tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27138348242652504282024-03-13T23:03:53.668-07:00Morningbrain--what keeps me up nights...Most who write find themselves sometimes trapped within their given assignments. I found that to be the case in my work as the "Augusta Environmental News Examiner" in Examiner.com, ergo the blog. (I would invite you to "examine" the other articles of course, had "Examiner" not gone out of business in July of 2016) Still, we do have the blog. If you're new to this blog, I suggest you go to the very first post (first,) to get a feel for what I'm doing. Thanks, Steve Geddes 762Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-70629151385171365332021-04-13T13:04:00.007-07:002021-04-25T14:34:57.772-07:00The end<p> Going to Morningbrain-"Deux..."</p><p>https://stephenvgeddes2.blogspot.com/2019/04/once-again-same-story-same-writer.html</p><p>Take a look--hope you find it enjoyable! Steve</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-2585000399678592212021-04-10T10:07:00.004-07:002021-04-10T10:23:17.874-07:00Talented cars!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A friend of mine from way
back was visiting a neighbor and as she was leaving I noticed something that I
can only guess is a very rare phenomenon here in Aiken:</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Her car was able to tap-dance!</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yep, that’s right, I said
“tap-dance!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my friend drove down the
street you could hear that car:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tap,
tap, ti tap tap tap, all down the road!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The next time I saw her, I
mentioned this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She agreed right off,
yep, that was her car, OK, and it did a pretty good number wherever she went,
bringing their music with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made me
think of the Ed Sullivan show, and a mighty good rendition of what Dean
Martin, Sammie Davis Jr., and company, might have done along with their
music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you know anyone who might be
on the longer side of their sixties, you might ask them about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could be they even might remember something
called “black and white” tee vee, a thing of the past, for sure, today!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And that’s OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t all know all there is to know about
our world and how it was quite a few years ago, now can we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice if we do know a little history,
though, isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Might even come in
handy every now and then—especially if we want to take a history course or two
in one of our institutions of higher learning (like USCA, e.g.!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And if you do find yourself
in one of those courses, don’t forget about my friend’s talented car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It probably would bring an incredulous look
or two from your professor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t
that be great?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think so!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-86821774109277378292021-04-05T07:55:00.003-07:002021-04-05T07:55:57.411-07:00From sleep to wakeful thinking<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Something
I find more and more interesting is how I might awaken, be it the middle of the
night, or morning, thinking about all sorts of oh so important stuff and then
after arising I find all that stuff had disappeared from my thinking to the
point that I might as well have had no thoughts at all as I was transitioning
from my bed to my morning duties.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Why is
that?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Certainly
the thoughts I had were important—at the time, in any case—and that being the
case, I wonder what I might do to save them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A small recorder by the bed, perhaps?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Probably the best solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do
have one somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think it might be in
one small cabinet in my bedroom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
see if I can get it to work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If
I can get it to work, we’ll see just how important those transitory thoughts
might be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, we might even have
a topic or two for the blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Check
back tomorrow—OK?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Or
the day after?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-11118231264244537482021-03-25T15:19:00.000-07:002021-03-25T15:19:05.760-07:00Emigrants in Texas<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yes, they are there,
thousands and thousands of them. What
can be done? What should be done? What would be the best for them and, for that
matter, for the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16pt;">?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The situation reminds me of a
movie some of us may remember:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Titanic.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, while the circumstances of those trying
to come to </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> are quite a bit different, the outcomes of some are
probably the same—some made it, some didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the times certainly are a bit different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing that has not changed is the
implication that </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> is where one should go to experience a change, and a
good change at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in many cases,
that is what is needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Have you seen pictures of
children rummaging through a garbage pile in the hopes of finding something, just
a little bit to eat, perhaps, for themselves and their families?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wasn’t staged for some American
photographer, believe me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many of those children do
you suppose were brought North by others in their family in hopes of gaining
the same benefits that many of our ancestors came across the Atlantic to gain
so many years ago?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many are piled up
on the Mexican side of that “border wall” just looking for a way, a chance, to
come across that Rio Grande and gain the life they dreamed of before they began
that thousand mile (plus) journey to get here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, having almost made it to that place of their dreams, how many have
been languishing just beyond that wall wondering what will become of that
dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Awakening can be anything but
agreeable to most of these unfortunate travelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this what they deserve?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Every trip had two
points:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A point of departure, and a
point of termination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or so the traveler
hopes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people, Americans all (just
not North Americans, you see,) are in search of their dreams—frustrated at
virtually the last few steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if my
ancestors had experienced a similar fate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Would I be here today, or would one of my ancestors have carried my
genes to the bottom of the </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">North
Atlantic ocean</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> having chosen
that “Titanic” as their vehicle of choice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">These people deserve more
from we Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But what?<o:p></o:p></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-5878934597694389622021-03-19T07:26:00.000-07:002021-03-19T07:26:29.206-07:00Flip phone gone?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dear AT&T:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few months ago you sent a message to Wife
and Me saying our flip phones would no longer be “supported” (I believe that
was your wording) at some time in the near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I would like to remind you, it has not
been all that long ago that we both purchased these phones, complete with your
“logo” emblazoned on the phones themselves, and at no time during our purchase
was it mentioned that the phones would be made inoperative at any time in the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, if you say there was a
notification on one of those fifty (a guess) pages that was provided to let
your purchaser know how the phone would be made inoperative sometime in the
future, then, I plead ignorance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In short:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phones are working fine today, and I
expect them to work fine as long as we “own” them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now, if “We” do not, in fact, "own" the phones (as I said before, it does have your logo on it), I would like
you to send your representative to my house (you do know where I live,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sent me the notice to which I
refer) to pick up your soon-to-be inoperative phones and give us your
replacements so we can continue to utilize your services—services we have paid
you for as we have for quite a few years, now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And, I must admit to a bit of
ignorance here.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Is there another company
who might provide the services I have paid you for all these years?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If not, I guess it is time for me to become
politically active to see what might be done about your (so called)
service.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Sincerely,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Stephen V. Geddes</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Aiken</span></st1:city><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">, </span><st1:state><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">South
Carolina</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:state><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></st1:state></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:state><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now to see what this might generate. We all need phones, right? At least I think I would be just a bit "put out" if I did not have one.</span></st1:state></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:state><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">"Problems, problems, problems" the name of a good 'ole country song, right? Well, if not that, just what life seems to give us all from time to time. Any of you having a life without just a few of those "problems?"</span></st1:state></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:state><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You tell me, OK?</span></st1:state></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:state><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></st1:state></st1:place></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-81770557780934514142021-03-13T04:47:00.000-08:002021-03-13T04:47:36.271-08:00Criticizing others your thing?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I awoke, as usual, thinking
about a thing or two—specifically, about how others seem to spend their time
criticizing other people for their deficiencies.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So, after lying in bed for more than just a
bit of time with this on my mind, what do you suppose I did?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Well, I got up and walked out front to pick
up my morning paper.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And, as I did that,
things just seemed to come into focus a bit better.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Other people a problem?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, pilgrim, how about backing up just a
bit and taking a look at something you might just be able to do something
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Hmmmm, there’s a subject you
have been ignoring altogether too long, I suspect, and if you don’t believe me,
how about asking my wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the one
who got me thinking about this, you see, She with another year under her belt
as of yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She, whose daughter and
grandson dropped in about an hour after we should have had dinner, bringing
flowers and smiles and just a bit more—love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She, who deserves much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Much better than she got from me, that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And why do I bring up my wife
and our relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it’s because
while I was walking out to get MY morning paper, I began to think about just a
few of you who never seem to be able to criticize anybody other than anybody
other than yourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s wrong with Him???<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s what this discussion
was to be about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just why I have spent so much time
thinking about others and not about myself and how I might make things better
for my wife and myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, what is
really important here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is the problem the things I see and hear from
you, my friend?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is it that guy in
the mirror?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">No, I suspect “either—or” doesn’t
work here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is in both of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I first need to do whatever I can to
make things right in my own house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then,
maybe, I might be able to move on to point out problems I see with you,
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all I can say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My turn is today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-43323510495637449462021-03-07T09:14:00.001-08:002021-03-07T16:41:58.065-08:00Sunday morning TV?<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Well, I’ve just watched my
limit of the usual Sunday morning political news shows and, well, I guess I’ve
wasted enough time for one day.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Why?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You may say?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Well, It wasn’t a total waste.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Just
a waste.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You see, it seems the
Republicans and Democrats both have the same method of deciding how to vote.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And, it’s a pretty simple method.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In the first place, you determine the
issue.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Then, you gather together all
sorts of data to support or dismiss the issue.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Then, instead of analyzing the data you may have gathered, what you do
is ask your “leadership” what is to be done.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Then you cast your vote.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hmmmpfh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why bother with all the preliminaries, you
say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, without those preliminaries,
what would you do with your staff, between votes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I’d say the answer is pretty
obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You let them head for the
gardens in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Washington</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and enjoy their time out of doors before they return
to the halls of congress to get their next “assignment.” And why not?
