Time

  I'm struck by the fact that I'm expecting the fourth generation in my lifetime. What I mean by that is a great grandchild. Now I knew my own great grandfather quite well so you could say I will know seven generations, just that three were born before me. That's quite a span of time. Great Grandfather Floyd was born in 1878. That's one hundred and forty six years ago. Today are my sons' birthdays. Yes, they are twins and are forty nine today. It is also the shortest day of the year, they get robbed every year. I remind them it is only the daylight that is shortest, the day itself is the same length as all the others. Knowing they are forty nine gives me pause, almost a half century! I began thinking about that when I realized if I had purchased a 2000 model year car, I can register it as classic next year. At least in Maryland you can, not sure what other states have to say about that.

  A lot sure has happened since 1878 when my great grandfather was born. But one thing hasn't changed, the Constitution of the United States of America. Yes, there have been amendments, but they aren't changes. The 19th amendment in 1920 gave women the right to vote. Then in 1933 the 21st amendment repealed the 18th allowing the sale of alcohol once again. The first commercial telephone exchange began in 1878. Did you know there was a Salem Witchcraft Trial in 1878. Well, there was. Ultimately the judge dismissed the case. My great grandfather operated a horse drawn taxi service. He also rented his horses out to the town for hauling logs or dragging the streets. Yes, the streets weren't paved back then and required leveling out every now and again. 

 Yes a lot has happened over that time. A lot has happened in the seventy one years I've been around. I'm hoping to be around to tell my great granddaughter all about it. Today we know the gender of the child and have reveal parties. Still, congress and the scientists can't seem to agree on exactly what gender is, confusing that with identity. I'll tell my great granddaughter how we used to tell about pregnancy when the rabbit died. The gender was determined by various methods involving wedding rings or by how high or low the baby was being carried. I'm certain she will get a laugh out of that, just as I laugh about the whole gender argument. 

  Another year is coming to an end. Soon it will be twenty five years after the turn of the century. My great granddaughter will marvel about that. Her grandparents were born in the last century. It wasn't anything I was aware of when I was growing up though. Never thought about my grandparents being born in another century, just that they were old. They were around before electric lights, indoor plumbing and television. Now that was old. I was born in 1953 and we didn't have home computers. I'm thinking that will be the most amazing thing to my great grandchildren. The official "birthday" of the internet is 1983. Personal computers became available around 1977. Everything else I can think of has just been an improvement on what we already had. Well, that's debatable I suppose, it being an improvement that is. Sometimes I wonder .

  You know it's a funny thing. I often sit and think about the good old days. Those were the days of my childhood and young adulthood, for the most part. I think that is the way it is for most of us anyway. The days that were relatively carefree and life seemed simple. Then we "grew up" and things got complicated. Relationships and money! Those are the two driving forces in our lives. We do our best to navigate all of that but often take a wrong turn. My parents would talk about the good old days. It was their childhood they were talking about. Even though they had to walk uphill, in the snow, barefoot to get to school, the times were much better. My grandmother told me the same. Memories are always better than the present. That is, if you allow them to be. Memories are like a fine wine, they have to age. They can be sweet or sour depending upon how they are treated. Each year is a vintage. What's your best year? 

                                                                            

                                            The past always looks better than it was. It is 

                                            only pleasant because it isn't here. (Finley Peter Dunne)                    

Angry

  There are times when I'm angry about things. I'm not always pleased with the way things are in the world. Everything can be so unfair, so hurtful and I feel marginalized. People are just mean. So I write my little essays about that stuff and what I feel the real issue should be. I offer advice and my opinion. Occasionally I wish ill will on others. I know, it's all very disturbing. Still, through it all I have yet to write a manifesto! Well, nothing that is currently recognized as a manifesto anyway. Should I run afoul of the law, or commit some dastardly deed, then whatever I have written would be immediately called a manifesto. Isn't that a strange thing? It is to me. I wonder why the media choses to place such weight on the ramblings and ravings of the mentally disturbed. And you have to be mentally disturbed to do what those folks have done. In some cases that has been the heart of the defense, not mentally competent. Yet, they've written a manifesto.

  Merriam Webster defines a manifesto as, "a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer." I have to say that is exactly what I've been doing for the last fourteen years or so with this blog. I have shared my views, examined my motives, and declared my intentions, repeatedly. That's reassuring because it is proof of one thing, I'm not nuts. If I were they would be manifestos, not blogs. The only difference being I haven't acted on any of my "motivations." I wonder what does motivate those people to act like that, but then I remember, they're nuts. Are they competent? I'd say they are, regardless of any professional saying otherwise. We are all a little nuts. Don't think so? Spend about fifteen minutes reading Facebook posts, you'll be as convinced as I am. Some folks just ain't right.

  I have a problem with the not mentally competent defense. When someone writes about it beforehand, plans it all out and executes that plan, they're competent enough to stand trial. They are also competent enough to receive the same sentence as someone that didn't write about it first. Yeah, that doesn't excuse you from responsibility. There is much talk about "mental health" here in America today. With no real way to measure that, I'm left doubtful. When people choose to do things that were contrary to the normal and expected behaviors they were called, nuts. Yeah, that's the way that worked. If you committed a crime you might be criminally insane but you were still insane. The World Health Organization defines mental health as "mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well." Well every one of us experiences some sort of mental crisis several times a day. Usually we just call that being pissed off. We act out and do stupid things to others. But, we shouldn't be held mentally competent for any of that, should we? Not if you wrote a manifesto you shouldn't.

 This morning, for example, I'm angry listening to them talk about the guy that shot another man in the back. He had a mental health crisis and isn't competent to stand trial. Others have established a "go fund me" account for his legal fees, to validate that defense. I could tell you who I think are donating their money to that nut job, but then it might be misconstrued as a manifesto, should I offend anyone. Let's just say the ones donating have mental issues! I'd keep a close eye on them if I were the FBI. They aren't right. The man shot another man in the back, in cold blood, on a city street and is a criminal. He planned it out and followed through on his plan. That is competent enough for me. I don't care how mad you were, whether your back hurt, or you couldn't "perform" the way you think you should, you are guilty as charged. I have the cure for all of that! Unfortunately the law currently doesn't provide that cure in New York and the cure is on hold in Pa. I'm angry about that, it's a mental health crisis! No it isn't, I'm just pissed off. And isn't that a funny little expression? I'd be far more upset if I was pissed on. Might write a manifesto after that! 

                                                                                     

The cost of love

  It was a question on Facebook. Did you reduce the number of Christmas cards you mailed this year due to the rising cost of stamps? I did not, but commented that next year may be an E-card Christmas! My card list is rather small, just 27 families. Still at seventy three cents per card it was nineteen dollars and seventy one cents. You do have to make sure the cards do not exceed the weight restriction, 1 0z. and that they are "machinable." Yes, it does cost extra if the mailperson has to actually sort the cards and letters manually, you know, do the job. But, that was all started as a cost saving measure, you know automation will save us millions. I was going to send a package but the cost was going to be fifty seven dollars and eighty cents. That was the lowest rate I was offered. I sent it UPS for twenty one dollars and fifty cents. 

