I was married in 1960. So was my boyfriend. Only not to each other. I didn't have a real wedding. We eloped.
So I'm thinking about the wedding of my dreams. You're all invited.
I'm thinking a mountain top. Maybe even the Himalayas. We could all fly over to this spot I've been researching. Well, we'd have to switch planes a couple of times, ending up in a Piper Apache. And then just a wee bit of hiking. Some of you wouldn't be up to that so you could rent Llamas.
I will wear silk and my bridegroom would wear a powder blue Nehru Jacket. I want all of my Power Rangers to be bridesmaids and wear long purple dresses with big puffy sleeves. Oh, and I promised my son's mother in law years ago that if I ever remarried she could be a bridesmaid too - and also a lady I met last week at the restaurant where we eat soup. I promised her as well.
I sometimes feel like I've spent my entire life trying to make other people happy. It's about time I turned into Bridezilla.
Yes, the above is all a bunch of nonsense. We ARE getting married but it will be a very small family affair.
So I will no longer refer to this precious man as my boyfriend. We are betrothed.
***
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
My Connection to John Dillinger
OK, yes, he was shot in front of the movie theater several years before I was born. But I grew up in Indianapolis and, like it or not, John Dillinger was a folk hero. Still is. I'm sure that Crown Hill is filling up with visitors as I'm writing this.
When I was growing up in Indianapolis we lived on a corner. The street that ran beside our house was Jefferson Avenue. It was one block long and my brother and I knew every family on the block. All the kids did.
About half way down lived an old man. He was a recluse. We hardly ever saw him and we knew not to mess around in his yard. His name was Mr. Dillinger and the word was that he was John Dillinger's half brother, Hubert.
Everybody on the block just accepted this as fact and left him alone.
This morning I've spent an hour or so Googling the Dillinger family but I can't find any proof that the Mr. Dillinger on Jefferson Avenue, was, in fact, John's brother.
My boyfriend and I saw "Public Enemies" last night. We both liked it a lot. I could have done with a little less shooting and car chases but the look of the movie is terrific, the story is exciting and seems accurate, and, of course, Johnny Depp is, well, Johnny Depp.
When you see the movie you will understand why Dillinger was seen as a hero by some.
One day we kids were playing in the street on Jefferson Avenue. Several police cars, with no sirens, pulled up in front of Mr. Dillinger's house. They were in the house for a long time (or so it seemed to me) then emerged with old Mr. Dillinger in handcuffs.
The neighbors said that John Dillinger's brother had gone crazy.
That's all I know.
***
When I was growing up in Indianapolis we lived on a corner. The street that ran beside our house was Jefferson Avenue. It was one block long and my brother and I knew every family on the block. All the kids did.
About half way down lived an old man. He was a recluse. We hardly ever saw him and we knew not to mess around in his yard. His name was Mr. Dillinger and the word was that he was John Dillinger's half brother, Hubert.
Everybody on the block just accepted this as fact and left him alone.
This morning I've spent an hour or so Googling the Dillinger family but I can't find any proof that the Mr. Dillinger on Jefferson Avenue, was, in fact, John's brother.
My boyfriend and I saw "Public Enemies" last night. We both liked it a lot. I could have done with a little less shooting and car chases but the look of the movie is terrific, the story is exciting and seems accurate, and, of course, Johnny Depp is, well, Johnny Depp.
When you see the movie you will understand why Dillinger was seen as a hero by some.
One day we kids were playing in the street on Jefferson Avenue. Several police cars, with no sirens, pulled up in front of Mr. Dillinger's house. They were in the house for a long time (or so it seemed to me) then emerged with old Mr. Dillinger in handcuffs.
The neighbors said that John Dillinger's brother had gone crazy.
That's all I know.
***
Friday, July 3, 2009
Healthy Kids
When I was a kid my dad believed that fat people were healthy and skinny people were not. Since he saw my mother waste away with a long terminal illness I can understand his mind set.
But we know that, generally speaking, fat kids aren't healthy and, in fact, we're experiencing a fat kid crisis in this country.
But now we've learned that Minnesota, where I'm visiting for the summer, has the honor of having the lowest rate of overweight children in the nation.
They attribute this to physical activity and low poverty rates. Unlike my dad, they don't believe that the richer you get the fatter you need to be.
A few times a week we drive through a delightful little neighborhood. All of the houses are small but beautifully appointed, with flowers everywhere. But what strikes me is that there are always children playing out front. They're on Big Wheels and bikes; playing ball and tumbling down Slip 'n Slides.
