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Thanks Jim.

I've seen a bit of the world and there's nowhere any more beautiful and flat-out idyllic than that little neighborhood. A part of me wishes they'd close off the streets - maybe to anybody but home-owners - but I guess that's impossible.

09/12/22 04:27 PM

#11614

Because I know you were all wondering:

Queen’s corgis will live with Prince Andrew and Fergie, spokeswoman confirms

09/12/22 05:11 PM

#11615

Mike,

To be able to turn east off High street or west off Indianola and go along Overbook or Walhalla to experience the different ecosystem that is the Clintonville ravines is truly amazing.

To me those ravines are right up there with photographing the golden autumn aspen groves on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

For our classmates who were not raised in zip code 43214, if you have not been through them I highly recommend you do so, both now when they are green but also in the fall as the colors change.

Jim

09/12/22 07:15 PM

#11616

Take a breath down there in that tree-lined glen and you realize you're suddenly taking in a richer mix of oxygen.

One more reason I just shake my head at how idyllic childhood was for many of us.

Not that it was a Disney cartoon by any stretch. But it was a golden era. Most of us lived it out in a privileged place, and as innocents in many ways, not just because of our age but because of the particular timelline and belief system that cushioned our childhoods.

09/13/22 11:27 AM

#11617

Mark Schweickart

Perhaps not as innocent a memory as Mike's, but for one who didn't grow up in that neighborhood, my memory of Overbrook was as a place of seclusion to park late in the evening. Although it was not so idyllic if occasionally an officer's flashlight came tapping on the car window. Ahem.

09/13/22 11:39 AM

#11618

Ha. Thanks for the reminder Mark. Somehow I never got in on the misadventures of the Overbrook glen scene. Seems I've heard a story or two from maybe you or Jack Maxwell, not all of them as romantic as yours.

09/13/22 01:04 PM

#11619

A complaint from:

The Department of Absolutely Nothing to Do With Anything:

I don't know about the rest of you, but I simply haven't been getting enough news about Ben and Jaylo lately.

09/13/22 01:51 PM

#11620

A little over a week ago, I took a drive north.

I had had so much rain lately and wanted to get away. I left in a driving rain storm. The next day it rained hard again as I headed into Cincinnati to spent a few days with my youngest daughter.

And then hated to leave.

So I headed further north - and a bit east - to a place the radio station used to call "The Big C".

More rain along that drive.

There was a party at an old folks home that included a few friends. No actually, a lot of friends, but mostly very old. How they had gotten so old I could not tell.

And guess what? It rained some more - and hard.

But I stood out there in the rain with the rest of those old people and had a wonderful time - but not enough time. Not enough time with Tom and Tess, or Beth. Not enough Keith and Tommy. Not enough Clare or Janie, or Susan, or Jeanine, or Sheila. Barely enough of big Mike or Steve (some long lost priest who wandered in from the "left coast"). Almost no Julie or Dan or Nina, or Jack, or even my "neighbor" Mary Ann, etc. etc. etc.

And how about you? Did you get enough?

No,,, I don't mean rain. I meant enough old people?

But I cheated. After a fun pizza luncheon the next day, I had a final lunch on Tuesday with Kevin Ryan - one on one, and one of my main men - just on my way out. But it was way too short. We should'a ordered something more expensive. We'd would have had to sit longer.

I'm sorry to complain so much, but I just didn't get enough of y'all.

And again, I hated to leave.

Can't we do this more often? Like every month?

(Bob Berkermer thinks so - I just had an email chat with him and he missed due to back surgery)

Guess what? Driving home from one of my Vietnam buddies near Atlanta (my last stop), it poured - hard. We have "standing water" all over the place - - - but no "old people".

Never been this homesick in my life.

09/13/22 03:07 PM

#11621

Dave et. al.,

Yeah, that was a lot of rain, something that we need more of out west.

But, look at the good side, Dave, it really made Hayden Falls look fantastic!

Jim

09/13/22 03:49 PM

#11622

Mark Schweickart

Dave – Sorry to hear that your party-in-the-rain was so unceremoniously crashed by a bunch of old folks. I guess that is bound to happen as the number of our reunion increases and the attendance decreases. These events, I am sure, are not intended to be a momento mori, but yikes, how can it be otherwise. It is one thing to avoid mirrors in one's own home, but seeing our teenaged classmates transmogrified into their seventy-something selves... well, as I said... yikes.

I didn't attend the reunion, but I was struck by this momento mori feeling the other night when I was watching an unusual Rom-Com on Netflix called "Destination Wedding," starring Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves, both around 50. Aside from their age being a little old for most Rom-Coms, the film was highly unusual in that these two leads have the only speaking parts in the entire film, which I thought was a bold stylistic (and no doubt money-saving) choice to have been made by the writer/director. The film was also unusual in the unwavering cynicism expressed in the non-stop banter between these two characters. The age-reminding exchange that provoked an "Oh, Ouch!" response from me went something like this: Keanu is talking about his step-father’s new girlfriend, and Winona says,”You can’t call a 78-year-old woman a ‘girlfriend,' that’s ridiculous.” Keanu then asks, “What should I call her?” Winona shrugs and replies, “I don’t know… an ossified, pre-dead corpse friend?”

As I said, "Oh, Ouch!"

09/13/22 05:59 PM

#11623

thanksalot mark now i'm planning on looking up momento mori while making a guess before i do, remembering as always my mother's advice as a clue for the meaning of an unfamiliar word or phrase - "look for the latin root" - then groping around in the dark with the assistance of words I'm familiar with, like morbid, moribund. mortuary. By the time I got to the dictionary I was already depressed.

09/14/22 12:13 AM

#11624

09/14/22 12:30 AM

#11625

Joseph D. McCarthy

First I would like to mention something NEW in the Central Ohio area The Quarry Park. From what I saw it is not yet complete,But what a place. It can be reached by Three entrances. The first is on Trabue Road between Rt33 and Old Dublin Road; you have to drive behind the apartment buildings and offices - follow the signs. The second is off Old Dublin Road between Trabue Rd. and Roberts Rd; entrance is just to the South of a large apartment complex on Old Dublin Rd. The third is on Old Dublin Rd at the entrance to the operating quarry by Roberts Rd. If you are in the Columbus area try it. Waterfall and lakes abound.

Second, in response to a Mr D. Mitchell. You remind me of the character (guy) who complained very loudly about how the lottery was unfair to him; he never won. Then he cried to God that he never let him win.

God responded "MEET ME HALF WAY, BUY A TICKET."

09/14/22 12:44 PM

#11626

Thanks for the advice Joe, I'll give it some thought.

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

I forgot two little fun reunion surprises that merrit special mention;

First, When I saw Tommy and Ellen Weilbacher walk in, I was pleasently shocked. None of you would know this but Tommy and I grew up almost family. My Dad's best buddy in life - from early childhood till their deaths - was Tommy's uncle Bob Gordon. And Tommy's Aunt Peg (Margaret Gordon) Hughes was my future wife's aunt and one of my parents best friends forever.

As a child, Dad was always at the Gordon's house. At a visit to the Hughes cottage (close to our family's cottage on Lake Erie years ago, Tommy's uncle Jack Gordon told my 3 small children that while growing up, he alwaya "thought Bill Mitchell (my dad) was one of his older brothers."

When I was a small boy, my dad would take me with him into the 5the Ave. Bank (later an Ohio National branch) to do business with Tommy's grandfather - Mr.s Gordon (senior) was the president of the bank. While dad would talk with him at his desk, I would sit on Mr. Gordon's lap. And my family spent almost every Christmas Eve at the Gordon grandparents house, where Tommy and his cousins (including "Flip" Gordon) were all together for the evening. It gets more intertwined than that, but you get the idea.

