Flying, Marching, and Wonder

Twice this week (I don’t know why) I slept in long enough so that by the time I surfaced Marcia had the coffee ready. Actually, I think I could get used to this ‘minor’ shift in my routine. But, this morning I did the honors.

Corner of Chaos and Mayhem – makes it seem like we live in the bull’s eye of a disaster zone. And yes, stuff does happen with fair frequency. But there are also periods of enjoyment (if not tranquility).

This week was such a week. See just how lovely and peaceful the place looked much of this Spring.

Yesterday – Was a day like any other day where if ‘good intentions’ not acted on means then nothing will happen.

Back in 1870 Roman Catholics in town began a tradition which has continued ever since. Beginning at midnight, Good Friday morning, begins the walk up the three-hundred-and-fifty steps up Mt. Adams and into the Holy Cross Immaculata Church at the top – saying a prayer on each step.

By now you have guessed what didn’t happen. I had plans but didn’t follow through. I missed my opportunity. A glorious day. Great temperature. No excuse!

I was not one of the 15,000 faithful expected to climb the steps yesterday.

Sky-Diving Beavers – It seems that the Beaver population of Idaho was losing the turf battle with people, pets, and other wildlife, this was in the 1940s. Like most everything else in nature, Beavers are a critical component in our ecosystem, creation of wetlands and bogs especially.

It was shortly after the War that Utah Fish and Game employee, Elmo Heter, came up with a plan. Move the large rodents to their remote Chamberlain Basin area. The problem being that there were no roads into the area; hence, no Uber for the Beavers. The novel solution is explained in the little video.

PS. I believe that I read that 47 out of the 48 Beavers received their ‘Parachutist’ merit badge.

Five years ago – this Easter Weekend we watched in disbelief as our screens filled with the sight of Notre Dame de Paris cathedral going up in flames. Five years have gone by and still no real explanation as to the cause. Even ‘Quasimodo’ has not resurfaced with a proper explanation.

What is amazing is that key components survived, even the stunning art of the three Rose stained-glass windows dating back to 1225. Anyway, the rebuilding is almost complete (90%) and on schedule to be completed this year – and that done in 5 years is beyond admirable.

A New Season began with a Parade – The hometown baseball team (the Cincinnati Reds) started their new season with a city-wide holiday, a 2-hour long parade, and much HOPE.

Armed with bag-chairs Adrianne, Vai, Vai plus ‘moi’ joined the massive throng. Rather than me blathering on, click on the attached photos to enlarge and get a feel of the event. What’s missing is the sound of a dozen or so school Marching Bands, Bagpipers and Drums, and on and on; but still, you’ll enjoy!

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Have a blessed and happy Easter Sunday (remember it’s much more than chocolates, marshmallow, and bunnies – none of which have any relation to the day).

This weekend, sit back and enjoy Charlie Daniel’s rendition of “He’s Alive”

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Did the USA have a ‘president’ prior to George Washington? If so, who?

1) Samuel Huntington of Connecticut
2) Thomas McKean of Delaware
3) John Hanson from Maryland

Astonishing Things

Not sure what caused it, but this week just seemed to fly by. Now the big question, why is it then that this morning our coffee brewing seems to take forever?

As Philip Roth once stated: “All that we don’t know is astonishing. Even more astonishing is what passes for knowing.”

Intersession – The two-week period Vai & Vili’s school has immediately before spring break; kids can choose from a list of offerings for a ‘deep immersion’ study. Vai chose ‘ceramics’ at Queen City Clay. Last evening was the conclusion, an event titled – “Ode to Evolution.” Some amazing art was on display. Vai’s main piece was a ‘Whale-Shark’ and hers was selected as one of a few to be sent out for further display.

Appetizers served at the event were nice, but it wasn’t dinner. Not certain how [:)], but afterwards we all ended up at Cancun Mexican Restaurant. It was the first time Marcia had been out for a whole evening thing – and she LOVED it.

Neuralink – We love to look back on great innovation, great art, great breakthrough and almost revere those who spearheaded those events. Currently our generation has just such an individual among us – Elon Musk. Think of SpaceX, Starlink, Tesla-cars, Tesla-Truck, the self-landing Falcon spaceships, the Big Bore. Taking a failing ‘Twitter’ and restructuring it into a non-biased social media format renamed ‘X’. And now Neuralink.

As an aside, with all Musk’s innovations, breakthroughs, and massive employment I find it inconceivable and fail to understand why government continues its overt badgering of Musk.

August 29, 2020 Elon Musk released this little video on his vision of the possibilities offered when intersecting computing with the human brain. Below is that short video:

Now move forward a short 4 years later, March 20, 2024 featuring Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old quadriplegic learning to use his newly implanted Neuralink.

What makes it even more stunning is the fact that alongside the Neuralink they’ve developed a robot to perform the surgery. The procedure, done with the robot, can be managed without anesthesia and almost as an outpatient event.

Truly, what was seen as a futuristic dream is now reality and something transformative in no more than a handful of years. (the latter is my guess).

Here, let Mr. Arbaugh himself describe just how transformative Neuralink is for him. Then remember, what we’re seeing is merely the ‘Model-T’ equivalent to any vehicle we’re currently driving. Or, something Orvile and Wilber Wright ‘flew’ to what we all fly in each and every day. Such change is only accelerating on a multiple of fronts.

Names? – This week about 300 million people in countries along the old Persian Silk Route are holding the annual 13-day celebration of Nowruz; a celebratory renewal expressing harmony with nature.

To me it seems that not all about ‘Nowruz’ is in sync. It appears that the festival can be written about as; Nauruz, Nauryz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nooruz, Norooz, Norouz, or Novruz. Seems to me that step one expressing ‘harmony’ could be the coordination of just how to refer to the festival. Just thinking.

Government out of Control – As many of you know, I LOVE the sound of Bagpipes. Turns out that 17-year-old Campbell Webster and Eryk Bean, of Concord and Londonderry, New Hampshire also really love Bagpipes. Difference being that they actually play them. They decided to attend a Bagpipe event a bit north in Quebec.

Don’t know why, as a reigning in of so many things we assumed would be free in a ‘freedom’ loving nation. But, somehow we actually require a CITES certificate (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) approval for bring a bagpipe across the border, this by the US Fish & Wildlife, but we do.

Just one of the myriad of lost ‘freedoms which continue to tie us down, tighter and tighter.

Returning through the Vermont border crossing the lad’s Bagpipes were quickly confiscated. Sure, their CITES certificate was valid, but is only recognized at 28 entry points and Vermont wasn’t one of the 28. The closest recognized entry port to their crossing point was Logan Airport in Boston.

Now just realize that, say 500 or so, honorable illegals tromp through any southern border point, each carrying a Bagpipe, then they’d be welcomed in. They’d be requested to play their pipe, and be asked to please march in with style.

And, if you think that the southern border is ‘guarded’ by a different Border Patrol from the one in Vermont, then you’d be wrong.

As we quickly march towards the abyss and into the dustbin of past empires.

PS. There was enough of a hub-bub where politicians got pressured and the fine young lads finally got their instruments returned.

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Health, comfort, and joy for all this coming week.

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Over the years certain behaviors were accepted which we would frown on. Similarly, some events would be punished severely, for which we’d hand out a slap on the hand. Which during earlier times would be punished severely.

1) Slicing and taking Peat blocks
2) Theft of Pineapple
3) Taking a Sugar Beet
4) Netting Eels
5) Picking flowers
6) Digging up Turnips

Funiculi, Funicula!

Happy start to the weekend. Spring is definitely underway. Sunshine, shorts weather, clocks fast-forwarded, and Tornadoes.

Thoughts with the many in the middle part of our State who got blasted by some nasty storms and Tornadoes.

We were warned repeatedly during Thursday’s Radio and TV newscasts. Waking up yesterday morning I heard that locally several hundred people were without power. It seems that I am the only one who never heard the Thunderstorm and Lightning storm which blew through our area shortly after 1:00am.

Luckily our power stayed on, and Mr. Coffee had no issues yesterday and even a bit ago.

Redlegs – Yesterday, March 15, in the year 1869 something brand new startup became a brand-new enterprise. The nation’s favorite pastime was introduced to its very first Professional Baseball team, the Cincinnati Redlegs.

This town goes bonkers with most media hyping the start of a new Reds baseball season weeks before opening day. Plus, on the morning of opening day there is a 2+hour long parade weaving from Findley Market to end near the stadium.

Let me assure you – the fun is well underway:

Paul Simon – Do you, like me, love the music created by Paul Simon? Last Sunday I went to a jazz performance featuring many of Simon’s works. Each carefully re-arranged for a jazz performance. It was wonderful!

Simon came out of the ‘Folksinger’ mold where Lyrics come front and center. Hence, we were told that to put each piece into a jazz styling took some serious work and each had to be carefully selected. They did a great job; pieces such as these: America, Mrs. Robinson, So long – Frank Lloyd Wright (a favorite of mine), Love Me Like a Rock, Cecilia, and Scarborough Fair, to name but a few. As I said earlier, wonderful!

During the performance they were next going to play Simon’s “50-ways to Leave Your Lover.” Now, it so happens that the chorus of that piece is one people love to sing along. As the musicians were preparing one of them stressed; “NO singing, remember we are serious jazz musicians.” At the same time, he was handing out sheets printed with the words to the chorus. Guess what happened and it was a blast.

Funicula – While I was enjoying outdoor springtime and my jazz concert, Adrianne, Tevita, and the kids were at a baptism in Pittsburgh. While there they took advantage and rode one of the very few remaining Feniculas – otherwise known as an “incline railways” – two counterbalanced rail cars made these system work.

Cincinnati and the hills surrounding the city core had 5 of these ‘inclines’ between the years of 1870 and 1948. The last of these going up Mt. Adams stopped operation in 1948. The Mt. Adams incline rail was 945’ long and carried streetcars and automobiles.

The reason I am relating all of this is because of an occurrence going back several decades. I had business in Pittsburgh. It was a day with two short stops and a perfect opportunity to take our three ‘kiddos’ with me. And, as you might guess, I decided to give them a ride on the Pittsburgh Funicula (incline). Got tickets, the two older ones bounded aboard. This left me and the youngest, Adrianne. She got super scared, panicked, and wouldn’t budge.

Now, as a parent with two already aboard and one protesting frantically, what do you do? Long story short, I did not get arrested. I have little recollection of how exactly I managed to get her aboard, but all four of rode the contraption. Now 30+ years later, she rode it again! I suspect that this time she rode the incline without fuss. And yes, her kids, Vai and Vili, loved the ride – no fuss.

Chaos & Mayhem — Is our corner filled with creative ways to provide views beating anything on Radio and TV. Earlier in the week Marcia was on the phone with her sister. During that one conversation, in a space of about 5-minutes, five marked cruisers, sirens wailing, blew through the corner – thus keeping alive  our censorial corner affectionally known as Chaos & Mayhem.

The screaming cruiser business was not pictorial, so here was another moment, a bit more quiet.

And, on my walk yesterday I came across the fact that Easter is almost upon us:

A Lighter Note: Did you hear about the fellow who fell into a re-upholstery machine?

Not to worry, he’s OK, he’s completely recovered.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day – “Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!”

May Peace prevail! Shalom and Sláinte

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Tomorrow we’ll all be Irish. To prove just how Irish, how would you say “Yes” in Gaelic?

1) Sí ?
2) Ja ?
3) Oui ?
4) Tak ?
5) Tá ?
6) ‘Io ?

Looking for spines

It’s a glorious morning, or so I say. Yesterday it was a dank gloomy one and today I am opting that with confidence it’ll be better. “With confidence”, because it’s still dark and so can’t really be proven wrong. Marcia got up early and so Mr. Coffee finished perking – pretty cool.

The events of a couple of evenings ago are already a distant memory.

Really I saw very little of Thursday’s Big Show other than a quick peek now and then. What I did see was the President as just a loud, divisive, angry, old codger. The assembled Democrats merely a brainless cheering mob. And the Republicans couldn’t quit trying to discover their own spines.

I occupied myself in a variety of other ways. More on that below.

Glory Days – Walgreen’s is a mere mile and a half away – great for some exercise. For decades Marcia took nary a pill. That’s changed. Over the last months, this “never take a pill’ business has changed. So, Wednesday I did a ‘two-fer’; walked to Walgreen’s and got Marcia a new round of pills.

What I hadn’t counted on was the squirrel.

The pharmacist got Marcia’s prescription and began to record the transaction.

Zzzzzzzzz was the sound. All lights went off. About 3-seconds later ‘poof’ all the store’s lights came on. My remark was; “well that was lucky.” “Wrong”, said the pharmacist, “our systems are the last to finish rebooting” She was correct, by nearly 20-minutes.

In the meantime, the line behind me had been growing. One lady said that she had seen what caused the outage. It was a squirrel on the transformer pole across the street across from White Castle. She saw the sparks and the thing go flying. Meanwhile, some grumbling had begun, and the store manager came to prevent things from escalating.

Ok, now my turn. To throw a little light on the situation I asked the manager to go and grab the ‘roasted’ squirrel and hold it for me, saying “it’ll be an easy way to bring home some dinner.” He burst out laughing, people smiled (some probably jealous – we are very close to Kentucky after all).

Anyway, when I get really old, it’ll be a great little story for the grandkids to hear. I can hear it now; “Oh no, another story from Opa’s old [Glory] Days”.

Bruce Springsteen – Glory Days

“Think I’m going down to the well tonight
And I’m going to drink ’til I get my fill
And I hope when I get old, I don’t sit around thinking about it
But I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back
Trying to recapture a little of the glory of
Well, the time slips away
Leaves you with nothing, mister, but boring stories of

Glory days
They’ll pass you by, glory days”

SOTU – while our diminishing Ranter-in-Chief did his annual speech, even while winding on and on, with a speech primarily begging for Ukrainian aid I was otherwise occupied. I did hear him promising we’d have their backs and then not mentioning our ‘expedited’ exodus from our previous best buds; Afghanistan.

With all the hollow hoopla , take some moments to listen to one of our generation’s most brilliant minds, Canada’s Dr. Jordan Peterson. As he lays out in a couple of minutes what is really staring all of us in the face. Doing that you’ll recognize the truth of today’s quote by Elanor Roosevelt how it slices through all the ballyhoo. Fast forward to minute mark 1:14.

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt (first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945)

I think my time was better spent. Much better!

Here, in 3 points, is the ‘why’.

Point 1 – A neighbor and friend, older than me, with memory ‘hiccups’, no family, no longer driving, knocked on our door. He nearly collapsed in my arms from weakness; he had no food and couldn’t get any.

Long story short. We made him a couple of sandwiches and two mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream and some fruits, and we talked for an hour as he recovered. Meanwhile, since we had shopped earlier, Marcia prepared him a grocery bag good for a few days. I made certain he got settled at his home.

So, while the televised diminishing one ranted on and on, and the wastrels clapped and nodded, I was on the hotline with our County Elder Abuse Service intake. Hopefully making a case that they respond with urgency to our friend, get him started with Meals on Wheels and assign him an Ombudsman (some of my very early background and Adrianne’s current knowledge came in handy). We’re staying on to monitor and prod where needed.

Point 2 – Later, I needed to gather myself a bit. Apparently I required to get the grand collection of windbags cheering, clapping, and caving in, while honest people like my friend needs to; “suck it up” get out of my mind.

Amongst some music I also ended up listening to Oliver Anthony’s “Livin’ in the new world”

“These rich men north of Richmond
Lord, knows they all just wanna have total control
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don’t think you know but I know that you do
‘Cause your dollar ain’t shit and it’s taxed to no end
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond”

Point 3 – While listening to that song I noted that Anthony had posted a short update recorded on his Tour Bus. It’s a short bit, but stay with him and pay special attention starting at the 5:35 minute mark.

Anthony’s honest words are more important than anything that I’d seen delivered via the teleprompters earlier on.

Talk Box – Last week it was the passing of Bob Heil, inventor of the famous ‘Talk Box‘ guitar pedal. I mention it because of two pieces that British guitarist Peter Frampton made into massive hits; “Show Me the Way” and “Do You Feel Like We Do“, both having his ‘guitar’ talk to you.

The reason it had me take note is that Frampton lived in the ‘Nati for many years and occasionally would be involved in one civic event or other. We heard his ‘Talk Box’ a bunch.

A Lighter Quote: When even one’s Doctor shakes his head on some of the nonsense being spouted everywhere I felt this was spot on. “A lot of people will be surprised to know that (in plumbing) there are only male pipe threads and female pipe threads” ~ Mike Du Jour by Mike Lester

Now that it’s dawn, It’s the rain starting up again. Earlier on I seemed to have been a bit “overconfident”. Looking at the weather, rain till at least noon and I desperately need to get a walk in – is this the day to test my new rain jacket?

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Prayers for those suffering, hurting, and even so able to stay hopeful and positive – that is very special!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
When we hear reference being made to something as ‘isicia omentata’. This is known today as:

1) Spring Harvest?
2) Bull fight?
3) A secret closet?
4) A hamburger?
5) Pierogies?
6) False eyelashes?

Leapin’ Lizards

It’s one week into my ‘four-score and two’ venture called life. So far so good. This morning the coffee tasted great (this must mean that I don’t have Covid). The taste thing (actually the lack thereof) seems to be about the best gauge on whether or not a case of the recent ‘scamdemic’ is active.

Change – I’m saying that since change is afoot. Yesterday it was announced that the 5-day Covid isolation rule is now history. If you remember the little blue mask things are merely but a nightmare from long ago (although I do see a few folks still use them as “drip/drool-catchers” under their chin). Here and there the 6-foot distance rule signs and directional floor arrows are being photographed before they disappear completely.

Finally, reason is catching up to the fiasco we experienced over the past few years. Although, in our state we did not get near the bureaucratic claptrap many others did. In a sense, I feel that common sense caught up to what my curmudgeonly self-espoused for most of that time.

Kaleidoscope —

“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.”

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift.”

~ Mike Whorf (1932 – 2020) producer and host of the documentary/narrative radio program Kaleidoscope

In case you were a rabid Mike Wharf Kaleidoscope listener, and have missed him dearly, I have a surprise for you. Thursday, while I drove to the north end of town and listening to a local ‘retro’ radio station they happened to play one of Wharfs segments from the 1980s. Driving Marcia’s (now vintage) little Corolla with its original radio I did a little recording. So, apologies for the road noise. Even so, it’s evident just why that program was as passionately popular as it was, so, enjoy:

Celebration — Almost all our gang celebrated my ‘four-score’ plus thing with a Barbeque thrown by Adrianne and Tevita (he is a master at it). The barbequed Steelhead Trout made with soy, ginger, and chili was to die for. As a gift from Adrianne and Tevita we all then headed off to town for a hockey game; our Cyclones versus the Iowa Heartlanders. It was a delightful time! Thanks, you guys!

Leap Year – from where I sit it seems Leap Year 2024 was celebrated with much less hoopla than years ago. But, did you know that way back in Roman times the month of February was once marked with 30 days? Yep, inserted as a leap year every 4 years between the years 45BC and 8BC.

At that time there was a lot of bouncing around with odd lengths of months. This period used the Julius César Calendar. Eventually, centuries later, the Gregorian Calendar (After Gregory XIII) adjusted, and February received the 28-days plus 1 every four years as what we celebrate today.

Whoops, not quite. The Russians had a wrinkle in February during the 1700s. And in 1712 February had 30 days in Sweden as they adjusted their calendar. It’s enough to give one a headache, isn’t it?

Auto Kroger – is the real thing! These days Marcia doesn’t care to walk all that much, and she refuses to have me push her in one of those plastic car shaped shopping carts. Efforts to have her go online by me would have initiated an automatic “poo-poo” comment from her. Adrianne came to the rescue, and it only took a single lesson, as Adrianne had Marcia place her very first food order.

The next day, at the appointed time, the Kroger truck rolled up. At the front door I accepted 5 plastic bags filled with groceries and lugged that inside. It seems like 5 or 6 minutes later everything had found its rightful pantry or refrigerator place; a glass of Malbec could then be poured.

Marcia has now placed two more orders – totally on her own. Searching for stuff not readily displayed is quickly managed. The payment process she smiles through. To date, no errors delivering the selected items. All selected and ordered shopping done in well under 15-minutes. There, shopping done! Then it was just, sitting back waiting for the appointed delivery time. She LOVEs it!

Tests – Marcia required a test. You know the drill, no food, nothing to drink with the syllable stressing ’this includes coffee’. This all makes for a tough morning. Nevertheless, 10am Thursday, we made it to Good Samaritan hospital.

Then it got interesting. Her test comes in two parts. Phase two was at 2:00pm. What to do, what to do. First on the list was people watching; ok, done that. How many derelict houses redone to ‘waaaay’ beyond any past glory TV shows can anyone watch – each TV set in the place carries them. Next was cafeteria time. Now, that was a winner. Good Sam has the type of cafeteria Marcia would head for on date night. We wondered out loud why this food selection was not even hinted at to the poor schleps laying in beds in their rooms waiting for the tray.

Anyway, we both had a hand-crafted Rye sandwich, absolutely thick loaded with Boar’s Head ham and cheese. Add coffee as good as anything supplied by an upscale joint with a barista. Then came the ’cherry on top’ – the hefty senior’s discount. I do believe that after such a lunch, that any test would have been worthwhile.

Echoes from 1860 – The time is chaotic and scare. It was the lead up the our Civil War or by many in our region; “The War Between the States”. This was part of what I learned at my class Thursday evening.

Here is what was going on. Since we live in 2024 and it’s difficult for us to look back, think of these happenings from 1860 and think of today:

** Free speech is dangerous

** Political enemies were arrested

** Immigration for political power

** Presidential candidate kept off the ballot

** Many Americans refused to accept a President

** Distrust of public institutions.

** Recklessly partisan press

** Rising violence in Washington DC: Charles Sumner caned Preston Brooks in the Senate chamber

** Attempts to kill Abraham Lincoln before he was inaugurated

** State vs Federal conflict escalated.

And so forth it went, and so forth it is – right into 2024.

As mentioned, mid-week I attended a class at EmpowerU where the previous editorial writer (40 years) kept the citizenry of our region informed; Peter Bronson.

Pre-Sale – magic words I heard on the radio. I’ll suffice by giving you a hint. I followed through and quickly got two tickets to an event in late summer, And, being rapid on the draw, I got a pair of great seats at our Riverbend Music Center. Here is the photo of the performers. Figured out who we’ll be seeing yet ?

Jacket weather again but low 70s in a few days. Our de facto gauge, our local Dairy Queen, spring re-opening is now official. Yes it’s Springtime!!!  Punxsutawney Phil was dead on with his prediction.

May Peace prevail! Shalom. And a most Happy Birthday Dinah.

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Yesterday it was National Peanut Butter Day. The question now is; which is the largest National Brand?

1)      Smucker’s? 
2)      Skippy?
3)      Justin’s?
4)      Peter Pan?
5)      Jif?
6)      Laura Scudder’s?