NAKED’S NOT NOVEL ANYMORE

Here in Indiana, Hoosiers are gearing up for another weekend of partying during the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 500 mile race. Fifty years ago, it was the one place where getting drunk and naked in public wouldn’t get you arrested. The excitement began on Carb Day, the Friday before the big event. Even if you didn’t care for the races, many of your friends and co-workers came back with pictures of drunken parties where men and women stripped and streaked with wild abandon. However, things have really toned down since Covid-19 changed everything. Last year, they scheduled a race without any fans at all. This year, they’ve canceled Carb Day, and only half as many tickets to the big race will be sold. But it doesn’t really matter, because naked’s not novel anymore.

Netflix and other streaming services have watered down the novelty of seeing naked strangers. Almost every other movie or TV series has at least one scene where someone isn’t wearing any clothes. Not only that, sex education is provided in the form of video demonstrations of the act. Consequently, there’s so much sex and nudity on television that it’s not even titillating. Remember when ankles were considered so erotic that porches were built so that a man would not see a lady’s ankles while ascending the stairs? Nowadays, who would get aroused at the sight of a woman’s ankles?

Anyone who grew up in Indiana has probably attended at least one Indianapolis 500 race. For most of us, it was about as exciting as watching paint dry. The only thing to relieve the boredom of seeing cars drive around the track was a hefty supply of alcohol in the cooler under your seat. Nevertheless, diehard race fans thrive on the possibility of carnage when a driver hits the wall at a speed of 257 miles per hour.

As a result, there’s still a lot of hype surrounding the race. The city throbs with excitement, and you see women in ball gowns entering hotels at all hours of the day and night. There will always be sponsors who host festive galas. It’s probably the highlight of the social season in Indianapolis. Still, you wonder what will happen to attendance now that naked’s not novel anymore.

May 26, 2021May 26, 2021

Bright squishy cicadas have a message

It’s hard to believe, but I had never seen a cicada until last night. Some of you may not have heard of them, so I’ll explain. They’re insects that only come out of the ground in the eastern United States of America every 17 years. They make noises that some find offensive, but to me they’re more like a chorus of chirping birds in a nest. Seems their only purpose in life is to mate, lay eggs and die about 6 weeks later. The eggs hibernate for 17 years, and emerge at a predictable time of the year when the earth is warm enough . It’s very mysterious, but to me, these bright squishy cicadas have a message.

They say some people eat the cicadas. I suppose if you were starving, it would make sense. Apparently, they’re a good source of protein. But fried cicadas? Baked cicadas? Cicada Stew? No thanks.

Back to my first spotting last night. About ten of them were crawling on my deck while I watered the flowers. They didn’t like getting sprayed . Some of them simply squiggled around or fell on their backs when the water hit. Although they’re much bigger than bumble bees, they aren’t at all aggressive. In fact, they strike me as wimps. They didn’t come after this giant who stood over them, rudely intruding on their day in the sun.

Soft, squishy cicadas have a message. Life goes on, even after covid-19 — Soft squishy cicadas have a message. Life goes on, in spite of plagues and wars.

What are cicadas trying to tell we human beings? To me, they’re saying that life comes and goes, and that we haven’t nearly as much control as we’d like to believe. They have a message: Just do whatever you were destined for on this earth, but don’t expect the good times to last forever. . Wars may be fought. Nations may rise and fall. Glaciers will melt. But the cicadas will come out every 17 years, no matter what.

And the beat goes on.

May 24, 2021May 24, 2021

FINALLY, AFTER SIXTY SUNDAYS

Before the pandemic hit, my husband took me out every Sunday for brunch. It didn’t seem like anything that spectacular—just a way to make the day a bit more special, and relieve me of having to cook a meal. And then the covid-19 pandemic gripped the nation. At first, we weren’t too worried here in the Heartland. Only one or two new cases a day. And then it began to skyrocket. Hundreds of cases, numerous deaths in what we had considered our safe little city. The Sunday brunches we had taken for granted came to a grinding halt. And now, finally, after sixty Sundays of frying bacon & eggs, fixing toast, peeling oranges, making hot chocolate– my days of fixing Sunday brunch at home had ended. Hallelujah!

