A Rude Awakening

UPDATE: 6:00 PM Saturday. Two confirmed tornadoes touched down last night just miles from us. If you want to see some pictures go here or here. I guess we were, once again, really lucky. Last August we missed the horrible flood by one block.

I have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and some nights I just know it's going to be a bad night so I take a Tylenol PM before I go to bed. Last night was one of those nights. Little did I know that it wouldn't be because of the RLS.

I went to bed about 12:45 and I had just drifted off when I was awakened to a sound I couldn't quite place-probably because I had never heard it before at this time of night. After a few seconds, it dawned on me that it was the local tornado siren. I jumped out of bed and turned on TV immediately. Two channels out of Toledo had their top weather men giving their up to date, Doppler, and whatever else weather reports. It didn't look good. We were under a Tornado Warning until 1:30. So, I ran in and woke Mr. Snowbird, then tried to wake Bill who lives with us. I found he wasn't in his room but was sound (and I do mean sound) asleep on the couch downstairs. Well, I couldn't wake him, so I dashed in and turned on the TV in the family room. Robert Shiels from Channel 11 is saying that some homes in Putnam County, just to our west, had been damaged and emergency vehicles were on their way there. He said that the storm was heading to Findlay and to take cover!! By this time, Bill was up and Mr. Snowbird had gone back to bed! (Storms don't tend to scare him a whole lot!!) Oh well. Anyway, I gather up a radio, flashlight and cell phone and opened the basement door. I sat on the chair just feet away from the door watching TV. I looked outside and it was barely raining with hardly any breeze. From the accounts on TV, it looked like the storm was going north of us and headed to Arcadia and Fostoria. Finally, Robert said that Findlay was all clear. Just as I was about to turn the TV off, they put the warning back up for Hancock. I'm thinking, "Oh great, here we go again." But trusty Robert said that it was for NE Hancock County which is north and past us. So, I decided to go to bed. Just as I laid down, the sirens went off again. I figured this was for the warning that had just gone up. So, I allowed the Tylenol PM to do it's job and went right to sleep.

This morning, there was nothing in the paper, obviously, since it had "gone to bed" before the storms. But the update on The Courier website said that 8 homes and one business in Glandorf, just west of us, were damaged or destroyed and several homes near Arcadia, just northeast of us were destroyed.

When I was teaching, it always seemed like every school around us would get a "snow day" and we would be open for business. We used to joke about there being a dome over Findlay which prevented us from getting bad weather. Well, it looks like the dome worked again last night. Thanks goodness!

Our Godson is a Grad

With apologies to Jerry Bock for changing the lyrics to Sunrise Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof but here goes.

Is this the little boy I carried, Is this the little boy at play? I don't remember growing older, when did he? When did he get to be so handsome, When did he grow to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday when he was small?

Our godson, Eric, graduated tonight. Geez, how can 18 years fly by so fast? I'm sure his parents are wondering the same thing. He and his sister, Kelly, are both our godchildren and have called us Grandma and Grandpa since they could say the words. I used to hold Eric at hockey games when he was just a few months old. We always hoped he would go to sleep because it seemed like every time he did, our team would score a goal. I have attended his hockey games since he was 6 and softball and baseball since he was about the same age. I have celebrated birthdays and holidays with him. I have attended football games and hockey games with him. I have gone camping with him. But now, suddenly, he is all grown up with a steady girl friend (a real sweetie by the way), and he is planning on going to Bowling Green State University in the fall studying Computer Science. Hey, wait a minute here. Suddenly he is 18 years older and I'm not a day older than the day he was born--am I?? Anyway, Eric, we are so proud of you for all that you have accomplished and for all that you will accomplish. I thought you--and my readers--might enjoy a few pictures I've taken of you along the way. Hope you don't mind.

His first baby picture.

Here is our boy just hangin' with Grandma and Grandpa.

My cat loved him too.

Little did we know that his first birthday cake would fortell his future--or did we? When you have parents and godparents who are avid BGSU Hockey fans, then you just have to be a hockey player, right???

And yes, there is our boy with his first hockey stick.

A couple of his hockey cards. Notice that in the early one even if he stood up straight, he would never reach the top of the net. And just a few years later, poof, head over the top of the net.

Yup, he played softball and baseball too.

He also won a blue ribbon in the Pine Wood Derby in Boy Scouts (or was it Cub Scouts?). Way to go Eric!!!

Who knew? He was a computer geek even back then.

Here he is with our son in law. Don't they look a lot alike?

Here is our grown up Eric in his high school hockey jersey.

One of his many Senior picture poses. How is a godmother just suppose to choose one--so guess what? I got all 12 poses!!

Here he is with sister, Kelly. She is our goddaughter and we will be attending her graduation in 3 years. Yikes.

Here is our grad with his girlfriend, Andrea. Told you she was a sweetie.

Here our grad is with his mom and dad.

And here is our boy just hangin' with Grandma and Grandpa again.

Eric, we are so proud of you. Congratulations on your graduation. But, like I said at the beginning of my post---

Is this the little boy I carried, Is this the little boy at play? I don't remember growing older, when did he? When did he get to be so handsome, When did he grow to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday when he was small?

Wow!!

I have mentioned before that I used to be involved in Community Theatre-The Fort Findlay Playhouse. I haven't done anything there in years except last June when I took part in a presentation of old radio scripts. I loved it because there were only a few rehearsals and nothing to memorize since they read scripts on the old radio shows. I played Mrs. Anderson in Sorry Wrong Number--a role created by Agnes Moorhead who I think was a fantastic actress. I had a ball doing it and had hoped to take part in this year's show but I had a conflict. Anyway, tonight was the Playhouse's Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet. Since I'm not a member anymore and only took part in the one show, I didn't go. Bill, who lives with us and who is very active in the Playhouse of course attended. I had even forgotten that tonight was the banquet until he walked in tonight and presented me with an Excellence in Acting for a Female in a Major Role. I about passed out!! I had no idea that the radio shows were even considered for awards. So, wow!! I am thrilled and I couldn't be more surprised. Geez, I didn't even have an acceptance speech ready. Anyway, I had to brag a wee bit.

Wordless Wednesday-My What Big Teeth You Have

I know you are all busy checking out everyone's Wordless Wednesday but take the time to bookmark me and drop back to check out my blog. I am a retired Special Ed teacher who now spends most of her time on Sanibel Island, Florida volunteering for a Wildlife hospital rescuing and rehabbing wildlife. I even dumpster dive for injured Raccoons!! I am also the proud grandma of 5 wonderful grandkids and brag about them often!! I also have a blog called Branches and Roots where I talk about genealogy and my ancestors. OK, enough about me. Back to Wordless Wednesday.

Enjoy more Wordless Wednesdays at Wordless Wednesday and 5 Minutes for Mom

Tied to the Computer

I feel guilty when I don't post on here. Man, it's tough being handcuffed to a blog!! Anyway, after our weekend of soccer, I have been tied to the computer but not to my blog. Years ago, in one of my collecting fits, I collected hockey cards. Now, I am trying to find out what they are worth so I am going through thousands of cards. Thank goodness, Beckett has online prices--for a price. But it sure beats going to the store, looking for the right book, then spending hours and hours trying to find the right card in the book. Here all I have to do is plug in a name and a card number and lo and behold, it gives me the current price. But--it does mean I am tied to my computer for hours on end. Thank goodness I'm retired and don't have a lot of other stuff to do--except getting ready for a garage sale, cleaning the house, trying to get a contractor to fix and paint the house, and trying to keep up with my blog!

A Weekend of Soccer-with updates

LAST UPDATE-2:30 PM Sunday. We just got home about a half hour ago. I guess you could probably figure out that the girls didn't make the championship game. They did win their game 4-1 this morning--geez, 9:00 is early for a game!! Anyway, they won but there were two divisions in their age group. Even if the team who beat them yesterday was to lose today, they still had the win over our team and would represent our division in the championship game. I don't think the girls were all that upset. They just wanted to go back to the hotel and go swimming. Anyway, we said our goodbyes and came on home so I can watch the Indy 500 on TV. It was a looonnnggg weekend of soccer but a lot of fun.

