January 1999

 

Here is the commentary on the death of Attorney J. Wesley Miller that appeared in the Valley Advocate on February 23, 2006. 

Like many in Springfield, we were surprised to learn recently of the death of J. Wesley Miller. It was the news, not the death, that was recent; Miller died back in September, a few weeks before his 64th birthday. He was reportedly found dead from a stroke in his Sixteen Acres home, but, strangely, his passing wasn't widely publicized until earlier this month, when his obituary appeared in the Republican. 

The strange circumstances surrounding Miller's death seem fitting; Miller no doubt would appreciate his death's prompting some intrigue and a little extra drama. In a city with more than its share of eccentrics, Miller was in a class by himself. A lawyer by training, Miller was, by practice, a self-styled social critic, who turned up at all manner of public meetings and political events, invariably dressed in a bright orange prison jumpsuit (he once told us it was a sign of solidarity with prisoners locked up for drug offenses), occasionally (and less explicably) topped by a pair of purple underpants. 

When he wasn't out on the town, Miller devoted his time to writing letters, often scathing, to political leaders, media figures and others in the city, offering his biting criticism of their work. He was equally prolific with those he liked; we at the Advocate office regularly received packages from Miller stuffed with copies of his correspondence and pages from his copious diaries, mixed with curious items like freebie pens he'd picked up at trade shows and some pages torn from hardcore sex magazines. 

Miller was, to put it mildly, a man with obsessive tendencies. His interest in certain figures in the city bordered on stalking; for more, see Baystate Objectivist editor Tom Devine's dead-on reflections on Miller's life, including his own uncomfortable relationship with Miller, at his blog. 

But he was also an extremely bright man whose passions, while they may seem odd to others, were deep and sincere. We once had the fascinating, if somewhat unnerving, opportunity to spend an afternoon at Miller's home, where he showed us his basement, which was packed with books, files and local ephemera. Sadly, Devine reports, a flood after Miller's death ruined the basement's contents. Still missing are Miller's extensive diaries, which no doubt provide a fascinating perspective on Springfield, not to mention a peek into the life of one of its most colorful characters. 

January 1, 1999

 

Sunny and 23 degrees on the breezeway at 8:30am. 

I am an artistic property lawyer, licensed real estate broker, violinist and author of The History of the Springfield Symphony. My undergraduate major was English with a minor in Latin. My masters was in Literature with a minor in history. I am the foremost authority in the country on community postering and street literature, an expert on Springfield's history, foremost authority on the bibliography of literature of legal interest and author of five books on the same with others in progress. I am a Republican and a WASP.  

 Had Harvey's Bristol Creme from a cobalt bottle at midnight. Also had the last of the Friendly's ice cream roll and a slice of Eamon's 100th Anniversary Collin Street Bakery Fruitcake. Mother had small portions of all and wanted no pills. At 5:30am I heard her radio turn on to Latino music, so I gave her two pills and she slept until morning. 

Chet the newspaper guy threw the paper into the snowbank again. I put the pork shoulder into the oven around 8:30 at 450F. Woke Mother up at 10:30 and got her to call and wish Aunt Maria and Mrs. Staniski a Happy New Year. She didn't want to call Martha so we didn't. 

At 11am I gave Mother half a cup of coffee and we watched the Rose Parade on ABC. The theme of the parade was Echoes of the Century, but it seemed less exciting than in the past. We were told that the Rose Parade was first broadcast nationally in 1955. I remember we went over to Mrs. Lynch's to see it.

Buck Badger of Wisconsin was scooting around on rollerblades, a wonderful invention.The Cat in the Hat float was really super. It is this sort of immense, wild item that we need at the Quadrangle, not a park of dinky little statues. A lot of the floats didn't intrigue me. The best floats have one overall conception as the Seuss float did. In the ending credits there appeared "Copyright ABC - All Rights Reserved." With no date! 

At 1:25pm the doorbell rang and it was O'Connell, who asked Mother questions but she was so groggy she was unresponsive. She did however thank Helen for coming. O'Connell left at 1:45 and Mother slept until 5pm. 

When she woke up I asked Mother what she wanted to eat and she said nothing. Eventually she agreed to have a cup of celery soup. But once Mother got to the table, she wanted to go back to bed. I made her take her pills, which caused her to lose all interest in the soup and she ended up eating none of it. 

Called to wish Eamon a Happy New Year, but he didn't answer so I left him a message of new year greetings and salutations. 

January 3, 1999

Sunny, nice winter day. 

If the Rosetta Stone had been on a CD we wouldn't know what it said. Question: Did African blacks sell other blacks into slavery? If blacks enslaved their own than the moral responsibility of whites is not as great.

Got up at 8am this morning. Mother was still sleeping at 9:30, so I drove out to the Acres. The wooden frame is up for the new Pride station. The old Pride station on Sumner Avenue is closed and the gas tanks are being dug up. I noticed the last time I was on Sumner that the Arthur Johnson Photo Studio, a beautiful, ranch type brick structure, is still boarded up and for sale. 

With a coupon, I got a breakfast biscuit at Burger King (a round scrambled egg, sausage patty and cheese) but it was a disappointment because the biscuit overpowered the taste of everything else. I'll never get it again, even with a free coupon. I paused at the Salvation Army but bought nothing, then swung by Walmart and got the lens tightened on my glasses.

When I got back at 11am Mother was awake and ready to go to the toilet. I put a new diaper and pants on her and served her coffee with two pills. At noon I asked her what she wanted for lunch and she adamantly refused to eat anything but I finally convinced her to drink half a cup of milk. 

The mail was an hour late today and two of the envelopes had been damaged by the postal equipment. Left word on the recorder at Trinity Church that I will loan them my copy of A Time to Celebrate by Horace Moses. Watched a show on 57 about pigs. 

Mayor Albano was on TV22 saying that ongoing construction in Springfield will be good for property values. Someone on the radio said the millennium will be the biggest historical event of our lives, but I'm not interested in the millennium at all. 

While reading a book about Byzantium and the fall of Constantinople, the power went out at 2:34pm. Called Northeastern Utilities at 783-3424 and was told by Jolene that a repair crew had been dispatched. The power didn't come back on until 5:19pm. Birchland Avenue has always had its share of outages. 

Mother got up at 8pm and I gave her one pill, not two. She asked what would become of our dolls, and I reminded her that Floppy and Ambrose were buried with Father, and that I am hoping the others will keep me company after she is gone. I think she would like them buried with her.  

January 4, 1999

32 degrees on the breezeway at 8am. 

