It Wasn’t A Root Canal

It was just an appointment to replace a very old filling in an upper molar. Part of the presenting problem was an errant bit of filling bothering the gum - rather like glue squished out between two boards, it was outboard of the tooth. But the job took a little longer than expected. The dentist did a great job with the Novacaine (enough to feel no pain, but not so much that half your face goes numb), but as the afternoon wore on and the Novacaine wore off, the interested quadrant of my mouth began to throb. So acetaminophen and naproxen sodium were rustled up and I’m feeling much better.

Rebates & Experiments

The hunt for and research about a new washing machine continues. The other day my niece Kate recommended looking for rebates. At that point I couldn’t find anything on the MassSave website. But since then, Vice President Joe Biden helped Chuck find these relevant rebates which include washing machines! There are rules and it’s first come, first served, but it’s worth a look.

We also took the plunge on a new laundry detergent. (Shocking, I know!) We bought Trader Joe’s HE Liquid Laundry Detergent. I’ve used it only twice. None of the clothes were particularly grungy to begin with and all came out fine. The TJ’s detergent is scented with lavender. But once the clothes were rinsed, (even) I could detect absolutely NO fragrance! I’ll keep you posted...

Da Dum, Da Dum, Da Dum...*

Thanks to WBZ Weather

: : We had a run of great weather; now rain for a few days; to be followed by more nice weather - bordering on the hot. But for some reason, this rainstorm has closed in on me. Looking at the next wave of rain headed our way, made me want to crawl into bed and pull the covers up and maybe over. Compared to many parts of New England facing another round of dangerous flooding, I have absolutely nothing to complain about. So I shall move on.

: : On a small town note, Chuck recently attended a Meet The Candidates night. (Here in Massachusetts, local elections are often held in the spring; national and statewide elections usually in the autumn.) You can read a statement published in the newspaper by a candidate running for local office. But you can’t beat seeing how they present themselves in front of their fellow citizens. It’s especially illuminating to listen and observe how they answer questions from those citizens. In some towns candidates run unopposed, or slates are empty. So we really are lucky to have folks interested in serving. I was unable to go, but I trust Chuck’s instincts. When he reported back and gave me some examples from the presentations and the Q & A, I felt ready to head to the polls.

: : This article and this photograph both made me smile. Chag Sameach!


*That title is supposed to evoke the theme from the movie "Jaws"!

Spang On

New York Times Columnist Frank Rich is, in my opinion, exactly correct when he writes: “The Rage Is Not About Health Care”. Cogent and heavily hot-linked, his piece is definitely worth reading.

Lights Out

Earth Hour

8:30 p.m.
local time

Tonight!

Learn more at My Earth Hour.org



Thanks to Jeff and Ronnie for the reminders!

Check Mate

Here in the U.S. they run an awful lot of advertisements for dating services. They talk about the science, simplicity and safety of having their particular service match you with your true love. We have two reactions when we see these ads: 1. Thank God we’re not looking. And 2. They never would have matched us!

On paper there is very little Chuck and I have in common. He likes classical music; I tolerate it. He does crossword puzzles daily; I think them unnecessarily abstruse. He’s very social and outgoing; I believe good fences make good neighbors. He was raised Jewish; I was raised Catholic. When we met, Chuck enjoyed his role as an intellectual snob: while I liked to have my finger on the pulse of popular culture. He listened to NPR; I watched MTV (back when they aired videos!). He grew up in the midwest; I’m Rhode Island all the way. He is fifteen years my senior; umm - same in reverse. Then there was the whole taxes issue, which I’m not sure if dating services poll people on, but which took a couple of decades and Barack Obama to resolve for us.

Now, I suppose, if they dug deeply enough, any dating service (or more likely a human matchmaker, a shadchen) would figure out that we share a common set of values. They also would figure out that we both love to laugh. But would they have any idea that we laugh at a lot of the same things - Marx Brothers and Three Stooges excepted? How would they know that word play makes us ridiculously happy and to do it in multiple languages is a grand slam? Speaking of baseball, we were both just casual baseball fans, but, after meeting, became devoted Boston Red Sox fans together. Where are the boxes to tick for all that?

When we met, we knew. No, we didn’t know we would marry one day. But we did feel a connection; a sense of old friends reuniting; a spark. I don’t know how the dating services figure that out. I’m just happy we were lucky enough not to require outside assistance.

