Talk to Me

 There are many things in today's world that I simply do not understand.

The whole pronoun issue is just one of those things.  Seemingly this trend is going away now -- possibly because people are just sick of it ... I mean  ...  who thinks up this stuff?  Do they have a real job?  Too much time on their hands?  It ranks right up there with self-righteously complaining about everything, but doing absolutely nothing to work toward making change for the better. It's stupid.

Case in point...  I was recently invited to a "donor portal" which, I guess is the way some charities ask you for money now.  A most pleasant letter was signed in bold print ... the signature followed by (she, her, hers) -- also in bold.  Talk about shouting at me.  Here's the thing.  I don't care what pronouns of choice this person prefers, nor do I care whether (she, her, hers) is a woman, a man or any variation thereof. I cannot keep track of all of them anyway. My world is not about you and your pronoun preferences or about your gender concerns.  In my opinion this person's pronouns should be (Me, Me, Me).  (She, Her, Hers) certainly wants to be the center of attention. To think that Boomers are thought of as the Me Generation by some. Hmm....

Perhaps it is time for those so inclined to broadcast their pronouns, etc. to look at the world more outside of just themselves and their friends.  There is a whole world out there.  Am I wrong?  Talk to me.

Needless to say I will be giving my donations to agencies that are more other oriented.  

Leaving 75 In The Dust

It suddenly dawned on me the other day that I am 75 years old and soon to turn the big 76.  Yikes!  How did that happen so quickly?

This is how I look at it.  There are perks. 

For one thing, I no longer need an excuse to stay off a ladder or not to carry heavy stuff.  And... I can love my new walking stick for rough terrain or even walking around the house if I feel like it. 

Further...  I can go to bed any time I want and not have to explain myself to anyone.   I could pretend not to hear things sometimes and get away with it.  Would I really do that?  I know that some people do. 

I love that I fit in with the white-haired crowd easily and therefore readily find people who laugh at the same things I do. Kindred spirits. These people also "get" my references to things.  They know, for example who Liberace was and understand that the sometimes glamourized hippies smelled bad. They remember things like Keds and when a sheet of bubble gum came with a baseball card. The women remember what it was like, as little girls,, to tuck their dresses into snow pants before walking to school.  Oh -- so many things to think about.

Another huge bonus in my case are adult children and close to adult grandchildren. They are totally capable of living their own lives and of making their own decisions.  The pressure is off.  I am in the relax mode.  Perfect.  If either do come to me describing a complicated situation that necessitates serious decision making, I am now where I can listen with care and ask them to let me know how it all turns out. Heaven!

I also like that I don't have to drive at night if I don't feel like it. I like that decisions to not do things are now socially acceptable. It takes the pressure off. Like I said ... perks.

So ... I suppose I should mention ... there are the aches and pains of aging as well as other assorted limitations. We all have our own bag of rocks (as my mom used to say).  I guess we find our way through somehow -- one way or the other... the best way we can.  Hopefully there is not a lot of complaining going on.  Personally, I have little tolerance for excessive "woe is me"... in myself or in others.  It takes up too much time.  I try not to do the woe thing and I only listen to it for what I consider enough time to be polite.  Dwelling on woe is a Big Bummer and subversive really. It's not good for anyone.

They way I look at it ...  we all know that not everyone makes it this far.  I personally feel that I should take advantage of the gift and try not to waste it or to take it for granted.  I will soon be over half way through the septuagenarian years.  Three quarters of a century has come and gone. Oh my....  

Wish I could remember how to nap. I so want to stay awake for 4th of July fireworks.  Happy Independence Day!  We are almost there.

The Potato Cannon and Heart Smiles

Taking a break from blogs remembering Covid. We all need that. This is a happier topic....

                        The Potato Cannon and Heart Smiles

So... I spent over a week with family -- overlapping visits.  My son and his family stayed with me.  My nephew and his family stayed in a lovely Barndominium called "Into the Woods" just a bit down the road from my home.  Outstanding accommodations all the way around. Check it out if you are headed the way of Corry, PA.  My daughter and her family live nearby -- just across the pasture plus a bit actually. Icing on the cake. Perfect.... 13 people in all.

I simply don't know where to start.  What fun -- nice and fun people ... so much laughter.  Dinners out. Dinners in. Make your own breakfasts and lunches.  Many helpful hands.  A trip to Niagara Falls for the Virginia Branch of the family.  My grandson from Terre Haute, IN and his girlfriend, born and raised in the flatlands of Indiana, went exploring - in search of curvy roads and rolling hills,  and my son and his wife from Danville, Indiana were off to the Southern Tier of Chautauqua Co, NY briefly -- followed by their traditional lunch at the French Creek Tavern.  Then there was a lovely afternoon of crafting with my creative great niece. Pickle ball and fishing.  Fire pit fires into the night. Special times for me with each and every one.  Am sure I have missed some of the activities ...  We gathered in the afternoons and evenings for the most part.  Good times. Special....  I think the only thing we forgot to do was to have a recorded skipping contest set to music. We had hoped to repeat that and to establish it as a tradition of such gatherings.  

Have to mention.  Now it is during those afternoon and evenings that the Potato Cannon appeared. It was impressive. We should have given it a name.  Don't know why I didn't think of that.  My nephew built it out of PVC pipe. That construction, along with hairspray, a long lighter and three 5 lb. bags of Russet potatoes did the trick. There were other games as well -- something involving baskets and little sacks of sand and then corn hole, of course.  Another fave involved teams bouncing a ball on a circle of netting ... Spikeball.  All were played pretty much rain or shine.  And of course we had professional photos taken one evening -- in the misty rain. (Thank you, Barb Beebe of Be Inspired Photography!) Mother Nature was not very cooperative, but we didn't really care and the photos turned out great.

A few final words on the impressive potato cannon.  Huge Hit! (Instructions may be found on YouTube, I think.) Talk about the perfect way to put a smile on one's face.... All it takes is shooting potatoes over the tree tops in my back pasture.  The thing is there was never one scrap of potato left on the patio in the mornings and not one potato to be found anywhere in the pasture.  I envision forest wildlife in a line at the edge of the woods eagerly waiting --- hoping the crazy humans are going to shoot more yummy food into the air for them. We were a bit of a loud bunch with the laughter and the cannon booms.  So fun.  As far as I know the neighbors are still speaking to me -- at least the ones that usually do.  

Alas -- all is quiet now.  Everyone arrived back home safely. Thankful in that. Long trips for sure back to Richmond, VA and West of Indianapolis, IN.  So... today I ordered prints and made a photo book. Empty nest syndrome all over again, but good memories for sure. They make my heart smile. My family is a gift... the best kind. I am so thankful for them. 

Life Goes On

                                   

                  June 16, 2020 - June 23, 2020

Police across the country are in the news.  Times are dangerous for those who support law and order.  The world continues to be upside down. The world watches as American cities are being destroyed. We have been subjected to enough destruction, violence and vandalism to last a lifetime.

Every day I am thankful that I do not live in a city where many are pretty much confined to an airless apartment.  I am able to get outside, pull a few weeds, breath fresh air and take a walk in my pasture.  Huge. Sometimes the small things are the big things. Nice to be able to avoid protests and riots.  I am so sick of angry, shouting faces.  It's so ugly on so many levels.

People shopping for clothes are now allowed to try them on... in some stores. Progress....

Some businesses are reopening within certain constraints like limiting the number of customers at one time. 

Erie County in Pennsylvania is entering the Green Phase within a week. Governor Wolf has set Pennsylvanians free!  We will now be able to get a hair cut legally and some restaurants will be allowed to reopen.  One step at a time.  

Some parents across the land have established "Under the Radar" sports for their children.  It seems a very healthy thing to do  -- in my opinion.  I think of it as the "Healthy Activity Underground ".  

The blame game continues in nearby New York State regarding covid patients being retuned to nursing home facilities.  Cuomo may have a big problem.

Trump rallies. No wonder Biden is trying to avoid debating with him. The right seems to be looking forward.  The left seems to be angry anti-everything. Huge contrast. I continue to wonder if politicians on both sides of the fence listen to themselves.  

Once again -- thankful I live in an area of Farmers' Markets and road side vegetable stands.  

Some schools with late June endings are holding Baccalaureate and Graduation Ceremonies in parking lots.

Life goes on...

Unhinged

                                

                                      June 8, 2020 - June 15, 2020

What in the world are people thinking?  The "Defund the Police" movement is totally off the wall stupid.  These are the same people who think that recent  demonstrations that tuned into injuries, killings, businesses burned and shameless lootings were not violent and were totally acceptable.  Beyond nuts. There is speculation and some evidence that someone, perhaps George Soros, is funding protestors.  Imagine that.

Biden is still in his bunker.  When will he talk to the American people? How can one run for President from a basement? The polls say he has a huge lead, yet we know nothing about him really.  There is reference to his handlers.  What? Who is in charge of that campaign? A President needs handlers? That's scary.

Am going to meet a sister/cousin to eat lunch on the porch of a nearby restaurant.  Excitement is high. It's been months since I have been out to eat anywhere.  What a treat! I don't think I will ever take such an opportunity for granted again -- ever. It is a touch of normal.

The "elite" continue the process of becoming totally unhinged.  It's unsettling.  Down has become up and vice versa. It seems that formerly intelligent people are caving into the "leftist lunies".  People of courage  who are not afraid to stand their ground seem few and far between. Bullies abound and they are mean.

Democrat Congressmen knelt on Capitol Hill with Kente scarves draped around their necks. I am sure they were trying to make a point of some sort, but it went over my head.  Wonder how the Ashanti Tribe felt about them wearing their cherished ceremonial cloth in some sort of demonstration? Today's Democrats do love to show off.

The country continues to be divided.  It doesn't help that the Dems have sorted people into little boxes and then lumped individuals they know nothing about into a box that they, the dems, deem to be correct.  It takes more and more courage these days to express even a mildly conservative view on anything.  

Some people seem to be almost overcome with a hatred for Donald Trump.  I don't understand the viciousness. Vitriol with a upper case V -- nasty and abusive. 

Protestors have been allowed to take over a section of Seattle, Washington.  What? I won't be moving the the great American Northwest any time soon.  American history is being torn down one statue after another.  Names of forts, military bases, and schools are being changed.  All this to appease a whiney bunch of libs throwing toddler-like temper tantrums. There must be more to this.  Something underground and cancerous.  Antifa is a new word in my vocabulary.  As if things were not bad enough.

People are able to get haircuts again and the world looks better groomed. Somehow that seems to matter.  Another step forward.  Then again -- man buns abound.

Special times continue with the Grandkids who are a most important part of my life.  Their world has shrunken and changed so drastically, but they are remarkable and resilient.  We will all be okay and hopefully come out at the end of the tunnel stronger and better people. They are the future. 

Enough Already

                                              

                              June 1, 2020 - June 7, 2020

Hopefully my county will move into the Green soon so that haircuts will become legal again.  So tired of masks and social distancing.

Am still considering a fencing project.  May call the fence guy to get my pasture on his To Do list.  There is usually a waiting period.  Don't know how busy he is these days. Perhaps he can use the work and the wait time won't be too long.

Riots continue across the country. I don't think rioters are adhering to the covid rules.  Not much makes sense anymore.  I am, of course, particularly concerned about my nephew and my cousin -- both police officers in areas where riots are happening. Hollywood elites are setting up 'Go Fund Me" accounts for rioters and looters.  I don't understand their thinking.

People in all walks of life are trying to do their best in most difficult situations.  Civil unrest makes no one's life easier. The atmosphere of unease touches everything... everyone. The Media manipulates coverage of everything to support leftist views and criticizes any thought with which the left disagrees. True journalism appears to be rapidly dying. I will not be cancelled.

Days continue to run together and day confusion is alive and well. Every day has become a "Blursday". Rioting, violence, destruction, and looting are now commonplace - in blue cities primarily.  Interesting. Protestors, local and imported, appear to be mostly representative of what some call the great American Unwashed.  

Ah --  as it turns out, the fence guy has all his equipment on the edge of town and will be here in a couple of days.  He will jump me ahead of about ten other jobs so that he won't have to move equipment more than once. Good timing. I am pleased.

Some dentist offices have reopened for emergencies. Some are charging a PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Covid 19 fee of $15. 

Small businesses continue to close - victims of this forced shutdown as large chain stores are permitted to remain open. Logic?

Defund the police is the latest madness. Some of these leftist dems might feel differently if they had a prowler on their property or 1000 violent vandals headed up their driveway with bricks and built up self-righteous anger.

Tele-doctoring is a real, almost commonplace thing now. The word Zoom has taken on new meaning.

Decided to go ahead with a fence so my neighbor would not shoot my grandchildren's dog. The fence was installed in one day.  Dog and neighbor are now both safe.  Ta Da. Easy fix.  My neighbor, however, now does not speak to or make eye contact with me. Do I care?  No. Both sides of the issue are safe.  That's all that matters.

Now as we struggle to return to normal --  there is the killer bee threat.  Bring 'em on.. Seriously... enough already.

Insanity ramps up....

 

                        May 23, 2020 - May 31, 2020

The currently popular phrase alone together may go down in history as the "greatest" oxymoron ever, perhaps second only to living death. Call it plague humor.  Must also note that "day confusion" is a very real thing. I find myself checking to see what day it is -- sometimes more than once a day. I know for a fact that I enjoyed three Saturdays last week alone. I also know that I am not alone in this. 

The hygiene tip of the day continues to be keep your hands clean and away from your face.  People are also sterilizing their eyeglasses in phone sterilizers.  The world is weird/weirder. 

The schools have been closed for almost three months now. Memorial Day plans are cancelled across the country. It is times like this that I wish I had a flag pole. I would hoist a flag and pretend that all is well.

Some people have not seen their adult children or grandchildren now for over two months. The reverse is also true. Some seem to be curling up in a corner. Others are binge watching reruns on tv. No new shows or movies are being made. We all struggle to get through the days in our own way. Personally I have to believe that people need fresh air and other human beings more than lockdowns and isolation. Is that not common sense?

Some stores have reopened now, but no one is allowed to try on or return clothes.  It's not possible to donate anything either.  Crazy times.

I hired a mobile mechanic to work on my old lawnmower.  Who knew you could even do that? People are resilient and amazing - especially in hard times.

George Floyd is killed in Minneapolis. The country is stunned. Rioters react by destroying their own city. Obviously stupidity is rampant. The mainstream media describes the riots as "mostly peaceful" as Minneapolis burns behind them  --  on camera. Yes... stupidity is rampant.  The mainstream media thinks they can tell us what to think. They are wrong.  Insanity ramps up.

Summer recreation programs for children are cancelled across the country. The damage to our young continues in so many ways.

Received another email from Nancy Pelosi begging for money. I wouldn't give her a cent even if she shared her ice cream.  She is concerned that Texas is threatening her chances of expanding the Democratic majority. My question is "Why am I receiving emails from any Democrat?"  It's okay though -- let's me know where "they" are coming from and where they hope to go.  Bring the email on. I will not be intimidated no matter how mean they get. I refuse to be cancelled. 

Times are nuts.  One of my neighbors told me yesterday that he will shoot my dog the next time he sees it.  I do not have a dog.  My grandchildren do and she is here occasionally and is entirely contained on my property by invisible fencing. If this neighbor stayed off my property, there would not be an issue.  Obviously.  I can't help but think that that he underestimates my quiet wrath at the mere thought of him killing my grandchildren's dog. Like my Dad and Robert Frost said ... "Good fences make good neighbors."  A fence that one can see and difficult or impossible to climb would keep him safe ... which is, of course, the most important thing. I would never want anyone injured even if they were encroaching on my property.   Putting up an impressive fence gives me something to ponder at the moment. I know the perfect fence guy too. People need work. This may happen soon. Calm the storm. It's a simple remedy to a complicated situation and people and beloved animals would remain safe.

With barber shops and hair salons still locked down... there are more and more people with gray and white hair.  There are also more bedraggled looking heads of hair.  Reminds me of my college days in the late 60s and early 70s. I find it somehow amusing. I look for things to make me smile these days.  I think anyone hanging on to a ray of light does.

Times are crazy on so many levels.  We plod on.  What other choice do we have?  Just need to keep track of what is going on. We must be aware and document so as to remember. I also think we need to keep an eye on who is making money in or enhancing their power by this pandemic.  There is evil in the world and it is not a covid virus. It's worse than that. Insidious. Beware of those who accuse you of doing everything that they are actually doing. Keep your eyes open and your brain alert. 

Hidden Wounds

                           

                           May 16, 2020 through May 22, 2020

So... my daughter's 40th surprise birthday party came off without a hitch.  Her kids and a couple of neighborhood kids did all the decorating. They were an impressive team.  They texted me "Go!" when their Dad managed to get my daughter out of the house for a few minutes, and all four kids were outside in the pouring rain when I got there about two minutes later with the necessary supplies that we had bought together the previous week during a rare masked outing. They unloaded the Jeep in about 3 seconds flat.  By the time I got my vehicle parked behind a neighbor's enormous rhododendron bush and got back to the house, they were blowing up balloons, arranging plates, eating utensils, napkins, etc.,  and had everything ready in an half an hour. I did basically nothing but watch in awe, and the guests began to arrive within 15 minutes.  The surprise was a success! A good time was had by all. Restorative. We do cherish those few moments of normalcy in these nutty times. I think everyone there craved a bit of a reentry into family life.  It was lovely. By the end of the afternoon, men were gathered on the back deck solving the problems of the world, women were gathered around the table laughing and talking, kids were jumping on a trampoline in the rain.  Smiles everywhere.  I felt young again. It was a gift of a day not only to my wonderful daughter, but to everyone there... a touch of what life used to be before what I have come to think of as the damncovid.

In the meantime...

Politicians across the country are breaking every rule they impose on the common person, because they think they are "special".  I think I may understand now why people hate politicians sometimes.

There is a high school in New Hampshire that is using a local ski resort for their graduation.  The grads will ride in the chair lift. Ingenuity at its best.

Drive-by bridal and baby showers are now a real thing.

Friends are gathering in parking lots, driveways, on patios and open spaces.  Socially distanced  --  Face to Face chats are a necessity for sanity.

Daily emails with favorite people are becoming mandatory. The virus has everyone on edge a bit and emotions tend to be close to the surface. I find myself even writing thank you notes to the mailman and garbage pickup guys.  They write back.  Sign of the times.  

The Covid fearful wear masks when driving alone in their cars.  Only they understand why they do this.

Some businesses are now being allowed to call workers back in to work. How have people been surviving?

The world continues to take deep breaths and shutter a bit as they exhale.

A PA Health Official moved her mother out of a nursing home just before ordering the nursing home to allow recovering COVID patients to be returned.  Yes -- government officials deserve their unpopularity at times.

There is not a Lysol or Clorox wipe to be found anywhere. 

First doctors said that we had to lock down until a vaccine is developed. Now the same doctors are saying that locking down too long may cause irreparable damage.  Suicides in some states outnumber covid related deaths.

Hidden wounds of living during a pandemic begin to fester.

This Is Our Covid Life

                                               

                                 May 9, 2020 to May 15,2020 

Woke up to a dusting of snow.  May 9th. Snow.  You read that right.  Crazy year for sure. Schools continue to disappoint -- it's always a focus on why we can't do this because.... I wish the world would start to shift to  -- Here's the plan. Let's try this.

Spent Mother's Day cooking an enormous batch of fried rice with family... always a fun time.

On the political front...  In spite of what Adam Schiff continues to say -- there is no evidence that Trump colluded with Russia on anything.  "The truth will out." Also on the political front... Pelosi suggests voting for her latest bill and reading it later.  Does she listen to herself?

In personal news, my local grandson is now taller than I am having grown about 8 inches in the past year.  Now that is a growth spurt.

In an effort to survive, a small restaurant in town opened for sit down inside business rather than take out only and of course a person who some might describe as a control seeking, virtue signaling asshat reported them and they were threatened with fines and headed toward shutdown shortly thereafter. So much for live and let live.  Alas -- some are strangers to tolerance of others with whom they disagree. Some things never change. It's sad.

There are serious issues with mail-in voting.  I personally received two ballots in the mail after calling the Election Office to have my name removed from the mail-in list. I shredded them with great dramatic flair. It's not a very tight system.  Dangerous for election integrity.

People are finding it difficult to leave Michigan with a Cruella de Ville type character in charge there. People are beginning to reference Michigan as a police state. One can get arrested there for taking a ride to get out of the house for a few minutes.

Went to the store with my local grandkids to get paper plates, party hats, etc. for a small family surprise party for their mom's birthday that was a month ago.  Who's counting? Belated Birthdays are fun too. Days run together. My grandson mentioned that they had not been to a store in two months.  We were masked -- to avoid confrontation with and to be respectful of the covid fearful.  Once again -- thankful I don't live in Michigan.

There is now color coding of geographic areas.  Yellow is relatively a good color to be as we struggle to hope that the world will get back to normal sooner rather than later. This is our Covid life.  Not a fan.

Morale Busters

 

                        May 1, 2020 through May 8, 2020

The challenges continue. May 1st I managed to take my local grandkids out for a Jeep ride around the area.  They have been stuck in a too small world for too long. We just drove any where they wanted to go and then returned home to bake cookies. The world is still out there .. waiting patiently for sanity to return.

The world also seems to be waking up a bit and stretching carefully.  Yet working from home continues and schools are still locked down.  Proms, Graduations, Spring Sports, Awards assemblies do not exist across the country. Not sure what all is happening in the rest of the world. You just get a glimpse here and there. The quiet is sometimes deafening. 

The "all women should be believed mentality" still prevails.  Obviously those who think that have never worked with cliques of teenage girls or served on a committee with women who have an agenda. Poor Judge Kavanaugh.

• Drive thru covid testing is a real thing.
• Arrows on the floors of stores -- one way traffic -- social distancing
• murder hornets moving east from the west coast (Why does everything weird seem to start in California?)
• Governor Cuomo of NY sends Covid patients back to nursing homes with disastrous and tragic results among vulnerable people.

Those in power and so-called experts are fumbling their way through. Actually we are all.  No one seems to have any idea of what to do. As I struggle through so much that I don't understand, I try to keep my focus on the things that I am able to do something about.  It's not much, but my house is cleaner and more organized than ever before. So ... there is that ... for what that is worth. Am thinking I should invest in hand moisturizing lotion.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

 

                            April 26, 2020 to April 30, 2020

I cannot find a mask anywhere, so am wearing a cowboy bandana when I am forced to go out into the world.  It makes me feel claustrophobic and anxious so much so that I find it hard to breathe. I think I am holding my breath for some dumb reason. Plus wearing a face covering fogs my glasses. How do the women of some cultures do this for their entire lives? I am not adjusting well to this pandemic or to government and culturally enforced rules. 

Meanwhile in the outside world:

• There are signs that the stay-at-home orders will be lifted.
• It has come to light that Anthony Fauci has donated almost 4 million dollars to the Wuhan Laboratory where it appears that the "incident" took place.  
• It also appears that American tax dollars went to fund that lab under the Obama administration.  
• Still no cases of the "rona" locally or anywhere nearby, but Covid Fear is becoming a real illness. Then, in contrast, ... there are those who are beginning to hug loved ones again.  They seem to cry less and smile more than the Covid Fearful.  It seems that Covid Fearful people, more often than not, are mean to and intolerant of those who are less afraid. The world is sad.  Fear doesn't help.
• Birthday drive-bys make me cry.  The mere thought of them is enough to reduce me to tears.  Then again -- whoever thought of them is a genius and kind soul really.
• I feel like I am a captive. I don't respond well to being told what to do or how to live my life.  Good thing I don't live in Michigan where things are really beyond restrictive.
• The world seems to have forgotten about natural immunity and that most masks really don't prevent anything. Duh.
• Like a good friend says: "Some days are so hard that I feel like I am standing in a puddle."  I know she is not alone in this.

So... the pandemic continues.  The difficulties of living during a pandemic continue as well. And today -- I am still trying to figure out what lessons I have learned from all of this.  

Continue to Name Each Thing

                    

                                     April 12, 2020 - April 25, 2020

                              Week 5 and Week 6

• Easter comes and goes. It's not the same.
• At least this enemy has a name or ... we think it does.
• The world continues to hold its breath.
• Tears are close to the surface.  It is the tender moments and acts of kindness that burst through the protective dam.
• Day confusion is a real thing.
• PA liquor stores have been declared essential businesses and are reopened upon reconsideration of the governor.
• Stores begin to limit the number of customers at any one time.
• Being a bit of a recluse by nature is working for me.
• ? Will life ever get back to normal?
• More and more masks are becoming mandatory and people hoard them like disinfectant wipes.
• Everyone seems to be in need of a haircut. 
• Nancy Pelosi shows off her subzero freezer stocked with expensive ice cream ($15/pint) while food boxes are being handed out across the county. She also invites the world to come to China Town in San Francisco. Tone deaf takes on new meaning.
• Covid Checks (Economic Income Payment) are on the way if not already cashed or deposited in fear of potential job loss.
• Local schools are letting students inside to clean out their lockers.
• New and complicated procedures are now in place for emergency visits to a Veterinarian. People consult doctors over the phone or online.
• The PA governor has extended the shelter-at-home mandate.
• April has seemed like a very long month.
• Kim Jong-Un survives heart surgery.
• As a world we are becoming more aware of each other.
• Wedding plans continue to be reevaluated and postponed.
• People continue to crave fresh air and sunshine.
• Children continue to be deprived of an education.
• Socially distancing hiking is a real thing.
• Is it Corona Virus or Covid?

My new mantra is ... "I will try again today."

Who knew?

Am taking a break from remembering the Covid days -- wish we could have taken a break from them while they were actually happening.  Anyway -- today I write about the astounding and unexpected possibilities of Artificial Intelligence.  AI.  I have discovered that Artificial Intelligence has a sense of humor.  Who knew?  The possibilities are endless.

A bit of background.  I am blessed with funny children -- their spouses and children included.  The adults of this bunch, including me, have a group texting chat that is used on a daily basis for important communications including daily greetings, stupid, funny memes,  assorted humorous videos, and "questionable" jokes, etc.  All my children are good at exploring the possibilities of this group chat.  Personally I absolutely love it and am thankful to be included.

This past Sunday was a new experience.  AI came into play.  My brilliant daughter discovered through a random post on TikTok that it was possible to have ChatGPT provide photographs of what your dogs would look like if they were humans. Yes -- you read that correctly. Needless to say -- let the fun begin. She also tried Twitter's Grok but not with the same success.  (I think that perhaps Elon is busy with other, more important things at the moment.)  Moving on ....

Much laughter and funny commentary ensued. Texts were flying back and forth. I could feel the laughter of everyone. Just imagine what a German Shepherd, a Norwegian Elkhound/Shepherd mix and two Bassett Hounds would look like if they were people.  What a fun way to start the day.  I just feel sort of bad for the people in the AI photographs.  I wonder if they are real or if they were created by Artificial Intelligence? They did look like the family dogs. 

What a day we live in!  I also wonder who thinks of these things.  I would very much like to have lunch with them and just listen... and laugh....

It's a gift to have a break from the serious "stuff".

I wish you some laughter every single day.

I wish I had a magic wand.

                                             

                            April 5, 2020 - April 11, 2020

                                              Week 4

• More of the same...  Seclude. Wash. Sanitize. Social Distance.
• Recluse has become a verb.
• Medical care is struggling to become remote. Many are not a fan of patient portals.
• Church services are being held in parking lots.
• Jigsaw puzzles are enjoying a renewed popularity.
• The "grief bat" is continuing to slam people all over the globe. 
• The word Zoom has taken on new meaning.
• Thankful here that two of my grandchildren are only a pasture away.
• The spirit of the American people is shining forth all over the place. Small kindnesses become huge. 
• Clorox wipes shortage continues.
• The stock market is volatile. Some investors are nervous.
• Many jobs are furloughed -- struggles of uncertainty continue.
• Libraries are closed.
• Summer plans are cancelled. 
• Two week quarantines are put in place in Indiana and some other states.  If one leaves his/her home state they must quarantine for two weeks once they get home.
• Many small businesses are forced to close while large chain stores are permitted to stay open. ???
• Senator Kennedy of Louisiana says:  "... if President Xi Jinping was held upside down and shaken, the WHO (World Health Organization) would fall out of his pocket."
• I haven't seen a single plane flying overhead in days.
• It is so quiet. Not much car or truck traffic either. The world seems to have gone into silent mode and slow motion.
• Deep fear of any germs and of Covid is a real thing to many. We are perhaps losing perspective. Who really knows what is going on?
• The world continues to try to do its best.

My grandson mentioned that "every day has the feeling of a cloud or something heavy hanging over everything." I totally get where he is coming from.  

Wish I had a magic wand.

Change Runs Rampant

 This blog entry should have been posted last week. Sorry it is one week out of order.  I will do better from now on. Promise. 😊 

There are times when something happens -- perhaps in one moment -- and nothing is as it was before.  Every single thing is changed. You find yourself in a profoundly different world.

            March 21, 2020 through March 28, 2020

• Rampant confusion about the "lock down" for those 70+
• States in conflict with Federal mandates
• Rumors abound about tax preparation and filing Income Tax forms with the IRS. How?
• Children, especially, struggle with social distancing.
• There is speculation that the National Guard may be called in to set up testing sites.
• Corona virus news changes from moment to moment.
• Early shopping hours set for Seniors.
• Convention Centers are converted to hospitals.
• People are missing hugs.
• Some restaurants offer take-out in an attempt to survive.
• "Stay-in-place" is one new mantra. It will evolve shortly into "Sheltering-in-Place". (Notice the semantics in that.)
• Stimulus checks seem to be a real thing in the offing.
• Grandparents wave and smile from behind glass and cry later.
• Fauci enters the picture speaking of "social responsibility".
• Pelosi introduces legislation on gender and racial diversity on corporate boards.
• Biden appear to be confused at times.
• Skype - Zoom - FaceTime gain popularity.
• Insurance providers refuse to cover Corona virus and vaccine issues.
• Staying in contact with friends and loved ones here mostly by phone, text, Messenger, FaceTime and snail mail.
• Some large corporations lay off 70% of their work force.
• The border between the United States and Canada is now closed.
• Stay-at- Home orders issued as of the 25th.  Ghost towns begin.
• People at home are sorting cupboards and cleaning closets. No one will take donations though because of covid fear.
• I begin to write Thank You notes to garbage pick-up and delivery guys. I placed a basket of "treats" on the porch for delivery people.
• Day confusion becomes a real thing.
• Pasture walking with family (socially distanced) has become my favorite pastime and my family takes me out of that strict quarantine. I feel like I can smile and breathe again. I know now that I will survive. That is no small thing.
• Pelosi et al try to add $35 million dollars for the Kennedy Center and gender equity issues to the Corona relief bill.
• Drove by an empty lot to see my Grandkids with other neighborhood children sitting at least 6 feet apart -- enjoying time together. I wave and they wave back. Neighbors have complained about children being out in the fresh air riding bikes. Insanity spreads.
• The Commonwealth of Virginia closes all public schools for the rest of the academic year.
• It is revealed that about 50% of local students and 23 teachers have no access to Internet from their homes -- makes online learning/teaching impossible here. 
• School packets become available locally. It's not enough.
• AOC wants illegal aliens to receive relief checks.
• Dogs across the world are beginning to beg to stay home. Some hide their leashes.
• Compulsive cleaning and cleanliness continues.
• "Don't Touch Your Face!"
• Joe Biden commented that "...some people are getting this virus who had never had it before."  Duh...  Why aren't more people concerned about him?

Change runs rampant and ... I am so not good with change.  Struggling here.  

Hello Fellow Inmates!

                                              

                                           March 29, 2020 - April 4, 2020

• Mental Health expert recommends no naps.       ???
• Groups of friends are tailgating in parking lots. 
• People are to "distance" for another 30 days and continue to "shelter in place".
• The challenge continues to be -- do well, do right, come out the other end of the tunnel a better person.
• Covid fear runs rampant.
• Several companies, including Jockey and My Pillow convert to make masks and hospital gowns. Others begin to manufacture ventilators, etc.
• Shortages of medical supplies begin to appear.
• China emerges as the possible source of the virus (Wuhan).
• China continues to hide facts, silence doctors, etc.
• Naval hospital ship arrives in NYC harbor.
• Am watching too much TV. I think it is making me dumber.
• After  begging for them, NY Governor Cuomo puts thousands of ventilators into warehouse storage.      ???
• Texas shuts its borders to those from Louisiana, California, and Washington state.
• PA Governor Wolf, shuts down PA schools indefinitely.
• Healthcare workers are suffering by working double and triple masked all day.  Their skin is breaking out from trapped moisture and ears are raw from mask elastic... not to mention total exhaustion from double shifts, etc.
• Speaker of the US House of Representative Pelosi continues to try to attach pet projects on to lifesaving legislation.
• Compulsive cleaning continues.
• Prince Harry and his wife are to move to LA.
• Layoffs continue across the nation.
• Satellite TV is considered an essential business.
• Best gift ever -- fresh air and sunlight.
• Fear continues to make people do ugly things.
• Shortage of Clorox wipes and of masks.
• Online grocery shopping with curbside pickup becomes the "latest thing'.
• Some people are afraid to open windows.  Common sense is dying.
• Stores are limiting the number of customers at any one time.
• Plexiglass dividers make an appearance in checkout lines.
• The world seems cold.

My nine year old granddaughter goes through my junk drawer looking for old refrigerator magnets and puts two back up on the fridge:  

                   "Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful."  

                                                  and

 "Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end."

Lest We Forget

As Isabelle Allende wrote: "Maybe the most important reason for writing is to prevent erosion of time, so that memories will not be blown away by the wind.  Write to register history and name each thing.  Write what should not be forgotten."  With that in mind, turn back the clock to March of 2020 when the world was forever changed.   According to my email communications of the times....

             Some events of "Friday the 13th" to March 20, 2020:

• College classes were cancelled across the nation and within 3 days colleges began to close -- completely shut down.
• K-12 schools in this area were closed for 2 weeks and some schools moved to online instruction.
• Many adults began to work from home.
• Drive-thru covid testing places began to open.
• High Schools across the nation began to cancel Spring sports, Senior trips, proms, graduation ceremonies.
• "Nonessential" businesses were forced to shutdown.  These included Dentist offices, Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, etc. as well as barber shops, hair salons, and liquor stores.
• Disinfecting everything from packages and door knobs to cell phones and steering wheels began in earnest.
• Fears mounted...  people struggled, hanging on to common sense by a thread.
• Weddings were cancelled, postponed or adapted.
• Even physical therapy struggled to go "virtual".
• The word Chloroquine entered our vocabulary and then was ignored.
• Compulsive buying and hoarding began.
• Italy took a beating -- highest in Covid deaths... and the virus continued to spread at an alarming rate.
• Some schools began to offer online "office hours" so students could communicate with teachers. Most school districts seemed to be doing nothing.
• California was in complete shutdown except for the governor who continued to go about his own way -- eating out and partying in a fancy restaurant with a large group of unmasked friends, enjoying their self proclaimed elite status. Meanwhile...  
• People were making homemade masks and pretty much confined within the walls of their homes -- fortunate were those who lived in rural America where they could at least go outside and breathe fresh air. Some did not even dare to do that.

Red letter day -- March 20, 2020

As Covid had spread to my county and people my age were specifically endangered, after serious deliberation and with loving concern, my children decided to quarantine me. I was to stay home as much as possible (they would shop for me, etc.) and I was not permitted any in-person contact with my family (or anyone) for two weeks.  A bit reclusive I didn't mind continuing my "estrangement" from the outside world. I understood and once again, was thankful for my wonderful kids, but ... I was left feeling isolated and alone -- one of many across the globe. I deeply missed my family. I became especially thankful for electronic communication.  Here I had thought that a no hugging policy would be enough. Things became serious....

To be continued...  Lest we forget.

Show Your Face

The protesters currently adopting the Arab headress (or some homemade version of it) and protesting with covered heads and faces are interesting to say the least. Personally I think they look foolish and cowardly.  I have to wonder if the women wearing them know what their life would be like if they were suddenly and magically transported to the Gaza Strip where the Hamas they are supporting would actually be in control of their lives.  It certainly would be different for them -- they might even have to trade in their scarf for a full length Burka with a total face covering and be subject to the primary purpose of a woman in that part of the world which is, simply to "manufacture men" as is stated in the 1988 Hamas Charter.  That would be cultural shock for sure. There are no such things as women's rights there. Am thinking protests wouldn't work well there either. According to my research, Hamas doesn't tolerate criticism well. There are cases of actual and recent beheadings on record. You also won't find any LGBTQ support there either.  I shutter to think of the Hamas treatment of the LGBTQ.  And yet the anti-Semitic "protests" in support of Hamas continue here in the "land of the free". Ignorance is rampant among these hidden faces.

Then there is the whole hide my identity issue.  Why?  If you are so committed to the reason for your protest, why not stand up tall and show your face -- tell the world how proud you are of what you are doing?  You could even write about it and sign your real name.  One theory is that the protesters do not want to be identified because they do not attend the college they are protesting. Paid protestors for certain.  I know this was the case in 1968 when the activist SDS  (Students for a Democratic Society) moved onto the campus of the first college I attended.

I offer a second theory based on the protests at the second college I attended during that era where the campus was actually taken over by outside agitators at one point. They even controlled the Administration building for a time.  (Thus the underground classes that I have mentioned in previous blogs.) Impressive and ... scary.  Anyway -- my theory is that protestors may not want Daddy to see them on national television and then pull their financial support.  Yep -- I have seen that happen too. That even happened in the days before social media and national coverage by the "legacy media".  I would think it would be a real possibility in these days of posting every detail of one's life on three or four platforms. Daddy would find out for sure and the danger of him cutting the purse strings is real. Yes -- this need for disguise is interesting to me and ... I am so sick of it.  And this doesn't even touch the protesters off campus -- the ones who love to destroy and share their hate.

Oh how is wish there were no room for Anti-Semitism in our world.  It is ugly and shameful to the core. And to have a bunch of masked cowards dancing around like Bedouins lost in the desert is disgusting. Actually they give Bedouin sheep herders a bad name.  The potential and proven violence of these protests is not free speech. It's an attempt to control and to spread hate and fear.  Not good. Deep down, I don't think any of them could be proud of themselves.  If they were, why wear scarves wrapped around their faces and hold them in place with large ugly sunglasses? Why are they hiding? Ridiculous! 

All the Rage

It was one of those days.  Been there before.  Will be there again.  Was looking back on my life in a nonserious way and thinking about the changes from days of yore and about which ones have made what seemed to me, at first, to be small improvements, but which have really turned out to be huge.

• automatic garage door openers
• ball point pens
• snow blowers
• remote control everything
• all weather tires
• personal computers, etc.
• permanent press clothing
• waterproof outerwear

The list could go on and on. Bet you could come up with a bunch more. 

Then I was thinking about bullet points. Look at them.  Fun, aren't they?  They make such a nice, clean list.  And ... they are so in the news these days... all the "rage". One day last week -- just for fun -- I made a bullet point list of what I had done around the house in what were the previous ten minutes and came up with seven relatively substantial accomplishments. Doesn't seem like it would be hard to come up with five things a person had accomplished in an entire week.  And ... bulllet points are such a good way to make a list ... easy peasy. 

Reminising again... back in the day when I worked as a teacher I was required to submit lesson plans each Friday that would account for how I planned to spend every minute of every work day for the following week -- listing each lesson for each class and how it would be accomplished... in some detail.  Then from time to time, I was observed by an administrator to make sure that I was doing what I said I was going to do. In contrast -- a five point bullet list covering an entire week seems like a piece of cake. Maybe the request is simply a "pulse check" after all. I am okay with that too. Nothing to whine about really. 

Not sure I am keeping up well with all the change, but - one thing for sure -- I am not going to make myself nuts about it. Whining seems to be all the rage these days too.  It's not just bullet point lists that are making the news.  The thing is -- I am just not into whining.  No one listens anyway -- except maybe other "high pitched constant complainers". Sometimes I wish they could hear themselves. I don't think the whiners listen well -- to themselves or to others.  It's sort of sad really. Maybe they should make a list of good things going on around them. I wish they could smile about something ... anything. 

Actually - after watching the behavior of the frowny faced, seemingly hateful Democrat "leadership" Tuesday evening during the President's Address to Congress,  I wish they could, not only hear themselves, but also see themselves. They seem to be caught in the Grinch mode or worse. It's not a good look ... tone deaf, self-servingly blind, rude and insensitive to others who have suffered greatly. As a writer friend of mine says -- like the Grinch, their hearts seemed 3 sizes too small. It's a bad combination of surly behaviors. It doesn't serve them well. It was ugly. They seem stuck somehow. Sad really. 

Snow Brownies

Was texting with one of my nephews a few days back.  He lives in the South and was on his way to get snow brownies as snow was on its way in.  Apparently when you live in the South and there is even a mere possibility of snow, school in cancelled -- sometimes at the point of the forecast of the possibility -- at least that is my understanding. This ready cancelling of school is something that people who live in the snow belt have difficulty understanding.  But -- one important consolation for some is -- snow brownies. Snow belters should borrow this tradition just in case they ever have a snow day.

The snow brownie "thing" is a family tradition that my sister started for her family.  I heartily recommend it and am pleased that my nephew is continuing the tradition.  On snow days -- Snow Brownies are mandatory.  I know my sister always kept a mix or brownie makings on hand just in case one snow flake had the audacity to appear anywhere near Richmond, VA. Snow brownies make a snow day even more special.

Now here in Northwest PA where we are now over 120" of the white stuff with more in the forecast, we would love to have a snow day and sometimes wonder what it would take to have one.  It seems that our school buses, however, can drive through three foot drifts and maneuver on unplowed roads. I sometimes wonder when the visibility is bad if they navigate by radar.  Nevertheless -- we keep waiting... ever hopeful... some of us craving snow brownies.  Then again -- we did have a mud day one spring because so many of the dirt roads were unpassable.  So there is that hope.   For those of you who are not rural -- mud days are similar to snow days, but are easier to manage unless you live on a dirt road. We have many, many dirt roads here in rural Northwest PA. Must also mention because it sort of fits in here -- we also know how to navigate by telephone pole.  If you live around here, you will know exactly what that means especially if you are driving in snow fog.  Telephone poles, if you can see them, can give a driver some idea of where the road is -- the one you are hoping that you are driving on.

Note: Four wheel and all wheel vehicles are very popular around here because they are needed, not just because they are "cool".  That is also why every other pick-up truck has a plow attached from October to May.

Anyway -- there is something tremendously special about a snow day - snow brownies or not.  Maybe because it is the unexpected -- a nice surprise to find out you can stay a bit longer in your warm bed.  Even  the rare two hour delay is a nice treat. The three hour delay is even rarer, but possible and also a gift of time. You find yourself with unplanned, unscheduled hours ahead of you. You can do whatever you want.  It is a surprise gift of free time with the added benefit of choice .. and maybe snow brownies.

The thing is that at this point in my life -- every day is sort of a Snow Day for me.  I like that a lot -- and even thinking about snow brownies makes me smile.  I could make them any day I wanted.  Wonder why I don't? Can't even remember the last time I had a warm chocolaty brownie -- snow or otherwise.

Okay -- am off now.  I need to spread some salt to hopefully melt enough ice and snow that I can get out of my garage in 4-wheel drive. I shoveled and the plow guy came yesterday... but guess what... the snow is back. So is the ice -- on top and underneath the snow. It's the double whammy. Maybe it will be a snow brownie day. Just need to find my way to a store.  Good thing I drive a vehicle with the 4-wheel drive option.  Yay Jeep Wrangler!  It gets me where I need to go for sure -- just wish these days that my trusty Wrangler was easier to get in and out of.  It is especially hard to maneuver with big boots, and my bulky floor length winter coat. Ah Spring...  when are you headed this way?  

Throw a Stone...

My Great Uncle Bert, of the wise and twinkly eyes, sometimes said if you throw a stone into a pack of dogs, the one that yelped the loudest was the one you hit. 

Then there is the oft repeated --  "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." (Hamlet)

The list of quotations about this sort of thing could go on and on.  Apparently these are, once again, the times to witness what happens when the guilty know they are going down.  The stone hits. In response -- protests, trying to divert attention away from the source of crimes with vulgar language, name calling, false accusations, and off key singing.   Then there is my least favorite -- screaming from a lectern/pulpit in feigned righteous indignation. In response, other well used sentences:   Follow the money. The truth will out.

Most adults know that you do not command respect by screaming -- no one listens. The recipient just watches the ugliness of the open mouth ... of flailing arms and fists ... of the nasty name calling ...  and -- puts up barriers in response. It's not going to work. Crying, stomping feet and pouting are machinations somewhat like the behavior of toddlers -- only toddlers soon figure out that those behaviors do not work and ... toddlers are not evil trying to accuse others of doing what they have been doing all along.  

Progress will not be stopped. The American people voted for an honest and smaller government. The American people voted for justification of the spending of their tax dollars.  The swamp is being drained -- finally.  Mistakes will be made and corrections will be put into place. Eventually the dust will settle in a new world of less bureaucracy, less graft and fraud... and a new beginning. Americans have been trying to do this for years.  Now is the time.  It's a process. It is sometimes painful.  I am sad for all those who will suffer the disillusionment that comes with revelation of the truth.  It's hard when the trusted fall off their pedestals.  We have all been there at some point in time. It's a part of it all.  It's a human thing.  Sad but true.  

We Americans are in this together. Hopefully we can move on together in a better, stronger United States.  Hopefully we now have a government that will tell us where our hard earned tax money goes and not try to hide it. The popular word here is transparancy. So far so good. Hopefully we will soon be headed away from the dangers of bankrupcy.  It's painful but necessary.  A country needs to run on a budget too. Our government, as Abraham Lincoln said,  is of, by and for the people. We need to get back there.  It's past time. I am quite certain that Great Uncle Bert would agree.

It's okay not to "get it".

Sometimes things move so quickly that I have a hard time keeping up. I admit it. I am behind the times.  I confess that I have not followed Rap or any contemporary music for that matter.  I wouldn't recognize Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter if I were in line behind them at Walmart.  I even had to ask around to get the names of contemporary singers to mention in this blog. 

A case in point is the half-time show of the 2025 Super Bowl which was totally over my head. Thankfully my Granddaughter, who recently turned 14, (two days ago) was able to help me understand it. (Not really, but sort of.) She patiently asked if I noticed the geometric shapes of the stage and then explained that it was the same design as a PlayStation controller. (I've never seen a PlayStation controller, but I my think I know what she means.) Further she explained that the music was more than one song when I thought it was just one excessively long one.  She sighed in despair, but did not roll her eyes, when I told her that I didn't understand one single word, had never head of the Rapper himself, and I that I caught a couple of words that I recognized as English when the girl was singing.  She just looked at me patiently when I compared the "dancing" to Stomp only with no garbage cans. She mentioned something about the Rapper "dissing" another rapper.  Totally don't get it. Was too kerflummoxed to ask for an explanation. I would rather just put it all on a shelf somewhere and move on -- except for one thing. What were the letters on the rapper's jacket?  I watched the entire show trying to figure that out.  Should have asked my granddaughter about that. Bet she would know.

One last thing.  As I mentioned before, I am not comfortable with change, but I think it is important to note that sometimes I am okay with it -- if I think it is working in my favor and if it is fun to watch.  There are at least two sides to response to change. A case in point, on the positive side, is a President, older than I am, who has more energy than I  can imagine.  It's exhausting to even watch ... and... at the same time ... entertaining.  I think some people are uncomfortable with it because no one is used to anyone in Washington getting things done and now there is an entire team of go getters driven to improve American lives -- you know --people who are determined to be a positive force in making difficult situations better for the American people. American people are tired of big government, incompetence and dishonesty. This is a good change from that statue quo. 

Change is often very scary and not only for those who don't want their mistakes to surface, but also for all the innocent bystander (taxpayers in this case).  Three weeks in office and our world is changing very rapidly.  I think we better get used to the pace and maybe buy some popcorn. We also need to notice that there are more important things in the world than a Super Bowl half-time show.  It's okay if we don't get everything. 

PETA and Punxsutawney Phil

So as I write today, Punxsutawney Phil is getting ready to see if he can see his shadow and a small town in Northwestern Pennsylvania continues a time honored and fun tradition of making the harsh winter season just a bit more tolerable and more fun. 

So, of course, in come the nasty, frowny faces to try to spoil the fun -- not to mention to try to exert control over others.   Enter PETA who want to end it all for everyone.  Now if you are from NW PA you know that, as a writer friend of mine says, "Phil is the most pampered groundhog ever...."  PETA doesn't care.  They have gone over the edge.  With that in mind ...

I perhaps have never mentioned in this blog that I wore a 100+ year old mink coat during the winters of upstate NY during my last two years of college in Saratoga Springs, NY.  My mom mailed the coat to me as a surprise and ... to keep me from freezing as I trudged through the snow and wind there.  This treasure of a coat had been discovered in an attic somewhere and belonged to someone from from long ago.  Can't remember how it came into my Mom's hands... but it was incredibly warm and wonderful -- even in 28º below zero weather.  

Later-- the coat moved on through two other college students -- one of whom named it Fiona.  I wonder where that lovely, albeit shedding, coat is now? I was so thankful for the warmth the mink provided.  Fiona wasn't in the best shape in 1970-71, so am thinking she is long gone now, but I remember her fondly.  

Anyway -- PETA would have protested me, but then again -- the only protestors in fashion back then were "anti-war".  I didn't fit in with them either. I had too many friends in the military sacrificing their own lives to protect our country .. including the protestors who had no qualms about crushing the rights of others. Case in point -- some of these foul mouthed screamers,  trapped me in an elevator for over an hour during the Vietnam moratorium to yell and spit at me because I was carrying a text book -- so obviously was going to underground classes and trying to get an education. They apparently opposed my right to getting an education as well.   They were about as open-minded, self-righteous and tolerant as PETA is today.  They wore the same nasty, frowny faces as well.  So sad really. I wish that people could find their way to joyful at least sometimes -- or/and let other people live their own lives in peace. The thing is -- I bet I was way warmer than they were.  So there is that.  

Note... PETA did not stop Phil.  He saw his shadow and continues to be pampered in Punxsutawney ... and so it goes.

Boomers Will Get This

 There were standard shift vehicles, phones attached to walls, and no remote control of televisions.  There were plastic bread bags inside boots, no permanent press shirts and people walked places.  And ... there was Alfred E Neuman.  Remember Mad magazine?  I read every single one I could get my hands on.  It was sort of a quiet rebellion. Can't imagine where I found them -- maybe at Al's Dairy Bar on Columbus Avenue (Corry PA people will get that).  

I cannot explain why some things pop into my head, but Alfred E Neuman suddenly dropped in the other day and I Googled him just to see his silly grin once again -- tooth missing and looking a lot like my neighbor Harrison -- at least as far as smile and attitude goes. Hard to believe that this "mascot' of Mad is now almost 70 years old.  "Good grief, Charlie Brown". Once again --- where did the time go?  Do you know/remember that he was even a write-in candidate for President one time? His relaxed "devil-may-care" attitude was somehow refreshing in the 50's and on for a long time. Maybe I wish I had some of that attitude these days. 

Anyway -- then this happened -- totally unrelated but not.  My son texted me a link to Oddly History on Instagram where they had posted photos of famous people when they were young. There were photos of Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Abraham Lincoln, Hillary Clinton in hippy garb, JFK,  Stalin, and Teddy Roosevelt .  Now here's the thing -- I cannot see even a hint of today's Joe Biden in the young Joe Biden photo, but 10 year old JFK bears a striking, and I mean an uncannily striking, resemblance to Alfred E Neuman.  Seriously -- check it out.  I certainly do not mean any disrespect to JFK... but at age ten he could have been on the cover of Mad as Alfred's twin brother.  It's a chuckle of the day.

By the way -- the younger generation seems to have no idea of what I am talking about in the whole Alfred E Neuman and Mad thing. But then -- sometimes (often) I don't get what they are saying either.  So we are even.

Memes of the Week

 Memes sometimes just make my day.  I wish I were one of those people who thought of them and knew how to "make" them.  May have to do some research on that process. I did run across a free Meme Generator once. Will have to go back to that - if I can find it. Plus -- wish I knew how the term Meme even came to be. Guess I will look for that as well.

To get closer to today's topic -- there are two memes that are in competition for the best that I encountered this past week.  This first is

                    Dear Winter... 

                        Stop it.   (from @anxiousandy!)

The second is a photo of a smiling Lawrence Welk with his conducting baton in hand. (I have no idea who created this meme, but it is great!) The words superimposed at the top -- "If you were forced to watch this as a child, you may be entitled to compensation."  I so remember sitting on the floor in front of my Grandma Bessie's TV watching The Lawrence Welk Show on her little TV that could receive two channels on a good day,  and ... cannot forget the Ed Sullivan Show while I am at it. They are not my most painful of childhood memories for sure ... but -- they are on the list. Anyway -- back to the topic -- The Welk meme dropped in and all I could hear in my head was "and a one and a two..."  

Have to mention though that although I was never a Welk fan, I always wished I knew how to dance the polka.  Still do. Am I alone in this? I do think I am now a bit past the point of donning a full skirt with high heels, and certainly should not attempt the swirling even in my bare feet.  I missed the opportunity on that one.  I will deal with it.  I do know how to square dance though - or at least I used to.  That was taught in fifth grade at my elementary school. It was mandatory and I was totally freaked about it. I recall that was the first time I had to dance with a boy ...  back in the days when I thought all boys had cooties.  His name was Harold Eddy. He did not have cooties.  Odd that I can remember that and not where I put my phone.  Is there a meme brewing in all of this? Perhaps....