I'll try to write whatever I intend before the Michigan vs. Notre Dame football game. Two losers. But it should be fun to watch, anyway. Except if you are not into football. Then watch "As the World Turns" or something. Anyway, no other plans for the day other than going to Longhorn's for dinner with Mike "May I Have Another Portion, Please?" Herbstman...and his luscious bride, Helen. You know, there was another Helen once for whom I believe Helen H. was named; that is, Helen of Troy. Helen of Troy was the most beautiful woman in all of the world; her only fault was being responsible for causing the Trojan War. When Dr. Faustus sold his soul to Satan his wish was to see Helen, and when Satan brought her before him, Faustus said, "Is this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Ilium?" A classic line!
Anyway, I'd like to tell a little about the life of a little guy I love and admire because of his courage and achievements after having a very unfortunate beginning; he was born 7 weeks premature and suffered and survived several surgeries to correct birth defects. I'm referring to my stepson, Jon Tessler who now is 43 years old. I first met Jon when I met his mother in January 1978. Only a week or two later, I went to his Bar Mitzvah where he did what he was taught to do in a laudable way. However, Jon--at home--apparently was not that laudable because he had a dog named Max, and Rhoda had a schedule tacked to the wall as to who and when the dog was to be walked. And when Jon's turn came around, he was usually sleeping. Also, Jon used to march around the apartment buck naked; I don't know why, since there was not that much of him to show off.
At the time, Rhoda was divorced & Jon did not have a strong relationship with his father. He did graduate high school and started community college where he remained for about a year and a half. But the academic life did not suit him very well, and he came down here to Florida where I had brought his mother after we married. Well, we were not going to house Jon in our honeymoon home and love nest for very long. So, we marched him down to the Naval Recruiting Station in Delray Beach and in no time at all Jon found himself shipped off to the Navy! His head was whirling around as it all happened so quickly. He was about to graduate from boot camp in San Diego when Rhoda and I flew there to watch the ceremony. Only Jon had one more chore to do which he had been having trouble with, and that was the 12-minute run. He persevered and he made it...with a courageous lung burning effort. Jon spent 10 years in the Navy, much of it aboard the USS GUADALCANAL where he was when Col. Higgins was murdered. Jon was a great admirer of Richard and Robin because they helped him in many ways that he needed help.
Following his tour in the Navy and combat in Desert Storm, Jon settled in Norfolk and married; but it didn't pan out. However, now he has a lovely girlfriend, and despite his handicapped beginnings, Jon has clawed his way up the ladder. He works as an Assitant Manager of a Premier Car Wash in Norfolk; has his own apartment replete with a TV, Computer, and a bed-- and because of the kind of person he is and what he has done with his life, his mother and I are very proud of him. You're OK, Jon. Fair seas, and a following wind.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
It's All Mental.
I went back to the VA Hospital today to see a dentist. A couple of weeks ago I had root canal work...in the chair for an hour. Today he had to remove the temporary filling and put in a permanent one. Didn't even have to numb the tooth because there was no nerve left. I don't know why I'm writing about this because you probably are not too interested. But because I can get dental treatment at the VA, I've been able to save thousands of dollars which I can then invest in the stock market, and then lose thousands of dollars. C'est la vie.
Last night RH+ made leftovers from RH-. Not too bad; starters were chopped liver and gefilte fish. And then turkey with gravy, cold slaw, sweet potato pie, sweet and sour meatballs, cranberry sauce, and potato latkes, all washed down with Dr. Brown's cream soda. The leftover leftovers will go into the freezer for the time being, because tonight we are going out for Chinese food in order to wash down all the Jewish food.
Now that I'm finished with my book of poetry and my memoirs, I've had quite a let down. I've run out of goals. In addition, I have not been able to play golf or do any kind of aerobic exercise. So, as usual, I sink into my PTSD depression. However, as hard as I try to get depressed, Rhoda refuses to allow it. She keeps smiling and talking and laughing and telling me all kinds of things relating to her organization, the City of Hope, and hugging and kissing me and stuff. You may not have noticed, but when Rhoda smiles, the whole room lights up, and it's very difficult to get depressed with this lady around. Consequently, I'm in sort of a limbo, and writing my blog keeps me on an even keel until Rhoda smiles again and suddenly my keel is sailing along at at least 65 knots.
