“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.”
The sun is shining and the sky is steel-blue, but it is freezing out. The guys came earlier and cleaned my lawn, garden and deck for the last time until spring. They took away my Christmas tree.
I am going nowhere today. I’ll finish cleaning my closet and consider the day well spent. I’ll earn a nap.
This has been another boring week mostly because of the uninviting cold. I did treat myself to lunch yesterday, a burger and onion rings, the highlight of the week.
When I was in high school, the Cape closed after Labor Day. The motels shut down, one way streets went back to two-way, the summer movie theaters closed and most restaurants placed signs in their windows which said, “See you next season.” In Hyannis and in Harwich were movie theaters which stayed open all winter. A couple of bowling alleys also stayed open and that was about it. On TV we only got a few stations. Cable had yet to arrive. I don’t remember complaining because it wouldn’t have done any good. That was the way life was off-season on Cape Cod.
The movie theater up the street has twelve screens. There are malls, large and small, and lots of entertainment centers with games and bowling alleys. Most bars have multiple TV’s all showing sports. I can eat a variety of ethnic foods, not just Chinese any more. The Cape has become suburbia, and I’m complaining there is nothing to do.
Where there is little, there are few expectations and most people are generally content. Where there is much, they want more. That’s the way the world is now. That small TV is now that huge TV, and it must be almost time for a bigger one. People wait in line for the newest phones. I’m just glad mine still rings.
I wish I could travel back to Ghana one more time, but I haven’t the money. That’s about it for discontentment. I’ve been lucky.
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January 17, 2015 at 1:51 pm
I never noticed much of closing down during winter since I grew up in a big city, the only thing closing was the amusementpark Liseberg. Not even that close down entirely now days, they have a huge winter market there during November and December and there’s a theater that’s open all year long.
But everything closed after 1 pm on Saturdays and nothing was open until Monday morning again but it was like that al year round back in the days. Now nothing really close down at all except for factories, the rest are still open and in the big cities much seems to be open 24/7
We were supposd to get sunshine and pretty much wind free today so who was surprised to see a closudy sky, snow and rainfall and strong winds 🙂 🙂 🙂 I haven’t done much today more than looking on tv and taking a few walks with the dogs, still the day has just rushed by.
Have a great day!
Christer.
January 17, 2015 at 5:07 pm
Christer,
This is a resort area so the places which rely on tourists close. The population is much bigger than it was when I was young so many places have been built so all those people have things to do and places to go.
Sundays here used to mean almost nothing was open. Now all the stores are open. I wish the law never changed and the Cape had one day of rest.
I moved the clothes from my closet down stairs. I fell again, but this time I only got a swollen bruise. I had one more set of stairs and I went one box at a time and survived. I do feel accomplished. Only a little bit more to do to have the closet ready to refill with the clothes I wear now.
We got your sun!
Have a great evening.
January 17, 2015 at 3:20 pm
Two songs for you today that I found in my hard drive (there are SO many sunshine songs!). This first one is just for goofs. The second is one of my all-time favorites.
January 17, 2015 at 5:13 pm
January 17, 2015 at 5:23 pm
As I mentioned in my email… Morgana is Mama Corleone!
January 17, 2015 at 5:14 pm
im6,
I wonder what Sally thinks of this one now. I have no memory of this at all.
There isn’t a second song. Please post it as it is one of your all-time favorites, and I want to hear it.
January 17, 2015 at 5:18 pm
WordPress *finally* let me post the second song. Had to wait for the initial post to get approval. I may have posted the Morgana before. I love her version. Funny how fond I am of it (and the spectacular version by Cold Blood) given how “meh” I am for Stevie’s original.
January 17, 2015 at 5:20 pm
im6,
I don’t know why you are now acceptable given your iffy status on the first posting. Here I was thinking WordPress was getting some exclusivity.
This is such a different song here. I like it.
January 17, 2015 at 5:36 pm
im6,
Poor Mama Corleone-the forgotten character, the deaf and blind character.
January 17, 2015 at 4:36 pm
Odd to say it, given your subject, but particularly appreciated today’s post. 😉
January 17, 2015 at 5:07 pm
Thanks, Rowen
I write whatever happens to come into my head. Sometimes I surprise myself.
January 17, 2015 at 5:45 pm
I’m amazed whenever I drive through a neighborhood that I haven’t visited in several years how much things have changed. The biggest change here in the Dallas area in the ladt forty years is the ethnic diversity. People from every part of the world call this home. When I was young it was difficult to find a Chinese resturant while today they are everywhere. Indian people, dot not feather, work in the technology industry and live everywhere. I meet people here from Africa to Asia to South America. I never thought this would happen in the buckle of the WASP Bible Belt in so short a time period as my adult life. I never thought that we have nonstop air service daily to Dubai, Hong Kong, Sydney and Europe. The times they really are changing. Hopefully for the better.
Today the sun is shining with temperatures in the mid sixties.
January 17, 2015 at 6:06 pm
Bob,
I think diversity makes life far more interesting. You learn different customs and eat amazing foods. The town I grew up in had a Chinese restaurant which people thought exotic. Now it has two Thai restaurants and an Indian restaurant and all of them are usually filled.
The Cape has a huge Brazilian population. They are great workers and have a network to find whatever you need. My neighbors are Brazilian, and they are wonderful neighbors.
We” see the mid-60’s in June, maybe.
January 17, 2015 at 10:42 pm
Brazillians? What a surprise. I always knew there was a large population of Portugese in New England fishing towns and they both speak the same language, but who knew. As one of my favorite comedians, Yaakov Smirnoff, used to say, “What a country!” One of my favorite movies from the 1980s was “Moscow on the Hudson” starring Robin Williams.
January 17, 2015 at 10:54 pm
I don’t know what drew the Brazilians to the Cape, but we are glad to have them.
January 17, 2015 at 11:04 pm
So glad to see someone praise “Moscow on the Hudson.” I loved it when it came out and never understood why it didn’t become more popular. I watched it again right before Christmas and it holds up quite well. It’s probably my favorite Robin W performance, but the real star of the film is its *heart* — it’s humanity and warmth and lessons of what it’s supposed to mean to be an American and live in America and how American’s should behave…… regarding the Brazilians…. made me think of the Portuguese, who I, too, always thought were the fishermen of the Northeast (see “Mystic Pizza”). I guess they’re both pretty much part of the same cloth.
January 17, 2015 at 11:13 pm
im6,
I haven’t seen that movie for years, so many years I don’t remember much of it. ‘ll have to watch it again.
The Portuguese fish out of New Bedford though now we’re talking sons and grandsons with Portuguese names. The Brazilians are not fishermen. My neighbor does everything though mostly he is a landscaper. He takes care of my yard from April until October. I just got my bill for the year. He hates accounting so we just get the one bill. He also builds wall, paints and does brickwork. He works six days a week and puts in long days.
My outside shower stall, the plumping for it and my irrigation system were done my Brazilians. I just ask Sebastian and he knows a man.
January 18, 2015 at 11:52 am
When President George Bush Jr. was in office an aid told him that he was to meet with the Brazilian delegation. Bush replied, “Tell me again how many is a bazillion?” 🙂
January 18, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Bob,
Now that’s funny!!
January 17, 2015 at 6:30 pm
I had to laugh when I read about the newest phones. I was on my way home by bus from a family gathering (my Canadian uncle is here for a visit) and I still have a few days of 1-month mobile internet left. It took me 20(!) minutes to get a connection and load and read this single page with my old crappy mobile phone. A better mobile phone would be great but it’s just not important enough to spend any money. I’m willing to spend money on a better camera but I still haven’t found the right one for me. My 9 year old camera still works, but it’s a nice-weather-camera and I need a new battery anyway.
Speaking of weather, we’ve finally had a little bit of sun this afternoon 🙂
January 17, 2015 at 6:51 pm
Birgit,
I figure it if still works it doesn’t need replacing. I had the first HD TV of anyone I know, but it was because my other TV finally died. I did update my iPad because of the camera in the newer model. I gave my other one to my sister who was thrilled.
I’m glad you had some sun. I was thrilled we did.
January 17, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Hi Kat,
The sun peeps out for a few hours a day. It looks as if going to rain again. I have a cell phone ( new ) but I don’t really know how to use all the features on it. I’ve been reading a lot… pounds of books brought from the library with a friend’s help. Today as usual is a lazy day. Cookie had decided she doesn’t want to jump on the bed for cuddles– she is too busy watching the front window TV.
I’m still in pain.. I wonder if it will ever go away. Maybe the Flying Nun could help?
Waving,
Lori and the Crew.
January 17, 2015 at 8:11 pm
Hi Lori,
I too am always in pain from my back. Some days are better than others. I figure I just have to learn to live with it so I do.
It was a lazy day for me except I did bring some bins to the cellar from my bedroom. The two sets of stairs were not easy, but I managed. The closet is almost finished so I can out in all the clothes I do wear.
Everyone is in here with me. Maddie is under the lamp light, Fern is asleep beside me and Gracie is on the afghan on the floor. It is a quiet night.
I’m thinking the Flying Nun won’t help much!
Waving!!
January 18, 2015 at 10:50 am
Hi Kat,
Newer, bigger, better. Right. 🙂
When I bought the TV I have now, my brothers were very disappointed that I hadn’t purchased a gigantic screen thing. The picture is “so much better” on the giganto screen. I’m sure it is but my brothers don’t get that I don’t watch the TV. I listen to it. And the 27″ or whatever it is screen that I have is just fine for that. It fits in the space. It’s not too much bright light and I can turn the screen completely off so it becomes a radio. How retro of me. 😀
My old clamshell phone was perfect but I finally broke it after many years. The new spiffy smart phone that I had to buy as a replacement is really a dumb phone because my carrier does not allow pre-pay customers to purchase data packages. Seriously. If they had allowed it, I would have done so and they would have more of my money. But they don’t and I don’t need a smart phone so I have more of my money instead. 🙂
Newer isn’t necessarily better. It’s just newer.
I’m late commenting again so I hope your Saturday was enjoyable.
Go Pats!
January 18, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Hi Caryn,
My TV is only 32 or 34 inches. If it were any bigger, it would be like sitting in the first seat at the movies. It was the HD I wanted.
I have such an old iPhone my MAC won’t connect with it. I used to be able to get text messages on my MAC from the phone but not any more with the new MAC operating system. I don’t need bells and whistles. My bill is pretty cheap as well.
I replace when something dies. I just got a new coffee maker as the glass part cracked on the really old one I had. The new one doesn’t do anything great but it is red with white poker dots, and that’s why I bought it.
I suspect, though, if I had the money I’d be buying newer computers and tablets.
Saturday was a bust. I fell, but luckily didn’t do a whole lot of damage as it was only two steps. I do have a huge bump but it doesn’t hurt all that much.
Have a great Sunday. Go Pats!
January 18, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Haven’t been to the Cape since 1983. Too crowded then! Suspect it may have gotten any better. Lovely piece of God’s real estate that we may have succeeded in messing up.
Prop’s to the Pats. But, now let’s go BEAT SEATTLE!!!
January 18, 2015 at 10:43 pm
Jay,
The Cape is like suburbia surrounded by the ocean. Even I live in a section which didn’t exist until the late 70’s. The only good thing is so many towns have conservation land.
We loved that game!