Pyke's Place

September 02, 2005

Big Don

Just learned tonight that Big Don, a family member, passed today.

He had a two month battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Rest in peace my friend. May you and our father have wonderful breakfasts together for eternity. We will look for ward to your wonderful sausages when our time comes.

Visit www.pancan.org to make a donation in his memory.

Here are some photos of The Don for you to enjoy. They were from Tim Osburn's Family Reunion pictures. I'll provide obiturary info if I can find it. Let me know if you'd like higher quality images. Click for a larger image.

Posted by pykeman at 09:27 PM | Comments (0)

January 23, 2005

What a great weekend! I wish they all could be like this...

Yesterday was great, today was good, albeit a bit early. Rolled out of bed at 8 AM and met Tom and Lindsey for breakfast and then Tom and I would work on my truck. We were concerned that way was not joining us. The plan was that he would and then the work on the truck would be at his place. Courtney called during breakfast to let us know that Wayne had caught a bug and was up most of the night dealing with it, but Tom and I were welcome to still use the garage.

Tom and I gathered some tools and headed to Wayne's. We placed my truck on ramps and whet to work diagnosing the issue. I had been losing water lately. The problem was found with the water pump. We decided to to an oil change, replace the thermostat and fan belt while we had it torn apart and jacked up.

Tom was really surprised how small and simple the water pump was. This didn't exactly mean it was easy… easier than his truck, but no cake walk due to cramped space. Put everything back together in under 3 or 4 hours. Let her warm up and we couldn't find any problems! Thanks Tom! I figure I saved several hundred dollars, parts were only about $70, labor was the cost of breakfast. I came out ahead. I also programed Wayne and Courtney's keyless entry for the garage door. I just went online and had it figured out in less than 5 minutes. They were both happy.

I headed home and suited up for a ride to Crown Point (watch for pics soon!). I ended up going for about an hour and a half. I went from Corrbet to Sandy and then back down. I did start to get a bit cold. Toasted cheese with ham and tomato soup. Maybe a nice salad… Hmmm tropical fruit with cottage cheese! Yum. I'm really looking forward to the new year for more bike riding!

Closing thought… Rest in Peace Johnny Carson. You were the man!

Posted by pykeman at 06:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 12, 2004

A weekend of rememberence.

I watched the final memorial service for Ronald Regan. That brought back many a memory of Dad's and Nigel's services. These events humble a person, you realize what is and what isn't important in life.

This Sunday will be one year since Nigel left us. My dear friends, Kiefer and Sandy, have gone through so much in the past year. I am sorry that I haven't been able to spend more time with them, but they have the support of the entire community. Sandy has had the hardest time with this process of mourning. She has her up times and her down times. I am happy that she is starting to be more up, I have missed her wit. I know that it is a front she puts on when company is over, I know from experience. This takes so much out of her, I am hoping the weight is lightened soon for both her and Kiefer and their entire family.

Mourning is a life long event, you never are over it. Emotion is always at the edge with just a thought or sight to bring it back to the surface. It's been four years since my own father's passing and I still think of him at very often. This is especially true these past few months as I go through my first divorce. My mother has told me that he would have some sage advice having been there before. As I go through this process, or if I'm working on a project, I try my best to imagine what he would be saying. It's amazing how many things I do today have been shaped by him. Even though we shared 26 years together, it wasn't enough, nor would any length of time be enough, for him to share his knowledge and experience with me. When you lose a person, you just lose the physical being, they are always with you. I think that is both the greatest gift and burden at the same time.

My friends, take a moment to say, “I love you,” to your friends and families, because in the end they are what and who you are. It is not the material things, like a big screen TV, or a brand new car (or motorcycle), that make you any better than the next, though many people try. It is family and friends that can make you better or worse than anyone else. They are the foundation of your live, like it or not.

I thank each and every one of my family and friends, if not in person but in thought, each day for the love and support they have given me. I've been to Hell and back so many times I feel I have frequent flyer miles. :-) But always waiting for me at the “airline” gate are my family and friends. Some are new arrivals, some have recently returned from their own trips, but they are always there.

Anyways, enough of this, go forth and enjoy the day, week, month, year. Remember those who have left before you. Celebrate their memories often and know that you'll see them again sometime in the future. Thank you again for being a friend.

Posted by pykeman at 08:31 AM | Comments (0)

September 16, 2003

Rest in Peace John Ritter

Hmm. What can I say. I missed out on the original broadcast of Three's Company, but I can remember watching it in syndication. When you are growing up with only four channels you learn to watch what's on. It may have looked like a foolish show to many but I love that kind of humor.

ABC just showed a Remembering John Ritter special. I really forgot how funny he is. This is really weird, John dying and all. Other celebrities were just names to me, but John was a person I really enjoyed. I guess you could say he had an influence on me… I love the sound of laughter, I hate seeing people sad and solemn. This was a celebrity that I watched all the time… I 'knew' him. I guess this was bound to happen as you age. He was 54, turning 55 this week. The date of his death was his 5 year old daughter's birthday. His anniversary was the same week, as well as other family birthdays. Such a week of happiness… and sorrow.

John's role in Sling Blade was great, the banter between his character and Billy Bob still rolls through my head thanks to friends. My friends changed it a bit, “not funny ha ha, funny Pyke.” That is what I would say would be my slogan, if I had one. I can only hope to hear the laughter as people remember my life. (Just don't listen to Tom's stories, they aren't true)

I guess it's time to open new chapter in the book of life, not to be closed soon enough. Page one wad Dad, page two Nigel, others yet to be written. This is yet another reason to kiss your kids and family goodnight and thank your lucky stars for another day with them. Remember to laugh too, at the big, the small, and the “you have a t-shirt stuck in your printer?” moments of life.

Posted by pykeman at 09:20 PM | Comments (1)

June 13, 2003

Another candle burnt out before it's time...

I just heard from my “big brother” Kiefer that his step son, Nigel, passed away this afternoon. Nigel was on a country road as passenger and they truck lost control. Nobody was wearing their seat belt. Nigel died. I don't know about the other kid, was too stunned to ask. I'll be leaving in the morning to go over there to be with him and his wife. This SUCKS! They don't know when the funeral is but I'll be sure as HE** be there no matter what. Both Danie and I are beyond thoughts now. numb. He was the light of Kiefs life…. He didn't want kids, then he married into Sandy's life and Nigel came along with her. Nigel lit up a room when he came in because you know humor and laughter wasn't far behind. His goal was to embarass you, not the other way around… I swear to you they kid was a comedian. I think he was going to be a Junior next year. He wasn't afraid to walk into the kitchen in boxers and scratching himself… You'd sit there and say, “I can't belive he did that.” Everyone else didn't notice as they were use to it. I remember my last trip out there three or four weeks ago. He had just had prom the weekend before and went to his own as well as took a good friend to hers, always the gentleman. I just remember sitting in the kitchen and having his Mom tell me all about how he didn't think he was going, but then ended up going, and the scramble to find something for him to wear… All of this while he was in a far off distant town at track and field event. This is the kid who would show up at the local diner, The Bridge Creek Cafe, and without looking at the menu know just what he wanted, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And if you couldn't finish the meal, he would.

I need to pack and get some sleep. I don't know when I'll be back, or when I'll be heading back, but it will be at a drop of a hat for Kifer and Sandy and the whole damn town of Mitchell Oregon.

Posted by pykeman at 10:30 PM | Comments (1)