The World of Grandpa Don
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Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works
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Welcome to the curious mind of Grandpa Don. That is intended as "curious" as in "inquisitive" not as in "strange" although some would have thoughts about that. Sometimes I do think differently about things. In talking about people that influence us, a friend stated that he listens to people like Rush Limbaugh and I can listen to whomever I wish. Well, I do. Now if I were to apply a label to myself, I would say that my leanings are more conservative than liberal. However I don't feel I can put myself into that, all too confining, box. I can agree with some of Limbaugh's philosophy's but there is a problem. He turns me off with his one sided, every thing is black or white ... and I am not speaking about race, but lack of grey views on everything. His delivery is like that of one of those fast talking used car salesmen who try to overwhelm you with words so you don't have time to think about the facts. I wouldn't buy a car from one of them and I don't trust Rush Limbaugh either. He can't seem to control his temper. That is a bad sign. I like a man who measures his words, selecting them with deliberation and careful thought. He gets all worked up and angry about issues and when you do that you are not in control of good reason. He is a radical and a zealot leaving no room for reason to be considered. He proclaims and never debates and as far as I can tell has a closed mind, fitting very well into his Box. I refuse to be pulled in there with him. He shouts at me and I have an aversion to people who shout at me. He may be sincere in his views, as sincere as a terrorist who will not accept any views but his own. That is dedication to a cause to a fault. No, I do not listen to Rush Limbaugh, or his kind. ... Just my opinion ... just the workings of my curious (strange) mind.
Saturday morning at 5 AM I awoke to the sound of thunder and rolled over to sleep for another two hours. As I had my breakfast, ... very carefully measured 3/4 cup of diabetic cereal and 1/2 cup of skimmed milk, ... there was more thunder and a downpour of much needed rain. It was cool, about 70 degrees but you could smell the humidity. As the morning progressed the rain stopped and the temperatures rose. It would be in the high 80's, partly sunny and a strong South wind bringing in the heat by the end of the day. I got engrossed in the computer and my after breakfast blood test was an hour later than it should have been but still high ... 160. Of course that is a lot better than the readings of around 300 that I had been getting just a few weeks ago.
Last week when Dan sent the video of the Chicago travelogue there was another linked to the web page featuring Chicago's nightlife. I invite you to go back again to 1948.
As I said, last week, I was a sophomore in high school at the time. Last week's travelogue included the Stevens Hotel on Michigan Avenue. It had been used by the Army to house soldiers during WW II but restored to its old splendor for civilian use by '48. In 49 the Leo High School senior prom was held there in the grand ball room and several of us went down to the famous Boulevard Room for an after prom dinner and to watch the show. We had saved all year for this night on the town. I don't remember the occasion but I remember taking Anne to the Chez Paree. It was in the warehouse district to the north of the Chicago river. The Chez is long gone but the area is now the very popular River North entertainment district. Oh yes, The Stevens in now a Hilton but the Boulevard Room survives as a restaurant. Many popular clubs of the time catered to the "prom crowd". It was an awkward time because the girls, at 18 could drink but the guys had to wait until they were 21. There were special "prom menus" and the tables were always cleared before the bill was presented. The menus clearly stated that the cost of missing silverware would be added to the bill. I also remember going to the Chicago theater for the afternoon show while my mother shopped on State Street. You saw a news reel, a cartoon, a double feature on the screen and between the movies the screen retracted and there was a stage show with a big band and several acts of singers, dancers and maybe a magician or juggler. It was like magic to see the band rising up out of the floor of the stage. It was quite a production.
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OK, It is nice to remember the old days but let's turn to taking responsibility for the future. I did some research on line. The Lean Cuisine web site had a search feature that allowed you to select the nutritional content of their products by calories, and various other aspects. I looked for low carbohydrates and got a list of 9 individual frozen dinners with 24g or less carbs. That list will be in hand the next time I go shopping. I also looked at the Healthy Choice web page but found no nutritional information listed for the individual products, just a page which claimed their products were healthy. Well, that just doesn't cut it because what is healthy for you may not be healthy for me. Carbs turn into sugar which in diabetics is not absorbed into the muscles, but floats in the blood and attacks other organs. I sent an email to the company telling them what I needed, explaining that I am a diabetic living alone and that I eat but don't cook. I also checked the Seattle Sutton web site thinking that maybe I could get low carb dinners from them but according to their page, you must get all three meals, seven days a week and it is expensive. I may stop at their store which is nearby and ask if they have a dinner only plan that excludes Sundays. The other drawback with them is that their menu is set by them and you get whatever is offered as the meal of the day. In any case, I am determined to beat this thing ... or at least live with it. It is a challenge, but this is my life. Thank God for modern medicine, technology and frozen dinners.
