"C" as in CHICAGO White Sox

Welcome to Alphabe-Thursday sponsored by Ms. Jenny at Jenny Matlock..."off on my tangent."  This week we are studying the letter "C" as in CHICAGO White Sox. 

My Dad was born in 1918 in Jersey City, New Jersey.  He lived most of his life in Westwood, New Jersey...a suburb of New York City.  Dad loved the CHICAGO White Sox and hated the New York Yankees.

When Dad was in Boy Scouts the kids in the troop decided to each pick a baseball team.  Dad chose the CHICAGO White Sox.  He told me that when they got to him there weren't many teams left, so he went with the White Sox.  The White Sox have probably never had a more loyal fan.  For the rest of his life he followed his team all the way into his 90's.  Win or lose he was a loyal fan.

I can remember Dad sitting in the garage in our 1956 DeSoto listening to the baseball game.  He had discovered that the car radio could pick up the Baltimore radio station.  So, when the White Sox played Baltimore he could listen to the games.

This was long before cable and satellite TV.  Dad mostly followed his team in the newspapers.  That was the only way back then.  Yes, when they played the Yankees he could watch the games on the New York television station or listen on the radio.  Sometimes he even went to Yankee Stadium and watched them play there.  Although he visited Chicago a couple of times it was never during baseball season, so he never saw them play in person at home.

His loyalty never wavered.  Yes, he'd get upset when they lost, but he'd be ecstatic when they won.

Over the years we always knew what to get Dad for Christmas, birthdays, Father's Day, etc.  It made shopping easy.

Dad was a good sport and Mom would send pictures.

In 2005 Dad's prayers were answered.  The CHICAGO White Sox were World Series Champions for the first time in his life.  They beat our Houston Astros.  Dad was still living in New Jersey and he would watch the games and call me in Texas afterwards.  Of course, I was watching from here.  I remember one game went into extra innings.  Fourteen to be exact.  It was very late at night when he called, but he was so excited.  He was almost 87 years old and I was so grateful when he finally got to see his team as World Champions even though it meant the Astros lost.

That Christmas we gave Dad a legacy brick.  The CHICAGO White Sox charities sold bricks to commemorate the team's World Series win.  Dad was excited when he found out that his name would be enshrined at Cellular Field.  None of us have ever seen his actual brick in CHICAGO, but I have a duplicate sitting on the bookshelf in my den.  It says, "BILL DURGIN OF NJ - LOYAL FAN SINCE 1932."  (If anyone reading this lives in Chicago and goes to Cellular Field please take a picture for me.  As I recall we were told that his brick is somewhere on the legacy brick diamond near first base.)

Eventually, Dad moved to Assisted Living in Texas.  I signed up for the CHICAGO White Sox games online.  I'd bring Dad over to my house so he could watch the games.  For the first time in his life he was able to watch most of them.  He'd sit in front of the computer and come to life.  It was like he was a little kid again.

Eventually, Alzheimer's took it's toll on Dad.  However, he remembered his CHICAGO White Sox.  Every day he wore his White Sox cap.  He even had the White Sox logo painted on his face at an Assisted Living event.

Eventually he had to be moved to a nursing home.  When we went to visit him the day before he died he was sitting in a wheelchair wearing his CHICAGO White Sox cap.  He was loyal to his team until the very end.

I still get online notifications from the CHICAGO White Sox when they play a game.  I had signed up when Dad moved here and I decided to keep following them after Dad died.  In a way I feel a piece of Dad is still with me when I get their box scores.

Now head over to Jenny's blog for a list of this week's participants.  Thank you for visiting.

Alphabe-Thursday..."F" as in FAN

Welcome to Alphabe-Thursday sponsored by Ms. Jenny over at Jenny Matlock..."off on my tangent."  For a list of this week's participants and information on how you can join in on the fun head over to Ms. Jenny's blog.

This week we are studying the letter "F" as in FAN.  To be more specific, I'm talking about one of the most loyal and dedicated Chicago White Sox FANS that ever lived...my Dad.

