MY AMAZING DISCOVERY WHILE AT MASS GENERAL TODAY:THE GREAT HAIFAX EXPLOSION

Curiosity is defined as "a thirst for knowledge.. a lust for learning" and so on. Today, I hit the JACKPOT while visiting the Medical Museum at Mass General. Docent Bill from Pittsburgh way steered me to The Great Halifax Explosion Exhibit. BANG! Paydirt!


I thought Mont Blanc was the name of a writing instrument when in reality it was the name of a French Munitions ship docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was 1917 and World War I had been rumbling since Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914. Halifax, Nova Scotia, was an active port for  ships of all sorts to and from Europe to Canada and the USA. "The port city of Halifax bustled with ships carrying troops, relief supplies and munitions."


History reveals "at approximately 8:45 a.m. The Mont Blanc and the Norwegian vessel IMO collided. The MB was loaded with explosives.. 2,300 tons of picric acid, 200 tons of TNT, 35 tons of high octane gasoline and ten tons of gun cotton." It was a FLOATING TIME BOMB that exploded after crashing with the IMO.


 The explosion was the precursor to the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945.


The aftermath of The  Great Halifax Explosion brought death and destruction and attendant sympathies from around the Globe."1,800 people were killed, 9,000 were injured, 200 were blinded. Accounts report 1,600 homes were destroyed. The shock wave shattered windows 50 miles away and the sound explosion could be heard hundreds of miles away."


Thank you Massachusetts General Hospital Medical Museum for sharing this tragedy with me. Had I not visited this museum, today, and with the behest of Bill I would remain oblivious to The Great Halifax Explosion of 1917! Veritas.


Thanks, again, MGH.


Sincerely yours,


Robert Louis Potvin
A Land Lubber
91p20
Radiology Technician
'The University of Vietnam'
1967 - 1968

PANIC IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND!

The fake media sure knows how to rile the souls of New Englanders.... just mention the word Nor'easter, Blizzard or snowstorm! It's good for business you know. Sherman Oil ran out of gas at 3:00 PM today according to head pumper "Joey" Nolin. "We ran out of Regular then sold hi-test. People were afraid their cars would blow up with a higher octane!"


" I observed a line of customers ten deep just now. Outspoken cashier Jen C. was raking in the cash from the gamblers hoping the pot of gold would be in their lives.  Me? I'm pot-win!

The following is a meteorological record by Mother Rita in North Brookfield from 1976 to Y2K.

• January 7, 1975 "11 inches of snow"
• January 12, 1976 '7" of snow'
• January 7, 1977 "Major storm up to 1 foot of snow"
• February 6-7, 1978 " Snow blowing Nor'easter -20.2 inches of snow"
• January 13, 1979  "Ice storm"
• January   7,  1980  Uneventful
• January    7, 1981  "3-4" of snow"
• January 18, 1982   "Earthquake @ 7:14 PM."
• January 18, 1983   "'1 foot of snow."
• January 13, 1984   "Seven inches of new snow."
• January 16, 1986   "Warming trend."
• January 10, 1987    A phenomenal dumping of snow..
• January 4, 1988     "5 inch snowstorm."
• January 24, 1989   "Spring-like."
• January  7, 1990    "Fair"
• January 12, 1991    "5-6" snow,  Freezing Rain."
• January 9, 1992      'Snowstorm in morning."
• March   13, 1993    Blizzard  19.2 inches of snow 79 mph winds Bob
• January 4, 1994     9" of snow & ice."
• January      1995     "Foot plus"
• January 12, 1996  'Snowing again..3rd storm this week."
• January  17, 1998  "'Sunshine, beautiful scenery"
• January 8, 1999      '5" of heavy snow.'January 13, 2000    "Winter wonderland.

The highlight of my mother's historic weather diary was recorded on MARCH 22, 1977: "MAJOR STORM... No electricity, thunder, lightening, Nor'easter turning to snow.. foot of snow..30 hours without electricity.. antenna down 45 degrees in house."


