Xe, Xym, Xyr

Are you a “xe,” “xym” or “xyr?”  You don’t know?  Well you’d better find out if you want to be politically correct.  These are gender neutral pronouns pronounced “zee,” “zim” and “zur.”  According to a story in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, the University of Tennessee Office for Diversity and Inclusion wants people to think beyond he and she pronouns. 

Their suggestion hasn’t quite caught on, according to the report, and some state legislators are not impressed.

State Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville said he thought the suggestion was a joke.  Dunn said, “And then I found out it was true, at which point I thought, ‘Are we really paying somebody to come up with this stuff?’”

All this grumpy old man can say is, “It’s the world you created.  How are you going to live in it?”

PMO
©2015

Forgiveness

There are lots of interesting stories in the Bible.  They are there as examples of how one should live and interact with others.  Such is the case of Luke, Chapter 19, verses 1 through 10.

It is the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector, who after meeting Jesus decided to give half of his possessions to the poor and return four times the amount to anyone he had cheated.

I wonder if Jesus would be interest in meeting the IRS?

PMO
©2015

Age Old Question

Mankind for centuries has asked the question, “When a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a noise?”  My best guess is yes, but maybe not.

The more important questions is, “Does an old man grunt, groan and moan when he is trying to pour concrete by himself and there is no one there to hear him?”

I know the answer to this one.

Yes, yes, yes and yes.

PMO
©2015

Help Wanted

What this country really needs is a help wanted sign.  “537 Jobs Available - 435 House of Representatives, 100 Senators, President and Vice President.  Politicians need not apply.”

Apply to we the people.

PMO
©2015

The Call

He was just an ordinary man.  Not tall dark and handsome, rich or particularity talented.  I met him 50 years ago when I got a new job where he worked.  He and I had the same name, except for the middle.  I called him W and he called me L.  We became friends from the start.

Over the years, we shared perhaps the darkest days in each of our lives.  And, we shared some laughs.  As time passed, we went our separate ways but always stayed in touch by phone and an occasional visit. 

His wife called me this morning and told me he had died.  He had been ill for sometime, but I never knew how serious it was.

Funny how your mind flashes memories when you learn of a death.  I’ve though of the things that we did and the good times we shared.  I regret that we didn’t spend more time together.

And, because we were men from the old days, there was never a mention of our bond.  Neither of us ever said, “I love you man.”  We just knew.

He was my friend.  You don’t get many true friends in life.  I will miss him.

Rest in peace my friend.  “I loved you man.”

©2015

Impulse Buyers

I remind you again, this blog is about whatever I think about and today I’m thinking about impulse buyers.  Those are the people they put all the tabloids, candy, and other junk racks near the checkout register for.  Merchants know there are so many people that just can’t pass up buying something - anything.  It’s got to be a billion dollar business.

I, try as I may, do not understand impulse buying.  Yes, I have bought on impulse a few times, and I have always regretted it.  What drives someone to buy what not only do they not need, but often what they don’t even want?  These people even buy large ticket items - TVs, expensive trips, cars, houses and who knows what else.  Even if they can’t afford it, they seem to be compelled to buy something.

Naturally, and probably a good thing, not everyone sees wants and needs as I do.  It drives my financial controller crazy that I don’t have a lot of wants.  Most of the people I know buy because they want something, not because they need something.

I did buy two shirts so far this year.

But, not because I wanted to.

PMO
©2015

Right Tools

I learned a long time ago that in handy-man projects, you have to have the right tools - just like the pros do.  Over the years I have acquired a few tools, but I now have a new problem.  I can’t remember where I put them.

For the past few days, I’ve been trying to locate my rubber mallet.  It’s a handy tool to bang things with, without breaking said things.  My financial controller bought me a new one, now that the need for it has passed.  I put the new mallet where I can find it the next time I need it, but I really don’t expect it to stay there.  Tools have legs and crawl away into dark places.

