Reading the Comics Section

I have always loved to read - nearly everything except the sports section of the news papers.  When I was young I read signs, comic books, short stories, magazines,  cereal boxes, even labels on food and clothing and even the fine print on documents that my parents left hanging around or needed my excellent near-vision to decipher (both parents wore glasses as do I now, with bifocals).  I am a person who waits patiently for appointments, service, airplane arrivals and departures and other events and activities  occ .  I always arrive early to wherever I'm going and read until the appropriate time.  Most people don't notice me sitting there with my books or papers and so on occasion I am overlooked when it's my turn requiring me to then wait a little longer.  I don't get angry, just pull out something to read again.  I  try to always have reading material with me especially small books and magazines like Reader's Digest that fit in my purse.


One thing I have always enjoyed since childhood is the comic's section in the newspapers and magazines.   My father would get so annoyed with me for grabbing the comics section from him.  When he started to give me and my sisters a weekly allowance (it was a weak allowance as well) I would sometimes buy Archie comic books (if I still had them they might be worth significant money today).  I credit them with igniting my interest and pleasure in reading. But then I got old enough to go to the library by myself. It was near my school to and from which I walked so I would stop in after school and get 2 books.  In those days they had a 2 book and 2 week limit with one renewal allowed.  Sometimes I'd bring them back in a few days, if they were thick books a bit longer.  I have to admit that my mother didn't supervise me much in that area and assumed all the book reading was an assignment for a book report or something.  Usually it wasn't, but on those occasions when we were assigned a book report , I was ready before everyone else.  

Is there a downside to all this reading?  Yes, but not everyone who reads a lot will run into the downside part as I did.  Of course the first thing is that it interfered with was homework assignments, as sometimes I didn't get homework assignments completed because I read too long into the evening or they were done in a shoddy, hurry-up manner.  Another downside was that I became a rather introverted person with few friends other than my books.  I  did venture away from the comic books as I became more engrossed in the library books, but discovered daydreaming as a pastime.  I became lost in some of the scenarios to the exclusion of outdoor activities.  I don't know how detrimental that might have been because I wasn't overweight then.  I was  a skinny kid and never learned to play any sports and only had a few friends.  The friend issue may have been affected 
by frequent moves.  We never stayed in the same school more than 2 years until we moved to CT and then grades 6,7& 8 were in the same school and my 4 years in HS   were in the same school.


In my last year of high school I learned the joy of writing.  My teachers were good, but didn't encourage creative writing only reports, and research etc.  I first started a journal that same year though I didn't write regularly - just when I had a problem or was unhappy about something.

I have continued to read the Sunday, and daily comics (my guilty pleasure), and I am
sometimes teased about it.  I am not impressed by the criticism or cleaver , negative comments.  I see it as an entertainment with benefits.  What are the benefits of reading comics?  Well for one thing laughter which is a healthy activity that helps alleviate stress (temporarily - I know), encourages a sense of humor, presents different viewpoints and allows us to laugh at ourselves.  For children it may entertain  them, encourage a love of reading and help introduce them to reading as a  method of research.  When they have questions they can search for the answers on line to satisfy their curiosity about almost anything and that of course does require reading. The important factor here is the parent needs  to supervise the selections and the amount of time spent reading  books, comics or online articles and stories and even research .  Even into high school the parents should supervise the online activities of their children for safety reasons as well.  Once in college they'll be on their own and hopefully will be able to make intelligent, safe choices.


But I will never disparage comic books or newspaper funnies.  I think they serve a purpose and  can be an adjunct to learning and understanding life.  I do not however advocate any comic book with a violent theme for anyone.  I'm more  of a "Sally Forth" or "For Better or Worse" and "Doonesbury" type of comic strip or book. If your point of reading is to escape to pleasure island why read about murder etc?

Thoughts on a Tragedy

Sad tonight.  I haven't had much time to write - recovering from minor surgery, still in the process of moving houses and taxes aren't done yet (filed for an extension). But felt the need to write.

 Once again our nation was visited by evil - some might say insanity, or a personality disorder, and that may have an element of truth, but I think evil was the overriding condition.  People who respect life: human and animal don't go around shooting people who have nothing to do with their troubles.  Assault weapons are far too easy to obtain, and apparently to use,  Though I don't imagine the relatives and friends of these victims will be reading my blog I do send healing wishes and prayers their way.  Once again our nation is in mourning over a senseless tragedy.  May God hold them and their families  close and help them heal, and may those who lost their lives find peace and rest in the hereafter.  No one deserves to die at the hands of a maniac.  Nothing they could do to that person would be enough and it wouldn't bring the dead back either.  So in the next few weeks remember the people who are close to you, show them your love, and be grateful for the ones who are still with you, and maybe it will become a habit.  I wish everyone a safe night.