P.s. I had a crush on Ellen for a while, and during one brief breakup between Ellen and Tommy (very brief), I got one date with her - to the Shrine Circus. Havent seen either one of them since way back.

Second: At our luncheon at Masseys Pizza on Monday, Mike Boulware and I sat alone for a while waiting for others to join us. A nice group of about 12 or 14 showed, but the first one was another shocker. One of those "old guys" (which I have referenced in an earlier post) walks in, and headed to our table. I was clueless as to who this guy was until he came to our table and introduced himslef. It was Sean Kelleher! Sean was in my OLP class for a few years before moving to IC.

I had not seen him since right after Washington crossed the Delaware.

09/15/22 02:52 PM

#11627

lol dave

burning up down here.

maybe it is my imagination but I swear the florida sun is stronger than it was when i came down here 40 years ago.

so i poked around:

But many have wondered, is the sun getting stronger? According to Scripps Atmospheric Scientist Ray Weiss the answer is no, even though it feels that way. He says it's not that the sun is stronger, but rather the ozone layer is thinner meaning more UV rays are coming through.

09/16/22 08:44 AM

#11628

Susan Lally (Boulware)

Rehashing the many great people from our class reunion with Sue; I told her that I wanted to talk to Mary Margaret and I wish she had attended. Sue informed me that Mary Margaret was there. I am so sorry I missed her. Despite our philosophical differences, I realize that she is a decent and morally strong person and a life long friend. Goose and Tess looked like they did when they were youngsters. It sure was good to see Steve Mollica again. Our dinner table consisted of Bill McCray, Lynn Royer, Jodelle Sims, Sue Lally, and Dr. and Mrs. Jim Hamilton. Now, there was a cast of characters. Linda Walters' husband, Mike, has been to more of our renions than most of us, along with Don Brown, and Gary Schell. I consider them honorary classmates. Great conversations with Joe, Jocko, and Keith. Oh hell, it was super seeing everyone, especially Steve Hodges.

Dave, I envy you having lunch with Kevin Ryan. I never get tired of being around him. Great seeing you too.

Mary Clare and Jim Bauer along with Janie can't be thanked enough. Fred Clem was far too quiet, he had his game face on, getting ready for our beloved Kentucky Wildcats football games.

Did not know that Bill was a deacon, I can see why; he has a great voice.

I used Sue's post in error. She writes better than me. Mike Boulware

09/16/22 12:48 PM

#11629

Joseph D. McCarthy

Thank you Mike for bringing up the suject. Just before leaving Columbus (a week ago) I missed all the fantastic weather back home in Rohnert Park, CA. The day of our re-union it was listed that R.P. hit a high of 110 degrees for that day; the next day (luncheon day) the temp. reached 112 degrees; but wait, on the day before we left Columbus the City of Rohnert Park was listed as having reached 116 degrees, the same day the temperature in Death Valley was well below that temperature. See what I missed by attending the re-union.

But thanks again Mike for bringing up the HEAT.

09/16/22 12:59 PM

#11630

Okay, enough of this waxing and whining about the bevity of our Sunday Night Love Fest.

I have an idea. We could really do this much more often. Maybe even make it a continuous running event. Welcoming travelers passing through or dropping in from wherever.

First, we erect a sort of a tent city in Clare's driveaway. (Note: Residents of Portland Oregon, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or many other large metropolitan areas will be familiar with this "concept"). And I'm sure Clare and her family won't mind (no, not much).

Then we bring in a couple of porta potties - there are companies that rent these out to customers and handle the replacement when full. We could have them placed out near the beginning of her driveway, so they are not too close to the tents. I'm sure Clare and family won't mind this either, nor will her neighbors,,, right! I mean, having them sitting out in the short end of her driveway, right out in front of the whole world surely wouldn't cause any concern. And we would leave Clare's family a couple of the closest parking spaces at the curb near the driveway entry.

