Freaked out

Out for a stroll.

Ok, out to have lunch.

Time to beat the rainy day blues.

Such a dreary day.

The fabulous Pam and Precious greeted me, as I chowed down on a tuna sandwich and a beer.

What the heck is going on outside?

A colossal traffic jam.

The boys in the hood stopped by to chat, and I knew that I had stayed a little bit too long.

Damn daylight savings.

How am I going to drive in the rain, in the dark, with a zillion head lights blinding me?

I headed east, instead of west.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Wrong.

Guess who got lost?

The road seemed somewhat familiar.

Oh no!

Where am I?

Blind as a bat, I am on the road to K town.

The drive home is usually about 10 minutes.

Not tonight.

I live in warehouse city, and the trucks were on the back roads, since the interstate was closed, in both directions.

What a nightmare.

It is a miracle that I made it home.

An hour later.

Remember that song: Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.

I never did like that song.

Remind me never to go out past 4pm.

I wish I knew how to put on my fog headlights.

Oh well, I have only had this car for 3 years.

With my learning curve, I would need at least another year or two before I can figure out these new fangled features.

However, with my unbelievable courage and fortitude, I made it through the rain.

Aren’t you proud of me?

Xooxoxoooxoxo

Wolf

Programming your inner computer

It has been said that at the end of the day, recall 3 positive things that happened today.

It will program your brain to change direction, eliminating the negative vibes.

Not necessarily earth shattering events, but the moments that made you feel good.

Searching the right side of my brain, or is it the left?

I have heard that one is better than the other.

Whichever it is, my inner computer is not functioning in this abnormal world.

Excuse me, but I would like to share my top 3 with you.

1. Sharing laughter, lunch and liquid with lovely friends. Notice how I have used alliteration. So very classy.

2. Wearing a Minnie Mouse hat, pink and black, and coordinating it with my pink and black sneakers. Extremely chic.

3. Frequenting small businesses on this celebrate local, small business Saturday. Survival is contingent on our support.

May you all be safe, stay healthy and choose to think positively.

It feels good!!

Xoxooxoxoxox

Wolf

Let’s talk turkey

Is it really Thanksgiving this week?

I hear It’s on a Thursday for a change.

One night, not too long ago, a stranger approached the table that our small group occupied.

I asked him what he was doing for Thanksgiving.

He said he was not celebrating it because the pilgrims were not nice to the native Americans.

I had not thought of it that way.

Actually, I don’t know what the heck went on in those days.

Nothing in my schooling ever mentioned that kind of stuff.

As I recall, the pilgrims ate venison and gave thanks for all their blessings.

No mention of Native Americans, and if they were invited or not.

Now I wonder how many history lessons were just smoke and mirrors.

As a kid, my Dad used to pluck a turkey in the basement, while I perched on the steps in anticipation.

It was unfortunate that I fell off the stairs, head first onto the cement floor.

I have not been “right” since.

I should have known that this was a harbinger, an omen, of what really happened.

The pilgrims were mean.

When I wake up to the fabulous smells, this Thursday, it won’t be the same.

The stranger from a strange land somehow had the scoop on reality.

Now that I am old, I realize that I know very little, about anything.

Oh well, I don’t like venison anyway.

I prefer rutabagas and turkey.

You may ask, what is a rutabaga.

It is a vegetable that very few enjoy.

I doubt that the pilgrims knew how to cook that waxy veggie.

Maybe the Native folks brought that to the table, and the pilgrims were pissed.

Either way, I love rutabagas.

And that, my friends, is the true story of our heritage.

I love being a brilliant historian.

Please be safe, be healthy, and enjoy the holiday.

Remember, it is on Thursday this year.

Xoxooxoxooxxo

Wolf

A mad hatter on a rant

Ramblings of a mad hatter:

Hey Senators and House Reps: Does anyone really have our country’s best interest at heart? I wrote to the Senators in PA, to ask them what the heck is going on. Isn’t there anyone who has the courage to stand up for what is right? No response. I am following up, to see if they are still alive or not, and if not, where should I send flowers? Politicians are driving me crazy.

Not sure if you are watching football or not, but I watched the Eagles game yesterday. Maybe they should call it quits for the rest of the year. So disappointing.

Thanksgiving supposedly is the eating holiday. The average person will gain one and a half pounds. Just what we need, after binging all year, in lock down. Oink oink.

