Linda Ronstadt

The Sound of Her Voice Indeed!

I recently watched a well-advertised special on CNN about the rise of Linda Ronstadt. What a pleasant break from all the Trump dumping. This is one hell of a talented lady. The film shows her immense diversity and the album she did with Nelson Riddle drives home the point.

I always felt this but seeing her career in one continuum knocked me over. It was very well done containing a lot of personal dialogue with Linda herself. She always spoke her mind and did her own thing. This is an artist who knew exactly what she wanted song by song and had the guts to try literally anything in the music world. Good on her.

It was a sad thing to learn of her illness and how it stole her voice but she has an upbeat attitude or at least she is good at covering up any depression.

Too bad I wasn't playing tourist walking along the beach one day as she took a stroll. I am not an autograph seeker but sure would have asked for hers.

Good on you Linda. I have since dragged out the CDs and even cassettes I have of you.

The Brewster

The USA is Now Safer?

Swat a Hornet's Nest and See If You Feel Safer

The White House is saying after the attack and killing of Iranian and Iraqi military men on territory belonging to Iraq, that the USA is now safer. Do you - anywhere in the world - feel safer?

I don't:

• Anytime we are possibly about to see a major conflict grow into all out war with nuclear weapons a possibility. But hey, I am not DJT or his cronies
• Anytime a people who already hate all Americans and everthing they stand for swear they will strike back
• Anytime the USA says some hostile force is defeated and yet they really aren't
• Anytime a US President is desperate to be re-elected
• Anytime passionate religious fanatics are involved
• Anytime America loses a conflict and has to start another so as not to lose face

Those are probably enough reasons but there are lots more.

The Brewster

Is The Perfect Society a Dream?

The Seven Deadly Sins

History and religion has often referred to seven deadly sins which are:

1. Lust
2. Gluttony
3. Greed
4. Sloth
5. Wrath
6. Envy
7. Pride

To me the worst of these is greed. I say that because I believe it is the cause of most of the major conflicts, wars, and slaughters in history and the ultimate demise of most societies. It still reigns supreme. Ours is likely to follow suit.

All people require basic food, water, protection from the elements, and a safe place to live. The poorest peoples lack one or more of these. The comfortable - our "middle" class, gradually and often through hard work accumulate all four. The powerful obtain them in abundance through any possible means and then want more, even at the expense of the first 2 groups. THAT friends is GREED.

Might has always made right. Often it meant the strongest with the best weapons simply eliminated the weakest and then took what they wanted. That is still happening in parts of the world.

But for decades now, the weapons have been replaced by money and the brawn has been replaced by cleverness and deviousness in accumulating that money by any means.

Here is a list  of many of the things which I find impossible to justify. Those who already have them or indulge in them have no problem rationalizing their possessions or actions. Many just say "why not?"

1. Monster houses including the land often surrounding them; multiple swimming pools and the drinking water in them; pool heaters; the energy required to warm and operate such houses.
2. People who own several of these, often inhabited for only part of the year.
3. The entire racing industry including monster trucks and speed boats that use enough energy in one session to plough fields and grow food for many, many people.
4. Personal vehicles with enough power to pull a semi often for the personal travel of one individual.
5. Buffet style restaurants where individuals eat enough for three or four and waste the same amount
6. People who have hundreds of millions of dollars and want even more, often paying no taxes on what they have. Many of these were born into their wealth.
7. People who have made all of their money on the stock market often by illegal means and have never worked at a "real" job in their lives. Investing in new businesses that become successful and provide goods and services to society are a good thing. People who make tons of money by simply buying and selling stocks are not. They don't add any more to the benefit of others than loan sharks.
8. People who use personal vehicles to commute when public transit is available. Equally to blame are the leaders who fail to provide such public transit, often because of the greedy desire to be re-elected.

The list could be longer. I would add that the other six sins could also be a result of greed.

Socialist, Communist, Fascist, Capitalist, left, right, or centre - all have greedy people wielding the power who end up with the most of the peoples' wealth.

Does anyone have any better ideas?

The Brewster

The Statue of Liberty (LIBERTAS)

One of Few Female Figureheads More Famous Than Queen Elizabeth II

I just read a great history of The Statue of Liberty on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty). The lady ("Liberty Enlightening the World") has quite a past. The entire story is very inspiring. It is a wonder that it all came together the way it finally did.

