Tonight was Mason's first baseball game. Due to some unexpected travel and bad weather, the team only practiced about 2 hours over the last couple of weeks before tonight.
You could tell a few of the boys on each team had played before. They knew how to catch 'hard thrown' or 'hard hit' balls...they knew how to bat...they knew which bases were first..second..third...they knew where left and right field were...they knew how many outs there were...
Then there were the other boys...most of them...who didn't know any of the above...who were interested in the bird that flew overhead...interested in the bigger boys practicing in the nearby hitting cage...or wanted to pull their shirt tales out so they could tuck them back in...
Mason was in the latter category.
His grandfather...meanwhile...paced...trying to get his grandson to keep his focus on the game...to get in front of the ball...to stand at the plate properly when batting...
But papaw needs to remember... 'Mason is 8 years old'. It doesn't have to be win...win...win. It doesn't have to be perfect. Not yet. Let him have some fun papaw. The rest will come.
He's only 8 years old. Did I know all those things when I was 8? No!
Sit back...relax...let him learn...let it be fun for him.
Enjoy it while you can. It will 'too soon' be gone.
Dan
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
LESSONS AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE
My lesson learned at the Social Security Office today is...'a bad day at work is better than a good day at the Social Security Office' !
For reasons that may be best not to discuss here...Cindy and I are in need of Mason's Social Security card. He has a SSN, we just don't have his card. It was lost somewhere along the way in his 8+ years. To do what we need to do...we need his original birth certificate (check), copies of some specific court orders (check), and his Social Security card (nope).
So...after I got off work...I headed to our local Social Security Office branch. When I walked in...I had no idea it ran similarly to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The waiting room was full. I was greeted by a note posted above a computer saying...'Read the information on the computer screen'. The computer screen said...'If you have a scheduled appointment-press 1. If you do not have an appointment-press 2'. I press '2'. A nearby printer spits out a piece of paper that says I am number 70.
I head to an available chair...wondering if they 'are now serving' anywhere near number 70. I'm in the front row of chairs that face a wall. Behind me are several rows of chairs and behind them...are the work stations where the staff are working. So my back...is to the place I somewhere need to report when called. A TV hangs from the ceiling immediately in front, and above me, with the volume at about 8 (on a scale of 10). A commercial is playing. I sit down and...fortunately...am looking out a window...so I can at least see trees and grass and daylight. The commercial ends...and a daytime soap opera comes on. I HATE SOAPS. Did I tell you the volume was about an 8 out of 10? I guess that was for the benefit of the people working in the back offices!
I look out the window because I can't stand to 'watch' the soap...it's bad enough that I have to 'hear' it. I stare at the trees blowing in the wind. I realize this is my early week (up at 430am) and I'm tired. I close my eyes and, a minute or so later, catch myself 'jerk' as my chin slips out of my hand. I continue this pattern...eyes closed...jump as I startle myself. I finally hear a voice from the back...'number 64!' Oh my God...can this get worse?
The answer comes in just a few moments. The soap is over...but it gets worse...Dr. Phil is coming on. Did I tell you the volume was......?
I consider leaving. Do we 'really' need this card? He's only 8 years old. Can I get it next year?...when Dr. Phil's not on?
'Number 65.'
'Lord...I'm a pretty good guy...but you're really testing me'...I pray to myself silently.
I think about our upcoming trip to Disney World. Maybe I can keep my mind busy and not hear (yea...right) the TV...but still listen for my magic number to be called. 'Number 66'.
What seems like hours later...'number 70' is called. I trip as I hurredly race to the work station before they call 'number 71'.
I get to the counter...hoping this won't be any more painful than it already has been. I state that I'm wanting to apply for a replacement card for my grandson.
After showing the court orders that show I have the right to do so...show my ID...show Mason's birth certificate...I'm told I need a photo ID of Mason. 'We need a state issued driver's license, or a passport or an other state issued ID.'
"He's 8 years old", I say.
'We don't change our policy because of age', she replies. 'We could also use a U.S. military identity card', she replies...as if she didn't 'just' hear me say..."He's...8...years...old!"
'I have one of his school pictures at home...and one of them is made like an ID with his date of birth...'. Before I can finish the sentence I'm told 'once again' that it must be 'state issued'.
My brain is about to explode...but I pause. 'So do I need to take him to the BMV and ask them to make him an ID just like a driver's license?, I ask. 'Well...I don't know what additional information they'll require...but you could try that', she says.
Well...I could try to understand this whole bureaucratic pile of "$@/#*%" too...but I don't think I can.
Tomorrow...it's off to the BMV. Wish me luck!
Dan
For reasons that may be best not to discuss here...Cindy and I are in need of Mason's Social Security card. He has a SSN, we just don't have his card. It was lost somewhere along the way in his 8+ years. To do what we need to do...we need his original birth certificate (check), copies of some specific court orders (check), and his Social Security card (nope).
So...after I got off work...I headed to our local Social Security Office branch. When I walked in...I had no idea it ran similarly to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The waiting room was full. I was greeted by a note posted above a computer saying...'Read the information on the computer screen'. The computer screen said...'If you have a scheduled appointment-press 1. If you do not have an appointment-press 2'. I press '2'. A nearby printer spits out a piece of paper that says I am number 70.
I head to an available chair...wondering if they 'are now serving' anywhere near number 70. I'm in the front row of chairs that face a wall. Behind me are several rows of chairs and behind them...are the work stations where the staff are working. So my back...is to the place I somewhere need to report when called. A TV hangs from the ceiling immediately in front, and above me, with the volume at about 8 (on a scale of 10). A commercial is playing. I sit down and...fortunately...am looking out a window...so I can at least see trees and grass and daylight. The commercial ends...and a daytime soap opera comes on. I HATE SOAPS. Did I tell you the volume was about an 8 out of 10? I guess that was for the benefit of the people working in the back offices!
