Connotations

"Connotation"

….the simplest of words bring with them the most meaningful connotations.

Ergo, and similarly the most truthful and least demanding verbal delivery, emotionally speaking, requires the least amount of bombastic clout in order to establish thoughtful meaning.

I.e. Many moons ago, da harv, while providing counsel to a dear and good friend of his, without charge I might add, provided this simple instruction: “Boast, brag, and cater to the (prospective) clients' desires.” Within a day or two he got back to me, and simply stated how what I told him really worked.

(It was for a very well-known product, so I’ve omitted the name.)

Da harv: “It really makes me feel good when I know it’s the very best there is, though it is a little pricey.”

My friend's slogan became: “It makes me feel good when I buy the very best there is!”

Oddly enough, and perhaps, believe it or not, the exact quote was taken from the musings of the famous showman of yesteryear, the renowned producer, director, lyricist, nightclub owner, and Broadway "Man About Town", Billy Rose. His famous quote, as taken from the pages of “Reader's Digest” magazine: “If you really care about someone, buy them the best there is!” Supposedly it was said just as the stock market was crashing in 1929. What Billy was getting at, simply stated, was a guy could buy his lady the most expensive bar of soap made in that time period for about two bucks. Billy was quite the impresario in his day.

This bar of soap, or circular wedge, is by Creed and may be found at Bloomingdales for about $60.00.

And if it’s your desire to really let him or her know how very grand they are, write a short handwritten note, with just a touch of the store's perfume sample.

Advice to the lovelorn: Don’t skimp on the quality of the wrapping paper.

Harvey Kalmenson

"In My Travels"

        I write many of these things because, for such a very long time now, I find myself unhappy with the many of my brethren who honestly don’t give a damn about history being a continual restoration of vigorously being repeated over and over again…

        “Oh, yeah…who put you in charge?” complained a kid to his young pal (that would be me, da pal, not yet da harv). I was just merely a big-time ring leader on a street in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. It was 1941. World War II was about to break loose and, supposedly, change the world forevermore. That’s what was said way back in 1918 when the WWI armistice was declared, a mere twenty-three years before we, the U.S., entered WWII.

A VERY SHORT MUSING

Anything good

Almost anything deemed to be bad

Stem from and are duplications of the past!

Ours up for review

Initially not taken for granted

Not to be forgotten

Lest we ignore God's willingness

Improving our lives together

We human beings

Managing the true depictions of our past

Though not gaining from the horror of its wars!

It’s time

-hk-

        Seemingly within a flash, who would ever have guessed I would still be a ring leader at age nineteen, high up on a hillside, in a place known as North Korea? We were approaching July 27th, 1953, at 9:00 PM, when this stinking conflict was about to come to its merciful end. It happened to fall on a Monday, a good day to start the week. But truthfully, I couldn’t have cared less about what day of the week it was. I cared about coming home alive.

A TROOP SHIP RETURNING FROM KOREA, 1954.

(It wasn’t a good ride. The weather sucked!)

Appearances & Queries

"Appearances & Queries – At Least To Me"

Has there ever been a time in this world of ours when the verbiage “total peace” could honestly, and accurately, apply?
I, very personally, think not!
Perhaps on the morrow, it may
An older man told me
Keep the faith
Now I am the older man
Lo and behold
Still, it seems more difficult today
From then to now
And it comes back to me
The way it was has returned
Anything good feels great
But not quite the old days
“Riding high in April, shot down in May”
As the song lyric says
Why are wars duplications of the past
We know wars won’t feel good
Regardless of the outcome
Even when we win
Most will shed a tear
…And for some…it will never be over

Harvey Kalmenson

"You May Have Noticed"

        So many more times than once in a while, I have been privy to a conscientious objector offering me their steadfast advice about how they just can’t stand listening to or watching the daily news. They also offer how it just plain unnerves them to hear about how bad things are out there in the world.

        It so reminds me of the story I heard way back in grammar school. It was a simple story of what most ostriches do when they are the slightest bit disturbed or unnerved. This popular metaphor is believed to have originated with observations of ostriches that appear to bury their heads in the sand to avoid predators. Some people think this behavior results from the fact that ostriches are so stupid that they believe burying their heads will make them invisible to predators. (In reality, the observed behavior is a myth.)

        And one more thing from back during my days in grammar school: It was my mom telling me how safe she always felt when my dad was around. My dad and I had the very same feelings about mom. Both he and she faced life’s destiny with eyes wide open. Their heads were never in the ground. (Although they did show some nervousness from time to time—especially when I was pitching for our team.)

Harvey Kalmenson