Category Archives: #Social Security/#Retirement/#What Age//

X is for X Marks the Spot

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New Thoughts on Words

X_Marks_the_Spot_FilmPoster

Aging & Attitude

   We are familiar with the expression, X marks the spot, used to reference lost treasure on a map, and the signature line on important documents. There is even a film by the name X Marks the Spot . The story concerns a newspaper reporter indebted to a gangster for raising the money to save his little girl’s life.

   In the computer age, however, the X of concern appears in the upper right corner of unwanted advertisements and pop-ups and nearly caused me a nervous breakdown on Friday.

   The nightmare begins when I log on to Word-Press to edit my next post, and a Shutterfly advertisement appears across the top of the work page. I had opened an account the previous evening, to compile a photo birthday book for my granddaughter, Alexandria. I think it is  pretty nervy of them, and feel overwhelmed, as more ads and pops up appear blocking my screen vision and ability to type. The dominant pop-up is an upgrade browser for Firefox.  and I attempt to upgrade, but cannot,  because VIPRE, identifies it as a bad file. I X out of every ad, but they immediately pop open again.   Are you following this?

   Let me recap; I cannot use my computer because I do not have the upgrade that Firefox requests and VIPRE is blocking the file.

   What to do? Call iyogi with whom I have a contract.

   After about an hour, iyogi detects 68 infractions using Malwarebytes.

   “How can that happen?”  I ask. Two days ago, I purchased VIPRE, an upgrade antivirus and firewall.

   The technician’s reply, “Madame, such infractions can only be avoided by purchasing Windows 8. “Madame would you like me to do that now.”

   Tension comes between us when I accuse him of trying to sell something. He is indignant at the suggestion and adamant that he is not a salesperson.

   I had Windows 7 three days ago. and no pop-ups or advertisements.

   What is different?  I opened a Shutterfly account, and switched to VIPRE.

   When the air clears and the infractions, cookies and temporary files removed, I make the mistake of commenting, I thought my computer  was  scheduled to do fragmenting, etc. and would check the settings.

   “Madame I can help you with that. There is a program, Keylogger, that will do all of that for you. Would you like me to install it now?” Said the tech.

   I politely answered, “No thank you.”

   “Madame, you simply do not understand how computers are working.” He persists.

   I get off phone saying, “My husband is in the kitchen waiting for me to cook dinner.”

   That he understands.

   Truth is, Mr. Wonderful cooks dinner.

   I question my decision to pay for and install VIPRE and phone to cancel the anti-virus program.  The purchase is within thirty days, so there is no problem.

   Next I download free versions of Malwaybytes and turn Windows firewall back on.

   Through this laborious process pop-ups continue and even appear in LinkedIn when I post my blog.  I tell Shutterfly to close my account. They do.

   The pop-ups and advertisements continue flying across my screen. I run a total scan a second time and have 68 new infractions, all the same from address,  pup.optional.conduit A.

   Yelling “I’m going to have a nervous break-down”  I type, What is pup-optional conduit A? in the search bar and have my answer. X marks the spot.

   PUP.Optional.Conduit.A is very dangerous malware that invades into user computer without taking their permission. This PUP.Optional.Conduit.A also results in messing up the entire computer system by displaying unwanted and fake ads. This potentially unwanted program used to slip into random computers through a series of channels, like freeware downloads, spam e-mail attachments, hacked websites etc. PUP.Optional.Conduit.A using malware to block anti-virus programs. PUP.Optional.Conduit.A can change the existing registry entries, and create the new corrupt entries so that it can launch itself each time you open the windows. Since this nasty threat is very dangerous and it unnoticed. It is strongly recommended to remove PUP.Optional.Conduit.A as soon as possible to prevent further damage from it.  (Instructions on how to remove this dangerous malware on Firefox can be found here.)

   Reading  about antivirus programs , I learn malware does a different kind of damage and Malwarebytes is not an antivirus program. I remove Malwarebytes and reinstalled VIPRE as a trial member.  Now I’m using VIPRE firewall, malware and antivirus programs. 

   This morning I run a full scan using VIPRE and remove 6 files that are of moderate risk, one of which is some sort of conduit toolbar. I have no pop-ups or advertisements yet, however I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo  confused. Help!

….just saying

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V is for Valise

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New Thoughts on Words

retro-woman-suitcases-25792523

Aging & Attitude

Valise, I like its sound. Valise is of French origin from the Italian word valigia and reminds me of my grandfather. Pop-Pop called a small piece of luggage a valise. Something larger was a trunk, as in steamer trunk, the type slapped with vacation stickers and seen on cruise ships, headed towards the old country.

The definition of valise is a small overnight bag, a size manageable with one hand by ladies. Today’s equivalent would be a tote or backpack

My grandfather said, “Where’s your valise?” Never asked what was inside or if I had everything. We were treated as adults but I recall instructions on how to fold pressed dresses with tissue paper to prevent creases during travel. It works.

What was in the valise?

A toothbrush, no toothpaste, that was provided by the host. Other toiletries were not necessary, we bathed once a week at home and shampooed our hair at the kitchen sink with bar soap if need be. I did not need six different skin care products to prevent face wrinkles, nor numerous medications.

What was in the valise?

Perhaps one extra pair of underwear but pantyhose washed, rolled in a hand towel, and left in the bathroom to dry overnight. Certainly, I packed a nightgown and house coat not to be indecent.

What was in the valise?

Probably an extra sweater, put under your coat when real cold. We wore a scarf around the neck. The scarf protected the coat collar from grime and make-up, and doubled as a head cover. If the weather turned hot, the sweater replaced your coat.

Life was simple.

Make-up consisted of  blue eye shadow, pink lipstick, and white nail polish and stored in a handbag, along with a rain hat, two aspirin and a wallet.

What was in my wallet?

An orange library card, five dollars, and yes, my social security card.

I may have carried a bubble umbrella.

What was in your valise?

….just saying

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T is for Tomato Man

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New Thoughts on Words

English: Photograph of tomatoes on a vegetable...

English: Photograph of tomatoes on a vegetable stall at Borough Market in London, UK (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aging & Attitude

Laughter fills the early morning air at the Hammock Beach Club in Florida. The sound is cynical, rich with ridicule and doubt. Bubbles St. Clair interrupts her swim to scan the tower balconies and find the source, a man on the fifth floor corner unit, waves. He is a stranger to her and she does not wave back.

The noise increases as people wake and stand on their terrace, sipping coffee, savoring the view from the lollipop yellow colored building. The neon paint is softened by a pale watermelon trim and whip cream clouds drifting across the sky.

As Bubbles does the backstroke the stranger turns to go inside, she gets a glimpse of his Coke 400 t-shirt and pony tail.

By noon Bubbles has showered, dressed, and is  roaming Publix’s produce aisle looking for fennel. The constant beep of an automated shopping cart annoys her, and she recognizes the driver by his red Coke t-shirt. Bubbles counts eleven types of tomatoes the man feels traveling in reverse creating a non-stop beep,beep, beeeeeeeeeeeee.

He is scruffy, overweight and has thin hair on top, a ponytail down his back. His three-day-old beard is red but doing the Cha-Cha with a bit of gray. His needy eyes turn and ask Bubbles, “How was your swim?”

His voice stirs feelings long forgotten, and has a texture reminiscent of her past.

He continues, “You know anything about these Romas from Canada?”   Bubbles examines the assortment of tomatoes before answering, “No never had them, look delicious though.” She feels sorry for him beeping back and forth, reduced to squeezing tomatoes for pleasure. She smiles and walks away.

In the parking lot Bubbles watches Tomato Man get in his car, coincidentally parked next to hers, from a distance. She slows her pace and avoids his wave goodbye.

Rolling her eyes, she mutters disbelief then arranges packages on the back seat before noticing a beat up wallet on the ground.

Inside there is a photo license of Tomato Man, and she reads the name aloud, Tom Scary.

I knew a Tom Scary in High School, she thinks.

The address reads, Hensonville, New York. I went to High School in Hensonville, she remembers.

Bubbles gets in her car, turns the air conditioning up real high, and questions aloud, “Is he  that stranger?”

….just saying

N is for The New Normal – The Alphabet Series

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A New Normal

Aging & Attitude

O56C0464Canada Calgary Zoo – Lee Tickett

New Thoughts On Words

Toes that no longer wiggle, giggle or dance when asleep

But cry, some sudden leg syndrome is attacking our feet

Hands that can’t twist to open a door

Or flip pages any more

Kitchen tops decorated with items to not forget

A part of our brain we haven’t used yet

Ridge in thought

Like stiff knees reluctant to bend

Our grey cells will not receive or send

Exhausted and depleted

We long for comfort food

Meatloaf and mash-potatoes

But for the cerebellum it is repeated conversations

So what if we forget to lock a door, a date, the place, a score

We are old, invisible and small

Don’t pester and pest

Let’s explore!

Close your eyes, envision youth and come with me…. please,

To places we have never been

                                                               ….just saying

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K is for Kaleidoscope – The Alphabet Series

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Aging & Attitude

New Thoughts on Words

Remember looking through a kaleidoscope as a child, the view filled with wonder and excitement.

For me, it was like going to Lowe’s Paradise Theater on Fordham road in the Bronx. There was a hole in the ceiling that allowed patrons to peak at the moon and stars while enjoying a movie. I did not know it was pretend until a teen, and stepped outside to daylight after the show.

As with a kaleidoscope, once the device met my eye, I traveled to an exotic place where imagined shapes and colors lived.

The kaleidoscope, invented by David Brewster; a scientist experimenting with light polarization around 1815, quickly became a popular toy with sales reaching two hundred thousand in three months time.

Webster’s dictionary defines a kaleidoscope as an “optical instrument which by an arrangement of reflective surfaces exhibits an infinite variety of beautiful colors and symmetrical forms of its content.” The effect achieved by angling mirrors towards each other to create multiple reflections.  Usually bits of glass or paper are put in the cylinder’s “object chamber” to be reflected, although it could be anything, including liquid.

Paul Dewa explains how a kaleidoscope works in his you/tube video.

We are familiar with the inexpensive cardboard and wood cylinder type but there are many others resembling art forms.

Frank and Janet Higgins worked with stain glass for years and called their studio “Kaleidoscope”  but did not design and build kaleidoscopes until the mid-90’s. Their aim is “to make high-quality playthings for grown-ups, concentrating equally on innovative design, the internal images and the external presentation.”  That means, they strive to be the best.  You can view the slide show at Picture Trail.

What makes a kaleidoscope fascinating is perception. We reflect differently on the same thought or memory, and the hope that change will make life better.

….just saying

    

    

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J is for Junk Drawer – The Alphabet Series

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New Thoughts on Words

RX-DK-HSW02201_messy-drawer_s3x4_lg

Aging & Attitude

Mr. Wonderful, my husband of 41 years, walks into the kitchen and asks, “Have you seen that what-ch-ma- thing?”

I know exactly what he is asking about because he has on glasses and is holding a plastic tube of wood glue.

“You know that who-GA-ma-call-it you wanted put back.” He says stammering and shaking his head; eyes focused on a ceiling corner in an attempt to retrieve the information.

I enjoy his sputtering, because early he yelled at me, “You’re always right, you’re right, you’re right, but you can’t make me do it.” After a discussion on health became a fist fight about right or wrong.

Now, his stretched out slippers let his toes hang over the sole, so they smash into the floor molding. He hip hops about, flamingo style, scrunching his face like a shriveled prune and swearing, shit, shit, shit, but gets no sympathy.

Then he blurts out the real issue, “Why can’t we have a junk drawer?”

Yes, you heard right, we do not have a junk drawer. I am philosophically opposed to the concept and wonder why people accumulate items, they do not want and have no need for, useless items, in a kitchen drawer.

“Why would we need a junk drawer, we have somehow managed for forty years without a drawer of unwanted rubbish.”

“Marshal says every man needs a junk drawer, all the guys have one, I’m the only one who doesn’t.”

I get it, that the junk has possibility. It’s too good for the garbage and might some day have a use, or kept just in case.

“So Mr. Wonderful, if you had a junk drawer, what would you put in it?” I ask.

“The who-Ga-ma-call-it I’m looking for, golf balls and golf tees, I don’t know, STUFF!” He answers.

“Don’t you keep golf balls and tees in your golf bag? And the what-ch-ma-thing is in your tool box.” I reply.

“You’re right, you’re right, I hate it when you’re right!”

…just saying

       (Mr. Wonderful improvises)GE DIGITAL CAMERA

H is for Hanky Panky

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The Alphabet Series

dolce-gabbana-ss-2013-collection-woman-01

New Thoughts on Words

H is for hanky panky, two words joined by alliteration, not meaning. We hear the lyrics of Tommy James and the Shondells, “My baby does the hanky panky”, and picture a couple making out in a 1966 Mustang convertible. There is a mischievous fooling around atmosphere and know the girl is easy.

But what is hanky panky?

Webster’s (Standard Reference Works Publishing Co. 1956) definition; The meaningless professional talk of a juggler or magician, jugglery or legerdemain.

Sounds like politicians talking about the sequestration.

The term hanky panky is sighted in the first edition of ‘Punch‘ magazine Volume 1 September 1841. In London court, a con-man said to the judge,

“Only a little hanky-panky, my lud. The people likes it; they loves to be cheated before their faces. One, two, three-presto-begone. I’ll show your ludship as pretty a trick of putting a piece of money in your eye and taking it from your elbow, as you ever beheld.”

A later reference is from George Bernhard Shaw’s Geneva, 1939:

She: No hanky panky. I am respectable; and I mean to keep respectable.
He: I pledge you my word that my intentions are completely honorable.

Hanky panky defined as unethical, and referenced as Hocus Pocus or Hokey Pokey, grew in popularity when sexy and illicit acts were included.

It was playful and I recall teaching kindergartners the hokey pokey to practice eye hand coordination skills.

The closest we can get to that ridiculous fun for all is the Harlem Shake.

Google Hanky Panky and you will discover many companies sell lingerie and naughty items, but only one company makes the lace.

599290_10151373267023315_1455748430_nKlauber Brothers is a sixth generation family business and creators of an exclusive Signature Lace for Hanky Panky, a leader in intimate apparel.

The Klauber family was lucky to escape the treacherous trickery that forced them to surrender their business and never considered they would be in the  hanky panky business. They fled Nazis Germany on the SS Manhattan. It was the last boat to America in 1939.

Their story and craftmanship adds sobering thoughts to hanky panky, but I still hear lyrics in my head and think about a randition of the Harlem Shake, me mouthing the words…My baby does the hanky panky. I saw her walkin’ on down the line You know I saw her for the very first time A pretty little girl standin’ all alone “Hey pretty baby, can I take you home?”

…just saying

 

Is Lying A Crime?

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“Not only did I lie about lying, but I lied about lying about lying. And you’d better believe that’s the truth. 
”
― Jarod Kintz

By a lie, a man…annihilates his dignity as a man.
Immanuel Kantike_and_dick-620x412

Aging & Attitude

There is a conversation going on in my head, not a monologue – talking to yourself.

It is a dialogue. Something like this:

“Is it a crime to lie?”

“Depends. If you’re asked, ‘Does this dress make me look fat?’ It would be a death sentence or life without parole, and just stupid, to say anything but no.”

“So, a white lie, something small and insignificant is okay? Not like Lance Armstrong, Casey Anthony or that woman in Phoenix, Arizona, well she lied but decided to tell the truth, not really the truth, a different lie about the truth.”

“Lying under oath, perjury, is a crime, however Anthony worked briefly for a company that worked for Universal Studios and wasn’t being investigated when she lied. Armstrong told Oprah he didn’t believe he was cheating or committing a crime and considered doping necessary to level the playing field and lying was the right choice.”

“So it’s okay to lie.”

“Well, kind of, the Supreme Court recently ruled on the subject of lying ­­­­­­– Xavier Alvarez sued saying it was a violation of American’s First Amendment, our freedom of speech for him not to be able to say he was a Medal of Honor recipient. He won.

“Lying to the public was a crime, look at Nixon and Watergate”

“Clinton, too – they were presidents, held to a higher standard.”

“Although it’s a lie, Xavier Alvarez can say he won a Medal of Honor, but Casey Anthony can’t say she worked at Universal Studies during an investigation, if she was read her rights.”

“What about Manti Te’o, can he lie about having a girlfriend.

“Well Manti Te’o wasn’t lying, he didn’t know the truth.” 220px-Lars_real_girl

“But had he known the truth it would be his First Amendment right to lie. Remember that indie movie, “Lars and the Real Girl”.

“Blame Voltaire, he said, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.”

“I thought that meant the individual’s right to express an opinion and question others. Voltaire didn’t say I will defend your right to lie.”

“The actual quote is, ‘We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard‘. ~Voltaire, Dictionnaire Philosophique, 1764- consequences were included.”

It may be a  First Amendment right to lie, but it is still wrong.
…. just saying

Eating Moose

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Sao-Tome-and-Principe-600x428

                                                    Aging & Attitude

Eating Moose


Miss Eva giggles, when her mom, Sasha Martin, announces they will be eating moose. The little girl’s flirtatious glance causes Sasha to clarify and add, banana mouse. This week the country is Sao Tome and Principe, and the menu Sweet Potato Frittata, Cod Fish Feijoada and Banana Mouse with Chocolate Shavings. Miss Eva started eating  international cuisine as a toddler, has a sophisticated palate and would not be surprised if moose were on the menu.

