Why is everyone hoarding toilet paper? If you ask most people, they will tell you they don’t have a good reason and don’t really know why…everyone else was doing it. We pick our cues from other people because our world is a scary and unknown place to us right now. We want to believe we are doing something to prepare, but we don’t know what else is needed. The truth is fear is contagious. During the 1918 Spanish influenza outbreak, people hoarded stocks of Vicks VapoRub. The company’s website says that one year during the outbreak, sales of the product grew from $900,000 to $2.9 million and that Vicks had to run the plant day and night to keep up. Question: why are we stockpiling water?
I walked by a guy outside a Buc-ee’s and he said, “How much,” and I was outraged until I realized I’m over 60 and he was talking into an earpiece.
The virus was recently designated as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by the Coronavirus Study Group on the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). It’s also called 2019-nCoV or COVID-19. Whatever you choose to call it, we are ready for it to GO AWAY. Now.
YOU: Siri, will you talk dirty to me.” SIRI: The carpet needs vacuuming.
Door handles are among the most germ-infested objects in houses, hospitals, offices, and stores. One company’s mission is to build a better and healthier world. Their Hands-Free Door Opener uses your arm instead of your hands, to open those dirty doors. They can make the door handle for you for $44 or send the plans so you can print on your own 3D printer. Laser Imaging. 281-583-7552
YOU: “Siri, what is the meaning of life.” SIRI: All evidence to date suggests it is chocolate.
Elbow and fist bumping are out. So last year. When greeting another person, you don’t do anything that gets you closer to that person, so people are getting more and more creative. Some ideas are to greet them with your hand over your heart, or say hello and do a little foot tap, salute, air kisses, imitate or mime a fist bump, make the peace sign, bow, share an air-five, tip your hat or imaginary hat, nod your head but always have eye contact, or simply wave and say hello. How about the Vulcan salute from Star Trek, a perfect way to say, “live long and prosper.” Or simply ask, “May I have a raincheck on the handshake?” It’s ok etiquette to not shake hands but always explain why. I experimented with several of these new greetings at Lowe’s on Saturday and the Vulcan salute was the favorite, probably because physically my fingers will not get into that position on their own, so I had to force my fingers into place. This created laughter and I never had to explain why I was doing this. Everyone knew. A close second was the peace sign over my heart. Love and peace. Please stay safe.
“Of all human activities, apart from the procreation of children, gardening is the most optimistic and hopeful. The gardener is by definition, one who plans for and believes and trusts in a future, whether in the short or the longer term.” Susan Hill from Through the Garden Gate
You don’t need a parachute to go skydiving. You need a parachute to go skydiving twice.
“For a while, life is not going to be the way it used to be in the United States,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said, “We have to just accept that, if we want to do what’s best for the American public.”
YOU: “Siri, what is the meaning of life.” SIRI: Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and Nations.
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Singer Phil Phillips is 94. Sea of Love. His 1959 recording was #1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, but he never recorded another hit. Ruler of Monaco Prince Albert II is 62. Singer musician Taylor Hanson is 37. Hanson Brothers. Actor Bryan Cranston is 64.
Actor Emmanuel Lewis is 49. Webster. Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles is 23. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85. Actor Judd Hirsch is 85. Taxi. Rock musician Tom Scholz is 73. Boston. Rock musician Jeff Ament is 57. Pearl Jam. Pro football Hall of Fame Franco Harris is 70. Steelers first round of the 1972 NFL Draft. Pro and College Football Hall of Fame Lynn Swan is 68. Steelers.
Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager is 76. R&B singer musician Ernie Isley is 68. Isley Brothers. Jazz musician George Coleman is 85. Miles Davis & Herbie Hancock. Actress Sue Ane Langdon is 84. A Guide for the Married Man & Cheyenne Social Club, both directed by Gene Kelly, as well as The Rounders, opposite Henry Fonda and Glenn Ford, Roustabout & Frankie and Johnny with Elvis Presley.
Magician Penn Jillette is 65. Penn and Teller. The 270th and current Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I is 80. Motivational speaker Tony Robbins is 60. Televangelist Joel Osteen is 57. Football Hall of Fame Michael Irvin is 54. Dallas Cowboys. Actor Samantha Eggar is 81. Actor Dean Stockwell is 84. Actor Paul Sand is 88. Singer Roger Daltrey is 76. Actor Catherine Bach is 66. Singer Justin Bieber is 26. Actor Rob Lowe is 56. Actor Kurt Russell is 69. Rock singer Bret Michaels is 57. Poison. Model Fabio is 61. I can’t believe it’s not butter.
Swedish actor, Max von Sydow, died at age 90. He received an Emmy nomination at 86 for playing Three-Eyed Raven on Game of Thrones. He was James Bond’s nemesis, Blofeld in Never Say Never Again, a village elder in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and has been called the greatest actor alive.
