KIDS HELP ELDERS GET VACCINE

It was an amazing, long anticipated day– entering the clinic parking lot to finally get the Covid-19 vaccine. But as we pulled in, I noticed a car where a young guy sat behind the wheel. His appearance worried me a bit—partly shaved head, piercings and metal coming out of every orifice. While waiting for my husband to get out of the car, I saw a dark sedan pull up. As an elderly couple opened their door , the young man got out and headed their way. An alarm went off in my head. Was he going to mug them? But no, he held out his arms for them to lean on, and slowly walked them inside. It’s touching to see kids help their elders get the vaccine.

Inside, everything was highly organized and efficient. Since we had preregistered, there was no wait. But after getting vaccinated, we had to wait awhile to make sure we had no reaction. That’s when I could observe the patients coming in. This was the over 80 crowd, and at least half of them were accompanied by what appeared to be a child or grandchild. It’s safe to say that the kids were the ones who had gotten their parents or grandparents signed up.

You couldn’t just walk in to get vaccinated. You had to be in the “eligible” category (over 80) and provide your insurance card. Then, you could register for an appointment either over the phone or online. The phone lines were jammed all day long, so the best way to get an appointment was online. I’m lucky to know my way around the internet. That’s because I had a job that entailed the use of computers. Many octogenarians wouldn’t have the slightest idea. So I’m guessing the metal kid got his grandparents registered online.

kids help elders get vaccine. Hooray for these young caregivers. — Kids help elders get vaccine. It’s heartwarming to see children take care of their parents.

There were sons with fathers on canes or in wheel chairs. And daughters who brought their parents to check in. Love was in the air. Lucky, my husband and I can still navigate on our own. But It was heartwarming to see so many children taking the time to get their parents or grandparents vaccinated. Hooray for family caregivers, and kids who help their elders get the vaccine.

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020

SHOULD A ROBOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT?

Have you ever said something stupid? Or done something irrational? If you’re a human being living on this earth, it’s safe to say you have a few regrets. However, if you’re a politician, the voters won’t cut you much slack. I can think of many cringe worthy moments and major mistakes made through the years with every single president of the United States, starting with FDR. It makes you wonder: Should a robot run for president?

Some scientists think artificial intelligence would make better presidential decisions — Using artificial intelligence, robots might make better presidential decisions.

For example: John Kennedy made a mistake during the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba . He made up for it during the Cuban Missile Crisis, But he was assassinated before he came up for re election. Harry Truman had a public hissy fit when someone made fun of his daughter’s singing. Richard Nixon was dumb enough to order a break in at the Democratic headquarters. Bill Clinton had an affair with an intern. Presidents are just way too human.

While you may think it sounds outlandish, a robot for president isn’t a new idea. Some scientists say politics is a “multidimensional, nonlinear problem of optimization.” Consequently, they believe we should put a computer in charge of the country. They’ve concluded that artificial intelligence could make big, complicated decisions better than a real live president.

Let’s take this idea a step further. I suggest that we have two robots running for president. Robot Dem and Robot Rep. Each party would key in the basic aspects of their platforms . The Democrats would tell their robot to make decisions favoring Medicare for all, and open borders Naturally , the Republicans would plug in closed borders, and private health insurance. Decisions on war and peace would be based on outcomes of conflicts throughout the ages. Mathematical statistics would decide the best economic policies.

Others things a robot president wouldn’t have to worry about:

Age. A robot is never too young or too old.

Hair: Orange hair, baldness, hair plugs—none of it matters. A robot has no hair at all.

Sexual harassment: Robots don’t smell women’s hair, have sex with interns, or get accused of raping a girl at a college frat party.

Health: Robots don’t suffer from back pain, heart attacks, cancer, high blood pressure. IT technicians can keep them in good working order.

Embarrassing relatives. Many presidents have had to deal with them. Remember Jimmy Carter’s brother, Billy Carter?

Emotions. Robots don’t have character flaws . They aren’t greedy, lusty, or narcissistic. They make decisions strictly on the facts.

Therefore, It seems as though the American people might be better off with a robot for president.

December 19, 2018December 19, 2018

THE DEMISE OF THE CHRISTMAS LETTER

Remember when everyone sent Christmas letters? That probably peaked about 20 or 25 years ago, when we all got desktop computers and printers. Drive to Staples, get a box of Christmas stationery, sit down, compose a letter, and print out a huge batch of your very own, original, newsletter. But now, we are seeing the demise of the Christmas letter.

Some of those letters were irritatingly boastful. Each child’s achievements, trophies, marriages. (Divorces not to be mentioned) . Our own triumphs, job promotions, successful children and grandchildren. . Then, or course, a complete itinerary of every trip we took to the Smokies, Europe, Costa Rica. This was our chance to tell the world that we were doing great. Sometimes the letters went on for two pages.

Then, along came Facebook in 2004. Now, we could share family pictures, births, deaths, and achievements every single day. The sending of the annual Christmas letter was no longer necessary. That is, assuming everyone was into technology and had a Facebook account. Believe it or not, many seniors, don’t use email, & don’t post on Facebook. And Facebook has taken a beating lately, with many people afraid of being hacked and losing their privacy.

Our grandchildren won't send Christmas Letters — REMEMBER WHEN EVERYONE SENT CHRISTMAS LETTERS?

I was still in the workforce during the explosion of computer technology, and became comfortable with the internet. Each year, I tried to discourage my husband from composing the annual Christmas letter. But yet, he plowed on. How else could he touch base with all the friends and family from his home state of Nebraska, Air Force buddies, and the students he had known when he was a campus minister at Indiana State University?

And so, he would write the letter for me to edit, and I would dutifully churn out a batch of Christmas letters. We went through this process again this year.

At first I decided not to send one to the people on my list. But as I sat down to write my cards, I looked at that letter again and decided it was a good idea, after all. No bragging, just a casual way of telling people that we weren’t going South this year, and a few things we had been doing.

I realize that Christmas letters are an anachronism., and can’t imagine any of our grandchildren sending out a Christmas letter. Not with Instagram, texting, Facebook, and perhaps some other apps I’ve never even heard about.

But if we’re still around and in good health next year, we will probably write one again.

Viva the Christmas Letter!