Hello on Thursday Morning

Dear Friends,

Another day went as planned.
We spent several hours in the Christmas Tree Shops at the Colonie Shopping
Center in Albany, New York area. We did end up with a car full of treasures,
even though we weren't successful at finding those wooden Christmas figurines
which we were looking for.

We "did lunch" at a nearby Olive Garden as planned before we headed back to the
Berkshires.

I am just about ready to head off to "Retro Fitness". I will be there when the
doors open at 4:30 AM. The unused muscles in my body are starting to ache which
is a good sign. I still haven't mastered some of the machines.
Every day I see males with more muscles than I could imagine that a human being
could have. As I am going through the machines using little weight to start off
with, these guys are pumping iron that I will never be able to lift. Some look
like they might be using steroids to attain the muscles which I observe. I am
just an overweight baby boomer just trying the move the bulges to places where
they naturally belong.

While at the nut and food isle at the Christmas Tree Shops, Linda cell phone
rang. We found out that our granddaughter in Kansas might have tree nut
allergies. I gave her some peanuts the last time that we were in Kansas, and she
didn't have a reaction. I believe cashews caused the allergic reaction this
time. After an emergency room visit, the doctors solved the problem, and sent
her home. Allergy tests will be next!

There was more Movie action next to "Dough" on Wednesday. The Boston Globe even
mentioned "Dough" in an article on Wednesday while describing the action taking
place in East Boston. I had the incorrect name of the movie which they are
making, but I can't remember the correct name.

The Rotary Cuff patient is doing okay, but not great. Nurse Judie takes naps
when her husband takes naps. She said that she was exhausted already, and it has
only been a few days since the surgery. She told Linda that this experience is
like dealing with children once again. Since Linda went through the same
experience with me when I had quadriceps tendon surgery, she is a good person to
talk to when you are in the exhaustion mode.
We are planning on visiting him as gets weened off some of the pain pills. He
seems to uncomfortable to have guests right now.
We will wait to get the okay from Nurse Judie.

My sister must be feeling better after her elbow surgery because she was
visiting her grandchild who lives in the Newburgh, New York area on Wednesday.

I am taking another friend for his day surgery today. I am dropping him off to
the hospital at 11:30 AM. He is having some stuff repaired in his knee which
should help to postpone reconstructive surger, which he will eventually need.

The "golden years" are taking a toll on friends and family members!

Sports -- The Yankees won the World Series. I am glad the season has finally
come to an end.
My Celtics are undefeated so far after 5 games! If they stay healthy, they will
be in the mix at playoff time.

Well, I have to grab my gym gear and head out the door.
I will save some words of wisdom for Friday's email.

Have a great day at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Hello on Wednesday Morning

Dear Friends,

It was tense at the ITAM as the election results started coming in after the
polls closed at 8 PM in Pittsfield. The incumbent Mayor, whom we were
supporting, was behind as the results from the first 7 or 8 polling stations
came in. The mood of the 250 people at the ITAM was somber and quiet. The voters
from the last few polling stations turned the deficit around, and the Mayor was
re elected for another two year term, but it was by a slim 200 vote margin. The
challenger actually won 10 out of 14 precincts.
The place went wild! The Mayor gave a great victory speech, and Linda and I
went home around 10 PM.

A fourteen term (2 years at a time) Mayor in a neighboring town was defeated.
Most of us in Pittsfield couldn't believe he lost his bid for re election!

I not only held a visibility sign for the incumbent mayor yesterday, I JOINED A
GYM on election day. Yes, you heard that correctly. I am now a member of a place
called "Retro Fitness". There are so many machines that I am learning to use.
Actually, I had trouble figuring out how to use some of them. Good thing no one
was video taping me using these machines for the first time yesterday. A couple
of them, I got stuck on, and had to figure a way to get off of them without
harming myself.
There are so many of my body parts that are being worked on. It actually feels
good! It will take a while before I become a "lean mean fighting machine." I
already did a 1 hour work out today.
The place opens at 4:30 AM (except for the weekend -- 6 AM), and this is great
for an early bird like me! I was there this morning when the place opened up,
and I wasn't alone.
There are some males at this gym who have muscles upon muscles. As I was
filling out the application form, the attendant said "Hi" to a guy whom she
called "Muscles." He looked like one of those body builders guys. I am not
trying to look like these muscle men. My goal is to shrink my stomach, increase
my muscle strength, and have an upper body of 30 year old.
Linda got me this three month membership by way of one of those radio
auctions. It took months before I made the decision to join. It sure beats track
walking! The views aren't too bad either. I will miss the nursing home people at
the track. They made me feel so young!

