WHAT'S IN A NAME?

  WEDNESDAY, JULY 15TH., 2020
           WHAT'S IN A NAME?

 What's in a name? Shakespeare said
a rose by any other name would still
smell as sweet.  Still under the current
climate (Social not atmospheric) all
sorts of names and phrases are being
reviewed and, in some cases , removed
or revised.
  The Washington Redskins is the
latest example. The NFL team will
be changing its name in the wake of
growing criticism it represents a
racial slur. Ironically the largest
protest comes from the National
Council of American Indians.
   I thought Native Americans was
the politically correct term.
   Hey, I'm not complaining.
   I played cowboys and indians
long before politics poked its
nose into the game.
    Meanwhile everybody's
waiting to see what the new name
of the Redskins might be. Fans
have made suggestions which
include "Redhogs" and "Red
Wolves".
     I'm thinking the "Red Roses!"
It doesn't sound very tough but
it does seem poetic and totally
non offensive.
       Besides, I like the Eagles.
       Hope you're well and that
all your NEWS is good!

SINK YOUR TEETH INTO THIS!

  TUESDAY, JULY 14TH., 2020
SINK YOUR TEETH INTO THIS!

  I'm seeing a lot of Facebook posts about
vacations. A lot of folks from this area will
be heading to the shore. I bring this up now
because July 14th is "Shark Appreciation
Day." Ever since the book and movie "Jaws"
came out people have been scared to death
of sharks. Organizations attempting to
protect this species point out that fear of
shark attacks are no where near as bad as
they are portrayed in the movies!
    Actually man kills about 100 million
sharks, of all sizes, every year! They only
get about 7 of us!
     The odds of being bitten by a skark  are
about 1 in 11.5 million! There a far better
chance of being struck by lighting or
willing the Lottery.
      Still, if you're at the beach and someone
spots a shark in the vicinity it's best to get
out of the water. If the sighting is accompanied
by that music from "Jaws" I'd get out and
head to the Poconos for the rest of your
vacation!
       Hope you're well, and that all your
NEWS is good!

WHO WAS THAT UNMASKED MAN?

     MONDAY, JULY 13TH., 2020
WHO WAS THAT UNMASKED MAN?

  I usually like my Blogs to be on the light
side but today I got a biot angry and feel I
have to speak out. I visited a local
convenience store Sunday afternoon. There
were two very prominent signs on the door.
One read "You Must Wear A Mask Inside
The Store." The other read "Masks For Sale
Here." I went inside and found myself
behind a patron who was not wearing a mask!
He was "in a hurry" having to buy gas and
pick out some Lottery numbers. Then I
noticed the clerk was not wearing a mask!
Now I suppose it's possible neither of these
men could read. Or, perhaps, that couldn't
afford to buy a mask. At least, in the customer's
case, until he won the Lottery. 
    Let me make this as simple as I can, and
forget the virus!
     I have a cold. If I sneeze, cough, or breath
hin your direction there's a chance you will catch
my cold. If I wear a mask there's less of a chance
you'll catch my cold!
      If you wear a mask there's less of a chance
I'll catch your cold. Or flu. Or virus. Or your
bad breath!
       So, if you happen to see me in a public
place please wear a mask. Or social distance,
like in a different town!
         Hope you're wearing your mask, that
you're staying well, and that all your NEWS
is good!

TO MARKET, TO MARKET!

       SUNDAY, JULY 12TH., 2020
       TO MARKET, TO MARKET!

  I recently found myself grocery shopping
for the first time in months! Our grandson
has been handling most of the shopping for
us since the pandemic hit but he was busy
on this particular day and I happen to be
available with a need for some supplies.
   Of course it was pouring down rain!
   The experience was a little different
than I remembered. There was a worker
at the door making sure no one got in until
someone else came out. They're were't
terribly busy when I came so I got right in.
    Of course everyone was wearing a mask.
That made it much harder on the shoppers
who like to sample the grapes as the walked
through produce.
    There were also "One Way Lanes" like the
one way streets you find in the city. Of course
most shoppers, like a lot of motorists, simply
ignored the directions and went where ever
they pleased.
      All in all not bad though, excpty for
getting drenched!
        Hope you're well and that all your
NEWS is good!

7/11

SATURDAY, JULY 11TH., 2020
                 7/11

   I've got some good news and some
bad news! First the bad news. This is
going to be a "Slurpless Saturday!"
    You see it's July 11th. Seven Eleven.
For years the Seven Eleven Convenience
Store chain has given free Slurpee Ice
drinks to all its customers on this date!
But not this year.
     The Slurpee is the latest victim of
the virus so this year's give away is
off! I suspect they're just afraid of the
big crowds, especially during this
heat wave!
      The good news? July 11th is our
daughter Missy's birthday so we'll  be
celebrating Slurpee or not!
       Hope you've got something to
celebrate too and that all your NEWS
is good!

"BEAR" WITH ME!

  FRIDAY, JULY 10TH., 2020
        "BEAR" WITH ME!

   Some of you may remember the tune
"The Teddy Bear's Picnic." Well July
10th is "Teddy Bear's Picnic Day!" I'm
not sure why July 10th was selected. The
tune was not published on that date and it
is not the birthday of Jimmy Kennedy, its
writer. We know little about the origin of
the song. But we know plenty about the
origin of the Teddy Bear!
      In 1902 President Teddy Roosevelt was
hunting in Mississippi where he refused to
shoot a small bear. The Washington Post
did a story about the incident which
included a popular cartoon. A husband and
wife toy maker team, Morris and Rose
Michtom, saw the cartoon and wrote to
thg President asking permission to name
their toy stuffed bear "Teddy." The President
gave the OK and the :Teddy Bear" became
an instant hit with boys and girls everywhere.
 The Michtom's did pretty well too. Their
little firm became the Ideal Toy Company!
So, take the kids or grandkids and their
Teddy Bears out for a picnic today even if
just in the backyard! Enjoy this special
day. Hope you're well and that all your
NEWS is good!

"COUNT" ME IN?

THURSDAY. JULY 9TH., 2020
       "COUNT" ME IN?

  Our granddaughter's boyfriend had a
very unexpected and very unwelcome
passenger in his car the other day!
   Something struck his windshield, then
came in through his window, grazed
his head and landed in the passenger
seat. It was a bat!
     These flying rodents are know to
carry rabies! Merely having contact
with their blood can spread the disease!
      He immediately contacted his
doctor who wisely began a series of
anti rabies shots. They are no longer
the painful ones in the stomach but,
rather, like an immunization injection
in the arm.
       We have also advised our granddaughter
to keep a close watch on him. Especially
with a mirror to make sure his reflection
is still there. Since he often visits I also
have a needle point cross nearby. I'not sure,
however. if our garlicm
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