Over My Shoulder, A Backwards Glance

Where were you on this day in 1963?

2011-11-22T22:29:00.000-08:00

I remember it vividly, I was a Freshman in high school. . .

We were out on the practice football field, working on our band's halftime show for the weekly football game when we got the news.

Shocked, stunned, disbelief, tears.

Mr. Perkins, our band director, gathered us all around, had us hold hands, then led us in prayer for family and country.

Not much in the way of academics for the remainder of school, but we all learned a valuable lesson about the fragility of life that day:

November 22, 1963

RIP, JFK, RIP.

November Eleventh, Two Thousand Eleven

2011-11-11T23:29:00.000-08:00

Well, well, here we are again, on another anomaly of the Gregorian calendar: 11/11/11.

Heck, I wanted to post this a 11:11:11 AM on 11/11/11, but work got in the way, as usual.

One more year of this next December, then we'll have to wait until 3003 to start all over again (03/03/03). Hold my place in line, won't you?

In addition, it's also Veteran's Day, where most folk take a few moments out of their busy schedule to honor family, friends, and loved ones who have or are serving in our Armed Forces.

My father served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII, spending most of his time stationed at Langford Lodge outside Belfast, Northern Ireland. While there, he met my mom on a blind date at a USO show. . .

Coming of age during the Viet Nam era, between a medical condition and my student deferment, I managed to miss that quagmire. Several of my classmates from High School never made it back. . .

Currently, my son is following his grandfather's footsteps, as Eric's currently serving in the USAF, now stationed in Colorado after a five-year stint at Spangdahlem AFB in Germany. And just like his grandfather, he met his bride overseas, altho Sarah was raised in Park Rapids, MN. They didn't meet on a blind date - my daughter Colleen holds that honor this time round - but served together on the base's Honor Guard (Sarah's also USAF).

So as the day's activities wind down, and late-evening reflection settles in, I'm thankful that so many gave so much so that the rest of us can sleep peacefully tonight.

Thanks, Dad! And Thanks, Eric & Sarah, for carrying on.

Love,
Dad

October Tenth, Two Thousand Ten

2010-10-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

Have been reflecting today on the fact that this is the tenth time in as many years that I've experienced a "once-in-a-millennium" date. Doing some crude math, it will be 14 generations from now that my family and peers will get to experience this phenomenon again. I wonder if there's some weird name for this date anomaly?

It all started, of course, with January 1st, 2001 : 01/01/01.

Today being 10/10/10, it means that we've only got two more years to enjoy this quirk of the Gregorian calendar before it becomes a footnote in our minds and current history.

Something to add to the bucket list, I suppose. . .

Odd how things like this pop into one's head while folding laundry!

The New Porsche

2010-08-02T00:59:00.000-07:00

Well, everybody and their brother over on FB wanted to see photos of my new Porsche 914, I guess I should post one on the blog, too. So, here it is, my brand new car:

What can I say? It was on sale at Target for all of 89 cents - how can one pass up a deal like that on a Porsche??

'Twas a great gag, because I never said that it wasn't a real one, but that's what everyone thought I'd bought! Some folk even wanted to go for a ride!

Don't you just love a good joke??

Now What?

2010-07-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, the tail end of July, and 2010 is more than half over. Somehow or another, the first decade of the new millennium has flown by, and it won't be long before the second one begins.

A lot's happened in my corner of the world over the last year, and it leaves me with the feeling of "what now?" Nothing bad, mind you, just life happening. Some of these feelings were brought on by helping Bev to move a bunch of materials home from the State Diagnostic Center, where she's stepping down after 30 years of service. Certainly puts a little different perspective on things.

Considering the overall state of the US economy, my little business is actually doing quite well. Lose one, gain two, lose two, gain one, as life takes different directions for my customers. A few major repairs have helped defray the increased cost of chemicals, but how long can one continue to charge 2005 rates with 2010 costs and still maintain a stable customer base - let alone pay for Obamacare?

