This summer has nearly gone which means that Christmas is right around the corner. Time goes way too fast and this year has been one of the worst summers I have experienced to date. I had wanted to get away from here for at least a short time but alas I was not able to do it. If I can make it to Del Mar for the third which is closing day, I may try. But the distance and the cost is a bit too high for me at this point in time. Sadly, age will not make me any younger and I am concerned that as time passes I will just get worse and worse instead of better. No chance of ever getting better.
So on that note, I understand why it is that the elderly become conflicted about life and death. Death is coming as it can never be avoided. Learning how the body goes belly up on you makes it easier to accept sooner rather than later, but for doe reason many souls must last decades longer than their friends, family, and neighbors. Nothing worse than having to be in an old folks home where nothing but neglect is the standard.
The reason I am discussing this is that infirmities at old age become somewhat neglected as well. Why repair damaged body parts if one is going to just simply soon discard them permanently? It seems that the only people who value old age are the people who make money from it, the medics, the old age homes, and the funeral directors. Nobody else can find much consolation in it.
I am suffering from a dental problem right now. I wonder why I should bother to have a tooth repaired at this old age. I am wondering about it. All that I will say for now.
Yours Truly
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, Scottsdale, Arizona
1. The men who plaster did not come today thanks to the weather forecast most likely.
2. Two men who are painting did come to do something to the roof. They are gone now.
3. The promised rain has not come to this area at all but I had noticed that one forecaster had said that it would affect only half of the county anyway.
4. We have a substitute mail lady this week.
5. I used my Wolfgang Puck blender to grind my steak into burgers. It worked perfectly and what wonderful burgers those are.
6. I found a special store in Tempe near Southern for the best produce anywhere bar none. It is for businesses mostly since it is all bulk and oversized but the produce and deli meat is small enough for individuals. Best tasting strawberries. Fun thing is that one must wear a provided coat to walk into freezer to obtain goods.
7. I made the best pinto beans this weekend. I used Phyllis Stokely's method of preventing gas and farts by pre boiling beans three times for ten minutes. Then I used another recipe for basis of dish: beef stock, pork belly, onions, and celery and cooked in pressure cooker for 30 minutes. I saved half by freezing.
8. I bought my own silicon ice cube trays from Crate and Barrel so I have ice at all times that is from my Brita filter.
9. I have loads of work to do but have been on Facebook all morning long. I posted a beautiful video of Planet Earth.
10. I prefer to keep my silence at times over some issues but the Ferguson, Mo. problem and the illegal immigrants from Central America are still a source of annoyance to me. The only good response so far has been from Bill Cosby who said it right.
2. Two men who are painting did come to do something to the roof. They are gone now.
3. The promised rain has not come to this area at all but I had noticed that one forecaster had said that it would affect only half of the county anyway.
4. We have a substitute mail lady this week.
5. I used my Wolfgang Puck blender to grind my steak into burgers. It worked perfectly and what wonderful burgers those are.
6. I found a special store in Tempe near Southern for the best produce anywhere bar none. It is for businesses mostly since it is all bulk and oversized but the produce and deli meat is small enough for individuals. Best tasting strawberries. Fun thing is that one must wear a provided coat to walk into freezer to obtain goods.
7. I made the best pinto beans this weekend. I used Phyllis Stokely's method of preventing gas and farts by pre boiling beans three times for ten minutes. Then I used another recipe for basis of dish: beef stock, pork belly, onions, and celery and cooked in pressure cooker for 30 minutes. I saved half by freezing.
8. I bought my own silicon ice cube trays from Crate and Barrel so I have ice at all times that is from my Brita filter.
9. I have loads of work to do but have been on Facebook all morning long. I posted a beautiful video of Planet Earth.
10. I prefer to keep my silence at times over some issues but the Ferguson, Mo. problem and the illegal immigrants from Central America are still a source of annoyance to me. The only good response so far has been from Bill Cosby who said it right.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Just had to take a walk
There are times when one really feels that the sky is falling after all. Not a joke. The sky is falling.
We had monsoon weather the past few days and the humidity is high but temps are down. I just walked around the building to get exercise and to clear my mind as well. So many things are bothering me right now. Not only world affairs which makes one feel totally impotent and helpless when one does not have the authority or the means by which to end all the things that plainly upset us, but also all the daily problems that creep up on us when we did not want them there at all. I think at this stage of life we all hope that everything will be serene and lovely, peaceful and quiet, and free from problems of any kind. To have any problem weighing in on one after retirement is grossly unfair.
Fortunately, the one good thing that has come from all this summer's activities is the development of close ties with the neighbors since we all are bonding in a way that we probably would not have imagined. We live so tightly together that we cannot help but commiserate with one another about all the noise, confusion, inordinate amount of workers all together at one spot, and some of us fall into the category of seniors or aged ones. That makes us laugh together at the young neighbors who naturally see us as old timers. But because we do not get any notes about what is going to happen next we are more than frustrated. I think that the least that the office could do is to keep us up to date on what to expect next in the way of the remodeling process. We have a new t.v. in the laundry room for which there are no instructions. We were not even told about the upcoming remodeling at the time we signed our lease, and that alone makes me more than a little bit disgusted. We have new management who is not on the ball about anything, and we have new assistants every time we turn around. The place is a madhouse in many respects.
Buildings 8 and 9 are finished so that we can get an idea of how we will look soon. It is rather difficult to like this color scheme that we are about to have. Two tone colored sand and deep brown with green roof, green railings, orange stairs,orange doors, and orange shades. We have a new name: The Viridian, which is supposed to mean green I am told. We will soon have a new look with new landscaping as well. Already the first two buildings have all the landscaping set. I hope that we get some of that here on this side too.
That full moon which was so round two nights ago and the one that we in this area did not get to see at all, emerged tonight as only a half moon. How the heck it changed so fast from a full moon to a three quarter moon I suppose but so shriveled now it looks like a half moon. But it was very golden in color. I guess September 9 will be the next full moon to be considered super. Hopefully, there will be no cloud cover.
I am placing photos I took of the mess that was at my doorstep last night and this morning. I put the cardboard boxes down so that i could walk out to the courtyard. It was such a mess since it had rained as well. I did not want to get concrete or plaster onto my carpet. Fortunately, Kelly did come by to take a look, and I made my complaints. She came before I put the cardboard down. All I had when she was here was one plastic sheeting and one bedroom sheet. Later in the morning, one of the maintenance crew did come to clean up the mess, pick it up and took the cardboard boxes away as well. Finally, by late afternoon, it began to look like normal so we could all feel a bit more comfortable. I threw a bitch about it but it got things done. I was furious. I thought it was insulting.
