Jeff and Donna pointed me in this direction!

Why oh why do I write my blog???   Is it because I want to be published???     Is it because I think I have fantastic ideas???    Is it because I need to be recognized for my achievement???    Is it ego on my part?  Maybe in part of my brain I would have liked to be a writer but it never came to fruition.


I'm amazed at times how many readers spend some time reading my blog, and not just in this country

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Today I was thinking about if I had my life to live all over again...would I do things differently .

No...the answer is definitely no.   I've mostly enjoyed my life, except for the tragic stuff.   I lucked out and had a wonderful husband who was very easy to live with...and then when Jeff came along, it was a wonderful time.   

My growing up years were sandwiched between the great depression and world war 2.   Now we're saddled with another depression.

I do worry a lot about my children and my children's children and if we're using up too much of everything and there won't be enough for them.

I wonder if my grandparents worried about the same things.   Interesting thought.

I know that God is watching over us...so I'll just let HIM do the guiding and everything will turn out all right.

President Obama sent me an email...he needs my help!

Today I  received an e mail from President Obama.   He's desperate.   Congress will not listen to him.

That's a terrible thing....seems to be there should be an arbitration.

write them an email, post it on their Facebook walls.

If Congress fails to act before the end of the year, every American family’s taxes will automatically  see their taxes rise $2,200 starting in 2013. Standing with middle-class families at the White House today, President Obama called on all Americans to speak out:.

So today, I’m asking Congress to listen to the people who sent us here to serve. I’m asking Americans all across the country to make your voice heard. Tell members of Congress what a $2,000 tax hike would mean to you. Call your members of Congress, write them an email, post it on their Facebook walls. You can tweet it using the hashtag #My2K.

 

Southwestern Pennsylvania

Today I had a lovely email from a dear friend who lived near me in Pa.    This is so much better than anything I can write...so I must print it to put in my blog...it's worthy!

