Saturday, July 28, 2018

Less processions........




As is with all things, the funeral business continues to change, year to year.

When was the last time you saw a funeral procession on the road? A lead car,
followed by the hearse, then family cars, all with lights ablaze, sometimes
with blinkers on, and many times with orange or purple funeral flags displayed.

You probably haven't seen as many as you used to....the fact of the matter is, fewer
and fewer families now choose not to go to the cemetery to make a burial... whether
it be a casket, or urn with cremains.

Many families are telling the undertaker just to go ahead and make burial after
the funeral, then they will visit the grave the next day. 

Grave sites can be traumatic...depending on the nature of the death, weather
conditions, distance from the funeral home, etc.  And a lot of people just
don't wish to go there anymore. 

It's another part of the changing scene of today's modern funeral... at least
in the U.S.   Many European countries wouldn't think of making such a change...
going to the cemetery is part of the 'acceptance of death' if you will...and the
death ritual isn't completed until the body is in the ground.

And with more and more people choosing cremation as the years pass...fewer
and fewer will want to make that final drive to a cemetery for burial.

I'm old school. I think those that choose not to go are cheating themselves of
an important part of saying goodbye to that loved one. I was there for the
burial of my grandfather, and for my father and mother. In fact, in the
last two I actually stayed to make sure the vault cover was on securely over
the casket before the grave was closed. Satisfaction. Peace. Farewell.

So if you wonder whey you don't see that stream of headlights coming at you
as often as you used to....just remember... it's part of our new ways of
dealing with the whole subject.

Change. It's inevitable in all things, but it's not always for the better.

SS

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Time machines.....





I've been a bit remiss in my postings here, with really no good excuse...but
rather a few flimsy ones...so I apologize....

My father always said the older you get, the faster the time goes by.. and he
was right for sure.

I couldn't help but wonder about how we check our time every day...my
grandfather and his before him probably had the old pocket watch on the
gold chain.. the type the railroad guys used to use...guess probably if you
are in the watch repair business you don't have much work these days....

I'm not even sure many guys even wear a wrist watch anymore...I have one but
it's just for habit.. although I can tell the time every day by just kind of
putting a hand or an arm in the air...to sense the time if you will.. and
I'm usually pretty darn close. That's a bit spooky itself I must admit.

How far we've come in a few decades...pocket watches to flip phones to
new gizmos that seem to come out monthly.

Next thing coming? Maybe a chip in your hand or arm that will give a
little 'buzz' at the top of the hour....now that's creepy, but maybe not too
far fetched. I'm kind of glad I won't be around for that one.

So, I guess the thought for the day is....don't let the day or week slip by
you without taking some notice....the tick of the clock is still the same..
60 beats to the minute.. whether it's mechanical or digital... it's all the
same.

Stay well friends, thanks for stopping. 


Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Solitude....





It's what every writer wants....demands......dreams about.  With nothing
but yourself and the keyboard in front of you that will respond with every
key stroke that you command.

As I sit near Loon Lake writing as of late I've felt a little like Jack from
that terrific movie The Shining.

There he was with his wife and son, pretty much stranded at the Overlook
Hotel for the winter. Their jobs? Do some daily look-sees to make sure
things are on the up and up.... relax...sleep, eat, and for Jack....hours to
sit at his typewriter and try to pound out some writing.

Writers are kind of a strange bunch. Look at Stephen King, he is far
from being 'normal' ....Alfred Hitchcock was the same...rather odd but
most definitely talented in creating a story.

And my favorite, Rod Serling. A guy way before his time..and his stories
now seem more popular than ever. How much more would he have
created if he had not died so young.

Well, no snow here at Loon Lake, yet. LOL. This will be my Overlook
I think when the seasons flip and the weather will not be fit for man
nor beast as my father used to say.

Unlike Jack, I won't have to worry about a supply of typewriter ribbons...
just have to have a good supply of discs for back up ..and hope the
power will keep the key board and the monitor humming.

Thanks for stopping by to see me. SS




Monday, July 16, 2018

Wayland Paranormal...





A few weeks ago I by chance met up with Tim from the Wayland Paranormal
group....being just six miles from our place on Loon Lake, I was able to have
coffee with he and Jennifer over the weekend.

Meeting Jennifer and Tim from Wayland Paranormal was a real treat for me.

They have been in business quite a few years now and go out and do investigations
of places that have had 'unusual' sightings, sounds, etc.  They had some very
interesting stories they related to me... although I seemed to do most of the
talking; about the funeral industry, my experiences, and of course the book
Undertakings of an Undertaker.

I found Jennifer and Tim to be very normal, down to earth, genuine people.

They aren't like the people you see on national television....they are not
aggressive, dont' have a lot of 'hype' as I call it... and if I had a paranormal
situation I wanted to investigate I would surely call them first.

They don't advertise, they get their 'calls' by word of mouth and from
repeat customers...and that says a lot about their demeanor.

I think I've found two new friends. 

The investigation of the paranormal is just another chapter in the
death care industry. There is a place for the things they do...it is too
bad that a lot of people shun their activities, but, that's the way some
people are I guess.

So if you think you ever might be in need of their services, Google them
and get in touch with Jennifer and Tim.

The paranormal.... a subject that I'm now a little more familiar with,
and I thank them for the opportunity to share their experiences.











Friday, July 13, 2018

You Tubing from the UK...



Friday the 13th unlucky? I think not....moments ago I received notice from
my UK undertaker friend Peter Abraham pictured here that he has posted
on Youtube a review of my book....
and I was totally humbled by it. I can't thank him enough. UK readers
and sales grow monthly because of his efforts

He will most definitely have one of the first copies of Tales Unleashed
when it hits the stands!

You can copy and paste the link here to listen to his review and see him
on Facebook...again, thank you Peter

the link is:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1475895652523834/


Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Discovering Dr. John; finish








Over the weekend I posted part of this story..in case you missed it,  you can
scroll down and take a look.

This is the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say on the radio...geez...
what a broadcaster he was!

Anyway, this story is one of 28 which will appear in my new short story
book Tales Unleashed coming out before too long. You might want to
share this blog with your friends and family... I know that you will all
enjoy the new book, it is on the heels of Undertakings of an Undertaker...

Now...the finish of Dr. John; 


After a brief rest, Chad reached for the key in the ignition and tugged it slightly . . . and to his surprise the key slid out. He tucked it into his right jeans pocket. Jumping out of the front seat, Chad pushed the door firmly, but the door was inches from exacting a firm closure. Chad noticed some type of faint lettering on the door and started rubbing off the years of dirt and grime that masked it. Within a couple of minutes, Chad backed away from the door and read,
Dr. John Sullivan
Dispenser of Fine Medicine
Main St. Alloway
Wow. A medical car, used, abandoned and placed here for its final rest.
Chad touched the door and whispered in a faint breath that only a passing robin might have heard, “I’m going to carry on your work Dr. John. Thank you for the healing you did. Your key will be in my pocket until I start my own work someday. Thank you.”
Chad grabbed his backpack and headed for home, contemplating whether he should share the discovery with is mom. Maybe tomorrow . . . but not today. Chad knew that he would re-visit the car in the weeks ahead, and that Dr. John might speak to him about what his future chosen profession might bring.
And so a few years later, Chad with his interest in science and math, did indeed enter the medical profession. By way of the U.S. Army, Chad received his training and spent almost twelve years in service to his country and his fellow countrymen as a highly skilled nurse. During his time away, his mom did pass away, and Chad kept the house, renting it to local folks who could watch after it while he was away.
One week while home on leave, Chad revisited Dr. John’s medical vehicle which hadn’t moved from its original spot. Chad smiled as he ran his hand over the most rusted part of the truck’s hood.
“Thanks, Dr. John, for the inspiration. When I get home soon, we’ll get you out of this lonely place you’ve been a prisoner in, and get you fully restored.”
Chad’s find out in the woods so many years before had now seen him come full circle. He smiled lightly as he walked away from the vehicle, knowing that someday, not in the too-distant future, he’d be driving it through Alloway, on the road and among the houses to which it had been so familiar.

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Discovering Dr. John...







The story below is fiction, but really not. A similar experience happened to me as a kid,
And over the years, continual reflection on that day lead me to the short story below.
This is the first part. I’ll tease you with it..as it is one of 28 new short stories that will
be appearing in Tales Unleashed, to be published before too long.


Discovering Dr. John
At fifteen years old, Chad Gillmore was a whiz in math and science. He couldn’t read enough about the wonders of the world around him. At age eight his mom had presented him with his first chemistry set, and night after night, Chad would be in his room conjuring multiple solutions and pretending to be the one that would make that next discovery.
Chad knew that he wanted to pursue an occupation in medicine, but he didn’t know why. His father, who had passed away when Chad was only an infant, was a laborer, and his mom worked two jobs in retail shops not far from home. His mom suggested to Chad that if he wanted to pursue a job in the medical profession that he should seek his education in the military, as there would be no feasible way she could afford him a six- or eight-year college program.
Having just moved to a small house in Alloway, Chad and his mom enjoyed the rural pristine twenty acres that surrounded their modest home. Romping through the woods on a bright summer day gave Chad time to think about what was next, for both himself and his mother.
It was a Thursday after school that Chad decided to head out into the woods to explore new territory that he had yet not invaded. With a backpack on his shoulders and a wave to his mom, he was out the door.
Up the gully to the top of the hill, Chad made his way among clumps of maples and pines, flushing out a couple of grouse as he went. When he broke over the crest of the hill, Chad made a discovery which was most unusual in this setting of greenery and rock. Twenty yards in front of him was a car. Well, more of a truck than a car. Shaded in colors of white, blue, and rust, the vehicle sat among the weeds and small trees, resting from its past years work. Chad ran to the vehicle and slowly circled around it, taking it all in . . . wow, this was a find indeed.
Chad dropped his backpack, pried open the front door, and eased himself into the front seat which was covered in leaves and debris. A key was in the ignition, the dashboard was rusted and covered with dirt. Cobwebs were in every space of the interior, proof that few had entered before him.
Peering into the back, Chad saw what looked like some sort of stretcher, rolled up and rotten from the elements which he presumed had battered it for decades. There was something soothing about this car. It had a peaceful feeling to it, a feeling of good deeds being done and pursuits being realized. Chad couldn’t quite understand it. It was strange, yet inviting, to his spirit.

             What did Chad discover that day? In a few days we’ll finish it for you, so come back.
You see, you never know what you’ll find out there in the ‘back forty’.