UMass Concert and War Reenactors

UPDATE - September 30 - October 6

-- Return to Alma Mater - for Lily's Concert

Lily Wright

My niece Lily has enrolled as a Commonwealth Honors College student at UMass - Amherst, my alma mater, as a music performance major. She has trained all her young life on the flute, piccolo, and (while no one was watching) the piano. She turned down full scholarships at various schools, including Clark University, in order to attend UMass. This was unexpected but understandable. Lily is determined to do things her own way and she believes the instructors, the atmosphere, the challenge for her at UMass will meet her high standards. I know she will do well.

She graduated 2nd in her class at South High School in Worcester (Salutatorian) and it was one of the many events in her life that Patti and I attended. We have been to concerts at Mechanics Hall, recitals at private studios, etc. She has been committed to her music since a very young age. That she has succeeded so well is not surprising as I have observed her hard work and dedication over the years. This past week I had the opportunity to hear her perform, including a featured performance on the piccolo, at the Fine Arts Center at UMass - Amherst. By the way, as I listened to Lilly's featured performance on stage at the Fine Arts Center, I recalled that I had attended a concert about 40 years ago at the same facility where I heard Andre Previn conduct the London Symphony Orchestra. Just saying.

During my visit to UMass for the concert and after a bit of research I learned a lot more about the Commonwealth Honors College program. While the program has been around since 1999 in one form or another, the major growth for it came about five years ago when a $192 million capital project was completed providing housing for up to 1,500 students and a complete academic building compound designed to bring a "college" atmosphere to the program.

The concert was great and Lily's featured role on the piccolo was the second time I had heard her take control of a concert audience with such a small, delicate instrument. It really was remarkable. Can't wait for the next concert, which is early November. 

-- Collings Foundation War Reenactors Event 

Tanks approach and fire cannons

The allies storm the enemy positions

Patti and I have become fans of the Collings Foundation over the years as it allows us to learn more about antique automobiles, historical military aircraft, and the characters and personalities that make up some of the most interesting histories of our country and the world. This year we attended the WWII reenactment of "The Battle for the Airfield," on the weekend of October 6 & 7, 2018. In past years, although we have attended other events, we never were able to include this special event on our calendar. This year, we made it. This presentation involved over 300 re-enactors representing US forces, British forces, "enemy" forces and their support teams. 

The "show" takes place at the Collings Foundation facility in Hudson, MA. The "battle" proceeds in front of the thousands of visitors gathered on the hillside to one side of the "airfield." The enemy is dug in on one end and the "allies" approach with tanks, half-tracks, troop carriers and infantry. At a crucial point in the battle, the British special forces emerge on the flank from the woods and help overpower the enemy. The booming explosions made Patti jump time and time again. The smoke from the rifle fire, howitzers, and vehicle cannons filled the air with acrid smells that hung in the air long after the half-hour battle was over. It was indeed a spectacle. It was more than I expected from the re-enactors who were all wearing uniforms and equipment that they have collected on their own. 

 -- One Year Ago, Patti Took Flight over the "Battle for the Airfield" location

Patti after her own air show performance

This year's visit was all about visiting the reenactors in their tents and camps along the airfield and watching as the allies attempted to take the airfield from the enemy. But, last year, Patti took the opportunity to get some pilot training in the WW II fighter trainer at the Collings Foundation show. Her pilot was Robert Collings, Jr., the Director of the Foundation.

When she was 3,000 feet over the airfield she asked if he would take her on some barrel rolls and inverted flight. He agreed and then subsequently agreed to repeat the maneuvers. From the ground, we could see the aggressive flying and were hopeful that Patti would be okay. Later, she said it was no worse than a roller coaster. Imagine!.

Walter Cronkite
A Reporter's Life

Reading Update: In 1996, the iconic newsman, Walter Cronkite of CBS News, wrote a biography that is part history and part lecture on the decline of the legitimate news gathering in this country. Although written over 20 years ago, the observations he made in the book still stand in the glaring dum-down taking place in our country. 

"A Reporters Life," by Walter Cronkite should be mandatory reading for anyone who wants to understand how the integrity of the newsroom has sunk so low that talking heads on television are a national embarrassment. Cronkite takes the reader back to WW II, the post-war challenges and the episodes of the 50's, 60's, and 70's that mark the decades when news coverage began its slow, dark decline. 

