Vandy's Kids

Hangin' It Up.

2012-02-04T02:38:00.002-07:00

Many of you have already done it. Why didn't you warn me it would be SUCH an adjustment?
This week I notified my boss that the evening of 3 April will be my last EMS shift. I still love my job, but I'm now finding it takes almost 24 hours to recover and feel rested when my shift is done...
And I've noticed I am more tired during my shift than I'd like. So it's time to quit while I'm ahead.
It'll be quite a luxury to be able to travel on a moment's notice... little planning necessary.
No more bein' irritated with the cold next Winter... We've already made plans to be in Destin from November through the end of March.
You can come visit us. (Just make sure we aren't traipsing off somewhere else!)

The Olive Branch

2012-01-10T10:48:00.003-07:00

Driving South on Runyon Road, you'd come to an intersection and have a decision to make.
... Same with Paddock Road... left or right, which way you gonna go?
I had several friends on what is now called "County Road 800 N.", one of which I picked up every morning of my Senior year as I drove to CGHS.
I've driven the road a couple times in the last years and like most of the rest of our old stomping grounds... WOW, has it changed!

Seems odd now that for whatever reason "back when", I never considered the full meaning of the name, "Olive Branch".

Class of 66 news

2011-10-16T19:24:00.002-06:00

The Class of 66 held its 45th Reunion last week end. We started with a tour of the school (Impressive!) and football game on Friday night (CG lost). Jeff and Connie Surface hosted a really nice patio party on Saturday afternoon and the grand finale was a dinner get together at the Southern Dunes Country Club that night. Over half of our surviving classmates showed up and a good time was had by all.

For anyone interested in seeing what the younger crowd looks like now, pictures are posted here:

http://www.stanmount.com/CGfrontpage.html

More pictures and chatter about the reunion are on the class of 66 group web site.

Unlaxin' In Madison

2011-10-09T15:48:00.003-06:00

"The usual suspects", with A FEW new added faces:
(Click 'em to BIG 'em.)

We're goin' to Opryland! Come join us.

Christmas At Opryland!

2011-09-21T19:18:00.008-06:00

I know I sound like a broken record-
But if you were unable to make it to Madison last weekend, you missed a beautiful, relaxing weekend overlooking the river. About 20 VK's showed up, and all survived the experience and departed with smiles on their faces.

Now let's look to the future:
Jane (C.) S. has indicated her daughter can get us a special rate on a package deal at Opryland the first part of December and is doing the initial work toward having a mini-reunion there.
I checked and found this site that, I think, describes the events Jane was referring to.
She says the decorations are gorgeous, and we can decide what other activities (like the Louise Mandrell Christmas Dinner Party ) we might all want to attend.
This post is to plant the seed. Watch your email, facebook account, or come back here for more information shortly.

C'mon folks...
This is far enough out there that you can block off the time to attend. And we're having a far better time at these mini's than you might imagine!

******MORE TO COME.******

Madison's "Riverboat Inn"

2011-09-02T04:28:00.000-06:00

We'll be there in two weeks. Are you coming?

Reviews suggest it is "quaint". (One of the complaints at the link is about the size of the TV's! With that view of the river, I think that reviewer's priorities need re-thinking.)
God willin', SJ and I will find ourselves there, once again sharing time with beloved friends. There may still be rooms available...

Come join us, 16 & 17 September.

Mr. L. Is Worried About Me.

2011-08-02T10:28:00.004-06:00

I don't much care for whiners.
So I try to avoid being a whiny pain in the ### myself.
This post is gonna sound whiny.
But with it I will accomplish a couple things I need to do.

Through the grapevine I got a message sent by Mr. L.:
"I think something is wrong with (Greybeard)!!!!!!????? That is not like him not to have some type of article in Vandy's Kids.

Sigh.

I've mentioned before, when we started this blog our hope was that it would be used as a convenient way to have a chat "over the backyard fence"...
A place for everyone to come and share news that you'd normally see in a family newsletter...
Information about kids/grandkids.
Travel plans.
Retirement thoughts.
Plans for get-togethers.
Those sorts of things.

Well, it hasn't turned out that way. In the beginning it was SUCH fun. Go back and look at the first year...
There were several people contributing and even more commenting. But over the years, the folks that were sharing info here fell by the wayside. And worse, commenting pretty much stopped. A vehicle we hoped would be kinda like a snowball rolling down a hill...
A little news here, a little more there, and conversations building geometrically on information shared here, just never happened.

Sure, I'm disappointed.
But, as the kids say today, "It is what it is".
I tried. I have my own blog and actually have a small group of followers there, and some there have even become close "virtual" friends.
I post.
They comment.
And, knowing there are folks out there reading who, for whatever reason, care enough to comment, I am motivated to post again.

So that, my dear friends, is why there has been no updating here for a month or so.
If someone else would like to pick up the baton and post here, I promise there'll be at least one person commenting and showing interest in what is going on here at Vandy's Kids.

But should you want to stay semi-informed as to what is going on in the Greybeard and Sara Jean "Soap Opera", you can catch up with us at Pitchpull, my personal blog.

PT?
Hawkeye/Mrs. Hawk?
GH?
Joker?
Anyone else?
Run with it. It's all yours.
(And Mr. L., I'm fine and can be reached at the same email address as usual. Thanks for being concerned!)

Riverboat Inn

2011-06-30T10:48:00.002-06:00

Have you made your reservations?
I think today (Thursday) is the last day to get the special group rate.
Pull the trigger! Call the Riverboat Inn in Madison today and ask for the rate set aside for Linda K..
It's gonna be a relaxing, enjoyable time, visiting while watching traffic go up and down the river.
812-265-2361

Short Notice

2011-06-18T04:18:00.006-06:00

"I'm headed your way. You gonna be home?"
He'd be at my doorstep in two hours.
"Yes sir, I certainly will be! Be safe. I'll have a cold beer waiting for you."
It was my own darned fault. When I'm off work I've begun to isolate myself-
The cell phone rings and I let it go to voice mail...
I'll listen to that when I take a notion.
The hard-line phone rings and our answering machine takes a message. Ditto.
I guess it's a sign I'm really retire for retirement...
When I'm off work, I don't want to be bothered. But that attitude leaves me open to this sort of thing...
Tool's shadow will grace my doorstep in two hours.
Odd that I had just called TwoDogs that morning and learned Tools had been in Indy. So I at least was prepared for the idea I might hear from him. It was Sara Jean that finally heard his voice on the answering machine and told me I needed to call him for details.
"Yeah Tools, I'm home for the next couple days and you're welcome for as long as you want to stay."
He said he wasn't on a tight schedule and would play it by ear.
Same old Tools...
A few more character lines on that face, but the smile and booming voice were unmistakable...
"Hey brother, how are ya?"And as you might expect, the next few hours were spent catching up on the "new" news before we started lying to one another about our exploits back in the day.
He's fine. His better half is fine. He sat in retirement for over a year de-stressing before he realized he was going stir crazy and needed something to do other than watch grass grow. So he took a bunch of tough tests and became a licensed insurance adjuster. All these recent Spring storms with hail that has knocked out windshields and made your hood look like someone took a ball-peen hammer to it? Tools is your man for getting that fixed. When the hurricane season hits in full force, Tools will be on his way to the disaster areas to begin helping folks rebuild and heal.
And you know darned well he'll be great at it.

After a few beers we went and ate Chinese and then after a little more visiting he went to bed early.
Coffee and more chat on the patio in the A.M., we then rode the GoldWing to the next town West of us and ate breakfast at a little spot so much like "The Beehive" it would make you smile.
We then stopped at that town's High School and I showed Tools their gymnasium...
A cookie-cutter version of our old gym, except the color scheme is robin's egg blue and white.
Memories.

He's been away from home three weeks. A call to his mate and he said, "Well, if I get on the road right now I'll be home before midnight. I need to start that way."
And so he did.
I see him about once every five to ten years, but between us we have that "CG foundation" that all VK's understand. It takes about 30 seconds to get right back into that Trojan comfort zone.

I'll call today to insure you made it home safe buddy.
God Bless ya.
I love ya.

Back To 1958

2011-06-04T12:08:00.006-06:00

Sometimes a little irritation is a good thing.
This week I was irritated in a way that made me smile.
My "work car" has 235,969 miles on it. A '95 Chrysler LHS, it drives wonderfully and still gets over 27 miles per gallon of gas driving to and from work. It has all the bells and whistles and all of them still work, EXCEPT the air conditioner. The A/C gave up the ghost three years ago, and since it would have to be converted to the new eco-friendly refrigerant, in addition to having to replace the ($$$$$) compressor, I chose to just drive with all the windows down during the five or so months I'd normally be using the air. Working nights, when it gets REALLY REALLY hot, I drive Sara Jean's car to work in air-conditioned comfort.
Yesterday I had to drive to St. Louis to teach a student at a time that required me to drive in my old car since SJ would be at work with hers. Windows down, wind whistling all around, the thermometer on the display said "97".
I flew with my student, then did a little "airport bumming"...
Stops here and there on the airport to visit with old friends, culminating with a stop at the shop of a mechanic I've known over thirty years. Time, gossip, and a few beers were shared.

The sun was well below the horizon when I started my 90 minute drive home.
The temperature had fallen to 84 degrees and felt perfectly comfortable in my old luxury-beater. With the windows down I was reminded of how it was back when we were all growing up and automobile air conditioning was something about which we had only heard rumors...
The sounds and smells of life are in your face when the windows are down.
Skunk.
Honeysuckle in bloom.
A dead critter in the road, followed by the unpleasant scent of decay.
Newly overturned earth in that plowed field.
The (pleasant to me) smell of manure as I pass a dairy farm.
And a reminder of long-ago trips home after the movies at the Meridian Drive-In-
The wonderful feel of a sudden temperature drop as I pass through a wooded area, or drop down into a valley.

We all want to avoid being uncomfortable. We've all paid our dues and have a right to avoid being uncomfortable. But in avoiding discomfort, however slight, we've isolated ourselves from some things in life that really WEREN'T so bad on reflection... Windows down, radio BLASTING, the sounds and smells of LIFE encompassing us as we motor through it.

Life is mighty good.
We all could use the reminder now and then.

Mayfest

2011-05-21T21:28:00.001-06:00

The peonies are in bloom and to me that means something else is goin' on...
It's RACE time!

But how it's changed, huh?
Most of us here can remember when the entire month of May, (once the Kentucky Derby was complete), was devoted to the Indianapolis 500...
Practice.
Carburetion day.
A weekend of qualifying.
More practice.
Another weekend of qualifying.
The 500 festival parade.
And the race itself.

I watched qualifications today on a cable channel and I cannot even tell you now which one it was. The stands looked empty. I don't know if that was because rain was threatening the proceedings or if others are like me... angry that we can no longer carry coolers to our seats and make a family picnic out of "Pole Day".
I suspect the answer is... a little of both reasons.

But the race has lost its luster as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" in my eyes.
You can use any engine you want so long as it's the same Honda engine your competitor is using. Pretty much the same applies to chassis... are there still two manufactures making those?

It's a mess. I hope someone takes a look at the path that got us here and makes some dramatic changes.
If they don't, there'll be a chance the Brickyard 400 will start attracting a larger crowd.
(But they're also all using the same chassis/bodywork, and the engines, although made by different manufacturers, are as nearly identical as NASCAR can make them.)

Indy used to be exciting.
Someone needs to figure out how to make it exciting again.

Alumni Banquet 2011

2011-05-16T08:38:00.000-06:00

Via email from TwoDogs:

To Fellow Classmates and Friends,

The 2011 Center Grove Alumni Banquet will be held in the 'old' Gym at the High School. The date is Saturday, June 11, 2011. Doors open at 5:30pm, dinner at 6:00pm. Ticket are $20.00 each and are now available at the following locations: Embroidery N' Things 520 North SR 135 Greenwood, Old National Bank 900 South SR135 Greenwood, The Orchard Golf Center 251 North SR135 Greenwood and Center Grove High School. It is best if you go to one of these locations and purchase your tickets. For those 'out of town' - contact Dan Francis @ 317-431-6156 and make arrangement for payment. He will take name(s) and make a list for the door so that the tickets can be available at that time (6/11) for pick up.

Also, please take a look at the attached letter. It is a request for donations to help the CG Alumni Association continue to provide scholarship monies to graduating seniors. In the past, we have been able to raise enough to award 2 - $500.00 scholarships. We would like to be able to raise the bar this year and in the future. The scholarships are for CG Alumni relatives and are paid directly to the school of choice. The seniors are selected thru a process governed by the Center Grove Education Foundation. If you or your company are interested in donating and making a difference in someone's life, You can go to Center Grove Education Foundation.org and click on 'donate on line'. There will be a dropdown menu to choose from. Make sure you choose Center Grove Alumni Association. This will go directly into a fund that makes the scholarship monies available. The Center Grove Education Foundation.org is a 'not for profit' organization and any donations will be tax deductable. You may also write a check to CGEF c/o CGAA. Please let Dan know if you do contribute. We would like to add your name to the Donors List that is inserted into the program and handed out at the Banquet.

Be there or be square!

Dormant

2011-05-15T16:08:00.000-06:00

I got an email indicating that someone had actually left a comment here.
But the comment was spam.

Reunion @ The Barn-

2011-04-14T10:08:00.000-06:00

Michael C. Mullins

2011-04-14T09:28:00.002-06:00

Michael C. Mullins

Michael C. Mullins, 59, passed
away Thursday, April 7, 2011, at
his residence in Greenwood.
He was born June 6, 1951, to
Carl J. and Dorcas (Brandsteter)
Mullins.
Survivors include his mother,
Dorcas Mullins; two nephews,
Michael and David Boswell; and
an aunt, Willetta Lucas.

He was preceded in passing by
his father, Carl J. Mullins; a sister,
Carolyn J. Boswell; and a
brother-in-law, Joe Boswell.
Michael was a graduate of
Center Grove High School and
Indiana University.

Now that he's gone, the story can be told without repercussion:

When Mike was hired at the Frostop I was tasked with teaching him how to be a short order cook. Car hops would take the food/drink orders and bring them to the refreshment window. If there were kitchen-prepared items on the order, that order ticket would be hung on a rotating clip-thingy, (technical term, I know. If you need a better description, email me), and the cook would prepare the necessary items before handing sandwiches, etc. along with the order ticket back to the refreshment worker to add root beer or other drinks to the order for delivery by the car hop.
Back in the kitchen, we had a small window to peer through that gave us a view of who was parked in the lot. One day while I was teaching Mike he was watching the cars pulling up into the lot and I heard him mutter something angrily beneath his breath. When I asked what he was muttering about he pointed to the car that had just pulled in and said, "That (blankety-blank) is the guy that stole my girlfriend".
And as I recall, the subject of his anger was someone that I thought the world would be better without too. So when the order came in for a cheeseburger and fries, I allowed Mike to show me how well I had taught him to cook. We had run out of frozen hamburger patties that day and were using fresh ground hamburger, manually pressing out the patties with our hands. Mike expertly removed a tennis-ball sized chunk of meat, pressed it into patty form with his hands, slipped the patty beneath his armpit and rolled it around, then fried it up, added a slice of cheese and sent it on its way to consumption.
We giggled as we watched the "bad guy" eat his sandwich.

I sure liked Mike.
Lord, when he shows up at your gate give him a hug for me and remember...
We were just stupid teen-agers at the time.
Forgive us both, please.

Classmates.com

2011-03-25T11:18:00.002-06:00

"Greybeard, 15 people visited your guestbook. Click here to see who's searching for you!"
And when I click the tab I'm transported to a site asking for my credit card number.
Although I really don't want to 'cause I HAVE gotten in touch with a couple folks through Classmates.com, I think I'm gonna have to block 'em. They're beginning to be a nuisance, and I get FAR more valuable information through Facebook and Vandy's Kids...
FREE!

Classmates.com...
You need a new business model.

Hanna-Barbera

2011-03-20T03:58:00.001-06:00

"The Flintstones" came first.
Yogi Bear, Quickdraw McGraw, and others soon followed.
Several of our classmates assumed Hanna-Barbera identities...
TopCat and Snaggletooth are two that come to mind, (although Snaggletooth didn't much care for his moniker).
Were there others?

Benny

2011-03-13T10:18:00.001-06:00

So many years have passed, it's tough to remember...
I went to my first CG Alumni Banquet in either '81 or '82. I bought tickets for the dinner and the after dinner get-together. The dinner was early... I remember it was still light outside when I sat down to eat... alone. I was maybe halfway through my meal when he approached and asked if he could sit with me...
"Hi, remember me?!! I'm Benny!"
How could anyone forget Benny?
Short in stature, huge in personality and presence, Benny.

I was glad not to be alone.
As you might imagine, Benny did most of the talking, but he wasn't inconsiderate...
He listened too.
I mentioned my Viet Nam service and the fact I was still in the ARMY Reserve.
That gave Benny the chance to brag about his NAVY service, and he had good reason to brag...
He had been selected to serve on "Old Ironsides"...
The U.S.S. Constitution, the museum and oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. That was a prime job... a job the NAVY would not have given to just anyone. His obituary says everyone who attended Benny's tours of the ship said he was exceptional.
I have no doubt that is true.

I didn't know Benny well. I worked with his sister Julene at the Frostop and loved her, and through that association knew the rest of her family well enough to smile and wave.
I knew Benny well enough to know I liked him.
And I'm sad to know he's gone.

So many posts in a row dedicated to sadness...
And our country and the world in a mess...
We need a collective pick-me-up, don't we?

Mr. Merklin

2011-02-28T21:42:00.001-07:00

Again, another sad notice this week. Brenda lost her father this week. Our thoughts are with the family.

Dale Hollanbeck

2011-02-25T21:39:00.001-07:00

I read in the paper where Dale lost his mother this week. Our prayers are with the family.

Gloria Lindle

2011-02-21T15:48:00.002-07:00

Via Carol "Casey Bade" Crafton-
Gloria "Peaches" Lindle has passed.
Please add details as they become available.

This Small World

2011-02-19T22:38:00.016-07:00

Over at my blog, a guy responded to my post about the visit Cinders, TwoDogs, Sara Jean and I paid to Ft. Knox, KY last year.
His message was, "I too went to Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox and have compiled a great deal of information about the OC Brigade while it was active there."
He asked if I was interested in adding my name to the growing list of former candidates sharing information about the 4,203 Officer Candidates that passed through the school during its existence. I answered in the affirmative.

"Doug" has since sent me four or five emails, including one that has the roster of class 28-67...
The class I attended. Of course, reading those names brought a flood of memories.
Eighty-six of the 127 Officer Candidates that started that class graduated and pinned on their "Butter Bars" on 13 October 1967.
Two of those men were killed in Viet Nam.
One of those received the Medal of Honor for his incredible bravery in attempting to save men under his command.

I'm amazed at how computers are continually shrinking the size of this big 'ol world.
But you have to stick your toe in the water that is the internet in order for others to find you and share things of interest with you.

Where's your toe?
Stick it in!

Mrs. Rainey

2011-02-06T21:28:00.004-07:00

I'm sure Bo won't mind me sharing the email I just received:

"We flew home (Mother and me) yesterday on an Aerocare plane out of Scottsdale to Indianapolis then ambulance to St. Francis Hospital. Family all came to see mother today. She knew everyone but was not truly comfortable. I requested that they just keep her comfortable so they gave her something to help her rest and sleep. Mother passed away today about 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. I am numb but o.k. so far."

She's at peace Bo.
Now you work on getting there too.
Let us know what we can do to smooth your way.
We love you.

More as I hear it.
Feel free to add info as you get it.
GB

Rewind to the 60's

2011-02-04T05:39:00.002-07:00

After having a pretty bad week, I sat down to open some emails and there it was, an ad from one of my favorite places, The Vermont Country Store. After a 21 year absence, Bonomo's Turkish Taffy is back. I don't know about you, but a trip to Walden's Drug Store was a frequent stop for me.
Bill, Jo and Kirk were such nice owners and I always stopped by the counter so Harry or Gary could fix me a cherry root beer in a nice frosted mug. Cost 10 cents. The cherry was a nickle.
I must have ate my weight in Bonomo's over the years and now they are offering it 8 bars for $14.95. WHAT?? What happened to the nickel candy bar? But, heck, if you are looking for something weird from your past, chances are this store has it. They have all four flavors, but vanilla was my first choice.
Now if they would just bring back the pink candy lipstick, a sweet confection in a gold wrapper.

Question

2011-01-21T18:39:00.003-07:00

Oh my goodness, this Moribund title, let alone being dormant sounds so sad for me. I know I have slowed down in old age, but Moribund???? Dormant, sounds like an old bear in his den, but that may fit me to some degree. I do walk after dinner, can I have a new word please, oh great wizard of the blogs?

So on the off chance I will keep this title forever, please let me ask this question.

Did anyone ever have an occasion to use or remember the "Beep" line while in high school?

Three! Count 'Em.

2011-01-21T00:58:00.005-07:00

It started with such promise, this blogging biz.
Several folks who thought there might even be a book in 'em somewhere started writing, and by simply clicking on the links in the blogroll over in that column on the right we were transported and entertained with their thoughts. It was neat, for a while. I sure enjoyed it.
But then, for whatever reason, it kinda died.
Of all the blogs listed in that column, only three are now active...
Mine, Rita's, and a new one by Rita's brother, Crown 'n Coke.
Find and click on "Rumbles From The Vent" there to catch up on C&C's thoughts.
Leave a comment if you're inclined. (And remember it takes a little work to blog, so if you enjoy the words you SHOULD leave a comment!)
'Cause if you don't, I may have to add the tag "Moribund" to another blog or two.

What's goin' on in your life?
Share with us.

Music

2011-01-16T04:47:00.002-07:00

On a lighter note, Question of the week is:

Does Hans Zimmer make music for the movies, or do they make the movies for Hans Zimmer?

Wild, Wild West

2011-01-14T09:18:00.008-07:00

My first memories of our home on Morgantown road are of a little two-bedroom, one bathroom house in a line of homes, several of which had been built pretty recently. Across the street from us was an empty field. Across the fence behind our house was an empty field. I think I've mentioned here before how one of my favorite memories is hearing a farmer on a "Poppin' Johnny" negotiate the kink in Morgantown Road North of our house and drop the tractor into "road gear" with the ensuing "Pop......pop.....pop...pop..pop.popopopopop as they passed our house. (I still LOVE to hear one run!)
We lived in farm country. Many of us worked on surrounding farms, cleaning stalls, bailing hay, plowing, planting, and harvesting crops.
Indianapolis itself was still a pretty quiet town in spite of its size and the fact it was the seat of Indiana government. The 20 or so miles between our homes and the State Capital isolated us VERY well.

In my growing up years we seldom saw indications of law enforcement...
I'm sure that's partly because there was little need for us to see law enforcement personnel regularly... there was little in the way of crime around us. It was no doubt also a function of the fact that even though the baby-boom had begun, we still had not seen the explosive growth other near-Indy communities were beginning to experience.

In this post I discussed the fact that many of us, (including me), started riding motor scooters in our neighborhoods at the age of 12. I rode my scooter until I was 16 when I bought a more "legitimate" two-wheeler, my Harley "Sprint" motorcycle at the age of 16.
But for almost 4 years I rode that motor scooter freely in our community, aware that I was very unlikely to ever see a State Trooper or Deputy Sheriff, and even if I did they were likely to look the other way rather than going to the trouble to stop a youngster on a harmless motor scooter.

How things have changed, huh? Where could you imagine yourself going today that you would feel comfortable allowing your 12 year old son to ride around the community freely (and TOTALLY illegally) on two wheels of any sort? Cops today certainly would NOT look the other way at such behavior, and lawyers and government functionaries would look upon parents allowing such behavior with disapproval, to say the least.

But we did okay in that environment, didn't we?
We didn't form gangs.
We didn't maim or kill one another.
We didn't threaten our teachers. We didn't phone bomb threats to our school.
We learned respect for hard work. We respected our elders and our neighbors.
And we actually learned how to read early in grade school!

You can never go home again.
But WOW, I SO OFTEN find myself wishing that weren't so these complicated days!

It's Friday.
You want to talk about something other than snow?
Here's your chance...
Regale us.

Snow Days

2010-12-30T01:58:00.009-07:00

So- they'd cancel school because they felt conditions were too dangerous to deploy the buses to pick kids up. And what did we (I?) do?
Drive to the school and use that North parking lot to skid, slip, slide, and do "snow donuts".
That lot was free of light standards and relatively flat...
A perfect place to act like a fool.
But we did learn skills there.
We learned the snow was unpredictable and places like that lot were where you wanted to experiment and make mistakes.
Ron S. and I also learned a brand-new Corvette is no fun on the snow...
Its near 50/50 (front/rear) weight balance meant it didn't want to hang its butt out in a slide, meaning it didn't like to slide at all.
A new Pontiac Bonneville convertible was a MUCH better tool for such shenanigans!

Got any snow stories?
Let's hear 'em!

Christmas Eve, 2010

2010-12-24T01:58:00.000-07:00

I'm at work.
It's 1:50 A.M. as I punch these keys. I've had a quiet night... one call to see how long it would take us to fly to, believe it or not, Princeton Indiana and transport the patient to Evansville.
Our ETA was too long and the caller declined the use of our services. Whether they chose to fly the patient with another service or load them into an ambulance to drive the few minutes down U.S. Highway 41, I don't know. But I just took a look at our weather-radar and there is a green/white/hot pink blob slowly creeping across the map with us directly in its sights. The snow is supposed to start shortly after Noon tomorrow and continue for 24 hours. The approach of the system will soon make it impossible for me to consider a flight to help a patient from hospitals West of us. My shift tomorrow night will probably be spent with the BK117 safely ensconced in the hangar while me and my crew try to find "It's A Wonderful Life" or "White Christmas" on TV somewhere.

My son is home from California. He is healthy. Having him under our roof is a comfort. I'll be working all but one night during his visit, so we need to make plans to best use that one night before he has to return to L.A..
It's my hope that this post also finds you well, and focusing on what is REALLY important...
Sharing time with friends and loved ones.
And know that I look forward to sharing time with you soon, too.
Happy Christ's Birthday.

Wimpification

2010-12-17T00:08:00.001-07:00

They canceled school today. That surprised me.
They've already canceled school for tomorrow. That surprised me even more.
I don't want this to sound like the old joke we so often heard from our parents and Grands...
"I walked two miles to school in two feet of snow, uphill, and with a stiff breeze at my face... both directions!"
We had it pretty good and we know it. We didn't have to walk.
But there WERE days when the weather would be bad and we'd get up listening to reports on the radio or TV hoping to hear "Center Grove Schools, canceled". And on some of those days, even though the weather was pretty ugly, the buses still ran and we made it to school safely.

It snowed here two days ago. We woke to find about an inch or so covering the ground. The roads, where the sun could do its job, remained clear but wet. Shady spots DID get snowpacked and icy. Yesterday there was a prediction of freezing rain and administrators canceled school on the forecast. We watched anxiously for the rain to start and turn everything into ice sculptures during the day... and it didn't happen.
Taking the dogs out for their last "Good doggies go potty?" of the evening I could feel the freezing mist in the air. We woke this morning to see everything covered with a sheen of ice... including all the roads. The temps didn't, and won't, get above freezing today/tonight, so the ice is here to stay until that changes.
No school tomorrow means three days in a row at home for these kids and nightmares for those parents that have to scramble to find daycare for them as they go to work.
I think we might have missed school today due to ice, but I believe we'd have been in school the other two.

Kids don't play dodge ball in school anymore because they might get hit by the ball(!!!) and be injured.
Playground equipment has changed dramatically to keep kids from any risk of injury.
I'm sure you can think of other things that could be added to my "safe kids" list.

All this junk is driven by lawyers, or, I should say, to keep lawyers from having a chance to dip into deep pockets somewhere. And isn't it sad?
It's just another of the many reasons kids won't get the chance to be exposed to the same things we were as we grew up. They also won't have the chance to experience the thrill of being on that merry-go-round we had on our elementary playground.

Think about it...
What are we subtly teaching our kids?
Are we teaching them that risk, no matter how slight, is unacceptable?
And are we also teaching them that they have no responsibility on their own to avoid being hurt...
That IF they are injured it's time to start looking for someone to blame...
Someone to pay BIG BUCKS to insure something like that NEVER happens again?

I think that's exactly what's goin' on.
I think we've begun to see the result of that attitude EVERYWHERE in society around us.
And I think it's costing us a fortune, sometimes in ways we can't even imagine.

It's Friday.
Tell us what you think.
(And Echo/Shifty, you can gloat here now about being in Florida, surrounded by orange trees!)
Good for you.

Good Pain/Friday Open Forum

2010-12-10T02:18:00.000-07:00

When I first met her she spelled her name Elaine.
Sometime during the following year she decided it might be more sophisticated to spell her name Elayne.
I didn't care. She made me laugh.
Hard.

There was never any real romance there. Oh, we kissed a lot, but that's as far as it ever went.
We thought alike and had similar senses of humor. One of us would get started on some crazy topic and the other would add fuel to the fire. Soon we were both giggling and doubling over in spasms.
At the end of the evening I'd give her a goodnight kiss and head for home. For the next few hours my cheekbones would remind me of what fun we had... they'd ache from smiling so much.

I haven't felt like that in a long, LONG time.
Elaine/Elayne, where are you?

December, 2010

2010-12-03T13:18:00.003-07:00

December.
Can you believe it?
Seems like yesterday a contingent of us was enjoying life in Eufaula, Alabama. Now it's December and I'm actually contemplating Eufaula and beloved friends again in Spring. Anyone else up for that?

I want you to stop, take a breath, and study my next words carefully.
I just added the names Cheryl Morris and Stan Thompson to our Memorial.
One of 'em a memory that makes me smile...
Both of 'em gone way too soon.
Are ya enjoying life?
Are ya sucking the last drop of nectar out of all the sweet moments coming your way?
I know... it's impossible to do it all the time. Life throws us curveballs we have to deal with...
Stresses that make us wish for some future date when they'll no longer be a factor in our lives. But more and more I'm realizing I should be taking control of things I truly can, so I have reserves built up and can more easily handle those things that are gonna stress me.
One of our contemporaries talks about being in "Resort Prison". I feel bad every time I think about it... being tied down and unable to get away from something that must make every day like living a bad dream. I know there are lots of folks in today's world that are fearful of the economy and what's just around the corner and are therefore staying in jobs they hate, just so that regular paycheck continues to come in. I know we can't fully perceive another person's life until we've "walked a mile in their shoes".

