Lap Top Noise
Lap Top Noise
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Johnson Fi-220 Lap Dulcimer $112.49 The Johnson lap dulcimer brings the spirit of Appalachian mountain music to everyone at a low price. The 4-string lap dulcimer has a genuine mahogany body, decorative heart-shaped sound holes and includes a custom case for easy transport.This popular instrument has a traditional teardrop shape and features a melodious drone that appeals to anyone wanting to explore American folk traditions. The simplicity and easy playing action of the lap dulcimer make it perfect for novice musicians, music educators and the classroom.4-String Lap Dulcimer. Mahogany Body. Decorative Heart-Shaped Sound Holes. Scalloped Strumming Area. 15-Fret Fingerboard. Scale Length: 26-1-2. Includes Custom Featherweight Case. |
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Johnson FI-220 Lap Dulcimer $112.49 The Johnson lap dulcimer brings the spirit of Appalachian mountain music to everyone at a low price. The 4-string lap dulcimer has a genuine mahogany body, decorative heart-shaped sound holes and includes a custom case for easy transport.This popular instrument has a traditional teardrop shape and features a melodious drone that appeals to anyone wanting to explore American folk traditions. The simplicity and easy playing action of the lap dulcimer make it perfect for novice musicians, music educators and the classroom. |
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Waves Z-Noise Native Noise Reduction Plug-In $375 The Waves Z-Noise Native Noise Reduction Plug-In raises the audio restoration bar. Waves originally set the standard for professional audio restoration software with their acclaimed X-Noise plug-in. Waves Z-Noise is a single-ended broadband noise reduction audio processor. It very effectively reduces noise while preserving the highest audio quality. Superficially, Z-Noise works like other broadband noise reduction processors that use a noise profile, or noise print, to differentiate valid signal from noise. Waves Z-Noise plug-in uses intelligent multilevel decision algorithms to maximize noise reduction with minimum unwanted artifacts. Plus, Z-Noise uses a more musical band split method for more natural results throughout the sound spectrum.The Z-Noise audio restoration software is ideal for removing additive noise such as tape hiss, vinyl surface damage, wind, air conditioner and ventilation system noise. Z-Noise offers several improvements, including:Z-Noise works on the complete frequency spectrum, thus high-frequency hiss and low-frequency rumble can be removed in the same pass, making it a truly broadband noise removal tool.Real-time operation allows you to adjust parameters and hear the results immediatelyExtract Profile ModeYou don't always have a section of pure noise from which to create a noise profile. Using the Extract Noise Profile feature, you can create a noise profile from a noise sample which is "contaminated" by program material you want to save.Adaptive Mode - You do not necessarily need to create a noise profile in order to reduce noise. In the Adaptive Mode, Z-Noise extracts a noise profile on-the-fly and reduces the noise even if the profile changes over time. Better transient treatmentWaves Z-Noise offers improved transient handling as well as enhanced transient processing options that allow for greater noise reduction with less transients smearing. The noise reduction software can detect and enhance transients prior to noise reduction processing, then de-enhance the transients after noise reduction, thus allowing for more aggressive noise reduction while preserving transients.Enhanced Noise profile adjustmentsIn both the normal and adaptive modes, Waves Z-Noise noise reduction software allows you to control the spectral nature of the noise profile. In this manner you can more precisely define what is a noise and what is program material.Knee control lets you adjust the angle of the knee to smooth or sharpen reduction dynamics. Brand new proprietary algorithmAccurate dynamic noise profilingBetter low frequency resolutionAdvanced transient preservation |
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Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar $675 The Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar is the perfect entry-level lap steel guitar for any player. This import Asher Electro-Hawaiian Junior offers quality tonewoods and solid construction with impressive resonance and sustain. It has excellent playability compared to similarly priced lap steels. Built to high standards, this Junior is sure to impress you with its musical voice and professional feel. The neck-through solid mahogany body has a 25" -cale rosewood fretboard. It's powered by 2 humbuckers with master volume, tone, and 3-way pickup switch.style: lap steel scale length: 25 inches neck & body: neck through body construction, solid mahogany pickups: two humbuckers pickup switching: three-way toggle controls: master volume and master tone string spacing: nut: 1 7/8", bridge: 2 1/4" fret board: rosewood bridge: metal wrap-around nut: Micarta finish: tobacco burst, cherry burst, and other colors case: comes with gig bag fret lines: 22 strings: Asher Electro Hawaiian Lap Steel Strings |