UPDATE-11:00 PM Saturday. We got back from a full day of soccer about an hour ago. Erin's team lost their game 2-1 this afternoon. I won't say that the ref swayed the game but I've seen better and more impartial reffing over the years! I would lay money on the team that they played this afternoon winning the whole thing. Granted, they were a good team, but a lot of calls went their way. Oh well. I think the parents--and grandparents--were more upset than the girls were. We left that game and headed to the Columbus Crew stadium. A very nice stadium built just for soccer. We were allowed in early and the girls were allowed to go down to the field level but not on the field. We were able to take some team pictures which was kind of nice. Then we headed out to get some brats. It was dollar night for brats tonight. That was fantastic--except--it cost $3.75 for a pop/soda or water and $7 or $9 for beer!!! We then headed for our seats which were way in the corner but not bad seats. It's been years and years since I was at a pro soccer game. You know those long plastic horns that make so much noise. Well, they sold them there and practically everyone around us had them. Arrrrrrrrgggggg. The girls got to go down on the field at half time and kick balls in the net to make money for the Crew's charity. They each got a T shirt which was kind of neat. It was a good game but the Crew lost 1-0 with only about a minute left in the game. We have another game at 9:00 AM tomorrow. I doubt that the girls will be in the Championship game but who knows. More tomorrow when I get home. Oh, by the way, go Danica Patrick!!

UPDATE-11:25 AM Saturday. We got back from the first game about an hour ago. Erin's team won handily 7-1 or maybe 6-1. We kind of lost count and don't ask the girls because they don't know! All they know is they won. We did see the other two teams they will play this weekend and they look big! Hopefully our girls will take it to them. Erin played in goal for the first half. She wasn't challenged a whole lot and didn't allow any goals. She played forward the 2nd period and looked pretty darn good. One of the girls scored 4 of the 7 goals--or was it 6 goals? Anyway, she has another game this afternoon. More later.

That's our girl about to kick the ball.

We are headed to Columbus for the weekend to watch my beautiful granddaughter play in a soccer tournament.

Erin has been playing soccer since she was 5. I guess that would make this her 5th or 6th year. Wow. Anyway, she has been on a travel team for about 3 years now. Last summer, she tried out for and won a spot on the #1 travel team. This year, the team decided to go Division 1. (Ok, I'm not up on divisions etc but I guess this is pretty elite.) Anyway, her team is the only Division 1 team in her age group on the east side of Cleveland and they have to travel to and play at least 5 teams on the west side. So each trip is about an hour one way. They have apparently done very well. Last I heard they were 6-0-1. Not too shabby. Apparently the west side teams aren't real happy with these upstarts!



Anyway, this weekend they are playing in a big soccer tournament in Columbus. They play two games on Saturday and one on Sunday morning. If they make it to the championship game, then they play on Sunday afternoon. Also, on Saturday night, the entire team and their families (that includes us) will be attending a Columbus Crew game. The Crew is the pro soccer team in Columbus. I have never seen them play so know nothing about them. The only pro soccer game I ever attended was years ago (probably before Erin was even born) when Dave and I went to see the Cleveland Crunch. (Ya gotta love the names of pro soccer teams!) But, I digress. Back to the Crew. Apparently there will be a half time something or other and the girls will be down on the field. I don't know if they will be playing or just being introduced. But, how cool huh? But you better believe that Grandma will have her trusty camera and take lots of pictures.

It should be a fun weekend. Wish our girl and her teammates luck.

You go girl!!

A Weekend of Soccer

LAST UPDATE-2:30 PM Sunday. We just got home about a half hour ago. I guess you could probably figure out that the girls didn't make the championship game. They did win their game 4-1 this morning--geez, 9:00 is early for a game!! Anyway, they won but there were two divisions in their age group. Even if the team who beat them yesterday was to lose today, they still had the win over our team and would represent our division in the championship game. I don't think the girls were all that upset. They just wanted to go back to the hotel and go swimming. Anyway, we said our goodbyes and came on home so I can watch the Indy 500 on TV. It was a looonnnggg weekend of soccer but a lot of fun.

