Where is Walter Cronkite?

I am getting very annoyed with the news these days. By the time the evening news comes on at 6:30, I have been overwhelmed with all day news. There is CNN, MSNBNC, C-Span, Twitter, FB, and who knows what else, disseminating news all day. It is all so repetitious, even if I don't watch during the day, there is no escape. When the news does come on, it seems like they are just making up things, speculating, and giving us useless information. It seems like each station tries to out-do the other. There is even a local news person, early in the morning, who precedes each statement with "on the iPad." I am going to email to see if they are getting an Apple kickback for using their product. We never just get the news, we have to listen to everyone's "take" on the news. It's as if folks can't think for themselves anymore. Some even try to give us the news in a conversational format with the newscasters facing each other as if they are in a living room someplace, Oh, please! Then there is the "good news" segments which come on at the end of each newscasts--not that I mind good news, but it is so contrived. Lately, I just follow most things on Twitter because they give the latest every second. I also follow twitter when I am not interested in hearing all of the useless chatter on the newscasts.It has become my news of choice. I remember going to a town hall when Katie Couric was in town. The purpose was to get the public's input on her upcoming stint as the primary newscaster. The idea was to find out what folks wanted, and you could stand and give your suggestions. One lady said they don't even need to have a 6:00 newscast because, by then, everyone knows the news already. I said that young people will probably not watch the evening news, because they want to know instantly rather than wait until the late afternoon. They tend to follow on social media or twitter. At the time, I thought both of those comments were not prophetic, but just our chatter, but now, I think we were both correct in our assessment. I must admit, however, that I do like the first part of GMA, before they start the second hour of frivolity. I like one particular weatherman on a channel in San Diego. I like the commentaries on MSNBC; love my Anderson Cooper on CNN; but even then, it is too much to filter. I don't even think that news is even NEWS anymore. I WANT WALTER (or Walteniqua) CRONKITE back. One person, once a day, looking into the camera, and giving me the NEWS. Until then, Twitter it is!

Don't Stay Too Long

I applaud the Pope for leaving although it has not been done in almost 600 years. He realized that he could no longer perform his duties because of advancing age and health issues. He has trouble walking, and whenever he spoke, in whatever language, it always appeared to me that he had difficulty. He said that he will spend the rest of his life in prayer. It will be a new thing for the Catholic church, as there will be a living former Pope. "Times change and the people change with them."

When I began my freetirement almost five years ago, I did so with great joy. I loved my work, and knew that I could have stayed longer if I had chosen to do that. I knew, however, that it was time to go. We always know, but many do not leave when they should. Some stay too long, and some leave too early, pressured by those around them, or believing that they should just go because someone else did.

Just like everything else in life, we should do what works best for us. We should follow our instincts, for the most part, and not be influenced by what others think we should do. My decision to leave was one of the best I have ever made. I left without bitterness because I didn't stay one day too long. I had seen too many stay and complain each day, or refer to the"olden days." I never wanted to get to that point. I had seen too many stay too long.

Staying too long does not only apply to a job. Many stay too long in a marriage, visiting someone's home (Oh, how I am glad that I don't have deal with that anymore), or even, sometimes staying too long with old, bad habits. I thank the Pope, (although some are trying to find other reasons why he left), did what he should have done. Now he doesn't have to wear that clothing, which looks sooo heavy and probably weighed him down.I wonder how long it took for them to get him dressed in his Pope regalia. He doesn't have to roll around on the platform to reach the altar. He doesn't have to stand at that window (probably with some folks holding him up, and out of sight). He can enjoy the rest of his life, doing what he wants--praying.

I have known a few 85 year olds who are spry, feisty, in fairly good health, mobile, learners, and doers, but the Pope was not in these categories (well, maybe he was a learner and doer). Perhaps he will be a role model for those who still need to see that we need not "Stay too long." Get out while you are still ahead!