ALABAMA, USA Light up your porch to say thank you to health care workers.

Governor Kay Ivey is asking Alabamians to honor health care heroes for their efforts in fighting the COVID-19 virus by leaving their porch lights on every Friday in October and showing their appreciation at school sporting events.

Were lighting up Friday nights for our heroes. Im continually amazed at the dedication of health care employees who work all year long to care for us and who during tough times, such as COVID, only seem to work harder, Gov. Ivey said. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the countless hours theyve spent at hospitals, clinics and other facilities saving lives and helping to prevent the spread of this virus.

Light up Friday Nights is a partnership between the Governors Office, the Alabama Hospital Association, the Alabama Department of Education, the Council for Leaders in Alabamas Schools, the Alabama Independent School Association, the Alabama High School Athletic Association and School Superintendents of Alabama.

Link:
Light your porch to honor health care workers - WZDX

The denouement of Donald Trumps shambolic and dangerous presidency intensified with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting calamitous economic fallout, twin crises managed more adroitly and seriously by the Chinese rather than the American Government.

Trumps catastrophic failure to confront the scourge is one of the most monumental failures ever by an American President despite his self-congratulatory rants and sycophantic enabling by supporters and a Republican establishment cowed by his vicious bullying.

The likely end of Trumps presidency was displayed in grand relief in two series of events or melodramas in what may literally and figuratively be the autumn of his presidency.

The first series of events were the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the rapid nomination of Federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace the former.

The second series, still unfolding, is Trumps personal health battle and accompanying farcical, dangerous and maniacal selfishness after being infected by a virus which penetrated the sealed bubble and bulletproof protections of the American presidency.

Justice Bader Ginsburg, a devotee of opera and theatre, appreciated the power of counterpoint or contrapuntal movements in the arts and in law. In life and in death, she proved the ultimate counterpoint to Donald Trump.

She was a woman of high intellect, unimpeachable integrity, deeply empathetic and compassionate, committed to the dignity of all, humble, secure in her person, opposed to racism and white supremacy, a champion of LGBTQ rights and decent in her public and private life.

On the day her flag-draped casket was received at the US Supreme Court, Americas highest temple of justice, her former clerks solemnly lined the front steps at the entrance of the neoclassical white marble edifice as honorary pallbearers.

Dressed in black, against the gleaming white structure, the clerks resembled a Greek chorus. In the ancient Greek tragedies, comedies and satyr plays, the chorus serves as a homogeneous, non-individualized group of performers, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action.

Eulogies

The chorus, usually masked, as were the clerks because of the pandemic, offer the audience information needed to follow the performance. Before and following her death, Bader Ginsburgs former clerks and other admires provided a near encyclopedia of eulogies for their late mentor.

Her former clerks also reminded the nation of the values and legacy of Justice Ginsburg and her respect for the rule of law, the American Constitution and her lifelong quest for justice, much of which has been thrashed and dangerously undermined by Trump and his enablers during the past four years.

When Trump appeared at the Supreme Court to pay his respects to Bader Ginsburg, whose casket was on a caisson as she lay in state, he was wildly booed and mocked by many of the public mourners who came to pay tribute to the deceased icon and champion of equality who gave most of her life to public service.

Within hours of Ginsburgs death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, whom House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi has often sneeringly derided as Darth Vader, offered his latest grand hypocrisy.

On March 16, 2016, seven months plus before that years US presidential election, then President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to serve on the Supreme Court, replacing Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.

McConnell refused to hold hearings, insisting such a nomination should not come in an election year and that the next President should chose the replacement. Then presidential candidate Donald Trump happily agreed with McConnell.

But unsurprisingly, the two men quickly agreed to push through a Supreme Court nominee mere weeks before the November 3 poll.

Donald Trumps presidency is now much more than grand hypocrisy as cavernous as the Grand Canyon. It is more than earth-shattering irony. America is in the bowels of deep tragicomedy, farce and parody.

The festive White House ceremony celebrating the nomination of Mrs. Coney Barrett may have been a super spreader event of the COVID-19 virus. Gathered there were the political high priests and priestesses of white privilege, gloating at the prospect of packing the Supreme Court with an ideological confrere.

Brimming

Unmasked and not physically distant, the assembled elite, with the extraordinary powers of the American government in their possession, were brimming with hubris, even as a virus they could not see and which many did not take seriously enough, was about to upend and paralyze the work of the most powerful office complex in the world.

Where, when and how Donald Trump became infected by a virus he may have been bound to catch because of his recklessness, is unknown to the public.

