OUR WEEK

OUR WEEK

Well, it is time that I take myself away from the grueling work of vilifying all things sexual in the Kavanaugh dilemma and give you an update from Glendale.

We are both doing okay.  Ken is continuing to feel somewhat subdued after his battle with a cold that created severe coughing and that seemed to impact his shortness of breath.  His light headed feeling seems to have subsided since he has adopted a regimen of 1 1/2 - 2 full liters of water every day and at least one full liter each morning.  He underwent an echo gram on Friday as a routine follow up to assure that his heart is continuing to perform as it should.  The Dr. strongly lectured him on drinking lots of water and said that the lightheaded feeling is often related to dehydration.  Ken is good at obeying the Dr.  Not so good about obeying his wife!

In a fact stating mode and I am not complaining, we are finding every day effort provides an opportunity for the body to complain a little more vehemently thus we are mindful of the fact that age is neither fun nor exciting.  But as I have said before, "Every day that we wake up without a bow on our toe, must surely mean that we are blessed to see another day".  That is not meant to be gloomy, just factual!

I ordered some hearing aids on line. I am aware that the old ears are not as fresh and keen as they once were, but I doubted my commitment to use them religiously (is that a politically incorrect choice of words?) and the cost seemed too high to justify "hearing aids just in case of need".  I saw an ad on Facebook for a pair of aids at a fraction of the cost that Ken paid for his recent ones and I said to myself, "Self, you can afford those as a trial balloon" and I ordered 'em.  They seem to be doing the job intended.  Last night I had a question about them that I asked Ken and he said, "I don't know about how yours work.  What does your instructions say?"  To which I responded, "Oh, I have to read the instructions?"  Now I ask you.  Who would have ever thought of that?

Did I tell you last week that Lauren has accepted a job in Los Angeles and has firmed up her plan to move back to California for which we are grateful and happy. Frankly for the love of me (there is no greater love!), I do not know why anyone would want to move to California  shy of independent means that assures unlimited wealth no matter what! Nevertheless we are happy for her decision and we'll leave it to her and whatever generational cohort she belongs figure out what kind of boat they are going to build to weather the high seas of the progressive liberal intellect that is the Coastal communities of  California.   And that brings me to my soapbox of today!!

My first impulse was to post the first paragraph with an empty page because our week has been pretty much engrossed in all things political.  Dumb me, I actually thought that advise and consent was to do just that and not as Judge Kavanaugh said, "Search and Destroy".  To save you time and frustration with your possible urge to ring my neck and seek to destroy me because I may have opinions that do not agree with yours, this blog "may"  contain political rant!!  So, forewarned, feel free to tune out.

Diane Feinstein and Kamilla Harris are the Senators elected to represent California.  They are both Democrats and their representation reflects the admittedly liberal/progressive views of this State.  Let me be clear.  They do not represent my views.  I do not profess to speak for any other member of my family, that is up to them to declare or defend!! I have made my thoughts clear to both Senators Feinstein and Harris on the subject of Judge Kavanaugh as follows. 

• 1.For the record, I believe that Feinstein should be investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee and have to defend her actions regarding her handling of the complaint that she admittedly received from Dr. Ford in July.
• 2.I believe that Senator Feinstein's withholding of this information from the Committee until September 13 was a planned deliberate political act to at a minimum delay Judge Kavanaugh's nomination and hopefully defeat his nomination.  If Judge Kavanaugh's life and that of his family is destroyed in the process, the glee and the praise goes to Senator Feinstein and the Democrat party.  [For some time many Republicans have been evasive on acknowledging their political party registration for fear that it might somehow reflect some hint of impure thinking or whatever.  I hope that the many good and decent people who I know that are proud of their affiliation and shared vision with the Democrat party will now realize the extent to which their party will go to win and regain power. ] It was a despicable act with no redeeming factors and if we are serious about preserving our way of life, we need to sit up take notice and act!  (I am trying to organize a wheel chair brigade.  I plan to call it 'WHEELING WITH FEELING".)
• 3.Feinstein is up for reelection and while I will not and cannot support her opponent (another Democrat under California's enlightened sense of Democracy, the two highest vote getters in the primary go on to run for the seat in question. Two Democrats garnered the highest number of votes for the Senate seat in our California primary.) I will do a write in vote and I have not decided who that will be.  
• Let it be sufficient for me to say that I am unimpressed with the Senators from California.  