Haven't heard anything from Mother's old friend Madeline Waite. Took Mother to the toilet and back, this morning and then gave her some ginger ale. As I put her back in bed she cried, "I'm going around in circles, I'm going counter-clockwise!" I gave her two pills with the ginger ale. Mother woke up and had chicken broth around 4:30pm.

Listened to the Dan Yorke Show this morning and he didn't have much to say. He was complaining about the quality of the hot chocolate served at the Civic Center hockey games. The garage door was frozen shut. I got it open with the help of an ice pick and some hot water.

Today I found a receipt from Railroad Salvage dated May 7, 1993. The first RR Salvage was in East Windsor and was founded by Ruby Vine and his wife ChooChoo. Their stores were dirty and messy inside, except for the one in Turner's Falls which was always quite tidy.  

Dr. Richard B. Flynn is the new President of Springfield College. The evening news reported that the partners at the Union Buffet in Chicopee, where we once had Christmas dinner, stabbed each other to death in the back room. Their food had a real oriental flavor. 

I've talked it over with Mother and she is agreeable with being cremated. Called Roy at Byron's and he said that their fee for cremation is $895 dollars. He said it is not permissible to be present at the cremation.

Called Father Zachary at the St. Francis Chapel and he said the Bishop's Prayer Breakfast would be held on the first Friday in February. After the stock market report I called Aunt Maria and she told me she hasn't mailed out her Christmas cards yet but still intends to. Aunt Maria considers herself a well-heeled old lady.

January 5, 1999

Jesse Ventura has been inaugurated in Minnesota and has promised honest government. 50 inches of snow fell in Buffalo, New York, falling at a pace of two inches per hour. Airplanes fly faster, but you still hear people complaining about delayed flights. The trains are better run, I think. 

At 5:15am I woke up and saw that the light in the front room was on. Mother was completely uncovered, holding a folded kotex from her diaper and complaining that she was cold. She also complained that she couldn't find the switch to her electric blanket, asking, "Why do you hide it from me?" I showed her that the switch was right next to her, remarking that if she covered up she wouldn't be cold. 

Mother claimed that the kotex had fallen out of her diaper, but that is nonsense. She plays with herself all the time and probably pulled it out with the same scratching nervousness that caused her to scratch scabs on her back (now completely healed) and on her hands. She has also scratched her scalp with the same fingers she has run through the shit in her diaper. It is sad. 

Anyway, I straightened her out and turned on the radio for her. With Mother not wanting anything more, I drove out around 10am and stopped at the Eastfield Mall to redeem my prize coupon for a new set of knives. The hippie shop is closed, although their sign is still up. I was looking for a pair of boots. They had some at Payless, but they weren't included in their 30% off sale so I didn't buy any. 

The Springdale Mall is completely empty now, even Strawberries Records is gone. You can feel that the heat has been turned off. Yet the building is still open, you can walk through it, but it is completely deserted. It's a shame. 

Then over to Stop&Shop for groceries, where I encountered my jovial neighbor Mr. Cohn and wished him a Happy New Year. He bemoaned President Clinton and said he wishes someone would "straighten this country out!" I told him that it is obvious Clinton's Methodist background has had no effect on him. He asked about Mother as I was departing and I thanked him for asking without actually telling him anything, instead I urged him to give my regards to Mrs. C. 

Home at 11:35am. Mother wanted to go to the toilet so I took her directly and then served her coffee. Barbara arrived at 1:04pm and washed Mother, changed her clothes, gave her a shampoo and fed her orange juice and two pills before departing at 2:19pm. The mail brought an Xmas card from Mrs. Penniman, saying it is late because she has "not been feeling up to snuff."

There had been news accounts that Westfield Savings Bank would be opening a new branch in downtown Springfield in January, but it hasn't happened. I decided to call them and find out why not. Judy, the secretary to Mr. Williams, told me that the opening has been delayed due to "construction problems." They now expect to open in March. 

Westfield State College has a new ad urging people to come there to earn their teaching certificate. So I called Westfield State and got Laura, who connected me to Debbie, the Admissions Clerk. I asked her if I could get my Mass teaching certificate without taking their course because I already have eight years experience teaching at the college level. 

She replied no, that I would still have to take their education courses. To this I informed her that I have never sullied my academic record with any so-called education courses. Debbie sounded upset to hear this and transferred me to Dean Catherine Lilly. She told me that I should not make such mocking statements to Debbie or anyone else at Westfield State and then she concluded with a coldly professional good-bye. 

January 7, 1999

18 degrees at 8:30am, light dusting of snow.

There's a picture of the rock band Motley Crue in the latest issue of Music Review Magazine and the one in leather is the best looking of the four. Peter L. Picknelly and his children have paid $5 million to buy Harrison Place at 1391 Main Street from Klondike Investment Group. The Springfield Newspapers are launching new Holyoke and Chicopee editions of the Union-News. 

Listened to the Dan Yorke Show this morning. Helen O'Connell the nurse was supposed to come today between 11am and 1pm, but she never came nor called to say she wasn't coming. She is really unreliable.

Chet left the newspaper by the paper box, but not in it. Did two loads of wash. At 2pm I drove to the Breckwood Shops to make copies and put out mail. Before I left I brought Mother to the toilet and gave her two pills. 

On the noon news  they said the Springfield Civic Center "continues to boost the local economy." Really? Eamon's latest message complains about the relentlessly rising tax assessments while the sale value of the typical Springfield home on the real estate market is dropping.  

Barbara arrived and cleaned up Mother and read her the card from Mrs. Staniski that came in the mail today. Also in the mail was a brief, unsubstantial letter from Mr. Hurwitz thanking me for my letter. I warmed up some chowder for Mother's supper but she wouldn't eat any of it. At 8pm she drank some ginger ale. She has had no solid food for two days.

While Barbara tended to Mother, I watched the opening of the Clinton impeachment trial, with the Chief Justice being sworn in by Sen. Strom Thurmond. Doris Kearns Goodwin commented that she never thought the Clinton sex scandal would actually lead to an impeachment trial.  

Danielle at Hein called, telling me that their catalog is now available only online. I told her that I have no way to access their home page from my home. She replied that she'll look to see if there are any copies of last year's catalog she could send me, which is essentially the same as what's online. 

Called Ms. Provost at the School Department to find out the date of the Mass Science Fair but she was out. Also called the Valley Advocate to speak with Dan Caccavaro but was told he is on vacation this week. 

I called the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst and spoke to Neil Zagerin, who told me he is 39 and grew up in the Forest Park area. He promised to send me some info on their upcoming poster exhibit. I told him about my own poster collection.

