Monkey Business

Dateline - Nairobi, Kenya - On Wednesday NYTimes reported that a monkey circumvented the electric fences, climbed onto the roof of a power station and fell or jumped onto a transformer which tripped other machines throwing the entire country of Kenya in a nationwide blackout. It is said this species of monkey can be "pesky" and has also visited backyards and kitchens seeking mangoes and bananas. My own experience with blackouts was being trapped in Manhattan in the heat of July 1977 when all "flushing" ceased and I was almost mugged in the darkness on Lexington Avenue - but that is a story for another time.
tjs

Name that Sport

The other day they played a baseball game in Baltimore and a full fledged brawl ensued. It reminded me of the guy who went to a boxing match and an ice hockey game broke out. And I'm sure that some folks go to those Nascar races hoping to witness a collision. As that cartoon feller from Lil Abner used to say "It's confuzin but amuzin!"
tjs

Modern Miracles

Some of you are familiar with The Miracle at Cana when Christ turned water into wine. In a twist on that theme it is reported that the Catholic Diocese of Oakland, California, early in the drought ten years ago, decided to plant grape vines near their cemeteries instead of grass to conserve water. Voila! Ten years later they were amazed when they evaluated the fruit. The chardonnay and pinot noir grapes were of outstanding quality. Fast forward and they are bottling the output under a Bishop's Vineyard label and winning medals at local competitions. While it is a non-profit they do have a website with packages at three levels: a bishop's bunch (two bottles) - a cardinal's collection (four) - and a pope's parcel of six. At the cemeteries, the grapevines have become a destination. And as the old joke goes "people are dying to get in!"
tjs
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/07/us/turning-cemeteries-into-wine-at-a-california-diocese.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fus&action=click&contentCollection=us&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

Odd Couples

A writer for The New Yorker was comparing the forthcoming battle of Trump vs Clinton as the boisterous braggart vs the determined level headed woman using such analogies as Bobby Riggs vs Billie Jean King in their battle of the sexes. Add to that Groucho Marx vs Margaret Dumont and you can see art imitating life. And then we have duos such as - Ralph & Alice Kramden - Archie & Edith Bunker and Fibber & Molly McGee - but then I'm dating myself. Suffice that come November I'm betting on the DLW - the determined level headed woman.
tjs

What's in a Name?

Last week I visited my local pharmacy to have an Rx filled and was directed to a waiting area where I took a seat next to a man similarly waiting. After a few minutes I thought I heard my name called and I rose and my neighbor did likewise and we stood on line together. Not sure that I heard correctly I said to him "I think they called my name." He said his name was SMITH - I said that is my name also - he was David - I am Thomas. I am glad that we avoided any mix-up as I feared he would receive my pills and I would get his Viagra which I didn't need to cure my malady. And I think he had a later date of birth. My surname has caused problems in restaurants and motels but this was a first for pharmacys. I could change my name but those five letters fit so neatly on the marquee.
tjs

Men of the Cloth

When I worked in the Maritime industry in Philadelphia circa 1950s I became acquainted with the Catholic Port Chaplain, Father Tom W. In addition to ministering to seamen and longshoremen he also made his rounds to local hospitals visiting sick patients and their family members. This was a time when elevators were operated manually. As he entered the elevator heading to an upper floor wearing his Roman collar, the operator turned to him and smilingly said "Reverend, Ise the same as you is except I works during the week." On departing I think Father Tom gave him a blessing - or was it the last rites!
tjs

War Zones

Culture war vs Turf war! The NYTimes yesterday reported the following events:
- In the city of Tbilisi in the Caucasus a group of meat eaters raided a vegan cafe hurling sausages and the like at the patrons.
-In the city of Manhattan an ice cream vendor attacked a pretzel man with a baseball bat as both were claiming the lucrative corner at 54th & Madison Ave.
Live and let live, I say!
tjs