The "Please! May We Swap Leaders For The Next Few Months?!!" Story

Orient Beach on Frenchf St. Martin...we will miss you!

Preface: My wife and I have been visiting the island of Dutch Sint Maarten/ French St.Martin for the past 20 years.  We have made many friends over those years and enjoy our yearly visits immensely.  We were scheduled to visit for a few weeks beginning May 10th.  

Happy Bay on French St. Martin...and you, too!

That is not going to happen!  American Airlines has canceled flights, Sint Maarten is not allowing flights from anywhere except from a French or Dutch island and the Prime Minister of the island has placed a strict "Stop Moving" ban on the residents of the Dutch side.  I'm sure it will be enacted on the French side also in the near future.  So...we had to cancel our vacation this year.  Hopefully we will be able to return to Paradise once again, but as in life, there are no guarantees.  The following is what one news reporter wrote about the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten.  As my story title says today...it can't be soon enough!

It was an ordinary day.  Until I watched the video posted on Twitter that featured Silveria Jacobs, the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten.  The video was posted by a BuzzFeed News Reporter Emmanuel Felton under a headline which read "Leader's Blunt Coronavirus Message To Her Citizens Has Gone Viral."  Mr. Felton says that Silveria Jacobs isn't accepting any of your excuses for leaving the house. In wake of the threat posed by the global coronavirus pandemic, PM Jacobs ordered a halt to all nonessential movement in the small Caribbean nation of just 41,000 people.  

Prime Minister of Dutch Sint Maarten Silveria Jacobs

On April 1 an hour long briefing was held by officials of the island with Jacobs saying, while being taped, "We can stop the spread of the virus.  Stop moving! Simply, stop moving!  If you do not have the type of bread you like in your house, eat crackers.  If you do not have bread, eat cereal, eat oats, sardines," she said.  Jacobs told residents of the small island, which was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017, to treat the pandemic like a natural disaster.  She continued, "You're supposed to have a two-week supply for hurricanes, and at the beginning of this I said, 'Prepare your disaster kit as if you would for a hurricane."  She told people not to buy water or toilet paper, but rather one to two weeks of food in the event of a full lockdown, which would mean grocery stores would close.  The Prime Minister said she doesn't want to order a full lockdown, so she is urging people to practice social distancing and remain home as much as possible.  "If the people of Sint Maarten do not adhere to the measures that the government of Sint Maarten is putting in place for your own safety, then I have no other choice," she said bluntly.  Mr. Felton writes that in contrast to briefings by US officials and President Donald Trump, which even some people in conservative media have found to be not useful, many people found Jacobs' straightforward tone quite helpful.  Many of the people sharing Jacobs' video are children of the Caribbean diaspora who could hear echoes of their own mothers and grandmothers in her address.  Others, including my wife and myself and many more around the world, are clamoring for her to-the-point leadership style.  Mr. Felton reports that given how unseriously a lot of the west is taking this, I feel like all leaders should be talking to their citizens like this.  It truly is female leadership at its finest.  We love to see it.  I must admit that I totally agree with Mr. Felton.  If only we in the United States had leadership such as the island of Sint Maarten is receiving we would feel so much better knowing that someone is really in control of the situation.  So, I propose we swap leaders for the remainder of this pandemic!!  Watch Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs frank talk she gave to the residents of the island.  It doesn't take an hour or more of talking and gesturing with your hands needlessly to get across what you want the people to do.  And, I suspect they will do it!!  Bravo Prime Minister.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Ramblings From Someone With Nothing To Do!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Still practicing "social distancing,"  wearing my mask and being bored!  So, what to do?  Well, we did need some food for the cats so I headed the couple of blocks to the pet store to stock up on both wet and dry food.  Took me all but half an hour and I was home again trying to find something to do.  I've already cleaned the grout between the tiles in our kitchen and hallway and trimmed all the bushes around the property and mowed the grass twice within a week.  My next task for the day was to sit on my lounge chair and do something constructive such as type something for all to read.  Talked with my wife, Carol, about an idea or two, opened the top on my MacBook Air and hit the orange colored box with the big letter "E" on it.  The "E" stands for Extraordinary which happens to be the first word in the title of my blog.  Carol suggested I write about the Easter holiday or perhaps something going on around the city where we live, Lancaster.  Tough to do right now, since I am limited in where and when I may drive.  Then I remembered a street sign I had seen on the way home from getting my cat's food which read "Bareville".  To many, the name of the little town is hilarious.  And...I guess it could be.  But, I could list many other towns nearby that are funnier than that.  Then I had my "Ah Ha" moment.  I've already written about towns such as Blue Ball, Mt. Joy, Lititz, Bird-In-Hand so why not find a few towns that I have never heard with strange names and write about them.  I found a recent post that listed a few towns that have names that you might be glad you don't have to tell people that's where you live. They are:

Boogertown, North Carolina.  When I first saw this one I did have to laugh a bit.  I'm sure you probably did also, unless you happen to live in Boogertown...and then I'm sure you don't laugh at the name anymore.  So, why is this town called Boogertown?  Well, it actually refers to the stories of boogeymen who lived in and hunted the forests of a North Carolina town.  But, boogeymen never really existed; it was just a name made up by bootleggers who were trying to keep townspeople and authorities out of the woods while they made their "juice".  This town is in Gaston County, NC and has as many events and activities as any other town in any other state in the country.  Just happens to have a funny name that makes everyone laugh.

Humptulips, Washington.  A town with a really odd name.  And, I'm positive that most of you had to laugh when you read it.  The name originated thousands of years ago and is a Salish word of the native Chehalis tribe.  The word translates to "hard to pole" which refers to navigating the Humptulips River with downed timber in its water.  Now, others see it differently and say it means "chilly region".  Doesn't really matter what it means except for the fact that it is a region with a proud native history.

Two Egg, Florida.  This has to be a joke, right!  Nope, it is an area in Jackson County, Florida that doesn't have a city government so no one pays taxes or has access to municipal services.  The name came about when the Great Depression hit in the 1930s and mothers would send their children to the general store to trade two eggs for sugar.  The store eventually became known as a "two-egg store" and visitors began calling area Two Egg.  It actually made it onto the Florida map in 1940. 

Hell, Michigan.  So you really can go to hell if you want.  And, I'm sure many people really do go to hell.  The town is near Ann Arbor and was first settled in 1838 where it had a general store and grist mill.  The founder of the town, George Reeves, would pay farmers for grain with whiskey.  The farmer's wives used to claim their husbands had "gone to Hell again" when they visited Reeves at harvest time.  But, wait!  There is yet another reason for the name.  "So schön hell" translates to "so beautifully bright."  But, then Reeves comes along and says, "I don't know, you can name it Hell for all I care."  So, no matter what the reason might be, it officially became Hell, Michigan in 1841.  And, today you can pay to be the Mayor of Hell, Michigan for an hour.  How much will it cost you?  Hell, I don't know. 

And, the final town is one that I have been through as well as have shopped in many times...Intercourse, Pennsylvania.  This town is in the heart of Amish Country and is surrounded by his and valleys of farmland.  The shops in the town sell Amish goods such as hand-made quilts, furniture, toys and crafts.  The town is one of the biggest draws when tourist come to see The Amish. Heck (notice I didn't type something else) if I came to visit I certainly would want to buy something that said I was involved in Intercourse.  Heavens, I have been through Intercourse many times in my life.  The town was originally called Cross Keys, but it wasn't a colorful enough name, so in 1814 the name was changed to Intercourse.  After all it is at the intersection of State Routes 340 and 772.  Intercourse, PA was featured in the Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis 1985 film, "Witness".  

