Reflections on NOT going back to school

   Our grand kids are back to school.  9th, 7th, 5th & 4th grades.  They're growing so fast. It's unbelievable.  What's equally unbelievable is that this is the 14th year I am NOT returning to school in whatever capacity I may be serving-either classroom teacher, lead teacher or math/science specialist.

So,  you may logically ask what exactly have I accomplished in 14 years?   Hmmmm...I wish I could just list tick off one item after another of all the great things I've been doing but, well, I just can't.  It seems to have changed from one year to the next.  For example when I first retired I was on jury duty and actually got on a case, then there was my first born grand daughter who I watched a couple of days a week, then we were undergoing an addition on the house that took some time.  Then after that I started subbing back at school and volunteering.  Interspersed in all of this were more grand children, volunteering in assisted living facilities & the schools, yard projects and on and on it goes with each year changing slightly.

Now here I am 14 years down the road, the kids are all older and in school and need less of my time. But I still volunteer, we still live on a big piece of property, I golf with friends, and I just seem to find ways to fill up the days. 

Now my wife is nearing retirement and she's facing the same challenges.  What to do?  It's hard going from working full time to not.  I was lucky.  Things just seemed to come along naturally and I'd go with it.  My wife will have more difficulty.  Sure, she has interests but there's still a lot of time to fill.  But she'll figure it out.  Things will come along, routines will be established and the next thing you know we'll wonder how she had time to work!  That's always what happens.

Here's some free advice: don't wait until your last day of work to think about this.  Start a few months in advance.  Have a plan-maybe a loose one-but a plan nevertheless.  That should help.

Good Bye, John McCain

 Senator John McCain (R, AZ) lost his battle with cancer over this past weekend.

I agreed with very little of John McCain’s politics but I had great respect for the man’s patriotism and heroism.  I also admired his willingness to reach across the aisle for the good of the country.  If he thought something was right, he supported it regardless of party politics. He was a great American


McCain stands in stark contrast to the slug currently occupying the White House who is as we all know a coward and a traitor. I hope the nation is taking notice.  But of course his base being the ignorant fools that they are will pass it off as nothing more than Trump being Trump. Sad days. 

We need to reject "Make America Hate Again" and take our country back!

Apple Corporation

So I'm half listening to the morning news while checking emails and Facebook and I hear that Apple Corporation now enjoys the highest valuation of any corporation in the world-over a trillion dollars.

I think I know at least one reason why.  I just upgraded my 10-yr-old iPad mini to a new one.  The new one has the latest iOS and 64 bit architecture.  I was no longer able to get new apps or use many features on the old one because it was so dated.  Anyway, usually setting up new gadgets can sometimes be a pain.  You have to enter passwords, pair it to your WiFi network, download apps from cloud, etc.

Not so the new iPad.  All I had to do was hold my iPhone 7 next to it and PRESTO everything was moved over.  No muss, no fuss.  Nice.  Easy and user friendly.  That's always been Apple's approach to technology.  Very smart. I feel almost as smart as my grand children.

Odds & Ends & Bits & Pieces

Here's another edition of random thoughts and observations.
1. There's been a huge outbreak of drug overdoses in New Haven lately. Within a week or so there were over 100 overdoses of a drug that was a mix of marijuana and something else (I forgot what it was). Together they're called K2.  Wasn't it nice when K2 was just the second highest mountain in the world?

2. What don't people get about the danger of leaving children and animals locked in parked cars during the summer?  There isn't a day that goes by when you don't hear about a tragedy or near tragedy because someone left a child or animal in a car.  And their excuse is always, "Gosh, I just went in the store for a minute!"

3.  Summer time brings lots of fun things to do.  It also brings tragedies such as pool drownings.  The other day yet another 2-year-old was found floating on the bottom of  a backyard pool.  People need to realize that kids need constant supervision.  It doesn't take long for a little one to squirt out and get him/herself into trouble.  I even saw a video recently of a toddler managing to crawl into an above ground pool even with the ladder up supposedly making it safe.  Watch your kids.

If you're a member of a political party, VOTE

Today is primary day. If you're a republican or democrat you can vote in the appropriate primary.  If you're a republican, don't bother. If you're a democrat, vote for Ned Lamont for governor.  Ganim ran a dirty campaign and is a crook anyway.  Go for Lamont.

As for the 5th congressional district, it doesn't much matter.  Hayes and Glassman are very close on the issues so pick one so long as they're elected in November. That part is very important.  The republicans have got to go. They are systematically destroying the country for ordinary people like you and me.  Beginning with the head coward (Donny boy) and on down to the
Cowardly Ryan they have made it clear we don't matter.  Get them out of there.

Next blog-no politics.  Promise.

Your chance to be heard

If you are a registered democrat or republican, you have an opportunity to weigh in on who you think the candidate should be for upcoming elections.  There are a couple of choices for the 5th congressional district being vacated by Rep. Esty and several choices for governor. 

If you're an independent, unfortunately you won't be able to vote in any of the primaries.

So republicans or democrats, get out there. Be heard.  And no matter who you are, when November rolls around, VOTE!

Beware the promises

Tis the season.  Campaign season, that is, for upcoming midterm elections including the governor of CT.  From now until election day in November we're going to be bombarded with TV ads and robocalls extolling the virtues of a given candidate while they reveal the mortal sins of their opponents.  And of course along with that come the promises. 

This year there are two democrats vying for the governorship and a whole host of republicans.  The republicans smell blood because outgoing democrat Malloy is one of the most unpopular governors in recent memory so they're expecting a voter backlash.

One of the many promises coming from the republican side is to phase out the state income tax.  That will certainly have broad appeal.  After all, who likes paying taxes?  But I hope voters think it through carefully.  The income tax represents a significant source of revenue.  If that's eventually eliminated, obviously services will also be eliminated.  I hope someone asks the candidates who they plan to hurt when they do this because someone is definitely going to be hurt.  In fact one particular candidate has already put a bull's eye on state employee unions so we know where he's coming from but what about the others?  Police services? Highway maintenance? Teachers' pension/health fund (we've already taken several hits here)? The poor?  Education assistance to towns? All of the above? 

Find out before you jump on the no income tax band wagon.  You might be one of the victims.

Welcome August

Welcome to the dog days of August.  To learn more about the month of August, click here georgeswebpage.com/almanac