 In years past I have "sent" a few electronic cards using Jib-Jab. They are mildly amusing. But the question is, are they as personal? For me they certainly are not. I'm still in the school of thought that hand written correspondence is far better than any electronic messaging when dealing on a personal level. Form letters and such are for business. E-mail is great for business and the advertisers love it. There is nothing personal about any of that. I did grow up hearing, it's the thought that counts. Thing is, that was usually stated more as an excuse than an actual sentiment or bit of wisdom. It is what you said in polite company knowing no one would dispute that. Yes, others must agree, it was a PC statement before there was PC. It's like saying, what a beautiful baby, you have to say that. 

 I do not count the number of cards I receive each year or keep a record of that. My mother did though, writing it down as a reminder. She made sure to send that person a card the following year. She would remove people from the list as well. All that stopped at some point. I'm not sure when or why but in latter years she certainly didn't send out many cards at all. Perhaps it had to do with the cost of postage. I remember hearing about that and laughing. It's only a few cents, what's the big deal! Now I'm at that age, it is a big deal. The cost of the cards themselves is a big deal. Hallmark, when you care enough to send the very best! What's the implication in that slogan. Don't be cheap or don't let other people know you aren't wealthy? Hallmark cards can run as much a five dollars a piece. Twenty seven cards equal one hundred and thirty five dollars. That's a lot of love according to Hallmark.

 Sending cards and letters is getting to be a quaint tradition from the past. Almost nostalgic these day. I confess to not writing many cards or letters myself, but occasionally I will. The reason is the obvious one, it is much faster and easier to use social media or e-mail. Practically free and instantaneous. That's a combination hard to beat. I have found that printing off a hard copy of that isn't quite the same though, it just seems like business when you do that. I have heard of people saving text messages on their phones, reading them over again sometimes even after the person has passed. In the old days some people saved letters or cards for much the same reason. Still, a hand written record is far superior in my opinion.

  I do not save cards or letters. I've known people that did having boxes full of those saved over the years. I will normally keep then for a week or so before disposing of them. I do have a birthday card my grandson gave me many years ago. Inside is five dollars, taped securely. I have not disturbed that in any way. I understand how much five dollars was to him at that time, he was maybe eight or nine. He cared enough to give the very best and it touched my heart. Occasionally I "find" that card and smile. It is the only card I have ever saved. I do enjoy receiving those cards, knowing that others are thinking about you is always a comfort. The sending of Christmas cards is a fine tradition. I read where that all began with Sir Henry Cole who commissioned the first commercial produced Christmas card in 1843. A hundred and eighty one years is a good run. Will e-cards replace that? Well, they just might next year if the postage keeps rising! 

                                                                             

                        Then and now. 7 cents in 1843,  73 cents today, but todays stamps are forever! Well, 

                         until they get the next increase. 

Common sense (once again)

  I've got a feeling that we, as a nation, have gotten into somewhat of a rut. I base that more on what I have been writing about over the last fifteen years more than anything else. Mixed in with my random thoughts and memories there has been social commentary. I realize that social commentary is from my perspective and is often not in line with what the media reports. I view that as a sort of different view on history for anyone reading these postings in the future. I surely wish I had the thoughts of my grandparents and great parents in regard to "current" events as they witnessed them. I'm quite certain they would differ from whatever I was taught in school or written in scholarly papers. What is colloquially known as, the common man. 

  The rut we are in concerns the use of common sense. We, as a nation, have been abandoning that at an alarming rate in favor of the "science." It is what we are pressing upon our children. Don't be influenced by what you see, what you hear, or what is obvious, fact check first. Find the scientific proof to validate those observations if at all possible, if not, write a thesis about it. Science isn't always right, but it is better than being wrong. When the science doesn't agree with reality, trust the science. As an example take the reaction and response to covid. 

 A vaccine was produced in record time. Now this vaccine didn't prevent you from getting covid, and it didn't prevent you from spreading covid, but it was mandated anyway. People lost their jobs for non-compliance. We are still being urged to get "boosters" because well, the vaccine doesn't really prevent you from getting covid or spreading it. Was any common sense employed? None that I saw anyway, just a knee jerk reaction and the pharmaceutical companies making a great profit. We do have an excess of ventilators now, so that's good. Well except the science tells us intubation often leads to further complications. There is also this thing being called long covid. I wonder if all those vaccines and boosters aren't enabling that, the science is silent on that possibility. 

 Another prime example is the whole immigration thing. Common sense should tell you you can't just allow everyone and anyone to enter your country. Beyond all else, common sense should tell you that isn't a good thing. You lock your doors to keep people out of your house, not to lock yourself in. Leave the door open and see how long others respect your property. We have immigration laws for a reason. We have set limitations on that and those limitations should be followed. There are currently 1.3 million people that have have had their day in court and ordered deported. None have been yet. Common sense should tell you that is wrong and they should been deported immediately. If you receive a judgement in court how long do you get to wait before the sentence is imposed? How many years?

  We are in a rut. I find myself discussing the same topics over and over again. The whole assault rifle thing. Makes no sense at all. But the rifle is black and has a pistol grip and is scary looking. Well, here's the science on that. It is a semi-automatic weapon with the same rate of fire as every other semi-automatic weapon every made. No more deadly or dangerous than the person that uses it. Left unattended, sitting in the corner, even fully loaded with the largest clip of ammo possible, it won't assault anyone. That's a scientific fact. Trust the science, well except in this case, then never mind about that, it's scary. And, you don't need that! You need a vaccine though, whether it actually works or not! 

 I'm not going to list a bunch of things that defy common sense, people with that are already well aware. Common sense sure does trigger a lot of people that feel they are "educated." They have learned so much they can just ignore the truth altogether. There is always some exception to the rule. It only takes one abnormality, one aberration to justify supporting all of that fully. Anything to avoid being perceived as mean, or lacking empathy. OMG, I have to feel so sorry for you because that's how you feel. 

  Here's the thing. You can't avoid the truth. You can alter it, ignore it and attempt to create a new reality but the truth remains, the truth. The truth is denial is the path to success. It isn't being empowered, it is acting on the truth. The truth is, we can't afford to take in the world, we can't cure or prevent every disease or ailment and we can't prevent people from doing crazy stuff! Truth be told there isn't much we can do about anything when it comes down to it. The best thing we can do is use common sense. Let's try that for a while anyway. Yeah, it will hurt some peoples feelings when they discover the truth, but it'll be worth it. Truth is, you can't be taught common sense, either you have it or you don't. 

  I haven't the words that Thomas Paine had nor his ability to write a convincing essay. But he wrote of "common sense" in explaining why the American people should rebel against Britain. Historians argue he did more to get that rebellion support than any other figure. He was a fiery speaker and essayist, no doubt that. Today he would be called a radical by the left, just as he was by those loyalists back in his day. It was his "common sense" that forged the America we have today and I'd suggest we return to that same "common sense" to preserve it. 

