Category Archives: Uncategorized

When we were camping at a state park two weeks ago, we had a pretty miserable time.  Unbeknownst to us, the site we’d reserved was adjacent to the cramped park’s little playground.  As in, our motorhome’s door was 30 feet from the slides and jungle gym.  Now, we go camping to get peace and quiet,Continue reading “No Country for Nice Guys”

Two entirely disparate stories in the news today caught my eye. In the first was a report of proposed efforts to compel COVID vaccinations in Europe.  The teaser reads:  “France is taking the lead in making life unpleasant for the unvaccinated, even requiring some people to get shots. Protesters see a soft dictatorship dawning.”  TheContinue reading ““Entitled” Is a Dirty Word”

Near the end of the Game of Thrones series, just before the battle to save humans from annihilation, there’s a strategy meeting among the leaders of the human forces.  It’s pointed out that the enemy’s objective is to bring about “endless night.”  To do that, he must destroy the all-seeing conservator of humans’ memories, aContinue reading “Erasing History”

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, itContinue reading “Past vs. Present: All Relative?”

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been watching the Olympic trials.  Well, almost exclusively the women’s gymnastics competition.  By the way, does it freak anybody else out that some of the track and field events had to be postponed yesterday until the heat abated to a bearable level?  In Oregon?  Not good. Anyway,Continue reading “Musings on the Olympics”

Watching the Olympic trials the last couple days, I was thinking that the opening ceremonies in Tokyo next month (always my favorite part of the Games) will undoubtedly feature elements of Japan’s unique, fascinating culture*.  Then I thought, “And what elements of U.S. culture could be featured if the Games were being held stateside?”  Fast-foodContinue reading “Exceptional? Ayup. In So Many Ways”

While I seriously dislike being cold, I’d prefer a hundred times over to have to reach for an extra sweater than to sit in 90-degree heat and high humidity with no recourse.  Hot weather is my SADD trigger:  I really physically suffer if I have to endure baking temperatures and sauna-like moisture in the air,Continue reading “Contemplation of Perfection”

I recently marked a birthday.  My 63rd, to be exact.  When I was very small, there was always a cake and candles, with a toy or two.  When I got a bit older, birthdays lost their luster, because our family couldn’t afford much fanfare.  As my mother became increasingly incapacitated, there weren’t even cakes anymore. Continue reading ““Malaise” Is the Word”

Part I:  Customer Service, NOT [The subject under discussion today is, admittedly, trivial compared with the more critical problems this country faces 20 years into the new millennium.  Still, as it’s part and parcel of everyday life, and not in a good way, it’s worth a mention.] There probably isn’t a soul in this countryContinue reading “Pet Peeves”

Spring has well and truly arrived in northeast Ohio.  Know how I can tell?  We had a snowstorm overnight and into this morning.  On April 21st.  Unless the warm-up happens at warp speed, we’re set to have a white Earth Day.  Poetic, I guess, as that day was established to bring attention to climate change. Continue reading “Relapse”