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Boss Ns-2 Noise Suppressor Pedal $99 The Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Pedal effectively eliminates noise and hum from the input signal while preserving the original sound's tonality. Natural attack and envelope remain unaffected by suppression of the noise components. |
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Mxr M195 Noise Clamp Noise Reduction Guitar Effects Pedal $79.99 Crank your stomp pedals to the extreme without the fear of any hiss or excess noise with the MXR Noise Clamp. By sensing your guitar's dry signal, the Noise Clamp reduces the noise level within the effects loop, coming down hard on even the noisiest signals. A single Trigger knob allows you to set the volume threshold at which the pedal is active, and a green LED shows whether the gate is on/off. This bad boy is capable of reducing noise up to 26dB, maintaining riff definition at extreme gain levels.Eliminates hiss and excess noise from your effects chainA single Trigger knob sets the volume thresholdCapable of reducing noise up to 26dBMaintains riff definition at extreme gain levels |
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Used Mxr M195 Noise Clamp Noise Reduction Guitar Effects Pedal $69.59 Crank your stomp pedals to the extreme without the fear of any hiss or excess noise with the MXR Noise Clamp. By sensing your guitar's dry signal, the Noise Clamp reduces the noise level within the effects loop, coming down hard on even the noisiest signals. A single Trigger knob allows you to set the volume threshold at which the pedal is active, and a green LED shows whether the gate is on/off. This bad boy is capable of reducing noise up to 26dB, maintaining riff definition at extreme gain levels.Eliminates hiss and excess noise from your effects chainA single Trigger knob sets the volume thresholdCapable of reducing noise up to 26dBMaintains riff definition at extreme gain levels |
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Carl Martin Noise Terminator Pedal $161.7 The Noise Terminator is a 9V-battery-powered pedal designed to preserve the original tonal characteristics of your signal while removing unwanted noise that occurs when multiple effects are used. It surpasses the performance of conventional noise gates by allowing the player to switch between 2 threshold settings: Soft - with less noisy equipment or Hard - when more radical settings are required. The remote jack allows you to connect the Noise Terminator to an external MIDI switching system, which allows the player to go between the soft and hard settings with ease. AC adapter jack for electrical power.Dual-setting noise gate MIDI-switchable 9V or AC powered |
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Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar Tobacco Burst $675 The Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar is the perfect entry-level lap steel guitar for any player. This import Asher Electro-Hawaiian Junior offers quality tonewoods and solid construction with impressive resonance and sustain. It has excellent playability compared to similarly priced lap steels. Built to high standards, this Junior is sure to impress you with its musical voice and professional feel. The neck-through solid mahogany body has a 25" -cale rosewood fretboard. It's powered by 2 humbuckers with master volume, tone, and 3-way pickup switch. |
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Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar Cherry Burst $675 The Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar is the perfect entry-level lap steel guitar for any player. This import Asher Electro-Hawaiian Junior offers quality tonewoods and solid construction with impressive resonance and sustain. It has excellent playability compared to similarly priced lap steels. Built to high standards, this Junior is sure to impress you with its musical voice and professional feel. The neck-through solid mahogany body has a 25" -cale rosewood fretboard. It's powered by 2 humbuckers with master volume, tone, and 3-way pickup switch. |
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Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar Antique White $675 The Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar is the perfect entry-level lap steel guitar for any player. This import Asher Electro-Hawaiian Junior offers quality tonewoods and solid construction with impressive resonance and sustain. It has excellent playability compared to similarly priced lap steels. Built to high standards, this Junior is sure to impress you with its musical voice and professional feel. The neck-through solid mahogany body has a 25" -cale rosewood fretboard. It's powered by 2 humbuckers with master volume, tone, and 3-way pickup switch. |