N.B. This dastardly experience of Joe & Rita Potvin prompted then to buy a casts iron parlor stove from Aubuchon Hardware, NB. By changing to burning wood, this one act transformed their lives forever. Dad said 'Burning wood (ash) fascinate's me!" I think it reminded him of life in Wine Village in the Teens and Twenties. Their lifestyle changed from living in the den to living in the parlor. It was warm and wonderful.. literally and figuratively. Burning wood meant a new activity.. cutting down some 40 trees in God's Little Acre. We had fun, my boys participated and we got on with life and living. we have family movies to prove it. I once said to dad who resisted cutting down the trees.."Oh, you're going to save them for the new owner?" LOL. Dad got my drift!


One gets warm splitting firewood, moving it in dry, then enjoying the radiance of the moment.


I thoroughly enjoy recounting the legacy my folks gave me, Ben and Josh, and my five grandkids!


ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN
A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
THE BROOKFIELDS
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
13 Degrees at 7:02 PM
January 3, 2018

The Late Ray Blake

Old Bob & Mother Rita  c. 1991

Ben & Josh Fenway 1998

Robert H. Goddard

My Classy-dressed Parents c. 1940

Josh, Heidi & Rita

Uncle Skid Ledoux

Chase-boy kidding Maddie

"We choose to go to the Moon!"

Quabbin Lookout

Mine!

Me Again

Bates Street NB

Yellow School

Mellow Yellow Forsythias to come

Wyoming

GRANDMOTHER'S FEATHER BED

5:41 AM 5 DEGREES to Boston 



My trip to Boston proved to be pricey despite "near perfection!"


Taking the MBTA Commuter Rail to South Station, Boston, is always a treat. At $11.00 RT for Seniors, it's is a deal. Many whistle-stops along the way. So what. I love observing everything and every body. It keeps me young. Arriving at the parking garage  at 6:27 AM a glass jar of Cappuccino sufficed until I had breakfast at Susie's, of Course at South station, Boston.


The 'herd of humans' alighting from the aluminum graced rail cars amazed me.. without a walking cane ! I love it. South Station Concierge Kevin Green was hawking his services in style. Kevin introduced me to a Boston cop. "'We had 70 homeless folks seeking refuge from the cold last night!" This 37 year veteran of the Boston police force seemed so discouraged. "If I had to do it over I would not be a cop."


His candor intrigued me. IN AMERICA THERE SHOULD BE NO HOMELESS! He blamed former Governor Mike Dukakis as the Duke closed all mental hospitals, save one, during his administration.


My CHARLIE TICKET  cost me $5.50. This allowed me to take the T anywhere in the City. I bought it at 9:10 AM and was on my merry way to Mass General. Two things; Everybody was bundled up and everybody has a Smart Phone!


 Massachusetts General Hospital is wonderful! The Veterans Administration
After a hiatus of more than a year I was received with open arms to have my blood drawn. Old Faye Rafferty and Madellini treated me like family. Got my blood drawn by the "mother of 4".. Lin wasn't in today. Then I went up to the 10th floor to renew my connections with my "shrink," Dr. Donna Greenberg. No problem. I have an appointment on January 12th at 10:30 AM.  I spoke with Dr. G briefly and in the absence of Ambien she advised "TEYLONOL PM."


Next came a visit to The Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation. A great visit with Bill, a docent, and his cohort. A separate entry on the MGH museum will follow.


"The "Rip-off Of The Day Award" came at Union Station, Worcester. LAZ Parking 9h. 15 m. $12.00 It cost me more to park my Honda than a round-trip ride on the Commuter Rail. "Come Along And Ride This Train!' I DID and loved it!


Arrived home in  time to get my U.S. Mail and make a $400 deposit at Country Bank! 'Bye-Bye NBSB!"


Very truly yours,


ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN
Expert in Many Fields. LOL
Box 11
West Brookfield, MA 01585


508-867-3360  Anytime











  .....

A GOOD DAY OUT WEST

Despite the cold my day was warm. The spectacular solar display really makes me to "think solar." People who live in glass houses are lucky on sun-shinny days. On cloudy days forget it!


