My two-cents worth and then some. An online journal by LP Brown.

Posts Written By L Parker Brown

You Might Be a Baby Boomer if . . .

by on ·Nostalgia, The Way I See It

Listen up, Boomers. My other site – www.potpourri101.com – is getting more traffic than a shopping mall on Black Friday. All right, I confess, that’s because I have been spending a lot more time over there. I was told by a source (In case you are having a senior moment, that’s the term that journalists use when they don’t want to reveal who told them whatever it is that they are about to tell everyone else). So as I was saying, I was told by a source that I need to make the subject matter on this site more interesting by talking about sports (boring) or sex (appealing) or booty shaking videos featuring 10 year old girls (perverted). Nevertheless, I realize that I will have to get creative to hold on to my Baby Boomer readers.

Boomers are an active and resilient group, who resent being referred to as the Geritol crowd. We also dislike being stereotyped as old geezers and frisky cougars. Some of us may be (wink), but not all. Let’s not forget that there are two sets of Boomers. You have the senior Boomers born between 1946 and 1955. They have reached that bold age where they will do whatever they want, say whatever they want, and flip you a bird with an arthritic finger if you don’t like it. Then you have your younger Boomers, in the 1956-1964 crowd. Unfortunately, many of them are in denial — busily trying to pass themselves off as older Generation Xers.  People, please! Boomer up!

Let me help you put things in perspective. Sit back in your recliner, put on your specks and lower the volume on your TV set, so that you can concentrate of reading this; because if you are a true Boomer you are likely to forget everything you have read after leaving this site.

Remember you might be a Boomer if you leave one room, go into another room and then forget what you went after.

You might be a Boomer if you are surprised that there is still money left in the social security fund.

You might be a Boomer if you think that Hippie means a woman with junk in the trunk.

You might be a Boomer if you cannot twist the lid off of a jar, pull a flip top off of a can, or open a childproof bottle in less than 45 minutes.

You might be a Boomer if you cannot figure out how to use an iPhone, iPod, iPad or any gadget with an “i” in front of it, and if you think Steve Jobs is a book in the Bible.

You might be a Boomer if you believe that a TV reality show is really a reality show.

You might be a Boomer if you think a Badass is a person with hemorrhoids.

You might be a Boomer if you have forgotten phrases like “Far out,” “Right on,” “Cool,” and “Groovy.”

And you absolutely are not a Boomer if you don’t love every single thing about being one. Peace out!

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Funerals and Family Reunions

by on ·Lifestyle and Culture
The Funeral by Ellis Wilson

Since returning from the recent funeral of my beloved Aunt Sarah, I have been thinking a lot about funerals and family reunions. For all practical purposes funerals are held to pay respect, to remember, and to give a formal send-off to a loved one. Some families arrange the service to be a vibrant, joyful home-going, while others acknowledge the occassion with a solumn, low-keyed ceremony. Nevertheless, I don’t know a soul who enjoys attending funerals.

In spite of the undesirable circumstances, a funeral creates an opportunity for extended family members, who might not otherwise see each other, to get together. In some ways it is a spontaneous family reunion. Families that live far away from the funeral site fly in or drive long distances to get to there. Then, they stay only long enough to attend the service and depart as quickly as they arrived. Consequently, the short trip leaves little time for socializing. And invariably before the groups of mourners disperse, someone can be heard telling others,

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Dedicated to Mrs. Sarah S. Pete — my Aunt Sarah

by on ·General
Without question we are all mortal beings, here for just a moment in time. But we may know people who possess such a tenacious spirit that – in our own wishful thinking – we believe that they will live forever. My Aunt Sarah was one of those people.

You touched so many hearts. Your parents and brothers who preceded you to the other side, your sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, husband, children, grandchildren, and friends – in some way, whether you greeted us with a heartwarming hug, or cheered us up when we were feeling down, or just made us laugh – you touched us all. We will forever remember your beautiful smile and your clever sense of humor; the jokes you always told that made us laugh; your compassion, generosity, kindness, and the unconditional love that you so freely gave. All that you were to each of us individually – was more than we could ever ask for. You had a way of making everyone feel special.

For me, personally, you were not just my Aunt Sarah, but a second mother. You were my close friend and confidant. When I find myself wondering why God called you home on Thanksgiving Day, I think that perhaps it was fitting, because – it’s not like I will ever forget you – but it will be an annual reminder that I am always thankful for the times we shared and the blessing of having had you in my life. And as much as I will miss you, I am also thankful that you will not have to suffer pain anymore. 

God gave our family an angel, and she was YOU, and every time we look at the sun shining brightly in the morning sky or the moon and stars at night, we will remember you, and forever hold you dear in our heart. You were a woman of strength and conviction and were always supportive of your immediate and extended family. You were a teacher in so many ways other than your chosen profession and you have surely left your inscription upon the world.

We will miss you so very much, Aunt Sarah, and we will love you always.

 

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Bboomersnet has a new look.

by on ·Lifestyle and Culture

Don’t be fooled by the new look. You didn’t make a wrong turn in the blogosphere. You have clicked and arrived right where you should be. We just have a new theme, courtesy of my very talented grandson, Kalan, the artist extraordinaire. (No, that is not him in the picture.)

I am a Boomer and proud of it!  I loved the sixties and seventies and wanted a theme more representative of the decade. So whallah!

Back in the day, Boomers made our fashion statement in bell bottom pants, go go boots, mini-skirts, psychedelic prints, dashikis, colorful headbands and large hoop earrings. And let’s not forget the hair of varied lengths and styles and big afros. My favorite musical in those days was about a group of hippies living in the Age of Aquarius and singing about – among other things – Hair. 

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