Lucy and Ethel (Vivian Vance) on I Love Lucy
I’m not an “environmentalist,” but I love nature. And while I spent part of my life near the ocean, I didn’t much enjoy being in it. I prefer fresh water. But I have to say Jacques Cousteau, the French naval officer, explorer, ecologist, scientist, researcher and filmaker had always made an impression on me.
He was a bit hard to understand, but that didn’t matter, because he was bringing us beautiful, vivid film of creatures we had never seen before from mysterious places. The ocean and far off islands are places most of us could only imagine ever visiting back in the late 60s and into the 70s when he did most of his documentaries. He really was a teacher and he inspired many people, including me, to look at all animal life differently.
Jacques-Yves Cousteau in 1976
Mom~Julia Child~Graham Kerr~Martha Stewart…What teenager loves to watch cooking shows? Can you see me raising my hand? I did! I have a love for cooking that came first and foremost from my mom. She loved to cook, for our family of eight, and eventually had a small restaurant of her own. She rarely used a recipe, and if she did, she altered it. Since she worked at night, I learned to cook at a young age so I could help with the evening meal.
I loved the cooking shows since they opened up the world of gourmet cooking and added style to the food. Plus, they were fun to watch (a little too fun for the actual cook in the Galloping Gourmet’s case). Food brings people together and my mom cooked the best food.
I have to look to fictional Scarlett O’Hara, of Gone With The Wind fame. My older sister had that huge novel written by Margaret Mitchell sitting on our bookshelf for years, in Connecticut, where I turned my nose up at it over and over. We eventually moved to Florida, and while few possessions were taken along with us, somehow that book made the trip. Still it was ignored.
One day, a friend of mine suggested we go to a showing of the old movie that was playing. Four hours, I thought. But we went. Vivian Leigh, with her sly, eyebrow raising, bitchy, scheming, survivalist performance won me over. And the movie, in general, with its history was too awesome.
It was 1:00 a.m. when got home that night, and the first thing I did was pull that book off the shelf and begin reading. I couldn’t put it down and still have the book to this day.
Yes, fictional Scarlett O’Hara was one hell of a woman, and I’m not ashamed to say that I have many of the qualities that Margaret Mitchell gave her character…she was definitely a Righty in my book.
I think former President Ronald Reagan made me have an interest in politics again. If it weren’t for him, I would still be a voter….but I may not have paid attention to the world as much. He put some compassion into the presidency. While there will never be a president that is approved by everyone, I think there was something about him that most people can say they liked. I believe no matter who our president is, you have to remember that he is also a human being.
Ronald Reagan made conservatives proud to be just that. Proud to stand up for what we believe in. It’s nice when you don’t need to put bumper stickers on your car.
Every year on Labor Day Weekend, comedian and entertainer Jerry Lewis does it. The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. He did it when he was younger, he did it when he was very ill, himself, and he does it now. It never fails. He does it for “his kids.”
Jerry Lewis is what,volunteering is about. And I believe in volunteering. I think our country is really missing something because of a lack of volunteerism.
Everyone should volunteer at something…everyone. And when I hear someone who retires say they don’t know what they are going to do with themselves, so maybe they might have to get another job just to keep busy, even though they don’t need the money…that just burns me up. There are plenty of places that need your help and can keep you busy…and it will make you feel very good.
Anyway…Jerry Lewis taught me at a very young age that people need to volunteer. What a smart guy.
Overcome with emotion, Jerry Lewis ends his 42nd Annual Labor Day Telethon with a record-setting $63.8 million in donations and pledges. MDA photo.
I think I’m a risk-taker in certain respects. Physically and scientifically, yes…not so financially, etc. Emilia Earhart~Jane Goodall~Sally Ride…You go girls. You were out in front and showed what you could do. I would be right behind you if life would let me. It was easier back in the 70s….But ho, hum….life goes on. I’ll have to read about it, but you inspire me.
Neta Snook and Amelia Earhart in front of Earhart’s Kinner Airster, c.1921
I have a love for gardening that goes back from my dad, to his dad, but I’m going to credit my last blurb to Native Americans, too. You may chuckle, but I don’t. Native Americans were farming this land, often in wooded areas, growing corn before we settled here. They created wonderful tools to farm with, also. Their expertise saved many lives during those times.
My ancestors brought their love for gardening with them from Europe. It has been passed on through our family. It makes me happy that each summer both of my children and their spouses have beautiful gardens. That satisfaction of seeing things grow and knowing it’s fresh and it came from the work and sweat you put into it can’t be compared to anything you can find in the grocery store. My dad and mom had my whole family help them in the garden when I was young, and I thank them for that. When I talk to my dad each week during the summer, we always start out comparing our gardens…
Well, that’s about me. But about my blog? It’s somewhat political, somewhat satire, has a bit of history and science, anything I want to throw out there. But of course it will have a reflection of my views. It’s called Righty Blog…but it may, on some topics, lean toward the center…
That’s Right!
Righty