%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |    My random thoughts and reactions to my everyday life. The voices like a forum. |
| I do not know quite what happened or when , but my hubby and I now qualify for seniors' discounts at some venues. This creates a quandary; in order to save money, but not face, we have to admit to our age. HMMMM..... We definitely do not consider ourselves to be old. In this day and age ,when people as a whole are living longer and healthier lives why are 'young seniors', those in their fifties, like moi, considered 'old'?? It's so true that age is just a perception! "Maturity" is very objective/subjective, and I object! Whew, a few years have skittered by since I composed this biography block. Those "fifties" are in the rear view mirror and they are distant, fond memories. Oh, I do not plan to stop writing any time soon. |
| May 20th Prompt: What does happiness mean to you? Reflect back on a specific moment when you felt unconditionally happy.What circumstances made you feel that way? It may sound corny, but happiness stems from the simple things. A spontaneous gabfest with a passerby while out on a gambol in the sunshine is happiness. A spectacular sunset that illuminates the evening sky is happiness. Cuddles with a grandgiggle are happiness. Holding hands with my hubby despite decades of marriage is happiness. Discovering a delicious new ice cream flavour is happiness. Watching children run and play is happiness. Laughter be it a guffaw, or a snort, or a chortle, or a giggle, or a tee-hee is happiness. Reconnecting with an old friend and sharing familiar stories is happiness. Finishing a book and coming up for air is happiness. Stringing a series of words together to create something memorable is happiness. Capturing a once-in-a-lifetime photo to preserve a magical moment is happiness. I consider myself fortunate to have a plethora of happy memories to reflect upon. Were a few better than others? Do a few of those moments never fail to make me smile? It goes without saying that my wedding qualifies as such a happy day. I remember the enormous family reunion that accompanied it. When I close my eyes I see everyone dancing, hugging, laughing, and talking non-stop. My father wore my veil as he partied and schmoozed. Friends and family mingled for hours. The births of my children and grandgiggles were heart-swelling moments in time. I reacted with tears and a grin that never faded. Birthday parties are excuses to get together and reminisce. Sure, we all celebrate, but when in close proximity the merriment is contagious. We all speak to, around and over each other in our eagerness to be a vital part of the conversation. Some may accurately claim we are loud. I prefer boisterous. We never are at a loss for laughter either. If one of us spits out a mouthful , or snorts then the instigator is successful. All of this makes me happy. |
| May 19th Prompt:Write about the most historic world events of your lifetime. How are they ( or will they be) remembered? What will the history books focus on? I remember the day my Mom phoned me and asked if I was watching the news. I had to answer no and she urged me to turn on my television. Neither of us could comprehend what we were viewing. Nothing had prepared us or anyone for the horrors of 9/11. We could only gasp as the live feed continued. From the security of our Canadian homes, we viewed the worst attacks known to Americans. The devastation could not be denied. That day will always be unforgettable. If that is the criteria for history then it qualifies.As a proud Canadian, I consider the Marathon of Hope to be a historical event. This was meant to be a cross country run for its creator / runner Terry Fox. Raised in British Columbia and considered to be an avid athlete, Terry experienced the devastating effects of cancer. His right leg was amputated and he endured various treatments. After his recovery, he discovered competitive wheelchair basketball. He had always been a runner and he returned to it with an artificial leg. The cancer opened his eyes to the emotional and monetary toll of cancer. He sought an avenue to both promote awareness and encourage donations for research. He decided to run across Canada and he began his odyssey on the east coast in Newfoundland. Every day, he managed to run with a unique gait, a hop-step motion. Despite pain and all the stressors that accompany such an ambitious venture, Terry never wavered. Day by day he attracted attention and support. People chose to run short distances with him. Some began to anticipate his arrival and line the roads he ran on to cheer. His tenacity earned