Wounded Knee and other stuff

Today is December 29. The anniversary of the massacre at Wounded Knee, in which nearly 300 mostly peaceable Sioux were mowed down by trigger happy troopers of the 7th US Cavalry. To me, the phrase "trigger happy" usually equates to being afraid. I'm willing to bet that the troopers of the 7th Cavalry were pretty nervous around the Sioux, who were famous for their bravery and fighting abilities. Below are what I believe to be actual Sioux war party pictures. The pictures were taken by Edward S. Curtis.




The Wounded Knee massacre pretty well closed out the Plains Indian era, I believe. The last of the nomadic tribes were moved onto reservations around this time, and endured a great deal of suffering and mistreatment for a number of years.

Also, on this date in 1896, six years after the events at Wounded Knee, my maternal grandfather, W.W.Johnston, was born.

As you may be able to tell, Granddad was not always thrilled to have his picture taken. He passed away in 1977, at age 80. Coincidentally, on this date in 1976, my son was also born. I will not post his name or picture out of regard for his privacy. Happy birthday, Son.

My grandfather was in the Army during WW1, according to my memories of what he told me, but did not go overseas.

My paternal grandfather, J.H. Steen was born in 1870, 20 years before Wounded Knee. He was in the Army during the Spanish American War, but also, to the best of my knowledge, did not see any action. Below is a picture of my Grandfather Steen, along with my Grandmother and two other persons whose identity I am not sure of. The man may possibly be my late uncle, Fred. No clue about the child, unless it is one of his grandchildren, whom I do not know.

Granddad Steen died in 1968 at the age of 98.

Pulmonary Rehab

For over five years now, I have been participating in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Upper Valley Medical Center.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a program of education and exercise classes for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that teaches you about your lungs, how to exercise and do activities with less shortness of breath, and how to "live" better with your lung condition. The most important aid to coping with your everyday activities is learning to breath correctly. I was amazed to learn that I was not breathing correctly when I started rehab. I still have trouble remembering the proper way, occasionally.

The success of pulmonary rehabilitation relies on the relationship between you and your team of health professionals. This team works with you to achieve goals. However, they cannot do it for you. It is vital that you take an active role in the program and understand the importance of regular participation.
Although this therapy can improve your daily life, and add years to your life, it does not reverse the effects that COPD has had on the lungs or other organs such as the heart. It does not cure COPD. It trains the mind, muscles, and heart to get the most out of your damaged lungs.

If you don't have a program in your area, there are many things you can do on your own. Your quality of life can be improved by stopping smoking, learning how to correctly use inhaled medicines, and exercising regularly. I use a nebulizer, which is a machine that converts two liquid medicines into a vapor that I inhale. I do this four times a day. It takes from 15 to 20 minutes for each treatment. As of yet, I do not use oxygen, although I expect to have to do so in the not too distant future



This is some of the exercise equipment that a well equipped Pulmonary/Cardiac Rehab program will have for their patients to make use of.

However, if you don't have a good rehab program available to you, there are other things you can do.

One of the most important exercises for someone with lung problems is walking regularly. Begin walking slowly at a very comfortable pace for a period of time (say 5 to 10 minutes daily), 3 to 5 days a week. Do not increase the time you are walking until you can walk the entire time without stopping. When you can walk without stopping to rest, increase the time you are walking by 1 to 2 minutes each week. For example, if you can walk nonstop for 5 minutes a day for five days in one week, increase your walking to 7 minutes each day. Many people with severe lung disease can reach the goal of walking 30 minutes without stopping. Some people with lung problems require oxygen during exercise. If you have been prescribed oxygen for regular use, be sure to use it with exercise. If you aren't sure about using oxygen, talk with your health care provider. Some of the resources listed below may help you either find a program or provide you with more information about lung conditions.

American Lung Association, telephone 1-800-LUNGUSA, or www.lungusa.org or contact your State or local chapter of the Lung Association.

American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), telephone 312-644-6610 or www.aacvpr.org (go to "program directory")

I am fortunate to be able to be enrolled in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Upper Valley Medical Center. It has the reputation of being the best program of it's kind in the area. Virtually all of the credit for this reputation goes to the fine staff of the program. Without exception, they are all wonderfully knowledgeable and dedicated people. I am fortunate to be one of their patients.



