50 Years Ago Today -- A letter to my mother

It's so weird writing about something "fifty years ago today" in reference to yourself. Nevertheless, 50 years ago this very day, I was a 9-year old kid who wrote a note to his mom.  (It was probably a school project.)  I never realized how much it must have meant to her until I found it as I was going through her things after her death. I made a little video clip of it (below) so you can see the original.

I share it with you here as my way of saying Happy Mother's Day to this wonderful woman! (By the way, you might be clueless as to what "mercurochrome" is.  It was the panacea to little kids like band-aids are today.  Every conceivable cut or scrape needed the magic touch of the red ointment in order for "healing" to take place!)  My writing style reminds me of Sheldon, one of the nerd physicists on CBS's BIG BANG THEORY!

Kissimmee, Florida

May 9, 1958

Dear Mother,

I am very glad for what you have done for me.  I appreciate the way you cook my supper, dinner, and breakfast.  You make my bed, and clean and iron my clothes.  I like the way you care for me when I'm sick and buying my mercurochrome, and paddling me when I need it, and of course, loving me.

I hope you have a very nice Mothers Day for this is the only reason that I wrote this. I love you and I want to help you when you are in need.

Today at 3:00 to 4:30 is James birthday party at the lakefront.  I hope you come and pick me up.

Monday the P.T.A. night is at eight o'clock.  I hope you come very much.  And I also want to mention that I love you a lot.

Your only son,

Donnie

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  I miss you!

Mom and I at the Cracker Barrel in Kissimmee--

a few months before her death.

60 Years Ago Today -- Happy Birthday, Israel!!

The nation of Israel has existed throughout my lifetime. It was only 16 months old when I was born. Reading about its birth has always been fascinating to me. Congratulations to this amazing, truly miraculous nation!

The 2nd video is particularly interesting.  

The New Me

The FCC keyboard player at last weekend's RetroFest.  

What happened to his Guns & Roses tee?  SHEESH!  I would include the link to the video on Billy's blog, but since you've all probably seen it already, I'll save myself the humiliation of Flab Redundancy.  

Jennie Craig, anyone?

Aw, heck... I'll embed it here anyway. 

Almost Perfect Potluck

Last night's potluck was a blast.  It had all the necessary ingredients:  laughing children, Kentucky Fried Chicken, casseroles, jello, banana pudding, Robert Redford Dessert (a.k.a. "Better Than Sex"), Derby Pie (shipped in from Louisville!), homemade rolls, and expanded waistlines.  We even sang the "Doxology" before eating!  The only thing missing was Van Camps Beanee Weenees.  Lyn and I actually stopped at Ralphs to buy some, but they didn't carry them.  I told Heidi (who was GREATLY disappointed that we didn't bring them) I would order her a case for Mother's Day.

Aside from the lack of Beanee Weenees, the occasion was picture perfect!

Countdown to POTLUCK

Here we come, Memory Lane!

Just a few hours now 'til the Bloggers/ArtsOnMain Old Fashioned Church PotLuck/Carry-In Dinner.  Can't wait.

(Ladies, I'll be willing to print recipe cards on our new printer, if you'd like!)  :)

I'm Such A Techno Stud

Our new HP J6480 Flatbed All-In-One Printer

Our printer died yesterday--after I'd just ordered 2 full sets of ink for it!

Anyway, I found a great deal at Staples this afternoon.  Just went in the store to check out what they had, and was really stoked to have come in on the last day of a "Recycle Your Printer" special.  ($50 off your new printer in exchange for the old one)  I had been wondering what I'd do with the old printer, so Staples solved my problem AND gave me a deal on a great new printer.  (Which was on a pretty good sale already--which also ended today!)  The printer is the HP J6480.  It's really cool--wireless even!  And has a fax built in.

I got it installed with no problems, and am actually able to print from my laptop--something I was never able to do with the other printer.  Tomorrow I will set up the fax function--hopefully.

So....if you or anyone you know has an Epson Stylus CX5200 printer, I'll be happy to give you some ink cartridges for it!

Meanwhile, we'll be enjoying our new HP!

May Day - 1998

Nine years ago today, I was in Florence, Italy!  What an amazing city.  Although technically I was "alone," I didn't feel that way.  After all, when you're surrounded by so much beauty, so much history, and so much music, how could you possibly feel lonely?   It was great.  I WANNA GO BACK!!!