Here's What I'm Thinking

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 – Softly Call the Muster…

Aggie Muster is a tradition unique to Texas A&M University that embodies and perpetuates the Aggie Spirit. Celebrated on April 21st every year, Muster engages thousands of Aggies worldwide to honor and celebrate the Aggie Family – past, present, and future.

It is famously quoted “If there is an A&M man in one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.”

Although over a century has passed and thousands of Musters have been held, the roots remain the same of honoring the Aggies who have passed and celebrating those gathered together.

https://muster.tamu.edu/about-muster/

Aggie Muster is definitely one those traditions that if you are on the outside looking in, you do not understand it. If you are on the inside, you cannot explain it.

So, for all we answer “Here” in the Spirit of Aggieland.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020 – Live in the Time of Coronavirus

Today the brain is all over the place. So hang on and sing.

Today we have a song that never became popular. For example, here is one that was never sung since today was a bit icy for the big boat. It sank on this day in 1912.

Bon voyage to you, new Titanic.

You’re the greatest ship on the sea.

Bon voyage to you, new Titanic.

Say Hello to the Statue of Liberty!

To wish you a safe crossing is unthinkable.

We know with what you’re costing you’re unsinkable.

So bon voyage to you, new Titanic.

You’re the greatest ship on the sea.

Well, watch out for the iceberg.

              I have self-isolated, quarantined, stayed indoors, social distanced for one month with only trips to the grocery store. Yesterday, I ordered a large package of surgical masks. I fear this crap is not going away for another six weeks or so.  This may indeed become a cultural change.

Today, I was going for the space look rather than the bumble bee look when I went to the grocery store.

Mask wearing at the store was about fifty-fifty. Half the people wore one, the others not. I did see that some place in town required you to wear a mask. I tried to go that store, but they insisted I have on more than the mask and made me go home.

Us grammar mammars so dislike it when a noun becomes a verb. For example – Please, wear a mask (noun) Mask up (verb). Now please diagram the sentences. Stop complaining, you are as bored as I am. Admit it.

Here is another song gaining popularity in these times.

Where have all the paper towels gone?

Long time passing.

Where have all the paper towels gone?

Long-time ago.

Where have all the paper towels gone

Cause I can’t find a roll nowhere,

No, I can’t find a roll.

Stay safe. Stay strong. Say your prayers. And Lord, please do not let this linger into college football season.

Friday, April 10, 2020 – Easter WeekEnd

We are preparing for an Easter weekend like no other. With the exception of the Original and Big One of course.

Today, I celebrated Good Friday and did the Stations of the Cross (Catholic thing) online. I have never done the Stations from my home before. I do hope that God did not mind that there was a cat in my lap.  Imagine how difficult it is to genuflect from a chair.

After those prayers, I geared up with my mask and went to two stores. I spent $11.00 at the Farm Patch. I bought an eggplant, okra, and Brussel sprouts. Yes, I like them. And I especially like them in the air fryer.

Then I spent $50.00 at the liquor store. According to my math that is about even.

I will be sad that I will not be with family on Easter Sunday. I miss going to mass or church with some of them. I miss the great Easter food that is prepared afterward – especially, Deann’s chocolate chip cookies and Debbie or Kristen’s Nanny Cake. Both cookies and cake are as close to Mama’s as possible.

I will miss watching the great great nieces dressed in their Easter frocks. I hope pictures are taken.

Bottom line, I will miss you and that I love “Love you Heap Big.” But we must stay safe. I am confident that we will be together soon.

So, wherever you are on Sunday, I hope the day is filled with joy and happiness. And of-course the True celebration of the day.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 – Life in the Time of Coronavirus

You know what chaps me?

That brand new tube of chap stick that you just bought, only used once and you find it in the bottom of the dryer! Of course, all contents were melted.

I had just purchased two new tubes like this.  It says it is “Natural – Age-Defying.” I smeared it all over my body but have not seen any dramatic results.

What else are you doing while staying safely at home? This was yesterday. I took a picture of my cat, Peach, while she was sitting on the back porch listening to the birds. Notice, I did not even get out of the chair.

Then I edited the picture and drew a heart around her butt.

Made you laugh, didn’t it?

Moving forward.

History 2030 – During the 2020 pandemic coronavirus, shortages of toilet paper and paper towels were the number one demand. Packages of paper products were limited to one to a customer. This demand was followed by alcohol. It was not limited to one to a customer.

Stay safe. Stay home. Stay strong.

Monday, April 6, 2020 – Life in the Time of Corona

Here I am yesterday going to the grocery store.

I was able to find one package of four rolls of toilet paper. There is a limit of one package to a customer. Then I was able to trade those four rolls for a box of Clorox Wipes.

Seriously, I am OK and hope that all is well at your house. I have much to be thankful for.

In happy news, Mississippi State women’s’ basketball coach, Vic Shaefer, will be the new women’s’ basketball coach at THE University of Texas. Or course we all know that Coach Shaefer is a Texas A&M graduate – Class of 1984.

Here’s what I’m thinking. When all else fails, bring in a Texas Aggie to get it done right. It will be interesting to hear him say “Praise the Lord and Hook ‘Em Horns!” Oh well, at least one of the phrases is a good one. I also wonder how long it will take for a game between TU and Texas A&M women’s basketball to be on the schedule. Good luck, Vic and Shaefer family.

My plans for today include taking a walk around the neighborhood, making some more masks and practicing professional chair sitting. I have even entertained thoughts of weeding the flower bed and cleaning out the refrigerator. I hope the last two thoughts go away quickly.

Anyway, here’s to another Monday that moves us one day closer to this being over.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 – Everybody Dance Now

Anybody having weird dreams? Two nights in a row I dreamed my friend, Shirley Crooks and I were judges in a dance contest. I don’t know about Shirley but watching me dance is not pretty. In fact, it is pretty hilarious, and tequila is usually involved.

But I offer some suggestions for a dance contest from American Bandstand 1967. It is kind of long, but funny. I like couple number four because I had a dress like that in 1967. Check out the ads. Check out the prizes. Different for boys and girls.  I especially like the TV with removable legs so you can take it to another room.

Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/XkFNWwkeWho

Tuesday, March 24, 2020 – Washington Square

The song Washington Square is one of my favorite songs. Believe it or not at one point in my life, I could play the guitar part and the banjo part. Of course, I could rock the clarinet part. This was the only song I ever learned to play on the banjo, aside from strumming.

Here’s to you New York City. Stay strong.  See you at Washington Square when this is over.

https://youtu.be/ihenbyTzQ2A

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 – What Are You Doing?

What are you doing during this self and government isolation and quarentine?

I went to my new gym today. Also known as a walk outside. I walked a mile.

As of yesterday, I have done all of the laundry, including the bed linens, and the area rugs. The cat is eyeing me suspiciously.

Since my self-imposed social isolation last Friday, March 13, I have read three books.

The Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903 – by Nat Brandt.  Not a pleasant story, but I learned more about theatre than I ever knew. I never noticed that theatre doors swing outwards. Think about that. The doors of the Iroquois swung inwords. I read these books because I like to see the reforms that result from tragic situations.

18 Tiny Deaths – The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb. Another forgotten woman in history.  Her passion for this unknown field made crucial in roads into forensics, crime and the way we view the world today.

Home Front – by Kristin Hannah I like books by this author. They tend to be about women and the paths life takes them. In Home Front, we get to see the world of a military mom who is a helicopter pilot called into action.

Currently, I am reading Erik Larson’s new book about Churchhill The Splendid and the Vile.  Spoiler alert: England wins.

I am keeping a journal about the virus. This is something I have never seen in my lifetime. You are living history. I would especially urge parents to have their kids do this. Someday, these will become primary sources for sociologists, historians and others who study social/psychological issues.

Something else to journal about includes the things for which you are thankful. This can really put things in perspective for you.

The Great Toilet Paper Hoard puzzles me. I have not seen indications that the COVID19 virus causes gastro-intestinal issues requiring extensive lengths from the TP roll. Remember, it is not necessary to make a catcher’s mitt to wipe your butt. However, I must say I found a roll and half of TP this morning that I did not know I had and did a little dance.

In conclusion, I recall a lunch topic from many years ago. The topic was camping and things that went wrong. We discussed the usual – rained, wild animals, eating the cookies from the campers next door (Big Bang Theory reference – The Adhesive Duck Deficiency Episode).

One of the people said when he was a Boy Scout, they went on a camping trip and forgot toilet paper. After a round of “Oh No’s and What did you do?” he smiled and said, “We are Mexicans. We had enough tortillas for weeks!”

Friday, March 13, 2020 – Happy Friday 13^th!

Along with everybody else I am preparing for “social isolation” or the avoidance of large crowds.

This is actually pretty easy for me to do since I really do not like crowds larger than the number who can fit around a table with four chairs and a wine bottle.

This is definitely one of those times when living alone with a cat is an advantage.

Here’s what I’m thinking. If I have to stay indoors for an indeterminate amount of time, I am doing it with Oreos and junk food.

Seriously, this is some serious stuff. Please take care of yourselves.

Thank God for Netflix.

Now! Go wash your hands.