Not Luck!

Over the years I have been writing life stories for my grandchildren. I have now completed almost 300 pages for them.  Some of them have appeared in previous blogs and I have decided to share others as I am doing today.             

          Life is filled with many unexpected events.  Many folks will say these events are just luck or coincidences.  But those of us who claim to know the Lord Jesus Christ know that our life events are part of His plan for us and not just coincidences.  Maybe they are even special miracles.  During the past three months we have had many of these special events which have been orchestrated by the Lord.

         If you have been reading my recent blogs you may be aware of the discovery of a very serious spinal condition that could have led to paralysis or even death if it had not been discovered.  A trip to the ER for expected heart issues led to this diagnosis.  A special surgeon who is normally booked many months in advance agreed to see me almost immediately.  This led to unexpected cervical spine surgery which replaced two discs, removed calcium behind three discs which had compressed my spinal cord and the removal of a spur. 

          Even the surgeon didn't anticipate this much damage and wasn't sure if he could correct it all.  But we prayed and he was able to do it all in 4 1/2 hours.  Coincidence?  Luck?  No, just a special intervention by the Lord.

         Now I had numerous limits following surgery, including not being allowed to drive.  I still can't lift more than 15 lbs. and complete healing may take up to a year.  Three days after my surgery my wife had her annual colonoscopy required for her ulcerative colitis.  Numerous biopsies were taken.  PTL, they all came back negative.  And the Lord was continuing to be in control with special blessings or even miracles.

          Several weeks ago, about 15 hours before my appointment to get cleared to drive again, Dianne passed out while we were putting a puzzle together.  We should have called 911 but she revived quickly and didn't want to go to the ER.  The next morning we went to her doctor who thought it might have been a TIA or a brief seizure.  He wanted to send her to a neurologist but I suggested that she see her heart doctor instead.  Then we found that the first opening with her heart doctor wasn't until September.  I wanted her seen right away so they set us up with another doctor in the same group.  He ordered more blood tests and a 24 hour monitor and promised to call as soon as he got the results.

          When he failed to call back we asked to see another doctor in their group and this one reviewed the test results with us and then ordered a chemical stress test.  They wanted it done in their facility but couldn't do it there for two weeks.  So I suggested checking with the hospital and they were able to take her, would you believe, at 7:15 the very next morning.      

     The Lord was continuing to work things out because when her test began we were surprised and pleased to find out that her regular heart doctor was actually on duty in the hospital that day.  He then was able to monitor her throughout the day.  I must admit that this surprise boosted my confidence and reminded me how that the Lord was really in charge.

          There were some problems with the stress test so the doctor suggested that while she was already there they should do a heart cath. If they found a blockage they would keep her overnight and do surgery the next morning.   But when the tests came back fine he then suggested that her electrical system should be tested.  We were then able to schedule another doctor in their group and see her July 3, the day before we were headed to Pinebrook and she was leaving for vacation.  And we were able to schedule Dianne's heart test the day we both returned home from our vacations.  Timing and availability a coincidence?  No!

          So on that Monday, at 6 am, she entered LGH where they went into her heart and examined the electrical responses.  About an hour into the test they called me and said that she actually needed a pacemaker.  I told them to go ahead and they implanted one while she was still out.  Later they did find some sort of glitch happened exactly at 11:51, probably from an external source and they never could figure out what caused it but her pacemaker was right on otherwise.  

          So, against my desires, they discharged her at 5 in the afternoon. They told me that if there was any problem we should call 911.  That suggestion didn't make me feel anymore comfortable, but seeing how God had been working everything out, I still knew He was in control ... and He was.  She actually slept in bed that night and everything appears to be slowly healing well.

          Now she can't drive for at least six weeks, but in God's perfect timing I now can.  And she is limited in what she may lift and she is not allowed to place her left arm above her shoulder for at least six weeks.  So we are a good pair and we often laugh about our restrictions together.  And it appears to be working fine, although I have much to learn about cooking, washing and cleaning.  

          But those are lessons I really need to learn anyway.  The one thing we haven't resolved is how I comb her hair.  All I've ever dealt with is my short hair and so this is a challenge.  One thing sure - I'll never be a hair dresser.

          But even more sure than that, God is good, all the time and all of our moments are in His hands. 

