A weekend of remembrance.

Let's see, last Friday, I spent much of the day tying up loose ends because I was determined, (with the blessing of my loving wife) to make it to the 50th anniversary celebration of the Silver Lake, Indiana High School class of 1960.. The day kept filling and I kept chugging along, dodging rain showers as I went. Having been to Indiana the past 2 weekends, she wasn't up to the trip and we decided she would be able to make it home alone while I was gone. The kids and their wives checked on her by phone. Speaking of the kids; I was "boxed in" on the other end of the weekend because the "middle management" team of the Steve and Georgia Kneller family planned a family get together at our house for Sunday evening. So here we go. I hit the road with WDWS news/talk radio escorting me to near Attica, Indiana where I switched to a CD I threw in named "A rough guide to Zydeco"...  which played through twice before I pulled onto Bouse Drive on the west side of Silver lake. The trip from home itself started the memory gusher as I hadn't traveled that route for many years. I arrived at the Friday evening gathering after everyone had eaten, but the joy of seeing all of those old friends replaced any thoughts of food. I took lots of pictures and I had a "first" with this camera.... I found out Saturday that I must have deleted all of the Friday night pictures. So I'm waiting for pictures other people took to enhance the experience. I hadn't seen many of these people for 50 years, but it really seemed like "yesterday". I have decided in this post to not name names to protect.. whatever. So those who know or have known us, will have to match the pictures with names on your own, or ask me by e-mail just who is who. I am convinced that over the years, I have changed in appearance more than any of my classmates. Most are just a slightly wrinkled version of the kid I knew way back then.

To give me a chance to visit I asked my sister if I could "bunk" at their house. Not only did she heartily agree with my request, but Saturday morning she fixed my "favorite" breakfast. (You may have to go back through some of my recent posts to find out what that was.)  Her husband was overjoyed.... apparently that great breakfast isn't often made there..... which is a good thing because none of us should be eating that breakfast very often... but MMMMMM good (like Campbell's soup????) After breakfast and great conversation, I headed back to Kosciusko county. I somehow let my classmates talk me into joining in on the Golf Outing at Rozella Ford course just south of Warsaw. Even the driving trips to and from my sister's house afforded additional memories as I traveled through Whitely and East Kosciusko county on a couple of different routes showing me many things that have changed and some that have stayed the same since I drove those routes years ago. I think there were 10 classmates and spouses attempting to play golf and 1 "rider" divided into 2 teams.  They introduced me to a wonderful concoction of rules which saves golfers from being frustrated with us duffers when playing together. I think it was called "best ball"; where the whole team shoots from the spot of the best shot.  We found that just like back in high school, none of us were really outstanding, but as a group, we were pretty darn good.  It wasn't brought up this weekend, but I think our class motto was; "to make the best better".  This weekend, that was so obvious as the support of these people for one another just shined, lifting each other up moment after moment. There were hilarious moments along with those sad and thoughtful times. The "other team" had finished 9 holes and our team 7 when one of the common rainstorms of the weekend came across the course. We "hightailed it" to the clubhouse where we had a late lunch. One of our beloved classmates living in California was not able to make it to Silver Lake this weekend, but believe it or not, while sitting there in the clubhouse, one of us recognized his "baby" brother sitting across the room. She went to acknowledge him and brought him to our table for introductions. What a treat. Then it was time to calculate scores and see which team had played the most stellar golf... If I understand it correctly, we ended up with a tie score which brought another problem. Some of the ladies had put together winner and loser prizes for the outing, so someone had to be declared winners... We flipped a coin and the prizes were handed out accordingly. After that we dispersed to prepare for the Alumni Banquet. I ended up making a surprise visit to one of my cousins living locally where we had a great visit before I used their shower and changed clothes for the banquet.