Now, I need a special tool for edging new cement.  I bought one several years ago, but it has vaporized.  I called my high school friend that lives just a few minutes away, because he has
everything.

His vaporized too.

PMO
©2015

No Common Sense - Only PC

Donald Trump says: “I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct.”  “I agree with him,” says Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association in Tupelo, Mississippi. This is from an article I read this week about the stupidity of political correctness.

 “Political correctness is the practice of refusing to acknowledge the truth or the facts of a situation because your words may be offensive to some people,” the article continued.
There are some people you don’t have to worry about offending;  Southern, white, Christian, males because they are the scum of the earth and need to apologize for being born.

The Donald doesn’t agree with political correctness.

On this one, I agree with him and Mr. Wildmon.

PMO
©2015

Another Life Rule

Okay kiddies, here’s another of my official grumpy old man rules for life.  It’s a biggie that you should learn early and remember often.

Rule #12: Knowledge makes the difference.

People often spend their time on seeking power or money or just having a good time, but knowledge is truly the difference in people.

Learn the facts about everything you can.

PMO
©2015

We Are the Us

Oh my, what to do with Donald Trump.  He is driving the mainstream politicians and media crazy.  In fact, he has, in my opinion, scared some people that need scaring.  The status quo just doesn’t know how to deal with someone that has too much money to buy and says what he wants to.

Am I a “Donald” supporter?  Not really.  But I do support what he is revealing in America.  The people are tired of politics as usual.  Tired of idiots ruining a country that was founded upon principles unlike any other in the history of mankind.

The next several months will be interesting and sometimes fun to watch.  There is strong evidence that the differences in Americans are minor compared to the beliefs that bind them together.

I believe that we will witness a united front of “We the people are the us in the USA.”

PMO
©2015

All Alone

The obituary read, ‘he died surrounded by family and friends.’  Guess what?  He died alone.  There are some things that one faces all alone in life.  Death is the final one.  As the old song says, “you gotta walk that lonesome valley, you gotta walk it by yourself.  Nobody else can walk it for you, you gotta walk it by yourself.”

Truth is that people don’t like to talk about dying.  You can ruin a party by suggesting that everyone should talk about who’s going to die next.  People know they are going to die, but few ever give a thought to it.

I wonder if the people in Washington ever think about that.

They sure don’t act like they do.

PMO
©2015

Tips To Choose The Right One

There are some things in life that are critical when making a decision.  Choosing a god is one of those.  So, I’m going to offer you some tips on how to pick the right one.

First, you don’t want a god that is some inanimate object.  Golden calves, pieces of sculpture or heads of cabbage should be ruled out.  There is zero chance they will ever do you any good.  Next, you will want to determine the path you will have to take to get to your god.  The best bet is to find one that you can go directly to.  Eliminate prophets, soothsayers, or any so called interveners.  When it comes to getting a god, you don’t want to pay retail.  Go straight to the top.

Do your research.  Find out if the god you are considering has the power to truly help you.  This means you need a god that is alive.  Check out if he can forgive sins and transgressions, help pull you through a tough spot and offers an eternal life plan.  Mercy should be big on your list of qualifications. 

Since the world is full of rules, a god should have rules.  It’s best to go with the one that has rules that make good sense.  Don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t commit adultery, and those sort of things.  You will want to ensure that the god has a plan to keep you on the right track not to break the rules.

It is best if you have a god that you can talk to anytime or any place.  Even better, is a god that talks to you any time and any place.

You must have a god that you can trust, even when you don’t understand what the heck is going on or not going on.  And, a god that just gives you assurance not to worry, he is in charge.

A primary quality is that a god gives you absolute and total peace that goes beyond human understanding in the bad times and the good.

Your god should be tried and proven to be powerful.  He should be able to really shake up things when the need arises.

And, you are going to need a god that sees you as being important and worth of the love of a god.

Look around, check all the offers out there and remember out of all the hype, there is one that is the one true living God.

Hope these tips help.  It is critical that you make the right selection.

