Everywhere there's lot of Piggies

As I  look at this fellow, he seems happy in his lot.  Wandering around his pen, he is probably looking for a snack munch on.  Much like me after the news is over and the programing is getting mundane and boring.  We have located a British series on Netflix called Broadchurch.  It is a murder mystery with many twists and turns to the plot.  My usually wiley wife has no clue who the culprit is even after six episodes. I am generally in the dark. There are some dialectic issues but once you  

get past them, it is definitely worth watching. Not much to talk about today other than  viewing shows on the telly.  It was blistering hot yesterday and we had hungry children over at the old folks home for dinner and very loud conversation loaded with opinions.  I am mostly silent because I lost my New Jersey conversing techniques of interrupting to get your point across.  My children retained that talent along with their mother.  Anyway the dinner was enjoyed and the beer was gone, so they left. We took Shannon back to her home after multiple Disney movies.  

My dear friend Tom from San Francisco sent me a posting from The Irish Times.  It was a copy of an editorial from Fintan O'Toole on the view of America from Ireland.  Sadly from being the beacon of freedom's light our country is pitied by our European counterparts.  We have dealt with this virus like a third world country and our leader has not used the scientific information or personnel available to move toward a safe outcome.  Instead, he is promoting himself and his minions in hopes of his reelection.  I am saddened by the current state of our union.  We still have many months with this man at the helm.  What further damage can he do?  Is there no politician that was voted in by their constituents that can at least slow him down.  Do we need to remove all the Sharpies and put duct tape across his mouth?  

One last thing to complain about.  Rep. Ted Yoho called AOC a fucking bitch on the steps of the Capitol last week.  Now in my history of working and all companies I have worked for, such behavior would not be tolerated, not even in the swinging and dope smoking 70's.  I would have been escorted off the premises if I called a workmate out like that.  The arrogance of this prick shocks even me.  I hope he goes down in flames and is shoveling shit in his next job .

We saw a remarkable 60 Minutes episode last evening about gene therapy to cure inherited diseases like Sickle cell.  And it worked. Truly a modern miracle,  this morning I learned that a similar treatment worked on Muscular Dystrophy.  Some good news for a change.

all for now

stay safe

 

  

Go in Peace

 

In my short walk with Harry Sunday morning I noticed that the cornerstone for a portion of Berkley High School had been laid in 1948.  Must have been commensurate with the birth of friend Considine, just now celebrating his 72nd.  Further as we ambled along, noticed the sounds of singing voices near the school and thought it was some outdoor choir rehearsal.  We rounded the corner of Catalpa and Henley and realized it was drive up service sponsored by the Cana Lutheran/Greenfield Methodist churches.  The weather had not yet broken and pleasant breezes wafted by.  I started a conversation with a congregant standing on the sidewalk and she explained to me what was going on.

This was their first outdoor effort at worship and the minister was standing on the tailgate of a pickup truck.  The musical participants were playing Peaceful Easy Feeling written by the Eagles and there were about 50 cars there for the service.  I learned that with the magic of technology, the whole thing was being piped thru the car radios.  I also learned that a brief toot on the horn signified an Amen response.  When the communion section arrived, the folks in their cars partook of wine (or grape juice) the brought with bread.   As his closing remarks, he said "go in peace", simple yet poignant.

Priests said Mass on the hoods of jeeps during wartime and Jesus probably spoke to crowds outside many times.  There is a certain tranquility of winds blowing and birds singing amidst inspirational words that lifts a person up much more than being surrounded by stained glass, pictures and statues. Please bear in mind that I no longer have any religious leanings. Raised a Catholic, I felt embraced by the faith not threatened, life later jaded me.  However, this was a nice, comfortable event and I might get a lawn chair and go again.

We have been visiting Kensington Metropark in the last couple of days with our grand kids.  What a lovely nature trail with little creatures that are so accustomed to humans that they will eat out of your hand.  On the road to get there, we passed the site of the former Ford Wixom Assembly plant on Wixom Road.  I really cut my selling teeth in this facility and made some truly great friends there.  It gave me pause to see the once bustling 

city of production buildings now replaced by Menards and other retail outlets.  

These cute little guys are Tyler and Paxton who joined us for today's visit to the park with their parents.  We provided them with a bag of bird seed and they were off on their adventure of chipmunk feeding and bird viewing.  What a delight.  If you get the opportunity to visit this wonderful place, do it.  Its worth the effort and cost.  

The passing of Congressman John Lewis was the loss of a true hero that all of us can learn from.  I  listened to a recent interview with him and was moved by the personal strength of this man.  No blame, only an honorable, forgiving soul; truly a hole in the heart of our country.

I learned today that we lost a resident of our complex in a pedestrian accident about a block away.  The driver of the car did not see him.  I remember his quick wit and his presence outside enjoying the sunshine.  Please be careful as a driver and as a walker.

all for now

stay safe

Moved and Shook

Had occasion to view the new Tom Hanks film, Greyhound.  I'm not really a war movie guy, aside from Merrill's Marauders with my Dad when I was about ten.  But this film, based on a novel by C.S. Forrester called The Good Shephard,  is a study of a ship's captain that shows a view of profound leadership.  It's depiction of life on a naval destroyer and encounters with German U boats in the North Atlantic is beyond tense and shows the real horrors of war and the power of the sea.  The rapid fire dialogue is astounding.  I came away shook and moved by the power of the film and humanity of the characters.  When they had finished a U Boat that had been taunting them, one of the sailors said "another 50 dead Germans, Hanks character replied "no, 50 lost souls.  He prayed over every meal offered him with his steward, never tasting a mouthful.  This is a depiction of real honor at war.  It has been released on Apple TV and probably others.  If you have the opportunity, see this.  My son Jon was a damage controlman on his ship which would be a fireman in layman's terms.  There is a scene where a fire must be extinguished after attack.  Thought of my son seeing this. The concept of honor is in short supply these days. 

Yesterday we had a happy visit from Paxton and Everett.  It is great fun to have them around even though exhaustion comes in soon after they depart.  Have a couple of more pictures to share. Both of the boys fell asleep in the wagon walking around in the neighborhood, too much fun for the day..  I spent 8 bucks on a sprinkler to hook on the hose in the complex.  It was a great purchase and they (and I) had fun running through the water. The diversion of their little happiness makes the daily worries go away for a while. 

The sun as arisen again in Berkley and it will be another warm one today.  Doing some stretching exercises lately when I wake up.  They help with the morning aches and pains.  Lying on the floor. I sometimes have moments of fleeting physical clarity when I connect with all my body parts and mentally feelings become acute.  But really I need a new book to get away from my phone

all for now

stay safe

enjoy your day

I'd vote for a Potato

I'm sorry but I am thoroughly angry and frustrated with 45 and all his antics.  He has made a pariah of our country in the eyes of the world and put us all at risk of death due to his lame response on the Covid-19 virus. I try to stay away from commenting on this topic,  but maybe the heat got in the way of restraining my reaction.  We have to get our heads out of our collective asses and wear masks in public and wash our hands.  With the way things are trending (we used to say going), our governor Gretchen should not open schools in September for fear of endangering the students and their teachers.  I won't be writing in Russet or baked on my absentee ballot and will vote for Biden and whoever is VP pick is.  That's it, no more bitching.

Saw this charming set of choppers on my walk with Harry yesterday morning along with aghast and half eaten gingerbread men.  There is a guy in the neighborhood that creates these whimsical characters and opjects and places them on his expansive front lawn.  Always a visual adventure whenever we pass by. 

Had a hot and steamy shopping trip to Trader Joes late in the afternoon yesterday.  Along with the excellent choices of products at decent prices, the people there are extroidinarly pleasant and helpful.  It is the happiest place to shop and feel good afterward.  They must give these folks happy vitamins or shots in the back.  Anyway I look forward to shopping there. (Royal Oak Store)

I turn off the AC in the morning when I wake up early to open the doorwall and listen to the birds and the early morning activities in the neighborhood.  Judy's new batch of hummingbird elixir has been bringing the quick little flyers back for repeated visits.  Who would have though that they would travel up to the 4th floor to find their hooch. 

Been revisiting Goliath on Amazon looking at the first season.  Billy Bob Thornton is wonderful and completely damaged but brilliant.  William Hurt as the ultimate villain is facinating to watch.  Smart creepy guys are fun for me to watch.  Was shocked by his full frontal scene a coupld of episodes back.   I really like villains in stories, even in animation, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, (a numbskull blowhard) and Scar in Lion King with his wonderful scoundrel songs come to mind.  In Goliath, there is Kalie played by Molly Parker running a close second to Donald Cooperman (Hurt). 

There are 3 seasons of this show to watch.  Have a look if you have the chance.

Well,  all for now

stay cool

stay safe

Further Contemplations

Me at the Troy Nature Center with grand kids and Judy recently.  I was accused by one of looking like I was going to cry.  In fact, this is my happy face. They have some man made rock structures at the center and the kids love to climb on them.  They are climbing I am sitting.  My climbing days are over.  Days have been bright and sunny and really hot.  Necessary to take Harry on his long walks early in the morning to beat the heat. 

It seems that smells in some way dictate our view of the world.  Inside, in the kitchen, basil, garlic, smoked paprika, dill and pepper make our surroundings more complete.  I love entering a room where food (except broccoli) is or has been made.  Odor is the first thing you notice. In your mind you say "somethins' cooking". Outside, traveling on our walks honeysuckle, lilac, smell of earth, compost, fresh lawn cutting permeate the olfactory senses. Visually I love the glimmer of wet plants after they have been sprinkled and the look of puddles on the sidewalks reflecting sunlight and the dappled sunlight thru the trees.

I have been reading The Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel.  Read the first 100 pages in one sitting.  For those unfamiliar it is the story of his young life in Auschwitz and Buchenwald during the second world war followed by 2 novels that also reflect his experiences.  As I read his words, I can feel his pain.  It seems that to be a great storyteller, one needs to know pain and anguish, inserted into the work.  His words draw a picture that the reader can see.  Happy stories are for children.  Torment breeds great storytelling.  Yes, I know really dark but its like he is right in front of me telling his tales.  I can feel him.  Reading his work I am comfortable with the fact that I will never be a great writer, only a poser or at best an essayist and observer.  Grisham is a great spinner of yarns but his characters don't draw out the reader's emotions. 

In my town we have a lovely tree lined street called Beverly.  It has a wide boulevard at its center and the well kept homes are in a variety of styles.  It is my favorite avenue to take Harry walking on quiet sunny mornings. People on porches and doing their gardening are smiley and welcoming. I came upon the thought that what if I were not the old white guy but a fifty-ish black man walking down the street with my little dog. If like me this person smiled and said good morning to the passersby, all would probably be fine.  Methinks that the beginning of building bridges starts with a simple hello. Small, friendly interactions when opportunities arise could help create some comfort. 

Berkley now has some fine art courtesy of the DIA.  This is a Claude Monet reproduction on Harvard St. near Berkley St., a really pleasant find.  I hope there are more around town.  

all for now 

stay cool and safe.