About other people.

Today's Tids Issue 4,461

Being Aware:

I’m wearing a sweat shirt today. Yes, the cool weather may add a little weight to your shoulders and back, but what you get in return can’t be measured in pounds or inches. You feel a little bounce in your step, a little brightening in your eyes. And at times, the mind seems to see the world more clearly. The wind off the sea tossles your hair, and if by magic broadens the grin on your face.

One thing that good people sometimes miss is that other people have lives too.

Why don’t they make smart phone screens like the Kindle screen so you can read them in sunlight? Maybe they already do and I‘m just behind the times.

Running backs in the SEC standout among all college running backs because the SEC teams tend to have far superior offensive linemen than the rest of college teams.

There is nothing that the stock markets like more than stability and continuity. Helter-skelter does not wear well, and last week was one confusing five-day period, to a point where we all cried out for reasoned thought that never came. Knowing whether we are up, down or going sideways would be quite helpful. But last week it was topsy-turvey. And the market needed a straight-jacket.

Did you read about the dwarf seen climbing down the prison wall? It was a little condescending.

Over the weekend a headline popped up from a major news organization: “Kelly Ripa and Her Husband Cry when Daughter Leaves for College.” Almost all people cry when children leave for college. This is another reason celebrities are becoming more boring than ever.

The Question:
In 79AD Mount Vesuvius erupted killing 20 Thousand in two cities. Pompei was one of the cites. What was the other one? Bonus: Name the first five countries to achieve nuclear power status. Extra Bonus: Anne Archer was pretty good actress. Name one of her best movies.

The Headlines:

--Trade Progress At G7 Has Stocks Rising Higher; Mnuchin Says No Recession In Sight; Trump Says US And China To Resume Talks.

--Tropical Storm Dorian Strengthening; Heading Towards Puerto Rico; Warnings Also Issued To Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines.

--Tea Party Favorite Joe Walsh Says He Will Challenge Trump In 2020 Election.

--Disney makes Deal With target For Shops Inside Popular Big Box Store.

--Ascena Retail Group Has Owners Of $1.4 Billion In Debt Worried Over Company’s Cost Commitments; Ascena Owns Ann Taylor, Dressbarn, Loft And Lane Bryant; Bankruptcy On Horizon.

--Most Expensive Dogs: #1 – Portuguese Water Dog, Tibetan Mastiff ($2.500 per pup); #2 – Afghan Hound, French Bulldog ($2,000); #3 – Bedlington Terrier, Black Russian Terrier, Irish Wolfhound ($1,800); #4 – Newfoundland, Saint Bernard (Comes with Brandy), Spinone Italiano, Staffordshire Bull Terrier ($1,500).

--Area Women Des From EEE Virus; Massachusetts Fighting Increased Activity For \ EEE Infected Mosquitos; First Death And Cases Since 2103.

I am becoming increasingly bothered by a president who thinks it’s ok to tell business how and where to operate. “Increasingly bothered” Is code for thoroughly annoyed.

I went to a restaurant yesterday where all of the employees seemed to care about all of the customers regardless of assignments. It was one of those rare “Customers are my job” places.

My support of Cheeto eating may be offensive to some. But I am for all who are disparaged or taken for granted, and that also includes offensive linemen who do much of the work that begets the glory for skill players.

I do not choose to go to restaurants that put avocado into every menu item.

The machinations of the Global economy is pretty much beyond the prevue and tools available to the Fed.

Sometimes in my drive to write creatively, I make simple ideas complex.

Here’s something simple. As I look over the cultural landscape, I see more effort focusing on condoning what is clearly wrong, and questioning what is clearly right. But, then, the idea of the innate healthy substance of the Ten Commandments began fading years ago.

I was always a big fan of Althea Gibson in her heyday, and I believe I have written about that here in the past. She proceeded by ten years the same cultural contributions and tennis achievements associated Arthur Ashe, yet it is only this past weekend that she was officially recognized as being one of the all-time greats, in addition to her even more difficult fights against racial injustice. Yes, they unveiled a statue of the wonderful player and human being, Althea Gibson, at the start of the Open at Flushing Meadows.

I remember the day I met excellent Rhode Island artist Harley Bartlett in a loft when he was a struggling artist painting Trompe d’ Oile to put bread the table. Perseverance pays.

Why did Allosours cross the road? Because chickens hadn’t evolved yet.

The MLB weekend “Players” B&W Uniforms must have been a uniform manufacturers promotion. And, somebody at MLB must have received a cut. Why else would teams go to such expense for something that didn’t improve the game>

A reader is concerned that after hearing so many stories about excrement and other assorted filth on the streets and who knows where else in California cities, how safe are Cal food products being distributed across the country?

One CD of which I never tire is Glenn Gould playing Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

Among other ethical and moral oversights, 31 players under Urban Meyers were arrested during his tenure at Florida. Urban retired last year after more allegations of suspect handling of athlete miscreants. He is now teaching a course on “Character and Leadership” at Ohio State. God help the future The OSU players. Note: Urban was named after a line of Popes.

The Answer:

The second city destroyed by Vesuvius was Herculaneum. Bonus: The fifth Country to gain status as a Nuke power was China, Before that we had The USA, Russia, United Kingdom and France. After China there was India and Pakistan. Israel controls nuclear weapons and most recently it appears that North Korea has about 6-8. And then there is Iran. Extra Bonus: Anne may be best known as Michael Douglas’s wife in Fatal Attraction. She Was nominated for the best Supporting Actress. Some other notable efforts were as Jack Ryan’s wife in in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Maybe that’s why I asked this question. She starred in movies I like that are either about international conspiracies or domestic mysteries.

Repubs are rethinking their strategies in several areas.  This is just small smattering of what’ I have been hearing. One is in gun legislations. While The Prez caters to his very strong base, political tacticians know that the base just isn’t large enough to reelect DJT. You may see some pro gun-regulation rhetoric creeping into pollical speeches by the Trumpster. Scenario two is how to reconcile his increasingly incomprehensible tweeting with the fact that he is the only person who can stop runaway, wild-eyed democrats who’s programs would surely strange the America we love. The strategists are working over time this year, already. Be prepared. Could be one of the strangest election seasons of all time.

You don’t win elections with heads firmly buried in sand.

“I’ll bet Epstein’s guards were told not to rush in no matter what they heard.”

“You don’t mean…”

“Yep.” “Rush-in collusion.”