tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71588992009-07-05T21:38:24.131-04:00Essays, short articles, stories and anything else that comes to mind.McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-80624019552571887062009-07-05T21:36:00.001-04:002009-07-05T21:38:24.139-04:00

My recent absence from these pages was due to some health concerns. But here I am, back writing again with spit and vinegar. I was saddened to hear of the recent death of pitchman Billy Mays. Apparently, he was a well-liked man---something I didn't know when I was writing barbs about his loud and rat-a-tat style. But his sometimes annoying commercials will always remain in my memory. By

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-88838751861302267542009-05-02T16:18:00.001-04:002009-05-02T16:19:21.984-04:00

There are currently several companies advertising their 'no coding' blood sugar meters---they're free, but you have to sign up for regular delivery of and payment for supplies from them. That's where the companies make their money.As for the maligned coding concept, these ads are misleading. I'm a diabetic, and I still use the meter I was issued several years ago. I think the retail cost at

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-58693784176724795852009-04-19T01:07:00.001-04:002009-04-19T01:10:43.685-04:00

Susan Boyle is the new international music rage. This has come about after she appeared on Britain's Got Talent [BGT], shown on April 11. Her song was "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. [Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer] Not only did she make it through this difficult song, she sang it with brilliance in a poignant and memorable performance.There are many

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-24408089126330580782009-04-13T01:27:00.003-04:002009-04-13T02:05:24.517-04:00

A TV show was making fun of 'tiddley winks' the other night. But tell me, isn't tiddley winks a table version of golf? Except for the walking on the grass and hitting the sand traps, it's pretty much the same concept, and they should be accepted or derided together. Maybe there're plans for a 'Tiddly Winks' channel on cable?I find it sad how so many of the modern generation makes fun of and

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-35691336903798574562009-04-05T20:57:00.006-04:002009-04-05T21:10:28.185-04:00

The following is for those of you out there who remember something about Madrigals, probably from your collegiate years. I remember singing some at that time, notably the Spanish carol 'Riu Riu Chiu.'What is a Madrigal you might ask? The Madrigal has numerous definitions because it has numerous antecedents. Some definitions include: [1] 'a song for two or three unaccompanied voices, developed

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-13172415676068064352009-03-28T13:04:00.007-04:002009-03-28T13:26:14.996-04:00

John Philip Sousa was an American bandmaster and composer, born in Washington DC on November 6, 1854. As a teenager, he apprenticed to the Marine Band, the official band of the President of the United States. At 18 [1872], he won appointment as leader of the band, and served for twelve years. In 1884 he resigned to form his own band. Sousa's Band toured the United States and Europe to

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-1652557566544943092009-03-09T18:49:00.003-04:002009-03-09T18:56:04.271-04:00

It appears the made-for-tv-sale coin dealers are back again with their half truths and misleading statements. Case in point is the NCM offer of a 1929 Indian Head Proof for $24.45 delivered. Though the large print says 'Last $5 Indian ever struck by the U.S. Gov't---that is not what you'd be buying. '...Non-legal tender proof is a classic collectible...' Maybe, depending on what you're

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-28753494473180229242009-02-12T14:13:00.003-05:002009-02-12T14:19:27.531-05:00

I faced the stone with downcast mien;Before the words: Beloved husbandAnd father, John. May he rest withThe peace so worthy of his gentle heart.And joined with his soul in glory earned,Is the weary soul of his Beloved Wife---Mother of four. May Gertrude restwith peace as John. Amen.We miss them with our saddenedSouls, and repent not beingWith them in their final days ofPain.This strange Earth

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-45039539813377480402009-02-12T13:25:00.002-05:002009-02-12T13:32:11.434-05:00

I faced the stone with downcast mien;Before the words: Beloved husbandAnd father, John. May he rest withThe peace so worthy of his gentle heart.And joined with his soul in glory earned,Is the weary soul of his Beloved Wife---Mother of four. May Gertrude rest with peace as John. Amen.We miss them with our saddenedSouls, and repent not beingWith them in their final days of Pain. This strange

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-80523151610552237982009-01-19T16:27:00.001-05:002009-01-19T16:29:22.755-05:00

Why do insurance companies peddle their wares claiming they 'protect your life?' They do nothing of the kind. Vaccinations, insulin, antibiotics, Doctors, Nurses, bullet-proof vests, etc. protect your life. Life insurance is essentially gambling. With you're premiums, you're betting that your funeral and heirs will be taken care of financially, but it won't cost you much, and you can spend

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-58238825582687504392008-12-19T19:39:00.006-05:002008-12-19T19:48:50.954-05:00

It snowed today---I mean really snowed. I woke up to a view of snow out the window on everything and the snow still falling: limited visibility and the stark limbs on the trees. And now, a few hours later, it's still snowing. I like that---though of course I can't drive any longer, so the dangers of the road don't affect me. And actually, there wouldn't be so many road dangers if drivers

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-16013538073669015092008-12-07T00:32:00.003-05:002009-02-12T12:05:15.736-05:00

I've spent many hours watching Christmas movies and specials on both the broadcast and cable networks. And the references to the religious aspect of the day are few and far between. In fact most of the movies concern variations on "A Christmas Carol" or danger to Santa and the North Pole or the problems of his children or elves, etc. And this is only television.In general society there has

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-85011978725359747412008-11-25T19:42:00.001-05:002008-11-25T19:42:50.633-05:00

I'll go along with many of you about the Hollywood efforts and Oscar presentations being very un-noteworthy these days. There hasn't been much originality, high quality, or significance in motion pictures [non-animated] for decades. At this point, the powers-that-be should return the Oscars' ceremonies to a restaurant to be broadcast on radio only. People would then have an easier way to NOT

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-20083980108267238082008-11-13T20:53:00.001-05:002008-11-13T20:57:59.499-05:00

I was watching the 'Mummy Returns' the other night, and I couldn't help but notice that the destitute, losing Egyptian soldiers straggling back to no-one knows where all looked quite well fed and muscular. Not only that, but the Scorpion King himself---besides a perfect physique---has perfect, bright white teeth. That's quite an accomplishment for the ancient Egyptian era, especially before

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-45144234417950011962008-11-01T15:32:00.003-04:002008-11-01T15:46:34.163-04:00

Something's been bothering me for quite some time, and I think I've finally hit on it. The Presidential race reminds me of the 'Iron Chef!' In 'Iron Chef', there's an anchor off to the side and several teams of cameramen and interviewers in each of the kitchen areas. While the chefs are cooking and competing with each other, the interviewers ask them questions and otherwise bother them and

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-21589757822595251122008-10-20T20:47:00.004-04:002008-10-20T21:07:19.981-04:00

Campbell Soup's new commercial states that it's condensed soups are great tasting in part because they are made with less water. That sort of negates the name 'condensed', doesn't it? Besides, if less water is so great, why is it the directions on the can call for you to add a can of water?***There are numerous drug commercials on tv these days---probably too many. And I saw a personnel ad

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-85993933434022685742008-10-06T18:05:00.001-04:002008-10-06T18:09:15.364-04:00

It's amazing what the main stream media will accept as fact these days.On September 28, Reuters posted a story about the 'spacewalk' and traveling of the Chinese astronauts. Everybody was cheering and the space trip was accepted as is, including the space walk.In the US, we had a lengthy introduction to space travel. We saw empty lift-offs and fires and short voyages with chimps before we ever

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-49189849156824254972008-09-30T18:34:00.003-04:002008-09-30T18:38:01.867-04:00

Gold! Gold! There's gold in them thar hills! Gold! [enter the John Huston dance] Gold! Roll out the idol!Gold is that precious metal which has been used as coins, in jewelry, religious idols, in bars to look at and hoard, clothing, cutlery, and food service since history was first recorded---and probably before. Uses now include electrical and computer technology.In times of trouble,

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-85337063619662780522008-09-26T13:30:00.004-04:002008-09-26T13:37:16.684-04:00

The advertising industry is really getting to me, and that's surprising since in the past I've been very tolerant of ad intrusiveness.My current bugaboo is the advertising activity on many websites, but especially that of USA Today. It seems that every time I change a web page, I'm stuck with a pop-up advertisement covering most of the page with no 'x' at the top to close it. Add to that the

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-29943312097979738432008-09-11T15:52:00.003-04:002008-09-11T16:06:14.959-04:00

According to Answers.com, a clerihew is 'a humorous verse, usually consisting of two unmatched rhyming couplets, about a person whose name generally serves as one of the rhymes.' Got that? The format was first used by Edmund Clerihew Bentley [1875-1956], later a popular British novelist and humorist.The Literary Dictionary describes a clerihew: '…It consists of two metrically awkward couplets

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-66649604891504048322008-08-28T18:46:00.002-04:002008-08-28T19:03:43.708-04:00

I know many of you just read my July 30 post and passed on to other things. And that's okay. A six year old singer, no matter what her talent, may not draw your attention. That being so, and fully mindful of your reticence, I'm hopeful that you stay here long enough to listen for a few moments.I swiped this video from You Tube. It's not complete, but it'll give you a good idea of one of her

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-72259593963384803872008-08-25T21:20:00.003-04:002008-08-25T22:46:46.557-04:00

We've had the opening and closing ceremonies at Beijing, and they were exciting sights, alright. One has to admire spectacles, and the Beijing ceremonies certainly fit the bill. They were orchestrated by a Chinese film-maker, Zhang Yimou, [with a little help from his friends at the Chinese Politburo] who had previously enjoyed critical film success with: 'To Each His Cinema' [2007], 'Curse of

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-9884866761537142502008-08-22T18:29:00.001-04:002008-08-22T18:42:19.803-04:00

The Olympics have been spectacular so far, but then they always seem to be, don't they? It takes me several days to get the bug to see the coverage, but I ultimately do. And this year, I found that if I keep the television on with the sound off while I work on the computer, I can follow the NBC coverage much easier. And I don't have to listen to the---sometimes inane---comments. And you can't

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-17735152093445686162008-08-02T21:43:00.000-04:002008-08-02T21:45:29.489-04:00

Friends, have you got $20 to throw away?There's a company, via a television commercial, that's hawking $20 silver leaf 'coin-certificates' minted in rectangular shapes larger than a US twenty dollar bill. Sounds good, doesn't it? Government approved; .999 pure silver leaf; commemorative of the 9/11 tragedy; face value of $20; non-circulating legal tender in Liberia [the latter fact toned down.]

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7158899.post-84621659682413853312008-07-30T13:22:00.002-04:002008-08-09T22:45:35.728-04:00

Friends, I've discovered a treasure.In my daily surfing of the Internet [You Tube this time], I found a fascinating new entertainer. Following my usual course of in-depth study of an interesting subject, I went to the home page of Connie Talbot.Now, I usually don't fully enjoy young singers, but Connie is an exception. She is a fine singer with natural and true tones, stage presence, and

McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664330262169033414noreply@blogger.com0