PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION POLITICAL DOINGS

Recently I wrote a bit about my political doings this election year.  I laud those of you who are actively aligned with the political party and candidates of your choice providing assistance by working in campaigns in the many ways of support. 

Many years past when I was single I was President of one of the “Young” political parties small town chapters, very actively soliciting more new young members.  When the election time was near we were going door-to-door, distributing literature, engaging in dialogue on the issues, offering to make-certain voters had transportation to wherever they voted, whatever their political party preference.  Feelings ran high during that election, too.

Had I known then, what I came to learn only many years later I never would have supported the candidate I did.   In the small town where I was living, all the negative information that would have caused me to probably reject that candidate was packaged and received by us, his supporters, in such a way as to indicate it was all untrue factual distortion concocted by his opposition.  But, so many years later when residing in that candidates home state where much of his chicanery had occurred, I learned the truth.

We do the best we can with the knowledge we acquire and make our choices.  In retrospect, if I had to pick one major lesson I learned from that early naive youthful political experience, it is that I wish I had listened more to the opposition, made more of an effort to check the facts about what was being said though we had limited means to do so.

I grew up in a family and a State steeped in one particular political party tradition.  Oh, there was debate alright, but mostly within that parties parameters.  Whatever the issue between parties the debate entered into always came from an almost automatic point of view that the opposing view probably didn’t have any credibility.  Keep in mind that we all thought we were being objective and openly examining all sides of each issue, but the reality was quite different as I had learned years later when I became active in college debate.  There, we argued one side of an issue one time and the next time had to take the opposite point of view, all with the goal of winning both times.  There’s nothing quite like learning the weaknesses of any point of view when one has to learn all the fine points and then argue against them. 

Even having come to the knowledge I had about issues before I became politically active, I realize now how few fact checking sources we had access to compared to today with reliable fact checking organizations readily, literally, at our fingertips via the Internet. 

The flip side of that is there is an over-abundance of so-called “news” sources regurgitating “facts” that need to be checked.  Too many times we are subjected to authoritative-sounding voices speaking in absolutes that mask the warped distortions in what they say.   “News” sources – too many of which make little or no pretense at differentiating between actual honest-to-gawd news facts, rumor, gossip, opinion, innuendo, deliberate distortion of information.  Trying to stay on top of checking out this flood of information, misinformation, for facts or downright lies and anything in between, has become a nightmare in itself.  I guess it’s better than what existed in years past, but sometimes I do wonder.  It is enough to cause some people to throw up their hands in surrender and decide not to vote at all.  Personally, I think that’s a cop-out, but to each his own. 

I’ve been giving it my level best for many years to consider all sides of every issue.  I’ve already admitted to having made some mistakes, but I have learned.   I long ago evolved a manner of viewing and living life that pre-disposes me to a point of view which would certainly be brought to bear on the issues I consider.  You know – little things like “rights,” “equality,” “values,” “ethics,” “morality,” “choice,” “freedom,” to name a few significant words in that milieu. 

So, it should come as no surprise that in this, one of the most important presidential campaigns in my life time, that part of my process (everybody has their own, no doubt) was to visit my communities campaign headquarters for the two major political parties.  Just so you won’t be disappointed if you keep reading further, nothing profound occurred when I ventured into their dens,  though I  disappointed myself by not always retaining the calm cool collected dispassionate manner I had intended.

Anyone who has read some of what I’ve written previously here and elsewhere knows I’ve pretty well determined where my vote will go, and I have even confidently, on occasion, pronounced how I’ll vote and will likely continue to do so.  Still, until my ballot is in the box, nothing is a sure thing, so I keep trying to maintain an open mind.   

My first visit was to the Republican Headquarters which opened earlier than that of the other party, several weeks before the Florida Convention.  The Headquarters is in a very prominent visible popular strip shopping center  north of and facing famous Route 66 known as Foothill Blvd. in our city.  The strip has a few store vacancies, but is anchored by a busy grocery chain whose health food products include meats, produce and organic items.  A prominent national bank is in the process of constructing a new branch there expected to open soon.

Further down the strip, on the drive’s opposite side is a long vacated stand alone building that once housed a  bank which collapsed with the Wall St. financial debacle.  On the strip are a Chinese restaurant and the administrative offices for our very unpopular water company that has continued to charge our residents obscenely higher rates than other cities pay  that they also serve (a topic for another time since in years to come cities elsewhere may find themselves subject to similar exploitation by greedy water companies.)   

Be aware that Democrats usually garner the majority of election votes in our city, but we’ve had our share of effective and respected Republican government officials.  In fact, during our state’s recent redistricting we were very pleased with the Republican chosen to represent our city and the final official plan he was instrumental in seeing was adopted.   By the same token I’ve been one of many extremely displeased with our Republican U.S.  Representative elected by others in our then district who was part of those obstinately refusing to govern.  He’s not running for office this year since redistricting, but will likely be active behind the scenes.

I was the only Republican Headquarters visitor in the middle of a mid-week afternoon not long after their national Florida convention had ended.  I gravitated to some tables on which printed leaflets of various sizes, shapes, colors and number of pages were laid out.   A middle-aged gentleman approached and asked if there was anything he could assist with.  I asked if they had a copy of the Republican Platform and he was a bit unprepared for that request, saying, finally, “No.” 

Meanwhile, a woman from further in the room injected that there would be a copy of it on the Internet (which, I already knew, but I had wanted a printed copy) and I said, “Oh, that’s okay then, I can go out and get a copy there,” as I picked up a small printed list of issue points they had for distribution.  I mentioned I had a real problem with a lie Ryan had told which I cited, that caused the woman to become all excited as she came toward me voicing in a condemning and a very accusatory tone, “You’re a Democrat!” 

I said, “No, I’m not” as I briefly recapped my voter registration and some previous political history.  She went on to say, in a sudden burst that seemed to be in confrontation-type attack mode “Well, Bill Clinton lied!” to which I responded that had nothing to do with the Ryan issue to which I was referring.   By now, my voice is irritated, I realized, as the gentleman standing off to the side, but centered somewhere in the middle of the very wide distance between the woman and I,  tried to inject a calming but defensive justifying statement, I think.  His remark was that he had checked that statement and “Ryan hadn’t said that, he had simply used innuendo.”  I made some comment questioning how honest that was, but was so disgusted, and the atmosphere was obviously so highly emotionally charged, that I decided I’d be wise to just leave there. 

