It is never to late to reconnect with people we have known in the past. It sometimes happens by accident as it did for me yesterday. I saw an email address I thought might be for my high school track coach. For some reason I felt compelled to send him an email wondering if he was my coach H and if he remembered me after 47 years. I just wanted him to know that he was a very positive influence on at least one student during his teaching/coaching career. As a senior in High School I probably didn’t feel comfortable telling him how much he meant to me and what a great coach I thought he was. I’m glad that I finally got the chance to do that.
He emailed back last night, even though he was only hours away from leaving for a vacation in Hawaii, to let me know that he did indeed remember me, that my email meant a lot to him and that he would like to reconnect with me when he returned. If there is someone in your life that meant a lot to you or made a difference in your life take a minute to send them a note or call them. It can mean more to them then you will ever know.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
AT&T Pioneers
I’m still alive and well, just couldn’t get inspired this month to write about anything until today. Today I reconnected with some old friends and I’m on my way to making some new ones. I am once again getting involved with the AT&T Pioneers, the volunteer organization for current and retired AT&T employees. I was a life member, but became inactive when I retired in 2000 and worked for Park Bank for 10 years. Working seems to get in the way of volunteering if you let it. A friend from church, fellow VFW member and also retired AT&T employee asked on Sunday if my wife and I would like to go along with them to their monthly luncheon meeting today. They even picked us up. I took this as an omen to get off my lazy butt and serve in one more capacity which I enjoy doing and which gives me immeasurable satisfaction.
If you have never heard of the “AT&T Pioneers” it’s a nation wide group of 325,000 current and retired employees that volunteer for many different things. They celebrated their 100th anniversary in November 2011. In 2011 they collected 50,000 pounds of food, donated 25,000 cell phones and many, many care packages to U.S. Service Men and Women, continued to repair talking books for the blind, sponsor Honor Flights for WW II Vets, mentor students and too much more to include here. It brought back fond memories of beeper base ball for the blind, doing habitat with them, Santa Flights in the cold at the Reserve base in Madison, Stand Downs for homeless Vietnam Vets in the fall and enjoying the camaraderie and fun that we had volunteering together
This is a thank you to all who have been or continue to be volunteers, especially the ones you never hear about. Thinking about my good friends in Menomonee Falls and my son-in-law. You know who you are and all that you do and I know this country is going to need more and more volunteers to move forward. If you haven’t tried it, please do because everyone has a talent they can share. If you are in Dane County Wisconsin just go to the RSVP site on your computer and they can match your talent to their needs. I’m sure most counties or cities have something similar.
Thanks to all who volunteer
If you have never heard of the “AT&T Pioneers” it’s a nation wide group of 325,000 current and retired employees that volunteer for many different things. They celebrated their 100th anniversary in November 2011. In 2011 they collected 50,000 pounds of food, donated 25,000 cell phones and many, many care packages to U.S. Service Men and Women, continued to repair talking books for the blind, sponsor Honor Flights for WW II Vets, mentor students and too much more to include here. It brought back fond memories of beeper base ball for the blind, doing habitat with them, Santa Flights in the cold at the Reserve base in Madison, Stand Downs for homeless Vietnam Vets in the fall and enjoying the camaraderie and fun that we had volunteering together
This is a thank you to all who have been or continue to be volunteers, especially the ones you never hear about. Thinking about my good friends in Menomonee Falls and my son-in-law. You know who you are and all that you do and I know this country is going to need more and more volunteers to move forward. If you haven’t tried it, please do because everyone has a talent they can share. If you are in Dane County Wisconsin just go to the RSVP site on your computer and they can match your talent to their needs. I’m sure most counties or cities have something similar.
Thanks to all who volunteer
Friday, December 30, 2011
A Picture Can Be Worth A Thousand Words
One of my goals for 2012 is to become more computer literate and make better use all of the things that are available on line to expand my blog readership. If you do follow my blog please click on follow so I know someone out there is reading what I try to write. Thanks to those that have already clicked as followers.
For Christmas I received a wireless mouse and a couple of USB storage devices thanks to my sister-in-law and my son and daughter-in-law. I have already copied all 50 of my storage cd’s, both documents and picture files onto to the new USB devices. I know your probably thinking, “he’s so far behind he’ll never catch up”, but at least I’m trying and do believe that one is ever too old to learn.
