Author Archives: Wright Flyer Guy

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About Wright Flyer Guy

Darin is a single adoptive father, a teacher, playwright, and musical theatre director from Kettering, Ohio.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Independence Day, 2024

It’s Thursday, July 4, 2024, and it is my favorite holiday.  Wednesday, I was up at 6 AM, as usual, and prepped the kitchen for a new appliance that was to be delivered by Lowe’s between 10:30 AM and 2:30 … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: 10 fascinating facts about the Liberty Bell

July 8, 2023 | by NCC Staff On July 8, 1776, popular legend says the Liberty Bell rang to symbolize America’s independence from Great Britain. But many “facts” about the Bell, such as its 1776 ringing,  are shrouded in mystery. For example, how did … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: July 2nd – the real Independence Day?

This is one of my favorite historical debates and sometimes, I agree with John Adams. From THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER: “When is the real Independence Day?” There’s no doubt the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in July 1776. … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Hello, July!

Welcome, July 2024!  It’s the beginning of the hump month of summer. It was the start of the three-day Civil War battle in 1863 at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Sunday was both off-balance and productive, but I did manage to complete several … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: June is busting to turn itself over to the “hump-month of summer”

June 2024 has less than 48 hours remaining before turning the reins over to July, the hump month of summer. The athletic and music activities have resumed on the high school’s campus, signaling the new academic year to come. A … Continue reading

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THE FAMILY ALBUM: A morning with Flyer (2013)

Eleven years ago on this date, another Saturday morning, Flyer, 13, and I entered the van, leaving Chief and Navi at The Haasienda. I knew Flyer’s health was rapidly failing. We visited our favorite haunts in Dayton: the Wright family … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Schuster, deliveries, Grandma Donna

It is an early day to be off to Schuster Center to house manage a private corporate event. I will grab the 7:24 AM No, 17 to downtown, which means I will more than likely step onto the bus by … Continue reading

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THE FAMILY ALBUM: Flyer toward the end

This is a photo of Flyer, eleven years ago, today. We would often walk next door to the high school to relax in the shade of the small grove of trees out front beside the parking lot. I’d sit to … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Laura’s birthday & a break in the heat wave

The relief in the high temperatures has felt wonderful. But to be honest, I really never seemed affected by the heat. In fact, I don’t think I ever broke much of a sweat except for the balcony lobby of Schuster … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: A cooler start to the week

The cooler temperatures have been with us since yesterday and dipped to a wonderfully comfortable evening. I spent most of the night sleeping on the deck. I fell asleep at 11:30 PM and woke at 1:30 AM because I was … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: A sweltering Sunday morning…

It’s a sweltering morning, but we may see a break in the weather, today. A lengthy thunderstorm cell will be moving through, and the temperatures are to only climb to 85 degrees. It will be a most welcome arrival. Since … Continue reading

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THE FAMILY ALBUM: 40th adoption anniversary

Today, Darin Lee Jolliffe-Haas is forty years old. Darin Lee Jolliff is three months away from turning sixty. In this date, June 20, 1984, my sister, Dena, younger brother, and I were adopted by our step-father, David Haas. June 20th … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: A muggy Thursday

Wednesday was mostly a repeat of Tuesday; hot. Actually, it wasn’t too awful as I was comfortable throughout the day. At 6:30 AM, however, it is horribly muggy. At 9:15 AM, I began mowing the lawn and it was completed … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Muggy Tuesday morning

There’s a cool breeze blowing across the deck that keeps the wind chimes dancing, but there’s also a foreboding of the heat to come. Yesterday, was uncomfortable at times, but doable. The pooches and I remained hydrated. I decided to … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Monday morning

The 94 degree weather will be here soon enough, so I am enjoying as much deck time as possible. There’s been a good deal of walking and running activity passing The Haasienda as others take advantage of this beautiful morning … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Monday, rain, flowers…

Monday morning. Rain is expected all day. Fairmont Industries, next door at Kettering Fairmont High School, begins its big week-long plant and flower sale which funds many of the students’ camps and other wonderful opportunities for special needs students and … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: No impatiens but back to Pride Rock

I walked over to the Fairmont Industries’ flower and plant sale prepared to return with one hanging basket of impatiens and three flats of impatiens to plant in pots and set about the front yard. Sadly, their supplier could not … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Happy birthday, Grandma Donna & President Truman

My grandmother, Donna Mae Clary Barmes (8 May 1924 – 27 June 1992), would have turned 100 years old. Grandma Donna has been gone for nearly 32 years, and I still miss her. I am sure she and her sister, … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: One last night of THE LION KING

It’s Saturday morning and we’re still hanging in the 60s. Tomorrow, we shall finally see a return to the 70s and 80s. Tonight, I will make my final visit to the musical jungle for THE LION KING. It’s been a … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: The Lion King & Mother’s Day

Last night at 11:15 PM, I exited Schuster Center, ending my two weeks in the musical Serengeti of Disney’s THE LION KING. I am thrilled that it has come to an end, but I cannot deny how much I loved … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: A rainy day ahead

The rain is upon us and will be sporadically visiting us throughout the day, and maybe into the evening. It appears that the heavier portion will be as I am heading to Schuster to house manage a private event. It’s … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Chief & life-juggling

Today is a day that I could use the invigorating sunshine to lift my spirit and energy. Life-juggling seems to be my lot in life at the moment and it is draining. Last evening’s private event at Schuster Center was … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Thursday…

I turned my Wednesday around despite being a bit down about not having my entire day free. I got home by 2:30 PM and fed the dogs before laying down to take a two-hour nap. I woke at 4:30 PM … Continue reading

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MY DAY: A rainy, eventful Friday

The morning skies let loose with at least six hours of solid rain, and I was out in some of it. I returned to bed until 8:30 AM, excited to have a full day off. At 9:06 AM, I stepped … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: A sunny Sunday

By 6:15 AM, the golden rays from the east were pouring through the windows, bouncing between all the openings in doorways and around cabinets and furniture. We are expected to have temperatures in the upper 80s for the next several … Continue reading

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