I watched De Niro and Al Pacino go at it yesterday in Heat, following up on yesterday’s post. I’ll be confined to my office today while our dining room built-ins are being installed, so I may get a chance to watch another movie. I’m debating whether or not the rain will hold off this afternoon and give me a chance to invite the grandkids to swim. I haven’t seen much of them this summer with my son working most every day and their mother preparing for optometry school in Miami. Everybody in the family seems to be busy but me. Once my morning run is over, I’m pretty much a slug.
I would say that I’m a couch potato, but I spend most of my time on a desk chair or a stool. Our schnauzer Tally hogs the comfortable chair in my office. Evenings – I am usually on the couch next to my wife watching more TV. It would be a sad existence if it weren’t for all the traveling we do. That is getting more and more exhausting. When that all ends in a few years from now, I just might feel like I’m imprisoned if it weren’t for all the amenities in our resort community. We can utilize our golf cart to go from pool-to-pool to fitness classes, courts, dog park, our garden plot, gyms, vendors, and game rooms. There are evening concerts and get-togethers to also keep us entertained. The Atlanta Braves Spring Training facility is just a mile away, along with downtown Wellen Park.
This will eventually become a huge residential area once 9,000 more doors are constructed. Shopping centers, big box stores, apartments, a major hospital, schools, care facilities, golf courses, and other recreational opportunities will soon follow, all within a 3-mile radius. We already made the decision to own just one car and the golf cart. Most of our future travel will be to visit family and friends, mostly in the states, with a week here and there at a Marriott Vacation Club. I still have to get to Maine, but the travel bucket is quickly emptying. We have one last major Cross-Atlantic cruise booked next spring with key stops in Buenos Aeres, Rio, Casablanca, Seville, Barcelona, and Mallorca. Then, it’s all about the TV.
I’ve recently unintentionally stumbled across several Robert DeNiro movies that inspired me to learn a little more about him. I’m not usually one to find interest in an actor since my heroes typically come from sports, but I’m impressed with the variety of roles he plays. We finally got back to the theater yesterday, guilty about not taking full advantage of our Regal annual passes. With all due respect, there haven’t been many movies of late that have stirred my curiosity. My wife wanted to see De Niro’s About My Father and I wasn’t sure quite what to expect after seeing Bad Grandpa. It was De Niro at his worst, seemingly desperate for a role. Amsterdam was also not an impressive performance in my opinion. On the other hand, About My Father was surprisingly good with emotions ranging from laughter to tears.
A few weeks ago, I bought Bang the Drum Slowly on Netflix after a review mentioned it was one of the best baseball movies ever made. I wouldn’t go that far but was surprised to find out it was one of the roles that vaulted De Niro into the Hollywood spotlight back in 1973, along with Mean Streets, his first collaboration with Martin Scorsese. From then on, it’s been hit after acclaimed hit, starting with “Godfather Part II (1974), Taxi Driver (1976), The Deer Hunter(1978), Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1983), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Brazil (1985), The Mission (1986), Midnight Run (1988), Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), Heat (1995), Meet the Parents (2000), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and The Irishman (2019). “
Also according to Wikipedia, “De Niro has won two Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for Raging Bull and a Cecil B. DeMille Award for “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment”. He was also the 56th recipient of Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award; Leonardo DiCaprio, who co-starred with De Niro in This Boy’s Life, presented him the award, citing him as an inspiration and influence.”
“In 2009, he received the Kennedy Center Honor and earned a Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016.”
Adding to these accolades, Robert DeNiro has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the following performances:
- 47th Academy Awards (1974): Best Supporting Actor, win, for The Godfather Part II
- 49th Academy Awards (1976): Best Actor, nomination, for Taxi Driver
- 51st Academy Awards (1978): Best Actor, nomination, for The Deer Hunter
- 53rd Academy Awards (1980): Best Actor, win, for Raging Bull
- 63rd Academy Awards (1990): Best Actor, nomination, for Awakenings
- 64th Academy Awards (1991): Best Actor, nomination, for Cape Fear
- 85th Academy Awards (2013): Best Supporting Actor, nomination, for Silver Linings Playbook
- 92nd Academy Awards(2020): Best Picture, nomination, for The Irishman
“Also known for his television roles, De Niro, with the distinctive mole on his right cheek, portrayed Bernie Madoff in HBO’s The Wizard of Lies (2017), earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, and an Emmy Award nomination for producing the Netflix limited series, When They See Us (2019) and for portraying Robert Mueller on Saturday Night Live.” Other notable roles include Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Wag the Dog (1997), Analyze This (1999), The Good Shepherd (2006), The Intern (2015), Joker (2019), and he directed A Bronx Tale (1993).