But I work in a job that is a constant reminder, and I want to insure you never forget it too-
Life is short.
Cancer, cardiac problems, drunk drivers, and other boogies are out there waiting to ambush us.
To the extent you can when you wake in the morning, vow to make it the "BEST" day you possibly can. Then try to make it a day that ends with a smile.
The holidays are coming. Try to make every day a holiday from now on.

And please excuse me...
End of sermon.

Cheryl Morris

2010-11-30T20:02:00.005-07:00

Cheryl Lynn (Morris) Jedamzik, 63, died unexpectedly Nov. 23, 2010. She was a longtime resident of Greenwood.
She was born Dec. 31, 1946, in Beech Grove.
Survivors include her mother, Margaret Helen Ogden; her step father, Rueben C. Ogden; a brother, Guy D. (Jennifer) Ogden of Bargersville; a sister, Cindy Ogden of Franklin; and a son, Zachary Adam Jedamzik (Amber) of Indianapolis.

She was preceded in death by her father, William H. Morris

Cheryl was a 1965 graduate of Center Grove High School and studied education at the University of Evansville. While in college, she also did some modeling. She was a dedicated member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority.
During her 42-year career as a legal secretary, she worked first for many years at Welsh, Spillman, Osborne & Hiner in Indianapolis. At the time of her death, Cheryl was employed by Kopka, Pinkus, Dolin & Eads, also in Indianapolis.
Every Sunday morning for 20 years, she enjoyed sharing breakfast and laughter with family members at Four Seasons Restaurant in Greenwood, making many friends during those years with servers and other restaurant customers.

As a sports enthusiast, Cheryl was a diehard fan of the Indianapolis Colts football team and the Indiana University men's basketball team. She also enjoyed watching all other sports, from golf to fishing to baseball.
As a breast cancer survivor, Cheryl proudly participated in April in her first 5K during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event in Indianapolis.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 pm. Wednesday at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home, 1977 S. State Road 135, Greenwood. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Winchester Place, 300 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood …
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Indiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 1099 N. Meridian St., Suite 111, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Mrs. Francis

2010-11-21T19:04:00.003-07:00

SAD NEWS

Elizabeth Jane Francis, 88, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010. She was born Sept. 5, 1922, in Bargersville. Her parents were James and Florence Robards. She married William E. Francis on December 18, 1942. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include three sons, Daniel E. (Edna) Francis of Bargersville, Dwaine E. (Kathy) Francis of Martinsville and Darrell E. Francis of Greenwood; a daughter, Donna Elaine Collins of Bargersville; eight great-grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She attended Center Grove High School and Central Business College. She was employed for 25 years by Center Grove High School as a secretary, retiring in 1984. She was a member of Mount Auburn United Methodist Church. She was a past matron of Greenwood Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star and an alumni member of Psi Iota Xi.

The funeral service was at 2:30 Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010. There were lots of tears, but more a celebration of her life. Some mentioned her as the “face” of Center Grove High School. She took the job as secretary seriously and considered all students, especially the ones from single parent homes or foster homes, her special charge. Two of her sons spoke at her funeral, as well as a friend and two ministers. Lots of memories, funny stories, her insistence of manners, and a loving mother were the theme of each person speaking. The service ended on a happy note with the playing of the song “Sweet Georgia Brown”.

Belated Birthdays

2010-11-17T05:28:00.001-07:00

I've gotten so accustomed to Facebook and its Birthday notifications, I let two slip by this past week unnoticed:
TD and Tools.
Their B-Day was November 13th.
Bo also celebrated her birthday earlier this month.
I'm sure I'm forgetting others.
Remind us!

Might As Well JUMP!

2010-11-12T00:48:00.000-07:00

It was in the summer. I can't remember the exact date, but it was quite some time ago... 40 years?
I would come home on the weekends and there'd be news reports complete with video about the event...
Some guy had offered a cash prize to anyone who could jump a motorcycle across a lake.
News crews were having a field day and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Fun-loving guys would buy some old beater motorcycle and come racing down the road to a ramp leading to the "goal", but would fall short and get wet. Divers would retrieve the bike so it wouldn't pollute the waters.
There was a party atmosphere...
It was hot. Everyone was in bathing suits... probably a lot of alcohol being consumed.

My recollection is that this went on for several weekends with the same result...
Entrants would race down a road to the ramp and end up in the drink.

Then it happened...
An entrant finally used a motorcycle capable of accelerating fast enough in the short distance available to reach the other side. He landed at the "goal", the bike came to an instant stop in the mud, and the rider's body violently collided with the stuck motorcycle. I remember seeing photos of the handlebars bent straight downward as the rider landed with extreme vertical force, breaking his back and paralyzing him for life.
But he got the cash prize...
I think it was something like $10,000.
And that MAY have paid for his first week in the ICU at that time.

Anyone recall the details?

It's open forum time once again. Comments are requested...
So comment!

{ Sigh }

2010-11-06T09:58:00.004-06:00

Good Saturday morning, VK's.
I'm at the dining room table. Mom is on the sofa watching TV... it's a little chilly for her to be on the balcony doing her normal "pelican watch" duties. Sara Jean is waiting, hoping the sun will knock enough chill from the air that she can do a little sunbathing on this, our last day of this trip in Destin.

We've had an "interesting" vacation.
An old neighbor/friend has been in ill health for years. As we were passing through Nashville on our way South we got a phone call... her health had taken a serious turn for the worse. There was and is nothing we can do, really, and she has ordered there will be no memorial service, so we continued our drive Southbound. But she's been slowly deteriorating and of course has been on our mind all week. Two nights in a row we were sure she would not live to see morning, but she's surprised us. It's been an emotional roller coaster.

We drove 8 hours to Titusville, Florida to see the Space Shuttle launch on Tuesday evening. We got face-to-face with "virtual" friends, staying at their home, and had a delightful time. The launch was postponed twice while we were there and we once again drove 8 hours back to Destin so we'd have time to get Mom and have a reasonable visit with her. (Now they've postponed the launch 'til the end of November at the earliest.)

So our stay here has been tough.
Getting home and back to a routine will be more relaxing.
We're looking forward to that.

I hope your week has been better than ours.
Tell us about it and cheer us up!

October Re-Creation

2010-10-29T00:38:00.000-06:00

We've had a stretch of absolutely gorgeous weather in Greybeard-land. The two or three days leading to our "Valley Walk" weekend were "keepers", with the only possible complaint being the days were a little too warm. Over the last two weeks the temps have moderated here but the rain has mostly stayed away...
We're about 10 inches in arrears on the moisture scale and you can tell it from the cloud of dust following the combines as farmers harvest their crops... (they're getting those crops in in record time, by the way!)

Once again I'm at work waiting for someone to do something stupid so the phone will ring and I can go out and alight in the center of some intersection somewhere. This is my second night of two...
Sara Jean and I will be pointing our old car Southbound again Friday afternoon, destination- Destin. We'll spend Friday and Saturday nights there, then head farther South to Titusville Sunday to visit with a friend I met via the internet whose brother was also a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam and was killed during my tour there. Our main reason for the trip is to watch what MAY be the next-to-last launch of the Space Shuttle from this lady's back yard patio. We're hearing we'll be close enough to the launch site that our Margaritas and Grand Marnier will be shaken and mixed by the Shuttle's vibrations, thankyouverymuch. Sara Jean has never been to the Cape. I've not been since November of '69 when I was disappointed as I watched Apollo 12 disappear into the clouds and fog three seconds after liftoff. We're both looking forward to a safe, exciting (and visible!) launch.

We'll return to Destin after the launch and stay until Sunday the 7th. We tried to entice TwoDogs and Cinders to come have Red Beans and Rice with us at "Kenny D's" but they've just returned home from the Tampa/St. Pete area and say they have had their fill of travels AND Florida for a while. That leaves a bedroom open in Destin if you're interested in coming down, so COME ON DOWN!

But if you're trapped at home and home is still the Indianapolis metropolitan area, I think you should be tempted to go have a look here.
That's gotta be interesting and could be the impetus for another trip back to Indy for Sara Jean and me.

I'll keep you updated next week as we eat cajun cuisine, fresh seafood, and soak up the sun.
Why don't you keep the rest of us updated on your goings-on in the comments now?
C'mon now...
Do it!

Sidewalk Surfing

2010-10-22T10:08:00.002-06:00

You know five or six of us went to the "Cruise Night" at the "Suds" after our Valley walk two weeks ago. If you have ANY interest in cars at all, it's something you should do. The Suds is open every Saturday night from late Spring through Fall, and you won't believe the crowd that gathers for the event.

I was on my motorcycle and left after most of the celebrants had already gone home. I drove up to the intersection that had the little Strip Mall that "Walker's Department Store" was once a part of. At the very end of that little mall, there's a road that goes downhill, back toward the Suds. When I say downhill, I mean DOWNHILL. It's a fairly precipitous dropoff in a short space, maybe a 30 foot fall over a 60 foot distance. We used to skateboard there.

Like so much else, it's interesting now to look at what has happened to some of the stuff we started. "Sidewalk Surfing" we called it, but it was the beginning of what is now skateboarding. We'd take a plank of wood, put steel roller-skating wheels on each end, and go have a ball.
Nowadays kids have huge boards with grippy (neoprene?) wheels, and where we did well to just steer and not "wipeout", these kids can do unbelievable things with their boards, as I'm sure you've seen.

They've put a concrete post in the middle of the road there by what used to be Walker's, but there's nothing there to keep "skaters" from flying down that hill.
I wonder if any ever do?

Friday.
Have a good one.
Tell us your news.

VK Valley Walk & Gathering - Oct 9, 2010

2010-10-12T20:52:00.002-06:00

We had a great group of friends, lots of good conversation, wonderful weather and lots and lots of great food. We were all sad the day had to end.

The "Valley Walk" was lots of fun. We traveled from our house in 3 cars and 2 motorcycles (TPO & GB) to go to the valley and parked in the EUB Church.

The Valley was in good shape, the houses looking neat and well taken care of. The Riley Kids even got to talk to the owner of their old home for a minute as they were leaving their driveway. They got permission to walk in the yard and take pictures. We got to talk to the people now owning the "Cotterman" home. It turns out the daughter of the people who used to live in the blue house across the street from the Cotterman home now lives in it. Everyone enjoyed remembering fun times (football, baseball, apple and tomato fights) in the yard of the Witty home. TPO's home also was on our walk and looking good. We enjoyed passing homes and saying who lived in which house and where the Doty, Sutton and Effie's stores and and the Bee Hive Restaurant were.

It is kinda amazing that most structures that were there when we were kids are still there. The Community Center still has a good looking baseball diamond still in use. The Community Center building was not in great shape.

On such a nice day, a lot of people and kids were out in their yards. A group of fifteen "Older People" walking down the street drew some attention. Everyone smiled and left us alone. Everyone had a story about the creek and "Iron Bridge" on Padock Road. Climbing on the bridge, swimming, ice skating, playing hookie from school and building a dam on the creek were a few of the memories.

I think it is a good thing to check in on old memories and friends from time to time. Sorta gives you a feeling of roots and belonging......a good feeling in your chest.....IT WAS A GOOD DAY.

Many thanks to those who came to be with us. It was good to be with VKs and remember those who couldn't be with us, but were such a neat part of our lives and growing up in the Center Grove area......The Valley.

Perfect? Nearly So!

2010-10-11T10:48:00.000-06:00

It may actually have been just a little TOO warm. (I'm searching desperately for something negative to say about our gathering, and it's mighty hard, lemme tell ya!)

I'm noticing a trend here...
When we attended "The Best Little Whorehouse..." we all stood in the foyer after the show until it became obvious the employees wanted to close up shop. So we simply stepped outside and continued our soiree (yeah, I had to look it up too), there. I think we all stood and chatted for at least two hours total after the play. And that's been the norm...
When we get together we are averse to separating.

This weekend was no different, and it made for a relatively long, but wonderful day.
You weren't there?
Why?!
You were invited!

October In The Midwest

2010-10-08T03:28:00.000-06:00

When prospective students come to me expressing a desire to learn to fly, and they want to build flight-time time quickly, I'll frequently tell them October is a great time to plan to do it. We are often blessed with really stable weather in October... almost no rain, but the stable weather also often comes with a hazard to flight... fog forming in the wee hours that burns off by about 9 A.M..

And that's been the case, at least here in my area, for the past week. We've had warm, comfortable days followed by coolish nights with a chance of fog, if the wind stays below 3 knots. Last week at my EMS job I finished a flight each night before midnight, and on each flight I could see the St. Louis Arch from 30 miles out. Stable air means a lack of turbulence, which makes pilots look like expert flyers even when they're not. These nights are so wonderful we frequently have to remind ourselves, "We're actually being PAID to do this job!"

I started two new students down the learning path last week...

One is a computer programmer.

The other is my UPS delivery guy, who those of you reading these blogs are aware I'm on a first-name basis with because of Sara Jean's penchant for watching QVC on television. He's a fixed-wing pilot with 900 hours and a commercial/instrument license in his pocket. He's also a radio-controlled helicopter pilot, so he's already familiar with the principles of helicopter aerodynamics. He's hovering earlier than most would be able to, thanks mostly to the R/C Helicopter experience.

I'm headed to Naptown today. I may be on my way, on the Pizza Bike, by the time you read this. I'm leaving early so I can take the "Blue Highways", ride comfortably, and enjoy the scenery.

I'm lookin' forward to seein' a bunch of you Saturday! 'Til then, be safe, and I'll try to do the same.

What news have you to share?!!

Sad News - Steve Witty's Mom

2010-10-02T08:42:00.003-06:00

Alice L. Witty, 83, of Westfield, formerly Greenwood, passed away Friday, October 1, 2010. Survivors include four children, Warren Steven (Jeannie) Witty, Daniel Lee (Cheryl) Witty, Patricia Lynn Killman and Douglas Scott (Jennifer) Witty; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Harding Witty; two brothers; and four sisters.

A funeral Service will be conducted at 1 PM, Monday, October 4th, at G. H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home, State Road 135 and Olive Branch Road. Visitation will be from 11 AM, until service time Monday at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ghherrmann.com

Valley Walk - The Plan

2010-09-29T20:41:00.002-06:00

Looks like we have 14-16 people coming on October 9, 2010. We will meet at the Hawkeye's home from 11:00 AM till noon and proceed to "The Valley" in a couple of cars. After the visit we will return to the Hawkeye's home for a pitch in dinner in the backyard.

The menu:

Mrs. Hawk and Bo making a ham and yeast rolls. Drinks provided.
Call Hawk at 317-441-3865 to let him know what you are bringing
Hint Hint - Sissy Apple - Cheesecake???

Any questions call Hawkeye at above number.

Purple Tabby Came to Town & Valley Walk

2010-09-23T19:46:00.004-06:00

Got a call from Purple Tabby and hubby early in the week that they would be in Indiana visiting her mom and would we be available that Sunday, Sept 19th. We called a few local VKs and had a backyard party. We had a beautiful day, lots of conversation and food from noon till about 7 PM. So good to relax and visit with friends.

October 9th "Walk in the Old Valley". Depending on the number attending, we can either have a pitch in at the gazebo at New Hope, our church, or our backyard at our home. I need to know who is planning on coming. What time do we want to meet? Need information to get this thing going.

Another Sad Announcement:

2010-09-07T21:18:00.000-06:00

Word today that Yvonne H.'s sister Yvette died this week.
If you have more information, please share.
Thoughts and prayers with you, Yvonne.

Tan Shoes With Pink Shoe Laces...

2010-09-02T00:28:00.009-06:00

... A polka-dot vest, and man-oh-man...

