There are big news stories that surround and often overwhelm us every day. My suggestion is that you check the New York Times or The Washington Post or Heather Cox Richardson’s excellent Letters from an American to follow those stories on a daily basis. It is important to read well-researched sources. As much as I appreciate the internet, it is often a questionable source for accuracy and thoroughness. I am also well aware that blogs, including my own, are often big on opinion and small on the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. There is a lot of material out and about these days that should boast a “Reader Beware!!” sign.
So I decided to blog about a few—five to be exact—random topics today. These brief reflections are definitely not life or death matters as much as the real world news is and must be. What follows are just some random thoughts and topics that have wandered through my mind this past week.
United Airlines is going to board window seat passengers first to make general boarding go more quickly. When I read this story, my first thought was something along the lines of , “Well, DUH!!” I wondered how much United paid a consultant to guide them to this decision when probably anyone who has flown in the past twenty years could have given them the same advice for free. I am also sure it will not be without problems but it does seem like a very good idea. I wonder if other airlines will follow suit
The NC State Fair ended on October 22 and alas! I did not make it there this year. I am happy to say that my sister carried on the family tradition and went. Until the pandemic and except for the years we lived way too far to make the trip (I’m looking at you Vermont), I have gone to the N.C. State Fair almost every year since I was a child and have always loved it. When I was growing up in Raleigh, all the schools let out at noon one day of the Fair, so school children could have a chance to go. There were even buses at the school to take you there, though I always went with my family. It was also the ONLY day of the year that girls could wear pants to school. Oh, the thrill of wearing a pair of bluejeans to school! (Yes, I am that old!!). Through the years I mostly liked the exhibits—the giant pumpkins, the myriad types of honey, the jams and jellies and cakes and pies all dreaming of winning a blue ribbon, the bricklayers’ competition, the Village of Yesteryear. And yes, of course, the food. The Methodist Church’s country ham biscuits, Al’s Fries, pink and blue cotton candy, the NC State Creamery Ice Cream, the Exchange Club’s peanuts…nothing healthy but also not much that was deep fat fried in those days as there is today. It was just plain fun and holds a special place in my memories. I hope to go again in the future.
Is there any month as magnificent as October? October is my birthday month and was also my brother’s birthday month and is also one of my nephew’s birthday month and one of our grandson’s birthday month and I seem to have a plethora of friends born in October. So I automatically like this autumn month. But there’s more than just birthdays. The sidewalks are covered with a gorgeous array of colored leaves, the mornings beginning to feel cool and crisp, the World Series (well, it used to always be in October…). Not too hot, not too cold, just perfect. My husband reminded me that fall is also a time that shows us how beautiful it can be to let things go. Do you have a favorite month?
Apples! APPLES! And more Apples! And no, I don’t mean computers or iPhones or those kind of apples (though I have great affection for those as well). I mean the kind you can eat. There is a wonderful orchard we love to visit. It used to be owned by the Freeman family but they retired and now is J & M Farms (located on Chimney Rock Road in Hendersonville, NC). They have a wide variety of apples, including many heirloom varieties, some dating back to the early 1800’s. We have become pros at making our own applesauce (no sugar, just apples) and I can bake a pretty awesome apple pie if I do say so myself. We had some friends over for a slice with a cup of hot tea on Sunday afternoon and it made for a lovely shared time.
Crocs. The first time I ever saw a pair of Crocs was in Estes Park, Colorado. We drove past a store that had a window full of these colorful plastic very funny looking shoes. They were so strange that I knew I had to have a pair. I wore them for years (when they were anything BUT popular) but finally switched over to Saucony’s and Birkenstocks as my comfort shoes, though Crocs are still the daily footwear for my husband. I laughed a lot when I heard they were coming out with a Croc cowboy boot. But it is not fake news: today was the release date. And yes, that’s a spinning spur you see on the back. Not on my wish list but they are quite snazzy, don’t you think?
Sometimes we all just need to take a break from the real news and ponder a few random things that race through our brains when we aren’t worrying, planning or thinking profound thoughts. I would love to hear a few of your random thoughts.
I really think Tom needs a pair of those croc boots!
Love your random thoughts and even though I love my Crocs and have worn them faithfully for many, many years now I will never wear the cowboy boot variety. Just saying.