thoughts

The New Face of COVID

PODCAST

Last Wednesday I tested positive for COVID. Procedures and attitudes have really changed since years ago. I go to urgent care because I had a sore throat, and I am thinking I may have Strep Throat since I have had this ailment many times in my life. Strep Throat is a bacterial infection, and I would need a prescription to get an antibiotic.

The admitting questionnaire does not even list Covid. They list cold and flu symptoms, but nothing about Covid. Remembering in the past in big bold letters at the top of the form there was a warning about listing Covid symptoms and there were special instructions to abide by. I check cold and flu symptoms since there is no category for sore throat. Enter the waiting room and there are 8 or ten patients waiting to be called up. No masks or distancing whatever.

In about ten minutes I am called into the admittance office. The nurse their does have a mask. I tell her I have concerns about Strep Throat and she says that is probably not my illness since most people develop an immunity to Strep as they age. But they will perform a Strep test anyway and also do a Flu and Covid tests to make sure it is not one of those. She takes me a treatment room and tells me a nurse will be in shortly.

In a short time, a nurse or some other professional comes in, no mask, no concern about that I may be contagious. She does the routine of blood pressure, blood oxygen and whatever else they do. Asks a few questions like do I have any other symptoms and how long have I been ill. She then tells me another person will come in and do the nostril swabs for the samples.

Maybe ten, fifteen minutes later the next technician comes in, no mask, just like I am person with a bad sprain. She does the Strep swab first and then the flu swab. I comment I am sure glad there is only one more swab to do. To my surprise she responds and says the flu and Covid test is done at the same time. This brings back memories during the onset of Covid that there were comments that Covid is just a flu strain and for political and agenda reasons it is being blown out a proportion to the actual seriousness of the virus. If they use the same test, it makes one wonder.

It takes forty minutes for the test results. A Physician Assistant enters the room and gives me the results. the Strep test is negative, and the Flu test is also negative. Unfortunately, the covid comes back positive. I have Covid. There is no panic no concern, just like you have a cold or flu. She gives me a mask to wear home and says the quarantine is now only five days and that starts the day the symptoms start. Go home and if your symptoms get worse come back. Next Patient!

This Brings back how my wife was treated during the height of the pandemic. She was isolated immediately, and a sign was put on the door “restricted area”. Personnel would come into the room all masked up and in disposable garments. You had to put up with wearing masks everywhere, Clear plexiglass sheets separated you from the cashier. Do not get closer than 5 feet to the next person. Many restaurants did not survive the Covid shutdown. I always wondered how the small business was shut down, but the large, big box stores could stay open. One will never know if this helped or not.

Unfortunately, how Covid was treated has led people to distrust government, big pharma and the medical profession. The face of Covid is so much different than the beginning. Now it is treated like just a bad cold or the flu.

Happy Birthday Elvis Presley

Podcast. AI assisted.

Elvis Aaron Presley, famously known as “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. He would be 90 today if alive. His journey from a humble beginning to becoming an international icon is one of the most remarkable stories in music history. This article explores Elvis’s life, his contributions to music, his cultural impact, and why his legacy continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

Elvis grew up in poverty, raised by his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, in a two-room house. His musical talent was evident early on; at ten, he sang in a local church, and by 1946, his uncle gave him a guitar for his birthday, setting the course for his future. His family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where Elvis graduated from Humes High School in 1953. That same year, he walked into Sun Studio to record a song for his mother’s birthday, inadvertently setting his career in motion when Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, heard his unique voice.

Elvis’s blend of country, blues, and gospel music, coupled with his dynamic stage presence, caught the public’s attention with hits like “That’s All Right” in 1954. His television appearances, especially on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1956, where his hip-swiveling dance moves caused a national stir, catapulted him into superstardom. Songs like “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” and “Love Me Tender” became anthems of the era, defining a new genre—rock ‘n’ roll.

In 1958, Elvis was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Germany for two years, which temporarily halted his music career. However, his return in 1960 saw a shift to film and music that catered to a broader, family-oriented audience. Hits like “It’s Now or Never” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” showcased his versatility. By the mid-1960s, his movie career overshadowed his music, leading to a dip in his chart-topping success.

Elvis’s 1968 NBC television special, often referred to as the “’68 Comeback Special,” marked his return to the music scene with vigor. Dressed in black leather, performing live for the first time in years, this special rekindled his career. It was followed by hits like “Suspicious Minds” and a series of successful Vegas performances.

The 1970s saw Elvis continue to perform in Las Vegas, but his health and personal life faced challenges. On August 16, 1977, Elvis died at the age of 42, leaving behind a legacy that continued to grow posthumously. His record sales have surpassed a billion worldwide, and his albums have been re-released to new generations.

Elvis Presley’s influence extends beyond music. He was a significant figure in the cultural shift of the 1950s, breaking racial barriers by popularizing African-American musical styles to a broader audience. His fashion, particularly his jumpsuits, became iconic, and his dance moves influenced generations of performers. Moreover, Elvis’s life has been the subject of numerous books, films, and even conspiracy theories regarding his death.

Today, Elvis’s estate, Graceland, is a pilgrimage site for fans, and his music is celebrated yearly at events like Elvis Week. His influence is seen in artists across genres, from rock to country to pop, with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, and even Kacey Musgraves citing him as an influence. The film “Elvis” (2022), directed by Baz Luhrmann, brought his story to a new generation, showing the enduring fascination with his life and music.

Elvis Presley’s legacy is not just in the records he broke or the music he created but in how he transformed American culture, music, and entertainment. His life story is one of rags to riches, of talent meeting opportunity, and of a cultural icon whose influence transcends time. Elvis might have left the building, but his spirit, music, and cultural impact remain vibrant, proving that indeed, “Elvis has not left the building” in the hearts of millions around the globe.

The fifties was the era I grew up in. I have memories of Elvis. I remember watching The Ed Sullivan Show and the controversy about is motions. I remember the audience of screaming girls going into a semitrance when he sang. Elvis was drafted 6 years before I was, and his movies were big when I was stationed in Germany. I have many good memories of Elvis, and he will be remembered.

The Rise of Podcasts

CLICK FOR PODCAST. AI assisted.

In the landscape of digital media, podcasts have emerged as a significant force, reshaping how we consume information, entertainment, and education. From their humble beginnings in the early 2000s to becoming cultural phenomena, podcasts have woven themselves into the fabric of daily life for millions around the globe.

The term ‘podcast’ was coined as a portmanteau of “iPod” and “broadcast,” signaling the initial vision of delivering radio-like content to Apple’s music player. However, the true power of podcasts lies in their accessibility on various platforms, not just the iPod. The concept took root with shows like “The Daily Source Code” by Adam Curry and “This Week in Tech” by Leo Laporte, but it was “Serial” in 2014 that truly catapulted podcasts into mainstream consciousness. This true-crime narrative captured the imagination of listeners worldwide, demonstrating the potential for deep, serialized storytelling in audio format.

Podcasts offer a unique medium for content consumption: They can be listened to while multitasking, making them perfect for commutes, workouts, or chores. The voice-only format creates a personal connection between the host and listener, often fostering a sense of community among fans. From true crime, comedy, and politics to science, history, and self-improvement, there’s a podcast for virtually every interest.

Podcasts have become a significant educational tool, offering deep dives into subjects not traditionally covered in mainstream media. Shows like “Stuff You Should Know” or “Radiolab” exemplify this educational aspect. From storytelling to comedy, podcasts like “Welcome to Night Vale” or “My Favorite Murder” provide entertainment that’s as gripping or humorous as traditional media. Many podcasts foster communities through listener interaction, fan clubs, or live events, enhancing the sense of belonging among listeners. The format has revitalized long-form journalism, with investigative podcasts like “The Daily” influencing how news stories are reported and consumed.

Looking forward, the integration of technology like AI for personalized content or interactive episodes could redefine the podcasting landscape. Moreover, the potential for podcasts in education, mental health, and even corporate training is vast, suggesting that this medium is only beginning to explore its potential.

Podcasts have not just filled a niche; they’ve created a new dimension in media consumption where the human voice tells stories, shares knowledge, and builds communities. As technology advances and listeners’ tastes evolve, the podcast will continue to be a vital part of our cultural tapestry, offering a voice to the many and a platform for the diverse tales of our time.

Finally, I have been actively blogging since the fall of 2023. I have 2 sites and when I became active again, I discovered that podcasting or voice files have become a very popular segment. I have over 150 voice files. The podcast page has become the most popular of the site. visitors download 4, 5, 6, maybe 10 audio files at a time. Most are short podcasts, just a voice file of the blogging topic. I do have a small number of close to an hour. I discovered quickly that my speaking voice is about as good as my singing. Therefore, I use an AI voice with the name of Mark. I don’t know whether he is from Microsoft or Adobe. I have not had any speaking guests, but somewhere down the road I may. I am enjoying this blogging journey and learning new things very often. I am doing this just for fun and do not expect to make a dime. My goal is the have thousands of subscribers. Make me feel good and subscribe.

January 6, 2021

CLICK HERE FOR PODCAST AI Assisted

The January 6, 2021, Capitol attack has had profound and multifaceted impacts on the United States, affecting various aspects of national life:

Political Impact:

  • Polarization: The event has deepened political divides, with differing interpretations of the riot’s significance and causes. Some view it as an attack on democracy itself, while others see it as an overblown response to a protest or characterize the participants as tourists or victims of political persecution.
  • Election Integrity: It has fueled discussions and actions around election integrity, leading to new voting laws in several states, some of which aim to restrict voting access under the guise of preventing fraud, while others seek to expand voting rights.
  • Accountability and Impeachment: Donald Trump was impeached by the House for “incitement of insurrection” but was acquitted by the Senate. This has led to debates about accountability for political leaders and their influence on violent actions.

Legal and Security Implications:

  • Criminal Prosecutions: Over 1,500 individuals have faced criminal charges related to the riot, making it one of the largest criminal investigations in U.S. history. This has set legal precedents regarding seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and the use of social media in criminal investigations.
  • Security Measures: The attack led to immediate and long-lasting changes in Capitol security, including increased fencing, more robust law enforcement presence, and a reevaluation of intelligence and response strategies.

Cultural and Social Effects:

  • Public Trust: There’s been a significant impact on public trust in institutions, particularly in law enforcement, the electoral process, and the legitimacy of political discourse. Trust varies widely along party lines, with many seeing the event either as a wake-up call for democracy or as an example of political overreach.
  • Media and Misinformation: The event has highlighted the role of media in shaping public perception, with misinformation playing a significant role both in the lead-up to and the aftermath of January 6. This has prompted discussions on media responsibility, the spread of conspiracy theories, and the need for media literacy.

Legislative and Policy Changes:

  • Capitol Security: New laws and bills have been proposed to enhance Capitol security, though progress is slow due to political disagreements.
  • Election Laws: The riot has influenced policy discussions on voting rights, with some states passing laws seen as either protecting or restricting voting access in response to claims of election fraud.

Ongoing Investigations and Commemoration:

  • Congressional Investigations: The bipartisan House Select Committee’s investigation has produced a detailed report on the events, although its findings and recommendations continue to be politically divisive.
  • National Reflection: January 6th has become a day of reflection for many, with memorials, speeches, and educational initiatives aimed at ensuring such an event does not happen again, while for others, it’s a point of contention or denial regarding the severity or nature of the incident.

The effects of January 6, 2021, continue to evolve, influencing American politics, society, and policy in ways that are still unfolding, often highlighting the challenges of national unity, governance, and the health of democratic institutions.

The above was from AI information gleaned from the internet. Right or wrong this information is plastered all over the internet. Again, it comes down to the individual whether they want to believe it or not. The past events have divided this country more than any other time I remember.

Thoughts About the Future

CLICK HERE FOR PODCAST AI assisted

At 82, life can still hold a myriad of possibilities, challenges, and joys. This age marks a period where many reflect on their past while also looking forward to what can still be achieved or experienced. Here’s an exploration of what the future might entail for me, considering health, lifestyle, social engagement, and personal growth.

According to recent data from the Social Security Administration, an 82-year-old American male might expect to live an additional 6.77 years, bringing the total life expectancy to around 88.77 years. However, this is an average; individual health, lifestyle, and genetics play significant roles.

Cognitive health is another area of focus. Engaging in activities that stimulate the mind, from reading to learning new skills, can be beneficial in maintaining cognitive function. Social interaction also plays a crucial role in mental health.

Staying active is key. Whether it’s through gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or even yoga, physical activity can help maintain mobility and strength. For some, this might also mean using mobility aids like canes or walkers to ensure safety while still engaging in life.

Social isolation can be a significant issue in later life, but it’s one that can be addressed through community involvement. Senior centers, clubs, or volunteer work can provide social outlets. For those adept with technology, online communities or video calls with family and friends can maintain bonds.

The adage “you’re never too old to learn” rings true. Many find new hobbies, take up painting, writing, or even learning a new language, which not only keeps the mind active but also provides a sense of achievement.