Olive and Lucy Visit and Condo Needs New Management

UPDATE - September 23 - September 29

-- Time for New Management for our Condominium

Winter from our front porch

The President of our Condo Trustees visited with me on Monday to inform me that they were about to start a search for a new management company. The Trustees and the current management team had mutually agreed to make a change effective at the end of the year. Rachel indicated they would like me to help seek out the new company. I had participated in previous searches and had helped with other contracts that we entered into and maybe she knew I was retired now and might have some spare time. We'll see. I need to start some research on this.

Don't kid yourself on how important it is to have the right condo management company. When you get over 100 inches of snow and the plowing costs reach 30, 40, or $50,000 a season, it's important to have somebody looking out for our best interests. A recent let-down by the current company on repair and repainting contracts has led to the need for change.


-- If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium? (No, it must be Olive and Lucy)

Lucy as the illustrator

Olive as the Grandaughter

Olive and Lucy brought their mother Corinne today. Corinne is still on her maternity leave from work so she can get used to managing an eight-week-old and a four-year-old at the same time. On Tuesday's, we try to help. The weather was a little grim, so we engaged in a lot of indoor activities, which included drawing, painting, playing board games (not well) hide and seek, book reading and building castles out of pillows on the couch in the playroom. This was mostly Lucy's activities. Olive concentrated on nursing and soiling her diapers. When not nursing, Olive will take a bottle, which lets Nana Patti exercise her skills as a newborn baby expert. Thank goodness Lucy is potty trained. She's very low maintenance.

-- Planning for the trip to Washington DC

Next week, Patti and I will drive to Washington DC to participate in my bi-annual reunion with the men with which I served in the Air Force. We all took basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and then we trained as radio intercept operators at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. After seven months of training, most of us were assigned to USAF Security Services headquarters at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. After serving two years state-side we all got overseas assignments, which included Vietnam, Japan, and Turkey.

Of our group, only one stayed in the Air Force and made a career of it. The rest of us escaped after our four-year hitch was up. But, since then we have held a reunion every two years to keep in touch and reminisce about life in the Air Force. One of our guys, Dick Mason, has arranged for a private tour of Arlington Cemetary and the Cryptologic Museum in Annapolis Junction. These are two places I have never been to, although I have been to DC many times. I'm looking forward to this trip. I have confirmed our room at the Crowne Plaza so we are all set.

-- 16 Loose-leaf binders filled with history

Since mid-summer, I have been sorting and cataloging the news commentaries that my Dad wrote for the Evening Gazette from the mid-1960's through the 1970's. His wife Sue painstakingly assembled the clippings into binders over the years and I have been reviewing them to see if I can make a useful compilation worthy of printing.

It's not an easy task. But, reading the columns as I go along has been very interesting and entertaining. I hope I make some progress this fall.


Reading Update: Having been a news reporter in my own time and growing up in a family where broadcast news was a daily event, I have always been fascinated to read about the legends of television, radio, and print newsgathering. I just finished a biography by Bob Edwards called, "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism." The book tells about a time when "broadcasting live," actually meant something. Today, when a suspect is due in court later in the day for an arraignment, the "news" person sets up a camera at 5AM, outside the courthouse so they can claim "reporting on the scene." What rubbish.

When Murrow was reporting "on the scene," he was on the rooftops of London while Nazi bombers terrorized the city with nightly raids. That was "on the scene."

New Hampshire: The Vacation State, Wright Museum in Wolfeboro NH

UPDATE - September 16 - September 22

-- Vacation Time in New Hampshire Lakes Region - Lots of Fun

Patti at Bay Pointe Waterfront Deck

Since I was a small boy, visiting the Lakes Region of New Hampshire has always been an important part of my life. I went to Camp Pine Ridge in Rumney Depot; the family vacationed on Newfound Lake in those tiny, quaint cottages; and climbing the trails of the White Mountains was something my Dad and my brother did together often. Patti and I make it to New Hampshire at least once a year and frequently we make several visits. Even winter can be a draw for us in New Hampshire, although neither of us is a skier.


