A RAINY SUNDAY IN THE BROOKFIELDS

For me it was all television today. An early clear sky suddenly clouded up. I did watch Gov. Bill Weld tell why he wants to be president in 2020. Then Aerial America featured Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This one Smithsonian channel presentation is always pleasing to my eye..

The excitement of the NCAA basketball contests was spot on. All teams are so talented. Three point shots abound and really reveal how good the players are. I cheered on Michigan State over Duke and Auburn. Next weekend it will be

 that more exciting from Minnesota. Stay tuned.

Ever see the music video "Say, Hey, I Love You by Michael Franti? This is found on YOUTUBE and portrays poverty in Jamaica. I like all music and this catchy tune is fun to listen to and watch. Check it out!

Physical therapy on Monday and getting two new pair of trousers hemmed.
Spring is here, you know!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A SEVENTY DEGREE SATURDAY

As I traveled around the Brookfields this afternoon looking for some action I couldn't believe my temperature reading: 70 degrees. The troops are restless.. people doing yard work.. The Clam Box was full of cyclists.. a sure sign of Spring. Howards opens on April 5th.

The Elite Eight contests are good. Gonzaga and Texas Tech are playing for a chance to dance. I think the Final Four will be that exciting. It reminds me of being at Indiana University in 1986. I was there when IU went on to win the Saturday night contest. 30,000 undergrads went crazy! Stay tuned!

Today was a good day and it looks like Texas Tech is the winner GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR!

Welcome March 31st!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

NORTH BROOKFIELD ANTIQUE SHOP LIQUIDATION

This is a shout-out about the liquidation of an antique shop in Doc O'Boyle's old house 228 Main Street.. across the street from Cumberland Farms. This can be a great opportunity for all collectors and dealers! Finders Keepers Antiques is the place and can be reached 774-922-3987 or www.findersKeepersAntiques.net.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

APRIL SHOWERS IN LATE MARCH

The new season of Spring is inching along. A cloudy day saw showers come in after my return from Worcester. My blood was drawn and will be profiled on Monday. My blood sugar measured 97 so I have confidence all will come back favorable. The phlebotomist, Nelli, admitted drawing blood from a 104 year old veteran who still drives a car!

Saw Steve Magnante on the street yesterday and on TV today. Steve continues to becoming a true star on Barrett-Jackson Auto Auctions.

March Madness resumes tonight at 7 with Duke shooting for another romp.

With 99.9 5 of the snow gone, the landscape awaits Mother Nature's magic. Soon we'll have forgotten all about the "S" word.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

One of many publications of Steve Mgnante

TRUMP THE ORATOR

Like him or hate him, President Donald Trump is writing the new way to give speeches. His worldly vision combined with his massive ego and self confidence provides for a whole evening's entertainment from the rostrum. Never before have we been instructed as with The Donald!

Thursday was make-up day after my Boston adventure. The day was bright and moderate and saw me shop at Hannaford. I sprung for a porterhouse steak for a change. I almost had forgotten what a good steak tasted like!

My rash is bothersome. Still looking for relief. Plan on going to the Worcester VA for a routine blood draw fasting.

Monthly bills have been paid.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY 150 MILE RT TO MASS-GENERAL & BACK

I just love every aspect of Boston! It is old hat to me to maneuver the Pike and Storrow Drive taking in all of the scenes such s the Charles River. And yes, folks are out running and walking their dogs!

I always allow time so I don't get frustrated with Boston traffic. Usually my hunches are right. Parking at Mass General is a mere $11.00. Today I discovered a new aspect of this phenomenal health care facility: Dermatology.

The nurse and doctor were on time. The gist of my visit came in having a biopsy taken on my right arm to see if there's a correlation between my rash and the drug Lamotrigine. Come back in 2 weeks.

The MAss General Pharmacy is cheap.  I was prescribed cetirizine 10 mg and fexofenadine 180 mg tablet. Two of my other doctors are on the distribution of his findings.

