SUNDAY - FUNDAY - OCTOBER 1, 2023

 SUNDAY FUNDAY - OCTOBER 1, 2023

WARM-UP

Do you realize this year is ¾ over?  And that Christmas is less than three months away?

And, time for many things to come out as “Pumpkin Spice Flavor.”  

*****

Some things I liked from friends:

I believe my house is haunted. Whenever I look in the mirror, a crazy old lady stands before me, so I can’t see my reflection!!!

Carol’s house is haunted too: “Happens at my house as well! And sometimes there’s a grumpy old man, too!

*****

Another friend shared this on her Facebook page (it is NOT her story):

“Something wonderful happened recently. My wonderful husband of 52 years, Bill, told me he wanted to marry me. As most of you reading this will know, Bill has been living with dementia for nine years. Bill has been unaware of our relationship for the past year or so and no longer knows my name.

So, when Bill told me that he ‘Really REALLY liked me and wanted to be with me forever’ - I was really touched. Bill doesn’t use many words now and finds it hard to express himself, but I got many kisses and hugs as I accepted his ‘proposal.’ It was so lovely. Another memory to treasure.

I wasn’t prepared for him to remember the next day. He wanted to know when we were getting married. This was Thursday, and I suggested Saturday.

My daughter Andrea said I needed a dress. Really? ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘How else can it be a wedding?’

So, I got a dress that afternoon, expecting to return it unworn. But Bill was still remembering on Friday, so together we bought a special cake, my cousin Lynne gave me flowers for my hair, and Eva planned and prepared a renewal of vows with a special bit for Bill, so he felt we were getting married.

The next day, with beautiful homemade bunting made by Lynne the day before, a beautiful flower arrangement made by Eva, perfect flowers from Susan for my bouquet, stunning weather all day, and our wonderful family around me, Bill and I got ‘married’ again

It was the most wonderful day. We are so blessed to be supported by family and close friends who love us and do everything they can to help Bill and me enjoy our lives together. I never dreamt we would renew our vows, but we did. And it was wonderful. Bill was wonderful. And what is even more amazing is that Bill still thinks he’s just married his new girlfriend two weeks later, which makes him very happy.

Please take from this that you can never assume that just because someone has advanced dementia with all the difficulties that presents, they can’t still surprise you in the most unlikely ways. Bill has made me very happy yet again.”

*****

Another friend shared this humor - comparing 1966 and 2023:

1966 : Long hair
2023 : Longing for hair

1966 : KEG
2023 : EKG

1966 : Acid rock
2023: Acid reflux

1966 : Moving to California because it's cool
2023 : Moving to Arizona because it's warm

1966 : Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2023 : Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

1966 : Seeds and stems
2023 : Roughage

1966 : Hoping for a BMW
2023 : Hoping for a BM

 1966 : Going to a new, hip joint
2023 : Receiving a new hip joint

1966 : Rolling Stones
2023 : Kidney Stones

1966 : Screw the system
2023 : Upgrade the system

1966 : Disco
2023 : Costco

1966 : Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2023 : Children begging you to get their heads shaved and wear a mask

1966 : Passing the drivers' test
2023 : Passing the vision test

1966 : Whatever
2023 : Depends

 *****

Another friend posted this on Facebook:

I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, I first noticed that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for me.

He handed me a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wasu, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk, I'd like you to read my mission statement.'

Taken aback, I read the card. It said: Wasu's Mission Statement:

To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.

This blew me away. Especially when I noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wasu said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.'

I said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.'

Wasu smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water, and orange juice.'

Almost stuttering, I said, 'I'll take a Diet Coke'

Handing me my drink, Wasu said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have Good Housekeeping magazine, Reader’s Digest, The Bible, and a Travel + Leisure magazine.'

As they were pulling away, Wasu handed me another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play if you'd like to listen to the radio.'

And as if that weren't enough, Wasu told me he had the heater on and asked if the temperature was comfortable.

Then he advised me of the best route to my destination for that time of day. He also told me he'd be happy to chat and tell me about some of the sights or, if I preferred, to leave me with my thoughts.

'Tell me, Wasu,' I was amazed and asked him, 'Have you always served customers like this?'

Wasu smiled into the rearview mirror. 'No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. During my first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about the power of choice one day.'

'Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle.'

'If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining!'

'Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'

'That hit me right,' said Wasu. He continued and said, 'It is about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I changed my attitude and became an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I take it that has paid off for you,' I said.

'It sure has,' Wasu replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year, I'll quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message.

Wasu made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

**

It worked. Whenever I needed a ride to or from the airport, I called Wasu!!!  And, every trip has been magical.

**

Have an eagle life ahead.....

*****

WRAP-UP

Bluebonnet Philharmonic Orchestra - Sunday, October 8th at 3:00 at Pfluger Park, 515 City Park Road, Pflugerville, TX

Oktoberfest at Walburg Restaurant - Walburg - Bridge Brats, Fire Ants, and whoever - Saturday, October 21st - (the group I play with starts at 7:00 p.m.) 

Have a fantastic, awesome week!!!

