The "Test for the Baby Boomers" Story

It was an ordinary day. I just finished the "Baby Boomers Test". I'm not really a Baby Boomer. You have to be born between 1946 and 1964 to qualify for that title, but I'm close enough. I took the test and had 14 of the 20 correct. I was sure I knew ancient history pretty well, but not good enough. Most questions are pretty simple while a few tax your memory. See how you do on the test below. Can you beat my 14 score? You really might want to have a piece of paper and a pencil so you can remember what you chose for the answer. Remember, your mind isn't what it once was! For those who aren't Baby Boomers, see if you can answer any of the questions. Good luck.

MEMORY TEST!

This is NOT a pushover test. It's a Baby Boomer era test!

There are 20 questions. Average score is 12.
This one will be difficult for the younger set. (DUDE!)

Have fun, but no peeking!Good luck, youngsters.....

1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstone's vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil

2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson.
B. Roy Orbison..
C. Gene Autry.
D. Rudolph Valentino.
E. Fabian.
F. Mickey Mantle.
G. Cassius Clay.

3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and....
A. It's you.
B. He is us.
C. It's the Grinch.
D. He wasn't home.
E. He's really me and you.
F. We quit.
G. He surrendered.

4. Good night, David.
A. Good night, Chet
B. Sleep well.
C. Good night, Irene.
D. Good night, Gracie.
E. See you later, alligator.
F. Until tomorrow.
G. Good night, Steve..

5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons.
C. When you clean your tub.
D. If you paint the room blue.
E. If you buy a soft water tank.
F. When you use Lady Clairol.
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.

6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...
A. Stuart Whitman.
B. Randolph Scott.
C. Steve Reeves..
D. Maynard G. Krebs.
E. Corky B. Dork.
F. Dave the Whale.
G. Zippy Zoo.

7. Liar, liar...
A. You're a liar.
B. Your nose is growing.
C. Pants on fire.
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher.
F. On the wire.
G. I'm telling Mom.

8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and.....
A. Wheaties.
B. Lois Lane .
C. TV ratings.
D. World peace.
E. Red tights.
F. The American way.
G. News headlines.

9. Hey kids! What time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear.
B. It's time to do your homework.
C. It's Howdy Doody Time.
D. It's time for Romper Room.
E. It's bedtime.
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour..
G. Scoopy Doo Time..

10. Lions and tigers and bears....
A. Yikes.
B. Oh, no..
C. Gee whiz.
D. I'm scared...
E. Oh my.
F. Help! Help!
G. Let's run.

11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone....
A. Over 40.
B. Wearing a uniform.
C. Carrying a briefcase.
D. Over 30.
E. You don't know.
F. Who says, 'Trust me'.
G. Who eats tofu.

12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Staubach
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway

13. Brylcream...
A. Smear it on.
B. You'll smell great.
C. Tame that cowlick.
D. Grease ball heaven.
E. It's a dream.
F. We're your team.
G. A little dab'll do ya.

14. I found my thrill...
A. In Blueberry muffins.
B. With my man, Bill.
C. Down at the mill.
D. Over the windowsill.
E. With thyme and dill.
F. Too late to enjoy.
G. On Blueberry Hill.

15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...
A. Clark Gable.
B. Mary Martin.
C. Doris Day.
D. Errol Flynn.
E. Sally Fields.
F. Jim Carrey.
G. Jay Leno.

16. Name the Beatles...
A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. I wonder, wonder, who.
A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?

18. I'm strong to the finish...
A. Cause I eats my broccoli.
B. Cause I eats me spinach.
C. Cause I lift weights.
D. Cause I'm the hero.
E. And don't you for get it.
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me.
G. To outlast Bruto.

19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today.
A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera.
B. Smile, you're on Star Search.
C. Smile, you won the lottery.
D. Smile, we're watching you.
E. Smile, the world sees you.
F. Smile, you're a hit.
G. Smile, you're on TV.

20. What do M & M's do?
A. Make your tummy happy.
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket.
C. Make you fat.
D. Melt your heart.
E. Make you popular.
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
G. Come in colors.


Below are the right answers:
1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebs
7. C - Pants on fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh my
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20. F - Melt in your mouth not in your hand

How'd you do? Some days I need something like this to pass the time. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "One Hour or Two Hour Delay?"

