The "My Soapbox Warning" Story

City of Venice with it's flooding

It was an ordinary day.  Reading more and more stuff about global warming and realizing that if you don't believe that global warming is one of the most important problems in our lifetime, you must be living in a vacuum.  I have believed for many years that we have been polluting our air with all the cars, trucks and buses that are on the roadway.  In 2007 it really got me thinking when, while visiting the island of Venice, Italy and while talking to one of the tour guides, she told me that most of the people who live on Venice own a pair of high-topped boots.  After questioning her about why, she responded by telling me that often the high tides will flood some of the streets on the island.  Also told me that it wasn't that way 25 to 30 years ago.  She truly believes that the melting of the ice in Antarctica will eventually lead to the destruction of Venice, Italy.  Wow!!  More and more I find myself thinking about what she shared or should I say warned me about and then recently I read about the predictions for our planet if we don't stop the harmful emissions we are emitting into the air.  By the year 2100 our sea levels could rise between three to six FEET because of Antarctica's rapid ice melt.  I realize that quite a few of us won't be here at that time, but that's not a reason to not be concerned for future generations.   Antarctica's ice cap holds 70% of the freshwater on the Earth and if it totally melts the oceans could rise 187 feet, decimating entire island nations.  Now I know these are only numbers, but it has to make you think.  Poor Venice would be gone!  In 1900 Piazza San Marco, Venice's central square, flooded seven times while in 2002, eleven years ago, the number jumped to 108.  No wonder the citizens of this historic island all have boots!  I also read that floodgates are scheduled to be built around the city, but they're not scheduled to begin until 2015.  I also read a prediction that in 2040 we could see the soil conditions in the world's most prestigious wine regions from Bordeaux, France to Napa Valley, California change because of the rising temperatures in our world.  If the average temperature jumps two degrees in the next 30 years, the change in the soil conditions would change the balance of sweetness and acidity crucial to good wine.  In 2030 55% or the Amazon's 1.4 billion acres of rain forests could be gone and with it the 140 billion metric tons of carbon which help stabilize the global climate.  Not only that, but the increased carbon dioxide emissions we are polluting the earth with is causing glaciers in the Alps to melt rapidly and they too could be gone as early as 2030.  Within 7 years the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, which is the world's largest and most diverse reef system, is in danger of becoming extinct if we don't reduce the global CO2 emissions by at least 25%.  I know some people don't believe any of this, but it is true!  How many of you have bought a CO2 alarm for your home to check for too high an emission discharge in your home.  Did you ever hear of these alarms 25 years ago?  I keep thinking that I have to get a car soon that will stop putting so much pollution into the air.  We all need to stop polluting our environment.  Someday soon you may become more aware of it, if you aren't right now, and we all have to hope it's not too late!!  I keep thinking of that girl in Venice who was so nice to me and hope she will live to see her island saved from destruction.  It was an extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The ".....and the fat Lady sings" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about the Philadelphia Flyers fans having no hard feeling against their professional hockey team, even after their lock-out with management at the beginning to this season.  The 2012–13 NHL lockout was a labour dispute that began at 11:59 pm EDT on September 15, 2012, and ended at 4:45 am EST on January 6, 2013, lasting 113 days. Last weekend the team began practice for this season and over 2,000 fans showed up at their training complex in New Jersey.  The usual 82 game season will be reduced to 48 games with the first game on January 19.  The players should be in hockey shape, since most have played in other countries or in minor leagues in the US since the start of the lock-out.  The fans, vendors and others who depend on the full season are the real losers in this lock-out.  The players and team owners still walk away with a fantastic amount of money.  Carol and I used to watch the Flyers all the time when our youngest son was playing ice hockey throughout middle and high school.  It was during this time, specifically the 1972-1973 season, that the Flyers shed the mediocre expansion team label and became the intimidating Broad Street Bullies.  Fun to watch Bernie Parent, Dave Shultz, and Rick MacLeish as they started Philadelphia on a winning tradition that lasted years.  But, the players weren't the only thing that we like to watch when we tuned in the Flyers games on our TV.  We enjoyed the singing of "God Bless America" by the vocalist with the voice that could fill the arena.  Kate Smith was a fan favorite and theFlyers made sure they included her singing at the beginning of the game on many occasions.  It was on December 11, 1969 that the Flyers played her rendition of "God Bless America" for the first time and an unusual part of her career began.  The team began to play the song before home games every once in a while and it seemed that the team was more successful when she sang.  At the Flyer's home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 11, 1973 she made a surprise appearance to perform the song in person and receive a tremendous ovation.  The Flyers won that game by a 2-0 score and the tradition grew.  She again performed the song at the Spectrum in front of a capacity crowd of 17,007 fans before Game 6 of the Stanley Finals on May 19, 1974 against the Boston Bruins and led to back-to-back Stanley Cups. Loved her singing as well as the game that night.  The Flyers' record when "God Bless America is played or sung is a remarkable 94 wins, 26 losses and 4 ties as of April 26, 2001.  I cannot find any records since then to share with you.  One fan even said online about the beginning of a game when she appears that "it ain't begun 'til the fat lady sings!  However for the opponent, it's over."  Kate Smith and her voice still remains special to Carol and me and remain a special part of Flyers' history.  In 1987, a year after her death, the Flyers erected a statue of Smith outside the Spectrum.  Something that they didn't do for many of their best players.  The Flyers occasionally still show a video of her singing "God Bless America" in lieu of the "Star Spangled Banner' for good luck before important games.  They have also begun projecting her image onto their large screen at the beginning of games to have her and Lauren Hart, daughter of the late Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster Gene Hart, sing a duet of "God Bless America."  Pretty inspiring to say the least!  Hockey back then was more than just money, it was a culture.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

