I am not sure what is happening to my blog but it seems like it is dragging again. I am not going to have time to deal with it right now but when I get a chance, I will do what I can.

On another note, Peggy and I took Christopher to see Diego. I put pictures on my www.sb-gallery.com website.

The most memorable event that day was the Bee that stung Christopher. I happened to look around just about the time he got stung on the finger. I felt so bad and he cried so hard. I immediately pick him up, held him, and wanted to cry along with him. This took place in line to see Diego and I asked one of the staff if they had anything for a bee sting. First Aid came around and found the stinger, got it out, and put medicine on his finger. After the medicine was on, he seemed a lot better.

Now, this was his first bee sting and his finger swelled. Because this was his first sting, we were concerned that he might be allergic. The First Aid person was very nice and knowledgeable and assured us that we did everything right and that if he was allergic, we would not know until the second or third bee sting. He also said that if he begins to have issues with drinking or eating, we should be concerned.

Well, that is all for now. I am going to be out for the rest of the week on business so, I will try to update Whatiz on the road. Otherwise… see ya’ when I see ya’

Posted under Uncategorized

This post was written by admin on October 13, 2008

In Loving Memory of my Dad.

Last Sunday afternoon after church, we were watching Christopher when we received the phone call.  It was my brother, Danny from West Virginia.  I was told that Dad was not doing well and that we should come right away. As quickly as we could, we got ready and headed to Beckley West Virginia.  It takes us several hours to get there.  On the way there, we receive a call that Dad may only have a couple more hours and that we should hurry.  When we received that call, we were still two and a half hours from Beckley.  Unless you have been in this situation, you cannot understand what your heart does at that very moment.

Earlier that morning, he was able to talk but was ansy, and not comfortable.  Just after that, it appeared he had a massive stroke and quit breathing.  He was resuscitated but stayed unresponsive.  This is when I received the call to head down there.

When Peggy and I arrived at the hospital we were greeted by some family at the entrance and was told that Dad was holding on until we there.  I rushed up to Dad’s room and it was full of people but I could not begin to tell you who was there.  All I saw was my Dad lying in that bed.  He seemed comfortable but this was my Dad, I knew what was happening and I lost it.  I knew the inevitable was near but again, this was my Dad.  

After an unrealized amount of time, I begun looking around the room to find, the room was without all the bells and whistles you would expect.  The only sound you could hear were the sounds of flowing Oxygen connected to his mask.  He did not have the wires hooked to computers or anything you would expect in a hospital room.

I called out to Dad to let him know I was there.  He was not responsive but he knew I was there.  I saw Dad sick before but always knew that things would turn around.  This time was different, as I was sitting there with him, I knew that would not happen.  I began praying right there that his last hours would be comfortable and without any pain. 

After a while, it was getting late and several family members left, we were going to take “shifts” around the clock of staying with Dad. Danny and Jill took Mom home to get some rest, she didn’t want to go, but everyone talked her into to leaving. My brother John and his wife Concetta, Dad’s sister Jean and her daughter Karen and Peggy who stayed the night.

A few hours later, I could see that the Morphine was wearing off. He become fidgety and you could tell he was not comfortable.  I went over to his side, held his hands and ask if he is in any pain.  He immediately squeezed my left hand.  I tell him that I love him and he strongly squeezed both of my hands.  My heart just about jumped out of my chest.  He heard me and he told me that he loved me too.  Well, I always know that but in a time when he was unresponsive, he heard me and told me that he loved me too.

We got the next shot of morphine for Dad and he became comfortable once again.

It was nearly 3:30am on Monday morning when we noticed his breathing became shallow.  It was then that we call the nurses and they began to check things out. We make the call to Danny and Jill to get to the hospital. Within a few minutes, very quietly and peacefully, while Peggy was standing by Dad’s stroking his head, his breathing slowed then stopped.  As I stood there, one of the nurses looked up at me with eyes of compassion and just shook her head. 

It was at that time that the world seemed to stop.  The flood of emotion and the involuntary reaction of my body became blurred.  I can just remember my strength beginning to fail me and I became light headed.  I immediately knew I had to sit down.  All you could hear were the cries of Dad’s loved ones. 

Once I got my strength back, I got some help and headed outside for some fresh cool air.  I suspected the temperature was deep in the 50° at that point but it felt good.

By the time I got back in the room, the nurses had Dad cleaned up and he looked quite peaceful.  The rest of the family, that went home four hours earlier, had just arrived.

We made the necessary phone calls and people began to pile in.  I do not know how many people were there because many things are still blurry. 

We went back to my brother’s house to try to get some sleep but that did not happen.  I did lie down but could not sleep.  After a couple hours, we got up and began a busy day of setting up the arrangements.  We went over to Calfee’s Funeral Home and picked out all of the “stuff”. 