This is Mary H. Mary is in charge of both Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab at the hospital. She has been a Registered Nurse for a number of years, and combines outstanding nursing and management skills with a warmth and caring for her patients that is heart warming to all of us.



Elaine B. is another RN who demonstrates a high degree of knowledge and ability along with kindness and understanding of her patient's needs and problems.



Mary Z. is a sweet spirited, warm, kind, and caring RN who has dedicated many years to caring for her patients. (well, maybe not all that many. Certainly, I'm not trying to make this lovely lady appear to be elderly. She has quite a bit to go to catch up with me.)



Jenny is another highly skilled, wonderfully competent and concientious RN. Jenny, however, has one other skill that is really important to me and one that I take advantage of whenever I can. She bakes wonderful cookies! A really sweet lady.

Last, but certainly not in any way least, this is Marcia and Pat. Both are highly trained and skilled Registered Respiratory Therapists.



Don't be fooled by the fact that these ladies do not have the suffix RN after their names. Only some of the things they have to have in order to obtain their degrees are:

General knowledge of science, social science, and language arts.

Functional knowledge and understanding of respiratory care theories and practice.

Active participation in respiratory care as professionals in the field.

Practical knowledge and experience of professional interactions in the field.


Some of their training also includes practical training with ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, and work in an arterial blood gas laboratory, pulmonary function laboratory, or work with other respiratory therapy equipment.

A respiratory therapist often provides life critical care to patients with cardio-pulmonary problems. A respiratory therapist's responsibilities include advising physicians and nurses on respiratory therapy, working with patients on breathing therapies, monitoring patients, supervising technicians, and more.

A wonderful career choice.

My, How Times Have Changed

Back in the 1929 financial crash, it was said that some Wall Street stock brokers and bankers jumped from their office windows and committed suicide when confronted with the news of their firms' and clients' financial ruin . . . Many people were said to almost feel a little sorry for them . . . . . .

In 2008 the attitude has changed somewhat:

Another Interesting Lady

Joanne Duke Gamblee at a recent book signing

Monday, December 8, 2008

Recently I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a lovely lady, Joanne Duke Gamblee, who has written several quite interesting books concerning Miami County and the people living here. She is a very attractive, interesting, and down to earth lady.

Mrs. Gamblee is originally from Wellsville, New York, and obtained her degree in journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. To our good fortune, she decided to remain in Ohio. She served as Director of Communications for the Troy City Schools for sixteen years. As a freelance writer, she sold many articles and stories to various newspapers and magazines, as well as writing four books.

I was introduced to her work by our mutual friend, Nancy V. Fulker, to whom at least one of her books is dedicated. Nancy loaned me a copy of Mrs. Gamblee’s latest book, The Dam Battle. The book was so interesting to me that I read it nearly nonstop until I finished it. After reading it, I went out and bought copies of all Mrs Gamblee’s books except one, Ahead of Their Time, which is out of print now. Nancy was kind enough to loan me her beautifully inscribed copy of the book. Mrs. Gamblee's books are:

Ahead of Their Time: Which is the story of a number of 19th century ladies from Miami County.

The Dam Battle: The story of the battle to implement a comprehensive flood prevention plan which began one year after the most disastrous flood in history

Ghosts,too: This book is a compilation of spooky accounts of supernatural encounters local people have had.

and Mary Jane Hayner: This is the story of a lady who made many contributions of cultural and historical significance to the city of Troy, Ohio. With a cover of finely woven plum-colored silk fabric topped with gold stamping, a narrow orchid satin ribbon bookmark, and superior quality paper throughout, the presentation of the book is as elegant as the lady and the mansion it represents.

I highly recommend all these books to you.

More Changes in Our Government

In the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana, which includes most of New Orleans, Republican attorney Anh "Joseph" Cao won 50 percent of the vote to Jefferson's 47 percent and will become the first Vietnamese-American in Congress.

Cao came to the United States as a child after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and went on to earn degrees in philosophy, physics and law.

