PLEASE DON’T DUMP YOUR PUSSY CAT HERE

Is this a sign of the times? Looked out our door one afternoon and saw a beautiful Siamese cat sitting in the sunlight. It looked well fed and cared for. Gorgeous blue eyes. We assumed it belonged to a neighbor, and had decided to wander. At sundown, the cat was still there. Surely, it would be gone by morning. But it wasn’t. What in the world was wrong? We hadn’t fed it, so why did it stay? It seemed impossible that someone would purposely abandon such a lovely animal. If so, did they expect us to take over their responsibility? But we really can’t. Therefore, I’m asking the person who would do such a thing: Please don’t dump your pussy cat here.

Don't abandon animals. — PLEASE DON’T DUMP YOUR PUSSY CAT HERE. why would anyone abandon an animal.?

Even though I’m allergic to cats, I don’t dislike them. Something had to be done. Called family and friends, who suggested posting the cats picture on Facebook or printing lost cat posters. But that would take time, and meanwhile, the cat could starve.

Called the humane shelter, who informed us they don’t pick up strays. Said we would have to take our chances by picking up the cat and taking it to the shelter, ourselves. Not feasible for elderly folks in poor health. Called animal dispatch at the police department , but they took the same stance as the humane shelter: We don’t pick up strays. And so, whoever left their cat on our doorstep had a reason. Unless we were cold hearted people, we would have to adopt a cat at a time when we’re lucky to be able to take care of ourselves.

Decided to call the police department to task. Called them back and asked: ” How can you expect a 91 year old man and his arthritic wife to pick up a strange cat and drive it to the shelter?” They caved, and finally agreed too pick it up the next day. Advised us not to feed it. Which was difficult, since we are empathic folks. But they came as promised, and the cat is somewhere far away from here.

It boggles the mind: Why would anyone be so lacking in compassion as to abandon a pet? Apparently, it’s a fairly common occurrence., and there are many reasons. The first thing that comes to mind is the economy. Did someone have to make a choice between feeding themselves or the cat? Did they adopt the animal without realizing the expense involved? Maybe they were too embarrassed to take it to the humane shelter. Easier to leave that job to a stranger.

I don’t know why anyone would abandon an animal and I don’t want to know who they are, because I would dislike them intensely. There’s enough hatred in the world, already. All I asking is this: please don’t dump your pussy cat here.

April 23, 2022April 23, 2022

SHOULD A LADY CHEW GUM?

My mother never chewed a stick of gum in her entire life. She said it was unladylike, and no decent female would engage in such an unattractive act. The nuns at my parochial school (12 years) totally agreed. If one were caught chewing gum, it would appear on their report card as a demerit, indicating a breach of proper conduct. Strange as it seems, smoking was actually more acceptable than gum chewing. Ladies smoked at home, at work, and in restaurants. That’s all changed now. But what about that pack of Wrigley’s in your purse? Should a lady chew gum?

As we grew into teenagers, we relied on chewing gum.. If you were on a date with a member of the opposite sex, it was your first line of defense against bad breath. if you thought you might get kissed, you were apt to slip a half a stick of gum in your mouth. Take a few chews, move it to a corner of your mouth, and you were ready for close encounters. Naturally, you would spit it out before getting back home.

A person who thoughtlessly chews gum can prove very annoying to others. Especially if you pop and crack it. And , it certainly doesn’t improve your appearance when you look like a cow chewing its cud.. Consequently, there are times and places where it’s better not to chew gum.

Nevertheless, drugstore counters are loaded with every brand and flavor of chewing gum you can imagine. A lot of people are closet gum chewers. And lately, I became one of them. But why?

Believe it or not, there are health benefits to gum chewing. In my case, I have sinus and eustachian tube issues. It’s about the only thing that really helps clear the fluid in my ears. Chewing gum increases swallowing because it stimulates saliva production. Also, the chewing motion can help to open the eustachian tubes.

Another health benefit is the prevention of tooth decay. Chewing sugar free gum helps with dry mouth, prevents the build up of plaque, and may whiten your teeth. Dentists recommend chewing gum to prevent cavities. It also reduces anxiety and increases concentration. Taking an important test? Studies have shown that gum chewers score higher on written tests than their teeth gritting colleagues. Chewing gum increases the blood flow and improves memory.

Should a lady chew gum? Yes, when the occasion calls for it.

April 19, 2022April 18, 2022

HELP! WE’RE DELUGED WITH CATALOGS

Our mailbox is not near our front door. We have to walk a quarter of a mile to get our mail. This is what happens when your front yard is too big. The mail carrier isn’t expected to turn into long driveways. So, you get your morning exercise while retrieving the mail. Lately, this has become more of a chore. Due to the Covid pandemic, and increased shopping online or by mail, companies have started sending out more printed catalogs. As a result, we’re carrying out heavier loads of trash. A vicious cycle. Help! We’re deluged with catalogs.

