Poppa Jeff's Report

Looking Back

Oil Painting by Poppa Jeff

(Inspired by a work of Carol Rhode Curley)

I'm curious about how many people get this cartoon. It could stand alone even if you didn't recognize the historical movie reference.

I know I'm posting a lot of stolen images instead of what my late friend, Whitney Gould, called my pithy prose. But damn it, that's what social media is asking for. At least, that is what I'm told.

As a father, I'm sure I'm not alone as I wait for the flood of emails, phone calls and airplane banners from my family on this Sunday's observance of Father's Day. Then again, maybe not. I should be content to scroll through Ancestery.com, to see if any more offspring pop up. (This is where you are supposed to roll your eyes and chuckle.)

Comments

Once A Young Man

My late friend Jack had a saying that's lost on young people; it sure was lost on me. With his version of a Finnish accent, he'd say, " We are too soon old and too late, smart." I've never heard anybody answer the question about returning and reliving their youth that didn't include the covariate that they would know what they know now. Maturation and accepting the onset of the later years of our life goes a long way to mellowing our passions. Chicago Bear fans are less intimidating, and the members of the opposite sex who are age appropriate are far more appealing than we might have thought in our youth. Yes, I will admit some men still try to relive their youth in ways that defy logic. This facet of two late smart prevents athletes from realizing when their best years are behind them. More men than women seem to delude themselves into believing that members of the opposite sex half their age are suitable mates. I'm not going to deny that some of us old...

Which Doctor Do I Call?

It started with weepy, crusty eyes. Then my left leg started acting like it had a swivel for a knee. Suddenly, I was experiencing a lack of energy. To top it off, I wasn't getting a good night's sleep. Who do ya call? In my case, I'm calling my primary. My eye problem might need a specialist. Since I have CMT, my leg problem could be neuropathy or orthopedic. My cancer treatments might lead to my lack of pep. And despite using my pillows to attain perfect comfort, my aching legs and lower back keep me awake. I'm going to be cutting back a bit since my health seems to be melting before my weepy, crusty eyes. I've quit my tutoring gig. This hurts me. My student, six-year-old Aydn Collins, is a joy to be with. I had hoped my contribution to his education would be good for him. The biggest problem with the job is getting in and out of the school. Featuring long walks from and back to the parking lot and the mountain of stairs. The older schools are wonderful in almost ...

Watching the Oldies

Note: Last week's post was late. There is a reason. Read on. Classic Film: From Here To Eternity The film opens in Hawaii in 1941. The film stars Bur Lancaster, Mongomery Clift, Deborah Carr and Donna Reed. It is before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The only scene I remember is a scene many people who never watched the entire film have seen. It shows Bert Lancaster and Deborah Carr lying on a sandy beach, kissing as an incoming washed over them. Given the popularity of that scene, it was amazing to me that that iconic image is only seconds long in the film. The story is about the innocence of army personnel with no idea what's coming. Lancaster literally runs the squad while his Captain lets him take charge so he can campaign for his promotion and cheat on his wife. To make up for the disrespect he has for his commanding officer, Lancaster beds his Captain's officer's wife only to fall in love with her. Clift's character suffers the humiliation of an offic...

Point Made

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