Dear Friends,
Hope that you all had a very pleasant day on Friday like Linda and I did. Breakfast with the Pittsfield High School Female Retirees went very well.
I am invited back on March 23, 2012. I did do more listening than talking for a change.
Speaking of breakfast -- Two eggs, two slices of toast, home fries, and bottomless cup of coffee for $3.99 is quite a deal for we Berkshireites. Why bother even cooking breakfast at home?
I did go off and visit dad just as the therapist whisked him away to a therapy session. I went with dad to see what he does at therapy. All of a sudden the room filled up with patients and therapists and there was no room for me at all. Dad was in good spirits knowing that his days were numbered in the nursing home. I hope that everything goes well leading up to his Wednesday discharge date.
We did go off to the Shamrock last evening with an Irish / Polish friend. The three of us arrived at 4:45 PM, and there were no seats at the bar. People were coming out of the woodwork as the expression goes. The place was packed at the bar and dinning area through the 7 PM hour as we left the Pub.
The fish last night was spectacular. Two of us had Fish & Chips, and our health conscious friend had baked fish.
All of us played Keno while we sat at the bar before we decided to sit down in the dinning room area to eat. Usually, we are not so lucky playing Keno. We turn in our slips after playing 10 games at a cost of $1 dollar per game. I didn't even know it, but the bartender doles out 5 $20 bills. Winning $100 was a nice surprise for me. I have to credit Linda for my winnings because I usually don't bet four numbers. I am kind of wimpy, and bet mostly two or three numbers. One time I even bet 1 number per game. The less numbers you play, the smaller the payoff is. Last night I decided to play 4 numbers and I was lucky enough to win the $100.
We came so early that I had time to watch the whole Boston Bruins Hockey game. The Bruins lost the game in a shootout, but it was an exciting game.
I will be leaving the house today before Linda even wakes up. I will be at Berkshire Hills Country Club with the kitchen crew of my UNICO Brothers and Sisters a little after 8 AM chopping and dicing, cutting up the multiple pounds of three cheeses which will go into the Polenta just before we serve it. A bunch of guys will be deveining the venison before cutting it up into stew size pieces, etc. A great deal of preparation goes into preparing to serve over 350 people at the Women's Imaging Center Fundraiser.
Like I said in previous emails, the day for me won't end after we get through serving the large crowd of guests. Linda and I are heading off to the Polish Falcon Hall to dance and listen to a Country Western / Rock Band called Whiskey City. I am figuring that my head won't hit the pillow until after midnight
Linda has a totally free day, and is planning on hooking up with some friends for supper before we meet up and go to the polish Falcon Hall.
When I skimmed the online CNN news, nothing really jumped out at me. The world is still in a state of turmoil. The Republicans continue to beat each other up with the latest gaffs made by Mitt Romney. If you talk long enough, anyone can get themselves in trouble which often happens to me.
Speaking of gaffs, one of the retired teachers at breakfast relayed a story to me about our son who owns the restaurant "Dough East Boston." Kevin was a student in this teacher's Honors History Class. The teacher asked the class where they should bury the remains of the Father of the American Navy -- John Paul Jones. He was originally buried in England. The students began shouting out West Point (Army), Colorado Springs (Air Force), etc. Another student yelled out Norfolk, Virgina. The teacher said that they were getting closer to the correct area that a naval officer should be buried. After several other responses, the frustrated teacher asked if there were any "Seamen" in her class. All the boys started looking at their crotches as they started giggling. Our son Kevin, who was seated in the front row of the class, whispered to the teacher that she should have used the word "Sailors" instead of "Seaman".
I was watching part of the Doctor Oz show just before we departed for the Shamrock. He was telling the audience and we viewers about ways to prevent or decrease the onset of Alzheimer's. I remember two of the three remedies. One was a liquid sage that you take so many eyedroppers of. The other one Linda and I always have in our house which was celery. The hearts of celery release a chemical which helps ward off Alzheimer's Disease. As a matter of fact, the red sauce that we Unicans are preparing today will have finely chopped up celery as one of the ingredients.
The wind is howling in the Berkshires. We are expecting 20 to 40 mile per hour winds for most of the day as the temperature drop. The few inches of snow that we were supposed to get never materialized. Our mild winter continues.
Well, I have to gather up some of my kitchen gadgets, apron, hot mitts, and liquid refreshments, etc.
Have a great weekend.
If you live in the Berkshires, hold on to your hats.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Dear Friends,
Yesterday was a spring like day in the Berkshires. The neighborhood children were riding their bicycles, and playing basketball in their driveways. Everyone seemed to be outside enjoying the weather.
Today we are in a winter storm watch until 6 PM, but any snow that we do pick up will be minimal according to the weather people.
The nice weather did cause a problem for two ice-fishermen on Lake Saratoga located in Saratoga, New York. As the two guys were fishing, the thin ice on the shoreline turned into water. They called 911, and a rescue team came with an air boat, and got the men safely off of the ice. After my ice-fishing adventure on Monday on Pontoosuc Lake, I soon realized that it was time to put away the ice-fishing gear for this season. Some people must be slow learners.
Another State gave the okay for same sex marriages. Maryland is now part of a handful of States which allow same sex marriages. Same sex marriage began in Massachusetts.
News -- I see where the Taliban are killing their own people in Iraq by way of bombing incidents.
The Arab nations are arming the rebels in Syria. Are we Americans heading into another conflict in the Middle East.
An Alabama judge threw out the case of the honeymoon couple where the husband was accused of killing his wife during a scuba dive.
The cost cutting measure of U.S. Postal Service has employees shaking in their boots. 35,000 people could be losing their job.
The daily increase in gasoline prices is being seriously looked at. There appears to be a connection between Wall Street speculators, and Big Banks. This is another example of the rich getting richer at the expense of the little guy.
The military helicopters crashing into one another during a training exercise in Yuma, Arizona, where 7 people got killed, is another example of
the danger that our men and women in the military go through on daily basis.
Update on Dad - After our family meeting at the nursing home yesterday, my sister and I decided to get dad out of the nursing home. My sister has agreed to have dad stay at her house. The time frame which was established was an 11 AM Monday morning home visitation with dad, the nursing home therapist for a home evaluation. The therapist will tell my sister what her house needs to take care of dad. On Wednesday, dad will be discharged from the nursing home at 1:30 PM. Yes, my sister and I are aware how difficult it is to take care of loved one with so many issues, but my sister thinks that she can make it happen and make a difference in dad's life. Dad's mental health is not in question. A friend visited dad during the late afternoon on Thursday. My friend's exact words was the "your father is entertaining the troops!" Of Course, my father was upbeat because he knows that he won't be in the nursing home for too much longer.
Social Calendar -- Linda and I had a pleasant day on Thursday. I weaved in an afternoon nap after my nursing home visit. Linda went off to a Thursday Knitting group gathering at Dottie's Coffee Shop from 3 PM until 5 PM.
We had a coordinated supper since Linda and I had no evening commitments. We had a pork loin, cheese mashed potatoes, and an artichoke. The early season artichoke was not that good. Linda went into domestic goddess mode earlier in the day and whipped up a bread pudding which was super. A dollop of whipped cream on a micro wave heated piece of bread pudding made for a great dessert.
This morning Linda has her Pittsfield High School retiree breakfast at 8:30 AM. This is normally a female event, but I joined the ladies last month, and I am seriously thinking of doing so today. Another male, who was the head custodian at the school which I taught at might join us too. I am really going to try to not flail my arms and dominate the conversation. I will try and be a good listener. Yeah Right!
We are heading to the Shamrock for supper and Keno this evening. We are meeting a friend around 5 PM at the bar. It won't be a long night for me because it will be a long day for me on Saturday. I will be in the kitchen a little after 8 AM to help prepare for the Women's Imaging Center Polenta and Venison dinner. It takes a lot of effort to serve over 350 guests.
My day will not end after we serve the people. I will go home and take a quick shower, and Linda and I will head off to the Polish Falcon Hall. The band Whiskey City will be playing from 9 PM until midnight.
Sports -- Linsanity didn't happen last night. Jeremy Lin and his New York Knicks played one of the top teams in the NBA. Jeremy got a dose of what it is like to play with the big boys!
Well, I have to read the local newspaper, and get ready for the Retirees' Breakfast.
Have a great day!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Yesterday was a spring like day in the Berkshires. The neighborhood children were riding their bicycles, and playing basketball in their driveways. Everyone seemed to be outside enjoying the weather.
Today we are in a winter storm watch until 6 PM, but any snow that we do pick up will be minimal according to the weather people.
The nice weather did cause a problem for two ice-fishermen on Lake Saratoga located in Saratoga, New York. As the two guys were fishing, the thin ice on the shoreline turned into water. They called 911, and a rescue team came with an air boat, and got the men safely off of the ice. After my ice-fishing adventure on Monday on Pontoosuc Lake, I soon realized that it was time to put away the ice-fishing gear for this season. Some people must be slow learners.
Another State gave the okay for same sex marriages. Maryland is now part of a handful of States which allow same sex marriages. Same sex marriage began in Massachusetts.
News -- I see where the Taliban are killing their own people in Iraq by way of bombing incidents.
The Arab nations are arming the rebels in Syria. Are we Americans heading into another conflict in the Middle East.
An Alabama judge threw out the case of the honeymoon couple where the husband was accused of killing his wife during a scuba dive.
The cost cutting measure of U.S. Postal Service has employees shaking in their boots. 35,000 people could be losing their job.
The daily increase in gasoline prices is being seriously looked at. There appears to be a connection between Wall Street speculators, and Big Banks. This is another example of the rich getting richer at the expense of the little guy.
The military helicopters crashing into one another during a training exercise in Yuma, Arizona, where 7 people got killed, is another example of
the danger that our men and women in the military go through on daily basis.
Update on Dad - After our family meeting at the nursing home yesterday, my sister and I decided to get dad out of the nursing home. My sister has agreed to have dad stay at her house. The time frame which was established was an 11 AM Monday morning home visitation with dad, the nursing home therapist for a home evaluation. The therapist will tell my sister what her house needs to take care of dad. On Wednesday, dad will be discharged from the nursing home at 1:30 PM. Yes, my sister and I are aware how difficult it is to take care of loved one with so many issues, but my sister thinks that she can make it happen and make a difference in dad's life. Dad's mental health is not in question. A friend visited dad during the late afternoon on Thursday. My friend's exact words was the "your father is entertaining the troops!" Of Course, my father was upbeat because he knows that he won't be in the nursing home for too much longer.
Social Calendar -- Linda and I had a pleasant day on Thursday. I weaved in an afternoon nap after my nursing home visit. Linda went off to a Thursday Knitting group gathering at Dottie's Coffee Shop from 3 PM until 5 PM.
We had a coordinated supper since Linda and I had no evening commitments. We had a pork loin, cheese mashed potatoes, and an artichoke. The early season artichoke was not that good. Linda went into domestic goddess mode earlier in the day and whipped up a bread pudding which was super. A dollop of whipped cream on a micro wave heated piece of bread pudding made for a great dessert.
This morning Linda has her Pittsfield High School retiree breakfast at 8:30 AM. This is normally a female event, but I joined the ladies last month, and I am seriously thinking of doing so today. Another male, who was the head custodian at the school which I taught at might join us too. I am really going to try to not flail my arms and dominate the conversation. I will try and be a good listener. Yeah Right!
We are heading to the Shamrock for supper and Keno this evening. We are meeting a friend around 5 PM at the bar. It won't be a long night for me because it will be a long day for me on Saturday. I will be in the kitchen a little after 8 AM to help prepare for the Women's Imaging Center Polenta and Venison dinner. It takes a lot of effort to serve over 350 guests.
My day will not end after we serve the people. I will go home and take a quick shower, and Linda and I will head off to the Polish Falcon Hall. The band Whiskey City will be playing from 9 PM until midnight.
Sports -- Linsanity didn't happen last night. Jeremy Lin and his New York Knicks played one of the top teams in the NBA. Jeremy got a dose of what it is like to play with the big boys!
Well, I have to read the local newspaper, and get ready for the Retirees' Breakfast.
Have a great day!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Hello on Tuesday
Dear Friends,
I hope that all my readers had a wonderful Presidents’ Day. I know that many of you had to go to work. This is school vacation week for the Public Schools in the Berkshires so working Mom’s and Dad’s had to try and figure out what they are going to do with their children. With Linda and I being teachers during our working years, we did things with our children. When our two boys were small, I would have taken them ice-fishing.
Speaking of ice-fishing, everything started off very well for me on Monday. I made some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and took some fruit for lunch; loaded up my car with ice-fishing gear, and headed off to the bait shop while Linda was fast asleep. After picking up my bait, I drove directly to the parking lot at the end of Narragansett Avenue which is located across the lake and parallel to Route 7. Everything was going well, until I hauled my sled, loaded with gear, to Pontoosuc Lake. The shoreline was watery with thin ice. I tried to figure out how the fisherman who were already on the ice got from the not so safe ice to the ice where they were fishing. Luckily, a guy saw me struggling mentally and told me how to get on the ice without falling through it. I had to drag my sled over dirt, which was not an easy task, about 150 feet to some docks which were owned by a people who live in some condos. The ice at the docks was hard and thick enough for my not so light body to make it out to the ice. I took out my auger, and drilled 5 holes into the ice. The thickness of the ice was in the 6 to 7 inch range. This thickness is safe enough for people to be on the ice. I was more concerned about the thin ice on the shoreline. I spent four or five hours on the ice communing with nature. The sun was shinning brightly so I did get a sun tan, and a little wind burn. I did get three flags, but no fish before I decided to call it a day. My plan of listening to my radio talk show host didn’t workout because I forgot that he doesn’t do his radio show on Holidays.
When I decided to pack up and leave the ice, another problem arose. The thin ice on the shoreline turned to water. The dirt that I pulled my sled over had turned into mud as the temperatures of the day rose to about 35 degrees. After struggling to get back to land, I decided that I would walk on land and haul my sled like a boat on the ice that turned into water. When I got to the access road, I had to pull my sled over the dirt / muddy road. I felt like I was getting a work out at Retro Fitness. I made a decision that I am giving up ice-fishing for this season unless we have some kind of cold snap that refreezes the ice. There were a good number of people on the ice on Monday, but maybe their access to where they were fishing didn’t have a watery shoreline. There is an Ice-Fishing derby right out of the same parking lot this coming weekend for a deceased Irish American Club friend. If the conditions are like what I saw yesterday, you won’t see me at the event.
Linda has a chicken and vegetable soup brewing in the crock pot for her Mah Jongg ladies. It looks and smells wonderful. She likes a soup that contains more broth, but I like a soup that is full of ingredients, and is a meal in itself. Linda is hosting her Tuesday Mah Jongg session. I was supposed to dine with the ladies, but I won’t be able to do so.
