December rhymes with September

"Do you remember
The 21st night of September?
...."
OR
"Do you remember
The 25th night of December?
...."

Earth, Wind & Fire changed their hit "September" for a Christmas album.


September or December? Maybe the important word for me is remember. My memory of this last September doesn't rhyme with my December. My sad September brings me dreary December.

I had both cheers and tears for Christmas.

I did have support from the family so it was not too bad but still very different. Should I expect it to always be different? I think so. But different can still allow for joy.


Back to that Earth Wind & Fire song, someone thought they could make a Halloween version by using October.

 

 

Oh my darling

Bits of lyrical advice

It seems many of the lyrics of the classic rock songs have more meaning/messages than most lyrics today. This idea of mine is certainly biased. Accurate or not, that idea created the reason for this post.

Best case you might pick up some useful thoughts here. At least, I hope you are prompted to leave a comment.

So in no particular arrangement here are lines/phrases from my favorite lyrics: (oh with the extensive search capabilities on the web I’m sure you can find the song related to these lyrics)

 

Crossing a tree bridge

 

But it’s all right now, in fact it’s a gas
But it’s all right, I’m jumping Jack Flash

Wild thing, you make my heart sing,
you make everything groovy.

Oh, and she never gives out,
she never gives in,
she just changes her mind.

Remember what the dormouse said,
feed your head.

You can’t always get what you want,
but if you try sometime, you’ll find
you get what you need.

You can check out any time you like,
but you can never leave.

The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast

It’s not having what you want,
It’s wanting what you’ve got.

Some days I feel alright,
Some days I can’t wait until it’s night,
Some days you gotta face that light.

Don’t surround yourself with yourself.

Wildflowers don’t care where they grow.

A weema weh, a weema weh…
(ok just a catchy sound)

And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
‘Til touchdown brings me ‘round again to find
I’m not the man they think I’m at home.

You know you ain’t get younger
Your pain and your hunger are drivin’ you home
And freedom, oh freedom
Well that’s just some people talking
Your prison is walking through this world all alone

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me
And then she asks me "Do you feel all right?"
And I’ll say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight"

----------------

I’ll change this one for my blog:
You can check out any time you like,
but you can leave a comment.

Happy Father's Day

Another Father's Day.

 

They certainly mean more after becoming a father. Watching the younger fathers interact with the grandkids adds yet another dimension to the celebration.

 

I first posted a Father's Day feeling back in 2010.

 

Here's a bit of what I posted then:

I miss him.

A feeling that still surprises me because there was a period in my life which I remember well that I didn't think I would ever miss him. I was wrong.

good catch

 

(a link to that 2010 post)

 

Happy Father's Day to the dads, stepdads, single parents, and everyone who guides, educates, coaches, mentors, etc. the young people today who will be our future tomorrow.

 

Over the years, I come to realize that families are not as simple as those 1950's TV sitcoms. I believe it does take village of support to raise good citizens.

 

Enjoy and reflect on this song:

 

 

King of the Road has taken the last exit

The long and winding road has come to a dead end. Think about it. We all have a dead end at our finish line. Ok, not everyone thinks of roads. How about dots?

If you gave me all the dots I would not have time to connect them. It takes a lifetime to connect the dots. That’s ok because that last dot - it’s a killer.

I’m writing this as I try to lighten-up a bit. Our family joke teller has passed on to his next gig today. I’ve already wept a few tears earlier today so now in the spirit of his joking I strive to write a remembrance on the lighter side of life’s road (at least I'll stay out of the ditch).

Back in Aug. 2011 in MO

I think of him as King of the Road. He has had over 6000 stitches and was thought to have died many times during his years. He has totaled more vehicles, cars, motorcycles, trucks than I have ever owned. Not all the mishaps were driving related. He worked construction and has visited a few bars during his life.

I first mentioned my uncle’s approach to his finish line in a post at the end of November. Since then it’s been a quick ride with him. Some dips and dangerous curves but also many scenic views of past memories. It was an absolute joy to share jokes with our family joke teller too. Even in this last phase of his trip, he could still joke and give a smile.

Less than 24 hours before his brakes failed, he told my cousin and me this joke.

Two blondes at a bar are asked by the bartender if they are sisters.
One quickly replies, “Oh no, we are not even Catholic.”

Two of our daughters were able to visit him on different days. Being separated by a whole generation, one daughter was curious to discover more about him and asked him about his life. I jumped into the conversation by mentioning the fact that he had two marriages. Then I learned my uncle was having a good day. He was surprisingly quick to pull my unsuspecting daughter into a joke.

