cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17137
Walk For Whom a Bell-Matic Tolls
It's a gray day - no sunrise, no sunshine, no blue skies. Sorry fans of San Diego, this is what we call "the June gloom" even though it's January. This isn't stopping us from Seiko-walking though.
Last night we experienced a small miracle when I was able to raise one of my pair of dusty old Bell-Matics from the dead:
The movement is running, the dial is cleaned, case fitted, strap mounted, it ran all night and the day & date changed as they should -- what more could a guy ask for?
We just needed the right venue for the walk - someplace with a Bell would be nice... I had heard that a new Carillon (musical instrument with 23 or more bells) has been installed at the large new military cemetary near Miramar Air Base. We went there, arriving around 7am to find a few cars already parked in the lot.
We enjoyed our walk in the misty grayness -- the bell tower was invisible; the fog made it mysterious and fascinating to explore.
I remarked to my wife that whoever did the plantings and architecture really had a good knowledge of native plants and good taste.
I enjoyed the curves, straight lines and shapes.
I enjoyed the curves, straight lines and shapes.
There was a memorial to the SEAL teams. Since I know many who have served in this branch of the Navy, we gave it our attention.
There's a charity organization that puts a wreath and red ribbon on every tombstone in every military cemetery at Christmas.
We walked in silence, hearing very few sounds, just dripping of water off branches and the whisper of our feet on the wet grass.
We considered for awhile and decided we knew someone who is in this cemetery. Jim Brockman, a cheerful greeter at the church we attended for many years.
We were in no hurry, so we looked up his location in the cemetery directory, and then walked about a half-mile to it.
As we walked, I remembered that Jim loved clocks -- and there's a story that I'd like to share:
Jim called me one day and asked if I could get his Atmos clock going. I said I would take a look. He brought me the clock and I cleaned its outside, leveled it, adjusted it, and the clock responded very nicely. They're very sensitive to rough handling. It's the one on the right, below:
Not long after I got the clock working, Jim went into the hospital for some minor problem which dragged on and on. He called me once and said keep the clock safe there's no rush. A few weeks later, I heard that he had died suddenly. He had family somewhere but I didn't know how to contact them. Later the memorial service was announced, and because he was in a career Navy man, I thought he would be at this recently-opened site. I arrived for the service, paid my respects, afterwards I introduced myself to his son. I presented him with the clock which I had in the car, boxed and ready to go. He was stunned and emotionally shaken. He said "I knew my dad loved this clock; he was a bit of a miser but splurged out on it, and when we came to collect his things it was missing. I thought it had disappeared forever."
We finally reached Section 9, site 1450.
My photo library reminds me that it was a sunny day in March 2014, the flag was at half-mast, and the jets roared overhead.
Coming back to this morning ... after finding Jim, we finally found the bell tower. Sadly it was not operating today because they've closed down so many things due to COVID.
We walked back to the car.
Thanks for walking with us.
Cazalea & Mrs C
Walk For Whom a Bell-Matic Tolls
It's a gray day - no sunrise, no sunshine, no blue skies. Sorry fans of San Diego, this is what we call "the June gloom" even though it's January. This isn't stopping us from Seiko-walking though. Last night we experienced a small miracle when I was able ...
An other wonderful post of an amazing walk.
I’ve said it before - I do enjoy these Seiko Walks so much. Your pictures made me feel I was in this very special place for a moment. Great observations on the architecture. I loved the story about your friend Jim. I’ve been wanting an Atmos for so many y...
Thank you very much
I bought this one back in 2004, and it still runs like a champ ...
I do not recall seeing a Bellmatic in the metal. Never...
Did more than look at an Atmos clock
