The Boys

Mother took this picture of Jerry, Don and I on December 26, 1963. While it's a nice picture of the 3 of us, like many old pictures, the things that show on the periphery are also interesting. We had driven back from Arlington, VA and as was customary, we had Christmas dinner with Elaine's folks one day and mine the next. When this picture was taken, we had apparently finished dinner, probably had our pie and coffee and were eating chocolates and cracking nuts. The Folks' barn had burned that fall taking many of Dad's tools and the hammer in the picture is obviously a new one. The picture on the window sill behind Jerry appears to be of Don & Gladys' girls. I suspect that the basket hides kolaches wrapped up in a towel. The coffee pot was still on the table and we all used cream and sugar in our coffee those days. Jon played his Ukulele later in the afternoon and Terry his guitar. Don and Jackie also stopped by. We left for home at noon the next day and drove the 1,275 miles straight through to get home in 21 ½ hours. Tim scored 24 points in a Jr. High basketball tournament the next day.  

More than meets the eye

On Sunday, March 5, 1950 we had gone to Church where I sang with the Quartet; then out to my folks for dinner along with Vivian and Eddy from Garrison, NE, and Gladys (Don's girlfriend). The folks were pleased to have Don and the twins, Janice and Jerry at home with them after Vivian and I having gotten married during the preceding year. We had recently been out to tell them of their up-coming Grandparent status. Janice and Jerry would have been in the 8^th grade of country school. (Does anyone remember the dog's name??). After taking this picture, (I took this one and Don took one with me on it) we all went over to the home place to “see about remodeling the house” as a place for Don & Gladys to live after getting married. It was determined that the old cow barn would be torn down to salvage some lumber for the project. On March 25^th, “I took Elaine to work and went out to help finish tearing down the old barn. We borrowed Paul Wagenknecht's tractor, a cable, and kinda tore it down in sections. Pulled a lot of nails and piled the lumber. Vivian and Janice brought dinner over.” It was truly a “family event”. Ah, the good old days.  

Musical Memories

We had lunch in Lincoln yesterday with brother Don & Gladys at the Big Red Keno Parlor on West “O” St. Among the subjects of discussion was Dad’s accordion (concertina). I had earlier noted that he got it on December 28, 1948. I checked out my old Diary today and the entry on that date includes: “Pop and Don went to David City and got an accordion”. I was gone working with SCS and didn’t note the price but my memory is that it cost $90.00. Don said yesterday that he remembered Mother and Dad discussing it before they left and Dad was willing to not make the purchase because of the cost. Mother, however was insistent that he buy it. The billows on his old instrument had deteriorated and had been inoperable for probably 15 years. The above picture was taken on Sunday, June 7, 1987 at cousin Ted & Muffy Vrana’s home in Lincoln. The Folks, sister Vivian & Eddy Soucek, Elaine & I were invited down for a family dinner honoring their daughter Doni and her fiancée Bob Belau from New York City. His folks from St. Louis and cousin Doloros from O-Fallon, IL were also present. Dad was asked to bring his accordion along and played for the garden party as we danced the polka and Flying Dutchman. The picture conveys the pleasure the music provided the Folks and to all of us over the years. I listened to a cassette tape of accordion music on the way home from the golf course this afternoon, and it brought back the happy memory of that day 24 years ago as if it had been yesterday.

Joe DiMaggio, 56 in '41

I finished reading Kostya Kennedy’s “56 Joe DiMaggio” this afternoon. In my March 12, 2011 Blog, I wrote about the Sports Illustrated cover story of the book in their March 14 issue.  While that story focused on the game where he broke George Sisler’s 41 game streak, the book picks up at about the 20 game point and carries the reader right on through his 56 consecutive game hitting streak in 1941. The book includes enough “personal” information on DiMaggio to make it interesting. The writer also brings in the war in Europe and the tensions that existed in this country among many of the recent Italian and German immigrants. Joe’s parents didn’t get their citizenship until he was with the Yankees. I enjoyed reading and refreshing my memory of the names of the many baseball players of that era as well as the descriptions of many of the ballparks that we have visited. It also includes a probability section on the very slim likelyhood that the record will ever be broken.

Monday Lunch,

When Granddaughter Julie got married last July, her Grandmother and she struck a deal. Since the new Groom was President of the Kiwanis Club of Seward and conducted the weekly meeting every Monday noon, they decided they too would go out to lunch every Monday. Grandad also goes to Kiwanis so it's an ideal time for "the ladies" to "do lunch".  I don't know what will happen when Julie's Mother retires but I hope she will join them. But regardless of what is decided, these past several months have been a great opportunity for quality time between the generations. After Julie having been back in New York City, we are all delighted to have her back.

Coffee Seminar

Osama bin Laden having been “taken out”, the history of al-Qaida, and the Taliban was the subject of discussion at our coffee group this morning. It was probably the subject of “coffee groups” throughout the world. We had heard the President's message last night, read the morning papers, and watched the TV and Internet coverage. We are also old enough to have some first-hand knowledge of the evolving world situation. Our discussion this morning (and many mornings) was elevated to a higher level with the presence of Dr. Robert Fiala, a retired History Professor from Concordia University. Bob has traveled extensively, has had foreign teaching assignments in China and elsewhere, and a student of world events since WW II and the establishment of Israel. Some of us are very fortunate to be able to participate in such a Seminar while drinking coffee and eating a chocolate cupcake.  

Great Snyder Story

Dana Snyder spoke to SCS retirees at their 40^th annul spring banquet in Lincoln's Cotner Center last Thursday evening. Dana used Dr. Gary Chapman's “5 Love Languages” and his personal experiences to enlighten the crowd. Dr. Chapman's 5 love languages include: affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Dana gave examples of each of the 5 in his relationship with his wife Cindy. But Dana himself is an interesting story. He is a professional engineer having had a successful career with the USDA Soil Conservation Service/NRCS. Since childhood he had a stuttering problem. He tried the “Mel Tillis” system of singing, reading children's books aloud, and sought help from speech pathologist. He also joined the “Toastmasters Club” which he gives considerable credit for his ability to be part of a “motivational speaking” organization that books him to speak throughout the country. What may have been a handicap to some people, he has turned into an exceptional ability.