Adventure 425: The Story of George, 2

Jan. 21, 2018

In real time yesterday, George looked pretty good. He still slept most of the day, and he didn't venture out of  his room, but he ate and drank a little bit during the day, he had a few people make a quick visit just before dinner, which flashed that good looking smile he's had a reputation for most of his life. For dinner, he ate most of a sandwich Vina brought him as well as a nice helping of potato salad. He also drank a nice amount of protein water. Judy and I spent the afternoon with my brother-in-law, Chuck O"Brien who is a nurse. We picked his brain, which is like miners striking it rich because not only is Chuck brimming with empathy, he's also extremely knowledgeable and competent. Basically, he's confirmed what we were thinking about next level care. In addition, he's put us in contact with folks who handle that kind of thing. He's also made us think about our personal involvement in terms of daily care. It was good information. We'll begin the research after tomorrow's doctor appointment. So life is good; we're holding steady.

I've decided to keep The Story of George to small daily blog length snippets. And realize, this is his story from my window. I didn't see every little thing I write about, but it's a question of nature/nuture. Even though I didn't spend a great deal of time with my father during most of my life, I find that I'm surprisingly like him in many ways. So, if I'm in doubt about describing something George may have done or felt or thought of, I simply substitute how i would act in such situations. I know we're different, but it's all I got.

Lewiston, Idaho was booming in 1950. Post war hallelujahs were in full swing. Business was booming, and people were having a good time. It was easy for George to climb off the band wagon of conquering hero, even though his Navy service was one year (1948-). After the war, those men and women who fought wanted to get home, so our government took what pains necessary to get people back to the U.S. That exodus resulted in much equipment being temporarily abandoned, and in some case permanently. But the Navy wanted its ships back, so it offered a one year program to graduating seniors. George qualified not only because he was a graduating senior in good standing, but also because he had no prospects, and certainly no goal for the future. George was a fair student doing what he had to to get by. Most often he would latch onto someone to "help" him with school projects, but in the shops, he was a star. George wasn't much of a reader, not much for book learning, but he was good with his hands, had a mind for mechanics, and could see the shapes he wanted to create. He spent all four years of high school taking metal shop, along with woodshop and auto shop. By his senior year, his teacher, who had friends working at the Potlatch Pulp Mill, had him machining parts for pay. George had a knack for the art, a good knowledge and respect for the machines, and he could work independently. That's why he ended up as a machinist's mate in the Navy. So, basically, during his year in the Navy, his service was to help keep the ships working while they steamed back to America. (George spent only the year, which means he doesn't qualify for Veteran's Benefits) I can just see good time George steaming back into the his little North Idaho town, brimming with spunk and confidence. George always liked a good time, and that meant smoking', drinkin', and carrying on. After all, it was the fabulous fifties. One story illustrates. George's grandmother and a few of his same age cousins lived in Coeur d' Alene,  about a two and a half hour drive north of Lewiston. George, who always had a nice car, had purchased a 1935 Cherry Red Ford Coupe Convertible. Hot in its day, it had a V-8 and a Rumble Seat. He and his brother, Rich, piled into the car, no seat belts but plenty of beer, and they headed off to see "the family". In those days in Idaho, a person of legal age could drive up to the liquor store much like we drive up to the hamburger stand today. George's grandma, Lillian Wyman, like beer, too. So, When George, Rich, and grandma Wyman ran out of beer, they all drove down to the drive through to pick up some more, and a little for the drive home. Needless to say, raucous behavior ensued.