Subject: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

True Pittsburghers: This is great - read the last poem--soooo true! Being a Steeler fan means so much more than football. It means being from a corner of the world unlike any other. It means being from a place where the people are so tough-minded that they survive the Homestead strikes, the Johnstown flood and most recently the Etna Floods. These people have the DNA of hard work, in mills and mines, without the necessity of complaint. They live simply, with no frills. They don't have movie stars or fancy cars. Instead, they have simple traditions like kielbasa, Kennywood, and celebrations. They live in distinctive neighborhoods like Polish Hill, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, and the Hill District and all of the surrounding counties. These people are genuine. They don't have chic internet cafes and cappuccinos, but they have The Original Hot Dog joint, Primanti's, Eat n'Park and Iron City Beer. People from Pittsburgh don't have sunny beaches or fancy boats, but the rivers roll gently, connecting the small towns of people whose histories have been built on strength and humility. People from Pittsburgh don't have the biggest shopping malls or the best nightclubs, but they'll take Friday night high school football and Steeler Sunday over anything. Steeler football means so much more than you think. It symbolizes a Diaspora of generations who had the best childhood they could imagine. They ran free without a care or concern in the valleys of those Allegheny Mountains. Their blue-collar world was easy ... there was no one to tell them that they lacked material things. There was no one to tell them that they needed more. As the steel mills closed and the jobs disappeared, some of these people had to leave. While the world benefits because they spread their Pittsburgh values, they long for their home where things were simpler and more pure. They teach their kids about Jack Lambert, Lynn Swann, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Jack Ham, L. C. Greenwood, Joe Greene, and Myron Cope in hopes of imparting not just the knowledge, but the feeling that they represented. They are everywhere, those Terrible Towels. They wave, not just for the team, but for the hearts they left behind. They wave in living rooms in Fort Lauderdale, Naples, FL, Raleigh, NC and in the bars of Washington, D.C. They wave all the way to the Seattle Superdome! They wave for the Rooney family, whose values mirror our own - loyalty, grit, and humility. They wave for football players like Jerome Bettis and Hines Ward, whose unselfishness and toughness have allowed sports to be about the game and the team. Make no mistake that Steeler football is not just about football. I could not be prouder to be from the Pittsburgh area than I am right now!! Even if you no longer live in the area, you have South Western Pennsylvania in your blood no matter where you go. And deep down in your heart of hearts, you can still hear the Super Bowls of times past, the excitement in everyone's voices especially our fathers, cousins, and anyone else who gathered around the TV on Football Sundays! Make no mistake, it's just as exciting right now! It's not just about rivalries and who is better, it's about family, tradition and roots! It's more than football, but its football at its finest! If you now live in Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, California, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, or Texas, be proud of where you were born and who your FIRST favorite football team was! Go Steelers!!! Picksburgh GO STILLERS! Ah yes! "Picksburgh" Yinz are from the Picksburgh area or maybe you grew up there: 1. You didn't have a spring break in high school. 2. You walk carefully when it is "slippy" outside. 3. You often go down to the "crick." 4. You've told your children to "red up" their rooms. 5. You can remember telling your little brother/sister to stop being so "nebby" . 6. You've gotten hurt by falling into a "jaggerbush". 7. Your mother or grandmother has been seen wearing a "babushka" on her head. 8. You've "worshed" the clothes. 9. I ask you to hand me one of those "Gum-Bands" an' you actually know what I'm talking about. 10. You know you can't drive too fast on the back roads, because of the deer. 11. You know Beaver Valley, Turtle Crick, Mars, Slippery Rock, Green Tree, Fox Chapel and New Castle are names of towns. And you've been to most, if not all, of them. 12. A girl walks up to three of her girl friends and says, "HEY, YINZ GUYS!" 13. You hear "you guyses" and don't think twice. Example: "you guyses hause is nice." 14. You know the three rivers by name and understand that "The Point" isn't just on a writing instrument. 15. Someone refers to "The Mon" or "The Yough" and you know exactly what they're talking about. 16. You remember the blizzard of 1993 (or 1976, or 1950, or 1939, or...) and remember not being able to go outside because the snow was over your head and you would have suffocated. 17. Someone starts the chant, "Here we go Still-ers!" and you join in. In the proper cadence, waving the appropriately colored towel. 18. Bob Prince and "There's a bug loose on the rug." hold special meaning for you. 19. You've either eaten a Farkleberry Tart or know someone who has. 20. You drink pop, eat hoagies, love perogies and one of your favorite sandwiches actually has coleslaw and french fries ON it. 21. You know what a "still mill" is. 22. You expect temps in the winter to be record-breaking cold and temps in the summer to be record-breaking hot. 23. You know what Eat 'N Park is and frequently ate breakfast there at 2:00 AM after the bar closed; and made fun of people. 24. You order "dippy eggs" in a restaurant and get exactly what you wanted. 25. You spent your summers, or a school picnic at Luna Park, Kennywood, Westview, Sand Castle, or Idlewild. 26. You've been to the Braun's Bread Plant or Story Book Forest for a school field trip. We went to the Heinz plant and the Isaly's plant. 27. "Chipped ham" was always in your refrigerator when you was growin' up. 28. You refuse to buy any condiments besides Heinz unless a Pittsburgh athlete's picture is on the side of the container. 29. When you call the dog or the kids you shout, "Kum-mere" and they come. 30. Franco, Roberto, and Mario don't need last names and you can recite their exploits by heart. Wonder how many of yinz guys actually understood all dat? Some folks just don't. It's winter in Pennsylvania And the gentle breezes blow Seventy miles an hour At twenty-five below. Oh, how I love Pennsylvania When the snow's up to your butt You take a breath of winter And your nose gets frozen shut. Yes, the weather here is wonderful So I guess I'll hang around I could never leave Pennsylvania 'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!! You'll send this on to family and friends who used to live in the Pittsburgh area as well as to those who have never lived there, just so they can appreciate how different western PA really is.

Anyone reading this is living in my time slot!   And how lucky we are!   We stand on the shoulders of the ones who came before us....all the way back to the very beginning.  We don't live in caves nor eat raw meat and we have clothing.   Back then, there were no designer labels...maybe like saying bear meat or divour dinosaur fixings.

We have learned from them...how to grow food...how to create shelter.even with stainless steel cabinets and granite counters..and even how to love and get married..

And here we are in the technology time of mankind.   Will people living one thousand years from now think that we were primitive beings.  I can't imagine how the world can expand any more than it has...except in curing illnesses such as cancer and dementia. 

I do imagine that people will be living longer because they work out and eat the right foods and don't smoke any longer.

Will drugs still hamper mankind?   Will automobiles be a thing of the past.   Will elections get more sophisticated?

I just know that I feel so blessed being alive in the here and now and seeing all this!

Will people know that this all didn't happen just by chance...it's all part of a Divine Plan!

Written by my friend, Joe P.

Hello again...my friend, who I respect and love dearly, suggested I put this in my blog.  These views do not necessarily affect mine.

Okay...here goes....

to me

HI HILDA,

.

TODAY THERE WAS A VISITING PRIEST FROM RUSSIA GIVING THE SERMON. ORIGINALLY FROM SAN FRAN ,HE WAS A CHAPLIN IN A COLLEGE. WHEN THE WALL FELL HE DECIDED TO GO TO RUSSIA AS A MISSIONARY. AS YOU KNOW RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WAS DENIED BY THE GOVT. SINCE 1917. MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO PRACTICE JUDAISM OR CHRISTIANITY WERE PERSECUTED OR IN MANY CASES WORSE. HE SPOKE OF THE SECULARISM ,DIVORCE RATES ,ABORTIONS ,AND ORPHANS AS A RESULT OF THE BREAKDOWN IN THEIR SOCIETY.

THIS GUY SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION AND MAYBE HE WOULD HAVE WOKEN A FEW PEOPLE UP.

DURING HIS SPEECH SOMETHING STRUCK ME. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ABORTION AND EUTHANASIA? ABOUT 75 YEARS I WOULD SAY. THANK YOU MR. OBAMA FOR YOUR WONDERFUL HEALTH CARE PLAN. AND THERE IS TALK AGAIN OF HEALTH CARE RATIONING.......DIDN'T A FORMER GOV. OF ALASKA MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT THAT A WHILE BACK?

NOW THAT THE CHURCHS INSTITUTIONS HAVE TO PROVIDE ABORTIONS (I KNOW IT'S THE INSURANCE COMPANIES,..........REALLY???) HOW LONG WILL IT BE THAT OTHER DEMANDS WILL BE FORCED UPON CATHOLIC AND POSSIBLY OTHER RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE PEOPLE IN POWER ,WHO MIGHT JUST DECIDE TO NOT KEEP A RELIGION IN FAVOR ,DECIDE TO PUT RESTRICTIONS ON IT BECAUSE THE GOVT. MIGHT WANT TO PROMOTE ANOTHER RELIGION.

ABORTION,CONTRACEPTION AND A WOMENS RIGHT TO CHOOSE WERE BIG DURING THE CAMPAIGN. DISTRACTIONS TO BE SURE TO TAKE THE VOTING PUBLIC'S MIND OFF OF OTHER RATHER SERIOUS PROBLEMS FACING THIS NATION. THE DEBT,NATIONAL SECURITY,AND A HOST OF SCANDALS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT WERE QUIETLY SWEPT UNDER THE RUG BY A WILLING MEDIA.

IN A FEW YEARS ,GOVT. MANDATED "HEALTH CARE" WILL DICTATE WHO AND HOW YOUR CARE WILL BE PROVIDED. HMMMMMMMM...................WHAT HAPPENED TO A WOMENS AND FOR THAT MATTER A MANS RIGHT TO CHOOSE?

I THINK YOU SHOULD POST THIS ON YOUR BLOG. OR MAYBE I SHOULD START ONE MYSELF

SEE YOU SOON

The chicken or the egg...or the lyricist or composer !!!!!

Friday, December 3, 2010

The chicken or the egg...or the lyricist or composer !!!!!

It's always bothered me about music. I love to hear songs sung...with poetic lyrics. Now country music tells a complete story in so much detail that I don't enjoy listening.

But...let's take "Over the Rainbow"...the lyrics we all know were written by Yip Harburg. His name will not go down in musical history...but the melody and words certainly will.....and the music of course was composed by Harold Arlen, a familiar name for many compositions.

When Jeff was in third grade, he was in a piano musical recital...and that was his song. Of course, his father and I thought he was sensational.

It all started a year before. We had placed an ad in our local Valley Daily News in the classifieds...wanted cheap piano for beginner.

Somebody 3 streets away read our need because she phoned within an hour after the paper was delivered.

She had in her basement an old upright player piano with bench..asking price $10.00. How fantastic for us. We hired a mover and he had a problem getting this through our front door.

The guy said to us...how about us sliding it into your garage, then into your basement.

No way was our son going to practice in a cold damp cellar. So our front doorway was goughed getting it in.

Allen painted it the same color as our living room...and padded the bench with foam rubber so that little Jeff's tush would be comfortable.

Then we hired a blind piano tuner and he removed the player guts which were all rotted...another $25.00.

The piano teacher came to the house weekly to give Jeff , Schaum lessons....simplified but to this mother's ears sounded like Carnegie Music Hall. I even took the phone off the hook so that he wouldn't be interrupted.

But back to lyricists Tim Rile wrote the words for Evita. We all know about Andrew Lloyd Webber....but not a thing about Tim.

Charles Hart wrote the lyrics for Phantom of the Opera.....another unknown .

So....I'm trying to figure out if the lyrics are as important as the music.!!!!!!!!! I kinda believe that the words are more important.

But anyway...Jeff's recital was a complete success...his family made up the audience!

this was written in 09!

These are my thoughts, during average days of my life. They're probably not of any interest to anyone other than my dear friends, my children, my nephews, grandnephews, and other people who have passed through my life.