We could (probably) call on our respective parishes to drop food, medical, and toiletry items - perhaps rotating the duty in a daily sequence that allows all of them to participate. I mean who could refuse us? After all, weren't we once the darlings of those hallowed halls, from St. Francis on the southern border, to St. Mike's on the north (or would it include St. Mary's in Delaware?) - and clear across that vast foreign expanse west of the Olentangy - where those "rich kids" lived - you know - the ones who had full baseball uniforms in 8th grade - compared to our (OLP) caps and T-shirts. Those parishes certainly "owe" us some form of gratitude for all the fame and glory we once brough them. Don'cha think?

And we could add some background music. Somebody could bring their Cassette or 8-track player and play Ricky Nelson and Breda Lee all night. Heck, throw in a couple of songs by "The Diamonds" and I'm there. Maybe out of respect for the neighbors, we should cut it off by about 2:00 am.

And did I forget anything? Oh yeah,,,, B.Y.O.B.

So Clare, when do you think we could start the project?

09/16/22 03:11 PM

#11631

Mike McL.,

One of the nice things about living close to the mountains is that when the summer temps rise too high (not a real frequent scenario), one can drive a few miles into the "high country" and drop 30 degrees quickly. Currently it is a pleasant 75 degrees here in Colorado Springs but 40 degrees on top of Pikes Peak.

Now, to give your left brain a little work, think about these questions:

Why is it so much colder up on "The Peak" than here in "The Springs" since the peak is 8000 feet closer to the sun but still way beneath the ozone layer?

Why if one travels halfway from earth toward the sun, far from any ozone, the temperature approaches absolute zero?

(Hint: this has nothing to do with climate change or what contributes to it.)

Jim

09/16/22 06:20 PM

#11632

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

Jim it was nice talking with you and your wife at the reunion.

. My husband and I are going to visit one of my best friends in Park City Utah for 10 days. We are going to rent a car to take day trips . We skied Park City for years but have never been there in the fall.
Do you have any suggestions? Yes I know you are living in Colorado but thought you may have visited Utah.

09/16/22 07:33 PM

#11633

Mary Ann,

We also enjoyed spending time with you and Janet has mentioned you several times since the reunion.

Although it is a neighboring state we have never been to Utah! However, from a westerner's and photographic viewpoint it has some drop dead gorgeous mountain scenery, and lots of places to witness the spectacular change of the Aspen trees. And Park City should supply a good portion of that.

Coming from sea level you may want to take a couple of days seeing any of the city sites there and in Salt Lake City before hitting the higher mountain areas. When they were at the age that we are now, Janet's parents used to come visit us and wanted to go to the Cripple Creek casinos (10,000 + feet altitude) and I always had to rein them in few days before driving them up there 😀.

Hope you both have a great time and be safe,

Jim

P. S. At that latitude the Aspen forests probably grow best between about 8,000 and 10,000 feet. Cold nights and warm days bring out the colors. And if you can see them with a background of snow covered mountains and blue skies - WOW!

09/16/22 11:34 PM

#11634

Joseph D. McCarthy

Mary Ann, if I may interject A nice day trip would be the drive East on I-80 towards Wyoming, only about two hours. The scenery is beautiful. Also, along the way is an exit (Interstate) heading to the North of Salt Lake city.

And don't forget the splendid downhill serpentine drive into Salt Lake City from Park City going West on I-80.

09/17/22 11:15 AM

#11635

Jim:

Trying to reason out the answers without the assistance of The Google.

Guessing that absent an atmosphere the heat and light emanating from the sun doesn't have anything to collect/retain/reflect the photons.

Question number two is tougher. Along those same lines I will guess that the way the atmosphere thins out the higher up you go accounts for heat not being retained or absorbed or radiated.

Hopefully this is an essay test so I can bs my way to an a minus. Ok b plus. Ok just a passing grade please I need the credits to graduate and get a job to take care of a family of orphans i just adopted and you don't want me back in your class again next term anyway, right?

09/17/22 11:47 AM

#11636