It was an ordinary day. I was listening to WLAN radio and heard that school had a one hour delay. During the winter we would have a few of these days when the snow or ice or freezing rain would arrive during the night. The superintendent of the school district would decide about 5:00 AM whether we would start on time or have a one hour delay. Then, as the morning began, they would decide if we would change to two hour delay or close for the day. They had bus drivers who would drive their route to see if it was safe to drive on the roads with kids in the bus. They also had to make sure that the maintenance crews could plow and shovel the schools out in order to start school. Well, today I got up and got ready and, after having something to eat, decided to leave at my normal time. I had plenty of in-house printing that needed to be done. Headed up 501N and when I got to the up-hill curve that leads into Neffsville, there were about half a dozen cars stuck on the road. Since I was in the Subaru 4-wheel Justy, I had no trouble passing them. I pulled into school and after I entered the building I heard an announcement on the intercom. June B. announced, "School has been closed for the day. Anyone already here can go home." Jeez, thanks. Over the years that happened frequently. I never know if I should wait and leave an hour later or just get to school and have more time to prepare for the day. Now, the schools announce a two hour delay right away and that gives the teachers a better chance to wait and see if they will eventually call it off. You know, I enjoy the snow day just as much as the students do, but not if I get to school and have to turn around and head home again. It was an extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Lying and Canniving" Story

It was an ordinary day. Working at the gallery in Neffsville. Keith, my boss and former student, had just been bombarded with as many four letter words as I can ever remember. And some of them I had never heard before! Seems a week ago, according to this woman customer, she came into the gallery with something to be framed when I was by myself. I showed her the mats and frames that I thought would look good with the job, but told her it would be better if she stopped and talked with Keith. The following day she arrived and talked with Keith and left the piece to be framed. Within a week I had the job completed and Keith called to inform her it was finished. When she arrived she loved the job, until she saw the price. I was in the back work room, but was able to overhear her conversation with Keith. She said that isn't what was agreed upon. Keith showed her the estimate sheet that she had agreed to when she was working with him. She accused him of changing the prices and then I heard her tell him that I had given her a different price when she worked with me. I popped my head out from the work room and said I never gave her a price, but just showed her some samples. By now she is getting really nasty. Four letter words are filling the air. I don't know where she came up with some of them. Figures that if she makes a big enough scene he will give her the price she wants. Instead, Keith very calmly took her job, placed it on the counter in front of her, removed the dust cover on the back, took the mat and print out of the frame, removed her job, and handed it back to her. Told her he didn't need her business and would she please leave. By now there are a few other people in the gallery watching the scene. She grabbed her print and while still cursing up a storm, kicked the door open and left. One customer gave Keith a round of applause while the others just smiled. Some people figure that it's all about them, and they can have their way if they create a scene. I guess she figured out the gallery isn't one of those places. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Don't You Often Wonder" Story

It was an ordinary day. Watching the Oprah Show on TV. Started to wonder what it must have been like to have been black when Martin Luther King was alive. I'm sure he would have been my hero. He still is a hero. What if I had been born into a black family. Or a Latino family. Don't you often wonder about things like that? Seems the older I get the more I wonder about some of the most unusual things. What would it be like to live where a time zone is located. If you worked on one side of the time zone and lived on the other side of it. Probably would be tough to set your alarm clock to get to work on time. How about sleeping in? Could you sleep in two extra hours or just one? What if I was born with gills. I barely survive when I'm in the water, but with gills I wouldn't have to worry about it. What if I only had the use of one eye as my father did when he was growing up. I marvel at all the things he did with only one eye. Depth perception must have been non-existent. Close your one eye sometime or put a patch over it and live a day like that. How could you drive a car? Pretty tough, I'm sure. I met a young woman recently who, when I reached out to shake her hand, held out a hand that had only a thumb and finger on it. Both her hands were the same. Wondered how I could have survived my life like that. I guess you learn to cope with any physical disability you have. What if I had been born female. Maybe I won't get into that. Often wondered what it would have been like to have been really rich. Seems people like that have too many problems and worry too much. Or do they? What would it have been like to be a pro athlete or famous singer like Jimmy Buffett? If only the tooth fairy could grant me one wish, what would it be? Would I like to live in the wild, wild West? Nah, don't like guns! How about ....... life in the Great Depression! Almost got to experience that, didn't we? What I wonder about most though is what it would be like to live on a Caribbean island for the rest of my life. Would I get tired of the beautiful beaches and the azure colored water? Now that is one thing that maybe I can do something about and stop all the wondering. If only ......... It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - I can just see myself sitting on a beach chair, reading a book and relaxing under an umbrella on this gorgeous beach in Anguilla.

The "Animal Funnies" Story

It was an ordinary day. My Arizona friend Bill just sent me a few funnies. I needed a lift, and they really did the trick. Here are a few that I found pretty hilarious .........

Hope you weren't offended by any of them. I certainly wasn't! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Caught in the Act" Story

It was an ordinary day. Sitting at a stop light watching some kids smoking in an alley near the intersection. Brought back memories of when I did the same thing. I used to ride my bike to the local Acme Supermarket with a wagon tied to the back of it so I could pick up lettuce leaves for my guinea pigs that I was raising in the backyard of the my house on North Queen St. Would take a cigarette with me that I had taken from one of my parents. They both smoked at the time. Since I was in the alley, I figured no one would see me, or if they did, wouldn't know who I was anyway. I was right! Worked for years. I also would sit in the basement outdoor cellar way with the cellar door closed and the basement door closed and smoke cigars that my grandpap had growing in his back yard on a tree. They weren't really cigars, but looked like them. Only did that one or two times because they tended to make me sick. Then high school came and all my friends in the neighborhood were smoking. Had to fit in, didn't I? My friend Dick W. would pick me up to go fishing and offer me a smoke. Boy, we were cool!! Went to school dances and had to smoke before you got there so the girls could smell the smoke on you and think you were a rebel. That really never helped me land a girlfriend, though. Then one day I was moving items around on my book shelf in my room and realized that something wasn't in the proper place. Some one else had been moving them around, also. MY PARENTS! I panicked. What did they find. The box with the couple of cigarettes in it and the matches. Jeez, I hope not. Wasn't too long after that, that my mom said something to me. Said she would rather me smoke a pipe than cigarettes. Her and dad had decided to quite smoking. Was it my smoking that led them to this decision? My grandpap smoked a pipe and I always like the odor of the cherry tobacco he used, so that's what I tried. A few years later I met my wife who worked in a cytology lab and did cancer screening and was told by her on our first date that if I wanted to keep dating her I would have to stop smoking. She saw the results of smoking everyday in the lab. That was the last time I ever smoked. Matter of fact it kind of turns me to smell cigarette smoke today. And, I wonder how long the kids in alley that I am watching will smoke before they realize the hazards. You know, they really don't look that cool anymore! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Early Christmas Present" Story

It was an ordinary day. Checking the new monthly premium for health insurance that Carol had just received in the mail. When I turned 65 and went on Medicare, my wife lost her health insurance. We had investigated different plans for months trying to find one that would cover her until she reached Medicare age. Called a former student who sold insurance and he researched policies to see which one would be best for her. Came up with a few and we applied for insurance to see which one would have the best prices. After filling out the forms we waited. All three came back with the notice: "Uninsurable." That can't be. Oh, it be! Seems if you have anything wrong with you, even if you have it under control and have had no problems for years and years, the insurance companies don't want to have anything to do with you. "Pre-existing condition" is stamped on your application. Not that the price is exorbitant, it just isn't offered at any price. Now what do we do? I had decided to take a supplemental plan with my teachers association to cover what Medicare would not pay. I could insure Carol through them, even with a pre-existing condition, but at a hefty price. Carol would need 37 months of insurance before she would be in the Medicare system. The cost through the teachers association would be a sizable, but at least we would have medical coverage. Then I remembered that she was eligible for the school district's plan that we both were on for years. Called "Cobra" and state law allows you to continue on it, in her case, for 36 months after I leave the plan. She would continue the same plan with the same benefits and coverage at the same price we were paying. Slightly better than the teacher's association price, so we decided on continuing her coverage as it was. The price we had to pay for a year would buy me a really nice used car, but we needed the coverage. Well, when the letter arrived from the "Cobra" insurance company, we were expecting a big increase. We opened it together and looked at it together and then looked at each other. Holy cow!! The smile on our faces grew as we looked again at it. It dropped in price! I had to call to make sure that was correct. It was. 12 more months of a few dollars less is definitely better that 12 more months with a larger fee. Made a great Christmas present for the both of us. It was an extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Real Life Doctor Drama" Story

I was an ordinary day. Surfing again. The web, that is. Found some actual (allegedly) stories from real life doctors about funny things that have happened to them. I'm sure all doctors have had the same type of thing happen to them, but they are too embarrassed to admit it. Here are a few of what I read .........

1.A man comes into the ER and yells . . ..' My wife's going to have her baby in the cab.' I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, lifted the lady's dress and began to take off her underwear. Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs - - - and I was in the wrong one. Submitted by Dr. Mark MacDonald , San Francisco 2... At the beginning of my shiftI placed a stethoscope on an elderly and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall. 'Big breaths,'. . . I instructed. 'Yes, they used to be,'. . .replied the patient. Submitted by Dr. Richard Byrnes , Seattle , WA 3. One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a wife that her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct. Not more than five minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest of the family that he had died of a 'massive internal fart.' Submitted by Dr. Susan Steinberg 4. During a patient's two week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, he informed me, his doctor, that he was having trouble with one of his medications.. ' Which one ?'. .. . I asked. 'The patch... The Nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and now I'm running out of places to put it !' I had him quickly undress and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see. Yes, the man had over fifty patches on his body! Now, the instructions include removal of the old patch before applying a new one. Submitted by Dr. Rebecca St. Clair , Norfolk , VA 5. While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I asked, 'How long have you been bedridden?' After a look of complete confusion she answered . . . ' Why, not for about twenty years - when my husband was alive.' Submitted by Dr. Steven Swanson- Corvallis , OR 6. I was performing rounds at the hospital one morning and while checking up on a man I asked . . .' So how's your breakfast this morning?' ' It's very good except for the Kentucky Jelly. I can't seem to get used to the taste.'. .. . Bob replied. I then asked to see the jelly and Bob produced a foil packet labeled 'KY Jelly.' Submitted by Dr. Leonard Kransdorf , Detroit , 7. A nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room when a young woman with purple hair styled into a punk rocker Mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos, and wearing strange clothing, entered . . . It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, so she was scheduled for immediate surgery.. When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green and above it there was a tattoo that read . . .' Keep off the grass.' Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing, which said 'Sorry . . . had to mow the lawn.' Submitted by RN no name, AND FINALLY!! ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8. As a new, young MD doing his residency in OB. I was quite embarrassed when performing female pelvic exams... To cover my embarrassment I had unconsciously formed a habit of whistling softly. The middle-aged lady upon whom I was performing this exam suddenly burst out laughing and further embarrassing me. I looked up from my work and sheepishly said. .. .' I'm sorry. Was I tickling you?' She replied with tears running down her cheeks from laughing so hard . . .. ' No, doctor, but the song you were whistling was . . . ' I wish I was an Oscar Meyer Wiener .' ' Dr. wouldn't submit his name.... 1 MORE Baby's First Doctor Visit This made me laugh out loud. I hope it will give you a smile! A woman and a baby were in the doctor's examining room, waiting for the doctor to come in for the baby's first exam. The doctor arrived, and examined the baby, checked his weight, and being a little concerned, asked if the baby was breast-fed or bottle-fed.'Breast-fed,' she replied.. 'Well, strip down to your waist,' the doctor ordered. She did. He pinched her nipples, pressed, kneaded, and rubbed both breasts for a while in a very professional and detailed examination. Motioning to her to get dressed, the doctor said, 'No wonder this baby is underweight. You don't have any milk.' ' I know,' she said, 'I'm his Grandma, But I'm glad I came. Hope the stories haven't offended anyone. Real life comedy is always funnier that contrived comedy. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Always One Step Behind" Story

It was an ordinary day. Having a good laugh. Now this happens frequently, but this is one that I had planned for some time. Here's how it goes. Seems like my family was always one step behind when it comes to technology. When I was young, a few relatives and a few neighbors had color televisions while we had a black and white one. Then it was the telephone. We had a party line while most had private lines. For those who do not know what a party line was, it was a few houses in the neighborhood who were all on the same line. Sometimes you would pick up the phone to make a call and hear someone talking. Had to check back later if you still wanted to make the call. Naturally, others could hear your conversations. Then, when I got married, we had the Betamax system compared to the more popular VHS system. Harder to get videos for the Beta. Then along came the mobile phone. Some people had phones that they had connected in their cars. Most of them had to be connected by a wire to a receiver. The people who had the early ones though they were really cool. Got to talk on the phone while they were in their car. Well, I just had to show them how cool they really were! So, I bought a chocolate phone that looked like a mobile phone and worked on my plan of attack. Finally had my chance. Pulled next to a woman who was talking on her phone in a parking lot. I got out my chocolate phone, waited until I knew she was looking my way, and took a big bite of it. My chocolate phone looked very realistic. The look on her face when she saw me eating my phone was priceless. didn't prove anything, but made me feel cool, also. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pretty neat that my photo is in chocolate and white.

The "Dates with a Photo" Story

It was an ordinary day. Christmas! Everyone was just about ready to open the presents wrapped in the tubes. The everyone is our three kids and their spouses. This year Carol made a family calendar for everyone. She did one two years ago which had the 12 months on it and featured a photo for every month. She did it online through Costco. Turned out pretty neat, but not sure that the kids enjoyed it as much as Carol and I did. You see, most of the photos were of the two of us at different beaches. When they opened that one I could see some frowns and then maybe a few laughs. Well, this year she did it through Snapfish and made it all on one page which was 12"x18". Featured photos of our family vacation at Ocean City, NJ. One large photo was the group photo that we take every year, while the rest were photos that featured everyone in the family. I knew they would like it as soon as I saw what she had done. Well, it's time to open them now. Everyone at the same time. Grandkids have to help naturally and after they are unwrapped they all pull them out of the tubes at the same time. Hey, a big hit!! I just knew they would be. They had to be ..... they featured LDub's family! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photo at top is Derek, Barb and Caden laughing at the 2008 calendar while the bottom photo shows what this year's calendar looked like.

