ECHOES OF THE OPEC OIL EBARGO & MORE

 

The recent hacking of the Colonial Pipeline seemed at first an impossible nightmare, but also an unpleasant déjà vu feeling. I was hacked myself by a ransom virus last decade. I lost 2 books that I was working on, plus photos and other irreplaceable items.  Afterward I got Carbonite to prevent this from happening again.

I can't help but wonder why these huge corporations and companies don't already have such a measure in place, or at least a reasonable facsimile. 

Seeing long lines of cars snaking around corners brought memories of the OPEC Oil Embargo surging back. The year was 1973 and I was 22 years old. Only a couple years before my father purchased a flower shop with an attached wedding chapel. We lived in Stuart but our business was located in West Palm Beach an hour's drive away. We commuted back and forth.

Also we had delivery trucks that constantly needed refueling. Fortunately the man who owned the gas station across the street assured us we would always have gas even if others didn't because we were his bread & butter.

Then came talk of rationing, thankfully the embargo ended before it came to that.

However during the Covid pandemic & lockdown paper products should have been rationed!!!  For months it was downright impossible to buy Kleenex or paper towels, much less tissue paper.

As to the recent oil shortage, it really shouldn't have been a problem here in Florida, only a small percentage was derived from that particular pipeline. However our fool, Trump turd of a governor created a shortage and hording by declaring a state of emergency where there was none!

My father had always told me never to allow the gas tank to fall below 50 per cent. The week before the Colonial hacking was announced I was out grocery shopping. I knew I needed to fill up my tank; however I got a late start that day and was eager to return home. I told myself I'd take care of it when I was out the following week. Later I could have kicked myself for waiting!

Upon seeing the long lines at every station I kept driving. Instead, I bought enough groceries to last for several weeks to wait it out. Nothing I haven't done before thanks to the pandemic. I'd save my half tank of gas for emergencies.

I am grateful that I wasn't as inconvenienced as many others. I think of all the people who had urgent places to be with important business to attend who were stuck in that situation.

A snowbird couple, friends of mine was forced to spend 2020 in Florida year round due to the pandemic. By May they were eager to return home. However the trumped-up oil shortage here in Florida derailed that several weeks.

At least that issue is now over.

And there's more good news, I am fully vaccinated at last! Although it feels as if everything is changed. Life seems to have undergone a mutation and is almost unrecognizable in so many different ways now. Was there ever a time when life was normal, I wonder? Then I recall what someone told me in therapy, "Normal is just a setting on your dryer."

REMEMBERING A REMARKABLE WOMAN

 

This week Irene Bates Dunjohn would have turned 96 years old. Sadly, she passed earlier this year. Her ashes will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery later.

Born in London, England her life started out rocky. Shortly after birth Irene's father abandoned both her and her mother. Fortunately Irene's mom was a strong woman who cherished her and filled the void.

As a child Irene developed rheumatic fever. She endured seven hospital stays and five convalescent homes. It was inside a convalescent home that she listened to the abdication speech of King Edward VIII on the radio.

During World War II all London schools were closed due to the frequent air raids. At age 15 Irene went to work for a machinist company. Her nights at that time were spent in a corrugated iron air raid shelter inside a garden.

The house where Irene grew up took a direct hit from a German bomb and was razed to the ground.

At age 17 Irene was drafted into the army. By this time she had worked several jobs and was quite well rounded. Irene served in the Air Ministry at Whitewall. One of her military duties consisted of spotting fires from incendiary bombs as they rained down and rushing to put them out with a stirrup pump.

The Air Ministry office was close to St. James Park where Glen Miller & his band entertained before he went missing over the English Channel.

London during WWII was filled with military men from around the world. Naturally they were attracted to this young beauty with the jet black hair, dark eyes, peaches & cream complexion, and a slim hour glass figure. Irene enjoyed what she called a "Dating Paradise" amidst this dark period.

Later she was promoted to recruiting corporal in the Women's Army. After the war, Irene attended Army College at Welbeck Abby on the edge of Sherwood Forest. Welbeck Abby was also where Mary Queen of Scots was incarcerated.