When Dad was around 14 years old his Boy Scout Troop in Westwood, NJ decided that they'd each pick a baseball team to root for and support.  He told me that most of the teams were taken by the time they got to him, so he chose the Chicago White Sox almost by default.  His relationship with the White Sox spanned many decades and lasted the rest of his life.  No one can ever say Dad wasn't loyal.

That's Dad making the tag in this picture.  His brother is the umpire and his friend Clarence is out at the plate.

Of course, growing up and living in a suburb of New York City until his late 80's, he was surrounded by mostly New York Yankee fans, but Dad didn't care.  It would have been easy to root for the Yankees especially during all their winning seasons, but Dad was a White Sox FAN and that was all there was to it.  He made a commitment at 14 years old and he wasn't going to renege.

Initially, the only way to follow his team was in the newspaper or on the radio.  He'd listen to games when they played the Yankees and when TV came into being he was sometimes able to watch them when a Yankee-White Sox game was televised.  These were the days before satellite and cable TV and coverage was limited.  However, sometime during the 1950's he discovered that his car radio could pick up a Baltimore radio station, so when the White Sox played in Baltimore he'd sit in the hot garage and listen to the games on the car radio. 

As I recall, most games (if not all) were played during the day.  My mother would listen for the scores and warn us if the White Sox lost.  She'd say, "Don't bother your father when he gets home because the White Sox lost and he won't be in a good mood."  So, we'd keep our distance and give him a while to get over the disappointment.  However, if they won I knew he'd be in a great mood and that's when I'd hit him up for a dollar or a trip to Woolworth's or the doll store to look for something new.

People would often ask if Dad grew up on the south side of Chicago.  No, he was born in Jersey City, NJ and only went to Chicago a couple of times in his life and never during baseball season.  One time we drove to Chicago to catch a train to California for a convention and another time we went to visit some friends that had moved to one of the Chicago suburbs.

Dad did get to go to some games at Yankee Stadium when the White Sox were in town.  We had a neighbor that had season tickets and the box was right at the first base line.  He would sometimes give Dad tickets and we'd all go to Yankee Stadium.  It was always a thrill for Dad to see his team up close and personal.

Everyone knew that Dad was a Chicago White Sox FAN, and he sure knew his team.  He could tell you the latest score, batting averages, etc., at the drop of a hat.  What always amazed me was that he mostly followed his team by reading the sports section of the newspaper, The Sporting News, or catching the latest score on the radio or television sports report.

Over the years we never had trouble figuring out what to get him for Christmas, birthdays, Father's Day, etc.  We'd just buy him something with the Chicago White Sox logo.  Back in 1993 my mother convinced him to dress in some of his latest White Sox garments and pose for a picture.  She wrote on the back, "All dressed up and no place to go.  Is this a White Sox FAN - or is this a White Sox FAN??"  (I think the picture was taken under duress...he doesn't look very happy to me.)

In 2005 the Chicago White Sox played the Houston Astros in the World Series.  Mom had died in 2001 and Dad was living by himself in New Jersey.  I'd watch the game from Texas and he'd watch from New Jersey and then he'd call me afterwards.  He was so excited!   The White Sox were doing well, but there was one game when Dad didn't call.  I became concerned and called him to make sure he was OK.  He explained, "Honey, your team is losing and I don't want to rub it in."  I laughed and said, "Dad, I know you've waited all these years for the White Sox to win the World Series.  You earned it, and you wouldn't be rubbing it in."

In 2006 Dad moved to Texas and Assisted Living near me.  The following baseball season I discovered that I could sign up for White Sox TV online and Dad would be able to watch the games.  For the first time in his life he was able to see just about all their games that season.  He'd sit in front of the computer screen and this almost 89 year old man was suddenly that excited 14 year old boy again.

They had a 4th of July party at Assisted Living one year and face painting was part of the festivities. Look what he had painted on his face!

