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Ted
Cate
A
Personal Journal Reflecting On Aging
June 9 | June 10
June
9: Build for the Future
My wife, Phyllis Ann, and I start Saturdays out by
meeting friends at the Hy Vee grocery store for a snack. They
have a bakery that is second to none. I choose an apple fritter
and a glass of orange juice for my breakfast. This might not
sound like much of a treat, but when you are a diabetic it
borders on being a banquet. The friends we met with today
were the true nomads of our friends. They have a 5th-wheel
trailer that they have moved into as their full-time home.
Last winter they spent time in Florida and other southern
states taking advantage of the warmer climate. I think they
thought it wise to leave prior to the hurricane season. They
spent part of their time in Florida as employees of Disney
World. They enjoyed their job at Disney World so much; they
plan on returning again next winter.
Each year the city of Spencer, Iowa, holds what they call Flagfest.
One activity consists of a tour of our local County Courthouse.
Inasmuch as my grandfather’s name appears on the cornerstone,
we felt obligated to tour the facility. For a building more
than 100 years old, it is in pretty good shape. Plans call
for restoring the clock tour at an appreciable cost to the
taxpayers. I, for one, don’t think it is practical but
I seem to be the only one that feels that way. At my age I’m
expected to join the ranks of those that want to preserve
anything and everything that is old for posterity. I prefer
to build for the future.
The day didn’t pass without a little excitement. At about
8 pm our doorbell rang and a young boy informed us that his
friend had fallen off the slide that is in the park across
the street from our home. I grabbed my cell phone and proceeded
to the slide to examine the casualty. Thankfully the young
man had only skinned up his elbow. I think the blood had scared
him more than the injury. My wife, a retired nurse, and I
took him home with us and cleaned him up and put a bandage
on his arm. We provided him and his three friends with ice-cream-bar
treats and called his father. If the area around the slide
hadn’t been provided with a thick layer of pea-gravel
I think an arm might have been broken.
June
10: Flight Breakfast
As part of Flagfest, a flight breakfast is held at
our regional airport. This gives all of those who own airplanes
a chance to justify the ownership of such an expensive plaything.
They fly in from far and near. Static displays are provided
along with an air show. This year the young were provided
with free rides to instill in them the desire to get involved
with aviation. One of our locals, a bigwig in the National
Guard, was on hand to receive a plaque, honoring his service
to our country, that will be placed in the terminal. He used
to live in our backyard so it is rather meaningful to my wife
and me. We inspected a military helicopter that had a three-barrel
Gatling gun swivel-mounted in its nose. Having been a gunnersmate
on a battleship, I’m always drawn to the armament of
our fighting vehicles.
If you are strong of heart you can take a ride in a glider
or stunt plane provided you have the necessary coin. I’ve
tried them both and found it a worthwhile experience. If you
plan on taking a glider ride, be prepared for a possible hard
landing. They aren’t equipped with shock absorbers.
Breakfast consisted of pancakes and sausage along with a drink
prepared and served by a host of volunteers. You eat in a
hangar amongst the paraphernalia that keeps the planes flying.
Mid-afternoon, a friend appeared at our door with a box of
hosta plants. This interrupted the weeding and mulching operation.
Once the new plants were all properly planted it was time
to drag out the sprinkler so that they could be properly drenched.
By this time it was time to walk the dog and get back to reading
the aforementioned book entitled The Lion’s Game.
Journal
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