Tribute to John Henry

LEXINGTON, KY (October 8, 2007) John Henry, the legendary Thoroughbred racehorse who was twice Horse of the Year, was humanely euthanized at the Kentucky Horse Park today at 7:00 pm.

My friend Carol and I met the handsome John Henry a few short weeks ago at my Dad's Annual USS Ranger CV-4 Reunion.  We spent the afternoon a The Kentucky Horse Park and met this amazing horse along with others in the Hall of Champions.  He was a fighter with an incredible spirit and zest for life.  He will be greatly missed.

"He was not the best race horse. He was not the fastest or the busiest," retired Daily Racing Form columnist Joe Hirsch said. "He wasn't the greatest weight carrier, and certainly not the handsomest or the most personable. But he was the most remarkable horse who ever raced -- anywhere."

Read more about the wonderful John Henry at The Kentucky Horse Park's web site.

USS Ranger Reunion Trip for 2007 - Day Four

Today is check in day for the USS Ranger Reunion in Covington, KY.  People are coming in from near and far.  Today my friend Linda from Dayton drove down to visit with us.  We had a lovely meal in the Radisson revolving restaurant.

Tonight Carol and I decided to have a light dinner in the restaurant.  Their French Onion soup is wonderful and with a basket of multi grain rolls and butter, well, we were in heaven. 

USS Ranger Reunion Trip for 2007 - Day Three

Day Three dawned bright and sunny and Carol and I decided to snoop the area.  In Covington/Cincinnati they have this great shuttle system - The Southbank Shuttle.  For just a buck or two you can sit back and travel around the main sections of Covington and Cincinnati.  We figured it would be a great way to see the general area and decide where we wanted to snoop some more.

We had a late lunch with Joe and Ann in Mutter Gottes again.  After lunch Ann went shopping and Carol and I went for a walk through the neighborhood.

Tomorrow the Reunion officially starts with check in and meet and greet. It will be good to see old friends again!

USS Ranger Reunion Trip for 2007 - Day Two

Once again, as happened last year, the internet connection at the hotel was there but quite slow on my laptop, so I am posting everything after the trip.  It was one of the best trips we've ever been on!

Day Two - Monday, September 17th.

We arrived in Covington, KY and the Radisson Hotel about mid morning.  It was a great ride - we got a very early start out of Pittsburgh (and thank you again Tom-Tom - had it not been for you, we would still be driving in circles trying to find out way out of the city!)

Met up with Joe and Ann and walked over to Mutter Gottes (Old Town) for lunch at one of the German restaurants there.  The food was wonderful and it was warm enough to eat out on the front porch.  Of course we had to have a large glass of German porter with our meal. ☺

We all unpacked and settled in. 

The hotel is a round hotel - so the rooms are interesting - narrow at the door and wide out by the windows - each room has a little balcony.  Our room overlooked Covington and we thought that was nice until we met Joe and Ann for happy hour in their room before heading up to dinner in the hotel restaurant.  They had a view of Cincinnati and the Ohio River - another Wow!  Carol and I were just a bit bummed about that.

The restaurant is beautiful - it's on the top floor and revolves - so in an hour you get to see the entire landscape - including Cincinnati, the river, and Covington.  I kind of left the room view go but Carol mentioned it throughout dinner - what a nice view they had and our view kind of sucked.  ☺  During dinner Joe disappeared and came back about 20 minutes later with 2 room keys.  He had gone downstairs to the front desk and asked that our room be changed.  Boy, did we get a great view!  Thanks, Carol, for speaking up!  Even with 2 happy hours under our belt and sharing a bottle of wine at dinner, we moved our stuff to our new room in about 15 minutes! 

Cincinnati at night is dazzling and we had the view to prove it!  If you visit the Radisson Hotel website, you'll see what I mean...

USS Ranger Reunion Trip for 2007 - Day One

All I can say is WOW!  The Chihuly installation at The Phipps was fabulous, awesome - words just cannot do it justice.  Here are some shots I took.

If you ever get the opportunity to see a Chihuly installation, please make sure you do.  The WOW factor is off the map.  They did decide to keep some pieces there permanently so head to the Phipps and feast your eyes.

We do have to thank our Tom-Tom for getting us there - we got a little lost on the campus of Carnegie Mellon and Tom-Tom got us out of there perfectly. 

Now we are settling in at the Hampton Inn for the night and will continue on to Covington, KY bright and early tomorrow!

USS Ranger Reunion Trip for 2007

Today my friend Carol and I are heading out to Pittsburgh, PA - our midway stopping point for Covington, KY where this year's USS Ranger Reunion will be held.  My dad is a former Ranger and we will be meeting him and his partner Ann there tomorrow.

We are leaving bright and early today in eager anticipation of the first stop on our trip - The Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh.  We will be seeing the Dale Chihuly installation there this afternoon and we are both so excited about it.

Happy trails!

Things I Learned from the USS Rangers CV4 Reunion

This year's USS Ranger CV4 Reunion was such a treat.  I got to spend time with lots of interesting folks and I also got to spend time watching and observing people interacting with one another.  I came away from the trip with several lessons learned...


1.  People love to be heard.  In fact, many people really need to be heard.  I spent a lot of time listening to folks who probably don't get heard enough.  Even I felt I needed to be heard, but I put that aside to listen to the old folks that no one else wanted to listen to.   So I ask you, dear reader, how much do you listen to what others have to say?  Do you find yourself self-referencing more and listening less?  Try to spend a day giving your ego a break and just listening to someone.  You'll be amazed at what good you can do by being a sincere and present listener.

2.  People will surprise you in many different ways.  I found it interesting that only two people asked me what I did for a living and of those two, only one pursued knowing more.  Another person, who most people avoided being around because she's such a talker, totally floored me and was right on when she hugged me on the final day and commented in my ear "You really must retire near the water - I saw the look on your face when we were on the lake and by the ocean."  Our conversation was totally one-sided so it felt good that she noticed that about me even though she was the one doing all the talking.

3.  Customer Service can be tenuous thing - honor excellence!  The service we received at the Best Western Executive Inn and Conference Center was the best I've received in a long time.  Absolutely better than the Sheraton I stayed at in Reston, VA last summer (I will never stay there again, folks).  Their staff was always ready to set things right if something was amiss.  They were eager to please and they made this reunion the best ever.  If you enjoy good service from someone, tell them.  Don't just let people hear about the bad stuff - catch people doing things right and let them know about it.

4.  Honor the oldtimers.  I'm a total pacifist at heart and don't get me started on the current war situations in the world today, but putting that aside for a moment, I found it really important to honor the men and women on this trip who served during World War II.  I took it upon myself to spend as much time as I could talking with these shipmates about their work during the war.  They are proud to have served their country and we are certainly proud of them that they did.

5. Nurture yourself.  In spite of the fiasco around my petsitter bailing on me, I decided that it was not going to set the tone of the trip.  I made it a point to always get my hot bath every evening and give myself a facial and sometimes a foot massage.  We all need to find ways to nurture ourselves, especially when we travel.  I made sure I still exercised every day and I also made sure I ate good healthy meals.  How can you nurture yourself today and every day?  Even if it's only a simple 5 minute thing, find ways to nurture yourself every single day.  Your body, mind and spirit will thank you for it.

6. Nurture others.  Once you nurture yourself, take the time to nurture others.  This goes back to #1 above.  Engage someone in conversation and really listen to what they have to say.  Be in the moment - be totally present for them.  Hear them.  It will do you both a world of good.

7. Do your best to not work on your vacation.  I thought I could do it, but as it turned out, it was a bad idea.  The wireless network, though greatly appreciated, left a lot to be desired.  It was slower than cold maple syrup - dial-up would have seemed like a Nascar race car heading for home.  I don't intend to ever work and vacation at the same time.  You can't guarantee the internet service and you can't rely on clients to behave themselves, knowing full well you are on vacation.  I had so many requests for work that should have been requested before I left - that was so annoying!  So lesson learned - vacations are for vacationing - period!

I may think of more lessons as the weeks go by and I'll be sure to share them with you...

USS Ranger CV4 Reunion - Final Day!

Sunday, September 24th - today is the final day for the USS Ranger Reunion and what a day this would be!

We boarded the bus and headed east this time - towards the shore and my favorite sight in the world - the ocean!

We visited Hampton Beach, NH, Newburyport, NH, and Portsmouth, NH.  We had some time in Hampton to walk the beach a bit.  Even though it was a bit rainy and overcast, it was still beautiful being on the beach and taking in the salty air.  I love the beach any time of the year.  And in spite of the cool air, the sand was still warm and toasty under my feet.

Back on the bus, we headed for York and Cape Neddick, ME and the Nubble Light Lighthouse.  The view was breathtaking and we had ample time to walk around the point and take pictures of the lighthouse and the water.  After that we were off and running to our clam bake at Foster's Downeast Clambake in York Harbor, ME.

The clambake was held in a huge hall.  We all had bibs we could wear and there was music provided by a hale and hearty local musician.  They had service down to a fine art.  I had the vegetarian offering - eggplant parmesan.  It was very tasty.  We all had chowder (oops, sorry - chowdah) as well as steamed clams and mussles, boiled potatoes and onion, corn on the cob and of course our main entree - lobter, chicken or vegetarian.   Before dinner we all sang along to the music.  (that's Betty and her sister ready for their lobster!)

After dinner we got a bit rowdy - some of our group played tambourine and maracas with the band guy while others, like Priscilla and Ann (see photo), danced New Orleans style in the ailes.  We all had a great time!  It poured rain while we dined and then the sun came out for most of our trip back to New Hampshire.  We were going to stop for shopping but a thunderstorm and torrential downpours put an end to that.  Instead we did a drive by Point Walker and the Bush Compound.  To tell the truth, that was enough to make me gag and almost lose my lunch.  I am so not a fan of the Bush family.

It was a quiet ride back to the hotel - we all knew this was it - the end of another fabulous reunion.  We all had a wonderful time and now it was time to hug and bid adieu to those heading out that evening.  Monday morning we had the chance for more hugs as the rest of the group headed for home.  Dad and Ann and I barely got all our stuff in the van (I swear things multiply and honestly, I did not buy that much! :>)) and we headed home around 11AM.  On our way home we stopped in Easton, PA at the Olive Garden to celebrate Ann's birthday.  I got home to my sweet home and my kitties around 7PM.  It's good to be home, even better hearing the purrs of my Bert and Ernie, and I am filled with wonderful memories that I will treasure forever!

USS Ranger CV4 Reunion - Day Five

Day Five, Saturday, September 23rd - Today would normally be the last day of the reunion, but the reunion director, Steve, set things up a bit differently this year so we still have a lot to look forward to on this trip.

In the morning they had the Men's meeting, where they discuss reunion matters and determine where next year's reunion will be.  I've heard from an inside source, my Dad, that next year it will be in Covington, KY.  Also, this is the day the Ladies have their annual auction.  We all bring items to auction off - and everyone has an hour to mark the cards with their bids.  Sometimes the bidding wars can get very interesting!  I brought a huge shopping bag of goodies to auction off for the group.  The funds from the auction and the various raffles go back into the reunion coffers to help pay for setting up these great trips.

We all had the afternoon off - some people headed down to the local mall to shop or have lunch while others relaxed in their rooms or by the pool.  At 5:30 the photographer showed up to take the pictures for the Memory Book.  The hotel provided a cash bar, and at 6:30 we sat down to enjoy a wonderful buffet banquet.  A keyboardist played for us while we dined and then Don entertained us with his harmonica music.  Even the Mayor of Manchester was there to give the Rangers the Key to the City.  We got to visit and socialize with more new people who came in only for the banquet.  The food was delicious and the camaraderie was so enjoyable.   

As I mentioned earlier, usually this would be it - we would be saying our goodbyes and people would be starting to head home.  Ah, but no - there was one more wonderful day trip scheduled for Sunday.  On to Maine via the New Hampshire coast and a scrumptious clam bake and lobster feast!

USS Ranger CV4 Reunion - Day Four

Friday, September 22, 2006 we boarded the bus in the morning and headed north this time to Lake Winnipesaukee.  The last time I was by the lake was quite a few years ago on ski trip - the Lake was frozen and dotted with ice fishing houses - it was so charming and beautiful with the trees all frosty and snow on the ground.

Our first stop was the Wright's WWII Museum in Wolfeboro, NH.  This museum is unique in that it shows the home front during WWII - so there were dioramas of rooms in a typical home during that era.  Boy, did that take me back!  Reminded me so much of my Nana's house - the living room carpet they used and the chair in the room were exactly what my grandmother had in her living room.  The upright piano was exactly like the one I played on as a child.  It was interesting seeing the advertising from those days.  If you are ever in that area, I highly recommend checking it out.

After that, we boarded the bus for a wonderful treat - a train ride around Lake Winnipesaukee and a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner.  We boarded the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad in Meredith, NH.  The dinner was catered by Hart's Turkey Farm.  Thanksgiving is one of about 4 times a year that I eat turkey - and this dinner was scrumptious!  It included lots of turkey, baked to perfection, pureed squash, filling, rolls and butter, cranberry sauce, beverage and dessert.  The men serving us were long time residents of the area and their stories and anecdotes kept us laughing and amused for the entire trip. 

The lake is so beautiful.  Some folks were grabbing their last boating time on the lake - in a few weeks they'll be bringing their boats into dry dock for the winter.  I imagined spending a winter on the lake - would be an awesome place to write a book.  And yes, about half way through the trip, I did see a loon on the water!  What a treat!

On our way back to Manchester, we stopped at the Pepi Hermann Crystal Factory in Gilford, NH (I've skied at the Gunstock Cross Country Ski Center in Gilford many years ago - one of the areas finest).  I did buy myself a nice pair of crystal post earrings and a crystal votive candle holder.   There was also a yarn shop in the building so many of us checked out the fabulous yarns they had.

Our final stop was the Wine and Liquor store - I like to visit the wine stores of different states.  Pennsylvania's wine system is so antiquated and they don't carry wines of many small wineries.  I was delighted to find a few wines that I used to have to travel to Delaware to purchase.  Ever since I saw the movie "Sideways" I've really enjoyed shopping for and exploring different wines. 

Back at the hotel, they had our cookies waiting for us in the lobby.  We spent the evening relaxing together in the Hospitality room and preparing for the Ladies Auction to be held the next day.

USS Ranger CV4 Reunion - Day Three

This is a bit late in getting posted.  The wireless network at the hotel left a lot to be desired.  It was slower than dial up!  So I decided to wait until I returned home to post the rest of our Reunion journey!

Thursday, September 21st - our day in Boston, MA

We boarded the bus bright and early and headed south to Boston and an exclusive tour of the USS Constitution, a trip around the city on the Boston Duck Tours, and then an afternoon on our own at Faneuil Hall and the Quincy Market (Mawket ☺)...

The tour of the USS Constitution was quite a treat.  We had a great tour guide and everyone enjoyed exploring the various decks of the ship and hearing about life back in the "old days".  The Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides" is the oldest Navy ship still in commission, so they always have a full crew on hand.  They often take her out into the Boston Harbor, which I am sure is an amazing sight to behold.

Following that tour, we headed over to the Boston Museum of Science to pick up our Ducks for our Boston Duck Tour.  I took a Duck tour in Washington, DC last summer with my friend Carol and it was such a hoot!  I was really looking forward to this trip.  We had two Ducks for our tour.  I was on the Red Sox Nathan and others were on the Molasses Molly.  Our ConDUCKtor was Captain Courageous and we thoroughly enjoyed his commentaries on the tour.

After our Duck Tour, we were dropped off at the Quincy Market area and Faneuil Hall where we had several hours to shop and eat.  Dad and Ann and I enjoyed a bowl of clam chowder (pronounced chowdah ☺) and while they went to shop, since I'm not a shopper, I headed out to see what else was on the menu.  I found a Bertucci's restuarant nearby and went inside to enjoy an individual Margherita pizza and a Sam Adams beer.  Ah, what a treat.  I almost never get to do that since I am always the designated driver.  But, hey, on a bus trip, I get to enjoy!  My waiter, Tim, was a delight and the pizza and beer were absolutely yummy. 

While waiting for the bus, we got to explore the New England Holocaust Memorial.   It was dedicated in 1995 and is a beautiful tribute to those who suffered during the Shoah (the Holocaust).

We arrived back at the hotel around 6PM, tired and happy and ready to do more socializing in the Hospitality Room.  Some headed off to the swimming pool and hot tub.  I headed back to my room for a hot bath (but only after picking up a few chocolate chip cookies which the hotel had out for everyone every evening). 

After my bath I checked in with my morning petsitter and to my dismay found that she wasn't giving my Bert his medications and that she couldn't do her morning run on Saturday, so I spent the next hour or so frantically calling everyone I knew to get someone for Saturday and to see if Joel could give Bert his meds in the evening.  I thank God for my client, Kari - she came through for me - I appreciate her so much!  I decided to have her do the morning visit Saturday through Monday and I fired the sitter who bailed on me.  I was so disappointed to have to do that, but my kitties are my family and you don't mess with my family! 

Tomorrow we head for the New Hampshire Lakes Region!

USS Ranger CV4 Reunion - Day Two

What a great day this was meeting and greeting all the former USS Rangers and their families.  The actual count of men goes down every year as they get older and become ill or disabled.  Some widows come in honor of their husbands.  Some children come in honor of their dads.  Even grandchildren show up to honor their granddads.  It's really nice seeing the love and warmth between everyone.

And they come from all over...

One man, Don, joins his brother, Roy, who served on the Ranger, and this man is a world class harmonica player - he and his brother live in the Minneapolis area.  Last year Don performed at the banquet to the cheers of the crowd.  He told me he has a new harmonica this year and will be performing again.  What a treat!  He's such a sweet man.   (That's Don and Roy at the New Hampshire Beach the day we drove up to Maine)

Another couple is from New York City and were NYC cops when the towers came down on 9/11.  They lost a lot of friends in that horror.   I just love Delia and Richard.  Delia's dad served on the Ranger and she comes to the reunions every year to honor him.  (That's Delia at our Boston Ducks Tour)

Cliff and Judy are from Oregon.  Julie and Bob live in South Carolina.  Tom and Jane and their daughters Laura and Lisa live in Pennsylvania, about an hour north of me.  It's so nice seeing them again and catching up on what they've been doing this past year.  Cliff, Bob and Tom all served on the Ranger.

Lou and his girlfriend Amanda join Lou's mom Roberta, Roberta's sister Linda, and Lou's grandmother Helen - they are from the Pittsburgh area.  Lou and Amanda were the youngsters on the trip and such fun to hang out with.   (That's Lou and Amanda on the USS Constitution in Boston)

So the hospitality room was open today and tonight we had an ice cream social.  Yummy!  Over 45 of us made our own sundaes and then sat about and swapped stories and caught up on each other's lives.  Tomorrow we head for Boston for the day.  That promises to be a great trip!