Chase Kear on the Front Page of the Wichita Eagle

'Miracle man' recovers from near-deadly pole-vaulting accident

They've dubbed him 'Miracle man' because of the miraculous recovery he's made from a life threatening head injury. Read the complete article at...

http://www.kansas.com/news/story/612079.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another WONDERFUL Thanksgiving with family. We usually have Thanksgiving at my brother's home, but he had shoulder surgery and is recovering this Thanksgiving holiday, so Thanksgiving was hosted by my daughter with her husband being the chef.

It was a smaller gathering with my brother's family absent, they were missed.

The main course was Turducken, something that has been in the news quite a bit lately.

With my wonder camera in the shop I didn't take near as many pictures. OK, hardly any. I really miss my Canon 40D.

As always, I am daily Thankful for my loving family and how fortunate we are to have each other.

Here's hoping your Thanksgivings are as warm and loving!

Error 99

My beautiful wonder camera has been sent to the the shop. Halfway through the birthday party I got the dreaded "error 99" message (similar to a blue screen of death on the computer). After doing much research I discovered that this is a blanket error message and after doing the recommended troubleshooting the only recourse is to send it in. I was prompted online to find the service center closest to me and after supplying them with my zip code they would gladly supply me with driving instructions to either one of two service centers, both over 1,000 miles away. One is on the east coast the other on the west coast.
So, not feeling like spending my holidays driving to either coast (though it might have been fun), I bubble wrapped it, packed it in it's original box (which I was later informed I shouldn't have because they don't guarantee that I'll get it back) then packed that box in a larger box surrounded by more bubble wrap. Then off to the Post Office it went to be insured, tracked and tagged with a return receipt so I'll know they got it. Hopefully I'll have it back before Christmas.

A Grandson's Birthday

Another grandson had a birthday on Saturday. This grandson lives out of town, so he came out on Friday and stayed the night at our home with another of our grandson's, his cousin. These boys have been buddies since they were old enough to buddy around, being only months apart in age. Whenever the birthday boy comes to town the first thing he does is ask for the phone so he can call his best friend to come over. The boys had a grand time and on Saturday I had grandpa take the boys to our local pizza parlor, Redz, for pizza so I could load things up in the car to go to my daughters where we were having his party. He knew nothing of the party.
I do believe he was surprised to find he had birthday cake and all that goes with it...

I had also got cupcakes with Transformer rings because I wasn't sure how many people were going to come...

It wasn't quite time for the party when they had finished up eating pizza, so we were still waiting on my parents to arrive. My brother had called and his grandkids were sick so they weren't going to be there. While they were waiting, the children all went out to play. It was cold, but the sun was shining and as long as they kept moving, I don't think they felt the cold.

They got the Nerf guns other equipment that goes with them and chased each other around the yard.

It wasn't long before everyone had arrived, but the kids were having fun outside and they were burning off energy, so we all sat and relaxed and let them play for a while.

Dad sat in the big comfy chair in the living room.

After a while we called them in for cake and ice cream. Blow out the candles! Just not till after I get a picture.

Then on to the table full of presents....

He got a lot of things that he really liked. His dad later said that he would have kept watching the new movie, Wall-E all night if he would have let him.

And he always likes his new T-shirts.

Happy Birthday, Grandson! I'm glad you had a wonderful day.

Chase Kear on the Local News

Chase Kear has left rehab and is now at home. Here's the report that was on our local news. They're calling him "Miracle Man"...

All those prayers at work! Thank you one and all, he's living proof that miracles DO happen.

The WordGuy has Spoken!

Do you remember in September I had a Bone to Pick about the use of the word "troops"? Well, I receive a newsletter from ArcaMax Publishing called "ArcaMax Vocabulary" containing a word with definition and usage or an article written by the WordGuy, Rob Kyff, so I wrote to Rob with my Bone to Pick. With Rob's permission, here is that correspondence...

