SPEAKING OF CHANGE

Change. We live in an adapting culture…sometimes good…sometimes bad.

Recently, as I battled an infection…I discovered that...even diseases...are smart enough to change. They are becoming resistant to normal, long-standing, successful antibiotics. So the infection that used to be controlled by oral antibiotics are now needing IV and/or IM antibiotics to control them. That was the case for me anyway.

Diseases are smart.

In a totally different environment...it appears the credit card institutions are changing…trying to ‘outsmart’ us. After the government tried to reel them in and place some guidelines on them to be more fair to ‘the people’…they are hard at work trying to find the loopholes around the changes.

Change seems inevitable...Like it or not.

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. ~Robert C. Gallagher

If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change. ~John A. Simone, Sr.

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. ~Joan Wallach Scott

If you want to make enemies, try to change something. ~Woodrow Wilson

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. ~Author Unknown

Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are. ~Bertold Brecht


Dan

TIMES HAVE CHANGED

An east coast teacher has been suspended with pay...and charged with sexual assault charges...for spanking an unruly student in his class. Wow!

I can remember days at Franklin Elementary and at Clark Junior High School...that it wasn't uncommon to hear the "WHACK" of the paddle hitting some students rear end for not obeying a school policy...or disobeying someone in authority (anyone in the school who was not another student).

Not only can the teachers NOT expect a student to be respectful and obey some rules...they face police charges.

I have more respect for teachers these days...than ever...because of their love for what they do...the poor pay they receive for the education they have to have...and the Bullsh** they have to put up with...and still are willing to do it.

God Bless them. I don't think I could do it. In fact...I'm pretty sure I couldn't/wouldn't do it.


Dan

SAY IT AIN'T SO...AGAIN

I thought I heard this on the news in the wee hours of the morning, but didn't want to believe it. The story...as I recalled it through half-opened eyes and ears...regarded families of soldiers killed in the war. It appears those families are told of a $400,000 insurance policy on their loved one...but are being duped in the process.

Shame on those that would stoop so low...to a family who has given so much.


Dan

BEDBUGS

Good night...sleep tight...don't let the bedbugs bite.

I had always thought of this as more of a rhyme...than a reality. This article about New York...is telling us it's all too true.

If this won't make you squirm a little when you go to bed tonight...nothin' will.

Sleep tight...


Dan

MY FIRST CAR

On the way to work this morning, I heard again a Bob & Tom commercial segment about 'your first car'. Readers/listeners are to write in about their first car...which usually was a piece of junk...but seems to recall happy memories for most folks.

Mine was no different.

My first car was a 1961 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88. I got it for $300 (of which my dad paid $150). It was 'way' to much car for me (looking back now...but not then of course). It had a big engine, could seat 12...alright...maybe not that many...but you know how BIG it was.

I put 75 miles on it the first night...just driving around Vincennes. It had 4 old, balding tires on it...two of which had those REAL WIDE white walls on them.

The turn signal worked...but didn't turn off automatically, so after I turned a corner, I had to remember to turn the blinker off or I looked like the old man with his signal on for a couple of miles before I remembered.

The heater worked...in the summer...didn't work well in the winter. The brake lights worked MOST of the time.

I drove it too fast and too dangerously...and THANK GOD...I and the friends who rode with me...lived through it.

It was a GREAT first car.


Dan

THE LOST WEEK

There's been books and movies about 'The Lost Weekend'...don't know if there's been 'lost weeks'...but I've sure had one.

About 10 days ago I had a medical procedure done...and after a few days of feeling good...an infection decided to set in and for the last week I've been trying to recover from it.

After a couple of days of Advil and Tylenol...with no success...the doctor prescribed Cipro...an oral antibiotic.

After a few doses of that...with no success...and a few more tests to figure out what might be going on...the doctor prescribed Rocephin...a stronger antibiotic in IV form. That was followed by 5 days of IM Rocephin (the 5th day being tomorrow).

It took a few doses of the Rocephin to kick in...but finally on Day 4...I am alert...oriented...without fever...without headaches and body aches...and feeling better.