UPDATE-11:00 PM Saturday. We got back from a full day of soccer about an hour ago. Erin's team lost their game 2-1 this afternoon. I won't say that the ref swayed the game but I've seen better and more impartial reffing over the years! I would lay money on the team that they played this afternoon winning the whole thing. Granted, they were a good team, but a lot of calls went their way. Oh well. I think the parents--and grandparents--were more upset than the girls were. We left that game and headed to the Columbus Crew stadium. A very nice stadium built just for soccer. We were allowed in early and the girls were allowed to go down to the field level but not on the field. We were able to take some team pictures which was kind of nice. Then we headed out to get some brats. It was dollar night for brats tonight. That was fantastic--except--it cost $3.75 for a pop/soda or water and $7 or $9 for beer!!! We then headed for our seats which were way in the corner but not bad seats. It's been years and years since I was at a pro soccer game. You know those long plastic horns that make so much noise. Well, they sold them there and practically everyone around us had them. Arrrrrrrrgggggg. The girls got to go down on the field at half time and kick balls in the net to make money for the Crew's charity. They each got a T shirt which was kind of neat. It was a good game but the Crew lost 1-0 with only about a minute left in the game. We have another game at 9:00 AM tomorrow. I doubt that the girls will be in the Championship game but who knows. More tomorrow when I get home. Oh, by the way, go Danica Patrick!!

UPDATE-11:25 AM Saturday. We got back from the first game about an hour ago. Erin's team won handily 7-1 or maybe 6-1. We kind of lost count and don't ask the girls because they don't know! All they know is they won. We did see the other two teams they will play this weekend and they look big! Hopefully our girls will take it to them. Erin played in goal for the first half. She wasn't challenged a whole lot and didn't allow any goals. She played forward the 2nd period and looked pretty darn good. One of the girls scored 4 of the 7 goals--or was it 6 goals? Anyway, she has another game this afternoon. More later.

That's our girl about to kick the ball.

We are headed to Columbus for the weekend to watch my beautiful granddaughter play in a soccer tournament.

Erin has been playing soccer since she was 5. I guess that would make this her 5th or 6th year. Wow. Anyway, she has been on a travel team for about 3 years now. Last summer, she tried out for and won a spot on the #1 travel team. This year, the team decided to go Division 1. (Ok, I'm not up on divisions etc but I guess this is pretty elite.) Anyway, her team is the only Division 1 team in her age group on the east side of Cleveland and they have to travel to and play at least 5 teams on the west side. So each trip is about an hour one way. They have apparently done very well. Last I heard they were 6-0-1. Not too shabby. Apparently the west side teams aren't real happy with these upstarts!



Anyway, this weekend they are playing in a big soccer tournament in Columbus. They play two games on Saturday and one on Sunday morning. If they make it to the championship game, then they play on Sunday afternoon. Also, on Saturday night, the entire team and their families (that includes us) will be attending a Columbus Crew game. The Crew is the pro soccer team in Columbus. I have never seen them play so know nothing about them. The only pro soccer game I ever attended was years ago (probably before Erin was even born) when Dave and I went to see the Cleveland Crunch. (Ya gotta love the names of pro soccer teams!) But, I digress. Back to the Crew. Apparently there will be a half time something or other and the girls will be down on the field. I don't know if they will be playing or just being introduced. But, how cool huh? But you better believe that Grandma will have her trusty camera and take lots of pictures.

It should be a fun weekend. Wish our girl and her teammates luck.

You go girl!!

Down By the Old Mill Stream Part 2

Yesterday I decided to go to Riverside Park to take some pictures of "The Old Mill Stream". As I was crossing the bridge about to pull into the parking lot, I noticed several fire trucks in the parking area and a lot of activity in the river near the dam. I knew immediately what was happening.

In a comment in my last post my daughter mentioned a tragedy years ago that happened here. It actually happened 30 years ago April 22. It was a beautiful spring day, the river was a bit high, and two eighth graders decided to take their canoe over the dam. Unfortunately, their canoe capsized. Three firemen in a rowboat tried to rescue them and in the process both boys and two of the firemen died. To read more about it go here.