The banquet; If you attended a small school and have not attended an alumni banquet for several years, get ready.... I was not prepared. I walked in and seeing a table of people considerably older than myself, leaned over and said, "I felt like an old guy til I saw you folks"... Probably not the best way to put it, but it really was meant as a compliment!!!  Really!!!... I have to believe I was being guided a bit because the lady to whom I addressed that comment turned out to be our next door neighbor when we moved to Silver Lake in what 1945??? Margaret would have been near graduation from High School at that time (I forgot to check the sign on their table to see what year they graduated.)  Yes, I have mentioned a name.... on purpose because the next name is so important and should not be overlooked. She directed me to her husband Denny Conley... My mom's family played nearly every string instrument made and mom loved music. she was involved in some kind of musical performance from her teen years to her death. During the early 60's we had "Hootenannies" made up primarily of local talent. We developed a little group and Denny taught me to play the stand up bass and tenor banjo as part of many evenings of "jammin". At the time I had sort of graduated from the Ukulele to the guitar, but we needed a bass.  Denny was one of those people who could play anything.... and play it well.  I credit him to what little I was able to pass on to my children and they on to theirs.  His legacy grows and grows... even without his knowledge.  Back to the banquet.. So I said, "are you still playing"... He affirmed that he gives Ukulele, guitar and bass lessons both in Florida in the winter and Indiana in the summer.  .  . He's 89 and going strong!   WOW!  That was just the beginning. Although as probably typical, most of the people who put me in awe were older than I. Each time I would put a name with a face, another group of memories would come racing through. Actually I was emotionally exhausted (in a good way) before I left. To add to the emotional effort, Marilyn who I think has done the most to hold our class together and asked us earlier if we wanted to write something about the meaning of classmates who had become deceased. I wrote something about each one and Marilyn graciously asked me then if I would read it at the banquet... I was honored and thought, "I've been talking in front of groups for the past 40 years, so that should be fine".. The time came and as I moved to the mike I had to walk past the still living father of the first man on my list.... Simply stated, Marilyn had to read that one and a few more because I got so choked up that I couldn't speak.... What a surprise to me. I know I have gotten more "tender" over the years, but my oh my... I felt like a blubbering idiot!..  We got through it. Got our pins for participation in band, chorus, baseball and softball, helped clean up a little and headed out for an "after party" at a local classmates (actually 2 classmates who were married) house. Had more fun wrestling with memories, taking pictures, talking and laughing at ourselves. I didn't break out my camera Saturday night.... sorry. That went on til fairly late and I headed back to my sister's house. Wouldn't you know it, as I was driving into Silver Lake from the north, where I had driven hundreds of times before, I was not paying attention. I turned east onto 14 and saw red and blue flashing lights in my mirror. Pulled off to find that I had apparently been speeding as I came into town. It shocked me because I wasn't in a hurry but was just not paying attention to signage. Fortunately, the officer (Nothing like Lee Moyer) only gave me a warning).. and I was on my way. I got there late and went directly to bed.

Sunday morning I went to church with my sister and her husband, then changed clothes and headed back to Silver Lake for one last segment of our get together. Since this was my first trip along this route in the daylight I took a couple of old shortcuts, one bypassing South Whitley and coming into Collamer the "back way" along the Eel River which was always one of my favorite little jaunts. Just before you cross the bridge, there is a small man made water fall from a dam of some sorts. Because of the rain, there was really not much of a waterfall.  I passed by a barn still standing where some of us had played basketball as teenagers which reminded me of all the barn lofts we in which we used to play basketball. I arrived at the eating establishment just north of Silver Lake at the former sight of the "Igloo" a "dairy queen" sort of place. There is a similar family run shop in Linden, Indiana.... really good.  But the Igloo is gone, replaced by Homestead's Backyard Grille.  Really tasty food and good service. Since I was not pushing the clock to get home, I was the first one there. Because I am also a fast eater, which I attribute to the fact that over my life, most of my meals have been consumed "on the run" I was also the first to leave. Different classmates were able to attend different segments of the weekend, but it was great to be able to see those who made it as often as I did. Could have stayed a week, but then my life is no longer in Silver Lake.. That little town is still to me "a great place to be from"... but I can see that also it is a great place to live. I passed up the one last planned gathering and headed west. On the way home I discovered a field of peppermint just west of Parr, Indiana. I had to get out and walk through it. Another flood of memories from the early years when we raised peppermint on the farm. We spent our summers crawling up and down those rows of peppermint pulling weeds and swatting bugs and deer flies. This field was what we called "meadow mint" which was no longer in rows.

