The Far Horizon

[Editor's Post]
Note: Things do have a way of getting behind and misplaced... seems I've misplaced posting reprints :)

Spell Checkers and Word Replacement and Auto Correction haven't changed the simple fact:

I cannot spell or type without errors.

and

Punctuation is Whatever-I-decide-to-put-at-The-End ....

Have a good chuckle as technology attempts to make us all appear "smarter than we are".

Spell Checkers by KimB
[Editor's note: This story was written by KimB]
Saturday, March 16, 2013

You can still sing along for some summer fun here:

Theater: San Jose Jazz Summer Festival by Richard
[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]
Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Far Horizon

[Editor's Post]

Summertime and the livin' is easy... ¹

Richard's post about visiting the San Jose Summer Jazz Festival is sure to strike up a some happy tunes and remind us why Summer is HOT!

Theater: San Jose Jazz Summer Festival by Richard
[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]
Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Our previous spotlighted item can be devoured here:

“In The Devil's Garden” Review and Commentary by D. Vour Part 1 of 4
[Editor's note: This story was written by DVour]
Friday, March 17, 2017

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summertime_(George_Gershwin_song)
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gershwin
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porgy_and_Bess

Theater: R. Buckminster Fuller by Richard

Recently, Frances and I enjoyed the play R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe performed by the San Jose Repertory Company. The play was written and directed by D.W. Jacobs and starred Ron Campbell as the main character.

R. Buckminster Fuller, called Bucky by his friends, was a 20th century inventor and visionary in solving global problems.

The character of R. Buckminster Fuller, was portrayed by Ron Campbell and we were wowed as he moved from subject to subject during the performance.

The play covered 2 hours (plus a 20 minute break) and was so interesting, I was ready for more!

For my self, I am interested in all the various scientific fields depicted during the production. I would recommend this play to any one who has an interest or curiosity about the fields of science.

When the play ended, Ron Campbell received a standing ovation which was well deserved.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]



R. Buckminster Fuller:
The History (and Mystery) of the Universe

Theater: Janis Joplin Musical by Richard

Recently, Frances and I enjoyed an outstanding, entertaining musical play: One Night With Janis Joplin, at the San Jose Repertory Theatre. This is the life story of Janis Joplin and how she became a rock star.

She lived and grow up in Port Arthur, Texas where she began her love for singing. Janis spent limited time attending college in Beaumont and Austin Texas. A friend asked it she would like to go to California and said yes, and found her self in the notorious Height Asbury area.

She and her music grow, which covered Soul, Gospel, Country, Blues and Rock.She found her calling in Rock Music. With talent, ability and hard work she became star. Her voice was unique and with her body language you could see her express many emotional feelings.

The length of the play was two and half hours. The music and singing were wonderful and enjoyable to watch and listen. The music even had the entire audience up swinging and dancing. This is a great play for any one to see.

This play is leaving San Jose Ca. and going to New York for a Broadway run next month. I wish them all well and success in the big apple.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]

One Night with Janis Joplin
SJ Rep Playbill

Theater: A Minister's Wife by Richard

We saw the musical A Minister's Wife at the San Jose Rep. The story is based on a George Bernard Shaw's play Candida. George Bernard Shaw was born in Ireland but moved to London to make his living.

This was the premiere showing on the West Coast. This musical production was enjoyable to watch and hear the cast sing the many sections of the play.

The story is about two men, the Minister and a friend, both of them would like the affections of the minister's wife, Candida. The time and place, the drawing room of Dominic's Parsonage on a fine morning 1894.

We left the theater feeling well entertained and then headed home for a good night sleep

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]



A Minister's Wife

 

At the AT&T by Richard

Frances and I went on Feb.7th to the AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Golf Tournament, in beautiful Carmel.

We were in luck, because it didn't rain, but it was cold. The sun felt good when the clouds passed by.

We set up our chairs on the 3rd green, all wrapped up and watched all the players go by.

