TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 - WAR

 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 - WAR 

One discussion point is that Vladimir Putin of Russia wants to restore the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (much better known as the USSR).  

“In late 1991, the leaders of three of the Union's founding and largest republics (the Russian SFSR, the Ukrainian SSR, and the Byelorussian SSR) declared that the Soviet Union no longer existed, and 11 more republics joined them shortly thereafter. Gorbachev had to resign his office as president and what was left of the parliament to formally acknowledge the Union's collapse as a fait accompli.”

Gorbachev was the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party at that time.  He (and other moderates) were trying to reform the county.  

Wikipedia says, “ It was an unintended result of General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev's effort to reform the Soviet political and economic system, in an attempt to end the Era of Stagnation.”

In a huge ‘empire-like’ country - there were eleven time zones. “The USSR was a multilingual state, with around 130 languages spoken natively. Discrimination based on language was illegal under the Soviet Constitution.” (Wikipedia) “Moscow is located fairly far west and Vladivostok is the best-known city in the far east, located in a natural harbor in the Sea of Japan. Driving across Russia from Moscow to Vladivostok will take at least 11 days on the road.”  (It is about 6000 miles - if you drive 600 miles in a day, it would be 10 days, but some of the roads are challenging (my term)).

Some of the older “hard-line” Russian politicians (like Putin) do remember the “glory days” (my term) of the Soviet Union - the first satellite (Sputnik), the space race, and even the Cold War.  The reason that Gorbachev was “too soft” and too willing to break the Soviet Union apart along traditional states.  “Build us back - better and stronger” might be their thought. 

So, Russias plan to ‘invade’ Ukraine fits well with the sentiment of the hard-line leaders.  And, in my reading, a minority (but a large enough minority) of Ukrainians also remember those “glory days”.  

****

But, again in my reading and understanding, most Ukrainians like being separated from Moscow's (aka “Russia”) rule.  

An invasion will probably bring deaths.  I am not a proponent of hatred and deaths in the name of political unity.  But, I also hate to see the United States send military forces to stop such an event. 

To me, the world would be better if we stopped and listened to each other.  An old list suggests not to covet your neighbor's things (including farms, fields, and factories).  Can an alliance be made that will satisfy Putin?  Can Putin and Russia realize that the old Soviet Union has dissolved and “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t put Humpty Dumpty (or the Soviet Union) together again?”

War is not a solution in most cases.  The view of a justified war might have fit for World War II (not World War I).  Vietnam might not have been justified (I am not an expert), but Korea might have been justified.  

*****

Around the globe war, civil war, disagreements, fighting still occur.  Famine and drought are killing thousands in Ethiopia.  Religious skirmishes are hurting Nigeria and other places.  Hatred of the “infidels” (or hating the refugees, or hating the liberals or hating the conservatives, or hating blacks or Asians or Jews or <you name it> still exits.  

I have shared this story before.

Now about 10 years ago, four professors met at one of their houses for dinner.  The group had an American and a Russian; a Hindu and a Muslim from the Indian subcontinent. 

The American (me) and the Russian (Andrei) were pawns in the Cold War - we were each indoctrinated that the other side was evil.  

The Indian (Ramesh) and Bangelishi (Mohammed) were part of the great split of the Indian nation into India, East and West Pakistan (and East Pakistan is now Bangladesh).  We had a delightful evening together - sometimes sharing stories of the world as we knew it.  

Ramesh recalled with some horror how people he knew (Hindis) shot at the trains carrying the Muslims to their new nation.  I recalled the Cold War bomb drills in school where we huddled in the basements of schools or under our desks.  

Robert Frost, American Poet Laurate wrote:

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Maybe I (as a Pollyanna and idealist) am hoping that the world will not end, but people can join hand-in-hand and learn to love one another.  As my spiritual upbringing says “We are all made in the image and likeness of God.’

Love Wins!!

Karen

February 1st, 2022

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022 TET OFFENSIVE

 MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022 TET OFFENSIVE

War is an interesting proposition.  Why we go to war is a tough call.  Because of injustices?  Because of hatred?  Because of unjust rulers?  

VIETNAM:

History of Indochina.  The various nations in the 19th century wanted to spread their “ownership” over a lot of areas.  The slogan “The sun never sets on the British Empire was true, with columns in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Canada, and Caribbean islands.  Spain had colonies in South and Central America.  Portugal had Brazil and Angola (and others).  Germany came late to the colony area (largely because of its lack of unity.  France claimed Indochina - or Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.  

