<p>Claire Lovell</p>

If Im not around to nag next year, I hope people will mark their calendars to celebrate 100 years of J. Kennedys sidewalks around town, not to mention the erection of the Gilbert Block, the Ford-Moore Building and Broadway shops, rebuilt after the 1912 fire.

It began a new start that, in later years, has gone crazy with un-Seaside-like alterations. As I frequently remark, we lost our town a long time ago. The old sidewalks were so smooth and well made, theyve lasted for years.

Gearhart is beginning to have the same problems with outside ownership and summertime pressures.

One Wednesday, we attended an open house at the newly renovated Caldwells Funeral and Cremation Arrangement Center on Holladay Drive, whose original business was the office of Dr. Jack Vinson.

Its downright beautiful, essentially rebuilt from floor to ceiling. The walls are ivory, maroon and what I call sand, a soothing shade of pale, chocolaty brown. New carpet has been installed throughout. There are a couple of offices, an urn display room and a chapel for memorial services. A granite counter and sink space to one side can be obscured by a brown pleated blind during ceremonies. There is a DVD player in the corner, which has many beautiful scenes of Oregon I havent even known of a comforting background.

It can be used for family tapes representing a loved ones life. After the tour, we enjoyed a delectable buffet in the chapel.

Reneé Caldwell and the staff were most gracious.

An old song was mentioned on the radio, and I discovered I knew every word. Its called The Nearness of You, a nice old tune, beginning, Its not the pale moon that excites me …

Its heartbreaking for me, as one who used to be able to sing, to have my voice so damaged from surgery. Of course, I couldnt sing now anyway because of age, but it still hurts. Im hoping in heaven well all get our talents back and Ill be able to sing my tonsils out!

One Saturday, we went to the library to hear Claire Blotter read some of the poetry from her book, Moment in the Moment House. She is an unusual talent who gave us a physical and entertaining demonstration of her work with some audience participation. It was a new experience. When I discussed it with Gary, he found her performance on his computer.

I predicted Monday, July 22, for the birth date of the new British heir. There was a full moon that night, and thats always the time when babies are born. I know whereof I speak, having worked in obstetrics at St. Marys Hospital for at least five years.

Baby days were feast or famine. Many came all at once, and then there were dry spells. Its natures way. When we got a glimpse of Georgey Boy, he was all scrunched up because he was too big; eight pounds, six ounces is a big baby.

I always appreciate it when the newspaper features pictures of old days in the county. On the back page of the Daily Astorian was a graduating class from St. Marys Hospital School of Nursing (my alma mater). At front row center in a white uniform appeared Virginia Marlon, our director of nurses.

The only other person I recognized was Evelyn Compton, another Seaside girl. Sometimes I marvel that I was ever a part of that scene, but any reminder is always welcome. Im thankful that those approximately 45 years of nursing allowed me to raise my family to be all college graduates.

***

After having no success in finding time for intimacy with his wife, the young husband approached bedtime by taking her a glass of water and two Tylenol tablets. But I dont have a headache! she protested.

Gotcha! he replied. (John Hagee)