Father's Day Thoughts

This poem always reminds me of my dad-U.S. Navy, retired. Growing up as a Navy brat was a wonderful adventure. Love you, Daddy - you will always be the Captain of our family!

I Must Go Down to the Sea

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.


by John Masefield

Surgery Sillies

Being late for preop was about the only thing I was nervous about Wednesday morning. Since I told my mom I had to be at surgery 15 minutes earlier than the hospital had instructed, I didn't even panic when she showed up 15 minutes late so I was very calm going in. I think my mother was more nervous than I was, though my blood pressure showed I had a little apprehension. However, when I met Paul, the anesthesiologist, even that seemed to dissipate. As soon as he entered the room and introduced himself things got very silly. Right away I could tell he was not from the South, so I questioned where he was from...New York. He sounded just like Barry Manilow when he spoke which of course I had to mention. Paul then offered to sing me one of Barry's songs if I would tell him which one. I chose the first one to come to my mind "I Write the Songs." Paul, a.k.a. Barry, went about his business and came in a few minutes later saying he couldn't find the words but would sing it if I would help him with the words. However, I thought of Copacobana which the Barry-impersonating anesthesiologist did seem to know since he started right in singing "Her name was Lola. She was a showgirl. With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there...At the Copa, Copacabana music and passion were always the fashion. At the Copa....they fell in l-oooo-vvv--e!" By then I had tears in my eyes from laughing, and this was BEFORE the medicine began. We decided that medical show, E.R., needed a new character - one singing anesthesiologist who loves Barry Manilow songs. A few minutes later Paul started the sedations and as I was going down for the count I heard him singing "Can't Smile Without You." I went under with a song in my heart and a smile on my face. I doubt anyone in the world will ever experience a surgical procedure the way I did that morning.