Sadly, Alzheimer's took it's toll on Dad and for the last year or so of his life he didn't even ask about the White Sox anymore.  He died last September at almost 92, but up until the day he died he still wore his White Sox cap just about every day.

For Christmas 2007 we gave him a White Sox Legacy Brick enscribed "Bill Durgin of NJ - Loyal Fan Since 1932."  The Legacy Brick program gave FANS a chance to have their names immortalized at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago and seemed an appropriate gift for the White Sox's most loyal FAN outside the state of Illinois.  The original bricks were arranged in a diamond shaped plaza outside Gate 4 and Dad's brick is located somewhere near first base on this plaza.  Each of the FANS received a duplicate brick for themselves.  I now have Dad's brick sitting on my fireplace in the den.

I still receive the White Sox scores by E-mail.  I've been getting them sent for years so I could keep Dad informed when he missed a game.  Now I just like receiving the scores because it makes me feel like a part of my Dad is still with me.

Old White Sox FANS never die...they just slowly fade away.

Now head over to Ms. Jenny's blog and visit some more Alphabe-Thursday "F" posts.

P.S.  If anyone lives in Chicago and goes to White Sox games at U.S. Cellular Field could you please send me a picture of my Dad's Legacy Brick?  I'd love to see it!  Thanks.

Family Update...

We arrived home from New Jersey and Dad's funeral very early Friday morning.  Everything went well in New Jersey (except the weather which didn't cooperate) and many wonderful memories were shared by friends and relatives.

Reid had been complaining about his left arm hurting and feeling numb for a few weeks, but wanted to wait until we returned to go down to MD Anderson.  Yesterday we took him to the ER at Anderson and sadly his Hodgkin's Lymphoma has returned and is pressing on a nerve to his left arm.  He's been given pain medication and will follow up with the Oncologist on Monday or Tuesday.  We were all very disappointed to hear this news.  He was finally getting some energy back after all the treatments and we were optimistic that he could begin school shortly.  On his last visit with the Oncologist in August he was told that if there was a recurrence he had a "Plan B."  So, it looks like he'll be moving on to "Plan B."

Needless to say, with all that has gone on lately I probably won't be having much time to post or E-mail.  My E-mail boxes are overflowing and I'm probably going to go in and start deleting.

Thank you for your warm thoughts and prayers during this difficult time in our lives.

Old Photos of Dad

I've been busy scanning old photos for Dad's funeral next week and thought I'd share some of my favorites.  I can't help but smile when I look at some of these.  I have more and will share them as time allows.  Things are kind of hectic right now.

Chicago White Sox Win!

Today the Chicago White Sox beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3.  How do I know?  I get an E-mail update from Major League Baseball.  Why do I get that update?  I've been getting it for a number of years so I could keep my Dad informed.

Dad grew up in a suburb of NYC, but around the age of 12 he became a Chicago White Sox fan.  It seems the members of his Boy Scout Troop decided to pick teams to root for and Dad got the Chicago White Sox by default.  He said by the time they got to him there weren't too many teams left, so he picked the White Sox.

Dad making the tag, his brother Robert as umpire, and his friend Clarence sliding into home plate. 

The White Sox have never had such a loyal fan.  It would have been so easy for Dad to become a Yankee fan at sometime over the years, but he never succumbed.  The White Sox were his team and that was all there was to it.

Sometime in the 1950's Dad discovered that he could pick up the Baltimore radio station on the car radio.  So, whenever the White Sox played Baltimore  Dad would sit in the hot garage and listen to the game.  Of course, he often got to see them play on TV when they came to town to play the Yankees.  I guess that's how he became a die hard Yankee hater.  He took his baseball very seriously.  Once in a while we actually went to Yankee Stadium when the White Sox were in town.  Dad enjoyed seeing his team in person.

Dad's only been to Chicago a few times in his life and never for a game.  He followed his team in the newspaper, The Sporting News, and the sports reports on TV and radio.  For most of his years that's the way he kept track of how they were doing.  This was before cable or satellite TV.

