80

Happy Saturday. As busy as it was a week ago, it was as quiet this past week. Hence, this week’s Bonus Points at the end of The Ramblings reflect such sought peace. However now, even though dawn has not yet arrived it’s also no longer time to grab some more shut eye – so, its COFFEE Time.

80 – It was May 8, 1945, eighty years ago last Thursday when WWII in Europe ended. Germany’s surrender caused celebrations throughout the western world – V-E Day had arrived. The two Jewish sisters my parents had housed rejoined their family (all of whom survived the many ‘razzias’ and betrayals). The shot down Canadian flyer who we housed for a couple of weeks rejoined his military.

And what I have no memory of other than the visual proof is that I too was a happy little guy celebrating this great day. One picture is flag waving with my dad, waving finally a well-hidden, i.e. “verboten”, Dutch Red-White-Blue flag, the other with neighborhood kids – I’m in the wagon, a kids mini parade.

Thought – Years ago, during my school years it was not uncommon that as a WWII and Holocaust anniversary was celebrated that the phrase; “never again” was commonly heard. Today, when some interviewer heads to a beach where College aged kids are enjoying Spring Break stops them to ask simple questions. Something like “on what continent were most of the Axis WWII battles fought?”
         They can’t answer. They have no clue! But they’ll march blindly with slogans such as “from the River to the Sea” while ignorantly spewing forth a stream of antisemitic gibberish.
                  We’re in trouble!

It’s a SCAM – Last November’s elections brough a massive change, something we have all seen. Our nation’s lifestyle had, over many decades, slipped down onto a one-way path akin to the old ‘boil-the-frog’ apology, a metaphor for a slow demise. And like most every facet of life, a pattern which never reverses and won’t make for ‘a making it better’ outcome; not better always has a downward trajectory.

Now that the change which was brought in last November has taken root it’s become apparent that it’s not just a Party changeover, it’s an attempt for dramatic change of the totality of our way of operating.

One piece targeted for change is the Nation’s health. This past election has two key positions which are now poised to disrupt our negative health trending. A few weeks ago in my Ramblings [April 12th, 2025 “Planning a Pursuit”] I posted a series of graphs detailing the horrific national pattern of increased Type 2 Diabetes, childhood obesity, and Autism. Now there has begun an active effort for possible health change to these and other chronic diseases and to address our nation’s overall health issues.

At the helm is Robert Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of HHS. Then this week was nominated as our Surgeon General Dr. Casey Means. She is a supporter of RFK Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. 37 year old Dr. Means is savvy in social media, and is a Stanford educated/trained thoracic surgeon and author (I’ve listened to about 3 hours of discussions and interviews with her and am thoroughly impressed). No longer is it “same old, same old”.

She has strong views on both the pharmaceutical and food companies. Bottom line, the ‘chronic disease’ epidemic is now another bullseye on the national ‘must fix’ targets. She states that RFK, Jr. “has a vision for what I want for my family, future children, and the world.” In other words, as change gets implemented, expect a lot of hate from said global industries and their dollars pushed towards their lobbyists and media friends.

Change is already underway. This week I received an ad for a healthier option on-line grocery store called Thrive Market (I have no connection to this outfit and haven’t used them yet; I just liked what I spotted). But similarily,Thursday I picked up this bag of this pack of a healthier Oatmeal at Costco and yesterday morning had probably the best bowl of hot Oats I can remember.

Question? is this the beginning of the end of a scam known by every K to 12 student as “The Food Pyramid”?

Evil lasts into the generations – the Bible provides numerous examples of generational sin. This week our town dealt with just such an example. Here is what occurred; a teenager, an 18 year old, joined up with friends and stole an auto in Kentucky. They drove the stolen car into Ohio and were spotted in the west side of town. Cornered they all ran. The 18 year old was spotted. Told to stop he turned and pointed a loaded Glock pistol at an Officer. Two shots and the 18 year old lay dead.

The next day, a recently retired much beloved Deputy Sheriff provided street-crossing duty to escort pedestrians to and from the University of Cincinnati for the Graduation ceremonies. While helping there, a car accelerated and aimed directly for this deputy, killing him instantly. Turns out, the driver was the father of the killed 18-year-old. The kid’s father and the grandfather both had rap sheets.

Yesterday, services for the Deputy were held at nearby Xavier University’s Basketball venue, Cintas Center. Police from 7 states and from regional departments, plus citizens attended the service. On TV the procession showed 50 pipers, at least that many motorcycles and a half hour long procession.

All this sadness caused by an; “it was just a car grab joyride moment.” Wrong! It was a long string of failure on a wide array of fronts, beginning with family.

FIFA – Yesterday I received my formal acceptance invitation letter to volunteer at next month’s FIFA, Club World Cup soccer games for the games played here at our TQL Stadium. After submitting an extensive application and after an all-morning training session at Xavier; I am THRILLED!

There are 18 categories where, to make this event a success, volunteers are essential. I was offered for my role to work the pre-match ceremony dealing with the banners and displays for the team’s entrance prior to kick-off.”

To me, at my tender age, this is HUGE. On the pitch amidst the over 25,000 roaring fans is absolutely wild.

