HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE!

      THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023

HEADS I WIN. TAILS YOU LOSE!

          

    Welcome to June everybody. The

first day of the new month makes two

of those unusual "holidays" I like to

tell you about! June 1st is "Flip A Coin

Day!" It's a practice that dates back to

Caesar. It's claimed he had trouble

making a decision so he sometimes let

a flip of the coin make the decision

for him. Of course back then "heads"

included an image of Caesar! The

other big "holiday" falling of June

1st is "Dare Day." It's a day when

you're encouraged to accept or

offer a dare! A dare is a challenge

offered to someone. It can get extra

challenging  when offered as a Double

Dog Dare, and downright frighting

when it becomes a "Triple Dog Dare!"

Better think about flipping a coin

before accepting one of those! I just

flipped a coin to see if I'd get to those

chores she wants me to do. Heads I

do them. Tails I don't. So...here's

the flip. And the outcome is.......You

know .....I think I'll do two out of three!

 Hope you're well and that all your NEWS's

is good!

NOW HEAR THIS!

   WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023

           NOW HEAR THIS!

          May 31st is "Save Your Hearing Day!"

   It comes a little late for me!

     Years of radio and television and wearing

headphones have taken a toll. I realize I

have some hearing loss. My wife knew a long

time back when the word most spoken in

our house by me were "What?" I finally broke

down and purchased some inexpensive hearing

aids. They do help but they also magnify ambient

sound. You can hear things like ceiling fans as they

rotate. The other problem is the squeal you get when

you're putting them in your  ear until you get them

placed just right. I've got them in right now and I 

believe my wife is calling me to take the garbage

bags out. I'm taking them out right now.....the

hearing aides that is!! Hope you're well and that

all your NEWS is good!  

SO...WHAT NOW?

    TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023

        SO...WHAT NOW?

   Through most of my growing up

years May 30th was Memorial Day.

Although I first knew it as "Decoration

Day." But this "rose by any other name"

was always observed on the 30th. Then

somebody made the decision to give

Federal workers a few long weekends

and Memorial Day was added to the

list. This year it was observed on May

29th. So, what now? Well, as it happens,

May has a long list of unofficial

holidays and all we have to do is choose

the one we'd like to celebrate. It is, for

instance, Clean Air Month. But, ironically,

it's also Allergy Month.I'm not so sure

just how clean the air is because my

allegories have been acting up. It's

Safe Electrical Month but after looking

at all the appliances I've go plugged

into the outlets in our spare room I'm

not sure I'd qualify for any safety

certificates. My wife said she told 

me this was National Hearing Month,

but I never heard her! It's High Blood

Pressure Awareness Month but I'm

not so sure I want to win the award

for the highest pressure!  May is also

Mystery Month. Why? I don't know.

If I did it wouldn't be a mystery!

Well, there you have a few choices

from which to choose. Don't waste

May 30th. Pick a holiday and celebrate.

Hope you do and that all your NEWS

is good!

BUTTER SHELF OR LETTUCE BIN?

         MONDAY, MAY 30, 2023

BUTTER SHELF OR LETTUCE BIN?

         OK gang. If you haven't made your bed yet

don't!

   If you have, tear it apart again and grab your

pillow!

   If you read this Blog on any sort of regular

basis you know I love to search out bizarre

and little know "holidays." Well, I think I

just hit the Jackpot!!!!

   Today is "Put A Pillow On Your Fridge

Day!" I kid you not!

    While the exact origins are unknown

the idea is to put a pillow on your

refrigerator. And people in the US and

Europe do it! Well....some people do!

     Why? Well it's suppose to bring good

luck and maybe even wealth to your

household! And who couldn't use a little

of either!

      So, just in case you didn't pick the

right numbers in the last Powerball,

you still have a chance to throw your

pillow atop your Frigidaire and hope it

brings you good luck in time for the

next drawing.

      By the way, if you'd prefer, you can

put your pillow inside your refrigerator.

I'd take it out a few hours before bedtime

if you go that route!

      So give it a shot. Celebrate! What have

you got to lose?

