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This message forum is an ongoing discussion about anything and just about everything ... within reason.  One thing our class was good at was having opinions.  Almost 70 years of life experience certainly qualifies us as experts on most everything!   Ask a question ... give an opinion ... share some insights ... it's our web site, it's our forum.  That said, it's probably not a good idea to get into arguments about politics, religion, and the like.  While we're experts on everything, we also have a wide range of values and beliefs. This site belongs to all of us ... the whole range ... and we are not here to isolate, alienate, or subjugate anybody.  Of course insults, humiliation, sophomoric barraggadocio, and demented humor is expected behavior among some of us less mature people.
 

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

A close friend recently sent this poem to me. I thought I'd share it with all of you.
 
SO TRUE IT HURTS

Another year has passed
And we're all a little older.
Last summer felt much hotter
And winter seems much colder.

There was a time not long ago
When life was quite a blast.
Now I fully understand
About 'Living in the Past'

We used to go to weddings,
Football games and lunches..
Now we go to funeral homes
And after-funeral brunches.

We used to have hangovers,
From parties that were gay.
Now we suffer body aches
And whine the night away.

We used to go out dining,
And couldn't get our fill.
Now we ask for doggie bags,
Come home and take a pill..

We used to often travel
To places near and far.
Now we get sore asses
From riding in the car.

We used to go to nightclubs
And drink a little booze.
Now we stay home at night
And watch the evening news.

That, my friend is how life is,
And now my tale is told.
So, enjoy each day and live it up...
Before you're too damned old

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Love it, Jeanne! Enjoy every day. Now I think I'll go sit out in the yard with a book, soak up the wonderful warm summer sun, snack on some sweet cherry tomatoes from the garden, BREATHE, play Words with Friends with my virtual neighbor Jeanne - and remember that four years ago I would be moving funiture to set up my classroom, unpacking dusty boxes, arranging the bookshelves, wondering what bulletin boards to put up and worrying about the coming year's crop of students - and parents. 

Jim Cejka

    RIP Mork

Lauren Dieterich

I found this to be apropos. It's been a long time since I last used a fancy word like that. See you at the picnic.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OOgd9hitEAE&feature=youtu.be

Lauren Dieterich

Sounded a lot better on the original e-mail. 

Lauren Dieterich

I don't know if anyone else has run into a problem with the you tube site for this song; but, when I double checked on it; there is another song playing over it. If you go directly to You Yube and enter:' I don't want to see me naked anymore' you should get the song without all of the extras.

On the news last night, farmers were complaining about the lack of rain for the last couple of weeks. Well, someone must have done a rain dance, because it's been raining for the last 4 hours.

William Nelson

Lauren,

I'm pretty sure the problem you're having with the YouTube page is due to this page. There's no way to turn off the music on this page, orther than close it. If you have both open at once, you'll hear both sound tracks. I've had two pages of this site open at once and have had the same problem. Wish there was a way to turn it off, because I invariably close the page with the music I prefer.

Lauren Dieterich

Murphy strikes again. I'm a firm believer in Murphy; prevents ulcers

Happy Friday the 13th, on a Wednesday; this month. I got this from Mr. Harris, at Custer. Or, as he was usually referred to; THE Daniel S. Harris. Anyone who had him as a teacher, knows what I'm talking about. A lot of kids didn't like him; I did. He made you learn. He's the one who got me into reading the paper every day  Even 50 plus years later; I have to have my morning paper. He also was a fan of Pogo; which in turn, got me into Pogo. Churchy La Femme ( the turtle in Pogo ) was deathly afraid of Friday the 13th; regardless of what day of the week it falls upon. Hence the Happy Friday the 13th. ( Deck us all with Boston Charlie )

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

For all of you thirsty people out there, may I remind you that we here in the north pay dearly for our abundant water. The price last night? The heat went on. Yes, August - 47 degrees last night. Karsten is on the way out the door now with his tennis racket: "perfect tennis weather" and also perfect time for weeding (after a day and night of rain).....68 degrees (we threw off our jackets with joy, whereas you probably would be reaching for down parkas). Actually we would never have turned on the heat, but with our three year old grand daughter spending the night (mommy and daddy's "date night"), it seemed a little too brisk. That's what we call anything around here that isn't frozen solid: brisk. 

Jim Cejka

Heck Nancy, it's been so long since we last heard from you, we were beginning to think you'd been frozen in alteady.

For us Californians, a little favor? Could you please re-explain what is meant by the term "rain?"

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Hi Jim and all,

No, not frozen. But some days, nearly comatose and supine by noon. That's when our three year old grand daughter goes back home after a morning with "Gammies" and "Gampies". The kids arrived July 4 (their house is three lots north, along the lake) and our daughter is doing a lot of work to get ready for teaching a new class this fall and also preparing for research for her PhD. That means I spend lots of time in the sandbox, pushing the swing, or running after the little one all over. When she leaves, I have to collapse onto the couch for a while to re-group and find some energy for the rest of the day. There is a reason why women my age cannot have babies. 

Most of you have grandchildren who are older; ours is our first and only. We have to do this one right. 

We have cut way back on our schedule of houseguests; used to have them non-stop all summer. Just can't manage that any more - it takes longer now to recover and get the laundry, cleaning, and groceries under control (town is 23 miles away - if you forget something, you just do without or improvise).  Some years the schedules of guests were so tight that we were almost literally "hot-bedding" (all you sailors know that term).

Speaking of sailors, a few weeks back we took a quick trip to Mackinac Island to sit on the long porch of the Grand Hotel and watch the saliboats coming under the bridge for the last leg of the Chicago-Mac race. Spinnakers up and billowing - it's a grand sight. Then we always have to go down to the marina and check out all the boats, oogling the winches/rigging/sails and remembering when we were young enough to struggle with all of it (albeit, not racing). 

