HOLIDAY -- AGING -- HOUSE -- MORE

FRIENDS -- MEMORY -- COMPUTER

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES -- QUESTIONS

HOLIDAY SEASON

Readying for the holiday season requires little additional effort here, since my decorating doesn’t necessitate preparing for guests this year.  I have set out some of my miniatures, including my pre-decorated tree, also candles, and vibrantly bright red live flowers.  Packages have been mailed, followed by receipt of subsequent messages notifying me some have already been received.   Greeting cards are all in the mail – yes, I still send them though the numbers decrease every year since recipients keep departing this earth – one of the less pleasant aspects of aging.   

AGING, FRIENDS, MEMORY

I was reminded of that loss difficulty with aging this week when I received a phone message the 92 year old husband of a friend of my husband’s  had passed away earlier this year.  I especially recall my husband’s fascination with flying, beginning as a military pilot, his wife reminisced.

She was one of the female vocalists with one of my husband’s vocal groups many years ago that sang in the style of the Hi Lo’s and Manhattan Transfer before I met him.  She dovetailed her music career with her “real job” -- as the musician’s describe work taken to support daily living needs – was an airline stewardess in the days commercial flying was a pleasure for passengers.  I had met her and major airline pilot husband only once but enjoyed sharing their friendship.

I returned her call the next evening and we talked for hours.  She had experienced such challenges, becoming a caregiver as his health declined and he ultimately required hospice.   She talked of the current fires which prompted her to relate accounts of past evacuations the two of them had to undertake years ago, since asthma caused him to be sensitive to smoke.   They went in whatever direction the wind wasn’t blowing the smoke, to Palm Springs, sometimes Yuma, Arizona and occasionally even further east as others in their area did.  Now that she’s alone, fires this year have required evacuation to a community center, neighbors assisting her, she reports, as those folks also seek refuge elsewhere and for their horses.    

Our conversation included discussing the inevitable living spouse’s task of resolving myriad business matters following our loved one’s death.  Sorting through possessions she came across some discs bearing my name she had intended, but never got around to sending to me.  I recalled after my husband died she had mentioned having recordings of their group she would copy for me if I wanted them, which I had written her I did, of course. 

But, about that time her husband’s health altered, necessitating she provide him ever-increasing care.   Those who’ve experienced the challenges of caregiving are familiar with all that entails -- how many good intentions must be temporarily, or even permanently set aside, some escaping our memory.   This first Christmas or seasonal holiday without the loved one can be especially difficult, but can also arouse many happy celebratory memories. 

HOUSE HEALTH

Unrelated to holiday preparations, much work required for my house has been completed.  I’ve been very pleased with the primary wood and stucco workers following the electrician.  They’ve gone above and beyond expectations.  I’ve especially appreciated their pointing out and sealing screw applications in a small but significant roof area the electrician neglected to do which is necessary to prevent leakage, to describe just one of their extra efforts. 

As might be expected a glitch or two interrupts the efficient scheduled flow of further work toward completion.   A temperamental workman cancelled after jumping to an erroneous conclusion, so now I must hire another.  Perhaps he simply did so because he had the opportunity for a more lucrative job, since he previously told me how busy he was.  In any event I won’t attempt to clarify matters with him due to the manner in which he ended our association.  I had even been considering him for additional work if this job was satisfactory. 

In another instance, so much for words of a handyman carpenter when I first hired him, who said he would be available for whatever I might need.  Perhaps he’s getting more work to his taste as he has become more particular – rejecting painting now.   I can’t fault that because isn’t that what most of us seek when we choose to work independently – to be able to focus our efforts just on those tasks we enjoy doing?

TECHNICAL CONVERSION

This over ten years old laptop my tech guru son has resuscitated for me more than once, is now exhibiting a previous problem again, but struggles along – for how much longer, I don’t know.  My little old netbook backup computer also died early this year.   Now, I’ve reached a point I can have little confidence in this device with which I really don’t want to part, but…….this condition is close to terminal.

