One womans view: Sounding off on this and that
Contributing writer
So many stray thoughts are buzzing around in my head that this month's column will be one of my rare "variety packs."
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Although all the heated exchanges about what John Kerry and George W. Bush were doing during the Vietnam War may have little to do with their ability to run the country, I have to comment on one aspect of the controversy — the medals awarded to Kerry for his service.
I concede the possibility that Kerry can be attacked for inconsistency in proudly emphasizing his combat medals after speaking out in opposition to the Vietnam War after his discharge, even though many Americans were ambivalent about Vietnam, and Emerson said consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. However, when some people, even some veterans, assert that his bronze and silver stars did not honor any significant service, I feel my hackles rise.
When you imply that our government awards those medals for shoddy reasons, you trivialize every medal awarded to military personnel since the founding of our nation, including the bronze star my husband received for his service during World War II. I take a dim view of that.
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Very shortly after you read this, I will reach my 65th birthday. In a way, that will be convenient. I will no longer need to ask whether a business offers its senior citizen discounts at 55, 60, or 65. I will qualify everywhere!
Many people, including both my brothers, do not get the privilege of growing old. Incidentally, is that any way to ditch that coy phrase, "senior citizen"? I much prefer to be called an old woman.
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Recently I attended burial services on two consecutive days for two unique individuals, both of whom I will miss. Leon Hajek and Andrew David were very different from each other in many ways, but they were alike in their staunch independence. Each marched to his own drummer.
Leon was a quiet man, who never put himself forward. Yet, Tampa was very aware of him. We looked forward to his shy smile and soft hello and admired his bravery in the face of difficulties.
Andrew was also rather self-effacing but had a wealth of intelligent ideas in his head. I admired his consuming interest in just about any subject you could name. He even read this column regularly, and, of course, I appreciated that. I feel richer for having known these two fascinating people.
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Hasn't the weather been delightful this summer? I don't think the high temperature got into triple digits more than once or twice, and I rarely turned on the air conditioner. I wonder if the self-styled experts who scream about global warming will rethink their theories. Probably not. I have a feeling our most cherished notions are nearly always proof against any amount of contradictory evidence.
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In spite of being one of the electronically challenged generation, I think I have (with a friend's help) almost mastered the art of making greeting cards with my computer program. A few years ago I owned a laptop, which had a much simpler program, and I loved creating my own greetings. Now maybe I'll do a little better about recognizing my friends' special occasions but don't count on it.
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My "almost sister" and her husband spent a day with me last week before taking off again on their travels. Upon their retirement several years ago, they sold their home and live in their RV wherever the spirit moves them. Sometimes I envy them their freedom, but I confess I would not want to pull up all my roots and get rid of all my "stuff" to pursue my dream of traveling anywhere I want to go. They seem content with the trade-off; perhaps they are braver than I am. I hope their wheels turn back this way before too many moons pass.
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One of the most poignant things about life is that we are constantly faced with such impossible alternatives. I once read a novel set in the 1930s, when Hitler had taken over Austria. The hero, an Englishman, was asked if he had ever been to Austria. He replied, "No, when I first wanted to go, there wasn't any money. Then when I had the money, there wasn't any time. Now even if I had the time and the money, there isn't any Austria." Such is life for most of us.
