The term Crossing the Rubicon refers to going “all-in” on something; passing the point of no return.  Julius Caesar’s crossed the Rubicon River on 10 January, 49 BC, making an irreversible commitment that led to the Roman Civil War, the rise of the imperial era of Rome and Caesar’s becoming dictator.  But taking that leap of faith does not always result in the victory you anticipate so beware. 

Think back to an incident when you Crossed the Rubicon.  How did that turn out?
To avoid repeating a disaster remember the last time you did one of these things:

• Ate at a buffet.
• Argued with your wife.
• Had one more for the road.
• Volunteered at work.
• Honestly answered the Question “Does this make me look fat?” 
• Ate a yogurt past its expiration date.
• Tried to get through the intersection on a yellow light.
• Bought sushi at the Mini-mart.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” 
                                                                                                          George Santayana

I am speaking, speaking, of course, about my paring knife, Natasha.  I name most of my utensils (doesn’t everyone?) as they tend to take on a personality of their own.

Natasha is quite dangerous ever since I had the misfortune of an errant slice on a tomato caused my left index finger to endure a blood-gushing wound.  A recent encounter with her while slicing celery on a bias again left my abused left index finger with another massive gash  It took Linda’s nursing skill and three adhesive bandages to stem the flow.  And curse my misfortune, I was out of SpongeBob SquarePants and had to rely on the Star Wars band Aids until I could get to the store.

But this story is not about Band Aids.  It is about a kitchen knife that has once tasted blood and can no longer be trusted to protect its master.  I was in a quandary as to what to do with Natasha. She is so sharp; perhaps to0 much so for her own good.  I considered burying her in the back yard, but I live in a townhouse without one.  No, I decided I was the superior intellect and should simply gird my loins for battle and either make her an ally or a vassal.  I won and since then have sliced many a tomato without incident.  Not taking anything away from my inspired battle strategy, I do owe a little credit to my new Kevlar Gloves.

I share the gloves with Linda who needs to wear them while using our hand operated grater “Knuckles.”

In the 19th century, “Penny Dreadfuls” were serialized installments of stories you could buy for a penny.   Millions were fascinated, horrified, and titillated by the grisly tales of murder, crime, and the supernatural, with the occasional romance thrown in to broaden the audience.  Interestingly they were extremely popular with children and teenagers. Current thinking credits the popularity of Penny Dreadfuls with helping to promote literacy, especially among younger readers.   This was a time when, for many children, formal education was nonexistent or “Dickensian.” 

But alas, that is a time gone by.  Nowadays between texting, social media and apathy literacy is struggling.  But on a happier note Penny Dreadful tales are now available daily at no charge.  Just read (or watch) the news.

After a great deal of experimentation and product trials I have irrefutable evidence that using Band-Aids decorated in the SpongeBob SquarePants motif are more comfortable, promote quicker healing and, if the rumors are true, are set to take center stage at Paris Fashion week next year, (New York Fashion week is so 20 minutes ago).  For me personally, it is SpongeBob all the way!

Honorable mention goes to Dora the Explorer Band-Aids.  While they are equal in comfort and healing ability, style conscious Band-Aid wearers find them a touch juvenile.

Third palace goes to the Star Wars  motif.  Although long out of date, they have managed to garner the nostalgia vote by the aging Gen-Xers still concerned with adhesive strip imagery.

Remember, you heard it here first!

I guess I should follow the trend and ignore science like so many today.  I was always told that if you get cold you catch a cold.  Now I find out that the common cold is a viral infection.  And while the cold weather may be a contributing factor as it drives people inside, more than half the colds are caused by the Rhinovirus.  There are 200 other viruses that can cause the common cold and we have no vaccines for them.  We are fortunate to have vaccines for the more deadly Corona Virus.  With continued scientific research we may someday have a vaccine able to eradicate the common cold.  

Then most of us can dump the Nyquil, frolic in the cold, sit back and enjoy the freak show as the anti-vaxxer nit-wits go crazy demanding their right to sneeze not be infringed upon!

The AARP is a great organization that works tirelessly to improve the quality of life for us old geezers.  Many groups publish a list of money-wasters such as lottery tickets, unused gym memberships, magazine subscriptions and buying anything on credit.   Every group has one expense at the top of their list: designer coffee, most notably STARBUCKS!  They want to take away the one human equalizer, a place where the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy can blend together like Arabica and Robusta beans!

I don’t disagree.  Posh coffee can be costly.  Pre-retirement, when I had a steady income, I occasionally stopped at Starbucks.  Needing a caffeine boost one afternoon I ran out and offered to buy a coffee for a co-worker.  She texted me her order which included three shots of this and two shots of that, foam in a direction and half of a calf or some nonsense.  Bottom line was that instead of a cup of coffee I delivered an $8.75 science experiment.

But this is America, a place where even a financially challenged citizen can occasionally spring for an overpriced coffee. 

As I said before, I am onboard with most of the money-saving tips the AARP has outlined for me.  We have no unused gym memberships, pay our credit card off every month and rarely eat out.  But they need to rethink the part about not buying lottery tickets.  After all, a wise man once said, “If you don’t have a ticket you can’t win.”

Linda, as usual, came up with a great plan.  Whenever I want a lottery ticket she told me to give her the money and she will toss it into the street.  Her logic is that I have the same chance of winning and I save money on gas and save time by not leaving home.  

I married a genius!

Apparently, pretty dumb.  It’s all part of the wonderful world of Marketing.

I receive scores of catalogs, information sheets and emails from multiple cruise and tour companies because Linda and I went on one river cruise 3 years ago. (Wonderful Christmas Market Cruise in Europe, BTW).  We are included in the coveted demographic of “Known Travelers;”  worth big bucks on purchased email marketing lists.

When you call the toll-free number of customer service the first thing they ask for is the catalog or flyer number so they know what offer has been extended.  Was it the “Free Airfare” and cruise totaling $7,000.00 per person, or the “$500.00 off” if you book now, plus airfare bringing the total cost to $7,000.00 a person, or perhaps the free shipboard credit and miscellaneous discounts that bring the total cost to $7,000.00 per person.

I asked the agent if I could just get the free airfare without the cruise and they said sure, no problem.  It was all mine…for the processing fee of $7,000.00

We all must love to be afraid because fear has dominated our lives for the last 5 years. Do these sound familiar?

     “The illegal aliens are coming…BUILD A WALL!”    “The Radical Left…Socialists…want to tax our beleaguered billionaires to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, feed our children and fund affordable healthcare and quality education!”  “They want to teach truth in schools, truth, stop them!”  “They are coming for our guns, buy more guns, they want to take away our guns!”

Politics does not scare me.  My nightmares still originate on Elm Street.  Sure, I saw In Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, where Freddy is stabbed with his own bladed glove by his daughter, Maggie Burroughs, and then blown up with a pipe bomb, the explosion completely destroying Freddy and releases the dream demons giving him his power. 
But, I just heard the “my pillow” guy, spotted Freddy Krueger at the Rite-Aid in Springwood, Ohio, purchasing a case of razor blades.

If we let fear rule our hearts, monsters can make a comeback. Now that is frightening!