Snow Days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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 }

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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:

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...

... 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'?