Friday, July 14, 2006

Whew................... what a week. First, fitting call for the month into two weeks is the price of taking vacation. However, fitting other tasks and duties in to my daily schedule becomes a bigger challenge than usual. Working all night on call has a way of disrupting time perspective..... ie: you forget what day it is, or what you have to do. Invaribly, some things get forgotten and or undone. I won't bore you with details; instead of napping yesterday to help recover from an alnighter, I scuried around getting last minute details shored up for the adventure which which starts and the end of work today. I did manage to go out for diner with Diane last night, our last day together for two weeks; our 39th wedding anniversary is next saturday (22nd July).





The week in review:

packing for two weeks in the southern rockies

My work station

Fruits of our labors/ with mother nature's assistance

Hope to see you in two weeks ;-)

REL

Thursday, July 13, 2006

A thought:

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a little bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I worked all night. Will fill in the details after diner :-)

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

My Dad died in 1978, 5 days after his 58th birthday. His Dad died in 1933 at the age of 54, my Dad was 13 at that time. (His mother died when Dad was three.) Dad was a student of the English language and practiced writing at every opportunity, mostly poetry, but a fair amount of essay style prose. I don't believe he ever had anything published but we have a ton of papers with a large compilation of musings, poetry and letters that he penned during his life time. Recently I came across a letter he wrote to his dead father when he was nearing age 50----Some thirty years after his Dad had died. It follows:


" The Magic Word"

Dear Dad,

Sometimes, I suppose, you must have held me in your arms. I was the baby of the family, the next to last baby your dear Mary had.
(In big families, the latest edition is always spoiled and there is a curious sadness - when we know there will be no more.)
So I know it is likely that in spite of worries and cares and duties and a loved wife who was dying, - you found a moment now and then to hold a baby in your arms.
The world moves and baby boys become little boys, which is something quite different. Fathers have much to do and so, when a boy gets to be six or seven, or when he gets to want to be manly, Dad stops kissing him goodbye and stops holding him in his arms, - unless he's sick.
(I remember having earaches, surely the most terrible pain any human ever had, - you were a widower then- and you'd put me in your bed, and that terrible, terrible pain would magically ease away) and now, thirty-five years after your tired lungs gave up the struggle, Your baby boy is nearing fifty. He's met a friend who had just lost his Dad recently and is crying unashamed tears.
"It was something", the friend said, "to have been able to hold the old boy in my arms and tell him I loved him."
I remember the day in the springtime, you went to the hospital. You were 54 that year. I was a manly thirteen; some ways boy, some ways man, but really neither. I said goodbye and then just stood there, I guess.
My stepmother's sister-in-law, a wise and kindly woman, asked me if I were not going to kiss you goodbye. I'm glad now, she said that. Even though I had to be reminded, I did kiss my Dad goodbye. I take some comfort in the fact that I rode a bike the ten miles to see you, several times in the two weeks you had left.
But I never held you in my arms and told you I loved you.
I hope you know I did, - and do.
After 2 years in the planning, it's almost time. Two years ago Leigh asked if I'd be interested in doing a wilderness trek with him. The trip would include his wife, a son and daughter and a half dozen boy scouts., camping and hiking at Philmont Ranch in the southern Rockies of New Mexico. Obviosly, I agreed. Philmont Scout Ranch is a national camping area, owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America. Philmont is large, comprising 137,493 acres or about 215 square miles of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range of the Rockies. 32 staffed camps and 50 unstaffed camps are operated by the ranch. Philmont has high mountains which dominate rough terrain with an elevation ranging from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. http://www.philmont.com/page.php?page=site/home.php

*****
We leave here for Syr. fri. after work to spend the night for a 0430 take off Sat. morning to New Mexico. The adventure begins.

Off for my run.

Green - blueberries

Roses - with Bees

Monday, July 10, 2006



Barbara and Mary Kay

Bob and Jeff

2 sisters, 2 brothers, 1st cousins all

The weekend was terrific both weather-wise and socially.

The weekend was warm, bright and sunny with a temperizing wind tossed in. Sun. Diane did the lion's share of the work: She went early to the grocer and picked up the fixin's for the bbq, then on to the homestead to work the garden (picked a quart of raspberries), did the laundry, and attended Lynnette's baby shower.

Jeff came about 1330 and we chatted and watched the beginning of the world cup final between France and Italy. Italy Won :-( Barb and Kay came over to chat and see Jeff for the first time this wkend. Barb and Kay went to visit the Remington museum for an hour or so, and while they were gone, Diane and I got the bbq going; cleaning and chopping veggies etc.

