Back to My Roots

January 29, 2021

 

This blog was originally created to talk about the funny side of life.

In 2020, and in the first month of 2021, I blogged a lot about political issues and about the coronavirus, which meant that there were fewer laughs for the reader.

I’m going to try to go back to just writing about the fun stuff. That means that there will be far fewer entries, and they’ll be what some people consider fluff, and not worth reading.

So, to the 4 readers I gained in 2020, I apologize. I hope I don’t lose you, but thanks for reading while you did.

Laziness Pays Off

January 28, 2021

 

Lots of Americans have reported gaining weight during the pandemic. The weight gain is attributed to stress eating and to reduced activity levels.

I’m as susceptible as the next person to stress eating; but I can’t really say I’ve reduced my activity any.

 

If you all were as lazy as I am, you wouldn’t have to worry about reduced activity levels, either. Your metabolism wouldn’t even know the difference.

Why Is Protectionism OK Now?

January 28, 2021

 

President Biden just signed an order decreeing that government agencies should Buy American whenever possible.

I thought that protectionism was a bad thing. So why are we doing it again? Or continuing it?

The order also says that the government will replace the current fleet of vehicles owned by the federal government with electric vehicles produced in the U. S. Is that a cost-efficient move? Unless the president means vehicles will be replaced as they age out, and not just dumped wholesale.

 

Questions, questions.

 

Are They Lazy, or Arrogant?

January 25, 2021

 

I heard an actor in a recent TV episode pronounce the name of the town Wilkes Barre, PA as Wilkes-Bar. It was unsettling because, in the show, he lived near there, and should have known how to pronounce it (Wilks Berry or Berra).

I’ve mentioned before that Hollywood has shown ignorance about any region in the U.S. that isn’t LA. Louisiana has parishes, not counties; not all southern accents sound the same; if water is running in the gutters in Fargo, ND in January, the residents won’t be bundled up in parkas—it would be too warm for that.

So I that wish writers and actors would try to make the audience feel like they’re really interested in, and knowledgeable, about the region they’re depicting.

 

 

Friends Look Out For Each Other

January 22, 2021

 

An adorable video shows two groups of penguins traveling in opposite directions meeting up. When the groups resume their travels, one penguin heads off with the wrong one.

As he looks around, confused, another penguin from his group comes back to get him and brings him safely back to his friends and family.

  

The Good-Hearted Thief

 

January 22, 2021

 

Oregon police report that a man stole a car which was left unlocked, with the engine running, outside a grocery store.

 

When the thief realized that a child was in the car, he drove back to the store, returned the child to the mother, scolded her, threatened to call the police on her, and drove off again.

 

 

 

Mix and Match Councils

January 26, 2021

 

Turning our political-dysfunction attention to the local level, I present once again the St. Louis County Council.

This is the body that voted 4-3, along political lines, to give entire control of federal COVID relief funding to the County Executive. I was not in favor of the idea.

Now, some of those individuals, once again demonstrating their remarkable lack of good judgment, have held an election to determine who chairs the council—including one board member whose term had expired, before her replacement was installed.

Other board members cried foul, and held another vote after the newly-elected board member was installed. Not surprisingly, a different chairwoman was elected.

Also not surprisingly, lawsuits have been filed.      

 

While the courts sort things out, I hope that some practical issues get dealt with. Just, you know, for kicks.