THE SELFIE

In 1839 a man inadvertently took a selfie and processed it on a daguerreotype! Around 1900 Kodak came out with the box camera further allowing folks to take a selfie. Around 2000 the term selfie became part of our vocabulary.

Each day millions of selfies are shot across all aspects of  photography and are sent across the cyberspace. It is truly a phenomenon. Personally I have never shot a selfie.

Photography has been transformed forever. From roll film and two weeks Mail-Away for prints to instantaneous results comes the miracle.  I think it's good for humanity to have this. Makes Polaroid look ancient! Smile!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

"ADVENTURE MAN BOB POTVIN"

If you do a search you can log onto some good entries I wrote in 2007 recapping auctions I staged.  The amazing thing is these articles exist today. I have printed three of them and am sending then to my buddy in Georgia.

Also, "Bob Potvin  Telegram.com" may reveal some surprises!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

AUTOGRAPHS

There's a certain intrigue in collecting autographs. IN a new era of e-mails, it seems hard-copy letters are a thing of the past in some cases. I, as a autograph hound , have enjoyed the hunt!

Some celebrities who have answered my mail:

• Tom Yawkey   Red Sox Owner and HOF member
• Jackie Kennedy
• George HW Bush
• Bill Clinton (In Person)
• Hillary Clinton
• Lyndon B.Johnson
• Ross Perot

A true autograph enthusiast floods the way with requests. Baseball players are a prime source of signed baseballs. Prices are very high regardless. Forgeries are common so you must be very careful.

My most valuable signed autograph was that of Ben Franklin's on a letter.
Auctioned baseballs of Babe Ruth and Connie Mack fetched $2,450 each at the Delude Auction!

I watch my mail box every day with the hopes of getting a response from celebs! The most recent one received is Alex Trebek of JEOPARDY! fame.
Answered letters prove the senders are human!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

PUBLIC SPEAKING 101

Blood sugar read 101 - weight 164 night's rest: good.

I have always enjoyed speaking in public! From the days of teaching at Aetna Claim School to teaching English as a second language to Vietnamese adults in 1967, public speaking has rung my chimes.As an auctioneer I strove to be an excellent speaker. No sweaty palms for me!

In college I excelled in speech. I had the absolute best teacher, Dr. Sandford. I wanted to be a good speaker and he taught me how to build confidence in my self. We had to memorize short segments of speeches.. standing in front of the class. It worked!

If you watch public speakers... the key word is  to inspire. Most speakers work from an outline. Extemporaneous speeches can be delivered from the heart.

I think JFK's speeches are exemplary of the best.

Practice is key to developing your best skills possible. Age is no barrier.
"You can if you think you can!"

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

TUESDAY READINGS

Blood sugar 123... weight 163. I have increased my calorie intake by switching to Ensure Plus dietary supplement. This gives me a boost each breakfast along with a banana, stick cheese, Greek Yogurt, kielbasa, water and other goodies.

Last night  celebrated my 77th at Birch Hill. Josh, Heidi and a flock of teen girls sat around the trestle table. It was an intimate celebration of frosted cupcakes and laughter. I received a patriotic shirt of stars and stripes!

Today I have PT here then to the VA in Worcester.

The heat wave continues. August is within view!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

BIRTHDAY BOY

There was a gentle knock on my front door and I recognized it as "Johnson's." He has a small tin decorated box in his hand and I recognized it containing a FOSSIL wristwatch! This open-escapement 21 jewel watch was for me on my birthday. The price tag reads $225.00! Dick is a connoisseur  of watches as his collection may be 12 or more... all coming from the casinos in CT. Thanks, my man!

"Johnson"

Then we went to Debbie Wong in Ware for lunch. From there we traveled around the Quabbin Reservoir Reservation looking for trouble not to be found!

I  also received a Walmart gift card from SonBen, Allison and Savannah for $50.00! Ronnie & Chrissie gave me a $5.00 lottery scratch ticket.

I have received over 35 birthday wishes on Facebook!  Thanks to all!

Summer weather conditions prevail.

My housekeeper came and did my laundry and cleaned my floors, etc.3 hours worth!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

77 SUNSET STRIP

7-29-1942 DOB

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY SUNDAY MORNING

Blood sugars 103.. weight 162...reasonably rested.

