Remembering Dave Dunbar, appreciating Don Cinque, cannabis, and much more
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
As I visited with my physical therapist the other day, chatting in the idle moments between exercises, I mentioned that from my early youth on I wanted to be a writer. I continued with that thought and, as most people likely do, I had thought about my actual career and exactly what I wanted to do “when I grew up.” Well, I’m still working on that part, but at my current ripe old age, I am now living my biggest dream of writing, and it’s as if my fondest dreams all have come together. The inset picture represents a combined dream of my dearly departed friend David (Dave) Dunbar.
Dave has been mentioned in many of my Wramblings, and rightfully so, as he was instrumental in helping to fulfill many of my dreams. The song, of which this cover photo is illustrated has been a part of many “celebrations” ranging from high school graduations to a wedding, whereinTodd and I sang this to, and for, the couple exchanging their vows.
The month of April is nearing its end, and as is typical for an early spring, it is going out in a blaze of glory. Lawns are colorfully decorated with many blooming flowers, and roadsides and orchards are aflame with the blossoms of budding fruit trees.
Unlike last week’s writing when I started without any “pre-planned” topics, I have a full list for today. As I ponder that list however, one thing stands out among all of those topics and that includes many references to, or links with, “people.” With apologies to him for not getting prior approval to mention him, by name, Don Cinque is one of the people who became a part of my life, in a former life, back when I was actively “teaching.” A spin off from my Alfred State College traditional educational duties, included working with local industries, developing and conducting programs to teach or train their employees in a variety of specialized job activities. Don and I first became acquainted as a link to two local manufacturing companies, both formerly known as Dresser-Rand, in Olean, NY and Wellsville, NY. As I typically would do, in preparing a training for a company, I met with Don coordinating what training their employees needed and how and when I would teach/train them. Although that was many decades ago, our paths continue to intersect. A couple of years ago, I resumed attendance at Grace United Church in Wellsville, NY. Having been invited to join their chorus by Dave Toot, their vocal music director, as we sat “be-next” to each other having recently also resurrected singing with the Genesee Valley Chorus.
At the first church service after having joined them, standing with the choir on the altar ready to sing the weekly anthem, I gazed out into the congregation and there, sitting with a smile of recognition on his face, was Don. Always a smile to enjoy, and one that brightens the day.
They’re back! Quoting the Poltergeist movies phrase, now used to advise the return of the “snow birds.” No, I don’t refer to the winterizing people that head south every winter, but rather the real snowbirds returning from their winter haven. We haven’t seen any on our feeders yet but are now ever vigilant, gazing out the kitchen window overlooking the feeders with expectation.
Anyone familiar with me on Facebook (FB) knows that I have a penchant for waking, and reaching out to others, members of what I call my “Four AM Club.” A sneak preview sometimes prefaces the signature time by waking at 3 AM. I have an illuminated clock at bedside and glance at it automatically upon wakening. Depending on my pre-bedtime intake of coffee, Pepsi or Coke (not the smelling kind), I may wake up more frequently. I mention that to hi-lite the fact that my awakening time is often at the exact hour(s) of the awakening, not minutes off. It shows 4:00, not 4:13. One of my favorite Novel characters is the Lee Childs character Jack Reacher who doesn’t use a watch but has an intuitive knowledge of the exact time.
Referencing my parenthetic note following the word Coke above, reminds me of recent conversations with FB friends wherein we discuss the use of “pain killers” following my recent Neck/Spinal surgery. Some of the more popular (medicinally) pain killers include some amount of codeine. Alternative suggestions include the use of another popular “sedative like” substance coming from the cannabis family. One friend suggested or implied that I was at one time a user of that substance. I guess I can understand that line of thought since I was a product of the 60’s group that popularized that hallucinogenic substance. My generation wasn’t the first, but “we” are the earliest for those who now are old enough, or young enough to have used that substance.
The above was not planned as a prime-time theme for this Wrambling but in searching for the appropriate general “weed” term to use, I did learn a little on the subject. Soooo, as I learn, so too do I teach. From an online link “Healthline” I came up with the following.