My mood was befouled by that time, but I drove down Foothill Blvd. a couple of miles  into the next city to a corner intersection occupied by a stand alone national fast food restaurant and a drive-in key making stand.  I turned south into a somewhat long-declining shopping strip with a huge vacant anchor space once occupied by several different major grocery chains each of which was unable to survive for long. 

The rest of the strip included some vacant storefronts interspersed between a small popular chain electronics store, a laundromat, a drugstore, beauty supply store, auto parts store, and  a few other businesses.  Across the main wide divided street was another long strip mall with all sorts of businesses, including a popular family-owned restaurant whose genuine Mexican food many of us enjoy.  A national company gas station/store is on that corner.

At a right angle from that long vacant grocery store building, clear at the end of the first strip described here, was the rather invisible Democratic Headquarters.  They had opened the day before their national North Carolina convention which would soon begin.  They had plenty of parking spaces available, as I mentioned later to those manning the party headquarters.  They are  probably well situated to attract nearby residents, in apartment complexes, foot traffic, and bus traffic going in all directions to and from Los Angeles, plus points east.

The city of this headquarters location has quite a different demographics and higher population numbers than my next door city.  The recent primary election had shown a significant increase in Republican voters in this neighboring city which some political writers had said should be of concern to the Democratic Party. 

I saw only two individual workers in the Democratic Headquarters when I entered and walked straight ahead to tables with a variety of printed handouts, similar in appearance, but fewer in number than I had previously encountered at the other headquarters.  There clearly was no Democratic Platform brochure evident, but maybe they hadn’t yet adopted one, so I didn’t even ask. 

I did ask the woman who came forward what sort of volunteer help they would be using. 

My tone of voice and serious manner did not elicit a warm smiling greeting which I soon realized.  I gave her the benefit of the doubt by assuming it was my problem and quickly apologized, noting I had just come from the Republican Headquarters where I had become irritated and, regrettably, these feelings had accompanied me here.  She named several groups who would be coming in the days ahead to man phone banks, calling people to assist in their registration.  I asked if they were going to utilize volunteers to transport people to their voting site.  She replied, “No, not this year -- they had the previous election and no one ever called to ask for a ride.” 

I expressed concern based on having read a news account shortly after the Primary Election that Republicans had more voters cast ballots than the Democrats, though there were more registered Democratic voters in that county directly east of our own which had been described in the article.   The significant result was that two Republicans had garnered most of the votes and would be the candidates in the general election and there would be no Democratic candidate.  She didn’t seem particularly concerned that getting voters to the polls could be a problem here.

I mentioned we all help our candidates in differing ways and that I knew many were writing some strong blog content in support of theirs – particularly for President Obama.  She turned away with a slightly dismissive look and toss of her head that distinctly left me with the impression that she had little regard for blogging as a useful act.  

By this time, I had moved to a table toward the front side of the room which had a long row of stacks and stacks of different pullover tee shirt/sweat shirts – mostly black fabric with Obama’s likeness on the front, and gaudily decorated for my taste, with all sorts of bright colored sprinkles and sparkles.   Perhaps they knew this was what would appeal to those who would be seeking election souvenirs, or to wear, in the community they were attracting.  Unfortunately, they were so unattractive to me I didn’t want to purchase one.  I didn’t see any pin-on type buttons, but hadn’t seen any at the Republican Headquarters either. 

The gentleman by that table came forward and a conversation ensued in which we noted sharing the same surname, that neither of us knew, or were related to any of the other people with our same name who lived in any of the  surrounding communities.  I  reiterated my concern I had expressed to the woman I had spoken with, that while voter registration  was vital and an issue in many other States, I thought what happened in that next door County would suggest that getting people out to vote might need to be a major focus here in So Cal.  I received an explanation and reassurance that what happened was a consequence of always present internal complications in how the political party functioned there in that particular county, but was not a concern here.

Also, he noted that he had checked the figures and Obama was certain to accrue all the votes he needed in California.  This was not difficult to believe, since California has predominately been a Democratic voting State.  However, I felt compelled to caution that if they wanted to be certain their candidate won, I hoped they wouldn’t be complacent – that there had been other elections, other years, whose outcome was thought to be known and proved not to be so. 

Before I left the Democratic Headquarters the man with whom I was speaking told me of group events they would be holding there in the future, including watching some of the convention proceedings which was clearly an unspoken invitation for me to return if I wished to do so. 

My adventure into these political party headquarters occurred with my having no agenda other than curiosity as to how I would be greeted, what I might observe, the literature they would be distributing, whether there would be an effort to elicit my support via my vote and/or my volunteering to help elect their candidate.   In both instances I think the approach was one of  allowing me to initiate any interaction, that they were there to answer questions as opposed to influencing how I might cast my ballot.

My questioning or expressing distaste for what one Parties candidate had said, may have predisposed those Party representatives, or at least one of them, to respond in a none to dialogue inviting manner.  But then, I’ve been in situations much more confrontational  than that and was able to respectfully have a friendly extended conversation with the person. 

Inquiring and questioning the other Parties approach to soliciting votes was probably not as threatening as commenting on one of their candidates statements would have been.  So, maybe it was easier for them to be more cordial and want to bring me into the fold.

This activity doesn’t sway my vote one way or another, and took very little time.  I didn’t really learn anything I didn’t already know from the literature that was being distributed.  I expect our California political headquarters are pretty calm compared to many other States, especially in those States whose votes are considered to be critical. 

Our particular area doesn’t really have that many other candidates and issues to motivate political parties to aggressively promote their point of view to voters even though we had redistricting.   There is such a heavy emphasis on the Presidential tickets that I think it overwhelms everything else.   I do think there are some State issues that will heat up our population before election day.  Our two women Democratic Party Senators are expected to be returned to office without difficulty.  There may be some districts  with some candidates for other national offices and some state ones that those voters will need to seriously consider.  

I wonder what’s politically exciting, or not,  where you live?

DOESN'T MATTER

Life is fragile and we have so much for which to be grateful as I described my 9/11 Remembrance last year.   I pay tribute to those whose lives were taken from them as a consequence of the events on and associated with that fateful day -- to their families and friends who forever acutely feel their loss. 

(Writing this particular piece for publishing today is purely coincidental.  Clearly what matters is valuing every minute of every day which we may sometimes forget when caught up in our own angst.)