I know that some of you are thinking that the excitement which I project right
now might fade, but time will tell.

News From East Boston -- Kevin sent an e-mail , and a photo yesterday of a
"Shoot out" in for the Tom Cruise movie which they are making right next to his
restaurant in East Boston. The "Shoot out", during the movie making scene, had
the two cats, and two dogs, which Kevin and Kyla own, going bonkers! I wish that
Linda and I were in East Boston on Tuesday to see all the action.
Wouldn't be great if Tom Cruise walked into Kevin's restaurant, an ordered some
food. Kevin has his camera ready if it does happen. Kevin has those pulled pork
sandwiches ready to go for Tom Cruise. Tom's driver asked Kevin to ready to
make those sandwiches for Tom during the three days that he would be in East
Boston making the movie.
Linda and I will be doing a little baby sitting in East Boston on Friday night.
I will get more details of Tom Cruise, and the production crew who have been
eating food from "Dough".

Social Calendar -- We are going off to the Christmas Tree Shops around mid
morning. We are on a mission. The wooden figurines that we have on our deck for
the Winter and Christmas Holidays have reached their expiration date. We are
hoping that we can pick some up before the flier comes to our house. I can see a
car full of treasures before this day is over. I think the "Olive Garden" in New
York State will be getting our business too!

Sports -- The World Series continues this evening at Yankee Stadium.

Have to read the local newspaper, and eat some healthy food.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Hello on election day in Pittsfield

Dear Friends,

Another day went as planned.

Linda went to the hospital during the early afternoon to be with her friend
whose husband had his rotator cuff surgery. As some of you know from a private
e-mail from "Nurse Judie", the surgery went well. When the doctor went in to
make the repair, he told Nurse Judie that her husband's shoulder was really
messed up. The doctor had to put 4 screws in to hold everything together.
The hospital didn't want to keep him overnight. Nurse Judie loaded her husband
into the car, picked up some pain medication at a local pharmacy, and headed
back home to West Stockbridge. The patient hopefully slept okay last evening in
his brand new lounge chair which he can't operate since the lever to operate the
chair is on the same side as where the surgery took place.
A handy friend said that he would stop by and try and "jerry rig" a way so that
the patient can operate the chair without help from Nurse Judie.
The doctor said that the patient will not be able to return to work for 2 to 3
months. Essentially Nurse Judie and the patient have a long road ahead of them.
Nurse Judie likes to settle down and relax with a glass of wine in the evening
after her normal daily routine which includes some form of exercise, and running
her business (a woman's specialty shop). I think she might need more than one
glass of wine for what she is going to experience for the next few months.

Last evening she was afraid to go upstairs and sleep in her own bed. She slept
on the couch while her husband was trying to sleep in his lounge chair. I can't
wait for an update on how the first night home after the operation went.

My day was less eventful. I went off to my assigned station and held visibility
signs for a couple of hours. I will be holding signs once again at a nearby
polling station after I vote in my own ward. My sign holding takes place from 10
AM until noon time.
The voting takes place between 8 AM and 8 PM.
Linda's Mah Jongg is canceled for today. Sick players, and players visiting
family out of town caused the postponement.

Linda is actually happy that she doesn't have to do anything until we attend a
victory (we are hoping) party for our Mayoral candidate. The party is going to
be held at the ITAM (our Italian lodge which Linda and I belong to, and are
officers in). If anyone wants to join us, there will be free food, and a cash
bar. Not all people who attend this party are even residents of Pittsfield. Some
people just follow the free food!

Sports -- I think that the Yankees lost last evening so that they can wrap up
the World Series in their own ballpark on Wednesday night.

Observation -- While holding a political sign yesterday, I stood next to a guy
who was holding a sign for himself. He is running for re-election as a City
Councilor. As we were chatting, and solving all the problems in the world, and
in Pittsfield, we started talking about the drug problems, gangs, etc.
He started to "spill his guts" how his own family was affected by drugs,
alcohol. He wasn't a participant in the drug and alcohol scene.
I must project an image of a counselor, confessor, psychiatrist, etc. I can't
use this e-mail to give details of what he said, but the information was truly
amazing. I would vote for this guy in an instant if he was a running for a seat
in my Ward.

A friend drove by as I was holding signs. He said that he beeped his horn, and
I didn't acknowledge him. I had two signs, one on the front, and one on the back
of my body attached by strings. Since it was windy, I held the front sign with
one hand, and the back sign with my other hand. I couldn't wave to anyone in
their cars which were going by in four different directions. My friend called me
on my cell when I didn't acknowledge him. The traffic was so noisy that I didn't
hear the cell phone vibrate or ring.

Well, I have some quiet chores to take care of before my day starts.
Get out and vote!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Hello on Monday morning

Dear Friends,

We finally had a quiet day with no commitments. This is not true for the
upcoming week!

My day started in between the local Sunday newspaper and the Boston Globe when
I decided to take a walk at my favorite local track. There was one other person
on the track when I arrived at 8 AM. The other person was woman who looked like
she was in the late forty year old range. After 30 minutes, a male arrived with
a coffee in hand, and walked with her for a good portion of her walk.
The only other person at the track was a guy sitting in a old pick up truck who
never left the cab of his truck. As I rounded the track, I saw that he was
reading a newspaper. I hope that he didn't tell his wife that he went off to the
track to get some exercise.

I filled up my bird feeders when I arrived home, and pretty much settled in for
an afternoon of watching professional football. Every once in a while, Linda
called for me to help her out with some project that she was involved in. I did
push her to go outside, and plant some tulip bulbs, 90 to be exact!
While she was doing some thinning of clothes in her closet, I settled down to
watch my football games. The only physical activity which I did was to ball a
couple of expensive yarns which Linda purchased at the "Sheep & Wool" Festival.
Speaking of the Sheep and Wool Festival, we are already booked into the same
hotel for next year's festival. I can't wait!

Social Calendar -- For the next two days we will be involved with political
stuff. There is a Mayoral election as well as City Councilor positions up for
grabs. As stated in previous e-mails, we are supporting the incumbent Mayor.
The Mayor not only lost his wife to cancer a month ago, but his 92 year old
mother died on Friday. She spent the last 12 years of her life with Alzheimer's
disease. The funeral services are private otherwise this would be another
funeral which we would be attending.
At 3:30 PM today, we were supposed to be holding visibility signs for the
Mayor. I will be doing so without Linda. She will be at the hospital with her
girlfriend whose husband will be having rotator cuff surgery.

On Tuesday, election day, I will be holding signs once again. Linda will be
having more fun playing Mah Jongg with her usual Tuesday group. Tuesday evening,
we will be hopefully be off to a victory party or two. If the people whom we are
supporting aren't victorious, we might skip the parties.
Of course, there is always the Tuesday evening Irish Session at O'Laughlin's to
keep us entertained if the political stuff doesn't work out.

Observation -- While I am at the track, I do my walking while listening to a
portable radio. I was listening to some golden oldies before I switched over to
the Irish American hour half way through my 1 hour walk. As I switched channels,
I caught the last minute of a religious program which is on just before the
Irish American Hour. The minster closed his program by saying that "As soon as
we recognize that we are all sinners, and we accept Jesus Christ as our savior",
etc.
I began to think about his comments as well as questioning my Religion. I began
to think about me as a "sinner". Outside of maybe a little excess of food and
drink, what are "my" sins?
I think that I am a pretty good person. I show love and respect to family, and
friends. I volunteer in the community to help the less fortunate. I participate
in taking care of my aging parents. I am married to the same person whom I
exchanged vows with over 38 years ago.
The "Fire and Brimstone" speeches might have worked when I was a child, and
when authority was never questioned, but times have changed. Has your religion
changed with the times? I am not sure if the Catholic Religion has changed that
much at all.
Priests should be allowed to marry. Women should be allowed to become priests.
Gays and Lesbians should be accepted which they are not. Do you wonder why the
Church goers are mostly the elderly? Do you wonder why Churches have shut down
their doors everywhere? If you don't have paying customers, you can't run a
business.
I had a college history professor, during his opening lecture, say that: "You
are all are "A" students, until you prove otherwise." Maybe starting off by
telling people that they are all "Sinners" is the wrong approach to Religion!

