Heros and the Boys

 

I thought today it prudent to share thoughts about heroes and the heroic along with fun times with grandsons.  The picture on the bottom  is of John Lee Cronin and his dad Mark.  I read about him today in my Apple  News Feed and how he was stripped of his  

Boy Scout badges because the organization had provided him assistance due to his Downs Syndrome condition.  He later became a success at the Special Olympics.  He and his dad decided to start a business.  After a couple of faltering attempts, they settled on socks.  He always loved wild socks and they called it  John's Crazy Socks,  available at  www.johnscrazysocks.com. Not cheap but quite entertaining.  

Also, I am completely inspired by the work of Chef Jose Andres and his team at World Central Kitchen.  They have assembled a team of cooks, food preparers and logistics experts to feed people after disasters of all kinds.  I saw him on Stephen Colbert and he is truly a happy warrior.  Feeding people and providing clean water is their only mission.  I cannot tell how pumped I am after listening to this man.  Feed People! what a concept.

 Had a wonderful visit with my grandsons Paxton and Everett yesterday.  They are getting bigger and I am getting slower.

I am weary of all the press coverage 45 is getting on his ill fated attempts to overturn a legal and lawful election.  They give mention of the new cabinet appointees and of Biden's  hairline fracture in his foot.  He is quietly working to move the country forward.  He's not flashy nor demonstrative.  45's twitter account needs to be cancelled due to the repeated lies and accusations.  On my news feed, every other story and image is of him.  His time is over. Time to move on and rid ourselves of this stain.  (sorry too direct). 

All for now

Stay safe

Shingles

As modern old person (oxymoron), I chose to take all the medicinal measures to operate above room temperature. The latest one of these is the two step Shingrix vaccine to prevent shingles.   Judy and I had the second dose two days ago.  Felt dreadful yesterday with flu like symptoms.  But knowing that this was the cause, and that  it would be over soon, I endured better.  Low and behold, today I am vastly improved. Hooray!

Today is son Andrew's 40th birthday.  I am so proud of the man he has become.  He's a much better father than I was and his kids always know they are loved and cared for.  I don't miss him being a little kid so much a I am thrilled with his growth as a human being.  This has not been an easy year for him, upending a household, moves, learning to be a single dad while sharing custody with his ex.  This is a guy with big laughs, big tirades and big opinions.  Both he and Katey his sister are loud with lots of strong feelings.  To be truthful, when you put them with their Jersey Mother and all the volume, I tend to stand aside.  

We are in lockdown mode at the Senior Compound.  No visitors aside from essential caregivers.  Its going to be a quiet weekend looking for more interesting programing to watch. Have to throw this in, at the end of each Jeopardy,  they post a small tribute to Alex.  I know he was sick, I cannot believe he is gone.

Did a tour around Innovation Hills yesterday to enjoy the last warmish day.  Went with friends and had good masked conversations.  Since we know what each other look like, its less bad even though smiles are not evident.  

all for  now

stay safe

 

Struggling to put a positive spin

This is a good characterization of this year's Thanksgiving, a wooden lawn turkey.  Somewhat stiff and with a little humor.  We called off our celebration due the virus and at the insistence of the powers that be at our Senior Living Compound.  We are in full lockdown mode with only visitors of the medical or caregiving variety allowed in.  No more congregating or conversation in the common areas.  In the evening, guards are standing sentry.  All of our guys are fine at this point and we are too.  Going to enjoy this last balmy day at Innovation Hills in the afternoon.  Most of our meals will be home cooked at least for awhile,  that I don't mind in that I'm the cook.

45 will not concede the election even with the mounting failure of numerous law suits.  Melting Rudy looked unbalanced and sounded ridiculous at his press conference yesterday.  In my lifetime of voting in national elections (started in 1972 with George McGovern), I have not witnessed such a spectacle.  Biden/Harris won by a decisive margin.  That used to be enough.  If the secret meeting at the White House convinces the Repub board of canvassers to rescind their decision to certify the votes,  there will be a civil insurrection in Detroit, and rightly so. It will negate the work of the vote counters (screamed at thru the windows) and the voters of the city. 

Well that's all my bitching for this morning

Going for coffee with my cronies at 8:15

all for now

stay safe

 

 

T-E-E-T-H

 My continuing saga continues.  Now in my first week of repair and installation.  First comes a root canal (which was not as bad as I expected).  Was directed to a specialist that only does this procedure.  While not a walk in the park, it was far superior to my first experience with this process.  Now, onto a new crown, oh boy.  But I am appreciative of my regular dentist that always makes me aware of what's going on, explains options and most importantly allows me to feel safe in an uncomfortable situation. 

Thru my wife's travels with Delta, she was availed with the opportunity of some free magazines and provided them to me.  I chose two food periodicals, bon Appetit and Eating Well.  As a cook I found some interesting recipes and luscious pictures in both of these.  Travel and Leisure provided me a glimpse of places I will never go to, but still alluring.  Gentlemans Quarterly was a complete waste of time and I am glad no money was spent.  Filled with overpriced and odd looking garments hanging on sunken cheeked male models.  This has nothing to do with shopping at Target or Walmart or even Kohls. 