People of goodwill, including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, all want Trump and all those affected by the virus, to recover. One imagines Trump would not have been as kind or solicitous as Biden had the latter tested positive. Nor would Trump have likely pulled negative ads as did the Biden campaign.

Meanwhile, the public melodrama that was about to unfold, commencing with Trumps flight for medical care to the Walter Reed National Military Center, continues to unfold like a reality TV show from which, unlike The Apprentice, Trump is the star but is not benefitting.

The Walter Reed medical campus, the largest such complex in the United States, is named in honour of Major Walter Reed, MD. (1851-1902). Reed was a US Army physician, pathologist and bacteriologist who specialized in, of all fields epidemiology.

A man of science, Reed confirmed the theory of Carlos Finlay, a Cuban doctor, that yellow fever was transmitted by a specific mosquito species rather than direct contact with fomites. Reed was renowned for his humanitarianism.

The Walter Reed center is resident in Bethesda, Maryland, which was named after the Pool of Bethesda from the Gospel of John. The Biblical Pool of Bethesda, which means House of Kindness in Hebrew, was a place of healing.

Walter Reed neighbors the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the workplace of the renowned Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, whom Trump has at times sidelined and undermined with his crazy theories about COVID-19.

But even with all of the aforementioned irony, Trump is now in full-blown tragicomedy, farce and parody.

The deadbeat, who has paid little to no income taxes, who continues to hide his tax returns and who scorned Obamacare, is getting the best health care in the world, thanks to American taxpayers, though he wants the Supreme Court to upend Obamacare.

The immigrant-bashing President was in a facility with recent immigrants, with myriad medical expertise, helping to care for American soldiers and also likely Trump.

The Commander-in-Chief, who reportedly described US soldiers as losers and suckers is being kept alive and protected by those who are sacrificing and putting their lives at risk to help others, including Trump.

The shallow intellect who has denied science was cared for at a leading military medical facility, renowned for its medical breakthroughs, and which is adjacent to the National Institutes of Health, one of the best medical centres in the world. His doctors have also consulted with experts at the renowned Johns Hopkins University.

Experimental

As the newsmagazine Politico noted: The President vainly posted a social media video of him returning to the White House to recover from COVID-19, telling people not to fear a disease that caused him to be hospitalised and pumped with experimental therapies by some of the nations top doctors.

The great tragedy is not primarily what Trump has done to himself and his colleagues. The greater tragedy is the hundreds of thousands who have died in America and who will die and the millions infected, the vast majority of whom will never remotely enjoy his level of care.

Newsweek reported on Monday: Kara Goucher is a distance runner who competed for Team USA at both the 2008 Beijing Summer Games and then again at the 2012 London Games. In Beijing, she ran the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races, finishing ninth and 10th overall, respectively. In 2012, she competed in the marathon, finishing 11th overall.

Today my 95 (96 next week) year old grandpa was diagnosed with Covid. We have not been able to see or touch him for 7 months. He is a father to me, helping raise me and my sisters after our dad died and introduced me to running. His life is worthy. Please, please wear a mask, she wrote on Sept. 24.

As he was leaving Walter Reed, Trump tweeted: I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Dont be afraid of Covid. Dont let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!

Goucher responded: As my grandfather lies in a bed struggling to take his last breaths due to COVID, Im not sure Ive ever read anything more offensive or tone-deaf in my life.

This is more than tone-deaf or offensive. This is tragedy unleashed upon the American people, aided and abetted by sycophants, the Republican Party, white supremacists and others who have full-throatedly supported or acquiesced to a reality TV star cum lout who has pushed America into a hellish nightmare in service of his maniacal pathologies and concatenation of grandiose lies.

Next week: The Exceptionalism of the American COVID-19 Disaster

Continue reading here:
FRONT PORCH: The tragicomedy and farce of Trump's America - Bahamas Tribune

FRAMINGHAM Framingham resident Jessica Mendez is one of five winners of RTN Federal Credit Unions Front Porch Project contest.

The summer contestasked RTN members to share in 10 words or fewer what COVID-19 meant to them, with each winner getting a family portrait taken outside their homes in keeping with social distancing guidelines.

Mendez quote: A silver lining of good and bad.

It was heartfelt reading all the entries and learning what COVID-19 has meant to our members, comments Nicole James, RTN Executive Vice President. Front Porch and outdoor portraits have become a way to document individual families and our collective experience during the pandemic.During this unusual time, its more important than ever to stay connected and thats what the contest was all about.

RTN is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative committed to helping members achieve financial well-being through quality products and personalized service.

Founded in 1945, RTN is one of the largest credit unions in Massachusetts, with nearly $1 billionin assets, nearly 50,000 members and 18 branches. RTN Federal Credit Union serves more than 1,100 sponsor groups including two major employers in Massachusetts Raytheon Technologies and Brigham and Womens Hospital.

Winner Jessica Mendez with her husbandValente Lara and daughter Kiera.

***

Photo and press release submitted to SOURCE media

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Framingham Resident is a Winner of the RTN Front Porch Project Contest - framinghamsource.com

The police blotter is a public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty. The information printed is preliminary and subject to change. The Brookings Police Department provides emergency dispatch services for the City of Brookings as well as Southern Curry County 9-1-1 calls, dispatching for state, county, and local law enforcement, five fire departments, and Cal-Ore ambulance. Excerpts from the BPD call logs:

At 12:43 a.m., adult female on 2nd Street was arrested on a restraining order violation after calling in a dispute at her location. Transported to jail without incident.

At 1:25 a.m., new tenants at an apartment complex on 5th Street were playing music loudly enough to bother neighbors; they were asked to turn it down and complied.

At 6:14 a.m., transient female and her cat were sleeping on the porch of a building on Hemlock Street and were moved along per manager request.

At 7:05 a.m., transient male denied pointing a 'finger gun' at a passerby at Harris Beach.

At 7:14 a.m., employee at a business on Railroad Avenue was the victim of theft. Unknown suspect(s) broke out vehicle windows and took a large assortment of personal items, including food, clothing and survival items.

At 7:57 a.m., officers mediated a heated dispute on Memory Lane between two individuals having on ongoing custody disagreement.

At 11:06 a.m., hit-and-run reported in the 16200 block of U.S. Highway 101 South.

At 12:03 p.m., officer stopped a vehicle that had been reported by medics as tailgating, passing dangerously, and driving recklessly. Driver admitted to the poor driving behaviors. Negative impairment. Verbal warning for reckless driving.

At 12:46 p.m., Officer was unable to locate a subject reported to be dressed all in dark clothing and appearing to be 'casing' houses on Kevin Place.

At 3:01 p.m., adult female stole several items from a store on Wharf Street, including a camo jacket, then drove away in a Toyota Camry. Investigation continuing.

At 3:04 p.m., menacing reported on Short Way.

At 5:02 p.m., officers responded to a business on Easy Street for a very irate and disorderly customer who was gone upon officer arrival. Store was able to ID the individual, who is known to employees but the store did not wish to pursue criminal charges.

At 5:24 p.m., dispute/fight on 6th Street was not as reported.

At 5:41 p.m., drive through customer in the 800 block of Chetco Avenue was acting strangely; no crime. Gone upon officer arrival.

At 7:20 p.m., subject driving and parking erratically in the day use area of Harris Beach was contacted by an officer and advised of park hours and the need to get the car registered in her name.

At 7:45 p.m., transient male was contacted for loitering in a neighborhood at Hemlock and Oak and yelling at no one in particular. Stated he was 'having a bad night' but moved on.

At 9:39 p.m., transient male arrested for disorderly conduct in the 700 block of Chetco Avenue after attempting to reach around the cash register and counter, saying he had forgotten his wallet. He was cited and released from the police department then carried on with his disorderliness all around town.

At 9:43 p.m., adult female was arrested for harassment on Memory Lane after hiring people to hold down her son so she could see her grandchild. She was cited and released from location.

At 10:32 p.m., Sergeant provided a courtesy transport to a male from his residence on Sandy Lane after speaking to him and his family regarding disorderly conduct.

At 11:15 p.m., transient male was observed by others setting a fire in the bushes near the Sheriff substation in the port. Deputies and Harbor Fire responded. Citizen had been able to extinguish the fire with a nearby hose before they arrived. Suspect is known; investigation continuing.

At 11:31 p.m., belligerent male smashing pumpkins at a store on 5th Street was moved along. Store declined to press charges if he would leave and not return.

At 11:51 p.m., disorderly transient returned to store on 5th Street and was formally trespassed from the property.

At 11:59 p.m., tall male wearing a pink hoody stole a variety 12-pack of White Claw from a store in the 1100 block of Chetco Avenue and left on foot. Investigation continuing.

At 1:29 p.m., theft of political sign from a yard reported on Ransom Avenue.

At 1:48 p.m., transient male warned fro disorderly conduct after trying to jump onto the back of a truck on Wharf Street.

At 3:12 p.m., resident who threatened to shoot a man who came to his garage sale on Ransom Avenue was warned for disorderly conduct.

At 6:46 p.m., transient male singing loudly on Arnold Lane was warned for disorderly conduct for disturbing residents.

