Ignorance

It is said that "ignorance is bliss." Apparently that is the case here in the good old USA. Just look at the recent viewers of the State of the Union address. Better yet, just ask a stranger on the street if they know who the speaker of the house is, or even the vice president. Politicians rely on ignorance. As long as the populous doesn’t know what they are doing, everything is just fine. Unfortunately, in this case, what you don’t know WILL hurt you.

The important thing about ignorance is that it is very expensive when it comes to government.

You can’t afford it.

PMO

©2014

Money

If you need someone to work for you, what will you pay them? The right answer will depend upon how difficult the job is, how much skill, knowledge and experience the worker has. All the talking heads and talk radio are chasing the issue of minimum wage and immigration. What do the two have in common? Money.

People with money hire people to work, and they like to pay as little as they can and still get the job done right. That’s business. If you can hire illegal immigrants for less money than citizens, you hire the one that works for less. What happens to the citizen? They don’t work.  It’s that simple. 

I would explain it again, but if you didn’t understand the first time, you won’t the second time.

PMO
©2014

Art Appreciation

Truth is I don’t know a Rembrandt from a velvet Elvis. I do know one is worth a lot more than the other. In college, I was forced to take art appreciation. I’m not sure that I learned much but to like what you like. It seems art is like beauty, all in the eye of the beholder.

Number two granddaughter likes to paint. Unfortunately, she likes to paint pictures. I could give her a job if she liked painting houses. We gave her some oil painting supplies for Christmas. Painting in oil is supposed to be more difficult than acrylic. I will never know the difference, but I do like and appreciate what she paints.

True art is a talent, even a gift. I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler, so maybe I appreciate art more than the average bear. I do know that a velvet Elvis is only art to those that like it. But, not me.

I’m more of a dogs playing cards kind of a guy.

PMO
©2014

Father's Job

I found out when my daughter was born that a father has some serious responsibilities. At least the ones that take the job seriously. Over the years I have condensed it down to just three things that really matter. And, getting a new dress for every occasion in high school is not on the top of the list.

A father’s job is really pretty simple. All one has to do is pray, protect and provide, with lots of emphasis on praying.

There hasn’t been a day since daughter was born that I haven’t prayed for her. Without divine intervention, girls can get into and cause a lot of problems. Boys are worse. It’s kinda like calling for backup when things happen. And, they happen a lot.

Father’s must protect. That’s why you spend so much time praying. When you think of protect, think of things like keeping a child warm, happy and dry. The hardest protection job is to protect them from themselves. That’s all but impossible.

Provide simply means to give them what they need. Food, clothing, shelter (a place to call home), and medical and dental care are essential. Their wants grow with them and that’s another subject.

I wonder how God handles it. Being a Father of all the kids He has.

Remember to pray - continuously. If not for them, for yourself.

PMO
©2014

Don't Make'm Like They Used To

A friend sent me an email today that I had seen before.  But, because it has so much to say, I read it again - and again.  The list below is about some Hollywood elites of a time gone.  Think about your Hollywood idols as you review the list and see how they measure up.

 

Stewart Hayden, US Marines and OSS. Smuggled guns into Yugoslavia and parachuted into Croatia. 

James Stewart, US Army Air Corps. Bomber pilot who rose to the rank of General. 

Ernest Borgnine, US Navy. Gunners Mate 1c, destroyer USS Lamberton. 

Ed McMahon, US Marines. Fighter Pilot. Flew OE-1 Bird Dogs over Korea as well. 

Telly Savalas, US Army. 

Walter Matthau, US Army Air Corps. B-24 Radioman/Gunner and cryptographer. 

Steve Forrest, US Army. Wounded, Battle of the Bulge. 

Jonathan Winters, US Marines. Battleship USS Wisconsin and Carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. Anti-aircraft gunner, Battle of Okinawa. 

Paul Newman, US Navy. Rear seat gunner/radioman, torpedo bombers of USS Bunker Hill. 

Kirk Douglas, US Navy. Sub-chaser in the Pacific. Wounded in action and medically discharged. 

Robert Mitchum, US Army. 

