Finale!

Well folks, after about a week (more or less) of looking at this blank screen, I’ve concluded that this adventure of “Blog Posting” is over!

I’ve lost my inspiration.

I even asked you for some, in a previous posting.

So, it’s been coming on now for a couple of weeks, or more.

Who knows what MIGHT bring it (the inspiration, that is) back again, but for now, I’m gabbed out!

(Ok, Mike. Nobody’s gonna believe that!)

I checked, and it looks like I’ve made 139 postings here, mostly blabbing about whatever comes to mind - as an inspiration.

It’s not that I won’t have any more “weird” happenings in my life. They’ll always be there, I think. But, whether to have the inspiration to “set them down” on paper or not, is the question.

After all, I DO now have the inspiration to finish editing 46 more of these postings for another book, to be tentatively entitled “More Musings From Mike”. That’ll take another two months or more.

Thinking about these past postings, though, several thoughts come to mind:

I have a penchant for using unusual words for some things. Most times, it’s just the right word for the occasion - though occasionally I have used them as a show-off, I think. And other times, just for fun.

Actually, these words normally come to mind from some previous use of them - by me, or someone else - but occasionally, I’ve gotten them from some British mystery novel I’m reading. I look it up, and with the definition in mind, I store it into my subconsciousness, waiting for a propitious time to use it. I don’t TRY to find a spot for it, but sometimes it just “comes to mind”.

In the previous paragraph, I used the word “subconsciousness”. After doing so, I thought I’d better check. First of all, is it a word? Secondly, should it be hyphenated?

Dictionary - Yes, it is a word! Secondly, it should NOT be hyphenated.

Speaking of British novels, I think those guys (or gals) PURPOSELY use the biggest, and most unusual words they can find, just to “show up” us Americans. They KNOW we’re “definitionally” inept. (Well, that’s NOT a word, at least in my dictionary, but it describes what I’m trying to say. It does list the word “definitional” as an adjective.)

More commonly said, “They know we’re not good at definitions of big words”

As I said, most of these words just normally came to mind, from some time that I used - or heard it used - in the past. The word just seems to fit the occasion.

OK - - - - sometimes I just show-off.

One of the words I used that caused some reaction was the word “posit”. Like “he may not always agree with what I posit here”.

This word just came to me naturally as I was writing that piece. I don’t know where I ever heard it before, but I was confident of its meaning, and used it without question. It means to “put something forward”, or “suggest something”. (I DID look it up, as always, before I “put to bed” that posting.) It never occurred to me that it would be questioned.

The question was, “Was that a ‘typo’, that should have been ‘post’, instead?” No……..I meant to use that word, without question. However, I can easily see how someone could think it was a typo. After all, what I do with these writings is to “post” them.

The one “posting” I did that included 20 or more of those British words - along with their definition - was obviously “overkill”. (I just looked up that word, and had to remove the hyphen I had used.) I’m sure hardly anyone really read all of those words, but it just emphasized what I’ve been saying about the British writers - they think we’re ignorant!

Occasionally, I use one of the unusual words incorrectly. There’s no question in my mind about what the word means but I may mistakenly think it’s a “noun”, when it’s an “adjective”.

For example I ALMOST used the word “intrepid” incorrectly. I was talking about being “up-to-date”, and I ALMOST said, “Since I am intrepid, I have a cell phone.”

Intrepid means, “fearless and/or brave” (mostly fearless), and just to be sure of the meaning, I looked it up before posting, and found out that “intrepid” is an adjective, not a noun. So……….I finally said, “Since I’m an intrepid kind of guy……”. That was correct - at least the grammar part.

Some of the inspiration for these postings come from just the strange way things happen, or many times, how the circumstances just “scream out” for a “God moment” acknowledgement.

Like, how I “happened upon” the fact that the Speedway store had installed an ATM from my bank - Chase. I hadn’t visited that Speedway - or any other one here - since I had moved back. In fact, I had been trying for months to find a Chase Bank to get cash from my checking account, without having to pay two fees. And, this was just two days before I was leaving for a Florida vacation with our granddaughter Kelly, and her family. I needed more cash than you can normally get from an ATM.

God moment!

The strange way people seem to recognize my voice is one of the things that is “weird”. I mentioned a couple of them.

Falling and breaking my nose was an incident that I was inspired to write about. Doing so was a reminder to me to be more careful, at my age, as I walk or move around.

Last Sunday at church, the son-in-law of a lady my age, told me how she had fallen backwards, and hit her head. I went up to her, not knowing she was aware of my fall, and I said, “You know, you’d better be careful where you step so you won’t fall”. She said, “Speak for yourself, Bub” That’s almost what she said.

Time with my grandchildren is always precious to me, and deeply impressed upon my mind. So……I write about these experiences.

Funny things like losing my socks in the washer/dryer, strike me as something someone else might identify with.

One of the most remarkable happenings was how I “ran across” a lady who knew nearly everyone I knew, growing up, but we didn’t even know the other one existed. We’ve been living in the same complex now for months.

The postings that mean the most to me, it seems now, are: The three about New Guinea and Manila; the three about my Radio Ministry; and the four about my school experiences. They were the longest, at least.

Just reading about Jean’s sister’s 9 children, and how they treat their mother was a delight to me.

Jean and I took several vacations in the 65 years we were married, and though several are commented on here, not all of them were. But, these seemed to me to be of interest - at least to family members.

Actually, truth be known, these postings are mostly for present and future “Maddexes” and relatives, as Kelly envisioned when she suggested the book. Others have enjoyed some of them also.

Down this far, I just now wondered if I had used the right word for the title of this posting - “Finale!” If it was incorrect, I was going to change it. So, as usual, I looked it up. As I was reading the definition, I began to get worried, because..... well, just read it:

fi·nal·e

fi·nal·e [fi nállee, fi nlee]
(plural fi·nal·es)
n
1. final theatrical scene: a scene or musical number that brings a stage performance or an act of a performance to an end
2. final section of music: a final movement or section of a musical composition
3. final event in series: an event that is the last or climactic event in a series


[Mid-18th century. Via Italian < Latin finalis (see final)]
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

I guess the third definition fits this “Finale!”.

Another “snag” I occasionally come upon, is the use of quotation marks at the end of a sentence. Do they go before, or after the period?

It seems to me, that, if the quotation is within another sentence, the period would be at the end. If, however, the period ends a part of the quotation, shouldn’t it be BEFORE the quotation marks? I don’t have it down yet, and I’m sure I haven’t been consistent. I just did what seemed right at the time.

Though grammar is a hobby of mine, I am certainly NOT an expert!

A final quandary (dilemma) for me is in deciding what subject is worthy of posting - on this blog.

I guess, since it IS MY blog, I should have the final say in what is included. But……..sometimes there are personal issues of someone else who is mentioned. And, it is equally unsettling as to whether the name should be mentioned at all.

I’ve been told that the mention of someone no longer living is not even a possible question. But, how about a living person? I’m not talking about libel issues now, but whether or not any name should be mentioned - without their specific permission. Names I HAVE mentioned have been in a positive manner, and not pejoratively at all.

The same with organizations.

There were 3 different postings I made about an organization that I was a member and officer of several years ago, and some of the comments were not positive, in describing what went on. After some months, I deleted these three postings totally, in the interest of fairness.

FINALLY, other than the 45 years I spent in the Christian Radio Ministry; 65 years of marriage to Jean; and the 62 years I’ve been a parent, grandparent and great-grandparent, I’ve had no greater satisfaction than these 140 postings I’ve now made here, and, hopefully, the two books that have followed.

My profound thanks to all who have taken the time to read this stuff!

Mike Maddex
December 31, 2009

Book Signing

Well, a first for me…………I sold a total of 15 books here - at my actual cost - gave one to Jessica because of her sketch on the front cover; one to Timi for her Author’s photo on the back cover; (neither of them may receive any money from residents for any purpose); one to Tracy for consideration as a “premium” at SHARATHON; one to Kelly, for the original idea of the book; and one to Tom Stafford of the Springfield News-Sun for consideration of a feature article.

That rounds out the original 20 I ordered. I bought 10 more, which are on the way.

There have been 16 sold on the Internet, so far.

To buy one yourself: 1) Go to the Internet; 2) type in www.lulu.com; 3) click on BUY; 4) then fill-in the blank with either “Mike Maddex” or, “Musings of a Story Teller Wannabe.” Then, have your credit card and mailing address ready.

The cost here is $13.94 per book (set by the publisher), plus mailing, making the final cost just over $17.00.

