Aiken Regal Theatre, American Red Cross, GREAT!

 Just received a mailing from "The Blood Connection"  in Aiken for "Dinner and a Movie!"  GRRREAT!  I usually give blood about once each year.  My yearly time has come around, and I see our local theatre has opted to help out with donations!  WELL, no problem, for sure.  Will drop by the very next ARC blood drive and give!  Would give without the promotion, of course, but, in this case, I say FINE!!!  Thanks Regal Theatre, and thanks American Red Cross for your continued good service to our community!  PostScript: SORRY FOLKS, MADE A MISTAKE HERE.  PLEASE SEE COMMENTS.  SVG  Would have just deleted but I think there is an issue or two here that should be thought about by everyone. Thanks for reading, in any case!

Whoopi, for You

Watching today's "The View," I'm remembering the first time I saw Whoopi Goldberg on screen.  It was when I was in school, at Ga. Tech, and when my date and I decided to go to one of the closest movie theaters to my school.  It was a well advertized movie, and it was the first time, I think, anyone might have seen Whoopi,  And, what was said is the only thing I remember about that movie:  One of the "stars" was leaning over little girl Whoopi and the line she said was, "Girl, you is uggggly...!!!"  

The movie was titled "The Color Purple."  And that line is the only thing I remember from it.  That and the fact that the line waiting to get into the Fox Theatre was quite long, the weather was quite cool, and the only thing about the other people in the line was their complections, which (other than, perhaps, those of maybe two other couples) were definitely not like mine!

Quite a movie!  And Whoopie is still with us!  Just as ugly as she was then (which was no more a truth then than it is now!  Whoopie was, and still is, Great!)

Cruise missiles to Ukraine

 Ukraine needs to be able to retaliate.  A cruise missile to the Kremlin would do it--NON-Nuclear, though!

OWN A DOG? Read this!

 https://www.facebook.com/steve.geddes.792/posts/pfbid0Qp2jJKLujNkPUHUWfdabnH6tFx8LaqkHia6GPEWmdSQS3zx6DFBZczXVR5b2DSjHl

I've used them before, but this Seresto Sux!

As do, in this instance, WALMART, and BAYER.  Sorry, guys, but your ad, on the can-at that, was incorrect.  8 months?  Not even 5!

Just "Walkin'"

Well, I started out to make a post and then decided to add onto it, and this GD program deleded everything.  Shi--y program!

Let me try again!

My initial post, which this damn program deleted, spoke of the song "Just walkin' in the rain" and elucidated just a bit,  I guess what I need to do is prepare my entry separately, then add it here. And instead of adding anythng later, I will rewirte, then repost.  Damn program!

Oh, well, here goes again:

"Just walkin' in the rain, Gettin' soakin' wet, Hopin' things would change, Just-a tryin' to forget" is the first line of an old song, a very good old song, that I remember from way back, say in the fifties of our last century in my book, or so I think, and it's well worth anyone taking a look.  Pretty sure it can be found with a google search.  No matter, though, the reason for even bringing it up is I tried, unsuccessfully, to get my dog Stela to go out back this morning to do what we all usually need to do on first getting up.  Well that is, of course, what most of us need to do.  But would she do what I was suggesting to do?  NO!  Oh well, after about a half hour of suggesting to her that she would be more comfortable after going out back, and noticing that the rain had let up considerably, I put on my jacket and got the leash.  This was something she obviously wanted me to do.

Soon we were doing our thing on our city streets adjacent to our house.  And, the needed squat was made, and shortly tereafter, a well needed daily discharge was also made.  As I collected that very fertile item from a neighbor's yard, I thought about what the problem might have been.  Maybe my trusty accomplice was thinking a bit beyond my thoughts.  Maybe she was thinking, "What if I were to want to chase a squirrel in our back yard and on so doing were to step into "THAT?"

Well, dear dog, perhaps if that was what your thinking was, perhaps waiting till we were taking our walk was a very good idea!

 

Sweet Violets

Today, around noonish, I took my trusty doggie on one of our usual walks around the neighborhood. She is one to look around as we walk and while approaching Azalea Place, she walked in a ditch at the side of the road and as I watched I saw a beautiful little flower! Which brought on an old tune which I hadn't even thought about--much less sung--in a long, long time--but today? That's just what I did! See if you remember the tune: The words of the song are below! Love it! . . There once was a farmer who took a young miss, In back of his barn where he gave her a lecture On chickens and horses and eggs, And told her that she had such beautiful manners That suited a girl of her charms, A girl he could take in his washing and ironing And then if she did, they could get married and raise lots of: . . Sweet vi-o-lets! Sweeter than all the roses! Covered all over from head to toe, Covered all over with Sweet vi-o-lets...! . . Think I'll have to tune up the old guitar and see about making another entry in my singing section (https://www.youtube.com/@StephenVGeddes). Such a neat old tune!

Just to decide?

I have several possibilities for type settings:  this is "Normal."

This, on the other hand, is "Medium."

And this, is "Large."

OK:  WHICH TO USE?

Will have to look at the post!

And then will select!

