The "Born On The Fourth Of July!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  But, for my daughter, Brynn, it's an extraordinary day for you see today is her birthday.  Yep...she was born on the Fourth of July.  A real firecracker so she was.  And, her birthday is so easy to remember, since the entire family almost always gets together on her birthday to celebrate her birthday as well as one of our Nation's major Holidays.  Some of you may not know a few of the following items about July 4;  

one major item is that the Declaration of Indepen- dence wasn't signed on July 4.  And, it wasn't even signed in Phila- delphia as so many people believe.  The Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence from the British on July 2, which is the day that John Adams wanted to celebrate as the actual holiday.  The actual document was finalized and dated on the date we celebrate as Independence Day, but there is more to the story than that.  Most delegates didn't add their names until August 2 and the full list of names of those who signed the document wasn't complete until January of the following year.  And, the first celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence wasn't until July 8 in...yes, Philadelphia.  There was a big parade and guns were fired, but the Liberty Bell was silent.  It wasn't until 1781 that Massachusetts became the first state to actually celebrate July 4 as a Holiday for the first time.  And, they did it by serving poached Salmon with Egg Sauce along with the first new potatoes and early peas.  A trivia question for you on this day would be...Who are the three Presidents of the United States that died on the Fourth of July?  It was exactly 50 years after signing the Declaration of Independence that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died, just hours apart on July 4, 1926.  Then five years later, James Monroe died on Independence Day.  So, that would make it three of the first five presidents died on July 4.  Might be a bit scary to other Presidents when July 4 came around each year.  But, none have died since on the 4th, even though Zachary Taylor came close, dying on July 9 after ingesting an abundance of iced milk and fruit at an Independence Day party in 1850.  Calvin Coolidge has the honor of being the only President born on the Fourth of July.  But, I keep telling my daughter that she should run for President so she can claim to be the first female President born on July 4.  Will she listen to me?  Nah!  She's happy being the only one in the family born on that day.  Happy Birthday, Brynn Ann Woods!  Love, Mom and Dad!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Brynn Ann Woods was born on July 4, 1974.  On July 4, 1978 this photograph
appeared in the local newspaper with a headline that read...
4 on the 4th.  Helps to know most of the local newspaper photographers!

The "Son-In-Law Test" Story

Our daughter at the age of 4.

It was an ordinary day.  March 7, 1996 and our daughter, Brynn, was expecting her boyfriend of a couple months for supper to meet her mom and dad.  Big day in any daughter's life let along an evening where her mom and dad had

prepared a special test he had to take before being offered supper.  Test was known as the "WOODS' FAMILY BOYFRIEND TEST".  Brynn had meet this young man in a children's literature class at Millersville University where they were both students in the Elementary Education Curriculum.  She had a few dates with him and finally asked him to supper to meet her parents.  Hey, I'm sure a free home-cooked meal looked great to him so he told her he was all in for the meal.  Well, he didn't realize that before he would eat, he had to take a questionnaire and his answers would decide if he would eat that night.   The top of the questionnaire asked him his name, address, phone #, SS# and birthdate.  

Story in the local paper telling how Dave proposed to Brynn.
It is in my archives from Thursday, March 25, 2010.

What followed were 17 questions that would give us a look at his smarts and common sense as well as his sense of humor which is one of the most important traits in our family.   Well, didn't take long before we were sitting at the table having a good meal.  Recently, Brynn called and told her mom that she had just found the "Boyfriend Test" and had sent a copy to us.  So much fun to read the questions that he answered that March day.  A few of the questions were more important than others to me such as:  Question #2 which read - "Do you watch Leave it to Beaver?" which was one of my favorite childhood shows, #7 - "Have you ever eaten chicken pot pie?" which my wife is a pro at making, #13 - "What is one thing you must eat at every meal?" which was very important to me, and #17 - "Who is the greatest girl you ever met?"  

Brynn and Dave's Wedding day.