Somebody asked me this last week about "really growing your business", which he defined as having 8 - 10 employees out making the rounds. I asked him if he wanted to babysit, which brought about a rather weird expression on his face. I waited until it finally "clicked" in his head what I meant, and then explained to him that if I was 35 years younger, I'd seriously consider the challenge. But I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum at this point, and having employees is not on my agenda. Sub-contractors now and then for oddball work that I don't/won't do, but that's about it.

I'd like to go see my son, his wife and their little boy while they're still stationed in Germany. We'd tentatively made some plans, but then the USAF told him he's got to go play in the sandbox for awhile, however they haven't given him any further details. That leaves him not knowing if he's coming or going, let alone when. I was hoping to make it over before the winter weather really sets in so he and I could enjoy a day at the 'Ring playing, They're scheduled to return to the Sates in February, so the window is rapidly closing, sadly.

I also want to make a trip up to see my daughter and her family in Kelowna, again before the winter weather really sets in. With the onset of home-schooling this year, there's somewhat more flexibility, just the challenge of working it in around the possible European jaunt and the fall trade show seminars. Be nice to spend some time with the grandkids, who are all growing up way too fast!

Have had a lot of fun over on FB with the announcement of the latest addition to my fleet, a green 914 Porsche. Everybody's dying to see pics, so I guess I'd better go buy some batteries for the digital camera. . . LOL!

Was going thru my storage unit late today, looking for cables to hook up a printer, and realized that I've got a ton of work to do to clear out all the "stuff". Everything from old car club newsletters to antique car parts makes for a huge chore, to say the least. And since I don't want the kids to have to sort thru it all someday by themselves, I'd better get started while I still can remember what everything is! Of course, it may end up sending me to the funny farm. . .

Ah, well, droopy eyelids tell me it's time to close this Miscellaneous Mumblings entry for now. More to come when the next batch of thoughts strike me - or my daughter nudges me, whichever comes first!

Cheers!

Whew!

2010-05-10T23:47:00.000-07:00

What a whirlwind month April has been.

So glad it's over, now to get back on schedule and caught up with all my customers.

Of course, you get started, and then the rain comes - heavily too, no less. A corollary to Murphy's law?

Murphy was an optimist, wasn't he??

Hard to Believe

2009-11-30T22:56:00.000-08:00

My oldest granddaughter, Mikayla, celebrated her 10th birthday today.

My goodness how time flies, I remember getting the phone call in the hospital's waiting room from her dad, telling me about the arrival of my first grandchild.

What a joy it's been being a grandparent, seeing her and her sibling's growth from a different perspective.

Happy Birthday, my dear Mikayla!

Lots of love from Grandpa. . .

Interesting Times

2009-10-31T01:14:00.000-07:00

Haven't been to the blog in awhile, 'twas a "long hot summer."

Fall's upon Fresburg, the leaves are beginning to turn, we've had our first rainfall - light and steady all day, like a soaker hose on the lawn.

The winds of change, too, are beginning to blow.

As winter approaches, so does the cold.

Hunker down, things may get rough for CA.

But Spring will return. . . April showers bring May flowers.

Still.

Here they come!

2009-06-11T00:07:00.001-07:00

Daughter Colleen, husband Mike and the kids are headed this way for their annual summer vacation in CA.

Lots on the calendar, with so many friends & family here, plus all the places they want to share with their kids.

Got the pool all cleaned up and ready, hard to keep kids out.

New project isn't ready, but tours will be given. Next year!

Mike has to be gone for some of the duration, but Father's Day with Grandpa should be enjoyable.

Watch out, Mouse House - the Banman's will be invading you too!

Ah, summertime!

Number Six has arrived. . .

2009-05-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

Well, grandchild number six has arrived.

Son and his bride had baby Jakob in March, their first. For the time being at least, Jakob is the fifth-generation "only son" in our family tree. Will the spell be broken? We'll see what God's plan is for Eric & Sarah's new family. . .

Daughter & hubby had baby Caitlyn the end of April, their fifth. She's got three big sisters to help her deal with their only brother. OTOH, Caleb's gotta deal with four sisters! Interesting family dynamics, for sure.

Babies sure give us older folk a new perspective on life.

Time marches on. . .

Something in the works. . .

2009-04-09T23:26:00.000-07:00

Depending on what happens in the next 10 days or so, there might be some more activity on this blog.

We'll leave it at that for the time being. . .

Stay Tuned!

2009 Has Arrived. . .

2009-01-01T23:43:00.000-08:00

. . . and what an interesting year this is going to be.

Besides all the turmoil that's going on within the economic and the political worlds, several things are in the cards for me this year, at least as of now:

1. Eric will become a father around the end of February, first of March. He and his bride Sarah are having a little boy, Jakob William, who will also be, for the time being, anyway, the fifth-generation only son on this branch of the Long Family Tree.

2. Colleen will become a mom to baby number five sometime near my birthday at the beginning of April. They still haven't decided on a name yet. . . but are mulling over several possibilities.

3. For about two month's time, Colleen will be exactly half my age. Only time in our lives that this will ever happen. Have to wait until 2015 before Eric reaches the same point, which will last for almost three months.

4. My business is hanging in there, but may have to make some serious considerations about the service levels I'm providing and corresponding pricing structures in order to stay profitable in this weird economic climate.

And so the New Year begins!

A Little Footbal Humor

2008-12-13T23:23:00.000-08:00

Was cleaning out a drawer today, and found this clipping from the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper, dated Wednesday, 09/20/1978. It appeared in the late Herb Caen's column, with a footnote that the author is unknown or forgotten. So, for any of you who are football junkies, here is a humorous takeoff on the Lord's Prayer:

Our football,
Which art on television,
Hallowed by thy game.
Thy fullback run,
Thy pass be flung,
In Miami as it is in Dallas.
Give us this day our four quarters,
And forgive us our trips to the bathroom,
As we for give our fumblers.
Lead us not into conversation,
But deliver us from thinking;
For this is the distillate,
Of the opiate of the masses,
Forever,
Amen

Great, but awkward, weekend

2008-11-04T23:14:00.000-08:00

Just got back from MN, where my son got married over the weekend.

Since they're both in the USAF, stationed in Germany, didn't really have a lot of time to visit and get to know my new daughter-in-law, but she seems very sweet, my son appears to be happy, and what more can a parent wish for?

There were, however, some awfully awkward moments, especially when it was paparazzi time after the wedding ceremony. . .

Oh well, at least I didn't have a fashion faux pas with my tie choice.

Summer Olympics Water Polo

2008-08-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

Watched the Men's Water Polo finals last night between the USA and Hungary. Was interesting, as it was a live feed via the internet, so no commercials, and no inane talking heads mucking up the soundtrack. Of course, the night owl that's in me made it easier, as it came on just after midnight CA time and ran until about two am. I see by the local NBC station's broadcast schedule that the game's going to be on this afternoon, don't know if it's worth watching again, due to the outcome. (USA lost 14 - 10, but it was a GREAT match for the first 3 quarters!)

Anyway, the one thing I'd forgotten about water polo, especially at this level, is how incredibly FAST the game is played. And I remember my daughter making the same comment, after she and her cousin got to watch a Team USA game in person at the Atlanta Olympics back in 1996. It really does move quickly, and you have to pay very close attention just to keep your eye on the ball - and we're not even in the water! Even the camera crews had trouble at times keeping up.

It's really too bad that this sport doesn't get more media attention here in the States. It's a terrific team game, and once you understand it, incredibly exciting to watch - especially the battle for the "hole" position! (WP folk will understand that comment!) Gotta give NBC credit this year for at least having live feeds available of both the men's and women's games - usually all we get is a soundbite.

To think that water polo is the OLDEST team sport at the Olympics, and it still doesn't get any real respect or prime-time TV coverage - at least with the USA's drive-by media, that is.

Sad, really. . .

Road Trip

2008-08-19T23:33:00.000-07:00

Been looking at the calendar, and for the next three months, there are three trips lined up, one short, two long, distance-wise.

Woo Hoo!! A chance to get out of this valley.

Much as I like living here, since it's so convenient to other major spots in CA, the itch is building to move on.

No decisions as of yet, but the thinking process is mulling things over.

Guess it's all part of the process that takes place as beginning one's sixth decade on this planet we call home gets closer.

