The news the last 3 days has been about how inefficient the Secret Service is. Nine different ways they should have been warned about the intruder who was after The First Family.
The man who jumped the White House fence this month and sprinted through the front door made it much farther into the building than previously known, overpowering one Secret Service officer and running through much of the main floor, according to three people familiar with the incident.
An alarm box near the front entrance of the White House designed to alert guards to an intruder had been muted at what officers believed was a request of the usher’s office, said a Secret Service official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Last January I entered an area to board a cruise ship....my friends were admitted but me they detained.
They made me spread my legs and arms....examined my entire being. It appeared that I made a metallic sound going through.
The ringing was a metal tube of lipstick in my pocket so that I would look presentable after we had a buffet lunch.
All this fuss about a little old lady.....and President Obama could have been assassinated.
What's happened with our almighty Secret Service, or is it so secret that we don't even know.
Did I look so suspicious to the security on the cruise ship?
I dunno????
I do know one thing though....I'll always think of the Secret Service in a different light.
They flunked....gotta fix it.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
It's not just about having to hem pants
I'm old!!!! I'm very old!!! Yep it's a fact! I can't reach places that I used to...and just when did all this happen?
When I try to put dishes on the lower shelf I must stand on my tiptoes. I didn't used to.
One of my big problems now happens to be my closets. I'm having trouble hanging up and removing clothes from the clothes rod.
So finally I must admit my limitations and I hired Randy, a really nice guy who works here at Highpoint.
He's coming to adjust and lower and to make my life much easier.
When I'm no longer living here, the new people will say I think a dwarf occupied this house.
I never was tall...would have liked to have been...but I'm happy to settle for who I am....I'm grateful for still being alive and able to write this blog.
When I try to put dishes on the lower shelf I must stand on my tiptoes. I didn't used to.
One of my big problems now happens to be my closets. I'm having trouble hanging up and removing clothes from the clothes rod.
So finally I must admit my limitations and I hired Randy, a really nice guy who works here at Highpoint.
He's coming to adjust and lower and to make my life much easier.
When I'm no longer living here, the new people will say I think a dwarf occupied this house.
I never was tall...would have liked to have been...but I'm happy to settle for who I am....I'm grateful for still being alive and able to write this blog.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Life's Annoyances
To be denied access to my car for 6 weeks was a real hardship for me. It meant having to have friends pick up food for me and some pharmacy items.
I had cataract surgery and was refused permission to drive. Well, the time finally came and I drove just as far as Winn Dixie which is very adjacent.
While I was shopping, someone put a large sticker on my windshield, the size of a postcard, and it had adhesive on it, which meant I just couldn't just peel it off. It was advertising.
At home, I got a razor, WD 40 and some cooking oil and worked very hard scraping, and finally it came off.
That evening when I went to use the car, the residue from all that junk was keeping me from seeing...very foggy.
It was terrible. Anyway, next day Virginia called and asked if I minded if she used alcohol on it to take it off. My arthritic arms don't work well.
This sweet lady has been so good to me, and I really hated to say yes, but I did, and she came right over with an old dishcloth.
The alcohol bottle I handed her was dated 2003 ... but it worked. She rubbed very briskly and it's shining.
She looked at my wiper blades and said they were all worn out...so I got in my car with my dazzling windshield and headed right to Auto Zone.
Now, I think I'm in pretty good shape to start our Jewish New Year.
My car's old and so am I .... what to do.... what to do!
I had cataract surgery and was refused permission to drive. Well, the time finally came and I drove just as far as Winn Dixie which is very adjacent.
While I was shopping, someone put a large sticker on my windshield, the size of a postcard, and it had adhesive on it, which meant I just couldn't just peel it off. It was advertising.
At home, I got a razor, WD 40 and some cooking oil and worked very hard scraping, and finally it came off.
That evening when I went to use the car, the residue from all that junk was keeping me from seeing...very foggy.
It was terrible. Anyway, next day Virginia called and asked if I minded if she used alcohol on it to take it off. My arthritic arms don't work well.
This sweet lady has been so good to me, and I really hated to say yes, but I did, and she came right over with an old dishcloth.
The alcohol bottle I handed her was dated 2003 ... but it worked. She rubbed very briskly and it's shining.
She looked at my wiper blades and said they were all worn out...so I got in my car with my dazzling windshield and headed right to Auto Zone.
Now, I think I'm in pretty good shape to start our Jewish New Year.
My car's old and so am I .... what to do.... what to do!
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Written in 2008 countries unheard of
day, August 10, 2008
Have I been Rip Van Winkle?
I went to our clubhouse to watch the opening of the Olympics on a larger screen than I have at home. It was spellbinding and I really appreciated the time spent constructing this magnificence.
However, when the countries marched in...it was like I was on a different planet. Half of the countries I never heard of. Did the ocean open up and form more islands and then they became countries.
Did I flunk geography? Was I sleeping when the countries were formed.
Did they change the names to protect the innocent like in Jack Webber?
I can't figure it out. The folks sitting behind me went to a school in New York and they never heard of them either.
When did all these changes take place? I have an old world globe...these countries don't exist on it.
I used to collect stamps...never heard of them and I had them from all over the world.
I'm old...is it possible that I have forgotten their names. They're not so primitive....they know about the Olympics because they sent representatives.
Some countries only had one. Most of them were black. Was Africa all divided up.
How do they earn a living in these countries....are they a happy people. We know so little about them.
The longer I live ... the more confused I become.
Are our children aware of these names. Do they ever visit the United States....are they friendly.
It's like they're from another planet. Maybe I need to go back to school?
Today we see China promoting the Olympics for grand propaganda purposes, reintroducing itself to the world for what it expects to be its dominant century. But in 1958 China wanted nothing to do with the rest of the Mao Zedong's People's Republic withdrew from the Olympics altogether that year in an ideological snit over the refusal of Brundage and his IOC cohorts to ban Taiwan, which called itself the Republic of China and was run by Chiang Kai-shek, Mao's old antagonist. In retreating from the Olympics, China denounced Brundage as "a tool of the imperialistic State Department of the United States."
The context was different, but the central political question as the Rome Olympics neared was the same as it is now: how should the world deal with China? The issue was debated that year by Vice President Richard Nixon and Sen. John F. Kennedy during the presidential campaign, and Brundage and the IOC became embroiled in it as well. The United States did not recognize Mao's mainland .
All I ever learned about China was from Pearl Buck and it wasn't very flattering about their girl babies.
Today...half of all the products come from China....and that's shame on us!
However, when the countries marched in...it was like I was on a different planet. Half of the countries I never heard of. Did the ocean open up and form more islands and then they became countries.
Did I flunk geography? Was I sleeping when the countries were formed.
Did they change the names to protect the innocent like in Jack Webber?
I can't figure it out. The folks sitting behind me went to a school in New York and they never heard of them either.
When did all these changes take place? I have an old world globe...these countries don't exist on it.
I used to collect stamps...never heard of them and I had them from all over the world.
I'm old...is it possible that I have forgotten their names. They're not so primitive....they know about the Olympics because they sent representatives.
Some countries only had one. Most of them were black. Was Africa all divided up.
How do they earn a living in these countries....are they a happy people. We know so little about them.
The longer I live ... the more confused I become.
Are our children aware of these names. Do they ever visit the United States....are they friendly.
It's like they're from another planet. Maybe I need to go back to school?
Today we see China promoting the Olympics for grand propaganda purposes, reintroducing itself to the world for what it expects to be its dominant century. But in 1958 China wanted nothing to do with the rest of the Mao Zedong's People's Republic withdrew from the Olympics altogether that year in an ideological snit over the refusal of Brundage and his IOC cohorts to ban Taiwan, which called itself the Republic of China and was run by Chiang Kai-shek, Mao's old antagonist. In retreating from the Olympics, China denounced Brundage as "a tool of the imperialistic State Department of the United States."
The context was different, but the central political question as the Rome Olympics neared was the same as it is now: how should the world deal with China? The issue was debated that year by Vice President Richard Nixon and Sen. John F. Kennedy during the presidential campaign, and Brundage and the IOC became embroiled in it as well. The United States did not recognize Mao's mainland .
All I ever learned about China was from Pearl Buck and it wasn't very flattering about their girl babies.
Today...half of all the products come from China....and that's shame on us!
This was written 2 years ago...comments will have to go to hildag3@gmail.com
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Our starter-up home but we stayed over 30 years!
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.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Whipping at Schools
In the news tonight on all the cable stations, it was announced that whippings with a switch were illegal and the recipients were children.
What could they have done that was so horrible...talk harshly to a teacher. But when I went to school in the 30's, whipping boys with a rattan was a common occurance by a principal. I believe he must have had a meaness in him....or maybe he was taught to do that in a college...or perhaps that's how his father treated him.
We could all hear the boy getting punished...screaming. I used to shake and my stomach would make me nauseous. It wasn't pleasant and these were my schoolmates. But only to boys. my heart would break and it cut into my soul. What kind of people does this.
At home, my sister and I were treated with loving kindness.
We've come a long way and that was a very long time ago...but I still remember.