The trick to traveling to Beantown is not to get frustrated and not allow the traffic bother you. When I leave town my mantra is "To Boston and back safely."

Gasoline is $2.70 0n the Pike and $2.49 in Southbridge.

My philosophy in traveling holds true: ENJOY THE RIDE!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

WEDNESDAY IN BOSTON

I travel to MGH - Boston to see a dermatologist. Looks like a delightful day to travel. Wish me luck!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

ROADSIDE TREASURES

"A sound man is good at salvage at seeing nothing is lost."

With Spring comes opportunity! "Seek and ye shall find." I am convinced there will be found treasures at your doorstep if you look for them. Also, tag sales may prove to be "Opportunity Sales." American households seem to be glutted with out-dated, out-moded , unwanted goodies. It is a way of life in 2019!

Our lives are in transition. Happy hunting! So what have been your great finds?

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN
JUNQUE DEALER

ENJOY THE RIDE

In traveling to Worcester and the VA I have many options so it seems. Every approach to Downtown Worcester means traveling through 4 towns. The key for me is to travel off hours and avoid commuter traffic if possible. This way the journey doesn't get too boring. I even stopped at Lincoln Orchards for a bag of delicious Delicious apples.. 6 for $3.50.

Anthony, my physical therapist,  is top shelf. For 45 minutes Tony put me through muscular exercises but you know what? He hasn't pinpointed the problem yet and I continue to be traveling in the breakdown lane of life!

As far as the itch goes, "pouring a box of Arm & Hammer' into my tub was a mistake. I woke during the night feeling itchy conditions all over my body. Hopefully Wednesday will head me in the right direction to resolution!

Tony's Dry Cleaners was closed today; Had two filet of fish at McDonalds!

All in all, I managed to experience this Monday in good spirit.. why? because I enjoyed the ride.. got Honda washed!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

NIXON RETURNS AT 9:00 pm ON CNN

It was a good Sunday on the home front. Josh and Chase invited me to an indoor soccer  game in Oxford. The Quaboagers played to a 2-2 tie. Accommodations necessitated me to sit on a stool! Ouch.

Duke Univ. and Coach K just won a game in their style. The poor USC players  were in tears...grown men crying. It's only a game, fellers!

Nixon in an hour. To Worcester PT Monday at 1:00.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

NEAR-MISS WITH HITTING A 120 LB.DOE!

"Kemp-Nut" and I were riding towards Palmer, MA when a full-sized DOE

darted directly in front of us from the left as we were driving 40 mph. It was a "wow" moment and one to remember! Fortunately we didn't hit the critter as a collision would have ruined the Honda!

Today has been more like January. The Northwest winds have kept us inside for the most part. While the sun's rays are strong the winds are stronger. We did travel to Palmer to Tom's Electronics then to the Yankee Flee Market. The flea market was loaded with customers. Because of my disability I couldn't stand on my feet for long.

Earlier I did buy some Zyrtec antihistamine 10mg. So far no relief for an itchy back.

More YouTube as nothing on TV interests me.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MORE SNOW, OF COURSE

Come on White Lion of March, have mercy! Spring is in retreat and it is cold and wintry. About an inch or two of the white stuff.

Had company yesterday afternoon which made me feel good. My condition of a pain down my left leg persists. My rash persists. I must endure the present knowing help is on the way.

Last night I focused on listening to music as opposed to watching all news. Music allows me to reflect on the good times of yesteryear. I just love the availability of all my listening pleasures from Sousa's marches to Lawrence Welk and James Last plus oldies from the Everly Brothers to Roy Orbison!

As a historian I delight in reviewing my writings. Found a paper on "Vermont cold" written in February of  2003. Amazing weather in St. Albans! 23 below zero. Winter lingers in Franklin County. It should.. it's Vermont!

Thanks to readers of my blog for suggestions on Bob's situations.

'Baby it's cold outside!'