Washington Week

Watching "Washington Week" this morning, I'm seeing a long conversation about "Trumpism." Well, I guess there are still quite a few people out there who think he was a pretty good president. And, there are still quite a few who think he wasn't--which is where I stand. While there are quite a few things that he did that I would agree with, there are quite a few things about him and what he did or didn't do, as well as quite a few things about what and who he is that I find unpresidential, to say the least. Why people "like" him is not something I need to consider. He is not very likable as a person or as a leader, not to me anyway. I think the best thing for him (and for America) would be for him to return to Maralago and do his thing there, whatever that might be. The truth is, anything he might do or say today has no relevance to me anymore than anything any street bum (well, any rich street bum, anyway) might say or do. He needs to go away and stay away. Period.

Take a look!!! This is fantastic!!!

https://www.facebook.com/ellen.geddes.7/posts/pfbid02JUwgtziybvVn444sVt8D5rncHbAvZUREofGaCk7AS778KWRAMf7teCXwJDvmRfkAl >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you have followed my suggestion, I'm sure you will agree, Cousin Ellen (ET, that is) is one fantastic athlete!  Lovin' it!!!😁  (Don't know if you can click on this and go to it or not--if not, try copying it to your google top and look at it.  You will love it!)

Blog? Who, ME? well....

 I have a friend, well, I guess a "relative in law" might be an appropriate moniker for my friend, Linda, and she writes letters all the time that are, in my opinion on the order of many of these "Web Logs" that you can find and read anytime you want.  

So, if you know me you will understand why I suggested she take up blogging, but "she don't think so!"  The following is just a small example of why I made my suggestion.  Read it and think about it, and maybe, just maybe it may apply to you, too:

    Steve – thanks for the kind words and I don’t think I would be a good blogger!  I’m sure you can come up with another “work of art!”  Read some of your blog and can totally relate – not from having Alzheimer’s but from being around those who do!  Praying that you are on medication to help slow down the progression.  Hazel was on a couple which did help her and my “pea brain” does not remember the names; but it’s been 13 years since she moved to her eternal home!  So, I’m very sure that there are newer/better options now.  Lots of prayers for all of you …

 

Ric left early this morning for Ocean Isle to watch 2 of the grandsons play travel baseball; and I’ve managed to finish reading a book; clean-up the kitchen and do some laundry!  None of the “stuff” I had been thinking of doing yesterday, day!  BUT, I did find a set of keys which had been MIA for a couple of days now, to that’s a positive too!  He did go out to play 9-holes with a friend of his the other day in the afternoon  -- he has not played 18 for a very long time.  His right foot has healed up very nicely after the big toe and a good portion of the bone had to be removed because it was infected – and I think that because of him having dealt with neuropathy for YEARS he was not as “challenged” as others with balance.

 

Staying home for Church is not always a bad thing … and it is definitely better than doing nothing!  Pine Valley UMC’s website is @ https://pvumc.net/watch and the Pastors there are all very nice.  I also have started listening to Pastor Barry’s Prayer Time on Fridays …

 

Now, I’ve got to go get at least one thing on the VERY long list behind me!  Just trying to figure out “which thing” will be time-consuming too -- hahaha

And a great big "thank you" to you, Linda!  Sometime you simply "make my day!"

Alzheimers reigns--but...

Sometime my thinking takes me to a place where I would like to go, but haven't.  In any case, that's my thinking today about an email I sent to one of my children.  No real problems here, just an idea I had that I think is worth a post, if you know what I mean.  So, here 'tis!  Guess I could begin with a "Dear Family?"  

"Your mother mentioned the conversation you two had this evening and she is more than just a little interested in following up on this, maybe to make a killing here that would bring in a bit of the big bucks we all would like to see come to our families.  

    "I, too, would like to see something come from your conversation, which was something more than just a little worthwhile.  My problem is my condition does not allow for remembering much of what she told me about your conversation.  At present, though, I am able to do a bit of analytical thinking and am also able to make suggestions and write ups, proposals, e.g., that we might be able to use. I will need to be told exactly what is wanted from me, though.

    "You will have to lead the effort if there is to be an effort.  I am not able.  Neither is your mother, or so I think, but I could be wrong here.  I hope I am wrong, but sometime I wonder if it is just me or if both of us have problems with our thinking equipment.  I don't know, you will have to decide.  Investigate all you can, discuss more with your mother and me, and your siblings, and let me know what you think."

That's it.   So far, no response, or so I think.  Could be I did get a response but it was over the phone and, again, that memory of mine is just not all that good.  Sorry, dear reader.  Any thoughts?  I would appreciate any help anyone might be able to provide.  Alzheimers reigns, I'm afraid.  Wish it were not the case but, but I guess I'll have to live with what I have and you can read what I continue to generate or not, it's all up to you (if you have the time and patience, perhaps, to put up with what I am able to generate.)  We'll see, is all I can say.  

How about that.  Wonder if I might be able to use my diagnosis to the benefit of all of us?  Could be something you might consider--Alzheimers is something, after all, that should be a concern to all who just might be getting a bit older these days.  Think about it....

Thoughts while Walking Stela

 While walking with Stela this morning, I began thinking about what I might write as a post.  The reason for this is invariably while we walk I come up with one thing or another that I would like to pass on to whomever.  Only problem is, when this happens I don't have any way of doing so.  

So...what do you think my solution to my problem might be?  Well, unless you are really omniscient (and if that's not a word, guess I need a better way to write my thoughts), a way that suggests corrections--something I'll look for.  

