The Whole World Is Watching
It is the closing of April 24th. A date that may not be significant to you but it is one that tells me that I am now 62 and 1/2…on the down-hill slide toward 63. Often, I ponder…how did I become this old? I recall the beginning of 2020. It was only 4 months ago. MJ and I were blessed to enjoy a week with, Ron and Ira Kaye, in Destin, during the first days of January. We relished breakfast at a local restaurant, The Donut Hole, and the room was packed with people…with many congregating around the front door, waiting for a seat. I wiled away the hours sitting on the balcony and watching, and photographing the ocean. We visited the Waterford store, and found some good deals…that were exciting. I was able to secure a new Tilley Hat…as was MJ. The weather was balmy…with a good dose of fog the last few days that we were there. We visited a little bookstore, in Seaside, and I brought home three, very, interesting books. The businesses, and Bed and Breakfast, and hotels…are in pastel colors…as are the native Floridians. We watched the second season of the Netflix drama, Ozark…and throughly enjoyed it. When we arrived back home…it was bitter cold! We proceeded to plan on MJ’s birthday, and then Jonathon’s birthday, and our trip to Maine at the end of May. Oh…there was a news story regarding a strange named virus…that was killing people…in Wuhan, China….
So, life has dramatically changed. The plans that we thought we had…we don’t. The life that we thought that we had…has changed. The excitement of the beginning of a new decade…has started badly. We all react in different ways to a overwhelming tragedy. As a youngster I lived the Vietnam War on a nightly basis. The renown newsman, Walter Cronkite, gave the American people a nighty update regarding the deaths of our soldiers and the deaths of the Vietnamese. I lived in the time of the draft. Upon your graduation from high school, unless you were enrolled in college, you were drafted. My cousin was drafted less than a month from his commencement. Everyone that I knew talked about the war in Vietnam. It had gone on for several years…with no resolve of the conflict. It was a war where our soldiers fought and retuned home physically and emotionally and mentally scared. Rather than be welcomed home with cheers and the thanks of a grateful nation…there were greeted with chant’s of hate and derision. It was a divided time in our country. I believed that I would not see another time, in my lifetime, that there would be such divided understanding of a battle that we are engaged in…
The second wave of combat helicopters of the 1st Air Cavalry Division fly over an RTO and his commander on an isolated landing zone during Operation Pershing, a search and destroy mission on the Bong Son Plain and An Lao Valley of South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. The two American soldiers are waiting for the second wave to come in. (Photo by Patrick Christain/Getty Images)
After receiving a fresh supply of ammunition and water flown in by helicopter, men of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade continue on a jungle ‘Search and Destroy’ patrol in Phuc Tuy Province, Vietnam, June 1966. An armored personnel carrier provides security on the landing zone in the background. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1st March 1968: American soldiers and Vietnamese refugees returning to the town of Hue, in Vietnam. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Express/Getty Images)
American army combat platoon leader Second Lieutenant John Libs (center) of 2nd platoon, C Company, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, surveys the situation with his men from the relative safety of a watery rice paddy as they prepare to advance on a Viet Cong sniper position, Vietnam, mid 1960s. Libs and the rest of 2nd Platoon participated in the battle of Xa Cam My/Operation Abilene in April 1966 during which Charlie Company suffered 82% casualties. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1st March 1968: American soldiers and Vietnamese refugees returning to the town of Hue, in Vietnam. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Express/Getty Images)
American folk singer Joan Baez performs at an anti-Vietnam War demonstration in London’s Trafalgar Square, 29th May 1965. Amongst her audience are actress Vanessa Redgrave and singer Donovan. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Students march with anti-war placards on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley, California, 1969. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
View of American soldiers of 7th Marine Regiment as they march along a dirt road, Cape Batangan, Vietnam, 1965. A pair of tanks drive beside them. (Photo by Paul Schutzer/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)
South Vietnamese soldier walks among bodies of dead Viet Cong guerrillas killed during street fighting in suburbs of Saigon during mini Tea Offensive of Vietnam War in 1968
Now we are engaged in the fight of our lives. Messages from, some, of our leaders…are confusing, and insulting to our intelligence, and dangerous…and scary! We need a Marshall Plan for our recovery from our 2020 pandemic.
‘The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II. It was enacted in 1948 and provided more than 15 billion to help finance rebuilding efforts on the continent. The brainchild of U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall.’ History Channel
On Saturday, the 22nd of February we had dinner at Bella Milano in Bellville, Illinois and then travelled to St. Louis to Powell Hall to enjoy the sweet dulcet sounds of Mr. Aaron Neville. The seating, in the old theatre was very close. We had to get up close and personal with our fellow theatre attendees.