Writing projects for 2012 are, first, to edit my current book, “The Coded Letter”. Actually I gave copies to a couple of relatives at Christmas to read, as is, after one edit by me, to see if it’s even worth trying to publish. Next I plan to make my first book, “Anchors Aweigh,” into something that everyone might enjoy reading by removing many of the personal and too often repeated thoughts. It turned out to be mainly copies of the letters I sent home. My third writing objective is to continue writing a sequel to my last book. “The Coded Letter.” It looks like the main location will be one of my favorite places, Key West, Florida and that my main characters will remain the same. My last writing goal is to continue to write blogs as the spirit moves me. I have found one more thing that will be inspire my writings and may help you if you write.
I have been copying all of our slides and pictures from albums all the way back to pictures taken by my grandparents. Looking at all of these pictures makes me question what the people, some that are unnamed, were thinking and doing when these pictures were taken. Many bring back fond memories and could lead to an autobiography.
So this one goes out to all of you writers suggesting that when you get that “what should I write about writer’s block”, pull out some of those old picture albums, shoe boxes with pictures in or get out the slide projector and revisit the past. I can almost guarantee that you will think of something to write about. If you don’t write now, but always wanted to try, then this might give you the ideas needed to start. What’s the worst that can happen? You can bore someone to death with your writing. Hope my writing doesn’t do that too often. Yes, a picture could lead to a thousand words.
For Christmas I received a wireless mouse and a couple of USB storage devices thanks to my sister-in-law and my son and daughter-in-law. I have already copied all 50 of my storage cd’s, both documents and picture files onto to the new USB devices. I know your probably thinking, “he’s so far behind he’ll never catch up”, but at least I’m trying and do believe that one is ever too old to learn.
Writing projects for 2012 are, first, to edit my current book, “The Coded Letter”. Actually I gave copies to a couple of relatives at Christmas to read, as is, after one edit by me, to see if it’s even worth trying to publish. Next I plan to make my first book, “Anchors Aweigh,” into something that everyone might enjoy reading by removing many of the personal and too often repeated thoughts. It turned out to be mainly copies of the letters I sent home. My third writing objective is to continue writing a sequel to my last book. “The Coded Letter.” It looks like the main location will be one of my favorite places, Key West, Florida and that my main characters will remain the same. My last writing goal is to continue to write blogs as the spirit moves me. I have found one more thing that will be inspire my writings and may help you if you write.
I have been copying all of our slides and pictures from albums all the way back to pictures taken by my grandparents. Looking at all of these pictures makes me question what the people, some that are unnamed, were thinking and doing when these pictures were taken. Many bring back fond memories and could lead to an autobiography.
So this one goes out to all of you writers suggesting that when you get that “what should I write about writer’s block”, pull out some of those old picture albums, shoe boxes with pictures in or get out the slide projector and revisit the past. I can almost guarantee that you will think of something to write about. If you don’t write now, but always wanted to try, then this might give you the ideas needed to start. What’s the worst that can happen? You can bore someone to death with your writing. Hope my writing doesn’t do that too often. Yes, a picture could lead to a thousand words.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
New Year's Eves Remembered
New Year’s Eve has changed many times in the last 40 years for me and I’m sure for most of you also. The first one I actually celebrated was on New Year’s Eve 1968 in Taipei at Club 63 . Not yet 21, but it was legal for us to drink in that country. At 19 years old it was all about partying. There was a floor show, dance band, Champaign for $2 a bottle, a midnight buffet and breakfast if you made it to 4am. I stayed for breakfast. It was the longest I ever stayed out partying.
My next two were celebrated in Yokosuka, Japan. The first one I took a watch so one of the married guys could celebrate with his wife because I knew my wife would be there to celebrate with me the following year. That second year my wife and I had dinner at the enlisted men’s club and stayed for the music and dancing with a bunch of the guys and their wives that had also come over to Japan. Of course I remember this one because it was the first one my wife and I spent together. The other thing that stands out in my mind is that the stage band was drinking as much as we were and one of the saxophone players toppled sideways off the top raiser and the band never missed a beat. He apparently didn’t get hurt, drunks very seldom do, and was back playing the next number.
In 1970, the year we returned to the States, I had already made some friends where I worked and we decided to spend New Year’s Eve with them at a Church party. Yes churches sponsored New Year’s Eve parties. The ticket price paid for the band, a midnight buffet, soda to drink and mix with the booze you brought from home. You also had to bring your own beer. It was snowing so much that we brought a change of clothes and pajamas if we had to stay at our friends parents house, which was close to the church, if the weather got that bad. We made it home safely that night and it was the start of many great times with a great bunch of friends.
Another New Year’s Eve that stands out as a notable one was January 1975 when my wife was seven months pregnant with our son. We actually thought she might be having twins. There was a very long buffet line at midnight and the crowd took pity on us and pushed us right up to the front of the line so she wouldn‘t have to stand too long. Don’t know if that would happen today.
