Grandma Henke

I woke up this morning with the theme song to Superman running through my mind.   I took that as a good sign, which it was until about an hour ago when it switched to “Sandman’s Comin’”.     It’s hard to ignore that power of suggestion at this time of the day.

Here’s a pretty clever political ad.   Even if you aren’t an Obama fan it’s fun to watch a retro Ron Howard.

I bought some new cleaner yesterday from a salesman going door to door … make that a sales kid … a very fast talking, stand up comedian type sales kid.    I wouldn’t have bought it, because I’m a skeptic, but he mixed up a solution directly from the bottle I would purchase and washed away some water deposits on my window that have been stubborn for about twelve years.  Now I have two crystal clear circles on that window where he proved his product … so what ya going to do?    Leave the rest of it covered in lime and hard water streaks?     I also let him try a different product on a spot on the carpet that had been impossible to remove … you guessed it.   It’s right in the middle of the floor and now there is a very clean spot on my 12 year old carpet and I’m going to have to work on the rest of it.   It’s kind of a mauve colored carpet but I’d forgotten it has a big of a rose color to it.    The product is Advanage in case you’re sitting around with nothing to do.    I will give you a thorough review when I see the end results.

I went to a board meeting today for The Arc of Washington County where I used to be employed as the Executive Director.   I retired from that two years ago and am now the President of the Board.     It’s kind of a rocky time for non profit organizations who depend on donations and grants to keep their doors open.     We’re badly in need of a computer … our old lap top crashed and burned … anyone know how we can get one free?   Other than Lynn having to make one from bits and pieces we’ve got hanging around the house and garage?    If you wonder what “The Arc” is, it’s a non profit agency that advocates for the rights of people with cognitive disabilities.   In the old days the letters “ARC” meant The Association for Retarded Citizens.   Thank goodness we have nationally stopped using that acronym because we don’t like the way the word “retarded” makes people feel.    It has turned into an ugly label that is used without thought of the feelings of people and families who face the problems associated with intellectual disabilities.    There is something we call “People First Language” that simply means people with disabilities are not to be called by their disability.   They are not a diagnosis.    They are people the same as everyone else.     So … that’s what I have done for the past 25 or so years … advocated for people with disabilities.    Do me a favor, will you?   Will you be an advocate to help people understand about People First language?      I’ve mentioned this before on this blog and I’ll probably mention it again.   It’s dear to my heart.    Take the time to go to the above link and read a little more about it.    It’s just a nice thing you could do without a lot of effort.   And it would make a big difference to a lot of my friends.