ARE FACEBOOK & E MAIL OBSOLETE?

Remember the first time you sent an e mail? It was so exciting to write to a friend or relative via the internet. No more sitting down with cramped fingers to write a real letter. No purchase of stationary and stamps, or trips to the mailbox. It was just as exciting to receive an e-mail. And then there was Facebook. For some, it became the ultimate form of braggadocio. Look at my wonderful life! But for most of us, it was a fun way to share photos through cyberspace with family and friends. But have you noticed what’s happening lately? Are Facebook & E Mail becoming obsolete?

While I used to look forward to opening my e mail, now I dread it. Usually, I have at least 50 e mails from people trying to sell me something. And then there are the political e mails. For some reason, both the Democrats and Republicans think I might be interested in their causes. Maybe it’s because of my blog. I’m apt to criticize or comment on any male or female politician, regardless of their party. But if I criticize a Democrat, the Republicans think I may want to contribute to their campaign, and vice versa. They’re both wasting their time, because I won’t send money over the net to any political candidate.

Why do I keep my e mail account active? Because for some family and friends, my old e mail address is the only way they know to contact me. Especially if we haven’t kept in touch. And there are times when you need it for changing passwords and doing other business.

Most people in my social network seldom use e mail. They text. I used to resist texting because it’s difficult to use cell phone keypads with arthritic fingers. But there’s no longer a choice. If you can’t text, you’re out of the loop. Pictures, too, are much easier to send with messaging.

For the past few years, Facebook posts have become annoyingly political. I like seeing photos of your kids and the rosebush in your yard, but I do not want to read your rants and raves about Trump, Biden, or any politician. Don’t you think I have sense enough to form my own opinions at this age? There’s one group I belong to which has posts about growing up in my city. These are what I would term neutral. No one can get mad about seeing an old school building or skating rink. But generally speaking, fewer and fewer people are active on Facebook. And those who are, post less frequently. .

Are Facebook and E mail obsolete? Not quite, but they’re fading fast.

February 8, 2021February 8, 2021

AGE PROVIDED SUPER BOWL DRAMA

Did you know that only 39% of Americans regularly watch football? If we’re in the other 61% who doesn’t, we’re ashamed to admit it around this time of year. Seems like everyone you know watches the Super Bowl in February. It brings some excitement to an otherwise dreary month. And then there are the parties—the drinking, cheering, eating and adrenalin rush when your team scores a touchdown. Luckily, I married a man who shares my same interests, and neither of us has to pretend to like something we don’t. But we always watch the Super Bowl, and yes, my husband does understand the game. I was looking forward to it this year, because age provided Super Bowl drama.

Here we had the Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s quarterback, 43 year old Tom Brady, pitted against a man who is young enough to be his son. Would wisdom prevail? Does experience matter? Any of us who’ve experienced ageism in the workplace believe that it does. And yet, we’re frequently pushed out by some recent college graduate who’s half our age. Last night at the 2021 Super Bowl, we saw the battle of the ages played out before our very eyes.

Age provided super bowl drama/ 43 year old Brady against 25 year old Mahomes — Age provided Super Bowl Drama. 43 year Brady’s experience beat 25 year old Mahomes’ youth.

Betting odds on the afternoon before the game strongly favored youth. They predicted an easy win for 25 year old quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and the Kansas City Chiefs. But at the last minute, the big time gamblers put their money on Brady.

In a profession where physical fitness and agility is important, brains and wisdom may not win in the end. Brady could have stopped when he was at the top of his game. But you have to admire his courage in sticking it out. Are you over the hill at 40? Let’s hope not.

As it turned out, wisdom prevailed in the Super Bowl, with the Buccaneers out thinking, out playing, their younger opponents. Tom Brady deserves an award from AARP for a win in the fight against ageism

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

6 REASONS TO DISLIKE SPRING

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this has been the longest, darkest winter that most of us can remember. We’re longing for spring, when many will have been vaccinated and life will get back to normal. But wait a minute. The winter months aren’t all bad. Have you forgotten the problems that we face during the warm weather? Here are 6 reasons to dislike Spring:

1. Mosquito bites

In my state of Indiana, mosquito season starts in early March. This means I’ll have to slather myself with bug spray if I walk in the park. Some people, aren’t especially bothered by mosquito bites, but they can make me miserable. Mosquito bites can also be dangerous, causing serious diseases like West Nile virus. Note to self: stock up on anti-itch salve and bug spray before the season begins

2. Bee Stlngs:

Bee stings can be deadly. — Bee’s start pollinating in the Spring. If you get in their way, they will sting.

Starting in April, bees get busy pollinating. If you get in their way, you’ll get stung. Bee venom causes pain and swelling around the sting area that doesn’t stop for a couple of days. Many people are allergic to bee stings, which can cause severe immune reactions, and even death. If you get dizzy and sick, or have trouble breathing after a bee sting, call 911..

