… something Game… with Ben Affleck... Reindeer Games!

My favorite place to watch movies is at home on Blu-Ray, but sometimes I go to the movies and it’s fun I can add them to my shopping list.

You used to rent movies and return them and get more.  Every Thursday I get to go to the library to find new movies. I miss having a store to go in to rent movies from, but now I go to the library and check movies out.

  ~ John Joyner

Quick Facts About John and Movies:

• I love watching my TV series: Batman, DC Comics TV (Flash, Arrow, Super Girl, Legends).

• I have some box sets as well: Bond, Batman, Star Wars, Harry Potter.

• If I could be in any movie of all time I would want to be in Singing in the Rain.

John’s Top 5 Movies of ALL TIME:

• Singing in the Rain

• Casablanca – Thought I don’t own it...

• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

• Death Becomes Her

• *batteries not included

A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock and Roll

I like to listen to music; Country Music.

I was really young — in about ’76 -- I was 6 years old; my mom’s dad, Frankie, got me into the country music scene. He started listening to it and that’s when I got into the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s style.

The first song I remember listening to in the country music genre— I can’t remember, it’s hard to think—it was a Donna Fargo song— oh, yeah... “Happiest Girl in the USA.” I know it’s crazy that’s all I can remember... it was just me and Frankie in Walterboro, South Carolina.

After that, I kept listening to all the country music.

I became more and more interested in listening. Lynn Anderson’s “Rose Garden.” The 60’s style music. Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton. And then... in the 80’s-- I was still listening to Dolly Parton and the Highway Men, Johnny Cash.

In the 90’s I listened to Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Dwight Yokum.

2000’s gets a little bit different and gets into the rock style. I like this one and I don’t like that one. It’s like you listen to the song on a Hot Country or Classic Country (CMT, Country Music Television for those of you who are unacquainted).

I started listening to rock when I was about 7.

Before listening to Country, I was listening to “Pop Music” of the day (70’s, like Janis Joplin) a little Rock & Roll (like Elvis). In the 60’s style, The Beatles and the 70’s you have the Eagles. I wasn’t much of a Rolling Stones fan.

The biggest band I listened to before country music was probably KISS—I had posters on my wall and was part of the KISS Army! The costumes and make-up were fine—I love that—and the loudness didn’t matter as long as it was good.

I wasn’t much on the Rock of the 80’s and 90’s. But I continued my love for Country all along. I’d listen to The Mavericks and Bluegrass.

Then, after the rock thing, I went back to country music.

Some of the best early country music concerts I went to were: The Gatlin Brothers in ‘82, The Oak Ridge Boys in ‘83, Mel Tillis in ‘85, Ronnie Millstadt in ‘87, and Will and June in ‘88.

And, some of my favorite concerts of all time were: Mel Tillis, Ronnie Millstadt and Loretta Lynn. I enjoyed Kenny Rogers and Dolly and Willie Nelson too.

Today, my favorite artists are Dan+Shay. I really love “Tequila.” The song. Not the drink.

My favorite album? Willie Nelson’s ‘78 edition of Stardust. My favorite song of all time is Hank Williams, Sr.’s “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” But to sing at karaoke? It's “King of the Road.”

Something about the music. I just like it and feels like it keeps bringing me home.

~ John Joyner

The Family Jewels

I like jewelry.

I save up my money to pick out jewelry every year — each year I find a special ring. It takes a long time to save up for.

I love going to Florida. When we go to events like Mardi Gras at Universal Studios, I enjoy getting beads and different necklaces. I sometimes wear necklaces. When we were in Florida and went into a Jewelry store in Disney World, all they had were silver rings. 

I travel and look for different things that I like.

I found a shop, Golden ‘N Memories, that used to be in Dollywood, which is where we met Melinda and Larry the first time. They enjoy Southern Gospel like I do and we had fun talking to one another.  Larry would pull the trays out for me to look at, touch, hold and try on. I look for rings that fit nicely but if not, they’ll size it for me.

Larry creates each ring as a piece of art. Kinda like mom — One works with intricate rings while mom paints on larger canvases. He does good work just like mom does.

The first ring I ever picked out here was a silver color with a Black Onyx. Then I found a clear ring when I returned the second year.

My favorite color is purple. I have many different color rings. I have a ring that’s like the sky and different color blues. Blue like the sky is one I definitely look for.

All of the rings are gemstones; I think I have a Purple Agate. My favorite ring is — I have so many I can’t even remember — I'll say it’s the black and gray-ish in the shape of a road. I just like it.

It’s been about 2 years since Larry passed away, but I still go to the store to pick out special rings that he had made before he died.

The first time I went in after that I hugged Melinda… and found some special rings.

I look forward to finding my next special edition to the ring family. I always find something special. Sometimes a ring. Sometimes something even better.

~ John Joyner

** You can visit Melinda’s Gold ‘N Memories at https://www.facebook.com/goldnmemoriesonline/