Today I learned that the 10-year old son of good friends finally succumbed to cancer. Yes, everyone knew this day was inevitable but the reality and finality is overwhelming! He was an incredibly brave young man. I last saw him two weeks ago and he gave me a “high-five” with a smile on his face as he rolled by in his wheelchair. His pain now over he is at peace!
After hearing the news, I thought of my own journey and looked back into a journal entry I made in 2007. I am sharing it here. The lack of names is intentional for my own peace of mind in this electronic world in which we live. You’ll know who they are.
I am thankful for my parents, who raised me the best they could. And for a mother that brought me into this world and loved me. For a father that taught by example. I am thankful too for my brother and sister. They live several hundred miles but I think about them and often wish that we were closer.
I am thankful to my mother and father-in-law for raising a beautiful daughter that I had the pleasure to meet and marry. I am so thankful for my wife. She means the world to me and is the most awesome person I've ever known! She has the natural instinct to always reach out to others at just the right moment and for the right reason. I love her so very much!
I am thankful for my son and daughter. A father could not wish for better children. I am so proud of their individual accomplishments. It gives me great joy to see them as adults and the way they conduct their lives. I love them both so very much!
I am thankful for my son and daughter-in-law, the respective spouse's of my children. What fantastic people they are. I love them both.
I have been blessed with six amazing grandsons (and the first granddaughter is arriving soon) that are the joy of my life! Here is a little about each of them:
When my first grandson was born I remember vividly has dad pushing down the hospital corridor to the room to meet his mom. He was so fresh and then I got to hold him! Oh wow, I love this kid already! He is a big boy now and plays baseball and soccer. Like his dad and papa his is becoming quite a pitcher. Additionally, he is very kind and considerate and has tender feelings for those around him.
Grandson two was much different with his blonde hair and blue eyes. Early in his life he had some physical challenges and on one occasion we nearly lost him. Nana wanted to drive over to our son’s house and I wanted to mow the lawn. Moments later she ran out screaming that something was wrong. I made the trip across town in record time and got to the hospital just as the ambulance did. My knees got weak when I went in and saw the entire trauma team working on him. All I could do was pray that he would be okay. Fast forward and he is now an excellent scholar and ballplayer. I am so thankful for him.
Grandson three (my daughter’s first) is an amazing energy filled kid! I really think he is in motion even when he is asleep! He is inquisitive and focused. He gives me all the scores for MLB, NBA, and NFL in addition to providing weather reports for where not only we live but also where our other family member live. He is playing his first season of T-ball and if not playing baseball can usually be found shooting baskets in the backyard.
Grandson four (my son’s third) reminds me of a bulldog. He is a very determined young man not to be outdone by his two older brothers. Like all so far he is developing his skills as a baseball player and loves to play “home run derby” in competition with his brothers. He has an amazing sense of humor too. For my birthday, he told Nana that he wanted to get me something really special. He picked it out too … a lovely purple tutu!!! We all had a great laugh!
Grandson five (my daughter’s second) is amazingly bright. Nana calls him a problem solver. He just has a knack for figuring things out. If he needs something instead of asking for help he gets his stool, climbs up and gets what he is after. Pretty darn good for a three year old! He loves to ride his bike and play with all his cars (lots of them). Like his big brother, he loves wrestling with his dad.
Grandson six (my son’s number four) has become quiet the curious fellow since they moved into their new home. We get reports all the time of the things he is doing that his older brothers never tried. Many times we see him in action via photograph and he is usually smiling ear to ear with that “I told you I could do this” look! He can climb up on just about anything. He is a no fear kid for sure!
What can I say about the first granddaughter? She is almost here and I do believe she has more clothing than I do already. It is going to be exciting to see her join the family and interact with all these boys! I hope they are ready for her to be in charge!!!
So dear family you truly “light up my life” and I must say that I have been abundantly blessed! Thank you all so much for making my life better than I would have ever imagined!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Paint is Dry Now!
When our family moved from Pittsburgh to southern California my father set out to find a new job. As previously posted here, he left a position with the Transportation Department to join his parents and brothers in the Golden State!