Awakening after seven or more hours of sleep one weekend day, I arose to satisfy nature’s urge, then went to the kitchen,  glanced out the window noticing the papers had been delivered, returned to bed and slept until noon.  I’ve come to enjoy those hours when once in a while I return to bed, since generally lovely dreams, that I even remember afterward, fill my mind.

When I awaken again, a button pressed allows the radio news, weather reports to bring me up to date on life outside my house.  All the usual, another sunny day, firefighters still battling the flames in the forests distanced enough to the north, that the smoke-filled air is well beyond my environs, much less visible.  Storm warnings up the coast in the earlier-this-year strawberry festival city of Oxnard with possible wind and hail expected later today. 

Wandering out to the kitchen again, I see the newspapers still lying on the drive in their rain and sprinkler water-protective  plastic wrappings when I again glance out the window.   I decide I’ll bring in the papers, so don a jacket over my pajama top, a half-way body covering, since the pajama bottoms seem somehow less of an affront should someone drive by who might see me while I was engaged in my newspaper retrieval task.  Rarely ever are any of the neighbors in surrounding homes visible, but even their eyes would likely not be shocked or offended should they catch a glimpse of my strange-looking somewhat meagerly clad form.

Returning to my front door, I notice the mail has been delivered already today, so remove our city newspaper, flyer ads, promotional letters with one addressed to my long deceased husband, plus only one business letter of any consequence.  I miss the days when there was almost always a personal hand or type written letter from some friend or family member.  Once inside, jacket removed, my newspapers extracted from their protective covering, I decide to just sit down in the living room with them.  

I don’t have to gaze around the room to know there are, as always, an overwhelming number of tasks which I need to undertake that have multiplied daily in number since my husband’s death over six years ago, yet I continue to leave them all mostly undone.  Matters haven’t been helped by the fact I’ve drug at lot of “stuff” into the living room, ostensibly to sort, that I never quite get completed.   Refocusing on today's activities, I do sort the reading portions of these daily  newspapers from the advertisements I discard unread, along with the sports pages after I glance at the headlines, and special car sales sections. 

Misc. news items, gardening tips, music, theatre and film festival reports give way to the regular physician’s medical column feature of the day, followed by my chuckling through the half-dozen or so cartoons I enjoy reading.   The living room radio has continued broadcasting since I transitioned to that unit much earlier after leaving my bedroom.  The print reading now complete,  I tip my head to rest against the recliner chair back.   I am unmotivated to begin any activity, think about simply returning to the bed’s comfort, though I’m not sleepy and don’t feel tired.   I could care less about booting up my computer, and reading emails, blogs or going to other Internet sites.  I consider linking to music, but am not really certain what I might want to hear. 

My thoughts wonderingly examine why I’m actually listless, though I don’t feel dark thoughts as might be associated with the blues, or depression.  I wonder why I don’t become interested or enthusiastic about organizing my home’s interior into one presentable to not only myself but others?   Why don’t I care enough to just do all I need to do here – simply to please myself – and never mind any body else?  What crosses my mind is, that it just doesn’t matter. 

There is no one locally, unlike most of my past years here, who is going to pleasantly surprise me with a phone call asking what I’m doing, and would I like to join them for a cup of coffee and just chat for a while.  I realize there is no one who might show up unexpectedly at my door.  I realize there is no one I want to phone to inquire if they would like to get together for a  bit, just to discuss life, general nonsense, or intimate thoughts, concerns and questions.

When I consider taking off in the car, I realize the better part of wisdom for me is that maybe I shouldn’t be making long distance auto driving trips alone, even once I have my car completely checked over to make sure it would be safe for such trips.   I realize, as I’ve been aware for some time, that even making such a trip would likely not be as enjoyable as I might anticipate, because there would be no one of like mind with whom to share the experience. 

Additionally, I realize that my efforts at involving myself in activities interesting to me have resulted in my meeting few people here with whom I might establish close intimate relationships.  Good trusting friends take time to establish and as we age time gets much shorter, but the time required to develop those relationships often does not.  I did meet one such person (though we had know each other casually for over 30 years,) but inconsiderately life unexpectedly presented them with only a few short months existence after sudden onset of life-terminating health problems last year. 

Yes, others I’ve met, we share similar interests, but they already have such companionship with their spouses, so I urge them to treasure their time together.  Others, in some instances, already have their own longtime circle of friends who are all fortunately still living.  Yes, the spouse, local friends as I once had enjoyed – just as they sought out and enjoyed me – are long gone from this immediate area – and  many elsewhere, expired.   I’m glad I’m alive and would not want to be otherwise, but these years are not as I had expected them to be.   Selfishly, I fully anticipated many of those friends would share these years with me, especially the younger ones.  I suppose the situation doesn't alter as we get older in this living lottery

I think I may know why I’m motivated primarily only to go to work.  In addition to enjoying my work, the people I meet, and with whom I interact – that work impetus may only be partly because I made the commitment, so I have a professional obligation to honor it as long as I choose to keep working.   Other than that, my bottom line is that I don’t care – nothing else seems to matter that much.   

Still --- yes, I care about my children and their children, but they are far removed geographically, so they aren’t going to stop by.   They can’t pop in given the miles that separate us, as I know they would otherwise.  But then, if they did live by, they would have their own responsibilities.  That would be okay,  I want them to have a life of their own and I know how busy their lives can be – so many demands.  I, too, lived that life once, as I think about the contact I had across the miles with my mother.   I don’t want to move to either of my children’s parts of the country –  they’re even widely separated geographically from each other, too.

Sometimes I’m envious of those who have family living close around, then I hear of the conflicts and challenges that sometimes pose for all and think my situation doesn’t have those issues.   Still I’m tempted to wonder if I’m out-of-sight, out-of-mind, but I refuse to badger, complain and aggressively demand attention which would only seed undeserved guilt, possibly resentment and maybe even anger.

If the geographic distance wasn’t so great, I would undertake periodic driving trips to spend short visiting times – so much better for all of us than descending on them for long periods of time when I fly in.   Also, flying comfort is so unpleasant now, plus once I’m there I have no transportation to go out and about, it's inconvenient to borrow theirs – not worth renting a car -- not really areas to walk to nearby.  They don’t subscribe to newspapers, so I don’t  familiarize myself with what of interest is going on in their area.    