It soon will be time to get our Christmas lists ready. The perfect gift this year? Donations to those who are hungry, homeless or ill. Would any of us really miss getting another pair of socks or a sweater this year, when our neighbors are having trouble feeding their families? It may be time to adapt to the new normal, and take care of those less fortunate.

This week is a good time to reflect on our blessings and to give thanks for what we have. Take care of yourself, stay safe and healthy, so that next year, hopefully, we will all be around to celebrate together.

Wolf

Sit pretty

Secret revealed: My favorite dog has satisfactorily completed my training.

He knows when I show up, it is treat time.

6 or 7 hours of dog sitting, and no less than 4 treats an hour.

“Sit pretty!”

“No. not good enough.”

“Sit pretty.”

Up go the paws in an amazing display of bribery.

Somehow he knows when I have an extra treat and will bug the hell out of me, until I relinquish it.

Not until he sits pretty for me, once again.

He likes to play ball, too, with a half eaten pumpkin looking mess of a ball.

Problem is that he won’t drop it.

He has trained me well in this area too.

I wait until he drops the ball, knowing I will reach down and grab it.

Nope. He is too fast for me.

After several attempts of not dropping, dropping and grabbing, he finally relinquishes and lets me grab the ball, full of foamy wet slime.

I like to sit in the garage, with the door open and a heater blasting, to keep me warm.

Mr. dog doesn’t like the heater.

As big as he is, he is afraid of the noise.

I believe my buddy does not like to be alone.

He follows me, wherever I go, including the bathroom.

Believe it or not, he sits pretty in there too.

And then the cat has to join in, wanting to sit in my lap.

By the way, neither wears a mask, and they obviously have not heard of social distancing.



I managed to finish a book I had been reading, in spite of the dog’s fear of the pages.

Yes, when I turn a page, he goes wild, and gives me an evil eye.

I laugh throughout the day, at the crazy antics of these two critters.

I really do love my furry friends, even though they have me wrapped around their fingers. Ooops. Their paws.


Wolf

turkeyed out

This time of year, I have a constant craving for turkey.

Every year, I chow down on turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and dressing, before Thanksgiving comes around.

I did it again today, the 3rd time this month.

This phenomenon only occurs in early November.

By Thanksgiving, I am pretty much turkeyed out.

Yes, I sabotage the holiday.

However, for Christmas, I am already through decorating.

I put up a tree.

Not a traditional tree, but one that I got in a local service station.

You know, the little green tree that hangs from the rear view mirror in your car.

No lights nor decorations required.

And it’s a snap to take down.

If Santa does happen to stop by, he will be ecstatic.

There will be rum chata and boozy chocolates to ease his journey.

He better show up before 8pm, my bed time, or it may be gone.

Seems that the elf on the shelf appears on Christmas Eve, around 8pm, looking for spirits.

I bet you didn’t know that the elf is a closet drunk.

I should know.

I met him in rehab.

Twice.

Not that I have my holidays planned, I think I will take a nap.

Tryptophan is running wild in my system.

Until next time, be safe, stay healthy and choose to be goofy.


Wolf

Fake? Or reality?

Fake news from the Wolf:

It depends on your perception, if you think this news is fake.

It is opinion.

Mine.

But haven’t you noticed? The network news is primarily opinions.

A lot of “What ifs” and speculation.

Today, I tuned in to a news conference on the status of Corvid in Pennsylvania.

My focus?

What about the restaurants and the so called non essential businesses?

It took about a half hour for someone to ask this question.

No change in current restrictions.

Just wear a mask, at all times.

Even when visiting friends.

When I visit my friends, we usually have a couple of drinks.

Well, sometimes more than a couple.

It’s going to be tough having a cocktail wearing a mask, or eating dinner.

The bottom line?

“If” the virus spreads to the point that our hospitals are beyond capacity, then we may see more restrictions.

And if we travel to another state, we need to be tested when we come back to Pennsy.

I took an inventory of my masks.

I have some humdingers.

Since I have lived beyond my expected expiration date, I may be able to get the vaccine that could be available sometime next year.

However, even then, masks will continue to be required.

Checking the response to the latest edicts, it appears that there are those who believe the virus is real and those that say it is not.

My opinion?

I will wear a mask.

I won’t like it, but I will wear it.

I believe the virus is real, and is a serious threat to our freedom, our future and our way of life.

Maybe I am just a good soldier, a follower, a believer in what the scientists are saying.

Too many have been sick.

Too many have died.