 

How Are You? (LB)

"Looking Back" is a feature in which I choose a previous blog which I have written, rewrite it and share it once again.  This one was first posted in 2013.

          Those of you who know me personally know that one of my pet peeves are folks who walk by me and say "how are you doing?"  Then they keep on walking.  They don't want an answer.  They really don't care how I am doing and don't want to take the time to find out.  It is just a greeting.  I'd much prefer that they just say "hi".  Sometimes if they pause, I'll answer something like "hanging in there", but generally they don't even wait to hear that.  
          Now a few of my friends answer "better than I deserve" which is probably a good answer, but even that becomes meaningless to those who ask the question.  I've often wondered what a person would do if I responded, "Just wait a moment and let me tell you how I am really doing."   Maybe that would cure them.

       Today we live in a world where we pass people all the time who are living with fears and worries and nobody really seems to care.  We pass them and ignore them, or nod our heads at them, or greet them with the "how are you doing?" meaningless question.  And we probably don't want to be held up to hear what is going on in their lives.  We are too busy or are hung up on our own problems to really care about them.  
          When I think about this, I often think of the words written by Steve Green, "Everyday they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes, Empty people filled with care, Headed who knows where? On they go through private pain, Living fear to fear. Laughter hides their silent cries, Only Jesus hears. People need the Lord, people need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door."

         I had a friend who was going through some difficult times and I hadn't seen him for awhile. Several times I had good intentions and had planned to really ask his wife how things were going.  But, I didn't, she passed by me, and I just greeted her with a "hi".  Then I received a telephone call that he had committed suicide.  I was stunned, but I guess not surprised.  When I look back, I guess I saw many of the signs, but didn't really think it would come to this.  But it did and it is so sad.

       Now this isn't the first time that suicide has affected friends of ours and unfortunately, in this day and age, it probably won't be the last.  Not too long ago a son of a friend of ours ended his life.  And there have been others.  Suicide has become very common in today's society.  And it has a terrible impact upon those who are left behind.  But, in a sense, while I can't condone it, I can understand why it happens.  If you don't have the Lord as your companion, it can be very hard to deal with loneliness and uselessness and hopelessness and illness.  It is hard to know what there is to live for in such circumstances.

       According to experts there are numerous warning signs. •  Appearing depressed or sad most of the time. (Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.)  •  Talking or writing about death or suicide.  •  Withdrawing from family and friends. •  Feeling hopeless. •  Feeling helpless. •  Feeling strong anger or rage. •  Feeling trapped -- like there is no way out of a situation. •  Experiencing dramatic mood changes. • Abusing drugs or alcohol.  •  Exhibiting a change in personality.  •  Acting impulsively.  •  Losing interest in most activities.  •  Experiencing a change in sleeping habits. •  Experiencing a change in eating habits. •  Losing interest in most activities. •  Performing poorly at work or in school. •  Giving away prized possessions. •  Writing a will. •  Feeling excessive guilt or shame. •  Acting recklessly.   It should be noted that some people who die by suicide do not show any suicide warning signs.  But about 75 percent of those who die by suicide do exhibit some suicide warning signs.

         So, with this recent experience I guess I have been challenged to be more concerned about how people are doing and if I can't do anything to help them, I certainly can pray for them faithfully.  

          And, by the way, please don't greet me with "How are you doing?", unless you really want to know.

Rainy Weather Humor

Nothing personal against Seattleites - feel free to change it to any other place that gets a lot of rain.

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A newcomer to Seattle arrives on a rainy day. She gets up the next day and it's raining. It also rains the day after that, and the day after that. She goes out to lunch and sees a young kid and out of despair asks, "Hey, kid, does it ever stop raining around here?"

The kid says, "How should I know? 
I'm only 6."

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"I can't believe it, " said the tourist. "I've been here an entire week and it's done nothing but rain. When do you have summer here?"

"Well, that's hard to say, " replied the local. "Last year, it was on a Wednesday."

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Q. What do you call two straight days of rain in Seattle?

A. A weekend

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What did the Seattle native say to the Pillsbury Doughboy?

"Nice tan."

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Did you know that Cinderella was a Seattle native?

Who else would need a fairy to get to the ball?

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Meteorological experts were predicting a gargantuan flood that would destroy the world.

