It's the first day of the holiday weekend. I've got the flag flying, the new grill cooking and the pool ready. But first, a movie: Snatched to start off the summer season. Nice and light, like a cool summer drink.
Next week will be a short week as I will be ziplining in Wimberley TX on Friday with the Wrenegades.
Then the following week I'm off to state # 44 - Alaska. Saving my dolllars for that, even thought it feels like I should be changing money to a new currency. Temperature in Anchorage now is 48 F. Better dust off the jackets - or better yet buy one there.
100 F today in McAllen TX. Now you know why I went to the movies.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Thursday, May 25, 2017
A Visit to the Good Doctor
I had written about my former college professor Dr. J.D. Futch on my blog. In a happy occasion worthy of social media, my writing led me to a new friend RedCloudJL who not only was a former student of Dr. Futch, but has become a regular visitor and local agent for Dr. Futch's [very extended] family. As a confirmed bachelor, he had no children and was an only child himself.
So Red was able to tell me about his visits to Dr. Futch who is in assisted living suffering from dementia now. For my reunion visit, I went to see the Good Doctor.
I met him in his room at the Borden Center. A cross between a hospital room and a bedroom in a home. There were some notable decorations. Dr. Futch wondered how someone knew to put a Cannoleto in this motel. He noted that I was "very elegantly dressed" and asked if I was an art dealer?
I let him know that I was a former student but while he tried to place me, he did ask me more than once what my name was. But that was not important. After a few jump starts in conversation, he resumed a familiar lecture pattern. Once he got to speaking about something he remembered, he was on a roll.
He told me of his parents and grandparents. They had migrated from Florida to Maryland over the years. His father was a sales representative for River Brand Rice. Futch Jr. was pushed away from attending college. His mother thought he would learn "sinful practices". Dr. Futch was incredulous that someone would think that college was bad. Of course he went to make his career in college and leave his mark on W&L.
He did know that Red was "A Good Man!" When he asked where I lived (McAllen, Texas) he recalled a former student Mike Allen '86. I informed him that Mike was a prominent political commentator now. "Really?" He was pleased to know that. And he also said that he recalled his family sending Christmas cards to relatives in Texas as a teenager.
I told him of my readings by Casanova and his escapade in Venice. Dr. Futch was pleased I had done such reading and encouraged me to go to Venice while I was young enough for all the walking. He recalled going there for weekends after he was fortuitously assigned to Italy while in the US Army (in those draft days). He said that the British monarch patterned themselves after the Venetian nobility.
After telling him the year of 2017, he recalled that would be the 100th anniversary of the US entering World War I. His father was too young for that, again fortuitously. He noted that President Woodrow Wilson was a "Protestant Saint" and was very full of himself. We noted the difference between the W&L President Wilson during my time. "Woodrow Wilson did not tamper with W&L", he noted.
He asked if I knew Dr. Leyburn (from the 1950s and 60s). I said No, but I did read his book on Scotch-Irish immigration to the English Colonies. Dr. Futch did not know/had forgotten of such a book, but favorably noted that Dr. Leyburn was so suave and elegant that of course he would write favorably of those simple people.
All in all, a very good visit. My first interaction with someone with dementia. It was not as extreme as I expected. But he was very physically handicapped - in a wheelchair, hard of hearing, limited use of his hand, round the clock nursing. I was glad to got to go.
Thanks Red, for all you do for our Elder Statesman.
So Red was able to tell me about his visits to Dr. Futch who is in assisted living suffering from dementia now. For my reunion visit, I went to see the Good Doctor.
I met him in his room at the Borden Center. A cross between a hospital room and a bedroom in a home. There were some notable decorations. Dr. Futch wondered how someone knew to put a Cannoleto in this motel. He noted that I was "very elegantly dressed" and asked if I was an art dealer?
I let him know that I was a former student but while he tried to place me, he did ask me more than once what my name was. But that was not important. After a few jump starts in conversation, he resumed a familiar lecture pattern. Once he got to speaking about something he remembered, he was on a roll.