Luckily, yesterday was not a repeat of that tragedy but a practice in case anything like this should happen again. So loaded with my trusty camera, I took a bunch of pictures. They looked like they were enjoying their task but thank God for men like this who put their lives on the line everyday. And hopefully, because of practices like this, Findlay will never have to endure another tragedy like this again.


Here they are up next to the dam. I got the feeling that the guys on the outside were already trained and were training the guy in the middle. When they were satisfied with what they had done, the two on the outside would tap paddles and then tap the guy in the middle on the head.


The rescue boat did have a line attached to it which was used to pull them back from the suction of the dam. There was also another motorized boat standing guard in case something went wrong.


This is a better look at the boat itself. Notice the gas can in case they run out of gas. The guy in the middle controls the motor and the two on the outside do the paddling.


They were training several guys. Besides the two in the standby boat and the two holding the line attached to the boat, there were others awaiting their turn on the rescue boat. And notice, every last one of them has a life vest on. This was the horrible mistake that caused the tragedy in 1978. The firemen did not have life vests on that day.


Kind of a different vantage point here. I was standing right on the overlook by the dam. Notice the guy with the barefeet. Brrrr. It was in the 50's here yesterday and that water had to be cold!! Oh by the way, where I'm standing? That was under several feet of water last August but more about that in another post.


I went to the other side of the river to get a different view and to get a look at the memorial to the two firemen.


Here is the memorial. It is in a lovely spot overlooking the river. There is a bench there where one can sit and enjoy the view and perhaps remember that day 30 years ago.


As I was heading back to my car, I spotted this. There were two sets of gear just like this sitting near the truck and trailer that had transported the rescue pontoon boat. So, apparently, even when they were out on the river practicing for what they hoped would never happen, the firemen were ready to go on a real call on a moment's notice. As I said, before, thank God for men like this who keep us safe.

Wordless Wednesday-Can You Spot the Birdie?

I know you are all busy checking out everyone's Wordless Wednesday but take the time to bookmark me and drop back to check out my blog. I am a retired Special Ed teacher who now spends most of her time on Sanibel Island, Florida (altlhough right now I'm stuck in the flatlands of NW Ohio) volunteering for a Wildlife hospital rescuing and rehabbing wildlife. I even dumpster dive for injured Raccoons!! I am also the proud grandma of 5 wonderful grandkids and brag about them often!! I also have a blog called Branches and Roots where I talk about genealogy and my ancestors. OK, enough about me. Back to Wordless Wednesday.


Enjoy more Wordless Wednesdays at Wordless Wednesday and 5 Minutes for Mom

Down By the Old Mill Stream

Down by the Old Mill Stream, where I first met you,
with your eyes of blue, dressed in gingham too,
It was there I knew, that you loved me true,
You were sixteen, my village queen,
Down by the Old Mill Stream.

Music by Tell Taylor --1910

OK, now who hasn't sung this song at least once? And if, like me, you happen to have lived in Findlay, Ohio you have sung it a LOT more than once. And why is that? Because Tell Taylor who penned the song lived in Findlay. So today, I decided to go out to Riverside Park and take some pictures of the actual Old Mill Stream--better known as the Blanchard River. Yes, this is the same Blanchard River which caused the worst flood in Findlay's history last August--but more about that in another post. Today it's all about Tell Taylor and his famous song.

Tell Taylor's home was actually a couple of blocks from the river.

This was where he lived for a time. Obviously someone still lives here. That's probably why there is a fence. To keep people like me from walking up on their porch and peering in the windows. OK, if you knew me, you would know that I was embarrassed to even walk in front of the gate and take a picture!


Taylor's house is right next to the Hancock County Fairgrounds. This is a sign inside the fairgrounds. Very original.


And of course, if the fairgrounds is next door to his house then of course you name the fairgrounds after his song, right?


This is a sign in Riverside Park talking about the Blanchard River better known as The Old Mill Stream.


Of course, the city of Findlay had to honor it's native son with a memorial. No this isn't the memorial--this is the sign for the memorial.


This is the memorial. Can you believe that this memorial was put here 40 years ago and this is the first time I have actually walked up to it to see it up close and personal. Kind of like living in NYC and never going to the Statue of Liberty or the Top of the Empire State Building I guess. There are smaller stones along the walkway leading up to this memorial. They tell a little about Taylor's life. This memorial is on top of a small mound.