On Tuesday, we arrived at the Funeral Home at around 5:30pm.  We slowly walk up to the casket and see my Dad lying there quite peaceful. The Funeral Home did a superb job and it almost looked like Dad had a slight smile.  Yes, I know it is just cosmetic but, knowing my Dad, he would want to have a smile on his face.

Sometime later, the Funeral home opened to the public and swarms of people came in.  I actually meet several people that I have not seen for years.  Very good childhood memories came flooding back.

One of the things this funeral home does is a video from pictures provided by the family.  Dad’s video was amazing.  We included photos from when he graduated high school to very recent pictures.  The accompanied music was excellent as well. 

The next afternoon was the Funeral.  The Rev. Jim Meadows knew Dad and felt honored to preach his funeral.  He knew Dad so well that one statement he made was, “If anything is broke in Heaven, Brother Stan is on the scene”.

We arranged to have a military tribute at the cemetery.  Now, when we boys were still young, Dad would participate in these ceremonies and I can remember one time I attended.  The VFW military men would stand at attention while taps were played and the men would fire their rifles.  In this service, things were a little different.

 

Two active military men stood at the gravesite saluting as the Hearst pulls up.  Once pal bears have placed the casket, one of the enlisted men begins a roll call.  He started by calling each of the six VFW members by military protocol. (Master Sergeant so-n-so…  Private third class so-n-so…)  This roll call was loud and hair raising.  Then they loudly called, “Petty Officer Third Class Stanley Blake”, slight pause, “Petty Officer Third Class Stanley Blake…”  Then quietly announced, “Petty Officer Third Class Stanley Blake” is missing and they place the helmet on the rifle next to a pair of combat boots and then they began to fire their rifles followed by an officer playing taps.  Finally, the enlisted men took the flag covering the casket, folded it and presented it to mom. This was difficult for the family but very respectful and Dad would have wanted it.

Mom had an inscription put in the lid of Dad’s Casket that read, “May the work I’ve done speak for me“.  This inscription could not have been more perfect.  It was as if you could hear the crowd speaking for Dad.  Everyone reflected that fact that Dad was the kind of person everyone loved.  He believed in helping everyone that has a need.  If he were able, he would give until it was not fare but would give anyway.  He felt that you need to always help other with whatever needed done.  He proved that philosophy repeatedly.  However, it was more than a philosophy; it was a way of life for Dad.

I know there were time that people did not return the same gratitude but when they needed something, Dad was the first to give a helping hand.  Dad was also the same guy that jumped in whether it was family or not.  I know Dad has a massive extended family; he built through the love he showed to everyone.

Dad enjoyed many things.  He went hunting every chance he could.  He also enjoyed trout fishing and went every chance he could.  I know what West Virginian man would not enjoy hunting and fishing.  He also enjoyed singing.  At the last family reunion, he got up and sang, “I’m walking the floor over you”.  Even though he was not well at the time, but did nicely.  Mostly, Dad loved and enjoyed his family.  Dad’s love for his family was never a question.

Just be aware, that photo you take of loved ones may be the most recent photo in a video.  Those photos helped to bring back the memories that are needed in this trying time.  So, take lots of photos and videos, they may be needed for more than just a few laughs.  Capture those precious memories even if you think, “I’ve taken pictures and we never look at them…” they may be needed for more than just a few laughs.

Some of the things Dad never had a chance to do included coming up to Columbus and going to the Columbus Zoo.  He said he wanted to but never had the strength to make the long trip.  He also wanted to take another hunting trip out west or a fishing trip up north.  These are the heart wrenching regrets but I have learned a very hard lesson. 

If you want to do something, make it happen right away.  You may not have the strength to make the long trip.

Posted under Uncategorized

This post was written by admin on October 3, 2008

In Loving Memory of my Dad.

 

Stanley O. Blake of Cottle WV, formerly of Prosperity WV, passed away Monday September 29, 2008 at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, following a long illness. 
Born February 21, 1934 in Orlando WV, he was the son of the late Vayden and Ruth (Tinney) Blake. Stanley was a United States Navy veteran, who served in the Korean Conflict. He was a past Commander of the American Legion and VFW. 
His favorite past time activity was hunting on his family’s farm in Braxton County. 
For many years, he was employed as the shop manager for Norwood and later retired from Mountain State University as postmaster. 
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Randy Blake and brothers Robert, Vernon, and Junior Blake. 
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Laura (Rogers) Blake, sons, Stanley and his wife Janet of Athens, Steve and his wife Peggy of Columbus, Oh, John and his wife Concetta of Webster Springs, Danny and his wife Jill of Crab Orchard. 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, sisters, Patty Mudge, Betty Crites, Jean Hornbeck and Leoda Rose, brothers, John Blake, and Larry Blake, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. 
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2009 in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Meadows officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. 
Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. 
On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. 