I arrive at home in yet another rainstorm just in time to help my wife get some stuff together. While we were working on it, we heard the melodic tones of our children arriving for the final "celebration" of the weekend.  After they all went home we sat and talked a little bit about the events of the weekend. Georgia related how glad she was that I was able to go for the gatherings, how Silver Lake had given her great times, great friends, and great memories and that she remembered how the people in the class of 1960 were so nice and accepting of her. In her words, "in Silver Lake, the whole town and the whole school was one big family". After basking a bit more in those rich times,  I drug off to the bedroom for a night of physical and mental recovery. Today is another day! Yesterday may be gone, but the memories are sweet to savor!

Tractors I grew up on

I stumbled onto some pictures we took a couple of years ago when we were at the Pennfield ag show. While we were there, I found tractors that I grew up on. During WWII while my dad was working for his father-in-law, he bought a new McCormick Deering Farmall "H". I think I remember the story correctly that it was in storage or something until we moved to the farm in Silver Lake. He and mom started farming there with that tractor, but when I started driving tractor, that was too big. The first tractor I remember driving was a Farmall "B" which could only be used for light work. Although it was just a small tractor, I still remember grabbing onto the steering wheel to hold myself up to reach the clutch and brake. In time I grew into the "H", but soon there was need for more power as other equipment got larger. When dad brought home the Farmall "M", I thought we had arrived. I really thought "Emmy" was strong. I loved to drive her with her straight pipe exhaust glowing in the dark at night as we pushed to get ground prepared in the spring. As the need for power grew, the faithful "H" was traded for a really modern tractor, a Farmall 350 "TA" (which was new technology at the time). At that time, my mind got a little fuzzy because I was not as involved with the farming, but dad got one more Farmall, a 460, I think. Then he got into Fords. Still my favorite was "Emmy". Today that would be considered a small tractor, but 50 years ago she was pretty special. Thanks for indulging the memories of this old man. As my wife often says, "you can take the boy off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy".....

Just the Beginning

For the past 3 years, we have traveled to some really great places and tried to share them as we went. In those travels, we have picked up lots of friends. Once in a while I try to help them to see that there is life here in Illinois and it "ain't so shabby". This morning I was looking out our bathroom window onto the fountain and flowers beginning to emerge in our yard. Thought that although our yard is just beginning to bloom, I would share the view with y'all. If I think about it at the right time, I'll try to follow up during more of the blooming stages. I was able to rescue the tulips from the rabbits, but didn't take pictures; just enjoyed the beauty. We did get some April pictures made and they are mixed among the May ones. See if you can tell which is which. For instance the copper arch Blaine and I made is covered with the 2 year old crepe myrtle, so you really can't see it in May, but in an April pic of the weeping cherry, you can see the "naked" arch in the background.. If you go back a couple of summers, you can see it totally when not covered in vines. I hope you enjoy the pics and can imagine when the buds that are just forming start to explode. Check out the reflection in the window under the vine covered arch.