Outpost Lodge – Owners and friends Jim and Ann Kehoe sent their newsletter updating the happenings at Jobammageeshig lake (just say ‘Jobam’) a few kilometers to the north of where our little camp is. To any readers who also received the newsletter, my apologies. It’s not so much about anything they wrote about. What it contained was a link to a YouTube of a professionally created Television show for any and all fishing fans, especially fly fishing, and this I wanted to share. As a bonus there are great regional lake and Outpost views. Enjoy the show and the scenery of the Northwoods we continue to love:

Anyway, with this Saturday’s Ramblings I seem to be back on track.

Now, since avid reader Paul reminded me, Monday is Vili’s final concert of the year (school Jazz band and he plays Sax). It’ll be held at The Redmoor which is currently a show venue with bar and food that started as a theater in the 1940s. The Redmoor also happens to be about a block from our first house in Cincinnati. It’s a going home event.

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Ever wake up around 3:00AM wishing that a bit of ‘white’ noise gets you back to sleep? Which of the following are also recognized by noise ‘connoisseur’ Abigail Castel as a background frequency to aid sleep?

1) “red noise”
2) “green noise”
3) “blue noise”
4) “brown noise”
5) “pink noise”
6) “white noise” 

In High Gear

Happy Saturday. At this end it was a non-stop seven days. Seven glorious days! Now, Sunday morning it’s another mug of coffee. Then I’ll update a few of the highlights.

It’s a SCAM – Early in the week our Cathy was the organizer of a “Scan—Proof Seniors” experience. At a nearby church with a large lounge where it was a full house of nearly 180 of us who took part in this event. As an aside, I took along my personal attorney (smile here) and friend, Rosalie, to ask the more serious questions (she’s very good).

The introduction was given by one of the Judges of our Common Pleas Court. That was followed by the head of the State’s Elder Justice unit of the Attorney General’s office. Among the several other presenters were folk from the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Truly a worthwhile time spent especially the morphing of those pesky online scams which are becoming more and more difficult to snag. The critical takeaway – DELETE or HANG UP! Then, if you’re uncertain, call a contact number on the back of your card as your call-back number.

This was all recorded by Radio Station WMKV 89.3FM for later distribution – Welcome to WMKV – 89.3 FM

Asian Food Fest – proved that I could withstand any massive crowd being pushed at me. Vai and her Polynesian Dance group took over one of the stages to cheers from the crowd. And so went the ‘Nati’s annual Asian Food Festival with about 150 differing food stands. It was also time to test some of the normally undiscovered delicacies. Fun time.

Dinah – returned from an invitational Regatta next to New York City. Made it into the finals where they finished fourth. A video tape of the event was made which also gave the opportunity to ‘mic’ the Coxswains up – here is how the event was described:

“Inside the Boat: What Racing is ACTUALLY Like”
“The Kings Crown Rowing Association Regatta brought in top tier junior teams to compete in their 1v, 2v, and 3v eights. The fastest finals of the weekend. Women’s 1V8+: Saugatuck, Row America Rye, Cincinnati Juniors, and Greenwich.”

Fast forward to the 6:52 minute mark for the women’s start (Cincinnati Juniors are in Lane 3).

Where Pigs Run – Flying Pigs that is. The ‘Nati runs a large Marathon race (currently underway). The Flying Pig which has been rated as “The #1 in the Nation”, is an especially massively fun event.

Yesterday they held several of the ancillary events including a 5K. I couldn’t resist and signed up. Pouring rain couldn’t stop the thing. Turns out that I am a (using a horse racing term)  “mudder”. It was a great time to be had with 6,816 entries. The age 80 – 84 category had six of us and I was posted as coming in first. YES!

(be sure to read how the ‘Finish’ line is labeled)

Then a quick hot shower and it was off to the town of Xenia.

A World A’Fair – was also held yesterday at Xenia’s County Fairgrounds, I counted 26 countries represented. With two stages constantly active it was a wonderful opportunity to see native costumes, music, songs, and dances. Should you be wondering, yes, Vai’s dance troupe was also on stage – twice.

For dinner Tevita and the kids had Indian food. Adrianne and I Lebanese Falafel and Hummus. Then for dessert it was Dutch Appelflappen and for me a glass of Grolsch beer (brewed in my birth city of Enschede).

Since yesterday was a 17-hour day, this morning I got a bit of a slow start.

And now, Marcia just announced that a steaming hot bowl of Steel Cut Oats is ready. So, I’ll stop, pour some and add a little drizzle of Molasses. So Good!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Which of these countries do NOT have an Income Tax?

1) “Finland”
2) “United Arab Emirates”
3) “Vanuatu”
4) “Brunei”
5) “Antigua”

Be this Ramblings “Lector” over morning Coffee

Happy Saturday. For me it’s a bit of a wild weekend and likewise next weekend. Which reminds me. Next weekend I’ll be participating in one of the Flying Pig races. The big full marathon (20,000 strong) will be on Sunday. I’ll be participating in one of the several offshoots next Saturday – a 5K. So, next week’s Ramblings will be on Sunday!

Easter Sunday – for me started with a sunrise service held at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. A wonderful service and message, and a beautiful sunrise. I did reflect on the fact that I seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time at the place, what with visits, history seeking, races, and now an Easter Service.

Normally we think of the Womb as life’s beginning. But on Easter Sunday listening to scripture where women arrived at Jesus’ Tomb when asked why they were there – the ‘Tomb’ had become the beginning of life. I was at the right place after all.

Coffee – Now, coffee at the ready, I’ll be quick since Jason will be over shortly. We’re picking up some stuff and since I have my senior GPS, I’ve been invited along:

I got myself a seniors’ GPS. Not only does it tell me how to get to my
destination, it tells me why I wanted to
go there in the first place.

Amish help – it was a headline written by a Natalie Sandoval which grabbed my attention: Amish Easily Do What Federal Government Wouldn’t Do For Months.

The article starts playing on the old ‘how many’ joke with the lines:

“How many federal employees does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Zero. They’ll just wait for the Amish I know to do it for them.”

I seems that for the past 6-months about 2,000 Amish folk from Pennsylvania have, quietly, been rebuilding the town of Chimney Rock, NC, following devastation by Hurricane Helene. These are Amish from the Great Needs Trust. Six months straight ….. rebuilding the town’s homes, businesses, and bridges.

I understand that many other groups have also been involved, from Florida to my state of Ohio, but was unaware of the work this Amish community was performing.

To me this is what America is all about, the roll up your sleeves, pitch in, and get it done attitude. This day and age, all too often, it’s much whine, wail, and gripe.

Actually, if recollection is correct the ‘can do’ attitude dates back big time to the great earthquake of April 18, 1906 in San Francisco which killed 3,000 people and devastated the city. By the time trains with Federal help had been assembled and rumbled into town, rebuilding was already well underway.

What Happens When – you wake up at 1:45 in the morning. No, not a ‘privy’ call, but because moving blue and red lights are playing on the ceiling.

I have no idea how long that had been going on, all I know is that both Marcia and I got up to grab a front and center seat in the sunroom. The corner of ‘Chaos and Mayhem’ was living up to its well-deserved reputation.

Across the street were police, fire, and a smaller well-lit unmarked vehicle with two inspector types. In the mix there sat an OK looking sedan with four open doors as well as open trunk and hood. Many flashlights were playing all over the thing and through bushes and neighboring houses. All of this ‘dance’ was performed in total silence.

Approaching 2:30 a flat-bed tow truck joined the party and began to load the car-of-interest. Ten minutes later all that remained was a newly created parking spot. Marcia and I returned to bed and settled in for a more peaceful rest. And so, it goes here in the corner of …………

Senior Shopping – has become easier and easier. For the past year Marcia has performed the ‘chore’ of grocery shopping online. In part because of her difficulty getting about and in part because she really doesn’t trust me. A lack of trust due to my love for impulse buying and love for exploring what I call; “the exotic”.

This week I watched as she deftly clicked on the site’s presentation of the common stuff she orders. Clicked on coupons she wanted to use. And easily searched out new or different products. Twenty minutes at most and she had the order completed. A bit of a reflection on the best time for Kroger to deliver (she settled for 9:00 – 10:00 am yesterday) and yesterday at exactly 9:01 the truck rolled up (I checked).

Were Marcia to gain access to the ‘winged’ sandals worn by the Roman god Mars, I don’t believe she’d return to the actual chore of cart pushing.

Without Comment – Just a simple chart for you to reflect on. It’s the change in Carbon Emissions (for those who find that study important) by time and by country/region. It’s interesting and worth more than a quick glance.

Now best get ready for Jason to pop on over. Last evening we all gathered at the nearby neighborhood favorite, Gordo’s pub-&-grill for dinner with Jason – who had a birthday mid-week. It was a bit of a mix since Tevita was in Philadelphia for work and Vili was on Andros Island in the Bahamas with his 8th grade class. Nevertheless, we feasted. As you can readily see, it’s the kind of feast which should not be held any more than once a month.

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Which of these jobs have NOT disappeared (as a teenager I actually worked as a ‘pinsetter’)

1) “Leech Collector ”
2) “Gandy Dancer”
3) “Phrenologists”
4) “Linotype operator”
5) “ice cutter”
6) “pinsetter”
7) “Lamplighter”
8) “Lector”
9) “Soda Jerk”

“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”

“Planning a Pursuit”

Happy Saturday. Now that the waters have started to recede – and are doing so requiring no cleanup in our condo – yeeha! Having said that, I’m not gloating since for those affected, cleaning up basements and first floors filled by quickly drying sticky River mud it’s an awful job.

People that live in the flood-plain areas are a special breed. Almost all, to a person, they are totally aware that every decade or so they’re in for a horrible mess and cleanup. Yet, they love the views and thereby accept those infrequent disruptions. Bottom line: they wouldn’t trade their lifestyle.

After the wild market this week, let me post a line I picked up: “Economists were created to make weather forecasters look good.”