I have two errands to do before I make it to the family meeting at the Mt. Greylock nursing home this morning at 10:30 AM. After the meeting, I am heading to the ITAM to help prepare for a Boys and Girls Club Pasta Dinner where they expect over 200 people. I have to leave the kitchen around 12:45 PM to attend a REAM (Retired Educator Association of Massachusetts) board meeting. Since I am President of the local chapter, I must attend this meeting. After this meeting is over (in about an hour), I will return to the ITAM and finish working in the kitchen and setting up the buffet line for the Pasta Dinner.
Linda and I had planned to attend a Fat Tuesday Dinner at St. Agnes Parish Hall in Dalton this evening, but that is not going to happen. Linda said that it was alright that those plans have changed.
If any of the people on my blog are local, this fundraiser is for a good cause. The cost is at nominal price, and begins at the usual 5 PM hour. Dessert and Coffee are also included.
This event was not on my social calendar. Every time that we have a board meeting or a membership meeting, there always seems to be another UNICO event which we pick up. It is kind of unusual to have such an event the day after a meeting.
Our UNICO dinner meeting went well last evening. We had a salad, pasta, Italian Bread, a baked stuffed pork chop with all the fixings along with cake and coffee.
The President of our local UNICO Chapter became a grandfather for the first time on Friday. His first grandchild is an 8 pound plus baby girl. I keep on telling people that being a grandparent is a new phase in a person’s life. My friend said that he is starting to realize that.
Oops! I forgot to mention that Linda spent several hours of her day cleaning up the house which she contends that I make the most mess for her to clean up. She did have some relaxing hours when I wasn’t around to bug her. Actually that is not true. When called her and I told her about the thin ice that I had deal with all she could do is do is visualize me swimming with the fish instead of trying to catch them. Oh Darn!
Speaking of grandchildren, our son Kevin took his 2.5 year old son to work at his dad’s restaurant “Dough” on Monday. I wish that all of you could see the video of Max making pizza. In the video, Max is rolling out the dough for a pizza. This child knows how to use a rolling pin already. In the second video, Max is putting the cheese on the pizza. I am guessing that Max will be working in the restaurant very soon with a step stool. I hope that the child labor laws allow him to do so.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and the start of Lent in the Catholic Church. Maybe I could use Lent as a way to lose a few pounds. I have to decide on what foods and beverages that I could give up for Lent.
Well, if I have no willpower to give up certain foods and beverages, I could at least use portion control. On the other hand, how can a person who volunteers for so many events that involve food deal with portion control? Besides tonight’s pasta event, my UNICO Brothers and Sisters will be preparing over 350 Polenta and Venison Dinners for Saturday night’s Womens’ Imaging Fundraiser at the Berkshire Hills Country Club. A person has to sample what they are preparing to make sure if it tastes okay. We also have to sample some of the homemade wine that some of the workers bring into the kitchen. It is a never ending cycle of food, fun, and merriment, and I feel that I have to be part of it. Oh Darn!
News – The local boy who became the top Sheriff in Arizona is running into some flack that now has gone viral. A disgruntled boyfriend of the sheriff has accused the sheriff of harassment when their relationship fell apart. This also meant that the Sheriff had to go on National television to declare that he is gay. The Sheriff is trying to run for a higher political office. Arizona is not one of those States which looks favorably on gay people. Oh Darn!
Well, I have to quietly gather up all of my food preparation gear for tonight’s pasta dinner after I read the local newspaper. Once I leave the house at 9 AM, Linda won’t see me until after we clean up the kitchen at the ITAM. Hopefully I will be home around 8:30 AM. I will be one tired buckaroo when I walk in the door. I will need all of Wednesday to recover from today.
Have a great Tuesday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
I hope that all my readers had a wonderful Presidents’ Day. I know that many of you had to go to work. This is school vacation week for the Public Schools in the Berkshires so working Mom’s and Dad’s had to try and figure out what they are going to do with their children. With Linda and I being teachers during our working years, we did things with our children. When our two boys were small, I would have taken them ice-fishing.
Speaking of ice-fishing, everything started off very well for me on Monday. I made some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and took some fruit for lunch; loaded up my car with ice-fishing gear, and headed off to the bait shop while Linda was fast asleep. After picking up my bait, I drove directly to the parking lot at the end of Narragansett Avenue which is located across the lake and parallel to Route 7. Everything was going well, until I hauled my sled, loaded with gear, to Pontoosuc Lake. The shoreline was watery with thin ice. I tried to figure out how the fisherman who were already on the ice got from the not so safe ice to the ice where they were fishing. Luckily, a guy saw me struggling mentally and told me how to get on the ice without falling through it. I had to drag my sled over dirt, which was not an easy task, about 150 feet to some docks which were owned by a people who live in some condos. The ice at the docks was hard and thick enough for my not so light body to make it out to the ice. I took out my auger, and drilled 5 holes into the ice. The thickness of the ice was in the 6 to 7 inch range. This thickness is safe enough for people to be on the ice. I was more concerned about the thin ice on the shoreline. I spent four or five hours on the ice communing with nature. The sun was shinning brightly so I did get a sun tan, and a little wind burn. I did get three flags, but no fish before I decided to call it a day. My plan of listening to my radio talk show host didn’t workout because I forgot that he doesn’t do his radio show on Holidays.
When I decided to pack up and leave the ice, another problem arose. The thin ice on the shoreline turned to water. The dirt that I pulled my sled over had turned into mud as the temperatures of the day rose to about 35 degrees. After struggling to get back to land, I decided that I would walk on land and haul my sled like a boat on the ice that turned into water. When I got to the access road, I had to pull my sled over the dirt / muddy road. I felt like I was getting a work out at Retro Fitness. I made a decision that I am giving up ice-fishing for this season unless we have some kind of cold snap that refreezes the ice. There were a good number of people on the ice on Monday, but maybe their access to where they were fishing didn’t have a watery shoreline. There is an Ice-Fishing derby right out of the same parking lot this coming weekend for a deceased Irish American Club friend. If the conditions are like what I saw yesterday, you won’t see me at the event.
Linda has a chicken and vegetable soup brewing in the crock pot for her Mah Jongg ladies. It looks and smells wonderful. She likes a soup that contains more broth, but I like a soup that is full of ingredients, and is a meal in itself. Linda is hosting her Tuesday Mah Jongg session. I was supposed to dine with the ladies, but I won’t be able to do so.
I have two errands to do before I make it to the family meeting at the Mt. Greylock nursing home this morning at 10:30 AM. After the meeting, I am heading to the ITAM to help prepare for a Boys and Girls Club Pasta Dinner where they expect over 200 people. I have to leave the kitchen around 12:45 PM to attend a REAM (Retired Educator Association of Massachusetts) board meeting. Since I am President of the local chapter, I must attend this meeting. After this meeting is over (in about an hour), I will return to the ITAM and finish working in the kitchen and setting up the buffet line for the Pasta Dinner.
Linda and I had planned to attend a Fat Tuesday Dinner at St. Agnes Parish Hall in Dalton this evening, but that is not going to happen. Linda said that it was alright that those plans have changed.
If any of the people on my blog are local, this fundraiser is for a good cause. The cost is at nominal price, and begins at the usual 5 PM hour. Dessert and Coffee are also included.
This event was not on my social calendar. Every time that we have a board meeting or a membership meeting, there always seems to be another UNICO event which we pick up. It is kind of unusual to have such an event the day after a meeting.
Our UNICO dinner meeting went well last evening. We had a salad, pasta, Italian Bread, a baked stuffed pork chop with all the fixings along with cake and coffee.
