140 Random thoughts redux

Random Thoughts

Well, Dear Friends/Readers, I am not sure whether I have an eclectic mind or I just got a bit bored after four consecutive days off during which I did no housework that I did not HAVE to do. I read three (yep) novels,* did the LLC taxes to take to the accountant, filed my county business license, took one dog to vet, and watched HOURS of the Olympics and, 

for exercise, I moved from TV to computer to search topics that had popped into my mind. Maybe, just maybe, I am going gaga! Yes, I got the “must-do’s” done, but that was it!

[* Tartt: The Goldfinch; Saunders: Lincoln in the Bardo; and Gabaldon: Seven Stones to Stand or Fall. If you need something to read, I recommend them all.]

Back to whether or not I have an eclectic mind or just bored. First, “eclectic” is a Greek word meaning to “pick out” or “choose” according to the Oxford dictionary (OED). One problem I see is that I did not set out to choose or to pick out the various subjects – they were more like “mind-pops” from who knows where – maybe TV, the newspaper, radio, or a magazine. I really don’t know.

The following are the topics about which I have ruminated and Googled these past four days:

Cryptocurrency – What is it? Why is it? Where did it come from? Will it last? Will I ever use it? Doesn’t it need even more regulations than “regular money?”

I think it is exciting and a little bit (no, a lot) scary. It seems to me a bit like Pay Pal for grown-ups with money – lots of money.

The Cloud – What happens there? Why do I not know more about this? Can I access it? Okay, it’s for digital data storage. Is all my “stuff” in the Cloud? How do I know? If it is there, I did not consciously put it there.

Pain – I do not like pain. I do not want pain. Why do these Olympic athletes continue to participate again and again after all the rips, tears, breaks, bruises, and rehab? What motivates people to have a passion that hurts one?

Prejudice – Is it not worse now that it was 10 or 15 years ago? Why? Has it always been just lying latent and now has reared its head again? I heard a podcast on NPR (no, I can’t remember which one as NPR is on whenever I am at the computer) talking with bankers about how few home loans are made to minorities (fewer than 10% of applications) and how this leads to gentrification which leads to changing neighborhoods and loss of local businesses. One case cited a Philadelphia area that had been largely minority rentals. Many of the residents had lived there for generations. Now, it is townhouses and brownstones and gone are the mom ‘n' pop stores and in have come the Starbucks, brand-name clothes boutiques and upscale bistros. Where do these minorities go? Doesn’t this contribute to the rich (the developers) get richer and the poor (minority renters) get poorer? Sad.

AI – Artificial Intelligence. OH, MY! Read Dan Brown’s Origin. He opens up many questions about religion and truth and the meaning of life and how AI fits into it all. Okay, so I spent a good bit of time googling AI. 

Then, an ah-hah moment. I am asking AI questions about the ethics and ability of AI to Google’s AI algorithms. I am merely asking AI about AI. Apparently, it so far developed that not only will there be self-driving cars (sorry, I love to drive and like being in control), but some AI computers dream and can talk to other AIs. A great read on this subject should you be interested is Medium.com – an article by Y. Zunger, October 11, 2017.

Life expectancy - People born in 1946 have a lower life expectancy than those born in 1942 according to an actuarial table on Boredom Therapy. This was not explained. I searched a number of sites about life expectancy and got nothing to explain what I had read. This worries me. Was this fake news?

AND

Sad stuff – I won’t be around when the granddaughter graduates college. She is 18 months old and has a mania already for cell phones, remotes, and computers. I wonder what she will do as an adult. This last one is making me melancholy. Thus, I will quit thinking about big things and play bridge online. And, yes, I work tomorrow!

       Happy thoughts, Glenne

139 Movie madness

Movie Madness

Stories about a reluctant bull, a flamboyant risk-taking entertainer, a train trip to Paris that turns violent, as well as characters and events extremely compelling have come to life this winter as new movies take over the big screen.

We usually don’t go that often to the movies, but in the last couple of months, we have seen seven movies with family and friends.