In any case, that solution is a little thing sitting on my dresser that I've been ignoring way too long.  Would you believe a small voice recorder?  Well, that's it.  All I need to do is turn it on, place it in my pocket, and begin my walk.  Pretty simple, right?

Right.  

Now to give it a try.  If only I can remember how to use the dang thing!

Alzheimer's on your plate?

 As someone who has been given the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, I am, of course, more than just a little interested in items that may point at a way out of this mentally crippling disease.  One item follows (Where the article, and more, of course, may be found is at the address at the top.)  Anyone having any concern about this disease should find it just a bit interesting.  

from:

Alzheimer's Prevention Registry <info@endalznow.org>

Share Tweet Forward Dear readers, Although we don’t know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease, we do know that specific genes come with an elevated risk — and in some cases, these genes define whether a person will get Alzheimer’s.  The early onset markers — APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2 — carry the highest risk. But this week we learned about a woman from Columbia, carrying PSEN2. This gene should have almost guaranteed her fate... but she defied the odds. As Being Patient reports, Aliria Rosa Piedrahita de Villegas, despite carrying PSEN2, lived into her 70’s, when she died of cancer, leaving scientists with a very important mystery to solve: PSEN2 is an early onset marker linked to a high likelihood of Alzheimer’s at a very young age, 40’s and 50’s. Scientists were astounded that she didn’t get Alzheimer’s. An autopsy even confirmed she did indeed have the presence of beta-amyloid plaque in her brain. But they did find something else: a genetic mutation that could have counteracted the risk of PSEN2.  As the daughter of a geneticist, I find this particular aspect of research fascinating. There are several biotech firms looking for ways to re-engineer our genes in order to make risky genes act more like those that offer us additional protection. As genetic testing becomes more common and accessible, this field of research is getting more attention. Few things are certain when it comes to Alzheimer’s. but genetic research could unlock a new world of answers. With hope, Deborah Just a little something you might want to sign in for if Alzheimers is something you are a bit interested in knowing more about.           Thanks---Steve

Fencing? Fencing? who likes Fencing?

 Here's just a little (Hah!) something that deserves just a bit of publicity!   Like sports?  Well, if you do, here is one post you should enjoy!  Just copy and do a search and you will be there.

https://www.facebook.com/pandrews3/posts/pfbid02JdZ5JN83X5eXYQRhdagC5F7aHS6BberWpqrQUDZGUqXf5pcvogp7W25uKTDVV4JPl

GO COUSIN ELLEN!!!

( With all our love!  Steve & Jennie )

Trees, Birds, and Feeders!

 Well, this is interesting.  Usually when I would write, I would do so on a word document.  HOWEVER, it seems my word does not exactly work. Seems this "new" computer came with a limited version of the da** word thing, so, will try this "note pad" and then see if it transfers to my Blogger satisfactorily.  If it does, Microsoft can take their "Word" and stick it where the sun don't shine!

Sitting on my couch, looking out my livingroom window, I see three bird feeders.  One is where I place grain feeds, and I get those birds that like that the most.  Next to that is the pine tree (which was fairly small, like 6" in diameter, when my family moved in, but now is about two feet in diameter at my eye height.)  A pretty good pine, I'd say, and it covers about a quarter of my front roof with its droppings, adding to the insulation we have in our attic.  Pretty good.  I suspect if I had about 6 more like it spaced properly around my house, I just might have a much cooler attic in the summer, and a much warmer one in the winter.  And my shingles might last a lot longer for the pine's assistance.  No biggie, though.  What I do have on that pine is a suet dispenser (on its nearest side) that brings in woodpeckers like crazy (which I like to watch!) And finally, hanging under my front roof's overhang, is a hummingbird feeder, a feeder which is usually surrounded by the little things awaiting their turn to take a sip.  None today, though, until just now.  One did drop by, I'm guessing an out of town visitor on its way South, which, I think is where those who counted on getting their daily nourishment drinks or quite a few, that is, through the course of the day, and which used to be virtually lined up for their chance.  None, though, other than that one, for the last couple of days.  Guess the locals all began their annual trip South.

That being the case, will see them again in about 6 months.  Hope they all find safe passage with the larger birds across our Gulf of Mexico!

And that one that dropped by didn't stay long.

Hope he makes it too!

Who, Me? A singer?

😇  Well, that's about it!  I didn't really think about it much, but looking at my youtube activities, I wonder who might find any of my work there useful.  Lady Antebellum, perhaps?  I think some of what she might find might be attractive--perhaps the best might be "Our National Song," but "Shark Teethers",  https://www.youtube.com/c/StephenVGeddes ,  has a bit of something about it that some might like too!

Well, anyway, that's about it!  Have a good day, all of you!

Oh, God-Help us all!

 What has happened, America?

Once upon a time I heard a quote from I do not even know who (or whom?):  "Send us your poor, your downtrodden, your heavy laden...etc,?"  

Who said this, and why, and when?  And when did our America cease to be anything like it once was?

What has happened, America?  Where did we go wrong?  Is there no comfort for those who need help, for those who have nothing, for those who are seeking something, anything, any single something that might allow them to pursue that one-time American dream?  