It’s fairly inexpensive for companies to mail a catalog. Postage costs run about 50 to 70 cents. The price of the printed material varies greatly. Classy catalogs with glossy paper and beautiful photos cost a lot more. Those flyers with sleazy paper and sloppy print jobs are a lot cheaper. Apparently, printed catalogs pay off, or companies wouldn’t keep sending them. Nevertheless, they ought to realize that octogenarians don’t buy many new clothes or household goods.

We succumb to the lure of the catalog shopping a couple of times a month. Somewhere in catalog heaven, someone is keeping a list of those purchases, and we’re considered fair game.. But today was the last straw, when I saw a catalog almost two inches thick in our mailbox. It must have weighed five pounds, and came from a company we’ve never heard of. After lugging it into the house along with one first class letter, a slew of third class mail and four other catalogs, I was exhausted. And mad.

We’ve tried to stop the deluge by writing “refused” on the unwanted catalogs in black ink, and dropping them off at the post office. Doesn’t work. What must we do? I went online, and this is what I found under e how:

“There’s no one simple way to permanently stop catalogs from coming to your home. The United States Postal Service and/or your individual mail carrier can’t do anything to help since they’re obligated to deliver any mail that’s addressed to you. The only way to cancel catalogs is to go directly to the source: the company or companies that send them to you. You can do this yourself as each new catalog arrives in your mailbox. Check the front or back of the catalog for contact information and call the company to ask to be removed from the catalog mailing list or visit the retailer’s website to see if there’s an opt-out form you can complete online.”

Is it reasonable to expect a recipient to spend maybe hours per day calling each and every company, going through various voice mails, finally speaking to a customer service representative whom you can barely understand? And then, a month later, when you receive yet another one of their catalogs, will you repeat the process?

Help! We’re being deluged with catalogs and we want it to stop.

April 14, 2022April 14, 2022

PEACE IN THE VALLEY

Small towns have always had a bad rap. A place young people want to escape. And it’s no wonder, because there’s lots more to offer in a big city: Better jobs. Vastly superior museums, art galleries, concerts and places to shop. More upscale restaurants with gourmet menus. Open mindedness. An exciting vibe. Diversity. I know, because I’ve been there, done that. Chicago after college. Miami when the children were young. Loved both cities, never thought I’d go back home. But then I did. And now, with all that’s going on in this world today, I’m finally enjoying peace in the valley. Here’s five reasons why:

1. Don’t have to ride the subway. We have a fair amount of crime in our city, because we have one of the highest poverty levels in the state. (26%). However, one doesn’t have to worry about getting pushed beneath a subway, robbed, or injured in an explosion. Instead, just hop a bus, ride a bike, or drive a car. Many destinations are within walking distance.

2. Lighter traffic. If you’ve ever driven a vehicle in Chicago, Atlanta, LA or any other big city, you know how dangerous and stressful it can be. In a small town, even rush hours are manageable. And drivers are actually polite. They’ll let you into a long line of traffic, and don’t honk if you’re only going the speed limit.

3. Gas prices: Yes, they’ve increased as much here as anywhere in the United States. But when you’re only drive about five or ten miles a day, it’s not such a big deal.

4. Less fear of a nuclear attack. According to recent surveys, 70% of the population in the United States is concerned about such an event. . Not likely to happen in a small town. A foreign power would most likely target big cities like NYC, DC, LA, etc. Living in a world at war will be dangerous anywhere, but probably less so in smaller cities and town.

5. Everyday courtesy.. If you drop a package, someone will help you pick it up. Folks don’t barge ahead of you in check out lanes. Librarians, postal workers, bank clerks recognize you. Strangers say “excuse me” if they bump you in a crowded aisle. Neighbors look out for each other.

Yes, life in the slow lane can be a bit dull at times. But for senior citizens like us, it seems safer, and more comfortable. In these troubled times, We’re appreciating peace in the valley.

April 9, 2022April 9, 2022

JEWELER ARRESTED FOR CHASING THIEVES

If you’re getting low on dough, you might dig through your drawers for an old wedding ring or gold bracelet. There’s a jeweler in our local mall who seems to be a friend in need. Because he has a steady flow of customers with valuables they need to sell. But last week, a couple of men invaded his store, grabbed a bunch of gold stuff, and ran off without paying. The jeweler didn’t take it well, and went after them with a gun. Even fired a few shots in their direction. The irony is: they got away, but the merchant got arrested for chasing the thieves.