We had monsoon weather the past few days and the humidity is high but temps are down. I just walked around the building to get exercise and to clear my mind as well. So many things are bothering me right now. Not only world affairs which makes one feel totally impotent and helpless when one does not have the authority or the means by which to end all the things that plainly upset us, but also all the daily problems that creep up on us when we did not want them there at all. I think at this stage of life we all hope that everything will be serene and lovely, peaceful and quiet, and free from problems of any kind. To have any problem weighing in on one after retirement is grossly unfair.
Fortunately, the one good thing that has come from all this summer's activities is the development of close ties with the neighbors since we all are bonding in a way that we probably would not have imagined. We live so tightly together that we cannot help but commiserate with one another about all the noise, confusion, inordinate amount of workers all together at one spot, and some of us fall into the category of seniors or aged ones. That makes us laugh together at the young neighbors who naturally see us as old timers. But because we do not get any notes about what is going to happen next we are more than frustrated. I think that the least that the office could do is to keep us up to date on what to expect next in the way of the remodeling process. We have a new t.v. in the laundry room for which there are no instructions. We were not even told about the upcoming remodeling at the time we signed our lease, and that alone makes me more than a little bit disgusted. We have new management who is not on the ball about anything, and we have new assistants every time we turn around. The place is a madhouse in many respects.
Buildings 8 and 9 are finished so that we can get an idea of how we will look soon. It is rather difficult to like this color scheme that we are about to have. Two tone colored sand and deep brown with green roof, green railings, orange stairs,orange doors, and orange shades. We have a new name: The Viridian, which is supposed to mean green I am told. We will soon have a new look with new landscaping as well. Already the first two buildings have all the landscaping set. I hope that we get some of that here on this side too.
That full moon which was so round two nights ago and the one that we in this area did not get to see at all, emerged tonight as only a half moon. How the heck it changed so fast from a full moon to a three quarter moon I suppose but so shriveled now it looks like a half moon. But it was very golden in color. I guess September 9 will be the next full moon to be considered super. Hopefully, there will be no cloud cover.
I am placing photos I took of the mess that was at my doorstep last night and this morning. I put the cardboard boxes down so that i could walk out to the courtyard. It was such a mess since it had rained as well. I did not want to get concrete or plaster onto my carpet. Fortunately, Kelly did come by to take a look, and I made my complaints. She came before I put the cardboard down. All I had when she was here was one plastic sheeting and one bedroom sheet. Later in the morning, one of the maintenance crew did come to clean up the mess, pick it up and took the cardboard boxes away as well. Finally, by late afternoon, it began to look like normal so we could all feel a bit more comfortable. I threw a bitch about it but it got things done. I was furious. I thought it was insulting.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
The worst imaginable has happened.
Tonight I watched Rush, a movie made by Ron Howard, about a pair of racing stars in the 70's. It is a great movie telling the story of Niki Lauda and James Hunt, two competitors in the 70's, one a Brit, and the other an Austrian, who were both vying for competition as the world's champion race drivers.
My knowledge of race car drivers is limited but there are many jokes about them. I did know a woman who was enamored with drivers of funny cars in California. She was smitten with a driver and to some extent because of her, I learned a little about the racing world. It has frankly never appealed to me, because i think that driving in circles round and round is worse than watching some old 78 play on your record player. No fun for me. But for some reason or other, it attracts a crowd. I have actually gone to one race to see cars in action, in Ontario probably, but still it did not turn me on at all.
So I watched the movie and really did like it. It is a good story, enthralling as can be, because it does focus on the special skills and talents of those who are crazy enough to participate in it. Niki Lauda initially has an altercation with a playboy driver from England, James Hunt. Niki spins out and that is how and when the story begins.
So tonight by accident or design, a sprint car Nascar driver, Kevin Ward, jr. , had the very same thing happen to him. A champion driver name of Tony Stewart apparently hit his car so he spun out, and then unfortunately, had the misfortune to get out of his car to go onto the track to point this finger at Stewart who then whether by accident or intent struck him with his car. Stewart's car did swerve then after he hit him, and people then rushed to Kevin Ward, jrs. side to help him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital I just read.
Imagine seeing this movie, and getting through the horrors of it as it is a movie with a dreadful message about the safety of drivers and the danger in the game, we now are treated to a real life story of hit and kill accident. It has bothered me ever since I learned of it so that I had to finally say something about it. A driver's worse nightmare coming true.
You see Kevin getting out of his car to be alive and well and angry. Then you see how quickly it can all change. Just like that, he is struck down and all life gone from him. It is horrifying.
I feel sorry for all the participants, especially Tony Stewart. I do not know what kind of therapy it will take to get him back to normal life again...probably may never happen.
The movie addressed the problem when Niki was seriously injured in an accident that James Hunt caused to happen as well. But at least in the film, the two men are able to settle the situation in a way that kept them friends.
How does one deal with death? I wonder how Stewart will handle this, and fans and friends as well.
I just cannot fully appreciate this strange and eerie coincidence of finally seeing Rush and then to learn of this terrible spinout that resulted in death on the same night. Unbelievable!
My knowledge of race car drivers is limited but there are many jokes about them. I did know a woman who was enamored with drivers of funny cars in California. She was smitten with a driver and to some extent because of her, I learned a little about the racing world. It has frankly never appealed to me, because i think that driving in circles round and round is worse than watching some old 78 play on your record player. No fun for me. But for some reason or other, it attracts a crowd. I have actually gone to one race to see cars in action, in Ontario probably, but still it did not turn me on at all.
So I watched the movie and really did like it. It is a good story, enthralling as can be, because it does focus on the special skills and talents of those who are crazy enough to participate in it. Niki Lauda initially has an altercation with a playboy driver from England, James Hunt. Niki spins out and that is how and when the story begins.
So tonight by accident or design, a sprint car Nascar driver, Kevin Ward, jr. , had the very same thing happen to him. A champion driver name of Tony Stewart apparently hit his car so he spun out, and then unfortunately, had the misfortune to get out of his car to go onto the track to point this finger at Stewart who then whether by accident or intent struck him with his car. Stewart's car did swerve then after he hit him, and people then rushed to Kevin Ward, jrs. side to help him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital I just read.
Imagine seeing this movie, and getting through the horrors of it as it is a movie with a dreadful message about the safety of drivers and the danger in the game, we now are treated to a real life story of hit and kill accident. It has bothered me ever since I learned of it so that I had to finally say something about it. A driver's worse nightmare coming true.