Dodie Stevens sang it.
If my memory is workin', the class of '65 was in the middle building absorbing facts under Mr. L's (and others) tutelage, and girls from the Senior High School classes who intended to be teachers themselves were checking to see if the vocation was right for them by assisting elementary teachers. I had a huge crush on one of them, Patty Mc.
In my memory she was blond and beautiful. Every time she walked to or from that middle building I tagged along and tried to let her know I thought she was just about the "ginchiest" girl I had ever known.
She giggled and put up with my approaches, which just made me love her more.
Thinking it might make the "big impression", I actually considered buying tan shoes and lacing them up with pink cord. The "polka-dot vest" and "Big panama with a purple hat band" were not my style and were completely out of the question though!

I missed an important birthday last month.
Hawkeye's birthday passed unrecognized early in August.
Belated Happy Birthday, Hawk!
(We'll celebrate in October.)

Friday Open Forum once again folks...
What's happenin'?

Tryin' To Not Die

2010-08-29T09:28:00.007-06:00

I was gonna leave a comment about the bike for Bo and Cissy below, but decided a quick Post in response might be better.
As I've said, actually winning the auction on the bike was kind of a surprise, so I'm still scrambling to try to tie up loose ends.
Back when we were still walking the CG halls I had a little Harley-Davidson Sprint. Years before they passed that now rescinded helmet law in Indiana I bought a helmet and wore it religiously. Pretty amazing to think about that now... a sixteen year old kid with no prompting from anyone else, realizing he needed to protect his head with a brain bucket.
When full-face helmets came out, I was one of the first purchasers. I bought a white Bell full-face and with it's darkened visor, looked like one of the Storm Troopers from Star Wars. I wore that thing for YEARS, then when I sold my 1100 Yamaha in 1984 I stored it in the garage. Other than taking short test-rides on bikes owned by others, I haven't ridden since.

Buying the Guzzi... (by the way, I've learned the double-z's are pronounced like "pizza"... "Goot-zee"), lead me to go take a look at the old Bell helmet out in the garage. To my chagrin, Mickey and Minnie apparently decided that was a pretty good place to raise their family. They chewed the padding and styrofoam shell and made a nest of it inside the solid protection provided by the fiberglass outer-shell. Oh well... I'm sure it's for the best because they have made giant leaps in helmet technology since 1971. (That Bell helmet was designed in such a way it broke collar bones during the accident sequence, and took a great deal of criticism for that fact.)
I was gonna have to buy a helmet for Sara Jean anyway, so now we'll buy two... and color coordinate!

They've also made great strides in other protective equipment-
Armored gloves. Armor for elbows, hips, knees, shins. Footgear.
If you want, you can buy gear and ride like one of the Knights from King Arthur's "Round Table".
When we go to buy I'll have to consider how much of that gear I'll actually wear... it'd be cumbersome and hot in the Summer. But the gear would also provide great protection against some of the horrendous injuries incurred by the folks I sometimes fly to the Trauma Centers in BigTown.

Since I haven't ridden in almost 30 years, (and had no formal training even back then... it was all "school of hard knocks" and I'm sure I learned LOTS of bad habits), I signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's 2-1/2 day school. Two birds with one stone... it would teach me the good habits, and upon completion I receive a certificate that I can take to the DMV and receive my Motorcycle Driver's license. I signed up for, and thought I was attending a course this weekend. But at the last minute I got a note from the Course providers informing me the class was overbooked and they were shifting me to my secondary class date... next month. So I've got plenty of time now to carefully shop for whatever protective gear I'm gonna buy for the two of us.

Me... of all people!
I have absolutely no illusions about questions of safety with the bike...
I get to land on dark roads several times a month to pick up bodies mangled in motorcycle accidents. But like most "accidents" I also know most of these could be prevented by the operator, and in those that could not have been prevented the degree of injury certainly would have been mitigated if the riders had been wearing proper gear. (HELMETS, you Harley riders!)

Going through life entails making thousands of decisions about risk on a daily basis. I also regularly transport people who are hurt while in their own homes... (For instance, just last week I flew a 30 year old woman who fell down her basement stairs to the concrete floor below, fracturing her neck.)
So the question is not, "Is riding a motorcycle dangerous?"
Of course it is.
The question is, "Is the danger worth the rewards?"
And my answer to that is, "I think it is."
To all those expressing concern I say, "I feel your love and I'm warmed by it."
I promise we'll gear-up and ride as safely as we possibly can.

Now... another thought...
I know Clint and Bo have a bike. Any other bikers lurking out there in VK land?
Wouldn't it be great to meet somewhere, ride a while, then have a great dinner?
I'm ready. Sign me up!

What It's All About-

2010-08-27T09:08:00.004-06:00

I've learned my lesson.
Until you're actually ready to buy, stay away from eBay!

Several close friends here are now riding motorcycles. I started thinking how nice it would be to have a bike and tag along with them. The fact that riding to work on two wheels rather than four would save me $5 per day in gas gave me all the excuse I needed. I decided Winter would be the best time to buy, but wanted to get a feel for the market right now. I've been fascinated by Italian bikes for years... Ducatis and Moto Guzzis, and the Guzzis are particularly of interest to me because their final drive system is a maintenance-free shaft, not a chain.
I went to eBay and entered "Moto Guzzi" in the search block. That was my mistake.

There was a bike there that was almost exactly what I wanted...
Fully faired, 1,000cc's, looking like a new machine, at a price I couldn't believe.
I bid on the thing and that bid ended up winning the auction. (The bike pictured above, although the wrong model year, looks exactly like the one I bid on. You can click it to enlarge.)

The bike was located in a little town near Erie, Pennsylvania.
I thought I'd have a couple weeks to go get it, but the seller just started a new job which will require him to be in Beijing, China by the end of the month. I had to go get the bike... like NOW.

I talked with my co-workers and got the time off. Then I called Cinders and TwoDogs, hoping to impose on their hospitality for a nights lodging, (and secretly hoping TD would consider coming along on the road trip!)
"You're coming to Indy? Great! You're driving to Pennsylvania? Want a co-driver?"
He read my mind!

We drove to Indy last Friday. Bright and early Saturday morning TD and I had breakfast, then picked up the "Penske" rental truck. We got on the road at 9:30 and the GPS lead us right to the seller's door at 4 P.M.. We visited with him a few minutes, secured the bike in the truck, and started back South-Westbound, getting back to Naptown at exactly midnight. Much of the drive was spent in the rain. Virtually all of the drive was spent talking about old times. (If you're reading this, we probably talked about you!)
But think of it...
I put myself into a "situation" by buying the bike, then called friends to ask for help.
They came through BIG TIME...
Two nights lodging and help driving almost 15 hours.

I know... you're not surprised at all, are you?
That's 'cause you're also a VK!
And that's what makes VK's so special, isn't it?

Hope to see you all October 9th... wherever we end up meeting.
In the meantime, take my advice-
Unless you're really ready to buy, stay away from eBay!

Another "Two-Wheel" Post.

2010-08-20T00:38:00.006-06:00

For a while, they were everywhere in our community-
Hal S. had one.
Joe R. had one.
John T's oldest brother David had one, then passed it on to John's other brother Richard.
Bonnie R's brother David had one.
Bill F. had one. (It's how I met him.)
Gary P. had one but his was different... his was Robin's Egg Blue.
One summer day we heard a clatter and a loud scraping noise on Morgantown Road in front of our house and when we ran out to investigate we found Gary had clipped a mailbox, fallen, and had broken his collarbone.

Artwork... they still have a sort of "timeless beauty" to my eye though the basic design dates back to just-post WWII. I wanted one so bad I could taste it. I'd still like to own one if the price was right.
What freedom they provided to the kids that owned them then!
The only thing that approached the coolness of the Vespa was the Cushman Eagle. (Hawkeye had one very similar to the one pictured at that link, only his was gleaming black and had more chrome, and with a kind of Harley Davidson attitude, appealed to a different crowd than the Vespa.
Me? All I could afford was an old Cushman putt-putt and I often planned what I'd have to do to steal Hawk's Eagle.)

It's another of those hard-to-imagine memories...
Most of us were 12 or 13 years old, riding around on public streets on our scooters, knowing the chance we'd see a Deputy Sheriff on patrol was virtually nil. (And even if we did encounter a law enforcement officer, most of them turned a blind eye, not wanting to go to the trouble of citing us. I never heard of anyone ever getting a ticket for riding without a license.)
Those were Norman Rockwell days.
I'm glad we lived 'em.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chatting via email with Mr. L. I made the comment, "Since Echo and Shifty no longer are in Edinburgh, Vandy's Kids have nothing on the horizon to look forward to."
We need to fix that.
Got any ideas?

"Then Came Bronso... er... Greybeard"

2010-08-13T00:48:00.002-06:00

You may remember the TV show "Then Came Bronson".
It debuted just about the time I got home from Viet Nam and the idea of a single guy motoring around the Nation on a bike appealed to me...
It was sort of a "Route 66" on two wheels. I liked the show and watched it regularly, but was disappointed in the fact that as usual, Hollywood mucked it up...
Bronson went motocrossing on his Harley Sportster, AND WON!
From that point on I watched the show partly to see how hokey the producers could make it. Others must have felt the same as me, 'cause the show lasted only one season.
Still, the music was good, as were the scenes of Bronson crossing the country on two wheels.

And there was another reason I liked the show...
Ron and I had made a Road Trip to Ft. Lauderdale in his big Pontiac Bonneville convertible the summer between our Junior and Senior years at CG, and we enjoyed the adventure. On the way home we discussed the possibility of taking an across-the-country road trip on Harley-Davidson "Dressers". We fantasized about the experiences we'd share... the two of us together riding to points unknown... wherever the wind would lead us, meeting wonderful, interesting people... stopping to work at odd jobs just long enough to buy enough gas to make it to our next exotic destination.

We were quite aware that actually doing it would take a chunk of change at the start...
Buying a Full-dress Harley would, for me (not him!), be daunting. Even a good used "HOG" would take the outlay equivalent to a VERY GOOD used car, and I was still working for minimum wage at the Frostop at the time.

My Mom expressed concern about the dangers of riding that far on two wheels but she needn't have worried...
It quickly became obvious that Ron's interest in his future bride would eliminate any hopes I had about the two of us riding up on our bikes and peering over the rim of the Grand Canyon.
I never saved a dime toward buying the big bike.

But I still dream of such a trip...
And Sara Jean and I MAY ACTUALLY DO IT...
(In a 28 foot motor home!)

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!
Got news?

The Pied Piper

2010-08-06T12:18:00.009-06:00

Did ya ever wonder...
"The Pied Piper"...
What caused him to be "Pied"?
Did Soupy Sales or the Three Stooges get to him?
I had to look it up. Cinders, DJ, and GH will have an advantage here, as will those who know why Elizabeth Taylor's horse in "National Velvet" was called "The Pie".
The term "Pied" is related to "Piebald", and means "many colored".
So apparently the Pied Piper, along with playing the flute better than Ian Anderson, was a pretty colorful dresser.

All the above is tangential.
I drove to work tonight to find that while I was sleeping today in preparation for my second night of 10 in a row, crews had oiled and chipped the last two miles of road leading to my workplace. I was lucky in that it wasn't blazingly hot, so my tires didn't pick up the oily rocks and throw them down the sides of my car.
But it brought back memories I knew I could share with you...
I can remember like yesterday when they first oiled and chipped all the roads in the Sutton addition. I think every kid with a bicycle showed up to watch the crews and follow them as the oil truck first laid down a coat of tar, with dump trucks following and dispensing rock on top of the tar.
They may as well have been "The Pied Piper"!
As I recall, there were also a couple guys with shovels following along to add rock where dump trucks might not have laid down a heavy enough layer.
It was fascinating to watch, and more so because with most of the neighborhood kids watching it became a social event. I'm sure we all came home with bicycle tires speckled with spots of tar, and we probably had tar samples on shoes, other parts of clothing, and maybe even some body parts.

A fond memory for me, and I've shared it with you.
Traffic has been mighty sparse here lately...
Have you a fond memory to share this Friday?

Rasslin'

2010-07-23T01:48:00.006-06:00

Cowboy Bob Ellis...
Dick the Bruiser...
Bobo Brazil...
Do you remember 'em?

I do.

I was never really a "rasslin'" fan.
But Saturday afternoons would frequently find Steve B., Hawkeye, and me jumpin' into the old Ford Station Wagon and Mom would drive us North on Bluff Road to the WTTV broadcast offices. We'd arrive early, 'cause those first in line got the ringside seats...
And that was the whole reason for the exercise...
The matches were recorded for broadcast on Sundays.
On Sunday we'd sit at home and catch glimpses of ourselves ringside at "the match" on Channel 4.

Of course the faces have all changed...
Are any of those guys still alive?
The sport itself hasn't changed much though, except there's a lot more money in it these days.
I doubt kids these days can go to their local TV station and watch an hour of rasslin' free!
(We grew up in a better time!)

It's Friday.
Are you rasslin' with anything?
Anyone?

Jus' Not Enough Hours In The Day

2010-07-18T09:18:00.000-06:00

Pushin' retirement age...
Wasn't life supposed to slow down?
I think I took the wrong entrance ramp somewhere on this trip.

Cool, Or Fool?

2010-07-09T00:38:00.011-06:00

How often do you go through this exercise?
"If I had a chance to go back in time, would I ?"
And if you'd like to go back, how far would you go?

I imagine going back in time now and then, but generally come to the conclusion I'd just like to correct a wrong I did at a specific time, then return to the present. Life comes with pain spread intermittently throughout, and the only way I'd consider going back is if I could make changes. Of course making those changes would change EVERYTHING that followed, so if I stayed in that new life I'd soon find myself with new things that would cause me pain.
Who would want to go through that again?

And that brings me to the memories we discuss so often here...
Most, but not all of us, have wonderful memories of our days walking the CG halls.
And the folks that don't have great memories?
They may think some (many?) of the rest of us were cruel to them.
And... we MAY have been cruel to them.

I can remember going through life back then, making decisions looking through the "Cool or Fool?" lens.
Elvis was cool.
Kookie Byrnes was cool.
We were sure they never did anything stupid... never humiliated themselves.
Embarrassing yourself was just about the worst thing you could experience...
I didn't want anyone to be able to laugh at something stupid I did.
I suspect we all spent 'Way, 'WAY too much time looking through that lens, trying to avoid being laughed at. It's painful to think of how much time I wasted, worrying about what others thought. But I know I often was quick to ridicule others for their mistakes.
Shame on me.

Our earliest class reunions were similar experiences...
Who did what with their lives?
What work are you doing?
What are you driving?
All that... gone now.
Good riddance.

We're considering a few events for "minis" soon. You need to come. You'll enjoy yourself.
The only requirement I can think of?
Bring a smile and some memories to share.
We can talk about how Cool "Palladin" of "Have Gun, Will Travel" was!

It's Friday and I certainly hope you don't think I humiliated myself with this post, but criticize away if you must!

My Suspicions were Correct

2010-07-04T06:52:00.001-06:00

Back when I was 15/16, I had a big crush on a classmate. I carefully timed a trip to my locker every day so I would "just happen" to meet up with my crush in the hallway of Center Grove. Then I would non-chalantly be going in the same direction at the same time. I think we were "an item" a year or so until I got sick of his boyish ways and told him where to go.

