When I became Nigel - the British guy with the bad accent!

I am pretty sure that when I was in College the Olympics were held in London.  Also at this time I was the President of our dorm counsel.  It turned out that the night of our meeting, was also the night of the ladies long program for ice skating.  There was NO WAY I was going to miss this night of skating.  We met in one of the big common spaces in the dorm.  I went up early and set up my portable TV so I could have it on and keep my eye on the screen during the meeting.  For some reason - and who knows what that reason was - I began speaking with a British accent and started calling myself Nigel.  The members of the counsel thought this was hilarious.  The secretary, Marsha, was awesome in writing the minutes.  Her minutes for this meeting was no exception.  Naturally when the skaters came on, the meeting stopped in its tracks.  The meeting would continue during the commercials.  Most of the members were not annoyed with me, but rather completely amused at my accent and my commitment to watching figure skating.  In the end, we managed to get our work done for the counsel planning activities and I got to watch my skating and teach my friends about skating.  As a side note - in my 30's a skating rink opened near my house.  Eventually I decided that I was going to take lessons to see if I did have the potential to be a figure skater, something I was told in my youth.  Turns out - I did - and though there are some regrets about not following that passion,  I know that there was no way  my parents could have afforded lessons and competition for me.  I did learn that for as easy as the skaters make it look, it is NOT.  Catching a blade, knocking yourself off balance, crumbling to the ice, sliding quite quickly on your back and butt into the boards at full speed is NOT fun.  I tip my hat to all figures skaters because that is one hard sport!!!!!

People, People Who Need People are the Luckiest People in the World

Part of the problem I am having now is not feeling comfortable around people.  If you know me that is not usually a problem for me.  This happened about 13-14 years ago.  It kept me from going into shopping malls and any place where I was inside and there were a lot of people. This time it is not quite so bad, though I still struggle with this a bit.  It was funny that yesterday, I felt that way a little, but because I was having trouble walking on the uneven surfaces and the distances - I did not have time to focus on that because I was concentrating on not falling.  I went to a tailgate - which was fun and everyone was really nice, yet I still found myself feeling like I needed to get lost in a wall somewhere.  Once I got into the stadium, I did not think much about all the people and just concentrated on the game.  It is funny because after a day like yesterday, and I suppose this has to do with spending the day with Anthony, I feel kind of lost and lonely because there is no one around.  It seems odd that my anxiety and panic kicks up in only certain situations.  I also think it is odd that I don't want to be around people and yet after I force myself to do that I feel better, but afterward the loneliness is worse.  Yes I have a dog and a cat and I love them to death, but they can't talk to me.  I can talk to them, and do, but they do not answer back except with their eyes, tales, and ability to cuddle.  I know there are others who deal with the same feelings, and that helps to know.  I just don't know where this came from.  I have not been like this for about 13 years - I feel like I've lost my mojo - and that is not a good feeling.

The Reason for the Season?

So I read this article this morning about how the pagans stole Christmas from the Christians.  The article was written about an article Kirk Cameron wrote.  I have always liked Kirk Cameron, but I believe he has gone just a little south.  I try hard not to judge and believe that we have to believe by faith - that is how this whole Christian thing seems to work.  I have done a lot of research over the years into the origins of Christmas.  There is nothing in the Bible that suggests Dec. 25th is the date of His birth.  Again, for me it is all about the faith and not about the facts.  In my study of this awesome holiday, I discovered that Christmas did seem to start with the Pagans.  As years have gone by, this holiday has changed and changed adding from various cultures and religious beliefs.  My feeling is that Christmas or the week of the solstice is a special time for everyone, for various reasons.  Why not just celebrate the holiday and then celebrate it specifically according to your own personal beliefs.  There seems to be so much overlapping in meaning.  For example - fire -  Fire brings light, light casts out darkness, and people need to find the light because it is safer in the light than it is in the dark.  Fire would have been pagan.  Jesus, as we know is The Light of the World.  Christmas trees maybe pagan, because we celebrate the beginning of nature coming back to life.  We put lights on the tree - sure for decorative purposes - but again it is the beginning of rebirth of nature, and symbolizes Jesus as the light of the world.  I hope you understand my thoughts here.  The date on which Jesus was born is just that - a date.  I am just thankful that He was born.

As I stated earlier - I do believe strongly that I am a Christian, but all this "my brand of Christianity is better than yours"  smells very much like what is going on in the Middle East between all these different religions.  Every time I hear another story about Christians fighting with Christians (and yes it happens here in the states) it makes me sick.  Jesus got a long with everybody.  He was friends with the lowliest AND he treated them with kindness.  Jesus didn't gather his disciples together to talk about what a bunch of losers those other people are compared to those that followed ME.  

I became a Christian because my friend Dean was one.  Dean was gentle and kind.  He was also caring and in his own way - loving.  These were qualities I had not found in any of my friends to that point.  After spending hours of time with him and his family, I decided I wanted what he had.  I guess this hits the arguments  about saved by grace or by works.  How about both!  Sometimes we need grace and other times we need to show the Christ that is in us.  I do think that "Jesus is the reason for the season" (I know so cliche')  but I do.  Judaism does not believe there is a Messiah that has come and they are still waiting.  Do I personally believe this?  No, but I respect those that do.  The same goes for everything else.  In their purest forms most religions have pieces that overlap.  There are ideas in Buddhism that fit wonderfully with Christian ideals.  Because I follow some Buddhist ideas, does that make me a bad Christian?  Some reading this might say yes, but in my heart (and that is the  most important part) I believe that Christ was the Son of God.

In closing - I just don't understand the hate found in many of the groups that are in my words "my way or the highway" - We are all people too - We need to stop this non-sense of fighting with each other over religion and start to take care of each other.  Those ideas are found in religions across the board and it is the one thing which we can all believe.