unprecedented contributions to the Cancer Society. The organization arranged meet and greets along his route. He attended special events. Terry became a media darling, but devoted to his cause. Reaching Thunder Bay, Ontario, Terry had to stop and listen to his spent body. Tests confirmed his cancer had returned this time as lung cancer. He flew back home to undergo treatment vowing he'd finish his run. He started his marathon April 12th, 1981 and ended it in November. He covered 5,373 kilometres in 143 days. Sadly, Terry succumbed to cancer June 28th, 1981 a month before his twenty-third birthday. Terry's determination and grit proved that anyone could dream a goal and battle to realize it. He did not consider himself to be physically handicapped. He left behind an enduring legacy. His family introduced the first Terry Fox memorial run in September of 1981. That run is now a staple of each September with schoolchildren amongst others participating. The run in his memory continues to raise money for cancer research. What other Canadian event do I remember? Our iconic red maple leaf flew for the first time as our offical flag in February 1965. Before that time, Canada borrowed the U.K.'s Union Jack. Thanks to the world's first commercial domestic communication satellite sent into orbit by the Canadian government in 1972, Canadians experienced reliable long distance phone services and live t.v. broadcasts. That was an historic first. This is a huge country. This seminal satellite was known as AnikA1 with 'anik' being Inukitiut for 'little brother.' AnikA2 was launched in 1973. This was the precursor to our current level of computer access. Canada has advanced well beyond its origin as a fur-trading entity. |
| May 18th prompt: What is the most ridiculous or one-of-a-kind thing you've ever bought? Tell us the story! I will admit to a certain fashion faux-pas, or a momentary lack of taste in my teenage years. First, let me paint you a picture, and, yes, colour pics existed way back then and colour is important to this tale of woe. I'm not bragging, but at that time in my life I could be accurately described as a bean pole, lanky and thin. When I look back upon this blemish I shudder. What was I thinking? Some outfits only accentuate the awkwardness of a sad figure such as myself. I've lamented my regrettable choice, but in my defence this was once a fad and like all fads it had no hope of enduring. Tucked away in a photo album irrefutable proof exists. The camera caught me garbed in a woollen jumpsuit, yes, that's correct, a jumpsuit. Nowadays, the avant garde opt to wear what they call onesies. Meh, these garments are similar. Now the one-piece wardrobe wonder was accessed by a long zipper. Oh, did I mention the flared pant legs? Ooo, I was styling...not. And the piece de resistance... my jumpsuit could not be missed unless I scurried within range of a bona fide blind person. As I warned, colour plays an emphatic place in this story. Ack, my jumpsuit was yellow, not buttercup, not daffodil, not goldenrod. It was a hideous shade of mustard. It defies all rationality, but I ventured out in public in this mustard yellow jumpsuit, and I was not alone. The boy next door had invited me out for a date. I'm sure he never lost sight of me. Sometimes, I struggle with the sizing of items. My family will never let me forget the new canvas, aluminum-framed lawnchairs I purchased for our seasonal campsite a few years ago. I'd hyped up the arrival of the foldable furniture and promised the visiting offspring superior posterior reclining. They anticipated unparalelled luxury and a chance to toss tired, worn seats. I chose an evening campfire to introduce my purchases to my family. With a flourish, I waved the canvas, drawstring bags in the air. Bursts of laughter greeted me. "Mom! Look at that cute, teeny-tiny bag. Are you sure there are chairs in there?" With glee the bags were pulled open and their contents exposed. Two tiny chairs appeared and my adult kids dutifully tried to park their derrieres. They suggested I save the doll furniture for drunken games of musical chairs.One person could manage to squeeze herself into a petit chaise, my barely five-foot tall daughter-in-law. Okay, okay, visual point taken. I'd made a mistake. I'd adopted chairs meant for toddlers. Now that I've mentioned my DIL,I will share some fun she and I had. Returning from a road trip in which she tried on her wedding dress, we stopped at a candy store we'd always wanted to visit. Together we giggled over the many suggestive packaging choices.Our unanimous purchase qualifies as unique. We bought a tinful of white mints labeled as Pecker Mints, the perfect sweet treat for a bridal shower. Yep, they were tiny, perfect penises. Imagine that this candy mold exists. I still chuckle remembering her shocked smile. |