For those of you who care to know, I will summarize as briefly as possible my views on what we are witnessing.  I believe Dr Ford was credible, I believe she suffered an agonizing trauma and that this should have been brought to the authorities when it happened and someone made to pay for their actions.  There are holes in her story that do need an answer. She remembers who was at the party but she does not remember how she got there, how she got home or where she was.  cannot who she went with or where the party was.  These are pretty important things to identify if one is going to successfully litigate even the smallest of claims that happened as recent as 30 minutes ago.  Am I right?  I have heard various commentary on the fact that memory loss is not unusual in these situations and I understand that.  However, I think if it were me that house, who I went with, how I got home and those acts would have been permanently affixed to my mind.  Nevertheless, we are all different but the fact that we are looking back 34 ? years, is it fair to actually blame anyone for acts that you can neither prove categorically or provide witness that will categorically state that they witnessed anything or  were with her at any such event at the time, place and date unknown.  People we are not talking about a petty little act of lying, cheating or stealing. We are talking about unsubstantiated charges that affect a man's life, career and family.  As bad as I feel for the agony and obvious torture that Dr Ford has undergone, it is unfair for her to make these accusations that cannot be proven or substantiated in any way against Judge Kavanaugh or any human being.  It is wrong and I find the actions of the Committee and the Democrat party repulsive, shameful and Un-American .

This is all that I am going to say in this dissertation but be assured, I will never again look at a person who is proud of their affiliation with the Democrat party with the same respect that I might have before this broke.

Yes sexual harassment, sexual crimes and sexual violence must be addressed in our society.  Judge Kavanaugh should not be treated as a perpetrator in the absence of any evidence that he has ever been a party to such activities.  If you have decided Judge Kavanaugh is guilty on the basis of the evidence before us, you do your moral values a tremendous disservice and that of all good that you might otherwise believe.

FYI -- I believe that Dr. Ford is relating to a nightmare that she may have suffered and that has remained with her through the years.  I am not credible to form a medical opinion and thus my tongue in cheek comment should not be taken serious. But I submit to you that my theory makes about as much sense as Dr. Ford's claim that she was driven to a party at an address unknown by someone she can't remember that was attended by four people none of whom can recall the place or the people in attendance and was taken home by someone who she doesn't remember.  I do not believe that all of those people could suffer from amnesia.  

Furhter, I do not believe that this is a matter being covered up by the GOP establishment in their attempt to confirm Judge Kavanaugh. 

Sorry -- I warned you!!  

There you have it.  Have a good week. 

Sept 23, 2018

THE CHILDREN AGE TOO

Once again I am a day late in posting my update of our California lifestyle.  To start with I need to include a comment about Ken catching a cold somewhere in his travels.  In the old days, a little cold was barely anything but a slight nuisance to bear.  In our old age it, like all of the other little aches and pains, tends to hang on.  Ken has a tendency to exaggerate his state of readiness and that, in spite of his best intentions, seems to delay his overall recuperation.  Since we were planning to go to San Diego this weekend, I insisted that he take it easy all week and do his part in making himself well for our planned celebration of Marci’s birthday.  And to that end he seemed to comply with a certain degree of positive response by doing nothing, drinking lots of water, etc.  We did the trip and all went well but in honesty, we are both getting to the point that we are best described as two dawdling old fools!  Need I say more?

As indicated above, our emphasis this week was on the celebration of Marci’s entry into that awesome group of birthdays that begin with six.  She and Gary celebrated the actual date on their Alaskan cruise which they both seem to enjoy immensely.  Our dear son, bless his heart (and I do mean that) can be a bit of a curmudgeon and somewhat critical on occasion but he actually expressed praise and enthusiasm for their trip and they both have expressed laurels for their accommodations,  trip and adventures.  It doesn't get any better than that!

The rest of us also wanted to share in acknowledging Marci’s birthday and to that end, Lauren was responsible for organizing and putting together a celebration that both the Helmstetter and Burns family could share.  To that end she did well and she successfully oversaw a wonderful brunch for the immediate family and close friends at the Hotel Del Coronado.  It was an awesome occasion for all of us and we are happy to report, Lauren and Sean were successful in accomplishing a surprise event.  Gary was his usual self and nervously lamented to all his concern that “Marci does not like surprises”.  Even he was a surprise for Marci.  He was supposed to be working!  At the last minute, Sean was called to work and he had to leave but he was able to make a brief appearance and aided in achieving the surprise by helping Lauren get the prized recipient to the “hotel on time”.  Sean’s absence was a disappointment but alas, his loyalty and sense of responsibility to his job is applauded in spite of his Grandma Burns’ disappointment that she didn’t get to visit with him and do her usual "grill".  (I think the grandchildren are leery of Grandma Pat's nosey nature.)