Coffee – Wouldn’t it be nice were I not to natter on and on about my morning affair with coffee? I’ve listened, and so instead, allow a few minutes for a co-production of the Erasmus Huis in Jakarta and the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam to properly recite a bit of the “story of Coffee”:

Quote – Today’s quote is from the library of the delightful and political satirist, P.J. O’Rourke  (1947-2022). I decided to quote O’Rourke to acknowledge last weekend’s visit to Miami University in Oxford (O’Rourke’s alma mater) and my study this week on what the whole Robert Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA movement is all about. Here are O’Rourke’s sage words:

“If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free”

Pan Rocks ’25 – Ever spent some time attending an event and wondered just how it happened that you got so lucky? Well. Last Sunday well over a thousand of us just got that feeling. As we worked our way to our seats it was a ‘sea’ of steel drums.

Additionally, the very large drum kit placed in the center was specifically set up to replicate the drums played by Rush drummer Neil Peart (1947-2020) – after all, the evening celebrated the music of the band Rush. As if that weren’t enough, add a couple of bass guitars, an old ‘60s vintage Moog synthesizer, and at one point introduce the Miami University Men’s Glee club – about 100 strong (jumping about as if they were in a Mosh Pit).

The sound explosion was AMAZING!!

For family members click on the link below to head for Adrianne’s video taken from the opposite side of the stage, from her vantage point she captured a closeup of Vaioleti and you see Vai play her double Alto pans. Click HERE

MAHA – Here in the ‘Nati we’re lucky to have a non-profit group called Empower U. Empower U is a free University with the bi-line of: Educate – Enjoy – Engage. This week I sat in on a presentation by Dr. Jay Rissover. Rissover, recently retired after practicing internal medicine for 36 years, has taught post-graduate medicine at a local hospital system, and is an activist.

He presented to us some of the history of our current Secretary of HHS, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. Also doing a bit of a deep dive into some of RFK’s more controversial comments and positions. It was fascinating!

Should any of you also be interested the whole talk and Power Point can be viewed on Rumble (click here on Rumble to be linked directly). Scan past the short, 10-min, presentation shown first.

Here are a couple of sets of numbers which either correlate or juxtapose by happenstance. We don’t know, but that is exactly why we should look deeper – this is what RFK’s MAHA movement is about.

Slide on the left (click to enlarge) are the stats of reported cases of Autism over the years. Then click on the slide on the right to see the stats for Recommended Childhood Vaccinations over a similar timeline.

On the left I’ve placed the dates/numbers/percentages for Childhood Obesity and on the right Childhood Diabetes. Should these numbers correlate (and they seem to) then these numbers are beyond shocking.

Below is an easy to grasp JPEG detailing what RFKs MAHA principle are:

Matt’s Pursuit – Tomorrow morning I’ll join in on the 20th Anniversary 5K for this event. I love this event for two reasons. It generates funds for the purchase and training of K9 dogs for Police search and rescue (have provided funds for 117 K9 dogs to date). Even more, the whole event is held at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. Wonderful scenery, nice and hilly, and with over 44-miles of roadway the 5K route happens to go directly past the grave site of my parents – it’s an opportunity to check if all is ok.

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Remember those bell-bottom denim dungarees worn by U.S. Navy sailors like forever? Why did that style of trousers get started?

1) “as a patriotic mascot which appeared on boxes of Cracker Jack ”
2) “washing the decks of the bell-bottom pants rolled up quicker”
3) “maybe an 1813 Navy file about the arrival of Commodore Stephen Decatur”
4) “we really don’t know”
5) “ designed after popular 19th-century English sea shanty”
6) “designed in 1901 as an alternative to heavier wool pants”
7) “potential use as a life preserver”

“A wet March plus Two”

Happy Saturday. And it rained for 40 days. No not really, and no, I am not into ship building yet. But we’ve had a bunch of weather (roof of our condo building damaged) and it’ll continue through Sunday. Currently, depending where exactly you measure, the river is between 8 and 10 feet above flood stage, and 3” more rain expected in under 24 hours – water won’t start to drop till next weekend.

In these parts they’ve closed the gates on the flood walls. The venue where we saw Willie Nelson last year would have been cancelled today since it’s now under water. Where it’s much more of an issue is immediately to our south in Kentucky with all the hollers and creeks.

Coffee update – Then, our dependable Mr. Coffee machine died. It died mid percolate cycle – and didn’t bother to alert us. In the morning it looked like it was ready and waiting when I noticed that the hot plate was really hot and when I added water the first cupful instantly spit out steam. All this with none of the normal lights lit. I could NOT turn it off other than by a plug/unplug scheme.

Hence, let me introduce our newest family member, Mr. Cuisinart the coffee maker. This one with more modes than I think we’ll ever use. So far so good.

Call me crazy – but during my school years, literature and history I always found enjoyable. This week it appears we successfully slid through April Fools Day. So how did these two, history & literature, meet up?

There is thought it harks back to one, Geoffrey Chaucer, who in the 1390s wrote The Canterbury Tales. Question, is there any kid who has not struggled with this wonderful poetic? Either case, this from “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale,” where a rooster tricked by a fox says: “Syn March bigan, thirty dates and two.”

