Ace Wisdom

I related a story several years ago about my encounter with high school classmate Jim.  He was at our 50th high school reunion.  He thanked me for saving his life when we were kids by pulling him out of ice on the Plymouth Mullet River.  I remembered the incident vaguely and for me it just something anybody would have done.  For Jim it was “a life changing event”.  Jim wrote me a note recently on his 70th birthday again thanking me.

My significant memories of Jim are different.  In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, polio was a feared disease.  Nobody knew how you got it.  There were no cures.  Pictures of an ominous “iron lung chamber” were common.  For serious cases of polio, people were placed in the glass encased chamber that forced their lungs to expand and contract.  I think it was 1954 that the Salk vaccine forced polio into history.  You guessed it, Jim got polio in his freshman year of high school.  I remember reflecting on why Jim contracted the illness.  He was a healthy buddy who did many of the same “kid things” that I did.  Why him?  Why not me?

Jim missed his freshman year of high school.  Polio causes major pain in all muscles and if physical therapy is not rendered, muscles will atrophy.  Jim never progressed to the point where he needed help breathing which would have required the iron lung.  He obviously survived the ordeal.

Jim’s house was on the way home from high school.  I would stop from time to time to visit.  He had a cot set-up on the first floor of his home so that he could receive visitors.  His parents did many things to keep him busy.  He did all the school homework for his freshman school year from home.  They also got Jim a subscription to a book club that kept sending him new editions of The Hardy Boys series.  I think there were 25 books.  It was the equivalent of Nancy Drew but it was for guys.  When he finished each book, he would lend me the new book which I took home and read cover to cover.  It is the earliest I remember reading a book for entertainment.  I couldn’t wait to get the next book.  In a sense, Jim introduced me to recreational reading.

Jim went on to attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison and got a degree in Civil Engineering.  He lives in Maryland with his wife who is a physician.  Jim is still working at age 70 overseeing projects for Marriott Hotel chains.  I’m sure it is a labor of love.  I don’t think he needs the money.  Of course, having a wife 20 years younger might just drive him also.

I was just a small part of Jim’s life.  I did pull him out of the Mullet River but it wasn’t his time to go.  Bigger yet, he survived the encounter with polio.  He became successful professionally and now celebrates his 70th birthday.  He is employed, healthy and vital.  I’m sure he will live a long, long time.

Yet in Jim’s mind, I am the reason for his being alive today.  It is a major factor in his life.  Go figure.

Love,

Dad

I tried to recollect my 8th grade graduation.  Then I remembered that I was part of the public school system back in Plymouth and they didn’t hold “middle school” graduations  For me personally it was a non-event.

Your Mom was part of the Catholic School system until 8th grade.  She did have a formal celebration..

Last night, in Middleton,Wisconsin, there was a graduation of 8th graders from the High Point Christian School.  The Class of 2010.  It was a graduation class of 19 students.  Of course, the “standout” graduate was Grandson Grant.  He stood heads and shoulders above the rest of the class (being 6ft.3in. tall helps).

The formal program included a Pledge to the American Flag (that included “under God” in the pledge), a processional of Graduates, speeches, stories about the class, awarding of certificates and the recessional of Graduates.  The centerpiece of the graduation was a speech called “A Farewell Testimony” by several select students.  The speech was supposed to reflect the positive aspects of a Christian education.  Yep, Grant was selected to give his personal testimony.

Grant’s speech revolved around having lost his Dad 5 years ago and how the Christian value system had helped him see the positive things that life can offer.  John’s passing was part of God’s bigger plan.  I have to admit it choked me up just alittle.  Maybe because I lost my Dad at an early age and I was angry for a long time.  I really do believe that the Christian environment for Grant has been exceptionally positive.  Hmmm, maybe Grant has a very smart Mom.

And then it was over.  It seemed like a blur.  We got some cake and cookies in the cafeteria after the ceremony.  Grant went out with his class (games and bowling) and your Mom and I came home.

I am sure that Grant’s dad John was watching.  Everything is as it should be.  Grant is doing just fine.  The best is yet to come.  Go Grantster, go!

Love,

Dad

Sometimes conditions exist for a “perfect storm”.  That is when all the significant things that can possibly happen converge at the same time creating a disaster.  For example, British Petroleum (BP) has a leaking oil pipe one mile under the Gulf of Mexico.  The financial problems are beginning to pile up including clean up and legal problems.  The oil keeps coming with no immediate solution.  It is a pretty bad.  Guess what?  Today, June 1 marks the beginning of the hurricane season.  BP hasn’t seen anything yet.  Wait until a120 mph wind blows all the oil floating in the Gulf and hurls it all over Louisianna, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida coastal areas.  BP stock prices were around $57 per share before the oil disaster.  I owned my typical one share of BP.  I sold my one share at $52 per share figuring I should minimize my losses.  My financial guru where I trade stock said that BP wouldn’t go below $52.  That was 45-50 days ago.  BP was trading at $38 per share this morning and there is nothing positive to say about it.  Just think I’d have lost an additional $14 if I had held on.

You can have a perfect storm of a positive nature.  Son-in-law Tom was in town last Friday doing some business.  He stopped by the house.  While we were talking in the kitchen, your Mom came into the room to stuff more things into a kitchen drawer.  As she pushed more “stuff” into the drawer, the slides that hold the drawer broke.  The whole drawer fell downward and inward to the cabinet.  Tom, who did carpentry work in a previous life, jumped to assist your Mom.  Tom figured out that the slides were poorly designed and the only answer was to replace the slides.  Your Mom and Tom headed for Menards to buy new drawer slides.  I went off to take my afternoon nap (I don’t have any carpentry skills anyway).  When I arose from my nap, the drawer was fixed and Tom was on his way home.  What are the odds that a drawer breaks requiring carpentry work and that an accomplished carpenter will be sitting there to fix it.  I guess the last piece of the puzzle was that Tom was willing “to help out”.  Now that is the “positive perfect storm”.  A sincere thank you to Tom.

I experienced two “perfect storms” and I was able to avoid two disasters.  I sold my BP stock before it became a disaster and I got my kitchen drawer fixed because a carpenter was “available”.  Beware of perfect storms, they are dangerous.

Love,

Dad

 

Today marks my Dad’s 90th birthday.  It is possible if things had worked out, that he would still be alive and part of my life.  It is hard to fathom that he could still be here.  Actually, I’m sure he is!

My rumor mill tells me to brace for a big tax change in 2011.  Those of you that work and get a paycheck are issued a W-2 Earnings and Benefits statement at the end of each year.  If your employer provides most of your healthcare, the value of that healthcare benefit is going to have to be reported by you as 2011 income.  That means you will have to pay taxes on your previously “tax-free” benefit.  For example, if the value of your benifit through your employer is $8,000, that becomes taxable to you.  I guess when our esteemed government officials pass a healthcare plan consisting of 2500 pages that nobody has read, you should expect surprises.

As I write this, British Petroleum (BP) is optimistic about “plugging the damn hole”.  I am for finding new reserves of oil and gas because the world is consuming it so fast.  On the other hand, the environmental devestation caused by the oil accident is really tragic.  Lots of innocent people affected.  Lots of wildlife destroyed.  I’m not sure what the answer really is!  Maybe just being damn careful when drilling occurs.

I have been “cruising the internet” checking cottages for sale around Crystal Lake.  It seems your Mom and I sold way too soon.  You don’t get much for $500,000 these days.  I counted between 12-14 cottages for sale.  I guess there is just so much water to go around.

I’ve been doing my exercise routine outside the last week.  It has been around 60 degrees early in the morning, gentle winds and sunshine.  The lush growth of everything (even weeds) reminds me of walking to work as a kid at Stokely Canning years ago.  Early morning is the best time of the day.

Grasshopper No.1 sent me some DVD’s.  One was “Cannery Row”.  I’ve always loved the movie.  It is a spoof about a small manufacting community with lots of strange (but nice) people running around.  It captures the essence of life.  Maybe it’s not a spoof afterall?

Memorial Day weather is supposed to be incredible.  Nice temperatures.  Low humidity.  Lots of Sunshine.  Enjoy.

Love,

Dad

My blog entry yesterday went the way of the great electronic abyss.  Apparently it just disappeared.  My website consultant indicated things like that happen.  She asked if I had happened to back it up on Microsoft Word!  Nope!

The cry goes out from Washington D.C. to fix the oil spill.  “Plug the damn hole”!  With wisdom like that, we shall surely prevail.

Minneapolis is still a good place to visit.  Our host last weekend was Grasshopper No.5.  She does have a good feeling for the social life in the big city.  Her job managing the entertainment website of the Star Tribune might have something to do with it.

While we were in town, the Brewers were playing an “inter-league” baseball contest with the Minnesota Twins.  We were asked if we’d like to see the Friday night game.  Nope!  I don’t need to travel 300 miles to see the Brewers lose.  The Twins beat the Brewers 16-3.  Ugly.

There is an IKEA furniture outlet near the Mall of America.  I wish I owned the business.  It was “non-stop” people buying tables, chairs, lights, china, and bedding.  The volume of traffic was unbelievable.  We did buy a couple of lamps.

We have to travel across the Wausau tundra to get to Minneapolis.  Son-in-Law Tom got to experience the birth of his first Grandchild last week.  Mother and Grandson are doing well.  Congratulations to all.  As we traveled through Wausau, there were banners everywhere clebrating the occasion.

Rumor has it that Crystal Lake, Wisconsin has a lot of cottages for sale or rent.  This is the time of year to sell a cottage because buyers are anxious to enjoy the water and warm weather.  I’m waiting for a Grasshopper to buy a cottage and invite me out for a boat ride and a “brat fry”.

