WHEN IT COMES TO NEIGHBORS I HAVE BEEN THE LUCKIEST GUY IN THE WORLD.

          The other day I was listening to someone talking about their terrible neighbors. How they did not get along, and pretty much ignored each other. Some of the stories they told were truly mortifying.

          As I sat there listening, I got to thinking. "When it comes to neighbors, I have been the luckiest guy in the world."

          I started to think of all the neighbors I've had over the years. Most of the memories have faded into the deep recesses of my little pea brain. But I will never forget my favorites.

          During my early years I lived in Pennsylvania. My friend Ricky Swetlitch lived across the street. We had lots of fun playing in the woods and in our little shed in the back yard. For many years, Ricky and I were inseparable. We went everywhere and did everything together.

          But in seventh grade we moved away. Off to the flat lands of Indiana. It was December 6, 1963 two weeks to the day after the Kennedy assassination.

          I don't think we were in our new home more than twenty four hours before we heard a knock on our door. If memory serves me, she had a cake in her hands. Her name was Mildred May and she lived down the street. She told my mother that she was also the local "Welcome Wagon" representative and would return later in that capacity. But on this day, she was just there to welcome her new neighbors. She made the adjustment easier for my mother and they became close friends.

          Mr. May, was known as 'Hoss', and he became Dad's good friend as well.  My brother and I hung out with their kids. Gary, Mary, and Teri. (I always thought it was neat that their names rhymed) Gary was a year older than me, and Mary a couple of years younger. Teri was the baby of the group. (sorry Teri, it is what it is)

          Mr. and Mrs. May were like second parents to me. And if I ever faltered, Mid May was usually supportive and on my side.

          We all grew up together. I hung out at the May house all the time. Gary spent alot of time up the street at our house shooting baskets with me and my brother. I am not saying that we were inseparable. We all had our own close knit group of friends. But we all got along great. I know I had more arguments with my brother than I ever had with Gary.

          My fondest memories growing up was of the many cook outs we had. Dad and 'Hoss' heading out to the country garden they shared, and returning home with their bountiful harvest.

          I remember sitting in the May's TV room watching Muncie Central win its Seventh State Basketball Championship. I can still smell the aromas emanating from their kitchen.

          By this time, High school graduation had come and gone. Then college and marriage.

          In 1976, I ended up in Illinois doing the morning show on WTIM radio. It was there that I bought my first home. All of our neighbors were older than us newlyweds.

          I wish I could remember her name but there was an elderly widow next door to us who became like another grand mother. She always kept her eye on us, just like we were one of her own.   

          Soon it was back to Indiana and WMDH/WCTW radio in New Castle. It was 1979. We bought a couple of acres out in the country and had many neighbors that came and went. I spent most of the eighties there.

          But no one came close to the caliber of Mr. and Mrs. May.

         The years seemed to fly by. I ended up in Florida (that's another long story) In 1990, my wife Penny and I bought an old house in the downtown Ocala Historic District. It took three years (and a broken hip) to restore this beauty to 'move in' condition. All the while our new neighbor Bob watched us in amazement.
   
         But the rest of the story is about the big gray house next door to ours.

         Bob Ackerman was an attorney that worked for one of the local attractions. At the time the house was a duplex and he lived upstairs. Bob was the first democrat I ever argued with about politics. And since Penny worked for a Republican U.S. Congressman, we had lots to argue about. Or was it just spirited discussions? I know I never changed his mind, and he sure as hell didn't change mine. But we had fun. We had a mutual respect for each others position. Yeah, right. It's my best memory of the Bill Clinton years.

         Bob eventually moved to Gainesville but we still see each other occasionally. And we still argue about politics. Bob gave up the legal gig, except for some pro bono work. He now owns a sporting goods store in Gainesville.

          More neighbors moved in. First there was GiGi. Now, she is a story all to herself. But as far as top twenty neighbors of all time, she doesn't make the cut. Maybe I am being unfair. After all, she did supply us with some great stories to tell around the fire pit. And she did turn the house back into a single family home.

          Next came the Bernards. Steve was a local mail carrier and Peggy was a work at home mom to their three kids. We got along  fine but never became best friends. Steve is now retired and occasionally stops by to see us.

          No one came up to the caliber of the 'Mays'.

          All these neighbors got us into the new millennium.

