Gary, Jim, Dan and I decided to live together our junior year. I didn’t know Dan very well but he was a high school friend of Gary’s and came with Gary’s reference. Jim was another resident of the sixth floor of Eldridge Hall. We were known better by our last names: Maher, Wilke, Walsh and …
Did You Get Any Lip?
“In the olden times”, as my granddaughter might call my college years, all of the dorms on Western’s campus were designated as being either male or female. Girls had to be in the dorm by 11:00 p.m. through the week and 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The guys had no restrictions. We came and …
Introducing Gary
Gary and Tim lived in the room next to Don and me in Eldridge Hall. We shared a wall. Don and my suitemates were Paul from Jackson and another guy from Gross Pointe. Gary, Tim, Don and I were freshmen. Paul was a transfer from Jackson Community College, and the guy from Gross Pointe …
Two Jacks
I was scheduled to attend the promotional land purchase program around 11:00 a.m. on Friday. I listened to the pitch with no intention of purchasing a piece of property but “the deal” was too much for me to resist. It was the “opportunity of a lifetime” and only cost $26.00 a month. The land speculators …
For Allyson Smith (and my Aunt Ruth)
Like many of my Facebook followers, Allyson wished Ruth and me “happy anniversary” this past Wednesday. We only met a few times over her 40 plus years. Our last communication was on-line a couple of years ago when her dad passed. We have only one thing in common, her parents, and especially her dad. So …
48
After Ruth and I married in the fall of 1971, we moved into my apartment with my roommate, Chuck. Since we eloped, we didn’t have much of an opportunity to consider our living arrangements until we were on the return trip from Vegas. I had recently moved into a new apartment, and Ruth had signed …
$1.19
I had my left knee replaced in 2015. The surgery went well and I have no regrets from having the procedure completed. One life-long change is the requirement to take a large dose of an antibiotic prior to each dental appointment. The drug that my doctor chose is Amoxicillin. I must take it one hour …
Back To School
This is the first week back to school for tens of thousands of students. For others its just “back” after a long week-end. Schools in Michigan have been having “first days back” for the past couple of weeks. It’s another one of those location – location deals. I started my career in education fifty …
I Went to a (Beer) Garden Party
Growing up in suburban Detroit, I occasionally heard my dad say that he was going to a beer garden. He wasn’t a big drinker, but I assumed that he liked a beer now and then. As I got older I learned that many beer gardens are outdoor areas where beer and local food are served. …
Two Tales
Read the Manual The 1970’s featured two oil crises. One was in 1973 and a second followed in 1979. As a result, gas prices escalated. While the diesel auto engine was put into production in the 1930’s, its popularity increased in the late 70’s and early 80’s in part because of the oil crisis. …