We stopped going out to parties in 1977 when we moved to Green Bay and all of our friends were three hours away. We would spend the evening with the children, have a special dinner and try to keep me awake until midnight. Six years later we moved back to Cedarburg and were once again close to old friends and usually got together with them in one of our homes. After ten years we moved again, almost two hours away from our circle of friends that seemed to be shrinking. Not the hardy partiers that we had been 12 years earlier when the group first went out together.
Now in our mid sixties we will be staying home with our children and grandson enjoying a special dinner, a couple of drinks, wine and maybe Champaign. Good luck trying to keep me awake until midnight, but I make sure someone wakes me up at 11:45 pm so I can eat my boiled potatoes and marinated herring from the old year into the new year to bring us good luck. Yes, an old German tradition that I’m sure my grandparents got from their parents and even farther back then that. What memories and traditions do you have?
I miss the friends and the parties, but not the day after, if you know what I mean. We still, to this day, exchange phone calls with our oldest and dearest friends early on New Year’s Eve to wish each other a healthy and happy New Year. I’m glad that is one thing that has not changed.
Wishing everyone that follows me a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year.
My next two were celebrated in Yokosuka, Japan. The first one I took a watch so one of the married guys could celebrate with his wife because I knew my wife would be there to celebrate with me the following year. That second year my wife and I had dinner at the enlisted men’s club and stayed for the music and dancing with a bunch of the guys and their wives that had also come over to Japan. Of course I remember this one because it was the first one my wife and I spent together. The other thing that stands out in my mind is that the stage band was drinking as much as we were and one of the saxophone players toppled sideways off the top raiser and the band never missed a beat. He apparently didn’t get hurt, drunks very seldom do, and was back playing the next number.
In 1970, the year we returned to the States, I had already made some friends where I worked and we decided to spend New Year’s Eve with them at a Church party. Yes churches sponsored New Year’s Eve parties. The ticket price paid for the band, a midnight buffet, soda to drink and mix with the booze you brought from home. You also had to bring your own beer. It was snowing so much that we brought a change of clothes and pajamas if we had to stay at our friends parents house, which was close to the church, if the weather got that bad. We made it home safely that night and it was the start of many great times with a great bunch of friends.
Another New Year’s Eve that stands out as a notable one was January 1975 when my wife was seven months pregnant with our son. We actually thought she might be having twins. There was a very long buffet line at midnight and the crowd took pity on us and pushed us right up to the front of the line so she wouldn‘t have to stand too long. Don’t know if that would happen today.
We stopped going out to parties in 1977 when we moved to Green Bay and all of our friends were three hours away. We would spend the evening with the children, have a special dinner and try to keep me awake until midnight. Six years later we moved back to Cedarburg and were once again close to old friends and usually got together with them in one of our homes. After ten years we moved again, almost two hours away from our circle of friends that seemed to be shrinking. Not the hardy partiers that we had been 12 years earlier when the group first went out together.
Now in our mid sixties we will be staying home with our children and grandson enjoying a special dinner, a couple of drinks, wine and maybe Champaign. Good luck trying to keep me awake until midnight, but I make sure someone wakes me up at 11:45 pm so I can eat my boiled potatoes and marinated herring from the old year into the new year to bring us good luck. Yes, an old German tradition that I’m sure my grandparents got from their parents and even farther back then that. What memories and traditions do you have?
I miss the friends and the parties, but not the day after, if you know what I mean. We still, to this day, exchange phone calls with our oldest and dearest friends early on New Year’s Eve to wish each other a healthy and happy New Year. I’m glad that is one thing that has not changed.
Wishing everyone that follows me a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Dear Santa
I’m 64 and have been very blessed to have always gotten something for Christmas. I know that some get nothing and even go hungry, not just on Christmas, but every day. By the way, I know you’re watching all of us, but I’ll remind you I have been pretty good this year, depending upon who you ask. So what could I possibly want? Well, here‘s what I would like if it‘s not too much trouble:
Peace On Earth
No More Wars And An End To Current Ones
Cures For All Mental and Medical Conditions
Acceptance Of All People
Acceptance of All Religions
Jobs For Everyone That Needs One
A Real Living Wage For Those Jobs
Assistance For Those That Really Can’t Work
( A kick in the butt for those that don’t want to or feel they don’t have to)
Affordable Health Care for Everyone
An End To Hunger and Poverty
Clean Air And Water Everywhere
An End To Greed
A Life For Everyone That Is Fair
Common Sense For Those That Lack It
Unconditional Love And Understanding Within Families
Thanks in advance. I know it’s a long list, but I still have hope and still believe. Milk and cookies will be in the usual spot. Have a safe flight.