                                                                                 

                                                    Author of Common Sense 

The problem

  Once again I'm hearing about a school shooting. This time it was a young girl with a handgun. The "ban guns" people are screaming once again, insisting that will solve the problem. If no one has guns, no one can shoot anyone. Yes, that's true, but with an estimated 393 million firearms in the country that isn't going to happen! The idea that it would is just ridiculous. Some are saying just ban the ammunition. Again, another brilliant plan. The public owns, as a estimate, a few trillion rounds, could be more. Yeah, stop selling bullets, then no one will shoot anyone or anything. Well, because if we make something illegal, no one will break the law. And no one knows how to make their own. And they wouldn't be able to if they did, we will ban selling anything associated with doing that. Just ban it all! We will ban the books that tell us how to do that! Now, there's the answer! Ban all information concerning firearms in book form or digital form. Just ban it!

  Of course the government should keep and bear arms, how else can they control the public? The government, and the government alone will determine who gets shot. You can still elect whoever you want, that wouldn't change, but after that there is nothing you can do. Try to protest, just try it. Get your sticks and stones, bricks and bottles, we have the guns. What is your defense? Well, it is the second amendment to the constitution that is that defense. That is the reason for it, plain and simple. The only thing you are really voting for is who controls the guns. Maybe the ones currently controlling that won't want to give them up. What are you going to do about that? Call them names, say they are mean and that you feel marginalized? It's very distressing. 

  Here's a news flash for you, you can purchase anything you want if you have the money. Yes, even things that are illegal! I know, it's shocking to think that there are those that would sell illegal products. And those products don't even have to be made in this country. It is possible to buy illegal items from foreign sources. How are we going to ban gun sales worldwide? No one, except government forces, can own, buy, sell or trade in firearms. It's a global thing. A new world order. I'm certain everyone will agree to that. I'm certain no one would break that law. Guns would virtually disappear from private ownership. Back to sword fights. Well, maybe we should ban those while we are at it. No blade longer than three inches allowed. The Federal Switchblade Act of 1958 does prohibit the: Importation of switchblade knives, Interstate commerce of switchblade knives, and Mailing of switchblades through the U.S. Postal Service. They are not illegal to own or carry.

I'm certain not one switchblade knife has been imported, transported across state lines or mailed since.
That act was passed by congress due to public pressure. Hollywood was showing youths in leather jackets using those switchblade knives. Something had to be done to curb the violence. If you can't import them, take them across state lines or mail them, that should stop it. Hey where would some teenagers get those dangerous weapons? No sense saying they are illegal to own or carry though, they already have them. I guess back in 1958 congress still had some common sense left. No one was going to turn in their switchblades. And the thing was, they were available and would remain available to anyone with a desire to own one.
 As far as stopping these school shootings there is little that can be done beyond increased security and
screening. It is the lack of accountability that is at the root of this. Morality and religion are closely
related but independent of each other. It is accountability, punishment that is the deterrent. Immediate
punishment is the strongest deterrent of all. When the perception becomes there is no punishment
only self gratification or satisfaction, there is nothing to stop the person from acting. Without fear of
reprisal or accountability, without any belief in the soul, only self interest motivates the person. It all
begins in the home. That is where this has to be addressed. It begins with the family. A man, a woman
and their children. Mutual love and respect for one another. It is the only way we learn to love others.
The state of the American family is being reflected in society. That's the problem.

                                                                                     

Uniform

  It appears to me that we, as a society, have lost a bit of formality. Everything is getting casual. The way we greet each other, the manner in which we dress, and how we take our meals. Perhaps that all began with the invention of the TV dinner. According to several sources that all began in 1953 with left over turkey. The story is a salesman realized there were 250 tons of frozen turkey left over from Thanksgiving and came up with the idea as a way to sell them. Next thing you know they are selling those snack tables and we're eating in the living room. Today dining rooms are something too formal for most homes, replaced by a family room. TV dinners are still around, but mostly replaced by home delivery these days.

  Consider how we greet one another these days. How often do you hear anyone call another maam or sir? Do you see people extending their hand in greeting strangers? Do you see anyone addressing a stranger. No, the best you can expect these days is a nod of the head to acknowledge that they even saw you. That, I suspect is just to let you know you are being watched! It pays to be aware these days. Saying excuse me or pardon me while passing in front of someone at the store or whatever is something rarely heard. Do the gentlemen offer their seats to the ladies? And don't get me started on the use of pronouns. Well, as I said, things are a bit casual these days.

  I was thinking about this again on Saturday while watching the Army/Navy game. They were interviewing a General. What I noticed about this General was his hat. He was wearing what I assumed to be the regulation cover, that's what the military calls a hat, a cover, at least the Navy does anyway. This Generals hat was squashed down on the sides. Now, that used to be something you would see in WW2 movies. The pilots would have their hats that way from wearing them with their headphones on. It's looks cool, gives you that seasoned, veteran look. 

  I get that, we had a few things like that in the Navy as well. The way you shaped your dixie cup was one of them. Not regulation and you didn't wear them that way for inspection but when you hit the beach that was cool. Key chains hanging from your beltloop is another, not regulation. All buttons buttoned, that's regulation as well. For formal occasions none of that was allowed. Anytime you were in the public eye was a formal occasion! For that reason that General wearing his hat in that fashion stood out to me, what kind of example is that? 

  I've noticed that the wearing of berets in the last few years as well. Seems like everyone is wearing a beret in the military. I suppose it gives you that "tough guy" look, like a green beret. They are getting very stylized that much is certain. Also quite informal in my opinion. Like wearing fatigues everywhere these days. In my day you couldn't wear your "working" uniform off the base, you had to be dressed appropriately, in the uniform of the day. Yes, that was a thing. There were rules and regulations to follow. You didn't get to just do your own thing. Although, I admit we did make certain modifications to those uniforms to make them look cooler. For us sailors it was usually liberty cuffs, a tailored tunic that zipped up one side and the shaping of your white hat. Many were custom made in Japan, Spain and other countries frequently visited by our ships. You could have a uniform custom tailored and ready to go in a few hours! Yes, I had one.

  The objective in all of that was the adherence to discipline. Discipline, formalized behavioral actions. The proper rendering of honors, like a hand salute and the formal addressing of your superior officers. In the Navy, you remove your cover indoors. They don't call them the uniformed services because we are wearing a uniform! They are called the uniform services because we are expected to perform our duties in a uniform manner. That includes the wearing of the uniform. 

  Of course I'm old enough to remember when lots of folks wore a uniform. The tv repair man did, the gas station attendants did, the milkman, the postman and the police. They were a source of pride and let you know their profession right away. The fast food places carry on that tradition which, if you think about it, is ironic as it was tv dinners (fast food) that began the decline in that formality. The only other one that pops to mind is Progressive insurance, they wear an apron for some mysterious reason. Home cooked insurance? 

 Well, things change over time. There are things I did that my parents thought were outrageous behaviors. I went to church without wearing a tie! My mother was shocked to see other ladies in church without their gloves on. I've seen stores open on Sunday! Kids today may call their parents by name. I didn't know my mother had another name until I was like five years old, and knew right away to never call her that! Looks to me that the military is getting a little loose in the discipline department. At least that is my take away from that generals appearance on national television. That isn't the way your cover is supposed to look General! Who do you think you are, one of the Black Sheep pilots? 

                                                                       

 

What we had

  We all have our own ideas, conceptions, misconceptions and perceptions of the world. When I was growing up I heard a lot about the people that "had money." I came to understand that meant anyone that had a larger income than my parents, or managed their finances differently. People that had money got the things we didn't have. Well, that is the purpose of money, to get stuff with. The struggle in life is having enough money to get the stuff you want while paying the bills for the stuff you actually need. A part of that was learning to "do without."  That could become a source of pride if handled correctly. It falls into the it's the thought that counts mentality. The thought matters to you, but maybe not so much to the other person, their fault, not yours. 

  As a child growing up in a working class family with three siblings we often had to do without. Thing was, the majority of the time we didn't know that. It was all perfectly normal to us kids until we heard or saw what others had. Fortunately birds of a feather tend to flock together and the other kids we knew where doing without as well. It was only in school that differences could be observed. That is where those misconceptions and perceptions entered the scene. The clothes they wore, what lunch money they had and the latest cool stuff they were allowed to do. If you had money, you followed the latest trends. It's very difficult to be cool if you don't have money. Those kids in the Mickey Mouse club all had money. If you belonged to a club of any kind you probably had money. Well, unless it was 4H, that's for poor people, but still, mostly poor people that own a farm and have animals. I had a dog. He was just a mutt with bum leg that I got for my 5th birthday. Dad later told me he paid two dollars for him. Turned out he was priceless, but I didn't know that then either.

  Christmas and birthdays. Those were the times that those that "had money" became more noticeable. Those kids had elaborate birthday parties and got all the good stuff for Christmas. I remember being invited to a few of those birthday parties. One in particular stood out. This kids' parents took everyone bowling! Now that's having money! Paid for it all, shoe rental, the games, food and drinks. Must have been twelve or so of us there. Afterward we went back to his house where he unwrapped his gifts and showed us what he got. A party like that and gifts, must have money for sure. When we came back to school after Christmas break we would hear all about what everyone got. I was always excited and happy with whatever I got under that tree. Don't get me wrong about that, I was never disappointed.  Yes, I was aware of what those "with money" got but was never jealous of that or bitter in any way. Good for them.

  All of that was before credit cards and all these programs to make purchases over time. Yes, there was Sears and Roebuck, Spiegel and Montgomery Ward. You did have to get approved for credit with those companies and many did just that. I was aware that Santa Claus shopped at Sears. But credit wasn't as free and easy as it is today and many folks didn't want credit either. Many people still felt like if you can't afford to pay for it right now, you really don't need it. Being in debt wasn't a normal thing, it was something to be avoided if at al possible. Today just the opposite is true, how much credit can I obtain. There are even companies promising you a do-over if you go bankrupt. No shame in that game.

  There are always those things, those toys we wanted as children, that are simply too expensive for our parents to provide. I admit nothing springs to mind as far as my childhood goes. I got the bicycle and the tonka trucks! Fact is, I don't remember ever really asking for or wanting anything one thing in particular. I honestly only remember a few items I did receive. Those Tonka trucks top the list. My String Ray spider bicycle is another and the last thing I remember getting for Christmas from my parents. There are other toys that stand out but I don't remember when or how I got those. One thing I never did have was a pedal car. Now those were for the kids that "had money." Dad brought home a pedal tractor once. It had been run over by a car and had a bent axle. He was going to fix it, but never did get around to that. Well, I just did without.

                                                                              

                                          This is from my wife's family Christmas. I figure they "had money."

                                           You had to "have money" to afford a ride like that! 

                                                                                     

   

Survival

  Well apparently some germs or a virus has gotten through my defenses. My wife has already purchased the ginger ale and chicken soup. I will not be rushing off to seek any professional services for what is a simple coronavirus, also known as the common cold. I'm reminded of a commercial I used to hear. aspirin and sucrets. Not sure what year(s) that would have been but it is one of those jingles stuck in my head. Sniffling, sneezing, stuffy head so you can sleep medicine is another. Nyquil I believe. 

 That has changed over time, these ads I mean. Now I'm urged to seek medical advice, get tested and be quick about it! These symptoms could be a cold, the flu, covid or rsv, the latest kid on the block. I should be very worried and concerned. In this litigious society we find ourselves in I'm certain the pharmaceutical companies are forced to include all of that. I hear the ads from the lawyers. If you have been injured or die, you may be entitled to compensation. You don't have to be alive to sue, your family can do that for you afterward. 

  I have a cold. That's what I have and that is all it is. You feed a fever and starve a cold. I've got a bit of both, so I'll do a bit of each. It isn't much of a fever so I'll just eat a little bit starving the cold side. Now that's a medical plan. I can diagnosis this illness as a cold quite easily. I have a runny nose, a bit of a cough and a small headache. That's a cold. I can go about my business as usual, although I don't feel quite as energetic as I normally do. Might have something to do with being 71 years old as well. I did sleep in this morning. 

  I realize by not getting tested, getting that diagnosis, I won't be able to claim survivor status when it passes. That appears to be important to a lot of folks these days, being a survivor I mean. They are surviving colds, flu, rsv, elections and having their feelings hurt. They are surviving living in a world with people like me. Those people that aren't all paranoid and rushing off to the doctors, isolating themselves and protecting the world! Yes, it's true I have not gotten any flu shots whatsoever in over twenty years. And my attitude is, I'll survive. I'm not a survivor, I'm simply surviving. It's an ongoing thing and one we will all lose at some point. I don't think it will be this time. 

                                                                               

Christmas past

  These are the things I remember from Christmas as a child. Ribbon candy in a big box. Hard candy, all stuck together in a bowl. Mixed nuts in a wooden bowl with the tools standing up in the center. Dates and figs that my dad would eat, and no one else wanted. A fruitcake, Mom's favorite thing. Bubble lights on the tree, a train underneath and tinsel galore. A plastic Angel adorned the top, slightly yellowed with age and showing signs of wear on the painted surfaces.  A poinsettia. The metal tree stand, red with green legs and a tree skirt that was supposed to look like snow. The first ornament that went on the tree was a miniature pair of  hip boots, a remembrance of my grandfather who had been a waterman. Grandfather Reichart had passed in 1932. The house was decorated with princess pine, running pine and white pine boughs. Pine cones that were painted and a sprig of mistletoe that my oldest brother always brought home. And Mom wore a Santa Claus face on her lapel that when you pulled a string his nose lit up. All of that remembered. Oh, and the stockings were all lined up in front of the hearth on the floor. They weren't hung by the chimney with care, hard to drive a nail in those bricks and dad wouldn't be happy if you tried! 

  I looked a bit for ribbon candy and wasn't successful in that. Hard candy was available but only at the dollar store. I passed on the Claxton fruit cake as I never did eat that. I used to buy one to send to mom every year but she's been gone three years now. Haven't checked anywhere for dates or figs. Truth is, this year I haven't even begun to decorate, as I'm just not feeling the spirit. I still need to write Christmas cards. Probably won't buy a tree this year as it is only the two of us and no one comes here to visit. Time sure is going faster these days, it being the 12th already. I've always complained about people starting too soon, and now maybe I've waited too long. Well, I can still have a merry little Christmas without all the trappings associated with that. It's not that I'm depressed or anything like that, just not feeling it, as the kids say. Maybe if I watched the commercial for Norelco floating heads or heard Burl Ives signing my mood would change. No sears wish book either. Amazon just doesn't hold that same excitement. 

                                                                                            

Destiny

  With this latest nut job committing a murder on the street and his subsequent arrest I keep hearing about his manifesto. It's a three page document explaining his position. It's the ramblings of a madman, that's what it is. It irritates me that the media is giving that scribbling the dignity, the importance of calling it a manifesto. We've all heard of the Communist Manifesto and for us boomers that went to school when they taught actual history, we heard about manifest destiny. The only other manifest we heard about was the one listing what was on a ship! But now, anyone that writes down their evil intentions and commits some type of heinous crime are the authors of a manifesto. In my opinion that adds to the allure, the desire for another nut job to imitate. I can be in the news!

  I'm hearing about this 26 year old man that has obviously lead a rather entitled life. Private school, Ivy league college, living in Hawaii. They say how intelligent and handsome he is. We are seeing x-rays of his spine showing "giant metal screws" that were placed there causing his unimaginable pain. Why, all of that was effecting his quality of life. Reports say it was restricting his intimate relationships. And the health care system is to blame. If only we had universal health care that may not have happened. A good number of people are saying just that. It's obvious to me that he had this surgery, the proof being the x-rays. Did that create a financial hardship? Haven't heard anything about that. But he wrote a manifesto and took action, some calling that action a revolution. He's a freedom fighter. Well, at least he is fighting for us to get free stuff, so that counts.

  Are there any good manifestos? The communist manifesto certainly isn't. Although not an actual document, manifest destiny certainly isn't viewed as a good thing, at least not in modern times. A ships manifest is usually only consulted after some tragedy has taken place. To manifest something is to make it appear. That man manifested evil and nothing more. Given his position in life, young, handsome, intelligent and from a wealthy, well connected family chances are he will be declared mentally incompetent. Already some are viewing him as a modern day Robin Hood. One celebrity even saying she felt joy that he killed that CEO. Her thinking was perhaps that would inspires other companies to lower their rates and approve far more claims.

  He is already lawyered up fighting his extradition to New York state. With his proclamation of being in severe pain all the time wouldn't it follow that he was taking some form of medications? Did those medications cause this? I won't be a bit surprised if that is used as a part of the defense. Oh the poor guy is just a survivor of drug abuse. He shouldn't be punished at all but given the "services" that he deserves along with everyone else in the world. And all that should be free. Big pharma is complicit in this as well. It's all about the dollar! There is even a "legal defense fund" established for this guy reportedly with 30,000 dollars already collected. 

  It won't be long before his "manifesto" will be on the New York Times bestseller list. I have no doubt about that. He will be prosecuted but never really punished. His trial will a public spectacle, impetus for "change." That will be the narrative that comes out of all this. A raising of awareness. Over time it will fade from the public consciousness, forgotten about as we move forward. There will be talk of preventing the printing of "ghost guns" and taking a closer look at the administration of insurance companies. More discussion about the mental health crisis in America. Oh, how could this happen to such a outstanding young man? If anyone thinks that this was in anyway a positive thing they have a mental health crisis! And that isn't a manifesto, just the rantings and ravings of an entitled little brat. Given the authority to do so, I'd manifest his destiny! 

                                                                            

Vision

  All this mass communication sure can distort your vision of the world. I'm listening to the evening news and they are showing tweets and interviews of people applauding the guy that shot the CEO. Yes, celebrity personalities and everyday people saying that was a good thing. I heard where "free Luigi" is trending. He is now lawyered up and fighting extradition to New York. His lawyer on television saying, "what happened to innocent until proven guilty?" Well, that ship sailed a long time ago my friend. We are now attempting to impeach presidents on accusations alone. 

 I am under no delusion that any of that is a new thing. It most certainly is not. The big difference is that now we all hear about it 24/7 365 days a year. It is almost unavoidable. You would really have to be off the grid to not hear about all this stuff going on. This time there was no scary assault rifle involved but a "ghost" gun that was three D printed. The results were just as deadly. It was a semi-automatic weapon and more people could have been injured had he chosen that route. It wasn't the gun, it was the individual. We hear about all these Trans people. There have always been trans people but we didn't hear about that much. Today we are hearing about trans-children. All that does change your vision of the world.

  Your vision of the world is formed by your parents, your siblings and your friends. It is all dependent upon environment. Your world is what you see. Today we are seeing it all and it is quite shocking! The results of that are what we see in the news. What we are seeing is a lack of restraint, discretion and good sound judgment. The old adage about not pleasing all the people all of the time is very real, you can't do that. For that reason it is best to temper your reactions to every situation. That is not an easy thing to do. Religion plays an important role in that. The belief in reward for acting in an appropriate fashion being that motivation. The promise of "heaven" whatever you conceive that to be. Setting aside that belief what motivation exists to conform to any standard? That is the function of law and the threat of punishment. 

  I was struck by hearing those calling that guy a hero. Some saying it is a fight for universal health care. They should get free medical care and are willing to kill those that will not provide that. Some declaring universal health care is a human right. The truth is people have a right to be treated humanely. Does your human rights include free housing, food, education through college, a new car, a computer, the internet and electricity? There are those declaring they should receive all of that and more, like a monthly stipend. If those things aren't provided violence is the answer! A revolution should take place until everyone gets whatever they want. 

  Mass communication should be a good thing. That is the ideal situation where everyone is informed. The unfortunate truth is mass communication is dependent upon one thing, revenue. In order to generate that revenue sensationalism is the order of the day, that is what sells. The squeaky wheel gets the grease is another old adage that states a basic truth. Even when that squeak is nothing more than an annoyance, it will be addressed. Now we are all hearing that squeak, over and over. All these media outlets are competing with one another, to gain that attention. Even media that is generated by the people! Yes, isn't that the function of tweets, Instagram, Facebook or whatever? We are all struggling to be heard. We are all that squeaky wheel now. I'm not excluding myself from any of that, just sharing my observations and thoughts.

  It really is a simple thing if you think about it. Too many people in the club, and problems will come with them. The United States of America enjoyed a time when we were all Americans. Even those that emigrated became Americans, as that was the goal in emigrating in the first place. To come to a land filled with opportunities. Slowly, over time, more members came to the club and began changing the rules. It wasn't about opportunity anymore, it became about entitlement. It is at that point where the excuses, the exceptions to the rules began to come into play. They go by various names, but all have the same goal, to give an advantage. They are great when they benefit you, not so much when it benefits others. 

     "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed." (excerpt from the declaration of independence) 

 What have we become accustomed to? History has shown us that a democracy lasts about 250 years before evolving into something else, something inferior. Perhaps the reason for that is that we are "disposed to suffering evils" rather than right the wrongs. Perhaps we have implemented changes that are counter productive. Perhaps we should abolish those forms we have become accustomed too. Or perhaps more importantly we should consider what we are allowing ourselves to become accustomed too. Those things we think of as normal. We need to ask ourselves, has the vision changed? The vision was for Independence with government acting as a moderator, not a ruler. Is that still the goal?  

                                                                                     

Just a memory

  Just sharing a Christmas memory this morning, no deep thoughtful essay on the state of mankind or world politics. No philosophical thoughts concerning the existence of man. No, this morning I was just remembering a Christmas tradition from my childhood. When you begin to write about this stuff, begin to leave a record, you realize that it wasn't all that many years. My oldest brother was six years senior to myself. He joined the Navy when he was 17, I was eleven at the time. At eleven I was already nearing that time when Christmas begins to lose the magic. It happens to all of us as reality takes its' place. Soon after that nostalgia replaces magic. 

  But I remember the time when we were all together for Christmas, it does seem like a very long time ago now. It was only about sixty years ago though, go figure. At eleven I was well aware that there was no Santa Claus bringing gifts but was still playing the "Santa" card, appealing to my parents sentimentality. Everyone knew but played along. I do have vague memories of a time when I just wasn't sure about all of that, it was still a possibility in my mind. Well, it couldn't hurt to ask and to play along. I did get gifts under the tree that said, from Santa. I never questioned why Santa had the same wrapping paper as Mom. Maybe he wrapped the gifts after he got here, he was lively and quick after all. That time, the last time we were all altogether would have been Christmas 1964. No one would have expected that to be the case. 

  Now this tradition I was remembering involved my father and his train set. He had a Lionel train that was given to him by his Aunt Minnie (Mildred), the lady my sister was named for. I can't say with certainty what year that train set would have been but Dad was born in 1924 so I'll guess and say sometime in the later part of the 1930's. I just remember the engine was a gray steam locomotive, that was streamlined and more modern looking. It did have a coal car and several box cars. On one of the box cars was an ad for Baby Ruth candy bars. 

 I remember that distinctly because my mothers name is Ruth. The set also included two "switches" and a train station that made a whistling sound when the train approached. This set only appeared at Christmas and was set up under the tree. The kids weren't allowed to play with that. That was Dad's train and he set it up and ran it. That happened every year and the routine was the same. After the tree was set up, lights on and decorated the train came next. Always amusing to watch dad crawling around on the floor putting that rack together. Today if I have to crawl on the floor for any reason it isn't nearly as amusing. And every year Dad would send one of us kids to get some 8 penny nails and his cutting pliers. He needed those to join the track. And that is what I was thinking about this morning. 

                                                                                     

It was something like this. My sisters son has that set today.

My father gifted it to him. 

    

A memory stored

  I have a bit of a habit of reviewing my memories page on Facebook each morning. Call it a routine if you like. I find myself amused by reading what I was talking about last year or ten years ago. It's amusing because all of that seems like it was just a few days ago, or maybe a year or so. That's what happens when you "mature", time takes on a different duration. If you are old enough, you understand exactly what I mean. This morning a post from two years ago caught my attention. I had posted a photograph gifted to me by my sister. 

 The first thought I had was of my sister, gone six years now. I thought of how I was with her for the last time, six years ago. She was in a hospital bed, at home and her husband had put up the Christmas tree and decorated the home. I was there for Thanksgiving and we both knew, to say goodbye. That wasn't spoken of however, the mood remained optimistic, there was no dramatic scene, rather an acceptance of fate. She would pass on December the fourth. We did speak of all the Christmases past. The picture she had gifted me was one of those. 

  This photograph was taken by my dad at Christmas 1955. I was two years old. Two years separated all us kids, my sister two years older than I, then brother Dan and brother Harold. Six years between the oldest and the youngest. In childhood years, six is a large number. But in 1955 we were all at home together, and we were sporting our new Doctor Dentons. Yes, long before any tradition of wearing matching pajamas for Christmas we did that. Standing in a line from oldest to youngest we posed for that picture proudly! I wasn't aware, I was two, but it was a moment. My mother had that picture in a frame, on a shelf next to the fireplace. It was there for as long as I can remember. 

  Many years later, when we were all together again, it was decided we should recreate that picture. Well, by then dad had passed, that's why we were all together, for his funeral service. Back then we weren't celebrating life, we were mourning the loss. Our childhood home had been sold years ago and no one had their Dr. Dentons with them. But we could all stand in a line, just as we had in 1955. The picture was taken and copies promised to everyone. I never received a copy of that photograph. And in a twist of fate or irony, it was the last time all four of us siblings would stand together. The original photograph and the "new" version were often topics of discussion with my sister and I. Those memories and moments shared with your siblings and others. Those little moments in time. 

  Time passed and then one year, sadly I can't say with certainty what year it was, my sister sent that picture in it's frame to me as a Christmas gift. She told me she had come into possession of the original photograph and had it copied. The frame is engraved with our names and Happy Holidays. I was, and am grateful for that gift. I did ask her why Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas and her answer was, the engraver thought it fit better. Of course with her we both knew that Happy Holidays was just another way of saying Merry Christmas. That was long before all this pc hullabaloo about inclusivity. The holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas, everyone knows that. 

  I have that photograph in my bedroom. I just may bring it out and include it in my Christmas decorations. I have to admit I'm not feeling much like Christmas this year, for no particular reason. The head doctors may have an explanation for that. My mood may change at any time though, we'll see. Seeing that picture on my memories page this morning did make me smile. All the years, all the memories and that moment remains still. Sixty nine years ago: seems like just a little while back when I see that photograph, until I think about it, then I remember. It's a strange thing, memories can make us happy, while remembering can make us sad. I was happy in that photograph. A memory stored. 

                                                                                     

                                                                      1955 

It's a problem

  Trump is creating the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. Sounds like an oxymoron to me if ever I heard one. But it isn't a bad idea in a general sense. The only problem being getting congress to agree to tightening those purse strings. I'm quite certain there are quite a number of programs, grants or whatever that could be eliminated. I'm convinced a number of them only exist as a "favor" to someone or some group of someone's. Bureaucracy seldom shrinks and funds are rarely cut back or eliminated from programs. Government efficiency? There is nothing efficient about government.

  I haven't read much or heard a great deal about how this department is supposed to operate. How many employees will it have? Given the extent of government programs it would certainly require either a lot of people, a lot of time or both! My first suggestion for a more efficient government would be stop borrowing money to give away to other countries. I also wouldn't be supplying millions of dollars in military hardware to anyone. Much more efficient to keep that for your own self defense in my opinion. But I realize all of that is a part of the political landscape and may be a necessity in some situations. How efficient is our tax system? 6,871 pages of regulations that's how efficient that is. Got it covered, right?

  The Washington crowd is very nervous about all of that. Government employees are concerned about that as well. There are about 2.87 million federal employees. If you include state and local government that numbers swells to 19.58 million. That's about 6.5% of the population. Do we really require that many people? Six people to every hundred doesn't appear to be very efficient at all. Beyond their jobs however there are all the little perks to be concerned with. What if we really have to come into the office for instance? Gee, what if Congress had to be in session, actually working, for more than the 154 days they did in 2023. For us average, every day, 40 hour a week people we work 260 days a year. Seems to me government employees should have to do the same, all government employees, including congress! 

  The real issue with this department of government efficiency is that "business as usual" will be impacted. Many of these programs the government have been funding are completely unnecessary. I'm 100% certain of that without even looking at the list of programs and grants. Congress occasionally mentions "pork barrel" spending whenever it suits their purposes. It's great when you can use that against your political enemies for instance. Heard a lot about hundred dollar hammers and toilet seats. Not so much about vital research. 

 The National Institute of Health (NIH) granted $465,339 to researchers at Reed College in Portland, Oregon to “create a token-based economy where pigeons are taught to gamble with slot machines.”  The US National Institutes of Health spent $592,527 at Emory University in Atlanta to explore why chimpanzees throw feces. Another $117,000 was necessary to conclude that most chimps are right-handed, the Washington Examiner reports. Their research suggests that throwing feces is a sign of intelligence in chimps. The National Institutes of Health gave $5 million to the Oregon Health & Science University to study if finches slurred their songs when alcohol was in their systems. The birds were given white grape juice spiked with alcohol, which impacted their singing ability, NBC News reports. 

  That was just the first three I saw when I googled government spending on outrageous programs. I'm certain the list is a whole lot longer than that. And that is where the problem rests. Austerity is not the hallmark of government, any government. Those in power will not adhere to that model. No, it will always be, for me, but not for thee when it comes down to the brass tacks. In government whenever anyone begins to talk about austerity they are quickly labeled as tyrants, despots, authoritarian, strict, severe, harsh, demanding, rigid, uncompromising, inflexible, forceful, austere, dour, domineering, iron-fisted, unrelenting, unyielding, gruff, imposing, hard-liner or heavy-handed. A Department devoted to austerity? Well now, that's going to be a problem.   

                                                                                    

I'll share

  I have a wooden chest where I store old photographs and other bits of memorabilia. I refer to that as my archives. It does contain a wide variety of objects that have survived over the years. Perhaps the strangest artifact and the creepiest to me, is a lock of my fathers hair. His grandmother cut that lock, tied it with a ribbon and placed it in this small ring box. Written in there, Ben's first haircut. I don't know the year but I'd guess 1925 as he would have been a year old then. I can't bring myself to throw it out. But, it is creepy.

  There are old postcards written by my grandmother to her father. A good number of photographs, some of unknown people, although surely they are relatives in some fashion. Old papers, old photographs and old correspondence. There are some trinkets, some "touristy" stuff, a memory from a vacation perhaps. All of those things are memories. They are what I am now calling "hard copy" memories. Those type of memories I fear will be lost to future generations as we continue forth in this digital age. A photograph printed from a memory card or computer drive doesn't seem as "real" as a printed photograph from the past. It may seem silly to some but it is a feeling I have. The old photographs I have where once held by those in the picture, the same can't be said about todays pictures with as much certainty. Posted to Facebook, tweeted or insta gramed is not the same thing, no physical connection there. 

  In my archives there are many other objects that hold that same feeling for me. I know that they were once held, admired and saved by an ancestor. My paternal grandmother passed shortly after giving birth to my dad. I have a postcard that she wrote to her father when she was about ten years old. Whenever I hold that card I think of her and know that she called him, papa. It's a connection I feel, but can't explain. It is a "hard copy" of her. At least a very small portion, a moment in time when she was missing her father who was away on a business trip. In her card she asks, when are you coming home? She has a surprise planned for him. What that surprise was I will never know. 

  I have started but set aside a journal of sorts. No, not a journal, a catalogue is a more apt description. I had begun writing down the story behind the objects I have saved over the years. I began to explain what each item is and what the significance of that object is for those that aren't self explanatory. It is my thought that even with the "hard copy" without an explanation the object loses its' value. The purpose of that catalogue would be to assign that value, that is my hope. I really should begin again to record all that. If I do not, time will erase it all. Today the struggle will be to determine what memories to save, in a hard copy. Literally thousands of photographs taken, which ones to save. I've written millions of words by now, what to save of that, in a hard copy? What objects and artifacts? 

  Memories in a hard copy. That's what I'm thinking about. Not a museum, an ancestral archive of memories. Moments shared and moments gone by. The objective being to give life to the past to a new generation. You can hold it in your hand and know that I once held it, or your grandparents held that. A thread from the past to bind the future together. Still it is only a "hard copy" once isn't it? Memories aren't really something you can copy, only share. 

                                                                            

misdirected

 For just 18 dollars a month you can save a dog or a cat! Just 18 dollars a month! You can also give to the Wounded Warrior Project. Same price, 18 dollars a month. Is it only me, or does that bother anyone else? Why should a charity be necessary to ensure the proper care of wounded veterans? Isn't that the responsibility of every American citizen. My tax money shouldn't be going to foreign nations, foreign relief efforts, or defending illegals in my country, until every single veteran has been taken care of. I'm angered and it is a disgrace when I hear that plea, for just 18 dollars a month you can help a veteran, or a dog! 

  As the supreme court and congress quibble over who's a boy or a girl, which bathroom to use and whether health insurance should pay for gender reassignment surgeries for convicted felons, I'm being asked for a donation. Oh I hear all the talk, the ceremonies, the parades the accolades about out heroes. Everyone is a hero, the military, the police, the fireman, the first responders, and the gay people waving their flags, heroes all. But when it comes to providing the care and services those military heroes need, get in line. You have to file your claim and hope that you are approved. Barring that, maybe some charitable organization will help out, if I donate to them. The Wounded Warrior Project will also help veterans get what they deserve from the Veterans Administration. Yes, you need a charitable organization to lobby on your behalf to obtain the services/disability benefits you earned through your service. Why? 

  Wounded Warriors is for veterans wounded on or after September 11, 2001. It applies to physical or mental injury or illness, or co-incident. It operates as a nonprofit 501 charity. 100% of your donation goes to services, well except for the salaries paid out to those administering the program. 90 million dollars in 2022. There were 889 employees, er, volunteers. Well over 330 million dollars is donated each year. In 2022 70.3 billion dollars was given in foreign aid. 330 million is just a drop in the proverbial bucket when compared to that number. 

  Why isn't our government funding that? Would even save 90 million in salaries as the department of veterans affairs already has over 400,000 employees! They should be able to administer that. 330 million dollars is less than 5% of what we are currently giving away to other nations. Let's reduce the amount given away to those nations by 10% and use that to serve our veterans! I'm not against charitable organizations. I just don't believe they should be necessary when talking about veterans wounded in service to the nation. Instead the supreme court is hearing arguments about puberty blockers! 

  Misdirected, that is how I would describe all of that. I'm not really talking about charity, I'm talking about responsibility. We owe those services to every veteran. To those that rose their hand, took that oath and served with honor. They should in no way be dependent upon charity. The bill was paid in full! Trace Adkins advocates for Wounded Warrior project and receives zero compensation for that. I applaud his efforts. I'm just saying that it shouldn't be necessary. Congress is being misdirected by those hoping to install their agenda. 

                                                                                    

    

My opinion

 The supreme court is hearing arguments regarding the legality of some transgender legislation. I really haven't been paying close attention to all of that as it isn't a concern of mine. I don't know anyone that is transgender and certainly no children that claim to be. I suppose I'm just living in my own little world and not "with it." I've been that way all my life and see no reason to change that now. I don't have any illusions that I'm here for a higher purpose, to effect any great changes. I'll live out my time in anonymity, as will the vast majority of us. What others do is of little concern to me, until it effects what I'm doing. Strange how that works isn't it? Us old folks call that minding your own business. But I'm wandering off the topic a bit.

  From what little I have heard this legislation prohibits parents from allowing their children to obtain life altering drugs or surgeries as it relates to their gender. Trans children? In my view there is no such thing as trans children, just children. If you are going to allow puberty blockers, chemicals to alter the natural order of development, how can they ever know what it is to be whatever. Isn't it like your mother would say, you don't know if you like it until you try it. You have to allow them to "try" it. Just might turn out they like being a girl or a guy after all. Childhood angst concerning development is quite the normal thing you know. I had two older brothers that I was compared too. Both were bigger and stronger. My parents didn't give me steroids to boost my strength. And yes, there were other comparisons made, brothers do that.  

  I seriously have to question any parent that would even consider doing that to their child. Are you really that insecure that you would do that to a child? For what reason? So you can tell the neighbors what a great parent you are, how caring you are? You are that parent that tells their child, go ahead jump off the bridge. Yeah, kids love it when they can manipulate their parents, I know, I tried doing that myself. All kids attempt to do that. And now you are telling me these children are telling parents they want these procedures because they feel a certain way? And the parents are going, alright we will spend thousands on this, altering your life forever and insist that everyone else congratulates you in that decision. We'll even fly a flag for you! Hooray.  

  When a person reaches their age of majority they can then make their choices. If they can convince others to finance, encourage and support them, good for them. If their choices, whatever they are, cause no harm to others I really don't care what they do. I just say, make stupid choices, get stupid results. We have all been there and done that. Parents have an obligation to protect their children from that, usually by a simple, no. The only explanation being, because I said so. That is the authority of a parent. Yes, that is the way it is supposed to work. 

  I'm sure I will hear whatever the courts opinion is on this matter. Remember the court will issue an opinion only, the actual legislation has to be voted upon by congress. I understand the anxiety from those on the left. Conservative views are in the majority in the court today. Trump seated three justices and the democrats aren't happy about that. I get it, they are not on your team. But the court is supposed to be unbiased, justice is blind, and party affiliation shouldn't be an issue. Those opinions are based in law and precedent. The function of the court is to provide that legal opinion to congress. 

  Does the 14th amendment to the constitution actually guarantee children equal protection under the law? That's the argument. Those supporting this claiming it is a form of discrimination based on gender. What they call gender affirming care. Does the 14th amendment support parents having their children given puberty blockers and hormone therapy? Is a "feeling" really a medical condition? Isn't that actually a mental condition? 

 Can we use medical procedures to "cure" mental issues? Shock treatments and lobotomies certainly worked out well. Should we use medical procedures in an attempt to alter reality? You really can't change the DNA of an individual. And as far as I know that is what we are talking about here. Those children that have the normal and expected DNA, they are boys and girls. But they feel like they want to be the opposite and so medical intervention is appropriate before they even complete the biological process of puberty. Before they have even completed elementary school. I don't think so. I think the 14th amendment should protect them alright, they deserve equal protection, even when it against themselves! Protection against unwise parents and unscrupulous doctors as well. That's my opinion. 

                                                                                     

home for Christmas

  Six years gone. It was exactly six years ago today that my sister went to her final rest. I still wait for her phone call, look for a card from her on my birthday and speak of her. Time, it has been said is a fleeting thing. My emotions however, are not. My sister was there when I was born, a constant, and a comfort in times of need or sorrow. Although we were separated by life's choices most of our adult lives, the bond remained unbroken. A blood bond, a bond of the heart. We did enjoy each others' company the final few years of her life and for that time I am grateful. It was a time in both of our lives when the drama, the competition between siblings had run its' course. There was no judgement, no what-ifs or if you had. We just spoke as brother to sister. 

  Today all that remains of my "core" family is myself and my brother Dan. Brother Dan for reasons known only to him has chosen to remain detached and silent. I have tried to call, sent a few cards and even a few letters, all to no avail. I can only trust that all is well in his world. At this time of the year, the holiday season, all those emotions rise to the surface buoyed by the promise of a new year, a new start. At the same time we all return to our youth, our childhood in our dreams. My childhood is filled with happy memories. I gather those memories around me like a warm blanket. Memories of my father, gone these thirty four years now. Brother Harold, ten years ago and Mom three years already. I could not have envisioned Christmas 2024 being such. The passage of time extracting a toll.

  I have witnessed a generations end, and soon I will witness the beginning of another, with the birth of my first great grandchild. My parents generation quickly dwindling in number and indeed my own facing the inevitable, concerning only because of that awareness. We are not aware of that in our youth, we do not feel the passage of time and see that toll being paid. Even in adulthood we will deny that, pass it off as something that will happen; later. And now later becomes sooner, and we wish for time to just slow down. It all just seems to rush at us, passing us by as we remember all those that are not still on this journey we call life. 

  Last year I was given a brick taken from the fireplace my father had built in my childhood home. That home was torn sown, replaced and all the memories inside set free. I was grateful for that brick and constructed a scale model of that fireplace on top of it. I had a few photographs to go by but mostly I relied upon my memory. The resulting model is what I remember it to be. I light a candle inside it occasionally and reminisce. Like an ancient offering to the gods the flame flickers and I remember. It is a connection to the past, my past. Only brother Dan remains to verify that based on personal experience. No one else in my family today ever saw that home or fireplace. All of that is just a story to them. And that is what we will become one day, a story. The hope is that the story will be remembered.