Do the math, March has 31-days, so ‘March-with-30-plus-two-days’ becomes April 1st. Was this the genesis of all the foolishness?

An Anniversary – Decades ago it was one of my kids who got me interested in a singing duo: Over-The-Rhine (named after a, then, nasty part of the ‘Nati where they holed up on the cheap). As an aside, today in the Over-The-Rhine area with its myriads of Restaurants, Pubs, and Boutiques you can find condos clearing the $1-million mark.

Anyway, I finally heard a CD and fell in love with the group. Later there was a fund raiser to preserve the Norwood’s old St. Elizabeth church to which I went. It was Karin (Karin Bergquist) who with husband Linford (Linford Detweiler) quickly made up the band: Over-The-Rhine. Those few hours were time with talk, music and lunch. Meeting up with Karin over Pizza solidified my appreciation for the duo.

At one point I took Marcia to Wilmington where, at a restored old Opera House, we saw them at a concert. And so, it goes.

This week it was a “my how time flies” moment when the group’s newsletter informed me it was the 20th anniversary of the release of their album “Drunkard’s Prayer” (recorded entirely in the living room of their then in nearby Norwood home to mark them stepping through a rough spot in their marriage). This album is part of my ‘all-time-favorites’ lineup. I hope Marcia won’t mind if the music heard on Clinton Springs this weekend carries the sounds from that album – at least that is the prayer hope.

Should I? – should I restate the fun years and long affair with my little French Deux Chevaux (2CV)? Maybe you know this iconic car better by its long line of deprecating and dismissive nicknames: Umbrella on Wheels, Tin Can on Wheels, Le Canard, Leelijke Eend (ugly duck), Dolly, or Tin Snail.

No matter what you call it, these are amazing cars. Early on in their production they won one ‘First’ after another. Mechanically, likewise there were many a first: all disc brake, independent suspension, and for simplicity both cylinders fire simultaneously, to name just a few. And these little marvels worked, boy, did these cars perform.

Then recently I came across the best 2CV tale I’d heard about. In 1993, Émile Leray, a French mechanic, driving through the Western Sahara Desert ran into a major problem. It appears he crashed his Citroën 2CV into a rock and became stranded. Nothing nearby and remember this was 1993, so NO mobile or signal of any kind. The guy had two choices, find a solution (the best) or wait to die.

Apparently, he had both extreme heat and only a mere 10 liters of water. Thus time itself was an issue.

His solution, tear the trusty 2CV apart and try and use workable parts to build a motorcycle – totally unthinkable, but possibly possible.

So, in the middle of the desert heat and minimal tools he did the impossible, in 12 days. He tore the frame apart and modified it. Removed the engine and got it mounted. Made the transmission workable in his ‘motorcycle’ frame.

He got the improvised rig i.e. ’motorcycle’ started and managed to drive it a number of miles to where he was eventually rescued.

Émile Leray proved that with determination, a trusty 2CV (and some serious mechanical skills), a little Deux Chevaux can defeat even the Saharan Desert.

RUSH – I am talking about the band from mostly the 1970s (formed 1968) which created a sound that blended much of what we then heard. Personally, what makes it somewhat interesting is the fact that RUSH as a band originated in Willowdale (Toronto), Ontario Canada the same area I spent my high school years.

So today, actually this evening, I’ll be making the 50-minute drive to Oxford, Ohio and Miami University. Not to hear RUSH, but to hear the sounds of RUSH performed on steel drums!

Here’s the scoop. Granddaughter Vaioleti and her school’s Steel Drum band, along with like bands from 6 other high schools will be performing.

Should be so cool! Just to stay current for any younger readers the 70’s term ‘cool’ is now, and here take your pick; “awesome”, “rad”, “chill”, or “hip”.

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Who declined his Nobel Prize in literature?

1) “Ernest Hemmingway”
2) “Jean-Paule Satre”
3) “Mercy Otis Warren”
4) “Robert Caro”
5) “(Irish Friar) Edward Hicks”

“Steppin’ on out”

Happy Saturday. Crazy, and I have no idea why, but I seem to be waking up earlier than what I consider normal. Of course there are excuses, a nearby garbage truck, a motorbike or a loud car, even a distant dog. All excuses. I am beginning to believe that it must be some sort of a life change.

In a sense it’s too bad that we no longer have the ‘knocker-uppers’ of yesteryear blowing a pea my way. It’d be a perfect way to either start some morning conversation, or even a part-time job for me.

It’s a coffee question – That magic moment. The moment when it was time for me to grind coffee. All it takes is a couple of minutes before Marcia is out of the bedroom with an; “I smell the coffee.” Actually, I hadn’t even started the brewing process, it was just the grinding.

This leads me to the question. This batch has the roasted beans with a substantial sheen. Now, I’ve seen these both with and without their sheen. I know it’s the oil, but why a sheen on some and not on other batches? Other than a flimsy, “it’s the degree of roasting” I can only chalk it up to one of those mysteries of life.

As an aside but coffee related, this week it was reported that after ten years McDonalds regained the title of world’s most valuable eatery, beating our rival Starbucks.

