An online poster: (blurred photo of Bataclan nightclub floor with bodies)
Celebrating Diversity
One Massacre at a Time
----------------------
Michelle wrote that the First Minister advised residents that the terrorists have access to sarin, the deadly gas and not to be surprised if she meets us with green hair and no teeth.
I replied that here we have green, purple, orange hair -- by choice! And in contrast to sarin, our best counter offer would have to be anthrax in an envelope in the mail which is a very limited kill rate, at best.
----------------------
Re Religion
Organized religion is responsible for more wars in world history than any other thing.
What kind of a "religion" asks you to kill every one else who doesn't believe in your religion? This seems rather counter productive to me ...
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Terrorists are not the crispest cookies in the box - when they try to blow up an airplane in mid-flight, they are expecting a minimum of number of people on that particular aircraft. Now, if they detonated the plane at the gate, think of the kill rate they could get.
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Syrian "refugees"
Would you welcome a complete stranger into your home?
America is OUR home; don't even think about it.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
See the Postcards Before We Even Leave Town!
Michelle suggested that we go north (from her house) to a variety of beach towns...so "jette une regarde" as the French say - "Throw a look to"- these towns - Deauville - once the haunt of the chic during the Belle Epoch, the days of courtesans and their excesses (milk or champagne baths, for example) and rivalries as well as who was supporting whom and everyone knew all about all of the above.
St. Malo has an aquarium that bears a look - we are both fascinated by them and since this is an area that specializes in seafood, we should get a look at dinner in the wild, so to speak. Gambas (prawns or enormous shrimp) and lobsters won't be getting pre-condolences from me.
Mont St. Michele hardly needs an introduction; the image of a walled town rising above the sea is etched on memories world-wide. From what I've been reading though, it sounds like the journey is more interesting than the destination.
This is the area that is also known for its production of cider (cidre) an alcoholic beverage that substitutes for a quick beer. Calvados is a distillation and provides the dinner booster that, for example, Thanksgiving Day dinner makes useful. Known as the "trou Normande" or Normandy hole, a shot of it at the end of dinner and the drinker can go back and eat dinner all over again. Not particularly helpful to the dieter, but to the gourmand? A lifesaver!
I had romantically thought I would like to explore the town of Giverney, Monet's village, to walk the cobblestoned streets and peer into shop windows that might have been there in his day but when I read "a commune of 400 people" and tourisme extraordinaire surrounding Monet, I said the hell with it. There's a gift shop at his house (as well as a café) and we've been there.
St. Malo has an aquarium that bears a look - we are both fascinated by them and since this is an area that specializes in seafood, we should get a look at dinner in the wild, so to speak. Gambas (prawns or enormous shrimp) and lobsters won't be getting pre-condolences from me.
Mont St. Michele hardly needs an introduction; the image of a walled town rising above the sea is etched on memories world-wide. From what I've been reading though, it sounds like the journey is more interesting than the destination.
This is the area that is also known for its production of cider (cidre) an alcoholic beverage that substitutes for a quick beer. Calvados is a distillation and provides the dinner booster that, for example, Thanksgiving Day dinner makes useful. Known as the "trou Normande" or Normandy hole, a shot of it at the end of dinner and the drinker can go back and eat dinner all over again. Not particularly helpful to the dieter, but to the gourmand? A lifesaver!
I had romantically thought I would like to explore the town of Giverney, Monet's village, to walk the cobblestoned streets and peer into shop windows that might have been there in his day but when I read "a commune of 400 people" and tourisme extraordinaire surrounding Monet, I said the hell with it. There's a gift shop at his house (as well as a café) and we've been there.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Under Construction
Inapired by information hitherto unknown about a dear friend, I decided to occasionally run a new feature to be called "Interesting People."
With this caveat: everyone alive today has some kind of story that sets them apart and makes that story "something interesting." Part of the story: He is today and has been for a number of years my and then our financial planner. Who also, incidentally drove one of the landing vehicles onto the beach on D-Day.
Unfortunately, my printer has gone on strike and the e's back and forth, telling these interesting stories are Just Sitting There in Saved Mail.
But at least you have an idea what's coming down the road.
With this caveat: everyone alive today has some kind of story that sets them apart and makes that story "something interesting." Part of the story: He is today and has been for a number of years my and then our financial planner. Who also, incidentally drove one of the landing vehicles onto the beach on D-Day.
Unfortunately, my printer has gone on strike and the e's back and forth, telling these interesting stories are Just Sitting There in Saved Mail.
But at least you have an idea what's coming down the road.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
From Our French Correspondent
Michelle and Bruno were in their homes in Le Chesnay, a Paris suburb, next door to Versailles. Their son, our godson, was in Bretagne. All safe and accounted for and happily so were all of their friends.
Some of our correspondence this morning (11/14/15)
Michelle: "It's hard to explain in English how we feel today. KO like after a boxing fight. Everybody seems in self communion. It's quiet as if the time just stopped. Just downcast by what happened.
You probably are thinking: "Are we going or not to Paris?" Well I won't be offended if you cancel your travel.
If you come we will not go shopping in Paris or go for a walk there. We will stay in Versailles and the area which is safer.
I assured her that I've seen Paris and I don't want it to be the last thing I ever see and she wrote back, "We can go to Deauville, Mont St. Michele, St. Malo - no terrorists there."
Depending on events to come, we're going. Rather pointless to take off if the airport is gone. A thought that is doubtful at best. Hollande isn't kidding around and neither is any airline that serves France.
Some of our correspondence this morning (11/14/15)
Michelle: "It's hard to explain in English how we feel today. KO like after a boxing fight. Everybody seems in self communion. It's quiet as if the time just stopped. Just downcast by what happened.
You probably are thinking: "Are we going or not to Paris?" Well I won't be offended if you cancel your travel.
If you come we will not go shopping in Paris or go for a walk there. We will stay in Versailles and the area which is safer.
I assured her that I've seen Paris and I don't want it to be the last thing I ever see and she wrote back, "We can go to Deauville, Mont St. Michele, St. Malo - no terrorists there."
Depending on events to come, we're going. Rather pointless to take off if the airport is gone. A thought that is doubtful at best. Hollande isn't kidding around and neither is any airline that serves France.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Anticipation - A Little Quiver in the Air
The Sothern California climate has changed to what it should have been all of this month -- lower temperatures. People almost everywhere else are already accustomed to cool days and even cooler (read: cold) nights.
The other morning, it was 62 in the house and 48 out in the backyard (and probably elsewhere as well.) ((Just whoofin'))
And what changes have I personally, seen with my very own eyes? Our three cats are a lot livelier. There is more of spring to their prance; they are staying awake longer than usually before starting their morning naps. They seek out the living room chairs that get the morning sun - and bask.
Lady Bird, the cockatiel, calls to be uncovered earlier and as it gets cooler, I'll be watching to see if this trend continues.
Even I, cynic and desperado that I am, find that I'm generally in a very good mood these days and I put it down to this - having grown up in the midWest where they actually have four seasons - I know that cooler weather heralds THANKSGIVING, the annual gathering of like souls and some damned fine eating.
As if that wasn't enough to put a spring in the old stride, CHRISTMAS PARTIES are right behind. To get a "good" date (after 12/15) you need to be organized. The South Bay Writers Workshop (better known as Thurs. Writers) Christmas potluck just got scheduled for Thurs. 12/17. One of the members has passed out fliers to her 'do on the 12th.
Yes! Parties! Bring it on! We've all got warm clothes and in this season, warmer hearts.
The other morning, it was 62 in the house and 48 out in the backyard (and probably elsewhere as well.) ((Just whoofin'))
And what changes have I personally, seen with my very own eyes? Our three cats are a lot livelier. There is more of spring to their prance; they are staying awake longer than usually before starting their morning naps. They seek out the living room chairs that get the morning sun - and bask.
Lady Bird, the cockatiel, calls to be uncovered earlier and as it gets cooler, I'll be watching to see if this trend continues.
Even I, cynic and desperado that I am, find that I'm generally in a very good mood these days and I put it down to this - having grown up in the midWest where they actually have four seasons - I know that cooler weather heralds THANKSGIVING, the annual gathering of like souls and some damned fine eating.
As if that wasn't enough to put a spring in the old stride, CHRISTMAS PARTIES are right behind. To get a "good" date (after 12/15) you need to be organized. The South Bay Writers Workshop (better known as Thurs. Writers) Christmas potluck just got scheduled for Thurs. 12/17. One of the members has passed out fliers to her 'do on the 12th.
Yes! Parties! Bring it on! We've all got warm clothes and in this season, warmer hearts.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Breaking News
Wed., Nov. 11, 2015
We drove past the Target on Sepulveda, Manhattan Beach, at about 1:30 p.m. and were surprised to see: cop cars parked slantwise across all of the driveways in to the store (even one from Hawthorne and we NEVER see Hawthorne over here) as well as fire trucks from El Segundo. All blocking off the parking lot.
As we wondered, the light changed and we drove on to Ralph's the supermarket. In the check out line at slightly after 2 p.m. the customer in front of us told the checkout clerk it was a bomb threat.
I immediately bet that the caller, who spoke to an employee, making the threat was a former disgruntled employee. It only makes sense, right? What has Target ever done to anyone?
We'll have to wait until tomorrow's morning paper to see.
OUTCOME - nothing at all. Sniffer dogs fouond nothing; store re-opened around 3:30 p.m.
And in other news, what was the ending on the vehicular chase of a woman who was apparently winging right along, taking out parked cars here and there while talking on the phone! Can you imagine the next Verizon or AT&T commercial? (background audio - faint sound of sirens) "Never lose your connection - no matter what!" (siren sound rises; voice on bullhorn "Pull over to the side and stop.")
We drove past the Target on Sepulveda, Manhattan Beach, at about 1:30 p.m. and were surprised to see: cop cars parked slantwise across all of the driveways in to the store (even one from Hawthorne and we NEVER see Hawthorne over here) as well as fire trucks from El Segundo. All blocking off the parking lot.
As we wondered, the light changed and we drove on to Ralph's the supermarket. In the check out line at slightly after 2 p.m. the customer in front of us told the checkout clerk it was a bomb threat.
I immediately bet that the caller, who spoke to an employee, making the threat was a former disgruntled employee. It only makes sense, right? What has Target ever done to anyone?
We'll have to wait until tomorrow's morning paper to see.
OUTCOME - nothing at all. Sniffer dogs fouond nothing; store re-opened around 3:30 p.m.
And in other news, what was the ending on the vehicular chase of a woman who was apparently winging right along, taking out parked cars here and there while talking on the phone! Can you imagine the next Verizon or AT&T commercial? (background audio - faint sound of sirens) "Never lose your connection - no matter what!" (siren sound rises; voice on bullhorn "Pull over to the side and stop.")
"Happy" Veterans' day?
Bluntly, this is a day we celebrate dead people. I can't think that they are happy to be dead.
I think any "happiness" about this day is the fact that we live in a country where men and women choose to go to war for the rest of us.
That is the thing we should be celebrating. And in that spirit, HAPPY VETERANS DAY.
I think any "happiness" about this day is the fact that we live in a country where men and women choose to go to war for the rest of us.
That is the thing we should be celebrating. And in that spirit, HAPPY VETERANS DAY.
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