Gifts

 Gifts

Noel Laflin

6-27-23

After a close friend of mine died two summers ago, his brother bequeathed me several of his personal belongings, including his Scout merit badge sash.

Fred had all 21 required badges for Eagle Scout, which he became in the mid 1960's, with four to spare, judging by the final count here.

Scouting is where we met back then, and where we formed the most lasting of friendships even long after our youthful years in the mountains together were but mere memories.

The sash remains a treasured gift.

Independence Day

 

Independence Day

Noel Laflin

July 4th, 2023

Thirty-three years ago today, I called a boss I could not stomach regarding a job that was turning my stomach even more so. I was in a tough spot both mentally and physically and knew that staying where I was with this outfit was bad news.

So, when she answered the phone, I took a deep breath and said, "We both know this isn't working out. And since it is Independence Day, I quit."

And wouldn't you know it,  physical health returned, my mind settled down, and life worked out just fine.

Slow, Slow, Quick-Quick

 

Slow, Slow, Quick-Quick

Noel Laflin

7-4-23

I have friends that have taken on Face book aliases for various reasons. One informed me today by saying, "Hey, Noel, it's me, Bob. I am just masquerading as Barbara since someone highjacked my real account."

I congratulated him on the disguise, which reminds me of the time a seven-foot tall Baloo the bear hugged me as I left a restaurant in Disneyland years ago and whispered from behind the screened face, "Hey, Noel, it's me, Tommy, from Floyd's!" Floyd's was a gay country western dance bar back in the day. I had two-stepped with Tommy on several occasions and always found him to be quite fun to be around, not to mention a good dancer.

Then tall Baloo wandered off to silently resume his non-speaking Jungle Book role to the delight of a group of giggling four year old girls.

And I could swear he was performing a slow, slow, quick-quick dance move as he danced out of the restaurant a moment later.

 

Note of Compassion

 

Note of Compassion

Noel Laflin

6-30-23

 

Sometimes, when you wonder if you had been of any practical help to folks from your past (in this case, pairing my many years in sales with a young kid just getting started in the field), you get an unexpected note from that former youngster and suddenly you break out in a big smile:

"Just so you know, I often talk about my mentor in sales and how his abilities and mentality came from a place of compassion rather than winning."

 

Maybe that's why we won so often when we teamed up together.

 

I have since left that all behind me, but am pleased to know that compassion still thrives and will be passed along down the starting line like a firmly held baton in a long distance race.

 

Hearing

 

Hearing

Noel Laflin

 

 

6-18-23

 

Despite a sinus infection that decided to take up residency in my ear canals earlier this week and render sound ever so far away, it's been a grand Father's Day.

 

There's been a fine meal already, with another yet to come, a discovery of a hummingbird nest, warm phone calls with family, and even though Krysten works today, we do have tomorrow by which to meet up and enjoy a meal together with David.

 

And I am glad that I recall a bit of sign language as it allows me to talk to myself. It doesn't help much communicating with others around me currently, so when they speak, I just smile, nod affably, and hope I don't appear snobbish for not joining in the conversation.

 

And as for tomorrow, well, we've got a doctor as a lunch companion to help with the inner ear situation, if needed. And if the hearing problem still persists, we're going to see just how much of her ASL skills Krysten still retains. It's only been since her freshman year in high school, so no problem!

 

 

7-1-23

 

It's good to hear again more clearly, so let's eat!

 

The sinus infection that led to the constant white noise in my noggin three weeks ago has departed and normal sound has returned - for the most part. And it's getting better every day too.

 

I suddenly noticed the click of the medicine cabinet when it closed yesterday, along with other everyday sounds, like the rustle of fabric, the sound of water coming from the garden fountains, finches chipping, the soft clink of my belt buckle, songs on the car radio.

 

I am not asking David to speak up now either, which is a relief to him as well, no doubt.

 

I am not advocating the loss of senses, obviously, but when one does (albeit temporarily) and it eventually does return like the prodigal son down on his luck, well, I can see why all is forgiven and the fatted calf is served in celebration.

 

We settled for hamburgers, but close enough.

 

In the Library

In the Library

Noel Laflin

4-3-23

When my father used to head off to the bathroom with a newspaper, magazine, or paperback in hand, he would always announce that he'd be in the library.

If you ever need the WC, or a book, at our house, chose the upstairs powder room and open the wooden doors built into the wall (they stand just a few feet from your feet) that hides a crude ladder one can use to climb up to the trap door in the attic where the furnace resides.

As we always use a regular ladder for such occasional inspections, the hidden wooden steps behind the door were always wasted space - until they were filled with reading material.

My dad would feel right at home in our upstairs, easy-to-reach-a-book mini library, which also provides a handy commode.

Oversleeping with Old Glory

Oversleeping with Old Glory

Noel Laflin

4-2-23

I am seeing posts for the musical 1776 coming to the Ahmanson Theater.

When I was in eighth grade, I was in a junior high school theatrical production involving several diverse themes, the last number being a patriotic one - the one where everyone comes marching across the stage singing and and waving American flags.

Our night on stage was filled with a variety of one acts. Some were humorous, others quite serious, and the last, well, over the top patriotic. And in order to get the patriotism right, we needed a lot of flags for our final act.

Consequently, on the afternoon of the one-night performance, Jack Schlatter, our fearless leader, used his master key and opened twenty empty classroom doors, instructing his minions to run in, grab the obligatory American flag in each room and bring it to the show, which we dutifully did. He said that the flags would be returned before the opening bell on Monday.

The show ended on a high note with all that color on stage.

Teachers directing students to rise and say the pledge of allegiance the following Monday, were a bit perplexed as to where the usual red, white and blue in the corner had mysteriously absconded.

But I bet Jack’s apartment, where the man overslept that morning, was pretty colorful.

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