The World of Grandpa Don
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Back to grandkid .
A work in progress - complete but not finished |
What's New In the world of Grandpa Don On this page I have recorded what I found significant during the past week as well as my thoughts about those events and other reflections. I started doing this before the practice became popular on the internet This is my diary, written a little each day and published weekly. At times I may seem to pontificate on a subject that comes to mind during the week. I do not intend it as a demand or even a suggestion that everyone should think or act as I do. It is rather, intended to let you know what goes on in my mind ... how I am motivated to live as I do. If The World of Grandpa Don appeals to you, you are free to join me in it. Be warned, however, it is not always what some would call "The Real World". |
Week Ending Friday |
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Go to the Current Event for ..
Archive
Or to learn more of Grandpa Don and his remarkable family ...
Many of the quotes found on this page are from the daily messages I receive from Covenant House  |
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When I prepare this page for the week, usually on Saturday after the again usual Friday update, the first thing done is the date change ... otherwise I forget to do it. This week the date is 08/08/08. People who are hung up on numbers would try to put some kind of significance in it, as if it was magical or some such thing. Poppycock and rubbish I say! To begin with, the entire system of dates is man made and arbitrary. Our current Gregorian Calendar is supposed to start on the birth year of Christ. It is wrong but since it is arbitrary it doesn't make any difference. Even if it was the correct year of His birth it would have been wrong because it should have been the year 0 not 1. But at that time 0 was nothing so it was not used in mathematics. The introduction of the number zero by Muhammad Bin Ahmad in 967 AD. revolutionized mathematics. ( Yes, he was an Arab.) Zero was not introduced in the West until the 1400's and not in common use until the 1600's. But, I digress, as I often do. My point is that 080808 has only the meaning we have assigned to it and nothing else. Of course we have also managed to "standardize' on a date format that really screws things up when faced with the logic of the computer which invariably sorts dates wrong by our messed up standards. This page, for instance has a file name that includes the date in order to identify it. But we Americans read the date as MM/DD/YY. It is kind of a 'mixed up" format which places the days between the month and the year. The Europeans put them in order with DD/MM/YY but even they have it backwards. When I use the date as part of the file name I change it to YYMMDD and everything sorts in proper order in order., at least within this century.
Back to the more mundane ... I had to tear myself away from the back yard on that beautiful Saturday intending to take care of some business on the computer. I never got to it, not in that session. There was that email from Diana L, a feedback email from the World of Grandpa Don. She had come across this web site while looking for information about her father's family. He had died at age 22 and Diane had met his parents when she was 3 but her mother didn't keep in touch with them. Diana later learned that he had been adopted and so she was looking to get information together to record a family tree for her children. The letter was long and rambling and I, of course had to respond. She wanted advice on making a family tree and where to find family information. I'm a sucker for anyone who asks my help and if I can I give it, I do.. I think God puts that trait within us because it not only does help the one who asks but it imparts upon the helper a sense of value, thereby placating the ego without causing the damage that ego is wont to do if left in complete control..
Sunday was a quiet day. After Mass I had a cup of coffee and read the parish bulletin. There was a plea for religious education teachers and mention of a U-Tube video on the subject. as well as the web site of a gentleman from a nearby parish. This had to be part of our parish web site and so I took a little time to revise the Invitation to Ministry page to include the links. I sent emails to our Religious Education staff members to announce the change as well as one to Joe Paprocki, the author of the web site to which we had linked. An email was also sent to Liz, the web ministry member who maintains our Home page so she could "Spotlight" the newly revised page. This is the sort of thing that keeps me from twiddling my thumbs for entertainment.
