Monthly Archives: December 2022

Nine years ago, this evening, as Josh and I were unloading the van following an unseasonably warm day of sheer fun with dining, shopping, and Bill’s Donuts, Navi and Chief escaped the propped-open front door and bolted toward the high … Continue reading →

The sun has been out all day and its inviting warmth is a stark contrast to the dullness of the past days. I prefer the sunshine to the clouds and steel grey sky. I will be at The Park this … Continue reading →

It is 28 degrees but it is not a biting cold as we’ve had this past week. We are expected to have a gradual rise from 31 degrees to 49 degrees before the temperatures plummet to 9 degrees on Christmas … Continue reading →

Before settling my head into my pillow last evening, I weighed the options of sleeping all morning to catch up on rest or grabbing the 7:20 AM bus to one of my favorite eating haunts. I wake at 7 AM … Continue reading →

Remembering my birth father who died on this date in 1984. Danny Lee Jolliff 22 March 1942 ~ 17 December 1984

119 years ago, at 10:35 AM, two brothers, bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, lifted from the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to achieve the first manned, heavier-than-air flight. I love living in Dayton, Ohio and feeling as though I … Continue reading →

Grumpy. I woke up feeling grumpy and after forty minutes I am still in a very grumpy mood. Even in the last dream I recall before waking, I was grumpy in the dream. I know the grumpiness shall dwindle shortly, … Continue reading →

I found a gift bag on my front porch from the McClain family. Sam was in grade school, about third grade, when he began studying voice and theatre with me. There were goodies in the bag as well as this … Continue reading →

What a Tuesday night at The Park. Several times throughout the day, The Roundhouse Cafe schedule for workers changed. In the end it was Will, an Oakwood High School graduate and Miami University sophomore majoring in psychology, and Alex a … Continue reading →

Michael Wager sent me this article inquiring if my surname, Jolliffe, was connected to the French word and spelling. Yes, my surname is “jolly.” My French heritage spelled our name Jollivau. The first French ancestor, Philippe Leigh Jollivau came to … Continue reading →

I love this quintet from The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. The tubist always reminds me of Tool Time Tim Taylor’s neighbor, Wilson, until he sets down his tuba.

The steel grey sky finally lost its struggle to the brilliant sun that has been battling for a glimpse of the earth for nearly an hour. Seeing the blue sky is a much-welcome respite from the dullness of the previous … Continue reading →

It’s wet and the more we climb through the day it will get wetter. I have a feeling we shall have no train rides at The Park this evening – but that is not official. Things can change. It’s Ohio! … Continue reading →

A number of years ago, my friend Jeff Carter introduced me to Donald Fraser’s “The This Christmastide” also known as “Jessye’s Carol.” The song was in my ear this morning and I thought I’d share it.

I’ve been fairly numb since Saturday’s shift at The Park. We were slammed with long lines and such delightful, understanding, and grateful Guests in The Roundhouse Cafe. We were never without long lines from 5 PM until around 9:45 PM. … Continue reading →

Before leaving the house, I loved seeing bus No. 17 was actually on time for its 2:54 PM arrival at the stop across the street. And then it started. I began seeing the arrival minutes delayed: 1 min… 3 min… … Continue reading →

The unrelenting grey skies dampen the spirits of several friends and try to lessen my own, but I persevere. Serving in The Roundhouse at The Park is a great aid in combating the humorless weather. Yesterday afternoon, I stepped off … Continue reading →

While it is soon to be 50 degrees we are also expecting rain from about 1 PM until 7 PM. This will interfere with the beginning of the 6 PM train rides at The Park. I hope that is not … Continue reading →

This is from DailyOM and not my own personal submission. We can be more like trees opening our crown to the Universe and rooting down deep with our feet into mother earth. A tree that is beginning to grow sends … Continue reading →

This week flew by. The streak of great, sunny, and warm weather seems to have cursed us here in The Miami Valley with true late-autumn or winter weather – cold and gray. I really detest the gloomier days without sunlight. … Continue reading →

I have grown to love audiobooks and podcasts because they allow me to listen while continuing to work on other items or attending to household tasks. It’s a win-win for me! I’ve listened to over 60 biographies or other US … Continue reading →

At 10:10 PM, I stepped off the bus. There is always an accompanying “beep” as the bus lowers for passengers to enter or exit. Within the seventy or so steps to the front porch, I can hear the dogs… well, … Continue reading →

It’s nearing 12:30 PM on this dreary Monday. Clothes from the dryer have been folded and put away and another load of laundry is in the washer. I’ve hand-washed the dishes and set them in the dishwasher to dry. The … Continue reading →

I had an absolute BLAST! It was a long first day, 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM but it was so much fun. Running concessions, fun? Yes. Most often with parent boosters, I would get assigned in leadership areas but I … Continue reading →

It’s been a lazy day, so far, but at 3 PM the busyness will kick into gear when I begin teaching. My Door Dash from a nearby Chinese restaurant has just arrived, 1hr 13 minutes late. I dearly love this … Continue reading →