secrets

 We all have that special box, drawer, file or whatever where we store our important papers. The more judicious among us keep a safety deposit box at the bank. It is a good thing to have, storing all those important documents, not necessarily cash, coins or collectibles. I have a fire proof box that I use for that purpose. Nothing in there of any monetary value, just insurance papers, birth certificates and the like. As a kid I thought those safety deposit boxes where only for the wealthy. They were rather mysterious. I wondered what secrets they held. Just no telling. The importance of keeping the original documents has done nothing but increase over the years. Soon you had best be keeping your medical documents in there as well, a record of your vaccinations and the like. I can see our freedom to " move about " being limited in the future based on that data. You are being tracked today, even if you don't believe it, you are. They call it contact tracing, claiming it has been around for years. Yes, I have no doubt that it has been used in the past, it's just today the technology exists to track millions of us at a time. Personally it doesn't concern me as I have nothing to hide from anyone. Follow me around all you want.
 I remember in the movies, when I was a kid, spies would have microfilm to store all that information on. Heck I used microfilm when I was in the Navy, we had thousands of pages of microfilm. We called it microfiche but it was microfilm. It couldn't be read without magnification. It was like a viewmaster on steroids. Today a thumb drive will hold those same pages. I was impressed with cd's and dvd's when I first saw them. It was an amazing thing, all that information. We didn't start calling it data until we started using home computers. Then we all started getting all techy throwing terms like data, bites, and drives around. We talk about virtual reality, Bluetooth, and the like. We have data plans! Some will give us unlimited data. Yes, we can have it all. But we do have to have the technology to decode that data. At least with microfilm you could just use a magnifying glass if that was all you had. On the plus side we can encrypt, there's a spy word for you, our data quite easily today. I've put passwords on some of my data, which I promptly forgot, and that data is secure, even from me. I'm not that tech savvy and often encounter problems with that sort of thing. I get flustered when I want to download something from the internet and get this message. there is no program associated with this, do you want to create an association?  Uh, no. I don't want to join an association, I just want to save this article. Or it says, Microsoft can't open this document, look for a program on the internet. You are the internet why can't you find it yourself? Well, that's operator error, I realize that, but it is frustrating at times.  I now have pictures and data on a medium I can not read. Yup, I've got floppy discs. I also have those discs, the name escapes me at the moment, but you know the ones in the little plastic cases, what are they three or four inch discs? Whatever the case, I don't presently have a means to read those discs. Yes I know I can buy an external drive to do that with. Question is, will my grandkids be able to purchase that drive and will they know what they are? They will be like old phonographs, available as collectors items. I can see that now, and these kids are called floppy discs, your great grandfather used these. Wow, that is all the data it can hold? Of course I remember 45 RPM records, most of them were between three and five minutes long. What more data? Buy a LP ( long play ) album. Prior to that we did use magnetic tape and it would run for hours, just not very convenient or portable. Yes I still have 8 track and cassette tapes. Can't play either one.
 With all of this technology to preserve our data, including photographs, wait I mean digital images, I'm beginning to fear how secure it all will really be. By secure , I mean how easily will future generations to be to access all of that? I'm thinking it is liable to be too secure, so secure you can't even read or see it at all! Yes, there will always be a means to do so, I understand that. What I'm thinking about is the ease in doing so. I can take out that old photograph of my great grandfather, a picture taken in the late 1800's and look at it. No equipment necessary, well except for my own vision which is getting a little blurry and dim, a hardware issue. I also have pictures on those discs I mentioned earlier that I can't look at right now. Oh I could a few years back, not today. My thought is if the grandchildren or others should discover these discs after my passing would they then seek out the equipment, the technology, to access them? Will they even know what the heck they are? Well maybe, maybe not.
 Well I have a box, a chest really where I keep my photographs and some memorabilia that I call the archives. It's a wooden chest so vulnerable to fire, water, and handling damages. The thing is, everything in there is immediately visible. You can see it, hold it, examine it. I do that on occasion and find it satisfying. That's true even though I have done that numerous times with the same stuff. All the stuff that is important to me is in there, except for what I have around the house on display. I did begin writing a catalogue of those items, a brief explanation of what they are and why I kept them. It's my feeling by doing so I will ensure their salvation. Less likely to be discarded if you know the story behind those objects. That's the security system I have devised for those things. Of course there is a degree of encryption involved, I'm writing that catalogue in cursive! A little mystery is always a good thing, something to spark the interest. Is it a secret code of some type? I'm not sure, I think my grandparents talked about something like this, everyone used to do it. Let's scan it, upload it and see what comes back.    

brandophile?

 There is this gentleman that posts a word of the day on Facebook. These words are ones not commonly used and I'm often stumped. Being a person that enjoys vocabulary it is of interest to me. Yesterday he posted brandophile. Now knowing that the ending " phile " indicated something that someone likes. I took a stab at it and answered , someone who likes brands. Now, I did go look it up after posting my response, it wouldn't be right to look it up beforehand, that would be like buying a diploma off the internet. So, I checked his answer this morning, as he will post the meaning at some point. He says it means a person who collects cigar bands. Yes, I found that answer as well, along with one that sorta fit what I said. It said, " a person who is fond of a commercial brand or brands. " I like the one about a collector of cigar bands best. That is the context I'm thinking I would use that in. In fact it reminded me of my great grandfather. He wasn't a brandophile but did enjoy his cigars. Because of that I am quite familiar with cigar bands and cigar boxes. I don't know but I think cigars have fallen out of favor. I surely don't see many people enjoying them. 

 Great Grandfather Lester was rarely seen without a cigar in the corner of his mouth. It was just as rare to see that cigar lit. For the majority of the time Gramp just chewed on the end. He would occasionally spit, like one does with chewing tobacco, and his aim was extraordinary. It was a fascination for a young person like myself. When he did light it he just gently pulled on that cigar and blew the smoke out of the opposite corner of his mouth. He didn't take it in and out of his mouth all the time, in fact, many times I watched as that large ash would fall off the end. As I said a fascination for a young child. It is one of those indelible memories we all carry. I picture him with that cigar, a white shirt, a vest, arm garters and carrying a cane. That's how my great grandfather looked. 

 Gramp did have quite the collection of cigar boxes at his house. Like all of those old people he never threw anything out. As a result there were cigar boxes filled with all sorts of things. Rubber bands, buttons, pencils, pens, needles and thread, there was just no telling what you might find. I remember White Owls and Dutch Masters. Which brand he preferred I can't say with certainty, both boxes were plentiful. Sadly I don't have any of those boxes. It is only when we get older and the years have past that we begin to place value on such things. It would be a sentimental thing if I had one of his cigar boxes. Well, I have some other reminders of him that I treasure. If I had to guess I'd say it was Dutch Masters that he preferred in his final years. He enjoyed those cigars to the very end. 

 Time and fashion change. Back in the day many men smoked cigars or pipes. They still smoke pipes today, just using a different tobacco these days. But I remember cherry tobacco as being quite the popular choice. My Uncle smoked a pipe, I have his pipe cleaner and lighter, and he used cherry tobacco. Smelled quite nice. I remember going to the library and businessmen reading the newspaper while enjoying a fine cigar. That was, of course, back in the day when you could smoke just about anywhere. My friend and I would buy Black Watch cigars, they came in a metal tube and were wrapped in a thin sheet of cedar wood. We would light those up while sitting in the balcony at the movie theater. Yes, we figured we were big shots. Smoking was allowed in the balcony only! Well smoke rises you know so that way the people below didn't have to deal with that. If memory serves, kids weren't allowed in the balcony. My Mom was an usher at that theater for a number of years, she took your tickets at the base of the stairway leading to the balcony. I guess she was making sure no kids went up there. I honestly don't recall the rules and procedures. 

