I post the following in honor of Marilyn's Birthday on January 30th...
When you’re six-years old, six years is a lifetime. Marilyn is six-years older than I am, so from my perspective, when I was in the first grade, she was already a grown-up; an all-powerful sixth-grader. She always seemed to know everything. There wasn’t a question I could ask her that she could not, immediately, answer with confidence and conviction. I remember being amazed at her wisdom, when she stopped me from playing with a kitchen-cabinet door; one I was opening and closing over and over again:
“Stop it”
“Why”
“Because a door has only so many swings in it.”
There it was, a profound truth: Everything will one day wear out, so we must use these things wisely (grasshopper.)
Her ancient wisdom was not confined to kitchen cabinets. She could also expound on Catholic theology. One Sunday morning, our parents, determined to fulfill their Sunday obligation, left us behind, deeming the journey through the blizzard too risky for children. Marilyn was instructed to conduct informal services with us little kids. At that time, Catholic women were required to wear head coverings at Mass, usually lacy scarves.
“What if the woman couldn’t afford a scarf?” I quizzed Marilyn.
“Then she would have to use whatever she could find.”
“What if the ONLY thing in the WHOLE house was a rug?”
“Then she would have to wear the rug over her head when she went to church (grasshopper.)
How did she know all these things!
So here it is, Marilyn’s Birthday Quiz:
· What was the name of Marilyn’s best friend (The one that went on vacation with us?)
· What was the name of her Barber-Boyfriend-Fiancée who pulled the piece of wood out of Teresa’s foot when she impaled herself, sliding across the dining room floor in her stocking feet?
· And last but not least what is the significance of this question: “Who brought the bottles?!”
If you know the answers to these questions, write them on the back of a copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and send it to me. The Grand Prize is a throw-rug that will double as a head-covering.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Born to Be Wild
Doug Witmer was born on January 17th, 57 years ago so it’s his turn to be the subject of the trivia contest:
-Where was Douglas Paul Witmer born?
-What was he driving when Marshal Hubbard chased him through the town of Brooklyn?
-Name two of his fellow Brooklyn Hoodlums.
-How old was he when he joined the United States Marine Corp? What was his rank when he finished his hitch?
If you know the answer to these questions, write them on the back of the first edition of Mad Magazine and send them to me. The Grand Prize is an Army-surplus-ammo box and a stick of dynamite.
-Where was Douglas Paul Witmer born?
-What was he driving when Marshal Hubbard chased him through the town of Brooklyn?
-Name two of his fellow Brooklyn Hoodlums.
-How old was he when he joined the United States Marine Corp? What was his rank when he finished his hitch?
If you know the answer to these questions, write them on the back of the first edition of Mad Magazine and send them to me. The Grand Prize is an Army-surplus-ammo box and a stick of dynamite.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Hobo Scramble
I know this blog is supposed to be dedicated to our Brooklyn years but it seems our trips down memory lane have jarred lose memories from “the before time.” Some of those memories are so intense that certain ones of us have purposed to travel back, looking for answers.
· Who was that old lady who lived in the shack behind our house? Was it really a shack? Was it in the woods?
· Did Douglas really dig a swimming pool?
· Was Tony, the neighbor boy, really, as he claimed, “suppose to be twins” or was their another reason for his childhood obesity? (Was that REALLY a second belly button?)
· Are there teeth marks in the concrete by the garage left by Teresa when she made a swan dive into the sidewalk from the swing? Or was it a grapevine?
· Why did Dennis hit Joe in the head with a shovel when they were playing in the sandbox?
· Was there really a secret stairway to the attic?
· Who masterminded the whole peeing-in-the-register thing?
· Why did that neighborhood lady, Shirley, always give us candy?
· Why do I always connect the name Denny Defenball to Marilyn?
· What was the name of that little Dog that bit me?
· Should I take the blame for spoiling the surprise about the flashlight on Dad’s birthday or was it really Dennis’ fault?
· Did mom really send me to the store when I was only four?
The list could go on and on. The point is inquiring minds want to know! Ron and I are traveling to Cincinnati, the first week in May, to run in the Flying Pig race. It’s officially the Flying Pig Marathon, but we’re only running a half marathon. It’s actually a collection of walks and runs, so anyone can find something to match their fitness level.
If you decide to participate, you too will be seeking the answer to the biggest question left from our Ohio years: Will the Hobo’s REALLY cut off your toes if they catch you in the woods?
That’s why I’m calling this trip The Hobo Scramble.
See you in Cinci?
http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com
· Who was that old lady who lived in the shack behind our house? Was it really a shack? Was it in the woods?
· Did Douglas really dig a swimming pool?
· Was Tony, the neighbor boy, really, as he claimed, “suppose to be twins” or was their another reason for his childhood obesity? (Was that REALLY a second belly button?)
· Are there teeth marks in the concrete by the garage left by Teresa when she made a swan dive into the sidewalk from the swing? Or was it a grapevine?
· Why did Dennis hit Joe in the head with a shovel when they were playing in the sandbox?
· Was there really a secret stairway to the attic?
· Who masterminded the whole peeing-in-the-register thing?
· Why did that neighborhood lady, Shirley, always give us candy?
· Why do I always connect the name Denny Defenball to Marilyn?
· What was the name of that little Dog that bit me?
· Should I take the blame for spoiling the surprise about the flashlight on Dad’s birthday or was it really Dennis’ fault?
· Did mom really send me to the store when I was only four?
The list could go on and on. The point is inquiring minds want to know! Ron and I are traveling to Cincinnati, the first week in May, to run in the Flying Pig race. It’s officially the Flying Pig Marathon, but we’re only running a half marathon. It’s actually a collection of walks and runs, so anyone can find something to match their fitness level.
If you decide to participate, you too will be seeking the answer to the biggest question left from our Ohio years: Will the Hobo’s REALLY cut off your toes if they catch you in the woods?
That’s why I’m calling this trip The Hobo Scramble.
See you in Cinci?
http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Ode to Rotten Tater
On the Occasion of Ronald David’s birthday, I feel it only appropriate that I post some "Ron" Trivia Questions:
1) Who gave Ron the nickname “Rotten Tater?”
2) What rank did he achieve as a Boy Scout?
3) What vehicle did he first drive?
If you would like to enter the Rotten Tater trivia contest, write your answers on the back of a twenty dollar bill and send it to me. The grand prize is an all expense paid trip to Orleans, Indiana.
1) Who gave Ron the nickname “Rotten Tater?”
2) What rank did he achieve as a Boy Scout?
3) What vehicle did he first drive?
If you would like to enter the Rotten Tater trivia contest, write your answers on the back of a twenty dollar bill and send it to me. The grand prize is an all expense paid trip to Orleans, Indiana.
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