I’ve asked the publisher to refund $3.00 to those who have purchased from them, and take it from my “royalty”. Then, to sell any new ones for $10.94, giving me the “one dollar per book royalty” I requested, rather than the three dollars they set.

I don’t know how that process will go.

Now, to the Signing.



Some were bought earlier in the day since some of the buyers couldn’t come at 1:00 PM for the signing. But, 15 books vanished from my stock - though I expect to have 10 more by Monday or Tuesday.

At the end, I had one book left, so I took it to my room. On the way, the son of one of the residents said he just got here, and wanted a book. He got the last one.

I’m not totally lonely, though, because the ORIGINAL book that I essentially paid $369 for, is staying with me - as a souvenir.

Now, several days later, the next 10 arrived just before Christmas, and I have 7 of them left.

By the way, though I MAY run out of books here that I have bought, the publisher will NEVER “run out”, since they just print up whatever is ordered, and ship them out. They are VERY fast, and generally ship in 3 to 5 business days after the order.

Some of the comments have been gratifying, such as one of the Supervisors here who said her kids like it as much as she does. (She insisted I sign her book, including writing her name with it.)

A couple who are friends with Jim and Joyce are waiting until the Christmas and other holiday rush is over, then to read it. She was so excited, that I told her she should wait until after reading it, to see how she felt about it then.

( I hope it holds up!)

Two or three staff members here say they want to buy it, but need to find the cash after recovering from the Christmas “spending spree”. I WANT to just give one to them, but my “dollars sense” tells me I’m losing enough with the original order.

But, I just want people to read it.

I’m a little embarrassed to admit this yet, but I have already done a “first edit” on another 46 potential chapters for a “sequel”. Something like, “More Musings From Mike”; or, “Ramblings of a Rag Tag Octogenarian”; or, “He Can’t Keep His Mouth Shut”; or, some intelligent title like these.

Jessica, the artist who did the front cover, just now stopped by to pick up 3 more for her family. (They MAY like the cover better than the text of the book, I don't know.)

Sitting back now, just thinking about this whole thing, I think one has to be just a little bit “arrogant” to expect people just to rush out and spend money to read thoughts just “spewing” out of one’s mouth (fingers, actually).

And, the more people talk about it, expressing delight in the thoughts, humor, crazy ideas, etc, you express, the more you think what you’ve written amounts to something.

It’s hard not to get proud!

I think I have a tendency toward “braggadocio” anyway. And, having people positively comment on something you have written; or spend money to read more of, “feeds” that apparent need for “self-aggrandizement”.

Sometimes, it’s not a pretty sight.

But, ever since our Granddaughter Kelly began talking to me about “archiving” some of the things I’ve written - basically to give future generations of family members an insight on what one of their progenitors was like, and what he felt like - I’ve been aiming in that direction. And, to be honest, I’d like for others to know a bit more about me, as well.

Whoa!

There I go admitting to some rather distasteful thinking again.

Maybe I should stop here, and give myself a little shower of humility.

Kiser Lake

Note: This was written the middle of October.

On the Activity Calendar for yesterday, was this notation:

“2:00 Fall Bus Ride to Look At Leaves.”

Been on the calendar for nearly a month - looking forward to the usual “fall outing” for residents of places like The Grand Court.

How does one calculate WHEN the “leaves” are at their “richest” in color - ahead of time?

Some past history in this particular place does help, it seems.

Depends on how far “north” or “south” one is, actually. As well as the amount of moisture in the tree trunks.

This is not some major weather calculation by me, but merely a “guess” as to when the leaves have “turned” just right.

It could be different from last year - again, depending on the moisture.

I’m not by any means an expert on this subject, but some years ago somebody set me straight on what causes the leaves to turn. I was told that, contrary to what I’ve always thought, cold weather is NOT the determining factor of the “changing color” of the leaves. It is, rather, the amount of moisture in the tree trunk/limbs there.

As the days get shorter, and the amount of growing weather abates, moisture and other nutrients to the trees declines, apparently. (Did you notice my “disclaimer” there? “Apparently”. Try to pin me down, will ya?)

Back to Kiser Lake.

When we started out, Karl, our sometimes bus driver didn’t tell us where we were going, but did ask for suggestions. Most said, “North”, thinking of “pretty trees”, no doubt.

No reply from Karl. He just kept driving until he arrived at Westville, west of Urbana on US 36. He turned left then, and I thought maybe he would be going as far as Saint Paris.

Arriving there, he kept going west, until SR 235. THEN I knew he was headed for Kiser Lake.

I don’t know what activities are still going on there. It’s been MANY years since I’ve been there, but it DID seem “empty”. Two months earlier would have provided some guests, I’ll bet.

We drove into the park, and Karl followed the winding road through there, with trees in various stages of “turning”.

We didn’t see many REAL pretty trees. Probably too early this year, apparently.

We went back in there farther than I have ever gone before, and I was surprised to see several private residences there.

Karl went as far as he could, then had to turn around and return to SR 235. Once, I thought we were going to be lost, but Karl “drove us out”.

Going south, then, past US 36, he took us to SR 41, then headed back toward Springfield.

One of our fellow residents had given me a twenty dollar bill to buy “one dollar sundaes” for all at McDonald’s. I passed it along to Karl, so he drove to the McDonald’s on Upper Valley Pike.

Timi had told him that the one nearest home was the best, but Karl was concerned about being gone too long, making the “early supper” riders too late to eat.

Karl and I went in to order 12 Sundaes, 4 each for chocolate, strawberry and caramel. The riders had given us their order before going in.

The clerk said there was no strawberry (a third of our crowd); the chocolate was fudge (another third); and no caramel (the final third.)

Karl and I felt rather compromised, so that, and the fact that we were so late, prompted us to go back to the bus, report on what we found, and asked if they’d just as leave we went on back home - “sundae-less”.

“Go home”, was the response.

Ice cream sundaes another time.

We did just barely make it back for the early eaters, so “all’s well that ends well”, as we used to say in Mechanicsburg.

Don’t give up on us, McDonald’s. We’ll be back!

You can count on it. (We still have Emil’s $20 to spend.)

Sunday Services

One of the duties of the Resident Council at The Grand Court is to take suggestions or complaints from residents, and investigate what should be done about them, from our point of view. If the comment seems to us to be pertinent, and worth considering, we discuss it, and take whatever action we think we should - mostly discussing it with Management.

A complaint or suggestion might be from, and/or about, just one resident, or about the group as a whole.

The Grand Court is committed to caring for each individual here in whatever way is practicable and possible.

For many of us, we are “shut-in” here, without any way to leave. If there are things we would like to do, or have done for us, we need to find some way to accomplish them.

At the first meeting of the newly organized (after the election) Council, someone mentioned that there are some residents who would like to go out to church, but have no transportation. Could we have a service here?

In past years - in fact when Jean and I were here the first time - our Grand Court Bus took residents to a different church each Sunday.

By the time I got back here last Spring, the bus no longer ran on Sunday. The trips had to stop, due to a lack of interest. They were down to just one resident each week, and it was hardly good stewardship to pay a Staff Member for at least a half-day, just to take one person to a Church Service.

Thus - “Could we have a service here?”

The Management here is very open to that, we are told. In fact, our Activities Director has already planned a letter to local churches, asking if any one (or more) of them could come in on, say, Sunday afternoons to provide a service.

One of our Council Members has a cousin who is a retired minister (whom I have known for maybe 40 years also), and the Member thought he could ask him to consider coming in.

He was able to finally contact him - at about the same time that I sent him an e-mail - to ask him to consider providing a service.

It turns out that, though officially “retired”, he still speaks every Sunday, at various venues, and could not commit to this.

Apparently, contacts have been made with others in the past, to no avail.

The new Council is going to try to get this going.

I sent a letter to my pastor about this, a copy of which follows - with some omissions to not identify the church:

One recent request by some Residents is for a weekly Church Service here.

The facility used to provide a bus ride to some local church when we were first here over 2 years ago, but declining riders (maybe only one a week), made its continuance unfeasible.

Enter this group of Council Members.

Though the Facility cannot pay for a service here, they seem to not object to it, if it's essentially run by the Resident Council.

At our last meeting, we felt that Sunday afternoon would be the best time - both as convenient to the residents, and to any church group that would come in.

Now, my reason for writing to you (as if you didn't already realize):

1. Is there presently any group at our church that would or could provide an hour long service - including music - or shorter, if message only, as an extension of the church?