 I don't have any cigar boxes in my house but I do have ashtrays. They are just old mementos now as I quit that habit years ago. I always smoked indoors, at my house. I could never wrap my head around the idea that I should only smoke outdoors at my own house! Nope, I always smoked indoors and if you didn't like it, go stand on the porch. If it's cold, rainy. or whatever that's just too bad. When I'm at your house I'll follow your rules. You could say I was a brandophile back then, Marlboro was my brand. Today I don't really have any particular brand that I favor over another. I do insist upon a quality product however. There are certain things one can not skimp on, Catsup and toliet paper come to mind. Delmonte or Heinz for catsup and at a minimum a good two ply tissue! Scott is the first choice but other quality brands will get the job done. But I'm wandering off a bit here. 

 It's funny how one word can lead to a whole story. That is exactly what happened this morning. Brandophile, a person who collects cigar bands made me think of great grandfather Lester. With that a whole slew of old remembrances emerged. I was inspired to write about that. To the individual that posted the word I say, thanks Mike. Made me smile anyway. Now I'll be on the lookout for cigar boxes and bands. Remember when men would hand out cigars when their children were born? Now they sell bubble gum ones for that purpose at the hospital gift shop. Used to be, give that man a cigar, as a reward for any accomplishment. Kennedy and many other presidents kept a box of cigars on their desk in the oval office. I don't know how many after him have done so. Cigars were a symbol of power, wealth and influence. The head doctors can explain all of that, although I'm not buying that. I say it was nothing more than custom, one that went out of fashion. Ah, the good old days, right. 

                                                           

                                                           

                                                   

what's best

We live in a Republic. That is the form of government our forefathers fought for and what was established. A republic places the power in the hands of the people, having elected representatives and an elected president. Madison, Jefferson and Jay were the authors of the federalist papers. They didn't always agree with each other but presented arguments in support of ratifying the constitution. What they all shared in common was the fear of a too strong central government. The biggest disagreement among those individuals was the necessity for a Bill of Rights. Hamilton opposed the Bill of Rights fearing it would limit the rights of the people. In short his opposition was, if you made a list of rights, you would then be limited to those rights! Jay having the opposite view argued your rights should be delineated. But the premise was and is, a limited central government. The power is to remain with the people, in their representatives, not in a strong central government. Congress is the governing body. The executive and judicial branches serve as a balance of power, with their respective functions.
 At this time, as the nation deals with this virus it has become increasingly evident to me that many people just don't understand the process of government. This is a Republic. We fought a civil war over, among other reasons, the right of the federal government to exert power over the individual states. Yes, it was partially about federal authority over state authority. The tenth amendment to the constitution expressly states that. It reads, " The power not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. " Clearly the intent here is that the states shall legislate and control their respective states within the guidelines of the Constitution, not a central government. The governor of each state acts almost as the president of that state. The governor is responsible to the people of their states for the administration of that state! That means, it is not the function of the" government " to bail out each state. Also the reason you hear the term, federal guidelines being used in regard to the virus. The federal government does not have the authority to impose restrictions upon the individual states outside of the powers granted to that government by the constitution.
 What I see are many wanting to play both sides of that fence. You can't have it both ways. Consider this legalization of Marijuana. Many states have chosen to " legalize " the use of pot in contradiction to federal law. The supremacy clause states the federal government is the ultimate authority. The feds retain that right of prosecution. Why is it allowed? States rights is the reasoning. The argument harkens back to the beginning of the Republic itself. The federal government does not have the authority over the individual states in regards to such legislation. Slavery, which of course was the main impetus for the civil war. was regarded in the same fashion. You can't on one hand demand the federal government provide you with everything you ask for, while telling that same authority you can't legislate my actions. The federal government does not have the legal authority to order all citizens to do anything! That is what a Republic is all about.
 The original thirteen colonies that declared their independence from English rule, thought of themselves as independent states. That is to say, independent governments. They did recognize the necessity to come together for practical reasons. Economic considerations led that. Plus, you can't wage a war without an army. An army requires a general. Yes, a centralized authority is required to coordinate the efforts of an army. Thirteen individual armies would quickly be defeated against the might of the British empire. That is why the Articles of Confederation were written, signed and ratified. Article two of that confederation says, " each state retains its' sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in congress assembled. " It's s subtle thing that goes unnoticed a great deal of the time but when the founders, and others refer to the United States, what are they referring too? The individual states! In congress assembled forms the Republic.
 Now if you are one that proposes a strong centralized government, a Republic isn't for you. You are talking about socialism, communism, a monarchy, or a dictatorship. You are advocating placing  ultimate power in one central entity. Whether that is an individual person or a body of individuals, they are unchecked. Even when you get to vote for that person or body of people, you are voting for unchecked authority. In our Republic we even have a check on the voting process, making that process as fair as possible. We call it the electoral college and it is a foundation to the Republic.  What currently amazes me the most is those individuals that want the removal of the president are now the ones screaming for a stronger central government. Yes, it is an amazing thing. Not my President, where's my check? Trump is not a dictator but the federal government should make all the rules! The individual states are not responsible for having the proper supplies and preparation for unseen pandemics, the government should have been ready. No, states can pass any legislation they like as long as it profits them, the federal government has no right to intervene. The federal government should however provide funds, supplies, and personnel anytime a state requires that. The states are like teenagers, independent until they get in trouble then home to mommy. Nope, it isn't supposed to work like that. And that brings me back to the beginning. Seems to me a whole of folks just don't understand how a republic functions at all. Perhaps the government should mandate civics classes for every citizen before they can vote! Voting isn't supposed to be for what you want, it is supposed to be for what is best for the whole. 

what not to believe

 An old Greek guy named Euripides said, " A man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. " Now I'm not Greek, old by some standards, but I couldn't have said it any better. As I like to point out there is little one can say that hasn't been said before. Humanity and the human condition hasn't changed all that much over the centuries. It is only in the area of convenience that progress has been realized, human nature, not so much. I'm thinking today, more than ever, Euripides was certainly telling the truth of the matter. I know I am far less likely to believe what is reported today than I was in the past. Integrity? Unfortunately, in my opinion, that has been replaced with prosperity in a great number of cases. It isn't about providing information to the masses anymore, it's about telling them what to think. Well that is, as long as a profit is to be realized! That same old Greek guy also said, " Money is far more persuasive than logical argument. " Yup, he was right again. That is also quite evident today if you are really paying attention. Think someone like a Bill Gates. What is his qualification to speak on population control, world health matters, and the like? Wealth? Yes, he's a smart guy when it comes to computers and such, a great businessman, although some would call his ethics into question, but what are his qualifications? He's got lots of money and so people listen to him. But that can be said about any number of people in this country and the world. Money is power, far more powerful than rhetoric, ethics, or morality. And that is what Euripides was talking about. With enough money one doesn't have to be logical. Or when you fear that your money may be in jeopardy, toss logic to the wind. Start passing out money and you will garner many followers, at least until the money runs out.
 The government has decided to close down the country in response to this pandemic. Seems logical enough in the short term, but what about the long term? Not without money. That's the reality  of the situation. Yes the government is giving you back some of your money, don't forget that tidbit of information, government money is your money, not some magical fairy dust that appears. Remember, even the government will eventually run out of your money! Read that again, run out of your money. Now that is where a "judicious sense of what to believe " enters the picture. The truth is over 98% of the people that get infected with Covid 19 make a full recovery. We keep hearing that this is an unprecedented time in history. Fact is, the Spanish Flu, H1N1 was far more deadly than this virus. And yes it was a Novel virus, meaning it was a brand new thing, unknown before its' appearance in 1918. Ten million or more died. For that reason, logically, this event isn't unprecedented. I'm not believing the hype, just heeding the warnings and advice. Exercising a judicious sense of what to believe.
 There are protests popping up against the closing of business. Why? Money is the answer. Money is a more persuasive argument than logical argument. If the economy were predicated upon logic we would all be broke! Socialism is an attempt to run a government based solely in logic, although disguised as humanitarian, for the people. Don't believe it, every socialist state will eventually run out of other people's money. Yes, everyone will be equal, equally broke. Well except for those in power that convinced you how great the system was. Those folks will not suffer until there is a coup, rebellion, or all out civil war that removes them from office. Thomas Jefferson wrote, " The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time. To preserve our independence we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude. " This is a precarious time when we must take care to not saddle future generations with an insurmountable debt. Liberty will be lost, and liberty once surrendered can only be retrieved by revolt.
 Jefferson also wrote: " Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government, that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights. " Isn't that speaking to what Euripides was saying? " A man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. " 

