KID'S ARTWORK

This article caught my eye...talking about 'artwork' that our kids make...and what to do with it. Some of it makes its way to the refrigerator for display...some will make its way into a 'little folder' for special papers...that then gets tucked away into a drawer...not to be seen again.

Cindy & I tried to always put the girls artwork on the fridge...or on the walls. When we moved to our current house...a lot of the artwork made its way with us...plus more that they continued to make. We started putting all the artwork on the walls in the garage. A lot of it is still there.

Then as the 3 grandkids came along and they went through pre-school and then kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and now 3rd grade...we've seen lots of artwork.

With the garage walls full of the girls' stuff...the gkids artwork made its way to the walls of the stairs to the basement.

We obviously haven't kept everything...but there are some special ones that we kept. In fact...at Christmas time this year...we brought a few of the 'Christmasy' ones made during their pre-school years out from the basement...to put on the walls in the living room.

One of my tasks this past summer...was a plan to paint the walls of the garage. Of course...that would mean throwing away all that artwork. My usual procrastination put the job on delay...and it never got done.

Interestingly this fall...Jaime...not knowing of my plans to remove all the garage artwork so it could get repainted...mentioned that when they get their house built...she's looking forward to having a garage...to have a place to display much of her kids' artwork. (I didn't have the heart to tell her of 'my' plan!)

I guess one of these days I'll pull all that artwork down from the garage walls and the basement walls.

But for now...I'm kinda enjoying it.


Dan

NO STREET SHOES ON THE GYM FLOOR

This is a touching article...about a young basketball coach.

In short...for those of you who don't want to read it...a young man dedicates himself to coaching the basketball team at a small college. He bypasses offers to coach at larger schools for more money...to stay where he is...believing he can make a 'real' difference there.

Well he has.

But the part of the story that caught my attention and made me giggle...was his total dislike of people getting their street shoes on his gym floor. 'This' was the same feeling that our basketball coach had when we were in high school.

Our coach, 'Gunner' Wyman, was very protective of his gym...and anyone who was wearing 'street' shoes in his gym...better walk ALL THE WAY AROUND the edges of the gym floor...not touching the playing surface with 'those' shoes.

Often today...while we are at the Purdue games...at halftime or timeouts...there are often people who are introduced on court or at center court...wearing their street shoes. Cindy & I will elbow each other and say...'Gunner' never would have allowed that!

Don't forget to read the whole article about the coach. It's a feel good story. Well...sorta.


Dan

I CAN'T HELP IT...I HAVE TO SAY IT

Apparently...a restaurant in Arizona has delayed their decision to serve 'lion' tacos on their menu.

This is one of those places that serves exotic meats on their menu anyway...they just recently thought Lion Tacos would be a good addition.

Would I eat a Lion Taco?

No. They make my stomach growl !!


Dan

A SAD...BUT HAPPY...ANNIVERSARY

Six days ago...January 15...was an anniversary...of sorts...for Cindy & I. We had our first date...39 years ago...on January 15, 1972.

After knowing one another as classmates and friends for the previous 6 years...it became more than 'just friends' a few weeks before that first date. We hit it off well that evening and when I took her home I asked if she'd like to go out again the next weekend.

She said YES.

On January 21st, we had our second date. Unfortunately, earlier that day...my mom died.

Mom was living in Atlanta with my sister and had not been doing well from her battle with cancer. Dad had flown down the day before to be with mom...realizing the end was near.

I didn't go.

Don't ask me why. Maybe I was 18 and stupid. Maybe I was in denial. I should've gone...but I didn't.

Rather than be alone that night, I kept my date with Cindy. I didn't tell her of the days events until the end of the evening when I took her home.

The words she said to me after I told her...well...they pretty much endeared her to me. As the days passed...I kept thinking that a person 'that' nice and caring...would be a good person to hang around with for awhile...to see if the feelings I had for her were real...or not.

I guess they were real.

39 years later...3 children...grandchildren...family tragedies...personal challenges...wonderful blessings...through the good...the bad...and the ugly...we're still together.

Would it all have been different if I'd gotten on that plane on the 20th and not gone on my date with Cindy on the 21st?

Probably not...but who can know for sure?

Would the feelings we shared that night have been different? Would the words that Cindy said...have not been said?

Sometimes the strangest coincidences can mean the difference in any given situation.

I'm not sure my mother would have known if I was there with her...or not...had I gone anyway. But I wish I would have gone...because 'I' would know that I had been there. But I've tried to reason with myself over the years because I can't change what happened.

Ultimately...I know mom would be proud of me...and happy for me...that all these years later...I'm still with...and still in love with...the one I traded her for that day.


Dan

TODAY'S WISH

Today is my oldest brother's...Durward...78th birthday. A dream birthday wish for me would be to join him at the dinner table...share a nice meal...followed by some cake and ice cream...followed by sitting in the recliners to talk.


We'd likely talk about his 3 children...and his 7 grandchildren. Then he'd ask me how my 3 girls and my 3 grandchildren were doing.



I'd ask him what he's been doing lately...how he's feeling...is he enjoying his retirement years? He'd ask me about my work...what's new on the medical front...maybe a comment about the health care bill.


We might laugh at some memories we shared in our younger years. He might tell me a story about me when I was a little boy...one that 'he' remembered...but that I was too young to recall.


He might tell me about his days in the Navy...about his long tour on the USS Rooks...what was going on in Korea in those days...or his time stationed in North Africa...or his years with Gulf Oil Company.


He'd ask me how I'm feeling since my cancer surgery...and how happy he was for me that we found it early.


We would probably talk about dad...and mom...and our sister Joan...who are all gone...but not forgotten.


We would probably talk about our wives...his of 55 years...mine of 36.


He would likely offer some 'sage' advice...words of wisdom that sustained him through the years...words that I might benefit from...words that a loving older brother might share with his baby brother.


But that meal...and those stories...won't happen this year. Durward didn't see his children grow to become the wonderful people they are today. He didn't get to meet...hug...or tease his 7 grandchildren. He didn't get to celebrate 55 years of marriage.


Durward has been gone for nearly 41 years...dying much too young at age 37. I was 16 years old...too young and immature...to understand and appreciate the knowledge, experience and love that an older brother can give a younger one.


But I know now.


I remember his face...his smile...that special laugh that only 'he' had. I will think lovingly of my big brother today...and dream of that meal we could share.





Dan

SMART PEOPLE...OR SMART PHONES?

Last week...one of the guys at work informed me that the local Target store was selling 'smart phones' (iPhones) for $49...and suggested that I should get Cindy & myself one.

He explained the reason they were $49...was because they are the older version of iPhone...technology that has been out for a few years...and now the new phones with more features are coming out. It's a way to get a 'newer phone' but pay less money...and for Apple to make a little money off the older phones still on the shelf. Sorta like when the car dealers want to sell you 'this years' model at a great price because they want to get them off the lot to make room for the 'new' models that are about to come out.

The new phone technology is amazing. You essentially have the power of a computer...that fits in the palm of your hand.

I giggle when I think of the new phones...and then think of when Cindy & I visit her mother in Vincennes...and watch her 'dial' her numbers on her 'rotary' phone she still has in the house.

Then I think further back...to the early 60's...when dad worked at the motel in Vincennes. Among the many chores dad did there was his work at the front desk. One aspect of 'that' job was running the switchboard.

All 44 rooms of the motel had phones...they just didn't have any buttons or rotary dials on them. When the guest needed something...they picked up the phone and a light flashed and a buzzer sounded on the switchboard in the office. Dad would pull a cable from the base of the switchboard and plug it into the hole under the flashing light representing the room that was calling. He would ask how he could help them and if 'he' could provide the information they needed, he'd end the phone call...pull the cable from the hole and let it rewind into the switchboard base.

If the caller wanted to call 'an outside number' or talk to the operator...dad would put them on hold...pull another cable out of the switchboard base and plug that cable into 'another hole' in the switchboard that would provide an 'outside' line for the caller or connect to the operator. He would then get back on the line with the guest and dial the number they wanted or turn them over to the operator to let them speak directly with her.

Quite a huge apparatus...and a big operation. All those steps...were what had to happen when we used our phones in the 'old days'.

To think of that then...and compare it to today's technology of calling almost anywhere in the world on a small object fitting in the palm of your hand...is truly amazing.

We're a 'smart' people...not just people who use 'smart' phones.


Dan

TIME FOR REST

Cindy & I are beat. We will go back to work tomorrow...so we can get some rest!!

Joni & Ryan got their new house Friday.
Julie & Eric left for Florida Saturday...and still on the road at press time.

Yesterday afternoon...Cindy & I loaded up mamaw and took her back to Vincennes...and stopped off in Sullivan last night to watch great nephew, Jordan, and the Lincoln Alices play their basketball game. It was a great memory for Cindy & I...recalling the great high school basketball games from our days there.

Jordan, and the team, played a great game and won in the last few seconds...a good old-fashioned 'barn burner'.

After the game...it was a late drive back to Lafayette and some fast sleeping.

Today we spent the day painting at J & R's. (See Cindy's Facebook page for photos).

My body hurts...and it's tired...but it feels good. Back to work tomorrow for some rest.


Dan

NEW CHAPTERS

Had a 'happy' party at Joni & Ryan's tonight. They signed papers to their new house today. It's a great place and they will have lots of fun and good memories there. We'll start cleaning and painting tomorrow and get it all like they want it...before they start moving in their furniture and goodies they've owned for 2 years...but never had enough room to get them out of their boxes.

'They' started a new chapter...tonight.

Tomorrow...Julie and Eric will load up the vehicles and start their trip to Florida. Julie will look for work when they get there...they'll scout out the school system...and begin their new life together.

'They' start a new chapter...tomorrow.

We're excited for all 4 of them...Joni & Ryan...Julie & Eric.


Dan

OZZIE'S KID

As I recall...we got our first TV in 1960...I was 6 years old. It was obviously a 'black and white' TV, there were few color programs in those days so no need for a 'color' TV. Not to mention...I'm sure we couldn't afford one.

There were a number of programs that I recall watching from those years...Wrestling...3 Stooges...Soupy Sales...Leave It To Beaver...among them. Also...a family show called 'The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriett'.

As most of us 'older' folks will remember...the show was about the daily happenings of the Nelson family...mom and dad...and 2 sons that 'we' tried to relate to...older brother David...and the boy we all wanted to be, look like, and sing like...Ricky.

They were all a 'real' family...not actors...well...maybe actors...but they were 'acting' like a real family. The real mom and dad have been gone for a number of years...Ricky died in a plane crash under suspicious circumstances years ago...and now older brother David has passed. He was 74. Damn...he was old. Wonder how 'that' happened.

The whole Nelson family...that we watched...is all gone. So is the whole family of Bonanza...the Cartwrights...but they 'were' actors playing a family. The Nelsons 'were' a real family.

Another part of the past...all gone.


Dan

STAY AWAY FROM THE WELL

My granddad's old house had a well. Unlike this man...I never fell in it...but I imagine I was well protected by family, so that I wouldn't.

Granddad's house was out in the country in the outskirts of Evansville...in southern Indiana...in a little burg called Lynnville. I was probably only 5 or 6 or 7 when I recall going to granddads there.

There was no running water at granddads. The '2 seater' outhouse was across the drive from the house...near the hen house. I seem to recall a pump in the kitchen, that you had to prime with a little water to get it going.

Outside the back door was 'the well'. I don't remember if it was ground level or up off the ground a little. I do remember granddad and dad dropping the bucket into the well...rocking the rope a little so that the bucket would tip over into the water and begin filling up...and then pulling the full bucket up.

I don't recall ever being scolded for nearly falling into the well...so I assume granddad had it covered in a way that I couldn't get hurt.

I never fell in the well...but my brother will remind me until my last days...of getting flogged by the rooster out in the barnyard. He never fails to get a giggle out of recalling that event.

Aren't big brothers great!


Dan

FIGHTING FOR OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

Thank goodness an Illinois man(?) has stood up for all of us men...and complained about a Library near Chicago...that was going to host a symposium about women's underwear...but weren't going to allow men to attend! Due to his efforts...and complaining about his constitutional rights being violated...we 'men' can now attend.

I know that I will be unable to go...but I will sleep easier knowing that the wonderful Chicago man will be able to attend for me. I hope I will be able to find his web site so I can read his coverage on what he found out.

GMAB (give me a break!)


Dan

GOOD LUCK...LUCK

Except for 1 or 2 of my readers...maybe none...the name Andrew Luck will mean nothing. Until I read his name in the paper and the recent stories about him...I hadn't heard of him either, but now...I'm a 'Luck' fan.

Why? Because he's got guts...and ideals...that I applaud and admire. Few people could make the decision he says he has made...including me.

I'm not so gullible to believe the story is over...so we'll have to see if he sticks to his plan. Heh...even if he changes his mind, who could blame him?

Here's the basics of the story. Andrew Luck is the quarterback for Stanford University...one of the pre-eminent universities in the country. Luck led his football team to one of their most successful seasons in 3/4 of a century. His success on the football field has the 'pundits' saying that...if he were to turn pro now...he would be the first player selected in the football draft this spring. For being that first player...he would become an instant multi-millionaire.

What makes him admirable is that Luck is a junior...and...rather than turning pro...is planning on returning for his senior season to finish his college degree. Then, when he's done, he'll consider becoming a pro football player.

Those that think they know something about football...say his choice of returning to college for one more year versus turning pro now...will cost him somewhere around $50 million. Not too many 20-something year old kids have the integrity to turn their back on that kind of money.

Now don't feel sorry for the guy. If he's really that good of a quarterback...he'll make more money than we'll ever see or think of...and that he could likely ever spend.

But there will be many people out there who will say he's making a major mistake. He can earn that degree during the off season..or after his pro career ends...if he'll ever even need a college degree. That kind of money doesn't come along often...he better grab it while it's there.

I'll be interested in following this story to see if he stays with his initial decision...or changes his mind.

Either way...I think I like this kid.

Good luck, Luck.


Dan

TOP 5

I've been a pretty lucky guy. I have worked for the same employer for 35 years.

Within the radiology department...of which I am a part...I have seen lots of faces of fellow employees over the years. Some were here when I got here...lots have come since I joined...some remain...many have left.

Currently, there are about 120 employees in radiology. At the end of the month, one of the other long-term employees will leave and I will move in to the top 5. Only 4 other radiology co-workers have worked for the hospital longer than I have.

Now days, there's not too many opportunities for people to stay with one organization for such a long time...or...people choose to move from employer-to-employer by their own decision.

I suppose, I will someday retire from the hospital...hopefully on 'my' terms ...not theirs! But before that day comes...I'll likely move into the top 3 or 2 or 1 position...before stepping aside for others to start moving up the list.

Until then...I'll be happy to be one of the 'old' faces that people see...and hopefully talk kindly of...some day when I'm gone.

I've been a pretty lucky guy.


Dan

NON DETECTABLE

I got an early...good news...phone call today from my surgeons office. I had gotten a blood test drawn earlier this week with the results to be sent to my doctor. Cindy & I are to go see him in about 10 days to discuss the results. Rather than making us 'wait and wonder'...he called to say the results were 'non detectable'. We still go see him on our appointment date, but we at least have some good news going in.

A mans prostate secretes a protein called 'prostate-specific antigen', or 'PSA' for short. This protein is detected in our blood so when a man has a blood test, the PSA can be checked to see if it is at a normal level. Sometimes (not always) when the level is too high...it can be because there is a cancer in the prostate causing the PSA to be elevated.

This...was the case for me. My surgeon removed my prostate...and hopefully the cancer...last September.

When a man has no prostate...the PSA should no longer be made...so when the blood test is done...there should be 'no detectable' PSA in that blood sample.

When a man has no prostate...and PSA 'is' detected in the blood sample...it likely means that the cancer in the prostate spread elsewhere in the body before the prostate was removed...and it is now secreting PSA again. 'THAT'...is a bad thing.

My result of 'non detectable' indicates that my cancer didn't spread...either at all...or at worst...it is growing so slowly that it is still undetectable.

For that reason, I will continue with blood tests at periodic intervals for the next 5 years. If...after that 5th year...I still have results that say 'non detectable'...history tells my doctor that the cancer was removed in its entirety. Then...they can confidently state that I am...cancer free.

There's still a long road ahead...but the first step sure feels good.


Dan

THE QUICK DELIVERY

Thought this article was interesting...but I'm sure it's not over.

A man and his pregnant wife race to a hospital to deliver their child...a cop tries to pull them over...then escorts them to the hospital...then writes them a ticket for speeding.

Ahh...I remember back when 'we' were pregnant with Jaime. We couldn't get that girl to get in a hurry to get here by any means. Finally...on our last day...2 weeks past the due date...Cindy & I walked about 114 miles...and that finally did it.

None of the girls required a speedy trip to the hospital...but if we did...I'd have done like the man in the article...do what I had to do to get there...and worry about the cops and tickets and judges later.

My guess is...the judge is gonna say..."next time, get there quick...but don't drive quite 'that' fast. Ticket dropped. Case dismissed."

We'll see what really happens.


Dan

SHRIMPIN' BIDNESS

One of my all-time favorite movies is Forrest Gump...and of the many, many quotable lines from the movie...one of them is when Bubba is telling Forrest of the many ways shrimp can be served. "There's fried shrimp, shrimp ka-bobs, shrimp n potatoes...."


When I saw this headline, I immediately thought of the movie...and when Forrest and Bubba first arrive in Vietnam, and Bubba...who is planning on becoming a 'shrimpin boat captain'...is telling Forrest how he bets there's all kinds of shrimp in these there waters...and after we 'win' the war...we could come over here and catch all kinds of shrimp.


Well...thanks in part to the gulf oil spill last summer...the U.S. helped Vietnam hit a record high in shrimp exporting.


Way to go Bubba.




Dan

AN UNFRIENDLY CAPITAL

Washington DC is one of Cindy & mine favorite cities. We have traveled there several times over the last 15 years or so, but haven't been there for maybe 5 years.

When there, we enjoy walking to the monuments and visiting the inner beauty of many of them. Before 9/11...it was very easy and available. Post 9/11...that has changed.

As this article implies...it is now nearly impossible to use the main entrances to our glorious monuments...as they were intended.

It's sad this is the direction we have gone. We have talked for years of taking the kids...and grandkids...to Washington DC...to show them the beauty of the city...the proud patriotism one feels when there. They will 'never'...apparently...be able to see the monuments as they were meant to be seen.

Sad.


Dan

COULD BE BETTER...COULD BE WORSE

Just got back from filling our cars with gas. At current price...spent $103.

A co-worker and I were discussing gas prices this week and he suggested that there may be only one good thing about the current economy issues. If the economy was clicking like we'd like for it to be...gas would probably by $5 a gallon...rather than the $3 it is now. Then...rather than saying I spent $103...I'd be saying I spent $165.

I recall the Oldsmobile I had for my first car. I'd put in $2 worth of gas and it'd get me nearly 1/2 tank. Those days are gone.

Speaking of gas in the old days...my gas station of choice to fill up was the Crystal Flash station on Washington Avenue in Vincennes. In those days, one of the guys that worked at the station owned a 1970 Mustang Boss 429. It was a good looking muscle car.

Earlier today...I was watching an auto auction on TV and they had '2' 1970 Boss's at the auction. They had been restored and looked like they just came off the assembly line. One sold for $195,000...the other for $250,000.

Wish I'd bought that Boss from the guy at the Crystal Flash and kept it in storage. That would have been a good investment.


Dan