Enjoy the Holidays

There is so much to enjoy over the next 2 weeks that I am starting right now and I urge all of you to do the same. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Christmas Carols

I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas Carols, I live most of them, but, by the time the big day gats here, they set my teeth on edge. I just wish that stores and restaurants would tone things down a bit. Play them softly. White Christmas should not drown out all thought and conversation..

Establishments that want to play music should make some customized recordings and should vary the songs a lot. Please, please, get away from services like Pandora. I worked in a restaurant that used Pandora and they plated Holly, Jolly Christmas every 20 minutes, Had he been present, I might have strangled Burl Ives.

There us a lot. a whole lot, of fine Christmas music from all over the World.
and many fine recordings of old, forgotten crols.

So, play Jingle Bell Rock if you must, but play it softly and sparingly and try to find a little variety.

The Holidays

Hope everyone had a great Thankgiving. Now, the holidaus begin. Now the insanity starts. But, it can be a sweet insanity.

You do not have to go over the top. No need for 30 foot trees or ebough lighrs to be seen from outer space. You do not have to buy everyone several $10,000 gifts

Little Tommy does not need his own drone and Little Mary does not nee outfits from top designeres. If they disagree, you need to have a long talk with them/
Men do not need new BMWs and women do not need 500 carat diamomds. And nobody needs to go to every party in the USA.

Nor do any of us need to dine on champagne, caviar and pate for every holiday meal

What we all need is to around friends and family. We need to celebrate without indulging to the point of blatant debauchery. Perhaps, most of all, we need to remember the jots of giving, sharing and charity.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a Happy and prosperous new Year to us all.

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Bagpipes

I was going to write a serious blog today, a book review, but I was struck yesterday by a whimsical idea and I always follow whimsy.

I love bagpipes, their mournful, stately tomes, They are to me, the essence of human sound, Many would take issue with that, but with my deeply Celtic roots and can say, " I don't care. I love them."

My idea? Why doesn't some electronic whiz come up with electric bagpipe. After all, electricity made guitars into something grand and new.

Then, some wildly creative musician could create the next new thing in music. Just think how awesome it would be to be known as the Jimi Hendrix of the bagpipes and think of all the amazing sounds you could come up with when you crank the volume up to 10.

So, all you electronics whizzes and musical talent get busy and create the sound of the future.

Turkey day is almost here and to many, it means stress and sweat. It should not. If you can't have fun, don't bother.

Don't stress about the food. Cook what you're comfortable with, buy the rest pre-cooked. Don't think you have to do it all yourself/ Accept help, all you can get. Use disposable pans and even throw away plates and cups, unless you have volunteers to help wash dishes.

Try to find ways to lesson alcohol consumption. I drink a little and have nothing against folks getting a bit buzzed, but you do not want Uncle Fred passing out or Aunt  Mary staring drunken spats with Mom.

Many will want to watch football after the meal. Let them. I hate football, but will watch and act like I enjoy it to please guests. Others will want to shop. Not me and I won't do that, but I will tell them to have fun and hurry back for leftovers.

For others, find a ball to throw around, take a ling walk, heck, play 9 holes of golf. anything to have some fun.

Remember, fun and fellowship is the whole point of the day.

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.

Chopped

I seem to have been a bit grumpy in my recent post, so today I want to compliment a TV shoe. I have come to love The Food Network's "Chopped."

4 chefs compete. Each has a basket with 4 outrageous items, say goat brains, gummy bears, limburger cheese and gin and are expected to make something of that mess. They have very strict and very brief time limits and are expected to complete the dishes, make a neat and attractive plate, use maximum creativity and of course it mist taste good.

They do an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert and are judged after each round/ The loser after each round is "chopped: and the last 2 face off in the dessert round. The competition is fierce and when they are all working full speed it is quite a sight.

Of course the whole thing is idiotic, sort of Julia Child meets pro wrestling, but the show is surprisingly entertaining. This is great mindless entertainment.

Are Yiy Really Being Entertained?