It is ironic that this world famous icon of might, power, and freedom is depicted as a woman when the country it represents still has a hang up about electing a female President. Go figure! I digress.

The story and the artefact are so awesome it inspired me to write the following:

The Brewster

**************************

They tell me that I have made these words by Emma Lazarus famous:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” 

Thank you, Emma. I have indeed seen them come from afar through wind, storm, floods, hurricanes and wars. They reached my lofty perch and stared. I can not offer encouraging smiles and words but I hear and see. Millions of them. They are inspired. My creators Bartholdi and Eiffel would have been proud. 

There was a dedication for me in 1886. That keeps me smiling internally - a private joke. I am the only woman in history who had an erection so famous it was celebrated the world over. It has been a long and arduous 133 years. 

I have been fixed and cleaned; rebuilt and enhanced; had my head and crown adjusted; my arm strengthened and my skin re-vitalized - the wish of so many other women. Yet here I still remain.

I have seen this country build itself from scratch after casting out its imperialist rulers. Here we have built a symbol of what a united people of all creeds and colours can do together. The world was in awe.

133 years I have held this torch, cradled this tablet, born this crown and posed for countless millions of people in awe of me and all I represent.

But I am tired. I am fearful that after all that I have witnessed and endured the worst is yet to come. 

I fear that instead of standing for victory and opportunities in the future, I will become a remnant of the past. I am told that there is a famous movie in which the world has self destructed, and it's lone human survivor happens upon my arm and torch still protruding above nothing but sand and rubble and all that was. I fear this is underway - NOW.

I fear that there are those who wish to undo all that I have stood for right here for 133 years. Must I develop a tear flowing from these famous eyes like so many of my lifeless fellow creations to make you take notice? If I could I definitely would.

Take heed. I can no longer stand tall to represent a former nation which allowed dark forces from within to tear itself apart. Take a long look at me. I broke through my chains and I am always moving forward - not back. 

I have outlived any other woman. I want to stand here just as proud and dominating for many more hundreds of years.

Please. I have never asked for anything else.

LIBERTAS

A Few of my Favourite Things

This should be easy ...

In one of my posts I featured pet peeves. It was easy to come up with a long list.

Significantly more difficult was developing a list of my favourite things. It should have been the easier of the two. This must say something about life today - at least mine anyway. I should mention that I don't have kids and recognize that they will probably make this list easier for those who live for their family. 

Here are a few things that give me satisfaction, a feeling of warmth, and a desire to replicate the sensation:

• Spelling and pronouncing words the English / Canadian way and hearing my American colleagues express dismay - like favourite over favorite! Just kidding
• Shoes that are comfortable from the first fitting and stay that way made better only by comfortable socks
• The aroma of freshly baked goods including roast beef and turkey
• A really good carrot cake, apple pie, or butter tart
• Really good and probably expensive perfume, but only a dab - not the cheap stuff that some women splash on like holy water. I say it again - less is better
• A really attractive female whether individual the parts or the total being
• Making others laugh, even at my own expense
• The laughter of children, especially infants in a group. They have not yet learned anything evil
• A well composed, uplifting, and eloquently delivered speech
• Solving a problem others were unable to solve
• Sitting outside early in the morning on a pleasant day with nothing but the sound of nature to distract me - minus the crows
• Satisfying a hunger with great food or a thirst with cold water or beer
• Completing a difficult physical task I hated doing
• Hearing someone at the gym say I am in great shape, even though they diplomatically omitted the "for your age" part
• Preparing a meal and having my partner say it is really good. Makes me regret all the years I neglected to say the same to her day after day. I did sometimes but should have complimented her more often
• As with the speaker, a very talented and accomplished singer who hits every note bang on with limitless pitch and volume and total control over both. Examples: Celine Dion; Karen Carpenter; Barbra Streisand; Josh Groban; Roy Orbison; Colm Wilkinson in Les Mis.
• Shooting a really good golf score. This one is still on the bucket list.
• Appreciating a really clever new invention
• People who can genuinely listen without interruption and when appropriate, offer help or suggestions
• The opposite. People who value me enough to share something but know when enough is enough and give me a chance to comment if I should wish to
• Knowing that I can and will keep a secret, and people who will do the same for me. These are as rare as the Loch Ness Monster
• Finally catching a very bad criminal(s) and seeing justice done

The Real Judgement Day

I Was Just Thinking … Because I Still Can

This past weekend I attended and briefly spoke as did several others at the memorial service or life celebration of a very long time friend. I have had the following thoughts before.