The Pope went on worldwide TV and said, "This is punishment from God. Prepare to meet your Maker."

The President went on national TV and announced, "Our scientists have done all they can. The end is near."

The Seattle evening news came on and said, "Today's five day forecast-same as usual."

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What does daylight savings time mean in Seattle?

An extra hour of rain.

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It rains only twice a year in Seattle: August to April and May to July.

 

Rejoice, We Will Be Changed!

          When our body begins to wear out, it is comforting to know that sometime it will be replaced with a new one.  That was the reminder I received in an Easter day devotional in "Walking With Jesus" a devotional publication by David Jeremiah.  Since there are many of my readers who, like me, can probably also use this reminder, I have decided to share this with you on this Easter morn.

          

          "Something remarkable happened to the crucified body of Jesus Christ early on Easter Sunday.  In a flash of glory, His body was totally transformed.  It wasn't simply resuscitated.  Some kind of electrical glory supercharged it, and when Jesus opened His eyes, He had an incorruptible body.  It was the same body but now it was glorified and eternalized.  No more pain.  No more aging.  No more decay or corruption.  It was equipped for life on both earth and in heaven.

          According to Philippians 3, God will transform our earthly bodies to be like the glorified body of Jesus.  The resurrection is more than resuscitation.  It's supernatural transformation of our bodies.  We will be raised incorruptible.  We'll be equipped to live on earth or in heaven.  Our bodies will be mature but not old, responsive but not sick, natural and yet supernatural.

          The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the proof, the provision and the pattern of our own resurrection.  We will share the glory of Easter with Him!

          Rejoice! Our best days are ahead of us!

CVS part 2

An update on previous blog - After several weeks of waiting and receiving various answers, CVS finally came up with my insulin, at Lancaster.  But they still have one for me at a Berks County store.  I refuse to travel an hour to get it

Customers Various Services (CVS)

          When we first moved into Millersville our first next door neighbor owned the town's pharmacy.  Over the years Skip gave us great service, especially in promptly filling our scripts and providing advice.  We quickly became spoiled.

          Several years later he sold his practice to Todd, a former student of mine.  This outstanding service continued.  Todd had grown up in Millersville and knew most of his customers.  Again, we were spoiled.

          Then, a few years later, Wileys, a small area chain, bought Todd's business and opened a pharmacy.  We got to know Dave, the manager, and once again he spoiled us with outstanding service.  His employees went out of the way to care for their customers.

          But all good things come to an end and we were shocked to get the word that Wileys was closing, with little advance notice. No replacement pharmacy was coming.  For the first time in all the years that we lived in Millersville there would no longer be a local pharmacy.  Little did we realize how much of a problem this would be.

          Unfortunately, our only choice was one of the CVS pharmacies.  This meant more travel and often dealing with clerks who spoke limited English.  Personal attention was a thing of the past.

          A major problem was the lack of inventory and failure to inform us when they couldn't fill our order.  And there was no help for us when this happened.  Several times we had to search for other locations to get our orders filled when our CVS on Columbia Ave. at Good Drive couldn't meet our request. We never had to do that before.

          The latest situation happened a week ago.  My eye doctor ordered an eye drop following my eye surgeries and I needed a regular refill of my insulin. While I waited for over a week, I received five different messages that my insulin was being ordered – with no result.

          Finally, I received a message that my eye drops were now at their store in Shillingon, 40 miles away, at $80.  My insulin script was also supposedly filled there.  I was also told that they could not be sent to the Lancaster store.  Why and why Shillington?  On top of that, I didn't want the eye drops since I had already received the script the doctor ordered, in Lancaster, at just $14.

          As I write this, I am still trying to get my insulin, locally, without any help from the store on Columbia Ave. at Good Drive.

         Oh yes, I've just received another automated reply that my insulin has just been ordered – for the sixth time – and will be available in a week – the third date that has been promised.  What are the odds?

          I think the stress that CVS is causing me is actually making my sugar levels increase!

Evaluations

"Looking Back" is a feature in which I choose a previous blog which I have written, rewrite it and share it once again.  This one was first posted in 2013.          