I may have to take some time and go back through some of these classics, similar with what I did with all the James Bond movies when I initially retired. I’m also looking forward to rewatching Father of the Bride Part 3 and some of his upcoming work, Killers of the Flower Moon, Nada, Zero Day, and Wise Guys.
It’s day 5,287 of my running streak, as I near the 14.5-year mark of this consecutive daily feat on these old, tired feet. It’s one of my few remaining accomplishments in life along with a 22-year marriage and a 71-year-old body. I’m also back into a post-run swim as the summer heat and humidity soaks my running gear. A bottle of Gatorade and a dip in the pool provides refreshment. I’m fortunate to have a pool in my home, along with two other resort pools and a fitness center just down the street. I rarely use the other facilities, but my wife enjoys these amenities, just a golf cart ride away.
My wife’s birthday was yesterday, and she seemed content with doing very little. I’m still tired from a month of traveling. She used her outdoor kitchen to prepare lobster tails in lieu of dining out. She got flowers, balloons, cards, gifts, phone calls, e-mails and texts honoring the occasion. One came as far away as London from a friend she met on our recent Egyptian cruise. I think her favorite gift was probably a hand-painted rock with a camel illustration. It was also Tally’s “Gotcha Day” when she joined our family 13-years ago. We have a lot to celebrate.
The rain held off this morning, but my shoes were still soaked from yesterday. The sun felt good at times and torturous at others. There is no chair yoga class this morning, so I have time to write but little to write about. We’re watching A Small Light on the Disney Channel, the story of Anne Frank from the perspective of her protectors. It’s much more meaningful since we had the opportunity to visit the Amsterdam home a few years ago. It stirs the emotions of hatred for the Nazis, sympathy for the Jewish Faith, and gratitude for Freedom. Our retirement hassles are silly compared to what they all went through.
We might even have time for “Theater Tuesday” this afternoon, if there is something worth seeing. Bridge has replaced “Matinee Monday,” but we still kept it “Meatless,” even despite the birthday celebration. We also started “Salad Sundays,” with my Father’s Day request of a cheeseburger salad. We’re trying to slowly settle back into a routine after all the travel disruptions. Looking back to the beginning, even on Mondays, running every day remains the only consistent aspect of my retirement routine. (See Post #438)
It’s my younger wife’s 67th birthday today and she wanted a palm to replace the “nasty Florida oak” out behind our lanai. It was just not tropical enough for her tastes. I had that done while we were in Egypt. This morning I added a wrapped present under the tree, a camel Limoges box to add to her porcelain collection. She actually enjoyed riding her camel with the pyramids in the background and tried to get me to relax by leaning over to kiss me. I, of course, had a death grip on the saddle. It was a memorable experience for both of us.
The trip and built-in dining cupboards were having installed this week took another serious drain on our dwindling retirement savings. I half-jokingly offered to take her to Freddy’s, her favorite fast food restaurant for dinner and instead settled on Owen’s Fish Camp in Sarasota to celebrate the occasion. Many of the area restaurants are closed on Mondays, so this posed another challenge in making this decision, undoubtedly considered cheap on my part by those of you reading this post.
As it turns out, she then arranged an early dinner later next week with friends at this particular restaurant, so we agreed to change to our seafood standby, Dockside, for her birthday dinner. My wife tends to change her mind frequently when it comes to dining and therefore further compromised by finally settling on buying a couple of lobsters and grilling them herself. DIY – Do it Yourself – tails for her and her “cheap” husband. I don’t mind being called that since she usually gets what she wants regardless of my constant pleas to save money.