We enjoyed hot coffee and lunch and left for home about 2 o'clock. On the way home we stopped at the In & Out for a great hamburger and more coffee.

It was a long day and we were glad to be home in our warm house with our dogs.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]



AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

Theater: A Christmas Carol by Richard

Frances and I enjoyed the performance of Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol at the San Jose Rep. It is a beautifully story about Christmas during the 18th century, at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and the textile industries; when children labored long hours under poor working conditions.

The cast with their costumes, the music and the dancing was wonderful to watch. It reminded me of the Christmases we all shared years ago back in Iowa Falls.

We are about ready for Christmas at home now. The tree is decorated, the outside lights are up and we are all most done shopping, thank goodness!

We are going to our daughter's house for Christmas Eve dinner, for which we will bring Dungeness crabs and French bread. On Christmas Day, after church, we will prepare a late breakfast for everyone at our house where the grandsons and family will open all the gifts. After everything is unwrapped and the excitement dies down, I will tidy up and take my afternoon nap. That evening, we will have Christmas Day dinner at their house.

After all the hustle and bustle of Christmas events, we will head off to our place in Morro Bay for New Years and a well deserved rest.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]



Dungeness Crab

Theater: Freud's Last Session by Richard

Frances and I enjoyed the play, Freud's Last Session, which was performed at the San Jose Repertory Theater.

The location was London England and the timing is when England entered the World War ll.

The stage was Freud's home office,which was decorated with a large desk, bookcase, chairs, lamps and windows leading to a balcony and the lighting was perfect. The sound affects of air raid sirens and airplanes seemed real.

The cast Sigmund Freud played by Michael Flynn and C.S. Lewis played by Benjamin Evett, and the conversion between the two was incredible.  I found my self so interested in the subjects discussed about life, death and god that it held my attention for the whole play.

Frances and I discussed how much we enjoyed the play while driving home.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]



Freud's Last Session Poster

Morro Bay by Richard

We have had our summer home in Morro Bay for 35 years and have made many trips there during this time. It all begins with preparation: checking the items and things we need, then packing for the trip. As we load the car, our two dogs know it's time to leave.

Leaving Santa Clara, we take local freeways until we turn south on Highway 101, which is also now a great freeway. A few years ago it was a mixture of two, three and four lane highways which required slowing down and went through the center of all the small cities on the way.

The road south, through the Santa Clara Valley, is busy with traffic in both directions and with each passing year it increases. The Santa Clara Valley has many interesting places to see and we have been to most of them. Ahead we encounter rolling hills as we near the Hollister turn off until we enter the Salinas area. Here we stop for lunch and a short break as we stretch our legs.

Back on the road again, it takes us through the vast Salinas Valley, which produces much of the country's fresh produce. As we continue south, we pass thousands of acres growing huge amounts of different vegetables.

There are two mountain ranges, one on the east side of this vast valley and one the other on the west side. As the road moves more to the right, it begins to rise and we can see more of the valley. After about 50 miles, we enter King City and head for Starbucks for a coffee and a short break. The dogs also get a chance to stretch too.

Continuing south, the road rises up into the rolling hills leaving the valley behind and looking ahead all we can see are enormous vineyards, stretching for as for as the eye can see. Moving on, we approach Camp Roberts, which has two garrisons, the right side was the training site for thousands of solders during World War Two but now is used by the National Guard. The left side is the Armor Garrison. The next major city is Paso Robles, which also has several small vineyards and produces fine wines that many come to see taste and buy.

From Paso Robles we turn right on State Highway 46, going west up over the coastal mountain range down to State Highway 1, turning left and following the road along the Pacific Ocean on our right, into beautiful Morro Bay. Reaching our home I unload the car and help put things away. I then take my afternoon rest.

The trip is 185 miles from door to door and it takes us about three and a half hours. Through the years we have enjoyed our place in Morro Bay, and we would not trade anything for time we have had together there. Time is passing by too fast, so France and I will keep the summer home for as long as possible.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]




Morro Bay

Theater: San Jose Jazz Summer Festival by Richard

The San Jose Jazz Summer Festival was a great outing for Frances and me. This is our second year  attending this wonderful jazz festival! With great excitement we prepared as if we were going on a big trip.