3. Tornadoes

While tornadoes can occur anytime, anywhere, they’re most apt to occur in March or April. I lived through a tornado once on April 4, and it was terrifying. First, you hear a sound like a freight train. That’s when you dive for cover in the basement or the Southwest corner of your house, or the bathroom. When it was over, and our house was spared, we saw that the tornado had zigzagged around the neighborhood, totally destroying houses at random. Luckily, no one was hurt.

4. Road Construction

Watch out for road construction in early March. — Road construction begins in early March.
Drivers and riders are often killed when someone doesn’t slow down or stop.

The season starts in March and last through November. How many times have you set out on a road trip, only to get stuck in a traffic stall due to road construction? We don’t travel much anymore, but when we did, we were prepared with urinal devices if we had to stop at an inconvenient time.

Warm weather months bring major road projects, and a lot of danger for drivers and workers. More than four out of five people killed in constructions areas are riders and drivers. A four lane road that’s reduced to two lanes increases the chances of a head on collision. Rear-end collisions can happen when a careless driver rushes into a work zone and hits someone who is stopped or obeying the reduced speed limit.

5. Yard Work

In our city, homeowners typically start mowing their lawns in early April. Some people enjoy mowing their lawns, but most don’t. If you’re one of those people who hires a lawn service, your monthly expenses are going to increase between now and late fall. And if you opt to mow your own lawn, be prepared for frequent mower breakdowns, which can be frustrating and costly.

6. Taxes

Spring is tax time. — Even if you hope for a refund, filing your tax returns can be a headache.

Even if you’re hoping for a refund, preparing a tax return is a hassle. Gathering the proper forms and documents is time consuming and nerve wracking. Many people have their taxes done by an accountant, but that doesn’t save you from assembling the necessary paperwork. Even worse, you may still owe more taxes!

And if you’re a homeowner, you’ll probably be getting a bill for your property taxes.

And so, my friends, don’t look out the window and long for Spring. Enjoy the benefits of Winter for just a little while longer.

February 3, 2021February 3, 2021

ARE WINTER BIRTHDAYS HAPPY?

Summer birthday celebrations are almost always happy ones. There are so many options. Whether you have a swim party or outdoor picnic, the sun may be shining, and people can wear light, comfortable clothing. Winter birthdays can be a problem. I know, because my oldest daughter when born in the midst of a January blizzard and power outage. Birthday parties in the northern part of the United States are often canceled due to bad weather, and nobody is really in the mood to celebrate. Are winter birthdays happy? Well, of course, they can be. But the truth is, those who were born in the winter get short shrifted..

December, apparently, is the worst month of all. People are caught up in Christmas shopping, decorating, baking and partying. A family member’s December birthday may seem like an annoyance. Who wants to worry about birthday cards and presents at a time like this? And the birthday person gets birthday and Christmas gifts all bundled up together. They may even get fewer of each. The closer to Christmas, the worse it is.

January has it’s own unique set of problems. It’s too soon after the holiday, so no one is really in the mood to party. And then, there’s the weather. Planned parties and celebrations may have to be canceled due to ice storms, snow and blizzards. It’s not very festive to celebrate on a gloomy, dreary winter day. If you decide to have dinner at a restaurant, you’ll have to get bundled up in boots and heavy coats. (Unless you live in Florida or California).

Freezing weather is also a problem in February. . But it gets worse. Valentine’s Day is looming. Florists are busy, Everyone’s planning something special for their spouse, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, whatever. A February birthday pales in importance, and is an interruption to all of those plans. And what if you were born on Feb. 29th? You only have a real birthday every four years.

Now for the good news: According to a European study reported in The Atlantic, people who are born in the winter are easy going. They have fewer mood swings and depression. They’re also less likely to be irritable. That’s good, because maybe they won’t get mad if you forget their birthday.

If you were born in December, January or February, Happy Winter Birthday!

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021

WARNING! RUN ON PUZZLE TABLES

When was the last time you finished a jigsaw puzzle? Since I was born before the dawn of television, jigsaw puzzles were a popular entertainment for kids. During the winter, we always had one going on a card table in the living room. I don’t know when or why that all ended, but by the time I was in high school, the puzzles were gone. In the decades that followed, I didn’t know anyone who worked them. But Covid-19 lockdown changed all that. Stuck at home, with nothing much to do but read and watch TV. Suddenly, jigsaw puzzles took on a new luster. Around Christmas, we decided to invest in a jigsaw folding table. But it turned out to be difficult. Warning! There’s a run on puzzle tables.