The phone rang three times, and when I picked up the person immediately hung up. My call identifier showed it was from a Warren Ames, so I called back and identified myself. They then declared that they knew no one with the name J. Wesley Miller and hung up on me again!  

On TV22 Kathryn Kirby made a grammar error so I called the station. The guy who answered listened to me politely and said thank you, then hung up without commenting. 

January 9, 1999

9 degrees on the breezeway at 8am, heavily overcast with brief afternoon precipitation. 

Senator Kerry was on the news saying the impeachment trial has turned into a circus. I say the White House turned into one long ago! Former State Treasurer Joe Malone was on saying that he would vote to convict Clinton if he were a senator. I predict the impeachment trial will drag on, and I like that. In other news, the producers of Popeye the Sailor say that he and Olive Oyl will be married next month. 

Mother got up at 3:45am and drank a full cup of orange juice along with her pills. Mother seemed confused, asking at one point, "What are you doing with the days you've been saving?" I also find it increasingly difficult to understand Mother's speech. She never wants food, but today I myself ate lima beans, a lettuce and tomato sandwich and the last of the clementines.

Listened to Yorke for a while. Mother spoke briefly on the phone with Aunt Maria. Helen the nurse finally arrived today and she said she sees a decline in Mother since the last time she came. She told me Mother's pulse is 82 and her blood pressure is 138 over 60. 

Before Helen left we chatted at the kitchen table. Helen said Mother is fading away and told me some elders in their final decline go weeks surviving on nothing but fluids. I gave her a copy of Aunt Jennie's Poems and inscribed it with a thank you message for tending to Mother. 

I drove out at 10:30am after writing to the Provost at St. Michaels. I also wrote a condolence letter to Atty. E. B. Berman, whose wife Carol has died at only 66. I mailed both at Louis & Clark. As I was leaving the Breckwood Shops I saw a white jeep-like vehicle with a bumper-sticker that said, "Pro-Life Plus."

Came through the Goodwill but bought nothing. From there I left some reading material at Eamon's. He wasn't home so I dropped it off by hanging the bag on his back doorknob. Then to the Plaza where I found K-Mart much tidied up and where I bought a new pair of boots for $22. 

Passed through Paysavers and bought a pair of raspberry colored sunglasses for 99 cents and a black Hood milk crate for $1.49. Finally to Stop&Shop, where I bought some groceries from their day-old counter. Then I headed home, pausing at Angelo's for lettuce and tomatoes. I arrived home at 12:30pm. 

The mail came about one o'clock, then at 1:15 it briefly started to snow.  A wrong number was from someone at the Haufbrahaus in W.Spfld looking for Storrowtown. Eamon called to thank me for the reading material. We talked about marriage and he says he feels lucky to have avoided it. According to Eamon, funeral directors are notorious for stealing jewelry out of caskets after the last mourners have left for the cemetery. 

January 11, 1999

A sunny, nice day. 28 degrees at 10:45am.

Herbert P. Wilkins, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, recently blasted lawyers for their perceived lack of civility, especially within their own ranks. He said lawyers were often uncivil to each other. 

Peter Picknelly has made many civic gifts, most recently donating $2.5 million toward a downtown baseball stadium. Judge Peter Velis has ordered $15,000 to what the city's Redevelopment Authority pays to F.L. Roberts for two tracks of land off West Columbus Avenue for the Basketball Hall of Fame expansion project. 

The mailbox is knocked down over to Karen Yaeger's at 1530 Wilbraham Road. She never wrote me a thank you note for loaning my stuff to her. At 9:45am I served Mother two pills with milk. She continues to confuse fantasy with reality and asked me, "Have you seen Bloomer's dog?" She also nonsensically asked, "Did you find the paper that told about Ruby?" 

This afternoon I headed to the Open House at 43 Birchland, but the agent Roger Trombly was a half hour late. 43 was built in 1948 and looks lived in. but it has a nice room in the attic. The dining room is lovely but the kitchen is too small. 43 also has nice landscaping, including a stone wall.  From there I went to the Open House at 95 Birchland. It is neat as a pin. The house was built in 1949 and the realtor was Joanne Carlisle. As I was departing the Allard's were just arriving. 

I then went and made copies and put out the mail at Breckwood. I also got gas at Sunoco for 95 cents per gallon. The new Pride station in the Acres is all framed and plywooded in. No concrete or steel in the structure, just pre-fab wooden walls supporting a nearly flat roof. The one they tore down recently on Sumner had been built to last, this new Acres one will probably develop structural problems within a decade.

When I returned Mother was in bed. I smelled something so I told her to get up. Pulling back the covers on the bed I saw it was all soiled with brown shit. I got her to the toilet and found that her undergarments were full of shit. Has the tumor collapsed due to the radiation? I cleaned her up, got her back to bed and gave her two pills and some orange juice. A few minutes later she was sleeping comfortably. 

Called Tom Devine but his mother said he "just left for the library." I wonder why he goes to the library so much? Eamon called and described President Clinton as having "no shame." He mocked Mayor Albano for describing Springfield in the paper as a "sports city" while claiming that "sports are the way to revitalize Springfield's economy!" I told Eamon that it is pathetic that the once great cultural center of Springfield has been reduced to promoting itself as a "sports city."  

January 12, 1999

29 degrees on the breezeway at 8:30am. 

Michael Jordan is retiring just as the basketball season is commencing. Police Chief Campbell in Agawam has been suspended for 90 days without pay. Substitute teachers in Springfield have been given a raise to $60 per day. There are about 2,500 teachers in Springfield and an average of 191 are out daily.

Two inches of light, fluffy snow fell last night. Served Mother water and one pill at 8:15am. Barbara called and said she can't make it today but will come Thursday. This morning I called Aunt Maria but she said she couldn't talk because she was in a hurry to go shopping.

I called the Union-News at 788-1234 and got Estelle in Classifieds. I asked her about their death notices and she told me it comes to them through the funeral home. She said the price of a death notice is $1.02 per line. I asked Estelle if there is a legal requirement that a death notice be published and she replied that they are not legally required. 

Then I called Springfield Cemetery and they said they have lots available starting at $795 but their Methodist section "sold out years ago."I called Hillcrest and they have mausoleum vaults for $4,250 or $700 for a ground burial with a $100 discount for veterans.   

Called Oak Grove and their plots sell for $635. I asked about the stone building on their property and she told me it used to be a chapel but it has deteriorated to the point of disuse. She said they are hoping to one day "get it back in shape." 

Ms. A. Provost from the School Department called  about the science fair and she said it will be held on March 23rd at UMass in Amherst. She said a few students from the Springfield schools are competing, but not like in the past when Springfield was a major participant. 