The French were fighting in Vietnam to maintain their colonial power and to regain their national pride after the humiliation of World War II. The U.S. government had an interest in the conflict in Indochina from the end of World War II until the mid-1950s when France found itself fighting against a communist insurgency led by Ho Chi Minh.

Throughout the early 1950s, the Viet Minh forces made significant gains. In May 1954, the French suffered a military defeat at Dien Bien Phu and negotiations began to end the conflict.

Following the French withdrawal from Indochina, the solution put in place established a communist government in North Vietnam and a democratic government in South Vietnam. The Americans began supporting the South Vietnamese with political and military advisers in the late 1950s.

*****

American Involvement:

“The U.S. entered the Vietnam War in an attempt to prevent the spread of communism, but foreign policy, economic interests, national fears, and geopolitical strategies also played major roles.”  

The American foreign policy of the 1950s/1960s followed the division of the Cold War - US versus Russia / Capitalism (and free enterprise) against (Godless) Communism.  When North Vietnam as a Communist country wanted to unite Vietnam (into one Communist country), the United States balked.  Similar to when North Korea invaded South Korea, the United States (and others) fought the Korean War (which in some respects continued yet today).

The Domino Theory held that communism would spread if Vietnam became communist. 

• Some other factors:
  The anti-communist sentiment at home influenced foreign policy views.

• The Gulf of Tonkin incident appeared to be a provocation for war.

• As the war continued, the desire to find an "honorable peace" was motivation to keep troops in Vietnam.

But things changed with an incident in the summer of 1964.

American naval forces in the Gulf of Tonkin, on the coast of Vietnam, reported being fired upon by North Vietnamese gunboats. There was an exchange of gunfire, though disputes about what exactly happened and what was reported to the public have persisted for decades.

*****

In March 1965, President Johnson ordered U.S. Marine battalions to defend the American airbase at Da Nang, Vietnam. It marked the first time combat troops were inserted into the war. The escalation continued throughout 1965, and by the end of that year, 184,000 American troops were in Vietnam. In 1966, the troop totals rose again to 385,000. By the end of 1967, American troop totals peaked in Vietnam at 490,000.

The Johnson administration began a series of airstrikes against targets in North Vietnam. It was assumed by Johnson’s advisers that air attacks alone would cause the North Vietnamese to negotiate an end to armed conflict. That did not happen.

So, despite protests that said “Why are we sending out American “boys” to fight in the jungles of Vietnam?”, policy leaders decided that we (the United States) needed to stop the spread of the Communist philosophy.  

It was a line in the sand - don’t spread communism - or we (the United States and our Allies) will come after you!!!  

*****

On this date in 1968, the Tet Offensive began.  

The Tet holiday is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.  The Tet festival often occurs at the end of January or the beginning of February. It is the longest holiday in Vietnam.  

In 1967, the North Vietnamese leadership vigorously debated how to move forward with the war. While some in the government advocated taking a defensive approach and opening negotiations, others called for pursuing a conventional military path to reunify the country. Having sustained heavy losses and with their economy suffering under the American bombing campaign, the decision was made to launch a large-scale offensive against US and South Vietnamese forces. This approach was justified by the belief that South Vietnamese troops were no longer combat effective and that the American presence in the country was highly unpopular. The leadership believed that the latter issue would incite a mass uprising across South Vietnam once the offensive began. Dubbed the General Offensive, General Uprising, the operation was scheduled for the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday in January 1968.       

The Tet Offense was a success,  The war had become controversial back in the United States.  And, eventually, lead to the downfall of the South Vietnam government and the reunification of Vietnam.

So, fifty-some years later what do we think?

Should there be a worldwide police force - taking care of bullies, and corrupt governments?  Should it be us?

There are a lot of bullies in the world, there are a lot of corrupt governments.  Which ones are worth our involvement?

As the world watches the Russia/Ukraine situation, and as America discusses what we could or should do there.  After attempting to get rid of the bullies in Afghanistan (and pulling out with a bloody nose), what is our (United States) role?  

Tough questions

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

January 31, 2022

SUNDAY FUNDAY - JANUARY 30, 2022

 SUNDAY FUNDAY - JANUARY 30, 2022

WARM-UP

This is the last Thursday in January, February is around the corner (as is Valentine’s Day).  We are over 1/3rd of the way through winter, the sun is getting up earlier, and setting later.

REMEMBERING MY FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE

Many of us went to college. I was terrified that I would not make it academically and I would come back to my parents - washed out - and have to live in their basement the rest of my life.

I went off to college in the fall of 1965 - with maybe the biggest group then - the Baby Boomers.  Boomers were those born after World War II.  Dad (in many cases), came home from the war and wanted to forget the evil of warfare.  BOOM - cities exploded, schools were built, more roads, more people.  The 1950s saw the Eisenhower Interstate System, television, the Cold War, and the Space Race.

I went from Iowa to Minnesota to go to college.  My older sister was at a private college in Iowa, my parents didn’t have the money to support me, so my paper route savings and summer jobs helped me get through college.

I was in a freshman mens’ dorm - Proctor Hall.  It was an old dorm - wood floors, wood staircases, and none of the modern amenities.  I was on the third floor (no elevators), with a common restroom/shower.  There was a lounge room on the floor, but as the semester started, it was a bedroom with six guys (three bunk beds).  Every dorm floor had the same problem - fitting all the Baby Boomers in, By the first of October, the room was a lounge again - as kids dropped out.

There was one telephone on the floor, in the middle of the hallway across from the shower room.  It would generally ring until somebody answered it.  My room was close to the phone and after about ten rings, I would go answer it.  Of course, it was for some kid at the other end of the hallway, so I’d go there and knock, and generally, the kid wouldn’t be there.  Back to the phone and politely say “Bob doesn’t seem to be in”. They (probably parents) would ask me to take a message (ouch), so I’d have to go back to my room to get a pad and pencil to take the note - and then slide it under Bob’s door.  You learned NOT to answer the phone - as it would take 15 minutes away from studying.

*****

I studied.  I prepared a grid (long before spreadsheets) of when I had class and when I studied.  There was a suggestion for each hour in class, you need to study for three hours.  And, I did.  I read the textbooks.  For my math class, I did every problem in the lesson set and went back and did them again.  (Yes, I did “ace” my math class and was a math major).  I studied every night and even more so on the weekends.  No dates, no fun, just study!!!

I would be asked to go to the games, the movies, to watch television, and other activities and I would say “No, I have to study”. But, all work and no play worked out well as I got great grades that fall semester and learned how to study.  (I graduated with high honors and eventually went on for a master’s and Ph.D.).

College was way different than high school.  Professors (as I learned well later) were kind of unique.  My introduction to political science professor almost put me to sleep every class period.  My history professor wore the same tie day after day.  My math professor had the initials DOM - which I thought was “Doctor of Mathematics”, but he told the class it was for “dirty old man”. 

There were many kids in that dorm that lasted a year and flunked out.  Some lasted a semester and while the college would give them a second semester, Mom and Dad didn’t give them that much time.  

My parents were strict and I never had an alcoholic drink before college.  I remember going out with two friends who did get drunk and I tucked them in - each with a wastebasket for vomiting (and they did).  But, by the second semester, I did learn to let down my hair.

I had a roommate from a small Minnesota town and the first night he set his alarm clock.  The next morning, the radio came on at full blast - playing “On Wisconsin” (on a Minnesota station - but Wisconsin was just across the Mississippi river).  

The girls’ dorms had hours - where they had to be in the dorm by 9:00 p.m. on weeknights and 11:00 p.m. on weekends - with special permission.  Guys didn’t have such hours as, seemingly, once the girls had to be in, the guys would come back to the dorm too.  But, Minnesota was a state where 18-year-olds could drink weak (3.2%) beer, so many found the beer joints.

But, the highlight (maybe) was that in the second semester - POW, BANG, ZING - Batman was on television - and I found I could spare a half-hour a week standing in the back of the TV lounge watching Batman.  (Standing because it was the campus rage, and “everybody” watched Batman!!!

*****

At the time, it was a regular process.  I’m glad the world (and college education) has changed!!!

******

PUZZLER

A haircut in Horse Town (this comes from the “Car Talk” show on NPR years ago where they featured a puzzler weekly).

A man is driving across the Nevada desert when he decides he needs a haircut immediately!!  (Maybe he is driving to a wedding and didn’t have time to get it done before jumping in the car).