Sports -- I was hoping for a three way New York teams loss, but it didn't
happen. In Football, the Giants, and Jets got beat, but the Yankees now lead the
World Series by a 3 to 1 margin. I want the World Series to just end. I hope
that the Yankees win the next game in Philadelphia.
I was also happy to see that Brett Farve went into his old Stadium, and show
his old fans that he can still quarterback a team at 40 years old.

Well, have a great week at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Hello on Sunday Morning

Dear Friends,

My unusual body rhythm is really out of whack this morning. My mind and body
said that it was 5:30 AM when I began this e-mail, but the correct time is
really 4:30 AM since we changed the clocks back.

Our Saturday went as planned. Linda and her girlfriend went off to bazaar at
the Italian American Club, as I headed out the door to visit dear old Mom in the
nursing home.
Since the bazaar was okay, but not great, the women filled the rest of the day
by doing a little recreational shopping. What is really nice is that my very
thoughtful wife always comes home with some treasures for me in the form of
clothes. She has the patience to hunt for the best bargains in every store that
she goes in.

The nursing home experience was okay. I did take Mom outside for a long "tool
around" the parking lot, sidewalks, etc. It was drizzling a little, but I had
some golfing umbrellas in my car so neither of us got wet. As we headed back
into the nursing home, Mom started to shed some tears.
They were tears of joy that I took her out of the nursing home for some good
old fresh air. The other tears were for her desire to be living in her own home.
I had to remind her that my sister and I can't be in Lee 24/7 to act as her care
givers for all the stuff that she needs. We are working on getting her help if
she does come home.

Trick or treat night went well for the most part. I say "most part" because the
heavy rains started about the same time as the Ghosts and Goblins came down the
street. The rain kept down the number of "Trick or Treaters". I started off the
evening without wearing a mask, but I felt that I needed to frighten a few
children.
I went into the basement a chose a Frankenstein mask. I hid behind the wall
until Linda opened the door to pass out candy before I showed myself. I
frightened one girl who was so scared that she leaped off our front steps, and
had her mother get her treat.
One three year girl walked right into the house, and wanted to stay there. She
wasn't frightened by my mask at all. The mother called to her to go back out
side, but the child refused to listen to her. The Mom told us to push her out
the door!

The crock pot soup, and bread from our bread machine got postponed on Saturday.
Wood fired pizza at the East Side Cafe hit the spot after Trick or Treat night!
We saw several friends and neighbors there who were doing the same as what we
were doing.

I just got through preparing a pork, sweet potatoes, and uncooked beans in the
crock pot. If you are ever in the Christmas Tree Shops, they have these "no / or
low sodium" boxes of soup. What you are paying for are for some raw beans and a
spice packet. The other ingredients you must add.
We have used these soups before, and they turn out awesome.
I am going to make a "jalapeno & cheese" bread in my bread machine. This will
be a great supper time meal as the temperatures drop here in the Berkshires.

Observation -- I was thinking about my Avid Reader's comments about me changing
date night on Friday thinking that Linda would be upset. When you are both
retired, every evening is a "Date night". We don't have to wait until the
weekend to have a date night. When you are with your partner, pretty much 24/7,
do really need a date night? Linda and I need more separation time so that we
(mostly me) don't drive each other nuts!
Sometimes, I think that my avid reader can't believe that Linda and I are
having such a great time during this phase of our lives. We keep ourselves busy
( sometimes to excess ). We have wonderful children, daughter-in-laws, and
grandchildren.
We were able to retire when we in our late 50's. Yes, it is almost a story book
scenario! We are not rich, but our richness comes from our family, and our
friends. This is why I constantly say "Life is good!" Linda and I truly believe
in those words, and we are living it!
Yes, my parents create a few bumps in the road, but so what? Every family deals
with their aging parents at some point in their lives. It is time for my sister
and I to do so!

Sports -- The Yankees won last night! I am so happy for my Yankee Fan friends.
I never watched a moment of the game.
I sporadically watched some college football.
I watched the Boston Bruin Hockey team win in a 1 PM game.
Today, there are some good NFL football games to keep me entertained. The New
England Patriots have a "Bye" week so they won't be playing.