**  I did not write this to start a fight - or to get into arguments about what I have typed.  These are my opinions - and last time I checked I am entitled to them.  So you are entitled to yours - but if you want to go all negative on my butt - save yourself - if you want to share your thoughts - start your own blog and you too can share your feelings.

I am back at it after a break !!!

Looks like I need to write more - 1200 views - I kind of gave up thinking that not too many people were reading the blog.  I don't have but one follower - but now I feel new inspiration ...

So today was spent trying to keep my butt out of hot water financially.  The truth is for over a year now I have not made a study income.  I have been blessed by friends gifting me money, friends taking me to dinner, and friends giving me gift cards for the grocery.  I don't want to go into bankruptcy - been there - done that - but the amount of debt I have incurred because I have had to live off my credit cards - is now kind of staggering.  If I think about it I seriously have a panic attack.  So I try not to.  Come January things will start to change a bit - I hope.  The best was that dumb Bank of America took a mortgage payment out of both my checking accounts.  that was over 1200.00 - now if they apply the second payment to December that will be fine, other wise I will not have enough money to make it in December.

As I write this stuff - I just keep thinking about how this happened to me and why it happened - I know that I am more humble than ever - but between the surgeries, the severe depression, and the money problems - I could use some relief.

I do get some when I visit with friends - they have been some of the best times.  Catching up with high school friends has really helped too.  I get a real sense of support from that group - support I really need right now.  My other friends have been very supportive too.

One of my friends suggested about a month ago I start a GoFundMe.com page.  When she suggested it, I thought it would be an easy thing to do.  I discovered it wasn't and put it off.  Now that I see my money dwindling and no hope for much money coming in and bills to pay - it seems that maybe it is time.  This will at least help to offset some of medical bills I have incurred as well as making sure I can put food on my table.  I know that many of my friends are probably in a similar situation to what I am in - I understand - believe me.  When i hear someone say I don't have any money - I really get that now.  I think I got it before, but now i truly get it!

Guess I have rambled enough for now ... thanks for reading sorry if this was not very funny - I will get a funny one on here soon ... now that I know people are reading it!!!!

Falling for a Horse or How Barbed Wire played an important part in my life!

I have two cousins - Bob and Pete.  They lived on a dairy farm when I was growing up.  At some point they started to have horses.  It sticks in my mind that both of the boys took riding lessons - no doubt due to their grandmother.  Bob was year older than me and Pete was a year younger.  Oh and at some point they put an in-ground pool in.  So for me it was like going to Disneyland.  We had the barn with the cows, the milk room (where the milk ended up after the cows had been milked), pastures, a creek, the swimming pool, the corn crib, the spring house, and their house was a big old farm house.  I forgot to mention that their mother was a great cook, and I frequently stayed for dinner.  My favorite was the spaghetti dinner and iced tea.  Her spaghetti sauce had a really good and unusual flavor and she made her ice tea with orange juice.  Like I said - Disneyland!

I am not sure how I old I was when the following happened, and it really is a dumb story.  I think I was in late elementary school.  I would guess 5th or 6th grade or even going into 7th grade.  My cousin Pete and I were walking around the property after we were finished swimming.  We walked up and around to the back pasture where the horses (by this time they had two) were.  I thought it would be fun to go into the pasture to see the horses up close and personal.  

I wanted to walk around and go through the barn and out into the pasture.  Pete suggested we climb over the barbed wire fence.  Now I was not a farm boy, but I was pretty sure that stepping over, under, or anywhere near to barbed wire was going to hurt - ME - not him he was a farm boy!  There was this part of a tree on the inside  of the barbed wire fence.  You had to step up into a tree (this was the easiest part FYI), step over the barbed wire and onto the other piece of tree trunk and Wahla you were in with the horses.  

I was not convinced that this was the best idea for me, as I tended to be on the klutzy or unsteady side.  Pete offered to show me how to achieve success without getting hurt.  He executed the maneuver wonderfully, but I was still NOT convinced that my own attempt would end as well.  I told Pete that I was going to cut my leg on the barbed wire.  Pshaw he said to me - that is just silly you will not.  I did not mention that by this time both Bob and Pete were taller than me.  Just a minor detail I am sure, but my legs are not as long as Pete’s.  Pete basically told me I was stupid, and he said watch me and I’ll do it again.  Pete repeated his excellence in climbing proving that really anyone could do this with no harm to oneself.  I still was not buying it  - he might be able to climb over the fence without injury, but I was not going to be so fortunate.  Pete demonstrated one more time and then offered to help me across offering his hand to help keep me steady.  

Against my better judgement, I climbed up the tree, placed my left leg over the barbed wire, and as I brought the right one over,  I slipped, drug my right leg right over a barb and was hanging on the fence.  The first thing I said besides shit - was I told you so!!! Pete helped me off the fence.  I had a slit up the back of my thigh that was easily 6 inches long. Did I mention blood?  Oh my goodness did it bleed.   Pete and I thought it would be a good idea to put leaves over the cut to keep me from bleeding to death.  Then, with Pete holding leaves on the back of my leg (so yes he kind of had his head behind my butt) we walked up the long driveway towards the house. 

We arrived and Pete called his mother.  She came out to look at it - I felt like a dope because I said, I knew this was going to happen.  Pete’s mother, Dolly, (also my cousin) said that she would call my mother.  The trick then was to patch me up so I would not bleed out before my mother arrived.  Once my mother arrived, she took me home. On the way home she kind of told  me, in a very nice way, that I was an idiot.  She called the doctor and got an appt. for later in the day.  I got a shot and the doctor cleaned up my leg.  No stitches required, just a big bandage. The worst part of the whole incident?   I could not visit Disneyland until my leg healed up, which would seem like a life time!!!

