A Guinness World Record

Happy Saturday Morning – it’s another busy one after the frenetic days of last weekend – thanks for joining in with today’s Ramblings. Happy Saturday.

I’m posting a wee bit early today due the old Highway 127 yard sale which has grown and is now the “World’s Longest Yard Sale”. This sale goes for 630 miles and goes through 5 States and right through the ‘Nati, very close to Cathy and Jason’s. This year Cathy is joining the fray – and we’re filling the little Corolla dragging some of our treasures onto her tables.

But before we head out, we’ll make sure our coffee thermos is filled up.

Chaos and Mayhem – is alive and well. Although there are times when we don’t sit and stare at the worst or craziest offerings seen in an urban setting.

Sometimes it’s a calm study of all that keeps a neighborhood both running and ship-shape. The photo below is the latter:

Guinness World Record – had their team here for our annual Paddlefest. If we assembled over 1200 human powered craft on the river at the same time we’d earn a slot in the book. At somewhere near 1800 we beat it handily. In fact, if I have it correctly, an early (dawn) group of scheduled 15-mile racers were already off the water and thus were probably not counted.

Here are a few pictures of the event. You might see some rain drops in a few pictures. This is due to a thunderstorm, including lightning, which caused the Coast Guard and various other Safety boats clear us off the water for a time.

Going Full Power – with startup (or is it upstart) Valar Atomics. It would appear that everything these days deals with data and Ai. And the next piece of the Ai puzzle appears to revolve around the need for power. Since, assuming that all the hurdles are cleared it will take a full decade to bring a power plant online.

Staying ahead of competition is the big deal and to do that the name of the game is; power, power, power. Keeping that in mind the solution Valar Atomics is offering is huge.

Groceries – Every so often in these Ramblings you’ll hear me blather on about some event or find at a grocery(?) store called Jungle Jim’s. I’ve never even come close to seeing a place like Jungle Jim’s.

Tevita will find any specialty item he requires to make a Tongan dish. I can find anything I am looking for, be it a Dutch or Indonesian dish. People drive for hours to the place.

Yesterday afternoon Marcia and I came across this interview with ‘Jungle’ Jim and the people around him that make the place work. I thought I’d share the video with any out of towners.

Quotation – a sharp tête-à-tête between: Sir Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw who offered Churchill a pair of tickets for Shaw’s next evening’s reading. Shaw told Churchill to bring a friend, “if you can find one.” Churchill, ever the quick thinker promised he’d attend the reading and replied: “if there is one.”

These two men’s tongues were daggers

This week’s Interlude – Given the right moment and I can find myself immersed in any one of a myriad of musical genres (except for Rap). This week I’ll let you know that I quickly learned to appreciate the singer I am featuring this week. Many a mile was driven with one of her CDs in the car’s player.

Raised in her grandmother’s brothel she started her career singing on street corners. As her talent became noted she eventually began collaborating with the likes of Maurice Chevalier and Yves Montand. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, Carnegie Hall, and the Moulin Rouge multiple times (I was fortunate to see a show at Moulin Rouge on business travels).

Born Édith Giovanna Gassion (a hint). According to singer/actor Charles Aznavour, her funeral procession was the only time since the end of World War II that the traffic in Paris had come to a complete stop. Hint number two, her singing style is labeled as being a cabaret style chanteuse.

Remember, no cheating on the answer – listed below so you can confirm being correct.

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

“Walk Like and Egyptian” the song and the accompanying moves were made hugely popular by Steve Martin during his SNL stint. But, other than sand, pyramids, mummies, and Lynxes, the ancient Egyptians had a very sophisticated culture. Which two (2) of the noted items were NOT a part of an ancient Egyptian’s home as part of their day-to-day life?

1. Pots
2. Stone Pillows
3. Sun Glasses
4. High Heels
5. Woolen Socks
6. Cosmetics and Perfumes
7. Board Games
8. Tweezers

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 7
Answer, this week’s Interlude: Edith Piaf, song: “Non, je ne regrette rien” (No, I regret nothing)

Finally, slipping into Gear

Happy Saturday Morning – Another Saturday, another weekend, praise be. If I were to keep track of weekend comings and goings it would not be via coffee – that’s a seven day a week event. So, I raise my mug to all of you, cheers to my readers wherever you may be (even for those who are through the magic of time zones already well into Sunday). Happy Saturday!

First on this week’s list of Ramblings is the fact that there will NOT be a Rambling’s post next week. Next week Saturday it’s Ohio River Paddlefest 2026 and by 7:00AM Jason and I will be at the riverbank ready to kayak on our 10-miles of absolute river fun.

Going Sailing – Too many hours watching the very best soccer I’ve seen. Both our USA and Dutch teams dive out of the tournament’s back door: way too early. Still, it was great while they were on the pitch putting on a show.

It was with much World Cup hoopla that the Dutch fandom sailed their Big Orange Bus across the ocean and into Galveston, TX. Now it was time to head home. Below is a little loop put out by a TV station (with no audio) as the bus pulled into the Galveston docks for its return voyage.

Since there was no sound with the video, click on the audio track below and then while listening put the video on a loop. No wet eyes!

Credentials – It’s finally beginning to happen. Tomorrow, I head for the nearby village of Morrow to pick up my credentials and get informed on anything new for the 2026 Cincinnati Open which starts early August.

I should mention that the property for the Open is 40 acres and contains 30 tennis courts not including the Center Court and Grand Slam courts. That much space also requires that there are restaurants, stages, and lots of seating to just sit and relax. So much fun, and for me it all begins tomorrow.

Groceries – In order to get Marcia out of the house a bit more I’ve started to use a scheme daughter Adrianne introduced to us. As a busy mom she swears by it, and now I concur that It’s wonderful. Here is how it works; I call it “click-shopping”.

Marcia and I open the Kroger web page. We click on any wanted items appearing on our previously purchased list. Enter any new items not on that list. Then we just enter our preferred pickup time, drive over, click our bay number, and pop the trunk.