Suffice it to say...my infection was one that was resistant to 'normal' antibiotics...and had to take the 'super-duper' brand...to kick it's butt.

I'm glad...and I'm back.


Dan

VICARIOUS VISIT TO EUROPE

My brother, Dave, and wife Chris, have been in Europe for the last week and still have a week to go. Dave has been kind enough to take lots of pictures and put them on Facebook for all the family and their friends to see.

They started out in Stockholm, Sweden and are currently in Paris, France. They still have London, England to see before heading back home to San Francisco.

The pictures and comments that Dave has sent back have been terrific. He joked in yesterdays photo journal...that they have seen 1/10 of 1% of Paris and can only remember 1/10 of what they've seen. There is just 'so much' to see...they can't take it all in fast enough. (I believe I detect a future return to Paris...for a much longer time frame to take more of it in).

It has been very enjoyable to go on Dave's 'virtual tour'. For those of our family...it's 'our' first visit there and been quite a trip.

It'll have to do...until we can get there ourselves.


Dan

THE 'Y'

I see in the attached story that the YMCA is 'officially' changing its name to 'the Y'. Makes sense...it's always been 'the Y'...to me.

'The Y' was a great place to me in my younger years. My buddy, Scott, and I spent a lot of time at 'the Y'. The 'old' Y was at 4th and Broadway in Vincennes. Scott lived at 8th & Broadway so it was an easy bike ride...and even walk...from his house to the Y.

I took swim lessons at the Y...played basketball games at the Y...played football through the Y...played pool at the Y...and played hours upon hours upon hours of ping-pong at the Y.

For the price of a dime Scott and I could rent 2 paddles, a ball, and a table...and spend all day playing ping-pong. When we were done...we handed in the paddles and ball...and got our dime back. Cheap entertainment...kept us off the streets and out of trouble.

I think dad payed $8...and my membership was good for a year. I could walk in anytime...do anything they had to offer...and not spend another dime...or if I did...I got my dime back.

'The Y'.....was a good investment for dad...and a great place for me.


Dan

HAF...and JIMI HENDRIX

Saw this article and got an immediate giggle. The topic was not the cause of the giggle...it's about an artist that worked with Jimi Hendrix years ago, who is now wanting to get his share of money from a song he wrote with Jimi...but the giggle came from the words in the header...'Scuse me?'

In high school of late '60s and early '70s, we had a number of great artists that are still current 40 years later. Jimi Hendrix was one of them. Jimi isn't around today...but his music is still heard on the radio. One of the songs of that day was 'Purple Haze'. The opening lyrics of Purple Haze are:

Purple haze all in my brain
Lately things just don't seem the same
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky

One day, several of the gang was in a car (mine, Crater's, Morg's, or Haf's, or...) and the song Purple Haze came on. As we all began to sing along...and the song passed this opening set of lyrics...Byron (Haf) said..."I didn't know he was singing kiss the sky...I thought he was saying 'kiss this guy'.."

Obviously there were laughs all around. I can't hear that song without thinking of Haf and that day.


Dan

COUSINS

This weekend, we had our annual fun time in Vincennes with family. Due to work schedules, we weren't able to have our 'usual' 4th of July get-together on the 4th...so we delayed it until this weekend.

Cindy's nephew, Chris, has a place in the country outside of Vincennes. Every 4th...for years...we all gather at his house for an 'all day' eat & drink fest with games for all types to be entertained...or just watch...or just soak up the sun and visit...all followed by a fireworks display that would rival many small communities.

Many of Chris's neighbors come over...along with family. I believe the count at last nights fireworks show...was 47.

Lots of drink is consumed...lots of food is consumed...but mostly...there's lots of laughs and lots of fun...had by all.

On Sunday...the family members gather for a little breakfast...share some more laughs about the events from the day before...pack up...hugs and kisses all around...and head out to go home.