Personally, this doesn’t affect me much since I don’t do Starbucks (only in an emergency). Aside from high pricing I can’t even figure out what to order from their menu board – and others must have the same problem since their lines stretch forever.

Club World Cup news – What follows is all Adrianne’s fault. Apparently, her Peace Corps contacts communicated a need for volunteers during June’s soccer Club World Cup FIFA month long soccer game tournament which spread across the country. These are the world’s best playing teams competing in an array of cities here in the USA.

She called me.

Minutes after I established contact with FIFA

An hour or so later I had a document application form – which ‘only’ took me a little over an hour and a half to complete. Included was the data required for a complete background check.

Then it started getting serious. Twenty-plus minutes to check off an array of topics for them to gain insight into how I operate and function. Two written descriptors regarding my ‘Why volunteer.” From a chart, clothing and shoe sizes needed to be checked, and so it went.

Two days later I was invited to a must attend three-hour training session to be held mid-April at nearby Xavier University’s Basketball venue.

>>> I am pumped!
>>> Marcia thinks I am nuts!

What follows is how we experienced the events in front of the Reds Opening Day game.

Findlay Market – Since 1855 our Findlay Market has been an institution, with its wrought iron construction it’s a landmark. Over the many years of our Reds Baseball team, it’s been the vendors of Findlay who have sponsored a Reds Opening Day parade from the market to first the old Crosley Field, then Riverfront Stadium, and now it’s Great American Ballpark. Without fail, every year that parade has been a fixture.

Throughout that time, it’s maintained the feeling of what must have been the look when it was made up by the butchers, fish mongers, and costermongers (vegetable/fruit sellers) of those early years. Even now it still had brother Arty say from his perch in California; “so cool that Cincy still has that small town feel.”

A dozen or so marching bands, bunches of current and past sports and political figures, many corporations and organizations and clubs. And so it goes, lots of cheering, and loads of candy tossed and tchotchkes handed out make up the fun time – at least so say the 140,000 of us lining the street.

Adrianne drove her organization’s van in the parade. Vai and I had our bag chairs front and center on the route. Marcia stayed home and watched the whole thing on TV (or so she claims ?)

Enjoy my 3-minute blend of what we experienced. At the very end it’s Adrianne driving the mobile van for her organization; Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABvi) & that is Vai running up to the window.

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

What really is a “Minsky Moment”? One listed ‘answer’ is correct

1) “Hyman Minsky moment: a computer gamers’ winning move”
2) “Hyman Minsky moment: the acceptance of the term; “Bidenomics”
3) “Hyman Minsky, moment: start-up of London’s repaired Big Ben clock”
4) “Hyman Minsky moment: a sudden collapse of the market”
5) “Hyman Minsky moment: describes the deep space transfer of Black Matter”
6) “Hyman Minsky moment: power transfer moment for magnetic trains”

“Real Craic”

Happy Saturday. Blame me if you must, yes, I am a bit behind. St. Patrick’s Day was earlier this week. Nevertheless, in the manner the dear folk of Éire would welcome you into any pub (even on days other than St. Patty’s), “Real Craic” – translated into meaning ‘you’ll have a good time — enjoy, have a lot of fun’

Love short lived – No more than six months ago Elon Musk was a beloved master, creator, business leader, and innovator. He was seen as the guy who was paving a pathway to what we view as American exceptionalism.

Then he made a major blunder. He discovered that Free Speech was number one in both our US Constitution and also number one in his personal belief system. Since it became obvious that social media had dropped any semblance of Free Speech; he bought one of the main players.

Then he aligned himself with a Presidential Candidate who he felt was espousing his personal viewpoints. You know the rest.

Now he requires a security team of over 20. His much loved, globe saving, electric cars began to be singled out for barbeque parties, and so it goes. It truly is a nutty world.

Anyway, our nation’s #1 African American, Mr. Musk, had also started a company which brought us back into space, SpaceX. 2024  numbers show how he’s done. Beating the competition is putting it mildly — I actively follow Space launches and SpaceX activity with Musk is making a trip into the heavens seem to be akin to taking an Uber.

Musk has blown the Overton Window wide open, and I bet he’s watching with a broad smile.

A Scheme? – It’s no secret in these parts that (brought to my attention by Kirstin) I love Dave’s Killer Bread – with 21 Grains & Seeds. A couple of reasons, the stuff tastes great and my Yuka App rates it at 100 out of 100.

Having said that, Dave’s Killer Bread also was able to point out how companies can deal with inflationary and tariff related issues. The trick is to trick. In food especially it gets down to packaging etc., anything to avoid a price increase.

Dave’s Killer Bread is even better. Packaging stays the same, size is unchanged, and price unmoved. In Dave’s case it wasn’t until I got to eat my newly opened loaf that I discovered a secret. It would appear I might have discovered a sneaky ‘shrink’; just don’t completely ‘fill’ each slice. Problem solved!

Mentioning bread, recently I discovered how grocery shelved bread is date marked and thought I’d share — it’s the little closure clips. I hope this helps.