Well, he aced the test and we gave our approval and a little over a year later, on May 9th, they were married in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania.  To this day I believe it was that test that gave us a look at what this young man had to offer our daughter.  Carol and I now have two fantastic granddaughters, Courtney and Camille.  Courtney will be entering college in the near future while Camille will be a high school junior next September.  I'm sure Dave knew the test was just an opening for him to meet his girlfriend's parents who happened to be his future in-laws.  It was one meal I know none of those involved in it will ever forget.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - The "Official" WOODS' FAMILY BOYFRIEND TEST follows.... (click to enlarge)

The "A Mother's Unconditional Love Is Forever" Story

It was an ordinary day.  My wife, Carol, is talking on the phone with her friend Margaret about Margaret's granddaughter who is a sophomore in high school and is going with the school band to Disney World in Florida to perform.  She wasn't sure she wanted to go, but her friends and mother told her how much fun she would have if she went.  Becca is a homebody and doesn't like to stay away from her mom for any length of time.  When Carol told me the latest news about her trip to Florida, we began a conversation about our daughter and her also being a homebody.  When BW, our daughter, was in high school she was a member of the youth group at St. James Episcopal Church and they were heading to Italy for exploring and sightseeing.  She was a junior in high school and it was all we could do to get her to climb on the bus to head to Philadelphia airport to get on the plane to Italy.  This was back in the mid 1990's and there was no means of communication such as we have today to talk with her while she was in Italy.  But, one day Carol heard the phone ring and upon picking up the phone found it to be BW.  She told Carol she wanted to come home.  "They can't keep me here," she said. Carol told her, "You have to stay for the length of the trip.  Talk with a few of your friends and you will be fine."  She made it through the trip, but it didn't end there.  After graduating from high school we made plans for BW to go to Millersville University to obtain her teaching degree.  She was going to stay in the dormitory with a friend whom she had known from her softball playing days.  It did not go well. She missed home and after 2 weeks we relented and she became a commuter.  We received some credit for the room and board, but not an entire refund.  The following year she asked if she could stay in an off-campus apartment complex near school with a high school friend who was also going to Millersville and we agreed to that, hoping she might get over her fear of being away from home and her mom.  She did do well and graduated with her teaching degree.  The following year she took a teaching job, but moved back home.  But, by then she was madly in love with this fine young man who was also going to teach in Lancaster County.  His home was in Maryland.  She talked us into allowing DM to move into the spare bedroom and by the end of the school year they were engaged.  Well, it's been over 20 years since then and BW now has a daughter who will be heading off to college next year.  And...you guessed it...she doesn't want to move away from home and her mom.  She was hoping to go to a local college so she could be near her mom.  So, the saga continues!  I know about all of this since Carol and BW talk on the phone just about EVERY evening.  Something about a mother and her daughter.  And, I certainly don't mind. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "One More Time...Why LDub?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Answering for the umpteenth time why I call myself LDub on the blog you are reading today.  It's been almost ten years since I posted a story on my blog which was titled "Why LDub."  One way to reach this blog is to type in www.lifewithldub.blogspot.com.  When I would give friends and relatives this address they usually would ask, "What's LDub mean?  Well, since it's been quite some time since I posted the story for the first time, I believe I can answer that question for everyone who may wonder "why LDub" with a repeat of the story I originally posted on November 15, 2009.  

It was an ordinary day. I had just received a call from a friend asking me about my blog that I type. “What’s up with the LDub?” he wanted to know. Well, I had to give him the explanation of why I referred to myself as LDub. It all goes back to my daughter Brynn. She lives in Urbana, Maryland and plays “Bunco” once a month with her girlfriends. They always share stories about their families and she likes to share her stories about what crazy things her Mom and especially her Dad do from time to time. Her friends got to know me by my initials LW. They always wanted to know what LW did in the last month that was funny or dumb. She never disappointed them it seems. I never knew about these stories until I was ready to start my blog and asked what I should call it. She knew right away what to title it. By now her friends had stopped calling me LW, since George Bush was referred to as “W” and they knew better than to call me that. I now got the new name of LDub. So, “life with ldub” became the start of my blogspot address. Logical? A few weeks ago I was talking with a friend about my blog and he said that people like to know your real name, because it makes it more personal for them. Hey, I guess that will be OK if you know what my real name is. LARRY W. WOODS! Feel more personal now? My only problem is that there used to be another Larry W. Woods in this general vicinity and we have had quite some time with sharing the same name. It seems he moved to another state for various reasons which I could also tell you about. You know that has to be a story soon. The stories will amaze and entertain you. So, for now, I am the only Larry W. Woods that you know personally. Alias, LDub!! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

"LDub" - This is still one of my favorite shirts!

