Wrap Up Of 2024

It’s that time of year to wrap up 2024.  It was an interesting year, especially when it came to the topic of health….my health of course.

January was a continuation of December 2023 since I was not yet recovered from my dog bite.  On December 11 I was attacked by a dog who thought I might make an excellent lunch treat.  Luckily the owner was on hand, and in my opinion, saved mylife.  Was in the hospital for 9 days, flew home on December 21 and the next day met with a wound care doc.  I was under his care until mid-January.  Luckily there were no long-term consequences, except to have a really ugly scar on my right leg.

February found Pete and I out at the Manor House in Mason for a Blues Fest.  Very good and very interesting…. they had two large rooms set up with stages so two different groups could be playing at the same time.  Each group had about 45 

minutes, and then a new group would take the stage.  A room in-between featured a nice array of food.  It was a lovely evening.

March had the feel of spring in the air….and our birdies seconded the motion.  We have a wreath by the front door and for a long time it got little attention.  This year a 

house wren had other intentions.  She and her partner built a nest and then laid eggs there.  About 4 weeks later we had 5 little birdies happily chirping away. I watched them grow and then fledged.  All 5 made it to maturity and now live somewhere in the neighborhood.

Bonnie, Susan, Deb and I got together to plan our annual golf outing to Fairfield Glade, TN at Maggiano’s…yum, yum!

April found us at Kristin Sampsell’s surprise 40^th birthday party.  She is a first cousin

one time removed… her mother Gayle Burroughs and I are first cousins on the Hallsted side.  It was a great party, but I suspect Kristin wasn’t that surprised. 

A few days later found us at Great American Ball Park for a Reds game.  Gayle and I along with Kristin and another friend try to do this 2-3 times a season.  This time, because of the birthday party, we had Lisa, Gayle’s sister, up from Florida for the party, to join us.  A great way to spend the afternoon!!!  And the Reds won!!!

For May our foursome made our annual trip to TN for a 6-day golf outing.  Been doing this trip for almost 20 years.  We play 5 courses over the 6 days and exhaust ourselves quickly from 18 holes each day.  This year provided us with a little 

additional excitement, one evening we were warned of a tornado watch and advised to seek shelter in a bathroom.  We did, a little crowded, but no tornado, thank God!!!

Then, back to the health issues, I had my first Mohs surgery for a cancer lesion on the top of my head.  Not a big deal, time consuming, yes, but nothing traumatic.  My 

dermatologist keeps harping on me about all my skin cancer lesions.   She hears the same comment from me every time….”raised in Florida before sun screen, red headed, fair skinned, what can I say?”

To finish off the month we got to watch Eli, our middle grandson, be promoted out of his IT Program at Grant Technical School.  He didn’t officially graduate as he was just a sophomore at the school.  He’ll move on from that program into a welding program during his junior year.

And then of course, there is always baseball!!!  I love baseball, especially when either Eli or Teddy are playing.  I miss Alex playing, he was a great player also, but unfortunately, once he graduated from high school, his nose got stuck on a computer screen and that’s pretty much the only thing he does…. both professionally and in his spare time.

June found Pete and I out on a date night at the Ludlow Garage for a concert by the Tommy James & the Shondells.  Ran into Amy Meyer and her husband Greg Johnson.  Amy and I used to work together at Ethicon Endo Surgery.  It was great fun running into them.

It was the first time I’d been back to the Ludlow Garage since probably the early 1970’s.  The Garage is a premier small venue concert hall and the first place I ever attended a concert, seeing Johnny Winters.  Brought back lots of old memories   

Another annual event happens every June.  Deb and I head out for the annual Nature

Center Garden Tour.  It’s an all-day event where we get to see 10-12 beautiful gardens spaced out around the city.  The photos don’t begin to do it justice.

Every once in a while, I take off on my own for an adventure.  This month it was to the Cincinnati Museum Center for the Pompeii Exhibit.  Wow, that was an incredible 

exhibit.  Just the fact that all those items have been found and preserved is extraordinary.  I would love to go to the site in person, just to see it. 