Separation of Powers – At least it is if your name is James Boasberg and you’re a Federal Judge, a Judge who seemingly pokes at anything; similar to the way a pangolin pokes. So that I don’t blather on, if interested in a serious (and seriously accurate) assessment of what’s going on click on this link to Margot Cleveland’s assessment.

He, the same judge who gave the nutty order for over the ocean flights full of ne’er-do-wells to do a 180.

When Boasberg was advised that the flights had departed well before he wrote the order, thought it within his right to order them to return.

It is the satire entity, “fake news you can trust”, The Babylon Bee (March 17, 2025), which published this headline: “Federal Judge Orders Astronauts Be Returned to Space Station“.

As my French cousin would say: “la trahison des experts” (the betrayal by experts), is that a period we’re currently in?

The Polygraph – was an invention by President Thomas Jefferson – now such an instrument is called the Autopen. That instrument seems to be in the news a lot. But here is what I found interesting. Legal guru, Alan Dershowitz, owns one of the Jefferson letters which was signed by his Polygraph. Dershowitz claims that at an auction polygraph documents fetch more than those with an original signature.

I’m having a bit of a thought, thinking a little into the future, and at Biden’s many thousands of documents signed by machine!

The Cincinnati Reds – are Major League Baseball’s oldest team, set to embark on season 136. Opening Day on Thursday is an amazing event. The Opening Day Parade is a de facto city-wide holiday with the three-hour long event as kick-off. It’s been months since an Opening Day ticket was available – and the stadium will fill with more than 50,000. This year it’s special with the Reds hiring the hugely successful and locally loved Terry Francona as the new team manager. Francona played for Cincinnati during his playing years and now is back in one of his favorite towns.

Here is a photo – displaying my current occupation. I’m fairly well involved. If you’re nonplussed here’s a hint — all will be complete no later than April 15.

Life is AMAZING! Sláinte!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Tennis was a bit of a highbrow sport which I enjoyed in college. Then when I was younger it became indoor ‘handball’ and I joined a club. As of late the biggie is ‘Pickleball’ and even on my walks I’ll occasionally pass an area where I can hear the smacking of the ball. Now there is a different style of racket ball which is taking off. Listed below are all racquetball games, but which one of the following is that new one to emerge into the next ‘must play’ thing.

1) “Frontennis”
2) “Stické”
3) “Frescobol”
4) “Jombola”
5) “Miniten”
6) “Padel”
7) “Totem Tennis”
8) “Sphairee”

It’s Lent & Pi

Happy Saturday. “As the first light of dawn crept through my window this crisp March morning, I found myself staring at a blank page, the cursor blinking like an impatient metronome. Writer’s block, that old nemesis, had settled in with a cup of coffee and a smirk, daring me to string together something worth reading. But then, somewhere between the steam rising off my mug and the distant chirping of birds shaking off winter’s last grip, a spark flickered—because isn’t that how it always starts, a quiet rebellion against the nothing, one word at a time?”

Okay, so I didn’t write the opening paragraph, Grok3 Ai was the culprit. I asked the system to do a short review of previous Ramblings and assess my normal attitude, etc. Seconds later you’re reading what it came out with. I promise that this won’t be a new normal, you’ll be getting my thoughts.

Please Dirk, stop! Get yourself a coffee!

Winter has long gone – All week the temperature has been in the 70s. With that change I’ve managed to get outside and do a daily 4 – 6-mile walk. I needed to get back into the routine after both winter and my dealing with a solid case of the ‘cruds’.

Earlier I did mention that our bearer of Spring, our nearby St. Bernard Dairy Queen ice-cream shop had opened and here is the proof seen on one of the walks.

Pi not Pie – Yesterday was national Pi Day. Started in 1988 it’s celebrated every March 14th. It’s quite easy to figure out why; March is the 3rd month and the 14th day are the numbers 1 and 4. See how easy, Pi starts with the numbers 314. Remember your high school math; Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, and we were all forced to remember this string of numbers, 3.14159?

Anyway, yesterday was Pi day. In celebration did you enjoy some Pie?

If yes, was it thrown or eaten?

A Lenten First – Right here in the ‘Nati. What in the world could be a Lenten first in this mid-west town. First we have to look back at the heritage of the German, primarily Roman Catholic, immigrant population which settled here. Add to that, the fact that while Ohio had the 60th McDonald’s franchise nationally, ours was the first one in Ohio. Now add lent.

Every Friday during lent this McDonald’s franchise stood near idle – people ate fish on Fridays.

The franchise owner, Lou Groen, came up with an idea and in basic terms, placed a piece of fish on a burger bun – this was a time where a McDonald’s franchise could still experiment a bit. After some refinement he shipped his idea to corporate.

But nothing is ever easy. McDonald’s founder, Ray Kroc, believed the Hula Burger, made with pineapple, would provide sales relief during Lent. Common sense (a contest) prevailed, and the Hula Burger and Groen’s Filet-O-Fish competed to see which sold more.

The newly named Filet-O-Fish turns 63 this year.

Quantum Computing – A previous Rambling had me mention my friend, Brian, a professor emeritus in Physics and his work in Quantum computing. I barely understand half of what he discusses on the subject.

