J. D. Salinger recently passed away at the age of 91 in his home in Cornish, NH. At one time, he was thought to be the most important American writer of the post WWII era. Perhaps he was best known for his novel, Catcher in the Rye, from 1951. Originally published for adults, it became popular with adolescent readers for its themes of alienation and rebellion. If I recall, it became required reading for us in freshman English class. Little did I know that his title work would provide an inspiration for this writer.
When I was 8, I remember taking rides to do errands with my parents and siblings. An errand could have been anything from going to pick up milk or to go on a house call with my father. If we were headed for the local department store for provisions, it would not have been uncommon for my Dad to collect my brothers and me and head for the sporting goods section. He loved baseball, so naturally, if we were looking for a new bat or glove, we knew Dad would be an easy mark. Once, I spied this blue chest protector at the Mammoth Mart, and that's when I decided it was time I become a catcher. After all, if I was going to catch, I needed the proper protective gear. Dad couldn't resist my "demand", since it made some semblance of sense to him too. Well, that chest protector served me well. I played catcher throughout Little League and right on through my days as an American Legion ballplayer. Although the chest protector may be gone, the memories surrounding our days practicing and playing baseball are forever etched in my mind.
Not all the errands were about "business", however. Some of those rides were just that, rides. Rides to see the scenery along the coast, particularly into NH. We enjoyed the sights of Hampton Beach, the Fuller Rose Gardens, and onward to Rye and Portsmouth. A stop for an ice cream would almost always complete the trip too.
As we say farewell to J. D. Salinger, I will be eternally grateful for the inspiration he provided, not only in his writings, but for the theme of this reflection into the past. As you can see, I was, unknowingly, perhaps a "character" in an unpublished sequel, "the catcher who lived near Rye"!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The only thing we have to fear is...
If somebody asked you who was responsible for the phrase, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.", I am sure that most people would be able to come up with the correct answer. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and that would be right. How about this one, "December 7th, 1941, a date that will live in infamy.". Who immortalized these words on that fateful day? If you said FDR, you would be right again. The first words were spoken at FDR's inaugural address and of course, FDR delivered those now famous words to a country in shock after the surprise attack of Pearl Harbor.
Respecting the historical significance of each of these addresses, the first trying to energize a nation during the Great Depression and the second marking the sadness of Pearl Harbor, I would like to use a little poetic license and suggest that these comments could very well have been applied to another historic occasion. A date that will live in infamy could apply to January 30th. This is the birthday of 2 great Americans, one who delivered the now famous speech line and the other, our very own Iron Dave. When FDR referred to fear in that inaugural address, he didn't have Iron Dave in mind, but I assure you, when Iron Dave was in his prime, he put fear in the minds of his competitors. The only thing they had to fear was Iron Dave and his competitive spirit.
Those of us who know Iron Dave, recognize that he shares, not only FDR's birthday, but also his fiery enthusiasm for politics and fairness. We all wish him well as he prepares to enter his eighty first year. He has certainly made his mark on us, but his love of family, his commitment to his school, and his passion for life are epic indeed. For our Mathematician friend, as he passes his "prime number" age of 79, we all hope that there are yet a "number" of prime years ahead. Happy birthday Iron Dave!
Respecting the historical significance of each of these addresses, the first trying to energize a nation during the Great Depression and the second marking the sadness of Pearl Harbor, I would like to use a little poetic license and suggest that these comments could very well have been applied to another historic occasion. A date that will live in infamy could apply to January 30th. This is the birthday of 2 great Americans, one who delivered the now famous speech line and the other, our very own Iron Dave. When FDR referred to fear in that inaugural address, he didn't have Iron Dave in mind, but I assure you, when Iron Dave was in his prime, he put fear in the minds of his competitors. The only thing they had to fear was Iron Dave and his competitive spirit.
Those of us who know Iron Dave, recognize that he shares, not only FDR's birthday, but also his fiery enthusiasm for politics and fairness. We all wish him well as he prepares to enter his eighty first year. He has certainly made his mark on us, but his love of family, his commitment to his school, and his passion for life are epic indeed. For our Mathematician friend, as he passes his "prime number" age of 79, we all hope that there are yet a "number" of prime years ahead. Happy birthday Iron Dave!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Aging just a little less each day
There are plenty of theories written on aging, so one may think it would be foolish for me to even consider yet another. However, it has occurred to me that some people just seem to age "better" than others. Why, you might ask. I am not sure I have the answer to this without proper research; but what I do know is that people who exercise generally live with fewer health problems and often times, live longer lives as well. Naturally, accidents do occur and luck may play a role, but for the most part, if you take care of yourself, good things are more apt to happen.
Let me expound on this aging thought for just for a minute. By the time we reach the second day of our lives, we have aged twice as much as compared to that very first day. This is the most dramatic change in our aging process that we will ever experience. From that day forward, aging slows down. As you can see, with each passing day, each passing week, each passing month, and each passing year, percentage wise, we actually are aging a little less with each changing increment.
None of us knows how long we'll live, and the fountain of youth seems more imaginary than real. However, if you want to slow down your aging, then I suggest you start exercising. I don't mean that you have to become the "marathon man" or an "Ironman", I simply suggest you get moving. Get that old heart pumping, so that you can live life to the end, because living longer is only worth it if you are living more fully; and that my friends is what I believe is "age-less"!
Let me expound on this aging thought for just for a minute. By the time we reach the second day of our lives, we have aged twice as much as compared to that very first day. This is the most dramatic change in our aging process that we will ever experience. From that day forward, aging slows down. As you can see, with each passing day, each passing week, each passing month, and each passing year, percentage wise, we actually are aging a little less with each changing increment.
None of us knows how long we'll live, and the fountain of youth seems more imaginary than real. However, if you want to slow down your aging, then I suggest you start exercising. I don't mean that you have to become the "marathon man" or an "Ironman", I simply suggest you get moving. Get that old heart pumping, so that you can live life to the end, because living longer is only worth it if you are living more fully; and that my friends is what I believe is "age-less"!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Create Your Very Own 2 Hour Delay
Have you ever awakened and felt the need to simply fall back into bed and sleep just a little more? Maybe you stayed up too late, slept poorly, or simply allowed life's stresses to catch up with you. Whatever the case may be, wouldn't it be nice if you could call in and put yourself on a 2 hour delay? Then, there might be just enough time to catch 40 winks, still get a shower and breakfast, all before heading out the door for work, and more importantly, feeling rested.
Unfortunately, this is not an option for most of us, although it would be welcomed. What if you could just press that "easy button" and have it automatically put you on a 2 hour delay, wouldn't life be great? Come to think about it, there is a way to do it. All you'd have to do is set your alarm to go off 2 hours before your usual waking time. When you realized that the alarm had gone off too soon, you'd reset it. Because you will be so tired, you won't even remember that, and in your mind's eye, you'll now be on that 2 hour delay. What a perfect "strategery". You know what? Maybe you should just turn in early tonight instead!
Unfortunately, this is not an option for most of us, although it would be welcomed. What if you could just press that "easy button" and have it automatically put you on a 2 hour delay, wouldn't life be great? Come to think about it, there is a way to do it. All you'd have to do is set your alarm to go off 2 hours before your usual waking time. When you realized that the alarm had gone off too soon, you'd reset it. Because you will be so tired, you won't even remember that, and in your mind's eye, you'll now be on that 2 hour delay. What a perfect "strategery". You know what? Maybe you should just turn in early tonight instead!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Two Loops "Le Trek"
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a famous painter from the post-Impressionist period. How do I know this you ask? I had to do my homework for this one, since I really knew of him by name only. However, the artist usually has long since "retired" when the true value of their art or contributions becomes realized. Let me tell you, "Le Trek" lives.
My friends and I meet regularly most mornings to exercise. The routine varies from day to day, so it may involve running, biking, or swimming or some variation thereof. There are even days now when we make it to the weight room to "pump it up". So on those running days, the question usually becomes, "How long and where should we go?". Our route depends on several factors including, the wind direction and how much time any of us have. On those colder days, we'd opt for something shorter.
Just the other day, one of my friends, who has all our usual "routes" programmed into his PDA, suggested we take the in town course because of the conditions. There had been some overnight snow, so the footing was a tad treacherous. Naturally, since we are the safety conscious dudes we are, staying in town seemed to be less risky. In keeping with the inspiration of H. Toulouse-Lautrec and being a true Renaissance man himself, he recommended our run route for this snowy morning should be, the incomparable, "2 loops le trek"; a bit "icy" but worth the investment!
My friends and I meet regularly most mornings to exercise. The routine varies from day to day, so it may involve running, biking, or swimming or some variation thereof. There are even days now when we make it to the weight room to "pump it up". So on those running days, the question usually becomes, "How long and where should we go?". Our route depends on several factors including, the wind direction and how much time any of us have. On those colder days, we'd opt for something shorter.
Just the other day, one of my friends, who has all our usual "routes" programmed into his PDA, suggested we take the in town course because of the conditions. There had been some overnight snow, so the footing was a tad treacherous. Naturally, since we are the safety conscious dudes we are, staying in town seemed to be less risky. In keeping with the inspiration of H. Toulouse-Lautrec and being a true Renaissance man himself, he recommended our run route for this snowy morning should be, the incomparable, "2 loops le trek"; a bit "icy" but worth the investment!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
January 23, a Date to Remember
There are a number of dates in history that are connected to famous events. We just celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday, the President's days are coming, the Ides of March, and one of the most famous, the night the Titanic went down, April 15th, 1912. There have been several movies made about this historic occurrence, one entitled, "A Night to Remember". For me, January 23rd became one of those personal dates that I'll always remember, and now let me tell you why.
The bond that most grandchildren have with their grandparents is, undeniably, one of those relationships that can be very special. Although I never knew one of my grandparents, the other three were just, oh so wonderful in their own way. My grandmother, probably because she had more of those mothering instincts, topped the list. Her warm personality, gentle kindness, and diminutive size made her just right. She and my grandfather would come to our house for dinner almost every Sunday. If they couldn't come, the family would go to their home in the big city, Boston. Sometimes, several of us would be intentionally left behind to stay with Grammy for a few days. It is those times that I remember most vividly.
