I'm Thinking...No!

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.

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.

Expanding Her Inheritance

How much really is too much? Can you have enough wealth? Most of us, and our immediate circle of friends, are what we used to call “comfortable”. Our immediate needs are met – we don’t face “food insecurity” or being homeless, at least I don’t think we do. As many of my readers know, I’m still chasing that illusive lottery payoff. My big check from Publishers Clearing House has not arrived, despite them telling me it’s on the way. They even have my address for delivery.

Oh, My Aching Back – More on Aging

Encountered a bit of bother this week. I’d been waiting anxiously until the weather broke so that I could start to tend the outdoor garden beds. I may have worked a bit too long – as all gardeners know, much of what we do is bending over to clear away the dead stuff, and thus, my back is sore. It’s been a festival of ibuprofen around here, and my whole gardening operation has come been shut down. The weather has turned colder again to accommodate my incapacitation. But Her Ladyship has been resistant to the idea of hiring an assistant or two to manage the estate. I know – penny pinching in the worst sense.

A Commercial “Coda”

Yes, I know. I’ve written about them before, so this may be my last on the subject, until more truly awful ones come along. They’re a fact of life. They sell products and services, and generate income. And they’re more and more pervasive. You will notice that there are no commercial messages or pop-up sales on this blog. I keep it strictly professional. In full disclosure, though, if somebody wanted to fling cash at me to advertise and monetize “I’m thinking . . .No”, I would succumb in a heartbeat. Oh, offers do come in, but they typically are offers to “upgrade”, which will increase readership, and those come with a price. Should I spend the money? Would you, my faithful readers, pay to subscribe, or be annoyed to see an ad for wrinkle cream or a gutter protection seminar pop onto your computer screen? I’m thinking . . . . .

Tax Time, Again

Yes, those tax walls are closing in again. It’s here. That season of giving – to the government. April flowers and taxes due. We all feel the pressure. Maybe this year, we’ll get something back. We planned for it this year, we increased our withholdings, we kept all of our receipts, stored carefully in a file devoted just to that. This will be the breakthrough year.

Winter is Back – with a Vengeance

Six plus inches of wet, heavy snow that started yesterday as rain, then to sleet, and now . . . . .well. Howling winds. The lights are flickering from time to time. Not exactly my expectation for the week after Easter, what with spring bulbs were coming up nicely and everything was starting to sprout. I’d bought some very nice daffodils bulbs, and they were at that expectant, pre-blossom stage. I ran out yesterday and covered them up before the wintery mix arrived, after running to the grocery store, as was everyone in the region, to buy some things to last us for a few days. And cancelled Her Ladyship’s appointment because there was no way we were going out. I didn’t even win the big lottery jackpot last night, which would have gone a long way toward mitigating the blustery, beastly weather.

Spring Isn’t . . . . . Springing

Just when we thought the warm weather was finally arriving, the bluster of March came back to slap us in the face. OK, yes, we got a bit spoiled, lulled into a false hope, because it was a milder winter, and we had every reason to expect an earlier-than-usual leafy, flowery return. We thought climate change might have a small upside. Probably not by Easter, which is early too this year and the lilies will remain inside, but we could be looking out at cheerful daffodils and tulips as we fill out our tax forms.

Remembering My Grandfather on St. Patrick’s Day

I never knew my grandfather, as he died about six months before I was born. But stories – family legends really – about him abound, along with a few pictures and a number of his quotes: “My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with facts” is my favorite.

Readjusting, with more Profiles in Courage (or not)

I was rereading a blog that I wrote in March, 2020, just as the pandemic was revving up. So much of our lives changed overnight when the pandemic struck – from the small routines like stopping for coffee or grocery shopping, to life events like weddings and funerals. Each night, local and national news were a mixture of statistical horrors, with staggering numbers and updates on where the disease is hitting hardest, how people were coping, what we should know. We were exhausted, feeling helpless, and emotionally drained.

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30