There’s often a desire to reflect on one’s life and leave a legacy, whether through storytelling, writing memoirs, or contributing to causes close to one’s heart. This can give a sense of purpose and connection to the future. This is an important part for me. This is why I blog. It gives me a chance to reflect on my past and write down my past experiences for anyone interested in reading them.

Discussions around end-of-life care, legal matters like wills, and healthcare directives become more relevant. Open conversations with family about wishes for medical care or funeral arrangements can ease future burdens. Accepting aging and mortality involves coming to terms with one’s own journey. For some, this might mean engaging more with spiritual practices, counseling, or support groups to navigate these emotions.

In conclusion, for an 82-year-old male, the future is not just about managing decline but also about enriching life in its later stages. With the right approach to health, a nurturing social environment, and a mindset geared towards growth and reflection, the years ahead can be fulfilling. Each person’s path will be unique, shaped by their health, interests, and the support systems they have in place. The key is to embrace this phase with the same curiosity and zest for life that one might have had in youth, albeit with the wisdom and perspective that only age can provide.

Daily writing prompt
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
View all responses

Ramblings Magazine Issue #7 podcast

Podcast LINK

Hard copy LINK

Hello Ramblings Magazine reader! Welcome!  

This is a podcast of the seventh issue of Ramblings Magazine.  

The Headings are: 

Back to Writing. 

Early Morning. 

My Eyes are Killing Me. 

My Regrets. 

Reminiscing is my Interest. 

Camping Tales. 

Past Experiences. 

A Bone Fish Grill Experience. 

Vicks VapoRub and Toenail Fungus. 

Mother’s Day May 12, 2024. 

I Should Have Done More. 

A World of Fruit. 

A Leader and a Follower. 

The Grok Platform and Me. 

New Mother Celebration. 

A three-letter middle name. 

Touched by God. 

My Favorite Machine. 

Retirement. 

Title and Date Unknown. 

Don’t Let Your Hormones Run Your life. 

What Matters. 

Frit and Leo. 

Don’t Remember Title or Date. 

Hardest Part of School Year. 

A Piece of Clothing.  

A Day of Reflection. 

2008 Was Not the Year to be Elected President. 

A Touch of Italy. 

And the Winner is. 

Photo Memory Section 

Alaska, the 49th State


PODCAST. AI Assisted.

On January 3, 1959, Alaska officially became the 49th state of the United States after a long journey towards statehood. Here’s an expanded look at this significant event:

Russian Influence: Alaska was initially colonized by Russia in the 18th century, with the first settlement established in 1784. However, Russia found maintaining Alaska to be costly and challenging due to its distance from the mainland.

Sale to the United States: In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million (approximately 2 cents per acre), in a deal known as “Seward’s Folly,” named after William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase. Initially, many Americans viewed this acquisition skeptically.

Territorial Status: After the purchase, Alaska was administered as a district and later as a territory. The push for statehood began in earnest in the early 20th century, but progress was slow due to various political and economic considerations.

World War II Impact: The strategic importance of Alaska became apparent during World War II, when Japan occupied some of the Aleutian Islands. This event underscored Alaska’s military significance, leading to increased infrastructure development and population growth.

Statehood Movement: The post-war period saw a renewed push for statehood. Alaskans elected delegates to a constitutional convention in 1955, and a state constitution was drafted and ratified in 1956.

Congressional Action: In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act into law. After a referendum where Alaskans overwhelmingly voted for statehood, Congress officially admitted Alaska into the Union on January 3, 1959.

Cultural Diversity: Statehood brought recognition to Alaska’s rich indigenous cultures, including the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Yup’ik, Iñupiat, and others, whose traditional lands now had a new political status within the U.S.

Economic Development: Statehood led to increased federal investment in infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and health services. The discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay in 1968 further transformed Alaska’s economy, although it also sparked debates over environmental conservation and indigenous land rights.

National Identity: Alaska’s vast wilderness, unique wildlife, and natural beauty added a new dimension to America’s national identity, emphasizing conservation and the exploration of the natural world.

Celebration of Statehood: January 3rd is celebrated annually in Alaska as Statehood Day, acknowledging the journey from a distant purchase to a full member of the United States. This day also reflects on the challenges and achievements of statehood, including issues like land management, indigenous rights, and environmental protection.

Alaska’s entry into the Union as the 49th state was not just a territorial expansion but also a cultural and economic milestone for the United States, highlighting the complexities and rewards of incorporating a region with such unique attributes into the nation’s fabric.

The Day Colorado Went to Pot


PODCAST. AI Assisted.

On January 1, 2014, Colorado made history by becoming the first state in the United States to sell recreational marijuana to adults following the legalization of its use. This pivotal moment was the result of the passage of Amendment 64 in November 2012, which was approved by 55% of Colorado voters. The amendment allowed individuals 21 years and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use and established a regulatory framework for its cultivation, sale, and taxation.

The first legal sales of recreational marijuana occurred with hundreds of people lining up outside dispensaries across the state, including in major cities like Denver. This was not just a local event but drew international attention, with media from around the world covering the historic day.

  • Since legalization, Colorado has seen significant economic benefits. By the end of 2023, sales figures were approaching $15 billion since the start of recreational sales. Tax revenues from marijuana have been directed towards education, public health, and law enforcement. However, the economic impact has not been without challenges, as the industry has experienced fluctuations, particularly after a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Colorado implemented a strict regulatory system to oversee the marijuana industry, including rules on advertising, product safety, and preventing sales to minors. The state established a Marijuana Enforcement Division to ensure compliance with these regulations, which cover everything from packaging and labeling to potency limits on edibles.
  • There has been a focus on public health with campaigns to educate about responsible use, particularly concerning the dangers of driving under the influence. Despite these efforts, there have been concerns about increased emergency room visits, especially among children accidentally consuming edibles, and the rise in high-potency products.
  • Legalization has led to a significant decrease in marijuana-related arrests, dropping by 71% from 2012 to 2019. However, there’s been debate over whether this has addressed or merely shifted racial disparities in arrests. The normalization of marijuana use has also sparked discussions on its impact on youth usage, with some studies suggesting no significant increase post-legalization while others highlight concerns about potency and marketing.
  • Colorado’s move has contributed to a broader cultural shift in attitudes towards marijuana in the U.S., influencing subsequent legalization efforts in other states. It turned Denver into a hub for “cannabis tourism”, although interest has fluctuated.
  • Despite successes, the industry faces ongoing challenges like black market competition due to high taxes, banking issues due to federal illegality, and debates over consumption lounges and social equity in business ownership.
  • By late 2024, posts on X and web articles reflected mixed sentiments, with some users noting price increases and shortages, while others celebrated the industry’s growth and the normalization of marijuana use. There’s also been scrutiny over product labeling and potency claims.

Colorado’s journey with recreational marijuana has been a learning curve for the state and a model for others, showcasing both the potential benefits and the complexities of legalization in practice. This has set a precedent for how states can navigate the transition from prohibition to regulated markets.

New Years Day January 2025

PODCAST. AI assisted.

New Year’s Day, celebrated on January 1st each year, marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. This day is observed around the world with a variety of customs, traditions, and festivities, making it one of the most widely celebrated public holidays.

Historical Background:

  • Gregorian Calendar: New Year’s Day in the Gregorian calendar was established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 as a reform of the Julian calendar to better align with the solar year.
  • Ancient Beginnings: The tradition of celebrating the new year can be traced back to ancient civilizations. For instance, the Babylonians celebrated the new year during the spring equinox around late March, while the Romans originally celebrated it in March, before changing it to January 1st in honor of Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions.

Fireworks and Parties: Many countries welcome the new year with spectacular fireworks displays, particularly in major cities like Sydney, London, New York, and Dubai. Parties, whether large public gatherings or intimate celebrations with family and friends, are common, often extending late into the night or early morning of the New Year.

  • New Year’s Resolutions: A popular tradition in many cultures is making New Year’s resolutions, where individuals set goals or promises for self-improvement or change in the coming year. This practice reflects a universal desire for renewal and betterment.
  • Cultural Variations:
    • Japan: Known as “Shōgatsu,” celebrations include traditional meals, visiting shrines or temples for hatsumōde (the first shrine visit of the year), and the eating of toshikoshi soba (noodles for crossing over from one year to the next).
    • Scotland: Hogmanay, as New Year’s Eve is called, features unique traditions like “first-footing,” where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings gifts, symbolizing good luck for the household.
    • China: While the Chinese New Year falls on a different date based on the lunar calendar, the Gregorian New Year is still observed, especially in urban areas, with some adopting Western customs like countdowns and parties.
  • Parades and Festivities: The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, USA, is a famous example, culminating in the Rose Bowl football game.
  • Culinary Traditions: Food plays a significant role, with each culture having special dishes for luck, prosperity, or health. For example, in the Southern United States, eating black-eyed peas and collard greens is thought to bring good fortune.

New Year’s Day is more than just a change in the calendar; it’s a moment for reflection on the past year, celebration of life, and anticipation of new beginnings. It’s a time when people around the globe share in the collective experience of renewal, setting aside differences to celebrate the universal passage of time.

This day also serves as a reminder of our shared humanity, as we all look forward to new possibilities, personal growth, and the hope that each new year brings. Whether through quiet contemplation or exuberant celebration, New Year’s Day encapsulates the human spirit’s resilience and optimism.

Personally, I could never get into New Years Eve and New Years Day. I felt it was just another event to drink too much and pay for it the next day.

New Years Eve

PODCAST. AI assisted.

New Year’s Eve on December 31 have a rich and varied history that spans multiple cultures and eras:

  • The tradition of celebrating the New Year can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C., where the Akitu festival was held to celebrate the arrival of spring. This festival lasted for 11 or 12 days and involved various rituals to renew loyalty to the king and the gods.
  • The Romans later adopted January 1st as the start of the New Year in honor of Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions, who had two faces – one looking to the past and one to the future. Initially, the Roman calendar had March 1st as the New Year, but Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 B.C., setting January 1st as the official start of the year.
  • Different cultures have celebrated New Year’s Eve in diverse ways:
    • In many cultures, noise-making with fireworks, noisemakers, and bells has been used to ward off evil spirits, a tradition that persists in modern celebrations.
    • The Times Square ball drop in New York City, which began in 1907, is one of the most famous contemporary celebrations, although it was paused during World War II in 1942 and 1943 for a moment of silence instead.
  • Historical Milestones:
    • The first New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square was held on December 31, 1904.
    • In African American communities, the Watch Night service began on December 31, 1862, known as “Freedom’s Eve,” which celebrated the anticipation of the Emancipation Proclamation going into effect.

These celebrations reflect a blend of religious, cultural, and social traditions, evolving over centuries but retaining the core idea of renewal and hope for the future.

The Quiet Charm of December 30


PODCAST. AI Assisted.

As the world turns its eyes towards the grand spectacle of New Year’s Eve, December 30 sits quietly in the shadows, often overlooked yet rich with its own narrative of history, culture, and sometimes, unexpected joy. This date, nestled between the holiday rush and the midnight countdown, has its own unique stories to tell.

December 30 has been the backdrop for pivotal moments in history. It was on this day in 534 AD that the Byzantine Empire saw the implementation of the second edition of the Code of Justinian, a monumental legal compilation that shaped the foundations of Western law. Fast forward to 1903, and the Iroquois Theater Fire in Chicago tragically reminds us of the importance of safety regulations, as it remains one of the deadliest single-building fires in history.

The 20th century brought both sorrow and celebration on this date. 1916 saw the dramatic assassination of Grigori Rasputin, whose influence over the Russian royal family was both legend and lore. However, the day also witnessed lighter, happier moments like the first Japanese radio broadcast of a symphony orchestra in 1927, marking a cultural bridge between East and West.

In the realm of diplomacy, December 30 holds significance too. The establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the Vatican in 1993 highlighted a moment of hope for peace and understanding in a region fraught with conflict. On the engineering front, 2005 saw Venice celebrating the first phase of the MOSE project, a testament to human innovation aimed at protecting one of the world’s most enchanting cities from the Adriatic’s rising waters.

Culturally, December 30 has its quirks. The giant rubber duck floating through Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour in 2019 symbolizes how art can inject joy and whimsy into everyday life. And while not all events are happy, the death of the last American World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, in 2011, marked the end of an era, reminding us of the passage of time and the importance of remembrance.

Despite these historical and cultural footnotes, December 30 remains an uncelebrated eve. It’s a day for reflection, perhaps, or for those last-minute preparations before the New Year’s festivities. It’s a day where people might find themselves in the quiet spaces of their lives, contemplating the past year or setting intentions for the next. In some countries, it might be a workday, while in others, it’s an additional holiday to extend the Christmas cheer.

therefore, December 30, is much like the calm before the storm, a day of quiet significance. It doesn’t demand attention with fireworks or resolutions but offers a canvas for personal reflection or the last moments of peace before the world ushers in a new year. Whether it’s through the lens of history, culture, or personal life, this date reminds us that every day has its story, its moments of joy, sorrow, or quiet contemplation, waiting to be recognized and remembered. As we stand on the cusp of a new beginning, perhaps we can all take a moment to appreciate the unassuming charm of December 30.

