Old Time Cars (child of the 70's)

This is a joint post by Steve and me, for which he is providing more technical details - since he is a car person and I am definitely not.  One reason is that cars are less significant when living in a large city like Philadelphia, also the only vehicle I remember growing up is the Volkswagen bus (correctly called a "microbus").  Old Swedes Church provided a vehicle that was used for both church and our family transportation.  I don't know all the reasons why, but this ended up being 3 buses during the 1970's into the early 80's.  I don't find them attractive, probably since I spent TOO much time suffering in them.  But Steve (who rode in one a few times while working at a summer camp) kind of likes them, since they were functional, innovative and relatively fuel efficient.  There was no radiator to overheat, instead the engine was air-cooled.  In practical terms, power was being generated by a souped-up lawn tractor motor.  Below are pictures of VW buses in the 2 colors I remember we had.

A VW microbus will get you from point A to point B, but here's a litany of complaints.  As Steve points out, it's designed with a down-sloping front end so there was minimal protection for the driver or front passenger in an accident.  (Airbags did not become standard equipment until the 1990's.)  In addition, the steering wheel was sort of like a large serving tray.  In a head-on crash, the driver's ribs and knees could be crushed.  Luckily we had no accidents of note.  Typical of cars in the 1970's, there was no "power" anything including steering.  Manual steering is the earliest steering technology and it requires force to turn the wheel. This was physically difficult at low speeds - like when parking or pulling out.  Driving on the highway, the bus acted like a sailboat on windy days.  This model had a nasty tendency to develop gas tank leaks, so when this happened the people in the back seat were nauseus from fumes on longer trips....  of course, the older kids (Aunt Julie and me) were stuck there.  Seats were uncomfortable, and the panoramic windows barely opened.  There was no cooling in the summer, minimal heat in the winter and the power on hills was attrocious.  During camping vacations when Grandad drove up Red Rock mountain to Ricketts Glen park, we went about 25 miles per hour with other traffic crawling along behind us.  Quite humiliating, I wanted to scooch down so no one could see me.

Steve also has pretty specific memories of 1970's vehicles.....  which he began acquiring sometime in his high school years.  Per Steve, here are the many '70's vintage cars that he owned - in order.

• 1974 Plymouth Duster, 2 door.  I owned this with my brother Rich.  It was pea green, but one of the front fenders was rusted out so we replaced it with a used part...that happened to be orange.  It literally looked like an Irish flag.  It was practically option-less, not even having carpeting (it had a giant rubber mat instead).  I eventually handed over my interest in the car to my brother.  I think about a year later the engine blew.

• 1974 Plymouth Fury III, 4 door sedan.  This was probably my favorite car, ever.  360 cubic inch engine.  Very fast and very comfortable.  It was tan with dark brown vinyl tap. I ended up totaling it while driving on route 307 during a snowstorm (I was picking up my mother from where she worked).

• 1970 Buick LeSabre, 4 door sedan.  It was black and bore a striking resemblance to the batmobile.  I sold it after about a year or two.

• 1974 Chrysler Newport Custom, 4 door sedan.  This was the car I took away to college for my junior and senior years.  It was enormous.  How big?  Well, I've stayed in hotel rooms with less interior space.   440 cubic inch engine got about 10 miles to the gallon city.  I didn't drive down the road in it...I floated down the road.  The transmission eventually went bad...and this is the gospel truth...while driving home for the last time from college.  Talk about loyalty!

• 1978 Chrysler LeBaron, 4 door sedan.  This was a great car, but it had one flaw: Whenever it rained the floor behind the driver’s seat would flood.  I kid you not.  I checked and it wasn't rotting under there, and the window seal was good, so who knows where the water came from.  The car was totaled in York PA while I was driving back from work by a guy who ran a stop sign. 

• 1980 Dodge Colt, 2 door.  This was a great car, and I put a ton of miles on it.   I had this car while I worked for Bon Ton, buying it with the insurance money from the LeBaron wreck.  Traveling between the Bon Ton in Carlisle and Perry County I went through something like four sets of front brakes.  The transmission eventually died at about 160,000 miles or so in mid-1989 as I was just starting to work for Prudential in Florham Park, NJ.

• 1974 Mercury Comet, 4 door sedan.  The worst car I have ever owned, hands down.  I was given this car by my brother Chris, as I needed something to drive (the Colt had died) while in NJ and I couldn't afford another car.  This was a wretched piece of crap that wasn't worth the "free" price I paid for it.  The steering was bad.  It leaked exhaust gas into the cabin.  It creaked like an 85-year-old man as it drove down the road.  One day I drove it to the junk yard and said, "here, just take it".