Magically everything is placed in the trunk and we hear a hearty; “Thank You.”

How easy is that?

The last time I set the pickup time to coincide with dinner-out at Marcia’s favorite; Chick-Fill-A. That ‘Chick’ happens to be immediately across from the food pickup area. It can’t get better and Marcia gets a little out-and-about!

Quotation –  Jo Kenny, ‘Cook it Eat it Live it’
“Don’t spend your life ordering the salad and waiting to be offered the fries.”

This week’s Interlude – Today’s singer recorded this piece when she was a hot, young twenties, newcomer; she is still performing today. During her beginnings I paid little attention to her material, now that I am more ‘mature’ this number from around 1977 I’ve revived it onto my ‘should listen to’ list. Why You ask? Well, it’s this duet sung with Chris Norman which with more maturity has given that number a whole new meaning, especially with my efforts to stay in shape and work out with regularity. Yup, I’m stumbling on.

There is a hint buried in all of the above. Enjoy the one-minute beginning. If you like it, it can be found on Spotify. The answer and title can be found below, but before you ‘peek’, try to get the answer on your own (i.e. NO Ai).

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Ok, so some of you know that in part I paid for my college life by bartending, beer joints, for the national Governor’s conference, upscale restaurants, and even the Pink Pony lounge at the Chippawa Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI.
Last year I volunteered hosted the bourbon tastings at last year’s Cincinnati River Roots Festival in northern Kentucky.

Let it be said that I do enjoy a ‘wee’ dram of whiskey now and then, including a nice single malt from Scottland and Ireland. So, here is the question for this week; what, from the list below, is the Gaelic meaning for Whiskey:

1. Drinkable water
2. Angel’s Glory
3. Intoxicating drink
4. Cow-beer
5. Dew of the Highlands
6. Spray of the Skye
7. Water of Life

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 8
Answer, this week’s Interlude: Suzi Quatro singing with Chris Norman “Stumblin’ In”

For the love of Tennis

Happy Saturday Morning – Enjoying my Saturday morning coffee it’s still quiet and peaceful. It’s “the peaceful” piece that needs to be front and center.

It was Benjamin Franklin who, looking ahead at the nation he had just helped form, stated; “We have a republic, if you can keep it.” Hence, it’s the wisdom of that heavyweight of the founders of our nation, Benjamin Franklin, who peered into a future we should reflect on. While it’s peaceful I should add.

Dinner time last evening (and we’re high up in the basin where the ‘Nati sits) so while flooding was not an issue for us, a heavy rain made our roadway and sidewalk look like a fast-flowing river. It only took minutes before mobiles began to wail their Emergency Alert.

Most traffic ground to a halt. ‘All’ except for UPS and Prime, they kept on going, staying right on track.

A Guinness Record? – Two weeks from today Jason and I will be kayaking the Ohio River. The Ohio River Paddlefest is a Cincinnati tradition which has long been recognized as the nation’s largest paddling celebration with around 2,000 participants. This year the sponsors, Adventure Crew (a nonprofit organization that connects city teens to nature and each other through outdoors activities) is ‘hell-bent’ trying to get the event into the Guinness Book of World records.

The run is just shy of 10 miles and at one point passes downtown (great views). Luckily, we’re going westward – makes paddling somewhat easier.

Jason and I did Paddlefest several years ago when he went in his canoe along with Marin and I was alongside in my Kayak.

This year we’ll use the paddle to memorialize Marin and give thanks for the too short a time we had together.

Starship – Last evening I had the good fortune to tune in at the right time to watch the test flight 12 of the completely redesigned Starship.

The thrust has to be amazing so I checked with Ai (Grok). Using as a base point the Boeing 747-8 4-engine aircraft fitted with the latest locally produced here in Evendale GE GEnx-2B engines set at full takeoff power, and accounting for differences such as ‘sea level’, it’s comfortably equivalent to seeing 70 – 80 of such aircraft taking off simultaneously.

AMAZING!

Cincinnati Open — Last summer I was involved with both FIFA’s Club World Cup 2025 and the Cincinnati Open. Loved both! The excitement, the pace, and the people all made my involvement a lifetime memory. Again, this year I was offered a slot in the Hospitality Suites Tower which looks over both the P&G Center Court and the Grand Slam Court. Much of what’s involved is interacting with people and an occasional problem-solving minute. I’m practicing getting ready for it all; shaking hands wherever possible for starters.

The Cincinnati Open is the oldest U.S. tennis tournament still held in its original city. This year there will be 96 world ranked singles players for a total of 153 entries across the ATP and WTA Tours. With all of that, 38 different nations will be represented. You can see, mid-August I’ll be a busy lad.

Worldwide there are 4 Grand Slam events. Cincinnati does not possess official Grand Slam status, but we are immediately beneath that status ranking as an elite Masters 1000 event for men and a WTA 1000 event for women. Sitting directly below the four Grand Slams in importance, it makes this event a pivotal lead-up to the US Open.

If anyone has plans to attend, please look me up or make contact prior and we’ll catch up.

This week’s Interlude – Watching a performance by composer-songwriter-musician Kishi Bashi perform his breakout composition, “Atticus, In the Desert”, is where I was introduced to today’s featured musician. Kashi has performed at many venues including the Kennedy Center. The attached video is of him doing a warmup preparing for the SXSW (South by Southwest Festival) in Austin, TX. The soloist’s seen in the piece’s real name is Mike Savino.

Your question this week is to give Savino’s stage name; in the video he’s seen playing his “Banjotron 5000“. When not playing with Bashi he usually performs as a “one-man psychedelic indie-folk orchestra” (Wikipedia) under his stage name.

Now best get ready for the bronze, 3rd place, match of the current FIFA World Cup. Game between France and England at 5:00pm. Then tomorrow it’s the tip of the mountain game starting at 3:00pm between Argentina and Spain.