Dale Robertson, US Army. Tank Commander in North Africa under Patton. Wounded twice. Battlefield Commission. 

Henry Fonda, US Navy. Destroyer USS Satterlee. 

John Carroll, US Army Air Corps. Pilot in North Africa. Broke his back in a crash. 

Lee Marvin, US Marines. Sniper, Wounded in action on Saipan. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Sec. 7A next to Greg Boyington and Joe Louis. 

Art Carney, US Army. Wounded on Normandy beach, D-Day. Limped for the rest of his life. 

Wayne Morris, US Navy. Fighter pilot, USS Essex. Downed seven Japanese ghters. 

Rod Steiger, US Navy. Was aboard one of the ships that launched the Doolittle Raid. 

Tony Curtis, US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus. In Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan. 

Larry Storch, US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus with Tony Curtis. 

Forrest Tucker, US Army. Enlisted as a private, rose to Lieutenant. 

Robert Montgomery, US Navy. 

George Kennedy, US Army. Enlisted after Pearl Harbor, stayed in sixteen years. 

Mickey Rooney, US Army under Patton. Bronze Star. 

Denver Pyle, US Navy. Wounded in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Medically scharged. 

Burgess Meredith, US Army Air Corps. 

DeForest Kelley, US Army Air Corps. 

Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Officer. 

Neville Brand, US Army. Europe. Was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. 

Tyrone Power, US Marines. Transport pilot in the Pacific Theater. 

Charlton Heston, US Army Air Corps. Radio operator and aerial gunner on a B-25, Aleutians. 

Danny Aiello, US Army. Lied about his age to enlist at 16. Served three years. 

James Arness, US Army. As an infantryman, he was severely wounded at Anzio, Italy. 

Efram Zimbalist, Jr., US Army. Purple Heart for a severe wound received at Huertgen Forest. 

Mickey Spillane, US Army Air Corps. Fighter Pilot and later Instructor Pilot. 

Rod Serling, US Army. 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific. He jumped at Tagaytay in the Philippines and was later wounded in Manila. 

Gene Autry, US Army Air Corps. Crewman on transports that ferried supplies over "The Hump" in the China-Burma-India Theater. 

Wiliam Holden, US Army Air Corps. 

Alan Hale Jr, US Coast Guard. 

Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Battle of Okinawa. 

Russell Johnson, US Army Air Corps. B-24 crewman, awarded Purple Heart when his aircraft was shot down by the Japanese in the Philippines. 

William Conrad, US Army Air Corps. Fighter Pilot. 

Jack Klugman, US Army. 

Frank Sutton, US Army. Took part in 14 assault landings, including Leyte, Luzon, Bataan and Corregidor. 

Jackie Coogan, US Army Air Corps. Volunteered for gliders and flew troops and materials into Burma behind enemy lines. 

Tom Bosley, US Navy. 

Claude Akins, US Army. Signal Corps, Burma and the Philippines. 

Chuck Connors, US Army. Tank-warfare instructor. 

Harry Carey Jr., US Navy. 

Mel Brooks, US Army. Combat Engineer. Saw action in the Battle of the Bulge. 

Robert Altman, US Army Air Corps. B-24 Co-Pilot. 

Pat Hingle, US Navy. Destroyer USS Marshall. 

Fred Gwynne, US Navy. Radioman. 

Karl Malden, US Army Air Corps. 8th Air Force, NCO. 

Earl Holliman, US Navy. Lied about his age to enlist. Discharged after a year when the Navy found out. 

Rock Hudson, US Navy. Aircraft mechanic, the Philippines. 

Harvey Korman, US Navy. 

Aldo Ray. US Navy. UDT frogman, Okinawa. 

Don Knotts, US Army, Pacific Theater. 

Don Rickles, US Navy. USS Cyrene. 

Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Served aboard an LST in the Battle of Okinawa. 

Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Instructor. 

Soupy Sales, US Navy. Served on USS Randall in the South Pacific. 

Lee Van Cleef, US Navy. Served aboard a sub chaser, then a mine sweeper. 

Clifton James, US Army. South Pacific. Was a warded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. 

