Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

http://youtu.be/osfCSYoxPp0

Joe Brown vs. Wallace"Bud "Smith

[El Gallo]

Portrait of Emile Griffith which I presented to him at the WBHOF.

Great Posts Roger and portrait

Thanks Charlie. I wrote a piece a while back on the forum about Emile Griffith. The WBHOF was at the Marriot in Inglewood. Me and the wife's room was down the hall in the basement from Emile's room. He was with a friend who was also a guardian. Emile was in and out. Between the dementia and the aftereffects of being mugged coming out of a club in New York,it was a little hard to get through to him. One thing I noticed was that he was often paranoid. One evening he was with his friend waiting for the elevator to take them up to the diningroom. The wife and I were standing next to them.Emile's nose was inches away from the elevator door. He was staring straight ahead and crying.
"I'm scared,"he said. I'm hungry and I'm scared. Where am I?"
I felt real bad. His friend assured him that everything was all right. His friend said that he was next to him and everything would be OK. Later when I gave Emile his portrait and bought a copy of his bio,I asked him who his toughest opponent was. Without hesitation he said,"My mother."

Rog, remember when Emile alost took a swing at George Chuvalo? While signing autoraphs, he believed that Chuvalo had stolen his pen. Chuvalo smiled and didn't let it upset him. But Griffith's fist was clinched. Same thing happened a couple years earlier, only it was Ken Norton who Griffith went after.

[dagosd2000]

Rick ,I remember you telling me about that episode Griffith had with Chuvalo.Hemingway wrote a short story called"The Battler".It was about an ex fighter suffering the affects of dementia. The fighter in the story alluded to Ad Wolgast. I know you'd love it. Rog

[dagosd2000]

Just Like Old Times

Maybe it don't come to me that quickly anymore. I don't understand it right away. My grandson,Adam,started going to the gym three months ago to learn how to box. If you were to tell this me back then this news I wouldn't be writing this because I would have dropped over from a heart attack. This was his idea. The same kid, who was on the youth soccer teaandwas afraid to chase after the ball with the other kids.

Around a month ago I went to this gym to watch my grandson. It's the gym were Tiger Smalls works at and trains his son,Prince. Now I used to go to boxing gyms around San Diego when I was a lot younger. They were like the old weight lifting gyms. Basic,Spartenly outfitted. Sweat and toil.A place for the serious,and not to mention,all for men.

Now I know that women have taken up the contact sports.but I've never seen the places were they train. They're the same places that the men workout. When I entered the gym were Adam was enrolled,it was like my first trip to Fantasyland. Mirrors,lights,heavy bags and speedbags all over the place.machines,two boxing rings,wrestling mats,weights,a locker room that would put a country club to shame,an array of health products for sale,jump ropes of all weights and sizes,kettle dumbells,medicine balls of different sizes and colors,pumped in heavy metal music.Maybe I should have expected this because I know weight lifters gyms have converted to health spas and clubs. The itinerary being comparable. But a boxing gym! And to see women and children going through the exercises. What is the world coming to?

But the purpose was of my visits was to see Adam.At first he seemed to go at it half ass. Half speed meaning half ass. Then I started to notice a change. One day he told me he was in the sparring class. With the adults! Adam,my 13 year old 106 pound mini flyweight afraid to chase the soccer ball Adam, in the adult sparring class. Now granted these people are all beginning,but they are all older than Adam,much bigger,and have made up their minds to hit each other in the head.

So I went down to watch. Before the sparring,the group went through the conditiong workouts lasting an hour. Adam was first to complete his laps,first to to complete his calesthenics,punched the bags hard,skipped rope,shadowed boxed. He was sweating and working and was willing.When it came time to go up into the ring,he asked one of the bigger guys to spar with him.By this time I needed oxygen.

Then came the sparring part. I could see he was relaxed leaning against the ropes ready to be brought into action. Then when told to begin,he shuffled into the middle of the ring,touched gloves,and began moving, relaxed,feet in position ,his hands comfortable,moving his head,countering,leading with the jab,throwing a straight right,catching punches on his arms and slipping them as well. All the time relaxed,no wasted juice ,then when he had to strike ,his movements were catlike. All the time his face was expressionless. I was stunned.

