jh Good Morning: December 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Remembering Some Of Those Who Added So Much To My Life

Growing up as an Air Force brat had it's benefits. I loved living so many wonderful places. I met so many wonderful people and now wish I could find some of them. Some added so much to my life and I never really got to tell them "Thank you.". I know I will probably not find any of them this way. But, while I was in Japan I met a girl who was born in the same hospital as I was - on the same day. That gives me hope.




There was the dentist and also a disk jockey in Lincoln, Nebraska in the summer before my senior year that got me into the right high school for me. Because I lived in base housing, I had the choice of two schools. Now, there were three public high schools at the time and the only one that was not included was the one I had been going to. My senior year was somewhat restricted as I could not stay after school for any activities, but it was my best year.



The band director there is another person I owe a lot to for making it a very special year. He found a piece of music with a glockenspiel solo in it for one of the programs we did. I was the glockenspiel player. Of course, I was sick the night of the performance and could not be there. The idea that I could have done it is still special. I did not have a whole lot of pluses in my high school career.



At First United Methodist Church in Lincoln there was a very special lady. She was the Director of Christian Education. I don't remember much other than I thought she was very special. She inspired me to want to go into church work with children. I have never done it as an occupation but I have had such a good time as a volunteer in many venues with children.



Now, there was a lady named Shirley who sold records at one of the dime stores in downtown Lincoln. I seldom got there but she was so special. We had a good time as I was choosing and purchasing records. That same d.j. that I mentioned earlier shopped for records there, too. You see he and I never met. He and Shirley had both told me a lot about himself and his family. At the time he had one daughter. When he moved to New Mexico I lost track of him. His talking me into which high school to go to was one of the most important decisions I made at that time in my life. Shirley said one time I went in that I probably walked right past him as he left. I missed him by minutes.



Oh, and there was his tech. Ralph was fun to talk to and I learned so much about radio from him. My senior theme was on Ohm's Law because of him. I wanted that license. I never got it but sure did study for it for awhile.



These are just a few of them. I could go on and on.



This has taught me how important it is to treat each person that comes into my life as best I can. You never know who might consider you so important many years from now.

© Copyright 2006 Mary Ann Chidlow (UN: merian at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

Mary Ann Chidlow has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

posted by Mary Ann Chidlow at 9:22 PM | 0 comments

DXing as a teenager.

One day, while turning my radio dial, I found stations I was not familiar with. I realized they were from other cities and I was hooked.




I was in Lincoln, Nebraska in the days when it was easy to get stations from all over the North American continent.



Now, the stations in the United States were not allowed to be over 50,000 watts. There was, however, that monster in Del Rio, Texas that was 500,000 watts. Their transmitter was in Mexico. I never listened to it but often wondered what they covered up from the United States. They took up a lot of space on the dial.



My favorites were KIOA in Des Moines, Iowa, KOMA in Oklahoma City, and KCMO in Kansas City, Missouri. They are now all on FM and KCMO has a web presence. I listen to it in Florida on my computer. They play the music I listened to way back when and it is a lot of fun. (Added later: KOMA and KIOA are also streaming on the web now.)



My DX report from KIOA was addressed to Nancy but I did not care. It had the right last name and street address. I have been called worse. All the d.j.'s signed the program schedule and I still have and treasure it.



I knew my radio dial and could find stations in the dark. One night, I was turning it and found a station that wsa not supposed to be there so I stopped to listen. When I heard it was WLCY (the station was in Tampa at the time) I was reduced to tears. I was so homesick for Tampa and this was such a neat gift. For four early mornings I got them loud and clear. When I wrote and asked for a dx card they said it was impossible and refused to send me one. I was crushed. Many, many years later I found that it could indeed be possible. (I knew that. I heard them.)



KDKA was the first radio station in the United States. I listened to them. They are in Pittsburgh.



I listened to Canada and all over the United States. Lincoln was an optimum area for such a pursuit. When we moved back to Tampa (which I was happy about) I tried dxing and still had some success but nothing like in Lincoln.



There are d.j's and engineers that I wonder about. Occasionally, I will come upon their names and what they are doing now. Oh, how I could tell them what a joy they brought to me then on the radio.



I keep saying I am going to pull out my dial radio and try it now. And, I wonder what will happen on the FM. It cannot be near as much fun. But, then I might be surprised.

posted by Mary Ann Chidlow at 9:18 PM | 0 comments

Haikus and Lanturns

1. Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)




Cherry blossoms bloom.

Look! What a wonderful sight.

Good for sight and smell.



2. Good Morning



Ohio Gazaimasu

"Good Morning" in Japanese

Oh, what memories.



The spelling may be wrong. I am supposed to be moving so everything that I could pack, I did. That "u" in everyday language was dropped when I lived in Japan many years ago so it fits. You very often here them say just "Ohio", now.



3. Flower Arrangeing



One, three, five or more-

Just make it an odd number..

A Japanese arrangement.



Of course, this is not all there is to it. It is what I remember of it, though.



4. My first Lanturne. Let's see if I can make it look like a lantern.

,,,.....Bright

.......Lantern

...Lights up sky

..Beautiful Scene

.........Peace

As soon as I can learn how to center a poem on here I will get rid of the dots. Right now, it holds the lines in place.



5. Bonsai



What a little tree

That is what a bonsai is

It is beautiful

posted by Mary Ann Chidlow at 9:15 PM | 0 comments

Games Japanese Children Taught Me

These memories are so old but so precious. I can just remember little bits of this and that.




Before I get into the games let me share with you one that is still so clear. Also, about the story teller.



Michiko's father was a doctor in the little blue hospital across the way from where I lived. She would often come with him when he came to work. A song that I would often sing was "Bibbity, Bobbity Boo" and thought nothing of it. One day she let me know she did not like it. I could not figure out why until one day it dawned on me. She was hearing "michi ka boola" in the song. I suppose she thought I was singing about her and she did not know what I was saying. I never sang it again around her.



There was a story teller who came around from time to time. He had a box that cards slid in and out of. It was loaded with the cards in order for the story. As he told it, he would pull the pictures out. I loved it when he came. I had to try to guess the stories from the pictures.



He also brought candy which I was not allowed to have. We had particular things that we needed to avoid. We had a few restaurants we could go to. More on that in another article.



They taught me rock, paper, scissors. I had never played it before and I never figured out what it was at the time. I just guessed at what to do. I suppose I won some but I don't remember.



We also played shuttle cock with very ornate paddles around New Year's. I still have mine safely packed away.



Now, my favorite was a jump rope came. They did not twirl the rope - just swung it back and forth. I learned when to jump in and out and learned the Japanese words to the song that went with it. Oh how my memory has changed the words over 53 years. I have been able to figure out that most of it was the days of the week so I can relearn it properly. I wish I could find someone who knows it.



There were other games but they are not remembered. If they come back to me I will add to this. I have some resources that might remind me. My favorite is a children's magazine that was published in Englsh about Japanese children. I have four of them. They are packed away, but one day I will get to them.



I don't know where this will go with the next installment. It will happen in the next few days.





© Copyright 2006 Mary Ann Chidlow (UN: merian at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

Mary Ann Chidlow has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

posted by Mary Ann Chidlow at 12:24 PM | 0 comments

Let's Get There First

In 1953 my Dad was a pilot in the Air Force and that is how we got to go to Japan to live for two years and four days.




He was sent first and we followed six months later.



We had been staying with my Grandmother during that time and took the train from Tampa, Florida to Oakland, California. There we were to board an army ship to cross the Pacific.



We boarded the Sultan and were on our way. I remember little bits about the voyage.



I remember walking in the ship one day and being caught off gaurd by a wave and ending up running across a rather large room to keep from falling. It was not a controlled run.



In that same room, I won $2 playing Bingo. That was a lot of money then.



I remember I was the only one in our "state room" who did not get seasick. I suspect my brother heard about that from me a lot.



We got to Yokohama one day late.



We were one of four ships looking for the crew of a plane that went down. We were the ones who picked them up. They all walked across the deck after being lifted from the raft they were on.



That's about it as far as memories of the ship and voyage.



Oh, I remember standing on the deck in life vest as they lowered the life boats part way in a drill.



When we got to Yokohama Daddy met us and had corsages for both my Mother and me.



He took us to 2 Minami Sensiku which would be our home for the next six months.



I remember the house as being big. Mother says it was not that big. We had a living/dining room, a long hall leading to first the maid's room and then the kitchen on the first floor.



On the second floor were my bedroom, my brother's bedroom and two "tatami rooms". We called them that because the floors were covered with Tatami mats. We took off our shoes to go in them. They had a wooden balcony all the way around the outside of them. We were not allowed to get on that balcony.



There was a stone balcony off of one of the rooms. (I don't remember which room). My brother and I had our own private snow in the winter.



Our bathroom was not wood which was a good thing. There will be more about that later.



Imagine a 10 year old American girl with several Japanese girls of probably about the same age. I did not speak Japanese and they did not speak English. But, we had a good time. I will share my memories of them.



I am trying to find out if the house is still there or what is there now.



I will write part 2 in the next few days.

© Copyright 2006 Mary Ann Chidlow (UN: merian at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

Mary Ann Chidlow has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

posted by Mary Ann Chidlow at 12:21 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Des Moines, Iowa

This trip came together all of a sudden and quickly. It has been such fun.




The Blank Park Zoo is entertaining, interesting and a learning experience.



