Returnin to Rain / Marsha

The weather seems to be turning back to rain. This weekend is a regatta on the Black Warrior River sponsored by the collegiate men’s team. Our masters rowing coach Alison has worked so hard to bring this all together. If the expected five inches of rain materialize the river may be too high and fast to row Saturday, even if the rains abate.

Pulling something like this off requires a lot of manpower. Because of health regulations we can’t serve food cooked on site. I was originally assigned to help cooking burgers etc. Now, I’ll be working announcements! This will be a VERY laid back event so I’m not too worried. I’m trying to get a few jokes together to lighten things up a bit. I’ve attended too many events where the speaker would lose the audience by just rambling and being boring.

My boating joke will be: We just got a new boat for the club. Ted wanted to rename it “the Girdle” because it takes a lot of tugs to get it into it’s slip!!!!

There are usually a lot of professionals in attendance at these functions. My doctor joke is: What is the difference between a doctor and a bartender? A bartender gives you a shot in a glass.

On a sad note: I received an e-mail from Linda back in Lockport, informing me of the death of an old friend, Marsha. Marsha and I grew up in the same neighborhood. My most vivid memory of Marsha was back when she was out for me. I was hiding out of sight behind the chimney of the house. My dad was in the front yard;

Marsha: Mr. B------ where’s Jamie at?

Dad: I don’t know Marsha, why?

Marsha: (Saying this as she was shaking her fist!) When I get my hands on him, I’m gonna POUND him!!!

Dad: Oh, no Marsha, don’t do that!!!!

My family laughed over that incident for many years. For the life of me, I can’t remember now I did to incur Marsha’s wrath! She was such a good person. As life progresses we lose track of people over the years. Sadly, Marsha and I rarely connected after graduating High School. I like to think that by sharing these stories they will serve as a record of those who had an influence on my life…..