UP THE ANTE

One of the card games I enjoy playing is Texas Hold 'Em Poker. It's a game that has grown in popularity over the years with games to attend in your own town...in your friends homes...even on the internet.

The basis of the game is that a group of players invest a set amount of money and in turn receive a sum of chips to bet while playing poker. For guys like me...and my friends...that initial investment might be $10...or $20. If 10 guys play...that's $200 if each invests $20. The winner might get 1/2 the pot with the second and third place players splitting the rest. For me...it's just a fun night with the guys (and sometimes gals) whether I win or lose...which most of the time...is the latter.

I saw recently where a few Hollywood guys have made the headlines because they were playing with 'serious' money...like tens-of-thousands...to hundreds-of-thousands of dollars. I guess it's all relative...as some of those guys make millions of dollars a year...so maybe $10,000 to them...might seem like $10 to me.

Anyway...these guys have been told they might want to 'cool it'. Throwing that kinda money around might encourage some 'seedy' people getting into their lives.

They won't have to be warning me. My $20 bucks isn't gonna attract too bad a crowd.


Dan

HOPE THE RESULT ISN'T THE SAME

I was looking through the headlines of 2 newspapers...and found an eerie connection.

This San Francisco article...is about the finding of skeletal remains of a young girl who was kidnapped nearly 35 years ago. I suppose the family...if her parents are still alive...had finally accepted what must have happened to her...but at least now maybe they have 'some' closure.

This article in the Indianapolis Star...is about an Indiana University student who has been missing for almost a month. It has been painful to read about the parents and what they must be going through.

I hope that 'they' don't get the same results the parents in San Francisco got. I don't know how either one of them could cope. Something no one should ever have to go through.


Dan

WILL MY OLD THOUGHTS...BECOME LOST THOUGHTS?

Being in the medical profession...you run into elderly patients who are obviously into...or approaching...senility. Some have little-to-no idea of who they are...or where they are. In those times I often wonder if their family members are struggling to 'let them go'...because their loved one sure doesn't seem to be having a good 'quality' of life.

Seeing many of those occurrences in my 35 years in the business...I've often feared and hoped that one day...that won't be me...the crotchety old man...cussin' up a storm...not aware of who he is...or what he's doing or saying.

Last week, I saw that Glen Campbell has gone public to say that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. His plans are to have a farewell tour where he can thank his fans and...I assume...to educate his audience about this disease that affects millions. I wonder if the tour will be a short one...as it sounds as if he has frequent days where he doesn't know the simplest of tasks...let alone recall words to songs and play notes on a guitar...often at the same time.

I have days...now...as many of us do probably...where we can't recall some of the simple things we've done a thousand times. I...teasingly say...my Alzheimer's is kicking in. I hope that my poor attempt at humor doesn't come to fruition some day.


Dan

ODDITIES

Probably most of you have read these little tidbits...or received email messages about them. I always find interesting number facts...fun.

Here they are:

This year, there will be 4 odd dates...1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11 and 11/11/11.

The latest I heard is that in July of this year...there will be 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This event happens every 823 years...

I guess the other is that if you will take the last 2 digits of the year you were born...and add your age...the number will be 111...for everyone.

After doing a little adding...I guess that works for those born before the year 2000. Anyone born after that...the answer will be 11.

Those crazy numbers. They just make my head spin.


Dan

AIRPORT SURPLUS

Any of you like me...and wonder where some of the stuff that doesn't make it through the check-points at the airport...goes?

Sounds like...in an area of Texas...it goes into a state-run warehouse to be resold and the proceeds go to the state fund. Last year...it added $300,000 to the state coffers!!

For those who have done some flying before...we've probably learned our lesson and know what NOT to take through the security lines. But every day...there's surely lots of folks who have never flown before...and it's too late by the time they get to security...for them to discover...I NEVER KNEW I COULDN'T TAKE THAT ON THE PLANE!!

Well...the state of Texas is GLAD to take that off your hands. (I think you could replace the word 'Texas' in the previous sentence...with the state name of your choice.)


Dan

FATHER'S DAY

Today is Father's Day...2011. Later today...our family will join with daughter Joni's in-laws...and enjoy a joint...Father's Day get-together.

This will be my first Father's Day...in quite a few years...without my entire crew being present. Daughter Julie...moved to Florida in January to begin a new life with boyfriend Eric. Grandson Mason...moved to Florida to join them a few weeks ago. As they enjoy Father's Day there...we will enjoy the day here...but without them. There will be a little 'missing' today.