Now you know the reason for my blog address!  May not be what you expected, but it's the reason I use LDub.  Not sure if my daughter plays "Bunco" anymore, but that's not the issue.  I hope you have enjoyed reading the stories I write as much as I have enjoyed writing them.  I have learned a bit of history along the way that I hadn't known and writing has brought back many fond memories I had forgotten over the years.  Seems I never run out of stories, since my life, as well as your life, is nothing but stories woven together, day after day, that can be interesting if you can remember all of facts.  Thanks for visiting with me.  It's been fun and my typing skills have improved dramatically over the past ten years.  Can't imagine how fast I will be able to type at the end of another ten years.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "A Tattoo Showing Life's Struggles" Story

My daughter, Brynn, with her XXIII tattoo on her wrist.

It was an ordinary day.  Looking at a photograph of my grand- daughter's wrist on which she just received a tattoo.  It was this past July 7th that I posted a story about my daughter, Brynn, receiving a tattoo on her left wrist which pictured the Roman numeral for the number 23 (XXIII).  Seems that number had a very special meaning to her in that both her daughters were born on the 23rd day of the  month and daughter Courtney was diagnosed with Type I diabetes on the 23rd. 

Granddaughter Courtney

Well, my granddaughter, Courtney, decided she too would love to have a tattoo on her wrist that had a special meaning.  But, she had to have the permission of her parents to do so.  Courtney was diagnosed with diabetes when she was eight years old and has had to endure all the ups and downs that come from this disease.  She has battled on a daily basis the disease that at present has no cure.  She talked to her mom and dad about having a tattoo and they agreed, by way of a written contract, if she could keep her diabetes under strict control for three months, she could get her tattoo. Well, the contract was signed and after three months Courtney won the battle, thus gaining the OK to have her tattoo.  

"I am Greater than my Highs and my Lows."

Her design was to be placed on her right wrist and show the mathematical symbols for: I am greater than my highs and lows, with reference to her blood sugar readings she has to check many times a day.  She emailed me a photo of the tattoo after she had it placed on her wrist, telling that it hurt more than she thought it would, but realizing she couldn't stop with the design part way through.  I hope and pray that someday our medical scientists will discover or create a cure for diabetes and Courtney will be able to live a normal life like the rest of her family.  What she has had to endure for the past nine years shouldn't be part of anyone's life, let alone a young girl's life.  But, perhaps now, when she has a bad day, she can look at her wrist and realize that she will get past her highs or lows and be a stronger person for it.  It was another extaordinary day in the life of a ordinary guy.

The "Celebrating Our Middle Child" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just opened my latest edition of "Reader's Digest."  Arrived Tuesday, August 13th and as I leafed quickly through it I realized I missed "Middle Child Day."  

August 13 - Middle Child Day!

Ever hear of celebrating a day for the middle child in the family?  Are you the middle child in your family or do you have a family with a middle child in it?  As I read the lead paragraph in the "Reader's Digest" story, I was greeted with: I don't need to ask you what you did on August 12.  You no doubt attended your local Middle Child Day parade or took in a lecture of Famous Middle Children Throughout History, then came home and cracked open a bottle of Middle Sister wine to celebrate.  Jeez, I didn't know there was a wine called Middle Sister.  

Brynn turned 4 on the 4th of
July and got her photo in the paper.

My family consists of myself, wife Carol, our oldest son Derek, our middle child and daughter Brynn and our youngest son Paul Thadeus whom we call Tad.  As I read the story I learned that the middle child, the most populous birth-order demographic throughout most of history, will soon be the tiniest.  Also read in an online story that today's families begin later in life and seem to be limited to just one or two children, thus making the middle child an endangered species.  As I read on I found that the middle child means being defined by what you are not.  You're shaped primarily  by what you missed out on and what you don't possess.  Studies also say that "Middies" receive less financial and emotional support from their parents and have fewer intimate relationships with their mothers and fathers compared with other siblings, but do seem to have more friends to compensate for that fact.  

Youngest Tad, middle Brynn and oldest Derek.

After reading that I knew this story wasn't written about my family.  Our daughter just doesn't fit the mold of the traditional middle child.  She was good at just about everything she did throughout her schooling to shining on the athletic field.  She had an unlimited supply of friends and was the editor of her high school yearbook.  

A later shot of my three children.

And, she very seldom ended up with the poison poo when we vacationed along the Chesapeake Bay when our children were young.  (Poison poo was the big handful of river mud that was passed around when the kids were playing in the water). And, as far as receiving financial support, my wife and I managed to pay for all three of our children's education after graduating from high school.  And, being a middle child, helped Brynn develop skills like diplomacy, resilience and independence.  It is also said that being middleborn makes you feel left out and resentful as you don't receive the same privileges as the oldest or the pampering of the youngest.  Now, I know you would have to ask our daughter about that, but I believe she would say none of that was true in our household.  