I rarely see this in other neighborhoods in other states. I wonder why kids don't play outside much anymore.
So congrats, Minnesota.
On the other hand, the state that rates the highest in overweight or obese kids is Mississippi with 44.4%. Yes, that's almost half.
I guess what Garrison Keillor says about mythical Lake Wobegon is true for the entire state of Minnesota.
...where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average.
***
But we know that, generally speaking, fat kids aren't healthy and, in fact, we're experiencing a fat kid crisis in this country.
But now we've learned that Minnesota, where I'm visiting for the summer, has the honor of having the lowest rate of overweight children in the nation.
They attribute this to physical activity and low poverty rates. Unlike my dad, they don't believe that the richer you get the fatter you need to be.
A few times a week we drive through a delightful little neighborhood. All of the houses are small but beautifully appointed, with flowers everywhere. But what strikes me is that there are always children playing out front. They're on Big Wheels and bikes; playing ball and tumbling down Slip 'n Slides.
I rarely see this in other neighborhoods in other states. I wonder why kids don't play outside much anymore.
So congrats, Minnesota.
On the other hand, the state that rates the highest in overweight or obese kids is Mississippi with 44.4%. Yes, that's almost half.
I guess what Garrison Keillor says about mythical Lake Wobegon is true for the entire state of Minnesota.
...where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average.
***
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Have You Heard?
Have you heard that Michael Jackson died? Of course you have. Even Osoma Ben Laden living in the cave in Pakistan has all the details.
What is it with us that we're fixated on this? Some people have suggested that it's our new instant communication but the same thing happened when Elvis died.
And when O. J. shot his wife. (I'm very much aware that minor celebs shooting their wives gets a lot of press.)
I get that both Michael and Elvis were great, one of a kind, innovative entertainers - but their personal lives were a mess. Is that a plus or a minus in our need for non stop info?
I guess it takes our attention from Iran, the economy and the countless other things that actually, you know, affect us.
Speaking of Elvis and Michael and their many things in common - including that crazy inter marriage a few years ago - I hear that the Jackson family has plans afoot for Michael to replace Elvis as the top money making dead celebrity.
Elvis made 52 million dollars in 2008.
I'm not questioning the Presley family or the Jackson family or even Al Sharpton. I'm wondering about our need for all this coverage.
***
What is it with us that we're fixated on this? Some people have suggested that it's our new instant communication but the same thing happened when Elvis died.
And when O. J. shot his wife. (I'm very much aware that minor celebs shooting their wives gets a lot of press.)
I get that both Michael and Elvis were great, one of a kind, innovative entertainers - but their personal lives were a mess. Is that a plus or a minus in our need for non stop info?
I guess it takes our attention from Iran, the economy and the countless other things that actually, you know, affect us.
Speaking of Elvis and Michael and their many things in common - including that crazy inter marriage a few years ago - I hear that the Jackson family has plans afoot for Michael to replace Elvis as the top money making dead celebrity.
Elvis made 52 million dollars in 2008.
I'm not questioning the Presley family or the Jackson family or even Al Sharpton. I'm wondering about our need for all this coverage.
***
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Cafeteria Selections
Fundamentalists in all major religions accuse moderates of practicing "Cafeteria Religion." Moderates accuse fundamentalists of doing the same.
The idea, of course, is that we pick and choose which parts of the Bible (or the Koran, etc.) to practice.
I've finally finished "The Year of Living Biblically" by A. J. Jacobs. And I thoroughly agree with him that we all practice cafeteria religion.
I know I do.
First off, I'm a New Testament gal. Don't have to worry about those hundreds of rules in the Old Testament the way Jacobs did in his year of living biblically.
Next, my examples begin with Jesus and my Jesus examples start with the Sermon on the Mount.
Yes, I still have some problems with the Apostle Paul. Thirty years ago when I was helping to do battle for the Equal Rights Amendment (for women) a person yelled at me saying, "The Apostle Paul would not vote for this amendment." I said, "No, but Jesus would."
That was my "Cafeteria Selection."
Of course the are some sweeping concepts that go from one end of the Bible to the other. One is forgiveness. Another is the overwhelming mandate to take care of the poor and those who are suffering.
***
The idea, of course, is that we pick and choose which parts of the Bible (or the Koran, etc.) to practice.