Starting on Saturday, we began our preparations. I purchased French baguettes, to make a few ham and cheese and some chicken sandwiches, along with bottled water, soft drinks and grapes. The next day, we loaded the car, got out the suntan lotion and hats, and drove off to the Festival.

Upon arriving in San Jose, I parked the car and we headed straight for the main stage located in the Plaza de César Chávez. We found a shady spot under a large oak tree, the ideal location, to watch the entertainment. By noon the entire area had several thousand spectators.

The entertainers crafted their skills to perfection. When the musicians were playing, it was wonderful to watch and listen. The people were swinging and swaying to the music, and many were dancing. During all this, Frances and I ate our lunch and enjoyed the many venues while holding hands, just enjoying the moment. I mostly enjoyed the saxophone music.

We were lucky, the summer weather was great, in the 80's. We had a wonderful time but after seven hours, we had to leave to feed our dogs. We stopped by the In and Out Burger on the way home to have bite to eat because we didn't want to cook dinner.

Needless to say, it was a long and enjoyable day but we are already looking forward to next year's San Jose Jazz Summer Festival.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]




San Jose Jazz Summer Festival 2012

My Time in the Army Part 2 by Richard

I met the company commander and was given a choice to work in the office or outside, but I asked to work out side, which I enjoyed. I made friends with several men as we worked helping the Air Force with their communication needs.

My company unit was known as “special personal attached to the US Air Force”. We worked on several Air Bases in Germany and France. The food in the US Air Force was much better. For breakfast one could order eggs any way they wished and the lunch and dinner meals were also good. On Sunday, for lunch and dinner, we had to make do with cold cuts.

One cold winter night, I had guard duty starting at 10 PM protecting the ammunitions, but due to an alert, I wasn't relived at 8 AM the next day. When I got back to our building, I was cold, hungry, tired and sleepy, I ate and had a long rest.

There are many other things I could talk about but one of the most noticeable was all the damage to all the cities and small towns caused by the war¹. The large cities received the most damage; there were blocks upon blocks that were totally destroyed and the most of the small towns were also damaged. I hope we all learn from this, so we will never again, have a world war.

We all had to learn how to count and to exchange our money into German Marks and to speak some German. Our dollar was worth 4 Marks and twenty cents.

I was able to do some traveling and to see several cities, which included the following: Paris, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and many cities in Germany. One of the German cities I enjoyed was Wiesbaden, which is favorite German vacation place.

My 18 months in Germany went by so fast and it was time for me to go home to the USA. I took the same trip home from Germany, first to Camp Kilmer, next by train and ship to New Jersey. Then on to San Francisco by TWA air lines and on to Fort Ord.

I was discharged on November 19,1954 and left the Army with $300.00.

I enjoyed my time in the service, which allowed me to see things one just read about. It also help me to appreciate many things: mostly life.


1. Strategic bombing during WW2 Describes the purpose and results of Strategic Bombing during WWII. A list of bombed cities in Germany can be found on the right side of the page: RAF Estimates of Destruction

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard and is Part 2 of 2]




USS General H. W. Butner (AP-113)

My Time in the Army Part 1 by Richard

I was drafted and went into the service December 6, 1952 in San Francisco, California with about fifty other men. We all took the oath to protect the USA against all enemies foreign and domestic, and then transferred to Ford Ord, near Carmel Ca. We were processed for a week with shots, etc and testing for various assignments.

I was assigned to the Signal Corps and sent to Camp San Luis Obispo with several other men. We went through 8 weeks of basic training and 8 weeks telephone communication. I was always the first to receive KP and guard duty because of my last name begins with “A”.

When we received our orders for assignments over seas, I was lucky, again my name was the first selected and I was assigned to the U S Air Force in Germany¹.

