“Ubuntu”

Happy Saturday. Yesterday I attended the FIFA Club World Cup ‘25 volunteer training session. What quickly came obvious among the group was the African term ubuntu which is from a mix of African languages. In English it is best explained thusly; ubuntu encompasses a broad definition with the thought of ‘what I do to myself that is good/welcoming/enthusiastic/or with integrity will consequently be equally embraced by the whole community’.

Coffee – but first, since it is morning, a meme which in these parts stays just a meme since I am not surrounded by morning persons, i.e. Marcia (except this morning – she was up at 6):

Easter weekend – Praying the Steps in Mt. Adams at Holy Cross Immaculata Church is a Good Friday tradition going back over 150 years. For Catholics it’s saying the Rosary on each of the 94 steps. No one is turned away and the local Bishop Joseph R. Binzer began blessing the steps at 1-minute after midnight on Good Friday, by day’s end 8 to 10 thousand faithful will have completed the ritual.

My plan is to head out and participate in a nearby outdoor Easter service (although doing the ‘steps’ is still a bucket list item). Happy Easter everyone. Having said that do keep the Christian’s being slaughtered in the Congo in your prayers.

RFK Jr. – last week’s Ramblings had me post several statistical charts dealing with the inordinate increase in Autism, obesity, and diabetes – all being highlighted by Kennedy. This week I read how Kennedy has established new rules on food additives:

Kennedy stated that he’s — “given food company executives two years to remove Red 40 and other artificial dyes from their products.”

The CEO of Pepsi, which owns Doritos, said … “The consumers like them to be very red, and we have not yet found a vegetable dye that we can match, but we’re going to do it.”

Change is in the wind!

“I don’t want a pickle
I just wanna ride on my morotcycle” (Motorcycle Song, Arlo Guthrie)

Last weekend — I was on the Matt’s 5K Pursuit and passing me on the course was cadre of Sherriff patrol on big rumbling Harley’s. On the trail, either I could have been ‘smushed’ or maybe done the reverse. That’s when Arlo’s old Motorcycle Pickle Song came to mind, especially the following bit (see, the mind does wanders during these events).

The song desscribes how Arlo doing 150 mph on a cliff road flew off that cliff. Knowing he wouldn’t survive he eased back on his bike, got his pen, and wrote the song. Since the song survived it’s only logical that Arlo did too. He magically landed on the top of a police car and it died.

You just have to love the brilliance of Arlo!

What me Worry? – It made me wonder just how many of the thousands of people enjoying The Masters golf tournament in Augusta claim to be deeply concerned about this decade’s bugaboo, Climate Change?

The reason it crossed my mind began when I saw just how many private jets landed at Augusta’s little airport – 2100 throughout the event. The attached flight detail is from last Sunday when 229 private jets left the area – homeward bound. Luckily, this also means that once back home these seriously important people can again get back on track expounding serious concern reflecting on how best to ask the rest of us to be seriously concerned on Climate Change.

‘Fave’ Hammond – I’ve always loved the sounds of those little Hammond organs. Get me some old timey Gospel music, add a Hammond, let me shut my eyes and I’m in heaven as long as that instrument plays.

Years ago, when the Reds (then the ‘Redlegs’) were still playing at the old Crosley Field there was a guy by the name of Ronnie Dale (1931-2017). He started playing an hour before gametime. Then at the end of the 2nd, 4th, 5th inning, the 7th inning stretch, and finally, for 15 minutes after the game.

The Reds would hit a home run and Dales’ Hammond would come to life. He’d play stuff we’d sneer at these days, “The Hokie Pokie”, “Happy Days are Here Again”, or stuff such as “On Top of ‘ol Smokey”.

It certainly was a calmer time, wasn’t it?

FIFA at TQL – Yesterday I spent 3-hours at Xavier University doing FIFA Club World Cup ’25 volunteer training. Mid-June until mid-July, 63 games in 11 cities scattered about the country requires 9,000 volunteers (I was 1 of 99 attending our session). Volunteers are needed for 18 different functions at each event.

What had me do a doubletake was the age percentage numbers for each group:
Age 18-30 (44%)
Age 31-50 (41%)
Age 51-70 (14%)
Age 70+ (1%)
Care to venture a guess the grouping I am stuck in?

Enjoy The Hawkin Singers as we get ready for Easter morning!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Which two of these named people held the first Patents for the automobile windshield wiper

        1)     “Mary Anderson ”      
        2)     “Edsel Ford”
        3)     “Carl Oscar Hedstrom”
       4)     “John Oishei”
       5)     “Ignaz Schustala”
       6)     “John Jepson”
       7)     “Clayton Leach”