God Bless Us, Every One!

Morning all! And a MERRY CHRISTMAS! As Charles Dickens wrote so many years ago when his Scrooge & Bob Cratchit commiserated together.

A not so secret, secret, is the fact that I’ve never been a barista (or hypercorrect, ‘baristo’). Therefore, I am a nincompoop, i.e. a ‘virgin’ in the multi-faceted language surrounding the ordering of a cup of coffee. Out of desperation I usually mumble something like “coffee black”. Should I get a quizzical look I’ll add “Americano”, and this normally gets the ball rolling. I finally have the solution! Study the attached pic in detail, then memorize.

Election Update – ”A judge has ordered that the opposition leader be reinstated on the electoral roll, clearing the way for him to stand in next year’s presidential election.” (per M.S.)

America? Judges in Colorado? The US Supremes?

NO!

Shh. Keep this correct answer quiet. Here, I’ll whisper it:

A Senegalese judge on Thursday ordered that jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko be reinstated on the electoral roll, clearing the way for him to stand in next year’s presidential election.

500 Miles – About a year ago Art and sister-in-law Jolene invited me to join a share app called Strava. Anytime I set out on a timed or distance measured walk, and remember to, I’ll activate Strava. Elevation, distance, route, time, it’s all mapped out and those details then shared with my Strava friends.

Anyway, Strava sent me an update a few days ago letting me know that using the app I had covered 549 miles this past year.

In honor of the 549 number, I decided to insert one of my favorites – Arlo Guthrie singing “City of New Orleans” which magically also covers 500 miles. This performance goes back to August 8, 1993, and was live at Wolftrap along with Pete Seeger; it quickly became a grand sing-along. Crank your volume up!

Best sentence of 2023 – August 8, 2023: “I wish politicians would look out for miners, and not just minors on an island somewhere.” — Oliver Anthony, “Rich Men North of Richmond”

A Thought – This week I read an article titled; “Bills enacted, by congressional session”. The gist being that the 118th congress is quickly becoming the “do nothing” congress. Reasons given was Republican in-fighting and the 3-week hiatus changing Speakers.

I came away with a differing line of thinking. I will stick with the “do nothing” assessment but listen. Wouldn’t it be worth more to NOT enact new laws. Instead, if they were to work diligently ERADICATING previously passed laws. Erase laws which impede our well-being, our freedoms, our fiscal growth and, as a Christmas gift, affect a major reduction in the abhorrent growth of the bureaucracy. Now that would be something!

Paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson: “[Most laws are] Democracy is no more than mob rule, where 51% of the people may take away the rights of the other 49%.”

The ‘X’ axis being the Congress number, the ‘Y’ axis shows the number of laws passed.

The Egg Nog Jog 5K – The 5K last weekend was a solid blast. The weather was all anyone wanted. About 1250 people joined in the fun. Of the walkers (about a third of the entries) I came in at number 13. Since it’s a bit hilly in Mount Adams, my app told me I had climbed 14 stories, finishing the 5K with a pace of 14:51 minutes per mile.

This year they subdivided the categories by adding an “over 80” group. Turns out I was the only entrant in that category. This made me both a 1st and Last place contestant. How cool is that!

How interesting is this? – This past week US Steel Corp. agreed to be purchased by Nippon Steel in “an all-cash $14.9B deal, marking a significant move for the Japanese steel manufacturer”. What is interesting is that it was US Steel which was instrumental in our war effort for WWII. The same effort which eventually crushed the Imperial Japanese expansion efforts. Now it’s about as tight a friendship as anywhere. We’ve come full circle with this buyout.

At the same time it’s the US itself, on many fronts, i.e. race, politics, etc. that seems hellbent to pry and split our own society and citizenry apart. We clamor for the reversal of the direction our nation was heading in during the 70w and 80s. Sad isn’t it, former enemies such as Japan and Germany we now walk arm in arm with, yet on the home front we’re being pulled apart.

Does the fact that Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) appears to be building a bunker in Hawaii at a reported cost of $100-million play into what is currently happening?

Another thought – This one is mine. The past 3 years have seen massive growth:

1) of a rampant, unsustainable, and unimaginable Federal debt.
2) an influx of undocumented lawbreakers, poised to change the character of the whole nation away from the “Grand Experiment” as envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
3) and this is the fastest growth of all, it’s the jumbled crazy letter mix of coddled self-identifying subgroups starting with the letters LGB – it’s now grown to “LGBTQQIAAP2S+”. Self-identifying also means that you’ll never ever run out of categories, there ‘ll always be another, and another.

Christmas Weekend – was slow coming and now it seems hyper–speed. We’re lucky in that our whole clan will be gathering – this alone makes it the best of times.

Also, much appreciation and thankfulness to all of you who have sent Marcia and I cards & the annual Christmas letter or, “The Blessings of the Christmas Letter.” We’ve learned a ton about broken bones and other various geezer ailments. These letters containing your news are great since it means that the next time we’re together we’ll have all of that ‘old-people-only-talk-about-medical-gripes’ stuff out of the way.

With the weakness on the International scene we’ve been displaying I suspect that 2024 might contain some ‘bumps in the road’. Especially since it appears that Xi, Putin, and a truckload of junior wanna-be tin pots might try their hand at pot (pun) stirring. Hence, pray fervently this weekend and then as 2024 kicks in, tighten your seatbelt.

Like Rowing? – Don’t forget that this weekend will be the release of the movie; Boys in the Boat. All the rowing aficionados in our family will gather at our Cinemark or AMC (depending where we can get tickets).

The descriptor as posted by the movie house is this: “During the height of the Great Depression, members of the rowing team at the University of Washington get thrust into the spotlight as they compete for gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.”

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Which was the largest contiguous land empire in history?
1) Ming Dynasty in China
2) Mongol Empire
3) The USSR
4) The Nazi Germany/Italy Axis
5) Qing dynasty
6) The Ottoman dynasty

Lit-up Neighborhood & Santas

Morning all!

Ok, so this came to me mid-week. What came to mind is referred to as a; portmanteau, go ahead and look it up prior to reading further. For example, ‘motel’, the combination of ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’ is a portmanteau.

Using some of our newest, and pathetic, WOKE verbiage here are some examples of portmanteau and what the combined word should actually mean: Demisexual: being attracted to Bruce Willis’ ex-wife. Diversity: an urban area for divers. Intersex: keen on sex. Mansplain: large area of flatland owned by a male. Apostacy: attracted to anything dealing with mail. Pansexual: being attracted to metal cooking devices. Pronouns: being in favor of nouns. Or Transphobia: fear of crossing something. You get the idea.

My morning coffee is a routine and thus a habit. Consequently, my morning coffee habit is more of a ‘cofertine’ – the word combination of coffee + routine. There, portmanteau, your word of the day.

5K – Later this morning, 10 AM to be exact I’ll join in for a 5K. Over the past few years, I’ve come to enjoy late Fall event – the Mt. Adams “Egg Nog Jog”. It starts at the highest point on Mt. Adams and then loops around the side streets circling the ‘mount’. With a series of ups and downhills, it’s a fun time.