The "Squeaky Shoes" Story

It was an ordinary day. I'm walking down the long hall at Moravian Manor from the front door to the door that enters into the section where my mom is located. And ..... I'm squeaking all the way. A few people stick their heads out of their offices to see what the strange noise is. It's my left shoe! I needed a new pair of shoes two years ago and when to the Clarke Store at Park City Center in Lancaster. Saw a pair that I really liked, tried them on and bought them. Didn't really take a walk in them when I tried them on, and I should have. The first time I put them on and walked in them, I heard the noise. Figured I would break them in and the noise would be gone. Never happened. The noise got worse. Only the left shoe. I still liked the shoes since they were nice and warm, comfortable to wear for a long period of time, and stylish (at least I thought so). I tried every thing I could to stop the squeak. Squeezed my toes together when I walked. Didn't help. Walked on the left side of the shoe. Didn't work. Landed on just my heal. Didn't work. Landed on my toe. Didn't work. Store wouldn't take them back after the first year, so I guess I was stuck with them. My wife wouldn't walk with me when I had them on, since she said it sounded like I was passing gas all the time. Then she suggested I take them to the shoe repair shop near our house. I showed them what happened when I walked. Guy took the shoe and threw it in the trash. I did retrieve it, but no help at the repair place. Guess I'll have to use them the way they are. At least I now have an excuse if I do pass gas while walking with them on my feet. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Grandpap's Backyard" Story

It was an ordinary day. Out collecting Japanese beetles in my grandpap's back yard. My grandpap lived in the south end of the city in a row home on South Prince Street. His house was a block from Rebman's Store which was famous for their Christmas displays and their Easter candy. My grandpap's back yard was filled with rose bushes of all colors and sizes. Needless to say, they attracted the beetles. He would use traps to catch the beetles, but there were still hundreds for me to catch. I would put them in a small glass bottle and take them home with me to watch until they died. Did punch a few small air holes in the top of the bottle, but they died anyway. He used the rose petals to make his famous wine. The stuff was extremely potent, but did have a sweet taste to it. He also had a tree close to the middle of his yard that had cigars on it. At least that is what I thought they were. The tree was a catalpa tree that had seed pods which grew to be about a foot long. They were green, but as they died in the fall, they turned brown, and that is when I thought you smoked them. Tried to smoke one of them one time, but that's another story. The yard was as wide as his house which was about 25 feet. Had a cement walk down the one side that led to the alleyway at the rear of his property. At the rear of his property was a white-washed fence which was taller than me. I got to help him white-wash it once in a while. I loved to visit at his house and play with my Aunt Lois is his back yard. At times we would venture into the alley for a game of kickball with the neighborhood kids. I pass by his house often on my way to the Chesapeake Bay and often wonder if the roses are still blooming or the cigar tree is still bearing the green seed pods. Might have to stop sometime just to see! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs are mom and dad after their wedding in grandpap's back yard on Prince St. and the seedpods of the catalpa tree.

The "Opera Company of Philadelphia "Hallelujah!" Random Act of Culture" Story

It was an ordinary day. My friend Bill who lives in Arizona had emailed me a really neat link to "YouTube" which shows the Opera Company of Philadelphia singing the "Hallelujah" chorus in Macy's department store. The singers were spread throughout the store and at the stroke of 12 noon, they broke into song while the customers were in awe. Watch the video to see their reaction. Pretty neat. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "An Aunt who seemed like a Sister" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just left Willow Valley after having the breakfast buffet. Had a family gathering on Christmas Eve day to see everyone and exchange a few gifts. Had to be about 50 or more in our group. This was all arranged by my Aunt Lois, who has worked at Willow Valley for an eternity and loves it so much she won't retire. Now you would think that my aunt would be ancient, since I have been on Medicare for 2 years now, but that's not the case.

Seems that Lois was born 21 months before me. My grandmother on my mother's side gave birth 20 years after having my mother. Talk about a surprise! My mom called it a "change of life" birth. When I was born my dad was in the Army so my mom and I lived with her family at 617 South Prince St. in Lancaster. I had an instant friend in my Aunt Lois who was a little over a year and a half older than me. I don't remember much about that time in history, but I have a few photos that show Lois and me playing on the front porch at 617. My mom had not only me to care for, but also helped in raising her sister. She would regularly take the two of us in a buggy to Central Market, a distance of about a mile. When my dad got out of the Army a year later, we moved

in with his mother at 145 North Pine St., since they had more room in the house. Did get to visit with my aunt on a regular basis. She was a regular visitor when we moved to 929 North Queen St. a few years later. Spent many vacations together along the Chesapeake at Crystal Beach. I can still remember the two of us eating the strawberry or caramel dixie cups at the store along the beach front. For years we shared holidays and summer visits. And, before long I was a high school sophomore, and was meeting her boyfriend. John was cool! He had a 1959 Chevy Impala with a 348 cubic inch engine. White in color with a red interior. Had those fins on the back and looked like it could fly. And .... fly it did when John was driving. He was a year older than Lois who was a high school senior by now. Took me for a ride in it the first time I met him. He was an instant friend. John lived in Mt. Nebo which is in southern Lancaster County. Came from a big family. Lois married him eventually and I got to see him on a regular basis. Then when I met Carol, we would visit with John and Lois at their home in Rawlinsville. John helped me change the head gasket on my '58 Chevy in the driveway of his house. What a cool guy!

