My financial controller has to have surgery. It’s supposed to be one of those day surgery events, but is expected to keep her down for a couple of weeks. With me being the nurse, she may get well a lot faster.
Modern medicine has really progressed, because the same surgery just a few years ago would have required at least a five day stay in the hospital. I suppose before long, one will be able to motor up to a drive through window and order a surgery from the menu. I’m going get a brain transplant when they get to that level.
As usual, my financial controller doesn’t take into account my schedule. She is having the surgery on Thursday. Everybody knows I go to Wally Mart on Thursdays. Thursdays are my shopping day. But, to demonstrate that I can adjust, I’m going to take my shopping list to the surgery center.
I wonder if they have an automotive section in the gift shop?
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Forget About It
As you age you tend to be more forgetful. It is irritating. Oh, there are some things I like to forget, but usually they are few. My financial controller insists that she tells me things that I forget. The truth is that she forgets to tell me, but thinks she does. Okay, I will admit that she does occasionally tell me something that I forget.
My solution to forgetting is to write everything down. That works pretty well except when I forget where I wrote it down. My desk is cluttered with post-it notes that have phone numbers, names, dates or other information that I have no idea what they are there for. I don’t dare throw them away, because some day I may remember what they were for.
There are some people that are forgetful, no matter their age. I have a friend that I will call John. John forgets everything. He always has. At the office, he constantly left coffee cups where ever he went. Occasionally we would gather up all his cups and put them back on his desk. That keep him from getting new ones to leave somewhere.
When I say John is forgetful, I mean forgetful. He had a meeting in Forth Worth one morning, so he didn’t come into the office. My phone rang and it was John. He explained that he was on his way to a meeting, but didn’t know with whom and where they were. I went to the calendar on his computer and got the information.
John has honed forgetting to a fine art. When I retired I left the whole office in charge of him.
It hasn’t helped.
PMO
©2013
My solution to forgetting is to write everything down. That works pretty well except when I forget where I wrote it down. My desk is cluttered with post-it notes that have phone numbers, names, dates or other information that I have no idea what they are there for. I don’t dare throw them away, because some day I may remember what they were for.
There are some people that are forgetful, no matter their age. I have a friend that I will call John. John forgets everything. He always has. At the office, he constantly left coffee cups where ever he went. Occasionally we would gather up all his cups and put them back on his desk. That keep him from getting new ones to leave somewhere.
When I say John is forgetful, I mean forgetful. He had a meeting in Forth Worth one morning, so he didn’t come into the office. My phone rang and it was John. He explained that he was on his way to a meeting, but didn’t know with whom and where they were. I went to the calendar on his computer and got the information.
John has honed forgetting to a fine art. When I retired I left the whole office in charge of him.
It hasn’t helped.
PMO
©2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Walking The Dog
In our little commune there are a number of people that walk their dog or dogs everyday. Sometimes they walk them more than once. And, since almost everyone drives a golf cart, it is not unusual to see someone driving a cart with a dog on a leash running along side. That’s the lazy man’s approach.
And, I often see people driving with the dog in the seat next to them. That’s the lazy dog approach to going for a walk.
So far I haven’t seen a dog driving a cart with the human walking along side.
For some reason, I really believe I will see that soon.
PMO
©2013
And, I often see people driving with the dog in the seat next to them. That’s the lazy dog approach to going for a walk.
So far I haven’t seen a dog driving a cart with the human walking along side.
For some reason, I really believe I will see that soon.
PMO
©2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Take The Stairs
Billionaire Mayor Bloomberg of NYC is reportedly taking his dictatorship a step further by proposing legislation to make people take the stairs instead of elevators. He has already imposed on his minions rules about smoking, soft drinks, and the foods they can’t have.
I have not been to New York City. With any luck, I will never go there. I don’t think I would fit in. But, I know they have tall buildings, that Superman jumps in a single bound, and tall buildings have elevators for a reason. Just imagine 50 floors of stairs. If you get to your office, you may want to just stay there for ever.
What kind of people would allow this type of government to be imposed upon them? The kind that could elect Anthony Weiner.
Just imagine the laws he would want to pass.
PMO
©2013
I have not been to New York City. With any luck, I will never go there. I don’t think I would fit in. But, I know they have tall buildings, that Superman jumps in a single bound, and tall buildings have elevators for a reason. Just imagine 50 floors of stairs. If you get to your office, you may want to just stay there for ever.
What kind of people would allow this type of government to be imposed upon them? The kind that could elect Anthony Weiner.
Just imagine the laws he would want to pass.
PMO
©2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Message
Eric Holder doesn't seem to trust Texans. He doesn't understand that we believe that asking for an ID to vote doesn't violate any one's rights. Unless, of course, that person has a right to vote fraudulently.
