Keeping the Moment Light

For the past week, I have been dealing with an eye issue. More floaters than normal caused me to see
my ophthalmologist who dilated my eyes to examine retina stability. Seeing no tears of the retina, I was told to keep awareness to visual changes. My wife was my driver since dilation compromises vision.

Two days later, I began to notice some peripheral light flashing and returned to my eye doctor for another dilation and retina examination. Again, the doctor did not observe any retina abnormality.
Once again, my eye doctor told me that for two or three weeks I remain a high risk for retina tears and thus should not jump out of planes or go to Six Flags. I shall lay low and pray for the best.

On our second return-home trip from the doctor's office, my wife was driving and said, "If this eye problem does not clear up soon, you may need to see a 'rectal' specialist." I did not laugh assuming that she miss-spoke but instead considered the possibility that she was suggesting my head is in my derrière.

To Snoop or Not To Snoop

Last week while waiting for a Panera's luncheon companion, I overheard four women conversing in a nearby booth. They were debating their respective attitudes and philosophies regarding 'snooping' around their teen children's rooms. It was a pretty good debate since the opinions were split 50-50. Two mothers were adamant about respecting privacy rights of heir children while the other two moms felt an obligation to 'snoop' as a way to head off potential teenage problems should there be indicators.

I recalled my teen years under my parents roof. That totaled eighteen years and the experience had great clarity. I never once felt insecure, unwelcome or unloved. No sir! To the contrary, I sensed great love and support. Why, I never paid rent, insurance or bought food. I used the family automobile and never put gosoline in the vehicle. Come to think, I had a great financial gig going as a teenager. That noted, I never once thought that any part of our home was my exclusive territory. I assumed since my mother laundered my clothes, ironed them and put them away, she could examine anything in that house she darn well pleased!

Eventually, I went my own way, married, had children and 'snooped' on those kids. Today, I hope my grown children are 'snooping' on my grandchildren...'snooping' should be a family expectation and tradition if not a down-right family legacy.

My How Times Have Changed

The great sociologist/anthropologist, Margaret Mead died in 1978 at age 77. Mead once stated that she believed that the only American 'sexual revolution' occurred in the 1920's..those so called 'Roaring  Twenties.' For goodness sakes she lived during he 1960's and the infamous 'Flower Child' and 'Woodstock' generation.

Over thirty percent of American teens are sexually active today. The age group 15-to-24 have fifty percent of all STD's. Twenty-five percent of women will move in with a romantic partner before age twenty. I think it's safe to say that Americans' have lost the type of innocence embraced in the 1940's-'50's.

May I offer a generational perception conflict. Simply put, how my mother saw things when I was a teen versus my viewpoint today?  My mother told me back in the day and she would proclaim the same today, "Young kids can avoid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases if they placed God in charge of their lives. I don't disagree with that concept, however I just accept the fact that fewer parents have kids in a religious setting, therefore the teen has nothing to 'counter,' (if you please), the normal biological urges gripping the young. My mother would oppose the practice of making condoms available; she would propose abstinence for the young and unmarried. Since many cannot control such urges, I say offer condoms to avoid compounding society's problems.

Earlier I mentioned the matter of living together before marriage. That percentage has seen drastic change. Credit or blame (whatever your perspective) goes to the feminist movement. Again, it was the decade of the '60's, which gave the greatest impetus to that feminist movement. Before that movement the parents' warning to the daughter was simple: 'You may lose him if it's free.' I suppose 'gender equity' blurs many previously well-define folkways and mores.'

The United States divorce rate is the highest of any industrialized country. A few years ago, it was estimated that nearly forty percent of marriages would end in divorce. That statistic is coming down...perhaps due to fewer young people getting married versus 'living together.'

 Don't understand how Margaret Mead missed the biggest sexual revolution event. That said, I am not compelled to make judgments on either Mead or the 'movement' she missed.

Illogical? Absolutely! More likely Goofy.

There's a friend of mine in Southwestern Illinois who actually believes that God chose Donald Trump to be America's President. He's not alone. Many evangelical Christians, i.e., convicted felon, Jim Bakker, regardless of the obvious fact that Trump has few Christian traits, was chosen by God. I explained to my friend that I could come closer to proving Putin not God put Donald Trump in the White House.

Another bizarre  perspective advanced by 'Trumpeteers' is the claim that President Trump has been treated worse than any other USA president in history. This type of erroneous belief underscores the rampant stupidity regarding American History. I offer the following names to those believing such poppycock: Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy.

Beyond goofy!

I think about a year after I was told that Santa Claus was an imaginary figure, I overheard a family friend, who was a professional wrestler explain to my parents 'how' every action in a pro wrestling match is orchestrated with a predetermined outcome before the combatants enter the ring. Regardless,  millions of folks just enjoy deception even at the expense of their own victimization and it ain't just in professional wrestling arenas.

A Thought for America

MEASURING UP TO SONG LYRICS...

"...America, America, God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.
..And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea."

This writer's opinion> Perhaps our biggest 'flaw' is our inability to truly embrace 'brotherhood.'
(Touch)
America

A Rant WARNING

This emergency alert goes out to all married men especially those over the age of 55. The Hallmark Movie Channel has recently announced that it will once again be offering a steady diet of 'Christmas In July Movies.'

The following are reminders and tips for the men to grasp Hallmark Christmas Movie concepts, themes and 'matchups:'

 1. All actors are handsome, all actresses are beautiful. The Hallmark Movie directors reject any notion of 'ordinary looking' folks. Even parents and grandparents of principal characters are 'lookers.'
 2. The basic theme is always centered on the love-triangle concept...I said Always!
 3. Regarding a rivalry between two men seeking the affection of a woman or two women shaking their tail-feathers for some fella, you can anticipate those two vying for winner's rights have totally different personalities. One is kind and caring while the other is a tad bit self-centered. This obvious casting concept reduces anxiety for the stress-vulnerable senior-set, which makes up the larger portion of Hallmark Movie viewers.
  4. It's a Christmas movie folks! Expect a snowball fight near the end.
  5. Occasionally, their is a child involved in the plot. A widow or widower will eventually 'see clearly' the correct romantic choice through the eyes of the kid.

Finally, Hallmark Movies are a relaxing entertainment experience. One does not feel frustration waiting for some devious plot to unfold over a two-hour showing. Nope! You will have it all figured out within the first seven minutes. This allows you to easily multi-task, i.e., knit or nap.

Lasting Friends

I suppose there are several ways to depict and define a true friendship. Immediately coming to mind is the last line delivered by actor Richard Dryfus in the classic movie, Stand By Me>"I never had any friends later on in life like the ones I had when I was 12 Jesus, does anyone?" Perhaps the great truth in that premise is anchored in the obvious; our childhood friendships are unvarnished with no pretense for we all know from whence we all came.

Some would argue and make a good case that a true friend is evident when a person embraces and comes to aid or defense of another who is alone or chastised. Of course we all have those 'friends' we seek to be with because of common interests and like-minded thoughts and interests.

I shall offer still another definition of a sincere and real friendship. It is that relationship, which  sustains through the years even though miles separate the one-time intense association. You know the one of which I speak. It's those individuals or couples who were once in close proximity in a work environment or a common cause and after long periods of separation they reunite in conversation and laughter as though they have seen one another daily throughout the years. Gerry and I reunited with such friends this past Saturday for a long lunch.

It was likely fifty years ago that the Roustio's had such an enjoyable sharing with Jerry and  Marianne Sullivan. The ties that bind us are rooted in Mason City basketball. Jerry had been an assistant basketball coach for the 'Huskies' one season before I arrived in 1964. He remained my assistant during my three year Mason City tenure. When I left Mason City for the Washington High School basketball position, I was delighted to recommend Jerry for the head 'Huskies' job and the school board made the right decision. Jerry completed an outstanding 22-years mentoring those teams.

As we embraced our long ago friends in restaurant setting and began our conversational exchanges, time was easily erased as if it had stood still. So blessed that our paths crossed and we reconnected.

Those who read these words also have such friends. I hope you can re-unite. I thank Marianne Sullivan for making our reunion happen.