This morning on my way into Home Depot to pick up some huge trash bags to stuff used winter coats in an idea popped into my head. I struggled while installing my face mask, and it occurred to me that my ears are out of capacity. My hearing aids hang off my ears, my glasses find a home there too, now when I hang on the elastic face mask keepers my ears begin to flap out. The vision of Walt Disney’s flying elephant Dumbo flashes through my mind. When will I be able to fly? My prediction is that if COVID-19 lasts much longer that I’ll fly pretty soon.
Alfred E. Neumann the cover boy of MAD Magazine has ears that project from his head like mine do with all the shit hanging off them. The prospect of flying by flapping my Alfred E. Neuman ears seems very possible.
What I fear more than anything is another shut down of business and a decreed lock down of citizens. The health effect on me has been noticeable. Mostly in my positive mindset. I seem to have taken huge steps backward into negativism. At an earlier age I realized that positivism beats negativism by a huge margin. BUT, in this environment the dark force of negativity seems to control. I see and hear Darth Vader speaking to Luke Sky Walker, and predicting his demise. Poor Luke had to fight off the evil empire all by himself, a task which seemed impossible, but Luke overcame the negative force and prevailed.
We too will prevail, but we need to remain positive to beat the evil curse of COVID. Once we take control we must then regain our drive to punish the real evil empire China for releasing this curse on the world. One tiny step I am taking to beat them is to avoid buying products originating in China. That is a chore, but it is possible.
As I write this the governor of Illinois J.B. Pritzker has decreed a shut down of indoor seating at restaurants. What that does is cripple the restaurant businesses. I don’t know about you, but the prospect of eating outside in thirty degree weather is not appealing. Even in a tent with three sides and portable heaters blasting away I can’t see myself enjoying a meal in that environment.
I finally hung a mask on my face when I confronted a huge sign on the door of Home Depot. “All customers must wear face mask covering their mouth and nose.” How simple a way to control the virus, I thought. A company makes a simple request and their customers comply. So why is the Democrat candidate for president making a huge deal about passing a law to make us wear masks? He truly believes this action will kill the virus. I’m afraid that the only thing to kill this virus is to flood the world with sanitizer, and even then the sanitizer kill ratio is 99.9% with leaves 0.1% to keep on coming at us.
What is scarier than a new shutdown is the prospect of Joe Biden winning this election and then retiring from the presidency. His successor will be Kamala Harris, and that is more scary than a witch flying across the sky on a broomstick. Even more scarier is if Kamala dies in office and Nancy Pelosi becomes the next leader of America.
All of these thoughts are causing me to have insomnia which is not healthy for a senior citizen.
First things first, Thank You Mike for sending this warning, I am forever grateful. We all know how careful we must be during the Christmas shopping season. Parking lots are creeping with predators hungry for our cash. Be very aware.
OLDER MENÂ SCAMS Women often receive warnings about protecting themselves
At the mall, parking lots, etc.
But this is the first warning I have seen for men,
And I wanted to pass it on in case you haven’t heard about it. A ‘heads up’ for those men who may be regular customers at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Costco, or even Wal-Mart.
Last month I became a victim of a clever scam while shopping. Simply going to get supplies turned out to be quite traumatic.
Don’t be naive enough to think it couldn’t happen to you or your friends. Here’s how the scam works: Two nice-looking, college-aged girls will come up to your vehicle as you are putting away your purchases.
They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts.
(It’s impossible not to look). I should have known better because it was 30 degrees outside.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say  ‘No.’ Instead, they ask for a ride to McDonald’s. You agree and they climb in the vehicle and start undressing. Then one of them starts crawling all over you, While the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen October 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th, & 29th. Also November 1st & 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th & 27th, and very likely again this upcoming weekend.
 Wal-Mart has wallets on sale for $2.99 each. I found even cheaper ones for $.99 at the dollar store and bought them out in three of their stores.
Also, you never get to eat at McDonald’s. I’ve already lost 11 pounds just running back and forth from Lowe’s, to Home Depot, to Costco, Etc. So please, Send this warning to all the older men that you know and warn them to be on the lookout for this scam.
(The best times are just before lunch and around 4:30 in the afternoon.)
The every first e-mail I opened this morning is the story below. Sent to me by a dear friend and colleague of many years. I never get things from Lou that needs checking for accuracy. In spite of that, I searched the net for this article and found it posted on many blogs for some time. This couple wrote  from the heart to share something that is not easily written about, a person’s character and compassion.
Here is the story, check the links and decide for yourself.
Subject: Romney – From Couple Who Bought His Park City Home
Hal and Corinne Prewitt distributed this email on their own (scroll down), and it checks out. Good human interest story for voters who don’t want to read policy articles and believe the media’s chant that Romney is “too rich and hence, out-of-touch.”
FYI, Google lists many sources of info on this couple, including an article in Park City Magazine , Winter 2012, that describes how they eventually remodeled the home.
Sounds like Hal is pretty much a Renaissance guy and Corinne graduated from Wharton and served as Asst. County Mgr. for Miami-Dade County($7 billion govt.).
As, you may know we own Mitt Romney’s former Park City, Utah home. Corinne and I have written a non-political-issuestory that you very likely have not heard. We did this because many Democratic, Republican and Independent voters strongly recommended and found it valuable. Private details, how he acted out of public view and when not running for office. We are messengers delivering facts not initially his supporters nor anti-Obama. Mitt Romney is very different from the man that many Americans have been led to believe.
Regardless of who any of us are supporting in the presidential election, we all are better served by knowing the truth as this does influence who we support. It was not approved by Mitt Romney or his campaign.
A download PDF is available www.prewitt.net/MittRomneyInsite2012-08-16.pdf You are welcome to email the PDF, page link, or forward this email to your friends. Sorry, if you received this more than once. Like to hear your thoughts…
Ours is a factual story that provides a rare glimpse and insight into the real Mitt Romney. Does he really relate to the average American? As President, would he impose his beliefs on others? Is he really Christian?
When you buy a home and its contents from someone you really learn a lot about their true character, values and beliefs. And rarely does anyone have the opportunity to learn how a politician acts out of the public’s view and when they are not running for office. Well, this actually happened. When? Only a few years ago, in spring of 2009 when we bought Mitt Romney’s Park City, Utah, home. His family lived in this home for about ten years. Because our deal included most of the contents, we gained a unique and unusual perspective of him and his family of which most Americans are completely unaware. What we experienced was not what we expected–not the stereotypical actions of a millionaire and more importantly not the image most Americans have of Mitt Romney.
When most of us buy a home, the real estate agent or seller hands over the keys at closing and then as buyers, we are on our own. Not this time. We met Mitt Romney by himself at the house. He spent as much time as we needed showing us around, answering our questions and explaining how to use and service the home’s equipment. And when he was done, he gave us his direct contact information should we have problems.
To move, if we can afford the cost, most of us would hire movers with a team of workers. To save money, many of us are the do-it-our-selves types. Which did Mitt Romney do? Like many of us, on his own he rented a six-wheel truck and moved himself. He drove to the local Home Depot and purchased wood to build whatever he needed for the transport. Mitt moved his family’s clothes, his family’s photos, his family’s mementos, his grandchildren’s toys. With the help of a friend and family, they loaded the truck. Then, after answering all our questions, Mitt Romney said his goodbyes, climbed into the truck, and began the long drive to his new home by himself.
The Romney Park City home, which they designed and built, and its contents had much to say. Having raised a family of our own, we saw that the home was built with a focus on his family. No swimming pool, tennis court or movie theater. There are no maid, butler, or nanny quarters. Clearly Ann and Mitt raised their kids. No gold faucets, no fancy silverware. The kitchen was simple and typical of an average three-bedroom home, very much like those in which we were raised. We were struck by the discovery that most of the art, furniture, and all the curtains were made in America and many by local craftsmen. Most of the linens were of good quality but not what is found at very high end, exclusive stores. The master bedroom pillows had tags from the average American’s most popular discount store.
In the most honored place in the master bedroom hung a painting of Jesus Christ. Most Americans know little about Mormonism and we didn’t either. Mitt Romney clearly had a home of faith and family just like the rest of us.
One of the most interesting questions many have asked is, “As president will he impose his beliefs on others?” Many claim that a President Romney would take away rights and impose his beliefs on all Americans. The Romney home contents gave us insight into this question. One of the strongest Mormon beliefs is the prohibition against drinking alcohol. We were surprised to find a small supply which we were told was available for guests, not for the family. Mitt Romney had a respect for his guest’s wishes. By not imposing his beliefs on others even within his own home, then clearly a President Romney would not take away rights and impose his beliefs on all Americans. Those making such accusations should stop. The facts do not support their claims.
It is amazing what can be learned about someone from observing the smallest details. In the Romney’s family mud room where the boots and outdoor clothing were stored, we found the Governor’s ski gloves. One of his son’s apologized for his dad’s lack of concern about his appearance when Mitt went skiing because the gloves would surely be noticed. They were worn out and had holes in the fingers. Mitt had gone to the garage tool box and wrapped them with duct tape. Thrifty? Yes, and the repair provided an immediate practical solution rather than traveling to the store to buy a new pair. His indifference to appearance demonstrated his confidence, true character and priorities. Good qualities but easily misunderstood because they are quite different from those displayed by many famous people and certainly politicians, who highly protect and prize their appearance.