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

You know that piece of common wisdom; ‘companies come and companies go’. It’s a fact that a high percentage of startups fail to stay in business for more than a couple of years. However, there are companies and their brands which have been a staple fixture in our nation’s ‘stable’ of well-known names for decades. In fact, one of the following brands has been around since Thomas Jefferson was our President. On this list, which is the oldest brand/company.

1. Jell-O
2. Ivory
3. Nike
4. LL Bean
5. Colgate
6. 3M
7. Fruit of the Loom
8. Red Wing Shoes.

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 8
Answer, this week’s Interlude: ‘Tall Tall Trees’ is Savino’s stage name, he solo’s with Kishi Bashi’s “Atticus in the Desert”

A/C but not Europe

Happy Saturday Morning – we’re back on track! This week Marcia and I joined ‘some’ people in their chase: the ‘some’ people line comes from the sage words uttered by ‘some’ anonymous wag:
“Some people chase happiness. I chase well-cooled rooms in July.”

Starting Tuesday morning, we felt the HVAC fan pushing out air that got warmer and warmer by the minute. It wasn’t all that long before the room temperature exceeded 80; that’s when I felt like a European.

By then I’d already received notification that a repair team stood at the ready – between the hours of 8 and 10 next FRIDAY morning. I tried a couple more ‘heat-hero’ companies and got similar stories. With careful window treatments adjustments, we did survive the 90’s temperature last week. Now, meaning as of the Friday morning’s fix, all is well!

By Friday afternoon Marcia was complaining that “it’s cold!”

Doing it Right – The company that came out for our A/C repair did it right. Twenty minutes prior to the tech’s arrival I received this text with an attached photo of ‘my’ tech:

“Hi Dirk Pastoor,
We wanted to let you know that G*** M*** is on the way.
G*** is a skilled HVAC Service Technician from Cincinnati, OH, who has worked at Thomas & Galbraith since June 2022. He proudly holds his Kentucky HVAC Journeyman License along with Nate, EPA and OSHA 10 Certifications. In his free time, he enjoys basketball and all other sports.”

On a more somber note, yesterday I got word that my French cousin, Guillaume (‘Jan Willem’ in Dutch), had passed. He lived his adult life in Lisieux Normandie. Apparently, he passed peacefully while asleep after having spent time with friends the previous evening. RIP Guillaume.

Guillaume with George, Sandy, and Dirk at Joe’s Stone Crab restaurant, Miami Beach

The Remains – mid-week it would have been Marin’s birthday. That very morning my mail contained a notice from Spring Grove Cemetery letting me know that that very evening there would be a live concert in their Rose Garden. On the stage would be the 1960s 70s and on music performed by a group going by the name of “The Remains”. They are local and first were seen nationally on The Ed Sullivan Show in December 1965.

Marcia chose not to go, Adrianne came over to chat with her mom, and I made it out to hear The Remains. In a sense it was an odd way to celebrate Marin’s birthday, but considering it all, it was the perfect way.

Screenshot

Being there by his resting place, listening to my favorite music on that special summer evening, made me remember this thought: music and laughter form the shortest distance between people who love one another, now and forever. Love you bunches kid.

“I know a bank where the wild Thyme blows where Oxlips and the nodding Violet grows”
William Shakespeare

Insight – Our Monty Python hero, John Cleese explains football versus soccer. This is because I understand that some of my readers are a bit unsure on the differences between the two sports. Hence, I am inserting this here now that the 2026 World Cup games are reaching their crescendo. Cleese, as is his usual style, makes perfect sense:

Now that you understand all of the football/soccer differences, here is an introduction to each of your 2026 Fifa cup favorite players. Sit back for 6 minutes and watch footwork ‘par excellence.’ Footwork like you’ve never seen.

Just remember that there will be two great games, one at 5:00pm & another at 9:00pm ET on Fox TV

Food Pantry – on the radio the Reds baseball organization announced that anyone coming to the game bring a nonperishable food item. This reminded me of Marcia’s Doctor’s office. There, once you reach a ‘certain’ age one of the social questions asked is whether or not your food needs are being met.

But it gets better!

Last Doctor’s visit while at the counter setting up a future appointment behind us the door to a walk-in closet was open. Staff there were busy working to restock a wide array of food items. Marcia’s Doctor’s office is also a food pantry!

They really take the “are you experiencing any food issues” question seriously. You gotta love it!

This week’s Interlude – During the 1970s and 80s there were probably a handful of songs which aside from being played over and over on radio, were on every stack of your player’s 45 singles, and sung – way too loud – driving car (no AC and arm out the window). This week we lost one of the members of that entourage. Your hint is the singer was born Gaynor Hopkins and not in the USA. The name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Now I need to just stay calm and wait. Brother Art is traveling between California and Doylestown, PA. (it’s a long story). The plan is for him to stop by later today for a hearty meal and a hug or two.

Enjoy!
Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Marketing is a huge part of how we navigate our day. Most of us understand that watching auto advertisements, hotel wonders, and the latest clothing trends gets us motivated in their desired direction. What we overlook is the degree to which grocery stores manipulate our food purchases. Here is a list of ways we’re being influenced. Which on this list is not normally a psychological strategy conducive to what you end up buying.

1. Last minute coupon release
2. 2 for $$, or any multiple items for a single price
3. Consolidate items like marshmallows with chocolate
4. No price change just a new, glitzy big, tag on the shelf
5. Needed items nowhere near the front
6. High-cost items always at eye level
7. Free Samples
8. Must have quick pick-up items near checkout.

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 7
Answer, this week’s Interlude: Bonnie Tayler “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”

250

Happy Saturday Morning – Since this weekend is our nation’s 250th, I’ll kick it off by counting the period from the first of this year in a vigesimal counting manner. Ok, so in that fashion, I hope you’ll have a wonderful celebration, on this nine score plus 5 days. This is how President Lincoln would have expressed it.

Here’s some Black Coffee to get my (and your) morning started

GOOOOOOOOAL – I am still trying to gain my breath back from watching the team from tiny Cape Verde stay toe-to-toe with the reigning champions from the last World Cup, Argentina. !Wow

What I watched last evening had to be soccer’s version of ‘Rocky’. The way the contest is structured, there must be a winner and loser – no second chance. But sometimes the game itself is so good that to me and other spectators it was the game itself that was the winner.

Truly, it was the ‘Beautiful Game’ playing out.

“Pragtig” (as I would say in Dutch)

Psssst, Argentina 3 -2

Then, exactly one year ago I had the time of my life. Ah, for the memories.

A Reading – Today, for only the second time in 100 years there will be a public reading of the Declaration of Independence in downtown’s Washington Park. A great venue as you can see from this concert that I attended last year.

The list of readers is varied. You’d expect the perfunctory list of ‘blowhard’ politicos – and there are some. But how about Jeff Berding, co-executive director of FC Cincinnati our professional soccer team to Dr. Lakshmi Kode Sammarco, MD is, who since 2012 has been the Hamilton County Coroner and a board certified neuroradiologist. She is recognized nationally for her work, introducing the idea of “virtual autopsies” and who secured her office’s forensic investigation capability into a nationally recognized facility.

Then I must add, who my mother as a recent widow, babysat for a baby Lakshmi.

You gotta love this town.

Quotation – From an amazing elder statesman: “What exactly is your ‘fair share’ of what ‘someone else’ has worked for?”

and this
“When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.”

Dr. Thomas Sowell, Economist, Historian, Social Theorist, who celebrated his 96th birthday this past week.

Cold Breakfast – We’re experiencing a week of ‘real-feel’ temperatures of higher than 100. Thus, the smart thing to do is enjoying cold breakfasts. It was our Kirstin who alerted me to the fact that Costco had an oats variant which is prepared by cold cooking – on Sale. Then this item is enjoyed with either a spoon or drinkable straight from its overnight place in the refrigerator.

Since summer heat has kicked in, I’ve been enjoying my morning oats. More importantly, I have implemented the perfect hack to get a perfect mix I enjoy and which avoids having to buy envelopes with a corporate blended mix. All it took was for regular rolled oats to spend 5 seconds in my coffee grinder along with some protein powder, cinnamon, and Chia seeds, then a night in the frig.

This week’s Interlude –

I am certain you’ll guess this singer’s name; the trick this week is to come up with the name of the song. Check if you’re correct. A hint, this is the perfect day to hear him sing it. The name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Enjoy!
Life is AMAZING!

Dirk
BONUS POINTS:

This week was the start of the Wimbledon Championships classic in the UK. This tennis contest, around since the late 1800s also mandates all white clothing be worn as homage to its beginnings. Those early tennis balls were also white, and this was a concern to spectators and to the judges as they ‘disappeared’ against the all-white. It was Sir David Attenborough then with the BBC who suggested that dyed balls be introduced (Optic Yellow was selected). What was the year this changeover happened?

1. 1955
2. 1967
3. 1958
4. 1963
5. 1974
6. 1977
7. 1981

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 6
Answer this week’s Interlude: Ray Charles, “America the Beautiful”

Things & Phases

Happy Saturday Morning – After a week where you, my readers, had a breather from these Ramblings, for me it was an unwanted interruption. Starting last Friday, I lost my WiFi connection. Both the modem and router were fine; the problem was with my laptop.

Late Friday I got back to try and figure out what was going on. It didn’t take that long to find the culprit; in the Device Manager, I found that the “Killer Wireless Network Adaptor” driver had a malfunction.

Easy fix.

‘Easy fix’, except for the fact that it was now well into World Cup2026 matches and Father’s Day weekend. All that was required was for me to download a fresh driver.

Monday, after getting Marcia settled, I shot up to Micro Center to buy the dongle I required to connect a RJ-45 cable to the laptop and gain wired connectivity.

So, no worry, all is good! All good, except for the fact I now need to pause one more time; this time to pour my morning coffee.

Simplicity – Have you ever taken note of something we all have lived with since childhood? ‘Something’ such as those great bits of childhood fun that caused excitement, comradery, arguing and making up, got new friendships, and kept us out till dusk and moms with the old battle cry; “DINNER”, rang out?

We called it a variety of things, races, battles, teams or whatever; but whatever we called, they were games. Simplistic fun games.

This past week I heard an advertisement on the radio which offered more than just playing backyard “Beanbag-Toss”. With great background music the radio pushed all to join up with some national Beanbag-Toss federation. I suspect that by ‘joining’ you’d be eligible for properly sanctioned boards, bean bags, and of course specific team clothing and the like.

You’d get everything while simultaneously losing out on fun. Why? Well, just think, a Federation needs authority at the top alongside lawyers and marketing folk, not to forget training of referees etc. Whoops, can’t forget the rules, new rules, added rules every year.

Give me the fun I received playing the simplistic games of my youth alongside a ton of learning.

Phases – Life continues non-stop. For ease of pointing out where we are along that continuum, we’ve cleverly organized into a series of groupings. The common groupings are, infant, toddler, child, grade schooler, high school, etc. Then things like newlyweds, the working years, and retirement.

There is a phase which I call the wedding years. That period where we ourselves might jump into that fray. In any case, for a while it appears that barely a month or so passes by without someone, we’re close to, expecting us to show up at their wedding. It’s a time when your dancing shoes wear out and the champagne flows freely.

And then it stops.

Mostly. There are a few ’round two’ events.

Now I’ve entered the season of the loss! Since the New Year I’ve lost two family members Marin and Carolyn. Add to that the loss of my college roommate, Gary V, and the project partner for my Graduate school Comparative Study project, Detlef M.