  

The "Gettin' The Double Dose" Story

The red double dose!

It was an ordinary day.  Reading in the paper about the tremendous amount of people who have the flu this winter.  One of the worst outbreaks of the disease in over 10 years.  Two people have already died in Lancaster, PA.  Both were over the age of 60 which is considered one of the two "most at risk" groups with children being the other.  Carol and I didn't want to chance it this year being that I had a round of shingles which started last April and are still lingering in my body and Carol had a bout of mono around Labor Day.  Since our immune systems are on the low end of fighting just about any disease, we called our family doctor and scheduled flu shots.  While on the phone with him he told me that he was going to give us the double dose which he usually recommends for adults over age 65.  I questioned him if that may give us flu twice as fast and he assured me it wouldn't.  Well, shot day came and Carol and I traveled to Lancaster Internal Medicine on Cherry Street in Lancaster.  Located right around the corner from where I grew up as a child, not that it makes any difference.  We checked in, gave the receptionist our insurance cards and headed to the waiting room.  Told Carol not to touch a thing including the magazines and the arms of the chairs.  More than likely someone with the flu virus had just left and had sat in these same chairs and had read a magazine while leaning on the arm of the chair.  We sat straight up with our hands in our laps, making sure that we didn't touch anything with our bare skin.  Laughed the entire time at how silly we looked, but at least we weren't going to leave today with the flu.  Finally the nurse came and wanted to know what was so funny.  Gave her some reason and off we went to the "shot room."  I went first and when she got out the needle I asked her what the difference was between the single dose and the double dose.  She looked at me and said, "Twice the amount."  OK.  Then she said, "I'm only giving you the single dose today."  "Wait a minute," I responded.  "Dr. Sanchez told me that since both of us have been ill in the past few months with diseases that are hard to shake that we should receive the double dose.  Besides we are both over 65 years old and in the group that gets the flu a lot easier."  Off she went to see the doctor and in a few minutes came back with the bigger needles.  "Whoa, that certainly is a double dose," I said while looking at what she was going to put in my arm.  "Are you sure this won't give me the flu!" I asked her.  "No, the virus is dead that is in the serum," she responded.  "I certainly hope so or I'll be back here real quick," I shot back.  Carol and I both got our injections and had no problems.  At times Carol will get ill and blame it on the shot, but not this time.  After reading about all the problems with the flu this year I'm sure glad we got our shots and especially that we got the double dose.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Marking a 2013 Calendar" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Going through my date book for 2013 and marking some of the odd observances that the "Centre Daily Times" out of State College, PA has recommended that I mark.  These are dates that are in addition to the usual holidays and family dates such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries and of course vacations.  I'm sure you have heard of most of these, but just in case you haven't, I'll remind you of the exact dates so you too can mark your calendar.

