Good-Hearted Repo Man—Not an Oxymoron

November 30, 2016

Today’s pat on the back goes to Jim Ford, a repo man who felt so bad about repossessing an elderly couple’s car that he set up a GoFundMe account to help them get it back.

The response was tremendous, and the Red Bud, IL couple has their car back.

Here’s another pat on the back for all the people who contributed.

The Age of Manners

November 17, 2016

In an old episode of “Hawaii Five-0” (1968), the villain and the undercover policewoman are fleeing by car from other villains. They reach their destination and, even though they’re running for their lives (and he's considering killing her), he automatically comes to her side and opens the door for her; and she automatically sits and waits for him.

The age of the well-mannered villain.

Turn Down That Noise!

November 15, 2016

When we were growing up, parents would say, “Your music is too loud! Turn down that noise!” We said that when our kids played loud music, we’d understand.

Now my daughter says, “Your music is too loud!”

“It’s Baby Blue,” I say. “At least for the opening chords, you have to have it loud!” Same goes for Baba O’Riley—the opening is best when it’s loud.

She’s not impressed. With her earbuds, she gets the music pumped straight into her eardrums, and apparently that works for her. But I still like mine booming from stereo speakers, the old-fashioned way.

Luckily, I’m home by myself enough so that I don’t have to hear anybody say, “Turn down that noise!”

But I can’t wait to see how her kids listen to their music.

TV Thought for the Day

November 15, 2016

If the characters in "Scorpion" are such geniuses,

why do they use such bad grammar?

Culturally Speaking

November 7, 2016

In my ongoing quest for Cultural Experiences That Don’t Put Me To Sleep, I went to hear a string quartet from the symphony at a local library branch. I did it because it was close, it was free, and it lasted less than an hour; for me that’s the Trifecta of a Perfect Cultural Experience.

Several things became apparent: 

1. That a kid named Andrew was much too young for cultural experiences; well before the concert started I was tired of hearing his name.

2. That even an hour of classical music is more than enough for me.

3. That people who leave theaters and concerts halls and won’t let other drivers join the line to the exit aren’t just being obnoxious because it’s late and there’s a ton of traffic; they’re being obnoxious because they’re obnoxious. It was not even 8 p.m., and it was a library parking lot, and they were still carrying on like, “If I don’t get out now, I’ll be stuck for hours!”

Maybe they’re just conditioned from their previous cultural experiences.

You CAN Have It Both Ways

November 10, 2016

Why religion and politics don't mix:

The winners can claim that God was on their side;

while the losers can say that Satan stepped in.

Jesus Shrugged?

November 8, 2016

Maybe Jesus isn’t as upset with all our theological parsing as I’d like to believe. (“Jesus Wept”, November 6, 2016). After all, He did say that brother would fight against brother, etc. And even His own Apostles didn’t always agree on the practice of Christianity.

To see evidence of this, and for a really good laugh, read Galatians 5:6-12.

Jesus Wept

November 6, 2016

Looking at the articles about Catholics and Lutherans possibly crossing religious lines for receiving Communion, with all the exhaustive theological parsing and reasoning involved, I’m reminded of what Jesus had to say on the subject:

“Do this in memory of Me.”

No list of exclusions that would void the warranty, just those six words.

Sometimes I wonder if He just sits up in Heaven and cries about what we do in the name of His religion.

Thanks, Ladies

November 8, 2016

Thank You to all the women who fought so hard to give all women in the U.S. the right to vote.

Some of you sacrificed your freedom and your health.

Many of you suffered ridicule and ostracism.

Thanks also to the women who fought to attend college and medical school and law school, and who fought to enter boardrooms and have your business acuity recognized.

I'm not a fighter, so I'm glad that you were, and that I can reap the benefits.

Thanks again.

Harry Caray Can Finally Rest in Peace

November 5, 2016

So, now that the Cubs have won the Series, I’ll bet sportscaster Harry Caray has organized the biggest party Heaven has ever seen,

While the inhabitants of Hell are asking for blankets, because it has finally frozen over.

They Should Have Dropped a Stronger Hint

October 31, 2016

The city of Sunset Hills, MO, has revoked the business license of a motel owner. He says that he is being targeted unfairly, but the city feels otherwise.

I’m quoting directly from an editorial in the Post-Dispatch that ran on October 28, 2016 because, frankly, I couldn’t have said it better myself. 

Best quote in Post-Dispatch reporter Tim O'Neil's story about the decision came from Alderman Dee Baebler: “We scolded him three years ago when there was a meth lab that blew up in one of the rooms. We had a list of things to correct. But, in fact, it only got worse.”

Well, sure. An exploding meth lab deserves a stern scolding. …

Maybe next time they should pile on the pressure and send a certified letter.