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Celebrating President’s Day a Bit Late

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After the American Revolution, Ethan Allen visited Brittan. His
company was widely sought after and he was wined and dined in many an English dining room. One nobleman sought to embarrass his Americanguest by placing a portrait of General George Washington above the toilet in the bathroom. After several glasses of wine Allen excused himself in order to answer the call of nature. While doing hisbusiness the illustrious American war hero could not fail to notice the placement of the large, prominent portrait. When Allen returned to table still in as good spirits as ever and resumed conversation as if nothing was amiss, his host could at last no longer contain his curiosity.

“Didn’t you see George Washington in there?!” he asked.

“Oh yes,” said Allen. “Perfectly appropriate place for him.”

“What do you mean?” His host enquired.

“Well,” he said, “there is nothing to make an Englishman shit faster
than the sight of General George Washington.”

Happy Valentine’s Day

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February 14th, South Korean women give chocolate to men. On March 14, men give “non-chocolate” candy to women.

And what happens on April 14? All of the single people are supposed to eat black noodles and “mourn” their single life.

The 14th of every month marks a love-related day in Korea, although most of them are obscure. From January to December: Candle Day, Valentine’s Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day.
–http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine’s_Day#East_Asia

Julia

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A Short Story by Maryetta Ackenbom

Such a fine concert. Julia sat in her recliner, pushed it back and let the good feeling of the evening soak in. She needed to get up in a few minutes and get ready for bed, but she couldn’t let go of the evening, not yet.

Since she had given up her driver’s license a few years ago, when she turned 80, she depended on friends to take her to the musical events she loved so much. She couldn’t go often while Albert was alive. He demanded her full attention, all the time. Life had been hard with him. Even when he wasn’t drinking, he was demanding and abusive. But when he died, just after she had given up her driver’s license, she was free to do what she loved, if she could find friends willing to take her. She felt she was lucky to have the freedom, and the physical ability at her advanced age, to enjoy the cultural events in the city.

Now she had a steady ride every week to the symphony. It didn’t matter what was playing. She preferred the old classics, but anything would do. If it was a modern piece, with that awful cacophony, at least it was interesting. And she was with friends, which was another activity that she had been deprived of with Albert.

She looked around her large bedroom. It had been difficult to limit herself to one room when she turned over her house to her son, but it was necessary. Albert had not left her enough money to live on, and she had to make some arrangement with the house, her only valuable asset. Fortunately, John was looking for a place to live and loved the old house. He guaranteed her an allowance every month for the rest of her life, and he moved into the house with his wife and three teen-age children.

Even though Julia did not get along well with her daughter-in-law, she now had a decent life, better than the life she shared for so many years with Albert. The bedroom was comfortable and big enough to act as a sitting room. John had given her the use of the entire downstairs, but after a few months of running into family members busily leading their hectic lives, she stayed in her room most of the time. Her daughter-in-law’s cook took good care of her, bringing meals to her room.

Julia closed her eyes and remembered the concert, the strong chords of Beethoven, the sweet melody of Brahms. It was so pleasant. I am so content right now. What if I just let go?

Comfortable in her recliner, she did that. She let go of the life she had been holding onto so strongly. Now that her life was good, she could release it.