I did a post on FaceBook about Bruce Springsteen being on the cover of the AARP magazine.  At 71 he is still making meaningful music.  His program and recording "Letter to You" was an outstanding addition to AppleTV+.  This article and interview was intuitive and enjoyable, it's probably available online.

Son Andrew will be 40 this Saturday.  He's a great father raising his kids sharing responsibilities with his ex.  I am extremely proud of him and have been to since he first emerged 40 years ago.  After loosing a child two years prior, when he arrived, I ran down the hall screaming He's Perfect!! to my mother and Judy's parents.  My mother Dorothy collapsed and Harry picked her up.  It was a thrilling day.  Many memories are difficult to recreate, not this one.

No politics today.  Gretchen  has starting today  closed many operations  in our state down for 3 weeks under the auspices of the department of health.  I admire her fortitude. Our covid-19 cases are rampant and we need to do this to slow the spread.  Indoor dining is put on hold.  Business are damaged.  Its a vicious trade off, but a step that's needed.  We are probably headed for another lockdown like we had in the spring.  Our family has cancelled Thanksgiving dinner.  It sad but we do not want to get our grand kids sick.  

As the winter months are approaching, I need to find something to look foward to.  Going to Innovation Hills this Friday for a walk because this may be our last day of relative warmth.  Probably will take more steps for Zoom calls with friends and family to stay connected

Not too entertaining today, sorry.

all for now

stay safe

  

A Surprise call

This is Marie and Elijah at Inglenook Farms this week.  Despite the cold, they were having a great time climbing and racing around.  They met new friends that were also playing and had some post-school fun.  Both of them like the spinning devises, tire swing and some other contraption.  And, they like climbing and looking out over the scene.  Me, I was trying to stay warm just standing around.  Kids on lockdown still need to run around.

 Received a wonderful surprise FaceTime call from and old friend Rick two nights ago.  He lives in San Francisco and has for many years.  Lying in bed at about 9pm here comes the call. Its 6pm where he is. He and I worked at Central Transport in the mid 70's in the rate department.  Rick was the first man that told me he was gay. I was not shocked by the news but most admiring of his honesty.  He even attended the first Gay Pride March held.  He told our boss, a straight laced Italian that he had to attend and Sam agreed.  I was dealing with a tragic upheaval in my life when we met and he was the only man including my father that could truly understand and empathize with my pain. 

Judy and I took him on a double date with the man that would become his life partner for over 30 years Dennis.  We went to see A Chorus Line (much of a cliché?).  Sadly he passed away ripped apart from ALS.  Rick has since gotten married to a wonderful man.  They lead a small life filled with happiness.  

I have a nephew that recently married the love of his life.  Matthew has been joyfully out for many years, an educator and loved by his students.  Matt and many other stand on the shoulders of men like Rick who paved the way for their freedom to be self defined and truly proud of themselves.  I do not know the fear and loathing endured by gay men now in their 60's and beyond.  This blog is always an effort to be personal and truthful to the readers.  This relationship is really important to me.  So I feel compelled to tell the story. 

Now,  a confession.  I have an obsession with reusable containers purchased from the market that you can put food and other stuff in.  I can never have enough of them, always having a stash hidden away.  They are needed for food gifts and storage of small articles.  I scour the dollar store for more whenever I visit.

We share laundry duties.  Monday I was in our shared laundry room for the drying cycle when I discovered a black kitty sitting on the windowsill looking out and crying.  Upon approaching, learned that he/she was friendly and pettable.  The dryer started and he took off only to stop in the middle of the hallway.  Picked him up and took him to the office.  Learning he was owned by a blind lady on our floor, he was returned and all ended well.

The growth of this covid-19 virus will probably shut down our state again.  It is a wise and needed choice that will displease many.  More homemade haircuts and home cooked meals, zoom calls and a cancelled Thanksgiving celebration.  This our world for now.  We will have to find happiness in our little family/friend circles and move forward.

If your streaming service provides You Tube, look for Humans of New York, a photo/video series telling many small vignettes about the inhabitants of the city.   This is also available on Facebook Watch.  Really fascinating to me,  have a look if you want to see something completely different. 

all for now

stay safe

When things work

I do not know why I chose this cartoon.  It just struck me with its matter of factness.  In our apartment there is a door on the bathroom (obviously).  Since we have taken up residence, it has creaked and groaned opening and closing, annoying at best during those times when silence is paramount.  We had no WD40 for the hinges so my brilliant and resourceful wife applied petroleum jelly.  Now, completely quiet actually for some time.  The point is that it worked and continues to do so.

This  brings me to a segment we saw on 60 Minutes this past Sunday. General Gustave Pema leads the effort to distribute the covid-19 vaccine once it is approved and in good supply.  He and his team are conducting this task like it is a campaign of war.  He is a no nonsense former supply officer that spent his career sourcing goods for the Army.  He laid out his plans to use Federal Express to be the logistic arm and stated with certainty when the shipments would arrive at hospitals and when the vaccines would be delivered into arms.  When asked questions, he answered them directly, no verbal dancing, confidence inspiring.  If you can access this conversation of you tube, do it  for a calming effect.

Alex Trebeck has left us.  I am heartbroken along with many others.  He was our constant evening companion after dinner.  His show was on every night at our home especially when Marie (mother in law) was with us.  She and Shannon would watch religiously without fail.  Even after she was gone and Shannon is living elsewhere, we watch and try to pick out a few questions for the answers. Most of the time wrong or clueless, we keep trying.  I was amazed at Ken Jennings and James Holzhaur and their breadth of knowledge along with the host.  Really cannot see how the program can continue without his guiding hand.  

Will have coffee with my cronies this morning at 8:15 commiserating over the days events and the perils of aging.  Laughter will ensue and we will insult each other as guys do.  It should be fun.

all for now

stay safe

 

New Dawn

So we have a new President-Elect and new Vice President-Elect.  As many of us were glued to our devices to track the results as they rolled in everyone hopeful that their candidates would vanquish their opponents.  I admit I was in that number stealing away whenever possible to see the totals, peering at  my phone the moment my feet hit the floor in the early morning.  Biden/Harris prevailed as you know.  I was pleased with the result.  I want to thank my kids and all the other kids  for taking the time to vote.  This was a critical election for the future of our nation and could not be ignored.  

The  President-Elect delivered the best speech of his career last night when the country needed to hear hopeful words that would encourage people of opposing opinions to really listen to each other and find common ground.  I am most inspired by his first accolade going to Jill his wife and to his family.  And he mentioned TEACHERS! I know a number of great educators and former educators that finally got the notice they were due.  Terry, Mary Jane, Jeremy, Chalene, Lois and many others, I hope you were listening.

I was struck by the celebration of the people of all backgrounds that took place in Wilmington and many large cities.  It was reminiscent of parties in the streets after WWII.  There were happy people in Europe and Canada as well looking to welcome us back to the world family.

It is truly a momentous day for women as well.  Kamala is a strong and brilliant person with Jamaican and Indian parentage.  She is genuinely thrilled with her new job and what she can do for this country. 

It was truly touching to see these huge families on the stage together with Joe holding his grandson and Kamala with grand nieces hopping around.  Not show was the fact that this will become a dog White House again with two German shepherds taking up residence. 

Lots of challenges and work ahead but I feel lifted up.

Movies to consider:

Fisherman's Friends, set in Cornwall (remember Poldark) in recent times covering the efforts of a group of acapella men singers of sea shanties and their real discovery by a record promoter.  I know this sounds hokey but is heartwarming and a feel good film.  Now on Netflix

The Kindness of Strangers tells the story of a single mom with two boys in desperate straights in current New York City.  The viewer can feel the fear of this woman and all that she does to navigate thru this mess.  The ending is quite uplifting so don't despair. Now on Amazon Prime.

Everybody probably knows about the current favorite streamer, The Queens Gambit.  A short series of seven episodes.  The main character is a female chess savant and the story revolves around the game and her journey.  It does ultimately grab you and you have to force yourself to not complete the series in one sitting. Now on Netflix.

I know this is too long but basically holed up in the apartment with the rampant covid-19 about.  Trying to enjoy the lovely weather walking Harry.

All for now

stay safe 

 

 

The big day arrives

 

So I sit here contemplating the outcome of this contest.  I feel strangely calm after being overwrought with anxiety over this election.  I hope this will be the last day we have to endure the political ads.  We can return to lawyer ads for Sam Bernstein and the others.  The real results will not be known until at least Friday in Michigan with all the ballots already filed.  Planning to not watch TV today other than the kid shows our grand kids will insist upon.  Its probably better for my psyche. 

 Rather than dealing with the election returns we had the leetle grandsons and went to the playground at the end of our street for a much needed balm with all the stress. 

I belong to a Berkley MI facebook group that deals with local matters.  Was shocked yesterday by a posting from a man complaining that he was not allowed to bring his firearm into the polling station at Berkley High School citing all his constitutional rights to bear arms.  First off no one can bring a weapon onto school property other than law enforcement officer, regardless of the occasion. 

This is not Kabul, its Berkley.  Clearly the point of going fully strapped to vote is to frighten and intimidate the voters.  F*ck this guy.

Now it is the day after.  Ballots are still being counted across the country.  Electoral votes are balancing toward the Democratic challenger but the Senate it appears will stay Republican.  Below is sleepy poppy and Everett enjoying Fireman Sam on the TV.

Now it is two days after election day.  We are waiting on the final results which looks like Biden/Harris will prevail and Michigan's incumbents will also win in the House and Senate. Soon we will have challenges from Republicans on recounts and others .  This contest is far from over. I grow weary of the constant retelling of the tale and its projections from the talking heads on the news.  But, I am really glad that the political ads have exited that airways. Anyway  it looks like we will have a fine stretch of weather in the next few days.  Which will be welcomed.  A trip to Costco is on tap for today and  perhaps a visit to Innovation Hills.

all for now

stay safe