(RH+ wanted to know what RH- meant. I guess she thought it had something to do with her. No. It is an abbreviation for "Rosh Hashanah Last Night". RH-. Get it?)
Last night RH+ made leftovers from RH-. Not too bad; starters were chopped liver and gefilte fish. And then turkey with gravy, cold slaw, sweet potato pie, sweet and sour meatballs, cranberry sauce, and potato latkes, all washed down with Dr. Brown's cream soda. The leftover leftovers will go into the freezer for the time being, because tonight we are going out for Chinese food in order to wash down all the Jewish food.
Now that I'm finished with my book of poetry and my memoirs, I've had quite a let down. I've run out of goals. In addition, I have not been able to play golf or do any kind of aerobic exercise. So, as usual, I sink into my PTSD depression. However, as hard as I try to get depressed, Rhoda refuses to allow it. She keeps smiling and talking and laughing and telling me all kinds of things relating to her organization, the City of Hope, and hugging and kissing me and stuff. You may not have noticed, but when Rhoda smiles, the whole room lights up, and it's very difficult to get depressed with this lady around. Consequently, I'm in sort of a limbo, and writing my blog keeps me on an even keel until Rhoda smiles again and suddenly my keel is sailing along at at least 65 knots.
(RH+ wanted to know what RH- meant. I guess she thought it had something to do with her. No. It is an abbreviation for "Rosh Hashanah Last Night". RH-. Get it?)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
You Cannot Hide from the Law!
Just as I said, on the erev of Rosh Hashanah the guests came to the house for a happy dinner with witty chatter, gales of laughter, wine, gefilte fish, chopped liver and whatever else was necessary to make New Year happiness wishes a reality. The chief perpetrator of the laughter was Col. Pickering himself, Mike, "I'll have another portion, please" Herbstman. One of the chief beneficiaries of the gales of laughter was the chief perpetrator of the witty chatter, and the chief beneficiaries of the laughter and chatter were Lou Strumlauf and myself who sat amazed at the erudition of the one and the humor of the other. The chief perpetrators of the wine, gefilte fish, chopped liver, turkey, etc. were the amazing women, Bev Berger, Annette, Strumlauf, Helen Herbstman, and Rhoda,who cooked, boiled, broiled, baked, and sauteed. And the most amazing of all was my wife, RH+ who perpetrated the entire evening's festivities and gourmet dining. Her High Hostessness outdid herself.
I'm very late with this blog, and for that I am truly sorry, but it wasn't my fault.
I had two doctors' appointments at the VA this afternoon and on the way back I went through the SunPass gate and as I drove away, a trooper's car got on my tail with all the lights blazing to such an extent, for a moment there, I thought Las Vegas had built another hotel right behind me. But I put aside my doubts and pulled over to the side of the road. A rather attractive black lady cop sidled over to my car and asked for the usual; driver's license, insurance card, and registration. After fumbling around in my wallet and glove compartment I finally came up with the documents. I said, "M'aam, what's the problem? And she said, "You went through the SunPass gate without paying. Do you have a 'transponder'?" With that, I took it off my windshield and she took it from me to check it out. I was truly sorry that I burst her bubble of glee at the thought she had caught a cheater. I said, "I don't think I should be held responsible for the State's lousy equipment." Then she countered with "Your insurance doesn't kick in until September 23rd." She had me there. I said, "I just got the new card and dumped the old one." Then she took everything I gave her back to her police car and about 20 minutes later she returned and said she checked and found I had money in my SunPass account. I asked her why the SunPass didn't register, and she said she had no idea. Then she gave me a document that she said was a "warning"--not a ticket. She was very nice about it. I don't think, however, that I even deserved a warning!