Hmmmm. . .

One of these days. . .

2008-07-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

. . . I'm going to get around to joining The Procrastinator's Club!

'Nuff said.

Interesting Phone Call

2008-07-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Had a very interesting phone call from my son today. He's stationed in Germany with the USAF, so I don't get to see him very often. We email back and forth about once a week or so, and every now and then he calls.

So today we talked about his mom's visit a couple of weeks ago, his cars, the fact he hasn't received his birthday gifts yet, and a few other things. Then, in the middle of a sentence about some of the big, old, cathedrals he, his girlfriend Sara, and his mom were visiting in Cologne, he said something about history repeating itself and kept right on talking.

Took awhile for me to process that little tidbit, and then the light went on!

Hmmmm. . . very interesting, indeed!

A Bittersweet Day

2008-07-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, July 16, 2008, was bittersweet for me. I watched ruefully, a ton of memories flooding my mind while my last Corvair rolled off into the morning sun. I've owned this van since early 1970, literally 38 years of memories:

Some of those include:

The great deal I got on it from it's previous owner because it wouldn't move - and fixing it in his driveway with borrowed tools!

All the wonderful little trips Bev & I took in it while we were at Chico State, a couple of which especially stand out in my mind. Care-free days!!

A trip to Colorado with Mom & Barbara to see family, and breaking down in Reno, NV on the return leg - over a $2 part. Fortunately there was an auto parts store just two blocks away and we were back on the road quickly.

Working with Jim to get the Spyder dashboard and all the other new instruments up and running before we left to attend the big Corvair show in Seattle.

Taking a break in Redding, CA on the trip to Seattle because it was so hot and Jim & I were concerned about the high engine oil temperatures - never mind that we were hot, too!

Rolling slowly along the shoulder of I-5 in Northern CA at some point in time while taking photos of the odometer turning 100,000 miles. Still have those photos in a box somewhere. . .

Removing half the interior so I could fit my motorcycle inside and then stuffing the van full all around the bike when I moved to Fresno in the early '70's.

More trips with Bev as we settled in Fresno, often to Corvair-related events.

All the little customization things I did to it over the years, like the Spyder dashboard and extra instruments, side marker lights all around, Chevy Pick-up exterior mirrors, Chevelle station wagon wheels and the fattest tires I could stuff into the rear wheel wells without cutting up the body, and, of course, the wire wheel covers (on a van??)

Driving it around Laguna Seca racetrack near Monterey, CA - no, not racing, but in a parade lap:

Planning for years to have the two dents in the rear fixed, and the whole van repainted, but never getting it done. . .

Somewhat sadly stopping it's use as my regular daily driver because it was going through a quart of oil with each tank of fuel, and I was getting spoiled by a vehicle with air conditioning.

All those years of using it as a storage shed alongside the garage on Fourth St.

Several years of using it as a storage shed inside a mini-storage unit. (Weird, I know. . .)

Finally having the courage to let it go. . .

Good bye, old faithful friend. . .

Anniversary

2008-06-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

Today is my daughter and son-in-law's ninth wedding anniversary.

Seems like only yesterday we were involved in a rather emotional discussion about getting married while sitting around the kitchen table. . .

But nine years and four lovely children later, I'm so thankful that things have worked out so well for Mike & Colleen.

Sometimes when life throws you a curve ball, it actually becomes a home run.

Happy Anniversary you two, may you enjoy many, many more. . .

Love,
Dad

Hooray for Fresno State!!

2008-06-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

Although I am a Chico State Alumni (don't remember much of my education there, but I sure do remember Chico!!), and am not really a big sports junkie, I have to give props to Fresno State's Men's Baseball this year. They just won the NCAA College World Series. Here's the Associated Press story:

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Fresno State went from underdogs to ``wonderdogs'' on its way to a most unlikely national championship.

With Steve Detwiler providing all the offense Justin Wilson needed, the Bulldogs captured their first national championship in a men's sport with a 6-1 victory over Georgia in the decisive Game 3 of the College World Series finals.

