2013 vs 2014

Okay, let’s review 2013. Taxes went up. Politicians lied. More people signed up for food stamps. The working people were forced to buy insurance they did not want and could not afford. There were wars everywhere and our troops died. More punishment for having your own thoughts were imposed. God was kicked out of just about every organization, including the military. The people that vote for a living outnumbered the people that work for a living. And, those are just a few of the highlights.

Now, let’s look at what’s ahead for 2014. See all of the above, and expect everything to increase two  times or more.

Happy New Year?

PMO
©2013

Home Remedy Results

My patient - see yesterday’s post - is doing well. His fever broke, which is what the concoction is supposed to do. Who says home remedies don’t work?

I have another one that I’ve been using for years to treat leg and foot cramps. Soap! No, you don’t use it to wash. Just take a bar of soap - it can still be in the package - and hold it on the cramp site. Makes no sense, but it works. I tried to explain that to an medical doctor recently and he wanted to refer me to a shrink.

If he gets a leg cramp, I bet he tries it.

PMO
©2013

Home Remedy

Since mankind learned that fermented fruits and grains rendered a punch with a punch, alcohol has been used and abused. One of the uses, a genuine use, is for medicinal purposes. Legitimate medicine and over the counter fixes often contain a touch of the "recipe." Don’t believe me, just check the label on some of the cold relief bottles are your local pharmacy.

My friend Ronnie called his doctor to get a prescription for a horrible sinus infection. The doc was out until after the first of the year. So, he went to a Doc-In-The-Box. After a couple of hours, he finally saw a doctor. Ronnie explained that his primary physician was out of town and that he always gives him a particular antibiotic for this ailment, which occurs once a year or so. The doc refused to give him anything. Ronnie went home and laid on the sofa for three days with a temperature often reaching 103 . When he and I talked, I suggested a concoction that I had used before. It involves a particular spicy tomato juice drink, the juice from a whole lemon, a few dashes of salt and pepper and a bit of 80 proof. The trick is to drink it down and go to bed and cover up.

Mark Twain told a story of how when traveling he caught a horrible cold and a fellow passenger on the stage coach told him that when they arrived in San Francisco, he should get a quart of whiskey, drink it and go to bed. Checking into the hotel, the clerk seeing Mr. Twain’s agony, made the same suggestion. Twain said that made two quarts and it was the best cold he ever had.

If you are going to drink two quarts, you probably should get into bed first.

PMO
©2013

Oh Christmas Tree

For as long as I can remember, which is getting shorter and shorter, the question has been, ‘when do you take down the Christmas tree?’ There are those that think it should stay up until after New Year’s. Others seem to go with the day after Christmas.

I suggest that if it is a live tree, the sooner the better. No matter what you do, trees dry out and each day become more of a fire hazard. So that leaves us with artificial trees.

Artificial trees take the same amount of time as live ones to remove all the ornaments and stuff so that’s a wash, but then you have to take them apart and put them in a box or bag and store them in the attic or somewhere. If your wife put up the tree, decorated the tree, then she should be the one that decides when the tree comes down. If you have to help I have a suggestion.

Put a sheet over it and take it off next year.

Same goes for outside lights and decorations.

PMO
©2013

Santa Said

My friend Jim sent a letter to Santa asking for a 21 year old blonde that owns a chain of liquor stores and who just won a huge lottery that wants to get married without a prenuptial agreement. He sends the same letter every year. Now, he swears that he got a reply. Santa said, "I would never fill such a request. And, if I could, at your age, you wouldn’t make it through the wedding."

I think "Santa" may really be his wife. But, I didn’t tell him.

PMO
©2013

Reason For The Season

Perhaps you’ve seen signs proclaiming, "Jesus is the reason for the season." I’ve been thinking about that and have analyzed the facts.

First Jesus offers forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Next, without Jesus there would be no Christmas. And, without Christmas, there would be no after Christmas sales.

In summary, Jesus offers forgiveness of sins, absolutely free. He offers eternal life, absolutely free. And, He gets you 30% to 75% off retail. Who else offers such a deal?

Even if you are not a believer, you still get the sale prices, but you really should consider the whole package.  Get one for 75% off and two free.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

©2013

Christmas Wish

Do you have a Christmas wish or maybe a wish list? You know, that special something or something’s you want. Christmas is supposed to be about getting what you want isn’t it? Well, most grumpy old men don’t want anything. So what are we supposed to do? I suppose we could go out and spend a lot of money for things that will be broken or forgotten, and give them to people that will likely have more than they need or really want.

As for this grumpy old man, I have only one Christmas wish.

I wish for you, and me, to feel like Christmas.

©2013

Quacks

Unless you live in a remote cave, you have heard about Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson’s comments about the homosexual lifestyle. I told myself that I would not weigh in on this, but here goes.

A&E has suspended Robertson from the biggest cable TV show in history, because they say his comments might be offensive to the gay community. Now, Cracker Barrel has pulled some Duck Dynasty merchandise from its shelves in a move not to offend some of their guests.

Both of these moves have confused and infuriated millions and will certainly cost both companies millions if not billions of dollars. All of this because a strong Christian man stood up for what he believes and said so when asked by not to be mentioned magazine.

Meanwhile back at the left wing ranch. Obama buddy Louis Farrakhan calls for gays to be beheaded and stoned in accordance with Islamic teaching. The silence about this in the media is predictable.

I have never watched Duck Dynasty, but I understand that it is a traditional family show, so what would you expect Mr. Robertson to respond when asked his opinion. Maybe he could have used different words, but he is who he is. He does have a right to free speech - at least he is supposed to. Just as Mr. Farrakham has.

And now, Charlie Sheen has weighed in on the side of gay community as a self proclaimed spokesman for those that cannot speak for themselves.

See why this post is titled "Quacks?" They ain’t the ones with the duck calls.

PMO
©2013

Truth Or Fiction

A few years ago I read a story on the internet, so it must be true.  It just made so much sense, I figured it could happen. It seems that the IRS took possession of a brothel/bar in Nevada for tax evasion. And, in an effort to recover some of the money, they decided to run the business. In almost no time, the business was bankrupt.

The moral of the story was that if the government can't sell sex and whiskey, why would anyone trust them to run the country?

And, they are going to run your healthcare?

PMO
©2013

Monitor

I got a new computer monitor. It’s larger than the one I had. When you get old, bigger is better when it comes to looking at a computer screen. As usual, I researched for days before selecting one that has all the specs that I thought I needed. I really don’t know what response time is, but I know faster is better. Five milliseconds is better than 17, which is what you get when you find them at a great sale price. There are some monitors that have a 2 millisecond response time. They are too expensive for me. My trifocals don’t adjust that fast anyway.

So, now I am typing away with a 23 inch screen so I can see all the typing errors much better. I remember when TV screens weren’t that big.

I didn’t wear trifocals back then.

PMO
©2013

What If

What if you had no freedom of speech? What if you had no right to own a firearm, even for your own protection? What if government could conduct a search without a warrant? What if you were taxed without representation? What if government knows what you are doing, but you know nothing about what they are doing? What if time tested traditions and beliefs came under attack on a daily basis. And, what if you were not allowed to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

Where would you be?

Hint: Where are you now?

PMO
©2013

More Leaves

Okay, the leaves are getting to be a real problem, as I mentioned a few posts ago. And, they fall from neighbors trees. Maybe I should send them a box of leaves as a hint. I can’t do that. They are all nice people - with leaves.

So, I’ve been check on machines to mulch them up. A regular lawn mower doesn’t work very well. And, I’ve discovered several products that claim they make mulching leaves a snap. However, further investigation reveals that many of the machines use ‘weed eater’ line and that wears out fast - especially if a small stick gets into the works. The demonstrations I’ve seen have you gathering up the leaves into a pile and then taking a hand full and putting it into the machine. One hand full at a time is going to take a long time in my yard.

My best plan seems to be, wait and see if we get a strong wind blowing toward the neighbors.

PMO
©2013

Looks Like Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. In Texas, that means the temperature is going up - like in the 70s or higher. Seems like only a week ago that we had one of the biggest ice storms in the country. That’s because it was about a week ago. Now, we are having above average warm days.

I’ve lived in Texas most of my life, so far. I can remember only two, maybe three, Christmas days that we had snow where I lived. That’s okay by me. Apparently there really isn’t a law that says you have to have snow on Christmas.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the ‘winter holiday’ folks try to pass such a law.

PMO
©2013

Wish Leafs Would Leave

We have one tree in our yard, but we have leafs from all the trees for about a hundred miles. And, the blame things keep on falling.

I have tried to mow them - mulch them up. That doesn’t work. Raking and bagging seems to be the only solution to the problem, but when you get an area done and start on another, the dang things have already covered the area you just did.

I’m going to go to the grocery and see if I can find "pecan" flavor liquid. Then I’m going to spray all the leaves and wait for the squirrels to eat them.

If they don’t eat them, they’ll bury them.

PMO
©2013

It's On Sale

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and coming soon, the alluring after Christmas sales draw millions to shop and spend. What is it about a sale? Everyone I know, including me, likes to brag about a bargain they got. The question is, "was it really a bargain?"

Back in the stone age, my friend Willie owned a hardware store in the tiny Texas town where I grew up. Not only did he sell hardware, but he offered a variety of other things, including toys. During the month of December he would really stock up on toys.

