Ohio lost a native son who was a statesman an American hero at age 95. John Glenn is one of the original Mercury astronauts who became the first American to orbit our planet, then went on to be a respected US Senator representing my state for 4 terms, a presidential candidate, the oldest person in space, a fighter pilot, and all around good guy. In the famous words spoken by fellow astronaut Scott Carpenter just before Glenn’s historic launch, “Godspeed, John Glenn.”
The Kennedy Center Honors event was recently held, so mark your calendars for the televised event – Tuesday, December 27th, 9-11 pm (Eastern US) on CBS. To me, it’s one of the best entertainment shows of the year.
The demands on the handbell choir during the holiday season continues this weekend. Veni (by Jason Krug) is an interesting twist on a popular carol … just click to listen.
Despite President Obama’s effort, I overcame his obstacles and found my Spumoni ice cream.
Some of you may remember the use of wine corks in our home. Meanwhile, this 1+ minute video offers some clever uses for wine corks.
Even though we didn’t know any of the songs from the musical, we watched Hairspray Live. We were surprised by the quality of Dancing With the Stars’ Derek Hough’s voice. Jennifer Hudson and Kristen Chenoweth delivered impressive performances.
I’m still getting some hours at the golf course; therefore causing me to wonder about the ones playing on cold days.
I worry about the Bengals playing the winless Browns this weekend.
Embed from Getty ImagesPresident-Elect Trump talks about unifying a divided America, yet several of his Cabinet nominees promote division.
Early in the week I heard only bits of an interview that I imagine I would have greatly enjoyed hearing it in its entirety. I found the author’s 3 categories of voters quite amusing: Hobbits, Hooligans, and Vulcans. Here’s a book review.
The fake news story and the subsequent event about Hillary Clinton running a child sex ring out of a popular Washington pizza restaurant was too weird on multiple levels.
A tip of the cap to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) 7-minute tribute from the Senate floor to Vice-President Joe Biden (D-DE). See it here.
President Obama’s Five Faults of the Week
President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominations
Ridership of Cincinnati’s new streetcar being less than projected
Tiger Woods not winning his return tournament
Republicans being divided on what to do with the Affordable Care Act
Possibility of Kim and Kanye divorcing
To lead you into this week’s dose of satirical headlines, here’s an actual headline from The New Yorker that is very Onion-esque: Ben Carson warns that the Bible makes no mention of housing or urban development … that is just too good because President-elect Trump selected Dr. Carson to be in his cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Weekly Headlines from The Onion (combos welcome)
Banana still most popular fruit for pretending to make a phone call
Broken ornament relegated to lonely existence on side of tree facing wall
Divorced friend burning through hobbies at unsustainable rate
Man had no idea cough was going to be a wet one
Oprah purists prefer original British version
Interesting Reads
Pearl Harbor myths?
Magic mushrooms
A look back at the first Rocky movie
Life under the ice
(Video) Black hole eating a galaxy
(Photos) Images capturing beauty across Great Britain
Here’s a 2-fer to lead you into the weekend: hits from two recent Kennedy Center Honors recipients. Hope all is well with you, and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
The story I love most about John Glenn is that he was married to his childhood sweetheart for 73 years and his wife never replaced her 125.00 engagement ring. That says all you need to know about the man
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George,
Absolutely … and he remained close to home! Definitely a class act. Could have been president if his personality was a bit more lively.
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I watched and was inspired by all of Glenn’s launches. I was in DC on a private tour in the mid-1980s with our host Rep. Dennis Hastert. (yes, that one) We boarded the Capitol Subway train that goes quickly between office buildings. In the next car was John Glenn. He didn’t notice me. But, I remember seeing him with a clear memory to this day. He lived a full life and gave his all.
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Jim,
Now that’s a fabulous story … many thanks for sharing. I can’t recall ever seeing him. On the other hand, our state has honored his name in various places as schools, highways, airport, museums, etc … so I can get those unexpected reminders.
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So many great uses for wine corks, I may just need to start drinking more wine.
And, Frank, that “Onion-esque” headline about Ben Carson is satire, not an actual news story. 🙂
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X,
LMAO … Damn … they tossed the baited hook and I bit. 🙂
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Great thoughts in this posts, aFrank. The John Glenn info is primo. May he RIP.
On board with you on Derek and the Hairspray gang. Gosh … I love broadway theater. ❤️
It’s another favorite thing to do on my cruises. 🛥
Here’s a trip down memory lane. “White Christmas” 1954 Bing Crosby & Danny Kaye
Now, I’ve got to go and eat some parmegianno reggiano with a glass of vino – @8:30a.m.😳
I need to have more corks for all of those projects. Great hints …
Have a wonderful Friday, Isadora 😎
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Isadora,
Oh my … thanks for the White Christmas throwback!
In terms of John Glenn, he’s not only a hero, but a class act! Being in the his state gives me more information about him because it’s definitely news. I’m planning a post on him on the day of his funeral.
So you are dipping into cheese and wine in the early morning … sounds like a good plan!
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Trusting your recommendation, on Dec. 27 from 9-11 pm I will forgo watching the National Funding Holiday Bowl (Minnesota vs. Washington State) and the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl (Boise State vs. Baylor) in lieu of the Kennedy Center Honors on CBS.
In honor of John Glenn I’m doubling down on my determination to remain alive long enough to watch (live) the launch of the first manned mission to Mars.
To protest your questioning of golfers who play in cold weather I’m lowering my golfing high temperature threshold of 39 degrees (with no wind) to 38.
A splat from “Broken ornament relegated to lonely existence on side of tree facing wall.”
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Tim,
Always good to know the occurrence of a splat. In terms of the Kennedy Center Honors, I have recommended the show on these pages for several years. By the way – I’m not protesting golfers braving the cold – only questioning their choices.
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Great post, Frank. God Speed John Glenn indeed. My combo which is Obama’s fault. Banana still unsustainable British version
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John,
So much to be said about John Glenn … being in his state, we are getting a lot of stories …. so I’m hoping to have a post on the day of his funeral. …. Meanwhile, unsustainable bananas are unquestionably Obama’s fault!
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Yup. I knew that. I would even go so far as say bananas are his fault.
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Especially because they become overripe so fast!
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What’s up with those brown spots? 😀
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Exactly!
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I love these posts, Frank! I saw that cork video on Facebook and so wanted to send it to you! I should have known it would land in your grasp! Lovely story on John Glen. STILL playing golf? You’d freeze your buns off here…
Banana divorced ornament for wet, British Oprah.
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Dale,
Facebook is where my wife saw the video, so she brought it to my attention. Regarding golf … oh no … I’m not playing, but still getting some hours at the course, so I see those who come to play in the elements (while I stay warm). Hmmm … a banana ornament choice of married or divorced is an interesting thing to ponder.
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Ha ha ha!!!
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I heard the news about John Glenn while I was listening to NPR in the car yesterday. He was a true hero.
I also look forward to the televised Kennedy Center Honors show. It should be great. I can’t imagine what the next four will be like.
I also enjoyed “Hairspray,” except for the all the breaks. (But I only watched part of it live, so I fast forwarded through the breaks when I watched the second half. :)) The storyline seems particularly relevant these days.
My husband’s retirement job is at a golf course–he does work outside, and he was golfing a few days ago. The course is open all year, but he is only allowed to work for six months at a time, so he won’t be there for most of the winter.
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I had this insane urge to bake cookies today. I went out and bought ingredients.
My mother-in-law told me the following story.
John Glenn went up in a spaceship rocket, as I began to make cookie dough. By the time I pulled the first batch out of the oven, he had gone around the world.
I will never forget this re-encounting, or my beloved mother-in-law who was interred in a camp in Canada during WWII.
I only believe in love and peace.
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Resa,
Wow … that is a great story by your mom … simple, but a great perspective! Meanwhile, I had no idea Canada had internment camps in WW2. 😦 …. and the fact that you know someone had went through that, which I imagine has had a profound influence on your worldview. Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome, Frank! She was a young Japanese Canadian girl.The entire story is devastating. I know America had these camps as well.
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A sad history for both of our countries. With her so young, did she understand then?
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No. She was haunted to the end.
I fear something like this is near, again.
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Oh my … sad … and yes, (sad to say) I can see it happening again. After all, generations don’t seem to learn from historical mistakes.
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Generations are more people being born, living, dying and born.. Intellectuals with heart own the mistakes.
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Also, I am a clumsy fool, who tries and fails, often.
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But all of us fail a lot. Then again, failure can be a good learning experience in itself.
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True! Your comment gives me heart! TY, Frank!
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Thanks … besides, a mistake is only when one does it a second time. 😉
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Okay! Yet, I still make mistakes. Frank I believe we have many differences, yet I know we have an intellectual & heart bond. I am very happy to have met you! ❤
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Thanks … and you are a gem!
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U 2!
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John is a huge fan of John Glen. We were planning a trip to Venice that would coincide with Glen’s return to space, so John was hesitating.
“Don’t worry,” I assured him. “We’ll be able to find a hotel lobby with it on CNN.”
So off we went to Venice.
The time was approaching for the launch and we went to a few places looking for TVs with CNN. None. Zip.
So we went to Harry’s Bar, and I tried to communicate with the bartender.
“TV? Space Launch?”
“We’ve got lots of space ,” he said motioning the bear empty bar. With no TV.
We gave up.
John saw the launch yesterday.
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Elyse,
LOL … now that’s a great story. We’ve had some wonderful articles here over the past few days. Here’s the link to a search on our newspaper’s site. … so please pass this along to John. http://www.cincinnati.com/search/John%20Glenn/
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John Glenn lived a full life…and our lives are all the better for his having done so. The banana remains my go-to-fruit when faking a phone call…I can’t imagine a close second. The wife and I have found a few broken or otherwise discarded ornaments in our workplaces over time and committed to rehab-ing them – they now all have a second life on our trees each year. The Bengals couldn’t lose to the Browns…could they? We’ve had a few golfers at the nearby course even up until yesterday…when Winter paid an early visit. Wind chills in the teens kept everyone on the 19th hole.
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Bruce,
The Bengals could absolutely lose to the Browns … especially because that’s a venue they struggle. Plus, it simply has been one of those years.
The hardy nature of some golfers must be in a second golf gene … I only got the first one. Glad to know you are becoming an ornament rehab specialists. Could be a future show on HGTV.
John Glenn had some life. Wow … yet the man remained gracious and humble. I will have a post on him on the day of his funeral. Cheers to the Banana phone.
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John Glenn led an incredible life. Few will ever come close to all he accomplished.
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Karen,
Incredible life indeed. Our local paper was had at least an article a day (sometimes more) since Friday – which has been fantastic. They provide a great choice of adjectives describing him … I’ve been collecting them, so will post them soon.
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So much chewy reading here, great diverse topics, Frank. It still stuns me that the same technology which brought us space travel and heroes like Glenn, offer us the Kardashian clan. *shaking head* we can’t close that door – too late 😦
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Roxie,
A variety of stuff is one of the reasons I like this series … simply something for everyone. Meanwhile, great perspective of comparing Glenn and the Kardashians!
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“Lonely Oprah relagated to facing a wall for pretending to make a broken British man a burning, wet banana.” (I’ve still GOT it.)
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John,
No question … you still have the touch. Besides, you can’t go wrong with a burning wet banana.
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