Flower Show

For many years we attended the New England Flower Show. It used to be something we did as part of Chuck’s birthday celebration. It was also a way of cheating during those final snowy/muddy/rainy/raw days of waning winter with a deep breath of (indoor) spring. But the last few years we went, the show was a little thin, a little tired. Last year, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society canceled the show entirely and we thought that would be that. But the other day Chuck spotted an ad in the newspaper for the “Boston Flower and Garden Show”. Some on-line sleuthing showed that Mass Horticultural was still involved, but a different organizer was hosting it - and for a shorter period of time than the old New England shows had run.

This afternoon Chuck suggested we give the new show a whirl. We drove in on the Mass Pike and it was very easy to get to the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. The Seaport area has been transformed in recent years and it was initially difficult to get our bearings, but it was very easy to navigate. There was plenty of fee parking available. The area was busy but not overly congested. The Seaport World Trade Center is located between the Fish Pier and the Anthony’s Pier 4 - the same pier where the Institute of Contemporary Art is located. The Seaport location is a vast improvement over the old Bayside Expo Center.

This year’s incarnation of the Boston Flower and Garden Show was nice, but not spectacular. The exhibition area was significantly smaller than the New England Shows, therefore with far fewer exhibitors. While all the plantings looked fresh and cheerful, no one display really stopped us in our tracks or made us want to take notes and linger. The commercial area where businesses small and large can sell their wares abutted the exhibition area, which was a new arrangement. And it was mercifully smaller than the New England shows used to be. Nothing jumped out at us and demanded to be bought, but lots of folks had armloads of flowers and full shopping bags.

I’m very happy we went. It was absolutely a breath of spring. But my socks are still on. Will we go back next year? If it is held in the same location, it’s likely we would. If it has been a particularly cold, long, snowy winter - yes!

Here are a few photos:

Ch-ch-changes

We’ve been thinking (a lot) about a new washing machine. Our 1990 model has been repaired many times and is acting up again. It’s not an Energy Star model. In fact, it predates the formation of Energy Star by two years. It’s a top load model. Now, of course, the front load style are all the rage. They’re supposed to be more energy efficient and use less water. They even come in snazzy colors like sports cars. Which makes someone of my years wonder if they still call appliances “white goods”.

In addition to thinking about washing machines, we are also researching them. Yes, that means Consumer Reports and The Googles. We were humming along, narrowing the field until we read that the front loading machines require special laundry detergent, something called HE for High Efficiency. Screeeech! I am extremely particular about laundry detergent. I only use Tide Free Powder. The Free stands for absolutely no fragrance whatsoever. I can’t handle smells - that includes the supposedly good ones like “country fresh” and “spring breeze” and “summer rain” and “why yes I do need a cloud of perfume encircling me like the dust swirls around Peanuts’ Pig-Pen”.

I headed to the Tide website. There’s no Tide Free HE Powder for front loading machines. They do have a Tide Free HE Liquid for front loading machines. But as I read through the reviews of the other Tide HE Liquid laundry detergents, I was not impressed with some of the evaluations. Folks complained about the overpowering smell. But worse than that, they mentioned the clothes aren’t getting clean enough. One reviewer also mentioned a residue on the inside of the machine which smelled bad and stained the clothes. Eeeeeek!

Dear Readers,

My questions are: Do any of you have a front loading washing machine? Are you happy with it? Have you found any problems with it? How about the HE laundry detergents - what works for you?

Thank you in advance,
Lee

Down The Rabbit Hole

In a brief but staggering piece over at The Daily Beast, John Avlon provides an early report on the results of a new Harris Poll. (The complete results will be released tomorrow.) The poll looked at what Republicans believe about President Barack Obama. Some examples:

- 24% believe Obama “may be the Antichrist”
- 67% believe Obama is a Socialist
- 45% believe Obama was "not born in the United States and so is not eligible to be president"
- A “high percentage” believe Obama is a “racist” and “anti-American”

I shouldn’t have been shocked. But I was.

The 2008 campaign became ugly. The 2009 summer of the angry town hall meetings was far uglier. It was not just citizens, but elected officials; political leaders who were in the thick of the hate speech. But we are absolutely down the rabbit hole now (replete with Mad Tea Parties). We’re witnessing huge numbers of distortions, flat out lies, fear mongering, bigotry and calumny. What induces the feelings of disorientation and nausea, akin to that of funhouse mirrors, is that these outrageous falsehoods are being wrapped in the flag and declared patriotic.

We have to learn the truth and speak the truth, not “to power” as the Quakers advised, but to the power of the lies. Because, unfortunately, this is not Alice’s dream, but our new, strange reality.