Older daughter and partner are here for a few more days; niece and mate arriving today; neighbors from the 70's arriving Monday. By the time September arrives, we'll need a vacation.

Raining again.....sorry about that. 

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Nancy, good to hear from you. I feel your pain about not being able to take on as much these days. This is the very reason I declined an "invitation" to start a Kindergarten class for the first 2 months while the teacher was on maternity leave. 33 Kindergartners are almost too much even for the occasional day I substitute them! School starts Monday, and I continue to rejoice that I didn't have to unpack 100 boxes, put up bulletin boards, label and re-label items for the children, etc. Your everyday life - with its up and downsides -  is located in a vacation spot that many pay to visit, so understand the nonstop guests! Enjoyed your description of your trip to the sailing race near Mackinaw Island - a beautiful part of the world.

Melody Jones (Parker)

In response to Lauren's post of 08/13.  Yes, I remember Mr. Harris.  I also remember his son, Mike Harris from Peckham Jr High, what a hunk!  I had a crush on him for three years! Not only tall, dark and handsome, but a brain to go with it!  Algebra class 9th grade was a blast, trying to work the equations faster than he could...fun, fun, fun!  Ah, memories...

Melody Jones (Parker)

   Happy Birthday to Mike Minikel who turns 70 on 08/17!!!

Lauren Dieterich

Mr.Harris was part of the Harris Lumber family. My brothers and I found out how to stay on Mr. Harris' good side. He was a coin collector and we would bring in old coins that our Dad had from the 1800's. We didn't sell him any; and, it didn't help with our grades. But, it kept him friendly.

Just got back from Traverse City, MI. It poured for about half way. We went to the Leelanau Sands Casino to see Williams and Rhee ( the Indian and the White Guy ) They are really, really funny. The show was free; but, being at a casino, you knw what that means.

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Beautiful August morning - 59 degrees at 9am. But we are thankful for small improvements: the ferocious wind has died down (another "three day blow") and it's not raining. Hooray!

Jim Cejka

Nancy,

Older grandchildren? You have your one and only, and are therefore one up on me. We are however, expecting the first in October, so I guess I'll at least catch up to you.

After today, I've already figured how the little granddaughter can endear herself in Grandpa's grumpy old, cold heart. All she needs to do is learn how to clean the inside windows of Grandpa's car. Doing that this morning, my wife heard something and suddenly came running into the garage thinking there was an emergency. I think it was just my bones creaking that loud. I was thinking how nice my dad's 37 Plymouth was - windshield, back window, side windows, all straight up and down and easy to reach. Is modern better?

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Wow, Jim! I thought we were really late. Maybe, like we, you almost had given up. Congratulations! You'll have a ball.

I hear you about those slanted car windows. Thank goodness we don't smoke; at least that's one less substance to clean. 

Speaking of grandchildren and "old stuff" (were we? ... I forgot), here's one: I had been ironing one night, put away the iron but the board was still up in the morning when our grand daughter came for her morning time with us. She took one look at it and said, "what's that?". Says it all. One of these days we're going to have a tutorial on ironing - who knows? it might show up on the SAT's or something. (Jeopardy? ...some repository of archaic information)

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Okay, Jim & Nancy - I don't mean to "one-up", but we are the LATEST. Our son just got married a year ago, and still no grandchildren even on the horizon. Congratulations, Jim! I feel your pain about cleaning the inside car windows, which demand all kinds of gymnastic feats from my old body. Loved your ironing board story, Nancy. May I add an "old" story? When still in the classroom, I still had some old records (or "vinyls" as they are now called) from when I first started teaching. There was also a record player, issued to each classroom in the '60s or '70s. So I got them out one day and asked the Kindergarteners: "Do you know what this is?" Answers: "It goes around and around." and (brilliant student) "I think it has something to do with music." NOW my son & daughter-in-law have bought a reproduction record player. After I discovered they have been going to thrift stores and actually paying for old records, we showed them our case of hundreds of LPs: "Behold your inheritance!" Their faces lighted up like kids in a candy store!

Jim Cejka

OK Nancy, this one's for you. Neil Degrasse Tyson, college wrestler.

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

Forbes Magazine says the 'Best Fans in the NFL' belong to the Green Bay Packers.

Top 5:
1. Green Bay Packers 
2. Denver Broncos 
3. New Orleans Saints
4. New England Patriots 
5. Baltimore Ravens

Melody Jones (Parker)

It was a rude awakening at 3:20 in the morning with bed rocking from side to side.

I said to myself, "it's only an earthquake", rolled over and went back to sleep. 

The one 25 years ago was circular and made everyone feel dizzy.  This one was more like the Simi Valley one in 1971, when we lived in the San Fernando Valley...it rolled back and forth.  I'd rather have the rollers than the circulars.

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Jim - thanks for the Tyson photo, but I'm frustrated.....tried to get it larger so I could really get a good look....didn't work. Damn!

Terri - one of these days I'm going to get up into the second floor of our large garage (the one for boats) and see if I can find the old box of vinyls. I suppose, though,  that they - having been through so many summers and winters - may not be in the best of shape. A few years ago we were hot on the trail of one, whose cover we both remember vividly, from Dave Brubeck. Found a re-make on CD - sure brought back a lot of memories. We also have some great musical memories of Oscar Peterson at the London House in Chicago. 

Barbara Blair (Brenzel)

Glad to hear that the California contingency is A-OK!   I think I'll take our Winters!!

Barb

Jim Cejka

Thanks Barb, but now besides our rain drought we're looking at a wine drought.