| May 17th Prompt:"Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I've ever known." Chuck Palahniuk Share your thoughts about how the people in your life have had an impact on you. Ooo, this is like me appearing on a stage awaiting my acceptance of an award and charming everyone with my speech of gratitude. I'd like to thank all the fantastic individuals who contributed to the person you see here today. You know who you are. Without your support I don't know where I'd be. Mere words cannot convey what you mean to me. I am blessed. Where do I begin? First I'd like to mention my parents who deigned to both conceive me and then keep me in a manner to which I became accustomed. Not only did they accept the usual parental duties of feeding and housing me, they chose to nurture me. They did not ignore me. They listened. They engaged in conversations with me. They cheered me on. They taught by example and rarely told me ' do as we say not as we do.' Both my Mom and my Dad were avid readers and their behaviour did not go unnoticed by me. I imitated this habit and discovered why they did it. They learned. They were entertained. They could and did enjoy books anywhere at any time.Sitting in any chair, they could 'travel' and teleport inexpensively. Books were and still are affordable and accessible. I could be considered the experimental model. Not that my parents bemoaned my birth, but I probably lulled them into a honeymoon state of child rearing such that they repeated the process three more times. Yep, they bestowed upon me the unrefundable title of big sister. Anyone who has survived life with siblings knows it's not all hugs and kisses. There are arguments. There are rivalries. There are scuffles. Despite the endless teasing and lack of privacy, my siblings did not defeat me. To my amazement, they care about me and vice versa. They keep it real. Never have they flattered me or permitted my head to swell disproportionally. We have an unbreakable bond. Looking back on my school years, I can honestly state that most of my teachers were fantastic. They recognized early on that I'd never be a star athlete, or perhaps even a weekend warrior. They did not offer participation awards and I did not covet them. They nurtured my artistic tendencies. They accepted that I was a chatterbox and it was a reflex as much as breathing. When words began to make sense, I ventured into expression via stories. My Nanny enthusiastically accepted her role as my first pen pal. She never criticized my terrible scrawl and she replied to all my letters. With her I could experiment with expression and description. I'm not going to be all soppy and lovey-dovey, but suffice it to say, my hubby, Paul, has co-habited with me for forty-three years now and I consider him to be my best friend. Sure, I'll admit we've weathered our storms and floated on a few surges. He's a doer and has an uncanny ability to gauge what is needed and then rectify it. We've both learned to give and take. We acted as partners raising our three children. We were a team. Ah, those three... How can I express heartache and joy? Being a mother requires nerves of steel and a thick skin. Nobody can break down your defences like a child.I do not regret my momentous decision to embrace motherhood. The ride never ends. I've discovered wells of strength and endurance I never knew were possible. I suppose my kids have caused me to become more vulnerable. And then there were grandgiggles... It is an indisputable truth that grandchildren are a reward for permitting your offspring to live. The girls are everything their own parents were and more.Being older is forgivable now. I do not however feel compelled to act my age. I am blessed to experience all life has to offer anew. |
| May 16th Prompt: What do you do to make the world a better place? Wow, this is a heavy-weight question. What do I do? Am I a steward of Earth? Hmmm... Well, I do practise a few things and I don't know if they make a huge impact. I can only hope that my efforts are beneficiary when combined with those of others. I try to lessen the garbage I generate by actively recycling. Never do I dispose of cans, plastics,glass bottles and paper. I refuse to purchase 'bottled' water. I consider it a waste of resources to package this and far too many of those plastic 'bottles' become one-use abominations. All of my baking supplies and cooking spices are purchased in bulk from a store that permits me to utilize my own