About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

Translator!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I'm Not A Xenophobe, Really

The big news is that tomorrow is my mom's 85th birthday.  She neither looks 85, nor acts it.  I'd say go to her blogsite and wish her happy birthday, but she doesn't have a blog and REFUSES to use a computer  no matter how hard we've cajoled and pleaded and believe me, we've done both.  My mom is a hoot; a fantastic mother (we grew up knowing she always had our backs -- unconditionally.  There is something to be said for growing up secure in the fact that one is cherished) and we're blessed to have her with us.  So Happy Birthday Cass!

Can someone explain to me the purpose of the many messages in Chinese with which we're plagued ?  Some of them feature proverbs totally unrelated to the posting. I have comment moderation and delete these in one swell swoop, but I'm left wondering the purpose of these comments.  What is the gain?  I have a translator feature on my blog.  I figure if someone wants to comment, they can translate it first into English.  I'm not a xenophobe; this is just good manners.  I frequently leave comments on my friend Cri's blog.  She lives in Italy.  I wouldn't think of commenting on her blog in English although her English is substantially better than my Italian will ever be.  (I use Google Translate for that, too).

16 comments:

Mage said...

Welcome home. Yup, there are many of her generation that refuse to use computers....and they stop growing if they stop doing new things.

happyone said...

Happy Birthday to your Mom!!

Kimberly said...

Happy birthday to your Mom!

George said...

I'd like to wish an early Happy Birthday to your mother. Please don't give up on her and a computer. My Dad started using a computer when he was 90.
I have no explanation for the Chinese comments.

Linda said...

Happy Birthday to your mom. Sounds like she's a real keeper.

Regarding the comments. I notice today Blogger has on its dashboard an announcement about a spam detecter feature. You might read it and see if it's any help. I don't want to say too much for fear they will find my blog. What a pain.

jane said...

hi kathy! a big happy birthday wish to your mom. and a big hello to you.i´ve missed coming here. :)
xxx

Purple Flowers said...

I don't know what to tell you about the strange comments.

However, I do know I want to express a BIG Happy Birthday to your Mom! Bless her always!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Kathy, My new Blogger Spam Detection program is catching those things now... I get them also---about 2-3 a week. I am thrilled now that Blogger has this new program for us... Check it out.

Happy Birthday to your mother.... Tell her that my father-in-law learned a computer at age 90... She's not too old!!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

KiraAJ said...

Happy Birthday to your mum! Welcome home! Hope u had a nice break. Ick those comments... I am plagued by them as well... i have translated them before and found nothing its the links that are worrying.... they generally link to a virus of some sort.. im glad that blogspot has given the option to mark these comments as spam.

Anonymous said...

Hi there... so sorry I haven't been around lately. Lack of sleep from puppy in the house is my only excuse. If you keep getting the chinese messages (which are most likely spam) you may have to turn on your word verification for a few days... usually takes care of it for me and then in a few days I shut off the verification because many readers don't like it.

Linda Reeder said...

I like what you said about your mom and growing up secure in the fact that you are cherished. I did not feel that growing up, and now I wonder if my kids do. What a wonderful gift your mother gave you!

Jules said...

Lovely running into you on Facebook!! Sorry for my sudden exodus sans explaination.

Happy 85th to mum!

Anonymous said...

Hope your Mom had a very happy birthday! And don't give up about the computer. I recently helped an 82 year-old get set up on Facebook. (Great way for her to keep up with family & friends) You're never too old for computers.

I don't get that many spam comments...but then I neglected my blog for a while. I'm trying to get back into it.

Rick Rockhill said...

I hope your Mom enjoyed her birthday yesterday, thats quite a milestone. Good Italian stock is it? We have longevity in my family as well.

beachgirl said...

Happy Birthday to your Mom.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Hope your Mom had a wonderful birthday! She sounds like a very special person.