We went to Tahiti for her 60th, including some pearls, and hope to do something special for her 70th. Does that sound cheap? We also added-on London and Stonehenge to our Egyptian cruise last month and went to three London musicals, including SIX, so she cruises to her tap classes in her Lexus convertible singing along with the CDs. Also, many magnet purchases (now that’s a cheap souvineer) from Egypt, Jordan, and England moved her total over 225, decorating our garage refrigerator. She has a great tan from living here in the resort community and looks youthful for her age. I’m not feeling sorry for her – just love. I tried to express this in a poem:
6T7
Happy 6T7, My Babe in Arms. With A Florida tan, And womanly charms.
After built-ins and Egypt, We’ve emptied the tank. There’s only love, Left in the bank.
No fancy pearls, From this old gramp. DIY Lobster Tails, Instead of Fish Camp.
You could have had, A Freddy’s treat. But with Father’s Day, Too much red meat.
Your kiss on a camel, Tried to keep me calm. So I wrapped a memento, Under the BD palm.
We added a cartouche, To your gold chain. And a SIX CD, So you can sing the refrain.
There’s more magnets, On the fridge. Like Abbey Road, And the Tower Bridge.
We did our best, To mark your 66th year. Now Let’s get ready, For some 6T7 cheer!
Here’s to loving you, My adorable hottie. Wishing you fortune, And Angels on your Body.
copyright 2023 johnstonwrites.com
The month of June is all about dad’s – those that were lucky enough to be called that special word and those who never got a chance. It all culminates on the Fourth of July with the celebration of independence, starting in May with Memorial Day, leading into D-Day, Flag Day, and Father’s Day. For me, the “D” in D-Day is for DAD – two grandfathers that I remember served, along with a bio-father, the father who adopted me, and fathers-in-law. When I see an American flag, I think of the sacrifices they made for me, as part of millions of men and women who fought and died for our country. They all made it possible for me to be a father, stepfather, and grandfather. Thank you for your service!
I also think of all those young men that died in battle, never met the right woman, or couldn’t have children. They never got to be a Dad, one of the greatest gifts in the world. Some of them were lucky enough to own pets, another way to be a Papa. I’m dad to a schnauzer named Tally, with fond memories of Tinker, Roxie, Belle, Gizmo, and Smiley. I also lovingly remember the “kitty committee” that my wife brought to our marriage. (See Post #312). I also dare not forget that June is her birthday month and often inconveniently falls on the same day as Father’s Day.
I got a new pair of Tommy Bahama swim trunks, a card, texts, and e-mails to honor my special day this year. Half my family on the West Coast isn’t even awake yet. I did my 5k run this morning in the rain, pulled some nasty weeds, started a load of laundry, and helped set up our upholstery cleaner – much more than I normally contribute on a Sunday. I await my favorite meals, sausage & eggs for brunch and a grilled cheeseburger with blue cheese dressing on a bed of lettuce for dinner. The much-needed rain continues to fall, as I settle in for an afternoon of baseball, reminiscing about a 2018 trip to the College World Series in Omaha (I’m wearing the t-shirt) and several Dad’s Days at Wrigley Field, with father and son.
I will not make the mistake of booking another flight on Frontier Airlines. It looked good on Expedia from a price comparison standpoint, even taking into account extra charges for seat assignments and luggage. I was trying to inexpensively get to a friend’s wedding in Oregon, and even though there was a substantial layover in Denver from Ft. Myers, Florida, it was worth a try. Then, I began to get notifications of flight changes that ultimately had us spending 8-hours in the Mile High City terminal. It was the beginning of another retirement hassle.
My wife started the process of trying to get hold of an actual Frontier representative to explore other options, but all she could find was an automated site that seemed impossible to navigate. After several long waits and hangups we discovered there were no other flight options, and in fact the flight we originally booked was no longer available. Our only choice was to cancel and rebook with another airline. All of this information was relayed via a chat line without ever taking to a live person. I began to wonder if their planes were fully automated, as well? Was this a new modern, frontier in computerized transportation with robotic pilots and service personnel? Without the comfort of human interaction (someone to yell at), I decided it would be my last Frontier.
Cancelling, of course, was equally frustrating, once again without human guidance. It was a lot of paperwork and searching through booking documents to answer the numerous questions on the form. I even had to go to the app and apply for a mileage account to be able to add a frequent flyer number. This seemed odd since we had yet to fly with this airline, just more busy work to complete the request for cancellation. Were they hoping to discourage me from asking for a refund? I figured that once I submitted the request, there would be more questions, and perhaps interaction with a humanoid.