He pulls off the road into “Horse Town” - where he discovered there are two barbers on the main street (then, he could have stopped in a phone booth and looked in the yellow pages!!).  

He looks in the window of the first barbershop - and it is messy.  There are no customers, the barber’s hair is messy, he has a poorly kept beard, there are piles of hair on the floor and the barber has a dirty shirt on.

The second barbershop also has no customers.  But it is neat and orderly.  The barber’s hair is well-groomed.  The floor is clean, the mirrors are polished.  

When barbershop does he choose?

(Answer at bottom)

*****

MUSIC

Top songs from this week in 1958

At the Hop (Danny and the Juniors)

Get a Job ( Silhouettes )

Short shorts (who wears short shorts) (The Royal teens)

Don’t (Elvis)

Sail Along Silvery Moon (Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra)

But, also on the list - The Stroll, Sugartime, Great Balls of Fire, Peggy Sue

*****

TOP SONGS FROM THIS WEEK IN 1962

Walk Right In (The Rooftop Singers)

Hey Paula (Paul And Paula)

The Night Has A Thousand Eyes (Bobby Vee)

Go Away Little Girl(Steve Lawrence)

It’s Up To You (Rick Nelson)

Up On The Roof(The Drifters)

*****

TOP SONGS FROM THIS WEEK IN 1967

I’m A Believer (The Monkees)

Georgy Girl (The Seekers)

Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron (The Royal Guardsmen)

Tell It Like It Is (Aaron Neville)

Kind Of A Drag (The Buckinghams)

*****

TOP SONGS FROM THIS WEEK IN 1972

American Pie (Don Mclean)

Brand New Key (Melanie)

Let’s Stay Together (Al Green

Sunshine(Jonathan Edwards)

Day After Day (Badfinger)

*****

TOP SONGS FROM THIS WEEK IN 1977

Car Wash (Rose Royce)

I Wish (Stevie Wonder)

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing (Leo Sayer)

New Kid In Town (Eagles)

Torn Between Two Lovers (Mary Macgregor)

*****

WRAP-UP

Last Thursday in January, college football is over and college basketball has about six weeks until “March Madness” - NCAA tournament.  The National Football League is heading for the Super Bowl on February 13th.  You should be getting your tax information and working on your taxes.

The FireAnts Granny Basketball team has a tournament on Saturday, February 5th.    The Fire Ants have a home game on February 15th at 2:00.  

Valentine’s Day is February 14th.

Have a great end to January 2022!!

*****

Puzzler answer - he went to the barber with the messy hair - since he cut the other barber’s hair neatly!!!

*****

Karen

Thursday, January 27, 2022then

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022 SATURDAY STORY

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022 SATURDAY STORY

This is a work of fiction

*****

“GRANNY DOWN”.  

The feared cry came from the frontcourt.  “Granny Down” stopped all action immediately.  

The first question was “who is it”, which came quickly.  Julie Bowen, our lead scorer was down and grimacing in pain.  

We have two nurses on our team (or, more correctly, two retired nurses).  Lynn Price was first to get to Julie.  (Lynn had been in the backcourt).  Getting on her knees, Lynn knelt over Julie and asked what happened.  I was on the bench at the time.

Seemingly Julie had tripped over her own feet as she made a move to the basket.   Another lady from the “Shooting Stars” came over and knelt beside Julie as well.  From her mannerisms, I figured she was a nurse as well.  (I was wrong - she was a retired orthopedic doctor).  

Within a few minutes, two of the staff from the Georgetown Recreation Center were there as well.  Did we need an emergency medical technician or an ambulance? But, with three people lifting, Julie got up - with some obvious pain.  The trio helped her to a chair on the sidelines where the orthopedic doctor (I learned later her name was Shirley Moore) was gently prodding Julie's leg.  “Does that hurt?”  “How about there?” The grimace on Julie’s face was feedback to the doctor.  But, she seemed okay.  Maybe a sprained ankle or sore foot, but probably nothing broke.

Shirley said “I think she might need an x-ray.  I think somebody can help her to the emergency room.”  

Julie responded, “I’m okay.  Just let me sit for a few minutes.  Then I might have somebody take me for an x-ray.  I’m generally in the St. David’s system and that is closer”. Julie got to her feet with help from the rec center staff.  She took a few tentative steps - then ambled to the sidelines and took a chair.  It seemed as if she would be okay.  Julie waved off the help - and said to the other ladies “Finish the game.  I’ll be okay”. (What a trooper!!)