Ted Knight, US Army. Combat Engineers. 

Jack Warden, US Navy, 1938-1942; then US Army, 1942-1945. 101st Airborne Division. 

Don Adams. US Marines. Wounded on Guadalcanal, then served as a Drill Instructor. 

James Gregory, US Navy and US Marines. 

Brian Keith, US Marines. Radioman/Gunner in Dauntless dive-bombers. 

Fess Parker, US Navy and US Marines. Booted from pilot training for being too tall, joined Marines as a radio operator. 

Charles Durning, US Army. Landed at Normandy on D-Day. Shot multiple times. Awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Survived Malmedy Massacre. 

Raymond Burr, US Navy. Shot in the stomach on Okinawa and medically discharged. 

Hugh O'Brian, US Marines. 

Robert Ryan, US Marines. 

Eddie Albert, US Coast Guard. Bronze Star with Combat V for saving several Marines under heavy fire as pilot of a landing craft during the invasion of Tarawa. 

Cark Gable, US Army Air Corps. B-17 gunner over Europe. 

Charles Bronson, US Army Air Corps. B-29 gunner, wounded in action. 

Peter Graves, US Army Air Corps. 

Buddy Hackett, US Army anti-aircraft gunner. 

Victor Mature, US Coast Guard. 

Jack Palance, US Army Air Corps. Severely injured bailing out of a burning B-24 bomber. 

Robert Preston, US Army Air Corps. Intelligence Officer. 

Cesar Romero, US Coast Guard. Participated in the invasions of Tinian and Saipan on the assault transport USS Cavalier. 

Norman Fell, US Army Air Corps. Tail Gunner, Pacific Theater. 

Jason Robards, US Navy. Aboard heavy cruiser USS Northampton when it was sunk off Guadalcanal. Also served on the USS Nashville during the invasion of the Philippines, surviving a kamikaze hit that caused 223 casualties. 

Steve Reeves, US Army. Philippines. 

Dennis Weaver, US Navy. Pilot. 

Robert Taylor, US Navy. Instructor Pilot. 

Randolph Scott. Tried to enlist in the Marines but was rejected due to injuries sustained in US Army, World War One. 

Ronald Reagan. US Army. Was a 2nd Lt. in the Cavalry Reserves before the war. His poor eyesight kept him from being sent overseas with his unit when war came, so he transferred to the Army Air Corps Public Relations Unit where he served for the duration. 

John Wayne. Declared "4F medically unfit" due to pre-existing injuries, he nonetheless attempted to volunteer three times (Army, Navy and Film Corps.) so he gets honorable mention. 

And of course we have 

Audie Murphy, America's most-decorated soldier, who became a Hollywood star as a result of his US Army service that included his being awarded the Medal of Honor. 

Would someone please remind me again how many of today's Celebrities and Hollywood Elite put their careers on hold to enlist in Iraq or Afghanistan? 

The only one who comes close is Pat Tillman, who turned down a contract offer of $3.6 million over three years from the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the US Army after September 11, 2001, and serve as a Ranger in Afghanistan, where he died in 2004. But rather than being lauded for his choice and his decision to put his country before his career, he was mocked and derided by many of his peers. 

This is not the America today that it was seventy years ago, and I am saddened.

PMO
©2014

Shindig

I made it out alive. My financial controller got us involved with a big shindig at the club. They have parties and parties and then I think they have a party to decide on having more parties. Yes, I did wear a tuxedo shirt and bow tie, but not the whole tux. And, they made me wear black slacks instead of jeans. Picky people.

Now, we have two more events to attend next weekend. I don’t understand when I vote no and she votes yes, how I always lose. I guess it is who counts the votes that really matters.

I did speak to the fellow that invited us to one of the upcoming events and told him that I plan to show up in a Duck Dynasty tuxedo.

He asked that I not tell anyone who invited me.

PMO
©2014

My Fault

Okay, I know it was my fault. While my financial planner was gone, I went up into the attic to see if I could find a box of tile to replace some cracked ones on the kitchen floor. She wants to replace all the tile in the house - about 2000 square feet. If you cipher cost of tile and labor, you will come up with a substantial amount of money. Anyway, on with my story.

