STRANGE DAYS

With all the craziness going on in the country and world these days, this seemed appropriate.

Strange days have found us
Strange days have tracked us down
They're going to destroy
Our casual joys
We shall go on playing
Or find a new town

Yeah!

Strange eyes fill strange rooms
Voices will signal their tired end
The hostess is grinning
Her guests sleep from sinning
Hear me talk of sin
And you know this is it

Yeah!

Strange days have found us
And through their strange hours
We linger alone
Bodies confused
Memories misused
As we run from the day
To a strange night of stone

MY CANDIDATE

 

MY CANDIDATE

Was not born into a family whose considerable wealth was obtained primarily by real estate profiteering

Was not sent by an excessively stern father to a military boarding school for children of the wealthy

Attended a highly selective university, and does not make the false claim of “graduating number one in my class” without ever being on any honor roll

Does not aggressively hide SAT scores and grades

Did not receive 4 draft deferments, and then after medical examination being declared fit for service, mysteriously develop bone spurs, receiving a 1-Y and then a 4-F total exemption from serving

Did not claim that his greatest contribution to the war effort in Vietnam was “not getting a sexually transmitted disease” for which he claimed to deserve the Congressional Medal of Honor

Did not get “a small loan of a million dollars” [actually $14 million] from his dad to get started in the real estate business

Never stated "I do play with the bankruptcy laws—they're very good for me” nor used bankruptcy court six times to avoid paying contractors, small businesses, bank creditors, and stock and bond holders

Did not have to pay a settlement of $25 million for making false claims and defrauding students

Did not violate state charitable fund-raising laws, resulting in a cease and desist order and distribution of remaining funds

Was not named in a lawsuit, along with Jeffrey Epstein, for repeatedly raping a 13 year old

Never bragged that one could “Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”

Has not been accused by at least 25 women of sexual misconduct

Has not paid porn stars and other prostitutes hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep quiet

Is not a serial adulterer who has been unfaithful to each of his three wives

Knows that there are approximately 60,000 Corinthians, and that there are two letters in the Bible dictated by Paul and written by amanuensis Sosthenes to the ancient Corinthians

Has asked God for forgiveness

Respects and supports our allies, and does not praise and support dictatorial adversaries

Has not had any close associates and advisors prosecuted and sent to prison

Does not demand fealty from everyone in his domain and expelling everyone considered disloyal

Does not promote conspiracy theories and false narratives

Does not refuse to release IRS tax forms

Does not mock disabled persons

Does not mock families whose sons have died in service to the USA

Does not mock and bully anyone who happens to have a different perspective or opinion

Does not display classic characteristics of severe narcissistic disorder

Does not live in an alternative reality that is unencumbered by facts and science

Does not listen to only sycophants, ass-kissers and power-hungry self-promoters

Does not claim that he is above the law

Does not claim credit for successes that are not his and blame others for his failures

Does not view the Presidency as a personal piggy bank for himself, family and associates

Does not put himself above the law and direct associates to do the same

Understands the importance of a vital and independent Fourth Estate

Understands why the flu vaccine does not protect a person from coronavirus COVID19

Understands that a President is working in the best interests of all in this country, unlike the current POTUS who considers the 53.9% of USAians who did not vote for him the enemy

Understands that bipartisanship, collaboration and compromise are required to address the nation’s pressing needs regarding health care, immigration, the environment, and other major issues

Understands that the Presidency is not a monarchy

Does not play golf

Actually reads

Tells the truth

KICKIN' IT WITH KIZ

Whenever I get an attitude about some stupidity in sports, I will shoot off an email to one of the Denver Post sports writers.  I have been pleasantly surprised that they actually read my rants and often reply.  One of my favorite writers is Mark Kiszla - Kiz is a favorite because he is funny and insightful, but more importantly I generally agree with him!  I've written to him a couple of times, with my latest affirming his rant that Michael Malone, the Denver Nuggets head coach, was wasting the opportunity to let a potential superstar, Michael Porter Jr, play rather than languish on the bench.   On February 29 Kiz wrote some blistering commentary regarding Malone's blindered approach to playing Porter - you can see it all here, but it may require a subscription to access, so I will clip some below:

There are too many apologists for the Nuggets. After the blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, it’s time to get real. Stacked against the toughest competition, you’re left with little reason to believe Denver is a championship-winning team this year. They have the talent, no doubt, but haven’t found the right formula to this point.

G.C., keeping it real

Kiz: Could it be the Nuggets’ starting five needs an overhaul? Although there are matchup exceptions to every rule, this should be the lineup introduced before the game and on the floor at crunch time: Nikola Jokic at center; Jerami Grant at power forward; Michael Porter Jr. at small forward; Will Barton at shooting guard, and Jamal Murray at point guard.

It amazes me Porter can get pulled for making a mistake, but Harris is allowed to continue to shoot – er, throw – balls off the side of the backboard. If the Nuggets want defense, play Torrey Craig. Harris should be sitting on the pine, compass in hand, trying to locate the basket.

Dan, Sarasota, Fla.

Kiz: Harris is last week’s news. The Nuggets have a MPJ problem. If Malone leaves Porter to rot on the bench, maybe Denver can trade him away in 2022 for a future second-round draft choice.