*****

The Fire ants were having a good day over the Shooting Stars and going into the last quarter were up by ten points.  I was the substitute for Julie at forward for the last half the period and had six points and Judy Howard was my forward teammate.  The defense was collapsing on me, and I knew where Judy would be.  A quick outlet pass to Judy - and bingo - two more points for the Fire Ants.  

But, it was about the same at the other end - we’d go ahead by twelve and the Shooting Stars would cut it back to ten.  With a minute to go, our coach, Rhonda Lassen called a timeout and we did some substituting and stalled.  Final score, Fire Ants 54, Shooting Stars 46.  (Any victory over the Shooting Stars was good!)

*****

Granny Basketball is a newer version of the old-time girl’s basketball rules.  There are three sections of the floors - frontcourt, middle court, backcourt - with two players from a team in each section.  Players cannot leave their section.  Forwards are the only players who can score points.  Three fouls and a player fouls out.  If a player in the backcourt is fouled, one of the forwards will get to shoot the free throws.  There is no running or jumping.  And, for official games, we wear bloomers and tops with our numbers on a back ‘bib’.  No flesh can show except hands and feet.  We get our hands inspected to make sure our nails are trimmed as we don’t want to inadvertently scratch another player.  

Because we are all over 50 (and on my team, the Georgetown Fire Ants we average about 70 years of age), safety to the players is supreme.  “Granny Down” - is maybe the highest command.  Basically - stop play and take care of the player who is down.  

Granny Basketball is great exercise and encourages good sportsmanship. And, it seems to be maybe one of the only team sports senior women can play.  

*****

I stopped by Julie at the end of the game and pulled up a chair.  Julie and I were friends and had coffee every other week.  Both of us had been educators.  Julie had been a principal and then an assistant superintendent; and I had been a professor and at one time a dean. 

Others stopped by and said “Good Game”, and “Hope you are better soon” to Julie.  Shirley Moore stopped by and knelt before her and checked out Julie’s leg.  She looked at me and then at Julie and said “Something just doesn’t seem right.”  Turning to me,she said, “Could you take her to get it checked?”.  I said, “Yes”.  

When the throng had thinned, Julie whispered to me.  “I feel awful.  Could you take me to the St. David’s Emergency Room?”

I asked Coach Rhoda to help me get Julie out to the curb and I ran to get my car.  Rhonda helped her in and we made the trip to St. David’s Emergency Room - avoiding Austin avenue as the after-school traffic was picking up.  St. Davids was well located on Scenic Drive overlooking the South San Gabriel River canyon.

At St. Davids, I pulled in the Emergency driveway double-parked by the entrance and turned on my blinkers.   I went in and asked the first person I met with a St. David’s shirt to help me.  

We got Julie out of the car and into a wheelchair.  The St. David person got her in the door and I ran out to move the car out of the Emergency Entrance.

*****

By the time I got the car parked and back inside, there was a large commotion. Julie had passed out in the wheelchair, and they were rushing her into a room.  

The emergency room receptionist called me over to her window.  I was asked if I was a relative, and I said ‘no’.  They then asked ‘is there a relative closeby?  Julie’s husband had died three years ago, and while she might have mentioned a sister or cousin, I wasn’t remembering well.  Was there a child?  A sister? Did they need a relative to be with her?  I was a good friend and we had done some things together as friends.  Was I good enough to help?

Three medical staff ran down the hall towards the room they had moved her.  What was going on?  The desk receptionist had turned her back on the emergency waiting room and was frantically on the phone.  Again, I wondered what was going on?

*****

Twenty minutes, thirty minutes, an hour, an hour-and-one-half - I sat in the emergency waiting room.  After 45 minutes I went to the window to ask the receptionist what was going on.  

The answer took me by surprise.  “You’re not related to the lady are you?” My answer was no.  “Then I can’t tell you by HIPAA standards.”  

I understand privacy standards.  As a professor I was bound by FERPA and couldn’t disclose private information without written authorization.  I also know that they can get around some things.  The only person who might know more about Julie was Rhonda Lassen.  I called Rhonda and explained the situation.  

I said to Rhonda. “I brought Julie into the emergency room, she passed ouit, and they haven’t told me anything.  They say they can only talk to the family.  Does Julie have family in the area?”

