"TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE"

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE

"Little Bird on my Shoulder"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHk4Zz5N59I

I just finished watching a wonderful dvd called "Tuesdays with Morrie", based on a nonfictional book by Mitch Albon (author of "5 People You Meet in Heaven"). Jack Lemmon (he did a outstanding performance in this movie) plays the retired professor, Morrie. Hank Azaria plays Mitch, his student of 9 years before. Morrie is dying from ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease and the film revolves around his view points on death, dying, and Life. I highly recommend it to everyone.

It has left me with a sense of the need to understand Life while we are here and the harsh reality that there is no deadline with Death. It will come when it comes. If we have truly lived our lives then we can face death as part of it. As seniors, we are more than aware that our days are counting down, that we are reaching the ends of our lives, that perhaps Death may be closer than any of us think. This film made it very clear that none of us knows how long we have on this earth and there is no deadline for our lives to end.

NOW is the time to love and to live. No more "I'll do it next week or month or year" way of thinking. We only have this minute and then it is gone and no where is it written that the next minute will be ours just by the mere fact we expect it to be. We need to think in terms of now and live our lives accordingly. This is not to say that we are not to prepare for the future in any way shape or form. It is merely to say that we must live Life as it comes to us....one minute at a time. Make the most of each minute.

There was a great line in the film, "You must die before you can live" How true!! We must learn to die to the things that hold us down in life....work, committments, the need for approval, the need for self gratification, deadlines, the fear of being loved, the fear of committment, etc......and set aside time to love and live each day as if it is our last. Then we can really be alive.

This blog is not meant to dwell on Death, but rather to encourage Life. Love it, embrace it, live it..........love somebody, hug someone, say a kind word to someone, dance, eat an ice cream cone, sing, enjoy the silence, enjoy your friends and seek those who are not yet your friends. listen to the song in your heart, smile, laugh, encourage those who fall, give to those who reach out to you in desparation, cry for those who need your tears, lend a shoulder and ear when it is needed, etc.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What does the slang, "ankle-biter" mean? a child

TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What 1960 movie featured this line “A boy’s best friend is his mother.”?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Did you hear about the 83 year old woman who talked herself out of a speeding ticket by telling the young officer that she had to get there before she forgot where she was going?

MISSING: ONE YOUNG WOMAN

MISSING: ONE YOUNG WOMAN

I am in the process of transfering my video tapes onto DVD's. One of the tapes I wanted to transfer is the one of my children when they were little, even babies. This was originally filmed in Super 8 motion pictures, then later transfer to a video tape, and now to a DVD.

On viewing the DVD, I was touched by seeing my chidren, now all grown, when they were so small. I even cried in a spot or 2 and laughed in many spots. But the true shocker of this DVD was me! I was about 40 years younger and a hell of a lot thinner.

Was that really me? I think I can remember her, but where did she go? It was a me whose face and body reflected trust in the future, a happiness that seemed like it would never be snatched away, no thought to a body wearing out. It was me....a me of innocence and of bright dreams and hopes for the future. I longed to meet her again, if just for a little bit.

But alas, no one can go back, no one can relive their youth, no one can stop the passage of time. But where did she go? When did she leave? I guess she is truly a MIA...missing in action. I guess it would do no good to put up a missing person poster for her. Just as a person who is missing due to death, she is gone and nothing can or will be able to bring her back, but I will always miss her.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What year and make of car was James Dean driving when he was killed? 1954 Porche Spider
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What did the slang term "Ankle-biter" mean?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sex on television can't hurt you, unless you fall off.

THINK TWICE ABOUT FLYING

THINK TWICE ABOUT FLYING

with Dean Martin and Foster Brooks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8L-ZZSc8JU

No profound wisdom, no complaints, no childhood story to tell today. I would rather tickle your funnyy bone with this YouTube clip. This is a truly classic piece of comedy routine from Dean Martin and Foster Brooks, who always played a drunk. I laughed at it just as hard as when I first saw it. I could not resist putting on my blog today...........maybe it will cheer up a dreary Monday.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: Jack Lemmon as Ensign Pulver in this 1955 movie spouted this line “Captain, it is I, Ensign Pulver, and I just threw your stinkin' palm tree overboard! Now what's all this crud about no movie tonight?” Mister Roberts
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What year and make of car was James Dean driving when he was killed?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: He who stuffeth, puffeth.

TOO BUSY??

TOO BUSY OR MISPLACED PRIORITIES?