The plan was to get into the attic and see if I could find the tile. I did. But at that very moment, she returned. Since the attic access is in the garage, she could not get in while I had the ladder down. And, I was still in the attic. I got one of the tiles and the box part with a label of brand, etc. I handed these down to her. Then, it happened. She said she wanted to move some things in the garage cabinets and wanted me to store the stuff there in the attic. There is no room in the attic. Foolishly I asked, "What do you want to store in the cabinets?" The reply, "I don’t know yet."

I turned off the attic light, climbed down the ladder and closed the access. I should have been faster at getting the tile down before she got back.

It’s my fault.

PMO
©2014

Texas Weather

Baby, it’s cold outside. That’s because we have temperature swings of 50 degrees in a single bound. One day, it can be a comfortable 70 and the next day it is 20 or less. That’s Texas weather.

I repeat myself, but I’ve seen a day when the temperature was in the middle 90's when a wind began to blow and we had a sand storm that piled sand up three feet high against buildings. During the sand storm, it began to rain, so we had a mud storm. Then the temperature fell like a rock, the sand stopped and the rain turned to sleet. Then it snowed. All of this happened in less than 24 hours. That’s West Texas weather. We like to say that Texas has weather for everybody. If you like cold and snow, stay where ever you are.

Nobody in Texas knows how to drive on snow.

PMO
©2014

Party Time

We have been in the ‘compound’ about a year now. We had just move in about this time last year so we missed out on all the parties. These people have parties - dinners, dances, brunches and just about everything else - all the time. And, my financial controller is right in the middle of it all. She signed us up to be one of the host for an event this weekend. Maybe, I’ll die before then.

In the past week, we’ve received two invitations that we cannot decline. That’ll be three parties in three weeks. It’s not that I am antisocial, it’s just that I don’t like parties. I think it goes back to my childhood with a bad experience. Or, it may just be something in my diet.

Anyway, the events are all dress up shindigs. A Duck Dynasty tux is in my future for sure.

After I show up dressed that way, maybe I won’t get invited back.

PMO
©2014

Remember

Unless you are perfect, you probably have had buyer’s remorse. You know, where you bought something that you wish you had not. And, you could not return it. If you are human, then you have done other things that you later regretted. It seems to be something in our DNA.

Recently we’ve had some life changing events and had to make some decisions that may impact our lives for a really long time - if we live a really long time. So, today I am waxing philosophical.

Remember, what ever you do today, you will have to live with tomorrow.

And, a lot of days after that.

PMO
©2014

Politics Again

It has been said about journalist, "Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story." As you may already know, this applies to politicians too. Such is the case of the Democratic candidate for Governor of the GREAT State of Texas. It is reported that Wendy Davis tells such a heart tugging story about how she got pregnant, got married, got divorced, lived in a mobile home, worked and went to school and remarried again, then got a law degree from Harvard. Then, she got divorced again and this ex got custody of the child they had together.

In a story in the Dallas Morning News this past weekend, the ex-husband told his side of he story. It doesn’t exactly line up with hers. You can expect that. But, she did admit that he was a much older man and when he paid off the loan at Harvard, she filed for divorce the next day. Whatever the truth is, she did get to be a lawyer, without any children to care for, and became a politician.

Now, she is faced with answering questions about her embellished story of her "struggle" to get where she is today. This is the same Ms. Davis that filibustered Texas legislators on abortion rights, and says that she wants to help women not to have to "suffer as she did."

She says of her opponent, Gregg Abbott - who has been in a wheelchair since his back was broken as a young man, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down - that he doesn’t understand people who struggle.

It has been many years since Texas has had a Democrat as governor. With the story she tells, Ms. Davis just might be.

All she has to do is tell the truth, the whole truth and everything but the truth.

PMO
©2014

I Have A Dream

Martin Luther King said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
All people should be judged the content of their character.  Especially those that are entrusted with power by the people.
I know Dr. King would agree.
PMO
©2014

Not About Me

Here’s my political take on the upcoming elections. I know that’s not until November, but when it comes to politics, you gotta get ahead of the curve. What this country needs is representation by a bunch of people that could say and truly mean, "It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It is about America."