With the help of his brother-in-law, Henry, he began working as a painter at Air Research in Los Angeles. Their facility at the time was adjacent to the Los Angeles Airport now known as LAX.
The Air Research company was just to the east of the airport in the photo above. One day, when dad arrived home and I asked him about his day he told me "oh, today I had to go up on the roof to paint some equipment up there. Too bad I didn't bring a tall ladder with me? I could have painted a stripe on the bottom of every airplane landing at the airport!" Of course he was smiling when he said that but since I was just a kid, I thought he was really cool! From that point on I was always looking for the planes with a stripe painted on the bottom!
It seems that he and I both had an interest in airplanes since we would take the "Sunday ride" from Long Beach to LAX, park the car and watch the plans take off and land. It was exciting for us ... not so sure how mom felt about it though!
A few years later, Air Research had a layoff and dad was once again unemployed. It was around the beginning of the holiday season and he got a job delivering packages for the Post Office. In order to carry more packages (and get more hours of work) he removed the back seat from his 1950 Chevy. It was similar to the photo below.
Shortly after new year, he was thrilled to have been hired full-time by the Post Office and began working as a clerk in the big facility in downtown Long Beach. During the time he worked here he often used his vacation to paint houses, apartments, and commercial buildings.
The first time he asked me to assist on a job I was about 15 years old. It was so exciting to load all the paint, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and everything else into the car. Dad would then place a blanket on the roof of the Chevy and tie his ladders to it. Off we went to the big job ... an apartment building on Cherry Avenue in Signal Hill. He would tell me where to put the drop cloth and how to stir the paint. He did all the painting but I was so happy just hanging out with him.
Some time later he had a job in Rossmoor painting a house and this time he put the roller in my hand and instructed me in the proper technique to roll the paint on the stucco. What a great couple of days we spent finishing up that job. Just like any other job, we had lots of clean-up to do and dad would make sure I learned this important part of every job.
The last job I remember doing was our own house in Long Beach. He and I had built a patio cover and before we installed the roof on it he had me paint all the posts and beams. He left for work that day and I went to the back yard eager to get the job completed before he got home that evening. Mission accomplished!
Several years later, after graduating from high school, I began advertising in the neighborhood for painting jobs. My first job was for a Navy officer just down the street. He was getting ready to move to San Francisco and needed a few rooms painted. The family had already moved north so it was a piece of cake. After completing the three bedrooms I began working on the living room. Each day Captain Paul would check in on me and hear the sounds of rock music. Don't really think he liked it so on the day I started the living room I found a classical station on his radio and to this day remember the look on his face as he walked in to inspect my work! "Are you okay?" I remember him saying. I just smiled and told him the melodious music helped me to do a really good job on the living room because that would be the first room the potential buyers would see. Don't think he bought that story and when he left it was back to rock!
Whenever I've done any painting over the many years since dad passed away I always think about how special those few times were for a young boy!
The paint has long since dried dad but the memories will last forever!
With the help of his brother-in-law, Henry, he began working as a painter at Air Research in Los Angeles. Their facility at the time was adjacent to the Los Angeles Airport now known as LAX.
The Air Research company was just to the east of the airport in the photo above. One day, when dad arrived home and I asked him about his day he told me "oh, today I had to go up on the roof to paint some equipment up there. Too bad I didn't bring a tall ladder with me? I could have painted a stripe on the bottom of every airplane landing at the airport!" Of course he was smiling when he said that but since I was just a kid, I thought he was really cool! From that point on I was always looking for the planes with a stripe painted on the bottom!
It seems that he and I both had an interest in airplanes since we would take the "Sunday ride" from Long Beach to LAX, park the car and watch the plans take off and land. It was exciting for us ... not so sure how mom felt about it though!
A few years later, Air Research had a layoff and dad was once again unemployed. It was around the beginning of the holiday season and he got a job delivering packages for the Post Office. In order to carry more packages (and get more hours of work) he removed the back seat from his 1950 Chevy. It was similar to the photo below.