At 7:45 p.m., a group of juveniles parked on private property on Pioneer Road and sitting on a fence were contacted by an officer and advised to move along.

At 8:46 p.m., an abandoned transient camp was reported on Seacliff Terrace.

At 10:08 a.m., criminal mischief reported at Sandpiper Place.

At 11:20 a.m., illegal camping reported on Parkview Drive.

At 11:57 a.m., theft reported on Hassett Street.

At 1:41 p.m., disorderly conduct reported at Spruce and Oak Streets.

At 6:40 p.m., unauthorized use of a vehicle reported on West Benham Lane.

At 7:26 p.m., criminal trespass reported on Cottage Street.

At 12:52 p.m., unlawful entry of a motor vehicle reported on 5th Street.

At 1:24 p.m., deceased subject reported on Lone Ranch Road.

At 2:12 p.m., theft reported at a business in the 300 block of 5th Street.

At 2:25 p.m., deceased subject reported in the 50 block of 5th Street.

At 4:12 p.m., disorderly conduct reported at Hassett and 7th Streets.

At 5:03 p.m., fire reported on Fir Street.

At 5:37 p.m., fire reported on South Jetty.

At 5:47 p.m., dispute/fight reported Memory Lane.

At 9:12 p.m., dispute/fight reported in the 16200 block of U.S. Highway 101 South.

At 10:19 p.m., disorderly conduct reported in the 1100 block of Chetco Avenue.

At 9:55 a.m., deceased subject reported at Gerlach Lane.

At 2:36 p.m., report of shots fired at Whaleshead Road.

At 3:16 p.m., disorderly conduct reported Spruce Street and Fern Avenue.

At 4:00 p.m., criminal trespass reported on Fern Avenue.

At 1:02 a.m., transients in a vehicle were advised of park hours and that they would need to have a licensed driver move the car.

At 10:46 a.m., criminal trespass reported at Seacliff Terrace.

At 11:12 a.m., transient male loitering on business property on Oak Street was moved along.

At 11:28 a.m., business credit card reported stolen by a known suspect at a business in the 600 block of Chetco Avenue; officer investigating.

At 11:50 a.m., officer investigating possible real estate fraud on Seacliff Terrace.

At 2:45 p.m., items stolen from a business in the 600 block of Chetco Avenue were all recovered from the suspect.

At 2:50 p.m., belligerent customers were initially refusing to leave a business on Memory Lane, but did go when employee called police.

At 6:13 p.m., unlawful entry motor vehicle reported in the 1600 block of U.S. Highway 101 North.

At 10:52 p.m., criminal trespass reported on Park Avenue but officers were unable to locate anyone loitering.

At 1:14 a.m., dispute/fight reported on Court Street.

At 4:08 a.m., juveniles who were out after curfew were provided a courtesy transport to their residence in Harbor and released to a parent.

At 5:02 a.m., deceased subject reported on Moore Street.

At 5:41 a.m., unlawful entry of a motor vehicle reported in the 600 block of Chetco Avenue. A convertible toddler seat was stolen.

At 7:39 a.m., transient male refused to leave a business property on Railroad Street until an officer responded to formally trespass him from location.

At 8:58 a.m., transient female was witnessed defecating in a fenced dumpster area at a business property on Hemlock Street. She was arrested and cited and released with a court date in November.

at 12:16 p.m., transients panhandling near the 5th Street entrance to a business were counseled on the muni code governing that activity.

At 12:43 p.m., cash and insurance paperwork were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Ransom Avenue.

At 3:14 p.m., officer assisted citizen on Overglen Drive with information regarding a stalking order packet.

At 5:05 p.m., officers responded to a loud verbal outside the police department and assisted parties in resolving an custodial issue. Stalking order information was provided.

At 6:47 p.m., transient male was reportedly attempting to make contact with kids at the park on Old County Road. He has been excluded from the park for 90 days and referred to his probation officer.

At 7:08 p.m., transient male was trespassed from a restaurant in the 600 block of Chetco Avenue.

At 7:26 p.m., female cited for no operators license following a two-vehicle, non-injury traffic crash at Chetco and Bridge Street.

At 7:25 p.m., dispute/fight reported in the 16200 block of U.S. Highway 101 South.

At 8:40 p.m., officers responded to a verbal dispute at a duplex on Cedar Street. Parties agreed to quiet down for the night.

At 8:48 p.m., vehicle drove to the top part of the J.H. Ward Memorial Cemetery and parked but left before officers could respond.

At 9:14 p.m., dispute/fight reported on Chilcote Lane in Harbor.