How about my doctors' appointments? Well at 1pm I saw the Psychologist, Dr. Carracher; and at 2pm I saw the Psychiatrist, Dr. Zayas, a very nice lady. I won't even discuss what we discussed, or why I needed two shrinks, back to back. Let's just say not to be concerned. I'm only dangerous to myself.
I'm very late with this blog, and for that I am truly sorry, but it wasn't my fault.
I had two doctors' appointments at the VA this afternoon and on the way back I went through the SunPass gate and as I drove away, a trooper's car got on my tail with all the lights blazing to such an extent, for a moment there, I thought Las Vegas had built another hotel right behind me. But I put aside my doubts and pulled over to the side of the road. A rather attractive black lady cop sidled over to my car and asked for the usual; driver's license, insurance card, and registration. After fumbling around in my wallet and glove compartment I finally came up with the documents. I said, "M'aam, what's the problem? And she said, "You went through the SunPass gate without paying. Do you have a 'transponder'?" With that, I took it off my windshield and she took it from me to check it out. I was truly sorry that I burst her bubble of glee at the thought she had caught a cheater. I said, "I don't think I should be held responsible for the State's lousy equipment." Then she countered with "Your insurance doesn't kick in until September 23rd." She had me there. I said, "I just got the new card and dumped the old one." Then she took everything I gave her back to her police car and about 20 minutes later she returned and said she checked and found I had money in my SunPass account. I asked her why the SunPass didn't register, and she said she had no idea. Then she gave me a document that she said was a "warning"--not a ticket. She was very nice about it. I don't think, however, that I even deserved a warning!
How about my doctors' appointments? Well at 1pm I saw the Psychologist, Dr. Carracher; and at 2pm I saw the Psychiatrist, Dr. Zayas, a very nice lady. I won't even discuss what we discussed, or why I needed two shrinks, back to back. Let's just say not to be concerned. I'm only dangerous to myself.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
What's fhe Rosh? It's a Shandah.
Tonight is Erev Rosh Hashanah, and the lady of the house is preparing a meal for 8 people. The invitees are all "orphans", having no family living in Florida. So what we are doing, I suppose is called a "mitzvah". I just lugged a 14 lb. turkey, two challahs, gravy, and stuffing from the deli. It's about 95 degrees out there and my shirt is soaked with sweat.
When this holiday comes around every year, zillions of e-cards, Hallmark cards, 50% off cards are mailed, and telephone calls are made wishing zillions a Happy New Year and/or L'Shanah Tovah! Then in the erev, the guests come to the house for a happy dinner with witty chatter, gales of laughter, wine, gefilte fish, chopped liver and whatever else is necessary to make the happiness wishes a reality. But now, after all this Bacchanalian gaiety, a week later everyone goes to temple on Yom Kipppur crying, grieving, and asking forgiveness for the previous week's sins. I presume that the previous year's sins have already been forgiven from last year's Yom Kippur. Sometimes it's rough being Jewish.
I, personally, am not a temple goer anymore. I used to go. But now I'm bored, and I am personally against standing, sitting down, standing, sitting down all through services at the rabbi's whim it seems. I can't prove it because I no longer read Hebrew. And I'm opposed to wearing jackets in Florida, temple or no.
Ampaden Rating: * * * * *
September 10, 2007 6:39 PM
Positive Feedback:
This is the best poem I have read on this website! You have mastered the form and presented a beautiful feeling of longing. The poem actually sings the feelings of the narrator.
When this holiday comes around every year, zillions of e-cards, Hallmark cards, 50% off cards are mailed, and telephone calls are made wishing zillions a Happy New Year and/or L'Shanah Tovah! Then in the erev, the guests come to the house for a happy dinner with witty chatter, gales of laughter, wine, gefilte fish, chopped liver and whatever else is necessary to make the happiness wishes a reality. But now, after all this Bacchanalian gaiety, a week later everyone goes to temple on Yom Kipppur crying, grieving, and asking forgiveness for the previous week's sins. I presume that the previous year's sins have already been forgiven from last year's Yom Kippur. Sometimes it's rough being Jewish.