I can remember admiring his older brother Charlie. He was a ton more outgoing than his younger brother, and seemed to "own the hallways" of Center Grove. Charlie was popular, and I thought he must be a really nice guy. Two days ago, and 41 years later, I confirmed my suspicions that Charlie really is a nice guy.

Before we left on vacation to Ft. Myers, I asked Charlie if we might meet up while we're down here. Luckily, we were able to do that. He and his wife drove two hours to see us. We sat around my sister's condo and talked about Center Grove and our high school days. Three short hours later, we went out to eat at a restaurant owned by a fellow Hoosier. We enjoyed good food and good company. The evening was "done too soon", but I've got more good memories to stow away for a rainy day.

Once again, my Vandy's Kids friends got me started on this path to reaching out. I am not only finding new friends, but old friends that I've missed for decades. I told Charlie that when we do our "valley walk", I'll send him photos of his old place. I think he'll like that.

Love to all,
"Cissy"

From Echo, "A Mixture of Joy and Sorrow"

2010-06-29T15:18:00.009-06:00

Echo is still having some difficulty posting and commenting,
so she sent this and asked that I post it for her:



     A MIXTURE OF JOY AND SORROW

Two weeks ago Shifty and I was so excited about attending
the Alumni Banquet and the 45th Class Reunion for the
Class of 65.  As many of you already know I received a
phone call at the reunion that my oldest brother was
dying. I was able to make it to Northern Indiana the next
day and see my brother, Buddy, for one last time before
he passed away. God was merciful in giving us this time.

Then as you know Shifty and I just purchased our
retirement home in Florida. We left for Florida on the
following Saturday to take possession of our new home.
We arrieve on Sunday which was Father's Day.  I was
thinking what a wonderful Father's day present this was
for Shifty.  When we arrived we was welcomed by my
foster sister Jan and her family. They had a huge family
cook out waiting for us when we arrived.

This seemed like a wonderful start to a new life
following our loss the week before.  But that joy was
short lived.  Just as we sat down to our first dinner
in our new home the phone rang and we was told that
my brother, Bobby, had taken a turn for the worst and
wasn't expected to pull through.  Bobby had lung cancer
but was giving it a good fight. He had been admitted a
few days earlier to the hospital with a double staph
infecton but they thought that they had it under control
and he was doing much better.  We thought he would be
going home in a few days.  I visited with him on
Friday before we left for Florida on Saturday and we
even planned a family reunion when we returned from
Florida.

Four hours after we got to Florida our son Todd called
us and told us that Bobby had taken a turn for the worse
late Saturday night.  He said, " Mom, Uncle Bobby isn't
going to make it but he just won't let go.  There is some
reason that he won't give up and we believe that it is
because he is waiting for you to say good bye".

So Todd held the phone to Bobby's ear and I spoke to
him begging him not to give up and telling him how much
I loved him.  Twenty minutes after I spoke to him he
peacefully passed away.

I have always been told and believe that God has a plan
for each of us.  He has a schedule for all of us and when
we have accomplished what we were here for it will be our
time to go.  Us being able to say good bye was his final
accomplishment.

Be sure that all of you take advantage of every opportunity
to enjoy your loved ones as much as you can.  And remember
to tell your loved ones how much you love them as often as
you can.

Echo & Shifty

The Last Friday of June, 2009

2010-06-25T16:38:00.004-06:00

Ain't that depressing?
In less than a week, half the year will be in the history book. Days will get shorter-nights will begin to be longer. It'll remain hotter than a firecracker for two months and change, but then the leaves will begin to turn and temps will moderate. I like Spring... LOVE Summer and Fall.
But Winter?
Most often I wish I was a bear and could hibernate.
In my opinion, the best thing about Winter is that it's preceded by Autumn and followed by Spring.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawkeye are beginning to follow a procedure I could quickly get accustomed to...
Wintering down South where the temps seldom get below 50 degrees.

And mention of Mr. and Mrs. Hawk brings us to the discussion of the day... a question posed to me by Hawk...
It's a discussion some of us have had before, directly or indirectly...
What's the requirement to be a "Vandy's Kid"?
We now have this blog and PT started the related Facebook page. We're beginning to get considerable participation in both, and that's wonderful. But the question has been asked and I'd like to throw it out for discussion:
What's the membership requirement?

When asked that question, my first response is, "The more the merrier".
But that's me, and the blog and Facebook page belong to us all. So your vote counts the same as mine and I want you to answer the question too...
"Who can be a Vandy's Kid?"

I'm as close to some spouses as I am to most classmates.
I'm delighted to have gotten to know schoolmates, Cissy, Rita, Mike, C&C, Janet, and others.
We laugh with them and share the common bond of school and community.

The only restriction that makes any sense at all to me, (and I can even be easily dissuaded from this with a determined argument) is that it seems to me a "Vandy's Kid" should come from the era when Mr. Vandermeer was active with CGHS.

Discussion and debate please:
Who is a "Vandy's Kid"?

Saturday's "Friday Forum".

2010-06-18T11:28:00.002-06:00

Friday got away from me.
We spent the day outside, cleaning up the result of winds that brought a huge branch down on my neighbor's garage, caving it in and rendering him "auto-less" since his car was trapped inside. (Undamaged, thankfully.)
The worst damage we suffered was limbs/branches down everywhere on our 2-1/2 acre property. Some were so big I had to get out the chain saw to cut them down to size so I could pull them to the burn pile.

Ever hear anyone say "Green wood won't burn?"
It's hogwash, ya know?
If green wood won't burn, why are there forest fires?
Ya just have to get the fire hot enough to get combustion started.

So how do ya do that?
Burn a tire on top of your green brush.
That's hot.
It'll get-r-started.

And that's what I did yesterday. By sunset the lot was cleared and virtually all the green wood had been converted to hot coals. This morning I'm a little sore, but not so sore my butt cannot be placed on the mower to get this soon-to-be jungle under control.

But it's hot...
Where's my coozy?
Put that cold beer in there.
(Gotta stay hydrated, ya know!)

What're you doin' to make the world a prettier, better place?

Updated:
It's an indication of how my mind works as I near retirement...
It also indicates how confusing it can be... this 7-day on, 7-day off schedule...
I mistakenly thought today was Saturday!
It's a gift, this extra day in my life!

Mr. Legan Update

2010-06-16T16:08:00.000-06:00

Some of you may remember Mr. Legan owned property in West Virginia and had been going back there intermittently to vacation and care for it. When it became difficult for him to make that trip he decided to allow his son to have it. To that end, he and Mary Lee went back to WV recently. While there, Mary Lee suffered problems with an internal infection which got serious enough that she was admitted to the hospital and underwent multiple surgeries. When she was well enough, the two came home to recuperate. After their return, Mr. Legan started feeling pain/pressure with his heart that he had never felt. His son-in-law took him to the hospital and he too was admitted, then underwent a cardiac cath. Thank Goodness they apparently found no serious problems, just a narrowing of one of the vessels. He is now home and feeling better.

I'm sure he'd enjoy hearing a few words from you if you would like to contact him. He stops by here now and then so you can either comment here or email him.
Need his address? Let me know.

Big Brother Loves You. Big Brother Is Your Friend.

2010-06-15T12:08:00.004-06:00

Some of you already know this. Some of you don't. Some don't care.
And ya know what? It's all good.

Lots of us got together this weekend. There was a lotta laughter, even more smiles, some hugs, a few tears, and a lot of brain cells saved by memory-exercising conversation. I think most everyone that attended came away wishing we had more time to share.
I think all of us would like to see more of our schoolmates attending these functions.
It's not like we haven't tried. Let me fill you in on something you probably don't know, (and in the process I'm gonna embarrass him. I don't care.)
I did a little.
TD did a LOT.

To those he thought he had valid email addresses, he sent emails.
When some of those were returned, he added those names to the names he only had snail-mail addresses for and sent letters out to those.
When some of those came back as undeliverable, he got on the 'phone.
When he failed with some of those he contacted several of us for help finding his "lost sheep".
We're still looking for some of those sheep. I think the Wolf, (BigBad) may be involved here.

I threw up a post here at VK. Dan and several of us put up "Status Updates" at Facebook. That's the direction we have to go as we progress with these technologies, but we all know there will be folks like John T. that will resist dealing with these new-fangled gadgets 'til their dying breath.
So we gotta work together to overcome that. We're certainly aware there are some schoolmates that have NO interest whatsoever in these events.
It's all good.
But to the degree possible, we want to make sure that we are contacting everyone, so everyone can make the yea-nay decision.

I am now organizing and compiling a list of addresses we gathered during the alumni banquet. I'm gonna print that list and add to it any emails we think are current, so that those organizing events in the future will have an easier time contacting all of us. In that quest, we may contact you for assistance in finding some of those sheep that are just hiding in plain sight.

And if, after all this work trying to contact you, we hear you say, "Well, no one informed me....", there will be a terrible application of NOOGIES to certain skulls.

Don't make us stoop to that.

Life Is Good. Sometimes It's Sad.

2010-06-15T07:18:00.005-06:00

From Karen this morning, via email:

"My brother Terry and I left early Monday morning and drove
to La Porte Indiana to see my brother Bud.  We were able to
spend a few hours with him. They had given him morphine just
before we arrived so he wouldn't open his eyes and of course
he couldn't verbally communicate with us.  But he could hear
us and he made facial movements to acknowledge us.

On our way back to Indy we had just reached the far North
side of Indy when our cell rang and told us that he had
passed away. God was good to give us the opportunity to
reunite one last time.

....Would you please make a small post for me to let
everyone in on this news.  And also to thank everyone
for me for their wonderful support and love they shared
when I received the news."


God Bless and comfort you Karen. Keep us
updated.

Review, Alumni Banquet and Picnic-

2010-06-14T14:28:00.004-06:00

We are literally on our way out the door as I write this, so it'll be quick and dirty and I'll either comment or post more later.
What a weekend!
Again, I'm closer now to many of you than I EVER thought of being while we were growing up together. God Bless and keep you all.

Names I hadn't seen since graduation:
Gary P.
Brenda M.
Larry L.
How great to see you again, but time was too short. I hope this taste of the fellowship we all now share has whetted your appetite for more!

More names:
Cissy.
Leroy B.
Rita R-G.
Bob G.
Mike R.
Mark R.
Welcome to our "family", ALL of you!
I hope this is the start of more of the same.

Other names:
Mary Ella.
Janet.
Thank you both for the joy and laughter!

And finally:
Mr. and Mrs. C. and Mrs. Sloop:
Thank you for being there in the past, present, and we hope... the future.
We'll see you all soon.

And Bo?
?????????

What A Strange Job...

2010-06-11T02:28:00.003-06:00

It's 3:30 A.M. as I write this note. I'm at work. Fox News is on the TV here and I'm watching Brett Baier for the second time... a repeat of the broadcast I saw just before leaving home for work.

Two days ago I had barely gotten through the door when the telephone rang asking if I could fly. I hurriedly finished my aircraft preflight, weather checks, and other preflight duties. We flew 15 minutes and picked up a man with a gunshot wound. Gunshot wounds are frequently interesting. This one was only mildly interesting. He was shot with a small caliber weapon and the bullet made several detours around his abdomen before coming to a stop. He needed a good surgeon badly.

But here I am now, more than halfway through my last night at work before coming home to Indiana, and so far it has been quiet. If the phone is gonna ring I wish it would happen quickly so we can be finished with post-flight paperwork by shift change. It would be nice to get off work on time so I can get home and get some rest today.

We're excited about the weekend...
It looks like there's gonna be a good turnout for the banquet, and with good weather Sunday we're hoping to see 50 or so at the picnic.

Sara Jean and I will be on the road early Saturday morning.
We may stop off at the old "Dog and Suds" to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Hawk on the way to the banquet.
We hope to either see ya there, at the banquet, or at the picnic Sunday.
Be safe in your travels, everyone.

I Don't Think We're In Kansas Anymore...

2010-06-10T01:38:00.003-06:00

It saddens me to say I'm not surprised at this.

How idyllic our memories seem, compared to what kids face today.

Then and Now...

2010-06-03T21:18:00.004-06:00

Just about every day, I look back to how things were back when I was teenager. I wonder if today's kids could even stand living in the world as it was when I was their age. I remember thinking that we were hot stuff because our econ class was playing a stock market game against kids from high schools all over the US. We used our good ol' #2 pencils to fill in little ovals on cards with our stock market decisions. The cards were sent in to some company, who would combine all the cards, feed 'em into a computer, and the computer would spit out the results. We'd never, ever seen a computer. I imagine this thing filled up a room and cranked for hours.

Today it's a rare household that doesn't have at least one computer. At this time, I have four! We own a Netbook, A 17" Dell Studio laptop, and two Dell towers that I need to revamp someday. Four computers for two people. Imagine...

During my junior year, I took typing--not keyboarding. We had these old Royal manual typewriters. I have extremely short fingers, and constantly got my fingers stuck between the keys. That sure slowed down my typing speed and accuracy. And typing an uppercase A, Q, Z, P, ", and ? Darned near impossible with my weak little fingers trying to hold down the Shift key. I still cringe at the term "flying caps".

I signed up for vocational business for my senior year. When I got into the room for the first time, we were allowed to pick out the electric typewriter we wanted to use for the year. I ran to the only IBM Selectronic...you know, it had the metal ball with all the letters on it. I went from typing maybe 20 words a minute to more than 63, and that was after a summer of not typing at all. I can no longer type on a typewriter--I've gotten too used to keyboards.

One day in Vocational Business, a salesman came in to show us a calculator. It was the size of a small book and cost $1,000. But it gave instant results to the most complex division problems. Our adding machines cranked and cranked before it could spit out the results of a division problem. Now, the tiniest calculators are given away as freebies, or they just cost a few bucks. Oh, and then there were the slide rules. Think a kid today has ever heard of a slide rule?

Most kids have MP3 players. Songs are downloaded from the Internet. Can you imagine jogging while carrying a turntable? I owned a tiny little portable record player that played 45s and 33-1/3s. It didn't even place the needle. I had to do that myself. I played one 45 at a time. I might have owned 20 of them, and a few LPs.

Every Saturday morning, Mom and I would go to Marsh and I was allowed to select a 45 each week. I know they cost less than a dollar, and I felt privileged that Mom would buy me one each week. The first one I chose was Archie Bell and the Drells' "Tighten Up". (I read later on that he only had the one hit because he was drafted and served in Vietnam.)

The photo is of me, taking during one Christmas when I was given a Herman's Hermits album. Mom liked Peter Noone as much as I did. "Mrs. Brown, you've got a lovely daughter...girls as sharp as her are something rare. But it's sad. She doesn't love me now..." Peter's still a cutie at the ripe old age of 62. (How can he possibly be that old?)

I also had a Jackson 5 album and later on, my boyfriend bought me a Neil Diamond album "Tap Root Manuscript". I might have owned three or four LPs, but that was it. (I eventually moved up to an 8-track player when the same boyfriend bought me one for Christmas. I ended up marrying that guy--he bought good presents.)

Back then, our idea of an electronic game was our battery-operated "Green Ghost" game. We'd turn out all the lights after we powered up the green ghost with some light. And we'd play that game for hours. We loved it. Now the hot thing is a Wii. Can you imagine showing kids back in the 60s such a thing? I remember being amazed at the first Pong game. I'd probably have passed out if I'd been shown a Wii back then.

If we were out driving and got lost, we'd have to stop and ask directions. Now we either go to Mapquest, use our iPhone, or we fire up a GPS that communicates with three or four satellites. (Hey, we did know what a satellite was...we all remember Telstar.)

I was an avid reader then. I always had a book stuck in my face. If I was still a reader, I'd have a Kindle stuck in my face and could have entire libraries of books occupying the space of an electronic doodad the size of a small book.

We did a research paper on embalming during my senior year. We went to different libraries and even a funeral home to glean information for our paper. It began as a joke, but ended up being a very interesting subject. Now we could either do our research by Googling, or just cheat and download something that someone else wrote. I wouldn't even have to leave the comfort of my recliner.

One day Dad brought home a color TV--the kind with the rounded sides. Very few shows were in color back then, so we watched whatever was in color. That was mostly the news. Then Bonanza began showing in color. The NBC peacock unfurled his tail "in living color". We barely managed to tune in four channels, and forget watching late night TV. You'd be watching a test pattern. Digital cable and satellite have taken over the airways. We have hundreds of channels, but nothing to watch but informercials. And now they're coming out with 3D TVs. What next? Smellavision?

We owned one phone and it was screwed down to the kitchen wall. If you wanted to talk on the phone, you sat on a stool in the kitchen. We couldn't even leave the room, much less jump in the car and take our phone with us. One month I talked long-distance to my boyfriend so much, it cost me $12! Outrageous! Now I don't even have a long-distance carrier. Don't need one with my cell phone. We constantly carry a 5,000 minute balance.

It's getting late. I've got to change into my jammies and strap on the full-face mask connected to the CPAP machine that forces me to breathe all night. Back then, my insomnia caused me to stay up all night and listen to my dad snoring. When he stopped breathing, I'd hold my breath until he took another breath. No one ever heard of sleep apnea. We had to do our own breathing.

So what are your favorite "then and nows"?

Peonies In Bloom

2010-05-28T00:48:00.000-06:00

I can't remember exactly how old I was, but I was old enough to notice and remember the Peonies.
We had been to the Time Trials at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mom had planted Peonies alongside the fence on the South side of our property, and there were also a few plants adjacent to our driveway, also on the South side.
I got out of the car and took notice of them...
Vibrant, healthy plants. Full, white blossoms.
Beautiful.
And I think of that time whenever I see them.

The Peonies are in bloom here.
It must be "500" time!

I'm on duty nights this weekend, so depending on how "the natives" behave I will probably be asleep during the race. I'll listen to as much of it over the radio as I can before falling asleep, and "Tivo" the broadcast to watch it later.

Among the 33 starters are 4 women this year. I'm sure that's a record.
I've written before about how I favor "fillies". I'd be delighted to see one of 'em become the first woman on that Borg-Warner Trophy!

How 'bout you...
Got a favorite?
Why?

Longacre

2010-05-21T08:58:00.005-06:00

Chatting here at Vandy's Kids has opened my eyes to lots of things, including the differences we had in our environment as we grew up. One of the differences I sense is that it seems VK's who grew up near Bargersville tended to head to Franklin for business needs, where those of us who grew up in the Valley tended to head North and East, to Greenwood or even NapTown.
When I got old enough to drive, most every night I was in my car or on my motorcycle in Greenwood. Later, I grew tired of what Greenwood had to offer and ranged out farther to Al Green's, the TeePee, The Pole, and WIFE's "Window on the World".

I'm sure much of that inclination was due to the direction our parents led us in...
Most of my Dad's family lived in and around Indianapolis. He worked for Indianapolis Power and Light Company. For us, heading North was natural.

A fond memory for me, during hot summer weather, was Mom driving us to Longacre Pool. It's another of those memories that has been clouded over the years, but I still can remember the smell of the place, the locker room and the little key you'd attach to your swimwear so you could retrieve your stuff, and that seemingly huge slide at the deep end of the pool. I failed, trying to find a good photo I could add to the top of this post, but in searching for one I found this blog and a treasure of old photos from in and around Indianapolis from years past... some VERY old, but many of them familiar to those of us that consider ourselves "Sixties kids".
Take a look and see what you think. And if you find anything there that surprises or interests you, please bring it to our attention here.

Now, once again, IT'S FRIDAY!
You ARE planning on coming to the Alumni Banquet aren't you?
(No excuses accepted this year Bo!)

Update:
Reviewing the link I realize that's not the site I had found some time back. The original site I found had LOTS of old photos of Indy and surroundings. I'm still searching for that site and will link it here if/when I find it for you.

A Weekend Affair

2010-05-18T09:56:00.001-06:00

After much consternation and some last minute maneuvering, it looks as if CG will indeed have the 2010 Alumni Banquet. And this being our 45th year out of school and the 5 year anniversary of VandysKids, we are planning a celebration.

A Weekend Affair - Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13.

CG Alumni Dinner and Dance June 12th

The Saturday night gathering will be combined with the CG Alumni Dinner & Dance. This year, the banquet will be held in the HS cafeteria. Tickets are approx. $20 per person and should be available soon. These can be purchased from Dan - Embroidery 'n Things 317-859-8963 (Thank You, Dan!). As in the past, it is imperative to know the numbers -- so please plan accordingly and purchase your tickets ahead of time. Also, in the past, doors have opened at 6:00pm. I know all of this sounds a little vague. We do not know all of the details just yet. Tickets will be picked up from the printers this week. We will attempt to group several tables together for our Class. It will be a lot of fun and you will see and maybe even recognize a few people that you haven’t seen in years. Please plan on joining us.

CG Class of ‘65 and VandysKids Picnic June 13th

The Sunday afternoon affair will be a Picnic type Pitch In hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Hawkeye (Thanks, both of you!) and will be a gathering for all those that read and enjoy VandysKids. It will also be the ‘official’ 45th Reunion of the Class of ‘65. So come one, come all. The picnic will be held on the grounds of the New Hope Church, 5307 Fairview Road (near Morgantown and Fairview Roads). There is a covered hexagon shelter with 14 picnic tables, electricity, rest room, and plenty of parking. No alcohol permitted. The shelter, suitable for 100 people, will be available as early as 12:30 PM on June 13th. So, bring your favorite picnic dish(s) to share, along with your own tableware. Lawn chairs, too, if you have them. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Buns and Drinks will be provided. If we get lucky, even some great live music from ‘Grass Roots Revival’. Questions and infomation about the Picnic 317-888-2014

Looking forward to seeing everyone. Please reply/comment if you can make either or both. And if you are going to the Alumni - remember, tickets may be unavailable the night of the banquet, so please purchase your tickets ahead of time and let us know - so hopefully, we can all sit together.

All Followers, Friends and Classmates are invited.

1977

2010-05-14T07:48:00.007-06:00

I landed the Huey at the Greenwood airport and my folks came over to get my copilot and me. When we got home Mom said "Try this!" Two sitting chairs, side by side, faced the TV with a table in between. On the table was a sort of console with two devices attached to it by wire. On the devices was a circular controller.
Mom turned the thing on and an image similar to the one above came onto the TV screen. My copilot and I played "Pong" and laughed out loud at how much fun it was.
Mom still has the game. As one of the first of the video games, it probably has collector value now.

Today the video games are so complex, folks actually devote more time to them than they do to their real lives.
What a world.

It Is What It Is. It Ain't What It Ain't.

2010-05-07T00:18:00.000-06:00

I started driving my motor scooter around our neighborhood when I was twelve. Those of you in the Class of '65 will remember...
Paddock road from in front of Steve W. and Rick P.'s house to Olive Branch was gravel, as was much of Fairview Road, Railroad Road, and many of the secondary roads in the area. On the heavily traveled parts of these roads the gravel was pushed aside, leaving a crown of gravel in the center of the road, and along both sides. Trying to navigate these roads with a motor scooter with its small tires was exciting...
Crossing over that crown of gravel was like driving on marbles. Some of my scooter riding friends hated it. I learned early to keep the machine pointed in the direction I wanted and allow the gyroscopic effect of the tires to carry me safely across. I never fell, thank goodness.

All those old roads are paved now, of course.
Progress?
I miss 'em. Do you?

The Treadmill

2010-04-30T02:18:00.002-06:00

Vacations?
Yeah, well, sorta.
We went to L.A. a few weeks ago to visit our son. He worked 4 of the five days we were there and we actually went to work (and worked!) with him so we'd have more time together...
And we came home more tired than before we went.

Eufaula.
Wonderful. Great memories.
But it was one of those "different bed, different surroundings" situations.
I didn't get a full eight hours sleep in the four nights we were there...
And we came home more tired than before we went.

By the time you read this I'm hoping Lucy, Yogi, Sara Jean and I will be most of the way to Destin.
We'll be sleeping in a bed of OUR choosing there and it's mighty comfortable.
The bedroom is removed from the "activity area" and is quiet.
We're in our "second home" there and are perfectly comfortable.
We'll be there 10 days and I can promise you... we'll come home rested but sorry we have to leave.
Got time to head South? Come on down... all are welcome.

I know someone who has GREAT news and will no doubt share it when the time is right.
It's prom time, graduation time, planting time, mushroom gathering time.
I know you have stuff to share with us.
So do it.
Now.

I wrote this before news started trickling in that we'll have oil on our beaches within 72 hours or so. I'm heartbroken. I cannot imagine the overall impact of this spill...
If they don't get it under control quickly it will affect the Gulf of Mexico as a whole. Think of that... fishing, tourism, real estate values, the soiling of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
I'm praying for a miracle.

I'm A Prude

2010-04-23T09:18:00.002-06:00

"Oooh... There's something I can share!"
Ya know, I'm always thinkin' about stuff I can bring to share with friends, either here at Vandy's Kids or at my own blog. I'll start off reading something, find it interesting, and start to consider linking to it so you too can enjoy it. Then, all too often, things will go sour.
I found a blog post today about folks with out-of-control kids in restaurants that started off making me laugh. Then somewhere along the line the writer began to emphasize her thoughts with the "F" word. By the end of the piece she apparently felt the need to REALLY emphasize her thoughts...
Every eighth word or so was vile.

I'm upset by what to me seems the coarsening of our society. I hear "blue" language used today in places and situations that absolutely shock me.
I guess I'm still a hick at heart...
I'm not gonna share that with you.

Got something "clean" to share with the rest of us?

EUFAULA, ALABAMA

2010-04-19T18:47:00.002-06:00

EUFAULA, ALABAMA - THE CITY, THE LAKE, THE FRIENDS…….

We soooo enjoyed the time with friends at the two cabins on the lake surrounded by the beautiful azalea bushes and dogwood and pine trees. By the end of our time there, it did feel and work much like a family. There was always someone to fish, play cards, see beautiful antebellum homes, take a walk, gab on the porch or eat with. It was fun to work together to make meals and everyone eat together. Thank you to Cinders for the delicious ham, H & C for the tasty fish fry and GB and Sara Jean for the yummy Belgian Waffles. Everyone was pleasant, lots of laughing and I think by the pictures, you could tell how relaxed everyone was. Beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures made this the perfect time.

The antebellum homes and Civil War Eufaula Rifles living history encampment were so beautiful and amazing. The time period was 1861, Alabama had just seceded from the United States. At the encampment the Civil War soldiers (the Eufaula Boy Scouts) guided us on a tour of their camp. The white canvas tents, hardtack mush warming on the fire and the crack of musket fire took us all back to experience the Civil War in Eufaula for ourselves.

The seven antebellum homes we saw during the day and 4 by candlelight were completely restored. The murals, curtains, furnishings, lovely chandeliers and gardens were such a joy to see. The ladies in the hoop skirts and gentlemen in period clothes at the homes made us feel so welcome. The slow southern voices felt good to your ears. At many of the homes period musical instruments were played. I remember the beautiful hammered dulcimer, guitar, flute, piano and violin. Sometimes gentle songs from the past were sung as the instruments were played. A step back in time was such a pleasant experience.

Many thanks to H & C and everyone else who organized this.

Note to H: Hawk has good genes and probably a high metabolism. Thank you for the complement! I do love to cook.

Mrs. Hawkeye

Gettin' It Done

2010-04-15T00:18:00.014-06:00

Well, I'm still comin' down from the high of being with beloved schoolmates in Eufaula.
These visits illuminate several things-

1. Chatting with Hawk and others at the gathering I'm convinced retirement won't be such a difficult adjustment.
And 2- I didn't allot nearly enough time to feel satisfied when we had to drive away. We need to do more of these sorts of things, and from the outset plan for more than a few days together. I know I say this every time but ask around and you'll find it's true-

If you miss these minis, you're really missing great memory-making times.

Now, some new business:

We're all lookin' forward to our next chance to meet, and right now that opportunity looks to be the Alumni Banquet on Saturday, June 12. Last year we effectively closed the banquet down and moved to a new venue, then closed that down too. Along the way we picked up some new Vandy's Kids, and everyone seemed to have enjoyed the chance to really visit with one another. I've said before that I love these banquets because it's entirely likely you'll run into a schoolmate you haven't seen since graduation, or earlier. (You may remember last year I ran into my cousin Jim H., and I hadn't seem him since '64.)

But none of these events... the Alumni Banquet, the formal class reunions, or the minis, happens without someone taking the reins and getting the horse pointed in the right direction.
Yesterday I received this note from Mr. L. :

"(Greybeard),

I recently had correspondence with (Hatchet), a former student at CG. He informed me that a Mr. (Jack R.) who is in charge of the banquet was having trouble getting people to help with the 2010 CG Alumni Banquet, and wasn't sure if there would be one. Hatchet's health of late has prevented him from helping as he has in the past with the banquet. It might be wise for you to e-mail Hatchet by the e-mail address at the bottom of this correspondence.

Glad you all had a great time down south recently. My Franklin High School Class of '51 meet once a month at the Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin, IN for a breakfast get-together. WE, too, have kept close to one another through the years. I represent the communicator of the class keeping news, etc abreast of what is going on by e-mails, phone calls, and regular mailing. We have between 20-25 including spouses too. Our class graduated 66, 21 are now deceased. I also appreciated reading from Vandy's Kids all who had passed away. Behave but know that is hard for you to do.

Mr. L"

First, I'm sorry Hatchet is having health concerns. I know he stops by here now and then, so Hatchet-

Get well soon!

Secondly, I complained last year about the way ticket sales were handled...
That tickets were not available for purchase the night of the banquet. I understand why the committee did what they did... running out of food the year before was an embarrassment. But how did anyone know beforehand they would not be able to buy a ticket at the door? The Alumni website is a farce. (Most information there is over a year old.) Where must we go (other than here) for accurate information about Alumni activities? If the committee wants to attract larger crowds to these events, there needs to be a place to get timely, accurate information.
I suspect those on the committee may already feel overwhelmed by the tasks they must do to get the job done. So I suggest you do what I'm gonna do-
I'll email Hatchet and BobWhiteDan tomorrow to see if there is anything I can do to help. If you have Jack R's phone number or email, you might want to contact him and see if you can help pull the wagon. We have no right to complain unless we have tried to be part of the solution.

Now...
Friday has once again rolled around with no help from any of us.
Spring is springing and the Mayapples are popping up everywhere. I bet TC is out searching for Morels!
What about you? What are you doing?

Old Friend...New Friends

2010-04-12T18:47:00.001-06:00

The drive was longer than it should've been, but Spring got a little farther along with each mile south. We rarely see wysteria in Indiana, but here it grew wild and abundantly, often reaching the top of the tallest trees. And it was in full bloom. Taking the "scenic route" to avoid the stopped traffic on the 65S entrances in Nashville, we passed through a couple of beautiful towns we never would've seen otherwise. It was worth the extra hour or so on the road.