You see Kevin getting out of his car to be alive and well and angry. Then you see how quickly it can all change. Just like that, he is struck down and all life gone from him. It is horrifying.
I feel sorry for all the participants, especially Tony Stewart. I do not know what kind of therapy it will take to get him back to normal life again...probably may never happen.
The movie addressed the problem when Niki was seriously injured in an accident that James Hunt caused to happen as well. But at least in the film, the two men are able to settle the situation in a way that kept them friends.
How does one deal with death? I wonder how Stewart will handle this, and fans and friends as well.
I just cannot fully appreciate this strange and eerie coincidence of finally seeing Rush and then to learn of this terrible spinout that resulted in death on the same night. Unbelievable!
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Jerry Ford popped up today.
I was in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida when the Nixon/Ford change came about. I really do not want to spend too much time on this piece of history which affects me too much. I used to say we changed presidents as quickly as I changed car license plates...It was true at that time.
But briefly, a quick review of the times past in which I paid little attention to the ongoing drama in the White House which made stars out of some nobodies very quickly.
We had always been told at Gladstone when I was an English/Journalism teacher there that we might be teaching a president of the United States. Little did we know that maybe we really were.
I was then a member of the League of Women Voters who were introduced to me by a fellow faculty member, and through them, I learned some very interesting facts that were relayed to me. I held membership in some group organized for better government. But I was not politically involved in party politics, and frankly, did not give a hoot about politics at all. I was too busy working, doing my job, to pay much attention to the problems of government. We had gone through the Viet Nam War which took up a lot of interest but I just avoided politics as much as anyone could. So I never followed the Watergate debacle except to only be slightly aware that it was a thorn in someone's side.
So I do not intend to relive those days at this time since they were pretty emotionally difficult for me then as well. I had my own problems to solve. In 1970 I had flown back to Michigan to see my dad who had been diagnosed with cancer, and at that particular time, my brother's wife had just given birth to her firstborn son. I have always had a love/hate relationship with my dad so that the thought that he might die did prompt me to return to see him while he was still alive. He survived well enough after that, and it was then that I met my nephew for the first time as a newborn. He was an adorable baby and my brother and his wife were so happy and proud of him.
I returned then to California under great emotional stress, and then learned that one of my journalism students had gone beyond and over the top so that I had to stop the presses, kill a story, and get the newspaper back on the right track.
So I was stressed out, and I had just turned 31 years old then. Too young to be overworked, under loved, and underpaid. But so it goes. That is the state of affairs in that time period.
Nixon was clearly enjoying his term in office despite all the cries to get us out of Viet Nam. I paid him little attention. My concerns were the classes that I taught, the groups I sponsored, and the new apartment I had moved into.
That is a topic for a separate entry too because this had begun with the thought that Nixon bowed out and Ford rushed in. I was in Florida then, having left California behind, again a story for another entry.
But on the day that Ford became the new guy in the White House I was having my Cougar serviced in a garage. I came home from the service station to find the sheriff from New Jersey grilling food on the outdoor barbecue grill. I went over to talk to him to ask if I could use it with him which he willingly let me do. He was a very nice man from Asbury Park, NJ, whose wife was a deaf mute, and who was warm and friendly to me. I remember that so much as the day that Ford became the successor to Richard Nixon.
Support your local sheriff! I can't help but wonder at men who marry women who have physical handicaps. But he was a sweetheart to me. That was the year that Cannonade won the Kentucky Derby, the 100th running. Strange, isn't it, the things we remember from 1974. My second nephew was born only a few days later on the 21st. A long time ago! Weird how this story became one of remembering my nephew's births.
Now they both have their own families...
Both Richard Nixon and Jerry Ford are gone and nearly forgotten.
And while on the subject of presidents, I will add this onto this post for no particular reason except that I want to put it here. I learned that it was Douglas MacArthur who is the cause for the Purple Heart in modern times. I learned a bit about its history the other day which I had not known. I remember how Truman and MacArthur had a big battle. Now I have to reconsider everything that I think or have thought about both of them.
Life goes on. Gee, if ever we knew the truth about any of these political characters we might be slower to draw judgement calls and conclusions about them. It takes time to learn that we know only a little bit when so much more is to be known.
But briefly, a quick review of the times past in which I paid little attention to the ongoing drama in the White House which made stars out of some nobodies very quickly.
We had always been told at Gladstone when I was an English/Journalism teacher there that we might be teaching a president of the United States. Little did we know that maybe we really were.
I was then a member of the League of Women Voters who were introduced to me by a fellow faculty member, and through them, I learned some very interesting facts that were relayed to me. I held membership in some group organized for better government. But I was not politically involved in party politics, and frankly, did not give a hoot about politics at all. I was too busy working, doing my job, to pay much attention to the problems of government. We had gone through the Viet Nam War which took up a lot of interest but I just avoided politics as much as anyone could. So I never followed the Watergate debacle except to only be slightly aware that it was a thorn in someone's side.
So I do not intend to relive those days at this time since they were pretty emotionally difficult for me then as well. I had my own problems to solve. In 1970 I had flown back to Michigan to see my dad who had been diagnosed with cancer, and at that particular time, my brother's wife had just given birth to her firstborn son. I have always had a love/hate relationship with my dad so that the thought that he might die did prompt me to return to see him while he was still alive. He survived well enough after that, and it was then that I met my nephew for the first time as a newborn. He was an adorable baby and my brother and his wife were so happy and proud of him.
I returned then to California under great emotional stress, and then learned that one of my journalism students had gone beyond and over the top so that I had to stop the presses, kill a story, and get the newspaper back on the right track.
So I was stressed out, and I had just turned 31 years old then. Too young to be overworked, under loved, and underpaid. But so it goes. That is the state of affairs in that time period.
Nixon was clearly enjoying his term in office despite all the cries to get us out of Viet Nam. I paid him little attention. My concerns were the classes that I taught, the groups I sponsored, and the new apartment I had moved into.
That is a topic for a separate entry too because this had begun with the thought that Nixon bowed out and Ford rushed in. I was in Florida then, having left California behind, again a story for another entry.
But on the day that Ford became the new guy in the White House I was having my Cougar serviced in a garage. I came home from the service station to find the sheriff from New Jersey grilling food on the outdoor barbecue grill. I went over to talk to him to ask if I could use it with him which he willingly let me do. He was a very nice man from Asbury Park, NJ, whose wife was a deaf mute, and who was warm and friendly to me. I remember that so much as the day that Ford became the successor to Richard Nixon.
Support your local sheriff! I can't help but wonder at men who marry women who have physical handicaps. But he was a sweetheart to me. That was the year that Cannonade won the Kentucky Derby, the 100th running. Strange, isn't it, the things we remember from 1974. My second nephew was born only a few days later on the 21st. A long time ago! Weird how this story became one of remembering my nephew's births.
Now they both have their own families...
Both Richard Nixon and Jerry Ford are gone and nearly forgotten.
And while on the subject of presidents, I will add this onto this post for no particular reason except that I want to put it here. I learned that it was Douglas MacArthur who is the cause for the Purple Heart in modern times. I learned a bit about its history the other day which I had not known. I remember how Truman and MacArthur had a big battle. Now I have to reconsider everything that I think or have thought about both of them.
Life goes on. Gee, if ever we knew the truth about any of these political characters we might be slower to draw judgement calls and conclusions about them. It takes time to learn that we know only a little bit when so much more is to be known.
Looking ahead to the future.
When one reaches my age, which is 75, one wonders what kind of future does one have anyway? I hope to live at least ten more years but I wonder whether I will or not at times. I feel healthy enough but I have a few health issues. I had never been hospitalized at all until this past February because of the cat bite that my cat had inflicted on me. Picture below is after surgery on the hand. I do not care to place a photo of infected hand at this time.
But that particular cat and that particular hospitalization has cost me too much already, which had turned me severely against the medical profession. I don't cotton to the idea that oh aren't you glad that they were there response I received from some smart ass women who are a bit too obtuse for me. The first doctor was clearly incompetent and so much as said so when he performed a preliminary surgery on me and then prescribed the wrong medicine to cure the infection. That made certain that I would have to return to the hospital for further medication. Some doctors are worse than car mechanics that way. Then, of all the nerve the hospital has you sign a paper under duress that you won't sue them for any reason at all. At that point, I knew that this hospital was clearly a hospital that I should not trust.
There is only one doctor and one nurse that I met there that I truly believe were there for my best interests. The rest are as concerned about their patients as a car mechanic gives a damn what you carry in your glove compartment. They don't really give a damn. You are a job by which they earn a pay check and if you think otherwise, you are clearly out of your mind.
But the exorbitant costs that they charge just for a walkin to see if you are on the bed or in the john really is why I dislike these particular medics so much. Too few visits, too little concern, too little time spent at what a high cost. Believe me, they have not made a friend out of me, and certainly, never a supporter.
When I first entered the room, I met two women who were aides, and who told me that now I know how my friends are. I met a few patients who I might consider worthwhile, but as for the hospital personnel, only a few impressed me as earning the dough they earn, and who are really in medicine for the purpose of helping patients who need medical attention. There were a few who I really like and respect. They were the good ones, but unfortunately, not all fall in that category.
I am writing this now because today I received a letter which is the cause of my complaints as I am airing them here. I want this on the record in my journal so that I can recall fully my state of mind on this day in which some are recalling the Nixon/Ford change. That is a subject for a different entry.
But that particular cat and that particular hospitalization has cost me too much already, which had turned me severely against the medical profession. I don't cotton to the idea that oh aren't you glad that they were there response I received from some smart ass women who are a bit too obtuse for me. The first doctor was clearly incompetent and so much as said so when he performed a preliminary surgery on me and then prescribed the wrong medicine to cure the infection. That made certain that I would have to return to the hospital for further medication. Some doctors are worse than car mechanics that way. Then, of all the nerve the hospital has you sign a paper under duress that you won't sue them for any reason at all. At that point, I knew that this hospital was clearly a hospital that I should not trust.
There is only one doctor and one nurse that I met there that I truly believe were there for my best interests. The rest are as concerned about their patients as a car mechanic gives a damn what you carry in your glove compartment. They don't really give a damn. You are a job by which they earn a pay check and if you think otherwise, you are clearly out of your mind.
But the exorbitant costs that they charge just for a walkin to see if you are on the bed or in the john really is why I dislike these particular medics so much. Too few visits, too little concern, too little time spent at what a high cost. Believe me, they have not made a friend out of me, and certainly, never a supporter.
When I first entered the room, I met two women who were aides, and who told me that now I know how my friends are. I met a few patients who I might consider worthwhile, but as for the hospital personnel, only a few impressed me as earning the dough they earn, and who are really in medicine for the purpose of helping patients who need medical attention. There were a few who I really like and respect. They were the good ones, but unfortunately, not all fall in that category.
I am writing this now because today I received a letter which is the cause of my complaints as I am airing them here. I want this on the record in my journal so that I can recall fully my state of mind on this day in which some are recalling the Nixon/Ford change. That is a subject for a different entry.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
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Article that explains Master Race
I am going to preface this article by saying that anyone can write a treatise in such a manner for it to be dissected and analyzed. This particular article is followed with commentary from a critic. It is important that people learn to understand why many in the world today do not jump to conclusions hastily or easily.
Page 1 of Article on Jews as Master Race
Carter Reveals Begin Viewed
Jews As The Master RaceAll Hail The Jewish Master Race
By Texe Marrs
11-25-3Gene Research Shows Jews & Palestinians Almost Identical
Jews As The Master RaceAll Hail The Jewish Master Race
By Texe Marrs
11-25-3Gene Research Shows Jews & Palestinians Almost Identical
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Plastering has begun
This is the front of the apartment which has old and new look to it. The plastered side is the location of my bedroom. The side to the left with the concrete blocks is the patio area which leads into the living room. I am making a log of this renovation now. Picture below is bedroom window which was done early Monday morning. Soon this primer plaster job will be covered by another coat of plaster which will be the base for the paintwork to be done after this initial plastering job.
Monday, August 4, 2014
What can America do?
IS is a body of terrorists who claim to be the ruler of Islam now. They emerged from a meeting at Yemen some time ago and were seen chanting the usual death to America theme. They hate America and want to destroy it.
What can America do?
First, all Americans must be vigilant, remember the Minute Men, and be ready at a moment's notice to defend one's self.
The border problem is such that many believe that potential terrorists have crossed those very borders and may be laying in wait for the time to come to strike at America from within. It has happened before. A precedent has been set since all the perpetrators of 9/11 had done just exactly that.
Secondly, we must elect the kind of people to congress and the presidency who have the courage, moral fibre, and dedication to defend our constitution, our liberties, and our values. We do not need any weak Willie's who will be easily persuaded to wishy-washy try to appease the world press or world opinion.