containers. I believe in reduce, reuse, and recycle. When I outgrow anything, be it clothing, furniture, cookware, or knick-knacks I find a new home for it. Some items are repurposed. In my youth when I could bend and carry weight with considerably more ease I toiled with a group of women to plant trees. At the time, I fed more than my fair share of voracious insects, but the sacrifice was minimal. I learned the meaning of blood,sweat, and tears. Contributing to the survival of those blackflies and mosquitos was purely incidental. Yuck, they are part of the food chain / life cycle, too. I consider trees precious. I fully support paperless transactions such as online payment of bills. I read on-line e-zines and news stories. In the summer, I maintain a small perennial garden with an assortment of plants that attract bees and butterflies. It's a win-win. I enjoy some colour and my 'guests' enjoy a meal. When feasible, I opt to walk and leave my vehicle parked at home. I refuse to drive everywhere and only do so when absolutely necessary. Alas, I cannot claim to operate an electric car, not yet anyway. Where I reside they are not practical, or affordable.Perhaps one day... As for people, I will stop, talk and listen to anybody. Everyone likes to share their stories. Over the years I've volunteered with different organizations that made me feel useful such as Girl Guides, our local fall fair executives, and varied schools. It takes the spirit of cooperation to make the world go 'round. |
| May 15th prompt: Many fairy tales are often based in truth. Research the true story behind your favourite fairy tale and share with your readers. What lesson or warning was the tale trying to impart? First, choosing a favourite fairy tale caused me to stop and reread a few. I wanted to refresh my memory. I like the basic story behind Beauty and the Beast. So, I then lost myself in research. As always, I'm amazed what can be found online. Thanks Google! So, what did I discover could be the truth to one of my favourite fairy tales? It dates back to 1537 and a boy named Petrus Gonsalvus living in Spain. Apparently, he was believed to be a beast because of his all-over body hair due to a condition known as hypertrichosis, or more commonly werewolf syndrome. News of his unique appearance reached King Henry of France who summoned ten-year old Petrus to his court. There the boy was groomed to be a nobleman and when the king died his wife Catherine de Medici found a wife, also named Catherine, for Gonsalvus. This is where the concept originated. A beauty learned to love 'the beast.' This couple celebrated a forty-year marriage that produced seven children. Four of their offspring inherited the werewolf syndrome. Basically, this tale teaches that looks are deceiving and that true beauty comes from within. I also believe it encourages a belief in magic wherein falling in love is magical. |
| PROMPT May 14th If animals could talk, which animal would you want to have a conversation with? What would you ask? So, to be clear here, we're not considering people to be animals for the sake of this prompt? If communication was possible which non-human would I like to quiz? I've co-habited with dogs and during our sojourn as room mates I've interpreted their responses and behaviours as best I could. Alas, I was never fluent in canine. Many times I was at the receiving end of a cocked head and a silent stare. Speaking in my language of choice never elicited a reply. Sure, I might earn a tail wag, or a pleading whine, but what did they mean? Through a mind-boggling happenstance I conversed with an eloquent representative of the dog family. I cannot claim to be any the wiser. This then is our wide-ranging conversation. Me: "Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to speak with me. Um, do you have a name? What should I call you?" Dog:" That's a great question and I really don't have an answer for you. My limited understanding of English has me believing my name could be 'Atta boy', 'get down', 'enough', or 'shut up, now.' Call me Bob, I like the sound of that." Me: "Oh, okay Bob. I've always wanted to know why dogs cannot just settle down. Why do they circle 'round and 'round before they lie down? Are you hoping to find something?" Bob: "Do I do that ? I've never noticed. I don't know what to tell you. Habit? Does it bother you that much? Have you not heard this, let sleeping dogs lie?" Me:" "Yes, I have Bob. My dogs were quite the twitchers while they slept. Do you dream?" Bob:" I dunno. Sometimes, when I startle myself awake I sense that I've been disturbed." Me:"Why do you chase your tail? I'm assuming that you do this. Have