2001 OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure

Subject: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: GUEST,return of the son of the sequal to L R Mole
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 11:36 AM

On the twenty-eighth of this past December, the Mudcat, as well as the rest of the world, lost my father: L R Mole. Now, I'm not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but I feel that I should do something, due to his undying devotion to this site, and, I'd imagine, to the people in it. So, I thank all of you for providing my father with an outlet for his massive storehouse of miscellaneous knowledge and terrible puns, and for making him late to class at least twice a week. He will be missed. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 11:44 AM

Son of Mole,

I am very sorry for your loss, and I thank you for being willing to share it with us. Please know that your father was much loved among the Mudcatters. Would you like to tell us more about him?

~Susan

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: GUEST,Return of the son of....this title is far to
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 12:00 PM

My father was the greatest human being this world has ever known, and responsible for every single one of my good literary habits, and an incredible sense of lack of respect for teachers who di not live up to our expectations. He was, without a doubt, the exact definition of the Magnanimous Man: constantly temperate, always sharing, and my father never once raised his voice to me... he simply got quieter, and that was always enough. It's hard to come home with a burning question on my mind, or a song that has been playing in my head all day, and not pick up the phone to call him. My father was loved by everyone, and despised by no one. He looked like Jerry Garcia, but was not a big fan of the Greatful Dead. And he always got more out of life than the average human being, and he never, as long as I knew him (not counting the time in the hospital when they had to shave his moustache)shaved his beard except for one line on either side of his face, and he never, ever, touched a vegetable other than the potato. And his sneezes were so loud they had syllables. And only he and his friend Richard have ever had the ability to make me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. sorry, got carried away.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 12:03 PM

Son of Mole, I am so sorry for your loss. And ours.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 12:07 PM

Please don't apologize, Son of Mole, for writing something eloquent and loving. I enjoyed reading it, and will enjoy anything else you write about him.

Here's something he wrote on 14 Nov 00:

"A wonderful weekend with four friends and not nearly enough time for all the conversation possible, museums to poke around in, a wife who seems to still be fond of me, two sons who are turning into themselves and not people I would have imagined (but what do I know?),and a resolution that if music is going to happen I better not wait for someone else to call me up and start it. A slaty, grey day with promise of heavy rain: my favorite, really. I think I will go home and make pierogies, start a fire in the woodstove and play the twelve-string.And another birthday goes round the yearclock. Breathe out."

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 12:09 PM

Son, what a lovely thing to share. From your words, I can almost SEE him. Is it possible you could share a photo with us? We have a memorial page.

~Susan

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: gnu
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 12:20 PM

Gosh, I just learned about this a week ago, from another 'Cat. I thought I had missed thread(s) to his memory during my absence last fall. My sincerest condolences, Son of Mole. Your father was a treasure and his contributions will live on.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Mark Clark
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 12:28 PM

I too am very sorry to learn of your (and our) loss. Please accept my sympathies. Here is an active link that will bring up everything your father posted in discussions here. I thought you might want to read his thoughts and see how he interacted with all of us here.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 12:35 PM

I am so glad to see your post here Son of Mole. I thought your Dad was a very special man. He and I had some fun banters back and forth and he was always there for a good thought and a warm wish for people who needed them.   

We are an odd community here and I'm sure you're aware of that as your Dad was......most of us having that same "devotion" to this site. Back in January we realized that Mole wasn't around and we hadn't heard from him in awhile. Sometimes things (not necessarily bad) happen and people disappear for awhile but we generally notice. In this case, one of Mole's best friends here, Carol C. noticed and eventually did some research to see what was happening. Sadly she found that your Dad had died. Out of respect for him and the family Carol decided not to post it as an obit......She didn't feel she had the right, and I can appreciate that as I'm sure you can too. She did inform me because I was curious too and I agreed with her decision. Because he did have friends here, I am glad you came!

On that basis though, I'd like you to take a moment and read this thread (click). Carol's last post was written after she found out and it really is simply beautiful.

I am so sorry for you and your family. I will miss him too. Thanks for coming here and posting......Many loved your Dad.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Cappuccino
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 01:02 PM

Yup - sympathies from here, too.

- ian B

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: GUEST,Johnny Squints (Mole jr.)
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 01:08 PM

WYSIWYG>>I have the perfect picture. I, however, also have a problem: do I need to sign up with the company to attatch files? What should I do? Is there a memorial page? (please forgive the uninitiated mudcat user.)