I could not pick my favorite from the list as each has its own unique features, but some were a little more enjoyable than others.

It is always a delight to take the grandkids to the movies and gives us an excuse to see the cartoons as adults. “Ferdinand” and “Paddington 2” were both equally entertaining with lessons for all of us to learn and remember.

“Ferdinand” is based on the story in Munro Leaf’s classic children’s book, published in 1936. The animated movie is delightful as the audience learns that this bull doesn’t want to fight and has to make serious decisions about his behavior. Who would believe that a bull has a sensitive side? The book may be decades old, but it addresses issues still prevalent.

“Paddington 2” is, of course, the continuation of “Paddington” with more exciting adventures with his adoptive London family, the Browns. The escapades he encounters as he looks for a perfect 100th birthday gift for his Aunt Lucy are legendary, and of course, the whole family has to get into the picture. The animation and real-life character blend well for enticing glimpses into the British life when a proper bear enters the picture. I definitely can see the third sequel in this series, but I won’t give it away just yet.

While I took our six-year-old grandson to “Ferdinand,” my husband and son took our ten-year-old granddaughter to “Jumanji.” While I can’t say anything about it, they all raved and raved that the movie was definitely worth it. It is also a second version of the movie and has a very different storyline. It is based on the 1981 children’s book of the same name by Chris Vann Allsburg. and is a sequel to the “Jumanji” movie that came out in 1995. This takes place as teenagers take part in a video game.

Moving away from animation and teenage characters, we took in the story of “The Greatest Showman.” As a circus lover, I relished every minute of the story of PT Barnum and how he built his amazing show. While it does not stick While it does not stick to all the true facts, it gives a believable account of how it came to be using singing and dancing in this original musical. It is especially meaningful as the circus closed this past year as the times changed and audiences dwindled. It is not without hardships and risk-taking as you can well imagine. 

“The Post” was realistic and brought back the memories of that time in our history. The Vietnam War was always controversial and resistance was center stage. To view the decision making of the matriarch of The Washington Post was agonizing as she had to put her paper on the line of survival or defeat. 

One of the striking comments brought the realization to light--The Washington Post was only considered a local newspaper until this event when they received international acclaim. Today’s issues can be contrasted in the film that has top-notch actors bringing the story alive with dramatic and very serious undertones. How could it miss with Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks and a compelling story!

“Phantom Thread” is quite a different plot line than the others. Actor Daniel Day-Lewis, who is one of my favorites, gives a stellar performance as the main character, but it is hard to recognize the actor of past years. Set in London in the 1950s, the film shows the intricacies of dressmaking and designing as well as relationships. 

It is a beautiful movie as the camera angles enhance the designs as well as the striking architecture. The story develops methodically and sometimes slowly as the plot is sometimes predictable and sometimes not.

“15:17 to Paris” details a true account of three Americans, Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, and Alek Skarlatos, who thwart a massacre on a French train in 2015. The actors are the real participants in the story that took place during a European tour. We all read about the event in the newspapers several years ago. 

It is based on the book, The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Soldiers. Seeing the young men during the years they were growing up and observing the development of the friendship solidifies the true meaning of working and sticking together.

There are several more movies we want to see in the next few weeks, and I especially want to see “Peter Rabbit.” As a fan of Beatrix Potter, I am eager to see her work come to life on the big screen. I know my grandchildren will too.

Hopefully, you will want to see some if not all of these movies! It is one way to liven up the dull days of winter.

Frances         

138 Nutrition advice--aaargh!

Nutrition & health advice--aargh!

I probably look at too much health and nutrition advice--what with daily WebMD emails, interesting and sometimes spurious information via Facebook, and television and radio, especially NPR--I am either a serious hypochondriac or perhaps just looney.

The thing we shouldn't eat is now the thing we should and vice versa!
Some recent Headlines:

And alcohol! "The research on alcohol's effect on health suggests both harm and benefits, says Gary Rogg, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Montefiore Medical Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. 'The studies show links to breast cancer [and] links to liver cancer [with alcohol intake],' he says, as well as to other cancers.'If you reduce alcohol intake you can reduce the incidence of head and neck cancer and colorectal cancer. Having said that, there seems to be a benefit with [alcohol] and heart disease.'" 

The rest of the article - https://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/faq-alcohol-and-your-health#5 - continues in the same light. Moderate is always best if you drink but some people should not drink at all. I am sticking to one beer a week.

We don't eat a lot of beef or pork. We do eat a lot of fish but now have to worry about mercury levels in fish. Except for grouper (and tilefish that I saw on another list), I don't like most of the higher-mercury-level fish.

We both eat yogurt for breakfast, and I thought I was smart eating Fage's zero-fat, zero-sugar yogurt. Zero and low-fat yogurts, however, are lower in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to be an effective supplement for reducing fat mass in animals, whereas results in humans have been inconsistent. Meanwhile, it's Fage Zero for me--it is an acquired taste. 

After reading lots of nutrition labels on cereals and grains, I now eat ground flaxseeds with my breakfast blueberries, walnuts, and yogurt. It is also an acquired taste! 

 I am waiting for the latest research that says flaxseed is bad for you.

We also like our salads. We just have to worry about salmonella, etc.!

I guess I will keep reading and eating!

Sort of Nutrition-Savvy Trish                

137 Super Bowl LII

Super Bowl LII

Where did January go? Good grief! It’s Super Bowl Sunday. Dear faithful blog readers know I have very mixed emotions about football--its aggression and its intensity, its number of concussive plays. BUT, you also may remember that something about the physics and the agility of the players is appealing. I also like that its winner-take-all game.

The Lombardi trophy--from

 Tiffany & Co. no less!

With that off my chest, a website called Neporent says that 1.3 billion chicken wings, 3 million pounds of nuts, 8.2 million pounds of tortilla chips and 139 million pounds of avocados will be consumed during the Super Bowl. 

And if you don’t really enjoy football, you probably could find a party (or hold one) and wait for the commercials costing at an average of $5 million for a 30-second spot (says Sports Illustrated). Uh, readers, that’s $166,667 per SECOND.

Or if you are a Justin Timberlake fan, he’s back for his third-time show. Hmm, remember the costume malfunction? And Pink said she was thrilled to be asked to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Stars will be in the stands, on the field, and at the mics.

I do believe that that Super Bowl Sunday is a new national holiday. It is the most watched single day sporting event in the world, broadcast to more than 170 countries and with 112 million viewers (Stevenson, Price, Kissell).

A great read about this match of the Eagles and the Patriots is Danny Kelly’s article in The Ringer (Jan 30, 6:10 a.m.) titled “The Super Bowl Rematch that Isn’t.” Recommended by son-in-law Paul, this is a really readable article embedded with video clips. Not only does Kelly give you the fun facts about the 13-year-ago game with the same teams, but he knows his football stats and informed information like the I-formation going away and the increase in shotgun snaps. (I learned a lot.)

And the ring! The coveted ring. Yes, made by the same Jostens as your high school ring. This edition apparently cost about $35,000. The following paragraph is from a Jostens’ press release. 

The Super Bowl LI Championship Ring features the iconic Patriots logo made from a custom-cut created corundum sapphire and ruby. An additional corundum sapphire in the background proudly surrounds the Patriots logo and five iconic Vince Lombardi Trophies. Each trophy features a marquise-cut diamond and then is pavé-set with brilliant round diamonds. Surrounding the custom sapphire corundum is another perimeter row of diamonds bringing the total on the top of the ring to 270 round diamonds. The title WORLD CHAMPIONS surrounds the sides contributing to the ring’s unique shape and size.

The oddsmakers and I agree on a very close game. If money is a deciding factor Tom Brady makes a salary of $14 million vs. Nick Foles at only $5.5 million--after taking over for the ACL-injured Wentz. Predictions are a Brady win. USAToday reports $4.6 BILLION in bets in the U.S on this game. The great Electronic Arts “Madden” game as well as Oddsshark and the Bleacher report all see New England as the favorite. How did you do?