I was interested in it as they have Burchell Zebra and had never seen one let alone know they existed. They have large and narrow black stripes. This is the fourth type of zebra I have come across.



Their Bongo exhibit is the best one I have seen yet for taking pictures. I spent a lot of time there and took lots of pictures. Just as soon as I get home I will post them - either, in this article or in my picture section.



I am staying at the Fort Des Moines Hotel. I like to stay in older hotels and this is a very nice one.



I started in a suite and had four days in it. It was nice to have lots of room to spread out in and have a microwave. I did move to a smaller room but still have a refrigerator at no extra charge. It is small but serves the purpose.



I am typing this article from one of the computers in the lobby for the guests. It has allowed me to keep up with my email.



This city has a Sky Walk and it is really very interesting. I have walked through some of it to get a sandwich and collect information on the city. It is like a city in itself. There are lofts for rent and sale up there. There is an area called The Hub which has many fast food places to eat. There are better restaurants, banks and a movie theater. I am still exploring it. If I find anything really exciting, I will let you know. Since I first wrote this, I have found out that it is the second largest Sky Walk in the United States.



The Sky Walk is on my list of places I would like to live. If I lived and worked within the Sky Walk, I could avoid the snow, ice and cold weather. And, during the summer, much of it is air-conditioned.



There are walking clubs that make use of the Sky Walk.. I will be finding out more about them if I move here.



There is a river walk along the Des Moines River. I have not gotten there. It will probably have to wait for another visit.



Des Moines has a plethora of cultural groups and events. They all sound interesting.



If you are looking for something different, you might want to check Des Moines out. I am really sold on it.



TEN MONTHS LATER



I am sitting in front of my computer listening to KIOA in Des Moines and looking at pictures of the city on the KCCI cams located at



http://www.kcci.com/wxcam/555369/detail.html



There are four cams listed. Only three are working right now, but, I get quite a view of the city. This morning I was on the phone with them because I could not place what the downtown cam was pointing at. I love it when I know the location. Sometimes, with some research I can figure it out.



I have been told I can use their cam shots as long as I do not sell them. I will be putting some of my favorites either in this article or in my photo albums. I, first, need to learn how. I just have to make sure I give them credit, which I will gladly do.



I am going back for a visit in June and then moving the following April. I can hardly wait.



NOVEMBER 24, 2008



I am a resident of Des Moines. I got my apartment 5 weeks ago. I came back to Tampa 4 days later to get some of my belongings so I could begin living there. I have now shipped them up there. I will still do the major move in April. However, now I can more than exist in the apartment.



I am going back up this weekend. It will be such fun to unpack the boxes and know that I am putting my things away where I want to live. I am on the SkyWalk as I hoped to be. I have lots of windows on two sides and can see the city. I am downtown and close to everything.



I have a dream come true from when I was a teenager. Never give up on your dreams.



March 29, 2009



I am going back to Florida for the major move shortly. I can hardly wait to get all my things up here so that I will not feel like I am living in two locations.



Des Moines is my choice. I have no doubts about it.



I am right across the street from an art museum. It is a satellite location of the main Des Moines Art Museum. They have opening nights for members and such at the smaller one, too. I can get to it by SkyWalk or just walk across the street. The weather is the governing factor there.



I have been so busy. I don't know where the time has gone. Des Moines is not boring. I still have a very long list of things I have not seen, joined or participated in , yet.



There is an area called the East Village that I really want to go experience. It has lots of shops including a tea shop. Guess what I am interested in. LOL There are a lot of restaurants in the Village, too. It is quite close so will be an easy walk.



They have extended the SkyWalk even further. It appears that it will be forever a work in progress. That is fine with me. I love to walk.



I still have not gotten to any performances. That is my own fault. They have been there. I just have to pick and choose about everything.



I am sold on Des Moines. I am glad I am here. The weather can be frightful. However, I can just look at it from the SkyWalk and be nice and warm. I, also, saw the New Year's Eve fireworks from the SkyWalk.



The SkyWalk is monitored at all times. That was proven last night. I was out walking after midnight. (Don't drink a coke late at night. LOL) I got to a door that I had never seen closed before. While I was standing there trying to decide if I wanted to see if it would open or not, a guard came rushing up. He said he just wanted to make sure I was okay. I told him why I was standing there and he said they closed that part at midnight. I guess I had never been there that late before. However, now I know for sure it is being monitored closely. I had not realized it was so late. I went home.



If I ever decide I don't like Des Moines (won't happen) y'all will be the first to know. Now will I ever quit talking like a Southerner. LOL



I will be exploring and revisiting other areas in the midwest. I will let y'all know what I think of them. But, I will always come home to Des Moines.

© Copyright 2007 Mary Ann Chidlow (UN: merian at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

Mary Ann Chidlow has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

posted by Mary Ann Chidlow at 9:41 PM | 0 comments