My tech supporter son has converted to a Mac so it seems I best do the same to ease any troubleshooting I might need across the miles that separate us.   My daughter is also a convert and will benefit from my granddaughter’s assistance if she has adaptation problems, so guess I’d wisely best join the crowd.   I’m not sure I’ll welcome having to learn the new system.  On the other hand, learning something new is recommended for stimulating our brain to help deter stagnation and other mental ailments.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

The  3rd largest California wildfire ever, referred to as the Thomas Fire, is only 40% contained as I write this – continuing, are designated red flag areas, as very low humidity prevails.   Sundowner winds with gusts to over 40 miles per hour, sometimes up to 60 mph, are wickedly whipping the flames licking around the Santa Barbara area and Ventura.   A life, many homes, other structures, animals including numerous horses, vegetation have all been lost since this fire, raging from Los Angles to San Francisco, has roared through thousands of acres leaving devastation in its wake.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Do you have special plans for the holidays?

Is your residence’s physical condition in need of repair? 

How successful are you in having good reliable workmen/handyman help?   

Is the average citizen being snowed by touts of how much more money they’ll have if this budget passes?

Why are the people’s tax cuts for only ten years but corporations are permanent?

Will most of the corporations use their financial gains to buy back their stock, pay investors dividends, as many indicated last summer when asked, rather than creating jobs?

How much will Donald Trump and his families companies profit from this tax bill?

When will Donald Trump reveal his tax return to dispel conflicts of interest concerns?

Will Donald Trump ever express concern a foreign nation, Russia, attempted to interfere in our elections and continues to do so?  

Why does Donald Trump not want to protect our nation from this Russian elections invasion our national security agencies have documented -- a threat violating our fundamental constitutional rights?  

What will happen to all the people who will lose health care as this tax bill continues the collapse of the Affordable Health Care Act?

Will net neutrality really prevail now that the FCC removed the safeguard?

What more do you have yet to do to be ready for this holiday season?    

        

Computer Up Date

Earlier this year I wrote about some technological changes here. One commenter suggested I share a picture of my current set up. So here is my laptop and the PC I continue to use primarily for playing music since the audio speakers provide a much fuller richer sound than the laptop. Suppose there is a way to avoid the camera flash reflections, but I haven't yet perfected that skill.

Music and Memories

Joined with Computer Woes and Blue Flowers

At a recent regularly occurring informal musical concert I attend, the name of singer, Jack Jones, was mentioned.

The name reminded me of many years ago when he appeared on the TV show with which I was associated then. His coming to our studio was no small effort by him, as it meant he had to arise early for this live hour and a half morning talk/variety show. He had been up into the wee hours the night before singing in his own local engagement limited performance.

As with many artists who appeared on our show, he was generous with his praise of our musicians and vocalist. In fact, performers often registered enthusiastic surprise with the talent of our musical quintet and would ask to sing or play with them. They often told us later they had intended to graciously decline performing using the excuse of the early morning hour. For the singers they could cite concern for their voice health that early in the day, but rarely, if ever, did they, after they heard our musicians.

The subject of Jack's famous father, Allan Jones became a show topic. You can also read about Allan HERE.
Many older viewers at home, we learned later, had fond memories from their parent's stories or from their own youth of his Dad's celebrity. Our live audience had similar thoughts brought to mind as did our popular vocalist, Jeanne Cummins, who provided her own recollections, stimulating interesting, sometimes humorous conversation with Allan's son, Jack Jones.

Jeanne surprised me in July of '06, not having known earlier I had returned to town for a short time, by coming to the airport as I was departing from the city where we first met. Fortunately, I had an hours wait for departure which allowed us special moments together to talk about so much in so little time. I might add that after all these years she appeared vivacious and attractive, much as I had remembered her. I have since phoned her across the miles as I have a heightened awareness of how important keeping in touch and renewing contact with old friends can be for all.

When she was "Jeanne Bennett", she sang with the Bernie Cummins Band, later married his vocalist brother, Walter. Scroll down on her name link for her reappearance in recent years in New York City. The orchestra had played all the famous NYC hotels along Park Ave., 5th Ave. for dinner and dancing. Here's a U Tube video link of the band's 1920's era performances before she joined them.