          Then the kids from New Jersey arrived.

          Much younger than Penny and I, we hit it off immediately. We finally had someone next door who could compete with the Mays for 'best neighbor award'.

          Andrea and Kevin Pizzuti have been like one of our own. We had not known them very long when Andrea's mother invited us to New Jersey for her wedding. So the day after Thanksgiving (our anniversary) we flew to Philadelphia. And we had the best time. Except for a crappy rental car, but that's another story. We were treated like one of the family, not someone they had just met and hardly knew.

          We watched as Kevin and Andreas two children came into the world. Jackson and Ava are the sweetest kids you would ever want to know. If I could have had kids like that, maybe I would have had a couple. But I know that mine would have never turned out that good.   

          My fondest memory is when they got an estimate to mount their new big screen. Andrea posted on facebook about how expensive it was. Penny said to her, "Hey, you have a neighbor in the business. Maybe you should talk to him?" So that evening I made a house call. I was happy to help Kevin out and they saved a ton of money.    And I am happy to say that so far, the TV hasn't fallen off the wall.

          I also remember a family heirloom mahogany table with two broken legs. I was able to make duplicate legs and restore the table to it's glory. I worked hard on that project. It needed to be perfect.
        
          The meals and Holidays we've shared with them and their extended family are too numerous to mention. Not to mention this past Easter when we spent a wonderful weekend with them at their place on St. George Island.   

          I hope they stay next to us forever. I love watching Jackson and Ava as they grow into very special young people.

          The 'Mays' are both gone now, and Terri and Mary recently lost their brother. Looking back I wish I had been a better friend and had spent more time with them. I am afraid that many of the great memories have faded. And that is a shame.

          I am happy that I get to hear from Teri once in awhile via facebook. I am glad we re-connected. I miss those days growing up in Indiana.

          As I work on my manuscript for my novel, I think of them often. They were a huge part of my formative years. They were a part of my growing up. Hoss and Mid May were not only family friends, they were wonderful role models.   

          I hope I can be the same kind of role model to the two great kids next door.

          So, your assignment this week is to reach out to your neighbor, past or present. Go meet that neighbor that has lived next door to you forever. Enjoy the time you have together. You don't know how long it will last.

          Whose the 'best neighbor'?
   
          Gee, it's like the 2000 election. It's just too darn close to call. There are too many 'hanging chads'.
   
          After all, this is Florida.

           I would never want to choose a favorite. Both the 'Mays' and the 'Pizzutis' came into my life at different times in different places. I will say that both are in good company.
    
          I am fortunate to have had these wonderful people in my life. My only hope is that you are fortunate enough to have someone like them in your life too.
  
          Have a great week.

If my last name was Smith, she NEVER would have found me

    I am not a huge 'Facebook' user. I even forget why I signed up.

    Over the years I have acquired a number of friends both work and family related. Recently I have been using Facebook to keep up with customers activities and lives. When I talk to them on the phone, it's nice to say "I saw that picture on Facebook."

    To be honest, after a fifty hour week in front of two large computer monitors, I do not spend much time with social media.

    I prefer to spend my weekends with a power tool in my hand, or a beer. But never both at the same time.

    But I am trying to do a little better. And last week it paid off !

     As I looked at the "Friend Request" in my in box that day, I got to thinking.

    'If my last name was Smith, she NEVER would have found me.'   

    All my life people around me have made issue of my last name. 

    I've been called 'Stalewater, Junkwater, Saltwater, Coldwater, Rainwater and the list goes on and on. Some I won't even print here.

    But to my close friends I am just known as "Fresh" and an occasional "Lee J."

    Hearing those mindless jokes about my name never bothered me, as I was proud of my West Virginia heritage.

    I was named after my grandfather Francis Lee (F.L.) Freshwater. Thank God I got the 'Lee' part.  I am proud of my family, so call me whatever you like.

    That friend request reminded me that I am only HALF a Freshwater. There is another whole side to me that I hardly ever think about. And for that, I am ashamed.

    I wondered if it was because as a society, we place the fathers side of the family at the top of the family tree ??? That just isn't fair.

    I got to looking at all my Facebook family members. I never realized what a diverse group we all are and how scattered have become. And it only took two generations.

    I thought about cousins I have not seen in forty years, close family members I only get to see once every few years. I thought about my nephews teenage daughter, whom I have never met. I thought about how much I have missed.

    It actually did bring a tear to my eye.

    Let me explain a bit about the other side of my family. I hope I get it right as the memories have faded over the years.

    My mother was one of several children born into the Fersch family. She was the youngest and her mother passed away shortly after she was born in 1919. Her father was not prepared to raise an infant so she was given up for adoption to a close Fersch family friend. Their name was Jennison. (and that is where my middle name came from)   

    Mother grew up in a loving home and the adoption was never kept a secret. And over the years she was able to stay in limited contact with her sisters and brothers. But to me, Earl  and Clara B.Jennison were always my grandparents.

    I was not informed of the adoption and did not meet my extended family until I was about 11 or 12 years old. At the time we were living in Western Pennsylvania and they came for a visit.

    Most of the family lived in the Milwaukee area, but my mothers sister lived in Indianapolis. After we moved to Indiana we saw a lot of Aunt Marie and Uncle Harold. Occasionally the group from Milwaukee would come visit.

    I spent many a nights before the Indy 500 camped out at their house.

    But soon college, marriage, and career took me away.

    Soon Aunt Marie was gone and we lost my mother in 1983. It was the last time I saw any of my extended family. I remember my cousin Ronnie coming from Indianapolis to see her shortly before she passed away. It was the last time I saw him. But time moved on. We all went our separate ways.

    So when I saw the friend request from Claire Fersch, I did a double take. My heart skipped a beat. The name looked so familiar. It only took about two seconds for me to realize who it was. And when I saw Ron Beck as one of her friends as well as Delores Buchenthal, I knew Claire was my long lost cousin and she had found me.   

    I guess it was easy thanks to my last name. Look up Lee Freshwater on Facebook and keep looking until you find one that came from Indiana. I wonder how many Smith's there are from Indiana.

    Over tha last few years I have thought about and searched for some of these people. But I had little success. The memories were just too faded. But once I saw that friend request, I shot back to 1966 faster than a speeding bullet. It seemed like yesterday.

    Then I again though of how much I had missed and it made me sad.

    So your assignment this week: 'Search out some one.' Perhaps a family member you have not seen for years. Or it could be an old high school friend, former workmate or an old neighbor.

    Thank you Clarie for finding me. It's time to re-connect.

WAS I THE LAST BETAMAX HOLDOUT?

    I have always been a fan of  technology. Except for cell phones, but that's another story.

    In 1977 I was the first on my block to own a video tape recorder. It was something I just had to have. I could record my favorite TV shows and watch them when ever I pleased. What a great concept that was. And it was so revolutionary.

    So I scrimped and saved and worked extra hours so I could lay down the $1700.00 needed for a brand new SONY BETAMAX video machine.
                   
 

       
    I recorded everything. Over the years my video tape collection grew and grew. I loved the beta format because it was the best available.

    But Sony made one major mistake that caused them to loose the video tape war to the inferior VHS format.

    Their first tapes only ran for 90 minutes. The VHS folks had a tape that ran long enough that you could record a movie! Sony eventually came out with longer running cassettes, but the race was over.

    But not in my house. Oh sure, eventually we got a VHS recorder. (It came with my wife) But I stuck hard and true on the Beta format and refused to budge.

    But the old tried and true machine finally failed to function. I was stuck with a ton of tapes and no way to watch them. So I bought another Beta machine.

    Eventually the DVD recorder came about and that was the end of the video tapes in our house. Add a TIVO unit and 200 channels of TV, and we still can't find something to watch.

    But what to do with over 35 years of video tapes? You dub them onto DVD's.

    So, some 2000 DVD recordings later, I have a ton of old TV shows available to watch.   

    But then I bought a 60 inch LED HIGH DEFINITION monitor.

    The quality is amazing and we love watching movies and our favorite shows in High Definition.

    And when it comes to football and basketball, I am in heaven.

    Not to mention ROKU and AMAZON PRIME

    BUT, the old Beta Tapes turned into DVD's look terrible on the big screen, as well as the analog TIVO recordings.

    I guess I will have to start over.

    Maybe a large computer mainframe with huge hard drives?   

    As I placed the final Beta machine in the trash can, I got to thinking.

    "Was I the last Beta Max hold out?"