Shortly after new year, he was thrilled to have been hired full-time by the Post Office and began working as a clerk in the big facility in downtown Long Beach. During the time he worked here he often used his vacation to paint houses, apartments, and commercial buildings.
The first time he asked me to assist on a job I was about 15 years old. It was so exciting to load all the paint, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and everything else into the car. Dad would then place a blanket on the roof of the Chevy and tie his ladders to it. Off we went to the big job ... an apartment building on Cherry Avenue in Signal Hill. He would tell me where to put the drop cloth and how to stir the paint. He did all the painting but I was so happy just hanging out with him.
Some time later he had a job in Rossmoor painting a house and this time he put the roller in my hand and instructed me in the proper technique to roll the paint on the stucco. What a great couple of days we spent finishing up that job. Just like any other job, we had lots of clean-up to do and dad would make sure I learned this important part of every job.
The last job I remember doing was our own house in Long Beach. He and I had built a patio cover and before we installed the roof on it he had me paint all the posts and beams. He left for work that day and I went to the back yard eager to get the job completed before he got home that evening. Mission accomplished!
Several years later, after graduating from high school, I began advertising in the neighborhood for painting jobs. My first job was for a Navy officer just down the street. He was getting ready to move to San Francisco and needed a few rooms painted. The family had already moved north so it was a piece of cake. After completing the three bedrooms I began working on the living room. Each day Captain Paul would check in on me and hear the sounds of rock music. Don't really think he liked it so on the day I started the living room I found a classical station on his radio and to this day remember the look on his face as he walked in to inspect my work! "Are you okay?" I remember him saying. I just smiled and told him the melodious music helped me to do a really good job on the living room because that would be the first room the potential buyers would see. Don't think he bought that story and when he left it was back to rock!
Whenever I've done any painting over the many years since dad passed away I always think about how special those few times were for a young boy!
The paint has long since dried dad but the memories will last forever!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
A Time to Remember
Growing up in Long Beach provided many fond memories of going to parade's and other events downtown. Most enjoyable were the military parades which always included military bands, tanks, trucks, and lot of soldiers and sailors. As they passed by the people cheered for the troops and stood in recognition of the Stars and Strips! My father was a WWII veteran and I always looked forward to going to these events with him. Additionally, we attended the U.S. Air Force annual open house at what was then the Air Force Base at Long Beach Airport.
A couple of years ago I wrote this poem. It is time to add to my blog. Thanks dad for instilling a sense of pride and patriotism in me as a young man. I too served proudly in the U.S. Army and honor those I grew up with that gave the ultimate price to protect the freedom we, as Americans, love but sometimes take for granted!
The Little Soldier
A little boy stood along the route
He waved his hand to all the troops
He dreamed of one day being in their place
Marching to the drummer’s pace
As he held onto his father’s hand
He dreamed of being in far away lands
He read of battles in history books
And felt the pain in soldier’s looks
Some of them didn’t make the trip home
To loved ones left standing now all alone
The little boy never felt the fear
Of protecting those that were so dear
A young man now he joined the force
Remembering those who’d paid the price
In the heat of battle his comrades fell
The young man fought on braver still
He heard the blast and felt the shock
One last look before it went black
His father answered the door today
Two soldiers greet him with this to say
Your son has paid the ultimate price
He’s given his life in sacrifice
For freedom and love of country too
“We’re sorry, sir this flag is for you”
The little boy squeezes his father’s hand
A tear is shed for those who protect our land
Today let’s look towards the sky
Remembering all soldiers who served and died
To protect our freedom and our home
From evil forces wherever they roam
A couple of years ago I wrote this poem. It is time to add to my blog. Thanks dad for instilling a sense of pride and patriotism in me as a young man. I too served proudly in the U.S. Army and honor those I grew up with that gave the ultimate price to protect the freedom we, as Americans, love but sometimes take for granted!