It's A Wrap - 2024 Holiday Season

All our holiday & birthday celebrations ended a couple weeks ago, coinciding with Rob's return to ESF.  It has been a super cold winter so far, much ice on the Susquehanna!  I have been counting the weeks until spring will arrive (it's wonderful to know that February starts tomorrow).  Here are some pictures to remember our December & January events. 

Rob's Mediterranean Cruise - Rob, you were lucky to have a week-long cruise with Luke, Aunt Diana and Uncle Lawrence.  When we talked earlier this week, you mentioned the pleasant temperatures (in the low 50's ?) contrasted with brutal cold temps in New York.  You told me your favorite part of the cruise was spending time with family.  Here are 3 pictures....

Island of Crete landscape photo, taken at lunch-time during an excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos - on a rainy day.

Base of the Apollon Temple, which was never completed, near Ephesus in Turkey.  It includes a cat that was following your tour group.  It's calico with a white chin, chest and belly (mostly camouflaged) sitting on a rock, mid-frame.

The Port of Athens, upon your cruise ship's arrival - see the rainbow!  Your excursion here was to an archaelogical museum, then a late-afternoon stop to look up at the Parthenon (dedicated to Athena) atop the Acropolis.

Festivus - Rob, you are quite interested in the Festivus "holiday" which is on Dec. 23.  Below is a picture of a card from Steve.  

And to celebrate (even though you forgot to bring them on the cruise), you and Luke received gifts of personalized potholders.  The pictures on yours and Luke's appear below.  Who doesn't need a photo potholder ?!  Last week, Aunt Di texted me that she "may nor may not have 'borrowed' it".

Christmas for the Rest-Of-Us - We had a traditional Christmas, except a delay on Christmas day since Aunt Pam's car battery died.  Alex, it was so nice of you to drive her back and forth from Dallas.  After a turkey dinner with Steve's brothers Rich and Joe, we opened presents.  Alex, your gifts included books about your namesake Alexander the Great plus Homer's poems the Iliad and the Odyssey.  And you gave me a "Tasting History" book by Max Miller whose Tasting History videos you enjoy.  I'm having an interesting time reading about ancient foods; as of yet, I'm not sure whether I'll attempt making any of the correlating modern recipes suggested by Chef Max.

January Birthday Celebration - Early in January we went to Mizu Sushi for a hibachi dinner to celebrate December (Alex) and January (Aunt Pam and me) birthdays.  Then we headed back to Montgomery Ave. for my first homemade rum cake and ice cream.  Glad we had this time together !!  I took pictures per request from Grammie, who wants new photos for the orange tree she decorates at Christmas.  Here they are:

Spring Semester Gala - Rob, you weren't home for Festivus or Christmas.  So there was a new event, the Spring Semester Gala, shortly before the end of your winter break.  We hope you like the ACLU membership from Steve and other practical items.....  various supplies, including a light cordless vacuum for litter clean-up.  

Kitty Updates - Oren and Grimm enjoyed our mostly-empty bedroom after painting was completed in mid December.  No more floral wall paper!  It's now fresh and bright, with new sconces.  Super happy to have this final "big" remodeling job done, which was possible since we had 2 other bedrooms to temporarily put furniture and other stuff.  One other MAJOR change has been that Oren went away with you Rob to become a Copper Beech Commons apartment cat....  as shown in the second picture below.  The beginning was not easy, but you texted me that Oren is now adjusting well.  Your roommate Ben definitely likes him, hopefully Connor does too.  It will be lovely for us to have time with Oren again during your spring break in March.

The Original Boy Band (child of the 70's)

My earliest sense of American pop culture is from the mid-1970's.  Horrible orange and green colors, ugly bell bottom pants and unappealing geometric patterns.  And excitement about the Motown group The Jackson 5, including the youngest boy Michael - an incredibly talented singer and dancer.  I was also aware of the Osmonds, but in Philadelphia they weren't such a big deal (except maybe for the Donny & Marie TV show).

From my point of view, The Jackson 5 are the original, classic boy band.  They had their own special magic, and kids in Philadelphia were fascinated with them - I think, in part, because they were successful black performers.  Michael Jackson went on to be an amazing musician and riveting dancer, but had a troubled adult life and passed away almost 15 years ago.  Earlier this year his older brother Tito died.  Following Tito's death, I enjoyed watching You Tube videos of many performances.  Here's one of the best ones, from 1970 when Michael was about 12 years old:

 

From your childhood, I have fond memories of coming to pick you boys up at Cookie Corner where Mrs. Brenner or Miss Tossi (later Mrs. Tabone) played pop music during free play.  Here's a great song from a 90's boy band, NSYNC.  I love the theatrical opening, with guys dropping down to the stage on "puppet strings".

Year-End Updates

Guys, it's time to catch up on your "doing's" as 2024 is winding down.  It was a busy, mostly happy year.

Alex - First of all, today is your Birthday!!  28 years!  As each birthday comes along (yours and mine), I wonder how so much time could have passed so quickly.  Below are your hospital, newborn picture and a cute photo from the summer of 1997 in the yard at Grandma's house.  You were an adorable baby, kind of elf-like.

In other news...  you got 2 AZEK employee turkeys this year.  So Aunt Pam roasted one for Thanksgiving, then Steve & I cooked the other (stored in your freezer) for Christmas.  You always keep busy at work, and are now enjoying a long weekend off through New Year's.  This fall, you thoughtfully tied dry flies for Noel and Larson to fish with next year.  The treadmill in our front hallway was moved to your dining/exercise room.  I'm happy you're using it, and that we have more space in our entry way.  Also, Steve re-attached the screendoor to your back door - so it closes properly.  AND the leak down the sewer pipe into your basement has stopped, after a suggestion from one of your friends to turn off the water to your 2nd floor toilet.  Woo Hoo !!  The plumbing problem up there can be fixed later.  Thank goodness, no more catching water under the sewer pipe then filling a bucket to dump upstairs (or worse, mopping up water on the basement floor).

Rob - Life transitions are not always easy, and after moving to Syracuse you missed especially Oren a lot.  But in September you got off to a decent start, including time Lake Skaneateles with Ellen, Dave & George and an SU football game.  Below is Ellen's 2024 Christmas card.  Unfortunately, you are not a football fan and told me the seats were so high that you felt nauseous plus it was far too loud.  Now you know!  Once I went to a University of Pennsylvania vs. Yale game with Grandad, that was kind of fun - similar to a high school football game.  Then later while Uncle Jason was at Penn State, Dad and I went to a football game with him at State College.  We sat shoulder-to-shoulder in the bleachers, which I did not enjoy.  But it was quite an experience, I'm glad I went once and expect will never do it again.  

Soon we discovered that your 2008 Nissan Altima had a fatal (transmission) problem.  This was after spending $1,400 on repairs in August - so it would be ready for a stint in Syracuse 😠  So Rob, you borrowed my car for a month or so.  Upon asking what kind of newer car you wanted, your reply was "a sedan".  LoL!  We are super, incredibly lucky that Steve loves car shopping.  He tracked down several potential vehicles doing on-line searches at local dealers, and we picked a newer Buick at Gaughan Auto in Taylor.  It's a 2015 Buick Verano with about 77,000 miles.  Quite comfortable, has a rear-view camera and handles well.  

Unfortunately...  you got sick before your fall break.  Your nasty virus turned into pneumonia when you got home, diagnosed on your 2nd visit to Urgent Care in 3 days.  To make things worse, you had a mild (but very uncomfortable rash) allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics prescribed to treat it. You spent a week at home, also missed 7 days of classes.  Of course, Steve and I both got sick within the next week.  Steve had pneumonia while I had bronchitis.  It's quite miserable, you need to avoid the Syracuse Pestilence !!  In better news, Rob you slowly got better and caught up on class work for 4 out of 5 courses. The last one, a Calculus class did not work out (video files from recorded lectures were corrupted), so you'll re-take it in the spring.  You told me your favorite school activity was making paper in the lab, and you love being in control of your own daily routine.  I'm happy that you get along well with your room mates, particularly Ben.  I'm very grateful to Ellen for being your mentor. 

Grimm - Well, in late September we adopted another kitty from St Cats & Dogs in Scranton.  Our goal was to pick a less-adoptible cat, and we ended up with a "teenager" 10-month old tuxedo cat.  Grimm, his shelter name, was shy at the shelter but is a bundle of energy here.  Do not try picking him up!  Alex's room was set up as a kitty haven for isolating then beginning to socialize with his older buddy Oren.  Grimm loves playing with Oren, who is getting more exercise than usual, and will miss him terribly when Oren moves to Rob's apartment in Syracuse.  We're thankful Grimm's not interested in climbing the Christmas tree.  Here are a couple recent shots.

What's next ?  I will write a separate post about holiday/birthday times together and Rob's Mediterranean cruise.  

Alex - Why You Are Special (reprise)

Alex...  You were just promoted at AZEC.  I'm so happy that your work has been challenging and rewarding!  AZEC is obviously a great fit for you, and it's clear the Human Resources team has good leadership.  Here's the chronology.....

My email at the bottom of this post is from Dec 2021, when you were in the throws of job searching (not fun!).  It reflects your unique strengths and opportunities that could come from them.

You were hired to AZEC in June 2022.  Here is what you texted me on your second day:  "Everyone is so positive and friendly.  I really like it so far and there's going to be lots of opportunity for me to move up.  I met the plant manager and he was telling me there's people who've worked 4 or 5 different careers in the company and that they prioritize internal hires above external.  So I'm excited and I think there's a lot of potential."  

In April 2023, you were promoted to HR Admin Level 2.  That was quick!  You texted:  "So got the promotion today.  Not quite what I expected as they're keeping me hourly as an admin level two and moving me to exempt towards th eend of the summer.  So I'm skipping the generalist and coordinator role if I'm understanding correctly."

About a month ago in Sept 2024, you were promoted again.  You are obviously a valued member of your team and are being recognized accordingly.  Your text to me was "Signed offer letter today.  Associate HRBP".  Plus you're working on an HR certification (SHRM, I think).  Congrats !!  The Dilbert comic above does make me laugh.

---

From: Christine Rivers
Sent: Monday, December 6, 2021 8:17 PM
To: Alex.carroll73@yahoo.com <Alex.carroll73@yahoo.com>
Subject: Why you are special

 

Hi Alex

I'm writing this email because it seems like the best way to share these thoughts with you.   On the career front.....  in addition to being a hard worker, you have a gift that you may not recognize.  In fact, it's already evident by your involvement in the Cemetery Association & getting "promoted" to president within a couple years !!  You are great with people, and this will continue to open doors for you in the future.

I have probably told you this before...  When you were under a year old and at the CDC in West Pittston, the teachers told me that you always greeted moms & dads coming to pick up their kids.   The teachers told me that you were very social - if parents didn't say hi, you would make a fuss until they talked to you.  Fast forward to today, and I think that you are able to relate to & talk to almost anyone.  Uncle Jason has that same skill.  Here's why it matters so much - you can talk to more junior people and understand their concerns & issues, plus you can talk to management and understand their objectives & priorities.  You can write well, speak well and also have presence - meaning that when you speak, people can easily focus on you. This will give you opportunities in every organization where you work.  (You could consider setting your sights on labor relations, which could mean a career in Human Resources, it could mean going to law school, or it could mean working within a union and becoming a shop steward.) 

This is not a surprise, you inherited these skills from your Dad (a politician), your grandfathers who both have the gift of public speaking in different ways - plus your grandfather worked his way up in the army from an enlisted man to general and could connect with all member of the battalion.   Grandad reminded me at Thanksgiving that his grandfather Charles McCausland (Grandnana's father) was a foreman in a woolen mill in Webster and a union man.  You might be interested to talk about it with Grandad when you see him at the cabins. 

Besides thinking about what job you apply for, think equally about what organization you would be happy to work in.  Plus where you will be physically active and/or work with your hands at least part of the time (post office, manufacturer like Benco Dental, a grocery store like Aldi's or Wegman's which are recognized for being good workplaces).  You can start at any job then watch for chances to post so you get experience in multiple roles & advance.  You will sometimes have to challenge yourself and get outside your comfort zone - though this can be stressful in the short term, I have found it usually works out.  Don't be intimidated by the job search process (which is a necessary evil), you have So Much to offer !!!

Love you, Mom

Edie McCausland

It was a sad weekend, and I'm grateful that you both came to Webster for Edie's burial service.  You each made a long drive (alone) from West Pittston and Syracuse.  Thank you for making this time in your busy schedules.  You were special kids in Edie's life, she loved you guys.  You are equally important to her partner Jon, who I'm sure appreciated your presence more than anyone else.  Alex, I'm so glad you came to Hill Street to chat with Jon (Rob, you couldn't since you headed back to ESF the afternoon of the service).  Edie's passing last month was a horrible shock to Jon, and he's struggling with grief, loneliness and the prospect of moving from Hill Street where he's lived more than 25 years.  It was nice that we also had time with Eric, Edie's nephew who made a much longer trip from North Carolina.