I've finally finished "The Year of Living Biblically" by A. J. Jacobs. And I thoroughly agree with him that we all practice cafeteria religion.
I know I do.
First off, I'm a New Testament gal. Don't have to worry about those hundreds of rules in the Old Testament the way Jacobs did in his year of living biblically.
Next, my examples begin with Jesus and my Jesus examples start with the Sermon on the Mount.
Yes, I still have some problems with the Apostle Paul. Thirty years ago when I was helping to do battle for the Equal Rights Amendment (for women) a person yelled at me saying, "The Apostle Paul would not vote for this amendment." I said, "No, but Jesus would."
That was my "Cafeteria Selection."
Of course the are some sweeping concepts that go from one end of the Bible to the other. One is forgiveness. Another is the overwhelming mandate to take care of the poor and those who are suffering.
***
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Interns and Slaves
I talked with my son today. We discussed, among other things, interns. He always has a number of summer interns and sometimes hires them later on.
I'm still reading my "The Year of Living Biblically" book by A. J. Jacobs. In yesterday's reading he mentioned that he would soon be getting his first intern at his real job at Esquire. At the same time he's delving into the ancient biblical laws about slavery.
Are interns slaves? I know some of them think they are. Remember "The Devil Wears Prada?"
Here's a quote from the book:
His (Kevin's) internship is still a few months off. Which is fine by me, because it'll give me plenty of time to figure out biblical slavery. There are some interesting rules. Like:
Yes, I agree with Jacobs, the existence of many things in the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is bewildering.
***
I'm still reading my "The Year of Living Biblically" book by A. J. Jacobs. In yesterday's reading he mentioned that he would soon be getting his first intern at his real job at Esquire. At the same time he's delving into the ancient biblical laws about slavery.
Are interns slaves? I know some of them think they are. Remember "The Devil Wears Prada?"
Here's a quote from the book:
His (Kevin's) internship is still a few months off. Which is fine by me, because it'll give me plenty of time to figure out biblical slavery. There are some interesting rules. Like:
- You can beat your slave as hard as you want - as long as he survives a day or two post beating (Ex. 21:21
- But if you beat him with a rod and he dies immediately, you will be punished (Ex. 21:20)
- You also can't pluck out the slave's eye, or else you have to set him free. Likewise, you can't knock out his tooth, or you set him free. Ex.21:26-27
- If the slave was born to the Hebrew race, then, regardless of his eye and tooth situation, he gets his freedom after six years. If he opts to refuse his freedom, you must put him against a doorpost and drill a hole in his ear with an awl. (Ex. 21:6)
Yes, I agree with Jacobs, the existence of many things in the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is bewildering.
***
Monday, June 22, 2009
Chinese Fortune Teller
Yesterday was Father's Day. So, after church, I took my boyfriend to lunch. He's not my dad but he was and is a good dad so it was fun to remind him.
We went to his favorite Chinese restaurant and shared a Walleye fish dish. It came with the head attached. I tried to get my boyfriend to take the head home for a sandwich later, but no dice.
We chit chatted with a man sitting beside us who was obviously taking his dad to lunch. They talked about interesting things. I complimented the man for being a good son.
Then I told him about a serious problem that had just arisen and asked his opinion. Our place mats told us that I was born in the year of the tiger and my boyfriend was born in the year of the monkey. And that we are not compatible. In fact, they said the monkey should avoid the tiger!
The young man thought for a minute and said, "I don't believe you should base your future on Chinese place mats."
How wise.
They left. And a few minutes later the waiter came by and said that the young man and his father had paid for our lunch.
We were amazed. He was not only wise but generous. I wonder what his place mat said.
***
We went to his favorite Chinese restaurant and shared a Walleye fish dish. It came with the head attached. I tried to get my boyfriend to take the head home for a sandwich later, but no dice.
We chit chatted with a man sitting beside us who was obviously taking his dad to lunch. They talked about interesting things. I complimented the man for being a good son.
Then I told him about a serious problem that had just arisen and asked his opinion. Our place mats told us that I was born in the year of the tiger and my boyfriend was born in the year of the monkey. And that we are not compatible. In fact, they said the monkey should avoid the tiger!
The young man thought for a minute and said, "I don't believe you should base your future on Chinese place mats."
How wise.
They left. And a few minutes later the waiter came by and said that the young man and his father had paid for our lunch.
We were amazed. He was not only wise but generous. I wonder what his place mat said.
***
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