Spo-Reflections

Last night we went to the opera. It was a one hour-long play (the composer was at the afterwards-party) about the odd-ball relationship between the late Supreme Court members Ginsberg and Scalia. It wasn’t well attended but we liked it. The local opera company has the dilemma whether to fill their seasons with tired old warhorses in order to bring in the oldsters or try something new and ‘hip’ which they won’t usually attend. We like the new and the untypical and never tried before – like my men.

I am List Master; I make lists both to organize my thoughts and to assure I won’t forget things. I have heaps. Sometimes I make notes to myself to remember matters for future use and reflection. Here’s a few recent ones for your amusement. Spo. BUY : dishwasher rinse fluid; sport drinks (if on sale); ingredients for chili < cumin, tinned tomatoes, and whatever peppers look good. NOT TO BUY: pasta sauce; plastic storage bags; eggs; bottles of bourbon. You have heaps at home already.

Several pagan cultures (and a few modern ones I suppose) partake in ancestor worship, or at least had an afterlife where you go to ‘be with the ancestors’. I like this notion that my relations are hanging out together and/or listening in like guardian angels. In the movie ‘Mulan’ her grandmother prays to the ancestors to watch over Mulan and in the family shrine the ancestral spirits come out to discuss (and bicker) in a family pow-wow how to help her. I would like this to happen to me.

Note: this one was inspired by the news McDonald’s is considering putting ads onto the drive-through ordering boards. I am heartily sick of ads; they bombard me day and night. For some time I have had the fancy to count how many ads I encounter in a day; I suspect it is nearly a hundred. They are ubiquitous and grow more annoying. Once upon a time ads were relatively easy to dodge. When they came on the television, one could skip to the loo or go to the kitchen for something.

What’s top of my mind: The (new) Medical Assistant. The latest incarnation of The Medical Assistant arrived on Monday; she didn’t bow out at the last minute as they sometimes do. She seems a friendly person, well over four feet. Watching her on her first day I didn’t see her looking overwhelmed and ready to bolt. Perhaps she will work out. But let’s not count chickens. MAs come and go so quickly here. It will be good to have someone again doing the secretarial work; I am rawther tired of doing it.

89. Is there a city or country you wish you could go to that you haven’t already? This question is nice that it is concrete, not philosophcial, and simple to address – like my men. On the other hand, asking an oldster a question along the line of ‘what you could have done’ ain’t so nice as it evokes regret of something not done. I have been to the following countries: Canada, Costa Rica, England, Germany (West and East bits), and Austria.

Yesterday before we left the house I turned off the dryer; it was halfway through its cycle. This is a habit I picked up from my late mother. She was afraid while away the active dryer would catch fire and burn the house down. I don’t think she felt the same for the washer machine. Upon leaving the house she also made sure the Christmas lights on the tree were turned off. I don’t know if her fears of incendiary appliances was based on experience.

Note: this one was inspired by a comic article I read in a magazine the other day; the names of the author and magazine are erased to protect me from plagiarism. Spo First I should clarify Urs Truly does not play the polymarket. I am not a gambler as I am a sore loser. When I lose at casino I can hear the casino barons laughing all the way to the bank. That said, I am fascinated by the concept of polymarkets, although I have never been to one. I hear you can bet on literally anything.

Note: The Muses (or someone like them) has been nagging me for some time to take this one on. I’ve resisted as I can’t think what to say other than “I like to”. Far better people than Urs Truly have written similar apologies, so why bother? The Muses aren’t letting up on this one, so I better get it over with, before they set The Furies on me. Spo. I read children’s books, to be precise I read classic children’s books, at least the ones I’ve read before.

What’s top of my mind: Cooler weather. It is that time of year when thems who live in the Valley of the Sun are bloody fed up with hot weather and sunny skies. We want cooler nights, enough to turn off the AC that has been running non-stop since spring and open a window. No such luck. We probably won’t see such until early October, worse luck. I don’t order any Halloween candy before 10/10 or it will melt in transport. Do you have cooler temperatures where you are? Where I’ve been: England 1381.