Today, this morning watching "GMA3, What you NEED to KNOW" on my local ABC channel 6-1WJBF Augusta, I am seeing people, real people wading across our border river with Mexico,  hoping to share in this one-time American dream, hoping against hope that the dream may still be alive.

Well, when the border patrol shows up, it is pretty much a done deal.  The American dream is, today, a pipe dream.  We no longer are a welcoming people.  We are. if anything, just the opposite,

The question I have is: "Is there anything that can be done for these very real and very needy people?"  Real people, at that, people just like you and me and our own children?

What can our America do for these poor, desperate people that come to us for whatever help we might be able to give. help that we are, obviously, denying?

Is this our America?  Where else can they go.  Where else can those of us who would hope the first sentence in this sad tale were still something to be hoped for, something that should be making us hate our own country for what we have, obviously, become?

Where can any of us go today?

Alzheimers a problem?

Plan, plan--who, me?

Ok, so I have this problem.  Doc says it's Alzheimers, and, having read just a bit (well, everything I could find on the subject), I totally agree with the Doc,  That's just what it is.  So, on sitting around for a number of months, getting little done (darn near nothing,) I am going to try to do just a bit to change all this.  Question is:  What to do?  And, how to do it? 

What to do is pretty simple.  I need to develop a plan for the rest of my life, regardless of how much, or how little time that may be.  That's what this is all about, and my hopes are that I will benefit and also that others who find themselves in my situation might benefit too.  So--where to go from here?  (Pretty obvious, right?  How about that part two, "how to do it?")  Much easier to ask the question than to come up with the answer here.

OK, so here goes.

    How about a list:

1)  The first thing is that list.  Start with "1" and continue (so, there is my "1.")

2)  Now for the questions:  Where am I today?  Well, with Alzheimers, I'm a bit bewildered.  This is something I would like to do, but can I?  (Assume "yes.") (May need quite a few "assumptions" here.)

3)  Of course, as we say, the Devil's in the details.  Devil time, I'd say!

4)  List continues with, well. what do I do now?  (I really don't know.)

Maybe this is what Alzheiners is all about.  Memory is gone.  If not gone, it is highly attenuated to the point of having difficulties doing what we really want to do.  Like writing a list, for instance.  If you don't believe me now, go back to the beginning of this short article and reread it.  Go ahead--do it now!

Charlie Brown said it best:  Good grief!

Any questions?

Comments?

  

VietNam remembrance

 A little something I sent to the newspaper, our AikenStandard.  Published May 10.  Thought I'd like to have it here, too.

Dear AikenStandard: 

 

Thank you for your article on the moving of the Vietnam war memorial that used to be in front of our police department and our main post office.  It was appropriately placed there at the time it was created, and now is, again, in an even more appropriate place for all to see and, for some, to understand.  TET of 1968 (TET being a local important holiday in Vietnam) was a difficult time for troops in Vietnam.  It was a time when North Vietnam’s leader, “Uncle Ho,” really “Ho Chi Minh”, decided to show us he could hit us anytime and anywhere he wished.  He decided to do it, and his troops, mostly part-timers from the civilians in the area who supported his hopes for their country, did it.  Those who were at one of our largest American bases, Tan Son Nhut, a facility collocated with the Saigon airport, along with most, if not all (I just don’t know) bases with American troops, were provided with a sample of what “Uncle Ho” wished us to see.  I was there as was, I believe, Kenny Lail, a friend and Aiken HS Graduate from my class who also was assigned to service in VietNam at the time. 

 

Twenty-six defenders of this base had the opportunity to return home a bit before their year was up.  They returned, as did many others, each in one of those aluminum containers provided for each and every one of those 29,000, +/- Americans who were killed in that war.  Many who were able to see the flatbed trucks taking their loads to the cargo planes designated to return these troops to their homeland gave them their last “in country” salute.  Not something they wanted, for sure, but the only thing “we the living” (thanks, Ayn Rand) were able to do for them at that time.  And, yes, I was able to give my salute to them as I walked to my duty assignment after that incident.  A few months later, I was able to join them with my return home, without that aluminum covering, though.  Glad I was able to return in the preferred manner, as were my parents, relatives, and friends.  This was the end of my full-time military duty.  I mustered out at a facility near, I think, San Francisco, or possibly Los Angeles, where the Tech-Sergeant who completed the necessary paperwork advised me to leave by a back gate, there being a crowd of protesters at the main gate.  I did as he said, and, afterward, wished I hadn’t.  I wish I had passed by those protesters, with or without the spit that was, seemingly, their thing for Americans who had been tasked with the assignment I, an Airman First Class, had been tasked with.  Oh, well, that’s just the way things were in those 1968 days.

 

Glad to be home today.  Thanks, again, for the memories, AikenStandard.  And thanks to all who created and finalized this remembrance to those of our military, some of whom preceded me in my return, one of whom was a personal friend of my daughter.

 

And, I, of course, do appreciate the monument that we have to those we lost in that war.  They were good people, doing a thankless job.  They deserve the monument, even if many of the rest of us do not deserve one single thing for what we did, or were doing, at the time.  And, as for those spitters, I, personally, would be happy to return the favor to one and all of them.  They, not we, our country’s military assignees to the war, they are the ones who should have been spit on, by damn near every other proud American.  We might have been wrong to have supported some of the VietNamese who were running their country at the time, but our military personnel were not to blame for that—not one bit!

 

Stephen Vaughn Geddes

A1C, at the time, SMSGT, Ret’d, SC Air National Guard

Aiken

WJBF--WHY?

 Watching my channel 6 (WJBF- Augusta, in my viewing area) this morning, I find when they go to their commercial blah blah's, they, the station controllers, often (?) increase their volume transmission.  Guess what, stupes?  I set my volume to where I want it.  Tell your commercial people what they do by increasing your volume is me changing my volume from whatever you might be sending to "OFF!"  And, everyone I know will read this and maybe emulate this TV user by doing the same.  If that is what your commercial payers want, that is what they will get--from more and more of us users.  Like it?  Try it!

It's a dog's life

 

Nighttime is a time to remember things.  Tonight I’m remembering things like those oversized chairs they had in the movie theater in Orangeburg when I was growing up there.  John Quincy Duke chairs, (or John Henry Duke chairs, not really sure here,) after a pretty large man who could go to the movies and have a seat that would fit him.  At least that’s the way I remember it.  Could be that middle name and the death of a beloved dog of a friend of mine who lives a couple of streets away and who writes very well for our paper, among other things, brought back a memory from my youth—the memory of that chair in the movie theatre in Orangeburg.  And why, pray tell, is that?  I haven't the slightest!

Her best friend, perhaps, she called “Q” for Quincy.  He left us so suddenly—I remember hearing him bark at Stella and me as we were taking our walk a couple of days ago.  I, too, am sorry to see him go.  His leaving reminded me of our sweet dog Tobi—or TobiJuan, you see!  I remember how we loved TobiJuan and sometimes would call him by his full name, TobiJuan Kenobi (Geddes.)  I wonder how many people today would recognize that name—part of it, anyway!  Tobi left unexpectedly one day a little over two years ago.  It took us a year to even consider replacing him with another, and then darling daughter Lara brought Stella by and suddenly we were no longer dogless.  Strange how things happen sometimes, and how that change changes much in our lives.  While we did so miss Tobi, we are so very happy to have Stella.  Sorry about Q, though.  Sorry for our friend, too.  So very sorry!

Shark Tank proposal? Sure!

 OK, so here it is:  I'm lying in my bed watching ABC's "Shark Tank" program and giving myself a little laugh, thinking "sure, they probably might invite you to drop by, if they might like to give the show, and their viewers, a little laugh!"  Their guests bring their businesses to the "sharks" to see what they might offer them to get a percentage of their businesses.  

So I think, I am an author, and I am selling a bit over Amazon (my book,) so what do you think a piece of that "pie" might be worth to one of these entrepreneurs?  I mean, just getting on their show is bound to bring in a good bit of interest in the book, and, who knows, given a few million sales, the winning "shark" just might be interested in raking in (say what?) a dollar a book, perhaps?  Well, that would be some pretty easy money for whomever won the prize of the night to participate in your book sale!

No doubt about it, I just might have to send them a proposal.

And why not?  I could end up with a TV appearance, and a pocket full of money to boot after a million or so of the viewers decide they just could not pass up the opportunity to read about the life of this little South Carolina boy!  All I need to do now is think about this a bit and develop a really great proposal to send to the folks at "Shark Tank!"

It's on every Saturday night, on ABC, and you really need to watch to join in on the fun!

And a big "Thank you" to all of you who can afford the eleven bucks for the book!

"Thank You!!!"

We, wee, oui, perhaps?

 

Which “we-“ isit ?

Dog and I went for our usual walk this morning, and all was well.  All is usually well on our walks, and generally the only thing that is needed is taken care of by one or the other of us rather simply.  You see, the main thing we need to do is generally done with a brief pause by the side of the road.  Or, really what I should have said is, a wee pause by the side of the road?  

This, though, is a bit ill-defined in that a wee pause, or a wee break can mean one of a couple of things.  The main question is “is that wee a noun, or an adjective?”  In one case a bit of material is left for the grass to enjoy.  In the other case there is just a slight pause and nothing else need be considered.  So, as one’s English teacher might say, which is it:  a noun or an adjective?  What is the difference here?

Well, it is something that is not particularly difficult, you see. And in knowing which “wee” we are talking about is just a bit necessary, in any case. 

One thing’s for sure:  We all wee just a wee bit too—right? 

Take that to your English teacher.  I don't suspect Ms. Carr is still with us, but if she were, I know she would appreciate this!

(😊)

Emigrants a problem?

Maybe we should look at a group of people who would like to join us in the United States.  This was written in our initial Morningbrain blog, and may be accessed through the following:

https://stephenvgeddes.blogspot.com/2021/03/emigrants-in-texas.html

Worth another look I'd say.  

Mother's day!

 

Well—it is coming, once again, and when it gets here, I will be ready!   What’s that you say?  Well, plain and simple, it’s MOTHER’S DAY!!!  And, as I say, whether mom is or isn’t ready is not the question, DAD will be!

Kids or no kids, there will be a Mother’s day breakfast, and it will be the usual, the usual best breakfast in the world!  (What else should a dad make?)  The kids have their own kids and each of them has a Mothers day to celebrate whether or not they make it over to ‘ole mom or not is not an issue.  ‘Ole dad to the rescue.  You see, there is only so much to be done in such a case, and dad likes his mother’s day breakfasts too! 

Bacon and eggs are the treat of the day, with (of course) some blueberry muffins, all served with butter and jelly to tempt even the dieting (that’s right, I said “dieting”) sweetheart and bring forth an appetite that, while suppressed from time to time, just can’t avoid the temptation entirely. 

Mom will have her mother’s day breakfast come Hell or High Water, and that’s a fact!

If you don’t believe me, just ask around on Monday.  Not on Sunday, though.  After breakfast, whatever is on Mom’s plate is whatever she may want! 

Believe you me!

PeeeeeResident TeeeeeRump

 

Peee-Resident Teeeee-Rump!  Whatta guy! 

Why, pray tell, did anyone think this guy would make a good president?  Did they not take a look at what he was before he decided to take on the leadership of a nation?  Everything he had before was a reflection of himself—i.e., it was He that was important, not what he was involved in.  Why was this?  Well it’s the defining trait of the meologist, which is what TeeeeRump is—one of the biggest, most definitive meologists of all time. 

To Donald TeeeeRump it’s all about himself.  Whatever he ever has done, it was just to magnify his magnificent majesty TeeeeRump!  Nothing else really mattered.  It was always all about him. 

He really stepped in it when the won the Presidency, though.  While everything was still all about him, in his mind if in no one else’s, there were other concerns that his co-conspirators were interested in which, as you see, sometime did not shine all the light on Herr TeeeeRump at all!  Which did not work for TeeeeRump, of course, but, again, he was the only one concerned with his lack of being Mr. Number One if nothing else. 

Would this be a problem for most people?  Of course not.  We all know everyone has their own place in the world and everyone deserves whatever good they might garner in whatever role they might be placed.  But one thing most people do not expect is to be “number one” in all things at all times.  And, this does not bother them in the least.  But Donald TeeeeeeRump?  Well, that just would not work for him.  And even though he won the Presidency with fewer actual votes than the number two runner had, did that cause TeeeeeRump a problem?  Of course not.  HE WAS IT, and that was that.

God only knows how America got through four years of this guy.  Some thought he was great.  Some thought he was a great big something (an a-hole, maybe), but something other than what he was supposed to be—this nation’s leader. 

In any case, we all must Thank God that he is PeeeResident no more! 

Thank God!

“Whew!!”

Putin...Pootin's more like it!

 I call one "World Leader" "Pootin."  Why?  Because all he seems to be able to do well always, purely and simply, stinks.  He is Hitler redefined--I wonder if he was born on the day Hitler died.  'Twould make pretty good sense to me.  And what he is doing is exactly what Hitler would have done.  Militarily he is taking over a country that has raw materials that he wants for his own, and the only question other countries in the area should be asking is, "will we be next?"

In the mean time, this "World Leader" keeps fartin' around with one thing or another, and getting a lot of people killed.  Someone needs to assassinate someone.  Anyone have any ideas as to whom I am referring?  

Kill Putin!  Kill him soon, and return the world to whatever degree of normalcy it had!

Docs write--right?

And, if you haven’t had one written for you recently, I am, of course, talking about prescriptions.

This morning, 8:30, I saw my Doc about things—things like alzheimers, and things in general. One thing we both thought might be helpful was something to help with my memory problems. Soooo, away to his tablet he went writing a prescription for something he thought might just help. (And I hope he is right here.) 

 We talked about where I usually picked up my prescriptions and I said most of the time that would be the pharmacy at Fort Gordon just outside of Augusta Georgia. So, with no further ado, he wrote out a couple of prescriptions for the pharmacy at the Fort. Which was OK, if I had an appointment there, in the near future, which was not the case. So, I phoned my doc’s office and discussed the possibility of his writing a prescription for one month’s meds to go to Walmart here in town, and another, if needed, to the pharmacy at the Fort. 

 At least that was what made the best sense to me. Unless, of course, the prescription costs were to be high. Something we did not discuss. I called back to my doc’s office and mentioned the possibility of making the prescription to Walmart. Which would make the most sense except for that cost thing. Which, for 30 days was about eight dollars. Fine—but for any additional of the same, I would rather pick up them at the fort. A price thing, of course, something my 26 years of service has already earned.

And, that is that!

Good noise perhaps

Good noise, well, perhaps

 

While watching one AM talk show, I noticed whenever they went to break, someone, be it someone at their show, or someone at the station I was watching, always turned up the volume.  Now you tell me—does that make good sense?  It doesn’t to me.  Good grief: what kind of people do those broadcasters hire?  Idiots, I’d say. 

 

Then again, maybe that’s a good thing.  I say that because when I hear it, I automatically hit the mute button.  Which is a good thing for me since what usually follows is some lawyer’s commercial, a commercial that I’ve already heard, it seems, hundreds of times, and I would be listening to them for several seconds before hitting the mute button anyway.  In either case, that mute button is my favorite button at that particular time. 

 

Having eliminated the noise of the commercials, I go to something else (anything else) till I think it’s time to return to my program.  Which is what I do, something I would recommend to anyone who might be reading this.  Noise at the end (it just happened again) or listen for the umpteenth time to some inane commercial message?  Maybe the elevated end time noise is a good thing after all!

 

What think ye? 

New Hitler

__cft__[0]=AZUZBi4NqGYffHSfw1bQYQNjEhprWfUjLODNby0WehsTRtMoiRVCg_ZD46bGU8fuUK4i8ukAeDTXhyh4uXWotugmS8wV3ZWkno42oMNS_Oyfj-RzV-H1xhazYA5FWB6xMg-UPJoy5Zgc3RUH78E_XnStvGFZxm_jtzPS2GmhTHRXrQ&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-y-R"> https://www.facebook.com/steve.geddes.792/posts/5058138737612996? Sent the following to Reuters, via their site: Dear Reuters: We should Block Russia from any and all advances on any front. "Putin" = "Hitler." If anyone can get away with killing this monster, there should be a monetary boost to his/her living expenses wherever he/she might be found! Also, if you would like a more local read on what is happening here, you should try: https://www.postandcourier.com/.../article_d74beb4c-b524... This man knows just a bit more than the average writer, including most who you might be currently publishing. Sincerely, Stephen V. Geddes, SMSgt, Ret’d, SCAirNationalGuard, participant in the ’68 TET offensive at Tahn Son Nhut AFB, VietNam, Sr. Environmental Manager/Scientist, Ret’d, States of SC and Ms(various municipalities) (https://www.facebook.com/steve.geddes.792)

Once served, bears repeating

Painkillers and other ‘problems?’ I have a problem (and,) my problem is pain. What do you suppose I should do about it? Well, the obvious answer, to me at least, is I should take my problem to my doctor and see what he might be able to do about it: And therein lies the rub: My doctor does not want to prescribe pain killers. So--why is this? It seems pain killers are now a popular issue of choice for our lawmakers. All of them (the lawmakers, not the pain killers) are jumping on this bandwagon lest they be seen as promoting the use of these addictive substances, mostly the oxycodons, or hydrocodons (each has various commercial names) and the problems (addiction, overdose, death) that may accompany their misuse. And, while our legislators’ injecting their (questionable) opinions, bills, and votes into this issue may make them seem responsive and give them an issue that may increase their popularity in some quarters, it does nothing for the person who may benefit from using the medications in question—the person in pain. Our legislators need to examine problems and issues that relate to the public. Our doctors need to deal with problems and issues that relate to the needs of each individual patient. While some time the twain will meet, when the legislators interject themselves between the doctors and their patients, they are making public decisions on issues that should be kept between two individuals—the doctor and his patient. Public solutions are not solutions that may be tailored to the needs of individuals, as the decisions of doctors for and with their patients must of necessity be tailored to each individual situation. If our legislators insist on inserting themselves between us and our doctors, I think we need to insert ourselves between our legislators and their jobs. Correcting my pain is not a public matter. My legislator needs to remove himself from interfering with my relationship with my doctor. My pain is not a public problem. Posted by Stephen V. Geddes

History repeats itself?

For some reason, I awoke this morning thinking about that phrase telling about how history repeats itself'  For some reason that seems to make more sense in today's world that it did when I first heard it in High School here in Aiken. quite a few years ago.  

And the main problem we might be able to recreate would be seen if we were to show our grandchildren the movie, The Sound of Music!   I'm pretty sure they would enjoy the picture--it was a real winner at the Oscars that year.  But there is one thing I expect I would hear at the end:  "Granddad, that was a great movie, but they got a few things wrong."  (My grandkids do watch the news occasionally!)  "In the first place, the big guy's name, the leader of the country in charge should have been 'Putin,' not 'Hitler!'  And, Granddad, in the second place, the hero's name was not as given, Von Trapp, it should have been 'Zelensky!'  And finally, Granddad, the country should have been 'Ukraine!'  (Everybody knows that, Granddad!!!)"

And now you know the end of the story (or why the title is what it is!)

Sleep--SLEEP!

 Just a little something--Like to sleep? Keep on reading.

Sleep—SLEEP!!

Morningbrain is a thing I continue to have more often than I would like. I can only wonder what it would be like to sleep through the night and awake refreshed. It seems this is not something that will be my lot, though

.

So, type I must, or simply lie in bed listening to those voices in my head bring up idea after idea about which to write. But do I write? No, not all that often. And when I do get up and give writing a try, often those oh-so-important ideas are found to have vanished. Good grief, Charlie Brown!

I wonder if there is some medical help that may be available here. I don’t really want to take anything, though. Alcohol was my crutch for many years—too many years—and it changed from a reliever to an addiction. Not something I would wish on anyone other than an occasional “worse enemy.”

If you have found yourself in a similar rut, two things I might recommend are melatonin and valerian root. Both come in tablet form and both seem to work, when I remember them. Melatonin comes in a soluble form, meant to be placed under the tongue, and may be just what I need. Unfortunately, the last time I bought a bottle of this, I thought I was buying the 5 mg. tablets I had used before. Not so lucky—got tablets, not the kind that would be usable under the tongue, though.

The valerian works fine if I take three or four tablets before going to bed. Don’t know if it comes in an under the tongue variety like the melatonin.

Guess another trip to Walmart is in order.

Don’t you just love Wally world?

Published this initially on my facebook page. Thought it was worth the repeat!

Putin's Ukraine?

 

While watching the reports of what Russia is doing to a neighboring country, I am remembering what other nations of the world did when Russia took over several Airfields and considerable property adjacent to same years ago.  The adjacent country was Ukraine.  Other countries did nothing.  Today other countries do accept Ukraine citizens while those who did not leave their country are being slaughtered by Putin’s Troops.  And the world is doing little to stop Putin—today’s Hitler.  What can we do?  I really don’t know.  But, I do know one thing—should Putin attack a NATO country things will go quite differently for him and his nation—and for the World, too!  What can be done?  Is there a Russian positioned properly to end this mess?  One who would (and can) kill Putin is what is needed to save Ukraine and, maybe, to save Russia and the World!  

Donald T(he)Rump!

 Well, I just heard and watched for the umpteenth time a political ad from our newest (and best? Or did I get that backwards?) EX-President calling for Georgians to throw out their current Governor in favor of someone our EX-President prefers.  You know what?  I really don't care who Georgia selects to be their governor in the next election.  I do know one thing, though--if I were a Georgian, I would no more listen to this defeated one term president about who to vote for than I would listen to some moron (as defined by his or her psychologist)  talking about the same thing.  

You do whatever you want.  Vote for Trump for President at our next election if you want--that's your right!  And vote for whomever you would like to have for your Governor, Georgia!  Your choice.  

NOT Donald Trump's choice, though!  He is where he deserves to be.  Maralago.  Let's all do whatever it takes to keep this demagogue there--OK?

Vote for whomever you wish.  Could be a Democrat would be better than your current Governor.  Could be you might want to vote for Donald Trump's choice.  Your call, Georgia!  Your call!

How do you spell "Hitler?"

 WELL, TODAY It's spelled "P" "U" "T" "I" "N!"

Memories, memories...

 

You’ve got yours and I’ve got mine and sometime, as they say, the twain may just bring us together!  While walking our dog (new dog, mind you, Tobi has taken to the sky), in any case, while walking Stella this morning, it occurred to me that memories are things I should be concentrating on.  The main problem with that, though, is the brain I’ve been given seems to be losing it.  Alzheimer’s anyone?  I think that may be the reason, but I’m not positive.  In any case, that’s my thinking on the subject (like that?) and I’m sticking with it. 

 

Alzheimer’s or no, memories are what they are.  Their usefulness is limited, though, if while writing something like this one keeps getting just a bit lost.  It is hard to write on any topic when you keep losing your train of thought.  What to do?  Well, I guess all anyone can do is continue to do what they think they were trying to do, which, for this topic, is pretty easily done. 

 

My thoughts gravitate to a time when I was playing with a small plastic jeep in my sandbox.  This would put me at about 5 years of age in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  We had been in Orangeburg for about a year at that point in time and the sandbox was my place of comfort (often) whenever I was playing alone.  A good thing, at the time, and a good place to start this work.  Someone, dad or mom, bought a box of small plastic soldiers to go along with my sandbox sorties, and that brought a new dimension to my time there.  It would have helped if the soldiers had come in more than one color (olive drab was fine,) but, come on, the soldiers on both sides of the demarcation line all looked the same. 

 

In any case, having provided a few sand hills for cover, the soldiers on one side would always be on the attack and those on the other side would be on defense.  My side, it seems, was always on the attack, and those soldiers on the other side just had no chance when the pecans (did I say my sandbox was beneath a pecan tree--well, that was the case) began to rain on their parade.  Fun was fun in those days.  Playing alone was a skill I mastered early in my career with the sandbox and my small soldiers.  Somewhere along the line I stopped playing these games. I guess I had other things to do once I started my career as a student in elementary school. 

 

Given this background, one thing one might consider would be why I chose army ROTC when I first went to college.  All I can say is the army seemed to fit in with my thinking at the time.  Then, again, it could be by starting my collegiate career in the summertime there wasn’t much else available.  I really don’t remember what the situation was. (Memories a problem?)  In any case, ROTC was the one course that I could always count on to provide aces for my lot.  A good thing, no?  So I took that course and even joined an additional military group, the Pershing Rifles, to boot!  Which was a good thing.  I met quite a few other newcomers to our school who were just like me when it came to military preparedness, and we made friendships that I wish I still had.  Pretty sure that would be the case if we hadn’t scattered the way we did when we left school.  I left a bit early due to a lack of academic involvement.  I just wasn’t ready to leave home.  In any case, that’s my best guess.

 

What to do now?  Writing is easier when you remember a bit about what you wanted to do when you started.  Wish I did, but I don’t.  Guess I’ll quit while I’m just a bit ahead and try again later.  If I can only remember.  Ciao!

Yes, you CAN help

 

Good grief, Charlie Brown, and, almost, everyone else!  Here we are, watching our morning news programs (it is Sunday, after all,) and who do I see on “Meet the Press?”  Our Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.  My question to everyone today is:  Did our Democrats come up with our Secretary of State simply by reading his name?  If so, where do we find “Winken” and “Nod?”

 

Why do I find humor (I guess that’s what I should call it) no matter where I might look?  Is everything in our world today something to be laughed at?  Or should we all be crying? 

 

You tell me, America.  Better yet, how about preparing (and sending) an email to our country’s President?  It’s pretty obvious he needs all the help he can get.  I’ll help.  Should I ask you, too, to help?  (https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/)

 

Good God!  What else is there?

Really!