Monday Musings...
Being the sentimentalist I am (on a good day...with no "interruptions") I can't help but look to this particular week in a manner that would be an homage to the late Irving Berlin with his 1933 song HEAT WAVE (and first sung by Ethyl Waters).
It is SO hot and humid out there today, I swear you can wring out the damn air you're breathing.
You can stand in one spot and leave a puddle in less than a minute!
(like the locals that put on too much AXE and can do the same on a normal day)
And naturally, the news is "hyping" this up...like it's something "new"...
Got news for 'em all...heat waves have been around for a LONG time.
Unfortunately, air-conditioning has not, but thankfully IS these days.
Global-Warming...run for the mountains, people!!!
(yeah, right)
Why don't we set the WAY-BACK machine to the early-mid 1930s - location, the heartland of America.
You want to talk about HEAT?
There were a LOT more days when the raw temperatures were in the century numbers.
Curiously enough, it was at the same time when criminals like Bonnie and Clyde, Ma Barker, and John Dillinger roamed the states.
Now, I'm not saying we're ripe for another bank robbing spree.
I'm just saying that there WERE people "working" (after a fashion) during the horrendous heat that permeated the Midwest.
So my advice in such weather today would be that if you don't HAVE to be anywhere...don't bother going outside (unless you're a fan of spontaneous combustion). That especially goes for those with pre-existing breathing conditions...and seniors.
There are times when even the heartiest among us might succumb to such hot weather, so don't take that chance.
Stay hydrated with plenty of fluids (more if you're outside), and feel free to "mix it up" a bit.
Some Gatorade or Powerade does wonders, but water is good, too. Soda is fine as long as you're drinking it sparingly...ditto for coffee and tea.
BTW, both coffee and tea work DAMN well when ICED.
Moving on...
*** As is with most ANY morning around the ghettohood, I (and sometimes the Missus) like to get things done EARLY.
Technically, that means BEFORE 1100 hours, when the locals roll out after a long night and going to sleep (?) around 4AM.
So, out we were this morning before the sun rose over the hovels, watering the lawn and plants, because they deserve it (and we sunk a few bucks into them, and would prefer to enjoy them as long as possible).
Call it our "daily edification". And I fed the birds. the one particular squirrel (I call him "Gimpy"...he's got a bum back foot), and young Mr. Bunny.
I fed the neighbor's cat, watered HER flowers and checked the perimeter of her house...normal.
...And the "locals" slept on...marvelous.
Now, we kick on the A/C and settle back for a hot day in Fort Wayne.
Gonna be interesting to see how soon before we hear about a 46, 96 on the police radio (domestic).
I mean what BETTER way to start off a hot and humid day than with smacking someone around the house, hmm?
Gee, NORMAL people don't do that...wonder why?
Maybe it's because they're either WORKING for a living, or otherwise engaged in some PRODUCTIVE activity elsewhere or even in their own house.
Well, that would explain an awful lot...which is what we have living around us...an AWFUL LOT (of moolies)...LOL.
*** One thing that occurred around the fortress the past couple days was the fact that a GALLON of milk we bought , with an EXPIRATION DATE OF 21 JULY has decided to go prematurely BAD (still have half of it left)!
I mean "W - T - F - ?"
We're not even AT the 21st, so what gives here?
Someone at the dairy screwed up ROYALLY (imho), and I suppose we should take the UNUSED portion back to the store, but we'll just suck it up...for now. Should this happen AGAIN, we will take it back and send a nasty-gram to the store's owners.
I suppose if we were "other-raced" and on the government dole, and screamed and made a scene in the store (as I've seen before with others) we might wind up with a week's groceries FOR FREE...but we're not like that, because we don't act in that manner.
We're more CIVILIZED in that regard.
And speaking of being civilized...and/or on the dole...
Stop on over to THE OBSERVER's blog (link at left), and read the post from 15 July (last article about incarcerated minority men)...excellent and intriguing source story (It amazes me how you people FIND all this good stuff).
I am getting together an upcoming post about this and what I've come to know over the years, so stay tuned for that.
*** Lastly today, I've noticed that I've some new "followers".
First of all, thank you SO much for having enough confidence in this old Philly boy to want to be part of the action here.
And while I know not all of you comment, you DO stop on by to at least see what I'm on about each day, and that makes me want to work even more to give you people a forum that is deserving of both YOUR time and YOUR talents.
I want you to say "Yeah, that's what I was thinking" when you read something here. And yet, if there is one thing I have a little trouble with, it's the term "follower"...
Makes me look like some LEADER or something...which I am not (right now, anyway).
We ALL have the capacity to LEAD...as long as we LEARN in the process.
Every one of us leads at one time or another...either by the way we parent the children, or perhaps it's due to our status at work, or it can even be in part to who we were brought up to be.
There will come a time in everyone's life when they MUST lead.
Now, that sure sounds pretty intimidating, and on the surface, it can be, but think on this:
How you conduct yourself in the most innocuous activities IS a form of "leadership".
Your EXAMPLE on how you run your everyday affairs...your LIFE is the bar you have set for yourself.
You LEAD by example.
You TEACH (others) by example.
Everyone is meant to lead at some point...for some reason, but we're not all BORN TO LEAD.
And woe to those who follow someone who cannot figure out how to lead.
Circumstances in each of our lives can determine WHEN and even IF we might be capable of leading.
One day, we are a follower...the next, we are thrust into leadership. It can happen that fast.
All it takes to motivate us into ACTION are the right parameters, and these can be man-made or natural by design.
And ALL of you have it within you to BECOME a leader, under the right circumstances, so never sell yourself short on that.
That's why I snagged a quote from the good old USMC..."The few, the proud...etc".
You may be followers by the way Google presents it, but I consider you all MY EQUALS. We learn from one another...it's that simple.
And there may come that time when I will FOLLOW you.
So thank you all again for being part of this "mutual admiration society", as it were...I'm really enjoying the ride.
I value your friendship and kinship.
Have yourselves an outstanding week (and don't let me find any of you OUT STANDING in this heat, kapeesh?)
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.