News -- A United States sailor got himself in trouble by firing shots at Polish
Port. He claims he was cleaning his machine gun on the ship. Luckily no one was
killed.
How about the Iraqi man who ran over his 20 year old daughter and her girl
friend in a mall parking lot in Arizona because she was becoming too
"Westernized?" The stress that some young daughters create for their parents is
enough to drive you crazy, but killing your daughter is not the solution!

Coffee -- I hate to throw out food or beverage items. I have a couple of 13
ounce cans of Espresso coffee. I decided to use some this morning for my coffee.
I am so wide awake! It is like I took a couple of those "No Doze" tablets. I
don't know if there is enough quiet activities for me to do so that I will be
able to make no noise so that Linda can sleep longer this morning. I am beyond
wired!

Have a great Sunday.
Winter is on our doorstep!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Hello on Saturday on Halloween

Dear Friends,

Happy Halloween from the Curley's!

Hope that the weather cooperates in your part of the United States for "Trick
or Treat" night, if you have it this evening. We have a 50 % chance of late day
showers before the evening rains arrive.
Pittsfield does have it's "Trick or Treat" night from 5 PM until 7 PM. We have
enough candy for at least 200 children. Our interconnecting streets in our
neighborhood, a former apple orchard, are an ideal place for "Trick or
Treaters". We also have children from outside of our neighborhood arrive by
cars, trucks, and vans because we are such a safe and non threatening place.
For another Halloween, Linda's girlfriend will be passing out candy from our
house since she misses seeing all the children, and their various costumes. She
lives in a neighboring town on an isolated street bordered by some scary woods.
I don't think that I will be dressing up this year. Since we have a helper
passing out candy, I might just watch college football and the World Series.

Friday went as planned with a few changes. I left for golf before Linda woke up
for her retiree breakfast. I was under dressed for golf. It got so cold during
the last five or six holes that most of us couldn't wait to get back to the club
house for fun and merriment, and to warm up.
I arrived home just about the time that Linda was heading off to the grocery
store. I took a nap while she was shopping. I woke up just in time to help haul
groceries from her car into the house.

Our evening went very well, and it was totally unplanned. We were heading to my
hometown to go to a restaurant to use a coupon that Linda had purchased during a
radio auction. I didn't want it to be date night so I suggested that Linda call
another couple, and see if they wanted to join us. The south county couple said
"Yes", but they were waiting for a 6:30 PM delivery of a lounge chair.
They purchased this chair because it will be used by our male friend who is
having rotator cuff surgery on Monday afternoon. Sleeping in bed will be a
problem after this type of surgery. The chair should help out.
This lounge chair is similar to the one Linda purchased for me when I had
quadriceps tendon surgery a couple of years ago. The lever on the chair is on
the right side which is the same side as where his operation will be taking
place. It appears that he will be needing help getting in and out of the chair.
His wife is already starting to get into "Nurse and caregiver mode". She had to
go out and purchase over sized clothes because his arm will be strapped to his
chest. She will be dressing him every day, and waiting on him like a nurse,
mother, caregiver, etc. I am guessing that her pleasant personality might be
altered after a few days.
She owns a woman's specialty store, and who is going to take care of her
business?
Linda and I might have to make frequent visits to help him get to the point
where he will be able to do things for himself, and to give his wife a little
break from taking care of him.
Luckily my friend is left handed, and he will be able to use a fork, and spoon,
but there is no way that he will be able to use a knife to cut food.
I am guessing that "Nurse Judie" will be popping some of his pain pills in no
time at all!

Another baby boomer friend is going to have some repairs done to a knee next
week which is all messed up from playing high school football.
Next week, I will start in North County and visit this friend. I will head
south about 10 miles, and visit my mother in the nursing home. I will then leave
Mom, and head further south to visit with my rotator cuff surgery friend. I will
be like a worker from the local visiting nurse association.
Is this what they refer to as "The Golden Years?"

Sports -- The World Series, and college football are good enough to keep me
entertained.
The Celtics beat up on another terrible NBA Team on Friday night.