• JANUARY - 3: Fruitcake Toss Day. Time to finally throw away the old fruitcake; 6: Bean Day. Ham and Bean soup, Chili, etc.....love 'em all.  7: Old Rock Day.  Maybe you could start a collection; 8: National Bubble Bath Day. Share one with your partner; 20: Inauguration Day.  Doesn't everyone mark this date?  Happens to be on a Sunday this year so the public celebration will take place on the 21st; 23: Measure your feet day.  I know a few people who have two different sized feet.  They also have a few other screwy things about them.  This is also National Hobby Month
• FEBRUARY - 3: The Day The Music Died Day.  Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died on this day in 1959 in a plane crash. 10: Chinese New Year and the Year of the Snake; 13: Get A Different Name Day.  If you really hate your name you can be called something entirely different today; 14: Ferris Wheel Day.  Just love the thrill; 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day.  Hey, that's what it says in the newspaper so you know it is fact; 27: National No-Brainer Day.  Designed for the simple minded. 
• MARCH - 2: National Old Stuff Day.  And, boy do I have plenty of that; 6: Oreo Cookie Day.  Oreos were sold for the first time in 1912; 14: Pi Day.  Not the kind you can eat, but the math Pi (3.14..........);  23: National Chip and Dip Day.  No double-dippin' please, Courtney; 31: Bunsen Burner Day.  Gotta remember remember those science classes in high school!  Had to add that this is National Peanut Month.
• APRIL - 3: Ice Cream Sundae Day.  This is allegedly the day that the first ice cream sundae was made in New York 120 years ago today; 11: National Barbershop Quartet Day.  My dad was one of the best there was.  Could have been a pro had he had the backing;  17: National Cheeseball Day.  My buddy Jerry loves this day.  Eat a few for me;  25: Take Your Son Or Daughter To Work Day. 27: National Babe Ruth Day.  One of the best ever; 30: National Honesty Day.  No kidding!
• MAY - 3: Lumpy Rug Day.  Don't you just hate them; 5: National Oyster Day.  I enjoy them any way but raw; 12: Mother's Day.  I know it is probably on every calendar printed, but I just wanted to remind you.  Don't dare forget your mother.  She made you what you are; 18: International Museum Day.  Visit a museum near you and give a donation; 23: Margaret Wise Brown Day.  The author of one of the most favorite children's book "Goodnight Moon."  I read it many, many times!  And it's National Photograph Month.  Record something for history. 
• JUNE - 1: National Flip A Coin Day.  Good way to settle any argument;  6: National Yo-Yo Day; 16: Father's Day.  See what I typed for May 12; 25 - Leon Day.  Leon is Noel spelled backwards and I wanted to let you know you have  six months to get your shopping done.  29: Camera Day.  My favorite hobby.  I might add that this is National Accordion Awareness Month.  Loved playing my 120 bass beauty.
• JULY - 3: National Stay Out Of The Sun Day.  Ever notice that the beaches are empty this day.  Not!; 8: Liberty Bell Day.  The Liberty bell cracked on this day in 1835 when it was being rung; 14: National Nude Day.  Make sure you do your part and enjoy your outside space au naturale; 15: Tapioca Pudding Day.  I just love the stuff. 19: Stick Out Your Tongue Day. This is a really dumb day and probably one you can forget; 20: Moon Day. Today marks the 44th anniversary of Neil Armstrong becoming the first person to walk on the moon.  Don't you wish it was you who did it first; 22: National Hammock Day.  Someday I'll have one on my deck; 30: National Father-In-Law Day.  Hear that Barb and Dave.  I have to tell you that this is one of my favorite months, since it National Ice Cream Month.
• AUGUST - 1: Respect for Parents Day.  This day is to emphasize respect for parents, something that should be done every day.  That is for all ages, kids to adults; 4: National Sister's Day.  Many times I wish I would have had a sister; 9: National Book Lover's Day.  Doesn't matter if it's paper or electronic; 11: Play In The Sand Day.  May have to plan a vacation to the beach for this day; 13: National Left-Hander's Day.  This one's for you, Derek; 20: World Mosquito Day. Not sure if you should ignore or swat one though.
• SEPTEMBER - 5: National Cheese Pizza Day; 9: Somebody's Birthday Day. Guess who; 14: National Cream-Filled Donut Day.  I knew they had to declare this day just for me; 19: Talk Like A Pirate Day.  Ahoy, matey!  Now where does this stuff come from; 17: National Apple Dumplin' Day.  I do like peach dumplings almost as much; 23: Nintendo Day.  Nintendo was founded on this date in 1889.  The first product wasn't the Wii.  It was playing cards.  Remember?  And, this month is National Little League Month.  Williamsport, PA loves it.
• OCTOBER - l: Homemade Cookies Day & World Vegetarian Day.  A double whammy day.  So, why not make oatmeal raisin cookies in honor of both; 7: World Smile Day. You know you can do it; 14: Be Bald and Free Day. Love it!!!; 15: National Grouch Day. I'll bypass this one and here's hoping you do too; 28: The Statue of Liberty Day.  On this date in 1886 the "Masterpiece of the Human Spirit" was dedicated.
• NOVEMBER - 5: National Gunpowder Day.  Too bad this had to be; 15: Pack Your Mom Lunch Day. Be sure to add some chocolate; 17: Homemade Bread Day & Take A Hike Day. Pack some grub and hit the trail; Marc Brown Day.  The American author of numerous children's books was born on this date in 1946.  Hey Jerry, it's National Model Railroad Month.
• DECEMBER - 1: Eat A Red Apple Day.  Maybe one for the teacher would be nice; 5: National Bathtub Party Day.  Count me in; 12: National Ding-A-Ling Day.  And, boy we have plenty of them to go around; 13: National Cocoa Day.  One of my favorites!  I'll have to make a cup of hot chocolate and have a few of my wife's Snickerdoodles for dunking; 23: Festivus.  It's for the rest of us, you know; 31: New Year's Eve.  We celebrate another year with a toast to the New Year.