Jim
Peace On Earth
No More Wars And An End To Current Ones
Cures For All Mental and Medical Conditions
Acceptance Of All People
Acceptance of All Religions
Jobs For Everyone That Needs One
A Real Living Wage For Those Jobs
Assistance For Those That Really Can’t Work
( A kick in the butt for those that don’t want to or feel they don’t have to)
Affordable Health Care for Everyone
An End To Hunger and Poverty
Clean Air And Water Everywhere
An End To Greed
A Life For Everyone That Is Fair
Common Sense For Those That Lack It
Unconditional Love And Understanding Within Families
Thanks in advance. I know it’s a long list, but I still have hope and still believe. Milk and cookies will be in the usual spot. Have a safe flight.
Jim
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Who Changed Sunday ?
It isn’t who changed Sunday, but rather what changed Sunday. Growing up in the 60’s I learned early on that if I wanted something from a store I would have to buy it before Sunday or live without it until Monday. As an old carry over from the “Blue Laws”, no commerce was to take place on Sunday. In the early 1970’s government declared blue laws unconstitutional and businesses could be open on Sunday. Was this something that would do more good than harm? I weighed that question as my son and I watched the Green Bay Packer game together for only the second time this season. He works retail and works almost every Saturday and Sunday. Most employers won’t even let employees off for church on Sunday. You can’t argue with them because of the shortage of jobs at this time. Kind of reminds me of Scrooge. Better not complain.
It does provide a few more jobs for people and makes it more convenient for those working Monday through Friday, but I think it can also cut into family time. If your children are in school Monday through Friday and you have to work Saturday and Sunday there isn’t much time to spend with them. I think stores looked at it as just another day when they can make more money. Can you say “Greedy?” The only thing you cannot buy in Wisconsin on Sunday is a car. As a manager for AT&T I had to work at least one Saturday and Sunday every month. It was one of the reasons I took advantage of early retirement and found an 8-4:30 Monday through Friday job for the 10 years I worked after leaving there. I guess you don’t think about it unless it directly affects you or your family. Unfortunately it also gives many an extra day to shop and spend money they probably don’t need to spend. .
Now stores are also open longer near the holidays, some 24 hours and are even open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Honestly, you have 364 days to get ready for Christmas. Shouldn’t everyone be allowed to at least have that day off to spend with family. I feel blessed that everyone in our family will be off to celebrate this Christmas Eve and Day together.
This is where you get to call me hypocritical. After church this morning we stopped at our local grocery store to pick up all of the things my wife needed to make Christmas cookies this week. She won’t actually start them until tomorrow, so we could have gone out again tomorrow, but it was right on the way home. If it hadn’t been open we would have had to. Oh Well! I know I don’t have all the answers to fix all the problems of the world, but I for one feel like Sunday’s should go back to being the day we go to church and relax with and spend more time with family. Maybe “the good old days” really weren’t so bad.
It does provide a few more jobs for people and makes it more convenient for those working Monday through Friday, but I think it can also cut into family time. If your children are in school Monday through Friday and you have to work Saturday and Sunday there isn’t much time to spend with them. I think stores looked at it as just another day when they can make more money. Can you say “Greedy?” The only thing you cannot buy in Wisconsin on Sunday is a car. As a manager for AT&T I had to work at least one Saturday and Sunday every month. It was one of the reasons I took advantage of early retirement and found an 8-4:30 Monday through Friday job for the 10 years I worked after leaving there. I guess you don’t think about it unless it directly affects you or your family. Unfortunately it also gives many an extra day to shop and spend money they probably don’t need to spend. .
Now stores are also open longer near the holidays, some 24 hours and are even open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Honestly, you have 364 days to get ready for Christmas. Shouldn’t everyone be allowed to at least have that day off to spend with family. I feel blessed that everyone in our family will be off to celebrate this Christmas Eve and Day together.
This is where you get to call me hypocritical. After church this morning we stopped at our local grocery store to pick up all of the things my wife needed to make Christmas cookies this week. She won’t actually start them until tomorrow, so we could have gone out again tomorrow, but it was right on the way home. If it hadn’t been open we would have had to. Oh Well! I know I don’t have all the answers to fix all the problems of the world, but I for one feel like Sunday’s should go back to being the day we go to church and relax with and spend more time with family. Maybe “the good old days” really weren’t so bad.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Is Progress Worth It ?
