Posted on September 22 at 6:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good to hear about Jim! Please keep us posted on the Xeloda (which, had you not told me it was a drug, I would have guessed it was a planet from a really bad science fiction movie).
Thinking of ya every day, guy.
On Platelets and a Relay for Life
Posted on August 27 at 2:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You are amazing, Johnny Mac! You and the family are in my heart. When you can, your posts are much appreciated, Mike
Posted on July 19 at 1:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hi John, my mom just told me about your blog. I think about you and all the rowdy times we had back in the day. Boy did we drink a lot of cheap beer. And we bess not forget the yards of chili dogs. And we played a few hands of Euchre, too. And the afternoon-long games of Risk that would make Henry Kissinger look like an beginner. You must have been inspired by our "escape to Wisconsin" and so moved there permanently. Your blog is a true inspiration -- I'll be watching it and always hoping for the best. I live in NC (Chapel Hill) now but if there is anything I can do from out here, give me a holler--no worries. Take care, The Goose
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On McPoland loses his battle with cancer
Posted on October 2 at 4:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Dear John,
Goose here. I am saddened, dude.
I remember when I first met you at Ghost. I thought, who IS this guy?! really, I had never met anyone with so much intelligence, humor, energy, and optimism. I saw all of those things in your "Ballad of the Rodeo Cowboy" -- remember? you wrote it for Mr. Hannah and he had you read it to the class and I thought, damned that is good and that is John McP.
Speaking of Ghost, remember that time you got injured at football practice and the ambulance came but could not get back up the hill? We laughed for a week over that one.
I saw all of your qualities on those nights when you could not win a hand of cards for anything. We all had such nights but you were the only one who could laugh right back at bad luck. I tell you, some of my favorite memories from high school were when we would buy those quarts of beer and just sit outside somewhere in the dark and drink them. (And if anybody from Columbkille's Church is reading this, yes, we threw the empties onto your playground!) That was special.
It is true that after high school we went our own ways, but I never forgot you and never will. To this day, I think you are the smartest, most optimistic and energetic and good-humored person I have ever met. What a gift your friendship has been. How do thank someone for that? I don't know except to say thanks from my heart to yours.
I am not a religious person but what a magnificent thought that we may all rise up someday and see each other again and it will be sweeter than any game of Euchre. I hope this is true and hope we meet again, Johnny Mac.
Your blog taught me about courage, especially this last post. This may sound strange, but next time I am in Dubuque, I am going to sneak out in the night with a quart and drink it under the stars in your honor. It will be for you.
Yours always and God Bless, Mike