Did you ever notice how, when people do not call or keep in contact, they validate their actions or lack of with this reasoning: "I have been so busy" or "I am too busy"? All of us heard this from family, friends, and acquaintances. It is a flimsy excuse for putting that person last in your life by saying that others and other things come first.

EVERYONE is busy.....that is just the way it is in this day and age.`This kind of excuse is egotistic....the person in question gets so wrapped up in their life that they no longer want to keep in touch. Let's face it, no matter how busy you are or how much you do or how much is expected of you, you always find time to do what you want to do. If you can't find it, you make it.

We all can find the time to do what we want to do. If that person wanted to call or keep in contact, they would find the time. No one's life is all committment and no relaxation. If it is, it by choice, just as refusing to keep in contact is a choice. If by chance, a person's life is that busy, then perhaps it is time to makes some changes, set some priorities, and weed out certain things in our lives. To say that you are too busy to make contact with a parent or friend is selfish and again, it makes a statement loud and clear..."You are last in my life...my activities all come first!"

So the next time you think you are too busy to call a family member or friend, think about it.
Would you be too busy to contact that person if you needed their help? I doubt it...I am sure you would find time to contact then. Who or what is important in your life and after all is said and done, what really counts in the end?

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What odor eater was added to gum, sole inserts, deodorant, tooth past, etc. in the 1950’s? chlorophyll
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Jack Lemmon as Ensign Pulver in this 1955 movie spouted this line “Captain, it is I, Ensign Pulver, and I just threw your stinkin' palm tree overboard! Now what's all this crud about no movie tonight?” What was the movie?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I'm very good at telling stories; over and over and over and over...

REINFORCEMENTS

REINFORCEMENTS

It is always good to know reinforcements are sent in at times most needed. Whether they be by fate, charma, coincidence, or from God, it is good to know someone or something is on your side. After last week's encounter with the snake in my grass (and no I do not mean a man...............lol), I have been a little hesitant to mow my lawn again and it needs it.

Well, here I was sitting at my computer thinking of a topic for today's blog when I heard a knocking at my front door. I mentally said to myself if that is religious solicitation and I had to get up and lose my train of thought on here, I was not going to be pleasant to deal with!

When I looked at my door window there stood a man I didn't know. When asked what he wanted, he asked me if I wanted my lawn mowed. I dismissed him immediately and then realized what a hasty decision I had made. I called him back and asked him how much he would charge to do my front lawn. He thought for a split second and sheepishly answered, "$5.00".

WOW, only $5.00! What a deal! Before he could change his mind on the price and before he could see the eager look on my face, I agreed. Then to top this offer off, he said he would do my side yard (where there might be more of a possibility of a snake as that part of my property is next to a vacant field) for another $5.00. "You got a deal", I eagerly said.

I don't know why he appeared at this particular moment and day, but I am grateful he did. I don't know if this "blessing" was a repayment for something nice I have done for someone else or if the Gods were watching over me or if I was just lucky. At this point, with both yards mowed and me not having to come across another snake and me not having to spend all my life's savings, I am not asking any questions and just accepting it for what it is................a reinforcement when I needed it. Sorry lawn mower, you will have to sit for another week.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What did the 50's diner jargon,"Adam and Eve on a raft" mean ? It met 2 poached eggs on toast.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What odor eater was added to gum, sole inserts, deodorant, tooth past, etc. in the 1950’s?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW HE STILL HAS IT

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW HE STILL HAS IT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhB4kDwZu7M

Heros........we've all them. Maybe it is the bigger-than-life character on the silver screen or TV, or the neighbor who rescued your cat from a tree, or the public servant who lays his life on the line everyday for your protection, or the parent, (who, as a child could do no wrong), or the soldier passing through the airport coming home from Iraq. A hero can range from one being make-believe to one who is bigger than life in person.

Whatever or whoever you hero may be or has been, we have all succumed to hero worship. When a hero becomes just an everyday person or when your image of that person becomes a reality and you understand you had that person up on a pedastal, it can be a little shock to you and can be very eye-opening.

Well, as I said in a previous blog entry, western stars were my heros when I was younger. Gene Autry, the Cisco Kid, Roy Rogers, and others were my heros...I think if I couldhave returned to the wild west to have met such people in real life, I would have traveled back in time. Of course, one hero that I have not mentioned was The Lone Ranger. Visions of him in his black mask, with his silver guns blazing, sitting up on Silver, while Tonto stood at his side, triggers some mighty fine hero worship. He was the epitome of good over evil, the symbol for the true American way, the mold of justice for all and he could do no wrong.

Well I was glad to see by the above video on YouTube, that the Lone Ranger was still able to preserve his reputation as an American hero, even in years after he left the public eye. Look out bad guys and bullies, he still has it!! (Swoon), he is still my hero.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1952 movie, "Bwana Devil" introduced what silver screen sensation? It was the first 3-D movie.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What did the 50's diner jargon,"Adam and Eve on a raft" mean ?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: How do you get off a non-stop flight?

DING DONG AVON CALLING

DING DONG, AVON CALLING

Years ago, there was always some sales person pitching thier wares at our front door. Fuller Brush, Avon, Kirby vacuums, Watkins, the Jewel Tea man, encyclopedias, etc. We thought nothing of it. Why should we? It was an age of "convenience" before the Malls and superstores were born. A woman seldom worked outside her home and there were generally only one-car families. So it was great to have various suppliers and home deliveries of milk and bread come right to our front doors.

There was no need of danger either. In those days, one seldom locked their doors and often left the keys to the car in it. There were no worries that someone at our front door might be meaning to harm us by forcing themselves into our homes to rob us, rape us, or beat us. In that age of innocence, we trusted everyone. Often religious groups would be canvassing the neighborhood and we politely listened to them. I think that maybe to the stay-at-home wife and mother might have welcomed the diversion of door to door sales people and even the religious groups.

However today is a totally different world of suspicion, fear, and astuteness when it comes to door-to-door salesmen (yes, some still exist....I had a Kirby vacuum cleaner man approach me a couple of years ago) or a religious group. I know I would not let anyone in to sell me something nor would I let them sell me something from the front door. With the use and misuse of drugs, violence and such that would be like playing Russuan roulette.

But the question is how do you tell them to leave you alone (speaking now of religious groups as they seem to be the only ones canvassing the neighborhood). You try not to be rude as you shift your weight from one foot to the other while you wait for them to come up for a breath of fresh air and finish their speel. Most of the time, you slam the door in their face or tell them rudely that you are not interested.

In today's newspaper, "The Buffalo News", someone asked the same question of Dear Abby, Below are some responses people sent in regarding this subject. You might find one appropriate for your own use.

Dear Abby:

1. May I share my method? As soon as I heard the words, Jehovah's Witness", I simply reply, I'm sorry, but I did not see the accident."

2. I told the solicitors I would gladly listen to everything they had to say for 50 minutes. and would charge only $40.00 dollars an hour. Cash, please. At first they were confused, but I explained to them that this is what my time is worth.

3. We hung this sign on our front door, "We love our vacuum, we've found God, and we gave at the office."

4. A friend of mind had a unique solution to dissuade religious visitors from dropping by. She told them she was a practicing witch. She said they couldn't leave fast enough.

Also another approach would be to ask them to wait a minute while you shut something off on the stove, then close the door and don't come back.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What were the original 4 flavors of Jello? Orange, lemon, strawberry and raspberry.

TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1952 movie, "Bwana Devil" introduced what silver screen sensation?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded

WEANED ON WESTERNS

WEANED ON WESTERNS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-r6A7TzvUI

I spend my first 5 years or so listening to the Lone Ranger on the radio and watching the Roy Rogers show on TV on Saturday mornings. Hop-Along Cassidy, the Cisco Kid, Gene Autry, etc. were my heros. I guess you could say I was weaned on westerns.

My Aunt Millie was in her teens when I was born and many times taking care of me fell on her shoulders. This one particular winter Saturday when I was about 5 years old, my grandmother asked Millie to take me to see a Roy Rogers film at the theater. She knew that would keep me busy for a few hours and out of her hair.

Children wore snowsuits then....the kind that zippered up on both sides in the front. I wanted to bring my 2 cap guns, but my Aunt Millie vetoed that idea in a heartbeat. As my grandmother was bundling me up in my snowsuit, she hide a cap gun on each side of my snowwsuit.
We arrived at the theater just as the lights were dimming to show the Roy Rogers movie. I started to undo my own snowsuit. Before my aunt realized what I was doing, I had propped one of the cap guns on the ear of the woman in front of me and fired. Pandemonium broke out in the theater.

My aunt tried to get the guns away from me, but I was too fast for her and began running up and down the aisles yelling, "Look out Roy...they are behind the rocks!" The usher and my aunt proceeded to try to catch me as I scurried under the seats and up and down the aisles. Finally I was trapped and we were told to leave the theater. Imagine getting kicked out of a theater at the age of 5!


ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What 1950 movie featured this great line spoken by Bette Davis as Margo Channing “Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!”? All About Eve
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What were the 4 original flvors of Jello?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Clones are people two.

AFRAID OF YOUR OWN SHADOW

AFRAID OF HER OWN SHADOW

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1824199

I am pressed for time today, but still wanted to touch bases on here, so here is a short entry and video.

We have all heard of the expression, "Being scared of your own shadow" in reference to someone who is afraid of eveything and anything. We are all scared of something, some of us more things than others. Well here is someone who is literally afraid of her own shadow!

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: Zenith introduces "lazy bones" tuning IN 1950. What was it used for? To change all television stations from the comfort of your easy chair bu using a hand held device that plued into your TV.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What 1950 movie featured this great line spoken by Bette Davis as Margo Channing “Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!”?
THOUGT FOR THE DAY: Incontinence Hotline...Can you hold, please?

THE UNWELCOMED VISITOR

I was mowing my front lawn yesterday, rather pleased with myself that I was not huffing and puffing (maybe because it was such a beautiful day to mow a lawn in the first place). As I cut the last section (feeling quite proud of myself) and was preparing to put the mower away, something caught my eye in the area where I last mowed. At first I thought it was a stick, but when the cord from the mower touched it, the object began to slither into the grass off the sidewalk.

"OMG! IT IS A SNAKE!!", I sreamed in utter terror to myself. It was not a big one, mind you, but about 12"-18" long and very thin, but anything bigger than a little worm is too big for me. It was not the typical variety of garden snakes we get here in the Buffalo area, but rather a drab gray instead of a bright green.

I jumped back about 2' and I think my feet were actually touching the ground then and began to look around fervishly for someone to help me. Well, for once on this block, no one was around. That figures! Since I had no one to protect me, I had no choice but to deal with it myself, which I did. I backed even further away, flip and flopped the cord more as it slithered into the grass and toward the fence which is next to a field. Then I aimed the mower toward the gate and made one mad dash toward the back yard.

I shudder thinking that I had been mowing the lawn in sandals, that I had just mowed over the area from which the snake seemed to be escaping as it made its way to the sidewalk, and that I must have at the very least disturbed it. Later in the day, I asked one of my neighbors to come and move my garbage bin from its tidy spot in the area where the snake seemed to excape to to a more appropriate spot very close to the sidewalk.

I am convinced that I will never walk that area again, but the big question will be, "How the heck am I going to get the mower out from the back yard to the front yard to mow my front grass next time? Carry it through the house?"

Everyone tells me that that snake was probably more afraid of me that I was of it, but since I was the one that screamed (I don't recall it standing up and screaming when it saw me) and since it made no attempt to hide itself from me in the first place (ignorance is bliss, you know) and since it didn't appear to almost have a heart attack like I must have appeared, I seriously doubt that.



ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What was Howdy Doody's twin sister's name? Heidi
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Zenith introduces "lazy bones" tuning in 1950. What was it?THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I'm in shape. Round is a shape.

CRYSTAL BEACH

CRYSTAL BEACH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVL3Oy1nmsE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHzctvbprvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve6FqgV9cs8

California has its Disney Land, Florida has its Disney World, and western New York had its Crystal Beach. A trip to Crystal Beach was the high point of the summer. It was an all-day and into the night outing.

There were 2 options to get there as it was in Canada (just a short drive from Buffalo): drive or take the boat, The Canadiana. Of course, taking the boat was part of the entire adventure. It was a 3 leveled boat with a dance floor and band on the third floor. The steps were wooden and sometimes creaked when you went up them. The adults generally spent the half hour or so ride on the third floor, while the children played on the first floor. There was little danger for us in that era, so we could be left alone without fear of being molested or such by a stranger. There was little danger of us falling overboard as there were adult staff members watching.

Once there, the rides enticed us.....which did we go on first? There was the Magic Carpet, the Laff in the Dark, the Comet, the Hay Dey, the Ferris Wheel, the Spider, the Tilt-a-Whirl, the Looper, the Bumper Cars, the Tunnel of Love, the Scrambler, the Flying Bobs for the bigger kids and the Merry-Go-Round, the Caterpiller, the Baby Coaster, the Train, etc for the little kids. Once armed with a fist full of tickets, off you went.

Even if you were older, you enjoyed feeding Leo the Lion by the Laff in the Dark. Leo was a motion sensored operated garbage can (quite extrodinary for the time). When garbage was put into Leo's mouth, he let out a roar. Sal, the mechnical laughing lady at the Laff in the Dark always had drew crowds to watch and listen to her.

There were games to play, fortune tellers to see, and food to eat. No trip to Crystal Beach was complete without having french fries in paper cone shaped cups with enough vinegar to drown them accompanied by a cold logan berry drink.

There was the beach area, which you seldom went to because it took time from riding the rides.

After riding the rides all day, you generally went to the Ballroom where live orchestras played music the adults danced to. There were benches along the walls of the Ballroom and this is where the exhausted and contented children settled until it was time to go home, some just watching the adults dance and some curling up and falling asleep.

Before leaving you usually went back to Concession Alley to get some treat to take back home with you. There were treats like salt water taffy, candy apples, and of course, the signature take-home treat of Crystal Beach, the Halls Suckers. The Halls workers wore red and white stripped aprons and the suckers came in lemon, butterscotch, coconut, peanut, and cinnamon. Personally, my favorite was butterscotch.

Soon it was time to head for the dock area and board The Canadiana to return home. All the enthusiam that was displayed on the trip there was replaced by sheer exhaustion and complete contentment from a day spend just being a kid.

Unfortunately The Candiana was scraped and Crystal Beach closed when the more complex amusement parks were introduced. Nevertheless, I would take a trip to Crystal Beach over a trip to any amusement park any day.


ANSWER TO LAST TRIVA QUESTION: In 1954, David Warren a remarkable instrument for the airlines. What was it? The little black box
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUSTION: What was Howdy Doody's twin sister's name?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

EXPEDITING MATTERS

EXPEDITING MATTERS

I was preparing to make my first Holy Communion at Holy Angels Church on Porter Avenue in Buffalo, NY. For weeks we memorized the Catechism and rehearsed for this wondefrful event. For weeks the parents ran around looking for the perfect attire for their child for that memorable day.

As we endured one rehearsal after another walking down the aisle and to the altar, I was beginning to get restless and thought there had to be a better way. I had more imprtant things to do and this whole Communion thing was cutting into my play time. The priest kept telling the nuns that we had to expedite the procession as we were taking much too long to reach ther altar.

Someone had given me an early Communion gift....a brand new pair of roller skates. Since the aisle to the altar was slightly on a slant and since I was more than eager to try out my new skates, I came up with what I thought, was a brilliant idea.

I asked the priest why we could not all wear roller skates as it would take us less time to get to the altar. Unlike the episode with the nun and brushing teeth, he simply smiled at me, knelt down and looked me right in the eye and said, "I don't think that would be too good of an idea. Whoever heard of skating in a church?", as he tried to hide his laughter.

It was then and there that I decided I was not going to make my first holy communion if I was not allowed to wear my roller skates. Unfortunately my grandmother and the priest did not accept my resignation from communion that easily and I made my communion (in protest, mind you) wearing a new pair of white patent leather shoes like all the other little girls.

Hey, I thought it was one of my best ideas!! Well, maybe he didn't know a good thing when he saw it.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What did the slang term "back seat bingo" mean? It meant necking in the back seat of a car.

TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In 1954, David Warren a remarkable instrument for the airlines. What was it?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Everyone needs a good friend they can call up to help bury a body if necessary.

WHEATIES? THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS?

WHEATIES? THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJm8OYK-rg4

As a child growing up in the 1950's, certain foods were considered breakfast foods. There were the old standbys of cereals such as Corn Flakes, Maypo, Shredded Wheat, oatmeal,Rice Krispies, etc. The 1950's introduced new cereals to give breakfast some variety: Sugar Pops (1950), Freosted Flakes (1952), Sugar Smacks (1953), Special K (1955), Cocoa Puffs (1958), and Fosted O's (1959). Also Eggos were introduced in 1954.

Of course, there was the old stand-by of eggs and bacon or sausage or ham, home fries, and toast. Personally, I lived on the farm and the typical country breakfast was offered at times---the stand-by breakfast. I could never eat all that food for breakfast, but was forced to. Maybe that is why to this day, I can't eat a big breakfast. Once I do remember my grandmother buying a box of Sugar Pops (because I kept nagging her to). I remember saying, "Oh, boy! We are going to have a real good breakfast!!" Once the words were out, I realized that they must have sounded insulting to a woman who believe in fixing the typical country breakfast. Actually I do not remember seeing another box of Corn Pops in the house after that...................hmmmmmmmmmm.

