Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg
Ruminating. Pondering. It’s what we do when we want to make the world a better place. To wit … have you ever wondered why:
• No one has ever come up with a better way to open an 8-ounce package of cream cheese?
• Paper and plastic bags are not yet discontinued in all grocery stores in the U.S.?
• Children do not go to libraries as much as they did 60 to 70 years ago?
• There aren’t complimentary rolls served in all restaurants in cities across the country?
• High school graduates aren’t expected to take a “gap” year off for volunteerism or to enroll in one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces?
• There isn’t a ban on wearing perfumes or colognes at concerts?
• Learning a foreign language isn’t mandatory in high school?
• There aren’t more pet adoptions?
• Why politicians aren’t held accountable for what they say?
• We don’t have elder adoptions?
• Some people do not own a cell/smart or android phone?
• Children aren’t more physically active?
• High school students do not learn about managing their money?
• Your grandchildren don’t keep in touch as much as you’d like them to?
• People don’t recycle?
• Mature adults aren’t respected more by the younger generations?
• The size of a glass of wine varies between restaurants?
• Styrofoam isn’t banned in the U.S.?
• People don’t vote?
• All U.S. grade schools and high schools don’t have the same academic standards?
• The tabs of cans of chicken or tuna can’t be rolled/pulled back with ease?
• More SaddleBrooke residents don’t join Senior Village?
• Cheesecakes have so many calories?
• There aren’t term limits for members of the U.S. Congress?
• Every child in the U.S. doesn’t have a computer?
• People don’t pick up after their pets?
• You haven’t had a hole-in-one yet?
• Someone hasn’t discovered a silent leaf blower?
• Dental x-rays can’t be taken much easier—without placing a chunk of plastic in your mouth?
• A scale to weigh yourself doesn’t “give” you 20 pounds—free?
• There isn’t a local bar “where everyone knows your name”?
• We don’t have mandatory driver’s license tests for people over age 80?
• We have to wrinkle?
• Eggs aren’t priced like they were when you were younger?
• Gas isn’t priced like it was 60 years ago?
• There aren’t more family-friendly shows on television?
• Younger adults don’t embrace the music from the Rat Pack (with all due respect to Michael Bublé!)?
• Microwaves aren’t faster?
• All shoes can’t be made comfortable?
• Your nose and ears have been getting larger?
• The actresses of today don’t dress more modestly?
• Your device (e.g., cell phone, computer, printer, etc.) dies when you need it the most?
• Fried chicken can’t be at the bottom of the food pyramid? (You will have to look this one up!)
• Clothing can’t stay in style?