The end of the month Pete and I headed downtown for a Buddy Guy concert.  Pete is a huge Blues fan and been a big fan of Buddy’s for as long as I’ve known him…35+ years.  It was Buddy’s last tour, due to age and it was a really awesome program.

July was another Reds game with Gayle and Kristin.  A beautiful day that was lots of fun.

August was the ending of grandson Baseball, but the beginning of grandson Football…. good thing I grew up in a sports-oriented family.  I get into all these games.  Unfortunately, Teddy didn’t get to play right away because during football preseason practice a teammate head-butted (with his helmet on) his left arm and he ended up in a cast.  He is a left-handed kid, so that made things tough.

Went out to Lebanon for the second time in a couple of years to witness the release of Monarch butterflies by the Lebanon Garden Club.  It is such a cool thing to watch them take off for Mexico.  It was hard to catch them on camera, but they were everywhere!!!

In August I went to a couple of Cely’s volleyball games.  Cely is Eli’s girlfriend and a wonderful new addition to the family.  (Not officially of course!) but she and Eli make a darling couple.  Eli’s football team had a fairly good season.  They lost some crucial senior players and so had a little more of a struggle this year than in the past.

While Teddy’s arm was still in a cast, he got permission to play soccer, so between 

football games for Eli and Teddy and soccer games for Teddy…. this grandma is a busy girl.

September we had to bite the bullet and finally have some trees taken down, two inthe front yard and 1 in the back.  All 3 had a variety of problems. 

Later in the month Sally Kenrick and her husband came to town for a visit.  Sally is a first cousin to my Dad, the child of Dad’s Mom youngest brother.  Got that??  We spent a few hours in Blanchester visiting family gravesites.

The end of the month saw the annual Perry Park Golf Trip, 3 days of golf in Kentucky with a bunch of friends.  Weather was perfect although some damage was visible from hurricane Helena.

October saw the official beginning of Bethel-Tate football season with a Homecoming parade.  Cely was an escort for a Homecoming King candidate and Teddy was on a float for his football team.  Cely and Eli went to the Homecoming Dance together.  This month Pete spent some time chopping up the wood from the 3 fallen trees and stacking it up to season.  Should be able to sell it in a year or so.

Pete and I took off for Kate and John’s, our first visit since COVID.  We arrived Thursday night and since they have school and work on that Friday, we headed for a 9-hour train ride, that was a little too long.  Only so much gawking out the window you can do comfortably.  On Saturday we took the family out for a boat tour on the Tennessee River.  That was a nice 4-hour trip.   

And then there was another Mohs surgery for skin cancer, this time on my nose.  A few months before I had notice what looked like a pimple on my nose.  Problem was it didn’t act like a pimple and it kept growing rather quickly.  Dermatologist finally did a 

biopsy and sure enough, another skin cancer.  Surgery went pretty much as the one on my head, but I didn’t anticipate the aftermath, two black -eyes and 2 very swollen eyes.  I was an ugly mess for a couple of weeks, but luckily it has healed nicely.

November I found my way to the Cincinnati Art Museum to participate in a “See the Read” program.  Very cool.  Participants read in advance an assigned book, then meet at the Museum like a book club.  After discussing the book you tour a section of the museum that relates to the book.  The book was “The Art Thief” a true story of a young man in France who made a career of stealing art from European museums, not to sell for his own benefit, but to store in his home to create his own museum. He is currently in jail for his crimes.

Mid-November Pat and I headed to the Krohn’s Conservatory.  Been a while since I’ve been there.  Lots of changes…used to be a donation entrance fee, now a set $10.  The wonderful gift shop they used to have is now almost nothing in a hidden location…. not sure what they were thinking on that one.  But, as always, the display was delightful and helped ignite the holiday spirit.

Thanksgiving rolled around and as usual Kate and John came to town and Josh 

brought the boys for our Thanksgiving meal.  It was over way too fast.

We kicked December off with a treat to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I don’t know why I’ve always wanted to see that group, but unfortunately it turned out not to be so great.  First off, due to the fire at the I-275 bridge, the traffic downtown was a nightmare.  When we finally got parked, and after standing in line waiting for the doors at the Coliseum to open, as we approached the door, I was told my purse was too large to take inside.  What???!!!  It was one of my smallest purses, but evidentially not small enough. We had to walk all the way back to the car, drop off the purse, walk all the way back, wait in line again (gladly it was moving since the doors were now open) and finally got inside.  Then the seats were very tiny and very tightly packed.  It was hard even for me, but for Pete he was crammed into the seat like sardines in a can.

The music was awful….the first half was some goofy story about a little girl.  Kinda like being at an opera.  Did not capture me at all.  We left at intermission.  Oh well, now I know.

Basketball season opened and for the first time in many years Teddy (#25) joined the Bethel-Tate Middle School team.  The season has not gone well for him.  First off, before he even made the team, he broke a bone near his ankle and that messed up

the preseason practice sessions for him.  Then, when the games started and he could play, his teammates will not pass him the ball.  He’s playing guard, which I don’t think he quite gets yet.  I’m hoping he will try again next year, just to get the experience under his belt.

John and Makinley went to a Bengals game when they played the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.  We never found them on TV, but John passed along some photos.

Then one night as we were watching the evening news we learned of a Christmas

Light Fight local winner in Batavia.  I drug Pete out of the house and we found the house.  Wow….those people have a lot of energy for Christmas lights.

Christmas day was quiet.  Josh and the boys came over for our annual brunch.  Opened gifts and then off they went to their next stop of the day.

As I post this it is December 31, 2024.  End of another year!  Pete and I have an early dinner reservation at Eddie Merlot’s…one of the most expensive restaurants in Cincinnati.  Will let you know how that goes.  Until then….HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

THE LOST TRADITION

 

So, it’s that time of the year….Christmas has come and gone and New Year’s is just on the horizon.  And I am looking back over the last couple of Christmases.  Hmmmmm.

For a couple of years now Christmas cards are getting fewer and fewer and that fact makes me sad.  Yes, I know they are expensive to send out and maintain the lists, but, geeze I sure do miss them.  I have an unreasonable love of Christmas cards.  I love sending them out and I love receiving them….they just help get me in the Christmas mood!!!

There was a time, not so long ago, that I sent out over 100 cards every Christmas.  I have a routine, every Thanksgiving weekend I prepare my cards, sign them, address them, stamp them and then hold on to them until the first week in December to send out.  And it is usually about the time I start receiving cards, usually the first one from my cousin, Terry Lynn. 

Most of the cards go to my extended family and good friends, but I do have a couple of odd balls in there.  For example….I used to own a consignment clothing store.  One of my regular customers was a young woman who was a student at the University of Cincinnati.  She shopped regularly enough that we became friends.  She eventually graduated from UC, moved back to her home state of Michigan, got married, started her family, got divorced and carried on.  Through all that, we always exchanged Christmas cards.  The last time I saw her was at her wedding, probably 25 years ago.

Then there is Debbie.  She and I shared an office when we worked at Hoxworth Blood Center.  She was the admin assistant to the Director; I was the admin assistant to the Administrator.  There was a lot of drama in those positions that brought us close together.  She was married, but without children.  Her husband got transferred to Miami, Florida for his job and we have been exchanging cards since 1988.  Haven’t seen her since. 

Finally, there is Mrs. James.  In 1974 I was living in Fairbanks, Alaska and working for the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Law Enforcement.  My boss was this awesome guy, Red James.  He is no doubt my all-time favorite boss.  I left Alaska in 1975 I moved to Guam and shortly after Red divorced his wife, remarried, moved from Fairbanks, to Tok Junction and carried on.  Every year we always exchanged Christmas cards.  A few times, on return visits, we would reunite.  Eventually, in the early 2000’s I learned that Red had passed.  That year in my Christmas card I asked his widow, whom I have never met, if I could continue to send her cards and stay in touch.  She said sure. 

So you can see, I love sending Christmas cards…..and I really, really miss not receiving them like I used to.  I understand, I get it….but still….I really, really miss them.