I received a seven day leave before leaving for Germany. I visited family and friends during this leave. My orders were to travel by train from Oakland Ca, to Los Angles Ca, and then on to Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. This trip took five days. I then went aboard a troop ship, the USS General Butner and sailed off to Bremerhaven, Germany.

This was a very interesting trip and again, I was first to receive guard duty because of my last name. I had the 10 PM to 2 AM duty. The first few days, there was a heavy sea running with huge waves, which were fifty or so feet high. When the ship was at the bottom of the wave trough, all I could see was water all round me. I was lucky I didn't get sea sickness but a lot of other men did. When the weather and the sea improved the men were allowed on deck for fresh air. By the way, the food was not very good, I still remember those beans and “shit on a shingle”; which is creamed hamburger on toast.

As we passed through the English Channel I could see the White Cliffs of Dover. The next day we arrived at the port of Bremerhaven, Germany. The next day I was on a train headed for Kaiserslautern Germany and then by jeep to US Landstuhl Air Base².


1. US Army in Germany Bremerhaven.
2. Landstuhl and Ramstein were separate bases until 1 December 1957 when they were combined into one unit.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard and is Part 1 of 2]



US Army Signal Corps

Theater: Bill W. and Dr. Bob by Richard

Frances and I went to the San Jose Repertory Theater and watched the play Bill W. and Dr. Bob.

The play is about two men with alcohol drug addiction. The time is early 1900's,and the stage is long bar, plus roll out home living areas and bedroom rooms, with telephones of that time, and with background Charleston music.

Bill W, is in the hospital, very sick and down on himself when he receives a dream or an awaking and becomes sober for several months. Bill is then invited to New York for an interview for a job. Bill becomes uneasy after arriving in New York, and Bill wants a drink. Bill knows he needs help and needs to talk with another addicted alcohol. He makes several calls before making contact with Dr. Bob.

They meet and started immediately taking about their problems with drinking alcohol and their many attempts to stop drinking. Bill and Bob found that they could discuss their addictions freely because they shared the same experiences and that they were not able to share these with non drinkers.

From these meetings and discussions it becomes very clear to Bill and Bob, their drinking addictions affected them and all people they loved. Bill and Bob know they could not change the past, but the future they could. So they started working with other people with alcohol drug addiction.

These changes were the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous as we know it to day.

Frances and I left theater with a better understanding Alcohol drug abdication.


[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]

MrsB's PDF Book for 2011

[Note: Editor's Post]

MrsB's blog stories from 2011 are now available for download!  Click the link in the download section to get your own copy of all the wonderful posts made by her and other members of the MrsB's blog circle!

While you're over there, you can get some of the other books and copies of the fabulous cookbooks made by MrsB and Esther too!

Hope you enjoy all the stories and memories.

Memories of Iowa Falls by Richard

The past few days, I began thinking about our life in Iowa Falls Iowa, and recalled several good memories about the wonderful times we all shared which included the following:

• I recall living in town in a two story home, and then moving to the country to a small farm the folks rented from Mr Brown.


• It was really great to have our own garden and raise our own vegetables, which Mom use to feed us.


• I can see Mom now, cooking on that wood burning stove and baking bread and cakes which we all enjoyed.


• Can you see us all making ice cream on those hot summer days? I can.


• I recall going to those country schools which were one room and one teacher, teaching all the grades.


• We had to walk about a mile or so, and when it was time to go home, I was always hungry. So when we passed an apple orchard I would go over the fence to get an apple or two.


• In the winter months we would each take a potato and put in the school furnace to have with our lunch.


• I remember the swimming pool, which was a long walk from home. Jerry and I would go anyway. We didn't have the money to get in, so they let us to pull some weeds for access.


• We moved back into town when Mr brown sold the property.


• Things begin to change. The war came and all our lives changed also.


• Marion and Adeline went into the service. Mom went away to work at a factory on the war effort. Dad stayed home to watch the younger children.


• Then Mom and Dad went to California to visit Marion and Adeline and were so impressed with California, upon their return to Iowa Falls Iowa, they decided to move to California. Dad quit the Telephone Company. They packed up everything and we moved west.