2. Or, is there an individual who would be interested in doing this, as an extension of the church?

3. Or, is there a Sunday School class, or youth group, that would be interested in the same thing?

4. Or, anything else you can think of - as an extension of the Church?

5. Or, does this fit in with one of the Assistant Pastors' opportunities at our Church?

6. Or, would one of the above 1 to 5 options fit on an irregular basis - say with another or two churches?

I can't promise what the attendance would be, but a quality teaching and worship service could be possibly well attended.

My pastor, by the way, responded right away and said they are already doing two of these each week, and are unable to add another at this time.

For a couple weeks, no one else responded, then, last Monday, Rev. Marv Wiseman, Pastor of the Grace Bible Church, agreed to see what he could to.

Praise the Lord!

Let’s see what transpires.

A week later:

Rev. Wiseman has now graciously agreed to a three month trial of this, for January thru March. Praise the Lord!

His question to Timi about song books (since we presently have only 6 or 7) was answered by a mimeograph machine (or, probably a computer) at the church, with the songs available each week.

I’m not a shut-in, PTL, and I have a car that takes me to my church every Sunday, but I plan to participate in this service to The Grand Court, provided by Grace Bible Church, every Sunday I can.

I have previously mentioned the Bible Study offered here each Tuesday night by a layman, with as much actual Bible knowledge as anyone I know.

He’ll say, “Over in (Book) in about, verse (number), you’ll find – ”, and he goes right to the verse, knowing where it is on the page, the reads it. Of course, it is the right one that he was looking for.

Sometimes he wanders a little off the specific passage we are currently studying – maybe relating a personal experience – but “he ties it all in”!

We sing Gospel Songs also at the beginning, with him accompanying on the guitar. The whole time is very enjoyable, and mostly enlightening.

Our task now, is to do the right thing in encouraging our shut-in residents to attend the Sunday meetings.

Knowing of Rev. Wiseman’s teaching, I can assure anyone that these services will be spiritually enlightening as well.

Thank the Lord for the victory in this project!

Inspiration Anyone?

I don't mean, "Do you want some inspiration?"

I mean, "Have you got any you can spare?"

You may have noticed that it has been nearly a week since I've posted on this blog.

I've never been "dry" that long before, I don't think.

Ohhhhhh.....maybe one time 10 or 11 months ago, when I couldn't post anything, so I got up at 2 AM, lamenting that I didn't have anything to say. I went on and on lamenting, until I ended up with a "medium sized" posting, called, "Musings of s Story Teller Wannabe."

If you're a "regular" reader and/or devotee of these postings, you know that I don't just pick a story subject or title "out of the air". It has to "Hit me" - so I just have to sit down and type on this infernal computer.

Like this:



What "hit me" today, was the fact that I haven't posted for so long, most folk will have given up on me.

Don't do that!

I've already got a couple "ideas" floating around in my head, and if we're not careful, they'll show up here.

Pray me some inspiration would you, please?

Journey To Bethlehem

I’m writing this the morning after this experience provided by the Hillside Church of God in Springfield, presented at the Church of God Campgrounds, just west of the Springfield City Limits.

Let me back up, a little.

Last Thursday night I got sick with the flu, and stayed in bed until Saturday morning at breakfast. Not too peppy even then, but I went down to eat anyway. Seemed OK, but shortly after breakfast, I realized that the remnants of the flu remained - tiredness, weakness, a little queasy etc. - so I lay back down again to rest. I didn’t make my bed, I just rested on top.

At lunch time on Saturday, it seemed like I would be feeling OK, but half-way through, I just thought I would feel better lying in my bed. Didn’t eat much.

I hacked at this computer a little, but then it seemed like I would feel better lying on top of my bed - so I did.

At about 1:55 PM, there was a loud knock on my door, and when I said, “Come in”, Timi opened the door slightly and said, “Are you comin’ down? We’re about ready to start!” I said, “I can’t decide”.

She was talking about a pre-school singing group from First Christian Church that was here to “entertain” us.

I thought, “I can’t miss those kids”, so I climbed out of bed and went out the door. I could hear her next door, routing out my next door neighbor to go also.

Walking down the hall toward the Dining Room, I could hear Timi and her other “culprit” walking behind me.

When I got there, I saw that the chairs were all lined up in 3 rows, with another to be added.

I sat in the present back row, among my fellow Grand Court Residents. When I arrived, David came over and asked if he could sit beside me. He does this a lot, and, of course, I don’t object.

The pre-schoolers sang their songs for us, then asked us to join them in singing well-known Christmas Carols.

After each of their selections, they received a nice round of applause from us residents.

When they sang the carols - asking us to join them - I started singing some, though my voice had not returned to its normal timbre. I couldn’t reach the high notes very well.

This was confirmed shortly, when David moved one seat away from me. I, and another senior citizen near by started to laugh - both of us knowing that David wasn’t enjoying my singing. Shortly, I stopped singing, and David returned next to me. Need I have more confirmation of his feeling about my singing that day?

When the singers were finished, Timi provided sugar cookies for them, and they passed out to us, candy canes with a description of the cane, and the letter “J”.

I went back to my room, and “sacked out” for a little.

For some reason, I returned to the Dining Room, and found Jessica Nissley leading the residents in group singing - and an occasional special number by her.

I was encouraged to “sit-in”, and the granddaughter of Marjorie tried to get me to go up front and sing. When David had moved away from me earlier, she encouraged me to sing more.

More singing by the group and by Jessica, then I was asked to go up front to sing. I said that no one means as much to as Jesus, and then sang “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus“ (as many of the words as I could remember)

With further encouragement, I then sang the solo I first sang 70 years ago in Church, “O Rest In The Lord”. Surprisingly, after all these years, I still remembered nearly every word.

By then, I thought I had shown off enough, so I returned to my room.

The next day was Sunday, and I got up and went to church.

That night, the Hillside Avenue Church of God put on a spectacular presentation of a “Journey to Bethlehem”, at the Church of God Campgrounds just west of the Springfield City Limits.

Jodi had called me the previous evening, asking if I would like to join her and Rylan for this presentation. Assuming I would feel OK, I agreed.

I’m surely glad I did!

This dramatic play - spread out over an acre of ground, with hundreds of realistic scenes from Bible times, and maybe that many individuals particitating.

In the dining hall of one of the buildings, they separated us into about 6 groups - with about a dozen in each group - and were led out of that building to go on a “realistic” journey to Bethlehem, on the night of Jesus’ birth.

We were led by a supposed Jew from Hebron, coming to Bethlehem to pay taxes, as all citizens were required to do at that time. On the way, we met shepherds, Roman soldiers, and other pilgrims traveling that way.

Our leader explained each step of the journey, and at each stop, someone there explained what was going on.

Presently, loud music and singing voices echoed over the trees, and from an upper elevation, angels dressed in white and shrouded with light, announced the birth of the Christ Child, and sang “Glory To God in the Highest” for a Saviour has been born.

From there our travels carried us to an Inn without a vacancy; past several shop keepers - some of whom were happy about this announcement, while others were not. Roman Soldiers warned us not to believe all the rumors about this Birth.

We were “dragged” before a Tax Collector, and questioned seriously, with our guide being the one who paid and carried us through.

When we left there, more soldiers, and some peasants greeted us - with one opinion or another.

Soon, we were led further on, where we found a stable with a manger, and Joseph, Mary and Jesus were on display, while the Three Wisemen stood by, announcing their fealty to the Christ Child. They then told us they would NOT report to King Herod what they had seen and heard.

Leaving there, we traveled some distance toward a wooden cross that had obviously been recently occupied, and were met by the Pastor of the Church who explained what we had just experienced, and the message of the birth, death, and eventual resurrection of Jesus, and what that could mean to us if we receive Him as our Saviour.

Following this, we were directed a short distance to another building, where we received hot chocolate and cookies, since it was rather chilly. Then, a bus returned us to the other side of the campground to our cars.

A wonderful experience!

The Book Arrived!!

12/11/09

The first book arrived today, and Timi took some pictures of the event.

First, here's Carol Miller handing me the parcel, that was obviously the book.



Trying to get the "cussed parcel" open! Don't they know I'm excited?



Me, actually looking at the book for the first time:



Really, I'm acting like a kid with a new toy - or, more aptly, like a father viewing his newborn child - before anyone else did - except, of course, the publisher, or the mother, as the case may be.

I mentioned earlier that though the ISBN number won't work for a few weeks, the book may be bought - and 15 have already been bought - besides the 20 I bought for my friends at The Grand Court.

To buy a book from the Internet, type in "lulu.com", then click on "Buy". In the blank slot,type Mike Maddex, or Musings of a Story Teller Wannabe, then "follow your nose", with your credit or debit card ready.

Sometime next week after the 20 arrive, we are having a "book signing", or "autograph party", whichever you choose, where I will sell maybe 18 to Grand Court people at my Author's cost. I need to reserve 2 for Jessica Pikey, the Illustrator, and Timi Neff, the Photographer for the Author's Photo. Free to them, of course.

Thank the Lord for this experience. I pray that some of thse "musings" - even the funny and ridiculous ones - might bring a smile, or a serious thought to each one who reads.

To God Be The Glory, and in remembrance of my 65 delightful years of marriage to Jean.

Book Published

Finally!!!!!

The book is finished!

Not only that, but it is PUBLISHED!

Twenty-one copies are on the way to me, in about a week. The “one” is the “free” one I got when I paid $369 to get it published. The “twenty” are the ones I bought to sell here.

They will be available for sale on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, et al, in 6 to 8 weeks, by using the ISBN Number: 978-0-557-19742-2. Other Bookstores may buy them also, by using this number. The book is listed for General Distribution. The title is: “Musings Of A Story Teller Wannabe”. The author is Mike Maddex.

See below how to order RIGHT NOW (some friends have already done so) directly from Lulu.com, my Publisher.

For those new to this blog, I need to explain that the 44 chapters in this book have been compiled, edited and condensed from previous postings here. If you’ve read all the postings from the beginning, I guess you wouldn’t need the book.

Although, our granddaughter Kelly, who suggested the book in the beginning, was going to compile the postings as an archive for the family. Now, part of that has been done by publishing this book.

Also for those new to the blog, I should mention that I posted my first entry here just over a year ago, maybe a month after my wife Jean of 65 years passed over into the presence of Jesus.

Our son John and his wife Tonya, with whom we had been living for a year and a half, suggested that writing on a blog might help me occupy my time and thinking, now that Jean had passed on.

It was all foreign to me, but John gave me the address to use:

mikemaddex.blogspot.com,

and set me out on my own. Now, a year later, I’ve posted over 130 of these “Musings” on this blog, and I don’t seem to have run down yet. Such is the life of a “blabbermouth”.

In one sense of the word, the book is “autobiographical” - that is it’s about myself - what I’ve felt; what I’ve experienced; and how I’ve reacted to outside forces.

There are 3 chapters about my Christian Radio experiences; 4 about my 12 years of Elementary and High School attendance; two chapters on Cell Phones; some family happenings; etc.

I just got the word that though I will receive my free copy in a couple of days; the 20 I ordered, by next week; but it will be 6 to 8 weeks before it will be available by ISBN at book stores.

HOWEVER, contacting my source at Lulu Publishing indicated that the book may be purchased RIGHT NOW on www.Lulu.com, by listing either the title - “Musings Of A Story Teller Wannabe”, or by my name “Mike Maddex”. They say 27 books have been sold already. (20 of them to me).

I’ve talked to some who have bought it off lulu.com, and they say it is “very very easy” to do.

I think I’ll post this right away, so my friends may know how to get it before even the ISBN works.

Rylan's Thanksgiving

Jodi’s son Rylan attends the local YMCA “pre-school” program, while Jodi is working at Comfort Keepers.

She leaves him there each week day morning at about 7:15, and then goes to whatever client she is helping that day. Her help is NOT medical, but just about every other help that an elderly person might need. She regularly has 3 to 4 clients a week that she helps.

On the Friday before Thanksgiving, Rylan’s “school” had a Thanksgiving observation and meal. Each parent brought or sent a “covered dish”, for all to enjoy. They were invited to join with their child in the meal and celebration.

When Jodi found out about the occasion, she checked her schedule and found that she had to be with a client that day, past the time of the meal. Since she didn’t want Rylan to be there without another family member present, she asked me if I would like to be there, for Rylan.

Of course, I said “Yes”!

Fortunately, she prepared the dish - “cheesy potatoes” - that we enjoyed, along with the other “tasty” dishes others brought.

I arrived at the proper time, and Rylan was with the other children in the gym, with unorganized playing. He came right up to me and gave me a hug.

His friends followed, and more and more came, as they looked at my face, which had been damaged in my fall.

My nose was broken, and my forehead and the bridge of my nose were swollen. Both of my eyes were “black”, and the kids were “enthralled” with this “freak”.



(Any wonder?)

Nobody said anything, including Rylan, but there were plenty of them paying attention to me - especially the black eyes.

Finally, it was time to go to the next room where the meal was to be served. There were 6 or 7 tables laid out, and the food deposited on a shelf at the side of the room.

When came time to eat, one of the leaders had a child lead us all in a prayer of thanksgiving for the food (God is great, God is good, etc.)

The line formed on the left, and Rylan and I followed other children and their parents through the line.

As is the case with all “carry-in” meals, the food was outstanding.

We sat at a table with two other children and their mothers.

The leaders began distributing some of the crafts the children had made. Here’s Rylan and the “turkey” he made.




The other mothers (and I) began taking “group” pictures. Here are a couple with Rylan and Friends.





When we were just about finished eating, Jodi arrived from her client’s house, and got some food herself.

Then we bid goodbye to Rylan’s “school”.

Rylan and I followed Jodi to their house (Rylan wanted to ride with me), and with Jodi joining us, we headed for the Library. Jodi had some DVD’s to return, and some others to pick up. They don’t have a TV that receives programs, so they watch DVD’s and Movies all the time.

Jodi needed to do some laundry, and I needed to get back home to complete planning for Monday’s Town Hall meeting, so I delivered them to their car, and returned to The Grand Court.

It’s nice to have family around. When we stayed at John and Tonya’s for about a year-and-a-half, we had around us: 2 children; 4 grandchildren; and 6 Great-grandchildren - all in the same small town.

And, on the regular Thanksgiving Day, Jodi, Rylan and I will be joining Jim and Joyce’s extended family for a get-together in Centerville.

Thank God for family!

Staff Christmas Gifts

A week or so ago, one of our advanced aged ladies (a widow), asked me who was going to handle the money for the Staff Christmas gifts from the Residents, now that Paul said he couldn’t do it any more.

This was all new to me, since I wasn’t here last Christmas, and, even when Jean and I WERE here for the two Christmases before that, this activity didn’t register with me.

I told her I didn’t know anything about it, bus she wouldn’t “let me off the hook”, as we used to say in Mechanicsburg.

“Go ask Timi about it”, she said. “Paul said she helped him.”

I tried to figure out how I got into this, but I suppose my being President of the Resident Council caused this lady to “put me in charge”, whether the Council wanted it or not.

I at least asked Paul about it, and he said he couldn’t do it any longer, and that I should see Timi for help. I told him I’d like to talk to him.

I rather “dropped the ball”, and yesterday, the first of December, Pauline (the lady who asked me about it before), collared me again and said, “Who’s going to handle the money?”

Christmas was almost here, and we should be “gathering” the money right away, so I didn’t have time to meet with the Council.

“Forget the Council!”, I said. “I’ll do it personally.”

So, I took Pauline’s and Paul’s advice and asked Timi for the help she had given to Paul.

“That’s not a staff function. You’ll have to do it. I’ll provide a can for you to place in the Dining Room, but you’ll have to keep tab on it. Leave it there all day, but take it to your room at night.”

Right!

“And, write a letter to all the residents about it, and I’ll make enough copies for you to distribute .”(65 or 70, I think).

I went back to my apartment and wrote out a letter, in bold “Calligraphy” type (for Christmas, don’t you know), signed it, and showed it to Timi.

“Good”, she said, “But change the type. They won’t be able to read it.”

“How about ‘Times New Roman’ or ‘Arial’”.

“Try Arial”, she said.

“Bold?”, I replied.

“No, just plain.”

I went back “to the drawing board”, as we sometimes say, changed the type to Arial plain, returned it to Timi, and went to Physical Therapy.

When I came out of the PT room maybe an hour later, I met Timi coming down the hall and she handed me 60 or 70 of those letters.

“What do I do with these?”, I said. (Thinking they would just go in her usual “distribution center”.)

“Just take them around to all the rooms, putting them in their ‘in-basket’. Or, one of the ladies who distributes the other flyers for me would do it, if you don’t want to.”

“Oh no! They have enough to do. I’ll distribute them.”

Isn’t it interesting how these things develop? That’s what I get for “being retired”, as I often say. “It gives me something to do”. (Where have I heard that before?)

Since my back was a little tired from the PT, I sat down in the hall and rested a little.

Shortly, I began distributing them to all 6 of the halls, stopping to rest my back at the end of each.

After finishing the distribution, I kinda felt good, like I had done something worthwhile.

The Staff will get some Christmas money because of this.

Town Hall II

The second Town Hall I am in charge of is similar to the first one.

We’ll have a Mystery Resident and interview; report from the Executive Director; reports from each of the six department heads; a “Whole House” survey of the residents’ desires for the TV news program offered during breakfast; special prize for the winner of the “drawing”; and whatever else the residents want to discuss.

Since this is the last Town Hall meeting before Christmas, we will have an assortment of Christmas Carols playing during the hour prior to the meeting.

One of the features of the Town Hall is a drawing from those attending, with the winner being taken out to eat by our Executive Director. In my memo to several, I asked “Any volunteers?” The ED, at the time of that memo, had not committed yet. She did later.

In the meantime, this morning a few hours before the meeting, Judy Falloon, the Marketing Director of The Grand Court, prepared a gift package and sack and presented it.

Before that, the ED had said she would again provide an “eating outing” to the drawing winner. I couldn’t turn that down either.

So, I told Judy about the ED commitment, and asked her for a suggestion for a question to ask the Residents - the one first correctly answering would get Judy’s gift.

She said, “How about asking ‘What company owns the Grand Court?’”

The answer, of course, is “Brookdale Senior Living”. We’ll see how many can come up with that answer.

(The preceding was written prior to the actual meeting.)

After the meeting:

Praise the Lord!

What happened today at Town Hall was the best thing, in my opinion, that has happened here since I arrived the end of February.

Each of the residents here has a “pendant” around our necks that provides a means of getting emergency help if we fall, or have a major disability when we are alone.

If we are anywhere within this facility, pressing the “button”, sends our name to one of the nurses or aides, so they can come to our relief. They do so right away.

A BIG problem revealed in this emphasis on the “button”, is that MOST of the residents take off the pendant - either before retiring, or while in the shower - or both.

SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!

Pendants are water proof, and should be worn AT ALL TIMES.

At our Town Hall a month ago, I made a strong case for keeping them on by reporting that I have NEVER removed my pendant at any time in the nine months I have lived here.

After our asking the facility to re-emphasize the monthly test of the pendants, they tested every one right here during the Town Hall - today.

Mine was the first.

What we found out was that maybe 40% of them WERE NOT WEARING THEM today. It took a very short time to test those that were present.

“I went to the grocery, but took it off before I left, and forgot to put it back on when I returned.”

I said, “You should NEVER take it off. The very reason being what you’ve just illustrated, YOU FORGET TO PUT IT BACK ON”!

One of them reached for his pendant around his neck, but couldn’t find it.

“I know it works, though”, he said

“I always take mine off before entering the shower. I don’t want to damage it”, another said.

“It’s waterproof!”, I said.

“One time, mine reported a problem when there was none. I must have inadvertently pushed it.”

It seems to me that an occasional “false alarm”, when one is inadvertently pushed is a small inconvenience for the advantage of having the protection. And, after all, the “inconvenience” is to the Aide, not to us.

There were a couple of people who didn’t even have one. Apparently, if you are on “Independent Living”, as I am, you’re not required to have one.

They only cost $10 per month!

“Ok”, I said. “I’m 85 years old. Supposing I’m in my apartment, away from either the living room alarm, or the bath room one. I have a stroke, fall to the floor and am unable to even crawl to the alarm on the wall. My pendant is lying on the bed, across the room. I can’t reach it.

“What will happen to me IF I don’t have my pendant to push?”

“You’ll die!”, several said.

“Exactly!!”, I reply.

“I am unwilling to take that chance!”

An additional two or three times during the meeting I asked,

“What should I do with my pendant tonight before retiring, or before getting in the shower in the morning?”

Those who DID answer, said,

“Leave it on!”

It was also announced that the “in-room” emergency buttons will continue to be checked monthly, as well.

Successful emphasis, in my opinion.

We had another Mystery Resident today. It was an advanced aged mother of 9, whose husband had died between the time Jean and I were here in 2007 and now.

I said,

“Give me all nine names real quick”.

She started out fast, but slowed down at about number 7, but finally finished it.

I presented her a K-Mart gift subscription worth $10, provided by one of the Resident Council members, as we did last month.

The Executive Director gave a report, and introduced a new staff member, who is the new Health and Wellness Director. She announced that there will now be a nurse on the job until 11 PM. Previously, it had been Aides after 8 PM, until 6AM the next day.

I announced “no response” to our letter to 21 churches, asking them to consider providing a Sunday afternoon Worship Service here for the residents who cannot get out. Only my pastor responded, indicating that they are already doing this in two places, and could not come here at this time.

(Later note: One pastor called after this meeting, indicating that he would try this out, to see what interest there is.)

Praise the Lord!

Our survey about the TV news program in the Dining Room during breakfast, was a “bust”, in my opinion.

The survey was as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Residents,

There have been some complaints about airing the Fox News TV program during breakfast. Others WANT Fox. Since we desire to listen to the wishes of the Residents, we have prepared this Survey.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only one response per resident is permitted:

CIRCLE one:

1. Do you come to breakfast fairly regularly? Yes No

2. Are you interested in the TV News during breakfast? Yes No

3. If you ARE interested, which channel would you prefer?

CNN? Early Show (CBS)? Fox and Friends?

Good Morning America (ABC)? Today Show(NBC)?

Other_________________________ Turn it off?

Thank you,

Resident Council

Pleased return completed form to a Resident Council Member.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I say it was a “bust”, because we got 14 responses, with 7 saying they don’t care; 4 wanted CNN; and 3 Fox News.

Hardly a landslide.

There are still others to vote, who were not at the meeting, but it’s doubtful to me if we get a definitive answer. Management will have to decide somehow.

(Later - We ended up with 7 for CNN, and 7 for FOX. Alternate months? Management will decide. All the others didn't care.)

We had 28 residents total attending, and though not as many as we would want, it is an improvement over the past several months.

Thank the Lord!

Veterans Day

The Grand Court Ceremony, honoring the 15 Residents here who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces, was one of distinction and patriotism.



It included appearances, and presentations by:

Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly for Welcoming Remarks
“Taps”, played by Judge Richard Carey
A 21 Gun Salute by American Legion Post 286
American Legion Chaplain for Invocation and Benediction
R.O.T.C. from Springfield High School to lower, then raise a flag
American Legion leading in the Pledge of Allegiance
Zach Hoppes to sing The National Anthem and God Bless America
Presentation of a retired flag to the oldest veteran, Emil Spivla
Flag to Paul Bartruss, the oldest Army veteran
Flag to Mike Maddex, the oldest Air Force veteran
Flag to Paul Kuss, the oldest Navy veteran

All of this, including framed pictures of the veterans by Timi Neff.

I’ve guessed the crowd to be over 100, including Residents and Visitors.

Patriotic music was played during the preceding half-hour

This “Tribute” by Joanna Fuchs was printed on the back page of the program:

When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.

They left their friends and family;
They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife.

They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars.

Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought.

We salute each and every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave.

So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.

Sheriff Kelly in Welcome:




Judge Richard Carey playing Taps:




Twenty-One Gun Salute:





Mike receiving flag flown from Camp Pendleton CA:




Some of our veterans:




National Anthem by Zach Hoppes:



Retiring the flag:



The weather was a little chilly, but after all, it was November 11. What would one expect.

Clark County Commission President, Roger Tackett - a paraplegic, wounded in Vietnam - was scheduled to give the welcome and opening remarks, but illness prohibited it. Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly took his place.

Much of the ceremony was very solemn and respectful. Memories of those fallen were very real.

This was just one of the many community oriented occasions observed by The Grand Court, planned and presented by Timi Neff, Lifestyles Program Director here.

New Book

All right!

I suppose it eventually came to this - though I CERTAINLY didn’t foresee it happening!

I’ve “written a book”.

Well….. what I’ve actually done is to edit 44 of these postings (at the suggestion of some of my family and friends), and publish them in a book.

It’s called “Musings of a Story Teller Wannabe”.

Catchy, huh?

“How did you find a Publisher that thought enough of the book to ‘go for it’, Mike.”

I didn’t.

I am publishing it myself.

Cost me $369 for just one book. But, that means that any number of these books may be ordered, then bought, in a timely manner - for a “going” price.

IF there are any royalties at all (at a dollar a book), they will be used to offset the original cost that I am “laying out”.

I have to give our son John the credit for finding me a “self-publisher” to do this. It’s on the Internet. I just send them the finished “manuscript” (Ooooh! That sounds so ‘chic’, doesn’t it?), and they “put it all together”.

It’s going to be on Amazon Books, and Barnes and Noble, as well as being available at other national bookstores - on the Internet. I have an ISBN number.

A week later:

I’ve hit a “snag” on publishing this “book”. The Word Processor on which I wrote it is different from the one the “Publisher” uses, and I’m having difficulty getting the right print type; paragraph indenting; page numbering; title page; table of contents; author’s picture; etc. done right.

It grieves me that I have lost a week to this dilemma, but my habit is that if I don’t feel secure in taking the next step in any venture, I “mind the checks” - that is: SLOW DOWN! I pray a lot, looking for some answers, but right now I’m stuck.

Who knows what will be in this next paragraph, AND, when the paragraph will be written.

Of course, procrastination could be involved, I suppose. But I feel a little tentative about the whole project anyway, and until I can “still” the “butterflies” in my stomach, I might wait for Guidance.

Still another week later:

John said he could “convert” my file to one the publisher could use, if I e-mailed my file to him.

I’ve done that, but now, he asks me if I can send him another file as an “attachment” that he can use. I don’t know what that is.

I’m waiting to talk to him, to see what I can do.

Yet another week:

I was talking to John about the book, and I asked him just how I could send him the file, instead of just the written word.

He explained it to me, and within the hour, I had sent him the file, and less time later than that, he sent back two different files they can use.

So, this morning, I e-mailed my contact person there, and she explained how I could get into my file, send them $369 from my debit card, and get on the way.

I did that, then I shortly received three e-mails as a receipt, plus further instructions on what to do.

One of the things just mentioned is that, in addition to the author’s picture on the back of the book (Timi Neff took some shots for that), I need a sketch, or illustration for the front of the book, ostensibly providing a drawing description of the title.

I discovered that one of the night Aides here named Jessica Pikey, does sketches, so I gave her a sample picture of me at the computer, and asked her to draw something like that, or another view altogether, that would depict “Musings of a Storyteller Wannabe”, the title of the book.

Again, I can say, “I’m on my way!”

I don’t know yet how to get the photo on the back cover; the sketch on the front; and up to 10 or 12 photos inside the book, in 300 dpi.

Somebody will surely help me - I think.

If this all comes about, as dumb as I am about it, don’t tell me there are not miracles!

Yet another week later:

In the receipt and letter I got back, it indicated a new name to contact. I’ve done so, with some difficulty, since the e-mail has to have a reference number, something like this, the example they used:

[ ref:00A00bA0.00000AbA0:ref ]

I sent 4 or 5 e-mails with some version of this. One time I used the wrong brackets, and another, the right one at the beginning, but wrong one at end.

I just now sent another, that DIDN’T return because of an improper subject. I followed up with two more, just a little different, and finally, it was accepted.

I’m anything right now, since I am thoroughly confused. Hopefully, the next paragraph will be better.

Next day:

I’ve heard back with further instructions. I’ll TRY to follow them!

Next day:

I’ve JUST NOW (11:20 AM, November 13, 2009) sent the “manuscript”. Whether I did it right or not, I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll hear.

Later that day, I “uploaded” 13 pictures - including the sketch for the front cover, and Author Photo for the back.

Horrors!

They came back, indicating that the files were too long. I had included 6 photos in each file.

Did it over again, 3 photos in four files, and 4 in another.

They didn’t come back.

My representative there said she had sent my manuscript to the formatting department, and that I would hear from them when that was finished.

Wow!

Who said “writing a book” was simple?

I hope you’ll forgive me for this Biblical reference, but I just couldn’t help thinking about the “travail” of “preparing” the book, then the joy of having it published, as it relates to this passage in John 16:21:

“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the angush, for that a man is born into the world”.

After the book is once in my hands, I’m sure I will NOT remember this “travail” I am now going through - with the book.

Since it will be several weeks, probably, until the project is finished, I think I’d better post this now. If there are “dramatic developments” in the project later, I’ll probably post them as well.

Whew!

“Brethren, pray for us!”

Oh………..she just said I uploaded the 13 pictures “perfectly”.

Will wonders never cease?

Next comes the “Table of Contents”. That is, the list at the front of the book indicating what page each chapter starts on - all 44 of them. Can’t do that, though, until the “formatting” department finishes with it, numbering the pages.

Complex, huh?

That’s what I’ve been thinking ever since I started this project.

Time to post this thing. More on “the book” will come later.

Author photo on back cover:

Antique Mall

This Bus Trip was announced over a month ago. Didn’t interest me, and I didn’t care where it was. Nonchalant, I guess.

However, today, I heard which one it was to be - the second one north of the Clark County Fairgrounds - and I thought I should go. I remembered this as a “genuine” Antique Mall.

At lunch time, I signed up, and at just before 2 PM, I joined 5 others and climbed on the bus. There were 3 walkers, and one large wheel chair with us.

As is regular with me, I helped put on and take off 3 hand walkers, and one large wheel chair, with a rider in it.

Our bus has an electric lift at the right rear, which drops a “table” right to the ground, and the walkers/chairs are just wheeled right on. Inside, we line them up, and on some occasions, strap them in. Don’t want them to “wander around” behind the back seat.

Today, though there weren’t as many passengers total going, that’s the most chairs/walkers I’ve seen go. The space behind the seats was full.

The entrance to the Mall is just across the road from the Clark County Fairgrounds, and though it appears both of them are reached by the same entrance, not so was the case.

Actually, I had been there right after it opened some 15 years ago, but I hadn’t remembered the two entrances.

Timi was a little uncertain how to get in to the second one, and of course, “old-know-it-all” me, told her to go right in the first entrance, since I thought I knew so much.

Even after we came to the front of the first one, with no clear way to get to the second one, I insisted that you could just drive right around the first one, and get there.

Several, including our bus driver Timi, were reticent about it, but my insistence brought us behind the first one, with no way to get out but “back around”.

Chagrin!

We then drove back out of that drive, looked eastward, and lo and behold, the sign for the right one became visible.

“There it is”, someone said.

“Boy, Mike. Sure was good we listened to you, wasn’t it?”, said Timi. I think others sarcastically thought the same.

We got into the Mall, and comparing its present antiques with those when I was first there, was like “day and night”!

There were, I think, eight LONG rows of displays - one on either side of the aisle, by hundreds of dealers, each of them in their own spot. One complete row was filled with glass cases of jewelry, for maybe 40 or 50 yards. No dealers present, however. Just 3 or 4 workers.

We broke up into three groups. David and I took a different row than the others, and after we went clear down the first row we traveled, then back up another, we met 3 of our gang coming our way.

David is a “baseball enthusiast”, especially the Cincinnati Reds.

We came upon a “booth” that held a “pristine” copy of a Cincinnati Reds Program, with Mario Soto’s picture on the front. It was nicely wrapped in plastic, and was for sale for $7.50.

David picked up that program four or five times, trying to decide whether to buy it or not. He was really tempted, and I encouraged him in that, suggesting that this might be something he would like to have. He assured me that he had brought along enough money to buy it, but he had “mixed emotions”.

I checked to see what booth it was in, in case he decided, after going to the cashier, that he wanted to go back and get it. It was in booth 25. He looked in his billfold again, but started back toward the front of the building, without the program.

Even when we went out into the “lobby”, I suppose you could call it, where I sat on a sofa to rest my back, he was still contemplating it. I kept asking him if he wanted to change his mind, but no. The temptation went away.

He was smart, though. He gave it “full” consideration.

After resting a bit, I went back to the “counter”, and since this was an Antique place, I remembered an old RCA Victor record I used to play on my Dad and Mother’s Victrola in the twenties/thirties.

There were two of them I played all the time, but the main one was titled “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, and it was sub-titled, “The Station Master‘s Story”. It was a recitation, given by the man who wrote the story. It has always fascinated me.

To add to the fascination, my dad had listened to the recitation, wrote it down, and memorized it, giving it in public several times - mostly at Men’s Meetings.

I never lost the fascination for that reading, and have tried several times down through the years to find it - at least a written version of it - to no avail.

So, I went up to the counter to ask the attendant if there were any chance the Mall might have a copy of it, or maybe someone would know about it.

She said, after asking a couple of her associates about it, “Let’s look for it on the Internet”.

I had done that, in a cursory way, with no “hits” at all.

But, she turned around and said it was in truth on a RCA Victor recording; was written by a man by the name of Ralph Bingham, and was recorded by him. (I later found out that he recorded it in 1916.)

Today, after bringing that information home with me yesterday, I went on the site called, “Encyclopedia Discography of Victor Recordings”, and found that reference to it.

The listing told when it was recorded, the number of the 12 inch vinyl assigned by RCA; and other info.

