A MANIC MONDAY

Blood glucose 83    Weight 174

And the beat goes on! Early morning temperatures were in the mid-forties. Crisp.... blue skies.

Montana snows are record breaking! Nothing in the record books for a September snow such as this. I recall the Halloween snows of a while back. SonJosh said "it was the only day he could recall when he mowed his lawn and shoveled snow on the same day!" When will our first snow come? LOL.

Got business here and in Sturbridge at Staples. Getting my HP All-in-One tuned up by my man Roland.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

'JOHNSON WINS $1,250 AT TWIN RIVER!

Being in the right place at the right time proved Dick Johnson to be a winner.. and it didn't cost him a dime! Free-slot-play greased the skids and victory was his. He even got a 1099 to prove it.

Dick is generous. He handed me some mad money which brought a smile to my face. Thanks Dick!

This sunny Sunday, the last in September, 2019, has been a delight. The ride to Twin River and back was without incident. We had lunch for the umpteenth time. "No More Col. Sanders."

Josh and I inspected the historic Miller property at the pivotal position on the West Brookfield Common. The house is huge requiring much work for restoration. "Pass."

Son Ben will be calling shortly. The Pats won another! Wow. The Red Sox mantra 'Wait 'til next year!"

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

LUCKY JOHN$ON

SOME SUNDAY ADVICE

"Look well to this one day, for it and
it alone is life. In the brief course of
this day lie all the verities and
realities of your existence; the pride of
growth, the GLORY of action, the
splendor of beauty. Yesterday is only
a dream, and tomorrow is but a
vision. Yet each day, well lived ,
makes every yesterday a dream of
happiness and each tomorrow, a
vision of hope. Look well, therefore,
to this one day, for it and it alone is life."

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

IDYLLIC SATURDAY

Blood glucose 115    Blood pressure 126/64  Weight 173.2 lbs

The coolness of this late September night brought about a great night's rest.

For the first hour I continued to further organize my front office while listening to Johnny Cash, John Denver and others. A book sale in Warren at the library caught my interest. Found " RICH DAD/Poor Dad" Then I shot over to Hannaford Brothers for some grub. My morning proved to be excellent...then a nap.

No casino today as Dick Johnson had an interested party in his motorcycle. Maybe tomorrow.

Chase Robert had 6 goals in a Quaboag soccer victory. Josh and Chase were busy all day.

Kemp Nut mowed my lawn and helped me unload drinks for my refrigerator. I sat out in the sun for a while looking for relief my eczema on my back "Getting worse!"

Time for supper!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

VUNG TAU - A COASTAL CITY IN THE VIETNAM WAR

Blood glucose 115  Weight 172

An organizing Thursday. Inspiration brings about action! I was inspired by a young VA pharmacist visiting my home to shape up! For the better part of the day I evaluated and organized my man cave. It worked. Then I began collecting my memoirs and photos of Vung Tau. This coastal city of over 300,000 residents is a name familiar to those American, Australian and New Zealand soldiers who took   In-Country R & R&R.

I think I have a winner and am collecting stuff and looking for a publisher.
It's exciting for this is my story...The social side of being a Vietnam soldier.

Skies have cleared and the fog is burning off. Good day for The Big E and other fairs.

Coy Brook Farm , North Brookfield Road in WB has the best deals on pumpkins: $6 your choice! Will buy 2 larger ones to decorate the Poodle.

To Sturbridge & Staples & Walmart. "Keep on trucking!"

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

FALL IS IN THE AIR!

Blood glucose 85   Weight 172.5  Blood pressure 158.71

The hills are alive with color! Low humidity and clear skies give this Wednesday's score a perfect 10!High thirties at dawn. Today my Social Security came in and the rent will be paid.

LOL.

The controversy about Impeachment is everywhere in the press. How can this happen? This affects the mood of America.

