BEST NEW THING

I have found the best new thing in my world.

In the past couple months, sleeping at night was something I could only wish for. I would try for hours to fall asleep. Little did I know, I would find the perfect sleeping pill.

My old two-seater (Lazy Boy) style sofa was uncomfortable and so short I had to curl up to lie down. I really wanted a real full-sized couch to stretch out on.

I went to an estate auction last week with a neighbor and found two nice clean couches for sale. The items were from a very clean household. I decided to bid on one of the couches and was the successful bidder at $50. The other couch was actually a set with a matching chair and I didn't need a chair; besides the price went much higher. My neighbor made two purchases and we made arrangements to pick up our items the following Monday.

When I got home, I realized I needed to sell my old sofa to make room for the bigger one. The next day, my furnace repairman came to change the filters and adjust a part which made the blower motor run constantly for 6 solid days. He liked the reclining features of my sofa and bought it that day and took it home on the spot for $30.

The next day was Monday and my new item was moved into the living room. It was covered and pillows arranged and I tried it out that evening. After stretching out and getting comfortable, I immediately fell asleep. Tuesday, while watching television in the late evening, I fell asleep on the couch again. On the third night, the same thing happened.

I realized I had found the greatest sleeping pill to counter my many sleepless nights. The new couch is so comfortable that when I lie down and cover up with my warm blanket, it's very relaxing. When I wake after 3:00am, it doesn't take long to fall back to sleep after moving from the couch to my bed.

My dog also enjoys the couch. She can see out the window or curl up at the end with plenty of room for both of us. She just likes to be there with me. The couch is softer than the floor, she tells me with a wagging tail and smiling eyes.

So with the $20 I saved in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, I was able to get the best new thing in my world...a comfortable couch which is longer than I am tall, with plenty of room to share with my best pal, whose wagging tail tells me she's happy with my choice. And I'm sleeping much better this week than last month. I look forward to more relaxing evenings and needed zzzzzzzzzzzzz's.

WAGON LESSON

A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn. The farmer who lived nearby heard the noise and yelled over to the boy, "Hey Willis forget your troubles. Come in and visit with us. I'll help you get the wagon up later."

"That's mighty nice of you," Willis answered, "but I don't think Pa would like me to."

"Aw come on boy," the farmer insisted.

"Well okay," the boy finally agreed, and added, "but Pa won't like it."

After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. "I feel a lot better now, but I know Pa is going to be real upset."

"Don't be foolish!" the neighbor said with a smile. "By the way, where is he?"

"Under the wagon."

DON'T BEAT ME

At a divorce court a family of bears is waiting for the judge to grant custody of little bear.

The judge asks the baby bear; “do you want to live with papa bear?”

The baby bear replied; "No he beats me."

The judge asked, so do you want to live with mommy bear!

The baby bear said, "No she beats me too."

The judge asked, "Then whom do you want to live with?" The baby bear says, "The Chicago bears, they don't beat anyone!"

THE FOUR ACES

On Sunday afternoon, I went to the Washington Middle School for the FCCA concert. The singing group The Four Aces performed to a great crowd. It was good music, some comedy, and excellent showmanship. They seem to love to perform to an audience. One member stands perfectly still while singing, one member's knees move to the music, one member plays guitar most of the time while singing, and the bass singer is a great dancer while he sings. His leg movements just suggest he is probably very good on the dance floor too.

Since 1950, The Four Aces have been internationally acclaimed as a group who has not only produced some of the most beautiful vocal renderings ever, but for being superb showmen as well. They have delighted audiences of all ages, around the world, with their timeless hit songs and current musical selections. After you have seen their performance, you will know why The Four Aces are the "very best" at what they do, indeed in a class by themselves. The Four Aces have been associated with many wonderful songs over the years, such as "Three Coins In The Fountain", "Tell Me Why", "Sincerely", "Shangri-La", "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing", "Stranger In Paradise", and "Dream".

Fred Diodati - The only original member of the group from the 1950's
Having performed with the four aces since the 50's, fred's warm, charismatic stage presence and great tenor voice have made him what many consider to be one of the best lead singers/spokesman in the business today.

Joe Giglio
Every group has a funny man... Joe is the aces! in addition to his vocals and jokes, he is also an outstanding guitarist, as evidenced by his rousing rendition of "malaguena".

Harry Heisler
Besides singing bass and being the musical conductor, his main love, as he will readily tell you, is the trumpet, on which he is featured both as a soloist and accompaniment to his partners.

Danny Colingo
Danny's stage presence, powerful voice and ability to not only sing fluent italian, but impersonate such luminaries as Johhny Mathis to a tee, make him a vital part of The Four Aces.

The picture above is of their latest album which was on sale at the event. Here's one of my favorites they performed...

OHIO HURTS THE POOR

After reading some news about Ohio, I realized that Ohio does not treat the poor with fairness or respect. We really need a new Governor. Oh, Ted where are you??

The State of Ohio is ninth out of the ten states that tax the poor the most.


Income tax on working-poor: $162/yr.
Lowest taxable income: $16,600 (72 percent of poverty line)
Poverty rate: 14.8 percent (17th highest)
Median household income: $45,090 (17th lowest)

Ohio is one of only five states in the country that taxes the income of two-parent families of four that make less than three-quarters of the poverty line. That is, families earning $16,637 a year or more are taxed. Additionally, Ohio is one of only a few states where a family of three in which the employed person works a full-time minimum job wage must pay income tax.

It's time our state started looking out for our poor, stop cutting benefits for those in need, and revamped the state income tax laws so the poor would not be so disadvantaged.

I am hopeful that in November Ohio will be the main "swing state" that brings a second term to the man (President) that will help Ohio change to be more compassionate toward the poor and bring a new law to the state legislature that will allow us to recall our Governor and put someone in office that is not out to destroy our State.

Ohio is losing ground on the list of "best states" and rising on the list of "taxes the poor" and disenfranchises the needy, but I was hoping the spend the rest of my senior days here in Ohio.

IT'S HERE AGAIN

The month of April this year has one of those "predictable" days. Friday the 13th. Today. Beware!

The fear of Friday the 13th has been called friggatriskaidekaphobia (Frigga being the name of the Norse goddess for whom "Friday" is named and triskaidekaphobia meaning fear of the number thirteen).

My Friday the 13th started early this year. On March 14th, my neighbor stole my cat and "dumped" her somewhere in the country, to die for lack of attention, food, and her loving home. I cannot comment further regarding the ongoing matter with the Humane Society complaint filed, and the official police report filed for theft of personal property, because my lawyer advised against making the details public just yet. Like me, be patient, it will come to light soon enough.

On March 22nd, my neighbor's cat was also stolen by the same neighbor and "dumped" somewhere. I really feel sorry for her cat, because he was lame, could not run, or forage for his own food. He had a safe, loving home, but since we have a bully on our street who hates cats, he became a self-appointed Czar of who can own what in our neighborhood. I believe in Karma, as well as the case that is being prepared.

NEIGHBORS BEWARE - the Czar might not like your pet and it might just disappear, and Friday the 13th is a well-known day for bad luck to happen.

I so wish the TRIPLETS would grow faster and be ready for their new home. (See previous blog post.) My neighbor and I have decided to get the TRIPLETS micro-chipped to prevent theft or loss in the future. THE CZAR WILL NOT BULLY US AGAIN! Taking advantage of two senior citizens who don't bother anyone will be his downfall. He will have his own Friday the 13th, but not today.

IN MEMORY

SMART KID

A brilliant young boy was applying for a job with the railways. The interviewer asked him: "Do you know how to use the equipment?" "Yes", the boy replied.

"Then what would you do if you realized that 2 trains, one from this station and one from the next were going to crash because they were on the same track?" The young applicant thought and replied "I'd press the button to change the points without hesitation."

"What if the button was frozen and wouldn't work?" "I'd run outside and pull the lever to change the points manually"

"And if the lever was broken?" "I'd get on the phone to the next station and tell them to change the points," he replied.

"And if the phone was broken and needed an electrician to fix it?" The boy thought about that one. "I'd run into town and get my uncle" "Is your uncle an electrician?" "No, but he's never seen a train crash before!"

CHEAP CURE

Jay went to a psychiatrist. “Doc, he said, “I’ve got trouble.

Every time I get into bed I think there is somebody under it.

I get under the bed; I think there’s somebody on top of it.

Top, under, under top. I’m going crazy!”

“Just put yourself in my hands for two years,” said the shrink.

“Come to me three times a week and I’ll cure you.”

“How much do you charge?”

“A hundred dollars per visit.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Jay never went back. Some time later he met the doctor on the street.

“Why didn’t you ever come to see me again? Asked the psychiatrist.

“For a hundred bucks a visit? A bartender cured me for 10 dollars.”

“Is that so! How?”

“He told me to cut the legs off the bed.”

HAPPY EASTER

JUDGMENT AWAITS

The MONSTER AMONG US and his co-conspirator will soon meet their judgment day. The lawyer was contacted. The case is being prepared. The witness statements have been prepared. Things are progressing in good order.

Next step: JUDGMENT and PUNISHMENT.

As for Trayvon - JUSTICE FOR DAISY AND TOM. We love and miss you. Please come home.

NOTE: While on the porch today, a little gray female cat approached, so some food was put down right away and she was introduced to it. It didn't take long for her to warm up to me as I spoke softly and made friends. She looks so much like Daisy, she could be one of her kittens from a year ago. Maybe God sent her child to us to remind us not to lose hope. If we're lucky, she will stick around and let us love her. Still looking forward to the new family that awaits - Allyson, Lar'ado, and Mi'kel - as soon as they can be vet checked and transferred to us. HAPPY DAY!

TRIPLET UPDATE

Today, after due consideration and communication, a small change is being made.

Larriet sounds too much like Harriet and that just won't do for a boy. Therefore, we are naming him Lar'ado. (After Laredo, Texas, but with a twist.)

Their owner says that Allyson just lies around, a typical kitty trait, so her name fits.

The owner says Mi'kel is the active one, always getting Lar'ado to help him gang up on Allyson when they want to play.

I like the little Spanish touch to their names because it represents the immigration of those little foreign creatures into our environment. Yet it will show how they are welcomed and embraced into this neighborhood.

The stage is set, the plan is made, now we march on to VICTORY.

MEET THE TRIPLETS

After analyzing survivability, my friend and I have given Daisy a 50 percent chance of survival/living since being taken from the care and comfort of her only known environment where she was fed two or three times daily and given much love and attention. Wherever she is now, today, she is probably starving and scared. It breaks my heart that someone so dastardly cruel lives so close to me.

We have given old Tom a zero percent chance of survival/living due to several factors, unfortunately. He is lame due to an injury about a year ago. He cannot run and walks slowly with a distinctive limp. Therefore, he cannot forage for his own food supply. He was used to the safety and comfort of his surroundings having two specific places to hide from Mother Nature's elements. He also loved the attention he got from his two loving nurturers.

It is just heartbreaking to know that both are scared, lonely, hungry, and alone in a strange place. They will not survive. They were sentenced to death the moment the MONSTER snatched them from their loving homes.

ENTER A STRANGER – While my friend and I were at the Humane Society office Monday, a lady walked in to speak to one of the Officers. Her outside cat had kittens not too long ago and she said she could not keep the kittens. Overhearing this, we inquired about them (it's a small open room with no verbal privacy). I finally asked where she lived and that we might like to have the three little kittens to help her out. It will also help keep the mice away!

It won't be long and we will soon have new little loving babies to nurture. With love and food and shelter, I'm sure it won't take them long to know where they live and are loved. We are looking forward to our new family addition. They will have name and owner I.D. Tags!

My friend and I were talking today and thinking of new names for our babies. After considering many, we have chosen Mi'kel for one male, Larriet for the other male, and Allyson for the female. Being brothers and sister will help them adjust and stay together, being raised together.

Bless the stranger who appeared to us when our heartache was so deep. Mi'kel, Larriet, and Allyson will NEVER take the place of our love and devotion to Daisy and Tom, but in time they will help us heal from our depression and grief over their loss. We can only pray that Daisy and Tom live, but the odds are against it. Their starvation, loneliness and fear will overcome them in a month or so, we are sure. But life goes on and our new found pets (and PERSONAL PROPERTY) will soon be in our hearts. MOVING ON!

ONE CAN ONLY HOPE

Dear Friends and Readers, this is a short update on my earlier blog A MONSTER AMONG US. If you have not yet read it, please go back and familiarize yourself with that item.

My friend and I have been going through such a traumatizing time. No one knows how many sleepless nights we've had in the past two weeks; no one knows how many times we've cried real tears for our lost loved ones, Tom and Daisy.

Fact: In Ohio, PETS ARE PERSONAL PROPERTY. Personal property removed or taken from an individual without consent is THEFT.

Step one was to make a report to the local Humane Society. That was done and they began an investigation. NOTE: that investigation is still ongoing because new facts seem to come to light every few days. I cannot reveal that information as yet. Suffice it to say a lawyer was contacted and advice taken.

Step two was to make a police report for THEFT of personal property. I am happy to report that said report was made today. A police officer took our statements and was to follow up. That's all I can say about that right now. Stay tuned!

My friend and I were talking later in the day and hypothesizing different scenarios. We came up with one that I thought I would share with you.

Think about the mental satisfaction...

Step one: Humane Society report - DONE.
Step two: Police report - DONE.
Step three: The Humane Society cites the offender (MONSTER) for animal cruelty and abandonment.
Step four: The police file the THEFT charges and the next logical step is to proceed to court.
Step five: Injured parties (us) and offender (MONSTER) appear in court with all witnesses and evidence. (Remember, theory in progress.)
Step six: Offender (MONSTER) is found guilty of said crime(s).

We think it only appropriate to now consider the penalty phase that comes next. Personally, I'm not going to research what the monetary fine might be, but speculate that the Judge COULD impose a $25 per personal property item (cat) fine.

However, we believe MORE is needed and necessary. Enter - thought to lawyer to suggest to Judge:

Why not have the offender (MONSTER) do five hours (one hour per day for one week) of community service? He should spend time at the local Humane Society feeding all the cats. I have been to the Humane Society office several times and they have some cute, playful cats running around their office during the day, all wanting to be adopted, but all needing to be fed daily (as ours were).

Then the offender should do some "service" (one hour per day for one week) at our local dog pound (treating all creatures equally - dogs and cats) as the daily POOPER SCOOPER.

Then he would really know what a SHIT JOB is and how much SHIT he has inflicted upon those who did him NO HARM, but were harmed because of his arrogant attitude!

ONE CAN ONLY HOPE!

A MERMAID, A PRINCESS AND A DUCKLING

What do the following have in common: Central Park (New York), Lincoln Park (Chicago), a Little Mermaid, a Princess, a Pea, and an Ugly Duckling?

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON

Happy Birthday Hans, born April 2, 1805 in Denmark, a novelist, poet, short story writer and writer of children's fairy tales.

There's a statue of Hans in Central Park, Lincoln Park, and other places around the world.

He wrote The Little Mermaid in 1836; The Princess and the Pea in 1835; The Ugly Duckling in 1844, and many more. Some of us can remember reading those fairy tales in our youth.

Hans was tall and lanky, loved to sing and dance, was an only child, and the family was very poor. He died of liver cancer in August of 1875 and is buried in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was never married.

The metaphor for his life was The Ugly Duckling. As the duckling was a homely creature suffering much abuse from others, went from place to place to find a home. After a miserable winter alone, the duckling finally grew to maturity and set out to join the flock of swans on the lake. He was finally fully accepted by the flock and spread his wings to fly with them after seeing his reflection and realizing he had become one of them, a beautiful swan.

So was his life, going from place to place, writing and trying to publish various works. At his death, he had finally “joined the flock” and became famous. Some of his works are now Disney movies.

GET YOUR UPDATE

Do you ever need to look up something on a map? Google Maps is one of the most popular sites that Internet users frequent. Today, Google has updated their Maps version to locate even the smallest of landmarks. See the map below...


Now that you have seen the new look of the map, follow its' introduction to the world on YouTube below.



Have you finished the video yet? If not, do so before continuing with this great news!

As Rachel Maddow would say: now you've seen the Best New Thing In The World Today, so have a GREAT APRIL FOOLS DAY!

APRIL FOOLS FROM AN OLD FOOL WHO STILL CAN GET YA!