The meal was supurb, if I don't say so myself, topped off with watermelon. A little fire in the fire pit, some more kibbitzing and final farewells, a busy (esp. for Diane) and fulfilling wkend. No more call-ins.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Some work & a mini reunion.
Two/thirds thru the wknd and I've had three call ins---Fri. nite; a reintubation........definitely needed. Sat morning @ 0800 an EGD; quasi necessary. Last nite; C-section... I had pre-op interviewed this girl on fri for a scheduled c-section on monday, but as happens fairly often, she went into labor yesterday and after a day attempting a v-bac, came to OR at midnight for emergency C-section. (She went to school with J. ) So far a pretty reasonable call wknd. :-)))

Return to the 4th for a moment:





The "A-Team" watching the parade from the front steps of the homestead. (missing; middle son and grand-daughters) too long a walk from south Texas.
Shown: fr. mom Diane, daughter Michelle.
Back: dad Bob, son Jacob.










Fast forward----- Some first cousins traveled to the north country, from Ohio and Rochester, NY, to attend a mini family reunion with the Farrand clan at a summer home on Highway#2 between Presscott and Brockville, Canada. (The home just happens to be directly across the river from our camp) Being on call, I couldn't attend. The cousins stopped in last night for a visit. Their motels are just up the way from our camp. Shown L. to R. first cousins: Mary Kay SSJ. Eileen, Barbara, and Bob L.. Eileens DH Bob R.. Notice new fire pit. Great visit!
.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

http://www.cornburyfestival.com/

CORNBURY OXFORD MUSIC FESTIVAL · July 8th & 9th 2006The Cornbury Festival is one-of-a-kind: an eclectic and eccentric musical carnival - a dynamic summer festival disguised as a country fayre - a lovingly crafted, top notch, very English open air party, tailor-made for the whole family. Like the best of England, Cornbury is eccentric, charming and irresistible - a homespun melting pot where music-lovers share pies and a glass of champagne with superstars, toffs, rockers, crooners, Morris dancers, farmers, urbanites, fashionistas, gourmet chefs and the little old ladies who make exceptional cakes. In short, The Cornbury Festival represents classic summer entertainment for a friendly crowd from all walks of life. A country fair with a rock ’n’ roll twist; a farmers’ market with a dancefloor; a magical local carnival with a classic contemporary soundtrack.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Start of a call weekend. Out to run 5 miles this AM.

Thursday, July 06, 2006




Windy....

Windy window.....

Windy wash...

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

I hope everyone had as relaxing and wonderful July 4th as we did here. The weather was grand, and the parade was up to it's usual standard. Saw some old friends from far away as well as current friends and neighbors. I spoke with the local newspaper editor and asked him if he could remember when Dunkin' Donuts located in Ogdensburg? He didn't remember one being there. I'm sure there was one here, but only for a short time (maybe a year or two) perhaps in the 1970's. It was replaced by the current Donut King.
*****
Fire trucks, and highschool bands, politicians of every sort, pretty girls and fine old cars. Spectators--children all and horses at the end.















Daughter, Michelle at the new fire pit, getting ready to roast coconut marshmallows.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

4th of July, Independence Day---USA














Whew! My internet connection has been restored just in time for the 4th of July.
Apparently the high winds over the weekend disruptedRoad Runner service to our area.

The day is beginning sunny, hot, and hazy-----it portends to be a great day to celebrate Americas independence day. Two of my three children are home and Diane and I have the day off. The girls went home early to shower and get some chores done. Jacob is still snoring lol :-) I stayed here because of call, but that is finished now. So as soon as I finish this post, I'll take the beeper back to the OR for my relief, and then proceed to the homestead and enjoy the commaraderie of the parade crowd as well as the parade itself. The Firemen's fireworks display was last night, but we stayed here at camp and chose not to go. Brockville's fireworks on the 1st (Canada Day) and Morristown's on the 3rd gave both communities a chance for a double show. Having witnessed this display many years in the past, I'm sure they were spectacular from both sides of the river. A few years back the two communities combined to have the fireworks on the same night. They coordinated the displays via radio and what a exellent show they put on.
*****
For all the parades, partying, picnics and boating activities, the reunions, and generalized aura of celebration, I try to remember the reason for our reverie.

Both my French-Canadian and Irish-Canadian great grandfathers served in the American Civil war. An uncle served in WWI, My father and one of his brothers in WWII, myself in Vietnam, My daughter and one son in Gulf I. Two cousins were in the Korean conflict.

The price of freedom is dear. Savor our independence and treat it with respect.

The parade is at 1000. We'll probably come back to camp afterward to enjoy the river, and cook out. Jacob will return to Buffalo today, Michelle will go back to Albany tomorrow. What a treat it is to have them home for awhile :0

Monday, July 03, 2006


Road runner not working at home. Bummer! will post past weekend activities when back on line.