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Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued, is always
beyond our grasp, |
All that being done I settled down for relaxation in the gazebo, I couldn't help but notice and take wonder at the evolution of the garden since the beginning of summer. That led to the taking of some photos. .
| The original St Francis preaches to a bird in the early summer. |
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By early August his congregation has expanded somewhat | ||
| Click on Thumbnails for a better view. | An interested cherub looks on as St Anthony preaches. |
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The "new" St Anthony was devoid of foliage ... |
Some rain and sunshine makes miricles. | He now has glorious flowers in his corner of the garden |
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The new "Suzy with Eyes" in Spring |
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In a little over a month she has transformed the patio area. | ||
I decided to go to a new restaurant Sunday evening. It has a very intriguing name "Isabella's" .and is located in the town center of Tinley Park. The decor and menu is homey Italian. The service is prompt and pleasant. I started with an ample libation followed by a likewise ample and delicious Caesar Salad. Then I made a mistake. Don't order grilled pork tenderloin in an Italian Restaurant. It was chewy. Otherwise, the sauce, a brown gravy was delicious, the green beans and rice were very good and the Black Cherry Gelato was to die for. Isabella's will not be a "Dinner & Cards" place because it lacks a steak on the menu but I may return, The next time I will avail myself of their Italian offerings. By the way, the gelato was accompanied by the best biscotti I ever had.
As I roused myself from bed Monday I heard the distant rumble of thunder. Going downstairs I went out on the patio and as Mikey made his morning inspection of the premises, the skies darkened and the thunder grew louder and more frequent. I saw no lightning but soon the wind freshened and the rains came down. Back in the house lights were necessary to prepare breakfast. After a brief respite another storm arrived and it was wet all morning. As I played with the computer later in the morning, Mikey came for me. A polite bark got my attention and he indicated that I was to get up from my chair. He then led me, always looking back to see that I followed, up the four stairs and through the dinning room, into the living room where, with great difficulty he jumped up onto the couch. Taking his lead, I sat down and he sat next to me and laid his front legs across my leg. As was his wish, he was petted and scratched, all the while being told he was a good dog and that "everybody likes Mikey".
Anne used to complain that I didn't pay attention to her and did not show her affection. However when she told me that, she would refuse any attempt on my part to show affection then. It could not be "just because she reminded me". Dogs aren't that proud and so when they feel the need for affection and attention they get it. Sometimes dogs and wives get attention unsolicited but alas, we men do need to be reminded at times. As children, we are trained to be " be a little brave man" and develop a hard shell that often shuns any sign of softness. And so I have finally learned that it is OK for a man to be a little soft at times. You will pardon a little unsolicited advice to you men out there then when I tell you to give that gal a (((HUG))) ... often ... and especially when they don't expect it. Do it while she is still around so that it does you both some good. They need it. Oh hell, ... you both need it. And, ... while I am giving advice, you gals aren't exempt. Go ahead and (((HUG))) him when he doesn't expect it. He will get to like it.
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There are two educations. |
There is ABSOLUTLY AMAZING NEWS.
I include this news broadcast for your convenience and edification. Just click on the News Chanel 3 below to start viewing.
My good friend Alex Kapocius set me up for that. I wonder how much additional junk mail we both will get as a result. But is is cleaver and cute. I am considering Alex for my Vice Presidential candidate. ( May the fleas of a thousand camels infest his (non-existant)beard. )
Other items in my email have included requests to sign a petition to be sent to congress to promote the passage of legislation to permit off-shore oil drilling. I am in favor of such legislation if it contains provisions to protect the environment. The petition is set up in such a way that it is done on-line (not email) and should be valid. However, I know nothing of the organization running the web site or what other causes they promote. To sign the petition I would need to give them my name, email address and other information. Do I want to be associated with this group? Do I want to be on their mailing list? I have found myself on the mail lists of other organizations in the past that were radical and even fanatical. I try not to be fanatical about anything. It clouds the mind to reasonableness and common sense. I simply don't know enough about the organization and I do not sign petitions because they are presented to me. . I hope I am not too cautious in my avoidance of risk.
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It is impossible to win the great prizes of life without
running risks. |
The storms came and went all Monday and on into Tuesday morning. They were loud and at times the rain was incessantly heavy. Fortunately my neighborhood was spared the high winds and resultant damage. Others not to far away were not as fortunate. Besides providing water for the vegetation, the rain warded off the extreme temperatures that extended just to the South of us. My morning prayers included a plea for help for those who experienced injury, inconvenience or property damage from the wind or flooding. There was even one death when a tree fell on an occupied car. I was reminded of my thoughts on Nature's "Free Will"
With the rain, Barbara arrived late. She managed to let me know that she doesn't like Chicago storms. No sleep! I had read someplace, sometime, that Europe does not have the violent weather that we have in the US Midwest. The explanation was that the American mountain ranges run North & South allowing the temperature differences in the North and South to interact. In Europe East to West oriented mountain ranges disrupt the N & S air masses. Whatever the reason, it gets wild here once in a while. That didn't prevent Barbara from being happy while here. When she left she told me that her daughter gave birth to a boy. She was beaming!