I mentioned how I had participated in the fair in 1959 with a project I did under the supervision of Mr. Lynch. Provost exclaimed that "back in the stone age" when she started her career Mr. Lynch had been her "mentor." She described herself as "in awe of his devotion to excellence and his deep love of learning." She ended by telling me she would send me more information on the fair when it becomes available. 

Just before noon I called Tom Devine, who thanked me for my card. We talked a bit about the Twig Painter and Tom warned me not to take everything Doyle says too seriously because he likes to joke around. I asked him if Dan Yorke likes being back on in the morning and he said yes. Tom says he hasn't heard anything from Hurwitz. He also said he has no interest in applying to become editor of the Arts & Entertainment section of the Valley Advocate. Devine declared, "Politics is my beat!" 

It was a lovely, sunny winter afternoon. The mail was here at 2pm. Around 7pm I brought Mother to the toilet. She has reached the point where she can barely sit up on her own. She can still sit up in bed, but she can't get out without help. She is shriveling up into a bag of bones. I hugged her and told her I loved her as I put her back in bed. Mother was soundly sleeping by 8pm. 

January 14, 1999

Snowing lightly at 2:15pm.

Last night Mother woke up at 10:30pm and I took her to the toilet, then put her to bed with water and a pill. She went through the rest of the night sleeping peacefully. This morning Unknown called, voiceless. I left the receiver off the hook for a while so they couldn't bother me again. Later Mrs. Penniman called and told me that Ray has a bad case of the shakes but is otherwise okay. She was cheerful and thanked me for my card. 

Drove over to Byron's and J. N. Paquette showed me their cremation urns. They are pricey and had nothing I really liked. The best were made of pewter. Paquette told me there are a lot of other models but he couldn't find the catalog. 

Then to Home Depot for termite poison. At the new Pride they are putting in the insulation. Next I had lunch at the Boston Road McDonald's to take advantage of their two Quarter Pounders for the price of one sale. That still came to $2.60, not really a bargain since Burger King has the same sandwich for 99 cents each.   

From there to Angelo's for bananas, tomatoes and lettuce. Finally, I left a bag of stuff for Mrs. Staniski on her back porch and then headed home, where I noticed Murphy's Plumbing parked at the Cohn's. 

Helen O'Connell arrived at 12:25pm, examined Mother and gave me a booklet about dying Completing the Circle. She reported that Mother's blood pressure is 110/60 and her pulse is 72.  O'Connell told me that Mother has at most only a few weeks to live.  Mother must have overheard us because when she left at 1:10 Mother exclaimed, "Oh no, I'm going to die!" She spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping quietly. Shortly after Helen left the mail came. 

The news had a poll showing that support for removal of Clinton has risen from 28% last month to 36% now. I'll be glad if he gets kicked out for putting America through this ordeal. Representative Henry Hyde was on Nightline last night and Ted Koppel asked him some hard questions. Hyde handled them well, saying Clinton has set a bad example for kids and has coarsened the public discourse. 

I agree, what girl now doesn't feel that she is expected to suck cock? And what fellow now doesn't expect the service? Father and Mother never would have thought of such a thing, much less done it. 

Buffalo got more snow. G. Gordon Liddy is on WNNZ from ten to noon. The Jim Rome Sports Show is now on WHYN AM-560 from 3-7. Dan Yorke was giving away tickets this morning to Alice in Wonderland at City Stage this evening. 

Nader the Hatter called tonight and said he was at the Goodwill on Sumner Avenue and bought an antique Bible for $100. He recently got his hearing tested and it is fine except for the highest decibels. The Hatter informed me that he spoke to Eamon on the phone yesterday.  

January 16, 1999

Heavily overcast, some sleeting. 17 degrees at 7:30am.

Police Chief Paula Meara was sworn in today saying, "Integrity is the only foundation for police work acceptable for Springfield."  Friendly's reports they expect losses in their quarter share prices. Friendly's has 640 company owned restaurants and 40 franchises. While telling us this Brenda Garton made a grammar error. 

Roger A. Young is Chairman of the Board at Baystate Gas Company.  My good friends at Cat's Paw in Indian Orchard sold virtually the entire contents of their collectibles store, except for her collection of teddy bear tea sets. They have redesigned their store space to accommodate a kitchen table snack bar and office. They have space for only half as much stuff. Darlene Burns of The Orchard has moved out of I.O. and up to Chicopee. 

No paper until 8:30am. Changed Mother and cleaned up her bed, then gave her coffee and two pills. Mother is not as chipper as yesterday. At least she is no longer burping but is drinking less. Left a message for Wendy at Hospice that Barbara is a wonderful woman but that I have taken care of Mother and she needn't come today. 

At 1:40pm the doorbell rang and it was the mailman with a big box containing my order from Hamilton. My Traveler's annuity check also came today. Michael's car was next door. I dined today on waxed beans and warmed up some fish filet. Had a Swanson meatloaf dinner for supper.

Watched the impeachment trial this afternoon. Rep. Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin spoke beautifully but Ed Bryant from Tennessee was less articulate as he urged us to "focus on the big picture." Asa Hutchinson was down to earth and splendid on obstruction. James Rogan of California was extremely fine exposing Clinton's lies. 

The Republicans have done a fine job, sometimes positively eloquent. They each left no doubt that Clinton is guilty as charged, but Doris Kearns Goodwin appeared to be pro-Clinton as she said, "This is not a momentous event, the charges are too inconsequential. It feels small rather than enlightening." Clinton's a bum and he should get out. 

Peter Picknelly is out of the hospital in Boston. I read the Boston Globe today and their cartoonist Pat Oliphant is a mischievous character. He is always insulting Republicans and praising Democrats. ABC is promoting an upcoming program asking, "Have we Become a Nation of Cheaters?"

Called Lynn at Punderson and she said they'll deliver our oil Monday or Tuesday. The price is 89 cents per gallon with payment due within ten days. Mrs. Stanisiki called and we chatted for half an hour. Her daughter Ann had to play at a funeral today in Needham. 

Called Aunt Maria who told me that she was spooked by someone calling asking for her late husband. I reassured her that it was most likely a telemarketer who had probably pulled Uncle George's name out of an old call list.   

January 18, 1999

Sunny and 31 degrees at 8am. Martin Luther King Day. 

Everywhere, every twig, everything was covered with ice and glistening in the light of the rising sun. There were even icicles hanging from the clothes line. It all melted away as the morning passed. 