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 01:57 PM

Johnny Squints, if you go up to the box that says "Quick Links" and select "Member Photos and Info." (You can also click here.) There's an e-mail address there for Pene Azul (Jeff) to which you can send photos and any text you want included. From that page, you can click on "Photos." At the top of the page, there's a link to the Memorial pages.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 01:58 PM

Hey Johnny Squints.....I like that!........Anyway, here's the dope on photos........CLICK HERE

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 01:59 PM

Sorry Jeri....cross posted.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 02:01 PM

Johnny Squints, welcome to Mudcat. Yer welcome here any time, you know.

I'm looking forward to seeing the face of the man you described and loved so well.

~Susan

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Morticia
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 03:36 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this news,I really liked your dad, he was a gentleman and a gentle man.My condolences,Johnny.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 03:42 PM

I'll add my name to those expressing sympathy.

Jon

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 05:01 PM

Me too...I am sorry to hear it...Come back anytime....

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Clifton53
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 05:06 PM

LR Mole was one of the people to answer on a matter of great importance to me, and to show concern in doing so. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Clifton

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 06:20 PM

One of my favorite Mole-isms was on the topic of reincarnation...

I think I will come back as the ocean. One of them, anyway. If not that, the sky. LR Mole and his Electric Hubris

I think I'll remember that the next time I see a wave. Or a rainbow. Peace, Brother.

LEJ

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: okthen
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 06:45 PM

My respects, I've just seen the memorial photo, and being a 49er, too young.He saw the best of this place.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 06:52 PM

That's a beautiful quote, LeeJ. Thanks.

I am so sorry to hear that one of us has travelled on. Thank you, Johnny Squints, for sharing your thoughts about your dad and for letting us know. He sounds like he was just as nice a person in the 3D world as he was here.

There's going to be a mighty wonderful choir up there when we all meet, isn't there?!

May you find solace from grief in your memories and in sharing. Please join us whenever you are able and would like to...you're always welcome here.

In Peace,

kat

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 07:40 PM

Johnny Squints, that IS the perfect photo. Thanks so much for sharing it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 07:51 PM

Thanks so much for the picture Johnny.........And Leej, thanks for remembering that line of his. Beautiful!

Johnny, I hope you take the time to follow the link to read some or all of your Dad's postings here. You have much of which to be proud and once again........many of us will miss him here.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: CarolC
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 08:15 PM

LR Mole on the subject of my mother's death, Thanksgiving, 2000...

"It'll probably take some time for your head to catch up with your heart,but you know where you are, and many of us have stood right where you're standing (and if we haven't, most of us will). Time is an illusion anyway, and the meaning that matters is the meaning we make. Slow words down and see what they tell you. Thanks. Giving. LRM"

On the subject of teaching...

"Enjoy teaching? Ah...speak, hear, read, discuss,play, listen, it's all part of the same circle for me. Best job in the world, because it happens now and in the past and future as well. Most teachers are basically shy, I think,and to follow the great procession of the immortal wordsmiths (hands in pockets and secretly worried that someone will catch us) is to help point the way, a little. What's not to love? (Gotta go--Huck's holding the raft). LRM"

On the subject of weather and technology...

"Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows...sunshine, blue skies, feh. Two cars in the parking lot. Lawn mower broken again. Waiting for paycheck. A student gave me his final paper on this black disk thing: don't they have viruses of some sort, which will spread all through the college computer system and bring knowlege to its cyber-knees? Or something? I can't even get the lawn mower to work and this idiot wants to send me to Alpha Centauri. I want clouds, and a moor to stalk on. LRMole."

"Big hot yellow thing in the sky today, and I don't care for it."

"Well, I'm off through the viscous (or couscous) air, ahead of promised thunder, lightning and cool rain. Interesting word, lightning: sounds as if it should be gradual (the actual word for the first daylight is "morngloam"). Should the meteorological prophecy deliver, I'll be out on the back deck, Marktwaining in the night. For now, though, off in search of a key lime muffin. LRM"

"The back deck on my house is known as the Mark Twain Hurricane Deck, which is sort of a misnomer since an object named a hurricane-anything (like hurricane lamp) is protected from wind and rain. My deck is protected from rain but not wind, and so is the ideal place to watch lightning come in and rumble around.There wasn't much Friday but we had a real rip-snorter Sunday night: wild enough to make me wonder if we were entering the realm of Too Much Weather. It's OK now, though: cloudy and cool. --Mole Twain"

On the subject of tuna casserole...