     Hope you're "cool" with this  unusual

"holiday" and that all your NEWS is good!

      

       

MAKE MINE A DOUBLE!

    SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2023

   MAKE MINE A DOUBLE!

  How appropriate for the Memorial

Day weekend! This is "National

Hamburger Day!" The hamburger is

an American food item but there's some

controversy as to if it first showed up

in the 18th or 19 century. They seem 

to be most popular cooked up on a grill

but they taste just as good fried up in a

pan on the stove! If you want to do one

up "big" you'll have to do better than the

Black Bear Casino in Carlton, Minnesota

where they cooked up a 2,014 pound

burger in September of 2012! That's a

lot of quarter pounders! Hope you'll be

enjoying at least one burger over the

holiday and that all your NEWS is good! 

 

REMEMBERING JULIA!

   SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2023

     REMEMBERING JULIA!

 As we begin the observances and

festivities scheduled for this long

holiday weekend may I, on a serious

note, suggest that you remember

Julia? You see May 27th is "Julia

Pierpont Day!" Julia Agusta Robertson

Pierpont was the wife of Francis

Pierpont, the Governor of the restored

West Virginia after the Civil War.

After that conflict ended it was Julia

who made not of the fact that many

of the graves of soldiers who died 

were generally abandoned and left

unattended. She and her husband 

began a campaign to decorate those

graves and their efforts, which spread

across many states, lead to the creation

of "Decoration Day." That, of course,

evolved into what we now recognize

as "Memorial Day." So while we're

remembering perhaps we should keep

Julia on our minds! This is, in fact,

still a separate legal holiday in West

Virginia. Hope you'll be remembering

this weekend and that all your NEWS

is good! 

WHAT'S COOKING..YOU?

   FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2022

 WHAT'S COOKING...YOU?   

   I had the grill already to go

when I got the word! May 27th

"No Fry-day.!"  And it's also

"National Hamburger Day" so

this unusual holiday didn't seem

to make any sense! Then I read

on. Turns out this special day is

held to remind you not to fry...as

in not getting too much sun! Skin

cancer is always a concern but

especially at this time of year. Trust

me I know! As a light haired fair

skin gut I've gone through a number

of bouts and several operations to

deal with skin cancer! The last involved

cancer in my lower lip. The corrective

surgery involved taking a skin graft from

my ear. Now I can hear much better when

I whistle!! So feel free to fry up the burgers

and hot dogs this Memorial Day weekend, 

But use plenty of sun block while you're

at it so you don't fry in the process of

grilling! Hope the burgers, not you,

are well done, and that all your NEWS

is good!

WHO'S WHINING?!

  THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023

      WHO'S WHINING?!

   Who's Whining? Well, for one,

I am. And why not? May 25th is

"National Wine Day!" Believe it

or not it's one of more than 20

unofficial holidays devoted to

wine each year! There are 4 in

May alone! National Wine Day,

which is today, World Moscato

Day, National Chardonnay Day,

and National Homebrew Day!

The other holidays, mainly

dedicated to various types of

wines, are scattered throughout

the year. Most people enjoy wine

occasionally. I prefer a sweet wine

while many others like so called

"dry wines." One friend, however,

complained that his wine was 

bitter and probably not fermented

properly. I told him that was just

"sour grapes!" Salute to you 

whatever wine you're drinking

and may all of your NEWS be

good!

FINDING YOUR TREASURE!

   WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2023

   FINDING YOUR TREASURE!

   May 24th is "National Scavenger

Hunt & National Treasure Day!" 

Who doesn't like searching for

treasure?! My great uncle searched

for treasure in Alaska. He had a gold

mine there and was lucky enough to

find some of that precious metal! I

never had a gold mine but I have 

used a medal detector to search

for treasures in the grass or on the

beach at the seashore. Never really

turned up much other than pull tabs

from soda cans. Today however,

will be different. In honor of this

special holiday my wife tells me

she has hidden a treasure somewhere

on the floor of our house and she's

given me a broom to help me with

my search. I can't wait to see what

I'll turn up! Hope you find your

treasure and that all your NEWS is

good! 