Thirdly, we need to stay morally sound ourselves, not fall prey to self-destruction through alcoholic abuses, any form of addictions to drugs or entertainment, and to stay healthy in body and mind and spirit.
We cannot allow our educational system to be downgraded to satisfy the whims of the weak and lazy but we need to constantly value excellence, dedication, and high achievement. Our best resources are our young people who need encouragement in academic prowess and endeavors. We need not allow our own firm character to be eroded by the weaknesses of low intelligence, or low income families. We must keep our standards high instead of relinquishing them due to a few who cannot reach them.
In too many cases, some school systems are actually changing and altering curriculums to satisfy the needs of students who cannot take tests or pass tests. That is a serious problem that needs to be addressed for the good of the whole and not for the few who cannot cut the mustard. In other words, minority groups should not be able to dictate the goals and aims of a school system.
America can do a lot. But it needs a caring and well educated citizen to ensure the continued success of a nation that was originally ruled by only property owners. Today, any and everybody can cast a vote in an election so that the electoral process is even slowly destroying the fibre of this democracy.
Nobody eligible should be denied the right to vote on any basis when he is a legitimate citizen of this nation. However, dead people should not be allowed to vote as has too often been proved to be the case as well.
This country is only as good as the people who live in it. The only way the people can be good is to be taught by parents, teachers, and community leaders alike. If America is to lose a battle it should win, it will because it forgot all the principles which brought it into being in the first place. Love of liberty, love of independence, love of honor and decency is what will save America.
What can America do?
First, all Americans must be vigilant, remember the Minute Men, and be ready at a moment's notice to defend one's self.
The border problem is such that many believe that potential terrorists have crossed those very borders and may be laying in wait for the time to come to strike at America from within. It has happened before. A precedent has been set since all the perpetrators of 9/11 had done just exactly that.
Secondly, we must elect the kind of people to congress and the presidency who have the courage, moral fibre, and dedication to defend our constitution, our liberties, and our values. We do not need any weak Willie's who will be easily persuaded to wishy-washy try to appease the world press or world opinion.
Thirdly, we need to stay morally sound ourselves, not fall prey to self-destruction through alcoholic abuses, any form of addictions to drugs or entertainment, and to stay healthy in body and mind and spirit.
We cannot allow our educational system to be downgraded to satisfy the whims of the weak and lazy but we need to constantly value excellence, dedication, and high achievement. Our best resources are our young people who need encouragement in academic prowess and endeavors. We need not allow our own firm character to be eroded by the weaknesses of low intelligence, or low income families. We must keep our standards high instead of relinquishing them due to a few who cannot reach them.
In too many cases, some school systems are actually changing and altering curriculums to satisfy the needs of students who cannot take tests or pass tests. That is a serious problem that needs to be addressed for the good of the whole and not for the few who cannot cut the mustard. In other words, minority groups should not be able to dictate the goals and aims of a school system.
America can do a lot. But it needs a caring and well educated citizen to ensure the continued success of a nation that was originally ruled by only property owners. Today, any and everybody can cast a vote in an election so that the electoral process is even slowly destroying the fibre of this democracy.
Nobody eligible should be denied the right to vote on any basis when he is a legitimate citizen of this nation. However, dead people should not be allowed to vote as has too often been proved to be the case as well.
This country is only as good as the people who live in it. The only way the people can be good is to be taught by parents, teachers, and community leaders alike. If America is to lose a battle it should win, it will because it forgot all the principles which brought it into being in the first place. Love of liberty, love of independence, love of honor and decency is what will save America.
Why War? WWI memorial today.
As I went to bed last night the last thing I saw on CNN was an assembly gathered together for the cause of remembering the departed of WWI. Today in the Independent, a newspaper article discussed the war as former soldiers recalled it. One threw his poppy away in disgust headlines read.
War has many points of view. Depending upon when the battle was fought, the pov will change. In modern day wars we become more aware of the internal workings of war through professional journalists who report it as they see and hear it. In all of history, some person as a historian or a scribe has somehow or other managed to capture some aspects of a battle, won or lost, to leave to posterity so that we glimpse into it a bit.
Modern wars are now fought with technology and weapons that were nonexistent in times past. Yesterday's seemingly crude weapons are now kept and collected to marvel at how wars were won or lost with something so simple as a bow and arrow, a shield and sword, and even simply stones. David brought down Goliath with only a stone it is said.
Today, we have stealth bombers, drones, tanks, artillery, sophisticated eavesdropping equipment whether that of satellites in the atmosphere or cellphones and computer devices ready to in an instant convey a message of urgency.
Early primitive man had to devise tools, dig holes, make netting devices just simply to trap a lion, a boar, or a tiger. Man versus nature was more prevalent that man against man. Have we come a long way or not?
To the victor goes the spoils the saying is. In war that is always the case. In times past, a war was intent upon either capturing the adversary to make them slaves or to kill them so as not to be troubled again. It did not matter whether they were civilian or military, so long as they were with the adversary. A child could grow up to become a threat if left free so he was either killed or captured to become a slave. Women could be as much a threat to a neighboring community as men so that they were treated in the same light.
In modern times, all this has changed. We no longer think that way. We have social programs, educational activities, and humane goals that change in each generation to make the lifestyle of the past seem harsh, cruel, and unwarranted. Granted, those times of the past did not have modern electricity, indoor plumbing, modern highways with a variety of transportation vehicles, or fast food restaurants. Life was more of a struggle then than it is now.
So why is war an ongoing lifestyle? Why are there conflicts between nations today? We have finally arrived at the point to where we have a United Nations designed to equalize each and every nation of the world. Granted, the Security Council gives heavier weight to a few select nations than others but that is because of the mood of the nations when this governing body was formed. Today it is likely that some similar kind of weight would still remain with key nations whose economic and social powers are greater than smaller undeveloped nations.
The ongoing wars being fought on the earth at the moment appear to be based upon a conflict in religious beliefs and thus goals of the countries which espouse those beliefs. It appears that the Jews who hold fast to their ancient beliefs are in direct conflict with the Muslims who continue to devote their lives to the faith in which they are born and taught, and unfortunately, in their case, who also coerce other nonMuslims to become Muslim upon fear of death. What kind of religious faith is that?
War frankly has never been futile. It however has always been unfortunately considered by the Muslim faith that whenever they won a battle over an adversary that it meant that their God had favored them. The victory reenforces their belief that God is on their side.