King: “When I was first married, I picked wild mushrooms.”
Daughter with a puzzled look.
King: “My first wife died from a poison mushroom.”
Daughter with a concerned look: “Oh my”
King: “Do you know how my second wife died?”
Daughter: “No”
King: “A head concussion. (pause) She wouldn’t eat the mushrooms!”

All three of us had a great laugh. I believe he laughed hard enough to bounce the bed.

It was great seeing him with plenty of visitors. While in hospice, he celebrated his 89th birthday. This probably helped him going.

These past five or so weeks showed me the power of humor. Sharing a laugh creates new bonds and strengthens existing bonds. My uncle provided me a lesson without knowing it.

Hospice was a good decision. I think if you are about to leave earth on a one way no return ticket then you should turn off ground control (doctors trying to save you) and share the countdown with family.

If you want background on why I consider him King of the Road check out these older posts:

first one
second one

my local universe

Wow, I almost failed in posting here during the month of November. For about three quarters of the month (BTW I encourage the use of fractions in blog posts) my wife and I were on the road again. We didn't sing the Willie Nelson song but we should have. We weren't making music but were playing music with our family and friends.

• We walked a beach.
• I splashed in the Gulf of Mexico waves.
• We held the newest baby of our extended family.
• We enjoyed a Blue Angels air show.
• We toured a house that George Washington rented once.
• We were held up in traffic jams and confused by Google map directions.
• We samples shots that tasted like pancakes (an excuse to drink before noon).
• We learned historical stories from guides and my brother-in-law.
• We played a new board game with family.

the gulf of Mexico

Garbage collection with a great attitude

Blue Angels

wildlife

shit happens

I could spend more time and come up with other memories of the trip. I don't write travelogues.

I want to move on to a sadder event this month. Like everyone's little local piece of the universe there is good and bad in it. While my local universe was offering many enjoyable moments for me, it had some serious stuff waiting for my attention.

We got a few updates on my uncle's condition during the trip. I don't know, maybe it waited for me. After we settle back in at home, we got the news that my uncle had gone into hospice.

I have posted about my king-of-the-road uncle before. link (there's a good pic of him in that older post)

He is the last of my dad’s siblings. He doesn't live too far away but now his current holding area in only about 2 miles away. He is barely holding on. I visited him twice on thanksgiving (truly, he didn't realize this gave me a reason to duck out of the crazy T-day preparations at our house). I visited with him again today. He struggles to talk but I try hard to listen and prompt him for more.

Today he told me some golfing stories involving my dad and other uncles. He getting other visitors too.

I know we can't hold off what is coming. I don't believe we ever can. He's in his upper 80's. I feel good about my visits. I noticed a little chuckle from him during one visit. I try to make him comfortable. I know I'll miss him but I try hard to be upbeat during the visits. I'm very happy he can recall memories to share.

His beard is growing. I told him he looks like Lincoln. 

Then the jagged edge appears
Through the distant clouds of tears.
I'm like a bridge that was washed away;
My foundations were made of clay.

As my soul slides down to die.
How could I lose him?
What did I try?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That he was here with me;
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

 

Contagious smiles

Breathe, breathe in the air
Don't be afraid to care
Leave, but don't leave me
Look around
Choose your own ground
Long you live and high you fly
And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be
(from Breathe by Pink Floyd)

The best of lives have a surplus of smiles. The tears you’ll cry are an essential part of the big picture but sharing smiles will wipe them away at least for awhile.

Do these lyrics provide some guidance? I think so, but you need to ponder over the ideas behind the words. Life is not so simple especially as we become adults and struggle to make our way through many obstacles and sad times. Life is simpler when we are very young and naive about problems.

Getting a child to laugh is so rewarding. Often the younger ones’ laughing spreads and those around them laugh or at least break a big smile. The simple fun of knocking over a stack of empty boxes at the library provided our granddaughter laughs. Her picture gives me a smile.

simple laughs and smiles

Two song clips for your enjoyment. First is the Pink Floyd song from their The Dark Side of the Moon album. The song starts quietly and slowly so I started it after the one minute mark (I tried but it doesn't seem to work so slide the control over past the 1 minute mark). The album's songs really should be played sequentially.

The second song is a cover of "Smile" which I learned goes back to Charlie Chaplin. I discovered this cover by Trinidad "Trini" López III on Ms. Scarlet's blog, Wonky Words.