JFK said, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what can you do for your country." Dang few seem to know what that means.

Tell your politician to vote for America or you will get someone that will.

PMO
©2014

Financial Controller

My financial controller officially retired about a week ago on a Friday. She went back to work as a contractor on Monday. Hey, she had the whole weekend off. As a contractor, she only has to be in Dallas one day per month instead of two or three days per week. So, now she has time to get her wants in top gear. Wants like painting the house, getting new floor coverings, replacing this or that, are on the list of things for her to get.

I will admit that there are a couple of things that do need to be done, but redoing the whole house is not a couple of things. It does me no good to try to explain to her that we have to watch our money and spending it now could prove disastrous later on when there is no way to replace it. When I talk investment options, market fluctuation, the impact of inflation and other financial terms, she gets a blank look on her face. She thinks she will be able to work until she is 100. I on the other hand try to live on the fugal side. Truth is that I am stingy.

My goal in life is to have as much money as she thinks she has.

PMO
©2014

Reincarnation

How many people do you know that are reincarnated? Listening to a talk radio station this week, I hear a caller say that everyone is. The topic of discussion was dying and how one feels about it. This particular man claimed that there are just so many souls and that each is transplanted when a body dies. Simply stated, when you die, your soul is transferred to an unborn baby.

Furthermore, he said that you will be reincarnated as someone you disdain the most. So, if you really disdain short, fat, women with a loud mouth, then that’s what you will become. Here’s the best part, you won’t know it. Does, all this sound insane? If not, then someone that disdains reincarnationist believe that you will come back as one of them.

I don’t believe in reincarnation. I do believe that all believers in the Christ will get a second life that is a lot better than becoming someone you detest.

However, if they are right, I want to go on record as disdaining super rich people with private fishing lakes and someone to do the lawn.

PMO
©2014

Ripley's

For the past few weeks, I’ve been reading Ripley’s Believe It or Not! I used to read this about a million years ago when I was growing up. Most of the time it is just a quick glance and then I’m off to checking the latest version of the news. However, I read one that has some interesting info.

Did you know that horses can only breathe through their nostrils and not their mouths? I don’t think I knew that.

In 1966 Thomas Bayard, of Illinois, patented a vibrating toilet seat designed to prevent constipation. I am absolutely sure I did not know that.

And, U.S. president Grover Cleveland won the 1884 election with fewer votes than he received in the 1888 election which he lost. Another one that I did not know. And, I really don’t care.

There you have a few tidbits you may not have known.

I bet there is a big book of stuff I don’t know somewhere.

PMO
©2014

Phone Rules

So far as I am concerned, a ringing phone is an invitation to talk, not a command to do so. I love caller ID so I can check and see who it is that I don’t want to talk to. There are some people that I really don’t want to talk to because they offer nothing that interest me. Therefore, I have come up with some phone rules.

First, I don’t want to hear about your medical problems. I have my own. I don’t want to hear about your other problems because I have my own. I don’t want to hear about your vacation, because I can’t take one. My grandchildren are much more interesting than yours, so don’t tell me about them. There is no need to discuss politics with me since I am a radical right wing conservative that has to vote Republican because there is no other choice. The weather is a waste of time. If it is cold, hot, raining, dry, wet or windy, then it is not the best weather for fishing. If the weather is perfect for fishing, that’s where I want to be. Not on the phone talking.

Wrong numbers, calls trying to sell something or calls for charitable contributions are a waste of my time and theirs. If it’s a wrong number, I tell them so and hang up. If it is a sales call, I don’t need it. And, we have a fixed number of charities we donate to.

I would take the phone out except someday, someone may call and let me know something I want to know.

PMO
©2014

Poverty?

The Dallas Morning News has an op-ed section in their Sunday edition. It contains, as you might imagine, letters from readers on a variety of subjects. I had a few published myself. In the most recent edition, I caught some letters that attack Republicans for not having any idea what poverty is like. The writers contend that Republicans are all just a bunch of rich people wanting to cut taxes for rich people. I wonder how these people get dressed by themselves. I am not rich and I vote Republican most of the time.