At 4:30am Mother cried out "John!" but when I checked on her she didn't want anything. I brought her to the toilet, changed her diaper and put her back in bed. She says she has no pain. I served her coffee but she couldn't muster the strength to pull the liquid up the straw. So I pulverized a pain pill and put it in a Friendly's tartar sauce cup with a little water and she drank from that. 

Did a load of wash and cooked up a spaghetti and hamburg casserole. The newspaper never arrived today, so I drove out at 1:30pm and bought the New York Times at the Newsstand in the Acres, but the manager informed me that the Springfield paper had sold out. I remarked how it is amazing that such a poor paper sells so well and the manager agreed. Before I left I gave him Eamon's number. 

Put the mail out at Parker Drug, sending letters to Fred Whitney, Kateri Walsh, Dan Yorke and Tommy Devine. Then drove to Sampson's in the Acres where I was waited on by John Flynn. Their prices are considerably higher than Byron's, and their so-called "cremation containers" are nothing but a flimsy cardboard box about as sturdy as an orange juice container. On the way back I noticed a black and white FOR SALE sign on Mary Alice Stusick-Plant's place. 

The oil was delivered while I was out so I called Caroline at Punderson and she said we owe $167.27 so I wrote a check. Tom Bevaqua said the temperature today reached 50 degrees.

Watched the special on cheating in America and one Rabbi was quoted as saying it is the result of "a moral collapse in American culture" and cited the Clinton scandals as an example. On the evening news we saw Clinton and a brightly smiling Hillary walking out of Foundry United Methodist Church with bibles in hand. The president is hoping to keep the nation focused on national affairs and not his personal ones. 

At 5:30pm Paul Smith called asking if I wanted to subscribe to the Union-News. I said I already subscribe but my paper was not delivered this morning and when I went out to buy one they were sold out. He said I will have to call the paper's main number to file a complaint, then he apologized for bothering me and hung up. 

January 19, 1999

Bright and sunny, 38 degrees on the breezeway at 7:30am. 

The presidency is not merely an administrative office. That's the least of it. It is preeminently a place of moral leadership. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt   

Both Barbara and Helen came to care for Mother today. Helen said she will come again on Friday. I noticed she has a Tom Reilly for Attorney General sticker on her car. Barbara told me she has three kids, the youngest attends Putnam. 

Jurzephezyk's mailbox has been knocked down again. I drove out at 9am to mail my oil payment to Punderson at Parker Drug, where I ran into Mr. Stanley Cressotti, the electrician who lives next door to the Cohn's. He greeted me as Wesley and we wished each other a Happy New Year.  

Then to Wilbraham, where I paid the taxes on our property there. I also stopped at Albank and deposited some checks. Their parking lot was icy and I complained to the bank teller about it. She said the lot is actually owned by Rocky's so I should complain to them. 

I replied that I should not have to run around asking for the lot to be properly cleared. I said I am a customer and this bank and the hardware store should both want a clear lot to keep me coming back. I added that this was something I shouldn't have to explain to her. Furthermore, I alerted her to the fact that the date on their check writing table was wrong. 

Then to the Goodwill on Sumner Avenue, where they had some nice empty milk crates. I asked the clerk if I could buy a few of them but the woman said she didn't know if she could sell them and the manager wasn't around. 

Came back by Oak in order to attend the Tuesday Morning Music Club's winter concert. I found a parking spot right in front of AIC's Griswold Theater. I went in and the event was poorly attended. I counted 34, all white, but 9 of them were men. For a long time I was the only male that attended. 

The piano music by Frigo Scott was competent but dull and expressionless. Clifton Noble of the Springfield papers was an accompanist.  Eileen Ruby is vivacious and has a lovely voice. Peter Demos and Anita Chang were nothing less than superb. 

Afterwards we had coffee, tea and cookies. I shook hands with Demos and thanked him for performing the high public service of playing for the public for free. I also shook Frigo's hand, but in a formal, less cordial way. Neither Mary Alice Stusick nor Mrs. Staniski were there. I didn't stay long.

I then headed downtown where I  parked at the Marshall Center and walked down to the post office. From there I walked over to A.G. Edwards to order 20 more shares of Friendly's stock with a $200 payment. Johnson's Bookstore was pitch dark. 

All the development offices and the Chamber of Commerce have moved to the SIS Center, where I acquired a free copy of BusinessWest. Then to Antiques on Boland Way and their 30% off sale. I bought a paperweight with a picture of the White House on it for $22.50.

In the mail today Madeleine Rabideau of St. Michael's in Vermont wrote saying they do not have an address or phone number for Dr. Jennie Versteeg. Called Aunt Maria, she said Shirley brought her to the doctor's. Also called Michael Bearse at the newspaper. I told him I received no paper yesterday or today and then asked him when my subscription ends. He replied March 4th. I told him I am debating whether to renew. 

January 20, 1999

Stuart Hurwitz is the Chair of Mayor Albano's Arts and Entertainment Initiative. E. Wayne Turner is the Corresponding Secretary for the Tuesday Morning Music Club. 

Trash went out early. I looked out at 8:45am and the morning paper was thrown up against the garage door with an orange bag beside it with the missing papers I complained about. They contained no note of apology.

Helen the nurse came and told me not to feed Mother any solid food because she may choke on it. I told her that Mother never asks for anything but water. Barbara arrived just after 1am, changed Mother and gave her a glass of water. I sat with Mother for a bit and she almost smiled when I made Sweetpea and Honeypot kiss her. 

This morning I drove out to Hillcrest and spoke with Karen Cormier in the office. The carillon was playing and she told me they had four funerals that day. She loaned me a key and I went over to the mausoleum and looked around, admiring the Tiffany windows near where Mother will be interred. 

From there I drove downtown, pausing at Byron's Funeral Home, where Joe Roy sold me a lovely brass urn for $429. They have a better selection of urns than Sampsons. From there I drove into the city and parked at the Quadrangle, where I ran into Mr. Nardi, who asked me to say hello to Nader the Hatter. I went into the City Library and made copies.  

From there I went to City Stage for the Mayor's re-election campaign announcement. On the way over I paused briefly at Edwards Books, where I bought a picture book of Longmeadow for $25 that was published in the 1980's by the Longmeadow Historical Society. 

At Albano's campaign event there was live piano background music provided by Frank Jackson of Holyoke. I would say that half the people present were on the public payroll. David Starr was there and Francis Gagnon arrived late. I saw Peter Picknelly talking with Gary Shepard, while Kateri Walsh was chatting with Teresa Regina and Marshall Moriarty. Frankie Keough was talking with the Sheriff, and Hurwitz left early. Chief Paula Meara was there, I hadn't realized she is so short and fat. I said hello to Election Commissioner Deezer Sullivan. He is a jovial fellow but also overweight.