Wasting government money never could be easier, right? Take a look at the Senate’s vote on our next
covid relief measure and tell me my method would not come up with the exact
same vote as we got on the issue. I
mean, come’on everybody: What could be
easier? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">All that needs to be done
now, folks, is for you to contact your Senators and tell them exactly what you
might think of the vote on this issue and what you think they might have done
to come up with the reasons for their vote.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Pretty easy question, right? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">No need to wait on that next
vote you will cast for your Senatorial candidate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let your current guy (or gal, of course) know
exactly what you think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He or she will
get the message and get it well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not,
well, you know what to do at that next election, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Fifty to forty nine mean
anything to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt it does--a
whole lot of thought by a whole lot of Senators, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Good grief, Charlie Brown!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-13323752068707444962021-03-06T10:04:00.016-08:002021-03-06T10:28:19.900-08:00Problem? Solved! I think.<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It seems when I awaken,
sometimes in the middle of the night, more often towards the dawn, though, ideas
I might have are running through my head with a vengeance—well, maybe not with
a vengeance, but with some sort of expectation of some sort of action from
awakened me. Which…which may be
something I want, or something I don’t want, but, in either case, something
that has to be attended to.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Only one problem: On getting up, and getting the computer up,
and waiting on it to accomplish its start-up procedures, sleeping mind often, no,
usually, finds other things to do than wait around for awake mind to get to the
point where it needs to be to take over the job…which brings on the confusion
you probably might be noticing right now. Help!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another “Morningbrain…,”
without a doubt. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In searching for a solution,
something I really hadn’t given much thought to before, I think maybe a listing
would be a good thing. And this listing
will necessarily be in handwriting, on a spiral tablet kept on a side table
next to the bed. With, of course, a
writing instrument of my own selection, one that can be kept with the tablet
till circumstance brings them both into action. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I guess that’s about
it--except for one modification. Leaving
a tablet and pen next to the bed is something that will be too easy for someone
(guess who) to pick up just about any time to make brief notes, say a list of
things to pick up at the grocery store, which would remove the tablet and
writing instrument (a pen will do fine) to a point where it may or may not be
available the next time sleepyhead finds the need for same. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So: One modification: A hanging hook, perhaps, like one you might
use to keep a note pad at the ready next to the front door?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Should do fine—problem
solved, or so I think. Ask me sometime
next week and we both will know how it might have worked.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Or if it worked at all!</span> </p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-30298555890930263622021-02-27T06:27:00.010-08:002021-02-27T06:32:36.650-08:00Alzheimers, anyone?<p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I spent a good part of the
morning looking for articles on Alzheimer's. And I found quite a few
out there, I must admit, and what is covered can be very direct or
nebulous. So far, I haven't found quite what I want. Oh well,
that's just the way things are.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Moving right along, though, and
with just a bit more examination, I’d have to say things aren’t really all that
bad.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In any case, I guess what I'm
really looking for is a definition of what chemicals, vitamins, or whatever
might be helpful in driving my forgetfulness up the wall (or, anywhere, but
where it seems to be happiest, i.e., in my brain!) Articles on the subject
mention: Phosphatadyl serene, b</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;">iloba extract and
bacopa. One I already take is that extract from the g</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">inkgo biloba tree. Interestingly enough, a couple of my neighbors have this tree on their properties. I wonder if there is some reason, other than the beautiful yellow foliage it displays every autumn, that my neighbors have this tree on their properties? Guess I should ask them. </span></p><p><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;">One Amazon item which has all three of these substances is
Neuroguard's Neuro Support Supplement. And, while this is probably
just one of many formulations that may meet my needs, surprisingly enough, it's
not all that expensive. Looks like one more pill to take every day--and,
perhaps, adding this one pill might enable me to drop off a couple other pills
I now take. And, <u>if</u> <u>it</u> <u>helps</u>, won't
that be great! </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;">Nothing like finding an answer to a problem that may just work.
Sure is worth a try!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><br /></h1>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-26782930305600001912021-02-22T12:16:00.001-08:002021-02-22T13:35:21.039-08:00Georgia birth certificates????<p>If you were born in Georgia, and you need a birth certificate, look at the kind of crap you are going to have to go to to get one--then again, it may just be Macon, Georgia? I don't really know! Republicans doing this? Hope South Carolina doesn't join in here!</p><p><img class="CToWUd" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/EMKbyHX62eP2PY_lBlF2ThH2caZb17ADkcYvRPFmUJwtDuf2nrDIXafwqo33ofThzeeMkwKguoWLhl_XXK8SbaPTswTb=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.birthcertificatestate.com/img/logo.png" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-size: 13px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Thanks for placing your birth certificate order! Below is your confirmation and receipt information. Identity verification may be required for your protection. Please make sure to review the What's Next section in order for us to begin processing your order.</p><table style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="background-color: darkblue; color: white; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 37px; margin: 0px; min-height: 37px; padding: 0px 8px;">Order Information</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><strong>Order ID -</strong></td><td style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><strong>Delivery Method -</strong></td><td style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Express Shipping - Overnight Delivery (once processed)</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><strong>Shipping To -</strong></td><td style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> Aiken SC - 29801</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><strong>State Agency Fees -</strong></td><td style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><p>Average fees range from $30-$50 depending on state agency (prices subject to change). State fees are mandatory and required in order to receive a birth certificate.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">***Processing fees will appear on your statement as BIRTHCERTIFICATESTATE</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">***Government fees will appear on your statement as VCN or Bureau of Vital Statistics</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">These will appear as two separate charges. Immediately following verification for accuracy, your certificate order will be finalized and shipped directly from your state agency.</p><p> </p><p> </p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-83698703781288902602021-02-22T10:43:00.000-08:002021-02-22T10:43:07.857-08:00Computers, etc., After the fire<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So, I woke up, as usual, I
might add, about 4:30 (rrrright—AM, of course,) and what do you suppose I was
thinking about? Several things, I guess,
but one thing that was really bothering me was our electrical contractor after
the fire, a contractor who took away our computers and a refrigerator, and our
washing machine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now, why do I mention
this? Well, you could find yourself in
the same boat as we are in one day (hope not, but, you never know,) and if you
do, you might benefit from remembering these comments. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">After that house fire, that
“electrical contractor” removed appliances from the kitchen and our computers
from our bedrooms. The appliances were
eventually returned and the washing machine lasted about a month after it was
returned before we had to replace it.
