My Power Rangers

As you know, I have this special group of friends that I like to call my Power Rangers.  That's not what they call themselves but I think they continue to be full of the most important kind of power imaginable.  And they're all over the place, hence the ranger part.

Of course I have other friends, even other very close friends, but these women hold a particular place in my life. 

It's hard to describe us.  But, strangely, none other than the outrageous Roseanne Bar wrote an article in the most recent Newsweek that makes me think of my Power Rangers.

She writes about life after menopause and how good it is.  Like:

Sometimes, as the months whip past now, like telephone poles from the window of a bullet train, I continue to realize how much of my life I spent firmly under the thumb of Mother Nature, that inscrutable Boss Lady.

A few years ago one of my Power Rangers wanted to use the word "Crone" to describe us.  I didn't like it.  But Roseanne Bar likes it. She says:

Depending on who's defining the word "crone," it can be a really wonderful gem of language.  Crone got saddled with the role of synonym for hag, and old grizzled woman who's often bitchy at best, malicious at worst........Luckily, intelligent women and some men, have begun returning the word to its rightful definition; an experienced, mature woman who's arrive on the north shore of the raging seas of this largely corrupt planet.

In other words, there's a lot that's good about getting older.  And my Power Rangers are still using their powers in a magnificent way for good.  As Bar sums up her article:

You don't need a young athletic body or piles of money to read some of the world's great books; or to soak up brilliant music and art; or to grow something beautiful in a little garden spot.  May your uterus remain relatively undisturbed during these, your glorious turban years!

I'm leaving now to go meet my Power Rangers for a birthday lunch.  I have a heavy heart this morning because another friend of mine, who just moved away so I can't see him, is dying.  I most likely won't share this news at the birthday celebration ....but the PRs will empower me anyway.


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Higher Ed

Dave and I both are involved in helping to provide educations for college students who can't foot the bill.  That includes most students these days.  Recently, we were talking about the percentage of young adults who go straight from high school to college - and graduate in four years.

Dave thought the number was high.  I didn't.

 But I can understand his premise.  His kids went straight from high school to collage and graduated in four yeas.  Mine did as well.

  But I know that's not the norm. I recently read some statistics saying that 50 percent of kids from wealthy homes ($87,000 or more) got their degrees in four years - but only 9 percent of low income ($26,000 or more) students graduated. 

These stats are scary for our country but we can all understand the reasons for this disparity.  I went to college first at night after working a nine hour day and then, years later after working, caring for my kids and husband, volunteering in my church, and getting three meals on the table.  In other words, it was a luxury after everything else was done.

My kids had it easier.  But not much. 

I can't image how fantastic it would be to get a free ride to a bachelor's degree or higher without having to be concerned about other, sometimes crushing, responsibilities.

Sounds like heaven to me.


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I've Got the Sun in the Morning and the Moon at Night

Did you have a good Thanksgiving day?  It seems like even those folks who like to complain a lot can crank up some good thoughts on Thanksgiving.  Even George Will wrote a kind of light hearted (for him) column on Thursday.  He even told a joke about the economy in Europe.

A Spaniard, an Italian and a Greek go into a bar.  They drink until dawn.  Who pays the tab?  A German.

Hahahahahaha, George.  You crazy guy.

Yes, we do live in trying times but now is the season for us to be filled with love and try not to be scared out of our wits. Just don't buy stuff you can't afford.  I'm trying to let folks know how much I love them in other ways.

Don't look at your 401K.  Instead take Irving Berlin's advice and do this:

Taking stock of what I have
and what I haven't
What do I find?

The things I've got will keep me satisfied.

Got no diamonds
Got no pearl
Still I think I'm a lucky girl
I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night. 

Got no mansion
Got no yacht
Still I'm happy with what I've got
I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.

And with the sun in the morning and the moon in the evening
I'm alright.


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J. Edgar

The movie "J. Edgar," directed by the great Clint Eastwood, has had mixed reviews.  We saw it on Saturday. 

I understand the mix.

It's long and dry.  No warmth.  But, as far as I can recollect, it's an accurate depiction of our first director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover.  He scared and intimidated all of us for almost 40 years - and that includes all of the presidents he served under. 

We'll have to admit he did some good but, to me, that can't override the harm.

Coincidentally, I'm currently reading "In the Garden of the Beasts," the best selling book by Erik Larson.  It's about the rise of Hitler in Germany.  I'd certainly never before thought about any comparison of Hitler and Hoover but I thought about it a lot while watching the movie.

