Memo to The Donald

                                       
                      Memo


To:     Donald J. Trump,  aka The Donald
From:  http://frompencilboxtokeyboard.blogspot.com 
Re:     Seven reasons why people like you...or not
Date:  A little more than a year away from the next Presidential election...


It is quite clear that:

1. you are not concerned with being "politically correct". Some find this to be refreshing even if offensive from time to time. It's an unusual sort of mixed reaction...complicated somehow.
2. you are driving the talking heads of media, including major networks, as well as both CNN and Fox News, to the point of stuttering as they scramble to force you into some mold with which they are comfortable. Some find this to be most amusing to watch and wonder why they are so afraid of you and of your potential - why they go out of their way to make you look bad when over and over it turns back on them and has the opposite effect. The US media could use one of those people who helps create a positive spin on things. Their image is "hurting" big time. For many people I have talked with, media ranks right there with politicians on the distrust meter.
3. you don't seem to be in major need of financial contributions. What? Some find this to be a most pleasant change among politicians. No one owns you.  This is a good thing. No wonder some are twitchingly nervous. You are so not a typical politician... so not a member of the political version of the "good ole boys club".
4. you seem to manipulate the news to provide free campaign "advertising" without even trying. Some find this to be creative and intelligent as well as entertaining and endearing. Some of the less objective news people (which is most of them) are starting to move into a panic mode  -- at times becoming way too obvious in their attacks on you.  Ugly and sad to watch... they seem pathetically desperate somehow, but their actions keep your name in the forefront of the news. This phenomenon is great fun for those who enjoy some of the ironies of life.  Yep -- Those of us whose intelligence the media is underestimating do enjoy watching the media getting what's coming to them.
5. you somehow make the common man believe that you understand his situation even though your holiday "gratuities" to doormen may be larger than most yearly salaries of aforementioned Middle America. Some find this surprisingly and oddly bond-creating. Strange, isn't it?
6. you make city life look tolerable. Some, more rural Americans, find your love of city life to be sad, but understand that you call New York City your home - especially since you own a lot of it. We can't fault you for loving your home.  It's just that you are missing so much and that makes many who live a simpler life feel a bit sorry for you.... Rural America is largely underestimated by those who are sometimes referred to as "City Slickers". You do know, don't you, that New Yorkers are obnoxiously provincial? Actually, it's a very unattractive quality of many "city folk". Do we have glimmers that you do know that there is another world out there?  I think so.  American is a large nation; many think that you "get that".
7. you make a suit or dress clothes look almost as comfortable as jeans and a flannel shirt. Some find this to be odd but recognize that you, of course, may wear whatever you want. However -- one suggestion is that you stay away from baseball caps.  They are a bit of a stretch and an odd contradiction to the whole Presidential image even if you delete the boring, constricting necktie and switch to khakis and a sports coat on such ballcap wearing occasions. Further --  if you feel you must "dress down" upon occasion, please oh please spare us the rolled up sleeve look.  We know you didn't just finish mucking out the stalls in the horse barn. Actually -- we don't want you to do that. We have other jobs for you to do -- hopefully. We like it when you look Presidential.

Now here is the thing that you really need to keep in mind.  If you are in fact accomplishing all of this turmoil on the political front for any other reason other than to actually run for president, there are many who are not going to like you any more -- at all. Please don't become one of "them". Please know that there are those out here in the world of normal who have come to dislike politicians, who have learned to identify and to distrust all the false rhetoric and promises, who are disillusioned and apathetic -- rightfully so. You, seemingly a non-politician, appear to be asking all the right questions and at the same time making media, government, and some big business edgy and afraid. Some of us like that a lot and think that their discomfort is way overdue and well-deserved. Please be the answer for us. Give us hope. With you, even as arrogant as you are/can be, maybe some of us will become more trusting, less disillusioned and less apathetic. Maybe we will get to be a part of the new American dream.

Go for it, Donald. Although you sometimes seem to carry things a bit too far, there are those out here who are watching -- maybe even daring to hope again.   Don't make us ask the question: "Where is Jeb Bartlett when we need him?"

Facebook for Boomers?

Primarily as a way to broadcast my blog, I joined Facebook about a year ago. Now, at times, I wish everyone I know belonged. I have found Facebook to be enlightening, surprising, funny, and - to be totally honest - sometimes I have found it to be a little offensive. Nevertheless, I have learned a few important tidbits of information, reconnected with friends, laughed, and sometimes been so touched that I have cried for people I know and... for some I have never met. All things considered, I am glad that I signed up.  Never one to want to miss something, I check in almost every day to see what is going on. I am rarely disappointed. For sure this particular social media works "on several different levels". 

Take the past few days, for example....  I have seen more than a few family and pet postings that bring a smile, plenty of "newsy" updates on the goings-on of others, funny and not so funny videos gone viral, and tidbits from politicians and businesses. Using a blast from the past phrase, "It's all good." I must admit though that I do find myself playing favorites.  I love, for example, when people share actual photographs of things they made or are proud of.  It is just plain good and healthy for people to be able to take pride in things they have accomplished and/or value.  I also enjoy the "photos of quotes" that people "share"  -- the ones that make statements about the human condition, current events or national news are on the top of my list.  I confess that sometimes the snarky ones are especially appealing to me. For example the one posting that says something like "If you read it on the Internet, you know it's true.  Abraham Lincoln." It seems to be all in good fun... for the most part. One nice thing about Facebook is that you can ignore or make disappear the posts that aggravate you. I have no problem disregarding what I don't want to deal with.  Facebook makes it very easy to do so...unlike other parts of the "real" world.  At this "stage of the game" we all know about that sort of thing - both the ignoring and the getting rid of....

Now here is my Facebook dilemma of the moment.  I read a little "shared photo" this week entitled "ATM Pin Number Reversal...".  The blurb explains that if you are ever taken against your will to an ATM machine and forced to enter your pin-- try to remember (in all the hubbub and terror) to enter your pin backwards. The ATM will not only give you the money you asked for but also, notify the police that you are being robbed.  Meanwhile -- the ATM is busily recording everything. Obviously -- although I have found out through a little detective work that most ATM's are not set up to do this (although they apparently could be), you can see why I don't want to test this myself.
The more I think about it... there is another problem here as well.  I have enough trouble remembering my ATM pin # as it is, and I am not sure that I can translate it into backwards in my head in time. I mean -- it's not like my pin # is 1234 which easily translates into 4231-- oops - 4321.. (I can't remember my license plate number either.) Actually I haven't heard of any ATM robberies in my town anyway -- merely thinking of the "just in case" scenario, and... I am curious. I also like to think that I am prepared.  It's sort of like putting your cell phone on your nightstand or putting the spare car keys in a handy drawer so that you can set off the car alarm if need be when you hear a series of bumps in the night. It's like remembering to have your keys in your hand when walking to your car so you aren't digging around in your purse while someone approaches you from behind.  Ah -- the joys of living in 2015.... "The Times, they are a changin...."  Now if you remember those lyrics from the early 60's or thereabouts, you are definitely a Boomer and totally get all of this.  Good thing we adapt so well to change. Argh... We have had a lot of changes to deal with for sure.  We have been adapting for a long time now.

"Come gather round people/Wherever you roam/And admit that the waters/Around you have grown...."  Are you singing Bob Dylan words in your head?  I am thinking that you might be....  And so... you know how the rest of the song goes....

Hope to see you on Facebook...and have a good week.   

Back to School

It's been a couple of weeks now since my grandkids have gone back to school and, quite frankly, I miss them - although I do sort of feel like I am on vacation now that they are not.  

My granddaughter, in an all-day Pre-Kindergarten, has learned how to pronounce her teacher's name.  She told me before school started that she was just going to call her teacher Mrs. Carrot because her real name was just too hard for little kids to say. Actually her big brother had her pretty much up to speed on that by the morning of the first day. My daughter overheard him patiently teaching her to pronounce the name in question. He, of course, has a handle on everything "school" because he is, after all, in the third grade.  He came home after the end of the first full week with poster paper, markers, and a plan. He explained that he is going to run for student government and, in fact, already has not one, but two campaign managers.  Did I mention that he is eight-years-old?  And so it begins....

On another school front -- although they go to different schools, both my granddaughter and grandson ride the same bus. I find comfort in this and in the fact that there are no really big kids on the bus while they are on it. Seriously -- they are four and eight.  They shouldn't have to ride with high schoolers.  There is time for that later on when their heads are higher than the seat backs of the school bus.  Do you agree? Anyway --  then when they get off the bus, their Mom and the Lovely Luna, my favorite dog, are waiting for them at the bus stop and together the four of them walk the two blocks to their home.  Nice... and comforting as well. It sort of pleasantly Norman Rockwellian to picture that scene.

Times have changed though -- changed a lot in the eight years since I retired from teaching.  Technological advances are amazing. My granddaughter patiently explained to me that she can communicate with her teacher from home through an avatar that she, the four-year-old, "created".  It is a bit mind boggling. (I am not even sure what she means and remember -- she is four -- definitely a "technobaby". She uses her Mom's iPad or fancy android phone I guess.)  Her teacher, whom I will always think of as Mrs. Carrot, even sent a mass message to all the tense Mommas pacing at home the first day of school to tell them that all the kids were doing just fine, had survived the morning in excellent shape, and that they were at lunch. The next day she sent home photographs -- mementos of the first day of school. I do so love Mrs. Carrot.

With all this in mind, I find it majorly comforting that her brother is still using poster board and markers as well as all the other fancy "stuff". For sure technological advances can be good things whether or not I am able to understand them.  My Grandson, in illustration of this point, is taking part in the STEM program at his school.  He is doing all sorts of cool stuff -- he tells me that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are his "thing". ( I hope I got the right words to go with the letters.) His major regret is that he only gets to go to this STEM class once a week.  He has already done "coding" for several video games which means he can make the characters move in specific directions --- I think.  The more I hear these kids talk about school, the more I have confidence in the future.  I am willing to let them have their go at it...the future, that is.

It is important to note though that there are some things that never change. My Granddaughter tells me with her big brown eyes snapping, that one little boy in her class keeps pulling her hair and that she finds it most annoying. To say that she is "most annoyed" though is an understatement. I know her well.  I am thinking that this unsuspecting little boy better watch out - I have seen her go after her brother when at the end of her patience, and that little shrimp can really pack a wallop when she has reached her breaking point. Yep -- that little boy better be very careful. Wish I could be a fly on the wall when he pokes the bear one too many times.  She is a feisty little thing. Beware all hair pullers.  If you know any -- please let them know.

And so Autumn begins...one last thought -- the kids are back in school so, of course, the weather turns hot and humid -- just in time for the kids and teachers to suffer.  It may be different now, but when I was a teacher, the only rooms that had air-conditioning were the computer labs and the offices of the administrators who had to work all summer in stuffy little offices. Maybe the schools ought to consider the benefits of Air-Conditioning as a technological advancement. Is there grant money available for that? Wouldn't that be lovely?

Lackadaisically Nerdy

I recently finished reading Stephen King's Finders Keepers.  It is the sequel to Mr. Mercedes.  I enjoyed them both and was so hoping for a part three. When I finished the second book, I felt that King had left the door open for that possibility and happily discovered on his website that Finders Keepers is, in fact, the second book of the Mr. Mercedes Trilogy. Happiness!  Will preorder the third book as soon as possible. Anyway, I ran across the word "lackadaisically" while reading King. From one word lover to another (or even if you are not...), have you ever seen that word in print before?  I have not, or if I have, I don't remember.  It surprised me in a way to see it.  (I most likely would have misspelled it if I had chosen to write it.) Then on further consideration I wondered when I had actually used that word in my speech/writing, if ever. Can you relate? I know I have heard that word but have I ever actually spoken it out loud?  Not sure, but I don't think so.   It ranks up there with lollygagging, a word I have been fond of recently and, therefore, have incorporated into my speech/writing of late.  I like both words. So here goes... years ago I was floating on an innertube on a "lazy river" at Water Country USA/Water Park in Williamsburg, VA.  My children and I were with my sister and her children. She and I were "zoning out" on the river while keeping one eye on our children who were within sight -- I think standing under a waterfall or something. Anyway -- my sister and I were lollygagging lackadaisically while floating along.  It was most relaxing. Now it is at this point where my sister would mention, or at least think, that I am just weird.  She's right.  I am, in fact, not only weird but also the biggest nerd I know, and those are just two things I like about me.  I do not apologize.  I, in fact, love most nerdy people I have encountered in this life.  Kindred spirits and all that.... Such individuals are unique and most interesting to me. On careful thought -- I have encountered few people that I dislike. So -- does it follow that maybe there is a little of the nerd in all of us? What do you think?

A point of interest whether or not you find Stephen King to be scary, a little nerdy or weird...  I also saw on his website that he will be appearing on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on September 11th.  Happy Birthday, my wonderful sister, who is also a Stephen King fan.  (Set your DVR.... I am going to....)