Learning about George Washington and his Secretary of War - Henry Knox! The Brookfields are rife with Revolutionary War history and monuments  and I'm willing to learn more! Thanks David McCullough!

Lots of activity in the neighborhood. Quirk Wire is expanding. Paquette Construction is in charge. Next door neighbor Rene' is having a new roof put on as I write.

To NB Senior Center for lunch.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SOLDIER OF THE MONTH

Further to my 12 months and twelve days in Vietnam, my luck continued. I was chosen Soldier of the Month - twice!

We competed by going in front of a review board of "Lifers." The following  is found on a letter received from Colonel WILLIAM A. BOYSON:

1. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your selection as the 68th Medical Group Soldier of the Month of July.

2. In being selected for this honor, you have demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, military courtesy, bearing, appearance, knowledge of current events, and continuing outstanding performance of assigned duties. You were selected from representatives from all the major subordinate units of this command. I appreciate the fine example you have set for the enlisted personnel of the 68th Medical Group.

This achievement qualified me to compete for brigade.This was BIG TIME. I didn't win but I recall the question: "What do you think of the USA's involvement in Vietnam?" My heart fluttered...I said "we should be fighting Communism." I didn't win

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

 

HAMILTON GREGORY RIP

Several years ago a Vietnam Veteran wrote a book entitled McNamara's Folly. This one book revealed how LBJ and McNamara agreed to lower the mental standards for draftees with low IQs be brought into battle. I read the book and communicated with Mr. Gregory. too a Vietnam draftee!

Mr. Gregory "was a former Associated Press writer and the author of a best-selling college textbook, Public Speaking for College & Career.

In communicating with Hamilton I learned my GT SCORE  of 131 "Placed me in the top mental category!".. He went on to write "no wonder you were successful in high-aptitude positions." I knew my scores were high but didn't realize that high!

Category I, very high IQ (124 and above)
Category II above average IQ (108-123)
Category III average IQ (92-107)
Category IV below average IQ (92-91)
Category V very low IQ (71 and below)

From the get-go I knew it was imperative for me to achieve in the testing. I told my fellow soldiers "don't do well and you are in the field!

As an x-ray technician 91p20 I was schooled in anatomy, physiology and physics. I trained from August to November at Fort Sam Houston, TX at the Medical Field Service School. To say the least "it was like being back in college!"

My service in Vung Tau, Vietnam was in a general medical dispensary.. the 345th. We served 5 doctors and two dentists. I achieved taking x-rays and performing other duties.....one year, nine months and two days Total service.! I was one lucky soldier!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN E-5  US51574051

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TUESDAY MORNING!

Blood glucose 127

The humidity is lower and the skies are cloudless! I did walk a bit around  the WB town common. Why the water is not running from the Rice Memorial Fountain I don't know.  No New York Times today?!

Country Music played again last night on PBS. Ken Burns' documentary continues to be that good. Did you happen to view it? Johnny Cash and Kris Christopherson stole the show. How talented are songwriters. So many singers have humble beginners. "Cash" is my all-time favorite.

Tuesday is shaping up nicely. Laundry to the cleaners in Spencer then to NB Senior Center for beans & franks. Yum. LOL.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THE CLOCK BARN - N. BROOKFIELD, MA

There exists a quaint antique clock store on Spring Street! Bob Davenport and wife have a delightful collection of all kinds of Tall clocks as well as shelf chocks. And if you are looking for your heirloom to be repaired Bob is the person to do it.

Clocks make excellent gifts come Christmas. And if you are looking for Felix=the=Cat wall clocks Bob has them.

Take your kids to see the way time was recorded before the digital age! It is an education in itself.

Hickory Dickory Dock!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SEPTEMBER HEAT

Morning numbers were good...

The late September heat prompts me to turn on the AC on again! I don't care as I just paid my electric bill of $81.60... cheap!

Just installed 2 "grab bars" for my back entry way. Safety first!

Sent a package out to David McCullough. Hope to hear from him as he's the guru of American history.

Social worker from the VA, Robyn,  just left helping me wade through the myriad of medical bills. HELP! Will see the WB veteran's agent on Wed.

Those frosty mornings were a great reprieve.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

SUMMER SUNDAY IN THE BROOKFIELDS

Blood Glucose 105  Weight 173.8  Blood pressure  143/75

Last night's entertainment came in the way of the Kennedy Museum - JFK at 100..an interview by Charles Gibson of noted author and historian, David McCullough. The hour long interview was most revealing. DM is in his mid-

eighties and tells it like it is. He has written ten books and sheds light on the NOW.

History is a hard-sell so it seems. David McCullough comes on hard against the President. It is worth watching if you ask me!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY IN THE BROOKFIELDS

Blood glucose 95  Blood pressure 135/75    Weight 173.8 lbs.

I continue to be bothered with a sciatica-type pain during the night otherwise the evening hours were excellent for sleep.

Did watch Davis McCullough, writer and historian in interviews with Ken Burns and Marvin Kalb on YouTube. Insightful to say the least! Will follow through in obtaining PBS specials.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

"YOU MADE MY DAY, MR. POTVIN!"

Blood reading 123 Weight 174 Blood pressure 159/76

Josh picked me up at 6:15 AM. The temperature on the barn thermometer read 39 degrees and the trip to Boston was uneventful. Josh is a "master driver" and I just go along for the ride! LOL.

Bimal Dey, MD, PhD has been my "blood doctor" for 16 years. I like his style. He sits at his computer and reviews the latest findings. 'Everything looks fine." We know each other very well and enjoy chatting about politics.

We were back from Boston before noon and I did some minor food shopping at Hannaford.

Also got my freshly cleaned and pressed clothes at TONY'S Cleaners then basked in the warm sunshine. Another spectacular day. GREMARCO'S spiffy newly paved parking lot looks great!

My latest search will be the documentaries of film-maker KEN BURNS. Watched a lengthy interview last niche that further inspired me. Will obtain the PBS Specials to review over the winter months.

Richard B. Johnson will be here in the A.M. for the usual visit to Twin Rivers. The ride should be enjoyable..

Received two bars for my entry ways. The VA has been generous  of recent times!

Shrimp cocktails  for my entre'. Bon Appetit!


ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

TO BOSTON TOMORROW

Just learned from Josh I have an appointment with Dr. Dey at Mass. General Hospital in the AM!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

YAZ ... THEN AND NOW

In 1983, while attending an auctioneers' convention in Houston, TX, I drove my family to Arlington to see the Boston Red Sox! I figured it would be a chance in a lifetime to meet and greed the Sox. What stands out in my memory is shaking Carl Yastrzemski's hand. Ben and Josh obtained autographs of many Sox players.

Today's New York Times recounts both Yaz and his grandson Mike Yastrzemski's meeting at Fenway Park last night The headlines read "A Boston Legend is Beaming. His grandson Came to Visit."

I was serving in Vietnam when the Red Sox won the Pennant. It was a banner year for Yaz who won the triple crown. His 44 home runs tied with Harmon Killerbrew.

Carl Yastrzemski was truly a Heavy Hitter. He had a total of 452 home runs,  3,308 games and 3419 hits playing all 23 seasons for the Sox.. Yaz was humble. He played left field and the Green Monster then first base in his final years.

It is heartening to see Mike Yastrzemski playing in the Majors with the SF Giants. Yaz's only, Carl Jr. son died of a heart attack at age 43.


ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A CHILLY THURSDAY MORNING

Blood sugar 73  Weight 174lbs  Blood pressure 153/78

Today was the coldest day of the season! Some frost/fog in the valleys,, clear skies abound. Josh had frost at his doorstep!A warming trend is in store. I'll take it!