The Little Soldier
A little boy stood along the route
He waved his hand to all the troops
He dreamed of one day being in their place
Marching to the drummer’s pace
As he held onto his father’s hand
He dreamed of being in far away lands
He read of battles in history books
And felt the pain in soldier’s looks
Some of them didn’t make the trip home
To loved ones left standing now all alone
The little boy never felt the fear
Of protecting those that were so dear
A young man now he joined the force
Remembering those who’d paid the price
In the heat of battle his comrades fell
The young man fought on braver still
He heard the blast and felt the shock
One last look before it went black
His father answered the door today
Two soldiers greet him with this to say
Your son has paid the ultimate price
He’s given his life in sacrifice
For freedom and love of country too
“We’re sorry, sir this flag is for you”
The little boy squeezes his father’s hand
A tear is shed for those who protect our land
Today let’s look towards the sky
Remembering all soldiers who served and died
To protect our freedom and our home
From evil forces wherever they roam
Thursday, April 21, 2011
High Flying Skater
My third grade year in school was very memorable for a variety of reasons. About the third week of school my dad bought me a brand new Schwinn bike. You can real all about that experience in my April 2010 post.
When not riding my snazzy Schwinn, I would join the kids in the neighborhood on my skates. In those days, the skates were made of metal with leather straps and clamps on the front. You used a "skate key" to tighten the clamps once you put your shoe into the skate. Most of us were very adept at putting our skates on and getting up to speed.
We lived on Radnor Avenue and there were about sixteen houses on our side of the street. The next street to the east was Albury which had a similar number of homes. At the north end of the block was Los Arcos with Stearns Street on the south. Each day we'd race around the block as fast as possible. We didn't have any digital timers or anything but I seems like after six or seven laps we'd take a break and get something to drink. This went on all the time during the spring and summer.
For some reason, our laps were always done in a counter clockwise manner. So we'd fly south on Radnor, make a left on Stearns, Albury, Los Arcos, and then a final left back on to Radnor. On each lap we'd pick up the speed and attempt different strategies on the go to put distance between one another.
One day, the neighborhood was amazingly quiet as we began our race around the block. On my second lap, approaching the left turn at Los Arcos, I noticed that someone had placed a toy rifle in the middle of the sidewalk. Instantly, I increased my effort and speed to enable a clean jump over this obstacle! When I lifted off I felt too much upper body weight moving forward. Without panic, I attempted to pull back to insure a safe landing. When the front wheels of my skates hit the ground first the momentum carried me forward and before I could gain my balance I was down. I hit the ground hard on my right wrist and felt it throbbing as soon as I stood up. Undaunted, I continued skating for a couple more laps but my speed was down and the pain was beginning to really bother me.
After taking my skates off, I went in and told my mom what happened. It seems to me we waited for my dad to get home from work before going to the ER. They took several x-ray's of my wrist and determined the bone was cracked but not completely broken so they wrapped it and put me in a sling.
Now this was my right wrist and I am right-handed. This is the hand I did all the math and other work with at school. Did this injury mean that I would no longer have to do school work? A kid can only hope that was the case. Wait a minute, my teacher told me "you'll just have to learn to do your work with your left hand!" She wasn't kidding ... dang, Miss Felo how can a kid do that? For the next six weeks I did all my writing, drawing, and other school work left-handed! It wasn't pretty but she gave me good grades for making an attempt!
The story doesn't end there. About three weeks into my recovery I was walking from our garage down the driveway with two friends. I was in the middle as we proceeded down the driveway holding one of my model airplanes. All of the sudden, I felt a sharp pain on the top of my head. Instinctively, I felt my head with my left hand to see what it was and when I brought my hand down it was covered with blood!! All three of us ran to the front porch with me screaming for help. My mother came out and rescued me. Off to the ER again and wouldn't you know it the same doctor and nurse were there. So they shaved all around the spot of the injury and three stitches later I was back in the car on my way home with a big piece of white gauze stuck to my head. When we got home, there was dad with the hose and a bucket of soapy water cleaning my blood off the front porch! Later that evening we learned that little Janie next door had picked up a fairly large rock and tossed it over the fence with all her might!
On Monday, I went back to school with my arm in a sling and the white patch on my head. That really gave the kids something to laugh about! I vaguely remember Miss Felo teaching a history lesson about the American Revolution and seeing a picture of the fife and drum corps with the soldiers all bandaged up!!