Poverty today means free food, free or reduced housing cost, assistance with utility bills, free medical, free cell phones, and an income. What the writers really want is for themselves to live like the rich folks and not work for it.

I spent eight years coordinating low-income programs with the State of Texas. I’ve been there and seen how poverty lives. I’ve been inside homes that lived better than I did.

When I was growing up, I lived a different kind of poverty. We had little or no food at times, no medical, no free rent, no cell phone or house phone, and we certainly didn’t have cable TV. I didn’t like being poor and so I did the only thing I could do.

I went to work.  At 15 years old.

PMO
©2014

Obamacare Tax

A trip to an oral surgeon to begin the process for a tooth implant revealed some irritating information. I told the doc that his cost had gone up from what I was previously quoted. He explained that under "Obamacare" implants are now considered a "medical device" and are taxed. "Some cost have gone up ten percent or more," he said.

It’s what they - the government - don’t tell you is what you have to be afraid of. I guessing that all medical devices, which may be hundreds or thousands, will be taxed to fund a health care plan that the majority of the people don’t want and can’t afford. As it has been said, "The devil is in the details."

Wonder if erectile dysfunction pills are under the new tax on devices?

You may have to think a minute about that one.

PMO
©2014

Apology

When I’m wrong - doesn’t happen very often - I apologize. So, to the manager of the Wally-World where I have to shop, I here by apologize. There is charcoal in your store. Some of you may remember that there was none to be had, at least none that could be found just a few days ago.

This week, on my fun-filled shopping adventure, I found the charcoal. Shopping for a bathroom cleaner on the cleaner aisle, I found what I needed and turned to go back into the main traffic aisle and lo and behold there was the charcoal! It was right there with the toilet tissue. I ask you, "Where else should it be?" Certainly not over in the garden supply center with the charcoal grills.

Some of you long time readers may remember that the first time I shopped this store I could not find bags of candy in the food section. When I inquired where they were, I was pointed to the bicycle aisle, all the way across the store. I did not ask why they were there, and I’m not asking why charcoal is in the toilet tissue section.

I still haven’t found the charcoal lighter fluid. On my next trip I’m checking out the dairy section and maybe the pharmacy.

You don’t have to have a prescription for charcoal lighter fluid, do you?

PMO
©2014

More Than One

Back in 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas anti-sodomy law basically decreeing the end of all morals legislation, including laws against fornication, bigamy, adultery, adult incest, bestiality and obscenity. Yes, there are still laws governing some of these areas, but they will surely be overturned if the current trend continues. Such is a case in Utah where a judge effectively decriminalized plural marriage in the state.

Kody Brown and his four "wives" live together with their collective 17 children. He is legally married to one and challenged the law in 2011, charging that it violates their privacy and religious freedom.

Former U.S. senator Rick Santorum warned in 2003 that if the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest and you have the right to adultery. Santorum has been quoted saying, "Sometimes I hate it when what I predict comes true."

Times, they are changing. And, not for the better. If you can have more than one wife, will this mean that homosexuals will soon will want the same deal? And, what about one woman who wants more than one husband? There are some cultures in South America that do allow a woman to have multiple husbands.

Occasionally I have moments when I think that the whole country may not be going insane. Then, I read about things like this.

Can you imagine four wives? That would mean four mothers-in-law.

PMO
©2014

Committees

If you ever want to stop progress of anything or get an end result that in no way resembles the original intent of a goal, turn the whole thing over to a committee. I’ve spent many years as a Baptist and am quite confident that if Moses had been one, he would have appointed a committee and we would all still be in line to cross the Red Sea.

My financial controller has volunteered for a committee in our little commune. She never listens to me. As I understand it, the group is putting together a brunch. When I asked why, what kind, for what and so forth, I got a blank stare. She did tell me that I had to go and wear a tuxedo. I don’t own a tuxedo. When I retired, I promised myself that if I could not wear jeans, I didn’t need to be there. After almost 50 years of wearing suits and ties, I’ve had enough. To me, formal attire is now a pair of starched jeans and a western shirt. Boots are the only acceptable footwear.

Will I lose and have to wear a tux? If I do, it will be a Duck Dynasty tux.

PMO
©2014

None

As I have mentioned before, I do 99.9% of the shopping at our house. I put shopping right up there with having a major case of hemorrhoids and an abscessed tooth. So, it should be easy for you to understand why I get upset over the "little things."

On my last trip to Wally-World Super Center, I had a bag of charcoal on the list. They didn’t have any. Now, I understand that it’s not prime outdoor cooking season, but there are a few diehards like myself that cook out year round. Maybe I should check back in the spring.

Then, I had a coupon for a national baking product. They wouldn’t accept it, although I had used one just like it about a month before. The cashier explained that if it’s not in the computer, they won’t take it.

These are just two examples of why I think store managers at such establishments should be publically flogged on a regular basis.

PMO
©2014

Health Care First Choice

On the heels of a federal court striking down Chicago’s ban on gun sales, those seeking gun permits in Illinois flooded the State Police website over the weekend to begin the permitting process, according to a report on Breitbart. Com. The Chicago-Sun-Times reported that the number of residents seeking a conceal carry permit, on the first day available, surpassed those who enrolled in Obamacare the first two months of healthcare.gov.

Reportedly, officials in Illinois expect about 1000 people per day will sign up for a permit. The trend for Obamacare appears to be about 3000 per month.

With the crime rate in Chicago, packing a gun apparently makes the most sense in health care choices.

PMO
©2014

Dogs Not Allowed

"If you think your pet’s fur coat is enough to get that so called "outside dog" through this cold, think again," according to a report on KLTV in Tyler, Texas. "Leaving your pet out in this kind of cold could lead to criminal charges," says the report.

The Humane Society takes a dim view of leaving a pet outside in the cold we’ve been having in East Texas. Animal neglect is a misdemeanor and an owner can be charged if the pet doesn’t have adequate food, water or shelter. And, a frozen water dish with below freezing conditions just might get you prosecuted. All doggies should be brought inside, treated to a hot meal and tucked into a nice warm bed - yours if need be.

I am a person that hates animal cruelty. But, every dog that has been mine has always stayed outside. Yes, I saw that they had fresh water, two or three times per day if needed. They always had plenty of food and a house with a nice warm pillow. Because we don’t get a lot of hard freezes in Texas, I’ve always made sure my hounds were safe and sound. On may occasions through the years, I would take food and try to get the dog out of his house to eat. It was much too comfortable inside to come out, so more often than not, I put the food in the dog house.

Now the Human Society says if you are cold outside, so is your dog and said dog should come inside. Owners of cows, horses, pigs, and other livestock better get ready. It can’t be long until they should come inside too.

Can you buy a litter box for a cow?

PMO
©2014

How Much Is 17 Trillion?

The Heritage Foundation released a "picture" of the U.S. National Debt which now exceeds $17 trillion. Just how much is $17 trillion? To put it into context, the report took a look at one trillion. One trillion equals one thousand billion - $1,000,000,000,000. That’s twelve zeros.

Kobe Bryant, the highest paid NBA player at about $30.5 million per year, would need to work 32,837 years to reach $1 trillion. I’m guessing he would never make it.

The average person’s life in the U.S. is about 2.4 billion seconds. One billion seconds ago would be 1981. And, one trillion seconds ago would put you at 29,700 B.C.

It appears to me that we are going to need a whole lot more basketball players and tax them at 100%.

PMO
©2014

Inside Lookin In

My mother-in-law calls the gated community where we live, ‘the compound.’ She just may be right. After living here for a year, I have made some observations. First, I am considered a youngster. That means, in about five years or so, half the population will be dead, and I will be the grumpy ‘old’ man again.

Now, don’t get me wrong, old people are okay. You just have to adjust your schedule. For example, the fireworks display for the new year was held at 6:00 p.m. and everybody said, "Happy New Year," and went home and went to bed. If they hold a party at the club, it usually starts at 6:00 p.m. and is over by 8:30 p.m. and that includes dinner and dancing. In the winter months, they end earlier because everyone has to go home in the dark.

