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05/29/26 08:41 AM #17185    

 

Michael McLeod

your word for the day is "scalawag." Don't hear it anymore but I remember my mom using it.

A scalawag (also spelled scallywag) is a mischievous, deceitful, or disreputable person, often a playful rascal. 

05/29/26 04:19 PM #17186    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mike McL.,

Great words!

Now, for some medical words for you to ponder:

Scatology

Buboes

Catarrh

Note: All are sort of gross things.

Jim

 

 

 

05/29/26 06:16 PM #17187    

 

Michael McLeod

wow! Jim! Nerd that I am it's exciting to me that the word "scatalogy" has a connection to the medical vocabulary. It's a swear word when it wants to be, rather it denotes swear words in general, so it's quite at home in the gutter, but come to find out, thanks to you, that it can clean up its act and hang out with the more respectable multisyllablic set favored by folks with medical degrees. That's one word with a wide-ranging, well rounded personality. It's a perfectly respectable word. I would never poo-poo it.

 

05/29/26 06:36 PM #17188    

 

Michael McLeod

PS Jim:"cattarr" puts me in mind of the sound I make when I gargle.

05/29/26 06:54 PM #17189    

 

David Dunn

Have  come up with a list of five for the Reunion:  Mark Schweickart, Mike McLeod, Bob Berkemer, Dan Barford, Jocko Maxwell.  Working on a womens list, and second list.  Some classmates like Lindda Weiner said she wouldnt come.  Wonder if some might be grandfathered in who didnt go to Watterson, but went to grade school, like Susan Steele, Walter S hymkiw.

 

05/29/26 06:55 PM #17190    

 

David Dunn

Did anyone mention Catawampus yet?  My favorite word of the month.

05/29/26 07:12 PM #17191    

 

Michael McLeod

Mark: I think "cockamamie" is one of those word that judgmental people can't live without. It's right up there with "balderdash."

05/29/26 09:15 PM #17192    

 

David Mitchell

I wrote a post last night that I pulled in the wee hours of the morning. It was too long and a bit too graphic.

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

I had spent some time in earlier posts talking about the arrival of Major Smith, and how good things were with him in charge. He and I spent quite a few hours together in the cockpit. He and I were a perfect fit for one another. Things in those first few weeks of his arrival were really good for the whole Troop's morale.

Those same first weeks were during our initial incursion into Cambodia. But something tragic happened on May 10,1970.

His ship threw it's main rotor (Yes, it just snapped off) at about 1,000 feet as we were re-entering Cambodia (near Chao Doc - a tiny village right on the Mekong where it borders Cambodia) after a uneventful morning and lunch break. They plunged to the earth and erupted into a large ball of fire. They had no chance of surviving that plunge. I watched them drop from the front seat of a Cobra about a quarter mile behind them as the pilot of the other cobra (my last roomate, Dean Smith) yelled over the radio,     "MY GOD!   SIX IS DOWN!"

I was to have been his co-pilot as usual, but a last minute switch that morning put me in the front seat of one of our Cobra gunships. Major Smith's co-pilot was a new Captain - a native American from the Pauyute/Shoshone tribe just east of Reno. He had already done a year's tour in Viet Nam as a Green Beret. He was smart, funny, and eager to learn. Everybody liked him. 

He was going to be a new AMC (Air Mission Commander) and had requested the switch so he could ride with Major Smith and "learned from the boss".

We were devastated !

 

05/30/26 11:05 AM #17193    

 

Michael McLeod

Dave:I call for a virtual group hug on your behalf.

I was lucky. Pulled a desk job when I was drafted, lugged a trusty ol' M-16 around in boot camp and thought I was hot caca -- but I would never see  combat and I was just fine with that. I can't imagine the shock and the pain  of losing comrades. That shit's real. Love you bro and you've got nothing to apologize for. It's healthy for you to have shared that with us and we're honored for it and we're with you. .

 

05/30/26 01:37 PM #17194    

 

John Maxwell

Thought I'd join the word fray suggesting a word that describes the activities of our beloved politicians and other formerly trusted money handlers.

Defalcate. To misappropriate

05/30/26 01:51 PM #17195    

 

David Mitchell

I always though "cockamamie" was pretty well known

How about "Fiddle Dee Dee"?

05/31/26 05:16 PM #17196    

 

Michael McLeod

Dave. Again, Take it easy on yourself. It's healthy for you to talk about that trauma. I've said it before that I count my blessings for winding up with a cushy desk job when I got drafted and I feel guilty that others weren't so lucky. You pulled through intact but with some memories you probably wish you didn't have. The lame stuff I went through I can look back and laugh about,

If you don't already have my email it's mcleod.michael1@gmail.com.

hang in there podner

05/31/26 05:20 PM #17197    

 

Michael McLeod

Joe:

Oh. Canada?

(Yawns)

05/31/26 05:24 PM #17198    

 

Michael McLeod

thanks for posting that buddy holly tribute dave,

warms my heart that a nerd could be a rock star.

05/31/26 07:32 PM #17199    

 

Michael McLeod

I am ashamed,Joe. I ought to have known that about Ottowa.

05/31/26 08:59 PM #17200    

 

Michael McLeod

smoking pot is a misdemeanor in indiana and a felony in iowa.

I guess that means iowa has better marijuana than indiana. 

06/01/26 10:48 AM #17201    

 

Michael McLeod

Just watched a "Lone Ranger" rerun.

Clayton Moore had a tone of voice that left you feeling like good wouid kick evil's ass no matter what. Nobody's gonna defalcate long as he's around.

06/01/26 11:13 AM #17202    

 

Michael McLeod

Just watched a rerun of "The Lone Ranger" and was reminded of what a mellifluous voice clayton moore had as the "who was that masked man?" hero of the west. 

 

Something about that particular show and that particular voice resonates with me as a telling little fragment characterizing the (seemingly) black and white orderliness and innocence of that era and that time of our lives.

Poked around and found this.

Hi-yo, silver! Away!

 

 

Clayton Moore, famously known for his role as The Lone Ranger, naturally possessed a rich, deep baritone voice. However, because the character had an established presence on radio, producers required Moore to lower his voice further and adopt specific, precise speech patterns to match the original radio actor, Brace Beemer. [1, 2, 3]
Here are a few key details about his voice and vocal work:
  • The Training: To achieve the iconic "Lone Ranger" sound, Moore worked with a voice coach to deepen his pitch and mimic the deliberate, authoritative cadence radio listeners already loved. [1, 2]
  • The Catchphrase: His famous, booming cry of "Hi-Yo, Silver—Away!" is actually a legendary piece of trivia. The shout heard at the beginning of the television episodes is a recording of Earle W. Graser, who played the character on the radio. [1, 2, 3]
  • Vocal Variations: Though known for his classic Western projection, Moore was versatile. In some episodes, he demonstrated the ability to adopt different accents (such as a Hispanic accent) to play disguises or dual characters. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

06/01/26 01:37 PM #17203    

 

John Maxwell

Not to start any debate, but, lately I've been working in the print shop at Greenfield Village in Dearborn. I run an 1856 model Washington press, a letter press. By that It requires that the typesetter must be able to read backwards. The four main components of this beast are; the frame, holds the paper to be printed, the bed, is set with the chase, which holds all the information to be printed. The chase is surrounded by metal frames, and wood, called furniture, held together with wedges called quoins. (coins) Once one lowers the frame on the bed after the chase has been inked with a brayer, or roller. Then the bed with the frame atop is cranked beneath the platton, weighing over 200 pounds. Once in place, the tail, (lever) is pulled and the 200 pounds is applied, perfectly level, assured by carefully placed brass pins in holes bored in the furniture that are precisely the same height as the chase, this prevents the platton from rocking and causing the print to be uneven. The chase drives everything in the setup. All the measuring is based on its position on the bed. The controversy is the expression "Cut to the Chase". In some quarters people attribute it to the demand, cut to the chase is fo all the information i.e. the chase. Others claim it's derivation is from the old times movies where during the chase scenes everything is revealed, the denouement. I say both apply. But I believe it's origins were from printing. Loke, mind your p's and q's, or upper case and lower case, and the ever popular out of sorts. Here it is June already. It won't be long before July 4th.

So, if the Phonceans gave us vowels for our alphabet, perhaps it migbt be fun to try to have a conversation without using vowels. Bring a towel. Everybody have a wonderful Fourth of July. Celebrating our sesquibisentenial. I challenge all of you to say that ten times fast.

06/01/26 02:30 PM #17204    

 

Michael McLeod

lol. I just saved a lot of money by using google instead of a shrink.
I just recently fully retired from writing and it has made me uneasy. I just have a feeling of restlessness and not knowing who I am and what to do with myself.
So instead of whining to friends, or buying a book about retirement issues, or going to a shrink, I just wrote out an explanation of the issue and posted it to google.
I wrote: "I am recently retired and sometimes instead of enjoying it I  get a little depressed. Is that normal?"
This is the response I got.
 
 
 
 
Retirement brings a profound shift from "what you do" to simply "who you are." It is completely normal for this to feel odd, quiet, and disorienting. Your occupation likely provided built-in structure, daily challenges, and a clear sense of contribution—losing that requires a recalibration of your self-worth. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Why the transition feels strange
  • Loss of external structure: Decades of having your day dictated by schedules and obligations abruptly disappear, which can feel unmooring.
  • Shift in validation: The praise, titles, and metrics that formerly provided a framework of accomplishment are gone.
  • The "Blank Slate": The sudden freedom exposes the space where your career used to be, forcing deep introspection about your purpose. [1, 2, 3]
Navigating your "new self"
  • Separate yourself from the title: You are the person who did the job, not the job itself. Your value is intrinsic, not tied to production. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • Redefine contribution: Explore where else your skills, wisdom, or time are needed. Many retirees find fulfillment in volunteering, mentoring, or pursuing passions they previously had to squeeze into busy days. [1, 2]
  • Embrace the space: Try not to immediately fill your calendar to replace the busyness of work. Allow yourself time to figure out what brings you joy when the pressure of external demands is removed. [1, 2]
Note: If these feelings of loss or uncertainty become overwhelming, consider looking into Psychology Today Directory to connect with a local therapist or counselor who specializes in life transitions and retirement identity.

06/01/26 02:38 PM #17205    

 

Michael McLeod

Thanks jim. There is a literary term for a word that sounds like what it represents: It's called onomatopoeia.

I think this word qualifies. In fact it's a great example of onomatopoeia.

Catarrh

Go ahead. Say it out loud in the subway and I bet the guy next to you will say "God bless you!"

"Catarrh" as you likely know is is the medical term for the excessive buildup or inflammation of mucus in your airways and cavities, primarily affecting the nose, throat, and sinuses. Often referred to as "postnasal drip", it is the body's natural response to infections or irritations. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

06/01/26 03:04 PM #17206    

 

Michael McLeod

Jack. Jocko. Tell you what. I'll write up a message to you without using vowels.

 

y n i hd grt tms tghthr.  crzy tms. fnnd ltt mdz tht w nv gt rrtd. r dw,nd jst frgt?

 

 Here it is with vowels: "You and I had great times together. Crazy times. I find it amazing that we never got arrested.Or did we, and I just forgot?

 

 

 

 

06/01/26 03:21 PM #17207    

 

Michael Boulware

Joe McCarthy, I received the first two packages; you are a kind and generous man.

06/01/26 06:18 PM #17208    

 

David Dunn

Has there any more talk about a croquet tornament to be held at out Reunion?

06/01/26 06:48 PM #17209    

 

David Mitchell

Dave, 

You beat me to the punch. I was just goint to ask about that and also the wheel chair races.

 

One thing I think we should make clear. If Gus shows up with that teenage cutie again I think we should kick them both out.

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