The ocean expanse off the starboard bow; a quiet wake trickles astern.

Today's Tids Issue 3,393

Opening Stuff:

There is no Santa in August, or Brides of June so fair. No kids in crazy costumes, or Jesus rising again for all. It’s just a month that bridges the gap between saluting the good ole’ USA and the cooling, colorful rush of Autumn days. But there must be something good about August, Oh, we do have Victory over Japan Day and that was very good. So what else is there other than dusty fields and browning grass. Well English Admiral Howard van Effington defeated the Spanish Armada. That was big. Not so good was the first landing of Slaves in Jamestown Va in 1619. But really good is that Declaration of Independence was actually signed in August, not July. Wild Bill Hickock was shot in the back by Jack McCall. That’s sad. Some of my favorite people were born in August, like my Dad. He was sorta non-descript too, but good. Well August, I tried, but you just don’t have the heart of February, smiling eyes of Irish in March or the first day of each year in January. But, then who wants that. We could, though, build a little more excitement for William Franks who in August of 1934 twirled an Indian club overhead 17,280 times in 1 Hour. Well, that’s something. Sorry August.

Chances are that you will certainly be Tidless a day or two next week as I will be at sea sailing from RI up to someplace in Maine. But the trip will be inspirational, and could revitalize the tids when  I return. I will get you stuff when I can find Wi-Fi. Maybe I’ll get some pics of mammals leaping or the sun setting and rising across magnificent ocean swells. Enjoy your vacation from Tids.

The belt manufacturers must be going crazy as more and more men for some inexplicable reason are going with shirts hanging outside pants.

The Question:

Before Netflix and Hulu. Beefore DVR’s and VCR’s; before TV…there was radio. Yes, there was a vivid world before TV and Instagram. Radio was king and people sat attentively, using their imagination to create beautiful scenes as nighttime dramas unfolded and held the rapt attention of kids and adults alike. So for all of those who once had their ears pressed to old Philco’s, name five great night time radio shows.

The Headlines:

--World Will Have 11 Billion People by 2100; RI Expected To Sink.

--Beijing Chosen to Host 2022 Winter Olympics; First City Ever to Host Both Winter And Summer.

--Stocks Slumbering In Anticipation Of Lackluster August; Lower Labor Costs May Push Off Fed Rate Action.

--Hillary Deceptions On Emails Just Keep On Coming Out Into The Open.

Progressives like to talk their theories and ridicule their opposition, but it seems nobody wants to listen. At least they are not listening to the biased opinions on MSNBC which continues to wallow far below Fox news. The station announced today that it is going straight news all day and moving away from some of the more hysterical underperforming opiners. For instance Chuck Todd is replacing the Ed Schultz ( The Cycle and Alex Wagner also cancelled). News will be straighter with Brian Williams going up against Sheppard Smith at Fox. The big rumor is that often fired Olbermann will return. Maybe the MSNBC (Or as it now may be called – NBC News) potential audience just stands around with their hands out, instead of turning dials.

And if elected, I Donald Trump will give every American a ride in my very expensive Helicopter. Hey, we already have Helicopter politicians in NYC.

The local Warwick 11-12 girls softball team beat Delaware yesterday and earned a trip to the Little League Softball World Series in Oregon. If only our politicians were as good as our kids

New data on eating healthy tells us that you’ll ingest 200 more calories eating in restaurants versus home. So eating at home is good – your waist will be thinner and your wallet will be thicker. And interestingly, meals at fast food restaurants are far less in cholesterol than those at fine dining establishments.

As minimum wages go up, robots will get more jobs.

If you check headlines lately, illegal immigrants are always “alleged” to have committed gruesome crimes, but cops are always deemed murderers when death of a non-white occurs.

I’m seeing more girls and woman walking about in nice flowing dresses. And, it looks nice. So, I’m wondering if the man’s shirts hanging out phenomenon is actually just part of the transgender movement?

The Parking Lot: Chapter 7 Continues…

   Nancy waited about 3 or 4 minutes, then carefully, silently moved back down he r path. After a minute or so she her the deep voices and a few laughs from the odd couple, who were walking openly and slowly back to wherever they had a car. Maybe they were hoping she would be driving in.

   As she neared them, they became silent and she dropped to one knee. She could see their shiny city shoes about 25 yards away. There was no movement. They were listening. Did they hear me?

   Nancy heard muffled voices and then watched as the pairs of feet moved to either side of the driveway. she felt confident that the shrubs were thick and dense enough to keep her well hidden. Even in the cooling evening she now felt sweat under arms and on her temples. Some trickled into her eyes and stung a little. She blinked.

   Whack. Whack. She looked and saw Jovial guy slamming the shrubs with a large, heavy branch. Nancy lay down again on her belly and crawled to the opposite side of the path and into the shrubs on the other side. She was always concerned about icky stuff in that swampier side of the path. The whacking stopped as they probably satisfied that the road side was too dense for any person. But, what made them start in the first place.

   She was getting cold now as the dampness of the moist earth seeped into her clothing. But, what really made her shiver was the knowledge that her worries wasn’t paranoia, but real. And what about Jared? Was he part of her discovery?

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--The new Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is getting rave  reviews. Can’t miss is the most often used exhortation. Cruise is running and diving and leaping for his life. The IM team left out in the cold must face The Syndicate; a highly skilled, resourceful and capable foe that wants to create a new world order through a series of devastating terrorist attacks. I’m going.

--The Vacation is a loser. It is an extension of the original minus a heart, charm and wit. Stay away.

--The End of Tthe Tour is getting great reviews from Critics, It is about the interview between Rolling Stone’s David Lipsky and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace – Infinite Jest. As the interview goes on the men develop a tenuous but intense relationship. It is a great look at attack and counter-attack and may be revealing hidden frailties. How truthful are they to each other? It was written after Wallace’s suicide.

The Answer:

There are hundreds of shows, but I’m not looking for Burns and Allen or Jack Benny or Baby Snooks Or Fred Allen or the Aldrich Family or Ozzie and Harriet. I’m looking for the mysteries and dramas like Inner Sanctum (Scared the hell outta me), Sam Spade, The Thin Man, Mr. Keen Tracer of Lost Persons, Mr. and Mrs. North, The Green Hornet, Counterspy, The FBI in Peace and War, Nick Carter, Mr. District Attorney, Suspense and True Detective Stories. Of course the night always began with the Lone Ranger at 7:30.

Just before this mess was sent a delightful reader reminded me of “Slow Food”. Remember that, eating comfortably at home, eating at a casual pace with no interruptions from instant messages et al, no crushing agenda, except maybe the Lone Ranger. “Slow Food”, I like that.

Just like August, slow and easy. So, maybe that is something!

Have a great weekend, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!