For that reason alone, because as western civilization has become more aware of the kind of teachings of the Muslims, it is seems necessary to deal them a blow that will cause loss of faith in their God. Anyone who is not a Muslim is considered an infidel and therefore an adversary who should be hated and should be killed. In that respect, I strongly am opposed to the militant who would set out to destroy my freedoms and my liberties to impose their unfortunate and foolish beliefs upon me. I would fight back and I would want my nation to fight back.
Unfortunately, the Israeli's also have some nonsensical belief that they are the chosen people, that nobody will ever defeat Israel, and they too like the Muslims need to learn that the only thing that they have been chosen by God is to deliver up some Jewish Messiah who Christians believe to be Christ, and since that is done and accepted by most of the world, it is frankly silly for the Jews to continue to deny it while embracing the idea that they are better than everyone else in the world.
So we have two world religious bodies believing in a faith that the rest of the world finds incredulous and antiquated, watching them slaughter one another. While the Jews wrestle with the Hamas who seem to hate Palestinians enough to allow them to be killed wholesale by Jews who should know better than to do that, the other terrorist Islamic militant are attempting to take over a caliphate of their own and to rule the Islam world. They operate by the sword too, and are readily killing any opposition to them, and will eventually try to hit the USA if and when they get up the manpower to do it. Rest assured, nobody doubts that they hate the USA and Americans wholesale and will try some idiotic deed against the Satan which is America.
Muslims had been slashing throats in Algeria for years as France reported to the world. Muslims live by the sword and have absolutely no qualms about inflicting their beliefs upon everyone around them.
Is war with the Muslim world necessary? Yes, it is. There is no other way to impact these militants but to defeat them. No matter what it takes, war is necessary to protect one's own freedoms and one's own country. They cannot be converted or changed simply because they are in a state of true insanity. They truly believe all the history and doctrine that has been fed into their minds. They will not be changed or converted. They must adhere to the teachings of Mohammed, a man they believe to be a prophet, and a man I believe to be a criminal, a psychotic, and a pedophile. What can the sane people of the world do but to recognize this and to defeat it. It must be defeated. To think that this religious belief has for so many centuries ruined so many people's lives is absolutely unthinkable. But it is time for it to end.
While this is not a happy thought, it is a necessary realization. We must stop IS before it goes any further. Period.
War has many points of view. Depending upon when the battle was fought, the pov will change. In modern day wars we become more aware of the internal workings of war through professional journalists who report it as they see and hear it. In all of history, some person as a historian or a scribe has somehow or other managed to capture some aspects of a battle, won or lost, to leave to posterity so that we glimpse into it a bit.
Modern wars are now fought with technology and weapons that were nonexistent in times past. Yesterday's seemingly crude weapons are now kept and collected to marvel at how wars were won or lost with something so simple as a bow and arrow, a shield and sword, and even simply stones. David brought down Goliath with only a stone it is said.
Today, we have stealth bombers, drones, tanks, artillery, sophisticated eavesdropping equipment whether that of satellites in the atmosphere or cellphones and computer devices ready to in an instant convey a message of urgency.
Early primitive man had to devise tools, dig holes, make netting devices just simply to trap a lion, a boar, or a tiger. Man versus nature was more prevalent that man against man. Have we come a long way or not?
To the victor goes the spoils the saying is. In war that is always the case. In times past, a war was intent upon either capturing the adversary to make them slaves or to kill them so as not to be troubled again. It did not matter whether they were civilian or military, so long as they were with the adversary. A child could grow up to become a threat if left free so he was either killed or captured to become a slave. Women could be as much a threat to a neighboring community as men so that they were treated in the same light.
In modern times, all this has changed. We no longer think that way. We have social programs, educational activities, and humane goals that change in each generation to make the lifestyle of the past seem harsh, cruel, and unwarranted. Granted, those times of the past did not have modern electricity, indoor plumbing, modern highways with a variety of transportation vehicles, or fast food restaurants. Life was more of a struggle then than it is now.
So why is war an ongoing lifestyle? Why are there conflicts between nations today? We have finally arrived at the point to where we have a United Nations designed to equalize each and every nation of the world. Granted, the Security Council gives heavier weight to a few select nations than others but that is because of the mood of the nations when this governing body was formed. Today it is likely that some similar kind of weight would still remain with key nations whose economic and social powers are greater than smaller undeveloped nations.
The ongoing wars being fought on the earth at the moment appear to be based upon a conflict in religious beliefs and thus goals of the countries which espouse those beliefs. It appears that the Jews who hold fast to their ancient beliefs are in direct conflict with the Muslims who continue to devote their lives to the faith in which they are born and taught, and unfortunately, in their case, who also coerce other nonMuslims to become Muslim upon fear of death. What kind of religious faith is that?
War frankly has never been futile. It however has always been unfortunately considered by the Muslim faith that whenever they won a battle over an adversary that it meant that their God had favored them. The victory reenforces their belief that God is on their side.
For that reason alone, because as western civilization has become more aware of the kind of teachings of the Muslims, it is seems necessary to deal them a blow that will cause loss of faith in their God. Anyone who is not a Muslim is considered an infidel and therefore an adversary who should be hated and should be killed. In that respect, I strongly am opposed to the militant who would set out to destroy my freedoms and my liberties to impose their unfortunate and foolish beliefs upon me. I would fight back and I would want my nation to fight back.
Unfortunately, the Israeli's also have some nonsensical belief that they are the chosen people, that nobody will ever defeat Israel, and they too like the Muslims need to learn that the only thing that they have been chosen by God is to deliver up some Jewish Messiah who Christians believe to be Christ, and since that is done and accepted by most of the world, it is frankly silly for the Jews to continue to deny it while embracing the idea that they are better than everyone else in the world.
So we have two world religious bodies believing in a faith that the rest of the world finds incredulous and antiquated, watching them slaughter one another. While the Jews wrestle with the Hamas who seem to hate Palestinians enough to allow them to be killed wholesale by Jews who should know better than to do that, the other terrorist Islamic militant are attempting to take over a caliphate of their own and to rule the Islam world. They operate by the sword too, and are readily killing any opposition to them, and will eventually try to hit the USA if and when they get up the manpower to do it. Rest assured, nobody doubts that they hate the USA and Americans wholesale and will try some idiotic deed against the Satan which is America.
Muslims had been slashing throats in Algeria for years as France reported to the world. Muslims live by the sword and have absolutely no qualms about inflicting their beliefs upon everyone around them.
