Boomer words…

As time moves forward I start to realize that words I use often do not mean much if any thing to the younger generation. It’s like someone saying “bee’s knees” or “zoot suit” I have a sense of what it means but I often look it up to be sure. I was reminded of this when I saw a grass-hoper and wondered if the tv show that used the term would be the first thought of someone not a boomer? Jokes I told back in grade school would cause grief if told today. The good thing is that I realize this and wonder why it seems forgotten that to cross generations is to have a wide perspective of word usage. I was lucky to have grown up around grand parents and their friends who were born in the 1890’s and knew people born before the civil war. My parents lived through the great depression and World War II and their perspective on how to relate to others was full of views and terms that seem old fashioned today… but kindness… love and goodwill never changed.

Why not… just say HEY.

Yesterday I received in the mail a letter I mailed 6 years ago. I could be upset, but better late than never. After all it is not as if my words could save the word… if was only my hope that it might. But that is just ego…. I like to think it is better to go “oh… well” than think dark thoughts. The world might even be a better place if more took time to move forward…. I wrote a new letter and it could be… a great reply will be on it’s way before 2030.

1934 Underwood

Looking for good…

I have allowed myself to get caught up in the troubles of the world around me and overlooking all the good that is around me. My internet went down… I called in the problem and the next day a repairman showed up on time and found that in the past 6 years my dish had shifted out of alignment and caused intermediate disconnects. Instead of needing a new dish he adjusted and things are the way they should be. It will not bring world peace but it allowed me to remember that sometimes things do work out.

1951 Underwood Standard

80 years ago….

In 1941 my father was still a teenager and he joined the army. He spent 4 years overseas and came back full of goodwill, hope and love for America. The reality of discrimination and the limits it placed on one’s ability to be all one could be was a fact but not one to complain about just something to work thru; in his view a 40% chance of success meant success was not just in reach but a done deal.

I keep recalling this open hearted view of what could be and the approach to life that defined for me what was called “the greatest generation” and as time removes more and more of this generation I take time to reflect and thank all who stood up for their belief’s and did good because they could.

1951 Underwood Standard

Spring 2021

Spring is hear and things are already better than 2020. No worry that the store may be out of toilet paper. Thoughts are about not about lockdowns coming but the ease and ending of them. Spring is here and I get on my bike and it feels good to be in the sun and out and about even if I limit the distance I go.

I still avoid crowds and wear my masks… but I do not worry about those who do not. I believe there is a light to be seen and not a locomotive coming. Like the fresh flowers pushing up through the ground hope is returning as well. It is a fresh new day and year with lots to look at and to.

1955 Underwood Quiet Tab

As 2021 comes…

So far the fact that I turn 65 in 2021 has resulted in lots of calls from folks wanting to help me deal with Medicare. I try to be polite before I hang up… Dealing with 2020 I feel was a higher priority. I got out my 1903 Underwood #4 and looking at the page it produced one would think it was much younger than 117 years.

At 117 my Underwood can create pages better than the words my 64 year old brain can think of. However the joy of using this machine made the words type special to me because I used this machine. Sometimes that is enough to make the day a day of joy and wonder.

1903 Underwood #4

2020 Vote

I drove by my polling place to determine where I will park tomorrow… I could have voted early but like to vote on election day. I like to think I might discover something that will impact my choices…

I get email and text messages from both Major Parties…. they still want money from me. I find that how this request is made has impacted my thinking. Do I believe that the only way a candidate can win is my contribution… that the only hope for saving America is sending in $10.00 now? Both Parties say only we can save the country… which seems to mean the only way to save America is to vote… does not matter who you vote for because each party will save the country. But that is just me being difficult!

I would rather spend my time seeing if a movie called: “The man who killed Hitler and then the bigfoot” is any good… but instead I am going thru my sample ballot trying to make sense of the amendments to the state constitution and if the Judges listed on the ballot should be retained…

Words…

I understand that we can say something and have others interpret what we say in a manner that was not our intent. Today some have the ability to use words in a way that conflicts; but mean the same thing to them. I wish there was a dictionary to let me know when “good” is “bad” and when “lie” is “truth”. When “fact” is “fake” and when “Opinion” means what is said does not count.

1951 Underwood Standard