©2015

Moo Methane

The government is after the oil and gas industry again about methane gas.  It appears to me that if the companies involved were to reduce emissions to absolute zero, it would not be low enough.  This is concerning because again government is playing Don Quixote.  Will they never tire of jousting with windmills?

Reality is that cows, and other animals, emit about 20% of the methane gas in our environment.  Are they going to put gas scrubbers on cows?

If they could they would have already done it.

PMO
©2015

Official Complaint

I have mentioned before about how difficult it is in East Texas to get someone to do projects, like painting, plumbing, etc.  The problem is that there is no competition and they all seem to know it.  At best, the people you can hire are handy man level or less.  Forget about licenses or insurance and don’t bother to ask them for a written estimate.

We tried working off referrals from neighbors and all that has show me is that they are satisfied with some shoddy work.  And, they are adjusted to getting something done whenever the ‘contractor’ gets around to doing the job.

Perhaps I am just too picky.  What does it matter if a new shower leaks?  Maybe they are supposed to and I just don’t know it.

If only I wasn’t old and could still do the physical work I used to.  I’m not expert in anything, but I could do better than anyone we’ve hired so far.

And, I can read.

PMO
©2015

Would You Believe?

Several years ago comedian Don Adams starred in a TV series titled ‘Get Smart.’  He played Maxwell Smart, a secret agent, with an active imagination.  For example if Max were late for work he might say, “Would you believe I was surround by 100,000 enemy agents?  Would you believe 100 enemy agents?  Would you believe a little old lady with a really nasty stare that kept me from coming outside?

Max always started out with an extreme and sometime got down to reality.  The media today has taken over for Max.  “Would you believe that 200,000 policemen are driving around looking for a black teen to shoot?  Would you believe 50,000?”  “Would you believe a few if we eliminate all the facts and evidence?”

“Would you believe that the media is totally unbiased and objective, and never tries to create news even if it involves violence?”

“Would you believe the Easter bunny is racist?”

PMO
©2015

I Believe It

Almost daily I read Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.  There were and are some strange things in this world.  For example, in 1830, the average American male over the age of 15 consumed the equivalent of 88 bottles of whiskey a year.  I don’t know how big the bottles were and apparently Ripley doesn’t either.  That’s almost two bottles per week.  Those were called, the good old days for a reason.

Then, here’s another tidbit.  Over the past 20,000 years, the average volume of the human brain has decreased from 1,500 cubic centimeters to 1,350 cc, losing a chunk the size of a tennis ball.

Because politicians think they are so much smarter that the rest of us, my guess is they are down to about 1 cubic centimeters.

And shrinking fast.

PMO
©2015

Being Nice

Here’s a story you may not have heard about from a few days ago.  In Portland, Oregon, for four years, 35 year old Josh Cyganik passed 75 year old Leonard Bullock’s house and silently waved or nodded to the old man sitting on the porch.  Then one day, Josh overheard some teenagers talking about the condition of the house and said, “they ought to burn it down.”  They said it loud enough that Leonard heard them.

Instead of yelling at  the teens, Josh decided that he would paint Leonard’s house.  So, he got some paint donated and sent out an invitation on social forum for help to get the job done.

Over 100 showed up on a Saturday morning.  Some drove as far away as Texas.  And, those that could not make it, sent money, food and water.

Leonard and his wife sat on the porch until 11:00 pm that night, waving at people that drove by to see the house.

Josh said he was just trying to do something nice for the old couple.

He did.

PMO
©2015

Cow Patties

On several occasions I have commented that I am an observer by nature and training.  Again I quote Yogi Berra, “You can observe a lot just by watching.”  And, as one gets older, with more experience, it is not difficult to analyze what you see and predict an outcome.

Such is my observance of the ‘sheeple’ of this country.  I truly believe that if the government or some celebrity were to support eating cow patties, a large number of the inhabitants would.  Of course there would have to be a claim that such a diet would make you healthier, cure disease, lose weight, or make  you sexier or do anything that relates to sex.