I, personally, am not a temple goer anymore. I used to go. But now I'm bored, and I am personally against standing, sitting down, standing, sitting down all through services at the rabbi's whim it seems. I can't prove it because I no longer read Hebrew. And I'm opposed to wearing jackets in Florida, temple or no.
I'm still involved in submitting and reviewing poetry on poetry.com. The latest poem I entered, "And So...Farewell" received the following review which was gratifying and made me blush. Yeah, right. "Ampaden" says it's the best poem she's read on that site. Considering the fact that there are hundreds submitted each day, it's quite a compliment.
Reviewer :Ampaden Rating: * * * * *
September 10, 2007 6:39 PM
Positive Feedback:
This is the best poem I have read on this website! You have mastered the form and presented a beautiful feeling of longing. The poem actually sings the feelings of the narrator.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
PATRIOT DAY
Well today, 9/11 is now called PATRIOT DAY. In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year, designated in memory of the nearly 3000 who died in the 2001 attacks. However, most Americans refer to the day as "Nine-Eleven (9/11)", "September 11th", or some variation thereof. The U.S. House Joint Resolution 71 was approved by a vote of 407-0 on October 25, 2001. It requested that the President designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day." President George Bush signed the resolution into law on December 18, 2001. It is a discretionary day of remembrance, though not a national holiday.
Some greeting card companies have released Patriot Day cards, causing controversy.
Despite the law's passage and President Bush's proclamation, the effort to make September 11 a national holiday has been rejected by a few. Specifically, some object to the naming of the day as 'Patriot Day,' as the day is intended as a memorial to the victims of a terrorist attack and arguably has nothing to do with patriotism or patriots. Others note that September 11th quickly became a touchstone of patriotism for a nation that pulled together due to the attack, and the show of patriotism was part of what memorialized the victims.
(This day of observance should not be (but often is) confused with Patriots' Day, a holiday celebrated primarily in northern New England, Massachusetts, and the Adirondack region of New York in April. It commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolutionary War.)
Well, I believe if today is called Patriot Day, I can stake some proud claim to the fact that my family deserves to be remembered as Patriots starting with my father who died at the age of 33 from wounds suffered in WWI. I served for three years in WWII flying 60 combat missions and have been awarded two DFCs and eleven AIR MEDALS. My daughter, Robin Higgins, retired from the USMC as a Lt. Colonel after serving 20 years. Robin's husband, Marine Col. William "Rich" Higgins was a terrorist victim in Lebanon and because of his heroism has the USS HIGGINS, a guided missile destroyer named to honor him. My stepson, Jon Tessler, served for 10 years in the US Navy, many of those years, aboard the USS GUADALCANAL. And my son, Joel, though not a military man, is nevertheless a patriot for serving his country for 20 years as a "secret" CIA agent.
I had no problem with any of the "patriots" in my family except for Joel. Because of his status in the "Agency", I could never believe anything my own son had to say. Since he was a "secret agent", every time I questionned him about something, he would retort, "I can't tell you. It's a secret". One time I asked him what flavor of ice cream he liked, and he said it was a secret. Why? Because if a counter spy saw him eating that flavor, it would confirm his identity! Pshaw! Another time, he flew down here from Virginia on his way to someplace which he claimed was secret. I drove him to a private airport near Miami and saw him off to the secret destination. He did leave a telephone number with us, however, in the event of an emergency. So, we checked with Google as to where the area code was, and learned it was in Cuba! So much for secrecy.
Since Patriot Day is a day of remembrance, I cannot wish anyone a "Happy" day...same as Memorial Day. However since this week is Rosh Hashanah I do wish everyone of my tribe and all my friends and neighbors a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Some greeting card companies have released Patriot Day cards, causing controversy.
Despite the law's passage and President Bush's proclamation, the effort to make September 11 a national holiday has been rejected by a few. Specifically, some object to the naming of the day as 'Patriot Day,' as the day is intended as a memorial to the victims of a terrorist attack and arguably has nothing to do with patriotism or patriots. Others note that September 11th quickly became a touchstone of patriotism for a nation that pulled together due to the attack, and the show of patriotism was part of what memorialized the victims.
