Monday Musings...

Welcome to 4/5 of the last week of the month of April.
Had our share of showers, so here's hoping we see the same when it comes to "May flowers", right?
I will say that Saturday was quite rainy, and I'll be talking more about that anon.
Our Hoosierland weather today will see us with most sunny skies and a high of around 57 degrees.
Never know it outside right now, though...its in the upper 30s.
Still, I kinda like the colder nights and milder days.
So, with all that said and done, let's see what's been going on since we last met here...
*** First out of the cereal box is out "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
April 27 - 
---Today is BABE RUTH DAY.

Kinda sorta SELF-explanatory, isn't it?
Might have to have a Baby Ruth to celebrate
---It's also NATIONAL PRIME RIB DAY.

(make mine medium well to well done, please)
---And, it's TELL A STORY DAY.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Sounds like they saw ME coming on that one, and you'll find out why soon enough.
*** Allow me to preface my story of this past weekend by saying it was quite a good experience.
I've been on this rock for almost 63 years, and I've seen a lot of stuff (not as much as Han Solo, though), but if you've been paying attention through those years, you can't HELP but observe some really cool things and people.

---Now, I said that Wifey and I were going to attend a Memorial Service for her late Mom down in Portland, and to start off with, the weather wasn't exactly cooperating - it rained both down AND back, but never enough to remind you of those gully-washers that you remember.

Parked and wet in Portland.

We made it down there well enough and within an hour, where we went into the funeral parlor along the main drag.

The one on the right is the state in Indiana...cool.

The layout for the service as something I have never seen before, because the memorial service we had for my Mom's mother in Philly didn't take place in a small town, and didn't have her "works" displayed.
Wifey's mom was a quilter, which I hear in these parts is a pretty big deal...especially if you are GOOD at it, which Wifey's mom (Nancy) was.
There, in two rooms were many of the quilts she had made for others over the years, and when you look at the TIME and EFFORT that went into every one of them, you can't help but be amazed.
As the people came trickling in for the service (Wifey and I were two hours early, but that was okay), I got to meet those that knew Nancy a lot better than I did. It was such a joy to see as many people as we did, and hear them speak about "the old days".

I'm one of those people that firmly believes that you MUST sit down and talk with those older than you, if for no other reason, than to appreciate the legacy such people leave to you and your generation.
Friends and relatives came by and soon the rooms were filled with all these people - some I knew, and others I met for the first (and perhaps only) time.
Nancy's husband, my dad-in-law, Don was there (up from Vincennes with other family members), and he sat in the front row pew, as did Wifey and I.
The service took an hour, with a pastor there for prayers, but it seemed longer, in a GOOD way, mind you.
It was if time had slowed in it's inexorable pace to allow us the opportunity to enjoy Nancy's life a little longer.
The eulogy by her brother Jeff was the best I have heard in a very long time, and I've had my share of people passing in my life.
He spoke about growing up with Nancy, and how both of them not only grew up, but grew together, even if there were many miles separating them in later life.
We rolled out of the funeral home after midday and went to Ponderosa for some lunch.
All the while, I couldn't help but be amazed at how people come together in such times, and how others remember you.
I suppose THAT says more than ANY epitaph on some headstone in any cemetery.
During a time when somber is the dominant word, I didn't feel that way, even throughout the drive back in the rain.

I felt a sense of renewal, if you can imagine that.
It's true that as many people as YOU influence by your meeting them, the number is much greater of those that influence you.
I went into Saturday with a sense of duty, and of slight dread, because I don't much like such "endings" in life...but I came away a better person for being with people of good repute, and those with whom ethical behavior, and  whose moral compasses are pointed in a proper direction.
It actually allows you to know that there are STILL a great number of good people in the world...to follow in the steps of those good people who have gone on to greater things before them.
And that's all I'm gonna say about that...
*** Next up was Sunday, and the critters were out in abundance.
So, I decided to "rest", as in mow the back yard...LOL.

Even got those "lines" going on.

Hey, that's relaxing for me...mostly.
I figured that lawn was getting a wee bit tall in the grass, so what the hell...
As, I was mowing, I caught some movement out the corner of my eye...so I cut power to the mower and froze.
A little (baby) bunny darted out in front of me, made a 90 degree turn on a dime and bounded into the lilies we have along the fence.
Wifey was outside with me, and SHE saw him run, too.
Too fast to get a picture of, I'll grant you that.
He wasn't going to be "found", though, and ran to the back fence and out of the yard (to return later, no doubt).
The lawn DOES look nice.

Looks nice from down HERE, too, Bob.

That new blade we got last year helps immensely.
Naturally, a few of the "regulars" HAD to stop by and enjoy the nice day we had.

"Wrinkles" like nuts of ALL sizes...

Between the lawn, the critters, and the FX channel showing superhero movies ALL day, it wasn't that bad in the ghettohood (for a change) for this old boy.
*** This Friday will premiere what I believe to be one of THE best (and most profitable) movies in my lifetime:
Marvel's Avengers - The Age Of Ultron

Now for those of you that can't "get into" this sort of thing...that's fine.
But I refuse to grow up THAT much, so bear with me...lol.

Dare I EAT it, though?

Marketing has already taken a firm foothold on this movie event, and I bought a box of AVENGERS CEREAL at the grocery, to go with the DR. PEPPER 2 ltr with the Avengers on the label (they also have collector cans in the 12 and 24 packs).
Stores have toys, apparel...you name it, and it's got "Avengers" on it.
I kinda like it, because "back in the day" we didn't have ANYTHING connected to movies in the quantity they have today.
Hell, you were lucky to get a souvenir PROGRAM at the theater (which I still own several like BEN HUR, SWEET CHARITY and TORA, TORA, TORA).
Those have to be worth something by now, hmm?
In any event, with all the hype, I think it will be a BLOCKBUSTER, and might take the coveted #1 spot on the charts.
My late buddy, Hank (who we used to call HULK and had a GREEN GOALIE MASK when he played on our street hockey team) would have loved to see this, as we often talked about how they should make movies like this (and that as back in the late 1960s).
Guess anything worth having is worth waiting for...
*** Last back to the bunkhouse...life is complex, and in today's world, it seems to get MORE complex every week.
And, I've said many times, that we are trying to be pulled in so many directions, that we don't know which way is the right way.

But this weekend has showed me much in the way that PEOPLE ARE VALUED, and it's certainly not as cheaply as we see down here in the ghettohood. What I saw this weekend was a LASTING value - one that surpasses life itself, and that's damn good to realize.
Are we all as fortunate as my late mother-in-;aw was?
That all depends on how define  "fortune"..

If you consider fortune by mere wealth or riches, than I'd have to say no
If, however, you refer to a person who became "rich" by the people they came to know and love, than most definitely yes.
I guess that's why I always seem to harp on becoming a better person than you were yesterday.

There are people we know all our lives, others we know for a short time, an those we pass along a street or store aisle, and never see again.
And we must always be prepared to let them see that better person within us, because they just might be doing the same thing.
With all these people around striving to become better each day...imagine how much better the world COULD become, instead of how it currently is.
That's something to think about, isn't it?

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.