SHOULD WE ALL WEAR BODY ARMOR?

A year ago, if you’d talked about getting a bullet proof vest, people would have thought you needed to see a psychiatrist. But now, I’m beginning to wonder if that’s what the future holds for people who step outside their homes. We who live in small towns don’t see mass shootings as something that would happen to us. After all, everyone knows everyone else, one way or another. Six degrees of separation are more like two when the population is under 100,000. But the truth is, we aren’t as safe as we think. Should we all wear body armor at work, school, church, and when shopping? If domestic terrorism continues at this year’s pace, the idea doesn’t seem so far out.

Trouble is, bullet proof vests are expensive and uncomfortable. Going on the net, you find that one offering decent protection runs around $400. Say you’re a family of four. That’s fairly pricey. And do we really want to scare our kids by suggesting that they need to protect themselves from a knife or bullet?

There’s also the issue of inner wear and outer wear. Supposedly, it’s better if everyone can see that you’re wearing a protective vest. But I’m not so sure of that. If the perpetrator really wants to harm you, he’ll just aim for another place on your body that isn’t covered.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to purchase a bullet proof vest, unless you are a convicted felon. However, people might look at you oddly, and a police officer might view you with suspicion. On the other hand, if it became a common practice, you would fit right in with the crowd.

I’m seeing a business opportunity here for some enterprising entrepreneur. Come up with an inexpensive form of body armor. Mass produce bullet proof vests and sell them at Walmart in every size, even for kids. I’m betting they would sell out pretty fast.

If you think it’s been miserable being forced to wear masks during the pandemic, just wait until the government decides we all need to wear bullet proof vests.

June 19, 2021June 19, 2021

FREE MONEY IS NOT FREE

Back in the Hippie Days of the late sixties and early seventies, there was a saying: Free Love is not Free. This was in response to a society that had embraced the concept of free love. Living together without marriage, which had once been scandalous, was now accepted as the norm. But the older generation wagged their finger and warned against so much sexual freedom. They had a point, because unmarried women still kept getting pregnant, and there was an explosion of STDs. Today, we have a new type of freedom to worry about. A government that’s borrowing wildly to print money, writing stimulus checks every few months, and rewarding those who choose not to work with generous unemployment benefits. But it seems we’re about to learn our lesson: Free Money Is Not Free.

Have you been to the grocery store lately? Supposedly, prices have increased a mere 5%. I don’t know who’s pumping out those figures, but here’s an example: A month ago, I could buy a low calorie frozen dinner for $2.29 cents. Today, that same product was on the shelves with a price tag of $3.59. At the home improvement store, floor covering I bought last year has increased from 54 cents a square foot to 89 cents. To me, these and numerous other price increases are closer to 40%.. All this free money has pumped up demand, creating a scarcity for goods and services..

Free Money is not Free. The feds don't know what will happen with inflation — Free Money is not free. The feds are blowing smoke when they say high inflation will not last.

I don’t know where the fed is coming from. First, Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen. says inflation is “good” for the country. Then, she’s comforts us by predicting that it’s only temporary and prices will soon go back down. I say this lady is blowing smoke , along with Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell. They are basing their predictions on events that occurred in previous administrations. None of them have ever been though a pandemic like COVID-19, and they have no more idea of what is going to happen to prices than you and me. .

As a matter of fact, I think the average, middle class consumer has a better handle on the future of our economy that they do, because we’re driving to appointments, going to grocery stores, and buying home improvement items on a day to day basis. We, the ordinary tax payers are paying more for everything because all this free money has created such a high demand. Eventually, taxes will go up to pay for the free money , and so will interest rates. Ordinary people will find they are struggling to pay their bills every month. Many businesses will fail and unemployment will increase.

According to Fortune Magazine, “The economic lockdown, and the gigantic new spending enacted to combat it, brings the day of reckoning far closer. By borrowing multiple trillions at a pace never before seen, the U.S. is endangering the sterling credit that makes Treasuries and the dollar the safest of havens for global investors. It is likely that within the next decade, the U.S. will need to impose monumental tax increases. What America’s leaders aren’t saying is that it’s the middle-class Americans working today, the autoworkers, nurses, and deli owners, and not just their future generations, who’’ll foot most of the bill.”

Free Money Isn’t Free.

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHARISMA?

Decades ago, charisma was a popular word. The first time I ever saw a charismatic politician was when I lived in Chicago. President Dwight Eisenhower came to town in 1960, and over one million people stood in the streets to cheer him on. I happened to be in the front row when he drove by, sitting atop a convertible seat. Just for a moment, our eyes met. A shiver ran through my entire body. He was old and white haired. But with his brilliant blue eyes, robust coloring and warm smile, the man radiated charisma.

What is charisma? The dictionary describes it as a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

A lot of presidents haven’t had it. Nixon, Carter, Johnson and Bush were good speakers, but they didn’t have that spark. John Kennedy had it. He was young, handsome, and inspiring when he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Ronald Reagan had it. When his enemies attacked him, he didn’t get mad. Just smiled and said, “there you go again.” I don’t remember him ever calling his opponents bad names. He was just the gipper. Smiling, confident, unflappable.

Barack Obama had it. All you had to do was read his book, “Dreams From My Father” to know he was sensitive, empathetic, inspiring, and yes, charismatic.

In 2008, they started holding workshops that could teach people how to be charismatic. But the truth is, charisma is hard to teach. I think it’s something a person is born with.

Fast forward to the present day. A lot of people compared Trump to Reagan. But Trump doesn’t have charisma. Trump is an entertainer. He’s funny and dynamic, but when he starts the name calling, it’s over. Charismatic people don’t run people down; they lift you up on eagle’s wings. Our current president Biden is affable and pleasant, but he doesn’t make your heart swell when he delivers a speech.

Our country is in desperate need of a presidential candidate who has charisma. There has to be someone out there who can charm and inspire us to loftier goals.

Whatever happened to charisma?

June 14, 2021June 14, 2021

WHAT’S EUROPE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Most politicians occasionally make gaffes or puzzling comments. But the latest quote from Vice President Kamala Harris was a real head scratcher. Here she is talking to Lester Holt on NBC news, who’s known to be pretty easy on liberals. So, she has nothing much to fear. He asks her a simple question, “Have you been to the border?” She evades the question by saying, “we’ve been to the border.” So, he pins her down and asks if she, personally has been, and this is what pops out of her mouth: “And, I haven’t been to Europe.” What’s Europe got to do with it? Honestly, I don’t see the connection , or the point she was trying to make.

Harris got roasted in the media for tweeting a picture of herself before Memorial Day which said “enjoy the long weekend.” I can see where she was coming from on that. Just trying to relate to the fact that everyone had a nice long weekend ahead. But the press thought it was tone deaf– trivializing the true meaning of Memorial Day. That was a bit of over reaction, in my opinion. But the Europe thing? Totally beyond comprehension.

The person in the current administration who seems to have a handle on things is the president’s wife, Jill Biden. Maybe all those years as a school teacher taught her how to relate to people. She seems relaxed, friendly, and genuine. And she was plenty smart to wear a jacket to with LOVE emblazoned on the back during their trip to Europe.. All you could remember was that horrible jacket Melania Trump wore on the trip to the migrant facility. “I really don’t care, do U?” in black letters on the back wasn’t a very empathetic message under the circumstances

Poor Melania never did get it. That stiff posture, smoldering look and pouty mouth didn’t exactly warm your heart. She was such an easy act to follow. Just about any woman who was born and raised in America could have done better. Think Betty Ford. Laura Bush, .Michelle Obama, Bess Truman.

Joe Biden is just…well…Joe. Most of the time he sounds fairly coherent, but sometimes he wanders off into strange territory. Like telling a little girl in the audience that she looked like she was 19. What was that all about?

Kamala’s husband is fairly invisible at this point. He’s in uncharted territory, as the first male married to a VP of the United States. Keeping his mouth shut is probably the smartest thing he could do. Anyway, I don’t think he’s quit his day job.

Fortunately, it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference what the current leaders of this country say and do. They come and go. The country is strong, diverse, and will survive the peculiarities of any elected official. We’ve been doing it for 244 years.

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021

YOU NEED A FRIEND IN YOUR PLUMBER

Of all the tradespeople you employ to help maintain your home, the plumber may be the most important. Plumbing emergencies are the most critical of any that occur . Yes, you need your lawn mowed, but it can wait a day or two if it rains. If your heat or air conditioning goes down, you can usually stay cool or warm for awhile until the repairman can get there. But a broken pipe or sewage back up can’t wait. That’s when you need a friend in your plumber. You want someone who will get there within the hour.

When I was a child growing up in the post depression years, men in our neighborhood didn’t call plumbers. They were expected to know how to fix a leaky faucet or pipe.. I’m sure I never saw a plumber in our house. But I do remember my poor father struggling with hardware and manuals in all day attempts to fix whatever plumbing emergency had occurred. Sometimes, he called on a neighbor or friend for advice, which was freely given. Men helped each other, and some knew more than others. .