There is a great relationship among us all...but a strong bond is shared by the cousins. They are now in their 20s and 30s and have grown up maintaining a great friendship. As spouses get added to the group...the loving group has gotten bigger and the spouses just fit right in perfectly...Chris, Ashley, Kelly, Bryan, Jaime, Shawn, Julie, Joni and Ryan. Then add a slew of nieces and nephews...and the group is just getting huge.

They are a large...loving...respectful...supportive group.

It is very enviable. Many families 'wish' they had as good a group of kids as these in their family. They all have a strong bond that will hopefully last the rest of their lives...and keep the family growing closer together...even over the miles that they all live apart.


Dan

RUTH

Well the Facebook world is abuzz...at least among my friends...about the untimely and unfortunate death of one of Cindy & my classmates...Ruth Obermeyer.

Ruth apparently passed away yesterday. No details have been released yet about what may have been the cause...so I'll not speculate.

Many of our classmates...whom we have all reconnected with on Facebook...have mentioned about their sadness in Ruth's passing. Ruth was one of those individuals who stood out from among the crowd.

One of the reasons probably comes strait from her 'favorite quotations' page on her Facebook: Say what you mean, Mean what you say, Do what you say you're going to do.

I would have to honestly say, Ruth was faithful to that quotation. I would also say that, over the years, she probably ruffled a few feathers among people because of that. Many people are offended by some remarks...even if they're the truth. Ruth was one to just 'say it'...not worrying if it might be offensive or hurtful. Many times she was probably the 'one who said...what everybody else was thinking'. She just happened to be the one gutsy enough to spit the words out.

Cindy & I...and many of our classmates who happened to be in attendance 'that night'...will always have a laugh about 1 specific incident about Ruth.

'She ran over herself with her own car'.

Not that that's funny...at least not then...but we've all laughed about it since then...including Ruth.

Here's the story, as I remember it 38+ years later...and why I recall it...and why it will always have special meaning to Cindy and I.

Around New Years Day (give or take a day)...there was a big party at Byron (Haf) Haflich's house. Tons of people attended (excluding Haf's parents of course). Part of the reason for the party was to celebrate my birthday...but we usually didn't need ANY EXCUSE to have a party. (I was given a present of a new '8-track' tape player. My old one had been stolen...and I think Mark Morgan got a good deal at Schmidt Auto and several people threw some money in a pot to help him pay for it.) Also that night, some euchre playing broke out and Cindy happened to be playing at one table...and she didn't know how to play. I 'did' know how to play...and I smartly sat down beside her to help her play...also to make a 'move' on her...and thus began...the story of Dan & Cindy.

Anyway...the next weekend...the party moved to Lucy McGiffen's house...and I believe our 'excuse' that night was that it was Haf's birthday. Tons again were present...including Ruth. Again I found a good excuse to help Cindy with some euchre playing. It was late into the night and Jim Miller came running into the house to announce that 'Ruth ran over herself'. Everyone headed outside...and it was foggy as I remember. We found Ruth on the ground by her car...and thankfully she was okay...in good spirits...and (as I remember) even able to laugh about it. Her explanation (as I recall) was that she was backing her car out (of a crowded yard FULL of cars) and with the fog, she couldn't see well to back out safely. So...she opened her car door to lean out and look behind her to make sure she wasn't going to hit anyone or anything...and she fell out! The car continued to roll and ran over her leg at about the knee.

I believe we called the ambulance (after hiding all the beer and alcohol that we could) and they took Ruth to the hospital, where she was deemed okay. I don't know why the cops didn't come...but glad they didn't because it wouldn't take a detective to figure out that a yard full of cars...a house full of 17 and 18 year old kids...with NO adults in attendance...was NOT a Tupperware party!

Once the excitement was over...and the party wound down...I got brave and asked Cindy if she wanted to go on a date the next weekend. She said yes. Our first date was January 15, 1972. She's been with me ever since.

But back to Ruth...over the years...and at class reunions we attended...I'm certain that Ruth heard, on 'more than one occasion'...about the time she ran over herself.

Ruth was one who could make people laugh...at others...at themselves...and at herself. She was quite a person.

Cindy & I will always remember...and giggle...about that night...and Ruth.

Our class will remember...and miss...Ruth.


Dan

WORK ANNIVERSARY

Today...July 6, 2010...I started my 35th year at my job. Cindy & I moved to Lafayette the end of June in 1976. We signed the dotted line to buy our first house on June 29...and I hadn't even worked my first day on the job yet. I started July 6, 1976.

I've had the good fortune to work for a good hospital system, who was willing to take a chance on a 22-year old kid who'd never had a job in a hospital setting before. For the previous 4 years, I had taken classes and tests and certifications and done internships and 'learned on the job'...but never had to produce and earn my keep...to the level the hospital would ask.

In turn...the hospital got a young kid...who was willing to work...willing to learn...dedicated...and loyal.

I guess the meeting of those two factors...a willing employer...and a willing employee...paid off for both of us.

Today...I walked in their doors for the 35th consecutive year. I'm kinda proud of that.


Dan

OLD MOVIE HOUSES

Movies. While I worked today...Cindy took the grandkids and Jaime & Shawn to see Toy Story 3. Then I saw this article and it took me way back.

I remembered some of my early movie theater days...when the marquee out front had 'a million' light bulbs lighting up the area. The old Princeton theater was the first I remember. Today...I think it's still there...but it's been divided into 'several' screens instead of the 'one' big screen in the beautiful theater surroundings. Next...was the 'New Moon' theater in Vincennes. Ah...the movies I saw there. There were many a Saturday when I, and friends, paid 25 cents to go to a movie...and then just hung around inside and watched it again...still on that same 25 cents. Years later...it was where I met friends from school...and girlfriends...for a movie. Today...the New Moon has met the same fate as the Princeton theater...divided into a multi-screen complex.

Nearby our Lafayette home, in Attica, Indiana, is the Devon Theater. It would be more like the article...an old theater that's been in a small town for years and years...and restored and updated in the last 10 years...and now the centerpiece of the town. We occasionally will drive the 1/2 hour to the Devon...to watch a movie in an 'old theater' setting as we once remembered. Further away, in Monon...is a similar old theater we've gone to when the girls were younger. The prices made the long drive worthwhile.

Thinking about the old theaters also brought to mind...the old drive-in theaters. They are few and far between now...although there are again several within a short distance from us.

I first recall the 'Starlite' in Princeton...and the 'Sunset' in Evansville. Then the Vincennes drive-in just across the river...and the Lawrenceville drive-in a few miles further. After our move to Lafayette, we had the 'Eastside' drive-in...that was literally on the 'East' side of town. In it's day...it was in 'the country' on the East side of Lafayette. As the city grew and progressed...it was mainly to the East...and the drive in took up too much prime real estate. It's long gone now...but still remembered by Cindy & I.

We haven't been in years...but the Monticello drive-in, about 1/2 hour to our north, is still open and we've been there many times...years ago. They have made the move to try to attract as many people as possible...by adding a 2nd screen...and an audio system that can be heard on your in-car radio...rather than the old speaker that you used to hang on your window...and pray that you wouldn't forget when you drove off after the movies were over.

I'm glad some of these smaller cities have saved some of the old theaters...so we can relive some of our youth on occasion...and have 'something real' to show our kids and grandkids...instead of telling them old stories and showing them a few old pictures. I wish these 'mom-and-pop' places much success.

If there's one nearby 'you'...go see a movie...like the old days.


Dan

FOURTH OF JULY...RE-EDITED

Today is the 4th of July. I thought it fitting to ask everyone to read the attached story. It will take you about 15 minutes...but is worth your time.

It is sad, but uplifting. It is painful, but healing. It is about the bringing together...of sorts...of a divorced husband and wife. It is about a brother on a path to nowhere...who found new meaning.

It is about a boy...facing manly challenges of unbelievable depth.

It is a sad, sad, story...with a happy ending.

Happy 4th of July.


Dan

EDITOR'S NOTE:
July 5
One of my faithful readers commented that they didn't see the 'happy ending' in the story...and I couldn't agree more.