Detwiler homered twice and drove in all six runs, and Wilson allowed five hits in eight innings to cap Fresno State's wild ride to a title.

CWS most outstanding player Tommy Mendonca said it's time to put the underdog talk to rest.

``From here on out, underdog does not mean anything,'' he said. ``Write it down. Underdog does not mean anything. We showed anything can happen.''

Fresno State was forecast to be a Top 25 team coming into the season, but the Bulldogs lost 12 of their first 20 games. They needed to win the Western Athletic Conference tournament just to make the NCAA field of 64, fought off elimination in regionals and super regionals, and became the first No. 4 regional seed to reach the CWS since the tournament expanded in 1999.

The Bulldogs (47-31) from California not only showed they belonged, they showed they were the best, even though no previous national champion had more losses. The national title was the second in school history. Fresno State won the 1998 women's softball title.

``They're a true champion, and they did it the hard way,'' Georgia coach David Perno said.

Fresno State knocked off No. 3 national seed Arizona State in the super regionals and beat No. 6 Rice and No. 2 North Carolina twice to get to the CWS finals. By the time the Bulldogs met up with Georgia, the No. 8 seed, in the best-of-three final round, the slogan ``Underdogs to Wonderdogs'' was being spotted on T-shirts and signs all over Rosenblatt Stadium.

``These guys beat the best,'' Fresno State coach Mike Batesole said, ``and I guess that's what you have to do to win a national championship.''

Miami, the No. 1 national seed, brought three first-round draft picks to Omaha and left after three games. Fresno State's highest draft pick was second-rounder Tanner Scheppers, and he missed the postseason with a shoulder injury.

``It goes to show you don't need that first-round draft pick on your team to win that national championship,'' left fielder Steve Susdorf said. ``You need 25 guys. We were all committed to the team. No one was about himself.''

Mendonca had all but wrapped up the most outstanding award before he stepped on the field Wednesday. He tied a CWS record with four homers, drove in 11 runs and made a number of spectacular plays in the field.

But in the finale, Detwiler was the star.

``Everybody was having amazing at-bats and seeing the ball,'' he said. ``I got lucky and capitalized on a few of them.''

Playing with a torn ligament in his left thumb, he hit a two-run homer on Nathan Moreau's 3-2 pitch in the second inning barely cleared the right-field fence, just getting over the glove of Matt Olson.

There was no doubt about Detwiler's second blast, a high drive that landed three-quarters of the way up the stands in left field. That three-run shot off Dean Weaver was Detwiler's third homer of the CWS and 12th of the season. It also marked the fourth time a player went deep twice in a championship game.

Detwiler, who added an RBI double in the fourth, said he didn't let his thumb injury hinder him.

``It's mind over matter,'' he said. ``It's just a little pain. The pain is temporary. Pride is forever.''

Detwiler caught a fly in right for the final of the game - just as his teammates predicted in the dugout before they went out for the ninth. He tucked the ball into his back pocket and sprinted to join his teammates in a wild celebration.

Someone suggested he auction the ball. Detwiler just laughed.

This ball, he said, was a keeper.

Wilson (5-5) turned in the best performance of any starter in this year's CWS. The junior left-hander struck out nine, walked one and held Georgia to three singles and a triple in seven shutout innings.

``When you've got a wonderful defense behind you and your offense is outstanding, it can't get better than that,'' Wilson said.

Fresno State came into the finals short of arms and pitched by committee the first two games. Fresno forced the final game after coming back from a 5-0 deficit in the third inning to win 19-10 on Tuesday.

``I didn't think they would be able to come in and piece together a pitching staff,'' Georgia's Ryan Peisel said. ``What scared me is that you could tell they had used the underdog to their advantage the whole time. It brought them closer together.''

Gordon Beckham ended Wilson's shutout bid when he homered leading off the eighth. His 28th homer tied him with LSU's Matt Clark for the national lead.

Wilson, after throwing 127 pitches, gave way to Clayton Allison to start the ninth. Joey Lewis singled leading off and Lyle Allen walked for Georgia (45-25-1).

Batesole called on closer Brandon Burke, who got Miles Starr to hit into a double play.

Burke walked Peisel to put runners at the corner, and then Olson lined out to Detwiler in right to end the game.

A year after Oregon State won its second consecutive CWS title with a surprising late-season run, Fresno State pulled off an even bigger surprise and became the seventh straight champion from west of the Mississippi River.

``It was pretty awesome,'' Wilson said as the party was still raging on the field. ``I can't believe it out here.''

Moreau (4-4) took the loss, giving up five hits and three runs, two earned, in five innings.

``We had some opportunities,'' Perno said. ``We hit some balls hard and nothing fell for us. You couldn't keep them in the yard. It always seemed to be a different guy. Someone stepped up for them when they needed it most.''

This town is going to go nuts tomorrow when these guys get home! Just like they did when the Women's Softball team did the same thing ten years ago, in 1998.

After all the negative press Fresno State's had to put up with over the last few years due to bungling administrators, not to mention the expensive lawsuit settlements, it's nice to see some positive press for a change.

Congratulations to Coach Mike Batesole and the team members for an outstanding accomplishment. Every one of these boys will remember and cherish this experience for the rest of their lives, and rightfully so - they earned it.

Children's Birthdays

2008-06-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well, today is my only son's 26th birthday. Just a few weeks ago it was my only daughter's 30th. She's married with four little ones of her own up in British Columbia, he's still single, enjoying life in the USAF while stationed in Germany.

Seems strange not having all the activity around related to your children's birthday. You send a card, a gift, maybe talk on the phone for awhile, but it's just not the same. No cake & ice cream, no silly hats, or, for that matter, no lovingly hand-crafted "Old Buzzard" T-shirts, either.

I miss them both. . .

Happy Birthday, Eric.

Love,
Dad

06-07-08. . . Once in a lifetime for some of us

2008-06-07T20:02:00.000-07:00

One of the little amusements that has made surviving into the 21st century entertaining is this thing with the calendar, where the day's date becomes sequential.

Remember 01-01-01 back on New Year's Day in 2001?

Or February 1, 2003? That reads 01-02-03.

Today continues that trend, being 06-07-08.

I'm sure there's some sort of name for this phenomena, but I'll leave that up to others to research.

My point is that for everyone currently alive, world-wide, this is the only time in their lives when this will occur, at least until the year 2014 (December 13, 2014). After that, it won't occur until the next century, starting over again on January 1, 3001.

I don't think I'll hang around to experience this all over again. . . :)

God's Miracles

2008-06-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

My daughter sort of indirectly got me into this blogging thing, even tho I've been participating on Internet BBS's for over 10 years. Never really thought to just write about random thoughts, however, this will give me an outlet to do so.

With that in mind, back to today's topic. My daughter and son-in-law are proud parents of three girls and one boy. Since they live about 1200 miles away, seeing them is a special treat. But, as mentioned earlier, my daughter's very, very good at keeping family informed as to what's going on in her life. . . and including pictures to illustrate the joys and tears of both childhood and parenthood.

Watching from afar, and as a grandparent, it has given me a new perspective on God's miracles. When your children are growing up around you, you don't see the subtle changes that take place on a day-to-day basis. One day they're babies, and it seems like the next day they've flown the nest. But when you only see children once or twice a year, the growth becomes extremely obvious. It truly makes you understand God's miracle of birth, and the tremendous burden he's placed on parents to provide a good role model.

There is a sad thing about all this, unfortunately: God doesn't present a newborn's parents with an owner's manual. One has to learn along with the child, for some the lessons do not sink in until much later in life, if at all.

And sometimes, when you're over the hill and tumbling down faster than an avalanche, you come to the realization that, for whatever reasons, you missed a lot of the lessons. . .

Whaddayaknow. . . I figured it out. Maybe.

2008-06-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Well, sort of. At least I think I have. Like anything new, this blogging is going to take a little practice.

Not for anyone under the age of 20, of course. But us "old folk" need a little more time to figure out the quirks.

So, with my first post sounding rather dull, at least it's a first post. Others should take on some charm of their own, as I mumble on somewhat coherently about this, that, or the other.

Now to go gather my thoughts. . . I know I put them somewhere!!