Gary's in Lebanon

Just a quicky about BBQ. We rolled into Lebanon, MO, where we have now stopped over 3 times in our 2 trips to Oklahoma State University. It has rained off and on all day. Saw one short and wide rainbow, trees starting to bud and fruit trees starting to bloom with daffodils popping up. A great patch of forsythia in bloom reminded us that after what, 12 or 13 years? We still don't have any forsythia in our bloom collection at home. We were getting more hungry, the closer we got to Lebanon, but I wasn't concerned because I remembered going to the Olive Garden for take out when we were here before and knew just where there was a nest of eating establishments nearby... Georgia was sceptical about my memory. As we approached Lebanon, she could see my anxiety grow, and she was correct. In the past 3 years, we have stayed in so many places that I apparently got Lebanon, MO mixed up with something else. We checked in and ask about eating places. Just across the street (and up a little) was Gary's Catfish and BBQ. http://www.dowdscatfishandbbq.com OMG was it good? It reminds us of Hickory River Smokehouse in Urbana, IL, http://www.hickoryriver.com/ but better and with a lot more choices. In fact it was difficult to make a decision, but they had that covered with different combo dinners. Everything we had was just awesome. I ate more than I should, but just couldn't decide what to leave on my plate. They have 3 barbeque sauces; mild, spicy, and fire but the fire wasn't as hot as hot at Lil Porgy's in Urbana and Champaign. http://www.lilporgysbbq.com By the way these links are worth clicking on, just to hear their songs. I think for BBQ flavor, I still prefer Lil Porgy's, but Gary has so many choices of good stuff and the sides were also plentiful. The fried Okra rivaled the Seaboat in Champaign, http://www.theseaboat.com but I think Seaboat's is slightly more flavorful. Gary's baked beans however are probably the best we've tasted, except for Georgia's. So if you're traveling east/west through Missouri and bypass Branson as we did on this trip, you will probably miss the Missouri eating place we have heard so much about; Lamberts in Ozark (and Sikeston). http://www.throwedrolls.com Give Gary Dowd's Catfish and BBQ a try. You won't regret it.

WORDS

Get ready for an old man's rant on today's society. Sorry, no pictures, but I believe you'll find the read worthwhile. Although I don't subscribe to everything Rush Limbaugh spouts, he does make one statement that I use nearly every day; "Words have meanings"! If you have read much of my blog you will probably catch yourself saying, "why is he using that $1000 word"? You are about to find out. Most of the time it's because I believe it is the best word to describe the situation, but there are times when I purposely use a "big" word that I expect many of my readers will not know. I have been an educator since 1969 and don't expect that I will give that up while here on earth. It's not that I think I am so smart, but it is my belief that we all need to help each other and if I can help others interface better, easier, and more effectively, I believe I have in some small part contributed to the "betterment" of society. The beauty of this mode of communication is that I assume folks who read my blog have access to the internet. I hope to foster some kind of hunger for the meanings of words. What do I do when I don't know how to spell a word (and recognize that I don't know how to spell it)? I look it up and Google saves my butt. The same goes for meanings. I trust I don't have to warn you than wikipedia isn't all that reliable. So please, if you run across a word here or elsewhere that you don't understand, look it up. This all came to mind when I used the word "ubiquitous" to describe Canadian geese in my last post. Those suckers are everywhere. You may remember the folks at Eagle Rock Lodge on the McKenzie River in Oregon who often host weddings on their property along that beautiful river... but before a wedding they have to go on "goose poop patrol" to clean up after these winged rats who have chosen that spot for congregating. The urban "lakes" that have sprung up in housing editions all over the country also seem to be favorite "dumping grounds" for Canadian geese. (or is it Canada geese?) For some reason that word (ubiquitous) stuck in my mind overnight as this post started to "gel".

