Roseville 1970

My current blog changes – making this a permanent post

Sorry to cancel; hello anyway

I thought we could gather at the same time as the Class of 71, but Delta variant and fight over vaccines changed my mind. “Are you vaccinated?” has become fighting words. This is a rather sad commentary on our time. We all lined up for the polio vaccines. Our parents knew the danger of polio. Covid-19 is also a danger a deadly danger for many, and a long term annoyance for others. My son still doesn’t have a full sense of taste and smell back

I hope you are all well and enjoying senior-hood

We launched into the world at the dawn of the computer age. I think like the primates in the movie ‘2001; A Space Odyssey’ we had no clear vision of where it would lead.

I will try again next year for a reunion.

My youngest son Alex is getting married on October 2nd. I have two sons Erik and Alex. There is considerable to and fro over over covid concerns and general wedding stress. I as father of the groom have no part or decision making to do. I therefore try to stay out of the way. My mother said really all anyone needs to have is a simple wedding. I agreed, but said we are well beyond simple.

I administrate a Facebook group I created for Elmwood IL, where I currently live. This used to be very simple no one knew what Facebook was and few were in the group. It now has 4700 members, Elmwood’s population is 2100. There had been some simmering Covid debates. These I mostly ignored in my role as moderator. I posted an announcement of masks required for our small theater. Masks fog my glasses. I rather unwisely gave into my frustration. I made the comment, those who’s behaviors have brought on the new mandates were not those of us who are vaccinated. I quickly attracted the wrath of the un-vacced; wrath normally reserved for Governor Pritzker. For those of you not having been back to Illinois Pritizker Sucks signs are everywhere. A rather indecent political approach that began as soon as he was elected and well before Covid. Disingenuous attacks make up the majority of our debates these days. This also contributes to an often unmanageable Facebook group.

Warren County has been increasing in all the Covid measures. Mostly I don’t want to endanger anyone. I had reserved the Roseville Community Center, the place you and I would call the grade school or jr. high cafeteria and gym. I do have a Zoom account, but it wouldn’t be the same. Let’s try this for real next year. If you have thoughts on contacting people or suggestions for activities, not overly active considering our age. I welcome your input.

Roseville has the same buildings, but not the same or as many people. There are fewer people living in Warren County than there used to be. Of course Henderson County is ready to be restored to a vacant prairie. Sorry to my neighbors from Raritan and Media. When driving around our area there are fewer houses, buildings, and fences. We do have windmills in south part of Point Pleasant. Controversial because of all the windmill cancer. Controversial because they are new and very noticeable.

If anyone wants to see photos of me, just joking. I make my Facebook public. I like Mark Twain, who knew he didn’t have the memory to be a good liar, realize no one has any privacy these days. Also Instagram, but I hate Instagram and don’t post much. I do have an adorably cute two year old grandson. My only grandchild until January. I also do travel around and sometimes find something interesting to photograph. Search for ShireSteve because there are an astounding number of Steve Davis’ in the world. Also, this blog I have recently gotten going, shiresteve.blog. I have the Forgottonia.org site, but I plan to repurpose it. Email shiresteve@gmail.com I am a man of habit and redundancy. I would give out my phone number but I am rather incompetent with a smart phone.

The class of 1971 did use their Facebook group rather effectively to make contact with their classmates. I suppose they being younger and all that, are better adapted to the newfangled ways. Posting some photos, updates, or questions in the group would help communicate over the next year. Please no email chains that is something the truly old and nearly senile do.

I do make a lasagna that draws good reviews. I suppose I can promise to make it next year to compensate for cancelling. Only for those who would like such an exotic dish. It wasn’t something my mother made. As a consolation gift I would give any of you a copy of my Kindle novel “The Solace of Solitude.” Several people have read it and found it a good read. I wrote it to please my wife who liked but found my non-sequential novel confusing. A Kindle book can be read on computer, phone, iPad, or even a Kindle. There is an Amazon link on the blog – if you want to peruse it before diving into the deep end of a commitment.

I had expected we would be good to go this Fall. As Dana Carvey, said when doing George H. W. Bush “It wouldn’t be prudent.” Also I am a wimp when it comes to stress. I have had enough of it. I have decided it is best to let others keep it in their corrals.

Once I listened to Neil Young sing Old Man. I was the young man and now I am the one who has to look at the young man’s life.

I sincerely wish the best to everyone. I hope even in a stressful time each of you finds joy, and maybe a few good memories from our time growing up — Do you feel like an adult, yet? A question I was asked in my twenties – I suppose my answer is ‘I was and will always remain immature.’

Steve Davis