While she was here the clouds left and the temperature went up. I went out in the gazebo to do some reading. My son-in-law had told me of the story in the latest National Geographic about the asteroid detection program being implemented at this time. They are tracking one in particular that could make a disastrous hit on our lovely planet. Yes, I know, they have already made several movies based on the premise. But this is real! But don't be concerned until 2029 when it will come close enough to present a problem and again in 2036 when the threat will be even greater. They expect to have a way to divert it by then and in any case it will not concern me. Another example of "Nature's Free Will" with which we must prepare to deal. And ... shades of Science Fiction, one of the methods being considered is to deploy a space ship to divert the object using a gravitational tractor beam!
Wednesday I had to drag myself from the Gazebo as the morning sped by. It was just a bit of paradise ... again ... seemingly more heavenly than ever before. How can that be? But then, I should stop questioning and just enjoy. This too is part of Nature's Free Will, the part we too often forget. I expected to have a message from Bob that the parish web site had been updated and I was prepared to send out the weekly newsletter to our "Include Me" members. But alas, nothing. Rita, who prepares the bulletin had surgery over a week ago and we had not heard from her or anything from the parish about the situation. This brings concerns. It would not be the end of the world if an issue of the bulletin was missed but Rita is important to us. It was early afternoon when I was informed that the one who was to send a copy of the bulletin to us had forgotten to do it before he went on vacation. I won't mention any names but his initials are Rich Miska. But, all was not lost! Rita was doing well and planned to stop by at the office. While there she would forward the missing document. Later in the afternoon her email arrived with the attachment and we could then do our part of the job. Rita said she had an appointment with her doctor on Thursday and would ask for permission to go to work. What was she doing on the job on Wednesday? Just before dinner, an email from Bob Lewis informed me that the bulletin was added to the parish web site so I sprung into action. Well, maybe ... shuffled.
In preparing the newsletter to our parishioners and others who have registered on the web site as "Include Me" members I always scan the new bulletin for highlights. When I went to the parish web site and brought up the bulletin, low and behold I found the bulletin of St. Terrance parish! My right hand man, (no names but his initials are Bob Lewis) had mixed up his bulletins. (He does the St Terrence web site as well) A quick phone call to Bob and the problem was fixed. Shortly after dinner the newsletter was dispatched through the internet. I want you to realize that we take pride in our mistakes because they are normally easily corrected and they serve to prove our humanity. Besides there is always someone there to watch our back and provide help. (I think Bob was just testing me.)
The Midwest Sliders have been in town again this week and the games have been well populated with supporters, both family and friends of Anthony's family. But in spite of their support, the Windy City Thunderbolts dominated both Tuesday and Wednesday. The Slider's hitting and pitching both failed. I feel guilty, in not attending but I am sure that if I had been there it would not have helped. I have a problem with the seats in the Crestwood stadium, probably a problem with my weight but I just fit in them and they tilt to the front, resulting in a constant effort need on my part to keep from sliding out. It is uncomfortable to a distraction and hard on my back. Do I bring "bad luck" by not being there? I don't believe in "luck" of any kind. The outcome of the games is totally dependant on the performance of the players. Even if my being there would help to inspire Anthony to great feats of performance, it would have taken much more than that to save those games. Besides I am sure that he knows that we are with him in spirit, as we are with all our kids and grandkids.
I am sure that constant traveling in a bus that can not keep it's air conditioning running, living out of a duffel bag, inadequate meals, and lack of rest has more to do with it than anything else. But ... Shades of "The Natural". This from the report from Anne Marie.
OK, so the game was a bit lop-sided, but the light show was amazing! This article was in the Southtown this morning...just scroll down to the end! He had teachers from Brother Rice at the game and friends from high school as well. As Anthony stood at the plate and the crowd cheered, they played the theme from the Natural. Fun Fun!! The head coach from the Thunderbolts sent his clubbie over to tell Dom they will send us a bill for the light. Ha Ha!.
