DON'T TELL ME

Sometimes...we want to know the 'scoop' about something that is not apparent. Rumors fly as everyone discusses what they think is the answer to the 'proverbial question'.

For nearly 50 years...those who were around at the time of the assassination of JFK...believe there are answers out there that 'somebody' knows...but isn't saying. Books, movies, symposiums have all been repeated 'ad nauseum' with possible answers to..."who killed JFK...and why"?

On a more personal and less worldly note...there are questions that each of us have had, that we 'want' an answer. How many times have we...after getting the answer...wish we hadn't heard it?

For 40 years, there have been questions about 'who' was Carly Simon speaking about in her song 'You're So Vain'?

You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye on the mirror as you watched yourself cavort
And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner, they'd be your partner, and
You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? don't you?

The rumor I heard over the years was Don McLain (singer of American Pie, Vincent). The attached article mentions other rumors included Mick Jagger and Warren Beatty.

After all these years...Carly finally revealed who the song was about. It was about...a record company executive.

Oh...

It was more glamorous to think about other possible names. Wish she woulda just kept it a secret.


Dan

LOVE HANDLES

I've never had a 'major' weight problem...I'm certainly not at my 'ideal weight'...whatever that is. As I've aged, my belly does seem to be 'sagging' a little...and I have that 'spare tire' appearance all the way around my waist.

I've told Cindy on multiple occasions that we need to buy a new dryer for our clothes because our current one seems to keep 'shrinking' my pants. They keep getting tighter and tighter and harder to snap that snap in front without 'sucking' it in. Damn dryer!

It appears a lady in New Jersey was also having issues with her 'love handles' and was hoping to lose them somehow. But recently...she had something happen that has made her rethink her love handles. In fact...now she's determined to get as big a spare tire as she can.

I think I'll just try to keep mine as small as I can...and keep looking for that 'perfect' clothes dryer.


Dan

SAD DAY IN BOILER LAND

Most of you know I'm a big Purdue Boilermaker basketball fan. I've tried to be respectful of my 'IU' friends and not given weekly updates on the success of this years team. Instead, I post short comments on Facebook.

I also realize there are some of my followers who could give a rats a** about Purdue...my love of college basketball...or basketball in general.

But today...I have to write something. Mainly of my 'extreme sadness' and disappointment from events that occurred at last nights Purdue game.

To give you some background, Cindy & I have followed Purdue basketball for nearly 30 years. In the '80s and '90s, we had some exceptional teams that were fun to watch and successful. Purdue won 6 Big 10 championships from 1984-1996. They made an appearance in the 1980 Final Four (The Mecca that ALL college mens teams want to get to) but have not been back since. Close a few times...but never there again.

After the 2000 season, recruiting good players to come to Purdue became more difficult as our long-time coach struggled to get good talent. In his last years at Purdue, we struggled to win games at all. Cindy & I were used to watching our teams lose...at most...6 or 7 or 8 games a year while winning 25 or more. That's a successful year in college basketball. But in those last years...we were having trouble WINNING 7 or 8 or 9 games. Very frustrating for Purdue fans.

Yet Cindy & I were very faithful in attending games ...keeping our season tickets every year...and telling each other that..."one of these days...we'll be good again". This year...we were!

After hiring a new coach (a former Boiler player from the '90s), we began recruiting those 'good' players again. And not just good athletically...good academically. Good young men doing good things 'on' the court and 'off' the court. The kind of young men you want your children to 'look up to'.

Three years ago...we were able to sign 3 exceptional young men...JuJuan Johnson, E'twawn Moore and Robbie Hummel. In the 3 years they've been playing for the Boilers, they have gotten better and better. They have been recognized as 'players of the week'...as 'First Team selections as Big 10 Players' (as selected by the coaches of all the teams we play against). E'twawn just won an 'Academic All-American' award and Robbie Hummel is a finalist as a "Player of the Year" candidate.

The team is currently leading the Big 10 and is ranked as the #3 team in the country. They are playing well. They started the season winning their first 14 games...then stumbled and lost 3 in a row...but then found themselves and have now won 10 games in a row.