This past week did some timed practice walks. Luckily the weather has been great. In fact, I spotted a small handful of cars with their tops down, plus two folks on Vespas.

Since I couldn’t grab my camera quick enough this photo of the mural on the local scooter dealership (at the entry point to the Wasson Way Trail) will do to represent the real riders. Also, a lovely row of small houses from a new vantage point on a just completed extension of the trail.

WOKE awry – No idea whether you saw any of the Congressional questioning the Presidents of Harvard, Penn, or MIT.

There’s been an uproar following each of these folk to take a definitive stand on allowing actions complying with today’s WOKE and DEI acceptable pronouncements, which skewers any opposite views to their accepted views and allows for making Jewish students and faculty to be worried about their safety.

Net result? The President of Penn and the head of its Board both resigned. Harvard, which is listed as the worst University in acceptance/promotion of free speech had its Board stand 100% behind its President.

Considering this, I thought I’d attach this interview by Forbes of Alan Dershowitz – who’s a lifelong liberal Democrat, and who was a law professor at Harvard.

Luminaria – reappeared again last weekend as the neighborhood lit up. Wandering around our ‘hood last Sunday evening became the thing to do. A few houses had a fire pit going along with hot chocolate and s’mores.

While I did a bit of a solo walk. With her still not driving I then took Marcia in ‘her’ car and drove slowly all over the place.

Both of us were caught humming Judy Garland’s: Over the Rainbow

“Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?”

These photos I took from  the neighborhood web site since they’re substantially better than anything I shot.

A quote – “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” – Plato (born Athens, Greece 428/427 BC – died Athens Greece 348/347 BC)

Fun? – Apparently so, as last Saturday hundreds of Santas filled the streets of downtown and even flowed into Covington, KY during ‘Santacon’ 2023. This favorite local holiday tradition saw, apparently mostly inebriated, Santas flit from bar to bar. I wonder just how many were holding their hurting heads last Sunday morning wondering how much holiday cheer they spread drank.

White House’s 2023 aesthetically perfect Season’s Greetings –

If you’re in the ‘Nati head on over to Mt. Adams. There watch me huff and puff, claw and crawl, trying to make it up and around Eden Park’s Seasongood Pavilion. No laughter though!

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Which one of these Washington DC Memorials contains a misspelling?
1) Jefferson Memorial
2) Albert Einstein Memorial
3) Iwo Jimo Memorial
4) US Navy Memorial
5) Lincoln Memorial
6) John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg Memorial
7) Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Life to the fullest

Morning all!
While waiting for the morning coffee to move from the ‘smell’ to the ‘taste’ phase, and prior to settling in to pen and poke The Ramblings, I got to thinking. It’s probably partly an aging thing but focusing on the bedroom wall color I understand that while Black is comforting it simultaneously creates a Cave vibe.

Probably not good.

However, I don’t understand why these hand-gesturing interior designer types are so opposed to Yellow or Red, two of my favorite colors; now crossed out for 2024. This brings me to my question, how about mixing the two to bring about my absolute favorite color, Orange? Huh?

Ok, let’s get started. Writing that is.

Day of Infamy – Thursday was the 82nd remembrance of December 7, 1941; “a day which will live in infamy” — President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Thursday evening, I took a 2-hour class covering the lead-up of that early Sunday morning event using documentation from both our and the Japanese sides as well as from the events at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii itself.

One of the guests in the class was a retired military member who was there at Pearl Harbor, who heard explosions, who saw the planes coming at him. For me it was oh so enlightening and a memorable evening. It was an honor to hear the shock still in that centenarian gentleman’s voice as he relayed (for probably the umpteenth time) what he experienced on what seemed to start out as a calm Sunday morning.

What I learned was that our intelligence network was nearly nonexistent. Our reliance on status and personal ‘priorities’ exceeded our duty; Dorothy Edgers, Saturday December 6, 1941, came across a message that Japan was targeting Honolulu complete with airfield and ship locations. Wildly concerned she went to her superior and was told; “Mrs. Edgers, why don’t you run along now, we’ll get back on this on Monday.”

Four very senior US military officers and bureaucrats were pulled in for dereliction of duty. Any real punishment did not happen.

The officially accepted numbers were 2,403 dead and 1,178 wounded. Japan – 129 dead. The US lost 188 planes, and 159 were severely damaged. Japan lost 29 planes.

The similarities to the lack of intelligence leading up to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor is eerily similar. The absolute certainty that Iraq had “weapons of mass destruction” proved totally wrong; but off to war we went. The lack of intelligence, by possibly the world’s most intelligence savvy nation, Israel’s October 7, 2023, massacre is equally puzzling. Why is that? Ineptitude or purpose?

A quote – The Zuber family was making Pork roast for a summer Sunday lunch when mother Alice spotted a rising column of black smoke and heard explosions. They hid under tables. Alice began to pray; “Dear God please let my children die instead of being maimed.” She then told her daughters; “Don’t cry…..don’t cry. Don’t ruin the morale of our dads and soldiers.”

Mid-week — Was an outstanding evening. Beginning with a small-bite reception catered by a local creole restaurant, a full house of 550 of us enjoyed ourselves on spicy shrimp, sausage, and gumbo. The whole time a show band, The Hot Magnolias, played some funk, blues, jazz, and long-play ‘70s rock. It didn’t take long for us to get into the mood!

Right at eight o’clock, in the theater area of Memorial Hall, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band came on stage for their “Creole Christmas” evening. It was everything we could have wished for. Enjoy their final number prior to the short ‘encore’ set. Of course, the encore closed out with a rousing variation of their iconic; “When the Saints go Marching in….”:

Our Memorial Hall – is a Beaux-Arts style beauty that was built in 1908 by the Grand Army of the Republic. Thus, it began as primarily a fraternal place for survivors of the Civil War to socialize. Over the years, privately held for community purposes, it’s always done service to things military.

In fact, in 1919, at a gathering at the Hall discussions turned to the needs of the 200,000 returning WWI veterans just back from the ‘great’ war, many carrying lifelong disabilities and illnesses. Those discussions turned into something more formal and thus, Memorial Hall became the birthplace of the Disabled American Veterans – the DAV. The DAV quickly spread nationwide and in its 100 years of service has had over 1,000,000 members.

Seeing the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in this historic venue made the whole event even more special. Even more memorable.

WWI Victory Parade

9th-regiment-ohio-voluntary-infantry-50th-anniversary-reunion

Fun? – Our town way up the ranks as a FUN town? That’s what the dear folk at WalletHub said. They ranked 182 cities including the 150 most populous cities plus at least two of the most populous cities in each state.

The evaluation consisted of three elements; 1) Entertainment & Recreation, 2) Nightlife & Parties and 3) Costs. Since I am usually in bed hours before these ‘elements’ were added, I was absolutely oblivious to any rankings (being asleep I didn’t care much either).

But, let it be said that the ‘Naty came in at position …… drum roll please …… number 11.

