Opinions

When I found myself on the grounds of my former elementary school, surrounded by wooden floors polished to a high sheen and ceilings that towered above me, I remembered some fabulous friends, curious classroom incidents and, eventually, the year from hell with the worst teacher I ever had.

I have a problem with inspirational quotes.

One thing about bullies is they always attract a certain type of follower. They are the rascal and while we say we do not like them, there is an innate respect given to the annoyer, the ruffian, the intimidator. Saying they represent the common man; in reality they are the oppressor.

In the wake of the beautiful and awe-inspiring coverage of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, I had to confess: I don’t remember seeing this historic event on television as it happened, live in 1969.

I wear used clothes.

Tuesday’s debate had me all jacked up. Two candidates, one who can’t shut up and the other one who should. One is brilliant on the economy, in fact, as my late Uncle Pat would say, “he’s swift upstairs.” The other has a very attractive, disarming smile.

If you apologize, in advance, for a question you’re pondering, the resulting conversation is easier to endure. So I said to the husband, “I apologize for this really stupid question, but if we can put a man on the moon, can we not find a way to nudge an approaching hurricane 2 degrees to the west or east?”

I have never been able to watch scary movies. My mother will remind you (if she gets the chance) that I can’t even watch embarrassing television programs, which is, frankly, embarrassing. I would watch that terrible moment when Lucy was about to get caught doing something embarrassing by her employer, Mr. Mooney, on “The Lucy Show” reruns, and I would have to leave the room in a hurry -- making excuses about how I suddenly needed to help set the table. The truth was, I just couldn’t stand to watch Lucy get caught.

The lights were moody and the exhibits were intricate for the featured display on Archimedes. Although I’m a curious person, I would never be classified as an “intellectual.” I knew, however, I was in the presence of intellectuals so I was doing my best to chameleon myself under the heading, “When in Rome, do as the Romans.”