I do not watch a lit of TV anymore, Not only do I not have tie, I am not entertained by the programs,

I hear of Twin Peaks 2 and X File returns and I simply have no desire to see them. Same with all the shows like Game of Thrones and Stranger Days and Mr. Robot and I know that if I watch them, I will feel a I will not be entertained. I will feel assaulted. This is the same issue I have with heavy metal music/ Yes, there is talent, but why would any sane person subject themselves to such depraved viciousness.

I am not naïve, far from it, but I feel no need to keep reviewing the nasty side of the world. I certainly do not find it enjoyable to watch, anymore than I would enjoy watching a gang rape or a dog being tortured.

Keep your mind where it should be, on jot, wisdom and light. It u so easy to lose yourself in the dark, If you are truly enjoying the dementia found in so much of our current media, maybe you should rake a close look at yourself and consider some therapy.

Times Change

The death of Tom Petty brought to mind the fact that forms of entertainment change. When younger, like most, I listened to a lot of rock. I have not done that in years and sometimes wondered why. I just found it dill and insipid.

It jot me when Petty died that art for,s. like people, art forms die. Rock is truly dead. The current pop music is no substitute and country is just warmed over classic rock. I love jazz, but I am an anomaly.

In a way, this is kind of cool. What wil come next? Some hybrid of old forms or a totally new thing. I vannot wait to see.

Tom Petty

Let me see. In about a year, we have lost Merle Haggard, Leon Russell, Leonard Cohen, Walter Becker, Greg Allman and now, Tom Petty. Too, too sad.

Petty and Springsteen were the last rye rockers. Now Petty is gone.

He was a Southern boy who grew up in the 59s and 60s and had the edge that era carried but he also had that Southern ornery attitude that was lacking in  many bands if the 60s.

His music was always evolving, but you always knew it was him when one of his songs showed up on the radio.

RIP

Football

I used to love football, I seldom watch anymore never more than half a quarter. The game itself has change so radically I now find it boring. Of course, that makes me almost un- American.

Ot maybe not. The NFL is taking an odd stance. They are backing the silly player protests and, in doing  so, are pissing off a huge chink of its audience. It may be fun to see how it all comes out.

People go to games to have fun with family and friends, not for a political rally. If they stop watching, all of those overgrown, overpaid, near imbeciles will have to go out and get real jobs.

Now that might be entertaining.

Country Music

I was brought up hearing Country music. One of the 1st records I heard was Hank Williams I loved all of them, from George Jones to Loretta to Willie and Merle. Well, while waiting for the cable and internet to come back after Irma, I listened to what passes for Country radio. I had no choice. That was all that was coming in where I live.

Here and there, I hears a song or 2 that were pretty good. Just a few. <ostlu. , I heard guys with a twang in their voice singing arena rock with a fiddle or steel guitar tossed in. They did not understand that real Country music is simple. It definitely not meant to be noisy.

There is also a decidedly violent edge to a lot of it, especially songs by women about their cheating men. Leaving them is one thing, but these ladies seem bent on mayhem And the guys all seem, uh, let me say less than manly. Well, not all, but a lot. They are bots who don't want to grow up. What happened to the rugged, stoic men who worked and raised kids and ,usually acted like grown ups

The decline of the American male is easily seen in the current state of Country music.

Quiet

Un recent days, as I continue to struggle with fading vision, I have found a new form of entertainment. I have discovered quiet. Basically, it is just that, turning off Tv, music, everything I can, and listening.

The first thing you notice is that there is really very little silence. The World is gilled with little sounds. Animals call and cry, pace and flutter and call to fellow critters. There is always the rumble and roar of various machines and sounds of the neighbors hurrying about. They are doing construction nearby and here and there I hear the dull thud of stump blasting.

Listening to all of these sounds, blending together is nice, sort of an improvised concerto for man, machine and animals, in harmony with the rush of wind and rain rustling the plants, topped of with blasts of thunder makes for as pleasant a concert as I gave heard in years.

