Notes - handrail / draft obit / falling /

Shortly after noon local time. You were pleased to see Bob Dylan received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Earlier today, Dan arrived to paint, which he is still doing. Also, Larry sent you a note saying he would be glad to add an oak stained handrail on the wall side of the steps where there is none (about eight feet in length). The medium stained oak will then match the banister side. You are happy he is going to do the work. – Amorella

       1211 hours. In younger days I would have done this myself, but it is a safety feature and I would rather Joe or Jason make sure it is secure to the north facing wall, as I will depend on both sides both climbing and descending the stairs. I have fallen either up or down several times. This is not good when you are my age. Too many complications can happen with a fall. I decided to get this done yesterday because I now feel we are going to stay in this house for a while. We both use the stairs more slowly than we used to. When I use a cane I do so mostly to help prevent a fall, it is like a kid needing a security blanket I suppose. I am quickly reminded by seeing the new vertical handrail near the tub and the horizontal one in the shower. Ten years ago we would have never thought about ordering either one.

       Post. - Amorella

       Early afternoon. You left Dan painting (found out that he reads mostly fiction, the kinds of books Carol reads, writes songs on the side, and wants to write fiction) while you drove to McD’s for an Egg McMuffin lunch. Carol is at Kroger’s presently as you wait. – Amorella

       1341 hours. Dan is an interesting fellow. I told him Dylan got the Nobel Prize for Literature and he commented, “It’s about time.” Everybody has her or his own story. To me, that’s one thing you can take with you when you go if you have a heartansoulanmind. Wouldn’t it be remarkable if that is what you got to do, tell your own story?

       Who would you tell it to? – Amorella

       1344 hours. In real life/death, I don’t know, other than a Listener.

       An editor? – Amorella

       1345 hours. No, but I see your point. Besides, in real life that’s what I’m doing, telling my own story in fiction though. Dan says he has his own story that he could write into a book. Strangely I never thought about writing an autobiography . . . The Story of My Life by R. H. Orndorff. That would be silly as it is. Mostly I wouldn’t have a life without my imagination.

       That’s not true boy. You were a youngster, a schoolboy, a young man of many odd jobs, a college student, a teacher, a husband and father, a retired teacher, a novelist and a writer of a blog. – Amorella

       1354 hours. You narrowed my life down easily enough. I agree with you. I wouldn’t add anything to it. Actually, it would do well in a newspaper obit column. I like it and at 33 words it wouldn’t cost much.

       Let’s write an obit for real and see how it comes out. – Amorella

       1358 hours. Okay, I’d like that. I’ll follow your outline.

** **

Richard Henry Orndorff – Draft Obituary

Richard was born August 6, 1942. His parents are Richard Bookman Orndorff and Mary Laverna Schick. His grandparents are Clell and Wihelmina Orndorff and Henri and Elizabeth Mae Schick. He leaves his wife Carol Hammond Orndorff and daughter Kimberly Paik, her husband Paul Paik and their two sons, Owen and Brennan.  Richard spent his early years in Westerville and Minerva Park with all his public schooling at Westerville City Schools. He graduated from Otterbein College with a Masters from Bowling Green State University and post-Masters work from Miami University, Oxford. He taught British literature and expository writing at Escola Graduada de Sao Paulo, Brazil, Indian Hill High in Cincinnati and Wm. Mason High in Mason, Ohio. Richard retired with 37 years in education then wrote and published several fictional works and an informal online blog. He will be interred in Otterbein Cemetery, Westerville.

[143 words]

** **

       1558 hours. I have to get my sisters and their husbands and also mention I also leave assorted nieces and nephews as well as remaining good friends.

       Close enough for now, boy. Post. – Amorella

       1602 hours. I probably don’t need to mention my education but it is important to me that I did graduate high school and college. I don’t need to mention I taught British literature and expository writing, or that I taught for thirty-seven years either or my fictional works or the blog. This is mostly self-pride. So, I cut it from above.

       Now post. - Amorella

       1748 hours. Earlier Dan finished his painting, which of course add another dimension to the room. We like it very much. Larry got back to me on my small project of a safe, secure seven foot or so handrail on the north wall where there is none. This will give me two handrails to use and I feel much better with two over one. I should be able to then walk more normally up and down the steps with one foot in front of the other rather than one foot at a time. As one becomes older the slight fear of falling becomes a very reasonable fear, particularly after my brother-in-law died not directly because of his fall but the fall triggered other problems he could not overcome after nearly a year of being bedridden for recovery. 

       Post. – Amorella