Don't mess with Texas.
PMO
©2013
Don't mess with Texas.
PMO
©2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Preternity
Okay, here’s you a new word - "preternity." It means, before eternity. Here’s my theory. Before God made mankind, there was no need for time. There was no future or past. Everything was perfect and there was no reason to think about how long perfect had been around or how long it would last.
Then God made mankind. Mankind wanted to know what time it was, and how long before we get there. And, with their obsession about time, mankind messed up the perfection.
Therefore, God created time so he would have a stopping point to putting up with them. Then, they wanted to know how long they would be punished for being bad little girls and boys. Hence came the word eternity.
And, that’s why you have to wait in line every where you go.
PMO
©2013
Then God made mankind. Mankind wanted to know what time it was, and how long before we get there. And, with their obsession about time, mankind messed up the perfection.
Therefore, God created time so he would have a stopping point to putting up with them. Then, they wanted to know how long they would be punished for being bad little girls and boys. Hence came the word eternity.
And, that’s why you have to wait in line every where you go.
PMO
©2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Business Tip
Since I don’t charge for all my wonderful advice, I offer another tidbit for those that work in business. That would be you if you have a job. There are lots of reasons customers use a product or service. And, there are lots of reasons that customers don’t.
The problem with customers is that they are human. Humans don’t talk much about a really good product or service. It doesn’t matter how many things you do right. You will be remembered by what you did wrong. And, humans like to talk about how they were wronged.
Don’t believe me? Just ask someone if they can recommend a product or service. Usually the answer is "I don’t know" or maybe you’ll get one suggestion. Then, without any questions, they will tell you who or what not to use.
It’s true. A million "atta-boy’s" can be erased with one "all shucks."
PMO
©2013
The problem with customers is that they are human. Humans don’t talk much about a really good product or service. It doesn’t matter how many things you do right. You will be remembered by what you did wrong. And, humans like to talk about how they were wronged.
Don’t believe me? Just ask someone if they can recommend a product or service. Usually the answer is "I don’t know" or maybe you’ll get one suggestion. Then, without any questions, they will tell you who or what not to use.
It’s true. A million "atta-boy’s" can be erased with one "all shucks."
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Have A Nice Day
There are a lot of reasons that I hate to shop, unless it’s in a hardware or sporting goods store. But, the one reason that is now getting on my nerves are the perky little girls at the register that say, "Have a nice day." They don’t mean that. It is part of their training. And, if my financial controller is with me, they say, "You guys have a nice day." Apparently parents have failed in teaching that there are male and female of the species. While it may be politically correct to marry a guy, I didn’t.
Then, there’s the comment you get when you say thank you. "No problem," is the reply. Don’t people know that "you’re welcome" is the sensible reply? I really don’t care if it is a problem for someone to do something for me. By saying "thank you" I am acknowledging their effort and stating my appreciation.
In my next life I am going to train customer service people - those that have actual customer contact. They will have to say horrible things like, "Thank you for shopping with us and please come back." Wow! What a novel idea.
You guys have a nice day. No problem in writing this blog everyday.
PMO
©2013
Then, there’s the comment you get when you say thank you. "No problem," is the reply. Don’t people know that "you’re welcome" is the sensible reply? I really don’t care if it is a problem for someone to do something for me. By saying "thank you" I am acknowledging their effort and stating my appreciation.
In my next life I am going to train customer service people - those that have actual customer contact. They will have to say horrible things like, "Thank you for shopping with us and please come back." Wow! What a novel idea.
You guys have a nice day. No problem in writing this blog everyday.
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The Name
I do not understand all the excitement about what the new royal baby will be named. It’s a boy. Name him Bubba.
If it had been a girl, she would be Bubbette.
King Bubba has a ring to it.
PMO
©2013
If it had been a girl, she would be Bubbette.
King Bubba has a ring to it.
PMO
©2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Readers?
Blogger.com keeps records of how many page views this blog gets by day, week, month and year. Occasionally I click on ‘stats’ just to see if anyone reads this stuff. I found it interesting that for the past week, there were almost as many readers in Russia as there were in the U.S.A.. I was a little disappointed that readers in China was down to only one. I’m guessing that something must be lost in the translation to Mandarin. I have the same problem in East Texas - translation.
The point of all this is, if you read this blog you should not feel alone and wonder why the heck are you wasting your time. There are people all over the world in the same condition you’re in.
I waiting for my Afghanistan audience to kick in.
PMO
©2013
The point of all this is, if you read this blog you should not feel alone and wonder why the heck are you wasting your time. There are people all over the world in the same condition you’re in.
I waiting for my Afghanistan audience to kick in.
