PARDON ME, BOY----

 

PARDON ME, BOY----

You would think that life with age gets easier and better, wouldn’t you?

Well, Bunky it doesn’t seem to be that way at all. In fact, I think I am more confused now than I was 40 or 50 years ago.

For example, is coffee good for you or bad for you? How much exercise is enough?

Do I need 4 hours or 8 hours of sleep every night? Are cell phones dangerous to my brain or not?

What in the world are microplastics and what can I do about them?

On top of all of this nonsense we have a new term to deal with, which is cultural appropriation. This current trend seems to suggest that I am only supposed to observe or use the customs, morals and practices derived from my native county.

So, my question is this? What is my native country?

I’m an American mutt. My last name really gives you no clue as to where any of my folks came from. If your name is O’Reilly, Gomez, or Goldstein you might have a idea as to your family origins. Even the name such as Smith or Miller can be traced back to some craft or trade that your ancestors were involved with.

But Perry? Where was this and what did it derive from? Oh, I’ve done the Ancestory.com thing and gotten a paper that says I’m part Scottish, German, English, Irish and Nigerian? Like I said, I’m a mutt.

So how is a mutt supposed to act if he can’t go to a Mexican or Chinese restaurant since he isn’t from that culture? Is this what they mean by cultural appropriation? I like those foods. I always have. I can’t think of any food from any country that I don’t like. I had Russian food one time in New York City and I hope I didn’t make any Russians mad when I paid for the meal. They didn’t seem to object one little bit.

Is St. Patrick’s day only for the Irish? How about Cinco de Mayo?

We are having a national discussion aboutt immigration in this country. I am not going to get into the pros and cons of this argument at this time. Face it, we are a nation of immigrants and isn’t it better for all of us to learn about the culture of those around us? Doesn’t that make us better able to understand others that are from different countries and backgrounds?

At this stage of life, I suppose I am too old to change my habits. I am going to continue to eat tacos and corned beef and even borsch if I want to do so.

They will have to throw me out and refuse to take my credit card. Then I guess I will be stuck with bread and jelly or dog food, for the mutt that I am.

Aren’t we all a bit ridiculous sometimes?

See you next week….Peary Perry