My Coffee Addiction

Many of you know that I have a very extreme relationship with coffee.  Truth be told, my relationship started when I was quite young.  I am not even sure I was in elementary school when I had my first taste of coffee.  Often for breakfast, especially on the weekends, my dad would have these short bread cookies called Lorna Dunes ( I probably spelled that wrong ).  The cookies, alone were kind of bland and dry, but dunked in coffee became a delicacy!!  It got so bad (my stealing my father’s coffee) that he decided I should have a cup of my own.  This coffee I drank was one part milk, two parts sugar, and the rest coffee.  In other words, I was drinking sugar and milk with coffee, so of course it tasted really good.  

This went on for several years before I just stopped.  I often wonder if this is one of the reasons I stayed short.  “They” always said that drinking coffee stunted your growth.  If this is true - I could be a poster child :-)  

It was many years again before I had coffee.  I was teaching the South Williamsport band.  We were at a contest at Williamsport High School.  It was VERY, VERY cold.  After the band performed, which was of course near the end of the contest, the snack bar was out of hot chocolate and tea.  The only thing they had left to drink that was hot was coffee.  There were parts of my body that were quickly losing any feeling so I decided I would suck it up and drink the coffee.  Now it may have been the extreme cold, it may have been that my palate had changed, or it just may have been desperation, but I ordered the coffee only to 

find out there was no cream or sugar!!  With great reluctance I started to drink the coffee, and to my sheer amazement - I loved it!  Thus began my intimate relationship with coffee.  For many years I drank my coffee black and loved it.  I always told my friends that if you put anything in your coffee you were not really experiencing “real coffee flavor.”  

Not sure for how many years I drank my coffee black and not sure how much I drank.  Some days it was a pot for myself.  I remember being so hooped up on coffee and teaching that I was bouncing around my classroom.  One of my students did ask how many cups I had had already drank on this particular morning.  It was only third period and I was up to six cups.  I believe that during this period of my life I was an addict.  I was always drinking coffee and never seemed to get enough. My students that year chided me by writing on their final exams that the one thing they learned this semester was how much I loved coffee!!

 Eventually, as all good things do, my stomach turned on me.  I could not drink black coffee without getting really sick in the stomach.  After some medical treatment, a diagnosis of GERD was assigned to me.  Initially I was going to treat this condition with not eating and drinking certain foods.  As you know that did not work well for me.  I continued to drink coffee, but now with milk.  It seemed to help for a while but eventually I had to be put on stomach meds so I could drink coffee.  Now the doctors did not know that (I guess?) but that is really what happened.  I started taking stomach meds so that I could continue to drink coffee.  I often think how silly this is, but I can’t imagine life without coffee.  I try to regulate my coffee drinking these days.  The advent of coffee shops was amazing.  I would rather go to a coffee shop than a restaurant.  I thought when I was going through graduate school, I would have my counseling business in a coffee shop.  I would call it “Coffee and a Chat.”  I have always found that sitting down with a good cup of coffee and a good friend was the best way to have a serious conversation.  

So it started when I was just a little nipper with sweetened coffee and cookies, but really began on a bitter cold night in Williamsport when I had my first taste of black coffee.

The Night of the Margarita

The year was 2001 and I was invited to teach Angelton High School's Color Guard.  Angelton was located in Angelton, Texas.  The high school was about 45 minutes south of Houston.  Bands in Texas are only permitted to practice so many hours a week outside of school time.  The way we did it in Angelton was to start practice a half-hour to an hour before school started and then to practice through first block.  One night a week we would have practice in the evening, after school at a different high school in town.  The band I was teaching competed in The USSBA and BOA along with the Texas Bandmaster's.  I think you get the idea, and though there are other pieces of this trip and story to share, I will leave it here and tell you about the Margarita.  

Our staff consisted of Andy, Rich, Eric, Susan, Lou, Mike, me, and Steve (who wrote the drill but lived in Ohio).  We also had a guest consultant who worked with the Boston Crusaders the year they made finals for the first time in years, finishing 5th!  I can't remember his name, as he was not around all that much.  The staff often went out together after practice for dinner or after a home football game.  It was a great staff to be a part of for sure as it was always fun - ok maybe not always - but for me it was!  

I was living in Lake Jackson, which was very close to the Gulf of Mexico.  Speaking of Mexico, we had a very large Mexican population in our community and there fore in our band.  I learned quickly that the chain Mexican restaurants were never visited by Mexicans.  Mexicans always ate where the food was authentic.  This one Thursday night, we had practice until about 6 PM.  It had been very hot and humid during practice.  This was sometime in October, so it was hard to believe the 90 degree temperatures and the 80% humidity.  I think all of us were a bit dehydrated and of course hungry.  We had a staff meeting to determine what was next.  What was next was the fact that the real Mexican restaurant was having $1.00 Margarita night.  I was promised that the food was amazing and who could pass up $1.00 Margarita's.  

I remember that I road with Eric and Andy was there too.  I am not sure if the entire staff came or not, I think they did.  We went in and sat at a table and immediately ordered 2 pitchers of Margaritas which were cheap.  The cups they gave us were small paper cups.  I had never ever had a Margarita in my life.  So, being very thirsty, I got my cup and basically pounded the first cup.  It tasted like limeade.  Who wouldn't like a frozen limeade on a very hot day right?  The restaurant was so busy, it took a while to get our food.  Unfortunately the Margarita pitcher seemed to be bottomless.  I am not sure how many of these little cups I had, but suddenly, I was sliding off my chair onto the floor and laughing hysterically at ....... nothing.  Our waitress went by and Eric grabbed her and begged her to bring the food before I was lying on the floor.  My friends thought this was really hilarious that in a very short period of time I was inebriated.  The waitress was obliging and got the food out quickly.  I ate and began to sober up a bit.  The problem was, I had already ponded, maybe 10 of those cups.  When dinner was done, I was back on the planet and could walk, but I was still not in any condition to drive.  Eric had to drive me home, which was fine as by this time I had started staying with him.  

