Friday Hodgepodge

Now that the introductions are out of the way, what should our first topic be? That’s a tough one. It is Friday, the end of a long, busy week, so why not have a hodgepodge of stuff?

Let’s start with libraries, mainly because I love to read. My favorite thing to do is grab a good book and spend the day getting lost in the plot. When I go to our local library, I love seeing parents bring their kids into the children’s section. But all across the country, city councils are making the choice to either cut back the library budgets and hours, or just flat out close them altogether. We cannot let that happen! Support your local library, and let your city council know how important your library is to you!

LeBron, LeBron, LeBron. You are a great basketball player, but your public relation skills stink. What did you think was going to happen when you went on national TV and destroyed the hopes and dreams of an entire city – a parade? Now you are saying you are making a “mental list” of all those critics who have trashed you. Dude, let it go. Move on. New city, new team, fresh start. If you cannot do this, then remember one thing: karma is a *beep*. (I just read this to the kid and he thought I actually used a bad word. He seemed disappointed when I didn’t. My mother is going to read this eventually – I do NOT want to get in trouble with her!)

The heat wave sweeping across much of the country. What can I say about that? It’s hot! ‘Nuff said.

I am a bit concerned about the number of remakes sweeping through Hollywood. Do we REALLY need to remake “The Wizard of Oz” or “My Fair Lady”? (I read a comment from Emma Thompson the other day, and I do hope it is wrong, but she actually said that Audrey Hepburn wasn’t much of an actress, but that she was sure she was a lovely person.) I took a poll – okay, I really just asked the kid because he is sitting right here – what he thought of all these remakes, and he said it was wrong, wrong, WRONG! “They will put too much newer technology stuff into it, too much CGI into the movies that it will take away from the beauty of how the original was made.” Wow, and he’s only 15 (okay, he’ll be 16 in a week, God help me!). Darn shame that there is not an original idea left in Hollywood. If, on the outside chance that someone from Hollywood reads this, which I doubt, please keep in mind one thing: keep it simple, stupid! Every movie does NOT, repeat NOT, need CGI!

Back to sports: I was very distressed to learn that my beloved Chipper Jones, third baseman for the Atlanta Braves, would miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. I was further distressed to read that it could be the end of his career. He is one of those rare players who has stuck with the same team his entire career (Derek Jeter of the Yankees is the only other one who comes to mind right now). While he made a spectacular play on Tuesday night in Houston, it is depressing to think that it is going to be the end of a wonderful career. There is no doubt that he is Hall of Fame material. Chipper, if this is truly the end, thanks for the memories. There will never be another like you.

I did promise you stories about my accident prone family, so I will start with myself. It takes a lot of talent to have the kind of freak accidents I have. In fact, it is a gift. Hey, if you had done some of the things I have done, you would look for the positive in it too! My latest misadventure actually happened near the end of May, but the aftermath is still being dealt with. I swear all I did was get up off the couch. I have a witness, but my witness is zipping his lips and refusing to answer. Guess he doesn’t want anything for his birthday next week! Anyway, I got up off the couch and heard a loud POP. The witness thought it was my surgically repaired knee that had popped, but it was in fact my shoulder. It did not bother me too much, until a week later, when I popped it again – yes, getting up off the couch again. This time, it hurt like crazy. Just when I was ready to go to the doctor about it, the kid decided to injury his ribs. So I waited until I could not take the pain anymore. The doctor said it was tendonitis. Two months after this diagnosis, and I am STILL in pain. All because I wanted a drink of water!!!!

I do want to give a shout out to two wonderful people who will be celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary on Sunday: my parents. I love you both very much! Thank you for all the love and support you have given me over the years. You are the best!

I do not know how much of this made you laugh, smile or simply groan, but any reaction is better than none! If you walk away from this post with nothing else, then let it be this: “Laugh, and the world laughs with you. Fart, and you stand alone!” Find something to laugh about, or at, today. It is good for your health!