Below you'll find a copy of the obituary, a lovely tribute about Edie posted to the funeral home's website, and a eulogy I wrote.  My remembrance was read by the funeral director, who Edie knew and could pronounce the authentic name of Lake Webster.  Rob, I will always remember that you placed the box with Edie's ashes on ground before burial - it's fitting that one of us did that. 

Edith McCausland Obituary

Webster - Edith "Edie" McCausland, age 74, died Thursday, August 15, 2024, at UMass Memorial Health Care, University Campus, Worcester.

Edie was born in Worcester, MA, daughter of the late John B. and Theresa (Hostak) McCausland in lived in Webster all her life.  

In addition to her parents, Edie was predeceased by her sister, Keith "Nikki" McCausland.  She leaves her life-long partner, Jonathan R. Dodge of Webster; nephew, Eric Ewald of North Carolina; a special cousin, Chris Rivers and several other cousins. 

Edie was a graduate of Bartlett High School, Class of 1968.  She was also a graduate of Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing, where she earned her degree in nursing, and Clark University  Edie was a registered nurse having worked in the Worcester area her entire career.  She worked at Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Medical Center.  She retired in 2013.

At her request, there are no calling hours.  Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11 am in Saint Anthony Cemetery, Webster.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School Street, Webster, is honored to have been entrusted with Edie's arrangements.  A memorial guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may post a message of condolence, share a memory and/or light a candle in her memory.  

Jeannie Cross: Edie was my first – and longest – friend. We grew up next to each other; played together – jacks on her porch, dolls in my basement; walked to school together (starting with Hill Street School and if she was still with us, would probably disown me for posting this picture); go-go danced together (again, would disown me for remembering this); spent teenage summer days at the Town Beach; and kept me in touch with Webster long after I moved away. She was an old soul by 5 or 6 – wise and mature beyond her years… a natural and quiet leader. She helped organize at least one Bartlett ’68 reunion and kept our group of friends connected for decades. Although we went separate paths in and after high school, she made sure we stayed in touch. At her instigation, we attended the Roseland Cottage Crafts Festival a few times with another high school friend. Despite my sorrow at Edie’s passing, I will carry her wit, wisdom and persistence with me. She did much good in her life and now deserves to rest in peace.

Edie McCausland – A Remembrance

I began getting to know Edie about 25 years ago, when we were re-introduced at my grandmother's burial service. My grandmother Phyllis McCausland Rivers is her aunt, so Edie is my father's first cousin. Since the Rivers family is settled in Pennsylvania, there hadn't been many opportunities to spend time together. Edie thoughtfully invited me and my family to visit in Webster.

This was the start of a wonderful relationship with Edie and her partner Jon. They have been incredibly welcoming and generous to us, and truly enjoyed my young son Alex and before long his brother Robby. I have thought of Edie and Jon as their honorary grandparents. There were many weekends staying at their house on Hill Street. We chatted in the living room, at the kitchen table and on the back porch overlooking their lovely yard, often watching the boys play. The Hill Street home was special to us, since it was built by Edie's great grandfather in the late 1800's and has been owned in our family ever since. We had many outings, including to local fairs, museums and Jon's best fishing spots for Alex to try out. Coming from a mid-Atlantic state, during one visit we got a kick out of crossing 2 state lines to have dinner in Rhode Island.

Edie has been an important person in my life, as she was important to everyone here today. She was intelligent, strong and caring with a streak of New England practicality. As a professional in nursing, for years Edie held a responsible, demanding position as a nurse supervisor. She was a frequent patron of the Dudley Library. Edie loved her nephew Eric, who in his childhood spent many summers in Webster.

She had losses and struggles, as we all do. Her father, my great Uncle John, passed away when she was just 22. Edie had an early, brief marriage which ended in a difficult divorce. She oversaw the care of her Mom for several years after a debilitating stroke. This included taking Aunt Theresa out from the nursing facility where she lived to places like Webster Lake (actually, as my grandmother would say, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg). I will always remember Aunt Theresa was delighted to hold my son Robby when he was a baby.

Sadly, Edie lost her sister Nikki in 2015 so became the last surviving “McCausland” in our family. The name McCausland is derived from MacAslan, a founding family of Clan Buchanan of the Scottish Highlands. I'm not certain Edie was interested in this family history, but the heritage lives on in my father David Buchanan Rivers, my brother John McCausland Rivers and my son Robert Buchanan Carroll.

Edie often spoke with me of her longtime friends, nursing co-workers, and her yoga and gym pals. Once she brought me along to a Friday yoga class. And the light in Edie's life was Jon Dodge. He is a wonderful companion – she loved hearing his laugh and listening to his many stories. They were lucky to have 38 happy years together. Jon has been a committed partner, which included bicycling, canoeing, travel and the substantial effort of maintaining the Hill Street property. Jon did everything he could to support Edie during her recent illness.

While we will miss her always, I'm grateful that Edie's physical discomfort and pain have ended and feel sure she's now at peace.

Christine Rivers, Sept. 21, 2024

Our Kitty Rambo

My first distinct memory of Rambo is from the 7th Street house in Wyoming, when I was talking with Dad in the kitchen.  Rambo was super friendly, he jumped onto a box in the laundry area so that I could pet him.  He was your special kitten (Alex & Rob, you had named him), along with his younger brother Ross.  Let's get the worst stuff out of the way...  Later on, Dad was not doing well and would no longer care for them so put both cats out of the house.  This was just terrible (it happened shortly after Rob began staying at Montgomery Ave full-time in the spring of 2014, and you guys worried about them constantly).  Unfortunately we're not sure what happened to Ross, who had black fur.  But Rambo was around the house, and Aunt Pam and a next-door neighbor Holly were feeding him.  In the fall before it got really cold, we drove over to 7th Street to look for Rambo.  On our 2nd attempt to find him, Rob you called his name and he came out of the bushes.  I'll always remember this rescue mission, as you held Rambo in the car.  So with help from Jim at Grooming Cottage, he got cleaned up.  And after a brief socialization period he joined Tiger and Jean Luc, to establish our "tres gatos" household. 

Rambo was, understandably, a bit neurotic after this horrendous experience.  Upon arriving here, he was super focused on food, he always perked up and rushed to the kitchen upon hearing "Treats, Treats!".  As he got sicker early this month, he was eating only treats and of course lost so much weight.  He certainly loved tuna fish, which he got regularly this summer.  Rambo consistently drank out of the toilet in the upstairs back bathroom, which was a big incentive for us to keep the bowl clean.  Yuk!  Plus, a few years ago he stopped using the litterbox to pee.  Instead he peed in front of the litterbox - absolutely disgusting!!  So we became good customers at Wallgreens buying underpads, which we cut to fit litter trays.  Honestly, it's a relief not to be dealing with that problem any more.  Rambo never had any interest in going back outside, though we enjoyed the screened-in porch upstairs, which is perfect for bird-watching and has warm sun spots.

Rambo was almost a "Kitler", sporting half a Hitler mustache.  He liked me to occassionally pet his head, but that was it.  He let both of you guys pick him up for cuddles, briefly.  Rambo got along ok with Tiger, although Tiger intimidated him by following Rambo around - Steve called it a "low speed chase" - which ended with Rambo hiding, usually under my desk in the living room.  He got on well with Jean Luc, they were good buddies particularly they enjoyed sleeping together on beds upstairs.  He was annoyed when kitten Oren was adopted.  Of course Oren had lots of energy and would jump on Rambo, which resulted in Steve yelling at Oren to "stop riding Rambo like a horsey!".  Rambo would snarl, and escape troublesome Oren by climbing up on the dining room table (this didn't make me especially happy).  

It was truly difficult last week for Rob and me to take him to Shoemaker Animal Hospital, where he was literally put to sleep.  It was merciful and quick, and certainly the hardest thing we do for our pets.  Alex, you came a couple days in a row to say goodbye to Rambo.  And you know exactly how painful this is, since you and Aunt Pam took Jessie to the vet at the end of her life.

Steve is so attached to our kitties, as you know.  He wrote his own post about Rambo on NCFE, it makes me cry every time I read it  --> Requiem for Rambo .  Steve would get Rambo to do "rollies" i.e., roll over, as you know.  And he made up various names for Rambo:

• Rollie Kitty
• Rambi
• Rambi Pambi
• Rambolio
• The Great Rambolio
• Ramstone
• Ramshackle

Here are a couple song lyrics Steve adapted and often sang to Rambo....   To the tune of "Mandy" by Barry Manilow "Oh Rambi, well you came and you purred when I pet you.  But they sent you away, oh Rambi."  Also, to the tune of "Moonshadow" by Cat Stevens "I'm being followed by a ramshackle, ramshackle ramshackle."

At the end of this post are some pictures of our boy doing various Rambo things.  And in loving memory of Rambo, here is Cat Stevens performing "Moonshadow".