As you have read, our story is not about a wealthy man’s nice home or its beautiful contents. It is about the story they tell and how our experiences with him showed the real Mitt Romney. How his family truly lived is a real indication of their values and beliefs. There is more we could tell, but hope we have provided enough facts to answer some key questions on many voters’ minds. Mitt Romney is very different from the man that many of us have been led to believe. Clearly he is more like most Americans than not. We learned many things about Mitt Romney that contradicted what we have been told. He is not aloof or out of touch. He is a man of faith, family and American values. A guy who is well-grounded. It is not beneath him to roll up his shirt-sleeves and get the job done. The fact that he has allowed this to be kept so very private is a true testament to his character and shows how different he is from many other politicians.
Who are we and why are we speaking out? Growing up in Florida and Pennsylvania, we knew little to nothing of Utah, Mitt Romney, his family or values, beliefs, religion and his capabilities. We were amazed by what we learned. We want nothing more than for our fellow citizens to know what we know. We are not part of any campaign, not Mormon nor religious activists. We have voted for Democrats and Republicans and were not Governor Romney supporters. Hal is a farmer, race car driver and retired after creating a number of successful businesses. Corinne is a retired government employee. We do not come from wealthy families. Our parents worked average jobs. Our fathers were a mailman and an engineer. Our mothers were a nurse and a housewife. We struggled, worked hard and are grateful for having been rewarded over the years. We have never given up on achieving the American dream. But the story we tell is not about us.
As Americans, we depend on our press to provide us with factual and unbiased information. We hear politicians sometimes misspeak and others take their statements out of context. Many times it is hard to tell what is fact and what is fiction. Over the past few months, we have noticed how different from reality some of the public perceptions and media presentations of Governor Romney are. Unfortunately, some political opponents spread false information and misconceptions. This is wrong.
This injustice and the value of our story has led us to speak up and provide these facts. No one can say with absolute certainty what kinds of decisions a president will make while still a candidate for that office. To predict, we only have access to their words, history and if available the most useful facts of all, how they acted out of public view and when they are not running for office. This is why our story is so important, valuable and must be told. No doubt some will want to dismiss our story, argue that it is not newsworthy nor relevant and possibly subject us to an undesired spot light. However, we hope the American people are given the opportunity to hear the truth, especially when the facts directly contradict what many people think to be true.
For all the folks in the world who think I am a loser here is evidence that I am not. A few months ago a blog that I follow offered an ugly tomato contest and solicited entries. This was my big chance to show the world I can grow a tomato. The plant came from Home Depot and I planted it late. The species was labeled as Big Beefy. I wanted a big, juicy, meaty, red tomato to slice on to my sandwiches. Alongside the Big Beefy I planted a cherry tomato. I can report that I thoroughly enjoyed the cherry tomatoes in abundance all summer. The Big Beefy was somewhat sluggish to produce. When it did finally yield a fruit, it was always a distorted orb with tumor like growths projecting. The one in the photo caught my eye as a work of art and not as a meal. I picked it green to take photos. That’s when Soulsby Farm was looking for candidates. I seized the opportunity if only to redeem this fruit’s self-esteem. It would be an entrant in the ugly tomato contest. Never in a hundred years did I expect Big Beefy to become a finalist. Big Beefy won the runner up award.
I must confess I doctored the fruit just tad. Big Beefy looked very much like an Ogre. So I got creative and used a heavy marking pen to enhance his features with eye-pupils and eye brows. I thought Big Beefy looked rather scary. If he lasts until Halloween he will be my contribution to the night of horrors.
“Tom Wolfe was right. You can’t go home again because home has ceased to exist except in the mothballs of memory.” Â
Oh how true that is. We stayed in a modern hotel, on a six lane median separated street five miles from the center of the old town. Every intersection has another shopping center with Home Depot, Staples, Kohl’s, Appleby’s, and other national chain stores. Laced in between were the more homey Spanish-Mexican-American food places which I so longed to try, but couldn’t because Miss Peggy cannot handle those spicy foods.
On our first  trip, I recall seeing the new and modern State Capital building on the outskirts of town.  This time I had to find it with the GPS. It is surrounded by business and sub-divisions near the center of town.
A few blocks away we entered the vestibule of the Basilica Saint Francis Assisi to find a funeral mass in progress, so we decided to call it a day.
We also visited the Georgia O’Keefe museum to learn about the artist behind the print of the huge red poppy hanging on our wall at home. It turns out she invented the concept of painting  flowers close up and big. She spent much of her life on a ranch near the museum painting desert scenes in solitude.