Well, there you have a few new names you can talk about at supper.  Perhaps you may want to visit one of them or at least go online and buy a sweatshirt, t-shirt or cap with the name of the town on it.  Then everyone who sees you could have a good laugh.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "The Wisdom Of The Written Word" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just submitted the latest 2020 yearbook to Jostens Yearbook Company for the Landis Run Intermediate School in the Manheim Township School District which is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  The school was opened eight years ago and I have been responsible for the yearbook since the school opened.  This year's book had a theme of "Friends" which was conveyed by using quotes about friends and friendship on the class pages which numbered close to 35 pages.  One of the school's language teachers had her students search for a favorite quote about "Friendship" and submit it for publication in the yearbook.  They had to document who authored the quote and include their name which were both placed next to the quote in the yearbook.  Quotes couldn't be more than a certain length or the yearbook company couldn't print them.  One evening while working on the yearbook, I too spent an hour or so looking up quotes from famous people.  Always fun as well as inspirational to view the thoughts of some of the most famous people in the world be they living or deceased.  Check out the following quotes which I have documented with whom spoke or wrote the quote.  Perhaps you will find one or a few that have meaning for you.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance.  Albert Einstein

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.  Benjamin Franklin

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember.  I do and I understand.  Confucius

Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened!  Dr. Seuss

There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.  Erma Bombek

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.  Eleanor Roosevelt

I like you just the way you are.  Fred Rogers

It's frightful that people who are so ignorant should have so much influence. 
 George Orwell

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.  Helen Keller

When people are intimidated about having their own opinions, oppression is at hand.  Jimmy Carter

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.  Mark Twain

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.  
Nelson Mandela

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.  Oprah Winfrey

A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool because he has to say something.  Plato

Let us not take ourselves too seriously.  None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.  
Queen Elizabeth II

A friend is a person who goes around saying nice things about you behind your back.  
Ralph Waldo Emerson

As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but all together we make a mighty fist.
Sitting Bull

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.  Thomas Jefferson

Doing little things well is a step toward doing big things better.  Vincent Van Gogh

The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.  Will Rogers

I have often repented speaking, but never of holding my tongue.  Xenocrates

Your preciousness lies in your essence; it cannot be lost by anything that happens.  Zhuangzi

Tell me, and then again show me, so I can know.  Zora Neale Hurston

A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.  
Donna Roberts

The "Journaling and Blogging" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Pushing the keys on my MacBook Air for my story today about journaling and blogging.  Do you do either...and if not, why not?  It has been proven that keeping a journal or writing a blog is an aid to memory and creativity.  Many psychologists say that journaling actually can help with empathy, especially with older people.  By learning to listen to yourself, you can listen better to others.  Journaling gives you a chance to step back and listen to yourself in a different way.  Also gives you a chance to encounter things in a new way by visiting your past through your your writing.  I had a neighbor who was my age and became ill due to his time in the service in Viet Nam.  One of the things he was told to do to help with his recovery was to take a writing class and write about his life much the same as you do when you keep a journal.  What he wrote was very interesting and gave me depth into his being.  He died not long ago, but it gave me more of a reason to continue writing this blog you are reading.  Writing a journal or blog is very much different than posting something online on Facebook or Twitter, since social media is not designed for authenticity and vulnerability.  When you write on social media you almost always put on a happy face.  Doesn't have to be that way when writing in a journal or even writing a blog.  After retiring from teaching in 1999 I have been occasionally writing in small booklets, much like a journal.  When one gets filled I begin another. 

Two of my favorite journals.  The top one
was a gift from my wife while the other
one features a favorite beach in St. Martin.
The top one is full while the other one
has just a few thoughts and writings in it.

