Eschew Obfuscation

See how many of these old adages you can translate into everyday English without consulting a dictionary. Enjoy! 1. Pulchritude possesses solely cutaneous profundity. 2. Freedom from incrustation of grime is contiguous to divinity. 3. Surveillance should precede saltation. 4. Male cadavers are incapable of yielding any testimony. 5. Neophyte's serendipity. 6. Where there are visible vapors having their provenance in ignited carbonaceous material there is conflagration. 7. All articles that coruscate with resplendence are not truly auriferous. 8. It is fruitless to become lachrymose over precipitately departed lacteal fluid. 9. Eschew the implement of corruption and vitiate the scion. 10. Members of an avian species of identical plumage congregate,

Congress Uses DC Public Schools AGAIN

I cannot imagine another school system anywhere in the country that has been more abused and exploited by the Congress of the United States of America than DCPS. The latest (at least to be publicized) is a $2 million reading curriculum forced on us by Mary Landrieu, Democratic senator from Louisiana. The program has virtually no track record, so our children are once again being used as guinea pigs. The primary losers in this scenario are innocent children who must constantly adapt to new programs that don't always help and sometimes, set them back. Secondarily, educators and parents must somehow cope with these forced-feedings. [Odd how water-boarding comes to mind. . .] The biggest beneficiaries are the lobbyists who are winning lucrative contracts for their clients through their friends in Congress who, of course, also benefit. With this constant interference, it's no wonder our children's educational system is a mess. Professional educators and parents should make curriculum decisions, not the U. S. Congress.

National Fight Song vs. National Anthem

I've been sick with way too much time to ruminate about nothing in particular. Then it hit me this morning --out of the blue and without codeine cough syrup: Americans need two special songs, like some universities have. The Star Spangled Banner -- which already is in an appropriate march cadence -- could be our national fight song. America the Beautiful could be our national anthem -- a love song about all that is beautiful and special about the United States.

. . . by the rockets red glare; the bombs bursting in air. . . vs. . . . and crown thy good with brotherhood. . .

Yeah, I know this is not a new debate, but think about it. Do we need to be reminded of our current hawkishnesss or more about the brotherhood and unity that have made us strong and unique in the world?

Look up the lyrics for both songs and see if you don't agree with me.

Gratuitous Cuteness V

Oh, how I'd like to be about two years old right now. No worries, just delight and excitement about the coming holidays.

Come rain, sleet or snow (all promised by the weather forecasters) I'll pick you up at the train tomorrow, Carolyn.

Frags 3

Dylan Thomas wrote . . .

And death shall have no dominion. Dead men naked they shall be one With the man in the wind and the west moon; When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone. They shall have stars at elbow and foot; Though they go mad they shall be sane, Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again; Though lovers be lost love shall not; And death shall have no dominion.

I am so Spoiled

Every morning I enjoy a cold glass of orange juice and a hot cup of coffee.

I can choose a cool shower or a hot bath.

Clean clothes are the norm.

Several pairs of shoes meet my every need.

I learned to read and write years ago.

I cook for pleasure.

My door has three locks.

Health insurance is a given.

A machine washes my dishes.

A soft bed awaits me every night.

Transportation is a short walk to the garage.

I survived cancer.

Distant friends and family are a phone call or email away.

On a cloudy day I can turn on more lights.

When it rains or snows I can watch it from a comfortable chair.

My good fortune is magnified by a husband who loves me regardless of morning dragon breath and bed-head-hair. Wealth is not solely measured in dollars. I wish I could share my wealth with the man who lives next to the overpass.

Frags #1

Million Dollar Idea

Ankar Shanker, a 25 year old Indian student recently was accepted into the prestigious London School of Economics. With such happy news he also realized that he didn't have the $110,000 it would cost to attend. He deferred acceptance until he could raise money. Wake Up and Smell the Million Dollar Story is the blog he started to fund his graduate studies. He plans to write a new short story every day for six months to attract readers. He also proved his worthiness to attend this school by taking advantage of a free Google program called AdSense which, for a fee, displays advertising on his blog. Since December 1st he's made about $130. I, for one will be checking out his blog, an easy, free way to help a young man realize his dreams. http://MillionDollarStory.blogspot.com

Life is Good

We are entitled to it. . .

H--eal your heart. A--llow yourself to be happy. P--urge negative thoughts. P--retend to be happy until it becomes real. I--nvite only good thoughts into your mind. N--otice and appreciate the beauty around you. E--mbrace your inner child. S--poil yourself in guilt-free ways. S--ilence your suspicious mind. -Angst is wasted energy and is mentally and physically harmful. +Joy opens the heart and mind to positive energy.

A "Dad Moment"

This morning I hauled out my sewing machine to do some quick repairs -- yeah, right! The first piece I sewed ended up with a dirty, linty blob on the back of it -- sewing machine was a bit dusty. Suddenly, I found myself taking it apart, bringing out the vacuum cleaner, WD30 and a brush to search and seize every speck of lint and thinking "Do a Job!" Will I never be free from Dad's influence?! :- / Once I got into it, I found myself enjoying the task and went on to thoroughly clean and oil the whole thing. It now sparkles like when it was new in 1972! At this rate, it may last another 35 years. . . thanks, Dad.

Jack Daniels Balls

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without bourbon balls and now's the time to make them so they have time to mellow. Men always snicker when I bring these out -- wonder why ;-) 1 6oz. pkg. chocolate chips ½ cup sugar 3 Tbs. light corn syrup 1/3* cup Bourbon (doesn't have to be Jack Daniels if you'd rather drink it) 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped 2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers Melt chocolate chips in double boiler or microwave. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, syrup and Bourbon. Combine crumbs and walnuts and stir into chocolate mixture and blend well. Shape into one inch balls and roll in confectioners sugar. Store whatever isn't immediately gobbled-up in an air tight container. *corrected 12/23 -- sorry

Rudderless

There's a noticeable change in how I look at life since my Dad died. At the moment, I feel lonely and unable to stir-up enthusiasm for much of anything. When spouse comes home in the evening, it's a huge relief and all I want to do is stay in his arms. When the entire family was together for the memorial service last Friday and a few days before and after that, it felt good being around them again. Now that they've dispersed, I worry more about Mom. Her house was filled with conversations and laughter among three generations of people who love her and each other. Now, she's there alone. Mom is a strong woman, but having lost the man with whom she shared 62 years, her life can never be the same. We kids try to bolster her and she takes great joy in spending time with her grandchildren. Carolyn will spend a weekend with her grandmother in mid-December. Her joie de vivre can't help but bring cheer wherever she goes. Still, we will all be facing our first Christmas and New Year without Dad. [Every time I say or write his name, I tear-up. Hope that ends sooner than later!] I have so many good memories yet feel so empty. I guess this, too shall pass. . .