OK Fine

Fine art, fine wine, how about a big fine.
Or consider this:
Collector of fine beer,
Collector of fine blogs,
Collector of bad questions.

Over the decades of traveling around, but often sitting at my desk, I’ve discovered many strange unusual things attract enough interest to be collected. Sure you probably heard of string being collected (hey I bet there has been a huge drop in string usage since the introduction of plastic bags but are string collectors now rich?). 

Royal wedding cake (link)

Slices of wedding cake are not on my list of collectable items. However, add celebrity or history to most anything from a strand of hair to a chair and you’ll create a collectable. Not too long ago a slice of royal wedding cake (in a very nice tin) was auctioned off to a wedding cake collector (I guess). Historical items probably are smart choice for collecting but what qualifies as historical?

I rank that last question as a good question. However, I’ve discovered that I have a talent (curse?) for bad questions.

A question even more than a statement can reveal your inner thinking. Certain situations transform into confrontation when a bad question is mistakenly voiced. Think of the bad taste of foot in mouth.

Not wondering at all is difficult but wondering while remaining silent often allows you to shift to other more promising discussions. Unfortunately, I don’t remember my own guidance in these situations. Instead I’ll drop a bad question. Really I’m not intentionally constructing a bad question. I just fail to think through how my question might be interpreted. I’ve noticed the reply to a bad question most likely is another question. Typically the question shooting back at me is “why are you asking that?” or something worst.

What starts as ping pong escalates to a explosive smart missiles with me being left with only dumb bomb questions/answers.

I need to start a collection of bad questions so that I have a list to check before acting on my wondering. I plan to become a collector of bad questions.

As Paul Simon once wrote (and sang):

I want a shot at redemption
Don't want to end up a cartoon
In a cartoon graveyard

I don’t need redemption but recognition with a side of understanding would be a good finish to a heated exchange.

Dancing (an almost non-existent skill of mine) might also improve situations. Dancing out of the way is classier than ducking.

not much here how about you?

You don't need to be directly involved in a disaster to be affected by it. I suspect most parents would understand my statement. If a disaster affects a child of yours then that disaster affects you.

Florence over stayed her visit to NC and SC recently. I found myself watching local news reports as it slowly unfolded.

All my family members living in those now very wet states are fine. Frustrated by the clean-up and disruption but fine.

I spent some time worrying about it. Thankfully it was not as bad as the possibilities that had crossed my mind.  

I didn't lose my head over it

While roads were being washed out, rivers over flowing and trees falling there, the weather around here was pleasant. We even spent an afternoon picking some apples.

more than enough to pick on this tree

Some years ago I posted a clip of the muppets singing my favorite Queen song. I enjoyed this one just as much. I've read it was a big hit in the UK.





HEY - that video did work when this was posted. It was a highly regarded ad for the British retailer John Lewis & Partners. I just don't understand the lawyers and ad industry. I would think running your ad on youtube for as long as you are in business would be smart. After some searching (I was not the only site where the video failed to play) I found a working version at least for now on twitter. I'm not even on twitter myself but they do show anyone the tweets. Try this link to watch the ad.

Memory refresh

Would you agree that personal memories increase in importance as you age?

I’m not saying past memories are more important than making new memories. It’s just that as you lose a memory you begin to hold on to the remaining ones tighter.

In my last post, Bits of Memory I listed “Blogging is useful for memories” as a blog benefit. This post will continue with that idea.

a memory of pulling a wagon

Once again my process of developing a post brings in additional ideas which modify my initial idea. I was just going to focus on one song, “Don't say you don't remember”. As I listened to the lyrics, my senior mind provided a different view of what “don’t remember” might mean.

Don't say you don't remember
I'll never love anyone else
If you say you don't remember
How can I go on living
(How can I go on living)
With myself?
When we meet you always call me "baby."
How could it be that you forgot my name?

I often complain about how easily I forget names. I’ve witness dementia wiping away the ability to recall a spouse’s name. My experience with dementia relates to my late father-in-law. The lost of his personality, good nature and eventually his identity was difficult to watch over time. A disease that destroys memories is torture.

My father-in-law could sing. I think my wife’s love of Frank Sinatra is related to her dad’s singing. (it might also relate to why she finds my singing so bad)

I’ve certainly had songs trigger memories but other things trigger them too. Smell is another trigger for me. Talking with siblings refreshes memories. Siblings can provide you the gift of a story about yourself that you don’t remember.

The sibling refresh of a memory happened to me this past week. Talking with my older sister on the phone (I sure hope future generations will realize the value of reminiscing over conversation. Reminiscing via text or blogging would not be as good) left me with a new story about my childhood.

She recalled putting me in the wagon and pulling me up to the grocery store to buy some items for mom. My job was to hold on to the bags of stuff. She said I did a good job. The store was about a half a mile away from our home. Listening to her tell the little story was a joy. I do remember the store and walking my route to go there over the years following those wagon rides.

There are many songs about remembering memories which with the suggesting of the youtube sidebar I offer you a small collection with links. My fondness for lyrics leaves me no choice but to drop some of their lyrics in this post.

Unforgettable

Unforgettable
That's what you are
Unforgettable
Tho' near or far

In my Life

There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better.
And some have gone, and some remain.

Tears On My Pillow

You don't remember me, but I remember you
'Twas not so long ago, you broke my heart in two
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
Caused by you, you

Glory Days (note song starts after about a half minute of a construction worker??)

Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye

Reflections of My Life

The changing of sunlight to moonlight
Reflections of my life
Oh how they fill my eyes

Oh yeah, the song I had originally thought would fill the post:



Well hopefully this music or idea will trigger a memory for you.

Bits of memory

For over more than a decade of blogging I’ve discovered:

• New words - I suspect I would be finding new words/terms even if I didn’t have a blog. I think the blog writing helps because while checking my spelling I’ll stumble on to new words. A recent one was “tittle”.
• I’m able to confuse myself - I’ll start out with one idea for the post and finish with unplanned thoughts only to notice the original idea is lost in the shuffle.
• Blogging is useful for memories - backing through your old postings helps recall events and there position on your life’s timeline.
• Youtube video clips are constantly busted - This is annoying. Often a post less than a year old might fail to show a youtube video that was part of the post. Who you gonna call? Tubebusters?

Grandkid pictures always lighten up the blog

I saw only the first movie in the series - didn't need more it was great

Recent headline in Chicago Tribune:

Willis Tower getting new elevators: Here are the ups and downs

Appears that a pun can still get through the editor.

Have you heard of this social site called Nextdoor? Surprisingly, I found out about the site from a postcard in my physical mailbox. It reminded me of when you joined AOL via a floppy disk that was mailed to you.

A post found on the Nextdoor social site:

Has anyone had mice exclusion done? If so, how expensive is as it? Exclusion involves sealing all entry points and fixing the gap between the garage door and the garage floor

I'm glad the Nextdoor poster explained mice exclusion. I had never heard that term before. But if the mice are excluded where to they go? to the neighbors?

Well hopefully this post vs. the original idea of getting philosophical ended up better.

 

unexpected trip

Last week I got a call from my brother who has a place in the middle of nowhere (older post about that). It's not unusual to go a few of weeks without a phone call with him.

He called with a proposal for me. Would I be interested in traveling to the middle of nowhere with him. I've enjoyed my trips over the years down there but I also like to plan my trips.

After my positive reply and a few calls the start of the trip was set for the next day. It was a short trip having the main objective of checking on his place down there.

This whole short trip turned out great. My brother is quite the story telling (that's the nice way to say it). I've been told by family that I tell a story too slow with too much detail. My brother owns that characteristic at an even higher level.

Now over the years I would guess I visited down there about 10 times. On this trip the locals still surprised me. Most of them are best neighbors you could ever find.

We had just crossed the border (it feels to me like there should a marked border there) into the area via ferry. The ferry crew knows my brother and his wife very well. After the common exchange, "how's things haven't seen you in awhile", the talk turns to this guy who got released early from prison because he was willing to wear a wire. This local guy was bad news and has been for a long time.

Some miles down what turns into a dirt road we meet a neighbor of his traveling toward us. We stop, roll truck windows (definitely truck country) down and talk. The conversation quickly goes to this wire-wearing-bad dude.

It might have been during this longer conversation that I learned of another local crime story. Guy who runs a the only pizza place for miles has been busted by the feds for tax evasion. The guy is scheduled to show up at federal prison soon.

Now we decided to get some of this pizza one night. The business will probably be sold but for now the guy's family is still running it.

We walk in and there are a few customers but it's mostly empty. It is winter and there's little going on around the lake (except for crimes I guess). Well look who comes in? The fed-busted guy. We have never met but he knows my brother.

Surprising to me, he sits down at our table. Not too many sentences into the conversation he starts telling his tale. Much of it has to do with his ideas of who was out to get him.

After at least an hour of talk, we left. I told my brother that I was shocked that he shared all that detail about this with customers. He certainly didn't know me. I could have been a fed.

Just one more crime story - we stopped at the local store and post office. Very interesting place. For those of you who can remember Mayberry R.F.D., it could have been used as a set piece. One difference is this place is not a R.F.D. because you need to drive in to pick up your mail.

Of course you can rent P.O. boxes at most every post office. I just don't know how many still have a local postmaster handing your mail to you.

Before we left the store/post office, I learned that someone tried to break into it last month. Luckily they failed but did set off an alarm and damaged a door.

typically can't see the lake in summer

While I still am not planning to join the twitter "space", I do enjoy clever funny tweets. I found this one on the Chicago Tribune site.

Winnie the Pooh is an addict who doesn't wear pants and lives in the woods. 
If he were a person, he'd be the first suspect in every crime. 

Hey how about something not at all related to this post? Here's an unexpected version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" - enjoy -

I'm all shook up

That stomach flu monster visited me last night. Feeling a bit better now. I don't need to hang out on the bathroom floor anymore. I just want to share an update text I sent our daughter who recently had it along with her husband and 6yr old.  (worse situation than mine)

the virus keeps changing hence the variety of colors

Here's my text:

Just now I found my old iPod nano. The second song to play (no joke) was Elvis All Shook Up which I had been. Hopefully not to jinx it but think the worst is over
Well Bless a my soul what's wrong with me?

Well my hands are shaking and my knees are weak. I can't seem to stand on my own two feet

This certainly was not funny during the worst of it. After I rested a bit in bed and canceled my toilet bowl reservations, I found the song funny. I had grabbed my old Ipod just for something to distract me from those unpleasant concerns. When that song started playing I knew I had to share my odd moment.

After I shared my flu moment over the sterile internet I started thinking of other possible flu related tunes. (this should be of little surprise to regular readers which I wish I had been, regular that is)

A long, long time ago...
If you can still remember
How that pie used to make you smile.

You might sing “bye bye American pie”.

At one point I seriously started losing my religion. Now have I said too much?

While hanging out in the bathroom in between “sessions” the Clash song, Should I Stay or Should I Go, came to mind.


There are many songs that refer to shaking and fever. With a bit of stretch you could even change a few words to "A Hard Day's Night" which I had.

Maybe I’m Amazed when I think back during the worst of it and realize how much better one can feel later. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (maybe funnier too but I have not heard that) Maybe I’m Amazed this flu provided a post and you have read this far. Please share any song suggestions and Good Health to all of you.

I’m startled

I really don’t understand why but I seem to get startled more now than ever. Often jumpy but I can’t jump worth a damn, just dead on my feet.

Oh, one more thought on “jump”. I have an aversion to the idea of “jump to it.”

We have a granddaughter (just turned 5) who gets a great thrill from surprising papa. A couple of weeks ago she was visiting here. I had gone upstairs to use the bathroom. I’m not sure how long she waited outside the door in the dark hallway. She truly shocked me when I opened the door. There has been times when I acted shocked but that time it was real and I think she knew it.

Just a short post today. Enjoy this clip of a guy with very strong reactions to surprise.

more art than ad

Sometimes it's ponies and puppy dogs. Other ones employ clever relatable situations. Many can be very funny. I do enjoy good ads. However, I'll mute or change the channel on most ads.

remember the funny ads this toddler did?

Yesterday I found a very moving emotional ad. Actually after doing a bit researching I discover the ad apparently is a "spec" ad that two students hope to sell. Since they focused on a well known global company, Johnnie Walker, I just thought it was developed by a contracted ad agency. Perhaps because it was created by new talent it was so good.

No matter, I've watched it a number of times because each time it reminds of strong family bonds.

I recommend you give it a look and listen.

Cool my demons and walk with me brother until our roads lead us away from each other
And if your heart’s full of sorrow, keep walking
Don’t rest
And promise me from heart to chest to never let your memories die
Never
I will always be alive and by your side in your mind
I’m free.

My searching for the words (poem) used in the ad lead me to this article, brandchannel.  There you'll find that the poem was written by the narrator (John ‘Bang’ Reilly) in collaboration with the ad creators. Also the full text of the poem is included in the article.

preschool cook

I gather from FB postings that this idea of asking preschoolers questions and writing down their thoughtful naive answers is becoming popular.

This idea is not that new. The radio and TV personality, Art Linkletter had a popular segment in his show called, "Kids Say the Darndest Things". I remember watching a few episodes as a kid myself.

Our 4year old preschool granddaughter gave this answer to the question, "How to cook a turkey". Fun assignments in preschool.

she drew a better table setting than I set

This idea had me off watching a few old Art Linkletter clips on youtube. Most of them were the same one copied over and over. Many had terrible sound issues. I finally found this interview of Art by Larry King that includes many kid interviews. Also, you learn a bit about Art Linkletter.  Enjoy

wavy red white and blue

My wife, Mary, heard about this display but all she would tell me was that we were going to take a short ride to see something. I was surprised. I didn't expect our destination had anything to do with Veteran's Day. 

A hill of flags. It was windy today. Flags and wind do go together don't you think?

I believe we captured this hill

one of me at the bottom of the hill

It was nice to visit this before the official opening which I believe is tomorrow. Then there will be another ceremony on Veteran's Day. No crowd today.

how did I end up in a parade

First there needs to be a parade. July 4 provides many opportunities.

I’m not a big fan of parades. I don’t care for crowds. Often it has rained on my parade (or snowed).

I guess I need (you might not need this incentive) a smiling little granddaughter who had her mom (our daughter) decorated her wagon with the red, white and blue.
I also had back-up support from another daughter (little one's favorite aunt I've heard).

I don’t run but I don’t mind some walking. Pulling a granddaughter who is enjoying waving to everyone was not work, just fun. She got out and walked a few blocks of it too. She definitely scored high in the waving category.

check the blog header - it's easy to pick me out

jump

Having a good jump can make you a winner in many sports. That good jumping talent skipped over me. I need a plane ticket to get airborne.

not this type of jump

But there’s that another type of jump. The one if you have it has other people calling you jumpy. I’ve have many experiences of this uncontrollable quick reaction to a surprise shock. I suspect the catch your breath, open your eyes, sudden stop in your tracks events can be traced back to our prehistoric ancestors. I’ve notice some in my family being more prone to this jumpiness than most.

She-who-reads-more-on-FB found this clip of one jumpy guy. Oh I happen to share his cursing trait.

It’s a short clip. Watch it, then jump down to the comment section.

breaking news - potential danger alert

Hmm, I know if I took more time that post title could be vastly improved. However alerts always have a time element to them. Last season’s tornado warnings, blizzard condition warnings, and two-for-one beer specials don’t matter much after their time is over. So I’m going ahead with this alert in spite of the non attention grabbing title. Ok, I added “breaking news” to the title. Breaking news is so overused it should be banned from TV.

(Note: Oh yeah, I’m not authorized to speak publicly on this matter. Of course, I will anyway to anyone who would like to listen.)

Well don’t jump to conclusions or to the bottom of the post before you read completely through my short list of reasons for why I’m alerting you to this important potential danger found in most developed countries. Hopefully this alert will increase your awareness assuming you have not clicked away already. The next step could be a campaign (Americans are conditioned to be in constant campaign mode these days) to better regulate these dangerous devices.

My reasons why action is needed to better control these dangerous devices:

• According to the World Health Organization, the United States leads the world in deaths by users of these devices.
• Most of these deaths happen at 10 feet or less.
• I had often thought of getting one for home use but now being older I’m no longer even tempted to buy one. Who knows, had I owned one years ago I might not be here today.
• Back when I was much younger I was almost injured because of unstable conditions often caused by these devices.
• Over the past decade, the number of related deaths have tripled.
• Children often are attracted to them, resulting in serious injury.
• Don’t misunderstand, I believe they are needed, I just feel they should be controlled and used by trained professionals. Many homeowners buy them because they feel the need to take matters into their own hands. Too many of these homeowners are unstable, resulting in serious injury.
• The professionals often mount them to their trucks for quick access. I wonder how many are stolen and used in crimes.
• Lastly, the event that really brought my attention to this matter: My own brother (who as a professional has owned and used these dangerous devices safely) has now mounted one to his all-terrain-vehicle. It just looks like an accident waiting to happen.

found in the Ozark back woods

We need to better control of extension ladder use in this country!

Perhaps my brother’s many days spent in the wild woods of the ozarks has influenced his thinking. Please report any all-terrain-vehicles with mounted extension ladders at your next two-for-one beer special. Thanks for your attention to this matter.