The Man who came to dinner.

No, not Monty Woolley. Mitt Romney's recent reference to Seinfeld brought to mind the following. We have recently moved from Florida to the Philadelphia area to be near family and friends. The downside to such a move is that we will be near family and friends. Within three days of our arrival in the midst of unpacking there came a knock on the door. It was a member of our extended family offering to help. As it was a Friday we were getting ready to kick back when our visitor commandeered the TV remote to check in on the PBS News Hour after which a stimulating half-hour of Jeopardy. With no further movement we invited our guest to stay for potluck dinner. Now, flash back to a Seinfeld episode where George Costanza, after escorting his date back to her apartment, always tried to leave behind a personal item as an excuse to return to see her again. When I awoke Saturday morning I found that our guest had left his briefcase behind a chair so I then planned to re-stock the larder anticipating his return. Quick, hide the remote!
tjs
Next - All about whistling.

The Race is on

Perhaps a bit of Friday humor to offset the pangs of Lenten abstinence.......

This older fellow owned a vintage Model T Ford with antique license plates and every Sunday he took it out for a spin on the back roads. One day the engine died and he pulled off the road and raised the black hood for a look-see when a Mercedes stopped to offer assistance. The old gent suggested the Mercedes tow him a mile down the road to a gas station but please don't go over 20 mph. As they were moving slowly they were passed by a BMW doing 70mph which infuriated the Mercedes driver who, forgetting he had a tow, took off after the Bimmy with the Ford driver honking his  "oogooga" horn for attention. Soon they whizzed past the intended gas station whose attendant marvelled at the scene before him and phoned his friend down the road to "run out and see this amazing sight - a BMW doing 70 mph followed by a Mercedes going 70 followed by an old "tin lizzie" also doing 70 and the Model T driver is blowing his horn  - he wants to pass!"
tjs
Next - The Man who came to dinner.

Moving on.

The movers are coming tomorrow. We are leaving northeast Florida to return to our roots in southeast Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia with all its brotherly love awaiting. What will I miss? Probably the climate (except July/August), competent medical professionals, civility - no horn blowing, friendly shop keepers where "everybody knows your name", the slower pace of life, friendly neighbors and former co-workers, and the sound of the honkers overhead heralding the dawn. What am I looking forward to?  The change of seasons, a soft silent snowfall, competent medical professionals, academie, a good Jewish deli, Philly cheese steak, Philadelphia scrapple (don't ask the ingredients), closeness to family and nearness to the Jersey Shore - and last but not least proximity to my burial plot.  Another leg in life's journey.
tjs

A prickly situation

I just returned from a visit to eastern Pennsylvania. The local paper, the Philadelphia Inquirer, ran an article stating that the Pennsylvania Game Commission was facing a "prickly" situation. The local porcupine population was being decimated by hunters and that a black market was being created as the rodent's meat was a delicacy in Viet Nam and in great demand. Accordingly, to avoid extinction the Game Commission has instituted a quota of ten porcupines per hunter per year. In the past the only demand had been for the quills by Native American Artists. But now if you hunters venture out to make your quota I suggest you do it similarly to how the porcupine makes love - "very carefully."
tjs

In transition

As our family will soon be moving back north to our roots in the coming days, this will be a very busy period and I will not be "blogging" with any regularity for some time. But there are 332 postings in the archives, some of which might qualify for a second read to get you thru the cruel month of January. I will re-enter the blogosphere sometime in February, meanwhile wishing all a Happy Valentine's Day and likewise a Presidents Day holiday. Regards to all.
tjs

Lobbying

Did you ever wonder what became of Senators and members of Congress when they were defeated or their terms were completed? Well, they didn't go home! They wandered down to "K" street to hang out their shingles. Of course they had to wait a year before they could use their "influence". But then a new batch of lawmakers would come into town swelling the population and driving up the rents. Bob Dole never went back to Kansas. Neither did former Senator John Breaux return to Louisiana. And no way was Dick Gephardt going back to his blue collar district in St. Louis. There are hundreds of former elected officials just like them receiving six-figure salaries at the trough coupled with their lucrative fees for speaking engagements. Some would argue that we shouldn't lose their talents and that they play a role in keeping the wheels of government turning - or perhaps grinding. The British retain such talent in their House of Lords. But a quote I read from a former senator that sums it up was "My vote could never be bought, but it might be rented!"
tjs
Next - In Transition

Happy New Year

As we enter 2012 let's remember that February has twenty-nine days so don't forget to adjust your wrist watches. Also the summer Olympics will be in London so plan your hotel reservation early - and remember they still drive on the left. And both political parties are holding their conventions in Southern cities - Republicans in Tampa, Florida last week in August. I hope the air conditioning doesn't fail. The media center for 15,000 journalists will be in a tent city. The Democrats will follow in Charlotte, North Carolina first week of September. And lest we forget, we have an election in November. As we used to say in days gone by "Don't forget to pull that lever." So, here's wishing you a Happy and "prosperous" New Year and may your portfolios remain healthy.
tjs
PS - And we also have a family wedding in 2012.