He’s actually facing one to five years in prison for criminal recklessness. Seems someone was sitting in their car with a couple of kids and feared they might get caught in the crossfire. But apparently, the merchant had a pretty good aim, and could see exactly where he was pointing his gun. No one was shot or injured. The robbers haven’t been found.

At any rate, there’s quite a controversy going on now. A lot of small business owners think he had every right to go after the thieves. However, the prosecutor, a Republican, said an owner can only defend his property INSIDE his store—not outside. A prominent Democratic lawyer quickly stepped up to his defense. Politics?

At first, the prosecutor said the store owner had to post the full bond of $25,000. But the judge let him out on 10%. And now, they’ve scheduled a jury trial to take place in the fall. That’s going to be a circus. You have to wonder how a 72 year old, respected businessman in the community would have to spend time in prison for trying to catch a pair of thieves. Those two must be having a good laugh. It’s not often that the thieves go free, and the victim goes to jail.

April 6, 2022April 6, 2022

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS IN UKRAINE

Ernest Hemingway may have written the novel, but the title of his book was not original. It was written in 1624 by the poet, John Donne, who had fought in the Anglo Spanish War, and knew full the price of life and the horrors of war. Hemingway’s book was written about his fighting as a volunteer during the Spanish Civil War. Nationalist Franco finally prevailed in l939, after a bloody three year war against the opposing Republicans. The war itself, bears many similarities to the current war in Ukraine, where a fascist bully seeks to control freedom loving people. Now, we might ask the same question as John Donne. For Whom Does the Bell Toll in Ukraine?

For Whom Does the Bell Toll in Ukraine? No man is an island. — FOR WHOM DOES THE BELL TOLL IN UKRAINE? No man is an island, and each man’s death diminishes us all.

Franco lasted 30 years as a dictator—much longer than his pals Mussolini and Hitler after World War II. But good finally won out over evil after his death in 1974, when Juan Carlos was made king and established a democracy in that country.

Putin has been in power in Russia for 24 years. While his war against Ukraine seems far away, none of us can ignore the atrocities the Russians are committing against the innocent people there. No man is an island. The murder and torture of Ukrainians diminishes all of mankind, even here in the United States of America. How long will the War between Russia and Ukraine continue, and when will good triumph over evil? Unfortunately, it may take longer than we think. And it may eventually lead to World War III.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

by John Donne

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

FOR WHOM DOES THE BELL TOLL IN UKRAINE?

April 1, 2022April 1, 2022

THE RETURN OF THE COMMON COLD

Happy days are here again in Indiana. New Covid cases have plummeted in the past few weeks, Hospital ICUs are back to normal, and the governor said we don’t have to wear masks in public, unless we want to. That being said, I no longer felt the necessity to wear a mask when shopping at the local supermarket. I also noticed that people had begun to buy less, perhaps due to inflated food prices. Wait lines at the checkout were shorter and everyone seemed more relaxed. And then, on March 25, Biden made another one of his self-fulfilling prophecies, and announced that we would have war related food shortages. The following Tuesday, I went to grocery store on a usually quiet afternoon, and walked into a mob scene. Shoppers were scurrying around the store, filling their food carts to the brim. The man in front of me at the checkout had a bill of $229. I waited patiently, while the line behind me deepened. The hoarders were out in full force. The next morning, I woke up sneezing. I didn’t have a fever or cough. But I knew what it was: the return of the common cold.

Return of the common cold. We've stopped wearing masks and started spreading germs. — RETURN OF THE COMMON COLD. We’ve stopped wearing masks and started getting more colds.

I haven’t had a cold since February of 2020, before the start of the covid-19 pandemic. After that, most everyone started wearing masks, using hand sanitizers, and social distancing.. Whether or not that helped prevent the spread of Covid has yet to be determined. But all of a sudden, hardly any flu cases were reported, and most of us stopped getting colds.

If you google information about the common cold on the internet, you’ll see that the average person gets two or three colds per year. Mostly between September and May. I was certainly no exception. When the temperature dropped in the fall, I usually came down with a cold. Around the holidays, my immunity would wear off, and I’d have another one. And of course, the cold rainy days, and up and down temperatures in the spring always triggered another miserable cold. I’d actually forgotten about all of that. Until this week.

When I left the supermarket that day, it had begun to rain and the wind was around 15 miles per hour. The temperature was near freezing. I shivered as I loaded my cart, while the viruses I had inhaled while shopping happily invaded my nasal passages.

I’ve learned my lesson. No more shopping without a mask, regardless of what the Covid dashboard says about new cases. We’re back to normal now, and seeing the return of the common cold.