(This day of observance should not be (but often is) confused with Patriots' Day, a holiday celebrated primarily in northern New England, Massachusetts, and the Adirondack region of New York in April. It commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolutionary War.)
Well, I believe if today is called Patriot Day, I can stake some proud claim to the fact that my family deserves to be remembered as Patriots starting with my father who died at the age of 33 from wounds suffered in WWI. I served for three years in WWII flying 60 combat missions and have been awarded two DFCs and eleven AIR MEDALS. My daughter, Robin Higgins, retired from the USMC as a Lt. Colonel after serving 20 years. Robin's husband, Marine Col. William "Rich" Higgins was a terrorist victim in Lebanon and because of his heroism has the USS HIGGINS, a guided missile destroyer named to honor him. My stepson, Jon Tessler, served for 10 years in the US Navy, many of those years, aboard the USS GUADALCANAL. And my son, Joel, though not a military man, is nevertheless a patriot for serving his country for 20 years as a "secret" CIA agent.
I had no problem with any of the "patriots" in my family except for Joel. Because of his status in the "Agency", I could never believe anything my own son had to say. Since he was a "secret agent", every time I questionned him about something, he would retort, "I can't tell you. It's a secret". One time I asked him what flavor of ice cream he liked, and he said it was a secret. Why? Because if a counter spy saw him eating that flavor, it would confirm his identity! Pshaw! Another time, he flew down here from Virginia on his way to someplace which he claimed was secret. I drove him to a private airport near Miami and saw him off to the secret destination. He did leave a telephone number with us, however, in the event of an emergency. So, we checked with Google as to where the area code was, and learned it was in Cuba! So much for secrecy.
Since Patriot Day is a day of remembrance, I cannot wish anyone a "Happy" day...same as Memorial Day. However since this week is Rosh Hashanah I do wish everyone of my tribe and all my friends and neighbors a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Monday, September 10, 2007
SEPTEMBER SONG
Another Monday, and a chance to do some errands that couldn't be done this weekend. Yesterday was "Grandparents Day" according to my wall calendar and the one I have on the computer. Between us, Rhoda and I have six grandchildren that we know of, but I waited at the mailbox all day in vain for the Hallmark Cards. Then I realized it was Sunday and no mail delivery so I came back upstairs...or upelevator. Oh, well, I guess all the cards will come pouring in today. I mention "Hallmark" because I don't expect the grandkids to send any of those 50% off cheap cards with the doggerel poems. I know they will acknowledge Grandparents Day because I know we have grandkids out there somewhere.
Rhoda went to her usual aerobics class at the clubhouse this morning. Man, she is a bundle of energy. I don't know how she does it, considering she weighs about 98 lbs. Well, maybe a little less, a trifle more?
She has "errands" to do most every day of the week...and household chores: make the beds, do the laundry, put away the chatckas, go to the dry cleaners, return books to the library, take something out of the freezer for dinner, go to a City of Hope meeting, send out birthday and/or anniversary cards, lunch with the girls, play cards on Tuesdays and Mondays, bowl on Fridays, and on Thursdays even I get to meet with her for a movie or mall or grocery shopping...unless of course she or I have a doctor's appointment. And besides all of this, she has to fill our pill boxes with a cornucopia of colored and myriad shaped medications every week. And...this is HUGE--she will be inducted as President of the City of Hope organization on September 24 (which will make me First Gentleman). Then shortly thereafter, on October 4, she will be getting cataract surgery. Incidentally donations to the City of Hope in honor of her induction will be gratefully accepted. The City of Hope is a charitable organization which amasses funds to support cancer research conducted in the wonderful COH hospital in California.
Rhoda went to her usual aerobics class at the clubhouse this morning. Man, she is a bundle of energy. I don't know how she does it, considering she weighs about 98 lbs. Well, maybe a little less, a trifle more?