Josh came by at 8:00 am SAYING "Come on Pops.. were going for a ride!" And ride we did around West Brookfield, North Brookfield, New Braintree and Warren. The 20 mile sojourn gave us the chance to visit talking about real estate values and other things. I drove around New Braintree!

Sunday morning on these less traveled roads gave us a chance to see things as they are. Real estate reveals itself by how nice it looks or doesn't.

Got the Honda washed in North Brookfield for $9.00 and air in the tire for $1.50. The New York Times cost me $6.00.

This was a great day to greet my Sunday in the AM!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THE RED SOX WIN AGAIN

Three straight victories over the New York Yankees at Fenway is formidable! Their bats are as hot as the weather and maybe they'll sweep the Yanks tomorrow night. Stay tuned!

My day was good. Spent two hours on Birch contemplating nature as Josh whizzed around in his Kubota.

Tonight I received a phone call from Doerun, GA. Col. J. Maurice Barfield is my favorite fan. We go back to 1981 and Kansas City where we met at auction school. The Colonel is a Rebel and I a damn Yankee.We are polarized in many areas of life yet we are friends and brothers!

Granddaughters MAddie and Evie surprised me with a big cup of black Raspberry ice cream from Howard's! It was an early birthday greeting Thanks girls!

GO SOX!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

FRIDAY'S READINGS

After a good night's sleep I was pleased to see my blood sugar read at 107! My weight is 163 and that's good. The late-July low humidity air is an inspiration to me!

I keep taking OmegaXL 4 tablets a day. Instructions reveal it will be 4-6 weeks for the change to occur. Larry King's testimony is convincing... a couple more weeks remain to see the effectiveness of this special fish oil.

SonJosh is back from his business trip to Des Moines.

Remember.. good things happen on Friday!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

OUTRAGEOUS FOOD PRICES

I don't quibble, cut coupons or second guess food prices. I just get what I want and pay the piper! The only thing less than a dollar on my sales slip are bananas at .49 a lb. At the other end of my purchases is a case of Ensure Plus for $28.99 for a pack of 16. A bag of cherries set me back $6.46! Seems their price has come down?

I get what I like and like what I get. Right now I enjoy bread and butter pickle chips and watermelon chunks. The reality is I did not buy any red meat.

Nutrition must always be considered. Prices are secondary. How about some Lobster Bisque  or New England Clam Chowder?.. Hey big spender!

Total bill was $92.64! Such a deal. LOL.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A DELIGHTFUL THURSDAY IN THE MAKING

Low humidity is my style! I have turned off my AC and opened the windows. Relief! It looks like this fair weather will continue into the weekend.

I have PT coming in at noon. This regular activity is good.

"Grandude" Did you see 77 year old Paul McCartney on the Today program? Sir Paul has 8 grandkids and he has written a book. He claims to have written 1000 songs! I like Sir Paul's "When I'm 64."

I smell skunk! The noisome odor of the wood pussy is ever so strong!

Enjoy  this Thursday!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SONY, LG, MITSUBISHI, ALL BRANDS ALL SIZES

For the creative mind, this trove of flat screens lends itself to "something for nothing! Take one... take them all...

BOB POTVIN
508-867-3360

25+ FLAT SCREEN TELEVISIONS FOR FREE!

These televisions aR

e repairable. Yours for free! Come to my garage a6 132 E. Main Street, West Brookfield, MA (across from Howard's Drive In) with a truck and they are yours! 508-867-3360!

BOB POTVIN

MONDAY MORNING NUMBERS

Blood sugar 128..weight 162 lbs.

It was a good night's rest. Enjoyed a big breakfast.

My day began with 20 minutes of exercising. Seems this will be the only resolve to recovery. Health-care nurses due today and tomorrow. One came yesterday to re-instate my claim.

Weather should break with lower humidity...