Yup, the beat continues – Of the many new religions which have cropped up these days, inconceivable Covid restrictions, LGB……+, death by nature’s CO2, plus a few I’ve probably missed, remember, this month on the front burner (pun) is the COP 28 (UN Climate Change Conference – “UNFCCC COP 28”) confab in Dubai.

84,000 people dealing with an essential plant food, CO2.

84,000 people from 196 ‘parties’ along with 475 lobbyists stormed into Dubai for COP28. Simple Flying’s headline shouted: “Private Jets Flock To Dubai For COP 28: Event Set To Have Biggest Carbon Footprint In History”

If their nonsensical mumbo-jumbo verbiage, filled with horrid edicts, weren’t so abhorrent I’d laugh. Currently Dubai airport is filled with private aircraft – except for the REALLY important cadre of the most elite who flew in trailing aircraft loaded with the largest SUVs on the planet (required since these have the best necessary AC systems).

Probably not to be found on any of the COP 28 Power Point discussions is this slide from the CO2 Coalition of US-EPA Temperature Readings on hot days. Of the 1,066 weather stations in the US, 863 (81%) reported either a decrease or lower number of hot days. Nevertheless their ‘holy’ drum will keep on beating for panic.

Hannukah – Happy Hannukah to Cathy and her whole family. May joy be with you this year. As the blessing states, Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

Make it a great week. Now I best get organized and go about the neighborhood a bit and show a little rizz. (“rizz” – the Oxford University Press word of the year in 2023). Treat life as a sacred gift.

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Which of these U.S. President had the most children:
1) Franklin Roosevelt
2) William Henry Harrison
3) John Tyler
4) US Grant
5) Theodore Roosevelt
6) Thomas Jefferson
7) James Garfield

People who aged with grace

Morning all!
I was asked not long ago; “Dirk, who writes your Ramblings every week?” My response was that I’d been looking for volunteers for some time. Eventually, I asked the ladies from the nearby, Ms. Fernsby’s, women’s writing clutch. Long story short, call me meshugga, but I pen them myself.

As I wrote last weekend, I took Vili and Vai to hear some excellent music and from a New Yorker, one of the nation’s master alto Saxophonists, Jim Snidero. Sitting closeup to the band I could see just how intent these two were by the whole experience. It was lovely. This week a short video of that afternoon concert was posted by someone else:

Beer Tunneling – Over the past decade of these Ramblings I have either mentioned or alluded to the deep German roots of our hometown. The influx of German immigrants began during the 1800s. In fact, it was not until the Great War (now labeled as WWI) that local street names were converted from the likes of “Berlin Strasse”, or “Heidelberg Strasse”, you get the drift. Additionally German would no longer be the primary language in schools and newspapers were magically showing up using English text.

One thing that did not change, not even budge, was beer production; German beers that is. This was way prior to today’s IPA beer flavor ‘du jour’. These were German beers after all, Lager Beers. Those beers required cold, long term, barrel stored conditions for the yeast to ferment properly.

So, predating the tunneling of today’s Hamas fruitcakes in and around Gaza, crafty German immigrants created a system of underground tunnels and storage caves right here in River City. Eventually, much of the city Center was sitting on top of this network of tunnels. The attached YouTube is a wonderful tour of these tunnels and storage caves. Enjoy!

Our ‘sphygmomanometer’ – It all began when Marcia’s arm began to balloon and the ‘medicos’ deemed her blood pressure a wee-bit high. Since no one wanted to tie her to a table leg to avoid her head floating and bouncing along the ceiling, balloon style, we opted for a better solution. Hence the sphygmomanometer (Blood Pressure monitor) purchase.

I was put in charge of sourcing this little system. I’ll let you know that I am extremely proud of the result. Since Marcia will get her wrist operated on soon, I selected a monitor that would operate as close to her hand as possible; it fits on her wrist..

We now have a new, family, routine. This routine takes place just prior to breakfast and morning coffee. Both pressures are taken, hers and mine, and logged into a spreadsheet. Merely another routine to add further excitement to our ‘Golden Years’.

Staying Active – as this Rambling’s title says, “Maturing with Pizzazz,” till the very end. Recently we lost a dear aunt, Dodie, who epitomized this by staying active till her passing weeks, just prior to her 100th.

Mid week we lost two ‘huge-erians’. Sandra Day O’Conner and Henry Kissinger. Justice O’Connor was the first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice passing at age 93. She resigned from the court in 2006 to take care of her husband who at the time was suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Also parting from us was, twice over, Secretary of State to two Presidents, and hugely influential Henry Kissinger. His tenure was not without controversy. Still, over the decades he was consistently sought out as both a person with gravitas and as a sage. The following interview by The Economist was made with a 100-year old Kissinger.

If your interest is History, it’s a must listen. But, be forewarned, it’s a 50+ minute dialogue. If, you’re like the other, unnamed, person in our family, you should tab down to the “But, did you know?” section. That should help you.

But, did you know? – Earlier this week, over dinner, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa was having dinner when she began to choke. Luckily Senator Dr. Rand Paul of Kentucky was sitting nearby and performed the Heimlich maneuver on her, successfully!

She is one of many, many thousands of people, alive today, through the successful application of that technique.

But, did you know?

Dr. Henri Heimlich used a “Bronx cheer” noisemaker device to prevent the backflow of chest fluids while working in a Hospital Emergency Unit. This toy-as-a-‘tool’ became a standard usage device by medics during the Vietnam war.

In 1996 he moved his family to Cincinnati when he took the position of director of surgery at our Jewish Hospital. It was there where he began to study the dynamics of a choking patient. Realizing that when we exhale a breath of air a residual pocket of air remains in the lungs. Using that bit of air to create the channel to expel the lodged food was the solution, and voila, the Heimlich maneuver was born.

The two just mentioned treatment are just two of a myriad of therapies promoted by the good Docter. He lived in nearby Hyde Park where Marcia and I raised our kids. He died at age 96 (Dec. 17 2016) and is buried in nearby Spring Grove Cemetery not all that far from where my parents are also buried.

He is considered a ‘hometown’ hero.

Yup, on the corner again – Chaos & Mayhem that is. Thursday, as Marcia and I returned from some shopping I saw a plainclothes cop wander towards our neighborhood’s piece of blight property. This across from ours a bit. As an aside, this piece of neighborhood stain is owned by a New Jersey LLC slumlord – and for years we’ve tried almost everything to address the negativity it brings to the community; to NO avail.

Within minutes two unmarked cars, six marked cruisers, and four women cops in khakis but wearing ‘heat’ rolled up. I went over and talked with the cops to learn that they were conducting an “investigation” (these things are always very ‘secretive’).

All this means is that this one piece of ‘crap’ property has just eaten up for a sizeable block of time of most of the police resources in our precinct. Plus, the buried costs these calls, and situations, incur by the citizenry at large is seldom seen as an cost-item to address. Any ideas on how to create change? We’ve tried the Health Dept., Zoning, Police, Code Enforcement, Property Maintenance, Trash & Yard Waste, all to little avail. It’s really getting quite old!

