Archives for June 2023

A Ladino Saying:
Djente de piron – (DJEN-te de pee-ROAN)
Meaning: The One Percent (i.e. The Rich)
The 1% as a descriptive of the super wealthy has been with us for centuries.

Judeo-Spanish, also known as Ladino, is a Romance language developed by the Sephardic Jews of Spain and spread to other countries when they were banished from Spain at the end of the fifteenth century.  Ladino preserves many words and grammar that has been lost in modern Spanish.  It also has a more conservative sound system—for example g sounds still occur where modern Spanish has an h (not pronounced);  Ladino agora versus Spanish ahora.

The literal translation of Djente de piron is: “People of the fork”: owning a fork (and not just a spoon) was once a sign of high-class status.  America’s ruling class masks the ever-widening economic gap by distracting the masses with phony threats of border horrors and imaginary attacks on gun ownership.  The poor get poorer, the class gap widens, the rich get richer and less empathetic toward those in need.

The good news is eating utensils are plentiful and the one-percenters are seeing to it that the less fortunate get completely forked!

And yet I feel so joyous and hopeful.

Baby steps!

A smoke-free Sweden is becoming a reality.

“As the World Health Organization marked “World No Tobacco Day” last Wednesday, Sweden, which has the lowest rate of smoking in the Europe Union, is close to declaring itself “smoke free” — defined as having fewer than 5% daily smokers in the population.”

Sweden has banned smoking in almost every public venue in the country.  It is estimated only 6.4% of Swedes smoke on a regular basis and they are working toward reducing that to where they can be declared a smoke-free country.  To put it in perspective the average amount of the population that smokes in the other 27 European nations is 18.5%.

Soon the only people Smokin’ in Sweden will be the Blonds!

A recent survey found that the greatest fear of us old geezers is not death but first, loneliness and second, becoming a burden to our children.  I think the second is rather ironic considering the percentage of adult children that move back in with their parents is at an all-time high.

Also to be noted are those who believe in a literal heaven and hell; that think awaiting us once we cross the bar is either a fluffy cloud with a 24 hour all-you-can-eat buffet or eternal agony in a 100,000 degree fire pit (but I hear it’s a dry heat).  They have another level of fear that zooms off the charts.

Personally my fears don’t extend beyond this life.  I have a recurring nightmare that circumstances force me to move to either Texas or Florida…YIKES!

A beautiful thought about the power of positivity from a unique comic genius.
But conversely you must always look down, my brothers, when zipping up after using the urinal, for the dangers of getting snagged are many and very real.

 A story for another time perhaps?   TMI?

This Buddhist proverb emphasizes the idea that contentment and satisfaction come from appreciating what we already have, and not always seeking more.  We should aim to cultivate inner peace and contentment through acceptance and gratitude for what we already have.

I get it.  The recipe for happiness; inner peace, contentment, acceptance, gratitude.  But consider the proverbial icing on the cake:  winning a lottery jackpot.  Isn’t that what life is really all about?

Finally someone with a brain ended the series with the completion of season 5.  
Full Disclosure:  I enjoyed season 1 and stopped watching the show when it descended into stupidity mid-way through season 2.  I tried again at season 3 but did not make it through episode 1.  Thoughtful, clever dialogue was replaced with a cacophony of words, thousands of meaningless syllables, time filling noise that pounded the brain like a blacksmith’s hammer on a white-hot horseshoe.  And did anyone notice how she ignored her children?

I know I do not share the popular opinion, but people make inexplicable and idiotic choices beyond all comprehension on a daily basis (see trump supporters).  So while others shed a tear for Mrs. M’s departure from the small screen, I say hasta luego, baby.  Enjoy your fame and millions and make room for something of value.

Bring back Howdy Doody!  (Haha, I said doody!)

This insightful quote is from Carol Burnett when discussing how to portray a true villain. She nailed it!

Villain:  {vil-uhn} Noun: A cruelly malicious person who in involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; scoundrel.
Can you think of anyone who fits this description?

• An incredible narcissist who thinks of no one but himself.
• Lost power and will do or say anything to regain it.
• Has a hugely inflated ego beyond any accomplishments
• Lies incessantly about everything.
• Thinks everyone is plotting against him.
• Has been indicted for crimes and found liable in civil actions.
• Lashes out with adolescent name calling when his 3rd grade intellect fails him.
• Is surrounded by sycophants attempting to gain favor for money or power.

Of course we can all agree there is one man that who checks all the boxes and can easily be identified as a true villain:   

Voldemort!

While modern medicine has only recently confirmed that optimism is good for the heart, this wisdom goes back 3000 years.  We can’t always choose our circumstances but we can choose our response and a cheerful response is good for the heart (and possibly the soul, but that is not my area of expertise).

There are times, however, when one must react differently and enlighten one’s adversary as to what shady bodily orifice they may shove their proverbial “it.”
Some say that also may be good for the heart. 

A conundrum!

Ichthyophobia: The fear of fish.  It’s not something I want to be public knowledge.  I only share it here as only 2 or 3 people will read it and I need to get it off my conscience.

I ordered the Trout Almandine.  The server set it in front of me and then flashed what I now realize was a glare of disdain.  The fearsome fish was served on a bed of soft rice pilaf that looked eerily similar to the silky limning of a polished mahogany coffin.  The trout was whole with a glassy green eye staring at me, cutting deep into my souls.  Although silent to others its voice was clear in my head.  “How can you take pleasure in dining on a life, perhaps a mother, taken all too soon from her family.  It was at that moment I realized I was truly afraid and would never again put myself in that position.  The only remedy was veganism and, at that moment, I vowed to adhere to a strict vegan diet.

In a fortunate turn of events, the fish was delicious and I had to slightly adjust my resolve.  I would never again order trout almandine and assure if I did order fish, it would be a fillet; no heads please.  And, of course, I never have had that problem with beef, pork or lamb.

Being a vegan is easier than I imagined.  Some take issue with my brand of veganism but I simply recite the age old truism: “Veganism is in the eye of the beholder.”
(Mic Drop)