Rob,

I have been receiving your articles via ArcaMax for a while now and have enjoyed refreshing what I have learned and adding to my knowledge base. What I would like to to know is when "troops" came to mean a single soldier. Seems to me that I began to hear it defined this way after 9/11. All the dictionaries that I have looked at say that the word "troop" means a group, "trooper" is an individual. So what is right?

Hi -

Here's something I wrote about this a few years ago . . .

Rob

by Rob Kyff

“US Troop Injured in Firefight” When Arthur Johnson of Potsdam, N.Y., read that headline, he snapped to attention. “I read on,” he writes, “expecting to find that about 200 men had been wounded. But no, it was only one soldier, not a whole troop . . . When did 'troop' become a word for a single soldier?” It didn't, but the confusion over the use of “troop” and “troops” resembles the chaos of battle. “Troop” originally referred to a unit of cavalry and, later, to a company of infantry or a battery of artillery. So people spoke, for example, of a “troop of cavalry” (as in the old TV show “F Troop”) or, when referring to several such units, “troops of infantry.”

So far, so good.

But soon people started using “troops” as a general term for a large number of individual soldiers, especially when members of different branches of the military were involved. So “10,000 troops landed on the beach” came to refer, not to 10,000 groups, but to 10,000 individuals. That's why phrases such as “2,000 troops” and “1,000 troops” are generally understood to mean 2,000 and 1,000 individuals, respectively.

But what happens when “troops” refers to smaller numbers? Phrases such as “500 troops” or even “50 troops” seem clear enough, but any number below 10 (“six troops”) sounds strange. And anyone using “troop” to refer to a single person, as in “US Troop Injured in Firefight,” should be court-martialed.

What to do?

I'd follow what I call the “10 stout-hearted-men” rule. Don't use “troops” for any number below 10. Instead, say “nine soldiers,” “five sailors,” “one Marine” - whatever applies.

And speaking of “troop,” many readers have asked me about the term for someone who gamely persists through difficulties. Is such a person “a real trooper” or “a real trouper”? Because this phrase originally referred to a member of a traveling acting troupe who endured the travails of the theatrical circuit - The show must go on! - the correct spelling is “trouper.” But, because military or police “troopers” also endure hardships without complaint, people sometimes render this expression as “a real trooper.” Be a real trouper and resist this temptation.

Thank You, Rob! Now who do I need to send this on to?

K-Monster's Official 2008 Football Photo

K-Monster's last game was the same night as Chaotic Cage, so I was unable to attend. His mom made sure that it was taped so I didn't have to completely miss it. Below is his official football picture (I imagine it will be in the year book). I want you to note the hair and facial expression. It was one of the windier days in Kansas. Some of his fellow teammates sported up sweeps in their pictures thanks to the Kansas wind.
Tonight when I was getting ready to prepare supper I glanced out the backdoor window and saw the moon on the horizon. I wish I had caught it just a bit sooner. The colors were gorgeous with blues and pinks. Click on the picture for a better view of the moon.

AHSGR Kansas Round Up of Chapters 2008

Every fall our Kansas Chapters of AHSGR get together for a Round Up of Chapters. This year our Golden Wheat Chapter, the one I'm a member of, hosted. I posted our program HERE. The morning begins with registration...

The morning schedule is filled with the business meeting and is well attended by all registered.
During breaks of scheduled activities everyone is encouraged to visit and browse the tables of items for sale as fund raisers for the Round Up.
After lunch is the bingo fund raiser hosted by the Sunflower Chapter...
The first speaker on the program is Kevin Rupp who informed us about Village Coordinators and how to find out more about our heritage. Leona was asked to come forward to give us the history on the immigrant statues at headquarters. Tables were also set up with exhibits of items belonging to speakers for the the afternoon program. Below are the items that Leonard brought to show, just a small portion of his many collections...
Quilts are always present at our meetings, a big part of our heritage. Our member brought her quilt that she had shared with us at our previous chapter meeting (see HERE). The other quilts were part of Leonard's collection.
The quilts below were made made as teaching/learning aides for Germans from Russia Heritage.
One of our few members that immigrated in later years and was actually born in Russia gave a talk of her memories from Russia as young girl.Then the final event of the day was our banquet. The centerpieces consisted of miniature threshing stones and Kansas wheat.
It was during this time that the drawing was held for main fund raiser. Donations were taken for tickets from several months prior clear up until that day and it wasn't necessary to be present to win.
Leonard handed over Presidency of the Round Up to Kevin...
...and certificates of Appreciation were bestowed, one posthumously to the family of Carol Riffel.
Or banquet program was presented by Harold Popp who currently teaches at Wichita State University. He presented us a history of songs in German and English that we or our ancestors might have been familiar with, then challenged us to join in singing. He told me later that he was impressed by how many of us attempted to sing songs that were unfamiliar us.
Harold is a professional trombonist and accompanied us on a song making for a wonderful end to a great day.

Another great Round Up!

Update on Chase Kear

I posted about Chase Kear's pole vaulting accident on October 7 so I wanted to let you all know that your prayers have done wonders. I apologize for not updating you sooner.

Chase has made a miraculous recovery and gains ground daily. A week after the accident his brain pressure was down to normal and he was showing responsive movement, but still sedated to keep pain at a minimum. Tuesday the 14th reported, "Chase reached across the bed toward one nurse, he squeezed another ones hand on command, and he tracked the third one with his eyes across the room. He moved his lips when I told him he could kiss me." By Saturday the 18th he was waving, moving his legs around and giving out kisses. Sunday night, Oct 19, he was moved out of ICU. By the next day rehab had him sitting on the edge of the bed. Tuesday afternoon he was moved to Wesley Rehab, he also took three tiny steps and helped to put his pants on. By Thursday, three weeks from the time of the accident, he was able to take 45-50 steps with the help of a walker. On October 24th there was a benefit dance held, here's what was written about it and also the fund that has been set up for Chase...

"There will be a Benefit Dance at The Keg in Colwich on October 24th at 8pm. There will be a dj, karaoke, and lots of fun with family and friends. Donations (give all you can!) will be accepted to help with medical and other expenses. The Keg is located at 167th St. W. and 53rd St. N. Please join us to help celebrate Chase's amazing progress. Have a Beer for Kear!"

"The mayor of Colwich has set up a fund to assist Chase's family with medical expenses. Donations will be accepted at Colwich City Hall, which is located at 310 S. 2nd Street in Colwich. Checks can be made payable to either the City of Colwich or to Paul and Paula Kear. For more information please call Colwich City Hall at 316-796-1025."

Also by the 25th he was showing signs of mental recovery, reading commands from cards showing more complex thought processes, such as following multiple commands (touch your nose, shut your eyes, and point to the door) and show facial expressions. On the 26th he took his phone and texted a friend. Tuesday the 28th the trach tube came out and he spoke a few words. He continues to improve in every way. He had his vision tested on the 29th and the doctor was surprised because he has NO vision damage. As of today, he's on soft foods and looking forward to actually getting a tray of food on Monday. He's walking with his head up and making improvements all the way around. The family thanks everyone for their prayers and believes that Chase wouldn't be doing as well had it not been for God's hand.

K-Monster's Birthday 2008

Last week was K-Monster's birthday so the family gathered at his house and his dad grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. With his birthday so close to Halloween he most often has a Halloween theme.
...lots of good food before we get down to celebrating.

K-Monster decided that he wanted a cookie this year instead of a cake.

K-Monster with his girls, his cousins.

We all sang Happy Birthday

...and his Dad reminded him that he was still only a junior monster.

The cookie wasn't the only over sized sweet... there was also a chocolate bar...

...that everyone enjoyed. Even the small chunks were large.

Lastly, everyone gathered in the living room to watch the K-Monster open his gifts.

There were more cards than packages...

...which suited the Monster just fine since the cards contained green folding stuff.

Finally the single package, a favorite style shirt and cap...

...a second shirt...

...and he was obviously pleased with the two video games.

Here's the Monster modeling his new shirt and cap.

Another Happy Birthday Celebration for the Monster. Here's to Many More, Kiddo!