Monday, July 31, 2017

' NO MORE DONUTH; EAT CHEERIOS!

My physical with Doctor Sanjay went very well. She succinctly stated to me "no more donuts!' Cheerios it will be. It was a good visit. I killed lots of time in the Lincoln Square area. Now shopping for a new Twin mattress. Sturbridge tomorrow then maybe to NB Senior Center.


The Jeopardy contest of  high school students is great. "LILY" is my favorite. I knew the answers of "The Statue of Liberty."


Oh, yeah. I did walk up part of Foster Hill!



LAKE LASHAWAY BEAUTY

The Monday morning lake was beautiful.. as pretty as a picture. Sombody told me a brake light was out of the Honda so I scooted over to Parson's Auto. The lake captivated my imagination. Voila.





Sunday, July 30, 2017

1942 - A WORLD WAR YEAR

Son Josh gave me a spiffy little book of facts about the year I was born.


Seventy-five years ago is a long time ago and gaining perspective into history is good for our souls, so here we go!




"In June the Battle of Midway ends with the first major Japanese loss. Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle leads a bombing group over Tokyo." America was at World War.




"War bonds are introduced, raising $13 billion by December 23. Gasoline rationing goes into effect in the United States. The Manhattan Project begins.  Kellogg's Raisin Bran and instant coffee are introduced.. The draft age is lowered to 18 years of age."




The 1942 World Series Champions are the St. Louis Cardinals. Life expectancy was 62.9 years. Anew House cost $3,775.00.( in 1945 my parents paid $4,500 for a brand new house.) The Average Income was $1,885.00 per year.  The Average Rent was $35.00 per month. Tuition at Harvard University was $420.00 per year. A movie ticket cost 30 cents and gasoline was 15 cents per gallon.




"Milk was 60 cents a gallon. Bacon, 40 cents a pound. Eggs were 20 cents a dozen and hamburger 30 cents a pound." My day of birth was a Wednesday.


Life was sure different in 1942. The radio was the primary source of communication.

AMERICA IN COLOR - 1960'S

This America in Color on the Smithsonian Channel tonight at 8:00PM should be spectacular. Why? Because it is contemporary to our lives. See it on Tuesday if you miss tonight!


Saturday, July 29, 2017

NINETEEN ACRES OF BIRTHDAY FUN

The multiple birthday parties were wonderful! More than 30 kids sang 'Happy Birthday ' to Maddie, Evie and yours truly.





Owen Stevens  same Birthday!





4 Grandkids Chase, Lily, Evie & Maddie


EVIE



Splish Splash





It was truly a piece of cake!

JOHN DENVER MUSIC WAS SUNG AT JANINE'S CAR SHOW WARE!

Old cars and music mixes in my book.






1931 CHEVY COUPE  #1.

The car show was excellent and some of the folks appreciated my Flagadellic trousers. I enjoyed myself and splurged for some sea scallops. Very expensive.. about $2 each. Hey, it's my birthday!

The John Denver music was superb...I like their style. It brought bak memories of the Seventies now I'm in my mid-seventies. Pageviews galore.. 400... a record.


WHY NOT WRITE A SMALL BOOK?

Back in 1996 I wrote a small nook on antiques. I was inspired by the Shark, himself, Harvey A Mackay who really made it big in writing business books. His first bestseller was "How to Swim with The Sharks and Survive in the Business World."


Harvey owner an envelope company in Minneapolis. His message was down to earth.


In writing any kind of book you must be organized. By writing chapter by chapter your work will unfold. You can write it long-hand-zees, or dictate it on your computer. You should have illustrations to embellish your works. As a writer you become a creator.


You pick a name for your work subject to the approval of an editor. Editors take care of the fine-tooth-combing. Title and cover design will take care of themselves.


Perseverance means finishing the writing job. Some authors write books in a matter of days. In my case writing a blog for over 10 years gives me some options.


Buy a yellow legal pad and begin writing. At any age you will be challenged to do your best and good luck!

PAGEVIEWS TODAY - 500 .. OMG A RECORD HIGH!

The meaning of friendship - a blog posting.
BIG TIME BOB


500+ pageviews 


MORE BIRTHDAY GREEETINGS

Isn't it nice to have friends! Some folks are nearby, others from half way around the World! So far my list: Nancy Donnelly, Mona Churchey, Steve Boyd, Mike Flanagan, Jim Moran, Anne Gobi, Joann Leblanc, Diane Young, Spike Ostiguy, Brenda Lee, Penny Smith, Dove Anthony, Judy Creview, Dick Chabot and Iron Mike Lee and more. Thank You!

Also, Merle Randall, Debra Anthony, James Gagnon, Shelia LeBlanc, Jeff Toppin, Pam LeBeau, Bob Boos, Holy Hevy, Richard Kimball, Billy Cooke, Erik Nicole, Dan Befford, Lisa Berthiaume, Lynn Leno, Reed Desplaines, Colleen Paydos, Lisa Grace, Tamara LaRoutte, Paulette Adams, Anne Dick, Ray Lavine, Phyllis Herrera, Rose Monson, Tammy Butler, Maurie Sokol, Mary Hicks, Ed Takorian Glory Wedge, all the well-wishers at the Party and the postings I missed.

THANKS!

Friday, July 28, 2017

SEVENTY-FIVE AND STILL ALIVE!

A provocative thought - being 75! I know, I know.