THAT MAKES CENTS!

 TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023

   THAT MAKES CENTS! 

                

   Welcome to "Lucky Penny Day!" Remember

the old saying :Find a penny. Pick it up and all\

the day you'll have good luck." Actually that's

suppose to apply to a penny you find with the

heads side up. There's a lot of history behind

the penny. The name "penny" came to us from

England. Our first penny was minted in 1793.

It was said to have been designed by Benjamin

Franklin, the man who came up with the saying

"A penny saved is a penny earned." They were

originally as big as a half dollar and 100% copper!

They aren't worth quite as much as they used to

be. Remember when you'd go into a candy store

and have your pick of the penny candies available

then? Inflation has taken a toll on the once proud

penny. Hope you've got or find a lucky penny today.

That's my two cents worth. How about you? A penny

for your thoughts! Hope all your NEWS is good!

     

"ELEMENTARY!"

    MONDAY, MAY 22, 2023\

          "'ELEMENTARY!"

      Today celebrates my favorite character

in literature! This is "Sherlock Holmes
Day!"
    Of all the interests my late brother and
I shared the adventure of that super
detective Sherlock Holmes would surely
be at or near the top of our list!
     Holmes had keen powers of observation
which would allow him to know almost
everything about a person the minute
he laid eyes on him or her.
     Alas, my wife continues to remind
me that the crumbs I've left behind on
the floor near the couch where I've
nibbled my snacks proves, conclusively,
that I lack Holmes' powers of observation!
      Ironically, she seems to have them!
      Before I've removed a shirt worn
for an hour or two I hear her utter the
words "that goes in the laundry." That
pronouncement comes as she's detected
a tiny spot unseen by my eye!
       Holmes, of course, was a fictional
character. The day actually celebrates
the Birthday of his creator, Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle who penned many stories
about the detective. He, Doyle, was
born on May 22ud of 1859.
        One of the highlights of a trip
my wife and I hosted to Scotland a
couple years back was enjoying
Fish & Chips at the Conan Doyle
Restaurant in Edinburgh overlooking
a small park where stood a statue of
Sherlock Holmes!
         As we left I thought of
that line "Elementary by dear Watson"
so attributed, though never actually
spoken,in a Doyle novel by Holmes
to his faithful assistant
        My wife  interjected a thought of her
own. " That shirt goes in the laundry."
         Happy Birthday Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle. May all those who
continue to enjoy your writings
enjoy good NEWS as well!

GET A HORSE????

   SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023

        GET A HORSE???

   If you wanted to get a really good

deal on a horse you should have been

around anytime after May 21st of

1819 in New York City! That's the

day the transportation scene began

to change! Horse power suddenly

had a challenger. That's the day

the velocipede showed up in the

"Big Apple." It was a revolution 

in the field of transportation and

the sale value of horses fell immediately

afterwards! By the way, you can still

get a velocipede of your own if you're

interested. Only these days they're

called bicycles. Just thought you ought

to know. Hope you're a safe rider and

that all your NEWS is good! 

YOU'LL GET A CHARGE OUT OF THIS!

         SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023

YOU'LL GET A CHARGE OUT OF THIS!

               

    There's a lot of talk about electric cars

becoming a big part of our future. But

electric cars are not new! In fact the very

first recorder speeding ticket was issued

on this date on this very day, May 20th.,

in 1899. And the speeder was driving an

electric car! Actually it was a taxi. It was

driven by cabbie Jacob German who was

"speeding" along a street in Manhattan!

He was acceding the speed limit by 4

miles an hour! The limit was 8. He was

doing 12! And, by the way, the officer

who pulled German over.......was riding

a bicycle!!! Drive safely! Hope all your

NEWS is good!

 

PEDAL POWER!

   FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

        PEDAL POWER!

  It took me wuite awhile to get

the bicycle out of our shed. My son

and daughter-in-law let be borrow

it a yera or two ago but tI found

there were just too many steep

hills around our place to use it 

very much. YThen, while reviewing

my list of unusual holidays I realized

that May 19th is "Bike To Word Day."

One of several bicycle related 

observances scheduled in the month

of May. They're all designed to get

people away from using cars and getting 

some exercise by using their bikes.

So I went to all that trouble

of digging the bike out from among

all that other stuff piled up in our

shed only to remember, after I got it

out that....I don't go to work anymore!

 Turns out I'll get my exercice by

putting it back in the shed. As for the

idea of me using the bike.....I'll have

to "re-cycle" that thought! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is good!

TIME TO PLAY!

      THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023

          TIME TO PLAY!

              It's May the 18th which, as you

probably know, is "Buy A Musical

Instrument Day." This particular

date was selected because it is the

birthday of Robert Meredith Wilson,

the man who wrote the book, music, and

lyrics for "The Music Man."  I have dabbled

with a few instruments over the years. I

think most of us got a chance to play that

flute-like instrument, the recorder, in grade

school. I tried the guitar for awhile but the 

strings always hurt my delicate fingers. More 

recently I try to play a few songs by ear on my

harmonica, My wife insists if would

sound better if I actually tried playing it

with my ear. If you're checked out my

video blog today you'll hear a sample

of mt tune interpretation. Perhaps we

should not only buy a musical instrument

today but sign up for lessons as well.

Hope you're in tune, and that all your

NEWS is good!

ONE FOUL BALL!

    WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023

           ONE FOUL BALL!

     For those who didn't already know,

this is  "National Foul Ball Week!"

When you go to a ballgame and a

foul ball comes your way the natural

instinct is to try to catch it or grab it 

after it lands and then you get to keep 

it!  But that hasn't always been

the case! Up until 1921 if you got a 

foul ball the team made you give it

back! But on May 16th of 1921 a

31 year old businessman, Reuben

Berman, went to the Polo Grounds to

watch the Giants play the Reds. He

caught a foul ball that came his way.

But when an attendant came to retrieve

the ball he tossed it towards other

spectators. Nobody knows who ended

up with the ball. But we do know that

Berman was escorted from the ballpark!

He got his ticket price back but he said

the team had humiliated him. So, he

sued the Giants for $20,000! The case

ended up in the Supreme Court. Berman

won! Bu he didn't get the $20,000, The

court awarded him $100. Still the team

realized that if each foul ball into the

stands cost then $100, it was cheaper

to let the fans keep the balls! So head

on out to the old ball game and if you

should happen to grab a foul ball, you

can thank Reuben Berman! Hope you

do, that you're well, and that all your

NEWS is good

  

THAT'S THE TICKET?

   TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023\

     THAT'S THE TICKET?

  It's Tuesday, May 16th and around

these parts that means it's Primary

election day! A lot of people (far

too few unfortunately) will be headed

to the polls today to cast their ballot.

I will not be among them. It's not

that I don't endorse the election

process. Quite the contrary! In fact

I voted about two weeks ago. Since

my wife and I are often on the move,

sometimes at short notice, we really

appreciate the opportunity to vote by

mail! No trying to beat the lines at

our polling place or trying to find

a time of the day when the polling

place isn't busy. I must admitt,

however, after taking a look at the

sample ballot from out own district

I was amazed to see how few of

the candidates I actually knew

anything about. That's often the case

in a local primary like this one. All

offices are important but it's hard

to make a choice when you know little

or nothing about the candidate. Of

course there are a few names I know

who I'd rather not see in office. And

one of them is  mine! Please....NO 

write in votes for me!!!!! If

nominated I will not run and if

elected I will not serve! Hope you

take time to vote and that all your

NEWS is good.

KEEP WATCHING!

   MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

        KEEP WATCHING!

  I look back on my Blogs from

time to time. Some bear repeating.

Some have lost their impact in

time. Like those written in the

midst of the pandemic. But a few

stand as reminders that we should

ever be on alert. It was just a year

ago when I told you that astronomers

had spotted a giant asteroid heading

towards our planet. It was, a predicted,

a "near miss." But "near" in those terms

is relative. Turns out there are many

many objects in space that come what

could be called "close" to earth. In fact

there have been numerous times when

space junk has fallen back down into

our atmosphere. Most just burns up on

the way down. But every now and then

something actually hits! Of course we's

be sure to know it if a huge asteroid

actually collided with our planet! Just

ask the dinosaurs! Oh, wait a minute!

We can't! Because, many believe, a

huge asteroid did smash into earth and

"did away" with those creatures! Maybe

be better keep watching! Closely!!!

Hope you do but see nothing so that

all your NEWS stays good!

LET'S ALL CELEBRATE!

    SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023

    LET'S ALL CELEBRATE!

  It's May 14th and a great day to

celebrate. It s, of course, Mothet's

Day and that always takes the

spotlight. But there are other

reasons to celebrate as well. May

14th is also "Stars And Stripes

Forever Day!"  That famous march

was written on Christmas Day

in 1896 by John Phillip Susa! And

it was first preformed in public on

May 14th of 1897 in Willow Grove,

Pennsylvania near Philadelphia.

Perhaps a serenade would be in

order for your Mom on her special

day. If she's not the "marching type:

there is an alternative to consider.

You see May 14th is also "National

Chicken Dance Day!" Whichever

you choose, Happy Mother's Day

and may all her, and yours, NEWS

be good!

HOP TO IT!

   SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023

              HOP TO IT!

    Well friends it's May 13th and the
big day is finally here.
     Mother's Day? No. That's very
important of course. But I was
referring to Frog Jumping Day!
     What do you mean you've never
heard if it? It's always celebrated on
May 13th!
      Frog jumping can be traced
back to Mark Twain's first short
story "Jim Smiley and his Jumping
Frog."
      There are places where they
have Frog jumping contests every
year on this date! And they can last
for hours.
       We almost had a frog for a pet
one time. My wife captured a
tadpole from an area street and
brought it home in a large glass jar.

It got to the next
stage of development but then it
croaked Too bad. We could either be
entering some jumping contests
today or enjoying Frog legs!
          Well, anyway, now that you're
aware of this unusual holiday I
expect you to celebrate! If you don't
have or can't get a frog you'll probably
just have to hop around all day!
             Hope you enjoy the holiday
and that all your NEWS is good!
       

LIMERICK DAY!

   FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023

        LIMERICK DAY!

  Welcome to May 12th everybody.

It's Limerick day! This particular

date was selected because it is the

birthday of writer Edward Lear who

was famous for his limericks. The

word Limerick comes from Limerick,

Ireland. Realizing this was the day I

quickly tried to compile one of my

own. A Limerick is usually a humorous

verse of 5 lines, the last one rhyming

with the second. So, I offer mine in

celebration.

   I know this in Limerick day.

  But I can't think of just what to say.

  My mind's in a fog.

  But to finish this Blog.....

  Hope your NEWS is all good on this day!

   

 

TODAY'S MYSTERY!

          THURSDAY, MAY 11, 202e

             TODAY'S MYSTERY!

  "There is a 5th dimension beyond that

which is know to man."

    So begins the narration that took

viewers into the middle ground between

light and shadow and into "The Twilight

Zone.! 

     May 11th. is  "The Twilight Zone Day."

     For those too young to remember, or

who miss the annual TV marathon, The

Twilight Zone was a science fiction/

mystery program that ran between 1959

and 1964.

     It was created by the late Rod Serling,

a neighbor, who hailed from Binghamton,

New York. Serling often used the names

of places and streets from the northeast

in his scripts.

      And it seems this day leaves us with

a mystery fit for one of his episodes.

There is no oblivious connection between

The Twilight Zone and May 11th!

       The program first aired on October

1st., of 1959. May 11th is neither the

birth or death date of Serling. And

although the date is listed on several

wed sites designed to recognize

strange "holidays", no one has as

yet identified the founder of The

Twilight Zone Day.

       There's something strange here!

       Hope we're not trapped in the

Zone....and that all your NEWS is

good!

  

THE SENIOR CLASS!

  

    WEDNESDAY, MAY 10TH., 2023
           THE SENIOR CLASS!
    Before we get too darn far into May
I think it's time I reminded you this is
"Older American's Month."
    I'm certain I'm one of those older
Americans but I'm not exactly sure
when I, or you, or anybody qualifies
for the category.
    When I was a kid I was pretty sure
somebody was "old" when they were
in their 40's or 50's.
     My timeline for that observation
seemed to increase as I aged.
      I know there was a time when
the term "Senior Citizen" was used
to describe anybody over 65. But my
AARP magazine now makes note
of personalities who attain 50 years
of age or above. If they're 50 I'm still
calling them "kids!"
     Remember all those Senior Citizen
Centers? Now a days they're "Active
Older Adult Centers."
     Whatever we "older Americans" are
being called I appreciate the fact we're
still around. As our former Pastor used
to remind us, "Everybody wants to get
to Heaven but nobody wants to leave
today!" I agree!
     Hope those of you who are older
Americans are enjoying this month
and your life and that all your NEWS
is good!

ONE SHORT!

 TUESDAY MAY 9, 2023

         ONE SHORT!

     Yesterday was "No Socks Day."
Today we should all pause for a moment
to observe "Lost Sock Memorial Day."
      I'm sure that most of you, like me,
have witnessed that moment when you're
placing your freshly washed socks into
their drawer when you suddenly find
one lone sock without a partner!
       I have three separate piles in my
sock drawer. One is for almost new
socks. One is for those with holes in
various spots (that's the largest stack).
And one with, well, just one sock.
      I tend to believe this phenomena
is more masculine then feminine but
I'm not sure why.
      It has been suggested you spend
some time today searching for that
missing sock. As little time as possible.
      It's also been suggested you toss
the single sock if its mate can't be
located but I'm not one to give up
hope.
      I know it will turn up somewhere
someday! So I'll probably hang on to
my single sock just in case.
      Hope you've got all your socks
in order and that all your NEWS is
good!

  

  

FREE YOUR FEET!

    MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023

       FREE YOUR FEET!

   This is "No Socks Day!" 

Supports (of the day, not the socks)

say it is a day to free your feet from

the confinement of socks and

stockings. A day to expose your

feet to fresh air. A day to walk

through the grass barefooted!

I complimented our grandson

for observing the day but he

didn't even know it existed! He

said he just happen to be swimming

and doesn't usually wear socks

when he's in the pool! No wonder

mine are always wet!!! Hope you

take the time to go sockless today

and that all your NEWS is good!

P.S. Watch where you step!

SCALES!

  

           SUNDAY, MAY 7TH., 2023
                        SCALES!

   You probably thought they called the wind
Mariah.
   Not so. And to prove it May 7th is "Beaufort
Scale Day." Don't let the name scare you. One
doesn't have to step on this scale!
    This scale relates to wind speed on land and
sea.
     It was developed by an Irish fellow, Francis
Beaufort, way back in 1805.
     Up till then weather observations, especially
at sea, varied depending on who was telling
the story.  One guy's "stiff breeze" would be
another guy's "soft breeze."
      Beaufort's scale standardized the
measurements.

      I got a taste of the system years back

when wind conditions off Cape Cod produced

waves 4 feet high. Mt Dad and I went fishing.

I was OK with the wind whipped waves until

my Dad lit his cigar!

       As you know observers are still trying to
develop a similar scale that can be applied to
politicians to determine if they're whistling
in the wind or completely full of hot air!
      Hope they prefect that before election
day and that all your NEWS is good!

 

WORKING OUT!

   SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023

         WORKING OUT!

   It's May 6th and that means it's

"National Physical Fitness Day!"

This is a day when you are encouraged

to work out! Get some exercise! The

average person will walk some 70,000

miles during their lifetime. But do it an

hour a day, seven days a week  but you're

far less likely to die early. I walk on the

treadmill at my local YMCA just about 

every day and try to get at least three

miles in before working off a few

calories on the rowing machine. I also

try to walk outside occasionally but

my wife says I fit in much better at

the gym. Something about being

around all those other dumbbells! I

wonder what she means by that? Oh well,

I hope you're getting your exercise in

and that all your NEWS is good!

OUT OF THIS WORLD!

    FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023

   OUT OF THIS WORLD!  

 

  May 5th is "National Astronaut Day"

in honor of  the day in 1961 when Alan

Shephard became the first American in

space.

      Although many of you may not know

it I count myself as a true pioneer of the
space program!
    I have an extensive history of looking
into space. I did a lot of it in school. I
called it research. Various teachers used
some other descriptive terms.
    Truth be told my interest in outer
space probably started with those glow in
the dark stars that were pasted on my
bedroom ceiling.
    Then, there was Flash Gordon and his
arch enemy...Ming The Merciless! Now
there's a real villain's name! I watched
those chapters on TV as often as I could
get away with skipping Sunday School.
They always ran on Sunday mornings.
     Next, I enlisted in the Rocket Ranger
Corps! It was a television series about
space and I even got an official Rocket
Ranger shirt! My wife tucked it away in
one of our closets waiting for the day I'm
called back to active duty.
   I still remember our song...well at
least the last part. "From the sands of
Mars out to the distant stars, we're the
Rocket Ranger Corps!"
    Lest you think all of my space activities
were limited to movies and TV I think it
only fair to tell you I was trying to launch
a rocket into the atmosphere long before
NASA!
    I had a red rubberized rocket that was
suppose to lift off with pressurized water.
    It worked. But not to my satisfaction.
    So, being a sort of "Scotty" of my time
(Star Trek people will understand) I tried
using a Cherry Bomb as the power
source.
     I don't know exactly how high the
rocket went. But I do know I saw some
stars!
     The authorities (in this case my
parents) prohibited any further
experimentation on the proving grounds
(my back yard) and so, my career hopes
were dashed! At least at that time.
     I still find myself staring into space.
     And I'm pretty sure I still have that
red rocket packed away somewhere around
here! Now, if I can just find a Quarter Stick,,,,
who knows have far I can go?!

      

NO GRUMPS ALLOWED!

 

     THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023

     NO GRUMPS ALLOWED!

   This is May 4th. It's also "Grump

Out Day!" We all see enough grumps!

They're out there every day just waiting

to cross our path. So, this unusual holiday

was set aside to ignor everything grumpy

and replace it with everything positive

you can think of! Maybe some jokes.

Maybe a call to and chat with an old friend.

Maybe work on a project you've been thinking

about. This is a day for smiles. Not for Grumps!

So spread some cheer and enjoy a "grumpless

day!" That way all your NEWS is sure

to be good! 

CLASSICS FOR THE KIDS!

   WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023

    CLASSICS FOR THE KIDS!

 This week is "Children's Book Week!"

I should point out there's another in

November too. It may surprise you

to know it is the longest running

literacy initiative in the country

having been started in 1919! It's an

effort to get kids involved in reading

at schools, libraries, and at home

and encourages adults to partner with

the children by reading to and with 

them. It's time to pull out the old

classics like the Little Red Caboose

and the Little Engine that Could. I

have a small collection of children's

books that I share with our grandkids.

I've alls written some kids stories

featuring a character I call Prince

Claude. A bumbling monarch who

goofs up everything he does and

makes a mess of things. Of course

my wife is convinced those stories

are actually my autobiography!

Hope you and your kids or

grandkids will do some reading

and that all your NEWS is good!

PIECES IN MY PUZZLE!

     TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023

       PIECES IN MY PUZZLE!

   According to a report published

last May the pandemic which stopped

people from doing so many things

beginning 1n 2019 actually prompted 

an increase in other activities. One of 

them was picture puzzles. My wife didn't

need the pandemic to prompt her interest in

puzzles. She does them all the time.

One, a 1,000 piece picture of a black bear

took a couple days of her attention. 

And, when she got done she found 4 pieces

missing! That's more common than you

might imagine. It's another reason I don't 

do puzzles! But when some suggested I

couldn't do them I decided to prove myself.

So, I literally put one together in about 70

seconds! Admittedly it was one my grandson

got before he even went to preschool

and only had 4 pieces. But I still think

it proves my ability! Hope you've got

all your puzzle pieces and that all your 

NEWS is good!