Real Change

"I'm asking you to believe.
Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...
I'm asking you to believe in yours."
- President Barack Obama

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you! Thank you for your efforts at bipartisanship. And thank you for finally pushing back from the negotiating table and moving forward with health insurance reform. The Republicans were not acting in good faith. It was time to bring about the change we desired when we elected you and all those Democrats to Congress.

It’s a good piece of legislation. I don’t want to seem rude or presumptuous or impatient. But while the Republicans are listening to the noisy, bigoted, ill-informed minority and trying to figure out how to repeal the bill you’re about to sign, we need to push forward. We need a strong, vigorous Public Option.

Yes, I absolutely do believe in your ability to bring about real change in Washington. And yes, I believe in my ability to bring about real change in Washington as well. That’s why I’m not just saying “thank you”. I’m saying “what’s next?” I believe what’s next is the Public Option.

Sincerely,

Lee/Pink Granite
and my husband Chuck too...

Yes We Can!

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Health Insurance reform!
H.R. 3590, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, now goes to President Obama.
H.R. 4872, Reconciliation, now goes to the U.S. Senate for their final vote.

Here is a list of “The Top Ten Immediate Benefits You'll Get When Health Care Reform Passes”.

“...the work goes on,
the cause endures,
the hope still lives
& the dream shall never die.”
- Senator Ted Kennedy first at the 1980 Democratic National Convention and again at the 2008 Democratic Convention


“The work begins anew.
The hope rises again.
And the dream lives on.”
- Senator Ted Kennedy at the 2008 Democratic Convention

Thank you Teddy for all you did on our behalf.
I can’t help but believe that we would have gotten an even stronger piece of legislation, had you still been here working for us, on the cause of your life.


: : Update: Here is the link to the video and the text of President Obama’s address to the nation this evening on health care reform.

: : Update II: Here is a link to an additional summary of “10 Things Every American Should Know About Health Care Reform”.

Early Riser

Chuck and I took advantage of the warm, but still mostly pre-buggy weather to get some yardwork done. It all went smoothly except for a wayward pricker cane which caught me hard on the side of my neck. Yowza!

As we were working in front of the house I spotted this little crocus bud. Based on photographs from past Springs, this unusually warm weather has sped up the season quite a bit. Of course, snowfalls in April are not unheard of around here, so we won’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We’ll just enjoy the moments.

Vicious Vitriol

Today there was another gathering of the tea party-er types in Washington D.C. Last September I wrote about what I saw as the racism at the core of their blind rage.

Today, once again, they revealed themselves as angry bigots, screaming racial epithets at Democratic African American members of Congress, including the venerable John Lewis of Georgia. Additionally, they showed themselves to be homophobes as they shouted at Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, who is openly gay.

The occasion for their assembly: health insurance reform.

Hell Hath No Fury...

I confess, when stuck in a waiting room, I seek out People magazine. I take everything they - and all the other “celebrity focused” magazines - publish with a grain of salt. Actually, it’s more like a healthy handful. But if I’m nervous about a doctor’s visit, I will happily fall into their glossy pages. Some of the lesser pure gossip/fiction rags are just outrageous. Standing in line at the grocery store, scanning the cheesy headlines, can really infuriate me. So while I’m not addicted to Hollywood gossip - and I sure don’t do it here - one story this week captured my attention: Sandra Bullock and her husband of five years, Jesse James.

I happened to catch part of Barbara Walters interview with Sandra on Oscar night. I don’t know Ms. Bullock from Adam’s off ox, but she came across as warm, personable and in love with her husband. Then she went on to win the Best Actress Academy Award for “The Blind Side” and thanked Mr. James during her acceptance speech. Less than two weeks later, Jesse James has issued an apology to his wife Sandra and his three children. I have no idea what Mr. James did or didn’t do with the tattling tattooed stripper. But Jiminy Cricket, if he did do something that requires a blanket public apology, he is a royal ass!

Yes, I know it takes two to make a marriage - blah, blah, blah. But when I read about his apology, all I could think of was how Ms. Bullock had thanked him during her speech. If the marriage goes down in flames, Mr. James is inextricably tied to that peak professional and personal moment of acknowledgement and achievement. If she didn’t think they were on solid ground, would she have been so openly appreciative and affectionate? I don’t think so. I know I wouldn’t have. So at the moment, I’m on Sandra’s “side”. I know this isn’t like picking teams for dodgeball or red rover, but Jesse James has managed to get my hackles up and tick me off. Cuz it sure feels like he blindsided Sandra.

Go Sistahs!

As I Tweeted earlier tonight, smart people don’t mess with nuns!
Congressman Bart Stupak is dismissing the nuns.
(He actually picked the bishops over the nuns!)
Ergo, Bart Stupak is not very bright.

Here’s a copy of the letter the leaders of numerous religious organizations sent to members of Congress. These women represent 59,000 Catholic Sisters across the United States. They are urging the passage of a strong healthcare bill.

As the sisters put it:
“For us, this health care reform is a faith mandate for life and dignity of all of our people.”

That fits perfectly with what I remember of the nuns who educated me over sixteen years.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Sláinte!

Happy Birthday Chuck!

”Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Chuck
Happy Birthday to you -
and many more!
Wheeeeeee!!!”

Mazel Tov!
L’Chaim!
Saol Fada Chugat!
Long life to you Kiddo!

The U.S. Census

We received our 2010 Census form.
We filled out our 2010 Census form.
Tomorrow we will mail back our 2010 Census form.
The information collected won’t be made public until 2082.
Easy peasy and quick as a wink it was.

But as a family genealogist who has pored over earlier census records, I have to ask: Where are all the fascinating and often useful genealogical questions?

Here are a few examples of U.S. Census questions from 1790 to 2000:

Value of home if owned or monthly rental if rented?
Does this family have a radio set?
Does this family live on a farm?
Attended school or college anytime since September 1st?
Whether able to read?
Able to write?
Place of birth of each person and the parents of each person?
Single, married, widowed or divorced?
Number of years of present marriage?
Mother of how many children? Number born? Number living?
Blind, deaf, dumb, idiotic, insane, maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled?
Pauper or convict?
Profession, occupation or trade?
Number of months person has been unemployed during census year?
Weeks worked last year?
Wage and salary income last year?
Value of personal estate?
Year of immigration to the U.S.?
Naturalized or alien?
If naturalized, year of naturalization?
Male citizen of U.S. of 21 years of age and upwards where rights to vote is denied on other grounds than rebellion or other crime?

O.K. admittedly, we definitely run up against the problem of political correctness. But Geezalu, the “Place of birth of each person and the parents of each person?” has made all the difference in many a family tree search. How about “Does this family have a radio set?” - that one’s cool. And I can think of a couple of relatives people I’d report as “idiotic or insane” - although perhaps in 1870 they meant something a little bit different!

A Long Strange Trip

You never know what might prove to be important.

Thirty years ago, I accompanied a young man on a visit to his barber. It was a small shop, in a small town - think Andy Griffith in Mayberry. I sat in a chair against the wall facing where my then fiance was getting a haircut. We three chatted and visited. I was fascinated by the barber’s technique. I had never seen a barber at work before. He was skilled and swift, but there was a discernible pattern to his spare motions. In the coming months, with money impossibly tight, I attempted to duplicate that haircut for my new husband. We both survived and through the years I got better at it.

Fast forward several years and the young man and I are standing in a hallway, in a courthouse, in a much bigger town than the one where that barbershop had been. I was struck by his haircut. It was a new style, not the one the barber had inadvertently taught me; not the one I had been replicating for eight years. The love was long gone between us, but I reflexively reached up toward his hair, commenting favorably on the style. He snapped his head away. Soon we were in a courtroom with a judge and lawyers and the marriage, neither of us should have ever entered into, was dissolved.

This afternoon, I cut my husband Chuck’s hair. I’ve been doing it for around two decades. Chuck looks nothing like my first husband. His hair is completely different as well. But that one visit to a barbershop and many years of practice, has found me working smoothly, quickly and with ease. Each time I give Chuck a haircut and trim his beard, I swear it takes ten years off him. Mind you, that’s not cumulative! But with Chuck’s birthday coming up on Tuesday, today’s cut makes him look closer to 57 than 67 - something which Chuck appreciates.

I wish I could have found a way to get to exactly this same point in my life without that first marriage. (I’m certain my ex-husband wishes the very same thing.) Chuck and I are bashert: predestined, soulmates, meant to be. But we needed all those years, the moves, the job changes, in order to finally cross paths and be together.

And without that detour to a barbershop in a very small town, I never would have learned how to cut my husband Chuck’s hair...

Spring Ahead

Spring this!

I’ve posted about this before and my position has not changed: Daylight Saving Time is stupid.

Although I may have put it a bit more eloquently in the past.