-- Mills Falls Marketplace

Innisfree Bookshop

On Sunday, we drove to Laconia where Patti's brother has a timeshare condo. We ventured around the lake the first day and spent some time at the Inn at Bay Pointe in Meredith. The patio deck on the water provided the perfect place for a light meal and some drinks. Across the street was the Mills Falls Marketplace, which has a great bookstore and a multitude of shops that we always enjoy visiting.

Among them was the Innisfree Bookshop. I always stop in and as you can imagine, I found some good buys on books. I bought Coal Wars by Richard Martin about the future of energy and the fate of the planet. He's making a case to shut down coal mining and I want to understand his argument. By the way, the book was only $4.98. The remainder rack is the safe place to find great books at low cost. Also, as there was a Ben and Jerry's shop in the Marketplace, featuring "Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz," Patti decided to have some for no better reason than, "Why not?"


-- The "Golf" Eagle Has Landed!

Actual Eagle Golf Ball

As of Monday, September 17, 2018, I have only had one Eagle on a golf course (and sadly, no hole-in-one efforts.) But, this was my lucky day. At the Lochmere Golf and Country Club in Tilton NH, just a chip shot to Lake Winnipesaukee, I got my second eagle. It was the tricky 310 yard 12th hole, which is a sharp dogleg to the left and up to a very high, invisible green. Patti and I were in a foursome that included two fellows that were matched up with us at the course. All four of us had placed our tee shots cleanly in the fairway at the foot of the rising green. You could barely see the top of the flag from where we all were standing. My shot was smooth and lofted nicely; I felt sure I was on the green. When we walked up the hill, everyone found their shots; except me. All four of us began looking to see if it rolled off the green behind, or to the side. Finally, with a bit of sarcasm, someone said, "Have you checked in the hole?" Well, of course not. So one of the fellows walked over, peered inside the cup and said, "It's in the hole!" My second shot had hit the green and rolled in for my second eagle. Even with the eagle, I still only shot a 91. It's getting tougher to break 90.

-- Air Show at Laconia Airport

P-51 Engine Repair

Supporting 2nd Amendment

The "Wings of Freedom Tour," featuring historic military aircraft, owned and operated by the Collings Foundation, made a three-day stop at the Laconia Airport. We visited on Tuesday and had fun crawling under and inside the wonderfully restored aircraft. I spent a lot of time in the B-24 Liberator. Previously, at other air shows, I had a chance to fly inside the B-17 Flying Fortress. It was well worth the cost to experience flying aboard such a fantastic aircraft. The P-51 was not out on the field, but rather, it was in the "barn," having the engine worked on by a team of engine specialists from the Roush Performance team. This is the same company that operates the Roush NASCAR racing team.

B-24 Liberator Cockpit

Patti Upstaging the B-24 Liberator

-- "Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant" 

No need for a menu

Every visit to New Hampshire includes a visit to Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant. It's on the Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith NH. We went to dinner with Patti's brother John, and all of us enjoyed our meals very much. I had the "small" turkey plate, which I could barely finish. I don't know how Johnny managed the "regular" turkey plate. It was enormous. Patti went for the Turkey Pie. Again, it's more than anyone can eat without leftovers.


Now, if you have someone in your party who doesn't want Turkey, the restaurant can accommodate everyone. Steak, Fish, and all the usual suspects are on hand as you can imagine. The other great feature here is the homemade pies and pastries. At the front counter, they have a shop where you can buy a wide variety of prepared foods so you can have the same experience at home as you have at the restaurant.

Don't be alarmed if you pull up and see buses; they have seating for over 400 people, so in all the years of visiting Hart's we have never had to wait to get a table. Bon Appetit.

-- Spectacular Golf at Owls Nest in NH

On Wednesday, we visited the Jack Nicklaus-designed facility at the Owls Nest Resort in Thornton NH, which is a really a spectacular location and golf course. I  shot a 92, which was not too bad given that I have never played the course before and some of the holes had surprises. But, I'm not complaining. Patti and I enjoyed the people, the course layout, and even the clubhouse was a treat. We had a nice meal and drinks after the game and it couldn't have been nicer.


-- Wright Museum of Wolfeboro NH


On Thursday we visited the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro NH. Although the museum has my name, we are not associated with it. A gentleman named Wright turned his personal collection of World War II memorabilia into a full-fledged museum over time and it has now become a very well-known and respected facility. Yankee Magazine selected it as the Best 20th Century History Museum in the state. That's high praise. Downtown Wolfeboro is a favorite spot of ours to visit as it has beautiful historic buildings, great restaurants, an outstanding bookshop, and great tourist attractions. What makes this museum a bit distinctive is that it devotes a large amount of its focus on the "homefront" aspects of the war. What was it like in small-town New Hampshire; what did the citizens have to endure; how did they respond to the international emergency here in their small communities? It was very well done in presenting the homefront part of the WW II story.

-- Patti and I Love Eating in places such as the Wolfes Tavern 

After our visit to the Wright Museum, we went to the Wolfes Tavern, a part of the Wolfeboro Inn. This is the kind of tavern we love; fireplaces, low ceilings, authentic wide board floors, and just the right blend of fun and pub-type food. Patti's brother John, went with the Sam Adams and fish sandwich. Patti had an exotic drink and the soup and half-sandwich, while I went with Johnnie Walker Red on the rocks and the Kielbasa sandwich. Leftovers were automatic. The pub atmosphere is enhanced by the mugs hanging from the ceiling. I had to duck my head a few times when moving around the room. I believe the mugs are tagged and the "owners" use them when they come in. Not sure how that meets health code in Wolfeboro; but, we're only visitors.


-- Strangest Tavern in New Hampshire - But, we liked it

Piano and Tapas Bar

By far, the strangest restaurant in New Hampshire is Tavern 27. If you know what tapas is, and you like it, this place takes it a bit further. The place is odd, the service staff are odd, the food is odd, but; again, we liked it. However, I would never recommend it to anyone as it's too odd for me to think that I want to own the recommendation. Does that make sense?

The 225-year-old building provides the atmosphere and the super subdued lighting adds to the ambiance. The menu is eclectic at a minimum and eccentric at maximum. We ordered various items and enjoyed them all. But, you really are on your own to decide if you want to try a place that warns you not to arrive early for your reservation as they have no waiting room, so you will have to stand outside until they can seat you. You have been warned.

Reading Update: Patti was so desperate to read Bob Woodward's book, Fear, that I had to place a pre-order online so that it would come directly to the house. I couldn't get a real bargain on it either (which is very important to me as I read about two books a week). So, I paid almost cover price; Yikes! Anyway, it arrived and she and I both read it right away.

It's a shameful thing that has happened to our country. But, reading Fear, Unhinged, and A Higher Loyalty over the past few weeks has convinced me that our country is in real trouble and it will take decades to dig out from this mess created by the moron in the White House.

Used Books, Cataloging, and High School Reunion

UPDATE - September 9 - September 15

-- More Books for Lucy

It used to be my weekly practice to visit the library every Thursday evening on my way home from work. The Book Cellar, in the basement of the Gale Public Library, is a treasure-trove of used books. Many of the books are from the library's collection, now being removed. Others are books donated by local citizens who want to contribute to the library. These donations offer a great opportunity for finding great used books. The prices at the bookstore run from 50 cents to two dollars. It's hard to beat that.

Some recent new titles for Lucy

Lately, I have been able to also visit on Tuesday, during the day, when the store is open from 2PM to 4PM. My more casual personal schedule makes this easier than hazarding the commuter traffic at the intersection of Route 122A and Rt 31 in downtown Holden. Not that this compares to Kelly Square in Worcester, but it is a source of certain backups from time to time.

Lucy has developed a "surprise" syndrome, part of which is our fault. She expects surprises when she visits, so it's always good to have a backup of "new" books for her. Many of the books are kept here although occasionally she asks if she can take some home for her Daddy to read to her. That's always a request we honor. The more she reads, here and at home, the happier we are for her.

-- Film Research Continues

I spent quite a lot of time continuing to scroll through the old 8mm movie film to see if I could find footage from my days in the Air Force. There was one section of footage where I could clearly identify a half dozen of my fellow airmen. The problem with the footage is that I can't tell exactly when it took place and where we were going. The C-130 was clear enough on the runway, but there is no destination footage to indicate if it was the Pentagon, the SAGE headquarters in Montana, or some other TDY location that we went to during that period. I will keep looking at film.

-- Cataloging Continues

-- My other working project is the cataloging of my Father's newspaper columns. I continue to look for a method to catalog them without overdoing it. No one is going to want to cross-reference them to any great degree. But, I am trying to find a way to select a group of them that I might compile into a publishable collection. I will keep working on it.

-- 50th High School Reunion on Saturday

Cake Makes is Offical: 50 Years

It was hard to believe that High School was 50 years ago. But, on Saturday, we held a class reunion at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA, which was well attended. Patti and I drove to Webster not quite sure what it would be like, but it turned out fine. Ray and Nia were there and so were a lot of old friends that I hadn't seen for a very long time. I spent a lot of time reintroducing myself to a lot of long-lost characters and I'm sure glad we got to go. I have come to realize that high school friends unless they have really stayed nearby, were really easy to lose touch with. The same can be said for the college and Air Force friends as well. We stayed in touch with so few as time went by that it's hard to find them now. With today's access to connected access such as social media, it will be much easier for the current generation to maintain contact in the years ahead.

Autographed 

Reading Update: More than once I have found autographed books for sale at the library. A recent find was the war memoir Inside the Battle of the Bulge, A Private Comes of Age, by Roscoe (Rocky) C. Blunt Jr. The book was written in 1994 over 50 years after Rocky endured the hardships of being a foot soldier during World War II. Rocky later became a well-known newspaper reporter for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. The copy I found had an inscription by Rocky, "To Charlie Hugo: Frozen feet in the Orient hurt as much as frozen feet in the ETO. Warmest regards always! Roscoe C. Blunt Jr. 16 Dec '94.

The book is relentlessly candid about his feelings, his behavior, and his evolving attitude about the war, himself, and life in general. There is a gritty detail to his daily interaction with fellow soldiers, enemy soldiers, and the army superiors that he had to deal with as he crossed France, into Belgium, and into Germany. I have discovered that he wrote other books so I will be on the lookout for those too. Based on incomplete research, Charlie Hugo could have been from Holden MA and passed away in 2005. Rocky passed away in 2011.

Visits, Golf, and Southern Hospitality

UPDATE - September 2 - September 8

-- Monday Was Labor Day - Good Day for Visiting

Baby Olive with Patti

Labor Day was a special day because we had our first visit from Baby Olive. Only weeks old, she was prepped and ready for travel. In anticipation of her first visit, we had installed the playpen so that changing her and letting her nap would be as comfortable here as at home. Naturally, there was a lot of opportunities to take pictures, which we certainly did.

Nana Patti enjoyed the privilege of feeding Baby Olive and assorted other tasks including diaper changes and the sort. For the most part,
I reduced my role, to taking pictures and entertaining Lucy to some degree so that she wouldn't feel left out from all the attention.

Lucy has been assuming the role of big sister in very enthusiastic ways. She frequently offers to hold the baby and to teach her to crawl. I believe Olive will appreciate the attention from big sister soon enough.


-- Golfing for Tee Up for Tots Charity

New Bike for Lucy

The annual fundraiser on behalf of the newborn intensive care unit at UMass Memorial hospital was held on Tuesday, September 4, this year at the Charter Oak Country Club in Hudson, Mass. This is a private club that has been used over the past few years as the site for this charity event. Patti usually is part of a ladies foursome that is sponsored by the physicians in the unit. I made my donation and helped form a foursome to compete on the men's challenge.

Part of the fun includes buying raffle tickets for a wide array of prizes and this year was no different. Patti selects which prizes to go after and she followed my suggestion that we try for the two-wheel bike that looked to just the right size for Lucy. Much to our surprise, Patti had the winning ticket for the pink bike with training wheels! I can't wait to surprise Lucy with this.

The event used to be hosted by the UMass Foundation, but in recent years, one of the grateful families who had a baby cared for in the NICU has been coordinating the annual event. The Wright family (no relation to us) organizes the event, recruits the volunteers, and runs the whole show. It's well-organized and everyone seems to enjoy the day.

The Tee Up for Tots Tournament was Sold Out Again This Year

-- Southern Hospitality

Had to borrow a pot

We got the rare chance to experience true southern hospitality, not to mention southern cuisine, when Patti's scuba-diving friend from Louisiana visited - towing a cooler filled with shrimp and crawfish from back home. Terry and Patti spent a whole day cooking the food in preparation for the family gathering that took place on the weekend. Needless to say, we all ate too much, and we may have convinced a lot of folks that southern cuisine is delicious.

It became necessary for Patti to borrow another pot from a neighbor as we just didn't have enough of the cookware needed to get the job done.

-- Weekend Family BarBQ and Louisiana Crawfish and Shrimp Boil

Marna with Olive

Lily with Olive

The early guests on Saturday settled for hamburgers and hot dogs, but those with patience also got to try some real southern cuisine. Starting around Noon and running until the evening, the grill and the stove were in constant use. The combination Bar BQ, Fish Boil, and Meet Baby Olive was a big event. Brother Steve, his wife Marna, and the twins, Lily and Paige all visited and as expected Olive was the center of attention for everyone. Other guests included Patti's brothers and sister, traveling in from Maine and Connecticut. Other guests were Nephew Andrew and his wife Irina, also from Maine.

Reading Update: Although it was a busy week, with overnight guests and family events, I had a chance to finish a couple of books I have been reading. The first was Strategy for Defeat by Admiral U.S.G. Sharp. This autographed copy of his book was written in 1978, which gave enough time since the conclusion of the Vietnam war for him to put his perspective on the gross failures in use of air power and the consequent loss of the war. I was in the service at the time he was trying to get our national government to understand that the air resources were being wasted in Vietnam. My blood boiled during the years I was in college after being in the Air Force as I watched our military stumble in its mission to win the war. If you don't want to win; that's fine. But, don't handcuff the fighting soldier, sailor, or airman and pretend you want to win. The book is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.



The other book I just finished was Three Days in January by Bret Baier. This provocative book, written last year, looks at what Baier describes as "Dwight Eisenhower's Final Mission." He refers to the challenge Ike felt to prepare his successor, John Kennedy, for the role of President of the United States. Ike gave a speech three days prior to Kennedy being sworn in and Baier reviews the years Ike was in the White House as the proving ground for Ike's concern for what he coined the phrase as "the military-industrial" complex and the plague it represents to peace for humankind. The book adds a dimension of understanding to the Ike story that has not been told so well before. 

Weekend at Samoset in Maine

UPDATE - August 26, to September 1, 2018

-- Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine

Patti at La Bella Vita

On Friday, Patti and I drove to Rockland, Maine to spend the weekend at the Samoset Resort. The weekend was a gift from my employer on the occasion of retiring from The Hope Group. It was a very special choice as it was one of the favorite locations chosen over the years for the company employee recognition night. Over the years we have had a chance to visit the resort often and have always found it a fun place to vacation.

As soon as we arrived, we toured the grounds, visited the pool cabana area and had some drinks while we made plans for dinner. We agreed that we would stay right at the resort and have dinner at the La Bella Vita, the fine dining choice in the hotel. I won't offer a review here (it was great), as I generally enter my reviews at Trip Advisor. I have more fun with writing reviews there and have been doing so for many years.

-- Owls Head Transportation Museum

We made a side trip to Owls Head, Maine to visit the Owls Head Transporation Museum. This is a place we wanted to visit for a long time and we finally got the chance this visit. The museum has a wide collection of brass cars, race cars, historic cars, and lots more. It also has an amazing collection of antique aircraft, each with an impressive story about its origin, its restoration, and its significance in the world of aviation.

Simulated Wing Walker on a Biplane

-- Golf at Samoset along the ocean

The golf course at Samoset Resort winds along the water's edge and is constantly in view. There are only a few interior fairways where you lose sight of the water. As hot as the temperature was that day, the cooling ocean made it bearable. While water intimidates us as golfers, the ocean did not. It was a part of the landscape but really did not affect play.

Patti and Richard at Somerset

--Saturday Night at Archers on the Pier

We had really enjoyed dining at the resort on Friday night, but on Saturday, we decided to go into town and try one of the waterfront seafood restaurants. I had Chipinno on my mind. We got to Archers on the Pier and it turned out to be just what we were looking for. The menu was extensive and we each found something we wanted. For Patti, it was the swordfish. For me, it was the Chipinno. Both meals were great. We enjoyed being out on the deck, watching the sunset over the harbor and were glad we made the choice.

The View from Archers on the Pier

Reading Update: I have a special fascination to read about famous, infamous, obscure, and often misunderstood individuals. Whether it's an autobiography or biography (authorized or not) I find well-written books about real people are infinitely more exciting and satisfying than fiction. I have read several books about famed performing artist, Glenn Gould, best known for his being a child prodigy and later a total eccentric "lonely" genius. In Glenn Gould, A Life in Variations, author Otto Friedrich explores in revealing detail the talent and the emotional torment that surrounded Gould until his untimely death at age 50 in 1982. 

Gutters, Golf, and Quesadillas

UPDATE - August 19, to August 25, 2018

-- Let it Rain

Leak-Free Porch

We've been in Jefferson for 11 years and I can't imagine that any other home would suit us better than this one. Naturally, there are always maintenance issues such as cleaning dryer vents, filters for the furnace, etc. But, the only exterior issue has ever been cleaning the gutters.

The gutters work fine and for the most part, don't require a lot of attention, but the gutter off the side of the front porch was clogged and during a recent downpour, created a large pool of water against the foundation. I didn't like the look of that, so I put the ladder up and climbed up and cleaned out the debris I found. It rained again the next day and I can report that everything is flowing again.

-- Death of the "Playpen"

Not a Playpen

Patti said she wanted to install a Graco Pack n' Play, so that when baby Olive visited we would have a safe place to change her and for her to sleep. I agreed and we began to look around for a good deal. We found one and ordered it. But, during the process, I realized that the word "Playpen," which is what I've always called these things is dead. No one still calls it a playpen. Maybe they don't like the inference of the word, "pen?" Anyway, the units are called play yard, or play center, or playard, but not "playpen." Anyway, it arrived by Fedex delivery and I decided to assemble it in the garage. With the exception of installing one of the parts upside down at first, things went well. When it was completed I discovered it would not fit through the door that led to the kitchen. It also would not fit through the door that led to the hallway that opens to the living room. The "Play Yard," was 31 inches wide and the door was 30 inches wide. I managed to tip it on its side and wormed it around to get into the house and found that the doorway to the Master Bedroom was 32 inches and allowed easy entry.

-- Fun at Quail Hollow Golf and Country Club

Lush Quail Hollow

Monday was a perfect day for golf, so Patti and I played at Quail Hollow Golf and Country Club in Oakham. It's not an overly demanding course if you just look at its length, which is 5,809. But, don't let that fool you. It's laid out to challenge you on every hole. Patti got off to a great start with a par on three of the first four holes. I never caught up.

She went out the first 9 holes with a 42. I was a few shots behind. I could tell we both got tired as the morning went on, but it was a totally enjoyable day. The course was a bit boggy, which is what we have found everywhere for the past month or more, but we still had a great time.


-- Lunch at the Black & White Grille in Spencer

Here's to Johnnie.

Only 15 minutes from home is the Black & White Grille in Spencer. It's a minor detour upon returning from Quail Hollow Golf and Country Club and we often stop here for lunch. In our many visits, we have never been disappointed. Today, Patti had a wrap sandwich and I got the Chicken Quesadilla. It was great. As usual, Patti had to sample from my meal as well as her own. I'm sure she will get a Quesadilla the next time based on her reaction. Also, the bartender was our server and when Patti asked for a gin and tonic, he suggested we try his special cucumber-laced Hendriks drink. As Hendricks is Patti's favorite gin, he got a definite yes on his offer. I settled for my usual Johnnie Walker Red on the rocks.


-- Finding Film Footage is Failing

Finding Film Footage 

I have reels of old 8mm movie film, some of which my family shot when we were kids and some that I shot up through my hitch in the US Air Force. Tuesday was spent sorting the reels and mostly struggling with finding a projector that works properly. Our original projector is destroyed. The bulb overheated, melted and has made it unworkable. I bought a projector on eBay, which turned out not to work either. I bought a Bell and Howell machine that works, except that you have to manually push the take-up reel, as the wire-drive has failed. So, as the machine runs, I have to keep my hand on the take-up reel, coaxing it to wind up. It's tedious and not a good long-term solution.