FAREWELL TO AN ERA

On June 20, 2018 a new era started for TV drama.  That is the date that Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” first aired.  I didn’t catch on at first, but soon enough I was hooked.  Six years later, December 15, 2024, the era has ended.   I know, I know, there was “1883” and there is “1923” and according to rumor, there will be another spin off with Rip and Beth.  And while each of the others can/could stand on their own, “Yellowstone” gives all the others a depth and context they could not possibly have on their own. 

Now I will admit that I am totally biased.  I rank “Yellowstone” among the top 3 TV dramas of all time.  The acting, the story line, the authenticity….I can’t name any other show that comes even close.  I have friends who are not anywhere hooked as I am.  One would not watch the show because she hated Beth.  Another would not watch because she considered all the characters evil.  My husband, who in his youth did do some ranching out west, said the show reminded him of “Dallas” (I can’t see that at all.)  So, within my circle of friends, as far as I know, I stand alone.  That’s fine, I will not back down, this show is totally awesome in my book.

Why you ask?  First off, I love Beth.  Yes, she was fierce.  A character strength you rarely see in female characters.  She protected her family, her heritage, her ranch with every fiber in her.  She was a genius when it came to business.  My favorite scene of all her scenes came in the next to last episode when she figures out what her brother, Kayce, is trying to tell her about saving the ranch.  As she walks away from the conversation, you see it finally dawn on her, what they can do to save themselves and the ranch.  Her acting was brilliant. 

I love Rip.  If only all of the females of the world could have a man like Rip who could love as he loves Beth.  He accepts and loves her just as she is, with all her flaws and is there for her, no matter what.  He never tries to reel her in, never tries to shut her down (except of course when she is on her way to Jamie’s house) he just sees the strength that is hers and thrives in it. 

I could say just as much about John, Kayce, Monica, Jamie, Tate, Carter, Lloyd and on and on, but Beth and Rip were the spine of the show, in my opinion. 

I don’t understand all the criticisms of Taylor Sheridan.  The folks who criticize his brief appearances …what’s the big deal?  They were brief, they were few and he wrote his character in in a way that worked, in my opinion.  Some have criticized how slowly new seasons came out and how many different projects he has going on at any one time.  What???  A guy who is super productive and brilliant, yeah, let’s complain about that. 

I loved that all the actors went through his cowboy school and learned how to ride horses, how to drive buckwagons, how to herd cattle…. whatever it took to make them as authentic as possible.  You go Taylor!!!

So, am I going to miss “Yellowstone”, you betcha!!  And yes, I sure do hope there is a Rip and Beth spinoff in the making….hopefully in my lifetime!!!!

THE PASSION OF READING

As most folks know, I love to read and I love history, so the combination of the two is of great interest to me.  Back on August 29, 2018 I shared a blog of how I am reading presidential biographies in chronological order – among other books.

In that writing I was complaining of the length and boredom of a James Monroe biography.  It was especially detailed to the point that I almost gave up on it…..something I rarely do.  The only book in recent memory that I have given up on was Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America.  I just couldn’t do it.  The style of the writing I couldn’t grasp and it was a VERY long book in which to have that as an issue.

However, I am writing today to share that I am currently reading a biography of FDR, which is very good and although long, I will finish it sometime in the near future.  When I started thinking about this post, I counted back how many presidential biographies I’ve read since my August 2018 whining about Munroe.  27 biographies, wow, I hadn’t been paying attention to the number at all!!!

I am quite proud of my accomplishment.  One more to go and I’ll reach Eisenhower who will be my first reading during the time of my life and a president I clearly remember.  I’m anxious to get to the point in the country’s history where I am a participant in the story.

I am also proud that I set a goal for myself, and if I live long enough, I will finish it.  It isn’t guaranteed that I will get all the biographies read, because in between the biographies, I have a shelf of books I’ve acquired over time, but never read, and I have a reading list of books that I want to read which currently totals 119 books….so, I take turns, read a biography book, then read a book from my shelf, then read a book from my reading list.  And recently, I added a new source of books by learning of a program at the Cincinnati Art Museum, called “See the Story”.  Six times a year the program meets, attendees have read an assigned book, they gather to discuss the book and then tour a section of the museum related to the book.

First book I read in the program was The Art Thief.  An excellent true story which I found riveting.  The discussion at the art museum was very good.  The tour left a little to be desired.  Next up is The Tiffany Girls.  A friend has already told me the book is excellent.  Can’t wait to get there, but have to get through FDR first!!!

SUNDAY MORNING

Every Sunday morning, I get out of bed before 9 AM to sit and watch “Sunday Morning” with Jane Pauley.  Sometimes I’m out of bed by 8:30, sometimes I’m out of bed by 8:59, but regardless I never miss “Sunday Morning”.

This past Sunday morning, December 1, the show, among other items, recognized December 1 as ‘World AIDS Day’.  Funny how the simplest things can ignite a flood of memories.  The day was designated on 12/1/1988 and I remember the era well.

From 1976-1989 I worked at the Paul I Hoxworth Blood Center, a division of the University of Cincinnati.  I started out as a clerk in HR, but gradually worked my way up to Assistant to the Director, at the time Tibor J. Greenwalt, MD.  He was something else.  Originally a child immigrant from Budapest during the time of Hitler.  His education led him to an MD degree specializing in blood research.  He landed at Hoxworth after his retirement from the American Red Cross Blood Division.  He was renowned in the field of blood research and was internationally known for his work in the field.  He was also a terror to work for, demanding, unforgiving, literally for many a tyrant.  His one saving grace in my opinion, was his work in training young blood bankers.  In that regard, he was kind and ever so patient.  Even with me, when I stalled out at finishing my undergraduate degree, he urged me on, until I finished.

He did have a quick temper.  That temper from the early 1980’s on focused in large part on the emerging publicity around AIDS.  As a researcher in blood, he adamantly denied any connection between AIDS and blood transfusions.  I never heard his entire argument in regard to denouncing the connection, but by 12/10/1982 when a baby in California died from AIDS transmitted via a transfusion, the evidence was becoming ever more evident.

     

Tibor J. Greenwalt, MD

Tibi (Tibor J.) traveled nationally and internationally to relevant medical meetings, and in short order he came to acknowledge the connection, and from that point on, every step imaginable was taken to protect the Hoxworth blood supply and the Greater Cincinnati community.

I left Hoxworth in 1989 and Dr. Greenwalt stepped down as Director and stayed at Hoxworth continuing in research.  He and his wife would occasionally invite me and his other favorite employee, Earl Walz, to their home for lovely evenings of dinner and visits.  He died on July 17, 2005 from congestive heart failure at the age of 91.  Still think of him often, and in my heart, thank him, for being who he was.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

 

This week, the week of Thanksgiving 2024, a very interesting event surfaced that was not planned or expected.  It began with one simple phone call.

I was sitting in my favorite chair, reading, when my phone rang.  It was my friend and golf partner, Deb.  We visited for a few minutes and then she asked…”Have you seen or talked to Judy in the last few days?”  I had not.  Deb shared that she had texted Judy the night before and left her a voice message this AM.  Judy had not responded.  This was unusual because Judy is typically very prompt in responding to either.  We discussed the situation for a few minutes and then I offered to call Pat, who is also a close friend.

Pat had not heard from Judy in a few days.  So, I called Cecelia while Pat called Bonnie.  No one had heard from Judy.  So, this launched a circle of concern.  Judy lives alone and quite a distance from the rest of us.  She has some health concerns, but nothing actually critical, but as I’ve said before, you just never know.

So, this launched about a 3-hour time of wondering where Judy was and if she was okay.  Bonnie offered to drive to Judy’s.  Cecelia ended up calling a colleague of Judy’s and I’m not sure, but she may have called the police.  Deb called Judy’s niece, who lives in the condo directly above Judy, but she drives a school bus and it was driving time so she couldn’t answer her phone.

Eventually we found her, safe and sound.  She had had a busy day, did not have her phone around her for the day and was totally surprised, and I think a little embarrassed, by the commotion we all created.

But there is a moral to this story, and a very large element of thankfulness.  She has a circle of friends who were looking out for her.  A circle of friends, who were concerned and took action.  What more could anyone ask for??

Happy Thanksgiving…..in a very real way.