The end

 Going to Morningbrain-"Deux..."

https://stephenvgeddes2.blogspot.com/2019/04/once-again-same-story-same-writer.html

Take a look--hope you find it enjoyable!   Steve

Talented cars!

 

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:  Her car was able to tap-dance! 

 

Yep, that’s right, I said “tap-dance!”  As my friend drove down the street you could hear that car:  Tap, tap, ti tap tap tap, all down the road! 

 

The next time I saw her, I mentioned this.  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.  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.  If you know anyone who might be on the longer side of their sixties, you might ask them about it.  Could be they even might remember something called “black and white” tee vee, a thing of the past, for sure, today!

 

And that’s OK.  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?  It’s nice if we do know a little history, though, isn’t it?  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.!) 

 

And if you do find yourself in one of those courses, don’t forget about my friend’s talented car.  It probably would bring an incredulous look or two from your professor.  Wouldn’t that be great?  I think so!

From sleep to wakeful thinking

 

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.  Why is that?

 

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.  A small recorder by the bed, perhaps?  Probably the best solution.  I do have one somewhere.  Think it might be in one small cabinet in my bedroom.  I’ll see if I can get it to work.

 

If I can get it to work, we’ll see just how important those transitory thoughts might be.  Hopefully, we might even have a topic or two for the blog. 

 

Check back tomorrow—OK?

 

(Or the day after?)

 

 

Emigrants in Texas

 

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 United States?

 

The situation reminds me of a movie some of us may remember:  “Titanic.”  And, while the circumstances of those trying to come to America are quite a bit different, the outcomes of some are probably the same—some made it, some didn’t.  And the times certainly are a bit different.  The only thing that has not changed is the implication that America is where one should go to experience a change, and a good change at that.  And in many cases, that is what is needed. 

 

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?  This wasn’t staged for some American photographer, believe me.  This is reality.  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?  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?  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. 

 

Awakening can be anything but agreeable to most of these unfortunate travelers.  Is this what they deserve?

 

Every trip had two points:  A point of departure, and a point of termination.  Or so the traveler hopes.  These people, Americans all (just not North Americans, you see,) are in search of their dreams—frustrated at virtually the last few steps.  What if my ancestors had experienced a similar fate?  Would I be here today, or would one of my ancestors have carried my genes to the bottom of the North Atlantic ocean having chosen that “Titanic” as their vehicle of choice? 

 

These people deserve more from we Americans. 

 

But what?

Flip phone gone?

 

Dear AT&T:  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.  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.  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. 

 

In short:  The phones are working fine today, and I expect them to work fine as long as we “own” them. 

 

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?  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. 

 And, I must admit to a bit of ignorance here.  Is there another company who might provide the services I have paid you for all these years?  If not, I guess it is time for me to become politically active to see what might be done about your (so called) service. 

 Sincerely,

 Stephen V. Geddes

Aiken, South Carolina

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.

"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?"

You tell me, OK?

Criticizing others your thing?

 

 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.  So, after lying in bed for more than just a bit of time with this on my mind, what do you suppose I did?  Well, I got up and walked out front to pick up my morning paper.  And, as I did that, things just seemed to come into focus a bit better.

 

Other people a problem?   Well, pilgrim, how about backing up just a bit and taking a look at something you might just be able to do something about.  How about yourself?

 

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.  She is the one who got me thinking about this, you see, She with another year under her belt as of yesterday.  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.  She, who deserves much better.  Much better than she got from me, that is. 

 

And why do I bring up my wife and our relationship.  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.  He did this.  He did that.  What’s wrong with Him???

 

That’s what this discussion was to be about.  Not just me.  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.  I mean, what is really important here?  What indeed.  Is the problem the things I see and hear from you, my friend?   Or is it that guy in the mirror? 

 

No, I suspect “either—or” doesn’t work here.  The problem is in both of us.  I first need to do whatever I can to make things right in my own house.  Then, maybe, I might be able to move on to point out problems I see with you, too.  That’s all I can say.  My turn is today.

Sunday morning TV?

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.  Why?  You may say?  Well, It wasn’t a total waste.  Just a waste.  You see, it seems the Republicans and Democrats both have the same method of deciding how to vote.  And, it’s a pretty simple method.  In the first place, you determine the issue.  Then, you gather together all sorts of data to support or dismiss the issue.  Then, instead of analyzing the data you may have gathered, what you do is ask your “leadership” what is to be done.  Then you cast your vote. 