I look out the window because I can't stand to 'watch' the soap...it's bad enough that I have to 'hear' it. I stare at the trees blowing in the wind. I realize this is my early week (up at 430am) and I'm tired. I close my eyes and, a minute or so later, catch myself 'jerk' as my chin slips out of my hand. I continue this pattern...eyes closed...jump as I startle myself. I finally hear a voice from the back...'number 64!' Oh my God...can this get worse?
The answer comes in just a few moments. The soap is over...but it gets worse...Dr. Phil is coming on. Did I tell you the volume was......?
I consider leaving. Do we 'really' need this card? He's only 8 years old. Can I get it next year?...when Dr. Phil's not on?
'Number 65.'
'Lord...I'm a pretty good guy...but you're really testing me'...I pray to myself silently.
I think about our upcoming trip to Disney World. Maybe I can keep my mind busy and not hear (yea...right) the TV...but still listen for my magic number to be called. 'Number 66'.
What seems like hours later...'number 70' is called. I trip as I hurredly race to the work station before they call 'number 71'.
I get to the counter...hoping this won't be any more painful than it already has been. I state that I'm wanting to apply for a replacement card for my grandson.
After showing the court orders that show I have the right to do so...show my ID...show Mason's birth certificate...I'm told I need a photo ID of Mason. 'We need a state issued driver's license, or a passport or an other state issued ID.'
"He's 8 years old", I say.
'We don't change our policy because of age', she replies. 'We could also use a U.S. military identity card', she replies...as if she didn't 'just' hear me say..."He's...8...years...old!"
'I have one of his school pictures at home...and one of them is made like an ID with his date of birth...'. Before I can finish the sentence I'm told 'once again' that it must be 'state issued'.
My brain is about to explode...but I pause. 'So do I need to take him to the BMV and ask them to make him an ID just like a driver's license?, I ask. 'Well...I don't know what additional information they'll require...but you could try that', she says.
Well...I could try to understand this whole bureaucratic pile of "$@/#*%" too...but I don't think I can.
Tomorrow...it's off to the BMV. Wish me luck!
Dan
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
BUCKET LIST ADD ON
I am a 'dessert-a-holic'. Some people would accuse me of only eating the meal...so I could get to the dessert. Cookies, cakes, brownies...are all good. There's something really special about 'Pie'. Cindy makes great pies. If she has a fault...and I've been looking for one for 35 years...it's that she doesn't make 'enough pies'.
I have just found something that will go on my 'bucket list'.
Apparently, every year since 2001, there is a Pie Festival in the town of Celebration, Florida. I heard about it too late this year to attend...but I may have to mark it on my calendar for next.
At the very least...I want to attend before I'm dead. To spend a weekend walking around sampling pies...well...I'm just not sure it'd get much better than that.
Dan
I have just found something that will go on my 'bucket list'.
Apparently, every year since 2001, there is a Pie Festival in the town of Celebration, Florida. I heard about it too late this year to attend...but I may have to mark it on my calendar for next.
At the very least...I want to attend before I'm dead. To spend a weekend walking around sampling pies...well...I'm just not sure it'd get much better than that.
Dan
Monday, April 26, 2010
REVERBERATIONS FROM THE GULF
The tragedy of the off shore well drilling sight in the Gulf of Mexico affects everyone in many ways.
The main way...is the death of good, hard working men. And those deaths affect so many other lives...their spouses...their children...their parents...brothers...sisters...neighbors...friends.
One life...touches so many others. Eleven lives touch that many more. The ripples are like a stone tossed in the water.
The next...is the environment. An oil slick reaching 20 miles by 20 miles...and still growing.
And we can all likely expect $3 a gallon gas...if we can keep it that low.
The top 2 items are more important...but we'll also feel the effects from #3.
Dan
The main way...is the death of good, hard working men. And those deaths affect so many other lives...their spouses...their children...their parents...brothers...sisters...neighbors...friends.
One life...touches so many others. Eleven lives touch that many more. The ripples are like a stone tossed in the water.
The next...is the environment. An oil slick reaching 20 miles by 20 miles...and still growing.
And we can all likely expect $3 a gallon gas...if we can keep it that low.
The top 2 items are more important...but we'll also feel the effects from #3.
Dan
Sunday, April 25, 2010
DECISIONS
Caring for the elderly...at home.
I spent many of my young years in and around a 'nursing home'. Dad worked there for 10 years or so. He was loved by everyone there that he came into contact...the other employees...and the 'patients' who were there. Many of the patients who lived there...seemed to enjoy it. But I wonder now...did they really?...or did they just accept it?
Flash forward 15 years...and I helped make a decision that...in hindsight...I wonder if I would do differently today. As my dad neared the end of his life, my older sister and I felt that it would be best for his safety if we were to put him in a nearby nursing home. He was not feeling well...appeared to be in pain at times...and was increasingly prone to falling. Living on his own...we were fearful he would fall when no one else was around and...well...all those bad thoughts entered our mind.
So the decision was made and dad went to the nursing home. Two weeks later...he was gone.
For some years now...I have been haunted by that decision. Should I have taken a leave-of-absence and just stayed with him at his home? (That decision didn't enter my mind 'then' because FMLA wasn't around...and I lived three hours away with a working wife and 3 little girls at home.) Would dad's life have been longer...and more 'quality' oriented...if I had not helped make the decision to put him in the nursing home and stayed with him...instead?
I have every intention of NEVER putting Cindy...or myself...there. They are great places to go if you have no other option...I just plan to have other options for her and I.
Dan
I spent many of my young years in and around a 'nursing home'. Dad worked there for 10 years or so. He was loved by everyone there that he came into contact...the other employees...and the 'patients' who were there. Many of the patients who lived there...seemed to enjoy it. But I wonder now...did they really?...or did they just accept it?
Flash forward 15 years...and I helped make a decision that...in hindsight...I wonder if I would do differently today. As my dad neared the end of his life, my older sister and I felt that it would be best for his safety if we were to put him in a nearby nursing home. He was not feeling well...appeared to be in pain at times...and was increasingly prone to falling. Living on his own...we were fearful he would fall when no one else was around and...well...all those bad thoughts entered our mind.
So the decision was made and dad went to the nursing home. Two weeks later...he was gone.
For some years now...I have been haunted by that decision. Should I have taken a leave-of-absence and just stayed with him at his home? (That decision didn't enter my mind 'then' because FMLA wasn't around...and I lived three hours away with a working wife and 3 little girls at home.) Would dad's life have been longer...and more 'quality' oriented...if I had not helped make the decision to put him in the nursing home and stayed with him...instead?
I have every intention of NEVER putting Cindy...or myself...there. They are great places to go if you have no other option...I just plan to have other options for her and I.
Dan
Saturday, April 24, 2010
CABLE...OR NOT
No new news here as you all should already know that I don't have cable or dish TV at our house. Whatever the antenna pulls out of the air is what we watch. I personally don't miss having hundreds of channels...but a few of my family do.
Lately...there is 'one' channel that I might watch...if I 'did' have cable. The Comedy Channel...specifically, the Jon Stewart Show.
I like his battle with...I say loosely...Fox News...if you can call it 'news'.
So far...I've had to watch snippets of the show on the Internet. What I've seen...I've laughed at. Would it be worth it to invest in cable...just to watch that?
Nah!
Dan
Lately...there is 'one' channel that I might watch...if I 'did' have cable. The Comedy Channel...specifically, the Jon Stewart Show.
I like his battle with...I say loosely...Fox News...if you can call it 'news'.
So far...I've had to watch snippets of the show on the Internet. What I've seen...I've laughed at. Would it be worth it to invest in cable...just to watch that?
Nah!
Dan
Friday, April 23, 2010
DANDY LIONS
I've talked about my yard before. We live in an older neighborhood, where the lots are bigger in size when compared to the newer homes being built today.
Today's homes are 2 story so you can have 'lots' of house and little yard that you have to take care of. Our home is a ranch on a large lot...that you 'do' have to take care of. Sometimes I like getting outside to take care of it...to get my mind off other things and enjoy just being outside.
One thing I'm not good at taking care of...is killing off the dandelions in our yard. I put on weed 'n' feed...but it seems to do a lot more 'feeding' and a lot less 'weeding'.
Right now...there's a LOT of those little white puff balls out in my yard, that were last weeks yellow flowers. Next week...I guess all those little seeds in the puff balls will be spread all over my yard...and my neighborhood...spreading their evil little seed even more.
Cindy & I just came back from a drive to the store and saw a house with more 'little puff balls' than I've ever seen in a yard before. It was a 'sea' of them.
I'm sure their neighbors are quite pleased. Hopefully...that won't be my yard in a few years!
Dan
Today's homes are 2 story so you can have 'lots' of house and little yard that you have to take care of. Our home is a ranch on a large lot...that you 'do' have to take care of. Sometimes I like getting outside to take care of it...to get my mind off other things and enjoy just being outside.
One thing I'm not good at taking care of...is killing off the dandelions in our yard. I put on weed 'n' feed...but it seems to do a lot more 'feeding' and a lot less 'weeding'.
Right now...there's a LOT of those little white puff balls out in my yard, that were last weeks yellow flowers. Next week...I guess all those little seeds in the puff balls will be spread all over my yard...and my neighborhood...spreading their evil little seed even more.
Cindy & I just came back from a drive to the store and saw a house with more 'little puff balls' than I've ever seen in a yard before. It was a 'sea' of them.
I'm sure their neighbors are quite pleased. Hopefully...that won't be my yard in a few years!
Dan
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
IN THE DARK
My job is such that I have to get up early each morning...earlier than Cindy and Mason. I do my best to not rattle around too much so that I don't wake them up. I also don't turn on many lights so most of the time...I'm dressing in the dark.
There's been years past that I've gotten to work with a blue sock on one foot and black one on the other. You know...in the dark...they look the same color.
Today...I did it again. This time though...a different piece of clothing. To try to be somewhat PC (politically correct)...I'm a 'boxer' wearer. As you 'may' know...boxers have the....opening in the front for....times when you need there to be an opening in the front.
Well...when I went to the rest room while at work today....I needed for there to be an opening in the front. I searched for it...and searched for it...but couldn't find it. So I grabbed the waistband and pulled it out to where I could see it and...sure enough...there was the 'tag'. Meaning...of course...the boxers were on backwards.
Dressing in the dark...can sometimes be hazardous.
Dan
There's been years past that I've gotten to work with a blue sock on one foot and black one on the other. You know...in the dark...they look the same color.
Today...I did it again. This time though...a different piece of clothing. To try to be somewhat PC (politically correct)...I'm a 'boxer' wearer. As you 'may' know...boxers have the....opening in the front for....times when you need there to be an opening in the front.
