Sunday, December 27, 2020

REMEMBERING RONNI. ----- KWANZAA ----- NEW YEAR

                            HAPPY NEW YEAR ---- 2021  ! ! !    Friday

        "The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas as this holiday weekend ends, we begin to celebrate Kwanzaa and we ready for New Year's Day.  Soon to follow are these significant countdown date facts augmented by my point of view .....

January 5, 2021:    Georgia runoff election for 2 seats determines U.S. Senate control.

January 6, 2021 at 1 p.m.:     U.S. Electoral College vote finalized,                                              certified in Congressional joint session -- if law and order prevails.

   ? ? ? ? ?                Current Lame Duck President exits the White House as he continues his desperate efforts to undermine our democracy, damaging this nation.

January 20, 2021 at noon:    President Biden is inaugurated.                                                                    

Another exciting week at my house as I continue to follow the Stay At Home admonition from health authorities as being necessary to limit Covid-19's spread and to avoid becoming infected.  

FaceTime proved to be the means by which our family virtual interaction was enjoyed Christmas Day with expanded participant contact expected in the week ahead, but probably on Zoom due to technical compatibility issues.  Additionally, I received videos of selected packages being opened to augment  the holiday fun.   Given the three hour time difference I could view the recorded action on a delayed basis allowing me to avoid having to arise at the young one's early-rising hour in their home.  

As this year comes to an end I have been reminded of how few holiday greeting cards with personal notes I wrote for mailing with equally few received.  I was made aware the already diminished number of friends and family decreased even further this year.    Additionally, I'm reminded of a virtual friend about whom I said no more than to announce her untimely departure when I learned of it several days after her death.

A tribute to this lady, Ronni Bennett, who created her "Time Goes By" blog is very much overdue.  For anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with her, I recommend you explore her blog.  Her writings, other features, can be accessed in the blog's archives under a variety of topics.  The blog will continue with her dear friend, Autumn, writing there.  

I recall with nostalgia my entry into the blogosphere years ago, first only reading, eventually cautiously commenting on TGB when I was simultaneously learning how to use a computer and discovered the Internet.  Ronni encouraged me in email correspondence to write, then later completely surprised me by asking me to be a TGB guest blogger on one occasion.  My response to her was one of incredulity, "You must be crazy!" as I did not perceive myself writing anything worthy of publication on her blog.  I did finally write  a piece for TGB, then ultimately started this blog, though my Internet blog launching was quite accidental.

I've shared Ronni's interest in presenting the life of elders as it really is.  I've enjoyed engaging in terminology discussions she fostered at TGB including our questioning the use of "senior" as applied to older people, but no one could come up with a better word.  She also wrote her somewhat controversial use of the word "elder" as meaning in the sense that it refers to those in generally older generations, whose years of experience can provide ideas worthy of being listened to by others, with respect.  She focused on overcoming the decades old practice of age discrimination which she had experienced first hand and persists today.  These are only a few issues she addressed.

Ronni's writing hallmark was truth and honesty.  She provided factual information supported by documentation on matters of vital importance, especially to those 50 years and older on topics including Medicare, Social Security and more.  Age discrimination, language used to characterize older people were issues of significant interest as she wanted to see that negative practice overcome, one to which she had been subjected.   

She pinpointed governmental actions, or lack thereof, that had bearing on elder generations, ultimately all citizens sooner or later -- everyone becomes old, if they live long enough.  She expressed her point of view on many topics, political and other.  Ronni clearly noted when what she wrote was her opinion versus a known fact as any responsible journalist would do.  She used an alter ego, Crabby Lady, on occasion to express her dissatisfaction, downright anger at any manner of injustice she perceived.  

Ronni entertained us with her good humor, sometimes stimulated our feelings of sadness as well as happiness, also arranged to provide some musical pleasure on her blog.  She demanded civility on TGB, did not allow comments designed to elicit free advertising and promotions, set a standard of quality influencing how others administered their blogs.  

I've hardly scratched the surface of what Ronni's "Time Goes By" blog, information provided there and commentary has contributed on the blogosphere and to all those who visited there.  Her influence went well beyond the blog with writings, media and technology conference appearances.   I haven't even touched on her professional career prior to starting this blog which can be sourced on TGB.

"Time Goes By" will continue, reincarnated by her dear friend, Autumn, as mentioned earlier, in whatever form she may choose which I will look forward to visiting.  I will miss Ronni Bennett, but will always remember her with high regard, respect and affection.  


                           H A P P Y    N E W     Y E A R   ! ! !

21 comments:

  1. Like you, I continue to miss reading fresh postings from Ronni. She, and about a dozen of my work and social friends from years gone by, evacuated in 2020. Our generation can expect more evacuations during 2021. Other than that, it is to be hoped that our 2021 is more joyful than has been 2020.