Sunday night, 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on NBC at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth reporting. How many chicken wings did you eat? Any dip left?

And just for fun, here is the “edited” version of the Lombardi trophy made just for New England.

Until next time, stay warm. 

Savvy Glenne     

136 Avid Anglophile

Avid Anglophile

My anglophile tendencies have recently propelled into overdrive as movies and TV series have fed my obsession for anything pertaining to England.

I have always loved the literature and culture of our British friends, but in the last few weeks, various entertainment outlets have given fans like me an amazing amount of shows and movies to devour with great enthusiasm and feeling.

The series on Queen Victoria last year on PBS got my attention. I could never miss an episode and was so sad when it concluded. But to my delight season 2 began this January with even more intriguing and sensational plot twists. 

Of course, it is all based on history so there should not really be any surprises, but the drama never ceases to amaze me and pique my curiosity. I also read that there will be a season 3--yeah!

This series is described this way: “A teenager in 1837, Victoria is crowned queen and navigates the scandal, corruption, and political intrigues of the Court, according to PBS’s Masterpiece series. She soon rises to become the most powerful woman in the world. The spirited monarch was perhaps the first woman to have it all.”

If that wasn’t enough to keep me totally invested in these royal subjects, the series, “The Crown,” was brought to my attention. I didn’t think I could find it on TV. I have a remote I can talk to so I asked it and like magic, the series appeared. I’m into season 2 and can’t get enough of the series.

Netflix describes it as a drama that “follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.”

And it certainly fulfills that goal with twists and turns that keep the action moving, sometimes a little methodical but that is the British way. The civility is overwhelming but occasionally a spark of emotion comes through. 

This is usually from Princess Margaret, who keeps the royalty constantly in a state of surprise as her lifestyle is not so civil and proper.

Both of these series, portray the queens facing issues most women face--juggling husbands, work, children, and more. Of course, these are at such levels that most of us cannot comprehend but we do empathize with family and obligations.

Both series show how powerful women must maintain their control but appease the husbands who often feel left out and suffer feelings of unfulfillment.

Nevertheless, I can’t stop watching. There is something about the queens that draws me in and keeps me turning on the shows. I know how it ultimately turns out but it is fascinating how it all unfolds.

“The Crown” is especially interesting since the queen and prince are still serving in those roles. It makes one realize how the modern-day issues were prevalent in the early days and have somewhat been resolved in this century. Divorce looms heavily in many situations that would not be an issue today.

The gravity of the situations is also emphasized as the simplest of issues often are full of extenuating circumstances. Alas, the life of a queen is quite complicated==far more than wearing a crown and fancy gowns.

Also, in “Victoria,” a recent episode discussed the British troops in Afghanistan. One of the advisers urged bringing the troops home, but they suffered defeat before that happened. He went on to say the area was extremely rocky and hilly and the natives constantly fought among themselves. Sound familiar!!

In addition to these TV series, the movies have added to an Anglophile’s obsession--The Darkest Hour was released recently. This tells the story of the early days of World War II. “The fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against incredible odds,” according to a web link about the movie.

Of course, we all know how that decision affects the entire world, but the agonizing and difficult path followed to reach that conclusion is revealed with excellent acting and writing.

I urge all of you who share my love of all things English to watch when possible these series and movie. I have no idea why I am so obsessed this way, but I can never resist these types of shows. My husband tolerates my watching habits, and it is especially interesting since he is the one with English, Irish, and Scottish heritage while I have absolutely none. There is no accounting for taste.

He won’t even consider another trip to the United Kingdom. I have enjoyed every moment of my visits, but he has had enough. If you notice I am AWOL, then I may have slipped away to get more doses of English life!!

Anglophile Frances                   

135 Value of naps & update

The Value of Naps & Update on Readers

I was feeling a little guilty for regularly enjoying an afternoon nap. Although it isn't my fault--Tootsie, my Jack Russell pup, directs me to the chair most days right after lunch.


I start out reading a book or scrolling through my tablet, but before long we are both snoozing.