“How can I get at least a WRITTEN copy of that?”, I asked myself.

So far, at supper time the next day, no copy yet.

Hope to complete this after supper.

What is that old saying? “Supper waits for no man”, or something like that?

Be back.

7 PM

Still no more info on “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, but have some more to say about our bus trip yesterday.

After leaving the Mall to go get on the bus, everything seemed to progress normally. All three walkers had been placed on the “lift” by me, while Timi was in the bus “parking” them.

Diane in her wheel chair, was waiting to drive onto the ramp, so I moved away.

With all of us present looking back in our “minds’ eyes”, it appears to us that when I started to move out of her way, I snagged my foot on the lift, and DOWN I WENT!

Flat on my face, no hands involved! I remember my forehead smashing against the pavement, and I lay there a bit, stunned. Diane and Timi, the two available to see what happened, tried to get to me to help me up.

“Are you OK, Mike?”

Did I say I was stunned?

Timi rushed out of the bus with a handful of paper towels, smashing them against my nose (it was bleeding profusely), and I gradually sat up, hardly knowing what happened.

It was fast, was what it was.

I seemed to not hurt anyplace else, though my watch band had pulled apart, and my watch was on the ground. My glasses were intact, and and had to be taken off.

I finally got to my feet, maybe a little wobbly, and stepped onto the bus, paper towels “askitter”. I kept taking down the paper towel, but the blood just kept coming.

“Keep holding it, Mike!”

Diane got her wheel chair on the bus, and Timi started driving home. She called the Grand Court nurse on duty, to tell her we were on the way home with an “incident”.

“I’ll look at him when you get here”, the nurse said.

I kept my eyes closed and paper towel on the bridge of my nose all the way home.

We went in the front door right to the nurse.

She checked me out, cleaning the wound on the bridge of my nose and bandaging it, then everybody began discussing whether I should go to the ER.

“Call the Squad”, someone said.

“NO WAY”, said I.

“Better get looked at and tested. You might have a concussion”.

Several staff gathered round, and each one admonished me to consider letting the hospital check me out.

Finally Timi said, “Let’s call your son Jim, and ask him to take you to ER, if you won’t go by Squad”.

I gave her my phone after “voice dialing” Jim’s number. She told him what was going on and asked him if he’d like to take me to the ER.

“I’ll be there in 15 minutes”, Jim said.

The staff gave me some tissues, and some ice in a rubber glove, and we took off for the Emergency Room.

I told them all “If I’m still sitting in the ER at 10PM and not having been seen yet, you’ll hear from me”. (Past experience with Jean, working here,)

“You call when you know something”.

It turned out that the ER is not as busy as it used to be, or else they’re more efficient than they used to be.

We were ushered into a room fairly promptly, and a nurse “checked me in”. Temp, BP, age, etc. Oh……, and Insrance.

Then she “re-bandaged” the bridge of my nose, and shortly a doctor came in.

Asked questions, examined me, and said, “Since you’re taking Plavix, we’d better get a ‘CT Scan’, because it’s a ‘bleeder’”.

Got one, was told my brain looked intact, but that I have a broken nose.

“Nothing you can do for that, right?”, I said.

“Right. You’ll be out of here in no time.

Not quite, but better than it used to be.

Jim had called John and told him he was in the ER with the “Old Man”, then later reported the broken nose.

Jim took me home, and everyone “made over me” like I was their Dad. Sometimes, I think maybe I am.

The kitchen crew hadn’t gone home yet, so they gave me some Chicken Salad, and a large bag of ice. The salad was delicious, along with my Peanut Butter and Ritz, all washed down with my favorite Orange Gatorade.

Didn’t feel badly, really, but on principle, went to bed at about 8:15.

As I passed the Nurses’ Station going back to my room, Aide Tammy was there. She had taken a picture of me with my Blackberry a month or so ago to have at home, and I e-mailed it to her. On an impulse, I asked her to take another.

This one was on Monday night, the evening of the fall:



Tells it all, right?

Got along fine today. Will remove the “nose bandage” tomorrow.

Second day after:






Fourth day:




Felt fine today, but “black and blue eyes” are the vogue of the day, though no bandage.

My advice: Don’t argue with the concrete pavement. You’ll lose every time.

I haven’t yet given up on “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, though I see no promise of success yet.

Time will tell.

Next day!

Wonder of wonders, I found it!

A CD recording of it, actually, with some other old time stories.

I ordered it off the Internet, and should receive it in maybe 10 days.

Cost me under $20.

PTL!

Mercifully, that’s the end of THIS story!

Magic Show

It all started with this e-mail from our Grandson Jim - a professional “Magician” in Chicago:

Hey Grandpa,

I enjoy reading your blog about some of your adventures and activities at Grand Court. I was wondering if you guys would be interested in me performing.

Have you ever had a magician there? I wouldn’t charge anything (except maybe a meal).

I can come on a Sunday or Monday or Tuesday. It would be a lot of fun.

How many people are hard of hearing? Do they have a Microphone?

What do you think?

I can make it like a visit as well. My show lasts almost an hour.

Love Jim


My following e-mail to Timi, our Activities Director:

Timi,

My grandson, Jim Jr. lives in Chicago and is a professional magician.

He does table by table magic and offered to come for a visit, and while here do a free show for Grand Court. I'll buy his meal.

He says his show lasts nearly an hour.

Catch him at http://magitainment.com/

Let me know what you think.

Mike

Timi back:

Wow! How cool that would be. Let me know when he is available.

Then, I told Jim that Timi had accepted his invitation:

His response:

That’s great. How about November 8th or 9th.

Just to clarify this would be my stand up show that I do for special events or birthdays. I wouldn’t be doing table magic. Unless of course that’s what is preferred.

I look forward to our visit.

Jim

Here’s a shot of the flyer that was posted around the Grand Court, announcing his appearance.



To use an old Mechanicsburg phrase: The upshot of this was, that on Monday, Jim arrived, and before maybe 30 residents and staff, he gave us about an hour of prestidigitation.

Since I try to be honest and open on this blog, I have to say that I was more than a little nervous that, instead of driving down on Sunday as I would have, he waited until Monday morning to drive 300 miles, and get here before the 2:30 PM “show” time.

He arrived at 2 PM (after calling me an hour earlier to tell me he had just crossed into Ohio), and proceeded to dress in his “magic costume”, gather his “effects” together, and start the show.

Timi introduced him, and I then stood up beside him (he’s 7 or 8 inches taller than I), and re-introduced him as my twin brother.



He started out with a “silent” routine, involving a couple of “first rowers”, that most had trouble following, and then continued with some striking “illusions”, that “flabbergasted” us - saying, “How did he DO that?”

Heere's me, trying to get the "ringss" together. He could, but I couldn't.




He used several audience members as “props”, and performed several “tricky” tricks - more than one involving revealing cards silently picked out, and one time, turning a twenty dollar bill into a “folded-up” insert in an unopened (until later) kiwi fruit, with the donor’s initials still written on it.



“How did he DO that?”

Here's Timi, mouth agape while watching "her card" slowly rise out of the deck.



The audience was enthralled, as was I. Someone said later, “I’ll bet you taught him everything he knows.”

WRONG!

I knew nothing of what he did, though I had seen him do some card tricks several years ago.

He used to be rather shy - but far from that now. He carried himself well - as do other magician friends of his that I’ve seen.

One of the elderly (aren’t we all?) ladies in the second row, who participated in one of the card tricks, said to me the next morning at breakfast,

“I’ve never seen a magician as good as he is!”

He was good - and it was a joy to watch him work.

Afterward, knowing how he likes to eat, I said to him,

“How about dinner? Got a favorite place?”

I knew better than to ask that, because I KNEW - from past experiences with him here.

“How about ‘Golden Corral’?”

Right! The buffet place.

After eating (wonder of wonders, he ate a couple full plates more than I did), I asked him what he’d like to do.

So, knowing he likes movies, I suggested we might find one he’d like.

We went to the Chakeres Theatre on East Main Street, and saw the animated version of “Dickens Christmas Carol”. I had not seen such realistic animation before, and I was astonished at the realism of some of the scenes.

Enjoyable.

He hadn’t seen Jodi for several years (his cousin), so he asked about her. She had told me she wanted to be at his magic show, but she had to work.

I “texted” her, then called her, but no answer.

I knew she went to her dad’s sometimes, and, forgetting about Monday Night Football (THEY are die hard Steelers fans), I saw Jodi’s car there, and knocked on his door. He lives upstairs, so he didn’t hear my knock. She told me next day that they were watching the Steelers. Too enthralled to even hear her phone. I DO know she keeps it in her handbag, because I’ve seen her miss some calls in the car with me.