A couple of weeks ago, I was loading up books for a garage sale and came upon a book that I hadn’t seen in quite a while. It’s “And Then Came Paulette,” by Barbara Constantine. I read it again. It’s the most charming story of family, friendship, love and loneliness. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s French, and will bring you much joy on an afternoon that you are stuck at home. When I finished, I sent a picture of the book to my friend. She replied, “I love that book,” to which I replied, “Yes, you gave it to me!” Thank you, Margaret.
If you are still hanging on to disposable water bottles, then put your name on it. I heard a story about a man golfing with three friends. His thoughts were that golf is pretty safe when it comes to human contact but there was a bottle of water on the cart and everyone thought it was their own bottle. They discovered at the end of the game that ALL FOUR drank out of it. Now they’re all freaked out.
More than 1 in 5 Americans will be over age 65 by 2040. Yikes.
Five foods that will help boost your immune system are 1. Vitamin C found in citrus, asparagus, cantaloupe, strawberries and kale. 2. Zinc in red meats, whole grains, leafy root vegetables or supplements. 3. Vitamin E in oils from plant foods like canola, safflower, nuts and peanut butter. 4. Probiotics in yogurt, cheese and fermented foods. 5. Protein from meat, seafood, chicken, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese.
My friend sent me a text. “First day of homeschooling and all four of my children are suspended for fighting.” We were laughing so hard in the office. I told her that I was praying for her. We decided it gives a brand-new meaning to “March Madness.”
In Newport, Oregon, the police department posted, “It’s hard to believe that we even have to post this. Do not call 9-1-1 just because you ran out of toilet paper, you will survive without our assistance. This too shall pass. Just don’t call 9-1-1. We cannot bring you toilet paper.” We are reminded of historical TP alternatives that included dried corn cobs and pages torn from magazines, including the beloved Sears and Roebuck catalog. Seamen used old rope and anchor lines soaked in saltwater. Ancient Romans used sea sponges soaked in saltwater. Listen, we’ve got Surfside and lots of saltwater. We WILL be fine.
If you read this column often, you know that both of my kids attend UH. At least they did until last week. One real problem is parking. You pay a load for tuition then pay even more for parking. And since most of the students are commuters that don’t live on campus, there’s a true parking problem. I have received more than my fair share of violations. I refused to pay either one of them because I was helping load up my daughter’s stuff and there were no loading zones at the time in front of the architecture building. A few months ago, a student posted to Twitter about a $920 parking violation that included a gift of “the Barnacle” which is like a tire boot, except it attaches to, and covers about 2/3 of your windshield so you can’t see out to drive. One social media comment suggested that a call to Safelite Auto Glass for a brand- new windshield would be cheaper than the fine. Today my daughter sent me a great picture of a bright yellow Barnacle attached to a bright red University of Houston car. OOPS. There was no way not to know that it was a UH car. It’s written in big white letters all over the car.
Recently, at the 75th Anniversary Banquet for the Brazosport Area Chamber of Commerce, two super nice people were honored as the 2019 Man and Woman of the Year. Danny Massey, Brazosport ISD’s superintendent, and Karla Christman, Brazosport ISD’s public relations administrator, were the two highly respected and recognized individuals. Be sure to congratulate them. Send a card.
At our Source Weekly office, I am doing everything I can do to save money. Last month, I changed my electric to Entrust Energy. Great rates and so far, great service. They send me a weekly consumption overview with usage for each day along with the hours that the usage happened. Also included is the high and low outside temperatures for each day. FYI in case you are thinking about changing.
Remember to be kind and generous to our non-profits. They’re in great need of your help right now. And don’t forget to use small businesses as much as you can. When we close, there is no money coming in, so if during this time stuck at home, you feel a need to get out, then order take-out from one of our outstanding local restaurants, let them bring it to your car, then take it home. They will so appreciate it.
Scotland has moved to become the first to provide free access to “Period Products” such as tampons, pads and other menstrual products. “For some reason, period products are regarded by some as a luxury, a luxury for which women should be charged,” Alison Johnstone, a member of parliament, said. “Why is it in 2020 that toilet paper is seen as a necessity, but period products aren’t?”
While factories were closed, streets cleared, and residents told to stay home to stop the spread of the coronavirus in China, the lock down had an unintended benefit because their average number of “good quality air days” increased 21.5%. NASA satellite images show dramatic reduction in emissions, with visible clouds of gases almost disappearing. Experts warn that when the county jumpstarts its economy, the toxic chemicals could climb to higher levels than before the epidemic hit.
Hope we have given you a couple of smiles today. Stay safe. Wash your hands. Don’t breathe. (just kidding) Most of all thanks for reading us again and again. If you want The Source sent to your inbox each week, just call with your email address. 979-285-9200. It’s FREE. Please spread the word that we are now publishing affordable obituaries and notices. Please use small businesses as much as you can. They are the backbone of our community and need you more now than ever. I’m researching information on how copper can kill viruses and bacteria. Will let you know next week. Lisa
