"A soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs)

I said I was "thinking" about abandoning this blog. I didn't mean to complain about no one reading it because I know people are reading it. I just felt kind of "left out" and that I was writing to a wall. I certainly do not expect a whole bunch of comments to my blog; so what was my problem? This is like a diary and I am Ann Frank; no one is supposed to read your diary, but this is really a biographical log...ergo "blog, and it can be read by 1 or a 100 unknown people. So, if I have something to get off my chest, I'll just do it here. Like today...

Today Rhoda had an appointment to get a flu shot at her doctor's office at 11am. I had to drive her because her eye doctor told her not to drive for a few days until the anathesia wears off. It's about a 3 minute drive to get there, but we met a lineup of cars letting people off and a very long line waiting to get inside. My car was just at the corner where I needed to make a right turn, and while I was stopped, this idiot in a big Lexus came barreling around to the left of the line and forced me to drive up onto the curb so as not to get hit by him. So I let Rho off and I drove right behind him until he parked his car. I waited till he got out and told him that he cut me off and everyone else waiting on the car line. He just ignored me and went for his own flu shot. Well, I went into "road rage" and I was not about to let him off that easy, so I took my car keys and scratched his car right above the door handle. It was a nice clean scratch and frankly I enjoyed looking at it. My rage was immediately deflated. No. I felt no remorse for having scratched his car. I parked my car and went over to the line and saw this idiot and I said to him, "Listen, sir, someone scratched your car but I don't know who did it."

Now, that was the first glitch in the day. The second one had to do with the lengthy line waiting for shots. The nurse gave Rhoda a form to fill out so that Medicare would pay for the shot. All the patients were given numbers; Rhoda's number was 211, and they were up to 170, so I told her we were going for breakfast, and by the time we were finished her number would be up.... pardon, I mean her number would be "called." And so we went to a nearby bagel place and had our breakfast. When we went back, the nurse said they were giving shots to numbers under 220, so it wasn't too long before she got out, and we could go home. What a lousy system they had. A lot of elderly people had to wait outside a long while in the heat. More idiots who came up with that system...but not the last of them.

I went to the post office yesterday and bought a Pre-paid Priority Mail envelope which cost $4.60. I used it to mail one of my books to a very good friend. Rather than go to the post office with the package, I just placed it by my mailbox for the postman to pick up. A few hours later when I went to get our mail, the package was there with a note on it that said, "You have to put postage on this package." GGrrrrrr! It's a PRE-PAID envelope idiot; it says so very cleary on the cover, but this idiot put a big rubber band around it which opened the seal. Now, I really have to go to the post office.

But, really, none of this morning's idiotic misadventures matters more than the regained eyesight of my happy wife. She did not like the temp reading glasses the doctor gave her, so we went into Walgreens and picked up a #2 lens 1/2 glasses that came with a little cover. She is ecstatic about how the cataract surgery came out this time. At dinner tonite, she said everything in the house is "so bright". Now this outcome makes it easier to deal with such matters that engender aggravation, irritation, exasperation, rage, wrath, and fury.

"My high-blown pride at length broke under me, and now has left me weary and old with service..." (Henry VIII)

There's a story about a journalist who went to Jerusalem to report on the religious practices there for his newspaper column. He saw an elderly Jewish man praying by the Western Wall, and noticed that he was there every day, hour after hour. Finally, curious...he approached the man and asked him what he was feeling during all this praying. "What am I feeling?" the old man responded. "I'm feeling like I'm talking to a wall!"

Well, not unlikely, I'm getting the same feeling. I feel like I'm talking to at least a fence. Therefore, I am thinking of abandoning this blogging and getting on with whatever comes to mind.

"When the blast of war blows in our ears...then stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood." (Henry V)

Up at 6:30am (*&^%$%#!!!), a wedge of blueberry pie and coffee for breakfast--Rho had none; and then a trip to Boca for Rho's eye surgery. We got out of there at 10am and went for breakfast at "Lox Around the Clock". I'm happy to say that this time the cataract removal was successful! Now, in a few days, we shall find out if she is able to see any better in her right eye than before the procedure this morning. Stay tuned.

Some of you out there might be aware of the series called "The War" on PBS filmed by Ken Burns. I have not watched it myself mainly because RH+ was opposed to it. I wasn't bothered that much because I knew who won, and I didn't want to have to listen to some old curmudgeon with a walker recount his experiences. However, Rho's son, Jon has been watching it and he wrote of his reaction on his own blog:

Today I watched the final episode of Ken Burns's mini-series "The War" on PBS. As with his other movies, there was a lot of actual speaking by people that fought during WWII. You also got a sense of the great pain and suffering that WWII veterans felt upon their return home. Unlike today, there were no support groups for veterans to go and talk to. Back then if you talked to a shrink you were most likely deemed "crazy", and therefore unemployable. Veterans were forced to hold in what they were feeling, and dealt with their pain in silence. Watching this has also brought me greater understanding as to some of the things that my stepfather has written both in his memoirs and his online blog. It makes the admiration that I feel for him greater still. I fought in what would be termed "modern warfare". Missiles, and weapons fired at long ranges are what I experienced. But members of his generation fought battles sometimes for days and months at a time. Unfortunately more than 1000 WWII veterans pass away every day, many still bearing the scars of battle, and unable to talk about it. I would say if you have a relative that fought, let him or her(as the case may be), know that you are interested in hearing about it(not all the gory details), but what his friends and buddies were like. Maybe there are letters lying around that he wrote home… things like that. Don't let the chance to learn something about why people have felt the need to do something for causes greater than themselves.

Now, I've heard this story before; that is holding back what we were feeling, and it's quite true. While my family was growing up, I rarely...or never...spoke about my experiences in WWII. Primarily, I was just trying to forget the apocolyptic visions that kept popping into my head. The war was too close back then. Also, I never spoke about it in my classrooms except on occasion when some student or teacher asked a question. And there were other reasons for leaving the war in the past too complicated for discussion right here. I did manage to write whatever I could bear to write in my "MEMOIRS". But Jon is right. If there were a Civil War or Revolutionary War vet around, I would love to hear their stories. Thank you Jon for your strong views and your support...and I am not ready to be one of those 1000. "I have miles to go before I sleep; and miles to go before I sleep." (Robert Frost)

"Sit down and feed, and welcome to our table." (As You Like It)

Of all the blogs I've posted so far...about 60...strangely enough I've received more comments on what I should eat for breakfast than for any other blog. For example:
How about breakfast out. You can call it breakfast (or anything else you want) and the rest of the world can call it brunch, lunch or second breakfast. I will be glad to join you in such a venture when I return in 3 or 4 weeks. Until then, may I suggest 2 Mallomars and a glass of milk....or...
1. BreakfastA. Pop Tarts!B. Oatmeal. Not the kind your grandmother used to make. In the 21st century, futuristic pre-measured packets exist; you just add water or milk, put in the microwave, and there you are. And they have many flavors: maple raisin, apple cinnamon, etc.
or...
I occasionally enjoy a half grapefruit slightly sprinkled with sugar, using one of those spoons with a serated edge just for grapefruit, and then I eat the other half! I then squeeze the leftover juice from them into a glass, and drink it all up!No cereal or oatmeal for me...that's jail food!
or...
since you don't want to cook, how about going to the store and buying some microwaveable breakfast bowls, or hot pockets breakfast things. then all you have to do is microwave them and eat. no mess, and no fuss,except for the fork to eat with.
JR, my son sent the one about pop tarts & pre-measured breakfast packets. I told him those things are for baby boomers and that I'm used to greatest generationist food. So he commented as follows:
If you can only eat Greatest Generation food, then I wish you good luck with your Ovaltine, Cod Liver Oil, and SPAM.
So, I told him that I love that stuff & where can I get it? Anyway, never did I think that so many were worried about so few. Tomorrow I'm having nova and cream cheese on a sesame bagel & a cup of coffee.

I usually sleep to about 10:30 or 11:oo to make up for all the years I had to get up at 6:30 so I could get to Home Room at 8am. But tomorrow is a special day. Rhoda is going in for her cataract surgery, and she has to be at the hospital at 8:15. Therefore, I have to forego my sleep and arise and shine at 7. I know she's going to be nervous about the procedure, but no one can blame her after the events that followed the first cataract removal surgery. No she can only read large print books--so perhaps this time she might be able to go back to the regular small print books. The Lord taketh...but sometimes he also giveth. Who knows?

Today I had to go to the VA for some dental work and Rhoda went to her sister's place for lunch and to see Matthew the 14 month old boy born to Geri's son, Brian and his wife Deanna. Rhoda said the kid looks just like Geri's son, Howard who was killed with his father in an automobile accident years ago. I have no idea how a mother and wife could survive such a catastrophe, but she did. And now she Geri has a grandson remindful (is that a word?..I don't have time to find out) of the son she lost. And so the Lord taketh away...but sometimes he also giveth.

"If I lose mine honour, I lose myself..." (Antony & Cleopatra)

It's a lazy Tuesday with nothing much to do. Baseball playoffs start tomorrow. U.S Women's World Cup soccer team won 3rd place. They would have done a lot better if they had signed me up as coach. After all, I do have a way with the fair sex...they tell me. However, they rarely tell me which way. So, I've decided that today I would discuss two problems with you. One has to do with what to do about breakfast; the other about whether or not I should sit in a wheelchair from the bus to the cruise ship in December. Mundane stuff.