Posted under Uncategorized

This post was written by admin on October 1, 2008

More Updates

Good morning everyone.  As you know, or maybe not know, I am one to try things out.  Well, this morning is no different.  I am taking the time this morning to look at some new software that will run on my server.  The theory is that this software will NOT influence my blog at all.  As a matter of fact, this software does not even reside around the blog stuff so we will see…

I will give you an update later on concerning this collaboration software and I will review the installation, functionallity, and ease of use.

Until then, have a productive day and I will be in touch on Monday.

Posted under Computer updates and issues

This post was written by admin on September 26, 2008

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Fair or Unfair – You Make the Call!

Good morning to all of my Whatiz audience.  I hope this day will be full of rewarding and productive activities. 

Yesterday, a couple co-workers and I went to Indianapolis for a meeting.  On the way back, we were talking about where we need to spend our attention in this new presidency.  One big discussion involved our health care system.  As discussed, we are quite unfair in the United States when it comes to the rich and poor. 

We examined the income of the rich and poor and then we looked at the health care premium in every paycheck.  Where I work, the professional staff and the production workers pay the same for their health care.  With the productions salaries nearly one-half that of the professional staff, the production staff is paying a larger percentage of their paycheck for the same coverage as the professional staff.

We then looked at the different programs of health care.  If our associates had a full time job at the Ohio State University, their health care would be one-half of what they would be paying right now and their coverage would be a lot better.

A secondary discussion evolved into our education system.  My point was that it is obvious that it is not fair what our lower income families are paying for health care compared to the professional population.  The bottom line is the pain exerted on these families when it comes to health care.  Our Educational system has not prepared us to budget our money for these unfair practices.  In fact, because of this lack of training, the lower income families are in pain trying make ends meet while the upper income families do not have to worry about it.

Fair or unfair.  We are not children and we have to recognize that life is not fair.  I know, we have been brought up thinking thing are suppose to be fair.  We will be living in a world (not just the United States) were unfair practices abound.  We do have a right to enlighten a community to these injustices and perhaps things can and should change.  With enough voice, our government is forced to adjust the unfair practices.

 

Posted under Politics

This post was written by admin on September 25, 2008

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Check out www.sb-gallery.com…

Okay, I just fixed some computer problems with the speed… I hope…

Also, I’ve updated www.sb-gallery.com with the photos from the Columbus Zoo.

 

Posted under Computer updates and issues, Grandkids

This post was written by admin on September 23, 2008

Welcome Back to the Next Work Week

Well, it had to happen. Back to work again. Like the little dwarfs use to say, “I owe, I owe, it’s off to work we go…” Okay, maybe that is not the way it goes, but it applies.

We kept Christopher Friday night and on Saturday, we took him to the Zoo. (Just ask him how to spell “Zoo”) We got there at around 10:00am and immediately headed to see a special guest. That is correct; it was Dora the Explorer from Nickelodeon; more specifically, Nick Jr. When we got there, the sun was shining and the temperature was very nice. We walled the expected 15 minutes from the car to the Zoo entrance. We then proceeded to find an activities brochure so we would know where to go next. We had a couple options right away. We could go and watch the elephants bob for apples, or get a picture with Christopher and Dora. Guess which path we chose to follow.

Dora the Explorer

Dora the Explorer

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We stood in line for an hour and forty minutes. The sun was still shinning and the temperature was beginning to rise. The temperature was rising such that one of the Zoo members was coming down the line letting everyone know that on occasion, Dora would have to leave for twenty minutes to she could cool down. First of all, no doubt! We also had the opportunity to see a couple exotic birds and a interesting turtle.

We finally get up near the head of the line when we were told that Dora would have to go in a couple minutes. Well, as it turned out, we actually made it up to Dora before she decided to leave. I believe Christopher was a bit apprehensive at first but it was all fine. He went up to Dora, gave her a hug, and then proceeded behind her to observe her backpack. This was a big event for Christopher. When you ask him about his experience at the Zoo, he will get excited and say, “I saw Dora” or “Her backpack had a map”.

It is such a thrill to see that little guy excited. I mean anytime he is thrilled, I get excited. As a matter of fact, every time I come in the door, he is thrilled. However, ask Peggy, she is thrilled when I come in the door too. That smile on Christopher’s face is infectious and will do your heart good. I surprise was that Christopher was not like his dad when he was Christopher’s age. I am not sure we would have gotten his dad close to Dora without “parental persuasion”. Today, Christopher’s dad would walk right up to Dora.

Well, that is all for now. Stay tuned to the next addition of “Random Thoughts of Steve Blake”.<>< -->

Posted under Grandkids

This post was written by admin on September 22, 2008

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