Why would anyone spend the money on a single purpose table? Because puzzles –the good ones, anyway—take time to complete. Maybe even weeks. Our living room space was cluttered by two card tables—one for the stray pieces, and another for the work in progress that had been started. We got on Amazon and looked for tables. We didn’t want a puzzle board, we wanted a stand alone folding table. There weren’t many to pick from. Googled puzzle tables and found a metal folding table we liked. It was more expensive than we anticipated, but what the heck. Ordered it and waited for it’s arrival.

The table never came. The manufacturer kept sending us notices that the delivery would be late. And then, about a month later, they said they had run out of stock, and we wouldn’t receive one at all. Bummer!

Back to Amazon. Ordered a Hammacher Schlemmer deluxe model. Same thing happened. First they gave a delivery date, then they said they’d run out. So, we went straight to Ham/ Schlem. They, too, procrastinated on delivery. Kept postponing the date. Until finally, yesterday, Fed Ex brought the table to our door.

Did you know that jigsaw puzzles are good for the brain? They prevent cognitive decline, improve memory and problem solving ability, also, increase your IQ.

Warning! There’s a run on puzzle tables during this pandemic.

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021

DIEHARD POINSETTIAS HANG ON AND ON

I don’t know about you, but the sight of Christmas decorations after Jan. 1 depresses me. Especially since we’ve been seeing them in the stores since Halloween. Enough already! One of the worst offenders is those plastic icicles people hang across their front porch. You’re apt to see them all summer long. Makes you wonder. Are these people Christmasphiles, or simply too lazy to take them down? But there’s one sign of Christmas that refuses to go away. Diehard poinsettias hang on and on forever.

It’s hard to let a pretty flowering plant wither and die. Unless, maybe, you have no appreciation for nature’s gifts. Sometimes, I decide to let my poinsettias die a natural death. And yet, when they begin to droop and wilt, something propels me to water them. They’re so brave and hardy. They want to please us and hang around to brighten our lives.

Walking in the mall, I noticed several offices still have flowering poinsettias perched on desktops. And yes, they’re a gloomy reminder of a holiday long past. Sooner or later, they’re going to disappear from sight. Maybe when the daffodils begin to bloom in the spring. So how do you handle the demise of your now unwanted flower/ child? I’ve been known to keep them on the deck in the summer. But they still look out of place. Usually, I harden myself to the fact that they really must go. Reluctantly, I may put them outside where they freeze to death. And then, furtively, I throw them in the trash can, the lonely leaves now withered and brown.

When Christmas rolls around again, I’m usually the first to buy a few poinsettias. They’re so beautiful. However, come spring, my fickle heart is drawn to daffodils and tulips. I wish those diehard poinsettias wouldn’t give me a guilt trip. But I know that next Christmas I’ll buy them all over again.

January 20, 2021January 20, 2021

DREAMING OF FREEDOM

Yesterday, I read that 44% of Americans are afraid to get the Covid-19 vaccine. It’s not surprising, when the media publishes reports of all the seniors in Norway and USA who’ve died after getting their first shot. Nevertheless, when you consider all the side effects of prolonged lockdown, it seems that we really don’t have a choice. We got our first dose last week, and now we’re dreaming of freedom.

First of all, we’re finally free from fear of catching the virus. That’s a dark cloud that’s hung over our head after every trip to the grocery store, or visit from a loved one. It’s always lurking—every time you cough or sneeze, little prickles of anxiety arise. Am I coming down with covid-19? When you wake up the next day, feeling just fine, you begin to relax. That is–until the next time, when you have a headache, or maybe get a dizzy spell(caused by anxiety). You do a pretty good job of keeping your spirits up and staying busy—but the fear is always there, ready to resurface from the depths of your subconscious mind.

As one who’s often experienced side effects after flu shots, I can totally understand the fear of vaccines. My husband is one of the lucky ones who never has any reaction. But I usually had aches and pains, along with fatigue that lasted sometimes a week. Because of that, I skipped the flu shots for several years. But when I finally came down with a very bad case of the flu, I went back to getting the shots, bracing my self for the side effects. So yes, I was worried about what would happen after receiving the covid-19 vaccine.

I did have some mild side effects. I woke up the next day feeling very groggy. My back and arm ached. But it didn’t get any worse. In fact, within 24 hours, I felt better. I slept fairly well the next few nights but had some wild dreams, and still didn’t have much energy. Today, I’m feeling like my old self.

DREAMING OF FREEDOM. After getting the vaccine, you maybe able to get your old life back.

In another month or so, We’ll get pieces of our old life back. We can go to restaurants. I will start swimming again, which should greatly ease the arthritis pain in my knees and shoulders. Some things will not change. We won’t be able to visit with out-of-town relatives until they, too, have been vaccinated. But I’m dreaming of freedom in the days that lie ahead.