This was part of the story ...
Shattered glass
A fly ball hit by Midwest's Anthony Albano in the third inning of
Wednesday's game traveled into the lights down the right-field line,
sending shattered glass raining down on the seats below and forcing
those in the Midwest bullpen to scamper.
Although glass fell on several rows of seats, no one was injured.
If you remember the 1984 movie, "The Natural" the hero, Roy Hobbs did exactly the same thing. He was Anthony's hero and during his high school career at Bro Rice, Anthony was known as "Hobbs". There were, and probably still are, people who knew him only as "Hobbs". I wish I had been there. Would you like to watch? See it at The Natural
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Good works do not make a good man, |
I took Mikey to Touch of Class on Thursday and took myself to the barber. I was out of there in 5 minutes, at a cost of $3 a minute. When you tell the barber to start with a #2-1/2 clipper on the top and taper it down from there it doesn't take long. If I could hold my head in my lap, I could do it myself. Mikey, on the other hand presents a much greater challenge. With his curly hair, which, unlike fur, grows all the time, a hair cut is only accomplished well by an expert. Furthermore, for a proper bath a Bichon must be brushed out prior to getting wet and then constantly brushed while being dried. Otherwise, his hair is a tangled mess. My little friend has been doing very well. He has not had a seizure since March. I am convinced that they were caused by the shots he was given the previous June. From June of '07 to the following March he was getting a seizure every six weeks ... none before and none since. (He only got a Rabies shot this June.) Also, his skin infections and/or allergies have completely disappeared and his coat of hair is restored. He gets 1/2 a Benadryl tablet in a little ball of liver sausage every day. He is again a calm dog, early to bed and late to rise.
All I need to do on alternate Thursdays is say "Touch of Class" and Mikey is all over me, jumping at me and squealing in excitement. As I try to put his coller on him he grabs at it trying to help me. When I go to put on his leash, it's the same but the moment he hears the snap of the latch he calms down, knowing he is "dressed" to go. In the car, he is calm as long as we are moving but if I stop for a traffic signal he is up and whining, wanting to know "what's the delay". When we arrive he nearly pushes me out of the car, then dutifully wets the post outside the establishment. When I pass the leash to Paula he eagerly goes with her with never a look back at his chauffeur..Several hours later, when I return for him, his calm and pretty. He casually leaves, making a long stop at that post. Once in the car, he curls up on the seat, not to move until we are home.
Sarah Albano, as I suspected she would, has outgrown her need to be in the "Inquiry" stage of becoming a Catholic and is going to enter the "Catechumenate" stage as a "Candidate". This is a stage of "serious study" and to the totally uninitiated, could last a year ... or even more. However, in Sarah's case I will venture to predict that she will be Confirmed and in full communion in a relatively short time. But there is even more exciting news. Sarah has asked me to be her sponsor. I, of course have eagerly accepted the task and the honor and privilege that goes along with it. Of course I am familiar with the job, having been a sponsor on two previous occasions. But those were for strangers and this is very special. .
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Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. ~ Anonymous |
Anne Marie called after I went to bed Thursday. She was at the ball game and they were tied at 4 in extra innings. This morning I checked the box scores and even with Anthony's two hits and a run scored, the game ended in the 12th with a Windy City home run. The Sliders play a series in Rockford this week end and Anthony enjoyed another night at home before driving there today. His parents will go to Rockford to see his games this weekend and bring his car back home. In the mean time, Joe and Marc are in Wichita. They drove there for a game last weekend which they won and have been enjoying 90+ temperatures waiting for their next game this weekend
The lawn guys were here at 8 this morning as I had my breakfast. One lad went through the garden, pulling weeds and thinning out dry foliage from the daylilies as well as removing spent stems. I use Roundup occasionally, selectively spraying intruding weeds but the stuff I missed were dispatched this morning. They were packed up and gone by 8:30 and the garden well groomed for my morning meditations. The start of another perfect day. ..
Grandpa Don Plefka
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Anne wanted everyone to be 'Nice'. This button was in one of her dresser drawers I cleaned out in August of 2004
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