Brotherly Love

I have one sibling.  A brother who is 2+ years older than I.  He lives in Texas, where it is HOT most of the time.  I just got back from a two week visit with him.  We had a ball.  We ate a lot, drank a lot of beer and wine,  went to see the Texas Rangers get beat (damn!) and took in the Dallas Museum of Art.  Plus spent a lot of time catching up on old stuff, and generally having a good time.  I ate well, rested well and was treated like royalty.  My sis-in-law is a sure-fire excellent cook, and "boy howdy" did we eat well, and healthy.
All too soon it was time to head back to Indiana, but knowing that I will go back sometime during the winter made the leaving a touch easier.
I have always wondered how the gene pool works when it comes to passing out looks in the same family.  Though my brother is, like I mentioned earlier, somewhat older than I, well, you all be the judge of whom looks like the younger brother.  So unfair!!!

The top pic was take approximately 68 years ago when I was about 6-7 months, and Bro was well over 2.

The bottom pic was take last weekend.  Me on left, Bro on right.  Like I said, the gene pool sometimes is so unfair!  LOL!  But I love him anyway.

Peace,
 JE

Memories

Six years ago yesterday, I buried the love of my life.  The pain and agony of grief was unimaginable.  I was looking at life through a tunnel of darkness, barely able to see a dim light at the end of that tunnel.  I thought it would never end, that tunnel.  But, I am living proof, that, yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel of grief. 
Today, I am content.  I guess that's as good of a word to describe how I am feeling.  I have dealt with the grief and loneliness, and have become what I think of as a stronger, more independent person.  I have realized that the world doesn't stop for my broken heart and life, and that moving ahead is possible. 
I have discovered that I can stand on my own and take care of myself, a home and all that goes with it.  This, in no way, should minimize what kind of life I had as a married man.  Ours was a marriage of joy and happiness.  I miss that, and I miss my mate.  But, I realize that she isn't coming back, and that life does go on.
I am grateful for all the years we had together.  I will never forget them or my loving late wife.  I will cherish all that went with those years.  I have my children and grandchildren to sustain me as well as a vast group of friends who have been my support group.  I love them all.
Bless life, caress it every day, for it could end with the snap of a finger. 

Peace,
JE

How to Stay Young

I received this as an email this morning.  It bears repeating to those of us who are "somewhat over the hill."

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1.. Try everything twice.
On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph: "Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!"
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)
3. Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever...
Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.
6.. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with you  your entire life, is yourself. LIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love: whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips..
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance..

Peace,

JE

Ale, Beer, Whatever!

I bought a Blue Moon limited edition Fall selection case of twelve this afternoon.  Drank one of these already.  Pretty good stuff.  Would have been a bit better if I had let it get a might bit colder.

Ah,

Peace,
JE

October in August??

Yesterday it never go above 68 degrees out there.  It was a bright sunny day, too.  Today looks like it might be the same way, only a bit warmer.  I was amazed when I let the dog out how cool it is. It even smelled like fall!  I put on my long lay-around-the-house sweats and a long sleeved shirt.  Maybe it will be warm enough in a while to officially get dressed in my shorts and flip-flops. 
   This is unseasonable for Indiana.  Usually, August is blazing hot and dry.  If this is a precursor to fall and winter, I had better get out the long undies in preparation.  LOL!
   I know this is just a respite and that the hot stuff will be back in short order.  Meanwhile, I intend to get out and enjoy this.  This is my kind of weather.  If there was a place in the USA that was like this year-round, I think I would consider moving there.

Peace,
JE

Along Came a Spider

Since my son and his family have moved, both he and his wife have had spider bites.  Or at least that is what the medical pros seem to think.  Son had a bite of some sort on the back of his left calf.  It didn't seem to heal or get any better.  He went to the doctor, finally, last week and the doc sent him directly to the ER at the local hospital.  The staff there took one look at it and began prepping him for surgery.  A few hours later, he had a two inch wide, three quarter inch deep "hole" in his calf where the insect, think brown recluse spider here, had burrowed in.  But now it is healing, yet he has had to miss a bunch of work and be laid up for over a week now and is off another week.  Daughter-in-law was luckier.  Her bite was in the tissue right where the arm meets the torso.  She caught hers in time, got an antibiotic, and it began healing.  She was lucky.  It looks like it might scar a little, but otherwise is almost healed.
Where did they stir up a spider nest, you might ask?  Well, they just moved.  That involved moving several, and I mean several, boxes from their garage to the new house, which they brought into the house and stored in one room until unpacking began.  I swept out the cleaned out garage as they moved, and I can testify that they had LOTS of spider nests and nits out there.  Glad I was wearing gloves and a hat that day.  Secondly, since moving, they have had the whole house rewired from spindle and tube wiring to today's code-worthy wire.  That involved having electricians there every day cutting holes in walls and floors, and dragging new wires in and old wires out.  In a house that is over 100 years old, think of how many spider nests have been stirred up there.
Son claims that at his work they have numerous spiders.  That's okay, but his wife is never there, so it is my opinion that the spider bites had to be gotten at home.  My hope is that they will get an exterminator to come in now that the wiring is done, the holes are patched and the electricians are gone.  I also hope that they get all the boxes unpacked, and out of the house.  I fear that the spiders are lurking in the corners just waiting to pounce on the children.  Makes my skin crawl just to think about it.  And believe me, knowing now that they might have spiders lurking, when I go visit I will wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a hat!

Peace,
JE

50 years? Really?

Note:  This post might sound a little harsh in spots, but really, it is meant in the nicest way.


This past weekend was my 50th year High School reunion.  I was reluctant to go, because as I have stated before, my HS years were pretty miserable. I wasn't well, had lots of social issues, and quite frankly, my peers treated me pretty miserably.  I went to a very small county school.  That was back in the day when every township had a school, grades 1-12.  Sometime during either my Freshman or Sophomore years, the county decided to consolidate schools into 3 bigger schools.  Parents were in an uproar.  My mom, being an educator, and my dad being a manufacturing executive,(even tho he graduated from that school 30+ years previously,) were all in favor of the consolidation.  It would save money in the long run, and offer so much more education-wise.  By the time the new schools were built, and the actual move took place, I was a senior.  I went from a class of 26 to a class of 110, (which was large back in those days...not so much now).  It was a big adjustment for all of us.  Most of my  25 classmates had heard from their parents that it was going to be awful, so they didn't make much of an effort.  They remained in the shadows, stuck together, and were generally a miserable bunch.  Mom and Dad convinced me that I could really have a better education there, and that I should join in and have a fun, yet productive Senior year.  So I did. I didn't ignore the other 25 classmates that came along, but I did join choir, the drama club and became a member of National Honor Society and joined the yearbook staff.  I made pretty decent grades and also had fun.  Still, to this day, those, or what's left of the other 25 classmates resent me for becoming "one of them." (Like I was one of the Pod People!)
     I wondered how the reunion would go.  Well, I didn't go!  I went to an informal gathering at a local watering hole the night before and had a great time.  The "full blown" reunion was on Saturday night and was very expensive.  I couldn't see spending a lot of cash to spend the evening with people I didn't care that much about any more.  Does that make me a bad person??  Hope not.
   At the informal gathering, it was interesting to sit back and watch the classmates in action.  I sat, beer in hand with some classmates, and just people watched.  I decided that the more things change, the more they stay the same.  The "social cliques" were still the same.  The snotty gal that thought she was hot stuff in HS, still thought she was hot stuff, and was just as snotty.  But, she still looked GOOD!  At age 68, she must have been living right some way or another.  As a matter of fact, most of the women that showed up looked damn good for their age.  Us guys...not so much.  (My friend Curley says that's because of all the "look-good" products out there for women.)  Wow!  Even my old "flame" looked REAL good!  And, no, I was leering, just noticing!  LOL!
     Most of the classmates that attended that gathering were, of course, classmates from the "other" class.  They were kind and friendly to me, and generally, I think everyone had a good time.  I am glad I at least did that part of the reunion.  And, you know, as I sat at home on Saturday night, I wondered who showed up and who didn't, but that part of my life is gone, and somehow, I really don't care that much anymore.

Peace,
JE

32 Truths For Mature Humans

Some things never change!

For the past week I have been fighting a summer cold.  UGH!  The worst part is the racking cough.  I have coughed until my lungs feel like they are going to leap out of my mouth any time.  Finally, I resorted to some flavored cough syrup.  The taste is foul.  Just as I remembered from my looonnnggg past childhood.  You would think with all the technology and advancements in medicine in the last 60 years, that the pharmaceutical industry would have improved the taste of cough medicine.  NOT!  And as for cough drops, they are still nasty.  Maybe the whole "nasty taste" thing is supposed to be there to chase away the germs!
One of the wonders of modern medicine is the "daytime" and "nighttime" meds.  Yes, they too are foul tasting, but they do help with the symptoms.  At least they are helping me.  I will survive, despite the nasty tasting stuff.  Is this modern chemistry at it's finest?

Peace, (soon, I hope)
JE 

Summer!

It's around this time every summer that the hot weather, humidity, and other summer stuff brings on the doldrums.  I'm tired of the heat, tired of being cooped up in the AC, but can't stand the heat like I used to be able to.  My company has gone home, and the house is clean.  The laundry is about done, and there is absolutely nothing good on the telly.  I have about crocheted my fingers to the bone, and have just finished book # 42 and began #43. 
Last night I sang with my buddies for about 2 hours getting ready for a gig in August.  We haven't sung together at all since last November.  Everyone else is much younger than I and still working, so our schedules are different.  This was a treat.  It was a good time out for me, and singing with these guys is always enjoyable.  Our baritone, Alan, told us that he talked to a lady that took our quartet's name and might be giving us a call to perform in the fall.  That would mean a road trip of about an hour, and of course that means a meal out!!  The gig we have next month is at a fund raiser for a local cause.  It will be an old fashioned ice cream social, which means performing outdoors.  We hope for no rain! Which is pretty safe hoping in August in Indiana.
My mower guys were here this morning and spiffied up my lawn.  Looks great.  I found out that in the winter, these guys plow snow, so now I am going to get on their list that whenever we have 3" or more of snow, they will plow me out.  Yay Me!  I won't throw my snow shovels away, but at least I know that the big stuff will be taken care of, so I can still do the porch steps and short walks. 
I am dog sitting for Giles the Wonder Dog while daughter Prof vacations in Florida.  We have had a good time running around the back yard, and snoozing.  I took him to our walking park in town this morning.  We jogged a while and walked a while, but had to stop and greet everyone we met on the path.  Everyone asked questions (since he's kind of a rare sight) and wanted to pet him and make over him.  He loved it!  One 1/8th mile lap was enough to tire him out, and now he's asleep on his pallet upstairs.  I could have gone another few rounds, but he did the first one just fine, so we'll leave it at that.
Speaking of naps, I can hear my recliner calling.  Might just catch a few winks until the dryer buzzer goes off.

Peace,
JE

Cleaning Up!

My house is never really "dirty."  But it does get dusty, and cluttered somewhat part of the time.  Since I am having company this week, (tomorrow in fact) for several days, Prof and I have been cleaning.  Or should I say, Prof has been cleaning and I have been helping.  She has cleaned the kitchen, wiped down the cabinets, deep cleaned the counter tops, scrubbed her bathroom and laundry room and generally swept and cleaned the living room.  I was responsible for dusting.  She hates to dust.  I also cleaned my room and bath.  I  let my brother and sis in law use my room and I sleep upstairs on the spare bed in the attic.  That way, they have a room with a door, and their own bathroom, although we share that most of the time.  At least for showers.  So, as of right now, the place sparkles, thanks in most part to Prof.  I really appreciate all her enthusiasm and help.  I was busy trying to help my son and family with their move yesterday, so I just sort of let her do her thing.  Thank goodness!  She is much more adept at this cleaning than I am.  And a lot faster and fastidious, too.

The other half of the family finally got moved, and late yesterday afternoon, they turned the keys over to the new owner.  Now that they are all in one spot, the unpacking and putting away can commence.  Boy!  They have a lot of stuff.  My daughter-in-law said that she is going to go through every box and decide what is worth keeping, what has been used recently, and what to give to Salvation Army or Goodwill.  I operate on the theory that if I haven't worn it or used it in the last 2 years, I get rid of it.  Not counting some old favorites, like my Navy Pea Jacket that is over 40 years old, and doesn't even fit any more, but it was given to me by an old friend who served in the Navy, (in Cuba, and never wore it) so I hang onto it.  I have a couple of favorite sweaters that I keep, even if I don't wear them often.  Otherwise, the theory goes into effect.  I got rid of all the clothes that I wore to teach in last year, after I decided that I wasn't going back.  It's a once a year cleansing of the closet and the cupboards.  Works for me.  What do all of you do with your "stuff?"

Peace,
JE

Moving Right Along!

After having their house on the market for what must seem like "forever" to them,  my son and his wife finally sold their small, 3 bedroom ranch on a corner lot.  The purchased a BIG, older home in midtown.  It's a beauty!  It has two living rooms, a dining room, a huge kitchen another room that I think was meant to be a parlor, and 4 large bedrooms upstairs.  Complete with a large back yard, fenced, and a garage.  It sits next to a house that burned beyond repair recently, and will be torn down in the near future.  The kids have the first chance at buying the lot, which will make them on another nice corner lot.  If they fence it, the little ones will have even more room to play. 
Moving for them has been a trying experience.  They have gobs of friends, all or most who said they would help with the move.  They hired a moving company to move the house stuff and the garage was theirs to move.  Well, first of all, most of the friends they counted on to help fizzled out on them.  Secondly, the movers either misunderstood or just were being "butts" and refused to move the boxes; they moved only the heavy furniture.  So, with the help of a few able bodies from our church, and the two of them,  they have been using a U-Haul truck to move the rest.  Imagine if you,will, two packrats, and 3 children who have almost every toy from Toys-r-Us, living in this tiny house.  It was bursting at the seams.  I don't know how many boxes of books alone the two adults have accumulated, but a gob lot, the way it looks.  Plus, they both love to cook so they own a lot of cooking gadgets and kitchen stuff!  Need I continue.
The two older children have been staying with the grandparents on the other side of town for the last few days.  The baby has to stay close to Mommy because of frequent feeding times, but I did keep him for several hours yesterday afternoon and evening, with Mommy stopping and feeding and hauling him back and forth.
Tonight they hope to be done. I certainly hope they reach their goal.  I feel guilty because I have not been able to help them because of my back and shoulder problems.  I cannot lift and tug anymore.  So keeping the baby was the best I could do and they seemed relieved that I took that on myself, at least for a few hours.
When they are all there, whether unpacked or not, it will be a relief to them.  My son told me that he NEVER intends to move again, and he just turned 38 last week.  We'll see how that goes for him!  LOL!  When I was his age, my wife and I had moved 3 times, and when I was 47, we moved where I live now.  I told the kids that this is where I stay until my good friend, the local undertaker, takes me out one last time toes up!

Peace,
JE

It's Strange:

• That grass doesn't grow as fast as the weeds.
• How it can be raining in one part of town but not in the other
• That a tree or plant that loves the shade, but still leans towards the sunlight
• That people who claim to be your friends, suddenly stop communicating with you
• How a blog can have 68 followers, but only get such a few comments
• How each day I seem to grow older on the outside, but remain a teenager in my mind
• How music can bring a lump to you throat
• How evasive sleep can be some nights
• How good the sunshine can feel, even on a hot sultry day
• How easily it is to be taken advantage of the older we get
• How easily feelings get hurt by just the little things said, or slights felt 

Peace,
JE

Whew! Finally!

Finally!  I have gotten caught up on all the episodes of "Downton Abby."  I have been trying ever since season 3 came out on DVD to see it, and I didn't particularly want to own it, so I was counting on getting it from my public library.  Just so happens, when I was in there last weekend, there was season 3 on the shelf.  I had a marathon watching and now am caught up. 
My daughter is making fun of me.  "Dad is watching a British soap opera, " she chanted last evening.  She's right!  I am hooked, just like millions of other Americans and Brits. 
I knew what was going to happen in the end, so I wasn't surprised, but I was saddened.  I liked Michael.  His mother, Isabel, is probably my favorite character on the show, along with Bates and Anna.  Gee, listen to me.  I even talk like a soap opera affectionado.  Sort of like my wife was with "Another World."  And my Grandmama was with "Search for Tomorrow."  Maybe it runs in the family, who knows? I just know that I am all set when season 4 begins in January 2014.  Yay me!

Peace,
JE

Do I need a "life" or what!!!

"Roll Out those Lazy Hazy Days of Summer"

Summer Solstice is here!  Along with the typical Midwestern hot, humid days.  I was up before the butt crack of dawn to get my cardio walk in before the humidity got too high.  I know, I know, I could go the the new "Y" we have here in town and make use of a treadmill, or walk on their indoor track, but the whole idea seems redundant to me.  Walking outside makes me feel like I still exist as one with nature.  I can look around at the trees, and see what other people are growing in their yards.  I can speak to other walkers or bikers, I can wave at people who honk or wave at me, even if I don't know who it is.  (I don't wear my glasses when I walk because they keep sliding down my nose, and my wrap arounds aren't prescription sunglasses.)  If I walked on a treadmill, I would miss all of this.  And the "Y" is far enough away from my house that I would have to drive to it, just to exercise.  Now, don't get me wrong!  When the weather gets too unbearable, I will probably go there just to "beat the heat."  Most days I could walk at my church.  We have a large indoor area that is usually open in the mornings for walkers.  So that, too, is an option.  But for now, I will just trot my bod (really, walk) along the sidewalks of town, waving and panting!!  It's getting me off my rear, out of the house, and pumping up the ol' heart rate.  Can't be all bad!

Peace,
JE

Read Any Good Books Lately?

As a matter of fact, yes, yes I have.  I read Robert B. Parker's Lullaby, published after his death and authored by Ace Atkins.  It's a Spenser novel, and that made it even better! Maybe Ace can continue to write this series...
Then I read Redfield Farm, by Judith Coopey, an excellent, well researched story of a Quaker family involved in the Underground Railroad prior to the Civil War.  A very "smart" read, if you know what I mean.
I just finished Allan Folsom's The Exile.  This superb action packed novel is a long one.  It consists of 702 pages, so be warned:  don't start it unless you have time to finish it.  It's a good one!!!
Interspersed with these wonderful reads, I also read The Devil's Cradle by Sylvia Nobel. It was an okay novel, but just let me say, it wasn't quite my cup-of-tea.  Enough said about that.  I have two of her others here that I borrowed from Curley.  I intend to just give 'em back unread.  After much soul searching several years ago, I gave myself permission to not finish a book that I wasn't enjoying.  I give it a chance, but now I don't feel obligated to read one if it doesn't meet my expectations.  Nobel's work doesn't. 
But, I must say, that three out of the last four were real "barn burners" for me.  Not a bad pick from my local library, huh?
I still need to get used to using my Kindle.  There's a lot of good stuff available at little or no cost now for Kindle, and all e readers, but I still like the look, feel, and smell of the written word, on paper, held in my hand.  Call me old fashioned...that's okay!

Peace,
JE

Day Trippin'

Yesterday I went on a day trip.  A bunch of us "seniors" boarded a bus for a trip only into the next county over from mine.  There is MUCH I didn't know about that county.  I found out that there was a huge Miami Indian settlement there once, and that there are still several Miami Indians around the area and that their state tribal council headquarters are there in Peru, Indiana.  We visited the Cole Porter exhibit at the Miami County museum and that was a blast.  He has always been one of my favorite composers, and I got to pose for a pic beside his 1955 black Caddy, which, interesting enough, was used in the movie, "The Godfather."   We took a driving tour where we got to see Cole's birthplace, his boyhood homes and also his grave site.  I found it interesting that though Cole Porter was a wealthy man, famous, and quite the talk of both Broadway and Hollywood in his era, it was his wish that, upon his death, he be brought back to Peru and buried with his family, or back to his "roots."
Since Peru, In is also the home of the Circus Hall of Fame, and the International Circus Headquarters, we visited the Circus City Museum.  Though I am not a real circus buff, it was interesting to learn about local people who retired in the area, and have taught local talent to be circus performers, and that an actual amateur circus is produced there every summer.  We met a granddaughter of one of circus' famed performers, Clyde Beatty.  Interesting!
We toured some of the Miami county countryside and the grave site of Frances Slocum, who was a white girl kidnapped by the Miami Indians, in Pennsylvania, brought to Indiana, and eventually married a Miami Indiana chief.  There is a lot of legends and actual folklore surrounding that whole story, which can be read by all in the novel, "The Lost Sister Among the Miamis."
We had a wonderful lunch at "The Siding." a restaurant in Peru.  It is in an old train depot, which also has two old railroad dining cars attached and used as dining rooms.  The buffet lunch was tasty and the facilities were unique, and quite well appointed.  We ate altogether in the long dining car which was decorated in honor of Cole Porter, with a music theme, with strains of "Night and Day" and other Porter tunes playing softly in the background.
The company was great.  I knew a few of the people who were on the trip previously, but met some new people, and, I feel, made some new friends.  I'm glad I went!

Peace,
JE

Is what I do a waste of time?

For years, I have been making my own greeting cards.  I have invested scads of $$ in supplies, and etc. to do so.  As I sat at my craft table (my studio in 3'x6' form) recently, I wondered if I was wasting my time.  Who really cares?  I know that I collect the cards I receive for a year, then go back through them for one last look, then either toss them, save the fronts, or donate them to some charity that can use them.  Very seldom do I get a hand-made card.  So, I ask myself, would people to whom I send cards be just as happy with a store-bought card which I could pick out at the dollar store, or Hallmark, if it had to really "special."  I could save myself a lot of time and money by doing so, and it probably would be appreciated just as much.  Thus the quandary that I am in right now.  Also, the creative juices have seemingly dried up, at least temporarily.  Same with the crochet hook, and the gardening.  I have just run out of good ideas and thoughts.  How does one get those creative juices flowing again? 

Any thoughts?

Peace,
JE

Yard

I have turned the corner, folks.  I have hired a lawn service to mow and trim my lawn.  I have always taken care of this myself, but decided that with all the back problems I have been having, and the fact that I have always hated the "mowing" part of lawn care, I decided to bite the bullet, open the wallet and let our the moths ( ha!) and hire it done.  The guys came yesterday for the first time.  Wow!!!  My lawn has never looked this good.  Two guys came, mowed, edged the sidewalks, weed whipped all the edges around stuff, and used a leaf and grass blower to clear the walks, and hauled away the grass!  All in about 45 minutes.  Gosh, it takes me that long to get out the mower, gas it up and get the back yard done.  It's their mower, equipment and gas, for a reasonable fee.  Am I happy?? Goes without saying!  American Eagle Lawn Care ROCKS!!!!!

Silence is Golden

Gee, it's been  almost a month since my last post.  Well, maybe that's because there hasn't been much worth writing about.  Oh, I could write about birthday # 68 that occurred last week, but sometimes things just go on without saying.  It was a nice day, spent with my  good friend Curley, who took me out for breakfast, then my daughter took me to a rather swanky restaurant for dinner in the evening.  My son and his family had me to there house the next evening for a nice dinner.  Otherwise, #68 seemed to be just another leaf turned over in the page of my life.
I have the roof leak fixed in the kitchen and am getting estimates for the interior damage.  All of the local contractors that I have contacted are extremely busy (good for them) due to the hail and rain damage throughout the county, so I am on a waiting list.  That's okay, I can live with that.  I am sure that there are more serious causes than mine.  I would post a picture of my kitchen ceiling here, but it's too depressing.  LOL!
Not much else to post at this time.  So sometimes that silence is golden, and some times it isn't.

Peace,
JE