“a Prom eve”

Happy Saturday Morning – This morning we’re on the edge of possibly turning the heat back on. What’s preventing me is that over the next few days it’ll be just shy of the 90-degree mark and I just know we can make it. In the meantime, I’ll pour another mug of steaming coffee – Marcia has already asked if my mug was empty (her way of ‘suggesting’ she was ready for a refill).

Looking forward – Marcia’s titanium hips are works of wonder and work beautifully. Struggling the most is balance. As we age staying ahead in the balance game becomes more and more of an issue.

With my brothers we work out together via a Zoom session twice a week, and have been at it faithfully since 2022. Aside from occasionally adding a newly discovered routine or dropping one used little we’re adding more stretching and balance activities into our workout bits. The loss of balance is a main cause of a slow downward spiral as we age.

All of this said working to improve balance has Marcia and I to an (almost) daily walk about the property. We should all make it a highlight in daily life.

Crown ‘Vic’ – Sometime during the last couple of weeks the last Crown Vic ‘Interceptor’ used in a police force went out of service. That model was probably produced at the height of America’s desire for having an everyman available massive sedan parked in their driveway.

I never owned one, yet I drove one regularly for a couple of years – enough of the puzzling? OK, for a while I was Police trained member of our local “Citizen’s on Patrol.” Mostly we walked our neighborhood, carried a police communication radio and had access to a parked at the station older Crown Vic Interceptor cruiser (blue lights changed out for amber lights). The last to get a bit further into the ‘hood.’

As an aside, I really enjoyed our volunteer work and based on the comments we received, often from residents living in the sketchiest part of urban (ghetto) areas. Often, as we walked about the streets, it was a voice from a porch or a handshake that I knew they too appreciated us being around.

Prom innovation – Last evening Vaioleti and her classmates were partying the night away on their senior prom. She outdid herself in the fancy-dress department and looked beautiful.

What made this Prom different is that the whole event, meal, dance, and party took place on a Riverboat – the Belle of Cincinnati tall stack paddle-wheeler. Next, you’ll ask me; “why does this make an evening with wild teenagers different?” Think it through.

• No running out to the parking lot to a stashed bottle of alcohol.
• Everyone is in a contained setting.
• The boat returns on schedule, and this establishes a framework for the event.

As being old enough, Marcia and I believe this Boat cruise to offer something different with views of lighted up city views from the river in a wonderful setting. We’re waiting for an update later this morning.

This week’s Interlude – Not a guessing game this week. Thought I’d just post this great song from one of my all-time favorite Soul and R&B singer; Clarence Carter. We lost him this week, aged 90 and blind since age one. And yes, his work on occasion could be a bit on the prickly side, this made it that much more real. Enjoy:

Now I best get involved seeing how Dinah and her Syracuse University rowing team is managing in the ACC (American Coast Conference) Rowing Championships. They are rowing against schools such as Stanford, Cal, Notre Dame, Louisvile (my alma mater), Duke, Virginia, and Miami.

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Last month it was King Charles III who addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress. This session was one of only 11 where a monarch made such an address. Of this list, which three made more than a single presentation?

1. King Kalakauaa
2. King Juan Carlos I
3. Queen Beatrix
4. King Hussein I
5. Queen Elizabeth II
6. King Bhumibol Adulyadej
7. King Baudouin
8. King Mahendra
9. Queen Juliana

Last week Bonus Points answer – #1