After the training session was over,Adam unrapped his hands and climbed down from the ring.
"You ready abuelito?"
"Sure Adam. You looked pretty good."
"I like going to the gym."
"Not a bad place for a kid to spend time."
"I come five days a week."
"I'll think I'll watch you.It reminds me of old times."
We walked outside to the car.
"You know Adam,I really didn't think you'd take to this."
"This was my idea. I knew I'd like it. I understand things ."
"Well Adam,"I said,"if you can understand things,more power to you."

[dagosd2000]

Jose Legra

[dagosd2000]

Live Boxing

"Roger,did you watch the Super Bowl game?"
"Yes. I just turned it off."
My neighbor from downstairs came up to my apartment wanting to know if I had any ice. He was having a Super Bowl party in his unit. I was invited ,but I was going to be in and out all day.
"Can I borrow some ice?"he asked.
"Who borrows ice? There's some in the freezer,"I said.
"Why don't you come downstairs and watch the locker room interviews?"
"I'm watching boxing now."
"Don't you want to see the Lombardi Trophy?"
"No.I'm sure they'll be talking about the game all week. Besides these fights are live."
"Who's fighting?"
"I don't know."
"Where are they from?"
"Some Indian reservation in Kentucky."
"I didn't know they had Indians in Kentucky."
"There's Indians all over the place.We just don't see them much."
"Let me grab some ice then. I want to see what Lewis has to say."
The first bout was a prelim with both boys making their pro debuts.
"Rog,I've still got plenty of food and beer."
"Thanks,but I'm settled in here. I've was over at my sister's for a while. I took out a tree stump."
"Well I better get going. I don't want to miss what's going on in the locker room."
I didn't catch what he said.
"I don't like that kid's stance in the white. It's too wide,"I said.
"Well if you feel like coming downstairs feel to come by."
"Did you find the ice?"
"I got a bag full."
"Well you better get downstairs or you'll miss the interview with Lewis."

[dagosd2000]

Ike Williams

[Cholo]

Ike Williams

[dagosd2000]

Ike Williams

Thanks Paul.I've been meaning to ask you this. Since you're an avid follower of boxing in the Southland,have you ever read "Boxing In The Los Angeles Area"? It was written by one of our posters,Chuck Johnston. The book contains thumbnail biographies of fighters,promoters,matchmakers,and other figure associated with So Cal boxing. Loaded with photographs,this book is a must for guys like us that post on the thread. PM Chuck and he'll tell you how to get a copy. Rog

[Randyman]

Immediately following the biopsy

Rough Week....

What started as a headache on Saturday April 20, ended up as a short hospital stay and lots of pain. As I was hunkering down and waiting to watch the Austin Trout vs Canelo Alvarez fight I developed a headache or what seemed to be a headache. Took some Motrin and it seemed to help. It never completely went away but it seemed manageable.

It was back by Sunday morning and was getting worse by the minute. As bad as it was I went to work non Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon I had taken all I could take. My wife and I agreed I needed to see a doctor. She tried earlier to get me to go to the doc but I resisted. This time I had enough sense to go.

On Wednesday, April 24, the doctor checked me out but was stumped and sent me to the Whittier Presbyterian Hospital for a CT Scan. At that point the seemed pretty sure it was a sinus virus infection that was causing all my pain. When I say pain I'm talking about the kind of pain that brings a man to his knees. I was skeptical but accepted them at their word. They sent me home to recover.

That same day day it got increasingly worse and by Friday it was unbearable. I returned to the Hospital and was admitted a s a patient. An MRI was done. Again, as with the CT Scan, they were looking for a possible tumor, clot, bleeding, hemorrhaging, whatever.

While it was accurately determined that I did have a serious sinus virus, they were not 100% certain that was the cause of my pain. I was told that I had Temporal Arteritis – inflammation of the blood vessels- and that was the cause of my pain. In reality they were still unsure, they were going to treat it as if it were the case. I'm on several meds including steroids which puts me at some risk since I am diabetic.

Saturday I was told I was going to have a biopsy in hopes of finding the source of my problem. That was done and I will be getting the results during the week. I was sent home yesterday and at least in my mind, I'm still unclear about what the problem is.

So that is where I am right now. I feel okay as long as I take my pain medications. I'm hoping to be back at work next Monday and get back to business as usual.

