Update 9-9-03


Okay,

One note, two pieces of business, and three forwarded e-mails:

First, from Cynthia Ingolia Kammerer:  Hi.  My new e-mail address is going to be: wwmom10@optonline.net -- at least, for the time being.  Thanks.

Next:  The Class of 61's Big Birthday Bash is approaching.  If you're interested in suffering at 60 with them, or celebrating, please contact Emily Kleinman Schreiber at:  Cre8em@aol.com.  She'll have the details
     Also, I seem to have lost the ability to distinguish between mail being sent to me, and mail being sent to me to put into the updates.  So if there's something you specifically don't want passed on, please tell me when you write.  Thanks.

Finally, the E-mail Forwarding Fest, edited for space and patience:

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  Not that we're even close to considering this, but it is  worth the thought... while we can still think straight:
     With the average cost for nursing homes reaching $188.00 per day, there's a better way to live when we get old.  For around $65.00, you can get a nice room at the Holiday Inn.  That leaves $123.00 a day for beer, food (room service), laundry, gratuities, and special TV movies.  The Inns have swimming pools, workout rooms, restaurants, lounges, and washers and dryers.  Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo, soap, and towels.
     Super 8 is more economical, and they have free breakfasts, though you usually have to walk next door for lunch and dinner.  There may be a bit of a wait to get a first floor room, but that's OK, as it takes months to get into decent nursing homes.  There's also the Senior Bus, the handicap bus, a church bus or van, cabs, and even a regular bus.  For a change of lunch, take the airport bus, and eat at one of the fast food cafes.
     The Inns have security, and if someone sees you drop over, they'll call an ambulance.  And should you break a hip, the American way is to sue.  As a bonus, all Inns offer AARP and other Senior discounts.
       So:  "When I reach the Golden Age,
              Help me keep my grin.
              Check my rickety old bod,
              Into the Holiday Inn."

From Robert Fiveson:  In memory of Bob Hope, a reminder of what our parents raised us on in the 50s:
     Red Skelton's Successful Marriage Tips
     1. Two times a week, we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food, and companionship.  She goes on Tuesdays, and I go on Fridays.
     2. We sleep in separate beds.  Hers is in Ontario, and mine's in Tucson.
     3. I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back.
     4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said.  So I suggested the kitchen.
     5. We always hold hands.  If I let go, she shops.
     6. My wife has an electric blender, an electric toaster, and an electric bread maker.  She said, "There are too many gadgets, and no place to sit down!"  So I
bought her an electric chair.
     7. My wife told me that the car wasn't running well because there was water in the carburetor.  I asked where the car was.  She said, "In the lake."
     8. She got a mud pack and looked great for two days.  Then the mud fell off.
     9. She ran after the garbage truck yelling, "Am I too late for the garbage?"  The driver said, "No, jump in!"
     Other Things to Remember:
     1. Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.
     2. I married Miss Right.  I just didn't know her first name was "Always."
     3. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months.  I don't like to interrupt her.
     4. The last fight was my fault.  My wife asked, "What's on the TV?"  I said, "Dust!"

From Jerry Bittman:  I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767, waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what was sure to be
a long flight home.  With the huge capacity, and slow moving people stuffing in luggage far too big for the overhead, I simply shook my head, knowing that the flight was not starting out well.
        I was anxious to get home, so was focused on "my" issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for those clowns to get their acts together.  I couldn't say a word though, so just thumbed through a magazine from the seat pocket.  You know it's rough when you resort to overpriced sky mall crap to break the monotony.  With everyone finally seated, and though we were well past the take-off time, we just sat there with the cabin door open.  No wonder the airline industry's in trouble, I told myself.  Just then, the attendant informed us that we were being delayed.  After everyone groaned, she resumed, "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people.  The delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes."
     After waiting six times that, we were promised that "I" was finally going home.  Why the hoopla over "these" folks, I thought, expecting some celebrities or sports figures.  Just get their butts in their seats and lets hit the gas.  Then the attendant announced, in a loud, excited voice, that we were being joined by several U. S. Marines returning home from Iraq!
     As they walked on board, everyone broke into applause.  The men were taken by surprise by 340 people cheering for them, their hands were shaken by almost everyone within reach, and one elderly woman kissed a Marine as he passed by.  The applause, whistles, and cheers didn't stop for a long time, and when we were finally airborne, "I" was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays for "me."  These men had done a job for us all, while I'd been complaining and taking for granted the everyday freedoms and conveniences of the American way of life.  I attempted to get my selfish outlook back under control and, minutes before we landed, suggested the attendant request that everyone remain seated so our heroes could be the first ones off the plane.
     The cheers and applause began again when the Marines rose, and continued
until the last one stepped off the plane.  I felt proud of them, and felt it an honor to be among the first to welcome them home.  I vowed that I would never forget that
flight, nor the lesson learned.  I still can't say "Thank You" enough to our servicemen and women, and I offer a prayer for their companions who are no longer with us.

The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/falcons1965a


Rich