Chuck's Chat
SIZE MATTERS
We are all aware of how manufacturers have a convoluted view of the consumer’s intellect. Remember when a Snickers bar use to tide you over till lunch and now it takes two of the regulars to do the same trick. Same thing on when something is priced at $2.00 or $1.99…we always go for the $1.99. Well, I found that amusing and played along until I went sock shopping.
My shoe size is 11 or 12 depending what time of the day it is. BTW I love to shop in the morning, I seem to be smaller. By the evening I have grown…anyway I was shopping for socks and I accept, like above, that the manufactures believe that a sock sized from 10 to 12 will fit without the heel being somewhere it shouldn’t. I didn’t mind (too much) when the size was expanded 10 to 13. But now they (the manufactures) have gone too far. SIZE 8 to 13…REALLY.
To get the heel in the right position, my toes are folded into my instep. To make my toes comfortable, I am forced to walk on the heel portion. I have complained to the store (which will be left unnamed) and promised that I would not abandon them if the price was increased as long as they revised the sizes.
I can’t wait for “one size fits all shirts and pants”…
WHAT’S IN A NUMBER
Ten years later, to avenge this attack, the United States has spent $1.075 trillion and over 40,000 more lives have been extinguished or physically and mentally altered through wounds to their minds, bodies, and souls.
During this war, the US has lost 5.5 million citizens to some form of cancer and has spent $48 Billion in research to solve our number 1 killer in this country.
AGE AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
Every year there are three days that are very important to all of us.The day before our birth date, the day of birth, and the day after our birth date. How old are you on each of these dates? Well let’s take that certain age of 65…
What this shows is that age is just the passage of time. You really are as young as you feel. Except that being on Medicare is somehow disturbing…
A PHONE CALL TO MOM
Last night I called my 90 year old Mother to see how she likes her new place. She recently had a series of strokes that have left her without sight on her left side and as she has reminded me “I have a tendency to walk in circles”. My brother also convinced the administration to place her phone on the right side of the bed instead of the left. (That was solved by a longer cord).
Needless to say she is in a nursing home. One, apparently, that does not understand the meaning of an empty coffee cup…but she has maintained her sense of humor and she was amazed to find a couple staying there that looked just like her Mom and Pop, plus they had they had the same names (Fred and Madeline).
We talked quite awhile about how she misses them and it was real spooky to see them because she was positive she had been to both of their funerals. She was also excited about a Fiftieth wedding anniversary that she attended last weekend for her Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bill. I had accompanied her to that wedding (I was 14 at the time).
My point is that the mind is a wonderful thing. During stressful times it will take us to a better place and happier times. I don’t know how much longer she will be with us, but her happiness brings me hope for the future.
PACKING FOR ITALY
What should I take? Well let’s start from the ground up…Shoes! Black or Brown? Brown would limit the evening wear, so black it is and good for walking but deep six the running shoe look. The belt should match the shoes so the second piece of the wardrobe complete. Trousers!
Well, they need to be wash and wear so cotton is the ticket and since this is Europe, then big boy pants (not shorts) will be the order of the day. What about color? Basic black for evenings then blue, kaki, and beige should round out the week. I think I need five pair; one of each color plus an additional kaki. Lest we forget; socks to match the pants…
To the shirts…temperatures being modest, I believe that crew and v neck plus a couple of Polo’s should suffice. Three short sleeves and three long sleeves should keep me comfortable. Colors should more offset the trouser than match.
Being Europe, there will be a need for a jacket; but something non-constructed and again, of cotton. Absolutely the need of multiple pocket squares to give a splash.
Underwear; bring enough!
Well there is my shopping list. And this should leave me just enough room to cram that Armani into the suitcase. J