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

108 PAGEVIEWS TODAY

Back to normal. 100+ seems to be a good following. Thanks!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

WCVB CHRONICLE

Tonight's chronicle was packed full with inspiring stories. Imagine a 102 year old lady with a SmartPhone! Boy, is she hip! And the 76 year old Marathoner.. WOW.  Keep it up Chronicle!

 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

BACK RASH

My back rash! Suggestions?!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

TRUMP ON YOUTUBE

A retrospective summary of Trump's life and $ can be found on YouTube! Watch the interviews with David Letterman and summaries of Trump's absurd lifestyle, wealth and fleecing of taxpayers dollars. Edifying to say the least!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

GIVE IT UP, MR. PRESIDENT!

Senator John McCain was a POW. He served his country well as an elected official in the U.S. Senate from Arizona. The ongoing feud between the president and the McCain family is absurd. Give it up Mr. President!

 ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

Vietnam Veteran

SEIZE SPRING!

The next 90 days can and may define our whole years successes and activities! Procrastination is a dirty word. We put off so many things and must realize actions speak louder than words!

Accomplishing things not only gets them done but give us a feeling of attainment. Life's seeds will eventually yield harvests. Now we must act.

My Wednesday was good. I did get into Worcester for some physical therapy and may have discovered the culprit a twisted muscle  on my left lower calf. I return to the VA on Monday for a follow-up. I will see a dermatologist at MGH on the 27th.

Doctor Grace's obituary reads spot-on. I have so many memories of "Louis the Healer," professionally and as a close friend. Dr. Grace called a spade a spade! He was the only person who I knew of that bought a year's supply of tuna at a time at Ocean State Job Lot. Lou truly was the entrepreneur as evidenced how he subdivided Hillside Avenue, N. Brookfield. Beautiful homes overlooking Graceland plus a new location for the U.S. Post Office 01535!

Life does go on, my friends, so I repeat Seize Spring!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY INCESSANT ITCHING OF RASH

Never had anything like this before! My back is one big blotch and boy does it drive me crazy. Any ideas?

The traffic on this site came alive with the news of Doc Grace's passing. Amazing. Unheard of.

Today was cold. The remaining snow piles are small. Hopefully we're out of winter's woods?!

To Worcester VA for some therapy at 1:00.

Spring is truly around the corner!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

PAGEVIEWS AN ASTOUNDING 2,102!

Clearly Dr. Grace had lots of friends as evidenced by the record-setting traffic of over 2,000 visits! Thanks!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

LOUIS B. GRACE, MD Dead at 91

North Brookfield's doctor Grace is gone. As a country doctor, the Brookfields and beyond received house calls from "Lou" since 1955. Initially he lived across the street from me on South Main Street. Over a lifetime I got to know Dr. Grace in a shared love of ours VANITY PLATES!.

After the death of Elaine in the eighties Lou and I traveled to New Hampshire to witness the largest Massachusetts collector plate collection of Stanley Hamel. This massive collection of licenses plates pleased us to no end. Better  yet, Lou purchased three early plates of his 249 variety and displayed them in his bathroom! His 249 issue came to Elaine from the Estate of Phil Quinn.

Some friends knewLou was an Eagle Scout and fewer perhaps knew he played the violin! Dr. Grace also served on the North Brookfield School Committee. My Aunt Florence Kizzle was nanny when Mary gave birth to the twins.

Governor Michael Dukakis and Dr. Grace were friends and came to Graceland on occasions. While in Memphis I sent Dr. Grace a post card from Elvis' Graceland estate!

Dr. Grace was a special doctor because he knew the families in his practice and was house doctor at Mary Lane  Hospital for years.

Our sympathies go out to Linda and family at this time of sorrow. RIP, Dr. Grace!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

Back Page Feature photo  "On The Common"

NIXON IN THE AM!

 

"I'm no crook!"

 

I was at the 1968 World Series in St. Louis when I came upon Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower! I obtained their autographs on the souvenir program and asked Julie 'Where is your father today?" 'I really don't know" was Julie's response! Nine years earlier I saw Vice President Nixon at the Eastern States Exposition with my dad! Little did I know of the fate of RMN.