Lois and John would eventually be members of our wedding party. We still get to visit with each other on a regular basis. Tend to meet up with them many times at Moravian Manor when we visit with my mom and her sister. Our children are close to the same ages. We still get to travel to the Chesapeake for a weekend meal or a weekend trip to a B&B. She has always been the sister I never had. And ....... she is such a nice person!! Of course, that is hereditary, you know. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - top pix is Lois and me on the porch at 617 S. Prince and the bottom photo of our wedding party shows Lois as the girl on the far right and John as the second from the right in the back row.

The "Scrounging Around" Story

It was an ordinary day. Getting ready to move to our new home. Packing and throwing out all the items that we don't want or can't use any longer. I start to realize how much stuff we have accumulated over the years and how we have accumulated it. We decided when we had our first child that Carol would stay home and raise him and any that would follow while I worked and attempted to make enough money to pay for all the expenses. Quite a chore it was. We learned how to scrimp and save, but mostly how to scrounge. We had a carpet in our dining room that was made from pieces I salvaged from the dumpster at the Weave Shop. My friend Barry, whose father owned the Weave Shop told me that at the end of the day the carpet installers would throw out all the remnants from the day's installations. If I came about 6:00 PM I could get a variety of scrap pieces. Did that for a month or so and made the neatest dining room carpet. Used carpet cement and attached them to a piece of canvas. Looked like Joseph's coat of many colors. Even impressed out friends who had never seen a carpet like it. Worked so good that we made one for the baby's room. I made a dining room table from wood scraps in the shop where I taught. Made the top from a piece of plywood and covered it with tiles someone gave us. No one else had one like it. The light above that table I constructed again from walnut scraps and from plastic pieces I got from another shop teacher. The kids just loved the uniqueness of the light. They all claimed they wanted it for their house when they got married. I built a bunk bed for the kids with 4x4s and scrap pine wood from the wood shop. And the list goes on and on. One of the very unique items I scrounged from the school maintenance building was an aluminium door frame that I managed to cut to about five feet long and install as the front bumper on my VW. The old bumper had rusted and the car wouldn't pass inspection. Bumper was rather unusual, but the car passed inspection and my cost was zero for the frame. Over the years my salary increased, I took on weekend jobs and summer work and Carol started back to work when all the kids were in middle school. Didn't have to scrounge quite as much after that. Funny, I still look for items that I can use somehow, somewhere around the house. Never lose that "scrounge" gene. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Simple Pleasures, Simple Joys: Part #3" Story

It was an ordinary day. I hoped you enjoyed the first two entries which I posted. I have a final series of photos that show the "Simple Pleasures, Simple Joys" of my life. Here is Part 3:

Excitement is the word of the day when Caden lost his first tooth. Fell out while at the doctor's office with his grandma. He handed it to her and said, "What should I do with this?" He put it under his pillow and the Tooth Fairy left him a Wii game cartridge. What ever happened to the nickel that I got when I lost my teeth. I'll tell you what happened to the teeth. Found them in a pill container in my dad's dresser when I was helping my mom and dad move to Moravian Manor!

Don't those bibs just make you look goofy? That's why I don't let them put one on me when we have the lobster at The Lobster House in Cape May, NJ.

Fun photo of my daughter blowing out the candles on her birthday cake with the aid of her daughters. Notice how old she is! Oh, to be that age again!!

Oh, the joys of being a Grandfather or Tampah as I am called by my grandkids. Here Caden and I share a noontime meal at Isaac's in Strasburg, PA after a visit to the Choo Choo Barn.

Yeah, it's the two of us in the healing Caribbean Sea! 85 degrees can make you feel young again (notice I didn't say 'We'). I can use as much of that as possible.

My granddaughter Courtney got to participate in the coin throw before one of her dad's high school football games. The game was used to help raise funds and awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Maybe someday Courtney will benefit from the donations that were given before and during the game.

Don't you just love when everyone cooperates at the same time!

I'm sure everyone has things in their stressful lives that they enjoy. The pleasures and joys of my life during the past year have been reflected in the last three entries I have posted. Hope you can see why I find them simple and rewarding. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Simple Pleasures, Simple Joys: Part #2" Story

It was an ordinary day. I hoped you enjoyed my story from yesterday. I have a few more "Simple Pleasures, Simple Joys" to share with you. Here is part #2 .......

Carol and I enjoying a good laugh as Just Sue takes our photo as we overlook the bay on the coast of Acapulco ........