Well, I have come to the end of the year with dates that I found just about every place and from everyone.  Find your favorite to celebrate?  I know I have.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The King of Rock and Roll" Story

Ladies and Gentle, "Elvis has left the building!"

It was an ordinary day.  Wondering why I didn't pick up tickets for "The Elvis Birthday Bash" which will be appearing at the American Music Theatre soon.  After all, Elvis was one of my big rock and roll heroes back in the 50s, 60s and 70s.  I can still remember the day that Elvis died in 1977.  Carol and I and our three children were at Sea Isle City, NJ for a week of summer fun during the second week of August.  On August 16th I went to the store and picked up a newspaper and there on the front page was a big photo of Elvis Presley with the headline "Elvis is found dead."  At first I thought it was just a joke, but after reading a little of the article, I realized that he had really died of a suspected drug overdose.  I can still remember seeing Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show on my birthday, September 9th.  I was only 12 years old at the time and my mom and dad weren't sure they wanted me to see Elvis singing on TV, but they only filmed him from the waist up during the telecast and many were disappointed.  A long time has passed since his death in '77 in Memphis, Tennessee, but I still listen to his Cd's when driving in the car.  Some of the best music ever produced in music history.  His backup group, the Jordanaires, were also one of my favorites.  I have seen quite a few Elvis impersonators and some have been almost as good, but none ever totally recaptured his style and smoooooth voice.  Just disappointed that I will miss the show with two different impersonators, one for his younger years and one as the older Elvis.  If you were an Elvis fan, you may know some of answers to the following questions I have for you.  See how well you do.  The answers are at the end, so don't scroll too far down or you will will be disappointed.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