At the time, the positives I was seeing from the story was the 'sorta' getting along...of this young mans' parents...as they struggle with him, and for him, through his ordeal. Divorced parents who obviously had their differences...but were united in the love for their son. I also saw a positive from the brother...who was seemingly...180 degrees difference from his brother. But when it came 'right down to it'...he loved his brother so much that he saw the dedicated care that he would require and decided...'I will be the one who gives'...and quit his job (a lucrative one at that...so it sounds)...to give the care that his brother would require...now...AND long term.

I guess 'those' were the 'happy endings' that I saw.

But there is no 'happy ending' for this young man. His life...as he knew it...ended on that day in a far-away land. He has...to some extent...thus far...accepted the fate that has been thrown at him...but he still has ordeals that you and I and 'he' can't begin to comprehend.

But you have to admire this 23-year old 'man'. We would wish for him...a happy ending...whatever that might be for him.


Dan

HIGHWAY 41

I've been 'google mapping' lately to see if I can find a place for Cindy and I to take a weekend getaway. In the process, I ran across Highway 41 on the map...and I got a 'Bucket List' idea.

Highway 41 holds a little interest to me, in that, in my younger years in Vincennes, it was the street in front of where I lived.

Anyone who has read my immensely popular book, 'My Life, As I Recall', remembers that we moved to Vincennes in the summer of 1962. My dad took a job at the Restwell Motel. At that time, US Hwy 41 ran through the city portion of Vincennes, not around it, as it does today. There were a multitude of motels and hotels along the route from the south edge of town to the north...as travelers passing through Vincennes could pull over to spend the night at a motel.

Across the street from the Restwell Motel, was the Kum-Back Inn. Within a mile to the south was the Rainbow Motel and Doll's Motel and the Motor Inn (I think it was called). To the north, just a few blocks, was the City Hotel...and there were a multitude of others.

The city 'thrived' on the traffic passing through its' heart.

Around 1964, the 'bypass' of US 41 was completed and traffic was diverted 'around' Vincennes rather than through its heart...and...in my opinion...thus began the death of Vincennes. The owner of the Restwell Motel was a shrewd businessman and prepared for it. He converted the motel to the Restwell Nursing Home. A few years later, he sold it to a larger nursing home chain, and walked away with millions. Now known as Willow Manor...it is still in business 45 years later. There are now a few 'chain' motels on the north and south of Vincennes, where there are exits from the bypass...but the other motels from that time of the early-to-mid '60s...are long gone.

In the late 60's, my brother, Durward, moved to Atlanta from Houston, when he accepted a promotion with Gulf Oil. Dad and I traveled one summer to visit Durward and family...and I recall the letter Durward sent to dad, with the instructions on what roads to take to get to Atlanta. It basically consisted of taking Hwy 41 almost all the way. I recall going through Clarksville, Tennessee (how can a 'Clark' not remember going through a city with 'his' name in 'its' name?) I also remember going through downtown Nashville...and how HUGE it was...all on Hwy 41.

Anyway, that's my recollection of US Hwy 41 and my interest in it. So...while I was googling...I followed 41 from Vincennes to the north...and found that it travels all the way up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...where it originates as Mandan Road in a tip of land next to Lake Superior.

The 'nerd' in me then needed to follow it south where it ends in Miami. I then recalled dad mentioning that 'it' ran from Chicago to Florida. Well...it goes 'way past' Chicago...to the length of Florida.

Then I got to thinking...what a great Bucket List item. When Cindy and I have 'weeks' to do so...I want to get her and I into a 'convertible'...drive up to the Upper Peninsula...find the beginning of Hwy 41...and drive on it until it runs out...in Miami. We'll stop when we want to stop...I'm sure she'll find a 'shop or 10' to stop at...I'll bet there are some fascinating places to take some pictures...we'll probably find some great hole-in-the-wall places to eat...and probably hear some interesting stories from any 'old timers' we meet along the way.

Anyone wanna tag along?


Dan