She has "errands" to do most every day of the week...and household chores: make the beds, do the laundry, put away the chatckas, go to the dry cleaners, return books to the library, take something out of the freezer for dinner, go to a City of Hope meeting, send out birthday and/or anniversary cards, lunch with the girls, play cards on Tuesdays and Mondays, bowl on Fridays, and on Thursdays even I get to meet with her for a movie or mall or grocery shopping...unless of course she or I have a doctor's appointment. And besides all of this, she has to fill our pill boxes with a cornucopia of colored and myriad shaped medications every week. And...this is HUGE--she will be inducted as President of the City of Hope organization on September 24 (which will make me First Gentleman). Then shortly thereafter, on October 4, she will be getting cataract surgery. Incidentally donations to the City of Hope in honor of her induction will be gratefully accepted. The City of Hope is a charitable organization which amasses funds to support cancer research conducted in the wonderful COH hospital in California.
( Two reviews of my poem, "And so...Farewell" from poets.com:
I liked how it sounded like it was part of Shakespeare, and how the words flowed with eaase. Great! Keep it up the great work. May God, keep you safe while you are abroud. Rspectfully, Reviewer: artistsevenseals * * * * *
How beautifully written this poem is such a nostalgic quality Reviewer: poewriter57 * * * * *)
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Reviews Of the Famous Unknown Poet
Today is Sunday and I tried to get onto poets.com to see if there were any new reviews of the two latest poems I submitted, "Roslyn Harbor I" and "IV". I did change the titles of these two poems to "Raindrops" and "Get Dressed. Go Home". The poems can be found on pages 20 & 24 of my book, ADDENDA if you're interested. Anyway, to get on with the story, when I got to the sign in page, I couldn't access my poems. The message I got was that my trial period was over, and now I had to buy "a package" if I wanted to continue reviewing others and getting my own reviewed. The packages consisted of one month for $5.95 and quarterly for $15. I chose the one month package. And so I finally got in and found two reviews for each of the poems I submitted yesterday. (At the end of this blog are two reviews and star ratings for "Raindrops" and one for "Get Dressed...) I've submitted about 13 poems to this web and all of them have gotten some very exciting and gratifying comments. I will continue there until my package is up, then goodbye.
Rhoda went to a birthday party for the 3yr.old son of a former bowling teammate. That gave me time to get out and have breakfast and buy a couple of flourescent bulbs for our kitchen fixture. I had a bacon and egg sandwich on white bread and coffee. Of course, after I didn't get out of bed until 10:45, I couldn't and didn't get out of the house until 1pm for my breakfast. I therefore have no clue as to when "lunch" will come for me. Rhoda said she's making my "comfort" food for dinner---hot dogs. For dessert, I'll probably pop in some Ghirardelli dark chocolate. Nothing else going on this lazy Sunday that readers would be much interested in. Not unless you care that the USA National soccer team just scored against Brazil to lead 1-0! Wowie!
* * * * *
wow .what great imagery you get in your words.good use of words also.well done.beautiful write.plz.read Teardrops from Heaven.thanks.
* * * * *
oh man all i can say is bravo this is a beautiful piece written in the true shakespearian model i am impressed
*****
A lovely poem-invokes sympathy for the situation. Doesn't she really want him to stay ?
Rhoda went to a birthday party for the 3yr.old son of a former bowling teammate. That gave me time to get out and have breakfast and buy a couple of flourescent bulbs for our kitchen fixture. I had a bacon and egg sandwich on white bread and coffee. Of course, after I didn't get out of bed until 10:45, I couldn't and didn't get out of the house until 1pm for my breakfast. I therefore have no clue as to when "lunch" will come for me. Rhoda said she's making my "comfort" food for dinner---hot dogs. For dessert, I'll probably pop in some Ghirardelli dark chocolate. Nothing else going on this lazy Sunday that readers would be much interested in. Not unless you care that the USA National soccer team just scored against Brazil to lead 1-0! Wowie!
* * * * *
wow .what great imagery you get in your words.good use of words also.well done.beautiful write.plz.read Teardrops from Heaven.thanks.
* * * * *
oh man all i can say is bravo this is a beautiful piece written in the true shakespearian model i am impressed
*****
A lovely poem-invokes sympathy for the situation. Doesn't she really want him to stay ?
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