The Nuggets have got a lot of problems, Kiz. Harris is one of them. Paul Millsap is another. But the biggest problem of all is your friend Malone and his loyalty to Harris, Millsap and Craig.

Steven, problem-solver

Kiz: What did Forrest Gump’s momma used to say? Stubborn is as stubborn does. Or something like that.
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So, after the above appeared in the Denver Post, I sent a short email to affirm Kiz' perspective on the MPJ - Malone 'situation.'  Well, the very next game, Malone sat MPJ the entire game!!  So, I sent another email to Kiz saying basically that apparently Malone reads Kiz' column!  Interestingly, Kiz used our brief exchange in his next column:


Looks like Nuggets coach Michael Malone reads your column, Kiz. And he decided to show that sports guy only the coach decides if Michael Porter Jr. gets off the Denver bench.

Douglas, the wily professor

Kiz: After Malone complained about his team’s poor defense, I guess we should’ve seen a DNP coming for Porter in the victory at Charlotte. But let me point out something I bet Porter also duly noted. He scored a team-high 19 points and added eight rebounds during a decisive home victory over the Hornets in January, then plays zero minutes as Denver squeaks by the same team in March? Hey, if Malone wants to make an example out of Porter, that’s his business. But it’s also how a coach can destroy trust with a young player.
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So, henceforth you all may refer to me as The Wily Professor!!

UNCLE JOHN

John's Obituary

 John H. Aschliman, 104, of Goshen, died Friday, January 24, 2020, at Greencroft Healthcare.

He was born September 15, 1915 in Cecil, Ohio to Sam and Anna (Plank) Aschliman.

On January 15, 1938 he married Kathryn Allomong in Bryan, Ohio. She died August 2, 1996.

Survivors include three children, Mary Harris of Phoenix, Arizona, Laura (Bob) Barley and Donn Aschliman, both of Battle Creek, Michigan; 10 grandchildren and four siblings, Anna Belle Emmert and Betty Lambright, both of Goshen, Carolyn (Jimmy) Stephens of Venice, Florida and Dale (Phyllis) Aschliman of Sarasota, Florida.

Along with his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Gene Harris; four sisters and two brothers.

He was a member of West Goshen Church of the Brethren and worked as a plant manager for EZ Gas. His passions included fishing, playing guitar and singing. He was a sports fanatic and wanted to live long enough for the Cubs to win the World Series.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 1, 2020, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Meetinghouse, Greencroft, Goshen, where a 1 p.m. funeral service will be conducted. Pastor Norm Replogle will officiate.

Burial will be Monday, February 3, at West Goshen Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to West Goshen Church of the Brethren.

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Above is John Henry saying farewell to his sister Mary, mother of Kay and Doug, just a couple of months after mom turned 100.  

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I flew back to attend the visitation, funeral service and burial.  Laura and Donn had asked if I would lead one of John's favorite hymns, In The Garden, and I agreed as long as there was also a piano player and perhaps a lead singer.  Aunt Anna Belle lined up the piano player and Uncle Claude reluctantly agree to help lead.  We practiced for 5 minutes, and it turned out OK.  The best part is that Donn brought one of John's guitars for me to play, and many folks commented about how much they appreciated that we used John's guitar.  Like John, the attendees sang with gusto.  The service was very nice with some sharing by relatives and friends.  Below are a few words that will conjure up many memories for those of you who knew John:

Tomatoes

Fishing

Singing & Guitar Playing

Marl

Worms

Laughter
The Cubs

Kate and Gene

I am hopeful that folks with add their memories in the comments section.

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Godspeed Uncle John

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

I'd stay in the garden with Him
'Tho the night around me be falling
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

Playing with his sidekick Wes Zook

 

ARLO, PETE & ELVIS

Happened upon this video, and found it mesmerizing and moving - hope you enjoy it as much as I did

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Oh, shall I stay, would it be a sin
Oh, if I can't help falling in love with you?

 

Like a river flows, surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes, some things are meant to be

 

Take my hand, take my whole life too
Oh, for I can't help falling in love with you

 

Oh, like a river flows, surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes, some things are meant to be

 

Oh, take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Oh, for I can't help falling in love with you

DEATH OF AN iPAD

Below is the place of the unfortunate incident

It is too bad that there is not a video of the passing of the iPad.  Although it would have been a bit humiliating for yours truly, I believe that it would have been hilarious! The picture above is my sister's backyard pool in Palm Springs.  I was Face-Time-ing with some family members, showing them the pool, the landscaping and the small grassy area past the pool where we played hacky sack. What is only partially shown here is a small shallow wading area that makes an L-shape to the left of the main pool above. I was holding the iPad above my head as I walked from the grassy area around the wading pool back toward the pool.  As I was looking up, I cut the corner too close on the wading pool.  I stepped in, went down, and the iPad flew.  The good news is that it landed on the tile next to the pool; the bad news is that the iPad holder stuck to the tile and the iPad slid right out into the pool!!!  The water was so cold that nobody felt like diving in to make a rescue, so the iPad soaked in the cold, salt water for a while until the kids finally fished it out.

There was an attempt at resuscitation as shown below, but alas without success. 

 

The one small saving grace is that we had won the iPad for having the lowest month utility bill in our solar-assisted neighborhood.  The bad news Glenn, is that your comprehensive song list now sleeps with the fishes.  RIP