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Lauren and Marci were scheduled to do a concert in San Diego on Saturday night.  Lauren had thought that Marci would drive to San Diego Friday night and that she would take the dogs, Holly and Oakley, to San Diego when she went down on Saturday.  Marci decided instead that they should go down on Saturday together rather than separately, thus creating a bit of problem for what to do with the dogs without raising suspicion.  Of course, with Marci’s plan Gary would be home to take care of the dogs but they could be left with us during the day!  Lauren made a panic phone call to us and of course, we could watch the dogs.  A slight bump to the surprise had thus been averted. We filled in the gaps with the dogs and everything was back on track.

Terri rode to San Diego with Gary early Sunday morning and came back by train Sunday afternoon.  So a dog walker was arranged for our cumulative three dogs (two at Gary’s – Gary took the dogs home when he got home from work) and Terri’s here.  Gary and Terri left at 7 and unlike most days of travel to San Diego they made great time and arrived in San Diego before 9.  However, as they got into San Diego Gary had a problem with his car and they were barely able to coast into Coronado where a frantic phone call to Lauren resulted in Lauren meeting them and exchanging cars.  Gary and Terri were then going to come to our hotel for Gary to change.  To complicate things, when we gave Terri the address of the hotel she misunderstood the street which further exasperated an already “frustrated” brother.  They finally arrived at our hotel a little after 10.  As Gary grabbed his clothes from the car, he discovered he had left his pants in the other car.  He had to rush back to get his pants from the other car and then, find someplace to change (everyone was supposed to be at the hotel by 1045!) and get to the hotel to be part of the surprise.   To say it was a hectic morning for Gary (and one to be unforgotten by Terri) might be an understatement. 

I think Terri was glad to change cars and ride to the hotel with  two old people who might be a little slow but less irritable.  However, when I grumpily responded to her dad she retorted, “Between mom and Gary, the morning has been full of grumpy” – or something to that effect.  She and Ken maintained their sweet cheerful self (I think Ken tried to sing – but he was a bit off tune) and I remained quiet!  In spite of everything, it all went off, everyone arrived and we had a wonderful celebration and Marci took the surprise with the class and dignity of Marci.  She is a special lady and Gary is a lucky man to have her as his wife, Sean and Lauren are lucky kids to have her (and as his mother, I believe)  Gary as parents.  Of course, as parents and grandparents, we are very blessed!  Life is good!

I have a lot to say about the state of affairs of all things “America” but I do not want to destroy a happy celebratory report by bringing in a touch of reality but be assured, I have it all pent up and it is coming.

Love you all – friends, family and foe alike!!

September 16 OLD HOME WEEK

OLD HOME WEEK

My friend Diane e mailed me to question my reference to our 28 day trip around Cape Horn in last week’s dispatch.  I agreed that I thought it was longer than 28 days but I had not referred to any notes that would confirm my dates.   She was right. The ship departed Fort Lauderdale on January 31 and arrived in San Francisco March 21.  It was a 49 day excursion. Thank you, Diane.  I really need to stop relying on what is becoming an unreliable memory bank! 

Our weekend in Washington concluded with a Sunday dinner with Diane and her daughter, Crista, son-in-law Chris, grandchildren, Sophie and Nate and fellow California friends, Vickie and Gerry.  Chris and Gerry officiated as “chefs de gallante” (gallant chefs? my attempt at hillbilly French!)  with a wonderful grilled salmon accompanied by fresh crab legs and all the fixings that left Ken still smacking his lips Monday morning.  I truly expect to be hearing about that feast until he draws his last breath or I mine.  The company, food and conversation concluded a weekend that was sad but celebratory and a fitting goodbye to our friend.

On Monday morning we made our way back into Seattle, turned in our rental car and boarded our plane for a return trip home.  My niece and nephew Joy Neely and J. D. Pinnick met our plane in Burbank and transported us home for this, another safe trip out and about.