Well...when I went to the rest room while at work today....I needed for there to be an opening in the front. I searched for it...and searched for it...but couldn't find it. So I grabbed the waistband and pulled it out to where I could see it and...sure enough...there was the 'tag'. Meaning...of course...the boxers were on backwards.
Dressing in the dark...can sometimes be hazardous.
Dan
Sunday, April 18, 2010
ALL GIRLS...NOT BOYS
This is an article written by a mother of 10 sons. She also happens to be the author of several books...one entitled, 'Good Sons Don't Just Happen'.
It is a nice article with some good suggestions. I just didn't happen to follow any of them. Sounds like she has turned out 10 good sons.
I had 3 daughters. I kinda like all of them.
Did they all turn out perfect? Hell no. Are they all good kids. Hell yes. They are good kids...who have made some mistakes...but haven't we all? Isn't that how we learn?
I'm sure this lady is a nice lady...and has some good suggestions on how to raise kids. But it's not a 'cookie-cutter' world and not every family has the same issues with the same options and the same results.
Dan
It is a nice article with some good suggestions. I just didn't happen to follow any of them. Sounds like she has turned out 10 good sons.
I had 3 daughters. I kinda like all of them.
Did they all turn out perfect? Hell no. Are they all good kids. Hell yes. They are good kids...who have made some mistakes...but haven't we all? Isn't that how we learn?
I'm sure this lady is a nice lady...and has some good suggestions on how to raise kids. But it's not a 'cookie-cutter' world and not every family has the same issues with the same options and the same results.
Dan
Saturday, April 17, 2010
SPECIAL COFFEE BLEND
Cindy and I are not coffee drinkers. Never have been.
I can remember my first attempt at drinking coffee. I was probably 5 or 6...living in Owensville. Dad drank coffee and I'm guessing I asked dad if I could try some. I just remember it being sat in front of me at the kitchen table.
Of course it was 'bitter' as could be. For a kid...it's a disgusting taste. Sugar is what kids thrive on. So I began adding sugar. I tasted it...and added more sugar. I tasted it again...and added more sugar. As I remember...I just couldn't get it to taste good. I didn't drink it that day...and never have since.
When I read this article...I'm pretty sure...I'll not drink this blend either.
Could you?
Dan
I can remember my first attempt at drinking coffee. I was probably 5 or 6...living in Owensville. Dad drank coffee and I'm guessing I asked dad if I could try some. I just remember it being sat in front of me at the kitchen table.
Of course it was 'bitter' as could be. For a kid...it's a disgusting taste. Sugar is what kids thrive on. So I began adding sugar. I tasted it...and added more sugar. I tasted it again...and added more sugar. As I remember...I just couldn't get it to taste good. I didn't drink it that day...and never have since.
When I read this article...I'm pretty sure...I'll not drink this blend either.
Could you?
Dan
Friday, April 16, 2010
CADILLAC
Just finished watching one of my old movies...3000 Miles from Graceland. It's a 'B' movie, at best, so if you've got nothing better to do...you can watch it. But I wouldn't get all shook up if you never see it.
What brought back a memory...is a big red '59 Cadillac that appears in the movie. It's one of those old cars that is about 1/2 a football field long and wide enough to sit 5 people...in the front seat!
Well maybe that's an exaggeration...but you know what I mean. In those days..cars were BIG. Especially Cadillacs.
But the feature on the car that brought back the memory...was the big FINS on the back.
They took me back to 1964...4th grade at Franklin Elementary School. In those days, the bus picked me up before school, and we rode it to an old school out on Niblack road behind Bunker Hill. Other buses came from other parts of Vincennes too, and the kids that were to go to Franklin...got off their buses, and got on the one that was headed to Franklin. We went through this routine in the morning before school...and in the afternoon after school.
In the afternoons...there was usually a 30 minute wait from the time 'my' bus from Franklin got to the old school...and the time the other buses got there. (The high school went later in the day than the elementary school.) So, while we waited, we were allowed to get off the bus and play on the playground until the other buses arrived.
One day...one of my classmates...Frances Scott...got off the bus and ran across the parking lot toward the playground. While running...he turned around to see if the rest of us were catching up to him. Since he was looking behind him...in the opposite direction that he was running...he didn't see the parked car that he was quickly approaching. He turned around...just in time to run head first into the rear...of a 1959 Cadillac. The height of the fin on one corner of the car...was the exact height of his forehead.
You know the old comment...nothin' bleeds like a head injury. OMG! We thought he was dead. But teachers came running, got some pressure put on the injury, and he was okay.
Maybe the wildest thing...the difference from 1964 to today?
Today...an ambulance would be called...Frances would be whisked away to the hospital ER, have a CT scan, be seen by a neurologist and his parents would be in the hole about $6000.
But in 1964...he was cleaned up, ice and gauze applied...a bandage taped on his forehead...and he rode home on the same bus that I did.
The next day, the bus pulled in front of his house...and out comes Frances with a goose egg the size of an orange on his forehead.
Frances survived...luckily. Don't mess with a '59 Cadillac. Ask Frances.
Dan
What brought back a memory...is a big red '59 Cadillac that appears in the movie. It's one of those old cars that is about 1/2 a football field long and wide enough to sit 5 people...in the front seat!
Well maybe that's an exaggeration...but you know what I mean. In those days..cars were BIG. Especially Cadillacs.
But the feature on the car that brought back the memory...was the big FINS on the back.
They took me back to 1964...4th grade at Franklin Elementary School. In those days, the bus picked me up before school, and we rode it to an old school out on Niblack road behind Bunker Hill. Other buses came from other parts of Vincennes too, and the kids that were to go to Franklin...got off their buses, and got on the one that was headed to Franklin. We went through this routine in the morning before school...and in the afternoon after school.