Health Commissioner Helen Caulton smiled at me, and Judy Matt gave me a friendly greeting. I spoke with Kevin Coyle, who mentioned that his brother Jimmy has been dead for 20 years and that his mother lives with him now. He also mentioned Mike Spencer and said he knows Billy White. Jim Contavinch was cheery but said he was saddened by the closing of Johnson's Bookstore. I briefly spoke with Michaelann Bewsee and Fred Hurst and waved to Tony Ravosa.

It was pretty crowded, with most people standing. A video was shown called "Faces of the Can-Do City" but the face most often appearing in it was Mike Albano's. City Councilor Dom Sarno came up to me and we talked about Paul Caron's breakfast. I thought that Mo Turner, Tom Devine or even Eamon might stop by if only to spy on who was there and eat the free food, but they never showed.

There was lots to eat catered by Elegant Affair. A long table was set up with soft drinks and beers. Smaller tables offered crackers, breadsticks, chunks of pineapple and melon, four cheeses, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce. I dined mainly on the cheese and melons, then left having stayed about an hour.  

President Clinton gave his State of the Union tonight. The stock market is up, including Friendly's. I wrote to the University of Vermont today on a minor matter, they don't realize that I am doing so simply to get a copy of their latest letterhead.

Peggy Sutton from the Hospice called and offered to send over a free meal for Mother and me. I said thank you but told her that Mother is in her final decline and no longer eating. She expressed sympathy. I called Aunt Maria and explained to her how Mother is fading fast and told her not to tell anyone in order to protect Mother's privacy. 

January 22, 1999

Overcast, sometimes drizzling, 41 degrees at 1pm. 

Newspaper here okay. Left at 9am and drove over to SIS. As I was leaving the bank, I noticed Francis Gagnon at the end of the hall talking to Joan Lewandowski. Then I went next door to Angelo's for grapefruit and brussel sprouts. 

From there I headed to Eastfield Mall, where Book Market was having a 50% off going out of business sale. There are many empty storefronts in Eastfield. At the food court I bought a large slice of pepperoni pizza for $2.40.  When I got home I called Goodwill on Sumner and asked the manager if their milk crates were for sale. She said no, they use the crates to carry merchandise around the store.

Barbara came at 1:15 and told me she has two sons, the oldest is 23 and the younger son Tom is into computers. She took care of Mother, whose mouth now hangs open all the time and whose cheeks are very drawn in. She can no longer speak. I made Sweet Pea and Honey Pot kiss her and tell her they loved her. Mother is deteriorating badly - how much longer can she last?

When Barb left at 2:20 I did a load of wash and watched the impeachment proceedings. Senator Robert Byrd announced he will not vote to impeach. Obviously Clinton is guilty and should be removed, but it is unlikely to happen. Dan Quayle has announced he is running for president. TV22 had a segment on economic development in Indian Orchard. Russ Denver was on and sounded almost competent.

The mail brought a letter from Ann Burke saying my poem has some good lines in it. Had milk and beans for supper. I called Eamon, who told me he had just gotten off the phone with John Silber from Boston University. Eamon thanked me for the syrup and said he has been taking it easy the past few days because he threw his back out shoveling snow. 

Eamon said he sees Francis Gagnon on the city's cable access station all the time. He also told me that virtually every day he gets calls from the Basketball Hall of Fame from employees listening to his messages. 

Eamon says a source told him that the guy in the paper who beat someone with a baseball bat is actually a cousin of Anthony Ardolino, who then unsuccessfully tried to intimidate the police into dropping the matter. Eamon called Fitchet at the police station who confirmed that Ardolino had indeed tried to intervene on behalf of his cousin. 

The article was by Kevin Claffey, so Eamon called him in search of more details. Claffey told him that he knew of the Ardolino connection and included it in his story, but an editor removed that fact before publication. Claffey told  Eamon that the level of censorship at the paper is increasing and that the reporters are getting frustrated by their inability to tell the full truth in the stories they submit. 

January 23, 1999

mother has died.

January 24, 1999

Edar Allen Poe - Once Upon a Midnight is at City Stage on February 3rd.

Mother was a nervous sort of person who often had a "better way" that was often a lot more work and not a better way at all.  

Sweet Pea and Honey Pot are now sitting on the sofa in the basement. Drove out in the afternoon and donated 80 of my paperbacks to Goodwill. Then over to Caldor's where there was plenty of business and Food Mart was mobbed as always.  I then headed down to the newspaper and submitted Mother's obituary, which I wrote last night.

I finally got a letter from the insurance company saying they would agree to pay half the cost of replacing Mother's teeth. Technically, the letter has arrived after her death. I wonder if they heard she was dying and decided to stall off replacing her teeth until they didn't have to. How would they know? Gossip among nurses.

Dined on a lettuce and tomato sandwich and a can of Campbell's Chunky Vegetable-Beef Soup. I called Aunt Maria to tell her that Mother has left her $10,000. She replied that she doesn't need the money and doesn't want anything belonging to Mother.  

January 25, 1999

Still overcast, but rain has stopped. 

The Pope today asked Mexicans to protect human life and honor the church's teachings on abortion. Charles F. Storey of 195 Wilbraham Road is a dentist. 

Mother's obituary appeared in the paper today. At 5 of 9 I stopped at Louis & Clark to buy postage, but they were out of one cent stamps and had no copies of the Union-News. I got three copies at the adjacent Sunoco convenience store Then I drove out to Goodwill and delivered a box of Mother's shoes to Patty. I reminded her that I'd really like any milk crates she comes across.

At 12:59 the doorbell rang twice and it was Eric from Merriam Graves to pick up the hospital equipment. I helped carry out a couple of pieces. At the same time, Barbara pulled up at the mailbox saying she was told this morning that Mother had died. She returned the books I lent her and I told her how much we had appreciated her service. 

I cancelled Mother's pension from Monarch by calling Overland Park and got Laura, who transferred me to Tammy, who told me she will need a death certificate. I told her those cost $8 each but I will be glad to send her a photocopy. She told me they will send out no more payments effective immediately.  

Mail was here around two with my MLA catalog and lots of other stuff.  I then called  Bell Atlantic to get rid of the rental telephone. Spoke to Ms. Bisbrow, who put me on hold and I wound up with Tony in Texas, who said I should call the Lease Equipment Department, which I did and then was transferred to Consumer Lease Service and then to Latasha in Florida. Her voicemail said, "Our system is down, please call back in half an hour...."