My dad died the fall of 1986. In June 1986...25 years ago...we spent his last Father's Day with him. My dad was a good dad. I will think of him...and miss him...on this Father's Day.

I hope Julie...will think of her dad...and Mason...will think of papaw...on this Father's Day. I will miss them not being here with me.

But I will celebrate with those who 'will' be with me...daughter Jaime...daughter Joni...Shawn and Ryan...and the other two grandbabies Anna and Owen.

And of course...I will have a good day with the woman who made it all possible...Cindy.

Happy Father's Day...to all those fathers out there.


Dan

LEARNING TO DRIVE

Cindy & I both took driving lessons from one of the old school teachers...when we began driving...decades ago. His name was Mr. Archer...and he was our science teacher in 8th grade. Like many school teachers...he had to have a side job...or two...to make ends meet...and for him...one of his side jobs was giving private driving lessons.

Mr. Archer taught us many things...and occasionally Cindy & I mention them...when some other driver is not doing things...the way Mr. Archer taught us.

An article I just saw in AARP made me think of him. This article was started by an author...who apparently asked people what things they do to save gas. One of the recent responses...that caught my eye...was someone who said their daddy taught them to pretend they had a raw egg under their foot when they stepped on the gas pedal or the brake. Doing that...prevents jackrabbit starts and stops...which are real 'gas wasters'.

Mr. Archer taught us that same method. I see drivers every day that I think to myself...they didn't have Mr. Archer for their instructor. Those drivers seem to think that if the speed limit is 40...they must get their car up to that speed as quickly as possible. Meanwhile...I ease on the pedal and gradually work my way up to 40.

When I giggle to myself...is when I catch that same car...at the next stoplight...because all they did...was get to the stoplight sooner than I did.

Many drivers don't know how to use turn signals...or how to pull over as close to the center line as you can when you are turning left...so cars behind you can get around on the right...rather than stopping in the middle of the lane...and all the cars line up behind you waiting for you to turn left. It's on those occasions that Cindy & I will mention...they didn't take lessons from Mr. Archer...did they?

Good old Mr. Archer. I think he'd be proud of how well Cindy & I learned good driving lessons from him...and recall him fondly.


Dan

GOOD NEWS...IN BAD TIMES

I was happy to talk to a co-worker last night...to get good news. But that didn't make the bad news...better. Or did it?

I heard on the news last night that a Muncie firefighter lost his life fighting a blaze earlier in the day. My co-workers dad...has been a firefighter in Muncie for most of his life. I called Staci to make sure her dad wasn't the one involved. Just the way she answered the phone...told me it wasn't her dad. But at the time...she didn't know who it was...just that it wasn't her pop.

But Staci has grown up around the fire station all of her life...and my guess today is that...even with the happiness of her dad not being involved...I bet she knew the man who died. I'm betting too...Staci's dad is heartbroken...at the loss of a brother fire fighter...and a friend.

That CAN'T...make us bad people...when we're happy...that a tragedy didn't involve our loved ones.

I guess we just have to count our blessings...and then provide whatever comfort we can...however we can...to the one who didn't...get good news.


Dan

SIX FEET ?

As I've aged...I have noticed my hair is thinning on top of my head. At the same time...I seem to have more and more hair on my back and neck...that drives me crazy. I don't want to be one of those guys that you can't tell where the hair on the back of my head ends...and the hair on my neck starts.

In addition to the loss of hair on top...I swear it's growing out of my ears and nose just as quickly.

Is it just me?

Well...according to a book I just read...the average man will grow 6 feet of nose hair in a lifetime. Now there's a good look...huh?

Guess I'm just one of those average guys. I'll just keep mine trimmed if you don't mind.


Dan

SOMETIMES...THE GOOD GUYS WIN

I've made it no secret that I love college basketball...and not much of a fan of professional basketball. However...I was glad to read this morning that the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA won the championship last night. I was happy...because one of the players on that championship team...is a Purdue Alumni. And not just any alumni...but probably one of the schools all-time-favorite players.

His name is Brian Cardinal...and he played at Purdue from 1997-2000. He dang near got us into the 'Final Four' in his senior year...but we fell just short. His wife...also a Purdue alum...played on the girls Purdue team...that won the national championship in 1999.

So now...I'm guessing their trophy room will have a replica of her 'national championship' trophy...and a replica of his 'world championship' trophy.

Brian was just one of those fun guys that loved playing basketball. He wasn't the most gifted player on the floor...but there was never a player with more hustle and determination...on the floor.

It was good to see that 'one of the good guys'...came out on top.


Dan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...OLD FRIEND

Today is my best friends birthday. This will be the 40th birthday I get to spend with the old girl. Yep. My wife...Cindy.

Referring to an old saying my dad would use...there's been a lot of water go under the bridge in those 40 years. We started dating in high school...after being 'just friends' from junior high. Our first birthday together...was after we had graduated.

Then there was the birthdays that came after other big events in our lives...after college...after we were married...after our move to Lafayette...after the births of our daughters...after the loss of loved ones...

But we've always been through it all...together.

She's a great mother to our children...she's the grandmother all grandchildren would love to have...and she's a great wife.

I'd love to lavish wonderful gifts on her. I'd hoped to take her on a nice trip...but work time for the both of us, and money, prevent it. I'd love to open the door to a lovely new home with all the 'fixins' in it that she would want...but she's willing to settle for the old place we've had for a long time.

I hope she'll just accept the gift that I've tried to give her for 40 years. Being a good guy to her...and telling her I love her.

Happy Birthday...to my best friend.  I love you.


Dan

DREAMING

Ever wake up in the morning after a crazy dream? That was me this morning. I usually have multiple dreams during a night since I sleep a while...wake up...sleep a while...wake up...

The last dream I had before I woke up...was me...giving a bath to a horse. Yes...that's what I said.

There was a small, shallow pool...that initially was filled with a number of dogs...and I started to give a bath to a big dog. But within a few seconds...it turned into this beautiful big...blackish/red horse. After having it covered with lots of suds...I convinced it to lay on its side in the shallow pool...and found one of the grandkids tupperware bowls they use to eat their cereal...to pour water from the pool over the horse to remove the suds.

It was a beautiful horse...and I was rinsing it with water...and saying "I can't fall in love with this beautiful horse...where would I keep it?"

Then I woke up...to Zoe (our golden retriever) needing to out to potty.

Cindy & I had some sandwiches from the Pub down the street for supper last night...and I had mentioned to her that I needed to give Zoe a bath today. Maybe that's where part of the dream originated...just not sure where 'the horse' came in.

Musta been the sandwich! I better lay off the buffalo chicken next time.


Dan

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

Today starts a new chapter in Cindy & my life...and in Masons. Mason has lived with Cindy & me for 8 years. We have watched him potty train...crawl-to-walk-to-run...we have watched him walk down the street to the circle...to ride a bike down to the circle...walked him to school that first day...through Kindergarten...1st grade...2nd grade...and 3rd grade. We have watched him learn to talk...learn to read...learn to do math...learn his manners.

But today...we put him on a jet to Florida with his mom Julie...to start a new life there. He is so excited about his new life...which made it easier for us to let him go. If that's what he wants...then that's what we want. If he is happy and safe...then we can accept it.

A new chapter has begun for Mason.

A new chapter has started for Cindy & me.


Dam

AHHH...THE DRIVE IN

The headline says that the 1st drive in theater...opened 78 years ago today. According to an AARP article ...the number of drive-ins has dropped from 4000... to less than 400.

I remember the drive in...Sunset Drive-in...as I remember it called...on the outskirts of Evansville...that you could see the movie screen from Hwy 41 as you drove by. There was also one outside Princeton...the Starlite Drive-in...as I recall...also on Hwy 41...but you couldn't see the screen from the road. I remember going to both of them as a youngster.

There were several drive-ins near Vincennes that we went to during high school...in fact Cindy and I saw several movies there during our dating years.

There was a drive-in in Lafayette when we moved here in the late 70's that we went to lots of times. It was cheap entertainment...with a special feel that brought back good feelings from younger years.

All the above drive-ins...are among the 3600 drive-ins that are no longer in existence.

There's still a drive-in in Monticello...a small community about 35 minutes to our north. We took the kids there a number of times when they were small...and it's still there...and now our kids...are taking their kids there.

It's quite a fun time at the drive-in...an interesting experience that I recall from my younger years...and I'm  glad there's some still around that my grandchildren can experience.

It's one of the few things left that I can tell the grandkids about...without them thinking that papaw is crazy...and talking about something from 100 years ago when papaw was a little boy!


Dan

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

It's been a birthday weekend...but of a different kind. One to celebrate those family members of my past...not current family members.

Friday, June 3...would have been my uncle Jim's 100th birthday. Uncle Jim was my dad's only brother. I had the opportunity to attend uncle Jim's 95th birthday party. Uncle Jim was the last...long-term connection with dad, so it was a special day to have the chance to celebrate with him.

Saturday, June 4...would have been my brother-in-law...Elvin...84th birthday. Elvin was Joan's..my beautiful oldest sister's...husband. In my younger years...I always thought that Elvin was 'mean'. As I got a little older and more mature...I learned to have a great respect for Elvin. He was a very honest man...who wasn't afraid to say what was on his mind. When you're a little boy...you don't like men being gruff and honest with you. When you're a man...you can appreciate a man with character. Elvin...had character.

Sunday, June 5...would be my grandmother...Elsie...125th birtday. Elsie was my dad's mother. Elsie died a few years before I was born. I would like to have had the opportunity to meet her.

A special birthday weekend.


Dan

HEADLINES

Thumbing through a few headlines today brought several thoughts to mind. Here's my take on them.

Can the DOW hit 20,000?
A phrase my dad said frequently related to...'taking 1 step forward...and 2 steps back'. That seems to be the shape of our economy these last many months. Something good seems to happen...and then a bad thing or two happens...and we lose the momentum from the good thing. Today's headline read 'Can the DOW hit 20,000? Right now it's at 12,000...and falling. My concern is more in line with ...'can we keep the DOW from falling to 10,000?' Until our leaders in Congress quit pointing fingers of blame at the other guy and tell us what 'he is doing wrong'...and instead takes a personal interest into what 'they' are going to do to help matters get better...it's going to continue to be a long road...of 1 step forward...and 2 steps back.

Appearance fees
In a time when people...by the millions...could use a helping hand...and a  break...and who 'want' to work to earn their way...I read about Hollywood 'stars' (a questionable title)...who charge $75,000 (some even more)...for appearance fees. They apparently feel they are so valuable to mankind...that people should have to pay to see them...to have the privilege to shake their hand...or have their picture taken with them. I'm not sure how they sleep at night. I do believe in Karma. I trust that 'it'...will someday settle this issue with those people who feel they are among the high and mighty.

Doughnuts
Today is National Doughnut Day. M-M-M. Who doesn't like a doughnut...or 3...every now and then? I'm always reminded...when in deep thought about doughnuts...about my wife, Cindy...and her story when she was a young girl...and her friend Carol...whose dad owned Walt's Doughnut Shop in Vincennes. Cindy said that...on more than one occasion...she and Carol would slip into the doughnut shop (after hours)...grab a doughnut and head to the 'filling' machine...where they would slip their doughnut over the spigot...and fill the doughnut with so much jelly...that it'd take the shape of a baseball. Now that doesn't sound appealing to  me as I'm not much on doughnuts with filling...but I get a big smile on my face...as I imagine Cindy filling that doughnut so full that it nearly explodes. Happy National Doughnut Day to all.


Dan

AHHHHH...SUMMER!

The grandkids had their last day of school today. Summer vacation officially started at 2:45.

I still remember that wonderful feeling back then...when you 'just' got out of school...and had the whole summer ahead of you. Of course...it just 'flew' by and before you knew it...you were back in school again. But that first day that school is out...is a great feeling.

Now...for me...the closest thing I can get is Friday afternoon...when I'm walking out to the car after just getting off work...and the weekend has just officially started...and I've got the whole weekend ahead of me.

Just like those summer vacations back in school...the weekend 'flies' by...but that walk out to the parking lot...feels 'sooooo' good.

I'm hoping my grandkids...and your kids or grandkids...have a great summer.


Dan

ZOE

Had to take our old buddy Zoe to the vet today...a return trip from about 10 days ago. Zoe had a tumor on her back that we had to have removed. Today they had to take out the 10 stitches they left in her to close the wound.

Last week...I took a picture of Zoe as she looked to the side. When I showed it to Cindy...she thought it looked like I had had Zoe stuffed and mounted on a wall plaque. We had a funny laugh about that.

We'll miss that old dog when she's gone...but I think we'll pass on keeping her around on a plaque.


Dan