And all this media publicity brings it to my mind as clearly as when it happened. His name was Mr. Berkey and when I would see him, I saw ugliness.. Is that how he got his jollies. I wonder if the boys who felt that strap come down on their rear ends remember how it felt....did it affect the rest of their lives. I wonder.
I think the kind thing today is 'time out'.
What could they have done that was so horrible...talk harshly to a teacher. But when I went to school in the 30's, whipping boys with a rattan was a common occurance by a principal. I believe he must have had a meaness in him....or maybe he was taught to do that in a college...or perhaps that's how his father treated him.
We could all hear the boy getting punished...screaming. I used to shake and my stomach would make me nauseous. It wasn't pleasant and these were my schoolmates. But only to boys. my heart would break and it cut into my soul. What kind of people does this.
At home, my sister and I were treated with loving kindness.
We've come a long way and that was a very long time ago...but I still remember.
And all this media publicity brings it to my mind as clearly as when it happened. His name was Mr. Berkey and when I would see him, I saw ugliness.. Is that how he got his jollies. I wonder if the boys who felt that strap come down on their rear ends remember how it felt....did it affect the rest of their lives. I wonder.
I think the kind thing today is 'time out'.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Different times call for different measures
Making ready for hurricane season, I'm gazing out my bedroom window and my beautiful tree is being clipped to prevent any damage from its powerful branches, that are really trees in itself.
And I'm reminded of a poem we learned in elementary school.
And I'm reminded of a poem we learned in elementary school.
 Environmental Protest Song?  This is a Standard MIDI file. Woodman Spare That Tree!
A Ballad The words were taken from a poem published in the New York Mirror, written by George Pope Morris, 1802-1864, The music was composed by Henry Russell, 1812-1900. 1. Woodman spare that tree! Touch not a single bough; In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now; 'Twas my fore father's hand That placed it near the cot, There, woodman, let it stand, Thy axe shall harm it not! 2. That old familiar tree, Whose glory and renown Are spread o'er land and sea, And wouldst thou hack it down? Woodman, forbear thy stroke! Cut not its earth, bound ties; Oh! spare that ag-ed oak Now towering to the skies! 3. When but a idle boy I sought its grateful shade; In all their gushing joy Here, too, my sisters played. My mother kiss'd me here; My father press'd my hand-- Forgive this foolish tear, But let that old oak stand! 4. My heart-strings round thee cling, Close as thy bark, old friend! Here shall the wild-bird sing, And still thy branches bend. Old tree! the storm still brave! And, woodman, leave the spot; While I've a hand to save, Thy axe shall harm it not. This poem and song and the conservation sentiments they embodied were in fact so popular (we know of at least 12 printed editions of the sheet music), that it spawned numerous other compositions and variations based on Russell's music.
Amaranth Publishing Home Page
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Monday, September 1, 2014
I've lived a lot of decades!
Is age only a number? People like to think that but I don't believe it's true. I've seen brilliant friends of mine who are showing sharp signs of dementia. I wonder if these cells ever get to be regenerated.
It's a fact of life that as we age, we lose ability. Like me, I used to be able to hear better than I do...and when I try to adjust my hearing aids, they whistle, which annoys my friends and me included.
I've fallen a few time, so now I'm using a cane and I feel more sure of myself. I've also shrunk since I fell on a cruise ship 6 months ago and broke my back.
But I'm one of the very lucky ones. I still drive and do my own shopping. I go to dinner once or twice a week, and when I do that, I bring enough home for another meal, they give such gigantic portions.
I still can carry on my end of a conversation and people do like to talk to me because I listen to what they have to say. We don't talk over each other.
I'm grateful for so much...and for living in this electronic world. Wonder what's coming next.
It's a fact of life that as we age, we lose ability. Like me, I used to be able to hear better than I do...and when I try to adjust my hearing aids, they whistle, which annoys my friends and me included.
I've fallen a few time, so now I'm using a cane and I feel more sure of myself. I've also shrunk since I fell on a cruise ship 6 months ago and broke my back.
But I'm one of the very lucky ones. I still drive and do my own shopping. I go to dinner once or twice a week, and when I do that, I bring enough home for another meal, they give such gigantic portions.
I still can carry on my end of a conversation and people do like to talk to me because I listen to what they have to say. We don't talk over each other.
I'm grateful for so much...and for living in this electronic world. Wonder what's coming next.
3 comments:
remembrances just the same.
It was a great American house that was home to a nice family.
Just look at the fall colors around it..
v
a lot of good memories from that house. I miss the fall colors, don't you? that's why I cheat and
put out fall colored (silk) mums
outside every fall.