Our week has been filled with visiting and catching up on the activities of our Indiana family.  It was good to welcome both JD and Joy back to California.  JD did the Pacific trail last year and during preparation for his hike and a few days off the trail, he spent time with us and we have missed him.  This year he is intent on maintaining his schedule of fitness, practicing minimizing and planning his next venture that he has not yet fully verbalized.  No matter, he is a very wise young man in spite of his great Aunt’s best attempts to shatter his concentration.

On Tuesday we motored over the mountain to Wrightwood (where last year we picked JD up for a break from his hike) and enjoyed a meal fit for a mountain man,  Joy's treat. Wednesday Terri treated us to breakfast at the Potholder in Long Beach.  Our adventure of the day was an electric boat ride on Newport Bay  compliments of the Captain of our ship, Ken. We concluded the day with dinner at Clarman's North Woods somewhere down the freeway toward Orange County. Living on a fixed income, it is increasingly difficult to justify the enormous prices of restaurant faire even if an affluent minimizing nephew  is paying! 

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Thursday JD caught the train for a quick ride to Ventura and visit with his cousin and another nephew of mine, John, and his wife Alice.  JD and John did much of the Pacific Trail together and thus, they bonded as cousins, fellow trekkers and suitable specimens of macho millennials.   Joy stayed behind with us while we welcomed the latest in big brother technology with the installation of a “on time” display for reading our electrical usage.   It is a new fixture for an ongoing family discussion about our waste of energy.  So far, we are having a good time learning how much energy we used on a given day and being reminded of how much it cost!!  Whatever will they think of next?  This additional availability of “awareness” seems to fit right up there with the extra .25% tax in order to avoid the County or the State from getting money that can better be spent by our Glendale’s city fathers.

Through all of our “fun”, Ken managed to acquire some extra baggage in the form of a cold.  Friday I joined him in a laid back lifestyle while Terri and Joy visited the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda.  Ken had planned to accompany them but alas, even he has to grudgingly admit the inevitable reality of not feeling well.  Neither of us has been to the Nixon Library and that is on our “bucket list” on a day when the aches and pains of old age awareness gives encouragement to such activity.  Our friend Bob Gersten expressed his belief that the Nixon Library was more interesting and relevant than the Reagan Library.  I can’t comment because I have not been to the Nixon Library but my “off the top of my head” thought when he made the comment was, “that figures Bob’s political views were more closely aligned to Nixon” (neither of whom would have got his vote, mind you!).  Bob is another friend with whom we shared many travels. He is no longer here to defend himself but if he is looking down from above he is not surprised and is probably chuckling at my ongoing irreverence to all things political.

Saturday we were pleased to cap our week of family fun off with dinner at our adobe.  We enjoyed the grilled salmon in Washington so much we wanted to try a reasonable facsimile of that tasty meal.  So nephews, JD and John, grilled salmon, steak and fresh asparagus on the barbecue while I did some rice and boiled corn on that old reliable and traditional resource for preparing food, the stove.  While my marinade for the salmon may not have reached the heights for seasoning that we enjoyed in Washington, it all came out good and the nephews were outstanding in their jovial co-chef role.  We capped our meal off with apple pie and ice cream.  Gary came by after work and enjoyed some of our left overs while entertaining us with a review of his and Marci’s recent trip to Alaska as well as gave us a blow by blow summary of events surrounding his heart attack much of which we were hearing for the first time.  Parents are apprised on a "need to know" basis and we had not made the cut previously. 

I have enjoyed a wonderful week of millennial overview.  Nephew JD has concluded that he has too much “stuff” and that he needs to free himself of that burden.  He has adopted a philosophy of “minimalism” and is in the process of getting rid of all things irrelevant.  (That may include his Aunt when he reads this.)  In my limited exposure to the thinking of today’s millennials, this seemed highly unusual for someone barely in his 40’s.  Of course, one look around our house with its 67+ years of collector’s junk, I could identify with the validity of the concept.  Nevertheless, I could not resist reminding him that his philosophy for living might not be an asset should he decide to pursue a romantic interest with a girl of means.  His very sincere and committed intention to minimalize  prompted me to think of  "things” that he might need to give up.  This morning after he was on the plane returning home, I analyzed our dinner preparation and the numerous requests for items rarely used as possible candidates for disposal in a minimal philosophy.  I wished that I could have one last shot at reminding him that minimalism in practice (like political views and all things extreme) needs moderation.  (How else could I have supplied four large platters -- not a one from one of my five “guest” sets of dishes--, various spices, some  A-1 sauce that expired 3 years ago and numerous items that no minimally stocked kitchen could provide.)