A more recent birthday with daughter Camille and mom Carol.

Brynn excelled in just about everything she did from being a great student throughout her life to being an all-star performer on the field hockey and softball fields.  And, today she can do plumbing, electrical work, dry-walling, painting and just about anything else related to home maintenance.  I guess the fact that I taught high school wood, metal and graphic arts helped since she grew up knowing how to do most everything needed mechanically.  So, I think it's pretty neat that there is a special holiday for the middle child, especially since they may be extinct some time in the near future.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "XXIII" Story

Son Tad and former student Steve outside his Tattoo Studio.

It was an ordinary day.  Just said "Good-Bye" to my daughter Brynn, son-in-law Dave and grand- daughters Courtney and Camille as they pulled from the curb into traffic in downtown Lancaster, PA.  They were on their way back to Urbana, Maryland after spending the 4th of July weekend and a celebration of Brynn's holiday birthday with Carol and me and the rest of our family.  Before they left, they made a stop downtown so Brynn could visit the tattoo studio called Trancending Flesh.

Brynn and Dave

It is located on Chestnut Street in downtown Lancaster and is owned by a former student of mine, Steve Lowry.  Steve was an outstanding student in both the visual arts as well as my class in graphic arts.  Today he is perhaps the best tattoo artist in Lancaster.  My youngest son, Tad, has been a regular at his studio and today Brynn decided to made a visit.  She had decided to have a small tattoo on the inside of her left wrist which would be covered with her watch when she wears it.  

Steve is positioning a copy of what Brynn
wanted on her wrist.  It will act as a
guide during the tattoo process.

The tattoo is a simple Roman numeral "XXIII" which is the equivalent to the number "23". She has been thinking about it for sometime and decided to take the step and have it placed on her wrist while visiting with us over the July 4th holiday.  I told her I just had to go along with her to take a couple of photos so I could post a story here about the tattoo.  Her teenaged daughters also came along to see what is involved when you get a tattoo.  Now...why did she choose the number that she did?  It has a very sentimental meaning to it.  It was back on May 9th, 1998, at the age of 23 that she married David Mencarini and moved from our home in Lancaster, PA to Maryland where they lived in the basement of Dave's parents while they began their careers in teaching.  

Steve begins his work.

Then on March 23, 2002, her daughter Courtney was born.  On June 23, 2005 another daughter, Camille was born.  We all have special numbers in our lives that are either sentimental or memorable and Brynn wanted that special date, the 23rd, to be with her for her life.  It will be a visible reminder that she can share with others that I'm sure will bring about many conversations and more happy memories.  I'm glad I had the chance to witness the occasion and take the photos to share with you.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Here you can see the tattoo being administered.

Finished result!

It will take a few days for the swelling and soreness to go away.  This photo
shows the number from the opposite side that she will hold up to show people.

The "Our Little Granddaughter Is Growing Up Too Fast!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Enjoying my daughter Brynn's photographs she has emailed to me of our granddaughter Courtney's prom dress as well as photographs of her date and friends all decked out in their formal wear.  Courtney, age 17, is the oldest of my grandchildren which also includes Camille, her sister who is 15, and my grandson Caden who is 14.  They seem to be growing up so fast, but I'm sure my parents thought the same thing about my three children when they were growing up.  Courtney is a beautiful young woman who is taking AP classes as a junior at Urbana High School in Frederick County, Maryland.  I'm sure all young girls dream about dressing up and going to their high school prom, but when the day finally arrives it has to be the epitome of their wait.  Carol and I have watched Courtney grow over the years from a cute little girl with a variety of interests to the young intelligent woman she is today.  She has a wonderful group of friends that always seem to find time to help one another.  Her date tonight is a young man whose name is Ryan. Brynn did Courtney's hair and make-up for her and took all the photographs to share with us, and now you.  Although Courtney will have another chance to go to the prom next year, it had to be so exiting for her.  After the dance Courtney and all her girl friends spent the night together at one of her friend's homes.  She can now add the Jr.-Sr. Prom to her list of accomplishments as a high school student.  Many more events will follow next year.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Courtney in her Prom gown.

Courtney's sister Camille, who is in 9th grade, looks over her shoulder.