COUNTRY MUSIC - KEN BURNS DOCUMENTARY

For two hours last night  I was entertained by watching  country music history.. namely about Elvis and Johnny Cash. Never have I viewed such in-depth stories in B&W and color. I learned more about ALL country artists, their successes.. their failures ..amazing.

Names like Brenda Lee, Dolly Pardon, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Marty Robbins, Roy Orbison, and many, many more were featured. This PBS program showed the evolution of country music   from gospel. telling about songwriters and promotors. It got into the personal lives, marriages, divorces, tragedies and all the rest. This one segment of the Ken Burns Documentary hit my hot spot. The next segment can be viewed Sunday night on all PBS stations.

This documentary is to be seen by all music lovers and historians. "Heads-up" SonBen!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

Ken Burns

PAGEVIEWS TODAY SO FAR 135

The more I blog the more people read.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

COURAGEOUS ALEX TREBEK

Alex Trebek is one courageous dude! His courage is my inspiration. Trebek is quoted "As long as I can walk out and greet the audience and contestants and run the game, I'm happy," he said.

"Admitting to having lost 12 pounds in a week and that his health had suffered after his first bout of chemotherapy ended in August. He was overwhelmed at times with fatigue and surges of depression" today's New York Times  reads.

Trebek admits to wearing a wig as a result of his treatment. He is one courageous dude to say the least. I admire his courage!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

 

THE DISHEVELED AMERICAN

When I was a teenager I got a haircut every ten days. My appearance meant everything to me. I begin buying my own clothes from Nat Falk while in high school. As an adult I took pride in my appearance. Fellow workers at Aetna commented in my fashion. J. Irving England is quoted "a blue blazer and grey trousers  is an outfit for all occasions."

Yesterday, while shopping at Walmart*Ware I couldn't happen to notice just how much Americans have changed from tattoos on their calves to those on their arms and necks. Some adults hang loosely.... and their beautiful little kids reflect their parents "give-a-shit attitudes!"

Hair styles are colored by the rainbow. Too many men have unkempt ponytails. Fewer and fewer men shave daily. But why? The Vietnam syndrome kicked things off for sure.

The mores of America keep changing. Just look at styles. I give up! Gillette once has a slogan "Look sharp!" Today.. forget it! What's next?

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

CREDO OF THE LATE JAMES A. THREATTE, M.D.

I WOULD RATHER BE ASHES THAN DUST. I WOULD RA

THER MY SPARK SHOULD BURN OUT IN A BRILLIANT BLAZE THAT BE STIFLED BY DRY ROT. I WOULD RATHER BE A SUPERB MENTOR, EVERY ATOM OF ME IN GLOWING MAGNIFICENSE, THAN A SLEEPY AND PERMANENT PLANET. THE ONLY DUTY OF MAN IS TO LIVE, NOT TO EXIST. I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS TRYING TO PROLONG THEM, I SHALL USE MY TIME.

JAMES A. THREATTE, MD

ROBERT  LOUIS  POTVIN

QUALITIES OF A GOOD SALESMAN

PERSEVERANCE 
                                a. Danger of being too easily discouraged
                                b. Success on the fifth call

CONFIDENCE       a. In himself/herself
                                 b. In the product

KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN NATURE
                                 a. Want what others have
                                 b. Like bargains but not cheap goods
                                 c. Subject to flattery

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN
                             



                                

ELIZABETH WARREN AND OTHER MUSINGS

Blood sugar 284.. taken after breakfast! Weight 174  - Her appearance on CNN last night impresses me. Her message is "we must fight." Regardless what Trump tweeks,  I like her positions. I think Senator Warren is intelligent, in tune with the times, and appealing to the younger set. Her appearance Monday night at Washington Square Park New  York City   attracted some 20,000 supporters! Warren has a gimmick: posing for a selfie with constituents! She admits 60,000 pictures taken!

Cokie Roberts : RIP. I liked her verve and style. A great journalist.