Mid-week — we’ll experience an ‘immersive’ experience. That day, first thing in the morning, Marcia will have her Dexa scan. That same evening we’ll attend a Reception followed by the New Orleans Jazz sounds by the internationally recognized Preservation Hall Jazz Band showcasing their “Creole Christmas” evening. We’ll use the evening to usher in our own entry into the Christmas Season.

The day-after will be celebrated with much sleep!

I’m hoping we’ll get to enjoy the wondrous sound of Charlie Gabriel, who at a mere 86, is the band’s elder, play and sing the iconic song: I’m Confessin’. Charlie has toured with Aretha Franklin, and played with Lionel Hampton’s band, also with the likes of Charles Mingus. The band was the first integrated group even as Jim Crow laws prevailed in the deep South. When touring, players will switch out and me? Fingers crossed, I’m really hoping he’ll be on this segment of the tour, enjoy Charlie perform his magic here:

A great quote – “All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.“ – George Harrison – from “It’s All Too Much”.

[This quote as an early lead into Marcia’s BIG eight-“Oh-No, Oh-My” day!]

Make it a splendid week. Honor those who contributed to our current way of life. Greet those who pass you wherever that be. Treat life as a sacred gift.

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Now, on the heels of our Thanksgiving Day food fest. Which year saw the term “Fast Food” be incorporated into the common lexicon (per the Merriam–Webster dictionary):

1) 1945
2) 1963
3) 1951
4) 1972

Each day filled with gratitude

Morning all!
Not certain how it was for you, but here, at least for me, the week flew by. This also meant drinking a bit more of Dunkin’s than normal, so soon I’ll be opening and grinding a new bag of coffee. This go around it’s Peets Coffee, ‘Major Dickason’s Blend’.

Next week looks to be a bit more on the usual side, primarily the twice weekly exercise regimen.

Last Sunday, as I wrote last weekend, I took Vili and Vai to hear some excellent music and from New York one of the nation’s master alto Saxophonists, Jim Snidero. Sitting closeup to the band I could see just how intent these two were by the whole experience. It was lovely.

Thursday morning — I participated in the 114th 10k/5k W&S Thanksgiving Day Race. I joined 12,000 others for this event which is both one of the oldest and largest Turkey Trots in the nation and receives a lot of local hype. What made it even better was the fact that the finish was at the new stadium for our MLS (soccer) team – FC Cincinnati. We all got to get on the pitch and coming through the tunnel each got a screenshot on the two large stadium screens. Question; Sandy, since my mug has now been on the big screen should I be hiring an agent?

I felt good and in the “Over 80” category came in first place with a 14.51 pace. Considering the race starts quickly with the Liberty Hill climb and 12,000 people trying to occupy 3-lanes of roadway without tripping over one another, I felt upbeat.

Turf Upkeep — Before the start of the race I walked a bit around the stadium. Getting the ‘Pitch’ ready for this evening’s game requires almost perfect grass. Aside from the grooming and watering they had these machines working away. I am not certain, but I suspect that this is a robotic system of special lights facilitating growth of the field. Pretty stunning.

A great quote – “Common sense is not so common.” – Voltaire

An early gift – for Marcia. There is a very special show series in town, the Longworth-Anderson Series, which combines various musical acts, with a reception featuring local craft beers and foods from a number of restaurants (including Marcia’s favorite, Dewey’s Pizza). I wanted to take her to see singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Rhiannon Giddens. She’s on the program this coming March. Then came a shock, that event was sold out. Sold OUT! This was in October when I checked – who would’ve thought!

Plan ‘B’ was put into play, an evening with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans doing a “Creole Christmas”. However, since their performance is December 6th, it necessitated an early gifting for Madam. She happily got the tickets Thursday evening at our little Thanksgiving gathering. It’ll be a very good time!

P.S. Marcia, with her new hip, refuses to use a cane. So, I attached the tickets to a cane which she’ll find impossible to just park in a corner. Take a very close look at that very special ‘walking stick’ to see why.

The Health of Gratitude – Now that we’ve parked and packed our Thanksgivings for another year and begun to try and max out our stash of credit cards, I read up a bit more on ‘Gratitude’.

It’s the Royal Society Open Science May 23, 2018 which states; “the ability to experience gratitude to others is a fundamental feature of human cognition.”

In fact, expressing gratitude actually changes the brain. Noted neuroscientist Glenn Fox, Ph.D. in studies on gratitude states that practicing gratitude is not, “a magic bullet, Fox added, it’s the regular practice of being grateful that makes a difference: “You know, it’s like water cutting rock through a canyon, it’s not done all at once.”

But expressing gratitude and journaling the occurrences has amazing results, from people who experienced the Holocaust, to those with advanced cancers, heavy workloads and personal struggles. In fact, you just might say it establishes overall better health for everyone.

And the effects pour over into nearly all facets of life, even by grateful people being less materialistic. And, with the onslaught of Black Friday adds I was bombarded with yesterday, that is something we all could benefit from. Much of my reading can be attributed to Dr. Joseph Mercola and especially this article written by him: https://tinyurl.com/5cepnjur

September Song – Remembering that this past week was the 60th anniversary of the murder of President Kenedy. As a remembrance I decided on music. The song below was President Kennedy’s favorite; ‘September Song’. In fact, His close aide Dave Powers wrote; “that JFK sang “September Song” after dinner at his family’s Palm Beach mansion on Saturday before he went to Dallas. Powers noted that he sang it “better than usual” that night.”

With Marcia’s big-0 birthday fast approaching, so I think it is also appropriate to play it for her. As a bonus, this rendition is sung by one of her absolute ‘faves’, Willie Nelson!

“Masting” – of Oak trees is a once every while event. It’s when these trees fruit much more than normal. In these parts it’s definitely a ‘masting’ year and it’s the Oaks dropping so many Acorns that on my walk it’s a constant crunching underfoot.

The little acorns aren’t all that bad since they crunch easily. However, it’s the large Bur Oaks where some avoidance maneuvers are a necessity; either that or deal with the pain of the things getting underfoot. The Squirrels and local Deer are ecstatic. And no, we do not practice ‘balanophagy’ (the practice of eating cooked acorns) so we have little use for the things.

I forgot to mention — that Marcia and I escaped the whole Turkey hullabaloo. We ordered a Chicken / slab of Ribs meal for 2 to 4 people from Montgomery Ribs – so perfect! Enough so that we had chicken and salad for dinner Wednesday evening. Then the ribs and salad with Cathy and Jason and their vegetarian goodies for Thanksgiving – wonderful! This left a huge Apple pie for desert.

Make it a great week. As I wrote last week, remember, smiling is easier than snarling.

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Last chance to choose the Minnesota 2023 Golden Turkey (money waste/grab) winner! Relay your guess to me. Then the real reason for posting this is this Question: What are the top ranking ‘2023 Golden Turkeys’ for your State?