When they had toured the country, after starting in Akron, Ohio, one frequent performance location was at "Pappy's Showland" located between Dallas and Ft. Worth, Texas. Thanks to Cowtown Pattie at "Texas Trifles" who surprised me about a year ago having located some interesting photos associated with "Pappy's" HERE. Pattie has a fascinating treasure trove at her blog and access to more that I appreciate her having shared on occasion.

Music was evolving into a quite different style from the twenties music, while Jeanne was singing with the band. It wasn't until the late 1950's that I met her as the family was growing and the road tours stopping. I was young and single, delighted to visit their home for moonlight ice skating on a frozen pond, thanks to her daughter loaning me her skates. A nearby bonfire provided warmth when the winter's chill penetrated our woolen wear.

I had the good fortune to work with Jeanne when she created a weekly children's TV show. She selected for the shows theme a relatively unknown song, "Put On A Happy Face," from the Broadway musical titled "Bye Bye Birdie."

The lead character of this Bye Bye Birdie was patterned after that new gyrating white singer who made rhythm and blues music more acceptable to a young white audience in a place and during a time when segregation reigned supreme, but this post isn't about him, that music or social transition.

I wish there was a recording of Jeanne singing this song for me to enjoy, so I might provide a link. I could only wish that we'd had then the abundant inexpensive technology that is available today. I'd have her voice on a CD or a music video. So I have to just use my visual and auditory memory to recall the pleasure of hearing this song, with a sample by a male vocalist available HERE.

I've found myself thinking of these lyrics from time to time, as some of the little annoyances, much as we all experience, have complicated my life. In my case, issues associated with keeping my lawn and other greenery watered became a problem along with a few other matters. Then just as all seemed headed toward resolution, my computer became contrary. I would indulge in what seemed to indicate relatively normal operating as I was able to send occasional emails, make a comment on a blog. Then when I thought all was clear for blog posting, more commenting, other blogging activities, suddenly all went awry.

Night before last, several hours last night, now in the early hours today I have engaged in that tech dance during which I met seven new people with various levels of tech knowledge through my outsourced ISP. They were all quite nice, helpful, ready to acknowledge when they had reached the extent of their skills to solve my problem, thus referring me to another. I had the usual need for some verbal repeats from some of my "problem solvers," as might be expected when talking with some people using a second language.

I have learned a great deal. I like to learn. That is a good trait for anyone learning new skills and using a computer. Yesterday my problem was diagnosed as a line problem. Last night my problem was determined to be my modem. They said I might need a new modem within three to six months; that mine had aged to the point of being ready to "die," or whatever they do. But they had fixed everything for the time being while this "dying" process proceeds. Several hours later as I was contemplating my choices, what should occur again, but "the problem." I thought, dying so soon?

I called for help and am now told that once again I have a line problem they will address. Meanwhile, I'm on a dial-up connection that seems none too steady to me as I watch one or two of the green lights on my modem fluttering occasionally. Maybe someday I'll get back to my regular irregular activities in the blogosphere. Meanwhile, those activities will be more regularly irregular, or something like that. Wonder if it's my ISP and I should think about a change?

Meanwhile, "back at the ranch," (as used to be said in the days of movie westerns,) in honor of resolving my grounds watering issues, I purchased a plant I have wanted for years. It's not expensive. This plant first caught my eye many years ago upon entering the city where I now live. I planted my drought resistant plant that has touches of tiny white flowers at the upper edge of the blue flowers and it's thriving. The flowers look almost the same as the fresh ones when dried. I especially like blue flowers and these remind me of the ocean. Also, I'm taking better care of my dwarf citrus than I have the past year. They are now in bloom in their half whiskey barrels. Maybe everything, including me, is coming more to life again in 2007 in a more calmed less hyper manner.

Just to see me through as I await resolution of my computer problems, I'll keep these lyrics in reserve just in case I might need them on any given day. Read them below and HERE, while I re-live in my mind the sound of Jeanne Cummins' happy lilting voice delivering the promise of these words:

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Put on a happy face
Put on a happy face
And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine
I knew a girl so glooming
She'd never laugh or sing
She wouldn't listen to me
Now she's a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a happy face
So, put on a happy face