As you read this today, we are once again observing a long weekend. Monday is Presidents Day, remembering the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (12) and George Washington (22). Most federal offices will be closed as well as banks, postal delivery and many local entities. If you have errands to run, bills to pay or other needs, it is probably a wise decision to call ahead.
Mother Nature can’t make up her mind whether to remain cold and wintry or warm and spring like. It is cooler than normal in Florida this winter but has been comfortable − at least for me. One of my housemates bundles up every day like she would do in Ohio. She has even put on earmuffs a couple of times. My other housemate and myself are okay in shirt sleeves but usually grab a light sweatshirt to take into the restaurant when we eat out or after sundown.
I don’t believe I’ve said this before but, when we arrived at our leased home in January, we were told by our landlord we would need to call Spectrum in order to have television. We made the call thinking they would send a technician out to set up our service. Wrong! We had to go pick up the equipment and install ourselves.
We sat on the floor with this box of cables, modem and cable box trying to read directions and get it to work. After about an hour with no luck, I asked them to let me give it a try alone. I have about enough knowledge of working with digital equipment to fill a teacup − at least I knew what and where to put the HDMI and USB parts.
We turned it on and got the message “no signal.” I used the old Marion Star advice from our computer tech of unplugging from the electric and unplugging the USB – wait 30 seconds and reboot. It worked. We haven’t quite mastered how to change the remote without going to the guide but we are managing. I probably could have called my 4- or 6-year-old great-grandsons and they could have walked me through it in no time.
While it is on my mind, I have to ask readers what they thought of Reba McEntire’s rendition of the national anthem at the Super Bowl. In my opinion, it was excellent − the best I can remember for years. She sang it as written and didn’t try to add any flashy runs or moves. She showed her true pride in America. Good job, Reba. And although the first half of the game was on the boring side, it turned out to be an exciting game at the end.
For any Marion County folks wintering in Florida, don’t forget the Marion County Reunion for “snowbirds” at noon March 7 at Der Dutchman Restaurant in Sarasota.
Let me leave you with this quotation by Oprah Winfrey: “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”
Until next week, be safe and be kind.
Brenda Donegan is a former Marion Star staffer. She may be reached at brendadonegan55@gmail.com.
