“My Blue Heaven”

With my dogs and me and a friend whom I see

I am happy in my blue heaven

A moonlit night, a happy sight

I’m happy in my blue heaven

Sleeping well last night, free of fright

A sunny day filled with play

I’m happy in my blue heaven

I never want to leave, I would constantly grieve

In my blue heaven

It’s here, I want to stay where 

I will spend my day

In my blue heaven

Morrie

(November 2021)

“Robbery”

I can’t believe it.

Gas prices are heading to $5 a gallon.

Why?

There is no gas shortage.

There is plenty of oil in the ground.

Yes, the gas tax is high and for no reason I can see.

In the early thirties in New York City, gas was $.099 cents a gallon. Even poor people could drive old low-mileage-getting Cadillacs (8 miles on a gallon) with eight large cylinders (the car jumped when you put your foot on the gas pedal).

“Something is rotten in Denmark.”

We have to find out “what” and fix it.

The oil company is happy, the stocks are going through the roof. Daily, the price of gas is rising.

Workers, poor people are suffering. They have to buy gas for their cars to get to work.

Their money buys less, they need higher wages, and will, if necessary, go on strike to get it.

Unless President Joe Biden acts to halt the spiral of inflation (with its dreadful consequences) we are in for “bad times.”

He must have the fortitude and vision of Franklin D. Roosevelt. We don’t want to be singing the song, “Brother, can you spare a dime.”

Rampant, uncontrollable inflation brought to power Hitler in Germany.

We can’t let history repeat itself.

Act now – while we still can.

My fingers are crossed.

Morrie

(November 2021)

Ask Your Questions Now

It’s hard to believe the history I have seen and lived through.

I have outlived all of my friends. There is no one I know of who is alive to tell my story. At my age (107), I feel a responsibility and urgency to tell my story.

If any of my readers have any questions they wish to ask me, please do it now while I still have my memory (an amazement to people I know – me too).

keepbreathingbook@gmail.com

Morrie

(November 16, 2021)

Broken Pipe – Clean Water

I watched on CNN, the result of a broken pipe.

Millions of fresh, clean water is “gushing” out of them.

Drinking water is going to waste.

We take our drinking water for granted – we shouldn’t.

***

Clear filtrated water is a precious treasure we users should appreciate more than we do. Most of the world does not have water, clean or dirty, to drink.

The next time you pick up a glass of water to drink, think of where it came from.

How much money was spent, the sacrifices made to get it to the tap we are drinking out of.

Our civilization could not exist without water. 

For our bodies, it’s a “must.”

If you’ve never thought about it before – do so now.

Morrie

(November 1, 2021)

Shots

No one likes to have a long needle stuck into their arm, but the immunity it gives you against the pandemic’s deadly virus is worth the discomfort.

Although it seemed the deadly virus infections were under control, it is not so.

Every day, hundreds succumb. The danger is far from over.

The virus mutates.

Our medical scientists are working 24/7 to find a vaccine to meet the needs necessary.

It’s an ongoing struggle.

We cannot ignore recommended safeguards.

We do so at our own peril.

Wearing face masks in public places is a “must.”

This deadly pandemic is far from over.

It’s a daily battle we must win.

The alternative is scary to think about.

Don’t be a “wise guy” ( a schmuck).

Be a survivor.

Be around to tell your children about these perilous times.

Good luck.

Morrie

(November 2, 2021)

Morrie-isms

So! What’s my secret?

Here are a few things a long life has taught me.

• Treat people as you want to be treated
• If you want good friends, be a good friend
• I’ve been poor. I’ve been rich. Rich is better.
• Education is important, it gives you a “head start”
• The guy you didn’t think much of may some day be your boss (or a congressman)
• A smile on your face is better to look up than a frown
• Don’t press your luck, you may not always have it
• Beauty fades, character is forever. (Betty is a prime example)
• The more knowledge you have, the more you can enjoy
• Every journey begins with that first step
• People are the same, we all want the same thing, a “happy life”
• Money has no value if you can’t spend it
• Don’t take your good health for granted – ultimately it will be gone
• The most dependable friends you can have is your family
• People see things differently – your view is not always the best
• Be generous – give people the help you once needed
• The best trait you can have is curiosity (about everything) – it precedes learning
• Self-worth is important – self-praise “stinks” – you are not the best judge of your actions
• Above all, leave footprints your children can see and want to follow
• Like my mother said – Be a good person
• Even a long life is a short one – make the most of it
• The estate you are leaving your heirs you often sacrificed for. Your heirs didn’t. They may squander it. Leave a will that clearly spells out what you want done with your estate. Say what you mean. Mean what you say.

Good luck.

(November 3, 2021)

My Travel Days Are Over

I know I must, but it’s hard for me to accept it.

We don’t live forever.

Some people like me, live longer than others (107).

Betty lived until the age of 101.

We had been married 79 years (Hard to beat).

Overcoming the few differences we had, it was a happy marriage.

We satiated our love for travel by wandering all over the world.

No one could have a better traveling companion.

She never complained of the discomforts we endured (To avoid them stay at home).

We used all modes of travel (except dog sled)….

Nothing stays the same.

For an American today doing what we did then would be expensive.

***

With Betty gone and my walking limited by my folding walker, the only walking I do at the urging of my caretaker is five times around the kitchen table.

If I want a longer walk I can put a leaf in the table (funny).

I don’t.

(November 3, 2021)

The Staff of Life – Water

(November 1, 2021)

Facts

(November 2021)

Me

I am relaxed, worn out and tired thinking about the long life I have lived and what I have accomplished.

Starting out as a poor kid in a vermin-infested New York tenement to my life now.

As a realist I know I won’t be around much longer. I ask myself if there is anything I haven’t done that I want to do?

Nada.

I can’t and have no urge to travel, to retrace many of my travel footsteps.

Traveling, living out of a suitcase is not easy.

Traveling to lands where you don’t speak the language is “frustrating.” Ordering foods from a menu you don’t understand can be and often is embarrassing.

I once unknowingly ordered a cow’s head.

A stranger sitting at the next table explained what I was doing and corrections were made.

We foreigners don’t realize strangers are watching over us (for which I am thankful).

Nothing stays the same.

Time passes, the days, years “rush” by.

I am now at the age of 107 an old man, but still in good shape.

As you are reading, my writing is not jittery or unreadable.

How long my good health will last, no one knows.

With Betty gone my life is not the same. I miss her, I miss holding her hand, her sense of humor. 

My Sunday comics go unread.

Nothing is forever, someday we will die. 

Sorry, reader, for this morbid thinking.

It just happens.

So, that’s it.

Have a good day and night.

Adios

Morrie

(November 6, 2021)