We took a side trip to the pool hall to play a couple games before we went all the way home.  My pool game was always better on that fine line between drunk and sober.  Eric figured I would give him a good game so we played for an hour or so.  The next day I had to get up early and have Eric take me to the restaurant so I could get my car.  

I learned that many little cups are as dangerous as a couple normal size cups.  I learned that Margarita's (frozen ones) do have alcohol in them and though I felt like I was only drinking limeade, I was NOT!  Everything in moderation and the only real liquid to quench your thirst is water!  I am pretty sure my friends had a lot of laughs at my expense, but I didn't know it.  

This was just one of the many stories from my 9 months in Texas.  It was quite an experience to say the least.  But an experience, I will never forget and always be grateful for!

The French Bistro with the Class of 76

The group including spouses

Last night was another Class of 76 get together.  I think that everyone that was there had a great time.  Despite the fact that the restaurant we met in was not really prepared for us, it still was a nice evening.  We have to thank Cheryl for organizing these events, because if she didn’t, this would not be happening.  Sadly I had missed the Wine and Cheese party at Mel’s last month because I had suffered a TIA and was quite sick and could not attend.  It was really good to see everyone again and actually some new people.  For me, one of the exciting parts of the evening was when Darlene saw me and made a bee-line over to me and gave me just a huge hug.  You see, Darlene and I really grew up together in Spring City with our houses being very close to each other’s.  It was also exciting to see Barb Smith and to meet her husband.  Linda brought her husband, who was really a nice guy and then there was Denise.  

Both of these were prior to our really taking over the area

Eventually we got ourselves seated by adding an extra table with fabric table clothes.  The other tables were covered with paper, the kind you find in some Italian restaurants.  I was sitting next to Linda and no one on the left and then Darlene, Kathy, and Denise across from me.  Conversation was comfortable and easy, so it seemed.  I was lucky to sit with people I had not been around at the last one, so I got caught up with everyone.  Linda showed me her daughter’s cake business.  WOW is all I can say about her cakes.  These cakes were really amazing and of course they came at a price.  It looked like something you would see on Cake Wars.  Just amazing!!  Kathy showed me some pictures of her cat.  The fact that her cat was in a cupboard above the refrigerator was amazing.  I know cats are amazing, but that one was something else.  

I’d like to mention that there were others there as well including Len, Robin, Lou and his girl-friend, Barb’s husband, Cheryl’s significant other, Paul, Debbie, Mel, Tonya, and Brian.  I know there were probably others and I missed you, sorry I tried really hard to remember everyone.  

So service was really slow, because they were not really prepared for us and then the front of house was slammed as well.  Many of us did not get to eat until 9 PM.  I don’t know about my classmates, but eating that late is a recipe for a night without sleep.  I have to say though that the pulled pork sandwich I had was primo going down, coming back up on the way home was less than thrilling.  I did stop at Turkey Hill to get a coke, which helped tremendously though there was a good deal of belching going on in my car!!!  As we were patiently waiting, only known to a couple people,dear Linda decided to draw her food on the table cloth.  

Linda initially was sitting at a paper covered table, now she was sitting at a linen table cloth.  I believe it was Kathy who told Linda that the table cloth was linen.  I missed the facial expression Linda made when she realized she had defiled a table cloth!  This was hilarious! Poor Linda freaked out and immediately, virtually slammed the bread basket over top of the drawing so that the servers could not see it.  When Linda got her food, she intercepted her plate so the server would not see the drawing.  She stealthily moved the bread basket to slide the food plate over the drawing.  After she finished her meal, she placed napkins down on the drawing and put her food plate on top of that to make sure the server, again, would not catch the her art work on the table cloth!  Once the server took the plate away, Linda immediately placed the bread basket back on top of  her art work.  Fortunately, the pencil art work she did should wash out easily!  

In case you missed here is Linda's dinner.  Chicken leg, potato I think, vegetables and you can't see it put there is also a fork there too!   She was thinking of EVERYTHING!  BTW in case you don't know Linda's daughter's are artists - this gene must have come from their father don't you think??  LOL - sorry Linda!!

This was the real food that finally arrived for Linda to eat.  It was a pulled pork sandwich.  This is what I had and this is what caused the noises in my car on the way home.

This was after the food plate was removed and how Linda left her place at the table when she left!!  Boy will they be surprised when the strip the table to see Linda's drawings!!!

I was talking about some of the shenanigans Brian and I participated in when were in Junior High, just last week with a friend of mine.  My particular memory happened in Mrs. Galera’s Spanish class.  The class was on the top floor in a room that had a big wood door in the back to separate it into two small rooms.  For some reason, Mrs. Galera went out in the hall and we were able to lock her out of her room.  Brian and I snuck out the back between the wooden doors and then through the other class room’s door.  Both Brian and I high tailed it down to the cafeteria as it was our lunch time.  Rumor filtered down that Mrs. Galera was coming down to the cafeteria to let us have it.  I am pretty sure she knew Brian was in on it, but I don’t think she knew I was in on it.  When I saw her coming into the cafeteria, I went across the cafeteria to some friends and then hid under their table until she left.  Brian may have gotten detention, but I think he just apologized to her and all was forgiven.  It also sticks in my mind that Brian was somehow related to her as well.  It was ironic that Brian would show up for the dinner after I was just talking about him last week and had not talked about him in years.   He came over and sat next to me for a while and we had a chance to catch up.    

That is Brian talking to Mel.  Keith and Paul are having a conversation in the fore ground.

People slowly left as it appeared that many were having trouble pulling away from their old and new friends.  I have to say that I have never heard of any class any where doing something like this.  For me, as I am running into old classmates, it brings back the memories of time spent in Jr High and High School.  Many of us, by the time we were in high school, had moved into different groups of friends and started to move into the direction we planned to go once we graduated.  We have lived our lives, had our children and raised them, and now able to seek out former friends.  