PMO
©2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Trust
An article in the June, 2013, Reader’s Digest proclaims the most trusted people in America. It seems that Reader’s Digest teamed up with research firm, The Wagner Group, to poll over 1,000 Americans about which individuals and the ideals they represent have earned our confidence. The pollsters did not contact me. Nobody ever contacts me. I’m guessing the word is out about me.
Back to the poll. The most trusted person in America, according to the poll, is actor Tom Hanks. Sandra Bullock took second place. I can honestly say that neither of these would have ever crossed my mind. And, Michelle Obama came in at 19 out of the top 100. Pause here while I scratch my head and wonder, what kind of poll was this?
Now for the most trusted professions. Doctors are number one, with teachers coming in at second place. Grab hold for the number 3 spot - movie stars. Do the people polled live in a fantasy world or have we become a fantasy world? National political leaders placed 13 in the top 15. Journalist took the number 6 spot. To answer my own question, yes this country is living in a fantasy world if these are truly the people we trust the most.
I will mention one more. Judge Judy was deemed more trustworthy than Oprah. I would have declared a draw on this one.
Maybe they need to do the poll over and include me.
It would be the Reader’s Undigested poll.
PMO
©2013
Back to the poll. The most trusted person in America, according to the poll, is actor Tom Hanks. Sandra Bullock took second place. I can honestly say that neither of these would have ever crossed my mind. And, Michelle Obama came in at 19 out of the top 100. Pause here while I scratch my head and wonder, what kind of poll was this?
Now for the most trusted professions. Doctors are number one, with teachers coming in at second place. Grab hold for the number 3 spot - movie stars. Do the people polled live in a fantasy world or have we become a fantasy world? National political leaders placed 13 in the top 15. Journalist took the number 6 spot. To answer my own question, yes this country is living in a fantasy world if these are truly the people we trust the most.
I will mention one more. Judge Judy was deemed more trustworthy than Oprah. I would have declared a draw on this one.
Maybe they need to do the poll over and include me.
It would be the Reader’s Undigested poll.
PMO
©2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Migraines
Experts say there is no cure for migraine headaches. If you don’t have migraines, then you may not fully appreciate how much they hurt. I got them in my 20s and they continued for several years and just stopped. In my 50s they came back - with a vengeance. So for the past several years I have had some hum-dingers.
Now, research reveals there are new treatments that are effective in some cases. Nerve decompression surgery is one approach. Botox injections that block nerve signals may help some people. Then, there’s implanted neurostimulator devices. These are implanted under the skin to deliver electrical impulses at the forehead to block pain. But, get this part. They are attached by an implanted wire to a battery pack implanted in the buttocks or chest wall. I’ve heard of people that have "lead" in their butt. But, a battery?
My migraines haven’t gotten that bad yet.
PMO
©2013
Now, research reveals there are new treatments that are effective in some cases. Nerve decompression surgery is one approach. Botox injections that block nerve signals may help some people. Then, there’s implanted neurostimulator devices. These are implanted under the skin to deliver electrical impulses at the forehead to block pain. But, get this part. They are attached by an implanted wire to a battery pack implanted in the buttocks or chest wall. I’ve heard of people that have "lead" in their butt. But, a battery?
My migraines haven’t gotten that bad yet.
PMO
©2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Killing Weeds
We have a flower bed that is prolific in growing nut sedge, aka nut grass. The easiest approach I’ve found to deal with it has been to hire a local teen to come and pull the dang stuff up. The problem with that is that it doesn’t work very long, even though he digs out the roots. So, I’ve done some research on killing weeds safely and found that vinegar is supposed to work.
Vinegar contains acetic acid and the grocery store variety is not strong enough. You have to find a ten or twenty percent content. That is available at some feed stores. Some folks mix in a little dish soap to get the vinegar to stick to the leaves and some even add a touch of salt. The salt makes sense to me since I like salt on my vinegar and oil salad dressing. Therefore, the weeds should like the taste too.
The best plan seems to be to use a pair of garden gloves and a glass of wine. You pour a glass of wine and take it with you to the garden. There, you pull a few weeds and take a sip of wine. The instructions said to repeat this daily until all the weeds are gone. What I want to know is, what do you do then?
I suppose you could plant some new weeds.
PMO
©2013
Vinegar contains acetic acid and the grocery store variety is not strong enough. You have to find a ten or twenty percent content. That is available at some feed stores. Some folks mix in a little dish soap to get the vinegar to stick to the leaves and some even add a touch of salt. The salt makes sense to me since I like salt on my vinegar and oil salad dressing. Therefore, the weeds should like the taste too.
The best plan seems to be to use a pair of garden gloves and a glass of wine. You pour a glass of wine and take it with you to the garden. There, you pull a few weeds and take a sip of wine. The instructions said to repeat this daily until all the weeds are gone. What I want to know is, what do you do then?
I suppose you could plant some new weeds.
PMO
©2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Fifteen Minutes
My ace number one daughter insists that it takes only fifteen minutes to drive from my house to pickup my youngest granddaughter at the math tutor. She has no concept of time or she needs a new watch. She gets both from her mother. Anyway, back to the time required to travel to the math tutor from my house. I had to take said grandchild to the tutor and then pickup up an hour and a half later.
Driving slightly over the posted speed limit in all the zones I had to go through and making one traffic light as it turned reddish, it took me exactly 27 minutes. It did take only 26 minutes on the return home trip. It’s mostly down hill. Now that I know exactly how much time it takes, I can argue with her some more. She likes to argue with me. If she insists that it takes only fifteen minutes, then I know what I have to do.
Stand in the drive and watch her take off.
PMO
©2013
Driving slightly over the posted speed limit in all the zones I had to go through and making one traffic light as it turned reddish, it took me exactly 27 minutes. It did take only 26 minutes on the return home trip. It’s mostly down hill. Now that I know exactly how much time it takes, I can argue with her some more. She likes to argue with me. If she insists that it takes only fifteen minutes, then I know what I have to do.
Stand in the drive and watch her take off.
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
One Ringy Dingy
I think I may have fewer friends than I used to. Or maybe I just never had very many to start with. Today I happened to think about how many "friends" call me to chat and catch up. I always do the calling. So far I can think of about three and they don’t call very often.
There is my high school friend that lives about five minutes away, who calls me often. I think he does because he’s afraid I might come see him. It could be the reason the others don’t call is that they live too far away for me to just drop by.
I’m going to stop calling and save my gas money. Then I’ll just show up at their place.
That’ll teach them.
PMO
©2013
There is my high school friend that lives about five minutes away, who calls me often. I think he does because he’s afraid I might come see him. It could be the reason the others don’t call is that they live too far away for me to just drop by.
I’m going to stop calling and save my gas money. Then I’ll just show up at their place.
That’ll teach them.
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Financial Literacy
One of my favorite people to read is Will Deener in the Dallas Morning News business section. This week he had an article about financial literacy. He reports that a five question quiz administered by FINRA Investor Education Foundation proved to be very disappointing. The FINRA - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority - regulates the securities industry.
Nationally, only 38 percent of the respondents passed the test. That means 62 percent answered three questions or less correctly. Remember it was a five question exam.
Just a quick example of the questions. "Suppose you have $100 in a savings account earning 2 percent interest per year. After five years, how much would you have?" The answer choices were: more than $102; exactly $102; or less than $102. I agree with Mr. Deener’s comment, "Please God, never allow me to be locked in the same room with the persons who answered less than $102."
Trust me, the other questions were no more difficult than this one. And again, I agree with Mr. Deener, when he comments about the 62 percent failure rate, "that should frighten us all."
I took the exam and yes, I answered all correctly.
I also know to get out of the rain to avoid getting wet.
PMO
©2013
Nationally, only 38 percent of the respondents passed the test. That means 62 percent answered three questions or less correctly. Remember it was a five question exam.
Just a quick example of the questions. "Suppose you have $100 in a savings account earning 2 percent interest per year. After five years, how much would you have?" The answer choices were: more than $102; exactly $102; or less than $102. I agree with Mr. Deener’s comment, "Please God, never allow me to be locked in the same room with the persons who answered less than $102."
Trust me, the other questions were no more difficult than this one. And again, I agree with Mr. Deener, when he comments about the 62 percent failure rate, "that should frighten us all."
I took the exam and yes, I answered all correctly.
I also know to get out of the rain to avoid getting wet.
PMO
©2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Who Benefits?
Okay, so the protest and demonstrations have started about the George Zimmerman trial verdict. Everybody that is surprised, raise your hand. Are the demonstrations about justice? Absolutely not. A jury decided the justice. A jury with facts - not hear-say and emotions.
What then is the cause of such unrest? The answer is always simple. Politics and power. Just watch to see who has something to gain - politicians, media, various organizations and individual agitators. If justice is the objective, then where are the protest about Joshua Chellew, a white man, in Mableton, Georgia that was beaten severely and thrown into traffic where he was run over and killed. Four members of a black gang are charged. Police report that the attackers did not know Mr. Chellew.
Justice has nothing to do with destructive behavior.
PMO
©2013
What then is the cause of such unrest? The answer is always simple. Politics and power. Just watch to see who has something to gain - politicians, media, various organizations and individual agitators. If justice is the objective, then where are the protest about Joshua Chellew, a white man, in Mableton, Georgia that was beaten severely and thrown into traffic where he was run over and killed. Four members of a black gang are charged. Police report that the attackers did not know Mr. Chellew.
Justice has nothing to do with destructive behavior.
PMO
©2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Not Guilty
The main stream media is disappointed and frustrated about the Trayvon Martin trial. Those stupid jurors apparently didn’t know George Zimmerman was guilty. Don’t they watch TV? Who cares that the evidence was not sufficient to convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
Just like you, I don’t know what happened, except someone was shot and someone shot someone. Nor, was I on the jury. But, that doesn’t mean anything to the media. And, when there was no rioting and burning, their panties really got in a wad.
But, wait. There is hope that Federal charges will be filed against Zimmerman. Surely, this time "trial by TV" will be more effective in getting a conviction.
It is a tragedy that a young man died. It is a tragedy that another man killed another human being. It will be a worse tragedy for other senseless acts of violence to happen.
Isn’t this America, a nation of laws? Not a nation of trial by predetermined outcome.
PMO
©2013
Just like you, I don’t know what happened, except someone was shot and someone shot someone. Nor, was I on the jury. But, that doesn’t mean anything to the media. And, when there was no rioting and burning, their panties really got in a wad.
But, wait. There is hope that Federal charges will be filed against Zimmerman. Surely, this time "trial by TV" will be more effective in getting a conviction.
It is a tragedy that a young man died. It is a tragedy that another man killed another human being. It will be a worse tragedy for other senseless acts of violence to happen.
Isn’t this America, a nation of laws? Not a nation of trial by predetermined outcome.
PMO
©2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
House Manager
One of the first people I met when we moved here was a lady named Kim at the bank. Kim immediately recognized that I am a grumpy old man and she really enjoys doing anything to make me grumpier. She and her husband live in the commune and this week I had need to borrow a battery charger for a golf cart. Kim had one and told me to contact her husband, the house manager. Kim works and hubby does not. He’s retired like me.
After all these years of not working while my wife works, I now know what I am - a house manager. Since I know a lot of husbands of like kind, I think we should form a union. We could hold meetings at whatever bar and grill and exchange recipes and cleaning tips. Maybe an occasional fishing trip or golf outing would be on the important things to do list. But, most importantly, I think we could demand better working hours, higher pay and more "benefits" or we’ll go on strike. There is strength in numbers.
I really hope the wives will be willing to negotiate with us. It will be really hot walking a picket line in this East Texas weather.
And, I don’t look good in an apron.
PMO
©2013
After all these years of not working while my wife works, I now know what I am - a house manager. Since I know a lot of husbands of like kind, I think we should form a union. We could hold meetings at whatever bar and grill and exchange recipes and cleaning tips. Maybe an occasional fishing trip or golf outing would be on the important things to do list. But, most importantly, I think we could demand better working hours, higher pay and more "benefits" or we’ll go on strike. There is strength in numbers.
I really hope the wives will be willing to negotiate with us. It will be really hot walking a picket line in this East Texas weather.
And, I don’t look good in an apron.
PMO
©2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Not As Good
Toby Keith sings a song about not being as good as he once was, but as good once as he ever was. Well when you get older and older you get less and less good. I like to say that I don’t bounce as high as I once did. It’s all a part of nature’s plan. Even though you think you can still do everything you once did, you can’t. If I could, I would save a lot of money fixing things that I know how to fix, but just can’t get there anymore. Grumpy old men have no business up a twenty foot ladder or on top of a roof.
However, when you get older, you do find ways of compensating. One becomes creative in approaching projects that should be simple, but no longer are. And, I will mention that battery powered drills had to have been invented by an old person. It’s the only way to hold a light fixture and put a screw in at the same time.
My friend Ronnie and his wife divide up mowing their property. He rides the big mower on the large area. She mows the smaller front yard with a push mower. Lately she has begun tiring out by the time she makes a couple of rounds. She has to stop and rest several times to get the lawn done. Here is where a creative mind comes into play. I think he is going to get her one of those self-propelled mowers with about a fifty horse power motor. All she will have to do is hang on and get her feet down onto the ground when she needs to make a turn.
Now that’s being creative.
PMO
©2013
However, when you get older, you do find ways of compensating. One becomes creative in approaching projects that should be simple, but no longer are. And, I will mention that battery powered drills had to have been invented by an old person. It’s the only way to hold a light fixture and put a screw in at the same time.
My friend Ronnie and his wife divide up mowing their property. He rides the big mower on the large area. She mows the smaller front yard with a push mower. Lately she has begun tiring out by the time she makes a couple of rounds. She has to stop and rest several times to get the lawn done. Here is where a creative mind comes into play. I think he is going to get her one of those self-propelled mowers with about a fifty horse power motor. All she will have to do is hang on and get her feet down onto the ground when she needs to make a turn.
Now that’s being creative.
PMO
©2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Who You Gonna Call?
If you become ill or injured, who do you call? A doctor, of course. A tooth needs attention and you call a dentist. When you’re hungry, you go out to eat or make a trip to the grocery. To make a trip, you take a car built by car manufacturers. When it’s hot, you want air conditioning and heat when it’s cold, so you call an expert. Children go to school to learn to read and write from teachers trained to teach such things.
Why is it that government that knows nothing about any of these things wants to tell everyone how to do their jobs?
Next time you have a toothache, call your senator and see how much relief that gets you.
PMO
©2013
Why is it that government that knows nothing about any of these things wants to tell everyone how to do their jobs?
Next time you have a toothache, call your senator and see how much relief that gets you.
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Important Stuff
Okay, now I’m hung up on saying something important. That’s very hard for me to do. First, one would have to decide just what is important. Family has to be important, but if you say something about them, you are bragging. God is the number one in importance, but if you talk about Him, you may start an argument. I like to argue. Of course politics are important only because politicians affect our lives. But, politics are like talking about God, there is sure to be an argument. I like to argue.
I suppose that the price of gasoline is important. And, the weather must be important because everyone talks about that. Mark Twain said, "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it."
It is so hard to know what’s important. Tom T. said in song that it’s, "Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey and more money." Because I know little or nothing about those, I can’t talk about them. But, if you have to bet on a horse race, pick the one with a nice smile.
I think that may be important.
PMO
©2013
I suppose that the price of gasoline is important. And, the weather must be important because everyone talks about that. Mark Twain said, "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it."
It is so hard to know what’s important. Tom T. said in song that it’s, "Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey and more money." Because I know little or nothing about those, I can’t talk about them. But, if you have to bet on a horse race, pick the one with a nice smile.
I think that may be important.
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Something Important
Recently I phoned a friend that I’ve known for over thirty years. He and I have bantered over the years. This time, he said, "Call me again when you have something important to say." Now I wonder if I ever have anything important to say. For that matter, do any of us ever say much that is important?
The problem with humans is that they think what they say is something other people want to hear. And the measure of importance is, how long does it take to say it. The truth is that we have a lot of conversation and very little communication about anything important.
Back in the day, as they say, in one of my previous lives, I wrote news for radio. The objective was to tell the important stories in the least amount of time. That should tell you how long ago that was. Today we have all news radio stations. Television news shows that used to run no more than thirty minutes now last hours. Hasn’t anyone noticed that the actual "news" content is still less than 30 minutes? The rest is junk like what color some celebrity’s underwear is for that day.
I suppose that this blog isn’t important. But it does serve a purpose. It makes my financial controller think I am doing more than playing games on the computer.
Now that I can’t call my friend back, I’ll have to find something else to do with that time. I suppose I could wait for him to call me about something important.
He never has before.
PMO
©2013
The problem with humans is that they think what they say is something other people want to hear. And the measure of importance is, how long does it take to say it. The truth is that we have a lot of conversation and very little communication about anything important.
Back in the day, as they say, in one of my previous lives, I wrote news for radio. The objective was to tell the important stories in the least amount of time. That should tell you how long ago that was. Today we have all news radio stations. Television news shows that used to run no more than thirty minutes now last hours. Hasn’t anyone noticed that the actual "news" content is still less than 30 minutes? The rest is junk like what color some celebrity’s underwear is for that day.
I suppose that this blog isn’t important. But it does serve a purpose. It makes my financial controller think I am doing more than playing games on the computer.
Now that I can’t call my friend back, I’ll have to find something else to do with that time. I suppose I could wait for him to call me about something important.
He never has before.
PMO
©2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Protest
Gays and lesbians protest because they have rights and want to marry. Illegal immigrants protest because they have rights and want the benefits given to citizens. Women protest because they have rights to abortions.
There are protest to remove all religious references from anything and everything. People protest on behalf of animals and their rights.
Where do all these rights come from? Why, from the Constitution of course. Have any of these people ever read the constitution? They don’t have to. All it takes is a few loud voices to get what they want.
You better watch out. Someday the Baptist may get organized and loud. Just imagine how that will turn out.
Praise the Lord, pass the ammunition and fried chicken.
PMO
©2013
There are protest to remove all religious references from anything and everything. People protest on behalf of animals and their rights.
Where do all these rights come from? Why, from the Constitution of course. Have any of these people ever read the constitution? They don’t have to. All it takes is a few loud voices to get what they want.
You better watch out. Someday the Baptist may get organized and loud. Just imagine how that will turn out.
Praise the Lord, pass the ammunition and fried chicken.
PMO
©2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Computer Continued
One of these days I am going to get old. When I do, I’m going to really enjoy driving younger people crazy. Yesterday’s post about my mother-in-law’s computer problem got fixed. I did call her back and gave her very specific instructions on first clearing all the print jobs in the computer. For once in a row, she followed instructions. She must have been tired. But, the same procedure I tried to get her to do before, worked this time. Who says miracles never happen?
And, when she got the printer reconnected to power, it had cleared the print jobs. We were even successful in printing a simple document.
My financial controller talked to her last night and she told her that now there is another problem.
I told her to tell her, I died.
PMO
©2013
And, when she got the printer reconnected to power, it had cleared the print jobs. We were even successful in printing a simple document.
My financial controller talked to her last night and she told her that now there is another problem.
I told her to tell her, I died.
PMO
©2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Old People And Computers
Some time ago I mentioned that I was responsible for getting my mother-in-law into using a computer. There are many things I regret in my life and this is in the top ten. When she has a problem, it usually would make Bill Gates cut his throat. Such is the case in point for today. She called and said that her printer had 175 print jobs and she had no idea why. I have an idea why.
She did take the paper out of the machine - after awhile. And, she had turned it off. If you have never tried to talk an 86 year old woman through a procedure that is not on Yahoo Mail or in Word Perfect, then you have not experienced real pain. I did get her to follow instructions for about 2 seconds, then she started second guessing. As I tried to remember the screens she should see in Windows XP, I would describe each step and ask her what she could see on the screen. Suddenly she realized the printer was not turned on. As she turned it on, I told her not to load any paper. She did anyway.
After several more minutes of sheer joy, I told her to turn off the printer and to unplug the power cord. She did not know where the power cord was. We did get it unplugged. My hope is that the printer will clear the cue when it is plugged in again. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t. I told her to wait awhile and I would call her back in a couple of hours.
Maybe I’ll die before then.
PMO
©2013
She did take the paper out of the machine - after awhile. And, she had turned it off. If you have never tried to talk an 86 year old woman through a procedure that is not on Yahoo Mail or in Word Perfect, then you have not experienced real pain. I did get her to follow instructions for about 2 seconds, then she started second guessing. As I tried to remember the screens she should see in Windows XP, I would describe each step and ask her what she could see on the screen. Suddenly she realized the printer was not turned on. As she turned it on, I told her not to load any paper. She did anyway.
After several more minutes of sheer joy, I told her to turn off the printer and to unplug the power cord. She did not know where the power cord was. We did get it unplugged. My hope is that the printer will clear the cue when it is plugged in again. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t. I told her to wait awhile and I would call her back in a couple of hours.
Maybe I’ll die before then.
PMO
©2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
Golf Carts
Everyday I find something that requires the time I am supposed to be doing something else. Today, it was one of the golf carts. Collectively, our little brood, here in the compound, has four carts. I don’t own a cart although there is always one in my garage. Our original cart doesn’t have lights and so today I chased down light kits and services available.
The local cart place has a kit at a reasonable price, but the labor to install is almost the cost of the kit. The guy at the shop said it takes about an hour for him to install the kit. He said it would take me about a week. The tricky part is cutting holes in the body of the cart. Even he confessed that he had bought a new body for a customer’s cart after the installation went all wrong.
It seems to me that we should do away with golf carts. In fact, we should do away with all mechanical modes of transportation. That would include cars, trucks, trains, planes and bicycles. We should just go with horses. You don’t have to buy parts for horses. And, you can park them very easily.
However, with seven billion people in the world, if everyone had a horse, there might be a pollution problem.
Talk about being up to your neck in it.
PMO
©2013
The local cart place has a kit at a reasonable price, but the labor to install is almost the cost of the kit. The guy at the shop said it takes about an hour for him to install the kit. He said it would take me about a week. The tricky part is cutting holes in the body of the cart. Even he confessed that he had bought a new body for a customer’s cart after the installation went all wrong.
It seems to me that we should do away with golf carts. In fact, we should do away with all mechanical modes of transportation. That would include cars, trucks, trains, planes and bicycles. We should just go with horses. You don’t have to buy parts for horses. And, you can park them very easily.
However, with seven billion people in the world, if everyone had a horse, there might be a pollution problem.
Talk about being up to your neck in it.
PMO
©2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Nice People
I do talk a lot about East Texas but I must say again, there are the nicest people living here. Sure there are some of those that are not, but for the most part, you meet a lot of friendly people. A case in point happened this week at the grass/landscape place.
When I put down some sod recently, I miscalculated and came up six pieces short. I did not run back and get those six because the store is not on my way home. I just waited until I had other business in town. Much to my surprise when I stopped to get the sod, I was told that every blade of grass they had was reserved and it would be a few days before I could get what I needed. A fellow overheard my conversation with the clerk and told me that he had two pallet loads of grass about to be loaded onto his trailer and I could have six pieces. A stranger just stepped up and offered help. You don’t experience that real often. I told him I would take him up on his offer and pay him. He refused to be paid. We’re talking less than $10, but that just didn’t seem fair to me. I did get him to accept a token of my appreciation - a hand-crank flashlight which I always carry in my truck and have another one at home.
I do hope this experience doesn’t make me start being nice.
PMO
©2013
When I put down some sod recently, I miscalculated and came up six pieces short. I did not run back and get those six because the store is not on my way home. I just waited until I had other business in town. Much to my surprise when I stopped to get the sod, I was told that every blade of grass they had was reserved and it would be a few days before I could get what I needed. A fellow overheard my conversation with the clerk and told me that he had two pallet loads of grass about to be loaded onto his trailer and I could have six pieces. A stranger just stepped up and offered help. You don’t experience that real often. I told him I would take him up on his offer and pay him. He refused to be paid. We’re talking less than $10, but that just didn’t seem fair to me. I did get him to accept a token of my appreciation - a hand-crank flashlight which I always carry in my truck and have another one at home.
I do hope this experience doesn’t make me start being nice.
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
July 4th
Excerpt from The Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776 - "When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
There were only a handful that declared independence and freedom. They committed themselves and their fortunes at the risk of their lives and the lives of their families. They changed the world.
What would they do today?
PMO
©2013
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
There were only a handful that declared independence and freedom. They committed themselves and their fortunes at the risk of their lives and the lives of their families. They changed the world.
What would they do today?
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Seasonal
In the past I have complained about medicore service in East Texas. If your air conditioner goes out, you should have called three weeks ago if you want it back on in the next couple of weeks. It’s not just air conditioning people and I am not picking on them. After living here for a few months, I have discovered that everything here is seasonal.
Before you jump the gun and think spring, summer, fall and winter, let me explain seasonal. Fishing, dove, quail and deer seasons govern what, if anything, gets done. " If it ain’t done by deer season (winter) then it ain’t gonna get done til fishing season - maybe."
As usual I have a plan. I’m gonna arrange for any service person to fish off one of the docks in Lake Palestine when they make a call to my house. There are lots of dove in our commune and I’m guessing there has be a few quail, if the foxes haven’t eaten them. There are deer all over down here, so I can see no reason why a tech can’t fix a problem and shoot a deer on the same call. Sure a lot of shooting will upset the residents, but we live in the country and shooting is allowed - I think.
If all else fails, we’ll have a fox hunt. There are bunches of the little red grubbers. That ought to bring service people running. I can just see it now, two plumbers and an electrician oh horseback chasing around the neighborhood. Fox hunting could become a fifth season.
Talley Ho!
PMO
©2013
Before you jump the gun and think spring, summer, fall and winter, let me explain seasonal. Fishing, dove, quail and deer seasons govern what, if anything, gets done. " If it ain’t done by deer season (winter) then it ain’t gonna get done til fishing season - maybe."
As usual I have a plan. I’m gonna arrange for any service person to fish off one of the docks in Lake Palestine when they make a call to my house. There are lots of dove in our commune and I’m guessing there has be a few quail, if the foxes haven’t eaten them. There are deer all over down here, so I can see no reason why a tech can’t fix a problem and shoot a deer on the same call. Sure a lot of shooting will upset the residents, but we live in the country and shooting is allowed - I think.
If all else fails, we’ll have a fox hunt. There are bunches of the little red grubbers. That ought to bring service people running. I can just see it now, two plumbers and an electrician oh horseback chasing around the neighborhood. Fox hunting could become a fifth season.
Talley Ho!
PMO
©2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Proud Granddad
My ace number one daughter - an only child - sent us a picture and message on the ‘smart’ phone of our special needs granddaughter in the back yard, lying in a hammock, reading a book. They were all outdoors doing some yard work. Daughter said, "This is her idea of yard work."
That’s my girl. She knows how much granddad hates yard work, and obviously was expressing what I’ve taught her. The other granddaughter, a teenager, was not in the picture which means she had to be gone or hiding in her room.
All it takes is a little training.
PMO
©2013
That’s my girl. She knows how much granddad hates yard work, and obviously was expressing what I’ve taught her. The other granddaughter, a teenager, was not in the picture which means she had to be gone or hiding in her room.
All it takes is a little training.
PMO
©2013
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