And yet, as I was preparing to get dressed, I was surprised to feel a bit of social anxiety. What should I wear? There were clothes hanging in my closet from two summers ago, that I hadn’t worn since. During that last, lost summer, I wore nothing but old jeans and shorts and t shirts. After all, I was wearing a mask. No one would recognize me at the supermarket. . There was no point in wearing makeup, or caring about my appearance at all. Now, I was going out in public, barefaced. . It gave me a bit a stage fright.

Surprisingly, my old pants and tops still fit. I’ve gained a pound or two, but not enough to bump me up a size. That was a big relief. But was my summer apparel outdated? Were people still wearing culottes? I finally decided on an outfit that hadn’t been worn since the summer of 2019. Consequently, looking at myself in the mirror surprised me. I looked okay. When we were ready to leave, my husband and I eyed one another with approval. It had been a very long time since we had been that “dressed up.”

Finally, after sixty Sundays, we were able to eat at a restaurant without wearing a mak — Finally, after sixty Sundays, we seniors could go to a restaurant without wearing a mask.

The restaurant was nearly full, and few customer’s wore masks. The wait staff was still masked, and I felt sorry for them, knowing how hot and sweaty they feel after an hour or so. Otherwise, things seemed pretty normal. There were no surprising new fashions to make me feel out of date. People were dressed much the same as they had sixty Sundays ago. Men in shirts and shorts, women in slacks and sundresses. Little kids so excited that they could barely finish their meals. As we walked out the door, a wave of contentment washed over me. Finally, after sixty Sundays, things were getting back to normal.

May 21, 2021May 22, 2021

UTILITY MONOPOLIES SQUELCH COMPLAINTS

Most of us never give a thought to our electricity. It’s either on, or off. Power outages leave us at the mercy of providers like Duke Energy. If we’re dissatisfied with some aspect of our service or the fees we pay, there is absolutely nothing we can do. We may complain, shout, threaten. But to them, we’re a tinkling cymbal or sounding brass. They know they have us in a chokehold. We have to have electricity, and they’re the only game in town. Utility monopolies squelch complaints.

ELECTRIC MONOPOLIES SQUELCH COMPLAINTS. They'd rather wait for a tree or pole to cause a power outage than try to prevent it. — Electric utilities squelch complaints about potentially dangerous situations. Rather than asking someone to trim a tree, they’d rather wait for an actual power outage.

We live on the edge of town, surrounded by ancient trees that are often uprooted or drop massive limbs after a storm. In an odd arrangement decided decades ago, the electric company placed poles in every other yard, rather than on each customer’s own property. In this particular case, a neighbor’s tree dropped a huge limb as it lurched forward, hovering over the pole and power lines leading to our house.

We’ve experienced power outages before, and they are not fun if you don’t own a generator, have a gas stove, or other source of energy. The house is dark and cold. You can’t make coffee or heat up a can of soup. If it goes on too long, you try and find a motel where you can spend the night.

Consequently, I called the electric company to alert them to a possible power outage if the neighbor’s leaning tree and pole continue their downward trajectory. In addition, several lines are entangled in the wayward tree limbs, causing the lines to sag under their weight. I asked if someone could come out and evaluate the situation. They rudely replied, “we don’t trim trees and we can’t ask a homeowner to trim his tree.” This translated to a refusal to spend a few minutes checking on a potentially dangerous situation. Yes, I argued and complained, but they didn’t budge. It appeared they would rather wait for the tree or pole to fall , rather than doing anything to prevent a power outage.

In desperation, I resorted to an analogy. I said, “What if I called the police and reported that some deranged person had an unauthorized gun. Should they check it out or fall back on some legal reason not to? Would you agree with their decision to ignore the situation until the gun was actually used to commit a crime?.” The Duke Energy representative had no response. I think the question had her flummoxed.

