COWS CARS AND GUNS (WEEK OF NOV. 22)

 Happy Turkey, stuffing and politics day, for those who host alternative opinions at their dinner table.  We just had the kids so politics doesn't really come up, though Joe did want us to go around the table and say what we were thankful for.  Pretty much each other and their new house. Hours of prep and 15 minutes of feasting, watching the Spartans win and Lions lose about sums it up. Love those people!

Traveling to Grand Rapids on a holiday week was probably not an adventure we stopped to consider ahead of time. As we were not actually going anywhere for the holiday, we blissfully ignored the fact that a massive amount of vehicles would be barreling merrily down the highway on the way to Grandma's or whoever's house.  It resembles an episode of Car Challenge (I just made that up). Hovering around the speed limit we were basically blown off the road by speedsters for whom that 10 minutes saved is worth all the general vehicular mayhem. There is a segment on my show called "car passing wars" which is played by the experienced and inexperienced alike. Basically consists of sitting on another's rear bumper at 85 miles an hour until the offending (legal speed) vehicle offers passage (apparently it's personal). Those who set their cruise control will not budge regardless of the rear provocation and angry finger gestures practiced by those in the rear view. What is especilly thrilling is the bumper riders who can absolutely see the car ahead has nowhere to go as both lanes are currently occupied. This, at times, leads to those spectacular multi-car pileups one reads about yet hopefully is not a participant thereof.

Our trip was to scope out the meat processor who was receiving our massive amount of beef "on the hoof". Our first venture in buying a "piece of cow" (or steer more accurately). The rancher texted me with the exciting news of the impending slaughter and stated our contributing moo-er clocked in at 898 pounds. Being a novice I thought he meant our share. Holy shitoly-where are we going to put 900 lbs. of beef?  The processor gently disillusioned me by saying that's the total weight-you're getting 1/4. (Would not  like to meet a 3600 lb steer) Whew. Without having to meet our bovine volunteer except in parts I had the master chef pick how he wanted the pieces distributed in their neat little packages. 

Shifting gears now. After hearing the horror stories and pulling every string and safety procedure for months to avoid a possibly painful and defintely uncomfortable procedure (I hear they make contact with brain matter up there), I have managed to avoid covid testing. However I am now part of the initiated. Popping out of the car at the rendering/processing plant was a whole new experience in the science of smells. Gasping, and breathing out of my mouth did not dull the moment. Wow. So basically it not only cleaned out my sinuses, but I also know I have not lost my sense of smell. Win-win.

My sister and her new husband decideded to tour a large portion of the US, by car, for a honeymoon hitting Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Missouri etc etc. They love to drive. My need to stop about every two hours to unkink the joints that work sporadically at best would probably have been a hindrance. She was sending us text updates on the adventure. She mentioned coming out of Needles, California and passing the exit to Twenty-Nine Palms. For those who do not know the area, it is the location of a large Marine base that my brother inhabited for a couple of years. She teased me that it was a lousy place for a vacation as it's all desert. When I was a senior in high school I got to visit him there over Christmas.

When she asked me what was there, besides desert, I responded "about 1,000 young marines" Touche! Just 17, I flew by myself into Palm Springs and hung out at the bar in the airport for hours while my brother tried to hustle up a car to pick me up. Needless to say, he was surprised that Mom heard his whining about being away from home at Christmas and gifted him with.... ME!  I stayed with his NCO and family who were also surprised they were having a guest over Christmas.  I traded room and board for babysitting services. 

Furthering my education in California as a sheltered white girl, in 1968 I was not cognizant that civil rights was a real and painful thing. We had dinner with a African American marine and his family where I heard "if it came to a race war, I'm siding with my people". This while I'm playing with their beautiful little girl and helping his wife with the dishes. I was surprised. Then at the Christmas party at the base, I was quite unaware there was a little gap between the black marines and the white ones. I happily danced with whoever asked me not realizing there was a bit of tensing up when I "bugalooed" with a member of the black contingency. My brother told me later, but I was confused. They were all in the same outfit serving our country. Unfortunately we haven't moved too far forward on that front.

But what does one do on a marine base surrounded by desert? Why you go shooting of course. With so much open nothingness, targets and permission are not required.  

Before the Fashion Police start snarking, let me remind one and all that this was 1968!!! The Marines laughed at me too though, but that was for all  the hardware they loaded me up with.   Peace Out....

THIS AND THAT (Week of Nov 15)

After a long hiatus, I am down to my last podcast recording. Desperation mode. Even though we were planning a break in Jan-Feb I need to finish out the year. I also think a break may not be a good idea if we want to keep interest up however.  So what happens? An interview I was counting on which got delayed/cancelled, etc., etc. all of a sudden pops up today wanting to record this week. Ok, but then I got another response from other feelers I put out as it appeared I would not get the first interview done in time.  When the proverbial rain falls, it pours as they say. Now need to coordinate with the Conference, the interviewee and myself somehow this week. Plus touch base with the second response. So if Murphy's law holds true, I will no doubt hear from the third person I contacted. Busy week already planned so good thing I'm retired...