over time

 It has become somewhat of a habit, I check the memories page on my Facebook account every morning. It goes back ten years, an entire decade. That's amazing to me, ten years on Facebook already. It's fun to see what I posted on a particular day. There are certainly a lot of posts about the grandkids. Something that has changed over that time period. Now that they are older the posts are fewer. Mark being in college and Morgan high school their accomplishments aren't recorded as readily. I'm sure you know what I mean. Wouldn't want to embarrass them, and they are, of course linked to my page. They are on my friends list. They aren't always happy about that I think, but excuse it with their friends as " old " people. I'm sure you know that attitude you take with your friends, that don't really know your other friends, and you make excuses for them. Yeah, he's a little crazy or well you don't get to choose your relatives, that sort of thing. I do enjoy looking back though.
 One year ago on this day my son Kevin was sworn in as the mayor of Greensboro. An entire year of this administration and I can say no controversies. Sadly I haven't attended many town meetings. I know for all my talk of civics, I rarely attend those town hall meetings. It isn't because my son has been one of the commissioners or is now the mayor, I just haven't taken an interest in town affairs. I will say that now Kevin is the mayor I would hesitate to speak up at a public meeting, he certainly doesn't need that. Truth is, there isn't a whole lot going on in Greensboro, Maryland to be concerned with beyond the regular concerns of running the town. And another truth is I like it that way. The Fire company and the Lions club are the two biggest organizations in town. I expect it is that way with most of small town America.
 The office of Mayor is a three year term here in Greensboro. There is no official office, he doesn't have a desk at town hall, or a private office. We aren't like that. The Mayor is a part time position, as are the commissioners and those on the various boards. Yes the Mayor and the commissioners all receive a yearly stipend, a sort of thank you from the town. But it isn't about the money it's about the town. Kevin had a goal of one day becoming the mayor and accomplished that goal. He tells me he has no aspirations beyond that office. The next step up with be county commissioner and I believe him when he says, he's not interested. Kevin rarely mentions that he is the mayor, that office hasn't changed him in any way in that regard. He does love the town, his hometown, and is concerned with keeping it alive. Like most of the small towns in America today, downtown doesn't have much in the way of business. There is nothing to draw the tourists to the town and so that's an issue. If you want people to come, you have to have something to sell. It's a simple fact. Stage a parade without any vendors and the turn out is very low. Try to stage anything without vendors and the turn out is always low. You have to have something to sell. I know, it's a strange thing. You would think something for free would be attractive, it's not, unless there are vendors. Well, anyway the Mayor is always trying to organize something to attract people to our town.
 Funny how time sometimes fools us. It's just been a year but seems longer. I suppose that it is because he has been a commissioner for a while, so being in office isn't anything new to him or me. The grandkids are young adults, where did that time go? But it doesn't seem like anything has changed in Greensboro since I moved here over twenty years ago. I don't even remember what year that took place. I was still in the Navy then and I've been retired from that since 1993! The truth is I've lived longer in Greensboro than I have any other place, including the place I was born and raised. Still I don't think of Greensboro as my hometown, Greensboro is where I live. Yeah, my son is the Mayor.  

Dreams and disappointment

 You know what I like? Wooden boats. Yup, I grew up with wooden boats, that's what my father had. He had those boats because they were old boats, not those new fiberglass jobs. Who could afford that? And isn't that the way with most of us? Oh, today most people do finance a new car but used cars are still big business. With boats it is the same way. If you can't afford the new you can always buy the old. In the fifties and sixties there were plenty of old wooden boats around. They hadn't yet become collectors items, no, just old boats. Just like cars, if you had a place to store them and the foresight to buy them, you could make a pretty penny on those old boats. But few did and as a result the old wooden boats are getting to be a rarity. Using them on a regular basis is even rarer. 

 I think the largest wooden boat I was ever on was the USS Constitution. It wasn't at sea of course and so I can't speak to that experience. I would like one day to sail on a tall ship. It isn't a pressing desire, it is low down on the bucket list, but it would be fun. I did take a day sail on a skipjack. A skipjack was the traditional oystering boat used on the Chesapeake bay back in the days of sail. There are a few of them still around, preserved and sailed for entertainment, education and profit. The Chesapeake bay museum has a boat building program were you can learn the craft and work on projects of all sizes. It's for those with sufficient disposable income for such things. Wooden boats are an expensive hobby, that much is certain. But as anyone in the know will attest, there is nothing like a wooden boat. 

 The largest one my dad owned was a 32 foot cabin cruiser. A fine old vessel. It wasn't a yacht, not by a long shot, but did have the basics. The head was in the bow, bunks along the sides and a small table. There was a small stove and a refrigerator. Yes, she was a fine vessel. On the stern the name was printed in gold leaf, The Owl and the Pussycat. It wasn't painted pea green, nor sailed for a year and a day, but did have monogramed cocktail glasses onboard. They came with the boat. She had been run aground and was declared a total loss by the insurance company. Dad was working at the Silver Sea Horse marina at that time and placed a bid on that boat. It was accepted by the insurance company and Dad salvaged her. It took some time but he had the skills. The engines were disassembled and rebuilt. All the glass had to be replaced as it was destroyed when the coast guard towed her back to the marina, the water rushing through her. New carpet throughout and other repairs. I remember her sitting in the yard, propped upright. It would be the last wooden boat Dad owned. 

 I did have a sixteen foot lapstrake runabout that my Uncle had given me. I purchased a twenty five horsepower Johnson outboard, a 1958 if memory serves, and felt like I was king of the seas. I had to recaulk her and paint the bottom, the stern was a little sketchy but I figured she would hold that motor. I ran her one summer only and don't recall what happened to her. I'm guessing I sold it to someone or maybe my brother took it. I always have admired those Chris Craft runabouts that were so popular in the forties and fifties. Beautifully crafted using only the finest materials. Collectors items today worth many thousands of dollars. They were expensive to own and maintain even then. I have had the opportunity to ride in one and the experience was something else. Felt like I was on Golden pond, remember that movie? Remember that boat? 

 Wooden boats are something nice to dream about. Everyone should have things they dream about, like houses, boats, airplanes or whatever. Those things that you know you can't afford but would like to have. They aren't the things you actually chase after, they are the things you dream about. Yes we always say chase your dreams, go after it and you can have that. Reality is quite a bit different however and I am well aware of that. The old saying talk is cheap is very true. Takes money to chase dreams like that, lots of money. It's alright though I don't feel cheated, underprivileged or being denied a thing. Wooden boats are a dream not an obsession. I've had lots of dreams over the years and enjoy them for what they are. It is only when you confuse the two, that you are disappointed. 