Sunday qualified as a "scorcher". It began at about 80 degrees and went up from there accompanied by bright sun and high humidity. I did enjoy some time in the gazebo in the morning both before and after church. There was a breeze and although a hot breeze, it was pleasant in the shade. However, I took Mikey's lead in keeping my stays outside brief, retreating to the air conditioned house. Our ancestors couldn't do that ... hell, even as a child, we couldn't do that.
A friend from Canada who is involved with the Newman club and college students sent information regarding an on-going problem there, that of students being recruited into Islam. They, of course, insist that Jesus never claimed to be God. My friend tries to counterattack. As Christians, we know that Jesus did indeed identify himself as God ... as coming from heaven and being the Son of God and a part of the Blessed Trinity. "I am the Bread of Life, whoever eats My body and drinks My blood will live forever" Who, but God, could say that? And there is more. I invite you to look at Did Jesus Ever Say He was God? But when we attack the Moslems beliefs it only triggers counterattack. The Quran, of course, conveniently omits any such statements by Jesus. To my way of thinking, it is never productive to attack another's beliefs. It is usually taken as a direct personal attack and upsets the ego of the target. A more productive approach would be for us, as Christians, to simply proclaim that "Jesus was either God or the greatest fraud ever born". This could be done in various ways, maybe a poster campaign with that statement as the lead and one or more of His statements that He is God included. It could conclude that Christians take Him at His word ... The Word of God. How about a billboard campaign or brief paid adds on TV? Yes, that would cost money but I think it would be money well spent. It would serve to educate those in danger of falling for Moslem propaganda and just maybe take the wind out of their sails. One of the greatest former atheist and promoter of Christianity, C. S. Lewis, has said that Christianity is the fulfillment of the Jewish faith and Islam is the greatest Christian heresy. The Muslims claim Jesus as a great prophet and have a high regard for Mary, His mother.
Mikey and I went to the Albano's for dinner on Sunday. Their new windows look great. The style selected for the front of the house along with the new door really dresses up the place. They also went to casement windows to flank the picture window on the back of the house and that really looks good. The bedrooms and kitchen now have modern double hung windows which are far more practical than the old ones they replaced. I am vacillating in my decision of what to do with the windows in my house. I have several panes which have lost their airtight seal and have fogged up. After first considering complete replacement I had decided just to replace the panes. Looking at them from the gazebo a few days ago, I was struck by the fact that they do nothing to enhance the appearance of the house and now that I have seen my daughter's new windows I am even more convinced that new, better insulated and more attractive windows would be better. Besides, the outside of the old ones require using a ladder to wash them. New double hung windows tilt in for washing. I will make a couple calls for estimates and definitely include the installer that Anne Marie used. One of the panes on the front of her house cracked as the window was being installed and will be replaced this week. They have also ordered a new storm door which they will install when it arrives.
But there was trouble in paradise! During the drive to and from my daughter's house I noticed that my breaks were growling at me. Maybe I should turn down the volume on my radio and I would have noticed it sooner. Or maybe I should turn up the volume and it won't bother me.
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A call was made to the local auto repair facility Monday morning and they said to bring it right in. After calling Karen to secure a ride home the car was delivered to the shop and left in their capable hands. Ken suggested that I should feed it and it wouldn't growl. I doubt that it is that simple. Karen soon arrived to take me home but I didn't. make it easy for her. We were a half block from home when I realized the house key was on the ring with the car keys. Back we went. Oh well, it gave us a chance to talk more.