In the afternoons...there was usually a 30 minute wait from the time 'my' bus from Franklin got to the old school...and the time the other buses got there. (The high school went later in the day than the elementary school.) So, while we waited, we were allowed to get off the bus and play on the playground until the other buses arrived.
One day...one of my classmates...Frances Scott...got off the bus and ran across the parking lot toward the playground. While running...he turned around to see if the rest of us were catching up to him. Since he was looking behind him...in the opposite direction that he was running...he didn't see the parked car that he was quickly approaching. He turned around...just in time to run head first into the rear...of a 1959 Cadillac. The height of the fin on one corner of the car...was the exact height of his forehead.
You know the old comment...nothin' bleeds like a head injury. OMG! We thought he was dead. But teachers came running, got some pressure put on the injury, and he was okay.
Maybe the wildest thing...the difference from 1964 to today?
Today...an ambulance would be called...Frances would be whisked away to the hospital ER, have a CT scan, be seen by a neurologist and his parents would be in the hole about $6000.
But in 1964...he was cleaned up, ice and gauze applied...a bandage taped on his forehead...and he rode home on the same bus that I did.
The next day, the bus pulled in front of his house...and out comes Frances with a goose egg the size of an orange on his forehead.
Frances survived...luckily. Don't mess with a '59 Cadillac. Ask Frances.
Dan
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
MCDONALD'S
In junior high and high school...my friends and I ate a 'lot' of burgers and fries. Our options for lunch were the Dairy Queen on Vigo Street...Burger Chef on 6th Street...Top Boy on Broadway...Charlie's Burger Barn on Washington Avenue...and Mac's, a greasy spoon restaurant on Main. There were a few others I'm sure...but those were the ones that our gang tended to go to at lunch time.
Two burgers and a coke at Charlie's was $0.41. A burger at Mac's and Dairy Queen was $0.25. Since most of us got $2 a week lunch money, those were all within our budget.
But the burger place that we craved the most...was McDonald's. Maybe it was because...there weren't any McDonald's in Vincennes at the time. When we would make a trip to Evansville...an hour away...we would HAVE to stop at McDonald's for a burger and fries. Not sure what made them soooo good...but we thought they were.
Today...there are at least 2 McDonald's in Vincennes. The Dairy Queen moved...Burger Chef, Top Boy, Charlie's and Mac's...no longer exist
Today...there are at least 10 McDonald's in Lafayette. My kids 'used' to like them...I'm not sure they're so crazy about them now. My grandkids 'love' them.
Me...I rarely go there...for myself that is. I'm not sure if it's because they aren't the 'rarity' they were when I was in school...or they just don't taste that good anymore.
McDonald's is now going to invest $5 billion to update their restaurants...to look less like a fast food burger joint and more like a fun place to be.
The days of my 15 cent burgers at Charlie's...are long gone. So's my desire to go to a McDonald's...upscale or not.
Dan
Two burgers and a coke at Charlie's was $0.41. A burger at Mac's and Dairy Queen was $0.25. Since most of us got $2 a week lunch money, those were all within our budget.
But the burger place that we craved the most...was McDonald's. Maybe it was because...there weren't any McDonald's in Vincennes at the time. When we would make a trip to Evansville...an hour away...we would HAVE to stop at McDonald's for a burger and fries. Not sure what made them soooo good...but we thought they were.
Today...there are at least 2 McDonald's in Vincennes. The Dairy Queen moved...Burger Chef, Top Boy, Charlie's and Mac's...no longer exist
Today...there are at least 10 McDonald's in Lafayette. My kids 'used' to like them...I'm not sure they're so crazy about them now. My grandkids 'love' them.
Me...I rarely go there...for myself that is. I'm not sure if it's because they aren't the 'rarity' they were when I was in school...or they just don't taste that good anymore.
McDonald's is now going to invest $5 billion to update their restaurants...to look less like a fast food burger joint and more like a fun place to be.
The days of my 15 cent burgers at Charlie's...are long gone. So's my desire to go to a McDonald's...upscale or not.
Dan
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
LUCKY 13
One of the movies that we have watched more times than I could count at our house...is Apollo 13. We know what the movie is about. I think we were fascinated...to some extent...when it came out because Tom Hanks...one of the main characters in the movie...was 'hot' in the movie business at the time.
I believe it was made after he had just won back-to-back Oscars for 'Philadelphia' and 'Forrest Gump', and we assumed this one would be equally brilliant. Not only that...but it was a feel good movie about a real event...with a happy ending.
The movie took us on the adventure of what happened during that fateful moon journey...that turned out to be a mission of rescue...and resourcefulness...and faith.
Today...is the 40 year anniversary of the actual event.
I can't even imagine how the 'real' events played out...but it was pretty amazing nonetheless.
Dan
I believe it was made after he had just won back-to-back Oscars for 'Philadelphia' and 'Forrest Gump', and we assumed this one would be equally brilliant. Not only that...but it was a feel good movie about a real event...with a happy ending.
The movie took us on the adventure of what happened during that fateful moon journey...that turned out to be a mission of rescue...and resourcefulness...and faith.
Today...is the 40 year anniversary of the actual event.
I can't even imagine how the 'real' events played out...but it was pretty amazing nonetheless.
Dan
Sunday, April 11, 2010
STOLEN CREDIT CARDS
Stolen credit cards. It happens every day. And then comes the frustration of notifying the credit card company...getting cards to replace the stolen ones...wondering what got charged before you got a chance to cancel them...what you might be responsible for...