Electric Utilities squelch complaints in some states. But other states are trying to change taat. — Electric utilities squelch complaints in Indiana. But some states are eliminating electric company monopolies.

When I called the city engineer and contacted the mayor’s officer, I hit a brick wall. After I repeated the above analogy, I heard the same mantra:: ‘the electric company is a private entity, over which the city has no control.” Therefore, what I’m hearing is that no one controls the electric utility company service in our city. They can do what they please, and get away with it.

As a result, we must live in suspense, watching and waiting to see if the tree and utility pole’s forward movement continues, which would destroy our fence and cut off our power. It may not happen. But if it does, it will be a costly accident that could have been prevented. Utility monopolies squelch citizens complaints and should be abolished.

May 19, 2021May 19, 2021

WARNING! WALK OUTSIDE MAY BE UNHEALTHY

Walking is considered the number one way to lose weight, postpone aging, and provide a host of other benefits. But some days, it could be hazardous to your health . As an example, I decided to walk in the park on a Saturday afternoon. The tennis courts were full. A baseball game was taking place. There were few places left where you could sit on a blanket and enjoy some peace and quiet. The roads were lined with parked cars and a constant stream of traffic. Every shelter was filled with people using the barbecue pits. Consequently, the air was hazy with smoke. I found a parking place and set out to walk. All of a sudden, I felt dizzy and a bit shaky. My throat burned, and my eyes itched. Therefore, I turned around and walked back to my car. I hadn’t even done a mile. Warning! A walk outside may be unhealthy.

Back home that day, I felt a bit disgusted with myself. Why had I given up on my walk? Was I becoming a wimp? I picked up my new iPhone, and looked at the weather app. Scrolling down, I noticed something that had never really interested me before: Air Quality Index. That day, it was a high 154. Consequently, this meant that walking outside was bad for almost everyone, but especially sensitive people. At my age, I guess I fit into that category. As a result, walking in the park had not been a good idea. However, I could have walked in the mall if I wanted the exercise. . But who wants to walk inside on a sunny day?

WARNING! WALK OUTSIDE MAY BE UNHEALTHY. i When the air quality index is too high it can cause many respiratory problems. — Warning! Walk outside may be unhealthy if the air is polluted.

Much to my relief, I checked the air quality index today, and it was back down to a good 30. However it’s raining. Maybe it will clear up this afternoon. It’s depressing to realize that many of my walks during the past few years have actually been bad for my health. From now on, I won’t walk in the park until after I’ve checked the air quality.

Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air. These can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires.

Poor air quality may cause the following health symptoms in sensitive people:

. Headache

. Fatigue

. Shortness of breath

. Sinus congestion

. Coughing

. Sneezing

. Dizziness

.Nausea

Be sure to check the air quality index before walking in the park. You’re not a wimp if you decide to stay inside that day.

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

5 HOME REMEDIES FOR SPRING ARTHRITIS

How do you like this damp, cool spring weather? It’s better than a searing hot day in July, that’s for sure. Trouble is, it’s hard on those of us with arthritis. Did you know that 50% of folks over 65 have it? My husband’s physical therapist said this weather has been really rough on arthritis patients. We know it won’t last forever, but we’d like to lessen the pain without resorting to extra painkillers. Over the years, and after numerous therapy sessions, I have come to rely on these 5 home remedies for spring arthritis. All are available online,

Massaging Wrap

You can go online and find a wrap for almost every part of your body—knees, back, shoulders, whatever. The one I like was originally designed for knees but it works great on my shoulders, too. It has 3 buttons: massage, heater, timer. If it gets too hot, you can turn off the heat, and continue with a massage. If you use it a lot, you have to recharge the battery pretty often, but it’s not a big problem.

