Category Archives: Uncategorized

As Mama Kay, The Girls, and I left Centerville’s La Pinata restaurant Saturday evening, the storm clouds were moving in. Just as I reached the house, heavy drops began falling. It was a fairly fast-paced shower, but a heavy one. … Continue reading →

As I prepare to head into the park, I’ve had “just another Manic Monday…” flowing through my mind. While the Bangles’ hit song is catching and sweet, it doesn’t feel like a manic Monday. I eased into the day and … Continue reading →

It’s already a splendid morning at 65° and the trees are filled with some of the best singers. It doesn’t get much better than that. This afternoon it is to rise to 81° with chances of rain showers later in … Continue reading →

When I was growing up in Elwood, Indiana, Carole and Bruce Boston ran the local roller skating rink and they provided a fun, safe, and loving experience every weekend and for all the special occasions. As a young boy, the … Continue reading →

When I first posted this on May 13, 2018, I did not know it would be the final tribute at Mother’s funeral, which beautifully, imaginatively, and lovingly delivered by my high school Latin teacher and much beloved family friend, Diana … Continue reading →

What a fun day! I slept in until 8:00 AM, abandoning my typical 6:45 AM alarm from my early-shift days. I fed the dogs, checked some emails, and returned to bed until 10:00 AM. I rose and grabbed a light … Continue reading →

At 7:15 AM, it is already opening into a gorgeous morning and today’s forecast is a high of 83-degrees. The next several days are to reach the mid-80s with the upper 70s following for another several more days. I don’t … Continue reading →

There was a time when the phrase “taking care of me“ implied selfishness. When the new enlightenment of the 1980s and 1990s resurrected this phrase, it slowly eked its way into our psyche and conversation with a more positive emphasis. … Continue reading →

I left my 5:00 PM shift, Thursday evening, and meandered over to the brewery for dinner. As I was eating and waiting for the bus to arrive, the downpour began. I’ve not leisurely walked in the rain for a long … Continue reading →

Thursday, while manning my station, I had the most wonderful experience. A group of eight deaf adults approached my station to have their tickets scanned. As I was scanning each of their tickets I began my introductory dialogue about the … Continue reading →

It was a beautiful Sunday and I managed to get the grass cut down to size before teaching from 3:00 PM – 11:15 PM. Saturday, I had a wonderful time with the collected Parker-Moore contingent, dining and celebrating May birthdays … Continue reading →

Adding an additional chapter to my already full life has been exciting but it has also been a learning curve of adjustments and figuring out how to find my groove with my body’s new investments over the past several years. … Continue reading →

The eight hour shifts are a bit daunting being away from home and The Quartet for so long. However, the pups are in capable hands with several members of The Canine Crew attending and loving them. My station is situated … Continue reading →

I’m scheduled today and tomorrow for eight hour shifts. My body is groaning a bit, especially in my legs. A very close genetically linked family member is now battling the same multiple sclerosis that I have. And while she is … Continue reading →

Exactly fifty-seven years ago, today, April 18, 1965, I was given my first chocolate Easter bunny by my great-grandfather, John William Garrett Clary, commonly known as Garrett, or his familiar nickname in Elwood, Indiana, “Skinny.” Grandpa Garrett, as you can … Continue reading →

CVS, 9:00 AM, I received my second booster. Downtown Dayton feels empty. There’s no busy foot traffic and even the normal street traffic seems subdued. It’s much like a quiet Sunday afternoon. My bus arrived at 8:30 AM and I … Continue reading →

April 4th, 1964, my parents, Diana Kay Barmes and Danny Lee Jolliff, were married at Trinity Evangelical United Brethren Church (to become Trinity United Methodist Church, 1968) in Elwood, Indiana. Rev. Roush led the ceremony with Dorothea Woods as the … Continue reading →

Wednesday night, Laura Parker picked me up and we ate at 416 Diner in The Oregon District before we headed to The Neon Movies to watch the brilliantly produced British West End filmed production, ANYTHING GOES, starring Sutton Foster. I’d … Continue reading →

My bonus sister, Laura Moore Parker, and I are three months apart – to the day – in age. She was born June 25th and I was born on September 25th. I suggested we celebrate her 9th month birthday and … Continue reading →

I took a 45 minute walk today and had I not run into a number of dogs walking their owners, I probably could have made it all around the Fraze Pavilion. Alas, I needed to return home to eat lunch … Continue reading →

My endocrinology appointment was scheduled for Friday morning, March 18th at 10:00 AM but yesterday afternoon their office called and asked if I might be free at 8:00 AM. A few minutes later my sister texted to check on my … Continue reading →

Last Wednesday afternoon, former studio parents and friends, Dee and Terry Friesenborg contacted me to see if I could use their season tickets as Terry was ill with a stomach bug. At 5:00 PM, Laura and I were heading to … Continue reading →

BONNIE REDMOND BARMES: 12 October 1944 – 27 February 2022 It was around 2:30 PM on a warm Saturday, 27 June 1992. I had just bid farewell to my grandmother, Donna Clary Barmes, who died of colon cancer in an … Continue reading →

When I was younger, I struggled with keeping my attention sewn to the task at hand. Most children combat such attempts but in the 1960s and 1970s, this was not addressed as much as they are now with those who … Continue reading →

In January 2020, just as the world was beginning to shut down for months of quarantine, I upgraded my iPhone. Two years later, it was time to do it again. While I can maneuver my way around technology, it’s not … Continue reading →