That sucking sound you hear is the electricity being used to run our air-conditioner.  We just couldn’t hold out any longer.

Stay Cool.

Love,

Dad

 

This has been great growing weather for raspberry plants.  We are promised a little rain tomorrow.  Those little “plants of promise” are looking good.  Yum!

In the next two weeks, Grandson Grant graduates from 8th grade (I think they call it middle school).  Whoa!  Where does the time go?  Four more years and he’ll graduate Middleton High School.  Congrats to the “big guy”.

I am determined to keep the air conditioner turned off as long as possible.  Today’s temperature of 80 degrees really tested my patience.  When the air conditioner turns on, it sounds like a hovercraft or a low flying helicopter.  It sucks so much electricity, all the households along Lake Michigan experience dimming lights.

Sometimes big problems are not what they seem.  When I was working 12-15 years ago, I bought a very high quality watch.  It was supposed to be a “life time” investment.  A month ago I pulled out the “stem” to change the date and the stem came off in my hand.  I don’t think that is good.  My first thought was, “there goes my investment”.  I was prepared to buy a new Seiko.  If I “cheaped” out, I could settle for a Timex.  I took my Longines timepiece to a local watch repair specialist.  He ordered a couple of minor parts and my total bill came to $30.  I salvaged a pretty nice watch.  I need all the luck I can get.

My next big decision revolves around golf.  Last year I injured my psoas muscle (I pronounce it “sore ass” muscle) that winds it’s way through my right hip.  Grasshopper No.2 adjusted the back trauma but it took 3 months for my hip, leg and back to feel good again.  I admit that I am really scared to temp fate by swinging a golf club again.  For a few hours of pleasure on the golf course, I could have another “sore ass” for the summer or forever.  The question is “can my life exist without golf”.  Hell, Tiger Woods can survive without golf, so can I.  Stay tuned.

In summary, my life revolves around anticipating raspberry crops, graduations, managing my electric bills, salvaging a nostalgic timepiece, and health issues.  Retirement has it’s issues.  I used to worry about stockholders return on investment, increased sales and firing some a–hole that always made my life miserable.

Enjoy the weather.  Summer is around the corner.  Do your favorite outdoor things.  At worst, you could take in a Milwaukee Brewer game and watch Trevor Hoffman give up 3 runs in the last inning helping them lose.

Love,

Dad 

 

 

 

 

I went grocery shopping this morning.  Normally I buy what I want and price becomes secondary.

This morning I made a pass through my local Copps and was constantly being challenged by bulk prices.  I wanted to buy one roll of Viva towels.  Normally, one “big roll” is around $3.00.  There was an alternative deal of 2 rolls for $5.00.  Not a bad deal!  And then, you could chose 6 rolls for $6.00.  This a no brainer.  I bought 6 rolls and we will have paper toweling until the year 2012.

Then I went to buy bottled water.  A 12 pack of 20 ounce bottles was $4.19.  You could get a bonus case of 28 bottles for $5.19.  Another no brainer.  I bought the 28 bottles.  We plan to take a bath with all the extra water.

I turned a corner on the aisle to buy soda.  Normally a 6-pack of 24 ounce Diet Coke is $4.19.  They had a deal on 4-packs of 6 bottles for $10.00.  Whoa!  That works out to $2.50 per 6-pack.  No brainers are in vogue.  Of course I bought 4 packs of 6 bottles.  Then when I was checking out, the cashier said there was a better deal on soda if I had a coupon.  He had extra coupons and gave me one.  I ended up with an extra 6-pack at no charge.  The net deal was 5 6-packs of 24 ounce bottles for $10.00.  Yep.  I took the deal.  It assures I’ll have soda for the Christmas holidays.

So you see, I’m a smart shopper.  To get good prices on products.  I’m willing to buy in bulk.

By being such a smart shopper, I figure I saved a lot of money.  Now I can buy other frivilous things like gas for the car.  But wait, I reach in my pocket for the extra cash I’ve saved from buying bulk.  My pocket is empty.  Hmmm.  I have to spend more cash to buy bulk.  I have less cash but I’ll have towels, water and soda forever….and ever….and ever.

One of you Grasshoppers noted that if a Grandchild turns 16, it doesn’t mean they get a car.  No, but it does mean a relentless begging for the family SUV.  Here is my advice.  If you do buy a second car, buy something old, preferably big and clunky.  It should have an under powered 4 cylinder engine or a “weak” V-6,  The Grandchild should pay for their own gas and insurance.  Privileges for the car can be revoked at anytime!  Finally pray.  Pray to keep the kid safe and hope they drive responsibly.

Today’s lesson was a “two-fer”.  Two tips for free.  First, buy in bulk to take advantage of price (provided you’ll use the products).  Second, a family car for the kid should be “yukky”, cheap and you want to maintain control.

Love,

Dad