I did call back and ended up with Maria, a woman with a Latino accent in Miami. She told me I could return the phone to Mailboxes Etc. on North Main Street in East Longmeadow. So I took the phone over there and turned it in to the owner Nicole E. Kelly. On my way back I paused at Stop&Shop and bought some specials on soup. While there I ran into mayoral aide Candice Lopes and we exchanged greetings.

Joe of Byron's called and said he will proceed with engraving Mother's death date on her urn. Mrs. Penniman called and expressed her condolences. She shared a few anecdotes about Mother as she stressed how desirable it is to maintain one's sense of humor. She asked me to tell her if she can help in any way. 

Had Progresso Beef and Barley Soup for supper. Then I called Eamon and left a message telling him that Mother had died and her obituary is in the paper. I added, "Don't send flowers. Don't send money. Don't send anything!"  

An hour later Nader the Hatter called and told me that he had just got off the phone with "Commissioner O'Sullivan" who told him of Mother's death. The Hatter expressed his solemn condolences, but the rest of his call was quite cheerful and I hung up feeling refreshed. 

January 26, 1999

A lovely day.

I have started wearing my pink triangle earring. It will remain there permanently and it will be great fun to see how people respond to it. Now that Mother is gone I intend to be much more strict about wearing my uniform at all times without exception. 

An article by Catherine L. Aspy in the Reader's Digest says that women are not generally suited for combat because they are simply weaker than men and are unable to carry the necessary equipment into the war zone. So men and women are not equal after all?  

I first met future City Councilor Paul Mason when we were teens. He was a bright young fellow. I once competed with Wayne Budd in a public speaking contest held for American Education Week in 1952, I think. We got our picture in the paper together.

I cleared out some of the papers in the kitchen cabinet (mostly addresses, cards and receipts for many things) and came upon this dinner grace by Grandfather Miller:

Our Father, we beseech thee to give thy blessing on this food. Help us to receive it with thanksgiving and do thy will for Christ's sake. Amen. 

I also cleaned out the drawers in the living room and ended up putting out a full dumpster on the curb. The mail brought condolence cards from Yarber and Mrs. Staniski.  It also brought a letter from Eric Bachrach, Executive Director of The Community Music School of Springfield, thanking me for my financial donation. 

There has been a 2-1 stock split at IBM. Attorney Cava is now advertising on TV22. Listened to a little of the impeachment trial. General Wesley Clark, Supreme Commander of NATO, was on the Lehrer News Hour and he spoke very well. At one point he said it is time for Yugoslavia to "enjoy the wonderful prosperity of democracy." Is that his standard bullshit or does he mean it? 

Unknown called and when I picked up it was silent. Eamon called with condolences and offered to help in any way. I thanked him but said I don't like to impose on my friends. He said he always enjoyed talking to Mother and admired the way I cared for her until the end. 

Eamon then talked about the consultant Joe Napolitan, who started out as a sports writer for the Springfield papers. Eamon said Napolitan would never have had a political career without Larry O'Brien, who introduced him to Ted Kennedy and Tommy O'Connor.  Napolitan was well paid to advise Charlie Ryan in his 1995 campaign but was never around as Ryan ended up losing to Albano. 

Then Eamon recalled how his aunt Bridget Fitzgerald Johnson was a gung-ho supporter of "Danny Boy" Brunton and used to hold fundraisers for him featuring a local violinist and accordion player. She wanted Eamon to sing at these events but he refused because he was supporting Brunton's opponent O'Connor and was also a friend of Brunton critic Bill Putnam. She was furious when Eamon accepted a job in the O'Connor administration and wouldn't speak to him for years. But shortly before her death she apologized for having ostracized him over their political differences.   

We also talked about how David Starr is changing his role at the paper and becoming its president. Eamon said he never heard of a paper having a president and we both couldn't imagine what a president of a newspaper is supposed to do. 

Eamon then told me about the time that Councilor Vincent Dimonaco was having lunch at The Fort with Starr and Arnold Friedman when Eamon's name came up, causing Starr to state, "Ed Sullivan is bad for Springfield." Dimonaco then asked, "Have you guys ever met him?" They replied that they had not. Dimonaco then told them, "Eddie Sullivan knows more about Springfield than the two of you combined. You should have met with him on the first day you arrived in the city!"

Later Dimonaco called Eamon and told him what had transpired. He asked Eamon if he would be willing to meet with Starr and Friedman at The Fort for lunch. Eamon said sure and even offered to pay for everyone's food and drinks. Dimonaco relayed the invitation and although Friedman agreed to attend, the lunch ended up being cancelled when Starr angrily declared, "I want absolutely nothing to do with him!"

January 27, 1999

Nice day. 

Of the 15,000 volumes in my library, there are several dozen of which there are only one or two copies in existence. A special feature of my collections is this meticulously detailed diary. It will be a source of immense interest to students of this historical period in which so much has been covered up and omitted from the local records. 

Trash went okay. Around 10am I drove down to Breckwood and bought gas for 91 cents per gallon at Sunoco. Then I drove up to the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside to visit Barnes & Noble. It is big and beautiful, everything a bookstore should be except no used books. This absence disgusted me to the point that I refused to buy anything. 

They had easy chairs all around, and a restaurant where everything is outrageously over priced. Public restrooms are on the second floor. There was a rack of newspapers from all over, mostly just one copy. None from Vermont. 

I spent two hours looking down every aisle in the store. No cases devoted to law books. Quite a bit of poetry, Shakespeare, some gay and lesbian stuff, foreign languages and a splendid children's department. It is shameful that Barnes & Noble is not located in downtown Springfield and a sign of how far Springfield has fallen that even Holyoke has a better bookstore. I would say that the Ingleside Mall has been the death of downtown Holyoke and has damaged the Springfield downtown as well.  

I stopped in at Men's Wearhouse and it's just another fancy men's clothing store. I was wearing my uniform of an earring, chain collar and biker jacket. I asked the clerk if they had any leather pants and she politely said no but told me that Wilson's does. Checked out Pier 1 and it is finer than we ever had on Boston Road. Also looked in on Bed & Bath.

Then I went to COMPUSA, where they had a sale on space beanies, so I bought a green and white one for my doll Floppy. I'd never buy such a thing for myself. From Holyoke I drove down the mountain to Route 5, where I was dismayed by how much of what was once beautiful farmland has been replaced by commercial development. It is not picturesque development either, they have ruined the area. 

In West Springfield I paused at Dick's but simply did a walk through. Then over to Burger King where I succumbed to a Great American Burger for $4.49 plus tax. It was simply too much of a burger and I won't buy one again. Then home around 3pm.