So, we headed for my apartment, and on the way, stopped at Speedway to fill up Jim’s car. Least I could do for his coming all the way down here for the show. I tried to give him some money, but he said he was going to work for his dad in electrical work the next day, and would be paid that night.

He fiiled up, and we went to my back parking lot.

When I was just ready to get out of the car, I looked at his gas gauge, and it registered half-full. I said,

“Hey! You didn’t fill up!”

“Yes I did”, he said.

While we watched, his gas gauge gradually dropped down to Empty.

What’s going on?

He started the car again, and the gas gauge went only half way up.

Turned it off, then looked under the car for spillage that he hadn’t noticed, since he did have that problem one time when the hose from the filling tube to the tank came off.

No gasoline on the ground.

What to do?

He decided he’d go ahead and drive to his dad’s, and see what happened.

He later called and said the gauge was working properly, and that he expects the tank full to take him home.

The next day, he worked for his dad, then headed for home. I talked to him in mid-afternoon, and he said it looks like he’d be able to get home.

He sent me a text at near midnight, saying, “Got home safely!”

Whew!

What a “two day” experience!

Bingo Back

What do you know about Bingo?

Probably a lot more than I do, I’ll bet.

“So, Mike, why do you think you can write a story about it, then?”

I don’t write “stories”.

I know nothing about how to write fiction.

I can only relate what I’ve felt. What I’ve experienced. What I’ve learned.

I learned a little about Bingo tonight.

It’s a game.

The way these people play it, it’s just “minor league” gambling.

But, let me tell you what one of the residents here at The Grand Court told me a couple weeks ago, when it looked like Bingo on Monday and Friday nights here would be over.

He said,

“Mike. I look forward to each Monday and Friday night. It’s the only entertainment I have. I told my daughter that with no Bingo, I’d be bored.”

But, the “Bingo Caller”, an elderly guy (like me), who has been “calling” these Bingo games for several months - maybe years, as far as I know - told us a couple of months ago, that the stress of this operation was hard on his breathing. (He carries an oxygen tank, with the “tubes” in his nose, everywhere he goes. Even to meals.)

He gave notice at just about the time I was elected as President of the Resident Council here.

Right after our organizational meeting of the new Council, I was told by a management representative that the Facility could no longer operate the Bingo games, and that if they were to continue, the Resident Council would have to run it. It has to do with money. Not necessarily the “gambling” part of it, I don’t think. But just that they didn’t want to handle the Residents’ money, in any way.

Reminder:

The Resident Council exists in order to represent the Residents to Management. We’re their representatives, really. We speak for them. We try to arrange things for them.

But what about Bingo? I’m some expert on the game, right?

WRONG!

I don’t remember EVER playing a game of Bingo. It has NEVER interested me. I didn’t even know the rules. For example, how does one “buy” a Bingo card, then maybe win some money on it?

How does that work?

The time kept getting closer to the day he would “retire” from “calling” Bingo, but no replacement came to mind.

On the next to the last night Paul was to call, I showed up, and after the game, I asked to speak to those attending. There were maybe 7 or 8 there.

I announced that Paul had asked to be relieved of this job, and that the Bingo games had fallen into the hands of the Resident Council, and that so far, we could find no solution. The following Friday was to be the last.

Suggestions were made for a solution, and most had to do with asking several different people to alternate the “calling” job.

On the last day, during the afternoon, two or three said they would come to the game on Friday, to discuss their taking over the job.

The night came, and none of them showed up. Even one or two of them who PLAY Bingo didn’t come that night.

The reticence seemed to come from not only the “calling”, but handling the money, and taking care of the equipment.

Since, as I related earlier, I knew nothing about the game, I decided I’d better learn a little.

I logged on to a Bingo site on the Internet, and after discussing with Paul the procedures he had followed, I listed these rules about the game, along with a suggested “requirements” for a caller:

BINGO RULES

Bingo is played in halls. Bingo rules and payouts and play variations vary from place to place. Bingo brochures detailing particular games, rules and payouts are usually available at each respective location.

Basically, players buy cards with numbers on them in a 5 x 5 grid corresponding to the five letters in the word B-I-N-G-O. Numbers such as B-2 or 0-68 are then drawn at random (out of a possible 75 in American Bingo, and 90 in British and Australian Bingo) until one player completes a 'Bingo' pattern, such as a line with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their cards and wins the prize.

A bingo Card contains 24 numbered spaces and one free space (blank), with which you play BINGO. The numbers are assigned at random on each card and are arranged in five columns of five numbers each by five rows (5 x 5 = 25 in total including the blank square).

The numbers in the B column are between 1 and 15, in the I column between 16 and 30, in the N column (containing four numbers and the free space) between 31 and 45, in the G column between 46 and 60, and in the O column between 61 and 75.

Bingo Caller Requirements

1. Like Bingo.
2. Able to speak in loud voice.
3. Have readily available $15.00 in cash for potential pay out.
4. Available every Monday and Friday nights, at 7:30 PM.
5. Set up card simulator and rotary wheel each evening.
6. Charge 50 cents per card.
7. Pay out $1.00 for 5 consecutive Bingo numbers, as called.
8. For final game of evening, play “whole card coverage” for Jackpot.
(Amount left in deposits that evening.)
9. Put away simulator and rotary wheel after each session.

Paul seemed to think it would be easy. Just get 3 guys and 3 ladies to alternate “calling”, so they wouldn’t have to be there more than once very 3 weeks or so.

Right!

Just get the three guys and three gals.

Right!

I found only one guy and one gal who would even talk about it, and even then, rather “nebulously”, without commitment.

I certinly wasn't interested in doing it!

After being unsuccessful, as well as being encouraged to solve the problem, Paul told me that some folk from the next door “senior” facility, “Villa Park”, came to play once in a while, and maybe someone there could help.

I said, “OK. I’ll go over there on Thursday and ask around". Wednesday was Veterans Day, and we were pretty busy around here.

On Thursday morning, right after Paul’s breakfast, when I arrived early at the Dining Hall to help set up Exercising, Paul said to me:

“I’ll call on Friday.”

I went right over to him and said,

“”Wait a minute! Did you say Friday? Or Fridays, plural?”

“I’ll do Fridays, but not Mondays.”

“Starting tomorrow night?”

“Sure.”

We had our exercising class, and right away, I told the Council members that I could find right then, as well as a Management Representative, that Bingo was Back, starting tomorrow night.

I then sent a memo to our Executive Director, as well as the other Resident Council members, and the reply of the “Boss” was typical, when she returned my e-mail saying:

That is GREAT!

Since Paul had said that I should get some of the people from next door to come, I made up a “flyer” that announced the return, and took 5 of them over there.

Then, I asked Timi if it would be OK for me to post a similar flyer here, and she said, effectively, “Go for it! Put them on the doors. You’ll need eight of them”.



I said, “Could we have a banner welcoming Paul back on the job?”

“I’ll make one”, she said.

At the Friday lunch, as well as the two evening seatings, I arose and announced that Bingo would return “tonight”, and that all are welcome.



Just before the evening meal, Timi and I hung up the banner over the large TV screen in the Dining Room. When Paul came to supper, he didn’t seem to notice it, until one of the Wait Staff pointed it out to him.

Couldn’t tell his reaction.

At about 7:15, my BlackBerry alarm went off, reminding me to get ready to welcome Paul back to Bingo.

He was already in the Dining Room, having not left since supper - his regular habit on “Bingo Night”.

When I arrived, the Bingo paraphernalia was already out and ready to go. Paul had told me that Dale helps him set up and tear down, and some residents had begun to filter in.

Shortly, two ladies from Villa Park arrived, and they and Paul greeted each other, as did another lady from Villa Road. She and Paul knew each other as well.

I told Paul that I would welcome the guests, and make a public appreciation gesture to Paul for his return. We all applauded just before 7:30.

As is usual for me, I gave the “count down” until 7:30, greeted everybody, and led them in applause of thanks for Paul.

I took a picture of Paul at his “rotary Bingo wheel”; one of the welcome sign; and one of part of the crowd.


In all, 14 showed up to play, more than the 7 or 8 I had seen on the two previous occasions.

After they started to play, I went around to all the doors and took down the BINGO BACK signs, and the welcome sign for Paul. As I started to leave, Paul said, “Wait a minute, let’s get a picture of me and the sign so I can show them to my son. He’ll think I’m important.”

We certainly do!

I handed Paul the three pictures just before the games ended.