Fifty Five

The Twenty ninth of October, I will turn 55. Most of these years, I don't even remember or think about the number. Sometimes I have had to think how old I was, one time even making myself older. I know that I do not feel that old. Two people might have a different view of that, though. Seth would say that for years, I act like an old man and Arlene would tell me to stop acting like a kid.

There were always the numbers that most associate with aging, 20,21,30,40,50, and so on. So why the focus on it this year.

I do not know why. It could be that this year is the first since the passing of my father this past May. It could be that Seth moved to Ohio in August. It could be that this year, a larger number of friends and family have had some of life's challenges. Or it could be what usually affects me at this time of the year, the Yahrzeit of my brother Harry, this year, November 1st.

So whatever the reason, I just hope that this coming year will bring joy to my friends and family and that we learn and grow from the challenges of our lives.

Isadore-Ize-Izzy-Sunny-Binder‏

On April 22nd, we took my father into the hospital for ear and

chest pain.In the course of diagnosing him they found cancer

of the pancreas metastasized to the liver. This was not related

to the ear pain. After less than a month,he passed this morning,

Sunday May 17th at 2:30 a.m. On Saturday, the whole family was

together,with most of the grandchildren. Though he was not eating

on Saturday, he did open his eyes occasionally, held my hand,

squeezed my hand and even waved goodbye when someone left the room.

My sister in law Sheryl Binder wrote the following:

Isadore "Sunny" Binder: January 17, 1925 - May 17, 2009

father-in-law, father, grandfather, husband of my mother-in-law

Helen Binder, metallurgist, veteran, golfer, email extraordinaire

and raspberry lover. You will be missed.

Things Could Be Worse

For years, I have had a saying.... "Things could be worse,
you could be in bed sleeping". I first remember saying this
when I was in Podiatry school and everyone was waiting to
take a test. At that time it had little or no meaning. Most
classmates probably would have opted for the in bed sleeping.
As the years went by and I have gotten older, it has taken
on more meaning.

This afternoon as I sat in Northridge Hospital with my father
who was recently diagnosed with end stage pancreatic and
liver cancer, he asked me how my mother was doing? I told
him fine, O.K.. Then he asked me how I was doing? I answered
"depends on which time of day you ask me".

His answer to me, was "Things Could Be Worse". So what I
had thought was something I made up years ago may be
something I heard years ago in one form or another.

I did not answer back. I just sat back and thought about it.

Passover 2009

Our Happy Passover wishes to all.....

The meal and company were great.

Others joined us for dessert and Seth's
24th birthday celebration.

First Snow Day

Dedicated to the young actors who involuntarily donated their
services to my first film.

Staring Matthew, Seth, Uncle Hirsch, David, and Robert sort of...

This is my first attempt at converting my videos from VCR tape to
DVD

White Christmas?

'Twas the day after Christmas and I awoke
to find.....


Matthew's car and mine frozen with ice....
(Arlene later said she had to use warm water
to open the lock on the truck...)


the neighbors lawn white with ice....

?Does this qualify as a white christmas
in southern California?

(I guess more proof of global warming!)

Thanksgiving in Oak Park

For a number of years now, a group of
graduates mostly from Oak Park High School
go out early on Thanksgiving morning for a
morning of flag football. Most played one
sport or another in high school, not necessarily
football. It has been growing in size yearly.
Every year they have added a new graduating
class year. There were representives from
the classes 2001 to 2008. At least one year
put together 2 teams. There were at least
10 teams that I counted.



Seth #5 and his friend Andrew on the right,
recently back from the summer in Greece and
a stop in Germany with Seth. Both went on to
tour Germany and a side trip to Sweden.



The teams eventually set up next to a local
school and were spread out over the field.



Parents and others all on the side came out to
watch. I went to see some that I knew. That
is easier said than realized... you know that when
they grow up they do look different.

One father was discussing putting together a
team of fathers to play.... I think I'll pass.