If you have just recently turned 65 or are about to like me you may also be having second thoughts about what progress has really brought us. I remember when I was young I would hear older people commenting about “the good old days” and thinking those old fuddy duddies don’t have a clue about how new inventions are continuously making their lives easier. Well, now I feel like I’m becoming one of those old fuddy duddies.
Electronics have probably created more good in our lives than bad, but I don’t think everyone has learned how to use it wisely. I would have given just about anything to talk to my wife and parents when I was stationed overseas in the 1960’s. Cel phones are also a blessing to older people who can carry one with them in case they get into some type of trouble. “Help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” It also helps that I can call my wife from the grocery store to check on which of the seven different types of pasta I was sent to buy. The most notable problem with them is the texting while driving. This has been outlawed in Wisconsin because many people do not use common sense and realize how distracting it can be until the accident happens. I feel even talking on one while driving is a distraction and should also be outlawed. This comes from me, one of the don’t trust anyone over 30 generation. I just don’t want to be the other car or person that gets hit. Now don’t let me infringe on your rights.
Texting is something that I am not real happy with either. Too many times I’ve had the experience where I can be trying to hold a conversation with someone when they are texting someone else at the same time. Excuse me, do you even know that I’m talking with you and when and where were you when they taught you the importance of being a good listener. Yes, I know the word “multitasking” and I also know the word “rude”.
I also have reservations about when a child should get a cel phone and when and how it should be used. I think it’s great that we now have better and quicker communication with our children and grandchildren and that we could track them if they ever needed to be found, but how much time do they spend on it calling friends, texting and playing games? Is there a skill here that they are learning that I am some how missing?
I do love my computer, the web and email because of the quickness with which I can get a note to someone and get a response back. It also gives me an opportunity to share my writing with anyone who cares to read it, even when I rant and complain, although it really is usually just to make you think about things. It gives me instant access to the happenings around my city, state, country and the world and quick and easy information about almost anything that might interest me. I still get a daily newspaper because I like the feel of it in my hands when I have my morning coffee. I have not yet progressed to a nook or kindle to read books on, but that too will come. I may even try to self publish my book on line. I know I can’t stop progress and that most of it is good. I also know I have some catching up to do with technology and will maybe even follow my children’s advice and get a smart phone. I’ll let you know if and when I do and how long it takes me to learn how to use it.
Thanks again to all those that follow my ramblings. Quoting my Pastor Paul, ”Why would I say something in one sentence when I can stretch it into a whole paragraph?” A man after my own heart.
Electronics have probably created more good in our lives than bad, but I don’t think everyone has learned how to use it wisely. I would have given just about anything to talk to my wife and parents when I was stationed overseas in the 1960’s. Cel phones are also a blessing to older people who can carry one with them in case they get into some type of trouble. “Help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” It also helps that I can call my wife from the grocery store to check on which of the seven different types of pasta I was sent to buy. The most notable problem with them is the texting while driving. This has been outlawed in Wisconsin because many people do not use common sense and realize how distracting it can be until the accident happens. I feel even talking on one while driving is a distraction and should also be outlawed. This comes from me, one of the don’t trust anyone over 30 generation. I just don’t want to be the other car or person that gets hit. Now don’t let me infringe on your rights.
Texting is something that I am not real happy with either. Too many times I’ve had the experience where I can be trying to hold a conversation with someone when they are texting someone else at the same time. Excuse me, do you even know that I’m talking with you and when and where were you when they taught you the importance of being a good listener. Yes, I know the word “multitasking” and I also know the word “rude”.
I also have reservations about when a child should get a cel phone and when and how it should be used. I think it’s great that we now have better and quicker communication with our children and grandchildren and that we could track them if they ever needed to be found, but how much time do they spend on it calling friends, texting and playing games? Is there a skill here that they are learning that I am some how missing?
I do love my computer, the web and email because of the quickness with which I can get a note to someone and get a response back. It also gives me an opportunity to share my writing with anyone who cares to read it, even when I rant and complain, although it really is usually just to make you think about things. It gives me instant access to the happenings around my city, state, country and the world and quick and easy information about almost anything that might interest me. I still get a daily newspaper because I like the feel of it in my hands when I have my morning coffee. I have not yet progressed to a nook or kindle to read books on, but that too will come. I may even try to self publish my book on line. I know I can’t stop progress and that most of it is good. I also know I have some catching up to do with technology and will maybe even follow my children’s advice and get a smart phone. I’ll let you know if and when I do and how long it takes me to learn how to use it.
Thanks again to all those that follow my ramblings. Quoting my Pastor Paul, ”Why would I say something in one sentence when I can stretch it into a whole paragraph?” A man after my own heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)