Hoochie-Boo

Happy Saturday Friday morning. I know, I know, you’re probably saying something such as “it’s Dirk, yes Dirk of that ilk” messing with us and publishing The Ramblings on Friday.

Chattanooga, TN – Head of the Hooch regatta; “The Head of the Hooch regatta is one of the world’s largest rowing regattas, with more than 2,000 boats and 5,000 rowers competing over two days.”

As my French cousin, Guillaume, would say; “sorry, so sorry”, before beginning any explanation. Truth is, Saturday morning Marcia and I will be in Chattanooga, TN. We’re attending the ‘Head of the Hooch’ regatta. This will be granddaughter Dinah’s last major regatta while still a highschooler. Her next venture in the rowing world will be as a member of the Syracuse University rowing team.

Add to that the fact that Marcia has a love affair with the town of Chattanooga. And I must confess that I too think that it is a neat place.

So now a coffee will be a quick White Castle stop as we head out (along with their egg-on-Rye sandwich) at the highway entrance. This time it’s I-75 for half the trip and then, or so is my plan, to take 2-lane through a series of small towns in southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee (can’t get into our hotel till 3pm).

Guy Fawkes Day – Is November 5. Wait a gosh darn minute, isn’t that also Election Day? Not being a conspiracist, but was this date set on purpose? You remember the bit of history dealing with Guy Fawkes?

Guy Fawkes is remembered for the Gunpowder Plot in Britain. That day (also known as Bonfire Night) remembers an event from in the late 1500s when Fawkes and his gang placed a large amount of gunpowder underneath Parliament. Without being totally obvious, the idea was to blow up Parliament. The plot was discovered, Parliament was saved, Fawkes was not saved.

What is it with all this talk of insurrection, mayhem, ‘storm the government ‘Bailey’’ during each first week of November –dating back to 1500s?

Happy Halloween – Last evening it was not the realm of Counts in Transylvania, nor foot-dragging ‘undead’ which shook the little darlings. No, it was the dreams a President biting/eating the little dears which caused sleepless nights.

But on to even more of an incident which occurred over 80 years ago, and which brought people into a ‘tizzy’ (1930s terminology). Listen to a 2 ½ minute opening of the 1938 Mercury Theater show. This I created as a time saver. Want to listen to the whole show that shook the world, click on the YouTube below.

First played 86 years ago as part of the CBS radio series; The Mercury Theatre on the Air presented the War of the Worlds directed and narrated by Orson Welles. This was the Halloween broadcast, first aired October 30, 1938. Overnight it became a moment of panic for millions.

Halloween goodies? I have been strongly advised to not even think of executing on any thought I might have of gifting each costumed little urchin stopping by a copy of Maurice Sendak’s “In the Night Kitchen”.

Having said that, I think that were I to do it, this ‘treasure’ could go down in the annals of North Avondale neighborhood for future generations to discuss. Oh well.

Quote – “I was proud to have served my nation as a sailor on a destroyer. Now I am proud to have served my nation in a Federal Prison for four months.” ~ Steve Bannon at a 10/29.2024 Press conference held at his prison release.

He was sentenced for 4 months for a misdemeanor (magically to coincide during the run-up of the 2024 election): this under a law where he should have been released in mere days assuming any lock up at all. His crime? He refused to attend the prejudicial J6 Committee meeting to divulge what he and then, President Trump, discussed – he was an advisor and strategist to the President and argued that any discussions were private.

Brilliant – Is what I thought of the following solution. I spent some time with Kirstin and the kids in Austin. In part to do some common bits of repair work. Back home I was determined to build on the success of the stuff done in Austin.

Earlier this past summer traveling Holland and Germany with Kirstin I lived out of my favorite suitcase. Since the traveling of my working days, I had settled on a TravelPro Crew5 roller bag as being the best fit. Year after year it served me without fail. However, probably miles of cobblestone and brick streets, railroad and airport halls and stairs, add schlepping through hotel lobbies in quaint old Dutch and German towns, and it finally happened. The wheels on the thing blew apart. And so, my roller bag and I limped back home.

This past week I was determined to attempt a viable fix. First it was a stop at a nearby Goodwill Thrift Store. Success! I snagged a pair of pink and black roller blades for $6.00 (+ evened it up to $7.00 by adding some coins to a charity fund).

That evening, I removed the TravelPro Crew5’s wheels. Removed the two center wheels from one of the roller blades. Put the ‘new’ wheels on the bag, and in less than 30-minutes, voila, good as new!

One minor bit I hadn’t realized. The fancy pink and black roller blades were for kids. Once I had the wheels installed and Marcia looked at me parading around the room pulling the thing, it was the bright sparking wheel lights which created quite an unanticipated ‘mood’ lighting show. She howled with laughter. I can’t wait for my next trip to show it all off.

Wait a minute, this evening I’ll have a whole hotel lobby and hallway to put on a show! Such luck.

Life is AMAZING!

May Peace prevail! Shalom.

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Archaeologists have discovered a Maya city beneath the jungle canopy in Campeche, Mexico, according to a study released this week. The ancient site contains more than 6,600 structures, including pyramids and ball courts. It is believed to be one of the largest Maya sites in Latin America (possibly 50,000 people). The discovery team opted to give the site what name?

1) Whynot
2) Placentia
3) Valeriana
4) Fries
5) Canadian
6) Uncertain
7) Popejoy