 

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

Edward Lear - 1812-1888

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The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea
   In a beautiful pea-green boat:
They took some honey, and plenty of money
   Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
   And sang to a small guitar,
"O lovely Pussy, O Pussy, my love,
   What a beautiful Pussy you are,
            You are,
            You are!
   What a beautiful Pussy you are!"

Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl,
   How charmingly sweet you sing!
Oh! let us be married; too long we have tarried,
   But what shall we do for a ring?"
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the bong-tree grows;
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood,
   With a ring at the end of his nose,
            His nose,
            His nose,
   With a ring at the end of his nose.

"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
   Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."
So they took it away, and were married next day
   By the turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince and slices of quince,
   Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
   They danced by the light of the moon,
            The moon,
            The moon,
   They danced by the light of the moon.

This poem is in the public domain.

Morris

 For the past few days I've been making an effort to keep these blogs light and airy. I want to say, without thought, but that isn't exactly true, I have to think about what I'm typing. It's just that lately some seem to get overly excited about what I have written, guessing it is stress or anxiety. I'm pleased that folks are reading anyway. It's an amazing thing really that such weight could be assigned to my thoughts. Well it has been my experience in life that the written word carries far more weight than the spoken word. See, it says so right here. Yes the written word is a powerful thing no matter who writes it. Certainly we will dismiss the writings of those we don't agree with or go contrary to our desires. Signs are the same way, generally observed until we don't want to. Think this line for ten items only, we have twelve or fourteen, it'll be alright. Wet paint is always a favorite, most will touch the paint to verify the sign is accurate. If we really mean something, we are told, put it in writing! That makes it official.
 So this morning I was wondering what I could write about that wouldn't get anyone upset. I've decided to write about my cat, Morris. Morris was a gift from the grandkids. My wife had told the kids how I would like to have a cat, I've had them in the past. It was a nice gesture of her part as she is not an animal person. It isn't that she doesn't like a cat or a dog for that matter, she doesn't like the way they behave on occasion. But anyway, Morris was rescued from the shelter and is about four years old. After being here with us for about four months he has settled right in, the way cats do. In short, he's taken over the joint! Yes, he is everywhere, on everything, in everything and demanding. When he is hungry he will get right under your feet to impede your progress. I read where this is there way of trying to direct you to the food bowl. One of the stranger habits Morris has is the way he drinks his water. He will dip his paw in the bowl and bring it to his mouth in that fashion. I asked the vet about that and he explained that cats will sometimes do that because their vision up close isn't so good. He suggested getting a fountain. I did buy Morris his own personal fountain, it stands like a shrine next to his food bowl. I have to clean it out often as his gets his food in there. But I have seen him drink water in the normal fashion where the water comes out so I guess that Doctor knew what we was talking about.
 I have purchased a number of toys for him. The house is slowly being taken over with his stuff. Yes, I am spoiling him. I built two window seats for him. He does enjoy sitting on them looking out at the birds and squirrels. He will take off rushing window to window looking for whatever. It can give you a start that's for sure. He could be lying there seemingly asleep and then spring up like a shot! He has his favorite toy, a little furry mouse. that he will toss around, bite and grapple with. After a while he will throw it down the stairs. Then he will go get that mouse and bring it to my feet. He expects a treat each time he does that and I usually oblige him. I didn't believe it at first but you can train cats to do certain things. I bought a clicker and he will come in response to that, when he is in the mood anyway, receiving a treat for doing so. I have to watch the treats though, the Doctor said his weight has to be watched. He's not overweight, yet.
 There is another thing he does that I wonder if other cats do the same. As I said I've had cats in the past but they never did this. Morris will run up to you and bat at you with his foot and then run away. I said to my wife, it's like a drive by! He will sometimes do that when you are walking too. I've even had him jump into my lap, smack me, and rush off. It's almost like he is saying, wake up, I want some attention here. My wife really doesn't like when he does that, it startles her. Can't say I blame her, it does make you jump. Another thing he will do is when you are in the bathroom he will stick his front feet under the door. You look down and there are those little feet. This morning the tie from my bathrobe was hanging down, my robe was hanging on the bathroom door, those little feet reached in and grabbed it! I barely got it back before he made off with it. Morris!
 I have plans to build him a catio. I have to wait until it's safe to go out to Lowes. Yes, I know that Lowe's is open but I'm not going there just yet, the weather isn't that great here yet anyway. But I do plan on making him a cation so he can get fresh air and sunshine. As I said I built him two window seats and I have had the window open. He did seem to enjoy the breeze and listening to the birds. I'm thinking he will really enjoy that. Oh the wife discovered you can't really do a jig saw puzzle with Morris around. She had started one, Morris jumped up there to investigate that. Well, you know what happened. Bad Morris, bad. Oh and does anyone else have a cat that likes to get inside the cabinets? Morris will open the cabinet door and climb in there where the pots and pans are stored. You can hear him trying to get the door open as it will slam a few times before he gets a good grip on it. Sometimes we will hear him meowing, something he does little of, when he gets inside the cabinet and the door closes. You have to go out there and let him out. What a silly cat. But that's what I've always like about cats, they are aloof. Somehow I find that quality amusing in a cat. It's almost like they just don't care about you at all. Feed me human, pay attention to me when I want you to, keep my litter box clean. I may allow you to hold me.   

what are you?

 Who remembers when we would say someone was a clothes horse? It's a saying I haven't heard in quite some time. I was reminded of that after writing yesterdays story about shopping. Now I didn't do a lot of shopping as a kid simply because I didn't have a lot of money to go shopping with. The largest shopping sprees that I recall happened in the fall, school clothes. That usually took place at the kitchen table with Mom and the Sear catalogue. That is where those clothes came from. I remember looking at the pictures and choosing this shirt and those pants. Underwear came from sears too, and handkerchiefs, although I never understood the need for them. I thought that was about the most disgusting thing ever. You really expect me to blow my nose in that thing and then stick it in my pocket? No, that's not happening. We didn't get a lot of clothes, several pair of pants, a few shirts, socks and maybe a coat and sweater. As I said, school clothes. At least through October I had to change out of them after school. Past that, it didn't matter as much. I would always get a few more school clothes for Christmas and at Easter too. I didn't have a closet full of clothes. Now I'm not saying I didn't have plenty of clothes, I had all I needed. Clothes and fashion were never of much importance to me. That was the provenance of the clothes horse. Those folks were made fun of at my house. The implication being it was a waste of money and vain. 

 It is funny how things change over the years. Clothing is no different. In the past most people only had the basic necessities. They usually did have there Sunday go to Meetings for all those special occasions. But for the most part the wardrobe was modest. Well their entire wardrobe would fit inside a wardrobe! Now there's something you don't see a lot of anymore, except in museums or as statement pieces. They were replaced by closets, today the closets are the walk in type to accommodate the wardrobe. Some peoples' wardrobe are more like a costume department. But my point is simply the amount of clothing we typically buy these days. It is far more than in years past. 

 As I said the majority of my school clothes came from Sears or another mail order house. Now there were a few shops uptown that served to fill in when something was needed right away. Our go to store for immediate clothing needs was Brills'. Brills' was a reasonable priced store that carried a wide variety of items. I remember that store well. What I didn't know was that often the clothing were factory seconds. There would be a slight flaw in them somewhere. Maybe the stitching wasn't just right or one sleeve was a bit shorter. Whatever the case was, Inspector #38 had checked it out, at least that is the number I remember seeing. There were others Lacarrubas (sp ) was one. Some of those shops uptown were expensive, that's were the upstreeters bought their stuff, and those folks were the clothes horses in town. Buying tailored suits and dresses, stuff like that. 

