Tuesday, December 30, 2014

"Lord, what fools these mortals be." (Shakespeare)

.....Well, I better get started with something Ruthie, my English cuzzin wants to know, and that's my favorite poem. And that is Burns' "As Fond Kiss".  I also am tuned in to Robert Burns' "To a Mouse".  Both poems do something to me, and I don't know how to describe it. But that is what poetry is supposed to accomplish; it should do something to you.  If you don't have a book of English poetry, type the poem onto Google-- if you have a computer. 
     Ruthie says if I'm alone I should go out to a bar and talk to my friends. I can't do this either. I don't drive. All my friends are dead or mentally deficient, and the folks in the building we live in are in their 70s as is RH+, and they only talk to her because she's in her 70s as well.  Im 90 and perhaps people think my frontal lobe is damaged--or I somehow intimidate them.
     So right now I have one friend in England and one here--Mike. But we only converse with Mike over a prime rib. Luckily, however, RH+ has a ton of friends--some of them from East Meadow where our kids grew up, and the weird thing is that these women are widows, and they were first good friends of my exe. And here they took to RH+ like the wink of the cat's eye. (I really don't know anything about cats.)

     This morning I thought I had the perfect solution. I would go to Ilana's graduation also even though I vowed never to fly again.  But a person could unvow if absolutely necessary. After all, I won't have to say any Hail Marys.  Then, quicker than a vulture salivating over a lion's dung, it came to me.  How were we supposed to get my scooter into the car when we deplane in NY? (I really don't know too much about lions--only from the show)  There was no way to encar with the scooter.  We would have to bring the waiker and pray. I can't get very far with a walker without pain.






Monday, December 29, 2014

"All men are poets at heart" (Emerson)

.....Well, today is bowling day and I won't see RH+ again until two or three o'clock.  Then at 4pm the techie man is coming to hook up R's new printer to her laptop.  We had a neightbor try it but he couldn't get it to work.  Neither can I. Remebor I'm a poet, not a handiman. But back in the olden dahys, (52-76) I was able to paoint the house--inside ad out.  In addition, I could put up wallpaper.  I think it must be the housw fairy who gave me these skills.  Or perhaps, it's part of the evolution of the human race Darwin was talking abuot.  But now I'm wishing th house fairy will stop my hands from shaking so htat I could type without making these errors that frustrate me.  However, JR gave me permission to make these errors, so that is what I'll do.  Pay no attention to them.

.....So far we have gotter zero, zilch suggestions about RH+ leaving me for a week in order to attend Ilana's graduation from Penn State.  She says I'll need help, and I say maybe not.  After all, I can dress myself, shower myself, paint the building inside and out, put up wallpaper and turn on the TV and computer all by myself.  She needn't worry because if I fall down, I have that gizmo on my wrist.  If I press it, all Hell breads out--the pliss come, the medics come and they all insist on taking me to hospital which is the last or least help that I want.  Are they all crzy--I men R and the neighbors, not the poleess.

.....As for excitement around here, you/ll have to be satisfied that a guy from a faraway blog or website got hold of one of my poems and put it as the introduction to what he was going to write.  What he wrote, I forget, but knowing that a complete stranger saw my poem somewhere on the internet and thought enough of it to have it lead off an article should be escitement enough.  Otherwise it'll have to be a debate as to which Chinese restausrant has the best lobsters, or which intern has the best beside manner.  Then there's the fadt that Le Gron has lert town to serve up baskets for the Clefland Cavaliers.  Which reminds me that I am now a French Cavalier who has saved the gottle of French champagne to open and drind on New Year'ss Eve.  The only other excitement occurs when we have Florida stone crabs for dinner.              

Friday, December 26, 2014

"I to myself am dearer than a friend." (Shakespeare)


.....It's getting boring in retirement now.  Why of course I have this glog to deal with, but I can't deal with it as much as I']D LIke to because there isn't anything to write about.  My readers, as few as they may be are entitled to something a little more interesting than going to doctors or wwatching 22guys tryijb to bread ether's necks on thefootballl field dothjerdd mrfvl Sunday.
                   
     Now all of a sudden this color has come up. Very weird.  I am left alone temporarily because RH+ went out to lunch with her sister and her cousin.  And speaking of "alone", she is planning to go to Ilana's graduation from Penn State.  Ilana feels that it will be better for her job seeking to work towards a CPA rather than a MA.  She is probably right. Oh, and about that "alone" issue--If RH+goes to the graduation, then she will want one of my kids to come down to "take care of me".  My reply was Uh Uh" She just kept going. "Well,then, we'll just hire someone to stay with you for a few hours during the day. It'll make me feel comfortable." I coudn;t let her get away with that on, so I complained, "But having no one here except me will make me feel more comfortable." Anyway this issue had not yet come to a satisfactory conclusion.  Any suggestions?                                    I have to use this color now or the marging os this blog will change.  Why? I don't know.  I'm a [ppoet, not a techie.  So I'll jus carry on with these margins.  I was thinking of two American games where your body is the deciding factor on your becoming a millionaire.  In American football it's a blessing if you are 300 pounds or better because that weight will get you a job that will make you rich.  In basketball you can become wealthy right out of high school it you are ataletic and 7 feet tall--or taller.  One of the NBA teams will grab you at once.  So forget your education, eat a lot and wait to see what happens.
                       
                   
                         

                   
                   

                    

 
                                          
                     
                                      
                   
                    
                       
 
                      



                   
 

Monday, December 22, 2014

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." (Genesis I)


.....Dear Ruthie, we've gone through linguistics before--in another post. As far as "eggcorns" are concerned...well, they're cute, but will not last long in the science of linguistics. My BA degree lists me as a Bachelor of Science--a BS even though I have had a thorough road to travel through English literature. My major was linguistics, and I d9n/t think even my family knows this. Linguistics is a science and that's why my BA degree is a BS.  If you get my meaning. My MA is really a Master of Arts, meaning I cas do "To be or not to B" by heart. And then, running the full gamut, my last degree describes me as a Doctor of Education...because, I suppose, the degree guys decided that my science of linguistics would be of more help in the classroom as a new way of teaching grammar, for heaven's sake!  I don't teach grammar...I really can't label the curriculum that I taught--but it was more of a PhD than an EdD.  And so, I'm a PhD--like Socrates and Plato. But
 
.....Students who major in linguistics acquire valuable intellectual skills, such as analytical reasoning, critical thinking, argumentation, and clarity of expression. Linguistics is a major that gives you insight into one of the most intriguing aspects of human knowledge and behavior. Majoring in linguistics means that you will learn about many aspects of human language, including sounds (phoneticsphonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax), and meaning (semantics).  Language, you know, is not how it's written, but how it's spoken.
 
......Getting away from the esoteric stuff, I'm sure you all (4 or 5 readers) know that President Obama has added to his legacy, the easing of our relationship with Cuba.  By the same token, the GOOP Congress has added to their legacy of criticism of everything the President attemps to due.  It's naturally what you might expect from a Plutocratic political party. What I did notice was te anger of Cubans who escaped from Batista and Fidel by landing here, sand the joyous reaction of the Cubans in Cuba.  I suppose they were cheering the bit of freedom that Obama's plan has given them. As for me, I was joyous because the Marlins were assured of a star pitcher and second baseman.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

"Poets have a license to lie" (PLINY)

.....The clening ladies are coming today, so we have to get out of here soon as we give them their one-weeks salary for XMAS.  I have a severe pain in my back, so I plan to use the scooter rather than the walker. I have no idea as to when or how I got this pain, so the best guess is age. RH+ said she would rub my back with Ben Gay.  So far it hasn't happened.

.....It's 12pm at the moment, and we will leave when the cleanin ladies arrive. RH+ will have lunch and I'll be having my breadfast. We are playing cards tonite at 7:30 so we have to figure out a quick dinner. We have shocen Subway on occasion, but I'm not in the mood for that. Pizza also was our dinner.  We do not go to Wendy;s, nor Burger King, nor MdColands. So, it's a problem that is typical of retirement.

.....RH+ came to me recently and said I have lots of errors in m;y post. So I ad to egsplain to her my dilemma; either take the time to erace errors or leave it to the reader to understand the errors.  I'f vecided to leave it to the reader--and porbably will get lots of comments from a dearth of readers.  Or is it a "paucity" of readers? 

.....RH+ has been very much occupied with her yearly "duties". She always sends Hannacuh cards to everyone, including I suppose, the homeless guy who sgands and begs at the Turnpike exit.  Of course she slips some money in the envelopes that go out to grandchildren. If we get any more, we will have to declare bankruptsy.  RH+ doesn't forget anyone.  Uh Oh--I'm being called.  Maybe I'm going to get Ben Gayed!!

Monday, December 15, 2014

"In every age the vilest specimens of human nature are to be found among demagogues." (Macaulay)


 
 
.....Living here with RH+ has taught me that Ashley Montagu was right when he wrote that women are the superior sex.  They are much more than Darwin could have imagined when he wrote "Origin of Species".  Somehow wimen are much more advanced on the human species scale than are men, the scabs of the universe.  Women do much more than men can dream of.  Women can make the beds; they do the laundry; they pic things off the floor; they do the cooking while men are taking naps; they can open the tops of soda cans; they bandage wounds; they are caretakers; they fake care of Boy while Tarzan swings through trees like a minkey; they drive cars slowly so as to avoid creshas; and the miracle of all--they carry bab9es 9jside their bodies (which men are unable to do as yet.).  Women do all of these things, and much more, while men, still in the 21st Century, are fiting wars and lopping off heads.  Some day in the future of the planet and its well being women will govern everywhere.  As I have said, since I have been living with a woman, much higher than I on the scale of humanity--RH+, I must agree with Montagu and Darwin--for there is proof positive that there is no point in arguing with a woman.
 
.....If I haven't yet revealed it, I have won my suit agains four dependants here who were guilty of taking the copyrighted manuscript of a musical that I wrote (and violated it and trashing it!). They took out songs I had in there and substituted songs that they liked better.  They did not know that this was the wrong thing to do to a script that is copyrighted.  That's why they lost the suit.  My attorney and I agreed that each of them had to pay me $1500. Their attorney's chech with this money lies dormant in my; attorney's office because he broke his leg and he is in th hospital. He also fired his assistant and there is no one in the office to bring him the check to endorse.  So I have to wait.  The money, to me, is of least importance. I'm enjoying the fact they had to pay.

Friday, December 12, 2014

As for me, all I know is that I know nothing (Socrates)

.....I know there is a post with the title, "All the world's a stage." Amd the date os ;oseted as Dec. 12--which is todahy!  I don't know how that error came to be, and I don't know how to fix it.  The date should be "Ded 1, 2014.  OK, now that that's done, I can go on and inform you about Barbara and Joel's visit.  The last time they came here, Adam, their son was about 5 year's old.  Now he is 30 something;; you figure it out. Any, it was a joy having them here.  Well, tLhey weren't exactly here,  since they slept in a hotel.  However, we fed them well.  We took them to Longhorn's for a steak dinner.  There is no Longhorn's in Herndon, VA.  On their second day, we went to Jupitor (not the Planet--or whet used to be a planet). We bought them tickets to join us seeing "Fiddler on the Roof".  But, before the show we had brunch at "First Watch", a restaurant which also cannot be found in Herndon.
 
.....Of course, we all knew that I played Tevye in that shou several years ago.  We also had tickets to see Avi Hoffman in our sterling theater that evening.  The "kids" went back to their hotel to gather their stuff and change hotels. They ate at their own leisure in a restaurant in down and then met RG+ and me at our state-of-the-art theatre to see Avi.  Since we saw two shows on the same day, we were exhausted.  When the show was over, the kids went back to their hotel and we went home to our love nest.  On Sunday we went to my sister's condo in Cemeter;y; Villiage to see her and Uncle Mickey. Both of them have lost a little mentally.  Shortly after this cultural adventure, the kids went back to Herndon--and for us? Life went on.
 
.....I've been so busy doing this and that, I have neglected to go on with my sci-fi nowel.  We had to go to Best Buy (for example) to buy RH+ a new printer for her lap top.  Then we had a scheduled card game which we play every Wednesday with fourth floor neighbors.  The game is Canasta. Lou is my partner and Annette is RH+'s partner.  Low and I always lose.  Fortunately we change partners every year, and so our losing ways will have to end.  Maybe.  Our plan for New Year's Eve is to open the bottle of chanmagne I was given by the French Consulate at the ceremony where I received the French Legion of Honor Medal.  It's French--not the medal, but the bubbly.  2015 is on its way--and I'll be 91!!
 
....

"All the world's a stage....(As You Like It..WS)

.....Not after retiring in 1982 I bought a condo in Florida. I bought it because it was the only clubhouse that, not only had a weight room, but also a 640 seat thetre with state of the art equipment for performances. It also had an indoor swimming pool in which I swam 80 laps every day; it was a mile--I measured it.  I lifted weights in the weight room. I was the only one there since it was a new community of yet to be built condos. I could not do my five mile a day runs nor enter an;y 10 Ks because it was to howt. Yet it was the perfect place for me. 

.....All these events may not be in size places, but they were all part of my life which I have said no one else has experienced. So take it easy on me.  Soon after I came back from my areound-the-world trip I came home and went back to work. It was great to get home, and after a year's junket I realized that America was the place to be, and I was very lucky to have been born there.  The car I bought (with the help of my son, JR) was a nefty Ford Muxtank in which I gave the divorcees I dated, a great time!
(Take my word for it).  Most of these women were starving for a hug, a kiss, and other love devices which I made up as we went along back to their house.  But needing time to write my PhD thesis, I took another year's sabbatical. I was the only one to take iven one sabbatical, let alone two. And no one ever will because the Board dropped it.
 
.....It was New Year's Eve, 1938, when I went to a B'Nai Brith (?)party at a member's home. There I met a young lady (39!) who was wearing a brown corduroy suit and a smile that lit up the room. Should the lights happen to go out because of a storm, the smile could be switched on. I believe it was 500 watts.  At any rate we just happened to spend the evening together with drinks in our hands and our heads.  We ought to not have done it, but we went back to my apartment.  We lived in the same development.  The idea was to watch the baal go down on the TV--which we did, and which afterwards, since there appeared nothing to do, we did stuff as we went along.  Well, try to remember that it was New Year's Eve, and we tried very hard to stick to our mores.  It was such a nice evening, night, and morning that we were married in 1983 and we have had many more of nice evenings--31 to be eggsact.
.....I will continue these thrillint events shortly.  Try to stay awake.