Then this past weekend I received word that my dear friend, Ron S. had passed after a brief but vicious illness. To Ron I owe the amazing position I held until my retirement; this came after he urged the President of the Company I ended up working for to sit down for dinner with me. ‘The rest is history’ as that old and trite saying goes.

RIP all.

It was as our Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, who wrote this witticism in 1789; “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

Neither are easy, both are painful.

Burial – Dave Allen (David Tynan O’Mahony, 1936-2005) Irish comedian/satirist/actor mentioned that in old Irish Catholic tradition, on each day the first burial had the deceased head straight for Heaven. Here is how it would play out:

WC2026 – It’s been a week of soakings, soaking on soccer that is; World Cup 2026. Last evening Marcia even got ready for another round, (Uruguay vs Spain) by downing a dish of Fluffermutter ice cream before the game even started.

Having said that, even I think that watching three games per day is over the top. When I finally got to bed a little after midnight Friday morning I promised myself that this needed to stop. So, last evening I did not watch the scheduled 11:00pm game — New Zealand – Belgium.

Other than a ‘love’ for coffee I have minimal patience for those hooked on stuff, including soccer. Even worse is watching a game with pranksters.

This week’s Interlude – Every so often we all have a moment here and there where we want something to tap our toes to. Tap your toes without resorting to some old tune we loved long ago. So, here is something probably new to you. This band started and is still based in Birmingham, UK.

And, as a hint, they founded and starred in the ‘Swingamajic’ music festival.

Good luck, remember to match both the group and the title piece to be correct. Make your guess a good one!

I hope you guess the band’s name. Check if you’re correct, the group’s name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Enjoy!
Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Just about 160 years ago the Russian Empire was hurting for cash after their Crimean War. They had a chunk of remote land, a frozen chunk. Not only that, but by location it is awfully difficult to defend. Hence, under the stewardship of Secretary of State William H. Seward Alaska was purchased. The price was a pittance, even though opposition to the purchase termed it as “Seward’s Folly”. We had now acquired a slab landmass twice the size of Texas. Question, how much did we pay per acre for purchasing Alaska?

1. $1.25
2. $0.95
3. $2.73
4. $0.55
5. $0.12
6. $0.02
7. $1.02

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 7
Answer this week’s Interlude: Electric Swing Orchestra, “Empire”

What’s a FIFA?

Happy Saturday Morning – After a week where the “real-Feel” temperature hovered at 100 it’s turned cooler. In fact, the cooler mid-seventies temperatures will be with us all week. Today is glorious!

Already, the thought of a hot steaming mug of coffee (as soon as it’s finished perking) is a welcome thought. Either Marcia heard me or she smelled the coffee, but she too is up.

FIFA – This week’s Ramblings title asks, “What is FIFA?” Here is your answer, FIFA is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It was put together on May 1904 as the self-governing body of the differing nation’s soccer clubs. The name stands for the: Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

See what I learned last year when I volunteered for FIFA during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup 25? I had a blast and was invited to participate this year – would have had only the ‘Nati been selected as one of the host cities.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 25: FIFA President Gianni Infantino meets with FIFA Club World Cup 2025 volunteer Dirk Pastoor at TQL Stadium on June 25, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

GOOOOOOOOAL – Soccer World Cup play is underway. Last evening team USA filleted Paraguay 4 – 1.
I guess we’re in the mix for real.

Though I am really waiting for the game tomorrow at 4:00 my time in Dallas; Netherlands vs Japan. As an original FIFA member, it’s about time that the Netherlands climb the World Cup ladder. As the Dutch are wont to say; “at the wedding over and over, always a bridesmaid.”

This could be the year; they do have a very good team. But then, there is always Poland trying to block the door. And Poland is surrounded by her bouncers; Argentina, Spain, France, England, and Portugal.

Faith my boy, have faith! Let the Lion ROARRRR!

Sabotage – It not any secret that I think highly of the older Citroën automobile. This is especially true for the years of Citroën’s president, Pierre-Jules Boulanger. Under his leadership the 2 cylinder Deux Chevaux (2CV) was conceived and the big T45 already in production.

The French were producing their T45 busses. The Germans ordered them to turn it into a heavy-duty flatbed truck which had many absolute firsts, most notably was a ‘special’ oil dipstick.

World War II, broke out and the Nazi’s ordered Citroën to produce vehicles for their military. Had Boulanger refused it would have meant death or some prisoner camp. If overt sabotage were to take place it meant a similar outcome with a real possibility that the factory be closed and workers would be out of work.
Boulanger the engineer went to work.

They devised several potential bits, the one they implemented was brilliant. Boulanger ordered that the high-low oil level markers on all dipsticks be micro ‘adjusted’. There was no noticeable change to the vehicle. However, by the time the oil showed low, internal engine and piston damage had already occurred. It wasn’t long before the Citroën T45s began to fail frequently and miserably.

The Nazi’s were suspicious of something but never really discovered what was going on. By war’s end Boulanger was suspected and on their ‘black’ i.e. pick him up for any possible excuse list. Boulanger survived the war.

Segrada – Approximately 20+ years ago Marcia and I spent a few days in Barcelona. Aside from seeing a four-masted cruise ship up close to where it was tied to a pier in the harbor. Topless beaches and spandex clad (mostly fat as me) Germans. And a team of two guys popping open a car trunk at a traffic light and running off with suitcases. The couple inside the car looked absolutely nonplussed and had no inkling what had gone on until the perps were long gone. But that was not the best.

The best for me was Barcelona’s Sagrada Família cathedral. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudí 144 years ago, it’s exterior was completed this month marking 100 years since architect Antoni Gaudí’s death.

I couldn’t talk Marcia into climbing the main tower, so I went by myself, climbing up as high as was allowed. It was a stunningly memorable experience. What we both were enthralled with was the structure’s exterior. Gaudi did not want any straight lines on the building – something he achieved. The structure and the experience were truly awesome!

Quotation – Anne Frank was born on yesterday 97 years ago (June 12, 1929), in Frankfurt, Germany. The monsters who took her short life did not even come close to stifling her brilliant insights.

Here is a favorite Anne Frank quotation: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

This week’s Interlude –

Good luck, remember to match both the group and the title piece to be correct. Here’s a hint, I learned to love this music over the years of travel.

I hope you guess the band’s name. Check if you’re correct, the group’s name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Enjoy!
Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

We all remember or read to little ones Nursery Rhymes. These rhymes have come down through the ages. Many assume they’re just happy, joyful, catchy ditties. Many claim they have hidden meanings of war, murder, death, and religious persecution. Closer study seems to find most of them do not have any dark or deep meaning. On the list below, which one might have an inkling of truth that it does hold a secret:

1. Humpty Dumpty
2. Mary Had a Little Lamb
3. Who Killed Cock Robin?
4. Ring Around the Rosie
5. London Bridge Is Falling Down
6. Jack and Jill
7. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 5
Answer this week’s Interlude: Buena Vista Social Club, “Chan Chan”

Heading for 250

Happy Saturday Morning – Yesterday Marcia actually got herself a real job. The Unit next door which Adrianne and Tevita had sold, has the new owner getting the place ready to her liking. Yesterday the first cadre of service types marched in. That business required the building’s entry doors be kept unlocked, and here is where Marcia discovered her niche – keeping track who enters the building. And it worked.

This is not some joke, people have reported packages missing, yet they have the delivery service’s photograph showing the delivery. We’re taking steps. In the meantime? See where this is heading? Thanks Marcia!

As a morning bonus, when she gets up I’ll ask her if she would like me to put a dollop of whipped cream in her morning coffee. If it were me, I’d say yes, where I normally would say no.

‘Optimist’ Definition – 1835 local business clerks and leaders formed a private ownership library club and with it donated 700 books. Cincinnati’s Young Men’s Mercantile Library – all for self-improvement was born. Shortly thereafter our Chamber of Commerce was started there in 1839. Short years later (1845), because of a fire, they lost the library.

But back to the optimists. The fire of 1845 was devastating but that was not the end – there is a ‘Pheonix’ to this story. The fire was quickly followed up with these early business folk donating $10,000 to rebuild the building in return for a new library to be housed right there in downtown on its top (11th) floor.

Plus, under the guidance of local icon Alphonso Taft, father of President William Howard Taft, they gave the $10,000 rebuild in return for a $1 per year lease for an unheard of 10,000-years – and it’s RENEWABLE!

Every year speakers of note are brought in. Over the years iconic names including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Herman Melville, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Julia Child, and Margaret Atwood have shown up on the roster.

Now, you must agree, that each of these founding people are the true definition of being Optimists!

Education – Browsing during my almost daily pre-bedtime pastime I came across a couple of items. Here is the main ‘bit’ in the first piece, the ages of our Founding Fathers (or should I say, Founding Kids?).

We’re so used to seeing sketches and paintings of each of the names we all memorized when they were in their later years. It’s not until you park their actual ages front and center at the time they placed their signatures on the Declaration of Independence, now 250 years ago, that you realize just how young they were when they put their lives on the line. And did so while facing the world’s most powerful Nation – its armies and Navy.

Common sense would say that certain death was their future.

On July 4, 1776:

James Monroe, was 18
Aaron Burr, was 20
Alexander Hamilton, was 21
James Madison, was 25
Thomas Jefferson, was 33
John Adams, was 40
Paul Revere, was 41
and George Washington, was 44

What was it those many years ago that allowed such an amazingly high level of understanding, insight, perception, and astuteness by such a young group.

Today, we have young folk too who display the energy, brawn, and foresight our Founding Fathers also displayed. But as I see it, there is a difference. I tend to think that now our dependence on electronics and the drop in classical education, plus the lack of face to face interactive discourse has become a huge negative.

In addition, the reliance on the ‘mobile’ and ‘tablet’ rather than exercising the mind with debate, and writing skills has caused a decline in our ability to interact in the best manner possible.

Recently I saw on a NASA site the questions from the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina, KS. The exam was a total of 6 hours of allotted time broken up into five specific sections each containing 10 questions (I’ve listed the five below and included one of the 10 questions from each).
Click on 1895 in Salina, KS to open the NASA page which contains all the questions. You’ll be astounded and shocked!

Grammar (Time Limit – one hour)
Give nine rules for the use of Capital Letter

Arithmetic (Time Limit – 1.25 hours)
District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?

U.S. History (Time Limit – 45 minutes)
Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided

Orthography (Time Limit – one hour)
Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup

Geography (Time Limit – one hour)
Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.

Quotation – Dr. Steve Turley, PhD Education: “Lewis (author C.S. Lewis) explains that while the cultivation of virtue was central to classical education, modern education stifles such moral formation by teaching a scientifically-inspired mechanistic vision of the world.”

Own a Buck knife? – Marcia has owned one for years. Every so often it ends up somewhere away from where she normally keeps it and then it’s not long before a search is underway. She loves that knife.

For a variety of reasons, with so many mainstay companies it appears that “the end is near.” This detailed description of the history of Buck Knives I placed here because of Marcia’s love of the product.

If these things don’t interest you, skip the video. If you do appreciate them, take the time to soak up some amazing background:

Cuse – Over the last couple of years, being our family’s ‘eyes’ regaling our Dinah’s love and work she puts into rowing, I’ve kept you abreast of her adventure. This past year she’s been a member of the Syracuse University rowing team.

Last weekend was the NCAA Rowing Championships DI. Twenty-two teams qualified. Syracuse sent three boats to Lake Lanier Georgia – this was a first. Based on points, Dinah’s program placed 9^th nationwide – a first; they are immensely proud. Now looking towards the 2026-27 school year.

Go CUSE!

Highlander memories – As an aside, way too long ago I was on that same Lake Lanier racing in the Highlander class day-sailer, crewing my friend Mike’s boat in the Nationals. The Highlander is a 20-foot high performance one-design racing dinghy.

The day of the finals the wind was touching 25 knots which really exceeds the upper wind limit for a race. This was after a delay a day earlier and hence a ‘GO’ decision was made – crew safety and equipment failure be damned.

Mike, the Captain, worked the rudder, main, and was the start strategist, and race tactician. I was the meat hanging overboard as the boat healed and worked the Jib and the Spinnaker. I do remember several waves depositing small squirming fish on the boat’s 7’ bow.

Such fun!
Wonderful memories!

This week’s Interlude – June is a massive month when it comes to the release of major hit Rock music. This past week, June 3rd 59 years ago, was especially ’vibrant’ when a song which had to be modified for radio streaming length and lyric ‘modification’ was released. The insert included a much-loved solo. The last couple of ‘Interludes’ have been difficult, so here is a major hint – the city of record for the group is Detroit.

Good luck, remember to match both the people and the title piece to be correct.

I hope you guess who the singer is. Check if you’re correct, the singer’s name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Enjoy!
Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

When we look at other nations, whether it be to the north, or even western Europe it’s our jobs report which powers along. For May it exceeded expectations. Our May new hires added to the U S economy was:

1. 67,000
2. 145,000
3. 79,000
4. 85,000
5. 172,000
6. 38,000
7. 210,000

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 7
Answer this week’s Interlude: Doors, “Light My Fire”

Furlough

Happy Saturday Morning – Here, after a couple of days, I can still taste the dinner I made; it was a SUCCESS!

Trying hard not to get into a dinner eat pattern and loop, in my new role I try and spread out and vary our dinner fare. The way I view it, the actuality of these dinners of mine are mostly ‘singles’ with a few ‘doubles’ tossed in. Last Thursday evening’s dinner was a Home Run!

Using our gifted last Christmas Air Fryer (Ninja from Costco) became the base. The final product was a Spicy Black Bean & Cheese Nachos – topped with Salsa and a healthy dollop of Sour Cream dinner. It was a Success!

This morning over my mug of freshly brewed coffee, I am still happily ‘licking my chops’ (yesterday’s lunch was leftover nachos).

Here schools have just begun Summer Break. On my walk last evening I spotted the very first kids after dinner yard party.

Furlough – Finally a Friday (yesterday) where I managed to get some exercise in. In the morning it was our regular 45 minutes of Cross training on Zoom with my brothers. That session was intense enough with weights, bands, and movement to have me finish up with some sweat.

Then, last evening after dinner Adrianne swung by for a visit. With her here it gave me a half hour to get a walk in – 13.6 furloughs; and it felt really good. Thanks Adrianne!

A Historical ‘hood? – People are amazing. For almost two years I’ve attended a number of meetings as well as listening to the updates given at neighborhood association meetings. I’ve listened to details explained and opportunities given to raise questions. All of this was to plan for a possible neighborhood classification change to Historical District status.

Finally, it’s at a point where the city council is ready to vote on the matter.

Now, watching a newscast there they found a person who was perturbed that this (two yearlong) event was sprung on him without notice. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

Our Chanel 9 TV won’t allow the video they made on the subject to be replayed other than on YouTube. Here is the link, well made with drone footage: WCPO Chanel 9

Air Hub – devastation to a city. Cincinnati’s airport, CVG had steady growth. Then in the 1990s a local entrepreneur came up with an idea – a network of connections to a large hub and so the birth of the commuter airlines came about – Comair. Comair was the first offering of what started the nationwide commuter airlines network. Early on prop planes and then quickly Comair regional jets filled the skies.

Next, Comair was purchased by Delta Airlines. Quickly, CVG was grown into the largest Delta hub next to Atlanta. Delta was on a roll – a roll into Chapter 11 that is. Misery loves company and so Delta and Northwest Airlines merged. Northwest with a brand spanking revamped airport in Detroit easily won the cost savings battle, hence Delta vacated CVG as a hub and with it ‘flew’ the 670 daily departures per day away from CVG.

Probably, had it not been because of the now former CVG CEO, Candace McGraw, we’d still be stuck in the muck.

Under her tenure with Delta’s grip loosened she brought in several low-cost airlines. Quickly we dropped from being the highest cost fare airport in the nation to one of the most affordable. Next, she tapped into the Cargo boom. This landed CVG to become the global Amazon Air hub as well as a major landing spot for Germany’s DHL and their bright yellow and red freighters.

I’ll fill out this little history lesson with this well-made video by Plane Curious. Enjoy:

This week’s Interlude – I guess I am a true ‘generalist’, especially when it comes to the various styles of music I enjoy listening to. This week’s “Interlude” features a Folk singer and songwriter. As a hint to help you zero into this person, here are three facts: he was the only performer to be invited on the Johnny Carson Show – twice in a row. He was also a participant in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977 and his debut album made a huge impact selling over a million copies.

He would have been a few months younger than me; passing away at the young age of 38.

I hope you guess who the singer is. Check below if you’re correct, the singer’s name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Enjoy!
Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

The Great Depression of the 1930s translated into tough times for a large portion of people in the nation. Mealtime was an area where types of food, preparation of food, saving leftovers, etc. all were handled differently. Looking at that family favorite, Meatloaf: how, if any, changes were made to this classic mealtime staple?

1. No change whatsoever.
2. Began to use ‘poor man’ vegetables, i.e. onion etc
3. It quickly was made with 25% add-on food products
4. It quickly was made with 35% add-on food products
5. It quickly was made with 15% add-on food products
6. 75% Oats & Breadcrumbs
7. More than half of weight was veggies and grains.

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 4, 5, 9
Answer this week’s Interlude: Taxi · Harry Chapin

“The Prayer”

 Happy Saturday Morning – Busy, busy this week. A graduation and a funeral, plus playing host to our senior daughter who insisted on sleeping in my little office (couch life just won’t do any more). The sleep on a fold out 3”+ pad style affair mandated that a lot of ‘rooting-around’ in the office take place. Best have an extra mug of coffee to absorb all of this.

