Thankfully, it’s a different world now re: the smoking, presumably. Was remembering after posting last night, that H & I actually worked for Houston Oil and Minerals, in both Alaska and Nevada. It became (at least H’s division) HIMCO, Houston International Mineral Company. Kind of a disconnect due to no business travel to Houston. It was interesting to be there for pleasure in 1980, a boom time, for sure. Saw a lot of Silver Clouds and other RR’s as well as more bling I’ve ever seen outside of Las Vegas.
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Ran across this in a saved folder and thought it could be something to ponder in these times of uncertainty. Remove if not appropriate
SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin
George Carlin’s wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70’s and 80’s - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.
Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.
George Carlin
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I love George Carlin and miss his perspective. Less poignant than your quote but quite relevant, mildly NSFW (if that means anything today) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac .
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Not from George Carlin, but still very pertinent to what we are all dealing with today.
" Credit belongs to Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church (who retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post). This essay appeared under the title “The Paradox of Our Age” in Words Aptly Spoken , Dr. Moorehead’s 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts."
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I havent come across Scopes for a goodly while. I used to get its weekly (?) update. Great for debunking the modern myths.
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Thanks Linda
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The village knitting group (The Knitwits), of which I am NOT a member, is doing its bit to help out.
You know when you wear a facemask you secure it by looping it behind your ears. And it can be uncomfortable. Well, the knitters are making a rectangle, designed to go at the back of your head. Each end will have a button which you loop the mask on to (they’re currently asking residents to donate 2cm buttons for the project). Finished “things” are to be donated to local hospital staff.
Here’s the thing:
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@Harters - I put the picture of the very cute Knitwit project on my local (north of San Francisco) NextDoor, and now someone is asking about a pattern or directions! If there is, I’m happy to pass it along. Or, if there isn’t, do these thingies have a special name so that I can do some research? Thanks so much.
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Here’s the link to their Facebook page. I presume if you want to make contact, they should be able to provide the pattern, etc. I’m not on Facebook myself, otherwise I would have asked for you. Fantastic to think that something from our community in northwest England might find it’s way to America’s west coast.
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@Harters - Thanks so much. I’m not on FB either, but I can refer the Next Door person to it.
I completely agree - the beauty of HO!
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From what Mrs Harters has told me, I think there may be a pattern on the FB page (or a link to one). If you get to hear of it, I’d appreciate it if you let me know if the Next Door person takes it up.
I’d be happy to. Haven’t heard anything yet except for a lot of thank yous!
Good news from, almost literally, just down the road from me.
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While I certainly applaud the intent, some could argue feeding the poor airline food is a form of punishment.
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Fair point.
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From today’s UK government press conference - we have now officially passed the peak of infection. And , next week, the government will broadly outline the steps that might be taken to “unlock” the lockdown (although without putting dates or timetable on it).
Bad news is that we now have the third highest number of deaths in the world. In a few days, we’ll probably overtake Italy’s number. It’s a tragedy and a goodly number may well have been avoided if the government had acted quicker and more firmly.
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Well the 1st part of your post is great news! The 2nd part, devastating, as it is in our country. Having a hard time wrapping head around our numbers, as we have surpassed the death toll of our troops in the Vietnam War. What it took 19 years for a war to do, Covid has accomplished in 2.5 months. Both events were and are tragic globally, on so many levels.
Fingers crossed for an early vaccine, and the promise of the anti-viral medication in human clinical trials.
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Debastating, as you say.
I have a military history friend who, until retirement from the FBI, worked in Washington DC. We’ve met a couple of times. Last time, we went to visit the Vietnam Memorial on the National Mall. He collects militaria and had bought the dogtag of a soldier who had been killed (and then researched his life and death). We sought out the guy’s name on the memorial and I took a photo of Chris holding the dogtag next to the name. All very moving - I generally find war memorials moving.
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I’ve only just seen the traveling exhibit of the Vietnam War memorial, but will never forget the impact on me. I was in quite a somber mood for the rest of the day. To see that many names etched is staggering.
While I didn’t know anyone personally who was lost to the war, my dad served over there during my 16th year. Met my very best friend who’s father was over there at the same time. Can’t believe it’s been so long ago now.
I visited the Pearl Harbor memorial when I was 14, and was so moved, yet fascinated I was the last person back on the boat.
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