To the Tune of “Help Me Make It Thru the Night”

Published March 4, 2019 by Nan Mykel

I CAN’T

I can’t play hopscotch any more

Nor skate across an icy floor.

I know headstands would break my neck

I drove my car and caused a wreck.

It’s hard to write a funny verse

‘specially when you’re glum and terse.

I wonder if I’ll ever see

A poem that’s sadder than my knee.

Oh I know it could be much worse—

I could have Trumpkin as my nurse,

Pointing at me and saying he

Would never make a pass at me.

BUT

Now I don’t have to clean my plate

Or remember to stand up straight

Oh what fun to say shit and damn

While chasing Mary’s little lamb.

Yet no one tucks me in at night

Or hugs me as my mother might.

Home made peach ice cream’s the best

I’d not swap it for all the rest.

I STILL KNOW

Little orphan Annie can say

Watch out for the Goblins today

They’re bigger than ever

And terribly clever—

Citizens United foretold

The capitalist manifold

That can squeeze you to death,

Smirking with glee at your last breath.

I guess there’s a Devil after all

Call him a Goblin, you say?

But the evil’s outrageous,

And it’s even contagious!

GOOD LUCK

For the next century—

I’m outta here.

JUST JOKING

Though not very funny, I guess

The whole thing’s a horrible mess.

Oh I’m moved now to barf

Do watch out for my scarf.

NEXT SCENE

Maybe it’ll be better after

My next round trip down home.

I’ll be pushing up sod

Only second to God

You watch; I’ll be back.

Billionaires Get to Enjoy Prison?

Published March 3, 2019 by Nan Mykel

Is this why the “Corporate Persons” unleashed by the Citizens United ruling aren’t afraid of prosecution?

Excerpt from Gronda Morin’s blog:

“The FBI had prepared a 53-page sex crimes indictment for Epstein in 2007 that could have sent him to prison for life, according to the Herald. Instead, he cut a deal with Alexander Acosta, then the US attorney in Miami, which allowed him to serve just 13 months — not in federal or state prison, but in a private wing of a Palm Beach county jail.”

“He was granted work release to go to a “comfortable office” for 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, despite the fact that the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Department prohibited work release for sex offenders.”

The War Between the States

Published March 3, 2019 by Nan Mykel

Bob M. recalls hearing stories about neighbors watching the battle of Gettysburg as it was being fought. He says that “My
great uncle Ned used to tell my father the story of actually watching the Battle of Gettysburg! Ned was born in 1857, and used to tell my dad the story of climbing a hill and watching the battle when he was 6 years old. I have since learned that half the town of Emmitsburg, Md., climbed that hill and watched that battle. They even had telescopes set up–Indian Lookout was the name of the hill. Hearing the story from my aunt and dad makes me feel very close to history — only second hand to an eye-witness account.

Alma told me, ” Granddaddy Townsend saddled his horse and rode to Scruggs and voted and died that night….Grandfather Robert… fought in the Civil War. He didn’t get hit but almost died from fever. He said as he rode off to enlist, “We’re going to lose because we’re wrong.”

One of our culture’s bugaboos is the tendency to lump and stereotype.

Excellent Excerpt

Published March 3, 2019 by Nan Mykel

12. nlunny

if you didn’t know a language how would you think?

30 Amazing Things That Get Mind-Boggling If You Really Think About Them

DSM V from Alter Net 3-3-19

Published March 3, 2019 by Nan Mykel

Lance Dodes: Mr. Trump has a long history that proves his diagnosis. If you consider the 7 traits that define Antisocial Personality Disorder in the DSM-5, he meets every one of them:

1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors.
2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying … or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
4. Irritability and aggressiveness
5. Reckless disregard for safety of self or others.
6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations
7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

1895 Emergency Averted

Published March 2, 2019 by Nan Mykel

1895 S. L. Goff’s cow falls into a well. She broke one horn, but was rescued with a block and tackle.

Bedford County, Virginia

A Picture Is Worth More than… from Gronda Morin

Published March 2, 2019 by Nan Mykel

My Grandmother doing what she did best…

Published March 2, 2019 by Nan Mykel

Thank you, Saa…

Old-Fashioned Politicking

Published March 1, 2019 by Nan Mykel

THE POET FOR COUNCILMAN

To The Voters of the Town of Martinsville

Two years ago as you know well

The Ticket bore my name

And if you scratched it off or not

I thanked you just the same

Again I ask for your support

Not that I claim to be

A better man than others are

For all of you know me

But promising to ever stand

For what is just and true

I will simply sign my name

And leave rsults with you.

Yours to serve,

J.L. Minter, The Shoe Maker (?)

(An early Henry County Bulletin of Martinsville, Va.)

Do You Know About OPEN CULTURE?

Published February 28, 2019 by Nan Mykel

A free, inclusive, rare and awesome source of precious collections of all kinds, including historical antiquities. I don’t know how I was lucky enough to get included, but you can add your name at Open Culture: The best free cultural & educational media on the web http://www.openculture.com/ Your guide to FREE educational media. Find thousands of free online courses, audio books, textbooks, eBooks, language lessons, movies and more.

(The Man Woman)