This is Karen - our famous bus driver from the Class of 76!

Once again the Spring-Ford class of 76 had a successful evening at the French Bistro in Royersford.  

My Hershey Med Experiences.

My first trip to Hershey Medical Center was quite interesting.  As many of you probably know, this is now the med school for Penn State University.  As a current PSU fan, it is kind of exciting to see every one walking around on Fridays with their PSU attire.  I thought that LGH was a big hospital, no way!  This is a giant facility with many options for patients and students to learn and study medicine.  

The first trip I took, I met my doctor at 30 Hope Drive.  It took me close to a half-hour of riding around the campus and the use of two GPS.  I am not sure the plural of GPS as it is kind of a new thing.  I finally found the building and parked.  I walked into the building and suddenly realized that I had no idea where I was supposed to go.  I asked for assistance and was on my way.  Even though I was on my way, I still did not have any idea of where I was going.  I looked down this very long hall and saw all these letters hanging from the ceiling.  I had to find X-ray. I quickly learned, with more assistance, that the X-ray department was located under the X hanging in the hall.  Everyone was very nice and accommodating, which was good since as usual, I was clueless.  The equipment in the X-ray room was all Kodak and looked very new and very modern.  I stood in positions I had never stood in for knee X-rays so that they could get some good angles.

When I was finished with X-rays, I had to find my doctor, Dr. Mason.  I had to find the M hanging from the ceiling to find Dr. Mason (are you seeing the pattern here?).  Dr. Mason’s nurse was a lovely woman and quite funny.  She took all my vitals and discovered I was alive.  When she concluded the vitals and the history,  She told me that Dr. Mason would be in very soon, and then she left the room.  Dr. Mason entered the exam room and greeted me with a big smile and a hand-shake.  I am guessing that he is probably in his late 30’s early 40’s.  Dr. Mason immediately went to look at the X-rays and had all kinds of problems with the computer!  It was really funny to watch him really struggling with technology just like the rest of us do from time to tome.  But as he looked through the X-ray he started to see things I had never seen in all the other X-rays from before.  He recommended some blood work be done and a CT scan and then reconvening once all the facts were in.  

When my appointment was finished, I had to negotiate my way out of the building.  Eventually I had to ask for help again, because I was walking in circles.  Once I had assistance again, I discovered that I was close to exiting the maze.  When I walked out of the hallway, I walked right into one of the pediatric sections.  This  was amazing with all the bright colors and toys, as well as the workers all dressed in brightly colored scrubs.  I really understood now why PSU is so involved in pediatric medicine.  

Since Dr. Mason prescribed some blood work.  I decided that I would get this done on the campus while I was there.  Thankfully I found that building with more ease than I had found the other building.  Again, the people were so nice and accommodating.  It did not take very long to have my blood drawn, and when I was finished I went back to the woman at the check-in desk.  She gave me directions on how to exit the campus and my visit was over.

Today I went back to radiology.  I felt like a “deer in the headlights” when I drove onto campus.  This time I had a map and specific directions and no GPS.  I ended up over by the Exercise Center.  I had to sit in the parking lot for a while to figure out where I wanted to go.  I was relieved that I arrived on campus about 40 minutes a head of time!so that I did not have to hurry.  I ended up parking at the top of the parking lot and started wondering how I was going to walk down to where I was supposed to be.  I was supposed to look for the Cancer Center as I knew where that was.  When i got out of my car, I saw two shuttles and hoped that I could catch a ride down to the Cancer Center.  I lucked out, because one of the vans sitting there was able to take me to the Cancer Center.  Upon arriving at the Cancer Center I found my way to the long hallway where an elevator was located to take me to Radiology.  When I got to the elevators, I kept looking around trying to figure out where I was supposed to go next.  I know I had the “deer in the headlights” look again.  I had just figured out where I was going when one of the staff members asked if I needed help (figures right?).  I found my way down to radiology, checked in and began playing bubble shooter.  My appt. was at 10:45 for a CT Scan.  A technician came out to get me and lead me back to the scanner.  The scanner was donut shaped and was decorated with all kinds of kiddie stickers.  Once again, I get how important pediatric medicine is at PSU.  I was finished with my scan before 10:45 and was on my way again.  I finally saw where the most important things in the entire hospital were located. That would be the Starbucks and the gift shop.   I also got to see the kind of merchandise they sell in the gift shop.  Of course there were lots of PSU “stuff.”  It was probably good that I have little money to spend on “things” because I know I would have gone to Starbucks and then to the gift shop :-)  The money they make in the gift shop goes back into the hospital to use for projects in the hospital.  

I walked back outside and stood at the wrong bus stop.  Thankfully a really nice bus driver said she looked at me standing there with the “deer in the headlights” look and then decided to see if I would figure it out and walk down to the actual bus stop.  Yes, I figured that one out!  She told me I had parked in the best place because I was steps from the shuttle.  We had a great conversation on the way up to my car including what it was like to drive around the campus and how long it takes to figure out where everything is located!  

I got in my car and started to head out.  Of course it took a while to realize that I was headed towards a dead end road.  Yes, I ended up at a dead end so I had to turn around and head back.  On the way back I saw a sign that directed me to the highway, and in no time I was back on the main road headed towards home. I have to go back up one more time (at least) next week to see if Dr. Mason has a clue about my knee.  

I can tell you that despite the confusion and size of the campus, I have been really impressed with the facility.  This was the first time I went to a medical facility where I felt like they could fix just about anything wrong with me and if they couldn’t, they would sure give it a good try.  