Just visiting with him one day about the middle of December he told me about the toy trucks he had placed in a large plastic basket in the middle of the store. He placed them there so everyone that came in would see them. The price was $1 so they would sell quickly. I told you this happened in the stone age. He didn’t sell a single one the first two weeks. So, he put them on sale. He made a sign and placed it on the basket, 2 for $5. There were only two left in the basket the day I was there.

Think about the toy trucks next time you get a ‘real deal.’

PMO

©2013

What America Needs

The nice part about writing this blog is that I get to say what I think. Today, I’m thinking about what America needs. Although this list is not all complete, it is a start. So, here we go.

We need representatives, senators, and a president that are qualified and truly committed to serving the country and not their own special interest.

We need term limits for all offices.

We need strict Constitutionalist running the government, and the Supreme Court.

We need absolute border security and strict immigration laws.

We need a balanced budget.

We need a jobs program to replace most welfare programs.

We need States rights.

We need citizens educated enough to understand what government is and how it supposed to work.

We need individual responsibility.

We need an education system that teaches facts, not fiction.

We need a test to determine if a person is qualified to vote.

We need a strong military that causes fear in our enemies.

We need to get back to the basics and stick with them.

And, finally.

We need a good 5 cent cigar.

PMO
©2013

The Devil

Almost 50 years ago, radio commentator Paul Harvey had the following words:

If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of it’s real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee. So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’

"To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’

"And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

"If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames. If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

"Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography — soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

"If I were the devil I’d take from those who have, and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what do you bet? I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as thee way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work, in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were the devil I’d just keep right on doing on what he’s doing. Paul Harvey, good day."

Anything sound familiar?

PMO
©2013

Christmas Eve

In one of my previous lives I was a reporter for radio, TV and sometimes newspapers. I’ve had a lot of previous lives - gas station attendant, loading trucks and box cars, working in a lumber yard, selling cars and a variety of other adventures. In my reporter days, I hung out with a lot of cops - sheriffs, deputies, chiefs of police, police officers, game wardens, FBI agents and State troopers. I saw what they do, and I didn’t want their jobs.

One of the problems with law enforcement is that all too often you see people when they are at their worse or when circumstances are the worse. I know what it’s like to be on the scene of a wreck and watch someone die when there was nothing that could be done. For years I used to wake up seeing the face of a little girl as she was wheeled into a hospital emergency room. Would you want that kind of job? Just the experiences I had made me glad, I didn’t have to do it everyday.

The point of all this is an email I got from a friend today. It’s a poem about Christmas Eve by a former State Trooper.  Just click the link below or copy and paste it into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/WxjZB5S_g7s?rel=0.

©2013

GM

GM stands for "got me." And, they got you too, if you are a taxpayer. The government has sold all it’s General Motors stock and only lost $10.5 billion tax payer dollars. My broker does better than that.

I’m guessing that the promise from the Prez that taxpayers wouldn’t lose by saving GM from bankruptcy, is not true. What’s next?

Oh yea, "If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor."

PMO
©2013

Where's Al?

The whole country has experienced big time winter weather in the past several days. In Texas we’ve had ice that caused hundreds if not thousands of auto wrecks, some with fatalities. Because I am an old electric power company employee, I kept up with all the havoc the ice caused on our electrical system.

Out here in East Texas there were record low temperatures. And, the prognostication for our area is not a lot better - rain with freezing temperatures at night.

The question of the day is, "Where is global warming when you need it?" I guess Al is running around explaining it to anybody that will listen. Maybe global warming thawed up all the ice in the sky and that’s why it fell across almost the whole country.

That would make sense to somebody.

PMO
©2013

Computer

Problems with my computer and especially the monitor have prompted me to start research on replacements. My old machine is about four years old - that’s prehistoric in the computer world. Truth is that I will buy a monitor at the very least.

I am one of those crazy people that looks at technical specs like response time, brightness, aspect ratio and all that stuff. Once I find a monitor that I like, then I start looking for the best price. It is never easy for me to do anything. And, I’m worse when it comes to buying a new desktop computer. Oh yeah I know they are on the way out, but then so am I.

The size of the hard drive - 1TB, at least 8 GB of memory, and a clock speed/processor time of 3 or better is what I would consider. They are not as hard to find, but they all come with Windows 8. I don’t like Windows 8. To me, the operating system will be short lived because people use PCs for working and the old fashioned Windows 7 lends itself better to running an Excel spreadsheet, without having to drag tiles by the mouse or getting a touch screen.

As usual the bottom line is that I will spend more hours searching and researching.

Then I’ll buy the wrong one.

PMO
©2013

Tater Chip?

I understand that change is the only constant, but there are some things that I have a hard time accepting. Come to think about it, there are a lot of things I have a hard time accepting. But today I came across a pecan pie flavored potato chip. Actually, I was clipping coupons and ran across a coupon offering $1 off.

Not mentioning the name of the company that has been peddling tater chips for a long time, these people actually think that ‘holiday’ chips of pecan pie or sugar and spice flavor will be a hot seller. And, there will be a few million people that will buy them. Some will swear they are great. Others, will throw away the container and count them as money wasted. I try not to waste money.

I won’t be among the millions that buy them.

PMO
©2013

Send Money

All most every day during the Holidays, we get a solicitation in the mail from some organization. They usually include some mailing labels, a pen, a note pad or something to entice you into sending them a donation. By my calculations, if we sent each one just $10 or $20, it would be a small fortune - maybe a large fortune.

We have selected charities that we donate to, but do occasionally make additional donations, but rarely to any organization that sends us mail.

If we sent a donation to all the solicitors, I would be sending out mailing labels, a pen and note pads asking for donations for me.

PMO
©2013

House Name

My financial controller is retiring after 24 years with a major non-profit in Dallas. At their annual meeting this week, she was rightly recognized. The Board of Directors honored her by naming one of the seven client group homes after her. This is only the second time in 60 years of existence that a home was named after a person.

Yes, this is quite an honor and she certainly deserves it, but I was hoping for something more useful.

Why didn’t they all chip in and buy her a new car?

PMO
©2013

New Bumper Sticker

This is a follow up to yesterday’s post. I am launching my own campaign against idiot drivers. So, I’ve come up with a new bumper sticker for my truck.

"Don't dare cut me off.  I’m hauling whiskey, guns and ammo."

PMO
©2013

Clean Up The Gene Pool

Picture yourself driving along some interstate highway. You’re driving at or about the speed limit. I always drive about the speed limit. There is two car lengths between you and the car in front of you. Being a safe driver, you check your rear view mirror and there is no one behind you. Suddenly, a car cuts you off, darting right in between you and the car in front. Then, they take the next exit which is only a couple hundred feet away.

Please tell me why the car didn’t just pull in behind you and take the exit safely? What makes a driver think they have to cut someone off when there is absolutely no reason?

I used to think that this happens only to me, but I observe this as a common practice. It’s as common as tailgating. And, often the driver will tailgate someone and then pull the dumb aforementioned move.

If abortion is a good thing, why can’t we take it a step further and clean up the gene pool of those that drive this way?

Remember my idea the next time it happens to you.

PMO
©2013

According to an article the Chicago Tribune, hospitals are difficulties collecting for their services. This is not news, but as more and more Americans get insurance with high deductibles, the problem is getting worse. Hospitals have to treat life threatening cases and, others like a baby being born.

If things are getting worse now, just wait until Obamacare goes into full effect. Apparently the deductibles for some people are going to be twice or three times what they had. And, their premiums go up.

Let me make sure I understand. You know how grumpy old men are. Hospitals lost over $44 billion last year for non-payment of services. Non-payment is getting worse. The government health plan is going to cost individuals and families more. The deductibles are going to double or triple. Right now would be a good time to get rid of any hospital stocks or bonds you may have.

In the future, if you don’t have cash, you can’t be sick.

PMO
©2013

Just What I Want

Imagine a fire-rated gun safe hidden inside a custom built couch, with bullet proof cushions with carry straps, so they can be used on the fly as a shield. That’s the first line of advertising for a product now built in Texas. Are you surprised? All I can say is, "I want one."

The gun safe has a two hour rating and the optional cushions can stop a 44 magnum at point blank range according to the information on their website. Another nice feature is that the couch and safe weigh about 900 pounds. Not many burglars are going to wrestle that out your front door. Did I mention it makes a great guest bed?

How could any gun nut like me not want one? Just imagine watching all the gun action TV shows and just reaching under the cushion and to join in waving a few firearms around.

The kicker is the cost - about $9000 and I don’t know if that includes all the options. I didn’t see a cup holder on the one pictured on the website. These have to be a big item at Christmas in East Texas. Maybe I’ve lived here too long.

I’m starting to think like them.

PMO
©2013

Hobby Lobby

What if you had a company dedicated to integrity and service for their customers and employees. Let’s say further that the company donates 10% of it income every year to charity. Sound like a pretty good company? Not according to the government.

The problem is that Hobby Lobby doesn’t want to be forced to violate their religious beliefs and be forced to pay for abortions and abortion-inducing drugs in their insurance program. Now the Supreme Court will have to hear Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby as the family owned Christian craft store challenges the constitutionality of Obamacare’s abortion coverage mandate.

Hobby Lobby does pay for 16 of the 20 FDA-approved contraceptives required under the Obamacare mandate.

What does all this mean?

If you have to ask, then you will never understand the answer.

PMO
©2013

Another One Down

For over 50 years we have had Thanksgiving at the in-laws. They have never come to our house - not one time. I think I have figured out why. First, they don’t enjoy driving several hours as much as I do. And, if they came to my house, they would be the ones that would have to go home.

Next is the food. If we cooked, the turkey would taste like turkey and there would be a bowl of mashed potatoes on the table. This year, neither my financial controller nor number one daughter were allowed to bake the pies. That’s right, I had no pecan pie for Thanksgiving.

Last but not least, they know that I will tire of the whole event rather quickly and leave.

For Christmas I’m taking my own food and staying for a month.

PMO
©2013

Zoom - Gobble Gobble - Zoon

I will be driving, eating, and then driving again for the next couple of days.

Happy Thanksgiving

Things That Are Bad

As I have mentioned before, I am an observer by nature and training. And, I have been observing again. I agree with Yogi Berra, "You can observe a lot just by watching." How can you argue with that?

My observations have prompted me to come up with a list of things that are bad according to the world we live in today.

At the top of the list is Christianity. The mere mention of Jesus or having a Christian prayer is terribly offensive.

Being heterosexual is on the list of bad. One should at least support alternative lifestyles.

Not receiving food stamps is a bad thing. The number of recipients is a measure of how good the economy is.

Just mentioning guns is so bad you may get arrested or at least investigated. If you own a gun, that is the next worse bad you can do - second only to being Christian.

Marriage is another bad. Enlightened people don’t need marriage. The preferred way is to just live together until you find someone you like better and then live with them.

Not supporting abortions is terrible. The very idea of being pro-life is repulsive.

Working and being self reliant easily makes the bad list. Everyone knows that you must depend upon government and do what they tell you to do.

Not wanting to support those won’t work is extra bad. If you must work, you are bad if you don’t want to give what you earn to those poor souls who do depend upon government.

Questioning anything that government does is something one should not do. Never question the all knowing elite. They know what’s best for you.

I could go on and on, but maybe you get the idea. Being a white male, heterosexual, Christian that is self reliant, I now realize how bad I am.

I don’t intend to change.

PMO

©2013

Quips

Every now and then, I find little quips that strike me as funny.  From one of the emails I received:
"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings by calling you stupid.  I thought you already knew."

And, my original for the week:  "My wife keeps my life insurance company on speed dial."

As Larry the cable guy would say, "I don't care who you are, that's funny."

PMO
©2013

Grazzing

If it tastes good, you should not eat it. In fact, the government has and is taking steps to see that you don't. The FDA has banned trans-fats and now they are after salt and sugar. It seems that nothing you eat is good for you. I am amazed that human kind survives at all. And, with the growing trend of new school lunch room menus, the children will soon just be placed outside to graze on the lawn.

I’ve seen what happens when cows eat grass.

You are going to need a lot of toilet paper - a lot.

PMO
©2013

The Calendar

I was checking my calendar - I don’t do anything without checking to see where I am supposed to be - and discovered the next couple of weeks hold some real treats. My truck has to go into the shop for some minor repairs. I hope they are minor. There’s an appointment with the internal medicine doctor. That’s the guy that gave me medication to help with leg cramps. When I checked out the medication, I discovered it is used for leg cramps, bipolar depression, myalgia, and a host of other ailments. I think ingrown toenails, warts, hemorrhoids, and bad breath were on the list. All I know is I have to take the drug at bedtime because it makes my mind fuzzier than it already is.

Next on the horizon is a trip to the in-laws for Thanksgiving. I expect that will be the usual joyous event where they turn up the TV as loud as it will go and then talk over it. What I go through for a little turkey, ham and pecan pie.

And, I see that I am scheduled for a colonoscopy. Who says I don’t have an exciting life? I go to doctors that I don’t want to see because they don’t do anything to help me. I take medication that is only a slight relief, but with crazy side effects. And, then I get to have a procedure that is a real pain in the rear, in more ways than one.

Have you ever noticed that proctologist and plumbers don’t bite their finger nails?

PMO
©2013

What I Said

The English language is hard to learn because it constantly changes. Sometimes I say things that make my granddaughters wonder, what the heck I’m talking about. Even my son-in-law misses a beat on some of the terms. So as a public service to the younger generation and new English speakers, I have a few old colloquialisms that I will explain.

Half a bubble short of plumb simply means that someone is a order of fries short of a happy meal. And, to pin the ears back means to go really fast. When a horse hits top speed, his ears lay back.

Light a shuck is faster than pining the ears back. When you let corn shucks dry and burn them, they go up in a puff of smoke.

Rode hard and put away wet simply means that someone has exhausted themselves and is overly tired and sweaty.

Plum tuckered has nothing to do with plums. Again it refers to being really tired.

Tall drink of water refers to someone that is very tall. Has nothing to do with drinking water.

And, a smooth mouth is not a dental term. It translates to being able to talk anyone out of or into just about anything.

Meaner than a junk yard dog means exactly that.

PMO
©2013

Sitting

For a few days this week I have to do some grandkids, granddogs, and house sitting. That means that everyone is out of town except me, and I’m still not in charge. I don’t understand why it is called "sitting."

You hardly ever get to sit.

PMO
©2013

JFK

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the assassination President John F. Kennedy. I remember the day. November 22, shortly after noon came the word that the President had been shot.

As he is remembered, his famous quote will be repeated, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask, what you can do for your country."

About half the population today has no idea what that means.

PMO
©2013

Dog Saga Continues

Have you ever seriously considered why anyone would want a dog? Other than being watch dogs, the ones I’ve had have been watch dogs, what good are they? All they do is eat and poop on everything. If they can’t pee or poop on it, they chew it up. My financial controller says the new dog is a lot of company. I’m not? And, I don’t want any extra company.

I try to do my part in taking care of the dog, which seems to be a majority share. To take some of the energy out of the little beggar, I take her for runs along side the golf cart. She learned to run beside the cart in just one trip. Yes, she is on a leash, although I am thinking about trying it without the leash. I think I can get away from her on a long run. She’s a sprinter.

Really, dogs are a lot of trouble. They provide no real service and you can’t eat them. Well, some cultures do. They've figured out there’s not much else dogs are good for.

Find the soy sauce. Here puppy, here puppy.

PMO
©2013

Pan Fried

Usually I grill steaks on the weekend. However, since I only use a charcoal grill, I sometimes, like when it’s raining, don’t want to fight the hassle. So I went out to the web to find tricks on cooking ribeye steaks on the stove top. Yes, I have tried this before. That’s why I went looking for ideas.

There are no less than a million ways to cook steaks inside. I have discarded the idea of cooking in the oven. What I have concluded is that you need a cast iron skillet, some olive oil, coarse salt, fresh ground black pepper, garlic or garlic salt, butter, and a fire extinguisher. The trick seems to be using a really hot skillet and not turning the meat but once. Cooking time varies for the doneness you want. And, finally you let the steaks "rest." I just thought dragging the grill out was a lot of trouble.

I think the grandchildren will like P&B sandwiches just as well.

PMO
©2013

Top Ten

The brainz.org website has posted the ten most common addictions. Some of them you can guess easily, but there may be a surprise or two, and you may be an addict.

Not surprising, alcohol, smoking, and drug addiction are there. Technically a smoker is not addicted to cigarettes but to nicotine. Gambling when it becomes compulsive is an addiction.

Stand back from the screen, you may show up in the next ones. Food can be an addiction, when it is used as a way to deal with feelings or sadness, depression, or anxiety. Then, there’s video games. When video games intrude on your life, you have a problem. As, is the case with addiction to the internet. If you get upset when you are not able to be online, you need to reboot yourself.

Sex addiction may be more common than one would think. I mean, just watching TV can get you hooked, because that’s all that is on - no matter the program. Shopping for some people is an all too real problem. Like the others, this can lead to financial problems and relationships.

Finally, here’s one that I would hate to have. Work addiction. I know people that are compulsive workers. They never stop working, even when they are off. It is an obsession.

The interesting thing about the list is that everyone knows someone that possesses one or more of the addictions. Most of the time, there are one or more in every family.

I would add the "Nanny" addiction. They are obsessed with telling anyone and everyone what to do and how to do it. There seems to be an epidemic of this one.

Now you have it, a list of the most common addictions.

Check with your nanny to see which one(s) you can have.

PMO
©2013

Prez Sez - Again

Will Rogers said that he didn’t tell jokes, he just watch congress and reported on what they did. If he were alive today, he would have an endless supply of material, especially with Obama. In case you missed it, the Prez now sez that he is generously giving everyone another year before their healthcare coverage is cancelled and they are forced to buy what they don’t want at a higher price. He did not admit that he lied about you being able to keep your current coverage and/or doctor.

Politics would be the funniest show around if it weren’t so expensive and cause the populous so much grief. What Obama said in his speech about not cancelling your policy for another year sounded like, "I’m still going to castrate you, but I’m giving you a year to think about it."

Better sleep with one eye open while you think about that.

PMO
©2013

Reagan

Ronald Reagan was a smart man. In one of his speeches he pointed out one of the easiest ways to control people was to control heath care. Then, he pointed out that if you control health care, you control doctors. To be fair, each doctor would have a limited number of patients. And, they would have to practice where the government wanted them, not where they wanted to live and work.

The former President went on to say, that if you control medical services, including doctors, the it is a short step to controlling where your kid goes to school and finally what job he or she will work at.

Was Regan smarter than you? Not really. He just studied history and applied it to what this country is doing today.

You say, you will wait and see.

Too late.

PMO
©2013

Acceleration

Every now and then, I get an email that is impressive.  The following is one of those.  Even if you don't like dragsters or racing or cars, read this.  You just may be impressed.

Acceleration explained.........

Ever wonder why a Top Fuel dragster gets a rebuilt engine after each run?

Stay with this- even if you aren't a 'car nut', this is stunning.

One Top Fuel dragster outfitted with a 500 cubic-inch replica Dodge (actually Keith Black, etc) Hemi engine makes more horsepower (8,000 HP) than the first 4 rows of cars at NASCAR's Daytona 500.

　
Under full throttle, a dragster engine will consume 11.2 gallons of nitro methane per second;
a fully loaded Boeing 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate but with 25% less energy being produced.　

A stock Dodge Hemi V8 engine cannot produce enough power to merely drive the dragster's supercharger.　

With 3000 CFM of air being rammed in by the supercharger on overdrive, the fuel mixture is compressed into a near-solid form before ignition. Cylinders run on the verge of hydraulic lockup at full throttle.　

At the stoichio metric 1.7:1 air/fuel mixture for nitro methane the flame front temperature measures 7050 degrees F.　

Nitro methane burns yellow. The spectacular white flame seen above the stacks at night is raw burning hydrogen, dissociated from atmospheric water vapor by the searing exhaust gases.　
Dual magnetos supply 44 amps to each spark plug. Which is typically the output of an electric arc welder in each cylinder.　

Spark plug electrodes are totally consumed during a pass. After 1/2 way thru the run, the engine is 'dieseling' from compression and the glow of the exhaust valves at 1400 degrees F. The engine can only be shut down by cutting the fuel flow.　

If the spark momentarily fails early in the run, unburned nitro builds up in the affected cylinders and then explodes with enough sufficient force to blow the cylinder heads off the block in pieces or split the block in half !!　

Dragsters reach over 300 MPH +... before you have completed reading this sentence.　

In order to exceed 300 MPH in 4.5 seconds, a dragster must accelerate an average of over 4 G's. In order to reach 200 MPH well before reaching half-track, at launch the acceleration approaches 8 G's.

　
Top Fuel engines turn approximately 540 revolutions from light to light!　

Including the burnout, the engine must only survive 900 revolutions under load.　
The redline is actually quite high at 9500 RPM.　

THE BOTTOM LINE: Assuming all the equipment is paid for, the pit crew is working for free,
& NOTHING BLOWS UP, each run will cost an estimated $1,000 per second.　

0 to 100 MPH in .8 seconds (the first 60 feet of t he run)　
0 to 200 MPH in 2.2 seconds (the first 350 feet of the run)　
6 g-forces at the starting line (nothing accelerates faster on land)　
6 negative g-forces upon deployment of twin 'chutes at 300 MPH

An NHRA Top Fuel Dragster accelerates quicker than any other land vehicle on earth . .
quicker than a jet fighter plane . . . quicker than the space shuttle....or snapping your fingers !!　
The current Top Fuel dragster elapsed time record is 4.420 seconds for the quarter-mile (2004, Doug Kalitta).　

The top speed record is 337.58 MPH as measured over the last 66' of the run (2005, Tony Schumacher).　Let's now put this all into perspective:　

Imagine this...........You are driving a new $140,000 Lingenfelter twin-turbo powered Corvette Z-06. Over a mile up the road, a Top Fuel dragster is staged & ready to 'launch' down a quarter-mile s trip as you pass. You have the advantage of a flying start. You run the 'Vette hard, on up through the gears and blast across the starting line & pass the dragster at an honest 200 MPH.... The 'tree' goes green for both of you at that exact moment. The dragster departs & starts after you. You keep your foot buried hard to the floor, and suddenly you hear an incredibly brutally screaming whine that seares and pummels your eardrums & within a mere 3 seconds the dragster effortlessly catches & passes you.　He beats you to the finish line, a quarter-mile away from where you just passed him. Think about it – from a standing start, the dragster had spotted you 200 MPH.....and it not only caught, but nearly blasted you off the planet when he passed you within a mere 1320 foot long race !!!!　

That, my friends.....is acceleration.

PMO
©2013

Veterans Day

I hope you celebrated Veterans Day with someone you enjoy. I did. And, I appreciated the young man that worked the carving station at our noon buffet asking, "Are you a veteran?" My reply was a simple, "Yes." Then he said, "Thank you for your service."

One might ask why, anyone would be a soldier. A soldier would ask anyone, "Why would you not?"

PMO
©2013

Rerun

Since Obamacare is technically a tax - Supreme Court - I thought I would rerun this little tidbit from 2010.  If they ever get the website working, look for a Fat Tax coming soon.

Stop! Don’t eat that cup cake, candy bar or slice of pie. It’s coming. The fat tax. Say What! There has been much discussion about obesity in this country. Now the government is trying to determine who should take action to stop it. Obviously the citizens are not doing a good job.

Every year, billions of dollars are spent on health care for obesity related health problems. That’s reason enough for government intervention. However, as in past health matters, people just don’t want to stop whatever it is they are doing. So, what is the solution? Taxes!! Cigarettes and booze are taxed - cigarettes at a shameful level. Have people stopped smoking and drinking? No.

It’s really okay if people don’t stop whatever government doesn’t want them to do so long as they pay the tax. If fat people want to be fat, then they have to pay!

That brings up questions - how do you determine who is over weight; at what rate should the tax be; how do you tell the tax has been paid and a host of other unknowns?

I have some suggestions. First, we need an official looking weight chart. You know, the kind with height and weight. It doesn’t have to consider any factors except what some Nanny wants to think is acceptable.

Next, we will need a tax rate. How about a dollar per pound as determined by the Nanny approved chart. So, if a person is fifty pounds overweight, a $50.00 tax would be assessed. That doesn’t seem like too much, but that would have to be per month or even per week. Now we are talking tax revenue!

Of course, we will have to have proof that the tax has been paid. Perhaps, a sticker that is issued at your local government funded tax office. The sticker could be good for thirty days, then you have to be weighed again - just in case you gained some more weight. You, the shameful person, would have to wear the sticker in a conspicuous place - like on your forehead or your behind. That way, everyone would know you had paid your fair share.

If this all sounds ridiculous, absolutely absurd and just down right stupid, then you better start losing some weight. Who knows what the official chart will say about you.

I sure hope they don’t implement an ugly tax. It could wipe me out.

PMO
©2010

Dipping Sauce

A few years ago, I concocted a barbeque sauce that is out of this world. Just as soon as I finish posting this, I’m going to make some. The ingredients are top secret, but I will tell you that they include ketchup, vinegar and spices. Now all you have to do is figure out what the combination is.

The sauce is actually a dip. You don’t pour it onto meat, you dip meat into it. It is a little thinner than water and some meats require that you soak a bit before taking a bite. Since I am a self-proclaimed barbeque sauce expert, I truly believe mine is the best yet, but there is a place in South Texas that gets a close second.

If you are one of those people that has no idea what I’m talking about, then you may as well quit reading and go munch a head of lettuce or some other rabbit food. For true barbeque lovers, the sauce is what gives the meat the "zing."

Mine is extra ‘zingy."

PMO
©2013

What Have Youo Had?

One of the problems with going to a new doctor is that they want you to see other specialist. I don’t like other specialist. In fact, I don’t like going to doctors at all. It has been my experience that none of them knows much about Lyme disease, so they really aren’t going to help me. I get nothing out of going and they make a house payment, car payment and maybe buy that new boat they’ve always wanted.

Back to going to new doctors. They all have a list of items they want you to check if you’ve had this or that. The items range from heart attacks to STDs. Some of these list can be two or three pages long. My favorite on the lists is dementia. If you have dementia, how are you going to remember what you have had?

Next time I have to fill out one of these forms, I’m going to check dementia and nothing else.

Let’s see what they do with that.

PMO
©2013

CMA Tweet Tweet

By now you should know about the Country Music Awards being tweeted by a million complaining tweets about a parody on Obamacare performed by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. My first reaction is why would the media give any attention at all to this. Acknowledgment only encourages the people that do such things. Again, as Ron White says, "You can’t fix stupid." So, why encourage them.

The profanity laced messages wished death, AIDS, and cancer upon the performers and others. Now, that’s revealing about the mentality of the senders. Obamacare does not and probably will never work. Yet, these people are livid over a little parody.

Since I don’t tweet, I have an open question. "How many of the million have signed up for Obamacare?" Can’t be very many since the enrollment programs don’t work.

And, whose paying for the devices they use to send the tweets?

Wait until they find out that Obamacare ain’t free.

PMO
©2013

Bad Bugs

Back in the day - about 30 years ago - computer viruses weren’t much of a problem. Today, you can get wiped out in seconds. Over the years, I’ve had to fight a few on my machine and others that I try to keep up with. But, the bad guys or gals, are getting tougher.

Now, instead of just simple viruses, trojans, worms, moles or whatevers, there are some that lock up all your files and hold them ransom. I’m talking real ransom. They encrypt your files and then charge you to get the "key" to unlock them. The ones I know of have had to pay $300 or suffer losing all their files.

Prevention still includes an anti-virus, firewall, and all that standard stuff, and even that is often not enough. Backing up your files everyday is critical.  Since most of this stuff gets in via an email, the best approach is not to open emails from anyone that you don’t know. Sometimes, that’s not going to protect you. Your friends may infect your system and not know it, because they forward email containing the virus.

The solution to not getting hit by one of the bad bugs is simple. Turn off your computer and unplug it.

That’ll be $300 for a tech service call.

PMO
©2013

OOPS

At the insistence of my financial controller and ace number one daughter, I went to a new doctor. They are a lot more concerned about my chronic Lyme disease than I am. I’ve had the disease since 1987 and have learned to just accept it - most of the time. Yes, I am usually in pain or feel like I’m having a heart attack, but that’s what I get for going hunting and getting bit by a tick.

The new doc informed me that "they," being the medical community that he travels with, do not completely accept Lyme disease as being the result of a tick bite. So, he treats the symptoms, just like he would Myalgia. They must not have deer ticks in Mississippi where he went to school.

It may not be real, but it did put me into a hospital for four days, taking massive doses of antibiotics and having doctors think I was going to die. Medical science sure does move slowly.

He and I did agree that I do have OOPS.

Ornery Old People Syndrome.

PMO
©2013

Top This

Grumpy old men, like to talk about what they have done. Well, it’s going to be hard to top George Thorton. Mr. Thorton died October 27 at the age of 84. He was an Oregon highway department engineer for 37 years. What did he do? He blew up a dead whale.

Back in 1970, when the highway department was responsible for the beaches in Oregon, a 45 foot long, sperm whale, estimated to weigh 8 tons washed up on the beach near Florence. It started to stink and residents demanded something be done.

Mr. Thorton determined they couldn’t push it back into the ocean. It would just wash back. They couldn’t bury it because the waves would uncover it. And, they couldn’t burn it. So, George talked to the Navy and they suggested that he blow it up. Scatter it into small pieces so the fish and crabs could eat it. So he did.

He took 1000 pounds of dynamite and blew up the dead whale with approximately 75 spectators gathered about a quarter mile away to watch. They all thought it was fun until they started getting covered with whale goo. News reports said that one chunk was large enough to crush the top of a car.

I can just hear a bunch of old men touting their accomplishments and then George says, "I blew up a dead whale."

This story has inspired me to do something memorable in life. If I had some dynamite, I’d blow up some alive squirrels.

PMO
©2013

Big Happenings

There are big happenings around the old homestead. I’m talking major events. First, the gas station just down the road got new gas pumps. That’s a big deal if you have ever tried to get fuel there. I limit my purchases there to gas for my lawn mower and fishing worms or minnows. Don’t try the sushi, even if it’s on sale.

Our not to far supermarket also has made significant improvements. They not only got new pumps, they rebuilt their whole gas stop. My financial planner is particularly impressed with their new digital sign.

And, the only drive up dinning establishment has two corn dogs for one dollar.

Who says nothing exciting ever happens around here?

PMO
©2013

Daylight Again

Twice every year I complain about daylight saving time. And, as usual, no one does anything to change it. I don’t care which way it goes, just put it one way and leave it alone. I still think the SPCA should get involved and force the government to go to standard time. There is no telling how many roosters are suffering from PDTS - Post Daylight Time Syndrome. Poor roosters get up early to crow and find everyone in the summer already up. Roosters have feeling too, you know.

So long as I am writing about stupid stuff the government does, have you heard about Brian Kelsey, a Republican State Senator from Tennessee? He sent Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius a gift that made her angry. A copy of "Web Sites for Dummies." I may move to Tennessee so I can vote for him.

Do they have daylight time there?

PMO
©2013

Taxed While You Drive

First the governments wanted more fuel efficient vehicles. Now, they want to overcome less taxes because of fuel efficiency. Funds for highways and roads comes from taxes on fuel. When you reduce the amount of fuel, you reduce the amount of taxes. Duh!

The state of Oregon reportedly has 5,000 drivers that will soon pay a tracking device mileage based tax in lieu of a gas tax. New York city has an idea on how to enhance the tracking device by allowing automatic payment of parking fees and per-mile insurance. Nevada, another state piloting such a project has warned that it would be easy to turn the mileage tracking devices into full fledged tracking devices. Just when you figured out how to hide from drones, they get you when you leave your driveway.

If they adopt this in Texas, I’m going to drive everywhere I go in reverse.

They will owe me money when they check my miles.

PMO
©2013

Follow The Moneey

When someone says, "It not about money," it is all about money. That’s the driving point on Obamacare and just about every other government run program. Insurance companies stand to lose billions of dollars if the health care act is delayed. And, politicians stand to lose campaign dollars and special deals.

If you think that Obamacare is ridiculous, then just wait and see what happens on immigration reform.

Follow the money. Always follow the money.

PMO
©2013

So He Lied

What’s the big deal about Obama lying about Obamacare? He is a politician. That’s what politicians do. If you believe them, you probably believe that Lucy won’t move the football when Charlie Brown comes running to kick it.

PMO
©2013

Go Home

My friends Garrey and Cindy are building a house in Central Texas. They have a motor home and are staying in it until the house is complete. That sounds like fun - NOT! Anyway, a few weeks ago, two dogs showed up.   At first, they decided not to feed them in hopes the dogs would just leave. Finally they gave in and fed the dogs.

Since both Garrey and Cindy are dog lovers and want to do what’s right, they took the dogs to a vet and got them checkups and shots - not cheap for two dogs. Then they had the female spayed. Again, not cheap. But, if the dogs had adopted them, what could they do. Then it happened.

One Sunday morning as they were leaving for church, the dogs followed them to road that runs in front of their property. They stopped the car and Cindy told the dogs, "Go home." The dogs did.

They haven’t seen them since.

PMO
©2013

Don't Do It

Working with a young man on a financial planning project, he asked me, "What do you do now that you are retired?" My response was that I had no idea of what I do, but I need to find a job so I can get a day off.

The interesting thing about retirement is that it is not what you think it will be. Sure, for awhile, you may do what you want to, but circumstances change that. For example, we used to live about an hour and a half drive from my in-laws. Now, it’s twice that. We used to live in a house that required little to no maintenance. I designed it that way. Now, if I were so inclined, I could spend all day, every day working on this old house. My best guess is that if I did want to do all the things that need to be done, I would have to live to be the oldest man in the world to finish. Then, I’d just have to start over.

The company where I retired, has retirement seminars for those at or near that "magic" age. They tell them all the things they should know about pensions, insurance, social security and all that stuff. What they don’t tell them is that if they are in good health, like what they do, and enjoy most days, they should not retire. So, my advice to those thinking about retiring is, don’t do it unless you have to.

Besides, if you die on the job, the company may pick up some of your final expenses.

PMO
©2013

Dog Training

A friend of mine that works at our bank referred me to a facility that trains dogs. In fact, they have a complete doggie center - boarding, training, rescues, and a lot of other stuff. To get D D trained, it would cost about $1,500 and take 30 days at the center. I like the idea of the dog being gone for 30 days, but am not ready to spend the money. Those that know me think I’m cheap. Really, miser is what I’m going for.

The doggie center pampers and pets the dogs. They have a private room with a private area they can roam freely. Daily golf cart rides and even paddle boat rides are part of the boarding package. The dogs gets baths and a massage. Food and treats are always available. And, since the center is part of a working horse ranch, the dogs get to interact with the horses - however dogs interact with horses.

I’ve decided to spring for a few days of boarding time. It sounds too good to pass up.

For me. Not the dog.

PMO
©2013

Puppy Stage

Just how long is the puppy stage for a Shih Tzu? That’s a rhetorical question. My financial controller’s rescue dog is now about nine months old and still behaves like a six week old. She chews up everything and what she can’t chew she finds other ways of destroying it.

As I’ve mentioned before, I like dogs better than people, but this pup is real close to swinging me back to people. Yes, I have worked on training her. I might add that I’ve spent over 50 years trying to train my financial controller. The results are the same.

The dog’s name is Ziggie. That’s what civilized people call her. I call her D D.

Damn Dog.

PMO
©2013

The Duke

"There's a lot of things great about life. But I think tomorrow is the most important thing. Comes in to us at midnight very clean, ya know. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." - John Wayne

Think about that for awhile.

PMO
©2013

Immorality Crackdown

KANO (Nigeria) (AFP) - Police who enforce Islamic law in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano have arrested 150 people last week, including for indecent dress, as part of a crackdown on immorality, a spokesman said. (Yahoo)

Infractions included haircuts inspired by international football players, wearing trousers too low on the waist and anything else deemed inappropriate by shiria law. The arrest were made by Hisbah, a state police force, funded by state government, but not a part of the federal police.

Hisbah could have a field day at the Walmart where I shop.

PMO
©2013

Mr. Smarty

The average IQ - Intelligence Quotient - is 100. Above average is 115, genius is 140 and extraordinary genius is 160. Those that get 70 or below are considered impaired.

Stephen W. Hawking has an IQ of 160. He has authored seven books and is credited with helping us mortals understand the universe.

Kim Ung-Yong’s is 210. He’s the guy that was fluent in four languages by age two, and audited college courses by age four. Pretty smart guy.

Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft comes in at 170 and is worth $14.2 billion. I wonder if he could fix my mother-in-law’s computer so she can’t mess it up?

Wow! Terrence Tao has an IQ of 230. I think that’s genius to the 10^th power. He was doing math at the age of two and received a PhD from Princeton at 20. At 24, he became the youngest ever full professor at UCLA.

Are you ready for a smarty you may not believe? The actor James Woods is considered the 10^th smartest person with an IQ at 180. He enrolled in linear algebra at UCLA while in high school before accepting a full scholarship to MIT. There he caught the acting bug and the rest is history.

Some other really smart people include Albert Einstein, 160, Bill Gates, 160, Thomas Edison, 145, Ben Franklin, 160 and Beethoven, 165. All of these are very impressive, but none compare to Al Gore.

He invented the internet and knows how to stop global warming.

PMO
©2013

Reboot Your Brain

I spend a little time browsing the internet looking for things that interest me. This week I came upon entrepreneur.com and found an article about how to reboot your brain. My brain needs rebooting or maybe I just need more memory. All of my computers have more memory than I do.

The five steps to reboot a brain are simple enough. First, take a walk outside. I do this often, because my brain needs rebooting a lot.

Second on the list is drink a glass of water. According to the article, most Americans are chronically dehydrated and studies show dehydration can slow down brain function.

Third on the list, breathe in or diffuse lemon essential oil. You should keep a small bottle at your desk and take a sniff once in awhile. Supposedly citrus or spicy scents stimulate the nervous system and reenergize you. I know when I smell chili, I get more focused.

Eat something healthy is fourth on the list. Personally I am not in favor of this one. I have observed that people that eat healthy still die. I’ll take my chances with ribs, chili, and hamburgers. They taste a lot better than celery and some kind of seeds.

Finally is take a nap - my favorite. I am really good at this one. It is recommended to limit said nap to no more than 20 minutes. If that is true, I usually get in three naps at a time.

So now you have it. Just follow the simple steps and get recharged.

If you go outside to take your nap, don’t lie down on the sidewalk.

People get upset when I do that.

PMO
©2013

Perfect Credit

Listening to talk radio, my favorite music, I heard the hosts discussing countries with perfect credit ratings. These ratings come from Standard and Poor's and Moody’s. The highest score is AAA. Guess what? The US is not in the top ten.

The top five are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, and Germany in that order. The reasons for the ratings include the ratio of debt to GDP. Australia’s was 27.9% at the end of 2012. Denmark has the worst government debt of the top AAA rated countries. Theirs is 59%.

The good old USA is 102%. That basically means we spend more than we produce. And, we are headed for $20 trillion debt if some miracle doesn’t happen. Never mind, there’s not likely to be that big of a miracle. But, I have an idea.

Let’s have a lottery drawing and award the winner (loser) the entire debt. It cost nothing to enter and everybody is entered. The winner (loser) would assume all the debt. Obviously that person would not be able to pay off such an amount. But, the US would be out of debt and the winner could simply file bankruptcy. Then the country’s credit score would be excellent and we could borrow a pile of money.

Hey, I don’t charge for all my great ideas.

PMO
©2013

Do You Realize?

Do you realize that about half the people in this country are below average? About 49.9% to be precise. And, do you realize that we have doctors, lawyers, engineers, pilots, pharmacist, and politicians that got through school by being only smart enough to pass?

How do you tell which ones they are? Can you imagine asking a doctor or pharmacist to see their transcripts? And, before you get on a plane, stopping to ask the pilot if he/she knows how to land a plane. How about, stopping before you cross a bridge and checking out the engineer that designed it?

Politicians are easy to tell. They all fall in the below average group.

PMO
©2013

Hate Group

According to a report on Foxnews.com, by Todd Starnes, the US Army has defined the American Family Association, a well respected Christian ministry, as a domestic hate group because the group advocates for traditional family values.

In a briefing at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, several dozen active and reserve troops were told that the AFA is considered to be like the KKK, Neo-Nazis, Black Panthers, and the Nation of Islam. Even after being challenged several times by a chaplain, the presenter refused to change the position. Mr. Starnes says the Army has not responded to his calls about the presentation. In the past they have simply stated that it is not official policy.

The problem with being in the military is that you have to follow orders. I have witnessed first hand what happens when you don’t. Therefore, you now have a group of soldiers, regardless of what they believe, that will have to act accordingly.

Christians, true Christians, are the most peaceful people in the world. They have to be if they are going to follow the Christ. That is not to say that when it comes to standing up for right, if they are pushed far enough, they will fight.

Just try taking the last piece of chicken at a Baptist social supper.

PMO
©2013

1965?

This link will take you to a presentation by Paul Harvey, done in 1965.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJc8Mzg0C-c

Good day.

PMO
©2013

POOP

Okay, I’m fed up with government and their games that cost taxpayers in more ways than money. And, I’m not the only old coot that feels that way.

A while back I came up with an idea for seniors to express their dissatisfaction with all the "poop" in Washington and even the local level. When I told some peers about my plan, they all wanted to sign up. It’s simple. A bumper sticker and a total agreement to vote the yahoos out and force the replacements to follow the laws.

The bumper sticker simply says, "POOP." "Pissed Off Old People."

There are millions of us.

PMO
©2013

Got It Figured Out

The future of the country seems to hang on wether or not "Obamacare" is funded. This little "law" or whatever it is, is the driving force of the Democrats. For some reason, although no one has read it, the folks for it, ain’t gonna give up.

I have not read it entirely. Old men depend upon others, that are reliable, to read, analyze and report what the heck it says. I try to avoid all the internet doomsday stuff. And, I have come to the conclusion that "Obamacare" is not for working people. They won’t be able to afford it.

If you are male or female, have a job, have current insurance and doctors you like, or want medical services when you need them, don’t count on "Obamacare."

It’s just a tax anyway.

PMO
©2013

"Dingy" Harry

Driving and listening to one of my favorite radio stations I heard Senator Harry Reid talking about the government shutdown. I still think that we would be much better off if congress and the white house shut down and left everything operating. Reid was espousing about how the Tea Party was holding the country hostage - demanding budget control. He accused the Republicans refusing to negotiate, refusing to even meet with the Democrats.

I understand that my memory is not what it used to be, but hasn’t the Senator and the White House stated numerous times they would not negotiate on "Obamacare" or the debt limit. In fact they said the only way they would negotiate would be if they got everything they want without question.

And, the Republicans are the "terrorist?" Perhaps Reid plans to go to work for one of the major news networks when he retires. He’s got the spin down. Or, he could always do stand up comedy.

Will Rogers said, "I don’t tell jokes. I just watch Congress and report on what they do."

PMO
©2013

Fires Of Freedom

Surely you’ve heard about the Veterans march in Washington, D.C. over the weekend. They were protesting the closing of military memorials. CNN called them, the Tea Party Crazies. Just further evidence that the media has a real problem with American beliefs and values.

There are lots of opinions and I have mine. It may be that what is really happening is the beginning of the fires of freedom. A lot of people have had enough of government pushing them around. One of the chants at the march was, "You work for us," to the police. I sincerely believe that fact has been gone from the minds of politicians for a long time. They appear to think, they dictate and we follow like sheep.

There’s a lot of finger pointing going on in Washington. What they haven’t figured out yet is that there are a lot of citizens starting to point a finger at Washington.

Guess which finger.

PMO
©2013

Place For Stuff

One, if not the biggest, annoyances I have about where we live is the lack of places to put your stuff. For you old folks, you may remember George Carlin. He did a comedy routine about why we have stuff and then have to have a place to put our stuff. When we get more stuff, we have to have more places.

In our dear little community, you are not allowed to have storage space unless it is attached to the house. Well, guess what? I do. It’s hidden behind the privacy fence so no one has said anything about it. Yet. But, it’s only a small building. Just big enough to house a small riding mower and a tool box. What I need is a building about the size of the house. Years ago I came up with a formula for determining the size of a storage building. You objectively determine the maximum space you'll need and multiply that by two.

As soon as you get it built, start on another one ten times that big.

PMO
©2013

Maxine Right Again

John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970 created and writes the "Maxine" cartoons featured on "Shoebox" greetings. According to Mr. Wagner, the character was created using his mother, aunts and grandmother as the inspiration.

I read "Maxine" as often as I can. Saw one today that is as usual right on target.

"Most stress is caused by three things: money, family, or family with no money."

Been there and done that.

PMO
©2013

Tweet Tweet

Actor James Woods may be out of a job. He has committed a "Cardinal" sin in Hollywood. He spoke out against Obama. In a tweet Woods said, "This President is a true abomination. To have barricaded the WW2 vets, but allow illegal aliens privilege." One responder to the tweet said, "dude, aren’t u worried about...u know...ever working again?" To which Woods tweeted back, "I don’t expect to work again. I think Barack Obama is a threat to the integrity and future of the Republic. My country first."

I have always been a James Woods fan. He has appeared in 135 movies and television shows over his 40 year career. "Diggstown" is my favorite James Woods movie.

Now I like Woods even more. He has done what few have or will. He stood up for the country, even if it cost him financially. In reality, he probably doesn’t have to work, but he obviously does love to act and that is a sacrifice to risk future opportunities.

I give him two thumbs up for this performance.

PMO
©2013

Sniff To Tell

The term peanut butter in your ears is a bad thing, but maybe peanut butter in your nose is a good thing. Researchers in Florida have devised an Alzheimer’s smell test, capable of confirming an AD diagnosis. The key ingredient is peanut butter. Before you grab a jar and take a whiff, it is a bit more complicated than that.

The testing was done with participants having their eyes close, one nostril closed and the distance from the jar measured. Each nostril has to be measured separately after a 90 second wait period. According to the report in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences, patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s demonstrated a significant difference between their left and right nostrils in their ability to smell an open container of peanut butter.

Because I eat peanut butter almost everyday, I probably shouldn’t take the test. My olfactory may now be desensitized. I do know that I can smell cooked cabbage or an open can of tuna from a hundred yards.

I don’t know what that means.

PMO
©2013

Media Challenge

I hereby challenge the media to read the Affordable Health Act, "Obamacare," and report the truth about what it really says. It may require hiring some lawyers to translate the legal mumbo jumbo but that can be added to an expense account. Put it down as entertainment.

Right now, according to various polls, a majority of Americans do not want this law. If the contents were to become widely known, opposition might go to 100%. All we get are sketchy reports. Maybe it’s time to read and understand the thousands of pages and give an honest report. Just don't cancel Dancing With the Stars to run the report.

Before you think it, I don’t really expect anyone to take the challenge. Some of the major media outlets would be hard pressed to comprehend the law. They have done nothing but parrot what is given them for so many years. And, tell the truth?

Media tell the truth? LOL

PMO
©2013

The President Is Mocking You

Regardless of your political persuasion, if you can sit quietly while the current administration mocks you, then you deserve what you get. While the WWII Memorial is closed because of the government shut down, the National Mall opened to allow a protest from illegal immigrants. I am outraged.

While our military is being denied benefits, including Chaplain services and death benefits, the "Obama" golf course remains open. Although a majority of Americans are waking up to the real Affordable Health Act, the prez sez, it’s not negotiable in budget talks.

I went to a doctor today and had a short conversation with the nurse. She brought up the subject of Obamacare. Then she said the wrong thing. "What can we do about it?" The phone lines, faxes and emails should overwhelm the White House.

This isn’t America anymore.

At least not the one I know.

PMO
©2013

Fishing Tackle

The Daily Caller reports that a Cobb County Georgia high school student has been arrested for having fishing tackle in his car. Apparently police were doing a routine check of cars in the school parking lot when a police dog pointed out the student’s car. What they found was black powder from a firecracker that had been in the vehicle since the fourth of July. But that was enough to conduct a complete search.

The student, an avid fisherman, had fishing tackle inside the car. There was a knife in the tackle box. It was decided that this is a felony - having a weapon on school property. The 17 year old student was arrested and later released on bail.

As a fisherman and grumpy old man, let me assure you that one must have a knife in your tackle box. I have two. There was probably a pair of pliers too. Why didn’t the nannies charge him with planning to pull someone’s teeth also. That would make as much sense as the first charge.

The vehicle was parked with the doors locked. And, if it is a typical tackle box, it would take five minutes to find the knife.

The biggest threat to student safety is schools.

PMO
©2013

Bicycles In Traffic

On a little weekend jaunt, we came to a four lane intersection with two additional turn lanes. As, I waited for the light to change, a guy on a bicycle proceeded to go between the cars waiting in line and move to the front. When the light changed, he cut off the driver on the far left turn lane and proceeded to impede the traffic until he go up to a left turn lane. He then moved into that lane to continue on his trip. Why not? He has rights. People in cars and trucks don’t.

It’s going to take longer than eternity for anyone to explain to me why bicycles can operate on the same roads with cars and trucks. In case you haven’t noticed, a fat guy on a bicycle and his bike don’t often weight four hundred pounds. And, they travel at about 5 miles per hour - ten at tops. They have a right to run in the same lanes with trucks that weigh up to 72,000 pounds and travel 30 to 80 mph? Doesn’t anyone see a problem with this plan?

Don’t give me that junk about courtesy. Where does courtesy play a part in insanity?  Big rigs and bikes don’t mix. However, the people that make such laws and the people that want to ride bicycles in automobile traffic do have a lot in common.

They should be put somewhere so they can’t hurt themselves.

PMO
©2013

I Hate Computers

The problem with computers is that they do not do what they were supposed to do without a million glitches. All of the time they were supposed to save is consumed by time required to fix the glitches. Back in the day when a computer was about the size of an average kitchen, we used keypunch cards. If there were any glitches, it almost always was a keypunch operator error, or a bad reader. Either way, it wasn’t hard to find the cause and correct it.

Today, if you have an error, and if you don’t you are dead, it takes sometimes hours or days to locate and correct the problem. I spent two hours on the phone today with a tech service representative trying to fix a problem with the audio on Youtube. The videos ran correctly but there was no audio. And, strangely enough, the problem appeared on two of the four computers in our office. The other one was shut off. And, I never use the second one that had the same problem. Because I think I still know something about computers I had tried several fixes that did not work.

The tech and I went through a number of trials with no result. After two hours, I told him that I would run some malware detection and call him back. The malware software found no problems. Because I am more than stubborn I did some more searching for possible solutions, got some ideas and went back to the site in question. On the second try, I got the audio back. Since two computers were involved, it apparently is a Youtube problem. I am confident they will fix it by the end of the next century.

In life, if you pay attention, you will discover that if you can’t fix something with duct tape or a hammer, it’s an electrical problem. With computers, you just never know what it will take. Unplug the dang thing and leave it alone. Buy a $1 deck of playing cards and play solitaire. It is just as fun as it used to be.

With real cards, you can cheat.

PMO
©2013

Wisdom

Theologian and writer C. S. Lewis (1898-1963): "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

That’s what I’ve been trying to say. He says it better.

PMO
©2013

Two Out Of Three Falls

When I was young, my Dad used to really enjoy watching professional wrestling. I did not, but tagged along on his trips to sit ringside because I got sodas and hot dogs. The whole show was a fake. Yes, the players had to be in good physical shape, but even a boy could tell what was really happening.

One of the favorite tricks to excite the audience was for one wrestler to get a bottle cap or other prohibited object and scratch the eyes of his opponent. Think about that for a moment. Well, the referee always caught them and then the show began. The villain would always plead innocent and blame the opponent or the audience.

If you are a wrestling fan, you must enjoy what’s going on now in the Capitol. The Dems have Obamacare and they don’t want to give it up - no matter that the majority of Americans don’t want it. So they use the media to point to the opponent and proclaim they are innocent of not getting on with the budget process. Silly me, I always think the good guys win. They always did in the wrestling matches.

Even with their eyes scratched out.

PMO
©2013

Government Shutdown

The government shutdown has all the talking heads and politicians in a tizzy. Why don’t we just out source all the government services to the private sector and get better service for less money. At least we could have some control over our tax dollars. I don’t know anyone that would want to pay for a host of things that government spends money on - like Michelle’s vacations.

The problem is that they have shut down services. We need to shut down congress and the white house.

They’re the people wasting our money.

PMO
©2013

The Question

As I posted yesterday, my granddaughters’ dog Sparky died. The youngest, a sixteen year old, understood and of course is sad. Daughter and son-in-law wondered how to explain it to the special needs granddaughter. 

With special needs you wonder how, and if they will understand and what their reaction will be. The only way was simply to tell her that Sparky was old and that he died. Her response was amazing. She simply asked, "Is he happy?"

No preacher I’ve ever heard or read could sum life up as well as that.

My daughter assured her that Sparky is happy.

©2013

Sparky

He looked a lot like a little red fox, but actually he was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. His name was Sparky. Last night, Sparky died. He went inside the covered porch, laid down and died. He was my granddaughters dog, but he belonged to the whole family.

I looked out for him and Walter J, the other dog, when the kids were away. And, about twice per week, I took him treats - left over meat scraps or rice. We are all saddened by this unexpected loss and we will miss him.

In my lifetime I have lost several pets. It’s part of life’s learning process, but you never get used to it. For those that have lost pets, you understand and for those that have not, you’ve missed an important part of life. No one can truly explain the bond between humans and animals, but it is there. I can say without doubt that no other creature on this earth is as loyal and loves as much as a dog. Their love is unconditional. And, they are the only creature that I have encountered that loves you more than they do themselves.

I don’t know if all good dogs go to heaven, but I do understand what Will Rogers meant when he said, "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went."

Watch for me Sparky. I’ll bring you a treat.

PMO
©2013

Debt Ceiling

The debt ceiling has been raised seven times under the Obama administration. This amounts to $43,000 per household according to the Heritage Foundation - a bunch of smart people that study this kind of stuff. And, now, the Republicans are reportedly are proposing to suspend the debt ceiling for more than a year which would add $1.1 trillion to the debt.

If money is the number one cause of divorce in this country, and it is, then it appears that we need to divorce our government - trade’m in and get a new one. The bottom line is that we are broke and getting broker. Politicians don’t really care how much we as a country owes. All they want is to get perks and reelected.

The current administration seems hell bent on burying America by bankruptcy.

I can hear Nancy Pelosi saying, "We can’t be overdrawn at the bank, we still have some checks left."

PMO
©2013

Gun Debate Solution

With all the debate about gun laws, I have decided to solve the problem with a simple law: Everybody that wants a gun, get one. Everyone that doesn’t want a gun, don’t get one.

Those that don’t get one should be extra polite.

PMO
©2013

Insanity Continues

According to the Daily Caller and WHSV TV in Harrisonburg, Virginia, there are a couple of boys in the seventh grade at a Virginia Beach school that have been expelled for an entire school year because they were playing with an airsoft gun on the front lawn of one of the boys home. An airsoft gun shoots a sponge pellet, and it doesn’t shoot it very far. A neighbor who recognized that the gun was not real called the police anyway, saying it made her feel "uncomfortable," according to the report. The police took no action, but the school stepped in.

The home is 70 yards from a school bus stop and school officials feared the airsoft gun was a threat to students.

The inmates have taken over the institution. The institution is the schools that teach our children.

Don’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?

PMO
©2013

Rock Bottom

It’s finally happened. I’ve hit rock bottom in my life. I have been shopping on-line for dog boots. Our new dog gets her feet wet when she goes out and then tracks dirt back inside. My financial controller told me they make boots for dogs. I looked at her in complete disbelief, but it’s true. She assured me that one of her aunts had boots for her dog and used them when that dog went out.

There are a bunch of styles and colors to choose from. And, they come in sizes. Just how do you know what a dog’s size is? The dang things cost as much as I pay for my shoes. I suppose dog boots are the better deal. They get four.

That’s it folks. When one gets to shopping for doggie boots, one is at rock bottom in life. I have suggested just leaving the dog outside. That was not a popular idea.

I wonder if they have running shoes for dogs, or maybe cowboy boots.

PMO
©2013

Don't Win Too Much

Here’s a story as reported by Yahoo Sports. NBC affiliate KCRA in Sacramento reports that the Northern California Federation Youth Football League has instituted still penalties for any teams that beat their opponents by 35 points or more. The teams will be fined $200 and their coaches will be suspended from all league activities for two weeks.

As you might imagine, some teams and players are upset. They can’t play football. The NCFYFL Deputy Commissioner Robert Rochin claims the rule is proactive in keeping more kids interested in the sport and teaching others how to be good sports. Seems some teams lost by so many points they quit playing. This rule is to teach compassion for the other team.

I’ve never played football. I did play baseball. Understand that it was way back a long time ago, I remember that the objective was to get as many runs as possible. When I fished in tournaments, I did not think one time about hurting someone’s feelings by winning.

What happened to play as hard as you can? And, if you lose, play harder the next time. If the teams in the NCFYFL can’t win, get some more players or coaches. Life is tough. And as John Wayne said,
"it’s tougher when your stupid."

I would not be surprised that the idea of redistributing the wealth came from California. Taking from those that work and plan to win and giving to those that don’t may make sense to some people.

Not to the working people.

PMO
©2013

Privacy

Unless you make purchases with cash only, you have no privacy. And, not even then, because you had to get the cash from somewhere, that keeps a record. So, all the government spying is nothing new in the grand scheme of living.

Marketing companies have been collecting data on you since the day you were born and will until the day you die - maybe even after. They may be selling your personal information as well as likes and dislikes to the devil. I always wonder how he knows exactly how to get to me. Hmmm.

If you stop and think about all the institutions that have information about you, it is more than just scary. Schools, doctors, banks, lawyers, department stores, and employers are just a few. In today’s world, people post information that their mother doesn’t know, about themselves on social networks. And, with all the new electronic devices - phones - not only do you not have private information, almost anyone can tell where you are at any time.

Law enforcement agencies can listen to your conversations, capture you on video, and even see through walls to track you down. Who knows who else can do what to eliminate your privacy.

Makes you wonder who is watching even when you go potty.

PMO
©2013

Cost of Education

Parents worry about the cost of education. They have to plan, if they’re smart, to spend thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars to educate their offspring. Sometimes students take out loans that have to be repaid after graduation. The point is that education is expensive. But the cost of schools is cheap compared to the education that comes with life.

I’m a firm believer that school proves one has the ability to learn. Advanced degrees demonstrate that one has the ability to learn a lot. The operative word is ‘ability’ to learn. That doesn’t mean that any person with a college degree will learn outside the classroom.

The whole education process is supposed to be designed to get someone off to a good start in a particular field with at least some knowledge of that field. However, as someone once said, "In school you get the lesson and then you take the test. In life, you take the test and then get the lesson." And, that’s really expensive.

It’s cheaper just to stay in school all your life.

PMO
©2013

Emmys

Who will win an Emmy? There will be millions of people that will watch boring presentations as celebrities praise themselves. Why are there so many award shows for actors? Because they are perceived as being something special. Yes, they have a craft, but why don’t we have award shows for best performing auto mechanics? Now, there’s someone special.

I won’t be watching. I’ve never watched one award show and plan to live out the rest of my life without watching one. There’s only been one Emmy awarded that I would agree with anyway.

Don Knotts as Barney Fife.

PMO
©2013

Fashion

Over the years the rules of fashion, particularly women’s fashion, have changed numerous times. But, the reaction to what someone is wearing has remained about the same. "Oh, that outfit is so cute." "I just love that purse." "Those earrings are to die for." And, "That outfit really looks good on you." It is not appropriate to say, "You look good in that outfit."

Men are not so fashion conscious. Sure, you may hear a guy comment, "That’s a nice suit." But men for the most part just want something comfortable.

All this is leading me to what I’ve been wondering. What do people say in a nudist colony. Do women still proclaim, "That outfit really looks good on you?" It’s difficult for me to believe that you would hear a guy say to another guy, "Man that’s a nice suit." I suppose, should that happen, the second man would have only one reply.

"Thanks. I got it for my birthday."

PMO
©2013

Dyshidrosis

Doctor me has diagnosed a problem I’m having with my hands. There are little bumps and a rash. I called the dermatologist, but it is about a month before I can get in. So, I did what I always do, I did research. Browsing through the Mayo Clinic website, I discovered that I must have dyshidrosis. I just wish I could pronounce it.

The pictures and symptoms match. And, the causes intrigued me. Stress and nasal allergies seem to be the main culprits. I am allergic to everything in the air, especially perfumes. But, I just don’t understand how allergies could cause a reaction on my hands. Maybe I should not rub my nose when it itches.

One of the prescribed treatments is to take antihistamines. I took one little over the counter pill and almost fell asleep during dinner.

The pill stopped the itching which was keeping me awake during dinner.

PMO
©2013

Just Wondering

There are opposites on the abortion issue - for and pro-life. I’m on the pro-life side as you would expect. One of the arguments for is, ‘it’s a woman’s body and she has a right to an abortion.’ If that is a legitimate argument, then why is prostitution illegal? 

If prostitution was legal, I guess there would be a lot more abortions.

PMO
©2013

Talking To The Dog

My financial controller goes into Dallas two days per week for her job. That leaves me and the dog in charge. Now, I find myself talking to the dog as though she could answer. If that is a sign of insanity, then I know several million others that are crazy too.

The dog listens intently and looks at me just like everybody else does.

Math questions really throw her for a loop.

PMO
©2013

Government Makes Liars

I read an article today that says that ‘Obamacare’ will require doctors to ask their patients about their sex lives. Another reason why you don’t let government get involved with anything but building roads, defending the borders and delivering the mail, all of which they can’t handle either.

Questions like, "Are you sexually active? If so, with one partner, multiple partners or same sex partners?" It apparently won’t matter if you go to a cardiologist or a dermatologist.  If you go to more than one doctor, give them different answers.

If people cheat and lie on their tax returns, just wait until doctors start asking these kind of questions.

Somebody will write a book about the answers doctors get.

It will be titled "Believe It Or Not."

PMO
©2013

If It Ain't Broke

There is an old saying, "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." And, another saying, "We’ve always done it that way." Both of these apply sometime to some things, but neither applies all the time to everything, except here. My case in point is the lack of modern technology inside our little commune. Everyone is content to live with phone, internet and televison services that were great about a hundred years ago.

Asking around about these services I get about the same response. "Well it’s the best we can get." "It’s been like that since I’ve been here." In fact, we have a fellow that ran for election to the Board of Directors for our governing body with the assurance that he would not fix anything that wasn’t broken.

It just seems to me that if two plumbers can get two politicians recalled in Colorado, we should be able to apply enough pressure to somebody to get into the modern age of technology.

Who am I kidding? Just myself. In East Texas, change doesn’t happen.

We have the only country club with horse drawn golf carts.

PMO
©2013

Snakes In The Grass

Florida has a snake problem. Burmese pythons are multiplying at fast rate and spreading out their territory. The ecosystem in the swamps and everglades apparently fit the snakes just fine. The snakes are not native but probably got into the wild by people discarding their pets, according to a Sunday talking head report.

Burmese pythons get to be huge. In May of this year, a Florida man captured and killed a 128 pound, 18 foot, 8 inch long python. Most adults get only to about 10 feet or so.

The reporter said at the end of his report that the snakes are moving into new areas and could reach as far as Washington D.C. I sure hope they don’t get that far.

We’ve got enough snakes in the grass there.

PMO
©2013