I didn’t think it would happen but I got Connie in the flesh (for my blog I mean)

There’s not a lot to say here, but I was so happy to get this picture today I had to share it.  This is the famous ‘Cussin’ Connie’ at the Lutheran Senior center, and for as long as I’ve known Connie I’ve been asking for a photo and always got shot down. 

(I also got kicked, slapped, smacked, pinched, punched, bopped on the head—you name it.  And always the same answer:  “NO!!!”)

But today Connie was in exceptionally good spirits, and after a presentation from a guest speaker about an assisted living facility (and how they provide alcoholic beverages there which got Connie revved up) I made my pitch and she said okay—I still can’t believe it.

Connie has always been a modest person, but I admire her so much.  First of all, she looks great and attends all of the basement workouts at the center.  She lives on her own, enjoys ironing (I think that’s awesome) and still drives.  I don’t want to give away her age, but when she got married, Harry Truman was our President.  When she had her first child, my mom was only 9 years old!  What’s her secret?  She doesn’t hold anything in, that’s what!

I love her dearly and hope she knows how much this picture means to me.

Speaking of drinking (what is it with these seniors and drinking), after lunch and the place began to clear out, Dennis came over and asked if I signed up for the trip to Mission BBQ on July 16.  I said I sure did, and asked if he signed up for our trip to Narcisi Winery on July 23.

(We were there two years ago, before Dennis joined the center.  One of the best dining experiences we ever had, and I wrote all about it here.)

Anyway, Dennis said no, he didn’t sign up.  When I asked why, he said “Doug when I go on these trips I like to drink!  Does this place even serve alcohol?”

I said “IT’S A WINERY—GET YOUR BUTT OVER TO THAT SIGN-UP SHEET RIGHT NOW!!”  He laughed and said “I take it that means yes!  Okay Doug!”  

 

My 700th post: Here’s 15 of my Favorite Posts on the Teepee

I’ve been blogging nearly 19 years, having started in November 2006. 

If you look at my Blogger Profile, it says “On Blogger since March 2010” but I started a few years earlier on another platform.  In 2010 I moved to Blogger and brought my old posts with me.

This post marks my 700th, and truth be told I have been less than proud of several of them.  But the other night I was looking at a few “oldies but goodies” I’d almost forgotten about, and thought I’d come up with a list of 15 of my favorites.  

I’m not saying these posts are my best ones, but they are the ones I had the most fun writing or sharing. 

If you’re curious to check any of them out, all you have to do is click on the image.

1. Back in my working days, women in the office were getting a little crazy so a club for dudes only was started.  Who was the first to join?  A woman.2. A 1900’s high school sat up the road from my sister’s house—before it was demolished, a haunting we will go…3. My dad and his brothers were country rock musicians and had a successful band.  Here is some of their music.4. Once upon a time… I was Batman.5. What do you do when you find a headstone with your name on it?  You look for more headstones.6. What if Christopher Columbus had been prevented from “discovering” America?  A great sci-fi novel thinks it knows.7. In Pittsburgh in the 1960s, letters to Santa were delivered to the North Pole via a moon rocket.  (THIS IS MY SECOND MOST-VIEWED POST)8. What happens when a young woman walks thru the lobby of my apartment building in her underwear?  I have 33 opinions on the matter.9. Who was the girl who played an ugly duckling on the Brady Bunch?  One weekend, I was determined to find out.  (THIS IS MY MOST VIEWED POST)10. A long time ago, my brother Duke tried to hypnotize me. (THIS ONE IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE.)11. It’s one thing when a Star Trek character is changed into a woman, but when it’s a Star Trek friend…12. The trial of a bully who tried to take down a nerd and lost—TWICE. 13. I’m not afraid to admit it, I’ve had a man crush or two in my lifetime.  Here’s those men I crushed on.14. In 1973, a plane flew over our farmhouse and took this picture.  50 years later on a historical website…15. And finally, from way back in 2006—one awesome grandma.

While going thru these posts, I came across so many I wanted to share I may do a Part 2 in the near future.  Isn’t that exciting?  Hello?

To you folks out there who take the time to visit and read and comment on my blog, thank you so much.  Your feedback makes this all worth it.

I don’t know if this is making a difference, but what’s the alternative?

This Sunday morning I got up early and made a cup of coffee and turned on the local news for the weather, and was astonished at what I was seeing.  That ‘No Kings’ protest held nationwide on Saturday, they were showing the turnout in Pittsburgh.

Thousands showed up, lining the streets from the Hill District to a gathering at the City County Building downtown that had to be 10,000 people.

I was expecting hundreds, not this.  It was gratifying to see, exciting, humbling.  I felt guilt too, not being part of things.  I also felt a little depressed, as I couldn’t help but wonder if all this clamoring for democracy was falling on deaf ears.

When I googled my question, I got this (courtesy of that infernal AI):

Yes, protests can make a difference. Throughout history, protests have been a driving force behind social and political change, exposing injustice, demanding accountability, and inspiring people to work for a better future. While not all protests are successful, research suggests that when organized effectively, they can influence policy, shift public opinion, and even impact elections.

Pretty generic stuff, but still made me feel a little hopeful.  I will NEVER understand how we wound up with a convicted felon in the White House again, even if his campaign was largely funded by that Nazi Elon Musk.  The sad fact is, the majority of voters in this country are assholes.

Sorry, that’s how I feel and I’m tired of keeping silent.  There was no excuse for voting that crook back in office a second time, let alone the first. 

Well, I didn’t get on here to write mean things about Trump and his minions.  I just hope that common sense eventually prevails and we get our country back on track to something resembling a real democracy again. 

A few weeks ago I started a blog titled “I miss feeling patriotic”, but felt so down writing it I threw it away.  Seeing this protest brought back some of those proud feelings for our country again, at least.  I hope it helped other’s spirits too.