No guilt trip necessary--research says that naptime is good. Not only that but after lunch is best!

For most people a regular nap will increase alertness and may prevent heart attacks. Individuals who have trouble sleeping at night probably should avoid naps.

I don't follow all the napping advice. I don't sleep in a dark room or set an alarm. Naps should be under 30 minutes so the napper does not enter into deep sleep. If you feel very groggy upon waking from a nap, it probably means you have interrupted deep sleep. The best way to overcome the grogginess is to walk in the sunlight. Guess that won't work for rainy-day naps, which to me tend to extend too long.

A rubber duckie reader!

An update on reading figures

As you know, I collect statues of readers. My sister sent me two cute readers for Christmas:

 Then I found four readers when visiting some resale shops. And I did not buy a single one!

I am, however, keeping a virtual collection:

As I type, someone is snuggling beside me. Please excuse me for about 20 minutes.

Trishzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz              

134 Reflecting on 2017

Reflecting on 2017

Good grief! January is nearly halfway over. We haven’t even celebrated Christmas 2017. The grandchild had bronchitis, husband sick, etc., etc., etc. You may recall that our 2017 was highlighted with funerals, weddings, broken appliances, new furnace, rewired electricity, and leaks. Hoping for a nice, quiet, uneventful 2018. Maybe, maybe not. We shall see.

Also, regular readers know that I spend far too much time “surfing the web.” So, I checked many sites to see what 2017’s most popular “hits” were. Below are some highlights of last year that I found. Maybe you will know them all; most will know most of them. 

First, I was flabbergasted that if one simply types in “top stories of 2017,” the return is over 8 million results in .83 seconds (and we still have Hughes Net for our computer service!). 

Next, I read my favorite news sites; then, I chose a few random sites as well. [An aside: some popular press, including the Washington Post, showed the top 10 for each month and no cumulative list--those I eliminated in my unsophisticated analysis.] Third, I have listed for you the findings of respected news sites. Here’s hoping you enjoy skimming them and maybe learning about something or someone you missed. I did. How do “breaking news” stories not embed themselves in the neurons?

The Associated Press: 

1. Sexual Misconduct(the list is too long to iterate here) 

2. Trump’s First Year controversies (again, the list is long) 

3. Las Vegas Mass Shooting 

4. Hurricane Onslaughts – Harvey, Irma, and Maria 

5. North Korea (who has the biggest red button – my editorial remark) 

6. Trump/Russia Probe along with the fates of Comey, Mueller, and Flynn 

7. Obamacare--What Happens Next? 

8. Tax Overhaul – What does it mean for budget deficits, health care, and corporate taxes? 

9. Terror Attacks – from NYC to Istanbul, from Barcelona to England, and places worldwide
10. Islamic State – losses in Mosul, Iraq, and Raqqa, Syria, but continuing operations in Egypt and Afghanistan.

NPR: (note differing interests) 

1. Trump politics 

2. California’s iconic Sequoia Tunnel Tree felled by storm 

3. Radioactive Cloud particles over Europe--where did they come from? 

4. Republican Tax Overhaul and its effects 

5. Las Vegas Shooting

The New York Times:
1. Las Vegas Shooting 

2. Alabama Election--Jones defeats Moore 

3. Mayweather v. McGregor--10 rounds TKO 

4. Hurricanes 5. Judge Blocks Trump order on refugees 

5. Matt Lauer Firing (referencing many offenders before this announcement)

Google: Most popular searches for 2017 

1. Hurricanes 

2. Matt Lauer 

3. Tom Petty’s death (oops--I thought he was the race car driver! Duh!) 

4. Super Bowl 2017 

5. Las Vegas shooting 

6. Mayweather v McGregor fight 

7. Solar Eclipse (how quickly we forget--the only site choosing eclipse that I selected) 

8. Aaron Hernandez (had to look him up!!--guess not watching enough football and sports news) 

9. Fidget Spinners

So, now, dear readers, it’s on to 2018. Stay warm and stay well. 

Savvy Glenne