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Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar Black $675 The Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Guitar is the perfect entry-level lap steel guitar for any player. This import Asher Electro-Hawaiian Junior offers quality tonewoods and solid construction with impressive resonance and sustain. It has excellent playability compared to similarly priced lap steels. Built to high standards, this Junior is sure to impress you with its musical voice and professional feel. The neck-through solid mahogany body has a 25" -cale rosewood fretboard. It's powered by 2 humbuckers with master volume, tone, and 3-way pickup switch. |
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 Behringer C 1U Condenser Cable Professional Microphone  US $30.00
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 Blue Microphones Snowball Plug Play USB Black KIT NEW US $99.99
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 Behringer C 1U Condenser Cable Professional Microphone US $14.99
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 New US SF 930 CondenserCondenser Microphone Sound High Quality for PC Computer US $12.45
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 Blue Eyeball 20 HD Webcam with high quality microphone US $99.95
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 microphone clip on skype or lap top Noise Cancelling US $1.00
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 Condenser Multimedia Mic Microphone 35 mm Stereo Plug US $9.99
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 USB Dynamic Microphone Mic Stand for PC Laptop Windows US $9.89
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 TASCAM TM ST1 Stereo Condenser Microphone US $29.99
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 Focusrite ISA One Analogue ISA1 Analog Mic Preamp Headphones Extended Warranty US $499.99
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 ART Voice Channel VOICECHANNEL PROAUDIOSTAR US $359.00
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 Samson METEOR MIC SAMTR USB Professional Condenser Studio Microphone Mic US $88.87
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 ANGLED PRO MD MINIDISC ELECTRET CONDENSER MICROPHONE US $20.89
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 Samson GO MIC Portable USB Professional Condenser Podcasting Microphone Mic US $42.99
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 NADY DYNAMIC VOCAL US $9.20
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 Marshall MXL Mic Mate Dynamic USB Interface PreAmp New US $55.00
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 35mm Jack Plug Headset Headworn Head Mounted Microphone Wholesale 10PCS US $50.00
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 Wholesale 10PCS Headset Headworn Head Mounted Microphone with 35mm Jack Plug US $50.00
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 MADE TO MEASURE TIE CLIP LAPEL LAVALIER MICROPHONE US $9.46
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 Blue Microphones Snowball USB Condenser Microphone Wht SNOWBALL US $69.50
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 ART VOICE CHANNEL Microphone Preamp Channel Strip with Digital Outs NEW US $439.00
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 Logitech 980186 0403 USB Desktop Microphone US $19.99
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 Nady Starpower SP 1 Dynamic Microphone US $30.78
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 Cyber Acoustics Acoustics CVL 1065b Desktop Microphone US $26.64
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 Cyber Acoustics CVL 1066RB Microphone US $32.76
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 Cyber Acoustics CVL 1064RB Microphone US $31.66
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 Logitech 980186 0403 Microphone US $34.02
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 ND767A EV N Dym Dynamic SupeRCArdioid Mic US $129.00
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 Logitech USB DESTOP Laptop Cable Consumer Microphone US $12.95
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 Marshall Mxl Pro 1b Microphone Cable pro1b mxl pro 1b US $70.65
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 Audix FP7 FP Fusion Drum Mic Microphone Kit 7 piece Set Headphones Extd Warranty US $610.80
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 Audix DPQuad Mic Drum Microphone Set Headphones Cables Extended Warranty US $599.00
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 EC2018TURBOA 4 Pin inTurbo in Echo Mic US $54.89
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 NEW EV Olm 10 LAPEL MIC for wireless MS1000 MB2500MS2500 ms2000 MR2500 ta4f US $39.99
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 5620069001 Cobra 4 Pin Replacement Microphone US $31.79
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 22432 Kenwood Throat Mic US $54.89
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 SHURE SM58 Microphone OSP USB Adapter Phantom Power US $129.00
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 COBRA NOISE CANCEL CB US $20.99
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 RETRAK EMERGE ETAUDIOVOIP Retractable VoIP In Ear Headset US $26.45
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 New 35mm White Condenser Microphone For PC Laptop Apple Macbook Dell Laptop US $8.50
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 ART USB PHONO PLUS Project Series PHONO PREAMP | AUDIO INTERFACE US $89.99