Our evening concluded with nephew John expounding on his view that inheritance tax is good and necessary.  That subject proved to be interesting provocative and fun.  I think that our personal views are formed from experiences, people, and exposure to realities as we see them and thus, the discussion was raucous, (Ken and I are hearing challenged) a little illogical, thought provoking and good for further discussion.   Need I say more?  My two great nephews provided me good insight into the millennial future and I am glad that it is in their good hands. God bless you all!

In case you are wondering, my comments about my nephews are written tongue in cheek.  I love them and I love trying to challenge them with my old fashioned attitudes and being challenged by them.  Of course, neither they nor I will change one iota but it is good to discuss our positions.   I have to admit, I need to be more “aware” of the millennial thought process.  It needs review by those who are right in the traditions of our “old school” teachings!

 

Oh, Ken and I were watching Chris Wallace interview a veteran of World War II today.  We were impressed with his vibrant, alert and intellectually stimulating remarks.  We were shocked when Chris remarked that the gentleman was 95 years old.  That aggravated me and I decided to retaliate.  I jumped up from my chair and walked into the kitchen while Ken got up (he did not jump) and went to take a nap.  Of course, no one ever said life was fair!!

There you have it.  It was a good week with a rare visit with family that I enjoyed immensely.

September 9 -- a few days late

WEEKEND OUT AND ABOUT

On Friday, Sept 7, Terri dropped us at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank for our short 2 ½ hour flight to Seattle where we rented a car and drove to Bellingham Washington.  On Saturday we met our good friend Diane Herbert who accompanied us across the border to the Richmond Country Club in Richmond British Columbia for a celebration of life memoriam in honor of Diane’s husband, Bill.  Our special relationship with the Herbert family dates back to my years with the CBS West Coast Law Department where I met Marian, sister in law of Bill and Diane.  We became friends with Marian and her husband, Ken, and our frequent visits to their home ultimately resulted in our getting to know this very special Herbert family.

In 2006, Bill and Diane invited us to join them and three other couples on a caravan adventure in our recreational vehicles into Mexico. We enjoyed an extended stays in Mazatlán and Playa Amore from which we did numerous day trips and long weekends into surrounding areas.  It was a wonderful three month adventure with a great group of fun loving people with whom we bonded and formed memories that we will never forget.  Bill and Diane along with other members in our caravan of RV’s,  had been to Mexico many times and they knew the natives, best RV resorts and places of interest.   We were blessed to be invited to accompany this group of outstanding and savvy RV travelers.

   

In 2009, We again put on our traveling boots and with Bill and Diane and three other couples, including our good friends Bob and Marvis Gersten,  we enjoyed  a 49 day cruise from Ft Lauderdale, Florida to San Francisco, California around Cape Horn.  What a wonderful trip that was.

In 2015, we joined Bill and Diane in Port Liberty, New Jersey for a 58 day around the World cruise from Port Liberty to Shanghai, China and back to Southern California.  Bill and I were fortunate to enjoy many of the trips vicariously while Diane and Ken returned from their visits at many ports of call that were too adventuresome or grueling for Bill who by then was suffering from Parkinson’s and my activity was limited by the need to wear a boot for the entire trip.  We enjoyed the evenings in which Ken and Diane shared with us the places they visited, the sights that saw and gave us the highlights of their day out.

 In addition to our spectacular travel adventures, we shared many lovely evenings with many of the Herbert’s where, over wonderful gourmet dinners, we debated the crises around the World and debated the political dilemmas that needed our attention.  

During the course of our travels and subsequent in home visits, we came to know Bill as the patriarch of the Herbert family.  The Herbert children experienced the hardships of a broken home and were raised in foster homes. Brother Bill, an affectionate term by which Bill became known, exhibited distinctive “father figure” characteristics unique to a young person of his age.  He did his best to keep the family together in their youth and throughout his life.  His example in youth was no less in adulthood and he was affectionately referred to as Brother Bill by his large family.  The family remains a very close knit and committed family in the manner of few families today.  In spite of their difficult early beginnings, individual family members went on to become outstanding citizens and successful entrepreneurs in a rare example of accomplishments,  both in business and family devotion.  What a wonderful family they are.