At 9:47 p.m., transient male was warned for disorderly conduct after yelling at no one and violently kicking and hitting trash cans in an alley behind a restaurant in the 600 block of Chetco Avenue. He left the area.

At 10:00 p.m., transient male was advised to stay out of the road after being observed by officers walking down the middle of Chetco Avenue.

At 10:06 p.m., same male transient was again warned for disorderly conduct after alarming citizens by his yelling near the Central Building.

At 11:05 p.m., transient male was arrested and cited for disorderly conduct after alarming customers and employees at a restaurant in the 800 block of Chetco Avenue with his disorderly behavior. He has been formally trespassed from the business.

Curry County Sheriffs Blotter

Excerpts from the Curry County Sheriffs call logs:

At 9:23 a.m., criminal trespass reported at Piney Woods Way, Harbor.

At 1:12 p.m., criminal trespass reported on Sitka Lane, Gold Beach.

At 7:07 p.m., criminal mischief reported on Court Street, Harbor.

At 7:55 p.m., illegal fireworks reported at Social Security Bar, Brookings.

At 8:08 a.m., criminal trespass reported on West Benham Lane, Harbor.

At 12:45 p.m., dispute in progress reported on Grootendorst Lane, Harbor.

At 2:39 p.m., criminal mischief reported on Pistol River Loop Road, Brookings.

At 4:37 p.m., hit-and-run reported in the 15900 block of U.S. Highway 101 South, Harbor.

At 4:50 p.m., cold dispute reported on Coverdell Road, Brookings.

At 8:01 p.m., criminal trespass reported on Lower Harbor Road, Harbor.

At 8:45 a.m., criminal mischief reported on Sitka Lane, Gold Beach.

At 9:31 a.m., criminal trespass reported at Lobster Creek, Gold Beach.

At 9:54 a.m., rescue operation reported on the Rogue River 1.5 miles downstream from Agness.

At 11:22 a.m., cold dispute reported on North Bank Chetco River Road.

At 1:15 p.m., theft reported on Winchuck River Road, Harbor.

At 4:16 p.m., illegal fireworks reported on Oceanview Drive, Harbor.

At 7:21 p.m., criminal mischief reported on Henderson Road, Brookings.

At 4:09 a.m., dispute in progress reported on Hillside Acres Road, Gold Beach.

Continue reading here:
Police Blotter: Woman and cat napping on porch - Curry Coastal Pilot

Speaking from his front porch in California most mornings for about an hour on Instagram, Maron has been sharing his grief and the minutiae of everyday life in quarantine.

He generally signals his nearly 900,000 followers on Twitter before his live appearances, saying he'll "be over in the other place in about 15 minutes." He'll then start rolling as he carries on with daily tasks, like taking his recycling to the curb or preparing his coffee.

The bespectacled and bearded Maron observes nature, eats salted watermelon, sips smoothies and shares what he's having for lunch. He answers viewers' questions as they pop up in his feed, revealing stories about his past drug use, daily hikes or updates about his cat Buster, who Maron feels has grown irritated with him now that all his attention is focused solely on the pet.

But mostly, he shares his sadness, for Shelton, for his beloved cat, Monkey, who died in August, and for the divisiveness that has taken over the country.

Shelton had moved in with Maron early in the pandemic, he has said, and died suddenly from an undiagnosed blood disorder. Maron recently pointed to Shelton's coat and hat, still hanging on the coat rack by his front door. Her cowboy boots are lined up below. Maron said he uses these items to "summon" her when he needs to.

"She was my partner. She was my girlfriend. She was my friend. And I loved her. A lot. And she loved me, and I knew that," Maron said in an episode of his "WTF" podcast following her death.

"It's awesome to hear stories about Lynn. It sounds like she was a wonderful person," one viewer commented Monday, as Maron shared a broth recipe Shelton loved.

Mourning is painful and mourning amid a pandemic that's keeping us apart even more so. Maron seems to be leaning into his audience as they turn to him.

"If I can't hang out with friends, I can hang out with Marc every morning," wrote another commenter on Monday.

Like many in this time, Maron admits that he sometimes feels alone, is nervous about the coronavirus, wildfires, the government, the Earth, among countless other things. He's sometimes paranoid, other times grouchy but also hopeful.

Maron said his Instagram appearances are, in part, an opportunity for him to work out his comedy, in case you didn't get that.

When viewers ask when he will get back to stand-up, he often replies, "I'm doing it right now."

He'll look up and reference the number of viewers on the top right of his screen. "Seven hundred people, not a bad crowd."

And then he signs off.