Still Need to Do Day

PODCAST. AI assisted.

Still Need To Do Day is an informal holiday observed annually on December 29th. It falls in the lull between the rush of Christmas and the anticipation of New Year’s Eve, offering a unique opportunity for reflection and action. Here’s a comprehensive look at this day:

The primary purpose of Still Need To Do Day is to motivate people to tackle those lingering tasks on their to-do lists before the year ends. It’s about taking stock of what has been accomplished over the year and focusing on what remains undone. This day was conceptualized by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, who saw it as an opportunity to encourage individuals to complete tasks, thereby fostering a sense of accomplishment and setting a positive tone for the new year.

How to Celebrate

  • Make a To-Do List: The day begins with listing down all the tasks that you’ve been putting off. This could range from household chores, like fixing a leaky faucet, to personal goals like starting a new exercise routine.
  • Prioritize Tasks: Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This approach not only makes the tasks less daunting but also provides multiple points of achievement throughout the day.
  • Set Goals: Alongside completing immediate tasks, this day is also about setting new goals for the upcoming year. It’s a moment to reflect on personal and professional aspirations.
  • Community and Accountability: Some people celebrate this day in groups, either virtually or in person, where participants share their lists and support each other in completing tasks. This communal aspect can add a fun, competitive edge to productivity.
  • Reward Yourself: After accomplishing tasks, rewarding oneself can be highly motivating. Rewards can be simple, like watching a movie, enjoying a favorite meal, or taking a relaxing bath.

While not an official holiday, Still Need To Do Day resonates with many due to its universal appeal. It acknowledges the human tendency to procrastinate while providing a structured time to address it head-on. The day has gained popularity through mentions in blogs, lifestyle websites, and social media, where individuals share their to-do lists and progress, fostering a sense of community and collective motivation.

Benefits

  • Productivity: It promotes a burst of productivity at a time when many might feel the lull of the holiday season.
  • Mental Health: Completing tasks can significantly boost one’s mood, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem.
  • Preparation for New Year: It sets the stage for a fresh start, ensuring the new year begins with fewer lingering tasks from the past.
  • Community Engagement: For those who engage in group activities, it strengthens social bonds and provides a platform for mutual encouragement.

In conclusion, still Need To Do Day serves as a reminder that even in the downtime of the holiday season, there’s value in productivity, reflection, and preparation for the future. It’s a day to celebrate the act of doing, encouraging everyone to embrace the last few days of the year with action and optimism. Whether you’re catching up on work, organizing your space, or simply ticking off personal goals, Still Need To Do Day embodies the spirit of finishing strong and looking forward to new beginnings.

Call a Friend Day


PODCAST. AI ASSISTED.

“Call a Friend Day” is observed annually on December 28, right after the hustle and bustle of Christmas but before the anticipation of New Year’s Eve. This day is specifically set aside to encourage individuals to reconnect with friends through the traditional method of a phone call, emphasizing the value of voice-to-voice communication in an age dominated by text and social media. Here’s a look at how this day is celebrated and its significance, based on various blogs and web content:

The exact origin of “Call a Friend Day” isn’t well-documented, but its purpose is clear: to foster personal connections that might be neglected in our busy lives. The holiday season often sees people reconnecting, but this day is dedicated to those friends who might live far away or with whom you’ve lost touch due to daily life’s demands. It’s a reminder that hearing someone’s voice can have a profoundly positive effect on our mental and emotional well-being.

Celebration Ideas:

  • Make the Call: The most straightforward celebration involves picking up the phone to call a friend, whether it’s someone you haven’t spoken to in a while or your daily chat buddy. The act itself is the celebration.
  • Create a Soundtrack: Some suggest making a playlist of songs about friendship or songs that remind you of specific friends, which you can share with them.
  • Group Call: If you have mutual friends who are far apart, organize a group call or video chat session. This can turn into a virtual party or just a catch-up session.
  • Turn Wrong Numbers into Friends: A unique suggestion from some is to intentionally dial a wrong number to see if you can strike up a conversation, potentially making a new friend in the process.

Some often discuss how this day serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining friendships despite the ease of more impersonal forms of communication. The personal touch of a phone call can bridge gaps, offering a moment of warmth and connection in a sometimes-isolating world. There’s an emphasis on not just the act of calling but appreciating the conversation and the relationship itself.

An interesting perspective comes from sharing personal experiences where friends call daily for extended periods. These posts discuss the challenges of such frequency and offer advice on how to communicate boundaries respectfully while still valuing the friendship.

From a public health angle, from sources like the CDC have highlighted “Call a Friend Day” as an opportunity for mental health self-care and emergency preparedness, suggesting using this day to establish an out-of-town contact for communication during crises.

In summary, “Call a Friend Day” is about more than just making a phone call; it’s about reconnecting, valuing the human voice, and nurturing relationships in a meaningful way during a time when many are reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the new one.

Speculation is that there are many lonely people that are crying for human interaction.

National Fruitcake Day

PODCAST. AI assisted.
December 27th marks a unique celebration in the calendar of food holidays – it’s National Fruitcake Day! This day is dedicated to a dessert that has stirred both love and ridicule in equal measure, yet its rich history and cultural significance cannot be understated. Let’s dive into the world of fruitcake, exploring its origins, its place in holiday traditions, and how we can celebrate this peculiar yet delightful treat.

Fruitcake’s origins trace back to ancient times. The Romans are credited with creating an early version of fruitcake as a form of sustenance for their soldiers, made from a mix of barley, honey, wine, and dried fruits like pomegranate seeds. Over centuries, as dried fruits became more accessible in Europe, fruitcake evolved into the dense, sweet confection we know today. It became a staple in European holiday celebrations, with each region adding its unique twist to the recipe – from Germany’s stollen to Italy’s panforte.

By the time fruitcake crossed the Atlantic to America, it had already become a symbol of holiday cheer and abundance. Here, the cake was often soaked in spirits like bourbon or rum, which not only added flavor but also preserved the cake for months, making it a perfect gift to exchange during the holiday season. Despite its sometimes controversial reputation, fruitcake has been a beloved tradition in many households, often connected with stories and memories passed down through generations.

Why Celebrate National Fruitcake Day?

  • Cultural Heritage: Fruitcake represents a tapestry of culinary history from various cultures, making it an excellent topic for celebrating diversity in food traditions.
  • Culinary Challenge: For those who’ve never warmed up to fruitcake, this day is a perfect opportunity to try new recipes or revisit traditional ones. Perhaps you’ll find a version that changes your mind!
  • Community and Sharing: Fruitcakes have historically been gifts, symbolizing love and care. National Fruitcake Day is a great excuse to share this treat with friends or neighbors, fostering community spirit.
  • Creativity: From decorating your fruitcake to invent new recipes, this day invites creativity in the kitchen. Why not make your own fruitcake with local or exotic fruits?

Ways to Celebrate:

  • Bake Your Own: Try your hand at making fruitcake. There are countless recipes out there, from the classic dense cakes soaked in spirits to lighter, modern variations. Perhaps you’ll use a recipe that’s been in your family for generations or experiment with something new.
  • Fruitcake Tasting: Organize a tasting party where everyone brings their version or a store-bought fruitcake to compare and enjoy together. You might discover that fruitcake can be quite delicious when made or chosen with care.
  • Fruitcake Toss: Inspired by the Great Fruitcake Toss in Manitou Springs, Colorado, if you’re not a fan, you can have some fun by seeing who can toss a fruitcake the furthest – just make sure it’s in good humor!
  • Educational Fun: Learn about the history of fruitcake with your family. It’s not just food; it’s a journey through time and cultures.
  • Gift-Giving: Embrace the tradition of giving fruitcake as a gift. Package them nicely, and maybe you’ll start a new tradition where your fruitcake is eagerly anticipated every holiday season.

Finally, National Fruitcake Day is more than just an ode to a dense dessert; it’s a celebration of culinary history, tradition, and the joy of sharing. Whether you’re a fruitcake aficionado or a curious skeptic, this day offers a chance to appreciate this misunderstood delicacy. So, grab your apron, choose your ingredients, and let’s bake up some fruitcake memories on December 27th. Here’s to the enduring charm of fruitcake, a sweet reminder of the holidays that keeps on giving.

There are rumors going around that fruitcakes were found in the Egyptian pyramids.

National Candy Cane Day

PODCAST AI assisted

Have you ever heard of Candy Cane Day?


National Candy Cane Day is observed annually on December 26 in the United States. This day celebrates the candy cane, a traditional Christmas treat known for its distinctive cane shape and usually peppermint flavor with red and white stripes. Here are some key points about National Candy Cane Day:

  • Candy canes have a storied, though somewhat debated, history. One legend claims they originated in 1670s Germany when a choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks to keep children quiet during the Christmas Eve service. Another story links candy canes to a later time, with the first documented recipe appearing in 1844.
  • The day is an opportunity for people to enjoy leftover candy canes from the holiday season or to buy them on discount post-Christmas. Activities might include:
    • Eating candy canes or using them in recipes like hot chocolate or peppermint bark.
    • Sharing candy canes with friends, family, or neighbors.
    • Using them as decorations or in crafting projects.
  • Candy canes are deeply associated with Christmas, both as a treat and as a symbol. They are often hung on Christmas trees, used in holiday decorations, or given as gifts. The day after Christmas makes sense for this celebration as it encourages the use of all those candy canes accumulated during the festive period.
  • While peppermint is the classic flavor, modern times have seen candy canes in numerous flavors like cherry, sour apple, blueberry, watermelon, and even unconventional ones like pickle or bacon.
  • Candy canes are made from sugar, water, and peppermint oil, which some believe might offer health benefits like aiding digestion and freshening breath. However, they are high in sugar, so moderation is key.
  • On this day, people often post about their candy cane consumption or crafts on social media, using hashtags like #NationalCandyCaneDay to share their celebrations.

The celebration of National Candy Cane Day underscores the candy’s role in holiday culture, providing a fun way to extend the festive season a little longer.

Some Christmas History

PODCAST AI assisted

As twinkling lights adorn homes and carols fill the air, it’s time to delve into the rich tapestry of Christmas history. Celebrated on December 25th, Christmas is not just a day but a cultural phenomenon with roots extending deep into various traditions and histories across the globe.

The story of Christmas begins long before the birth of Christianity. In ancient Rome, the celebration of Saturnalia from December 17 to 23 was a time of feasting, role reversals, and general merriment in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. This festival was characterized by the exchange of gifts, lighting candles, and a general spirit of lawlessness that was embraced as part of the festivities.

Simultaneously, the Norse celebrated Yule, a midwinter festival around the same time, involving the burning of a Yule log, feasting, and the promise of the return of light as days began to lengthen.

The Birth of Christ

The true pivot to what we recognize today as Christmas came with the Christian era. The exact date of Jesus Christ’s birth is not known, but by the 4th century, December 25 was chosen as the day to celebrate his nativity, possibly to overlay and convert the existing pagan festivals. Pope Julius I is often credited with setting this date.

During the Middle Ages, Christmas evolved with its own customs in Europe. The Feast of the Nativity was a solemn affair, but it also incorporated elements like the “Boy Bishop” where a child would take on the role of bishop for a day, reflecting the playful spirit of earlier pagan festivals. Over time, the celebration became more secular with the introduction of the Christmas tree by German Lutherans in the 16th century, spreading through royal marriages like that of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria in Britain.

The Victorian era significantly shaped modern Christmas. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” published in 1843, rekindled the spirit of charity and kindness associated with the holiday. This period also saw the popularization of many traditions we cherish today – from Santa Claus (derived from Saint Nicholas) to the Christmas card, first sent in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole.

The 20th century brought further commercialization with figures like Coca-Cola’s depiction of Santa Claus, which helped cement the jolly, bearded gift-giver in red into popular culture. World War I’s Christmas Truce of 1914 remains one of the most poignant moments in Christmas history, showing humanity’s capacity for peace amidst war.

In the modern era, Christmas has become a global festival, transcending religious boundaries to be a time of family, giving, and reflection. Yet, it retains its Christian essence for many, celebrating the Advent, the nativity scenes, and church services.

Cultural Variations

Mexico celebrates with Las Posadas, reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging.

Japan has embraced Christmas with a twist, with KFC meals becoming a holiday tradition.

Ethiopia observes Genna, blending Christmas with cultural festivities.

Finally, Christmas’s history is as layered as the snowflakes that might grace your windows. From pagan solstice celebrations to a day of Christian significance, and then to a festival of universal joy, Christmas has evolved, yet at its core, it remains a period for reflection, celebration, and community. As we hang our stockings and light our trees, we partake in a celebration that has been centuries in the making, each element a testament to human culture’s enduring depth and diversity.

As we look forward to future Christmases, may we remember not just the joy of the season but the stories and history that make each tradition meaningful. Here’s to more moments of peace, love, and understanding, wrapped in the festive spirit of Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Twas the night before Christmas

PODCAST

On a chilly December 24th day in 1823, the pages of the Troy Sentinel in New York became the cradle for one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time. “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas,” was first published, and with it, Clement Clarke Moore gifted the world an enduring piece of holiday magic.

Clement Clarke Moore, a professor of Oriental and Greek literature at Columbia College (now Columbia University), penned this poem as a Christmas gift for his six children. Little did he know that his whimsical tale would capture the hearts of generations to come. Initially, the poem was published anonymously, but it was soon attributed to Moore, who later included it in his 1844 collection, “Poems.”

Moore’s poem has had an indelible impact on how we perceive Santa Claus. Before “The Night Before Christmas,” Saint Nicholas was often depicted in various forms, but Moore’s vivid description gave us the jolly, rotund Santa we know today, with his “little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.”

  • Santa’s Attire: The poem detailed Santa’s outfit, with “a broad face and a little round belly,” clad in “a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.”
  • The Reindeer: Moore named Santa’s reindeer, introducing the now-iconic Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder (later changed to Donner), and Blixem (later Blitzen).
  • The Magic of Christmas Eve: The narrative captures the wonder of Christmas Eve, with children nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums dance in their heads.

“The Night Before Christmas” has transcended its initial publication to become a cornerstone of Christmas tradition. It’s recited at countless holiday gatherings, illustrated in children’s books, and adapted into various forms of media. Here’s how it’s woven into our culture:

  • Literature: The poem has been illustrated by some of the finest artists, with each interpretation adding to its visual legacy.
  • Music: It has been set to music numerous times, with one of the most famous renditions being by composer Kenneth Darby in the 1950s.
  • Film and TV: The poem’s imagery has inspired countless animations and adaptations, spreading cheer across screens big and small.

Clement Clarke Moore’s contribution to Christmas folklore is immeasurable. His poem not only shaped our modern image of Santa but also instilled a sense of wonder and joy in the holiday season. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling, where a simple poem for children can resonate through centuries, influencing culture and tradition.

As we enjoy the festivities of Christmas, let’s take a moment to appreciate this piece of literary history. Whether you’re reciting it with family, reading it to your children, or simply reflecting on its verses, “The Night Before Christmas” remains a beacon of holiday spirit, reminding us of the magic that lies in the quiet moments before the dawn of Christmas Day.

So, this holiday season, perhaps you’ll turn to the Troy Sentinel’s gift to the world from 1823, celebrating not just Christmas, but the beauty of literature that connects us across time.

The Festivus Blog

PODCAST

Festivus, famously known as “Festivus for the rest of us,” is a non-commercial holiday celebrated on December 23, primarily as an alternative to the commercial and religious aspects of Christmas. Originating from a 1997 episode of Seinfeld titled “The Strike,” Festivus has grown from a fictional holiday into a cultural phenomenon embraced by those seeking a less conventional holiday experience.

The holiday was conceived by Daniel O’Keefe, father of Seinfeld writer Dan O’Keefe, in the mid-1960s as a way to celebrate his first date with his wife in a secular, non-materialistic manner. In the Seinfeld episode, it’s depicted through the character Frank Costanza, who introduces the holiday to his friends as a protest against the consumerism of Christmas.

Festivus Traditions

  • The Festivus Pole: Instead of a Christmas tree, an unadorned aluminum pole is erected. This symbolizes the rejection of holiday commercialism, as the pole has no decorations, especially no distracting tinsel.
  • The Airing of Grievances: After dinner, participants share how others have disappointed them over the past year. This tradition encapsulates the holiday’s spirit of candor and reflection.
  • Festivus Dinner: Traditionally, the meal includes meatloaf, often served on a bed of lettuce, contrasting with the lavish feasts of Christmas.
  • Feats of Strength: The celebration concludes with a wrestling match where the head of the household must be pinned. However, many opt for less physical alternatives like thumb wrestling or arm wrestling.
  • Festivus Miracles: While not an official tradition, minor, everyday events are humorously labeled as “Festivus miracles,” adding a touch of irony to the day.

Today, Festivus has transcended its television origin to become a part of many people’s holiday rituals. Blogs, social media, and websites like FestivusWeb.com detail how to celebrate the holiday, offering everything from recipes for Festivus dinner to tips on hosting your own “airing of grievances.” Posts on platforms celebrate the holiday with humor and creativity, showcasing personal Festivus poles and recounting grievances aired.

Festivus appeals to those who feel the pressure of traditional holiday celebrations, offering a space for laughter, honesty, and simplicity. It’s an opportunity for families and friends to come together in a way that’s less about gifts and more about genuine interaction. Moreover, it serves as a playful critique of consumer culture, promoting mindfulness during the often-hectic holiday season.

Festivus might be one of the most unique holidays out there, born from television but embraced in real life for its humor and heart. As we approach December 23, whether you’re setting up your aluminum pole or just enjoying the lore, Festivus invites everyone to step back from the commercial rush and enjoy a moment of communal reflection and fun. Remember, you don’t need tinsel, just a willingness to engage with those around you in candid, often comedic, ways. Happy Festivus!

Thomas Edison’s Christmas Lights

PODCAST

In the tapestry of holiday traditions, few moments shine as brightly as when Thomas Edison, the wizard of Menlo Park, illuminated the first string of electric Christmas tree lights on December 22, 1882. This wasn’t just a festive experiment; it was a moment that would redefine holiday celebrations for generations to come.

Back in 1882, Christmas decorations were predominantly made of candles, which, while beautiful, posed a significant fire hazard. Imagine the scene: the glow of candles on evergreen branches, a sight both enchanting and dangerous. Enter Thomas Edison, who had already made headlines with his incandescent light bulb. Edison’s associate, Edward H. Johnson, took the idea a step further. On December 22, 1882, Johnson, an inventor in his own right and Edison’s partner, adorned his Christmas tree in his New York City home with 80 hand-wired red, white, and blue electric bulbs. This wasn’t just for show; it was a demonstration of what electric lights could do for safety and aesthetics in holiday decor.

The spectacle was reported in the Detroit Post and Tribune, describing how “one can hardly imagine anything prettier.” This wasn’t just a novelty; it marked the beginning of a new era for Christmas decor. Edison’s electric lights were safer than candles, reusable, and didn’t require the constant attention to prevent fires. However, the technology was initially too expensive for the average household. A string of lights could cost as much as a month’s salary for many workers.

But as with many of Edison’s inventions, the price came down over time, and the idea caught on. By the early 20th century, electric Christmas lights had become more accessible, thanks to innovations in manufacturing and a growing electrical infrastructure. Companies like General Electric started producing pre-wired sets, making it easier for families to illuminate their celebrations.

This invention did more than just light up trees; it influenced how we celebrate and remember Christmas. The warm glow of electric lights became synonymous with the holiday spirit, symbolizing joy, warmth, and togetherness. It transformed the Christmas tree from a fire hazard into a centerpiece of safety and celebration. Over the years, the tradition evolved with colored lights, blinking patterns, and eventually, LED technology, which brought energy efficiency into the mix.

Today, when we string up our lights, whether they’re classic incandescent, energy-saving LEDs, or even smart lights that dance to music, we’re participating in a tradition that began with Edison and Johnson’s pioneering demonstration. It’s a reminder of how innovation can create enduring cultural practices. Each twinkle of a light on a Christmas tree is a nod to human ingenuity, turning a simple act of decoration into a celebration of progress and festivity.

In conclusion, Thomas Edison’s contribution to Christmas traditions in 1882 goes beyond mere decoration; it was a beacon of innovation that has continued to evolve. As we plug in our lights each year, we’re not just decorating for the holidays; we’re partaking in a legacy of light, safety, and joy that began with a single, bright idea over a century ago. This year, as you look at your twinkling tree, remember the spark of genius that made it all possible.

The Intriguing History of the Crossword Puzzle


PODCAST

Crossword puzzles, those delightful grid games that challenge our vocabulary and wit, have a history as rich and engaging as the puzzles themselves. Today, let’s delve into how this beloved pastime came to be.

The Birth of the Crossword

The story of the crossword puzzle begins on December 21, 1913, when Arthur Wynne, a journalist from Liverpool working for the “New York World,” introduced a new kind of puzzle to his readers. Called the “Word-Cross Puzzle,” it was published in the newspaper’s Fun section. This wasn’t just any puzzle; it was the first of its kind, featuring words intersecting in a diamond-shaped grid. Wynne’s creation was inspired by earlier word games like the “Magic Squares,” but his innovation lay in the intersecting words, which added a new layer of complexity and enjoyment.

The Crossword Craze

The initial response was modest, but word of mouth spread, and by the late 1920s, crossword puzzles had become a national craze in the United States. The “New York World” was soon followed by other publications, recognizing the public’s hunger for these brain teasers. The puzzle’s popularity soared to such heights that it was not uncommon to see people solving crosswords in trains, parks, and even during work breaks.

Evolution and Expansion

The format of the crossword evolved over time. The diamond shape gave way to the now-standard square or rectangular grid with black squares separating the words. This evolution was partly driven by the need for more complex puzzles and better space management in newspapers. The 1924 publication of “The Cross Word Puzzle Book” by Simon & Schuster, which became the first book to sell a million copies in the U.S., further solidified the crossword’s place in popular culture.

In the 1930s, crossword puzzles began to take on different forms across the world. In Britain, the “cryptic crossword” was developed, known for its clues that require a bit of lateral thinking or wordplay, contrasting with the American style’s more straightforward definitions.

Crosswords in the Digital Age

The advent of digital technology brought new dimensions to crossword puzzles. With the internet, puzzles became available online, allowing for interactive solving, instant checking, and community engagement through forums and competitions. Mobile apps further revolutionized the accessibility of crosswords, turning them into a daily ritual for millions worldwide.

Modern Innovations

Today, crossword puzzles continue to evolve. We see a blend of traditional and modern elements – from themed puzzles that reflect current events to crosswords that cater to niche interests or even educational purposes. The rise of AI has also introduced new dynamics in puzzle creation, although the human touch in crafting clues remains irreplaceable for its cleverness and cultural relevance.

Cultural Impact

Crosswords have not only been a source of entertainment but also a cultural phenomenon. They’ve influenced language, with terms like “clue” and “grid” gaining specific meanings within crossword culture. They’ve also been a subject in literature, films, and even academic study, exploring cognitive benefits like improved memory and problem-solving skills.

Conclusion

From its humble beginnings in a newspaper supplement to becoming a global pastime, the history of the crossword puzzle is a testament to human ingenuity and our love for wordplay. As we continue to see new twists in the crossword’s evolution, it’s clear that this puzzle will keep engaging minds for generations to come, proving that sometimes, solving a problem can be just as enjoyable as the problem itself.

So next time you pick up a pen or hover your finger over a digital grid, remember you’re partaking in a tradition that’s over a century old, yet as fresh and challenging as ever.

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

PODCAST

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” directed by Frank Capra and released on December 20, 1946, has transcended time to become not just a holiday classic but a timeless piece of cinematic history. Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore, this film explores the depths of human emotion, the power of community, and the profound impact one life can have on many. Let’s delve into why this movie continues to captivate audiences around the world.

At its core, “It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the story of George Bailey, a man who has always put others before himself. Despite his dreams of adventure, George remains in his small town of Bedford Falls, running the family business, the Bailey Building and Loan, which offers an alternative to the ruthless practices of the local tycoon, Mr. Potter. On Christmas Eve, after a series of misfortunes, George contemplates suicide, believing he’s worth more dead than alive. An angel, Clarence, is sent to show him what life in Bedford Falls would be like without him. This journey into an alternate reality reveals the true value of George’s life and the countless lives he’s touched.

The Value of Individual Life: The film’s central theme is the worth of every individual. George’s life, seen through the lens of “what might have been,” illustrates how each person’s existence is a thread in the fabric of community life.

  • Community and Connection: “It’s a Wonderful Life” celebrates the strength of community. It shows how collective support can lift an individual out of despair, emphasizing the importance of friendship, family, and social bonds.
  • Sacrifice and Selflessness: George’s life is one of sacrifice, where he continually places the needs of others above his own desires. This selflessness is rewarded in the end, not with material gain, but with the love and gratitude of those he’s helped.
  • Hope and Redemption: The narrative arc from despair to hope is a powerful message, especially during the holiday season. George’s redemption comes from understanding his impact on others, offering a message of hope that resonates with viewers of all ages.

Cultural Impact

Despite its initial lukewarm reception, “It’s a Wonderful Life” has grown into an iconic film, often cited as one of the best movies ever made. Its annual television broadcasts have made it a staple of Christmas viewing. The film’s messages have influenced other works and are often referenced in popular culture. It has also sparked numerous adaptations, including stage plays, remakes, and parodies.

Why It Still Resonates

  • Universal Themes: The themes of the film are universal, touching on the human condition in ways that remain relevant. The struggle between personal dreams and communal responsibilities, the fight against corruption, and the power of kindness are timeless.
  • James Stewart’s Performance: Stewart’s portrayal of George Bailey is often hailed as one of his finest roles, capturing the essence of a man at his breaking point yet full of compassion.
  • Timeless Storytelling: Capra’s direction, with its blend of drama, comedy, and fantasy, crafts a narrative that feels both magical and real, making the film accessible and emotionally engaging.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is more than just a movie; it’s a cultural touchstone that reminds us of the beauty in everyday life, the importance of community, and the profound impact of kindness. Its message that each life matters is perhaps more poignant now than ever, in a world that can often feel disconnected. As we watch George Bailey’s journey each year, we’re not just celebrating a film; we’re celebrating the human spirit’s resilience and capacity for love and change. This holiday season, or any time you need a reminder of the good in the world, “It’s a Wonderful Life” awaits to show you, once again, the magic in the mundane.

Timeless Tale of “A Christmas Carol”

PODCAST

In the heart of Victorian London, where the fog cloaked the city in a perpetual gloom, Charles Dickens penned a story that would illuminate the spirit of Christmas for generations to come. Published on December 19, 1843, “A Christmas Carol” is not just a book; it’s a cultural phenomenon, a moral compass, and a heartwarming tale that reminds us of the true essence of the holiday season.

The Genesis of the Ghost Story

Charles Dickens, at the time of writing “A Christmas Carol,” was already an established author, yet he faced financial difficulties and sought to reignite his passion for writing. His observations of the stark contrast between the opulent and the impoverished in London fueled his narrative. Dickens intended “A Christmas Carol” as a critique of the industrial age’s harsh realities, particularly the plight of the poor and the indifference of the rich.

The story centers around Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man whose heart is as cold as a winter’s night. Dickens masterfully uses the framework of a ghost story to explore themes of redemption, charity, and the joy of giving. The tale unfolds over Christmas Eve night, during which Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

The Characters and Their Symbolism

  • Ebenezer Scrooge: More than just a miser, Scrooge represents the potential for change in humanity. His transformation from a bitter recluse to a benevolent figure is the heart of the story.
  • Jacob Marley: Marley’s ghost serves as a harbinger, warning Scrooge of the chains he will forge in life with his greed and lack of compassion.
  • The Three Spirits: Each ghost shows Scrooge a different aspect of his life and the lives of others. The Ghost of Christmas Past revisits memories, revealing the joys lost to avarice. The Ghost of Christmas Present displays the current state of happiness and hardship, contrasting Scrooge’s isolation with others’ communal joy. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come presents a bleak future, motivating Scrooge to change his ways before it’s too late.

The Legacy of “A Christmas Carol”

“A Christmas Carol” did more than entertain; it influenced social reforms. Dickens’ vivid portrayal of poverty and his call for charity contributed to the establishment of the modern form of Christmas celebration, emphasizing kindness, generosity, and community.

The book’s publication was a commercial success, selling out its initial print run by Christmas Eve. Its enduring popularity has led to countless adaptations in theatre, film, radio, and television, each adding its own flavor to Dickens’ narrative but maintaining the core message of redemption and transformation.

Why “A Christmas Carol” Still Resonates

Today, “A Christmas Carol” continues to resonate due to its universal themes:

  • Redemption: The idea that it’s never too late to change one’s ways offers hope to us all.
  • Community and Compassion: In a world that often feels divided, the story reminds us of the strength found in community and the power of compassion.
  • The Spirit of Giving: At a time when consumerism can overshadow the holiday, Dickens’ tale brings us back to the joy of selfless giving.
  • Reflection and Growth: The journey through Scrooge’s past, present, and possible future is a metaphor for personal reflection and the growth that can come from understanding one’s impact on the world.

“A Christmas Carol” is not merely a seasonal read; it’s a yearly reminder of the values we should uphold every day. Whether through Dickens’ original prose, through the myriad adaptations, or in the quiet moments when we ponder our own lives, the story of Scrooge’s redemption persists as a beacon of hope, urging us to embrace the spirit of Christmas all year round.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

PODCAST

In the quaint, snowy village of Whoville, nestled in a valley surrounded by high, snow-capped mountains, lived the Who’s. They were a joyful bunch, known for their love of singing, feasting, and celebrating the holiday of Christmas with unparalleled zeal. But high above Whoville, in a cave on the frosty peak of Mount Crumpit, lived a creature known as the Grinch, whose heart was two sizes too small, filled with nothing but disdain for the festive noise below.

The Grinch, with his sour disposition and green, furry exterior, loathed everything about Christmas. The jingling of bells, the warmth of the fireplaces, and the laughter that echoed through the streets of Whoville grated his nerves. Especially bothersome was the Christmas Eve feast, where the Whos gathered in their town square, singing with such volume and glee that it reached even his secluded den.

One particularly cold December, as the Whos’ preparations for Christmas grew louder and brighter, the Grinch hatched a plan so devious, so Grinchy, it could only come from a heart as cold as his. He decided to steal Christmas, to snuff out the holiday for good. With a sinister grin, he donned a red Santa suit, stuffed his dog Max into a reindeer harness, and set off under the cover of night.

Sledding down to Whoville, he moved like a shadow, entering each home with stealth. He took the Christmas trees, the stockings, the presents, and all the trimmings. He even took the last can of Who-hash. With each item he stole, the Grinch thought he was erasing Christmas from the hearts of Whoville.

As dawn broke, the Grinch, satisfied with his mischief, returned to Mount Crumpit, ready to push the stolen goods into the abyss. But just as he was about to, a sound reached his ears. It was faint at first but grew louder, a sound that was unmistakably the Whos singing. In their square, despite having nothing, they sang. Their voices rose in a chorus of joy, not diminished by the absence of material things but rather fueled by the spirit of togetherness.

The Grinch was baffled. He had taken everything, yet here was Christmas, stronger than ever. It was then, in the beauty of their undying cheer, that something profound happened. His heart, which had been small and cold, began to grow. Three sizes larger, it expanded, filling with warmth and the true meaning of Christmas.

Overcome with a new understanding, the Grinch couldn’t bear to keep the Whos from their joy. He returned everything, not just the physical items but also his own changed heart. He joined the Whos in their celebration, carving the roast beast and sharing in their songs, laughter, and love.

From that day forward, the Grinch was no longer an outsider but a part of Whoville. He taught everyone, including himself, that Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Perhaps, Christmas, he thought, means a little bit more. And so, the Grinch, once a symbol of bitterness, became a symbol of transformation and the power of community and kindness.

Thus, the legend of how the Grinch stole Christmas but then gave it back in a way more meaningful than anyone could have imagined, became a cherished tale told year after year in Whoville, reminding all that the true spirit of Christmas lies not in what we have but in who we are together.

The Flight That Changed the World

Podcast Link

On a chilly morning of December 17, 1903, the dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, became the stage for one of the most transformative moments in human history. Above the sandy terrain, where winds howled with both challenge and promise, two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, named Orville and Wilbur Wright, were about to etch their names into the annals of time.

Orville and Wilbur had spent years, driven by an insatiable curiosity about flight, tinkering in their bicycle shop. They studied birds, read everything they could on aerodynamics, and even built their own wind tunnel to test wing designs. Their passion was not just for flying but for solving the puzzle of controlled flight, which had eluded humanity since Daedalus and Icarus.

The day was carefully chosen; they needed a steady breeze to lift their contraption, which they affectionately called the “Flyer.” The weather on this particular day was both cooperative and challenging, with winds gusting to 27 mph. The brothers, along with a small group of witnesses including their father, Bishop Wright, and a couple of local men, gathered at the chosen spot.

The Flyer was a delicate balance of wood, wire, and fabric, with a wingspan of 40 feet. It was equipped with a 12-horsepower engine and two propellers, all designed by the Wrights themselves. The machine looked more like a giant, ungainly kite than the sleek airplanes of the future, but it embodied the culmination of their dreams and calculations.

Wilbur had won the coin toss that morning, giving him the honor of the first attempt. However, a small mishap with the launch rail meant Orville would take the first flight. With hearts pounding against their chests, they moved the Flyer back into position. Orville lay prone on the lower wing, his hands gripping the controls.

At exactly 10:35 AM, with a shout from John T. Daniels, one of the witnesses who was also manning the camera, Orville released the wire that held the Flyer to the ground. The engine roared to life, and the propellers began to spin, pulling the machine forward. For a moment, it seemed as though it might merely drag along the sand, but then, almost magically, the Flyer lifted.

The flight was brief, lasting only 12 seconds, covering 120 feet. But those scant moments were enough to change the course of history. Orville landed, and the Flyer, though intact, bore the scars of its brief maiden voyage. The brothers were overjoyed; they knew exactly what they had achieved.

Wilbur took the next flight, going further than Orville, and by the fourth and final flight of the day, he managed to keep the Flyer aloft for 59 seconds, traveling 852 feet. Each flight was a testament to their dedication and ingenuity.

That day, the world didn’t fully grasp the significance of what had happened on that nondescript beach. Newspapers gave sparse coverage, and many dismissed the event as a mere novelty. However, Orville and Wilbur knew they had done something monumental. They had conquered the sky, not with magic but with science, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in human potential.

Years later, as airplanes became a common sight in the skies, people would look back on that December day with awe. The Wright brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk wasn’t just about defying gravity; it was about defying limitations, about the human spirit’s capability to soar beyond what was once thought possible. Their flight on December 17, 1903, was the first step into a new era of exploration, where the sky was no longer the limit.

AI impacts on writing

Link to Podcast

 

AI is here and a hot topic. There have been positive comments and negative comments about the impact AI will have on many fields. Since I spend a lot of time on writing I thought I would ask AI and see what the response would be.

I went to Grok which is X’s AI platform (formerly twitter). This is the response I received from Grok.

The impact of AI on writers is multifaceted, presenting both opportunities and challenges that are reshaping the landscape of writing professions: 

Opportunities for Writers: 

  • Increased Productivity: AI tools can serve as assistants in the writing process, generating ideas, outlines, or even draft content. They can help overcome writer’s block by providing prompts or alternative phrasings, allowing writers to focus on higher-level creative tasks. For instance, tools like Grammarly or platforms using AI for brainstorming can expedite the writing process by suggesting improvements and ideas. 
  • Enhancement of Creativity: AI can be used to explore new narrative styles or to simulate different perspectives, potentially leading to more innovative storytelling. Some writers find AI helpful in generating initial drafts that they can then refine, thus blending human creativity with computational power to create unique works. 
  • Educational and Analytical Support: AI can analyze vast amounts of text data to identify trends, patterns, or even market preferences, which can inform writers’ strategies for both content creation and marketing. 

Challenges for Writers: 

  • Job Security and Market Saturation: There’s a concern among writers that AI might produce enough content to saturate the market or replace human writers in certain areas like technical writing or content for SEO. This could potentially devalue human-authored work or lead to job displacement, especially in fields where speed and volume are prioritized over creativity and nuance. 
  • Authenticity and Originality: AI-generated content might challenge the authenticity of human creative expression. Critics argue that AI lacks the emotional depth and personal experience that human writers bring to their work, potentially leading to a homogenization of content. This raises ethical questions about authorship and the originality of AI-assisted or AI-generated works. 
  • Ethical and Legal Concerns: The use of AI in writing also brings up issues concerning copyright, as AI is trained on existing texts. This has sparked debates on intellectual property rights and the potential for AI to reproduce or closely mimic copyrighted material without permission. 
  • Human Touch and Emotional Connection: AI, while capable of producing coherent text, struggles to replicate the human touch – the emotional, cultural, and experiential nuances that resonate with readers. This limitation is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity for human writers to distinguish their work. 

Adaptation and Integration: 

  • Collaboration Over Replacement: Many in the writing community advocate for viewing AI as a tool that complements rather than competes with human writers. The focus is shifting towards how writers can leverage AI to enhance their work while maintaining the unique human elements that AI cannot replicate. 
  • New Roles and Skills: As AI integrates further into writing, new roles might emerge, like AI content editors or specialists in AI-human collaboration. Writers might need to learn how to interact with AI, understand its capabilities, and use it to augment their creative processes. 

The overall impact suggests a future where AI doesn’t outright replace writers but changes the nature of writing jobs. Writers who can adapt by using AI to enhance their work, remain vigilant about maintaining their unique voice, and navigate the ethical landscape will likely thrive in this evolving environment. 

Like it or not, AI is here, and one should accept the fact and adjust to living with AI and use it to your advantage instead of fighting the future. This took less than 30 seconds to come up with this response. I know one thing for sure AI is faster than me.

I Never Did This Before

PODCAST Link

My wife had a Christmas luncheon with the neighborhood ladies’ group. Which meant I had to find something to eat or go to a restaurant and eat by myself. I go up to the local family-owned restaurant and before I pull into a spot another car has pulled into another spot before me. This gentleman goes in a few moments before me.  

We are waiting to be seated and there is about twelve of the tables and booths already taken with customers. As we are waiting, he asks me “have I ever eaten here before?” I reply “yes I have, and it is clean, and the food is ok. As we were waiting, I don’t know what came over me, but I asked him, “do you want to eat together?” There was a pause, and he said, “sure why not”. I have never done this before! What was I thinking? 

When we went to the booth, He introduced himself and his name is Chuck. I replied with my name and shook hands before we sat down across from each other. Is this going to be an awkward situation or a time to remember? Chuck was a man maybe late forties, early fifties with a greying beard and his clothes were neat and clean. No, that is not a photo of chuck. That is a photo I just pirated from the internet that looks close to what Chuck looked like. 

I said to Chuck, “I live near here do you live around here?” Chuck said, “no I live in Boston, and I am here on a business trip to see a client.” I replied, what kind of business do you have? Chuck replied, I am a web site designer and one of my customers needed some personal attention. Like a dummy I asked, is your client somewhere near?” Chuck replied, “sorry, that is privileged information, and my client wants to remain unknown.” I immediately thought, is this going to be an awkward uncomfortable lunch?  

Chuck then asked me, “are you still working?” I responded and said, “thanks for the compliment. I have been retired for over twenty years and haven’t worked a day for a salary since I retired. He said, “well you sure do not look your age. I said, “since 2006 every day is Saturday and do not have any serious commitments or deadlines to meet.” I do spend a lot of time blogging and writing down memories of my time and adventures I have experienced. 

Somewhere in the conversation we shared our family situations. Chuck has lived in Boston all his life. He has two children, a boy and a girl. The boy is two years older than the girl and the boy graduated from college a year ago and the girl is a senior in college. I shared that I have two sons and they are near fifty and both live in the Denver metro area with their family and I also have four stepchildren from a second marriage, two boys and two girls. This conversation is becoming more relaxed all the time. 

We then discovered that both of us were Army veterans. I was in the army in 1964 to 1966. I was stationed to Nurenburg Germany and fortunately missed Viet Nam. Chuck was in the army 2001 to 2005. When you find out that a veteran is talking to a veteran there is this wall that automatically disappears. I don’t know what there about military service is, but this bond develops that cannot be explained. I also find out Chuck was in Iraq the same time as my youngest son in 2003. They were also in the Third Armored Calvary Regiment but different squadrons. Sometimes it is a small world.  

Here is another example of a small world. My wife and I were in Rome visiting the coliseum and these men are around dressed in Roman soldier attire. My wife needs a picture and during the process the soldier asks where are we from. We tell him Denver Metro area. He responds by saying, “I know Denver area. In the off season I live in Greeley Colorado. We are 5000 miles away from Denver and meet someone who lives in Greeley which is about 40 miles northeast of Denver. Yes, sometimes it is a small world. 

The conversation is going very well and both of us appear to be enjoying that we sat together instead of eating alone. We talked about many different subjects, cars, weather, Boston history for just a few. An hour passed very quickly and Chuck said he should go back to his client. I asked when he is going back to Boston and he said later this evening. This was a very enjoyable meeting and we left without even sharing our last names or any contact information. I have never been very well in extending a friendship and I guess Chuck isn’t either. This meeting enforces my feeling that millions of people are basically good on this earth and are just attempting to do their best with what they have to face. This became a time to be remembered. Will I ever do this again? Only time will tell.  

An Assignment for a Night

Podcast link

 

Here I am hovering over my assignment for the night of October 31, 2024. My assignment was to make sure Tom makes it through the night. Sometimes I wonder, how are these assignments passed out? What spirit is assigned to who and why? Or is it just a random drawing? This is something that will never be revealed to the spirit army.  

From my orders I see that Tom is a male over eighty years old. He was in his mother’s womb when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Tom is living a typical American life. He was never famous or well known. Just one of the millions who try to do best with what they must encounter in their life. Tom was drafted into the army in 1964. He was very fortunate he did not have to experience the pain of war. He was assigned to Germany and the other seven he was drafted with went to Viet Nam. Tom always wonders why that happened and thought about that throughout his life. Why was he so fortunate? Tom did have some difficult times in his life though. Tom had to experience the hurt and pain of a divorce. Over five years of unemployment was hard and very stressful.  However, all in all, he has been very blessed during his eighty years on this earth. 

As I started my assignment, I noticed that Tom fell asleep very fast. No tossing and turning for Tom. Lights out, nighty night. His nights are full of dreams. He almost started dreaming immediately. Being a spirit I have the benefit of hearing and seeing subconscious and conscious activity. Can’t hide anything from me. 

His first dream was about Sandra. She was his first female attraction. They went through school together, from kindergarten through high school. Because of religious conflicts Tom started pulling away and after high school they went their separate ways and lost all contact. Fifty years later Tom had a dream. Sandra came to her and said. “Tom we were meant for each other. Our lives would have been totally different than what is has been”.  This woke Tom up with a start and finally after a week Tom decided to research the internet looking for some information.  

He had to go to high school alumni newsletters to acquire her married name and doing the search he discovered that Sandra died three days before he experienced the eye-opening dream. WOW! This convinced Tom that spirits and living do have on occasions contact between them. Since that experience Tom is convinced, there is time after life on earth. 

Now the time is around one o’clock in the morning. That eighty-year-old bladder says it is time for attention.  

After a couple of minutes of attending to bodily functions Tom returns to bed and immediately falls back to sleep. The next dream is about Viet Nam. Wait a minute, Tom was never in Viet Nam! This dream was through the eyes of a sergeant, and they were in a firefight with the Viet Cong. A troop crawls over to him and says, “Sarge, we can’t return fire because the Viet Cong is using civilians as shields, what should we do?” “They are slowly killing or wounding us.” After some tortious thoughts the Sargeant commands shoot them and kill those bastards hiding behind the human shields. Was this Tom or do we live parallel lives and that was a parallel life speaking and somehow the signals were sent to the wrong parallel life. The dream was through the eyes. I never saw what face I had. Mine or someone else’s? The name Sarge was used, not Tom. One will never know who it was.  

Three o’clock in the morning and the bladder is demanding some attention. Tom does what is demanded by his bladder but this time he does not go back to sleep. Coming back to bed he begins to toss and turn. He finally starts thinking about his latest project of creating video podcasts. Just before bed Tom was working on combining sound with photos or clipart and didn’t figure it out before bedtime so now some time had to be spent thinking about this obstacle. Tomorrow he will see if his options work out.  

Finally, he falls back to sleep and dreams about his near-death experience in February 2023. Tom experienced something unusual during that time. In his own thoughts he thought he took his last breath and went somewhere. He likes to say that he was in the waiting room waiting to go to time after death or return to life on earth. During that time, he experienced something out of this world. That was peace, total peace. A feeling he has never felt in his life before and has not felt since. Then the surgeons removed the blood clot and Tom returned to life on earth. Tom had a large blood clot between the lungs and the survival rate was 3 to 5%. Tom was one of the survivors. This dream was an attempt to experience that great feeling he had. Sorry, it did not work. 

Bladder calls again and then back to dreams. This was a Halloween dream since it was Halloween yesterday. It was a scary dream. Tom and his wife were in an old-fashioned streetcar, and someone came on and did something bad. The men on the streetcar started fighting with him and savaged him, tearing him up and mutilating him. He ended up with this gelatin-like substance you see in jars of pickled pigs’ feet. This nightmare was so bad it woke him up with a start. At that time, it was 7:30 in the morning and time to take his blood thinner medication and start another day.  

In summary, this was an interesting assignment. It was more interesting than I anticipated. Tom has led an interesting and full life. Tom is over eighty and knows that he is near time after life. It may be ten days from now or ten years. He has loss his fear of death from experiences in his life especially his near-death event. Now I must go to my next day assignment. Spirits do not sleep. We do not need sleep.  

Ramblings Magazine Issue #6 podcast

Podcast LINK

Hard copy LINK

Hello Ramblings Magazine reader Welcome!

This is a podcast of the sixth issue of Ramblings Magazine.

.

.

The Headings are:

Happenings plus time equals your life.

It will not happen in my life.

Computers and internet.

February 7, 2023.

Time for Spring.

M and M’s.

My interests have changed.

Amazing news.

My dream came true.

King for a day.

Remembering my parents.

I am just a mere mortal.

Patriotism.

A gift of life.

I do not have a favorite shoe.

A three-letter middle name.

100 years ago.

I am addicted to computers and the internet.

I survived the March 14 record snowstorm.

I am ready for spring.

Easter thoughts.

Retirement years.

The necessities of starting the day.

A dog, cat, or what?

Just be myself.

Hormones in high school.

X, formerly twitter and their grok feature.

Photo memories.

That’s it for this issue. Hope to see you next issue

Have a nice day!

The Wicked Whispers of Willow Creek

Audio Link

This was written by AI. Life is getting creepy.

In the heart of a dense, ancient forest, lay the quiet town of Willow Creek. By day, it was a picturesque place with cobblestone streets and charming cottages. But when the sun dipped below the horizon, the town’s character changed. 

Legend had it that the woods surrounding Willow Creek were home to the Wicked Whispers, eerie voices that echoed through the trees, leading lost souls deeper into the forest. Some said they were the spirits of those who had perished in the woods long ago, while others believed they were the enchantments of a powerful sorceress. 

Among the townsfolk was young Elara, an adventurous girl with a curious mind. She had grown up hearing tales of the Wicked Whispers but had never experienced them herself. One moonlit night, driven by her insatiable curiosity, Elara decided to venture into the forest, determined to uncover the truth. 

As she walked deeper into the woods, the familiar sounds of the town faded away, replaced by an unsettling silence. Then, she heard it—a soft, melodious whisper that seemed to call her name. “Elara… Elara…” The voice was both enchanting and chilling. 

Elara followed the whisper, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. The path grew narrower, and the trees seemed to close in around her. The whisper grew louder, more insistent. “Elara… come closer…” 

She stumbled upon a clearing bathed in the pale light of the full moon. At its center stood an ancient, gnarled tree, its twisted branches reaching out like the arms of a ghost. The whispers now came from all directions, encircling her. 

With a deep breath, Elara stepped forward and placed her hand on the tree’s trunk. Instantly, the whispers ceased, and a figure materialized before her—a woman with eyes like sapphires and hair as dark as the night. 

“I am Seraphina, the guardian of these woods,” the figure spoke, her voice as enchanting as the whispers. “The Wicked Whispers are a test, a trial for those who seek the truth.” 

Elara listened in awe as Seraphina revealed the forest’s secrets, its history, and the magic that flowed through its roots. She learned that the whispers were not malevolent but a challenge to those brave enough to seek their source. 

With newfound understanding, Elara returned to Willow Creek, her heart filled with the wisdom of the forest. She shared her story with the townsfolk, who listened with rapt attention. From that day forward, the Wicked Whispers were no longer feared but respected, a reminder of the mysteries that lay just beyond the edge of town. 

And so, the legend of the Wicked Whispers of Willow Creek lived on, a tale of courage, curiosity, and the magic that lies hidden in the heart of the woods. 

Ramblings Magazine Issue #5 Podcast

Ramblings Magazine Issue #5 Podcast

Ramblings Magazine Issue #5 PDF file

Hello Ramblings Magazine reader! Welcome!  

This is a podcast of the fifth issue of Ramblings Magazine.  

The Headings are: 

Memories of Faith. 

Comments on Christmas and Holidays. 

What’s Next? 

Cars in My Life. 

A Good Leader. 

No Dream Job for Me. 

I Was Named After? 

I Don’t Have a Pet. 

Life is Fun. 

Something I Missed. 

Decision. 

The Lottery and Me. 

Complaints, Complaints, Complaints. 

Heights. 

Vintage Computer. 

Cleaning Out Files. 

I Avoid the Kitchen. 

Fifteen Years

I have received notice from WordPress that I have been on this site for fifteen years.

Where does the time go?

PODCASTS

BOOKS

Proud to be an American

Audio Link

I remember when I was going to elementary school and sometimes, I would arrive when the flag was being raised for the school day. We would stop and pay respect to the flag until it was raised. I was proud to be an American. You would stand in an assembly and say The Pledge of Allegiant. Again, I was proud to be an American. You learned in school the history of America, and this made you proud to be an American. 

I was drafted into the army in 1964. In basic training I crawled through mud trying to keep that damn M-14 rifle clean so it would not jam. I could not take a leave for the Thanksgiving of 1964 because I was told it was critical that I go to Germany. Many nights I froze my butt standing guard on German soil protecting America from the Soviet threat. Vietnam deployment constantly hovered over my head when I was in the army. I would have gone to Vietnam if called. Why? I would have gone because I am proud to be an American. 

Throughout my life there have been many events that made me proud that I am a member of this country. I will be proud to be buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery when that time comes. 

I have noticed a few things that bother me. For example, I lived close to an elementary school where I can see the flagpole in the daytime. Many days the flag is not raised when school is in session. I guess putting out the flag in the morning is not a priority anymore. I recently attended a school function at my grandsons’ school and the principal forgot about the color guard waiting in the hall to present the flag. Some teacher had to remind her about them. I guess that was not that important to her. It did not take me forty years to be proud of this country.  

Illegal immigration is a serious problem. There are millions of people who want to come to America and live the American dream. To me that means that life must be pretty good here. Today is the day for everyone that put their life on the line protecting all that live in the country. If it wasn’t for them this country and the freedoms, you take for granted would not exist.

Happy Veterans Day!

Ramblings Magazine Issue #4 Podcast

Ramblings Magazine Issue #4 PODCAST

Ramblings Magazine Issue #4 pdf file

Hello Ramblings Magazine reader! Welcome!  

This is a podcast of the fourth issue of Ramblings Magazine.  

The Headings are: 

A continuation of “A Journey of Faith and Religion” 

Military Memories and Veterans Day 

Touched by God 

H O A Board Member Tales 

Flu Shot, yes, or no? 

Thanksgiving Memories 

Hope you enjoy it! 

Quiet Time

audio podcast

“Quiet time” generally refers to a period set aside for personal reflection, meditation, or reconciling. This can help in reducing stress, enhancing focus, and promoting mental clarity. Do you have a specific practice or routine for your quiet time? I do.

When I was working, I didn’t take much time for “quiet time”. My life was active with making money, raising 2 sons, marriage and many activities one has in this typical American life. Since I have been retired, I have the luxury of allocating time for some “quiet time”. It is well worth it to take some time for yourself. Now I make it a point to spend some “quiet time” every day. It may be before I go to sleep or when I wake in the morning. Sometimes it is in the middle of the day.

Individuals might set personal quiet times for reading, practicing mindfulness, or any activity that requires peace and quiet for personal enjoyment or growth. The concept of quiet time emphasizes the benefits of silence or minimal noise, which can enhance well-being, productivity, and focus. It’s a recognition of the value of tranquility in a typically noisy world.

One may ask, what do you think about in your “quiet time”? I let my mind answer the question. Whatever comes to mind is the subject for this moment of “quiet time”. It may be thoughts about future events on this earth or time after the journey of life. I have many years to pick a subject. I enjoy reminiscing about past parts of my life. How could I have done better? Or what did I learn from that experience and what could I have done better with the situation? I have also had paranormal experiences in my life, and I think about them many times.

Many times, my “quiet time” is spent on my blogging and writing. What do I write about and how can I craft the project. This subject came from one of my “quiet time” periods. Some are good subjects and others bomb.

I reminisce about events in my life. In my over eighty years of experience, I have seen and enjoyed many people, places, and things. Twenty-six trips and vacations under my belt. Two marriages and military time with forty-five years of employment history gives me many subjects for my “quiet time”.

I have had five paranormal experiences in my life. The experiences occupy many “quiet time” sessions. I was going to shortly cover them in this blog and discovered that these experiences would have made this post way too long and off topic. However, it did give me another prompt for another time.

I am over eighty and I know that my time on earth is near being over. “Quiet time” periods cover thinking about this fact. Yes, I am comfortable with this, and I do strongly believe that there is time after life on this earth. I remember the peace my grandmother had when she was on her deathbed and the peace, total peace. I experienced during my near-death event February 7, 2023.

“Quiet time” is my time. It helps my mental health and come to the purpose of time on this earth. Finally, I am glad I discovered “quiet time” maybe it will help you like it helped me.

My Heritage

Podcast

My mother’s heritage is of German descent. My father’s heritage is of English descent. If their families did not immigrate to America, I would not be here. My mother was born in Minnesota and her mother was from Bavaria Germany. My dad was born in Iowa and his roots trace back to England, Scotland areas. They met in Colorado, married and seven years later my time on earth began. This is an abbreviated version of my parents’ story.

My mother’s mother immigrated to America sometime in 1890. All I have heard was that she was seven years old at that time and she came from the Bavaria Germany area. I never heard who she came with or how she ended up in Minnesota. During that time, I read somewhere that many children were sold to couples that were going to America those days so that child could have a better life than what was going in Germany at that time. I will never know the true facts on this history. My DNA tests show that 42% of my heritage is of German Descent.

My father’s heritage is from England and the Scotland area. My dad had an uncle that traced their heritage to Cornwall England back to 1532. That area apparently had tin mines and as the need for tin diminished and many started to immigrate to greener pastures. Many moved to Australia and America. My dad’s family migrated to America before the Civil War and sometime ended up in Iowa as farmers. My DNA shows that 49% of my heritage is of English descent.

The remaining 8% DNA shows Scandanavian, Norway, Sweden Area heritage or Viking history.

With that, I am most interested in my grandma’s history. How did she get to America and who did she come with? What part of Bavaria did she come from? Also, where did the Viking heritage come from? Were my relatives’ victims of the Vikings when they were attacking and pillaging England? I doubt I will ever know anything about this history.

I am proud that my families were able to live and suffer the adversities of immigrating to another country and start a new life that is the base of the life I have been very fortunate to live. This is the last frontier. If things go bad, there is not a wild frontier in the world. It will be up to the ones living here to fix the country.

Daily writing prompt
What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?
View all responses

A Trip Down Memory Lane

A Trip Down Memory Lane, podcast

This morning Dee and I went down memory lane. The Denver & Intermountain Interurban Car No. 25 Association had an open house and had trips on a restored streetcar from back in the early nineteen hundreds. Since both of us remember riding the streetcars in our young years this brought back a lot of happy memories. Seeing the no spitting sign brought a good laugh and the advertising above the seats. It is just amazing how technology has progressed in the last hundred years. We remember the trolley cars going around the corner and the electric cable jumping the power line, and the operator had to get out and put it back in place so the trolley could continue. We remember party lines where you had to listen for your ring before you answered the phone. Was it one ring, two rings, three rings? No privacy there. You could pick up the line and listen to your other party’s conversation.

Also, the rotary dial phone. One time a granddaughter wanted to make a call, and she was told to go use the kitchen phone. This was our last rotary dial phone. She said, “Grandma, I don’t know how to use this phone.” We got a good laugh out of that. It was a nice enjoyable excursion and the weather was perfect. Most of the riders were people of our age. Many enjoy going down memory lane. One thing they cannot take away from you is your memories and adventures happening in your life. On August 6th of this year, I posted Streetcars in Denver Here is the link for this blog https://tomt2.com/2024/08/06/streetcars-in-denver/

Why Have Tatoo’s become popular?

why are tattoos so popular? I don’t have a clue, but I am interested in learning more about the popularity of tattoos. Therefore, I asked my local AI the question and here is the answer.

Tattoos have surged in popularity for a variety of reasons, blending cultural, psychological, and social factors:

  1. Cultural Shift: Tattoos have transitioned from being associated with subcultures or countercultures to becoming mainstream. This shift has been influenced by celebrities, athletes, and public figures who openly display tattoos, thereby normalizing them.
    • Media Influence: Television shows like “Miami Ink” and “Ink Master” have made tattooing a form of entertainment, showcasing the art and the artists, which demystifies the process and makes it more appealing.
  2. Personal Expression: In an age where individuality is prized, tattoos offer a permanent way to express one’s identity, beliefs, or experiences. They can be:
    • Memorials: For loved ones, significant life events, or personal milestones.
    • Artistic Statements: People view their bodies as canvases for art, often choosing designs that are deeply personal or aesthetically pleasing.
  3. Social Media: The rise of social media platforms has turned tattoos into a form of digital content. People share their tattoo experiences, from the design process to the final reveal, creating a community around tattoo culture.
    • Tattoo Trends: Social media also drives trends. When a unique tattoo style or theme goes viral, it can lead to a surge in similar tattoos.
  4. Psychological Factors:
    • Empowerment: Getting a tattoo can be empowering, giving individuals control over their body image in a society where body standards are often dictated by others.
    • Ritual and Transformation: The process of getting a tattoo can be seen as a rite of passage or a transformation, marking new phases in life.
  5. Technological Advancements: Modern tattooing techniques, equipment, and ink quality have improved, making tattoos safer, more detailed, and longer-lasting. This has encouraged more people to consider getting tattoos.
  6. Economic Factors: The tattoo industry has grown, leading to more professional studios, better trained artists, and a wider variety of styles available. This professionalism has made tattoos more accessible and less intimidating for newcomers.
  7. Cultural Exchange: Globalization has brought diverse tattoo traditions from various cultures into the mainstream, like Polynesian, Japanese, and tribal designs, broadening the appeal.
  8. Rebellion and Conformity: While tattoos once signified rebellion, they now also represent a form of conformity to modern cultural norms where having a tattoo is often seen as cool or trendy.
  9. Therapeutic Aspect: Some find the process of getting a tattoo therapeutic, similar to acupuncture, where the endorphin release can be pleasurable or even meditative.

The combination of these factors has created a cultural environment where tattoos are not only accepted but celebrated as a form of personal and artistic expression. This widespread acceptance has made tattoos a popular choice across various demographics, transcending age, gender, and cultural boundaries.

Now I am educated on tattoos. No, I do not have a single tattoo.

Time After Life

Ah, peace, that elusive butterfly in the human garden of emotions. What brings peace to one might be the very thing that stirs another’s existential anxiety. Peace, it seems, is as personal as it is universal.

Many find peace within themselves. Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of inner calm.” Peace often comes from feeling connected, whether through family, friends, or a community. Others turn to the natural world that soothes the human spirit. A walk in the forest, the sound of waves. For some peace comes from aligning with a set of beliefs that promise a higher purpose or afterlife. One engaging in acts of kindness can bring peace for others. Engaging in or experiencing art can be deeply peaceful. Some find peace in understanding the world through technology or the vastness of knowledge available today. Others find peace in writing; the explosion of blogging proves that.

I can experience peace from the above items. However, about a year and a half ago, I had a near death experience. I was laying on the operating table and a medical assistant said, “Doctor his blood pressure is dropping fast.” I was feeling very bad, and I thought I just took my last breath. I do not know where I went, but I felt a peace I have never felt in all my life. PEACE, TOTAL PEACE! I cannot explain it, but the feeling was great. I believe I had a preview of time after death. When I came back that feeling of PEACE, TOTAL PEACE! disappeared and I have not felt it since.

In conclusion, I believe that I will not experience that feeling until the time after life.

Daily writing prompt
What brings you peace?
View all responses

Streetcars in Denver  

This is really stretching my memory. I was somewhere under ten years old. The time was before 1950. Streetcars were stopped in 1950. However, I remember riding streetcars in Denver. Those yellow painted wooden streetcars that would lumber down the middle of the street and many times when going around the corner the electrical power source would disengage from the main line and the streetcar driver would be required to disembark from the streetcar, go to the back and move the power line to the overhead line so that the streetcar could move on.

We lived just east of the Barnum area near First Ave and Federal Blvd. In those days Barnum was the place that Barnum and Bailey Circus stayed during the winter months. That is how Barnum was named. I don’t ever remember when the circus was staying there. Maybe I just don’t know what I was looking at. I do remember sometimes a religious revival would be in the area and you could see the large canvas tent from the road. Maybe they rented the tent from the circus for the revival. I was under ten years old; I am lucky I remembered the canvas tents and revival. Recently, I heard that Barnum bought the land, but they never stayed there during the winter. 

I do remember going downtown with my mother on the streetcar. There was a route that went to the Barnum area from downtown Denver. This was before checkbooks and all the conveniences we have now. Once a month my mother would take the streetcar downtown to pay all the bills. They were paid in cash and a receipt was vitally important in those days. If you could not generate a receipt, you had no proof of payment.

We would catch the streetcar somewhere near Grove Street. This was the end of the line, and a large circle would be made, and the streetcar would start the return trip to downtown Denver. If I remember correctly it would go for a period on Grove and then follow the gulley near 14th Avenue to downtown Denver. For a period of time, I believe it went east on Colfax Avenue. The route ended at “The Loop”. This was near 15th or 16th and Blake St. Many of the routes ended up there and would then turn around and take the designated route they were assigned. At the Loop there was a flower shop, meat market and other ones I don’t remember.

We would start walking up 16th Street and stop at American Furniture to make a payment on the furniture. I don’t know whether Jake Jabs was involved in American Furniture at that time, or he came at a later date. Following that we stopped at Industrial Federal Savings to make the payment on the house. My parents had a house built in 1941 and paid $5400.00 for that house. It is hard to imagine paying that for a house knowing what the prices of a house are now. 

Next was Mountain Bell to pay for that new modern convenience the telephone. Everyone had a party line in those days. It was either two parties or four parties. We had a two-party line. At least with a two-party line we did not have to listen for different rings. How spoiled we are these days. 

Public Service was the next stop. Remember Reddy Kilowatt? There he was in the showroom, waiting to collect your money for the gas and lite bill. I remember this building at night. They had lights embedded in the outside walls and they would be on at night. Reddy Kilowatt was ready to sell you all the electricity you needed.

It was getting near lunch time and our mother would treat us to lunch at Woolworth’s at sixteenth and Champa St. That place would be jammed packed for lunch. Many times, we had to wait for a seat to eat. If we were really good, we would get a small bag of Cashew nuts to take home with us. To this day I still like Cashew nuts. Woolworth’s is gone. W.T. Grants and Neisner’s are gone. Denver Dry Goods Company has disappeared. Many names I grew up with have just disappeared.  

After lunch we would walk back to The Loop and get on that old wooden yellow painted streetcar and return to the Barnum area. What do I distinctly remember about the trips to downtown Denver on those slow lumbering noisy streetcars? I remember the bell. I can still hear the bell in my head.  Ding! Ding!

Black Widow Spiders

Not too long ago I was watching The Discovery Channel or National Geographic Channel about black widow spiders. This brought back memories about my experience with black widow spiders throughout my life. This series also caused me to dream about the spiders for a couple of nights after the show. I guess the show was pretty authentic. 

Anyway, my parents built their home where a cherry orchard was before. For the first years the home was infested with black widow spiders. The screen doors did not fit very tight in those days and the spiders could crawl in under where the doors hung over the floors. There was I suppose more than a half inch opening between the floor and the bottom of the screen door.  

During my young years I remember my grandma taking the broom and knocking the spiders off of the outside of the screen in the door. There were occasions where my mother would pull open a drawer in a dresser or kitchen drawer and she would discover a black widow spider in the drawer. The most dramatic event was one evening we were getting ready for bed and my mother found one of these spiders climbing up the bed spread at the foot of the bed. This was a scary event for a young child under five years old. I don’t remember if it took me a long time to get to sleep after that event or not.  

The TV show I was watching was about a young child that was bitten twice by a spider that crawled into her bed between the sheets and bit her twice before she realized what was happening. That could have happened to me when I was young. That is probably why I had dreams after that show.

The house did not have a basement; it just had a crawl space of about three feet. I remember when I got older my dad and I would go in the crawl space, and he showed me all the spiders between the rafters that died when he got a unit call “Hari Kari”. It was a small electrical pot that you would put these pills in and the heat from the heating element would cause the pills to evaporate and emit a poison gas into the air and kill the spiders. Those rafters were just covered with carcasses of those spiders.  That Hari Kari eliminated our spider problem. Before my dad passed away, we were talking about the Hari Kari and then he told me they had to take it off the market because it emitted cyanide gas and it was considered too dangerous.  

Another event happened in a field we used to walk through to get to Alameda and Federal. One day we were walking through the field and got curious about this piece of wood that was there for a long time. It looked like some kind of door where three pieces of wood was fastened together with hinges on one side. It was lying flat on the ground, and I decided to pick it up and see what was on the other side. I put my fingers under the edge and stood it up on its side. No more than an inch away from my right index finger was a bright shiny black widow spider. That was a scary moment. I could have been bitten so easily.  

On occasion I run into black widow spiders in the garage now. Sometimes I was washing something down with the hose and disturb a web and one comes crawling out looking very mad. They sure are black and shiny. Black widow spiders have given me some uneasy moments.  

Ramblings Magazine Podcast

Since the end of March, I have been combining my postings from various platforms and producing a twenty-page series of magazines named Rambling Magazine. Since I have been posting on Word Press since 2009, I have a collection of over 200 postings. I am also on Sub Stack and posted many articles on YourHub.com when it was owned by The Rocky Mountain News. Also, I was a participant of a local writing group.

I was told I should write a book with my comments about anything postings. Writing a book and compiling it may take a year or more. That is why I went with the magazine platform. Since I am in my senior years, I may have 10 days left or 10 years. I did not want to start a book and never finish it.

My podcast page is my most popular area. The current buzz word is podcast, and it has become a great addition to my site. That is why I have composed a podcast for Rambling Magazine Issue #1. We will see how the response will be.

ABOVE IS THE PODCAST FOR RAMBLINGS MAGAZINE ISSUE #1

Link to podcast page https://tomt2.com/audio-files/

There are times when I wish I was twenty years younger. I believe I could make a career out of this challenge. This blogging journey has been exciting and satisfying.

Springtime

After months of cold and snow for months the time of the best part of the year is finally here. Yes, I am talking about springtime.

Winters have become hard on me since I have been retired. I do not like being couped up in the home listening to the furnace coming on many times and for long periods. Leaving me wonder how much the utility bill is going to be this month. Ever since I have been on blood thinner medication, I am always cold. Looking out the window and seeing all the dormant leafless trees is depressing. The wind blowing and watching the snow swirl makes me feel very glad that I am inside instead of being outside going to work.

Then, as usual the weather starts to warm up, the residual snow piles begin to melt, and the days become longer. Spring is here. The trees start to leaf out. The grass starts to green up. You can see the springtime flowers blossoming and you do not have to deal with below freezing temperatures. The cure for my bigtime cabin fever is here. God is good!

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite season of year? Why?
View all responses

Just A Mere Mortal

As the days and years go by, I have come to the conclusion that I am just a mere mortal. Am I going to do anything or write anything that leaves a lasting impression on this world? I kind of doubt it.

I have had a good life experience. I was raised by loving parents and did not have to suffer any hardships and tragedies in my growing up years. I was able to work and provide for the two sons I fathered. I served my country with time in the army. Marriage and family life have entered my life twice. I am still experiencing my second marital journey. Over eighteen years of retirement life and I sense more years of this journey on this earth.

Over a year ago I survived a medical near-death experience. During the recuperation period I thought that there must have been a reason for surviving. It has been over a year now and I am still searching for the reason. I am beginning to think the only reason I survived was to experience and learn from that near death encounter.

With that said, I am just a mere mortal and will do what mere mortals do and that is to attempt to live a good life.

Daily writing prompt
If humans had taglines, what would yours be?
View all responses

I Have Been So Blessed

As I reflect on my life, I have concluded that I have been so blessed. Compared to millions of others my life has been easy.

I was born into a loving family. My parents loved me and protected, fed, and taught me in my young years. I fell on a broken bottle and seriously cut my arm from the wrist to the elbow. It was a blessing that the main artery was not severed. If it was I more than likely would have bled out at that young age.

I elected to not to continue on to college after high school when many said without a college degree you will not experience the American dream. I have been blessed with a comfortable financially stable life. I do not have millions, but I have more than enough to sustain the American dream.

I was drafted into the army during the Vietnam era. I was blessed to spend my enlistment in Germany whereas the seven I was drafted with went to Vietnam. I did not have to suffer the pain and violence of armed conflict.

I became married and the blessing of two great children was generated from this relationship. Unfortunately, one must experience hurt and pain in parts of their lives. This relationship came to an end after eleven years. However, we are now able to talk to each other. The hurt and anger has been shelved and that is another blessing.

I was blessed with another loving relationship, and this brought me four stepchildren which I truly love their mother and her children. We are still together and enjoying and spending our final days together. Trust and allowing each other to be themselves is a gift and a blessing to experience.

A little over a year ago I experienced a life-threatening medical issue. There was a point where thought I was taking my last breath. I thought, “Here I am Lord!” I believe, for a short period of time I had a preview of time after death. I experienced such peace during that time, it was unexplainable. This was a time I will never forget. I am ready to experience this peace again.

In conclusion, as you can see that I have experienced more blessings than hurt and pain. I thank the Lord many times for the blessings I have received. I am just a mere mortal, but I firmly believe that time after death is going to surprise everyone.

Friends are Gifts in Life

As I recall the friends I had when growing up until my senior years I try to think of what they had in common? Most friends come from encounters at school, neighbors, work, church and so on. Friendships develop from conversations and encounters. Many do not develop into anything, and others grow in a friendship that becomes a gift of life.

The quality that I value the most is, a friend allows me to be myself and I allow them to be themselves. Once you are allowed to be yourselves the union will become stronger and memorable to be remembered throughout the remaining time in your life.

Daily writing prompt
What quality do you value most in a friend?
View all responses

A Life of Work

This was not a job but is what I did to earn some extra money. During the summer when I was in middle school, I caught and sold nightcrawlers for the local sporting goods store. The owner told me he would take all I could catch. He paid me a buck a hundred and then sold it for two bucks. I would drop off the nightcrawlers on Thursday and the anglers would buy them for the weekend. I would average about a thousand a week and that was ten bucks a week. The only expense I had was flashlight batteries. If I remember correctly, I would earn about two to three hundred dollars for the summer. That was a lot of money in the fifties.

My next job was parttime at the public library while going to high school. I was a library page, which is code for a do whatever was necessary. The most interesting job was running the elevator on Saturdays. The elevator was automatic, but the crowds were large, and they overwhelmed the automatic system. Another job was they had a basement and sub-basement where books were stored. They would receive an order and they had pages in the basement where they would retrieve the books and put them on a lift that carried them up to the upper floors.

After graduating I started working for a government contractor that was building the Titan I ICBM for the government. I was a teletype operator in the purchasing department. Unfortunately, the job was on the swing shift. So much for my night life.

Three and a half years later I received the letter stating, “your friends and neighbors have selected you to become a member of the United States military.” For the next two years I was in the army. I was fortunate enough to go to Germany instead of Viet Nam. I then had two years of active reserve and then two years of inactive reserve. Then my military obligation was over.

After my two years of active duty, I returned to the aerospace contractor because there was a law that they had to hire me back since returning from military service. A year later I was laid off. They just hired me back to fulfill their legal obligation to have a job for me after military service.

I then started working for a large electronics manufacturer in the consumer electronics industry. First, I was an assistant buyer, then a buyer and then became a department manager. This career lasted for over twenty years and was the highest paying position in my working period. After a purchase of the company a year later the company buyer decided to close thirteen distribution warehouses across the nation and here, I was forty-six years of age and without a job. During that time the unemployment rate was eight percent. Try to tell me there is not age discrimination happening.

Working in part time and temporary positions for four years I finally get a full-time job in a high-tech position where lasers were used to cut close tolerance components used in the solid-state electronics field. This was a field that was totally new to me. I started as a temp, and it worked into a full-time position. Tell me a positive attitude and hard work is not the way to go. This continued for thirteen years and then I decided it was time to retire and have been retired now over fifteen years. Now, “Every Day is Saturday!“

After retiring I decided to give writing a try and this is where I am now. I have posted over two hundred articles on WordPress and having fun doing it. Most of my articles are about experiences in my life. I am not doing this for money, I am just doing it because I enjoy reminiscing and sharing events in my life.

https://tomt2.com/ Stop by and make me feel good. I like to see a lot of viewing numbers, likes, and comments.

Daily writing prompt
What jobs have you had?
View all responses

Memorial Day May 27, 2024

Today, the one day in the year that we remember the ones who have fallen for the freedoms and life we enjoy every day of the year. They are the ones that stepped up and fought for this country and made the final sacrifice. So, in your busy schedule of enjoying the freedoms and comfort, take a moment to remember the ones who gave you this gift of freedom and security.

Peace

Throughout life you start to accumulate stuff. You get material things. You learn, you have encounters with other beings. You collect all this stuff in this short span of your life. Society promotes that material possessions are the most important in life. Many have a worth more than I cannot comprehend. Do they have it all? That is up for debate.

Little over a year I had a near death experience. I was on the operating table, and I heard an aide say, “doctor his blood pressure is dropping”! I was feeling really bad. I could not inhale or exhale. I thought, this is it! My life is over! After that I felt something, I never felt before in my life. I felt peace, no fear, no anger, nothing, just peace. This peace is very hard to explain. But it is a peace I want to feel again. No, I did not see a light at the end of the tunnel, no angels, no music, just peace, Total peace.

After a period of time, I started to hear operating room noises, I am still alive! What a shock, I thought I died. For a period of time, they did things to me and then the doctor started talking to me. He said, “Tom we got most of the clot removed and things look promising.” I said that I heard my blood pressure dropping and I asked him how low did it go? There was a pause, and he said, “you don’t want to know, and I am not going to tell you.” To this day I don’t know how low the blood pressure was. Continuing the conversation he said, “Tom I think we made the right decision to keep you awake during the procedure instead of anesthesia. I am afraid that if you would have gone under anesthesia, we would have lost you. I feel I had a preview of time after death. Total peace!

My conclusion is that “having it all” is obtainable, but it will happen during the time after death.

I recently discovered a website Near Death Research Foundation. It is an interesting site. I am going to enter my experience on this site sometime.

Daily writing prompt
What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?
View all responses