Let me give you an example from my work with veterinary students this week. There was a bad radiograph (x-ray to non-medical people). As we discussed why it was bad and what was done to correct it, I was told that the tube wasn't lined up with the bucky. Sensing some anxiety in using the word bucky, I (of course) had to ask, "what is a bucky?" After a few misguesses, (is that a word?) we came up with the fact that it was a name given to the tray that the cassette (which holds the film or digital capture plate). So the cassette holds the thing that captures the image produced by the x-rays coming from the x-ray tube and it was put in the "bucky tray". This brings us to the acknowledgement that a radiograph is either made with a bucky or tabletop. Then comes the question, "why?".. They figured out that when you put the cassette in the bucky there is a thing in the table called a grid. I'll shorten this by saying that a grid is a device interposed between the patient and the cassette to absorb radiation produced in the body of the patient when the x-ray exposure occurs. This point leads me to clarify something else for non-medical people. Have you ever wondered why, when you get x-rayed, that you are the only person in the room or that everyone but you is wearing protective aprons and other equipment? Does that scare you that these people don't want anything to do with the x-rays, but there you are in all your glory, like a shrimp on the barby??? Not to fear. First, remember that this is a rare thing in your life and these people go through this maybe 50 -70 times each day for all of their worklife. You should also know that they aren't protecting themselves from the x-rays that are being "shot" at you to make the image. Those are "strong" x-rays, most of which pass on through with no problem. However some of those x-rays are absorbed by your body and produce more, weaker x-rays. These are the dangerous ones because they are not strong enough to penetrate through, but are absorbed. Did I get off the track? Not really. Not only are those weak x-rays dangerous to workers who do it every day, but they also make the image "cloudy" and difficult to read because they "fog" the image. So the grid was developed to prevent this radiation from reaching the film or digital plate. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/grid If you did click on this link, you will see the word "bucky" as part of the name of the Potter-Bucky diaphragm. We're getting closer. Here's the story. In the "dark ages of radiology", the grid was introduced to reduce the effect of scatter radiation on a radiograph, but the "grid lines" were large enough that they covered some structures and introduced their own problem with radiographic interpretation. Dr. Potter and Dr. Bucky figured out that if the grid was moving during the exposure, it would still absorb the scatter radiation, but the grid lines wouldn't be seen. They developed the Potter-Bucky diaphragm which was mounted just above the cassette tray (So it really isn't a bucky tray, now is it?) The device would essentially shake the grid back and forth during the exposure. If you have a radiograph made in which you are lying on the table, you may feel a mild vibration instantaneously before and during the exposure. That isn't the sound and feeling of the x-rays frying your inards, it's just the bucky moving to get rid of the grid lines which are there to absorb the scatter radiation being produced. Did you catch the slip from the Potter-Bucky diaphragm to the bucky?? As typical in our society, we're too lazy to give Dr. Potter his due. I don't know why our predecessors chose to keep bucky and drop Potter. I guess it might sound a little strange to say you are taking a potter shot rather than a bucky shot????? Oh, when there is less that 10 cm of tissue being exposed, there isn't enough scatter produced to need a grid, so those images, like people hands and cat bodies are often radiographed "table top" where the cassette is on the table directly under the body part.

Now don't you feel better? Because this group of vet students (and I think I could make this story fit about any veterinary or medical school in the country) didn't understand the rich heritage of the word "bucky".. now you do, right? If you don't understand, please look it up. This may be a long way around to make my point, but the word bucky is only one small word used in our society daily where the meaning is meaningless. I have to say that when I asked "what is a bucky?", most said "I don't know", but the faces of many said "and I don't care". Here is my plea; Please care about the words you use and know what they mean before you use them. Challenge each other to communicate better by doing this. Your life will be so much richer, your conversations will be so much more meaningful as you pay attention to the words being used and have the guts to stop the speaker when you don't understand what they are saying. Otherwise you are wasting time for both of you. We tend to not want people to think we are "dumb", so we shrink from clear communication. The only way you will get out of that mode is to increase your vocabulary. And it's so easy. Don't blame it on your grade-school english teacher, some of the people I know who are the most effective communicators never made it past the 6th grade in school, but made a point of looking up words they didn't know. Nothing can stop you from knowing the meanings of words if you take the initiative. The answers are literally at your fingertips. One of the "new" words that I detest in the medical world, which has made it's way into society at large is "worsened".... damn it, it has become more severe. I hear it daily when working and last week heard in on a news cast. So if you hear me say "worser", you know that is my quiet protest against "worsened". I am stopping myself from launching an attack on the unnecessary "new" words that really don't mean anything. I will close with the revelation that another of my pet peeves is irregardless. I found out from Dr. Bahr, that the origin of that "word" was Al Capp's cartoon Lil Abner, which I devoured as a child. Take that Mr. President! If I've confused you, look up irregardless and the real word regardless! Oh well one picture of the effect of fog on seeing clearly. This is a scene from Lake Shelbyville, IL on a foggy and a clear morning. If you want to see the power of words go to: http://www.theworddoctors.com

