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| First Ever Blog |
| September 25th, 2025 On this day in 1928, Chicago’s new Galvin Manufacturing Corporation is officially incorporated. In 1930, Galvin would introduce the Motorola radio, the first mass-produced commercial car radio. (The name had two parts: “motor” evoked cars and motion, while “ola” derived from “Victrola” and was supposed to make people think of music.) Prompt: Did you know car radios had been around this long? What year was your first car? Did you listen to the radio when you're driving or did you prefer silence? How about now music or silence? ========================================================= My first car was an eight year old, high mileage, ‘57 Ford Fairlane 500, blue and white. In a move completely out of character for them, my parents bought me the car without consultation with me, and without my ever asking. I suspect they just wanted me out of the house. In addition to providing the luxury of leaving for school a whopping 15 minutes later than when I was walking, I quickly found myself with more ‘friends.’ With very few exceptions, I was never convinced whether most of them hung out with me for me or my car. One of the exceptions was Kevin with whom I formed a comfortable co-dependent relationship. He had a surfboard, but no car. Me, the opposite. In summer, we spent countless days at the beach sharing that surfboard, rain or shine. Sometimes we had other kids with us in the Ford. Other days other friends would take the train then find us surfing or tanning. The Fairlane was solid car, regardless of the six digit odometer reading. I talked to people who knew car maintenance, including the auto shop teacher at school, and learned to do most of the work myself. Partly to save money, partly because deep down I’d learned to never really trust anyone. For the same reason, though I often listened to the rock ‘n roll stations in the area, I kept the volume moderate. I liked to sing along, since in those days you could actually hear the lyrics, but I knew better than to let someone in the back seat, or anywhere else on the road, catch me off guard. This is the result of growing up in a violently abusive family. I miss that reliable old car. |
| September 16, 2025 Write about the most beautiful thing you've seen this week. Don't have much time today, but this was too easy to pass up. Visiting my grandson this morning I stopped in front of the big hall mirror. There in my arms, tiny cheek pressed up against mine, was my great granddaughter, Terese, pointing at the reflection and radiating a smile that would put sunshine and rainbows to shame. I call her 'my joy' because nobody can look at that face and not smile. |
| September 15 What is your favorite quote or song? As a long-time runner, I’ve picked up dozens of inspirational quotes which can be used as mantras in training and races. Sometimes they can lift you out of a slow downward spiral, while at other times they can help you find another, fast gear as the finish line nears. Here’s a few: General positive mantras, good for more than just running: You got this. I can do this. I am capable. I can, I will. Keep it strong. Be strong, don't Quit. One step at a time. Do or do not, there is no try. Breathe and Believe. Always finish strong. Start where you are - Use what you have - Do what you can. If you don't move forward, you're always in the same place. The body achieves what the mind believes. Running specific: I am a runner. Run now, brunch later! Don't think, just run. This is my pace. Run tall - stay strong. Bad days happen - just finish. Run the mile you're in. Just keep running. It's not about how fast you run, it's about how far you go. This is who I am. This is what I do. Feel your run. Feel the joy that is running. Favorite songs come and go; much depends on my mood. Although many songs can change my mood. But here are some of the songs I listen to more than any others. You won’t find much in the way of recent music here. I prefer music in which I can hear, understand and relate to the lyrics. Besides, I’m old. Early Times: Dream Lover - Bobby Darin Surfin' USA - Beach Boys Kokomo - Beach Boys King of the Road - Roger Miller In Bad Times: God Only Knows - Beach Boys Around The Corner Of Your Eye - A Teens Blue - LeAnn Rimes You're Breakin' My Heart - Harry Nilson In Better Times: Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners The Longest Time - Billy Joel NSync - This I Promise You I'd Rather Ride Around With You - Reba McEntire Bop Till You Drop - The Nylons Last Dance - Donna Summer All Times: Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You Kiss - Rock and Roll All Night |
| Prompt: “Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.”--Cormac McCarthy What do your scars say about your past? My scars are primarily internal, and I have little need of them to remind me that my past was real. The few external marks I bear merely identify me as being occasionally careless, unfocused or just plain unlucky. Burns on my forearm from sizzling cooking oil; stitches on my forehead caused by colliding with the edge of a diving board while trying to impress a special spectator; a permanent bump below my left shoulder after a rocky landing from a parachute jump. Normal stuff. But they sometimes make good conversation starters or diversions. |
| Day 3935 September 5th, 2025 Prompt: Let this quote inspire your entry today-- "…there is a clarity about September. On clear days, the sun seems brighter, the sky more blue, the white clouds take on marvelous shapes; the moon is a wonderful apparition, rising gold, cooling to silver; and the stars are so big. The September storms…are exhilarating…" -Faith Baldwin As beautiful as Ms Baldwin’s quote is, I can agree with only the first phrase, “there is a clarity about September.” From my earliest memories September has always meant a plunge in life’s emotional joys. As a child it meant the end tree swings and swimming holes, picnics and stickball, sneaking off for adventures. As I grew it signaled the demise of sailing, ballgames, and sitting on the roof of the shed holding hands and imagining the future. Still later, putting the surfboard in the basement for another year. September for me, and later us, meant a rapid slide into a mire of school or work related mud bogs: homework, projects, new or extra chores, added responsibilities, and alarm clocks. But eventually, as October could be glimpsed on the horizon, far off, yes, but visible, the path began rising. Halloween was a shining star promising candy for the young, cuddling and more for the post-pubescent, and the approaching food-fest of Thanksgiving. Not to mention all the glories of December. No, the only ‘clarity’ I ever gained from September were the occasional gifts of silence as our cherished little trolls climbed aboard the school bus. But maybe that’s just me. |
| Day 3933 September 3 Write about sugar cookies. Sugar cookies. Don’t like em. Don’t make ‘em. Don’t eat ‘em. So, today started off by doing laundry, sheets and towels. Then had to rearrange my meager finances a bit as my sister needs to borrow some bucks so her daughter can do some much needed repairs on her house. Well, that’s what family is all about. She was there when I was about to become homeless and took me in. And her husband helped me get the job I ended up doing for the next 20 years. This afternoon I cooked a lamb leg steak for the first time. I don’t eat meat very often, but for some reason I got an unusual craving for lamb chops. The supermarket butcher I spoke to said they didn’t any lamb chops, but suggested the leg steak would be a great option. Easier to prepare, way less fat, and shorter broiling time. He was right. I overcooked it a bit, but otherwise it was great. And I’ll know better if there’s a next time. This is a non-running day for me, so I’m going to catch up on some writing, then settle down to watch an old movie. Maybe two. |
| Day 3932 September 2 I've been ill recently. Write about your favorite hot or cold beverage when you're feeling ill. I’ve been very fortunate in that I rarely get sick. I also somehow escaped having allergies like my siblings. I might suggest a different father, but we all look so much alike that’s hardly likely. When I have had a cold or flu, I found herbal teas were most satisfying. And for sustenance, any type of low-sodium chicken soup and tomato soup are my friends. Plus lots of plain water. Then I take some nighttime sleep capsules and sleep as much as possible. |
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