Here are the current top 4 money grabbing boondoggles for Minnesota — one of them is the winner:

1) A palace for politicians (State Office Building)
2) Empty train to Duluth
3) Tim Walz’s crib
4) Flying squirrel research

But a black day follows

Morning all!
This week my ‘Jeeves’ role and Uber driver side-gig was in full swing as Marcia’s road-to-healing continues without pause. She’ll have her Carpal Tunnel surgery early January (her first 80th gift?). She’ll have a DEXA scan shortly. Then, the pièce de résistance; at the insistence of the surgeon who (while using a loud voice) said she required a family practitioner for her Pre-Op (it had been six years without).

She now has her own personal ‘Doc’.

A little sip of my Dunkin’s java and I’ll continue.

After her visit with the surgeon, I went on a walk. The light went on and I changed my route to swing by my doctor’s practice. Informing the front desk that I was bringing them a new patient I was offered either a male or female doctor. I signed her with Dr. Trout, the lady Dr.

By happenstance, arriving home, Marcia was on MyChart and said, “so you signed me up with a Dr. Trout?” I told her that I had told the office folk that in response to their question of which Dr. she’d want that, “Marcia had just “landed a Trout!” Marcia was in shock.

Also got her a little office time the following day for a ‘meet-n-greet’. Outcome, she loves Dr. Trout!

Ps. On her MyChart, while reading the surgeon’s notes, Marcia spotted that in brackets he had put that she (“had fired her last Doctors”). Marcia is now a marked woman.

Power Shopping – time is very near. In fact, next Friday is Black Friday – the absolute holiest of all our holidays. In preparation I have just purchased a new Blood Pressure Monitor, the wrist cuff model no less.

Actually, at the previously mentioned ‘meet-n-greet’ it was discovered that Marcia’s blood pressure reading was a wee bit high. The old monitor had bitten the dust, so it was time to start shopping.

Neighborhood ‘jawing’ around, the topic naturally came around to this annual, dreaded, shopping phase of life in America. I say “dreaded” because I challenge you find a guy looking forward to it. Of course, local stick-your-nose-into-everything-and-I-have-an-answer guy, Earl Pitts, had to offer his input:

‘tis the Season – and the Dutch are gearing up and preparing for the ‘intocht van Sinterklaas’ (Santa’s arrival). As has been done for ages, on the evening of December 4 clogs, some milk, cookies, and a carrot or two for the horse will be placed by the fireplace.

For all the cute little towheads (and all others too) the wait for their gifts is on. Then on the morning of December 5th, all kids will be up before dawn to see if ‘Sinterklaas’ had stopped by and if it was goodies or a lump of coal sitting by the hearth. A dreaded lump of coal for those with a blemish on their score card delivered by ‘zwarte Piet’ (black Peter, Santa’s assistant). Or even worse, it could be a trip over zwarte Piet’s shoulder in an empty coal sack, and off to that dreaded land of horrors, Spain.

Shalom – With all that is going on in the Middle East. And, as the seemingly cyclical rise of antisemitism rears its ugly head once more, I thought I’d give a push for peace and Shalom. Share some of what all lies behind the Hebrew word Shalom. In English we use the word as a casual expression of ‘peace’ both coming and going.

But from the book of Exodus, it’s realized that it is much more where its translated as “make it good.” And the Apostle Paul fleshes out the greater meaning when he ended his letter to the Thessalonians, by using ‘shalom’ in the modern English translation; “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.”

Think about this more expansive meaning while reflecting and listening to Itzhak Pearlman, playing his most requested, Main Theme from Schlindlers List:

A great quote – “A step backward, after making a wrong turn, is a step in the right direction.“.” – Kurt Vonnegut

Sunday event – Sunday I am taking the youngest grandkids, Vai and Vili, to a small nearby church, the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati. Tomorrow afternoon it’ll be a concert; a really good jazz trio – all three are tenured music professors at the University of Cincinnati. Then, from New York, saxophone giant Jim Snidero. Joining in will also be a 12-piece orchestra featuring some of Cincinnati’s finest string musicians. I am so looking forward to tomorrow afternoon!

From Snidero’s Bio: “Grammy award-winning alto saxophonist, composer and author Jim Snidero encapsulates what is both unique and compelling about jazz. Hailed as an “alto sax virtuoso” (Downbeat) with “mind-boggling” improvisation skills (The Guardian), and “an alto saxophone sound that is one of the richest and purest on the planet” (Stereophile), he has amassed over 16 million streams on Spotify and Apple music presenting acoustic jazz of the highest caliber………….” And on it goes. As I said, “I am so looking forward to the concert and to spending time with the kids tomorrow.”

Tax Prep – I am being reminded almost daily by brokerage firms, banks, and various characters on the television/radio newsy programs that NOW is the time. The time to get my taxes in order. And here I thought all along that NOW is the time to get my final decrees and wishes in order – have I misunderstood all this time?

Thanksgiving – I just can’t finish this ‘Ramblings’ without wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving. Please do take a moment or two to reflect on all the blessings and gifts you must be thankful for. Me, I am starting my Thanksgiving morning by joining in doing a 5k (the 114th annual Thanksgiving Day Race). The fun finish to this event is that the finish line is on the TQL Stadium’s pitch of our professional soccer team, FC Cincinnati. I thought this would be a cool way to start my Thanksgiving.

Make it a great week. Try something brand new. Yesterday we, on a whim, I bought some White Thai Eggplant at Jungle Jim’s which I fixed for dinner last night. It was received 50-50, one raved while the other somewhat tolerated. But both of us ended up happy about the experience. Remember, smiling is easier than snarling.

May Peace prevail! Shalom. Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Walking has absolutely plummeted across America (per a study found on Axios). Just between 2019 and 2022 walking has dropped a startling 36% (per a StreetLight Data report). This data used travel behavior based on anonymized data from mobile devices, vehicle GPS systems where one “walking trip” is any trip taken by foot that is more than about 820 feet (250 meters) from start to finish.

Your task, name the three cities which tied for last place.
1) San Diego, CA
2) Boise, ID
3) Portland, OR
4) New York, NY
5) Orlando, FL
6) Las Vegas, NV
7) Ogden, UT

Once there was an election

Morning all!
Several times over the last couple of weeks Miss Marcia accused me of carrying my morning ‘Tintin’ look a bit too far – something about my morning hair. To which I can only reply with a short, “Mille Sabords” (Billions of Barnacles) using Tintin’s best friend, Captain Haddock’s, catchphrase. Yes, truth be told, I love Hergé’s delightful comic character, Tintin.

Now, before I straighten out my hair I want to wish all friends and family veterans a very special day. In the meantime, join me by enjoying a great mug of java. Now, a short pause where I relish my coffee and then I’ll work on this week’s Ramblings.

Power Pole – very near the Corner of Chaos & Mayhem, another pole bit the dust. That’s why a bucket truck showed up and the cops blocked the street. Our vantage point makes it all better than TV.

Okay, so I’m Bragging – Last Sunday Matthew 25 Ministries held their “Hunger 5k” to which I had signed up. Here are my results:

1st Place in my bracket
Time 45:18 which is 14:35 minutes per mile.
522nd place out of 1,225 overall.

******* Just as you allow your head to swell too much, a kick in the pants tends to shape one up. This morning from Outlook comes this story, the ‘kick’ in my pants. The Outlook  headline: “This 92-Year-Old Just Became the Oldest Person to Hike the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim.” Just the ‘kick’ I needed to snap me back into being a more humble self,

On Tuesday (a no school day due to elections) I took Vai & Vili back to ‘Matthew 25’ for some volunteer work. They do get the floor workers. The three of us were part of minimally 60 people in the section we were assigned to. Always fun, and also makes you feel somewhat productive.

And what would a morning of volunteering be without lunch with Opa. Chick-fil-A won out (notice the live flowers on the table in a fast food restaurant!)

We had an election – As a conservative, non-affiliated, independent, curmudgeon I wanted to share the outcome of the event in song.

For my Republican friends, listen to how it sounded as results began to stream in (performed by John Lee Hooker, 1-min):

For my Democratic friends, this is what I heard throughout the night (performed by Koko Taylor, 1-min):

A great quote – “There’s winning and there’s losing, and in life you have to know they both will happen.” – Earvin “Magic” Johnson

Ensuring Fair Elections – Formally our elections are to statutorily occur on; “the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November”; what we have today, by being all over the map, is to make a joke out of that law. In my state early voting begins 30 days early, all other states it falls between 3 and 46 days prior to what is legally mandated. Add to that some States allowing the mailing of ballots when these are guaranteed not to arrive till days after election-day’. The whole sets the scene for election shenanigans.

To ensure election integrity, that all elections are Fair, Free, Honest, and Transparent [i.e.: One Citizen, One Vote] there are groups currently actively working to ensure that this happens. Nationally there is the “Election Integrity Network”, ‘EIN’, which includes a 20-state coalition. EIN also partners with entities such as the “Virginia Institute”, “America First Legal”, and “The Heritage Foundation”. Here in Ohio, you can explore the “Ohio Election Integrity Network” at http://ohioelectionintegrity.org/ , They’re always looking for volunteers.

Currently I see the trend being that the current early voting scheme is a mess. The way it’s heading, soon we’ll opt for a ‘two-fer’ vote – two election cycles voted on one single day. Why not?

Wednesday morning thought – occurring shortly after realizing that enshrining abortion rights in our constitution passed with a 57% Yes vote. What follows is a paraphrasing of an article. From an article that is much akin to my own thinking:

“For millennia the order for humanity, to have marriage, family, and children, the very necessities for a civilization to function and perpetuate itself is now a consumer lifestyle choice.”

“The current basis of our entire society is the freedom to become whatever you want, created realities be damned. You don’t want to be uniquely bestowed, see the authority of your ‘Telos’ as Aristotle would say, with the power to bring new human life into the world? Then we can kill that life whenever it is created in your body.”

“Abortion is now the sacrament of this total freedom and atomized individualism.”

Yesterday 45-years – ago, November 10th the Great Lakes ore freighter, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, sank with the loss of 29 crewmembers. June 1975 Canadian folksinger, Gordon Lightfoot released his tribute song: “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. That song has probably exposed more people to that horrible night when the Fitzgerald sank than anything else.

My own knowledge occurred one evening in the Northwoods by our cabin, some wine, and a campfire. One of our neighbors, Wayne, had invited his brother over for the evening, and thus, here is my story. For a period, Wayne’s brother was a helmsman on Great Lakes freighters. The day of November 10th he was the helmsman on duty on the SS Arthur M Anderson another freighter sailing on Lake Superior. Ten to fifteen miles in front of them sailed the Fitzgerald.

Near Whitefish Point on the southeast side of the lake the captain of the Anderson ordered his helmsman, Wayne’s brother, to steer for the safety of a cove. The Anderson stayed in radio contact with the Fitzgerald till about 7:00pm and was the last to communicate with them. Listening to that tale while a warm fire crackled in the background made that evening surreal.

This week Aunt Dodie achieved the peace she sought and she went home. My memories of her are her sharing, her warmth and love.

Make it a great week. Live your life to the fullest for it glides along ever so swiftly. Be happy. Remember, smiling is easier than snarling.
May Peace prevail! Love to all. Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Look at these seven listed Breweries. Prohibition (1920 – 1933) was devastating to the beer industry.

Still quite a number survived by moving into differing industries – from ceramics to ice cream.

Your task, name the one listed Brewery which did NOT survive.

1) Coors
2) Pabst Blue Ribbon
3) Monroe
4) Blumer
5) Christian Moerlein
6) Yuengling
7) Lion

Far Away & Stop Sticks

Morning all!

Well, well, by this time we were supposed to be in Michigan. Turns out most of the sibs headed out of town and as a result, we’re here, tucked in, in the ‘Nati.  Actually, my attempt at being ‘cutsie’ is a bit off center.

Marcia’s mother had four sisters and a brother. From that group, one, Doris (or the preferred ‘Dodie’), is still living. Aged a couple of months shy of being 100, sharp as a tack, sweet as can be, and a joy to be with, is Aunt Dodie. Looking back at a life well lived, she’s decided move into hospice as she’s ready to “head home”. Hence, Marcia’s two sisters and hubbies are in Chicago to be with her.

Dodie, we love you dearly and may your homecoming be a joyful reunion. God bless.

Aunt ‘Dodie’ is second from left. Marcia’s mom is on far left

A 5K –This morning I am sipping a single, small, cup of coffee. And there is a reason. Since we were now home the folk at Matthew 25 Ministries (one of the nation’s premier humanitarian aid and disaster relief organizations – Charity Navigator rating 100%) advised that I could still participate in today’s ‘Hunger-5K’ which starts in a couple of hours.

Wednesday morning I signed up to participate. Wish me a good event.

‘Stop-Sticks’ & a pair of cuffs – Thursday mid-afternoon police stopped a car immediately next to our little balcony. They swarmed the car, ‘stop-sticks’ placed by the tires, driver taken out and immediately hand-cuffed. Three officers went through the vehicle with a fine-tooth comb and items were placed in large envelopes.

They then drove the stopped car across the street and parked it, everyone then left in the two gathered cruisers and one unmarked car. Don’t know what it was all about. Don’t know where it all started to eventually end up by our back door. All I do know is that you can see a pair of ‘stop-sticks’ laying on the cruiser’s hood. The Corner of Chaos & Mayhem is alive, well, and active.

Smooth as Silk – finally I happened to tune in to our go-to (i.e. listen-to) radio station, WLW700 – the Nation’s Station. Amidst an array of obnoxious stream used car-lot ads, I heard this. Have a listen to how a promo ad should run.

It’s a promotional ad for one of the station’s better voices, Bill ‘Willie’ Cunningham. Willie is an attorney whose wife is a retired Federal Judge. Willie has access to most anyone to interview – business leaders, State Governors, Sport personalities, you name a category and he’s got it covered. The whole show is a cut above the rest.

Distances – How far away is something? The nearest star to our sun is Proxima Centauri, a mere 4.2 light years away. The attached delightful short video from the UK starts with our sun being represented by a Golf ball (earth would be a grain of sand). The video’s host then proceeds to travel the scaled down corresponding distance to reach Proxima Centauri (also represented by a golf ball).

