Cast Your Vote: The King vs. The Fab Four

Through the ages, there have been several questions that would define one's character.

Do you put your toilet paper roll so the sheets pull from underneath or over the top?

Is it acceptable to put ketchup on your eggs?

Peanut Butter + Bananas: A match made in heaven or a culinary travesty?

I'm sure you can think of several more – feel free to chime in. But today's question is one that's come up over the years with Mr. Ginley and I, and it calls into question our compatibility. To whit...

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Are you a Beatles fan or an Elvis fan?

Mr. Ginley is in the Elvis camp, I'm firmly planted in the Beatles camp. Although I do admit to liking the early Elvis, and Mr. likes some of the Beatles' later music. 

Growing up, Linda and I faced the same conundrum. I would say that she won – she got her Dad to take her to see Elvis in concert, and he enjoyed it so much, he took her again. It was something they bonded over. 

My Dad never did cotton to the Beatles.

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I'm not sure if my older brothers hadn't been fans that I would have been in the Beatles camp. I grew up hearing their music over and over, to the point where I learned most of their songs by heart. (Although, admittedly, I still struggle a bit with I Am the Walrus. "Elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna," indeed.) So much of the music is tied to a time and place that's personal, so I guess I understand why today's youngsters don't get it. Much like I find a lot of modern music to be meh.

So, what do you all think? Elvis or the Beatles? No need to give a reason, just cast your vote. 

There's no wrong answer – unless you say "neither one."  

Photo attributions: Elvis, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons. Beatles Arrive at JFK Airport: United Press International, photographer unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

An Ounce of Prevention

They say that youth is wasted on the young, and boy, howdy, is that true, especially if you've enjoyed good health most of your life.

Old-timey x-ray, public domain photo

This year, I reached Medicare Age, and it was like a timer went off.

Ding! Knee/hip replacement is in your future.

Ding! You've had some significant bone loss, you're heading for osteoporosis. Time to up the calcium and Vitamin D.

Ding! Start taking these eyedrops every night so you don't lose your vision (hopefully).

Of course, I'd already been through the colonoscopy thing a couple of times. Undetected polyps can turn cancerous. Mine were removed before that could happen. 

And there was that iffy mammogram years ago that turned out to be nothing.

So, why am I sharing my medical history with y'all? 

Just to remind everyone of the importance of early detection. Most insurance plans cover preventive procedures. (Although the bone scan wasn't covered by my insurance, may they rot for their misplaced frugality.) 

So, if you're due for a procedure, suck it up and swallow the solution, submit to being squeezed, or let the scanner do its thing. This is more important than anything in a busy schedule.

Okay, I'm getting off my soapbox. You may now resume your normal programming!

Chance Encounters

I've always had an active imagination. As a child, I played with my two invisible friends, Becky and Roger. I've no idea where I conjured up their names. But we had some great times together, just the three of us.

I suppose it's my imagination that also feels compelled to make up stories in my head when I chance upon something out of the ordinary. Like Daisy Duck, sitting on a bench in the MetroParks, trying to look nonchalant. 

She could be striking a pose. Or maybe she was dancing with Donald (where did he get off to?) Or perhaps that last cup of coffee was a bit much, and she's just off to the loo. I can certainly relate to that.

I paused to take her photo. She didn't seem to mind the attention. I figure I'm not the only one who wondered how she'd gotten there and if anyone would be back to retrieve her.

I'm not sure what the park's policy is on loitering, but given she's a duck, the rangers will probably give her a pass. 

I hope she finds a new place to hang out before winter arrives. 

Her dress doesn't look all that warm.

Sweet Mystery of Life

If you've seen Young Frankenstein, you no doubt remember the line that was sung by both Madeline Kahn and Teri Garr. 

To whit, "Oh. sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you!" 

If you're familiar with the reference, you may be tittering right about now. But I have a completely innocent reason for proclaiming these words.

On a recent trip to the thrift store, I was perusing the puzzles and games section, when what did I stumble across but a vision...a game I coveted during my preteen years. Could it be, yes, it was.

Mystery Date!

I put back the jigsaw puzzles I had eyed only moments before and nabbed my prize. A handwritten note on the top of the battered box said, "new inside." I had to make it mine.

Fast forward an hour or two, and there I was, sitting on my couch, the box open, and, indeed, it looked like the game had never been played. The game pieces hadn't been punched out of their cardboard frame, all the cards were there (I counted them twice), and the door worked (I tested it to make sure all of the guys appeared). The inside of the box said it was the original game, copyright 1965. 

Oh happy day. At last, the game was mine. All mine. I gazed at it lovingly and sighed.

But, alas, I'm not 10 years old anymore, and the novelty of owning this treasure vanished, much like my youth. Poof.

So now I am wondering, what does one do with such a relic? Do I find a vintage game store to sell it to? Do I keep it hoping for granddaughters who will play the game with me someday?

More likely, I'll store it in the closet beside my Barbie Queen of the Prom game. I doubt that future generations will give a toss about it. I'll probably just elicit something like, "Poor you, such a pathetic childhood you must have had to want this silly game."

Fortunately, there are one or two of you out there who understand. Who remember the thrill of finding the desired boyfriend behind the door. 

If any of you would like the game, you know how to reach me. 

My door is always open.