Monday, the 24th of February, which is MJ’s birthday…we drove to Cape Girardeau, where we enjoyed lunch at Katy O’Ferrell’s Public House…courtesy of Jonathon. Then…we brought home a large bronze statue of Fredrick Remington’s…Bronco Buster. We still did not fully appreciate what was coming like a freight train in a dark tunnel!
‘Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country,’ Patrick Henry said. Actually, Henry said, ‘party,’ rather than country. Charles E. Weller, a typing teacher, replaced, party with country…’because it exactly fills a 70 space line.’ The Straight Dope
The world is watching…as the world is suffering. We do not have the option of opining as to the efficacy of injecting lysol or bleach or utilizing ultraviolet light…when we are overwhelmed with our inadequacy…and seeking clear, and concise, and calm…leadership!
‘Trust…But Verify’
Former President, Ronald Reagan, was one of the most popular presidents of my life. He remains a hero and a Northstar in the Republican Party. President Regan is credited with the demise of the former Soviet Union. He and the Soviet Union Premier, Mikhail Gorbachev, developed a relationship of communication that was something to behold during the 1980s At several of their summits, Reagan would quote a Russian proverb, that translated in English means, ‘Trust…but verify.’ In short, Reagan was not going to accept, at face value, what the Russian leader assured him of regarding nuclear disarmament, without verifying the assertions for himself.
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Life progresses in our 2020 pandemic. Sadly, the number of deaths from COVID-19 will surpass the total of, American, deaths during the Vietnam War…in the next few days. MJ was telling me of a nursing home where there are over 70 residents and skilled care providers that have tested positive for the Coronavirus. Governor Pritzker has announced that he will extend the stay at home order for Illinoisans, throughout May…with minor modifications. The majority leader of the senate, Mitch McConnell was quoted that perhaps the states should consider filing for bankruptcy. Could it be that he was speaking of the bluegrass state of Kentucky…or the ‘blue’ state of New York?
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Is it fear mongering when medical professionals are honest and truthful with the American people? Winston Churchill was one of the greatest leaders of the last century. He told the British people the bitter and unvarnished truth of what they were facing and how difficult that it was going to be to go through World War II. The English rallied around Churchill and spent night after night in the bomb shelters. We visited Winston’s bunkers, in London, with our friends, Jeff and Margo, and it was a sobering and enlightening experience to walk through the small cramped rooms that Churchill and his cabinet and staff worked from and lived in…during Herr Hitler’s blitz. There was no need to tell the residents of London…that everything was going to be fine…and that the war would be over soon…and that they were winning. The verification of their condition…rained down upon them…nightly!
I read an Indian quote regarding the privilege of being able to stay at home and practice social distancing. The narrative went on to explain that the majority Indian citizens were not afforded such a luxury. Sheltering in place is not possible for many of our brothers and sisters in the United States, either, as many are deemed to be essential…but are paid paupers wages. Many live in urban settings were the living is close and confined and your neighbor is at your door and in your hall…and in your bedroom. The poor 70 Nursing Home residents and staff did not have the option of social distancing!
There is hope for us…and our pandemic will end. But, my hope is in you…and your hope is in me… The cowboy mentality and philosophy that says that each of us are responsible for our self…and that we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps…and I am not going to worry about you…and you do not need to worry about me…is our prescription for devastation!
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It is raining…but then again…it is April. And so we know what to expect in May. I am placing some additional books on my, Main Street Books Wish List. They are books about pandemics, and apocalypse…night reading for troubled times…
Skeleton — The Jazz Man
I have always loved skeletons! From my early experiences with halloween costumes, to my first seeing a real skeleton in biology class, to the, expensive vodka that comes in a crystal skeleton head bottle (a skull), to my favorite ink pen that my brother, Brock, gave me for my 60th birthday, that has a skeleton […]
Permanent Change…Or Keep The Change? — The Jazz Man
The first, of five puzzles, has arrived. MJ and I worked on it for over an hour this morning. Since I do not posses the puzzling skills of my wife…she schooled me in the manner that we would begin. After an hour…I had united 3 pieces…MJ had completed 12 or more. The puzzle is the […]
“Same Basement, Different Day”
Another great Jonathon Brooks, Story!
Jonah and Zachariah were singing their prison song blues. They were locked up. Each boy was doing time away from the outside world. The food was about the same in prison as it had always been when they were free boys. Zachariah and Jonah were best friends who just so happened to be currently grounded by the authorities in their lives, their moms.
The crime, or crimes, in question is not of importance. Boys the age of twelve often behave like boys the age of twelve. Alas, it was summertime and there was no summer shenanigans for Jonah and Zachariah. Any and all fun or shenanigans had currently been canceled. Both boys were dreaming of August and school like they were the spectacular escape from the belly of the whale of their basements.
The good news is that neither prisoner was grounded from the entertainments their homes had to offer…
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Encouragement
This morning began in a lovely fashion! I opened my email to find a, heartfelt, encouragement from my friend and colleague, Rob. He had written me a note regarding my latest blog, and it made my day! From his, kind, words I took courage and was encouraged. So often when I complete a blog…I wonder if my readers, if indeed there are any…wonder what possessed the old man on Ash Wood Lane to compose such pedestrian dribble. I throughly enjoy writing and my, retirement, habit of writing virtually daily, brings me much joy and satisfaction. However, I ponder if when those who see another one of those, Happy Traveler or Jazzman blogs…think…enough. So Rob’s praise for my meager wordsmith abilities and my, equally, slim skills as a photographer…had a brightening effect on my Monday.
I wonder how many people that we know, and that we meet…in non-pandemic times, simply need a word of encouragement? Many are carrying terrible worries and significant issues…that they hide better than the most edept magician….and their friends and, even, family, do not have a clue of the internal struggles that they battle each day.
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During our present time of fear and terrible uncertainty…you could be the difference in another human having the strength to carry on! I believe that we often want to say a kind word to another, but fear that they will misunderstand our intent or rebuff our extended, metaphorical, hand of friendship. I have found that almost always a genuine compliment to another person is received like rain in the desert!
There is a real reason that social distancing is difficult. We are social creatures. We need each other. It is in our DNA to crave meaningful fellowship with our fellow travelers. Our world is often a scary place. We seek the warmth and security of another when we are looking for light in the darkness.
It has been said that a person may not remember what you said…but they will always remember how you made them feel.
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The popular motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, said, ‘I really do not care how much you know…until I know how much your care…about me.’
‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.’ Proverbs 25:11 KJV
‘You Can’t Wait For Inspiration. You Have To Go After It With A Club.’
This morning started off grandly with a lovely Zoom church service @ First Presbyterian of Carbondale. The miracle of technology, during the scourge of our pandemic…is amazing! Our worship service has in ways been enhanced, especially when considering participation. A member zoomed in from Florida and another from his station, in the Armed Services. Last night, Jonathon asked me if I was planning on attending service this morning, and I replied that since we were already there…I thought that I would.
The campus of Southern Illinois University looked resplendent in it’s Spring regalia. Some of the blossoms are fading from the trees as the green leaves, or in some cases, dark red leaves, take their place on the natural clock. Whenever I pass Anthony Hall, named after the famous suffragette, Susan B. Anthony, I think of the former chancellors that I have known…and the hours that I have spent in…
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‘It Is No Bad Thing To Celebrate A Simple Life’
Well, life continues under our 2020 pandemic. Puzzling has captivated my attention. I telephoned, Emily, the owner of Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri…and ordered three more puzzles. Yes, we have been home bound…for awhile. MJ asked me what additional puzzles that Main Street had, other than the Celestial Sky model, that I purchased earlier this week. I emailed, Emily, and she responded within minutes. What a refreshing change from the, forlorn habit, of people who wait an interminable amount of time to respond…or not at all, which has been my experience over many years. Illinois lost the most lives, today, to the virulent virus. Our Governor, covertly, purchased PPE from China and brought it into our state, under guard, to prohibit the Federal government from confiscating the precious life saving material.
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I was parked in the, locked, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, parking lot, this afternoon. The lot was empty accept for my red Camry and the truck of a gentleman who walked to the back of the company vehicle and removed trash collecting bags and proceeded to collect refuse from the area. As he walked slowly to the bins…the rain began. He had neither rain coat nor umbrella. I considered that this hard working man, represents much of the American work-force. No one has asked him his opinion of whether or not he is afraid of becoming ill with the virus. He is, probably, accustomed to working from paycheck to paycheck…and devotes little time to considering his health and welfare…he does not have the luxury.
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I admire any leader who chooses to give a consistent and logical message to us during a chaotic time. So much of leadership is the nuts and bolts of the hard work that it takes to ensure the health and safety of their citizens. There is a profound and stark difference in leaders who are show horses and those who are work horses. The stultifying comments of some doctors who advise their television viewing audience that schools should go back in session as there would, only, be a 2% – 3% mortality rate…that is over 9 million human beings! Real physicians…tell you the truth. If you have cancer…will you be satisfied if you are advised that you have the common cold…and it will disappear?