As you watch his travel, remember that our fastest man-made objects are the two Voyager probes (Voyager I and Voyager II both launched in 1977). Currently they’ve just left our solar system and will take 14,000 – 28,000 years to clear our galaxy and head into deep space,. So, staying with the scaled down golf ball representation, think of the guy’s travel being done on a kid’s old-school Big Wheel (my conceptualization).

What Vince and I used to chuckle over during a phone call was who’d be the first to be able to come out with; “that’s Yuuuge!” during our chat; whether it be something work, kids, travel, or achievement related. I believe that he’d agree that the more we understand the majesty and sheer size of the Universe that it’s even more “Yuuuge!” than we can even imagine.

Thou Shall Not Fall – Daughter in Law Cathy has a radio show. As an administrator at Pro Seniors Inc. she manages a public service interview radio show.  The show runs Thursdays at 2:00pm on WMKV 89.3fm.

Thursday’s show interviewed a representative from Trihealth Senior Services, the topic was fall prevention in seniors. I was unaware that this topic was being discussed prior to tuning in. On the other hand Marcia (who pirouetted on the driveway with disastrous results) is fully convinced that Cathy and I planned it as some major collusion scheme?

Sorry, a small glitch caused me to miss the first minute of the show:

A great quote – “The best way to make a dream come true is to wake up.” – Dame Anna Wintour

The Hype – our FC-Cincinnati Major League soccer team is in the thick of the MLS Playoff Cup playoffs. This evening’s best of 3, game number 2 will be held at Red Bull Stadium in New York (game 1 was held here which we won 3-nil). Hopefully, this 40-second video of the pregame Pyrotechnical show for MLS Cup Playoffs at our team’s stadium (TQL Stadium) will get everyone excited. The views are great.

Make it a great week. Stay upright. Stay vertical. This week, on a crisp clear night, head to a park away from lights and look up at the skies. As the majesty of it all takes a hold it should help to clear the ‘whirring’ of your mind’s daily struggles. Remember, smiling is easier than snarling.

May Peace prevail! Love to all. Dirk

BONUS POINTS: did you appreciate these were actual proposals never realized? Which one’s did you know something about?

The architect Buckminster Fuller proposed erecting a two-mile wide, weather-proof dome over Manhattan in the 1960s.

The original proposals for the Lincoln Memorial included pyramids and giant staircases; architect John Russell Pope.

In the 1950s, the U.S. government (the Energy Department) proposed building a port in Port Thompson, Alaska using nuclear weapons; Physicist Edward Teller backed the plan as an example of a “peaceful” application of nuclear weapons.

A Fury & The Electric Circus

Morning all! Before this week’s Ramblings gets underway, I have a question. This week a jewelry store customer accidentally got locked in their vault at closing; he was stuck there until the timer automatically opened the door in the morning. Importantly, he had a phone and was communicating with the outside.

Ok, here is my question. How is it that with my previous carrier I would lose signal in parts of our condo, yet, stuck in a concrete and steel vault which couldn’t be broken through, this guy had no connection issue? Zero?

Think about that as we sip our morning coffee. I’m sipping my ‘Dunkin’ brew even as I massage my worry stone.

Another Week, Another ‘Victim’ – and Marcia just sighs. Earlier in the week was sitting in the waiting area at a local garage. After fixing a cup of green tea I found myself chatting with the other person who was also waiting. And thus, it started.

Somehow, we ended up talking music. My new friend, Roy Naturman, was in our region for a recording session when his Volvo’s cooling system blew and so, there he was; a chance meeting between us two.

Trained in classical piano he moved into Jazz, and as a youngster in South Africa formed a band, Rock, Blues, and some newer sounds making use of rhythms specific to South Africa.

One of his bandmates was a Bassist, Clive Calder, who at some point left the ‘from-gig-to-gig-life’ playing scene; he announced he was moving to the UK and “own the music industry.”

Naturman said it wasn’t until a couple of years later he read that a new music label had signed a band named Def Leppard. That was the start. Calder initially formed Zomba Music Group and the JIVE label which eventually signed artists as varied as Billy Ocean, Will Smith, R. Kelly, N’ Sync (and later, Justin Timberlake), Backstreet Boys, Shenia Twain, and Britney Spears. His worth grew to an excess of $5-BILLION, and he now lives on his private island in the Caribbean.

Naturman and I discussed how lives can join, split, and for a variety of reasons end up totally different. Naturman with his 14-year-old Volvo says he’s enjoyed a happy and fulfilled life playing gigs; as fulfilled as is his uber-wealthy former bandmate (who he still has contact with). I guess it all stems from your view, desires, and outlook, i.e., do what makes you happy.

OK, once back home I researched and found a couple of 45s and one vinyl LP from the ‘60s with both Clive & Roy on the same label. Details follow below:

The Music – For four short years between 1967 and 1971 the hottest venue in New York was the Electric Circus. It was in the middle of that short period of the Circus that several youngsters blew into the city from their Cape Town home in South Africa.

In 1969 they played a one-night Jam: The Electric Jam – Alive At The Electric Circus . Finally, I had discovered something documented with both Calder and my new friend, Naturman, playing together. That was the LP I discovered. On the back cover of that LP Clive Calder paid homage to the keyboardist (organ), the 80-year old guy I had been talking with, Roy Naturman:

“This time (on I Wanna Dream) Roy Naturman on the organ. What a player! In fact, what a scene! Roy Naturman wanted some peace of mind. So, he quieted the scene down. You know, sort of slowed the pace. “Coming Home Babe”. An instrumental, I’ve always felt that organs should be played in church, or on Sunday nights in Electric Jams. So does Roy. So he played.”

Warning: Below is a YouTube of that full LP and thus a little over 30-minutes of great listening to a recording which dates back to 1969. Enjoy!

Isn’t it grand that no matter where you find yourself, an interaction with a total stranger can lead to a splendid few moments.

An Insight – At this time of our world leaders finding another “Jolly Little War” I thought we’d gain with an uncommon insight. Especially seeing how many of the world’s leaders and the protesting University students across the West who apparently ‘flail’ away without real thought and understanding .

This quote comes from by Golda Meir (1898 Kyiv, Ukraine – 1978) who was the fourth prime minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974. She was the first female head of a government in the Middle East. She was brilliant!

’57 Fury – The first new car I remember my dad buying when we got settled in Canada was a 1953 Chevy. With a bland tan color, it surely got us around (except for the times the ‘knuckles’ on the shift ‘tree’ got out of sync and the time the battery was stolen).

But three years in was about how long these beasts were able to stay clear of all sorts of issues, and so the time had come to purchase something new. And new it was. Soon a brand new 1957 Plymouth Fury was proudly seen on our driveway.

It was the worst car you could have ever imagined!

Prior to year two when it was sold the ‘Fury’ had blown the rear suspension. Three of the door handles had been made unusable through freezing (it was in Canada after all). And we nearly lost our rented RV trailer miles from home when it was discovered that the left side of the rear bumper was never properly attached to the vehicle. It’s amazing how a good marketing spin can make ‘a silk purse from a sow’s ear’.

