All of us are sick to death of “sheltering in place” and having our lives disrupted by COVID-19. My situation is not that difficult (my fixed income keeps coming and I don’t have children to home school or worries about whether I can pay my bills). Most of the population is under far more stress than a couple of retired people living in the mountains. Still, I wish it would be over. As I see states rushing to reopen the economy and people protesting having to wear masks or stay away from … [Read more...]
CANARY IN THE COAL MINE
CANARY IN THE COAL MINE Definition: Something or someone who, due to sensitivity to his, her, or its surroundings, acts as an indicator and early warning of possible adverse conditions or danger. Refers to the former practice of taking caged canaries into coal mines. OR, in the current situation, someone who is willing and able to put themselves out there in the pandemic to see if it gets worse. I understand the urge people have to get back to their jobs and normal lives. If you have not been … [Read more...]
21ST CENTURY DINNER PARTY
21ST CENTURY DINNER PARTY. Dreaming in the days of COVID-19 So, we’ve been “social distancing” for a while: avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people (some places more than 2 people), hard surfaces, people with sniffles…I am really starting to wish I could have some friends come for dinner when this is all over (if it is ever all over). Nothing too complicated; just a nice main dish (maybe a roast?), some potatoes or pasta, salad, a nice bottle of wine and the most decadent dessert I can come … [Read more...]
OK, BOOMER
Definition: Pejorative Expressing contempt or disapproval. Since when did “Boomer” become a pejorative? Lately the phrase “OK, Boomer” is dropped with a smirk and accompanying eye roll. It seems to lump all 75 million of us into one big category that looks a lot like a Trump rally in Kansas. The phrase defines all of us as narrow-minded, outdated, negatively judgmental, and condescending. OK, I must admit that the planet is in kind of crappy shape from a lot of the empire building choices we … [Read more...]
MY INNER CRITIC
We all have one, that voice in our heads that questions our choices, criticizes our actions, and constantly reminds us that we need to “stay in our lane.” Sometimes it is the whispiest of whispers and sometimes the shouting reverberates through our being. “WTF were you thinking, you moron?” But, for me at least, it is always there waiting to intrude even if it is silenced for the moment. On the very best of days, when someone has admired my shoes, or given me a compliment, or I’ve won the Big … [Read more...]
New Year, Ides of March, St. Patrick’s Day
This was meant to be a New Year posting, but somehow the year got away from me, so it is a combination New Year, Ides of March, St. Patrick’s Day post. One of the items that was going to be in my New Year post was my intention to post to Fourthscore every week. Well, we are 20% through the new year (75 of 366 days) and this is my first post. I will try to be better going forward. Seventy-five days has put a very different spin on the year, so far. Our presidential candidates look different, … [Read more...]
PINBALL PARADIGM
I’ve been told that some people know from early childhood what they want to “be, when they grow up,” and that they steadfastly follow that path into adulthood. I even know people who make plans months and even years in advance for trips, purchases, education, family, and retirement. It never fails to amaze me when their plans come to fruition. In my case I think of life as being more a game of chance, even with my best intentions. Take marriage for example. As a child it never entered my … [Read more...]
IS “CRAZY” CONTAGIOUS?
IS “CRAZY” CONTAGIOUS? One of the non-Trump related news stories this month is the measles outbreaks occurring in states/areas that allow parents to opt out of having their children immunized for preventable childhood diseases. I guess the thinking is that, if everyone else immunizes I don’t need to. There seems to be a flaw in the reasoning, since the outbreaks continue. Most diseases are spread from person to person by a variety of means. They are hard to avoid, and we are dependent on our … [Read more...]
THE REAL REASON FOR MY BLOG
Ok, all y’all, now comes my confession regarding the REAL reason for me starting a blog. When I was about four years old I told my mom I wanted to write books when I grew up. Her very prosaic 1950’s response was “better you should learn to type.” Well, I did learn to type, and to organize things, and to get along with people, and, as a result I had a very successful career where I did all of those things on a daily basis. What I didn’t do was write. I thought about writing, I took classes … [Read more...]
WHAT DO JAPANESE BORO AND SCOTTISH HAGGIS HAVE IN COMMON?
WHAT DO JAPANESE BORO AND SCOTTISH HAGGIS HAVE IN COMMON? Right off the bat it would appear that the Japanese tradition of patching together worn out clothing (Boro: ragged) would have nothing in common with the vilified Scottish delicacy called Haggis (sheep’s stomach stuffed with bits and bobs of sheep, oatmeal, onions, etc. and boiled to a savory pudding). However, I maintain that both traditions, as well as patchwork quilts, crocheted granny squares, chitterlings, sausages, scrapple, and … [Read more...]
