Notes Grandma ‘Ginia: “This is most likely not a true Baader-Meinhof, because I must have known it already. [Bulletin Board concurs in that judgment.]
“As we do daily, my husband and I watched ‘Jeopardy!’ last night. Actually we watch and compete, and we are both pretty good at it. The category was ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.’ They showed a video of the cemetery where author Washington Irving is buried. It explained that he had expressed the opinion that this graveyard should have been called ‘Sleepy Hollow,’ while in fact it had another name. Without a conscious thought, I blurted out the correct response: Tarrytown. [Bulletin Board notes, in the form of a question: “What is Tarrytown?”] I have no idea where that came from, but it was correct. Husband and I discussed the fact that sometimes, a fact must be buried deep in one’s brain database, only to emerge at unexpected moments.
“In this morning’s Pioneer Press, there is an obituary of ‘Happy’ Rockefeller, who was quite prominent in the news of 1963. It was a scandalous situation. Then-Governor of New York Nelson Rockefeller left his wife of 31 years and five children to marry Happy, who left her husband and custody of her four children. He was 18 years her senior. In the moral climate of the ’60s, this was a scandal of the highest degree. It is believed that it cost Rockefeller the presidential nomination. But Happy’s charm led her to become a political asset to her new husband, who continued as governor and became vice president under President Gerald Ford.
“Happy Rockefeller died this week in Tarrytown, New York. Who knew it even existed? Maybe she’ll be buried at Sleepy Hollow.”
In memoriam
Or: Our community of strangers
Old Tascosa: “I’m ashamed to say that for most of my life, I’ve wanted to attend cemetery events honoring our veterans throughout the year, but have never actually been. Why? Partly because it’s emotional and I cry, but mostly it’s because I don’t know what to expect. Do we sit or stand? Do we bring our own lawn chairs if we need to sit? Where are they to be placed — behind the guests of honor, among the graves, near the drive? And how far away should we park to allow space for families of the fallen and the military presenters?
“It would be wonderfully helpful if someone would share the mechanics of these events. Thanking you in advance for helping me do a better job to honor those who have sacrificed everything for our freedoms.”
What is wrong with people?
Doctors’ Mom in Mendota Heights: “Subject: Parking lot rage.
“Recently I went to a local grocery store. I like to park in such a way that I can just pull forward when I’ve leaving, rather than having to back up. In the parking lot, I saw a perfect spot. However, the car next to the open spot had its doors open, so I waited behind the open spot for the people to close their doors, so I wouldn’t run the risk of scraping them.
“While I was waiting (in plain view), another car pulled into the empty spot. I instinctively shook my head and threw up my hands at the person’s rudeness and inconsiderateness (or, I suppose, lack of observation — but I doubt that). That person reacted similarly. I could tell she was mad at me being mad.
“Despite my best efforts, we ended up getting out of our cars at the same time. While I tried to ignore her, she came up to me and asked what my problem was. I told her that I had been planning to go into that spot. She then scolded me for my ‘temper’ and warned me that I better be careful because people carry guns. I thanked her for her advice and got away as quickly as possible.
“What is wrong with people?
“It’s good I hadn’t flipped the bird at her. I might be dead right now.”
Unclear on the concept
Or: The Permanent Maternal Record
Retired Hillcrest Snailman: “The tradition of red and white flowers had never been explained to me. I was in grade school at St. Bernard’s, and we were offered carnations for our mothers for Mother’s Day. I thought my mother would prefer a pretty red one instead of a plain white one. Being the wonderful mom that she was, she wore it proudly, even though she was missing her mom greatly. Only later did she explain it to me.”
Everyone’s a critic!
Or: Leave well enough alone!
Menomonie Grandpa: “One of my favorite songs in ‘Guys and Dolls’ is ‘More I Cannot Wish You,’ sung to Sarah, the ‘mission doll,’ by her grandfather after she thinks Sky took her to Cuba so his friends could shoot craps in the mission. If you only know the movie, you won’t know the song because it wasn’t in the movie.
“The message grandfather sings is: ‘More I cannot wish you than to wish you find your love, your own true love this day.’ It’s a beautiful song, and the wish of every grandfather, and father.
“It’s a song I’ve only heard on cast albums; it isn’t one sung outside the show. But lately, I’ve heard Paul McCartney’s recording of it on satellite radio, and he doesn’t seem to understand the original lyrics, so he changes them. When Grandfather sings ‘Standing there / gazing at you / full of the bloom of youth / standing there / gazing at you / with a sheep’s eye and a licorice tooth … ,’ he’s remembering her as a little girl, with a shy look on her face and black teeth from eating licorice. McCartney doesn’t understand it, and he changes it to ‘a sheepish eye and a look of the truth.’ Ouch. It doesn’t even fit the music; he has to rush it in. Frank Loesser, who never wrote a clumsy lyric, must be rolling in his grave.
“If McCartney doesn’t understand the song, he shouldn’t sing it. He just ruins it.”
Our birds, our squirrels, ourselves
Nana of Maplewood: “I’d like to report success in keeping squirrels off my feeders (hanging from a shepherd’s hook-type pole).
“I read a few months ago (in BB? [Bulletin Board says: No]) about someone’s success using a shower rod cover around the pole. I tried that, but ‘my’ squirrels were easily able to climb it. So I added a liberal coating of Lithium Grease (available at hardware stores). I use a latex glove and coat the shower-rod cover. I like it because rain doesn’t remove the coating.
“No squirrels have been on my feeder since!”
Please release me? (responsorial)
Writes horsiegoboom of River Falls, Wis.: “IGHGrampa stated [BB, 5/20/2015]: ‘Christopher Walken typically plays parts where he’s rather odd and creepy. Who knew he could dance and sing, too?’
“Well, I knew. The dancing part, anyway.
“In my extensive scrapbook on everything, I have a small article I probably cut out from Women’s Weekly World a few years ago. The article quotes Christopher Walken, ‘downplaying his Fred Astaire-like skills’: ‘When I was a kid … it was typical for working-class people … to send their kids to dancing school — ballet, tap. It was almost a tribal thing. I’m sure there’s a whole generation of men my age from [Astoria, Queens] who can tap dance.’
“And there you have it.”
Band Name of the Day: The Happy Rockefellers
Website of the Day: “More I Cannot Wish You,” at tinyurl.com/Guys-Dolls-wish