Thanks to Art for digging up this old dealer’s training video:

Hippy Themed – is a restaurant located about 40-miles from here; the Plain Folk LIVE – Music Cafe. Located in the tiny town of Pleasant Plain. It’s on my list – music and food in a small-town setting has got to be alright. This would have been a good week to try the place with the weather mid to high 70s. Probably, the next chance we’ll get the snows could be flying.

Elephants – A few weeks ago while retrieving our recycling bins a trucker stopped and asked me for directions to the Zoo. Lots of rebar in back, he mentioned it was for the elephant section. That was the first time I heard that something ‘elephantine’ was afoot.

Turns out that they’re creating a new 5-acre enclosure for these large animals. In that light, it’s good to see that the place is looking towards the long-term survival and the coexistence of the creatures. Both in the wild and in their care. It’s much more than a place to go, “ooh” and “aah”. As the #1 rated Zoo in the nation, we’re understandably proud.

Factoid of the day: did you know that Elephants don’t like tea?

Halloween for adults – acquires a whole different take than merely costuming and heading out for a candy grab. On the other hand, do not make it a macabre reflective time either. ?

Swedish Confusion – since Marcia is half Swede, and since 120,000 people a year confuse Sweden with Switzerland (thinking these are one and the same), I want use my Ramblings as a vehicle to help you. I thought I’d give you a short video titled “Visit Sweden” (click on the title). It was created primarily to educate the many people who confuse Sweden with Switzerland as President Biden did recently.

Make it a great week. Should you be as old (or nearly so) as me, remember it’s about time to deal with your 401K RMD’s – you have till December 31st.

This week make a new friend. Keep seeing your ‘glass’ as half full. And remember, smiling is easier than snarling.

May Peace prevail! Love to all. Dirk

BONUS POINTS: Know what these Baby Boomer words/expressions/phrases mean?
1. Crash on the Davenport
2. Gas
3. Thongs
4. Don’t flip your wig
5. Wet rag
6. A bone to pick

The Arts, and Art

Morning all even though outside it’s sitting at 44-degrees! And alongside the ‘and Art’ (referencing my brother), it’s Marcia too – read further on down.

This week it got to a point where I had to head for Costco. The reason is there was a great sale on Peet’s Coffee along with a tire issue, a fuel fill up, a new hair dryer, and a must buy rotisserie chicken. I have no idea how it was that at the register it took two persons to unpack my shopping cart.

Now study the reality of this comic while I take a sip of coffee.

A trope – this trope regarding the current (ongoing) Hamas vs. Israel fracas sums it up pretty well. Hamas launches a skirmish against Israel. Israel retaliates. The most vocal world voices quickly toss all blame onto Israel – which is then run up the flagpole by the world’s willing media. At least that’s the trend as we’re currently seeing it. Here’s the trope as written by a very clever Canadian, Mark Steyn:

“One day the U.N. Secretary General proposes that, in the interest of global peace and harmony, the world’s soccer players should come together and form one United Nations global soccer team.

“Great idea,” says his deputy. “Er, but who would we play?”

“Israel, of course.”

A Dr. Visit – Marcia; “Dr. did you just label me a pulchritudinous, pneumatic, somewhat minimally callipygous, but overall Junoesque patient?”

Dr. J.; “Mrs. P., my apologies, I was just dictating my findings regarding your median nerve and your serious case of carpal tunnel syndrome.”

And thus, it was how Marcia discovered she has a serious problem. Or a “sensory cutaneous innervation to the medial forearm, medial wrist, and medial one and one-half digits” aka Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to be more specific.

Sitting in on her medical happenings, I now feel ready to pass an exam on the subject! By the way, during the EMG electrical test portion I could have sworn Marcia was sitting on a whoopie cushion.

More matters: Marcia & Mangoes – One of the secrets Marcia shared with me after we started dating seriously was that she was allergic to Mangoes. During her Peace Corps stint in Venezuela, she noted that Mango trees grew everywhere, i.e., “fruit for the picking”. After eating a Mango from the tree (almost Genesis-like don’t you think) her face ballooned and turned red. Fast forward, decade after decade as time went by. Not until this week did I learn the reason.

Seems like the Mango (and Cashews) are all from the same plant family as Poison Ivy – Anacardiaceae. And, that Poison Ivy isn’t poisonous but its leaves contain an organic irritant compound – Urushiol. That same compound is also on Mango skin, and Cashew shells.

Problem solved. Buy and eat all the Mangoes she (or you) want, just skin them; the fruit is wonderfully delicious.

Artists – For someone who appreciates art, but produces little, I am amazed by the insight, interpretation, and execution of their vision. Artists truly are a step above. Have a look at these two short videos – totally different, both stunning.

And finally, all art is interpretive. I saw this sculpture and feel as if this piece is a reaction to what seems like sanity, throughout the world, has ‘sailed’ away. ‘Crazy’, in all its forms, is so rampant that ‘normalcy’ is unable to cope with it all – we’re unable to wrap our collective heads around it. That’s how I see this sculpture by Belgian artist Thomas Lerooy:

Boys in the Boat – When granddaughter Dinah started rowing, I had zero knowledge of her sport. Since I always have difficulty operating in a vacuum one of my first moves was to pick up and read a striking true story on the subject. This excerpt from the Amazon book site on Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown:

“In 1936 nine working-class American boys burst from their small towns into the international limelight, unexpectedly wiping the smile off Adolph Hitlers face by beating his vaunted German team to capture the Olympic gold medal.”

That book gave me insight into the determination, comradery, strength, and teamwork that sport requires.

Now we’re on the cusp of George Clooney’s release of a movie based on that book, to be released Christmas Day. Click below for the Boys in the Boat movie Trailer.

Numbers – usually tell a story quickly and succinctly. Here is a numbers graph which shows the salary requirement to own a home in cities across the nation:

Dia De Los Muertos – “Day of the Dead” is celebrated at All Saints Day in many Latin countries (this year on Oct 31, or Nov. 1, 2, 6). Years ago, in Guatemala, Marcia and I happened to be there during that time. People were decorating cemeteries and having family picnics by gravesites. A blend of Aztec, Mayan, and Christian, it’s a really major, colorful, and happy festive time.

Meeting Folk – I’ve heard way too often that I can’t step anywhere without either just chatting with someone or making a new friend. Tanking up at Costco I met this fellow and his ‘toy’. We were happily ‘jawing away when one of us noticed that the line behind us was growing.

Anyhow, here is a photo of my latest ‘victim’, my new friend, and his answer to improving plant growth through carbon.

Monday, brother Art will become the newest family recipient to receive a hip replacement. Keep him in your thoughts. I believe that the regular exercises over these past two years will do him well when it comes to a speedy recovery.

Make it a great week. Do your best to stay healthy, stay happy, stay grateful, and continue to learn and grow.

May Peace prevail! Love to all. Dirk

BONUS POINTS: any concept of what these short forms mean on Social Media?
1. LOL
2. IJBOL
3. LMAO
4. ROFL
5. TL;DR
6. TBBH