She had this dining room table set that we sat under for hours playing a game called "airplane". We pretended we were in the cockpit readying ourselves for takeoffs and landings; we even imitated all those familiar sounds. She had this old treadle sewing machine that served as our indoor see saw, after we moved on from the dining room. Then there was the front room where we could set up our little cities with cars and people, simply because there was enough room in there for this. And, of course, the winding stair well that provided her entry way. It was perfect for anything else we needed. Grandma's indoor playground had it all.
Naturally, she would have to have fed us at some point too. She had Ovaltine to make the chocolate milk. And if it was "mashed potato day" at Bristol Road, you'd have been in heaven, because hers were the best; lumpy as I recall. The rest of the menu didn't matter much. We all nestled into this nook in the kitchen where the dinner conversation took center stage. After the main course, we undoubtedly had a sweet treat from her infamous bakery down the street.
Yes, Grandma's on Bristol Road was an early learning center for my siblings and me. It was replete with whatever a kid could need and an endless supply of love. So, whenever January 23rd comes around, I think of the grandmother of grandmothers, the only grandmother I ever knew. By that final day of her life, she had accomplished the work of 2 grandmothers, an achievement that she, I'm certain, could be proud of for an eternity!
The bond that most grandchildren have with their grandparents is, undeniably, one of those relationships that can be very special. Although I never knew one of my grandparents, the other three were just, oh so wonderful in their own way. My grandmother, probably because she had more of those mothering instincts, topped the list. Her warm personality, gentle kindness, and diminutive size made her just right. She and my grandfather would come to our house for dinner almost every Sunday. If they couldn't come, the family would go to their home in the big city, Boston. Sometimes, several of us would be intentionally left behind to stay with Grammy for a few days. It is those times that I remember most vividly.
She had this dining room table set that we sat under for hours playing a game called "airplane". We pretended we were in the cockpit readying ourselves for takeoffs and landings; we even imitated all those familiar sounds. She had this old treadle sewing machine that served as our indoor see saw, after we moved on from the dining room. Then there was the front room where we could set up our little cities with cars and people, simply because there was enough room in there for this. And, of course, the winding stair well that provided her entry way. It was perfect for anything else we needed. Grandma's indoor playground had it all.
Naturally, she would have to have fed us at some point too. She had Ovaltine to make the chocolate milk. And if it was "mashed potato day" at Bristol Road, you'd have been in heaven, because hers were the best; lumpy as I recall. The rest of the menu didn't matter much. We all nestled into this nook in the kitchen where the dinner conversation took center stage. After the main course, we undoubtedly had a sweet treat from her infamous bakery down the street.
Yes, Grandma's on Bristol Road was an early learning center for my siblings and me. It was replete with whatever a kid could need and an endless supply of love. So, whenever January 23rd comes around, I think of the grandmother of grandmothers, the only grandmother I ever knew. By that final day of her life, she had accomplished the work of 2 grandmothers, an achievement that she, I'm certain, could be proud of for an eternity!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Was it Magic or Just Good Old Fashioned Fun?
If it was raining when you were a kid, what would you have done? Well, if you had several brothers and sisters like me, there rarely was a problem coming up with some indoor activity. We'd either drag out the board games or a deck of cards, convince Mom to make cookies, play dress-up, watch TV, or on this particular occasion, we decided to have a magic show.
My mother had this old sewing cabinet that made the perfect prop for our production because it had a back door and a top that came apart. Consequently, you could climb in and out of this piece of furniture both through the back and through the top. However, in order to disguise the activity through each of these portholes, we hung a curtain alongside the cabinet to block this. Of course, this provided hours of fun filled distraction. But what would be the purpose of all this, if the show hadn't gone on?
So, after practicing all afternoon, my parents and the older siblings were enlisted to make up the audience. Likely, the production would have lasted just a short time, but the fun we had in preparing for it, provided hours of playful distraction and creativity. Doesn't this all sound familiar?
On occasion I find myself asking, "Why would this innocent afternoon of indoor fun remain imprinted on my mind?". I am really not sure that I have the answer to that one, but what I do know, however, is this. The show, complete with our trap door and false top cabinet, the shenanigans, and all the antics, I am guessing "nearly" brought down the house!
My mother had this old sewing cabinet that made the perfect prop for our production because it had a back door and a top that came apart. Consequently, you could climb in and out of this piece of furniture both through the back and through the top. However, in order to disguise the activity through each of these portholes, we hung a curtain alongside the cabinet to block this. Of course, this provided hours of fun filled distraction. But what would be the purpose of all this, if the show hadn't gone on?
So, after practicing all afternoon, my parents and the older siblings were enlisted to make up the audience. Likely, the production would have lasted just a short time, but the fun we had in preparing for it, provided hours of playful distraction and creativity. Doesn't this all sound familiar?
On occasion I find myself asking, "Why would this innocent afternoon of indoor fun remain imprinted on my mind?". I am really not sure that I have the answer to that one, but what I do know, however, is this. The show, complete with our trap door and false top cabinet, the shenanigans, and all the antics, I am guessing "nearly" brought down the house!
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