• They both hunted down and punished anybody who got in their way - including those in power.
• They were both paranoid about so called subversives and radicals.
• They were both self loathing in their personal lives and accused others of the very lifestyles they were actively pursuing.
• They both liked to dress up.

Both Leonardo DeCaprio and Armie Hammer give powerhouse performances as Hoover and his long time lover, Clyde Tolson.  In the movie, the relationship between these two was loving.  (But I've read over the years that Hoover played out his gay leanings in most unhealthy ways.)

After the movie, over bowls of soup, Dave and I discussed whether or not it's possible for our world wide leaders to be totally full of integrity.  I don't know the answer to that but I hope it's yes.


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Garbage Detail

Have you ever had to dig around  in the garbage to find something you or your kids accidentally tossed?  I've stuck my hand into more messy garbage disposals and cans than you can imagine.  I've dived for retainers, pacifiers, jewelry, toys and lots more. 

But what a great feeling to  complete the rescue.

Last week's paper told the story of a man in south Florida  who, when he threw away his razor, accidentally threw his wife's 1.5-carat ring into the garbage.   And it, along with tons of other things, made its way to the dump.

He went after it.  After lots of rummaging in knee deep smelly yuke, and at one point, throwing up, he "hit pay dirt" when he recognized a pink cup from his wife's favorite yogurt shop.  He kept digging until he found their own personal garbage bag - and eventually discovered the ring in a puddle of black sludge. ''

Man, I know the feeling.


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Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Last week we saw the most current "Ape" movie at our neighborhood theater.  I wasn't too excited about it but Dave had never seen any in the series so we went.

We both loved it.

I had no idea that James Franco stars in this movie.  He's no Charlton Hesten but he's, you know, James Franco.  Actually the movie is very contemporary and not at all like the old ones.  Franco's father, played by the great John Lithgow, has Alzheimer's and scientist Franco is trying to find a cure. 

Because of this they end up adopting a really cute, sweet and enormously smart baby ape named Caesar. By the way, this photo is of Caesar, not Franco.

Franco has managed to produce a formula that makes the apes he's experimenting on really, really smart.  The first thing I thought of was that maybe James Franco has taken this drug in real life. Because, as you know, he's really, really smart.  And full of energy (like the apes.)

There's the writing, acting, directing, painting, teaching at New York University, oh yes, and getting the Ph.D thingy from Yale.

But then, in the movie, the formula (SPOILER ALERT) kills every person on the planet so I guess this is not what gives Franco his energy and intelligence.

The filming is beautiful.  I love the house and the neighborhood.  The apes all have personalities.

If you can get over all of the human beings dying issue, it has a pretty satisfying ending.  (Don't leave when the credits begin to roll because there's more to the story.)

So, if you don't have a neighborhood theater that shows second run movies for $1.25 except on Tuesdays when they're 75 cents, consider renting "Rise of the Planet of the Apes.


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Forgiveness

This morning, in my Forum Class, two people I love and respect led a discussion on forgiveness using a book called "Amish Grace."  It's about the tragedy a few years ago when those little school girls were gunned down in their little schoolhouse by a mad man.  But it's primarily about the totally loving and forgiving response of the Amish community.

In general, we had a wonderful discussion.  To me it veered off a wee bit by getting into talks about Penn State, 9/11 and so on.  But I know part of that's just me.  I always think the topic should be internalized and not about what "those people" should have done.  In Forum, it's about us at what we are called to do and be as followers of the teachings of Christ.

Not what we would like to do and be in our time of pain and suffering caused by others - but what we are called to do and be.

Our leaders did a wonderful job of presenting this concept:

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive us who trespass against us. This is what the Amish children are taught from day one.

Of course there are always those around who say - sometimes in a variety of ways - "Well, what would you do if someone profoundly hurt your child?"

People have hurt my children just as people have hurt your children.  And it always hurts us as well (Sometimes even more than it hurts them.)  And then a couple of years ago someone physically and emotionally and permanently hurt my child. In a profound way.  With a gun.

This morning we needed at least another hour to discuss the meaning of forgiveness.  One thing I know, it doesn't come from weakness.  It comes from profound strength.


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New Words

The American Heritage Dictionary just put out its new edition containing 10,000 new words!  Can you imagine?  Here are some that you know . 

• Cargo pants
• Hoodie
• Baby daddy
• Tramp stamp

Here's one you might not know.

• Spaghettification 

No, it's not pasta.  It's an astronomical term describing something like a black hole that stretches and then falls forward.