The President of our local UNICO Chapter became a grandfather for the first time on Friday. His first grandchild is an 8 pound plus baby girl. I keep on telling people that being a grandparent is a new phase in a person’s life. My friend said that he is starting to realize that.
Oops! I forgot to mention that Linda spent several hours of her day cleaning up the house which she contends that I make the most mess for her to clean up. She did have some relaxing hours when I wasn’t around to bug her. Actually that is not true. When called her and I told her about the thin ice that I had deal with all she could do is do is visualize me swimming with the fish instead of trying to catch them. Oh Darn!
Speaking of grandchildren, our son Kevin took his 2.5 year old son to work at his dad’s restaurant “Dough” on Monday. I wish that all of you could see the video of Max making pizza. In the video, Max is rolling out the dough for a pizza. This child knows how to use a rolling pin already. In the second video, Max is putting the cheese on the pizza. I am guessing that Max will be working in the restaurant very soon with a step stool. I hope that the child labor laws allow him to do so.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and the start of Lent in the Catholic Church. Maybe I could use Lent as a way to lose a few pounds. I have to decide on what foods and beverages that I could give up for Lent.
Well, if I have no willpower to give up certain foods and beverages, I could at least use portion control. On the other hand, how can a person who volunteers for so many events that involve food deal with portion control? Besides tonight’s pasta event, my UNICO Brothers and Sisters will be preparing over 350 Polenta and Venison Dinners for Saturday night’s Womens’ Imaging Fundraiser at the Berkshire Hills Country Club. A person has to sample what they are preparing to make sure if it tastes okay. We also have to sample some of the homemade wine that some of the workers bring into the kitchen. It is a never ending cycle of food, fun, and merriment, and I feel that I have to be part of it. Oh Darn!
News – The local boy who became the top Sheriff in Arizona is running into some flack that now has gone viral. A disgruntled boyfriend of the sheriff has accused the sheriff of harassment when their relationship fell apart. This also meant that the Sheriff had to go on National television to declare that he is gay. The Sheriff is trying to run for a higher political office. Arizona is not one of those States which looks favorably on gay people. Oh Darn!
Well, I have to quietly gather up all of my food preparation gear for tonight’s pasta dinner after I read the local newspaper. Once I leave the house at 9 AM, Linda won’t see me until after we clean up the kitchen at the ITAM. Hopefully I will be home around 8:30 AM. I will be one tired buckaroo when I walk in the door. I will need all of Wednesday to recover from today.
Have a great Tuesday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Monday, February 20, 2012
Hello on Monday
Dear Friends,
Happy President's Day!
Our Sunday went as planned. I did wake Linda up at 7 AM in Tewksbury even though she was in a deep sleep. We snuck out of Kevin and Kyla’s home on Sunday around 7:30 AM while the rest of the house was fast asleep. I am guessing that when Max woke up he started looking for his Nana and Papa. Oh Darn!
We had enough time to unpack and to take a shower before we headed off to the Jack & Jill Baby Shower. I kept on saying that the Baby shower started at noon, but we were an hour late. The guests were still in the serving line when we arrived at noon. We found a couple empty seats at a table of strangers, but it didn’t take long for the Curley’s to blend right in. I had some of the 7 children in my Math classes at Taconic who belong to this very nice couple who were at our table. The other couple was just as nice, and the husband was a Vietnam veteran. The nice thing about these couples was that they were Democrats which meant you were talking with like minded people.
The buffet style food was wonderful. There was much food, fun, and merriment which took place in this packed Polish Falcon Hall. There were so many gifts that the “Mother to Be” didn’t open the presents at the shower. If she did open them, all of us men would have proceeded to go downstairs into the Members’ Bar. On the other hand, Linda would have loved to have watched her open the 40+ gifts. Linda loves being invited to all kinds of showers. After people left the hall, we both went into the members’ bar for about 30 minutes for more socialization while family friends filled cars and trucks, and brought the gifts to the home of the Mother to Be. I was trying to figure out where they were going to put all the gifts when they arrived home.
I should be at Retro Fitness right now, but I decided to get my exercise and fresh air on Pontoosuc Lake today. I am going to do a little ice-fishing and commune with nature. It is supposed to be a day of total sunshine which means I could get a nice suntan. I will bring a portable radio and listen to my talk show host friend from 10 AM until 1 PM while waiting for the fish to bite. Since I am fishing on Pontoosuc Lake, I will use steel leader line and hooks because if I catch a Northern Pike, they can cut monofilament line very easily with their sharp teeth. Even if I don’t catch a single fish, I should get a great tan. My plan right now is to leave the house at 6:45 AM because the bait shop doesn’t open until 7 AM.
Linda will love the fact that I won’t be around for several hours especially since she has nothing on her social calendar for today. I am the only one socially engaged today. I have a UNICO Membership Meeting and Dinner at Jimmy’s Restaurant today at 6 PM.
Sports – LinSanity continued with respect to the New York Knicks. The newly discovered super hero who has been sitting on the Knick’s bench for most of the season was an integral part of yesterday’s win. Jeremy Lin is starting to realize that fame has some negatives. People are starting to bug his parents!
The Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins both lost their games.
Instead of watching the Boston sporting contests, I bonded with Linda for several hours watching many police related recorded programs. When Linda decided that she had enough of the cop programs, she turned on Survivor, and I went to bed. Both of us were exhausted, but Linda has this ability to survive without taking a nap. My body just shuts down. As I think about it, I did forget to mention that we went from the Baby Shower to the grocery store. I tried to talk Linda into dropping me off so I could take a nap while she did the grocery shopping. She said absolutely not! She said that when she shops when I am napping, there is no fun getting the groceries, loading up the car, and unloading the groceries from the car, and putting them away while I am sleeping my life away. I told her that I like shopping at 7 AM because the stores are empty, and the check out lines have no one in them. Of course, 7 AM is Linda’s prime time for sleeping. Are we on different schedules or what?
I am watching the news on television as I type this email. A former Berkshire County resident is a big time Sheriff in Arizona who has been fighting the war against the people crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. He is making National news because he is running for a political office, and he had to announce that he is gay. Some issue has surfaced from a disgruntled boyfriend. I hope that the fact that this true American is gay person doesn’t affect the way for him to do his job or to get elected if he chooses to run for a political office.
During the baby shower while we were socializing with our new found friends, I brought up the fact that Governor Christie vetoed the gay marriage bill in his State. Everyone at our table agreed gay marriage and that a person being gay should have no affect on how we treat one another. “Live and Let Live” has been my philosophy of life.
Well, I have to pack some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and some fruit, and water for my ice-fishing adventure.
Have a great day at work or play!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Happy President's Day!
Our Sunday went as planned. I did wake Linda up at 7 AM in Tewksbury even though she was in a deep sleep. We snuck out of Kevin and Kyla’s home on Sunday around 7:30 AM while the rest of the house was fast asleep. I am guessing that when Max woke up he started looking for his Nana and Papa. Oh Darn!
We had enough time to unpack and to take a shower before we headed off to the Jack & Jill Baby Shower. I kept on saying that the Baby shower started at noon, but we were an hour late. The guests were still in the serving line when we arrived at noon. We found a couple empty seats at a table of strangers, but it didn’t take long for the Curley’s to blend right in. I had some of the 7 children in my Math classes at Taconic who belong to this very nice couple who were at our table. The other couple was just as nice, and the husband was a Vietnam veteran. The nice thing about these couples was that they were Democrats which meant you were talking with like minded people.
The buffet style food was wonderful. There was much food, fun, and merriment which took place in this packed Polish Falcon Hall. There were so many gifts that the “Mother to Be” didn’t open the presents at the shower. If she did open them, all of us men would have proceeded to go downstairs into the Members’ Bar. On the other hand, Linda would have loved to have watched her open the 40+ gifts. Linda loves being invited to all kinds of showers. After people left the hall, we both went into the members’ bar for about 30 minutes for more socialization while family friends filled cars and trucks, and brought the gifts to the home of the Mother to Be. I was trying to figure out where they were going to put all the gifts when they arrived home.
I should be at Retro Fitness right now, but I decided to get my exercise and fresh air on Pontoosuc Lake today. I am going to do a little ice-fishing and commune with nature. It is supposed to be a day of total sunshine which means I could get a nice suntan. I will bring a portable radio and listen to my talk show host friend from 10 AM until 1 PM while waiting for the fish to bite. Since I am fishing on Pontoosuc Lake, I will use steel leader line and hooks because if I catch a Northern Pike, they can cut monofilament line very easily with their sharp teeth. Even if I don’t catch a single fish, I should get a great tan. My plan right now is to leave the house at 6:45 AM because the bait shop doesn’t open until 7 AM.
Linda will love the fact that I won’t be around for several hours especially since she has nothing on her social calendar for today. I am the only one socially engaged today. I have a UNICO Membership Meeting and Dinner at Jimmy’s Restaurant today at 6 PM.
Sports – LinSanity continued with respect to the New York Knicks. The newly discovered super hero who has been sitting on the Knick’s bench for most of the season was an integral part of yesterday’s win. Jeremy Lin is starting to realize that fame has some negatives. People are starting to bug his parents!
The Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins both lost their games.
Instead of watching the Boston sporting contests, I bonded with Linda for several hours watching many police related recorded programs. When Linda decided that she had enough of the cop programs, she turned on Survivor, and I went to bed. Both of us were exhausted, but Linda has this ability to survive without taking a nap. My body just shuts down. As I think about it, I did forget to mention that we went from the Baby Shower to the grocery store. I tried to talk Linda into dropping me off so I could take a nap while she did the grocery shopping. She said absolutely not! She said that when she shops when I am napping, there is no fun getting the groceries, loading up the car, and unloading the groceries from the car, and putting them away while I am sleeping my life away. I told her that I like shopping at 7 AM because the stores are empty, and the check out lines have no one in them. Of course, 7 AM is Linda’s prime time for sleeping. Are we on different schedules or what?
I am watching the news on television as I type this email. A former Berkshire County resident is a big time Sheriff in Arizona who has been fighting the war against the people crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. He is making National news because he is running for a political office, and he had to announce that he is gay. Some issue has surfaced from a disgruntled boyfriend. I hope that the fact that this true American is gay person doesn’t affect the way for him to do his job or to get elected if he chooses to run for a political office.
During the baby shower while we were socializing with our new found friends, I brought up the fact that Governor Christie vetoed the gay marriage bill in his State. Everyone at our table agreed gay marriage and that a person being gay should have no affect on how we treat one another. “Live and Let Live” has been my philosophy of life.
Well, I have to pack some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and some fruit, and water for my ice-fishing adventure.
Have a great day at work or play!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hello on Thursday
Dear Friends,
Our Thursday went as planned evening though I did not go ice fishing on Thursday. I decided to make an appointment with our tax preparation guy, and I brought him all of the Curley tax information.
After my afternoon visit with our tax guy, I went to visit dear old dad at the nursing home since the office of the tax preparation guy is ¼ of a mile from the nursing home. My sister arrived for a visit about 10 minutes after I arrived. The visit went semi-well. Dad was a little grumpy, but it could be from the pain medication which hasn’t worn off from what he was given during his emergency room visit from a couple days earlier.
After the visit ended, we talked to a physical therapist who gave us an update on dad’s condition. The prognosis was not good. Dad is an extreme fall risk, and they nursing home will not sign off on a discharge for dad because he needs 24 hour care. Oh Darn!
Linda’s day went much better than mine. She did do lunch with a girlfriend; squeezed in an hour of her 6 PM Panera Bread Knitting group gathering before she headed off to BONCO.
While Linda was doing her activities, I balled up a couple hanks of yarn for Linda, and watched the Boston Celtics lose to another terrible opponent. Oh Darn!
Jeremy Lin and the “LinSanity” that he has been creating as a point guard for the New York Knicks continued again in their game last evening. Watching the New York Knicks play basketball is more exciting than watching the Boston Celtics.
Our Thursday looks kind of free for the moment during the day. Some messy weather is heading our way for the 5 PM hour. Another rain snow mix is forecasted.
We also have to pack for a couple day visit in Tewksbury. Our plan as of yesterday was to leave on Friday morning, and head back to Pittsfield on Sunday morning since we have a noontime function to attend. The ice fishing derby is still a go for Saturday in nearby New Hampshire, and the weather is going to be kind of mild for that day. I won’t have to dress up like “Nanook from the North.”
Rakish Paddy is playing at Patrick’s Pub. We might be having supper at the Pub this evening.
I am up early because I will be heading off to Retro Fitness to be with the 4:30 AM gym rats!
I could see an early afternoon nap in my future today.
Did you read about the guy who actually had a heart attack while he was eating at the Heart Attack Grill? The Heart Attack Grill serves those giant stacked burgers that have over 2000 calories per burger. The owner of the Heart Attack Grill (located in Las Vegas) said that this was not a stunt. The video of the incident has already gone viral.
I also heard that Kolby Bryant and his wife were seen together at the Los Angeles Laker game last evening. There was some talk about some reconciliation possibly taking place even though divorce papers have been filed, but don’t take affect until June. I am guessing that Kolbe reassessed the situation, and might be realizing what a divorce would cost him financially. His wife Vanessa will have to assess the situation from her viewpoint because Kolby was the one who was the unfaithful person in their marriage. This is another example of a powerful wealthy person who feels that they are above the rules of a marital contract. It is probably good that we people of modest means can’t afford to do what some of these well off people think that they can do.
Politics etc. – It is not looking good for any Republican Candidate right now. If a Presidential election took place today, the Republicans would not have a chance of ousting President Obama. Yes, I realize that there are many people out of work, and many people who are losing their jobs on a daily basis. The gas prices at the pump are affecting every aspect of our lives. The cost of food just keeps on going up.
In the Pittsfield economy, a family owned grocery store will be closing one of its two stores on March 15, 2012. The local newspaper said that a downtown restaurant called Brules is also closing its doors. You would think “gloom and doom” for the local economy. Just stop by Patrick’s Pub this evening. The place will be packed on a Thursday night with a line of people at the door waiting to be seated. Some restaurants just keep on packing the people in. When we drove from Pittsfield to Lee last Saturday night to dine at the Salmon Run Restaurant, every restaurant we drove by had parking lots that were full. This includes the Chain restaurants like Applebees, “99”, and Arizona Pizza as well as Halpins Pub, Panda Restaurant, etc.
Well, I have to get ready to head out the door to Retro Fitness.
Have a great Thursday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Our Thursday went as planned evening though I did not go ice fishing on Thursday. I decided to make an appointment with our tax preparation guy, and I brought him all of the Curley tax information.
After my afternoon visit with our tax guy, I went to visit dear old dad at the nursing home since the office of the tax preparation guy is ¼ of a mile from the nursing home. My sister arrived for a visit about 10 minutes after I arrived. The visit went semi-well. Dad was a little grumpy, but it could be from the pain medication which hasn’t worn off from what he was given during his emergency room visit from a couple days earlier.