He told me of his parents and grandparents. They had migrated from Florida to Maryland over the years. His father was a sales representative for River Brand Rice. Futch Jr. was pushed away from attending college. His mother thought he would learn "sinful practices". Dr. Futch was incredulous that someone would think that college was bad. Of course he went to make his career in college and leave his mark on W&L.
He did know that Red was "A Good Man!" When he asked where I lived (McAllen, Texas) he recalled a former student Mike Allen '86. I informed him that Mike was a prominent political commentator now. "Really?" He was pleased to know that. And he also said that he recalled his family sending Christmas cards to relatives in Texas as a teenager.
I told him of my readings by Casanova and his escapade in Venice. Dr. Futch was pleased I had done such reading and encouraged me to go to Venice while I was young enough for all the walking. He recalled going there for weekends after he was fortuitously assigned to Italy while in the US Army (in those draft days). He said that the British monarch patterned themselves after the Venetian nobility.
After telling him the year of 2017, he recalled that would be the 100th anniversary of the US entering World War I. His father was too young for that, again fortuitously. He noted that President Woodrow Wilson was a "Protestant Saint" and was very full of himself. We noted the difference between the W&L President Wilson during my time. "Woodrow Wilson did not tamper with W&L", he noted.
He asked if I knew Dr. Leyburn (from the 1950s and 60s). I said No, but I did read his book on Scotch-Irish immigration to the English Colonies. Dr. Futch did not know/had forgotten of such a book, but favorably noted that Dr. Leyburn was so suave and elegant that of course he would write favorably of those simple people.
All in all, a very good visit. My first interaction with someone with dementia. It was not as extreme as I expected. But he was very physically handicapped - in a wheelchair, hard of hearing, limited use of his hand, round the clock nursing. I was glad to got to go.
Thanks Red, for all you do for our Elder Statesman.
Monday, May 8, 2017
A golf dream
I dreamed that I was playing in a big tournament at the Austin Country Club, home of the Dell World Match Play Championship. It was not that tournament but one equally as big. A course I know well - but this was not that actual course.
I was preparing to tee off for my first shot. I was playing with a competitor who was an aggressive personality. As I was preparing to hit, he told me that I could not use the ball I was preparing to hit. Somewhat flustered, I fished around for a different brand, while arguing. Then he said I was assessed a penalty of loss of the hole. I countered that you couldn't lose a hole in a stroke play format. I was heated up. Not typical.
Then I realized I was set to hit from the wrong hole. So I made everyone go to the next hole over. There was a group there we had to get through. Then the tee area had very little room to swing. As I was finally about ready to hit the first shot, I thought of how difficult it was going to be to hit a good shot under such stressful conditions.
I woke up before I hit that first shot.
Different from another memorable golf dream.
I was preparing to tee off for my first shot. I was playing with a competitor who was an aggressive personality. As I was preparing to hit, he told me that I could not use the ball I was preparing to hit. Somewhat flustered, I fished around for a different brand, while arguing. Then he said I was assessed a penalty of loss of the hole. I countered that you couldn't lose a hole in a stroke play format. I was heated up. Not typical.
Then I realized I was set to hit from the wrong hole. So I made everyone go to the next hole over. There was a group there we had to get through. Then the tee area had very little room to swing. As I was finally about ready to hit the first shot, I thought of how difficult it was going to be to hit a good shot under such stressful conditions.
I woke up before I hit that first shot.
Different from another memorable golf dream.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
30 Things that have changed since 1987
In honor of the Class of 1987's 30th reunion, I thought a list of 30 things that had changed was in order. Share with your children - they should get a good laugh.
1. President Ronald Reagan - a former TV and movie actor. Couldn't happen again, could it?
2. 55 mph speed limits on the Interstates
3. Long distance phone charges - up to 50 cents per minute during prime time. We would wait until after 11 p.m. for the lowest rates.
4. Drinking age was 19 for most of our college times. Went up to 21 in 1986 across the nation.
5. Pay telephones were still in common use. 25 cents for a local call. Don't ask: the price of long distance.
6. VCRs were a luxury that few had.
7. Color TVs were 19 or 21 inches diagonal at the most. Your modern desktops and laptops are that big now.
8. Answering machines were actually machines separate from the telephone - wired into the system. Again a luxury that few had.
9. Cordless phones with antennas were still not in use. A long phone cord was very desirable.
10. Paper maps were common in cars.
11. Cassette tapes were the preferred way of listening to music, but vinyl albums were still commonly sold.
12. No one had a desktop computer. But you could use the public desktops computers for word processing in the computer labs.
13. Discount airlines were in their infancy. One short lived example was People Express.
14. Airline tickets were booked by going to a travel agent.
15. Lexington VA got its first McDonald's which was a big deal then.
16. The Palms Cafe was (and still is) a popular spot for lunch, dinner and drinks.
17. There was one Asian restaurant, the Aloha Wok.
18. Stores in Lexingon would commonly open charge accounts and bill the student at the address desired (even your parents in another state).
19. The Confederate Flag was commonly displayed in windows, clothing, stickers.
20. Dorms were not air conditioned nor were nearly all buildings on campus older than World War II. Which was nearly all.
21. The Leyburn Library was state of the art in the 1980s. It was open 24 hours a day.
22. There was a campus pub originally called the Cockpit, which had bands and big parties on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
23. There was no Wal-Mart - but there was a similar type store (much smaller) called Rose's.
24. A new show premiered called Late Night with David Letterman. Even on very late at 12:30 a.m. it was very desirable to be able to watch and discuss.
25. The Challenger explosion in 1986 was a defining event for the country - as was the Iran/Contra hearings in 1987.
26. Gasoline of course costs about 60 cents a gallon. Busch beer was about $4 or $5 for a 12 pack.
27. Apartment rent for a 2 bedroom apartment was $340/month.
28. Washington and Lee tuition was $7,500 a year. Today is is $49,170. Tuition alone!
29. Washington and Lee had just admitted its first full time female students in Fall 1985. The Class of 1987 had 6 female grads - I hope to see all of them at the reunion.
30. Washington and Lee was ( and still is ) a top-rated, desirable college with proud alumni. Some things never change!
1. President Ronald Reagan - a former TV and movie actor. Couldn't happen again, could it?
2. 55 mph speed limits on the Interstates
3. Long distance phone charges - up to 50 cents per minute during prime time. We would wait until after 11 p.m. for the lowest rates.
4. Drinking age was 19 for most of our college times. Went up to 21 in 1986 across the nation.
5. Pay telephones were still in common use. 25 cents for a local call. Don't ask: the price of long distance.
6. VCRs were a luxury that few had.
7. Color TVs were 19 or 21 inches diagonal at the most. Your modern desktops and laptops are that big now.
8. Answering machines were actually machines separate from the telephone - wired into the system. Again a luxury that few had.
9. Cordless phones with antennas were still not in use. A long phone cord was very desirable.
10. Paper maps were common in cars.
11. Cassette tapes were the preferred way of listening to music, but vinyl albums were still commonly sold.
12. No one had a desktop computer. But you could use the public desktops computers for word processing in the computer labs.
13. Discount airlines were in their infancy. One short lived example was People Express.
14. Airline tickets were booked by going to a travel agent.
15. Lexington VA got its first McDonald's which was a big deal then.
16. The Palms Cafe was (and still is) a popular spot for lunch, dinner and drinks.
17. There was one Asian restaurant, the Aloha Wok.
18. Stores in Lexingon would commonly open charge accounts and bill the student at the address desired (even your parents in another state).
19. The Confederate Flag was commonly displayed in windows, clothing, stickers.
20. Dorms were not air conditioned nor were nearly all buildings on campus older than World War II. Which was nearly all.
21. The Leyburn Library was state of the art in the 1980s. It was open 24 hours a day.
22. There was a campus pub originally called the Cockpit, which had bands and big parties on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
23. There was no Wal-Mart - but there was a similar type store (much smaller) called Rose's.
24. A new show premiered called Late Night with David Letterman. Even on very late at 12:30 a.m. it was very desirable to be able to watch and discuss.
25. The Challenger explosion in 1986 was a defining event for the country - as was the Iran/Contra hearings in 1987.
26. Gasoline of course costs about 60 cents a gallon. Busch beer was about $4 or $5 for a 12 pack.
27. Apartment rent for a 2 bedroom apartment was $340/month.
28. Washington and Lee tuition was $7,500 a year. Today is is $49,170. Tuition alone!
29. Washington and Lee had just admitted its first full time female students in Fall 1985. The Class of 1987 had 6 female grads - I hope to see all of them at the reunion.
30. Washington and Lee was ( and still is ) a top-rated, desirable college with proud alumni. Some things never change!
A Letter to Me 30 Years Ago
I'm about to go to my 30th college reunion at Washington and Lee University. I'm a little unsure on what I'll see and how I'll remember things - if I remember at all. Thinking back to that time at graduation 30 years ago, I was wondering what I would tell myself then from me now.
I would start by reminding myself that we all have a number of gifts that we carry. Some we know about now, but other gifts have not been fully discovered. I would tell myself to honor those gifts and use them as much as possible. They are what keep you unique.
Some of those gifts are abilities we might take for granted, or those we might be a bit uncomfortable to admit how something like comic book art, or a certain music, or a quirky hobby makes us feel good. I would telll myself not to hold those matters in, but to embrace them as your own, Sometime we are a little ahead of our time. And the world should catch on to what we already knew.
I would tell myself that there will be times in life that are so good, that they won't last. And you'll miss those times and people and feelings. A lot. And they are not coming back. But if you made the most of the time you had, then you won't regret when things come to an end. With each end, there is a corresponding beginning. This will happen over and over.
Speaking of endings, I would certainly tell me that what you learn about "Quitters Never Win" is just not true. When you come head on to problems of people or circumstances that you can't change, then you need to turn in another direction. Don't waste time trying to fix the unfixable. Stay true to what you think is right and just, even when you have to zig or zag a certain way. Keep moving forward.
And of course you want to know what happens next. There is a lot of happiness in store with your marriage, your daughter, your career and your health. There are going to be bumps on the road, and even if I could tell you how it would turn out, you probably wouldn't believe me. But that is just as well. There are a lot of pleasant surprises in store.
I would lastly tell you that we live in a world of great abundance. Be generous with all that has been given to you.. It is not yours to keep. Realize that God will provide everything you need in return, in unexpected packages.
And like Christmas and birthdays, aren't unexpected packages the best gifts of all?
I would start by reminding myself that we all have a number of gifts that we carry. Some we know about now, but other gifts have not been fully discovered. I would tell myself to honor those gifts and use them as much as possible. They are what keep you unique.
Some of those gifts are abilities we might take for granted, or those we might be a bit uncomfortable to admit how something like comic book art, or a certain music, or a quirky hobby makes us feel good. I would telll myself not to hold those matters in, but to embrace them as your own, Sometime we are a little ahead of our time. And the world should catch on to what we already knew.
I would tell myself that there will be times in life that are so good, that they won't last. And you'll miss those times and people and feelings. A lot. And they are not coming back. But if you made the most of the time you had, then you won't regret when things come to an end. With each end, there is a corresponding beginning. This will happen over and over.
Speaking of endings, I would certainly tell me that what you learn about "Quitters Never Win" is just not true. When you come head on to problems of people or circumstances that you can't change, then you need to turn in another direction. Don't waste time trying to fix the unfixable. Stay true to what you think is right and just, even when you have to zig or zag a certain way. Keep moving forward.
And of course you want to know what happens next. There is a lot of happiness in store with your marriage, your daughter, your career and your health. There are going to be bumps on the road, and even if I could tell you how it would turn out, you probably wouldn't believe me. But that is just as well. There are a lot of pleasant surprises in store.
I would lastly tell you that we live in a world of great abundance. Be generous with all that has been given to you.. It is not yours to keep. Realize that God will provide everything you need in return, in unexpected packages.
And like Christmas and birthdays, aren't unexpected packages the best gifts of all?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)