If you think this is gross and disgusting, just think about all the similar “stuff” fed to the people everyday.

Here cow, here.  Moo.

PMO
©2015

Irony?

The Vietnam war officially ended in April 1975 with the fall of Saigon.  Protesters hated the soldiers that were sent to fight in the longest war ever fought by the U.S.. When the troops came home they were cursed, spit on and called ‘baby killers.’

Roe vs Wade was filed in U.S. District Court in Texas in 1970.  The Supreme Court ruled in January 1973 that abortion was legal.

Many of the same protesters against the soldiers demanded abortion rights, but they were not called ‘baby killers.’  And now, they are selling baby parts.

Is this irony or insanity?

PMO
©2015

The Hat

Well, at least Donald Trump has taken my advice and started wearing a hat - actually a cap.  He certainly looks better, and probably should even sleep in it.  However, he doesn’t appear to have changed his attitude.  He still thinks he’s on a TV show.

I don’t think I could vote for Mr. Trump, although I must admit that he says a lot of things I like to hear.  If elected, he would certainly have a field day going about the White House saying, “You’re fired.”  That’s not all bad, but I have concerns about those he might hire.  Now, if he were to fire the Supreme Court, that would cause me to change my thinking.

I’d get one of those hats and wear it everyday.

PMO
©2015

Rain

There’s an old saying in Texas: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes and it will change.”  We’ve gone from a foot of rain per day in the spring to a drought for the past few months.  Lawns and gardens haven’t had a chance this year.

That’s why I got all excited when a brief, very brief, thunderstorm came through.  Although it was mostly wind, we actually got a few drops of rain.  Nothing measurable, unless you wanted to count the drops on your windshield.  But it was exciting. 

It reminded me of my childhood in west Texas.  When it would rain there, everybody, adults and kids went outside to see it.  We children would run and play in the rain  even if we got all muddy.  No one cared.  It was raining.  I thought about running a playing in this little shower, but changed my mind.

My neighbors worry about me already.

PMO
©2015

Blood Sport

It has been said that politics is a blood sport.  So why are so many people upset with Donald Trump over his comment about Megyn Kelly?  Haven't they heard another saying, “coming after someone with blood in your eye.”

It is a common occurrence for liberal people to attack with “blood in their eyes” anyone that disagrees with them.  However, they need to be careful.  “The Donald” doesn’t run away and hide.  If Donald keeps that up, he may demonstrate to other conservatives that one can challenge the political correctness world.

Who knows what would happen then.

PMO
©2015

Two Zip Codes

There are only two individuals in the United States that have their own zip codes.  You might guess that the president would be one, and you would be correct.  Unless you happen to know this bit of trivia, the second one is a little hard to guess.  Smokey the Bear.  That big old loveable bear.  His zip code is 20252 if you want to drop him a letter.

I don’t know what the president’s zip code because I didn’t bother to look it up.  He doesn’t seem  interested in you writing to him anyway.  So, write to Smokey.

“Dear Smokey,
Thank you for all you do to prevent forest fires.  Do you think you could take some time and help the other guy that has his own zip code?  If nothing else, maybe you could get him a hat like yours.  He could pretend that he is helping you for the next year or so.  It surely would help the country if you could keep him busy.”

PMO
©2015

American Culture

If you had to sum up today’s American culture in as few words as possible, what would you say?  The answer in a moment.

I had a phone call this week from a fellow that like to meddle in one of the projects that I manage.  He often tries to tell me how to run things although he does not want to take over the project.  This time he wanted me to bend the rules, which I have told him repeatedly that I don’t do.  But in the conversation as he tried to state his case, he mentioned a group he is involved with.  Seems their discussion involved making a decision and one fellow simply said, “You guys do what you want to, I don’t care.”  According to my caller, this is an intelligent man with many credentials to attest to his abilities.

It was at that point, I told the caller, “That’s the culture we live in.”  That is the answer I promised.  Today we are a nation of ‘I don’t care.’