But it was what was expected of a good parent....to offer a healthy (at that time) and hardy breakfast.....the only way to start a day. Women were expected to follow the blue prints of breakfast as were set down by manufacturers and by tradition. The same went for lunch and supper. Lunch generally consisted of a sandwich and soup, Spaghetto's, etc. Supper generally consisted of meat, potaotes, and veggies. Seldom did a woman venture out of those limitations of foods served at a specific meal.

I was chatting with a friend this morning who told me she had heated up a bowl of chile for breakfast. Saints preserve us!!!!! Chile for breakfast??? Who ever heard of such a thing??? Thank God, times have changed. Thank God, women are no longer hemmed in by old traditions. If you want to have a slice of pizza or leftover meatloaf or heated up spagheti, go for it!! Breakfast means a meal that breaks the fast of not eating from last night's supper to the morning. So eating a slice of pizza or leftover meatloaf or spaghetti IS breaking the fast of the night before. We women are our own people now............we no longer have to conform to traditions of certian foods at certain meals.

So the question is: Wheaties? Is that still the breakfast of champions???

ANSWER TO THE LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: Secretary Bette Nesmith Graham invented Mistake Out" , where was it used? It was used on paper to correct typing errors. Later it was renamed Liquid Paper (1956)
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What did the slang term "Back seat bingo" mean?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I'm still the life of the party...... even if it lasts until 8 p.m.

ADDICTIONS

Before I write today's entry, here is a another blog site you might be interested in, especially if you are a Buffalo Bills or Buffalo Sabres sports fan. It is well written by a very knowledgeable sports enthusiastic.....my granddaughter. She qualifies for this type of writing as she has been into sports for the last 15 years or so , has coached in baseball, basketball, and socceer, and had been asked to participate in a local TV's sports forum. http://buffalosportsfan-buffalosportsfan.blogspot.com/ This site will offer information on both the Bills and the Sabres.

ADDICTIONS

By the dictionary's definition, an addiction is the condition of being addicted (to a habit) or of being an addict, a dependence, habit, fixation, craving, compulsion, habituation, inclination, bent, enslavement, substance abuse, alcoholism. We are all addicts to some form of addiction, whether it be an innocent one or a destructive one. We can be addicted to the obvious: drugs and alcohol. We can also be addicted to food, gambling, sex, a person, sports, work, television shows, etc. Anything that causes us to vervently return to it and never quite feeling satisfied with it, like an itch that you can't quite reach to scratch, is our addiction. Our addictons always leave us wanting more.

Do we have to come from an abusive or disfunctional family to have an addiction? Do we have to be rich to have an addiction? Do we have to be poor to have an addiction? No to all of the above. Becoming addicted to something has really little to do with the above things. We may become addicted to the same thing as our parents and/or spouse are addicted to but that is by the nature of exposure. Oft time what addictions our parents and/or spouse had tends to leave a bitter distaste in our mouths, enough so that we rebel against that addiction and swear off that addiction for life.

We choose (yes choose, as we always have free-will in these kind of choices) what our addictions will be. Generally, we base our choices how what makes us feel good, what can give us tempory pleasures, what can take us away from reality for awhile. Often we can walk away from our addictions, but we don't as they are too comfortable and have become a way of life for us.

In the more extreme addictions such as drugs or alcohol, we can't just walk away. Our bodies rebel in such a way that we are a prisoner to those addictions. The danger in chosing an addiction is that it controls you, it takes over your life, some addictions more controlling than others.

As with all decisions in life, one must wisely and thoughtfully pick his addiction. We are all addicted to one thing or another and I know of no one who is not addicted to something. Personally my weapon of choice is potato chips and Pepsi.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: Where would you find Fibber McGee and Molly? On the radio.....they had their own radio show.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Secretary Bette Nesmith Graham invented "Mistake Out" in 1956. Where was it used?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I don't do drugs. I get the same effect just standing up fast.

SENIOR CLASS MEMORIES

SENIOR CLASS MEMORIES: ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpWdbmuIDxM

There are certain memories that should stand out when we recall our senior year of high school: the prom, graduation, and the senior play. Unfortunately, I never experienced prom or graduation. I quit high school in February of my senior year to flee a miserable household ruled by an alcoholic parent. But I had my senior play as a highlight of memories of my last year of high school.

We performed the comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace", the story of 2 sweet old ladies who mercifully kill any stranger who comes to their house who has no family. To spice up the story, there is a nephew who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt and 2 evil nephews as well as one who is trying to maintain his sanity in all this. I played the sister, Abby Brewster.

I actually didn't want to be in the play as I had a very heavy work load and didn't feel I could juggle all that a play would require of me. I was called in the director's (the English teacher) office and was told to recite the Lord's Prayer and the next thing I knew I was handed a script.
I actually think she had me in mind because of my physical appearance and structure. I was short and chubby and had an innocent face.

We spent 3 months preparing for this play. There were so many memories..too many to list here. 2 weeks before the opening, I was hit with a hockey stick in gym class and ended up with 2 black eyes and a concussion. The director was convinced I did this on purpose so I didn't have to perform. Good God, the woman was crazy!!! I spent hours on preparing for this role and was not going to forfeit it now. So with the doctor's ok, a lot of stage make-up, and with a lot of determination, I was there when the curtains went up...as the old saying goes, "The show must go on!" The show was a hit and was worth all the hours of rehersal and preparation.

I still have my original script (I sold my first husband's wedding ring set, but kept this after 45 years--makes one wonder exactly where my priorities are) and it remains a fond memory of my high school years. I recently purchased the DVD of "Arsenic and Old Lace" and plan on taking a trip back in time watching it.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: The bottle top of a Royal Crown Cola bottle used to have holes in it. Why? So it could be used after it was empty to sprinkle clothes before ironing them.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Where would you find Fibber McGee and Molly?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Remember, our senior citizens are worth a fortune, with silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet, and gas in their stomachs.

LIKE THE WEEBLE WOBBLE PEOPLE

The above picture is a picture of the USS New York, a ship whose bow was hardened by 24 tons of steel salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. It is 5th in the new class of warships that were designed for missions that include special operations on terrorists. It will hold 360 sailors......a circle is 360 degrees......we have come full circle from the worse tragedy our country has ever had to deal with to a tool that will destroy that which set out to destroy us.

When it was produced, the steel was handled with total reverance and I am sure that those burly steel workers heard the cries of those who died and felt pride in knowing they were raising up an instrument that would help prevent such future incidents of terror. I wonder if those cowards who attacked us wonder now if they unleashed some kind of monster that can't be destroyed by mere worldly weapons. From the destruction of a building and the sacrifice of those killed in that building, has come forth the embodiment of the American spirit: strength, determination, power, and the indominable spirit of freedom.

We might have been knocked down and had the wind knocked out of us, but like those silly toys of years ago, the Weeble Wobbles "we may weeble and wobble, but we don't fall down." We are America and even with all our shortcomings and mistakes, we are still strong, inspired by freedom and the human spirit. It is fitting that this ship's motto is "Never Forget". We will never forget 9/11 and just the phrase "9/11" seems to be our battle cry just like "Remember the alamo!" and "Remember the Maine" were in years past.

Her commission: The commissioning of USS NEW YORK, taking place in the fall of 2009, will mark a significant milestone in the ship's career. It marks her entry into the United States Navy's fleet and provides an opportunity to show appreciation to the men and women who stand in harm's way to preserve the American way of life.

For more information on this historical ship, please check out this site: http://www.ussny.org/commissioning.html

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What was hydriguide that revoluntionized cars in the 1950's? Power steering which was introduced by Chrysler Corporation in 1952.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: The bottle top of a Royal Crown Cola bottle used to have holes in it. Why?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Many of us are born to shop, not mop.

ZIP-a-DEE-DOO-DAH

ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DAH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpWdbmuIDxM

We have this silly thing we do in aquatics. There is one point where we use our kickboards to "row" and we sing some little diddy. Today we sang "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" and I noticed that everyone had smiles. I am sure they were thinking about the first time they saw the movie, "Song of the South" and of Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit. I know I was.

The movie came out in 1946 and I was born in 1945. I can't remember the exact year I was first taken to see it.....I probably was about 5 years old or so. To this day I can remember falling in love with Uncle Remus and the tales he spun. I never once viewed him or the movie as racially insensitive to Blacks.......he was just this wonderful man with a beard and a twinkle in his eyes who loved to tell stories that made you smile.

As my own children came along, I introduced them to "Song of the South", but unfortunately all that was available to them was the record album as the film had been removed from the public. It was a Walt Disney production and why an adult didn't trust him with their children is beyond me. Those songs became part of their childhood.

"Disney executives believed it (the film) would be constricted by some as racially insensitive to Blacks." (Wikipedia) That is why is was pulled off the shelves. It was listed as the 5th most controversial movie by movie.com. Any racially insensitivity was created by adults, not by the story or character. Children don't see color when it comes to people, children are not born prejudiced, they just accept things as they are. It is the adult who teaches them the biggotry and racial bitterness that exists in the world

It is a shame that adults have to see things in such a prejudiced and biggoted light. In doing so, they deny children things that have no more meaning than just being a beloved story that makes you smile and fall in love with characters. They deny the child a chance to be free of the violence and sexual inuendos of today's cartoons and story lines. Uncle Remus was nothing more that a character who loved children and loved to tell stories and loved to make a child smile. I am so glad I was not denied the chance to "Song of the South" as a child.

I just had an opportunity to purchase a "Song of the South" dvd (uncut, in English, no sub titles) and personally I can't wait til it arrives. I will curl up on the couch, pop the dvd in, and just enjoy with no thought of racialism......"Mr. blue bird on my shoulder........"
ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: The first credit card was introduced in 1950. Which one was it? Diners Club
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What was hydraguide..it revolutionized the car in 1952?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Belly building is easier than body building.

OBLIGATION OR INTERFERENCE???

I go to the YMCA daily for aquatic classes. The Y also offers day care for little ones in the summer as well as summer camp. I am sure that this is a life saver for many parents. The little one participate in so many activities including daily access to the pool in a class right after my class.

Our locker rooms/shower areas are made of tile floors. There are 3 benches in the locker room. All sufaces, including the walls are very hard and when wet from the pool or showers, pose a potental danger for the kids and adults alike. There are adequate staff to watch and guide the children, but occassionally some come into the locker room/shower areas before the staff does.

So peridoically an adult (not the staff) seeing a child running on the wet surfaces, has to remind the child to walk or to be careful. I generally tell them......."Slow down and be careful" in a normal, not raised, voice.

I mentioned this to a friend who does not take the classes with me nor does she know the lay-out of the locker room/shower area. She went off the wall with me, telling me in a not-so-pleasant voice that I had no right to yell at any child there. "And if my grandchild went there and I heard that some of the adults were speaking to him/her in such a way, I would pull that child out of the Y!!! Who do you think you are interferring? You are lucky some parent does not sue you!!!", she coldly said.

I looked at her in shock. I told her that I would rather take my chances with a law suit from a parent then watch a child put himself/herself in danger by running on a wet, slippery tiled floor where it could slip and fall and knock itself out or crack its head, etc. I think it is the responsibilty for every adult to try to protect a child when there is danger lurking.

Then I posed a question to her. "What would you do if you were sitting on your porch and the little kids next door were playing outside and you looked down the street just as a car came speading down it at the same time one of those little ones ran toward the street to retrive a ball?"

She quickly said she would yell at them to warn them. Point taken. But she said that was different....that she would be stopping a child from harming himself/herself and that what I did at the Y was interferring with the child. I told her there was no difference. I too, was warning a child to protect himself/herself from potental harm. She said no more.

Now my question is this, If you saw a child in a situation of probable harm and could say or do something that would prevent harm coming to the child, would you say something to warn the child or would you keep your mouth shut? Which would it be.....an obligation or an interference?


ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: In 1952, Clairol introduced a product call Psssssssss. What was it? It was a dry shampoo.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In 1950, the credit card was introduced to the country. Which credit card company was it?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I'm so cared for -- long term care, eye care, private care, dental care.

ADULT TEMPER TANTRUMS

Temper tantrums are temper tantrums regardless of age. When you were younger, you held your breath and kicked your feet and flayed your arms. Adults do the same thing, only they think of more sophisticated ways now.

There was an incident in our family about 4 years ago. To this day, I really don't know for sure what happened. I have been given one answer, but in view of the incidents before and after that answer, it makes no sense. This particular adult no longer holds her breath and kicks and thrashes around, but rather tries to throw a temper tantrum more "maturely" now. Instead of holding her breath, she now withholds her presence, her children and her love. Same difference.............an act to get attention and to say to the other person, "You upset me and I am going to let you know that you do."

The way I see things is like this.....if you have a beef with me, tell me, so I can either defend myself or apologize. If you are asked repreatedly what the problem is and you reply, "Nothing", then let the problem go and get over yourself. Do not "hold your breath" for 4 years. My God!

In the realm of time, tolerating a grown child's temper tantrum is not worth it.........it is a waste of time and energy. It is much too late to spank her give her time-out now. After 4 years and now being 40 years old, that child needs to grow up!!!

Now that I have gotten that off my chest, I am going to enjoy the rest of my day and I hope you enjoy yours.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: In 1959 the Glen Raven Mills company introduced what revolutionary artice of woman’s clothing? Panty hose
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In the 1950's Clairol introduced a product called "P-ssssssss". What was it?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Thou shall not weigh more than thy refrigerator