Along the Way: Prose and Poems

By John Schenk

Born(1931) and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Graduated from the University of Detroit with a BBA and major in Marketing. John served four years in the US Air Force as a Medic with 3 years spent in Japan during the Korean War(1951-1953). John has extensive business experience in major Corporations in Procurement Management and Sales.

His book contains prose and poetry reflecting Johns serious and often humorous life experiences ,feelings, stories, and expectations on various issues and subjects.

John and his wife Mary currently reside in San Antonio, Texas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499048414

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by John Schenk.

ISBN:                  Softcover                           978-1-4990-4840-7

                            eBook                                978-1-4990-4841-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 07/11/2014

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

About The Author

PROSE

Preface

A Little Schenk family History

Court Judgments

Mom’s Accident Adventure

Missed opportunity For Trouble

The reluctant Scoutmaster

Birth Waits For No Man

The Happy Scrap Dealer

A Pretty Girl’s Gift

A Manager’s Miscue

A Sad Management Lesson

Detroit’s Wartime Police

Good Intentions

A Cut Above

A Japanese Pride

The Reluctant Hero

Kingchugabowbennada

A Flight Line Medic

The Uninvited

A Drunkard’s Surprise

Another Message

The Old Southern Ways

First Day Basic

Sneaky Repeat Performance

A New York City Scare

Crazy Strangers

A Unique Medical Treatment

Mrs. Patience

Unfavorable Neighborhood Introduction

An Unscheduled Visit

A Tearful Tale

Inspection Delusion

A Bit About Pit

The Attorney’s Advice

When The Butcher Was King

A Drug Store Revelation

A Bible Prayer

If I Had My Way

POEMS

Preface

Youth In Detroit

Detroit Christmas Memories

Life’s Crossroads

A Proper Christmas

A Christmas Recession Depression

Gus

Lost Wages Nevada

Perplexed

Ode To Management

Some Words To Live By

Mistake

The Threshold

Age

Someone

Economic Current Trends

A Tragic Remembrance

George

The Book

Happy Birthday

Frances’s Reply

A Letter Request

Merry Oldsmobile

The Casino

Funeral Sales

Investigation And Collection Sales

Computer Company Sales

A salesman’s Woe

Tired

Mary’s lock Out With Gus

Odd Couple

Sheila

Mabel & Pearl

Snake

The Gentleman’s Game

UMC

Mother’s Day

The Big Squeeze

A Record Resume’

Retirement

Outstanding Election Selection

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mary

Poker At The Casa

Wedding Poem

Our New Adventure

Joy’s Visit

Joy’s 13TH Birthday

Miss You

Return Home

Move To Texas

A TSR @ ATC

Mary Away

Debate

Terrorist

Pat

Color

Free Speech

Corporations

The Country Club

Golf Starter And Marshal

Life At Seventy

A Little Bit Of Texas

My Friend Jay

Happy Anniversary

Nervous Condition

Well It’s A Job

Out Of Work

Changeover

A New Venture

Promised Update

About The Author

John Schenk, a loving father and husband, worked many jobs through his life, as shown in his poetry and true life short stories. For a man of eighty-twoan, you are able to see his dedication to his family and friends through his writings and his hard work.

He loves to play poker every afternoon during the weekdays that he’s available at Casa Helotes Senior Center, in Helotes, Texas. Also, John loves to play golf and is an average player at Cedar Creek Golf Course in San Antonio.

This book is dedicated to his family, whom he wants to share his experiences through his walk in the path of life.

Judy Zipp-Wilson, CASA friend, who helped him compile this book.

PROSE

Preface

These short stories are dedicated to my wife, Mary

It was at Mary’s request that I wrote the short stories contained in this book. Over our years together I’ve told her most of these stories and often times more than once.

I hope these stories will provide some insight into my life and also to that of some others. They reflect different periods of time in my life which occurred at various locations. The stories are of my personal experiences. However, a few stories are also about some other people I have known.

The stories should provide some interesting aspects of life, it’s situations problems and maybe a little humor.

John Schenk

A Little Schenk family History

My mother(Helen) was raised on a farm outside of Stratford, Canada. Her parents(Gallagher) were Catholic and of Irish decent. Dad(Roy) was also raised on a farm near Rostock, Canada. His parents were Lutheran and of German decent. Wow, what a fire and water mixture.

Mom migrated with Dad to Detroit,Michigan in the mid 1920’s. Mom had to stay in Windsor, Canada for some time for an immigration health evaluation due to her diabetes.

Initially Dad worked at the Ford Rouge Glass Plant and Mom worked at an office downtown Detroit They lived in the Mayfair Apartments shared with Mom’s relatives.

They raised three children(Jack, Annie and Pat). Mom later became a United States citizen. Although Dad had built an established paint decorating business for a number of years, he still maintained his Canadian citizenship.

Dad had his Painting business workshop in the basement under the flat apartment where we lived. Dad worked with with flammable paints, oils and thinners in that basement. With his ever-present hot cigar ashes It’s a wonder that our place didn’t blow up.

Mom was always loving and caring to me. But, Mom was no wimp when it came to melting out physical punishment for any misdeeds. However, my relationship with my Dad was more stoic and reserved. I do appreciate the fact that most fathers do treat their children differently today than in the past. Years ago, favorite sayings where spare the rod and spoil the child or children should be seen but not heard. Also, any child’s disagreement with a parent was deemed to be sassy behavior and prompt discipline was physically applied.