My favorite Christmas tree ornament which we have had for years. Hand blown glass Santa ......

Love the expressions of my three grandkids as they count the eggs they have gathered during the annual LDub Easter Egg Hunt .........

Enjoying my fearless granddaughter Courtney and her dad who is scared half to death riding on the ferris wheel on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ ......

My lovely granddaughter Camille in her ballerina costume is waving to me as I take her photo ......

Frosty drinks are always welcome on a hot, hot day. These two are being shared by Carol and me on Curacao .......

Caden was so proud of his tattoo that he had applied at one of the stores on the Ocean City Boardwalk .......

Carol relaxing with the outdoor stray cat that comes to our back door everyday for food. She finally allowed Carol to pick her up and hold her right inside the back door. Sat there for over 30 minutes, but as soon as the door was opened, she darted out into the cold again .........

One more part to my story. Check back tomorrow. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Simple Pleasures, Simple Joys: Part #1" Story

It was an ordinary day. Reflecting on the year past and all the events that brought a smile to my face. I guess you could call them "Simple Pleasures, Simple Joys". You'll have to excuse me if I may have used a few of the photos in other stories from the past year. Here is part #1 .......

Laughing with grandkids as they pose with our meal for the evening .........

Traveling all over the world with my best friend and wife ........

Getting a laugh when my grandson Caden grabbed his camera and beat me to a family photo .....

Enjoying my wife finding her Easter basket .........

Watching my grandson's mom and dad open the gift he and I worked on in the basement. He was so proud of it and he kept it a secret until Christmas ......

Celebrating my birthday with my grandkids .........

Enjoying the raccoon that visits us frequently and looks in our back door to see what we are doing .....

Loving the hand painted trash cans at the Oxcart Factory in Costa Rico .......

Riding on the Ferris Wheel at Ocean City's Boardwalk with two of my favorite girls ........

Hope you enjoyed them as much as I did. More to follow tomorrow. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "LDub Goes Hunting" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just thinking about my friend Jerry and if he shot a deer yet. Jerry was never a hunter, but decided last year to go deer hunting with his friend near his home in State College. Bought himself a hunting rifle and scope and practiced at a local range. Took a few shots this year, but no deer yet. Guess he needs some more practice. I went hunting one time. Wrote about it in one of my stories. Quick summary: sitting under a tree with my rifle, pulled out my white handkerchief to blow my nose and somebody thought it was a deer's tail and shot in my direction. Took a branch off the tree above me. Scared me s*#tless. Started to scream! I got to thinking. Why do I need to go deer hunting. I don't need the meat. Often wondered how you can call it sport. Now, give the deer a rifle with a scope and then maybe it would be sport. Survival of the fittest. Saw last night that the deer population in the state of Pennsylvania is dropping. Fewer people are hunting because of it. How can you shoot a cute little deer anyway? The local newspaper sported four full color pages a few weeks ago with photos of "sportsmen" who had shot a deer. Told the size of the deer and where they shot it. About a third of the "sportsmen" were women. All the "sportsmen" finally killed just about all the pheasants in the state and eventually will eliminate the deer population. Tell you one thing ....... I won't be one of those "sportsmen". I value my life too much to be walking around in the woods with a bunch of crazy "sportsmen". It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - first 2 photos came from the newspaper showing hunters and their "prize". Last one shows the 8-point buck that I got this year with my pellet gun. He even lights up at Christmas for me.

The "Elementary Romance" Story

It was an ordinary day. Talking with a few of the people who went to high school with me. Talked about a variety of things and then the dance club came up. Ah, the good old dance club. That would have been in 6th grade. Let's see, about 1956, to be exact. My mom and dad decided I needed to have some social enrichment. I agree that I was a the shyest person on earth, but having to dance with girls would be a killer. Marilyn, a girl in my class lived around the corner from me on Liberty street. We walked to school together and I had a big crush on her throughout elementary school. Not sure how she felt about me, but our parents signed us both up for the dance club. Once a month during the school year one of the parents would hold the dance at their house. Many families had basement recreation rooms, so they were the usual hosts of the dances. There were about eight boys and eight girls in the dance club and you usually danced with the same girl every time you went to the dance club. Marilyn was my partner. I was in heaven for two hours every month. I wasn't a very good dancer, and I'm still not. At the end of the year the dance club ceased to exist. I reverted back into my shell again. I still had a crush on Marilyn, but when we entered Jr. High, she found older boys who had an interest in her. I eventually outgrew my shyness, allegedly, but still can't dance a lick. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Eulogy for P. Barry Kline" Story