When not riding my snazzy Schwinn, I would join the kids in the neighborhood on my skates. In those days, the skates were made of metal with leather straps and clamps on the front. You used a "skate key" to tighten the clamps once you put your shoe into the skate. Most of us were very adept at putting our skates on and getting up to speed.
We lived on Radnor Avenue and there were about sixteen houses on our side of the street. The next street to the east was Albury which had a similar number of homes. At the north end of the block was Los Arcos with Stearns Street on the south. Each day we'd race around the block as fast as possible. We didn't have any digital timers or anything but I seems like after six or seven laps we'd take a break and get something to drink. This went on all the time during the spring and summer.
For some reason, our laps were always done in a counter clockwise manner. So we'd fly south on Radnor, make a left on Stearns, Albury, Los Arcos, and then a final left back on to Radnor. On each lap we'd pick up the speed and attempt different strategies on the go to put distance between one another.
One day, the neighborhood was amazingly quiet as we began our race around the block. On my second lap, approaching the left turn at Los Arcos, I noticed that someone had placed a toy rifle in the middle of the sidewalk. Instantly, I increased my effort and speed to enable a clean jump over this obstacle! When I lifted off I felt too much upper body weight moving forward. Without panic, I attempted to pull back to insure a safe landing. When the front wheels of my skates hit the ground first the momentum carried me forward and before I could gain my balance I was down. I hit the ground hard on my right wrist and felt it throbbing as soon as I stood up. Undaunted, I continued skating for a couple more laps but my speed was down and the pain was beginning to really bother me.
After taking my skates off, I went in and told my mom what happened. It seems to me we waited for my dad to get home from work before going to the ER. They took several x-ray's of my wrist and determined the bone was cracked but not completely broken so they wrapped it and put me in a sling.
Now this was my right wrist and I am right-handed. This is the hand I did all the math and other work with at school. Did this injury mean that I would no longer have to do school work? A kid can only hope that was the case. Wait a minute, my teacher told me "you'll just have to learn to do your work with your left hand!" She wasn't kidding ... dang, Miss Felo how can a kid do that? For the next six weeks I did all my writing, drawing, and other school work left-handed! It wasn't pretty but she gave me good grades for making an attempt!
The story doesn't end there. About three weeks into my recovery I was walking from our garage down the driveway with two friends. I was in the middle as we proceeded down the driveway holding one of my model airplanes. All of the sudden, I felt a sharp pain on the top of my head. Instinctively, I felt my head with my left hand to see what it was and when I brought my hand down it was covered with blood!! All three of us ran to the front porch with me screaming for help. My mother came out and rescued me. Off to the ER again and wouldn't you know it the same doctor and nurse were there. So they shaved all around the spot of the injury and three stitches later I was back in the car on my way home with a big piece of white gauze stuck to my head. When we got home, there was dad with the hose and a bucket of soapy water cleaning my blood off the front porch! Later that evening we learned that little Janie next door had picked up a fairly large rock and tossed it over the fence with all her might!
On Monday, I went back to school with my arm in a sling and the white patch on my head. That really gave the kids something to laugh about! I vaguely remember Miss Felo teaching a history lesson about the American Revolution and seeing a picture of the fife and drum corps with the soldiers all bandaged up!!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Two-Time Traveler
In June of 1958 we again ventured back to the land of my birth! There were three of us again this time ... mom, my little brother Robert, and myself. Dad stayed home to work while we played in Pittsburgh for six weeks! Six weeks ... poor dad!
This time instead of lumbering across country on a train, we flew! In a Super G Constellation like the one pictured below flying over New York City.
The very first thing I noticed after we took off was Robert going to sleep. He was only about two years old and apparently the sound of the engines put him fast to sleep! When we arrived at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport, mom's brother Bill picked us up and took us to his home in burbs. It was a beautiful brick house and Uncle Bill had built much of it himself. He and Aunt Gene had four children, 2-boys and 2-girls as I remember. The boys were Paul and Tommy ... uh, sorry I don't remember the girls names. Typical you say ... you're right!