I also know now why everyone drives around in a golf cart. They don’t want to go any faster than a golf cart. Of course, many of the residents play golf and they can’t drive at top speed on the course.

The politics are about the same as any little town. A select few want to do everything "the way we’ve always done it." And, that’s since 1979. I’m not going to be the one to tell them it’s 2014. I’ve got enough enemies.

There are always plenty of exciting activities, like Mahjong or a brunch. And, then there is clogging classes, line dancing classes and belly dancing classes. So far, I have resisted peeking in on any of these. I just don’t think I could stand watching 80 to 90 year old women belly dancing.

My plan is to outlive them and change this place to a fishing resort.

I’m going to sell live bait and make a fortune.

PMO
©2014

Size XXXL Please

According to CBS News, as Americans get heavier, the impact is spilling over into the funeral industry, with families needing to spend thousands more on extra-large caskets. Bet you haven’t thought about that.

It seems the larger size caskets can cost $2000 to $3000 more than the standard 26 inch wide model. Goliath Caskets, an appropriate name, reports that the demand for a more relaxed fit product has owner Keith Davis saying he can’t retire anytime soon.

And, then there is the problem that the bigger caskets won’t fit in hearses, requiring families to rent flat bed trucks to transport them to the cemetery. There was no mention about renting a crane to get them on and off the truck.

It’s just a guess, but I suppose that if cremation is used on the larger folks, it would require two urns.

Cha ching for the register at the funeral parlor.

PMO
©2014

Life Insurance

In one of my previous lives, I sold insurance, and, I was good at it. During that time I learned the value of life insurance and what to buy and when. So, as each granddaughter was born, we purchased them a life policy based upon projected inflation to cover final expenses. The particular policy we use allows for an increase in the amount at specific age intervals without any medical questions or exams. This will allow for additional coverage should the need arise.

I said all that to say that I just got a notice that the younger one can make an increase if we choose. Since I have no idea what that child will do from one minute to the next, I am considering the option. This is a good spot to offer a little advice about teenage girls. Don’t try to understand them. That will only drive you crazy.

Back to insurance. Over the years, we have settled upon what seems to be a reasonable amount for each of us. Mine is a ‘whole lot’ more than hers. This can give one a bit of a concern.

I noticed that she has my life insurance company on speed dial on her phone.

PMO
©2014

Tweet

A tweet from someone named Tyler Norris caught my eye on one of the blogs I read. It pretty well sums up the new year so far.

"Pot is legal. Light bulbs are not. 2014 is stupid."

We are off to a running start.

PMO
©2014

2014 Gift

The new year is here. Looks like the old one to me. I wonder why we don’t get a better model each year, like a new car. Oh, well, it is what it is.

I watched an old TV rerun today where the focal point was the importance of education which caused me to think. It is a dangerous thing when a grumpy old man thinks. But, if I could snap my fingers and give everyone in the world a single gift, it would be education.

I’m not talking about making everyone doctors, lawyers, engineers, and the like. Just a good solid understanding of reading, writing and arithmetic, would help a lot. Instead of focusing on social issues and touchy feely, if everyone knew how to take the basics and think for themselves, most of the world’s problems would go away. And, most of the politicians would go away.

One term I hear used today is LI - less informed. That simply means that people allow themselves to believe what they are told without any facts or thinking for themselves. History has proven that this is how nations fall and citizens suffer.

True education is power and when used wisely, any individual can make the word a better place. But, I can’t give such a gift. Individuals have to want it more than they want anything else. Such as a story I heard that was supposed to be about Socrates. A young man asked him how he got so much knowledge. He grab the boy by the neck and stuck his head under water and held him. When he finally let him up, he asked the boy, "What did you want more than anything when your head was under the water?" The boy replied, "Air." Socrates said, "When you want knowledge that much, you will get it."

If you learn one new factual piece of knowledge everyday, in just one year you would be more educated than you were the year before.

PMO
©2014