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 BEHRINGER USB MIC PACK 3 C 1U RECORD HOME LIVE STUDIO PODCAST $10 INSTANT OFF US $169.99
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 HEADWORN EARHOOK MICROPHONE FOR DPA MICRODOT CONNECTOR US $55.28
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 ART Voice Channel Tube Channel Strip w Dig US $399.00
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 K40MICCH 4 Pin Noise Cancelling Chrome Edition CB Radio Microphone US $55.73
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 CAMS4 Remote CB Microphone System for 4 Pin Mics US $69.99
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 K40MICMPVP 4 Pin Noise Canceling Dynamic CB Mic with 8 in 1 Micro Pliers Value US $59.74
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 TM 2007 4 Pin Noise Canceling CB Microphone Black US $34.36
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 Art USBDualPre 2 PROAUDIOSTAR US $99.00
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 Stealthy Stereo Mic for Zoom H2 Iriver MP3 recorders US $55.00
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New Replacement AC Adapter Laptop Charger for HP Pavilion DV4 DV5 Series; HP G50 G60 Series Sale Price: $0.01 Used From: $45.00  |
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Replacement HP/Compaq 18.5V 3.5A AC Adapter. # Input: AC100-240V (worldwide use),Output: DC18.5V 3.5A,Power: 65W. # Connector size: Internal Diameter: 5.0mm,External Diameter: 7.4mm,With central smart-pin inside... |
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Cooler Master Notepal U2 Notebook Cooler with Two Fans R9-NBC-8PBK-GP List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $110.99 |
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Cooler Master Notepal X2 Notebook Cooler R9-NBC-4WAK-GP List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $23.99 Used From: $20.99 |
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With efficient functions and superb silent concept in mind, the NotePal X2 creates optimal comfort for laptop users. Either on a desk or on the lap of an on-the-go user, the NotePal X2 takes air from a bottom intake and cools down high temperatures with its 140 mm silent fans, dissipating the high temperatures generated by the CPU and GPU trapped inside the laptop housing. |
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Thermaltake Massive23 LX Laptop Notebook Cooler Oversized 230mm Blue LED Fan USB CLN0015 List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $23.77 Used From: $26.43 |
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Cooler Master NotePal U3 Notebook Cooler with 3 Fans R9-NBC-8PCK-G List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: Too low to display |
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Cooler Master NotePal U3 Notebook Cooler - (R9-NBC-8PCK-GP) |
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Instead of struggling to reach your computer's ports on the back, wouldn't it be nice to connect your speakers or microphone to the front.This simple adapter adds a microphone-in and an audio-out port to your computer through a USB port... |
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USB Powered and Most Efficient Metal Cooler Pad with 3 Built-in Fans for Laptop Computer Sale Price: $2.64 Used From: $14.95 |
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USB Powered and Most Efficient Metal Cooler Pad with 3 Built-in Fans for Laptop Computer; 3 built-in 60mm fans for maximum thermal heat dissipation. Compatible with USB 1.0 & USB 2.0. Built-in On/Off switch; # Aluminum panel with heavy-duty design and silver anodized finish... |
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Replacement AC Power Adapter for HP Pavilion DV1000/DV6000 Sale Price: $0.70 |
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Compatible Models / Replace PN : HP Pavilion DV1000 DV6000 |
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Belkin F5L001 Laptop Cooling Pad List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $11.00 |
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If you own a laptop, you know all about heat. Because today's notebooks rely on fast processors to do the job, they generate a lot of heat, with much of it landing directly in your lap. Some laptops can have a "normal" operating temperature as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit! Not only is that unsafe and uncomfortable, it can also wear your laptop down, cause it to crash unexpectedly, and reduce its overall life expectancy... |
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Lessons From Aunt Margaret
My eyes were tired. I had been reading for about four hours. First it was The Happy Hollisters and National Geographic, then I had just finished reading the "H" volume of my new pictorial encyclopedia set. "I" was next.The aroma of something being fried wafted into my little study from the kitchen—liver and onions? My mother was preparing supper to have ready for when my father came home from work. And then, over the noise of rattling pots and pans, she announced the dreaded words:
"Frankie, I think you should visit Aunt Margaret."
I rolled my eyes and rested my head on my hands while searching for a clever and convincing excuse. But all I could offer was a meager, "Aww, c'mon. Do I really have to, Ma?"
She stood there, hands firmly on hips. "You can't sit in the house all the time. I want you to visit the neighbors…it's nice and sunny out."
There was no getting out of it this time. My mother had been asking me to visit Aunt Margaret for two weeks now. I thought it was enough that my parents presented me to all their relatives, friends, and everybody they ever knew, on a whirlwind tour starting from the day they adopted me two months ago. But apparently they weren't done. Now I was expected to walk around the neighborhood and knock on strangers' doors and say, 'Hi, I'm Frankie, and I've come to visit you.' When would it end? Or will this ‘let-us-show-off-our-new-son' business go on indefinitely?
"Come on, Frankie," she said, her tone now a bit softer. "Put on your coat and walk across the street. She's old and hardly ever gets visitors."
Great. Just great. "Okay, okay," I mumbled with annoyed resignation.
My mother watched from inside the door as I slowly meandered down the driveway toward our wooden gate. I remembered that my father told me Aunt Margaret was a retired grammar school principal and she won all sorts of awards. And that she had upwards of forty cats. I heard him and Ma talking about her being jilted at the altar—according to him, the groom never showed up and she never dated again. She became a spinster. It was all said sympathetically. I thought about how terrible it must have been for her to live with a heart that broken. I had to laugh to myself though—my school grades were sure broken, but I still had to go to school. And who knew what my loud-mouth father told Aunt Margaret about me. He probably spilled his guts about everything.
I hoped I wasn't paying a visit just to be lectured to. After all, Aunt Margaret wasn't really my aunt; she was just a neighbor. As I reached our gate-latch I stopped and looked directly across the street at her home. It was a large brown clapboard house with a windowed, closed-in porch surrounded and completely shaded by large pine trees and maples in her little front yard. Those five unruly Hartwick kids who lived next door to Aunt Margaret were playing in the street. They were very loud, but incomprehensible—just a lot of screaming and stuff.
I stood behind my fence and peered out at the street just like we orphans did from the huge back yard at the Children's Home in the city. My new yard was small and bordered by a white picket fence; not like those tall black iron gates at the orphanage. This neighborhood was not at all like the city. It was just a quiet dead-end street with houses and trees and fences—not much else. Plus, I was an only child; I even had my own room. So why would I care to venture out beyond our little fence? I never felt the inclination to wander outside those big gates at the orphan…
"Frankie! Go on."
My mother opened the screen door to coax me. Then I heard it slam shut.
"All right, all right, I'm going!"
So I warily maneuvered my way past the staring Hartwick kids to Aunt Margaret's chain-linked gate and, once through, I saw the two brick steps that led to her maroon front door. Those steps reminded me of the morning I noticed her sitting on them. She was in a nightgown and house robe, and on her lap sat a squirrel eating nuts from her hand. There was another squirrel at her feet waiting patiently. I found it amazing that a wild squirrel would trust a person enough to sit on their lap.
The doorbell made a deep rich series of pleasant lyrical sounds. A couple of minutes went by as I waited. Great! She's sleeping! I can tell my mother nobody answered and I‘ll get a reprieve. But just as I turned to leave, the doorknob turned. My heart sank. What was I supposed to say to her? And how long was I supposed to stay? As soon as the door opened, a new scent rushed to my nose. The smell was not unpleasant and it calmed me somewhat. Then Aunt Margaret appeared from in the doorway. Her soft grey eyes greeted me first, welcoming and non-judgmental. Hi, Frankie, please come in. It's so nice to see you.
