As seasoned readers know, mariner has been spending a lot of time living with alter ego Nosey Mole. His labyrinth of tunnels and small rooms provide privacy and isolation from the noise of the outside world. Nosey is a classic every day, common-guy  conservative wooed by things that he feels are important within the scope of his daily life. It’s not about political fantasies, “it’s about getting things done, damn it!” In the swampy gunk that passes for Constitutional government, it is no wonder that Nosey has become skeptical and prefers watching TV shows broadcast in the 1990s.

Nosey and mariner were visiting the other day. I asked him what little pieces of his life does he fear will disappear. He thought for a full minute or so then replied,

“Little pieces? I suppose you mean cheap stuff that ain’t cheap no more? You know, it ain’t around anymore and it ain’t little but I miss malls with all different kinds of stores and restaurants and movies and bowling alleys.”

Mariner encouraged Nosey to continue.

“One of my favorite times of the morning is gone. I really liked my first cup of coffee along with my local newspaper. It was about what was happening near me – I knew a lot of those people and the problems were local and could affect my home directly. It had the local high school sports, a crossword puzzle and my favorite part, the funnies. Is Pogo still in the comics?

Nosey was beginning to roll.

“Hey, I’ll tell you something little that ain’t around no more: keeping your house warm!! My mother told me when I was 10 years old that it cost her 33¢ a gallon to pay the oil bill for our house. My bill this month was $2.18 a gallon!!”

“I’ll tell you something else that ain’t around anymore: The US Government! If this government had been around in the 40’s, we’d be German citizens today. You want more? Want to talk about less taxes? Talk to the BIG money guys.”

Nosy was getting hyped. Mariner thought it best to end the conversation in a friendly way and moved down the tunnel to his room.

Nosey could have gone on through the night. There are so many things disappearing or taking on a new shape. For example, local newspapers being replaced by smartphones who couldn’t care less about the fact that Aunt Millie died, four homes are being razed, malls and Pogo. For mariner this is a poignant disappearance for him but culturally dangerous for the nation’s society.

Smartphones and computer shopping took away the malls. Remember when we could walk down the mall and bowl a few frames then stopped at a pub for some billiards?

Ancient Mariner