Category Archives: remembering

I Now Believe Global Warming Is Real

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When we were at (and on) the Athabasca Glacier, there were photos that showed the glacier receding over the years. My brother in law in Drake Bay, Costa Rica, last night was telling my wife about his colleague/associate/acquaintance has been measuring the decline in the numbers of frogs and snakes in the rainforests. When I got certified to scuba dive in 1981, we’d see sharks on practically every other dive, often groups of sharks. Now, seeing a shark is rare, one in ten or more dives.

Glacial decline has been measured since the 1850’s, (according to an article on Wikipedia), so I’m not sure it’s all humans fault, but I think humans main power is destructive and we need to change. I remember a book I read years ago, “Mutant Message Down Under”, and ask, Which society is more advanced? One that lives in a place 10,000 years, and you can’t even tell they were ever there? Or a society that practically destroys it’s environment with pollution and war in 250 years?

I think the answer is obvious.

Today is my first day back at work since my vacation. blah. Why do I have to go work to get money to buy a fish for dinner when I could just go out and get the fish myself. Because I also have to pay for my house and the bills. The whole system of money has something inherently wrong with it.

Flashback From My Mom

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A few days ago, my Mom sent this story, a lot of stuff I never knew.  I guess I’ll have to read the two books mentioned…
My Mom said I could post this.

When I first came to DC in 1958, I lived in a boarding house on capitol hill called the Betty Alden Inn.  It was at 111 First Street, exactly across from the drive.  I was looking for a dentist and one of the guards, Mr. Ernie Joines, said, try Dr. William L. Walters on Connecticut Ave.  He doesn’t take many new patients, but maybe he will take you.  So.. I went to Dr. Walters and he began a two year appointment relationship of fixing my teeth.

As I got to know him better, I told him about my coworker who was into gemstones and the two of them became great friends over the years.
One day in his office, he said, Janet there is someone I’d like you to meet.  He introduced me to Alice Roosevelt Longworth.  She said a few pleasantries to me and that was it.

The reason I am remembering this, is that there is a new book out called “Hissing Cousins” by Dwyer. 

The reason Eleanor didn’t like cocktails was because she adored her alcoholic skirt-chasing father.  I believe on one occasion he left her sitting on the street for a long period before she went and dragged him out of the bar.

Alice chose my dentist because he lived in her neighborhood, DuPont Circle.  I later lived on 20th street in the DuPont Circle neighborhood. for 6 weeks study before going back to Boston.  I later lived about two years in Georgetown on Q street…  this is where I met Marvin.  . 

Neither woman made much success of motherhood.  Eleanor had five children who had a total of 17 marriages. and Alice’s daughter, Paulina, was commonly known not to be Longworth’s daughter but of someone named Borah.  She toyed with the idea of naming her daughter Deborah. Paulina apparently took her own life in 1957 at the age of 31.

The book review brings together a lot of old memories.

Another good book is “Boys in The Boat”  about WASHINGTON STATE Olympic team in 1936.  It is nonfiction and you willo not lay it down.

Enough nostalgia for today.!!!!!