The next day and more

We woke up in our "cowgirl room with lots of birds chirping outside. There were several goldfinches and of course the ubiquitous Canadian geese. I am beginning to believe these are the most populous birds in America. We took a couple of pictures at the Stardust in, then headed out on our adventure. Our second day of our second visit to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge and Medicine Park, Oklahoma was sunny but windy. On the last trip here, I breezed by the "holy city of the Wichitas", but this time because the road up Mount Scott was closed and Georgia was with me, we took a closer look at this place. http/www.theholycitylawton.com It is a life-size replica of various sites in Jerusalem at the time. This came about because the terrain here is pretty much like Israel. This is the site of America's longest running passion play. Apparently Teddy Roosevelt gave a grant to start it, but they have had to fund themselves through donations, etc. since. The amazing thing to me is that this Christian Icon still exists in a Federal facility. Surely prayers for protection are at work here. The passion play will be presented this coming weekend and Easter weekend. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea, but go to the website I listed above to experience more. Dr. Bahr, my host at this OSU made me aware of a holy land in the Orlando, FL area also. Their site is: http/www.holyland-orlando.com I didn't know this place existed. Maybe on one of the trips to the condo in Florida, we can check this out too. Back to our Our Oklahoma experience. We took a few more longhorn pics, visited "town", but didn't go into any stores because it was so windy. These people apparently resurrected the town from the dead (no pun on Easter and the Holy City) Here's their site: http://www.medicine-park.com/ Then we headed "home" to get ready for another week. Wednesday evening, I drove down to Edmond (about an hour from Stillwater) to visit my cousin Monica Rosencrans, her husband Richard and their 2 boys. (2 girls are away at college). Had a great visit, I think. Georgia was unable to make the trip, which wa a bit of a bummer. We have now finished another locum and learned a little more about central Oklahoma. I had mentioned my good breakfast experience at "Shortcakes" last Saturday. Today, I hit the jackpot.. I found "Mom's Place" a little diner on the outskirts of town. I knew when I drove up and saw all the pickup trucks in front of the place that I had hit gold. I walked in and found it was a little less formal than the Lantern in Silver Lake, Indiana or the B&B in Gas City, Indiana, Sammy's in Champaign, Illinois, or Sharon's Cafe in Corvallis, Oregon, but the food was on par (except that just like Shortcakes, their potatoes were hash browns). There were a few guys sitting at the counter and some scattered around at small tables. There was no empty table, but there was a large table near the center occupied by a gentleman a bit older than myself. I asked if he minded if I sat at the table and he welcomed me. He introduced himself as Morton, then after I ordered, asked if I was passing through and I told him why we were in Stillwater, etc. Then he told me that he was originally from the Chicago area, was an MD (pulmonary medicine) who was retired and cared for his double amputee wife. I never got a clear answer as to how he got to central Oklahoma, but he was more than ready to inform me of his present passion which is global warming. He also claimed that he was probably the only socialist in the room. The intersting thing was that he wasn't Gorophillic or a T Boone Pickens follower. He felt those folks were only into it for the power and money. His whole take on global warming is that we simply need to cut the release of energy in the form of heat as much as we can, without making it a political issue to be carrion for the politicians to feast on. I'm guessing he would have laid it all out in detail, but I had to get to work. He left me his card and several of his websites. I'll post them here, but remember that I haven't looked at them yet. If it elightens you, let me know... if not, I guess I can remove them if necessary... let me know. http://www.globalresearch.ca/ http://axisoflogic.com/ http://oklahoma%20citizen.org/ This started my last day at work for this trip. Georgia got to see her local stylist at La Ritz. The highlight of my last work day was John (one of the radiology technologists) who made his second batch of home made ice cream on subsequent "food Fridays". This time he promised Strawberry; and he delivered. He also is allowing me to "publish" his recipe. Catch this for simple. 2liter bottle of Strawberry "soda", a can of condensed milk and strawberries... So can you figure out how he makes orange pineapple??? Yup. 2liters of orange drink, a can of condensed milk and crushed pinapple. You can take it from there to make whatever flavor you like. It's kind of sherbetty, but delicious. I said my goodbyes again to some really fun people to work with and we head for home again. Today, we saw several spring trees in bloom, wondering if the our tulips at home are peaking through beckoning those pesky wabbits. I have to say that if our tulips are destroyed this year, some bunnies are going to regret it.