I was not holding my breath for a reply since they indicated it might take several days to process my request. I was very suspicious that this may never happen, and I wouldn’t have anyone to talk with about it. I could foresee having to go back through the entire automated process over and over again to get resolution. Instead, about an hour later I was shocked to get a note authorizing a full refund but had no one to thank for the quick response. It may take weeks to see the credit on my account, but I felt relief knowing that I was no longer in a black hole. In the meantime, we had to book another flight, including a Jet Blue red eye back home. Frontier Airlines is no longer a travel option – the Final Frontier.
I’m slowing down on my original retirement commitment of a post a day. It’s taken me 68 days to complete the last 50 articles with hectic travel schedules and little of importance to mention. I’ve been on my own the last five days, about to pick up my wife from the Punta Gorda airport. I have managed to get my daily 5k done despite the hot weather and lack of motivation. Tally has gone to the dog park two mornings, had three golf cart rides, and gets to be my co-pilot on the drive to the airport, so she should be content with my care. I also brought her some chicken from my Libee’s Sports Bar pot pie dinner last night with neighborhood friends.
My wife should have lots to report on from her trip to Indianapolis. She met with her sister, college friends, media acquaintances, a recent widow, and went to her niece’s bridal shower. The wedding is in two months. She’s had lots of stimulating conversation while I’ve been a reclusive couch potato, surviving on leftovers, PB&J, and alcohol until last night’s dinner out. I did watch a lot of disappointing baseball.
I can’t even say that I have a busy week ahead with a chair yoga class, dinner with the guys (while our wives have Book Club), two doctor appointments, a trip to Costco, and date night. Father’s Day and my wife’s birthday are a week away but final plans have yet to be made. We’ll probably also try to work in a movie and start a new TV series. There will not be much to write home about, so prepare for more humdrum.
On our recent visit to the Tower of London, I was intrigued to discover that arguably my most famous DNA relative, William Penn, was imprisoned there. The Beefeater that conducted the tour inspired some further research on the Penn family connections to the Bannisters and Foists when he mentioned the familiar name as part of the historical presentation. I spent some time on the Ancestry Jerry Ban(n)ister Family Tree today reviewing this lineage.
In 1868 William II wrote a tract (The Sandy Foundation Shaken) which attacked the doctrine of the trinity. He was a frequent companion of George Fox, the founder of the Quakers. “Like most Quakers he suffered persecution for his beliefs and was imprisoned several times throughout his life, serving out sentences at Newgate Prison, and the Tower of London, among other locations. So much for freedom of speech or press! It was for the protection of the Quakers that Penn initially sought land in the British Colonies of America.”
King Charles II granted William, Jr. this request in 1681 to repay a debt owed to his father, Sir William Penn (1621-1670). The tract included the present-day states of Pennsylvania and Delaware. It was the result of the senior’s royal relationship with James, Duke of York, younger brother and eventual successor of Charles, who was soon appointed Lord High Admiral, on the Earl of Sandwich’s ship (later renamed the Royal Charles) which was sent to bring the king home to England following exile at Amsterdam in the Dutch Republic.
Sir William was also an English Admiral and Politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660-1670. He married Margaret Jasper, daughter of John Jasper, a wealthy Dutch merchant from Rotterdam, so he was quite influential. In 1653, as part of such connections, he helped to draw up the first code of tactics provided for the English Navy, 1664, Instructions by Sir W. Penn. This became the basis of the “Duke of York’s Sailing and Fighting Instructions.” In 1658, he was knighted by Henry Cromwell at Dublin Castle.
While imprisoned, William Jr. penned the book No Cross, No Crown published in 1669 and founded the city of Philadelphia in 1682. “As one of the earlier supporters of colonial unification, Penn wrote and urged for a union of all the English colonies in what, following the Revolutionary War, later became the United States.
I am the 13th generation of the Sir William Penn family. His grandson was John Penn (1680-1749), followed by Moses Penn (1712-1759), and the famous Declaration of Independence signer John Penn (1741-1788), a Virginia lawyer, elected in 1775 to the Continental Congress. His daughter, Lucy Penn Taylor (1766-1831) married Reverand John Taylor, and their son, Major Willis Taylor (1788-1863) espoused Nancy Morgan Taylor, as the family migrated from Virginia into Kentucky and eventually Indiana.