The new electrical installation led to a weeks long massive cleaning project in the basement. In finding items to discard, donate or dine on, I found a Japenese teapot set. Where and when??  After I donated it, I suddenly remembered. It was a wedding gift from the Librarian at my old high school. He was a good friend and mentor when I was in school and stayed in touch (Paul Kempter). It was one of the few pretty things I had to display when we were first married and living on borrowed furniture. Ah well, I still have the memory...

After a miserable night of prep the OH went through a colonoscophy. Good news-everything looks great and better news-he slept like a baby he said. Best sleep he's had in 30 years. Wow.  As the nurse was gently guiding him out to the car afterwards I was reminded of a similar incident many years ago when I got called to the scene of a lady fainting. The ambulance was called, but upon gaining consciousness she begged me not to have the indiginity of being hauled through the building on a stretcher to everyone's curious eyes. I offered her my arm and we slowly made our way to the EMTs.  I think her embarrassment came from the fact that she was a larger woman and no doubt had been judged before. As we walked she nervously said "I don't know what you can do if I fall." I quickly quipped, "we'll go down but I'll soften the blow for you!" Sometimes that's all we can do and all we need to do when life gets tricky.

These firefighter/EMTs are a hardy bunch. When riding with them several times I learned the difficulties they face in transporting patients. The transporting part is easy enough-it's the getting them ready and out to transport that poses the problems.  No one collapses right in front of the door at stretcher height with ample room to maneuver. Stairs, restricted hallways and bad weather play a role. One of the most notable was the episode where I was helping put the young patient on a stretcher and I had to strongly suggest her father move his freakin' motorcyle he was tinkering with IN THE LIVING ROOM out of the way.  

Hilarious, but not. Leader of the Proud Boys is whining about his incarceration as he is suffering "inhumane" conditions. First of all considering he only got five months when he could have been hanged basically as a traitor I think he got very little punishment. Secondly, these are the dudes who march around with pistols on their hips and semi-autos strapped to their backs to intimidate the more evolved. Poor pathetic little man. Suck it up buttercup. 

In more not so hilarious "patriot" news, the "boy" who went to another State with an illegal rifle to fight protesters (killing two people and seriously wounding a third) was found innocent claiming self-defense. I'm not sure justice was served, but there are two points to be made: 1) if the "boy" had been black and showed up at a riot from another State with an illegal weapon and shot people we would not have heard from him again, and 2) any yahoo with a gun can now take out protesters they deem dangerous and call it self-defense. 

Time for some good news.  One has to search to find the kernals of positivity as in the News business "if it bleeds it leads" which explains why we did not know there are actually reasonable people on both sides in Washington. They just don't get the coverage. I wish we wouldn't give the crazies so much attention.

Anyway:  Home Goods and TJ Max declared they are in an excellent inventory postion ahead of the holidays; Target's inventory surged 17.6% last quarter and staffing is up (which I can personnally vouch for); as of Nov. 1 none of the GM's North American assembly plants were offline due to lack of chips; Toyota's production in Japan has returned to full production; the number of import containers at the Port of Los Angeles has dropped by 25%; global shipping rates, an inflation indicator, has plummeted 50% since peaking in October; and gas prices have dropped 14%.  So there. Also as the local GM plants were using their precious chips for trucks as they were basically blowing out of the showrooms as soon as they arrived, there is a wonderful supply of brand-new Camaros just sitting there that should go for a pretty good discount when they finally focus on finishing them. Love me some Chevy.

Apparently the grandson had a pretty good report at the Parent-Teacher conference this week. Compassionate and a leader. First one finished with assignments, but a little talkie and has to be reminded to put his book down when he is engrossed in his reading. I think the teachers have more issues with the little bright bulbs. Harder to keep interested when so much of the time has to be devoted to those who need more help. I used to have to read to the class when I was his age as I got bored and probably sighed a lot.  LOL.   Peace out....

YES, IT'S ALL ABOUT ME (Week of Nov 8)

 Birthday week started out with a visit from my favorite child and grandchild. Singing, gifting and caking were the highlights and they both have exquisite taste of course. Though Joe does like to help "unwrap" as he is eager that I see what they brought. He reads the cards out loud as well. Great start to the week.

This led to an all-day party (all about me) Monday, the natal day, and the start of my 71st year. Gad why did no one tell me-your mind feels 20 but your body says, "hmm just a sec, I have a new physical issue I want to show you". Anyway, breakfast at an old favorite; Christmas shopping punctuated by a stop to pick up my favorite yellow roses and then an hour or two to myself for more shopping. All culminating in a dinner at a "chop house wannabe" restaurant in East Lansing. Although literally loaded with ambience and wonderful service, the food is mediocre at best, an issue which we had wrestled with before. We thought we would give them another chance. Although the soup was exquisite and the roasted califlower marvelous, the walleye feast was blah at best and the $38 steak I was served was so loaded with fat and gristle even I couldn't stomach it. They at least comped me the main course and brought a nice dessert, but the damage is done.  All and all though an awesome day.

Hitting a decade milestone does prompt one to review the immediate past ten years and this is a snapshot of how I remember my sixties.  The birth of my much loved grandson and the loss of my father-in-law two weeks after his birth. I always believed he chose that time to pass as with his alzheimer's he never would have known his wonderful little great-grandson. Choosing to retire as after knee surgery and a two week recovery, the OH and I decided we could be together 24/7 without major mayhem. The passing of both my Father and Mother-in-law in the same year. Dad never explaining the cryptic message/formula on his sons-in-laws sweatshirts and Jean fighting but then choosing her moment to let go with dignity. Being with both of them at the end was both a blessing and a heartache.

Excited to vote for the first female President on my 65th birthday only to spend the next four years (and beyond) in total disbelief as our entire caring and polite society has descended into chaos and cruelty. We are now at the point where a Congress person posting videos of killing another elected official while sword fighting with the President draws no censure or criticism from the person's party. Aghast watching supporters of the incompetent dictator and his big lie actually attack and attempt to destroy one of our greatest symbols of democracy resulting in numerous injuries and deaths. 

Our trip to Great Britain (among other trips) of which I wrote several earlier chapters about. The research, purchase and furnishing of the long-desired lake house. The research, planning and supervising of several remodeling projects. My triumphant comeback to the office as a founding ?Mother? to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the MIOSHA Training Instititute (MTI). Although we had never created a school before, it continues to be a great success in launching safety and health professionals into their field in Michigan. 

My finally attaining the Presidency of the Michigan Safety Conference (after 35 years) with the distinct honor of serving two years in the "time of Pandemic" which meant I got to preside over 1) no conference and 2) the first ever virtual conference. Which immediately led into my serving as the first host of another new project for the MSC - Safety Spectrum podcasts.  I am a performer at heart and I apparently thrive on projects.

One cannot see the entire quilt of one's life as so many of the squares are folded and only emerge when the blanket is turned or spread out in its entirety. However that is a good thing as it would be overwhelming at best.

This afternoon after hosting my grandson overnight I totally understood my daughter admonishing her son at his constant chatter and singing to himself as she was trying to talk to her Father.  I told her that "Joe is the background music of your life".....Peace out.

                                               

THE PARTY HAS JUST BEGUN (Week of Nov 1)

 

Thanks Consumers! Got an urgent email from Consumers Power that, oh no, my next bill is jumping $40 and I need to take notice and contemplate some radical action. Well, geniuses of CP; 1) the weather is colder; 2) your prices keep going up and, this is scarey; 3) I have a rogue robot Nest Thermometer that likes to program itself when it feels a breeze (always upward that is).  Yes, I've programmed it from scratch, so has Kristen, but it continues to do it's own thing apparently. 

At the lake Monday putting away the Halloweenie lights and stringing up the Christmas lights at the lake (oh yes we did). Sadly putting away the summer furniture and winterizing the boat. Sigh. 

Had our boosters this week Yay!  Dealt me a miserable two days of yuck - not so yay.  The OH was fine, no issues.  I was down and out with fever and general yuckiness. I found that starvation diets or fasting certainly works. Couple of days of nausea results in three pound loss-though I would not recommend it as a ongoing thing as I suppose you would eventually die, I guess. Almost made 100 degree fever! Which after not being at all sick for almost 2 years due to our new sterilzing habits, it was kind of  a whole new thing. At any rate do I have some butt-kicking anti-bodies or what? Grandson getting his first shot next week and Nana is relieved that he is finally going to be protected, though he is good about wearing his mask.

Political Rant -- I knew this before but it is so frustrating that our congress folks are tied to their big contributors and the little people (i.e., the folks who actually pay taxes that fund the whole shebang) have no chance of being heard.  One Senator said she has no idea what the people want -Waa? When your ears are plugged with contributions from big Pharma I guess you could say that. So what the H are these people running on? And how dumb are the voters that apparently they don't know either. That one or two folks can hold up any progress, which then gets blamed on the President, is ridiculous. And discovering that current congress people were actively recruiting for the January 6 insurrection and are not being held accountable is unconscionable. Oh yes, and condeming those of your party who gave a crap about the citizens and voted for infrastructure that is purely bi-partisan and of ASSISTANCE to the whole country is mind-boggling.  

Joe tried to emulate Superman and found gravity had a say in his activities according to the story from school. End result was wind knocked out of him and an-almost one eye shiner. He's pretty upbeat about it though. I told him Nana had a similar incident at about the same age when I tried to catch a ball while leaning off the top of the bleachers on the playground. Head in contact with blacktop-no soft wood chips for me. I do remember seeing two of my teacher which got me, finally, sent to the office and then home. Though I have no idea how I got home. I swear I walked the 6- 8 blocks, but I can't imagine they would let me do so after a head injury. But the 50's were not as litigious as they are now and we did not have a second car for Mom could come and pick me up. I do remember her chatting with my doctor who just basically said keep her awake and be sure she doesn't start talking in tongues. Apparently the "walk it off" medicine was alive and well.  At least I wasn't dosed with that nasty Vernors.  (Detroit kids)

Joy of joys. At 69 years, 11 months and 24 days I was carded trying to buy wine. I was pretty bold about my right to choose and bear booze. Oh happy day.....Peace Out