SMUL MRSE ...---...

I WAS THINKING ABOUT TEXTING. It is interesting that the technology of 1837 has come back to visit us today. I remember sending telegraph messages and operating a Morse Code key in my youth (Ham Radio). All those dots and dashes. Economy of words was important since they charged you by the word and you used all sorts of abbreviations... i don't remember CU, WTF, LOL, or BFF but I am sure there were equivalent ways of saying a whole sentence in one word. The young people of today have no idea what I am talking about and I am sure they never saw a Western Union Man walk down the street to deliver a cryptic message of seven words sent by telegraph. They have some idea of message size limitations because many current options limit you to 140 words and texting has a language all its own so that you can say nothing in fewer words. So here's another example of "Back to the Future" or the more things change, the more they remain the same.

SETTING SUN

I still get up at 5 am but it is not as bright out as it used to be last month. June 21st, the Summer Solstice, was our longest day. Sunsets are still the great miracle they always are but in August, they appear earlier.

I heard that we are supposed to have a unique astronomical event on the 27th of August. We allegedly will see two moons in the early morning sky. Actually there is only one moon but the other nearby large round object would be Mars. I checked this out online and it seems that this is one of those great Urban Legends, like Alligators in the Subway. So, don't bother setting your clock. The only two moons you will see will be if the drawstring on your pajamas gets untied. Go back to bed.

Anyhow, we have been up here in Nantucket for way longer than I thought I could "tolerate." It's been almost 3 months. We had a brief visit home and to Miami, several welcome visits to the island by friends and relatives who spent a week or so, but generally we have been on our own, not counting the daily visits to the grand babies. Without Jennie and Mark and the kids, it would not be the same. We move in different circles and have some friends in common. I must know 100 people here that I see regularly on the street, at the Wharf Rat Club, of socially. Nobody rises to those friends in Sarasota that we have missed so much (the only real downside to our summer here) but there are some really sincere and interesting folks on Nantucket who are more than superficial acquaintances. There is a strong chance that we will return here again next year and I look forward to rekindling these new friendships.

Well, the Kitty has arisen, the scrambled eggs with cheese are cooking in the frying pan at our North Beach mansion and after this fine and yummy treat, I am off to spend an hour or two at the Wharf Rat Club this Saturday morning. C U tomorrow.

ONCE A DOCTOR, ALWAYS A DOCTOR

A physician—also known as doctor of medicine, medical doctor, or simply doctor—practices the ancient profession of medicine, which is concerned with maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease or injury. This properly requires both a detailed knowledge of the academic disciplines (such as anatomy and physiology) underlying diseases and their treatment—the science of medicine—and also a decent competence in its applied practice—the art or craft of medicine.

Both the role of the physician and the meaning of the word itself vary significantly around the world, but as generally understood, the ethics of medicine require that physicians show consideration, compassion and benevolence for their patients.

Life is short, and Art long;
the crisis fleeting; experience perilous, and decision difficult.
The physician must not only be prepared to do what is right himself,
but also to make the patient, the attendants, and externals cooperate.
—First aphorism of Hippocrates, c. 400 BCE

(TAKEN FROM WIKIPEDIA)

Oh. to be JUNG again

Among the classic Jungian archetypes is the "Wise Old Man." The WOM is a philosopher whose life experiences, wisdom, and insight grant him sound judgement. A kind understanding mentor who tells stories that hopefully will provide guidance to those younger and less experienced in the ways of the world. There are many examples in literature from Merlin to Obe Wan Kenobe or Yoda.

In psychology, he is known as SENEX (the word means older, not senile) and is the opposite of the Puer Aeternus (the perpetual child). Many older folks, some of whom might be your relatives, like to think of themselves as wise and scholarly, willing to mentor, and overflowing with "just the right story" to prove a point...like a parable from the Bible. Alas, in our American society, the Senex, is not even a close second to Linsey Lohan on the influential scale. We worship the young and the advice they have to give, that comes from nowhere. We have those great philosophers... Robert Pattison, Miley Cyrus, and Barack Obama . Every time I turn on my computer and go to Comcast.com...I get to select a video on FanCast of something earthshaking that is happening in our world... like Jennifer Aniston is going to have a baby but she does not need a "man" in her life (well maybe for a few moments). If this is what passes of wisdom in our world, then we are truly F'd. Like fruit, there is an expiration or "best-if-used-by" date on the WOM resource. Sometimes wisdom disappears and is replaced by rigidity and repetition. So, if you have one of these guys in your life, taste of the wisdom while it is ripe, and don't wait until Senex is overtaken by Senility. On the good side, when a WOM is included in society or family life, the fruit stays fresh longer.

BEAUTY is more than SKIN DEEP

The number one most common Tattoo is Harley Davidson. More people have permanently inked the H-D logo to their skin that any other American symbol. That is because there are so many dyed-in-the-wool Harley Riders out there. There are not that many members of the Wharf Rats, a very special club in Nantucket. But, that does not make them any less rabidly proud of their club. A member, and friend, who is the daughter of an artist, and a bit of a flower child, has had tattoos ever since I have known her...on her ankle and her foot. She arrived this morning on the dock sporting this new tattoo. It is the official flag (Burgee) of the Wharf Rats. It demonstrates her commitment to the club. There were a few raised eyebrows and a couple of questions especially from an Admiral (member) who still has a great deal of military bearing. But I think it's great. I don't think I will ever have a tattoo...for two reasons...I probably will be allergic to the ink, and I really can't think of anything I care enough about except my family, to have it tattooed on my skin forever. I just might just get a Henna one of something...maybe a Kitty.

WAILING WALL

A newspaper reporter was watching "visitors" to the Wailing Wall in preparation for an article she was writing. Every day she saw the same man go up to the wall and wedge a small piece of paper into a crevice in the wall. He would pray a few moments and then leave. She watched him do this for several weeks. One day, she decided to ask him what he was doing. He said "I am writing prayers and requests on these little bits of paper and leaving them in the wall." She asked "And have your prayers been answered?" He said..."No. It's like talking to an F'ing wall."

I checked my Blog for comments for the past month and have concluded that writing a Blog is "Like talking to an F'ing wall." If you read this, at least phone or write me an e-mail if you do not wish to post a comment.

The GREAT Half-White HOPE

The great One Term Wonder is in deep water. Even the liberal Democrats have turned their back on him because he is "not liberal enough." Republicans have always found him to be an empty suit, and now the "Independents" are Rushing to the Right. Unless the Republicans "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" by promoting and eventually electing through the primary process their candidate, one in the mold of McCain or Dole...someone who is propped up and feeble. Being of Medicare age myself, I do understand that wisdom can come with age and experience, but senility and rigidity also do, along with their traveling companion "senior moments".

Please, you Republicans out there, make your nominee for president someone who is non-controversial, non-senile, and in step with the 21st century, not someone who can't figure out how to turn on a computer, not to mention being familiar with the terms Google, Facebook, MySpace, and whose musical tastes on an iPod (if they know how to use one) did not stop with Tommy Dorsey.

ABO (anyone but Obama) will win in 2012 if that anyone is intelligent and mainstream. Just keep it simple...some middle aged white guy who has a Blackberry and held a responsible job like Governor and has not written anything that could paint him as a nut-job. The Republicans can't lose against the awful record of Obama and his complete disregard for the will of the average American...unless the GOP resurrects some re-tread old geezer war-hero like they did twice before. My God, there has to be someone out there who can stand without tipping over, use both arms, and operate electronics. I think Romney fits the bill. He's nothing special but he is not going to go out of his way to HARM America the way our current president is Hell bent on doing. And that's what the people want.