When we reached our destination, a guy was in the front yard. I asked him if he was with the Center Grove group, and he verified that he was. After he introduced himself, I asked if he had any brothers. Sure enough...I had graduated with his brother Terry. Although Terry and I never ran in the same circles, I knew he was a nice guy. His brother was bound to be the same.

We met everyone else there, and they were in the final stages of supper preparation. We gladly accepted the invitation to share in the meal. It had been a 12-hour trip and we were hungry. The ham, green beans, and taters tasted great--so did dessert. After the cleanup, we waited for the last couple to arrive. GB and his wife were the only ones we'd met before. We were strangers to the rest of the group, but I had a common thread with them--we were graduates of Center Grove High School.

Over the next few days, fish were caught, fish tales were told, and the fish was cleaned and fried. We played "Hand and Foot" and I loved the card game so much that I've already ordered all the stuff I need from Amazon. (I can't wait to teach my family.) We toured southern mansions, gardens, and a plantation. We enjoyed a few bottles of wine, and gave away a few bottles. And although my husband and I planned on fishing, we enjoyed just sitting and visiting so much that we just stayed on land. Besides, the real fishermen of the group were doing a great job, as you can see by the photo above.

I've met a lot of nice people in my life, but these old classmates were among the nicest I've ever met. Not once did I feel out of place. I think my husband and I have another set of friends, and we're looking forward to seeing everyone again and again. Before the trip was over, I was thinking about the next trip. Wherever it is, it's bound to be a fun time.

Thanks to all of you for extending your hands in friendship to us. It's a blessing to get to know all of you. And I've got a feeling that Mr. V. had a hand in orchestrating this whole thing.

Love to our new friends,

~Cissy (AKA: Helen)

OTD Eufaula

2010-04-11T10:48:00.003-06:00

"Out The Door"

We're all on our way home. What a GREAT TIME!
Sara Jean and I just finished lunch here in the Krystal restaurant in Montgomery, Alabama. We have another 10 hours or so to drive, but it's wonderful weather for the trip.

Several VK's got great pics, to include the 6 ib. 6 oz bass Harry caught. Beautiful!

Open forum time.
Tell us your news. We'll fill in more details about Eufaula when we unwind from the trip.

Eufaula- "Coming Attractions"

2010-04-05T08:18:00.004-06:00

I haven't discussed it in a while. I thought we had the problem licked but it's a tough one, and she has regressed...
QVC addiction.
And one of the main problems is that I am sometimes "co-dependent".
"Look at this!", she'll exclaim. "Isn't that a GREAT deal?!!"
And when I look, of course IT IS a great deal.
Example:
I LOVE Belgian waffles. For a long time I had my eye on a waffle maker at Macy's. The price was too dear for me to pull the trigger, but I went in one day and they had reduced the price. I commented to Sara Jean that if they reduced it further I'd buy the thing.
Next time we were in, it was sold...
No plans to restock it.

Late January, she gave me a big box to open for my birthday.
When I opened it, there was my Belgian waffle maker!
QVC was selling them, and they had them at a considerable discount over the one I was watching at Macy's. I found a "Best" recipe online and we've made waffles with it almost every weekend since January. They're so good they make you want to smack your Grandma!

We're bringing the waffle maker with us to Eufaula. We'll take a consensus vote, and one morning we'll be making breakfast and Belgian waffles will be served overlooking the lake.
Do you want to miss that?
I didn't think so.
But... if she's still living, you'd better warn your Grandma.

When It's Windy It's Wendy or Windy:

2010-04-02T04:08:00.002-06:00

And boy has it been windy here! Last night, a flight that normally takes 40 minutes took almost an hour... I was buckin' a 30 knot headwind. The only thing good about it? The 42-year old female stroke victim was the beneficiary of almost a 30 knot tailwind on the way to get the help she needed. In the midst of a terrible situation, she got a little blessing.

Are you counting your blessings on these windy days?
Tell us about it.

A Sad Update

2010-03-28T12:08:00.002-06:00

TD has been in touch with Louise (A.) F., CGHS '64, and she updated him with the names of several folks she knew that have passed that were not on our Memorial. TD added the names there.
Reading many of them brought back a flood of memories.
See if you have the same experience.

Open All Night

2010-03-26T00:58:00.003-06:00

I've always been a nightowl. Back in the days we were walking the creaking floors of the old middle building my Friday and Saturday nights would find me awake until 3 A.M. or so, then sleeping in until 11-12 O'Clock.
(And that sleep schedule made Monday mornings mighty difficult.)
But thinkin' about those days dredged a couple stories up from 'way back in the grey matter-

The Greybeard garage was a place to congregate.
A great tool inventory, plenty of available light, Jacks/jackstands, a lift for pulling engines, and a radio for top 40, news, weather, and sports.
Near perfection.
It was perfectly normal to find several teen-aged boys changing a clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing at 1 A.M. Saturday morning at Greybeard's folk's place. We'd listen to Rock-n-Roll on WIBC until midnight, then when "Dawnbeat" came on we'd try switching over to WLS out of Chicago so we didn't have to listen to the elevator music Dawnbeat offered. Sometimes Dick Biondi would be on WLS... (Remember "Greasy Kid Stuff"?)

Fond memories...
And part of the reason they are fond memories is because IF, in the middle of our mechanic-ing efforts we broke something or found something worn out that we didn't expect, we knew we could call "Hi-Way Parts" and check to see if they had what we needed. Hi-Way Parts was "Open All Night"!
I wish I had a nickel for every muffler and tailpipe I've changed in the wee hours using parts procured from Hi-Way parts...
I could now buy a fine cuppa Joe!

When the wrench-twisting was done and our stomachs were growling, we'd head to the newly opened "White Castle" on Madison Avenue...
Open All Night...
What an interesting place to be at 3 A.M.! It's understatement to say the clientele there at that hour was "diverse".
I can remember standing in line with TPO one morning when he informed me the reason White Castle's burgers were so cheap was because they were made from "lame cows". White Castle got 'em for bottom dollar 'cause no one else wanted 'em!
At the cash register, the name-tag on the gal said "Betty", and beneath that it said "Manager".
From that point on, any time we saw her we referred to her as "Betty Manager". Betty Manager tolerated us with a big smile.

It may have been that same morning that a VERY drunk, mid-twenties black man in front of me started singing...
"La di dah di di... La di dah di die." (Sonny's part from Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On".)
He turned to me and with a mostly-toothy grin and said, "I wrote that!"
"You wrote what?"
"That part of that song. They couldn't figure out what to put in there, so they called me. I told them what to put in there."

So now you can imagine what I think of every time I hear Sonny singing on the radio:
"La di dah di di... La di dah di die"... even these fifty or so years later.

Now...
Echo is knee deep in a Real Estate deal.
Cissy is thinking about going postal at her new/old job.
Rita is overworked and she and Bob need a trip to Alabama.
HF is thinkin' about catching fish.
GB and Sara Jean are headed to L.A. to visit Big Bubba this weekend.
Many of us are looking forward to fine fellowship and an adult beverage while overlooking lovely Lake Eufaula.
It's Friday Forum time.
Tell us...
What's upcoming on your agenda?

See The Eufaula Alligators!

2010-03-19T00:18:00.004-06:00

H&C warn that expecting your GPS to get ya there may getcha in trouble. I've personally come to depend so heavily on "Carmen the Garmin" that I frequently cannot tell you which direction I'm going, (and for a pilot, that's a Cardinal sin!) But GPS leading us astray? I'll wager this is one of those situations where the GPS will do fine until we get onto some of the uncharted two-lane roads down close to the Lake.
SO.... in order for ya to arrive safely and non-frazzled, instructions are provided:

From the South:
Take Hwy 431 North towards Eufaula, AL out of Dothan
From the Headland Hardee’s on 431 go 33.3 miles
Turn Right on Hwy 95 – Go 4 miles
Turn Left on Old River Road (Same as Hwy 97) – Go 4 miles ( Turns in front of Church on Left as you start to go up hill)
Turn Left (stay on 97… hwy 93 goes straight) – Go 2 miles
Englewood entrance located on left side of road
Turn Left on Galaxie Drive
Take First Right on South Galaxie
Go to dead end stop and turn Right on Englewood
5th cabin on left just around the curve (459 Englewood Drive)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the North:
Take Hwy 431 South to Eufaula, AL
From the Eufaula Wal-Mart located on 431 travel 5.7 miles South
Turn Left on Hwy 95 – Go 4 Miles
Turn Left on Old River Road (Same as Hwy 97) – Go 4 miles ( Turns in front of Church on Left as you start to go up hill)
Turn Left (stay on 97… hwy 93 goes straight) – Go 2 miles
Englewood entrance located on left side of road
Turn Left on Galaxie Drive
Take First Right on South Galaxie
Go to dead end stop and turn Right on Englewood
5th cabin on left just around the curve (459 Englewood Drive)

Don't be confused... use of the term "Cabin" above does not mean we'll be staying in "Cabins".
We'll actually be in tall cotton. We have two full-size, gen-U-WINE homes reserved and we're still looking for schoolmates to fill vacancies. Why not do something out of the ordinary, you "stick in the mud, boring person"? Surprise yourself and everyone else by doing something a little crazy and spontaneous... head to the Deep South for fun, relaxation, and ALLIGATORS!
From previous experience I know the week will start with smiles and hugs and from that point will only improve. And you're gonna risk missing this?
Are you CRAZY?!!

Once again it's Friday open forum time...
Let 'er rip!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN-Tampa, Fl to Greenwood, IN

2010-03-12T07:28:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone, Mrs. Hawk here, today is the morning after.....Hawk and I left Tampa yesterday at 9:11 AM and I was driving. We knew there was rain ahead before we got out of Florida, but did not realize how much. Sheets of gray pouring rain made driving 15 to 20 MPH the best we could do. Stopping for gas just before Gainesville, FL when the rain let up a little and being blocked in by a fire truck and an ambulance at the gas station was our first blessing (a lady in the bay next to us had some kind of medical problem and the emergency trucks were there for her). Back on the road, and rain not so bad, but traffic soon came to a stop. As we edged forward slowly, we came upon an accident with 9 cars smashed like coke cans. The cars were scattered for maybe 1/4 mile on either side of 75 North. Only one police car had arrived on the scene, the accident had just happened. Had we not stopped for gas and been blocked in by emergency trucks........

During the rain, I was driving. I kept commenting to Bob the way we were bumping along. I thought it was caused by the heavy rain I was driving through. After the rain slowed down, I could still feel the bump, but reasoned it must be the road.

I missed our exit for 10 West and we had to turn around. At this time the car gave a warning message of "low tire pressure". We stopped, Hawk checked our tires and found a bulge on the left front tire. A steel belt had separated. Using the GPS Hawk found a tire store 1.7 miles away. We got a new tire and were back on the road at 3 PM. It was 6 hours after we left Tampa and we had traveled 175 miles. Our second blessing was not having that tire cause us to crash........

About 5:30PM yesterday, March 11th, and in beautiful sunshine we passed through Chipply, Florida, home of Carol and Harry F. Such a nice town. We had to get to Montgomery, Alabama where our overnight reservations were, or we would have made contact with them. We will see them in 3 weeks in Eufalla and will visit then.

This morning we see again rain ahead for our trip home up 65 North. Looks like the bad storms are now over Atlanta. By God's Grace we will be home to Greenwood tonight.

Peace and love, Mrs. Hawk

vacations

2010-03-11T10:33:00.007-07:00

Moribund?
Dormant, maybe, but not moribund (I hope).

Anyhow, I haven't been on in awhile and then I find I'm listed as dormant & moribund.
Ha ha. I don't mind, at least I'm not alone.

I have a little story about Lake Eufaula, it goes like this:
My ex-husband has relatives in Southern Georgia and every year (sometimes twice a year) he and his fishing buddies would take his bass boat and head to Eufaula and stay with his cousins. They caught tons of bass. He would take the video camera and tape the dead fish they caught lying on the picnic tables. A simple picture would suffice, but he had to use the video of dead fish lying there! Then all summer, here in IN, he would go fishing on weekends at Lake Monroe, Patoka Lake, or wherever he heard the fishing was good. He even entered contests.
I was never asked to go to Eufaula, not that I would have anyhow, but it would have been a nice vacation for me and the kids.

Meanwhile, my sister-in-law (she being a single mom of 2) and I, with my 2 kids, would make a yearly trip to Disney World in Orlando. Now, don't you think a husband & wife should take vacations together? Especially when they have kids? In the whole 18 years I was married, I think we took, maybe, 4 or 5 vacations as a family.

I'm not trying to be a downer and I'm sure Eufaula is beautiful; all I saw of it was a video of dead fish lying on a picnic table, but I just had to put my 2 cents worth in. Ha!
I hope you all have a wonderful time, really. But for me Eufaula leaves a bad taste in my mouth and is definitely one of the reasons I am no longer married.
Joker

It's March!

2010-03-05T06:38:00.003-07:00

Well, here we are. Time flies, doesn't it? Buds on trees here look ready to burst. We've had a couple 50+ degree days here when the breeze blowing out of the South made it impossible to deny Spring is just around the corner. Soon the Willows will be green and Dogwoods will be in bloom...
A wonderful time of year.

The countdown to Eufaula has also begun. I've been working 56-hour weeks for what seems to be forever, so I cannot tell you how much I'm looking forward to rising in late morning, pouring a cuppa Joe, sitting in a chair overlooking the lake and visiting with whomever happens to be within arm's reach. If that sounds like good duty to you, we still have plenty of room for you to join us. Get in touch with me, TD, or H&C and we'll add your name to the list. Details are available at links in posts below, so check it out and get the ball rollin'!

Ferdy left a comment at the post immediately below this one about Jim Robinson's Mother. Anyone with more information, please update us.

I'm convinced Sara Jean has a mild case of pneumonia. She's been hacking now for more than two weeks. She feels fine until she climbs stairs or otherwise taxes her body. TD said he has something similar, and the last time I chatted with him he said he believes he's finally on the road to recovery. There's still lots of stuff running around to catch, so take care of yourselves and don't let your immunity get weak. Obviously, we can thank God the predicted Swine Flu pandemic was another false alarm.

Now... it's Friday again. You've got news to share, haven't you?

Suzan/Tsunami

2010-02-27T12:38:00.006-07:00

Suzan and Ken woke to warning sirens this morning. They have evacuated their home in Ewa Beach and are now at Pearl Harbor. Waves are forecast to hit Hawaii at 11:19 their time, and there is evidence the warnings are valid.
Pray for them.
Her words:

What do you gather up to take with you in 2 hours time? Important papers, photo albums, food, water, some clothes, and off we go. On MSNBC they mention our town, Ewa Beach. Updates all the time, sirens went off at 6am, waves due to hit at 11 am and for hours there after. No one is taking a chance, be the waves 35 ft or 3 inches. Keep us in your prayers please. I am now sitting at Pearl Harbor hoping for the best.

Update:
At 3:30 Eastern time, The Weather Channel is predicting 1-3 foot waves at Oahu within the hour.

Another Update:
Apparently Suzan and Ken are on their way home... a little after 7 P.M. Eastern, major danger is gone.

Good News/Sad News. (Let's Celebrate Life!)

2010-02-26T00:18:00.005-07:00

First, the GOOD news...
Today is Ferdy's birthday... her 39th I believe. (Ferd, I'll let you decide if you want to tell us how many oak-leaf clusters to add!) Trying to lie to our group is not fair though, 'cause we've all watched as mucho water has passed beneath the bridge, right? Still, it's in our mutual interest to keep her secret isn't it?!!
Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY FERDY! Come to Alabama and I'll buy you birthday cake and ice cream!

