HAPPY BIRTHDAY DINNER WITH JOHN

John at Table

          Yesterday was a bit of a sad day, but I turned it around and made it a good day. I decided John and I would go out to dinner. If Tony Roma’s had still been open, I would have made a reservation there, but they disappeared some years ago. Then, we moved celebrations to the Black Angus in Lynnwood, but they closed due to the light rail coming through. Our default celebratory place then became Arnie’s in Edmonds and I called and made a reservation for one for 5:00 pm. It was a beautiful day for dinner on the waterfront. Then, I put John’s Orb and light in my purse and took him with me. We started with a Gin & Tonic, then had Caesar salad and Northwest Seafood Fettuccini. The only difference in what John would have ordered was I had fresh ground pepper on my food. I declined the dessert because I was stuffed and didn’t even get it to go. I’ll have leftovers for lunch today.

John & I Sharing G&T & Bread

          I thought I might be uncomfortable as a party of one, but the spacing Arnie’s has to do made that a non-problem. I sat by a window and watched life passing us by down below. I couldn’t believe how many people were out walking about without wearing a mask. I wouldn’t take such a chance. And, there was one altercation I would have loved to hear. Some woman had a little boy on a leash. She was with another woman who had a baby in a stroller. Apparently, the leashed little boy’s daddy (a male person anyway) took great exception to the leash. They all disappeared except for the lady with the baby. Eventually they returned with a stroller and ice cream cones and everyone walked down the boardwalk and out of sight. It was kind of fun, like being in an aerie watching people come and go.

          Both John’s boys, our sons, called me to talk a bit about their dad and the fact it was his birthday. Their thoughtfulness and love for their dad did make me get all teary, but they really weren’t tears of sadness. If we hadn’t done such a good job as parents, they wouldn’t have remembered to call and check in on this, the first birthday without their dad.

          I also pretty much took the day for myself and John. I had trouble going to sleep Wednesday night, so didn’t get up and walk first thing. I really just wanted to snuggle on the couch with our doggies, which is exactly what I did. Once I got moving, I went out to the garage and brought in the scrapbooks one at a time. Since they were kinda damaged and dirty, I wore gloves as I went through each one.

          The scrapbook of polio memories was a bit sad, and I could tell where John’s mom had input. There was a whole section titled, “Friends I Made in the Hospital.” It was clipping after clipping about children who’d had terrible accidents, i.e., pulling a pot full of boiling water off the stove; a hidden, loaded gun that went off; a child hit by an automobile on her way to spend her allowance, and that’s just the few I remember. I didn’t read beyond the headlines of the articles and they were all depressing as hell. I really wanted to ask John if he actually met and knew those kids or if he even remembered. I wonder why his mom would have put such negative articles, and there were many, in his book of memories. I would think John would prefer to just forget the entire experience which is perhaps why he never brought that scrapbook from the box in the garage.

          There were lots of cards that had been taped in place from his parents and sisters, aunts and uncles and cousins and his grandma. It appeared that John was hospital schooled some and later on had a home school teacher/nurse who came to the house. There was a letter approving the surgery on John’s foot that allowed him to walk normally again. There was also information about a camp for handicapped kids in Idaho that John apparently attended the summer of 1951. He would have been nine then, but he never mentioned going to camp in the entire time I knew him. More questions that will never be answered and perhaps additional memories he’d just as soon were gone.

          The other scrapbook had photos of family members and friends whose names and faces I didn’t recognize…I did recognize family members, but not the other friends. There were lots of pictures of Mike, John’s dog. He did talk about Mikey now and then over the years. I think that was his first dog and he loved Mikey to pieces. John had also saved a bunch of information about his father, Jack Otto Karlberg. All of his awards and certificates from his navel service. Apparently, he ended his career as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy as the head honcho at the Guantanamo base in Cuba. Again, I wish I had known enough to ask questions and get more history, but there’s no one available now that could provide a single answer, at least as far as I know.

We watched ferries come and go

          Anyway, we’re back from dinner now and I’m going to finish up this post so it’s ready for the morning. I think John and I celebrated his birthday very well for our first time out and about. My sister has her husband in an Orb as well and I laughed when she told me she takes him places. Well, I’m not laughing any longer now am I. Until next June 18^th and John’s 79^th…we’ll really have to do something extra special for the 80^th.

Beautiful Edmonds Day

A 55-YEAR-OLD FAIRY TALE

          Today would have been John’s 78^th birthday. Happy Birthday John, wherever you are. It’s going to be a little strange (would have been anyway with the pandemic) not going out to dinner, making a cake or wrapping presents. It’s the first birthday since John turned 23 that we haven’t been together to celebrate his presence in the world. I, in fact, found the story I’d wrote for him for his 23^rd birthday. Here it is:

          Once upon a long time ago, if you measure the years by old Father Time’s calendar; a short time ago if you  measure by the many adventures and experiences one must cram into the short space known as a lifetime, there was a man, a woman and a girlchild who all lived together under the name of Karlberg. They lived in a town known as Seattle and were quite happy.

          Then one day, a weary traveler and rather friendly old bird stopped to rest at their home. He went by the name of Mr. Stork. His stop was of no importance, or so they thought, but they made him welcome just the same. Only after he had continued upon his travels did they realize that their lives had been lacking something.

          You see, this Mr. Stork had a rather bad habit in that his memory was poor and he often times left a home without packing all his belongings. To add to the confusion, his packsack was magical in that it could replace whatever Mr. Stork forgot immediately upon the resumption of his journey. It was a good thing too, because he left at least one of his possessions in each home at which he stopped. So, Mr. Stork continued upon his merry way, stopping here and there, forgetting this and that and making many friends—depending upon your point of view, of course.

          Soon after his departure, the Karlbergs discovered what a valuable possession their odd visitor had left behind and realized immediately that there was little chance of ever finding the odd old bird or of returning what they had decided must be a boybaby. So, they decided to make him a part of their family unit which was eventually completed some years later with the addition of another girl.

          The Karlbergs decided to call him John Hjalmer and included their family name of Karlberg also to make it complete. Then, too, this would aid them in identifying him if he were ever lost. They did, as you see, realize what a valuable possession they had acquired and took all the necessary precautions to ensure his safety and security.

          Johnny, as he was called, soon captivated all those who came in contact with him. First, he was tiny, warm, soft, and cuddly. Everyone loved to hold him and love him. In addition, he had big golden-brown eyes which laughed and flirted—especially with the women—from beneath reddish-blond eyebrows. His mouth smiled often, his skin was fair and sweet, and his hair gleamed a red-gold. Indeed, he was a beautiful boybaby.

          As he grew, Johnny smiled, gurgled and laughed often. He brought much happiness to the Karlberg home. As time passed, Johnny learned walk, talk, and before long grew into boyhood. As he grew, the qualities which babyhood and boyhood hinted at became realities. Johnny exploded into a handsome, gregarious popular young man.

          John, as he was then called, became a leader in all he undertook. His friends looked up to and respected him. They followed his example and whatever John tried or did, they had to try or do.

          As for being popular with the women, the years hadn’t changed that fact or any other than to improve upon and mature it. Now, instead of being soft and cuddly, he was big and strong. He wasn’t tiny and cute any longer, but handsome and virile. Only his eyes had not changed. They were still brown flecked with gold and while they still laughed and flirted, they had learned to promise, caress, love and conquer. Why, just one certain look with the left eyebrow raised just so and the women fell into his arms. With these positive qualities, John soon became an adept and proficient lover, as you can well understand.

          So, now on this 18^th day of June 1965, exactly 23 years since that weary traveler Mr. Stork stopped to rest, we find that his lost possession has grown into a fine specimen of a man. True, he has his faults—thinks he is a mechanic for instance—but so does every man and they are easily overlooked if one loves enough. Besides what he lacks in some ways he more than makes up for in other ways.

          John has become through time considerate, gentle, understanding, kind, loveable, fun, sweet, silly, crazy, responsible, faithful, trustworthy, good; and at times, impossible, slightly unbelievable, disgusting, terrible, ornery, horrible—in summation just a little bit of everything which makes him interesting, slightly fascinating and so much fun to be with.

          Perhaps you wonder how I know so much. The answer is very simple if you read between the lines. I am the girl who is wildly, passionately, hopelessly in love with him.

          So, today on his 23^rd birthday, while she doesn’t know or can foresee what the future years may bring him, she sincerely and lovingly wishes and prays that each coming year may bring him endless love, happiness and contentment.

          She hopes that he will have a mate who will love him as a man, husband, lover, sweetheart, father, child, boy and baby; and as the one and only man for her until the days they were meant to share have past.

          She also hopes that he may experience the wonder of loving a woman as woman, wife, mistress, mother, sweetheart, child, girl, baby and as the only woman for him until the time they were meant to share has past. She hopes he will be able to share his hopes and dreams with this woman as never before without the fear of being laughed at or having his innermost thoughts told to the neighbors.

          In other words, she hopes that John will find the perfect mate so that no matter what problems arise or how much time may pass, they will always be able to solve their problems and share a tiny bit of heaven here on earth by merely thinking of, talking of, or being with each other.

          For John, this girl wishes and prays that the blessings that God bestows upon him and those he loves may be plentiful, that his life may be rich and rewarding, that he may be happy, loved and content for all time.

          In addition, she gives him her heart and her love.

Happy Birthday Darling, Paula

There you have it, written 55 years ago some time this week. There are many things I would change and correct now with regard to wording and punctuation, but I didn’t have the education I later gained. In reading this, I do think that all I wished for John did come to fruition. Maybe not so much in the very last difficult years, but for the majority of them, I think my wishes and prayers for John were fulfilled.

MORE PROGRESS

         Well, you never know what you’ll find when you begin opening boxes that have probably been in the garage attic for close to 50 years. To say I was amazed by some of the finds would be underutilization of that word. Haley found a box with a bunch of cards and stuff in it. She grabbed one up and began reading, then started laughing, and told me there was too much sex information in it and handed it off to me.

          I didn’t remember all the notes and cards and stuff I gave to John back in the early months/year of our relationship. And, as for the sex information, the cards didn’t contain anything explicit…you needed to use your imagination. I had no idea John had saved all of those. I figured if they weren’t in the trunk where I found a lot of other cards and notes, that he’d tossed them. I should have known better.

          We also found some of John’s grade school report cards. I sent those home with Haley for AJ to see and then AJ can pass them on to Thor. Also found and saved his original birth certificate, his baptism certificate and his confirmation paperwork. 

There is still a box of stuff for me to look through. There is a scrapbook that either he or his mother put together that's all about when he had polio. I just took a quick look, but it appears all the get-well cards and other stuff having to do with his hospital stay and recovery have been taped and/or glued into the scrapbook. 

There’s another scrapbook that John himself must have put together. Again, I just flipped the pages and looked at some of the loose material. It has photos of friends, and thank heavens, he identified the people in the pictures. For some of them I wouldn’t have any idea who the person was without that. There are a 1960 Senior Prom, a 1960 Shoreline Girls Club Tolo and a 1960 All-City Rainbow Tolo. Each one is in the little holder you get with the photo. I believe the girl in the photos with John is Susan Little, the girl he dated in high school. I also have to say that John was a rather sharp dresser for those times. He was also a real cutie pie…Richie Cunningham style.

Susan’s name came up not too long ago. She made a donation to the Lincoln High School Scholarship Fund in John’s name when she found out he had passed away. I still need to write her a thank you-note for that and I’m going to ask her if she’d like to have the prom/dance photos. If she does, I’ll send them on to her.

Again, I cannot understand why John kept this irreplaceable, and easily ruined by damp, stuff in the garage attic. It’s not like I would have been jealous over the prom/dance photos, or any other photos for that matter. And, having those scrapbooks full of cards and photos would have been well worth sharing with his sons at some point. I know my scrapbook of school memories is in the closet and the boys did look at it now and then.

I probably won’t sit down right away and look at the stuff. I’ve another project on which I’m working. I do have a week before Haley will return to do some more sorting. Unless she and AJ and Thor get stuff out of the other side of the garage attic, we’ll have to do the shelves underneath the big workbench. I think the majority of that stuff will most likely go to metal recycling. Who needs rusty nuts and bolts, eh? More progress…slow but sure thanks to Haley.

THE CRAP-FEST CONTINUES

          On Sunday, AJ and Haley came over and cleared out half of the garage attic. As you can see from the photos, Haley should have a ton of fun come Wednesday when she arrives to continue sorting with me. I’ve also a feeling that we’ll be taking a trip to the waste management facility. I’ve a couple boxes of stuff that can be put into metal recycling, and judging from the way AJ shook his head when he peered into some of the boxes, there will probably be boxes of stuff destined for a land fill. 

          I surely do wish John were here so I could ask him about some of this stuff. There’s a very weird looking heater that AJ says probably still works. It’s about the size of a small stove. I’m thinking I’ll send that to Goodwill, although AJ said I should put it into the garage sale I may have some day/year. There are a couple of tents that I never knew we had. Our camping was always with a rope and a large tarp. There was even a very small camp stove that had never been out of its box.

          How about a box of old porcelain tubes for old time electric wiring? I called the younger son to ask about it, first because he just bought an older house and second because he’s always finding and selling stuff in a variety of ways, most recently via an E-Bay account. He said to keep it; he’d take it. There are people on the lookout for such items and there isn’t much like that available out there.

          One of the things AJ pulled down sent me off in peals of laughter. I had to explain once I stopped laughing and Haley told me, “TMI, Nana, TMI.” Anyway, it was the first clock radio I ever bought once I had a real job. When I moved into an apartment, the apartment was furnished. It had one of those bookcase headboards. Since I used the clock radio as my alarm, I put it on the top of the headboard…perfect. Well, one day when John and I were having a rather great time, the motion of the bed caused the radio to fall down and hit him in the head. For just a moment, I’m sure he thought he was having one hell of an orgasm. It actually cut his eyebrow and the fun stopped so we could administer first aid. I hadn’t thought of that radio or that “fun” in decades. I’d like to ask John if he saved it because of the memory. I wonder if it still works?

          Another box came down that probably holds the furry seat covers to the old orange VW. Haley was a little excited at first because she figured she’d put them on the seats of her truck. I told her that if they didn’t fall apart in the washer and dryer, they’d probably be almost as good as new. Her enthusiasm waned and they’ll probably go to Goodwill or the garbage. AJ also found two more huge sets of keys and identified one as being to the orange VW. He took that one, but left me the rest. I have absolutely no idea to what these keys and about 50 others go to. I’ve a feeling John didn’t always return the key to the folks he did work for, and I think the majority of those folks are all dead as well. 

          I have no idea what’s in a bunch more boxes. Hopefully, there won’t be lots more tools or stamps and envelopes with stamps. I can’t imagine that John would store those in the garage…they might have gotten damp and he wouldn’t want that. But I’ll find out on Wednesday when Haley comes to continue with our crap-fest. I don’t think I’ll make our lunch just in case we do head out to the Waste Management Facility first thing. If we do, then Nana will buy lunch. 

          And, don’t worry. Should we find anything of any great value, I’ll be sure to include it in a post. Plus, we’ve the other side of the garage attic to haul down before the garage crap-fest comes to an end. I’ll beT you can hardly wait for more posts about all the fun I’m having.

INEXORABLY SAD

        Do you ever feel inexorably sad? I did, do and am feeling exactly that way today and felt that way some yesterday. And, yesterday was for celebrating Haley’s high school graduation, and I had a wonderful time with delicious food and extremely amenable people. Haley’s next-door neighbor made her an entire rack of barbequed ribs and boy did she do them justice.

          In any case, I’ve been thinking about the sadness I felt then and still feel to some degree today. I guess it has a lot to do with the idea I’m closer to the end of my life than Haley, her parents, and the other individuals celebrating yesterday. The age range was from I think 11 to 74…the 74 was me. One of the women’s father is having a birthday this week and he’ll only be 73. For the first time ever, I think I was very aware of being the elder of the group.

          I can remember clear back when someone 30 or over was OLD. In fact, the Smother’s Brothers had an entire shtick they performed regarding people over 30. John’s best friend at the time turned 30 before anyone else. We wouldn’t let him touch us because, “Old people give you warts.” That was what Tommy Smothers told his brother Dick. It was quite the joke for a while, and then somehow, we all turned 30 as well. How did that happen?

          Time moved on for all of us and, yet, we didn’t really think about it. Then, our own elders, grandparents and parents, aunts and uncles, family friends began to slow down and eventually leave us. Never ever did I think that at some point I would be the eldest in my family. Then, there’s your own children. I always picture them as they were several decades ago. Then, when I open my eyes and actually look at them, they are becoming older as well. And, Haley, well Haley was just a little tyke only last week, or so it seems.

          It’s a fact that I’ll never know when my time is up.  It’s a fact for everyone of us that draws breath. I don’t think I’ve ever been this sad though to realize that at the very most, I’ve maybe 30 more years provided I remain healthy. I do work at remaining healthy in the way I usually eat, exercise, follow the doctor’s instructions and take my medication/vitamins. I also try not to spend a lot of time, as I have the past 24 hours, dwelling on how close my end may be. I try to spend my time on more uplifting and happy thoughts and efforts.

          I find myself wishing I’d talked to my mother and grandmother about how this kind of thinking feels. I didn’t think of it back then, and maybe most people don’t or wouldn’t. But I’d like to ask them if they were scared by the idea the time they’d lived was ever so much longer than what might be left. I know they both believed in God and that there is a heaven. I know my mother couldn’t wait to join my dad. I don’t know if there is a God or heaven. I don’t really know if John will be waiting when I go through the “light.” What I do believe is that whatever energy that makes me Paula has to go somewhere, but I don’t know where that actually is. I don’t know if I’ll come back as an ant, a gorilla, a beautiful butterfly, or if the energy that was me simply dissipates into the universe.

          Looking back over 74 years, 75 later this year, there are some things I’d definitely like to go back and have a “do-over.” That’s not the way things work as far as I know, unless I end up in another dimension at another time with that particular choice before me. I definitely don’t want to return to any particular age and then have to make my way forward again, unless I could do so, knowing everything I know right this minute. Again, that’s not going to happen unless I happen to find the Genie’s bottle somewhere in all of John’s crap…whooopeee, wouldn’t that be the best find ever.

          I guess the whole point of this post is to state that I’m sad to be the eldest; sad to know if I make it to 100, I’ve already lived almost three-fours of my life, sad to recognize the fact my own children and grandchildren are growing into their lives as well, sad to know my friends also share my eventual fate, sad to think of those that have already moved on ahead of me.

At the same time, it’s to recognize all the future special times that await and revel and thoroughly enjoy each and every one. To remember and appreciate all the good that’s gone while eagerly accepting and relishing each minute, hour, day, month, year that’s in store until it no longer is.  

GRADUATIONS

         Today marks a third high school graduation, not counting my own, that is going to be exceedingly different from the two that proceeded the one today. Haley’s Grandpa won’t be there in person as he was for his sons’ graduations. I don’t know if they will play Pomp & Circumstance which always makes me cry, even when I simply hear it on television. I think the only time it didn’t make me cry was at my own graduation…I was far too happy to be finished with high school.

          Haley’s graduation will be on YouTube and I’ll be able to watch it as many times as I wish. She’s not going to have a huge celebration because of the pandemic, but a few of us will gather at her house to eat, drink and wish her well in her future endeavors. 

          Thanking of Haley’s graduation reminds of her father’s back in 1989 or 31 years ago. The ceremony was held at Hec Edmundson Pavilion at the University of Washington. AJ had to be there early, so he and I left ahead of the rest of the family and friends who were attending. I wore make-up then, including mascara and seriously hoped I wouldn’t cry when they played the march. My mascara ran ever so much sooner than that.

          Driving down I-5, AJ says to me, “Mom, you know what I wish?”

          “No,” I responded, “What?”

          “I wish Grandpa were here today.”

          “I’m sure he’s with us in spirit,” was my response.

          “You know what I really wish though? I wish Grandpa could have seen me play ball.”

          That was it for the mascara. AJ was especially close to my dad. He spent a lot of time with my folks as a kid and Grandpa had died of a brain tumor when he was only seven. AJ took basketball very seriously and was the high school’s star center for three of his four years there.

          Trying not to sob aloud while keeping my eyes clear enough to see the road, my response was, “Honey, I’m sure Grandpa saw every single game you played.”

          Even today, typing those words, tears come to my eyes. In college, AJ had to write a poem about someone important and he chose his Grandpa. He gave it to Grandma and she framed and hung it on her wall. The last time I saw it, it was hung on AJ’s bedroom wall.

          Today also makes me think of Thor’s graduation which was also a celebration, but with sad undertones. Thor hated high school and his circle of friends were all seniors who graduated as he moved into his sophomore year. He took it upon himself to investigate an alternative and came to me and his dad with a plan to leave his high school and go to Lake Washington Vocational Technical School (LWVT). His dad was adamant about him receiving an actual diploma. The program Thor would take included a high school diploma. We agreed to the change.

          For two years, Thor drove to the eastside to go to school. Before he finished, he already had a job as a diesel mechanic at a firm in Falls City. Then, his world turned upside down. The beginning of June, he suffered a seizure, although we didn’t know that’s what it was. His trip to the hospital was explained away as a reaction to some chemicals he was using.

          His high school graduation happened on a Friday night. It was wonderful to see him up there in his cap and gown. His graduation from LWVT’s program was to be held the following Friday…lucky kid, he got two graduation ceremonies. On the Monday following the first graduation, he had another seizure at a friend’s home. His friend’s mother was an LPN and knew it for what it was, a grand mal seizure. He was taken to Harborview from where I picked him up, not knowing he’d taken his own IV out and left without permission.

          I went to work the next morning and when I got home, Thor’s friend’s mom had called and talked to John. She had explained exactly what she saw. John could barely say the words he was so upset. I talked to her and the following morning, called Thor’s doctor and demanded an MRI yesterday. John I were absolutely terrified because that’s how my dad’s brain tumor had presented, with seizures.

          To make a long story short, the MRI showed a bright spot you’ll sometimes see when an older person has had a stroke. Thor went on medication and after a year against the advice of his doctors, weaned himself off. He hated the way the medication made him feel. Since then, no more seizures for which I am very grateful.

          Back to his second graduation. Yes, he did attend, but his face was pretty much purple (to match his gown) on one side from when he seized and fell to the floor. We were very proud of him for his success in a program that he had chosen for himself.

          Both my sons had wonderful celebrations recognizing the end of one part of their lives and the beginning of the next. I do so wish we could have had a huge celebration in Haley’s honor, but the few of us that will gather will celebrate on behalf of all who cannot be there to wish her well…we know they do from afar. And, today, thinking of my two sons and now Haley, Pomp & Circumstance aside, I’ll most likely tear up just a bit.

GOOD NEWS!!!

          Yesterday’s post was very sad, so today (Friday) I’m going to write something very positive. As I believe I’ve written before, Haley comes each Wednesday after she gets out of her class. She stops and picks up Ruby, Karma’s daughter and Kaizer’s sister so the three of them can have some playtime. Some Wednesdays, we get something to go to eat and others, Nana makes something…the mac & cheese pie is a real hit.

          Then, we get busy in the garage. We’ve made piles and piles of various tools. Haley goes through the various toolboxes and filing cabinets and gives me handfuls of stuff to place in the appropriate box. Nana follows Haley’s orders very well. Sometimes, though, we both end up unable to identify whatever it is that Haley finds. Those items go in a different pile and we wait for Haley’s dad or uncle to come and identify whatever it is. Amazingly, Thor almost always knows what we don’t. I suppose that’s understandable since Thor worked with his dad on a variety of jobs for many years.

          So far, everything we’ve organized in various piles has been gone through by both AJ and Thor. They, and Haley, each took what they could use or wanted. This past Wednesday, the table was loaded with unwanted stuff. I suggested we go through the safe loaded with collector cards. Haley said she wanted to organize everything on the table and put it up on the shelves where it will remain until we haul it out for the garage sale…this year, next year, whenever. If that doesn’t happen before I end up under the apple tree, at least Haley will be able to tell her dad and uncle what’s in what box.

          While Haley was doing that, I tackled the safe with the combination. I’ve never really been through that safe and John only provided the combination a few years ago…it was HIS and it was HIS STUFF!!! I even went so far as to think I might find some real treasures in there. Well, no, not really. What I found the most of was more stamps and more stamps and more stamps. I also found some money, i.e., coins that maybe John planned on rolling someday. There aren’t enough so that I can retire to Costa Rica, damnit anyway. There are more cancelled loose stamps as well as a number of cigar boxes containing plate blocks of stamps.

          Now, my new friend Steve, the stamp guy, has told me there’s really no value to stamps these days and I should just use what I can as postage…I’ve been doing that too, although I have to admit I can almost hear John shouting at me as I lick and stick them on an envelope. So, now I have another box of stuff to go through and organize. Maybe next winter.

          I did find some treasures even though I don’t know anything about them. There’s a full bottle of Evening in Paris perfume, another silver container that holds a small bottle of some Coty perfume…I don’t believe either of these scents are available these days. I also found two containers which I thought were powder, but when we managed to open them, they are cigarette holders. The size of them leads me to believe they were for straight cigarettes without a filter. Haley probably wouldn’t have known what they were without me there. There were three carved monkeys of some stone…maybe jade?...that illustrate, hear, say and speak no evil.

          The one thing I found that is very curious to me is some kind of document that’s written in what I think is Arabic. There’s no English anywhere on the page and while the envelope it’s in came from an attorney we know; I think John just put that paper in that envelope because it fit. I do remember that John inherited or was given something in India. He asked his friend, Guru Singh, about it and I think Guru brought John back a lovely plate with various inlaid semi-precious gemstones that came from the area with the land. I guess I should have paid better attention. Maybe there’s someone out there that could read the writing???

          When I got to the bottom shelf, I found the real treasures John had been hoarding. I absolutely had to laugh, almost hysterically. There were four bars of soap, i.e., Fels Naphtha, Ivory, Swan, P&G—The White Naphtha Soap. They were in the very back corner and had become damp at some point in time. I put them directly into the garbage and washed my hands. Now, you watch, someone is going to tell me I just tossed thousands of dollars!!!

          By the time I finished cleaning out that safe, Haley had cleared the table. Everything was organized, boxed up and on the shelves as you can see in the photographs. I was amazed. I told her she got her organizational gene from me, but actually, she was triple whammed…her dad and mom are both very organized too.

          To date, we have emptied one very large standing toolbox and one small one, five filing cabinets (four and five-drawer) and two safes. The contents of those have either been taken by family members or now reside in boxes on shelves. In addition, I have two boxes of metal for recycling. But, we’re far from done. The garage attic holds numerous boxes that need to come down to the table for identification and sorting. I’m going to have to talk to Haley’s dad and make sure he thinks Haley and I can do this without his or Thor’s assistance.

          So, how about that. PROGRESS in capital letters and something to feel really really good about.

PS:  Thank you to everyone who extended sympathies about Mabel after reading Friday’s post. She now resides, double-bagged in the freezer, until Haley comes next Wednesday. Our first order of business then will be to dig a hole and put her with John and all our other pets. I like to picture John sitting in a chair with all our beloved pets around and on him…makes me feel good.