Guess I’ll boot up the computer and check my personal email.  How exciting!  My DIL has emailed me several photos from her smart phone.  My handsome (Grandma bragging rights invoked here) red-headed grandson is visiting the petting zoo, quite intrigued with all the animals and their noises, especially the piggies.  Also, he’s at the top of the slide, informing his mother he’s quite capable of sliding down on his own without her assistance, thank you.   Oh my!  He’s growing so fast – walking and running all over since he was nine months or so. 

Lost in thought, my phone rings – I’m surprised -- the call is from my daughter.  I know she is incredibly pre-occupied with all that’s going on in her home, none the least of which is studying for her classes, aiding my granddaughter as she begins her senior high school year and so much more for both of them.  My daughter is so tired and sleepy as I hear the periodic yawns in her voice.  We have a loving mother-daughter conversation that I eventually end, tucking her in with a hug and kiss across these miles for a much-needed good night’s sleep.  Her morning will come much too soon.   I remember those years only too well.

Where did the day go?  Evening arrives and I decide to cater to my whim for part of my weekly fish allotment.  Furthermore, I’m not going to cook – though I have some frozen salmon filets which are probably more healthy for me than what I have in mind.  Why not just go to that fast food place and get a fish sandwich?  That’s what I’ll do, but I’ll dress from the top up, still leave on those pajama bottoms – no one will know the difference – sure hope I don’t have an auto accident.  Mom always said it was important to have clean underwear on when I left home.  Oh well, off I go.

Soon I’m home again.  I feel just a little bit wicked having gone off dressed as I was, or undressed, depending on your perspective, but at least I’m not one of those people I’ve read about occasionally who are discovered stark naked in the car.  That’ll never be me, rest assured dear reader! 

Aren’t I lucky!  I do have good close friends, including one I’ve known all my life with whom I have frequent contact.  It’s just that none of them live here in my city any more.  And I have such a loving caring family, however few there are of us, regardless of the miles that separate us, who certainly don’t neglect me.   I suppose all of us have times when we may feel a bit alone in the world, but we really aren’t if we think about it.  Besides, I also have all my Blogger Buddies, too!

TUBELESS LIFE IN A POLITICAL WORLD

Staying current with what is happening both locally and in the world is possible without TV, a smart phone and the digital social media such as Twitter, and Facebook.    The circumstance of my television suddenly no longer receiving audio and video the morning of Great Britain’s Summer Olympics opening day ceremonies prompted me to spontaneously decide to conduct a “grand experiment” – daily life without television.   These London Olympics have long since ended (7/27 – 8/12/12,) but I’ve continued without TV well over a month now, discovering I’m not really missing much that I truly care about.

Not having TV available has significance, since the medium has had importance to me for a variety of reasons all of which I won't attempt to describe here.   When I did work in TV, during the days dominated by the big three networks, a few independent stations and public television developing, I made it my business to know the programming of all the area stations/networks.  Even when I left commercial television I was conditioned and genuinely interested in continuing to know the business, since I thought at some future time I might want to return to the medium wherever we lived.  

I was thoroughly disgusted as I watched the deterioration of quality TV news reporting which, actually, had begun to start in the mid-1960's before I left the business -- our local station, as did others, discovered more viewers would watch TV if they aired blood and guts car crashes,  than viewers who would want to know what laws were being considered in our State Legislature that would impact their lives.  So, with Nielsen and ARB TV rating numbers, instead of personal human judgement, time pricing and ad sales pretty much dictated what became the most important news for airing.   Programmers rarely were promoted to the top administrative positions, it was generally sales people.

During ensuing years with the advent of cable and continued expansion of media I've long since been unable, or even tried to track all programming, advertising, etc.  I content myself with choosing a few programs I enjoy, on selective channels, and take a cautionary approach to all so-called news programming.  Time and technology changes have brought me to the point I view this broadcast medium through different lens.

So, when my TV expired, or whatever happened, I promptly went out to a store to look at TVs -- prepared to arrange for purchase of one of those thin wall-mounted types, or a big screen on a pedestal. I probably could have had it installed that same day, or the next at the latest,  plus arranged for cable connection which I’ve long declined.  Then, I recalled reading of an expectation that, perhaps within a year even better new TVs would be on the market which had much simpler, more superior technological integration of both the Internet and  television programming, plus other features all in one unit (superior to and much less complicated for installation and operation than what’s currently available.)

The thought occurred to me, that “why didn’t  I just wait to purchase a new TV until then?” – if I discovered I wouldn’t miss the few programs I watch.  Thus the seed for this TV-less experiment sprouted.  A family member had planned to do without cable TV a year or so ago, but then relented after a few months because they couldn’t be without their sports broadcasts.

If my husband was still living that would be true in my household, too, but my enthusiasm for sports became somewhat diminished when for too many days, weeks, months, years I was drowned in TV sports of all kinds to the point of over-saturation.  (Sports inhalation wasn’t that excessive before we wed over forty years earlier.)   Actually, I’ve come to miss the sound of sports incessantly on TV, ‘cause the silence can be emotionally deafening.

I’ve gradually come to viewing a few select sporting events we enjoyed together before we wed, and in the early years afterward – or watching parts of games.  But missing them is not a loss for me – I find reading the final score, or about a special play can be almost as satisfying as watching the game – plus there are bound to be multiple replays of those spectacular happenings somewhere on the Internet.  In some instances I enjoy other blogger sports enthusiasts posts about them. 

My current news information sources are not necessarily listed in their order of importance,  but include a Los Angeles area all-news radio station that offers a few select excerpts and/or entire audio news shows broadcasts from CBS TV News, in addition to area traffic and weather up dates, plus all other pertinent news. 

My car radio is always on when I’m driving, and I often listen to the radio at home as I go about other business, sometimes even while using my computer.  If any news item is mentioned that I want additional information about, I simply do a computer browser search – also, I can always refer to ever-up dated Internet news  items listings and stories.   Finally, I continue to subscribe to that old-fashioned print medium called a newspaper – I receive two papers published seven days a week, plus a third -- my specific hometown’s bi-weekly paper (they are all also available on the Internet.)   I may purchase other newspapers and/or magazines on occasion.

When I scroll down through Internet news items I rarely find a major local, national or international news item that I don’t already know about.  I know about earthquakes almost as quickly as they occur anywhere in the world, but those in California where I live are always of special interest -- also concerns about tsunamis and/or nuclear radiation plant leaks (we have one about 50 miles away that's shut down now.)   When we have a shaker I ask myself, is this a foreshock, with larger ones to come and other questions those of us in earthquake country ask ourselves?   Nearby Pasadena earthquake specialists are soon on the radio to explain to us -- what they know about the quake and what they don’t know.  If we have a serious emergency we need to be on the radio anyway.

This time of year, especially in such a dry season, fire warnings are of concern.  My home is not in an immediately threatened type environment, but we have had fires a mile or two away in the more brushy forested foothills above us that have resulted in ashes falling like snow on our rooftops and driveways in years past.  Fortunately, when we re-roofed the first time years ago, we replaced the shake roof with shingles as did most other homeowners.  Tile is nice but some weather conditions can result in tile breaking. 

Also, we have more wildlife sightings in our communities this year, which had pretty much been limited to coyotes who have established dens in our city.   Coyotes did away with the feral cat population, (people used to bring cats up here and dump them.)  Residents have to carefully watch their house pets now, even if they have what they think of as high fenced backyards.   Good-sized dogs and cats have been victimized when all they've done is gone out at night to potty in their owner's backyard. 

An occasional bobcat, mountain lion have been reported, but this year we’ve added bears to the list.  Our local paper now provides free coyote and bear sighting posts with streets named and it’s none too comforting to recognize some of the street names not being too far away from my own.  I’ve long accustomed to sometimes seeing the coyotes racing down my street in the wee hours, so am careful to have a noise alarm of some sort in hand if I go outside other nights – though I’ve never seen any coyotes on the  occasions I’ve stepped outside. 

This year our city has installed an automatic phone alert system that serves to inform citizens of emergencies.  I’ve received two recorded messages to date.  The first was a month or so ago when we had unusually high temperatures way over 100 degrees with very high humidity,  advising where cooling stations (one at a multi-use park area building only a mile from my home) would be open.  I had no need to avail myself of that service but it was comforting to know of the availability. 

Fortunately, Southern California residents have observed voluntary electric power conservation measures. so we have not experienced power outages  -- unlike years ago when our State was ripped off by manipulative electrical grid companies obscene pricing.   One greedy company man was recorded saying words I still bitterly recall:  "Burn, damn you burn" -- when fires were downing power lines, burning homes, jeopardizing human life of residents and firefighters trying desperately to save all life, people and animals.

Our government's FERC did little to see our State was compensated for this injustice when corporations literally stole citizen taxpayers money -- all in the name of rigged immoral and unethical business practices -- simply being legal due to manipulation of intent isn't good enough.   So, when I'm told corporations are people, I am enraged, because obviously even some individuals within corporations adopt inhuman 'company-think' attitudes.  I could only wish that person's abode would be threatened in the future, but my humanity does not allow me to wish that disaster on anyone or their loved ones however despicable his behavior.  Surely he was identified, though I never knew.  I hoped he was fired from his job, but I've become cynical enough to think that, privately, his superiors gave him a bonus.

Just this week a fast-burning fire in the Glendora foothills west of my city, traveling east toward us and our mountain winter ski community, Mt. Baldy Village, was and still is out of control.   Nearly 1300 firefighters have been battling the blaze since Sunday and as of  yesterday,  Thurs., it was just over half contained.   The emergency phone message I received Tuesday was that some planned burns and backfires would be occurring above our area in an effort to halt the fire, but the result might mean extremely smoky air to breathe that was dangerous to residents health.    We were told when we awoke Wednesday morning if we saw these smoke-filled skies to stay indoors.   

Actually, I didn’t see as much sky-filled smoke that Wednesday morning as I had been prepared to expect, but I hadn’t arisen until mid-morning, so maybe some of the smoke had dissipated.  Though my house has A/C I did notice as soon as I awoke the acrid smell of smoke which had somehow penetrated the interior to some degree – maybe through fresh air the A/C pulls in, or through one of two fireplaces that I think are shut which we haven’t used for many years.   

Naturally, having had no therapy patients for a few days, I received calls that morning to see two new patients, but their swallowing problems had nothing to do with fire-related respiratory issues, though one was coughing a lot -- but had been doing so long before the fire and smoke.  (These calls are what I refer to as the ‘feast or famine’ nature of my part time work – no patients or suddenly, several – but I’m on call every weekday – so my schedule is unpredictable.)  Fortunately, I had only to go a few steps to my car, drive about a couple miles and could enter the facility from a parking lot space only a few hundred feet away, so excessive smoke or air pollution is not a major problem for me if I have to go out.  

Writing of emergency services available in my city, I'm reminded that our local Red Cross chapter has had to consolidate with some other local communities.  They've had to give up the cute little house they've long occupied since before I lived here in the northern part of our city.  I periodically took my CPR classes there with excellent instructors.  An active ninety year old acquaintance who has long served our local Red Cross on their Board and been a coordinator for disaster situations will continue her involvement, but is being involved in various other Red Cross volunteer activities.   Our nation's economic situation continues to have long term repercussions even as we go about the process of recovery.    

I’ve wandered a bit astray from my TV-less tale, but the point is I’m getting along just fine without it.  I really appreciate having this local emergency information phone service to add to my news sources.   I did notice the first four weeks or so some sort of behavioral conditioning caused me at certain times of the day, when I was home, to suddenly get an unexpected thought/urge to turn on the TV when I would normally have watched the PBS News Hour (I do miss that program.)   Then, mid-evening that impulse to turn on Charlie Rose came, BUT I found that I can watch his programs free on the Internet the next day at a time of my choosing.  There’s nothing so urgent about what’s said on his program that can’t await a next day viewing. 

Some of you probably already know this, but my sudden unplanned lurch into the blogosphere only six years ago, and subsequent involvement, as I adjusted to my husband’s death, left me little time to learn what all was available on the Internet.   I had also just started acquiring computer operating skills and knowledge – on an old desktop that had me spending hours on the phone correcting problems through tech people in India – sometimes I’d be up all night just trying to correct the basic technical functions.  The hour was too late, or early, to phone for help to my family tech gurus in the Midwest or on the East Coast.  A couple generous bloggers provided me some nurturing assistance.  