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MARIANO IN HALL OF FAME

Mariano Riviera is in baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstorn! His entire major league career was spent in Pinstripes. The Panamanian-born pitcher saw some impressive numbers caset:

• 100 Percentage of Hall of Fasme votes from the B.B.W.A.A. members.
• 5 World Series championships(1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009)
• 652 regular-season saves, most in M.L.B. history.
• 42 postseason saves, most in M.L.B. history.
• 2.21 regular season E>R>A>, lowest for any pitcherborn aafter 1889 (min. 1,000inninigs.)
• 0.70 post season E.R.A. lowest in M.L.B. history (min 30 innings).
• 1,115 regular-season appearances, most ever by a right-hand pitcher.
• 56.2 Wins after Replacement as calculated by baseball-reference.com.most of any pitcher with fewer than 2,000 innings (Riviera pitched 1,283 2/3 innings.)

Source: New York Times



HEAT WAVE
The July-heatwave debilibates my spirit!  While AC is my salvation my porch is a sauna!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MO  THE SANDMAN

MY QUIET THURSDAY

Tomorrow Josh and I travel to Boston to Mass General to see Dr. Dey.

Today I had a good visit by my therapist Ann covering new exercises.

My long day was spent watching Elvis in Hawaii, JFK documentaries and other stuff. I live in my AC!.

The trash on the news leads me to believe Trump is worse than Nixon! BUT people vote their wallets!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

OMEGA XL

Larry King's solicitation and endorsement of Omega XL " a source from green-lipped muscles that are sustainably farmed in New Zealand's waters which are consistently reported amongst the cleanest on earth" has my vote!

Today, I received two bottles with a 90 day money-back guarantee fpr about $45! This is about "joint health,  muscle recovery and Omega 3"

I have enough ailments to try something new and natural.

Visit to the VA was a success. Dr. Brinda Sanjay is the best. Josh said "She's spot on" which makes me feel good!

"Forward ever.. backward never!"

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY IN OUR HISTORY

The launch of Apollo 11 fifty years ago today is perhaps the most important in all mankind! It seems everything derived from the most sophisticated enterprise since day one continues to pave the way to mankind's future.

My entire day was spent watching both network television and YouTube documentaries primarily of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.This trio of heroes truly blazed the trail.

Tonight we have a full moon in the skies. How appropriate. What will the future bring? More quantum leap Mars and beyond!

Tomorrow I travel with Josh to see Dr. Danjay at the Worcester VA. Wish me luck!

Having a heat wave!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

TRUMPERY

A new word came into my life as I was pouring over my Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Intellectuals:

TRUMPERY = SOMETHING WITHOUT VALUE; A TRIFLE!

To the point, this word fits the man in the White House to a T.

In Watching the four Congresswomen of color talk to the press I am so opposed to Trump's BS it isn't funny. The guy just doesn't give up and has the Country in a mess. He's more than a gadfly!

I like the young leaders. They are articulate and speak the truth. Where is this going to end? TRUMP CANNOT PREVAIL! The truth never fell dead in the street!

DUMP THE TRUMP!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

RICHIE PAQUETTE RIP

Richie Paquette had an infectious spirit! I got to know Rich when he worked for Paul R. Langevin at the Big Red Barn Auction Gallery in the 1980s. Richie was a versatile craftsman making furniture look good for auction. You can read his obituary on Telegram.com as it is posted.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

GOLD HAS LOST SOME OF ITS GLITTER!

In 2011 gold was rocking and rolling. Today, despite attempts to become bullish the price of gold seems to be tepid. I was wrong in thinking it was moving forward.

'Gold prices would benefit from a sustained fall in stock prices of six months or more.' I've pulled my horns in for now and it's anybody's guess what will happen!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

GOLD IS STILL GOLD!

JULY 20, 1969 -FIRST MOON LANDING

Today's New York Time is rife with Moon Landing stories. In particular is a feature on Children's Books! I think every library in America should carry these titles to propagate significant history for future generations.

Here's the titles:

1. "GO FOR THE MOON"  A Rocket, A Boy and the first Moon Landing by Chris Galls. ( Roaring Book, 48pp., ($19.99; ages 5 to 10.)
2. "MOONSHOT: THE FLIGHT OF ALPOLLO 11 (Richard Jackson/Atheneum, 55pp.; ages4 to 10.
3. "A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE: HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON HELPED PUT AMERICA ON THE MOON (Little Brown, 40pp $18.99; ages 4 to 8.
4. "THE ASTRONAUT WHO PAINTED THE MOON:THE TRUE STORY OF ALAN BEAN" (ORCHARD/SCHOLASTIC, 40 PP., $17.99 AGES 4 TO 8.)