Acculturation is defined as social control and we are now so controlled, we just don’t care.  Think for a moment of all that you cannot do or think, for that matter.  And, may God have mercy on your soul if you say what you think if it is not politically correct.

I do care.  Is there anyone else that does?

PMO
©2015

Quotable Quote

Can you believe it, a Republican representative pretty well summed up why Republican voters are upset.  Jim Jordan, Ohio says the frustration comes down to this:

“There’s a reason too many Republicans think we are not doing what we said we were going to do.  That’s because we’re not doing what we said we were going to do.  It’s that simple.”

It truly is that simple.

PMO
©2015

Success

Much has been said and written about success.  There are as many ideas about how to succeed as there are about how to get elected.  But, the bottom line, in my opinion, is quite simple.  Which brings us to my grumpy old man rules of life number 51, “Be anything you’re willing to work for.”

It’s the word ‘work’ that most people can’t deal with.

PMO
©2015

Simple Idea

I have a simple idea for political candidates.  How about just telling us peons what you will do for the country.  Not, about your opponents faults or who is to blame for what.  Just define the issues as you see them and how you intended to go about accomplishing making things better.

Make a simple list and print it so we will know and you won’t forget.  Don’t worry about politics.  If you have a genuine approach to restore America, we the people will support you and that’s all the political support you need.

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone actually took this path and stuck to it?

PMO
©2015

Another Test

Okay kiddies, we have another pop quiz today.  There are only three questions.  See how well you do.

(1) Name all the Republican candidates for President (no cheating by looking them up)
(2) Name one thing that Hillary has ever done that was legal, moral and ethical.
(3) Who the heck is Bernie Sanders?

Extra points will be awarded to those that can identify Donald Trump’s hair stylist.

PMO
©2015

Energy Prevention Administration

Obama has called for more restrictions on electric power plants.  The EPA (Energy Prevention Administration) is ordered to further reduce emissions from power plants, coal plants in particular.  Numerous states have already reacted with law suits to block new regulations.

The truths are; coal does not burn clean but emissions have been reduced dramatically over the past few years; and, when those plants go down, the nation is in danger of losing the electric grid.  Power plants take years to build, because of all the regulations.

Just how long do you want to sit and wait for your electric service to be restored?  Don’t think solar or wind.

They are about as reliable as not having any power at all.

PMO
©2015

Learn To Think

It is possible to train most animals to perform a task upon command.  People are harder to deal with.  We spend billions and maybe trillions of dollars to teach students something.  Based upon the end product of schools today, as I see it, we are wasting money.  Reading, writing and arithmetic have gone to the wayside and social engineering has taken over in our schools.  And, the greatest injustice to our young is that they are not taught to think.  Oh, they think they think, but the way they think stinks.  Where has rational thinking gone?

Allow me to give you a simple example of real thinking.  I had need to change out the batteries from one golf cart and put them in another cart.  This involves moving 12 batteries, twice.  Batteries are heavy.  And, one must have a particular type of battery strap to lift the batteries from the area where they sit.  I did not have such a tool.  So, I thought, really thought about it.  I could not locate a battery strap easily, the batteries are heavy and had to be lifted from a position that would kill my back, and there would be a really big mess to clean up because the battery trays get all corroded and yucky.

My next step was to call a local golf cart shop and ask, “How much would you charge to move the batteries for me.”  The nice fellow that owns the shop said he would come and pickup both carts, change out the batteries, clean the battery trays and return the carts to me within a few hours for $60.  I did some more thinking and concluded, that was cheaper than I could do it.

That’s real thinking.

PMO
©2015

Cecil First And Now Jericho

According to CNN, Cecil the lion’s brother, Jericho, has also been illegally killed in Zimbabwe.  What is this world coming to?  Meanwhile, back at the ranch.  Judge William Orrick in San Francisco has granted a temporary restraining order on releasing anymore videos about Planned Parenthood and the practice of selling unborn baby body parts.

Remember people!  Lions lives matter!

PMO
©2015