 

Hmmmpfh!  Why bother with all the preliminaries, you say?  Well, without those preliminaries, what would you do with your staff, between votes? 

 

I’d say the answer is pretty obvious.  You let them head for the gardens in Washington 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? 

 

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.

 

Pretty easy question, right?

 

No need to wait on that next vote you will cast for your Senatorial candidate.  Let your current guy (or gal, of course) know exactly what you think.  He or she will get the message and get it well.  If not, well, you know what to do at that next election, right?

 

Fifty to forty nine mean anything to you?  No doubt it does--a whole lot of thought by a whole lot of Senators, right?

 

Good grief, Charlie Brown!

Problem? Solved! I think.

 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.

 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!

 Another “Morningbrain…,” without a doubt. 

 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. 

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. 

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?

 Should do fine—problem solved, or so I think.  Ask me sometime next week and we both will know how it might have worked.

 Or if it worked at all! 

Alzheimers, anyone?

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.

Moving right along, though, and with just a bit more examination, I’d have to say things aren’t really all that bad.

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, biloba extract and bacopa.  One I already take is that extract from the ginkgo 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. 

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, if it helps, won't that be great!  

Nothing like finding an answer to a problem that may just work.  Sure is worth a try!

Georgia birth certificates????

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!

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.

Order Information
Order ID -
Delivery Method -	Express Shipping - Overnight Delivery (once processed)
Shipping To -	Aiken SC - 29801
State Agency Fees -	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.

***Processing fees will appear on your statement as BIRTHCERTIFICATESTATE

***Government fees will appear on your statement as VCN or Bureau of Vital Statistics

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.

   

 

Computers, etc., After the fire

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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!)

 

So, I’m awake, and my problems are pretty much defined.  Now to talk to the insurance company.  Will let you know how that goes!     

Bonhoeffer, and our internet

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.

 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

Valentine's Day?

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!

 

Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee, Everybody loves Vee-Dee.

Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee for you and me.

Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee, It's surely that time of year,

Valentine's Day, February one-four, brings us all good cheer!

 

A time for love, a time for hate, a time for everything,

Even at that, as we all know, some things bring little gain.

In any case, again we all know, to receive you first must sow,

And sow we did, and VeeDee did give a day of love to flow.

 

So, say what you will, darling Jane, sweet Bill, and enjoy that roll in the hay,

Make love if you wish, tis a special, special dish, that's love's old special way.

One thing that we know, be it fast, be it slow, one can keep an eye to the sky,

And when it's all done, both say “that was fun,” and we all know how and why.

 

Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee, Everybody loves Vee-Dee.

Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee for you and me.

Vee-Dee, Vee-Dee, It's surely that time of year,

Valentine's Day, February one-four, brings us all good cheer!

 

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?   

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? 

Have a happy, happy Valentine's Day, all!

And, if your guess wasn't "Valentine's Day, V-D, of course," then you were wrong!

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?

Remember this:

 Some things just have to be remembered:

When I was a kid, I couldn't understand why
Eisenhower was so
popular. Maybe this will explain why

General Eisenhower Warned Us.
It is a matter of history that when the Supreme
Commander of
the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of
the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken,
and
for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered
through the camps and even made to bury the dead.
He did this because he said in words to this effect ...

'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the
witnesses -
because somewhere down the road of history some b*st*rd will get up
and say that this never happened'

This week, the UK debated whether to remove The

Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offends' the Muslim
population which claims it never occurred. It is not removed as
yet.
However, this is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping
the world and how easily each country is giving into it.

It is now more than 70 years after the Second World War in Europe
ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of
the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians,
and
1,900 Catholic priests Who were 'murdered, raped, burned, starved,
beaten, experimented on and humiliated while many in the world
looked
the other way!

Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust
to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never
forgets.

This e-mail is intended to reach 400 million people! Be a link in the
memorial chain and help distribute this around the world.

How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade
Center
'NEVER HAPPENED'?

Because it offends some Muslims???
Do not just delete this message; it will take only a minute to pass
this along.
Remember when all classrooms had an American flag in them?
Do they even teach our children about the World Trade Center attacks
in 1993 and 2001, or did it go the way of Pearl Harbor and Veterans
Day?
Don't even mention Christmas or prayers in school. Many schools
no longer recite the Pledge of Allegiance and many children do not
know the words to our National Anthem, or that we even have one!

  And nope, I did not write this--do not know who the author was.  

                                              And, 

I do not even know if Muslims are being offended.  But I do know one thing: 

                               EISENHOWER WAS RIGHT !!!

Proof positive? You tell me!

 

Common Genetic Disorder Tied to Increased Dementia Risk in Men

(The title of a recent Medscape article)

(https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/945393#:~:text=Results%20of%20a%20large%20analysis,who%20did%20not%20have%20these)

 Excerpt below:

This was true across a number of brain regions, including the putamen, the caudate, and the nucleus accumbens, "but notably also within important cognitive regions" of the thalamus and the hippocampus.

 

Any chance this might be what is wrong with our good friend “Putin?”

Flippin’ with my Flip-phone 

Well, I woke up this morning and before I got too busy doing whatever (got that?  There’s a whole lot of “whatever” in every household, or so I’m told.)  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.

 

You know, these messages are a pretty good thing.  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.

 

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. 

 

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.)

 

When, you say?  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.  Why do I need to carry around a little computer in my pocket?   All  I  really need is a phone!  

"Today," on NBC

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.)  

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.

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!!!)  

And, finally, there is music. What more could anyone ask for?  Really, now!

 

Well, no Lieberman, but...

 "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.

Does anyone in DC make sense?

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.

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?  

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 with 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!  

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.  

What do you think? 

Any comments?

Remembering Alvanos

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.  

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.  

"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.  

It was located between the two movie theatres and was called by its owner's name, "Alvanos."  

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!

GOP Censures?

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.

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.  You see, Bernie regularly gets press that shows his opinion on whatever, and those opinions generally mirror opinions I might have.  Like I said, Bernie Sanders is my Senator.

Add to Bernie, SC 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.  And what did that get him?

Well, the GOP in my state voted to censure Representative Rice for that vote.  Right or wrong, that’s what they did.  Which makes me wonder if the current batch of state legislators remember our one-time Senator Strom Thurmond.  Strom was a Democrat, initially, as were national politicians from most southern states at the time.  Strom left that Democratic Party, first becoming an independent of note in national politics and eventually emigrating all the way to the Republican Party.  This, it seems, was just the start of a similar relocation of politicians from most of our southern states.  What was known as the “Solid Democratic South” continued as a solid group with the one difference.  They became, and remain, solidly Republican.

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.

Thank you, Representative Rice.  When our current SC Governor moves for reelection, I hope you might consider running yourself.  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.  Sometime that old “Party Line” just won’t do!

Ancestry dot what?

Well, on giving the topic just a bit of thought, I do have a bit to pass on.  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.  It seems his teacher must be the kind of person who appreciates backgrounds.  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.  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.

 

Well, as sometime is the case, his assignment forced me into a bit of thought about my (our) backgrounds.  Setting aside his grandmother Jennie’s attributes, both of her parents being definitely from Great Britain, I gave my ancestral remembrances just a bit of consideration.  My mother’s background was pretty easy to come up with.  Her dad was a Newbanks, a good German family name.  And her mother gave just as well, having the name Feallock—again, quite Germanic.  

 

From my other side, My dad always said we were Scotch-Irish.  Given a bit of consideration as to what that might describe, I will begin by pointing to that movie, “Braveheart.”  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.  “Ah, the Irish,” was the King’s comment having just observed a backside presentation by our hero’s army.  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.

 

So what did this bring on?  Well, the Scotch were another matter.  Apparently the Scotch were willing to do what they needed to do to satisfy the Brits.  And, because of this, many Scots were brought into Ireland to get the British wishes accomplished—mostly, I believe, in the growing of crops to send to Great Britain.  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. 

 

So, my heritage being known, I now wonder why I am called “White?”  It can’t be from the color of my skin, a somewhat taupe color that I grew up understanding was a flesh tone.  I am really no more a white colored person than virtually all of my African American friends are black colored.  If not white, then, how should I think of myself?  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.”  Yes, I suppose I could, but why not go the route of our African Americans and call people like me a European American? 

 

Or, again following our African descended friends’ lead, how about Euro-American?  Euro-American me?  Sure, why not?  We then might say we have Afro-Americans, Euro-Americans and (why not) Asian-Americans on our block, or so I believe.  Austra-Americans are also a possibility.  No Antarc-Americans, though.  There just never has been much of a human population at all on that last continent.  And, as for that South American complement, well they and we will just have to share.  Euro-American North (or South) is just a bit too much!

 

Ancestry dot who?  Well, today, let’s just concentrate on Euro-American me—something grandson will hear about sometime soon, believe me.

 

And, as my “Editor-in-Chief” friend always opines to his followers:

         Thank you, dear readers, for reading!  (Close enough, John?)

                                    Thanks, again!

Return from MB-2

A return from another time--Jan 3, 2020, "Morningbrain--"Deux..."

 

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.

 

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,)

 

First up is that business of those end days, starting with my dad.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Just one more thing to thank him for, the next time I see him.

 

There. Morningbrain struck, and morningbrain did its job.

 

Thanks, mb.

Hank Who?

 

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.

 

You see, we oldsters often think everyone thinks like we do—something that just is not the case.  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.  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.”  Or, words to that effect.

 

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!) 

 

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. 

 

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.  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.  My parents probably thought of Bing Crosby, or those Dorsey Brothers, and as for my Grandparents’ thinking, well, honestly, I have absolutely no idea.  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.

 

Strange.  Strange, but true!

 

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?  No earthly idea!

 

How about that!

RE: Covid-19 immunizations

 

I have a problem—suspect you might have a problem too.  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. 

 

Now, I don’t know about you, but this is highly frustrating.  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.  Who can find out what is going on here?  Can I contact a legislator and get any information?

 

I sent my request via the Aiken Regional Medical Center’s site.  I filled out documentation on a “VAMS” something or another.  I have a notation indicating something has been received.  I have no knowledge of what my efforts have resulted in vis-à-vis my request and the opportunity to receive a vaccination.

 

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.

 

Hopefully, somebody knows something.

 

I DON’T!

 

And that is, at the very least, frustrating.

Trumpian environmental probems

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.

"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.

"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.

"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.' "

For more info, go to the recent Scientific American article by Adam Aton, E&E News, January 6, 2021. 

Just a little something

Take a look!

 https://www.facebook.com/steve.geddes.792/posts/3674704212623129?__cft__[0]=AZWmHo1j_XewMdSqRYlOQy4fvxQZFz0uTkvisfyWw_c-mqDiqQMUcPsiLm9vVwSLtFYZWWkAmoatUUzp06JW_-8_nTFQpU3EFw2lm8SZROrR7A&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Morningbrain...Deux

Once upon a time, there was a second Morningbrain.  It was Morningbrain...Deux.  Somewhere along the line, though, I returned to the original Morningbrain, where we are now, and left behind ...Deux, for reasons that are not particularly relevant.  Still, there is some rather interesting information in "...Deux,"  and some may find information there that may be just what they may need for one reason or another.  So, dear reader, I may suggest you take a look: "https://stephenvgeddes2.blogspot.com/2019/04/ " and enjoy. 

I do believe MB2 may be just what I might need from time to time, though.  Will give the matter some thought and see what differentiation might be useful.  Will pass this on, and will probably define what is there, and what is here, in the near future.  Thanks to all.

New Year? Any new readers out there? 😊

New readers?  Why would anyone need that?  Well, I guess I could ask for a few suggestions.  Tell me what might sell, if you would.  Do you suppose the price I’ve been requiring of my readership is just a bit too high?  Well, now, if I were to reduce that price, temporarily, in any case, I guess I’d have to ask all my readers to first tell me where to send the check—that’s about the only way I can drop the current price to my readers, right?  When you start out charging nothing, the only way to improve on that (for the reader, that is,) would be to provide a payment to anyone who might take the time to read your offering. Well, that sounds like a good idea to me!  So, after you finish reading, drop me a line in support and tell me what you think!

 

Other than that opportunity to pay a bit to my readers, and my need to know where to send my payments, I do have a few other requests you can help me with.  My main needs, needs you can supply by providing valuable information to me, are:

 

          1)  Topics to write about.

          2)  Preferred information sources. 

          3)  Ways to increase readership.

          4)  Suggestions on publication frequency.  (And)

          5)  Anything else?

 

And that, dear reader, just about does it.  Would you please attach your thoughts below, as comments for my consideration?  I would sure appreciate whatever you think might improve this blog. 

 

And, in addition to those comments, as your contribution to the continuance of this blog, please send your mailing address, and your supporter check for $10 (didn’t think reading this should be absolutely without cost, did you?)  And know, my dollar to you, dear reader, as payment for your readership, will be in the mail as soon as my staff might be able to manage it—no later than 3 weeks from the date of our receipt of your check. 

 

And thanks!  We writers need all the support we can get!

 

(Heh, heh, he!)

 

{;-}