I'm a bit on the spot as I mentioned to someone at the recent air show that I had footage of the original arrival of the C5A when it landed in 1970 at Kelly Field in San Antonio. So far, I have failed to actually find that few minutes of footage. I have lots of footage of the field, of my fellow airmen, and lots of other aircraft. But, not the footage I really need to find. I'm on the spot because it turned out that the person I mentioned it to is a retired Colonel and her husband is the current Colonel in charge of the C5A's at Westover. Oops! I better find that footage.

Some of the film footage I did find included our TDY team leaving our barracks at Kelly Field, hanging out on the tarmac, while our C-130 Hercules was being loaded. Later footage that I took has me in the jump seat in the cockpit taking pictures of the pilot and co-pilot and the landscape out of the window.

Lucy and Olive

-- Olive Continues to Gain Weight

Big Sister Lucy continues to be fascinated with new baby sister Olive. Lucy wants to help with all aspects of her care. She talks to her and asks her mother when Olive will crawl, or roll over, or be able to play. As expected, Olive lost weight for the first few days at home but reports are that she has gained much of it back and will reach her birth weight shortly. All signs are good that she is doing well. With Lucy on guard, we can be sure everything will be alright.




-- Busy Week reading Omarosa, Comey, and The Stowaway by Laurie Shapiro

I spent some time reading some interesting books, two of which were about current affairs. The third was a look back to the 1920's and the heroics of several stowaways on Admiral Byrd's adventure to the Antarctic.

Failed Loyalty

The first book was by Omarosa Manigault Newman, the woman who was unceremoniously fired by General Kelly on behalf of the President. This, after she spent 15 years being his cult-slave. She admits she was complicit in her denial of what she could see with her own eyes. But, as she was tossed out on the sidewalk, she began to realize what kind of unhinged President we have and felt obligated to share her story. I guarantee that whatever you think you know about her and how things are in the White House; you are wrong. You have to read it to believe it. If you need a copy I will loan it to you.

For me, I can't tell you which was more horrifying - the Omarosa story or the Comey story. They have nothing in common and yet both collided with the President, when in fact, there was no need for Comey or Omarosa to have that outcome. The only difference between Omarosa and Comey is that she moved forward with a career within the Trump influence and Comey made his career totally outside of Trump's influence. (They both learned about LOYALTY in a manner they had not anticipated.) However, both crash-landed at his feet basically for the same reason - his total unhinging over the past 15 years.

On a more cheerful note, the story about the young Stowaway that jumped onto Admiral Byrd's boat on its way to Antartica was very uplifting. Laurie Gwen Shapiro wrote the book about the true facts of his adventure (and Byrd's) and it reads as breathlessly as any fiction you have seen. But, it's all true and therefore all the more extraordinary. (By the way, any book I report on or recommend is in my library so if you want to read it, let me know.)

Honest Loyalty 

Reading Update: You can read about Omarosa's book in the above text. The other two books were A Higher Loyalty by James Comey and The Stowaway by Laurie Gwen Shapiro. Comey's book carefully and thoroughly puts the whole episode in the context that we have never gotten from the general media. That includes the media that is not supposed to take sides but offer detailed, accurate, unbiased presentation of facts. We simply have not been getting that. Comey shares his background so that you can understand his own failings and place them in context with events. Unless you read the whole book - you will continue to be lost on what really happened when Trump decided to fire him. 



For a change of pace, The Stowaway is a story that I think I should have known about. It

Seeking Adventure

seems so much to be the kind of story that would have grabbed interest, as it did to some degree, and maintained it over the decades. Instead, it faded out and was probably going to be lost except that Shapiro rescued it. Frequently, when we think of a stowaway, we think of someone running away. A few years ago, some individuals, mostly young, have sought to jump into the space of the landing gear on airlines as a way to "stowaway" in the modern age. Again, mostly they were running. In this case, young Billy Gawronski, of New York City, was running "toward," something. He wanted to be with Admiral Byrd and he wanted to get to Antarctica. Because he was seeking and not running, it made him a more sympathetic character and the Admiral, the sailors, and eventually, the world agreed that he should be allowed to make the trip. It's a great adventure - and all true.