Category: Somewhat Current Events

Was J.Lo’s dance Oscar worthy or pornographic?

Was Kobe Bryant a sports hero/role model, or a rapist?

Should Oscars be awarded on the basis of a politically correct rubric, or on talent?

Let’s argue.

Now, beginning the third decade of the 21st Century, adults have as many things to argue about as children do.  And we are just as good at calling names.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

That never was true by the way. Our mothers may have quoted those words to us hoping to help us cope with the playground “teasing” (now correctly termed bullying).

The New Year 2020 finds adults acting like children on the playground … only with graphics. Dig up an old video or catch someone on a hot mic. Let’s bring down a celebrity. Just for sport.

Get the media involved and the results are often ruination. Something to celebrate? Or perhaps were some of the words tweaked a little or twisted a lot?

Lately I have been visiting the past via a box belonging to my mother, who died in 1985. She was a fan of the poetry columnists seen in most newspapers back in the day. I found this poem written by Louis C. Shimon in 1935.

I Know Something Good About You

Wouldn’t this old world be better if the folks we meet would say, 
“I know something good about you!” And then treat us just that way?

Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy If each handclasp warm and true
Carried with it this assurance, “I know something good about you!”

Wouldn’t life be lots more happy If the good that’s in us all
Were the only thing about us That folks bothered to recall?

Wouldn’t life be lots more jolly If we praised the good we see?
For there’s such a lot of goodness In the worst of you and me.

Wouldn’t it be nice to practice That fine way of thinking, too?
You know something good about me! I know something good about you!

Wisdom from another generation.

“What did you give up for Lent?”

Those of us who observe the discipline of the 40 day journey from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday and Easter Sunday are asked this question about as often as we hear “Are you ready for Christmas?”

It’s not a rhetorical question. Folks really want to know.

Lent is so much more than “giving up something”, but okay, we can talk about that. It’s a tenet of the 12-step program that one should replace the habit that is abandoned with positive behavior. It is also scriptural (Luke 11:26). Giving up a time waster? Read a good book.  Leaving off chocolate? Eat a salad.

When we compare the small sacrifice we make to what Jesus has done for us, it seems ludicrous.

He gave his life — Can I spare an hour? He fasted to the point of near death — Can I do without dessert? He has taken care of me for 85 years — Can I donate to the Little Free Pantry?

It’s not about what I “give up”, it’s about Him and His sacrifice.

“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow.”

The Little Free Pantry sits at the far corner of the First United Methodist parking lot, 302 North Main, in Beebe. Take what you need. Leave what you can.

facebook.com/beebelittlefreepantry/

Let me say up front that in my opinion the best part of Super Bowl Sunday was THE GAME!

When this day rolls around each year I seldom get involved unless (1) I have guests, (2) a team I like is playing, (3) I’m invited to a party.

And then I watch … until/ unless someone I don’t want to win is winning, or it’s a blow-out, even if my team is the blower. In either of those events I just might leave and rent a movie.

That’s what I planned to do last Sunday.  These two teams are a little too far north for me to be very interested in them one way or another. There are perfectly good NFL teams in the south for me to follow.

But I’ll admit I was hooked by the hype and actually felt a little sorry for the Eagles. Everyone seemed to be declaring them losers before the game even started. So I decided to view the opening activities, maybe stick around until the first score, then mosey on about my business.

And what do you know, the Eagles scored first.  Only 3 points, but still.

I decided to stay a bit longer and ended up seeing the whole game. Can’t remember the last time I stuck it out for the long haul.

I have seen many critiques of different aspects of Sunday’s event but as I said the most interesting was the GAME. It moved quickly with very few reviews, (#ruiningcollegefootball). I muted the announcers so I can’t speak to how inane their comments might have been.

One of the NBC camera persons seemed enamored of Tom Brady. After every play or significant event, we were treated to a glance at Brady, even if only the back of his head.

The commercials were well placed and long enough for me to get to the bathroom to wash my hands or to the kitchen for something to eat. I can’t evaluate the content or entertainment value because I didn’t watch them closely enough to see if the lengthy scenario would eventually advertise soap, a truck, or a bottle of beer.

I also can’t score the half-time show. I heard it (no matter where I went in the house) and other than being aware they were repeating the same phrase, I could not decipher what it was. They might win an award for mumbling the most redundancies within a certain time period.

I think it’s safe to say that half-time show was not directed at my demographic.

I love to see the underdog win. I am pleased when the pundits are mistaken. I savor the moment right along with the loyal fans who have supported their team through thick and thin.

Long story short, I enjoyed Super Bowl LII.

I made reservations while the temperature outside was below freezing. Did I really want to bundle up, drive 20 miles, and see a show I knew nothing about? Never seen before? I hear it won a Tony but still . . .

I’m referring to The Drowsy Chaperone, the production currently running at Center on the Square in Searcy, Arkansas.

Is it a musical? I enjoyed several delightful songs.

Is is a comedy? In Facebook speak you might say I LOL’d.

I learned that some of my favorite actors and a talented director are doing this show. My decision to go was a no-brainer.

Last Friday: opening night with an elegant reception before curtain. That was just the first treat the audience was in for.

What a great cast was assembled for this not-very-familiar play!

Cassie Bennett and Josh Strickland showed the range of their talent moving from an irate Juror (Twelve Angry Women) and stern Dr. Cravens (The Secret Garden) to a flitty Kitty and an awesome Aldolpho.

Ellen Jones and Lauren Lawson had opportunities to exhibit their  exceptional voices.

And no one plays a spacey lady like Sally Paine.

Archie-winning director, Carla Fuller, has the ability to take a myriad of pieces and weave them into a fabulous production.

Add the multi-talented Jon Bucher as The Man in the Chair (Narrator) and you have magic.   Jon Bucher — Magic. Get it?

You have only 5 more chances to see this show! Don’ miss having your heart lifted out of the winter doldrums by this delightful play.

The Drowsy Chaperone

For dates, times, tickets, visit http://www.centeronthesquare.org.

You won’t be sorry.

Thanks to Carla Fuller for the above picture.

Mark my words, Congress will soon be forced to deal with an important issue that arose in the last session. Should women be allowed to wear sleeveless dresses in the Speaker’s Lobby? This dress code rule has been around for some time but only recently came to light, fueled by the hype that is a part of everything that comes out of Washington, D.C. Because what one wears is now a part of the whole freedom of speech thing.

In my opinion, Congress should stick to its guns (to mix constitutional amendments) and keep the dress code.

Surely, someone has said, “How you dress is how you want to be perceived.”  Congress has long had the code of “professional business attire”, hoping to convey the image to their constituents that they are serious about the debates they have and the decisions they ultimately make. If they don’t care what we think and believe their comfort is the primary concern they can wear Cargo shorts and flip flops.

I’m just saying that if Congress allows sleeveless dresses, then it won’t be long before someone will interpret that to mean tank tops. Which brings cleavage and bra straps. And when that happens … because we can’t discriminate … men will be allowed to sag their pants and show their underwear, too.

All I can think of to say to that is eeeew!