Well folks, another Halloween has come and gone. During my walk yesterday morning I was greeted with with scary apparition attached to my neighbor's mail box.
Fearsome skeleton pirate
During my walk this morning, the skeleton pirate was done, collapsed on the road.
Skelton pirate this morning, wiped out
Bill and I did not participate in the Halloween festivities last night. We are now officially the "Bah humbug!" Old Guys.
We moved to Casa Tipton-Kelly in November 2006, having just missed the first Halloween trick of treat trolling by the Little Neighborhood Monsters. However, the following October we did the whole schlemiel. I had the lighted pumpkins in the window, bags of carefully prepared (and packaged) Halloween candy. I even had the spooky music. So how did it go? We had a few groups stop in, only one we knew who was our neighbor across the street. His little boy (probably about eight years old) was dumbstruck when they ushered him into the front door. Didn't say a word, just had that deer in the headlights look. Of course that "little boy" is now 16 or 17 years old.
Our neighbor next door has two little girls of the age (4 and 7) for Halloween blackmail trick or treat mischief. The whole family skedaddled out of town in their big camper trailer two days ago. So there was no reason for us (the Two Old Grumpy Guys) to put on a Halloween display or pass out candy, which by the way, the last time we did it we had candy for six months afterwards. As a matter if fact we had candy (still niftily packaged) up to the next Halloween. That's when we seriously reconsidered doing this whole "Halloween" thing. I'm all for Halloween celebrations and if someone invited me to a Halloween party, I probably would have dressed up and went to the party. But as you all know, after nine years I have been unable to break into the exclusive D.C. (Washington) club of Rehoboth Beach Gays (my pension isn't that big). There are a few other venues (gay based) that I could insert myself, one being the local gay church. But alas, I don't feel comfortable there because it is mainly a lesbian church and you know the lesbians, they stick together. Most of them hardly tolerate gay men and when they do, they think we're all drag queens who do wonderful window treatments. Some of the gay guys I have encountered (with a few notable exceptions) who attend the church seem to be more interested in hooking up than just being friends. But then, a church, straight or gay, is a venue for meeting people so there. I guess the main reason I don't go is because I just don't believe all the fairy tales propagated at the church, no offense to my religious readers. But I'm veering off again on other subjects. I still have to do that long put off blog rant update. So last night I watched a brilliant Argentine movie (with English sub-titles) called "Wild Tales." Then I went to bed early, satisfied that I had an excellent experience. That was my Halloween folks. Life goes on (and does it ever)!
Scared the crap out of me first time I saw Him in a movie
Halloween was always my favorite holiday. When I was a little kid (seven and eight years old), I couldn't wait for the brisk days of autumn to roll around. The smell of dead leaves in the air, the anticipation of going trick or treating, and getting free candy! Wow. I was lucky because I grew up in the Forties (yes, I am THAT old) before people started to put razor blades into apples. By the way, I hated it when I went trick or treating and someone gave me fruit. WTF? Candy man, CANDY! Anyway, back to my Halloween narrative: I lived "in town", which meant I lived on a street (Washington Avenue) in a small town (Downingtown, Pennsylvania - population 5,000). I literally lived in a Norman Rockwell town. We were poor, poorer than most of my neighbors on Washington Avenue. They lived in houses, we (me, my Mom and Pop and two younger brothers) lived in a second floor, roach infested, two bedroom, one bath walk up apartment (rent $22 a month). Pop was a welder and Mom a Stay-at-home Mom. So when Halloween came around this was time for FREE CANDY. And at that age I LOVED candy, especially FREE CANDY. A pause here, I started this blog intending to tell what or who scared me the most (the Frankenstein Monster of course) and here I'm going on about candy. Back to what scared me the most. In out little town we had a movie theater called the Roosevelt. It used to be the Downingtown Opera House but when I was growing up I could go to the movies for 15 cents. "Adults" (over 12 years old) had to pay 45 cents which, of course, I could never afford. Anyway, I hear about this Universal movie called "Frankenstein." I love scary movies so I went with my cousins (and I think my brothers, I'm not sure about that). I was about eleven years old when I saw the movie. I remember this because I had to walk down Boot Road to the movie theater and we moved to that apartment on Boot Road when I was eleven years old. So I see this movie. The first time the Monster appears on screen he looks RIGHT AT ME.
