Author: Morrie Markoff

Centenarian (born in 1914) who lives in Los Angeles, and is also a metal sculpture artist and the Author of "Keep Breathing," available on Amazon.com and other book seller sites.

TV Memories

I remember that many years ago CNN started with few commercials (many, many moons ago). 

Not anymore.

Some of the boring-to-listen-to are (so it seems) longer than the programs.

Confession – I was the 2nd commercial on Channel 2 (I think).

I demonstrated a vacuum cleaner my company “Wiz” vacuum stores was selling.

Unrehearsed, it was a crude presentation, but not to viewers. TV was exciting and new.

It brought world happenings into your home.

I bought a TV with an eight (yes, eight) inch screen for my mother.

She sat fascinated by it. 

“How does it work?”

I stammered, not knowing how to explain it to her. She looked at me.

“Is it magic?”

I thought for a moment and said, “Yes, mom, it’s magic.”

I sold TVs and I repaired them, but I couldn’t explain to my mother how they worked.

TV is a huge industry today.

I saw part of its beginnings.

In truth, I am a museum piece.

In a few days (January 11) I will be 108 years old.

I don’t feel or look like people feel I should.

I read, I write, I watch CNN news on TV.

Morrie

(January 10, 2022)

Betty White

Ageless, deep dimpled Betty White is dead at 99.

What irony, on the eve before the Rose Parade.

Sitting in a chair overlooking Colorado Boulevard, with sparkling eyes and dimpled cheeks, she described each contingent of parade marchers as they marched by, giving understanding to TV viewers.

Her death is a terrible loss to all who knew her. 

No one is irreplaceable but it will be difficult to find another Betty White.

Nothing stays the same but the “band plays on.”

(December 31, 2021)

Time Passes by Like Clouds in the Sky

Time passes by like clouds in the sky.

Yesterday’s dreams may become today’s reality.

It’s not what you wanted them to be.

***

The article in L.A. Times was most interesting.

It was about “horology” – a study of “time” – a subject most of us waste a lot of. 

Sentenced criminals do.

Unstoppable.

It’s how we measure our aging.

Each of us is only given a limited amount of it.

Often, we don’t spend it as wisely as we should.

In our formative years we use it, often abuse it, in preparation for a future that some don’t have….

As humans, we only have limited control of our lives.

No one knows what our futures will be….

Are our lives governed or do we have “free choice” in things that happen, do we have a voice?

No one knows.

We can’t see around the corner.

Right from the beginning we don’t know how it will end.

We wake up in the morning, take a peek outside.

Whatever the weather, we have no choice but to abide.

Chorito handed me two pennies she found on the floor.

No longer handling money, I didn’t know we used them anymore.

***

I’m glad I don’t have to make a living from writing….

Any money I have earned from book “royalties” goes to my “handler” Judith. She donates to the Crippled Children’s Hospital (who took care of my granddaughter Jeannie pro bono when she contracted polio)….

Morrie

(December 12, 2021)

“J”

I heard our door close as Judy left the room.

I love Judy, the daughter that every parent wants and we were lucky to have.

She’s had some “bad luck” in her life, built loving memories of her attorney husband, dying at a most productive time in his life.

Tough breaks, but as Ruby would say, “That’s the way it is.”

Judy never remarried. She lives with memories of Raymond.

I don’t know of a more active or competent person

(with many or more talents that I have).

She is an innovator.

I love her.

I am proud of her.

My “J” 

***

Asleep on the couch, I felt a hand shaking me. Looking up, it was Judy.

“Dad, I’m leaving.” She is going back to the small but cozy house she built in Seattle. Her children live there.

With tears that I was holding back, I said, “Goodbye, J,” and kissed her hand.

She picked up her luggage and waved goodbye to Danny. Without looking back, she was out the door.

Will I ever see her again? Who knows. No one can see around the bend.

Morrie

(November 2021)