Cast Not a Stone

Cast Not A Stone.

Cast not the first stone, my friend,
When, someone goes astray;
When a brother slips and falls,
Lift him up, instead, and pray.

Pass not along the sordid news,
Of someone’s sin displayed;
Lift him up and help him stand,
Because for him you’ve prayed.

- Kay Hoffman.

A Simple Prayer

A Simple Prayer

Oh Lord, what simple prayers we pray,
Giving You thanks and glory every day.

Our prayers like misty clouds ascend,
Seeking your wisdom at each days end.

May our prayers be worthy, in Your precious sight,
As we struggle daily, to do what is right.

May we never give in to deep despair,
As You hear, oh Lord, our simple prayer.


- Shirley Hile Powell.

My Choice

My Choice

“Have a good day,” we often hear
Sometimes in a cheery voice;
My answer is, “Thank you , I will,
You see, it’s my God-given choice.”

God gave us minds with which to think,
To analyze and choose….
His guidance and His wisdom, too,
Are there for us to use.

- Anna M. Matthews.

Time Well Spent

Time Well Spent

It’s time well spent when you share
A cup of tea, a laugh or two
With someone who may be lonely
And whose skies are gray instead of blue.

It’s time well spent to offer help
To somebody who may be in need,
For a harvest can quickly multiply
Just by planting a tiny seed.

It’s time well spent to simply smile,
Adding cheer to someone’s life,
For you never know when you’ll need a smile
To uplift amid a bit of strife.

It’s time well spent to offer thanks
For blessings which come our way -
To be grateful for each sunrise
And sunset at end of day.

It’s time well spent to talk to God
Humbly in heartfelt prayer -
Praising Him for all He’s done And releasing every burden and care.

- Linda C. Grazulis

To Everything There is a Season

Note: The following excerpts are taken from “Blessings From Above” - A Salesian Inspirational Booklet, edited by Jennifer Grimaldi.

To everything on earth there is a season,
A tome for every purpose under the sun.
From the beginning of life’s journey to the finish,
We run the race until our days are done.
There is a time for weeping and for laughter, A time for mourning and a time
to dance.
Every favor, every blessing we’re receiving
Is a gift of God; it happens not by chance.
For our God, in never failing mercy, Watches over us from day to dawning day.
In His hands He holds life’s changing seasons
As time continues on without delay.
- Regina Wiencek

Casablanca

CASABLANCA.
During my nearly “four score and ten” years on this earth, I have had many unique experiences - as have most people who have lived so long. One of these episodes, that I am recalling, is when I saw the movie “Casablanca” while stationed IN Casablanca. I had completed my 50 missions as a bombardier on a B-17 Flying Fortress, and was waiting for my Orders sending me back to the States.
The date was Tuesday October 12, 1943. Casablanca, Morocco. Let me quote from my journal back then:
Columbus day today and what a very nice “Fall” day! I went over to the PX, and Air Corps supply this morning. I slept for a while this afternoon, and then went into town. I walked around sightseeing, and did some shopping at the Bazaar.
I ate supper in town, and then ran into Fred Olson (a 1st pilot from our 429th Bomb squadron.. Fred had completed his tour of duty, recently, too). I then went to the Red Cross Vox theater (outside), and saw the movie “Casablanca”. There is a beautiful full moon out tonight - shining through the palm fronds, and reflecting off the nearby alabaster looking buildings.
Last night, they kicked off the grand opening of the rehabbed Empress theatre in Vallejo. The theatre goes back almost 100 years. The city of Vallejo, Triad Development, and other investors, have spent nearly seven million dollars on this project. The operators of the theatre picked the classic movie “Casablanca” to dedicate the Empress.
This promotion really got my attention. I had a flashback to that beautiful night in Casablanca in 1943. I wanted to treat my family and friends to see this movie - still unaltered - in black and white.
So, I invited the following people, who have been very supportive to Marie and I, for many years:
Elsie and Gene Doyle; Pat and Francis (Mac) MacDonald, Mary and Greg Torres; Joan and Manny Morais; and Sue and Tom Chilson.

The theatre was sold out (471). Many patrons dressed in outfits of the forties. I couldn’t help but wonder how my seeing Casablanca would affect me emotionally - after nearly 65 years of non-thought. (I may have seen it on TV once). When the movie first started, I felt a strong nostalgic emotion. I did vividly remember the “piano” scenes, and the last foggy- airport getaway scenes. I didn’t remember having any trouble understanding the German and French accent- dialogue the first time, as I did last night. I would like to think that the technical quality of the sound last night, wasn’t
equal to that of the Red Cross theatre back in 1943. But, unfortunately, I think the problem is more associated with my 89 year-old ears.

Mini-Medical School

MINI- MEDICAL SCHOOL; University of California - Davis.
February 2, 2008 - March 8, 2008.
I would like to publicly thank - and commend - the University of California - Davis, and their Center for Healthy Aging, for presenting the Mini- Medical School program once again this year. This is the sixth time that they have made this great medical program available to the general public - 50 years and older. The descriptive title - “Medical Science and Aging: A Mini Medical School to Prepare for Life’s Second Half”. It is a great outreach of Community Service.
Dr. Michael McCloud, the Course Director, was the prime mover for the program. Without him, there would be no Mini school. He also moderated the six Saturdays of classes. Dr. McCloud is not only a practicing physician, but he is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University. He is a very good speaker. He was the first, and last speaker. Even though he is just a “Boomer”, He is very knowledgeable about the subject of aging. Dr. McCloud uses enough humor to make a technical subject very interesting. (For example, at our graduation on March 8 - the last day of the course - he said that we probably wouldn’t be able to practice medicine right away - except maybe in the state of Oregon.)
My daughter, Mary Torres, and I, attended the course together. This was our first exposure to the Mini-Medical School. We learned about the course at the Yolo County Health Summit last September in Woodland.
The medical program is presented on six Saturday mornings, to a registered capacity of 500 students. It is taught by some of the same instructors that teach at the University’s regular medical program - some were department heads. What an opportunity for Mary and I to learn about healthy-human aging, as we both are experiencing it. Best of all. The University didn’t charge us a fee for our education!
I have listed the course content, and the presenter below:
“The Anatomy of Aging”, - by Dr. Michael McCloud.
“The Pharmacology of Aging”, - by Dr. John Peters.
“Men’s Health After 50”,- by Dr. William Hoch.
“Women’s Health After 50”, - by Dr. Amparo Villablanca.
“Nutrition and Healthy Aging”, - by Jill West, R.D.
“Update on New Technologies in Joint replacement”, - by Dr. John Mechan.
“The Aging Eye”, by Dr. Mark Mannis, Chair U.C. Davis Department of Ophthalmology.
“The Aging Ear” - by Dr. Hilary Brodie, Chief Otologist (ENT).
“Latest Medical Research”, by Barry Klein, Ph.D.
“Romance, Sex and Love After 50”, by Ed Callahan. Ph.D.
“The Healthy Heart in Mid-Life and Beyond” - by Dr. Amparo Villablanca.
“Memory and Aging”, by Dr. McCloud.
I was so impressed, with my exposure to the above medical information, if I were 70 years younger, I would have asked, “Where do I sign up for the “Big” course? Today, with over 70 million “Boomers” in the pipeline, I would like to be trained as a much needed Geriatrician. While most medical schools are not providing these doctors, they are being short-sighted. As Henry J. Kaiser once said, “Find a need, and fill it”.
RCL
3/12/08.

.

Ed Sarna's funeral card - March 8, 2008.

He has set me free!
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me;
I took his hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the dawn of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy;
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow;
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief;
Lift up your heart, and share it with me,
God wanted me now, he has set me free.
(Author unknown)

Mini-Medical School

Vallejo, CA.
March 9, 2008.
Michael McCloud; M.D.
Director, UC - Davis Mini Medical School.
Dear Dr. McCloud:
I would like to thank you, very much, and all of the Lecturers, and Volunteers, for the opportunity to attend such a marvelous course! My daughter Mary, and I, attended the Yolo County Aging Summit last fall in Woodland, where we learned about your program. We applied right away and fortunately we were accepted. Your recent program was not only very informative, but was very interesting as well.
I am 89 years old, and still very interested in the aging process. (I have a “vested” interest!) I was the power of attorney for my Mother, during the last seven years of her life. She died in May, 1992 - just three months shy of becoming a centenarian! I tried to expose myself to all of the information on aging that I could find, to help me in that role. At that time, Professor Paola Timiras - University of California - Berkeley, was teaching a course on “Successful Aging”. She was very gracious in letting me sit in and “audit” her classes. I was exposed to many high-powered lecturers - including Prof. Timiras, and many of her former students! I learned a lot about “Successful Aging”. Now, the information is helping me to age gracefully. Yet, the field of healthy aging is changing so fast, (just in time for the “Boomers”), it is difficult staying abreast. This course is the answer.
So, Dr. McCloud, thanks again for all of your interest, time and effort to put on such a worthwhile program. You have really made a big difference in an aging world.
Good luck in your career, and Best Wishes.
Ray L’Amoreaux

P.S. My daughter Mary, and I, posed with you for a picture, after class, on Saturday.