My delight with the Salvation Army - Hadley continues...  from acquiring a canary yellow canvas of Le Tour de Eifel "PARIS" to an amazing gilded framed print of three fishies: BALISTES AUREUS..LABRUS AUREO MACULATUS.. BALISTES EYTHROPTERON in spectacular colors of the "fishbow."


Next came two books " Tools of the Astronomer" and "ROGET A TO Z."
The Best of Liberace and Fiddler on The Roof ae entertaining your blogger right now."Sunrise -Sunset," you know. Nothing can be finer as the cold weather endures. 11 degrees right now at 7:30 PM Tuesday 1/2/18.


Mens' 100% wool dress suits are plentiful at the SA - Hadley. I goofed in buying a great business cuit without trying on the pants. "Battle of the Bulge!" Maybe Josh or Ben will be interested? Then there's a gift for Lily who is sporting painted finger nails A new-in-the box of 15 Color Nail Collection from MAX STUDIO.. an early birthday present from POPS.


The Leeds VA is another story. The poor, aging, Vietnam Veterans. Some scooting around in their electric scooters. I refuse to get old. Had a long chat with Roberto Colon in his scooter. 'I am 100%, am getting implants and am looking to buy a house." Roberto gets over $2,900 a month and this Robert gets $360. I would rather my freedom and good health than what Roberto enjoys!?


Getting nowhere fast with the VA. Bureaucratic bullshit. Pardon my French.


Finally, from the LBJ Library in Austin, TX, copies from President Johnson's "Daily Diary!" Dated November 7, 1966 from the LBJ Ranch a minute-by-minute of Mr. President's visit to Cotulla where Johnson taught in 1928 - 1929. This is the real deal I thought  as I peruse the notes. I LOVE IT.
Robert Louis Potvin
Sub-Zero Blogger
WB 01585

MY DEFEATING THE EXTREME COLD

• You CAN be reasonably comfortably comfortable by waging your own "Tet Offensive!
• The most important thing, as I see it, will be your "attitudes in endurance." Mother once said "There's no endurance like the man who sells insurance!" I was selling Memberships for BJs at the time 2002.
• Embrace wool & cotton clothing 24/7. Right now I sport underwear (reasonably soiled,) LOL.A 100% cotton Field & Stream shirt, a grey neck scarf, A Harris Tweed 100% wool blazer, grey flannel wool trousers, mismatched socks, a New Zealand sheepskin hat, and yes, I wear gloves!
• I never watch television or the Weather channel
  
  ; I am listening to Apple Country Radio from Brookfield  98.1 FM!
• I keep my system of life fueled: Juice, fiber cereal, a banana, 1/2 a Table Talk Blue Berry Pie and will next drive to Country Corner for a Hazel Nut coffee and the latest chat.
• I will head West today to the VA in Northampton and visit my salvation, the Salvation Army in Hadley. My $600 in Aetna and VA pensions will keep me afloat.
• Don't wash your automobile. I did yesterday in NB and now I have a nice layer of ice!
• This week will be a bitch, weatherwise, and maybe otherwise?
• If you think we have it bad just think what it was like in 1660 atop Foster Hill! Family of 5..all slept in the same bed under buffalo hides, quilts and stone bed warmers. Then, gradually man advanced with betterments i.e Hard Cider, a Rumford fireplace, kerosene this and kerosene that. Electricity didn't arrive until about 1913 and later. No SmartPhones back then. And yes, they lived and loved, fashioned the ubiquitous stone walls and so on.They counted their sheep and we should count our blessings.
• Winter is here in all it's vengeance. In February it'll warm up and SNOW.
• Chin up, my friends!

THE WORD IS WOOL! Baa  Baa Baa black sheep.....

RLP

THE TRUTH HURTS

My loving father, Joseph E. espoused 'Everything in moderation, Bob." Dad was a humble soul, extremely talented with his hands and his mind, and was my friend. One of the last social gatherings saw dad notice a few grey hairs on my temple saying "I guess I've done a good job raising you, Bob." He addressed the message to my mentor, Ray Lenti of Southbridge.


Over the years I have learned much from the follies of my clients . "Circumstances don't make the person...they reveal the person." Unfortunately folks have "SQUIRRELED AWAY STUFF FOR A RAINY DAY." Well, I'll tell you...It ain't gonna rain and the longer you retain the "mass productions of the Orient" the more they will have little to no value. FREE is the latest roadside verse. You can call it junk with good reason. I call it debris! Are you compulsive-obsessive?


These frigid moments in our lives are great times to thin out your holdings Today's antique show revealed stuff, say 20 years ago had appeal. Today I wonder? We all crave nostalgia and many fantasy as evidenced by the plethora of home movies. As a discerning connoisseur.. one who works at it.. I notice trends I don't like. But because I, too, am human, I can easily fall prey to abject materialism. SO I pick  Salvation Army to my heart's content. My dollar goes 20 times further than the junk offered at Dollar General. No class!


As my Solar Digital Thermometer approaches Zero, I will pack it in. My buzz word in 2018 will be SALVAGE! Stop buying unnecessary shit. I call a spade a spade.


And yes, it's colder than a witches' tit! OMG. LOL.


Time for beddy-bye.


Brrrobert

MY NEW YEAR'S MONDAY 2018 IN HI-DEF!

Having gone to bed with all of my wool clothes on, I slept like a baby: awake every two hours! LOL.


This dastardly cold snap will not get me down. Why? Because I have adjusted my attitude to that of January. My first order of business was to get my coffee at Country Corner and get "low readings" from friends. Young Salem came in at -7. I was -2.


Then to Long Hill for a sunrise. Old Sol checked in about 7:17. AM. Nice. Then to Sturbridge for the antiques show. Nice, again. I hit pay dirt right away buying 'ELVIS, ALOHA FROM HAWAII via SATELLITE. I told the dealer "it made my day!."


My perceptions of the market place of antiques and collectibles revealed "dealer inventories are high." As the saying goes "people vote their wallet" doesn't necessarily tell of the bottom line. As I later told SonJosh "there really is no market, per se, in "stuff." An agreement of parties.


At 11:00 a.m. SHARP PBS brought me right into the Vienna concert hall. The William Tell Overture (The Lone Ranger's theme) really got me going. After a slew of Straus waltzes I anticipated the Radzeky March. Little Lisa Mullins prempted my fav by truncating it. Pissed me off. MAybe, just maybe, it will be shown on TV?


Next came Hannaford in NB. Once again Son Josh and Heidi gave me a gift card.. "Food For January." I stocked up big time. Six cans of Habitant Pea Soup but of course I'm a FROG.4 units of B & M Baked Beans,Newman's Hot Salsa, Fiber One, Oyster Crackers, Stoned Wheat Thins and a can of ROCK STAR ENERY  for JBP.  A few other items. totaling $64.56. Old Chuck Eye Steak 2 pieces for $5.21!


Then it was to Birch Hill to see my family. They had returned from Gloucester earlier. Lily and Maddie and Evie were playing with the electronic cash register. I approve of this as the girls are learning randomly about the real world.


Then I asked Lily to "command" Alexa to play 'The Auctioneer Song!" As Leroy Van Dyke sang I MIMMICKED the lyrics. Mt grandchildren were in disbelief. Heidi and Josh smiled meaning they approved of POPS entertainment. Lol.


Now comes the interesting part of my day. In anticipation of The Super Moon I returned to Long Hill. Knowing where my sunrise was peeking in the Southeastern horizon I couldn't have been off by more if I were blindfolded When the appointed minute arrived "I was looking for love in all the wrong places!"


Finally, I looked Northeast and saw a sliver of salmon-colored moon! Within minutes this gigantic Full Moon appeared. "A Miracle on Fifth Avenue." I thought of President Kennedy's speech at Rice University ' WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON IN THIS DECADE and do the  other things. NOT BECAUSE THEY WILL BE EASY BUT BECAUSE THEY WILL BE HARD!" Such inspiring words by our Fallen Leader.


The whole week will be brutal, weather wise." Currently it is 8.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Time for some Pea Soup and Oyster Crackers!


How was your New YEAR'S DAY?


BOB POTVIN