But last night...Robbie Hummel...maybe the 'heart and soul' of the team...tore his ACL and is out for the remainder of the season. I feel bad for the team...I feel worse for Robbie. A great kid from a great family, who has worked hard to be the kind of young man parents can be proud of.

We will still be a good team...but we had a chance to be a GREAT team. I believe we had a chance...finally...to get back to that 'Final 4' again.

We'll have to see if the remaining players can dedicate themselves to playing the rest of the season to honor Robbie and get us that Final 4 we all want.

We'll hope so.

I realize for those of you followers who may be saying...'get a life Dan'...'it ain't the end of the world'...well...you're right...it ain't...life will go on.

Still...Go Boilers!

Dan
Boiler grad 1992

I'M A TOUCHER

I have...for a long time...been someone who touches others...physically.

The risk I take...is that folks can think I might be 'the dirty old man', or trying to take advantage of someone. Not every person likes to be touched and I run the chance of offending.

But I think that most people...patients...friends...and family...enjoy the sincerity of someone giving them a hug...massaging tight shoulders...trying to make them feel better...trying to make their day, their world...just a little brighter.

Sometimes Cindy and I don't need to say a word to one another...it's just a look...or a touch...and that's all we need to exchange...and we know...we're okay.


Dan

COMIC BOOKS OF OLD

As a young boy, I purchased lots of comic books and baseball cards on a pretty regular basis.

'Archie'...with Betty, Veronica and Jughead was a regular comic book that I bought when each new copy came out. 'Thor' and 'Green Hornet' were a couple of my more common 'superhero' comic books. I had quite a collection of all of them at one time.

I had a big stack of baseball cards too...some of old veteran players as well as 'rookies'.

They've all been 'long gone'. Given to someone else...donated somewhere...or just thrown away.

Just for the heck of it...I wonder if any of them would have any value today?

Recently...the first issue of Superman comic just sold for $1million !!

I'm sure I had nothing of that value...but even a few hundred bucks woulda been nice.

Oh well.


Dan

PEER PRESSURE BRANDING?

A TCU student agreed to let his friends 'brand' his butt with a clotheshanger.

Question: Was there alcohol involved?
Answer: Duh!

Question: Think his parents were proud?
Answer: He was an "IVY"...a 'fourth'...meaning there was an Amon Carter...Amon Carter Jr....Amon Carter III...and 'IVY'. I'm sure the 3 generations before would be a little unhappy with his decision.

Question: Think he came 'from money'?
Answer: My guess is YES. I would say anyone who is a IV...has money that he never earned...more than we will likely ever have.

Question: Think he needs new friends?
Answer: Well the ones he has...surely wouldn't be considered REAL friends. Would you heat up a coat hanger to red hot...and stick it onto one of 'your friends' skin? I don't think we'd do that to an ENEMY...let alone a friend.

Peer pressure can be a bad thing.

Challenging someone to be better...is one thing. Pressure to do something to hurt someone else or yourself...that's just plain BULLYING.

IVY needs help from someone. Hope he gets it.


Dan

NEVER BEFORE

This Thursday...an event will occur for me that has never happened before. I will start work in a NEW hospital.

Cindy & I moved here in 1976 and I began work at St. Elizabeth Hospital. It had been around since the turn of the century. Across town...was the 'other' hospital...Home Hospital. It too had been around nearly as long as St. Elizabeth.

Both hospitals have undergone renovations over the years...have built on new 'wings'...been revamped...but at their core...there are parts of both hospitals that are over 100 years old.

Just before the turn of the new century, the two hospitals merged and became 'one' family. Both buildings remained open...both kept their original names...just working 'with one another'...instead of 'in competition with one another'.

Five days from now...we will open St. Elizabeth EAST. Old St. Elizabeth has been renamed St. Elizabeth CENTRAL and it will remain open.

Home Hospital will close...the night before EAST opens.

For many people in Lafayette...the excitement of a new hospital will be tempered with the sadness in closing an old one. To them...it will be a sad day. Generations have been born...and died in that hospital. Babies born there have grown up...and had babies there...and those babies have had babies there. Generations who started their lives within those walls...grew old and returned to die within those same walls...their children and grandchildren at their side as they passed to their next journey.

I am excited for a start to new history...with respect to the old.


Dan

PARK PLACE

Our daughter, Joni, has lived in Chicago for 3-4 years now. When Cindy & I have gone to visit her and Ryan...outside of the 'traffic'...one of the biggest hassles is finding a place to park.

They live in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago...a popular place...lots of young folks...established older folks...a good place to live. But parking is at a premium. It isn't uncommon for cars to be parked bumper-to-bumper...as if the only way to get the car 'out' of the parking spot is to stand on the sidewalk and 'push' the car sideways into the street. There is no way to put the car in reverse-bump the bumper on the car behind you-turn the wheel as hard as you can-go forward until you bump the bumper on the car in front-repeat-repeat-repeat-until you're finally out. I am amazed.

When talking to Joni & Ryan about winter time parking, they told us about the 'unwritten' rule of digging cars out of their parking space. After digging and digging and finally getting the car out...the car owner will many times put a lawn chair or garden hose or some object in the parking spot to hold it until they return to re-park their car there. And other drivers 'respect' the work that the car owner did to clear it out and won't park in the cleared out spot. (I'm guessing too that they know...there'll be HELL TO PAY if they do park there.)

Well, it sounds like now the street department is no longer supporting that 'unwritten rule'.

'They' may not support it...but you better believe I will.


Dan

FILTHY RICH...EMPHASIS ON FILTHY

There is apparently a reason why I haven't become 'grotesquely' rich...or won the lottery like I say I would like to.

I believe I could be someone who...if I were to win a 'gozillion' dollars...would use it wisely...to help others...to set up long term funds that would help my extended family for generations...to support charities that would help those less fortunate.

But maybe...without knowing or wanting to...I would become one of those snobs who would have "F-U Bill" money. That means I could tell anyone I wanted..."F U Bill" because I wouldn't have to answer to anyone.

The owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers...and his wife...are divorcing. She is asking for nearly $1 million per month in support so she can continue living in the extravagant life style she is used to.

$1 million per month.

Most will never earn that money in a lifetime of hard work...she and her husband each need that to 'survive'...every month.

Maybe I need to re-evaluate my desire to win the lottery.

I don't ever want to become...'that person'.


Dan

WILL WORK FOR FAVORS

The old bartering system goes back...well...maybe as far as mankind goes back.

When there was a need of one person for something that someone else had...there was an effort to 'trade' or 'work' for the exchange. Maybe it was food exchanged for merchandise...or one mans' labor in exchange for anothers'.

It seems some of our senior citizens are putting this system back into play...by exchanging their labor at state parks...for camping privileges there.

As with many things, now days, state parks have had to cut back on their expenses. For the most part...that means their full or part-time help had to be let go. Senior citizens with experience have volunteered to do the jobs of those staff members who were let go...by doing those tasks in exchange to park their campers there for housing. Let me live in my camper for free...and I'll do the chores for free.

Maybe we should apply this idea to some other things as well.

Last week, when Cindy & I were walking from our parking space to the basketball arena for a Purdue basketball game...we had to walk several blocks over snow packed sidewalks. Some folks had shoveled the snow, but too many hadn't...so it was a treacherous walk.

Cindy said...why doesn't the city get some of the people who are behind bars to exchange their time for a little community service? There should not be a snow-packed sidewalk in this city. Her idea is to hand out a few snow shovels and say..."who wants to spend a little less time behind bars...and repay your debts to society?" Or to the many men and women in the dozen homeless shelters in the city..."would you like to 'earn' what you've been given? Would you like to feel good about yourself by doing something for someone else?"

I suppose the real difference is...the senior citizens are doing it 'because they like it...and they want to'. Cindy's idea would be asking people to do something 'they don't really want to do'.

That's too bad...because...we all lose.


Dan

A KINDER...GENTLER...TY COBB

I'm guessing the vast majority of you don't know...and don't care...but this caught my eye...with mention to Ty Cobb.

In my younger years, I had a baseball game that I played and the players I could select from were the 'big name' players of the past...Babe Ruth, Tris Speaker, Harmon Killebrew...to name a few...and included Ty Cobb.

I read some history about Tyrus Raymond Cobb and found him to be quite an interesting character. Basically that character was he was a 'mean SOB'. He was born in Georgia and was known as 'The Georgia Peach'. He played professional baseball...mostly for the Detroit Tigers...in the early 1900s, retiring in 1928.

He was known for his hitting abilities...he batted over .300 (which is very good) every year and was the only player to get more than 4000 hits in their career (until Pete Rose did it in the 1980s). Babe Ruth was known for home runs, drinking, eating and womanizing. Ty Cobb was known for getting base hits to get on base, then stealing the next base...and the next one...and the next one. Rumors state that he would sharpen his metal cleats on his shoes so they were 'knife' sharp. When he would slide into base, he'd have 1 foot lifted ready to 'stab' the player trying to tag him out. He was respected...but unliked by most every other player in the league...even his own teammates.

The respect was proven in 1936 when he was voted into the first Hall of Fame selection with the most votes of any player...even more than Babe Ruth who was voted in that same year.

He was also a smart man. At the time of his death, his personal wealth was equivalent to over $80 million dollars...in 'todays' dollars...and this is in a time when baseball players weren't paid that well...unlike today.

The article I read today...speaks of a 'soft side' of Ty Cobb.

Even rough...old...SOBs...can be nice guys sometimes...when you get to know them.


Dan

OBESE? NOT MINE !

A British study indicates that grandparents are likely to create an atmosphere where there grandchildren can become obese.

My three grandkids have a grandfather that has a very bad 'sweet tooth'. I've tried to have the dentist pull it but to no avail. I love cake...icecream...pie...cookies...and if they all happen in the same meal...that's okay with me!

My most recent craze is chocolate shakes. A gift we got some time ago was one of those 'bullits'. It's basically a small blender that you can put the 'fixins' in a large glass size container, flip it upside down on the blender and...voila...mixed 'whatever'. Like I said...my most recent 'whatever' is chocolate shakes.

Add 1/3 container chocolate milk to 1/2 container of vanilla ice cream...mix and...well, Anna told me Sunday that "it's as good as Dairy Queen". What more does a grandfather need to hear? Owen wants one...Anna wants one...Mason wants one...and papaw has to make extra so 'he' can have some too.

Now...even with my sweet tooth and mistreating the grandkids with chocolate shakes on a frequent basis...my 3 g-babies are far from obese. In fact...I could stand to 'fatten' Anna up a bit.

Don't include 'papaw Dan' in your obese study. I don't qualify.


Dan

OH...TO HAVE SOME EXTRA MONEY

Those who know me...know that I'm a huge Beatle fan.

One of the most famous 'album' covers...ever...is the one in which the 4 Beatles walk across a street in single file. The album is Abbey Road. The intersection they are walking across is in front of the Abbey Road studios...where they recorded many of their albums.

EMI, the music company made famous by the Beatles...is in financial troubles...and in an attempt to get some money to aid their debt...they have placed Abbey Road studios on the market for sale.

Ah...to have a few million dollars to throw away. I'd kinda like owning the studio where the Beatles made their music.


Dan

OH...HE'LL BE BACK

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh has decided to not seek re-election after the end of his current term. Bayh is the son of Birch Bayh, also an Indiana Senator. Evan also served as Indiana's governor.

He states that there is 'too much partisanship' in Congress.

Fear not for those who are Evan Bayh supporters.

I'm willing to bet we'll hear from Mr. Bayh in the future. Look for him to run for President in 2012 if Obama continues to slide in popularity. If Obama manages to get re-elected in '12...look for Bayh to be the candidate in 2016.

I got money bet on it.


Dan

THE OLD ELM...PART 2

In January, I submitted a post (The old man and the elm) about an old elm tree in Maine that they were getting ready to chop down due to disease. The story also was about the 101 year old man who had been the trees' caretaker.

Well, they finally got the results on the real age of the elm tree. There were estimates that it was as old as 240 years old. They were a little off...but still it's pretty fascinating.

The tree was planted when George Washington was President of our country. It saw the 18th century...the 19th century...the 20th century...and the 21st century.

If only it could talk!


Dan

TRIPLE BLESSED

My niece had her 2nd little girl recently. I think Alison's been pretty busy with her newest helper...but not as busy as some of the moms in this article.

God bless little girls. Then there are those who are triple blessed.

Holy Cow!


Dan

IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM...JOIN 'EM

Ah...the days of riding a school bus...I remember them well.

My bus driver, Mr. Thorne, wouldn't stand for any monkey business. If you were good...he was good to you. If you weren't...he took no crap! On the inside of the bus...Mr. Thorne ruled. If you were told to SHUT UP...you'd better be shuttin' up. If you were told to SIT DOWN...you'd better be sittin' down. Mr. Thorne had the authority to whoop your butt if you needed it...and then tell the principal...where you'd probably get another whoopin'...who'd tell your parents...where you'd get a 'lecture' at best...if not another whoopin'.

On the outside...vehicles better obey Mr. Thorne's stop sign. If they didn't, he was yelling at them...showing his fist...and writing down licence numbers. When he got to school...he was on the phone to the police to report you. Mr. Thorne was protective of his kids.

These days, the news seems to show videos from 'on bus' cameras of students fighting or causing a ruckus. I'm sure it isn't happening every day on every bus...but when it does...it seems to be newsworthy.

Of course...now days...teachers...nor bus drivers...can't lay a hand on an unruly student...I presume.

Well, in Arizona, someone thought of an idea...and it seems to be working. What do most kids want to do today? They want to be 'on their phone' or 'on their computer'. So this school in Arizona installed a router on the bus so the kids could access the Internet while riding to-and-from the school.

Now...ALL IS CALM...ALL IS QUIET. There is less noise...less fighting...and maybe...more 'productive time' on the bus.

Now that's good thinkin'.


Dan

A DIET PLAN I DON'T AGREE WITH

Over the years...as us older guys tend to do...I've developed that little paunch that hangs over my waistband. The 'spare tire'. I'd like to lose it, but I think it would require some work...yech! that sounds bad.

I've tried to watch what I eat...but more times than not...I 'watch' myself eat.

I know there's more diet plans out there than you can shake a stick at. But there appears to be one in China that has drawn enough attention...that there are articles in the paper telling people to stop using it.

What is it? Parasites...worms.

I think I'll just keep the spare tire.


Dan

PBJ and WHAT?

Every (well...almost every) kids' staple food is PB&J...peanut butter and jelly.

I like it. Mason likes it. It's frequently what he takes to school in his lunch box.

I'm guessin' most of you have had it at one point in your lives. As a young kid...maybe even still today.

Now there's variations that I don't mind. I can have smooth peanut butter...crunchy peanut butter...apple jelly...grape jelly...blackberry jelly...on white bread...wheat bread...toast...with the crust on...with the crust cut off (Mason's favorite way).

There might even be a few other ways I'd eat it. But I'm absolutely positive...I wouldn't eat it like this!

Would you?


Dan

ADVOCATE UNDER ATTACK

One of the challenges I face...sometimes once a day...is doing an exam on a patient whom I wonder if they 'really' need the test. Sometimes I ask myself..."okay...what if I 'do' find something...are they really going to do anything about it?"

Rarely...when I feel there is a real injustice being done...I review the request with the radiologist and, once in a while, they'll call the ordering doctor to suggest changes or verify what they are really after...but sometimes we just go ahead with the requested study...just because we know they won't listen.

I'm proud to work with some nurses who have the backbone to stand up to the ordering doctors when they feel that the doctor is not doing the necessary things for the patient. That's one of their many jobs...'patient advocate'.

Maybe all the details haven't been told in this article...but from what I read...the nurses were in the right...the doctor is in the wrong.

This will be a major decision by the jury...as it could mean the difference with the next nurse... 'standing up' for their patient...or keeping their job.

Brave people making brave decisions...need to be supported.


Dan

KETCHUP 2010

Ahh...ketchup. I love ketchup. I have grown up on ketchup. I have influenced my girls enough that they have grown up on ketchup. If I get a chance...I will influence my grandbabies and they will grow up on ketchup.

My experience goes back to my earliest remembrances of eating at the kitchen table. One staple always present...was ketchup.

Today...there is always...not only 'A' bottle of ketchup in the fridge...but one or two in the pantry...as backup. Only once...do I recall one of the girls opening the fridge and then hearing that faint cry..."dad...we're out of ketchup!" As I recall...the meal stopped until I ran to the store and purchased the POT OF GOLD...another bottle of ketchup.

I recall dad teaching me the fine art of opening a new bottle of ketchup and how to get that first drop out...as well as the equally fine art to get that last drop out of that nearly empty bottle.

Dad...was a ketchup expert. He passed that on to me...and I did the same to my girls.

Back then, it was the small glass bottles of Heinz 57...the only type I ever remember having. Maybe there were other brands then...but I only remember Heinz. Then they made the move to BIGGER glass bottles of ketchup. Then they moved to plastic bottles...and then HUMONGOUS bottles of ketchup. And new names popped up...Hunts...Red Gold...and many, many others.

I remember how hard it was to open that glass bottle. You tugged and twisted...you banged the cap on the kitchen counter...you grabbed a knife and banged it on the lid. Sometimes the meal was delayed for 5 minutes...until you 'finally' got that dang lid off the bottle. Now...the plastic bottle lids come off easier. Kids today don't know how hard it was...to simply get the lid off the bottle!

It seems that during my high school years, the little 'tear open' packets became a major use. I believe that would coincide with the timing of the 'fast food' places like McDonald's and Burger Chef.

Now...Heinz is making the next step. They have come up with a new packet...one that you can 'tear open'...but also 'peal open'. The new peal open option will benefit those of us who like to 'dip' our fries...or whatever else we might need to dip.

I love my ketchup. If they EVER quit making it...I think I'll probably just stop eatin'.


Dan

ARRESTED...FOR DOODLING

Most of us...who have a few 'years' on us...remember those desks in junior high and high school...that were just a chair with a little extension on the right side that came out over your lap...wide enough for you to sit your book or write on your paper.

Remember?

If you can envision in your mind...way back then...some of your classes and study hall...and the surface of those chairs. Do you remember all of them being clean and shiny and perfect? Or were there some names...or numbers...or designs chiseled into the surface.

Well...35 years later...I remember those kinds of desks.

Sounds like there's still some of those kinds of desks still out there.

I'd hate to think we've gotten to the point of arresting the artists who did a little of the doodling. I'm guessing we got in 'trouble' 35 years ago when we got caught...but I don't think it got to the point of calling the police and having the student arrested.

Glad I didn't get caught.


Dan

4 GUYS LEFT

There were only 4 Beatles, and now only 2 are left. There were 4 members of The Who...only 2 of them are left. Four Led Zeppelin...3 left.

I suppose those type of lists could go on and on about lots of things. I think just recently I read about the last person known as a surviving soldier of WWI had died. Within the last year...the last person to have survived the sinking of the Titanic died.

It all ends sometime. At some point...THE LAST ONE will pass.

This article caught my eye as the weekend approaches and the Super Bowl will be played. There are 4 guys living...who have attended EVERY Super Bowl...all 44 of them (well...as of Sunday). I'll bet there's a handful out there who would say, I've only missed 1...or I've been to 25 in a row.

But only 4 can say they've 'BEEN TO THEM ALL'.

I've seen all 4 members of Led Zeppelin...1 of the Beatles...0 Super Bowls.

No use in trying to start a streak now. I'll just watch it at home.


Dan

FUNNY NAMES

As I was skimming the Chicago Sun-Times headlines, I came across the name 'Preckwinkle'. Well...it caught my eye. The article talks about Toni Preckwinkle and how she came to be a new Chicago alderman. I believe 'alderman' is Chicago talk for 'county council' member or some local government position.

But it wasn't about Chicago...or...alderman that caught my eye. It was that name...'Preckwinkle'.

It took me back about 15 years, or so, ago when Cindy & I and four of our best friends went to Naples, Florida for a week. Mike...Vicky...Lisa...Vince...Dan...Cindy.

The six of us flew down to Ft. Myer's and were met by Mike's mom (she lived there at the time) and the 7 of us...and our luggage for a week...scrunched into her car...and took off for a house that we rented for a week near the beach in Naples.

While we were in the car...SCHRUNCHED...like I said...the traffic and scenes going by...and us giggling...and trying to work out Charlie-horses...I saw a small sign on the side of the road that read...SCHRIMPECKER.

That's all...'SCHRIMPECKER'.

I said the name out loud and asked if anyone else saw the sign. No one did...but we laughed...and laughed...and it became the 'catch word' for the entire week. If anyone did anything that caught the others' attention..."you SCHRIMPECKER" was shouted followed by hilarious laughter. During cookouts on the grill..."you SCHRIMPECKER". Playing euchre..."you SCHRIMPECKER". We laughed and laughed and laughed.

In fact, it has occasionally been the 'catch word' for these last 15 years. When we get together...there's a likelihood that the name...SCHRIMPECKER...might get thrown into the conversation.

Never again that week did I, or anyone else, see the name or a similar sign again. In the years that have followed...when any of us have returned to that area...none have seen the name or a sign bearing that name again.

But I SWEAR I saw it that day. Maybe I was hallucinating...maybe it was a cramp...in my head...but I don't think so.

Our week together that fall was, arguably, the best vacation that the six of us have ever had. We ate, swam, played cards, walked, and just had the most fun 6 people could have. And having that goofy name that was imagined...or concocted...just gave us all something special to remember about that week.

No matter what...it is a name that...when I'm lying on my death bed...and one of those 5 comes to see me and mentions the name...SCHRIMPECKER...I'm gonna have to laugh out loud.


Dan

A FUN SUPER BOWL...FINALLY

One of my patients today asked if I was going to watch the Super Bowl this weekend, and who I was rooting for. I told her that I was sort of looking forward to the game this year because I didn't feel like I could lose.

Some years, recently, I didn't care who won. If I watched at all...it was more to see the commercials rather than the game.

But this year, I like both teams. The Colts of course, are just 60 miles down the road from my house...so you have to root for the 'home' team.

And the Saints are a 'feel good' story...led by a quarterback that Cindy & I watched play in college at Purdue...just a few miles across the river from my house.

The Saints are a feel good story for all the challenges the city of New Orleans has faced since hurricane Katrina. Equally, Drew Brees, their quarterback, has a feel good story of his own.

Drafted out of Purdue to play in San Diego, he really wasn't appreciated there...even though he won games while there. After a possible 'career ending injury' in the last game of the season, he was considered washed up. The Saints decided to take a chance on him...and 5 years later he has helped lead them to the Super Bowl.

You gotta like that. I'm gonna enjoy the game.


Dan

A FUTURE CHANGE...IN GIVING

Imagine that something you did...unknowingly to you...made lots of money for someone else. In rare cases...millions of dollars. In at least one case...billions of dollars.

Would you feel like you deserved a portion of those proceeds? Why should others benefit from something you did, while you or your loved ones continue to struggle financially?

When patients have surgeries, they sign a form that releases their rights to the tissue removed. It can then be used for whatever means desired.

In this article, it describes for this one patient, the amazing benefits found from their sample. Maybe even you and I have benefited from this patients' 'unknown' gift. Millions of dollars have been generated from this sample. Later in the article, another patient sample has meant billions.

Laws might change someday...to give the rights for such things back to the patient...or their families. Stay tuned.


Dan

TAG FOOTBALL 40 YEARS AGO

I was reminded of my youth, when reading this article. It's about guys, my age, playing tag football on Sundays.

Now days, I don't know enough guys that have enough interest to do this now...but it sure took me back. Back to high school days.

Usually on Sundays in high school, there was a tag football game going on at someones house...Spider McFarlands', Jimmy Millers', George Strodtbecks', or Byron Haflichs'. We usually had the same crew...the before mentioned guys plus myself...as well as Don Pope, Gary Meyer, Jack Delaney, Dave Carter...who's names pop into my head as I write this. There were others...guys in our class...guys in the class ahead of us...some behind us.

I don't recall any career ending injuries...thank goodness...as a few of the guys played on the varsity team. But we had our share of torn and dirty clothes, twisted ankles, banged up knees, gnarled fingers...but no 'fractures'.

The neighborhood in the article sounds like a fun one...a neighborhood I bet you'd like to live in. Since some guys drive from quite a distance away to get there...it tells me they think so too...the football is good...the camaraderie is great.

I envy them.


Dan