The Hospital

I had to be at the hospital by 7 AM.  This required me to rise at 5:50.  Sad to say that Mick, once again, woke up at 4:30 AM.  Maybe he is getting ready for my return to school.  I fed Mick and LU and then headed upstairs for a shower.  I was just finishing the drying process when I heard Mick start to bark.  I suspected it was Becky, who was ready to take me to the hospital.  It was now 6:30 AM.  Traffic going into town was really heavy so I was glad that we left early.  Arriving at LGH - we parked at the Lime Street B Lot.  Earl, a band parent from by gone days was the greeter and parking attendant.  Earl is really a great guy.  I had his daughter Val in my film class and low and behold - she is making short movies and getting them shown at film festivals.   In fact several won awards,  Ugh and to think it started in my course, makes me so happy and proud.  Earl was busy so I found my way into the hospital.  As I was leaving, Becky told me that if I needed someone to pick me up, to call her.

The woman that checked me in was delightful despite being coffee less.  We both joked about our respective needs for college in the morning.  After a very brief time, She walked another couple back to the pre-op center along with me.  I cannot begin to tell you how nice the people are at LGH.  I recognized several of the nurses from my previous visits.  The one male nurse went to the Syracuse / Duke basketball game last season.   This is when Duke was beaten by Syracuse in a wild game.  He told me a little about the experience while he was prepping me. I was taken downstairs for an ultra sound of my legs to make sure there were no clots in my legs.  I am sure glad I wore nice under wear today because I was flashing a whole heck of a lot of people.  There was also a chance that they would have to go up through the groin if the filter was stuck.  My legs were cleaned and it was time to go upstairs to get ready for procedure.

I was stuck, prodded, and questioned before the surgery.  The doctor who was performing the procedure was fairly humorous as he explained what he planned to do and what he hoped would not happen!  Another Male nurse wheeled me down to the OR, which was freezing cold.  The nurses all introduced themselves and the other doctor who was assisting also introduced himself.  We were all laughing and joking quite a bit.  Once they moved me on to the other bed and hooked me up to the oxygen, the world slowly began to spin.  Conversations were fading in and out.  They were asking me to do things, and I was, but I felt like I was watching from above.  I never felt when he put the needle and catheter in my neck.  I did come back around to hear that the hook of the filter was in the perfect position.  Unfortunately, the filter had hooked itself in and they had trouble getting it out.   I know that I was talking to everyone and joking about being stuck, but there are other things I just don't remember.  I do recall being wheeled back to my room and then fading in and out.  The doctor came in to tell me what to do.  Thankfully it was written down because I could not remember a word he said!  My nurse Steve - who called me John, brought me some apple juice and pretzels.  As it had been quite a while since I had last eaten.

It was not too long after that they determined I was well enough to go home.  I had arranged for my brother Kris to pick-me-up.  Unfortunately, I did not bother to take my cell phone, nor did I bother to write down his number.  The anesthesia short circuited my brain, and I could not recall his number at all.  They were ready to discharge me, and I had no place to actually go.  Steve, my nurse gave me a boxed lunch and some water so I could eat out in the lobby while waiting for someone to pick me up.  The women at the check in desk were very helpful in trying to help me get home.  I called Becky and left a message.  Then I called back and told her co-worker what had happened to me so Becky would know that I needed a ride home after all.  It was either that or be stuck at the hospital until someone figured out I was missing.

I finished my lunch and had just thrown away the box, when Becky came walking into the waiting area.  I was so glad to see her I nearly teared up!  She got me home and of course Mick wanted to go out immediately.  Becky tried to take Mick for a walk.  Apparently he was not interested in going for a walk with his Aunt Becky.  Mick  was so happy to see me he would not stop jumping on me.  However once he was fed, he calmed down and relaxed.

At this point I am really tired and kind of still out of it.  My neck hurts quite a bit as well.  It will be interesting to see how I am feeling tomorrow.

The Final Leg of My Journey Home

So I start up Bridge Street and the first thing I see is the funeral home where my grandfather was viewed. I had had other relatives die before, but Grandpop was different, he always called me “Bir Head” because I always had a very short hair cut.  I also remember not wanting to go to the funeral and doing everything I could to be late.  Problem was, my brother Bob was waiting for me.  When I walked in the door I was ambushed.  He questioned me about not going and I guess at some point he was tired of listening to me and “jacked me” up against the wall and said, “This is your mother’s father, you owe it to her to be there for this.  Now get your ass upstairs and get yourself ready.”  I did what I was told.  I did view grand pop and sat through the Mason’s ceremony.  It was ok and I guess I am glad I went.  The next day after, the short service in the funeral home, we were sitting in the cars waiting to go to the cemetery.  The mood was heavy and dark, my mom was desperately holding back the tears.  While we were waiting a patient from Pennhurst walked past the car.  For those of you that remember the patient’s at Pennhurst that were better, often held jobs or were permitted to walk into town. Sadly their clothes were not always in fashion.  There had been a TV commercial running about Krass Brother’s Men’s Suits.  This man walked past the car and Bob said, “I guess he didn’t buy his suit at Krass Brother’s.”  Just in that instance the mood in the car completely changed from sad, somber, and quiet to one of hysterical laughter.  