Rhonda listened and answered quietly.  “Julie and her husband had one son - Jeffrey Bowen.  I don’t know exactly why Julie and Jeff are estranged, but they are.  He lives here in Georgetown.  He would be her closest relative if the hospital needs more information.  I’ll come out in about two hours - I have some tax reports that I have to finish tonight.”  (Rhonda was a CPA and almost every free minute not doing granny basketball was spent helping people do their taxes.

Rhonda looked up Jeff Bowen’s information on her phone and gave the information to me.  

I went to the emergency room desk receptionist with the information.  

I said, “My friend, Julie Bowen, that I brought in a couple of hours ago does have a son in Georgetown.  But, Julie and her son are estranged and haven’t talked to each other in some time.” I was thinking of my ace in the hole - if I really needed information, I’d have Rhonda call in saying she was Julie’s sister.  So, I added, “I think she has a sister in the area if Jeff doesn’t want to see his mother.”

I gave the name and phone number to the emergency room desk receptionist and sat down.  I could barely overhear her calling Jeff Bowen to talk about his mother.  

*****

Another thirty minutes.  I’m glad I kept my charger in my purse - as I started to play games in the waiting room.  Julie and I had four games of Words With Friends going.  I had picked a seat near the door so I could see Jeff Bowen when he came in.  Julie was 71, so I figured Jeff would be in his 40s.  I was trying to guess what he might look like.  Julie was a taller lady - so if Jeff had her genetics, he should be tall.  I’m not sure why, but I was guessing a beard - may be even a reddish beard.  

The door opened and a taller male entered - alone.  (And, had a reddish beard - my brain said this was Jeff).  He had on jeans and a blue work shirt that said “Jeff”.

The man went to the reception window and I heard him say “I’m Jeff Bowen.  Somebody called me and told me my mother was here and might die”. (I gasped at that statement).

The receptionist smiled and said, “Can I see some form of identification, Mr. Bowen?” 

Jeff pulled out his wallet and dug out his driver’s license.  The receptionist said, “Thank you.  Please take a seat and someone will be out in a few minutes to get you”.

I don’t know if it was good or bad luck, but Jeff sat down two seats from me (and the seat in between was empty).  And, I don’t know if I should have kept my mouth shut or not, but I decided I should talk to this man.

“Hello”, I started, “I’m Karen White and I play granny basketball with your mother”.

He looked like he was a little upset - getting called to the emergency room from his job, to see his mother that he had seen for quite a while, and there was some lady that supposedly was a friend of his mother trying to make conversation.  I thought he might want to get up and sit someplace else.

“I’m Jeff Bowen”, he said.  (I waited to hear something like ‘good to meet you‘, or ‘thanks’, or anything - but no, Jeff Bowen in the St. David’s Hospital waiting room was not a talkative person).

So, I continued.  “I brought your mother in.  We had a game today and she fell.  But as we got here she passed out.  I don’t really know what is going on.”  (I was thinking I could add ‘do you know more why she is dying?’ - but I didn’t ask).

Surprisingly, Jeff Bowen nodded and said “Thank you for bringing her in.”  

I replied, “You’re welcome”.  And, promptly he opened his phone and called somebody.

I listened in as he spoke on his phone.

“Hi, Mike, It looks like I’ll be here at the hospital with my mother.  It seems as if she is dying.  So, I don’t know when I’ll be back at the shop”.  There was some dialogue between Jeff and the other person (who must have been Mike). And then he hung up.

Turning to me, he said, “I needed to let them know at work that I’d be gone.  I’m a city electrician”.

“Good to meet you, Jeff”, I replied.  “I’m a retired teacher and I’ve known your mom for about three years at Granny Basketball.”.  In a softer tone, I added, “She is one of our best players”.

Jeff smiled.  But, about then, a door on the other side of the waiting room opened and a nurse stood there and said “Is Jeff Bowen here?”.

Jeff got up and then went with the nurse.

***** 

<Here we are quite a ways into a story and it is getting long - so, I’ll finish this next week.  And, I’m piggybacking on another friend with a similar story - my friend MM from Connecticut>

LOVE WINS.  But, can love win over a long separation between mother and son?  Is Julie really dying?  What is going on?  Can I be a friend to her and her son?  Stay tuned for next Saturday’s story!!

Karen

Saturday, January 29, 2022