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David Mitchell

New bucket list item - Mary Ann, can you bring me a baby giraffe? If not, have a blast anyway.

David Mitchell

Beth, Dave and Mark, I wanted to get this on here before we got too far past the topic of Stamp collecting.

I have tried to load this three times and having trouble each time. And I lost all my text, all three times - 0e$%>s@#-?  So I copied it on another way and its way too big - so scroll and deal with it!

(all fixed now)

Pictued below is a letter from Bishop Issennmann to my dad back in 1962. I have had it in my stamp collection ever since dad died about 20 years ago. But I had never taken the contents out of the envelope (nor even realized there were any) until a few years ago. I had called a local stamp dealer out on Hilton Head to consider selling my (and my dad's) collections. I handed him this envelope to look at and he asked, "Are you from Columbus?" I said yes and he asked, "Where did you go to school?" I said Bishop Watterson, and he laughed and said he went to Ready. He made me a very nice offer for this envelope, but I decided to decline.

What you see - if you don't mind scrolling - (I cannot seem to get this up-loaded the correct way) - is the entire envelope, as well as portions of the enclosed greeting card and letter. The letter is somewhat interesting. It goes into their mutual agreement for the need for some modernizartion in the Church, especially saying the Mass in the "vernacular", of which they were both strong proponents. But the real purpose of the letter is a bit less noble. It is actually the Bishop's answer to Dad's request to send him something with Vatican stamps, and postmarked from the Vatican Post Office during the Second Vatican Council. 

Dad and the Bishop had become friends four years earlier during a chance meeting on a boat trip to Europe in October of 1958. (*that will be part of my story to follow later). That is when they discovered that both were life-long stamp collectors and got to know each other on a more personal basis. I should also point out that dad came to know Bishop Issennmann to be a much more down to earth, humble, and freindly person than the "great dictator", Michael Ready (who, as I explained in a earlier post, Dad could hardly stand)

Note: the Bishop dates his letter the American way (month first, then day and year), but the Vatican postmark is the European way (day first, then month and year - 6th of Dec 1962). And of course, "United States" is written in Italian - "State Unite".  

(And also note - Bonnie, Mike De, Joe, and others - you may recall this was dad's "new" location, after he moved out of the Beggs Building)

I'll add a funny story from the (timely) 1958 cruise meeting later.

David Mitchell

Okay, it has to be a "Jpeg" - not a "PDF". Wow that only took a whole day to figure out. I guess that's what I get for getting my correspondence degree from the "School of the Criminally Behind the Curve". 

Joseph D. McCarthy

Dave, you gave yourself away as the leak to Wikileaks.  Those terms are beyond Top Secret and Crypto secret.

Now everyone knows that Jpeg stands for Just Petty Educational Groupies and PDF means Partially Damn Futile.  Next you were probably going to give up PHd, or Pretty Heavy Dish.  Is this what the South has done to you.

Joseph D. McCarthy

Now for another subject, On July 4th a History Lesson.  Our classmate Al Judy, and a great friend of mine, just mentioned the 150th anniversary Celebration of our neighbor to the North - Canada.  The land of Anne of Green Gables and Loralei (sic).  Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) joined with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to form the beginnings of today's Canada in 1867.  In 1870 Manitoba joined followed in 1871 by British Columbia.  In 1873 Prince Edward Island became the next province.  It wasn't until 1905 that Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces.  Finally in 1949 Newfoundland gave up being a country and became the final Province.  In addition there had been two Territories Northwest and Yukon until the Canadian Goverment split off Nunavut for the aboriginals.  Now they are celebrating 150 years of Independence.

Janie Albright (Blank)

Joe, great history lesson! I don't think we ever learned much about Canada in school. I like geography and history but did not know any of that.

I received your tax stamps. Would you like me to scan and post them here? They seem pretty valuable and are in pristine condition. 

David Mitchell

Joe,

Speaking of history; I was just reading about the event we are celebrating today. It turns out the guys in Philly made their actual "declaration" on the 2nd. John Adams wrote to his wife saying the 2nd of July 1776 would be the "epoc" day of clebration. Then they approved the final wording of the written document on the 4th - after the committee deleted parts of Jefferson's draft text (over his objections). The New York delegtion was not authorized to approve it by their state assembly until the 9th. But it was not signed by most of the rest of the group until August 2nd (and a few more after that), as it had to be sent to various states for other signatures. One signor, Richard Stockton from New Jersey, later recanted under pressure from British troops while he was held prisoner and subjected to some torture. John Dickenson and Robert Livingston never signed at all. 

It gets confusing as to how many "originals" there were. The document had to be "engrossed" (re-written in legible form on parchment). I believe the "original original" (if I may call it that) only had two signatures, John Hancock's oversized, one and that of the convention secretary, Charles Thomson* of Pennsylvania (who had a most intersting upbringing). The "engrossed" (carefully re-writtien) copy had many more signatures. On the evening of Jult 4th they took the document to a printer named Dunlap to type set about 200 more copies, which includes many but not all of the signatures. I am still unclear weather the original in Congress today is in long hand or a printed version. If this sounds confusing - it is!

Mark, just glancing through "Wiki" this could be another doozie for you to research! 

After the death of his mother in 1739, *Charles Thomson's father was emigrating from Ireland to America with three or four sons when he died at sea. The penniless boys were separated in American and Charles was raised by a Blacksmith in Delaware. Then followed a very intersting carreer in law and politics, especially Indian affairs. 

David Mitchell

Sorry to hog the Forum again, but another intersting historical tid-bit occurs to me for this day. Perhaps you've heard this.

On July 4th, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence, two old friends/enemies, John Adams and Thoms Jefferson died. It is said that dispatch riders had been sent out from Virginia and Massachusetts to carry the news from one to the other, and that the riders on some leg of that relay ride may even have passed one another along the way.

This is all more intersting than just the ironic date. The two men were once great friends, then bitter enemies, and finally back to friends again in later life. Adams had become quite enamored with young Jeffereson, especially while Adams served as Ambassador to France. But later they grew to disagree on their political views. And when Adams won their contest for Presidnet and Jefferson had to be his Vice President, Jefferson's dislike for Adams grew intense. I beleive Jefferson even went so far as to hire "professional slanderers" to help him ruin Adams reputation and defeat Adams in the next election. Adams was quite hurt by all this. But later in life they softened their anger and renewed their old friendship to the point where they were writing to one another again on freindly terms. 

Michael McLeod

Wow. I love that bit about professional political slanderers -- given that there is a thriving modern-day, digital equivalent. If I may be so bold.

Joseph D. McCarthy

Just a couple last History / Economics / Environmental lessons from our neighbor to the North.

Remember the State quarter program. Thank Canada for giving the U.S. Mint the idea.  In 1992 Canada issued a new quarter every month to celebrate each Province and Territory.  Then in 1999 they issued another series of quarters celebrating monthly eventss.  And finally in 2000 they issued monthly quarters outlin​ining Pride, Ingenuity, achievement, Health, Legacy, Harmony, Celebration, Family, Wisdom, Creativity, Freedom, and Community.  All were popular and the U.S. Mint saw a chance to make a profit.

Has anyone visited the Canadian side of Niagra Falls?  Have you watched the Canadian portion at night?  Notice any difference?  Canada actually lowers the amount of water flowing over the falls at night.  Every evening a municipal organization in Canada opens up a series of tunnels under the water above the falls to divert water through tunnels to a Hydro electric generating station below the falls.  This way the worlds greatest system of Lakes (think H.O.M.E.S. - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior) are utilized as if they were connected with a Dam.  Fred, please check me out on this and report back that I'm not THAT crazy; yes Dave, I'm a little crazy.

Timothy Lavelle

Hey, remember that song from Christmas..."It's the most wondetful time of the year?" So for July 4th I am thinking we change the lyrics to "It's the most dangerous day of the year". We abound with stories on TV about people holding explosive devices...ones we all loved as kids...for just a splt-second too long. Or people driving erratically and doing goofy things on the road. Or how about those stories of guys on their riding lawn mowers just trying to finish off that last few square yards before going to drink beer and watch fireworks...guys who ride those machines down hill at a too fast clip and get thrown off. I would give ten bucks for a clip of a guy here locally who did that. Love to hear him whining and see him getting thrown like an old bag of dirty laundry into the grass. Story is he broke the tibia way up high right under the knee.