I also made calls to three window installers to arrange for estimates. Two appointments were made for Tuesday and at the other a message was left in their voice mail. (Nobody has answering machines anymore, do they?) I decided to get estimates before I change my mind again.
The auto shop called ... actually it wasn't the shop itself, but the manager, and the news was delivered. The good news was that the back breaks were in fine shape. The bad news was that one of the front breaks was badly worn and the other absolutely destroyed indicating uneven wear caused by other problems. The tie rod on the right had been hit by something and needed to be replaced and the bearing seal on that wheel was shot and needed replacement. The brake fluid needed to be flushed and replaced and of course the wheels needed realignment. He told me that the car should be ready by 6 pm. When I called Karen to see if she. or anyone else could pick me up at that time she said OK as long as it wasn't any later. She and Kelsey were having dinner with a friend of Kelsey's and her mother who happens to be a good friend of hers. At 5:30, after I had my supper, I called the shop to find out if we were on schedule but in several tries there was no answer. Disturbing! In any case, Karen picked me up and upon our arrival I was told that their phone system had been out for a couple hours but the car would be ready in about 20 minutes. I sent Karen on her way. Of course, the 20 minutes stretched to over an hour. The manager informed me that the care was done and being taken for a road test. When the mechanic returned with it he reported that the steering wheel was not properly aligned so that took a little more time. I was surprised to see Dan walk in the door. Karen had let him know what was happening and he had called my home to see if everything was OK. Not finding me at home, he drove to the shop. He said he saw the mechanic, driving my car and soon it was back in tip-top condition and I paid the bill. When I left, Dan gave me peek at his new Buick. Beautiful and smelling like new! My kids watch out for me.
Tuesday morning Karen sent an email, upset because I had to wait so long. If we had known, she would have taken me back home and Dan could have returned me at or after 7. I responded:
"I have learned to wait well. That was not true in earlier years. And ... I had little else that needed my attention. There is nothing on TV these days and I had already eaten my supper. I enjoy people watching and even listening to the manager deal with people who call. Some have really unreasonable demands. The time went by fast and I knew they were doing good things to my car, things which it really needed ... long neglected. I play my radio too loud or I would have known the car needed help. In any case, I would not want to rush the mechanic any more that I want to just say Hi and Goodbye to my doctor when I go to see him ... or to God in church for that matter. All good things take time and we need to slow down and wait ... and absorb life. Thanks for giving me the rides. It was just what I needed ... and all that you could do. When you dropped me off I was told that it would be 20 or 30 minutes. It stretched a bit longer but, as I said, the time was needed to do what had to be done. The car is happy and I am happy, none the worse for wear."
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The above quote came from Simple Truths along with this comment:
How true it is! Just one act of kindness...just one word of
encouragement, can change a life forever.
"The Push", is a wonderful short story written by my co-author
David McNally. The story inspired this book, (Even Eagles Need a
Push) and the movie you're about to watch. It has only
182 words, but it captures the essence of encouragement in a way you'll
never forget.
So sit back, turn up your speakers, and watch a beautiful 3 minute movie
that will make your heart smile.
And, don't forget to pay it forward, by sharing this e-mail with
friends, family, and co-workers. A little "shot of inspiration"
is always a good thing!
Just
click here to watch
To Life,
Mac Anderson
Founder, Simple Truths
Yes, the video was beautiful. (You did take the time to watch, didn't you?) I have added it to my inspirational page. It seems to be particularly apropos at this time when some of us are "pushing our children out of the nest" and sending them off to college where they will do some flying on their own. If we haven't taught them the skills to survive and thrive, and to stay out of trouble by now, it is too late. They will plummet into the abyss. Of course, some of them love the nest so much that they will fly right back and continue to enjoy the security they find there. Others will find their soul mate and set out on their own, learning to support themselves, learning what they believe to be independence and self sufficiency. With us humans, there is the need for that "push" but, indeed, it is more of a reluctant release. It is the same doubt as that of the eagle ... are they ready? Our ego's are much stronger that that of the eagle and we are much more prone to believe that our off-springs can not live without our guidance and assistance. Faith is needed here, faith in the knowledge that we have done all we can and done it well, and faith that they have absorbed enough from us for the challenges ahead. Of course, unlike the eagle, most will always have that family tie, ... we pray, ... and when there is need, they will return for help, or be wise enough to accept it when offered, until their (our) lives evolve to the point when they are watching out for us. ... Taking us to the repair shop ... or maybe to the hospital and being worried when things seem to be not right in our lives.
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Tuesday evening, Anthony's team, the Crestwood Panthers, won again in the tournament in Wichita. They are now in the final six and whereas the games have been spaced every other day they will be playing daily from now on. Marc has been playing in this tournament for several years and can play the rest of the week so he left to join his brother at 3:30 Wednesday morning. See Crestwood Panthers Anthony is batting .435 for the tournament, the National Baseball Congress World Series. See NBC World Series.
There is a button near the top of the page (left side) for the 3 minute retreat. It changes every day and I subscribe to their daily email. I would like to share last Wednesday's offering with you. It is a challenge for us, a difficult one, no doubt. It goes against many of our instincts but it is essential to our (Eternal) survival. See 3 Minute Retreat. Think about it ... there will be many people we don't agree with now in heaven when we get there. We may as well learn to love them now because we won't be allowed in heaven with them if we don't love them then. Do we want to take the chance that we will make it and they won't? If you are that sure of yourself you better check you ego. It may be in control ... ... over control!
On Tuesday, two of the three contractors that I called about replacing
my windows were here. One left a written quote and the other a verbal
and will follow up with an email. I had no return call from
the outfit that had just done my daughter's house. On Wednesday when I
told her I had not heard from them she was surprised since they had
asked to be referred to friends and relatives. At 2:15 Jim called, full
of apologies, and will be here on Thursday morning. Anne Marie has
influence and gets action. Not to change the subject, but ... Alex
sent a photo of his new riding mower. He has been wanting one for a long
time but his wife always insisted that he needs exercise. She finally
got tired of his whining and got one for him. She could have at least
had it painted before giving it to him. He reports that it takes a lot
of effort to get it moving and is a little difficult to turn but is
great on long straight runs.
Heavenly. That was the only way to describe Thursday morning. Perfect temperature, no breeze, the only thing in the sky was the occasional vapor trail of a high flying jet, so high that there was no sound. Some left long trails that gradually billowed out and became distorted by some lofty wind. Some were so high that the thin white vapors soon dissolved, leaving no trace of a plane having been there. Of course there was the occasional low flying jet, heading toward one of the airports, leaving no trail in the warmer air but announcing themselves with the roar of their powerful engines. There was also the sound of cars on the nearby streets and the occasional slam of a car door followed by the tweet-tweet of the remote door lock together with the twitter of birds or the scampering sounds of a squirrel on my neighbor's wooden fence. These are the sounds of life in the city, all necessary to existence in my world and part of the symphony of life. Occasionally there would be gaps in the sound, submersing me in profound silence, a deep void of sound, befitting the stillness deep within some primeval forest. But all around me were a just a few trees, beautiful flowers, my pretty gazebo and Mikey at my feet, himself taking in the splendor of the day. It was, as it often is, the perfect setting in which to commune with God, Anne and my thoughts. This is a place and an atmosphere in which I am restored in spirit by God and nature. This is my retirement resort, my retreat from busyness, my haven, not to retreat from the world but to be immersed into the best part of it. It is a place to come just a little closer to heaven.
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Jim came right on time at 10:30. I showed him the windows that needed replacement and told him what I had in mind. He, in turn, described his product and displayed his samples. A competitor had told me that they could cover the wood frame of two octagon windows with aluminum to make them maintenance free and I asked if he could do the same. After inspecting them he said that they would not completely cover the wood but leave the wood at the glass exposed and in need maintaining the paint. He explained that to cover it completely would require that the aluminum be sealed to the glass with caulk which eventually would fail allowing moisture to infiltrate and rot the covered wood and/or freeze and crack the glass. He left, leaving a verbal quote promising to email a formal quote within the day. I am still waiting for the quote of one of the contractors who came on Tuesday so I sent him an email to prompt his response.