After the visit ended, we talked to a physical therapist who gave us an update on dad’s condition. The prognosis was not good. Dad is an extreme fall risk, and they nursing home will not sign off on a discharge for dad because he needs 24 hour care. Oh Darn!
Linda’s day went much better than mine. She did do lunch with a girlfriend; squeezed in an hour of her 6 PM Panera Bread Knitting group gathering before she headed off to BONCO.
While Linda was doing her activities, I balled up a couple hanks of yarn for Linda, and watched the Boston Celtics lose to another terrible opponent. Oh Darn!
Jeremy Lin and the “LinSanity” that he has been creating as a point guard for the New York Knicks continued again in their game last evening. Watching the New York Knicks play basketball is more exciting than watching the Boston Celtics.
Our Thursday looks kind of free for the moment during the day. Some messy weather is heading our way for the 5 PM hour. Another rain snow mix is forecasted.
We also have to pack for a couple day visit in Tewksbury. Our plan as of yesterday was to leave on Friday morning, and head back to Pittsfield on Sunday morning since we have a noontime function to attend. The ice fishing derby is still a go for Saturday in nearby New Hampshire, and the weather is going to be kind of mild for that day. I won’t have to dress up like “Nanook from the North.”
Rakish Paddy is playing at Patrick’s Pub. We might be having supper at the Pub this evening.
I am up early because I will be heading off to Retro Fitness to be with the 4:30 AM gym rats!
I could see an early afternoon nap in my future today.
Did you read about the guy who actually had a heart attack while he was eating at the Heart Attack Grill? The Heart Attack Grill serves those giant stacked burgers that have over 2000 calories per burger. The owner of the Heart Attack Grill (located in Las Vegas) said that this was not a stunt. The video of the incident has already gone viral.
I also heard that Kolby Bryant and his wife were seen together at the Los Angeles Laker game last evening. There was some talk about some reconciliation possibly taking place even though divorce papers have been filed, but don’t take affect until June. I am guessing that Kolbe reassessed the situation, and might be realizing what a divorce would cost him financially. His wife Vanessa will have to assess the situation from her viewpoint because Kolby was the one who was the unfaithful person in their marriage. This is another example of a powerful wealthy person who feels that they are above the rules of a marital contract. It is probably good that we people of modest means can’t afford to do what some of these well off people think that they can do.
Politics etc. – It is not looking good for any Republican Candidate right now. If a Presidential election took place today, the Republicans would not have a chance of ousting President Obama. Yes, I realize that there are many people out of work, and many people who are losing their jobs on a daily basis. The gas prices at the pump are affecting every aspect of our lives. The cost of food just keeps on going up.
In the Pittsfield economy, a family owned grocery store will be closing one of its two stores on March 15, 2012. The local newspaper said that a downtown restaurant called Brules is also closing its doors. You would think “gloom and doom” for the local economy. Just stop by Patrick’s Pub this evening. The place will be packed on a Thursday night with a line of people at the door waiting to be seated. Some restaurants just keep on packing the people in. When we drove from Pittsfield to Lee last Saturday night to dine at the Salmon Run Restaurant, every restaurant we drove by had parking lots that were full. This includes the Chain restaurants like Applebees, “99”, and Arizona Pizza as well as Halpins Pub, Panda Restaurant, etc.
Well, I have to get ready to head out the door to Retro Fitness.
Have a great Thursday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Hello on Wednesday
Dear Friends,
Hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentines’ Day. Linda and I didn’t see each other until after my ServSafe test. I arrived home close to 10:30 PM. We chatted about how each of our days went for 15 minutes before I headed off to bed.
The ServSafe review and test at the ITAM last night was tiring. I normally don’t do well on multiple guess tests because all the answers look good to me. Our instructor even helped us out when we weren’t sure about a particular question. When I turned in the test, I asked her about two questions, and she said that my answers were incorrect, and she told me the correct answer. This didn’t make me feel good about the other questions on the 90 question test. We won’t get the test results for a couple of weeks because they are sent off to a national testing center.
Her Valentine gave Linda a little bauble, and a Valentine card with some lottery tickets. Linda knitted me a beautiful grey tweed like toque to wear for any occasion, but I will most likely use it for ice-fishing! Linda must have read my daily blog about Whitman’s Sampler Chocolates because she picked me up a box in her travels on Tuesday.
Linda is the only one socially engaged today. She will be doing lunch with her friend who is flying back to Atlanta, and then dropping her off at her daughter’s place of employment. Her daughter will be driving her Mom to the airport, and flying with her Mom to Atlanta.
Linda has BONCO at a friend’s house this evening. I am thinking of having another Chicken Novena while she is with this group of friends.
I did have thoughts of doing a little ice-fishing today which I haven’t done this year yet. There is some nuisance weather going on right now so if I do go, I won’t be set up on the ice at the crack of dawn.
In my travels yesterday, I did visit Dad in the nursing home. He seemed to be in good spirits. He was not completely pain free, but he was less grumpy than the day before when he spent almost 24 hours in the emergency room of Berkshire Medical Center.
I didn’t get an invite to attend the funeral service for Whitney Houston in New Jersey. I am so hurt! Yeah right!
I also see where the CEO of the Apple Company is going to try and reduce the sweatshop like conditions in China where the Apple Products are assembled. When the financial bottom line of the profits which Apple is earning for it shareholders decreases at all, I would guess it will be business as usual in those sweatshops.
Speaking of technology, did you see the video of a father who shot his teenage daughter’s computer. Is this the new way to solve parent and daughter problems? He taped the event, put it on the internet, and it went viral.
Did you also read about the guy who was at a Church service the other day? He was showing off his 9 MM hand gun after the service. The owner of the gun didn’t realize that there was a bullet in the chamber of the gun. The gun went off. The bullet went through a wall, and hit a female Church goer in the head. Could you tell me why you need to take a hand gun at a Church Service?
The Bible and guns seem to go hand in hand. Oh Darn!
Did any of my readers see that one of the States was given permission to build a Nuclear Plant? No new plants have been made for almost 30 years in the United States. I am a little leery of constructing any Nuclear Plants. If they are so great, why did Germany start dismantling all of their Nuclear Plants after the disaster in Japan? Also, Nuclear Plants would be a prime target for the terrorists through out the world.
There is an article in today’s news of a Nuclear Plant in Michigan that has had some safety violations. Can you imagine living next to that Nuclear Plant?
Did you read where they caught a 10 year old Suicide Bomber?
On a happier note, the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated willing hit the stands any day now. Most of us read the articles in the magazine and don’t focus on the pictures. Yeah Right!
I like the Sports Illustrated magazine after the Swimsuit Issue goes public. You have to read the letters to the editor, and read how upset the readers are. Some people write that they are canceling their subscriptions. The readers start questioning what the Swimsuit Issue has to do with sports? The Swimsuit issue is one of the best read (and looked at), and the most profitable issues for this weekly magazine. Sex sells and don’t you forget!
Sports – My Boston Bruins lost their game yesterday. Good thing that I wasn’t home to watch the game.
Sports continued – The off the bench player for the New York Knicks, Jeremy Lin, made a three point shot with a millisecond left on the clock to win the game last night. This former Harvard graduate and player came off the bench several games ago, and has caused “Lin-Sanity”. A few of the stars for the Knicks have been out with injuries, and it will be hard to sit Lin when the high paid super stars come back. The way that Jeremy has been playing makes it almost impossible to get a ticket for the Knicks’ game whether they are playing home or away games. Even if you don’t care for sports, you ought to see the positive press that this guy is getting. This is like one of those American Dream stories!
Susan B. Anthony was born on this day here in Berkshire County before she traveled and lived in other parts of the country. Every female should count their lucky stars because she was the one who was successful in getting women in the United States the right to vote. She wasn’t successful on the Prohibition issue, but she did try!
On the Albany news, a father was charged for beating his 15 month old son to a brain dead state. This is another case where “Stupid people, shouldn’t breed!”
Well, I have to read the local newspaper, and do some quiet activities!
Have a great day at work or play!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentines’ Day. Linda and I didn’t see each other until after my ServSafe test. I arrived home close to 10:30 PM. We chatted about how each of our days went for 15 minutes before I headed off to bed.
The ServSafe review and test at the ITAM last night was tiring. I normally don’t do well on multiple guess tests because all the answers look good to me. Our instructor even helped us out when we weren’t sure about a particular question. When I turned in the test, I asked her about two questions, and she said that my answers were incorrect, and she told me the correct answer. This didn’t make me feel good about the other questions on the 90 question test. We won’t get the test results for a couple of weeks because they are sent off to a national testing center.
Her Valentine gave Linda a little bauble, and a Valentine card with some lottery tickets. Linda knitted me a beautiful grey tweed like toque to wear for any occasion, but I will most likely use it for ice-fishing! Linda must have read my daily blog about Whitman’s Sampler Chocolates because she picked me up a box in her travels on Tuesday.
Linda is the only one socially engaged today. She will be doing lunch with her friend who is flying back to Atlanta, and then dropping her off at her daughter’s place of employment. Her daughter will be driving her Mom to the airport, and flying with her Mom to Atlanta.
Linda has BONCO at a friend’s house this evening. I am thinking of having another Chicken Novena while she is with this group of friends.
I did have thoughts of doing a little ice-fishing today which I haven’t done this year yet. There is some nuisance weather going on right now so if I do go, I won’t be set up on the ice at the crack of dawn.
In my travels yesterday, I did visit Dad in the nursing home. He seemed to be in good spirits. He was not completely pain free, but he was less grumpy than the day before when he spent almost 24 hours in the emergency room of Berkshire Medical Center.
I didn’t get an invite to attend the funeral service for Whitney Houston in New Jersey. I am so hurt! Yeah right!
I also see where the CEO of the Apple Company is going to try and reduce the sweatshop like conditions in China where the Apple Products are assembled. When the financial bottom line of the profits which Apple is earning for it shareholders decreases at all, I would guess it will be business as usual in those sweatshops.
Speaking of technology, did you see the video of a father who shot his teenage daughter’s computer. Is this the new way to solve parent and daughter problems? He taped the event, put it on the internet, and it went viral.
Did you also read about the guy who was at a Church service the other day? He was showing off his 9 MM hand gun after the service. The owner of the gun didn’t realize that there was a bullet in the chamber of the gun. The gun went off. The bullet went through a wall, and hit a female Church goer in the head. Could you tell me why you need to take a hand gun at a Church Service?
The Bible and guns seem to go hand in hand. Oh Darn!
Did any of my readers see that one of the States was given permission to build a Nuclear Plant? No new plants have been made for almost 30 years in the United States. I am a little leery of constructing any Nuclear Plants. If they are so great, why did Germany start dismantling all of their Nuclear Plants after the disaster in Japan? Also, Nuclear Plants would be a prime target for the terrorists through out the world.
There is an article in today’s news of a Nuclear Plant in Michigan that has had some safety violations. Can you imagine living next to that Nuclear Plant?
Did you read where they caught a 10 year old Suicide Bomber?
On a happier note, the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated willing hit the stands any day now. Most of us read the articles in the magazine and don’t focus on the pictures. Yeah Right!
I like the Sports Illustrated magazine after the Swimsuit Issue goes public. You have to read the letters to the editor, and read how upset the readers are. Some people write that they are canceling their subscriptions. The readers start questioning what the Swimsuit Issue has to do with sports? The Swimsuit issue is one of the best read (and looked at), and the most profitable issues for this weekly magazine. Sex sells and don’t you forget!
Sports – My Boston Bruins lost their game yesterday. Good thing that I wasn’t home to watch the game.
Sports continued – The off the bench player for the New York Knicks, Jeremy Lin, made a three point shot with a millisecond left on the clock to win the game last night. This former Harvard graduate and player came off the bench several games ago, and has caused “Lin-Sanity”. A few of the stars for the Knicks have been out with injuries, and it will be hard to sit Lin when the high paid super stars come back. The way that Jeremy has been playing makes it almost impossible to get a ticket for the Knicks’ game whether they are playing home or away games. Even if you don’t care for sports, you ought to see the positive press that this guy is getting. This is like one of those American Dream stories!
Susan B. Anthony was born on this day here in Berkshire County before she traveled and lived in other parts of the country. Every female should count their lucky stars because she was the one who was successful in getting women in the United States the right to vote. She wasn’t successful on the Prohibition issue, but she did try!
On the Albany news, a father was charged for beating his 15 month old son to a brain dead state. This is another case where “Stupid people, shouldn’t breed!”
Well, I have to read the local newspaper, and do some quiet activities!
Have a great day at work or play!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hello on Valentines Day
Dear Friends,
Happy Valentines’ Day to everyone! If you don’t have a significant other, you can still treat yourself to some things that you really like. I have been reading the all the advertisements for the dinners, jewelry, spa days, boxes of candy, strawberry dipped in chocolate, etc. that we men are supposed to consider giving our sweethearts. Many of us struggle to get exactly what our significant others really desire. In our situation, Linda would like a day just to do things at her own pace, catch a movie, and have a romantic dinner at an upscale place. Well, she is not getting any of those things today!
Linda has her Tuesday Mah Jongg session from 11:30 AM until 4 PM or so. We have an Irish Sister City Committee meeting at 6 PM that I can’t attend because tonight is my review and test for the ServSafe Recertification test which is also 6 PM. I chatted with a friend at my UNICO board meeting, but he might miss the test because his daughter could be having her first child any moment now. She was due on February 9, 2012.
Observation – While I was checking out the Sunday fliers, I kept on seeing Whitman’s Sampler’s on sale. That box of candy was almost a staple in our family when I grew up. I still wouldn’t mind getting a box of them every Valentines Day. I love the fact that there is a description of every piece of candy for every slot in the box. I started off our relationship thinking that I could carry on the Whitman’ Sampler tradition with Linda, and that didn’t last too long. I know that she likes the nutty kind of Russell Stover Chocolates, and not the box of those generic creamed filled ones. Of course, if she does receive the candies which she prefers, she has to hide them from me. She knows how to savor candy, and I have not mastered that technique since I have been on this earth.
I also contend that the warm and fuzzy feelings that we get on Valentines Day should last all year long, and not just for one day of the year.
Yesterday, Linda and her girlfriend had a nice day at the Casino. Linda came home with a few more dollars than she had budgeted. There weren’t enough winnings to take some exotic trip, but she will be getting some post cards in the mail from the Casino asking her to return soon! Her girlfriend started off the day with some sniffles. By the time they had to get back on the bus, her friend had what appeared to be a full fledged cold. Linda and I have too many things on our social calendar for the rest of February, and March to even consider spending time fighting an illness.