This is a close up of the stone on the right.

This is the stone on the left.

And of course this is the stone on top of the memorial.

And this would be The Old Mill Stream. Beautiful isn't it? Well, it is now, but you should have seen it last August but more about that in another post. That means you have to come back to find out more about

The Old Mill Stream

The Best Man

Fort Findlay Playhouse

OK, I know this sounds like something about a wedding but it is actually about a play I attended tonight. The Best Man is a play by Gore Vidal. It was also a movie which starred Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson.

As some of you know, I was a member of the Fort Findlay Playhouse for more years than I care to count. Ok, for about 30 years. I was pregnant with my son when I worked on my first show there. Over those years I acted, directed, produced, stage managed and worked every backstage crew known to man. I quit due to job responsibilities and burn out. But, I do miss it. And I miss all the friends I had at FFP. And so, when we are in town and there is a Playhouse production on, we try to go.

And tonight was closing night for The Best Man. The cast consisted of 3 women and 9 men. There was a day when the FFP were lucky to get 4 men to audition. Now I don't know how many auditioned for this show but the 9 Patrick Davis, the director, cast were 9 extremely strong actors as were the 3 women. My daughter will recognize a few names here. Steve Froelich was William Russell. I've seen Steve in other shows but he was amazing in this show as was Jim Toth who played the ex-president. I think this was the best I have ever seen Jim and he has been doing shows there since 1963. Also in the cast was Bill Rayle who lives with us. He, too, was very strong in his role. Steve's wife, Bonnie, played his wife in the play. I've known Bonnie for many many years and her acting never fails to amaze me. She is so versatile.

Oh, and Karen, we sat next to Vicki and Phil McClurkin during the show and caught up with them. Gee, it's fun to see old friends again!

This morning, we also went to Max and Erma's for breakfast. It was a fundraiser for the Playhouse. FFP members served as waiters and waitresses. Many of the cast members from tonight were there bright and early this morning. The Playhouse lost a lot during the horrible flood we had in Findlay last August. Everything in the basement was lost as there was water up to the ceiling. And many of the props, flats etc which were stored down the street were also lost. And no flood insurance since they were told they weren't in a flood zone. Guess again!! Anyway, Max and Erma's helped raise a little bit of money to help out this morning. It was much appreciated.

In case you are interested in reading a few items about FFP and the flood go here, here, and here.

Anyway, I just wanted to give the Playhouse, the cast, and crew a standing ovation (which they got by the way) for a job well done.

At Last!!

I have a clean attic!!! I can actually see the floor--dirty as it is--I can actually see the floor! This is probably the first time in more years than I care to count that the shelves are bare and the floor is practically bare except where things are supposed to be. Amazing. Ok, ok, so there are still a bunch of boxes sitting around. I went through every stinkin' box and threw stuff away. But there were things I just couldn't part with. Whatnots that belonged to my grandmother, hankies that belonged to my mother, baby clothes that I wore and my kids wore, playbills from broadway shows, scripts from some of my favorite shows that I have directed etc etc etc. I also inherited a lot of antique glassware from my aunt and I am going to wait to get it appraised before I plop it on a table at a garage sale. I also have TONS of hockey cards from the early 90's. Any takers? Yeah, I know, it sounds a bit surprising but I collected hockey cards for awhile. I am a Bowling Green State University hockey nut and used to know many of the players personally including some who played in the NHL. Sooo, I collected cards. (See you learn something new about me everyday!) Now, I want to get rid of the cards. As I said, any takers??

So, my attic is clean. My garage is full. My back is killing me. And I now have to find the time to have a massive garage sale. Ugh!!

Before

After



Before

After



Before


After



Before

After
Ok, I admit it, this doesn't look a whole lot better but this is all stuff going to someone else so it will be gone, I promise!!



And this is really all that is left. The boxes on this end are glassware and will be sold eventually. Our luggage is in the middle. And the other end is all that my kids have to decide what to do with. Hee, hee, hee.

I'm done and if I go up in that attic anytime soon, it will be tooooo soon!