A New Recaissance

The Renaissance came out of the Dark Ages, which were not as dark as we often think, but they were at least gloomy. Our current age of violence and degradation of the human mind and spirit needs to end.

I am not given to overstatement bit can anyone deny the soulless quality of today's art. There is no music that deserves that noble bane. Electronic beeps, synthesized voices and relentless rhythm do not make music. When combined with inane lyrics, you have a plain mess. Yet those so-called artists ,ake fortunes. Take the various kinds of metal. O was no big Zepplin fan, but at least they did mire that bang out rhythm  over screeching guitars. And adding a fiddle or steel guitar does not make something country music.

The other arts? Well, all movie makers seem able to do is make super hero movies taken from como9c books. TV is far worse. Even the made for cable shows like Twin Peaks and various similar productions are incoherent messes that seem to have their fans convinced that they hold deep occult secrets. Trust me. They don't.

Literature? Well, I see little evidence of any. Here and there, some genre fiction shows up that is worthwhile, even excellent, but most writing just lacks soul.

I know little of current painting and sculpture, but I have seen nothing impressive.

The Renaissance started with artists taking old ideas and blending them with new ideas, What emerged was wonderous. We need such a rekindling of creativity today.

Be Careful Outdiirs

Where I am, in S. Georgia, it is hot and muggy. I suppose that's true almost everywhere. Still, we al want to be outdoors as much as we can before winter blows in.

That;s fine if you use some sense. Don't spend too much time in the Sub. Stay hydrated ( you don't have to drink constantly, just a good drink of water before you head out) Gp easy pn alcohol. It dehydrayes. If you get headachy, get someplace cool and get some water. Of you stp[ sweating, get to a hospiyal; you ate suffering from heat stroke.

If you have pets, please give them shade, rest and access to water. If they look tired or over heated, get them to a cool spot, even if they want to keep playing.

Try to avoid being out at sunrise or sunset That's when mosquitoes are abundant. Where I live, there are cases of Weat Nile fever and in Florida, there is some Zika. Id you mist be out then, wear long sleeve and long pants, loose fitting and use Off on exposed skin.

Enjot these last summer days, bit use a little care

Keep It Real

I read a few blogs, here and there, and I am noticing a disturbing trend. We seem to be concentrating a wee bit too much on some very bizarre entertainment.

I am noticing a bear morbid obsession with the return of Twin Peaks. Folks, let me tell you, the show is drivel. Lynch is throwing out blobs of dream sequences and they are the dreams of a deranged mind. I dream a lot and very vividly, but my dreams are not filled with murder and occult madness. Lynch is dangerous, either totally and near psychopathically insane  or he is engaging in some sort of black magic ritual to seriously damage the minds of Americans. Or he could just be a conman, laughing all the way to the bank at the idiots paying him a big bunch of money to make this crap Ir, maybe, all 3; they're not mutually exclusive. It is disturbing to see intelligent Americans examining every scene in each episode, determined to find great meaning where there is none..

In addition, we have a plethora of movies coming out based on comic books. How many movoes can we make about Batman, Spiderman and Superman. Do we really need a movie about Thor fighting the battle of Ragnarok (its been done, see World War 2 for the reality version_ And must we see the Hulk, again

All of this violent mythology is dangerous, The conjuring of archetypes is .is not healthy. Ask Carl Jung, who if alive, would tell you that these mythic images are to be overcome in the process of becoming an authentic human being. Stop bringing up the images of violent, damaged, somewhat crazed superheroes. They are damaging.

We used to make movies about real people; heroes, yes, but just humans who rose to the occasion.

Personally, for entertainment, I watched The Open this weekend, For drama, ytension and heroism, on a human level the battle between Kuchar and Speith beat all the superhero movies by a wide margin, and it was real,

Pastimes Without Power

We are a people dependent on power, electricity. Where I live, in Georgia, we are also  a people plagued by thunder storms and when they hit, no power Now, as adults, we can converse. That is problematic with little ones. But, there are alternatives.

Tint tots will find it a treat if you read their favorite stories or even if you just make up stories. Just be age appropriate. Three year olds may not like The Brothers Grimm, while 10 year olds may love stories with some substance, such as simple science fiction or even some of the Tales of King Arthur.

Another option is games. Many card games are entertaining and simple. Also, you can still find the old fashion board games. Again, just keep them age appropriate.

The real purpose here is to engage children, keep their attention focused on the facr that you are interacting with them in a fun way. Who jnows? They may discover that they like hanging out with you.

Just Looking

This may sound tritr. It would have to me until a few months ago. I seem to be losing my vision. Oh, I can grt around and take care of most things, but many things are getting a wee bit blurry.

Evenyually, I will have corrective surgery for my problem carracks) but there are still afew financial issues to deal with. I am telling you this to remind one and all of one of life's great pleasures, simply looking. Fill your eyes while you can with beauty. Iy's a wonderful; pleasures and it's free.

Forgive any misspellings. This was harder than I tjoughy.

July 4th

I am going to allow myself to become a bit nostalgic, something I try to avoid. All those long years ago, when I was a kid, the 4th of July was special. The town had a parade, not much, but fun. Then, it was off to my Grandma's house where my Uncle would already have his barbeque fire started.

We had no elaborate frill, just a half oil drum mounted on legs. He was a machinist and made it himself. Ribs and chicken were tended to by him alone (well, with the help of a bit of vodka). Grandma made potato salad, cole slaw and corn on the cob and an angel food cake. We feasted, told stories, played games and, come dark, took off for a local drive-in movie ( a now extinct enterprise) where, for a very small charge, you could sit and see a grand fireworks display. Then home and to bed.

Looking back, it wasn't much, but we all had a fine time. Now, it seems that most businesses are open on the 4th, few towns bother with parades and the whole fun spirit seems\s th have gone away. Ah well, such is life. I have no problem with change, but I have a big provlem with change that brings no good. We have lost a lot.

The Dark Tower as a Movie

I loved every word of Steven King's 5 volume masterpiece The Dark Tower. Read the first volume, The Gunslinger and you will not be able to stop until you finish the whole thing (I believe it is somewhere around 4 or 5 thousand pages)

Now,  coming soon to theaters near you, a film version. Now, I vould see a TV miniseries, but a movie? How will the story be compressed that much. I see nothing that can be cut and leave the story comprehensible. Now, it is true that you could have some awesome special effects, but surely the story is more important than the effects, right? Well, in terms of todays movies, maybe not and that is why I will not waste $10 or more to go see it. I loved the books too much.

US Open vs Twin Peaks

This week is the US  Open, at a new course, Erin Hills, in Wisconsin. The course is long, difficult and truly beautiful. The Open is Golf's severest test, a great field is there, and it is a sure bet that, come Sunday, there will be drama and tension of the highest order.

In contrast, on various blog sites, I see much ado about the return of Twin Peaks. I have no intention of watching this. Long ago, 25 years to be exact, I watched the original series, for a while, and I reached a conclusion. Well, 3 possibilities. One, Lynch is quite insane. Two, he is trying to conduct some weird, dark, magical working to damage the mind of Americans. Or, three, he is a con man who wants to see if he can put out loads of inane crap and have the American people buy into it.

Of course, the three possibilities are not mutually exclusive  he very well could be an insane, conniving, dark magician. It really does not matter in the least to me. I refuse to fall for pseudointellectual drivel anymore. In my younger days, I read Burroughs and watched ergman movies. I listened to Avant Garde, electronic music and peered at abstract paintings and after all of my exploration of the weird in art, I reached a conclusion. Most, not all, but by far most of it is absolute dreck, created by people who are incapable of doing any real art and too lazy to get real jobs.

There is more meaning, more drama, more real emotion and more joy in one episode of The Simpsons than in all of Lynch's work combined. And there is a lot more entertainment in a US O[en than in any of the TV shows that so captivate the pseudo-intellectual crowd