2. Cold packs

I like the ones that come with a wrap, and a strap, because you can tie them around your arm, leg, or waist while you read or watch TV. I don’t use cold packs very often, but some people alternate between heat and cold therapy. They use the heat to warm up a joint before exercise, and cold therapy to reduce the swelling afterwards.

3. Hot rolling massager

This is a little bit more complicated than the wrap . It’s a fairly heavy device, and the one I use isn’t battery operated. It’s plugged into an electric outlet. Which means that if I turn the wrong way, it’s apt to become unplugged. However, it gives a really deep massage, along with a gentle heat—actually much less heat than the massaging wrap. The first time I used it on my back, I was amazed how many sore spots I wasn’t even aware of. It’s really versatile. Can be used on shoulders, neck, back or knees. Just about anywhere you feel joint pain. It’s timed for 20 minutes, which is about as much as you can take because it gives you a pretty hard massage. But I guarantee you will sleep better that ni

Tens Unit. (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is used for nerve related pain conditions. The machine works by sending pulses across the surface of the skin and along the nerve strands. The pulses help prevent the pain signals from reaching the brain. This is actually my favorite pain relief device because it’s so portable. I can pack it in an overnight bag if I’m going for an out of town visit. There nothing like a long road or plane trip to cause an arthritis flare up. Not to worry. 20 minutes of Tens takes care of the pain. They’re relatively inexpensive and the tabs are easily replaced.

5 Home Remedies for Spring Arthritis include heat, cold packs, tens and Bio-Freeze.
Bio-Freeze or Vicks VapoRub. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I just rub some of the menthol product, Bio Freeze, into my skin, and I’m back to sleep in minutes. Surprisingly, old fashioned Vicks VapoRub also provides menthol , with some added camphor. You’re not supposed to use Vicks all the time like you do Bio-Freeze, because the camphor can build up in your system. But it’s a good substitute if you’ve run out of Bio-Freeze.

Soon, we’ll be sweating away in the sunlight, watching the INDY 500 or having a picnic in the park on Memorial Day. Hopefully, the aches and pains will ease. But if they don’t, you can always fall back on these 5 home remedies for Arthritis.

May 14, 2021May 14, 2021

TECHIE SALES REPS LACK EMPATHY

Do you dread buying a new computer, iPhone or other electronic devices? I know I do. It’s not like buying a new dress to wear to a wedding. You brace yourself for a whole a new set of buttons and apps. For me, any new piece of equipment involves a steep learning curve. And most sales reps at places like AT&T and BEST BUY are woefully unaware of how to help seniors. They zip through the instructions at breakneck speed, and never smile. You can tell they don’t like waiting on folks over 50. Young techie sales representatives lack empathy for anyone who didn’t grow up using computers.

It wouldn’t be so bad if the new computer or phone came with an instruction manual. But everyone’s gone paperless. Since I grew up using Simplicity patterns to make my own clothes, I’m pretty good at following printed instructions. But when a sales rep impatiently barks out directives on using a new product, I’m lost. Yes, I know, there’s a line of customers behind me, chomping at the bit to be waited on. And they won’t be asking silly questions or ask the salesperson to repeat themselves.

Techie sales reps lack empathy for old folks who didn't grow uup with computers. — Young techie sales reps lack empathy for seniors who don’t understand their language..

I know they’re frustrated because I don’t understand their language. And they know I’m at their mercy. If I want to survive in modern society, I must have a cell phone and a computer, at the very least. Not to mention an MP3 player and a Kindle. I’m not going to walk out of that store empty handed. But I’m going to go home and try to remember what they said, and probably end up in tears of frustration, bemoaning my own ignorance. And when I return to the store for further information, they frown with disapproval.

Each store should have a special clerk for seniors. It would be helpful to advertise, and schedule appointments, so as to accommodate people on canes and walkers, or those who can’t stand up for long. This person would need to have something the other tech salesmen lack—empathy.

As a last resort, I’ve ordered a printed manual for my new phone called “iPhones for Dummies.” That’s perfect for a tech dummy like me.