Years ago, someone stole one of our credit cards. A few days later when I realized it, and some other things, were missing...I got 'on-line' to see if there were any charges on it that I didn't recognize. Sure 'nuf...there were. There was a $400 charge at an electronics store...a meal at a chain restaurant...and another purchase that I have forgotten over the years.
I notified the police...called the credit card company...and personally went to the electronics store and restaurant.
I spoke to the salesperson and the waitress who was involved...but got no specific help. Unfortunately, they didn't have video cameras. I have a feeling...to this day...that I know who did it...but have no proof. The detectives were unable to find anything conclusive either. My guess is...they had bigger fish to fry.
The credit card company issued me a new card. They wrote off the cost of the purchases so I did not have to pay for them.
Can you imagine the amount of money that all the credit card companies write off every day...in situations like these?
One lesson learned by me...I am on-line 3-4 times a week to look at my credit card statements to make sure that the charges I see...are mine. I've turned into a real 'credit card bill checking nerd'.
But it's what you have to do now days to stay ahead...or more likely...not get too far behind.
Dan
Years ago, someone stole one of our credit cards. A few days later when I realized it, and some other things, were missing...I got 'on-line' to see if there were any charges on it that I didn't recognize. Sure 'nuf...there were. There was a $400 charge at an electronics store...a meal at a chain restaurant...and another purchase that I have forgotten over the years.
I notified the police...called the credit card company...and personally went to the electronics store and restaurant.
I spoke to the salesperson and the waitress who was involved...but got no specific help. Unfortunately, they didn't have video cameras. I have a feeling...to this day...that I know who did it...but have no proof. The detectives were unable to find anything conclusive either. My guess is...they had bigger fish to fry.
The credit card company issued me a new card. They wrote off the cost of the purchases so I did not have to pay for them.
Can you imagine the amount of money that all the credit card companies write off every day...in situations like these?
One lesson learned by me...I am on-line 3-4 times a week to look at my credit card statements to make sure that the charges I see...are mine. I've turned into a real 'credit card bill checking nerd'.
But it's what you have to do now days to stay ahead...or more likely...not get too far behind.
Dan
Saturday, April 10, 2010
4-D MOVIES !
During spring break week, several weeks ago, Cindy & I took the g-kids to the movies. As we waited for the movie to start we watched the previews for upcoming movies.
We were quite enthralled at the number of 3-D movies coming out this summer. Of the...probably...5 previews they showed, I believe 3 of them were going to be in 3-D.
Popular in the 1950's when they were introduced, 3-D movies seemed to lose favor over the years and just never seemed to catch on with any regularity, becoming financial losses for the movie makers.
But in the last year, they have made a comeback, and several have been quite successful...the most recent being 'Avatar'. Other movie makers have caught the fever and have produced new movies or...as we found out...are getting ready to release them.
Although it's not a full-length release, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago will be showing a 4-D movie short.
What's the 4th Dimension? The senses. Watchers will 'feel' the water...they'll 'feel' the ground shake.
Will this be the future in movie making? If so...I am NOT going to see the 4-D showing of 'Titanic' !
Dan
We were quite enthralled at the number of 3-D movies coming out this summer. Of the...probably...5 previews they showed, I believe 3 of them were going to be in 3-D.
Popular in the 1950's when they were introduced, 3-D movies seemed to lose favor over the years and just never seemed to catch on with any regularity, becoming financial losses for the movie makers.
But in the last year, they have made a comeback, and several have been quite successful...the most recent being 'Avatar'. Other movie makers have caught the fever and have produced new movies or...as we found out...are getting ready to release them.
Although it's not a full-length release, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago will be showing a 4-D movie short.
What's the 4th Dimension? The senses. Watchers will 'feel' the water...they'll 'feel' the ground shake.
Will this be the future in movie making? If so...I am NOT going to see the 4-D showing of 'Titanic' !
Dan
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
COAL MINING
The coal mining industry has been in the news way too much lately.
Several weeks ago...in China...a coal mine 'flooded' with over 150 men in it. Trapped for over a week in the mines, when rescuers finally reached the men...miraculously over 100 survived. Numbers like that are rare in the mining industry.
The reality of those numbers came to fruition less than a week later with a mining accident in West Virginia. A few men survived but at least 25 men died, with 4 more likely dead...although efforts are under way to find them as I write.
I'm reminded of my uncle Jim...my only uncle on dad's side...who worked the mines of southern Indiana. He went to work for, what would eventually be known as, the Peabody Coal Company, in Lynnville, Indiana in the early 1940’s. When the mine shut down in the 1960’s, he went to work at the Millersburg, Indiana mine and was the engineer on the coal train that took coal from the mine to the Alcoa plant in Newburgh, Indiana.
A few years ago...many members of the family gathered to celebrate uncle Jim's 95th birthday with him.
The coal mines didn't claim uncle Jim. Our family was fortunate.
Many families in West Virginia...aren't able to say that.
Dan
Several weeks ago...in China...a coal mine 'flooded' with over 150 men in it. Trapped for over a week in the mines, when rescuers finally reached the men...miraculously over 100 survived. Numbers like that are rare in the mining industry.
The reality of those numbers came to fruition less than a week later with a mining accident in West Virginia. A few men survived but at least 25 men died, with 4 more likely dead...although efforts are under way to find them as I write.
I'm reminded of my uncle Jim...my only uncle on dad's side...who worked the mines of southern Indiana. He went to work for, what would eventually be known as, the Peabody Coal Company, in Lynnville, Indiana in the early 1940’s. When the mine shut down in the 1960’s, he went to work at the Millersburg, Indiana mine and was the engineer on the coal train that took coal from the mine to the Alcoa plant in Newburgh, Indiana.