“Cannabis, weed, pot, and marijuana all refer to the same group of plants known for their relaxing and calming effects. However, effects may vary depending on your mode of consumption and it’s illegal in many places. Cannabis is made up of more than 120 compounds which are known as cannabinoids.”
Two of the main classifications are: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannibidinol (THC). CBD is a psychoactive cannabinoid, but which is non-intoxicating and non-euphoric, neither of which provide the sought after “high.” But rather, it helps reduce inflammation along with some relief of nausea, migraine, seizures, and/or anxiety. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis which is responsible for the “high” that most people associate with cannabis.
These compounds can be purchased (obtained) separately or combined. Some of the desirable effects are; relaxation, giddiness, intensifying of sights and sounds, increased appetite, altered perception of time and events and focus and creativity.
Some of the undesirable effects include; Coordination issues, delayed reaction times, nausea, lethargy, anxiety, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure and paranoia.
While not intended as a main topic, my realization, or recall, of the many legal and social issues currently on the upswing, encourages me to proceed. Despite being a product of the 60’s I have never actively consumed, or even been tempted to consume any of this/these products. From my pulpit, I would say that I have never even had the urge or inclination to try or experiment with this drug. I accept that it is effective and beneficial when used for its medicinal purposes. I have been told anecdotally that people don’t care to consume it but it does smell good.
This is my “wrap up page” so will Wramble thru my list of items that I had noted for mention.
- Given today’s use (or abuse) of “handheld devices” I have to smile when communicating with friends who, needing information from their spouse, text them…room to room.
- The old saying goes something like “A watched pot never boils.” My modernization of that would have it say “A watched clock never moves.” Have you ever sat watching the clock waiting for a specified time and watched the minute hand to see if, or when it moves. I have one clock that makes an audible click, click click, as the secondhand moves. With that device I can see the minute hand move.
- Tying in with time and clocks I used to have a watch that the hour hand would not move. Having a pretty decent intuition of the overall time frame I only need the minute hand. I guess I could tie that into the common phrase “give me a minute,” And I could. “It’s ten of.”
- April 24th never passes without my notice and nostalgicable recollection of that anniversary date marking my employment at The Air Preheater Co.. My 16 years of employment there, prior to them affording me the opportunity to see if I could find a better job, is filled with many more positive memories than negative. I am still in contact with many of those I worked with, and their acquaintance will never diminish,
- Wrambling word of the week is “new.” No, that doesn’t describe its nature as being new to the piece, it is one of the varieties of New, Knew and Gnu. Using those in a sentence yields: I knew a new gnu.
- I’ll apologize up front if this next item has already been mentioned in previous episodes, as I frequently post a comment on Facebook. Then when it comes up as a potential comment herein, I struggle to remember if it’s a repeat having already mentioned it before in my Wrambling. Despite that risk…I recently offered a suggestion to a friend regarding their pending Cataract surgery. When I was offered the options for the same surgery I had to choose between surgical repair of either or both vision characteristics between “near distance” and “far distance”. Medicare will pay for either, but not both. To have both characteristics corrected would result in an “out of pocket” cost to me of $1800 per eye for the obvious total of $3600. At the time, being frugal (or cheap) I chose the repair of “far distance,” conceding that I would need to carry glasses for reading. If I had it to do over, I would pay the extra. It is a nuisance/handicap needing vision assistance legibly reading any small print within about three feet of my eyes. I have corrected that shortcoming somewhat by now purchasing contact lenses that correct both visions. My “frugality” at the initial surgical time now costs me paying for contacts that need replacing after several wearing’s.
I don’t use them often so I prolong the “two week” useability to nearly a month or two but it’s still a cost that would have been offset had I not been so cheap at decision time. Some eye surgeons will do a “retro-fit” where they can add a “booster” corrective lens but mine won’t do that.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this, or not, thank you for reading anyway. Please feel free to reach out with comments, cares or concerns via email at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com