If wearing a mask will keep our small businesses open, and curtail the infection rate, it is well worth the small sacrifice.

Be safe, stay healthy, and choose wisely.

Our lives depend on it.

Wolf

Reflecting on the death of a spouse

Our lives go along, we have jobs, kids, pets, issues, dreams, problems, hobbies, and goals.

Then one day something happens and nothing is ever the same.

It could be an illness, an accident, a promotion, a marriage, a financial crisis, a death or another life changing event.

Can anyone really prepare for the unexpected?

Even when the inevitable is closing in on us, we find ourselves unwilling or unable to cope.

Our emotions are raw and painful; guilt kicks in; we grieve for what we lost, wishing that it is a bad dream, or we refuse to accept our circumstances, and find a temporary escape.

Time and life go on, in spite of reality.

I have had several of those “days” in my life.

I’m sure you have too.

Somehow we find a way out, to reinvent ourselves, to accept our loss, and to find purpose, out of our old comfort zone and begin to accept the new normalcy.

We humans are resilient, but fragile.

It would be easy to give up, to hang on to the past.

When that day comes in your life, give yourself time to grieve, but not forever.

Life is a gift.

A temporary gift, a fleeting gift, and the greatest gift of all, if you have the courage to accept change, and the strength to find a new path, when all else seems lost.

Wolf

pandemonium

None of us has ever been through a year like this one, and it keeps on keeping on.

Can you remember March 16th, 2020?

It was a normal, fun filled event at the local pub, with 15 or 20 friends, anticipating St. Patrick’s day.

And then, all hell broke loose.

How can life change so quickly, bringing our country to its knees, locked down, in shock and fear?

Many of us complied, staying at home, as much as possible; venturing out to the grocery store or the pharmacy, when it was essential.

Our kids? Yanked out of school to study at home, in virtual reality.

Unemployment up, small businesses shuttered and the economy in shambles.

Our questions in March: When will this end? If we stay in quarantine for 2 weeks, will we return to normal living? Is there a cure for the virus? Will it eventually go away? What if I get sick?

As time went on, as we hunkered down, the virus did not seem to be quite as daunting.

Now, 8 months later, after many attempts to gradually open up businesses and enterprise, we let our guard down.

It is November 2020, and we are in crisis, battling a virus that will not relinquish its hold on us.

We are being told to wear masks, to socially distance ourselves and to stay at home as much as possible, and to forego the usual holiday celebrations.

The number of cases is reaching alarming new records, with over a thousand deaths in the US daily.

Do the American people have the resolve, the courage and the fortitude to continue to fight to control the disease?

A pandemic out of control.

The most powerful country in the world, crippled by a virus, that is hell bent on destroying our way of life, as we watch in horror as hundreds of thousands are sickened, and dying.

Today, I noticed more people wearing masks, with the exception of one group of approximately 25 people who were celebrating following a wedding celebration.

Not exactly the smartest thing to do, but so very tempting, in November, when we are all so tired of 2020 and its virus.

Have you heard this?

“I am not afraid of the virus. I have to live my life. So what if I get sick?”

In the end, it will depend on one thing: How sick will you be? And what about those you may infect?

There are only 2 results: Getting better or dying.

Choose your path carefully.


Wolf

Laughter is the best medicine

Convincing myself to stay home during the firestorm of COVID is not as difficult as it was in the spring.

It’s a dark time of the year, which makes it much easier to stay inside and hibernate, like a bear who has eaten itself into a blimp-like existence.

If I do go out, and it’s cold, I wear a faux fur coat. In my rural neighborhood, the hunters are hiding in every bush, waiting for a wild animal to walk by. You don’t know what it’s like to be me, crawling around, trying to avoid being shot.

Forget about driving after dark. My eyesight is damn near shot during the day. At night, with a couple of beers under my belt, I am even more challenged. I try to day drink only, in these winter months.

I have a plan to get stuff done around the house while I am temporarily locked down. Notice I said plan. That doesn’t mean it will happen. It’s like a grocery store list. I spend time making a list and then leave it at home, when I go to the store,.

I don’t have to drive in the snowstorms. I never do anyway. But thought I would throw that in, for the hell of it.

I will go on a diet, cook my own meals and exercise. Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous? I can’t help it if I am a barefaced liar. The virus made me this way.

I could go on and on, but I have to go out before it gets dark, to order pizza and beer, to tide me over for a few hours before I take a siesta.

For now, be safe, stay healthy, and choose to laugh.

Wolf