A few years ago...many members of the family gathered to celebrate uncle Jim's 95th birthday with him.
The coal mines didn't claim uncle Jim. Our family was fortunate.
Many families in West Virginia...aren't able to say that.
Dan
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
POWER WASHING
Cindy & I have a very nice, large deck on the house that we have enjoyed for years. As with all things out in the weather year round...it is showing its age.
Power washing the last few days has cleaned it up...a lot. It will likely take me the rest of the week to get it all done. Then it's getting it stained.
It'll be nice for Cindy's 'next husband' to enjoy...since she's tryin' to kill me!
Dan
Monday, April 5, 2010
SUMMER CHORES
Since moving into our home years ago, the bushes out front have aged and gotten bigger. We weren't crazy about them then...and we liked them less and less as the years wore on.
We kept saying one summer we were going to take them out...but it sounded like a lot of work...so we 'just talked' about it.
But this summer...by golly...we decided to do it. Unfortunately...we chose an afternoon that we worked all day first. What was hopefully going to be 'somewhat' quickly completed...wasn't!
But they're done. They've gone from here...
...to here...ready for the street department to haul them away.
Did I mention how much...our bodies hurt right now?
We may need a sick day tomorrow...or a crow bar to pry us out of bed. Of course this will now lead to the purchase...digging...and planting of new bushes, plants and flowers to replace the ones just removed.
Dan
Sunday, April 4, 2010
VINCENT VAN GOGH
This past summer, at our family reunion, I created a number of DVDs for us to review. Most were fun pictures of the family, tagged to cool songs I like.
One particular DVD...that a number of family members liked...was some history about Vincent van Gogh followed by the song 'Vincent' by Don McLean played while viewing a number of van Goghs' paintings...one of which was 'Starry, Starry Night'.
I saw this article about some school kids who used cereal to create one of those paintings.
A good memory...recalled.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890 generally considered greatest Dutch painter after Rembrandt, though he had little success during his lifetime. Produced all of his work (some 900 paintings and 1100 drawings) during a period of only 10 years before he succumbed to mental illness (possibly bipolar disorder) and committed suicide. His fame grew rapidly after his. Several paintings by Van Gogh rank among the most expensive paintings in the world. 1987 Van Gogh's painting Irises sold for $53.9 million. 1990 Portrait of Doctor Gachet sold for $82.5 million.
Born in Zundert, The Netherlands; his father was a protestant minister, a profession Vincent found appealing and to which he would be drawn to a certain extent later in his life.
At age 16 Vincent started work for art dealer in The Hague. His four years younger brother Theo, with whom Vincent cherished a life long friendship, would join the company later. This friendship is documented in a vast amount of letters they sent each other published in 1914. They provide a lot of insight into the life of the painter, and show him to be a talented writer with a keen mind. Theo would support Vincent financially throughout his life.
In 1873, his firm transferred him to London, then Paris. He became increasingly interested in religion; in 1876 firm dismissed him for lack of motivation. He became a teaching assistant near London, then returned to Amsterdam to study theology in 1877.
After dropping out in 1878, he became a layman preacher in Belgium in a poor mining region. He even preached down in the mines and was extremely concerned with the lot of the workers. He was dismissed after 6 months and continued without pay. During this period he started to produce charcoal sketches.
In 1880, Vincent followed the suggestion of his brother Theo and took up painting. For a brief period he took painting lessons but soon left over divergence of artistic views.
In 1881 he declared his love to his widowed cousin who rejected him. Later he would move in with a prostitute and her children and considered marrying her; his father was strictly against this relationship and even his brother Theo advised against it. They later separated.
Impressed and influenced by Jean-Francois Millet, van Gogh focused on painting peasants and rural scenes.
In the winter of 1885-1886 Van Gogh attended an art academy in Belgium but was dismissed after a few months.
Van Gogh did however get in touch with Japanese art during this period, which he started to collect eagerly. He admired its bright colors, use of canvas space and the role lines played in the picture. These impressions would influence him strongly. Van Gogh made some painting in Japanese style. Also some of the portraits he painted are set against a background which shows Japanese art. In spring 1886 Vincent went to Paris, and moved in with his brother Theo. Here he met the painters met Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Bernard, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Paul Gauguin. He discovered impressionism and liked its use of light and color
In 1888, when city life and living with his brother proved too much, Van Gogh left Paris and went to Arles, France. He was impressed with the local landscape and hoped to found an art colony. He decorated a "yellow house" and created a celebrated series of yellow sunflower paintings for this purpose.
The admiration for Gauguin ended in a quarrel. Van Gogh suffered a mental breakdown and cut off part of his left ear, which he gave to a startled prostitute friend. The only painting he sold during his lifetime, The Red Vineyard, was created in 1888. It is now on display in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
He suffered from depression, and in 1889 on his own request Van Gogh was admitted to a psychiatric center in France. During his stay the clinic and its garden became his main subject. In May 1890 van Gogh left the clinic and went to the physician Paul Gachet, near Paris, where he was closer to his brother Theo, who had recently married. Gachet had been recommended to him by Pissarro; he had treated several artists before. Here van Gogh created his only etching: a portrait of the melancholic doctor Gachet. His depression aggravated. On July 27 of the same year, at the age of 37, after a fit of painting activity, van Gogh shot himself in the chest. He died two days later, with Theo at his side, who reported his last words as "La tristesse durera toujours" (French: "The sadness will last forever"). He was buried at the cemetery of Auvers-sur-Oise; Theo unable to come to terms with his brother's death died 6 months later and was buried next to him.