Also, this collection would make a great library for our youth and great gifts!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

The Smithsonian Channel  begins feature documentaries on ML tonight at 8!

 

 

ANCESTRY RECOMENNDATIONS

I feel I have a good idea of my roots. Does anybody have ideas or recommendations or insights to share with me?

ROBERT LOUIS POITEVIN

100 PAGEVEIWS SO FAR - 160 TOTAL

I'm off to a great start this Sunday morning. It seems local obituaries draw lots of readers. In the case of Paul LeDoux, he was my second cousin. I bought my first house from the Estate Silvius Ledoux at 26 King Street, NB in 1970 for $18,000!

Lee Gaudette was a friend through grade school and high school.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

LEE GAUDETTE HAS DIED

Another classmate from NBHS - 1960 has died. Lee's obituary can be found on Telegram.com for details.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SUNDAY MORNING IN THE BROOKFIELDS

Blood sugar read - 98 - weight 160. A diverse breakfast of a banana, seeded rye toast with peanut butter, watermelon cubes, Ensure drink, 2 pieces of sliced Bologna & Greek Yogurt.

My night's sleep was good. I remain incontinent and suffer neurotrophy. My feet feel spongy and somewhat numb.

Had a relaxing Saturday at the Josh Potvin estate on Birch Hill. Showered in his outside facility. Earlier I enjoyed reading my blogs for the past 90 days. I delight in reading my narrative of what has transpired, health-wise. Reality 101!

We  Have been  blessed with outstanding sunny weather with temperatures in the high eighties. Gentle zephyrs enhance ideal weather conditions. Today will be another gem in the Brookfields!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

 

 

AN OFF DAY!

Perseverance! The change in weather keeps me in my AC! Some like it hot and others like it being muggy. I like the coolness of a June night!

Joshua Kemp Nut my grounds keeper took care of my lawn and did a fine job.Josh-Nut is now gone to Hannaford with a list of my needs for a week or so. If you ar looking for a handy-man, I highly recommend Kemp! Why not give him a call at 774-200-9730? You'll be glad you did!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

Joshua Kemp Nut!

POPS GOES FOR A DIP

The invitation was there to go for a swim! I hesitated then accepted it from Josh. Chase, Evie and Maddie laughed at me as I submerged the old body. It cooled me off and better yet showed I was a good sport!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY ROSS PEROT EXPERIENCE

In July of 1992 Presidential candidate H. Ross Perot came to Boston Common!

I maneuvered to present a baseball for him to sign! In presenting the ball for his signature Perot said "no.. it'll slow things up! Now comes the challenge for me as an autograph hound!

I had taken some fantastic pictures of RP on the common. Then I had
s ad several pix blown up. I mailed them to him in Dallas and BINGO I HIT PAYDIRT.. Perot called me and left a message on my answering machine! 'Hello Bob this is Ross Perot" Thanks for the great pictures." He even sent me an autographed letter acknowledging same the same! Voila.

It was a moment I'll never forget!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY MORNING READ

Blood sugar 120; weight 162!

After having spent six nights in the hospital I found my return to the Brookfields most comforting! There's no place like home and the welcome of my familiar surrounds proved to be what the doctor ordered. Hospitalization means hourly attention with blood pressure taking Blood sugar reading aud nauseum, Body temperature readings. You are monitored and tested constantly and teams of doctors and aids keep you hopping! It's either bed or chair rest with some walking down the corridor with your nurse.

Modern medicine is real; Mass General the best.

Today, I pick up the ball where I left off! Wish me well!

I was up 4 times to urinate. Seems to be improved!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

URINARY TRACT INFECTION!

Just returned from a 6 day "vacation" at Mass General! I was on the 10th floor of Lunder and had a room with one of the best views of Beacon Hill  in the hospital. I went through a battery of tests. cat scan, mri, etc and now am on a regimen of Amoxicillin 875 mg.

It's good to be home and will resume with rehab and visiting professionals.

Thanks!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

JULY 1, 2019 UPDATE

My mood has changed! My pain on my back left & right responds to ice packs I am incontinent. Spoke with Dr. Greenberg. Thinks  being active will help. Alan the therapist comes tomorrow.
Stay tuned!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN