THE HOMECOMING REVISITED!

      MONDAY, JUNE 1ST., 2020
THE HOMECOMING, REVISITED!

  My wife and I had a good laugh this
morning when the Facebook Memory
page showed a blog I wrote on this
very date three years ago. It related my
getting ready for her to come home
after surgery in Philadelphia. She
suggested I re-post it...so here it is!

HOMECOMING?

It now seems likely my wife will
be released from the University of
Pennsylvania Thursday or Friday to
continue her post heart surgery recovery
here at home.
I have been doing a lot of planning
for her return.
I remembered to pack up the
garbage and dump the waste baskets
so the trash will be waiting for the
weekly pickup this morning.
I went to the store and picked
up some fresh fruit and a half
gallon of milk that has an expiration
date that's a week or so in the future.
I dumped the old milk down the
drain despite the fact it was still white.
After consulting with several
friends and family members I abandoned
my plan to stock up with a month's
supply of Spam for her dining pleasure.
My advisors didn't seem to think my
idea was all that brilliant.
I still have a couple last minute
decisions to make. She won't be allowed
to lift anything over 10 pounds for a
number of weeks.
That means I have to either
bundle the laundry in 9 pound packs,
do it myself, which could easily be
a disaster, or ask one of my daughters
to help.
It will be great to finally have
my wife at home again. I miss all
those conversations we have as
she speaks in her light toned voice
and I answer...."What?"
Hope she likes "fast food" and
that all her, and your, NEWS is
good!

SMILE!

SUNDAY, MAY 31ST., 2020
            SMILE!

  A number of holidays, official
and unofficial, have fallen victim
to the virus pandemic. Imagine my
frown when I learned that National
Smile Day, today, was one of them!
Most, if not all of the special events
planned for this day have been
cancelled.
   As you might have expected
National Smile Day was the brain
child of a couple of dentists. They
made it up to encourage good dental
care.
    I didn't much like going to the
dentist when I was kid but I have
a good one now. He even gives me
a new tooth brush every time I visit
(if I'm good). The only part that
bothers me is trying to answer his
questions when my mouth is wide
open and filled with instruments!
      Anyhow, all is not lost, World
Smile Day is coming up in
October and you can start rehearsing
right now!
       Hope you have a great day and
that all your NEWS is good! 

ENJOYING THE MOMENT

SATURDAY, MAY 30TH., 2020
   ENJOYING THE MOMENT

  I spent a pleasant morning on my
front porch Friday. The temperature
was comfortable. Not too hot. And
a constant breeze had my wife's
wind chimes, well, singing, while
her lawn ornaments spun as that
breeze blew through!
    A storm was on the way. No doubt
about it, But I wondered as I sat there
if we often spend a little too much
time worrying about the storms to
come and far to little just enjoying
the moments we're in at the time?
     Hope your days, and moments,
and enjoyable and that all your NEWS
is good!

SIGNS IN THE SKY

FRIDAY, MAY 29TH., 2020
      SIGNS IN THE SKY

  I took my grandson to the park Thursday
to ride his bike. There were signs of rain
in the sky. Nothing major. Not enough to
make puddles. Just enough for a light
mist in your face.
   The other day my wife and I took a
top down ride in the Miata. The sun was
shining but there were signs of a possible
story. And, sure enough, a dark cloud
eventually drifted in above us. A light
rain began to fall but we ignored it. When
you're cruising along the wind takes the
drizzle right over your head. Then it got
a little darker and the rain came down a
nit harder. We just ignored it and continued
along our way with just a few drops hitting
our faces. Them the sky opened up and we
tried to put the top back. But the cool rain
shrunk the fabric just enough to prevent us
from putting it in place! We got soaked!
You can only mess with Mother Nature
so long! Then you learn your lesson!
Hope you're well and that all your NEWS
is good!

SIMPLE TRUTHS

It's often said the truth is the truth. But that's not
necessarily true! Sometimes the truth  depends
on an individual's observation or perception. I
may see a big tree. To my grandson it's a gigantic
tree. Today I'm thinking about "simple truths."
They may vary by location and often vary from
person to person.
Consider these simple truths based on  my own
personal experience.
If you buy a snowblower, it will not snow.
If there are no bathrooms nearby, you will need one.
If you've got 6 letters to mail you will have 5 or less stamps.
If you waited a day to buy gas the price will have gone up.
If you are determined to leave early for appointment you'll
be lucky to make it on time!
And the more you press 2 to get on their DO NOT CALL
list, the more the car warranty people will call.
I just thought you should know.
Hope you're well a

FIRESIDE CHAT!