[Randyman]

Just Like Old Times

Maybe it don't come to me that quickly anymore. I don't understand it right away. My grandson,Adam,started going to the gym three months ago to learn how to box. If you were to tell this me back then this news I wouldn't be writing this because I would have dropped over from a heart attack. This was his idea. The same kid, who was on the youth soccer teaandwas afraid to chase after the ball with the other kids.

Around a month ago I went to this gym to watch my grandson. It's the gym were Tiger Smalls works at and trains his son,Prince. Now I used to go to boxing gyms around San Diego when I was a lot younger. They were like the old weight lifting gyms. Basic,Spartenly outfitted. Sweat and toil.A place for the serious,and not to mention,all for men.

Now I know that women have taken up the contact sports.but I've never seen the places were they train. They're the same places that the men workout. When I entered the gym were Adam was enrolled,it was like my first trip to Fantasyland. Mirrors,lights,heavy bags and speedbags all over the place.machines,two boxing rings,wrestling mats,weights,a locker room that would put a country club to shame,an array of health products for sale,jump ropes of all weights and sizes,kettle dumbells,medicine balls of different sizes and colors,pumped in heavy metal music.Maybe I should have expected this because I know weight lifters gyms have converted to health spas and clubs. The itinerary being comparable. But a boxing gym! And to see women and children going through the exercises. What is the world coming to?

But the purpose was of my visits was to see Adam.At first he seemed to go at it half ass. Half speed meaning half ass. Then I started to notice a change. One day he told me he was in the sparring class. With the adults! Adam,my 13 year old 106 pound mini flyweight afraid to chase the soccer ball Adam, in the adult sparring class. Now granted these people are all beginning,but they are all older than Adam,much bigger,and have made up their minds to hit each other in the head.

So I went down to watch. Before the sparring,the group went through the conditiong workouts lasting an hour. Adam was first to complete his laps,first to to complete his calesthenics,punched the bags hard,skipped rope,shadowed boxed. He was sweating and working and was willing.When it came time to go up into the ring,he asked one of the bigger guys to spar with him.By this time I needed oxygen.

Then came the sparring part. I could see he was relaxed leaning against the ropes ready to be brought into action. Then when told to begin,he shuffled into the middle of the ring,touched gloves,and began moving, relaxed,feet in position ,his hands comfortable,moving his head,countering,leading with the jab,throwing a straight right,catching punches on his arms and slipping them as well. All the time relaxed,no wasted juice ,then when he had to strike ,his movements were catlike. All the time his face was expressionless. I was stunned.

After the training session was over,Adam unrapped his hands and climbed down from the ring.
"You ready abuelito?"
"Sure Adam. You looked pretty good."
"I like going to the gym."
"Not a bad place for a kid to spend time."
"I come five days a week."
"I'll think I'll watch you.It reminds me of old times."
We walked outside to the car.
"You know Adam,I really didn't think you'd take to this."
"This was my idea. I knew I'd like it. I understand things ."
"Well Adam,"I said,"if you can understand things,more power to you."

Great story Rog! best of luck to your grandson!

[Randyman]

Portrait of Emile Griffith which I presented to him at the WBHOF.

My history with Emile Griffith . . .

Thanks for the update, Charley. I met him in 1972, when we shared a dressing room at the Anaheim Convention Center, the night he fought our pal, Armando Muniz. I arrived a bit late, due to "traffic," and when I arrived and found my way into the dressing room area, I see my manager Mel Epstein standing outside the door to one of the dressing rooms. The old man was fuming. "Where the hell you been?" he barked. On the door a card was taped with names "Emile Griffith - Ricky Farris". I was going to share a room with the champ! Gil Clancey was there, Howie Albert, a couple others I did not recognize. Griffith was sitting on a fold up chair, talking with one of his crew. He was one of my idols, and he was in town for a big event, and we'd share the same room. I could see he was balding, well into his 30's. After holding the undisputed welter title three times, he twice held the middleweight title, defeating both Dick Tiger and Benvenuti. He nodded at me, a big smile on his face, and I just dropped my equipment bag and walked to him, my hand extended. "My name is Rick, nice to meet you champ," I said. He acknowledged me, asked about my fight, wished me luck. After that moment, it didn't matter whether I won or lost my fight, I was ahead of the game in my mind. It's a good thing too, because I lost a dull crowd chaser that night. Armando Muniz also lost that night, to a great boxing legend. A few years ago, as our Boxrec crew of Rog, Brian, Dan & Pop, Randy and myself, all were having a beer after the '08 WBHOF event, Emile entered the room with Luis. They had copies of his book for sale, so I purchased one, and the champ signed it. He would never be able to remember me, and i could never forget him. I just said, "Thanks champ." God bless him.

Great! Thanks for sharing that. Yes, God Bless Him!

[dagosd2000]

Immediately following the biopsy

Rough Week....

What started as a headache on Saturday April 20, ended up as a short hospital stay and lots of pain. As I was hunkering down and waiting to watch the Austin Trout vs Canelo Alvarez fight I developed a headache or what seemed to be a headache. Took some Motrin and it seemed to help. It never completely went away but it seemed manageable.

It was back by Sunday morning and was getting worse by the minute. As bad as it was I went to work non Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon I had taken all I could take. My wife and I agreed I needed to see a doctor. She tried earlier to get me to go to the doc but I resisted. This time I had enough sense to go.

On Wednesday, April 24, the doctor checked me out but was stumped and sent me to the Whittier Presbyterian Hospital for a CT Scan. At that point the seemed pretty sure it was a sinus virus infection that was causing all my pain. When I say pain I'm talking about the kind of pain that brings a man to his knees. I was skeptical but accepted them at their word. They sent me home to recover.

That same day day it got increasingly worse and by Friday it was unbearable. I returned to the Hospital and was admitted a s a patient. An MRI was done. Again, as with the CT Scan, they were looking for a possible tumor, clot, bleeding, hemorrhaging, whatever.

While it was accurately determined that I did have a serious sinus virus, they were not 100% certain that was the cause of my pain. I was told that I had Temporal Arteritis – inflammation of the blood vessels- and that was the cause of my pain. In reality they were still unsure, they were going to treat it as if it were the case. I'm on several meds including steroids which puts me at some risk since I am diabetic.

Saturday I was told I was going to have a biopsy in hopes of finding the source of my problem. That was done and I will be getting the results during the week. I was sent home yesterday and at least in my mind, I'm still unclear about what the problem is.

So that is where I am right now. I feel okay as long as I take my pain medications. I'm hoping to be back at work next Monday and get back to business as usual.

Randy,take care of yourself pal.How many more years you got until you retire? I know ,by talking to Jeri,she wants you to throw in the towel. You've paid your dues. You and Ed. Thanks for the comment on my grandson. I know you lost a grandson. He's in heaven. I know you're out there on the internet,but I'm confined here because I'm a computer moron. Are you getting my pictures of the fighters? Great hearing from you pal. Get well soon. Maria and me say "Hi" to Jeri and everyone else in the family. Rog

[dagosd2000]

Dames

I had lunch with a buddy that I used to play football in high school. He was real good. Got drafted into the Army after high school and served his hitch in Panama. Came back out and we played together at San Diego City College. We had a great team. At one time we were ranked #1 in the nation. Those were the times when college freshmen couldn't play on the varsity squads in Divsion I college so most of the promising talent went JC's. O.J. Simpsom was an example. So was my friend,Greg.

Greg went 6 three around 240 pounds lean and mean. He moved his body like an acrobat. He played "I" back,but his specialty was linebacker. He was all everthing at City College and had offers from every big school in the nation. But he had his heart set on USC and that's were he landed along with O.J. I watched him play against Notre Dame in South Bend. USC won and Greg got the game ball. He made some All America teams and from there went to the Oakland Raiders.Us guys went up to see him play at the Coliseum against the Rams in an exhibition game. He was starting as a rookie and intercepted a couple of passes. The man was definitely ahead of the power curve. Then came the play that started the fall. Making a tackle on the sideline,Greg blew his knee. There wasn't the scopes and all that arthroscopy like there is today. Greg was finished as a pro. He wound up playing on a sand lot team with me later.
"So Greg old pal,what brings you down to San Diego?"I said to him over a chili dog with fries. Greg had ordered a salad.
"I'm seeing some doctors at UCSD about my heart. I was at UCLA Med Center last week. I'm getting a second opinion down here."
"What's wrong?"
"They say I have the heart of a 80 year old man. They say it's enlarged. I can't get the blood through."
"You've put on some weight,but we all have," I said.
"I'm swelled up with water."
"You're tough. You'll be OK."
"I was tough,but not anymore. Between all the S--t I put in my body and all the women I tried to hag on to,I really screwed myself up."
"You'll pull through."
Greg poked at his salad.
"I'm on the list for a heart transplant."
I didn't feel like chowing down on the chili dog.
"It was my four marriages that led to all the other stuff,"he said.
"I didn't know it was four times. I knew you were married to Sylvia when we played together."
"That was a wash. When I blew the knee she blew me off."
"Are you married now?"
"Yes,to a real nice gal. I should have found her in the beginning."
"Well,that's great. Congratulations."
"Rog,last month she was diagnosed with breast cancer."
"I'm sorry".
I pushed my food away.
"Just when I find the right one.Now we're both sick."
"Everything will work out. They have some pretty good docs out there."
The waitress came over with the tab. I grabbed it.
"Rog,I don't know how it is with you,but now at my age the shape that I'm in, all I get are these emails for Viagra."

