My sympathies, CALIFLA. The "long goodbye" is tough. Keep us posted.

Mine as well TFISC

Thanks, guys.

I was just venting, but I really appreciate your words of comfort.

I'm just trying to find a workable solution to get my Dad back from California to Ohio in appropriate style and grace for his wished Irish Catholic burial in the grave he has already paid for with the headstone he has already paid for. And in a style that seems to be a reasonable price for the services.

Today was a better day on the negotiation front, and I think I can bring him back and send him on in nice style for my $12,000 or so target.

I have no problem freely spending money, but usually on just wine, food, women (before marriage) and song.

On other things I penny pinch and hard negotiate and shop well.


I'll be buying the wine and beer for the wake, rather than paying a caterer It will be good wine and beer. What is not consumed, I will bring home.

My Dad and I said our good bye's many times and not all that long ago last time.

This time my responsibility is to my very large extended Irish Catholic family, as well as my Dad.

Emotionally I am fine, but when he has taken his last breath, that of course could alter a tad in evaluation.

On a Happier Note, the veal bolognese was awesome tonight at the little Italian restaurant I took my wife to for Valentine's Day that Loufla and his wife have dined with us in before.

Life is for the living.

And I am still p.o'd that Mark Shapiro is still hanging on as a do nothing in the front office.

Heck, can his salary and reduce stadium food prices 10% for the 81 home games with the offset of money. That move would be a greater contribution than Mark Shapiro has ever sucked the life out of in his now near one-quarter century of Cleveland Indians Baseball.......

Pathetic loser.

Mr. Personality in all his arrogant self -

I think you need your morning after pills Rusty. There's really no need for calling out someone on this level.

Trying to lighten things up I realize "The El Camino Real" is a horse race on the way to The Kentucky Derby being run tomorrow in The San Francisco Bay Area.

I've capped it, and though I usually stray far away from a Pennsylvania bred, I like the thoroughbred pedigree of Zeewat.

His trainer is from Akron OH, and his jockey is a good guy I have met casually many times.

I'm going 3 to win and 2 to place as a back up as I expect he'll go off at 3-1 or higher.


I'm a bit nostalgic for San Francisco as this will be the first El Camino Real I have missed attending live and in person in several years.

I think I'll wear one one of my El Camino Real t-shirts to the gym in the morning.


For now, I'll continue watching "Sudden Impact" I have found just now on the free movies. It was the first movie I took my first wife to with me.

That marriage worked out mostly well.

My current wife loves Clint Eastwood movies, too.

I'm still not taking her to the shooting range with me, however. And she's begging for me to get her a concealed permit, too. Especially after we visited my first wife together to pick up an old family heirloom piece of furniture weekend before last. When my current wife learned my first wife also has a concealed permit, my current wife's interest and desire to have one piqued.

Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:My Dad is seemingly near ready to pass. We've been here with him at this point multiple times before and he has always outfoxed doctors and prognosticators...

If the Docs think My Dad can make it to Friday night, all my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.

I'll be leaving on a jet plane.

Don't know when I'll be back again.

I hope you had a safe and easy flight, CALIFLA.
Or are you still in FL?

J.R. wrote:

Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:My Dad is seemingly near ready to pass. We've been here with him at this point multiple times before and he has always outfoxed doctors and prognosticators...

If the Docs think My Dad can make it to Friday night, all my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.

I'll be leaving on a jet plane.

Don't know when I'll be back again.

I hope you had a safe and easy flight, CALIFLA.
Or are you still in FL?

I, of course, want to be with my Dad as he passes.

I know it might be difficult to understand from afar or in different shoes, but I have been with him about a half dozen times before for all night vigils when "we all," including the doctors, thought he might pass.

I've put three kids through college graduating debt free, and have a fourth well on his way but mostly on his smarts rather than my $$. The first three pay top dollar Democrat inspired taxes, and the fourth is now saying "WTF" as he reels in his Engineering internship checks and notices the deductions.


I have four Grandkids, and a 5th on the way.


My Dad is a fighter.

I can't fly west at this moment and leave my wife and responsibilities for something that might be three days, or perhaps multiple weeks.


He can no longer swallow. He forgot how. That's a not so wonderful latent aspect of dementia, brain damage inspired, or just naturally onsetting.

My bags are packed, and I'm ready to go.

I'm not sure my condo complex here in Southwest Florida approves of taxi's blowing their horn in the early morn'......

....

CALIFLA: I'm sure it is a difficult situation for you with your father. I just wasn't clear if you had flown out to CA or not.

J.R. wrote:CALIFLA: I'm sure it is a difficult situation for you with your father. I just wasn't clear if you had flown out to CA or not.

The truly difficult situation today was buying and watching "The Oh in Ohio." It was on my radar screen from a few years back of PR, but then suddenly appeared a few years later a couple days ago for $3.99.


It should have been available for 99 cents.

But, I'm glad I watched it.


Nice shots of Cleveland.

I might continue to vent, but my Dad and I will both eventually be fine.

Thank you for the note, guys,

Life is for the living.

(as I have been told by more than one priest at multiple funerals, so it must be good advice)

Like the Chevy Chase updates on Generalissimo Francisco Franco, my Dad is still hanging on.

He's always been a fighter.

Decorated in the Asian-Pacific theater in World War II before he turned 19 when he fibbed about his age and enlisted in the US Navy a few weeks after turning 17.

I have his funeral completely planned, though adjustments on the fly will be necessary as exact dates are up in the air as my Dad still lives on, on his own terms.

And my Dad continues to hang on.

He was fighting the enemy and dodging enemy fire on deck when he was still just 17 as he lied about his age to join The US Navy during wartime in 1944 as his ship provided attack and cover as General MacArthur liberated the Philippines. Albeit from the country that today gives us top notch wide screen HDTV's.

I spoke to my Dad's caretakers today.

I let them know that I will be there with him on Saturday, if they can help him get there.


I hope they do.

I believe they will.

I need to let my Dad know that all he has known that have passed before him........are waiting for him now.

I missed it. I flailed worse than Matt Williams ever did at a low and outside pitch.

My Dad passed this morning as I was printing boarding passes to get to him hopefully for his final moments in the departure time of his choice.

He really left me four years ago after a bad fall and head injury when he was insisting after years of advice that he did not need a walker or walking aid.

Last Thursday night at 8PM my time, the doctor and nurses were happily optimistic he would be there for my arrival at 3PM California time on Saturday.

With a nod to Ron White and his routine....

they were wrong.

I'm the oldest male to carry the family name in the offspring of My Dad's family of 14 other brothers and sisters and 47 cousins. Being Irish Catholic, I consulted with my eldest cousin, and My Dad's eldest surviving sibling, for approval on the words for his obituary.

They approved,

My Dad was awarded medals in World War II. Many when he was still just 17,

Among other things, he was a Naval mate providing attack and cover fire as General MacArthur led the liberation of the Philippines.

There were no video games in my Dad's aged 17 duffel bag.



He'll have a military honor funeral, a priest the family knows for the services and graveside services, and one of my grade school friends to play "Danny Boy," "Anchors Aweigh" and "Saints Marching In" way better than I could in the Ohio winter cold on my trumpet.

I'm fine, thank you in advance for any positive thoughts any might have.


I have my Grandfather's rosary beads he bequeathed to me. I use them well.