Is war with the Muslim world necessary? Yes, it is. There is no other way to impact these militants but to defeat them. No matter what it takes, war is necessary to protect one's own freedoms and one's own country. They cannot be converted or changed simply because they are in a state of true insanity. They truly believe all the history and doctrine that has been fed into their minds. They will not be changed or converted. They must adhere to the teachings of Mohammed, a man they believe to be a prophet, and a man I believe to be a criminal, a psychotic, and a pedophile. What can the sane people of the world do but to recognize this and to defeat it. It must be defeated. To think that this religious belief has for so many centuries ruined so many people's lives is absolutely unthinkable. But it is time for it to end.
While this is not a happy thought, it is a necessary realization. We must stop IS before it goes any further. Period.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Follow up to Don Schnepp blog entry
I made a friend request to one of the men who stood up before the school board to protest the issue of a rock at a Middle School in Paulding and he responded. I will not name him in this post. He accepted my request so that he could read my comments which are on my wall. He then gave me his phone number so that later in the evening I did call him to talk with him about what had happened.
Since my friendship with Don was in my youth, there is little that I can say about his adult life. We had remained friends until the gay pride program began in earnest and Anita Bryant became the target of their undisguised hate and contempt. She complained that she feared that they intended to kill her, and that was the beginning of the end of my sympathy towards the gay agenda.
This is not an apology for Don's behavior after he had grown out of his adolescent fears and complexes, but it is to give him some amount of support for his having been a good friend to me in our Senior year. I met him in Van Wert, Ohio one time after he had begun teaching in Paulding, Ohio. He had gone to Ohio State University where he had learned that being gay was a natural and normal experience for many male types who have a propensity for emotional security in their own sex, and for sexual satisfaction through cohabitation with other men. In other words, there he learned that for some such as Little Richard, Paul Lynde, and a host of others that being gay is cool. Gay parties are quite entertaining, and he apparently attended many of those parties.
With that in mind, he forgot to realize that in the majority of households in America, gay is not cool, is not hip, and is not fun at all. Religious bodies condemn it wholesale, as do many other social organizations, including the boy scouts of America. In America, each has the freedom to practice what it teaches.
Don forgot all that when he obviously took it upon himself to expose his gay nature to young boys at an age where they were literally emotionally and physically unable to withstand the awesomeness of his age, his education, and perhaps even his attraction.
What literally happened between him and his select group of boys is more than I know but I am certain that he indulged in his own desires by seducing some of them. They will have to speak for themselves, but I know for a fact that he was capable of doing such a thing since he had told me that he thought that some boys had an attraction to him. He would have not been a strong enough man to avoid exploiting that and taking advantage of it. And unfortunately, finally the truth came out. He had been fool enough to force himself upon at least two who have dared to speak up.
He is gone now. I was sad to see his name appear in headlines because as I said once a friend, always a friend but we had had a parting of the ways late in our lives. I became opposed to the gay action group who threaten non gays. I find that unfair and repugnant to me. Don did tell me that I was lucky to be alive the last time that I heard from him which was in 1974. He did still write to me then and had sent me the picture of the class of '54 reunion.
He thought of me as being a lot like Doris Day, not just because we both had freckles, and both were spunky and full of fire but also because he thought of me as some kind of Calamity Jane. Anything you can do I can do better theme.
I will remember Don Schnepp with fondness for his being a light hearted and funny guy. He was always honest with me. When his dad suggested that Don marry me, because when his dad learned of his being gay all he could think was that all Don needed was a good woman, Don owned up to me that he was gay and liked only boys. I wish more men could be so honest with other women in that respect. Both Kathy Lee Gifford and Anita Bryant can testify to that as we have learned.
It seems that the gay world exists in its own little world. When it comes into conflict with the heterosexual world, there is bound to be trouble. Don should have had better sense than to inflict his desires on young boys at such a tender age. He surely should have been apprehended and stopped then.
But I remember when I was teaching 8th grade at Center Intermediate the entire class knew about Tim Keenan who admitted in the class that he is gay. Gay problems are better understood in California than in Ohio I guess. We all knew who the gay members of the faculty were and we knew how to handle it. Never did any get into trouble with a student. Yes, even the Lesbian gay faculty members were known as well as the men. Every school district probably has at least one. We had more than our fair share. Kids love to discuss this in my classes in California. They also like to look up my skirts if they can. I had to learn how to stay at least ten feet ahead of my students. It must be just as volatile today as it was when I was in the field. However, I began a trend by wearing pant suits. And waxing nostalgic,I remember my favorite 8th grade math teacher, Mr. Young, who got into trouble because of Diane Roth and Diane Hardin who on a phone call made an accusation that was overheard to cost Mr. Young his job. Oh, how we loved him! I wanted to marry him. He did finally marry his sweetheart. Life goes on.
Since my friendship with Don was in my youth, there is little that I can say about his adult life. We had remained friends until the gay pride program began in earnest and Anita Bryant became the target of their undisguised hate and contempt. She complained that she feared that they intended to kill her, and that was the beginning of the end of my sympathy towards the gay agenda.
This is not an apology for Don's behavior after he had grown out of his adolescent fears and complexes, but it is to give him some amount of support for his having been a good friend to me in our Senior year. I met him in Van Wert, Ohio one time after he had begun teaching in Paulding, Ohio. He had gone to Ohio State University where he had learned that being gay was a natural and normal experience for many male types who have a propensity for emotional security in their own sex, and for sexual satisfaction through cohabitation with other men. In other words, there he learned that for some such as Little Richard, Paul Lynde, and a host of others that being gay is cool. Gay parties are quite entertaining, and he apparently attended many of those parties.
With that in mind, he forgot to realize that in the majority of households in America, gay is not cool, is not hip, and is not fun at all. Religious bodies condemn it wholesale, as do many other social organizations, including the boy scouts of America. In America, each has the freedom to practice what it teaches.
Don forgot all that when he obviously took it upon himself to expose his gay nature to young boys at an age where they were literally emotionally and physically unable to withstand the awesomeness of his age, his education, and perhaps even his attraction.
What literally happened between him and his select group of boys is more than I know but I am certain that he indulged in his own desires by seducing some of them. They will have to speak for themselves, but I know for a fact that he was capable of doing such a thing since he had told me that he thought that some boys had an attraction to him. He would have not been a strong enough man to avoid exploiting that and taking advantage of it. And unfortunately, finally the truth came out. He had been fool enough to force himself upon at least two who have dared to speak up.
He is gone now. I was sad to see his name appear in headlines because as I said once a friend, always a friend but we had had a parting of the ways late in our lives. I became opposed to the gay action group who threaten non gays. I find that unfair and repugnant to me. Don did tell me that I was lucky to be alive the last time that I heard from him which was in 1974. He did still write to me then and had sent me the picture of the class of '54 reunion.
He thought of me as being a lot like Doris Day, not just because we both had freckles, and both were spunky and full of fire but also because he thought of me as some kind of Calamity Jane. Anything you can do I can do better theme.
I will remember Don Schnepp with fondness for his being a light hearted and funny guy. He was always honest with me. When his dad suggested that Don marry me, because when his dad learned of his being gay all he could think was that all Don needed was a good woman, Don owned up to me that he was gay and liked only boys. I wish more men could be so honest with other women in that respect. Both Kathy Lee Gifford and Anita Bryant can testify to that as we have learned.
It seems that the gay world exists in its own little world. When it comes into conflict with the heterosexual world, there is bound to be trouble. Don should have had better sense than to inflict his desires on young boys at such a tender age. He surely should have been apprehended and stopped then.
But I remember when I was teaching 8th grade at Center Intermediate the entire class knew about Tim Keenan who admitted in the class that he is gay. Gay problems are better understood in California than in Ohio I guess. We all knew who the gay members of the faculty were and we knew how to handle it. Never did any get into trouble with a student. Yes, even the Lesbian gay faculty members were known as well as the men. Every school district probably has at least one. We had more than our fair share. Kids love to discuss this in my classes in California. They also like to look up my skirts if they can. I had to learn how to stay at least ten feet ahead of my students. It must be just as volatile today as it was when I was in the field. However, I began a trend by wearing pant suits. And waxing nostalgic,I remember my favorite 8th grade math teacher, Mr. Young, who got into trouble because of Diane Roth and Diane Hardin who on a phone call made an accusation that was overheard to cost Mr. Young his job. Oh, how we loved him! I wanted to marry him. He did finally marry his sweetheart. Life goes on.
Friday, August 1, 2014
All Our Sorrows Soon Be Over
Life is very difficult at times. This has been one of the most difficult days to spend on earth.
Some Words on Don Schnepp
Don Schnepp died in 2004. I am learning that it was suicide. I feel so sorry and so bad about all of this now.
Don and I both worked together at Bill Derry's Drug Store in the 56-57 years. We became friends that year when we were seniors. We had lived on the same street for years without really knowing each other but finally we became fast friends. I was Doris Day to him.
Maybe that it why his sister used a rock to remember him by.
Anyway, I learned this afternoon that he had been the subject of a problem in Paulding after his sister had donated a rock to the Middle School where he had taught. Don had gone to Ohio State late in life to take up the teaching trade so that he could have employment. We had remained friends and even exchanged letters and visited back and to with one another. He confided in me many of his secrets that were obviously not so secret, but we dished the dirt and I learned all the gossip from him. We were buddies.
In high school he had tried to smash his red Plymouth against a wall so that finally I realized how unhappy he was with himself for being a social outcast. When his father proposed that Don and I get married, Don confessed to me that he was gay and that he liked boys. At that time, I learned who all the gay guys in Van Wert were then, and some of the neighborhood adult men who were obviously who had introduced him to that lifestyle.
He admitted to me that some of the boys in his class were flirting with him and that it would be hard for him to resist the temptation. In high school, he was in the band and would not take up sports fearing that he would be discovered to be gay. Apparently, he learned from all his gay friends in Ohio State that it was all right to be aggressive and to solicit young boys because the upshot of all of this is that I learned this afternoon that he had raped two of his students. That is their story. I will not question them on it.
This will follow with a newspaper article that I read this afternoon. I am writing this for my classmates in Van Wert, Ohio who knew both of us way back when. I am so happy to know the truth now that I think others who care would want to know it too.
He apparently had a friend in a woman who was a school secretary at the school. The newspaper reported that she defended him. That was kind of her, but probably a bit misguided.
I applaud the two boys who had the nerve to put their own reputations on the line through speaking out. I do not doubt that Don had sex with them. I know him well enough to believe in a part of their story. I have not heard all of it. Yet, nobody can ever understand why it is that when a person is so hurt by an act like this that they can get support from others. I understand why. One remembers the Don who was kind, who gave me his car to use, who asked me for a date to a hayride, and who was a great listener and pal. I deplore his act against the children but I do still like the Don who was my friend.
Don and I both worked together at Bill Derry's Drug Store in the 56-57 years. We became friends that year when we were seniors. We had lived on the same street for years without really knowing each other but finally we became fast friends. I was Doris Day to him.
Maybe that it why his sister used a rock to remember him by.
Anyway, I learned this afternoon that he had been the subject of a problem in Paulding after his sister had donated a rock to the Middle School where he had taught. Don had gone to Ohio State late in life to take up the teaching trade so that he could have employment. We had remained friends and even exchanged letters and visited back and to with one another. He confided in me many of his secrets that were obviously not so secret, but we dished the dirt and I learned all the gossip from him. We were buddies.
In high school he had tried to smash his red Plymouth against a wall so that finally I realized how unhappy he was with himself for being a social outcast. When his father proposed that Don and I get married, Don confessed to me that he was gay and that he liked boys. At that time, I learned who all the gay guys in Van Wert were then, and some of the neighborhood adult men who were obviously who had introduced him to that lifestyle.
He admitted to me that some of the boys in his class were flirting with him and that it would be hard for him to resist the temptation. In high school, he was in the band and would not take up sports fearing that he would be discovered to be gay. Apparently, he learned from all his gay friends in Ohio State that it was all right to be aggressive and to solicit young boys because the upshot of all of this is that I learned this afternoon that he had raped two of his students. That is their story. I will not question them on it.
This will follow with a newspaper article that I read this afternoon. I am writing this for my classmates in Van Wert, Ohio who knew both of us way back when. I am so happy to know the truth now that I think others who care would want to know it too.
He apparently had a friend in a woman who was a school secretary at the school. The newspaper reported that she defended him. That was kind of her, but probably a bit misguided.
I applaud the two boys who had the nerve to put their own reputations on the line through speaking out. I do not doubt that Don had sex with them. I know him well enough to believe in a part of their story. I have not heard all of it. Yet, nobody can ever understand why it is that when a person is so hurt by an act like this that they can get support from others. I understand why. One remembers the Don who was kind, who gave me his car to use, who asked me for a date to a hayride, and who was a great listener and pal. I deplore his act against the children but I do still like the Don who was my friend.
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