And it was there Irene met the handsome Kenneth Dunjohn. The romance ended, but embers remained. He became her second husband 60 years later.

Early in the 1950's Irene visited New York City and fell in love with it. She immigrated and thrived there! Although Irene was pursued by many eager suitors she didn't marry until age 39. Air force pilot Glenn Bates, a man often mistaken for Bing Crosby by autograph seekers wooed and won her. Irene & Glenn were blissfully married for 30 years until his sudden death in 1993.

After Glen's death, Irene became a successful Realtor. During this period she met a plethora of celebrities in search of a new home; politicians, actors, authors, and the recently rich thanks to the internet.

Upon retirement Irene chose Florida and Vero Beach. This is where I met her! Here, she remained active and flourished.

A miracle of the internet reunited Irene with her long ago love, Kenneth Dunjohn. She recognized a photo he posted, one as a young man interviewing Winston Churchill. Immediately she sent off an email. In 2011, they married and Irene moved back to England.

2015 Kenneth died of a heart attack. Though heartbroken, Irene was grateful for the brief time they shared together.

After Kenneth's death, Irene moved back to Vero Beach and resumed her amazing life here.

It should be mentioned that in addition to her many talents Irene possessed a beautiful singing voice and played the piano. She sang onstage with the George Mason University Choral Society at Carnegie Hall sharing the bill with Ella Fitzgerald and Marvin Hamlisch; and performed at the Kennedy Center, plus the National Press Club, and on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.

Irene, along with the Choral Society was invited to tea at the White House and personally met President Nixon and the First Lady, Pat.

Shortly before her death, Irene wrote her memoir for friends only, unavailable to the public; a shame. Everyone would enjoy this book! Irene's life story would also make a marvelous movie! I am so sick of superhero silliness; it would be refreshing to watch a film about a real person who led an extraordinary and interesting life!

Sadly Irene is gone, but she will be remembered and missed. Irene was a self-made woman of class and culture who elevated the lives of everyone around her.

THE ROBE

 

Its fabric is plush and the color a majestic royal blue. It feels as if being embraced by a benevolent spirit sheltering me with its warmth. For nearly 40 years it brought me comfort on those rare chilly Florida days and nights.

Unfortunately last winter its age was beginning to show badly, many times I had been forced to grab a needle & thread to repair seams & hems. My once beautiful garment after many years was looking ratty. -- However it still felt as wonderful against my flesh as ever!

In the back of my bedroom closet is a brand new pink one. It's been hanging there unused for several years now. I just couldn't bring myself to part with the old one! We have been thru so much together; my old life, my new one, and now my current one. I just couldn't let go!

They say a possession can't love you back, but my robe didn't need to, it gave me such glorious comfort.

The turning point came early in spring during a cool front. A neighbor showed up at my door uninvited. Suddenly I was embarrassed standing there garbed like a beggar.

As soon as the weather warmed, with much regret I rolled up my faithful old robe and threw it in the garbage bin.

However the day before garbage pick-up the temperature turned chilly again. I hurried out to the bin and retrieved my robe. It smelled of rotting fruit & vegetables, so I threw it in the wash. When I pulled it from the dryer it still felt just as heavenly as ever.

I've decided to wait until June before performing the dreaded disposal. Then, I'll have all summer and fall to prepare myself for the pink one hanging in my closet.

Parting will be difficult; not only will I be disposing of an article of clothing, but memories. Yes, some recalling miserable times, but also my triumphs and victories as well. But I will be making new memories swathed in pink. I must remember that!

HALF VACCINATED & IN LIMBO

 

I won't be fully vaccinated until the end of this month. I read that I must wait 2 weeks after that to be fully safe. As a senior I'm in the high risk category and a hospital stay would ruin me financially. So I'm going that extra mile and doing everything possible to stay Covid free.

 I enjoy my home, but I must admit the lack of diversion is starting to get to me.

Most of my friends have either died (not from Covid) or scattered. My entire social life is now limited to Facebook which I've come to enjoy despite less than positive experiences with some people, to put it mildly.

Even if I was able to get out, movie theatres remain closed and many restaurants I love have gone out of business. The ones that haven't now have shortened menus and higher prices due to diminished capacity.

I wish that when life regains some semblance of normalcy I could afford an exotic vacation somewhere. Unfortunately my dentist and the eye clinic have used up nearly all of my disposable income. 

It seems the price of everything has gone up since the pandemic. And the malls are all dying.

I can't fathom why shopping online is all that! For one thing, it's a lot more expensive! In addition to the price of the item & tax, you must pay postage & handling which in many cases adds at least another $10 plus there's a replacement fee should the item go missing in transit. And if the item turns out to be a disappointment you're forced to pay the return postage & insurance.  Plus some online places charge a restocking fee. -- Gadzooks! I'll take a brick and mortar store any day!

The poison cherry on top was when I was forced to give up my Starz/Showtime package again due to a sudden $60 increase to my bill. Just 2 months before I was told by a lady that my price was good for another year!!! But then I was informed by ATT that my special promotion had ended already!!!  GRRRR!

I can't stream because I'm told it's done thru the computer. Mine is old and I keep losing my connection. I'm currently not in a good position to buy a new one.

So I'm going back to renting DVDs from Redbox and recording commercial free films off TCM. The latter serves up little known gems like Native Son in addition to some over-rated turkeys.

Recently I wasted 2 hours of my life watching The Pumpkin Eater! This was a 3 star movie released in 1964 plus Anne Bancroft won an award for her performance as the wealthy, long suffering, mentally deranged wife & mother. It was one of the most boring, depressing, pointless pictures I have ever seen!  -- And that's the LAST thing I need right now!

I keep telling myself that I have no right to gripe since so many are worse off. And when I recall my life 30 years ago and everything that was going on then, (even with all the above) my life should feel like paradise now!

SUBSTANDARD SUBSTATION

 

This is a vent post!

I'm hardly what you call a high tech type so I still depend heavily on the Post Office. I mail holiday & birthday cards regularly, often with handwritten notes inside.

Also I pay half my bills thru the mail and have valid reasons for still doing this. Although I'm leery because in this neighborhood our mailboxes are down by the street; so whenever I mailed a check I would drive straight to the Post Office. And I don't live close to one.

So I was delighted when a substation moved in only a few blocks around the corner from me. However it's crappy and my last experience there was especially aggravating.

I was returning an expensive item I'd decided wasn't worth the money. Also I needed to buy a sheet of stamps. The substation opens at 10:00 AM. I was early and debating whether or not to do my grocery shopping first and hit the station on the way home. However I buy lots of melty items and this is Florida, plus there's usually a line at the substation. Surely there wouldn't be one at that hour, I thought.

Wrong! I arrived about 10 minutes early to find a line already waiting. Soon another person joined in the wait behind me.

The clerk looked to be little more than a teenager. A sign was posted stating they were OUT OF STAMPS.  (Not unusual there!!!) Geez, this is a Post Office substation for crying out loud! They should NEVER be out of stamps!!! -- It's similar to when my Health Store's wheat germ & fish oil capsules are out of stock. I want to scream "You're a nutritional supplement company, how can you let this happen?!"

And the wait seemed unnecessary! The clerk was right there ignoring us doing things that could have been put on hold. Customers in line were looking around rolling their eyes and sighing as we all stood there.

Finally, the lady at the front of the line pointed out to the clerk that it was now 10:00 AM.

"My clock shows another minute!" the clerk replied.

Hot cat pee! Couldn't she sacrifice a mere minute for all these people standing there waiting? In frustration everyone gave out loud sighs and groans! The lady at the front of the line was shaking her head in disgust.

Eventually, my package was sent on its way. And I bought my stamps at the supermarket. Unlike this Post Office substation they never run out.

WALK THIS WAY

 

For over a decade I was fortunate enough to have a beautiful Russian Blue cat named Tasha sharing my life and my home. But I always had to laugh because she had this particular way of standing with heels touching and one foot straight forward and the other out to the side forming a V shape. -- This is the exact way professional models were trained to stand. And my little furry beauty was a natural!

With feet positioned in this manner human shoulders automatically go back as the spine straightens. It's impossible to slouch, so I can understand why it was encouraged.

In my 9th grade Home Economics class the older sister of a classmate was a professional model. She came to class and gave a speech on modeling along with demonstrations. Besides the stand, models were expected to walk with one foot directly in front of the other.

This walk was the same actor John Wayne performed to enhance his character and mystique for the big screen. Only he did it with more pronounced hip action while swinging the shoulders forward. -- And it was phony, an affectation suggested by another actor!

 However to some it came natural.

From the age of 18 thru 32 I had a small dog that executed the John Wayne swagger to perfection. He was one quarter Terrier & three quarters Chihuahua.  We owned his daddy as well, who was half & half.

I really shouldn't say "OWNED"! All our cats & dogs were fully empowered Canine and Feline Americans and they knew it!

And this particular dog was a little prince. He adamantly refused to be walked on a leash as if some common canine! Whenever we tried, he'd roll over on his back refusing to stand until that leash was off. We weren't about to drag him, so instead we took him for carries. He wasn't fond of going outdoors either!

Fortunately that house had a big yard. We'd set him down, he sniff around and then scratch your leg to be picked up again. This would be repeated multiple times until he finally found the perfect spot and did his business. And then he'd be carried back inside.

Often when I was seated, I'd gaze over at him as he stood across the carpet and I'd call out, "Come here sweetie pie, let me love my little baby."

He'd stand there and glare at me with that haughty stare of his as if to say: Maybe I will, or maybe I won't, I'm still deciding.

Eventually, after continued coaxing, he'd come slowly towards me doing the strut that would make John Wayne proud. This dog was letting me know that I was being bestowed a favor. -- Although he loved it when I rubbed behind his ears with one hand and his hips & butt just above the tail with the other.

Still in his mind, he was throwing me a bone. Guess he figured I'd earned it.

FALLING DOWN OR JUST FALLING BEHIND -- NO!

 

Yesterday was what I refer to as a Ketchup Day! I catch up on miscellaneous chores I've been putting off. -- Yes, that statement is both corny and cheesy. But never mind, I love the taste of both! However it seems to take me forever to get anything done.

I recall reading an article in the newspaper about an incredible local woman.  A CEO of her own company, who runs construction crews, oversees property management, flips houses, provides in-home patient & pet care, along with chauffeuring clients to appointments, plus tutoring blind students in Braille.

She also decorates residential and commercial properties for the holidays, cooks lavish gourmet meals for parties, speaks 5 languages fluently, and is currently learning Mandarin Chinese!

These are only slight exaggerations! Just reading about all she has accomplished made me feel so tuckered out that I wanted to collapse into my recliner and nap.

Honestly, I do admire people like that. I appreciate them and am delighted they exist, but at the same time I'm happy that I'm nothing like them. That type of existence sounds Hellish to me. It's way too hectic, stressful, and peopley for my taste. Guess I'm just one of those low energy types ex-President Bone Spurs was always putting down. And I wonder what the pussy grabber would be doing for a living had he not been born into all that money.

Back when I worked full time I felt exhausted and drained one hundred per cent of the time. Plus I was much younger then. I'd rather be dead than return to that! At age 70 I just want to be retired and enjoy a quiet life.

I'll admit conditions have been better than they are now, but they've also been far worse! Life is never perfect for anyone, not even that wonder woman mentioned above. I'm sure she has problems too; hers are just different from mine.

It's a mistake to compare yourself to other people. Especially when too many others are eager to do that for you!  I consider them noise. Life is made up of many different paths.

I recall a favorite Emily Dickinson poem titled: Not in Vain. (Google it!) The gist of it being that if you perform even one small selfless act of generosity or kindness, your life was worthwhile and had meaning. These are words I live by.