Friday, November 20, 2009

How much is a trillion dollars???

A million seconds is only 11.57 days

A billion seconds is 31.7 years

Obviously in today's world we need to add a trillion seconds, which is 317 centuries, or far longer than history.

We don't hear about thousands anymore...nope.

Nor do we hear much about millions....

What we are hearing daily is the word trillions. Scary....especially since we have such a big unemployment rate.

Tell these poor people about all the stimulus packages....and you don't see encouragement or happiness. No...we're seeing despair.

People want to work....working is good for the soul and spirit...so please, government, create more jobs in this country.

I don't know why I feel I have to write this.....I guess it makes me feel better!

We were an independent mom and pop toy store and I was thinking the other day as I was strolling through a super Walmart store, that thank God we're not in business any longer....we would have been among the unemployed.

Does President Obama have any idea at all what a trillion dollars is that he's handing out so freely. I would love to know...or Ben Bernake? Who knows!!!

Today I was a good citizen and went to vote...it was afternoon and nobody was there except the workers whom I know because they live where I live.

Craziness, Roseanne Barr's NAME  was on the ticket running for president.   I wonder how many discouraged people actually voted for this fool.

Can Obama finish the enormous task for cleaning up our country in 4 more years.   Time was when we were all so proud that the United States was number one in everything...but situations change.

Romney is trying so hard that he'll say anything you want to hear.   He'll make all the bad stuff go away..some of which he created.

I know there has to be a winner and a loser...but I'm always upset for the underdog.    Bad attitude I know...but that's my nature.

But however this all works out, I want our country to be #1 once again!

Michelle Obama called me on the phone today ~   wow... and even though I knew it was a recording, I guess I was still thrilled.

After all...she is the first lady~ and she asked if I would vote for her husband!   Maybe he does need another 4 years to get things done...I dunno! 

But one thing I do know is on his watch I lost a bundle on  my GM stock.   Yes, he saved the auto industry...he bailed them out....but in the process, he threw the preferred bondholders to the 4 winds.

Under bankrupsy laws, bondholders are supposed to get paid first.   But no, Mr. Obama saved the company and the union.

I'm not alone...many other people lost money this way...but it personally hit my pocket and I just can't get it out of my mind.

I did vote for him....but will I again...that just remains to be seen on Tuesday.   I like the camaraderie of voting in our clubhouse instead of early voting.

I don't expect that we'll know the outcome on Tuesday because it will be very close.

I don't know if I trust anyone anymore.....we worked very hard for that money

Re published!

As Time Goes On!

Is this what they mean by senior living....a bit scary and depressing!
.
I've been so lucky...so far! I haven't had to use a crutch, walker or motor chair.

But that isn't too say that I don't feel like an accident waiting to happen...because as I look around me...I see aging......mainly forgetfulness. Do we lose brain cells every day when we reach a certain age. Is it because we're not stimulating ourselves enough....could it be that because we're not productive any longer...we just seem to fade.




However, it's affecting me mentally. It's really getting me down....seeing my friends using equipment to get around. When I go to our pool, there are three walkers lined up by the steps because the owners aren't able to take one step without help.

We have to crawl around in between to make our way to the stairs. And many times, I haven't been able to get down the stairs because ladies are sitting there...maybe they just wanted to get their feet wet. Many conversations are being held right in that spot.

I say...excuse me...excuse me.....and they move their tush's a little bit to let me by.

This is my social life too....but I'm here for ernest exercise which I need desperately. Maybe I'm labeled a 'loner' because I go and do my thing...I splish and I splash...and kick and squat.

As I'm doing all this...I hear various conversations taking place....where they dined last night....what hurts them today....is it going to rain....and then a little gossip about someone.

I'm not imune to gossip...so I head in that area to listen a little harder. Either it's something I've heard before....or something that's unbelievable.

What really bothers me is when I hear someone lost a child. That's not supposed to happen. That is a tragedy...unexplanable.

I love to hear someone child is expecting a baby. That is what life is really all about...procreation.

Anyway, I'm beholden to God for creating my ancestors through the thousands of years...because without them....I wouldn't be! Thank you, God!

Poop!

Thoughts from Hilda

These are my thoughts, during average days of my life. They're probably not of any interest to anyone other than my dear friends, my children, my nephews, grandnephews, and other people who have passed through my life.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Poop

As I was discussing my walk down my cul de sac with Jeff and Donna on Skype, I happened to mention that I saw a dog answering nature's call. I explained that I stood there waiting to see if the owner would do anything about it. And sure enough, she grabbed it with a plastic bag and that was the first time I'd ever seen that done.

I had witnessed pooper scoopers but I had no seen this before.

So...I asked my kids about it. Do you use regular plastic bags...is it awkward to grasp it...and all kinds of delicate facts like this.

So...Jeff gets a specially-store-bought bag for just this occassion and showed me how this is handled! While he was doing this, I snapped their pictures....because who else owns a picture...or wants to own a picture like this.

1. 1
   Poop scooping services are popping up all over the place.^[11] While this is a costlier option, it is worth the cost for some people, especially if the dog waste accumulates in a fixed place like your yard. And if there is no service in your area and you're an enterprising sort, why not start such a service?^[12] It could be very rewarding!
2. 2
   Ask dog owners you know if they know of any good "waste handling" services.
3. 3
   Ask a local landscaper or pet-sitter if they'd consider providing this service.
4. 4
   Look up a service in the Find-a-Scooper International Directory at http://www.apaws.org/search/adv/default.aspx.

Dealing with dog poop rebels

1. 1
   
   

   If you come across someone who won't pick up their dog's poop right in front of you, assert yourself.
   If you come across someone who won't pick up their dog's poop right in front of you, assert yourself. Explain to them how unhygienic their action is and how it is disrespectful to the neighborhood. As well, explain that it lets down all dog owners who get smeared with the thoughtlessness of the few who don't pick up the poop and ends up with more bans on where dogs can go. There's no need to make a song and dance but do insist, and if it's a violation in your area, contact your community association or other suitable contact and report the incident.
   • You might say something like: "Sir/Madam, I realize that it's not the most pleasant task but as dog owners we have to show everyone else we are responsible and care about both our dogs and our neighborhood. Dog poop harbors disease and people don't want to tread in it. So, I'd really appreciate it if you'd pick up after your dog, just as I do."
2. 2
   Offer the person one of your bags. The gesture is difficult to turn down because it's polite and it's showing the other person that you expect them to behave responsibly.
3. 3
   Set an example to others by being proud to pick up your dog's poop.^[13] This shows other dog owners an example of good dog ownership and lets people know that any mess around isn't from your dog.

I'm proud that my kids are good citizens!

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Unregistered Comment on December 17, 2008 at 6:32 PM9

 

Our starter-up home but we stayed over 30 years!

Our starter-up home but we stayed over 30 years!

This is where our young-married life began...and I loved our little home. I remember carrying Jeff who was 18 months old to his own room...and telling him that this is his very own.

Well, it appears Jeff had a different idea. He wanted his crib in our room, just like it was in our little apartment.

He screamed and screamed ...and then wanted to join us in bed.

Every day I carried him and said this is Jeffy's room...all yours. Your toys are here. We have our room--you have yours.

He still cried for a month. Then Dr. Spock said you just have to let him cry...and don't give in...and finally after 4 days we had peace in the house and the bed to ourselves.

That is, until he learned to crawl out of his crib and he would go to Allen's side to get in and he was never refused.There were many times that I ended up sleeping in the crib because I couldn't sleep 3 in a double bed. Triple beds were rare in those days and it never even entered our minds.

Anyway we had big retaining walls in our driveway and in the back to hold back the 2nd terrace. The street above us was being excavated...and every night after dinner, the 3 of us would go to gather big rocks. To this day the wall is still standing.....a labor of love

.Retirement came and everyone said maybe I could buy Allen an extra couple years down in florida. No more urging...I wanted my husband to live....so we moved....and here I am.

I'm truly glad we made the move...life is so much simpler here..

Written a while back about my library

We had to be very quiet...not speak a single word...or we would have been kicked out!

There were no paperbacks back then...only bound books and they were very precious.

My first document that I personally owned and was responsible for, was my library card. It was sacred. Nothing should happen to it! And if a book was overdue, I felt mortified...like I'd created a crime...all for 2 cents. The librarian took her job very seriously and, if asked, would refer you to a special section.

Besides getting a book for myself, my Mother wanted me to bring her back a novel. I recall asking for Edna Ferber....she's the lady who wrote the book that the musical Showboat was all about.

My Mother was an avid reader and during dinner she would present a book review to us letting us know what it was all about. How interested our little family of 4 was in her presentation. So, not only did we digest the best cooking in the world...and we had entertainment with it.

That was my Mother....and I adored her so much!

Now I go to a big library on Hagen Ranch Road...and what a myriad of books from which to choose....more authors than ever before in history. And most of them are very good...but we can't read everything so we must be select.

Ruth, my friend and next door neighbor, usually brings me back something that is just to my liking...no violence....no C.I.A. stuff...just lots of emotions.

Having a good book to read is such a great feeling.

This was written in 07.