It was a rare pleasure and wonderful experience to share in the celebration of this man’s life.  The accolades expressed by family members, friends and former business associates were an acknowledgment of a man, humble in demeanor, dedicated in purpose and loving in nature.  He lived life to the fullest, gained acknowledgment of his success and preserved his image as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.  Few have lived a fuller or more complete life.

In view of our recent travel to Seattle, I want to acknowledge the kindness,  respect and outstanding treatment that we received from Alaska Airlines and their staff and from many fellow passengers.  I do a lot of complaining about the state of our Country and the dumbing down of our society but there are a lot of good, kind and caring people out there as well.

Thank you World for acknowledging that old age must be suffered through by all of us! People are basically good but – do not forget – there are a few who may not have received a full commitment to compassion but the good make up for any who suffer otherwise.  Everyone was so good to us and though none will ever see this, I shall forever be mindful of their kindness.  

September 2, 2018

INTROSPECTIVE OR GRUMPY?

Gary and Marci are in Alaska this week in celebration of Marci’s upcoming birthday. Their itinerary includes an inside passage cruise and train trip to Anchorage.  In Anchorage they will rent a car and drive to Denali for a three day scenic visit and tour of the mountain.   We wish Marci a very Happy Birthday and a wonderful trip enjoying the awesome wonders of our 49^th State.

  

Next Sunday we all have to remember to turn our clocks ahead one hour?   My dispatch may be a little late next week!  The change of time may mean that I might not get up until 11 inasmuch as yesterday (Saturday), it was 10 AM when both the spouse and I awoke to the light of day!  That was really late for him but I have been pushing the clock recently.  If it helps you in understanding my apparent sleepy time blues, I rarely go to bed before 130 or 2 and then, not immediately to slumber.  It’s a phase that I need to get through.  FYI – I do not take naps except while watching TV!!

On the subject of TV, I do not comprehend why it is so difficult for us to understand the lack of morality, decency, respect and plain old good manners in our society.  Our television programming tells it all.  There is a total lack of decency in the majority of programs – at least from where I sit on my Throne (or maybe it is a thorn?) of proper etiquette!  In addition to anger, hate and malaise of positive influences portrayed on television today, there are a myriad of other distractions as well.  I do not wish to ridicule the sexual preferences that people wish to embrace but I do resent having to watch its evolution on screen.

 Further, why is the “F” word popular and accepted vocabulary in common ordinary conversation but not acceptable in “Words with Friends” or Scrabble!  Just saying!  In truth, I find that word so offensive it was difficult for me to type it out on line to get a definition of the word.  Even Wikipedia found it deplorable (my Hillaryism).  Nevertheless, that word is almost a byword for everyone over the age of 10 (am I being overly dramatic?) or under 90.  However, I must confess that I learned recently that a friend who is 92 considers it her favorite word and my favorite “slang” is just as offensive to her.  Bottom line – neither of us will use our favorite word when we visit.  Love her to death – would never have guessed!

I do have to admit that this week has provided new viewing pleasures with two funerals/celebrations of life in the same week. The life of two great American’s whose gifts and talents to our country can only be applauded were celebrated.  Sadly both were, in my opinion, somewhat reduced in stature by the insertion of politics into our last tribute to them on this earth.  I have always believed that a eulogy should reflect upon the greatness of the individual as an introduction to (or perhaps reference for?) the next life.   In today’s environment, are only Trump and his supporter’s hell bent and all others heaven bound?  I thought that judgment was to be wielded by a more perfect Judge.

I thought the letter to the Nation that Senator John McCain left was uplifting and “Presidential” in nature though he was never elevated to that prominence in life.  It is too bad that the family let either their own personal vendetta, or that of the Senator in his reduced mental state, somewhat tarnish the memory of this great man for many.  The acts of omission, words of implication and failure to recognize many who contributed to the Senator’s campaigns and challenges through the years were discouraging.  It was as if some who worked hard on his behalf were deliberately overlooked as inconsequential pawns to be used on the road to infamy and when infamy became irrelevant they too were. I was left a little disappointed in a final ceremony that tarnished my memory of and respect for a great hero.

There you have it. Those are my gripping thoughts for this week.

As you no doubt have gleaned, I am in my usual good spirits.  Ken is good and we are preparing for our brief outing over the next weekend.  Next week my recitation of sorts will undoubtedly be late or missing.  

Have a great week and let Fall begin!!