 MAX7 MAX ZINN OLIVE GROWER

Friday and Saturday were the annual Olive Grower Symposium at the University of California-Davis. Max Zinn and Carlos Perez went, of course. The American Olive Growers was a sponsor of the Olive Institute of UC Davis, and they also used Dr. Louise Larkner, Henry Lopez, and Aura Martinez as consultants.  

Max presented their new state-of-the-art cold compressing facility for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)  As the only college in California with an Olive Institute and growing in stature compared to the University of Bari in Italy.  

The American Olive Growers - Max’s farm - worked towards the best EVOO in two years. The cold compressing facility used artificial intelligence to apply the best pressure without bruising or damaging the olives. Premium EVOO would get up to triple the price in the marketplace. 

The Olive Grower Symposium was the major olive symposium in the United States. Various vendors were there to show off their new equipment. American Olive Growers had purchased the top-of-the-line equipment from National Olive Supply and Equipment - a significant vendor at the show. Matt and Carlos spent time at their booth as users of their equipment.  

As a bonus, Robert Zinn from the American Branch of the Camposi Olive Organization was a keynote speaker on the significant growth of the olive business in the United States. (And, of course, Robert Zinn was Max’s dad).

Of academic institutions, the University of California at Davis, the University of Bari in Italy, and Texas A&M University were vendors as well - presenting their various certificates and programs. Louise Larkner was at the University of California at Davis Booth (despite her doctorate from Texas A&M).

Before dinner on Friday night, attendees could have cold coffee with olive oil or a variety of mixed drinks with alcohol and extra virgin olive oil.  

Max was at a table with Louise Larkner and hoped he could talk to her - and ask her out. Louise was sitting between Max and her graduate professor from Texas A&M University. They were across from the olive department chair from UC Davis. On the other side of Max was Maria Lisa Clodoveo, the chair from the University of Bari. So, again, Max was unable to gain Louise’s attention and spent most of the dinner talking in Italian to Maria. He thought, too bad, she is 50 years old, married with two children, and kind of dumpy looking. But she is a friend of the Camposi family. 

The program for the evening was a two-person show between Dr. Wilson Klumpf, MD, and an olive expert from the United States Department of Health and Human Services and Cynthia Chavez from the California Department of Agriculture. The show was funny as they poked fun at olives and other fruit.  

Dr. Kumpf started. “The mother takes an olive, puts it in her mouth, goes “mmmm,” the daughter tries one for the first time, goes “ew...”, the mother eats another, again, goes “mmmm...”, her daughter tries yet another, then begins to cry. Her mother asks, “why are you crying,” her daughter says “you’re getting all the good ones.”

Cindy Chavez retorted. “About 1,375 olives are pressed to make 1 liter of olive oil, 8,435 sunflower seeds to make a liter of sunflower oil. And don’t even get me started on how many babies it takes to make baby oil.”

Wilson replied, “A man walks into a bar. He orders a Martini, takes out the olive, puts it on the table, and drinks it. Then he calls another one, again taking out the olive and drinking the Martini. And again, and again, and again.

At the tenth Martini, the bartender becomes curious and asks: “Why are you always taking out the olive and putting it on the side?”

“Well, that is quite simple,” says the man. “My wife asked me to buy a jar of olives, but the store was closed.”

Cindy laughs and makes another joke. 

“Hey Wilson, If you combine Basil, Parmesan, Pinenuts, and Olive Oil, you get Pesto. What do you get when you mix Olive Oil, Spinach, and Sweet Peas?

Wilson answers, “I have no idea, Cindy.”

Cindy answers, “You get the comic and cartoon classic Popeye.”

Wilson rolls his eyes and groans.

Then, the two of them talked about the benefits of olive oil, like “Extra virgin olive oil is a rich source of monosaturated fat (aka - healthy fat), and according to a study by the American Heart Association, it reduces the risk of heart disease.

“Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin K, both essential for maintaining healthy skin and hair. Since extra virgin olive oil boasts a higher nutrient content than standard olive oil, drinking it daily is an excellent way to replenish damaged skin and hair. “

After five minutes, a student walks in front of the two, dressed as an olive. That was their cue to have a few more olive jokes and finish the program.

Wilson said, “Charles Dickens walks into a bar... and orders a martini. The bartender asks, “Olive or twist?”

Cindy finished with, “Why were the two olives fighting? They were pitted against each other.”

The olive growers loved the program and gave it a standing ovation.  

*****

The attendees stood up, and Max thought, maybe I can ask Louise for a date, but Cindy Chavez approached him and asked, “Hey Max, did they solve that murder on your olive farm?”

Max answered, “No, Cindy, unfortunately, they haven’t solved it yet. I think the Butte County Sheriff has some leads, but nothing they can go with you.”

And by the time Max finished talking with Cindy, Louise Larkner was gone.  

Max wondered if things were stacked against him.

******

Max, Robert, and Carlos stayed the night in the Embassy Suites in Davis, and Max had time with his Dad. 

Dad filled in Max about happenings with the family.

Max’s younger sister, Maria, was dating a graduate student in numerical analysis from MIT. Annalisa was in her senior year at Sacred Heart University. Dad’s sister, Marge, was having cancer treatments.   