When something like this transpires - there is usually some kind of notification sent to others. It contains details of any ceremony, viewing, or celebration of a life on this planet and it is an implied invitation. To make it less awkward there is seldom an RSVP requested.

That having been said we all then have a simple binary decision to make - will I attend or not? For many it is very easy to rationalize a note and flowers - something else on; illness; just too far to go; work; don't really know them; etc.

So it is very impressive when someone draws a huge number of attendees at such a ceremony, whatever its nature. What a wonderful statement when the room is overflowing. I say again - anyone can decide not to come. Social Media friends are not reality but this is.

To me the resulting headcount is the true test of your success in this world - how many other people you touched in a positive way. I don't happen to believe in the divine version - it has never been verified. But THIS I can see with my own eyes. Here everyone gets to be a judge for just one moment.

Will my life or yours fill a room when the time comes?

My friend touched a lot of people - and they came. I will miss him and so will all of those other attendees.

The Brewster

Blogging: Some basic facts

Blogging Reality Check

When I created a blog in 2012, It was easy - still is. You can do a little reading on the mechanics and free offerings, then choose one and BINGO - an hour or less later you can read your first online creation. It’s almost as easy as making your first Tweet; posting a video or placing a picture on Facebook. Most beginners use free Blogger / Blogspot (me) or WordPress. There are others.

So then where are the 100,000 plus followers I read about completely clogging the search engines to find my blog and share my genius to take me viral? Where is the money?

Unfortunately back then, before then, and even now, there are just too many people claiming to make thousands of $$$ (insert your own currency symbol) per month blogging. It is possible but if you try now as I am, you are probably a dozen years or so too late.

Think about this: There are literally millions of people who think or thought that they could become rich with their:

New cook book
New song
New invention
New best selling novel
New “How to get rich in Real Estate” course
New video
New comic strip
Etc.

Despite every true friend and experienced person telling them it takes years of hard work, endless determination, and countless failures, they know that theirs will be different.

I know because I have often had similar thoughts. I also know there is no easy ride to success.

Here is the real rub having experienced it over and over again. From what I have seen, many of those who are making money are the ones who attract your interest by telling you how to create a blog or make a fortune at blogging. That's it. This is not new. Before PCs ever existed, magazines and newspapers had tons of people who were willing to tell you their “secret” on how to get rich. Just send $19.95 and a SASE (for you young readers - if there are any - that is Self Addressed Stamped Envelope). They told you to do what they were doing - with your own SASE.

I am very serious about this. People get rich and their only contribution is telling you - often with material copied from someone else - how to make money at blogging. Nothing more. Many of them are VERY clever at filling their missives with links that force you to click and go somewhere else thus making them more money.

Imagine how successful a new newspaper (to pick an industry devastated by instant publishing technology) if the only content in the paper were columns on how to create and publish a newspaper - not one valid newsworthy article in it!

It seems to me that there are several kinds of blogs:

1. Those created by an individual who wants to share their personal experiences. Will you pay money to read about Suszie Q’s pet Border Collie or to look at John Smith’s photographs?

2. Those that focus on one particular topic like a hobby. It could be knitting; cooking; travel; one or more charities etc. These are of interest to a relatively small group of people and making money is probably not the objective. Sharing knowledge experiences, and making new acquaintances are the objectives.

3. Those tied to a much more prominent web page of a well known company or name almost because most of the competition has one also and because a blog is a convenient way to broadcast news and general information. It is easy to update. Any earnings are likely going to be from the website, not the blog.

4. Those created by celebrities or politicians or their assistants because any publicity for them is important.

5. Those intended to express opinions about a particular cause or trend or to feature articles just like a newspaper. If they are good, these can probably make money.

6. Those intended simply to entertain featuring short stories, funny videos, comic strips, recordings etc. These could probably make money if enough people go to them and click on their ads. They give people something to pass to their friends.

7. Those intended to teach you something other than how to write a blog. Typical examples are music lessons; sports lessons; do it yourself and how to items. These can make money either by selling further material like cd's or books, newsletters or by sponsored ads of related products and services.

This blog is probably a combination of numbers 5 and 6 above. If it makes money someday great. Otherwise I just enjoy it.

So the bottom line here comes down to one thing and to be fair, some of those “How to …Blogging” sites about blogs do indeed make this point. Like all of those other things mentioned above, a blog has to have quality, fresh, original CONTENT. The best inventions, books and music all fill a need. So must a great blog.

One honourable mention which is also covered in the Blogging articles are the techniques and in some cases tricks that can be employed to up the numbers of people who know you exist. Getting them to come back is up to you. The same old stuff will not accomplish that nor will simply high numbers of articles. You have to create something unique or be better than your competitors at whatever they do. Who passes judgement on uniqueness or whether something is better? Only the reader.

And that fellow bloggers, is what you have to accomplish to become renowned at anything in life. The most successful bloggers have been at it for many years. I have a long way to go.

The Brewster

Will someone please invent ...

Here are some potential moneymakers.

I have always toyed with the idea of inventing something - oh yes - and getting rich. Like most other wannabe inventors there have been what I think are some very good ideas but procrastination prevailed and someone beat me to it. That the most lucrative and useful inventions always fill a need. Because of that several people are likely working on them concurrently.

But here are some ideas for someone else to pursue. An idea alone can't be patented but if anyone gets rich from these any donations will be gratefully accepted!

14. Removable Tattoos

Sure there are stick-on and wash off types of body art. Can't someone by now make a reversible tattoo ink? By that I mean one which - simply by applying a penetrating cream or oil - will just fade away with no pain?

13. Scalp Hair Remover

Many guys today go with the bald look - they shave off all of their scalp hair themselves for various reasons. I am not one - blessed with long life hair. I just looked up NAIR for men http://www.naircare.com/en/Men so it exists for body and facial hair. Does it work for scalps? There are a lot of males out there looking like they put their head through a window. This would prevent that. 

12. Profile Nail Clippers

I dislike filing nails - fingers or toes. Therefore I end up clipping each nail several times starting at one side a bit at a time and moving around to shape them. I am sure I am not alone here. What about a heavy duty clipper into which you clip or fasten one of several cutters that cut the entire nail at once. The manufacturer could then sell sets of profiles for men, women, wide, narrow etc. No filing needed. They will make a fortune like razors - the money is in the blades, not the clipper.

11. Radio Golf Balls

How annoying is a lost golf ball, especially when it is just in long grass or leaves? How about a ball which has internal circuitry that responds to a small hand held transmitter so you could quickly scan an area perhaps up to 10 yards away. The device would beep and guide you to the ball. It would also speed up traffic on the course. This assumes that the ball makers would actually want to help you find their ball! Probably not.

10. Second BBQ Tray

When we buy a new BBQ, give us a backup slide out grease tray. Then we can put in the second to carry on using while - some day - we clean the original. The grills are another problem. They could supply 2 sets also but that might get expensive. Like car makers they want to sell us those parts and a new BBQ after a few years so I won't hold my breath.

9. Tooth Paste Pump

Once again perhaps these exist. I am thinking of something like a soap dispenser for soft or liquid soap. This would be for tooth paste and could match its soap sibling in design. Then

it could be sold in bulk like liquid soap. No more need for a tooth paste roller (that my Dad also made once,) or for tooth paste tubes either.

8. Dog Dish Opener App.

My Dad thought of this one decades before cell phones or PCs. His was strictly electro mechanical. If you are going to be late then open the dog's dish with your phone so it can eat dinner. They tell me cats are not a problem this way. They don't eat until they know that you know they are in a snit for leaving them. It could still be electro mechanical with some kind of chip timer instead of a phone trigger.

7. Removable Cup Holders

Perhaps these exist but not in any of my cars so far. How dirty do cup holders in cars become with weeks of coffee and sweet drink spills and drips? Provide a liner that can be removed for washing and replacement.

6. Do It Yourself Shoe Resoles

You can place a liner in a shoe but what about the outside? Surely they can invent a sole that - when it is a little too worn - you can simply unfasten and then step onto a new one. The adhesive would take some work.  Where are those guys who invented removable post-it notes? 

5. Decent Looking Men's Hair  Dye

Naturally I would never use it but it would be nice to see. It is always horrible copper/brown; ridiculous jet black or ludicrous blonde. Can't they do men's highlighter? In my case it's difficult to highlight snow white but again this is for other men!

4. Windproof Umbrella

I hope this one is self-evident.