While there we visited with all the aunt's, uncle's, and cousins all over town. One night, we went to the stock car races with Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Hank. This was dirt track stock car racing just outside of Pittsburgh. After the race we went to get something to eat. I had this huge fish sandwich and an equally large serving french fries. All of the sudden, the lights go out and Uncle Hank says "we'd better get out of here!" We hustled out the back door and returned to their place. I don't know if we paid for the meal or not ...
A few days later I attended my first Major League Ballgame at Forbes Field in downtown Pittsburgh. What a thrill to be there to see my beloved Pirates play!
Vern Law and Bob Friend were my favorite pitchers and Elroy Face was what in today's game would be called the closer. He was only 5'8" but a year later, in 1959, he had a record of 18-1! In the infield we had big Ted Kluszewski at first, Bill Mazeroski at second, Dick Groat at short, and Gene Freeze at third. The outfield was Bob Skinner in left, Billy Virdon in center, and the greatest Pirate of all time and my favorite player, Roberto Clemente in right field. I was in heaven watching these guys play! Honestly, I do not remember much except we were playing the Cubs and their manager was ejected from the game, much to the delight of the Pirate faithful!
Next we stayed with Aunt Sis and Uncle Bud and their seven children. They lived on Adon Street in the house where my mom and all her brothers and sisters grew up. Curiously, I noticed another interesting thing with Robert. It was hot and muggy in Pittsburgh so a fan of some kind was always on. On day, while sitting in a high chair, Robert fell asleep to the sound of the fan! Do we see a pattern here?
In addition to sleeping, Bobby had some high adventures too! This house on Adon street was high above Chartiers Avenue. I'd say maybe 75-100 steps down to the street. One day, Bobby noticed a hole in the screen door and immediately crawled through it onto the front porch. Within minutes he took off down the stairs and before anyone realized he was gone he'd made his way down to the raised sidewalk and was running to the next set of stairs that would take him all the way down to this busy boulevard! Finally, we spotted him and I was dispatched to fetch this wayward boy. By the time I made it down to Chartiers Avenue, a policeman walking the beat had grabbed Bobby just before he made an attempt to cross the street. I believe Bobby thought it was pretty funny!
While there I bunked with my cousins Jimmy and Bobby. One night, I had a huge wad of baseball card bubble gum in my mouth. We were all goofing off and finally Uncle Bud told us quiet down and go to sleep. Usually, I get rid of the gum but for some reason I didn't that night. Can you imagine my surprise the next morning when I woke up to find the gum still in my mouth! Of course I just started chewing it again ... ugh ... and did so until we had breakfast!
The last thing I remember about our big summer vacation was going out to a farm for a big BBQ. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon so after eating, we all sat around this big old radio and listened to the game of the week. The Detroit Tigers were in Boston to play the Red Sox. Jim Bunning was pitching for the Tigers and what a day he had. He pitched a no-hitter! Later in his career, he pitched a perfect game for the Phillies in 1964.
Yes, that was some vacation! I remember mom saying it was time to go home, even though I don't think she wanted to, because dad was putting the milk in the cupboard and the salt and pepper in the refrigerator! I'm confused ... time to say goodbye for now!
This time instead of lumbering across country on a train, we flew! In a Super G Constellation like the one pictured below flying over New York City.
The very first thing I noticed after we took off was Robert going to sleep. He was only about two years old and apparently the sound of the engines put him fast to sleep! When we arrived at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport, mom's brother Bill picked us up and took us to his home in burbs. It was a beautiful brick house and Uncle Bill had built much of it himself. He and Aunt Gene had four children, 2-boys and 2-girls as I remember. The boys were Paul and Tommy ... uh, sorry I don't remember the girls names. Typical you say ... you're right!
While there we visited with all the aunt's, uncle's, and cousins all over town. One night, we went to the stock car races with Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Hank. This was dirt track stock car racing just outside of Pittsburgh. After the race we went to get something to eat. I had this huge fish sandwich and an equally large serving french fries. All of the sudden, the lights go out and Uncle Hank says "we'd better get out of here!" We hustled out the back door and returned to their place. I don't know if we paid for the meal or not ...
A few days later I attended my first Major League Ballgame at Forbes Field in downtown Pittsburgh. What a thrill to be there to see my beloved Pirates play!
Vern Law and Bob Friend were my favorite pitchers and Elroy Face was what in today's game would be called the closer. He was only 5'8" but a year later, in 1959, he had a record of 18-1! In the infield we had big Ted Kluszewski at first, Bill Mazeroski at second, Dick Groat at short, and Gene Freeze at third. The outfield was Bob Skinner in left, Billy Virdon in center, and the greatest Pirate of all time and my favorite player, Roberto Clemente in right field. I was in heaven watching these guys play! Honestly, I do not remember much except we were playing the Cubs and their manager was ejected from the game, much to the delight of the Pirate faithful!
Next we stayed with Aunt Sis and Uncle Bud and their seven children. They lived on Adon Street in the house where my mom and all her brothers and sisters grew up. Curiously, I noticed another interesting thing with Robert. It was hot and muggy in Pittsburgh so a fan of some kind was always on. On day, while sitting in a high chair, Robert fell asleep to the sound of the fan! Do we see a pattern here?
In addition to sleeping, Bobby had some high adventures too! This house on Adon street was high above Chartiers Avenue. I'd say maybe 75-100 steps down to the street. One day, Bobby noticed a hole in the screen door and immediately crawled through it onto the front porch. Within minutes he took off down the stairs and before anyone realized he was gone he'd made his way down to the raised sidewalk and was running to the next set of stairs that would take him all the way down to this busy boulevard! Finally, we spotted him and I was dispatched to fetch this wayward boy. By the time I made it down to Chartiers Avenue, a policeman walking the beat had grabbed Bobby just before he made an attempt to cross the street. I believe Bobby thought it was pretty funny!
While there I bunked with my cousins Jimmy and Bobby. One night, I had a huge wad of baseball card bubble gum in my mouth. We were all goofing off and finally Uncle Bud told us quiet down and go to sleep. Usually, I get rid of the gum but for some reason I didn't that night. Can you imagine my surprise the next morning when I woke up to find the gum still in my mouth! Of course I just started chewing it again ... ugh ... and did so until we had breakfast!
The last thing I remember about our big summer vacation was going out to a farm for a big BBQ. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon so after eating, we all sat around this big old radio and listened to the game of the week. The Detroit Tigers were in Boston to play the Red Sox. Jim Bunning was pitching for the Tigers and what a day he had. He pitched a no-hitter! Later in his career, he pitched a perfect game for the Phillies in 1964.
Yes, that was some vacation! I remember mom saying it was time to go home, even though I don't think she wanted to, because dad was putting the milk in the cupboard and the salt and pepper in the refrigerator! I'm confused ... time to say goodbye for now!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sandy and Juan (not)!
On August 31, 1959 I was lucky enough to go to the Dodger-Giant game in Los Angeles at the Coliseum. The photo below was actually taken on March 29, 2008 when the Dodgers played the Boston Red Sox in front of MLB record 115,000 fans! The game this blog is featuring had 60,194 in attendance ... still a great crowd for a ball game.
As the game progressed it became apparent that we were witnessing history! My grandfather always took a "transistor radio" to the games so we could listen to Vin Scully, the Dodgers announcer. With each inning Vinny was getting more and more excited as Koufax continued to mow down the Giant batters. At the end of eight innings the score was tied 2-2 and he had fifteen strikeouts! In the top of the ninth he struck out the first batter and the fans were screaming. When he stuck out the second batter everyone jumped to their feet to watch Sandy pitch to the third batter. "Strike Three" was called by umpire Tom Gorman as Sandy Koufax struck out the sides for a total of eighteen for the game! Wow!
So, in the bottom of the ninth, with one out Manager Walter Alston gave Koufax the nod to go to the plate. One would have expected a pinch hitter for him since he was just about the worst hitting pitcher in all baseball. Holy cow, Sandy got a base hit and was standing on first base as Jim "Junior" Gilliam stepped into the batters box. He squared up to bunt and laid it down perfectly for a base hit. Now, with two on and one out Wally Moon came to the plate for the Dodgers. He had come over from St. Louis and as a left handed batter developed an "inside out" swing so he could loft fly balls toward the 42' high screen in left field. It was only about 251' down the left field line in the Coliseum so a routine fly ball often times became a home run. Al Worthington now pitching in relief and "bam" Wally hit what Dodger fans called a "moon shot" by sending a high fly into the night and over the screen! Dodgers win 5-2!