If you have ever attended college, you know that some of the professors there can be "very different", to say it mildly.   When my high school students would complain about one of their teachers I would often say, just wait to you get to college.  You haven't seen anything yet.  Many are boring.  Many don't really teach.  Many don't enjoy teaching. Many find all sorts of excuses to cancel classes.  Many don't cover in class what they will test you on.  Many never use the expensive textbooks and manuals that are required.  And I could go on and on.  Fortunately, there are many excellent profs who do teach and earn their pay.

         But part of the college process is usually a teacher/course evaluation.  Now I don't know if they are ever really used by the higher ups.  Probably not, because getting a promotion doesn't seem to depend on your teaching but on the number of publications or research experiments you have made.  
          When I taught at Millersville, evaluations were required for non-tenured staff.  All that I ever received back from the administration was a numerical average of my students' responses for each category and a list of written comments that were made, without any identification of the evaluator.  I never feared my student evaluations and I was often thanked by my students for actually teaching.

         Now with that background, recently I came upon some excerpts from college evaluations that I really enjoyed.  I don't know if they are actual comments or if somebody just made them up.  But I can think of profs that I had who fit the situation.   
          So, here they are. As the waitresses say, "enjoy!"

     1.   "The textbook is almost useless. I use it to kill roaches in my room."

     2.   "He teaches like Speedy Gonzalez on a caffeine high."

     3.   "Help! I've fallen asleep and I can't wake up!"

     4.   "The recitation instructor would make a good parking lot attendant. Tries to tell you where to go, but you can never understand him."

     5.   "The class is worthwhile because I need it for the degree."

     6.   "Textbook is confusing; someone with a knowledge of English should proofread it."

     7.   "Problem sets are a decoy to lure you away from potential exam material."

     8.   "He is one of the best teachers I have had ... He is well-organized, presents good lectures, and creates interest in the subject. I hope my comments don't hurt his chances of getting tenure."

     9.   "I would sit in class and stare out the window at the squirrels. They've got a cool nest in the tree."

     10.   "Information was presented like a ruptured fire hose-spraying in all directions - no way to stop it."

     11.   "I never bought the text. My $60 was better spent on the Led Zeppelin CDs that I used while doing the problem sets."

     12.   "The course was very thorough.

          Reminder – these comments were not written by my students.  Fortunately!

Why?

           So often in life we ask the question "Why?"  We are often confused by even simple things that we don't fully understand.  Here are some interesting illustrations of such questions..

 

Why do supermarkets make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get to the Pharmacy for their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front?

I miss the time when I was working at the zoo. My boss fired me just because I left the lion's gate open. I mean who would steal a lion?

I was in a cab today, and the cab driver said, "I love my job, I'm my own boss. Nobody tells me what to do." Then I said, "turn left".

Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and yet insist on getting a diet coke?

Why do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens on the counter tops?

Why do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in our driveways and put our useless junk in the garage?

Why does the sun lighten our hair, but, darken our skin?

Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word 
  
Why is it that doctors and attorneys call what they do 'practice'?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavouring and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called the rush hour?

Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections? 
  
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes?  Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff??

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains, whereas sweaters made of sheeps wool, do?

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

 

Why did I write such a stupid blog?

Be Careful What You Wish For

This guy was walking along the beach when he came across this salt-encrusted piece of metal.

He worked for an hour or so to remove the salt. Lo and behold it was a very old oil lamp.

The guy started to buff it to remove the verdigris when "poof" a genie appeared.

This genie, like all genies, was so happy to be freed of the lamp that he granted the guy three wishes.

"I wish to be a dollar richer than Bill Gates, " says the guy.

"Guy," the genie said, "You will forever be a dollar richer than Bill Gates. What's your second wish."

"Genie, I want the most expensive Porsche made: Fire engine red, on board GPS and the finest audio system ever installed in an automobile."

"That's easy, Guy," says the genie. He waves his hand and best car anybody had ever seen pops out of the lamp.

The genie then asks the guy for his third wish.

The guy mulls the problem over and over. A girl... Nah. With billions and billions of dollars he certainly had become a chick magnet. World peace? Only wackos want that. The guy found a reason not to wish for anything that came to his mind.

"Genie," the guy said, "I can't think of anything now. May I save the third wish for later."

"Gee, this is most unusual. But you hold the hammer, I can't escape from this lamp until you make a third wish. Call me when you're ready," and whoosh the genie disappears into the lamp.