Their son, John W Taylor 1814-1883 joined Mary Jane Shoemaker and the result was a daughter, Martha Ann Taylor (1848-1914) along with six other girls and two boys. Martha then married Randolph Foist (1835-1891), whose son, John Foist (1868-1956) united with Minnie Banister and began my Hoosier heritage. Her father was David Banister (1833-1918) from Jennings County whose brother Henry Otis Banister and wife Elizabeth Jane Beatty Banister bore my grandfather, Ivan Otis Banister. Edna Faye, one of his daughters was my birth mother.
You now know the story of my famous Penn relatives. I’m glad my recent London visit spurred this investigation into my past. It’s also interesting to note that my Florida neighbor just five doors down is also linked to this story as a Foist or Foust relative. I discovered this by chance at a neighborhood get together after asking if he had Indiana Relatives. He happened to grow up in Jennings County. It’s indeed a small world, despite the long Penn to Banister journey to Seymour, Indiana from the jail cells of the Tower of London.
Well, I’m officially on my own for a few days with responsibilities including dog and plant care. I did manage to get up, dress, and run, just as always. It was very hot and steamy this morning with temperatures in the 80s. Summer is upon us here in Florida with threats of hurricanes, heavy afternoon rain showers, and high humidity. I’m a bit light-headed and maybe dehydrated after my 5k jaunt. I know that Tally was expecting to go to the dog park, but she had to settle for a visit from two of her schnauzer buddies that were out for a ride on their golf cart.
The Oklahoma women softballers claimed the national championship with their 53rd consecutive victory, and the White Sox won their fifth straight. The quest for the College World Series title continues this afternoon with my three favorites being Texas, Indiana State, and Oregon, three states where I’ve lived. I’ve yet to adopt Florida, also in the Sweet Sixteen. Wake Forest and LSU remain the top tourney seeds. This will be my weekend entertainment, while I wait for my wife to return from Indianapolis.
It’s time to book our March/April flights to South America, returning from Spain following the Viking Cruise. I like the comfort of Business Class but not the cost, so it may be time to make that sacrifice. I didn’t really sleep in the pod on our last flight so I’m not convinced that the extra money is really worth it. As usual, my wife will make the call. She thinks I’m cheap but on a retirement budget you can’t always get what you want.
I think back to the days when Friday meant lunch and cold beer at Buffalo Wild Wings. Not today! It’s laziness and leftovers. I may not even shave or shower after a quick dip in the pool. Tooth brushing is optional, especially after the gum surgery earlier this week. The dentist and chiropractor showed up for their appointments, but the urologist and cardiologist bailed on me. This only goes to prove that the older you get the more doctors you have and the more time you spend waiting for them. I showed up on time after going out of my way, but they both claimed to have rescheduled. One of those weeks of hurry up and wait.
ii
After nearly 25 years together, my wife and I rarely are apart for the night, let alone four nights. Even when she traveled for business, I would usually accompany here. However, in retirement, the costs of care for our schnauzer Tally, lodging, and airfare have resulted in a few separate trips, usually to visit family.
I just dropped her off at the Punta Gorda Airport for a 5-day visit to Indianapolis. She’ll stay with her sister, get together with old friends, and attend a bridal shower for her niece. I will take care of Tally at home and fend for myself, although she has pre-prepared meals that will require little but the microwave. I have baseball and softball to watch and will obviously continue my morning runs, but have little else planned.
With the early start this morning, I cut back on my mileage for the first time since our recent return from Egyptian travel. I was certainly not ready to get back on another plane, and won’t for another month when we travel to Portland. I’m already dreading an 8-hour layover in Denver and the 2a arrival. With time changes, partying, and strange beds, we’ll once again be exhausted. However, we are looking forward to the wedding, reconnecting with friends, seeing my stepdaughter’s new house, and the cooler Pacific temperatures.
After another wedding in Indiana this August, my wife may need to fly to Oakland for a holiday visit with her other daughter. I may elect to stay home with Tally, creating another separation for a few days. These old bones are losing interest in the rigors of travel and I’ll need to rest up for our spring cruise across the Atlantic, maybe the last straw in major adventures. We’ll welcome visitors at home, especially if it means no travel and no being apart.
