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The space over the bars used to have a sign saying CRAIGSLIST.ORG

So now it is time to say goodbye to Indiana and Kentucky. Christmas is getting near and I want to make it to my brothers place before it gets too far into the holiday rush. My flight has a layover in Las Vegas. It has been a long time since I passed through there, I had forgotten about the slot machines in the Airport terminals.

Now they also have these gaudy Oxygen Bars in the airport terminals. I think it is supposed to help you get over a hangover among other things. I was actually feeling a bit lousy after the first leg of the flight and I was tempted to try it for the 15 bucks, but didn't take the plunge. Maybe I should have, just to see.

I did a Photo Essay for my High School Photography class. The subject I choose was "Pedestrian Polo" a mythical game in which one scores points by running over pedestrians. Cliff was my primary model and victim.

Act dead Cliff!

Now Fast Forward

Here she is during my visit in Dec 2011. She claims she has aged but honestly I can't see it.

As we were riding in the car I explained my situation. "Well you are just a Free Range Chicken" she said. "Yeah, I guess I am" I said. That became a kind of running joke with us.

And she also tried out Mark Spitz's starting platform under his watchful eye and later helped me test my underwater camera at Hall of Fame pool in Lauderdale.

I have to say my timing was pretty good here. I got to sit down with the family to this incredible Christmas dinner a few days before Christmas because Gipsi's parents Haydee and Segundo were off to vacation in Florida the next day.

14 Dec 2011 During my visit I had another sort of "Family Mission" to attend to. My fathers family also had a branch in Crawfordsville, Indiana, not so far from Bloomington. There was a Great Uncle (My Father's Mother's Brother) who was a prominent artist in that area and taught at Wabash College.

This is another relative I never knew (he died in 1947) though we do have a portrait he painted of my Father. His name was Fritz Schlemmer. Here are a few links about him

Ferdinand Louis 'Fritz' Schlemmer

Fritz Schlemmer was an Artist for Town, College

I contacted the archivist at Wabash College who is author of that second piece and she agreed to show me some of his work that is still on display on campus. Gipsi volunteered to drive on the day trip and it was so great to have her come along.

With three more in Beth's collection at Wabash

One final road trip before leaving Bloomington. Once again Gipsi and Utpal helped out by lending me a car for a day trip to Louisville.

There I was to meet Clifford. Of all the old friends I have reconnected with Clifford holds the record for being the longest out of touch. I have not seen him since about 1974.

Some pictures from way back in the day