 

Last night's program on CNN was about Tricky Dick. It was the most historical documentary of Mr. Nixon's life.  Frankly, I never really liked Nixon. He lacked what Kennedy had: warmth, charm, intelligence and more. Nixon fooled the public is stating he had "a secret solution in winning the Vietnam war.  He lied as thousands more got killed after his 1968 election.

 

The whole era of the Nixon years seemed to be controversial and yes, corrupt. Somehow we made it thru the Nixon era!

 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

 

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Having an Irish friend and brother, John B. O'Sullivan of Country Kerry gives me a special sensitivity to what being Irish means.

We served in the Vietnam War in 1966-1968. JBO is a rebel and sapient in the ways of life. One interesting fact imparted by "Johnny" is "Every home in Ireland posted a photo of JFK."

My first hand experience of Irish were the nuns at North Brookfield's St. Joseph School. It seems the good sisters had the gift to gab.... and having worked with Florence James McCarthy at LaBelle's Food Centre gave me additional insights into the Irish.

We Frenchmen learned from the Irish. The Irish are the most successful in the American lexicon because they didn't have a language barrier in coming to America.

So.. everybody is Irish this day. Top of the morning to you!

ROBERT LOUIS O'POTVIN

SETON FALL

The final game of the Big East Tournament was down to the final basket. Myles Powell's attempt to win the game just didn't happen. I think Seton Hall deserves a lot of credit. The Hall's noble effort should not go unnoticed.

Now, Selection Night should not let the Pirate's prowess go unnoticed!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN
A proud Seton Hall dad

THE MIDNIGHT VICTORY OF SETON HALL OVER MARQUETTE

Can you believe it? Seton Hall basketball is riding high this year! Watching  the game was nerve wracking. But on the day of victory nobody is tired!

GO PIRATES

 BOB POTVIN
 A SETON HALL DAD

THE IDES OF MARCH

When the March sun came out at mid afternoon all of nature sang. I was visiting Son Josh at his Birch Hill estate and was amazed to see the hundreds of robin red breasts all over the fields. Spring is her I thought! Then cardinals fed from the seeder and everybody breathed a sigh of relief! The temperature reached 65 and the highways are filled with the melting snow! Another day or two and we'll see the green grass of home. The buds on the deciduous trees are swelling. The miracle of life is at hand in the Brookfields.

Just 90 minutes away from the Seton Hall/Marquette  basketball game from New York City.

Did sell a little gold and silver today in Spencer. Proceeds probably will be split with my sister Jan.

Our spring is not Silent!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

BAY STATE COIN SHOW

 Bay State Coin Show March 15, 16 th, 2019 at The Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Route 20, Marlboro, MA.  $5 Gold Coin Door Prize! Admission $7 - free parking!  Admission $7.00
www.baystatecoinshow.com

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

RARE COINS

GOLD COINS WANTED!

A LONG AND RESTFUL NIGHT'S SLEEP

The late night Seton Hall victory over Georgetown clearly assuaged any anxieties I had over not winning. It was a marvelous display of talent and tonight at 9 the Pirates will face Marquette University at Madison Square Garden.

I finally discovered a way to use my blue plastic back-scratcher without sponge pads. I just apply the cream directly on the surface of the tool. Also, the VA just called scheduling me for 3 more visits to address the pain issue. Today, it hurts, but knowing help is on the way eases the pain a bit.

STERLING SILVER FLATWARE

Just received a phone call from a friend who has decided to sell her sterling flatware. This is not a bad idea! It can be found money and at $15 an ounce the .925 Sterling can add up. Forks, spoons and other service items are solid and knife handles are figured at .5 ounces each.

With Spring at our door step a wise consumer will prepare for estate sales. By doing the event yourselves you can capture the local markets and have some fun doing it! I did it one year ago and earned enough to pay a painter to decorate my entire living area!

With warmer weather coming in.. a word to the wise is sufficient!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN