Curmudgeon re-dux!

     One of the blessings of being a retired adult is the freedom to vote with one's body. These days seldom am I a place where I don't want to be. Let me give a couple of illustrations.

   The first example is men's coffee at the OFH. The convener of this weekly gathering invited me to participate. Accepting this invitation I was anticipating a setting with two to four persons around small tables engaging in conversation. Was I wrong! Rather it was a group of about 12-15 sitting in a circle with a single conversation. After enduring an hour of one person talking about all of the volunteer opportunities at St. Paul Saints baseball game I felt "Excuse me but I'm going to go have a root canal." Exercising my adult franchise I never returned. That decision was reinforced when two friends discussed, in my hearing, John's hour long lecture at coffee hour of mathematics on Pi-Day. 

   Twice a week there is an late afternoon happy hour in the club room of the OFH. In my naiveté I envisioned conversation with a person or two at the room's small tables. Entering the room I found about 20 persons in a large circle. Ever hopeful, but dumb, I seated myself at one of the small tables hoping a person would join me. All conversation stopped as they all focused their attention on me with the intention of insisting that I join the big group. Even I couldn't resist that pressure and as soon as I did the loudest person continued his monologue, actually harangue, until the time was up. Of course I've never gone back. 

   With these two experiences in mind I apprehensively attended a meeting of the twice monthly veteran's group.  Surprise, there were about six persons seated by a round table and actual conversation ensued! Yes, now I attend regularly. There's a wide variety of experiences. Bill's a retired NASA scientist with a PHD from MIT. When he talks about his work on the Apollo Space Program we're all in wrapped attention. Theresa is the other Marine and we discovered her Marine husband had been on the same aircraft carrier that I was. My body votes to attend.

Takk for alt,

Al

These fascinating, small, reconnaissance helicopters with two top rotors were aboard ship. I've been unable to learn anything about them online. Nor, was I able to find one in the Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio.