7 O'Clock on the 21st Day...

Durant, Bryan County, Oklahoma - Circa 1915(?)

My mom recently found a box of old photos and old dresses her mother squirreled away many years ago. The dresses include those that my mom wore as a little girl and have extensive hand-stitch embroidery on them. We are seeing how to best preserve them - I insisted she not try to wash them until we figured out just how to do so safely.

One photo in the thousands that struck me is this one - My mom's father is the young man fourth from the left behind the desk. The photo is unmarked, but appears to be a bank and/or a telegraph office. The day calendar says "21st" and the clock says 7:00. The signs on the teller(?) cages says American Express Travelers Cheques For Sale Here and Accepted Here.

American Express Traveler's Cheques were first offered in 1891. I think the older gent in the center of the photo might be the bank manager.

My grandfather was an early radio-telgrapher aboard a Navy ship during WWI. Perhaps he learned how being employed in a telegraph office in Durant, Oklahoma?

Happy New Year - 2013

It's been a long time since I posted anything - I am still "amongst the living."

This morning I was told by my brother - "Since people think 13 is unlucky, the year is now officially 2014a. Next year will be 2014b, and then the years will resume with normal numbering in 2015. Microsoft will fix all computer calendars in a software patch."

Being an engineer of supposedly rational thought process, I find Triskaidekaphobia to be ridiculous, so I had a good laugh at that. :)

Anyhooo... I was able to "get out and about" some over the holiday week - thanks to a lot of working out in the local YMCA pool and other therapy. I've actually gotten some movement back and the old shoulder isn't carping (quite so loudly.) January 16th will (hopefully) see the long wait come to end and the shoulder worked on once more. Hopefully I'll bounce back quickly and be able to return to the walking and other (blog reading?) exercises of old. I've lost some weight and feel pretty good lately.

The site of the Styxyladiums

The Schuykill River bike path on a dreary New Years Day - found me gingerly walking - testing my breathing and arm sling. The blood clot in my lungs may or may not still be there - but I find myself being able to breath well enough to walk just short of 5 miles in the cold before getting weary. Obviously I didn't have to dodge much traffic!

In the Flickr side bar - you will see how cold and snow makes the Morris Arboretum look! John and Lydia Morris look (and felt) cold! The new swans didn't seem to mind the cold much - they were out swimming in the pond, promenading and showing off. I managed getting up and down the hilly paths there - and felt encouraged and nearly excited by the effects of working out in a warm swimming pool. I will continue to do what I can - I miss being outdoors and taking photos and hunting the elusive Charlie photo - as well as watching the antics of the Orange Conehead Alien (OCHA) "peoples."

Also in Flickr, is a "what is it?" snow creature my neighbor built. I'm still wondering, I'll have to catch up with him and ask! Meanwhile, any of you have any thoughts?

It will be a long road ahead in 2013 (2014a, if you must) - but my concerns are not of me... they are of others - others like Tori - fighting anemia and colds; Alice Kay - dealing with an unknown internal issue; Dorkys Ramos - battling the dreaded "C" - and other friends with serious and severe health issues - which make mine look trivial (and they are, in comparison).

Also in my mind are those that are dealing with loved ones that are not feeling their best, privacy being respected - I'll not name them - but they know who they are - and I want them to know I am thinking about them and theirs.

I biggest wish for 2013 will be the return to (and/or continued) good health for all - and that lots of laughter and smiles will follow each and everyone of us - every step we make in the year to come.