Finally in 2005 they beat my Houston Astros in the World Series.  Dad was ecstatic!  It was a dream come true for him.  At the time he was living in NJ and he'd call me in Texas after each game and we'd rehash what we had just seen happen.

In 2006 Dad moved to Texas and lived nearby in Assisted Living.  For the first time in his life he was able to see most of the White Sox games.  I signed up for MLB TV and would bring Dad over here to watch their games online.  He was that 12 year old kid again.  He'd sit in front of the computer screen watching excitedly.  Just about everyone in Assisted Living knew he was a White Sox fan and after a win he'd be so excited on the ride back to the facility.  He couldn't wait to share his good news.

Sadly, Dad's Alzheimer's progressed and he had to be moved to a nursing home a little over a year ago.  This year for the first time he no longer asked me how the White Sox were doing.  However, every day the aides made sure he wore his White Sox cap.

Yesterday he took a turn for the worse and for the first time spent the day in bed without his cap.  Early this morning the Chicago White Sox lost their oldest and most faithful fan outside of Chicago.  I'll continue receiving those E-mail alerts from the Chicago White Sox because then a piece of Dad will always be with me.

I like to think they won today's game for Dad.  Thanks guys.  You never knew him, but he sure knew you!

World Alzheimer's Day

World Alzheimer's Day is coming up on September 21, 2010.  I received the following message from the Alzheimer's Association and signed the petition.  Can I ask for your help too?

My Dad who was a brilliant man with a wonderful personality is now under Hospice care for this horrible disease.  The disease has progressed rapidly in the last few weeks and my Dad no longer knows me or speaks.  Most of the time he forgets to swallow which makes it difficult for him to receive adequate liquids and nourishment.  Remembering to swallow is one of the last things to go.  Alzheimer's is a very cruel disease.

I'm afraid a cure or decent treatment is still a long ways off, but perhaps by signing this petition we can help others in the future.



Subject Line: It's Time for a Breakthrough
Dear friends,
Alzheimer's disease steals the future from millions of Americans. It robs spouses of their companions and children of their parents and grandparents; it erodes the health and financial resources of caregivers.
I just signed a petition calling on Congress to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. Will you add your voice?
http://www.alz.org/petition
Your signature will be delivered to Congress on September 21, 2010 World Alzheimer's Day.
Together, we can make Alzheimer's a national priority.



Thank you!



Better days...May 2005.  Dad enjoying lunch on a dock in Galveston, TX.

Dad with Reid, Troy, Keith and "Shelby" in our backyard.

ANOTHER FAMILY UPDATE

Reid spent the good part of three days down at MD Anderson this week having all the fun tests and scans.  Friday was his appointment with the Oncologist.  This was his first time back since completing chemo and radiation.

The news was good, but with a disclaimer.  His PET scan didn't light up which means it didn't detect cancer cells.  That's very good news.  However, the CT scan showed that the mass in his chest did not shrink and in fact "might" have increased in size.  That's the disclaimer part.

The Oncologist said he was still very pleased and felt that because of the size of Reid's mass originally it will take a long time to shrink.  He didn't seem to think the word "might" was that critical.  He said that they'll just keep an eye on it and Reid has to return in three months or sooner if he has any symptoms.  He said with the negative PET scan it was too soon to worry. 

Reid was hoping that the chemo port would finally be removed, but the Oncologist wants to leave it in for at least three more months.  That means once a month he has to go down and have it flushed which is what he really doesn't like.  When they flush the port he gets a metallic taste in his mouth which triggers a memory of feeling sick during chemo.

Next week he has an appointment with the Radiologist, so we'll hear what she has to say too.

Our concern is that MD Anderson picked him up under their financial aid program for one year and the year is up in November.  We don't know what will happen after that date.  He can reapply, but there are no guarantees.  Reid doesn't have insurance and we don't feel like we'll be able to find any for him with a preexisting condition.  We're still waiting to hear about his SSI appeal.  He can no longer do physical work, so he's looking into school.  He'll probably be taking one or two classes until he builds up more stamina.