He made EYE CONTACT with me! And that eerie music was playing. I froze in my seat. I was literally scared shitless. Man oh man. I was FROZEN. For the rest of the movie, especially that scene where he pops in on the pristine white bride (Mae Clarke), I was petrified. All I could think was "How am I going to go home?" I have to walk all the way down Boot Road in the DARK. There were no houses on Boot Road, only empty corn fields. HOW WAS I GOING TO GET HOME? Well folks, I made it home but let me tell you, I have NEVER and I mean NEVER been as frightened since as I was that night when I was convinced that the Frankenstein Monster was waiting for me in one of those fields and was going to chase me home. In fact, for months thereafter I used to have dreams that he did indeed chase me home. I always made it home in time and locked the door behind me but I would then see his face looking through the window at me. Several times he broke into the house. And I don't know where my parents or my brothers were, in these dreams I was always the only one in the house. When I heard "Frankenstein's" loud footsteps clomping up the stairs outside (we lived in another second floor apartment this time, sans cockroaches this time) I retreated to the crawl space attic, carefully lowing the small plywood covering over the opening. Once in the attic I could hear "Frankenstein" growling (and man didn't he have a scary growl?) and slamming things around. Then everything went quiet. Now this is where it really got scary. I could hear him opening the bedroom door. The entrance to the attic was in the bedroom closet. I hear him moving around in our bedroom (which I shared with my two bothers - WHERE WERE THEY)? I hear him grunting. Then he stops. Silence. Then I hear the closet door opening. More silence. Then I see the plywood covering moving up. HE'S FOUND ME!!!!! I wake up. Ask me how many times I had this dream when I was young. Many time folks, many times. To this day, I am fascinated by the original Frankenstein's monster portrayed by Boris Karloff. Oh sure, there have been other Frankenstein monsters but none like his. I was scared to death folks. Even to this day when I see those dead eyes, it sends a chill through my bones. Happy Halloween everyone!
Ah yes folks, it's been a while since I've posted. It's not that I don't have anything to post about, I had LOADS. Problem is I just don't have the time. Oh I know how boring that excuse is but folks, that IS my problem. Well, this morning I had another "problem." As I rounded the corner from my bedroom this morning to have my breakfast, Bill greeted me with the latest emergency. He said the grass around our septic tank lid was "all wet." Uh oh!
This has to be one of our worst fears. Mine anyway. When we lived in Pennsylvania we had our own septic field. The twenty-five years we lived there we never once had the septic tank emptied. But of course that was a little different because the overflow of the septic tank went into the field below which probably help explain why the vegetation was also so lush.
Well, our septic tank here has no such feature. We've lived nine years (November 7th is our anniversary). Only once have I had our septic tank emptied. I wasn't sure it needed to be emptied but we had it done because our neighbor said we could get a discount if we both had ours emptied at the same time. So I checked Angie's List this morning for septic service company. I got a name, McMullen Septic Services. I called to arrange service. "Shelly", who answered the phone told me a serviceman was in the area (Milton). Within an half an hour he was here! WOW! Talk about service.
"Joe", quickly determined the problem. My septic tank filter was clogged. The tank was filled to the top. UGH! (I looked). He saw the "wipes" that I use. He suggested that while the manufacturer of the wipes say they are "flushable", that doesn't mean they are biodegradable, which apparently they aren't. So I won't be using them anymore. Back to the shower or wet toilet paper. I have to be clean. That's just me. So folks, I had an emergency this morning and it was taking care of professionally, punctually and with a reasonable cost $313.50 which include a $75.00 of liquid to help the natural bacteria action in my septic tank). How refreshing to get good service at a reasonable price. Of course I posted an excellent review to my account at Angie's List. Speaking of which, Angie's List is great! They have never left me down. Do I sound like a commercial? Oh well. Have a great day everyone. My septic tank is clean and I'm ready to roll. Now back to my Scrabble boards on Facebook which is (as I guiltily admit) are taking up so much of my time).
Yesterday I had a wonderful day trip to my old hometown of Philadelphia. The weather was perfect and the price was right. I took the Sussex County Tech bus ("Old Retired People's Bus Trips) to Philadelphia. Cost was $39 round trip!
Independence Mall where the bus left us for our "Day in Philly"
I've taken these bus trips before with the big Jor-Lin buses. I stopped taking them about two years ago because they "cheaped out" and started using "short buses" which basically, was a big pickup truck with a top on it. I felt like a packed sardine taking the 2 1/2 hour ride to Philly. However, I decided to take my chances this time when I saw a "Day in Philadelphia" bus trip was going to take place in October. I signed up.
Thus I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at the Sussex Tech campus in Georgetown to see that huge, COMFORTABLE, Jor-Lin bus waiting for us very early on yesterday's chilly morning for a 7:00 AM departure.
Our tour director giving us instructions were to meet up and catch the bus back to Delaware at 4:30 PM - I almost missed the bus!!! More about that tomorrow.
Look at this, I'm going on too long already on this blog posting and I haven't even gotten to Philly. I'll have to make this post a two-parter because everyone knows most people don't read a long blog posting.
I wanted to visit Philly for several reasons. The first being that Philly for many years was where I lived and worked. I love going back and revisit those places of my long gone youth. Oh the wonderful times (and sad) I had in that city of Brotherly Love.
The view from my friend Don McK's (the top of his head is at the bottom right of this photo) rooftop garden at the co-op where he lives in Center City Philly
I also wanted to visit my longtime friend Don McK. I've lost touch with him over the years because he doesn't have an updated computer. He hasn't updated because he's confused with all the options. My goal yesterday was to clear the confusion and get him that computer and FIOS (cable) service.
My friend Don with "Ed" at the Verizon store in Philly - signing up for FIOS service
My friend Don at the Apple Store in Center City Philly, signing on to his new iMac Apple computer
Mission Accomplished! I also visited Don for the first time at his co-op apartment in Center City. I didn't realize that he lived that close to where Bill and I lived in Center City Philly. Oh how I miss my former hometown. In fact, seeing how comfy Don was in his apartment I had a fleeting thought of moving back! Can't do it though folks. I'm committed to living in the wide open spaces but I tell you what. I've made a decision to visit Philly more often and my friend Don. He needs tutoring on his new iMac. More tomorrow!
Me and my friend Don at the "More Than Just Ice Cream" restaurant in Center City Philly where we always have lunch when I visit him annually
This morning I had my last doctor's visit for awhile. The past few months have been a spat of doctor's visits and quite frankly, it was becoming a bit tiresome. However, I know that it is necessary to see my doctors to keep this old chassis going.
Filling our my Wellness sheet this morning at my orthopedic doctor's office - way to get the day started off right - I was the first patient (8:00 AM appointment)
Last Friday I visited my dermatologist. For the first time in a couple years I got clean bill of health. No burning off bits of my skin and leaving his office looking like someone was torturing me with cigarette burns. A couple of weeks ago I visited my main doctor at the VA and got the good news that my prostate cancer is effectively gone or at least in remission. My PSA level was down to .3 which is fabulous. This probably means I'll die of something else instead of prostate cancer. Of course I will die of something else, hopefully deathbed scene is still a long time away. This morning I visited my orthopedic surgeon doctor. The doctor who reattached my quadricep muscle on my left leg so I could walk again. And walking I am, hallelujah!!!!!
