Tag Archive for 'friends'

Michelin Man

Published
by
Phil
on /2008/December/15/
in life
. 4 Comments

Michelin Man, originally uploaded by me.

Recently, I had occasion to celebrate another year of birth on the planet. A very good friend presented me with a framed poster that I am really quite fond of. It is an early advertisement featuring the Michelin Man.

After receiving it, I did a little research on the subject. The sign on the Michelin man’s back, loosely translated, says “The best and the least expensive.” The cigar was actually part of the Michelin man’s trademark at the time. Evidently, the Michelin man’s “name” is Bibendum, and he was introduced in 1898. The same artist who created him did this poster, sometime around 1910. His name is Marius Rossillon, but he used the name “O’Galop.” The Michelin man is said to be the world’s oldest trademark, and is of course still being used today.

This is a truly fascinating piece of history to me…and quite a frightening and intriguing figure! It’s a wonderful present, which I absolutely love. I found a spot for it right above the mantel.

Remembering Nelson

Published
by
Phil
on /2008/January/12/
in life
. 0 Comments

Nelson passed away today, January 12, 2008. He was not mine, but a very much loved dog of two very good friends of mine. I had the pleasure of taking care of Nelson and his brothers when my friends would go out of town. He became a friend, and it was my privilege to see to him those few times.

A few years back, I painted this picture. But it doesn’t really do him justice. There are photos of him here, here, and here.

This is a poem that his “mom” Linda wrote today:

Nelson

You were the perfect dog
That no one wanted
How fortunate, for us
With stringy ears, spotted tongue
And a quirky grin, we called
You ‘thumper,’ for the sound of your tail
Beating on the floor for our attention.

With the gentlest soul
You never begged, jumped,
Destroyed anything, or barked without reason
In your timid way,
You quivered through thunderstorms
And skulked away from the camera
That you feared so much.
We joked that maybe you feared
Our photos would steal your soul.

But there were those other times
When you enjoyed life
With reckless abandon
Head out the car window, snorting,
Fur blowing in the breeze.
Drinking water enthusiastically,
Letting it pour out the sides
Of your mouth when you
Lifted your head.

How terrible to find that
Someone once hurt you,
Filled your body with buckshot
Before you became ours.
Hopefully, from the moment
We laid eyes on you,
You knew those days were over
You knew you’d be fed, held,
Touched, walked, and loved so fully
Until that last moment, that moment today
When your life slipped peacefully
Away from us, into sleep.

A different kind of race

Published
by
Phil
on /2008/January/9/
in Running and life
. 0 Comments

On October 13, 2007, I participated in a running event, the first race since I started running again, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Louisville, KY. It was a 5K, and I ran pretty well for a guy who just three months before was huffing and puffing at 267 pounds. It was a beautiful day, and it felt great to not only be out there running, but running for such a wonderful cause. A few of my friends and I were on a team that participated in honor of a woman named Teresa, a friend of a friend, who is battling cancer. And we were also running for everyone who has ever faced and will ever have to contend with that same challenge. I did not know it then, but I was also running that day for a very dear, very wonderful friend of mine.

She and I worked together a long time ago, and we became close from that point on. She moved away to go to college, met a great guy, got married, had two wonderful children, and after that we sort of lost touch. Life takes us all our separate ways. But a couple of years ago, I was able to reconnect, and we have been touching base since then. Last night, I heard from her. Around the exact same time I was running the Komen, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy but they found more, and since then, she has undergone more surgery, and will be taking some chemotherapy treatments, to ensure a full recovery. The prognosis for her is good, but when I found out, it was a shock. She has good doctors, great family support, and a wonderful positive attitude. I know in my heart and soul she will be fine, and her life will continue to be blessed.

Today, in honor of her, I ordered some pink wrist bands from the Susan G. Komen site to wear. I had been wearing a yellow LIVESTRONG band, and now, I will wear pink.

D, if you are reading this, please know that I care, and like so many others you know and have touched, I will be sending you great vibes from miles away. And when I run the Komen later this year, and every year, from now until the time I can no longer take one more step on the planet, I will be running it for you.

Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve

Published
by
Phil
on /2008/January/6/
in photography
. 0 Comments

Reflections, originally uploaded by me.

Today my friend Linda and I took a quick trip to the Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, a wonderful little spot in Oldham County, KY.  It was an overcast day but it was very mild and quite pleasant for this time of year.  Linda and I swapped cameras for the fun of it and she and I took some photos, which I posted on flickr.  We ended the day having lunch at California Pizza Kitchen.  Nothing like a nice day walking in nature with a good friend, and finishing it off with some good food.  Later on, we each had a drink called the Promised Land, which was a first for me.  It’s a concoction made with Baileys Irish Cream and Barenjager.  Zowie!  That was nice!