ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Seems I must be on the mailing list ? I received the exact letter from the President. Today was "pay day Friday" doing all banking. Josh came by,mowing my lawn and taking my dirty laundry. The Allante' was missing. He called and we agreed I'd pay him tomorrow.  We are working toward a resolution on correcting the ignition problem of the car. Did go to the Legion and saw Jeff Nickerson who suggested I call Dean Wisniewski telling him of my car problem. Josh concurred.Sox are leading Toronto 4-0. My Friday was excellent.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A HUGE CROWD FOR THE WEST BROOKFIELD BONFIRE

The weather cleared and the fans came in. I have never seen such a large crowd as tonight's for the annual bonfire! The town common was full of folks of all ages. I can even hear the drums of the band playing from my home at the Poodle. My day was good. I watched baseball in the afternoon. Josh and family is home from his vacation. Earlier in the day I organized all of my DVD collection and CD's. No surprised. 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

WEDNESDAY - A DAY OF DOUNPOURS & MUSIC

It was raining when I got up and a torrential downpour late in the afternoon.I have never seen such a deplorable weather pattern. Hopefully things will improve in the next few days? Today's music included "Black & White Night" with Roy Orbison.Then I played CDs by Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash and others. I discovered a DVD by Bill Kurtis entitled "Doctors with X-Ray Vision." This is about the evolution of X-Rays and advancing technologies. I like it as of my experience in taking x-rays in Vietnam. 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A TUESDAY OF DVD ENTERTAINMENT

After the usual of reading two newspapers I decided to continue watching more DVDS. The first was the BEEGEES. I was introduced to this group with their hit "MASSACHUSETTS" when I was a soldier in Vietnam. John Travolta says "When these three guys get behind a mic - it's magic!" The next DVD was "Carpenters Gold." My favorite hit of the Carpenters was 'TOP OF THE WORLD." Next was The Beatles songs featuring YELLOW SUBMARINE. My favorite song is "WHEN I'M SIXTY FOUR." The last was "ELVIS ALOHA FROM HAWAII." The energy of The King is amazing! You must watch this DVD to get the effect!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY COMPLETE MONDAY

 This Monday was good, indeed. First I fetched the US Mail - Box 11.I got two drugs from the VA in addition to a book from Boston:"Massachusetts Elections Statistics 2000." I can review the 5,157 votes I got. Next came the DVD "John F. Kennedy:Years of Lightening, Day of Drums." The New York Times is quoted "A Truly Magnificent and Soul-Stirring Film."  I highly recommend viewers get a copy. I rate it *****! Next came the DVD "Eagles Farewell I Tour Live from Melbourne."  Two hits I like are: 'Peaceful, Easy Feeling" and "Take It Easy." "Hotel California" is another top song. Then I re-discovered a tape made by me while serving in Vietnam! It is brief but good...Vung Tau 1967. My day is complete!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A VERY QUIET SUNDAY EXCEPT FOR OLIVIA

My blood sugar was 105 and my weight 158.2 lbs. The Red Sox lost again to the Chicago White Sox. My usual visit to Ron & Chris found the door locked. I came back for another bag of popcorn and enjoyed Modern Marvels showing the history of how popcorn evolved over the centuries. Knowing how to show a dvd I was successful in watching OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN live at the Sydney Opera House. I was entertained for one hour and a half watching ONJ perform with her hits. My favorite is "Hopelessy Devoted To You." Watch it!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

AFTER CLOUDS.. SUNSHINE

This Saturday began with clouds then a downpour before  some clearing.The highlight came when I discovered Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction and one Steve Magnante! The prices on cars realized reached a high of $900,000 for a Ford! Seems the sky is the limit. Rolls Royce cars can be bought for less than $100,000! Steve Magnante is a genius in automotive history. I will see Steve next weeks for lunch.The Red Sox tied the White Sox 4-4 then lost in the bottom of the ninth 5-4.I enjoyed a bag of butter popcorn. My Saturday was complete.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A QUIET FRIDAY

 My home is comfortable with the window AC going. Did food shopping at Hannaford NB.Spent $61.69 to include a Thank You card for the Editor of my "One Lucky Soldier." People seem to be busy as nobody has mentioned reading it. I mailed a donation of $50 to the National Museum * United States Army. Maybe I'll send them a copy of my"One Lucky Soldier"? Traveled to the Legion where I saw Jeff Nickerson. 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THURSDAY'S SUNSHINE

 This was a day of sunshine! I sat out in the sun for close to an hour. Sister Jan stopped by with Ray and brought news:"The Salvation Army Store in Spencer is closing Saturday; the building has been sold!" I told her the Salvation Army store in Hadley has better merchandise! Today I spent more than an hour reviewing my memoirs. I reviewed letters I wrote to my mother Rita from Hong Kong, Vietnam and Australia.Lord Byron once wrote "Letter writing is the only device combining solitude with good company." I submit all of your written letters should be saved. The written word is powerful.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

TOWN OF NORTH BROOKFIELD MAKES NATIONAL NEWS

 The Town of North Brookfield, Mass was the closing segment with Lester Holt NBC News just now! The  feature showed the center of town and covered the PRIDE and LBGTQ topics. It is amazing millions of viewers saw my hometown in all of it's glory! This was a more sunny day. I sat out in my garage for sunshine for about 50 minutes. It was the first time for me to sit out in weeks. Didn't do anything with my LA CROSS wireless rain station. 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

AN INCREDIBLE DOWNPOUR

At about 3:30pm an incredible downpour hit West Brookfield! I have never seen such a tempest.It made Boston weather reporting. Received a Father's Day card and gift card to Walmart from Son Ben and family. Did food shopping at Hannaford NB.Ate a whole bag of salted cashews for lunch and some lobster bisque.Had trouble in getting batteries for my wireless rain station. Must call for help in the AM. 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

JUNETEENTH IN THE BROOKFIELDS

 I didn't realize this Monday was a holiday until I tried to get my mail. Door locked! It was a partly cloudy day. I ordered refills on two VA prescriptions by phone. Decided to go to the Hardwick Farmer's Co-op and found my visit interesting.I asked for rain gauges and was introduced to a "Wireless Rain Station." This is made by LA CROSSE TECHNOLOGY ad I bought one for $32.99. It takes 4 AA batteries. Should prove to be very interesting. Josh called inviting me to Birch Hill for a "beer" an some peanuts. I accepted and ended up traveling with him to Sturbridge with his boat for repairs.The skies cleared and my Juneteenth was full!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2023

 My father's day 2023 was good. The routine clean laundry was returned by Josh as was my lawn mowed. The red Cadillac Allante' was washed and the top put down.For a minute I had high hopes of driving the car to the Marchessaults only to learn it wouldn't start! We had a prime rib dinner and birthday cake for Ronnie. Josh's family gave me a gift card from the Hardwick Farmer's co-op. Ben sent me a card & gift but I haven't got my mail since Thursday. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 6-2 in the first game of a double header and are leading 4-2 in the second game.My father's day 2023 was happy indeed!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY RAINY SATURDAY

Despite the rain, this Saturday had a couple highlights. First was a visit from Steve Magnante who drove up in a spiffy red Corvette! We shared lives.. Steve 58 and I 80+. Steve is a polymath and well innformed in many topics.After buying groceries at Hannaford NB I received a call from Josh advising of the reception at Hancock Tavern WB for the Late Doreen Waz. The place was crowded. I expressed my condolences to Jim, Brian and other family members.Didn't stay long. Came home to enjoy some lobster bisque and ice cream then had four ears of sweet corn graced with butter and Lawry's Seasoned Salt! The Red Sox/Yankee baseball game was postponed due to inclement weather.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

RED SOX LEAD THE YANKEES 10-1!

The highlight of this Friday is a grand slam home run by Justin Turner of the Red Sox! Sox lead 10-1 in the third inning. I finished watching the PBS video "The Roosevelts. It is a comprehensive documentary of both Teddy, Franklin and Eleanor.I recommend folks to watch it as it recaps US history of the 20th century.Steve M comes in the AM at 9:00 AM. Will be fun to see Steve!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

Despite power outages in West Brookfield, this Thursday was spent watching "Humanity From Space" and the life of "Franklin D.Roosevelt" on PBS video. The bottom like of FDR is his courage in dealing with polio in 1921 and going onto being elected in 1932. We must realize he had to  get America out of the Great Depression and redefine our America through social programs. The guy was charming. I recommend readers obtain "The Roosevelts" from PBS! In other matters Steve Magnante will come here on Saturday, Steve is my friend and I have materials to share with him.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THUNDER, LIGHTENING AND A FIXED VCR

 This Wednesday was progressive. Josh came to my rescue in allowing me to watch "The Roosevelts" Part 1. featuring the rambunctious Teddy Roosevelt on a DVD film by Ken Burns. I haven't watched this in more than a year. I also watched Humanity from Space another "winner." The storm was moderate coming through around 5:00 pm. My Wednesday was complete.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A VERY SAD DAY IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY

 America is divided! The media frenzy in Florida reveals just how bad things really are! I don't like it and we must endure the storm! I think

of the debacle when Nixon stepped down from the high office the Country was in a mess. Today we see the same.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A SUCCESSFUL MONDAY

 Blood sugar 110 Weight 159lbs Today my goal was to get my Massachusetts Driver's License renewed in Southbridge at the Registry and that I did. The cost was $50. Also, there was "cheap" gasoline there at $3.17/ gallon.  I want to begin my study of clouds;1.Cirrus 2. Cumulonimbuc 3. Stratus 4. Lenticulous 5. Mammatus  and a whole array of combination of others.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY QUIET SUNDAY

 Blood sugar 116  It has been a very quiet Sunday for me. No word from Josh and Ronnie & Chrissies door was locked. There must have been a game somewhere? I have a marvelous book about clouds. It is comprehensive and will serve me well in the future. I watched baseball all afternoon and now the Yankees are leading the Sox 2-1. It was a hot day in the sun and I limited my sitting for 30 minutes.I must go to the Registry in Southbridge for a license renewal. 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A BRIGHTER SATURDAY

Blood sugar 106 The day began brighter with puffy clouds.Received my monthly bill from the VA for prescriptions filled: $69.00. Didn't do much except for a 28 mile journey around New Braintree and North Brookfield. Did notice a spiffy new Honda parked in Jeff Nickerson's driveway in North Brookfield. Watched some of the Pride parade in Boston along with the Sox/ Yankee game.Now have statistics of the 2000 Election.Received 544 votes in North Brookfield and 444 in west Brookfield! This is long ago and far away.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

THE WORCESTER TORNADO JUNE 9, 1953

Today's blood sugar 114.

This information is taken from various sources on the Internet:

WORCESTER TORNADO BY THE NUMBERS:

Baseball size hail, 10,000 homeless, 48 mile path from Petersham to Shrewsbury, 4,800 buildings damaged, 94 deaths, F-5 on Fujita scale,  I was 9 at the time living in North Brookfield, Mass.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A COMPREHENSIVE THURSDAY

 The day began with food shopping at Hannaford NB where I spent $60. My treat was Lobster Bisque and 4 ears of corn on the cob which I enjoyed for supper. My next phase of this Thursday was a trip to the VA in Worcester for a review of all medications. Josh drove me in and was helpful in reviewing then with Que the technician. I was given a new blood sugar tester and my blood sugar registered 145. My 60 year ago roommate at St.Louis Univ., Atty. Bill Gross called from Vancouver,Washington. We chatted for 20+ minutes. The sun and blue skies appeared at sunset.Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THE 2000 ELECTION

Watching Mike Pence and Doug Bungum declare their desire to be President evokes memories of my running for Congress in the 1st Congressional District. I ran as an Unenrolled candidate. I needed 2000 signatures to get on the ballot. I received 2044 Certified Signatures an got on the ballot. The Late John Olver, the Incumbent called my phone four times but I never returned his call! The guy had a PhD.I too had a PhD.. a post hole digger! Today I ordered an election results from William Galvin's office and will post results as they are interesting. I received 2% of the votes cast. More later.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY TUESDAY OF DISCOVERY

 The morning was fair and I washed the Allante' after sorting out a filing cabinet of old receipts. I discovered many stories I wrote over the years. I pitched worthless receipts. Thunder came in the PM with pea-size hail twice. Josh called needing to be picked up from Barnes Enterprises in East Brookfield. Earlier I went to Dollar General in Brookfield for some face clothes. Later in the day I printed blog entries from March 3rd to April 29. Now I must decide who to give these to? 

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A FULFILLING MONDAY

My primary assignment was to get my Granddaughter Savannah a birthday card, insert a money gift and mail it..and that I did!Ran into sister Jan in the Hannaford parking lot. Received my National Grid bill for $123.18 and paid it. Josh came by and picked up my "dirty laundry" and inserted light bulbs in the kitchen.Weather hasn't improved all day and looks like all week will be this way. It was a good Monday!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

THE SUNDAY AND DAY AFTER A BUSY WEEK

 The day after saw us adjusting to a new weather pattern. Cloudy weather prevailed though the sun came out briefly around 5 PM. I put on the heat upon rising. A trip to Hannaford for some basics like lobster bisque..I must return for a a birthday card for Savannanh who turns 9 on June 9. I've burned out two light bulbs in my kitchen. Josh called  from Cape Cod where Chase lost in the State finals in soccer 5-1.So did the Sox. Will get caught up with getting  my mail tomorrow.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

 

A COLD GRADUATION DAY AT QUABOAG

 The Graduation Class at Quaboag Regional High School walked in as Elgar's Pomp & Circumstance played. The audience was huge.Chase Potvin  was decked in gown and mortar and pestle was one class officer to speak.I was given a front row seat to observe all of the action.Guest speakers imparted their wisdom to the graduates. Diplomas were given. After an intermission the invited guests reverted to  53 Birch Hill Rd. WB. It was very cold with temperatures in the 50s. People came with their kids and grand kids. I dressed warmly and was still cold. Good food was enjoyed by all guests.I departed early as I was still cold!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

A QUIET FRIDAY

It was a change in weather. The day began in the 90s and by mid afternoon thunderstorms and rain changed the mood. I did food shopping at Hannaford NB and spent $43.00. Top on the list is Lobster Bisque and orange juice. The afternoon was relaxing. I traveled to the Legion where it was quiet. Didn't stay long as many of the "regulars" were not present! I watched the President give his speech on his "victory."  Tomorrow is Quaboag's Graduation and party on Birch Hill.

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN

MY HOT PAYDAY THURSDAY

 My banking had the top priority before it got too hot. I got hundred dollar bills to pay Josh for my rent. I got enough to slip a couple in Chase's graduation card.. The big thing is Saturday's graduation party on Birch Hill. Josh painted the gates, picnic tables and the giant chair in the field. I beat the heat by enjoying my air conditioner and giant fan circulating the air. The heat is here for a couple of days then cooler weather with showers for the party. June is busting out all over!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN