Plans Awry

Happy Saturday morning. A lot of things are labeled as “fluid” these days. Most I view as claptrap. But the ongoing morning ‘fluidity’ coffee provides is something to celebrate.

For my part, I didn’t manage to see the aurora. I thought about heading up to our roof garden at around about three AM. Two problems with that plan. First, I didn’t get passed ‘go’ (got sidetracked by the bathroom). Two, the building’s roof garden hasn’t been planted yet.

Did any of you see the Northern Lights this morning? For many northern states and Canada last night and this night are supposedly the best since 2005.

My ‘friend’, Al, informed me that I might have an identical Voice Message from Dr. Kaplichnik waiting for me. One with Kaplichnik perchance substituting “Ramblings” for Comic Strip. Possibly a little on the ‘edge’, but effectively referring to authors such as Al and I; “crazier than a pair of Loons”, is far beyond the pale.

Marcia – had her 1-week post-op visit; and all is well. The key word of that day and visit was Patience. The medical definition of ‘patience’ means; we have no clue how long before all is as it was. Which in layman’s terms means that nerves operate on a totally independent schedule. Independent from medical intervention or owner’s deepest wishes.

But Marcia does love the breathable surgical tape strips they put on the incision. Thank you, 3M.

Thoughtful Quotation for these times – especially now that our Media’s daily barrage of video showing lots of impertinent ‘lost’ kids on College campuses is being pelted at us. I even saw one of the little dear’s ‘glamping’ on her University’s Square bemoaning the fact that the University wasn’t supplying her food and water.

As my cousin from France would have said: “Sooo Sorry.”

Anyhow, this is what the great satirist P.J. O’Rourke (1947-2022) once wrote especially well; “you can judge the momentum and heft of a political movement by how many attractive women attach themselves to it.”.

In 1968, it was reasonably clear that the anti-Vietnam set was full of the cool kids. But, as we would have said in the language of that time – these days, you don’t see too many ‘swell lookers’ in those keffiyehs.

Cicadas – Were you aware that two broods of periodical cicadas are emerging across the US? periodical cicadas burrow underground for up to 17 years. This year, for the first time in over 200 years, there is a special event.

This year, trillions of cicadas from Broods XIX and XIII—underground for 13 and 17 years — are surfacing together. This for the first time since 1803. Just think, the last time this occurred, Thomas Jefferson was our President.

The mid-west will host and Springfield, Illinois will be the epicenter. Day trip anyone?
This little video clip is well done and explains beautifully. It’s worthwhile watching. Enjoy:

My Flying Pig 5K – Monday morning a mail in my in-box exclaimed (loudly in Bold):

Congratulations on crossing the 2024 Flying Pig Finish Swine, Dirk!
Another Pig weekend in the books! Thank you so much for joining us, we loved watching each one of you soar across the Finish Swine.
We hope to see you at the next Flying Pig event!

But there is more to that story. I didn’t race. I did volunteer the next day for the full Marathon and that was a blast!

Boy, was I ready for the 5K. Mother nature was not. A 3-hour delay for the storms to clear happened. As luck would have it, that morning we also had a major backup in our bathroom.

3-hours to kill and a blockage to clear; PERFECT. I drove home, and got bathroom fixed

Then headed back into town. The first of my problems was that the FREE parking was now a pay lot as it was getting ready for a Reds game. Plus, long lines of Reds fans trying to get into the area.

My second problem was due to me outsmarting myself. ‘Save on weight’ I schemed; therefore, left my wallet at home – now no money to park. Meters were close enough to have made it back to the start in time, and I had plenty of quarters in the car. Problem, meters now only take credit.

Let it be said, I’VE HAD BETTER SATURDAYS!

Before I forget, have a very Happy Mother’s Day celebration.

At the same time, it might not be a bad idea to stop a moment to reflect on your special mom who might not be with us anymore.

Should you end taking Mom out for a Movie. Did you know that early on, Popcorn was banned in theaters? Today, with the price charged for the stuff it probably should be. Just thinking.

May Peace prevail! Shalom.

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Homo Sapiens historically have generated a lot of statistics. Which one of the following numbers is NOT correct?

1) We’ve been in existence on the Earth 0.0067% of its existence
2) Estimated number of people who have ever lived; 117 billion
3) Years Homo Sapiens have been the only human species; 40,000
4) Human Species that have lived on Earth: ~12
5) Fossils of early humans that have been discovered; 6,000