you ever caught your own tail?" Bob:"Regrettably, no. My tail just waves and teases me. I can't resist. I just know someday I will catch it." Me:"Ah, so that's what the tail wagging the dog means. Tell me, can you explain why dogs bark at the drop of a hat? I've witnessed a dog barking at a closet. Some dogs bark at falling leaves. Is this where people get the idea of barking mad? Isn't that a tad bit odd?" Bob: "What's odd about it? We like to bark. We like the sound of our own voices. Have you never been attacked by a falling leaf? Me personally, I'm always on guard." Me:"Do you consider yourself to be a smart dog, Bob? What I mean is can an old dog learn new tricks? Are you old, Bob? Have you been around the block? Could I refer to you as long in the tooth?" Bob:"Well I will admit to not being a spring chicken, but I still believe I'm a dog in the race. I'm quite capable of learning, but I am a creature of habit. What more do I need to know? Do I enjoy jumping through hoops and performing tricks? No, not always. What I do I do because it amuses my room mate. Don't actions speak louder than words?" Me:"I wondered how I'd introduce this next question. Are you man's best friend? Would you be happier living alone?" Bob:"I'm not ready to live a solitary life. I like my creature comforts. My room mate is an okay fella. He shares his home with me and most of the time the food is delicious. I'm a big fan of the you scratch my back philosophy. Yep, I'd say we're pals. There's no dog eat dog rivalry. I'm not planning to go anywhere. Are you finished quizzing me? Every dog has its day and this was my day to nap out on the back deck." Me:"Well, I suppose I have one final question for you and you might consider it to be a delicate one. There's no other way to ask you, so, here it is. Why do dogs sniff each other's butts? Do you like feeling a cold nose probing your posterior?" Bob:"No, personally I find a nose exploring my nether regions to be an invasion of privacy. Some sniffers are a little too aggressive. I like to get to know a dog first and ease into that. We should circle each other, wag our tails and at least exchange a meaningful glance. To be honest, no two dogs smell the same. My eye sight may fade, but my nose will remember every scent its encountered. We believe in smell you later. So, are you finished? Have I satisfied your curiosity?" Me :"Yes, I've dogged you enough. Haha! Thank you, Bob. I went to the horse's mouth, or in this case I went out to the dog house and I got some answers. I'd recommend people go to the dogs more often. This has been illuminating." |
| PROMPT May 13th What does it mean to be a “grown up”? What do you do regularly as an adult that you dreaded having to do when you were a child? Have you found ways to maintain a sense of childhood wonder or curiosity? If so, how? Isn't being a grown up a state of mind? Do the years I've been on this earth add up to maturity? In other words, should I be acting my age? What is that exactly? Am I considered wise and all-knowing? What is this elusive 'better' and why should I know about it? Obviously, the older I get the more questions I have. Age has not shielded me from them. I suppose being a grown up means I accept responsibility for my actions. In the hustle and bustle, I'm not always responsible for what happens around me, but I am for how I react. I can attempt to control myself and not play the blame game. When and if I hurt someone, I apologize. I struggle to be kind to others and to myself. I am human and thus imperfect. Being an adult is not all glitz and glamour. Despite what we fantasized as children making our own decisions is often dreary, and involves too much drudgery. We drag ourselves out of bed and trudge off to our jobs whether we feel inspired, or not. We show up and adult. As a grown up I choose what cookies I will eat and how many. If I wish to binge-watch a t.v. series no one reminds me that I need sleep, or that I'll be waking early the next morning. I will never ever wear a hat , or scarf again because I do not like them. What colds? I don't catch them. I still opt to squint in sunlight and surprise, my face has not stayed permanently twisted. If I want to sit and read a book while I ignore household chores then so be it. Nothing terrible will occur if the dirty dishes pile up. I do not always draw the drapes closed the moment the sun sets and so far I'm still breathing. Who else cares if I make my bed? Gasp, I've taken a risk and spoken with a multitude of strangers and I survived to tell about it. So far, I've not met any serial killers. What did I dread having to do as a child? For some inexplicable reason, I dreaded asking for help. I wanted to be independent and I could be stubborn. I've learned that most people are more than happy to assist me in any way and I reciprocate. Teamwork and collaboration is sometimes fun. Huh, I'd planned to write that I dreaded taking care of the family's dirty dishes especially drying them. That's a tedious task and now that I consider myself grown up I refuse to towel-dry my dishes. I leave them to drip and air dry. Mind you, some of the dish towel 'wars' I engaged in with my siblings were epic. My skin still retains the sharp memory of a damp snap. As a certified adult, I don't recall any such behaviour. That's a pity. A vibrant part of me still refuses to act my age. There's no harm in a bit of mischief now and again. For that I spend agreeable time with my three grandgiggles. I know I'm not too old when I can make them laugh. We enjoy our forays and road trips. I am blessed to view things anew with them. I view the cartoons and movies they share with me. I doodle and craft with them. I read children's literature and marvel at not only the stories, but the marvelous illustrations. Above all, I listen and I do not judge. I consider this my third childhood and all I had to do was survive the second one with their parents. |
| PROMPT May 12th What TV show character would it be the most fun to change places with for a week? Why? Well, isn't this an intriguing prompt. Imagine switching places with a television show character. Just suppose your life is different, but only for a week. The possibilities are endless. I must say that I've never given this much thought. Who would I like to be for seven days? This is above and beyond wearing a costume at Halloween. I do know who I do not wish to be. Try as I might I cannot picture myself as a deranged murderer with serious mommy issues like Norman Bates of Bates Motel.This series is a prequel and is based upon the Psycho characters originally created by Robert Bloch. Spending an entire week plotting and then executing the violent demise of someone is not my idea of fun. Sure I'd most likely get away with it because of my brief presence, but it's still a firm no. In that vein, I'd also skip seven days in the series Hannibal. Being a cannibal and dining upon my victims is not my cup of tea. Neither is torturing and committing diabolical murders in my repertoire. Obviously, I've viewed some twisted programs. It may not seem like it, but I do enjoy watching comedies, too. A week of laughs might be doable. I could see myself sparring with Al, the shoe salesman in Married With Children. Of course, I'd temporarily replace his neighbour, Marcie. Ah, the verbal sparring would be epic. I'd be able to rub shoulders with Al and his family. I'd banter with Al's wife, Peggy. I'd experience the middle class suburbia of America firsthand. Oh, the writing material I'd glean. Now If I wished to reside somewhere extremely different and in no way similar to my current abode, I might opt to live under the ocean in Bikini Bottom where Spongebob Squarepants/i} dwells. No, no, I do not fancy being a simple-minded fry cook. Since I already have the name and she seems to possess some reasoning skills, I'd like to switch with Sandy Squirrel. Isn't a water-exploring rodent unique? I like her Texas drawl and fearless attitude. She lives outside of her comfort zone. She has accepted speaking sea creatures as her companions. I could communicate with a sponge, a starfish, a crab, a squid, and more. The fact that they build flaming campfires under the sea fascinates me. What's not to find funny? In the spirit of what-ifs, I'd like to be Lucy of I Love Lucy. Now that was a woman who never said never. She and I share a propensity to be clumsy, so I wouldn't have to fake that at all. Lucy often found herself in predicaments, but she made it out the other side to do it all over again. Her struggles did not lessen her spirit. Perhaps I could exchange lives with Norm or Cliff of the comedy show Cheers. How difficult could it possibly be to park my derriere on a bar stool and drink beer for hours at a time? I'd have a front row seat to the drama walking in off the street. What better location to observe people? I am a people watcher. I'd be considered as one of the bar's regulars and I could become a confidante to anyone who cozies up to the bar next to me. I'll admit to viewing my fair share of television programs. I'd be remiss not to mention Canadian content. I'd be delighted to be anyone in Corner Gas, or Schitt's Creek. Both of these shows showcased fantastic , loveable, and hilarious characters. In both of these series, everyone supported each other no matter how outrageous they could be. Spending a week with such casts would be an honour. |
| PROMPT May 11th What was cool when you were young but isn’t cool now? Is there anything that has become cool in recent years that wasn’t cool in your youth? Hmmm, if I answer this I will be revealing my age by way of clues. Not that it's a big secret. Oh, and does anyone actually say 'cool' anymore? Many different words have been substituted for 'cool' over the years. I've only ever heard this in a movie soundtrack, but at one time long before the 'in' people of today were born the 'cool' crowd advertised their coolness by proclaiming things to be the "cat's pyjamas." I suppose anyone who was crazy enough to dress an animal with claws earned that title. Or did this convey that a person was special / unique in the same way a garbed cat would be? I wonder if feline-patterned p.j.s are considered cool? Let's not forget the other cat phrases, "the cat's whiskers' and "the cat's meow." Real trend-setters those cats. In a long ago era, 'cool' translated to "the bee's knees." Excuse me, but do bees have knees? I suppose if they did have a functioning mid-leg joint that could be seen as cool. Now my mind has wandered into uncharted territory. If bees did indeed possess knees could they in the realm of all things are possible wear knee socks? Huh, thanks to good ol' Google, I've learned that fantastic experiences were once described as " the flea's eyebrows", or "the canary's tusk." Now, I'm thinking Google should be known as Boggle. Who thought of these? Wow, people once spoke these combined words and comprehended them. Nonsensical and offbeat... This is fodder for cartoonists. Another strange term for cool is "cool beans." We all are aware that the after product of consuming beans is not in the least cool. Why beans? Could this not as easily been cool carrots? There have been so many words used to express cool. "Funky", "swell," "awesome," "dope," "fab," "rad," "wicked,' "dynamite," "hip," "sick," "trendy," and 'groovy", all have been synonymous with cool. Obviously, cool has always maintained an important presence. Okay, okay, I've procrastinated long enough. When I was younger, physically 'cause age is as we all know a state of mind and nothing more, cool folk frolicked in denim jeans worn low on the hips and accentuated with flares which we called bell-bottoms. If I stood with my legs together, I resembled a ship's sail. Don't ask me which one, I'm not a sailor. Some, of my jeans featured embroidery and nobody dared appear in public in torn jeans. The number one brand was Levi's. Stonewash tried to be a trend, but I preferred my dark blue denim to fade naturally via wear. Bedazzling had not yet reared its tacky head and true denim did not have a hint of stretchable material in it. Leotards, or leggings were not worn in public and they were considered workout gear for dancers. To casually stroll about in a denim jacket was construed as cool. I never was a slave to most trends. I've always garbed myself in jeans and t-shirts. I ignored the platform shoe fad that so many had to follow. Picture the band Kiss, or Herman Munster. They wore platform footwear. Of course, they did not simply stroll, they clomped. Despite the iconic hairstyles of my youth, I kept my mane long, straight and free-flowing. I never spent hours in front of a mirror with a fresh can of hairspray like my sister Laurie did to copy the Farrah Fawcett look. Some of my friends imitated the figure skater Dorothy Hamill's signature short-bob haircut with bangs. Now, some people choose to shave one side of their head, or add 'fake' hair braids. Any colour of the rainbow brightens hair today. A few sport the entire colour spectrum in what's known as 'mermaid hair.' What's cool now, but didn't exist before? Video games. In my youth, people frequented establishments that provided pinball machines that operated on an influx of coins. Nowadays video games are everywhere and accessed via computer, cellphone, and tablet. I'm not a fan. I find the repetitive music blaring on a loop to be annoying. Fuddy duddy me. Cellphones are a marvel that did not exist when I claimed to be a kid. A gadget that slips into one of my pockets is the swiss army knife of communication. What can't it do? In my hand, I hold a mini computer, a phone, a phone book of listings, a texting device, a camera, a calculator, a photo album, a notebook, a flashlight and and... did I miss anything? This is the bee's knees! Wait, I bet I could snap a great pic of a bee and then I'd know if a bee does indeed have knees. |
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