04/27/2013  

As I was reading the previous entry I realized that I hadn't mentioned a name or location associated with the above entry, but I think it was in response to the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in  Connecticut. More recently we had bombs (2 at least) explode at the Boston Marathon.  Right now I can't remember the numbers, but  several people were killed, some lost legs or an arm or were badly burned.  I don't remember the numbers, but again innocent people who were challenging themselves to complete the race (I think it's about 26 miles) were killed or seriously injured.  It did seem to bring out the best in the people who were there, even though people were running and screaming, many others stopped to help those who were injured.  The fatalities were less, than Sandy Hook, but it was simply awful, senseless really.  The 2 young men later identified as the perpetrators  were brothers who seemed to like the US at some earlier time, but somewhere along the way became twisted, and I think evil and radicalized during a trip back home to Chechnya. I wonder why, if they hated us that much they didn't just stay in Chechnya.  We wouldn't have objected (we meaning the citizens of the US).  It scares mebecause this type of radical extremism is growing and spreading.   They are angry with Americans and hate us because we don't follow or believe in their religion, though they are free to believe what they wish they don't want anyone else to have that freedom.  It reminds me of the Crusades and the religious persecution during that era.  One can follow the dictates of an oppressive religion and still not believe so what is gained by coercion? I think it's insanity, organized, oppressive insanity.    As I am reading this again I had a different thought about the hatred that is being used to justify that which is unjustifiable. I think they hate us because we have a better life here in America then they have, and so they find ways to disrupt our lives and our peace. They use violence against children, women and even their own relatives at times. Their method is to produce the most deaths and destruction from one assault or simultaneous explosions in different areas (as Sept. 11,2000 showed us. I hope there is a God and that these mass murderers have to answer for what they did and are punished appropriately. I also hope the victims are there to see that.


 

Computer Virus

I'm dealing with another wiped hard drive.  My passwords are gone,  my favorite web sites are missing.  It is especially difficult with bill paying and online banking.  I love computers, but I sometimes wonder if it's worth it. The last time this happened some of my bills were late because I couldn't get online to pay them. Discover card was nice and removed the fine, others not so much in the understanding dept. All of my problems were caused by a virus or worm, maybe a worm who had a virus.  I don't know for sure.  I do know that I hate these people who do this with their brilliant minds.   They are smart enough to make money with their expertise, but instead they use it to wreak havoc on people they don't even know.  I have never done anything evil with my computer.  I shop, read, pay bills, keep a calendar, and store books on my Kindle, and keep a medical history for myself and I kept one for my mother before she died.  So why am I running into these evil people who create these viruses? I don't know.  It could be just bad luck, but it still goes back to the evil person who devised the malware that ruined my computer.  Well I guess I just have to get over this, because I don't know what else I can do.  But it has cost me a good deal of money so far.  And I'm not wealthy.   I wish everyone a safe internet.

Addendum:  Since writing this nothing more has happened to my computer. I'm getting my bills paid, but some of my programs are working a little funny.  Maybe it's operator malfunction.  Who knows?

Demanding kitties

I have a cat, named Seamus who reminds me of a mildly demanding 2 year old. He is a reddish tabby cat, with bull's eyes on his sides and a white belly. He's about 10 years old.  I think he hates my computer, or he's jealous  years of it. Every time  I open my laptop and sit in a comfy chair with the computer on my lap (where else would I put a lap top?), he starts.  He rubs against my legs first, then he sits and stairs at me for a bit, then he stands on his hind legs and pokes me and peeks around the screen of the computer.  If I continue to ignore him because I'm deep in reading or shopping, he then stands on his hind legs and grabs the screen from the back, but I get crazy then,  afraid that he'll poke a hole in the soft screen.  So of course I close it or leave it open by put it down on a small table.  As soon as my hands are free what does he do?  He walks out of the room.  As soon as I go back to the computer he comes back, and it starts again. Sometimes he stays in the room and just stares at me.  "Please talk to me, take me outside, feed me something (his bowl of dry food is almost in front of him).  I'm lonely!!!!"  But again as soon as I put the computer down he walks away.  Sometimes I do take him out (he's not allowed out alone - none of my cats are), but he's never ready to come back inside when I am.  If he weren't the cutest, sweetest and most gentle cat I know (well my other 2 cats are right up there with him), I wouldn't let him get away with stuff, but he is, and he does.  He also likes to sit in my lap which is good for my blood pressure I think.  Unlike a baby, I can't seem to get him to go down for a nap when I'm on the computer.  But he is company and playful, and he rules me with a heavy paw.  I have more cats to write about and will get to that in the next few weeks - or not.  Enjoy the nice weather.

My Working Holiday

I haven't blogged in a long time.  I stayed with my daughter's family for almost 3 months ( in divided doses) while she finished her last semester toward her BS in Social Work.  I've missed writing here, but continued writing in my journal.  I was sort of a nanny, cook, chauffeur and at times a referee  (babysitting kids who are far from babies). It was a major change or advernture for me, and I did feel homesick at times.   I learned a lot: for example I know why I only had one child, don't argue with kids - just lay the law down, when all else fails call Mom (their mom) and request further instructions or at least back up and last - never, absolutely never, tell the kids what the plans are for some future activity.  They will drive you to insanity if you let them know stuff like that.  Other things were more simple such as don't let stray cats in the house,  and if you break this rule at least keep an eye on the intruder especially if she knows how to open doors.  That was one smart kitty.  And if the bunny, Penelope (I call her Bun Bun) runs up to you, it's not because you're her favorite---she's hungry because someone forgot to feed her  (probably me).

I learned a few new recipes, but I don't like certain spices and the kids didn't like the ones I liked so we had a few problems trying to please everyone.  I filled up on  a hidden stash of junk food when the meal wasn't exactly to my liking.  Eating out was a pretty good alternative as was occasional pizza.

Sleeping was a problem for me because a few days before I left for her house I hurt my right shoulder.  I didn't have time to see a doctor so I waited until I came back to CT.  I had to tough it out because my insurance wouldn't cover me out of state.  I'm getting ready to change this to another company as soon I'm all healed.  I think it's rotator  cuff injury of some sort and after 9 weeks it has only improved slightly.  Back to sleeping,  The bed I slept in was a water bed and very comfortable.  My neck and shoulder hurt most of the day, but at night it was twice as bad.
Sleeping pills or wine seemed to help a little.

My daughter has quite a group of animals at her home.  From geckos, to cats, bunnies, birds and a tarantula (not my favorite, but I fed her a bug or 2 while there).  Boredom was not a problem although tv was.  You need 3 hands to operate the 3 remotes that control the tv.  I did a lot of reading, which is good for me.

Now she is talking about going to school again to get her master's.  That will be quite a process and quite an achievement - for both of us.  If I win the lottery maybe I can pay someone else to handle all that stuff for me.  That's a big maybe.  I have to think about that.  Don't really see that happening.

Home now

Well I've been home for almost a week.  I miss my daughter and grandchildren, but it is good to be home. My kitties are glad to see me.  Giuseppe had terrible matted fur from not being brushed, but it wasn't Ian's fault.  Mr. G as I sometimes call him is timid and wary of strangers and wouldn't even let Ian pet him.  Maybe next time he'll remember him and be a little more friendly.  Gail says she'll stop in and give him a comb or 2, but I think I'll get him shaved on his belly and sides before I leave.  Prevention might be better than treatment.
I'm getting caught with some cleaning and fur removal.  Long-haired cats are high maintenance.  I only want short hair cats after this. 

The flight home was ok.  I did get a lot of reading done, and as always I love the take-off and landing.  I love flying, not so much waiting in airports and getting up at 4 am. 

Miss Chloe has been somewhat distant, but in the last 3 or 4 days she was more friendly, relaxed and purring.  I'm still having computer problems - freezing and lost passwords.  I do need to get a new computer, but I also need to wait until I have some income. 

I have just signed up for Medicare - which will start in April, my pension will start in June.  So things are looking up and actually going as planned. That last part doesn't happen very often.

We had a pinch of snow the other night which was pretty and then went away.  That's the only kind of snow I like.

I still have more unpacking and finding places for everything.  There doesn't  seem to be enough places.  Goodwill has become my partner in simplifying my life.    Next entry I'll try to be more interesting.

Visiting in FL.

I haven't been writing much because I've been visiting with my daughter and her family.  I'm with her to help her through her last semester of school for a degree in social work.  There is a genuine need for these services in FL and I think she'll be very good at this kind of work.  I'll be leaving on Feb 4th and returning sometime near the end of March.  I'm sort of a nanny for the kids.  I take them to the school bus stop, pick them up, start dinner, do laundry and light housekeeping, but still I'm exhausted.  I also feed and play with the animals: a cat, a bunny, a finch and 5 or 6 geckos.  The bunny and cat are my favorites. There is also a stray or abandoned cat that arrived at her home just a few weeks before I arrived.  She's a large black and white domestic short hair and very friendly and gentle and a little timid.  I like her very much and am considering bringing her home with me after my last visit.  I already have 3 cats so what's one more?  I must be a little crazy.  But it is obvious that she is a family cat and trusts and likes people.  How she was separated from her family will most likely remain a secret for her lifetime and mine. Unless someone claims her sometime.  She has no microchip or collar, but we did advertise on the message board in their development, but so far no takers.

Next time I'll tell you about my awful computer virus.  Stay tuned.