I just cannot tell you how thankful I am to be walking again. Amen and AMEN! But all is not well in Ron's World. Even though my leg has healed very well, I still have trouble walking. I can't walk like I used to which concerns me, because walking was always one of my strengths. I'm especially concerned because tomorrow I'm taking a bus to Philadelphia (one of those "Old People Excursions") for a Day In Philly. All the years I lived in Philly I could walk anywhere. These days, my walking is somewhat limited. I have to husband my strength. The problem is a soreness in my lower back. I've had it for years. At first I thought I was having hip problems but that's not it. After I got the good news from my doctor this morning that my injured leg was well back to it's normal use, I brought up my "walking" problem. He said I probably had spinal stenosis. After all I am approaching Crypt Keeper status; i.e. I am old. Next month I'll be 74 (how did THAT happen)? He asked if I wanted an X-ray taken. I said "Sure!"
The X-Ray showed a white cloudy area at the base of my spine? That's arthritis folks. Old man here. He said I could have cortisone shots if the pain was too great (it isn't, I've learned to live with the stiffness and soreness). He also said "Some people have an operation and then, most don't" Count me in the latter category, thank you. No one is operating on my spine . . . . thank you again. He did give me a sheet of paper showing me what exercises I could do to slow down the progression of me falling apart with "Arthur Ritis" as we call this malady around here (Bill has arthritis too). So I'm off to my Day in Philly tomorrow folks. Have to get up REAL early (4:30 AM) to catch my 7:00 AM bus out of Georgetown from the Sussex County Community College campus for the 2 1/ 2 hour ride to Philadelphia. I wonder if they'll have as big a reception for me as Philly had for Pope Francis. One thing I know for sure, I won't be having a private meeting with Kim Davis.
Bill and me at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Bill and I discovered Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Last week was Bill's 87th birthday. Next month will be my 74th birthday. We're two old men.
Bill checks out an early settler family graveyard at Prime Hook
What do two old men like to do? Well, for one thing we like to get out of the house at least once a day. I usually always take Bill for a ride with me to Food Lion, Walmart or one of my many doctor's appointments.
Bill reads the information about the family graveyard - so quite - so peaceful
One of our favorite rides is taking a ride down the dead end Oyster Rocks Road which is right outside our development. Last week we couldn't make that ride because the nor'easter that blew through this area flooded the road. Our alternative is to take the two mile ride up Route One to the Broadkill Beach houses. We took that ride last week and were again blocked by flooded roads. Both Oyster Rocks Road and the Broadkill Beach houses are located in wetlands. Since we were thwarted again I took a left to see where the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Road led. Well guess what folks? That long road led to the beautiful, peaceful, and tranquil Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Wow. It only took me nine years (we moved down here in Delaware in November of 2007) to find this magnificent gem.
Jack,, Ron and Elaine; the three oldest children of the three Hadfield Sisters ("The Hadfield Girls")
Last Saturday night, while I was on my computer talking to Pat on FaceTime my landline rang. "What could this be?" I thought since it was too late for my daily robo call from Credit Card Services of America with my "last chance" to transfer my credit card balances (which I have NONE) and lock in my rates. Every day folks, I get that call and when I try to tell them to take me off their call list they hang up on my right away. The "Credit Card Services of America" is a scam which I'm afraid I will have to live with the rest of my life. They will never die. Unlike the phone call I received. The call was from Arlene T., my cousin Jack's wife. She told me that Jack had died as a result of going into a coma after his open heart operation. He was on a ventilator but I know Jack and he wouldn't want to be kept alive this way. Arlene told me that they took him off the ventilator and he died. Jack was only 76 years old.
Cousin Jack (I will miss you) - 2005
Jack was the oldest son of my Mother's sister, and my Aunt Grace. I liked Jack. Jack dying was yet another reminder of my mortality. A few years back Randy R. died. He was also my first cousin and the son of my Mother's other sister, my Aunt Jeanette. I liked Randy. He died in his sleep.
Cousin Randy (I will miss you Randy) - 2005
Ten years ago I took my Mother to visit her sister Jeanette who was in the dementia unit of Simpson Meadows in Downingtown. At that time we had a mini Hadfield (my mother's maiden name) reunion. The occasion was the funeral of my Uncle George, husband of my Aunt Jeanette. Little did I know but this was the last time the "Hadfield Girls" (as my cousin Jack liked to call them) got together.
(from left to right - Mrs. Brookover (my friend's mother); my Mom, my Aunt Jeanette and my Aunt Grace - 2005 All gone now
I have two sides to my family. My father, a purebred hillbilly (oh yes, hillbillies exist) from the mountains of western North Carolina. And then my Mother and her Quaker roots. My Mother's family was very poor, but of a genteel class. I attribute my mixed up personality to these two, almost totally opposite roots. Hillbilly and Quaker, picture that in your mind.
My Mom and my maternal Aunts Jeanette and Grace - the three best aunts this gay boy could have - 2005 at the Simpson Meadows home - my Aunt Jeanette had severe dementia but she knew my Mother
So anyway folks, what's the point of this post? Just another sad marker in the limited time I have left on this earth and that I intend to make the full use of that time.
My Mother and maternal aunts with their three oldest children standing behind them - Jack's wife Arlene is to the far right - 2005
Yesterday Bill and I visited an old friend of ours, Bart R. No last last because Bart is still in the closet if you can believe that. Bart is 93 years old now. Bart moved down here to Delaware because of the low taxes and to be near Jim and Bob, who were much younger than Bart. Bob died last year and Jim is in assisted care. Jim doesn't even remember what he had for lunch yesterday (Bart relayed this information to us). Thank goodness Bart still lives in his own home. He is fortunate that he has a good neighbor that looks in on him and makes sure everything this all right.
Bart at his home yesterday with Bill - Bart fell and broke his hip earlier this year (about the same time I fell and tore up my left leg)
Not to dwell on this subject but lately I've been thinking of all my friends and relatives who have died in the last five years and it sometimes becomes overwhelming. I try not to think about this too much lest I sink into a depression. As I have mentioned so often before in this blog, I do not fear death. To the contrary, in a way I look forward to it because I do know it will be an Eternal Rest. The only thing I fear is how I get there. I don't want a prolonged, painful and humiliating death in which I am dependent on someone to go on existing. Governor Brown in California signed a right to die bill which gives me even more impetus to eventually move to California while my two legs can get me around.
Bart is fortunate that he has a neighbor to look in on him. I fear that if and when Bill goes before I do (he just turned 87 but is in fine health), I will be alone, totally alone. I have my friend Pat but he is in Toronto. I have no one else. I am estranged from my two brothers (because I dared to get legally married) and their families and I wouldn't want their help anyway. Why would I want to put my burden on their families? They have their own lives to live.
Well, anyway. These are the thoughts that occasionally are going through my mind while I play online Scrabble, or plant spring bulbs outside. I remember when Audrey Hepburn was informed that she had only so long to live. She went outside and planted spring bulbs (much like the Bette Davis character did in "Dark Victory"), knowing she would never see them.
Geraldine Fitzgerald and Bette Davis in "Dark Victory" - the scene in which Bette's character realizes that she will die soon because she feels the heat from the sun on her hands as she is planting the bulbs but she realizes her sight is gone which was when the doctor told her she would die
Yep, that's me folks. The Drama Queen thinking the same thing while I'm planting my spring bulbs this year.
Today is a beautiful autumn day. I think I'll take Bill for a ride up to the Primehook Nature Reserve later today. Each day folks, I plan to make the most of it because I never know when I no longer will be able to do that. When I injured my leg this year and couldn't get around for weeks, that was a preview what my life would be like if I feel and broke my hip and was dependent on others just to live. Thank goodness Bill was here to take care of me and I didn't have to go into a rehab center for those eight weeks it took me to walk.