Then she smiled and spoke: "Hi, Frankie, please come in…"
"Hi, Aunt Margaret, I umm…I've come to visit you."
"Well, I'm glad you did," she said with honest enthusiasm.
She gracefully extended her hand toward a light tan couch. "Please sit down. I'll hang up your coat."
So I sat on the couch and Aunt Margaret took a seat in a large padded chair with a colorful shawl draped on it. We were just a couple of feet apart. The couch was very comfortable. That sure was simple.
Aunt Margaret wore a similar gown and robe as when I saw her that earlier morning. She was a smallish and frail woman, but not underweight. Everything about her appeared soft—her voice, her small nose, her long white hair; even the few wrinkles on her round light colored face were soft. Her face exuded a sort of gentle understanding. And it looked to me as though her eyes have felt pain, a kind of pain I couldn't identify with and may never experience. Aunt Margaret's entire stature radiated life and humility and compassion. I thought lousy students like me were supposed to feel nervous around school principle's—even if they were retired. It then occurred to me that a sermon about my poor grades was probably the last thing on her mind.
"Your eight years old, Frankie?"
"Yes," I answered as a calico cat brushed up against my pant-leg.
"That's Pinky…Pinky, say hello to Frankie."
I reached down and petted Pinky. She was a friendly cat.
"How many cats do you have, Aunt Margaret?"
"I have forty-two little darlings. Do you like cats, Frankie?"
"Yes, cats are great. I don't like dogs though."
"Oh?" "Well, a dog bit me once," I minimized without going into detail.
The last thing I wanted was Aunt Margaret digging into uncharted territory—such as why I was sent the orphanage in the first place. And so Aunt Margaret and I talked about cats for a while. She told me how she took in stray cats and how she was able to hand-feed squirrels.
As we bantered, I began to look around and noticed an endless array of crystal and porcelain figurines neatly arranged and displayed in various locations about the room. There was also a large grandfather clock and many pictures and paintings on her walls. Everything was placed just so and there wasn't a speck of dirt or dust in sight.
"Can I get you something to drink, Frankie?"
My earlier nerves made me thirsty.
"Okay, may I have a glass of water?"
"Yes, of course. I'm going to have some tea. I'll be right back."
Aunt Margaret left then returned with three cats trotting closely behind her. When Aunt Margaret sat down, one of the cats, a black and white kitten, jumped on her lap and immediately curled up and closed its eyes. The other two lay sprawled near her feet. Pinky leapt on the couch next to me and put her head on my lap and began purring.This was tuning into quite a cozy visit. Aunt Margaret told me their names as I petted them.
"How do you like your new school here, Frankie?"
Uh oh—maybe not that cozy. Here was the set-up I had suspected. But maybe I'd be able to steer her away from school talk by being direct right off-the-bat.
"I don't like school because it's boring and I can't do math…but I like to read," I answered while defiantly looking her square in the eye, almost daring her to scold me.
Aunt Margaret surprised me by laughing. She leaned close to my ear.
"Boys aren't supposed to like school," she whispered. "And I can tell you read a lot because your pronunciation is perfect. It's not the end of the world if you can't learn mathematics. I was terrible in math too, you know."
At that, we both laughed. My laugh was from relief. Even though I found it hard to believe that an award-winning teacher could be weak in any subject, I was just grateful that Aunt Margaret mentioned nothing more of school. She was a perceptive lady and I was a very thankful kid.
Then she reached and took a thick beige photo album from a self and handed it to me. In it were childhood pictures of her, her only sister, and many animals, both wild and domestic. The second half of the album contained newspaper articles and pictures of her as a teacher and then as a principal, some with smiling students and faculty members surrounding her. Aunt Margaret seemed to find joy pointing at each picture while telling me the names of all the people and what they were like. Her memory was astonishing. Some of the pictures went back to the 1930's. She described every photo in vivid detail and her enthusiasm appeared to heighten when I asked her questions. I truly was interested in all those pictures and articles. I liked learning about what life was like in the old days.
Aunt Margaret and I chatted and laughed as though we'd known each other for a long time. It was that easy. While petting Pinky, I noticed a little black box on a small round table next to her. Since that box sat at arms length from Aunt Margaret's chair, I surmised that its contents must be very important. But despite my curiosity, I made no mention of it.
At some point, I sensed she was tiring. As I was about to thank her and bid my good bye, the enormous grandfather clock suddenly announced another hourly chime. Amazingly, I had been there for four hours!
"Umm…thanks for letting me visit you, Aunt Margaret," I clumsily told her as I stood up.
Pinky wasn't prepared for my departure and she hooked a claw in my pants pocket to protest my taking away her headrest. I gently unhooked her little paw.
"Frankie, I'm so glad you came to see me. You're a very unusual young man; you're fun! And you should steer clear of Those Hartwick and Mulligan boys'," Aunt Margaret exclaimed, with a bit of fury in her voice. "They're so loud and mean."
She shook her tiny fist in the air. "If I ever catch them throwing rocks at my squirrels again…!"
"Umm…well…yes."
"Oh I'm sorry for getting get so worked up, Frankie. I didn't mean to startle you."
"That's okay, Aunt Margaret; I understand."
And I did.
"Frankie, please feel free to visit me as often as you like, even when you're sad and worried."
Hmm. So my folks did tip off Aunt Margaret that I am a 'disturbed child.' And she remembered. There was no getting away with much around her—not that I cared to. Aunt Margaret did seem want my company with no ulterior motive. Maybe she just liked me? I wasn't going to disappoint her.
"Yes, Aunt Margaret; I'll visit you a lot."
With that, her eyes tilted joyfully again. She believed me. And I did visit her often. My school grades grew even worse, but Aunt Margaret never bugged me about it—as though she knew the real reason why, even if I didn't. As the years rolled on, I fell in and out of friendship with the Hartwick and Mulligan kids—and I made sure they never went near her squirrels, even if it meant fighting them.
Then one day, Aunt Margaret died. I was fourteen and it was my first funeral. She looked happy; like she was just napping. I was surprised so few people were there—only a handful. How could that be, I wondered. Wasn't she renowned as a great teacher and motivator? And even the few mourners there seemed indifferent, as though inconvenienced into a disagreeable courtesy call. They weren't really mourning Aunt Margaret.
I was very put off by the whole facade and later, while alone in bed, I wondered if a normal person would morn and cry. It was easier for me to justify that, if there was a Heaven—and there had better be, then Aunt Margaret's soul probably zoomed right up there the moment it left her body.
The next day, my father told me that Aunt Margaret's little black box contained nitro-glycerin tablets. She had a severe heart condition—she suffered numerous small heart attacks for many years. I guess God needed her up there to lend the insightful understanding of her listening ear to those in need. Around the following year, some big-shot politicians named Aunt Margaret's old school after her:
THE MARGARET L. VETTER SCHOOL
A few decades too late, I thought. Her former pupils and faculty coworkers had long forgotten about her living alone in her brown clapboard house.
Isn't it sad how certain people aren't recognized as great until they leave? Still, those of us who have suffered losses devastating enough to lead us into head-first tailspins of self-loathing and worse; we know the score. The lucky one's among us who do recover from such spirals, know to hold tight a piece of our heart to a glorious person once known; we see her forever alive and wishing with her last breath to turn an old photo album back into the people she loved so dearly.
Ultimately, Aunt Margaret's lesson to me was that there is no futility in mortality. And I realized that sometimes the worlds best medicine for a troubled child can be rendered by the simple, serene wisdom of an elderly person with enough understanding to let life happen at its own pace.
About the Author
Joseph Lupoli is a sports coach and mentor for developmentally disabled children and adults. He and his wife reside in New Jersey. Joseph is a well traveled U.S. Army veteran and a published writer of fiction, non-fiction, and sports articles. His hobbies include playing tennis, collecting international films, traveling, and being the least politically correct pain-in-the-ass clown whoever lived. Still going strong at age fifty-two, Joseph will do anything for attention. And he still throws away his AARP mail without reading it.