It was an ordinary day. And .... a sad day. Just got back from the service for my friend Barry Kline. I have told you some of this before, but I'll retell it again, if you don't mind. Barry and I grew up together. We met when we were members of the St. James Boys Choir in Lancaster. Had practice every Monday after school, practice Thursday evening with the adult men in the choir, and practice Saturday mornings. We were good! Got to sing in a few really neat Cathedrals throughout the north-east. We were both sopranos when we started. Barry was a year older than me and "graduated" to alto sooner. That meant that he sat on the other side of the choir room with the other alto members. The choir director, Mr. McConnell, was a stern man, as I remember him. We were paid for singing and got a monthly envelope with our "salary" in it at the end of each month. If you misbehaved during the month, you were fined and it was deducted from your salary. Well Barry and I loved to shoot spit balls at each other during practices (except when the adults were there). Some months our salary was next to nothing from all the fines. On Sundays, after the service, we would hide in the graveyard or in the parking lot on Cherry Street so we wouldn't have to go to Sunday School. Someone would usually see us and tell our parents. Wow, the things you remember about your childhood. How come most of them are about being bad? Barry and I spent a few summers together at Camp Rodgers, our church camp, which was located on Shelly Island in the Susquehanna River. Great times learning how to grow up. Then the camp caught fire and burnt to the ground. Only thing left of it was the huge fireplace and chimney of the main building. Barry and I had nothing to do with that!! Camp Rodgers was opened the following year near Ephrata. We spent time together playing ping-pong, fishing, talking to the girls, and trying to figure out how to avoid the daily church service. During junior high and high school I kind of lost track of Barry since he lived in the city and went to a different school. When I got married and needed carpet for the house, Barry was there to help me. His father owned The Weave Shop in Lancaster and he would give me a call when they had a few good remnants that I could have. He even helped install a really neat orange shag in my re-finished basement. I had both of his sons, Matt and Joel, in my graphic arts class in school. In the mid-70s I started a softball team and entered it in the MT Parks and Rec League. Barry was the left fielder for the team. We had the best time playing together and reliving memories from the past. Even won the league trophy one year. In the early 90s I bought a car from him when he was working for M&R Auto. Two days later I was in an accident with the car and it was demolished. Had it towed to M&R and the next day I showed up and bought another one from him. Then Barry and his wife Mary Jo opened "The Tag Shop" in downtown Lancaster near Central Market. Stopped in after they opened and saw a rear wall that had very little on it. Asked him if he would be interested in selling my photographs. And sell them he did. Barry could sell anything to anyone. Some weeks I would sell photos faster than I could make them. I asked him if he knew anywhere I could get large sized prints made so I could frame them for his shop. Yep, his neighbor Dave who owned a print shop would make them for me. Barry told me that Dave had told him he owed me a favor since he had taken a pad of passes from my desk drawer when I had him as a student. Wow, funny how lives entwine. Then he asked if I could make mirrors, stools, and picture frames for him using yardsticks. He kept me busy year round. Always enjoyed my stops at "The Tag Shop". Barry and I would sit and talk about everything. Then I started to print his business cards, receipts, and stickers for his bags. Some times I would swap my services for items in the store. There were over 300 people to greet Mary Jo and her family at the service today. Molly Solbak, a retired minister from St. James and brother of Rob who sang in the choir with Barry and me, officiated at the service. I saw people I hadn't seen for years. And they were all there to share stories about Barry. Barry's dad was there. Preston not only lost Barry, but lost another son, Terry, this year. My parents were Godparents to Terry. One lady stood during the service and told of all the jackets she had purchased from Barry at The Tag Shop. She had 12 in her closet and 6 more at the cleaners. She looked over the crowd and said she bet that most of the women in the group owned jackets that Barry had sold to them. And now, Barry is gone. I'm at a loss for words! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Story in memory of P. Barry Kline. A friend forever! Save a joke for me until I see you again!!

The "Happy New Year" Story

It was an ordinary day. New Year's Day. January 1, 2011. Hey, Happy New Year from LDub and family. We had everyone back again. Thanksgiving, Christmas and now New Year's Day. Finally took the dining room table down and packed it away until next year. Cleaned all the good silver and china and put that in the hutch until next year. Put stain remover on the tablecloth and stuck it in the dishwasher. Oh, yeah. About the tablecloth. My mom made it years ago. White linen material with a green cross-stitch pattern all around the outside edge. Tablecloth was 98"x 48" in size. Took her forever to complete the cross-stitching. When she moved into a retirement home, Carol and I were given the tablecloth to use on special occasions. Today as we were taking it off the table to put stain remover on some of the spots, Carol looked at mom and said, "Do you remember when LDub and I were first married and we came to your house for dinner and I spilled cranberry juice on your brand new tablecloth that you had just finished cross-stitching? You had to send it to the dry cleaners to get the stain out. This is the the same tablecloth that we used today." Mom looked at her kind of funny and said, "Why yes, I do remember that and boy was I mad at you." Some things are better left unsaid, aren't they. Hope your New Year is a prosperous, healthy, and enjoyable one!! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.