I hope this note will help you also to recall some those fond memories we all shared.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]

Apple Tree

Theater: 101 Years of Broadway by Richard

Frances, my valentine, and I had the pleasure of seeing the musical revue 101 Years of Broadway. The musical revue was about several of the best musical Broadway shows, with the actual stars singing the beautiful songs. It was incredible and fascinating to watch listen and enjoy.

Neil Berg was the musical director and producer who also played the piano and the lead in the New York Band. The cast of Ron Bohmer, Chuck Wagner, Sandra Joseph, Andrea Rivette and Lawrence Clayton all were so talented that they brought the music to life in such way, it was magical.

This musical revue transformed the audience and my self back in time, as if we were back watching these musical plays again. Frances and I left the theater with a better understanding of Broadway Musical productions.

To Neil Berg,the cast, and the band, well done.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]

Theater: A Christmas Carol by Richard

Frances and I went to the theater to see the play, A Christmas Carol at the San Jose Repertory Theater (November 23 – December 24 2011).

Waiting to go in, the whole cast came out and sang several Christmas songs which was delightful. They finished with We Wish You a Merry Christmas walking into the theater waving us in for the play. The play was enjoyable and the cast was wonderful.

During the play my thoughts would carry me back in time to our home in Iowa at Christmas when we all decorated the tree with pop corn on those cold wintry days.

Wishing you and all a Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]

(l to r): Richard Farrell as Scrooge
Everett Meckler as Tiny Tim
in San Jose Rep’s A Christmas Carol.
Photo: San Jose Rep Staff Photographer

Theater: Spring Awakening by Richard

Frances and I recently went to the San Jose Rep Theater for another theater outing.

We enjoyed the play Spring Awakening a musical. The play is about school children entering puberty and as they struggled with their sexuality.  The music,the songs,the dancing and the acting was wonderful.

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]



Spring Awakening Musical



Theater: Legacy of Light by Richard

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]

Frances and I saw the play Legacy of Light Wednesday night April 13,2011 at the San Jose Repertory. The play is about two women with great scientific minds and their love life relationships.

The time and place was France in the 1700s and Now in New Jersey. The back and forth was skillfully and masterfully accomplished between historical period and centuries, as well as the dialogue and the costumes. These women were always looking for mathematical ways to measure and to fulfill expectations about energy, light, mater, and the cosmos, and how they all work and fit in the universe.

These two women were working in a man's world and found that it was not easy to please or satisfy them with their mathematical answers, and difficult to publish their findings. The two great scientific minds wanted to leave something behind to show other to follow.  Their love lives were very different. One was promiscuous and the other was unable have children.

The play had many happy moments.

 

Physicist Émilie du Châtelet

Spring Training by Richard

[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]

Frances and I made our annual spring training trip to Scottsdale, Arizona March 15th for a week. The flight time from San Jose,Ca to Phoenix, AZ was one hour and 45 minutes.

The weather in Arizona was warm and the nights were so nice you could walk around with out a sweater.

There are 15 Major League professional baseball teams in the greater Phoenix area.

• The San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies play in Scottsdale,AZ.
• The San Diego Padres,and the Seattle Mariners play in Peoria,AZ,
• The Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox,and the Oakland A's play in Phoenix, AZ.
• The Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals play in Surprise,AZ.
• The Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds play in Goodyear, AZ.
• Last but not least the beloved Chicago Cubs play in Mesa AZ.

The freeway system in the greater Phoenix area allows you to reach any ball park within an hour by car. We were able to see 6 games and 5 were in Scottsdale,AZ.

It was good to see all the baseball fans and to enjoy the food, a cool beer and all the loud noise. When the baseball games were over we stopped by a local bar to have anther cool beer and and to talk with other fans. Then it was time to clean up and rest before going out again for dinner.

The week went by so fast, and it was time to pack up, and fly home to recharge our batteries for our next trip.

MLB Cactus League