Now the sad...
As you've read below, O.J. is gone. Shouldn't we hesitate to call that BAD news? He brought us all joy. We were blessed to have him as a teacher and friend. Godspeed O.J. and thank you...
My life is better for having known you.

April is just around the corner. You still have time to make your plans to join us in Eufaula, Alabama for the "Pilgrimage" there.
Those that want to fish, can fish.
Those that want to eat fish... will eat the FRESHEST fish, providing our fisherman have any luck at all.
Those that want to tour BIG antebellum homes can lay their money down and do just that. This is a BEAUTIFUL little Southern town that took my breath away just driving through it!
Those who are like me and just want a few days off the treadmill... will find like minds willing to help spark old memories of school, neighborhood, mutual friends, and shared experiences. Bring your cares and stresses and we'll iron them all out... I promise you'll relax, take a deep breath, feel your blood pressure drop, and be glad you came. This promises to be another of those events that bonds us all together stronger than we ever were "back when". And this time we'll be adding new members to our VK family. You know you want to come, so get off your backside and make it happen! We have great lodging scheduled there starting the week of 5 April I believe...
(Please correct me if I'm wrong, anyone).
This is one of the rental properties we've reserved, and it will sleep 8 in various beds. We had hoped to bring Lucy with us and this unit is pet friendly, so Sara Jean and I will be staying here.
This is the other unit. It has beds to sleep 12 so you can see, we still have lotsa room for more VK's. (Money is not a big deal here folks... if you can make it down and want to come, let me, TD, or H&C know and we'll make it work!)

If you have it, send H&C your deposit check for $200... it's not too late!
I promise... you'll be GLAD you did.

Another Friend Gone

2010-02-24T22:46:00.002-07:00

O.J. Sloop, Friend and Mentor to many - will be missed

O.J. Sloop, 88, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, in Franklin. He was a resident of Bargersville.He is survived by his wife, Lorene (Baker) Sloop.Services are pending at Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home in Franklin. Information: 736-5528

Will have more information as it comes out.

Bonehead.

2010-02-19T10:08:00.007-07:00

She called me at work...
"We have a problem."
"What's wrong?"
"We have no water."
"Uh-oh."

I pay the water bill in person. The water department is right along a route I drive almost daily, so why waste the postage? I pay the bill three or four months in advance so I don't have to do it often.
Most times, the bill comes with green printing indicating I still have a credit balance. This time the bill came in red with a "Disconnect!" warning...
If the bill wasn't paid within 10 days they'd shut our water off.

I extended my hands and fingers in front of me and counted...
When I was done, I figured I had until today to pay the bill.
I counted wrong.
I had until yesterday. Since I've worked straight days... a 12 hour shift for the past week, there was no time to drive past the office and pay the bill.

So I paid it first thing this morning, to include the $25 reconnect fee.
I ran a couple errands, came home, and flushed the toilet...
Having water pressure in the house is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

Anything exciting or irritating, (or both) goin' on in your life?
Surely I'm not the only bonehead in our group!

Not Just "Missy Cissy"-

2010-02-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

Eyes wide open... it's still dark. What time is it?
I raise my head off the pillow to see the face of the alarm clock over the blonde head lying next to me... it's 2:30. Here we go again!

We push the doohickey on top of the thermostat all the way to the left before we go to bed, so the temperature in the house gradually drops to 50 degrees overnight. On top of this we have a floor fan stirring the air to make some white noise, so the wind chill in the bedroom could be even less than 50. At this temperature my 12 pound, furry, "living hot water bottle" finds it most comfortable to burrow beneath the covers and curl up in my crotch. So far she hasn't budged... another indicator that the room is mighty chilly.

Oh well. I'll lie here quietly. The waterbed is heated. My living hot water bottle is in place. I listen to Sara Jean snore... wait, that's a misnomer... HUM. It's actually a comforting sound, not irritating at all. Over the sound of the floor fan I hear the refrigerator motor kick on downstairs... my hearing surprises me sometimes... I'm not deaf to all frequencies quite yet.

We're half a mile from the railroad tracks. I hear the drumming of the big diesel locomotive idling. In the distance I hear the approach of another train. It reaches the crossing and blows the horn and I smile. In the wee hours of the morning the engineers cheat... they're supposed to blow "Loooonnnnnng, loooooonnnnnnng, short, loooooonnnnnng", sustaining the last long toot all the way into the crossing. At this hour, in deference to those living right next to the tracks, most of them pull the rope for their horns about halfway and get a half-volume toot. Sometimes their horns sound more like goats crying out for a mate. After this train passes, the engine I heard idling speeds up, then I hear another half-hearted horn bleating. He was waiting for the other train to pass so the track would be clear. Maybe one was going Northbound and the other South? I can't tell from my listening point, but I bet that was the case.

I gently raise my head and glance at the clock... 3:05.
The alarm to wake me will sound at 5:40... I have a dreaded day shift today. I lie and listen to the wind blowing outside and I'm glad I don't have to work in it. Twenty-five degrees with a 10 knot wind does not make me happy. Lying in bed next to this beauty with a loyal dog helping keep me warm is what makes me happy. The thought of having to get up while it's still dark outside is stressful to me, and is what is causing this insomnia.
Head raised... 3:47.

The last time I raised my head before dropping back into slumber the clock read 4:11. I woke five minutes before the alarm went off and took care of my bathroom needs before waking Sara Jean. She has a big day today and needed to be up early too.

Coffee.
Egg sandwich... yum!
Lunch bucket and thermos in the car, along with other work needs, I'm on the road a little after 6 A.M.. Flying weather this morning will be nice, but the forecast for this afternoon includes rain and snow... normal for this time of year.

At work my mechanic announces he has "phase inspections" to perform on the aircraft, and it will be "out of service" until Noon. We start the tug, attach it to the BK117, and carefully pull it into the hangar. When I finish this post and push "publish" I'll lie down and catch a nap...
Remember, "E.M.S." means "Earn Money Sleeping".
I hope you slept better than I did last night, but if not I hope you can make a little money today while taking a nap!

So let's hear about selling homes, giving away kitties, working out at the Y, doing the same old work for a "new" employer, recovering from the tragic loss last weekend, and anything else that might be happening to our beloved VK's.

Friday, 5 February 2009

2010-02-05T08:18:00.003-07:00

I woke to a cool, gray, rainy day today...
The last two nights have pretty much been non-flyable due to weather. Wednesday night the risk was fog formation. Last night I got to work to find the helicopter already in the hangar...
Ceiling and viz too low to go, and the forecast was bad for the whole evening. Still, hospitals call to see if we can come transport some patient in desperate need and we have to tell 'em NO!
When I hired on for this job, one of the pilots that brought me on board here had a saying-
"Some days it just sucks to need a helicopter transport. Pick your days to get hurt or sick carefully."
The forecast for today and much of tonight is still schmutz. I'm taking my tax information to work with me to start getting it in order, and the neat part about this job is that I'll be paid pretty well while doing that.

I chatted at length via Facebook with Tools yesterday afternoon.
He's still doing well... sounded to be in great spirits. But his Dad is not so good. Tools indicated he could die at any time. The route Tools takes to come home brings him within a few miles of Casa Greybeard, and he has stopped to spend the night here before on his way home. I reminded him we have a perfectly good empty bed downstairs, and cold beer in the 'fridge. It's another of those situations...
I liked and respected his Dad, so naturally you hate to hear he's perilously near the end of his life. But when Tool's shadow darkens our doorway there will be good times and once again great memories will be shared. Again, even the dark clouds have a silver lining.

Echo has her home for sale. DJ has a cat that needs a good home. Hawk and his bride are safely in Florida enjoying weather that I hope is much better than what we're experiencing here at home. And let's see... seems to me something out of the ordinary is happening Sunday, isn't it?
(I get paid well for watching TV too!)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
Bring all of us to speed with your news!

Madison Ave Memories

2010-01-30T00:38:00.003-07:00

Pokin' around again, and once again you benefit from the fact I have a job where I can sit and surf...
A job that makes it nearly impossible to keep that slice of cake from ending up on my tush.
Lucky you. (Lucky me too, I guess.)

I ate there once, and it was a bad experience.
Next time ya see me... ask.
But we all drove by the place for years, and I was wondering if they were still in business...
They're not, but the family has opened another restaurant in Madison, Indiana.
(The review is a good one.)

And... GUESS WHAT?!!
I had an absolutely delightful chat with Carol C. (or Casey B.) this evening.
We talked for a half hour or so and still need some time to catch up.
I invited her to meet with us in Eufaula, so you guys need to join me in the "full court press" here.
Casey, you out there?

How Things Have Changed!

2010-01-22T08:18:00.006-07:00

It would normally be on a Summer Friday or Saturday night-

"(Greybeard), check the total for me!"
The old cash register at the "Frostop" had a little door just above the keys that you could lift to expose a window that, when reset the night before, would show the day's total receipts.

"$112.oo"...
And there would be a celebration... business had been wild and we were exhausted from pushing hamburgers, pork tenderloins, and ice-cold root beer out the door, but WOW!
$112.00!

And from that total would be paid rent, insurance, power, gas, supplies to replenish inventory, cleaning supplies, wages, and a maintenance reserve.

Today, $112.00 covers a good meal and tip for two people at a 3-Star restaurant.
How times have changed, huh?

We're still shy a pilot, so I'm still working my tush off... (except the weather has kept us on the ground for three days straight.)
I wish I had good news to share, but in my opinion the best news of the decade happened last Tuesday, and you may not agree with me at all on that issue.

April and the Eufaula pilgrimage will be here before we know it. Remember H&C need your $200-per couple deposit by 28 February or so. YOU ARE PLANNING ON COMING, AREN'T YOU?
(Don't make me come over there to talk to you personally!)

Okay VK's...
Surely one of you has something exciting to share, right?
Click "Post a comment" below and spread your news.

To Casey (Carol) Bade-

2010-01-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

If you are stopping by and visiting here, Casey, PLEASE leave a comment below and let us know!

Friends In Need

2010-01-15T09:38:00.002-07:00

I'm tryin' like crazy to think of something lighthearted to say on this Friday Forum.
If you too are watching the National and International news right now you know...
It's hard.
But... "I get by with a little help from my friends".
So, friends... a little HELP, please.

Baby Boomers - Feeling your age yet?

2010-01-10T21:51:00.004-07:00

Wait until someone asks if you’re still driving. That’ll make you feel it. Well, it’s happened to me. My vision has never been good, only corrected by glasses/contacts. Recently, it seems to have gotten worse. Some cloudiness. My right eye also had acquired a ‘floater’. That happened as I was driving and all of a sudden – I noticed what looked like small raindrops on the windshield. It was a clear day and I knew it wasn’t raining. I covered up my right eye and the ‘raindrops’ disappeared. Arrived at my destination and after a while, I wasn't seeing the spots. But I was left with a ‘floater’. Every time I tried to focus on it, it moved. It was like a ghost. Was I really seeing it? I did a little research and found that this was not unusual for my ‘age’. It happens… I don’t really notice my floater now. It is still there but, No big deal…. By coincidence though, I received a note from the Eye Doctor office saying it was time to come in for a check up. OK – normally, my thinking is “If it is not broke, Don’t fix it.” But, my insurance now covers eye exams and ‘helps’ a little with new glasses – so with some spousal encouragement, I made an appointment. Doc asks if there had been any change in my vision – I told him about the floater, but not about the cloudiness – my floater didn’t seem to be a big deal to him at all. But about half way thru the exam – he stops – steps back and asks if I am still driving at night ….. Well, after getting up off of the floor and sitting back down in the chair, I said “Yes, I am. What’s Up?” Cataracts.. Both eyes – right eye is worse. He set me up with a specialist. Went to him and he confirmed.

Good thing is – they are doing refractive surgery and hope to leave me with monovision. That means I will be able to see distance with the right eye and near with the other. I have been doing this for years with my contacts – just wearing one and it seems to work well. Because of the cataracts, Insurance will pay for most of it and I will not have to wear glasses or contacts. I have not been able to be without one or the other for a long time. BTW, first surgery went well. Back home within 2 hours. Next day follow up - less than 24 hours after - vision in my 'new' eye was almost 20/20. Get the left eye done in two weeks. I did tell the Doctor that I was a little disappointed. I now have dark circles under both eyes and I didn’t think that they were like that before the surgery. He didn’t buy it….

Now - Cinders says I need to get my hearing corrected next. Can your ears get cataracts? After that - What will be next???? I really don't want to think about it...

2010 – Everyone stay healthy and have a great New Year… Hope to see everyone soon.

Quiz

2010-01-08T00:48:00.000-07:00

I didn't do well here.
Rita and other younger VK's will no doubt do better.
Give it a shot, then let the rest of us know how you did!

2010 !

2009-12-31T16:08:00.003-07:00

Here we are...
The beginning of a new year and a new decade.
There's a lot of uncertainty around, but we all know that can lead to opportunity for those that are willing to take the risk and step through that "open door".

I just got back from helping my son move to L.A..
While there I got a call from Carol... she and Tracy were on their way home from Arizona. Bo just wrote to say Clint is driving to Mesa, AZ this week, and that she and her Mom will be headed that way by air. Safe travels to all!

For me, and for at least one other person we all know, 2009 has been unsettled because of workplace changes. Those changes continue for me, producing stress and nudging me toward retirement. I'm now fearful of the economy and the possibility of having to live on a fixed income, so I'm trying to hang on at work until the future is more clear.

Uncertain times are troubling.
It's nice to have friends that have become almost family when stress surrounds you.
Thanks everyone for your caring and concern.
Here's hoping the future is bright for us all!

Now, look into your crystal ball and tell us what you see.

The Kink In Morgantown Road

2009-12-24T15:48:00.003-07:00

It's gone... Changed so much I can hardly recognize my old neighborhood when I return.
I know you remember it.
Southbound Morgantown road intersected Smith Valley road and there was a stop sign. Smith Valley and Morgantown roads then joined Westbound for about 100 feet before Morgantown assumed its own identity again and headed South past CGHS, then on in the general direction of Morgantown. Our house was the fifth house on the East side of the road, South of that intersection. I sometimes wonder if the amount of time I spend reflecting on that house... on that neighborhood... is a mental illness. I try to convince myself that what I'm really doing is trying to revert back to a simpler, safer time, when everything seemed clearer... happier.

At this time of year, life would slow down. We'd be out of school for the Christmas break. Those that were traveling to be with family would be cocooned with those loved ones at their destinations. Businesses would close.
I can remember going outside on Christmas Eve and listening to the quiet. It'd be so quiet, you could hear the leafless branches in the trees complaining about being pushed around by the slight wind. A car, almost always headed South on Morgantown, could be heard coming long before you could see it... the sound of its approach louder, and taking longer, than the sound of its retreat. And if we had snow on the ground, the quiet was even more noticeable... the snow acting as a natural insulation and sound dampener.

"You can't go home again"...
Those days are gone, aren't they? We're separated from that place by time, and "progress".
The kink in Morgantown road has been straightened. The stop sign has been replaced with a stop light. The neighborhood has grown, and traffic has increased.
But our memories remain.

I remember the quiet.
And it brings a warm stillness to my heart.
Have a safe, happy Christmas everyone, and thank you for being a part of my life.
For that, and for so much more, I thank our Lord on his birthday.