United We Stand...

CHRISTINE: Hey!!!! Isn't it outrageous that, individuals we could use our "blog" to do anything we want. just think about it for a moment....what's that song, "oh you united we stand, divided we fall....."
exactly right!!!

I'll "blog" you guys soon :)

On the Road Again

SUZANNE: I have to take 3 or 4 lessons to drive. I've had two. I am so excited about it. I know I can drive.

I am driving a Buick Century right now, but my car when I get it fixed, it's going to be a Cadillac. It's not fixed yet for the driving.

Because my right leg can't work, I have to use my left leg on the accelerator & I can get that fixed either in Saddle Brook or Fairfield.

So next week probably I'll get the car fixed. I'm just going to drive around & this summer I would like to go to New Hampshire but I will see if I can do that long drive. It's about 4 1/2 hours.

I'm so excited!

Playing the Harmonica Again - Part 1

BILL: I don't remember what--- so long--- how many I do. I was pretty good with the harmonica. And I had an organ in my house. No, I don't even know where it went, because I can't remember. I played the harmonica. I think I was also with the guitar.

I have a case that I have some photographs. I can get about 10 or 12 different photographs of when I played different instruments. I can't even tell you what they are. I will bring them in and show you.

I remember in Macy's, I took one fellow, a friend, myself also, & we did the music together. I played harmonica. He played the same. They had like a stage & they had a business over there, where they had stores. We played in the place!

My daughter made me, would like to help me to try to make music. She wanted me to try & help me with it. I didn't have nobody else. She wanted me to go back to the harmonica. She started with me about 2 months, no, at least 3 months, and now I'm pretty good.

The harmonica, it's an old one. It was in a closet with coats & winter clothes & things.

I wanted to do. I am not good like yet I used to be do. But this song, "America," I use that to look at it, & it all came better, better. Now it's alright! It is easy song, now it is. I did it good! I will try to do more songs, & different.

You have to know what you're doing.
I'm not there yet, so I'm doin' it!

Our Improv Group

JIM: At this moment, it's a pretty good idea. It's important to know their names--- Jack, Jeannie, Gary, Pete, Dan, Don, Fred. And me. I am the coach, because I'm smart--- not yet, but already!
Let's do it this way, this thing, horses, no--- I forget what they call it...HATS! It's going to make it go that way. It's alive, it's me alone now. Immediately now, at least to me.
So suddenly, they have to do the whole thing. Yes, they wear the thing. That's important.
Jack, he'll do it fast & clear --- he is excellent.
John, this is unbelievable, it's g--damn unbelievable!
Dan, it's a little bit crazy, but he's RIGHT, it's right, he knows!
You never know what's gonna happen, like the other day, you don't know! It's kind of wacky!
How does it affect you, make you go? Give them a thing, see what happens with it, how does it go, what is the story?
Funny? Most of the time we are. Some are exceptional. I'm not bluffing! Each one is getting better! Is closely better!

A Tugboat to Hell

WALT: I was going in the tug, 84 feet, gathered there within port. 1, 2, 3, 4 sunken ships in the port. High tide, low tide, 24 feet difference. I was going to Utah, Normandy, in July 1944, and board ships. 30 by 90 feet, barge? No. Ships? No. And then I go to Cherbourg. 3 days to get there. I gathered storm coming, I slow, I go, 8 feet up from water & wind 40 MPH at least. 3 days, 2 ships, larger than ours--- 86 foot also going to Cherbourg. More power, OK.
And when I go to Cherbourg, & wind hit me, I go to sleep. Wind hitting me.
Rope breaking because wind it is so strong, broke rope to the barge. It's new rope, 6" around & breaks. And the captain turns around & borders it with new rope. Pulling another barge.
Barge all of a sudden stopped--- storm. A wave about 20 feet high, and streaming white caps, streaming and white caps so sudden. Captain so scared, he pulls whistle 7 times... that's "abandon ship"!!!
I questioned in my mind--- where are we going?! In middle of ocean! If I abandon ship, I not living anymore! So instead of going under, I climb up to wheelhouse and I go to sleep! I went to sleep for about an hour.
Coast Guard put hole in barge & sunk it. Finally the storm quit & I go to Cherbourg.
Captain was removed from the tugboat. Promoted a staff sergeant to run the boat!

My 3 Houses

KEN: I rent houses 1, 2, 3. November to April: first house. April to September, 2nd house. Me stroke and house and 13 boxes and Annie--- over and over and over!!
New house--- September or October. I bought it & I am moving in in September. Left hand--- moving things with left hand only! Books and clothes and yes toiletries. Hard work to move!!!

Miscalculation

JOHN: I was standing outside my car with my stroke. My wife was supporting me. And she forgot to put the brakes on the wheelchair. Wheelchair changed spots --- it moved! I went to sit down and the chair was gone! And I hit the ground --- BOOM! I was mad! I was MAD!!!

Dennis Takes a Trip

DENNIS: I was waiting for Jim in the parking lot but he walked out. I was in the bathroom and came out but he was parked in front of the Center. I was walking too fast and I went FOOOM! I fell on my face.
JIM: I thought he was hurt. I ran all the way, saw him & he was OK. So I was laughing.
DENNIS: I went to grab the side of the van. I went down. I was near the curb. Apparently I didn't judge the curb. Jim thought I had another stroke! I got a little bump on the noggin on my face. I looked around when I got up to see if people were laughing at me!