1. When and where was Elvis born?
2. What is his middle name?
3. What non-musical event happened to Elvis in 1958?
4. Where did Elvis meet, marry and divorce his wife Priscilla?
5. Elvis met what President in the White House and what did he receive from him?
6. What was his first single and how high did it go on the Billboard charts?  
7. What is the only other country where Elvis performed in concert?
8. What was his biggest selling single.
9. Besides maybe your parents, who said, "Elvis was unfit for family viewing"?
10. How many No. 1 Billboard hits did he have.
11. Who said, "Before Elvis, there was nothing."
12. Who said, "Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century"?

Well, now time for the answers.  Hope you knew a few of the answers.  If not, you probably weren't born when Elvis was a star or you didn't appreciate GOOD MUSIC!

Answers:

1. January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi.
2.  Aron, also spelled Aaron.
3. Drafted into the Army.
4. Sept. 13 while serving in the Army in Germany.  She was 14.  They were married May 1, 1967 in Las Vegas and divorced in 1973.
5. Richard Nixon gave him a Dangerous Drugs badge.
6. Heartbreak Hotel in January 1956 and made #1.
7. Canada.
8. "It's Now or Never!"
9. Ed Sullivan
10. 38
11. John Lennon
12. Leonard Bernstein

The "Family Griswold Shirt Club" Story

Brother Steve and son Tad

It was an ordinary day.  Just downloaded photos I took during the Christmas holidays.  One of the photos immediately caught my eye.  Thought it might bring back some happy thoughts for you if one of your favorite holiday movies was "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase.  My youngest son Tad is a huge hockey fan and after seeing the movie asked for a shirt like Clark wore during the movie.  It was a home shirt worn by the Chicago Blackhawks.  On it were the numbers "00" and the name "Griswold" which was Clark's last name.  Tad wanted one exactly like it for Christmas in 1994 so we bought him one.  Had it made in a little town called Mt. Joy, PA at Kenny Smith's which was a hockey equipment store.  Tad loved it.  Matter of fact so did I and thought maybe some day I would also get one.  Well, shortly after the holidays someone broke into Tad's apartment in Norristown, PA where he was attending Antonelli's School of Photography and stole several items including the his prized hockey shirt.  The thief was caught, but he no longer had Tad's jersey.  So, the following year we bought him another one.  Same reaction from him when opening it again.  This Christmas when the family traveled to my brother Steve's home in Ephrata for a family get-together, Steve was wearing the same jersey.  Wow, LDub's family really thinks the same way!  Thought it would be neat to take the two of them together in a family pose.  Maybe next year we can add a new member to the Griswold Shirt Club.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Playing Trains" Story

Jerry running the passenger train
through the Lancaster Train Station.

 It was an ordinary day.  Watching the trains pull in and out of the station.  Every now and then I put my camera to my eye and snap a few shots.  The Lancaster Train Station is alive with lights as the GG1 pulls along the platform to pick up passengers.  The lights are supplied by a few miles of miniature wiring, because, you see, I am looking at an HO scale Lancaster Train Station in the basement of my childhood friend Jerry.  The 1/2 inch round wire that travels over my head and down the rear wall carries 100 minute wires that are attached to a panel under the train layout.  This maze of wires was designed by Jerry's friend Mike who was at one time an electrical engineer for Corning Glass.  Now Mike puts his skills and knowledge to use on miniature train displays in the State College, PA area.  As I lay under the train yard I am amazed at the wiring schematic with the 3 Red,  7 Green and Yellow markings as well as the nomenclature about the board like NH (New Holland), CK (Cork), ML (Main Line) and a variety of others which make up the six electrical blocks on the train layout.  The abbreviations are for the different areas of the train yard while the colors are for the controllers that Jerry and his friends use when they get together to "play trains."  Jerry and his train buddies Mike, Bud and John all live in the State College vicinity and get together to "play trains" every Wednesday come rain, shine or even snow.  Every so often they take a break from being "Tower Operator", conductor or engineer and visit a real train station or hobby shop.  The buddies are part of a growing trend leaning toward model railroading.  As more and more people move into retirement with more and more time on their hands, model railroading is a big attraction to them.  It's not an inexpensive hobby with engines costing hundreds of dollars and layout products and gadgets adding to the cost, but hey, it's their hobby!  They worked all their life to reach this stage in their life when they can play and spend money on that playing.  Now, getting back to the electrical scheme of Jerry's HO layout.  All the wiring helps control the 6 electrical blocks (NH, CK, ML, etc.) and determine which throttle or controller the conductor can operate in a particular block.  The "Tower Operator" or head honcho of the day has control over all colored controllers.  The controller I should mention is a small electrical unit that you hold in your hand and adjust as you wish to make your trains move.  At any one time only 3 of the 6 blocks can have power and those not having power aren't operable.  The control panel is operated by the "Tower Operator" who determines what the three colored conductors or controller operators can do.  The "Tower Operator" is responsible to make sure that the trains don't run into each other just as in real life.  Even in HO scale that can be a catastrophe with the cost of engines and so forth.  To communicate with the "Tower Operator" each conductor has a walkie-talkie so they can ask permission to move their engine and cars around the layout and into other electrical blocks.  Now, you have to realize that the guys are usually within visual sight of each other and can just yell to the "Tower Operator", but that's now how it is on a real railroad, so the walkie-talkies are another touch of realism to "playing trains" plus it adds an additional cost onto the hobby.  In real life it could take all day to perform the tasks that the guys do on Jerry's layout and to "play trains" might get boring or start to be like a job rather than having fun, so a Fast Clock is used.  Yep, one more expense!  The clock can take real-life time and condense it to anywhere from 1/4 to 1/12 time, therefore at 8:1 ratio, eight hours is condensed into one hour.  An entire 8 hour shift for a real conductor can be cut to one hour on the HO layout.  Day can turn into night rather quickly and since the HO layout is in Jerry's basement and the lighting can be controlled, it is more realistic.  My opinion on "playing trains" thing?  I'm fascinated!!  Love to watch the miniature trains with whistles blowing and smoke rising or watching the overhead catenary lines which carry the electricity to electrical engines that come in contact with the panograph on the top of the engine.  The miniature people that bring Lancaster Train Station to life are amazing.  If I wasn't into photography as a hobby, which can get expensive also, I'd probably join the brotherhood of HO model railroaders.  It's a close-knit group of people who love the hobby.  It's a close second for me!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - check out the photos of Jerry's train layout that follow.

Electrical board under Jerry's train layout.

Yellow controller for the Yellow Crew Chief.

The control panel which is operated by the "Tower Operator."

Walkie-Talkies for communication.

The Fast Clock.

Lancaster Train Station.  

Freight train leaving the station.

Engines waiting their turn on the layout.  The wiring above the trains is the catenary that is used to power electrical trains in real life.  The panograph units on the top of the two engines on the right can be raised so they touch the wiring and will electrify the engines. 

One of Jerry's new additions to his layout.

The circus is another new addition that is in the process of being constructed.  Jerry's wife, Just Sue, has sewn the tents that are on the right of the photo.  Jerry's old house in our neighborhood is in the rear behind the circus.  

Fisheye view shows the Landisville branch of Jerry's layout.

The "True Friend Marg: Part II" Story

Carol and Marg

It was an ordinary day.  Hope you enjoyed the story I posted yesterday about my wife's long-time friend Marg.  When Carol first met Marg she and her husband were living in the city of Lancaster, PA. Wasn't long before they moved to the city of Lititz which is north of Lancaster.  Neat little town that I have documented in these stories I write.  They became unhappy in Lititz and moved to Landisville.  That house was larger and sported a swimming pool in the back yard which Carol and I enjoyed along with Marg and her husband.  They again became unhappy with the house and now live in a home near Manheim, PA which they helped design and which is in a neighborhood for people over 50.  Throughout all the moves Carol and Marg continued to visit with one another and Marg continued to amaze us with her artwork.  She kind of takes her talent for granted and doesn't realize how good an artist she really is and how good she could become.  And, I don't think that's going to happen.  So, I am happy to share with you a few more of her works on paper as well as a few of her works on stone which she has done.  After a visit to New England last year to eat lobster, she came back with a large collection of dark-washed stones which she hand picked along the coast.  The stones are for her paintings with acrylics which she does.  A few years ago she tried a few paintings on rocks and put them for sale at the annual Lititz Crafts Show.  She sold a few, but didn't pursue the project beyond that point.  For Christmas this year she gave Carol a set of 4 washed-stones that she had painted depicting the birth of Jesus.  I have included these as well as a few other rocks that she has given Carol over the years.  Hope you enjoy the artwork that follows.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

This was on a tag that Marg had created for a present she gave my wife.  Inside said: "These imperfect socks.... should still keep you feet warm!"  Artwork is in pen and ink and watercolor.

This tall narrow card was a Get-Well card that  Marg created with markers.

Final card bears the likeness of ....... guess?  Pen and ink rendering with colored pencils says inside:  Soooooo..... It Could Be Worst......  I Could Be Your New Vice President!"  It was a "Get Well" card that Marg made for Carol.

First rock that Marg gave to Carol as a gift.  It is painted with acrylics.

This rock has two Ragged Anne characters on it and was done with acrylics.

This collection of stones from New England carry the acrylic paintings of an Angel, Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus.  Carol and I both love them.

Marg thinks that Carol and I lay like this while at the beach so she depicted it on a rock for us.   You know it can't be us because we don't have a blanket like that!  Also, I always lay on my back when tanning.  Titled St. Martins on the bottom and done in acrylics.

The "True Friend Marg: Part I" Story

It was an ordinary day.  And .... too many months have passed before I took the time to write another story about one of my wife's bestest and longest friends.  Don't know if "bestest" is really a word, but if it is then it surely fits the occasion.  My wife Carol met Marg in 1971, just before our first son was born.  Marg was also having a son and the two met at a La Leche League meeting before the births.  The League is an organization who supports and helps women who plan to breast-feed their children.  The two hit it off right away and well ....... the rest is history.  Marg and Carol talk on the phone a few times a week and try to get together for breakfast or lunch every couple of weeks.  Have been doing this for over 40 years now.  There have been up times and down times, but a true friendship as this is has lasted forever.  The reason for my story today and tomorrow is to talk about Marg's artistic talent.  No one ever has ever praised her in writing about those talents, but I thought it needed to be done.  To me she would be a natural to illustrate a children's book.  Hopefully someone will read this and give her a shot at what she loves to do.  Today I will share with you some of her cards she has sent over the years while tomorrow I will show you what she has been up to for the last few years.  Carol and I have received too many cards to count, but we try to remember to keep all of them, since each is so special to either her or me.  Some of her artwork is done in colored pencils while others are done in either marker, pen and ink or watercolor.  All are remarkable as you will see in the samples below.  Are you ready for the new artist?  A little info will accompany each work of art.

This was sent to our youngest son while he was in the hospital fighting a case of mono.  Inside the care read "The Easter Bunny Won't Know Where To Leave Your Basket ..... If You Don't Get Out Of The Hospital!  Get Well Soon!"  Tad was in high school at the time.  

This watercolor was for my wife and it said: "I was looking at a magazine with beach pictures ..... thinking how nice it would be to have young skin again .... well just to be young again.  When I see beach pictures, you always come to mind."

The cover and inside of a card Marg sent to Carol after Carol made her a sweater for a Christmas gift.  Pen and ink with colored pencils.

This card was done on a paper lunch bag.  Front shows them in 1971 while the bottom shows them whenever.  Neat card for a birthday!  Pencil and colored pencils.

This is done on a much larger card with pen and ink, colored pencils and some watercolor.    This is another birthday card and on the inside says: "As we get older we k now what we Want!  So I'll give you some!!!"  Then there is another older woman bent over with a cane saying: "I WANT CHOCOLATE (and something young to LOOK at).  The inside is too large to scan and show.

Inside this pen and ink with pencils says: "You Get Birthday Presents To Use When You Knit For Them!  Happy Birthday, Marg."  Naturally the present that accompanied the card was yarn.

One of the many Christmas cards that we have received.  This one has a blue bow made from ribbon and what appears to be real hair.  Here's hopping it's not!  Pen and ink and colored pencils.

"Happy Birthday to an Angel of a Friend!" is on the inside of this card which may be done with pen and ink and crayons.

Front and inside of another Birthday Card.  Pretty neat!  Pen and ink and colored pencils.

Well, what do you think?  Have some talent?  Now she just needs some encouragement.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Amorous Adventures" Story

Happy Bay on the island of St. Martin

Landing in Sint Maarten

It was an ordinary day.  Just opened my email and there in a beautiful Caribbean blue color was a message that read "Romance in the Caribbean" and was sent to me by "Caribbean Travel & Life" magazine.  Naturally caught my attention so I opened it and there it was: Romance in the Caribbean - The sunny skies, the pristine beaches, the ultra-clear sea — from Antigua to Tobago, the Caribbean nurtures romantic relationships by its natural gifts alone. But which is the right island for the two of you? And which resort has the look, the price, the amenities, the activities and the amorous extras that fit your style? The options are endless, so here we highlight four delightful, and distinct, possibilities.  As I continued with the email I counted only three possibilities.  I clicked on every link, but still only three possibilities: Mexico, Bonaire and Punta Cana.  OK, how about the fourth possibility.  Guess it is up to my imagination.  Well, Carol and I are in the process of making all our connections for our own romantic getaway in a few months.  Heading back to our "second home" of St. Maarten/St. Martin.  Who needs romance in Mexico, Bonaire and Punta Cana when we can have all the romance we can stand on the white sand beaches and in the crystal clear blue waters of St. Martin.  We have reserved for the third time Villa Jeluca which overlooks Orient Bay and Beach from high above on the top of the hill where you can see for miles.  This year we are planning a side trip to another gorgeous island, Anguilla.  The beach called Shoal Bay East is on the north-east side of the island and is rated as the #1 beach in the world by a few travel magazines.  All I can tell you is if you were ever there, you'd know why.  We had the same day trip planned for the past two trips, but sand gravity took over and we never got on the ferry to Anguilla.  This year we both agreed we would make the trip on one of the first 4 or 5 days of our vacation.  We'll see how that works out!  In case you haven't read any of the St. Martin stories on my blog I can tell you that St. Maarten/St. Martin is 63' 5' West Longitude and 18' 1' North Latitude and is officially named the "Friendly Island."  It is half Dutch and half French.  We prefer the more laid-back atmosphere of the French side for our vacation, but we do hop in the car a few times every week to make the 15-20 minute journey to the Dutch side for shopping and eating.  The official currency of the island is the Dutch Antillean guilder on the Dutch side and the Euro on the French side, but both sides have no trouble taking my American dollar. I have a new lens for my Sony Alpha and hope to buy another one while on vacation, so I hope to share some more sights of the island with you via a story or two while we are there.  As for the article about Romance in the Caribbean, we think we have found our "right" island, "right" villa and right activities and amorous extras that fit our style.  As we become seasoned travelers, meaning older, we have found that the romance can still be part of the journey, but the relaxation we achieve on the island of our choice is just as important to us.  We decided many years ago that as long as we can physically make our journeys, we will do as many as we can possibly afford, because who knows when it will end.  We aren't going to chance it so we hit the beaches often.  Don't ever put off until tomorrow the trip of a lifetime you can take today.  You'll be sorry someday if you do.  Carol and I take that advice often.  The suitcases are calling .......  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary 

guy.

Islet Pinel off the shores of St. Martin

Shoal Bay East on the island of Anguilla