Now, about breakfast. This won't take long. I haven't eaten cereal in years; ever since that bad lady in Miami Beach shoved Wheatena down my throat in 1931. I'm not very good at frying eggs, and even if I were, I still wouldn't be looking forward to cleaning the frying pan. Cottage cheese in the morning has no appeal for me, and neither does the thought of making french toast. (I don't capitalize 'french' because I don't want the french to have the satisfaction). So what's left? A bagel and cream cheese, perhaps; an Eggo with maple syrup and strawberry jam? Matzoh brei? Also a lot of trouble and preparation, what with the boiling water, the crumbling of the matzoh, the stirring of the eggs,etc. Now I'm getting tired of having to make such inane decisions so early in the morning since I'm accustomed to deciding sterner stuff. Actually, breakfast is not that early, since I usually rise around 11am, take my morning short of breath puffer and my meds, check the scores in the paper, then my email. So "breakfast" usually begins about noon! If anyone out there in cyberland can offer some new breakfast suggestions, leave a comment. Thanks.

The other problem is a sore spot. The sore spot happens to my left and right hip sites. I haven't been able to walk more that a short distance without pain and several doctors have been at a loss as to how to alleviate it. They've diagosed the problem as "intermittant claudification" or something to that effect. But that's not the problem I'm at a loss about. We are scheduled for a cruise in December and it's a fairly long walk from the bus to the ship, and I can negotiate that distance--but not without stopping several times along the way until the agonizing pain also stops. So, Rhoda has gone ahead and scheduled a wheelchair pickup for me...she said, "with or without your approval." The thought of me in a wheelchair is anathema! It simply isn't an option. I'm a marathon runner, and we don't do wheelchairs. My parents were in wheelchairs, and I decided to take a different road. Now the Gordian Knot is this: Shall I walk to the cruise ship with Courageous Hall of Fame type Dignity in pain...or shall I sit Cowardly in the Wheelchair sans pain, but in Hall of Fame type Humiliation? 'Tis a puzzlement.

Now if there is anyone out there in cyberland who can offer some advice, leave a comment.

"I have unclasp'd to thee the book even of my secret soul." (12th Night)

Sorry I couldn't share a blog with you on Sunday, but there will be more than enough for you to read today. First, I received some good news from LULU.com :

Your book information will be sent to Bowker's Books In Print and once approved by Bowker, Lulu will upload your title to our distribution network. When this occurs, you will be notified by email. Should there be any problems with your title in Books In Print, you will also be notified. This process is generally completed within 2-3 weeks. You can expect to see your book listed on Amazon and other online retailers within the next 6 to 8 weeks.

This means that MEMOIRS of a TAIL GUNNER can be bought online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and any other online bookstore. I also had an ISBN number assigned. : (978-0-6151-6692-6) The book is the black & white version and will sell for $22. I will get royalties, and eventually I will sell this to MGM for the movie. I told Marilyn Silverstein (Eliza Doolittle) she could play my ex-wife since I made her a star in our show last year. However, I already received a rejection of that idea from her, since she is already an "ex" and she doesn't want to go through that again. She can't play "Rhoda" because Rhoda would get really pissed that she didn't get the part, and she certainly wouldn't want to play the "ex" in the movie. I would like Mike Herbstman (Pickering) to play Hitler, but I haven't checked with him on that as yet. I don't want to lose one of my three friends. They are hard enough to find here.

This wasn't the end of news about the book. My neighbor, Lou Strumlauf, is President of the Computer Club here and he wrote a nice piece in the monthly Huntington Lakes Newsletter, to wit:

"Since I don't have any meeting report to give you, let me tell you instead about one of our outstanding and distinguished members. At an age when most people are resting on their laurels, Norman Ross has just written and published a book titled 'The Memoirs of a Tail Gunner'. It is a biography of his life filling over 350 pages and a must read for all."

Then I got a call yesterday from Joyce Goldberg, President of the Library Club asking if I would be willing to present a program to the members in January, and I agreed to do something. Last year, I did "The Difference Between Real Poetry, and Hallmark". So, as you can see, I've been pretty active in the past couple of years. It took me over a year to write the book and in between paragraphs perform in and direct "My Fair Lady".

Besides all the excitement and good news above, four of us went to The Isle, a new casino here in Pompano Beach which is a beautiful venue like many you can find in Las Vegas. There are a zillion slot machines of all types and characters; 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 25 cent and, of course, dollar slots. Take your pick. Well, Rhoda certainly took her pick. She won $235 playing the nickel machine. The rest of us lost. I lost $20. We got there about 3pm and then went to the beautiful buffet dinner at 5pm. We got back home about 7:30 and then went to the Strumlaufs to play cards.

The other excitement yesterday involved major league baseball. The Marlins played the Mets who were tied with the Phillies for the division title, and The Marlins scored 7 runs in the first inning an made thousands of Met fans wipe the tears from their eyes with towels. The Mets had a 7 game lead in the middle of September and then had one of the biggest collapses in baseball history.

The big event here this week will involve Rhoda's cataract surgery on Thursday.
We are praying that this time it will be a wonderful success, as the last one was a failure.

GGGGGGGG'NIGHT FOLKS.

It's been a long day, and a good "won." Too late to write about fun at the casino. Check the blog tomorrow (Monday) for all the latest news and rumors....Baron