12 November 2024
As yesterday was Veterans Day, I totally forgot it was nine years ago that I put Rocky down. He was 14 (98 in human years) and it was one of the toughest things I had to do.
This was a really good friend. He made me laugh and apparently I made him laugh. That’s about all you can ask for in life. Someone to laugh through life.
Also, since it was Veterans Day, I watched the movie Patton. I’ve read several biographies of Patton and have always been fascinated by him, his persona, and his foibles. In an introduction by Francis Coppola who wrote the screen play and was eventually fired from the production, explained he won the Oscar for best Screenwriting for Patton. According to him, it was that award that kept him from being fired from the production of the Godfather. The producers thought it would look bad to fire an Oscar winner.
One of the most famous scenes is the opening monologue by Scott in front of a giant American flag. Coppola wrote that thinking the production company would never accept it but it turned out to be the most iconic aspect of the movie.
This, in my opinion, is the best performance ever by George C. Scott. Ditto for Karl Malden. It won best picture in 1970 and 6 other Oscars. If you watch it, you need to carve out some time, it’s a long movie. The running time is 172 minutes. I remember seeing it in a theater in New York when I was in radio school at Governor’s Island. That same year, I saw Tora, Tora, Tora! It seems 1970 was the year for war movies.
I managed a 1.9 mile walk this morning along Riverland Road. The traffic was heavy on the road and it was difficult getting across without becoming a permanent portion of the road. As I started the walk, my eye caught a bleeding heart vine in bloom.
There are other plants commonly called bleeding heart, especially the genus Dicentra.
Just as there are plants with the same common name, Clerodendrum is another species growing in my backyard.
To me, the two species of Clerodendrum don’t look too much like each other.
After my walk, I put the two extensions on the patio table and oiled them down with Teak oil. The table has taken on a new life and I’ll probably continue to add more Teak oil. I ordered some rubber “shoes” for the table legs so the wood would not rot. There were the beginning signs of that as I was oiling the underside.
Chris and I, sans, Tucker headed to Hugh Birch State Park for a leisurely lunch with an ocean breeze washing over us under a canopy of sea grapes. The food was good, the company was excellent. For those who have quizzed me about Chris and Tucker, here’s Chris and me at Hugh Birch. (Hint: I’m on the right.)
For those of you who have further questions, here’s Tucker.
Notice how Rocky and Tucker seem to be posing for the greatest effect! Hollywood ambitions!
After lunch, Chris and I drove the 1.9 mile loop around the park. It was like going back in history to old Florida. If you go the speed limit, it’s supposed to take 33 minutes of drive time.
After dropping Chris off, I crawled into bed, read a little and fell asleep. All that fresh air must have taken its toll. I’m only used to polluted air from the airport.
Judith has been great calling me with updates on Chris. He’s out of bed and sitting upright. He’s still in pain but has medication for that. The surgery was considered successful and nothing unusual was encountered during the surgery. Their son Alex (the physician) is staying the week attending Chris and Judith’s brother Clive (also a physician) is providing additional support and chauffeuring Judith back and forth to the hospital. I’m relieved Chris is through the surgery. I’ll try to visit him tomorrow.
Stay tuned!