Some computer problems were possibly user error, but many others likely weren’t.   Having a newer device, laptop, has helped, though it’s old now, too, as technology development goes -- every two years changing, but who can afford to constantly purchase new tech items, or even want to learn all the new features?   Having wireless capability is a definite plus that everyone should have, with a laptop, tablet, smart phone, or some device they can use anywhere in their home and elsewhere.

I’m still learning what is likely common knowledge to many of you.   I have been delighted to discover that there are actually “best of…” YouTube compilations of various music artists.  I can  listen on the computer all evening to a favorite artist’s music while engaged in other activities, including on the Internet, since seeing the video – which often is just an album cover, or art work the person put together who posted the videos – generally doesn’t really matter to me.  I've never played any computer games with others on the Internet, nor have I gone into chat rooms, so don't know if those are activities I'd want to do, or if it's better to avoid them. 

I’ve also discovered some free videos to view that I don’t even have to download, sign up or join some site to access.  For example, a pleasant break from  political convention live streaming video viewing allowed me to enjoy a movie my daughter had long ago recommended as lots of fun:  “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”

I know there are some sites I can join and view movies for a slight fee, including Netflix.  Also, I’m interested in some HBO series, maybe some Showtime Specials.  I prefer watching the movies/shows without downloading, but may have to do so in some instances.

I also always welcome any knowledge, links and views all of you have learned through your computer use experience.

I’ve not been living in a vacuum, am sincerely concerned about this coming election, and did watch the political conventions about which I’ll comment at another time.   I also visited both my Republican and my Democratic (which opened at a later date) Campaign Headquarters.  I’ve managed to visit some blogs and scattered a comment here and there.  Some of you have written some pretty powerful, insightful, thought-provoking posts and/or comments about the vital issues of this election.  I sincerely hope others seeking all views on issues read them. 

Previously I've noted here at times that so many of my close friends and family members have departed this life in the past decade or so.   So I'm acutely sensitive to having my thoughts and time still focus to some degree on a lifelong friend whose husband died only weeks ago.  I've continued a several year long process of traveling her road with her through his illness and now her widow's adaptation process.   Our East Coast to West Coast contact has also tapped into stimulating my own personal loss continuing reflections and adjustment experience, through our intimate sharing about which I'm writing privately.   She does not blog, only now is using a tablet, but occasionally has read some of my posts.

Also, I want you to know I’ve welcomed reading the comments of those who've managed to take the time to come here with my erratic publishing.  I do wish more of you had time to read the short story link on my previous post, then leave a comment specifically about the story for this uniquely talented author, but I know everybody has a busy life, must prioritize their time – especially during this current critical political season.   

"LAUNDRY" - A Relationship Thread

I invite you to read a short story, "Laundry" by Andrea Labinger,  selected for publication at Global Graffiti Magazine.  

This story, about relating to a loved one has special significance to anyone, particularly elderbloggers, who have been, are currently, or may be in the future, in a caregiving situation.  Though this story is fictional I've made an exception from true story accounts to provide this recommendation for your reading.    My reason for doing so is that the key nugget around which the story is built has been true for numerous  families I've known with loved ones requiring skilled nursing in the various health centers which I've served through the years. 

The question some loved ones experience  is how to relate to a father, mother, brother, sister, other relative, or even a dear friend whose very being -- the essence of themselves -- is slowly leaving the flesh and blood body that remains.  The loved ones  physical presence still requires care -- their eyes open -- they eat -- they drink --  they do not talk -- they do not respond if spoken to -- do they understand "I love you"? -- they sleep -- only to awaken again for another day as before.

Andrea’s story leaves most of these heartfelt thoughts unsaid, instead encapsulates how a relationship continues in such circumstances through a lifetimes memory thread.  

Anyone reading this blog is aware that shortly after I began writing here, I also began participating in a writing group, which Andrea recently joined.   Our writer numbers have ebbed and flowed during the years and even our meeting site has changed.  I've had the pleasure of listening to just about every sort of writing one can imagine from different types of prose to various styles of poetry.

Highly unusual life story memoirs have been completed and await publication, quite different but enthralling life stories are currently in the process of transcription and editing -- serious and/or humorous essays have entertained us -- both true and fictional short stories have been read.   Not everyone even writes with the intent of desiring their efforts be published whether in the traditional print manner, or on the Internet. 

This blog has traditionally shared other elderbloggers perspective in which we present only true stories and commentary.  The value has been that readers can identify with contemporaries current or past experiences as we travel life's journey.    I've even noted members of younger generations have commented appreciation on some blogs from hearing truth from older generations about the actual experiences of aging, including all aspects encountered, both positive and negative. 

Typically, fictional stories have a distancing factor, no matter how realistic the writing.  They generally do not have the intimate emotional impact on their reader as one's true story has -- even if literary license is exercised in the storytelling.

I've never intended this blog to be a forum on which my writing group members’ efforts or other blogger's professional writings would be presented.   I did introduce readers to a then-blogger, Mary Lee Coe Fowler's true story about searching for her long-deceased father she never knew.  Her book, "Full Fathom Five" had become a commercial publication.  I did so only because her story content had personal significance to me that I wanted to share here.

I do prefer presenting the actual reading material on this blog rather than just a story link, and I know that's what most blog reader's favor.    I know only too well that most bloggers are more inclined to read what is right in front of them, than click to a link of reading material on another site -- generally because of time constraints.  Often the blogger's intent is to return to the link later, but often later never comes.  Despite realizing a writer's material likely will not receive as much exposure as I and they might wish, I did finally present just such a reading recommendation earlier this year. 

"Daddy Dearest" by Sue Buckwell is an especially unusual humorous brief "Flash Fiction" story which is one of many written by this member of our writing group.   

Now, I am again, offering a link above to a more typical length fictional short story briefly described as simply "Laundry" that  I hope you'll have time to enjoy reading.

NEIL ARMSTRONG AND THE MOON

Our earth's moon has had romanticized symbolism for much of my life -- intriguing stories, thoughtful poetry, artistic drawings, spectacular photography.  Most memorable to me have been many moon lyric references and popular mood-creating musical melodies that conjure vivid visual pictures in my mind. 

Those similarly affected sometimes spoke in awe of the moon's beauty, or half-seriously talked of whether or not the moon might be made of green cheese.  A popular television show, now considered a classic, featured a character who elicited uproarious audience laughter when he would become angry, frustratingly raising his fist toward his antagonist, and saying "to the moon."