The guy carefully picks up the now-ever-so- valuable lamp and places it in the trunk of the fire engine red Porsche. He turns the radio on to balance the sounds and makes all the other adjustments needed to get his great audio system customized to his ears.

After that, he pulled off the beach and headed south along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Soon he was up to 60, then 70, then 80. The Porsche handled perfectly.

The guy was so happy that he began to sing along with the familiar commercial on the radio.

"Oh, I wish I was an Oscar-Mayer Wiener..."

An Angel?

          We were just coming home after doing our online grocery shopping.  Because we are now limited physically we've learned to do our shopping online, placing our order on the company website.  Then we go to the store and they load the order, for us, into our car.
          The big problem comes next – carrying the groceries from the car to our kitchen.  We've purchased a folding cart to help with this process. It usually takes us two trips.
          Recently we were struggling with this task.  I just got a heavy load to the front door.  Suddenly a stranger appeared and volunteered to complete our unloading for us.  We were surprised and gladly accepted his offer.  He brought the rest of our groceries in, closed the car door and closed the garage door for us.

          He then explained that he was a workman during construction on a house being renovated across the street.  He said he couldn't bear to watch us struggle with the groceries.  He knew he had to help, and he did.
          We haven't seen him since.  Could he have been an angel?
          Things that used to be so easy are now a burden.  We do have another neighbor "angel" who we know who daily brings our newspaper to our front door for us.  We could use some other angels to get our mail each day or to help clean up the many limbs that are now down in our yard, or to shovel our snow or even to just visit with us.  It is amazing how lonely you can get when you are handicapped and basically confined to your home. Visits, notes and phone calls are very limited but appreciated.

          Maybe the Lord can use you as one of his angels.  Many could use help.  I regret that I didn't do more to care for handicapped friends when I still could

          Beware – handicapped can happen to you sooner than you think. You may soon need help.

Who Stretched The Hill. - LB

"Looking Back" is a feature in which I choose a previous blog which I have written, rewrite it and share it once again.  This one was first posted in 2013.

         Recently one of our cars had to go in for repairs.  Dianne was very ill and in bed and I really didn't want to disturb her.  It was a beautiful afternoon so I thought I'd just walk home.  It was only about a mile from our house and I had walked that route a few times before.  
          Now I did walk farther than that almost every morning, at a large area shopping center where it is climate controlled and flat.  So, I thought it was no big deal and the first few blocks went fine.  But then I turned the corner and started to walk on Prince St., the longest leg of the journey.  As I looked ahead, I was shocked to see how steep the hill ahead of me seemed to be. 
          Ten to 15 years ago I walked on Prince St. several times a week when I was teaching nights at Millersville University.  It was always a nice easy walk.  But I don't remember the steep hills being there before.  Were they new?  I don't think so.  Did somebody stretch them to make them steeper?  Well maybe, but I doubt it.  Was I now a decade older?  I guess that is a good excuse.

        Now I faced three choices.  I could have called Dianne and said "Help!".  But she was too ill for this option.  Second, I could have kept my eye on the peak of the hills and faced the challenge of getting there.  So often in life it is good to keep your eye on the finish line or the goal which you are trying to reach. Runners in track need to keep their eyes on the finish line so that they don't fall short.  I guess if you don't set goals in life and work to reach them, you really don't accomplish what you are capable of doing.  
          I thought of Hebrews 12: 1, 2, "let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;" But, I didn't quite feel that this had the proper application here.  The top of the hill just looked too far away.

          My third choice was just to look at the next few steps as I climbed the hill.  The next few steps just didn't look nearly as steep and weren't hard to take.  And that is what I did … little by little, step by step. And as I climbed, I thought how often in life I worry about the tasks, changes, and challenges that might be ahead.  And one can grow very weary doing that.  
          Sometimes it is just better to take on today's challenges.  The Lord does promise us strength for today.  And tomorrow is in His hands. He will supply the strength that we need when tomorrow becomes today.  So, while it is important to keep our eyes on our final destination - heaven for the believer - living needs to be daily, as we draw upon His resources for today.

          So, taking a few steps at a time, the hill didn't seem quite as steep, and I made it.  However, on the way up I was passed from behind by a young lady walking her dog and an "old man" carrying a bag of fruit.  Both the humans and the dog didn't seem to have too much problem with the hill.  Good for them!  
          And, after reaching the top, I found going down the opposite side was a snap.  But I still wonder if I should ask the borough manager when they stretched the hill and made it steeper.

 

(Please note – Since originally writing this blog and experiencing this challenge, I now face a much different challenge – just walking anywhere.  Physically my days of doing any walking are gone.  Now I find myself dependent on a cane and a walker.  I miss my walks but I thank the Lord for the many years when they were possible.)

Answers Are Here

Here are the answers to the brain teasers in last week's blog.

1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.

2. The woman is a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.

3. Charcoal. This one it tricky. Only old-timers can remember using coal for heating...

4. Sure you can: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!

So how did you do?

Use Your Brain

Study the five brain teasers. Then, see if you can answer without looking at the answers. Very interesting! Don't look at answers!

1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?

2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?

3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?

4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

Answers next Tuesday

Field Goal!

Over the years I have been writing life stories for my grandchildren. I have now completed almost 300 pages for them.  Some of them have appeared in previous blogs and I have decided to share others as I am doing today.   

 

         We had just completed an administrative staff meeting when my assistant superintendent, Jerry Brooks, received a telephone call telling him that he needed a timer for a district basketball doubleheader that was to begin in a few hours at the Farm Show Arena in Harrisburg.  Jerry was chairman of the District 3 of the PIAA and he served as game manager for many district and regional play-off games. He was in a pinch and asked me if I could run the clock.  

          Now I had been involved for many years writing, coaching, scoring and keeping statistics for basketball games so I figured why not try running the clock.  And so that night I joined a team of five Penn Manor administrators who worked the district doubleheader.  And this was the start of an interesting 30 years of working at district and state basketball play-off games.

          For many years we worked doubleheaders, triple headers and on Saturdays two sets of doubleheaders at the Arena, commonly called the "barn".  Some nights were very long, especially when we had girls games.  Those were the years before girls basketball became exciting.  In those days the games were slow with loads of walking calls, jump balls and fouls.  The games never seemed to end and I often had trouble keeping awake.  

          But the boys games were different - often fast and furious.  I had no trouble keeping awake for those.  And I had the fun of watching the great Carlisle and York Catholic teams work their way to several state championships.  And the extra pay was good.

          I also had a chance to serve as scorer for a few play-off games at other locations when the regular scorer couldn't be there.  One of my interesting experiences came in an eastern semifinal game.  Before the game the official asked me if I knew that with two technicals you would be ejected.  I had never heard of that rule and had never been at a game where somebody had two technicals.  But I guess the official suspected that this might happen.  At that time hanging on the rim was a technical foul.  The game featured Lebanon and their future 7 foot NBA star, Sam Bowie.  And would you believe that Bowie hung on the rim twice resulting in two technicals and I had to inform the officials that he was to be ejected.  

          The crowd was incensed and we were pelted with trash and even soft drinks.  Fortunately, Lebanon played a better game without him and went on to win.  That satisfied the crowd and nothing more came of their anger towards us.

          I did have another very difficult experience in a district elimination game between Steel High and Dallastown.  Steel High was always very good and always  brought a very large vocal and involved crowd with them.  It was a close game and Steel High was up by one point in the final seconds when they fouled a Dallastown player as the final buzzer sounded.  

          Now most of the time good officials quickly determine whether or not the game was over and if they thought it was, they quickly disappeared to the locker room.  But these guys huddled and weren't sure, so they came over to me to make the final decision.  I told them that I thought the foul was called before I could react and snap the clock off.  So, based on my decision, they sent the player to the foul line for a one and one situation. And he calmly sank both shots to win the game and end Steel High's season.  

          The crowd went wild and I was escorted out of the arena by a policeman.  But the next day, the Harrisburg newspaper reported that I had made the decision and gave my name and where I lived.  I was prepared for the worse, but fortunately it never happened.

          But in making that decision I did impress one person, the head of the PIAA.  A few days later he came to me and invited me to become the official statistician for the eight state finals at Hershey.  He said that I could choose somebody to work as my assistant.  So for 25 years I kept the stats for the finals with the help of one of my sons, usually Craig.  The work was always very stressful, but I loved it and couldn't wait each year to return.  

