Post 158: TULSA A HUNDRED YEARS LATER

Tonight I dreamt of Tulsa

Understanding it less and less

Loss of life because of hatred, jealousy, and fear

So many African American lives, businesses, futures, and families destroyed

America is supposed be the home of the brave

America is supposed to be a land of freedom from persecution

How could this happen in America?

Unknown  the names of all the lost

Night filled with the sound of screams and planes dropping bombs on the innocent

Dreams destroyed along with Black Wall Street

Remember, remember, remember

Everyone dreams

Dreams are the way to deal with the past and plan for the future

You can honor the forgotten

Every year on the anniversary and if taught in school

Action and compassion

Rebirth and rebuild

Some day is today

Let

America be a light onto all the other nations

Take responsibility for our history and don't accept hate in any shape or form

Each day is precious as all lives are and never forget the past

Remember the Alamo, remember the Maine, remember Tulsa, learn from their pain

Post 157: Memorial Day

I did not attend the Memorial Day parade,

But it wasn’t because I had nothing to say.

It wasn’t because I did not believe,

It wasn’t because I did not value their deeds.

I had something instead that I needed to do,

I have some memories of my own if you want to know the truth.

I have made mistakes and blunders, and have ill spoken words,

I have hurt others, and made many things worse.

On Memorial Day when many mourn and feel blue,

Remember the person who is gone, their deeds, and what they mean to you.

Never let memories of them grow stagnant or old,

Because the world can still be beautiful, and their story must be told.

A dream realized is a dream no more,

And memories can be pleasant or be quite sore.

What we do with thoughts will determine our way,

Our memories guide us, but we have the final say.

I did not attend the Memorial Day parade,

But now that it’s over I wish that I came.

I wish that my thoughts could be filled with good cheer,

I wish that my life could be lived without fear.

The band played on,

The Merchant Marines proudly marched,

Time moved on,

And so have my thoughts.

Post: What not to say at a memorial

When my brother Bruce and I visited Hawaii with our family a few years ago, we had the opportunity of experiencing the big island and Oahu.  It was a great trip.  I loved walking the crater at Volcanoes National Park, staying in a rainforest, snorkeling, horseback riding, and just relaxing after my trip to Central Asia.  I wish I could have a house in Hawaii someday, and perhaps someday I will.

We also had a chance to visit Pearl Harbor.  Interestingly, we walked around  inside and outside the The Arizona, the ship where the Japanese surrendered. We were there  on the anniversary of their surrender.   There were American flags everywhere and I was told, a huge group of press in attendance earlier in the day during the ceremony.

In addition, we saw the memorial to the Missouri.  The memorial is in the water above the wreckage of the destroyed ship.   I was annoyed that some  tourists were making smiley faces in the memorial and flashing peace signs, and I felt they should be a bit more respectful considering there were many Americans who died underneath the waters.  Perhaps I was a being a bit sensitive, but I felt anyone at a memorial should be more aware.  You never know whose family member perished during the attack.

There were also droplets of oil that still leak up to the surface even more than fifty years later.  Some people have asked why they don’t plug up the holes, but it is a reminder of the destruction and loss of life. and to never forget our soldiers sacrifice.

Before we actually got to the Missouri however, we all saw a brief film at the Pearl Harbor museum which is on shore.  My brother Bruce and I were both wearing US Marine hats, and an Asian tour guide  possibly Japanese-American took a liking to us, and told us the dumbest questions any tourist has ever asked him.

“What did they they say?” I asked the man.

“Well,” he began. “One person asked, ‘Why don’t they move the memorial closer to Waikiki beach so it will be more convenient for the tourists.’ “

“They didn’t realize that people died there, and it would involve desecrating a grave.” He informed us.

“Wow.” I simply said.

“And that’s not even the worst one,” he began.  “The dumbest thing any tourist asked me was, ‘After we see the Missouri and the Arizona, can you show us where the Japanese dropped the atomic bomb?’ “

“I was so angry,” he told us. “That I squeezed my hands into tight fists and told my co-worker to answer their question  and I stormed off.”

Bruce and I were shocked and amazed.  We thanked the guide for his patience and help, and shook his hand in appreciation.

I turned to Bruce and said, “ A lot of ignorant people out there, and to think their vote counts the same as mine.”

“Yes,” Bruce replied. “That’s what it’s like to live in a free country. We have to take the good with the bad, the smart and the dumb, and people from all walks of life.  Our diversity makes us great, freedom of speech, freedom from tyranny.”

“And vacations are vacation from everything else,” I said.  “Freedom from work, freedom from our diets, and a time to get away from a few of the misinformed for a while.”

Bruce nodded in agreement, and we headed to see the Missouri.

Life Lesson 66: It’s important to learn tolerance, but even more valuable to learn acceptance of others.  That some people will always be foolish, but It is equally to try and change them. Instead just chalk it up to ignorance.  Also, remember to learn the lessons of history so we don't repeat them.

Post 155: Do you know brave?

Do you know brave? 

I think I might, 

I don’t think it’s me, 

At least not every night. 

I see it in the soldiers, 

The FDNY, 

The police when called to a scene, 

And doctors, nurses, and EMT’s when saving lives.

There are people coping with corona, 

Or the loss of a home, 

Children with a terrible illness, 

And those who now live alone. 

But here too at a bagel store,

Located on L.I. turnpike, 

I think I see it also, 

By everyday people living their lives. 

I see it in the one-legged girl who talks about science, and laughs as if nothing’s wrong, 

The 95 year-old World War Two veteran who reads his kindle and stumbles along, 

Both are friendly and going about their day, 

You never hear any excuses coming their way. 

The special needs woman or man who probably works harder than I ever can.

They feel glad to be working, 

Appreciate that they were given a chance, 

Shows us that pre-judging is wrong, 

And that we all can advance. 

Too often we look on the wrong side of life, 

While others live by example, 

It’s something we should all try. 

So instead of staring or saying ill spoken words, 

Learn from their examples, 

Appreciate the diverse. 

You can be brave, too you don’t always need to cry, 

Face your troubles head-on,

Are you ready to try?

 

Post 153: Moments

 

They can fill us with pride

Or burn us from inside

The things that we remember 

The things that we did

Can haunt our time awake

And make us feel less big

I can't take it back

I can't change the past

And every time I drive by where we met

All I can do is ask

Will you ever forgive me?

Do you I know I regret it every day?

It was a lapse of judgement I promise

That's all I can tell you

That's all I can say

How can I atone for the sins of the past?

How can I right the wrong

Move the stone, fill the jug

How long will this guilt last?

I never confessed to a priest

because that's not what we do

I don't know that I need to

I don't know how to tell the truth

And now that I am older

And ready to right the wrong

If only I could tell you I'm sorry

If only I could sing this song

So listen to this tale of woe

Listen to what I have to say

Learn from my mistakes

Learn to do the right

Every single day

Post 152: BLM What does it all mean?

 

BLM what does it all mean?

It means equality

And not some idle dream.

I see men and women 

From different walks of life.

I see them marching together

To make our world finally right.

I see people protesting

And often filled with rage,

I see their signs

I feel their anguish,

I hear their sadness, and their pain.

Black men and women killed without regard

Shot, tasered, stepped on, and on, and on, and on.

When will it end this madness and degradation?

When will African Americans finally be treated with respect,

And not the victims of intimidation.

The police are not the enemy they risk their lives every day,

But their bad apples destroy their soul,

And I how I wish their could be change.

Innocent people murdered is a cancer and a threat to the soul of our nation too

It must me cured, 

It must be treated,

There must something we can do?

It's not too late to raise our voices. The president is different and not indifferent to the causes.

Shout out BLM

To all that will hear.

Ring out the bells

It's time.

It's time.

For equality, non-violence, and freedom from fear.

Post 151: The slow way is often the best way

 

Today I drove my mother to get her nails done. My sister wanted to treat her for her birthday. My mom is turning 85 next week.  Where does the time go? It got me thinking about time and life.  It occurred to me that  when we rush though life or are distracted for example eating very fast and watching TV we miss out on the taste and enjoyment of our food and neglect our family and meaningful conversation.  Also, my whole family seems to inevitably choke on food from time to time and I firmly believe that if we all slowed our eating down and not talked at the same time it wouldn't happen as often.  In addition, they often say it takes 30 minutes to tell if you are full, so maybe if all slowed down we would also eat less and be healthier overall.

On the way to nail salon I decided to take the Long Island Expressway (LIE) service road.  Today was a sunny May day and my mother after a short while began to sleep.  I had the air conditioner on low and had the songs of Peter, Paul, and Mary's greatest hits on in the background. It almost seemed like a meditative moment and I cried a bit, because this was a precious time for me. I don't know how many more times I can do this. Who really knows how much time we have.  Jim Croce talked about Time in a Bottle. If only life were so simple.

I actually got to the nail salon one hour early. My mother with all her great strengths like being the worlds best schmoozer (She really should run for mayor of our town)  takes forever to get out of the house.  My father used to say she was always "Potchkeying". Meaning she really took her time and was often late.  He would frequently tell her that an airplane flight was at 11:00 when it really was at 12:00 because he knew she was always tidying up...and needed the extra time. Today I told her appointment was at 4 when it really was 4:30. Well we had enough time to have a healthy Greek lunch and she had a great experience getting all glammed up with my sister. She really deserves to pampering, because I don't think she would do it on our own.

Driving back home after the the nail appointment we picked up some Japanese food and headed to our local favorite park Stepping Stone, but they were about to close so we ended up eating at home instead and watched  old Star Trek episodes.  Pretty relaxing for me but you cant beat having a picnic dinner at the park with good food and watching a sunset. Sometimes the moments at the park watching the sunset, water or just spending time soaking up the sun is the only time we venture out.  Our park is definitely a delight.  But obviously we are not the only ones who feel this way.  It seems that taking a break like the way that many religions such as the 7th day Adventists, Jews, Muslims, etc. A day off to reconnect can slow down our pace, and perhaps appreciate life, and live longer. Scenic drives are also similar as are days at the spa or even one's birthday. A day when it seems like we are all wearing armor and nothing can upset us...Or at least that's how I feel sometimes.

Life Lesson 151: Sometimes the race doesn't always go to the swiftest sometimes it goes to most persistent. That's the way I would feel when I competed in a bicycle tour.  I got the same T shirt that everyone else did even if I  had to push my bike uphill, but maybe I appreciated the experience even more because I took my time to enjoy the tour, or at least acknowledged the effort it took to complete it.  I firmly believe that this is a good philosophy for life, and I am posting one of my more recent poems that reflects this point of view, and don't forget when it comes to life, "Go slow!"

Go Slow

The time clock’s moving, 

The payroll secretary disapproving, 

And still I say, go slow. 

Your date is glaring, 

Her bed she won’t be sharing, 

And still I say, go slow. 

The doctor is stewing, 

Which procedure you should be doing, 

And still I say, go slow. 

The bride is blushing, 

The groom is home and rushing, 

And still I say, go slow. 

The plane is starting, 

Your flight is soon departing, 

And still I say, go slow. 

The kids have waited, 

The principal is frustrated, 

And still I say, go slow. 

The mother has been pushing,

 Her newborn needs a soothing,

 And still I say, go slow. 

Your life feels like it’s moving, 

The moments are yours for choosing,

And still I say, go slow.

Art from the Heart · Poem 8: Go slow

Post 148: Peace When?

 

 

Leah Rabin shed a tear at her husband’s grave,

It landed on the ground, and soon others came.

 

The water started flowing the ground began to thunder,

The footsteps of the mourners, and cries of shock and wonder.

 

The flowers started piling,

The rocks grew wide and tall,

The people kept coming,

Till there was no space at all.

 

The kaddish said in union,

The lamentations for Rabin,

Who gave his life for peace,

But what does it all mean?

 

We’ll remember his sacrifice,

And the lives that he touched,

Peace will come yet in the Middle East,

If only we can trust.

  

Post 144: Even more pet peeves (The mystery of the one-sided bagel)

A few months ago I was in Florida and I went to one of my favorite

 spots (Einstein bagels) and I noticed that my everything bagel had

 spices on it, but only one side...Why? It is a Florida thing. New York

 bagels usually have seasonings on both sides.. Are they being

 cheap? or is it quicker to only spice one side? I don't know...I also  

recently went to a very good gluten free bakery on Long Island and

spent $3 for for a  gluten free bagel, and surprise seeds on only

 one side...I felt ripped off.

It makes me wonder if anyone has experienced the same thing. It 

sounds picky, but I have my standards. It also got me thinking about 

other things that are one-sided or two sided...and have you ever felt

the same way?

In New York we pay for two license plates, but in Florida they only 

require one...So, we pay twice the cost for license plates. Somehow 

this seems unfair. 

Also, why is it that supermarkets always leave out the prices of 

certain things. I was in King Kullen supermarket checking out the 

organic blueberries, and of course there were no prices. Sometimes I 

wonder if it deliberate because they don't want you to know how 

expensive it is.

Another thing that bothers me is why do I inevitably get a shopping 

cart that malfunctions halfway through my shopping. What is it? Is 

there a self-destruct button to bother shoppers? And how about 

Granny carts" why do they inevitably lose one wheel...Technically 

they still work, but one wrong move and eggs are on the ground.

Maybe I'm just being petty.

Also, how about when you take out food only to discover that 

something is missing from your order.  It happens all the time, and if 

you don't take the time to check your order it always seems like they 

got over on you.

Then there are people who drive with their handicap parking permit

 on their rearview mirror. I mean I understand they are handicapped

 like my mother but do they realize it can obscure their visibility and

 its also illegal to drive with it on?  Also, the people who aren't

 handicapped but park in handicap spaces...I mean really...really..I've

 seen fights break out over handicap spaces...DO THE RIGHT

 THING!

I really don't want to be like the guy from Network who said "I'm 

mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." I can't get that 

upset because we have a pandemic raging around the world.  But I 

guess I can still get irked, maybe that means the little things are 

becoming more important in our lives and we are returning to a new 

normal in the USA.