Our country cousins didn’t worry at all about plumbing. They used an outhouse and a chamber pot for their toilet needs. There was a pump for water outside and one in the kitchen. Bathing didn’t include showers or bathtubs. One simply heated gallons of water for the weekly Saturday night bath in a metal tub. And when weather permitted, there was always the creek for bathing.

Now, in our 21st century homes, we have all sorts of plumbing emergencies. Flooding due to a failed sump pump, burst pipe, sewer back up, or water shut off valve failure, can cause significant damage and is a safety concern. Consequently, it’s important to cultivate a good relationship with a reliable plumber. If you’re juggling bills at the end of the month, pay him first. When he’s in your home, call him by name and treat him with respect. . If you’re a good customer, he’ll be there for you in a crisis. You really need a friend in your plumber.

June 9, 2021June 9, 2021

HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH WITH PICKLE JUICE

Swimming has many benefits. It eases arthritic pain, helps with constipation, and is a great form of exercise. But the best part about a regular swim program is the friendships you form with fellow swimmers. Typically, they’re in it for their health. And they may gather at the far end of the pool to talk about weight loss, nutrition, and other health related topics. The other day, a fellow swimmer told me that she always has a few sips of pickle juice after a swim. That was a new one for me, as a dietitian. As a result, I searched the internet, and found that it is, indeed, recommended as a way to prevent leg cramps and dehydration. It also contains probiotics that keep your gut bacteria in good balance. So, here’s to your health with pickle juice.

There are different types of pickles-sweet and dill. It seems that dill juice is best for enjoying the above benefits. But watch out! It is also loaded with sodium. So you don’t want to slosh down a whole glassful. The recommended dosage is 3 oz—the size of a shot glass.

Here's to your health with pickle juice. It's all the rage now. — Here’s to your health with pickle juice. It may reduce leg cramps and prevent dehydration.

Many adults suffer from high blood pressure, and must control their sodium intake. In our house, we use salt sparingly. I never cook with salt, whether it be mashed potatoes, pork chops, or homemade soup. If something needs a little salt, we can add to taste. After awhile, you get used to a reduced salt intake. In fact, there are fast food restaurants we avoid because their products taste of nothing but salt. Especially some of the seafood places.

One caveat: It’s recommended that adults have no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day. And if your doctor has you on a low sodium diet, you may only be allowed 1,000 mg. a day. Since 3 ounces of dill pickle juice contains 900 mg, it could not be right for you. But if you’re on a regular diet, pickle juice may be good for your health.

June 7, 2021June 7, 2021

A BABY IS STARING AT YOU

Last week, I came face to face with a baby who was born during the pandemic. Couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 months. Sitting in a grocery cart, wearing nothing but a diaper. Was he/she scared or timid? Neither one. The baby was staring at me with wide open eyes. I stopped and smiled, afraid that would trigger some tears. But the child didn’t bat an eye or move a muscle. Just kept staring. I had never seen a baby look at me so intently before, and I’ve been around many grandkids. Then, it occurred to me. I was maskless, for the first time in 15 months. The baby wasn’t used to seeing naked faces at the grocery store. And since most of the other customers were wearing masks, he was fascinated. Now that masks are no longer mandatory in public, you may find that a baby is staring at you.

Baby is staring at you. He hasn't seen anyone without a mask since he was born. — Baby is staring at you because he hasn’t seen anyone without a mask out in public until now.

Most public places now have signs saying, “you need not wear a mask if you’ve been vaccinated.” About half the grownups in this town have received the vaccine, but a lot of them are still wearing masks. Which means that little kids won’t find them very interesting. I, for one, was happy to discard the mask the minute our governor said it was okay.

A couple of days later, I went to a meeting with a group that hadn’t met since March of 2020. Outside the private club, a little girl stood at the back door. Probably a child of one of the employees. She looked about eight or nine. . Once again, I was surprised at her friendliness. Kids that age don’t usually notices seniors. But when I got out of my car and smiled at her, she wanted to talk. She said she was with her aunt, who was working inside. That may seem strange, unless you’ve been to a country where it’s common for people to bring children to work. But the point is, she seemed hungry for some type of social interaction. Especially with a person whose face was visible.

You have to wonder how it’s been for kids during this pandemic. So isolated that the only faces they see are at home with family. But if they can see you smile, they may smile back. And there’s nothing so heartwarming as that. Be happy if a baby is staring at you.

LIVING WELL AFTER 80

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