However, it appears that there is more progress on the subject than I had realized. This past week a West Coast company, D-Wave, announced: “Outlining their work in a new study, the North American tech company argues their quantum computer performed a complex magnetic materials simulation in minutes, with a level of accuracy that would take nearly one million years to achieve with a supercomputer.” Tom Hale IFLScience

It sure looks like advances in Quantum work can now be measured in years rather than decades.

Ok, the end. Thunder and lightning are all around us and we’re expecting a couple of inches of rain. Already our condo’s front windows are being pounded by the rain. Marcia has the TV on and is channel surfing looking for weather updates. Here’s wishing that our annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will find a dry spot to fit in as the day ticks on. It’s never had to be canceled.  For me, the plan is to post this and sit back with another mug of coffee.

The Coffee Call. Winslow Homer (1836 – 1910) Art Institute Chicago

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

This for Pi Day: An elderly Bradenton, FL woman had ordered a Pizza pie. As the delivery guy walked up to the front door, he spotted this lurking under the parked car and refused to walk by to deliver the Pizza. A kind Police officer completed the delivery. What lurked under her car?

1) “Racoon”
2) “12’ Python”
3) “Florida Panther”
4) “Coyote”
5) “8’ Alligator”

clocks and watches

Happy Saturday. Happy Saturday. As I start writing Vai is on an airplane, off with classmates to Andros Island in the Bahamas (3:00am at the airport). The stay is a weeklong part of her school’s intersession; everything from biology, marine life, interviewing locals, creating community, and just plain fun.

Her school, Clark Montessori High School, was the first such school in the nation and is nationally recognized for excellence. She loves the place.

Okay, coffee is ready, so a mug of java is next.

Take me to the river; a highlight(?) –The President’s Speech before the joint houses of Congress was scheduled to be undermined by the opposition – which didn’t work out too well. One ‘highlight(?)’ was the removal from the chamber of Representative Al Green.

In recognition of that event, here is his namesake, entertainer Al Green (and a lot of friends) who like the extant Representative Green leaving the hall while singing “Take me to the River”. Former President Bill Clinton looked extremely happy even as ‘Al Green’ left the stage.

Loving History – History and the study of it has been fascinating to me as long as I remember. Late last month I got involved gathering detail on the Iraq war, President GW Bush, and that of the Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein.

I won’t bore you with all the ins-and-outs of that period; Marcia would say “boring”. But here is the ‘why’ I am mentioning it. I watched a video detailing the last 24 hours prior to Hussein’s execution. The execution itself was to be done by the Iraqi’s, however, the years leading up to that event it was the Americans who kept him incarcerated. During that time there was one American who was assigned as Hussein’s interpreter.

On his last day Hussein was awakened at 3:00AM to be helicoptered to the execution prison site later in the day. As Hussein dressed himself, he looked at his watch and said, “My friend”, the name he used for his interpreter, “you have been good to me, and I want you to have my watch”.

The video showed a close-up of that Hussein watch, a Raymond Weil, Geneve Switzerland.

So, here is why it caught my eye. I too own a Raymond Weil watch – a gift from my employer. It’s a quality piece although it’s not that well known a brand. With only a single jeweler in town carrying and authorized to work on Raymond Weil they’re actually quite rare in these parts.

Okay, so it might only be satisfying and meaningful to me, but I think it cool.

If it bores you, “sorry, so sorry” as my cousin Guillaume would say.

Junior Jazz – Last evening Marcia and I gathered at the previously mentioned Clark Montessori High School for a performance by the various jazz bands. Our 8th grader, Vili, plays Saxophone in the start-up of the three bands that performed.

One of the numbers they played was a New Orleans favorite, “The Second Line”. That piece was written by Paul Barbarin who also wrote, “Bourbon Street Parade.” The number was the highlight of their performance because, in true jazz style, each instrument had a three-bar improvised solo. Vili did great and for each of his fellow musicians it was very gutsy. Listen for me yelling “Boom” at the end of Vili’s solo –(starts at 2:00 minute mark).

Remember Abbott and Costello doing their “Who’s on First?” routine? I tried to play on the Abbott and Costello routine with Vili and it totally crashed. While driving earlier in the week I asked Vili where in the program he had his solo. “Second Line” he quickly replied. I came back by asking him, “OK the second line, but second line in what song?”. “Second Line“, he replied again. Even after explaining the “Who’s on First?” routine my repartee still fell flat. Oh well, he’s still young.

Daylight Savings Time – Is still a fixture and a mostly booed event. Nevertheless, it is what it is and starting Sunday morning, for the next three weeks, our internal clocks will pay the price. Don’t forget that in many cars the clocks need to be set manually (assuming your car has a clock – our Deux Chevaux -the Duck- does not).

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk
BONUS POINTS:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent presented the three pillars of ‘Trumpanomics’ during a talk at the Economic Club of New York. Of the three economic priorities, which of these are NOT one of them:

1) “Roll back regulatory overreach”
2) “Rein in government excess”
3) “Shift away economic power from Washington bureaucrats”
4) “A focus on the core safety and soundness of financial institutions”
5) “Tighten the “Supplementary Leverage Ratio” SLR ”