As I proceeded up Bridge Street, I passed the Rescue Squad which was famous for hosting dances, that were apparently pretty wild.  I never went so I never found out.  Next was Debbie Batten’s house and across the street from her was Teddy “Boom Boom” Bauman's.  Debbie was a grade or two ahead of Teddy and I.  On a sadder note, Debbie’s grandmother was my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Godshall.  What I remember about her was that I spent a great deal of time in the back of the room facing away from class looking into the coat closet.  It also sticks in my mind that I was chewing gum, and that was a fate worse than death!  So she made me put it on my nose for a while.  Thank God I was having all kinds of experiences being humiliated in my childhood.  It certainly prepared me for humiliation in my adult hood!  Ted, Debbie, and I hung out a lot together.  There were others, but I could not tell you who they were.  I passed “Blanchie’s Hill.”  This was one of the best sledding spots in Spring City.  Sometimes Teddy and Debbie would walk to my house and then we would walk up to the hill in driving snow and freezing temperatures.  We would stay out until very late at night sledding or having some hot chocolate at Teddy’s place.  Teddy’s mom and dad were older like my parents so they hit it off.  I was often up there for meals or Teddy was at my house.  I rounded the corner (the really bad corner on Bridge Street) and headed up toward - Hmm was it 724 that took you down to Phoenixville and up to Pottstown?  Someone will tell me I am sure!  The main branch of the bank I went to was on the left side of me, a gas station to the right of me, across the street was the shipping company (It was Jones and employed many people), and across from that was the place we often got food.  

I made my right hand turn and headed towards Pottstown.  I remember the outlets they had in Parkerford and that my friend Dave Willauer lived there.  I drove further and past what had been Countryside swim club.  The place where I got soooo sun burned that I had to take an oatmeal bath.  Further down the road was Dr. Peterman’s. He was a friend of the family and so we took our dog Blackie to him when she was sick.  Right next to him was a place called TOGG’S.  After TOGG”S opened I swear if we were not getting food from Andy’s on a Friday night, we were at TOGG”s.  They had fried chicken in a basket that came with fries and cole slaw.  Mmmmm now that was good living and eating.  

Finally I arrived at the juncture I needed to take to get on Rt 422.   I made my right and continued.  This area looked basically the same except the brush had grown up.  When I got to the High or Keim Street exit, I took it and decided to ride through downtown Pottstown.  This is where we did most of our shopping.  My mother and I could take the train from Royersford for pennies and arrive in Pottstown.  Public Transportation - who knew it would be in high demand now!  Mom and I had our stores we always shopped in.  The biggest and the one most frequented was The New York Store.  A fairly nice store with a variety of products.  The other was Penny’s, which was up and across the street.   There was a 5&10 next to a Woolworth’s that had a soda fountain!  The trick was to convince mom she needed something from the soda fountain.  It also helped if the fountain wasn't full.  If it was full, sadly I left somewhat dejectedly.  If we sat down, I always had a standing order.  A Hot Fudge Sunday with a Cherry on top and no nuts.  For someone in his formative years, this ranked up there with TOGG’S!!!  I suppose this may have been the start of my addiction issues as well.  Ah that’s right, in case you didn’t know I have a severe addiction to ice cream.  No like seriously severe.  It is almost scary severe.  Anyway after our sundays we general went to Bechtels Sporting Goods.  If she needed something for my brothers we walked down the next block to Weitzencorn’s Now this place was hip for sure!  Always had amazing displays.  I so wanted to buy my clothes there,but I was still in children’s sizes and as my mom pointed out, they only sold man sizes.  Hmmm not a man???  15 years of Therapy here I come!   Once we were done - we would either head back to the train or out the back of the New York Store, because that is where we ALWAYS parked.  We would ride in circles until a spot opened up.  It was free parking, no meters!   This would be one trait I did not pick up from my family, being frugal with money.  Though I have gotten better than I could have ever imagined, it took a very long time for me to get there.  I decided to “cruise the circuit.”  I can’t tell you exactly the names of the streets the circuit started and ended on, but you would start down around the McDonald’s near the hospital.  Then you would drive slowly all the way to the Manatawany Creek.  You would turn around and head back down.  You might spend three or four hours doing this.  It became such an issue due to drugs and alcohol, that they eventually had the police out to see how many times you went around and if it was too many they would write you up.  I think for a while it stopped altogether. I am not sure but I think they are back to doing it again.  

After one trip around the circuit, I decided it was time to move on.  I went back out to get on 422 and headed towards Reading.  From this point on, the trip was not really very surprising because over the past 20 years or so, I had been down to the Coventry Mall many times.

All the way home, my mind was flooded with the memories of those years.  My mom and dad, the things we did together, and the surroundings.  It was a true trip down memory lane.  After about an hours worth of driving, I pulled into my parking space, walked into my house, and readied myself for bed.  Yes, it may have taken me a long time to get home, but I had the treat of re-living some of the best times of my life.  Yes, there were a lot of things that were wrong with my life growing up, things I had to deal with, but Mel Schrader is right, I was lucky to grow up in a small town, and thinking about all of this helped to realize all of that!

Thank you !!!!!

I just wanted to say thank you to all that have been reading the blog.  I finally reached 1000 views - wasn't sure that would have ever happened.  I hope that you will continue to read and hope that I can get back to writing more entertaining pieces.  Again - if you have Google, you can become a member by clicking on that link - you just have to type your Google password and pick who you want to be -another click and you're in.

Again many thanks to all of you that have been reading the blog!!

The continued saga of my last drive through Spring City

I drove down Main Street in Spring City remembering where I used to ride my bike as a child. I was surprised to see that many of the sidewalks are still brick ... (which were not fun on a bike). Philco plant is still there but now is something else. I always ice skated at the rink out at Spring City Elementary, but Spring City built a rink down near the river.  It was quite large, people were able to build fires, and families could spend the day or evening.  I don’t think the rink had lights making it undesirable for night time skating.  Of course being who I was, I also had to be careful as to who came down to the rink as I did not want to get into a fight with someone. 

 There was the Pumptown Bar, which used to be named something else, but regardless it was still there and business was still thriving, LOL and after I looked for a picture to go with this post, I realized why business was booming!!!  LOL I think I remember someone telling me about this, but I clearly forgot!  I went past the Clemens’ and Wilson’s homesteads.  I started down the hill towards Poplar Street and immediately Darlene Umstead DiCola came to mind as she lived at the corner of Popular and S&K streets.  I had to cross the small bridge under which the sewer flowed creating a creek.  The Creek - If Darlene reads this she will remember the creek.  Actually we pronounced it the crick - Crayfish hunting was a popular activity at the creek.  I found a frog once and took him home to be a pet.  I also took tadpoles home and watched them become frogs.  Many an hour was spent “down at the creek”.  Right next to the creek was the Lumber Yard, which was no longer a lumber yard.  At one time it was a thriving lumber yard.  The house that I lived in was actually a mansion, owned by the owners of the Lumber yard.  

