EASTERN PENN
SUPPLY
Quality Products, Great Prices
and a Couple Laughs
By
“Jammer”
Don Conyngham
Chatterbox
May 2015
Opinions expressed in the
Chatterbox are solely the
responsibility of the author and
do not reflect the opinions of
the Management, Employees,
or Owners of Eastern Penn
Supply. If for any reason you feel
the need for slings and arrows,
please direct them at the face
pictured above. Since healthy
debate is always a good thing,
you may e-mail Jammer at
[email protected]
Contents
Eddie Knows!.........2
HVAC......................3
Water Systems.......3
Plumbing................4
PVF........................4
Tools......................5
Electrical................6
Birthdays...............7
A little before 5am on a recent morning, my beautiful Joy, our
dogs, & I adjourned to our sun room for “sunrise & a hot cuppa”…
Morgan is a mini Yorkie who weighs in at 5 pounds… wet… maybe.
Anyway Morgan went into guard dog
mode, snarling & barking like a K9,
& tore across the floor smacking her
paws on the glass entry door. The
300 pound black bear no one else
had noticed till then immediately
stopped sniffing the daffodils a few
feet outside the door, & retreated
post haste for the woods. There is
no way in hell Morgan could have
taken that bear, consider her as you
reflect; do any of you have kids or
grandbabies who want to grow up to be “Police officer”, “Firefighter”,
“Doctor”, “Veterinarian”, “Astronaut”, “Teacher”, “Prince (Princess)”,
or “Superhero”? I’m sure you’re thinking “Silly kid’s dreams”!
The last thing you need do is to tell the kids in your life “Don’t waste
your time dreaming” or “It’s not going to happen”, or cynical stories
about the demise of your childhood dreams. Look, someone has got
to step up to those roles; why not your kids? Life itself will take care
of their childhood dreams withering tarnished on the vine if that’s
whats in store. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to be
the biggest boldest cheerleader your kids/grandkids can put up with.
Example; “President of these United States? Why not! You have my
vote kiddo!” See, the single most important thing about “Morgan
GO GET HIM!” was that neither Morgan, nor the bear, knew it was
impossible; hell, for all I know the bear is still running.
From a poem by Edgar Albert Guest;
“There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done, thousands to
prophesy failure; thousands to point out to you one by one, the
dangers that wait to assail you. Just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
just take off your coat and get to it; Just start to sing as you tackle
this thing that “couldn’t be done,” and go do it…”
Imagine with me you’re a mom, preparing for your young
daughter’s 10th Birthday party. You’ve invited all 10 girls in her class
(RSVP required, of course, it’s the one civilized thing that separates
us from the apes). As the big day approaches a ‘few’ schoolmates
have said no, but the vast majority have remained as silent as a tomb.
Friday, the day before, you hit the
phones to firm up exactly how many
of her schoolmates plan to attend. One
after another says “oh, we’re not going
to make it”, then it sinks in; no one is
coming.. at all.
Your daughter Mackenzie doesn’t even
seem that surprised; saying “I don’t
really have any friends, they tease me
for my speech, most often I’m alone.”
(Mackenzie was diagnosed with Sotos
Syndrome as a baby; a disease that
delays, but doesn’t prevent, full brain
development. Is now when a momma’s
heart breaks for her little girl? Mom gets a little bit angry, a little bit
sad, & whole lot determined; & on Facebook posts to “Anyone who
cares to, please attend Mackenzie’s birthday party! Please! No gift
needed, no card, please just show up for a few minutes & say ‘Happy
Birthday Mackenzie’. Have you guessed it went viral yet? We’re talking
thousands of “likes” & 300 RSVPs in less than 12 hours. Hundreds of
caring people showing up at the park for Mackenzie’s 10th Birthday
party, not just 10 stuck up mean 10 year olds. Guests like Minnesota
Viking pro football player Charlie Johnson. Guests like a real Elsa
from Frozen (anyone with young girls know how that went over J)
Events, like Shakopee’s ‘Mayor Brad’ proclaiming April 18th, 2015 as
‘Mackenzie Moretta Day’ Every soul was there to state loud & clear
“You are someone who counts, too, Mackenzie. We’re proud to share
your birthday!” Mackenzie, please don’t worry if you’re a late bloomer.
Many of us remember grade/high school as a hurtful passage over
burning coals, waiting to grow up enough to live life for real. You can
count on Karma, too, Mackenzie. The day will come when you soar
like a bird. Who knows, maybe someday those 10 girls will work for
you. Mackenzie can call an office meeting to say “I’d like to invite you
all to my birthday next Saturday. I’d like to, but then I thought “you’re
all fired!
Ok, young folks, I know us “Baby Boomers” born in the 1950s
are turning into old farts, but respect this; we got to see all the really
cool bands play, Live! If there is an expert in aging reading this, my
Joy wants to know “when does Jammer get ‘old enough to know
better’?”
Lest we ever forget Hometown Heroes of PA, from the town of
St Clair, a little southwest of Hazleton, have you heard the story of
Lieutenant Joel Thomas Boone? During WWI, July 19th, 1918, while
serving with the 6th Marines southeast of Vierzy, France, Boone
observed many wounded marines in a field between his unit & the
enemy, where a USMC attack had just been shattered. Boone then left
the ravine his unit survivors were taking cover in, & ran forward under
heavy enemy fire, alone to where the
wounded marines were. Lt Boone then
went from one wounded marine to the
next, administering first aid, until all his
supplies were exhausted. He then ran
back through a barrage of heavy artillery,
refilled his first aid pouches, & returned
to the field to continue administering
first aid. Boone retired again when those
supplies were exhausted, refilled, &
returned a 3rd time. This all happened in
full view of the troops & officers pinned
in the ravine, as well as many of the
wounded marines. Many have testified
they only survived because of Lt Boone’s
heroic actions. For extraordinary heroism & conspicuous gallantry, Lt
Boone is hereby awarded the Medal of Honor. Lt Boone brought honor
to all of Pennsylvania that day; don’t forget to remember him!
A few (almost) final thoughts; If you think punctuation doesn’t
matter, try reading “I like cooking, my family, & pets” without the
commas…
Well, friends, the time has come the
walrus said to speak of many things;
like wrapping up our May session-ofchatter. Spring is in the air at last, and
the winter was hard, get out & enjoy
some fam-time. Keep all those who
have or are serving in your heart on
Veteran’s Day!