I've been to many games in my life but this one sticks out as the best ever! The game itself was great ... being their with my father and grandfather made it even more memorable!
These two teams had a fierce rivalry and with the Giants in first place by a scant two games, the Dodgers needed a win. Fortunately, they had their ace, Sandy Koufax, on the mound. For years I was certain the Giants countered with their top gun, Juan Marichal! But after doing some research, it turned out that Jack Sanford was pitching for the boys from the bay that night! It was still a fantastic time to be at the ball game with my dad and grandfather!
As the game progressed it became apparent that we were witnessing history! My grandfather always took a "transistor radio" to the games so we could listen to Vin Scully, the Dodgers announcer. With each inning Vinny was getting more and more excited as Koufax continued to mow down the Giant batters. At the end of eight innings the score was tied 2-2 and he had fifteen strikeouts! In the top of the ninth he struck out the first batter and the fans were screaming. When he stuck out the second batter everyone jumped to their feet to watch Sandy pitch to the third batter. "Strike Three" was called by umpire Tom Gorman as Sandy Koufax struck out the sides for a total of eighteen for the game! Wow!
So, in the bottom of the ninth, with one out Manager Walter Alston gave Koufax the nod to go to the plate. One would have expected a pinch hitter for him since he was just about the worst hitting pitcher in all baseball. Holy cow, Sandy got a base hit and was standing on first base as Jim "Junior" Gilliam stepped into the batters box. He squared up to bunt and laid it down perfectly for a base hit. Now, with two on and one out Wally Moon came to the plate for the Dodgers. He had come over from St. Louis and as a left handed batter developed an "inside out" swing so he could loft fly balls toward the 42' high screen in left field. It was only about 251' down the left field line in the Coliseum so a routine fly ball often times became a home run. Al Worthington now pitching in relief and "bam" Wally hit what Dodger fans called a "moon shot" by sending a high fly into the night and over the screen! Dodgers win 5-2!
I've been to many games in my life but this one sticks out as the best ever! The game itself was great ... being their with my father and grandfather made it even more memorable!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
America by Train
In 1955, after being in California for five years, my mother was missing her sisters in Pittsburgh. So she, dad, and I embarked on a journey across the country on a train! After boarding in Los Angeles, I quickly discovered the "dome car" and spent the vast majority of my time up there watching the vast expanses of the west pass before my eyes!
This is similar to the "dome car" in which I travelled.
This is similar to the "dome car" in which I travelled.On the second day of the journey I met a kid about my age. Can't remember his name but we had a great time running up and down the stairs and sitting up in the "dome car" as we moved eastward on the tracks. He was going to North Platte, Nebraska to spend the summer with his grandparents. Upon arrival there we were both sad that our adventure had ended and just said "good-bye" and he jumped off the train on the to the platform and the conductor yelled "all aboard" and away we went!
The next stop I remember was Chicago and the station was so busy! We had to grab our luggage and catch a cab to another station and once there we boarded the Pennsylvania Railroad for the remainder of the trip to Pittsburgh. The new train didn't have a "dome car" but it did have a dining car. At dinner time, we walked down to the dining car and sat down. Our table had a linen table cloth and what I remember as really nice dishes and silverware! Our waiter was dressed in a fancy suit and had a white cloth draped over his arm as he took our order. I elected to have a ham sandwich with french fries. Now this was not a deli sandwich by any means. When he delivered the food, I was amazed to see a thick piece of grilled ham between to slices of white bread! Why, it was like someone had sliced the Christmas ham, grilled it, and made this magnificent sandwich for me! And, it was so very delicious!
This is what I remember most about that first visit home. Next post I'll share significantly more detail about the second trip that mom and I took a scant three years later!
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