Such behavior!

Tonight I found myself again in a TV drought, there being nothing I cared to have on, really, as I worked at my computer. So, eventually I turned on reruns of "Everybody Loves Raymond". It was a terrible episode, as so many of them are, regarding the behavior of the husband and wife toward each other. The husband, Ray, is made out to be a total fool (and tonight, he was!) and his wife, Debra, was a shrew, as usual. Their common roles are husband as child and wife as mother to their children and Ray. Ugh! I hate that!

The story line tonight was about a suitcase left on the stairs landing, each of them holding out for the other to carry it upstairs. Weeks went by, each one glaring at the other behind their backs about ignoring their single piece of luggage on the stairs. At one point Debra walks through wearing a top which was in the luggage which really irked Raymond, prompting him to blurt out about the stand off to his father. His dad encourages him to stand his ground, typically. 

Ray had to go on a business trip and, instead of taking the suitcase with him, he put his belongings in a plastic bag, like a hobo. Talk about stubborn! Marie came over to the house and wondered what stunk. Debra and she sniffed around the rooms and determined it was coming from the suitcase. Before he left, Raymond had put a chunk of stinky cheese in it, that rascal. I guess he didn't consider that his stuff in that bag was going to smell like rotten cheese, too. Did he not need his shaving kit from the bag for his business trip? 

Anyway, they both behaved so badly that I could hardly watch, but I wanted to see how it resolved. Eventually when Ray came home Debra was determined to be the better person and "win" by carrying it upstairs. Then Ray wanted to be the bigger person, have the upper hand, as it were, over Debra by taking it up. They proceeded to have a tug of war over it, Ray holding Debra's legs as she tried to hold the suitcase. And then brother Robert walked in and asked, dead pan, "how's the suitcase situation coming?" 

It doesn't show how it finally resolved but my guess is that every time they traveled in the future, there were thoughts of a stand off repeat, 'cause that's the way they are. And not once did the three children show up in any of the scenes. How does that happen? 

Did/do people think this was amusing when it was new, or were they upset by it like I am? I should have taken Justin's advice and save some of my daytime listening for at night on Mondays to avoid this type of thing! Ugh!

Well, it's done!

The United States of America has a new president serving the nation. The parades have ended (or have they???), the swearing into office made it official this a.m., and the celebratory balls are taking place. I've kept my thoughts and opinions to myself, for the most part, since I had no dog in this fight other than the political party and policies which I support. While I would dearly have loved to have a truly Constitutional man in this office, going through all the pomp and circumstance, the voters/electors chose differently, despite the best efforts of the media. 

Many in our country, however, do not agree and have taken to the streets to express their displeasure. Windows are being broken in buildings and automobiles, trash and other things being lit on fire in objection to the transfer of power. The media is obsessed with the coverage thereof, showing split screens of the anarchists terrorizing city streets. Much is taking place in DC and New York, with more participants from which to draw, aside from those being bused in, to take to the streets. This is not an organic outcropping of unrest. This has been cultivated since election day, gas being poured on the fire of disappointment. 

When Romney/Ryan lost back in 2012, Justin and I were just so so so sure they were going to win. We were dumbfounded when the election results were coming in. What? How can this be happening? We'd made a celebratory meal and luscious dessert to celebrate the victory. That dessert ended up in the fridge for at least two days before either of us felt like eating it. We were devastated. I wept, not sure if he did or not. It took me months to feel like myself again, the election results being a constant reminder of 4 more years of the same or worse. But not one window was smashed. Not one fire was set. Neither of us marched or chanted. I mourned for my nation and myself in the privacy of my home or with my fellow like-minded folks. We did it differently. It is safe to say that even if the opposing candidate had won this time neither Justin nor I, nor the folks with whom we associate, would have gone on a rampage. Nope. 

An afternoon at the movies

Somehow, in my old age and being discombobulated, I accidentally double booked myself for this day. Nancy and I had made plans to go to the movies today, and she would ask Toni to join us. That was all arranged but then some of her neighbors wanted to have lunch first (but not go to the movie). We were all set up to do just that when I got a text at dinner Monday night from my friend, Stephanie, asking if we were still on for lunch Tuesday. Oops!  

