Bfth's Boring Blog

 My husband and I have been playing this game since we purchased our home in the Poconos.  We call it "What is that?"  We come across things in the house and on the property that we have no idea what they are.  Early on we asked the former owners and quite often their response was "we don't know either."   We also play a version that the game that is more: "WHY is that?"  For example, the three electrical outlets on the outside of the detached garage that are all relatively close to each other.  I understand what they are, but why?  Maybe I should forgo the WHY and just turn to one of my favorite SNL sketches and start singing "Oooo weeee...what up with that?  What up with that?" As things started to grow and green in our yard, I've been wondering and asking "What is that?" more and more often.  In many cases Google Lens can help, but not always.   For example, when these things started sprouting: The "bottom" of the s...

The first musical I did in high school (and I'd like to say it was the best musical we did while I was in high school) was "Mame."  I was only in the chorus (I never really got out in any production), but I loved the show and the cast.  Just this past weekend, the movie version of "Mame" was on TCM and I watched it.  Despite a great cast (I love Lucy), it falls completely flat.  It's not just that Lucille Ball was miscast (she might have been able to pull it off IF the production was better), but there was no connection, no sparkle.  I love the show.  I love the music.  I didn't love the movie. The music and lyrics are wonderful, written by the late, great Jerry Herman.  (He also did the music/lyrics for 2 of my other favorite shows, "Hello Dolly!" and "La Cage Aux Follies".)  One of the many great songs from the show is "Open a New Window."  The opening lyric: "Open a new window; open a new door. Travel a new highway, ...

 I haven't written in a while.  Usually, I'm writing at least 2-3 days a week.  However, lately I've just not been "feeling it."  And I don't like that I haven't had that drive. WHY haven't I been feeling it?  I think that has something to do with the state of the world.  Let's be honest (and I always try to be honest...probably too much so as I can write about things that probably make some/most people cringe and think, "Bfth!  TMI!  TMI!"), we are living in a time that is pretty depressing, frustrating, angering, horrifying...well you get the idea.   I don't want to be a Debbie Downer.  I want to be Bright Side Bfth.  On the other hand, I won't bury my head in the sand.  We need to be educated and informed when it comes to the world.  We can't disregards the injustices that happen on a daily basis.  When civil rights are being depleted and removed, we can't ignore it.  We need to be able to differentiate f...

  This past week, I "treated" myself to a "spring break" taking two days off in the middle of the week.  It was only 2 days long and wasn't a "real" vacation as I stayed "home" (in the Poconos) and had a variety of things that I had to do that couldn't be done on a weekend or covered in a lunch hour.  (Or even an extended lunch break.)  It was good to have the time, even if it wasn't a "traditional" vacation. On Easter itself I went to an early morning service.  This may have been a mistake on my part, as music on Easter has always been a big part of the holiday for me and this service was quiet.  So that may have thrown me off my mark.  When I got home from church, I wanted to go out with my husband, but he wasn't into it. I'll admit that I got a little "miffed."  So instead I went for a walk and thought about it.  This Easter was never going to be the one that I wanted.  My son is away, my parents are dec...

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." (A Prayer of St. Francis) I am not Catholic.  I am Christian and I am profoundly saddened by the death of Pope Francis.    I am not saddened by the fact that a "Pope" died, but that a man who truly followed in the footsteps of Jesus and lead by example has passed away.  For me, Francis exemplified what Christians strive to be.  He, like Jesus, humbled himself.  He walked among sinners and outcasts.  He advocated for those who are marginalized. He embraced...

 After a long, cold and dark Lent, we've reached Good Friday.  I still have challenges with understanding why it is "good," but that's me.  For Christians around the world (and that includes me), it is a reminder of a dark day.  The day that Jesus, without any due process, was crucified and died.  What was his crime?  He cared for sinners and outcasts.  He was kind and listened to those not like him.  He ate with the lowest of the low. (You know tax collectors!)  He called for his followers to be compassionate and to care for others.  (Yes, I'm going back to one of my favorite verses:  Matthew 25:  31-40.)  And yet in doing this the angry mobs called for his death.  A man who preached love was hated.   I know I am no religious scholar.  I know that I've oversimplifying it all here, but... For me, Good Friday is a reminder of a darkness that filled man's hearts.  A darkness that I try (and, if I...