My day did not go as planned. My sister was with my dad in the emergency room on Monday night from 10 PM until 4:30 AM. I was with dad in the same room from 9 AM until almost 3 PM which is when dad got discharged and returned to the nursing home. After all those hours at the hospital, and two CAT scans including one with dye, it was determined that my dad’s internal plumbing was causing the pain. My sister said that from her experience in Ultra Sound, seniors not only get constipated more often, but sometimes it what they call impacted. If you think about people in nursing homes like my dad, they don’t drink enough fluids, and they don’t move around enough during the day to get their internal plumbing working properly. My dad can’t stand up and walk at all right now. He spends most of the day in a wheel chair, or in bed.
From what I saw yesterday, my sister and I agreed that having dad do a transitional stay at my sister’s home before going back to his own home has now been put on the back burner. Dad needs 24 hour care that neither my sister nor I are able to provide. Oh Darn!
I had an hour to relax before I went off to my UNICO board meeting which lasted almost 1.5 hours. As I guessed, we picked up more events to work, and other events got confirmed. One event which we did pick up was a City of Pittsfield Family Fun day based out of the Controy Pavilion on Onota Lake that I was at this past Sunday. This Saturday event takes place on March 3, 2012. UNICO was asked to prepare and sell, at modest cost, hamburgers and hot dogs from 11 AM until 3 PM. Any profits realized would go to our UNICO charities.
I do remember that there is also another event in the evening at the Polish Falcon Hall. The Curley’s will be attending a Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner.
Also, it was confirmed that UNICO is having their Celebrity Bartending Night on March 15, 2012 at the Heritage Tavern in Lenox. This was a fun event last year, and I know there was a table of our Irish Friends who attended the event. I believe us UNICO volunteers are behind the bar (including me) starting around the 6 PM hour. I will give you more details at a later date.
Social Calendar for me – I have a 9 AM medical appointment. I will then go directly to the nursing home and visit dad. Retro Fitness should be my next stop before I come home and start studying for tonight’s test. I haven’t touched the manual since last Friday, and there is so much that we are responsible for knowing. I will be so glad when this day is over.
Local News – The alleged “hit and run” accident which took place on Winesap in early December made the front page of the Berkshire Eagle once again this morning. A different clerk magistrate said that there is enough circumstantial evidence to charge the driver of the car with two misdemeanors. The driver has a court date at the end of February.
It was sad to hear that Whitney Houston drowned her bathtub in the suite in the hotel that she was at. Legal medication and booze might have caused her to pass out before she drowned in the bathtub.
There were two body guards right outside the bathroom door while the drowning took place! Oh Darn!
Politics -- The President's 2013 budget proposal is not a big hit with the Republicans. Taxing the rich is a real stumbling block for Republicans to agree to.
Well, I have to finish reading the local newspaper, and get dressed. Linda doesn’t have to leave the house until a little after 11 AM.
Have a great Tuesday at work or play!
Talk to you soon! The Curley Lad
Happy Valentines’ Day to everyone! If you don’t have a significant other, you can still treat yourself to some things that you really like. I have been reading the all the advertisements for the dinners, jewelry, spa days, boxes of candy, strawberry dipped in chocolate, etc. that we men are supposed to consider giving our sweethearts. Many of us struggle to get exactly what our significant others really desire. In our situation, Linda would like a day just to do things at her own pace, catch a movie, and have a romantic dinner at an upscale place. Well, she is not getting any of those things today!
Linda has her Tuesday Mah Jongg session from 11:30 AM until 4 PM or so. We have an Irish Sister City Committee meeting at 6 PM that I can’t attend because tonight is my review and test for the ServSafe Recertification test which is also 6 PM. I chatted with a friend at my UNICO board meeting, but he might miss the test because his daughter could be having her first child any moment now. She was due on February 9, 2012.
Observation – While I was checking out the Sunday fliers, I kept on seeing Whitman’s Sampler’s on sale. That box of candy was almost a staple in our family when I grew up. I still wouldn’t mind getting a box of them every Valentines Day. I love the fact that there is a description of every piece of candy for every slot in the box. I started off our relationship thinking that I could carry on the Whitman’ Sampler tradition with Linda, and that didn’t last too long. I know that she likes the nutty kind of Russell Stover Chocolates, and not the box of those generic creamed filled ones. Of course, if she does receive the candies which she prefers, she has to hide them from me. She knows how to savor candy, and I have not mastered that technique since I have been on this earth.
I also contend that the warm and fuzzy feelings that we get on Valentines Day should last all year long, and not just for one day of the year.
Yesterday, Linda and her girlfriend had a nice day at the Casino. Linda came home with a few more dollars than she had budgeted. There weren’t enough winnings to take some exotic trip, but she will be getting some post cards in the mail from the Casino asking her to return soon! Her girlfriend started off the day with some sniffles. By the time they had to get back on the bus, her friend had what appeared to be a full fledged cold. Linda and I have too many things on our social calendar for the rest of February, and March to even consider spending time fighting an illness.
My day did not go as planned. My sister was with my dad in the emergency room on Monday night from 10 PM until 4:30 AM. I was with dad in the same room from 9 AM until almost 3 PM which is when dad got discharged and returned to the nursing home. After all those hours at the hospital, and two CAT scans including one with dye, it was determined that my dad’s internal plumbing was causing the pain. My sister said that from her experience in Ultra Sound, seniors not only get constipated more often, but sometimes it what they call impacted. If you think about people in nursing homes like my dad, they don’t drink enough fluids, and they don’t move around enough during the day to get their internal plumbing working properly. My dad can’t stand up and walk at all right now. He spends most of the day in a wheel chair, or in bed.
From what I saw yesterday, my sister and I agreed that having dad do a transitional stay at my sister’s home before going back to his own home has now been put on the back burner. Dad needs 24 hour care that neither my sister nor I are able to provide. Oh Darn!
I had an hour to relax before I went off to my UNICO board meeting which lasted almost 1.5 hours. As I guessed, we picked up more events to work, and other events got confirmed. One event which we did pick up was a City of Pittsfield Family Fun day based out of the Controy Pavilion on Onota Lake that I was at this past Sunday. This Saturday event takes place on March 3, 2012. UNICO was asked to prepare and sell, at modest cost, hamburgers and hot dogs from 11 AM until 3 PM. Any profits realized would go to our UNICO charities.
I do remember that there is also another event in the evening at the Polish Falcon Hall. The Curley’s will be attending a Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner.
Also, it was confirmed that UNICO is having their Celebrity Bartending Night on March 15, 2012 at the Heritage Tavern in Lenox. This was a fun event last year, and I know there was a table of our Irish Friends who attended the event. I believe us UNICO volunteers are behind the bar (including me) starting around the 6 PM hour. I will give you more details at a later date.
Social Calendar for me – I have a 9 AM medical appointment. I will then go directly to the nursing home and visit dad. Retro Fitness should be my next stop before I come home and start studying for tonight’s test. I haven’t touched the manual since last Friday, and there is so much that we are responsible for knowing. I will be so glad when this day is over.
Local News – The alleged “hit and run” accident which took place on Winesap in early December made the front page of the Berkshire Eagle once again this morning. A different clerk magistrate said that there is enough circumstantial evidence to charge the driver of the car with two misdemeanors. The driver has a court date at the end of February.
It was sad to hear that Whitney Houston drowned her bathtub in the suite in the hotel that she was at. Legal medication and booze might have caused her to pass out before she drowned in the bathtub.
There were two body guards right outside the bathroom door while the drowning took place! Oh Darn!
Politics -- The President's 2013 budget proposal is not a big hit with the Republicans. Taxing the rich is a real stumbling block for Republicans to agree to.
Well, I have to finish reading the local newspaper, and get dressed. Linda doesn’t have to leave the house until a little after 11 AM.
Have a great Tuesday at work or play!
Talk to you soon! The Curley Lad
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