A MAGNIFICENT PIECE OF AMERICAN HISTORY PBS

 Several weeks ago I ordered "The Roosevelts" An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward  and Ken Burns. My purchase arrived today. The first and second  was not a disappointment! "With more than 500 pages and 788 photographs in color and black and white had me watching both for hours! I enjoyed watching FDR more than Teddy Roosevelt! Earlier in the day I bought over $60 in food. Earlier, during the night I dropped a pair of glasses and broke one bow...thank God I have another pair of glasses. This Thursday was dull. Tomorrow I go to Tony's dry cleaners.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN                                                                                                                                                

CLINTON IN VIETNAM NOVEMBER 17,2000

 I discovered a letter to the editor that got published in the New York Times on November 17, 2000. It reads: "President Clinton's Vietnam visit is an insult."

As a United States Army draftee who served 12 months and 12 days in Vung Tau and returned in 1998 as a tourist, I observed what three decades realy mean: nothing. Communism prevails, Most Vietnamese live in abject poverty, and perhaps big business will learn what the French and American governments learned in times of war: leave 'em alone."

ROBERT L. POTVIN

North Brookfield, Mass  Nov. 17,2000

NB: Getting a Letter to the Editor in the New York Times is prestiege.

SETON HALL DEFEATS GEORGETOWN 76-68

This Vallentine's Day was good. I visited the North Brookfield Senior Centerfor a '' meatball lunch" prepared by Donna S. I dressed in my red blazer and striped trousers. I was received warmly by the ladies. I had bought three little hearts of chocolates for my three granddaughters... these too were received by Lily, Maddie and Evie. I rode around to Warren with Josh when I discovered Seton Hall was playing Georgetown at six. All I can say is The Hall won!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

 Will you be my Valentine?  This Monday saw bills come in from the VA for two prescriptions and my cable bill for $158 which I paid both. The weather pattern concerns me! February 14, 1964, saw LBJ come to Saint Louis University to plant a tree. I got to shake President Johnson's hand and asked him for the handkerchief ! "No son I may need it later on!" Fast forward to today saw Chase stop by for a package of Air Jordan sneakers. Chase explained the virtue of these black valuable kicks.  Spent time reviewing my new entries and must learn more!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY CAMPFIRE

 It was a cloudy Sunday when Josh called with an invitation to attend a campfire beginning at 3:00. "Dress warmly" was his behest. I wore my black Buffalo wool jacket. He offered me an O'Doul's which I didn't open. Son Ben called early from Belmont, NC.  Ben and Robin arrived earlier then Jason Ostrout. The conversation was light. Maddie and Evie came out to shoot some hoops. Chase returned from work at Salem's, and I had a nice conversation with him. Chase showed me a pair of shoes advising another pair would arrive tomorrow at the Poodle. I remained for an hour and one half and came home. Watched the first half of the football game. My Super Sunday was super, indeed!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SETON HALL LOSES ANOTHER 58-54

 There's not much to write about as the Hall came close but not close enough! My day was good spending $68 for food. I cleaned out my closet of clothes I no longer wear.  Tomorrow is Super Sunday

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A WARM FRIDAY

Is winter over? Today was in the 40s. Did my laundry and received a call from Josh inviting me to Chase's basketball game at Quaboag.  "Wear your Cougar jersey!" I did and the game was a terrific display of my grandson's talent. He must have had 20 points! The Cougars must have won by 20+ points. Received 2 annoying calls from the VA regarding my insulin renewal plus a call on my eye exam in December next December! Didn't make sense to me. Food shopping tomorrow.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY WEIGHT GAIN OF 2 .6LBS

 I don't weigh myself every day but when I got on the scale this morning, I was pleased to see my weight of 158.6 lbs.! I have changed my eating habits. I always have a big breakfast of grapes. a banana, 4 pieces of hard salami, applesauce, yogurt, and a nutritional drink. Now I eat gigantic strawberries and celery. Next, I enjoyed buttered popcorn. I have several bottles of spring water in the meantime. For now, that's it. I'll do this routine for several weeks. This day was a bummer. After buying the newspapers I hunkered down and did a review of my memoirs. This keeps me going. Tomorrow should be better. Spoke briefly with Josh. Dry cleaners in the morning, food, and maybe the Legion tomorrow night?