The funeral required some serious shuffling around my clothes closet to try and assemble an ‘assemble’ of stuff which didn’t have and array of company logos, 5K event sponsors, or some wild Caribbean flower theme. Finally, I found slacks from way before the skinny pants look took hold (Marcia says that what I had looks like a long skirt). My black suit jacket had a ticket stub in the side pocket which made me think I wore it last on February 28, 2004.

So, instead of moping on all this, it made me grateful to be retired and didn’t have to wear the stuff much anymore; once every 22 years is enough. By the way, does anyone have any really wide, really short, tie?

Corner News – Yup, every day is still a quest into the unknown here on the corner of Chaos and Mayhem. Thursday morning Marcia was the first to spot a 30’ tree branch laying on sidewalk and into the street.

I had a vision of me with my little pruning saw – the chain saw being in Canada.

About an hour later a city truck pulling a chipper drove by, backed up and two workers began the branch removal. I went out to thank them for their quick response. Guy smiled and told me that no one had called. They were on their way to an assigned job when they spotted our branch. He said that even though the tree was not on city property, the branch stuck out enough to hook it to the chipper. In under 10 minutes they were underway. Kudos to these two workers!

Then, last evening shortly after dinner the ‘team’ rolled in next door; 4 fire wagons, a chief’s car, ambulance on standby as was the ladder wagon. Whatever was going on next door cleared up in less than an hour. And this is how we introduced Kirstin to the corner of Chaos and Mayhem.

 Carolyn – Cathy’s mom passed away recently. This past week was her Celebration of Life, interment ceremony, and social gathering. Even after her passing Carolyn let it be known that she was still in charge. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum is an extensive complex. Her service and gathering were held in adjoining spaces. Normally Spring Grove, at these events, manages providing the foods, etc.

However, Carolyn ever still in charge, had insisted that foods be catered by her favorite restaurant, the Oriental Wok at The Regency, a high-rise in our Hyde Park neighborhood. Our delightful plates were from, you guessed it, Oriental Wok.

Even her last goodbye made sure that all was in order:

“Did you close the garage door?”

Children’s Book Readings – Early on this week brother Art and I were talking. Don’t know what brought it on, but he said; “do you remember that as a child you were being read to?” I didn’t. Times were different in many ways.

However I do remember reading to our grand kids and every week while in town taking the ‘kiddos’ to the local library for “book hour” where a big part was the reading of a kid’s book.

Now as an adult and with adult eyes it’s fun to see that in the great children’s literature various levels of meaning are beautifully embedded.

During Carolyn’s final hours Cathy spent time with her and what better way than to read a child’s book, one with a wonderful meaning. Her choice to read to her mom? The “Grasshopper on the Road,” by award winning author Arnold Lobel.

The story has the grasshopper on a whimsical journey with a cheerful Grasshopper who discovers a beautiful path and encounters a world of very busy characters. Grasshopper doesn’t pine for their ‘exciting’ lives, he “remains content, enjoying each step of his journey without the need to rush. This charming tale celebrates the joy of simplicity and the beauty of embracing one’s own unique path.” (from Bookey)

Cathy closed the story she was reading to her mom with the piece about the worm living in an apple. In the story the apple fell and broke into pieces. Growing up, whenever something would go amiss the family refrain would be; “too bad worm”, playing on the worm in the story crawling out of the bad apple.

Now, as death neared and her body began to shut down, Cathy chose to review with her mother that old family favorite. Nearing the end Cathy envisioned her mom, remembering that child’s story, just like the worm crawling out of his broken home saying, “Oh never mind. It was old and it had a big bite in it anyway. This is a fine time for me to find a new house.”

For Carolyn, I believe this time with Cathy was a wonderful way for Cathy to acknowledge her mother’s love, the gift of contentment, wonder, satisfaction, and the beauty in pausing for special moments. Moments she had in her own life and had passed on to her children.

Graduation with hints of Polynesian highlights – Vaioleti did it! Graduation from Clark Montessori High School proved to be quite special. The event was held at the University of Cincinnati’s 5/3 Bank-Arena (Bearcats basketball). Aside from the typical Pomp and Circumstance played by the school’s jazz band the Steel Drum band played a number written by a previous graduate.

The graduating drum members left their seats and joined to play in the band one final time. At the end of the ceremony all 90+ graduates formed a circle for a candle lighting ceremony where, at the end, a large candle was lit as that flame moved over the Junior class, next year’s seniors.

Now came the fun. Under her gown Vai wore her Tongan wardrobe. Tevita had brought a Tapa for her to stand on, and people started placing Leis around her neck; strings of candy, live flowers, and money.

Then many were placed around school friends, even a security officer got leied. It really was a major highlight of the event.

This week’s Interlude – Is a piece that was played at Carolyn’s Celebration of Life. The audio is a minute from the piece played. Play it and without looking below, try to name the who sang and what played.

The singer’s name and song title are found below. Complete song can be found on Spotify and others.

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Travel, especially air travel, is producing more and more headache for passengers. Rules being adjusted, new ‘can’t do’ rules implemented. The latest is Southwest Airlines which announced; “today Southwest updated our internal policy banning ………………………… ”. What was it that Southwest announced?

1. 1. Be at the gate at least 25 minutes prior to boarding
   2. Refusal to purchase adjacent seat for extremely obese
   3. Over age 65 is seated in an emergency row seat
   4. Purchased food in a separate bag – item must be hand carried
   5. Any companion dog weighing in excess of 32 pounds
   6. For safety reasons, no ‘flip-flop’ footwear
   7. No self-powered accompanying robots

 Last week Bonus Points answer – # 4, 5, 9

Answer this week’s Interlude: The Prayer · Andrea Bocelli · Céline Dion, The Best of Andrea Bocelli – ‘Vivere’