Patricia Collins, who used to work for Johnson's Bookstore, was on TV leading a rally in front of First Church for abortion rights. Also in the news, Caldor's is closing and the Agawam cops voted no-confidence in their police chief. 

Unknown called.   

January 29, 1999

Overcast, snow and drizzle.

No word on Mother's urn or cremains.  Friendly's stock is up.

Reading some of the books I recently bought, including the book on Buddhism I paid $75 for. I didn't know that Buddhism and Hinduism are so closely related. 

Spent five hours today sorting through Mother's papers and throwing away her old prescriptions and medical supplies. While cleaning I came across a Shawmut First Bank and Trust Company check written by Father in February 1984. I also came upon a receipt dated February 10, 1986 from Dr. Mark Radzicki of Forest Park Medical Associates across from the park entrance. He has recently been in trouble for misprescribing addictive drugs. Mother was his patient until around 1991. 

I called Central High today after I saw a notice in the paper that the School Department is destroying a lot of their old records. I asked if I could get a copy of my transcripts. Dorothy told me she'd have to go into another room to check if they still have them. She returned and told me they do and I could come and get them anytime for a two dollar copying fee.  

I drove to Louis & Clark to put out mail and then swung by Central and got my transcript from the very conscientious and helpful Dorothy. She also gave me a copy of their school handbook, which I will edit for errors. The transcript was accurate, but not the same as the one I received years ago which included certain advanced courses I took and Rodeheaver's recommendation. 

Next I headed to the Springdale Mall where J. Crew was having a sale in where T.J. Maxx was. I looked at their shoes, and some of them were quite nice, but I bought nothing. Then over to Stop&Shop, where I bought a chicken for $4.99. They were $6.99 at Big Y earlier this week.  I also bought a bottle of a new Coke product called Citra, which has grapefruit in it. It tastes a lot like Sprite.

When I got back I cooked up a Sara Lee blueberry pie. For lunch I had two lettuce and tomato sandwiches. I ate too much yesterday by buying that ridiculously large American Burger at Burger King. 

Five condolence cards came in the mail today, including one from Arlene Morton. Also received a letter from Christopher Kelly at Oxford University Press declining to publish my book of poems.

Called Aunt Maria, who said she did not feel up to sending any Christmas cards this year. She told me she has decided to be buried with her husband George in Feeding Hills. Good. There had been talk of putting her in the Wilson lot in Fairview. She talked about Uncle George a bit, regretting that he died in his early 60's and never got to do all the things he had planned for retirement. My Uncle George was a good guy.

Got another voiceless call from Unknown, took the phone off the hook.

January 31, 1999

23 degrees and sunny at 7:30am. 

Life is a story of which we never get to see the ending, and it is not necessarily a happy one. 

Mother's obituary appeared in today's Union-News. 

SPRINGFIELD - Blanche E. (Wilson) Miller, 92, of the 16 Acres section, died last Saturday at home. She was a waitress in her youth at Springfield's Colony Club. She also worked at Birnies Paper Co. and was a registrar in the claims department of Monarch Life Insurance. She was a sales associate at the former Forbes & Wallace at Eastfield Mall and served as an enumerator on the 1960, 1970 and 1980 censuses. 

Born in Lympus, Vermont, she was educated at Whitcomb High School and the former Bay Path Institute. She was a descendant of some of the founders of Springfield and Longmeadow. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and belonged to the Tuesday Morning Music Club. She was very active in the Methodist Church throughout her life.

Her husband of 53 years, John W. Miller Jr. died in 1986. She leaves a son, J. Wesley Miller, with whom she lived, and a sister, Maria Giroux of the Feeding Hills section of Agawam. The funeral and burial will be private. Byron's Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge. 

At 9:27am I drove to Breckwood to make copies of the obituary and put out the mail. I ran into Professor Bradley and we exchanged greetings. He said he is on sabbatical from WNEC. Then over to Angelo's, where I got tomatoes, lettuce, brussel sprouts and a lot of clementines. Then over to the Salvation Army on Boston Road, which was well stocked but I bought nothing. 

Reading more about the Borobudur Temple. While eating a $1.95 Freezer Queen Pot Roast Dinner, I started proofreading the Central High Student Handbook. It is full of bad English of various sorts. Today I also ate a couple pieces of pie and a lettuce, tomato and onion sandwich.

Friendly's stock is at 6.13. Cleaned a little in the basement and threw away some worthless hair products belonging to Mother.  The mail came at noon and included the "Babe the Blue Ox" plush doll I had hoped to have for Mother by Christmas. I also received my Chamber of Commerce Rolodex (plastic, no less) and a letter from Health New England saying Mother's coverage ends as of tomorrow.

I got a letter from the gas company saying that the average heating system lasts less than twenty years and suggesting I get a new one. I called them and got Colleen and told her that our system is over 45 years old and working fine. I told her my Aunt was all electric for decades and switched to gas two years ago and her system failed last month. I suggested that maybe it was the lousy gas heater that was to blame. Colleen listened politely but did nothing to prolong the conversation as she thanked me for calling and hung up. 

I called the newspaper and cancelled their Sunday edition. I'm looking for ways to save money and I expect to find them. Called Leonard Collamore and told him I would give him my extra copy of The Legacy of Christopher Columbus (1949) which I bought for $17. He thanked me for "a wonderful addition to my collection."

Eamon called and apologized for not sending me a Christmas card this year. I told him the wonderful fruitcake he sent me was more than enough. Eamon noted that this is the first year he did not receive a crazy Christmas card from Doyle the Twig Painter.

Eamon says a friend of his told him that the courthouse downtown has a poor ventilation system resulting in unhealthy air that has made some people sick. Eamon also told me about a letter he received from Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois, thanking him for the Irish blessing Eamon sent him and describing Eamon as "a true patriot." 

We discussed the article in the paper today saying that Springfield's population is declining. Eamon claims people are leaving because of bad schools, declining property values, a high tax rate and a population that is now only 70% white. Eamon described Mayor Albano as "bent over with stupidity." 

In 1995 PHH MarketWatch, a real estate publication out of Connecticut, had this to say about Springfield - 

There is still no end in sight to the decay of the city of Springfield, where downtown property is estimated to be losing 2% of its value PER MONTH. Businesses and residents are fleeing to the suburbs, driven by widely reported violence in the schools and scarce job opportunities. 

Foreclosures are up more than 20% in Hampden County from this time last year and the tide of bank owned biddings shows no signs of ebbing. The suburbs are stronger than the city, and some (notably Wilbraham) are expected to see some minimal appreciation this year.