[dagosd2000]

Jack Blackburn

[CNorkusJr]

Randy- You are in my thoughts and prayers till they figure this thing out. Though not ruling out anything at this point-at least with the CT and MRI they dont see anything definitive like a tumor right now. I never thought I'd be wishing a serious sinus problem on someone, on hoping it is that over any other alternatives.
Always, your friend, Charlie & Roseann Norkus Jr.

[El Gallo]

Rick ,I remember you telling me about that episode Griffith had with Chuvalo.Hemingway wrote a short story called"The Battler".It was about an ex fighter suffering the affects of dementia. The fighter in the story alluded to Ad Wolgast. I know you'd love it. Rog

Roger, I need to read thatstory. Ad Wolgast is a boxer whom I became fascinated with when I was a kid. Boxing World wrote a very detailed, intimate account of Ad Wolgast, I began to read things I'd come across on Wolgast, amazing. At one point, he was run over by a street car in downtown LA. In the hospital the doctor asked him why he was running down the middle the dtreet. Wolgast said, "Im doing roadwork for the Battling Nelson fight and I'm beat the sonofabitch!" He was training for a fight thathe'd had ten years previous. But Hemmingway on a Wolgast type charactor is something I will make a point to locate this week.

[El Gallo]

Randy - I also want you to know that Monica and are praying for a speedy recovery for you.
I know it's been a tough year for you. You aways just remain the cool fighter that you are.
That's why you are a Hall of Famer! Bless you friend.

[scartissue]

Damn it, Randy, I'm pulling for you here in the midwest, amigo. Speedy recovery.

[dagosd2000]

Down Time

"Abuelito,they've moved the sparring class back a hour. After the conditioning class I'll have a hour of down time,"said my grandson.
"Adam,that can be a blessing in disgiuse."
"How do you mean?"
"Well let's go to the Chinese place next door and I'll buy you a boba."
Next to the gym is a Chinese bakery that sells drinks and pastries. Adam ordered a boba. I ordered coffee. We went outside and sat at a table.
"Adam,when I was coaching football,I'd arrange for the team to watch a few Charger practices."
"Why did you do that?"
"Well part of it was because,I'd always pick up a couple of new things,but it was mostly for the kids."
"Did they like going?"
"Yeah.At first I don't think they knew what I wanted them to focus on. But I'd send the receivers over to where the receivers were practicing. The QBs over to watch the QBs and so forth. I brought the O Line to watch the offensive linemen."
"I bet they learned."
"Of course. They were watching pro athletes and pro coaching. They were understanding the finer points. Also getting a view of intensity."
"I think I understand."
"So what I'm trying to get across is in that a hour between classes you can watch and learn. Watch Tiger's son train. Ask questions. Work on things that you can refine. Skipping rope. Shadow boxing. Do more ab work.Get the hang of the speed bag. They like you in there Adam. You're the youngest kid in the adult class."
"I've made more friends in the gym than at school."
"They're older than you and treat you like one of them. That will pay off."
Adam sipped the last of his drink.
"Abuelito,will you wait for me until the sparring class is over?I want to go back to the gym and watch the big guys spar."

[dagosd2000]

Beau Jack

[Cholo]

Ike Williams

Thanks Paul.I've been meaning to ask you this. Since you're an avid follower of boxing in the Southland,have you ever read "Boxing In The Los Angeles Area"? It was written by one of our posters,Chuck Johnston. The book contains thumbnail biographies of fighters,promoters,matchmakers,and other figure associated with So Cal boxing. Loaded with photographs,this book is a must for guys like us that post on the thread. PM Chuck and he'll tell you how to get a copy. Rog

Yes Rog, I have the book, excellent read. I'm hoping one of these days somebody will write a book on the colorful Golden Boy Art Aragon, now that would something..

[dagosd2000]

Know When To Fold Them

"Adam,remember we're going to the Padre game Sunday,"I mentioned to my grandson as we drove home from the gym.
"I didn't forget. I hear they're going to have an Old Timer game. What's that?"
"That's when they bring together former players to play in a baseball game."
"Is it for real?"
"It's for fun."
"That should be good,"he said.
"To be honest, I don't like watching Old Timers' Games."
"Why?",asked Adam.
"I remember those guys in their prime. I don't get any satisfaction watching old men hobble around."
"I see."
"I remember watching Willie Mays in an Old Timer Game once.For me it was hard to watch."
"Abuelito. I noticed on that list of fights of Jose Napoles you wanted me to watch on Youtube,you left off the fight he had with John Stracey."
"I know .I did that on purpose."
"Why's that?"
"I wanted you to watch Jose Napoles in his prime.When he was beautiful to see. He was poetry in motion so to speak."
"Did he lose against John Stracey?"
"He came apart at the seams,literally."
"Why?"
"He fought too long. He thought he could get by looking at film and not going to the gym. Besides ,he was an old fighter. Stracey was strong and hungry."
"I won't watch that then. I wouldn't learn anything."
"The only thing you'll learn is to know when to fold your hand when you're holding nothing.Bluffing doesn't work in boxing."

[dagosd2000]

"Mantequilla" Napoles

[Randyman]

Immediately following the biopsy

Rough Week....

What started as a headache on Saturday April 20, ended up as a short hospital stay and lots of pain. As I was hunkering down and waiting to watch the Austin Trout vs Canelo Alvarez fight I developed a headache or what seemed to be a headache. Took some Motrin and it seemed to help. It never completely went away but it seemed manageable.

It was back by Sunday morning and was getting worse by the minute. As bad as it was I went to work non Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon I had taken all I could take. My wife and I agreed I needed to see a doctor. She tried earlier to get me to go to the doc but I resisted. This time I had enough sense to go.

On Wednesday, April 24, the doctor checked me out but was stumped and sent me to the Whittier Presbyterian Hospital for a CT Scan. At that point the seemed pretty sure it was a sinus virus infection that was causing all my pain. When I say pain I'm talking about the kind of pain that brings a man to his knees. I was skeptical but accepted them at their word. They sent me home to recover.

That same day day it got increasingly worse and by Friday it was unbearable. I returned to the Hospital and was admitted a s a patient. An MRI was done. Again, as with the CT Scan, they were looking for a possible tumor, clot, bleeding, hemorrhaging, whatever.

While it was accurately determined that I did have a serious sinus virus, they were not 100% certain that was the cause of my pain. I was told that I had Temporal Arteritis – inflammation of the blood vessels- and that was the cause of my pain. In reality they were still unsure, they were going to treat it as if it were the case. I'm on several meds including steroids which puts me at some risk since I am diabetic.

Saturday I was told I was going to have a biopsy in hopes of finding the source of my problem. That was done and I will be getting the results during the week. I was sent home yesterday and at least in my mind, I'm still unclear about what the problem is.

So that is where I am right now. I feel okay as long as I take my pain medications. I'm hoping to be back at work next Monday and get back to business as usual.

Randy,take care of yourself pal.How many more years you got until you retire? I know ,by talking to Jeri,she wants you to throw in the towel. You've paid your dues. You and Ed. Thanks for the comment on my grandson. I know you lost a grandson. He's in heaven. I know you're out there on the internet,but I'm confined here because I'm a computer moron. Are you getting my pictures of the fighters? Great hearing from you pal. Get well soon. Maria and me say "Hi" to Jeri and everyone else in the family. Rog

Rog, yes, Jeri and the kids want me to hang it up. In about a year and a 1/2 or 2 years I'll be ready. Seems like i've worked my entire life. It's a big step. Ed retied last year. He's doing good. I'm getting the pictures Rog, great stuff. Good to see you on a roll again, with your art as well as your writing. They compliment each other. I have not had a chance to upload them onto the webpage but I'll take some time soon to do that.

Thanks for thinking of my grandson, Nathan. Yes, we miss him and always think about what might have been! -randy