The refrigerator was returned (we had already replaced it,) and it
appeared to run when plugged in, but it had one of its door handles removed,
but not replaced, and the contractor said it was to be thrown away. I told them to leave it, that I would throw
it away myself (which I will do, if it ever stops running.) In the mean time it is doing its thing in our
garage. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The two computers they
removed we replaced for our use by a couple of relatively inexpensive laptops. Still, it would be nice to have the original
computers. What we have are two
computers, nicely wrapped in bubble wrap, with no way for me to know how to
restore them to operation—not even sure that the needed electrical cables have
been returned. IF they are there somewhere,
I wouldn’t know how to hook up the computers, having no technical information
available. Suspect the computers are
fine—all they needed was a wipe-down to take the soot off the outsides. The disassembly, with no instructions for
restoral, is the problem. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So, I guess what I need to do
is have a discussion with our insurer to see what technician they would like
for us to use to return our computers to usable condition. Yep, that’s it--if I can get anything from
Liberty Mutual that would allow for payment of the technician, all will be fine
(or so I hope!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So, I’m awake, and my
problems are pretty much defined.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Now to
talk to the insurance company.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Will let
you know how that goes!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span> </p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-2768839451331493522021-02-16T08:49:00.005-08:002021-02-16T09:07:03.202-08:00Bonhoeffer, and our internet<p>Just a little something from a post I occasionally get: It's a quote from Bonhoeffer, and it applies, often, to things found on the internet. Take a look (it's not all that long,) and see if you find anything you might use. Bonhoeffer was 39 when he was killed by Hitler. Read the quote, and you will know why.</p><p><a href=" https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10213786622046825&set=a.3360340894385&__cft__[0]=AZXlyQU88J3naZ-VvxVNS4r018yeBCJypoHxfki3pTw50_RhdmDsycuB7x5oSmzXlo8LrmzakWFr-SytWgTvP3vYt27tKVq-D2CPVS4EXJlng-09t2q4F6VGpCJjWjQXWtDRgKHGIVvcrwqAHSUH7hB6ZwJGVzOZIvVFGE6-ngnkaJdnsmkiJ3e-gmSI2RdgqEAwqg6gi-g5YqqCodSpBv-i&__tn__=EH-y-R"> https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10213786622046825&set=a.3360340894385&__cft__[0]=AZXlyQU88J3naZ-VvxVNS4r018yeBCJypoHxfki3pTw50_RhdmDsycuB7x5oSmzXlo8LrmzakWFr-SytWgTvP3vYt27tKVq-D2CPVS4EXJlng-09t2q4F6VGpCJjWjQXWtDRgKHGIVvcrwqAHSUH7hB6ZwJGVzOZIvVFGE6-ngnkaJdnsmkiJ3e-gmSI2RdgqEAwqg6gi-g5YqqCodSpBv-i&__tn__=EH-y-R</a></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-11099298582135303152021-02-14T12:53:00.040-08:002021-02-22T12:35:00.690-08:00Valentine's Day?<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyone remember
Rudolph Valentino? Well, if you want to know anything about this guy,
guess you could Google him. In the mean time, maybe you might think along
with me that our February fourteenths might have a bit to do with him.
Below is a little poem that I wrote to use today. Will put it to a tune
sometime soon. Anyone want to know what it's called? Take a look,
then take a guess!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee,
Everybody loves Vee-Dee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee,
Vee-Dee for you and me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee,
It's surely that time of year,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Valentine's Day,
February one-four, brings us all good cheer!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A time for love,
a time for hate, a time for everything,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Even at that, as
we all know, some things bring little gain. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In any case,
again we all know, to receive you first must sow,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And sow we did,
and VeeDee did give a day of love to flow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So, say what you
will, darling Jane, sweet Bill, and enjoy that roll in the hay,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Make love if you
wish, tis a special, special dish, that's love's old special way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">One thing that we
know, be it fast, be it slow, one can keep an eye to the sky, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And when it's all
done, both say “that was fun,” and we all know how and why.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee,
Everybody loves Vee-Dee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee,
Vee-Dee for you and me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee,
It's surely that time of year,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Valentine's Day,
February one-four, brings us all good cheer!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And that's it, my friend!
Published first this day, the fourteenth day in February, 2021. Hope it is something you
might say, "that just makes my day!" and gives you thoughts of
when you were young (and fun loving) dear daughter, proud son? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Oh, well, guess now is the time
to get out the old guitar and put it to music. Should go well, don't you
think? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Have a happy, happy Valentine's
Day, all!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And, if your guess wasn't "</span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Valentine's Day, V-D, of course," then you were wrong!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And, as a footnote, one friend of mine thought VD referred to something nobody wants to have...and, well, he's right, to a degree! If anyone thought I was referring to some sort of disease here, well, why do you suppose anyone would do that? Valentines Day is what this is about--VD, short for Valentine's Day! OK?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-51133145757335751552021-02-07T13:57:00.018-08:002021-02-07T14:15:32.284-08:00Remember this:<p> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Some things just have to be remembered:</span></p><p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">When I was a kid, I couldn't understand why</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Eisenhower was so</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">popular. Maybe this will explain why</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">General Eisenhower Warned Us.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">It is a matter of history that when the Supreme</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Commander of</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">and</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">through the camps and even made to bury the dead.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">He did this because he said in words to this effect ...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">witnesses -</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">because somewhere down the road of history some b*st*rd will get up</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">and say that this never happened'</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This week, the UK debated whether to remove The</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offends' the Muslim</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">population which claims it never occurred. It is not removed as</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">yet.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">However, this is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the world and how easily each country is giving into it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">It is now more than 70 years after the Second World War in Europe</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">and</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1,900 Catholic priests Who were 'murdered, raped, burned, starved,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">beaten, experimented on and humiliated while many in the world</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">looked</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the other way!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">forgets.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This e-mail is intended to reach 400 million people! Be a link in the</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">memorial chain and help distribute this around the world.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Center</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">'NEVER HAPPENED'?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Because it offends some Muslims???</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Do not just delete this message; it will take only a minute to pass</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">this along.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Remember when all classrooms had an American flag in them?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Do they even teach our children about the World Trade Center attacks</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">in 1993 and 2001, or did it go the way of Pearl Harbor and Veterans</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Day?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Don't even mention Christmas or prayers in school. Many schools</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">no longer recite the Pledge of Allegiance and many children do not</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">know the words to our National Anthem, or that we even have one!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> And nope, I did not write this--do not know who the author was. </b></span></p><p><b style="font-size: large;"> And, </b></p><p><b style="font-size: large;">I do not even know if Muslims are being offended. But I do know one thing: </b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> <u>EISENHOWER</u></b></span><b style="font-size: large;"> <u>WAS</u> <u>RIGHT</u> !!!</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-41434594316563197712021-02-07T11:54:00.007-08:002021-02-17T12:57:10.172-08:00Proof positive? You tell me!<p> </p><h1 style="margin-bottom: 16.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 16.5pt;"><span style="color: #333132; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">Common
Genetic Disorder Tied to Increased Dementia Risk in Men<o:p></o:p></span></h1><div><span style="color: #333132; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(The title of a recent Medscape article)</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">(https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/945393#:~:text=Results%20of%20a%20large%20analysis,who%20did%20not%20have%20these)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p> Excerpt below:</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">This
was true across a number of brain regions, including <b>the putamen</b>, the caudate,
and the nucleus accumbens, "but notably also within important cognitive
regions" of the thalamus and the hippocampus.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">Any
chance this might be what is wrong with our good friend “Putin?”</span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-72825330026188849372021-02-06T15:54:00.007-08:002021-02-11T07:58:19.646-08:00<p><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Flippin’ with my Flip-phone</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Well, I woke up this morning
and before I got too busy doing whatever (got that?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">There’s a whole lot of “whatever” in every
household, or so I’m told.)</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">But, as I
was saying, before I got too busy, I took a look at my little flip phone and
read a message from Aiken Ophthalmology about an appointment I had scheduled
while leaving from my last appointment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You know, these messages are
a pretty good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t waste my
time, didn’t waste AO’s time, and that appointment will be met, even though
forgetful me had not remembered to put it on my calendar last year when I should
have.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Good deal, Aiken Ophthalmology,
good deal, AT&T, and good deal, little flip phone buddy who, according to
AT&T, will be going the way of the dinosaurs in another year, AT&T
having moved on to a 5G environment, something my little pocket pal will not be
able to handle sometime soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Well, guess I’ll just have to
come up with some sort of alternative to my little pocket buddy (which has
served me well—hope I’ll be able to say the same about its replacement.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When, you say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, after five or six years, the time I have had my trusty flip phone, or so I hope! As
far as I’m concerned, though, all I need is another flip phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I need to carry around a little
computer in my pocket? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All <u> I </u> really
need is a phone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-20444424670201709232021-02-05T10:02:00.005-08:002021-02-05T10:07:44.334-08:00"Today," on NBC<p><span style="font-size: large;">Watching Today, one of my favorite shows (that Third Hour) on NBC, the three main presenters this day caught my eye: First, there is Al Roker, one of my all-time favorites. Next to Al, is Shinelle Jones, and next to Shinelle is Dylan Dreyer, two slightly newer members of the "Third Hour" staff. One thing about these three made me wonder why, considering all who might be available at NBC, why these three? (And Craig Melvin is often there, of course, just not today.) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, this daily trio (and a mighty fine trio they are) does one very good job of giving me a slightly late wake-up call by presenting what they might find on their plate. The "news of the day," those general interest items (today it was "Charlie Brown,") and "food news" we all can use, three general topics that came across well from these three "presenters" was what was on today's menu.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But why these three? Well, they are all well spoken (Great!) Next, they are all up to speed on the topics they have been given (Great, again!!) And third, color-wise, we have one dark-skinned, one light-skinned, and one in-between. How's that for something for everyone? Good job, NBC (Great!!!) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And, finally, there is music. What more could anyone ask for? Really, now!</span></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-30409163852754265402021-02-04T09:38:00.004-08:002021-02-17T09:07:40.531-08:00Well, no Lieberman, but...<p> "The more things change, the more they stay the same...." Well, if you want an example of proof of an old saying, how about backing up about (not quite) ten years in this blog and giving the thoughts of "way back when" just a bit of consideration.</p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://stephenvgeddes.blogspot.com/2011/10/does-anyone-in-dc-make-sense.html" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration-line: none;">Does anyone in DC make sense?</a></h3><p>This is where I want you to go just to see if this saying makes any sense at all. Then, if you would, how about returning to the comment section of this entry and pass on your thoughts.</p><p>What is going on in our Washington DC, today? Are each and every one of our Senators and Congressmen making the decisions that we need from them? Are any of them avoiding the need to think just a little bit for themselves and for their constituents by simply following that old "Party line" and not worrying much about how that will look to a concerned member of their greater pack (the voters in his state) who one day will ask them about their vote? </p><p>And, having read that column from ten years ago, what makes you think things are all that different today? Are the members of our two great parties working to be able to work <u>with</u> the opposition to achieve legislation that will benefit the voters of both sets of decision makers, or are they just trying to achieve a decision that will allow them to set the "blame" on the opposition--getting little done, in the interim? Unacceptable behavior, my friend! </p><p>If we can all agree on the unacceptability of action that is only an excuse for finger pointing and blame finding, then we just might find a way to make each and every one of our legislators find a way to get things done, things that are as close to pure acceptability to each of them as might be possible. While no one will "get their way" (the sociopath's requirement) by following through on this suggestion, America will be the winner here. </p><p>What do you think? </p><p>Any comments?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-18665592513686014232021-02-03T13:35:00.004-08:002021-02-03T14:18:41.517-08:00Remembering Alvanos<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">A man I knew, (because of a job I had,) once told me he knew he should remember me but he couldn't--and the reason he gave was Alzheimers. I told him "no problem," of course, and made a note to look that term up. Well, I guess you know this happened quite a few years ago. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Today, most of us will recognize that term and understand what it's all about. My acquaintance, though gave me an opportunity to learn a bit about an ailment that years later was to take my mother to her "happy hunting ground," and one that may do the same for me. My wife, in any case, thinks that may be the case. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Whatever," I think. If Alzheimers it is, there probably will be a race to the finish for it and for quite a few other possibilities my 77 year old body may propose. In any case, that one-time customer operated a long-time restaurant downtown in Aiken, and it was the place to go for coffee and breakfast for many years. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was located between the two movie theatres and was called by its owner's name, "Alvanos." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I often would have my morning cup of coffee there, as did my competitors, the milkmen from "Pet." Coble was my ride, though, an opportunity I had following one of my more lack-luster quarters at Georgia Tech. It lasted almost one year, an interesting learning experience for me, at that. And, strange as it may seem, a most enjoyable ride it was!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-82915181655769811572021-01-31T12:56:00.001-08:002021-02-05T18:02:12.055-08:00GOP Censures?<p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">An article in today's
AikenStandard is titled "South Carolina GOP censures Rep. Rice for impeachment
vote." My thoughts follow, beginning with a comment on Bernie
Sanders.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">Bernie Sanders, you see, is my
Senator. Well, not exactly the one I can vote for, or against, at
election time, but the one I relate to well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You see, Bernie regularly gets press that shows his opinion on whatever,
and those opinions generally mirror opinions I might have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said, Bernie Sanders is my Senator.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">Add to </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">Bernie</span></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">SC</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;"> Representative Rice for providing his
thinking on his vote in support of what many feel is an obvious need for a
second impeachment of former President Donald Trump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what did that get him?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">Well, the GOP in my state voted
to censure Representative Rice for that vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right or wrong, that’s what they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Which makes me wonder if the current batch of state legislators remember
our one-time Senator Strom Thurmond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Strom was a Democrat, initially, as were national politicians from most
southern states at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strom left
that Democratic Party, first becoming an independent of note in national
politics and eventually emigrating all the way to the Republican Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, it seems, was just the start of a
similar relocation of politicians from most of our southern states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was known as the “Solid Democratic South”
continued as a solid group with the one difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They became, and remain, solidly Republican. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">My opinion is, you see, if any
censure is to be made of anyone in this matter, it is a censure of those
members who voted the current party line on this issue—the vote for censure that
indicated little actual thought was given by any one of our legislators to
anything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt;">Thank you, Representative
Rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When our current SC Governor moves
for reelection, I hope you might consider running yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be refreshing, to say the least, to
have a Governor who thinks for himself when issues needed for South Carolina
are given consideration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometime that
old “Party Line” just won’t do!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><p></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-62253307161099005072021-01-30T08:08:00.004-08:002021-01-30T14:40:40.637-08:00Ancestry dot what?<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Well, on giving the topic
just a bit of thought, I do have a bit to pass on.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The other night, one of my grandchildren
called me up and asked if there was anything in my early years that I thought
he might be able to use in one of his assignments.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It seems his teacher must be the kind of
person who appreciates backgrounds. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">That
being the case, she decided to use her ability to provide homework that might
give her students the opportunity to learn a bit about their heritage.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So, on passing on a few vignettes from my one
and only published work (my autobiography), I felt maybe, just maybe I may have
done my part in giving my grandson Dylan what he might need to earn a good grade for
his assignment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Well, as sometime is the case,
his assignment forced me into a bit of thought about my (our) backgrounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Setting aside his grandmother Jennie’s attributes,
both of her parents being definitely from </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Great Britain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, I gave my ancestral remembrances just a bit of
consideration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother’s background
was pretty easy to come up with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her dad
was a Newbanks, a good German family name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And her mother gave just as well, having the name Feallock—again, quite Germanic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">From my other side, My dad
always said we were Scotch-Irish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given
a bit of consideration as to what that might describe, I will begin by pointing
to that movie, “Braveheart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
happened to have seen that movie, you might remember when our hero gave his salute to
the British King who was overseeing the battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Ah, the Irish,” was the King’s comment having just observed a backside
presentation by our hero’s army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
as you probably remember, the British succeeded in their difficulty with their
Irish neighbors, and moved on with the defeated Irish, finding they had great
difficulties in getting the defeated nation to do what they, the British,
wanted them to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So what did this bring
on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the Scotch were another
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the Scotch were
willing to do what they needed to do to satisfy the Brits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, because of this, many Scots were brought
into </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ireland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> to get the British wishes accomplished—mostly, I
believe, in the growing of crops to send to </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Great Britain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being
the case, the term “Scotch-Irish” came to describe those imported Scots and,
from the time I knew enough about heritage to ask questions on the subject,
what I always heard was, from my dad, that we were Scotch-Irish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So, my heritage being known,
I now wonder why I am called “White?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
can’t be from the color of my skin, a somewhat taupe color that I grew up
understanding was a flesh tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
really no more a white colored person than virtually all of my African American
friends are black colored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not white,
then, how should I think of myself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, given what I have described so far, I'm pretty sure that,
following the custom my darker friends have used for many years, I could make
my label appellation something like “a Scotch-Irish Germanic American.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I suppose I could, but why not go the
route of our African Americans and call people like me a European American?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Or, again following our
African descended friends’ lead, how about Euro-American?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Euro-American me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, why not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then might say we have Afro-Americans,
Euro-Americans and (why not) Asian-Americans on our block, or so I believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Austra-Americans are also a possibility. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Antarc-Americans, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There just never has been much of a human
population at all on that last continent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, as for that South American complement, well they and we will just
have to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Euro-American North (or
South) is just a bit too much!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ancestry dot who?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, today, let’s just concentrate on
Euro-American me—something grandson will hear about sometime soon, believe me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And, as my “Editor-in-Chief”
friend always opines to his followers:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, dear readers, for
reading!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Close enough, John?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks,
again!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-5319821722062559722021-01-23T10:16:00.006-08:002021-01-23T10:26:34.614-08:00Return from MB-2<p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A return from another time--</span><st1:date day="3" month="1" year="2020"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Jan 3,
2020</span></st1:date><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">,
"Morningbrain--"Deux..."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, it is 6:30, just a bit late for morningbrain,
but that is because I ignored its call just a bit earlier--5:30 or so--when it
began as I stumbled out the door and across the front lawn to field the paper
which our carrier thoughtfully provided around 5 AM if she (I think) was on
schedule as has been her wont for the past year or so. In any case, that being
done, Tobi and I returned to our places alongside Jennie--he to return to
sleep, and me to engage in my usual, if a bit later than usual, morningbrain
activity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">That’s just how it works, although a bit later
than usual, as I said, today. In any case, it’s still quite dark out, something
that will begin to change pretty soon, though. And mb and I are slowly coming
together with a few thoughts. (Have to laugh at myself here--when doing my
first edit, I thought I had made a mistake. Not so, though, as mb well knows,)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">First up is that business of those end days,
starting with my dad.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">When he passed on, I was there, but just in
the beginning. One thing he did while I was there was to begin moving his arms,
in almost a swimming nature. Which was something I did not understand. Nor did
the three others who were there with me. In any case, if they, Leo, Walt, and
my old scouting friend, had understood, they did not pass on any advice. I will
pass on just a bit, since learning was accomplished, thanks to a bit of
recollection about what Dad was wanting. A touch was all, a touch which I did
not give. Something that I regret but need never regret again since it was the
last thing I learned from him. His last gift to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">And thanks to that learning, when Uncle
Marshall was passing, and when he, like Dad, reached out, I was there and I
took that hand and, hopefully, provided what uncle wanted, a small thing, a
touch. He calmed immediately when I took his hand, and when I passed it on to
another shortly thereafter. Which, I suspect was a good thing for us all. It
was just a short time later that he left us--peacefully, it seemed. Something
that may not have occurred, if Dad had not taught me what he did teach me as he
was passing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Just one more thing to thank him for, the next
time I see him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">There. Morningbrain struck, and morningbrain
did its job.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Thanks, mb.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-17569457806768719572021-01-23T06:58:00.003-08:002021-01-23T15:12:39.228-08:00Hank Who?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When I read the headlines in
my morning paper, I think to myself, “I wonder what my grandkids would think if
they were to read that headline?” “Hank
who?” then comes to mind. And why is
that, you might be thinking? Well, if
that’s what you are thinking it means one thing to me: You are probably among the minions of readers
who are, if not my age, then approaching my age, in any case.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You see, we oldsters often
think everyone thinks like we do—something that just is not the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t the case when we were moving
through our high schools, or when we were, ourselves, young marrieds, or even
when we had kids moving into one of those high schools that we remember going
to ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, things just don’t
change all that much, which brings up that saying, “no matter how much things
change, they really just stay the same.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or, words to that effect.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Those high schoolers of mine,
who I like to call “my grandkids,” may or may not even have heard of Hank Aaron,
even though here he is, on the front page of my paper, having moved on to the
clouds (or to wherever!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I, though, remember Hank, he
really wasn’t all that much older than I, you see, and “Hammerin’ Hank” put
those balls over the fence more often than any of his compatriots while I was watching
him from my livingroom sofa, or, on one occasion, from the bleachers in that
stadium in Atlanta. Really something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Still, that’s only one
example of how my thinking differs from the thinking of my own children and the
thinking of my children’s children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I was one of those children, in high school, at that, and someone mentioned
“music,” my thinking turned to PP&M, or, maybe to Petula Clark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents probably thought of Bing Crosby,
or those Dorsey Brothers, and as for my Grandparents’ thinking, well, honestly,
I have absolutely no idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
generation has, it seems, their own thinking when a term like that comes up,
even though we all may provide the exact same definition when asked what the
dictionary might say about the term.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Strange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strange, but true!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And, as for Hank Aaron, and
even as for that “paper,” my kids know what I’m talking about when I mention
them but my grandkids?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No earthly idea!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How about that!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-27749597930029593102021-01-19T13:22:00.000-08:002021-01-19T13:22:05.513-08:00RE: Covid-19 immunizations<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have a problem—suspect you
might have a problem too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is with
attempting to register to receive a covid-19 immunization and having no reasonable record
of the receiving entity’s receiving my request, much less of my request being
acted on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now, I don’t know about you,
but this is highly frustrating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not
trying to get anything special here—just trying to get some recognition of
having made a request through the premiere agency in my area and having no
record of my request having been received and/or acted upon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who can find out what is going on here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I contact a legislator and get any
information?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I sent my request via the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Aiken</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Regional</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Medical</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Center</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">’s site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
filled out documentation on a “VAMS” something or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a notation indicating something has
been received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no knowledge of
what my efforts have resulted in vis-à-vis my request and the opportunity to
receive a vaccination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Will send this to my personal
doctor, and to ARMC, and to my political representatives (every one I can find
an email address for), and to our new President, and to my local newspaper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Hopefully, somebody knows
something.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I DON’T!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And that is, at the very
least, frustrating</span></u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713834824265250428.post-58672189208435168702021-01-08T11:15:00.003-08:002021-01-08T11:15:37.534-08:00Trumpian environmental probems<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Problems may be the name of the game when Biden and crew take over. According to an article in Scientific American, funding problems initiated by Trump may require quite a bit of correction.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.5pt;">"President-elect Joe
Biden’s transition team says the Trump administration has done more damage than
anticipated to the government’s ability to address climate change.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.5pt;">"Potentially lowering expectations for the
incoming president’s early climate efforts, Biden officials say their agency
review teams have found deeper budget cuts, wider staff losses and more
systematic elimination of climate programs and research than they realized.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.5pt;">"Some climate moves can’t happen until Biden
officials remedy those deficiencies, a senior transition official said, because 'those have been very carefully directed budget cuts to the very parts of the
[EPA] that are going to be necessary to get rid of [Trump’s] outrageous
rollbacks.' "<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.5pt;">For more info, go to the recent Scientific American article by</span><span style="color: #656565; font-family: Benton, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span><span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #656565; display: inline-block; font-family: Benton, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/adam-aton/" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(105, 105, 105); box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; line-height: 14px; outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;">Adam Aton</a>, <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/e-e-news/" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;">E&E News</a>, </span></span><time content="January 6, 2021" itemprop="datePublished" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #656565; font-family: Benton, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">January 6, 2021.</time><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Stephen V. Geddeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08884631003051769416noreply@blogger.com1