When Did Having Money Become a Bad Thing?

Is this a regional thing or what? Back when Gary Morse was still alive The Villagers were constantly speculating and commenting on his lifestyle.  What is with this? Why did these people think they were entitled to comment on his boat, his house and his political connections?

Now we're seeing the same attitude displayed toward Donald Trump-when did being a self-made billionaire become a bad thing.

Like it or not, he's coming to a village near you-lol. I'm just hoping he'll copycat the Morse concept and build another villages on the water. (The real water, not a retention pond.)  In this clone of the villages I would like some sort of marketing program that doesn't appeal to stupid people.

IMO, that is the only problem with the villages and TOB-too many stupid people and an overabundance of religous fanatics.

What is going on with the Morse kids? Can they sustain the pace their father started?

When is Donald Trump Visiting The Villages?

We all know that Donald Trump will  be visiting the Villages in Florida, all the Republicans pass through.  Hell, Sarah Palin even showed up a few times (YAWN).

I'm loving the Trump for President campaign. I've always found Donald Trump pretty amazing in a New York way.  Now everyday I tune is to what  he had to say that day. I've got news for you all kiddies, the man is speaking the truth.

I just loved it when he gave out Grahams phone, he fights like I do. Is this a New York thing or what?

Today THE DONALD is scheduled to go to the Texas border.  This man is all over the place.

So Donald (reading this?), when can we expect to see you? Can you bring some good bagels and pizza? Can you build us a casino?

Next... where is Christie?

BORING! You all have become boring.

Back in the day The Villages was more fun, what happened? There's a message board of Villagers, used to be fun-not so much anymore. (To protect the truly boring and maybe stupid I will simply call this message board TOB-the other board.)

This board, TOB, should be renamed the whine line. IMO it is overmoderated, capriciously censored and inspidly repetitive.  How much bandwith can you all waste discussing dogs running loose, peeing and being shorted pickles on your burger.

TOB has recently added a political forum. In this forum posters are all called Guest. I think the Guest title is great, it keeps idiots from revealing their true identity. I still know who they are.

II think the alleged passing of Mr. Midnight has numbed everyone's funny bone, so in an effort to regain a sense of fun I will be sponsoring a yearly Mr.or Ms. Midnight pageant. We tried having auditions last year but our candidate got arrested. We ask that each village have their own semi-finals and the grand final will be held in the fall during a campaign stop for wannabe Presidents. One of the qualifications is that you must stay up till at least 12:01.

Why Move To The Villages

Most of my old friends don't "get it". They couldn't understand what would motivate me to sell my home, dispose of most of my things and move 1200 miles away. I tried to explain the concept, the newness, the good weather....

Once they visit they "get it". As one of my guests said when they visited last Spring "It's like you live in Disneyland". Last week she changed her opinion and decided it was more like Universal's theme park.

The closest I can explain is that it's like "A Happening". You know, one of those 60's-70's things that I didn't have the courage to indulge in. I was a Young Republican, we didn't protest the war. We weren't hippies, we went to class, we got jobs, opened IRA's.

I love the ads on TV "Remember the generation that said they would never get old..." I am part of that generation and I don't feel old. I still register shock when I look in the mirror.

Call this place what you will, geriatric Disney (or Universal), America's Friendliest Hometown" or call it A Happening. At times it feels like college with your own house and no "dorm mother". Put whatever label you want, it's just a really cool place.

Will my generation ever grow up?

Andrew Blechman Speaks Again....and Again....and Again

I recently tripped across another blog where Mr. Blechman, author of the book Leisureville is again commenting on the concept of age segration in housing and specifically The Villages. Here are the comments he made regarding the recent visit of Sarah Palin.....


"Massive Turnout for Make-Believe Candidate in Make-Believe Village
No real surprise here. The Villages is a must-visit Republican bastion of veteran-voters on the Republican Whistle-stop Tour each year. The developer, Gary Morse, also happens to be one of the biggest donors to the Republican Party in the nation (lower case t and n, no s.) I don't find it particularly surprising that in The Villages' land of make-believe candidate Sarah Palin would be a popular draw. Here's an account of the event, as presented by The Villages' developer-owned daily newspaper, a.k.a. Pravda :http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2008/09/22/news/news01.txt "


I can't believe the audacity of this man, is he crazy or what? Make believe candidate? HUH?Make believe village? HUH?

This character spent a few weeks here several years ago, didn't like the place and has been taking jabs ever since. I was shocked to see he is still at it.

I'm thinking that this guy could use a good shrink. I checked out his bio and it is very vague...he has a Masters in Journalism from Columbia. He apparently resides in New England with his wife and children and also lives in Germany. No mention of his family background.

What does his anger stem from? As an amateur shrink I have my theories.....in my uneducated opinion he might be suffering from some sort of seperation anxiety from his parents. What did they do leave him in New England and take off for The Villages to squander his potential inheritance on an endless game of Bunco and long nights till 10pm at Katie Belle's. Maybe he was weaned at too early an age, maybe raised in a single or no-parent home. I don't know. What I do know is that this guy is now appearing to be a one trick pony who needs to move on.

What is with this guy?

HEY Mr. Midnight, I'm looking for you.

It's been months since I read Leisureville and still I am obsessed with checking this guy out. I loaned the book to some of my neightbors, got them fired up with indignation and last week went out looking. (Just to insure that I not come away disappointed I drank a bit and had some fun till he REVEALED himself.)

A friend and I went to Urban Flats in Sumter Landing, I had never been there before and was pleasantly surprised that you can eat and drink till midnight. This would be a great place for Mr. Midnight in that he could go straight from bar to lair. I was sadly disappointed that there were no men wearing capes to identify themselves, not even a t-shirt saying "Hey Babe I'm up at Midnight".

I did see a potential MM, a schlump dressed like a librarian driving an imported sports car. Twenty+ years ago when that thing rolled off the assembly line it was pricey, but again...no cape, no custom tags. He left alone, does Midnight ever leave alone?

Another thought plagues me, we know this guy is a retired teacher. All the teachers I have ever met were (don't flame me over this) CHEAP. Does Midnight buy drinks for girls? Is he one of those slick guys who slide up next to you and say "Hey Baby can I buy you a Cadillac?" or is he the type who would say "You're already drunk, GREAT, lets' go."

HEY MM, buy a cape. I don't want to become an alcoholic trying to track you down.

CHILDREN IN THE VILLAGES...I see plenty of them

One of the biggest complaints in Leisureville has been the restrictions on children, evidently 30 days per year isn't enough for some people...I'm thinking 30 days is more than enough. I'm also thinking if they are here more than 30 days who would know. If they were well-behaved, who would care. I'm not a big fan of children, but I have to admit that the ones I have seen around here are great.

I, myself, are not having any children visiting. Out of the 14 children in my family there are only two that I actually like. It's not the kid's fault, it's their parents. Somewhere along the way when they were micro-managing their offspring's time they forgot to pencil me in.

I find it amusing that prior to moving here I was a virtual orphan. The children of prime raking/shoveling/mowing age never paid any attention to me. I spent holidays alone, I was excluded from some family activities. I had one 7 year-old look me straight in the eye and say "I do not like you."

I have done more than my share, I have attended all the recitals, concerts and ball games. I have been supportive, I have bought ponies, horses, cars. I have helped pay tuition, braces and trips. In exchange for my generosity I was treated as a host of a entitlement program and at the same time resented and excluded.

In short, I am done. The two that I care for are more than welcome to visit for 30 days, 60 days or forever. The "IDONOTLIKEYOU" kid can take a hike.

Attention My Family....I am done with the kid thing. I am done with cards, letters, gifts and other gestures that go unacknowledged. If you want to sugar coat this for the ungrateful little brats tell them that I ran out of cards, money and time.

You know what, I don't need a kid because I am one again.