A Sampling of my

late Father's Colorings

PERSONAL NEWS #287

Jan 1^st, Mom and I spent the afternoon visiting with my brother and his wife in the Schenectady area.

Jan 2^nd, I took Mom to breakfast at Benson’s for a New Year’s treat.  Then it was off to attend to many errands / chores before heading back to NYC.

Jan 3^rd, after work, I joined other friends / acquaintances at the Rail Line diner to celebrate the 127^th birthday of Professor Tolkien.

Jan 5^th, I had a 1.5-hour massage therapy session with Eric at the apt.  Ongoing therapy for my back, neck, legs and lungs.  Afterwards, I joined a good friend in Manhattan to see “Aquaman” at the cinema.  We both enjoyed the film, and then, we went to dinner at Dallas BBQ.

Jan 6^th, I went out to lunch with a good friend to The Jungle Café, and while there, we exchanged Christmas gifties.  We caught up on news and gossip while enjoying delicious vegan food.

Jan 7^th, after work, I got a much-needed pedicure in my hood, and chatted with a friend on the phone about her job interview.

Jan 9^th, after work, I attended a wonderful event at the NY Historical Society called “An Evening with Jim Dale”.  Jim talked about his early days in entertainment / theater, plus what it was like to record all seven of the Harry Potter audio books.  He looked and sounded great.

Jan 11^th, after work, I had a 1.5-hour massage therapy session with Eric at the apt.  Ongoing therapy for my back, neck, legs and lungs.

Jan 15^th, after work, I attended the informative and productive monthly BFP PEJ committee meeting.

Jan 16^th, after work, I attended the productive monthly BFP Fundraising committee meeting.

Jan 17^th, after work, I got a much-needed manicure

Jan 18^th, after work, I had a 1.5-hour massage therapy session with Eric at the apt.  Ongoing therapy for my back, neck, legs and lungs.

Jan 19^th, I took care of many errands, chores, groceries and laundry.

Jan 20^th, I went to see the excellent film “Green Book” with a good friend.  I highly recommend it.  Afterwards, we had a tasty dinner at Ollie’s on West 42^nd Street off 9^th Avenue.

Jan 22^nd, after work, I attended the monthly SGI Kent district discussion meeting on Bedford Avenue.  It has been quite some time since I last attended a meeting.  It felt good to reconnect with other Nichiren Buddhist followers and the chanting was uplifting.

Jan 25^th to 27^th, I visited with Mom in upstate NY for a long weekend to help with errands, chores, groceries, CLR, dining out with friends and sorting through things in the house.

Jan 29^th, I attended the Fred Pryor seminar “Excel – Beyond the Basics” training.  Afterwards, I headed down to the office for about 3 hours to catch up on work.

Daily Quote: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

PERSONAL NEWS #286

Dec 1^st, I had a 1.5-hour massage therapy session with Eric at the apt.  Ongoing therapy for my back, neck, legs and lungs.  Afterwards, I joined two friends of mine visiting from Canada, and we went to The Jungle Café for dinner in my hood.  Then back to my apt for dessert and tea.

Dec 2^nd, I attended the second annual JRR Tolkien Silmarillion panel discussion at Simple Studios.  Afterwards, I went out to dinner with three other friends to Rin Thai Cuisine restaurant on West 23^rd Street.

Dec 5^th, after work, I got a much-needed manicure, and then ordered catering from The Jungle Café for an upcoming dinner party.

Dec 6^th, after work, I attended the annual “Pathmakers to Peace” event at Plymouth Church and hosted by Brooklyn for Peace.  I was able to speak briefly with Congresswoman Clarke and Velasquez.

Dec 7^th, after work, I had a 1.5-hour massage therapy session with Eric at the apt.  Ongoing therapy for my back, neck, legs and lungs.

Dec 9^th, I hosted my annual holiday gathering at my humble apt with several good friends.  We enjoyed the delicious food catered by The Jungle Café while talking on many topics, one of which was current politics.

Dec 13^th, I learned from Mom that Dad is back in the hospital in southwestern VT with some heart troubles.  After work, I went to the gift stores in GCS to purchase items for the holidays.

Dec 14^th, the office holiday gathering was held at Chelsea Piers with food, drink and bowling.  Afterwards, I had a 1.5-hour massage therapy session with Eric at the apt.  Ongoing therapy for my back, neck, legs and lungs.

Dec 15^th to 16^th, I visited with Mom in upstate NY, as Dad is back in the hospital with heart issues.

Dec 18^th, I took a friend out for a holiday lunch, and we talked about the film “The Crimes of Grindervald”.  After work, I ventured up to the Union Square Holiday Market, and purchased a few goodies.  Then it was off to the SGI Cultural Center to do some serious chanting and attend a free lecture.

Dec 19^th, after work, I attended the annual BCF [board members] holiday dinner party at Rocco’s.

Dec 22^nd to 25^th, I visited with Mom in upstate NY.  In addition, we saw Dad every day at the CLR and went out for meals on several occasions.  I took care of errands, chores, shopping and watching cable tv.

Dec 27^th, after work, I got a much-needed manicure.

Dec 28^th, after work, I had a 1.5-hour massage therapy session with Eric at the apt.  Ongoing therapy for my back, neck, legs and lungs.

Dec 29^th, I joined my friend Margaret and we went to see the film “Mary Poppins Returns”.  It was enjoyable, though we did not care for the five-minute segment with Meryl Streep.  Visited the Bryant Park Holiday Market and the soon to be closed Lord & Taylor.

Dec 30^th, at 7am I received a phone call from the CLR stating that my father had passed away in his sleep.  We knew this was coming down the turnpike, but still, when hearing it is so upsetting.  Change of plans for that day; plus many phone calls and texting to family / friends.  A good friend of mine drove me upstate NY to my parents’ house.  Mom and I took care of things at the funeral parlor.  We got some Chinese food for dinner and my friend stayed overnight.

Dec 31^st, my good friend took me to the car rental place, as well as the CLR to pick up my father’s belongings.  Rest of the day Mom and I sorted through paperwork and more calls.  Spent the evening watching movies on cable tv until midnight.

It is with heavy heart that I announce my father, Bill Barker, passed away in his sleep on Sunday, Dec 30th, at 6:30am. I keep telling myself, through the tears, that my father is in a better place and no longer in pain.  Rest in Peace "Wild Thing".

 Visit with Brother

and Sister-in-Law

New Year's Day

 Oakwood Cemetery

New Year's Day

Troy NY