I finally came upon my house.  It is now overgrown and looking much smaller than it did when I was growing up.  It almost looks like the house is sinking down in the front.  It is one of the oldest homes in Spring City.  The house was in poor condition - especially the side I lived in.  My aunt’s side looked much better than mine but still a bit run down.  I was surprised to see that the mailboxes my aunt put out front were still there.  She wanted the mailboxes to match,in fact the front of the house had to be matchey matchey.  I attempted to turn around on Chestnut Street and then pull in across the street from the house.  Of course as I was turning around, I did not look at the traffic around me very carefully and nearly had an accident.  (this would not have been cool) I tried taking a picture or two, and of course while I was snapping pictures, the home owners came home and looked at me with great suspicion.  I thought I probably should leave before I met the Spring City Police - though I suspect it would have been the most excitement in the town in weeks.  

It was time to head for home, and I needed to turn around.  I decided to turn around in Rosie Gappa’s weigh station.  She lived in a very small little house, which had been an office for the lumber yard.  The weigh station was for the coal trucks to pull up into and then weigh the coal.  I spent a lot of time at Rosie’s.  She was a wonderful person.  She did not have a lot but if she could, she shared.  Many summer nights she would sit out front of her house, and I would talk to her for hours.  I think I learned a lot about life during those conversations, because we covered many topics.  I know that she is gone now and hope that she is resting in peace.  

I continued up Main Street and first pasted the Gappa’s house and then Latshaw’s Bakery.  David Willauer grew up there as his father was the baker.  Mr. Willauer was an amazing baker and David’s grandmother Ruth ran the front of the store.  They had the best - well anything they made was the best.  David and I used to play back in the barn and around the bakery.  One of the treats of playing with David was getting a sugar cookie - I think they were the ones they couldn’t sell, but that was always fun.  As I recall he was a really crazy person - I spent a lot of time laughing when I was with him.  I am glad that he had the patience to deal with a younger child! Right past the Bakery was the Liberty Firehouse.  I think the Libs were the pride of Spring City.  I attended the after prom party during my sophomore year of school, and having never been in the Libs, I was stunned at how large the area was including the bowling alley.  Of course living across from a fire house was kind of noisy, but in the end you really got used to it.  I just always remember counting the honks and then checking the key we kept in the kitchen bottom left cabinet.  You knew it was a bad fire if the Royersford fire houses would blow their sirens too.

I headed down Main Street and started to remember where everyone lived.  Mickey Trego, Denise Guadagno, and Clyde Walters came to mind right away.  It was later at night so the town was pretty quiet.  This allowed me to drive slowly down Main Street without making others mad.  I got down to the bank and then remembered that Ida Bickhart used to live across from it.  I also remember that Kathy Leskowicz lived above the cigar store.  Spring City Hotel seemed to be doing a huge business as the front of the restaurant looked packed.   Then I past Mosteller’s Seafood store.  They had the best seafood around.  This is where I learned to love scallops, because that was the only seafood I really liked.  My tastes have grown since, but then no way!  After Mosteller’s closed, it sat empty but had occasional tenants - I think there was a music store in there at one time as well.  Eventually my friend Dean Nafziger moved the business his father started and Dean was running.  Filter- Recon - opened up in there.  I recall visiting him in there frequently.  

Next was Phil Young’s Men’s Store.  Mr. Young and my dad played golf, and naturally he was always telling stories about Phil’s behavior on the golf course.  My brother Kris worked there when he was in high school.  I always wanted to work there myself.  Actually I would have loved to have taken over the business when he closed but that didn’t happen.  I did get my wish the last couple of years he was open; I worked Christmas Holidays for a couple years for him and then helped him close the store.  I have to say the last time I walked out of the store, I had tears in my eyes.  

Swartz’s grocery and kind of 5&10 was next.  It was cool that in Spring City you could walk to Main Street and buy your groceries in three different  stores.  Eddie Willauer’s sold mostly meat, Mosteller’s sold seafood, and Swartz’s sold everything else though they had good meat too.  Dean Nafziger’s mom (June) worked there.  I remember that once in my life I was dared to steal something from Swartz’s.  I think it was a candy bar and it was just a dare. This was the first and last time I ever stole anything.  My guilt was so overwhelming (and I am none of the religious sects that thrive on making you feel guilty).   I felt so bad about what I had done - I went back - on my own - told the owners what I had done and paid them for the candy bar.  Next to them I think was Main Tavern and then Andy’s.  The best meal at supper was often Friday nights when my brothers would come home from college.  My mom never felt like cooking nor did my dad, so they would call Andy’s and order sandwiches and french fries.  I always got a steak with sauce and onions.  That was always the best Friday night meal !

I rounded the corner and there it was - the Schuykill River bridge. Annnnnd

It was closed!  So much for the plans I had of riding through Royersford.  I called my brother, Kris, to ask him if he knew what was going on with the bridge - this bridge was the only link between the twin boroughs.  School was going to start soon and I thought about how complicated it was going to be to get the Spring City students to the school.  My brother did know about the bridge closing, but did not know the details.  I belong to a group on Facebook that is all about Spring City.  I posted the question and got my answer.  They were “hoping” to have the bridge done by the time school started, or they would have to take the students to Royersford via Parkerford.  I turned around in what used to be the Acme and then Genuardi’s, but now I couldn’t tell you what it was.  

I headed up Bridge Street to continue my trek …