Notes & Comments (Music & FDR)

        Carol is off to breakfast with her fellow retired teachers and you have the iPod cranked, first with Forrest Gump album and now with the O Brother Where Are Thou album.

         Love the music! As I went down to the river to pray . . . oh sinners let’s go down, down to the river to pray , , ,  studying about the good old way. I am man of constant sorrow . . . no pleasure here on earth I find . . .  perhaps he’ll die upon this train . . . while he is sleeping in his grave . . . he’ll meet you on God’s golden shore . . . . Reminds me of the album of the nineties musical, Black and Blue, more awesome music with feel-ing. I’ll listen to that next. Good morning to be alive. Off to Westerville to see sister Cathy and Tod, then the bi-monthly Uptown supper gathering with the local Westerville Class of 1960. A day in retirement can’t start much better than this.

         This music “Keep on the Sunny Side of Life” reminds you that a couple of days ago you had a flash of the earliest memory in your life which was confirmed by your aunt, Ruth Ann Schick-Pharr. She was about fifteen at the time, you were two years, eight months and you walked into the east room of your grandparents, the Schick’s, East College Street, Westerville home. It was an evening in April and several older people were there and were talking in kind words about FDR. You remember the letters ‘FDR’. Your aunt confirmed that your grandma, Mae Freeman-Schick and grandfather, Henri H. Schick, did hold a wake upon the death of President Roosevelt. Many adult people were in attendance while you were there. You remember that and the multi-colored mints in a bowl by the huge sliding doors as you walked in from the front hallway.

         Yes, this is rather exciting to me as it is my earliest recollect memory not induced by hypnosis, which was at age three. All I remember of FDR is that he was a good and kind man and respectfully supported by all those in attendance. He was the first person of historical and social significance that I was introduced to. I remember but I had yet to utter my first words. It is amazing how much family and culture make a difference in one’s early life, and even today, more than sixty years later as he is one of my first political heroes along with Winston Churchill.

         Time to ready oneself, orndorff, as Carol just arrived. Post. – Amorella.