"To the Moon" acquired much more serious connotation when in 1969 the United States Apollo Program launched a spacecraft with three astronauts aboard to land on the moon. 

I vividly recall the excitement building up to that event.....
-- the anxious feelings that the launch be successful
-- wanting the flight to be without flaws
-- and the descent toward the moon be controlled
-- wishing the landing would be smooth and safe
-- desiring the astronaut would be able to disembark from the spacecraft without incident
-- hoping the astronaut's actual steps onto the moon's surface would be solid
-- the excitement of actually seeing the event live on my television screen

-- Eagle Commander Astronaut Neil Armstrong standing, walking, running on the moon

-- saying those thrilling spine-tingling memorable words:

                 "...one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!"



"Neil Armstrong presents a Google moon video together with original footage taken from the Eagle module during his landing 20 July 1969. Captured from a webcast from the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Hearing on NASA Human Spaceflight 22 Sep 2011."   10 mins.  Courtesy of YouTube.




Neil Armstrong, an Ohioan, highly respected throughout the world, died Saturday 8/25/12 at age 82 due to sudden unexpected complications following heart bypass surgery.     

RIP
 

REMEMBERING COMEDIENNE DILLER

Comedienne Phyllis Diller, age 95, died peacefully in her Los Angeles home Monday, August 20, 2012.  She had retired from performing, but her humorous one-liners will live on.  She paved the way for women stand-up comics today.   

On the occasion of her 90th birthday, July 17, 2007  I wrote a congratulatory greeting heralding her talents with many more particulars about her you can read by going to my archives for that date (for some reason Blogger won't allow me to provide a link on her birth date above.)  I described the circumstances when I had enjoyed having the opportunity to meet Ms Diller briefly a few times when I was employed at a television station.  Up date follows -- current info and  videos.

Phyllis Diller comment on her first-ever television appearance on "You Bet Your Life," with Groucho Marx.

 

A few years later Phyllis Diller arrived unaccompanied at our Columbus station.  After asking the  taxicab driver to wait until she competed her appearance she headed inside.   The receptionist immediately recognizing Ms Diller directed her down the hall toward the television studios.   We all knew of the small community Lima, Ohio home town gal who had become a celebrity making people laugh.   She always arrived like this, quite unassuming, without an entourage, unlike numerous guests much less well-known.   

Ms Diller invariably agreed to appear on our early morning talk show when she was booked into the most prominent night club in town, though likely her last show hadn't ended until the wee hours of that very morning.   I met her as she walked toward me past the station's broadcast talent pictures lining the hallway, and directed her into our smaller studio. 

She would not have long to await her entrance to the larger studio where the program was already being broadcast live as fifty plus audience members who had traveled in, some by bus, from around the state observed.  They soon learned Phyllis Diller would be the guest resulting in their high anticipation of actually seeing her in person.  The host would introduce her and the quintet would play rousing lively music that might be most recently associated with her, from a network TV appearance or movie.    Soon those famous one-liner jokes would have everyone, including control room engineers laughing uproariously like the home viewing audience was sure to be doing.

Many years later here's footage from Phyllis Diller's final stand-up performance - from "Goodnight, We Love You."

 Phyllis Diller's interview on "The View"

Phyllis Diller brought much laughter into the lives of many people, including me, as with  these one-liners:   

"Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home."

"Old age is where the liver spots show through your gloves."

RIP

 

 

 

LIVING IN RETIREMENT YEARS

Retirees today are beginning to have a variety of living choices that are discussed in various blogs and at different sites when a browser search is made, so I won’t attempt to discuss all of them here.  

I’m committed to the concept known as “Living in Place” – remaining in my Southern California home through my remaining years.    Only twenty years or more ago, assists here for those who wanted to stay in their own homes were limited, when I was seeking help so my mother could continue living independently. 

 

Today that situation is improving locally though the options are such that out-of-pocket cost may be prohibitive for many.  One Southern California local area option for some may be a newly formed organization -- REAL Connections for Ageless Living offering support for most every daily living need to enable senior/elder/oldster residents to remain in their homes/condos/apartments/mobile homes.  

Some bloggers I’ve been reading have been sharing thoughts about moving from their home to retirement community housing.  At least one Southern California friend and her husband have been exploring that same possibility.  These communities often introduce prospective residents to their sites by offering downsizing sessions providing recommendations about how to ease making such a move to smaller living quarters.  

They offer more in depth counseling, if requested, to discuss the financial costs, various payment plans, any help that might be available to live in that particular community.  

Anyone considering a move into a retirement community would be wise to make comparisons with more than one such living arrangement, if possible.  

I’ve not attended a downsizing class, but I have provided my therapy discipline’s services in a half-dozen or more retirement communities that provide several levels of care typical in such settings.    Also, I have not investigated the costs to live in any of these communities.  This is a fundamentally vital bit of information that determines whether or not one can even afford to make the move.

Most of those communities I’ve served have been affiliated with prominent traditional religious denominations in some form or another, but that has been an incidental factor in my work location choices.    Each facilities reputation for exceptional quality of care, plus location, has been among the primary factors influencing my work place choice decision process.

Those exploring moving to a retirement community might want to consider that many studies have shown select non-profit organizations offer a higher level of housing, care and services compared to for-profit providers.  The reason is said to be because revenue produced is invested back into the quality of the communities, programs and services—rather than stockholders dividends. 

This seems to me to be a good argument for taking such health care entirely out of the commercial competitive for-profit business world.   Do we really want our health care subject to the Wall Street financial markets manipulations in which profit-making and taking might sometimes take precedence over quality of care?    

The same can be said for most private therapist-owned rehabilitation groups versus non-therapist businessperson owned companies in my experience—especially some of those that are part of Wall Street profit seeking corporations.   Stockholders generally take little or no responsibility for seeing that the company whose stock they own provides quality care -- they’re generally interested only in stock share price profit and dividend dollars.  The presumption is if the profit is high, that must mean the quality of care is, too.   We might wonder if that’s really true?

I can certainly confirm that the health center skilled nursing rehabilitation units in the non-profits I’ve served are generally among the best for overall services compared to others, and many stand alone nursing homes, or assisted living facilities.   There are likely some exceptions, but I can only report on those with which I’ve had personal experience. 

New ownership, time passing, government regulation changes, supervision and adjustments by different management can even make my knowledge of retirement communities and other facilities out dated if I haven’t worked there for a while.

The cost factor will deter many people from living in either profit or non-profit retirement community settings.   Costs and payment options would have to be explored and compared for each community as I've mentioned.   

Prospective retirement home residents would likely want to determine how much, if any, of the entrance fee is refundable and under what conditions.    Another consideration would be to understand how any future fee increases are determined, plus the increased amount that might have to be absorbed if additional payments apply beyond the entrance fee, if new fees can be added.  

The retirement communities I’ve served offer traditional levels of care which includes housing units and apartments for independent living, a multi-unit building with several levels offering assisted living, and a continuing care facility offering skilled nursing care.  Some may provide a special Alzheimer’s/Dementia unit.   

The Green House concept is being implemented in one retirement community here – the first in California.    The concept introduced by Geriatrician Dr. Bill Thomas as described in this NewYork Times article, as a new unit being planned for one local retirement community which will add a flexible level of living with care provisions variation.   Dr. Bill’s blog “Changing Aging” provides much current aging information.  

Each level of care has prescribed criteria that determine a resident’s placement based on their functional abilities.  These criteria will be applied in the event an individual’s functional daily living skills decline and can sometimes result in the resident having difficulty accepting the need for moving to a different level of care.    

Becoming familiar with the specified differences of each care level is information important to understand when gathering material from communities being considered.  The basic criteria differences between levels are the same throughout our State, but some organizations may exercise more leeway, especially if they have empty beds they want to fill.   Again, check your state’s regulations. 

Know your non-medical administration and community/facility physician, medical/nursing clinic director.

Though you don’t expect to need the skilled nursing center’s services, you might wish  to check the nurses to patient ratio there and at the other levels of care; your state’s mandated minimums.    Also, what onsite medical services are available for residents living independently?   What and where is the hospital to which you would be transported should the need arise?

The skilled nursing care/rehab center in some retirement communities may have limitations as to how much disruptive behavior will be tolerated from a patient whose manner is persistently troublesome and/or distracting to other residents.  Occasionally, a patient may require constant attention, become a safety concern, or create issues continuously disturbing to other patients.  This behavior may result in family being requested to incur additional costs to provide private duty nursing aides/companions for a varying number of hours and/or days if family members are unable to be present.  

Before an individual enters a retirement community skilled nursing facility as a non-resident, for rehabilitation and/or due to a variety of medical needs, expecting to ultimately go home they should acquaint themselves with cost of care once Medicare/insurance benefits cease to pay – in case they might need to remain longer.  

Knowing this cost is important in case the patient needs long term custodial care.   Can they afford to stay there, or will they disconcertingly have to be moved – once again – to a less expensive setting – which may create a problem in adjustment for some? 

Many residents generally identify strongly with their retirement community and those who entered as they did.    So, there can be a sensibility of difference from some residents toward those few who have entered solely into the health center skilled care unit from other settings than as retirement community residents.  If this does occur it isn’t necessarily an overt complication.  Staff will make an extra effort to be inclusive with new patient, and often there may be other residents who compensate for such insensitivity, especially when the newcomer makes an effort toward friendliness, too. 

Social factors deserve consideration.   Investigate a retirement community’s culture to help determine how compatible life there would be for you.   I’ve heard stories that some communities can have social groups whose members sometimes behave in ways reminiscent of Jr. High or High School cliques.    But that can be true in any social, governmental and business office group I’ve noted through the years.

The predominant female to male ratio may be of significance for some prospective residents.  The reality is that women outnumber the men the older we all become.   New friendships and companions are sought after with varying degrees of intensity, levels of interest and sometimes competition.  

Be certain to note what amenities are available in keeping with your preferred activities including a pool for use 12 months of year (heated, enclosed,) tennis court, putting green or golf course, computer room, library (may not be as important now with computers/e-books,) exercise center and equipment that could be called a Wellness Center, meeting rooms and other activities – whatever your interests.  

What of interest to you is available in the non-retirement community outside?  What transportation is there that you’re able to use, going where -- including for necessary medical trips – and will someone accompany you, if needed?  

You’ll definitely want to ascertain what high tech services are available and whether they’re available everywhere on the campus or only in select locations.  Is wireless Internet service present and what about television, the phone system?   Hopefully the system is fairly simple to use as some can be complex.  

Don’t forget to eat in the dining room(s) and explore the food fare, maybe asking for a copy of the week’s menu.   Any markets, shopping areas you’ll want to visit? 

Some retirement communities have been formed for a preponderance of those who have served in religious and charitable organizations, such as one here that includes missionaries who lived around the world.    Another community may be primarily composed of retired academic professionals, local government retirees, business/corporate executives, just to name a few groups. 

I’ve known of some residents who were single, alone upon retirement so moved here on the West Coast from the East Coast to join friends, others to be nearer family, some moved here because of the weather.  There are communities attracting individuals of modest means who prefer a social culture quite different from those I’ve noted previously.    The cost factor is a deciding factor influencing selection choices for most. 

Do meet and talk with the retirement community representatives.    Ideally if you could befriend a resident with whom you could freely talk insights would be gained.

Read and be aware of all agreements you sign, including how your rights are affected and any limitations that might be imposed and under what circumstances.  

What sort of communication systems exist within the retirement community, i.e. to obtain emergency help should you become suddenly incapacitated (fall.)   Do they have a newsletter, in-house TV broadcasts?    Are there maintenance helpers and what is the arrangement for using their services with what limitations? 

These are some thoughts and questions that come to mind, but are by no means all inclusive, when I think of choosing a retirement community in which I would live the remainder of my life.  They’re rather randomly presented here.   

My current plan is to “live in place” in my home which is another concept requiring similar but different planning arrangements.   This plan is subject to change should the situation warrant and can be more uncertain than being in a retirement community where arrangements for all levels of care have been established.   I’m following the local services developing currently that are designed to help individuals live in place. 

I do at times waiver in my mind with second thoughts about whether or not the plan I’ve selected is really the best one, especially when some friends talk about having chosen differently for themselves and their husbands.   

You may be wondering as I do, what are the odds any of us will need to go into assisted living or a nursing home?  I suggest you read this Nursing Home Diaries link that provides U.S. Census bureau figures on that very topic – something to consider in the decision-making process, including recognition additional retirement living options are developing. 

What IS available in this immediate future for many elders, especially in this fluctuating health care environment -- one that doesn’t presently support some of the most cost effective ways to provide long term care?