Gotta keep your brain involved. No playing solitaire or Bingo if you ask me. I opt for adventure!




Log onto 'ADVENTURE MAN  BOB POTVIN'' for some good writing of mine.

DISCIPLINE IN RAISING SONS

"Spare the rod and spoil the child."


I grew up in a home filled with love. Dad would always say 'Bobby, I don't want any trouble." I honored both my mother and my father. They taught me industry, respect and honor and it paid off.


The military insists on discipline. I know this as I went through basic Training. The other night on PBS I watched Haight Ashbury. The hipsters in 1967 loved in the mud on the streets of San Francisco when Bob Potvin served his Country. I submit some of these clowns of Free Love still have not grown up as they approach 70!


I don't know what kind of upbringing these idiots had but I will bet their parents were permissive. "BOYS NEED THEIR EARS NIPPED EVERY NOW AND THEN." Instill goodness in their persona and let them know who the BOSS IS! I tell people "I raised Ben and Joss as if I were the Army Sergeant!"


Standing Tall is the essence of being a Good American. My proof is in the honors I received at NBHS and in Vietnam.


I have hope with the boys I see competing in sports. Chase is it! as for the girls go, I'll leave that up to the mothers. My mother's advice in raising some was KEEP THEM BUSY! Yes, it is demanding, but in the long run it will pay off! From generation to generation kids will try to get the best of you. YOU ARE THE BOSS! I don't endorse spoiling children.
 
 

PAGEVIEWS SO FAR TODAY - 312.. YESTERDAY 137

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

BROOKFIELD AUTO IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

The excitement of a new business enterprise is worth crowing about! What was once BROOKFIELD MOTORS now is BROOKFIELD AUTO..  Route 9, Brookfield, Mass directly across from Cumberland Farms. This new dealership is one sophisticated lot. "Newer cars, cheaper cars, General Manager Boris Satozhnikov is excited about things. 100 Cars "from 2005 to 2016 and trucks " are for sale  plus mechanical repairs and body work  and detailing are offered to the public.


'Competitive prices and free oil changes when you buy a car from BROOKFIELD AUTO.'


Look for promotional mailers from Brookfield Auto. Better yet stop by and say Hi! Charitable donations to St. Jude will be made by this dealership!


Boris & Tamara




See Tamara for your next car or truck!



YE OLDE TAVERN JOB SHAPING UP

The Paquette team has worked very hard to see this towards completion.

FREE POSTING OF YOUR NAME

I would like to give recognition of all the well-wishers on my 75th. Glory Wedge and Mile Lee are the first two. Thanks. How high will the balloon go?


JACKIE O. WOULD BE 89 TODAY!

It is difficult to imagine Jackie Kennedy as a Senior Citizen. Her charm and poise and unique qualities of beauty are not forgotten. She died at age 64.


Ja
Jackie   O. essentially had 3 lives.. first with JFK, Then with Aristotle O. then as a New York City book editor. Records show Jackie was 5'7", soft spoken, intelligent  and charming. She was peripatetic  hop scotching the world both with and without JFK.


Towards the end of Jackie's life I was successful in obtaining two authentic autographs on stamp covers featuring JFK postage stamps postmarked 1993 from the Brookfields. Jackie loved these and her secretary, Nancy Tuckerman wrote "Mrs. Onasses was thrilled to receive them.


Jackie Kennedy was one class act, always soft-spoken with a song in her heart.


She is quoted saying if you bungle raising your children you've missed the true meaning of life.

MY POWER BREAKFAST

Teaspoon of Virgin Olive Oil, jigger of OJ, one hard-boiled egg, 4 California strawberries, cup of No- Fat milk. Temptations abound like a donut or Fig Bars. Eating should be about starting the day with a smile.




Thursday, July 27, 2017

NICE DAY, EH?

Well, I'm, $150 richer. $75.00 Birthday gifts add up. When I turn 100 maybe the gifts will be a Benjamin Franklin?




Wait a minute.. the sun is out. Not my kind of day. I dropped almost $150 in Sturbridge first thing this morning. I treated myself to a supply of HP computer ink..Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow.


I can't say enough good about HP products.


Just had a visitor for over an hour, Dave C. we are kindred spirits in many areas of life. Vietnam, homeownership, family, etc.


Earlier I visited the Holbrook Brothers in Brookfield. Richie and Bobby are good guys.


Note the new fence at The Tavern!


That's it for now. ZZZZ

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

HOW TO LIVE TO 105

Today's New York Times features an obituary of a man who lived to be 105! Dr. Shigekai Hinohara "cautioned against gluttony and early retirement and vigorously championed annual medical checkups, climbing stairs regularly and just having fun."


The good doctor "maintained his weight at 130 lbs."




"Have big visions and put such visions into reality with courage" . He espoused "coffee, milk and orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil for breakfast.. milk and a few biscuits for lunch ; vegetables with a small portion of fish and rice for dinner."




This obituary is so inspirational I intend to hand out copies of it to my friends. Dr.Hinohra wrote  a best selling book at 101 according to his obituary.




In other matters, this Wednesday was a good day. I am making headway with my dental concerns. Worcester Dental it will be through the Veterans Agent.




I did travel to Sturbridge for some new Hanes shorts  (made in Vietnam) then to Klems car show for a good visit with friend "Jimmy K." Now it's time for Old Bob to relax with some ice cream and Jeopardy!