After Lunch Thursday I went foraging for food at the Jewel. This turned out to be serious foraging. I went with the list I printed from the Lean Cuisine web site of low carb, low cal dinners. Of course I found only one that was on my list. That meant I had to pull the box out of the freezer, read the nutritional label and either take it or put it back. I found only five amongst the 100 or so that must be in there ... and that was only the one brand ... and so took two of each. (I had a coupon for $1.50 savings on the purchase of ten.) I always hated to go shopping with Anne because she read all the labels and now that is what I must do. I had gotten an email reply from Health Choice saying they could not provide a list of low carb foods but I should just read the labels at the store. I had replied that maybe they should copy their competitor's web site but after my experience at the store I see why they don't provide the list. The list I had from LC, except for one, was not stocked in the store but there were others in stock that were not on the list. Next time I go foraging I will check the Healthy Choice stock to see if I can get a little variety. I also picked up some unhealthy food including some snacks. Not for me but Sarah Ialacci, her husband John and their two boys will be visiting from Cleveland for several days next week. My two guest bedrooms will be their base camp while they see the sights and museums of Chicago before the boys go back to school. I will enjoy having my big brother's daughter and family here for a visit. I would volunteer to be their guide but I would only slow them down and limit the places they could visit so they will strike out on their own. Besides, these days they can plan things in advance using the internet and see what they want to see.
After my excursion to the Jewel and feeding Mikey, I settled down in the Gazebo with some ice water, ... my return to R&R. Soon Mac from Mac's Lawnstyle was entering the gate and joining me. I had asked him to look at the sorry state of the vegetation in front of the house. He said my boxwood hedge had a fungus. Some of it could be saved and some was beyond saving. He will give me a quote to replace part of it and restore the rest as well as cleaning out some of the other plantings to give it a neat clean look. I also asked him about a couple trouble spots in the back yard. He will get back to me in about a week.
Anne Marie reported that the Crestwood Panthers were eliminated from the NBC World Series on Wednesday evening. Marc only had one at-bat. Anthony, on the other hand, got a triple in the first inning driving in two runs and then scored himself. He walked and scored in the second inning and was intentionally walked and scored in the third. They were winning 7 to 1 at this time. However, their opponent tied the game in the 8th. Anthony doubled in the 9th to drive in the go-ahead run but their opponent cam back in the bottom of the inning to win 9-8. The boys got home late Thursday. Good go guys ... you did all you could and more.
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It was a very busy week for me. It was a week full of people, some new to me and others who I have known, it seems, for ever. They were all here to help me in one way or another. Oh yes, some were trying to make a living by doing work for me or providing a service but that is what life is all about. We use our talents to provide the things that others can not provide for themselves. We do our jobs in such a way as to contribute to humanity, diligently and honestly and make a living almost as a by-product of our sharing. I feel that each and every business person I dealt with this week was such a person. That is how the world is supposed to work. They all made an effort to discover my needs and to provide a solution to my problems. They all must have taken the Dale Carnegie Course and learned that to make friends and influence people they must be genuinely interested in others. It will be very difficult to say no to two of the three window contractors. The auto shop was similar although no competition was involved. I have been using their services for a long time and they are honest, efficient in the face of the unexpected problem and I have never been dissatisfied with their work. My 9 year old Buick runs like new. Who could demand more? And then there is family. Always concerned but as I age their love and attention deepens. They are so afraid that I will be inconvenienced or that something will be difficult for me. When I drive to my daughter's I must call when I get home to let her know I am OK. I tell her not to worry, the hospital will call if I am not OK but that is not what she wants to here. They bought a no-frill cell phone for my birthday and keep it active with "minutes" so I have it in the car with me for emergencies. I am not insulted that they think the I, the self proclaimed "Don" of the family, needs some help now and then ... more often all the time. No, I am grateful that they care and have told them to watch carefully and when the time comes, take my car keys away from me before it is too late. I tell them that not only to make sure they know that it will be necessary at some point, but to make sure I, myself, realize that when it happens it will be for my benefit and the benefit of the others with whom I share the road and won't resist. I am surrounded by love. I take comfort in that that fact indicates that my life is a success. But, it has been a success only because I have learned that I didn't do it myself. There were always others, along with God, at my side every minute. Thanks everyone ...
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I Am blest |
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