It would not take long before his fame grew higher and higher. Large exhibitions were organized soon: Paris 1901, Amsterdam 1905, Cologne 1912, New York 1913 and Berlin 1914.
Vincent van Gogh's mother threw away quite a number of his paintings during Vincent's life and even after his death. But she would live long enough to see her son become a world famous painter.
Bet you didn't know that.
Dan
One particular DVD...that a number of family members liked...was some history about Vincent van Gogh followed by the song 'Vincent' by Don McLean played while viewing a number of van Goghs' paintings...one of which was 'Starry, Starry Night'.
I saw this article about some school kids who used cereal to create one of those paintings.
A good memory...recalled.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890 generally considered greatest Dutch painter after Rembrandt, though he had little success during his lifetime. Produced all of his work (some 900 paintings and 1100 drawings) during a period of only 10 years before he succumbed to mental illness (possibly bipolar disorder) and committed suicide. His fame grew rapidly after his. Several paintings by Van Gogh rank among the most expensive paintings in the world. 1987 Van Gogh's painting Irises sold for $53.9 million. 1990 Portrait of Doctor Gachet sold for $82.5 million.
Born in Zundert, The Netherlands; his father was a protestant minister, a profession Vincent found appealing and to which he would be drawn to a certain extent later in his life.
At age 16 Vincent started work for art dealer in The Hague. His four years younger brother Theo, with whom Vincent cherished a life long friendship, would join the company later. This friendship is documented in a vast amount of letters they sent each other published in 1914. They provide a lot of insight into the life of the painter, and show him to be a talented writer with a keen mind. Theo would support Vincent financially throughout his life.
In 1873, his firm transferred him to London, then Paris. He became increasingly interested in religion; in 1876 firm dismissed him for lack of motivation. He became a teaching assistant near London, then returned to Amsterdam to study theology in 1877.
After dropping out in 1878, he became a layman preacher in Belgium in a poor mining region. He even preached down in the mines and was extremely concerned with the lot of the workers. He was dismissed after 6 months and continued without pay. During this period he started to produce charcoal sketches.
In 1880, Vincent followed the suggestion of his brother Theo and took up painting. For a brief period he took painting lessons but soon left over divergence of artistic views.
In 1881 he declared his love to his widowed cousin who rejected him. Later he would move in with a prostitute and her children and considered marrying her; his father was strictly against this relationship and even his brother Theo advised against it. They later separated.
Impressed and influenced by Jean-Francois Millet, van Gogh focused on painting peasants and rural scenes.
In the winter of 1885-1886 Van Gogh attended an art academy in Belgium but was dismissed after a few months.
Van Gogh did however get in touch with Japanese art during this period, which he started to collect eagerly. He admired its bright colors, use of canvas space and the role lines played in the picture. These impressions would influence him strongly. Van Gogh made some painting in Japanese style. Also some of the portraits he painted are set against a background which shows Japanese art. In spring 1886 Vincent went to Paris, and moved in with his brother Theo. Here he met the painters met Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Bernard, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Paul Gauguin. He discovered impressionism and liked its use of light and color
In 1888, when city life and living with his brother proved too much, Van Gogh left Paris and went to Arles, France. He was impressed with the local landscape and hoped to found an art colony. He decorated a "yellow house" and created a celebrated series of yellow sunflower paintings for this purpose.
The admiration for Gauguin ended in a quarrel. Van Gogh suffered a mental breakdown and cut off part of his left ear, which he gave to a startled prostitute friend. The only painting he sold during his lifetime, The Red Vineyard, was created in 1888. It is now on display in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
He suffered from depression, and in 1889 on his own request Van Gogh was admitted to a psychiatric center in France. During his stay the clinic and its garden became his main subject. In May 1890 van Gogh left the clinic and went to the physician Paul Gachet, near Paris, where he was closer to his brother Theo, who had recently married. Gachet had been recommended to him by Pissarro; he had treated several artists before. Here van Gogh created his only etching: a portrait of the melancholic doctor Gachet. His depression aggravated. On July 27 of the same year, at the age of 37, after a fit of painting activity, van Gogh shot himself in the chest. He died two days later, with Theo at his side, who reported his last words as "La tristesse durera toujours" (French: "The sadness will last forever"). He was buried at the cemetery of Auvers-sur-Oise; Theo unable to come to terms with his brother's death died 6 months later and was buried next to him.
It would not take long before his fame grew higher and higher. Large exhibitions were organized soon: Paris 1901, Amsterdam 1905, Cologne 1912, New York 1913 and Berlin 1914.
Vincent van Gogh's mother threw away quite a number of his paintings during Vincent's life and even after his death. But she would live long enough to see her son become a world famous painter.
Bet you didn't know that.
Dan
Friday, April 2, 2010
MORNING LOST
This week has been 'spring break' week for Mason, Anna and Owen. Cindy & I took Tuesday off to spend with the g-kids.
I took today (Friday) off too to get a few other chores done. The weather has been great the last few days...80 degrees yesterday...nice today too.
Except, it's 11am and I haven't been outside yet. I've been finishing our 'TAXES' ! I don't think I've ever filed this late before...even when I owed money...and we even get a little back this year.
Anyway...now it's done...and it's outside to enjoy some great spring weather. Time to take the g-kids to the park and let them run.
Dan
I took today (Friday) off too to get a few other chores done. The weather has been great the last few days...80 degrees yesterday...nice today too.
Except, it's 11am and I haven't been outside yet. I've been finishing our 'TAXES' ! I don't think I've ever filed this late before...even when I owed money...and we even get a little back this year.
Anyway...now it's done...and it's outside to enjoy some great spring weather. Time to take the g-kids to the park and let them run.
Dan
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