          We saw great basketball.  We saw many well know college coaches who were there to recruit.  We saw future college and NBA stars, such as Kobie Bryant, Sam Bowie and Billy Owens.   We were on television and we had special privileges.  We were treated royally by Hershey and by the PIAA.  Great, great memories.

          But as is usually true in life, things change and come to an end.  When Hershey added the Giant Center, the old "barn" at Harrisburg was no longer used for basketball games.  And so I was "retired" as timer.  That was fine because I still had the exciting state finals.  

          But then, Penn State lobbied to have the finals at State College and the PIAA moved them there.  I was no longer needed and I never got an explanation or an invitation to return.  And that's the way life often is - 25 years and you just aren't invited back.  Not even thanks for 25 years of service - nothing.  Things didn't work out for the PIAA at Penn State, as I anticipated, and they've now moved back to Hershey.  But I'm no longer needed.  So now I watch the games on television.  

          While I was very disappointed about not even receiving a response or a thank you when they made the move to State College, I'm glad I wasn't asked back when they returned.  While it was fun, I am getting too old for the fast pace and all the pressure and stress.  It was probably time to "retire".

         But I do have great memories.  And I really do miss the excitement.  Those were special times and I am glad to have had these extra special opportunities. And during those challenging years of raising a family on one income, the extra pay went a long way in helping to pay the bills. It was another example of the Lord allowing me to be at the right place at the right time when the right opportunity developed.  And I thank Him for that.  But now it is just a good memory.

 

 

Customer Service

The following is actual correspondence between a London hotel's staff and one of its guests. The London hotel involved submitted this to the Sunday Times. No name was mentioned.

******************************************************

Dear Maid,

Please do not leave any more of those little bars of soap in my bathroom since I have brought my own bath-sized Dial. Please remove the six unopened little bars from the shelf under the medicine chest and another three in the shower soap dish. They are in my way.

Thank you,

S. Berman

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Dear Room 635,

I am not your regular maid. She will be back tomorrow, Thursday, from her day off. I took the 3 hotel soaps out of the shower soap dish as you requested. The 6 bars on your shelf I took out of your way and put on top of your Kleenex dispenser in case you should change your mind. This leaves only the 3 bars I left today which my instructions from the management is to leave 3 soaps daily. I hope this is satisfactory.

Kathy, Relief Maid

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Dear Maid-I hope you are my regular maid.

Apparently Kathy did not tell you about my note to her concerning the little bars of soap. When I got back to my room this evening I found you had added 3 little Camays to the shelf under my medicine cabinet. I am going to be here in the hotel for two weeks and have brought my own bath-size Dial so I won't need those 6 little Camays which are on the shelf. They are in my way when shaving, brushing teeth, etc. Please remove them.

S. Berman

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Dear Mr. Berman,

My day off was last Wed. so the relief maid left 3 hotel soaps which we are instructed by the management. I took the 6 soaps which were in our way on the shelf and put them in the soap dish where your Dial was. I put the Dial in the medicine cabinet for your convenience. I didn't remove the 3 complimentary soaps which are always placed inside the medicine cabinet for all new check-ins and which you did not object to when you checked in last Monday. Please let me know if I can of further assistance.

Your regular maid, Dotty

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Dear Mr. Berman,

The assistant manager, Mr. Kensedder, informed me this A.M. that you called him last evening and said you were unhappy with your maid service. I have assigned a new girl to your room. I hope you will accept my apologies for any past inconvenience. If you have any future complaints please contact me so I can give it my personal attention. Call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM. Thank you.

Elaine Carmen, Housekeeper

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Dear Miss Carmen,

It is impossible to contact you by phone since I leave the hotel for business at 7:45 AM and don't get back before 5:30 or 6PM. That's the reason I called Mr. Kensedder last night. You were already off duty. I only asked Mr. Kensedder if he could do anything about those little bars of soap.  The new maid you assigned me must have thought I was a new check-in today, since she left another 3 bars of hotel soap in my medicine cabinet along with her regular delivery of 3 bars on the bath-room shelf. In just 5 days here I have accumulated 24 little bars of soap. Why are you doing this to me?

S. Berman

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Dear Mr. Berman,

Your maid, Kathy, has been instructed to stop delivering soap to your room and remove the extra soaps. If I can be of further assistance, please call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM. Thank you,

Elaine Carmen, Housekeeper

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Dear Mr. Kensedder,

My bath-size Dial is missing. Every bar of soap was taken from my room including my own bath-size Dial. I came in late last night and had to call the bellhop to bring me 4 little Cashmere Bouquets.

S. Berman

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Dear Mr. Berman,

I have informed our housekeeper, Elaine Carmen, of your soap problem. I cannot understand why there was no soap in your room since our maids are instructed to leave 3 bars of soap each time they service a room. The situation will be rectified immediately. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.

Martin L. Kensedder, Assistant Manager

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Dear Mrs. Carmen,

Who the heck left 54 little bars of Camay in my room? I came in last night and found 54 little bars of soap. I don't want 54 little bars of Camay. I want my one bar of bath-size Dial. Do you realize I have 54 bars of soap in here. All I want is my bath size Dial. Please give me back my bath-size Dial.

S. Berman

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Dear Mr. Berman,

You complained of too much soap in your room so I had them removed. Then you complained to Mr. Kensedder that all your soap was missing so I personally returned them. The 24 Camays which had been taken and the 3 Camays you are supposed to receive daily (sic). I don't know anything about the 4 Cashmere Bouquets. Obviously your maid, Kathy, did not know I had returned your soaps so she also brought 24 Camays plus the 3 daily Camays. I don't know where you got the idea this hotel issues bath-size Dial. I was able to locate some bath-size Ivory which I left in your room.

Elaine Carmen, Housekeeper

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Dear Mrs. Carmen,

Just a short note to bring you up-to-date on my latest soap inventory.

As of today I possess:

On shelf under medicine cabinet - 18 Camay in 4 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.
On Kleenex dispenser - 11 Camay in 2 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 3.
On bedroom dresser - 1 stack of 3 Cashmere Bouquet, 1 stack of 4
hotel-size Ivory, and 8 Camay in 2 stacks of 4.
Inside medicine cabinet - 14 Camay in 3 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.
In shower soap dish - 6 Camay, very moist.
On northeast corner of tub - 1 Cashmere Bouquet, slightly used.
On northwest corner of tub - 6 Camays in 2 stacks of 3.

Please ask Kathy when she services my room to make sure the stacks are neatly piled and dusted. Also, please advise her that stacks of more than 4 have a tendency to tip. May I suggest that my bedroom window sill is not in use and will make an excellent spot for future soap deliveries.  One more item, I have purchased another bar of bath-sized Dial which I am keeping in the hotel vault in order to avoid further misunderstandings.

S. Berman

The Elderly

They call us "The Elderly." 

We were born in the 40-50-60's. 

We grew up in the 50-60-70's. 

We studied in the 60-70-80's. 

We were dating in the 70-80-90's. 

We got married and discovered the world in the 70-80-90's. 

We venture into the 80-90's. 

We stabilize in the 2000's. 

We got wiser in the 2010's. 

And we are going firmly through and beyond 2020.

 

Turns out we've lived through EIGHT different decades...

TWO different centuries...

TWO different millennia...

 

We have gone from the telephone with an operator for long-distance calls to video calls to anywhere in the world. 

 

We have gone from slides to YouTube, from vinyl records to online music, from handwritten letters to email and WhatsApp.  

 

From live matches on the radio, to black and white TV, color TV and then to 3D HD TV. 

 

We went to the Video store and now we watch Netflix. 

 

We got to know the first computers, punch cards, floppy disks and now we have gigabytes and megabytes on our smartphones. 

 

We wore shorts throughout our childhood and then long trousers, Oxfords, flares, parachute pants, shell suits, and blue jeans. 

 

We dodged infantile paralysis, meningitis, polio, tuberculosis, swine flu and now COVID-19.

 

We rode skates, tricycles, bicycles, mopeds, petrol, or diesel cars and now we drive hybrids or electric.

 

Yes, we've been through a lot but what a great life we've had!

 

They could describe us as "exennials"; people who were born in that world of the 50s/60s, who had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood.

 

We've kind of seen it all!

 

Our generation has literally lived through and witnessed more than any other in every dimension of life.

change.

 

A big round of applause to all the members of a very special generation, which will be UNIQUE.