James A. Threatte, Jr. MD  RIP- Received word of the passing of a fellow Vietnam veteran. Dr. Threatte was the lab technician at the 345th General Medical Dispensary, Vung Tau, Vietnam. James was brilliant and later attended medical school graduating as an OBGYN. JT is quoted as saying " Potvin, you are the only person I know who bums cigarettes by the pack!" LOL.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

CASEY KASEM REMEMBERED

Casey Kasem lives today! My son Ben and I were successful in having 4 Long Distance Dedications read over the air 02-4-06, 07-29-07 07-26-08 & 1-19-08, and heard around the world! Casey's voice was mellow, his message upbeat and for every weekend we enjoyed his playing pop music and having a countdown.

Our messages were read by Casey himself.... from my being a deejay at North Brookfield High School on 7-29-07 to my mom's death.. "The Lady from little Canada' 07-26-08! Ben's story was on the death of Dan Fogelberg 01-19-08 to the initial LDD about Ben being a "pop muic historian!"

We have these recordings sent to us by Casey and cherish them and the attendant messages.

Looking for some music nostalgia? Tune in to America's Top 10 or AT 40!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A WANING MOON OVER THE COMMON

 

Blood glucose 93  Weight 174.4   Blood pressure 154/74

 

 

The waning moon in the low western sky over the WB Town Common sets the tone for this beautiful Tuesday morning. The temperatures are crisp being around 40 degrees at daybreak. Not a cloud in the sky!

 

Yesterday I unpacked an incredible electronic pill caddy sent by the VA.  The Med Center Talking Alarm Clock is most advanced digital device I have ever seen. Large The four buttons allow you to hear the day, time and date. It has 4 alarms serving as reminders to "take your pills." There are 31 cubes divided by 4 to hold the medications. It is provided by the VA for the asking.

 

Today I eat lunch at the NB Senior Center...Chef Janice.. always a good meal.

 

The apples are still on the trees and provides for a beautiful setting. Autumn is at our doorstep!

 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

 

 

A SKUNK IN THE HOUSE?

Blood glucose 123  Weight 174 lbs. Blood pressure 133/75
A mild Monday in the Brookfields low of about 50 degrees..

I woke up in the early morning hours to the strong smell of a skunk! My house windows were left open for the cool September air. I don't know where or how the critter came by. I sprayed and still the skunk-smell persists.

Received test strips for diabetes meter reads.

Home aids including occupational therapy due in minutes. Spoke with OmegaXL. Full 90 day guarantee. Not to worry.

Playing Casey Kasem Long Distance Dedications  Ben and I enjoyed more than ten years ago.

Delivered bound blog printing to the library.

To NB for lunch.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

 

THE CLOCKS AT OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE

The ambience of the J. Cheney-Wells Clock Museum sets the tone. The stately presence of tall clocks stand as sentinels over smaller shelf clocks. Decorative features such as brass finials gleam in the daylight. The presence of an exposed tower clock mechanisms beats in a determined fashion. Then as the hour reaches maximum time the quaint sound of bells fills the museum solitude with music.

• A clock is more than a clock. The fancily carved wood cases reveal a sophistication of the clockmaker. Simon Willard is perhaps the most recognized name in early New England making. Clocks have so many different names such has
• Tower clock
• Banjo Clock
• Shelf Clock
• Pillar & Scroll
• Many, many more!

Clock makers of early New England were regionalized.. Central & Northern New England, Massachusetts shelf clocks. I did buy a book in the gift shop: CLOCKMAKING in New England 1725 - 1825  by Philip Zea and Robert C. Cheney.

