The title of your post today brought back a favorite memory from my youth. Many years ago, it must have been c. 1960 or 61, I attended a performance of the musical "Flower Drum Song" at the Warwick (RI) Musical Theater. This was a large, circus-sized tent that served as a summer venue for musical performances. The opening number of that musical is the Flower Drum Song, which contains the line, "Miracle of changing weather." On that particular night, this line was followed by an enormous thunderclap and rain that came down so hard on the tent fabric that it drowned out the players (no pun intended). Both the cast and the audience were startled by the thunder, and then began laughing helplessly. It took several minutes for the storm to die down and for all to regain their composure so the show could go on.
Sweet stories today and I laughed out loud about the enema lady. I have a colonoscopy story, but it’s a bit too vivid, so I’ll spare you. But did you hear about the proctologist who finally wrote his memoir? He called it, My Life in Hindsight.
GK, I find a significant mention of something that occured in my life in nearly every one your posts. Today it was "the Major." I cannot think of Viet Nam without a tear, in my eye and my heart. I served, but in the USN on the East Coast. Luck of the draw. Thanx!
I thought I recalled it being "Duck" tape with the "quack quack" at the end?
The implication being that there is a significant segment of Americans who, because they rarely read, don't always know how a particular word is spelled and pronounced; for example the word "ask" is sometimes pronounced "ax" as in "don't ax me that." And "that" is another often mispronounced word as in "dat"; "don't do dat!"
I'm offended by hearing a language mangled; but maybe that's just me?
Vietnam, that was a very tough time for most young men of that time. My draft number wasn’t picked. Many of my friends weren’t as lucky. Most came home but it definitely changed all who endured the experience.
I later joined a Vietnam Veterans Association in my community and participated in their “Honor Guard” group. The Honor Guard would participate at veteran’s funerals and community veteran holiday ceremonies. We fold and present an American flag to the departed’s family as a keepsake for their loved one. The group honors the veteran by providing a twenty one gun salute and the guard’s bugler would play “taps” after the salute. A prayer is said during the ceremony to honor the departed and their family.
Again, I am not a veteran. My father and his brother’s were in WWII. Due to the loss of so many Vietnam veterans I was allowed to participate to help with the increasing demand of their services. I feel very honored.
With uncharacteristic focus instilled by passing the pre-induction physical, I also wrote my draft board telling every reason that they should not put me on the bus. I then received an invitation to appear and my letter was read my to a board table seated with very serious looking men. When the reading was finished I was asked if I had anything to add and I sat there looking stupid by not being able to think of a thing that was not in the letter. They probably appraised me as too stupid to fight. I got the deferment and also went on to prosper in an occupation that was completely unsuited to my temperament. I thought I was the only one.
Your beautiful reflection and song speak to my heart. Deep calls to deep. Even in these days of storm, there is peace and hope.
“These are the days now that we must savor; we must enjoy as we can. These are the days that will last forever; you’ve got to hold them in your heart.”
"I went into radio for which I had no aptitude" I think time has proven GK had both the aptitude and later stage presence needed for success, a rare combo. When I asked my DJ pal if he would ever move to TV, he said, "I have a face made for radio."
In reading your enema paragraph, I was seized by the urge to "vacate" (sic), which I'm certain should have been "evacuate". I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV. It seems you were seized by a case of TMI, although I do see a lady's comment below gushing over your "enema lady" appellation, pun intended. I love you dearly as any old fan should, but I am seized by the urge to call you out on that little bit of clinical sweetness.
Your Pal in Palliative Care, Roger Krenkler - L.A. Convalescent
The title of your post today brought back a favorite memory from my youth. Many years ago, it must have been c. 1960 or 61, I attended a performance of the musical "Flower Drum Song" at the Warwick (RI) Musical Theater. This was a large, circus-sized tent that served as a summer venue for musical performances. The opening number of that musical is the Flower Drum Song, which contains the line, "Miracle of changing weather." On that particular night, this line was followed by an enormous thunderclap and rain that came down so hard on the tent fabric that it drowned out the players (no pun intended). Both the cast and the audience were startled by the thunder, and then began laughing helplessly. It took several minutes for the storm to die down and for all to regain their composure so the show could go on.
Albuqueque's own Van Morrison would be happy with "These Are The Days" rendition. Was that at The Great Minnesota Get Together?
Brisk Verse. The title alone has given me my best laugh of the day.
Sweet stories today and I laughed out loud about the enema lady. I have a colonoscopy story, but it’s a bit too vivid, so I’ll spare you. But did you hear about the proctologist who finally wrote his memoir? He called it, My Life in Hindsight.
I never tire of your posts! Wonderful memories of listening to you on our car radio as we drive to a 12 Step group.
GK, I find a significant mention of something that occured in my life in nearly every one your posts. Today it was "the Major." I cannot think of Viet Nam without a tear, in my eye and my heart. I served, but in the USN on the East Coast. Luck of the draw. Thanx!
I thought I recalled it being "Duck" tape with the "quack quack" at the end?
The implication being that there is a significant segment of Americans who, because they rarely read, don't always know how a particular word is spelled and pronounced; for example the word "ask" is sometimes pronounced "ax" as in "don't ax me that." And "that" is another often mispronounced word as in "dat"; "don't do dat!"
I'm offended by hearing a language mangled; but maybe that's just me?
Vietnam, that was a very tough time for most young men of that time. My draft number wasn’t picked. Many of my friends weren’t as lucky. Most came home but it definitely changed all who endured the experience.
I later joined a Vietnam Veterans Association in my community and participated in their “Honor Guard” group. The Honor Guard would participate at veteran’s funerals and community veteran holiday ceremonies. We fold and present an American flag to the departed’s family as a keepsake for their loved one. The group honors the veteran by providing a twenty one gun salute and the guard’s bugler would play “taps” after the salute. A prayer is said during the ceremony to honor the departed and their family.
Again, I am not a veteran. My father and his brother’s were in WWII. Due to the loss of so many Vietnam veterans I was allowed to participate to help with the increasing demand of their services. I feel very honored.
With uncharacteristic focus instilled by passing the pre-induction physical, I also wrote my draft board telling every reason that they should not put me on the bus. I then received an invitation to appear and my letter was read my to a board table seated with very serious looking men. When the reading was finished I was asked if I had anything to add and I sat there looking stupid by not being able to think of a thing that was not in the letter. They probably appraised me as too stupid to fight. I got the deferment and also went on to prosper in an occupation that was completely unsuited to my temperament. I thought I was the only one.
And the hit song, "Those were the days" was written by Gene Raskin, an old and cherished friend.
Your beautiful reflection and song speak to my heart. Deep calls to deep. Even in these days of storm, there is peace and hope.
“These are the days now that we must savor; we must enjoy as we can. These are the days that will last forever; you’ve got to hold them in your heart.”
"I went into radio for which I had no aptitude" I think time has proven GK had both the aptitude and later stage presence needed for success, a rare combo. When I asked my DJ pal if he would ever move to TV, he said, "I have a face made for radio."
Thank you, Garrison.
You had me at “the enema lady.”
Hi Garrison,
In reading your enema paragraph, I was seized by the urge to "vacate" (sic), which I'm certain should have been "evacuate". I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV. It seems you were seized by a case of TMI, although I do see a lady's comment below gushing over your "enema lady" appellation, pun intended. I love you dearly as any old fan should, but I am seized by the urge to call you out on that little bit of clinical sweetness.
Your Pal in Palliative Care, Roger Krenkler - L.A. Convalescent