Don’t sweat the small stuff, Fred. You’re such a wonderful writer that any unrelated skills are simply not needed. Just keep manufacturing excellent paragraphs, and the rest of us will keep reading them.
Bob -- But I'd least like to be able to stand on skates. And just one shot -- even at an open net -- would be something to tell the grandkids. Many thanks.
I have come to not only accept but celebrate mediocrity in many of my pursuits. Art, not my thing but I do find inspiration in the process of creating a sand castle with kids at the beach. Carpentry , I’m a hack but the joy of working to build a house with others gives me great joy and satisfaction. Golf, I suck but still love to go out with my buddies swing away. In the end we can’t all be George W Bush 😎
Fred, if you really want to learn that, see if your local high school continuing education department has a piano class. Learn that, be happy and never go back again!
Fred, You are a keen observer of life, with a skill to write about your observations in a way so many of us throughly enjoy and understand. You have shared your many life long friendships and you have the wonderful Wink. I’d say you’re doing pretty well, even without the piano skills! (I do hope you’re recovering well!)
I remember playing Oh, Susanna on the recorder in school, otherwise, a few piano lessons and choir for me- can't hold a tune, but I still sing loud and do my best, anyways. I really love music. Glad your procedure went well. I would say you and Wink have scored over- the -top in having such a beautiful marriage and family, and you are such an outstanding writer! So easy to connect with, great lines, and always a wonderful read. P.S. The high school kids would love you!
Glad to hear the procedure had a good outcome! I guess most of us at our age, think about what we could have done to better ourselves. Then I say to myself, I'm just glad to be alive and still have so many loved ones still here. Love to Wink
Love to read your stories because they put life into perspective. Thought I was going to be an airline pilot and best selling author and having realized at the age of 80 that neither is happening I’m truly at peace with that 🙂
Dear Fred, Glad to hear you are healing and back to good health. A quick look-up of Hedy Lamar reveals that she was married and divorced six times and then unmarried for the last 35 years of her life. I think there is great value in the "alternative skill' of nurturing a long, fruitful marriage and while that skill may not fight Nazi's or score points on the ice, I think its value is great .....maybe even greater than all the other alternative skills combined. Be well.
Don’t sweat the small stuff, Fred. You’re such a wonderful writer that any unrelated skills are simply not needed. Just keep manufacturing excellent paragraphs, and the rest of us will keep reading them.
Bob -- But I'd at least be able to stand up on skates. Thanks for kind words.
Bob -- But I'd least like to be able to stand on skates. And just one shot -- even at an open net -- would be something to tell the grandkids. Many thanks.
I agree, Bob!
Superhero dad counts as your most important talent!
You’re a great father, grandfather and uncle and you’re a good cook! I failed in the piano lesson department also!
Can't play "Turkey in Straw," can boil water. Keep those Christmas CARE packages coming.
Was going to say this too, Sarah--- an amazing cook and can give or get directions to just about anywhere in NYC! Don’t sell yourself short, Dad!
Five-feet-eight, like it or not.
I have come to not only accept but celebrate mediocrity in many of my pursuits. Art, not my thing but I do find inspiration in the process of creating a sand castle with kids at the beach. Carpentry , I’m a hack but the joy of working to build a house with others gives me great joy and satisfaction. Golf, I suck but still love to go out with my buddies swing away. In the end we can’t all be George W Bush 😎
I’m with Wink. Why worry.
Jim: No one who --like you --regularly travels to Mexico to build housing for people who otherwise couldn't afford it qualifies as "mediocre."
Fred .. you had a 50% role in raising four children who each turned out to be a good, kind person. That's always been your "other" claim to fame.
Ed and Denise -- Very kind and we're proud of our "kids," but I still wish I could play "Turkey in the Straw." Stay warm. Brrr. Cheers/fb
Fred, if you really want to learn that, see if your local high school continuing education department has a piano class. Learn that, be happy and never go back again!
Only if they're teaching, "Oh! Sussana."
Fred, You are a keen observer of life, with a skill to write about your observations in a way so many of us throughly enjoy and understand. You have shared your many life long friendships and you have the wonderful Wink. I’d say you’re doing pretty well, even without the piano skills! (I do hope you’re recovering well!)
Thanks, Nancy. I still pity the poor piano teachers. All good on health front. Great doc -- in OR and on ice. Cheers.fb
I remember playing Oh, Susanna on the recorder in school, otherwise, a few piano lessons and choir for me- can't hold a tune, but I still sing loud and do my best, anyways. I really love music. Glad your procedure went well. I would say you and Wink have scored over- the -top in having such a beautiful marriage and family, and you are such an outstanding writer! So easy to connect with, great lines, and always a wonderful read. P.S. The high school kids would love you!
I did all right with the high school kids, Jennifer. It was the high school teachers who had their doubts.
Thanks so much for your column and allowing us to continue to enjoy your writings. Thoroughly enjoy them!!
And thanks to you, Jean, for kindness. On we go...
Utility infielders are fine. Hall of Famers, in the lineup every day to do what they do so well, are better. Go with what you got.
No choice. Where have you gone, Eddie Miksis?
Just a thought have you tried mah jong🙃
Checkers about my limit.
Well you are a fantastic writer a true talent for sure.
Many thanks, Mary Ellen. Mom always said I'd be sorry for not practicing more. As with just about everything else, Mom was right about piano, too.
Glad to hear the procedure had a good outcome! I guess most of us at our age, think about what we could have done to better ourselves. Then I say to myself, I'm just glad to be alive and still have so many loved ones still here. Love to Wink
Hi Fred you play the piano with your words. Your parents would be very proud of the man you became. Keep on Being All You Can Be.
Enjoyed your piece, Fred! And a piece that also mentions Bay Ridge, the Dodgers and Mom & Dad is all bonus. Ed G.
Love to read your stories because they put life into perspective. Thought I was going to be an airline pilot and best selling author and having realized at the age of 80 that neither is happening I’m truly at peace with that 🙂
Lena -- Don't be surprised if you hear from the local Air Force recruiter.
🤣🤣🤣
Dear Fred, Glad to hear you are healing and back to good health. A quick look-up of Hedy Lamar reveals that she was married and divorced six times and then unmarried for the last 35 years of her life. I think there is great value in the "alternative skill' of nurturing a long, fruitful marriage and while that skill may not fight Nazi's or score points on the ice, I think its value is great .....maybe even greater than all the other alternative skills combined. Be well.