Our family always lived in rented apartments or cold water flats. Only when mom had been left alone did she buy and live in her own house. Dad filed for divorce with the reason being, he just wanted his freedom. Sometime after the divorce, Dad sold his business to Burton Brothers and moved to Miami, Florida. He resided there for several years before his death. During this period, Mom had moved to Ferndale, Michigan and was employed by Brown’s Creamery.

Mom died in Ferndale. She was just short of 70 years old. Her death was the result of lifetime diabetes and a final heart failure.

Court Judgments

During the winter of 1962 I was attending the University of Detroit. I chose to take an elective course called Legal Justice. One day the class was given an opportunity to attend proceeding held at the Detroit Municipal Court. I believe that what transpired makes for an interesting short story.

This court handles such things as misdemeanors, petty thefts, and ladies caught working the world’s oldest profession. Prior investigations are done on all defendants where necessary which makes the judge’s punishment decisions faster, easier and fairer.

The first defendants before the court were the ladies of the evening. They were not a very attractive group after spending time in jail awaiting their court appearance. I’m sure some of their recent customers would not now be so tempted.

The judge sentenced those women to 90 days in the Detroit Jail. However there was one exception, a 14 year old girl. She said this was her first time and intended never to commit such a crime again. The judge asked if she was still in school and did she have passing grades. The girl said yes. The judge replied, Bring me each of your school report cards received this school year with at least a passing grade and I will have all records on your offense removed. Now young lady you are released.

The next defendant was a lady arrested for shoplifting. She was a middle aged women well dressed and groomed with an air of refinement about her. This women was very angry proclaiming her innocence and insulted at having been arrested. The judge wasted no time in passing sentence. The sentence was one year in jail with no parole. I couldn’t help feeling for that women and the harsh sentence.

The next person to appear before the court was an older unshaven and slovenly dressed man. He looked like someone who might have been living in the streets for sometime.

The judge must have known the man before as he addressed him as pat He said, I know you’re a good Irish catholic, did you make your Easter duty? Pat replied, yes your honor Then the judge went on. Well Pat, what will it be. 30 to 90 days in jail or spent with the Salvation Army? Pat said he would prefer serving time with the Salvation Army. Do you think there’s any chance they might convert you said the judge. Pat replied, no way your honor OK the Salvation Army it is said the judge.

After the court session was over the judge offered to spent a little time with us students.

The judge said, I noticed that some of you felt sorry for the shoplifter that was sentenced to one year in jail. Of course you were not aware that lady had a long record of previous arrests for the same type of crime.

Then we were enlightened about Pat. Yes, the judge knew Pat. He had appeared before him on a number of times usually during the winter months.

Pat’s offences usually only

Reviews for Along the Way

[courtney_chance-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Somewhere Along the Way!
Oh how I ABSOLUTELY love this book.

Liz in the first novel PISSED me off. she seemed to have really grown up in this book. I LOVE the mysterious Gabe. He was wonderful. I think hes my new book boyfriend.

I cant even give a proper review Im scared I may ruin something or give too much info.

I love all the characters new and old. Oh boy was Martha Q not a riot she is excellent. I love her.

What I like best? even if you havent read the first book, Jodi wrote this book so wonderfully and made them flow you would NOT feel lost. you could just jump right in and be ok.

[cranberrytarts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another stellar entry in Thomas' Harmony, Texas series. I was so happy to fall back into the town and the lives of all its inhabitants.

This isn't a romance novel about one couple, it's a love story about a town and all the people who live in it. I adored getting back in touch with some old favorites (Tyler, the undertaker, Hank and Alex from the first novel, Reagen) and getting to know the new characters introduced here (Martha Q, Denver, Gabe and Liz).

I'm just really sad that we haven't to wait A WHOLE YEAR for the next installment. Is it 2011 yet?

[jbarr5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

somewhere along the way harmony series by Jodi ThomasMysterious Gabe doesn't like to deal with others so he keeps to himself. He gets a meal from the cafe and pays for it. He's got an office where mail goes to, right next door to the woman laywer who just moved in. They've exchangeda few talks and kisses til she gets a call from him that he's in jail. The lady who brought him his meal has injuries and they are blaming him. Their pasts are revealed which makes what's happening now a reality.There are other people in town and we are introduced to them and given the updates as they will be playing a part inwhat's going on very soon. Very colorful people all mixed up with one another.the kidnapping take everyone by surprise and i'm surprised as to who helps to solve it and capture the kidnappers.I rate this book a 4.5, slow getting started but once it did it was nonstop action. characters i hope to meet inother novels by this author. Didn't feel like I knew the characters well, like maybe a previous novel told more ofthem.

[mchwest · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Second installment to this wonderful series… well developed quirky characters from a small town we would all like to live in. Nice enjoyable read!

[rdh123 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

good review. Reagan Truman. Gabe Leary, she met him delivering take out back door of the diner. He is a hiding aa his deceased father's farm/write and draws novels. Saves her from a fall and becomes town hero. Liz Matheson/lawyer. Hank Matheson and town sheriff, Alex McAllen. Mrs Q and her in. Mrs Briggs who cries at cementary daily. Tyler the funeral director writes an email daily. Brandon Briggs and Noah McAllen are Reagan's friends. Good Series