   TUESDAY, MAY 26TH., 2020
             FIRESIDE CHAT!

    I have spent the past two evenings
sitting around a campfire with members
of my family. It's a tradition for us
stemming from the days when we had
a small travel trailer and drove all over
the east coast on vacations. My Dad was
with us most of the time and while we
all enjoyed the evening campfire he and
my wife probably would have stayed
around it all night if they had their
choice. Camping and campfires bring
families together. There's plenty of
talk, mostly old family stories, and
sometimes a song or two to blend
with the smoke filling the night air.
     Ironically, however, my most
memorable campfire  was during a
Columbus Day holiday many years
ago when my best friend and I were
camped in woods near my uncle's
cabin. My friend was proud of his
fire building skill and his blaze was
rather large when a car stopped on a
nearby dirt road . We began to extinguish
the fire and it drove away. A short time
later we headed for that same dirt road to
get back to my uncle's place. After a
very short distance we realized two men
were right behind us and one of than
put a pipe up to my head. Except it
wasn't a pipe. It was a pistol. Seems
two boys had escaped from the nearby
Kis Lyn Reformatory and they figured
we were them! I believe that's the night
I learned how to ad lib! I explained that
we too had seem the fire and were
looking for whoever started it! We spent
the next half hour helping the guys
search.
    Some memories like fires, are
best extinguished. But I can't put that
one out.
    At least it's a story for another
campfire! Hope you're well and
that all your NEWS is good!

MEMORIAL MEMORIES

         MONDAY, MAY 25TH., 2020
           MEMORIAL MEMORIES!

   When I was growing up Memorial Day
was always observed on May 30th.
    Of course not everybody called it
Memorial Day. When I was born it was
called Decoration Day.
     It started right after the Civil War. In
fact the community of Boalsburg, Pa, is
one of several communities claiming to
have initiated the holiday.
     It began, and remains, a day to honor
honor those who died for our country
although many bring flowers to the cemetery
to remember family members who have
passed, military or not.
        I only  become a Federal holiday in
1971 when the  Government's Monday
Holiday Act became law..
          It's also the unofficial beginning of
Summer with when, under normal
circumstances,people would get together
for family picnics and outings. Many of
those activities have been cancelled because
of the pandemic but we were able to enjoy
the day with our son and his family at their
campground which has reopened for the
year.
        There were plenty of people at their
own campers but. as my grandson and I
discovered, the fish are still apparently
observing social distancing as we had no
bites. Of course we also had no worms.
And fish, it seems, aren't big on fruit
snacks!
        Hope you'll take a moment to
remember what this holiday is all about
and that all your NEWS is good!
     
           
 
 

DIAMONDS AREN'T THIS GIRL'S BEST FRIEND!

               SUNDAY, MAY 24TH., 2020
DIAMONDS AREN'T THIS GIRL'S BEST FRIEND!

  The song suggests "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best
Friend." Guess the writer never met my wife!
  It's her Birthday today and, l like most husbands
I suppose, I always wonder what to get in the way
of a present.
   As it happens my wife is not big on jewelry.
She does like silver rings but she already has
ten so I've run out of fingers!
   Dinner out is, for obvious reasons, out.
I could make dinner for her right bhere at home
but she doesn't like Spam quite as much as I do.
    I thought about a harmonica serenade ..but
thought better about that,
    The only safe bet was to ask her what she
wanted and try to fulfill her wishes.
     So there are several new planted flowers
in the back yard, a new, well pre owned
spreader, and the ultimate Birthday gift,  9 new
 bags of mulch!
     The only carrots in these gifts will have
to come from the garden! Happy Birthday my
love and may all your NEWS, and that of my
readers, be good!
   

THE OLD SHELL GAME!

      SATURDAY, MAY 23RD., 2020
          THE OLD SHELL GAME

    My comments about gas stations that
used to give away chicks around Easter
got a lot of response. One woman told
me one of those Easter chicks grew up to
become a Guard Rooster at her Grand
Father's house. I doubt that many of those
birds survived that long. But I'm wondering
if turtles did a little better! There used to
be give away's featuring turtles too!
     This is World Turtle Day!
     I, like Rocky, had two pet turtles at
one time. His were "Cuff & Link."
I don't even remember what I named
mine but, back then, it's likely they
were named after cowboys. They
were the little ones, usually with
something painted on their shells.
     Pet turtles typically live between 10
and 80 years. I don't think mine made
it through the year. I do seem to recall a
back yard burial ceremony
       Anyway turtles are now considered
an endangered species so think "saving"
not "soup" it any crawl across your path.
Remember, Slow and steady wins the
race. Hope you're well and that all your
NEWS is good.
 
     

A SOUR NOTE!

  FRIDAY, My 22nd., 2020
        A SOUR NOTE!

   Today I must bring sad tidings to
some of my readers. The virus has
claimed another victim! National
Polka Day has been cancelled!
Actually it was a three day event
"The National Polka Festival,"
held annually in Ennis, Texas.
   The virus cancellation doesn't
surprise me. I am a bit surprised
to learn that a polka festival was
being held in Texas where I'd
expect to hear Lonesome Blues
or the Mexican Hat Dance.
     I would have thought
northeastern Pennsylvania
would have been the site for
such a gathering. Bobby Z
used to roll out the barrel on
local TV and Jan Lewan worked
out of Hazleton for years.
     I must admit I've never
been a big polka fan. There are
a couple exceptions. The Pennsylvania
Polka comes to mind and, perhaps,
The Hop Scotch Polka.
     Maybe it's that accordion that
gets to me.
       Anyway the Polka Festival
is out for this year. But thanks
to my grandson, I can bring
you a little Beethoven on my
harmonica.
       It's OK/ My wife is on the porch!
Hope you're well and that all your
NEWS is good.

 
   

IT'S A GAS!

  THURSDAY, MAY 21ST., 2020
              IT'S A GAS!

  See what happens when you speak
too quickly? Just when I thought we
might be headed back to the 50's the
gas prices started to go back up!
   It totally doesn't make sense.
   Just last week the Pa. Turnpike
reported it lost over 23 million dollars
in March because so many drivers
were staying home. That should
also mean there's more gas available.
    But, around here, gas prices are
up a dime or more a gallon over the
past couple weeks.
    Back in my home town in the 50's
you could get a tankful for five bucks!
Around Easter some stations also
offered free chicks! Birds that is.
You were suppose to have a fancy
car to get the other one, on your own.
      I didn't expect we'd see 28 cent
a gallon prices anytime soon.
      Maybe we could drop the taxes?
Or at least offer chicks!
       Hope your tank is full and all
your NEWS is good! 

A WORLD OF HIS OWN!

  WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH., 2020
         A WORLD OF HIS OWN!

   I spent some time back on my front
porch Tuesday. I was thinking or, perhaps,
reflecting.
    My 4-year-old grandson was visiting.
He had his took box with him. Plastic
hammer, screw drivers and plastic nuts
and bolts. Just a toy. But in his mind je
could build a skyscraper with it anytime
he wanted.
      He noticed some petals from a
flower that had fallen on the floor.
He grabbed a whisk broom and began
sweeping them up and off the porch.
        To me it would have been a chore.
To him  it was an adventure!
         That's because he was in his own
little world. It's a world without masks
or worrying about where he can or
can't go. It's a world without politics!
         It's a world I'd like to visit from
time to time and I'll bet you would too!
         Hope you're well, whatever world
you're in, and that all your NEWS is
good! 

THE MUSIC MAN!

 TUESDAY, MAY 19TH.,2020
         THE MUSIC MAN

    Regular readers are well aware
of my fascination with unusual or
bizarre holidays. Most of them are
either unofficial or limited to
individual states or local regions.
     I'm sorry to say that I missed one
yesterday   May 18th was "Buy a Musical
Instrument Day." It was named for
Meredith Willson, writer of the book, music
and play "The Music Man."
     I myself, have never owned too
many musical instruments. There was
a piano in the home where I grew up
but I never learned to play it.
     I did by an inexpensive guitar about
65 years ago. I even took lessons.  About
4 as I recall. I thought I should have
been playing like Dwayne Eddy or
Chet Atkins by then. Instead my
fingers hurt from pressing the strings.
      Then there was my harmonica An
off the shelf model that I began to learn
to play by ear. I though I was fairly
good with at least two songs. But my
wife didn't seem to agree. I thought
I'd play it for you in this blog but I
can't remember where I put it or my
wife hide it.
        Anyway if any of you would
like to make up lost time and celebrate
this holiday I'd suggest you contact my
old friend John Morotto at his music
store in Hazleton.
          While you're there see if he
has any extra harmonicas!  Hope your
day is filled with cheerful song and
that all your NEWS is good.