Read the rest here:
Marc Maron is inviting us to grieve with him from his front porch - CNN

Bill Hand|Sun Journal

As we all pretty much hope to do one day, I have become a Beatles song. No, not Let It Be. Ive never been able to let anything be. I can fidget the life out of pretty much anything.

Nor Penny Lane (though, like the banker, Ive never worn a mac in the pouring rain. Very strange.)

No, the song Ive become and that, I suppose, most of us hope one day to be, is When Im Sixty-Four.

Trivia: Paul McCartney was only 15 when he wrote that on the family piano. He was 24 when he recorded it; he divorced his 38-year-old wife when he was 64 in 2006 (Will you still feed me? No, and I want the dog the house and the Rolls!). He is 78 now, and can only sing When I Was Sixty-four, assuming he can remember what life was like that long ago.

I used to occasionally give thought to learning that on guitar and playing it to my wife before the 64th anniversary of post-womb existence, but I blew it. On Wednesday I went to bed 63 and woke up Thursday morning a Beatles song, but replacing Vera, Chuck and Dave with just Sara and Rachel. I guess its just something Ill have to yank off my bucket list.

I talked to an old friend in Erie, and he is the one who pointed out that we had not only missed singing the song in a legitimate way but that we had somehow become the song.

Youre in a strange world when youre growing old. In our youth-obsessed world, we refuse to admit age; we call ourselves middle-aged at best, as if were all going to make our 128th birthday. If were rich we buy all the youth we can in the form of Botox and plastic surgeons. We look in the mirror and recognize the person looking back at us, but we blink because were trying to figure out whos wrinkled skinhe borrowed to live in.

I can remember my father growing old, and how I didnt think it would happen to me; I can distinctly remember my mother-in-laws 50th birthday and how smug I felt at her advancing age and my own anything-but-advancing youth.

And were living in a weird age to be aged.

What happened to rocking chairs and front porches? I mean, I see rocking chairs on front porches all the time but the only thing that occupies them is autumnal floral arrangements. When I was young, grandparents used those things. They sat there, slowly rocking, ruminating over their lives, often with their needles stuck on that same single episode they remember best, telling it to us over and over. Grandma lived in the kitchen, baking cookies, and grandpa sat out back, firing off his opinion of the whippersnappers who didnt know anything, or offering philosophy often profound, occasionally outdated, and sometimes just plain weird.

And I am talking about the traditional grandparents in the cities and towns, not the country ones where grandma was churning butter at 95, even though stores had been making cheap butter and margarine since she was 30, and where Grandpa was out milking cows and overhauling tractors until he died with a wrench in his hand or a cat staring morosely by the bucket, wondering why the guy squirting milk her way had up and quit.

Today, rocking on the porch and complaining about the neighbors kids in our yards is the last thing on our minds. Were Facebooking and texting, golfing, tennis-ing and fishing and reaching our favorite fishing holes on a jet ski; none of this namby-pamby Ford pickup stuff.

We have more energy than ever before (not that a recliner and tv show wont instantly put us to sleep after 7 p.m.). We keep aging but we weve quit growing old (did you know the government dropped old age as a cause of death way back in 1951?). Medicines and an awareness that walks and bicycles do a lot more for your health than rocking on the porch are keeping us healthier.

At 64 I have your traditional aches and pains; rigor mortis is running early tests while I sleep I know it because I feel its stiffness when I first get out of bed in the morning. But otherwise, Im pretty good. My mind seems clear if a little weird; I can do pretty well the things Ive always done, so long as I do it just a bit more slowly and with a touch more caution. The only real health problem Im feeling as I write this is an ongoing ear worm for a Beatles song in my head.

By life span, Im into my final quarter. But Im not old. And Ill never truly be old until the young people around me start telling me Im (fill in the blank) years young.

Contact Bill Hand at bill.hand@newbernsj.com or 252-229-4977.

Originally posted here:
Will you still read me now that I'm sixty-four? - New Bern Sun Journal

Its a late summer day, high noon, and Im standing in the doorway that connects our study to the screened porch. A pleasant breeze out of the south wafts over me, making its way through a north window to who knows where. Perhaps the breeze will cool someone else.

In the backyard a gray squirrel forages for an acorn, then hops onto the trunk of the giant oak tree. Its one of many porch moments Ive experienced in more than 40 years of living in this house.

Many nice features make up this domicile we call home, but that porch is something on which Im glad previous owners chose to spend their hard-earned money. It is a place to read, write, snooze, dine out, listen to music and enjoy the view of the small but interesting landscape. Sitting there listening to the sound of rain watering the flowers is a relaxing way to while away the hours.

Back to that squirrel. Whether it is foraging or chasing other wagtails (my late fathers name for squirrels) up and around the trunk of the oak, the porch affords a 270-degree view into the world of those critters and others. Watching the squirrels could be described as cheap entertainment.

On a recent summer evening I was out back studying the night sky through the boughs of said oak when my wife, Karen, said: Phil, theres a raccoon on the side of the tree! I walked in a quiet manner to that side of the tree, and sure enough, a few feet above me the animal with the black mask looked down on me, illuminated by the rays of the floodlight that showcases the white oaks character. We watched until the raccoon climbed up and beyond, out of the light. A view from the porch.

Being on the porch does not always allow us to observe the feathered, furry or six-legged inhabitants of the place. They may be out of view in the shrubs and treetops. Thats when you train your eyes in the direction of the mating calls made by cicadas, katydids and tree crickets. Known but often unseen, all are part of the tableau.

Birds also fit into the picture, often seen and heard concurrently, other times known to us only by their songs or calls. The pair of cardinals that were nesting in a shrub next door let their presence be known to us when they flew into the boxwood adjacent to the porch and started yelling at our cat, Maisie. The alarm calls of ticked off robins, fearing that the cat might get after their fledglings, made for quite the vocal assault on Maisie. In the end neither species had to worry because the screen thwarted any loss of avian life by the resident predator.

Other birds making themselves known to us in this movie enjoyed from our screening room are woodpeckers, barred owls, bluejays and Carolina wrens that announce themselves with their ringing song.

When it comes to porches, a screen can be a nice feature in more ways than one. Because of its charcoal color, the screen acts somewhat as a blind, making it less easy for the critters to see us watching them. That barrier also keeps mosquitoes and other six-leggeds from annoying us as we do whatever we wish to do on the porch.

Dining al fresco is something we enjoy, be it the two of us, a foursome or when we have several guests at our home. For large parties, the porch acts as a nice transition between the interior and the backyard party scenes. Considering the options our guests can choose from, the porch is prime real estate where some folks spend the better part of the evening. Throw in the glow of oil lamps, good food and conversation: The ambiance could not be more enjoyable.

Its late September, and summer is merging into autumn. A May Sunday morning on the porch, when I sat in my late father-in-laws tattered recliner, the suns warm rays on my neck, casting a head shadow on a page of The Lima News, is now two seasons in the past. Then the breeze was a welcome thing. Now it means going from T-shirt to light jacket apparel to remain comfortable while writing. Its time for the conversion.

Conversion means installing poly film on the screen panels and acrylic sheets on the screen door to keep autumn breezes and winter winds that sift snow through the screen at bay. It means that as the sun goes lower its rays will be trapped, and the porch will be a more comfortable place to enjoy life. Maisie will hang out as well, and while the poly film does not afford a clear view of the yard, the door will allow the opportunity for her to satisfy her feline curiosity.

With little effort and expense (the poly film lasts four to five years) I convert the porch to a four-season sunroom. I suppose one could argue the point, but it does extend the use of the porch.

On a cold January day, say 25 degrees with bright sun, I slip on a jacket and hat, and I am warm. It may not be everyones picture of comfort, but its 55 degrees on a cold winters day. Its the simple things in life.

If I put the book down and take a nap that January afternoon, I will awaken and perhaps recall a dream. It might be one where I am standing in that aforementioned doorway, enjoying a cool breeze and watching the wagtails forage for acorns.

Phil Hugo lives in Lima.

See more here:
Phil Hugo: View from the porch invigorating in all seasons - LimaOhio.com

Its easy to picture yourself sitting on the back porch of this Cape Cod-style home wrapped in a cozy blanket and enjoying a hot cup of coffee while looking out onto Cutchogues Broadwaters Cove.

The overall vibe is warm and intimate, said listing agent Kim West of Corcoran. This is a home thats meant to be lived in. Upon arrival, you are immediately drawn to the outdoors and, of course, to the panoramic water views.

But the mahogany porch(es!) and views are just two of the many things we love about this property.

Inside the home, on the second level, there are three bedrooms, including a master suite with Juliette balcony, and two full bathrooms. On the main level, enjoy a semi-open floor plan with a kitchen boasting high-end appliances, a dining room and a living room with a wood-burning stove. Theres also an additional flex-bedroom and full bathroom.

Both the living room and dining room have sliding doors that open to the back patio overlooking Broadwaters Cove.

The layout is inviting and well-thought-out, West said. My favorite spot is the kitchen, its perfect for entertaining! The huge island and beamed ceilings offer both function and charm. And the semi-open floor plan lends itself to privacy when you need it, while still conducive to entertaining.