Do you dream of world travel? Not Sasha Martin, she turns dreams into travel around the world without leaving Tulsa, Oklahoma. I discovered Sasha and Global Table Adventure listening to NPR. Global Table Adventure, a way to experience the world, educate her daughter and take her picky husband with her, is her brainchild.

Tag lines reveal the mission and nature of her character.

Imagine if it were possible to create peace one bite at a time.

Let’s eat out way around the world.

Cooking the world A-Z

Catchy phrases like “stove top travel” and “I’m giving you the recipes, facts and reviews,” lure you to culinary delights. With eyes closed you can experience being there.

Sasha is focused, and organized; the website user-friendly and the pictures fabulous.

A student of the Culinary Institute of America she tackles a list of 195 countries alphabetically. If only I had discovered the adventure sooner,  she has explored 151 countries.

Travel Tuesday, tells about the country and culture, Menu Wednesday reveals what to cook, Thursday shows techniques and Fun Friday includes tidbits and polls. Saturday the family cooks and dines and the following Monday is meal review with photos and occasional video.

There is an Interactive Map, Adventure Status, and Global Gift Guide of twenty items with links to the manufacturers if you like to buy. Everything from Fred M Matroyshkas dry measuring cups, to Buddy Trainer Chopsticks, a set of two for $5.99.

The journey is real and sincere.

Proverbs are included this year, and Sasha tells of a recent visit with a friend  to share the wisdom.

“If I am a prince and you are a prince, then who will lead the donkeys?” – Saudi Proverb

Sasha captures their conversation by concluding; “May we all let our hair be wild.”

I agree.

  … just saying

Why Are We Here?

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rain3

Rain in a Glass

“Freshly Squeezed” – London, England – Sarah Ann Wright – Featured Photographer

Aging & Attitude

   Why are we here? I ponder aloud, to which Mr. Wonderful retorts, “Because we are,” and leaves the room to watch the Rose Bowl. I am thinking more Palm Coast. Why are we living in Palm Coast, Florida, when our son and his family live in Albuquerque and our daughter in New York City.

His answer, “Because we are,” triggers a philosophical thought that fails to make a connection, perhaps it is Kierkegaard? It cannot be Descartes, “the Father of Modern Philosophy,” must be someone more obscure.

Descartes’s statement, “Cogito, ergo sum;” “I think, therefore I am.” rings in my head. He advocated dualism, the mind’s power over body and strength; defined as overcoming human weakness by relying on the infinite power of the human mind. Which leads me to Deepak Chopera and belief in mind/body spiritual healing or the concept that thought effectives body. Include Andrew Weil with these men.

How did I get so far away from where I was headed? And John Boehner is somewhere in the middle. His philosophy regarding why we are here? Winning! We are here, to win.

Kim Kardashian believes, for sure, she is here to shop, while Hilary’s purpose is world peace.

Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle thought the meaning of life was found in the pursuit of knowledge and the path there, learning and questioning. Socrates partnered philosophy with politics and proclaimed politicians be the wisest of men and have good morals. Plato believed all humans duty bound to pursue good. His apprentice, Aristotle, went further striving not only to study virtue, but be virtuous.

Stoicism, Skepticism, and Epicureans, schools of thought derived from their teachings, offer paths to happiness. The Stoics by living in moderation and finding inner peace,”the world is what you make it”.  Skeptics by putting everything in the hands of the Gods, “Let go and let God” and Epicureans purport not wanting anything to avoid displeasure, similar to Taoism, or “just have fun.”

A search on-line reveals other zigzag pursuits.

   Greta Christina suggests we make the dilemma more general and include everything, “Why is anything here?” Decide first if you believe in God, then search for the answer.

   Existenz contemplates the same question, but follows a scientific path or “the Big Bang” theory” to discover the answer. He talks about the ninety-two types of naturally occurring atoms, the billions of different combinations and the forming chemical components that underlie everything living and non living, including the most complex, human beings. It is a mystery.

So why are we here? Because we sold our house and it is a three-minute walk to the ocean, or as Mr. Wonderful  proclaimed, because we are.

                                                                  ….just saying

*Mr Wonderful is my husband of forty-one years