Max asked, “How’s Mom?”

Robert Zinn hesitated, “Mom is in Italy and has been for four months and maybe longer.” Dad paused, “We’re having some marital troubles and trying a separation.”

That news took Max by surprise. “Really, what’s up, Dad?”

Robert answered slowly, “I guess we just fell out of love. We’re telling people she cares for her mother, which is partially true. But it’s not like Grandma Camposi is dying. She is just elderly and slowing down a bit.xz

Max wondered if either Dad or Mom was having an affair - or maybe both- but he knew that was an inappropriate question. He’d ask his sister Maria when he had a chance.

Max did comment, “I’m sorry, Dad.”

Robert answered, “Thank you, son.” 

Max did ask, “And you are staying on as President of Camposi Italian Products - USA?”

Robert answered, “Yes. Your Grandfather, Aldolfo, said he wants me to stay on. They are still very patriarchal in their views, so he wants a man to lead the American Branch. So, as far as I know, even though your mother and I are separated, the business will continue as it is.”

Dad was squirming in his chair and changed the topic. “So, did they solve the murder case in your orchard?”

Max said, “Not yet. The authorities did various tests, and the guy, a former employee, was high on drugs and alcohol. The bullet went into his forehead from close range, so we figured it was his partner in the plan to hurt the trees. They are arranging for a funeral Mass for him this coming week. He leaves a wife and a son. Seemingly, the wife was shocked by his murder. I thought about attending the funeral, but I’ve decided not to. I”

Dad asked, “You said, in the past, you were interested in that professor at the University of California Davis. Has that worked out?”

Max shook his head. “See doesn’t seem to be married, but she is aloof. After sitting next to her tonight, I’d hoped I get a chance to ask her out. But she was too busy talking to her friends. 

  

 

Friday, September 29, 2023

 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 - SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS - JONAH

Last weekend, I read the Old Testament Book of Jonah.  

We know the story.

• God told Jonah to go to Ninevah

• Jonah didn’t want to go

• Jonah got on a ship going to Spain

• A bad storm came up

• The sailors drew lots, and Jonah was identified as running away from God

• The sailors threw Jonah overboard, and the storm immediately stopped

• Jonah was swallowed by a big fish (or whale)

• After three days, Jonah prayed, and the fish spit him out

• God told Jonah (again) to go to Ninevah

• This time, Jonah does - and preaches and the people repented

• Jonah is mad at God - he wants God to punish all the evil people of Ninevah

*****

So what Karen - a friendly reminder of Jonah - it sounds a little like a fairy tale anyway.

What are you trying to tell me?

Well, let’s see.

First - have you ever had something you didn’t want to do in front of you?

Did you want to run away? Did you run away?

I have dragged my feet on certain things.

We don’t want to do some things - but somehow, we have to grin and bear it. Maybe we’ve come to an impasse on our marriage and (ugh) have to face a divorce. Perhaps we’ve come to the end of a job, and (ugh, again) we have to quit. Or maybe we discovered that our boss is a liar and a cheat.

There might be times when it is appropriate to run away. (I generally don’t want to do this). If it is time to move on (like retire), do it with dignity.

Those decisions can be costly. I know people who quit their jobs based on incompatible values and without jobs or income. (Like recently some whistleblowers in Texas) 

*****

Second - maybe we didn’t end up in a whale, but in a pit (or in terrible depression) - and like Jonah, we’ve tried our “bag of tricks” and finally called on God. 

Yes, every week, I write one blog on spirituality - and here I am - admitting I don’t always think of God in my plans.

If I think of God (as I envision “Him/She/It/The Force”) as the infinite being of the universe - and I don’t look for him, I’m a hypocrite.

The God that I think is there - is somehow omnipresent - everywhere - all the time.  

Somebody is out there waiting for you to call on Him/Her!!!

*****

Third - so we repent (whatever that is). Are we big enough to say, “I made a mistake?”; “I was wrong.”

I call that “eating crow.”  Eating crow means humiliation by admitting you were wrong.   [I’m trying to think of an example - if I said, “The Sun rises in the south.”  I generally would be wrong - but if I am standing at the North Pole. The sun rises and sets in the south!!!.]

We have enough (too many?) braggarts - true humility is rare and exceptional.

*****

Fourth - am I one to “poo-poo” somebody else’s success?

Jonah was mad at God for forgiving the people of Ninevah. Jonah didn’t even get recognized as the person who warned the people of Ninevah. And, then, he was mad at God for working a great miracle.  

Jonah 4:2-3 Jonah says to God, “I knew you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

*****

Jonah has what I get frequently - selfishness. I don’t want to do that; I don’t want to be friendly and loving to that person/group, and then when it works out, I get upset. 

I want things “my way” (like Burger King’s ads - “have it your way”).  

Lord, help me to be open to your direction and call upon my life; let me talk about love, but even more importantly, let me REALLY love. 

I profess that LOVE WINS - but I need to walk the walk and talk the talk.

LOVE TRANSFORMS - am I changing into a butterfly or a kinder, more excellent human being?

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © SEPTEMBER 29, 2023