ONWARD, TO THE 50'S!

 MONDAY, MAY 18TH., 2020
  ONWARD, TO THE 50'S!

  I've been evaluating the evidence
and I think I finally see where we're
headed! It's the past! Maybe even the
50's!
   Think about it! In 1950 gas cost
about 27 cents a gallon. That's almost
equal to the $2 or so rate we;re paying
now.
  In N Out Burger chain in California
opened the first Fast Food Drive Through
in 1948! Now, everybody's doing drive
through or take out service.
   And right now the only way we're
getting back into a movie theater is
by going to a Drive In.
    Drive In's hit their peak in the
1950's and early 60's. About now
we're wishing a few more had survived!
     And speaking of surviving we could
sure use a Jonas Salk right now. He
came up with the Polio vaccine in
1955. All in all, not a bad decade
to revisit!
      Hope you're well and that all
your NEWS is good!

 

THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE!

      SUNDAY, MAY 17TH., 2020
    THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE!

   I wonder if you've noticed how days, weeks,
even months to some extent, seem to be
running together? It's hard to tell a Tuesday
from a Friday. But Saturday night really
became confusing! We were returning from
my daughter's house when the sky was
suddenly filled with fireworks!
     Had Memorial Day come already? Or
had I missed June all together? Was this the
4th of July! I didn't think so.
     It wasn't a professional display. But it
was a pretty good "back yard" demonstration/
     But what were they celebrating?
     Now May, like all months, is filled with
unofficial "holidays." May 16th. for instance,
was National Bar B Q Day. It was World Fiddle
Day. And Sea Monkey Day. It was even "Do-Dah-
Day, although that was pretty much limited to
Alabama.
       Maybe they were joining the National TV
celebration for the graduates of 2020 or maybe
it was just a family back yard celebration.
       Whatever it was it looked really great!
       Hope you're always looking for reasons
to celebrate, that your're well, and that all
your NEWS is good!

MULCH!

 SATURDAY, MAY 16TH., 2020
                MULCH!

   I'm thinking about Spring. There is
a date on your calendar noting the
official start of spring. But there are
more definite signs. The geese flying
north. Buds on the trees. Perhaps a
Robin in your yard
     Around my house, however,
spring is marked by my wife's urge to
work in the garden
 That's her thing. I usually help by
staying out of the way. But each year
as she begins her gardening she needs
mulch! Mulch is, generally, recycled
forest material. Your old Christmas
tree may be in there. In any case we
had to get the mulch. It comes in large
bags that weight about as much as a small Fiat!
      My job ia to get it into the car then
out into the yard. Exhausting!!!!
      Once done I sit back and wait for the
flowers to bloom!
       Hope your garden is growing, that
yo're well, and that all your NEWS is
good!
   

IT DOESN'T ADD UP!

 FRIDAY MAY 15TH., 2020
    IT DOESN'T ADD UP!

  I took my grandson to the park
yesterday to ride his around the
track. There's a playground there
too but it's still closed on order
of the Township supervisors.
    That's just one of the things
the virus haas take away, playgrounds!
I think its also messed up our math!
     A lot of people use the track I
mentioned for walking and for
biking. I'm told it's one fifth of a
mile around. 5 laps is suppose to
equal one mile. So I did one. One
lap that is. And it felt like 5 miles!
     It must be the virus!
     Hope you're well, getting some
exercise, and that all your NEWS
is good!

GOING MY WAY.

   THURSDAY, MAY 14TH., 2020
             GOING MY WAY.

   I had a virus adventure Wednesday.
I found myself confronted with one of
those challenges born of the pandemic!
    There were prescriptions to be
picked up at our pharmacy so I
dawned my mask and gloves to get
the job done. Our pharmacy, like
many other shops, has set up a
designated path to follow from the
front door to the counter with spots
painted on the floor to keep customers
a safe distance apart from one another.
      That's all well and good. But I
needed one over the counter medicine
that required me to turn into an aisle
off the track!
       There was no "One Way sign" so
I signaled my turn, though I wasn't
sure if that was required, got what I
needed. and got back in line. It
seemed odd. Now I know how my
cheer leading friend felt years ago
when I told her how great she was
because she was the only one
in step
       Well, in the end I got
what I needed and made it out
alive. Life is such an adventure
right now. Hope you're enjoying
it and that all your NEWS is good!
     

AN "ILL WIND."

  WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH., 2020!
                AN "ILL WIND."

   There's an old saying, "It's an ill wind
that doesn't blow somebody some good."
     In a sense the virus is a good example.
     I spent Tuesday staying at home. I
found myself sitting on my front porch.
It was warm enough there. And it was
quiet!  There was no traffic. Nobody
walked by. The only noise I heard was
the sound of a lawn mower a few houses
away, the tweets of some birds, and the
breeze blowing through the trees.
     Not a bad situation to my way of
thinking. Probably the result of the
virus "stay at home directive." But kind
of a positive result.
      Hope you'll use some of this pandemic
to enjoy the sounds of silence. Hope you're
well and that all your NEWS is good.!

THEY JUST KEEP ROLLING ALONG!

      TUESDAY, MAY 12TH. 2020
THEY JUST KEEP ROLLING ALONG!

Time for an oldie from my library of blogs.
May 12th is one of those unofficial holidays
most people don't know about but I figure it's
my job to keep you informed. It's odometer
day! The odometer is that little cluster of
numbers right below your speedometer
that tells you how man miles your vehicle
has traveled since it was built.
The odometer has been around a long time!
There are records showing a primitive
odometer type device being used during
the Roman Empire. Makes you wonder if
pre owned chariot dealers rolled the things
backwards to take off a few leagues!
When I started driving, which was not in
chariots by the way odometers had only
5 digits. We all longed for the day we'd
hit 99,999 miles then drive one more
to set everything back to zero. It was
like having a new car!
Now-a-days the odometers just keep
rolling along, much to the disappointment
of many used car dealers.
 Anyway if you'd like to celebrate the
occasion I'd suggest a drive along the
block at least to turn over a didgit or
two. In light of the stay at home
advisory I hope you won't go too far
and that all your NEWS is good. 

MEDIA MEMORIES

  MONDAY, MAY 11TH., 2020
         MEDIA MEMORIES!

   I never imagined the wonderful
response I'd get when I began my
video blogs. I love seeing your
"Likes," reading your comments,
and thinking about your suggestions.
   Several people have asked me to
tell some behind the scenes stories
from my years in the media so I
thought I'd do that from time to
time.
   One of the benefits of working in
radio and tv is, on occasion, to meet
celebrities. That's how I came to meet
Rosie. Not a lead actor but with several
movie roles to her credit. She was
visiting the radio station where I
worked in the early 60's. I didn't get to
do the interview but watched from an
adjoining studio as Rosie, her manager,
the local Drive In Theater Manager,
our station manager, and two DJ's did
it live on the air.
   Now any celebrity can get annoyed
with questions but for a woman, of any
age, to bite  the interviewer is
unacceptable. It was especially
troublesome because Rosie was a huge
Brown Bear!
    The DJ, Frank Murman, had a wound
on his leg and I got to take him to
the hospital and watch the nurses's
expression as I explained the nature
of his injury.
     Guess Rosie just got too cramped
in that tiny studio.
      She when on, as schedule, to appear
at the Drive in that night, though the MC
was super cautious. That was me!
      Hope you're well, and that all
your NEWS is good!

THE REST OF THE STORY!

   SUNDAY, MAY 10TH., 2020
   THE REST OF THE STORY!

   It's Mother's Day and I hope you're
remembering your Mom. This special
day became an official holiday thanks
to years of lobbying efforts by West
Virgina native Anna Jarvis. She wanted
to honor the memory of her own mother
amd fought long and heard to get, first
her state and later, the nation to honor
all mothers.
   And now comes the part the late
commentator Paul Harvey would call
"the rest of the story."
    You see years after her efforts were
rewarded, Anna Jervis tried to get the
Mothers Day holiday rescinded! Jarvis
became furious over the commercialization
of the holiday Cards written by companies
rather than children and flowers delivered
by couriers instead of kids.
      She lost that battle of course and
Mother;s Day is still here. Jarvis died
in a sanitarium in West Chester, PA.
      Her medical bills were paid by
people in the greeting card and floral
industries. She never married and had
no children.
      Hope you;ll enjoy Mother;s Day
and that all your NEWS is good.
     
   

THE COVER UP!

  SATURDAY, MAY 8TH., 2020
           THE COVER UP!

  I get it. If you're heading out to
a public place right now you're
expected to wear a face mask. It
has become our first line of defense
against the virus pandemic.
  So it's totally logical to see them
on everyone in the supermarket
and the pharmacy.
  But I'm wondering if, sometimes,
we take things a bit too far.
You know, like those folks you
see wearing masks - driving
to and from the supermarket and the
pharmacy! While alone in their car!
  Then there's the bank. The bank
is probably the last place I want
to wear a mask! So I took mine
off. Imagine my surprise when I
found the teller wearing one!
    She didn't ask why mine was
off and I didn't ask why her's was
on. It just seemed strange since
the only thing between us was a
TV and a pneumatic tube to send
the check in and get the cash
out. I was at the drive through.
     Maybe I'd better count my
money! Hope you're well and
that all your NEWS is good.
 

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THAT...

  FRIDAY, MAY 7TH., 2020
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THAT..

  It's nice to have friends. I've got a
lot on Facebook. Maybe a few too
many!
   I've routinely accepted Friend
requests from people claiming to
have watched me on tv or living in
my community.
    Every so often, like yesterday,
I get a brief message from someone
I've just accepted. Usually a simple
"Hi." I give a "Hi" back and they
respond by asking me if I've "heard
the good news"?   Now these "friends"
aren't asking me if I've gone to church.
     They're suggesting that thousands
of dollars can be mine through a
government grant program. All I have
to do is call an agent to get the details.
      I've never taken the bait and, in the
past I've just stopped the messages
cold.
      Lately, however, it occurred to me
that these scammers are using either
individuals or technology, or both to
get their suckers. I figured the more
I tie them up, the fewer people they
tcan hit! So, since I'm stuck at home
anyway, I tie them up with questions
or insisting I got the number wrong
or a busy signal.
       When I tired of the game I stop
messaging and unfriend the individual.
After all, with friends like that, who
needs enemies.
       Hope all your friends are real
and that all your NEWS is good!

FAR AWAY PLACES!

   THURSDAY, MAY 7TH., 2020
          FAR AWAY PLACES!

    This is one of those unofficial
holidays that's been lost to the virus.
May 7th is National Tourism Day.
     Some of you know my wife and
I works as escorts for Travelworld
in Scranton and Kingston. We've
enjoyed fantastic trips here in the
U.S as well as in Canada and Europe
over the past dozen years or so.
     Tourism is an 18 billion dollar
industry in Pennsylvania.
     But, for the moment, generally
speaking,, where ever you'd like
to tour, you can't get there
from here! Tough times for
those of us who love to seer the
country and the world.
      Tourism will make a come
back. It's a matter of time.
      Meanwhile I'm following
the daily adventures of an old
friend from my home town, we
called him Gippy, who has been
filling me in on the varied
routes he takes through his house to
get to his coffee in the kitchen!
    All without a GPS!
   Hope you get where ever you're
going safely, and that all your
NEWS is good.

       

IN OTHER NEWS...

  WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TH., 2020
             IN OTHER NEWS!

   I've been off the actual "news beat" for
about 11 years now but the reporter in me
has never gone away.   I'm concerned that
our preoccupation with the virus pandemic
has pushed other important stories to the
back page of life where they get little or
no attention.
    Like the flying saucers!  The DOD just
released three videos photographed by
Navy pilots showing unidentified flying
objects.  Now the videos aren't new. One
was shot in 2004.
    But wouldn't you think that would be
front page news?  Any is anybody, like
me, wondering if these UFOs are ships
or maybe drones from another planet
checking us out?
     You think they're wondering why,
all of a sudden,everybody down here is
wearing masks?
      Then there's the butter caper! After
nearly 100 years Land O'Lakes has removed
the Indian Maiden from their butter
packaging. Somebody complained it was
a racist image.I never even knew what tribe
she represented OR that she had a name.
      It was Mia. Or Mia (My-ah)
But oh me, or oh my, she's gone.
      Just wanted to make sure you knew
and that all your NEWS is good!

IT'S BEEN A LONG, LONG TIME!

    SATURDAY, MAY 2ND. 2020
IT'S BEEN A LONG, LONG TIME!

   I'm told we are now in May. It has been
a little difficult for me to distinguish
months, weeks, and even days for
awhile now. There is talk about
reopening some things that have
been closed because of the virus
pandemic. Different states are
doing different things in different
ways. Which as left many of us in the
State of confusion.
    According to my calculations
we've been at home for 6 years now!
I bas that on the fact we have watched
one complete series on Netflix which
 ran for 6 seasons. That equates to 6 years!
   OK. Maybe it just seems that way.
The stay at home advisory has caused
havoc for many but I must admit it's
had a minimal impact for us.
    We've been able to get groceries, go
 for rides, even stop for ice cream. I
do miss going to church and to the movies
but as long as the ice cream shops say
open I truly believe I'll be able to survive!

FREE AT LAST!

  MONDAY, My 4th., 2020
         FREE AT LAST!

    We hit the road in my Miata
Sunday, top down of course.
      Our destination was the Lehigh
Gorge State Park where I figured we'd
enjoy a quiet day in nature.
       The nature was great. But it was
anything but quiet. Not to say there
was a lot of noise but there were pllanty
of people!
        The parking lot was nearly filled
when we arrived. Our son, his wife,
their son, and his cousin met us there
with their bikes to ride a bit on the
trail. First they walked awhile with
us.
       We had to keep reminding the 4-year-
old to watch out for bikes coming north
and south on the trail and hoped the
walkers would watch out for him!
         No one made a dent on the virus
but cabin fever was pretty much cleared.
         One note. My wife and I were
among the very few (no one anywhere
near us) wearing Masks!
         Of course my mask protects you
while your masks is suppose to protect
me. At least I saved a lot of people!
          Hope you're getting out at least
a little and that all your NEWS is
good!

REFERENCES & RESUMES!

    SUNDAY, MAY 3RD., 2020
   REFERENCES & RESUMES!         

    Let me begin by saying I am not
looking for work. The employment
situation is tough enough right now
without another job seeker in the market
place.
      Still, this is National Update Your
References Week so I suppose it won't
hurt to make sure mine is complete.
       All of my career has been in the
media, except for the time I sold
Christmas wreaths as a kid.
       Near as I can figure I've worked
at 8 radio stations, although only one
day at one of them, and 3 TV stations,
although only part time at one of them.
        I've written for three newspapers
and shot scenes for two movies plus
one edition of Forensic Files.
         That extensive background was,
in part. responsible for my being
interviewed for a coast to coast
program on the changes and decline
in the news media in our country.
          I felt I offered a clear picture
of the state of journalism around the
nation.
          Unfortunately the interview was
for and only aired on Japanese television.
So it's likely, around here anyway, any
wisdom I offered was lost in translation.
            At least I can put it on my
resume' . Hope you're well and that all
your NEWS is good.             

MILESTONES

  SATURDAY, MAY 2ND., 2020
             MILESTONES!

  We've been marking a lot of milestones
in our family over the past few weeks.
Birthdays and anniversaries for the most
part. But there is one I've neglected to
mention up till now. It was 3 years ago
this week that I made my final visit to
the mound!
     I've always loved baseball and
played softball, mainly as a pitcher
from my teenage years till I hit 70.
    My wife was always worried I
might get injured so it was a bit ironic
that she was at bat and I was pitching
when family and friends gathered for
a Wiffle ball game in our church
parking lot.
     The story varies at this point
depending on the teller. My wife
describes her hit as a solid line drive.
I recall a ground ball to my right.
      I turned quickly only to see my then
2 year old grandson in my path..stumbled
and found myself on the rock covered
ground with was what I thought was a
broken knee. Our Pastor, a former
combat medic, came to my aid
while admitting must of the injured
he treated had gunshot wounds.
    Not wishing to be shot to qualify
for treatment I allowed him to check
my injuries as they were.
      Turns out my knee wasn't broken
though, in a sense, my spirit was. I
haven't played since. The story is
true with the possible exception of
my wife's description of het at bat.
       Hope you're all Safe at home
and that all your NEWS is good!