 I do remember going to the shoe store, uptown on main street. They had pro Keds with the split leather uppers! I picked out a pair in gold because I figured it I was going to pay 35 dollars for a pair of sneakers they should look like gold! My father told me then, a fool and his money soon part company! I could have bought two pair at Brills for what I paid for them. I tried to explain to him that those sneakers from Brills' weren't the same thing. They all had green soles on them and if you wore them everyone knew that. Look at Benny, he's wearing the Brills' specials. This was at the time Converse, Keds, and PF Flyers were the thing. None of them cheap, but they were cool. Later on some of you reading this may recall me wearing red satin pants to school. Yes, I did. Bought them at a place called, Slacks by Uncle Charlie. Had to travel chock to Riverhead to get those beauties, almost 25 miles from home. But they weren't pre-hemmed, no sir. Those slacks would be hemmed to fit your inseam when you purchased them. I was a little skittish about that fella measuring my inseam. Those upstreeters might be used to that but I sure wasn't. After high school and for a few years early on in my Navy career I did buy some pretty fancy clothes. I did feel like a regular clothes horse. After a few years, when I settled down some and had responsibilities that stopped. Had other bills to pay, no money to waste on extravagance. Today my closet remains pretty much the same as when I was younger. I don't have a great deal of what you would call wardrobe. Fact is even my Sunday go to meetings have attended a few too many meetings and need replacing. Well I'll worry about that when the need arises. As far as Sunday go to meetings these days shorts and a tee shirt would be acceptable. People would barely bat an eye at that. Funerals the same way. I'm thinking weddings are the last bastion of formal wear. But then I don't go out to the theater or places like that either so I wouldn't know. 

 Where did your clothes come from as a child? Did you get to pick them out? I did, in a limited way, I got to pick from what Mom thought was acceptable. If I was paying I could buy what I wanted but not when they were footing that bill. I was also instructed when to get a haircut, no hippies in this house. And yes you had to be dressed appropriate to the occasion. Not only that you had to act appropriately to the occasion. When you were in your " good " clothes your activities were limited. Wearing your good clothes when it wasn't required? What are you, some kind of a clothes horse? 

Shopping

 During this time of isolation I see many advertisements on television for products you can buy from home. Automobiles top the list. You can just order your vehicle online, no interest financing, deferred payments for up to six months and receive an essential person discount! If you order the car, you're essential. That stuff always amuses me. I'm not fooled by any of that. A few weeks ago it was first responders, before that teachers, and before that employee discount, just like you worked there. But the incentive to buy is offered repeatedly and I suppose some buy it, no pun intended. But I was thinking about shopping in general and how that has changed over the years. Well, really shopping has made somewhat of a complete cycle in my experience thus far.
 I don't recall how the conversation began but I mentioned to my wife how so many are now shopping from home. Today it is called browsing, you browse in your browser, when I was young we just looked in the window of the store. We called that window shopping. You didn't actually go into the store unless you genuinely intended to buy something. I would look at the toys, the clothes, the shoes, electronics or whatever and admire those things. In that way if I ever had the money to buy something I knew just who had what. I also did a lot of shopping in the Sear and Roebuck catalogue. That was the browser of the fifties and sixties. Sears did offer that revolving credit! It was called revolving credit because you just kept making payment in a continuous cycle. Sears was the main one but there was JC Penny, Montgomery Ward. Fingerhut and others. A walk down main street and all the goods it had to offer was right there, in those pages. A window to the world!
 There came a time when there was a shift, I'm thinking about the time the shopping mall came to be a thing. With a mall you didn't just look in the window, you were encouraged to come inside. Come on in, handle the merchandise. When you are done just toss it down anywhere no problem. Yes that was different. You didn't go into Mom and Pops' shop and mess around with the merchandise and make a mess. No, quite the contrary. You went in there with the intent to purchase a certain item, to satisfy a need for a product. The shop owner or an employee immediately greeted you and offered to assist you. If you said, I just want to look that would be politely tolerated but they did keep an eye on what you were doing. It wasn't because they feared theft, it was because they would straighten things out if you messed it up. That was frowned upon back in the day but the motto the customer is always right was observed, for the most part. You were appreciated as a valuable customer ( potentially ) not a sale. Those days are now relegated to boutiques and quaint little shops, a touch of nostalgia that comes at a price. The same rules no longer apply in those shops, feel free to just browse and throw stuff around leaving without a purchase. but it's trendy and chic so it's all good.
 And today we find ourselves at home, the quaint little shops and boutiques closed down. Heck, main street is closed! Yes there are still places to go and shop, Walmart and the like. Liquor stores are deemed essential business. So it seems like a cycle is complete. We are once again doing our shopping from home. The difference being using the internet inside of the catalogue. We have a myriad of ways to pay or charge. Admittedly before my time but at one time you could buy an automobile and a house from the Sears and Roebuck catalogue! We can buy either one today, from home, by internet order. A cycle complete. Yes shopping was brought to those isolated in the past, isolated by distance from the cities and towns. Rural America was presented with the catalogue(s) to the world. Today all that is available. In fact just yesterday I was browsing, looking at printers. I bookmarked the page. :) In the catalogue I would fold the corner of the page over, bookmarking it? Can you bookmark a catalogue?
 I remember the days of looking at those toys in the windows and the days when I was told, don't touch. I was also told don't handle anything you are not willing to buy. If you didn't have the money to buy, don't touch it! It made me want those things just that much more. Like forbidden fruit, I wanted to be able to buy that. If I went in that store with two dollars in my pocket I could pick up anything that costs up to two dollars. Secretly I picked things up that I had no intention of buying at all, but I had the money if I wanted too! Today I look at things I have no intention of buying either, but I could finance them if I wanted too, to a point. And that's the point. Sears had that revolving charge account, kept you paying forever. Finance companies carry on that tradition. Today it isn't so much about what we do have, as what we could have. You know Sears didn't call their Christmas catalogue the Wish book for nothing.
 Who remembers this bit of trivial information from long ago? Remember when you purchased " good " pants from Sears and Roebuck they didn't come hemmed, no, only the cheaper pants did that. Your Mom hemmed those pants ( slacks if your a fancy person ) to be just right.     

Friends

 I had a bit of a rough day yesterday. It began with hearing the news people spewing forth some nonsense questioning why there were no tests available for the Covid 19 virus before the virus was known to exist. I guess that is the name they have decided upon this time, Covid19, like it's a rocket or something. What happened to Wuhan, Chinese and Corona? None of those satisfied the politically correct crowd, so they chose a more neutral name, the scientific one you know in the interest of facts. Yeah, that's why that is. But anyway I began my day annoyed with that.
 Following that I composed my blog and posted it to Google, wherever that goes, and to my social media pages. I once again was taking about my concern for our freedoms being lost. Yes, that was the subject of that post. After reading a few comments that were posted to that blog I responded in frustration. The frustration being either those reading that post missed the subject entirely, or I failed to get that across. I responded to that. Yes, I was frustrated and a bit upset, not angry, just frustrated.     But there was one person that just wasn't having any of it. I don't need to mention any name(s). Quite a long discussion followed where I continued to explain that I was talking about loss of freedoms , not the response to Covid19. But then I was informed that Covid19 was the subject of that blog, which cane as a surprise since I wrote it and felt like, still do to be honest, that I know what the subject matter is. I pointed that out. I was informed once again, I was wrong. Well, okey dokey then.
 The day ended when after having made a rather sarcastic post earlier in the day, one I posted independently of any other post, just writing it in the " what's on your mind " block. That post resulted in being called an a**hole by someone I had thought of as a friend. Now that's unfortunate. Surprising certainly as the post wasn't directed at anyone in particular, just a general statement. I did ask that person a simple question, Is this post directed at you? And answered my own question with, it is only if you believe it to be. Think about that for a moment. And then, poof, just like that the person disappears from the page. I can only assume I have been blocked, deleted or whatever you call it. Unfriended? I don't know.
 My wife was aware of all this and asked how I was. Of course I responded with, I don't care, which always means someone does care. Yes it bothers me. I don't feel like I deserved that treatment at all. Well it is what it is. So after brooding a bit and running all the scenarios through my mind I have settled down. I thought I would just stop writing my blogs altogether. Then I thought I would write them but not post them, after all I'm always saying how I write them for myself and that's true. It's also true I post them enjoying positive feedback as a sort of reward to myself for writing them in the first place. I really don't mind it when people disagree with whatever I wrote, still trying to understand why they sometimes believe they are going to change my mind, but I do enjoy the discussion. It was at that point where I  decided I will not be bullied into silence. And if I allow others comments or actions to silence me that is exactly what it would be. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about all of this. I lie there for a couple hours grappling with all that had transpired. In the end I did reach this conclusion, one best stated by Frederick Douglas, " I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence. " At the end of the day you really do only have to live with one person, yourself, you can not escape from yourself. Turns out, and a phycologist confirms this, honesty is not always the best policy. I'd argue that depend upon who you are trying to satisfy.
 I didn't choose to end the discussion. I didn't choose to start calling people names. It's a shame though, but life goes on. And in that vein an ancient philosopher Epicuris pointed out : " We do not so much need the help of our friends, as the confidence of their help in need. "   

