There was a hilarious cartoon in the paper this morning. It features Garfield celebrating a full day on his new diet – by popping a donut in his mouth. Many of us are like that. The rewards are fleeting, followed by days, weeks, and months of anguish. We anticipate that, for our efforts, the pounds will disappear like candlewax in bright sunlight. But as we get older, our mobility and the impetus to exercise slip away. I know I feel that way, when I see vigorous seniors out walking the countryside, and I think to myself, “Are they crazy? That’s a hip just waiting to break!”
Continue reading “Dieting: A Work -In-Progress”Defined by “What Offends”
Every so often, I come across a serious topic that inspires me. It’s a departure for my usual, lighter pieces. This was originally written as a newspaper opinion piece, and I thought that in the current political climate, it has some degree of relevance.
Continue reading “Defined by “What Offends””Campaign Signs – Does Size Matter?
What with a rumored presidential election on the horizon, as well as state primaries, alert drivers like me have noticed the proliferation of roadside campaign signs. The traditionally tasteful small ones are out in abundance, but it seems that the more affluent candidates are purchasing and setting up much larger ones. Some are gigantic – the size of small drive-in movie screens, so I guess size matters. I guess those are for emphasis. They say, “We’d walk on water for . . . . . .”
Continue reading “Campaign Signs – Does Size Matter?”Selecting Baby Names
My lovely niece and her husband are expecting a baby in the fall, a happy event in the family and another heir to the “royal” line. To that end, I am lending my expertise to the naming process. My assistance really wasn’t asked for or embraced, but I offer it none-the-less. And further, this writing will serve as a general guide that expectant parents may use to wisely select a name. In this case, the baby is a boy, and although there are any number of perfectly acceptable gender-fluid names, I’ll limit my recommendations to those that tend to suggest a male.
Continue reading “Selecting Baby Names”What Is America Watching? And Why?
I hope everyone had an enjoyable July 4th weekend. No shootings in your area. No stuck at an airport or in traffic somewhere. We stayed home and everyone came to us, so all good. Meanwhile, I have happened to remark to Her Ladyship on what we’re seeing on television. To that end, I’ve extensively covered some things popping up in commercials that we should never, ever, see on tv. Discussions of “gut” ailments. Things relating to sexual body parts. We don’t need to see that. And now, there is a whole slate of deodorants for every nook, cranny, and orifice. Once again, I don’t need to see, here, or know about it. Roll on to the pits and I’m good to go.
Continue reading “What Is America Watching? And Why?”“Keep Your Thoughts to Yourself”
Thus said my horoscope the other day. Her Ladyship read it out boldly to me, and we had a good laugh, because, in all honestly, that’s not something I do well. Often over the years, I’d be sitting in a meeting where that little voice in my head would say, “keep quiet”. Sometimes I could, but sometimes, not so much. I come from a long line of “Did I say that out loud?” Irish folks. Discretion and restraint aren’t really our strongest attributes. When Abraham Lincoln said, “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.”, he may well have had a number of my ancestors in mind.
Continue reading ““Keep Your Thoughts to Yourself””Father’s Day 2024 – Honoring and Marketing
As the Father’s Day weekend approaches once again, it’s time to remember all fathers, be they biological, grandfathers, father figures, favorite uncles, surrogates, and others that have played or continue to play a role. Here once again are some thoughts I expressed last year at this time, and back by request.
Continue reading “Father’s Day 2024 – Honoring and Marketing”A Bumper Crop of . . . . Pollen
The pollen is out in force this year. I noticed the other day, when I went out to fetch the newspaper and the front porch is coated with yellow powder. It’s a nice mix from the surrounding plants that causes me to sneeze uncontrollably. For those of my faithful readers that too suffer from spring allergies, my sympathies. With any luck, it will wash away soon with any passing showers. In the meantime, that glorious spring of stuffed up nose, itchy eyes, and sometimes even skin irritation are upon us.
Continue reading “A Bumper Crop of . . . . Pollen”Memories of “Decoration Day”
Yes, Memorial Day, as we know it today, was originally “Decoration Day”, evolving in the years following the Civil War to commemorate those that died on both sides of the conflict, and later, all military that died in battle. Thus began the tradition of putting flowers and flags on graves in the spring, and it spread from military dead to family members and friends. It was unofficial until 1971, when the Day became officially recognized as a national holiday.
Continue reading “Memories of “Decoration Day””I want 5 minutes alone with . . . . .
Yes, yes. We all know how much brilliant inventors and engineers have contributed to our lifestyles and well-being. Their knowledge, skill, and inspiration are, well, inspirational. In full disclosure, though, they’ve also had some lapses that drive us nuts. On occasion, I’ve written to the manufacturers with simple requests to dismiss or lock up the minds that created some of their products, reinforcing my reputation as a GOM (grumpy old man). It happens, but it’s all for our collective good.
Continue reading “I want 5 minutes alone with . . . . .”
I'm Thinking...No! 