My reason for doing so is so I have something to look back on when I want to write a blog story and have it accurate.  I have my own history to observe through my journal.  This past year, while visiting the island of St. Martin, I purchased a very small booklet with blank pages for writing.  On the front is an artist's rendition of my favorite beach.  It makes me happy every time I pick it up to add an entry.  My only wish is that I had started writing in my booklets long ago.  My friend Sue has been keeping a type of journal most of her married life by adding events that happen in her life.  She can pull an album off the shelf in her study and be able to read what she had done years ago on just about any day of the year.  It is more than a journal since it also has photos and mementos to go with it.  I envy her that she can relive her life over and over again whenever she wants to do so.  Both happy and sad moments bring her history back to life once again much the same as a journal.  I began this blog on September 2, 2009 with a story titled "White Rat".  Had to do with a few white rats my grandfather bought for me at an animal auction when I was a child and who escaped in our basement.  Click on the time table on the right of this blog and read it if you care to.  Since that date I have posted 3,429 stories; some good, some bad, some in between.  I'm sure you will agree if you have been reading them.  Very soon I will have received half-a-million reads of my blog.  Someone must enjoy them or at least put up with them.  I write this to give me something to occupy my time.  It makes my mind work in ways that watching TV or talking on the phone cannot do. It is also both entertaining as well as telling the history of my life.  Much like writing a journal except I am sharing my stories with you and not just myself.  Perhaps you will be the one-half million reader that pushes the key to open my blog and read my story of the day.  I have no goal in mind as to how long I will continue.  I just enjoy adding stories that deal with my life as well as the history of of my community, both current and in the past.  What do I gain from writing this stuff?  It gives me a chance to face my vulnerabilities and a way to slow down my lease on life.  It gives me a chance to make life meaningful, joyful and worthwhile.  Are you doing something that does the same for you?  If not, why?  Hey, if I can write stories, so can you!  Live you life to the fullest and maybe writing would do that for you as it has for me; be it a journal or blog or both.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "The Deep, Dark World Of LDub" Story

Foreword:  I feel like I've left you down.  It's been years since I missed posting a story on two consecutive days.  So what's up?  Seems I've had my fourth back operation.  I will return to my surgeon next week and at that time will tell you what he had to do to try and stop the numbness in both my left leg and foot and my right foot.  So, for now, you will have to read stories I wrote in preparation for my surgery.

It was an ordinary day.  Checking the stats and comments that are part of the Blogspot website.  Whenever I care to, I can see how many readers I might have during a day or see the comments that people may leave on any of the stories I have written during the past 8 years.  What I enjoy looking at the most are the Pageviews by Countries that tell which countries may be visiting my blog and how many there might be each day.  It was about two years ago that I had quite a few visitors from Russia on a daily basis.  It was about the same time that there was a big stink that the Russians were meddling in our Presidential election.  

One of the pages I can view on Blogspot.  This
page shows how many visits I had on a specific day.
It amazes me all the different countries that visit
on any particular day.  At times I have to look up
where the country is located on a map.

I had a few hundred Russians reading my blog that had nothing to do with anything political.  At least that's what I thought.  But, as soon as the election had taken place, the readers stopped visiting.  Well, it has begun once again.  Yesterday I had 503 Russian visitors and the day before it was about half that number.  This morning's newspaper had a story telling that Facebook recently revealed that Russian meddlers produced approximately 800,000 posts between June 2015 and August 2017.  Not that big a number in the total realm of things, but still a number that caused concern.  Most of those posts were to spread misinformation, especially in swing states.  In my home state of Pennsylvania as well as Wisconsin and Michigan, only 107,000 votes would have been enough to have changed the result of the Presidential election.  Facebook estimated that more than 70 million users were exposed to Russian propaganda.  Now, what does that have to do with my blog?  Absolutely nothing, I guess!  Or does it?  What should I do?  Call the local police?  Call the FBI pr CIA.  And, how does one go about doing that?  And, should I care?  I'm at a loss as to why the Russians all of a sudden have returned to reading my blog.  Could they be practicing their English?  Are they just interested in the local culture and the Amish and Mennonites that live in Lancaster, or are they searching for something hidden in my story that I'm not aware of?  I guess I'll see how far this goes and if they continue to visit my blog until the mid-term election.  Maybe the deep, dark world of LDub will be exposed soon!  Time will tell.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.