The June Jottings omitted my thanks to all who attended the 65th on June 11th. It was an oversight to be corrected by my warmest thanks to all. I did try to drop a note to some of the attendees, but to those I did not get to, please know that I am very happy that you attended. I had a great time. As usual, with those types of gatherings, you never seem to get enough time to visit long enough with everyone. It also reminded me of the many family gatherings over the years, vacations, graduations, anniversaries, Christmases, etc. I particularly remember as the years went on that at one such gathering I commented, “Where did all the old people come from? This can’t be one of ‘our’ family gatherings! No?” Ah! But yes, it is so that even the McSorleys suffer the dents of “time”.
June had her birthday party at “Two Mile Inn” on the Bay, south of the Wildwoods near Diamond Beach. We had Mary Lou, Tracy, the twins, Paulie and Kelly, all enjoying seafood. June loves King Crab legs and they are in abundance at Two Mile. The guys even devoured a few. We had a table with a view. The “cake” ceremony – a dip of yogurt – was held back at the house, with only one make believe candle (it was really a pretzel stick) adorned the mound of yogurt, but it never deterred Paulie and the others from blowing it out (?), along with singing “Happy Birthday”.
I am an obituary reader. It began as a legal occupation to check to see if any of the clients I had written wills for had made them operative. I hold in my office several hundred original Wills culled from 30 years of practice. It seems like a morbid occupation, but it isn’t carried out in that manner.
I remember an associate, who knew I did Estate work and knew I had a brother who was a Bishop. He once inquired after the Pope died ”Did you get the Estate?”. The Wills lead to Estates. The Wills are a lawyer’s annuities -you just need to live long enough to cash in -like annuities. Recently, however, the obit reading has become less professional and more personal. I began to recognize and know the individuals listed, as classmates, associates, friends, friends of friends, etc. I’m reminded of why Pete Hamill decided to write his book “My Drinking Life” – some of those who were in that life were passing away. He probably was an obituary reader, or even writer.
Last week (7/ll) there appeared an obit for Paul L. Senesky, trial lawyer, basketball great at St. Joe’s, and classmate. He was a few years senior to me and I learned from the obit for the first time a survivor of a torpedoed troop ship in World War II. He was a tall, lanky, rangy athlete and star at St. Joe’s. He suffered a bit from the same problem I had, i.e., a famous, successful brother who preceded him – George Senesky.
George was a classmate of my brother, Joe, in the early forties at St. Joe’s. He was an All American basketball player, pro player for the Warriors, and later their coach. But I always remember him as one of the men for whom I proudly gave up my bed. There were some for whom I would rather not have done so, but George Senesky was bragging material the next day at West Catholic – “I gave up my bed to that St. Joe star, George Senesky!” He survives his brother, is now retired in Mahoney City, PA where the family began. So sometimes even morbid memories become happy ones.
We overlooked a bit of celebrity news sometime ago – Mary T. was on “Good Morning America”. June, a sometime watcher, was amazed to see her sitting in the background while someone was testifying before a Congressional committee. So I suppose we are not accurate in saying Mary T. was “on” Good Morning America, as she was “seen” on the show, etc. In any event, it is a step up from C-Span. What’s next Mary? “Oprah”?
Mary, I have just the topic for you, thanks to the NY Times magazine for Sunday (7/17) – “Video Incompatibility Syndrome”. I heard you report on the problems you and Ron have in deciding on which movie to rent. Well, the article recognizes it as “…one of those activities that makes or breaks a relationship, like canoeing”. The author, Judith Stone, entitles her tongue in cheek analysis “You say Dumbo, and I say Rambo”. It is a humorous treatment for the over analytical society and does it well. Hopefully, Ron and Mary and their therapist have worked it out. I enjoyed June’s comment when I told her about the article and Mary and Ron’s alleged dilemma – “My problem wasn’t what video – but who’s paying for it!”
Saturday evening (7/16) we travelled to Atlantic City. I was entered in a five mile run on the beach and June decided to try her luck on the slots. We both did well. June won and I finished. The surf was up so the footing on the beach was sloppy and slow in places, in fact, the finish chute was in soft sand so I walked in. I felt comfortable even though the humidity was high.
The number of people running was amazing – nearly 1000 in a five-mile run. It was well promoted for the benefit of the Community Center in Atlantic City. The race was in its 17th year, having been started by a friend, and former owner of the “Knife & Fork Restaurant”, Jim Latz. Jim was there to run. He has overcome prostrate cancer and is now, over a year later, running again. My friend, Mike Bertolini, who is “happy to be above ground and not concerned about how fast he travels over it”, won the over 70 award with a time of 39 minutes! He may not be “concerned” about how fast he “travels over it”, but he sure does it well.
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:
“Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; He who would search for pearls must dive below.” –John Dryden
As the month (July) winds down, we reflect on the “wet” – wet weather that is. The poet may well say “What is so rare as a day in June? Then if ever comes perfect days”. But for July in 1994 it would be “What is so wet as a day in July? When for seventy-five years it’s been so dry!” The area, the East Coast, has seen a new record in rainfall and shuddered even under some tornadoes. It altered some vacation plans – our guests, the Keeleys, had little or no beach time, which was fostered by the unsure weather and the frozen ocean. One more natural phenomenon to admire or detest. But the silver lining is no water shortage and lots of greenery – small compensation to those with limited vacation time.
The month ends with my running a third five miler. Last week was the annual Avalon Five and I ran out of the money for the first time since 1991. It now ends on the Boardwalk and I had the joy of seeing June waiting at the finish line for the second time this month. The week prior we ran on the beach in Atlantic City and she was also present (that time with her winnings from the casino). Today’s run was on the country roads of Marmora, NJ and we were accompanied by our neighbor from Philly, our house guest and fellow runner, Paul Keeley. I feel stronger with each endeavor and am happy to be back “on the road again!”
I have been reading the Bible, The Book of Genesis in the NAB – “New American Bible” (1990). This edition is based on reliable texts translated from the original biblical languages rather than intervening translations such as the Vulgate, or Latin version, of the first century. It’s a collaborative effort of 50 biblical scholars.
The above is reported in the introduction. I am only into the 40th Chapter in Genesis and am already impressed with the clarity of the language – but also I don’t remember so much sex. The permission for Jacob to lie or have “intercourse” with his slaves and even take another wife; the story of Joseph falsely accused in Egypt of adultery, the story of a chosen one wasting his seed into the ground to avoid conception, the rape of Dinah, etc.
I do recall some of these stories, but not all of them, and not in language as explicit as it is herein. June says it’s because I never had Sunday school, Bible reading or study, which is true. Yet I thought I had had heard or had read from the pulpit most of the Old Testament as part of the Mass. I now believe I was wrong. I’m sure as I go on through the other books I’ll find that it’s even truer.
Reading the book of Genesis reminded me of an incident that occurred in the early 80s. I was taking a course at LaSalle College in Victorian Literature. As you can imagine, I was the oldest member in the class and I’m sure by their standards “ancient”. I also was not there for any credits and need not impress the professor. At one point he was bemoaning and lamenting the fact that so few read what is called “great” literature – his being all Victorian. He then cited an example or two and then asked how many knew what Genesis was. I responded, “Yes!” and I said, “It’s a rock group!” It brought smiles to all – including the professor who apparently had also heard of Genesis – even if it was not the one in the Bible. Now having read it I find it easier reading than some of the great books of the Victorian Age – such as Eliot’s “Marchman”, Hardy’s “Tess of D’Arbeville” and of course, Dickens’ less than stirring stories.