"Don't be afraid that the world will end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia."
Charles Schultz
Times have so changed...once we listened to the radio and read newspapers; went to the movies...there was always a newsreel. Not now...newspapers are fading...we have our smart phones, ipads, computers and of course...television. In other words, if we want it we have instant news 24/7.
Surfing once only meant riding a board w/the waves...now we ride the wavy internet, right?
But you know, there seem to be many who haven't a clue as to what's taking place anywhere...neighborhood, city or even our own country. ..much less the world. Some say 'ignorance is bliss'...to each his own I suppose but personally I want & like to be informed.
I watch, read and listen to what's going on; and wow, there's a flood of activity worldwide. Many have opinions as to what's right and what's wrong...agree?
Mind you, I did not say ALL...I said many. Ha, we agree to disagree!
"Every truth has two-sides, it is as well to look at both,
before we commit ourselves to either."
People really do get around the world these days;
flying...via water...driving when/where possible.
Doing so puts one in touch with many different
cultures...to each his own.
Michael had been overseas before we married...
makes him a seasoned traveler compared
to the me and the four boys.
Imagine our awesome surprise...boys, we're moving to Greece...wow...wow!
For two years we lived 'above' our landlords...Kyriakos, Yolande & Eulala Kokkotis. Kyriakos was a retired bodyguard in the government hierarchy; he looked like one but he had a most ever-so-gentle personality. Yolande, who was my great friend, wore black the entire two years that we shared their home; grieving her father's death.
The country suffered severely during WWII and they delight in castigating the Turks (religion as well as other things)...both countries love, love, love to argue! We stayed on the safe side; never discussed politics, religions or wars.
Here we were, residents of a former German military man...it brought back a multitude of memories and sometimes I really had to work at squelching my resentment.
Surfing once only meant riding a board w/the waves...now we ride the wavy internet, right?
But you know, there seem to be many who haven't a clue as to what's taking place anywhere...neighborhood, city or even our own country. ..much less the world. Some say 'ignorance is bliss'...to each his own I suppose but personally I want & like to be informed.
I watch, read and listen to what's going on; and wow, there's a flood of activity worldwide. Many have opinions as to what's right and what's wrong...agree?
Mind you, I did not say ALL...I said many. Ha, we agree to disagree!
"Every truth has two-sides, it is as well to look at both,
People really do get around the world these days;
flying...via water...driving when/where possible.
Doing so puts one in touch with many different
cultures...to each his own.
Michael had been overseas before we married...
makes him a seasoned traveler compared
to the me and the four boys.
Imagine our awesome surprise...boys, we're moving to Greece...wow...wow!
For two years we lived 'above' our landlords...Kyriakos, Yolande & Eulala Kokkotis. Kyriakos was a retired bodyguard in the government hierarchy; he looked like one but he had a most ever-so-gentle personality. Yolande, who was my great friend, wore black the entire two years that we shared their home; grieving her father's death.
The country suffered severely during WWII and they delight in castigating the Turks (religion as well as other things)...both countries love, love, love to argue! We stayed on the safe side; never discussed politics, religions or wars.
Since we had the four little boys...plus a beautiful indoor Boxer (her owner named her Nebo and when he had to leave, we gave him peace of mind (not piece) and she moved in...all our floors were white marble? Yolande declared no one was good enough to keep them clean but her...no argument there. She would cook Greek goodies to share...talk about luscious? Love Greek food to this day!
They adored our little boys and would do anything for them. Our oldest, Steve, had a terrific bicycle accident due to some careless gravel trucks...aka dumping a load of gravel blocking the road that Steve was riding down to the local Kiosk for colored pencils. A young kid on a motorbike w/sidecar loaded Steve up and delivered him screaming to our door. That became an adventure all of us could have done without.
God was really watching, as always, and what do you know? A Greek physician (trained at one of the best...McBride Bone and Joint in Oklahoma City) saved Steven's arm.
In Stuttgart, Germany we lived with Herr & Frau Weggemann. It was a beautiful pink house on a corner with a large garden Herr tended in his three piece suit. We didn't speak German, they spoke no English but we had a relationship. There was something in the air though...his position in the German army.
God was really watching, as always, and what do you know? A Greek physician (trained at one of the best...McBride Bone and Joint in Oklahoma City) saved Steven's arm.
In Stuttgart, Germany we lived with Herr & Frau Weggemann. It was a beautiful pink house on a corner with a large garden Herr tended in his three piece suit. We didn't speak German, they spoke no English but we had a relationship. There was something in the air though...his position in the German army.
Here we were, residents of a former German military man...it brought back a multitude of memories and sometimes I really had to work at squelching my resentment.
China was something else...M certainly had pondered about it. He had fought in the Korean Conflict...the North Koreans were heavily supplied with Chinese troops. Viet Nam was the same. Of course, Japan (now our ally) had done terrible harm to China...when China was our ally in WWII. Our ally to our enemy in two wars...Korea and Viet Nam.
Making friends is a good thing; keeping them is another. In Greece we were 'among' friends...the fierce Greeks who were our allies fought against Italy. The Japanese shifted from our enemy to an ally. Germany, in two world wars our enemy, became an ally. In China our ally to...different concepts.
Time changes things...enemies become friends...friends become enemies. Round and round we go...in a circle.
We, the people, surely can lay differences aside...could be no one wants to...but you and I can give it our best shot, you think? As for me...I intend to do my part.
Making friends is a good thing; keeping them is another. In Greece we were 'among' friends...the fierce Greeks who were our allies fought against Italy. The Japanese shifted from our enemy to an ally. Germany, in two world wars our enemy, became an ally. In China our ally to...different concepts.
Time changes things...enemies become friends...friends become enemies. Round and round we go...in a circle.
We, the people, surely can lay differences aside...could be no one wants to...but you and I can give it our best shot, you think? As for me...I intend to do my part.
And a friend came to help!
From my heart...to yours,
Vasca
What wonderful experiences you have had. So many friends you made. I was in Greece for a time and decided it wasn't for me. I couldn't get over the fact the most of the women always work black and were subservient to their husbands. Of course at the time (it was the 60s) I was a hippie!
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