Social Calendar -- Besides "Trick or Treat", we have to think about eating
something else other than candy. We might whip up some type of crock pot food. I
might even dust off the bread machine, and whip up a fall like bread.
Linda and her girlfriend, and possibly "Nurse Judie"(before she has to go off
and work at her store) will be heading off to a crafts and food bazaar at the
Italian American Club on Newell Street. Linda dropped off her three pumpkin
breads to the club on Friday. She said that there were mostly Italian foods,
and not too many crafts. They are going early (9:15 AM) because Linda was
guessing that the food specialties would disappear very fast.
I better visit Mom at the nursing home before I start some outdoor projects.
We got invited to a Halloween party too, but we might not have the energy to
attend.

Clock Change -- This is the worst time of the year for me. Turning the clocks
back means that I will be getting up earlier than I do now. This is not good!
Linda on the other hand loves it when the clocks get turned back an hour. She
can't wait to pick up that extra hour of sleep unless I start making too much
noise. She said that I was noisy on Friday morning. Being quiet for me is not
exactly what quiet is for Linda.

As you see, we have another full day ahead of us.

Have a great weekend!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Hello on Friday Morning

Dear Friends,
Another day went as planned in Curley world. I did have a pleasant 2.5 hour
drive both back and forth from Devens, Massachusetts. I took major highways to
the convention, and the scenic route back home. Either way, it still took 2.5
hours.
My meeting went well. An elderly gentleman fell off of his chair, and hit the
floor. I think that he fell asleep, and slid off of his chair. He required no
medical attention, and he got back on the chair by himself.
I was one of the younger people in the room. The basic theme that I got from
the meeting was that the pensions that we are enjoying right now really decrease
in value the longer that we live.
There are some Massachusetts teachers right now who retired in the 70's and
80's who are trying to live on $720 per month. They are living below the poverty
level.

While I was doing my thing, Linda was writing out bills as well as doing a
little fall decorating. The pension checks should be deposited in our accounts
today to cover what she wrote out on Thursday.

I arrived home from my adventure at 3:30 PM. I needed a quick one hour nap
before our evening activity.

The Polenta dinner went very well. The two tables of 8 people that I reserved
were filled. It was so nice to have everyone who said that they would come to
the dinner show up. There was about 200 people who were served a delicious meal.
We arrived home during the first inning of the World Series Game. I decided to
stay upstairs, and watch the game in bed. As usual, I fell asleep in no time at
all. I didn't know who even won the game until I checked the computer. The
Yankees are now leaving for Philadelphia with the series tied at one game each.
Both teams are taking the train from New York to Philadelphia.

Social Calendar -- Linda is off to her end of the month breakfast for retired
women associated with Pittsfield High School.
I am going to play golf with my senior buddies today. This is after I put away
my clubs, and golf shoes, gear, etc., thinking that the cold weather was here to
stay. Well, it is 49 degrees outside right now, and we are heading for the mid
50's. It should be a pleasant day on the golf course.

Observation -- Our schools in Pittsfield are starting to have less and less
students in them because of the flu. The public in general is scared beyond
belief. I wouldn't want to be a teacher in the schools right now.
As an example of the wackiness, one of our friends, who is still teaching, was
telling us about a new directive which came down from administration. Teachers
are now supposed to have an emergency supplies if the school goes into a lock
down. Here is some of what they teachers must have:
They are supposed to have velvet, or some form of cloth to cover all windows.
Duct tape.
The are supposed to have a bucket so that students can relieve themselves while
in the locked classroom.
They are supposed to have sanity napkins in case female students happens to have
their period during the lock down.
They are supposed to have a first aid kit, flash lights,etc..
They are supposed to have cards and games so that the students can keep
themselves entertained during the emergency situation.
The teacher is expected to provide all this stuff out of their own pocket.
Do you wonder why America is not number one in the world with respect to
producing educated students?
Do you wonder why both of us have no desire to return to the classroom?

Sister's surgery -- Linda and I did go to the hospital before the Polenta Dinner
to see how the surgery went. She was still in surgery / recovery when we arrived
at the hospital around 5 PM. We were thinking that they were going to keep her
overnight. We will make some telephone calls to find out how things went.

Well, I have to do some quiet chores before loading up my car with golf clubs,
and golf gear.
Have a great weekend.
Don't eat too much leftover candy from Treak or Treat night.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad