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?