logic

 I've been voicing some concern for the future of our Republic. It has been met by some with derision, by others with skepticism, and still others with, it's Trumps fault. My concern centers around government imposition of rules. We are now being told to stay at home, our businesses shuttered, face covering required. All this in an effect to prevent the spread of a virus. Yes they are common sense practical solutions to a problem. Ones recommended by professionals. Also ones we should all adhere too. I have never said otherwise, although many seem to hear that for reasons I can't explain. But my real concern didn't begin until the government decided that we should start doing this because, " you could, maybe, possibly, might have, be a carrier of this virus. " Yes, the wearing of face coverings is to protect others from you! The key issue with that, and I apparently can't stress that enough, is the reasoning of maybe. If we begin to apply that logic, that maybe this could, would, might, possibly, cause harm to others and applying restrictions on that where does it end? I am being ordered to cover my face and nose to protect you from something I might have! I keep trying to impress that thought upon my readers, I might! What else might I do that could, maybe, possibly, might, has the protentional to, cause harm to you in some fashion? And even if you did get this virus from me over 97% of you will get over it. a good number of you will feel nothing more than a cold and some won't even know they have it! What national precautions were instituted during the AIDS epidemic? What laws were imposed upon the general public to prevent the transmission of that? Ads and infomercials is the answer. But alright, that wasn't a pandemic and couldn't be transmitted by breathing, but you do see my point, right?
 I know this sounds silly to some of you, I'm aware of that. But consider this little bit of trivia. In 1985 the government determined there was a danger to students in schools across America. This protentional danger was from the other students. Yes, it was something that required the intervention of government agencies resulting in regulations being established. But what was this threat to the safety of all the other students? A metal lunch box! That's right, it was decided that a student could use that metal lunch box as a weapon and attack other students! They were subsequently banned. In what can only be considered an ironic twist of fate, Rambo was the last character to appear on a metal lunch box. Violence was his specialty but only if you drew first blood. Remember those large elastic bands we used to hold our books together? They suffered the same fate, too dangerous. The danger being I might, could, possibly, hit you with it! I'm not to be trusted and that is what the message is when government begins to impose regulations upon the general public. You are not to be trusted to do the right thing, so the government will tell you what you will do! Refusal to comply will result in fines and possibly imprisonment. Well unless it's a pandemic violation then they let you out of prison. Well, unless you a sex offender.
 Yes all this does concern me. It's easy to allow our rights to be stripped away when we are being fed a constant stream of death. And isn't that the real message the news is spreading? Yes they report the fatalities, the tragedies, all the stories that tug at our heartstrings. They are scaring people to death! What is the mantra? Sheller in place. Shelter in place because others might, possibly, could have, a virus. We don't know whether they do or not but don't chance it. Everyone must wear a face covering to protect everyone else, it isn't to protect you! No, because if you don't have the virus you can still give the virus to others if you have the virus. You don't know. So what's the solution? We should test every single person on the planet! Until we are positive that no one on the planet has this virus we are at risk. That's what is being said. Well, because I'm wearing a mask to protect you, not me. If I'm wearing my mask, you're not. I can still catch this virus right? Same logic as if you have the gun and I don't, I can't shoot you. You can shoot me though. Is that logical?  

don't be anxious

 The other day I mentioned something to the effect of we can be surprised by how people turn out. I also think we can be surprised by how life turns out. I'm hoping when it's over I get the chance to look it over. What I mean is, I want more than seeing my life flash before my eyes. I'd like the chance to review the lives of those I knew while I was here. I'd like to see how it all turned out for them as well. Hopefully there will be many still here, I'll have the time to wait, and get to see the ending for myself. Strangely how people are remembered isn't always the way things turned out. Mostly we know about that when the person is famous in some fashion, fame or notoriety makes little difference to the deceased. I'm thinking about lives like Elvis. How did it all turn out for him? He passed away from a drug overdose in the bathroom. It just didn't turn out well for him in my opinion. That seems to happen to a great number of celebrities. Tragic ends to what appears to be great lives.
 When we are interested in the story we are always anxious to hear the end. It's a rather ironic thing when you think about it. Then we read the same book, or watch the same movie over and over again. We still enjoy the story even after the end is known. I expect it is that way with people too. We call it being remembered. There are many names from history that we remember. We remember them for the way things turned out. Whether the end result was good or bad, they are remembered. It is something we all aspire too in my opinion, to be remembered. In order to accomplish that, we must be memorable. In what can only be described as ironic that depends upon others, not ourselves. That's not to say we can't make ourselves memorable in the short term, that's a fairly easy thing to do. but to have the memory last requires others. Your book or movie has to be read or watched over and over again. It is the introduction of a new audience that keeps it moving forward. But I do believe we have to remain interested in the story. That is to say we shouldn't become anxious for the story to end! That becomes more difficult as the years pass. It's one thing to want to stay alive, another to live. Another thing entirely to keep writing the story.
 It has been called, resting on your laurels. That's when you expect a certain measure of respect and acknowledgement from what you have already accomplished. It's being anxious to be remembered. It's like knowing the end of the story. I suppose that's fine if you are happy with the ending as it was, but that doesn't mean how it will be. Won't know that till it's over. Only then can we tell how it all turned out. It is that that interests me more than what happened yesterday or the day before. I'm interested in the results more so than the action. That is why I say I'm hoping I get to see how it all turns out. I like to believe that those before me can see the story unfolding before them. I also like to believe they are enjoying the character I am portraying in what we call living. It's the only part in the story I can control. Well unless you believe the part was written for you the day you were born, and I can't rule out that possibility. I do tend to believe that we are given instructions and it is up to us to either follow them or ignore them. The only question being, can we always understand them? Are we forgiven for misunderstandings? Yes, I think we are. I know I will forgive misunderstandings until I understand it wasn't.
 Well I'm thinking we are the only one that will know how it all turned out anyway. Everyone else will form their own opinion. Perhaps that is the flash that we get to see. The answer illuminated in an instant before the darkness. Does everyone see that? I'm hoping to see how it all turns out, just not anxious to finish the story. 

just a moment ( Hallmark )