3a. Front Windshield Electric Defroster

I  don't know why cars don't have a front defroster like the electric ones in the back. I can't see it as a visibility issue. If so, use micro wires; invent clear wires; or micro channels in the glass through which you conduct electrically warmed air. C'mon engineers.

 

3b Front Windshield Electric Defroster

 

As an alternative to 3a, what about heated wiper blades? That would keep that buildup of ice on the blade from forming. 3a and b together would be best.

2. Instant Shoe Fastener

I hate doing up laces. There are shoes that use Velcro but they can also be a pain and the little hooks eventually get full of lint, threads, etc. which looks bad as well. They can also catch on socks and clothing. There must be a better way.

1. Device to jam cell phones while driving 

I wrote a  poem in this blog about cell phone use and driving. I'd like to see car manufacturers include a device that jams cell phones in the car for texting or calling, incoming or outgoing as long as the car is in gear. That way you HAVE to pull over to use it but for safety and warmth the engine can run in neutral or park. 

Go for it.

#thebrewsterblock

Alzheimers - While Shepherds Watched Our Flocks.

Christmas – a time which stimulates a very personal memory. It is time to share it. Think about this. Please.

In 1996 I sat with my mother and father and another couple at a simple table, in a simple dining area, eating a simple Christmas meal in advance of the big date itself. There were some old decorations - artificial, and - simple. Dad was tucking into his turkey. Mom was smiling. So was the other lady. Neither husband seemed to share the richness of the moment.

 

As I looked around, similar scenes unfolded with many faces - some smiling; some sad; some blank. I remembered former family feasts with toddlers in highchairs being spoon-fed by a parent. Parents struggled to direct one utensil to the child’s mouth and another to their own before the meal became cold. Sometimes kids enjoyed every morsel as seen by their smiling faces, giggles, and flailing arms. Other times they resisted every spoonful. Food was dropping everywhere. That was long ago.

This time the difference was stark. Here, there was little resistance and no giggling. There were some highchairs. Food was dropping. Some spouses were struggling to enjoy their own food and feed their dependent. However these dependents were not toddlers but seniors with Alzheimer’s. The lady at our table was feeding her husband. At others men fed their wives, or volunteers fed a stranger without any relatives who bothered to visit. Soon thereafter, we would have to feed Dad.

There are other memories. I remember the first time we had to leave Dad in the “lock-up” facility - him following us to the door; the guilt on our faces; the look on his. “The Doctor said you have to stay for a while” was our explanation. Dad was either so ill that he had no ability to argue, or he was just being himself and was accepting the inevitable peacefully for our sake. We will never know.

I remember entering the combination the nurse gave us to open the door while hiding it from the more clever residents. For them this was entertainment. Some managed to exit but were always returned. The combination would be changed. The game would start over.

I remember when Dad stopped addressing me by name and the first time we saw him walking up and down the hall hand-in-hand with a little lady who resembled his wife.  Mom smiled and thought it was cute - or so she said. One stark image was that of Dad standing in the corridor chatting to another older man who responded in kind. It was total gibberish - baby talk. But they seemed to be communicating!

 

I remember Dad’s future roommate - the same man. He was alone - first in a corner chair; later in his bed. His brother never came. The man wasted away. Then he died.

After dinner we gathered in a room to sing carols. A volunteer played the piano. Most people sang including the patients. Mom sat and joined in - her voice an unmistakable soprano. The pianist remarked after the first tune that she could hear one clear voice hitting the high notes - Mom’s. Dad also sat and sang - something. I held the song sheet for a man standing on the sidelines with me. He held it with me but was obviously singing from a failing memory.

Mostly I remember thinking as the food was served, that on December 25th the same caregiving staff would be here once again, not at home with their families. I shuddered to think of the consequences if too many of them took a “sick” day on Christmas, or any other time. It would be Bedlam - literally.

I hereby gratefully thank every Caregiver to the chronically ill in every facility everywhere. So should you. Some day you might need them. Know someone with this disease? Visit them - often. The staff will know you care even if the patient doesn’t. That alone will sometimes make a difference in the care which they receive. It shouldn’t but we have all heard of a very few places where patients were not only ignored but abused when there were no outside eyes keeping a vigil.

I remember Dad’s final moments.

God - whoever and wherever you are, and anyone else so inclined  - bless Caregivers. Please keep up the good fight.
There are many great blogs devoted to this disease. Here is an earl for a partial list:

List of Alzheimer Blogs

The Brewster