Thursday, February 5, 2009

A thought for the book, or just in general

I heard a song today and it gave me an idea for a scene in my book, or perhaps not. I am unsure where or how I'll fit this into the story, or if it will even find its way into the final draft. The thought is purely autobiographical in nature, therefore I'm not positive it will work or not. I just wanted to get it out here and see what I want to do with it after reading it again.

"I hopped in the car and meant to blast the stereo, however, when the music poured from the speakers I began to lower the volume. It was “Summer Breeze”, a song which I had hated at one time, but then began to associate it with a very vivid memory of my parent’s home, to a point I now felt compelled to like it in spite of myself. “See the curtains hanging in the window, in the evening on a Friday night, a little light a-shining through the window, lets me know every thing's all right”. I can see myself standing in my childhood room. Brown and white shag carpet underfoot, creamy patterned wallpaper accented by dark paneling and chair rail, and the window on the north wall is open letting in the sweet fragrance of spring and wind that is still a comfortable delight on my skin. The curtains swirl in the breeze and temporarily block my view, but in their own way present a new visual. I am hypnotized by the sights and the smells in this room, so much so that even now as I recall it the memory is palpable. I can almost breathe the scent of freshly cut grass from the yard, see the starting buds of the peonies, and taste the clean, cool air. I am lost in the moment, until the song fades out and is replaced with a commercial for new snow tires at Jake & Jack’s Automotive in historic downtown Franklin. The harsh voice of the announcer is like a needle dragging across the vinyl of my mind, bringing the thoughts to a screeching halt. Back to reality, I guess. "

Monday, February 2, 2009

Terry Whitling

The following is the obituary of a truly kind man. My sister once worked for him, and in my profession as a paralegal I often had dealings with him. To me he seemed to be kind and fair, and more importantly I knew him to be a loving husband and father. It's a shame to lose such a good person, and I wanted to take the time to remember him and let you all know that there once was a man named Terry Whitling, who was more than a lawyer and a hearing officer. He was a father, a husband and a friend to many and should be remembered.

Obituary - Terrance L. Whitling

Terrance L. Whitling, 61, of 209 Woodland Drive, Oil City, died at 12:21 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.

Born Jan. 20, 1948, in Oil City, he was a son of Merrill and Roselyn Gdanitz Whitling.
Mr. Whitling was a graduate of Clarion University and the University of Toledo Law School and was a member of both alumni associations.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Whitling practiced law in Venango County for 34 years and was a support court hearing officer.

Mr. Whitling was a member of the Venango County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He had been a member of the Florida Bar Association since 1995.

He was a member of Masonic Petrolia Lodge No. 363 F&AM, Venango Lodge of Perfection, Coudersport Consistory and the Kiwanis Club. He was a lifetime member of VFW and a member of Izaac Walton.

Mr. Whitling was a member of the Republican Party.

He served on the board of directors for the Salvation Army and was solicitor for the zoning board of the City of Oil City and for Cornplanter, President and Pine Grove townships, Northwest Saving Bank, Franklin Credit Union and Brandon Cemetery. He was also a U.S. Postal Service mediator and previously served on Oil City Council.

He was an Eagle Scout, a certified scuba diver, and a Minor League and Little League baseball coach.

Mr. Whitling was a former member of the Christ Episcopal Church & Vestry and had been a past junior warden. He was also a former member of the DuBois Business College faculty.

He was married on Oct. 23, 1976, to married to Rhesha Whitling, who survives.

Also surviving are his parents, Merrill and Rose Whitling; a son, Nicholas Whitling and his wife, Chelsee, of New Orleans; a daughter, Tracy Whitling and her husband, Trapper Little, of Columbus, Ohio; and a granddaughter, Norah Little.

Also surviving are a brother, Thomas Whitling and his wife, Anna Marie, of Laurel, Md.; a sister, Rose Potts and her husband, Jack, of Seneca; seven nieces and nephews, Ed “Mike,” Chrissy, Melanie, Jack Ernest, Jenny, Abigail and Diana and their families.

Mr. Whitling was preceded in death by a brother, Edward M. Whitling.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Morrison Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday the Christ Episcopal Church.
Interment will be in Brandon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to a charity of one’s choice.