We keep moving forward one step at a time.  Reid keeps smiling.  His glass is always half full.

Meanwhile, Dad has been going downhill.  I got a call from his doctor on Friday, but got home too late to return the call.  I'll call him back on Monday.  However, last night a nurse from the nursing home called and said that my father is anemic and that iron had been ordered for him.  I recall that happening once before when he was still living in NJ.  Perhaps with iron he'll perk up a little.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Practice Makes Perfect...

I decided to practice with Blogger In Draft today.  Yesterday I was having trouble getting pictures in the post, but strangely enough it's working differently today and I had no trouble.  This is a picture of Reid with Dad on Tuesday.  Reid is starting to regain a little of his lost energy although he still needs to rest often.  After the nursing home we made a couple of stops at some stores and he needed a nap by the time we got home.

And below is a picture of the feral cats that have taken up residence in our yard.  I believe I put this picture up before, but since this was taken we have managed to catch the mother and the little black and white kitten with a humane trap and they've both been fixed.  Two down and two to go.  Fortunately, we caught the two females first which means no more kittens in our yard.  Now we will attempt to catch the two boys.  We actually had the darker red one in the trap on Wednesday, but his sister managed to get in there with him and we aren't allowed to have two cats in a trap where we take them to be fixed.  So, my husband very carefully opened the trap door and the red one darted out and the black and white one went to the rear of the trap.  We were afraid they'd both run out and we'd have none caught.  Before we caught the two of them the mother went into the trap, but she was fixed last week and we didn't need her trapped again!  So we had to get her out of the trap and reset it.  Catching all these cats is very stressful for them and us!

Please spay and neuter your pets!  There are so many strays and ferals out there that need our help.

Alphabe-Thursday...The Color Red

Welcome once again to Alphabe-Thursday hosted by Mrs. Matlock at Jenny Matlock..."off on my tangent."  Today is the first day of Summer School and we are busy studying the colors of the rainbow.  Today's color is RED.

To get you all in the mood for studying the colors of the rainbow I enlisted the help of Kermit The Frog.



OK, now you're ready for today's lesson and I'm unprepared. What I'm posting isn't what I had originally planned. I've had to cram for this post today. It had been my intention to travel around my part of town and take photos of RED things.  Unfortunately, it's been raining on and off for the last three days and I wasn't able to take any pictures outside.

Mrs. Matlock is probably going to get out her red pencil...

and give me a...

- 40

Oh dear...it just hasn't been my day.

The kids were ready.  They were all excited about the first day of Summer School and dressed in red for the occasion.  They even brought their red things for show and tell.  Ginny Grace brought her Chatty Cathy doll dressed in red.  Ginny Joy brought a red apple for Mrs. Matlock.

But poor little Beau was having a day similar to mine.  He was late and made a mad dash for the bus still wearing his pj's and with his hair uncombed.  He dropped his lunch box and his red Elmo.

I guess we all have days once in a while were nothing goes according to plan.

I did see lots of colors in the elevator of the parking garage the other day.  There was even red.  I'm sure the color coding is done for people like me that sometimes have trouble finding their car in the garage.

And then Reid and I went to see Dad at the nursing home yesterday.  There was a red tablecloth and red carnations on the table.

I had a few more things to put in this post, but I decided to try using Blogger In Draft tonight and I'm having trouble inserting pictures in the post.  I guess I'm impatient. I keep clicking when the pictures don't immediately appear in the post and I end up with five and six pictures of the same thing which I then have to delete.  I need more practice before I do a longer post, so I'm calling it quits for now.  Besides, you've heard of Red Lobster and you probably already have the copy cat recipe for their biscuits.

Be sure and visit my classmates at Mrs. Matlock's blog to see what they came up with for the color red assignment.