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SETON HALL RAN OUT OF GAS 75 - 62 TO CREIGHTON

 The Pirates were down 2 at the half.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

"THE STATE OF OUR UNION IS STRONG!"

 " The state of our union is strong!" President Joe Biden never looked better. He covered all of the bases and truly is the "possibility" president. America is strong! Critics are fault finding. This speech lasted almost one hour and one half. I give President Biden an A in his delivery. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

ROBERT LOUIS  POTVIN

SNACK IDEAS FO5 2023

 A new idea for a new week: snack ideas. There are good suggestions which I would like share with: 1. Peanut butter and crackers 2. Toast and peanut butter. 3. 1/2 small bagel with cream cheese, peanut butter or butter/margarine. 4. 1/2 English muffin with cream cheese, peanut butter. 5. Cheese and crackers. 6 Yogurt and fruit. 7. Cereal with milk. 8 Cottage cheese and fruit. 9 Cottage cheese and crackers.10 Peanut butter on banana 11. Celery with banana 12. Graham crackers and milk. Pudding 13 Ice cream. These ideas help maintain/gain weight.  You plan snack times between meals; do not wait until you are hungry to snack.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A BASKETBALLSUNDAY

The weather changed giving us a good Sunday. Seton Hall defeated Depaul 69-64 after struggling in the first half. I wasn't expecting to go to Ware to Chase's game. It was a runaway game with Chase scoring the most. I had a front row bleacher seat observing how talented my grandson really is! Maybe he should apply for a basketball scholarship?? Son Ben relates photographer Randal Hill featured three front page photos on the New York Times! This photographer did Ben's and Allison's wedding ten years ago!  My day was full of excitement.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

11 BELOW ZERO ALL NIGHT LONG

 The extreme temperature was short-lived. At 8:45 the temperature was 4 below zero and kept dropping to 11 below zero all night long. I waged an offensive by keeping my thermostat at all the way up. This made the difference. My night kept the temperature at 72 degrees. I didn't do anything differently. My Honda started hard. It read minus one. I got the NY Times and stayed inside. Josh came by and removed the Christmas lights. He tried to start the Allante'. No dice. He charged the car without any luck. I enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk and other programs. College basketball was good. Indiana defeated Perdue!  Seton Hall plays tomorrow noon.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THE WEATHER CHANNEL

 The Weather Channel proved to be entertaining all day long! After getting my newspapers and a trip to Tony's Dry Cleaners I decided to stay in all day. I opted not to go to the Legion. The gales haven't let up. I only wish I had an anemometer to clock gusts. Right now, it is zero degrees outside and 72 degrees in my kitchen. My Poodle is warm, and I have plenty of warm clothes. Son Josh attended U Mass with Chase and Ella. I enjoyed Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup for supper along with 2 oranges. Tomorrow's weather will moderate. This has proven to be the worse weather in memory.!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THE CALM BEFORE THE ICE STORM

 It seems the whole country is being affected by foul weather. New England will be the last to bear the brunt of ice and winds. The media has been hyping it all week. The South reveals the worse of the ice storms. I don't know what to expect.  After a late night with Seton Hall victorious over St. John's, I opted to stay in bed for an extra hour. Things worked out fine. I made another trip to Hannaford NB for Greek yogurt, Kraft Singles and a birthday card for Lily who turns 17 on the 8th. Then did laundry in Warren. My day unfolded nicely. Enjoyed some popcorn for supper. The game shows filled in nicely. Tomorow I go to Spencer to the dry cleaner and maybe the Legion. Thursday was good.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SETON HALL DEFEATS ST. JOHN'S 84 TO 72!

Another great win for the Pirates who were down 14 points. at one point. The Hall is playing superior Big East basketball.  Earlier the family attended two games at Quaboag. Chase Potvin is a favorite amongst his peers.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN