Galveston Tx

Tuesday I went to Galveston---------
This is something I have wanted and also feared.
Most go to play on the beach and fish,I went to the Shriner's Hospital.----This is one of our burns units,I think you understand why I feared this.

I am not ashamed to say"I am a wuss when it comes to hurt kids." I slept very little the night before.
I got a call a week before from my new BFF -Bill.
Bill is the lead driver on this trip,me,the co-pilot.
We left the Shrine center at 5:15 and was on the road.Half way there,we stopped in Fairfield Tx. and ate breakfast at Sam's.In Galveston by 11:oo.
The hospital is at the end of the island.We stopped in the front and unloaded our passenger.
Went to the  7th floor to the cafeteria.While there,one of the Divan from Ft Worth came by and greeted us.( The Divan is what Shriner's call their leaders).
Later, as we waited in the lobby,I watched the kids play.I saw kids with no ears,no arms,and no noses.Some came by and waved or spoke.At a young age these kids know that the men in the Fez are the ones that help.As I sat there a young girl smiled and spoke.As she spoke I noticed her arms were hanging straight down.Her Mom sewed fake hands to her sleeves,this to make her feel better.
The kid we took back was burned all over.Face ,hands,and arms.This is what I dreamed about for two days.He had no nose.No hands.

I call them kids, but they are all Men and Women.Anyone that have gone through this much are grown ups in my opinion.

The Shriner's live and die for the kids.This is what I do and what I live for.                                   

If you can,always give to the Shrine.               Poohpa

P.S. Today is my son's birthday.Maybe this is why it bothered me so much.We are all blessed by God and we are all so lucky.

Life Lesson

Never wash your custom embroidered Shriner shirt( the one that is pure white with 2000 points of embroidery on the back alone),with your new black pants. I now have a gray one.Soon to order a new one. Shit!!!!!! Till next time -Poohpa

Shriner Joke

A man went to the Dentist.After the exam,the Dentist says" You need three root canals," He says"I can't have a root canal,it will hurt to much.I can,t handle the pain." The Dentist says" We can use Novocaine," He says" It makes me sick,I think I am allergic to it." "We can use gas" He says. " No-no I am to scared I will just die".The man said. The Dentist left and returned with two blue pills and a glass of water."Take this" he said. "What are the pills for?" "Viagra".The Dentist said. "What the hell is that for?" The Dentist says"When I start drilling,with all that pain,Your going to need something to hold on to." Till next time------Poohpa

Houston Trip

Well you knew this was coming.
On Veterans Day ,My BFF, Clair and I took 2 patients to the Houston Hospital.We left about 7am and arrived,after a breakfast stop, about 11:45.
Notice that the porch swing is set up for a wheelchair.Everything is wheelchair accessible.
There are toy displays everywhere and plenty to play with.Smiles are plentiful even on the kids.All Shriners must wear the "Fez" when there.
This is the view from the 5th floor up to the roof. I could not take as many pics as I wanted.I was afraid I would step on someones toes.It was raining hard so no pics from the outside.The place very pretty, inside and out.

Story about one of the boys--
He was born with Cerebral Palsy ,I know I did not spell this right spell check did not help,in Las Vegas.When he was 2 they moved to Texas because of the research done in Houston.He had his 1st operation at 2yrs. After many trips and treatments he is 15 and playing high school football and soccer.
When being treated,the cost is nothing to the parents.No insurance.No asking for money,no matter what the income.Rich or poor.No even for a Coke.We feed them and transport.If needed we will even lodge them and the parents.
We just hope they will remember us later. Many Dads go one to become Masons and Shriners.
Till next time-------------Poohpa

Texas World Series

Game #6 was one of the great ball games that I have ever seen.If you have not heard the Ranger beat the Yankees.It was awesome.

We have been waiting for 30yrs for a chance at the big game.Win or lost the Rangers are winners in my books.I wish I would have been at the game, but my wallet did not let me. The World Series will be in Arlington Tx. next week.Life is good.

Next February the Super Bowl will be played in Arlington also.The tickets are unreal as far as the price.I cannot go to the game ,but I have volunteer to work some of the events. Even though the game will be better on TV,Every man wants to be there.

Our city of Fort Worth will be featured on ESPN.Dallas will also be spot lighted( but who gives a shit?) Can you tell I think Dallas sucks.

Till next time-----Poohpa

I just found out that I will be making my first trip to Houston.I will be taking a child down to the Shriner's Hospital.The unit I belong to,The Flying Fez, Is responsible for transporting the patients to the hospitals.

New Post

I know it has been a bit since I last posted.But I have been busy.
Full time job.
Part time job.
Working the circus for the Shriners.
Playing with the grandkids.
Playing with the grandkids grand mother.
Along with all of that,I went to the Dr., to see about the spot on my nose.I thought it was just a zit gone bad, but my regular Doctor made me see a dermatologist. As it turns out he was right.A small skin cancer was removed.
Everything is OK as far as I know.
Till next time--------------Poohpa

Shriners Night

My BFF Bill,his grandson,and some of my grandkids.
Every year before the circus starts we have a show for the members and friends.A short circus and free rides for the kids. Fun for all,even big kids.

Poohpa and Jimmy dishing out drinks to the multitudes

Abbie,Kasey,Hailey, and an elephant butt

Two Speed and Jennifer.

Friday morning at 10 am, the Shriners put on a free circus for the disabled, disadvantaged,and mentally challenged.This one of the times it is really cool to be a Shriner.I had two of my grand daughters help me work the circus.It is a great lesson for the girls to learn how lucky they are,not everyone is as lucky as we are.

Stanley

One of my duties with my Shrine Unit is to call and keep up with our sick members.I have talked To Stanley about three times since spring.
The first time he was not feeling well.The next time he was going in for a stint.When I called him Monday,he told me he was waiting for a heart transplant. He seems to be doing well.He is week but in good humor.He attended bingo at the Masonic Temple Friday night,but says he tires easily.He will be traveling to Salt Lake City for the surgery throgh the V.A.
Every one can benifit for prayer.Help if you can.A little knee bending never hurts.
Till next time-----Poohpa

Great time of year

Shortly it will be time for our yearly Shrine Circus.

This is a time that I enjoy almost as much as Christmas.

Could this be because I am just a big kid at heart.--Duh

Last year for the first time, I was able to take off from work and work the early Friday morning performance.This free for the disadvantaged kids for the Tarrant county area.Lots of fun for kids that do not get do much of this type of stuff. Smiles every where, some on kids,mostly on Shriners. We party hard but work hard for the kids.

Pictures will come.

If you are in town Oct.9th-16th, come take in our show.

Till next time------------------Poohpa