Outside the home, youll find lush landscaping, a catwalk to your very own private boat dock, a whole-house generator and solar panels.

Theres no doubt that this would be the perfect home to host the upcoming holidays in.

The property is listed at $1,999,000.

See the complete listing here.

Original post:
North Fork Dream Home: Cozy up on this back porch overlooking Broadwater Cove - Northforker

Instead of the normal gatherings, Sumter police ask city residents to turn on their porch lights from 7 9 p.m. Oct. 6 for National Night Out.

SUMTER, S.C. Each year, National Night Out events bring together police and the communities they serve to have conversations, interact and build relationships.

These events normally draw a crowd, but this year, many of the gatherings will look different due to COVID-19.

Sumter police plan to celebrate Oct. 6, but, instead of the normal cookouts and other community events, theyre asking city residents to turn on their porch lights from 7 9 p.m.

During that time, police will ride through city neighborhoods to convey a spirit of togetherness.

Even though were going through this epidemic and through this COVID, its still important to let people know in the community that we still care about them and we still have this working relationship, 1st Sgt. James Sinkler said. Were asking people to turn on their porch lights that want to participate in it and were going to have officers just kind of riding through the neighborhood. We won't be getting out. There won't be people having cookouts and large gatherings like we normally do.

Turn on your porch lights for National Night OutSUMTER, SC (Sept. 30, 2020) City residents, in partnership with the...

They hope to send the message that neighborhoods and police can work together to address issues and make a difference.

Sumter County authorities are also joining in, but in a different way.

Deputies say theyre planning a parade-style event through multiple crime watch neighborhoods that requested it.

Were looking forward to seeing you and your neighbors tomorrow during the 2020 National Night Out event!Our Crime...

Read this article:
Porch lights on for National Night Out in Sumter on Oct. 6 - WLTX.com

Jessica Cohen| Times Herald-Record

PORT JERVIS - Barbara Marszalek offers nourishment for body and spirit at the Thursday morning neighborhood breakfasts she serves on her porch at Kamelot, her therapeutic community center on Ball Street.

On a recent morning, dishes ranged from oatmeal and fruit salad to the hanky pankies brought by Patti Van Demark. Carrots, eggplant, lettuce and wax beans for the taking festooned another table. Cornell Cooperative Extension leaves vegetables at Kamelot every week.

Yesterday, there was watermelon and icicle radishes. They all went, Marszalek said.

But for some, communing with neighbors is the needed nourishment, she said. They skip the food and just chat.

We get the socialization we havent been getting, said Spiro Ragouzeos, who moved to Port Jervis from Queens three years ago.

Disgruntled, disillusioned New Yorker comes to Port Jervis to start a new life was how he described himself.

He had been doing administrative work for a small department at New York University and living in the Queens neighborhood where he grew up.

Every place evolves, but its not the community-oriented place I knew, where everyone looks out for each other. Everyones on their own path there, he said.

He found Port Jervis on a drive with a friend.

We liked the natural beauty, friendliness and the businesses here. Theres a potential for things to happen in Port Jervis, he said.

At the other end of the porch, Marszalek spoke Polish with Paula Kaminsky, who moved to Port Jervis after living in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, for 20 years.

Port Jervis is small. Everythings close. Neighbors are nice, she said. As for Barbaras breakfasts, she said, People come here to talk. Barbara gives good advice. I bring things I dont use my husbands tools, old clothes.

Also chatting on the porch was Carolyn Kalanyos, community engagement coordinator for Jewish Family Services, based in Middletown.

Our group helps old folks with getting to medical services, taking care of house chores and shopping, she said. People call us, and we try to find neighbors to help them. Were looking for volunteers. Anyone interested can call her at 845-341-1173, ext. 303.

Marszaleks porch has been a good source of volunteers, including Marszalek herself, Kalanyos said. And after delivering her hanky pankies, which she made with sausage, parmesan and Romano cheese and parsley on toast, Van Dermark said she was off to take someone shopping.

Jenny Volpe, who was staying with her parents in Port Jervis on the way to moving from Texas to Virginia, chatted on the porch too. She kept an eye on her 6-year-old Amelia, who collected bugs from the lawn in a jar.

People start coming at 8:45, usually about 20, Marszalek said. Some just pass through. Others take the opportunity to stay and catch up.

As the weather cools, she is thinking of offering soup later in the day and moving the gathering into her garage, she said.

Link:
Neighborhood breakfasts nourish body and spirit - Times Herald-Record