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Published: February 11th 2013
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Sam
The Cannon-Maker Man Our good friend Sam is quite a man. He is a true gem with many facets. Soon after meeting, we found we shared many interests: RV life at Tropical Palms (where we met), going to Flea Markets & Antique Shows (he is known as the "King Picker"), selling on eBay (a plus for a "picker") and just having a good time with friends (so many laughs to share). Sam gave us some insight into his interesting past through his exceptional talent of story-telling. He truly puts Uncle Remus to shame. What a gift he has. We've clung to every word as he painted such vivid pictures into our minds. A few of his reflections include: traveling on his trusty ice cream bike selling the cold delight as a young boy, while working at a gas station, he kept a car up on the lift with a loving couple inside, driving a jeep, where he worked, into a too tight, too narrow elevator, outsmarting and fielding off bad bully, Leonard, two separate rewarding encounters with Blind Tom and his dog, the pathetic death of his pet chicken, discovery of a special ring and finding it a new owner, watering elephants at the My Cannon
Wonderful carnival....and many, many more that could fill a book. He tells how he grew up in a big family without a silver spoon in his mouth. He worked hard from an early age, using cleverness and ingenuity added with alot of common sense throughout. He was always able to figure out what challenged him and succeeded in meeting it head on, always coming out on top. This has to be the basis for his success in life. At age seven, he worked in a junkyard followed by many other jobs over the years. Always a hard and honest worker -he gives 150% to everything he does. His dedicated, honest work culminated in his forming and developing his own extremely successful and profitable irrigation company. His company was awarded and honored as No.1 across the United States for several years. Sam is the ultimate entrepreneur....plus being "Mr. King Picker". He and his lovely wife, Sandy, have been married almost 53 years. They have 4 wonderful children, 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. They have traveled all around the USA in their RV as well as cruising the high seas a multitude of times. Their direction is always "forward" - nothing keeps them
back. Despite a debilitating condition, Sam let's nothing stop or interfere with anything he wants to do. "Where there's a will, there's a way" could definitely be his motto. He always sees the glass half full..... he is a confident optimist. A very talented hobby of his is building miniature cannons. One purpose in his "picker" goal is to find various parts to use to create these unique models. He is fond of old hose nozzles which would relate back to his water irrigation business. He has an enormous lawn sprinkler collection....one of many of his collections which makes us drool. A couple years ago, Sam made us one very fine cannon. It is displayed on my special viewing shelf at home. This year, I whined to Sam: "I wish I had a cannon for our RV". He took pity and created a marvelous, one-of-a-kind cannon for me. He said it represented my helping hand shown to him. I think it also represents the kindness and generosity his creative hands have given to so many. I wish all of you could meet Sam. You would really like him. I hope my blog gives you a glimmer into this fine gentleman.
Just like my cannon, he is one-of-a-kind. Our dear, dear friend, Sam - the Cannon-Maker Man.
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judy lane
non-member comment
Sam The Cannon Maker
Your story again, fantastic and yes Sam is great and high spirited. Always a laugh. A great Man who doesnt let things get in his way. Your right everyone should meet Sam!