He ousted Indicted Democratic U.S. Rep. William Jefferson who became Louisiana's first black congressman since Reconstruction when he took office in 1991, and is currently under indictment for bribery and money laundering. (I wonder if I had any contact with any of the new Congressman's relatives a few decades back?)

O.J. Simpson

He choked back tears as he told the judge: "In no way did I mean to hurt anybody, to steal anything from anyone," Simpson said, his voice cracking. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all of it."

OJ is snivelling, whining and crying now that he has to go to jail, where, in my opinion, he should have been for the past 13 years. Let's see what a big shot he is when he gets to prison. Bubba and Rasheed are waiting for him.

The Goldmans believe that their relentless pursuit of Simpson's assetts to satisfy their multimillion dollar judgement had a great deal to do with him committing this latest crime and getting caught and convicted for it. I believe they are probably right.

I admire the Goldmans for the manner they have pursued Simpson. They are better people than I am. If I were in their position there is no doubt I would have been in prison these past 13 years.

A wonderfully promising life and career ruined. What a shame.

Fishing and Fulkers

This year, looking for something to do that wouldn’t be too strenuous for me, because of my pulmonary problems, I took up fishing. I am so glad I did!

Two or three days a week, sometimes even more, during Spring, Summer, and Fall, my fishing buddy and I headed out to one, sometimes more than one of the lakes or ponds in the area, depending on how they were biting. I haven’t caught anything too special, but I sure enjoy going and trying. I have caught several catfish and have learned how to skin and filet them. The large mouth bass in the picture is the biggest fish I have caught so far.

One day, in Pulmonary Rehab, I was talking about the different places we go to fish, and one of my fellow patients, Nancy Fulker, offered her and her husband’s property on one of the large lakes in the area for us to fish on. I was shocked that someone would offer something like that but Nancy and her husband John are genuinely nice people. They even told us how to find the key to their cabin. (Their word not mine, I could live quite happily in their “cabin”.) They said that they have had this cabin for years, since before they owned a home, and have added to it several times over the years as their family grew. It’s a lovely place.

John has been practicing law since 1953, and has been joined in his practice by his son and grandson. He has a wide variety of interests including chess, classical music, literature, swimming, canoeing, sailing, and particularly, waterfowling. He is an avid conservationist and has been active in Ducks Unlimited. He is a renowned local historian and author. He has written four books concerning celebrated criminal trials which were held in Miami County, Ohio, in one of which he served as defense counsel.

Their titles are:

Chicken Soup, Cheap Whiskey, and Bad Women;
The View from Above;
And True Deliverance Make; and
Shards & Pellets & Knives Oh My!

I highly recommend these books to anyone that enjoys a good read. They are available on Amazon.com, as well as in many book stores. The Fulkers made me a gift of these books and I don’t know when I have appreciated and enjoyed a gift more. John also wrote a history of the Miami County Common Pleas Court that is an outstanding example of research and writing.

Nancy is a well know authority on antiques and the history of Miami County. She collaborated on her husband’s books, as well as acting as proof reader and editor for his books and those of another local author, JoAnne Duke Gamblee. More on Mrs. Gamblee shortly. Nancy has also served on the board of directors of the Hayner Cultural Center in Troy, Ohio, as well as more than one term as its president.

More pictures of John and Nancy's cabin.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

Marsha and I went to our friends Pat and Russell’s house yesterday for thanksgiving. We joined their family in enjoying a terrific feast. It was my first time to try fried turkey. Marc, Pat and Russell’s son, cooked it. By the time we ate dinner, I had already nearly filled up with shrimp. I must have eaten nearly a pound of it! The family has adopted Marsha and me, and we feel right at home at their house. We know the entire family….Son, Daughter, grandchildren, boyfriends, girlfriends, dogs, cats, pet lizards….the whole works…Martha, the daughter who lives in the DC area and is the Web Desk Chief for one of the newspapers, was able to make it as well. Marsha took her knitting, and I read and snoozed in one of their recliners.