Courtney and Nellie show off their Vans which seems to be the footwear of choice for the prom.

Courtney and friends.

Bridget, Courtney and Nellie show off their corsages.

The gals with their dates.

Ryan is Courtney's date for the prom.

Here she is putting his boutineer in place.

Another friend of Courtney, Nick, poses with her for a photograph.  

The "'Foxduck' - Vespertine's Favorites" Story

The interior of the new Foxduck store in downtown Lancaster, PA.

It was an ordinary day.  Just exited our country's oldest farmer's market, Lancaster Central Market, with my grand- daughter, Camille.  We came downtown to take a photo for another story I wanted to write and decided to stop at market to buy some "Long Johns"; a real sugary treat that is about six inches long and shaped like a finger.  

One of many designs from Ryan.

The market stand that I visit, Shady Maple, sells them with vanilla, chocolate or peanut butter icing on them and either regular or filled with cream. We purchased half a dozen and headed out the door.  The alley we entered had about half a dozen small shops that feature a variety of items from clothing to artwork.  Years ago I had my altered Polaroid prints for sale in The Tag Shop which was owned and run by a childhood friend, Barry.  After Barry died I placed my photos in a neighboring store, Strawberry & Company.  

One of the display racks illustrating the shirts for sale.

The owner, Wayne, recently retired and closed his shop.  I told Camille I wanted to see what was in the Strawberry & Company building so we entered the store from the rear of the store from the alley right outside the market.  As we walked through the rear door of the store I saw a familiar sight in the front of the store.  A four-color, one station silkscreen t-shirt printing unit.  For years, while teaching graphic arts in high school, my classes would make silkscreened t-shirts.  At first we used frames hinged on a work table until we were finally given a unit much like the one I am looking at right now.  

Rebecca  demonstrates how the machine works.

Walked to the front of the shop and began telling Camille how the unit works.  The shop had a few customers and I talked briefly to the young woman helping customers and told her I would be back.  Well, I visited again a few days later and spent time with one of the owners, Rebecca who told me about the store and the shirts they have for sale.  The store had only been opened a few weeks ago and was owned by Rebecca and her husband Ryan as well as Rebecca's brother, Josh.  

The Foxduck business card that
features their logo near the bottom.

Ryan is an artist and does the designing of the t-shirts. Name of the store is Foxduck, a rather unique name, which came from Rebecca's young daughter Vespertine.  Two of her favorite animals are the fox and duck so the name was a natural.  The store at 11 West King Street in downtown Lancaster sells Lancaster themed t-shirts as well as speciality shirts dealing with different aspects of Lancaster.  One shirt tells of Lancaster and Capital Day, September 27, 1777 when the Continental Congress met in Lancaster for the day.  The shop also features shirts that bear the logos of some of Lancaster Businesses.  When those shirts are sold, some of the money from the sale of the shirt goes back to that business.  I told Rebecca that I taught silkscreening and asked her if she would pose by her printing unit for a photo for my story.  She was glad to oblige.  

The t-shirt my daughter requested.

They silkscreen most of their own shirts at their home shop, but are checking about using a digital method in the future.  I told her my daughter saw the shirts she sells on her website and wanted the one that reminded her of the shirt that Joanna wears on the TV show "Fixer Upper."  The shirt must have been popular since it was out of stock, but Rebecca promised me I could have one by the end of the week.  The shop and it's owners are fantastic.  Here's hoping they make a big splash as a local business in downtown Lancaster.  They certainly offer a great product that is very well made. You can access their website from the business card I have posted here.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Ramblings From Maryland" Story

Camille racing down the floor with the ball.

It was an ordinary day.  Carol and I are watching grand- daughter Camille play basketball at the Urbana High School gym in Urbana, Maryland.  She is in 6th grade and plays on the Middle School team this year.  Her team has lost only one game this year and after watching them play today I could see why they excel.  Camille is a point guard who may be small in stature, but certainly is long when it comes to defense.  

Courtney(#15) scoring one of her baskets.

She manages to bat the ball away from the other team as well as creating havoc when the other team attempts to inbound the ball.  I enjoy so much watching my grandkids play athletics and am sorry I don't get to make the trip from Lancaster to Urbana more times than I do.  Earlier today Carol and I watched our other granddaughter, Courtney, who is in 8th grade, play basketball in the Rec league.  She managed to score 4 points in her game and grab a few rebounds.  Her team didn't win the game, but they still managed to put up a fight till the end of the game.  Another reason for our travel today was son-in-law Dave's birthday.  We planned the visit for the weekend so we could watch the girls play as well as wish Dave a happy birthday.  

Catalog featuring Shoal Bay East.

Trips to Maryland in the winter can be challenging due to the weather, but we usually get to visit a few times.  Always find something new to talk about or see while making our visit.  While having lunch between games at our daughter's Brynn's home I noticed a clothing catalog on the kitchen island.  Catalog was titled vineyard vines and featured one of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean, Shoal Bay East, on the cover.  Shoal Bay East is located on the island of Anguilla and is perhaps one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.  Across the island from Shoal Bay East is Rendezvous Bay.

Inside the catalog is featured Bankie Banx at the Dune Preserve.

On it is located the Dune Preserve which is owned and operated by Bankie Banx who is known as the "Anguillan Bob Dylan" and who sponsors the annual Moonsplash Music Festival in March.  We have visited with Bankie a few times just to see the stage where Jimmy Buffett has performed a few times.  Bankie is featured directly inside the catalog wearing some of the fashions on sale in the catalog.  

LDub enjoying his paper and donut.

One of my favorite activities though is Sunday morning trips with Camille to buy donuts and a copy of the Washington Post.  We have been doing that for years now and it never gets old.  What could be better than a fresh made donut, reading the Post and searching the Second Glance page of the Post's Magazine section!  This is the page where two photos are exhibited and you need to compare the two to see how many differences you can find in the two photos that look identical …. until you look more closely.  Weekend is always busy, but a good chance to catch up with the lives of our daughter and her family.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Beating the CDH1 Gene Mutatuion" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Visiting with our daughter Brynn and her family who live in Urbana, Maryland.  We were talking when the door opened and in walked one of the bravest young women I believe I have ever known.  Terri is one of Brynn's neighbors and also one of her closest and best friends.  

Terri talking about coping with her
recent stomach surgery.

 Terri has a story to tell that is fascinating as well as frightful.  It all started back in July of 2014 when her dad finally found out by accident that he had stomach cancer after having an endoscopy for an entirely unrelated issue.  He had surgery for his stomach cancer in July of 2014 and had three-quarters of his stomach removed to stop the spread of the cancer.  He underwent chemo and was pronounced cancer free in February of 2015.  It was then that they linked his type of stomach cancer to a human gene known as CDH1.  The gene is associated with a very specific gene mutation that can run in some families and when the mutation occurs, there is a greater than 80% lifetime chance that you will develop stomach cancer.  When you are conceived, you receive one gene from your mother and one from your father.  To get the CDH1 gene mutation, one of your parents must be a carrier of the mutation that is then passed on to you.  Terri's father is doing well, but will eventually have the remainder of his stomach removed to totally prevent any re-occurrence.  In Terri's case, she had a 50/50 chance of having the gene passed the gene onto her.  Terri had a test done that determined that she also was a carrier of the gene.  Her sister tested negative and her brother has yet to be tested for the gene.  Terri's two children, who are both under the age of 18, will someday also be tested to see if they possess the gene.  The CDH1 gene mutation usually emerges in those who have it between the ages of 22 to 50.  Terri is on the high end at age 42 and the only option for her to assure she doesn't get the cancer was to have her stomach entirely removed.  Right now there is no early detection for stomach cancer and when symptoms occur, it is usually in stage 4 which gives you a 4% chance of living 5 years.  She knew immediately knew that she only had one option to be sure she would be cancer free forever and be around to watch her kids grow up.  She elected to do the surgery, called a total gastrectomy.  She decided that to show her children if they should also have the gene that it would be wise to have the surgery done and she will be living proof of the success of the surgery.  

Dr. Sam S. Yoon

On July 11, 2015 Terri was operated on at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York by Dr. Sam S. Yoon who is a surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of people with sac comas and stomach (gastric) cancer.  She had her stomach totally removed with the small intestine now connected to the esophagus.  After finding that pathology reports found her stomach had pre-cancerous cells that would probably manifest themselves in less than 3 years, she realized she had made the correct decision.  Today as Terri sits in front of us telling of her ordeal, she is cancer free.  She has lost about 20% of her body weight which is the approximate amount that she expected to lose.  She must not lose too much more or a feeding tube will have to be inserted for nighttime feeding to keep her at a healthy weight.  Her menu consists primarily of grilled chicken, eggs, tuna and peanut butter.  She may have no sugar, since it may result in cramps and nausea.  She is very limited as to what raw fruits and vegetables she can consume since many contain natural sugar.  She may not eat red meat since the stomach is needed to digest that.  Most milk is not allowed either since it too contains traces of sugar.  She tends to get full quickly and now finds that she no longer craves food as she did in the past.  If she would find she can't pass what she does eat, she must use a magnesium based product to clear the blockage.  She can drink some wines and liquor, but no carbonated beverages.  Water and unsweetened ice tea are beverages that she can drink.  Your stomach is the size of a normal adult's fist and without it your digestive system totally changes.  Imagine yourself not being able to eat your favorite foods anymore or drink that glass of soda or even eat that piece of chocolate that you crave.  That is the case with Terri.  She no longer fears what could have been.  But, she is not totally home free yet.  The gene also carries a 50-60% chance that she may also develop lobular breast cancer.  Three of her family members have had lobular breast cancer so chances are greater that she may also develop it.  For now she is being watched through breast mammograms and breast MRI's.  Her doctors are encouraging her to undergo a double mastectomy to reduce the risk of contracting breast cancer. This type of breast cancer is harder to detect because it does not grow in tumors, rather in spider like webs under the lining of the breast.  I'm sure her thoughts right now are filled with what will come in the near future in order to once again give her peace of mind.  I think of all the ailments that I have had to withstand the past few years and realize that I am so lucky after sitting with Terri and hearing what she has gone through already in her young life and what she may have to go through in the near future.  So, you see, this is one courageous young woman whom I admire and hope the best for in the future.  I just know it will all work out for the best!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Braggin' A Bit" Story

It was and ordinary day.  My wife, Carol, is relaying her phone conversation she just had with our granddaughter Camille and our daughter Brynn.  Seems that Camille had plenty to pass along about the boys in her Middle School.  The boys like to mix it up, at times to impress the girls, while other times to try and settle their disagreements.  She talked about a group of boys that got in a fight in a boy's restroom and a FEMALE teacher had to enter the BOYS restroom to stop the fight.  The entire time she was trying to break up the fight, other boys in the restroom were taking movies of it all with their phones.  The teacher rounded everyone up and made all of them, including those using the restroom for its intended purpose, go to the guidance office for ..... well guidance.  

Granddaughters Courtney on left and Camille on
the right with daughter Brynn.  Photo by T. Beach.

Camille enjoys telling stories (guess who she takes after) and drew this story out as best she could.  Eventually Brynn got on the phone to pass on some important news to Carol.  "I happen to be the proud mother of two girls who both had straight 'A's on their report cards," Brynn told my wife.  Carol then told her, "Wow, that's great.  That's something I never had happen to me when my kids were growing up!"  Well, Carol passed along our congratulations and continued with their conversation.  Phone calls with the kids and grandkids are always highlights of our day.  Family matters to us as they do to many people, especially when they are filled with interesting information and humorous conversations.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "A Farewell To Brynn's Car" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting with my daughter Brynn as she signed a contract for a lease on a 1997 Mazda Protege.  Her hand was shaking and you could see the beads of sweat on her forehead as she wrote her name on the dotted line.  She had recently graduated from Millersville University with a degree in elementary education and needed a car to travel to her first job as a substitute teacher.  She was excited about having a new car and decided to lease instead of buy so she wasn't tied to the higher payments of buying a new car.  Car was a deep blue with gray cloth interior.  Great car for a first car for just about anyone.  After her three-year lease expired she decided she wanted to buy a new car and opted to return the leased car rather than purchase it with a buy-out.  I went along with her at the time and questioned the salesman as to how much the buy-out price would be and after hearing the cost, bought Brynn's car for myself.  

Car known as Brynn's Car.

That was back in 2000 when I became the proud owner of the Mazda Protege.  Served me well for many years until now, when …. well it has seen it's last speed bump, gone over it's last curb and even driven over it's last pot hole.  She turned in the car with about 30,000 miles on it and when I decided to let the car go it had slightly over 93,000 miles on it.  Not bad for driving it for 16 years.  I know, Brynn's car may have had another 20K or 30K miles in it, but I wasn't about to shell out another couple of thousand for a car that probably needed a new transmission or needed the rust around the wheel wells repaired to pass inspection or needed to have a spark plug drilled out and head taken off since it was permanently stuck in place.  The little car with front-wheel drive, automatic transmission and a cassette player on the dash is headed to who knows where.  Brynn's car served me well over the years, but recent mechanical problems made it more feasible to trade the car on …. lease one.  I have never leased a car and always thought it was crazy to lease a car.  You drive it for a few years and turn it back in to the dealer with nothing to show for the years you invested your money into it.  No chance to use it as a trade-in or resell it yourself.  So why did I do it?  It is a second car for Carol and myself and there are many times when we only need the use of one car, but there are other times when we both need transportation and can't find a way to drop me or her at a location and find an appropriate time to return for pickup.  

Our new "Little Girl".

So, we decided to least on a short-term basis and get the least expensive car that we could that would still suit our needs.  I made a few phone calls and finally decided on a car that offered free inspections and free car washes for the length of the lease.  So now, when I enter the garage I see a white car instead of a blue one in the second bay.  Little MitiIbishi Mirage with a 3 cylinder engine, blue-tooth, electric windows, and a place to plug in my memory stick with my Jimmy Buffett music.  Even has cool air coming out of the vents which was something that Brynn's car didn't offer anymore.  I'll miss the little girl that accompanied me on my deliveries when I visited the schools with the printing I did for them.  I'll miss the little girl that led me on many a photo excursions around Lancaster County.  But, it was time to move on and stop investing in a car that in car age was older than me.  And, that's pretty old!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Something Bout A Boat - JB" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Having supper on our back deck with my granddaughters and daughter Brynn.  Talking about how many years Brynn lived with us at our "Beach House" in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Carol and I moved to our new home in the mid-1990's.  Brynn graduated from high school in 1992 and entered Millersville University, my Alma mater, the following year.  She lived at home the first year, but lived on campus after that.  While a student at Millersville she met her husband Dave and when they both graduated they both stayed with us at our home for a year before moving to Maryland where they both taught school.  

Mr. Eliphalet Oram Lyte

I began asking her some questions about Millersville when she was a student and eventually I asked her if there was still a Lyte Auditorium when she was a student.  She looked at me, questioning why I asked her that, before she said she remembered Lyte Auditorium and even took classes in the building.  Funny question I suppose, but I had just read about the man, Eliphalet Oram Lyte, and some of the contributions he had made to education and the field of music.  

One of the books that Mr. Lyte wrote.
It can still be found for sale.

Seems that Mr. Lyte was born in Lancaster County in 1842, entered what was then Millersville Normal School in 1866 after serving in the Civil War and teaching for two years.  He eventually became a professor of rhetoric and bookkeeping in 1868 and then a professor of pedagogy and grammar before being named principal (similar to President).  After 44 years at Millersville he resigned due to poor health.  He was given credit for the construction of a new Science Building, the Library and the Gymnasium.  The Science Building has since been demolished,  the library has been named Biemesderfer Executive Center and the Gym is now Dutcher Hall.  Mr. Lyte was also responsible for the construction of the Model School which was an innovative school where a student could concentrate on subjects for two years and receive a teaching degree.  

The Millersville Normal School which was still known by that
name when I attended Millersville State Teachers College.

This school eventually became Myers Hall and now is the Charles and Mary Hash Building.  I too remember Lyte Auditorium and taking a few music classes in the building.  Then, in 2009 it was closed for a $26 million construction and renovation project and eventually was renamed the Charles R. and Anita B. Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) with the 650-seat Lyte Auditorium incorporated into the VPAC.  But, the real story about Mr. Lyte goes like this …… He was  a well respected teacher who was the author of grammar and composition textbooks as well as being a musician who was the composer of the tune we all sang at one time as a child, and maybe still sing, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".  This song was in the publication The Franklin Square Song Collection that he authored in 1881.  He adapted the lyrics which were previously  published to a different melody. But, I'll bet you don't know all the words in the verses of the song which I can remember singing over and over again as a "round."  So, just in case you don't remember, I have them for you …

Row, row, row your boat,

Gently down the stream,

If you see an alligator,

Don't forget to scream.

Row, row, row your boat,

Gently down the stream.

Throw your teacher overboard

And listen to her scream.

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream.

Ha ha, fooled ya,

I'm a submarine.

Bet'cha didn't know those three verses!  Actually the song was … Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily - Life is but a dream in his original version, but many other verses where added to the song over the years.  Good ole Mr. Eliphalet Oram Lyte, a Lancaster County native, died in 1913.  His legacy still lives on at Millersville University and I will always remember him as having a building named after him and for giving me a favorite childhood "round."  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.