I excused myself from the lunch with Stephanie and Jean, planning for the following week instead. Glad she is forgiving and flexible like that. Then, Nancy let me know that now she has a scheduling problem. A classmate of Toni and hers had their spouse die and their presence was requested for a lunch Tuesday. Of course, I excused them. I still planned to see the movie and one of her neighbors, Janelle, was going with me. But then she also decided to get her iPad repaired instead at St. Johns Town Center. So, then I called Judy C. and made plans with her to see the movie. There, that works!

She offered to pick me up since it's on her way to Fleming Island. I had already told her it was my treat because she shortened a pair of pants for me. We saw "Hidden Figures", a truth-based story about the black women who worked as human computers behind the scenes for NASA. The story told what life was like for them in their workplace, segregated and such, and how eventually they were able to climb up in their jobs, gaining the respect of their peers. At the end of the movie snapshots were shown of the actual women portrayed and told about what they all accomplished in their years at NASA, and after. VERY good movie, I highly recommend seeing it. One I will most assuredly purchase when it comes out on DVD. 

The best thing was that it was 'cheap day' at the theater, discounted tickets and refreshments. We had a good number of folks in the theater with us which was great to see. Most people gasped at the same scenes as those around them, shocked to see how people were treated and how they thought back in the early 60's. These ladies and their co-workers were ambitious and wanted to flourish in their careers. That is always encouraging. 

Justin and I just had leftovers from our 'tailgate' party Sunday, reheating brats and beer cheese soup for our dinner. I wanted to eat earlier tonight because I'd had breakfast with Terri this a.m. and left about half of it, and had only a portion of a bag of popcorn this afternoon. I was plenty hungry for our dinner. And now I'm  tired so sleep well, all!  

Sad January

Last night I read a lovely post from a newer friend of mine who served on the Board with me at The Club. Doris wrote how her door is always open, her sofa is perfect for comforting, and tea is always at the ready in case anyone is hurting and needs to talk. I love that! She went on to say how January is often depressing for many folks, with the third Monday being the day the most suicides take place. To what is this attributed? She didn't say, but my guess is the let down following the build-up of the holidays, putting the decorations away, the bills start to come, tax info arrives in the mail, the weather is grumpy...All that stuff. Yes, it can all be a real downer.

For me January is sad for an additional reason. It was in this month that my world turned upside down, having my son die. The sorrow is now less but flares up as the anniversary draws near. Timmy died on the 14th and his funeral service was the 19th, what would have been his 5th birthday. I am so glad we chose to do that day, it simply had to be that day. When I was in WI recently my mom was talking about how long it takes to get to the airport. My sister, Kerry, had asked and when I answered it was about 30 minutes, Mom corrected me. She was emphatic that it took 45 minutes because she rode back and forth to the airport multiple times during that 'funeral week' as our families traveled. She has forgotten that I live much closer to the freeway now.

Today is also the anniversary of the passing of a dear friend from church, Gordy. I was so mad at myself that day, having intended to stop at the Hospice facility on my ride back from Bible study. I was so deeply engrossed in a radio program that I drove right passed the exit, forgetting about wishing to turn there. I decided to just go back that evening...As it turned out, Gordy had likely died about the time I missed the exit. Michael was there with him, being his long time family friend, as were a couple other church members, plus his family. Remembering this always makes me sad, and mad at myself for forgetting to exit. 

In my e-mails this afternoon came a notice from GroupOn advertising tickets for the Ringling Bros. Circus. For Timmy's birthday, our plans had been for my spouse, Justin, Timmy, and our neighbors/employee's kids to attend the circus. I would not be going due to recovering from surgery. Every year in January I get the notice about tickets for the circus, and every year I remember how they did not get to go. 

Gordy having a nice MGD with Brian at our church picnic

Later I might join my friend, Terri, and some of her family as they gather at Miller's Ale House to drink a MGD as a toast to her daddy. Gordy was a frequent guest at the Ale House and everyone knew his beer of choice. It was served at his funeral meal as well. Cheers, Gordy!