Jonathan Livingston Seagull

“And then you will be ready to begin the most difficult, the most powerful, the most fun of all. You will be ready to begin to fly up and know the meaning of kindness and of love.”

(my mom gave me this book in 1971 click seagull to hear book)

At age six (6), I had open-heart surgery at Presbyterian Hospital/San Francisco, CA, in 1962. I had aortic stenosis, due to a conginital heart defect. Dr. Frank Gerbode preformed a commiseratomy on my aorta valve (a relatively new procedure). Dr. Saul Robinson, was my pediatric cardiologist. A very scary event for a little kid. We didn’t own a car and had to take the train to San Francisco.

I remember the night before standing by a window on the sixth (6th) floor of a hotel paid for by Crippled Children’s Society, they also paid for my surgery. I had never been that high up in my life. I stared down at the street, watching the people. Just my mom and I. A wonderful mother and human being. Life is quick.

I remember hearing this song on the radio. I remember feeling really sad in my heart for the guy singing it. Every time I hear this song, it takes me back.

“Roses are Red” Bobby Vinton (1962) Click black & white Pic >

***On July 3rd, 2000, I had a second open-heart surgery (St. Patrick’s Hospital, Missoula, MT). I had recurrent aortic stenosis and insufficiency from my earlier surgery merely having cut away the valve. I would have an aorta root and valve replacement using a Cross Cryopreserved aortic homograft. In essence, a donated and frozen aorta valve and root from a deceased man. Very appreciative to him.

My brother’s favorite song.

(Click Pic)

I love you,

My mom gave me this book in 1971

(click seagull)

The summer of 1967, saw me on the Minor Braves (Branham Hills Little League, San Jose, CA). I was eleven (11). I played catcher, second string. It was my second year in baseball (I am top right. Bob Hallett, in front me was first string). He was a much better catcher than me.

Last game of the season, I went six for six (6 for 6), with the game winning hit. I still have the ball signed by the coaches. I was so excited, that I had forgotten to touch first base and had to run back quickly to do so.

I was so proud. My mom was there to see it all.

I would never come anywhere near Joshua’s incredible talent on the baseball field. He was gifted. In 1997, Joshua won, "Player Of The Year for PAC-7" (best player out of all seven high schools combined/Canby High School, Canby, OR) Joshua's senior year (as a right handed pitcher/ERA was 0.90). He took the batting title as well. He truly was, Bad to the Bone, on any field, home or away. An Ace. School hasn't been to playoff's since. Joshua played five (5) years of college ball. Graduated Emporia State University,KS. A Great Journey

My youngest son, Jeffrey was a master at pulling off "Hat Tricks," left and right. Seven (7) years of hockey. He was on the "Nashville All-Stars" traveling team. We went to so many different states, as well as Canada. Jeff worked hard on the ice. Never relented. University of Montana.

Spent many years coaching kids. I hope they remember me kindly : ) I was a very dedicated and unselfish father.

1992 Newark American Little League

Junior “A’s (21 - 1)

Coach & Sponser

I managed the mostly high school baseball boys team during fall-ball, 1993. We went 18 - 1, for the season. Joshua was throwing smoke and with his hot bat, winning was easy. The team was made up of a bunch of greatly talented and good-hearted kids.

One Saturday we played a double-header at our home Canby High School field (OR). I had loaded up my barbeque grill in the back of my pickup and cooked hot-dogs for the team between the games. My dog, Gypsy (golden lab), came to all the games. While feeding the team, on occasion I would throw her a hot-dog. Near the end of lunch, one of the kids pointed out that Gypsy was taking the hot-dogs and burying them in the loose dirt in front of the pitching mount, where the pitcher comes down with his front foot on release. Everyone had a great laugh. It was so funny. The rest of the afternoon good humor filled the air, all you could hear were kids yelling from the Canby dugout,

“don’t step on the weenie!” (miss and love you, Gyp......”Git-on you old mule”)

At the end of a superb season, the final pizza get-together, the team gave me this plaque. “D.S.O.T.W.” Life’s simple pleasures are the best. Wonderful memories.

“Cast Away”

Can we go home?