THE MOTIVATION: For years I tried to best bob Larson in some common sphere of endeavor. His accomplishments as a husband, father, actuary, author, teacher, bridge player, long distance runner, writer and acrobatic drinkiner far surpassed my own fairly elevated levels. Well, there was golf. On his best day, he h it 17 greens in regulation ... and shot 89. On my best (ball-striking day), I too hit 17 greens in regulation ... and shot 77. I putt better. Bob once told me about the morning he awoke and realized he had worked long enough at the Railroad Retirement Board. So he went in and announced, "I quit."
He was asked, "When will be your last day?"
He answered, "Topday," but things didn't work out as he had hoped, and he was retained in an advisory capacity for another year.
More than fifteen and a half years ago, I submitted my resignation letter and two weeks notice to the Actuarial Division of Bankers Life & Casualty Company around 4:00 p.m. When I returned to work the nex morning at 8:00, I was advised to pack my things and leave immediately. Ergo, my resignation technique was much more effective than Bob's. Bob also writes the best Christmas letters in the world. He tkaes less than one peage to speak inspirational volumes.
My new year's resolution is to quite eating cookies at the bridge games and on weekends when the boys visit. Having put it on paper and told you all, I have motivation to follow through.
NATURE'S WAY OF TELLING YOU SOMETHING'S WRONG: In August as mom was on her way to audition for The New Oratoria Singers, her reflection appeared twisted in the mirror. "I can't go and audition looking like this," she though. At that precise moment, Helen Engbrecht stopped by to tell her how easy the audition was compared to last year. Helen immediately noticed that mom could not speak and raced to the top of the stairs to call me and dad: "Something's wrong. Anne can't talk." We were so engrossed in Monday night football dinner but nonetheless were able to shift in high gear, call 911 and our neighbor Penny Caccioppo who supervies the emergency department of Good Shepher Hospital.
When the paramedics arrived, mom had regained her voice and was embarrassed about acuing the commotion. Against her expressed wish, she was taken to the hospital. The preliminary diagnosis was Transient Ischemic Attack -- a loss of oxygen to the brain. Four days later the angiogram revealed that the blockage had almost healed itself. She was put on blood thinning medication for a coupld of months and an aspirin a day in perpetuetam, although basically, no one has determined why waht went wrong went wrong.
Two months later, she and I went on an 8 1/2 mile walk along the Fox River bike path. Her only complaint after that jaunt was her feet. She has since realized there were two other TIAs -- one in Washington DC with our good friend Connie Craig, and the other up here with me. Each time the loved one tried to convince Annie to go directly to the hospital. Her reply was uniformly consistent: "This too shall pass." Thanks to Helen and to mom's guardian angel for helping her get it right this time. Thanks to you for all your prayers.
SHAPES OF THINGS TO COME: For a school assignment, my son Adam James recently wrote:
"How can one give an example of change? In my opinion, it cannot really be defined and it has to be big, not small. Something like moving to a new school of state. Tongiht I just realized that next y ear I'm in high school, in three years I'll have a car, in five be in college, and in twelve maybe start a family."
NONE of that stuff ever occurred to me, which helps explain why I'm still living with my folks and have no driver's license after all these years.
INTERNATIONAL VOYAGER: Suzanne Dunn, one of my regular bridge partners, made me an offer I wouldn't refuse to go on a Fall Foliage Bus tour of New England and Quebec Privince sponsored by Finesse West Tours. Fred Thierkoff is the master mind of this traveling card show and does a tremendous job at balancing sight-seeing, shopping, dining, and bridge playing. If you play bridge and like to travel, check out Finesse West.
He was asked, "When will be your last day?"
He answered, "Topday," but things didn't work out as he had hoped, and he was retained in an advisory capacity for another year.
More than fifteen and a half years ago, I submitted my resignation letter and two weeks notice to the Actuarial Division of Bankers Life & Casualty Company around 4:00 p.m. When I returned to work the nex morning at 8:00, I was advised to pack my things and leave immediately. Ergo, my resignation technique was much more effective than Bob's. Bob also writes the best Christmas letters in the world. He tkaes less than one peage to speak inspirational volumes.
My new year's resolution is to quite eating cookies at the bridge games and on weekends when the boys visit. Having put it on paper and told you all, I have motivation to follow through.
NATURE'S WAY OF TELLING YOU SOMETHING'S WRONG: In August as mom was on her way to audition for The New Oratoria Singers, her reflection appeared twisted in the mirror. "I can't go and audition looking like this," she though. At that precise moment, Helen Engbrecht stopped by to tell her how easy the audition was compared to last year. Helen immediately noticed that mom could not speak and raced to the top of the stairs to call me and dad: "Something's wrong. Anne can't talk." We were so engrossed in Monday night football dinner but nonetheless were able to shift in high gear, call 911 and our neighbor Penny Caccioppo who supervies the emergency department of Good Shepher Hospital.
When the paramedics arrived, mom had regained her voice and was embarrassed about acuing the commotion. Against her expressed wish, she was taken to the hospital. The preliminary diagnosis was Transient Ischemic Attack -- a loss of oxygen to the brain. Four days later the angiogram revealed that the blockage had almost healed itself. She was put on blood thinning medication for a coupld of months and an aspirin a day in perpetuetam, although basically, no one has determined why waht went wrong went wrong.
Two months later, she and I went on an 8 1/2 mile walk along the Fox River bike path. Her only complaint after that jaunt was her feet. She has since realized there were two other TIAs -- one in Washington DC with our good friend Connie Craig, and the other up here with me. Each time the loved one tried to convince Annie to go directly to the hospital. Her reply was uniformly consistent: "This too shall pass." Thanks to Helen and to mom's guardian angel for helping her get it right this time. Thanks to you for all your prayers.
SHAPES OF THINGS TO COME: For a school assignment, my son Adam James recently wrote:
"How can one give an example of change? In my opinion, it cannot really be defined and it has to be big, not small. Something like moving to a new school of state. Tongiht I just realized that next y ear I'm in high school, in three years I'll have a car, in five be in college, and in twelve maybe start a family."
NONE of that stuff ever occurred to me, which helps explain why I'm still living with my folks and have no driver's license after all these years.
INTERNATIONAL VOYAGER: Suzanne Dunn, one of my regular bridge partners, made me an offer I wouldn't refuse to go on a Fall Foliage Bus tour of New England and Quebec Privince sponsored by Finesse West Tours. Fred Thierkoff is the master mind of this traveling card show and does a tremendous job at balancing sight-seeing, shopping, dining, and bridge playing. If you play bridge and like to travel, check out Finesse West.
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