Flying with Fred - Volume III, No 7
Are there
any words to describe the Meteorological Event that
descended on Westchester (along with Long Island, New
Jersey, etc.) on Sunday, April 15th? Not only was it
bad enough that the Tax Trumpet was about to sound, but
to have the grief, loss and misery associated with one
of Nature’s nasty hiccups at the same time- bad news.
The Governor of NY declared Mamaroneck the “…epicenter
of the disaster…” and many neighbors lost- in the span
of 24 hours- everything from cherished keepsakes, to
portions of their dwellings, and everything in between.
It was the famous “100 Year Storm” that now seems to
come every 40 (20?) years.
I spent the better part of Saturday the 14th moving 1/3 of our residence into the other 2/3’ds. A good word to describe the scene in the 4 rooms not affected by the elements would have been… Intimate. Some notes- 1) I have a lot of… stuff- as in modeling stuff; 2) My wife mentioned I have a lot of modeling stuff; 3) My wife suggested I should “dispose” of some of my modeling stuff; 4) I suggested to my wife she should “dispose” of some of her sewing, quilting, etc. stuff; 5) (Sometime later) I took my wife out to dinner…I should be working in the United Nations.
As of this writing, I am still moving items back down, and cleaning a fair amount of silt as well. Brandy the dog is giving me a hint she’d better have her favorite places back real soon, or there would be trouble. The one good thing about all of this is a long-delayed cleaning, cataloging, etc. is going on at the same time. I’ve been meaning to inventory a lot of loose stuff laying around, and now is the perfect time to do so. I had stashed away a large number of static plastic kits in the dungeon as well, which had not seen the light of day in a number of years. I think I’ll see what E-Bay has to say, and start culling the collection- I have some nice vintage items I’m sure someone will be interested in. After all, Social Security is going to tank in 2025, and my 401K still looks more like a 201K.
And now, a momentary break to report on the last (April) meeting. Hundreds of members attended (NOT)- new, creative ideas and suggestions were exchanged and adopted in an orderly manner (NOT) and great new incentives were put forward on all fronts (NOT). The meeting was, in fact, attended by the usual collection of suspects, totaling approximately 13 (not counting Officers and Directors). I know some of you out there would rather have root canal done than attend one of our soirees, but it would be a good idea to hear from more of the membership- in person- from time to time at our monthly gatherings. This is, of course, if schedules, spouses, etc. permit.
Accordingly, I have been authorized to announce that there will be a raffle at the May meeting, for all those attending. A $50 gift certificate to one of the local hobby shops will be given away to one lucky slob (or slobette) who happens to wander in through the doors of the Church at or around 7:00 PM on the 15th, and who identifies him or herself- to our satisfaction- as a bona-fide member of our esteemed organization. At that time we’ll make yet another attempt to present some information and fun, all wrapped up in improved decorum and order- if everyone pitches in and cooperates.
I spent the better part of Saturday the 14th moving 1/3 of our residence into the other 2/3’ds. A good word to describe the scene in the 4 rooms not affected by the elements would have been… Intimate. Some notes- 1) I have a lot of… stuff- as in modeling stuff; 2) My wife mentioned I have a lot of modeling stuff; 3) My wife suggested I should “dispose” of some of my modeling stuff; 4) I suggested to my wife she should “dispose” of some of her sewing, quilting, etc. stuff; 5) (Sometime later) I took my wife out to dinner…I should be working in the United Nations.
As of this writing, I am still moving items back down, and cleaning a fair amount of silt as well. Brandy the dog is giving me a hint she’d better have her favorite places back real soon, or there would be trouble. The one good thing about all of this is a long-delayed cleaning, cataloging, etc. is going on at the same time. I’ve been meaning to inventory a lot of loose stuff laying around, and now is the perfect time to do so. I had stashed away a large number of static plastic kits in the dungeon as well, which had not seen the light of day in a number of years. I think I’ll see what E-Bay has to say, and start culling the collection- I have some nice vintage items I’m sure someone will be interested in. After all, Social Security is going to tank in 2025, and my 401K still looks more like a 201K.
And now, a momentary break to report on the last (April) meeting. Hundreds of members attended (NOT)- new, creative ideas and suggestions were exchanged and adopted in an orderly manner (NOT) and great new incentives were put forward on all fronts (NOT). The meeting was, in fact, attended by the usual collection of suspects, totaling approximately 13 (not counting Officers and Directors). I know some of you out there would rather have root canal done than attend one of our soirees, but it would be a good idea to hear from more of the membership- in person- from time to time at our monthly gatherings. This is, of course, if schedules, spouses, etc. permit.
Accordingly, I have been authorized to announce that there will be a raffle at the May meeting, for all those attending. A $50 gift certificate to one of the local hobby shops will be given away to one lucky slob (or slobette) who happens to wander in through the doors of the Church at or around 7:00 PM on the 15th, and who identifies him or herself- to our satisfaction- as a bona-fide member of our esteemed organization. At that time we’ll make yet another attempt to present some information and fun, all wrapped up in improved decorum and order- if everyone pitches in and cooperates.
There is
also a small, but increasing murmur in a number of
quarters requesting that we re-instate some sort of
newsletter. No one has volunteered to do what is, I can
assure you, a tough job in any sense of the word, since
any Editor needs to be creative and talented in the
ways of making something out of nothing. Typical items
to be found in a flying club newsletter are: 1) Minutes
from meetings, 2) Announcements- of an emergency nature
of otherwise, 3) Articles on any number of modeling
subjects, and- 4) Pictures, pictures, pictures. The
ideal candidate would be a charismatic, wise, and
preferably retired club member, omnipresent at both
meetings and the field, capable of recording the goings
on with a mix of humor, pathos and common sense, in a
straightforward, easily read, yet entertaining prose
version of the King’s English.
The last individual who somewhat remotely fit the criteria just mentioned is the esteemed Warren S., who’s duties as Grandfather Extraordinaire keep him from once again resuming the Editorial Mantle. We pause here for effect, as I tentatively (and to my everlasting future regret, I’m sure) volunteer to cobble something up for May that MIGHT resemble a Letter Of News, if not necessarily a Newsletter. This would be separate from my regular tome, which you’re reading now. I haven’t completely connected the dots yet, but with a bit of luck, you may once again have something to occupy your attention while you visit the water closet.
Our thanks to all who helped with the Great Wood Chip extravaganza last weekend, by the way, and a reminder that this COMING weekend (4/28-29) is the Great Gravel Fun In The Sun day. We’re going to need folks with rakes, wheelbarrows, etc. to help with moving what should be a mound of mini-rocks that will be contributed by the County. Remember- first, you help, THEN you fly. Hope to see all of you there.
Fly safely, but… FLY!
The last individual who somewhat remotely fit the criteria just mentioned is the esteemed Warren S., who’s duties as Grandfather Extraordinaire keep him from once again resuming the Editorial Mantle. We pause here for effect, as I tentatively (and to my everlasting future regret, I’m sure) volunteer to cobble something up for May that MIGHT resemble a Letter Of News, if not necessarily a Newsletter. This would be separate from my regular tome, which you’re reading now. I haven’t completely connected the dots yet, but with a bit of luck, you may once again have something to occupy your attention while you visit the water closet.
Our thanks to all who helped with the Great Wood Chip extravaganza last weekend, by the way, and a reminder that this COMING weekend (4/28-29) is the Great Gravel Fun In The Sun day. We’re going to need folks with rakes, wheelbarrows, etc. to help with moving what should be a mound of mini-rocks that will be contributed by the County. Remember- first, you help, THEN you fly. Hope to see all of you there.
Fly safely, but… FLY!