Here's one thats' definition is changing.

• Marriage

It's now defined as "The legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife".....and...."In some jurisdictions, between two persons of the same sex."

Here's a question to ponder:  Will this be the last edition of a print dictionary?


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What If You Were a Little Kid and Had No Place to Go?

Let the little children come to me. Jesus
When you've done it for the least of these you've done it for me.  Jesus 

Yesterday Dave and I went to a luncheon at the Florida United Methodist Children's Home.  It's a wonderful place and very beautiful.  I worked there many years ago.  It was a good place then but even better now. 

I know tons of stories about kids who've had their lives changed at the Children's Home. 

I wish, that, when my little brother and I were growing up, we'd been at the Children's Home.

Here are three new groups the Home is now helping: 

• A beautiful cottage for girls who have babies or are pregnant.  I want to call them little girls because a 13 year old, to me, is a little girl.  Even if she has a baby. 

• A beautiful cottage for little boys who've been sexually traumatized.

• A a foster care program for babies.  Couples care for these babies and toddlers in their own homes.  Sometimes the babies arrive badly injured or addicted.

While we were having lunch I also learned that one of the teenagers who was a resident at the Children's Home when I worked there is now running for mayor of Orlando. 

Yikes!  Am I that old? 


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Can Mark Harmon Pull It Off?

I'm a huge fan of the John Sanford "Prey" books.  Dave got me started a few years ago and now I think I've read all of them. They're detective stories.  The protagonist is Lucas Davenport.  He's a smart, great looking, independently wealthy, snappy dressing leader of Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA.) 

He's also a loner who "takes no prisoners."  He's a sort of Dirty Harry in a thousand dollar suit.

I'm also a big fan of Mark Harmon who plays Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS.  Harmon's bringing Sanford's "Certain Prey" to television tonight on the USA Channel. 

I hope he can pull it off.  Thousands of us have Lucas Davenport fixed in our minds in a certain way.  Harmon, in real life, is 60 years old. 

I hope he's able to pull off a hot 40 something detective with a hot surgeon wife named Weather to my satisfaction. 

I'll be watching.


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Time Management

Yesterday my Internet service went kaflooey.  I hate when that happens.  After trying everything I called my Internet provider. 

Another hour of fooling around. 

Upshot was that we couldn't fix it over the phone so a service call was necessary. 

"Will you be available tomorrow?"

"What time tomorrow?"

"All day."

Today's paper has an article titled "Hours spent cooling heels for cable guy cost us billions."  It says Americans waste an average of  4 1/2 hours per year waiting for repair people.

When I was a consultant one of my most popular seminars was on "Time Management."  It was not all about time being money - it was about time being your life - and how you want to spend it.

It used to be - like for all of history until about 50 years ago - that women primarily waited.  They waited for their men to come home from the war, from the golf course, etc.  Now it's a more even playing field. We all waste time waiting. 

Some might say that older, retired folks (like me) have the time to wait.  I say we have less time.  After you've hit a certain age - every minute counts.

With the invention of this new communication device called cell phones - there's no practical reason for people to stay home all day waiting for a repair person.

Yesterday I explained - in a nice way, of course - some of the above to the Internet guy.  Within 15 minutes after we hung up he had the problem fixed.

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Celebrity News

I woke up at 5:45 this morning and turned the radio to my news station.  The first four news items were as follows:

Kim Kardasian Speaks out About Her Break Up After 72 Days of Marriage

Do you remember the O.J. trial when Kim's dad, Robert, was part of the dream team?  He and O.J. were good friends.  O.J. moved in with them after the tragic death of his wife.  As we've discussed before, lots of folks' careers took off after that trial.  It ignited a cottage industry.

Now the next generation has taken the Kardasian brand to heights dad never dreamed of. Wouldn't he be proud of Kim and her sisters that look just like her, and his dancing son, and his wife, and Bruce?

Lindsay Lohan to Get 30 Days in the Slammer

Isn't this, like, old news?  We've heard it before.

More Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Claims

I never, for a minute, thought Herman Cain would be our next president but I did think he was a good and decent man, a good role model for all of us in many ways.  What's happening now is sad and depressing.

Justin Bieber's Fans Make Death Threats

Talk about sad!  I bought one of my granddaughters a Justin Bieber doll for Christmas.  I'm going to wait until the blood tests come out before I return it.

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I know there must be other news happening in the world but these are the first bits I heard.  What does this say about us?


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