Remember Bugs Bunny pointing to Elmer in a cartoon and saying "What a maroon?" That's me, your local PNW maroon! But a maroon with an ice cold Negro Modello at hand!

Party On!!! 

David Mitchell

OMG !!!!!!!!!!    You didn't. It hurts to loook at.

Between you and Frank G. this is beginning to sound like the Hindenburg disaster - Ohhh, the Humanity!

My wish for you Tim; Drop the Chalupa, keep pumping down the Modelos, and for God sake, hire a full time "keeper". 

(Hope the couch is comfy - get well man)

p.s.  I think Beth is in the running for this prize too if we back date the award a bit. All three exceed the norms of normal "adult" logic. Let's call and end to the "contest" and put a halt to this.

Donna Kelley (Velazquez)

To borrow a phrase from Mark.......... WHAT THE FRANK!!!   Tim, your friend Julio can tell you of many advantages to living in a fifth floor condo and this would definitely be one of them.  Does this mean no LaVelle reunion in Ohio for you?!! Life can be so unfair.  Take care and drink up!!

Timothy Lavelle

Hey, Donna, Dave and all: I am doing OK. No LaVelle reunion for me back in Ohio sadly. Also, I had rented the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus and was going to hold a big party fo all Watterson people past, prresent and future. The Arlington football team that we beat way back when was hired to be waiters.  I am sorry I will have to call that party off. But I am having a Percocet party here - all day, everyday - so bring your doctor's permission slip and head this way!! JIm H, Al J...Thanks fellas. This is such a sneaky way of getting out of those chores I had remaining for this summer here, huh? One could almost say "a lame excuse!!".

John Maxwell

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

Hello from the Serengeti. It is a life changing experience.

Deborah Alexander (Rogers)

OH, NO, Tim!  Life is too unkind for this to happen to you!  I hate to see you laid up like this, but it will be a good time to catch up on your reading, and most importantly, adding your witty writings to our forum!  I always love your posts.  I still say you missed your calling.  Hope you heal quickly and well.  We don't want to have to call you Chester (remember, the gimpy guy from Gunsmoke?)  Try to enjoy the "down time" if you can. 

Mark Schweickart

Tim -- I am digging those snazzy, blue, plastic pants you are wearing. Can I get a pair somewhere without breaking a leg and going to the hospital? You're looking too sharp for words, my friend, too sharp. Always the trend-setter, or in this case, the bone-stter.

David Mitchell

Hey Debbie, Now that you mention it, he does kinda remind one of Chester.

And Tim, In truth, we really aren't all that concerened about your leg. After all, it's an older used model. What we really want to know is how much damage did the mower suffer. And was it new? I mean really, let's get our priorities straight here.

And yea, Mark, those pants are "the bomb".

Kathleen Wintering (Nagy)

 Hi Tim!  Take good care of you! Hope that you are all better very soon! Kathy Wintering

Janie Albright (Blank)

Tim, I hope you aren't too miserable! All joking aside you are actually lucky you aren't minus a leg! 

Lorraine Heitchue

David Mitchell

Donna,

In case you don't get the memo, I think it's safe to conclude that Tim will not be in the streets of Pamplona tomorrow, or the next day. Poor bulls!

Lorraine,

Sounds like fun (maybe for someone half my age). I did that hike at a camp in summer of '61 (age 12). Down that same "Bright Angel" with a stop for a quick swim at Phantom Ranch in the bottom, and spent overnight in sleeing bags. Next morning early we hiked up the North side (I think that part was the "Kaybab" trail ???). Take care, it's a long way down that trail.

Donna Kelley (Velazquez)

Thanks, Dave. I did get the memo indirectly when I read that the two Americans gored on the first day of San Fermin (there is always at least one Hemingway-loving American involved) were between 20 and 35.....so I knew that no Class of '66 member qualified age-wise or foolishness wise. :-)                                                  

Here's hoping that all of us have something better to do with our time...............whether that be Tim posing pretty in his blue pants, Mary Ann exploring Serengeti or Lorraine, my heroine, riding the rapids in Colorado.   Postcards welcome.   

Michael McLeod

I might run towards the tapas. The bulls no longer interest me.