This morning I got up at 3:30AM in order to make it to Wally World in time to catch their 5AM to 11AM sale. I knew I was in trouble when I got there before 5 and saw the entire gigantic parking lot filled and all the neighboring stores that were closed had their parking lots filled, also. I circled the parking lot for about 20 minutes or so before I caught someone coming out and waited for their space, resisting the impulse to flip off the idiot behind me that was leaning on his or her horn. (It was too dark to see whether it was a him or a her) The space I got was quite a distance from the store…farther than I usually park because I can’t walk a great distance without getting short of breath….but I finally made it inside the store. The store was jammed with bargain hunters. I was able to get a buggy and joined the procession wending its way through the store. I was after a vacuum cleaner for Martha….a camera for Lahcen, Martha’s SO, who, by the way is a very nice guy from Morocco….a couple of 4 gig flashdrives and an all in one printer for Marsha and me.

It took me about 15 minutes to make my way through the crowd to the vacuum cleaners, but I got one and put it in the cart, after poking some poor lady in the tush with it, for which I apologized profusely. She was very nice about it, though, smiled and told me it was perfectly alright.

I struggled through the store trying to get to the electronic department, bumping people with my cart and getting bumped and pushed and stepped on all the while, and having a harder and harder time breathing. I have learned since being in Pulmonary Rehab for the past few years that being in a crowded space is not at all good for those of us with breathing problems. The crowd exhales so much carbon dioxide that you can’t bring in the oxygen that you need, and so you begin panting and gasping for air.

Even though I had had a breathing treatment before leaving home, I became so short winded that I left the cart with Martha’s vacuum in it in the aisle (The checkout lines stretched from the front of the store all the way to the back of our new Super Wally World) and left the store and returned home without getting anything.

Marsha and I returned a little before 11 and the only things left that we wanted, although Marsha did look longingly at the plasma tvs, was the 4 gig flash drives. We got two.

Martha and Lahcen were quite understanding. They were not upset that I wasn’t able to get their items for them.

It seems that everyone is creating a blog lately.
I’ve been creeping around the internet recently, looking at different blogs trying to get some ideas thinking that I might start one myself. So….here goes:

I am 67 years old, retired, handicapped, (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) but stay as active as possible. I live in the Miami Valley of Ohio and love it here. The only thing I really dislike about it is the winter season. It gets cold and snowy here! I have seen it as cold as 10 below zero a couple of times, and have been told to expect to see 20 below upon occasion. ICK!

I have lived in quite a few states….Virginia, North and South Carolina, California, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Pennsylvania. I have no plans to move again.

I voted for Barrack Obama. I know that will surprise a lot of people that know me, or think they do, or knew me in the past, but things change. It is time for a change in our country, and I have high hopes for our future.

Politically, I consider myself an Independent. I vote for whomever I feel is best for the job, regardless of their party affiliation. My wife, however, is a hardcore Democrat, as is her 85 year old mother.

Marsha worked for a number of years on Capitol Hill and knows quite a few politicians, including Joe Biden, our Vice-President elect. She tells a story about him that I have her permission to share with you.

“For a year or two during the time I worked on Capitol Hill, I was in an office next door to Senator Biden. The Senator for whom I worked kept a huge candy dish next to the door. Quite often when Senator Biden was passing by on his way to the Capitol, he would stop for a piece of candy. Since the dish was next to the door, he didn't even have to come in. Most times, all we saw was his hand, snaking in and grabbing a piece, sometimes waving quickly before proceeding.

"I especially remember one time when there was a vote going on in the Senate chamber. My Senator was already there and had called me to bring a file to him. Just as I hung up, the door opened and that hand was moving toward the candy dish. Without thinking, I said, "Since you're going there anyhow, would you mind taking this file with you?" He nodded agreeably and waited. But then I had second thoughts and told him, "Never mind. I don't think my boss would like it if I used a United States Senator as an errand boy!"

It seems kind of ironic somehow that in all my years in Washington, DC, including 15 years on Capitol Hill, I never once met a President, Vice President, or anyone who later became a President or Vice President. But now that I'm back here in Ohio, someone I saw frequently for a year or two has become Vice President. The best part is that he's a good guy, very genuine and down to earth. I'm looking forward to the new administration. "