    Good luck to us all!

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    1. Surely do wish for you a much better 2021 with no need for evacuations.

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  2. Thank you for that lovely tribute to Ronni.
    I followed her for as long as I have been blogging and find it hard to believe she is no longer with us. I often think, I wonder what she would write about a particular subject, then I remember, she is no longer with us. I rarely commented but always read the ones who did. Kind of miss them as much as Ronni.
    Rest well Ronni.

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    1. I, too, sometimes imagine what Ronni might have to say about some of the things happening.

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  3. I’m glad you were able to be in touch with your family for Christmas, even if not in person. Happy New Year ahead!

    I’m sorry for your loss, of your blog friend Ronnie. It’s so hard when we make friends this way, or really, any way, and then we lose someone we care about.

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    1. Indeed, having virtual interaction with family was a highlight. Imagine how much more challenging coping with this pandemic would have been before we had all this digital technology.

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  4. This was certainly the year to be thankful for technology. It helped so many bridge the gap between families and friends during this pandemic. Nothing is like personal contact, but it's the next best thing.

    Ronni was a trailblazer, to be sure. I knew of her, but wasn't really affiliated or familiar with her much personally. I was in the minority, I know.

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    1. Personal contact is preferred, no question.

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  5. Joared, this is a lovely tribute to your friend, Ronni.

    I wish you a safe and happy 2021! x

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    1. Thank you and be happy, stay safe, too.

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  6. Joared, every morning I continue to check in Ronni's blog "Time Goes By." It had been one of my daily morning reads for a long time. I certainly miss her but am glad that her journey ended at the right time for her. I thoroughly enjoyed your piece on Ronni. Wishing you a healthy and content 2021. Stay well through these next several months and safe.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by to share your comment about Ronni. I, too, am glad she was able to choose her exit given her health situation.

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  7. I will miss her a lot. I've kept a link to her blog up, but her friend hasn't done an update. May the upcoming year be an improvement now that Trump is gone.

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    1. Autumn is blogging infrequently presently at TGB, only a couple times I think, but time will tell how she'll choose to proceed since she did write she expected to continue.

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  8. Well another Christmas has gone by. It was a bit lonely for many of us; hopefully next year will be better. I enjoyed your piece on Ronni. I read about her blog in 2008 and that is what started mine. She had such an intellect and honesty. I also enjoyed all the comments. It’s hard not to go in the morning and find her new post. Getting older we see many familiar people exit the planet, it is not easy.
    I hope 2021 will be a good year for you, filled with fun, good health and satisfaction.

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    1. I think one of the most difficult aspects of aging with which to cope is that the older we become we're faced with more friends and family who have departed this earth. Ronni's commentary will be missed by many, I'm sure, and other newcomers will not know what they've missed.

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  9. I miss Ronni, loved her posts and corresponded with her a few times. she was so very smart and so very vociferous in her writings on elders. She helped me so much with my workshops on elders and their treatment by media, etc.

    Happy New Year Joared!

    XO
    WWW

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  10. Happy New Year to you! I seem to finally have beaten back the gremlins that were preventing your feed from loading for me. Now, if only I can remember to check my feeds in a timely manner, all will be well.

    I never knew Ronni; in fact, I've never heard of her writing. Part of that is the WordPress/Blogger divide. I suppose it's only natural that we begin to connect with people who are part of the place we've chosen to do our blogging. I see the same thing at work. Boat workers who begin in a particular marina tend to get more work in that place. Omnipresence isn't available to us yet, so I guess we'll just have to live with it!

    It seems hard to believe 2021 is here, but so it is. I hope it's a good one for you!

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    1. Actually Ronni’s “Time Goes By” blog platform is Typepad, a platform currently used by many large organizations and media companies to host their weblogs like ABC, MSNBC, CBC, BBC, Sky News. I found TGB mentioned in a newspaper article, as being a respected blog focused on aging. Later i learned she had been the first editor of CBS News.com, a producer of numerous TV programs including Barbara Walters Show, Dick Cavett Talk Show, others prior to starting her blog. She made numerous connections with individuals in government, organizations focused on older people established in her research. Subsequently, she wrote articles featured in prominent publications including Wall Street Journal, other media. She even referred some TGB bloggers to media for further sharing of their aging views and experiences.






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  11. Happy New Year! January 20th cannot come fast enough. Unfortunately, Trump and his followers have still not given up. It's really ridiculous. Hopefully we'll all get our vaccines soon before COVID the numbers overwhelm us. Please take good care of yourself and stay safe.

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    1. I, too, look forward to Jan. 20th as we move forward one step at a time through the mindless obstacles. You and family stay safe, too, as thinking of Art's mother, too, needing to take special care.

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