"I use Cheddar Cheese soup, with cubes of Velveeta melted in and (Secret Cheesy ingredient) several glops {a glop=an unshaken tablespoon} of PLAIN yogurt. Other secret is letting the elbow macaronis inhale the sauce. Elbows, unlike, say, seashells, will absorb sauce into themselves. But not if plugged by those nasty fungal bits endemic in (feh) Cream of Mushroom soup."

On the subject of cheeze...

"My own cheeze-puff fave is Chee-tos; the rounded type, not the sort of clotted type. I'm partial to cheez-flavored stuff, of an orange color not found in nature. Cheeze Waffies are my very favorite. A Cheez-Waffie is a terrifying creation involving cheese-flavored paste squished between little waffle-patterned cracker things, the whole in a terrifying fluorescent orange. Mmmmm. Sort of like cheese-in-a-can without the gas, or the effort. One more class. Then home. Mash potatoes. Creamed Chipped Beef for dinner. Not a single Cheez Waffie in sight."

On carbohydrates...

"There's carbohydrate in fruit juice? This hardly seems fair. Carbohydrates are supposed to be fun and useless, or bread. As Charles Young said, it's like finding a cheeseburger in the medicine cabinet."

On meatloaf and dragons...

"Yesterday, music, then meatloaf (cold sandwich with cheddar and mayo,on English muffin. Today, music (performance of a song I helped write, I think, yesterday) and then home for hot meatloaf with brown gravy sandwich. (Too bad there's already a performer called Meatloaf). "Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for they are subtle and quick to anger," said Gandalf in "The Hobbit". Saturday I saw a bumper sticker that made me snort: "Meddle not in the affairs of dragons because you are crunchy and good with ketchup."

On paradise and chowder...

"I just bought a can of "Paradise Delight" or something from a vending machine downstairs, having arrived too early for the cafeteria to be open.Imagine my chagrin when it turned out to involve carrot juice. And pineapples. Paradise my foot. The REAL Paradise involves chowder."

On the subject of personal loss...

"No one does any of this well, you know...Look, if everything teaches us anything, it's that what we think of as hope and the future is really an ever-changing present: the part we're around for. Even music demands one more measure, and then there's always one more echo. But of course it's painful as hell. That's how you know it's your story and not someone else's. One foot, other foot, and don't stop breathing."

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 08:24 PM

(:<))

Thanks Carol.....And more to the point, thanks Mole! Great thing about this place is that we can still have him here ...... a little bit of immortality.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: khandu
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 08:32 PM

Death is a one-horse town through which life passes and keeps on going.

Johnny, my heart is with you in your loss. 'Tis hard to handle. Years from now, you will still feel the empty spot. And , I will bet, in years to come , you progressively will see more of your Father within yourself.

Mr. Mole was a treasure here at the 'Cat, and, thankfully, he will remain a treasure, through his archived ports.

He is sorely missed.

Ah, but he has passed through the one-horse town and he has kept on keeping on!

And the joy he gave to the world is returned to him a hundred-fold!

khandu

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 09:04 PM

You said it, Spaw.

~S~

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: meow5000
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 12:10 PM

L.R.Mole was a second father for me, greeting me with open arms into the family, when I met his son, I feel that it was an honor to know him as well as see him in action. He had such a authentic way of teaching his classes. He wrapped people in by his personality and charm. He would give me pep talks, and sang with the most soothing, beautiful male voice... and now that he has pasted i still hear him singing when i hear Nick Drake...... pink moon. I miss you Mole and we shall met again on the other side, for i strongly believe i have more lessons to be taught by you in time. ~ little laddie

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: CarolC
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 01:19 PM

Anyone wishing to do a search on Mole's posting history will get a partial listing in the link provided by Mark Clark.

Up until November of 2000, Mole was posting under two different screen names without realizing it. One was L R Mole, and the other was LR Mole. After he became aware of this, he posted just under the name LR Mole.

Mark's link is for the screen name LR Mole. The posting history for L R Mole can be found here.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Johnny Squints
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 02:08 PM

well... Another day, yet another class, and yet another tower of homework. Seems too much, or not enough, or some hideous amalgamation of the two. Many thanks to all, here, and to Pene Azul, for his help with the memorial page. Recently, my father's school had a celebration for my father's life (is that too many "my father's?) and it was executed perfectly. I doubt if he could have pulled it off better: poetry, a tape of him singing "She's a Lady," live music, and Randy Newman's "The Great Nations of Europe" all made an appearance. Sad, but simultaneously very enjoyable, which is quite hard to do. But I digress...CarolC, danke for the quotes: it's funny, he used to use the same voice when he wrote me at camp. I think I'll save this. I'll be in touch.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 02:24 PM

God Bless, you, Johnny Squints.

I bet you have (or will get) some personal messages in your Mudcat personal page-- to see them, if you have not already found this, click the words PERSONAL PAGES up in the topmost banner of the Mudcat page, whenever you are signed in as Johnny Squints.

~Susan

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 02:24 PM

Stay in touch with this place if you can Johnny.....You might find a bit of the enjoyment your father did. As you can see, we will miss him.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Alice
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 02:35 PM

Johnny, the day you started this thread I went back and re-read some of your father's Mudcat postings. Even those who never met him in person could tell from his writing what a special man he was. I lost both my parents when I was too young to be prepared - take care of yourself. Check in here with this forum group whenever you can, and I am sure you will be able to make some heart-felt connections. You have had a remarkable father, one to be proud of, lessons and memories to cherish.

Alice Flynn in Montana

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 07:21 PM

Johnny, thank you for taking the time to let us know.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Johnny Squints
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 11:06 AM

Two more hours to design a web site that the dean won't shoot down. Ended up using a picture that I took in Copenhagen two years ago (technically, it was in Rosskilde, but that's splitting hairs.) as the banner graphic. Thought of my dad as I did so; that was his kind of day: cloudy, windy as hell and a razor's width away from an extremely cold downpour. Made me happy to use an old, grainy, self-developed picture in my technology-heavy profession...a big thumb-bite (insert Shakespeare/Romeo & Juliet joke here) to the web in general.

Sorry: I tend to get irritated at my medium for work if I don't have a coffee at the moment.

On the plus side, the banner graphic looks better on the computer than it does as a hard copy. Imagine that.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Johnny Squints
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 11:14 AM

Oh, and happy V-day, people.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Desdemona
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 11:36 AM

Son of Mole,

I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your dear father; it's clear that you loved him very much. It's also clear that he was as lucky to have so lovong a son as you were to have him for a father.

Peace,

D.

Subject: Lyr Add: EVEN A GRAY DAY (Tom Paxton)
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 12:09 PM

Happy V-Day back atcha' Johnny!!

Your description of the day........I love those days too. Something still kinda' good and extra special in them. There's fine Tom Paxton song that I like a lot.......It has a haunting and easy tune...

EVEN A GRAY DAY....Tom Paxton

Even a gray day,
With a cold wind,
Train late again.
Even a gray day,
Is a good day now.

Even a black night,
With hard rain,
Plans down the drain.
Even a hard night,
Is a good night now.

CH:
Fresh out of answers,
I threw in my hand.
Stood with my back to the wall.
Thanks to your kindness that I understand.
It could have been no life at all.

Even a hard time,
With a thin shoe,
Bills coming due.
Even a hard time
Is a good time now.

Even a weekend,
In a strange town,
Snow coming down.
Even a weekend
Is a good time now.

CH:
Fresh out of answers,
I threw in my hand.
Stood with my back to the wall.
Thanks to your kindness that I understand.
It could have been no life at all.

Even a gray day,
With a cold wind,
Train late again.
Even a gray day,
Is a good day now.



Spaw

Subject: EVEN A GRAY DAY....Tom Paxton
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 01:00 PM

Good one.

^
|

~S~

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 01:44 PM

I know what you mean about the coffee, JS; I can't have it at my workdesk either. I'd be interested in seeing your project, if you could forge a link (known locally as a blue clicky thing). I hope the dean had toe good taste to appreciate your hard work.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 02:12 PM

*G*

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Johnny Squints
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 10:35 AM

Hollowfox> Did not happen. The powers-that-be are far too busy being progressive to accept a black-and-white picture for a website. So now I get to futz (sp?) with gold and burgundy in an effort to create something for eye candy. Alas. Picture still looks good, though...

Hmm... glad I found the thread: it gives me something to do at work that is not working, which is always a priority (not working, that is). Ah well, back to the neons and the wine colors and the hexidecimals.

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 12:24 PM

If you ever get that need to find a song, which you talked about in a earlier message. Just come back here and ask. There will be all the help you need at your disposal. From someone slightly older than your father, Boy he was WAY too young to go, he will be missed aroung here. JohnB

Subject: RE: OBIT: L R Mole sends his regards, I'm sure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 01:26 PM

@%^$, sorry to hear that, JS. Why have quality when you can have fashion, eh? You can make a side bet with yourself as to how long it will be before these same powers will decide that a good quality b&w is innovative, creative, and cutting edge?