It goes without saying that the economic catastrophe that has encompassed our globe, is unparalleled in our lifetimes. This pandemic has exposed the inequities that have been in our society. Our grocery store workers are essential to our survival. Many have died from COVID-19. They are afraid to go to work…with good reason. Sadly, we have accepted, all to long, that there are millions of people that not only do not make a living wage…while at the same time they are vital to the functioning of our society.
I was listening to a young woman from China speak of her fears in now being allowed to leave her home and visit, small, clothing shops…for the first time in weeks. She was afraid of contracting the virus. A phased in approach to re-opening our economy has to be done…but it should not be done without a commitment to testing on a massive scale to identify who is ill and who is not. South Korea was a model for effective and wide-spread testing…not political rhetoric and obfuscation and the lack of a concrete plan that will calm the fears of all of us…as we return to earning a living and providing for our families.
Life must be our primary concern and our express goal, in all of our human endeavors. Life is more important than our ‘way of life,’ which is political-speak for capitalism and a vibrant stock market… Somewhere we have lost our way. My management philosophy for the over 25 years that I was a manager at Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale, could be summed up in a sentence. Put people first, and work excellence will follow.
Our ability to return to work and revitalize our economy is not contingent on a frenetic race to open things up…without the commensurate work of protecting those workers, with massive testing, in order to ensure their comfort in returning to work…and our economy will automatically renew with the energy and vitality of the hard work of safe and secure, Americans!
The renown English author, J.R.R. Tolkien said, ‘It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.’ My entire life has been a simple life…as is the majority of people that I know. In the little Southern Illinois town of Eldorado…I knew a lot of working poor people. I knew kids that did not have summer shoes so they went barefoot for the season. I recall a dignified professional gentleman who worked for, Ben Franklin Dime Store, and was a vital member of the retail establishment for his entire career.
Age strips illusions of grandeur from a person. Life teaches us that we should love the little people…and that we are all the little people!
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‘They Are Building This Plane As They Are Flying It’ — The Jazz Man
The sun is shinning in Southern Illinois. Our 16 year old Boston Terrier, Brody, has been for his hydrotherapy and, constant, peanut butter incentive…and now, he is napping. We planned on vacationing in Maine at the end of May…plans change. We love Maine! We visited Booth Bay Harbor, last May, and began planning, soon thereafter, […]
via ‘They Are Building This Plane As They Are Flying It’ — The Jazz Man
Puzzles
I was leisurely puffing my Christmas Cigar, that Aaron gave me, when I saw on Facebook a video of Emily, the owner of Main Street Books, in St. Charles, Missouri, opening some boxes of exquisite puzzles. There were six varieties, including; The Celestial Map and The National Parks. By the time that I had written an email to Main Street…the National Parks had already sold out…but I procured the Celestial Map! I am on the waiting list for NP. I happily recall MJ and I, puzzling on a cruise around the United Kingdom, a few years ago. I also remember MJ and Ira Kaye…working steadily on a puzzle when we were at Destin, Florida.
We are immersed in something that none of us have experienced. The pandemic has changed the way that we live, for now, and it will, whether we like it or not…create a new normal for all of us. The latest modeling estimations are that, if we do everything right as to social distancing and face masks and hand washing, we may have 60 thousand deaths from COVID-19…in the United States. With most States being under stay at home orders…our economy has ground to a halt. I read where a congressman stated that if the decision is whether to have people die or lose our way of life…we must let people die. That may be easier said… when it is not your; wife or husband, or son, or daughter…or mom, or dad…
I watched the television show, Dragnet with the actor, Jack Webb, portraying the Los Angeles police officer, Joe Friday. One of his favorite statements when he was interviewing someone regarding a criminal activity was…’Just the facts ma’am.’ We desperately need the facts regarding the hidden killer that is decimating our world!
It is true that our businesses cannot remain shut-down indefinitely. It is equally true that if we open them prematurely…we will be back to square one…and thousands of Americans will die…;
Instinct, or how leaders feel in their ‘gut’ is not the answer to our most profound puzzle! Most medical scientist and epidemiologists agree that testing is the key to this life and death conundrum. Perhaps we should focus on what they are telling us and not on the political expediency of the moment. While our neighbors are gasping for breath!
I heard New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, say that,’ we are the country that sent the first men to the moon… over 50 years ago’…we can figure this medical and scientific puzzle out…if we rely on the professionals that have trained their entire lives to do so
Fighting over which politician will be the winner…is an exercise in futility. I have my eyes on the heroes of this war…the nurses and grocery store attendants and custodial staffs and warehouseman and drivers of needed supplies that are providng the, desperately needed PPE’s for our health care workers and food to keep us from starving!
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The Happy Traveler 