Yesterday in an attempt to lighten up a bit I posted this: A teachers job is not to teach, rather it is to inspire the student to learn. At least that was the thought, paraphrased here a bit. I asked what teacher inspired you. I was pleased to see many posted their favorite teachers. All in all it was a pleasant little post, a distraction if only for a few moments. And a name I had forgotten was brought back to me. You know how that is, sometimes it takes someone else to pry that information loose from your grey matter. Oh the information was there all along, just stuck down deep in the file. So, I was happy for that and was reminded once again of a story I like to tell.
 I graduated from East Hampton High School in 1971. The Vietnam war was still raging, the country in a bit of turmoil over that unpopular war. Of course I've never known any war to be popular but that's a different topic. I wasn't one that was protesting that, I was what we call a conservative today and have remained that way ever since. I joined the Navy following graduation. No, I didn't join the Navy to go to war or out of any great parotitic spirit. I'll save that line for the taverns and veterans meetings. But off I went. After a number of years had passed I had the opportunity to return to that high school, in my dress uniform. I believe I just went there for old times sake, as a sort of reunion. Whatever the case was, there I was walking down those halls that I remembered so well. Then I hear a voice calling to me, Benny, everyone in high school called me Benny having not yet become Ben, and a teacher rushing toward me. It was Mrs. Teal ( the name I couldn't recall, thanks Tom ) an English teacher I had, tenth grade I believe. I can't be certain, it's has been a long time.
 I stood still for a moment as Mrs. Teal rushed up tp me and embraced me. It was a bit of a shock really, as she hugged me she said, with a bit of a quiver in her voice, it's so nice to see you. Then stepping back she began to explain that she was going to retire from teaching that year. With a few tears running down her cheek she related how she missed the kids that were in my class, all the kids back in the " old " days and how the kids today weren't the same. She said she was glad she was retiring as the children weren't like me. As I said, a bit of a shock. Me? But I understood she was talking in a general sense and I understood the message. Times change, procedures change and society changes over the years. I never felt sentimental about the Navy until the day I retired. The day I stood before a small gathering to give my retirement address I did feel a bit emotional, a bit nostalgic for the old days. I gave her a hug in parting and wished her well. It's a moment in time I will not forget, even when I forget the name.
 That encounter came as a bit of a shock for a couple reasons I think. First and foremost Mrs. Teal greeted me as an equal, an adult. No longer was I the student and she the teacher. No, now she was simply a wonderful person I knew from my past. Yes, I remember her being my teacher and I never felt like we had any special teacher/student bond. I always thought I was just another face in a sea of faces, a name on the attendance sheet. But in that brief moment I understood, that wasn't the case. It wasn't because I was special, not at all, but that I was a part of her past, a past she was going to miss, in fact, had already begun to miss. It was a lesson I learned that after having left my first ship, being transferred to another. I ran into an old shipmate, a person I really only knew by name, and we shook hands like old friends reunited. The bond was solely we had served on the same ship, much like the bond of, I was in her class. A bit of a shock to realize that your teacher is just a person too. Perhaps I would have felt differently had I remained in that hometown and interacted with those teachers, but I hadn't seen any since graduation. So, to me, she was still Mrs. Teal and all the others Mr. this or Coach that. The principle was still to be feared, well at be least wary of. But in an instant all that had changed with an embrace and a few warm words exchanged.
 I have learned that we are forever linked to our past. The past will revisit us in unexpected ways at unexpected moments. As I read some of the names left on that posting yesterday I was reminded of days gone by. I remembered those days in the halls of education! I was so anxious to graduate, grow up and move on. I'm not going to say I would change a thing if I could go back. No I wasn't a straight A student, honor roll, valedictorian or voted to succeed at anything. I didn't play any sports and have moments of glory. I wasn't in the band, or the drama club, or anything for that matter. I was just a student in the high school. No, I don't think I would change a thing, I like my memories just the way they are. Went for a little visit yesterday, as a matter of fact, and it was great. You might say it was a, Hallmark moment.  

worlds collide

 I was browsing my Facebook page reading a few comments here and there and checking out the photos, when I was reminded of an episode of Seinfeld. I really did enjoy that show although discovering more about the personal politics of the actual actors did sour me a bit later on. I'm not going to get into that however. I was just reminded of the episode where George talks about " worlds " colliding. If you haven't seen it or don't remember it this is a brief synopsis. George has a girl friend that is unknown to the group. This girl friend comes from a different social class than George and the group. She wants to met his friends and George gets upset telling Jerry, worlds are colliding Jerry! I understood exactly what he was talking about and understand the humor in that. It is a similar thing to being from the wrong side of the tracks. Anyway, as I was reading some postings on Facebook I could see where worlds were colliding. I'm guessing all these people being home and having more time to be on social media has accelerated that. What I'm thinking about are, friends of friends. There are different layers of friends, from different times in our lives, sometimes in different places. Those are the worlds I'm thinking about.

 There are those we have known since childhood. Now for me  I left that home when I was 18 and have lived in many places. I have only had contact with a few friends from my early days. The majority of friends, a better choice would be acquaintances,  that knew me in high school would know little to nothing about me today. That is to say, how I turned out. Isn't that what we say? How someone turned out, like we are baked goods or something. We are talking about their political leanings, their attitudes and such. Did that person turn out the way you expected? Are they the way you remember them? And there is the question of the company they keep. It is that last consideration where social media muddies the waters. Friends of friends. 

 Who is on your friends list? Do you actually know them? I mean know who they are and what they think? I can't speak for anyone else but I sure don't. My friends list isn't very long compared to many I hear about. I recall at one time there was a sort of competition to see who could get the most friends on their list. I often see a post that purports to override some sort of logarithm inhibiting the number of friends you see, or the number that can post to your page. My point being, just because a friend of a friend that is a friend of a friend on my friends list says one thing that doesn't indicate I support that view or opinion. That is where worlds are colliding! That is where we read the unexpected. Sometimes that changes our perception of another person. If they are friends with this person and that person is saying this, they must agree with them, or they wouldn't be friends, right? No, that isn't right. Conversations and comments must be taken in context. With old friends that context may be from 1971 and with recent ones, yesterday. It's a difficult thing to discern, context. 

 Of course there is always the concept of polite company. It's a subject I have discussed in the past, what haven't I talked about. But anyway, there are things I would talk to some about that I wouldn't discuss with others. I do not use vulgar and profane language in front of ladies and children. I don't tell off color jokes to those I'm unsure of. I'm opinionated, anyone that knows me will tell you that, but I will withhold my opinion whenever I feel it is appropriate to do so. I feel it is appropriate offer mine when you offer your opinion on a particular subject first. Not everyone agrees with that. That can cause some to be caught off guard, surprised or even shocked when they learn your opinion. Worlds collide once again. 

 The biggest problem I believe is the lack of personal contact we have on social media. You can not hear the nuances in speech, the tone, the intent or the context. Sarcasm doesn't work well nor does humor. And there are those that are quick to attack with a verbal barrage at any moment. These folks wouldn't say that stuff to your face but shielded by the anonymity of Facebook, they attack. Heck I've even known some to create a fake person! That says something to me about their honesty for sure. If I have something to say I will say it. The problem becomes one of two many worlds. More commonly we call that, circles of friends. We all travel in our own little circles. In school they were called cliques. Later in life we tend to divide that up into socio-economic circles with a basis in ethnicity and culture. Yeah, birds of a feather do flock together. But when all the friends flock to the same roost conflicts occur! Also the reason we started forming little subgroups on Facebook. But even those groups gets too crowded when friends of your friends want to be friends with other friends who are friends of your friends. Then those folks read something you wrote to someone else and are shocked. I didn't know that! Too many circles, too many worlds.
 Perhaps it is best explained in this fashion. I interact with the people I go to church with differently than I do with the ones I hang out at the bat with! Same person, different worlds.   

life goes on

 I'm sitting here and it is close to six o'clock, I feel like I'm behind schedule. That's strange because being retired I have no schedule. Guess that is one of life's little ironies. When you are young and working you have to be certain places on time, it is expected, no demanded of you, you have a difficult time getting there on time. You remember how it was, always running a little late to get to work. During my Navy days that was of paramount importance, being on time. Even one minute late, was late and subject to punishment up to and including 45 days of restriction and half your pay for three months! Yes, that is the maximum the Captain can give you for an infraction. You learn to be on time but still find yourself rushing to meet it. Now I'm retired, no one to say when or where I have to be, well except for the wife, the Captain of the ship although she does allow me to wear the hat, and I often feel like I'm running behind, late for something. I haven't quite reached the Doctors appt stage of stress and anxiety but it is getting closer. Reminds me I need to call my oncologist about an upcoming appt. But I'm not worried about it. I've noticed some seniors, I'm only a junior senior myself, plan weeks ahead for a doctors visit. My mother is one of them, I can't go anywhere today I have a doctors appt in three days! 

 Composing these blogs has become a habit. I do them almost automatically, I'm sure you can tell by reading some of them, not a lot of thought went into it. As a result if I don't start writing something early in the morning I do get a feeling I'm missing something. It's similar to not having coffee, not as serious, but a distraction. It's a rare occasion when I dismiss it. I have done so when hospitalized, my computer was broken and even when I just wasn't " feeling " it. The morning news is usually playing in the background and influences me. I try to ignore it but when they start in with something stupid I can't help it. The last stupid statement I heard was there was no school shootings in the month of March. First time in almost two decades! Also the first time in almost two decades that there has been no school in the month of March but don't let that diminish the headline. Yeah, the gunman didn't have any bullets so he didn't shoot anybody either! Well, as I said it can be a distraction. 

 The plan today is to mow the grass. Yes, that has begun here in Greensboro, we are, after all the Green Garden county. It is going to be a bit chilly but I have to get it done. Next week the temps are supposed to soar. I'm all for it. Really the grass is at my sons house but I cut it. He doesn't really have the time to mess with that, he and his wife are busy all the time. I've got the time so what the heck. Fresh air and sunshine, a little bit of work never hurt anyone. Not my grass but I have assumed responsibility and so feel, well, responsible. Strange isn't it? Well life is a bit of a mystery. I do believe in karma and what goes around, comes around. The last two years I've also been cutting his neighbors grass. Mr. Dill is 89 years old and can't really do it himself anymore, although he would certainly be out there trying if I didn't intervene. I just keep on mowing across both yards. I know that he really appreciates it and that is all I need to know. Like I said, I believe in karma, you did get what you sow. Anyway, that's the plan for today, mow the grass. Stay safe out there. Life goes on. Oh yeah, my son, his wife, and my granddaughter are all essential workers! My grandson is still taking his college courses online. So not much has changed in that regard. As I said, life goes on. And tomorrow morning I'll need to write another blog. It's a good thing. 

A new life

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the analysis of facts to form a judgment. The subject is complex, and several different definitions exist, which generally include the rational, skeptical, unbiased analysis, or evaluation of factual evidence. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities as well as a commitment to overcome native egocentrism and sociocentrism.

 The objective of critical thinking is to form a judgement. Now isn't that something? All I hear these days is, don't judge. In other words, just think as you are taught, don't think for yourself. Critical thinking inherently requires you to do that for yourself. Deciding who to agree with isn't critical thinking. Therein lies the issue. If I am paying thousands of dollars to be " educated " and corporations are paying people based on the " degree " of education they have, the critical thinker would have to just agree with what is being taught to succeed. That's an objective analysis of that situation. It isn't necessarily being educated. An individual that never attended a single day of formal education can still possess critical thinking skills. Those skills are required for survival, more so for the least educated among us is my thinking. Today we may define that as Street smarts. Critical thinking is centered around yourself and your survival.                                                                                                                                 Today many critical thinkers are being accused of being conspiracy theorists. They are proposing a different judgement on social and economic situations. When these judgement are contrary to what the " official " line is, this is especially true. The " experts " are paraded out to testify to the official judgement. We are seeing this played out before us today. The basis for critical thinking is having all the facts and viewing them in an objective, unbiased, indeed detached, way. The way we receive those " facts " must be that way also and I don't think anyone believes that they are today. No, the media is feeding us what? Everything from the bare facts to outright lies and fabrication. We are then told to discern the difference between the two. Just don't utilize any critical thinking skills when doing so. No, that will get you labeled as biased, racist, and any number of things. You must fully support the agenda of the day or be ostracized. The only good thing being, that agenda changes almost on a daily basis given the circumstance. Yesterdays critical thinking is outdated, the conclusion wrong, the judgement too harsh. Just do as directed by competent authority. Just remember it is that authority that is declaring itself competent.                                                                                                                                          
 Yes we hear a great deal about critical thinking. What are we talking about?  Common sense mostly. That is the first requirement for the critical thinker, common sense. You can't teach common sense but you can reprogram someone to lack that commodity. How do you do that? You accomplish that by allowing behaviors and actions contrary to common sense. You then begin to call those behaviors normal, natural , reactions thus dulling that feeling that the action is inherently wrong. We tend to call that " cultural differences. " Thing is, if you just watch small children you can easily see how they are not yet effected by any of that. They are not aware of cultural differences at all. Therefore they are not exercising any critical thinking. They make no judgement. Sometimes they get hurt by that and that's how they learn. They are also not aware of any social differences, everyone is the same to them, until they are taught differently. Well, they will learn that over time regardless.                                   The funny thing about critical thinking is, the object is not to be critical. The objective is to arrive at an informed, sensible and rational decision. To make a fair judgement based on facts. The sole defense against that is to change the facts! Something that happens a great deal in todays world. And if you can't change the facts you can at least cause confusion and fear. Take this Covid 19 as an example of that. Fear is being used. According to the news this pandemic is killing people at an alarming rate. First off aren't we alarmed when anyone dies of anything? Yeah it's pretty upsetting. What is the mortality rate for this disease? Just about 3.4%. There is this other virus that permeates our society. It has an incidence rate of about 22.79% , almost one in four people. It is estimated 62 million people get this virus every year in the United States alone. What is it? The common cold. How is it spread? The exact same way this Covid 19 virus is spread. Yet we take zero protective measures. Why is that? Well, because it can't kill you right? Wrong the common cold can indeed kill you if you have underlying medical conditions. I did a brief search for a stat on that but found none. I expect that is because no one reports dying from the common cold, it is usually pneumonia. Even though the cold precipitated that disease that is what will be reported. It's rather like the flu. It is estimated that between 9.2 and 35 million people will get the flu every year. Between 140,000 and 700,000 will be hospitalized. About 36,000 people a year will die from the flu, although it will be reported as, complications from the flu. This despite vaccines and antibiotics.
 Well, we will get through all of this. I do believe if more people exercised critical thinking skills ( common sense ) we wouldn't have all the friction and division in society that we are experiencing. But the blame has to placed somewhere doesn't it? That seems to be of primary importance in this pandemic at the moment. Who did what, when, and whose fault is it? It's rather like asking who left the barn door open instead of chasing after the cow. Let's get the cow back in the barn first shall we? How are we going to do that? Social isolation? Shutting down the country indefinitely? The news reports this as, " a new way of life. " What's that, staying at home? Wearing a mask in public? Social distancing? Or is it submitting to government testing and immunization? Carrying your " papers " with you at all times to show you are not a biological danger to society? A new way of life? Some in a position of authority are declaring nothing goes back to normal until everyone is immunized! Could take a year or more. Better learn to live on a budget. Well staying at home will save you a lot of money so there's that. A new life.