Visiting Old Sturbridge Village is one thing and focusing on its clock museum may be just what the doctor ordered. Tempus Fugit!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

Solomon Richard Parsonage OSV

Willard Dial

A SUNNY SUNDAY IN THE BROOFIELDS

Blood glucose 117  Weight 174  Blood pressure 140/75

After a clouzy Saturday this day is clear as bell and will get warmer. My plans are to travel to Sturbridge to both Staples and Old Sturbridge Village. My plan is to review the clock collection. Speaking of clocks, today's NYT has an auction result that is surreal. 'Rolex: Very Fine 14k gold "Paul Newman" Cosmograph Daytona  "John Player Special Circa Sold For $804,500 " sold by Heritage Auctions.

I discovered a way of printing my blog as a book. I have printed 100 pages and will get it bound and will donate it to the WB library. Other bound blogs can be found in the Archie Jay file cabinet on the second floor.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

Only $804,500

Add caption

ARE YOU A POLYMATH?

POLYMATH - A person with a wide range of intellectual interests or a b

road base of knowledge in many different disciplines - RICHARD B. JOHNSON!

 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THE DEMISE OF TRADITIONALWRISTWATCHES

Wristwatches came out of World War I. Strapped clocks to the wrists of pilots brought about the need for telling time. Prior to this, pocket watches were stored in a tiny pouch in the front of men's trousers. As the watch industry evolved, fashion and ingenuity saw Rolex and Omegas surge.

Enter the Smartwatch about 2013 things changed overnight. Traditional wristwatches began loosing favor. Further, the smartphone has a digital display of time and other features like a stopwatch.

Since 1980 I have dealt in hundreds of mostly men's gold pocket watches. Hunting case gold watches were usually cast in 14k gold. The most I ever sold a watch for was $4,000... a Patek Phillipe men's and $1,400 for a 14k gold pocket watch. Recent press releases showed how a watch fetched $300,000!

To the point, Richard B. Johnson "invested" in over 20 brand new Fossil wrist watches and much to his chagrin learned there is no interest or value!

The time is ubiquitous. From the clock on our VCR's to clocks on our auto's dashboard and all the rest, mechanisms for telling the time abound. It's all about supply and demand.! Notice the "fashions of the wrist" to learn more. Very  interesting!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

WEIGHT GAIN

Blood Glucrose 113   Weight 175.4  Blood pressure 158/76

WEIGHT GAIN something to watch. Another cool night for sleeping.

For the longest time I have been trying to regain the pounds I lost after surgery. Now I must be diligent in leveling off to somewhere around 178 lbs!

JOHNSON AGAIN

It's like our trip to Twin Rivers on a Saturday is routine. It is!. Today "Dick" Johnson hit free slot play and returned home with more than $150! It was the biggest smile I've seen on Old Johnson's face in months. I lost my $10 limit on the Penny machine with no regret.

It was KFC - Webster for lunch. No more mashed potatoes and gravy for me!

Today is clouzy. Sending Freddy Money's obituary to SonBen. Interesting!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH

Blood sugar 123  Weight 174  Blood pressure 148/78

Friday the 13th.

In college I had room 1313!

The Democratic debate: Fewer candidates more fire in their bellies. I think a younger president is in order. The oldies should give it up. It's still a long, long way until November , 2020.

Something BIG is happening on Route 9. Paving is obvious with a fleet of trucks bearing "Asphalt Engineering" on their doors. Is this a replacement to Palmer Paving? WB Police detail is present. GREMARCO parking lot across the street from me is getting paved!

Pick up dry cleaning at Tony's in Spencer and food at Hanniford NB.

The Rotary Spaghetti meal fell short of my expectations. Nothing to drink!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

 

A RAINY THURSDAY

Blood sucrose 123  Weight 173.6 lbs.  Blood pressure lower..

We're getting our share of "September showers!"  The rain was heavy when I traveled down to Country Corner for a copy of the New York Times.

Must travel to Staples for some HP ink. Then, tonight at 5:30 PM comes the spaghetti meal sponsored by the Local Rotary Club. I once sold a story on the Rotary Auction as seen in The Rotarian, July of 1992! Earned $300 for the article.

Clearing is in the forecast.."After Clouds  …  Sunshine!"

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN