For some, Labor Day signals the end of summer as preparations for autumn and the accompanying holidays begin. Warm weather clothes including our white wardrobe and shoes are supposed to be returned to the closet. Children are back in school and weekend football games once again fill our calendars. For me and perhaps for other seniors, it is the beginning of summer! The parks are empty – restaurants have an abundance of available tables – save for seagulls, the beaches and resorts welcome visitors with open arms – and the highways are no longer cluttered. A senior citizen's dream! So as far as I am concerned summer does not end until Thanksgiving Day. So if you see me in my summer wardrobe in October, know full well that I am in a warm weather state of mind. You too?
And speaking of autumn I wonder when the first Christmas trees and decorations will appear? The stores who assemble the trees and baubles early on offer that their sale time is short so it is important to get people in the holiday mood to increase sales. Some of you will remember growing up when Christmas decorations did not surface until after Thanksgiving. So when I see holiday decorations in September I just laugh it off knowing that my own personal shopping won’t begin until after Thanksgiving. Anyone else out there feel the same?
Those of you who have flown recently know that the whole experience has taken on a new identity. Planes do not always leave or arrive on time – there are no empty seats – airlines are charging for sandwiches and refreshments ($2 for a soft drink and $1 for water) – wi-fi hookups for your laptop cost $9.95 on a three hour flight and $12.95 for those over three hours - $15 to $25 to check a first or second bag – and one airline recently started charging $7 for a pillow and blanket. Passengers are now smuggling contraband goodies on board just to avoid the high cost of refreshments. Perhaps the next fee will be to use the restroom! If so, count on me to bring on my own portable potty!
Here’s some news that you have been waiting for: scientists have discovered that dogs find human yawns contagious meaning if you yawn in the presence of Fido, he will automatically yawn back. In fact 72% of 29 dogs tested were yawning after observing a person doing so and this evidently relates to “their capacity for empathy”. Up until now this phenomenon only occurred with chimpanzees. And the best news? This earth shattering information was not provided by U.S. scientists but by brainiacs in London, England. What’s next – perhaps a study on why dogs chase their tail? How exciting!
Those of you still in the business world might relate to this. A study by Fortune Personnel Consultants (FPC) indicates that 60% of senior management think that reverting back to rigid corporate dress is not conducive to better productivity – the other 40% thought casual dress adversely effected productivity. Frankly, as a retiree dressed daily in khaki shorts, tennis shoes and a t-shirt, my productivity is just fine thank you!
Saw an interesting ad the other day from a local hospital. In bold print were the words: Diabetes Care You Can Trust. Hopefully it doesn’t imply that similar care offered by other hospitals can’t be trusted! Hospitals certainly spend a lot of money advertising their services and how quickly one can be treated in the emergency room. Does anyone really travel extended distances to a hospital that advertises “no longer than 29 minutes in our emergency waiting rooms”? For me, I want medical service correct and not fast! Any thoughts on this?
Both my wife Mary and I graduated from high school in 1961. Surprisingly enough my reunion is coming up this October, which will mark the 47th anniversary of graduation. What is the significance of 47 as opposed to waiting for the 50th? The organizers stated that waiting another three years might just trim the herd somewhat. So accelerating the reunion seemed to be the proper way to handle this. In any event we are looking forward to this event. Reunions are always entertaining and when a gathering such as this takes place after so many years it just takes the pressure off the evening because at this point in our lives all of us have settled into a comfortable life style. No more boasting and preening. Just renewing old friendships and I really mean old!
More and more defective products continue to enter our country from China. We are now told to check our tire pressure in the wake of a recall of as many as 30 million replacement rubber valve stems. These defective parts can crack prematurely and cause tires to lose air. At highway speeds this loss of air could result in a loss of control with a resultant crash. In my opinion it’s time we boycott Chinese products until such time as that country raises their level of quality. At this juncture what with all the lead based products that we have banned, I think a total ban on products from China is not out of the question. Your thoughts?
On a personal note, I am fully recovered now from robotic prostate cancer surgery. In fact my doctors tell me that I won’t be dying from prostate cancer so I am crossing that off my “bucket list”! I’m back to my five-mile runs and seven mile biking. And having turned 65 this past March I’m looking forward to competing in races and events in the 65 to 69 age group. I am now the “youngster” in that group!
Watching TV over the last couple of months reminds me of a quote from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Newton Minnow when he said in 1961 that TV “was a vast cultural wasteland”. I couldn’t agree more. The so-called “reality” shows have taken over the airwaves ad nauseam. Thank goodness we still have the Turner Classic Movie Channel. I still enjoy the classics such as “Dial M For Murder”, “The Maltese Falcon”, “Casablanca” and “It Happened One Night” or any movie with James Cagney or Jimmy Stewart. And to sum up the current status of TV, here is a great quote from that luminary Groucho Marx: “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book”.
If something in my column resonated with you or irritated you, let me know. I personally respond to all e-mails. In that regard if the spirit moves you, send your comments to me c/o of our editor at jheuvers@matureadvisor.com
